Foods For Good Health and Vitality

We know that all fruits, vegetables and nuts are good source of nutrition. Yet there are some foods that can be categorised as wonder foods that helps create maximum health and vitality. You will be surprised at how many of the items in the list below can be found in your fridge or pantry. Below are a few of the most important ones.

Oats - This is one of the very few internationally accepted foods that are beneficial to your health and vitality. It is a great breakfast food that has proven to actively lower cholesterol. It is also a high source of slow releasing carbohydrates that provides energy over a longer period of time.

Sprouts - Truly a wonder food, they contain a high levels of chlorophyll and hence are known as the building blocks of life. It has very high nutrition in simple form and hence should be incorporated into our diets as often as possible.

Grapefruit - Grapefruit is quiet popular as a breakfast fruit due to its high content of vitamin C. It is known to prevent cold and flu. Studies shows that grapefruit increases your metabolism, promoting fat burning.

Bananas - Bananas are known to contain one of the highest content of potassium. It is a high source of slow releasing carbohydrate that converts quickly to sugar and provides sustained energy over a longer period of time.

Grapes - This is a quick release sugar food that is packed with vitamins and minerals. They also help increased metabolism and accelerates the elimination of toxins form the body.

Ginger - Ginger is best known to help aid digestion. It boosts circulation and aids in the natural production of bile. Infusing ginger into tea can help relieve morning sickness amongst pregnant women as well as travel sickness.

Garlic - We should make sure to incorporate garlic into our daily diet as much as possible since it has antifungal and antiviral properties. It also helps lower high blood pressure.

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Top 5 Benefits of a Diet For Better Health

There are several pluses in implementing a healthy eating plan that go beyond losing weight. Consideration of these might help you to decide how to approach your eating habits. Listed below are the top 5 benefits of a diet for good health.

1.)  Weight loss/weight management - this is probably the most obvious benefit of a diet for good health. It helps you to either get or keep your body fit and trim. 

2.) Save money - there are a number of ways that a diet for good health can save you a considerable amount of money. Some of them relate to:

a. The amount of money you spend at the store for groceries. 

b. You don't have to spend money on new clothes because the old ones don't fit any longer. (Well okay, that works as far as gaining weight is concerned. If you lost weight and needed new clothes then you do spend money for that...but isn't that expenditure one you would look more forward to than to buy bigger size clothing? Besides, if you have to buy plus size clothing, they are typically more expensive anyway.)

c. Less money on doctor visits due to poor health

3.) Feel better - being healthy just helps make you feel better by breathing easier, having better and less painful joint movement, and not being tired all of the time. 

4.) Look better - a healthy diet and overall healthy lifestyle contributes to a beautiful physical appearance.  Though I know looks aren't everything, if the choices I make in my eating habits help improve my weight, determines whether my skin radiates or just looks oily, helps keep my teeth from staining and decaying, etc...then I want the diet for good health.

5.) More stamina/energy - what we eat impacts our energy level. Just think about this, when was the last time you had a loaded up on a cheeseburger, french fries, and soda, (the gut bomb - my term of endearment). How much energy did you have after you chowed that meal down? Now consider when you had a grilled piece of chicken, small salad, piece of fruit, and glass of water. Which meal revved up your engine and had you ready to roll within the ½ hour or earlier following that meal? Plus, just think what activities might suddenly come to mind that you may want to do when a companion is around and you'll definitely want some energy and stamina for.

This list of the top 5 benefits of a diet for good health is just a start to show you what healthy eating habits can do for your life. Imagine what other benefits you could add when considering your diet for good health.

Author: Jolene Christopherson, is an avid fan of health and fitness, working toward a degree in exercise science and has helped many people lead healthier lives.
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Publisher of http://www.squidoo.com/dietforgoodhealth. If you want to feel better, look better, and have more energy, visit diet for good health to learn more.

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Important Information About Omega 3 Health Benefits

Omega 3 fatty acids are 'good' fats that are also called polyunsaturated fatty acids or PUFAs. They are necessary for general good health. There are many health benefits from Omega 3s related to both physical and mental health conditions.

Omega 3s supports a healthy immune system aiding the body in fighting many diseases.
EPA and DHA are two of the most important fatty acids in Omega 3. DHA is instrumental in supporting the proper growth and development of the brain. It helps to prevent depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety/panic attacks. It also helps to prevent schizophrenia and Alzheimer's.

