Food that's good for a healthy heart

Here's a conundrum: While experts agree that high cholesterol and blood pressure are crucial heart disease risk factors, many people who suffer chest pain or even heart attacks have levels that are perfectly normal. This puzzle has prompted researchers to scour the body for other cardiovascular villains. Several have emerged in recent years, but the one that stands out the most is inflammation. The latest studies suggest that chronic inflammation of the lining of arteries is an important factor in the development of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. What causes this inflammation is not clear, but the good news is that (1) the advice that is given for lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and triglycerides also works fine for fighting inflammation; and (2) you can tackle all 4 culprits with the help of dietary weapons. In fact, you can plan your war against heart disease in your kitchen. Here is how:
1. Think like an artist when you choose fruits and vegetables: Eat those with the brightest colors. They have the most heart protective antioxidant pigments. A diet high in fruits and veggies also provides another important heart benefit, salicylic acid, which is the same anti-inflammatory compound created when aspirin is broken down in the body.
2. Increase food sources of omega-3 fatty acids which target high triglycerides in the blood. Good sources of omega-3s include fish such as sardines, mackerel; nuts and seeds; green leafy vegetables; grains like wheat, bajra; legumes like rajma, cowpea, and black gram.
3. Reduce the amount of meats you eat, especially red meats, and always select lean cuts. Use meat as a seasoning for vegetable dishes rather than the focal point of a meal.
4. Cut down on salt and instead use herbs and spices like ginger, garlic, turmeric and fenugreek liberally in your cooking; the first three are naturally anti-inflammatory and the last has soluble fibre which helps sweep away cholesterol from the arteries.
5. Shift to groundnut, mustard, rice bran and olive oils which contain monosaturated fatty acids that help lower (bad) LDL and maintain levels of (good) HDL cholesterol. Drastically limit margarine, vegetable shortening, butter and all products made with partially hydrogenated oils.
6. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains (wheat, brown rice, oats), beans and pulses, are also great sources of soluble and insoluble fibre, which trap LDLs and usher them out of the body.

Cell Phone Antenna May Pose Health Hazards

There is growing consensus that cell phone antennas may be harmful to humans due to the huge volume of electromagnetic waves that get concentrated around it during the receipt and placing of calls. This danger is even further aggravated by cellular manufacturers who place the internal antennas close to the earpiece.
Mobile phones are basically radio sets and therefore emit energy radio signals that can penetrate the body and cause harm.
There have been several commissions on the study of the effect of mobile phone on the human body and the most pronounced has been The Stewart Report which suggested that radio waves indeed penetrate human bodies from mobile phone antennas and specially recommended that children who obviously have softer skulls be extra careful and use the device sparingly. The report further went on to state that the brain cells of children are not as fully developed as those of adults and can therefore be at greater risk as they absorb the radiation more than fully hardened adult skulls.
These hazards may exist but cell phones have become part of everyday living like cars and cannot be dispensed with. In the light of this fact, doing away with our phones may not be a practical approach to solving the health hazards issue. Rather we can adopt some habits to mitigate the effects of the radiation.
Children should not use cell phones for long calls. They should sue land lines instead so as to minimize the length of contact with the radiation emitted by the device.
Consumers should buy phones with low specific absorption rate (SAR). Mobile phones should be kept away from the body as much as possible. They can be put in the purse or bag and only brought into contact with the body when there is the need to make or receive a call.
Users should try to keep their conversations short.
If possible, SMS messages can be sent instead of calls so that there is less contact with the body especially around the skull area.
Keep switching between both ears so that one particular ear does not absorb the full brunt of the radiation all the time.
Radiation emission is at the highest when the phone is trying to connect so keep the phone away from the skull till you see the call fully connected.
Weak signal results in higher radiation so avoid making calls in areas where reception is poor as the device will try to boost its power to get you a connection and resultantly bombard you with more radiation.
We cannot do away with cellular devices looking at the convenience they have ushered consumers in. Nevertheless, we can adopt some helpful attitudes to minimize the harmful effects this technology is bringing to mankind.

