The whole, organic ingredients like the guava and neem leaves generally have a wider array of healing compounds and additional benefits than their “natural extract” counterparts.

Health and Safety. Many pesticides approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) were registered long before extensive research linked these to cancer and other diseases. Now, the EPA considers 60% of herbicides, 90% of fungicides, and 30% of insecticides as potentially cancer-causing. Consumer Organic food production also bans the use of artificial food additives such as hydrogenated fats which lead to trans fats, phosphoric acid, aspartame, and MSG linked to health problems as diverse as heart disease, osteoporosis, migraines, and hyperactivity.

Environment. Organic farming works in harmony with nature. Crops and animals native to the land are encouraged and seasonality is respected. Humane treatments of animals allow them to live and die with more dignity. In addition, the elimination of synthetic chemicals reduces risk of contaminated water sources. Most importantly, farmers are not exposed to harmful chemicals.

Taste. Organic produce simply tastes better primarily because of its freshness. Since there are no preservatives, food is rushed from the farm to the market to your kitchen! Because animals in organic farms are stress-free, damaging acids do not build up in the meat rendering top-quality flavor and texture.

Economy. When you buy organic, you are helping small, family-based farms and firms and contributing to their local economy. In addition, if more people start choosing organic, economies of scale may also drive down prices without compromising quality and value.

Cosmetic ingredients to watch out for even in products that claim to be “natural.” Studies show that these ingredients, which prolonged use, may cause immune system toxicity, respiratory irritation, and cancer:

• If you want gourmet popcorn, try Holy Kettle Corn. No butter and artificial flavor just sugar, salt, and corn oil.
• If you want ice cream, try Chimara Soy Ice Cream. High protein, less calories. Comes in strawberry, chocolate, and vanilla.
• If you want healthy popcorn, try Taters Natural-flavored popcorn. You will only have to add salt to taste. No butter.
• If you want metabolism-enhancing juices, try Happy Days juices in orange and grapefruit flavors.
• If you want a refreshing drink of Green tea, try Resensa green tea. Not so sweet yet the natural green tea taste is there.
• Finally, if you want to an alternative to milk, but still get the same good taste, try UFO’s soy milk. It comes in 500- and 800-mL bottles.

Enjoy these guilt-free snacks with your family!

Supplements include substances that are essential for human life — vitamins and minerals. This was explained by Dr. Oakes, who recently published a study analyzing the beliefs on and the reputation of vitamin supplements among grocery shoppers. But can supplements be defined as healthy substitutes for certain foods?

The answer is, “No.”

Often, when we take in vitamin supplements, the idea of skipping a meal or omitting certain foods in our diet becomes unforgivable. However, the truth of he matter is, the body becomes less efficient when supplement pills are taken in place of meals.

If so, why are women being told to monitor their intake of daily supplements? Perhaps, it is because too much of anything can be harmful, and replacing food with daily pills may often result in a lack of proper nutrition. Any national authority worth their salt would say that it is most healthful to get vitamins from foods rather than from supplements. But for whatever reason, many women apparently do not consume adequate amounts of certain minerals, such as zinc, calcium and iron, as well as the vitamin folic acid.

Perhaps, this increase in vitamin and mineral deficiencies was caused by the taking for granted of — important nutrients. Lack of calcium for example, may cause osteoporosis and even high blood pressure. To ensure you consume the recommended daily dose, look in your refrigerator for calcium-enriched foods instead of reaching for the pill box in the medicine cabinet. Take note: the body absorbs calcium in food much better than through a supplement.

Age fits in with supplement concerns as well. There is debate over the use of calcium supplements among younger women. Some experts suggest that calcium in supplements is not readily available for young women and is not used by the body. That said, there is stronger agreement that for older women going through menopause and taking home replacement therapy, a calcium supplement works well. Meanwhile, many elderly patients are often advised to consult their physicians before trying out new supplements, as they are more susceptible to vitamin and mineral toxicity.

