During the course of the year we find ourselves going to all kinds of events such as birthdays, office luncheons, annual holidays, parties, and special occasions where alcohol is being served. Oftentimes along with feasting we also consume too much alcohol. As a result, we wake up the next morning with a hangover, which we then nurse for the next day or two. So as we approach the end of 2012 and the next New Year's Eve party, I wanted to offer this short article for dealing with a hangover.
This is a quick guide to alleviating or completely avoiding hangover symptoms through an understanding of alcohol itself, physiological changes related to alcohol consumption, and a variety of suggested remedies for specific hangover symptoms.
[Warning: First and foremost let me at least mention that you should always try to drink responsibly and arrange having a designated driver if you will be using your personal vehicle for transportation.]
Classes of Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic beverages are divided into three general classes: beers, wines, and spirits. Beer and wine are produced by fermentation of sugar- or starch-containing plant material. Beverages produced by fermentation followed by distillation have higher alcohol content and are known as liquor or spirits. The alcoholic strength of beer is usually 4% to 6% alcohol by volume (ABV), but it may be less than 2% or greater than 25%. Beers having an ABV of 60% (120 proof) have been produced by freezing brewed beer and removing water in the form of ice, a process referred to as "ice distilling". Beer is part of the drinking culture of various nations and has acquired social traditions such as beer festivals, pub games, and pub crawling (sometimes known as bar hopping).
Wine is produced from grapes, and from fruits such as plums, cherries, or apples. Wine involves a longer fermentation process than beer and also a long aging process (months or years), resulting in an alcohol content of 9%-16% ABV. Sparkling wine can be made by means of a secondary fermentation. Fortified wine is wine (such as port or sherry), to which a distilled beverage (usually brandy) has been added.
Unsweetened, distilled, alcoholic beverages that have an alcohol content of at least 20% ABV are called spirits. Spirits are produced by the distillation of a fermented base product. Distilling concentrates the alcohol. For the most common distilled beverages, such as whiskey and vodka, the alcohol content is around 40%. Spirits can be added to wines to create fortified wines, such as port and sherry.
A 2009 study provided evidence that darker-colored liquors, such as bourbon, cause worse hangovers than lighter-colored liquors, such as vodka. The higher amount of "congeners" found in darker liquors compared to lighter ones was indicated as the cause. Studies that attempt to compare hangover producing potential and hangover severity of different alcoholic drinks suggest the following ordering (starting with the least hangover-inducing):
Distilled ethanol diluted in fruit juice, beer, vodka, gin, white wine, whisky, rum, red wine, and brandy.
Alcohol and its Effects, the Basics
Now let's cover some basics about alcohol. What is alcohol? Alcohol is a distilled or fermented beverage that transforms a grain, fruit, vegetable, or wood into ethanol. Ethanol, glucose, and sucrose are all in the same group of alcohols. Ethanol is the most common form of alcohol one finds in alcoholic beverages.
Alcohol is a psychoactive drug that has a depressant effect. Alcohol also stimulates insulin production, which speeds up glucose metabolism and can result in low blood sugar, causing irritability and (for diabetics) possible death. Alcohol intoxication affects the brain and causing symptoms such as slurred speech, delayed reflexes, vomiting or unconsciousness. Alcohol also limits the production of vasopressin (ADH) from the hypothalamus and the secretion of this hormone from the posterior pituitary gland. This is what causes the intense thirst that goes along with a hangover.
Now when alcohol builds up in the bloodstream faster than it can be metabolized by the liver, we enter a physiological state known as drunkenness or inebriation. Alcohol is metabolized by a normal liver at the rate of about one ounce (one two-ounce shot of spirits, a normal beer, a regular sized glass of wine) every 90 minutes. An "abnormal" liver with conditions such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, gall bladder disease, and cancer will have a slower rate of metabolism.
Ethanol's acute effects are largely due to its nature as a central nervous system depressant, and are dependent on blood alcohol concentrations. Here's a breakdown of what effects one can expect to experience from alcohol consumption according to the quantity you consume:
20-99 mg/dL - Impaired coordination and euphoria
100-199 mg/dL - Ataxia, poor judgment, labile mood
200-299 mg/dL - Marked ataxia, slurred speech, poor judgment, labile mood, nausea and vomiting
300-399 mg/dL - Stage 1 anesthesia, memory lapse, labile mood
400+ mg/dL - Respiratory failure, coma
In addition to respiratory failure and accidents caused by effects on the central nervous system, alcohol causes significant metabolic derangements. Hypoglycemia occurs due to ethanol's inhibition of gluconeogenesis, especially in children, and may cause lactic acidosis, ketoacidosis and acute renal failure.
