Raw Food Diet Tips And Guides: Agustus 2013

Jumat, 30 Agustus 2013

Effects of Splenda on the Body

Splenda, an artificial sugar substitute, is a common sugar replacement found in sugar-free foods and candies. Many diabetics and people with insulin dysfunctions typically include foods in their diet with sugar substitutes, including foods sweetened with Splenda. Unfortunately, Splenda can have a few unwanted side effects. Here are some of the side effects that have been reported from Splenda consumption.

According to a Duke University study, people consuming Splenda have reported difficulties falling asleep, as well as difficulties maintaining a restful sleep. (See Resources below.)

Splenda has been seen to increase cancer risk in daily consumption. The use of Splenda has been noted to possibly increase stomach, colon, pancreatic, kidney and liver cancers, according to the Duke University study. (See Resources below.)

Since Splenda is not a real sugar, it does not tell the body that it is satisfied. Therefore, the body continues to crave more food. One study conducted by Duke University and published in the Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health Part A, found evidence of Splenda causing an increase in weight gain. (See Resources below.)

Even though the Splenda company states that Splenda is alright for pregnant women to ingest, a study conducted by toxicologist Judith Bellin and published in New Scientist noted that eating Splenda has caused miscarriages in laboratory rats. (See Resources below.)

Splenda can cause diarrhea, sometimes severe. The Duke University study confirmed the Splenda-diarrhea link. (See Resources below.)

The Best Diet to Avoid Kidney Stones

Knowing a person's risk for developing which type of kidney stone is essential for creating a kidney stone prevention diet. The two most common types of kidney stones, calcium and uric acid stones, respond differently to different foods. The goal for both diets is to reduce the substances traveling to the kidneys that cause kidney stones.

Drinking plenty of water can help prevent all types of kidney stones. According to Health Magazine, water decreases kidney stones by flushing away substances in the kidneys that contribute to kidney stone formation. Prevent this by drinking eight to ten glasses of water per day. Slowly increase water intake to this amount, drinking one additional glass per day until it reaches this range.

For people at risk for calcium kidney stone formation, reducing sodium intake can help. According to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NKUDIC), excess sodium intake causes calcium to mix into the urine, contributing to calcium kidney stones. Eating the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of sodium, 2,400 mg, can decrease this risk. To reduce sodium intake, check nutrition labels on packaged food for sodium levels and avoid salty food. Avoid eating processed foods such as hot dogs, canned soup, frozen dinners or fast food, which contain a high level of sodium.

People at risk for developing calcium kidney stones should also avoid caffeinated drinks, dark green vegetables, peanuts, dark red fruit such as beets and cranberries, beans, tofu, draft beer, oranges and sweet potatoes. These foods contain a high level of oxalate, a contributor to calcium kidney stone formation.

For people at risk for developing uric acid kidney stones, avoiding meat-based products helps reduce their risk. Limit consumption of meat to 6 oz. per day and avoid organ meats if possible--it is the richest in purines, which causes uric acid kidney stones. According to MedicineNet.com, a diet with a emphasis on soy, dairy and healthy greens also helps reduce purine levels. Eat a diet rich in dairy, legumes, soy, whole grains, lentils and vegetables while avoiding alcohol consumption to prevent uric acid kidney stones.

Kamis, 29 Agustus 2013

No Carb Diet Meal Plan

The Atkins Diet is what most people think of when they think of a low- or no-carb diet, but these types of diets have been around for a long time. Many people, however, don't know how to properly follow one of these diets. By doing it the right way, you can drop serious body fat.

Meat (steak, turkey, fish, chicken)
Dairy
Nuts and seeds (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
Fish oil (cod liver with vitamin D is preferable)
Vegetables
Fiber supplement

The biggest problem when you are on a low- or no-carb diet is not eating enough. Do not simply cut out your carbs and replace them with nothing. This will only lower your metabolism, and ensure the weight comes back. You need to replace your carbs with meat, lots of meat. Do not concern yourself with calories; meet these requirements, and reap the benefits.

Consume 1.5-2g of protein per pound of bodyweight (protein, not meat). For example this means that a 200 lb person should consume between 300-400 g of protein per day, from natural sources. Keep protein shakes down to 1 per day, preferably after a workout. This is a lot of meat to consume in a day (at least you won't be hungry), try to get as close as possible, the more the better. No eggs on this plan, sorry.

Fish oil every morning with your first meal. The fish oil is high in omega-3 fatty acids and is great for loosing weight (among other things). Consume 1g of fish oil for every percent bodyfat. So if you are 33% bodyfat (obese) then you need 33g of fish oil per day.

Carbs are to be kept at a bare minimum, except for fiber. Therefore you are limited to 50g of carbohydrates per day, not including fiber. Some cooked or raw vegetables are a great source of fibrous veggies, and won't spike your blood sugar. Count your carbs all day long, and keep them under 50g. Most things have at least a couple carbs so watch even the foods listed above.

Fiber is essential to keep you from getting constipated on this diet. Make sure to consume a minimum of 20g of Carbs per day, preferably 30-40g. This will be hard to do, so make sure to have at least 1-2 servings of nuts or seeds per day, and it would be a good idea to supplement with a fiber powder of some kind at night before bed. Remember, fiber is a carb, but doesn't count toward your 50g, so subtract your grams of fiber from your total carbs, and keep that number under 50g.

Eat constantly. Eat at least 5-6 meals per day with plenty of protein at every one.

It is always recommended to get your doctor's approval before starting a new diet or exercise routine. Exercise on this routine in order to see maximum benefits. Even walking will do. Do not do this diet for more than about two weeks because chronic carbohydrate depletion can be bad for the body. On this diet, you may not lose much weight, but you will lose fat and build some muscle. This diet will keep the fat off longer and help you lose more fat in the long run.

Rabu, 28 Agustus 2013

Rice Treatment for Dogs With Diarrhea

If left untreated, diarrhea in dogs may result in dehydration. Diarrhea may also be a sign of a more serious condition. However, mild cases of diarrhea may be treated at home by giving the dog a bland diet.

Diarrhea may be due to an upset stomach from overeating, an abrupt diet change or simply eating something disagreeable. Diarrhea may also be indicative of parasites, parvovirus, gastroenteritis, an intestinal blockage or another serious condition requiring a vet's attention.

Rice may help a dog suffering from a minor case of diarrhea, because it is bland. Rice also absorbs excess water in the intestinal tract, which helps the stools to become firm.

Chicken will make the rice meal more tasty.

While rice may be helpful for diarrhea in dogs, not all dogs find rice appetizing. In order to entice the dog to eat rice, add a bit of skinless, boneless, boiled chicken or some boiled hamburger with the fat drained off.

A rice diet will be more effective if it follows a period of fasting. An adult dog's intestinal tract should be allowed to rest for 24 hours. In puppies, a fasting period of no more than 12 hours is necessary before the rice is offered.

After fasting, the dog should be fed small amounts of rice with boiled chicken or boiled hamburger about 3 to 4 times a day for 3 days. Once the stools appear firm, the dog's regular diet should be added gradually until it completely replaces the bland diet.

If a dog that is affected by diarrhea seems to be lethargic, begins vomiting, has no appetite, develops bloody stools or appears feverish or in pain, a veterinarian should be consulted. An underlying cause may need to be addressed.

Selasa, 27 Agustus 2013

How to Use a Rice Cooker

In Asian countries, rice is the staple of the diet, so it is no surprise that the automatic rice cooker originated in Japan in the 1950s. Since then, this appliance has become popular in the United States. Using this electric pot designed to boil water fast and then keep it warm is simpler than making rice on the stove, because you don't have to watch it. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Determine the amount of rice needed-most recipes call for 2 parts water to 1 part rice. Use the plastic measure provided.

Spray the pot with cooking oil spray. If you don't, the rice will stick on the bottom and sides.

Rinse rice until water runs clear. This will wash off excess starch and give you fluffier rice. Put rice and water in the pot.

Put the pot into the base and cover with the lid.

Push down the switch to start cooking. The switch will automatically return to the "Keep warm" setting when the rice is done, usually in about 20 minutes.

Pour 2 cups of water into the pot. This measurement is for a 3-cup rice cooker. Use more water if you have a larger rice cooker.

Set the pot into the base.

Put the food into steam basket and put steam basket in inner pot. Cover the pot and plug it in.

Push the switch down to start cooking.

Let steam for about 30 minutes for 2 cups of water. Unplug the pot when the cooking is finished.

Causes of Poor Kidney Function

Kidneys play an important role in the body. Located in the middle of the back on either side of the vertebrae, they produce urine, which is liquid waste caused by daily metabolism, and ensure that harmful waste is discarded from the body and essential ones are kept. Kidney function, or renal function as it's commonly referred to, is vital to the maintenance of the human body. Though small in size, the two kidneys receive one-fifth of the blood pumped from the heart. Without proper care, kidneys can cease to function.

