Banner3

Sunday, November 24, 2013

To drink or not to drink during meal???

Our body’s perform a number of processes while eating and digesting so it’s important to understand and consider each while determining if drinking water while eating is best for us. Water is obviously a basic human need but sometimes, it is also necessary to control our drinking habit. 

There's no denying the importance of water in our lives. From daily chores to personal hygiene and consumption, water is essentially really the liquid of life. Not to mention our body is made up of 60% water and we need the liquid to function at optimal health.

Most of us have been told to drink at least eight glasses of water daily. And it has become a habitual thing to consume water with our meals. For many, it's a way to wash down the food and clear our palate. But hold on a second! While hydration is good, downing water with your meals can actually cause a negative reaction in your digestion.

There is no doubting the fact that drinking too much water during meals can interfere with the natural and necessary levels of bile and stomach acid. This would slow the digestion process and reduce the body’s ability to produce enough digestive enzymes to digest foods properly. Without proper digestion, a build up of toxic waste can occur no matter what you are eating. We can apply the same principles when thinking about other beverages we might consume during a meal. In the case of alcoholic drinks and acidic beverages like soda, they tend to dry up the saliva your glands have produced, making it even more difficult to properly digest food. Drinking water or other beverages while they are cold also slows down digestion and can create cramping in some individuals.

It is clear that drinking water before and after you eat aids the digestive process. The general consensus on this is that drinking water about 30 minutes before you eat will help keep the body hydrated which results in optimal digestion. For the liver, this is also important as overall body hydration aids in optimal liver performance. Drinking water about 30 minutes after can also assist in hydrating the body through the latter parts of digestion and replenish the lost liquids from digestion. It is important to note that drinking water during a meal would be more beneficial than not drinking while eating if you are not properly hydrated before hand. Eating while dehydrated can cause the body to have a very tough time digesting food.


In fact, too much water taken during meals can interfere with the natural levels of acid and bile needed in the stomach to properly digest your food. It gets worst if it's cold water, which reportedly can slow down digestion and cause cramping in certain individuals.

Even ancient practices like Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda also advice against drinking cold water as it can quench the 'flame' that fuels the digestion and hence, energy is taken away. As a result, our food don't get digested properly and we're robbed of our health.

Again, it comes back to the digestive system – a vital part of our body that we'd need to rely on for many, many years.

Improper digestion can be harmful to you in many different ways. Your body works to turn the food you consume into energy so that you can function properly and perform any number of tasks. This is also the part where your body retrieves essential vitamins and minerals to fuel your wellbeing. When your body fails to retrieve these elements, you begin to suffer and your immune system is compromised.

What if you really must have your water…

The general rule of thumb is not to drink water 15 minutes before you eat until at least an hour after meal. But here are the exceptions:

Sips
You can take small sips in between meals to cleanse the palate and maintain hydration without flooding your digestive system. Add a bit of lemon or apple cider vinegar to help aid the process.

Warm over cold
Iced drinks may not be ideal during meals, especially for those with existing digestive issues. If you want something to accompany your meals, choose warm liquids like hot tea or soup.

Hydrate
Make it a habit to drink a glass or two of water 15-30 minutes before meal; this can prevent the urge to consume too much water or even food. Also, stay hydrated throughout the day. When you're well-hydrated, the craving for water during your meals won't be as great.

Tips

Based on the information presented, when thinking about how to approach eating meals yourself, there are several tips we can apply. It appears most beneficial to stay hydrated throughout the day and if you must drink while you eat, avoid drinking too much, as well as alcohol and acidic drinks. Drink warm water and drink it sparingly. A small glass will likely not interfere with digestion and by adding a dash of apple cider vinegar or lemon, you can aid in the digestive process further. If you can, you might want to try drinking 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after a meal with no drinking during, see how you feel. If it works for you, then stick with what works, if not, adjust accordingly. Listening to and becoming more conscious of your body and body awareness is a great step to take when thinking about new foods and how you treat your body. Sometimes going with what the body feels and wants is more important than staying rigid to information. Things change, the body changes, flow with it. Listen to your body!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Healthy Noses and Happy Breathing

There are many things that subject to our noses  that are unhealthy and problematic for healthy breathing. Learning how to take care of your nose can help you enjoy a pain free, symptom free, lifelong experience of some of the world's most tantalizing smells. Your nose and sinuses are intimately connected, and helping to improve your nose health will help you to improve sinus health.

The nose serves two purposes. It provides an avenue for smelling which increases pleasure, warns against danger, and helps to improve the quality of life. It also serves as an airway into the lungs. A healthy nose will help filter particles from the airway much better than an unhealthy nose will. A chronically runny nose or stuffy nose can lead to headaches and other discomfort as well as become an irritating source of discomfort on its own.
Click Here!

THE PROTECTIVE ROLE OF THE MUCOUS MEMBRANE
It is important to know about Mucous to care of your nose as it acts like an antivirus for our body. It protect us from external threats with the help of its mucous and its blend with impurities. The hairs presents on mucous membrane helps to direct impurities toward throats and stomach and from where the impurities remove permanently. Sneezing is also one way extracting impurities through nose. Nose should be kept very hygienic because through nose we take air which contains oxygen which is very essential for survival.