Pumpkinseed oil (good for health)

Pumpkin seed oil are rich in the good fats which are absolutely essential to joint and health in general. Deficiency in these fats leads to all manner of problems such as heart disease, depression and cancer. This is very probable most of us eat too much sugar (carbs) and processed vegetable oils (which causes vitamin E deficiency as all is lost in processing). We are highly deficient in the Omega 3 and 9 fats and are literally phobic of good saturated fats. In addition to Pumpkin seed oil, Fish oil is good resource of essential oils too.

Medications and Prescriptions
- reduces the symptoms accompanying the non-pathological enlargement of the prostate gland- helps decrease the lipid level- essential fatty acid content beneficially affects brain function Each capsule contains 300 or 600 mg of pumpkinseed oil, obtained from the seeds of a special type of pumpkin (Cucurbitae Pepo convar. pepo var stryriaca), which is then put through a special cold pressing process.Scientists discovered that this oil contains high level of the active ingredient: delta-7-sterine., This steroid specifically compete with dihydrotestosterone dangerous for the receptors in prostate. So, Pumpkinseed oil neutralises it's undesirable action on the gland. Pumpkinseed oil is stable to oxidation processes.Dosage: 2 capsules 3 times per day during 2 month and after: 1 capsules 3 times per day during 1 month. Course: 4 - 6 boxes required for a course (4 months)The capsule is free from any additives and contains a preparation including pumpkin seed oil of biological value. Caution! Before starting to take this medicine, it is vital that you should consult your doctor! Do not use it on your own initiative, without medical advice.

10 Ways to Prevent Cancer

Thankfully there are ways to help you prevent cancer. These are the 10 most effective ways to help you prevent cancer.
1. Avoid becoming overweight, maintaining normal body weight throughout life.
2. Exercise regularly. At least a half-hour of physical activity per day, preferably one hour.
3. Limit your consumption of energy-dense foods, meaning foods high in sugar and fat and little fiber. Avoid sweetened beverages like soft drinks.
4. Eat mostly foods of plant origin. Eat at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day and plenty of legumes and whole meal products. These foods are rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals.
5. Limit your intake of red meat (in the report defined as meat from beef, pork, lamb and goat) to 500 grams (prepared by weight) per week and avoid processed meats.
6. If you drink alcohol, drink no more than an amount corresponding to 2 small glasses of wine a day if you are a man and a small glass of wine a day if you are a woman.
7. Limit consumption of salt and salt food to a maximum quantity of 6 grams of salt per day. Read more in "Advice on salt" on the link to the right.
8. Eat no nutritional supplements to prevent cancer. Studies show conflicting results and in some studies has increased cancer risk when eaten food.
9. Give only breast milk during the child's first six months of life. This protects the mother against breast cancer, and prevent overweight and obesity in the child.
10. People who had survived cancer and should also follow the advice given strong indications that they protect against cancer relapse.