Some effects of alcohol intoxication are central to alcohol's desirability as a beverage. For example, some desirable effects from small quantities of alcohol consumption are euphoria and lowered social inhibitions. Other symptoms include slurred speech, impaired balance, loss of muscle coordination (ataxia), flushed face, dehydration, vomiting, reddened eyes, and erratic behavior. Other effects are unpleasant or dangerous because alcohol affects many different areas of the body at once.
This last point, the fact that alcohol affects many different areas of the body at once, is crucial to understanding the nature of a hangover. Why? Because everyone experiences different symptoms from their hangover, each hangover has to be dealt with individually. Here are 2 reasons underlying hangovers with completely different characteristics.
Many people from East Asian descent have a mutation in their genes that causes them to suffer from alcohol flush reaction, in which acetaldehyde accumulates after drinking, leading to immediate and severe hangover symptoms. Because for them a little alcohol goes a long way, they are also less likely to become alcoholics.
Older people report that their hangovers grow worse as they age. This is caused by declining supplies of alcohol dehydrogenase, the enzyme involved in metabolizing alcohol.
So what we've come to is the fact that there is currently no empirical proof for hangover prevention except reducing the amount of ethanol consumed or waiting for the body to metabolize the alcohol ingested. This only happens when the liver oxidizes the alcohol. So what this means is that the most effective way to avoid any of the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover is to control or avoid drinking.
Thus, no two hangovers are the same.
The Physiology of a Hangover
Excessive consumption of alcohol causes a delayed effect called a hangover. The hangover starts after the euphoric effects of ethanol have subsided. Hypoglycemia, dehydration, acetaldehyde intoxication, and glutamine rebound are all theorized causes of hangover symptoms. Hangover symptoms may persist for several days after alcohol was last consumed. Some aspects of a hangover are even viewed as symptoms of acute ethanol withdrawal, similar to the longer-duration effects of withdrawal from alcoholism.
Because alcohol impairs the ability of the liver to compensate for a drop in blood glucose levels, especially for the brain, it can result in the depletion of the liver's supply of glutathione, a detoxification agent, reducing its ability to effectively remove alcohol and its byproducts from the bloodstream. Since glucose is the primary energy source of the brain, this lack of glucose (hypoglycemia) contributes to symptoms such as fatigue, weakness, mood disturbances, and decreased attention and concentration related to a hangover.
The human body is a system of systems so physiological changes in one system changes others. That's why the best approach is to try to handle several symptoms by resolving alcohol-related issues in multiple body systems simultaneously. For example, when you ingest alcohol, the salivary glands secrete enzymes to combine with the alcoholic beverage to make it more suitable for processing in the stomach and intestines. As the alcohol circulates throughout the digestive system and blood stream it moves from one system to another. Just one drink affects the central nervous system, the digestive system, the endocrine system, the muscular system, the immune system, and the respiratory system, so with each additional drink the effects compound and the potential dangers increase. Because the alcohol moves around in the body rather than remaining in an organ, region, or system, its produces a wide range of negative physiological effects.
The most commonly reported characteristics of a hangover include headache, nausea, sensitivity to light and noise, lethargy, dehydration, fatigue, body aches, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, weakness, elevated body temperature and heart rate, hypersalivation, difficulty concentrating, sweating, anxiety, irritability, erratic motor functions (including tremor), trouble sleeping, severe hunger, halitosis, and lack of depth perception. Many people will also be repulsed by the thought, taste or smell of alcohol during a hangover. The symptoms vary significantly from person to person, and it is not clear whether hangovers directly affect cognitive abilities. The effects of a hangover subside over time.
Just as with lesser cases of low alcohol consumption, cases where excessive amounts of alcohol have been consumed such as with alcohol poisoning treatment strives to stabilize the patient and maintain a clear airway and respiration, while waiting for the alcohol to metabolize. In general, health care professionals will provide treatment for hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) with 50ml of 50% dextrose solution and saline flush, administer the vitamin thiamine to prevent seizure, check electrolytes to guide fluid replacement, apply hemodialysis (blood transfusion)if the blood concentration is dangerously high, or provide oxygen therapy.