About the size on an adult fist, kidneys process 200 quarts of blood daily, removing waste and extra water that will eventually become urine. Waste in the blood is caused by the natural breakdown of foods and dying cells. The body consumes what it needs from the food and discards what it doesn't need into the bloodstream. With the aid of ureter tubes, urine is then transferred to the bladder where it is eventually discarded through urination. Without the reprocessing function of the kidneys, waste would build in the blood, causing sickness or even death. With children, problems either develop in the womb or early in life, although some diseases don't reach maturity until adulthood.

Kidney failure can be brought on by a number of factors. The most common are diabetes and high blood pressure. Diabetes prohibits the use of glucose, which is a form of sugar. If left in the bloodstream, it can be lethal, usually resulting in diabetic kidney disease. Nephrons in both kidneys loose their filtering abilities during most kidney diseases. It usually takes years before there is even a sign of the disease. High blood pressure erodes small blood vessels responsible for filtering waste in the kidney. A prescription can often be prescribed to lower blood pressure.

Kidney failure can also be prompted by toxic damage. In addition to being extremely sensitive to alcohol, solvents and fuels are also harmful. Drugs can also halt proper kidney function. Cocaine causes the blood to spasm, which can sometimes lead to high blood pressure. It also has the potential to decrease blood flow to the kidneys, as well as to the brain and heart. It some cases, it's been believed to also cause early hardening of the arteries. Some chemotherapy drugs have also been known to have similar effects.

When the body looses more fluid that it consumes, it often results in dehydration. This can lead to a drop in blood pressure, which restricts the amount of blood reaching the heart. If fluids are not replenished, the results can be traumatic. Frequent urination induced by alcohol can also lead to dehydration.

Kidney disease can also be hereditary or brought on by external physical damage. When a kidney no longer functions, it's known as End-stage renal disease (ESRD). Weakened kidney function usually goes unnoticed even to those who possess two healthy kidneys, resulting in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). According to American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), there's an estimated 20 million people with CKD and another 20 million at risk for developing CDK. In addition, there is also the high risk of either a heart attack or stroke.

All Fruit Diet Menu Plans

Attention fruit lovers, this is the diet for you. The 14-day fruit diet is a weight loss diet that includes eating all the fruits that you want. This plan divides fruits into four categories to guide you on which fruits to eat during certain times of the day. In addition to weight loss, some of the many benefits of the fruit diet include soft, supple skin, regular bowel movements, excretion of excess sodium and joint pain relief.

Category 1: Sweet fruits (grapes, pears, bananas, figs and dates)
Category 2: Semi-sweet fruits and acidic fruits (all other fruits except melons)
Category 3: Melons
Category 4: Dinner fruits (cucumbers, berries, tomatoes and peppers)

Initially, do not mix fruits from categories one, two and three for breakfast or lunch. Mixing fruits may cause gas and indigestion. If you don't have this problem, then mixing fruits is fine. For dinner, choose only fruits from category four. Avoid eating avocados during the day, as they are high in fat. Instead, consume them in limited quantities at dinner.

As tempting as it may be to eat just one slice of pizza or one cookie, refrain from eating any starchy foods except during the Saturday night "free meal."

During the all-fruit diet, avoid eating salt, sugars, refined and processed foods, caffeine and other stimulants, tea, chocolate, breads and grains.

In this diet you can only eat fresh fruits that have not been cooked or heated. Choose organic fruits when possible.

Eat as many fruits as you can during each meal to make sure you get plenty of calories. Begin your day by eating a large portion of higher-calorie fruits like mangos, bananas or grapes. The high caloric intake will keep your metabolism elevated for the whole day, keeping your energy levels steady.

Consume one large fruit meal for breakfast and lunch. Wait at least two hours between each fruit meal.

Do not drink fruit juices except for fresh squeezed orange or grapefruit juice that still contains the pulp. However, if you like, you may blend fruits in a blender to make an all-fruit smoothie--and add water or coconut water if you want.

The only dried fruits you may eat are dates.

For dinner, eat a large raw vegetable salad using as many vegetables as you like. You can accompany the salad with a protein drink or protein food. Mix category four dinner fruits in the salad, eating as many as you want.

You will need to eat your salad without any processed dressings or ingredients. Try making homemade dressings in a blender using avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes, or nuts and seeds.

Your salad can contain two to four raw nuts or 1/4 to 1/2 cup avocado.

For EPA and DHA consumption, you may take fish capsules with dinner. Also take a multivitamin at dinner time.

To boost the immune system, take up to 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C and 1,200 milligrams of L-Lysine with a full glass of water at dinner.

After a week of dieting, reward yourself by eating anything you want for one hour during your Saturday dinner. Remember to eat fresh fruit during the rest of the day.

The Best Diet for Arthritis

The best diet for arthritis is a healthy plan that most people could benefit from. The diet decreases joint pain and inflammation. It contains foods high in fiber, antioxidants and plant sterols. As important as it is to know what to eat, you also need to know what foods to limit or avoid.

Eat a well-balanced diet. According to the University of Washington Orthopedics, the best diet for arthritis includes foods from each of the five food groups. Avoid foods containing excessive amounts of sugar, sodium, saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol. And only drink alcohol in moderation. Excessive amounts can cause inflammation and joint pain.

The Arthritis Foundation says to eat a variety of fiber-rich foods. Not only does fiber help rid your body of toxins, but it also helps you maintain or lose weight. The more weight on your joints, the more painful your joints can become. Fat cells can produce cytokines, a protein that encourages joint inflammation.

The best diet for arthritis also contains a variety of plant-based foods. Beneficial plant-based foods include fruits and vegetables, beans and lentils, olives and chocolate. Drink green tea and other tea varieties. Tea contains anti-inflammatory ingredients of phytochemicals and antioxidants. Substitute fresh herbs for salt. Include herbs known for their anti-inflammatory properties such as garlic, cinnamon, rosemary, basil, curry powder and turmeric, according to the USDA.

The Arthritis Foundation advises getting your fill of omega-3 fatty acid foods. Omega-3s decrease joint inflammation and pain associated with arthritis. Omega-3s are prevalent in cold-water fish, such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, trout and albacore tuna. A serving size is about the size of a deck of playing cards, or 3 oz. Omega-3 is also found in olives and olive oil, walnuts, flax seeds, pistachios, almonds and canola oil. Enjoy a palmful size serving.

Consume low-fat protein, which provides antioxidants known for their anti-inflammatory properties. Enjoy poultry without skin, fish baked with herbs or a black bean chili.

Limit your intake of foods that increase inflammation, such as those high in omega-6 fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids are found in safflower, soybean, corn and cottonseed oil, egg yolks and margarines. Also, stay away from fried foods, substituting them with steamed, poached, baked or grilled versions. Fried foods can increase joint inflammation and pain since they often contain omega-6 fatty acids. Other foods that include omega-6s are beef, pork, lamb, buffalo, deer and processed snack foods high in salt, sugar and fat. Substitute fresh fruits and vegetables, unsalted nuts and wholegrain products (made without partially hydrogenated oil or shortening).

Senin, 26 Agustus 2013

How to Do the Rice Diet

The rice diet is a low-fat and low-salt diet aimed at preventing hypertension, obesity, heart disease and diabetes. The rice diet is considered a fairly strict regimen and usually results in rapid weight loss if the diet is followed correctly. Several books have been published on the rice diet, including "The Rice Diet Solution." The program consists mostly of foods that are high in fiber, whole grains, fruit and vegetables.

Instructions

Consume only about 800 calories and 50 mg of sodium on the first day. You can calculate how many calories you are consuming at The Daily Plate (see Resources section). Eat two starches, like rice and toast, and two in-season fruits for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Consume 1,100 calories a day and 300 mg of sodium per day for the rest of the week. For breakfast each day, eat toast, one in-season fruit and one nonfat yogurt. For lunch and dinner, you can eat three starches, like rice and toast or pasta, three in-season vegetables and one in-season fruit.

Repeat steps 1 and 2 during the second week, until the last day of the week. On the last day, you can consume 1,200 calories and 500 mg of sodium. For breakfast, eat toast and rice and one in-season fruit. For lunch, eat three starches, like toast, rice and pasta, three in-season vegetables, and one in-season fruit. For dinner, eat three starches, like toast, rice and pasta, three proteins, like lean chicken, lean pork and low-sodium black beans, three in-season vegetables, and one in-season fruit.

Eat 800 calories and 50 mg of sodium as in step 1 for the next few weeks. For the four days following, eat 1,100 calories a day and 300 mg of sodium per day as in step 2. During the final two days of the diet, consume 1,200 calories and 500 mg of sodium as in step 3. Each week, you may add 200 calories to your diet per week.

Stop adding 200 calories per week to the diet when you stop losing weight. This weekly regimen is a diet that you can stay on for as long as you like.

Minggu, 25 Agustus 2013

How to Cook Red Rice

Red rice is grown in the Himalayan Mountains and well known in India. It is similar in nutritional benefits to brown rice, and the cooking processes are alike as well. If you want a slightly nutty side dish that is better than the usual long grain white or brown rice, consider making red rice. Children especially like the red color of the food with which the rice was cooked, and you will be pleased with its exotic taste, toothsome texture and nutritional value. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Instructions

Place the red rice in a colander. Rinse and drain.