Steps to Success - Ten Small Steps To Take Towards Weight Loss

Here are ten small steps you can take to start losing weight. Start wherever you'd like, whenever you'd like. What's best is that you do this on your own terms rather than following some strict, rigid plan that nobody can follow to the T. Try taking one step every week or two until you've added each one into your life. You'll find that by the time you're done you'll feel better physically as well as mentally.
Step One:
Cut Out the Pop Soda. Pop. Coke. Whatever you call it, if it's not diet, it's going to pack on the pounds if you drink it regularly. Even diet soda isn't highly recommended, though if it's weight loss you're after and you're not willing to give up all sodas then they are a good alternative. The best drink alternative, however, is water. Tea comes in as a close second. If you normally drink a can of soda every day, cutting it out of your daily routine will save you around 150 calories. Over the course of three weeks, you will have saved 3150 calories. 3500 equals one pound of weight, so that's nearly one pound lost right there!
Step Two:
Take the Stairs Taking the stairs instead of the elevator is an excellent way to burn a few extra calories. If you're physically able, you should really give it a try. You'll burn more calories and the more you burn, the more you'll lose.
Step Three:
Eat More Veggies I'll admit: this isn't easy. I have a hard time with it myself. Regardless, vegetables are high in nutrition and low in calories. You'll feel full after eating them but you won't have consumed as many calories as you might have if you were, for example, eating potato chips. Step Four:
Park in the Back of the Lot We've all done it, especially on cold or rainy days: driving around for fifteen minutes trying to find a closer parking place. By parking in the back of the lot, not only are you saving time and gas, but you're burning more calories during your walk to the door. Even when it's -10 degrees, you'll be glad you took this extra step because by adding in little extra bits of physical labor into your day you'll be one step closer to a healthier, happier you. Step Five:
Drink Your Water Eight glasses a day seems like a lot, but it really isn't as bad as you'd think. A 20 oz. bottle of water is 2.5 servings alone. Two bottles is 5 servings, and if you drink a third plus a little more you'll have your servings down without a problem. The important thing is to spread it out during your day. It'll keep you from snacking as well as keeping your body hydrated.
Step Six:
Cook With Olive Oil Olive oil might be a little more expensive, but a little goes a long way both functionally and flavor-wise. Olive oil is a much healthier alternative to other cooking oils because it is filled with the good fats that we need in our diet rather than the bad saturated ones. These good fats will help us to feel satiated after a meal rather than hankering for seconds.
Step Seven:
Take a Walk I know I personally am not big on working out. It takes time and feels like a hassle. If you, too, find it hard to work out, try taking a relaxing walk instead. Don't think of it as working out. Think of it as an enjoyable activity. You can enjoy the outdoors, take your canine friend for a walk, or put on your headphones and listen to some music while enjoying the scenery. Even a quick trip around the block every day will bring you a little closer to better health.
Step Eight:
Pump Iron By pumping iron, I don't mean that you have to go to the gym and bench press or dead lift a large amount of weight. Go to your local department store and pick up an inexpensive pair of 3, 5, or 8 pound hand weights. These small weights are a great way to build some muscle mass without putting too much effort in to it. Look at fitness magazines, do a Google search, or check out a book from the library on weight lifting if you're not sure how to do a proper bicep curl or squat. Just five minutes and a few reps each day will help you to build a little extra lean mass. That muscle, in turn, will rev up your metabolism.
Step Nine:
Put Down the Cookies Think about what you eat in a day. Are cookies, cakes, or other sweets frequently in your diet? I know they were in mine! Try cutting a few things out. Say no thanks to that piece of birthday cake and when you go grocery shopping put the cookies back on the shelf. Little things like this will go a long way.
Step Ten:
Smile!! Just think of all the progress you've made!! By taking it one step at a time, you've brought yourself a little closer to being a healthier person. Don't be afraid to give yourself a pat on the back for all your hard work. Smile, and maybe even reward yourself with a shopping trip or another favorite enjoyable activity. You deserve it!!

Swap Your Coffee for Green Tea

Perhaps one thing that gives the Japanese their relative good health and longevity is green tea. Research has linked an increased consumption of this infusion with a reduced risk of conditions such as cancer and heart disease. This lovely cup of tea will not only keep you cosy this winter, but may increase your health as well.
A Strong Antioxidant.
Researchers seeking an explanation for green tea's apparent health-giving qualities believe they have found it in the form of substances known as polyphenols, which are strong antioxidants that have the potential to quell disease-promoting molecules known as free radicals.Furthermore, research suggests that the most potent weapon against disease that green tea contains is a compound known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). EGCG has been found to have a number of cancer-protective actions in the body, including an ability to help in the deactivation of cancer-causing chemicals (carcinogens).
Many Benefits for Health
Green tea has been linked with a reduced risk of cancer in both men and women. In one study published in 2004, women consuming green tea every day were found to have a 47 per cent reduced risk of breast cancer compared to those consuming none at all. In another study published the same year, researchers found that men taking green tea each day had about a quarter of the risk of prostate cancer compared to those who took no green tea. Other research has found that increased green tea consumption appears to protect against other forms of cancer too, including those of the stomach, colon, lung and skin.The benefits of green tea seem to extend the circulatory system too. Research has found that individuals who consume green tea tend to have lower blood levels of cholesterol. Studies have also shown a decrease in blood pressure. These benefits go at least some way to explaining research which links green tea consumption with a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease.Green tea has also been linked with weight loss. Some studies have shown that people can shed a few pounds by simply swapping coffee for green tea. A healthy diet and plenty of exercise is of course the best way to lose weight, but a little green tea may add to an overall lifestyle change.
Why Green?
All tea, including green, black and oolong come from the same plant. However, green tea, unlike the others is unfermented so the active health giving ingredients remain unaltered. The other teas, which go through a fermentation process, still contain some of the healthy properties, but appear to be more muted.It should be noted that one can drink too much green tea. The majority of our liquid should be water, but a cup or two of green tea a day can offer some amazing healing benefits.

