How To Curb Food Cravings

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Our environment is filled with sensory cues such as seeing enticing foods, the wonderful smell and color that tempts our taste buds, and gives us that strong desire to have it.

Eating our favorite food gives us a satisfying feeling throughout the day and we start to crave for it a few days after. It’s okay to give in to our craving once in a while, but if craving for it day after day, this craving isn’t normal anymore.

Cravings can prompt us to overeat that’s why we need to control it. It’s not likely due to nutritional deficiency, rather it’s because of culture and gender. Women crave for sweets while men crave for soup, pizza, and pasta. They find these foods tasty and filling that reminds them of the attention their wives or mothers give to them... Read more from: How To Curb Food Cravings

Healthy Anti-aging Nutrition

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A lot of people are concerned with losing weight, but what’s more important is to focus on having a healthy body without dieting. Let’s focus instead on a healthy anti-aging nutrition because this the true fountain of youth.

Eating foods rich in antioxidants helps fight free radicals that contribute to the aging process. These can be found in vegetables like tomatoes, berries and beets. They also reduce your risk of developing cancer and even heart disease. During your meal, add at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Olive oil improves memory. It is under the category of monounsaturated fat. It’s also anti-inflammatory and gives similar effects as to NSAIDs and clears fat from blood vessel walls that prevent atherosclerosis.

Berries are rich source of antioxidants, combats cancer and other degenerative diseases of the brain. Check your grocery store’s freezer for some strawberries, acai berries, and blue berries. These frozen berries contain polyphenols which are powerful compounds which fights cancer... Read more from: Healthy Anti-aging Nutrition

Facts About Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis is the disease of the bones that leads to fracture. If you are looking for the things that cause it you’ll be surprised to know that there are many factors that contribute to this condition.

Decreased estrogen during menopause is one of the factors that cause osteoporosis. It can also be genetic. Other things that add to this are smoking, getting little exercise, and eating a diet that’s low in calcium.

We all know how important it is for women to get enough calcium because they are the ones who are prone to this type of bone disease. For most of them, the total amount of bone peaks is around the age of 25 to 30, but after that the tide turns. At the age of 35 women’s bone density starts to go down.

After menopause, in 5 to 10 years the breakdown of bone occurs at a faster pace than the building of new one. This process causes osteoporosis. During time it is important to undergo a bone density test to find out how strong the bones are... Read more from: Facts About Osteoporosis

Facts About Adult Vaccines

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Vaccines are preparations intended to strengthen immunity. We are familiar with kids taking their vaccine shots, but adults too have to be familiar with the different types of vaccines for them.

Tetanus Vaccine

This is not just for kids. When you have wound bacteria that cause tetanus can enter it. This may lead to stiffness, muscle spasms, and lockjaw.  A one-time vaccine booster every 10 years is what you need to prevent this.

Vaccine for Chickenpox

Adults with chickenpox have a greater risk for complications that leads to hospitalization and sometimes death. Two doses of chicken pox vaccine is given 4 to 8 weeks apart to people 13 years old and older. This vaccine also offers protection against shingles.

Shingles Vaccine

Shingles is that same virus that gave you chicken pox when you’re a child. It can strike again as herpes zoster when you’re an adult. This is common for people after the age of 60. It can be painful and the blistering rash can damage the nerves of the eyes and cause long-term pain. When you reach 60, a one-dose vaccine is recommended to prevent this... Read more from: Facts About Adult Vaccines

Allergy Hotspots In Your Home

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Do you or any of your family members have allergies? Hypersensitive people are very prone to triggers outside the house, but did you know that even at home there are places or “hotspots” that may trigger your allergies?

If you have indoor allergies know that dust, mold, and pet dander can be found in every corner of the house even in unexpected places.

House plants add beauty inside the house, but did you know that mold spores can grow in the pots and spread to the floor? To prevent this remove dead leaves, avoid over-watering and use saucers and place them beneath the pots.

If you have pets at home, dead skin cells from them become airborne and settle on beddings, furniture, and carpets. It can collect dander and other allergens like pollens and dust. It’s better to keep your pets out of your bedroom. Vacuum and clean often and remember to wash your hands after playing with them... Read more from: Allergy Hotspots In Your Home

Tips To Boost Digestive Health

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Maintaining a healthy digestive system is important to overall health. Filling your plate with fiber-rich foods would help fight constipation. Your body needs 20 to 30 grams of fiber daily. Be sure to eat whole grains, nuts, crunchy bell peppers, beans, cherries and grapes. They help keep weight gain, heart disease, hemorrhoids, and blood sugar fluctuations at bay.