EPA helps to reduce inflammation and swelling that may occur in the body. Many inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, cystitis, and prostatitis are associated with an EPA deficiency. Many of these conditions can be eased or cured by consuming adequate amounts of Omega 3s.

The most abundant source of Omega 3s. Fish oil provides other nutrients as well as Omega 3. Fish oil does not typically cause any side effects or adverse reactions. It can also be used long-term for ongoing good health.

Fish is the most preferred source of Omega 3s however where it is not possible to consume adequate amounts of fish, fish oil supplements can be purchased without a prescription and is available in both stores and through the Internet.

The RDA-recommended daily allowance of Omega 3s is 300 to 400mgs of Omega 3 fatty acids. A good fatty fish can provide up to 1000mgs of both DHA and EPA. This is why eating fish regularly or taking Omega 3 supplements to gain all the Omega 3 Health Benefits.

Fish oil supplements is available both liquid and capsule forms. Liquid fish oil can sometimes have a strong unpleasant odor and taste. Fish oil capsules are tasteless and odorless and are easier to swallow. They can be taken by almost everyone without too much concern.

When purchasing Omega 3 supplements look for those that are made with pharmaceutical grade fish oil. This oil has been purified through a process called molecular distillation. Fish oil that is so processed is of the highest quality and the only grade considered to be fit for humans.

Omega 3 supplements do not generally cause side effects however if any unusual or new symptoms should occur stop taking the supplement. Medical treatment should be gotten as soon as possible. Omega 3 health benefits are available for most people. No supplement should be added to a health regimen as a precaution.

John Collins is a content editor who focuses on a wide array of niche health topics. His latest website - Fish oil supplements focuses on omega 3 as a whole, and in particular, a natural product our editors personally use with excellent health results known as - Best Omega 3 Dha Esters

Be sure to check out our Omega 3 supplement, it is the natural supplement we use and recommend to friends and family, and have done for over 3 years.

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Essential Nutrients for Good Health

Let see the essential nutrients and their natural sources, for the healthy growth of body and mind. Protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates and fats are the essential nutrients for good health. They strengthen our immunity system, help fight against diseases, and keep us healthy, fit and strong.

Protein - Protein are essential for the growth, maintenance and regeneration of the body. The main sources of proteins are pulses, milk, eggs, meat etc. Many nutritionists believe that animal proteins are superior and indeed complete food proteins whereas vegetable proteins are inferior and incomplete food proteins. They insist on vegetarians taking plenty of milk so that they can get sufficient amounts of complete food proteins and the body can be maintained at its best.

A non-vegetarian diet provides excessive amounts of proteins to the body. And excess of proteins may result in many diseases. This is because ingestion of excessive amounts of proteins results in the formation of uric acid, which is harmful to health.

Vitamins and Minerals - Vitamins and minerals perform various important functions in the body. Vitamins are needed for the proper digestion and absorption of proteins, carbohydrates and fats, and the development of the ability of the body to protect itself against diseases. Minerals are needed for the formation and functioning of the cells. These vital substances are necessary for the maintenance of health.

Carbohydrates - Carbohydrates provides heat and energy to the body. The major sources of carbohydrates are cereals, tubers, roots, pulses, milk, etc. One should prefer the use of natural carbohydrates in their natural forms in place of processed carbohydrates. Processing removes the fibers and roughage from the food that results in insufficient elimination of wastes. Toxic substances consequently accumulate in the blood. De-branned flour, polished rice, white flour, refined sugars, canned and bottled fruit juices, tomato ketchup, jams, jellies, bread, chocolates, cakes, biscuits, sweets etc. are instances of such processed foods.

Fats - Fats, too like carbohydrates, perform the function of supplying heat and energy to the body. The main sources of fats for vegetarians are ghee (clarified butter) and oils. There are two types of fats - saturated and unsaturated. Prolonged used of saturated fats causes constriction and hardening of arteries, which may result in hypertension, heart attack and other related ailments. It is therefore necessary to minimize the intake of saturated fats and replacing them by unsaturated fats.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.

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Top 7 Reasons to Exercise For Better Health

As children, we've all been taught that exercise is one of the basic health needs of the body. But few of us really pause to think about what the actual reasons to exercise really are. To help you better appreciate the value of exercising, here are the top 7 reasons why we do need to exercise.

