Showing posts with label Health and Fitness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Health and Fitness. Show all posts

Tuesday, 23 August 2016

12 Delicious Fruits That Will Make Your Skin Glow Within a Days

12 Delicious Fruits That Will Make Your Skin Glow Within a Days

Foods are the building blocks that our bodies use to grow, develop, and repair. Healthy, plant-based fruits provide the energy and nutrients to do so.
If we aren’t eating well, we’re starving our cells or at the very least not giving them the proper tools they need to function at their best. Here are a few of the top foods to keep you looking young and your skin at its finest:

1. Tomatoes:

Lycopene, the compound that gives tomatoes their rich color, is a powerful antioxidant that eliminates skin-aging free radicals from ultraviolet exposure.

2. Watermelon:

Watermelon is more than just a refreshing fruit to quench your thirst. It is rich in vitamin A, C and antioxidants, vital for skin health. Its high water content hydrates your body, resulting in radiant skin.
Free radicals in the body are responsible for causing signs of ageing such as fine lines, wrinkles and age spots. Watermelon is a rich source of antioxidants like lycopene, Vitamin A and C. These help reduce free radicals in the body, thus preventing signs of ageing.

3. Sweet Potatoes:

These tubers are packed with carotenoids and vitamin C which boost collagen production. Collagen controls the strength, firmness, and flexibility of the skin.

4. Citrus:

Speaking of citrus fruits we have oranges, lime, lemon and grape fruits. Lemons are a great addition to your beauty regimen, as they are known to be “Nature’s Bleach.” Lemons safely whiten and lighten skin and promote even skin tone by reducing acne marks and blemishes. They also deep cleanse the skin by breaking down any grime clogging the pores.
For beautiful skin, drink a warm glass of honey and lemon water in the morning on an empty stomach. This miracle drink is purported to have many health benefits, including reducing the darkness of blemishes, cleaning out acne and giving you glowing skin.

5. Peppers:

Red bell peppers contain more vitamin C than an orange, along with other antioxidants. The spicier peppers come packed with capsaicin, a compound that improves circulation and promotes the release of toxins from the skin.

6. Coconut Oil:

Another oil that is great for skin both internally and externally. It provides some sun protection, fights bacteria, and helps soften skin.

7. Carrots :

Carrots open this segment as one of the best vegetables that will make your skin to look younger than before. These root vegetables are very rich in vitamins including A and E that are quintessential in the beatification of your skin.

Furthermore, they will avert cases of aging by averting wrinkles. They are also efficient in preventing pigmentation and uneven skin tone which arises during summer seasons.

8. Dark Chocolate:

The flavanols in chocolate act as antioxidants, provide sun protection, and reduce the roughness of skin fo


r healthier appearance and feel.

9. Strawberries:

It can unclog oily pores and stop pimples from forming. This will help clear out whiteheads and blackheads, before they become stubborn pimples.
Strawberries also contain a powerful anti-oxidant called ellagic acid, proven to prevent collagen destruction that leads to wrinkle formation. Ellagic acid has a photo-protective effect that guards against UV damage. Eating strawberries regularly can help you achieve glowing skin.

10. Apples:

Apples contain quercetin, an antioxidant in the peel that protects against sun damage. They also contain high fiber content which helps to clean out the colon and promotes regular bowel movements, hence promoting clear pimple-free skin.

11. Avocado

Avocado takes the top spot as the best fruit that will guarantee a smooth and glowing skin. It encompasses essential vitamins including A, C and E that are important in moisturizing the skin.
Other fundamental minerals such as potassium, magnesium and folic acid will all ensure a healthy skin. You can take avocado fruit for breakfast or anytime during the day when hungry.

12. Paw-paw:

Paw-paw extracts are widely used in the skin care industry in the form of facial peels, soaps, cleansers and lotions. But why go after chemical treatments, when you can enjoy the goodness of paw-paw, fresh and cheap.
Eat paw-paw regularly and even mash it and apply on skin for a youthful bright glow.
About ten to twenty minutes of sun a day is healthy as it creates vitamin D, a powerful antioxidant and anti-carcinogen, but you should wear sunscreen if you plan on being in the sun longer than that.
Avoid stimulants like refined sugar and caffeine because these upset hormone balances and mess with circulation. They also make it difficult for the body to get the rest it needs to repair.

