Diet + Nutrition

With so many foods that are void of nutritional value these days, an understanding of the best nutritional foods is essential for good health. In this way, you can plan your meals and snacks to provide you with the most nutritional punch possible, instead of consuming empty calories that do nothing but promote obesity and poor health.

While some foods are obviously less healthy than others, even healthy foods can come in tiers. The following ten foods are at the top of the list of healthy foods, as they are full of nutrients and they also may help fight off disease and other effects of aging.

Sinusitis, or sinus infection, occurs when the nasal passages become irritated or inflamed, causing an uncomfortable buildup of pressure around the eyes, cheeks, forehead and temples. If you have a sinus infection, you might consider using apple cider vinegar to help ease these symptoms.

No diet can cure psoriasis. In fact, in late 2009, scientists were still searching for any cure for the skin disease that affects 1 to 2 percent of the population. The National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) emphasizes control, saying diet can manage flare-ups, if not the disease itself. Dermatologist Dr. Richard Langley says studies increasingly show psoriasis is linked with the immune system. Therefore, a diet that strengthens the immune system should manage psoriasis, he says.

Psoriasis commonly appears as pink areas on the skin with scaly, dry, flaky skin overtop. It can appear at any age. The cause of psoriasis is not known, but whatever causes it creates a skin cell production rate more rapid than normal. Conventional treatment of psoriasis does not work for all patients. When treatment fails, consider that a food allergy may be the cause. Try a psoriasis elimination diet to find the food that causes your condition.

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that is not contagious. Psoriasis sufferers experience fast reproduction of skin cells, which causes scaly, thick, dry patches appearing all over the skin. The scales and dry flakes are a result of the speedy accumulation of skin cells. There are both mild and severe cases of psoriasis. It is often believed that the development of psoriasis has links to an individual’s dietary habits. Some foods and beverages can actually trigger psoriasis flare-ups.

Psoriasis sufferers have long maintained food affects their skin disorder but, so far, there is no hard scientific evidence to back such claims. Dr. Bruce Strober of the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Center believes some people may have specific food triggers.

Glucose is the most basic type of carbohydrate used by the body for energy. Also known as “blood sugar,” glucose has a distinct structure that is key to its role as an energy source and as a player in a variety of metabolic pathways. Because glucose and its regulation is so important to normal physiological functioning, glucose metabolism problems can cause a number of medical disorders.

Fad diets come and go, one that sticks around is detoxing. Detoxing the body is cutting out unhealthy parts of a diet and replacing it with certain foods to remove all excess, harmful waste from the body. Many celebrities use it to shed pounds quickly, others use it to start a fresh life with whole, organic foods. One type of popular detoxification is detoxing the liver. However, there are many risks with any type of detoxing, especially of the liver.

Acai berries originate from Brazil and are considered a “superfood” due to the wealth of powerful benefits such as: essential fatty acids (omega-3, omega-6 and omega-9), antioxidants, amino acids, and many vitamins and minerals. Despite being a fruit, which diabetics try to avoid, acai has been proven to provide many benefits for people living with diabetes.

Caffeine has been a source of energy for many years in different forms. While tea and coffee have dominated the global scene, more and more consumers are opting for caffeine pills.

Citric acid is an organic acid produced in nature, and is a natural preservative. Found in citrus fruits, citric acid has hundreds of uses in the food industry, in science and in heavy industry. Citric acid is a background player in a lot of the things we use every day, and benefits us in good health.

Hoodia TrimSpa X32 is an over-the-counter diet supplement that works by combining appetite-suppressing ingredients with ingredients believed to speed up metabolism. Other ingredients are used to make the dieter feel full. Hoodia, an extract from an African plant, is the essential ingredient in TrimSpa X32. The extract has been shown in preliminary studies to curb […]

Human blood has an ideal pH level that is slightly alkaline, typically about 7.35 to 7.45 on an acidity scale, according to Rense, a website dedicated to healthful diets. Blood pH level is affected by many things including unhealthy diet, emotional stress, toxin overload or immune system malfunctions. All foods fall somewhere on the acidic or alkaline scale, however, most common foods fall on the acidic side of the scale. Alkaline foods may help reduce stomach acid and acid reflux.

Casein protein is a slow-digesting dairy protein and an excellent source of amino acids. According to Musclelegion.com, it “makes up nearly 80 percent of all the protein found in cow’s milk.” Since it absorbs slowly, it is a protein mostly consumed just before going to bed. Post-digestion, casein forms a clot which slows the gastric emptying process, thus taking longer to digest in the stomach. It provides a feeling of satiety, helping you feel fuller and more satisfied.

Australian-based candy company Kookaburra Licorice distributes flavored and chocolate-covered licorice internationally. Ingredients vary slightly with each Kookaburra product but all Kookaburra Licorice varieties combine sweeteners with flour, natural flavors and preservatives.

