Vitamins during pregnancy are very important.

If you have ever attempted to go on any kind of diet that involved reading the information on the nutritional labels of your food you are all too familiar with the fact that those little words and symbols can start to look like Greek after a while. If you’re not a doctor or a nutritionist you probably have no idea of what Vitamin B or Folic Acid are, much less why they’re important. The first step to conquering pregnancy nutrition is understanding what you’re eating, how much you should eat, why you’re eating it and how it’s going to help your baby.

A quick note. In the following section you are going to see several mentions made about the negative consequences of overdosing on specific vitamins. You must understand that this overdose very rarely occurs because of the foods you eat. More often it is because mothers have chosen to consume extra supplements in an attempt to “help” their baby or they have forgotten to tell their physician about other vitamins and supplements they take on a regular basis.

Be sure when you go in for your prenatal appointments that your physician knows exactly what vitamins, medications and supplements (including herbal) you take, regardless of how insignificant you may believe them to be. Read the rest of this entry »

Looking to make a change and lose some weight? I have reviewed the top diet on the internet and you can go and read over 200 comments people have made about why this diet has worked well for them, as well as some of the problems.

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As we all know, vitamins are very important when it comes to keeping your heart healthy. You need to eat the right foods of course, although you also need to supplement the food you eat with the necessary vitamins your body needs to stay in shape and keep your heart working healthy for a long time to come. If you don’t consume the right nutrients, you won’t be doing your heart any favors – and may end up having problems later on in life.

The first vitamin that comes to mind for most people is vitamin E, a vitamin that is essential to improving the overall health of your heart. When taken correctly, vitamin E will stop the cholesterol in the body from harming the arteries that surround the heart. Anytime cholesterol oxidizes, it sticks to the sides of the arteries and can lead to blockages which can cause heart attacks or other serious problems with the heart.

To help you keep your heart healthy, most doctors recommend that you take additional supplements that contain vitamin E. They may also suggest that you eat foods that are naturally rich in vitamin E, such as nuts. Nuts have high amounts of vitamin E, and most of them taste great. You can find other foods that contain vitamin E as well, although nuts have the highest amounts. Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: antioxidant, C, cholesterol, E, food, heart attack, heart attacks, heart disease, heart healthy, nutrients, vitamin c, vitamin e

There are at least five detox diet options when it comes to trying to clean out your body. I am going to stay away at this point from the battle between the detoxers and the non-detoxers. There is of course a camp of people that believe that there is no good that comes out of detoxing your body and that it is just a waste of time. I have no view either way but thought i would just offer these fixe options out to you to either try or to give you something to think about in the future

In order of complication to do her are five detox diet options
1. Fasting
2. Monodiet
3. Cleansing diet
4. Colon cleansing programs
5. Systemic detoxification programs

Fasting Detox

Fasting is the first detox diet option and is a good way to rest the digestive system and to help “burn off” surface toxins. Fasts can be done with pure water or fresh juices, prefer¬ably vegetable juices such as carrot, beet, parsley or wheat grass. You can do short fasts up to three days safely, but extended fasts should be supervised by a qualified naturopathic doctor. I have seen several patients harmed by long-term fasting.

Monodiet Detox

Monodiets are a detox diet that involves eating only one food for a period of one to five days. These are usually done with fruit such as grapes, grapefruit or apples. My favourite is the papaya diet because the fruit contains high amounts of natural enzymes, fibre, vitamin C and beta-carotene.

Cleansing detox diet

Cleansing diets are usually high in fruits and vegetables and mayor may not be accompanied by detoxifying herbal supplements. Examples of these diets are the alkaline diet, the mucusless diet, the natural hygiene diet, the Fit for Life diet and the macrobiotic diet.

