kidradd.comAnti-inflammatory Foods to Soothe Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis is an extremely painful illness. It’s not just a matter of worn out joints, the immune system actually attacks them. No-one knows why the body suddenly turns against itself and there’s no cure. All you can do is treat the symptoms and seek ways to limit inflammation. Diet is particularly important, and some foods actually fight inflammation. Here are some of the healthy foods that can help relieve inflammation caused by Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Doctors agree that increasing your intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids can help to reduce inflammation. You’ll find this miracle ingredient in fatty fish such as mackerel, herring, tuna and salmon. If you can’t bear the thought of eating so much fish, take a fish oil supplement. There are also plant-based foods that can help you: nuts are a great source of Omega 3 and so are flax seeds and chia seeds.
Antioxidants
Getting a healthy dose of antioxidants foods can help to relieve inflammation. A study that took place in the Netherlands indicated that RA sufferers who spent 10 weeks on an antioxidant-rich diet reported less pain and inflammation. If you want to load up on antioxidants, you should eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as nuts. Green tea is also packed with antioxidants.
Increase your fiber intake
Most modern diets are lacking in fiber from whole grains, fresh fruit and vegetables. Research findings show that increased fiber intake can reduce the levels of C-reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation. Strawberries seem to be particularly effective in reducing CRP levels and inflammation.
Eat foods that are rich in flavonoids
Once again, eating lots of fresh fruit and veg will help you. It is believed that they play a role in reducing inflammation and the accompanying pain and swelling. Load up on berries, drink green tea, munch grapes and include soya in your diet. Good news! Dark chocolate is a great source of flavonoids. Who said healthy eating couldn’t be delicious?
Cook with Turmeric, Ginger and Chilli
Turmeric is known to have anti-inflammatory properties thanks to the curcumin that it contains. It is believed that ginger, a relative of turmeric may also reduce inflammation. Capsaicin, found in peppers also has anti-inflammatory effects.
Follow the Mediterranean Diet
Various studies point to the Mediterranean diet as an excellent way of reducing inflammation. The Arthritis Foundation corroborates this and the foods in such a diet are certainly proven to be effective in fighting inflammation. Once again, we’re looking at a diet that includes plenty of fish, fresh fruit and veg, with two important additions: moderate consumption of red wine and the use of olive oil.
Extra Virgin Olive oil
It’s not just any olive oil that can help you to relieve inflammation. Obtaining it in as near to a natural state as possible is essential. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a research finding that indicated the highest likelihood of developing RA in people who seldom used olive oil in cooking. Olive oil inhibits the chemicals that cause inflammation in much the same way as drugs like ibuprofen.
All-round health
Apart from helping to relieve your symptoms, these foods are also great for maintaining cardio-vascular health, reducing your chances of heart attacks and strokes. You’ll also find it easy to lose weight.
Image Source: http://www.medicinenet.com/mediterranean_diet/article.htm
Eating for Energy: Foods High in Vitamin B12
There are loads of health benefits when you’re getting sufficient vitamin B12, but the one you’ll feel most and that will make the most immediate difference to you is the extra energy boost you get from vitamin B12. Of course, you can go for B12 shots, but you can also get extra B12 out of the foods that you eat.
Get B12 from meat
Enjoy an egg for breakfast or lunch. Egg-yolk is full of B12. Liver is the very best source of B12, so try a traditional liver and onion dish for dinner. When last did you eat kidneys? Keep them on your list of healthy meats. Do you like seafood? Mackerel and crab are rich in B12 and will add to your culinary reputation and repertoire. Lean beef is healthier than you might think. Eat it with a clear conscience.
B12 from legumes
Make a tasty split pea soup, sprout some lentils for salads or make a delicious chilli and beans on a cold day. Snack on nuts and don’t forget that soya beans can be prepared in hundreds of delicious ways.
Starches
Eating bread doesn’t have to be bad for you. Wholegrain bread contains lots of B12 and helps with your digestion. As for potatoes and sweet potatoes, they’re proof that starch isn’t necessarily just empty calories.
Fruit and veg
Popeye didn’t have any energy unless he ate his spinach – maybe that was because he needed the vitamin B12 it contains. Go one better than Popeye with a variety of green leafy vegetables: Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cabbage are rich in energizing B12. B12 also gives you an excuse (if you needed one) to eat delicious asparagus and wholesome beetroot. Stock your fruit bowl with oranges, peaches and bananas.
