Do We Need Nutrients? Healthy Living-Part 1

By Haiyan Lai-Heskin

Healthy diet plays the key role in our healthy living dream. But eating healthy doesn't mean you have to spend fortune. It works pretty well on a low budget, as long as you know what to eat.

Healthy diet requires some planning and some purpose to include a variety of food in your meal. Before we start planning our diet, let us find out what nutrients do we need in order to stay healthy.

1. Vitamins-Vitamins are nutrients that allow chemical reactions that lead to the creation of bone, tissue and muscle. Vitamins ensure the functioning of the nervous system, vitamins also allow the body to use calories as energy, process proteins carbs and fats.

2. Minerals-Minerals is the key to process food effectively in order to get the vitamins that the body needs. Some sources state that sixteen minerals are required to support human biochemical processes which helps your body digest food and keep your metabolism running properly.

3. Amino Acids-Amino acids are critical to life, and have a variety of roles in metabolism. One particularly important function is as the building blocks of proteins, which are linear chains of amino acids. Amino acids are also important in many other biological molecules. Due to this central role in biochemistry, amino acids are very important in nutrition.

4. Fat-Fats are a source of energy, they help us to absorb some vitamins and contain important things called essential fatty acids. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble, meaning they can only be digested, absorbed, and transported in conjunction with fats. Fat also keeps the brain functioning well and helps protect the body from damage and temperature changes.

5. Protein-Protein is one of the key building blocks of the body. Protein is the main source of energy for the body. Protein also helps build muscle and it is essential to help the body repair damage and keep all the systems of the body running efficiently.

6. Carbohydrates-Carbohydrates are an ideal source of energy for the body. This is because they can be converted more readily into glucose, the form of sugar that's transported and used by the body. Additionally, carbohydrates and their derivatives play major roles in the working process of the immune system, fertilization, pathogenesis, blood clotting, and development.

Healthy eating involves a variety of food from the basic food. As we just learnt the essential nutrient needs for healthy living, in part 2 we should get into details about what kind of foods contains these nutrients that we can eat in a low budget. - 17273

About the Author:

Haiyan Lai-Heskin has been a nurse for 17 years. She has been writing Health, Wellness and Fitness articles for many years. Her website Healthy Living Tips has varieties of health related articles advocate people to have a healthy lifestyle. Try the part of Best Hollywood Diets to help your weight loss and exercise program.

Children - Poison Ivy and Children

By Melinda Mahrer

Summer camps and family hiking sessions can sometimes result in children getting itchy rashes. To be blamed are plants such as poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak. All of them produce the same substance or oil, called urushiol, which cause rashes. Urushiol is colorless and even odorless and is present within the leaves. Poison ivy can even grow in the backyards and parks. So any kind of outdoor activity should be monitored and the lawn should be de-weeded periodically. Bushes should be checked, as they grow as a regular plant and the child would not be able to distinguish the poisonous plant from the regular one.

Precaution is better than cure. Children should be educated and prefabricated to understand the description and ill-effects of poison ivy. They come in wide range and some change the appearance depending on seasonal variations. Urushiol is released from the leaves only when the leaves are dilapidated like when they are torn, get bumped or are brushed. The moment the leave is damaged, urushiol is released and the skin is affected immediately. Also, what many people do not know that to get a rash by poison ivy is not only by coming directly in contact with the plant.

The leaves of the plant can be flown by the air, which can cause damage when those leaves are handled or burned with the rest of the leaves and twigs.

Once the children are prefabricated familiar with the plants, they should be asked to steer clear on the sight of the plant or leaves. Parents should refrain places where there are possibilities of growth of such plants. When going on camps, etc., children should not be dressed in short sleeves and short length pants, so that the body does not brush off such plants. In spite of taking all these precautions, if the child comes in contact with such plants and contact with urushiol is suspected, the area should be washed with water and disinfectant. It is best to take shower and clean the whole body and the clothes should be removed immediately and washed. Pets should also be bathed after their outdoor adventures.

This allergen won't harm all, but eighty percent of the victims get skin irritations. It not only creates itchy rashes, but can also swell the skin. The time period for the symptoms to surface is few hours to five days. The rash usually takes one to two week to heal completely. First the skin swells and rash develops. Blisters can also form as a result of regular rubbing of the skin to get rid of the itch. The blisters will form a crust after some days and will flake off.

If the rashes are accompanied with fever, a pediatrician should be contacted for appointment. And if the case isn't that serious, the doctor recommends home remedies. The child would be asked to be given showers with cold water and calamine lotion would have to be applied. If the redness and itching is intense, fluid medicine along with pills are administered to the kid. Antihistamine is very popular in such cases. Steroids are prescribed by the doctor. - 17273

About the Author:

Interested in getting information on Health ? Health and Medicine More Health Tips : health and weight loss

All About the Candida Cleanse Colonic

By Eleanor Candy

The body of the average human contains a pound or two of other life forms - life forms that live within us. Bacteria and yeasts account for most of it. Candida is a yeast; a genus of yeast, actually.

It is also beneficial, acting as a governor on a number of intestinal bacteria (the largest class of endosymbiont life). But yeast, like any biotic form, can become a problem for other life forms when certain conditions are right. In the case of endosymbiont life, this is especially the case.

The areas where yeast outbreaks occur are the intestine, genitals and mouth/throat. Within the alternative medicine community there is a long standing debate over how internal yeast infections might affect overall health.

Sometimes yeast infections are found in the intestine, mouth (thrush) or genitals. For a number of years, a few decades, actually, there has been a debate about whether or not yeast infection of internal organs might not be the cause of some ailments.