Pour the red rice and water into the pot and bring to a boil on the stove over medium-high heat, uncovered.

Turn the temperature to "Low." Cover the pot.

Leave the rice to simmer, covered for 15 minutes.

Remove the pot from the heat and let it sit covered for another five minutes.

Pull off the lid. Fluff the rice with a fork before serving.

How to Make Homemade Protein Shakes for Kids

Homemade protein shakes can be made for kids as quick and healthful snacks. Active kids who are always on the go, or kids who have trouble gaining weight, will benefit from a homemade protein shake. The shakes can also be made to be flavorful, and kids won't even know how nutritious the shakes really are. Keep cups with covers and straws on hand to make it easier to give these drinks to kids as they are running out the door for school events or sports.

Instructions

Crush 1 cup of ice in a blender with some water. Use enough water to cover the ice. The crushed ice cubes make the protein shake congeal better and make it taste better. If you do not have a blender or the blender is not powerful enough to crush ice, skip to Step 2.

Add in 1 to 1 1/2 cups of either water, fruit juice, milk or soy milk. Water will keep the sugars low, and will not add any additional flavors. Use the fruit juice in moderation, and be sure the flavors match the fruits you will be adding. The most palatable liquid for kids who consume dairy is milk, so use milk if they normally drink it. Add soy milk for kids on a vegan diet. You may need to add more liquid as you blend the ingredients.

Add 1/2 a cup of fresh or frozen fruit. Strawberries are a tasty choice. Blueberries are good, but the blueberry skin may get caught in their teeth. Raspberries, blackberries and bananas are also top picks. Blend the fruit in with the liquid and the ice.

Incorporate 1/4 cup of smooth protein food including tofu or unsweetened yogurt. Either one will add a smooth texture to the shake. For additional creaminess and flavor, add a scoop of frozen yogurt or ice cream. Add in some honey for sweetness, if desired.

Add in optional ingredients. A tablespoon of wheat germ will add protein, vitamins and minerals. For kids who struggle with gaining weight, or are athletes, purchase some powdered whey protein. Add a scoop to the protein shake at the end of the blending. Top with a slice of fruit, add a straw and serve.

Kamis, 22 Agustus 2013

Diet to Lower Potassium Levels

If you have kidney problems, your doctor may have recommended that you start a low-potassium diet to help you maintain normal heart function. A low-potassium diet is defined as one that contains less than 2000 milligrams of potassium per day. Less a strictly regimented diet than a dietary guideline, a low-potassium diet can be adopted by following these guidelines and incorporating these foods into your diet.

Starting a low-potassium diet means getting used to reading labels. Go through your pantry (or the grocery store aisles) and identify any foods that are high in potassium. Either throw them out, or limit their presence in your diet. Be sure to pay attention to serving-size levels when calculating the amount of potassium you may eat in one serving.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables: Fruits and vegetables don't come with labels. Until you get more familiar with the potassium levels in the fresh food you eat, check out the reference section for a helpful website that lists the "Potassium Content of Common Foods."

Hidden Danger: Do not ingest the liquid from canned goods or the juices from cooked meat. And avoid salt substitutes, which are also high in potassium.

Use the "Potassium Content" list in the Resources section below to identify low-potassium foods you should incorporate in your diet. Your low-potassium diet should contain a variety of these foods and a considerable amount of fruits and vegetables.

As you learn more about potassium content of common vegetables and fruits, you may be disturbed to find that some of your favorite veggies have a surprisingly high potassium content. While you should monitor your intake of these foods, there is a way to leach potassium from vegetables like potatoes, carrots and beets.

Peel them and slice them 1/8-inch thick. Then rinse them in warm water for a second or two before soaking them in warm water (roughly a 10:1 water to vegetable ratio) for at least two hours. Then rinse them under warm water for a few more seconds. Finally, boil them in water (roughly a 5:1 water-to-vegetable ratio).

Now that you are more educated about high- and low-potassium foods, you have the tools to plan your diet. Every Sunday, sit down and plan out your meals for the week, before heading out to the grocery store. Take out a calculator and add up your daily potassium intake to make sure it stays just under the levels your doctor recommended.

As you become more acclimated to the diet and familiar with the foods you can and cannot eat, meal planning will become almost second nature and you will spend less and less time planning your meals.

Selasa, 20 Agustus 2013

How to Cleanse the Body With Fruit

Using fruit is an effective way to cleanse the body and remove toxins. All fruits contain acids, which are necessary for the elimination of toxins from the bloodstream. They also give the body strength and energy. Once you cleanse the body with fruit, the cells will be cleared, and they will function properly and harmoniously. The following method to cleanse the body with fruit should be followed for at least five days. Stay on the fruit cleansing diet for as long as 10 days, if you are extremely overweight or unhealthy.

Instructions

Cleanse the bowels with an herbal laxative tea before beginning to cleanse the body with fruit. Prepare the tea according to the instructions on the package, and drink it just before bed the night before you are to begin the diet.

Eat as many ripe, fresh fruits as possible. Eat at least two grapefruits, six oranges, and three lemons per day, in addition to as much fresh fruit of other types as possible.

Drink as much water as possible between eating the fruit. Aim for at least 8 to 10 glasses of spring or distilled water per day while cleansing the body with fruit, but do not drink while eating.

Drink fruit juice liberally while on the fruit cleansing diet. Pure organic grape, apple, grapefruit and orange juice are the most beneficial. Do not drink juices from concentrate or juice cocktails. If you are unable to find pure and organic fruit juice, substitute water instead.

Perform at least 30 minutes of exercise in the open air each day while on the diet to help the body eliminate waste. Walking is the best exercise, and can be done at your own pace. However, jogging or running are also acceptable, if you are in better physical condition.

Fruit & Veggie Diet Plan

For the vegetarian and meat-eater alike, fruits and vegetables are a diet wonder. When consumed regularly, they provide nutritional protection against cancer, obesity and other ailments. Whether you want to improve your health or lose weight, there is a fruit and veggie diet plan that can help you.

A vegan diet excludes all meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy and honey, usually for health or ethical reasons. Some vegan fruit and veggie plans consist only of fruits and vegetables, while others allow nuts and seeds. A daily menu on such a diet might consist of a fruit salad for breakfast, a vegetable salad for lunch, and a vegetable salad with avocado, nuts and olive oil for dinner.

Some fruit and vegetable diets, such as the Total Fitness Plan, incorporate meat. This diet by Travis Van Slooten of the Men's Total Fitness website includes at least four servings of fresh vegetables and two servings of fresh fruit each day. "Eating nine or more servings will not only fill you up and prevent you from overeating unhealthy foods, but will also reduce the risk of several forms of cancer," says Van Slooten.

Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, minerals and other chemicals that strengthen the body. "Those who eat more generous amounts (of fruits and vegetables) as part of a healthful diet are likely to have reduced risk of chronic diseases, including stroke and perhaps other cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Eating a colorful variety of produce increases the health benefits.

You may feel tired and dizzy upon beginning a vegan fruit and veggie diet plan. These are signs of detoxification, says Dr. Kiki Sidhwa of Frinton-on-Sea, Essex, England, who supports a raw vegan fruit and veggie diet. Within a month you should have more energy, feel healthier, be slimmer and be free from at least some of your previous ailments, Sidhwa says.

Protein from animal sources is of higher quality than that from fruit and vegetable sources, according to the CDC. Animal protein is "complete protein," meaning that it supplies the body with all the amino acids it needs. Amino acids build and repair tissues and organs, providing strength to the body. For those who do not eat animal protein, the CDC recommends consuming incomplete protein sources daily that complement each other--such as beans and rice--to form complete proteins in the body.

Senin, 19 Agustus 2013

Diet for Colitis Sufferers

Colitis is a condition in which the colon lining is malfunctioning. Changes to the diet can often manage the disease. Avoiding certain foods and limiting some food groups can often result in fewer flare-ups. Keeping track of what you eat and how it affects the disease can help avoid future problems. Eating during a flare up can be tricky but is very important to avoid more complications. Some aspects of colitis can dramatically affect a person's ability to hydrate properly. If symptoms escalate, you should see a doctor to reevaluate the condition.

Colitis is inflammation of the colon lining. This can be mild or severe, as in the case of ulcerative colitis. In ulcerative colitis, the colon lining becomes so inflamed, it ulcerates and bleeds. This creates a perfect environment for bacteria to move in on the damaged tissue and cause an infection. Symptoms of colitis include weight loss, abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, and bloody bowel movements. Colitis often becomes a chronic condition in which the patient must manage flare-ups with their diet. If symptoms persist, rapidly increase in severity, or new symptoms present, see your doctor right away.

There is no one diet for people suffering from colitis. The condition is unpredictable--foods that cause flare-ups for some people are perfectly fine for other people suffering from the condition. Many colitis sufferers report having problems with similar foods, such as spicy foods, caffeine, dairy, and raw fruits and veggies. Eating a balanced diet, high in protein and fiber, seems to keep many colitis sufferers from experiencing flare-ups. Staying away from fast foods, which tend to be high in fat, seems to help some patients.