Various companies offer a variety of cleansing kits, which can be combined with this type of diet to assist the elimination of toxins through the liver, kidneys and colon. The best herbs for liver cleansing are milk thistle, dandelion root, cheli-donium, boldo, curcumin, artichoke and black radish. Foods that help support liver detoxifica¬tion are cruciferous (cabbage family) vegetables, flax, sesame, sunflower and safflower oils, garlic and onions, raw nuts and seeds and, of course, all fruits and vegetables.

Colon cleansing detox programs

Colon cleansing programs are a popular way to begin a detoxification program. These include colonies, colema boards, wheat grass or coffee enemas and a variety of psyllium and bentonite clay cleansing formulas. While it is im-portant to have a clean colon, it is also important to realize that other methods should be included such as saunas and dry skin brushing for the skin, and herbs for the liver and kidneys.

Systemic detox diets

Systemic detox diets are highly specialized detox procedures performed by a naturopathic physician or other health practitioner. Using a variety of laboratory diagnostic tools including biological terrain analysis, live blood analysis, hair analysis, comprehensive stool and digestive analysis and specialized blood and urine tests, it is possible to determine the body’s burden of toxins and the specific type of toxin affecting the body. Methods currently employed to perform systemic detoxification include homeopathic drainage remedies, nosodes, ozone therapy, EDTA and DMPS chelation therapy, high dose IV vitamin C and vitamin-mineral drips, peat baths, constitutional hydrotherapy, colonic hydrotherapy with chorophyll implants and hyperthermic infrared sauna therapy.

I have written before about detox diets and the options that you have if you would like to detox your body but I think that if you are serios about this it is best to look for more in depth info before you embark on anything more than a 1 or 3 day detox diet.

Tags: C, chelation therapy, cleansing diets, colon cleansing, detoxing your body, drainage, enemas, fasts, hydrotherapy, laboratory diagnostic tools, macrobiotic diet, mayor, naturopathic physician, sauna

Keeping beautiful skin is a major priority for many of us. We are continuously seeking ways to improve our complexion. However, improving our body’s outer texture and tone may not be enough. If we are not selective in how we do this it can be extremely expensive.

However, you don’t have to break the bank to improve the condition of your complexion. Time-honored recipes from our grandmothers are inexpensive and fun to make. In addition, knowing which ingredients to look for can help you select commercial products wisely. Keeping skin young looking can be accomplished for pennies a day.

Are you beginning to discern fine lines or wrinkles? Here is a recipe you can make at home. Combine two tablespoons of whole milk with one fresh, whole egg. Beat together until frothy. Apply to your squeaky-clean face. Wait five minutes, and then rinse with lukewarm water. If the outer surface of the body leans toward dryness, follow with a natural, fragrance-free moisturizer.

Do you have oily complexion? This type of condition requires an occasional masque to discourage excess oil, reduce blackheads, and tighten pores. Here is a wonderful treatment for treating this type of body surface. Simply combine two tablespoons of uncooked oatmeal with a bit of chopped parsley, and then blend in one tablespoon of lemon juice, four tablespoons of yogurt, and one teaspoon of olive oil. Apply this combination to your face, avoiding the eyes, and after five minutes rinse with lukewarm water. Your complexion will feel refreshed and clean.

Of course, improving complexion can also result from using brand-name products. Nonetheless, you don’t have to purchase the most expensive ones to find mild, gentle formulations appropriate for your personal body care needs. Look for the following ingredients next time you shop:

• Copper peptide: This antioxidant may stimulate the production of elastin and collagen, both of which can help your body to seem firmer and more youthful looking.

• Alpha, beta, and poly hydroxyl acids: These help to get rid of dead surface epidermis cells to reveal newer, smoother complexion.

• Vitamin C: This nutrient helps neutralize free radicals that can damage your body surface after being in the sun. Products that contain Vitamin C can also help to lighten brown spots.

• You might also consider purchasing a basic exfoliation sponge. These are inexpensive and can be used with the cleanser of your choice. Even better, they can be rinsed and reused. Removing dry, dulling epidermis cells is another step towards a translucent and appealing body. Beware though these things are a safe harbour for all sorts of bacteria so either microwave it often to kill the bacteria or throw it out and buy a new one.