1. Weight loss
The number of overweight people today is staggeringly high, and this is the reason why weight loss is the top reason why people exercise these days. Exercise burns calories, causing you to shed pounds. The more strenuous the exercise, the more fats you can lose.

2. Disease prevention
Many kinds of medical conditions have been avoided due to regular exercise. In fact, studies have proven that sufficient and proper exercise has reduced the risk of heart problems, stroke and cancer for millions of people all over the world. However, approximately 80% of all cancers and heart conditions can still be traced to insufficient exercise. This only goes to show that people are still not exercising as much as they need to in order to stay in peak condition when it comes to health.

3. Recovery from illnesses
Besides being a great preventive measure for certain diseases, exercise can also be used as a therapeutic aid in the treatment of some illnesses. Many exercises can improve the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride and other substances in the body to promote faster recuperation. Scientific tests have proven in the last few years that cancers of the breast and prostate may be averted or diminished if the patient undergoes consistent exercise routines.

4. Improvement of mental skills
People who participate in physical activities on a regular basis are usually happier and more mentally alert than those who don't get that much exercise. This is due to the endorphins produced in the body after prolonged exercise routines. Another substance released following an exercise session is serotonin. This chemical gives a person a heightened sense of health and happiness, and also allows for deeper and more restful sleep.

5. Better mood
You will notice that regular exercisers are usually very cheerful and always in a good mood. The next time you feel cranky, try to do a quick workout and observe the changes that it can bring to your mood.

6. Higher levels of energy
A surge of adrenalin usually accompanies a workout sessions, and this higher level of energy is sustained if a person exercises regularly. Because of this, you may become more productive in whatever activities you are currently pursuing.

7. Enhancement of self-esteem
If you are able to integrate regular exercise into your daily life, you will soon experience that you are feeling quite better about yourself. You will be more confident and more eager to interact with other people. In fact, people who workout regularly usually have a much better sex life than those who don't, and this can lead to a better relationship with your partner.

These are only the most popular reasons to exercise, and there are certainly many more. As you start doing your exercise routines, you will be able to observe the other benefits of exercising as they gradually happen to you. If you have never exercised before, there's no reason to worry because you are not alone. The great thing about exercising is that you have hundreds of options to choose from, and there will certainly be one or two kinds of activities that you will find enjoyable. Seeing all these great reasons to exercise, you should definitely start as soon as possible in order to reap the benefits of exercising and get on the path to better health.

After years of neglect, I found that my health had suffered. My website, http://www.CompleteOnlineHealth.com contains the result of my journey back towards health.
 Paul Strachocki

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Natural Healing Remedies Are The Answers For Better Health

Natural healing remedies could be the answer to your various health problems. Many people aregettingtired of the traditional methods for treating health. Are you one of them? If not, then maybe it is time for you to try something different for a change, and try one of the many natural health therapies that are available.

If you are needing a new way, this article might interest you. I am going to write about some of the natural health remedies my family and friends have tried in the past.

It is unusual to find a family or a person for that matter that does not have some lingering health problem, from being a little overweight to having a diagnosis of cancer. My friend is no different. She has had many health issues along with periods of depression. Being a fairly stressful person, she finds life to be very difficult at times.

A couple of years ago she decided to try a different direction and discovered the alternative healing treatment of reflexology. To begin with she was uncomfortable with a stranger playing with her feet, but after experiencing how calm and relaxed it made her feel, her opinion of reflexology changed. That is what happens when we get the courage to try something new and it turns out to be highly beneficial.

Trying natural healing methods of health treatment can definitely make you feel better. Another friend was struggling to cope with everyday life, and he turned to meditation. Not everyone can get into meditation, but it can make you more positive and think clearer. It may be difficult in the beginning, especially if your powers of concentration are not too good.

My mother does not like going to doctors and she chooses to go to a wellness center for women as her natural healing method to better her health. It must work for her because she has been going there for years. For one thing exercise has always been a recommended natural health way to lose weight and better your health.

Two more natural healing methods that many people are now doing are yoga and tai chi. Both are good at reducing stress levels and are not that hard to do. Neither are as hard on the body as strenuous weight training.

There are many different methods of alternative healing, and since people are all different, not everyone likes the same method. It might take some trial and error to find the right natural healing way for you.

I have another friend who was a smoker for many years because he had a hard time relaxing. He tried hypnotherapy as a way to quit smoking, and with his determination to quit and the hypnotherapy sessions he was successful. Hypnotherapy is a natural health technique many have used to successfully stop smoking.