Dairy products
If you aren’t lactose intolerant, dairy products should form an important part of your diet. Of course, they contain plenty of calcium, but they’re also rich in vitamin B12
Avoid
Avid alcohol since it reduces your body’s ability to absorb B12 efficiently. Eat your fruit and veg raw or cook it lightly. Overcooking will destroy the B12 in your food.
Absorbing B12
There are times in our lives when we need more B12 than others. For example, pregnant women have a much higher B12 requirement than most people do. Unfortunately, most B12 deficiencies are caused by the body being unable to absorb B12 rather than a deficiency in the diet. Consider B12 shots if you want to be absolutely sure of a B12 boost.
Image Information Source: http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient&dbid=107
5 Herbs Every Kitchen Must Have
Are you stocking up your spice rack? Don’t forget to check your herbs too! Here are the five must-haves for any kitchen:
1) Basil
Basil is one of the most versatile herbs in your kitchen, apart from using it to make basil pesto, you need it for your salad dressings and to add an appetizing aroma and herby flavor to soups, stews and stir fries. Of course, it’s also an important ingredient in Italian-style food – you can’t make a decent pizza without basil! It’s also a handy way of dealing with some common ailments: make a tea using one teaspoon of basil to calm indigestion or use it to help stabilize your blood sugar level (just don’t discontinue your meds!)
2) Thyme
Nothing could be more appetizing than the smell of thyme. It’s as if it was created especially for eating and to blend with a variety of foods. Add thyme to pasta sauce, egg dishes like omelets and scrambled eggs and any dish containing beans. Add flavor to poached fish by adding thyme to the poaching water and sprinkling it onto the fish. Use it in soups and stews for a deliciously herby aroma. Thyme is good for you! It contains a compound called Thymol that has been identified as a powerful anti-oxidant, and it is even said to have anti-microbial properties. It’s also rich in flavoring that boost its anti-oxidant activity.
3) Mint
Even if you’re not a fan of lamb with mint sauce, mint adds sparkle to a variety of dishes. Try preparing peas with mint. Most of us think of mint as being best for sweet dishes, but it works well in savory dishes too! Try it in salads, spring rolls or even as a seasoning for chicken! When it comes to health benefits, mint is one of the best-known medicinal herbs and has been used for a wide range of ailments ranging from halitosis to coughs and headaches. Like basil, it aids the digestion, and mint is said to be good way of boosting your body’s fat-burning ability.
4) Rosemary
The delicious aroma and astringent flavor of Rosemary makes it the perfect companion for pork, lamb and beef dishes. It blends beautifully with tomatoes and enhances pizzas and it’s brilliant with chicken soup. Rosemary tea has many benefits, it is relaxing and is said to boost the immune system, but it can also be used to soothe skin irritations or as a natural anti-dandruff hair rinse. Because the herb has such a strong flavor, you will use it sparingly, but dried rosemary lasts well.
5) Oregano
There is just no way that you are going to be able to produce fairly authentic Mediterranean food without a pinch or two of oregano. Since the Mediterranean diet is so healthy and yummy, you probably have a few dishes in your repertoire already. Use it in salad dressings, soups and stews, add flavor to any meat dish or a touch of zing to eggs. Oregano is full of anti-oxidants that boost the immune system, but it also contains bacteria-fighting oils that help us to fight infection.
Image Source: http://www.marksdailyapple.com/health-benefits-herbs/#axzz3S2yx0ZXA
5 Spices to Spice Up Your Life in 2015
Spices were once so precious that only the wealthiest could afford them, but today, we can eat like kings and enjoy spices from all over the world. Spice up your life! Try adding these spices to your cooking.
1) Cayenne Pepper
It’s not only versatile, it’s also good for you! It boosts the metabolism (helping you lose weight), is said to help ulcer sufferers and has anti-inflammatory properties. But isn’t it very hot? Actually, it just depends on how much you use. From adding a light bite to making food super-hot, you can use it to suit your tastes. Use it in chili con carne, to spice up salad dressing or with your scrambled eggs. It goes well with chicken, red meat and even fish.