Many colitis sufferers have found the use of a food journal very helpful. The cause of flare-ups is still not understood. Some people will eliminate whole food groups in the hopes of avoiding another episode. A food journal will allow you to pinpoint specific foods that cause trouble for your bowel. By finding the particular food item, you can still enjoy a varied diet and not eliminate foods unnecessarily.

During a flare-up, no food may sound like a good idea but it is important to keep eating to avoid dehydration or malnutrition. Eating high-protein foods, such as eggs or chicken, along with low-fiber foods that are easier on the colon. If these types of foods are not tolerated, try a meal-replacement shake, like Ensure. If flare-up symptoms persist, see a doctor.

The colon is responsible for the uptake of water, minerals and electrolytes. Dehydration is a real concern for the patients suffering from colitis, as the lining of the colon is defective and may prevent normal uptake. Drinking electrolyte-dense fluids, like Propel, can ensure electrolyte balance, especially during flare-ups.

Minggu, 18 Agustus 2013

Difference Between Arthritis & Rheumatoid Arthritis

Arthritis is a condition in which inflamed joints cause pain and disability. There are more than 100 types of arthritis including rheumatoid arthritis, which usually affects the small joints in hands and feet. Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are in the same family of diseases but are not the same condition.

Joint pain, joint swelling, morning stiffness and redness around affected skin or joints are symptoms of both arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Other symptoms of arthritis include reduced joint mobility and warmth around joints. Other symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis include fever, weight loss, fatigue, tender joints and firm bumps under the skin on arms.

Arthritis causes include wearing down of joints, infection, broken bones and autoimmune diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking the membranes around joints.

Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both diagnosed through a physical exam, blood tests, joint x-rays and removal of joint fluid.

Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are treated with exercises, heat and cold treatments and rest. Medicines used include acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, biologic agents such as Enbrel (etanercept) for inflammation, and immunosuppressant drugs. Treatment can also include occupational and physical therapy.

Complications of arthritis include chronic pain, disability or lifestyle limitations. Complications of rheumatoid arthritis include debilitating and disfiguring joint damage.

No Protein Diet

The body uses protein to heal wounds and fight infection. However, some people, usually due to kidney or liver disease, must limit their intake as their bodies cannot properly utilize protein. Only when instructed by a physician should someone drastically limit protein intake. It is not possible to eliminate all protein from the diet as protein exists in nearly every food. However, it is possible to eat almost no protein by eliminating meat, dairy and protein rich foods like nuts. But do so only if instructed by a physician.

A serving of vegetables, in general half a cup, contains about 1 g of protein. This is generally true of fresh, frozen or low-salt canned vegetables. Sodium, in general, should be avoided by those whose doctors have placed them on a low protein diet. As such, avoid most canned vegetables and sauces, such as spaghetti sauce. Pickled foods, such as pickles, sauerkraut and beets should also be avoided. However, for salads, many dressings contain virtually no protein. Read the label. Margarine, gravy and mayonnaise are also virtually protein-free.

A serving of fruit, whether fresh, frozen, canned, dried or as a juice, contains virtually no protein. Except for dried fruit, a serving is half a cup. For dried, a serving size is one-quarter a cup. Most sweets, such as marshmallows, hard candies, jelly beans, mints, lollipops, jams and jellies, honey, sugar and gelatin have virtually no protein. Most beverages are relatively protein-free, including coffee, tea, lemonade, soft drinks and spring water.

Most grains, usually in the forms of bread, cereal or pasta, contain a small amount of protein. In general, a serving size contain about 2 g of protein. Starches, in general, tend to have low amounts of protein. Be aware that some packaged goods, such as instant hot cereals, may be high in sodium. The best condiment choices include pepper, herbs, flavored powders (such as garlic), lemon juice and vinegar. Avoid the saltier condiments such as soy sauce, MSG, steak sauce, seasoned salts and meat tenderizers. Ketchup, chili sauce, barbecue sauce and mustard should also be avoided.

Sabtu, 17 Agustus 2013

Arthritis Relief Foods

Nutrition is an important factor in the management of arthritis. Beyond weight-loss techniques, careful nutritional choices can actually improve the symptoms of arthritis.

The foods we eat are full of vitamins and minerals which impact the way our bodies function. Choosing foods that have been shown to help minimize inflammation can provide health benefits to people who suffer from arthritis. Discuss any dietary changes with your doctor or nutritionist.

Contrary to popular belief, not all fats are bad. Omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fats like olive oil can be good for the body because they help reduce inflammation. Good sources of omega-3s are fish (especially salmon, herring, sardines and anchovies), flaxseed (both as an oil and ground), and walnuts.

Vitamin C-rich foods are a better way to consume this vitamin than through supplements. Citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and even potatoes are good sources of this vitamin. As vitamin C is crucial to the production of collagen, which is present not only in skin but also in cartilage, these foods should be present in the daily diets of arthritis sufferers.
Other antioxidant rich foods include carrots, greens, spinach, and sweet potatoes, foods rich in carotenes.

Cinnamon, ginger and tumeric are spices that have been shown to offer anti-inflammatory benefits. Garlic is a good source of selenium as well, which is important in the proper functioning of the immune system. Add these spices and flavors to your diet by including grated ginger in soups or salads, adding garlic or tumeric to meat and vegetable dishes, and preparing teas and desserts with cinnamon.

Many people wonder if the health benefits they could get from their foods are destroyed during cooking. Heat does destroy vitamin C, so those foods should ideally be consumed raw. As for the other foods discussed here, cooking has little effect on the vitamin, mineral and anti-inflammatory benefits, so it is up to you whether you eat them raw or cooked, though meats and fish should be cooked to avoid parasites and bacteria that could be harmful.

Raw-Food Diet & Weight Loss

Many diets that help people lose weight do so by limiting the amount of calories the dieter takes in. Whether the calories come from fat, carbohydrates or protein, decreasing your food intake in general promotes weight loss. The raw food diet stands out among weight-loss plans because it targets the growing, processing and preparation of the food, so the dieter's focus is on general body health and weight loss is a beneficial side effect.

The main goal of the raw food diet is to eat foods that are grown and harvested without chemicals or additives and remain uncooked. The menu is made up of organic fruits and vegetables and raw meats, cheeses and nuts. The plan also maximizes the amounts of alkaline foods. These are the foods that increase the amount of oxygen in your blood. The theory behind eating alkaline foods is that the body will have an overall healthier and more energetic feeling when it is not struggling to keep the ph level in the blood at around 7.4. When the body feels better, it naturally retains more energy. Higher energy level means more energy expended which burns more calories. Burning more calories leads to weight loss.

Many of the organic, unprocessed and high alkaline foods on the raw food diet are leafy vegetables, mushrooms, wheat and barley grass and sprouts. These foods are also high in fiber and high in water. High fiber and high water foods leave the body feeling more satisfied after eating them. When you are less hungry, you tend to eat less and the result of eating less is weight loss. The chemical makeup of the main foods on the raw diet is what causes weight loss in dieters. Secondary to this reason is the dietary restriction of so many other foods that are cooked, not organic and processed. The elimination of so many types of foods also restricts the overall amount of calories going into the body. This limitation of calories also leads to weight loss.

One of the main benefits of sticking to a raw food diet to achieve weight loss is that the plan doesn't make you limit the amount of food you eat. You don't have to measure out portion sizes or forgo desserts or snacks. The plan simply calls for you to choose foods for meals, deserts or snacks that are on the raw food plan. As a result, dieters don't need to go hungry. Hunger leads to feeling deprived and hunger combined with deprivation leads to binging and cheating. Supporters of the raw food diet stress that choosing fresh, organic raw foods provides a delicious menu that can be easily maintained. As a result, weight loss occurs.

What Is Sero-Negative Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis involves a series of lab tests and a physical evaluation of symptoms. Testing blood for rheumatoid factor is a common way to help diagnose the disease, however some patients may test negative while arthritic symptoms persist. According to the Arthritis Foundation, patients without rheumatoid factor in their blood may be diagnosed with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis through lab tests, X-rays, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate, complete blood count, antinuclear antibodies and C-reactive protein can be done despite a negative rheumatoid factor lab result.

Small tasks such as pressing buttons can be difficult during a flare-up of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

Performing a battery of tests is common to reach a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Seronegative rheumatoid arthritis patients have tested negative to the rheumatoid factor test. According to the Arthritis Foundation, 70 to 80 percent of patients testing positive to rheumatoid factor will have rheumatoid arthritis. Having rheumatoid factor in the blood, and a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, is called seropositive rheumatoid arthritis. Being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, with a negative rheumatoid factor, is called seronegative rheumatoid arthritis.

Swollen and tender joints, flu-like symptoms, muscle pain, stiffness in the morning and a limited range of motion are common side effects of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Feeling weak, fatigued and general stiffness in the body is common. After a time of rest, or in the morning after a full night of sleep, seronegative rheumatoid arthritis tends to flare, causing pain and limited use of the joints such as the wrists, back and ankles. Development of rheumatoid nodules is common in one-fifth of patients. Under the skin, small lumps of tissue may form.

