Herbs for health
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Thursday 15 May 2014
Saturday 10 May 2014
6 Health Benefits of Milk
1. Glowing Skin
Cleopatra took milk baths to help her skin stay soft, supple and glowing. You can do the same, or you can drink a few glasses of whole milk each day to get its benefits. Milk has several nutrients which help skin look its best. It has lactic acid which can act as an exfoliate and enzymes to help smooth skin. It also has amigo acids that help keep skin moisturized. Milk can help prevent damage from environmental toxins because it has antioxidants. However, if you have a sensitivity to milk or dairy products, milk can actually aggravate your skin.
2. Healthy Bones and Teeth
Milk is a great source of calcium, which is essential for healthy bones. Not only do young children need it while their bones are growing, but adults need it to keep their bones strong and to prevent osteoporosis. Milk is also great for strong teeth, and it helps prevent tooth decay and cavities. In order for the calcium to be absorbed by the body, vitamin D must be present. If you have a vitamin D deficiency, buy milk that is fortified with extra vitamin D to ensure that your body absorbs the calcium.
3. Muscles
Milk contains protein, which helps to rebuild muscles. Drink a glass of milk after you exercise to give your body what it needs to recover. It will help to keep soreness at bay while replenishing fluids that you lost during your workout.
4. Weight Loss
Studies show that women who drink low-fat or skim milk lose more weight than those who exclude milk from their diet. It is a great appetizer and it makes a healthy snack. Add a glass to your dinner, or drink a glass while eating a piece of fruit.
5. Less Stress
Milk is a great way to DE-stress at the end of the day. A glass of warm milk will help to relax tense muscles and soothe frayed nerves. Milk has also been proven to reduce symptoms of PMS and boost energy. The next time you are feeling frazzled, try drinking a glass of milk while you soak in a bubble bath.
6. Healthy Body
Milk has properties that lower high blood pressure and risk of strokes. It reduces the liver’s production of cholesterol, and it can act as an antacid. Vitamins A and B in milk can help build good eyesight. Milk has also been show to help lower risk of certain cancers.
There are several varieties of milk on the market, such as whole, 2%, low-fat and fat free. If you are concerned about the growth hormones used in milk, choose to go the organic route. With all of the types of milk available, you should be able to find something that fits your diet and nutritional needs.
Friday 9 May 2014
6 Reasons to Drink Water
It's no magic bullet, but the benefits of water are many.
Here are six reasons to
make sure you're drinking enough water or other fluids every day:
1. Drinking Water
Helps Maintain the Balance of Body Fluids. Your body is composed of
about 60% water. The functions of these bodily fluids include digestion,
absorption, circulation, creation of saliva, transportation of nutrients, and
maintenance of body temperature.
"Through the posterior
pituitary gland, your brain communicates with your kidneys and tells it how
much water to excrete as urine or hold onto for reserves," says Guest, who
is also an adjunct professor of medicine at Stanford University.
When you're low on fluids,
the brain triggers the body's thirst mechanism. And unless you are taking medications that make you thirsty, Guest says, you should
listen to those cues and get yourself a drink of water, juice, milk, coffee --
anything but alcohol.
"Alcohol interferes
with the brain and kidney communication and causes excess excretion of fluids
which can then lead to dehydration," he says.
2. Water Can Help
Control Calories. For years, dieters have been drinking lots of water as
a weight loss strategy. While water doesn't have any
magical effect on weight loss, substituting it for
higher calorie beverages can certainly help.
"What works with
weight loss is if you choose water or a non-caloric beverage over a caloric
beverage and/or eat a diet higher in water-rich foods that are healthier, more
filling, and help you trim calorie intake," says Penn State researcher
Barbara Rolls, PhD, author of The Clinometric Weight Control Plan.
Food with high water content tends to look larger, its higher volume requires
more chewing, and it is absorbed more slowly by the body, which helps you feel
full. Water-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, oatmeal,
and beans.
3. Water Helps
Energize Muscles. Cells that don't maintain their balance of fluids and
electrolytes shrivel, which can result in muscle fatigue. "When muscle cells don't
have adequate fluids, they don't work as well and performance can suffer,"
says Guest.
Drinking enough fluids is
important when exercising. Follow the American College of Sports Medicine
guidelines for fluid intake before and during physical activity. These
guidelines recommend that people drink about 17 ounces of fluid about two hours
before exercise. During exercise, they recommend that people start drinking
fluids early, and drink them at regular intervals to replace fluids lost by
sweating.
4. Water Helps Keep
Skin Looking Good. Your skin contains plenty of water, and functions as a
protective barrier to prevent excess fluid loss. But don't expect
over-hydration to erase wrinkles or fine lines, says Atlanta
dermatologist Kenneth Ellner, MD.
"Dehydration makes
your skin look more dry and wrinkled, which can be improved with proper
hydration," he says. "But once you are adequately hydrated, the
kidneys take over and excrete excess fluids."
You can also help
"lock" moisture into your skin by using moisturizer, which creates a
physical barrier to keep moisture in.
5. Water Helps Your
Kidneys. Body fluids transport waste products in and out of cells. The main
toxin in the body is blood urea nitrogen, a water-soluble waste
that is able to pass through the kidneys to be excreted in the urine, explains
Guest. "Your kidneys do an amazing job of cleansing and ridding your body
of toxins as long as your intake of fluids is adequate," he says.
When you're getting enough
fluids, urine flows freely, is light in color and free of odor. When your body
is not getting enough fluids, urine concentration, color, and odor increases
because the kidneys trap extra fluid for bodily functions.
If you chronically drink
too little, you may be at higher risk for kidney stones, especially in warm climates, Guest warns.
6. Water Helps
Maintain Normal Bowel Function. Adequate hydration keeps things flowing
along your gastrointestinal tract and prevents constipation. When you
don't get enough fluid, the colon pulls water from stools to maintain hydration
-- and the result is constipation.
"Adequate fluid and
fiber is the perfect combination, because the fluid pumps up the fiber and acts
like a broom to keep your bowel functioning properly.
5 Tips to Help You Drink
More
If you think you need to be
drinking more, here are some tips to increase your fluid intake and reap the
benefits of water:
1. Have a beverage with every
snack and meal.
2. Choose beverages you enjoy;
you're likely to drink more liquids if you like the way they taste.
3 3. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Their high water
content will add to your hydration. About 20% of our fluid intake comes from
foods.
4 4. Keep a bottle of water with
you in your car, at your desk, or in your bag.
5. Choose beverages that meet
your individual needs. If you're watching calories, go for non-caloric
beverages or water.
Friday 14 March 2014
Friday 21 February 2014
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