Ineffective or unproven remedies
Recommendations for foods, drinks and activities to relieve hangover symptoms abound, here are some that have been found to be ineffective or unproven.
The "Prairie Oyster" restorative, introduced at the 1878 Paris World Exposition, calls for raw egg yolk mixed with Worcestershire sauce, Tabasco sauce, salt and pepper.
And in 1938, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel provided a hangover remedy in the form of a mixture of cola and milk. By some accounts, cola beverages are believed to have been invented as a hangover remedy.
Alcoholic writer Ernest Hemingway relied on tomato juice and beer.
The "Black Velvet" consists of equal parts champagne and flat Guinness Stout.
A 1957 survey by a Wayne State University folklorist found widespread belief in the efficacy of heavy fried foods, tomato juice and sexual activity.
Activities said to be restorative include a shower-alternating very hot and very cold water, exercise, and steam bath or sauna (although medical opinion holds this to be very dangerous, as the combination of alcohol and hyperthermia increases the likelihood of dangerous cardiac arrhythmias).
A 1976 research came to the conclusion that "The results indicate that both fructose and glucose effectively inhibit the metabolic disturbances induced by ethanol but they do not affect the symptoms or signs of alcohol intoxication and hangover." Nevertheless, consumption of honey (a significant fructose and glucose source) is often suggested as a way to reduce some of the effects of hangover.
Food and Alcohol Metabolism
Studies have found that when food is eaten before drinking alcohol, alcohol absorption is reduced and the rate at which alcohol is eliminated from the blood is increased. The mechanism for the faster alcohol elimination appears to be unrelated to the type of food. The likely mechanism is food-induced increases in alcohol-metabolizing enzymes and liver blood flow. While this may not decrease your chances for getting a hangover, it's a good idea to eat before you drink, but know that doing so will eliminate the alcohol from your system faster than normal.
Scientifically Based Remedies
Earlier I said that because alcohol affects many different areas of the body at once, each hangover has to be dealt with individually. Why? Because everyone experiences different symptoms from their hangover, different from everyone else, and even from one state of drunkenness compared to another time of drunkenness. So the conclusion here is that there is currently no empirical proof for hangover prevention except reducing the amount of ethanol consumed or waiting for the body to metabolize the alcohol ingested. What this means is that the most effective way to avoid any of the symptoms of alcohol-induced hangover is to control or avoid drinking.
But what are we supposed to do if we get a hangover? Sometimes it's not possible to wait for the effects of the hangover to wear off, while coping with the symptoms. We need a way to effectively deal with this situation. You're right, we do. Here's the realization I've come to about how to handle the symptoms of a hangover.
The primary realization is that a hangover is not a thing, instead it's a series of symptoms related to excessive alcohol consumption. That's key.
The second important point is that in order to deal with any one hangover experience effectively you have to deal with the exact symptoms you're going through during a specific hangover. Although there are many common symptoms experienced by most people routinely, sometimes new symptoms appear that were never part of previous hangovers. This is why it's best to handle the symptoms vs. trying to recover from a "hangover."
So below is a list of practices, substances, and products that deal with specific symptoms that should help you fight the effects of hangover whenever they occur. You may also want to go back and re-read this article as there were remedies - such as eating before drinking, timing one's intake per ounce of ingestion, and preventing vomiting by abstinence in order to protect the stomach lining from erosion by alcohol - mentioned earlier that will not appear in this list.
Rehydration: Effective interventions include rehydration, prostaglandin inhibitors, and vitamin B6.
Milk thistle: A small dosage before and after alcohol consumption has been found to alleviate the some of the effects of a hangover such as headaches, sluggishness and nausea. Milk thistle works to regenerate liver cells and when combined with an excessive vitamin D intake from the sun, subjects have experienced rapidly decreasing hangover effects.
Tolfenamic acid is useful for nausea, vomiting, irritation, tremor, thirst, and dryness of mouth.
Vitamin B6 (pyritinol) can help to reduce some, but not all, of the symptoms of hangovers. For this Brewers' yeast or a B6 supplement are recommended.
Chlormethiazole was found to lower blood pressure and adrenaline output and, furthermore, to relieve unpleasant physical symptoms, but did not affect fatigue and drowsiness. Subjects with severe subjective hangover seemed to benefit more from the chlormethiazole treatment than subjects with a mild hangover.
Pedialyte may be an effective remedy for hangovers due to its replacement of lost electrolytes.