Living with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis can be difficult to monitor. Testing for rheumatoid factor in the blood lets the physician know how far and severe the disease has progressed. Higher rheumatoid factor numbers indicate a more severe condition. Patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis are unable to monitor the progress of their condition with the rheumatoid factor test, since the factor is absent form their blood.

Watching and documenting periods of flare-ups are imperative for patients with seronegative rheumatoid arthritis. Keeping a calendar of flare-ups will provide the physician with information about the condition that can go through periods of remission. Calculating how severe and often the flare-ups occur will help the doctor determine if the disease is getting more severe, since he cannot perform a rheumatoid factor test successfully.

Medicating seronegative rheumatoid arthritis focuses on pain relief, reducing inflammation and slowing joint damage, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Common medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesic drugs, disease modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologic response modifiers. Complications from severe cases of seronegative rheumatoid arthritis may lead to a variety of surgeries.

Raw & Vegan Diets

Raw food diets refer to a food regime that endorses preparing all foods, including meats, without cooking. The theory is that the more processed the food, the fewer nutrients remain when eaten. Vegan diets are vegetarian diets that preclude the use of any animal products in their preparation. Some of their foods may be cooked, others may be served with minimal preparation. Some vegetarian diets allow the use of renewable animal products, such as milk. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Proponents of the raw carnivorous diet say that human ancestors ate unprocessed, uncooked meats. They believe that cooking deteriorates the nutrients in the meat. Risks involved in eating raw meat include salmonella, botulism and trichinosis.

This diet suggests that participants eat all food items raw. However, "raw" is a somewhat misleading term. Allowable food preparation includes chopped, ground and dried foods, which can change the composition of the foods before ingestion. Included in this diet are raw milk and raw eggs -- both of which have been shown to be carriers of disease in our modern food industry. In order to safely ingest raw milk or raw eggs, the animals producing them need to be in optimal health and excellent sanitation should be employed while collecting and storing the products.

The raw vegan diet includes chopped, ground and dried foods, as does the omnivorous diet. It excludes all animal products, removing the risk of illness from contaminated meat, milk or eggs, but may lack in certain essential nutrients such as B vitamins. Some of the B complex can be found in complimentary vegetable proteins, such as beans and rice, or peanut butter and whole grain bread. B12, however, is found only in animal products. Vegans can obtain B12 by eating fortified breakfast cereals or by taking a vitamin supplement.

Vegans cook some of their foods and eat some food raw. Cooking certain vegetables releases vitamins that are otherwise bound up in the plant products and unavailable to human digestion. Carrots and spinach are two examples of food that may be more nutritious after being cooked than when eaten raw. In carrots, vitamin A is bound up in cellulose, which is indigestible by humans. Cooking, even lightly steaming, makes the vitamin available. Spinach is often recommended for its iron content. Although a raw spinach salad is delicious, its iron content is more readily available after cooking. Healthy vegans usually include whole grains, nuts, legumes, processed soy products and other types of vegetable protein in their diet, as well as the recommended daily servings of fruits and vegetables. Many include a vitamin supplement to insure that they are getting all essential nutrients.

Jumat, 16 Agustus 2013

Foods That Cause Arthritis Flare-Ups

Anyone suffering from arthritis is always on the lookout for any tips that will help alleviate and prevent their symptoms. Swelling and pain are common factors that are part of our everyday lives. Members of the medical community have long agreed that diet plays an important role in the management of arthritis symptoms. Knowing the foods that cause arthritis flare-ups can help those of us suffering with the disease to prevent some of our pain.

According to Deborah Cooper of ProHealth.com, a website dedicated to helping people with medical issues find solutions to better manage their symptoms while living with illness, "Foods such as potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant, sometimes referred to as "nightshade foods," could be the cause of stiff joints, pain and inflammation."

Cooper goes on to say that while many doctors doubt the connection between food and arthritis symptoms, many others refer to studies supporting the theory.

AllergyTopics.com followed numerous studies that share the conclusion that foods that trigger arthritis pain and swelling include dairy, While dairy products are considered a major culprit, the studies also warn against other foods, including corn, red meat, oats, wheat, rye, citrus fruits, eggs, potatoes and nuts.

VegSource.com has reported on a study of rheumatoid arthritis patients fed a low-fat vegan diet. The patients participating in the study reported afterwards that they had noticeable relief from their arthritis symptoms.

According to the medical website Medicinenet.com, many experts recommend the alkaline diet. This diet excludes acids, which are said to trigger arthritis symptoms. This diet doesn't allow sugar, coffee, red meat or acidic fruits.

Photo by Suat Eman from Freedigitalimages.net

Some food sources will be harder to avoid than others. Gluten is an example of this. Alternatives4arthritis.com reports that many people find that they have improvement in their symptoms when gluten is eliminated from their diet. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley and oats. The difficulty is that gluten is included as an ingredient in such a huge variety of food products that it can be hard to avoid. No one would expect to find gluten in their ice cream, but it is often used as a binding ingredient.

The good news is that as public attention has grown about this issue, there is a wide variety of gluten-free products now available at every local supermarket. Also, many commonly used products now feature a clear banner on their packaging proclaiming that it is a gluten-free product. Still, those wishing to eliminate gluten completely from their diet must become proficient at reading product labels.

How to Lose Weight on a Liquid Diet

Losing weight can be challenging. For some people, it is better to lose weight on a liquid diet either because of an upcoming surgery or an extremely low metabolism. Remember to consult a doctor before beginning any new weight loss regiment.

Instructions

Visit a bariatrics doctor. A bariatrics doctor can recommend the right liquid diet and prescribe supplements or appetite suppressants to help your new diet along.

Choose a liquid diet that provides all of your daily nutrients. You cannot use meal replacements as a liquid diet. You must purchase a product specifically designed to replace all solid food.

Purchase your liquid diet drinks online. This is always much cheaper than buying them from the bariatrics office.

Take your liquid diet drinks exactly as directed. Skimping on your liquid diet can be dangerous.

Stop the liquid diet when you are directed to. Staying on a liquid diet for too long could negatively affect your metabolism.

How to Use Dr. Atkins' Diet as a Vegetarian or Vegan

Proteins from animal sources are a vital part of the Dr. Atkins diet, and it really cannot be done successfully without them. A person who eats a modified ovo-lacto vegetarian diet, which includes eggs and cheese, may be able to do it, but it would be impossible for a vegan since a pure vegan diet can never be low enough in carbohydrates.

Instructions

Begin the Atkins diet. You will follow the basic plan but make some modifications.

Eliminate junk food from your diet. This includes all white flour and sugar, and most processed foods. Carbohydrates in the Atkins diet come primarily from fresh vegetables, nuts, berries, seeds and some fruit in moderation.

Stock up on tofu, eggs and cheese. These will be your main sources of protein.

Count your carbohydrates very carefully during the two-week induction level of the diet. This is the strictest part in terms of carbohydrate consumption. You are only permitted 20 grams of carbohydrates.

Read labels. All vegetable-based foods contain some carbohydrates. A pound of tofu, for example, contains 2 grams of carbohydrates. One-half cup of beans, which are a good protein source, may contain in the range of 25 grams of carbohydrates. Cheese also contains a few grams of carbohydrates.

Adapt the induction level to your own diet. Meat eaters will primarily use nutrient-dense fresh vegetables, such as broccoli, asparagus, eggplant and spinach, as their carbohydrates. You may have to eat fewer vegetables in order to stay in your carbohydrate range.

Take vitamins and other vita-nutrients as prescribed in the diet. This is part of the diet. Look for vegetarian formulas, which are usually available, but be careful to avoid products that contain sugars.

Look forward to more diversified eating. At the end of the induction level, the diet gets more lenient and you can enjoy a wider variety of foods.

Figure out your critical carbohydrate level for losing (CCLL) when you enter the ongoing weight loss level (OWL). This number is, as defined by the Atkins diet, the most liberal level of carbohydrate consumption that corresponds to your own individual metabolic capacity to continue taking off excess pounds.

Increase your intake of carbohydrates to the level where you will still continue to lose weight. The level also depends on how quickly you wish to lose weight. The Atkins diet emphasizes endurance rather than speed. Take it off slowly and keep it off permanently.

Enjoy deviations, but carefully. For example, you can have more fruit or pasta, which are high in carbohydrates. Start with one or two deviations a week.

Remember that you must be more careful than the "regulars" on the diet. Your basic diet already has more carbohydrates in it.

Figure out your critical carbohydrate level for maintenance (CCLM). This is the amount that you can eat and not begin to gain weight.

Fluctuations in weight are common, as long as they are very small. Once you go 5 or more pounds above your ideal weight, it's time to cut back again.

Remember that this diet will always restrict your carbohydrate level somewhat. A person with an average metabolism usually must stay between 40 and 60 grams of carbohydrates per day. Continuing with fresh nonstarchy vegetables, seeds, nuts and berries is the easiest way to eat more variety and still remain within your personal boundaries.

