Maximizing your Health

Archive for the ‘General Health Information’ Category

Obesity and obesity-related conditions are major health problems. Several things contribute to this growing problem, and one of them is the ingestion of too much fructose.

Fructose

Fructose is a simple sugar which comes from fruits, honey, flowers, root vegetables, and berries. Fructose is available to consumers in crystalline form, in high-fructose corn syrup, and in sucrose, or table sugar.

When you eat foods with carbohydrates in them, the body breaks them down into glucose, which is used by our cells for energy. Glucose combines with insulin, and together they nourish the cells. Extra glucose is stored in the liver and can be reabsorbed by the body when the glucose blood levels drop.

Harmful Effects of Fructose

Too much fructose will stimulate fat production. Over time, you may develop non-alcoholic fatty liver disease because of this. This can cause damage much like the intake of too much alcohol.

Rooibos is the South African name for “redbush” which is a member of the legume family of plants grown in South Africa. Rooibis tea is made from this particular plant and has been used in South Africa for many generations. This reddish brown tea has a malty and slightly grassy flavour, but has also been described as naturally sweet with a nutty flavour. It is traditionally drunk in its native South Africa with lemon and sugar or honey and as the green tea benefits and white tea benefits are becomming well known in our society, research is being done to discover the rooibos tea benefits so in this post we will share the currently known benefits. Keep in mind green tea has been researched a lot more since it’s very popular in Japan where a lot of research is constantly being done.

A vacation is a time to relax and indulge. In a era where money is tight and a dollar doesn’t go as far as it used to, vacations are becoming fewer and further between for the typical American. When people are able to go on vacation they typically don’t want to be keeping track of things such as the amount of money they are spending or the amount of calories they are putting into their bodies. People often see a vacation as a time to cast reason and logic to the wind and indulge in food and drink, sometimes to regrettable extents. Fortunately, you can return home at same weight that you left if you have a simple game plan. Here are some easy tips to avoid bringing unwanted luggage home with you on your next getaway.

Blueberries health benefits seem too good to be true when you consider how yummy they are. In popularity for tastiness they rank second in consumption only to strawberries. But it is true. Blueberries have one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants in foods eaten in North America.

Antioxidants destroy free radicals which damage cellular structure. We’ve known this now for several years, but more research is being done regularly to discover new benefits of blueberries. And one of these wonderful new discoveries which will benefit many people is that freezing blueberries does not destroy their antioxidant properties. Another new discovery of benefits of blueberries is that in spite of their relatively higher Glycemic Index compared to other fruits, they still react positively on blood sugar regulation with persons with type 2 diabetes. Studies have also shown that organically grown blueberries are higher in many types of antioxidants present in blueberries than the commercially grown types.

Red yeast rice is fermented rice with a bright reddish purple color. The color is a result of being cultivated with the moldMonascusPurpureus. The rice itself is used in cuisine mainly for its color, but it does have a mild pleasant taste. It is also used to color foods such as pickled tofu and red rice vinegar and is used in the production of Japanese Saki and Korean rice wine among other wines and foods such as PekingDuck.

Medicinally red yeast rice has also been used for thousands of years in Chinese Herbology and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has been documented as far back as 800 ADused to revitalize and invigorate the body and blood and to aid in digestion.

Turmeric is a plant of the ginger family grown in temperatures ranging between 20 to 30 degrees celcius, typically in tropical South Asia where the turmeric health benefits have first been discovered. The part of the plants we get the spice we know as turmeric from are the rhizomes, which are sometimes used fresh, but mostly the rhizomes are boiled for several hours, dried in ovens, and then ground into the deep orange-yellow powder we are all familiar with.

As with many spices, turmeric has been known for centuries for its healing powers, and now in modern medicine is being studied extensively for different turmeric health benefits or side effects. According to the US National Institute of Health, there are currently 19 clinical trials to study the effects of culinary turmeric and curcumin (its active ingredient) for numerous clinical disorders. Among these disorders are Alzheimer’s Disease, cancer and arthritis. Lab tests have shown that turmeric has the ability to kill some types of cancer cells including the human leukemia cells. Speculation at this point in the studies is that it is possibly due to its antioxidant properties.

Cinnamon, who doesn’t love it! And its versatility rivals that of any spice in your cabinet. A teaspoon of cinnamon added to almost any favorite dish can give it diversity and a whole new flavor. A pinch of cinnamon sprinkled on top of your favorite hot beverage, cocoa, hot chocolate, coffee etc.—Wow—what a pick-me-up! Sprinkle it on toast with a little sugar, but be careful—you’ll want more.

So why not indulge, you’ll be giving more than your taste buds a treat. In the medical and naturopath world, cinnamon is enjoying much popularity. There are studies being done globally to research the health benefits of cinnamon for more than the benefits we are already aware of.

If you are thinking about eating chia seeds to improve health, possible chia seeds side effects should be taken into consideration before you begin. Consumption of chia seeds goes back to 3500 BC when the people of Central America ate them. Over time, the seeds were replaced by agricultural seeds such as corn. And while there is no doubt that chia seeds do provide certain nutrients and other health benefits, knowing the side effects of chia seeds can prevent problems with your health.

Chia Seed Side Effects on Blood Pressure

Chia seeds are known to help reduce blood pressure. But for people who are older, a potentially dangerous side effect can be very low level blood pressure. The chia seed side effects for people who are already taking medication to lower blood pressure are even greater since the seeds can cause an unsafe drop when combined with medication.

Do you suffer from a sleeping disorder or problem that leaves you lying awake night after night? The solution is sometimes as simple as taking a multi-vitamin that bolsters your immune system and aids in longer, better-quality sleep.

What a Good Night’s Sleep Does For You

A good night’s sleep promotes healthy living. It makes you more mentally alert, gives you more energy, and leaves you feeling more refreshed, making you more productive.

Vitamin Deficiencies and Problems Sleeping

Vitamins give your body the nutrients it needs to work properly, including allowing you to relax and enjoy restful sleep. You can cure or limit the symptoms of sleeping disorders and problems by taking vitamin supplements. Vitamins and their effect on your sleep include:

Many chia seeds health benefits are commonly known. But there are also benefits of chia seeds that people do not know about. Chia seeds can be used in recipes to replace fat. They can be sprinkled in a variety of foods to add fiber and nutrition. Cooked or uncooked, chia seeds benefit the human body in many ways.

Background of the Chia Seed

The chia is a plant that is in the mint family. The seed is a non-poisonous and edible. The chia plant commonly grows in southern Mexico. It is the plant used in the familiar line of products known as Chia Pets. However, most of the chia seed benefits are derived from the seed and not the plant. Historically, the chia seed was a staple in the diets of the Aztecs and Mayans. They were also used as survival rations because of their ability to sustain energy.