Did you know that chewing helps relieve acid reflux and heart burn? It stimulates the production of acid-neutralizing saliva, but not with peppermint flavor so opt for other flavors.

It’s important to watch your weight. Extra pounds on the midsection can worsen digestive problems such as heartburn, belching, and gas. A great way to prevent these is to eat smaller frequent meals. Remember to eat slowly because this helps prevent overloading your digestive system... Read more from: Tips To Boost Digestive Health

High Sodium Foods You Should Be Aware Of

Sodium plays an important role in the body. It is important for nerve function, fluid balance, and muscle strength. The recommended sodium intake is less than 2,300 milligrams per day which is about 1 teaspoon.

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We are not aware that most of our salt intake is hidden in the foods we buy. Let’s get to know them one by one.

Frozen Dinners

Quick and easy to prepare but are loaded with sodium. A frozen turkey and gravy has about 787 milligrams of salt.

Ready-to-Eat Cereals

Looks safe but some brands of raisin bran have as much as 360 milligrams of salt per cup. Look for brands that are low in sodium, or mix half of your favorite cereal with puffed wheat or puffed rice because they are sodium free.

Vegetable Juices

Yes they sure are healthy, but not always the smartest choice when it comes to sodium content because a cup contains 720 milligrams of sodium. Look for brands that have a low-sodium version.

Canned Vegetables

They are great substitute for fresh but are loaded with sauces, seasonings, and preservatives that add extra sodium. Choose fresh vegetables as much as possible... Read more from: High Sodium Foods You Should Be Aware Of

Herbal Remedies For An Overactive Bladder

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Having an overactive bladder is indeed a big dilemma. People with this problem always worry that they have to rush to find a bathroom to prevent an accident.

There are many options available to control this condition like bladder retraining, medications, and pelvic floor exercises. But still there are people looking for alternative solution like herbal remedies.

There are so many herbal remedies that you can find on the web, but do these herbal remedies really work and do they have any side effects? Ask your urologist which herbal remedies he or she would recommend.

There are some herbal remedies formulated specifically for overactive bladder. These contain different types of herbs that when combined, gives a synergistic effect which addresses the urinary problem.

Let’s get to know some of the commonly used herbal remedies for overactive bladder:

Gosha-jinki-gan:

This is one of the best herbal remedies for bladder problems. Studies found that it improves urinary urgency, night time urination and frequency of urination. It reduces the number of bladder contractions and increases bladder capacity.

Buchu (Barosma betulina):

This has antibacterial, ant-inflammatory, and diuretic properties. It improves the overall health of the urinary system. It makes the bladder tissue more supple and healthier... Read more from: Herbal Remedies For An Overactive Bladder

Tips For Better Sleep

The demands of modern life push people to cut back on their sleep. An eight-hour sleep is what we all need, but who can afford to sleep that long if you know you have  a lot of things to get done before you sleep and have to wake up early for work?

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Physical and emotional stress, insomnia, noise, and even the soft blue glow from a digital clock, cell phone or PDA on your bedside table makes it even harder for you to get some sleep.

Tip: Cover any blue displays near your bead if you can’t shut it off. Turn off your computer, TV, and other blue light producers because this will interfere with your sleep. Do it an hour before going to bed.

If you have trouble with sleeping, napping will make it worse. If you’d like to take a nap make it as brief as 20 minutes or less, and it is advisable to do it early in the day because if you take a nap later in the afternoon, you’ll find it harder to sleep at night.

Tip: If you find it hard to resist napping in the afternoon, drink a glass of ice cold water and go for a short walk.

There are people who habitually wake up in the wee hours of the night to glance at the clock. They start to worry about the few hours left before their busy day begins.

Tip: Prevent yourself from glancing at the clock once you wake up in the wee hours of the night. Think of sleep rather than thinking of what time it is. Let your alarm clock wake you at the right time and stop watching the clock... Read more from: Tips For Better Sleep

Symptoms of Cancer Women Should Be Aware Of

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Cancer is a malignant tumor that expands by metastasis. It isn’t always caught by screening tests, so when women suspects something is wrong with their body like having a lump on the breast, they panic right away.

Fear sometimes prevents them from seeing a doctor, but warning signs doesn’t always mean that it’s cancer right away. Only if the symptoms are persistent and progressive, then it’s really worth calling your doctor to have it checked at the soonest possible time. Regular checkups and screening is important for good health.

Let’s get to know the signs and symptoms or changes that’s worth bringing to your radar and to your doctor’s attention.