There are many natural healing remedies that can give you better health if you are open to try them.

Are you in need of a natural healing for living a healthier lifestyle? Natural Healing is here to provide helpful information for anyone wanting a better life. It is never too late to be interested in your health: http://ournaturalhealthsite.com/naturalhealing.php

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How to Achieve Better Health

Now that we are in the 21st century, more people's focus has shifted to improving their health. Health is important because ones health determines how long you will live and what type of quality your life will have. 

Health is determined by diet, physical fitness, happiness, stress levels, choices and genetics. Genetics is the only part of health that cannot be changed. The rest of the factors determine what type of health one will have. However, no matter what ones present health is, there is always a way you can improve upon it. Poor health is a result of ones lifestyle, it occurs overtime. It takes years of eating unhealthy food, breathing in unclean air, not exercising, stressful situations and unhappiness to acquire poor health. But you can get better health by changing these bad aspects of your life. Even the smallest step in the right direction can improve your health significantly. It's your life; this is how you will achieve better health.

Healthy Eating- Food is a main part of everyone's life, because it's necessary to sustain life. As technology improved, so did the ability to make food quicker and cheaper. Although faster and less expensive to make food, doesn't mean healthier to eat. Because the American lifestyle has sped up so has the need for quicker meal times, thus we have fast food. Highly processed foods are high in fat, calories and sugar, but the taste is good. The American diet is rich in saturated fat, high sugar content, and it has resulted in poor nutrition. The easiest way to change your diet is to add more fruits and vegetables into your meals. Fruits and vegetables are so important to the body because they supply vitamins, minerals and essential nutrients. Fiber is also an important component of ones diet which comes from fruits and vegetables, beans, seed, brown rice, and whole grains. By cutting out processed foods, and hydrogenated oils you can improve your diet significantly. Make healthier food choices. Buy fresh seasonal produce and make all your meals and snacks at home. Eliminated sugary foods from your diet as much as possible. Don't deprive yourself of your favorite foods. However eat them in smaller quantities to satiate your cravings. Malnutrition is one of the leaders in disease and death totals each year, that's why it's important to make healthier choices when t comes to food.

Hydrate- The United States is a free country where people have access to clean drinking water and yet 75% of Americans are chronically dehydrated. Our bodies are made up of 70% of water. When we are dehydrated it triggers fatigue and chronic dehydration can ultimately lead to death. Pure clean water is the best water to drink because all contaminants have been removed. Water purifiers remove such contaminants as chlorine, lead, heavy metals, parasites, and bacteria. It is recommended to drink between 5-8 glasses of pure clean water a day depending upon perspiration, respiration and urination. Replace soda, and juice with water to kick start your way to better health.

Exercise- Physical activity is needed to keep the muscles in the body from atrophying, the joints, tendons and ligaments flexible and elastic, and keep circulation of blood and oxygen throughout the body. Inactivity is a huge risk factor for many diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and obesity. Moderate exercise between 10-30 minutes a day helps to control weight loss, reduce stress, improves circulation, and lessen the risk for blood, heart and arterial diseases. Doing some exercise is better than dong none. Walking, running, house cleaning, gardening, dancing and stretching are just some examples of everyday exercise. If you have maintained a sedentary lifestyle it is necessary to start any exercise regiment slow and build up. Start with 10 minutes and work your way up to 30 minutes a day. Remember to switch up your daily exercise to avoid boredom and monotony. Thirty minutes of exercise, 7 days a week is an ideal way to better your health.

Clean Air- Breathing in clean air is just as important to ones health as nutrition, exercising, and drinking pure water. Our lungs are an integral part of the circulatory system, which without we would not be living. Pollution is just one way that our air supply can be contaminated. In some cases indoor air can be more hazardous than outdoor air. Indoor air pollution is thought to be the cause of many circulatory diseases such as allergies, asthma, and autoimmune disease. Using an air purifier can help to reduce indoor air hazards such as mold spores, viruses, bacteria, chemical gases, fumes, odors and pollen. Plus, when the weather permits open up the windows and let fresh air in. It's important to get outside more often. Air pollution is more concentrated in cities, so air quality is better in the suburbs or country. Breathing cleaner air keeps your lungs pumping for a longer life.