Gout is a painful form of arthritis that occurs when high levels of uric acid in your blood causes crystals to form in your joints. According to the Mayo Clinic, regulating your diet can help you avoid gout.

When you’re breastfeeding, you can still lose weight while eating a lot of food. You need to eat enough to make sure that your baby is getting the nutrition that she needs, which usually means an extra 500 calories per day. Since you are used to eating this extra food, it can be a challenge to lose weight after nursing, though some women will naturally lose weight after weaning. Through properly tracking your calories and exercise, however, you can lose all of the weight after weaning.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) uses phrases to release emotional blocks, which can cause physical problems such as weight loss. According to founder and developer, Gary Craig, a person’s energy center is disrupted by distressing memories, which cause negative emotions. With a Basic Recipe, individuals who want to lose weight may find success with EFT.

Cholesterol can be a healthy part of your diet. Your body uses cholesterol to produce the steroid hormones that regulate your heart and water levels and keep your energy level up. You want to convert your dietary cholesterol into these hormones to keep your cholesterol levels normal. Exercise and diet are the keys to cholesterol conversion.

Acidosis is a condition that exists when the body chemistry becomes unbalanced and over-acidic. The most significant symptoms include: difficulty swallowing, burning in the mouth, bumps on the tongue or mouth, teeth sensitivity, recessed eyes, and extremely low blood pressure. Alkalosis is the opposite; the body is too alkaline. Improper diet is a common cause of both conditions. Alkalosis causes abnormalities to the nervous system: overexcitability, hyperventilation and seizures. Acidity and alkalinity are measured according to the amount of hydrogen in the body. It is expressed in terms of the pH number. A substance with a pH of 7, is considered neutral; below 7 is acidic; above 7 is alkaline. These numbers are useful in determining treatment and how to alter your diet to restore your body. You either have to eat more acid-forming foods or eat more alkaline-forming foods. There are tests you can do yourself to determine your acidity-alkalinity condition and know what kind of foods to eat.

Several factors play a role in weight loss. If you’re looking to get rid of extra pounds and improve your health, changing what you eat and increasing your level of activity are vital to success.

Many people have had great success losing weight on a high-protein, low-carb diet. A high-protein diet has also helped bodybuilders and athletes to pack on lots of muscle. Chowing down on protein foods is easy, but if you want to do it to lose weight and stay in shape, it will require some effort. You’ll need to learn the difference between healthy proteins and unhealthy proteins, and you’ll need to have a plan to consistently eat healthy high-protein meals.

Kidney disease is a common ailment of aging cats. Chronic renal failure (CRF) can be treated in many ways to keep your cat alive and well for several years. The major symptoms of CRF are an increase in fluid consumption and more frequent urination. Symptoms generally won’t be noticed until the kidney is working at 25 percent capacity. CRF is the No. 1 cause of death in older cats.

The Nintendo Wii was introduced as a breakthrough console that offered a less sedentary gaming experience that could be enjoyed by the entire family. People were already excited about seeing their children off the couch, but the popularity of this gaming system increased drastically when it was discovered that successful weight loss could be achieved.

Avoiding gluten can have a variety of benefits, especially if you have allergies to gluten or have been diagnosed with celiac disease. If you are considering cutting gluten out of your diet, recognize that it will take a great deal of patience and changing the way you eat, but over time you will learn what it takes for you to live gluten-free, it will become easier and the benefits will likely be numerous.

Diabetes is a chronic condition that occurs when the body is no longer able to produce or utilize insulin to process ingested sugar. In addition to medication and regular exercise, incorporating certain foods into your diet can help you more effectively manage your condition.

One psoriasis patient’s diet might help their condition. Another will see no effect. Patients’ backgrounds, symptoms and histories are so diverse, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) website, that it is hard to say what dietary changes can improve or worsen the skin disorder.

Families that desire to eat healthier need a healthy foods grocery list. It’s easier to resist unhealthy snacks and poor choices if you don’t put these foods into your shopping cart.

Rice bran has been the subject of many studies recently for many disease preventing and health benefits. Rice bran may be helpful in many conditions including cancer, fatty liver, kidney stones and heart disease. As with most things, some drawbacks may also lurk.

Stevia is a safe, nonglycemic sweetener that can be sprinkled on fruits, stirred into iced tea or coffee or used in baking in place of refined sugar. Approved by the FDA in 1996 as a food supplement, instead of a food additive, it is commonly found in certain commercial cookies, cakes and other foods. Using stevia at home is matter of knowing the conversion. For example, you could use six packets of stevia powder in place of ¼ cup of refined sugar. It is safe to consume from the packet, or in baked or cooked foods.

Maintaining a healthy diet is key to living a healthy lifestyle. Eating a diet high in saturated fats has been linked to coronary heart disease and is one of the main causes of the obesity epidemic in America.