It is a good measure to eat at least three (3) calcium-rich foods (cheese, low-fat yogurt, milk, etc) a day. Also, look for foods with added calcium such as rice, breakfast cereals, and calcium-fortified fruit juices.

For the lactose-intolerant, non-dairy sources of calcium include almonds, baked/steamed beans, Chinese cabbage, and the like. However, a supplement may be required to ensure your body gets sufficient amount of calcium. Relying on supplements won’t give your body all the nutrients it needs; accompanying a supplement with your meal will do you good.

Inasmuch as we should ensure that we do no get insufficient supply of the said nutrients; also keep in mind that there is such a thing as vitamin overdose. The body can only tolerate so much of one vitamin and consuming high amounts may have harmful side effects.

Understanding the benefits and disadvantages of supplements is key to maintaining a healthy body. Again, too much can be bad, while too little may be every bit as detrimental.

Obesity is now considered a disease rather than a physical attribute. It is the root cause of many diseases such as high blood pressure, stroke, heart and kidney problems, diabetes, joint pains, and skin diseases. Some of these diseases can even be life threatening.

Once a person starts losing weight, the functions of the different organs in the body begin to improve as well. Take the heart as an example. This is a remarkable organ that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all throughout your lifetime. Excessive fat surrounding this organ will become an obstacle to its regular function, forcing the heart muscles to overwork. An overworked and overloaded heart will inadequately supply blood to our vital organs leading to fatigue, chest discomfort, and the like. As we lose weight, we improve cardiac function and cardiovascular performance.

Cholesterol is always a major concern when it comes to obesity. This is a normal constituent in the body, however, in excess it can be harmful. Cholesterol is derived from the fats we consume from food. Abnormally high amounts in the blood can lead to fatty deposits, narrowing our blood vessels leading to an inadequate supply of blood to our vital organs. This condition is known as arteriosclerosis. By choosing the right food and maintaining the ideal body weight, bad cholesterol is kept at low levels. In the long term, you halt the progression of arterial hardening, it turn, blood circulation in the body is also optimized.

Excessive weight interferes with the skeletomuscular activities. All the weight-bearing joints are overburdened due to the excess load. Gout, rheumatism and arthritis are common in those who are overweight. But along with these diseases, the damage to the joints and bones is greater in obese than in non-obese individuals. As one loses there is less sheer force over these joints hence improving mobility and eliminates joint pain.

Sleep apnea and respiratory problems are also not uncommon in obese patients. Again by losing weight, “reformed” obese individuals will have a more restful sleep, thus improving the oxygenation in the respiratory system.

The social and financial impact of obesity is tremendous, considering that the cost of medical health now is overwhelming. The simple steps of weight loss can have a large impact towards the improvement of bodily functions and prevention of certain diseases.

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Sometimes obesity is led by depression too, which is why it can be very hard for the person to deal with it on his own. There is a big possibility that a professional help is needed. Cliffside Malibu, a drug treatment center, is offering their aid to adults who are suffering not only from eating disorders and depression, but also alcoholism, drug addiction and other similar disorders. The alcohol rehab program they are offering is comprehensive and effective to guide the individual in rising up from his depression pit. Expect a combination of alcohol and drug detox, individual therapy, group therapy, alternative medicine and depression treatment. Trust Cliffside Malibu for your drug rehabilitation needs.

Take for example, cherries. In the old days, black cherries were used to treat gout, a very painful form of arthritis. It was observed in one study how a patient suffering from gout had the pain disappear by eating black cherries. Of course, this doesn’t mean we’re telling you to eat a bushel of black cherries if you do have gout. This only suggests that fresh foods amy help relieve pain and treat certain illnesses.

Another popular food that has healing powers is parsley. This natural breath-freshener has impressive nutritional and medicinal benefits. It’s a good source of antioxidant vitamins A and C, plus calcium, iron, and other vitamins and minerals. In traditional herbal medicine, bruised parsley leaves have been made into poultices for insect bites, contusions, and itchy or chapped skin; the leaves or seeds used to settle the stomach, decrease flatulence, and treat colic; and the leaves and roots employed as a diuretic.