Cautiously reintroduce vegetables that contain more than 10 percent carbohydrate, as well as whole grains such as oats, barley and couscous. Since most of a vegetarian's protein sources contain some carbohydrates, this will always have to be tallied into the total. Be careful not to overdo it.

Keep the sugar, white flour and processed foods out of your life, except for special occasions. Sugars supply empty carbohydrates devoid of nutrients.

Raw Diet Tips

Raw diets are diets where dieters eat only raw foods in the form of fruits and vegetables rather than cooking the foods. Raw foods contain high enzyme levels and are often healthier than cooked foods. There are a variety of reasons that people start a raw diet, ranging from detoxing the body to starting a vegan lifestyle to losing weight. Getting started and maintaining the diet is a challenge because the body removes toxin build-up at the beginning, and it may take some time before the body starts to feel healthy and energetic.

Determine the motivation behind the raw diet. There are several reasons to start a raw diet, and that reason is the motivation to keep going. If the motivation is a simple detox, it takes about 4 weeks before the diet will completely detoxify the body. If the motivation is weight loss, within a week there are results because raw and organic foods are naturally low in calories. Determine what the motivation behind the diet is, write down your ultimate goal and place the goal somewhere it is seen daily. This will prevent you from giving up halfway to the goal.

The problem with raw foods is the pesticides used on fruits and vegetables. Buying organic bypasses the potential for pesticide exposure and keeps the diet completely healthy. There are exceptions to the organic rule, like oranges and grapefruits, because anything with a thick peel that is removed and thrown away will not have pesticides on the fruit. Just wash those before peeling to prevent contaminating the fruit.

While there are many vitamins and minerals found in raw foods, some supplements are still needed for a healthy, well-balanced and nutritious diet. The main vitamin needed for a raw diet is vitamin B12, which is primarily found in meat products. Others include zinc, calcium and vitamin D, which are lower in raw foods than cooked foods. Talk to a doctor before using any vitamin supplements to ensure the body needs the supplements. Take supplements like iron, zinc and vitamin B12 in small amounts.

Juicing is part of the raw diet because it uses raw fruits and vegetables to make fresh juice. The juice is full of enzymes, vitamins and healthy nutrients, and it is easy to get into the body. When starting out a raw diet, drink some juice in the morning before eating to get a boost in energy and vitamins.

Starting the diet is the hardest part. Rather than suddenly cutting out meat and cooked foods, start adding raw foods and juices to your current diet. Drink a juice in the morning before breakfast, and eat a raw breakfast of fruits. Start from there, and slowly add more fruits and vegetables that are raw to the diet. Eventually, most of the foods eaten will be raw. Never eat raw foods after eating cooked food. If continuing to eat cooked foods, eat them at night so that the body has a full 7 or 8 hours between meals to digest the cooked food and stop the acid production in the stomach.

Rabu, 14 Agustus 2013

Early Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis afflicts more than a million people in the United States. Because treatment is most effective when the disease is caught in its earliest stages, it is important to recognize the early signs of rheumatoid arthritis.

A normal joint consists of two smooth bone surfaces that slide along one another when bent. In individuals with arthritis, these smooth surfaces can become inflamed (arthritis literally means "joint swelling"), which leads to pain. Over the course of an average lifetime, these smooth surfaces at the end of the bones simply wear out over time, which is why older people often experience arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is different than age-related arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a degenerative autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues. As the disease progresses, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis become increasingly immobile, occasionally to the point of being entirely disabled.

Rarely are early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis the same from person to person. Daily joint pain is the most common early symptom of rheumatoid arthritis, especially in the joints of the wrist and fingers closest to the hand but occasionally other joints as well. Many times the joint pain is felt in the same joints on opposing sides of the body (e.g., both right and left thumbs). Limited motion of affected joints can also be observed. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect not only the joints, but the tissues surrounding the joints such as ligaments, muscles and tendons. It can also affect organs of the body in addition to the joints. When patients with rheumatoid arthritis are experiencing inflammation, the joints will become difficult to move, swollen, red and painful to the touch.

Many early symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis can mimic symptoms of other disorders, and so can go untreated, such as dry eyes, dry mouth and neck pain. Fatigue, weight loss and a low-grade fever can also be signs of rheumatoid arthritis and, in the absence of joint pain, can be mistaken for other diseases. For instance, lupus and fibromyalgia are two diseases that have symptoms that are similar to rheumatoid arthritis.

The chronic joint inflammation that comes with rheumatoid arthritis can ultimately lead to the erosion of bone tissue and the connective tissues surrounding the joints. This can cause these joints to become deformed.

The symptoms of RA can be intermittent and depend on the extent to which tissues are swollen. Remission is possible and can be sporadic, ranging in time from weeks to years. During remission, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis can feel completely normal before a relapse occurs. Periods of remission and relapse are common in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

Foods for the Mayo Diet

The Mayo Diet was created based on clinical trials and research done by the Mayo Clinic. (See first reference). It advocates lifestyle changes and eating nutritional food for weight loss and general health. Choose your food from the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid. If you are active, stick to the pyramid's recommended servings and use portion control; the plan promises one to two pounds of weight loss per week.

The Mayo diet intends to help you find and maintain your healthy weight. Rather than provide a list of approved foods, the plan offers guidelines. For example, fruits and vegetables are the foundation of the pyramid. Eat a minimum of three fruits and four vegetables daily. After meeting the minimum, the diet allows as many servings of vegetables as you want throughout the day. All vegetables and fruits are acceptable. The goal is to get you to eat many high-volume, low-calorie foods throughout the day. Fruits and vegetables are high in fiber and will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Move your way up the pyramid and consume four to eight servings of carbohydrates on a daily basis. The plan encourages you to eat whole grains, so incorporate some of the following into your diet: brown rice, whole wheat couscous, quinoa, bulgur and whole wheat pasta. Moving up the pyramid, the plan tells you to consume three to seven servings of protein and dairy daily. Choose lean meats, fish, beans, low-fat yogurt, skim milk and low-fat cheese. The plan urges avoiding fatty meats. Incorporate three to five servings of unsaturated fat into your meals throughout the day. Examples include olive oil, canola oil and nuts. While on the plan, you can consume up to 75 calories of sweets per day. Just be careful with portion control. Seventy-five calories is equivalent to about half a candy bar.

The plan does not require that you eat at particular times; it instructs you to eat when you are hungry and stop when you are full. The plan does not encourage severe restriction or waiting until you are extremely hungry to eat. The Mayo Clinic's sample menu suggests breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack. Experiment to learn what combination of snacks and meals accommodate your hunger and your lifestyle. Before beginning any new diet plan, consult your doctor to determine what is best for you.

Dangers of a Raw Food Diet

A raw food diet refers to a diet that is made up strictly of unprocessed, uncooked vegetables and other foods. There are a number of dangers inherent in this type of diet, particularly stemming from nutrient deficiency and hygiene. Outlined below are some of the most common dangers of a raw food diet.

Cooking and processing food kills off many types of food-borne bacteria, such as salmonella, which are the most common causes of food poisoning. For this reason, a raw food diet leaves the dieter more vulnerable to food poisoning from contaminated food. Young children, the elderly and people who have weak immune systems are at the highest risk. Some raw foodists even eat raw eggs or meat, which can introduce additional dangers of food poisoning.

The raw food diet is based on the principle that cooking food destroys nutrients. On the contrary, the heat from cooking helps to break down the thick cell walls of the plant cells, which facilitates the body's assimilation of nutrients into the bloodstream. These nutrients would otherwise be bound to the cell walls, and excreted from the body, increasing the risk of malnutrition.

In the book "Food and Nutrient Intake of Hallelujah Vegetarians," the author describes how a raw food diet does not meet the recommended daily intake (RDI) requirements for protein. Plant proteins don't supply the balance of amino acids that animal proteins do. Over the long term, a protein deficiency results in fatigue, muscle loss and hinders the body's capacity to build muscle. It can also cause edema, growth retardation in infants, persistent infections, reduced thyroid function and insulin secretion as well as gross weight loss.

According to "Scientific American," steaming or boiling food actually increases the antioxidant content of vegetables such as tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, asparagus, peppers and carrots. When cooked, these vegetables provide the body with higher levels of antioxidants such as ferulic acid and carotenoids than they do when they are raw. Antioxidants are critical in helping the body fight disease and slow down the aging process.

A report by the Oregon State Micronutrient Information Center, for example, indicates that a diet that's strictly limited to vegetables can result in a Vitamin B12 deficiency. This is because vitamin B12, which is the largest, most complex chemical structure of all vitamins, can only be found in animal food sources. Cooking vegetables has also been found to enhance the absorption of carotenoids by the body, such as the provitamin A beta-carotene.

The Best 1200 Calorie Diet

A 1200 calorie diet is a solid plan for weight loss. Most health professionals and dietitians will place clients on a 1200 diet to lose weight but must be adhered with precaution. The caloric content acquired from food must come from nutrient dense sources and not empty calories such as candy, baked goods, processed foods, etc..

