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Creative Commons License photo credit: Feline Groovy   

Go nuts and boost your heart health. Studies show that the humble nut can lower triglycerides and provide individuals with heart-protective nutrients. These include copper, magnesium, arginine, vitamin E and folate, along with fiber. Now that’s good news for many nut-loving women experiencing the signs and symptoms of a heart problem.

Participants in one study who ate 1.5 ounces of pistachios each day for a month, then ate three ounces daily for another month actually experienced a nine per­cent drop in LDL cholesterol. That was after following the low-nut diet. The decrease in unhealthy cholesterol was greater after eating more pistachios.

There are other great-tasting foods that women who are prone to heart problems can savor to their hearts’ content. Topping the list are blueberries (which may be added to whole grain cereal, pancakes or salad) and salmon. Drinking red wine has likewise been associated with a lowered rate of heart disease.

If there are two things woman constantly battle with, it would have to be yeast and urinary tract infections. With some foresight and natural preventive care/remedies, females can crack down on such women’s health issues

Vaginal yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infections together affect an estimated one billion women each year. If they are recurrent, they may signal underlying health problems. Hence, medical consultation is important. A doctor will be able to help affected women identify the causes of chronic yeast infections, which may range from taking birth control pills to poor diet & hygiene.

To ward off UTI, the doctor will most likely advise you to avoid simple sugars and include garlic and onions in your diet, and drink lots of water; wear cotton underwear so as not to trap moisture; practice good hygiene; and always urinate before and after intercourse. To prevent yeast infections, get ample sleep and engage in regular physical activity; eat one-half cup of yogurt each day; avoid refined carbohydrates and alcohol; avoid perfumed body soap; wear loose-fitting cotton undergarments; and make sure your partner has clean genitalia before a sexual encounter.

Women experiencing changes in their menstrual cycle, having a difficult pregnancy, or marked changes in eating habits need to reassess their intake of important nutrients – from foods and/or a quality multivitamin.

Aging women, in particular, need to supervise their health and consult with a doctor for proper herbal supplementation therapy. A medical expert will be able to suggest the right dose of important vitamins & minerals, including vitamins D & B, calcium, folic acid, and other vital nutrients. 

If you’ve been dieting all your life, it’s time to make a change and address the gaping holes in your nutrition. Strive to get vitamins from actual sources.

Holgaesk
Creative Commons License photo credit: chrisbastian44     The female members of your family who are approaching the second half of life may be viewed as facing inevitable physical and mental decline. Modern aging women are turning that notion on its head. Smart lifestyle choices like quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and eating healthy foods have been adding years to many women’s lives, as well as life to their years. 

Even in the present age when there are so many viruses and toxins that threaten to impair health and curtail life, many individuals we come across these days seem to have mastered the art of aging well, from the inside out. Most healthy seniors say they take extra care of bolstering their immune system and opt for an anti-stress diet.

With their doctor’s advice, most women have discovered that foods, herbs, and supplements, along with good lifestyle habits, can generate antioxidant activity that can enhance immune system health & overall wellness.

So you’re past your 20s and you’re beginning to notice that despite your best efforts to watch the calories, you’re finding it harder and harder to lose excess pounds. What could be the reason? 

Chances are, you’ve fallen for the diet traps. If you’ve cut out the trans fat-laden burgers & fries and going for healthier foods but soon forget that you also need to watch the portion sizes, you’ll keep gaining weight. Are you a frequent snacker? little snacks can add up to more calories than a whole meal in a single day. Keep in mind that instead of noodles & chips, you can opt for fruits like apples that are full of nutrients and can satiate

If you tend to skip meals and then overeat at another meal to compensate, it’s another diet trap. Bear in mind also that while watching calories, you need to ensure that you’re getting all the vitamins & minerals your body needs – from the B vitamins to Vitamin D, iron, and calcium.

 

I'm on diet #2
Creative Commons License photo credit: FLOODkOFF    If you’ve been carefully watching your diet, avoiding red flags that lead to health deterioration (including fastfood and sugary items like sweets with empty calories) and you still feel unhealthy and flabby, you may be missing out on a vital element for good health – regular exercise.

Grab the opportunity to exercise by enrolling in an exercise program that interests you most. The myriad benefits of exercise ought to be motivation enough. Studies show that when you stick to a good physical exercise program, you lower your risks for serious ailments like heart disease, certain cancers, and mental disorders.

Exercise may greatly ease feelings of tiredness or stiffness, and contribute to longevity, so flex those muscles now. Do some aerobics or strength training exercises, with some help from a personal trainer or gym consultant.

If you’re among those suffering from gout (painful joint disease), it may be time to cut back on those sweetened sodas you love to gulp. A study of male professionals in Canada showed that regular intake of sugar-sweetened softdrinks increased the occurrence of gout. 

The study showed that gout risk increased by 85 percent when the subjects drank two or more bottles of softdrinks a day. Alongside this is the finding that diet sodas which have no fructose, do not have a bearing on gout rish. Other factors, of course, need to be considered as well, like family history of gout.

To alleviate gout, drink lemon juice and eat apples or cherries.

 

Garlic growing in a container

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Garlic & health go together. Long considered one of the wonder ingredients that can spice up life and reduce the occurrence of serious illnesses, garlic is known to as an all-around health promoter.

Including it as part of daily meals can alleviate the common cold or influenza, treat skin problems like acne, help lower triglycerides and manage cholesterol levels. 

Garlic is an outstanding source of vitamins B6 and C, as well as manganese and selenium. The stronger-tasting garlic is, the greater the sulphur content and the more medicinal value it can offer. Several studies also show that garlic can help reduce risks of heart attack or stroke.

Dr Atkins' New Diet Revolution book

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Confused in choosing the best diet for good health? Will it be low-carb or Atkins Diet? With so many dietary trends that have sprouted in the marketplace, and products bruited as the best way to curb an expanding waistline, most people tend to be baffled on which one is really the most suitable. 

The key to narrowing down to the best choice is to update your knowledge on health facts by referring to credible sources. Check out online sites of leading health institutions and reputable clinics. These are good sources of good nutrition for long-term health.

Keep an open mind and check out the benefits of a holistic approach to illness which explores the root causes rather than symptoms, and update your knowledge, too, on things like how environmental toxins impinge health.

Just about every parent wants the best for his/her child, including proper nutrition. Most kids, though, tend to be picky eaters. When untrained during their younger years, they may grow up unmindful of proper eating habits and develop a variety of unfavorable eating-related conditions.

When they develop an uncontrollable urge for junk foods, for instance, they are taking in sugar, sodium, additives and preservatives that harm the body in untold ways. Obesity is also not far behind. To get your kids to eat healthy, set a good example. 

Take a closer look at what you serve on the family dining table, too. Are you serving calcium-rich foods, whole grains with B vitamins, and vegetables rich with antioxidants? If your child is a picky eater, sneak all sorts of chopped/minced vegetables into soups, pastas and stews.