Citric acid is a compound found in the body. It is formed when fats are broken down in the body, which occurs during metabolism. Almost all living things contain citric acid. It is found in high concentrations in citrus fruits, especially lemons. A urine test is done to test for levels of citric acid in the body.

Even thin women develop cellulite and can end up feeling as if they should not go outside in shorts or a bathing suit. Fortunately, there are plenty of natural remedies for the condition.

Gestational diabetes is the term for high blood sugar occurring in non-diabetic women during pregnancy. As the condition usually develops toward the end of the second trimester, most women are asked to take a glucose tolerance test between the 24th and 28th week of pregnancy. Many women would never suspect that they had gestational diabetes without taking the test–gestational diabetes does not necessarily produce symptoms. There are, however, a few classic signs.

The human body’s most basic metabolism processes take place at the cellular level. Nucleic acids hold the fundamental blueprints on how these processes are run. The cellular level regulates energy production, reproductive processes and metabolism processes. Each cell type follows a step-by-step blueprint through which the various organs and tissues of the body are maintained, and supported.

Wheat bran is the hard outer layer of the wheat plant, which is removed when the wheat is processed into refined flour. Wheat bran is often added to commercially prepared foods and can also be purchased for use in baking or as a nutritional supplement.

Navy beans are small, white beans that got their name from their time as a staple ingredient of the U.S. Navy, according to the website World’s Healthiest Foods.

A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is key to maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, and blueberries are chock full of important vitamins and antioxidants. Blueberries have been around for thousands of years and are readily available year round.

As infants grow, their diets expand beyond breast milk or formula. Parents gradually introduce solid foods to their babies, being careful to watch for allergic reactions or other signs of trouble. Because citrus fruits have been known to upset some infants’ stomachs, physicians recommend waiting to introduce them until the infants are older.

With an obesity epidemic in America that is reaching epic proportions, millions of people are searching for ways to slim down and lead healthier lifestyles. With thousands of diet products on the market, it’s easy to see why many people are confused as to what is really inside the foods they put into their bodies. The confusion with sugar alcohols is no different.

Consuming more antioxidant-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables can prevent oxidative stress, which is caused by oxygen making contact with cells, this is also known as free radicals. Free radicals damage cells they come in contact with by destabilizing them. Once the free radicals begin to attack proteins, fats and DNA the damage to the cells begin to cause occurrences of various diseases and also speeds up the aging process. By increasing your antioxidant intake you can avoid free radicals and the damage they cause to cells.

Body wraps are very popular to help lose weight and make you feel healthier overall. There are many different types of body wraps. They help to rejuvenate the skin, detox the body and help promote weight loss. Most body wraps include items such as: seaweed, aloe, healing salts, rose hips, alfalfa, Clary, sage, Humfrey root, dandelion root, rosemary and chamomile.

Those who have digestion difficulties will attempt to stay away from foods that cause them issues. While there are multiple foods that can cause digestive problems, there are certain foods that are highlighted as being difficult to digest. Avoiding these foods is the best way to have limited digestion issues.

Vinegar has been hailed as something of a miracle food for thousands of years. Whether you drink it straight, pour it over a salad or other vegetables, or topically apply it to your skin, you will reap the health benefits of this product.

Vinegar has many health benefits with some minor side effects. While side effects usually occur in harsher vinegars like while distilled vinegar or apple cider vinegar, they can also occur in mild vinegars like balsamic and red wine.

Selenium refers to a trace mineral naturally found in many foods, such as Brazil nuts. Some people take selenium supplements to improve their health. Selenium may increase the ability of antioxidants to protect your body’s cells, according to Medline Plus.

A regular ingredient in Asian diets, seaweed is packed with minerals as well as vitamins B-1, B-2 and B-12. Vitamin B-1 helps with nerve function and muscle tissue, B-2 helps the body absorb iron and B-12 promotes a healthy nervous system. Some of seaweed’s many benefits include strengthening the immune system, increasing energy and providing iodine that supports function of the thyroid, which controls the metabolic rate of every cell in the body. Some of the most popular seaweeds are kelp, nori, dulse, arame and wakame, and they may be eaten in many ways.

A systemic yeast diet ensures that a person remains free of yeast infections through healthy diet restrictions. Symptons of a yeast infection includes diarrhea, vaginitis, constipation, fatigue, respiratory problems and various inflammations.

Fiber is an important part of your diet, but according to bellaonline.com, studies show that only five percent of Americans eat as much fiber as they should. Adults should consume between 24 and 38 grams of fiber daily. Adequate fiber is essential for optimal health, as it aids digestion and lowers your risk for high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes, and colon cancer. The following foods are some high-fiber foods that will help you reach the optimal fiber intake.