2) Turmeric
No kitchen should be without Turmeric. Natural healers swear by its cancer preventing and anti-inflammatory properties. It has a subtle flavor that goes with just about anything, and it adds a beautiful golden color to food. Try adding it to your cooking oil before you fry up garlic and onion – and then add your meats or vegetables. Use the same trick when preparing omelets – the delicate flavor really comes through. It’s also great tossed into roasted veg or with rice.
3) Ginger
If you haven’t used ginger in your cooking yet, 2015 is the time to start. Ginger goes with absolutely anything – sweet or savory. Try adding a little ginger to meat or chicken dishes or us it in soups like carrot or butternut soup. Does your family balk at broccoli? Use a little ginger and see if you can change their minds. Whether you’re making puddings, baking or tackling a winter stew, ginger adds excitement to your cooking. What’s more, it’s one of the most versatile medicinal plants in the world!
4) Cinnamon
Most people have cinnamon in their kitchens, but what a lot of people don’t realize is just how versatile it is. Cinnamon is fantastic in puddings, sweet bakes and biscuit, but have you ever tried it in savory dishes? Use a sprinkling of cinnamon I sauces and stews – you’ll be amazed at how well this gourmand tip enhances the flavor. Adding cinnamon to coffee gives it an extra-warming effect and a sprinkling of cinnamon on oats porridge is a real treat, especially when you add a few raisins.
5) Nutmeg
If you want to get the best out of nutmeg, it is best to buy it whole and grate it yourself. Don’t let this put you off. Apart from its traditional use in béchamel sauce, you can add nutmeg to curries, pasta and vegetables. It’s also an exciting choice with sweet dishes like stewed or baked fruit and custard. Enjoy it in eggnog or add it to apple pie for an extra twist of flavor.
Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spice_trade
Bulking up Naturally With a High Protein Vegetarian Diet Plan
If you’ve been struggling to gain muscle despite all the exercise you can manage and despite following traditional body building diet advice, you may be at your wits’ end by now. You might even be considering unhealthy options like steroid use. Maybe you aren’t considering going to such drastic lengths, but you’ve hear about supplements that might work and although they’re ridiculously expensive, you’re wondering if you should give them a try anyway.
Here’s the good news: you can save yourself the expense of overpriced supplements and you don’t have to start injecting yourself or popping pills. You can gain muscle and it can be done the natural way. You probably think you’ve tried that already, but the diet plans prescribed by most fitness professionals simply might not be right for you. What’s more, they’re often impractical for people with a busy lifestyle like yours.
The muscle building diet that works
Fitness pro and hard-gainer Jason Ferruggia found that he simply couldn’t bulk up despite his best efforts. Then he changed his workout routine, and switched to a high protein vegetarian diet plan. He was amazed by the rapid results he achieved when he combined exercise with a plant based diet for body building. Today, he’s not only ripped, he’s also TV fitness personality who is highly regarded in the fitness industry.
Ferruggia calls himself a ‘Renegade’ and rightly so. Before he developed his diet plan, the very idea of using high-protein, plant based foods as a body building aid was completely unheard of. Most people ‘in the know’ would have laughed at him – but now, no-one’s laughing. His own physique is sufficient proof that his concept works and the thousands of people who’ve tried it wholeheartedly endorse his methods.
You’re welcome to join his group of renegades, Jason doesn’t keep his ‘secrets’ to himself – at least, not the ones that will help you get the physique you always wanted.
The renegade recipe guide
Anyone who has been on a strict diet will tell you that it’s difficult, the menus are boring and you end up shopping around for specialized foods that cost a fortune and aren’t easy to find. Obviously, this wouldn’t suit a true Renegade, so how does Jason buck the system with this diet?
To make a diet different from the run-of-the-mill it needs to be easy, have interesting menus with lots of variety and plenty of options and consist of reasonably ordinary foods that aren’t difficult to get hold of. Enter the Renegade Recipe Guide, your guide to an easy diet that packs on the muscle without adding on any fat.
The protein rich vegetarian recipes are simple and delicious and you get a whole book full of them, so you’ll never have to feel depressed about your ‘limited’ options. You have loads of options, from tasty high protein shakes to starters, snacks, side-dishes and mouth-watering main courses – even special pizza and pasta recipes. In the mood for something sweet? You can whip up a healthy dessert. All the recipes are quick and easy, so you won’t have to start camping out in the kitchen in order to prepare the foods you’ll be enjoying.
