Diet + Nutrition

Minerals are an important part of the diet, and are best absorbed when consumed in the foods we eat, rather than taken as a supplement.

Somewhat of a misnomer, a “no-sodium” diet is more accurately called a “low-sodium” diet since the body requires some level of sodium intake to maintain fluid balance, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Low-sodium diets are used to treat a number of conditions, including hypertension (high blood pressure) and renal failure. Whether your physician has placed you on a low-sodium diet or you have done so in an proactive attempt to improve your health, there are a few considerations that you should know.

Apple cider vinegar is made from the liquid of crushed apples. Yeast is added to begin fermentation that turns sugars into alcohol. The alcohol turns into vinegar when acid-forming bacteria are added. This acid is instrumental in giving vinegar its sour taste. Apple cider vinegar has been used for centuries as a remedy for many ailments. There have been limited scientific studies performed on humans to back up any significant health benefits. Apple cider vinegar should only be consumed in a diluted form (2 teaspoons mixed in water or juice). Pure apple cider vinegar is damaging to throat tissue.

Although the consumption of raw food was long considered too dangerous to risk, certain individuals are nevertheless embracing the concept of a raw food diet. Raw food enthusiasts claim that cooking food denatures the nutrients contained therein, making them less bioavailable to your body. Eggs are a popular item for raw consumption, but there are certain steps that you need to take in order to decrease your risk of contracting an illness.

Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas does not produce enough insulin to process dietary sugar, leaving excess glucose in the blood. Although the major issue for diabetics is keeping their blood glucose from getting too high, administering too much insulin cause a dangerous drop in blood sugar, leading to a condition known as “insulin shock”. Because of this it is important to understand exactly how to provide correct dosages of insulin and know what to do when an individual’s blood sugar has fallen to an unsafe level.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the brain. It affects things such as mood, appetite, sleep and even memory. Prozac and other antidepressants interact with the SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor), preventing the uptake of serotonin and making more available in the bloodstream. Serotonin also is found in plants, a fact that may interest those who are looking to improve their levels without taking medication.

The Brazilian acacia berry, or acai berry as it is best known, has made a big splash through shows such as Oprah. The berry has become very popular among people trying to lose weight.

Dietary fiber aids in digestion and prevents constipation. It is important in helping reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and lowering blood cholesterol levels. Parents not recognizing the importance of fiber may be denying their children the dietary fiber necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Breadfruit got its name from the smell of the fruit itself, as many say that the smell resembles freshly-baked bread. Breadfruit is an oval-shaped, bright green fruit. There are multiple nutritional benefits to adding this brightly-colored fruit to your daily diet.

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to adopt a rabbit-like diet of nothing but fruits and vegetables once you’re diagnosed with diabetes. A proper diabetic diet relies on smart food choices, sweets included.

Gout is a form of arthritis ,which may cause joint tenderness and occurs when the human body absorbs too much uric acid produced within the bloodstream. Purines may be located primarily in animal protein and converted into uric acid within the body. A gout purine diet allows for managing your health condition by recommending food low in purines ,while minimizing high-purine foods and drinks.

Liquid diets consist of liquids only–no regular meals. While some liquid diets have nutritional value, many are devoid of the daily recommended nutrients. As a result, they should only be followed for a short time and ideally under the close supervision of a doctor.

The lemon is not only one of the most popular fruits worldwide, but it’s also a priceless marvel of nutrition and health benefits. There’s so much more to this powerhouse fruit than a delicious summer drink.

Eating highly refined, processed foods can lead children on a path to obesity. One in three children in the U.S. is obese. Unchecked, overconsumption of refined, “empty calories” can result in high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels and increased risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.Eating high-fiber foods will help regulate blood sugar levels and contribute to feelings of satiety to stem overeating. Insoluble fiber found in the skins of fruits and vegetables will help your children remain regular in bowel habits. Soluble fiber found in whole grains such as brown rice, millet, oats, quinoa and other grains, provide complex carbohydrates that take longer to digest—keeping energy levels from spiking.

Potassium enriched foods are developed to fortify the nutritional value of a product, to prevent deficiencies and to reproduce the nutrient content of potassium, which may have been lost during food processing.

Losing weight and snack foods don’t sound like phrases that belong in the same sentence. For many, healthy eating conjures up thoughts of foods they dread—perhaps Brussels sprouts or broccoli—but short of consuming what you really don’t like, there are ways to snack that are healthy and will help you lose weight.

Every toddler needs fiber as part of a well-balanced diet. Encouraging healthy eating at an early age will benefit your child for a lifetime. Lack of fiber in your toddler’s diet can lead to digestive problems and constipation. As your child gets older, the lasting benefits of proper fiber intake are a reduced risk of heart disease and lower blood cholesterol.

Foods are determined to be alkaline or acidic based on the pH effect they have on urine. A healthy diet balances the intake of alkaline foods and acidic foods, preventing bodily fluids from becoming too alkaline or too acidic.

Perhaps the most common concern about vegetarian diets is how to make sure you’re getting balanced nutrition. Most people wonder how vegetarians get enough iron and protein. There are other important facets to vegetarian eating besides these common issues, such as getting enough vitamin B12 and making sure the diet doesn’t rely too heavily on any one type of food.

Children ages 4 to 17 of today’s high-paced world consume fast food on a regular basis. Unfortunately, that is reflective on the health of the population, particularly the children. These kids are no longer playing outside, but instead choosing a more lethargic lifestyle and opt to play video games or watch television. As a result, they are experiencing many health problems, including obesity and heart disease.

A rotation diet involves attaining weight loss by varying the amount of calories consumed by following specified eating cycles. Participants are not required to eat the same foods repeatedly in the same amounts. Also, they can periodically eat their favorite foods. As with most diet plans, the rotation diet has both advantages and disadvantages.

Though you may not realize it, calcium chloride plays an integral part in the diet of human beings every day. Though not quite the same thing, you may recognize it instantly as no more than salt. But, be wary, this isn’t the kind you put on your popcorn.

Brewer’s yeast is a fungus, Saccharomyces cervisae. It is used in some baked products, making beer and as a nutritional additive (in the inactive form). Brewers yeast is added to malted barley and hops to produce an alcoholic beer, after fermentation. In baked goods, it is used as a flavor or nutritional additive. However, brewer’s yeast is most well known for its health benefits.

Dietary fiber is an important aspect of our health. Fiber lowers the risk for cancer, heart disease, obesity and a host of other health complications. This article provides options for how you can incorporate more fiber into your diet with a variety of fiber-rich foods.

Do you want to lose weight, without using weight loss drugs? Did you know that, you can lose weight with Chinese herbs? The Chinese are well versed in the art of promoting good health and healing. You can find many herbs that boost your metabolism to aid in lose weight. Most of these herbs can be found at a Natural or health food market. If your weight loss plan is extensive, it might be cheaper to buy the herbs in bulk form/