 

Everyone Should Know These Healthiest Foods on The Planet..


Healthy Food #1: Lemons

Why They’re Healthy:
— Just one lemon has more than 100 percent of your daily intake of vitamin C, which may help increase “good” HDL cholesterol levels and strengthen bones.
— Citrus flavonoids found in lemons may help inhibit the growth of cancer cells and act as an anti-inflammatory.
Quick Tip:
Add a slice of lemon to your green tea. One study found that citrus increases your body’s ability to absorb the antioxidants in the tea by about 80 percent.

Healthy Food #2: Broccoli

Why It’s Healthy:
— One medium stalk of broccoli contains more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin K requirement and almost 200 percent of your recommended daily dose of vitamin C — two essential bone-building nutrients.
— The same serving also helps stave off numerous cancers.
Quick Tip:
Zap it! Preserve up to 90 percent of broccoli’s vitamin C by microwaving. (Steaming or boiling holds on to just 66 percent of the nutrient.)

Healthy Food #3: Dark Chocolate

Why It’s Healthy:
— Just one-fourth of an ounce daily can reduce blood pressure in otherwise healthy individuals.
— Cocoa powder is rich in flavonoids, antioxidants shown to reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and increase “good” HDL levels.
Quick Tip:
A dark chocolate bar contains about 53.5 milligrams of flavonoids; a milk chocolate bar has fewer than 14.

Healthy Food #4: Potatoes

Why They’re Healthy:
— One red potato contains 66 micrograms of cell-building folate — about the same amount found in one cup of spinach or broccoli.
— One sweet potato has almost eight times the amount of cancer-fighting and immune-boosting vitamin A you need daily.
Quick Tip:
Let your potato cool before eating. Research shows that doing so can help you burn close to 25 percent more fat after a meal, thanks to a fat-resistant starch.

Healthy Food #5: Salmon

Why It’s Healthy:
— A great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been linked to a reduced risk of depression, heart disease, and cancer.
— A 3-ounce serving contains almost 50 percent of your daily dose of niacin, which may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss.
Quick Tip:
Opt for wild over farm-raised, which contains 16 times as much toxic polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) as wild salmon.

Healthy Food #6: Walnuts

Why They’re Healthy:
— Contain the most omega-3 fatty acids, which may help reduce cholesterol, of all nuts.
— Omega-3s have been shown to improve mood and fight cancer; they may protect against sun damage, too (but don’t skip the SPF!).
Quick Tip:
Eat a few for dessert: The antioxidant melatonin, found in walnuts, helps to regulate sleep.

Healthy Food #7: Avocados

Why They’re Healthy:
— Rich in healthy, satisfying fats proven in one study to lower cholesterol by about 22 percent.
— One has more than half the fiber and 40 percent of the folate you need daily, which may reduce your risk of heart disease.
Quick Tip:
Adding it to your salad can increase the absorption of key nutrients like beta-carotene by three to five times compared with salads without this superfood.

Healthy Food #8: Garlic

Why It’s Healthy:
— Garlic is a powerful disease fighter that can inhibit the growth of bacteria, including E. coli.
— Allicin, a compound found in garlic, works as a potent anti-inflammatory and has been shown to help lower cholesterol and blood-pressure levels.
Quick Tip:
Crushed fresh garlic releases the most allicin. Just don’t overcook; garlic exposed to high heat for more than 10 minutes loses important nutrients.

Healthy Food #9: Spinach

Why It’s Healthy:
— Spinach contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two immune-boosting antioxidants important for eye health.
— Recent research found that among cancer-fighting fruits and veggies, spinach is one of the most effective.
Quick Tip:
Spinach is a healthy — and flavorless — addition to any smoothie. You won’t taste it, we promise! Try blending 1 cup spinach, 1 cup grated carrots, 1 banana, 1 cup apple juice, and ice.