1.    Breast Changes

Lumps shouldn’t be ignored even if your mammogram is normal; a nipple that develops scaliness or flaking may signify Paget’s disease which is associated with cancer. Beware also of any milky or bloody discharge. Dimpling of the skin over the breast is also associated with breast cancer.

2.    Irregular Bleeding

If a woman already hits menopause, any staining, bleeding whether little drops or big clots on the underwear should immediately be investigated. Abnormal vaginal bleeding should be taken seriously... Read more from: Symptoms of Cancer Women Should Be Aware Of

How To Treat Skin Damage And Acne Scars

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Zits are common for teenagers, but some adults have them too. They may last for some days on your chin but once they’re gone, they leave marks in the form of a scar.

Even if you don’t pick your acne it can still lead to scarring because of the intense collagen damaging inflammation it is associated with.

Acne scars develop in areas where cystic lesions had once been present. It comes in three varieties:

1.    Boxcar-shaped

2.    Atrophic (mostly shallow)

3.    Ice pick-shaped (narrow and deeper)

People with darker skin tones may notice darkening within the scars, and those with lighter skin tones may show redness within the scar. What makes it worse are the following:

1.    Sun

When scars are exposed to the sun, it causes darkening and slow healing process because ultraviolet rays stimulate the pigment-producing cells called melanocytes that lead to further discoloration. Before going out use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher and reapply every 2 hours... Read more from: How To Treat Skin Damage And Acne Scars

How To Decode Food Labels

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The key to stocking nutritious foods in your kitchen is by knowing and understanding what’s in the foods you buy. Trying to decipher food labels is not easy so, we don’t know exactly what we are getting when we buy low-fat foods, juices, breads, or multigrain snacks.

Terms like “natural”, “fresh”, and “no additives” can be confusing, they all seem to mean the same thing. The secret behind reading food labels is knowing what you should look for.

The nutrition facts panel and the ingredients listing is the most reliable and important information on the label.

Calories

It’s what counts for weight control. Look for the number of calories per serving on the label. It is usually written in bolder or larger type to make calorie information easy to find.

Serving size and number of servings per container

There are products that most of us would consider a single-serve container, but manufacturers would label it as “two servings”. This would cause extreme confusion and worry that we might be getting twice the calories when in fact we’re not. This information is very critical to understanding everything else that’s written on the label... Read more from: How To Decode Food Labels

Understanding The Signs And Symptoms Of Depression

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It’s just natural to feel down sometimes, but when that feeling lingers day after day, it could signal depression. Depression is feeling sad or having episodes of apathy that lasts for 2 consecutive weeks. It may be severe enough to interrupt your daily activities, but it’s not a sign of weakness or having a negative personality, it is a health problem, a medical condition that can be treated.

Symptoms:

1.    Emotional

Having a sad mood and even loss of interest in life. Patients may feel a lack of hope, a sense of worthlessness or guilt, and even recurring thoughts of death or suicide.

2.    Physical

·         Insomnia

·         Early-morning waking

·         Fatigue

·         Decreased energy

·         Excessive sleep

·         Headaches

·         Cramps

·         Persistent aches or pains

·         Digestive problems

If you have chronic pain depression can make it worse.

3.    Appetite

Some patients may experience loss of appetite, while other will have the opposite. Changes in weight or appetite are clear symptoms or depression. Patients may experience severe weight gain or weight loss... Read more form: Understanding The Signs And Symptoms Of Depression

Health Benefits And Drawbacks Of Coffee

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Coffee is a great way to start the day. It taste good and gets you going, but what does it really do for our health? According to research, coffee drinkers are less likely to have dementia, Parkinson’s disease and type 2 diabetes compared to non-drinkers.

When we talk about the numerous health benefits of coffee there’s certainly a lot to say, but it is also a fact that coffee is not proven to prevent those conditions. By drinking coffee once a day and with the help of exercise, better diet and protective genes, the coffee drinker is “less likely” to acquire those conditions. There actually isn’t any solid proof, but there are a lot of signs showing potential health perks and of course, a few cautions.

In terms of coffee and heath, there is indeed more good news than bad news. Let’s take a look at what was accomplished by the research made:

On Type 2 Diabetes

There has been 15 published studies showing the benefit of coffee on the prevention of diabetes and there’s also evidence that even decaffeinated coffee has similar benefits. It was found that people who drinks six or seven cups of coffee daily were 35% less likely to acquire type 2 diabetes.

How does coffee lower the risk of getting type 2 diabetes? The answer lies on the antioxidants which are nutrients that help prevent cell damage due to free radicals. It also contains minerals such as chromium and magnesium which helps the body’s insulin to control blood sugar.