Diabetes prevention: 5 tips for taking control

When it comes to type 2 diabetes - the most common type of diabetes - prevention is a big deal. It's especially important to make diabetes prevention a priority if you're at increased risk of diabetes, for example, if you're overweight or have a family history of the disease. In the United States alone, experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expect diabetes to affect more than 48 million people by 2050.
Tweaking your lifestyle could be a big step toward diabetes prevention - and it's never too late to start. Diabetes prevention is as basic as losing extra weight and eating more healthfully. Consider the latest diabetes prevention tips from the American Diabetes Association.
Tip 1: Get more physical activity
There are many benefits to regular physical activity. It can help you lose weight but even if it doesn't, it's still important to get off the couch. Whether you lose weight or not, physical activity lowers blood sugar and boosts your sensitivity to insulin - which helps keep your blood sugar within a normal range.
Research shows that both aerobic exercise and resistance training can help control diabetes, but the greatest benefits come from a fitness program that includes both.
Tip 2: Get plenty of fiber
It's rough, it's tough - and it may reduce the risk of diabetes by improving your blood sugar control. Fiber intake is also associated with a lower risk of heart disease. It may even promote weight loss by helping you feel full. Foods high in fiber include fruits, vegetables, beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds.
Tip 3: Go for whole grains
Although it's not clear why, whole grains may reduce your risk of diabetes and help maintain blood sugar levels. Try to make at least half your grains whole grains. Many foods made from whole grains come ready to eat, including various breads, pasta products and ready-to-eat cereals. Look for the word "whole" on the package and among the first few items in the ingredient list.
Tip 4: Lose extra weight
If you're overweight, diabetes prevention may hinge on weight loss. Every pound you lose can improve your health. And you may be surprised by how much. In one study, overweight adults who lost a modest amount of weight - 5 percent to 10 percent of initial body weight - and exercised regularly reduced the risk of developing diabetes by 58 percent over three years.
Tip 5: Skip fad diets and make healthier choices
Low-carb, low-glycemic load or other fad diets may help you lose weight at first, but their effectiveness at preventing diabetes isn't known; nor are their long-term effects. And by excluding or strictly limiting a particular food group, you may be giving up essential nutrients. Instead, think variety and portion control as part of an overall healthy-eating plan.
Make it a team effort
The American Diabetes Association recommends blood glucose screening for everyone age 45 and older who's overweight. If you're older than age 45 and at a normal weight, ask your doctor about earlier testing. Also ask your doctor about testing if you're younger than age 45 and overweight with one or more additional risk factors for type 2 diabetes - such as a sedentary lifestyle or a family history of diabetes.
Also share your concerns about diabetes prevention. Your doctor will applaud your efforts to keep diabetes at bay, and perhaps offer additional suggestions based on your medical history or other factors.

7 Ways to Spot a Weight Loss Scam

I’m not exactly sure how they came up with the criteria for what constitutes a “scam”, but here are some red flags that people need to be wary of when it comes to sketchy weight loss products;
Promises of fast, permanent or easy (usually it is all of the above) weight loss
Lacks scientific evidence to support claims, instead relying on glowing testimonials (which may or may not be authentic)
Claims you can lose weight without exercising or making dietary modifications.
Claims to remove fat from certain areas of your body (can you say “thigh master?”)
Uses terms such as “miracle”, “scientific breakthrough”, “secret formula” and “revolutionary” to describe their product.
Isn’t sold through regular commercial distribution channels (internet, mail order, multi level marketing).
Claims that there is a singular compound/factor is keeping you from losing weight (inevitably, they are selling something that will rectify the culprit). Read: Cortisol-reducers, HGH enhancers etc.
It also doesn’t hurt to be skeptical of anything sold via an infomercial. It is surprisingly easy to concoct a convincing and yet completely untruthful TV spot. Check out Dateline’s feature on the making of an infomercial here.
It comes down to the old adage “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is”. There is no substitute for proper, sensible nutrition and hard work.