Meals should be very small, eaten every three to four hours, with the fewest calories consumed before bedtime.

Breakfast
1 cup bran cereal
1 cup skim milk
1 whole banana

Lunch
Tuna sandwich on whole wheat bread with low fat mayonnaise
2 cups of raw veggies (cauliflower, carrots, broccoli, etc..)
1 small pear

Afternoon Snack
1 peach
Glass of water with lemon

Dinner
4 oz. of grilled chicken breast
1 cup steamed green beans
Small garden salad with 1 tsp. of olive oil
1 nectarine for dessert

Snack Before Bed
1 small apple

If a diet such as the sample menu above is consumed on a daily basis, the likelihood of hunger decreases. This menu can be altered as long as the caloric content does not exceed 1200 calories. Beginning a 1200 calorie diet will result in quick initial weight loss as well as steady loss for the duration of the diet. This can also be adapted to those with special needs such as diabetics, vegetarians, etc. Remember this can be very effective so long as all foods on the plan have plenty of vitamins and minerals and not excessive amounts of sugar and carbohydrates.

This disadvantages of adherence to a 1200 calorie diet is how much time it takes to prepare meals. It does not have to take long to make a meal but counting calories and figuring out how to keep it at 1200 exactly takes a lot of organization. This can be a shock to the system for those who are used to taking in 2000 calories or more each day. These people may suffer lethargy and exhaustion in the beginning. This also may not be suitable for those with active lifestyles. An intake of 1200 calories a day is not sustainable for those who exercise a lot or have physically demanding jobs.

If you are determined to lose weight and have the discipline to stick to a 1200 calorie diet, it can yield fast results. As long as nutritionally balanced meals are eaten, a deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals is not a concern. If necessary, make gradual changes to the diet based on level of physical activity, how you feel on the diet and any lifestyle changes made in the process.

Diet for COPD Patient

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder (COPD) is characterized by several lung diseases that make it increasingly difficult for air to enter the lungs. The main diseases of this disorder are chronic bronchitis and emphysema, but it also can include health issues from damage caused by asthmatic bronchitis. While COPD is incurable, several treatments can help with its symptoms. One of the best ways to control COPD is through a healthy diet.

Nutrition is important for COPD sufferers because being overweight or underweight can make it harder to breathe. If you are overweight, your body will need to work harder to get the oxygen it needs, adding to the stress on your lungs. If you are underweight, your body will be prone to other infections, which will limit how useful your lungs are. Eating the correct amount of calories will help you get to your ideal weight and take stress off of your body. Also, people who are affected by COPD need more energy to breathe than a person without the disorder, and so they actually may need to take in more calories than they would otherwise. By monitoring your weight constantly and eating a healthy diet, you will be able to determine the right amount of calories for your condition.

To start, make sure that you have a high-fiber diet. You should eat at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Great sources of fiber are vegetables, fruits and whole grains, such as whole grain pasta and brown rice. You should limit the amount of sodium in your diet because salt will cause your body to retain more water, which increases breathing difficulty. Avoid foods with more than 300 milligrams of salt per serving. Make sure you drink plenty of liquids every day. Having six to eight glasses of non-caffeinated beverages each day will help keep mucus to a minimum, freeing up your air space.

You also should avoid foods that can cause gas or bloating. In people without COPD, these foods can make breathing harder due to the gas they cause. If you have COPD, such foods can be debilitating for your lungs. Foods that cause this problem include carbonated beverages such as soda, fried or greasy foods, apples, avocados, melons, beans, broccoli, spinach, cabbage and cucumbers. Finally, if you take any diuretics, you may need to increase your potassium intake. Always speak to your doctor if you have a question about a certain food to ensure your diet is appropriate for your condition.

Good Diet Foods

Almost any food can be eaten on a diet within moderation, but there are some foods that are better for you than others. Foods low in fat and calories and higher in fiber will make you feel fuller without adding as many calories, letting you be satisfied with less food. Fill up on these foods for the bulk of your meals, and save the higher calorie items for an occasional treat. Add this to my Recipe Box.

Fruits and vegetables are among the healthiest foods you can eat on any diet. Most are filled with essential nutrients, and all have a large amount of water and fiber. Water and fiber will both help you to feel full after eating smaller amounts of food, so you can consume fewer calories while eating larger meals. Veggies and fruits should make up about half of every plate that you consume, in order to eat a balanced diet while not feeling deprived while dieting.

Lean meats are important in your diet, because protein helps your body to build muscle. The higher the percentage of muscle that your body has, the more calories you will burn off no matter what activity you do. Cook your meats without added fat by broiling, grilling, stir frying with cooking spray or stewing without additional fat. Dried beans are another low fat source of protein, and can be a valuable addition to a healthy diet.

Whole grains provide carbohydrates, which provide the body with energy and help to balance blood sugar. Use whole grains, which digest slower and contain more nutrients than processed carbohydrates. The fiber in whole grain foods, such as brown rice, whole grain bread or whole wheat pasta will contribute to feeling fuller longer, helping you to stick with your diet plan.

A diet plan with no fat at all is not a healthy diet. Every body needs some form of fats to keep skin and hair healthy, as well as other body functions. Some fats are much healthier than others, however. Stick with heart-healthy fats such as olive oil, flaxseed oil, avocado and canola oil. Use them in stir frying, drizzle them on salads, or mix into soups or stews when cooking. Use some every day, but in moderation.

Selasa, 13 Agustus 2013

How to Do the Atkins Diet

The Atkins Diet is a low-carb diet that Dr. Robert Atkins developed to get control of his own weight problem following his professional training. The diet worked so well that he published a series of books on its implementation and success, and now the diet is considered a "revolutionary dietary plan." According to Dr. Atkins, his diet shifts your metabolism into overdrive more often than other eating plans because it forces your body to burn less refined carbohydrates for fuel and more fat. Therefore, you lose fat, which can in turn help increase your heart health as well. The Atkins Diet is a fairly easy dietary plan conceptually, but it is really the ability to stick to the plan that will help you. Follow this diet to get your weight back on track.

Instructions

Enter the Induction phase. The Induction phase of the diet is the first 2 weeks that you are on the Atkins diet. It consists of cutting out all but 20 grams of carbs and "shocks" your body into a fat-burning state due to a lack of carbohydrates. During this stage, eat only meats, poultry, fish, shellfish, eggs, cheeses, butter, vegetable oil and salad greens. Drink eight glasses of water per day, refrain from alcohol and start taking a multivitamin.

Begin eating the Induction-acceptable vegetables from Step 1 in greater quantities after the initial 2 weeks. This new phase is known as the Ongoing Weight Loss phase, or OWL phase. In this phase, which lasts 9 weeks, you add a different food or food group each week. The stages of the OWL phase are as follows:

* Induction acceptable vegetables in larger quantities--week 3
* Fresh cheese--week 4
* Nuts and seeds--week 5
* Berries--week 6
* Alcohol--week 7 (can skip if need be)
* Legumes--week 8
* Other fruits--week 9
* Starchy vegetables--week 10
* Whole grains--week 11

Start the Pre-Maintenance phase during week 12. During this phase, increase the amount of carbohydrate you take in by about 100 calories per week until you notice a weight change, then back off by 100 calories. You are looking for "the tipping point" or the amount of carbohydrates that you can ingest and still maintain your weight. This phase can last several weeks until you find your tipping point.

Begin the Lifetime Maintenance phase following the discovery of your "tipping point." Continue making healthy food choices and maintaining the carbohydrates you eat (according to the Pre-Maintenance amount you determined) on a week-to-week basis. This phase continues the rest of your life as you continue to use the Atkins way of eating to maintain your healthy weight.

What Is the Water Diet?

The Water Diet, sometimes known as the Cold Water Diet, is one of the latest fads that appeal to dieters who want to melt away their fat. Compared to fasting "cleanse" diets and those that restrict caloric intake, such as the Rice Diet, the Water Diet doesn't limit food consumption, nor does it require exercise. The appeal of the Water Diet is that dieters can purportedly eat what they want--and still lose weight.

The exact origin of the Water Diet is unknown. Some Internet resources trace the diet to an article written and published in 1997 by the Institute for Psychoactive Research in Durham, North Carolina, while Douglas Silver Porter, purportedly a "doctor and a scientist," also lays claim to inventing the Water Diet.

The theory behind the Water Diet is that when cold water is ingested, the body burns extra calories to heat the water up to a body temperature of 98.6 degrees F. The colder the water, the harder the body works to warm up the water. Therefore, even more calories would be burned if a dieter drinks very cold water. Additionally, drinking water in between or with meals gives dieters a sense of fullness, making them less likely to want to eat. Because the kidneys must work to process water, it is also said that the Water Diet results in toxins being flushed from the body.

On the Water Diet, the dieter drinks 64 oz. of cool or cold water in eight 8-oz. servings over the course of the day, with or without meals, in addition to the dieter's normal fluid intake. The water can be tap water, bottled water or any other kind of water that is safe to drink. The available resources on the Water Diet discourages chewing on ice cubes to make up for water intake. The Water Diet does not alter the types of foods the dieter eats, nor does it limit portion size. Exercise is not a component of the Water Diet.

