Chronic illness which exhibits itself as a recurring disease, with lingering and lasting symptoms is a growing pandemic amongst people today. The question is how much of this is due to neglect on the basics of healthy living? Today’s fast paced life style could be a factor for these reoccurring problems. For example, we pride ourselves on keeping five things in the air at the same time; this has caused us to slip from eating three healthy meals per day to drinking a slim fast or popping a diet pill to keep going. Moving away from proper diet and nutrition may be the reason our bodies are breaking down today resulting in chronic illnesses.

Whether you are free from or burdened by illness it is time to take charge of your health! The first thing one can do is basic research. Studies on dietary supplements in scientific and medical research are an ongoing process both in the United States and internationally. If you are interested in finding citations on a particular chronic illness or research that is available I recommend looking at government agencies such as (i) The Office of Dietary Supplements, (ii) The National Institutes of Health (NIH), (iii) The National Agricultural Library (NAL), and (iv) United States Department of agriculture (USDA). It is also possible to obtain research abstracts from different major databases such as MEDLINE for biomedical related articles and AGRICOLA for botanical and agricultural science. To find these different databases and governmental agencies, search google using the respective agency/database name.

Research shows that stress reduction can help to improve energy levels, improve sleep quality, and reduce high blood pressure. The following are some suggestions for reducing stress:

Reducing stress is as simple as the following:

Exercise:

1. Weight lifting is not just about barbells and muscle-building but about stressing the body as a means for relieving stress.

2. Cardiovascular exercises such as jogging and bicycling.

3. Exercise is helpful by increasing blood flow to the brain, release of hormones, stimulates the nervous system and produces a feeling of well being.

Eating healthy including supplementation:

1. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid has the ability to boost the immune system. Vitamin C also helps to produce neurotransmitters by converting L-Tyrosine into dopamine. Along with dopamine, ascorbic acid also synthesizes norepinephrine and serotonin which have been found to be directly related to control anxiety and depression.

2. B-Vitamins are also the important for reducing stress. For example, Niacin (Vitamin B3) helps the body fight stress in three ways, (i) controls blood sugars, (ii) improves blood flow and (iii) regulates the release of energy from carbohydrates.

Stress is a state of bodily or mental tension resulting from factors which are an unavoidable effect of living. Stress has been linked to coronary heart disease, psychosomatic disorders and various other mental and physical problems. Reducing stress is essential and can be done through diet and exercise. Nutritional science studies the relationship between diet and states of health and disease. Nutritional science has found human nutrition is very complex and varies widely and proper nutrition cannot be obtained by simply eating three meals a day because quite simply the average person just does not eat well. If you eat less than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily it is impossible to obtain all of the vitamins and minerals your body needs. In order to seek assurance that you are getting all your body needs I suggest you take a good multiple vitamins which supplies at least 100 percent of the daily value for various vitamins and minerals. It is a good idea however to discuss with your doctor the best choices as he or she knows your history and specific health needs best.

More information on health articles and dietary supplements can be found at VitaNet, LLC Health Foods. http://vitanetonline.com/

Article Source: Chronic Illness And Eating Healthy

Christmas dinner isn’t just a great tradition, it’s full of nutrients and it’s actually good for you. So don’t feel guilty, get stuck in!

Turkey

Your traditional Christmas turkey is naturally low in fat, so you’re off to a good start if you’ve chosen this for the big day. Remove the skin if you want to be extra healthy as it contains most of the fat and you’ll save around 40 calories per portion. Turkey is a good source of lysine, which can help stop ugly cold sores and it also contains vitamins B, zinc and potassium, which keep cholesterol down, regulate blood pressure and boost the immune system. And the best news is it contains selenium, which could help protect against cancer.

Cranberry sauce

Cranberries are full of antioxidants and treat urinary tract infections like cystitis. They’re also rich in vitamin C, which protects cells, keeps them healthy and helps the body absorb iron and vitamin D, which regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body to keep bones and teeth healthy. If you have high blood pressure, cranberries are great because they contain potassium which helps lower it. Other health benefits include preventing stomach ulcers, dental plaque, heart disease and some cancers, so there’s no reason not to go back for a second helping.

Vegetables

The traditional Christmas turkey is usually surrounded by loads of different vegetables, all of which will count towards your five a day, so Christmas day is actually the easiest day of the year to get your five in one meal!

Brussels sprouts: Christmas is probably the only time of year that you eat Brussels sprouts, so make the most of them as they’re very good for you. They’re rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system, helps improve vision and keeps skin healthy - perfect if you want to avoid a cold and look great for a New Year’s Eve party. They’re very rich in fibre, which keeps your digestive tract working effectively and if you eat just nine sprouts, you’ll have half your daily dose of folic acid which your body needs to form healthy red blood cells. If you’ve been overdoing it in the run-up to Christmas, sprouts contain compounds that are very good for detoxing and also help protect the body against cancer.

Carrots: Add some carrots to your meal on the big day because they’re rich in beta-carotene, which converts into vitamin A in the body. Vitamin A is needed for healthy skin, fighting illness and disease by boosting the immune system and it protects your vision, especially night vision. Carrots also contain antioxidant compounds that help protect against cardiovascular disease.