Candy or sugar: to raise lowered blood sugar levels caused by alcohol intake. Other options for sweeteners to use are honey, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave nectar, and fructose.
Alcohol: There is a belief that consumption of additional alcohol in decreasing quantity over a period of hours after the onset of a hangover will relieve symptoms. This is based upon the theory that the hangover represents a form of withdrawal and that by satiating the body's need for alcohol the symptoms will be relieved. Certainly the additional alcohol has a sedating and anesthetic effect, which also helps with symptoms. The professional medical opinion holds that the practice merely postpones the symptoms, and courts alcohol dependence and addiction.
Medical marijuana: It is commonly believed that THC, the active chemical in marijuana, is an effective hangover remedy. THC may help ease the main symptoms of hangovers: nausea and headache. The advantage is two-fold; as once a sufferer's nausea has abated, and his appetite is stimulated, hypoglycemia becomes easier to resolve.
A traditional hangover remedy from India is to drink coconut water for the natural electrolytes which will assist in rehydration.
Acetyl-leucine sold under the brand name of Tanganil is believed to help pull you out of the "whirling pit" or spinning sensation felt by people under the influence of alcohol. This is caused by a dysfunction between the nerves which control the notion of balance in the ears and the brain. Tanganil is the standard remedy prescribed to people suffering from chronic vertigo.
Oxygen: There have been anecdotal reports from those with easy access to a breathing oxygen supply - medical staff, SCUBA divers and military pilots - that oxygen can also reduce the symptoms of hangovers caused by alcohol consumption. The theory is that the increased oxygen flow resulting from oxygen therapy improves the metabolic rate, and thus increases the speed at which toxins are broken down.
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Ever walk along the produce aisle and find yourself staring at the earthy fascination of a ginger root? Oddly shaped, and with a distinctive flavor, this "wonder root" is an excellent dietary addition because it includes varying amounts of magnesium, manganese, potassium, and vitamins B6, C, and E. Besides being loaded with anti-inflammatory properties, ginger root offers a variety of other health benefits. Some studies indicate it is an aid to digestion, is beneficial both to cholesterol levels and blood pressure, helps with arthritis, and even aids nausea. It is quite a versatile root to boot! Ginger can be incorporated into countless recipes and should be included in your regular diet.
Considered a staple in China and India, ginger root has been used for centuries in cooking and for medicinal purposes. It has a thick, tan, knotty, and bulbous appearance and grows somewhat horizontally. In actuality, it is not a root, but rather it is a "rhizome," an underground stem. Harvested year-round, ginger root is available fresh in most grocery stores, usually in the produce section.
Several studies have investigated the health benefits of ginger. The advantages range from decreased joint inflammation and arthritis to help with nausea, athlete's foot, heart disease, lowered cholesterol, and better circulation. Ever get bloated? Ginger may be the answer. Many people take the strange-looking stem in some form to help with their digestion. Ginger has also been shown to be anti-viral, making it a great support for your immune system during periods of increased risk of common colds and flu. It helps to reduce muscle spasms, and some women take ginger for menstrual cramping. Ginger is also an aid in managing fevers, bronchitis, respiratory symptoms, and headaches. Feel dizzy during a ride on an airplane or while traveling on a cruise? The characteristics of ginger have even been shown to help people with motion sickness.
In our practice, we have seen the most success when ginger is used to assist with digestive, bowel, and gastrointestinal issues, stomach cramping, and arthritis of the fingers. For many of our pregnant patients ginger has provided relief from their symptoms of nausea. Some individuals choose ginger in place of pain relievers. Ginger also benefits healing in cases of skin wounds, aiding in the decrease of pus and infected areas. Note that ginger is contraindicated for people with gallstones and gastric/peptic ulcers and should not be used by them. During a recent symposium hosted by the American Association of Cancer Research, a particular study demonstrated that ginger suppressed cancer cells and cleansed the body of toxins. Although more research is needed, the documented curative effects of ginger are welcome news.
Ginger can be taken in whole, liquid, or powder form. If the wonder root does not appeal to your taste buds, try taking it in capsules, which are available in most health food or nutritional stores. The dosage for adults is typically 25 to 100 milligrams (or 1.5 to 3 milliliters of liquid) daily, although for digestive issues it may be helpful to increase the dosage. Use of ginger root in its natural state is preferred, and it is particularly beneficial and tasty when steeped in hot water with green or white tea. See the recipe at the end of this article for a pleasant concoction known as "Oooss Juice."