Healthy Food #10: Beans

Why They’re Healthy:
— Eating a serving of legumes (beans, peas, and lentils) four times a week can lower your risk of heart disease by 22 percent.
— That same habit may also reduce your risk of breast cancer.
Quick Tip:
The darker the bean, the more antioxidants it contains. One study found that black bean hulls contain 40 times the amount of antioxidants found in white bean hulls.

Wednesday, 17 August 2016

Healthy Food For Your Brain

Healthy Food For Your Brain

Just like your heart, your brain also requires a steady supply of blood, oxygen and nutrients so it functions at its best.
When plaque builds up in the arteries, it can interfere with blood flow, leading to a stroke or heart attack.
Anything that impedes blood flow is bad for your heart – and your brain. It’s no surprise then that heart-smart foods – the ones that reduce plaque buildup and harmful oxidation – are the very same foods that are good for the brain. From whole grains to vegetables to fish, the nourishing foods that ward off heart disease can also reduce the risk of stroke.
And that’s not the only brain-boosting benefit of eating well. A healthy diet may reduce the cognitive decline that comes with aging, and reduce your chances of developing brain-related diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Include these foods in your diet for optimum brain and heart health:
Fish, especially salmon, rainbow trout, sardines and mackerel, are high in omega-3 polyunsaturated fat, which can help prevent blood clotting, reducing the risk of stroke. Omega-3 fat also helps lower triglycerides, a type of blood fat that’s linked to heart disease. Include at least two 75-gram servings of fish in your diet each week.
Green vegetables such as kale, collards, chard, spinach and broccoli are linked to heart health because of their powerful combination of disease-fighting fibre, vitamins and antioxidants. More recently, they have been linked to brain health too. A long-term study from Harvard showed that women who ate the most cruciferous (broccoli, cabbage) and green leafy vegetables showed less cognitive decline than women who ate fewer of these veggies, and also scored better on tests measuring general cognition and memory. Include at least a ½ cup of green vegetables in your diet every day. Try this Hearty kale soy soup.
Whole grains such as oatmeal, barley, whole wheat and quinoa are rich in good carbohydrates, which provide energy to fuel the brain. At least half of your daily grain servings should be whole grains. Oats and barley contain soluble fiber, a powerful cholesterol fighter. It soaks up cholesterol and prevents plaque from forming in the arteries. Clear arteries help ensure blood flows well and may help reduce the risk of developing stroke and dementia. Enjoy whole wheat in Confetti vegetable and bean tortilla stack.
Nuts such as pecans, walnuts and almonds are a good source of vitamin E, which promotes a healthy circulatory system to help the body carry oxygen to the brain. It also acts as an antioxidant to protect heart and brain cells from molecular damage.
Richly hued red, purple and blue fruits, such as blueberries, blackberries, cherries and grapes, are rich in an antioxidant called anthocyanin. As an antioxidant, anthocyanin helps reduce oxidation and free radical damage to brain cells. Plus, anthocyanins may help ward off neurological diseases and are associated with better memory and information retention. Include at least a ½ cup serving of these fruits in your daily diet.

 

Reasons of Dry Skin. Simple Treatments?

Reasons of Dry Skin. Simple Treatments?

Factors which contribute to dry and cracked skin include:

  • Inherited factors
  • Metabolic factors such as an under-active thyroid gland, or excessive weight loss.
  • Increasing age, resulting in decreased natural lubrication.
  • Cool weather, especially when windy or the humidity is low.
  • Air conditioning, central heating or sitting close to a fire or fan heater.
  • Excessive bathing, showering or swimming, especially in strongly chlorinated hot or cold water.
  • Contact with soap, detergents and solvents.
  • Frictional irritation and chapping.

What is the treatment for dry skin?

An important aspect of treatment is to identify and tackle any contributing factors to dry skin (see the list of causes above). In addition:
  • Reduce how often you bath or shower, and use lukewarm water. Showers may be better than baths.
  • Replace standard soap with a substitute such as a synthetic detergent cleanser, water-miscible emollient, bath oil, anti-pruritic tar oil, etc.
  • Apply an emollient liberally and often, particularly after bathing, and when itchy. The drier the skin, the thicker this should be, especially on the hands.
  • Treat dermatitis with a topical steroid for a 5 to 15 day course. These are prescribed by your doctor and should be only applied to the red and itchy areas.