The plant based proteins are carefully balanced to ensure that you’ll get all the protein you need plus the extra protein that helps you to pile on muscle. It’s definitely time to say ‘Goodbye’ to the myth of the skinny, anemic vegetarian. While Jason was using himself as a guinea pig to test his revolutionary ideas, he found that the diet left him feeling better than ever, boosted his energy levels and improved his overall health.
Gain muscle the natural way
Stay away from steroids, laugh off the supplement salesmen and use a straightforward, high protein vegetarian diet plan instead. A plant based diet for bodybuilding really works and protein rich vegetarian recipes don’t have to be boring.
Image Source: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/77968637272457728/
The Dangers of Breast Implants and Natural Alternatives
If you’re considering breast augmentation and are wondering what the risks are, you might be in for a shock. There are an awful lot of things that can go wrong and you stand a chance of disfiguring rather than enhancing your assets. And when there are natural alternatives such as creams and supplements containing Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) which can enhance breast size without the side effects of surgery, it seems like an extreme option. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why you should really, really think twice before going under the knife.
Complications
- You’re looking forward to that perfect pair of breasts only to find that once the job’s done, one breast is higher or lower than the other, the shape’s just not right or one is bigger than the other.
- Of course, there are also women who get exactly what they asked for and then decide they’re not happy with the shape and size.
- Sometimes, a correctly placed implant can shift afterwards resulting in displacement of the implant.
- It hurts: you may find yourself experiencing pain in the breast or nipple.
- Doctors call it by the name ‘breast tissue atrophy’ and it means that the skin of the breast begins to shrink or becomes thinner.
- Some women have found lumps under the skin after a breast augmentation. This is caused by calcium deposits, but can easily be mistaken for cancer. That means you might end up going under the knife again.
- Capsular contracture is one of the worst case scenarios. The tissue around the implant encapsulates it and then begins to tighten, squeezing the implant out of shape. As you may have guessed, this can be quite painful and can result in further surgery.
- If you thought your boobs were the only parts of your body at risk, think again. Implants can actually cause Chest Wall Deformity.
- As you probably know from a number of highly publicized cases involving celebrities, an implant may deflate or rupture. Off we go, back to the doctor!
- As with any surgery, there’s always a chance of infection or delayed wound healing. Some patients have even experienced Toxic Shock Syndrome.
- ‘Extrusion’ is one of the nastiest things that can happen to a breast enlargement patient. The skin actually breaks down and the implant becomes visible through the skin.
- After surgery, you might develop a haematoma – a collection of blood that causes bruising, swelling and considerable pain. You won’t always have to have further surgery to correct this, but in severe cases, it’s the only viable solution. The same applies to Seromas – an accumulation of fluid or serum.
- There are various reasons why necrosis of the skin around the breast might occur leaving you with dead tissue around the breast.
- Even if your implants end up looking good, they might not feel so good. You may experience changes in sensation – either increased sensation or decreased sensation. On the other hand, it could be that you or your partner can actually feel the implant through the skin: un-sexy in the extreme!
- Then of course, there’s the possibility of having an implant that can actually be seen through the skin and sometimes implants develop wrinkles and ripples that are externally visible.
The one thing you really have to know is that not even plastic surgeons consider breast implants as ‘permanent’. The longer you have them the more your chances of going under the knife again increase. Some women choose not to have their implants replaced and are left with disfigured breasts as a result. Before you go for implants, consider the possible complications in the light of the fact that at some point, you’ll probably experience at least one of them. Also consider the low-risk natural alternatives available and the much lower investment needed to buy a Wild Yam based supplement or cream.Then decide.
Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dioscorea_villosa
What are the benefits of saffron extract?
You may be familiar with saffron as a spice. It has been around thousands of years and was first recorded on tablets by Assyrians 2700 years ago. This plant can be found in the wild in Greece and parts of Asia but has been cultivated in many cultures from ancient times. Saffron is a plant that produces a flower that is used to harvest the spice. Specifically, it is the stigma of the flower that is used to make the spice. It takes time to process the flower and create the spice, so this has led to saffron being a sought after and expensive spice throughout history.
Saffron has also been used as a medicine in many cultures for a variety of illnesses, but it was only recently that it has been used as an appetite suppressor. It is not necessary to use the spice in food to suppress your appetite, this would defeat the purpose. Saffron extract is available that will do the job. All of the benefits that saffron has to offer can be obtained with an extract with the added benefit of suppressing your appetite. This is a big factor in any weight-loss program. If you decide to add saffron extract to your diet, you will be better able to achiever your goals. This includes maintaining your weight as well as losing weight.