Peas: Did you know that peas are good for your bones? They contain a vitamin called K1, which is essential for bone health. They’re also a good source of folic acid, needed to form healthy red blood cells, vitamin E, which helps protect cell membranes by acting as an antioxidant, iron, which makes red blood cells and zinc, which helps wounds to heal.

Potatoes: You may find it hard to believe, but potatoes actually contain more vitamin C than a glass of orange juice. The body needs vitamin C to protect cells and keep them healthy, lower cholesterol and fight allergies and asthma. Scientists have also found that potatoes contain a compound that can lower blood pressure.

Christmas pudding

Before you turn down a helping of Christmas pudding, remember that the dried fruit in it contains lots of potassium which every cell and nerve in your body needs to function properly. It’s also a good source of fibre, which helps your digestive system, and iron, which the body needs to transport oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Add a big dollop of custard and you’ll also be adding calcium, good for strengthening bones and teeth.

Other Christmas food

If you’ve decided not to put a satsuma at the bottom of your kids? Christmas stockings, then change your mind! They’re rich in vitamin C, which will boost their immune system and help them fight off the colds and viruses around at this time of year. Don’t ignore the Christmas chestnuts that are around either. They’re the only nut that’s actually low in fat so you can enjoy them guilt-free!

Kate Corr

Good to Know

A great Christmas resource featuring Christmas menu inspiration, Christmas gift ideas and tips on having a cheap Christmas.

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Will a chocolate bar a day keep heart attacks away?

The candy industry keeps trying to convince us that chocolate is a health food by sponsoring and publicizing studies. One of the latest, in the medical journal Hypertension (July, 2005), shows that eating dark chocolate lowers high blood pressure. Jeffrey B. Blumberg, a professor of nutrition at Tufts University, gave 3.5 ounces of dark chocolate per day for 15 days to 20 people with high blood pressure. Their systolic blood pressure dropped by an average of 11mm.

Researchers at the University of California at Davis reviewed a number of recent studies on chocolate and its health benefits (The Journal of the American Dietetic Association, February 2003.) They found that flavan-3-ols, the main flavonoids found in cocoa, are associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. The article goes on to say that cocoa contains the same nutrients found in other plant foods, including minerals and specific antioxidants that help ward off diseases such as heart disease. In addition, oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat also found in olive oil, makes up one-third of the fat in chocolate and has been shown to be beneficial for heart health.

Europeans living in the 17th century also believed in chocolate’s healing powers. They said it “comforted the liver, aided in digestion and made one happy and strong.” Chocolate was used for stimulating the kidneys and treating anemia, tuberculosis, fever and gout; and was reported to strengthen the heart and relieve heart pain.

Cocoa beans are loaded with flavonoids, the antioxidants found in all fruits, vegetables whole grains, beans and other seeds, and antioxidants do lower blood pressure. However, dark chocolate by itself is bitter, so candy makers add lots of sugar and fat to make it taste good. Sugar raises blood sugar to damage cells in diabetics, and one third of Americans are or will become diabetic. Fat is a dense source of calories that makes fat people fatter. So the old adage: “If it tastes good, it must be bad.” still holds for most of us. Chocolate tastes good because of the added sugar and fat.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

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Healthy eaters know that easily the best way to please someone dear to you is to make him a Romantic Dinner. We’ve gone one better and prepared a special collection of Romantic Dinners.

See pictures of delicious recipes and other details at:

Romantic Recipes They Love

Studies show that some of the most mouth-watering and exotic dishes are the worst for man. Recipes meant to entice the taste buds are often low in proteins and fiber and high in carbohydrates. Regular consumption of this type of food can lead to serious health hazards like high cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia and type 2 diabetes. High cholesterol can further lead to other serious conditions like heart disease and osteoporosis. Switching to healthy recipes will help you shed those extra pounds and improve your overall health.

For many people going on a “diet” means having to deprive themselves from food they love to eat. Following healthier recipes gives you a low-calorie and low-carbohydrate diet that can help you have your fill without worrying about obesity and health problems. Recipes involving a low-carbohydrate diet use low-carb alternatives as essential ingredients, tasting similar to the high-carb foods you are not allowed to eat. So you can eat healthier food including meat, fish, poultry, eggs, cheese, and green vegetables like asparagus, spinach, and broccoli until you are full, without worrying about your calorie intake.

People who follow the healthy recipes feel both physically and mentally fit. Small dietary changes can definitely lead to big results. Health practitioners relate that even with various breakthroughs in medicine, the best way to reduce the threat of the diseases is to reduce the likelihood of their occurring altogether. An easier and more practical way to reach this goal is to follow a healthy eating pattern, including healthy recipes in your daily life.

The sources of these recipes can be many. If your friend or aunt cannot supply them, browse the Internet or check with your healthcare provider. Experimenting with new ingredients and coming up with something delicious is also a nice idea. Your kitchen shelf should be full of quick and easy healthy recipes fulfilling your family’s nutritional needs.

Healthy Recipes provides detailed information on Healthy Recipes, Healthy Chicken Recipes, Healthy Smoothie Recipes, Healthy Recipes For Kids and more. Healthy Recipes is affiliated with Gourmet Food Gift Baskets.

Healthy eaters know that easily the best way to please someone dear to you is to make him a Romantic Dinner. We’ve gone one better and prepared a special collection of Romantic Dinners.

See pictures of delicious recipes and other details at:

Romantic Recipes They Love