Keeping the body young looking, improving the body’s surface, and maintaining the health of your complexion can be easy, provided you choose the right products and even mix up a few concoctions at home. Establish a routine that includes several of these recommendations, and you will be pleased with your healthier, more beautiful skin.

Tags: bank, brand-name products, C, excess oil, microwave, olive oil

Vegetables are a very important part of our diets. I love vegetables, my Jenny Craig dieting wife eats most of the cities broccoli and my kids even like vegetables.

There has been a real run on the healthiness of vegetables lately, first we had an outbreak of ecoli in spinach. Just after, I think a day after spinach was ok to eat there was a problem with lettuce that has since subsided, and now there is an FDA warning of salmonella in tomatoes. This latest warning of salmonella is ok by me just because I really do not like tomatoes but you know what? There are so many good reasons though to eat tomatoes they are a true wonder food.

Tomatoes have been shown to be good for your prostate and have been shown in research to reduce the chance of prostate cancer
Lycopene may also help seniors to remain active and lycopene is contained in tomatoes
Vitamin K, found in tomatoes is good for your bones.
Tomatoes are also a great source of vitamin C and contains other antioxidants as well
Some studies show that tomatoes are good for preventing an helping cataracts

Enough good reasons for me to eat tomatoes. Lets hope that the salmonella ban is a short one.

Tags: C, cancer, fda, Vitamin K, wonder food

Growing up we used to eat blueberries fresh out of the backyard everyday in August as we had a bunch of blueberry bushes back there. One thing that I find is that now I eat a lot less really fresh fruit and more store bought fruit but I just ran into this article on how good blueberries are and thought I would pull a bit out of it to remind us all of the great thing that blueberries are.

The health benefits of blueberries have made the news in recent years. Some of the reported benefits of eating blueberries include improved vision, cleared arteries, strengthened blood vessels, enhanced memory, stopped urinary tract infections and reversed age-related physical and mental declines.

According to LSU AgCenter nutritionist Beth Reames, blueberries and other brightly colored berries contain vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and phytochemicals that help protect against disease, including certain cancers and heart disease.

Phytochemicals are nonnutritive substances in plants that promote health and prevent chronic disease. Antioxidants are phytochemicals that help neutralize harmful byproducts of metabolism called free radicals that contribute to heart disease and other diseases.
Blueberries are nature’s number one source of antioxidants among fresh fruits and vegetables according to the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University in Boston. Anthocyanins, the pigments giving blueberries their deep blue hue, act as antioxidants, which may provide many health benefits.

Blueberries also are a low-calorie food – only 40 calories per 1/2 cup. Blueberries are low in fat, sodium-free and a source of fiber, beta-carotene, vitamin C and potassium.

Blueberries contain compounds that may help to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs), The compounds, called condensed tannins, can keep the bacteria responsible for UTIs from attaching to the linings of the urinary and digestive tracts.

Reames says to look for berries that are dark blue, with a frosty bloom. Store fresh blueberries in your refrigerator for up to two weeks, and wash them just before you use them; washing and then storing makes them mushy. Loose-pack frozen blueberries are available year-round, and you can use them in any recipe that calls for fresh blueberries. Since they are washed, they can be used right from the package.

Fresh blueberries should be plump and firm with a dark blue color and waxy, silvery “bloom.” Sweetness varies by variety. Blueberries do not ripen after harvest, so as soon as you buy them, you can eat them. One pint of berries will provide four to five servings of fresh uncooked fruit.

Just like any other fruit we know that fruit is better fresher then frozen so go out and pick some fruit if you are in a place where that is possible

Tags: Beth Reames, Boston, C, cancers, heart disease, low-calorie food, LSU AgCenter nutritionist, Tufts University in Boston, urinary tract infections, USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging