Friday 26 April 2013
SOURCES OF CALCIUM FOR PREGNANT WOMEN
Calcium is an important nutrient for strong bones, and it supports blood and nerve health. Most of the calcium in your body is found inside your bones. During pregnancy, your body delivers calcium to your growing baby to support development. Without adequate calcium in your diet, your growing baby may draw calcium from your bones, which may put you at risk for osteoporosis, or thinning bones, later in life. Cleveland Clinic suggests that you obtain about 1,200 mg of calcium per day during pregnancy.
Dairy Products
Calcium is found in dairy products, including milk and milk-based products. Incorporate dairy products into snacks and meals for a versatile way to add calcium to your pregnancy diet. One cup of milk, including whole, low-fat or skim milk, contains about 280 mg. of calcium. Cheese, including sliced cheese, shredded cheese and ricotta and cream cheese are also rich in calcium. Yogurt and ice cream are also dairy sources of calcium.
Foods That Encourage Brain Function After a Stroke
A stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is stopped. Recovery from a stroke is often challenging, but steps can be taken to ease the process and enhance both physical and mental function along the way. According to the American Stroke Association, one way to help prevent a subsequent stroke from taking place and to increase the chances of full recovery, is to follow a healthy diet.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are known for their dense amounts of nutrients, including antioxidants, which promote a healthy immune system and help the body fend off disease. Research published by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in February, 2008, suggests a positive correlation between antioxidant intake, such as those found in berries, and restored brain function for those who suffer from strokes and related disorders. Other antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables include prunes, raisins, plums, oranges, cherries, kale, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, beets and onions. Consume a variety of colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables regularly for best results.
Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are known for their dense amounts of nutrients, including antioxidants, which promote a healthy immune system and help the body fend off disease. Research published by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry in February, 2008, suggests a positive correlation between antioxidant intake, such as those found in berries, and restored brain function for those who suffer from strokes and related disorders. Other antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables include prunes, raisins, plums, oranges, cherries, kale, spinach, broccoli, bell peppers, beets and onions. Consume a variety of colorful, fresh fruits and vegetables regularly for best results.
Eating more fiber may lower risk of first-time stroke
Dietary fiber is the part of the plant that the body doesn’t absorb during digestion. Fiber can be soluble, which means it dissolves in water, or insoluble.
Previous research has shown that dietary fiber may help reduce risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure and high blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) “bad” cholesterol.
In the new study, researchers found that each seven-gram increase in total daily fiber intake was associated with a 7 percent decrease in first-time stroke risk. One serving of whole wheat pasta, plus two servings of fruits or vegetables, provides about 7 grams of fiber, researchers said.
“Greater intake of fiber-rich foods – such as whole-grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts – are important for everyone, and especially for those with stroke risk factors like being overweight, smoking and having high blood pressure,” Diane Threapleton, M.Sc., and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Leeds’ School of Food Science & Nutrition in Leeds, United Kingdom.
Previous research has shown that dietary fiber may help reduce risk factors for stroke, including high blood pressure and high blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) “bad” cholesterol.
In the new study, researchers found that each seven-gram increase in total daily fiber intake was associated with a 7 percent decrease in first-time stroke risk. One serving of whole wheat pasta, plus two servings of fruits or vegetables, provides about 7 grams of fiber, researchers said.
“Greater intake of fiber-rich foods – such as whole-grains, fruits, vegetables and nuts – are important for everyone, and especially for those with stroke risk factors like being overweight, smoking and having high blood pressure,” Diane Threapleton, M.Sc., and Ph.D. candidate at the University of Leeds’ School of Food Science & Nutrition in Leeds, United Kingdom.
Wednesday 17 April 2013
What Type of Vitamin Is Needed With Calcium to Promote Strong Bones & Teeth?
The calcium in milk promotes the growth and maintenance of strong bones and teeth and helps prevent osteoporosis. In fact, about three-fourths of the calcium in the American diet comes from milk and milk products, according "Nutrition Now" by Judith E. Brown. However, for your body to absorb and use that calcium properly, your body needs additional nutrients.
Calcium
Your body contains 3 lbs. of calcium, and 99 percent of that calcium is located in the bones and teeth. Blood and other body fluids contain the remaining 1 percent. In addition to dairy products, you can obtain calcium from vegetables such as kale, broccoli and bok choy. You should only take calcium in doses no larger than 500 mg at a time. Adults ages 19 to 50 years need 1,000 mg daily. Adults ages 51 and older need 1,200 mg daily. Pregnant and breastfeeding women under age 19 need 1,300 mg daily, while those age 19 or older need 1,000 mg daily.
Calcium
Your body contains 3 lbs. of calcium, and 99 percent of that calcium is located in the bones and teeth. Blood and other body fluids contain the remaining 1 percent. In addition to dairy products, you can obtain calcium from vegetables such as kale, broccoli and bok choy. You should only take calcium in doses no larger than 500 mg at a time. Adults ages 19 to 50 years need 1,000 mg daily. Adults ages 51 and older need 1,200 mg daily. Pregnant and breastfeeding women under age 19 need 1,300 mg daily, while those age 19 or older need 1,000 mg daily.
Thursday 11 April 2013
Processed Meat Increases Risk Of Cardiovascular Disease & Early Death
Processed meat is now linked to cardiovascular disease and cancer, according to a new, large scale study published in the journal BMC Medicine.
It is often tough to calculate the effect of eating meat on health because of the confounding effect lifestyle has on health.
Generally, vegetarians have healthier lifestyles than the rest of the population. They are more likely to be physically active, less overweight, and less likely to smoke. As vegetarians do not eat any kind of meat, including processed meat, their data will influence statistics on non-processed meat consumers.
It is only possible to view the outcomes of eating meat and processed meat in an extremely large study where these variables can be separated from other lifestyle choices, which the authors achieved in the current study.
Historically, processed meat, especially red meats - sausage, bacon, deli meats, and hot dogs - have been linked to a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Past research has also revealed that processed meat consumption has been linked to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer, as well an elevated risk of colorectal cancer.
It is often tough to calculate the effect of eating meat on health because of the confounding effect lifestyle has on health.
Generally, vegetarians have healthier lifestyles than the rest of the population. They are more likely to be physically active, less overweight, and less likely to smoke. As vegetarians do not eat any kind of meat, including processed meat, their data will influence statistics on non-processed meat consumers.
It is only possible to view the outcomes of eating meat and processed meat in an extremely large study where these variables can be separated from other lifestyle choices, which the authors achieved in the current study.
Historically, processed meat, especially red meats - sausage, bacon, deli meats, and hot dogs - have been linked to a significantly higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Past research has also revealed that processed meat consumption has been linked to a higher risk of pancreatic cancer, as well an elevated risk of colorectal cancer.
ALKALINE FOODS FOR STROKE VICTIMS
Alkaline foods are those that neutralize the excess acid we have in our bodies. Excess acid is due to eating an overabundance of processed and other types of high-acid content foods, as well as stress and exposure to toxins in the environment. When the body has a low alkaline content, organs must work harder to neutralize acids, which places tension on the organs and the arteries, which can be a danger for stroke victims. Eating high alkaline foods helps the body efficiently handle acid content while keeping our bodies in balance.
Alkaline Balance
According to the American Heart Association, our bodies are healthiest when we are slightly more alkaline than acid. The appropriate percentage of alkaline is 6.8 to 7 percent. By adjusting the diet to consist of 80 percent alkaline and 20 percent acid foods, stroke victims can reduce the possibility of blood pressure rising, placing stress on the already compromised heart. Too many acidic foods create acidic blood, which ultimately damages the cardiovascular system, weakening veins, arteries and the heart.
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF SWALLOWING PROBLEMS AFTER STROKE?
The American Heart Association defines a stroke as the obstructed blood flow to one side of the brain which controls the bodily functions on the opposite side. Stroke can result in paralysis, vision problems, behavioral changes, memory deficits, speech impairments, and dysphagia, or problems swallowing. The effects of stroke can limit the ability to move and communicate needs. They can also interfere with nutrition and may lead to choking, aspiration of food or drink into the airways and lungs resulting in infection, pneumonia and even death.
Aspiration
Dysphagia is a relatively common occurrence in stroke victims with poor tongue control. Poor tongue control increases the likelihood of choking on thin or watery or difficult to chew substances. According to the National Stroke Association, sensation in the throat is decreased by the stroke and thus a person may inadvertently swallow without the usual violent choking necessary to naturally dislodge the foreign material. Care providers should thicken beverages and ensure food is cut small enough and is soft enough to swallow.
Aspiration
Dysphagia is a relatively common occurrence in stroke victims with poor tongue control. Poor tongue control increases the likelihood of choking on thin or watery or difficult to chew substances. According to the National Stroke Association, sensation in the throat is decreased by the stroke and thus a person may inadvertently swallow without the usual violent choking necessary to naturally dislodge the foreign material. Care providers should thicken beverages and ensure food is cut small enough and is soft enough to swallow.
Friday 5 April 2013
6 Quick Heart-Healthy Habits
(Depkhoenews)-Cutting your risk for cardiovascular disease doesn't necessarily require a total lifestyle overhaul. Many heart-healthy habits are surprisingly easy to adopt.
"There are plenty of small changes you can make in your day that can have a big impact on your heart health," said Dr. Richard Becker, a professor of medicine at Duke University Medical Center, and a spokesman for the American Heart Association.
Here are six quick fixes that can help your heart:
Do Your Ohm Work
Research supports the idea that yoga can help reduce such cardiovascular risks as insulin resistance, high blood pressure and blood vessel inflammation. For the 2.7 million Americans diagnosed with atrial fibrillation in which the heart's upper chambers flutter randomly instead of contracting normally, yoga may be especially helpful.
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