Lower Stress- Stress is a major factor, which impacts our health. Stress impairs the immune system, leaving the body susceptible to diminished health. Stress can arise in any area of our lives, i.e. Job, money, relationship, economy, etc. Stress can cause feelings of hopelessness, depression, or negative thoughts, which ultimately deteriorate your mood and behavior. It is important to change negative thoughts and bad moods by shifting ones energy. By looking at a situation from a different perspective or letting go of things you can't change you can circumvent stress. Talking to a close friend can lift your stress. Surrounding yourself with a supportive group of friends that accept you and understand you is vital to your social well being.

Job unhappiness is a major stressor taking place in society today. With the inability to find jobs, people are accepting positions without determining whether it would be a job they would enjoy or excel at. Because we spend most of our time at our jobs it's important to like what you do rather than do a job you hate with people you don't like. Job satisfaction plays an important role in our mental well being.

Expressing love freely also is a great stress reducer. Love reduces stress hormones in the in the body which strengthens the immune system. Showing love, appreciation, and gratitude to your spouse, partner, friends and family, will bring you closer and diminish stress in your life. When you love it makes you happy, and happy people live longer and healthier.

Ultimately achieving better health is about making better choices throughout your life. Every choice we make in our lives has as future outcome. Making bad choices or choices for the wrong reasons can result in an outcome we don't expect, leaving us angry or blameful. That's why it's important to feel good about your decisions no matter what the outcome. Choose healthy foods, exercise, clean water and air, good friends and an enjoyable job to eventually improve your health and live a longer life.

Graduated with a BA in exercise science and have worked in the medical field since. My focus is alternative medicine however all aspects of health interest me. Check out my health website! http://www.universalhealthinfo.com

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3 Tips to Creating a Healthy-Lifestyle

Everyone wants a healthier lifestyle and be able to live a long life. Most folks know they need to eat less and exercise more, but to live a truly healthy lifestyle means so much more. Creating a healthy lifestyle means adopting a healthy nutrition regimen, moving your body as well as reducing stress and maintaining a positive outlook. While it may seem as if many changes need to be made to adopt a healthy lifestyle, there are some simple ways to begin your healthier regimen. Below, you'll find three core tips to living a healthy lifestyle.

1. Create a healthy nutrition regimen. One of the biggest factors to living a healthy lifestyle is to adopt a healthy eating plan. Make sure to get in a good balance of protein, healthy fats and healthy carbohydrates from fruits and vegetables each day. Reduce or eliminate the amount of processed foods, fast food and soda you consume in a day. The amount of "empty food" being consumed by people each day is staggering and should be reduced drastically or eliminated completely. Eliminating these alone and committing to eating more fresh, whole foods would easily help to increase health and induce weight loss. It's also important to make sure your body is fully hydrated. Water will not only support your metabolism in weight loss but will also aid in your body's absorption of essential nutrients.

2. Moving daily has to also be a commitment in a healthy lifestyle or weight loss plan. This doesn't mean everyone has to run out and join a gym, it simply means people need to move more - whether it's walking, hiking or swimming. Getting out and moving not only helps improve your body it also helps improve your mind and this is the key piece to a successful Weight Loss plan. We are living in a time starved world and most people have very busy lifestyles which means we are moving less. Moving your body not only helps you burn calories but also helps lubricate the joints and challenges your balance.

3. Think positive and reduce stress. Creating a healthy lifestyle is about focusing on gratitude and being committed to positive thinking. This has long been associated with folks who live a healthy life. Stress and negative thinking leads to the production of cortisol which leads to weight gain. In addition, having a more positive attitude leads to a healthier immune system. Your body responds to what your brain tells it, so it is important to constantly feed your body the message that it is healthy and happy. Pretty soon you start to believe it as your mind and your body become more fit. You will soon notice that everything starts to fall into place. You begin to sleep better because you are exercising more and you are eating better because you feel better.

Exercise, eating right and a positive attitude are what is needed to live that healthy lifestyle you always wanted. Start taking steps toward your healthy lifestyle today. Remember to set attainable goals, take baby steps toward your new healthy regimen and make sure your new healthy plan fits into your lifestyle.

Margot Rutigliano is a freelance writer as well as the owner of Vita Vie Retreat. She has been a fitness trainer, wellness coach and healthy living adviser since 1999. Vita Vie Retreat is a weight loss camp offering healthy lifestyle transformation programs for men and women of all ages and fitness levels. For more information or to contact Ms. Rutigliano, please visit http://www.bvretreat.com.

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