Skinny on Fats in the Diet

November 30, 2011

After talking about body composition last week and how a high percentage of body fat can poorly influence overall health, I decided it was important to clarify the role of fat in the diet. If you’ve been confused about what type and how much fat to include in your diet, you’re not alone. Yet one thing is certain: after many years of being told to avoid fat because it will make you fat, we now realize that fat is absolutely necessary as part of a healthy diet, and if eaten sensibly, will help to keep you lean and looking and feeling good.

In general, our diets should include approximately 20 – 35% calories from fat. So for example, in a 2,000 calorie/day diet, this would amount to 400 – 700 calories. At 9 calories per gram, this converts to 44 – 78 grams of fat per day. If that sounds like a lot to you, consider why fat is so important in the diet:

It’s a source of concentrated energy
It is a major structural component of cell membranes
It’s a source of insulation
It’s necessary for healthy skin and nails
It slows down digestion
It’s needed to absorb fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients
It keeps our vision strong
It’s involved in cell signaling
It’s a major component of the central nervous system and necessary for proper brain function

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Herbal Remedies To Cure Gastric Disorder

November 22, 2011

Gastritis is the inflammation of stomach due to various reasons associated with digestion. It causes irritation in the stomach and is very unpleasant. Gastritis is caused by alcohol, pain killers, improper food intake etc. Stress and other medical complications also can trigger gastritis.

Home remedies are the best for gastritis as they are gentle and natural for the system. It is ideal to treat the cause for any kind of problems and hence if gastritis is caused by alcohol in a person, he or she should avoid alcohol at least until the problem is solved. Similarly, intake of lots of spicy food can end up in indigestion and also gastritis, in such cases foods that are soothing for the stomach and easier for digestion should be consumed till your stomach is back into its normal shape and functioning.

Coconut water is soothing and cooling for the stomach and is an effective remedy for gastritis. Spinach and carrot juice can also calm the irritations caused by gastritis. Curd and buttermilk can bring about a quick recovery. Asafetida mixed in cumin water is also a known remedy in cases of gastritis. Juice extracted from potato can be taken before meal to treat gastritis. Lemon juice can heal gastritis.

Licorice is effective in the treatment of gastritis and ulcers. Artichoke can help relieve abdominal pain and nausea. Ginger is a wonder medicine for any stomach related irritations and diseases. Ginger juice mixed with salt or honey or ginger tea can be effective and relieving for stomach troubles. Goldenseal destroys the bacteria that causes gastritis and can speed up the recovery. Marshmallow can relieve gastritis and indigestion too. Peppermint is also an effective medicine when it comes to digestion related problems. Papaya seeds and pineapples promote digestion and can be used in the treatment of gastritis. Marigold and bishop’s weed are known herbs that are effective in the treatment of gastritis. Carom seed is another herbal remedy for stomach problems. Asparagus can reduce the heat in the stomach and can fight acidity too.

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Enjoy A Healthy Life

November 10, 2011

If you’re looking to improve your overall energy level, decrease your chances of depression and improve your physical and mental health, regular exercise, with a juicing program is the shortest way to make those goals! Your physical fitness can have a tremendous impact on other areas in your life, and plays a key role in your physical and psychological health.

Be mindful of what you hope to achieve with your exercise/juice program. For example if you want to lose weight, then ideally juicing of vegetables and fruits will be of great benefit.

The juicing part will give the necessary Vitamins, Enzymes and Nutrition to give you the strength needed to exercise. The exercise part will burn off the calories to take the weight down.

Check with your Health Care Provider the types of exercises that are safe for your practice. Then create a weekly program to help you reach your weight loss goal and fitness agenda.

If you are starting an exercise/juicing program for the first time, you’ll have days when you don’t feel like doing anything. When this happens, visualize the body you are trying to build as this acts as a great motivator.

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