Ginger has many uses beyond medicinal and is versatile in the kitchen. Several cultures include it in making wine, and it is an ingredient in various candies, teas, curry, sushi, and some French liquors. In the US, ginger is probably most popularly known as the basis for ginger ale, gingerbread men cookies, cakes (gingerbread), jellies, jams, and other delicious confections and flavorings. Consider adding ginger to your favorite stir-fry recipe, dressings, salads, and even barbecue sauce.
As already described, ginger is a multipurpose and extraordinary herb! Its numerous health-promoting and symptom-fighting components make it desirable and appreciated. Whether the issues are digestive or fighting inflammation and bloating, ginger can contribute to the good health of people at any age.
One of my favorite ginger-based "brews" is Oooss Juice, for which the recipe follows:
Oooss Juice
- Use a high-quality, heat-retaining, stainless steel 2- to 4-gallon pot.
- Boil 1 gallon of water; add ½ pound of sliced ginger; lightly boil for 5 minutes, and turn the burner off.
- Add 2 to 6 organic green tea bags, steep for 30 to 60 minutes, and remove.
- After 4 to 12 hours, strain out the ginger, place the juice in a glass container, and cool in the refrigerator. Drink cold or hot.
Ginger, the wonder root, is an ingredient in many interesting recipes, adds a pungent and exotic flavor to foods and beverages, and offers notable health benefits to those who add it to their diet.
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Craving for sweets is a problem that many people suffer from. The problem is not when you consume sweets, but it is when you over-consume them. It can be very bothersome for people who are trying to reduce weight or maintain it. People who have diabetes can do themselves a huge harm by giving in to sugar cravings. It is very important for you to differentiate the cravings that your body absolutely needs from those that your body wants as an addiction. The following sections will explain why you crave sweets and how you can overcome your cravings.
Emotional eating
Most people turn to sugar and sweets when they are stressed or unhappy. More specifically called 'emotional eating'; people reach out to sweets in order to comfort themselves. Severe stress, overwork or lack of sleep can make a person crave for energy dense sweets to get the sudden rush of energy. The instant sugary treat makes the brain release natural chemicals called opioids which give the body a feeling of pleasure and happiness. This explains the 'high' you get after eating a chocolate cake or a donut.
Deficiency of Vitamin B Complex
If a person is deficient in Vitamin B, he tends to be low on energy. To make up for this, his body starts giving out craving signs which make him want sugary or fatty foods that can give him instant energy. It is very important for a person to understand what his body exactly wants for. The only way to fight cravings is to ensure that the body gets its share of nutrition and healthy foods.
Low adrenal function
Adrenal glands secrete hormones like epinephrine (adrenalin), cortisone, oestrogen and progesterone. Low adrenal function can lead to reduction in the secretion of such hormones due to which one tends to feels low on energy, becomes lethargic and craves for instant energy boosting foods.
Dieting
If a person has been on a strict low fat, low carbohydrate diet for a long time, the body becomes insulin resistant. Due to this, even though there is ample amount of glucose in the blood, the body starts sending out signals to the brain because of which the person tends to want for more sweets and fatty foods.
How to reduce or overcome sweet cravings?
• Ensure that your body gets the required amounts of nutrients essential for proper functioning.
• Do not starve yourself.
• Drink lots of water whenever you crave for sweets. There are chances that a person has mistaken thirst or dehydration as hunger.
• Reduce the intake of packaged or canned foods. Your body needs natural sugars and -not synthetic or processed sugars.
• Whenever you crave for a cake or a bar of chocolate, try to divert your mind by going for a long walk or listening to good, soothing music. If the craving persists, try eating nuts or fruits to subside your hunger.
• You can also start mild exercising under the guidance of a personal trainer.
• If you still get cravings, consult a doctor or dietitian. Get your diet plan analysed by a professional.
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Everyone cares about having a healthy lifestyle, but with our crazy busy lives it gets so hard to stick with it sometimes.
We typically grab a hamburger and a bunch of fries on the go, just to fill up our growling stomachs and rush to run a bunch of errands and take care of kids and household and...
The list never ends...
Who has the time for planning healthy meals and walks and yoga lessons?
If only we had that personal chef to prepare fresh organic meals for us, and a trainer to tone our abs, and someone to help us get more than 6 hours of sleep every night?