ESTABLISHING THE ROUTINE FOR NOSE CARE
By reducing external threats from your environment with the help of proper healthy living habits are useful in proper nasal function and which gain by proper nasal hygiene care. The following tips shows that how to reduce external threats from your environment:
1. Avoid carpets
2. Stop accumulation of dust on object
3. Regularly cleans your home.
4. Air should be humidifying in your home.
5. Avoid smoking.

Obviously following above tips will help in a great way to take care of your nose. Also you can maintain proper nasal hygiene by cleaning it regularly. Just like you brushed your teeth regularly for clean mouth in same manner you should clean your nose regularly for its proper functioning. To eliminate the nasal cavities saline water based product should be used. Several products are available on the market,  its can be found in the form of droppers, single-dose ampoules, nasal sprays and flushers. The product you choose will depend on your age and preferences. Some formulations said to be isotonic or hypertonic are available. Isotonic saline-water-based products contain the same salt concentration as those found in the human body, contrary to a hypertonic solution which has a higher salt concentration. There are also nasal sprays with a flow mist that varies from low pressure to high pressure and others that contain eucalyptus. It can sometimes be confusing. Ask your pharmacist to help you choose the product that best suits your needs.

NASAL HYGIENE AND ALLERGIES
Mites, pollen and mould are some allergies to which you constantly come in contact. Allergies found in mucous cause to sneezing and congestion which can be reduces by using saline water regularly to clean your nose.

DRY NOSE
Typical symptoms which include tingling and burning sensation in the nose are caused due to dry nose problem. It’s very uncomfortable and makes us infected.

There are few examples which are causes of dry nose and will help you in take care of nose:
1. Low humidity level
2. Heating system used in the home during winters.
3. Aging
4. Due to certain medicines use of nasal spray
5. Radiation treatments.

FEW TIPS ON MAINTENANCE OF HEALTHY NASAL HYGIENE
1. Proper humidity level should be maintained in your home.
2. Use non-irritating product which are especially made for nasal hygiene
3. Nose should be clean more frequently when you have respiratory infection or allergies.

The more you do to learn how to take care of your nose the easier breathing will be. Clear from debris and allergens your nasal passages can relax. Inflammation can often be caused by triggers other than allergies. This means that once the inflammation is gone the allergen triggers may not be nearly as intense. Healthy noses and happy breathing is part of living healthier lives.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Natural way to stay YOUNG

Getting older -- without being doomed to wrinkle-dom and jiggly thighs -- does not require a high-priced trainer and a bucket o' Botox. To stay-young secrets for winding back time naturally and have you looking and feeling everyday fabulous, by doing everyday smart things: exercise, eat healthy, less-stress -- not so hard, right? 

If you’re concerned with aging gracefully, start where it matters, in your diet. Here are seven foods that will keep you looking younger longer.

1. Avocado and Other Good Fats
Avocado has a lot of things going for it not the least of which is its fat content. You’ll notice that as you age those with little flesh on the body, especially in the face, begin to age faster. A little flesh keeps us looking younger. Bathe yourself in good fats like olive oil and avocado. If you’re concerned with cutting the fat, focus on the bad fats like lard and excessive amounts of butter.

2. Water-Based Fruits and Vegetables
Hydration is a big part of looking young because it helps that skin retain moisture. When the skin is dehydrated it lays flatter on the body and wrinkles begin to show. This means not only drinking loads of water, but also making sure that you’re loading up on water heavy fruits and vegetables. Some really good choices include watermelon, cucumber, and citrus fruits.

Banner2
3. Guava
Guava is great for your skin because it’s loaded with vitamin C. According to the Dr. Oz Show, it has 4 times as much as citrus fruits. Vitamin C serves as the body’s natural Botox, keeping your skin cells full and wrinkle-free.

4. Oysters
Depending on type and variety oyster, they provide 16 to 182 mg of zinc per 100g serving, according to Healthalicious. This accounts for 110 to 1200 percent of the RDA for zinc. Zinc serves to repair damage done to skin cells. So if you spent too much time out in the sun as a child and caused problems for your skin, zinc can prepare it.

5. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes have beta-carotene, which is known to balance your skin’s pH, helps combat dryness, and promotes cell turnover, all resulting in smoother skin. Combining good fats like coconut or olive oil with beta-caratene makes it even more effective.

6. Seasonal Berries
Berries are among the highest is antioxidant content. Berries like blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries have some of the highest antioxidant capacity. These antioxidants fight the free radicals that cause wrinkling on the skin.

7. Omega Fatty Acids Oil
Essential fatty acids are responsible for healthy cell membranes, which is not only what act as barriers to harmful things but also as the passageway for nutrients to cross in and out and for waste products to get in and out of the cell. Omega 3 is made up of three acids EPA, DHA, and ALA. ALA can be found in hemp seeds, flax seeds, and chia seeds. DHA and EPA are found in algae, spirulina, blue-green algae, and chlorella. Omega 6′s are found in many vegetarian foods including olive oil, whole grains, and avocados.


Banner1
Bookmark and Share