What are the noticeable benefits of Saffron Extract?
Many of the same benefits that users experience with saffron in its spice form are also experienced by those using saffron extract. Studies have shown that the extract, just like the spice, helps people with memory loss. Early research has also shown a link to slowing Alzheimer’s disease. There are indications that it is helpful with several neurological disorders related to age as well. In general, it helps the body with issues of inflammation, and this is a contributing factor to providing relief for arthritis. Although some of the medical issues that saffron can help with are new, as a medicine, saffron has helped people for hundreds of years.
For weight loss, studies have shown that it works to suppress your appetite and does so in more than one way. It not only suppresses your feelings of hunger but increases the time between hunger feelings that you have. This result is better control over your in-between meal snacking. There is a strong link between your emotions and overeating that are found inside the brain. Saffron extract works to sever the link and gives you more control over when you choose to eat.
If you are wondering where to buy saffron extract, it is manufactured in pill form and available online. The dosage is approximately 100 milligrams twice a day. There is no stimulant effect that so many appetite suppressors have, and there have been few side effects reported using it. Saffron in its flower form or as a spice has been used for centuries for medicinal purposes, so it has passed the test of time for safety. However, in the short-term, if you have a rare reaction to this dietary supplement, then simply stop taking it. There are no long-term problems associated with saffron extract.
Unlike many dietary suppressant products, saffron extract is 100 percent natural. You never need to worry about what you are putting in your body. When comparing saffron extract to other appetite suppression products, you will find saffron to be more reasonably priced. If you have had trouble losing weight in the past, simply add saffron extract to your favorite diet, and you will see better results than ever. You can also use saffron extract without following a special diet at all, and you will lose weight simply because your appetite will be reduced.
Image Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2952317/
Uses of the Herb Tribulus Terrestris
In the health supplement industry, it is common to see herbal products go in and out of fashion. Reports of amazing benefits initially draw the interests of health-minded consumers. The idea that a quick health perk or physical enhancement can come from a tincture or capsule is almost hard to resist for many seeking the benefits. Before long, the question of the supplements claims are inevitably the subject of scientific scrutiny. Not surprising, claims being made about the herbal supplement Tribulus Terrestris are not exempt from this all too common style of market controversy.
What exactly is the plant Tribulus Terrestris and what is it supposed to do for the consumer?
Tribulus Terrestris is a flowering plant native to warm temperate and tropical regions of Southern Europe, Southern Asia, Africa, and Australia. It is known to be resilient enough to handle desert climates and poor soil conditions. It also goes by a variety of names, such as “Devil’s Eyelashes”, “Cat’s Head”, “Bullhead”, and “Coltrap”, just to name a few. Tribulus Terrestris is sometimes used by body builders in Post Cycle Therapy, after the use of anabolic steroids, with the belief that by consuming this substance their testosterone levels will be restored to normal. Tribulus Terrestris was made popular in the 1970’s by champion body builder, Jeffrey Petermann, as a supplement believed to be helpful in muscle building potential. In fact, you can still find supplements on the market containing Tribulus, ProTestosterone is one such supplement that claims to boost sports performance and libido. However, there are no successful scientific studies that suggest that Tribulus Terrestris enhances either strength or muscle building potential as once believed.
Tribulus Terrestris is also popular in the Ayurveda and Unani forms of medicine in India. Often used in the preparation of tonics, it is believed to have a positive effect on kidney, urinary tract, uro-genital, and bladder function. It is also said to enhance libido and sexual function in men by stimulating androgen receptors in the brain. Although it is shown to have some sexual behavior modifying effects in rats, there is no conclusive scientific data available to confirm if this benefit is exhibited in humans. It is believed by some that any sexual benefits from the plant are arrived at through the production of nitric oxide, which is known to enhance sexual function in men having difficulty and maintaining erections. However, simply consuming beet juice may prove to produce far more beneficial levels of nitric oxide in the blood than Tribulus Terrestris. Nitric oxide helps in sexual function by improving how blood and oxygen are delivered throughout the body.
Although many of the claims surrounding Tribulus Terrestris have invited a lot of skepticism, some still believe this plant is a reliable component of improved sexual function.
Image Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3931200/