Would not that be fantastic?
Would not be nice to have unlimited funds to help us have a healthy lifestyle we deserve?
However, we simply need to know what little changes to make that can add up to big health rewards.
These three easy tricks can help you get healthier right now.
1. Do not Skip Breakfast
Many people do not realize the fact that having breakfast every morning is the secret to staying healthy.
Breakfast is called the most important meal of the day, because it helps to balance our energy levels and curb our midday hunger pangs - thus preventing weight gain.
It is not just a great source of fiber, but also folic acid and vitamin B12.
One cup of fortified whole-grain breakfast cereal has about 400 mcg of folate and 100 mcg of B12 per day, the amount recommended to fight off cold sores.
2. Steam Your Vegetables
Steaming crunchy vegetables, like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower etc. instead of boiling or roasting them - optimizes the amount of cancer-fighting protective chemicals.
The scientists also say that fresh veggies are better than frozen ones, and they may be helpful in reducing breast cancer as well as liver, colon, stomach and other kinds of cancers.
For the most protection we should eat at least half a cup of steamed or fresh greens a day.
3. Get a Little Sun
Every time we think of people with a healthy lifestyle, we imagine fit and tanned people walking on the beach.
Is not that right?
In fact, it is very beneficial to take a 15 minute brisk walk outside without a sunscreen three times a week.
That is because the sunlight helps our body to produce vitamin D which helps to cut your chances of:
1) developing inflammatory bowel disease and other digestive illnesses
2) Crohn's desease
3) osteoporosis
4) and helps to keep your blood pressure in check
Take advantage of the sun benefits early in the morning or after 3 pm in the afternoon when you are less likely to burn.
Just remember that taking vitamins or dietary supplements is not the same as producing vitamins naturally from exposure to sunlight and eating healthy foods.
I really like this quotation of Adelle Davis: "We are indeed much more than what we eat, but what we eat can nevertheless help us to be much more than we are."
Just by following these three simple rules, you will see the changes in your overall health and healthy lifestyle will become your second nature.
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Detox Cleanse is basically a method of trying to rid the body of any built up toxins in your body. These toxins can actually come from many different sources not least in the food that we are eating every day of our lives. At least we can change what we eat. But we also have toxins entering our body through the environment. This is something that we can change so readily. So, we must try and cleanse regularly to help our bodies to expunge these toxins. There are several drinks that can be of great help when you want to lose weight or just to cleanse your internal body organs. You should basically make these juices from fresh and preferably organic ingredients mostly being fruits and vegetables. Below are a few of some of the detox drinks.
Lemon drink
Lemon water is perhaps the best fruit juice for any detox cleansing diet or indeed weight loss diet. Making the lemon drink is really simple and requires only two ingredients, lemon and water; you may add sugar or honey to taste. Simply add a half a cup of water to half a cup of lemon juice and the drink is ready.
Apple and celery juice
Apples are great for any detox as they are rich in antioxidants. You will need two apples and two celery sticks, juice them up and add a bit of lemon juice to taste.
Beet juice
Beets are important as they are rich in vitamin A. To prepare the beet juice you will need one beet root, a few celery sticks, and one carrot. Juice them up and add a bit of water.
Ginger and turmeric detox tea
Both of the ingredients in this tea are very good cleansing agents. To prepare the ginger and turmeric detox tea you will need two cups of boiled water. Add a teaspoon of ginger and half a teaspoon of turmeric; you may add a little amount of maple syrup or only so as to improve the taste a bit.
Dandelion detox tea
This drink is very good as it contains several vitamins that are essential for detox like vitamin A, B, D. To prepare the tea you need to add a few teaspoons of powdered or crushed dandelion leaves to boiled water. You may add lemon to taste.
These drinks when taken occasionally are going to help you to detox cleanse your body and will help you to lose weight as part of a calorie controlled diet. For effective results you may want to consider fasting on these drinks for a period of two to three days. Any detox cleansing diet should only be undertaken once in a while.
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Do you remember when food really did taste so good when we were cooking with pork fat and frying bacon for breakfast, frying eggs, making biscuits with fresh buttermilk, we did not know at the time that would be considered a eat healthy guide and we were all skinny as a rail. We lived on natural products. From what I have learned from my research, we would have to live on a farm, have a cow or two, our own beef and pork and most of all a big garden with fresh vegetables for freezing and canning. Our own well and lots of help to take care of all of the hard work. No more fast foods. Since so many of us live in big cities,fast foods is what we survive on!