The advantages of the Water Diet is that it's free--anyone with access to drinking water can try it. The disadvantages is that dieters will find themselves fleeing to the bathroom frequently. While some experts support the notion that drinking water before a meal can help a dieter cut calories, the Water Diet does not address the very necessary components of dieting, such as limiting overall daily calorie intake and incorporating exercise into the dieter's daily routine. As reviewers of the Water Diet point out, the Water Diet is not really a diet--it simply encourages people to drink the amount of water that they should be drinking in the first place.

While there has been no scientific research conducted on the efficacy of the Water Diet, two Arizona men in 2008 claimed to lose weight while using the "Before, During and After" strategy, which is markedly similar to the Water Diet. Jeff Schmidt lost 50 lbs. in one year, taking him from a size 40 to a size 34. Blake Silvia claimed to lose 10 lbs. a month for a total weight loss of 70 lbs. without dieting. The two men drank one glass of water before meals, one during and one after eating.

Senin, 12 Agustus 2013

Foods to Avoid that Exacerbate Arthritis

Arthritis is a disease of inflammation in the joints. The body's immune system kicks into overdrive, and you are left with red, swollen, and painful joints. Having arthritis means that the inflammation comes, and it stays. The most effective way to treat arthritis is with anything that fights inflammation. This includes an anti-inflammatory diet that excludes foods that exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis.

Being overweight puts excess stress on your joints. It also increases the risk of wear and tear on the weaker sections of your body. Body fat is not an inert mass. It is metabolically active, which means that it can produce hormones and chemicals. This production can aggravate arthritis. The avoidance of excess calories and the loss of extra weight help to lower inflammation levels in the body and decrease symptoms of arthritis.

Saturated fats are one food source that exacerbates arthritis. This fat is normally found in animal products. These include beef, pork, poultry skin, ice cream, butter, whole milk, cheese, bacon, bologna, salami, pepperoni and beef sausage. Saturated fats are also found in palm oil and palm kernel oil. These are ingredients that are added to certain foods. Check the nutrition labels on crackers, cookies, nondairy creamers and packaged baked goods for this fat.

Trans fats are man-made fats that were designed to give baked goods extra life on the store shelves. It is a vegetable oil with hydrogen molecules forced into its make-up. It basically turns liquid oil into a solid. This is dangerous to the human body and a main cause of inflammation in the body. Food labels are now required to list trans fats.

There are two types of polyunsaturated fats. One is the omega-3, which is the good kind of fat. This is the oil found in fish. Omega-6 is considered a bad type of fat. In high doses it makes arthritis worse. Omega-6 is found in mayonnaise, corn oil, cotton-seed oil, safflower oil, soybean oil and sunflower oil.

Certain carbohydrates increase cytokine and other inflammatory-compound production. These foods are sugary products, white-flour baked goods, white rice, bread, crackers and other refined carbohydrates. It is best to limit the intake of these foods. High consumption of these foods increases arthritis pain.

Herbal Remedies for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammation of joints and muscles which requires medicines to ease the discomfort. However, there are various natural remedies that sufferers can take as an alternative to medicines. These herbal remedies alleviate the pain without overloading the body with chemicals.

Cayenne peppers contain a compound called salicylate, also found in aspirin. This enables it to prevent pain. Black pepper oil adds warmth to the muscles, increasing comfort.

Oregano is an anti-inflammatory herb, which also contains antioxidants. It contains rosmarinic acid, which helps ease inflammation.

Evening primrose helps reduce inflammation. It contains gamma-linolenic acid, a fatty acid that has soothing qualities.

Ginger is known to aid digestive problems, but it also has shogaol, zingerone and gingerol, all of which are antioxidants that help in relieving sore muscles

Pineapple contains bromelain, which helps in swelling, and triggers prostaglandin, which calms down inflammation. It also aids in faster tissue repair.

What Is the Eating for Life Diet Plan?

Many dieters are looking for the perfect plan. With the abundance of diet plans out there that promise to work and change your life, it's difficult to choose the right one for you. The ideal way to lose weight is to follow a consistent exercise plan while eating a healthy, balanced diet. The results are weight loss, a healthier body and a routine that you can follow not only for a little while but for your whole life. The Eating for Life Plan aims to be just that type of plan.

The Eating for Life plan was created by Bill Phillips, the popular author of the revolutionary life plan called Body for Life. His program has been a success worldwide and has change the way the diet industry looks on how you can lose weight and keep it off. Following the Eating for Life diet gives you the nutrients to lose weight while building up muscle and even giving you a day to cheat and eat the forbidden foods that are usually not allowed on other types of diets.

In the Eating for Life plan, meals containing 40 percent to 50 percent carbohydrates, a small amount of fats and 40 percent to 50 percent of protein are considered healthy. The plan's philosophy is that if you follow these percentage breakdowns, there's no need to count calories. Meals are eaten every three---and no more than four---hours. One of the biggest appeals to this program is the Eating for Life-approved cheat day. One day a week, dieters following this plan are allowed to eat whatever they want.

Exercising is a must when following the Eating for Life plan. The Eating for Life plan co-exists with the Body for Life program. The fitness routine consists of three days a week of aerobic and weight-lifting exercises. The goal of the weight-lifting exercises is to build muscle so that your body burns calories and fat more efficiently. The new muscle makes your body toned and sculpted, thus giving women curves and men six-pack abs and pecs that alternative diet and weight loss programs also promise.

Eating and exercising go hand and hand in this program, and everyone likes to know, before going into a plan or program, of what it consists. Here are some examples of some allowed foods you might eat when on this program:

Sample breakfast foods: oatmeal, pancakes, eggs and oatmeal, omelets, French toast or a myoplex shake (the protein supplement shake recommended by the Body for Life program, which can be found in grocery and health food stores).

Sample lunch foods: Tuna melt, chicken salad, tuna salad, grilled chicken, turkey sandwich and a portion of fruit.

Sample dinner foods: Chicken and pasta, turkey chili, grilled salmon, lean sirloin steak, turkey burgers and usually a serving or two of vegetables or a small salad.

Sample snacks: cottage cheese, apples and peanut butter, myoplex shake, pudding, myoplex nutrition bar and much more.

Drinks: tea, coffee, water, myoplex shakes.

The exercises in the plan help speed up weight loss and give you an energy boost that often lasts the whole day through. The plans are set up to be customized. Start out with weights at a lower level and work up toward higher weight levels as you progress. You will see results as long as you follow through with the plan.

Aerobics: Do 20 minutes a day, three times a week. Work yourself up to your hardest and highest point---almost near exhaustion---and then back down in one-minute intervals, with a warm-up and a cool-down period. Walk, dance, do exercise videos or anything else that inspires you to do your best.

Weight lifting: Do it three times a week. Pick out two different body parts each exercise session and never work the same body part two sessions in a row. Your session will include five parts, in which you start out at a low weight and work up to the highest point you can handle, back down two levels and then back up to your highest level for as many reps (usually up to 12) that you can handle. The higher the weight, the lower the amount of reps you'll do for the weight being used.

Pages

Jumat, 30 Agustus 2013

Insomnia

Risk of Cancer

Weight Gain

Miscarriage

Digestive Problems

For All Types of Kidney Stones

Calcium Kidney Stone Prevention

Further Calcium Kidney Stone Prevention

Uric Acid Kidney Stone Prevention

Kamis, 29 Agustus 2013

The Foods

The Method

Closing Thoughts

Rabu, 28 Agustus 2013

Causes

Benefits of Rice

Adding Meat

Fasting

Directions

Warning

Selasa, 27 Agustus 2013

Instructions

Cooking Rice

Using the Steamer Basket

Significance

Kidney Failure

Toxic Abuse

Dehydration

Risk Factors

Choosing Fruits From the Four Categories

Foods to Avoid During the 14-Day Fruit Diet

The Fruit Diet Guidelines

Dinnertime Guidelines

Guidelines

Fiber-Rich Foods

Plant-Based Foods

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Low-Fat Protein

Harmful Omega-6 Foods

Senin, 26 Agustus 2013

Instructions

Minggu, 25 Agustus 2013

Instructions

Instructions

Kamis, 22 Agustus 2013

Learn to Read Labels

Learn to Identify High-Potassium Foods

Incorporate Low-Potassium Foods

Plan Your Meals

Selasa, 20 Agustus 2013

Instructions

Vegan Plan

Omnivorous Plan

Nutritional Benefits

Other Effects

Considerations

Senin, 19 Agustus 2013

Colitis

Diet

Food Journal

Flare-up

Hydration

Minggu, 18 Agustus 2013

Similar Symptoms

Other Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Complications

Vegetables & Fats

Fruits & Sugars

Grains & Condiments

Sabtu, 17 Agustus 2013

Significance

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Vitamin C and Antioxidants

Spices Add More Than Flavor

Raw or Cooked