On Heart Disease and Stroke... Read more from: Health Benefits And Drawbacks Of Coffee

Fattening Appetizers You Should Know

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Appetizers are foods or drinks served usually before a meal to entice the appetite. The purpose of serving appetizers is to sustain guests while they wait when there’s an extended period between their arrival and when the meal is served.

They are usually served in small portions, but did you know that some could be fattening? Let’s get to know who among those tasty appetizers fall to the “It’s fattening” category.

1.    Spinach Artichoke Dip

Spinach is indeed healthy, but don’t let that fool you into believing that the traditional “spinach artichoke dip” is also healthy. An order contains as much as 100 grams of fat, 1, 500 calories, and 2,500 milligram of sodium. Its cream base is loaded with a lot of saturated fat.

2.    Cheese Fries

Cheese fries are French fries with melted cheese on top, it may include ranch dressing or even bacon bits. An order has as much as 150 grams of fat, 2,100 calories and 2,300 milligram of sodium. That’s a whole day’s worth of sodium.

3.    Cheeseburger Sliders

These sliders are three mini-burgers with cheeses and sauce that’s packed with a lot of calories so don’t be fooled. An order has as much as 81 grams of fat, 1,270 calories and 2,270 milligrams of sodium... Read more from: Fattening Appetizers You Should Know

How Excess Weight Damages Your Joints

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Dieting isn’t easy, it takes a lot of dedication and discipline on your part but it gives you beneficial results especially when you really need to lose some pounds.

When you suffer from arthritis you really need to drop a few extra pounds because your weight and stress, especially on your knees can worsen your condition causing you to feel more pain.

Did you know that if you are 10 pounds overweight (try checking your ideal body weight), that increases the force by 30 to 40 pounds on your knees with every step you take? And if you are obese, you have a greater risk of developing osteoarthritis so, you need to be careful and watch your weight.

Weight loss has beneficial effects to reduce pain, but you don’t have to force yourself into dieting to lose a lot of weight. Dieting isn’t easy. There are those who did succeed, and there are those who failed and felt discouraged to do it again.

Here are some strategies to help you lose weight:

1.    Set Realistic Weight Loss Goals When You Have Osteoarthritis

Start by aiming to lower your weight by 5% (that’s about 10 pounds) and if you’re able to accomplish it then aim to lower your weight again by another 5%. Having arthritis may limit you to doing a lot of things especially with physical activities like doing exercise routines. Do only what your body can tolerate. Don’t force yourself into intense dieting and exercise... Read more from: How Excess Weight Damages Your Joints

Dangers And Effects Of Secondhand Smoke

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Smoke from tobacco that is inhaled by a person in the vicinity of a smoker is called secondhand smoke. It is a combination of the exhaled smoke from the smoker and smoke from the tobacco itself. When a person inhales secondhand smoke, he or she is exposed to the same chemicals including nicotine and toxins as the smoker.

When children are exposed to secondhand smoke, they too are prone to health risks. According to studies about 35% of children in the U.S. live in homes where their parents or a relative smokes regularly. A Research done that included children whose family members does not smoke but lives in a neighborhood where smoking occurs regularly,  showed that 50 – 75% of those children were found to have cotinine or the breakdown product of nicotine present in their blood.

The most common source of secondhand smoke are cigarettes, pipe smoke and cigars. There have been about 250 harmful chemicals identified in secondhand smoke and this included at least 50 carcinogens. Some of these chemicals include cadmium, ethylene oxide, vinyl chloride, arsenic and benzene... Read more from: Dangers And Effects Of Secondhand Smoke

Bad Foods That Are Good For People On A Diet

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When you are on a diet it seems that the more you avoid foods that will make you fat, the more often you see them wherever you go. There are many foods labeled as “diet wreckers”, but actually they aren’t so terrible after all. Let’s get to know these so-called “bad” foods that can actually help you lose weight.

Eggs

Research suggests that eating an egg a day is for most adults, safe and nutritious. Eggs are packed with proteins and it keeps your stomach full, so you’ll choose to eat less during the day.

Steak

Health experts will always remind us to eat less red meat but not to totally avoid it because a lean cut of beef, like egg, is rich in protein and can keep you feeling full longer. To avoid the fat, choose sirloin or tenderloin and limit the portions to the size of your palm.

Pork

When we say pork the first thing that comes to mind is fat and all kinds of excess, but did you know that today, 31% of pork tenderloin cuts are leaner than 20 years ago? This fact tells us that this white meat is a good source of protein and packed with benefits similar to those of lean beef... Read more from: Bad Foods That Are Good For People On A Diet