We are so busy that grabbing a fast meal is the only option we have, running here and there that some times we forgot the taste of our last bite.
Low fat diets, low carbohydrates and exercise is the ticket to energy, health and and normal weight.
But does this theory work? It seems from my research that natural fats are the way to get your health back, along with organic vegetables! Listed below are some things we should incorporate into our diet t
to gain back out health and and energy
I have read some reports on results from using all natural fats and organic foods and the results have been all positive!
- Gluten Free
- Mostly Dairy Free
- Sugar Free
- Carbohydrate Controlled
Have you watched chef's on your favorite cook shows? How many of the Celebrity Chefs have normal weight! If you have watched them over the years, you have seen them start off looking much trimmer than they are today! They just seem to blossom more from day to day! Their fingers are so fat that it looks hard to make them work properly. They have no idea about healthy foods or nutrition.
We seem to be brain washed on how to be fashionable, gain weight and fat is beautiful! What if "almost everything you have been told about nutrition and weight loss is making us all fat, sick, depressed and diseased."
If you walk through the malls or the grocery stores, it is amazing how many people are obese and their children are on the same path., Obesity brings on high blood pressure, diabetics, high cholesterol and short life span.
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Keep them healthy! Providing a healthy life-style for your children is easier than you might think! With 3 simple steps we can achieve the "healthy family" status!
Step One: Fruits and vegetables
I know how hard it can be trying to convince your 7-year-old that spinach is better than crisps, or that fish doesn't taste like cardboard... But it can be done! Nowadays, you can find numerous recipes for "picky eaters" on the internet. If you don't feel like looking for new recipes, do something different! Put some carrot sticks out when they are hungry and dinner is not ready, or use balsamic/rice vinegar on steamed broccoli... Be creative!
Step Two: Cut Sugar
Children don't need sugar on top of their already sweetened cereal, do they? Sugar is okay in moderation, but as we all know we tend to consume a lot more than the recommended daily amount. Research shows that children who consume too much sugar have a higher chance of developing paediatric obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Tip: Try giving them low-sugar drinks, and watch out for the amount of sugar in cereals. The ideal cereal would have less than 10 grams of sugar per serving.
Step Three: Get Active
Now, that you have managed to sneak some vegetables into their diets and have cut down on sugar, all we need to do is move! Most children love playing outside and being active. But as all children are individuals, we also have those who would spend all day in front of the telly, if given a chance. To get children active we usually have to be creative and get involved! They love it when grown-ups "come down to their level" and act silly.
Some great ways of getting him/her to move:
- Improvise a treasure hunt
- Charades
- Dress up relay
- Long jump
- Dance
- Talent show
- A walk in the park
Get creative! Get moving!
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In this modern world, with our fast pace of life we have become used to supplementing our diets with vitamins and mineral pills. These supplements have their place and can be very effective, but they can't take the place of a stable diet of fruit and vegetables.
Not only do they provide a wealth of minerals, nutrients and vitamins but they also cleanse and balance the body. Now there is a revolution that is happening at the moment and it is taking the food Industry by storm, which means you don't have to eat all your fruit and vegetables. So what is it? Juicing. That is, taking fresh raw fruit and vegetables. Then extracting the juice from them to produce a tasty cocktail of minerals and nutrients which are brimming full of goodness. And they taste great!
So here are my 8 reasons why you really should consider juicing as part of your daily intake of fuel for your body
1. Raw Juicing is better
Once you have tasted the freshly extracted juice made from your own raw vegetables and fruit you will realize there is no comparison between that and the juices you can buy in a carton which have things such as preservatives and sweeteners added. Homemade juices will have nothing added, nothing taken away just 100% goodness. Your own juice will retain all of its goodness because it's not undergone any processing. This makes a big difference, as any form of cooking destroys some of the content of minerals and vitamins.
2. Getting your vitamins and minerals on a daily basis
Freshly extracted juices are packed with many of the vitamins and minerals which the body needs to keep us fit and well. Those vitamins found in fruit and vegetables are often bound to other nutrients which help with absorption. For example, Bioflavonoids can be found in the pith of citrus fruits which help with the absorption of vitamin C. So obviously juicing on a regular basis is an excellent way of making sure you get the all the vitamins and minerals each day.