If you are taking treatment that lowers your level of immunity to yeast infection, maybe you should see who he or she feels about Cadida Cleanse colonics.

What treatments lower the ability of the immune system? Chemo-therapy regimes for certain cancers, steroid treatment for medicinal purposes, and cortisone-based inhalers for the treatment of asthma, chronic bronchitis and other symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; use of all of these therapies is increasing, and all lower the efficiency of the body's natural immune system.

Yeast infections are like a canary in the coal mind - an early warning signal of low immune levels. For cancer and COPD sufferers, a yeast infection can present serious issues.

The theory behind Candida Cleanse therapy is pretty common sense, if you ask me. A colonic with an appropriate anti-fungal solution is in arguably the fastest, most effective way to significantly reduce the demands placed on the immune system to fight yeast growth.

Three, a colonic with a mild anti-Candida solution quickly and significantly reduces the demand on the immune system. Not easy to disagree with, I say. - 17273

About the Author:

Eleanor Candy has a passion about natural cleansing methods. Check out my blog Detox Ideas about how to do a Candida Cleanse and also how to get rid of harmful Parasites in your body.

Lose Weight Naturally With These 4 Steps

By Frances Lightmer

Aren't you sick and tired of these fad diets and the ridiculous promises and claims that these magic pill companies put out there?

These companies are taking advantage of your problem by offering you a quick, yet very unhealthy alternative to the natural way that our bodies function.

In order for your life to change dramatically, I want you to follow the 4 steps I have written out for you. By following these 4 steps your fat will melt away, your self esteem will sky rocket, and your energy will be at an all time high.

1. Step number one is perhaps the most crucial. It's the switching of your mindset from one of negativity to one of positive. If you are going to reach your weight loss goals, then I want you to focus on the future at least 15 minutes per day. Total focus.

This is all very important. I want you to take about 15 to 20 minutes everyday and just focus on this one thought. Before you begin, make sure you're mentally in a happy place. If you're not, wait till later or listen to some music or do whatever you need to do to get into a good mood.

2. Now you need to get rid of those awful eating habits. It's time to find a mentor or coach to help guide you along the way. Trust me when I tell you that it's much easier this way. Find an author or a health coach on the internet that is into eating naturally is the way to go. They have been where you are and they can relate.

Switching to natural, healthy lifestyle is not easy at first. But after a little while you are going to love it. Your taste buds will adjust and you will feel fantastic.

3. You will now add some exercising to the mix. As with any new activity, you should inform your doctor. Let them know of your goals and how you've already starting eating natural foods. They will give a list of what exercises are best to start with.

You definately need to start slow and build up. Start with more aerobic type activities, like walking, fast walking, riding a bike. Build up to jogging. Then start incorporating some weight lifting to tone your muscles. It's always a good idea to keep your doctor updated as to where you are in your training. Check out some local gyms or health clubs. For the seniors, most health clubs offer some great low impact classes.

4. Your going to need ample rest. This kind of goes without saying. Some people are proud of the fact that they need little sleep to feel good. That's wonderful. Just try to get at least 8 hours of sleep anyway. It will do your body and mind good.

Though I'm sure you'll welcome this with all the exercising and energy you've expended all day.

So there you are. The 4 steps to improving your health and your life as a whole. It's up to you to implement the steps laid out for you here. The journey starts with that first step. Believe in yourself! - 17273

About the Author:

Frances Lightmer has composed many articles on the subject of healthy living. If you enjoyed this article, I invite you to check out the Lose Weight The Natural Way webpage.

What Does Acai Fruit Look Like?

By Carter Sinclair

The Acai berry comes from the Acai Palm tree, native to Central and South America. The fruit that grows on these palms is a small, round, blackish-purple berry about 1 inch in diameter. It looks similar to a grape, but has less pulp and is slightly smaller and darker. There is one large seed in the center of each berry, making up about 80% of the fruit.

Since there is so little edible fruit on the berry, it is necessary to use many to get any usable amount of pulp. Luckily, each tree can produce up to 900 berries, which can be harvested twice each year. Even the large seed does not go to waste. Instead of being tossed aside the seed is ground up and used to feed livestock, made into jewlery, and of course used to make more acai palm trees.

Those who are lucky enough to live near the acai palms have been using this special fruit for years as a great source of omega fatty acids, amino acids, and antioxidants. The local athletes also use the berry to get the energy they need to get up for training and competitions. Being one of the most nutritious fruits on earth, it is also a great source of protein, iron, and fiber.

In a recent test on the ORAC scale, the acai fruit came out on top. The ORAC tests the antioxidant capabilities of all types of foods. Antioxidants help repair the day to day wear and tear our bodies cells are faced with. This means that they help ward of cancer and other diseases, boost the immune system, and help restore a youthful appearance. The Anthocyanins found in acai help improve eyesight and protect the nervous system.

The high protein levels in the Acai berry could be very beneficial in lowering cholesterol. The amount of fiber in the berry is great for aiding the digestive system.

The omega fatty acids also help with weight loss, protect against hypertension, and improve overall brain function.

We are just now finding out about this remarkable berry, but the Brazilians have been in on the secret for decades. Because it is only grown in the Amazon, it can be hard to get the purest form of the Acai here in the states.

The research on all the potential benefits of this fruit are still quite young, but both scientists and nutritionists are very excited about the results. - 17273

About the Author:

Tens of thousands of people have already jumped on the acai fruit bandwagon and many are seeing truly miraculous results. If you would like to learn about the best place to get 100% pure Acai products just Click Here Buy Acai Berry