3. Antioxidants
You may have heard of Antioxidant nutrients in Newspaper and magazine articles. Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in our foods which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. Vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene can give protection against degenerative diseases such as cancer, heart disease, premature aging. It is believed that these vitamins hold the key to minimising the effects of these devastating diseases. The reason why these nutrients have such a positive effect on our preventative healthcare is that they are able to slow down the damage done by the unbalanced molecules, known as free radicals.
4. Free radicals
Free radicals are molecules produced when the body breaks down food, or it can be caused by environmental exposure: things like tobacco smoke and radiation. They react with other molecules in our body and destabilize them. In other words, putting your cells at risk. They have been linked to the development of diseases such as cancer and heart disease, because they are capable of destroying other healthy molecules which will in turn then be unstable. So drinking freshly extracted juices that contain all the nutrients on a daily basis is going to have a long term impact on your future health as well as benefitting you in the short term.
5. Easier to digest
Fruit and vegetable juices are easy for the body to digest, especially if your body can't cope with a lot of fibre. But they are not to replace the fibre in your diet which is necessary for the elimination of wastes. Because freshly extracted juice is a liquid it will be quickly absorbed and digested in the stomach, and the nutrients absorbed into the bloodstream. This works so efficiently that it will be absorbed within minutes of being eaten. Also of benefit is; plant enzymes which come from the vegetables. These also help in neutralizing any excess fat or proteins from other foods eaten.
6. Cleanses the body
Drinking Fresh juices are an excellent way of cleansing the body. Fruit and vegetables in their raw state hold good amounts of water which will have been filtered and distilled through their complex structures, making digestion a whole lot easier with no impurities to deal with. In addition to that, all fruits contain acid. This helps remove toxins from your digestive tract. Some fruits such as oranges and apples contain pectin; this will also absorb fats and toxins from your digestive tract. Green vegetables are also rich in chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is a molecule that absorbs sunlight and converts its energy into carbohydrate. Vegetables with chlorophyll, such as watercress and spinach are helpful when on a detox programme. Carrots and tomatoes are also very good at acting as a tonic for the liver too.
7. Keeping a balanced diet
Freshly extracted fruit and vegetable juices act as excellent alkalizers once they have been digested. So this will help when eating normal foods, as they tend to be high in protein, with too many refined, processed ingredients. All of which can cause high acidity levels. The body has a finely balanced pH level, where it should be somewhere in the middle between acid and alkaline, tipping slightly towards alkaline. So drinking a glass of fresh juice each day will help in maintaining your pH balance to where it should be.
8. Good health insurance policy
Drinking just juice on its own won't give you perfect health, but added to a balanced diet and regular exercise you will increase your chances of a long and healthy life. It may be worth considering other changes you can make as part of your daily routine. Things like:
Stop smoking
Cut back on intake of alcohol
Take regular exercise (at least 3 times a week)
Increase your consumption of fruit and vegetables (juicing makes this a doddle)
Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water
Now that you have the facts, just go out and do it. Get yourself a juicer, buy some fresh fruit and vegetables and start juicing! There are plenty of resources for recipes and tips on juicing or sign up to makemeslim.net and learn how juicing and losing weight can be really effective. It was for me, I lost 40 lb's in just 3 months and I'm maintaining my weight too.
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When you were growing up, you proberbly thought your parents and teachers was being a pain for insisting that you eat your fruits and vegetables. You may not have realized it then, but they were doing you a great favor. It turned out that fruits and vegetables are an essential part of our diet, providing a wide range of vitamins and minerals that serve numerous important functions in the body.
For years U.S. Department of Health has recommended including at least five portions of fruits and vegetables in our daily diet.
Many people, however, are still not getting the message they remain delinquent in their fruit and vegetable intake. Regretfully only one in seven does achieve this quota. In fact, a full 33% of American adults eats only two servings of fruits and vegetables a day and are more likely to opt for an unhealthy snack instead. On a daily basis, about half the population eats no fruit at all.
A Ton of Reasons: There are a tons of reasons to eat a variety of colors from the produce dept. Fruits and vegetables are basically fat free, low in salt and an excellent source of fiber.
Some fruits and vegetables, such as bananas and spinach, contain potassium, which supports proper nerve and muscle functioning. Other fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and cantaloupe, supply Vitamin A, which maintains eye health and immunity. Green vegetables such as broccoli and asparagus provides Vitamin B, which is necessary for converting food into energy.
All fruits and vegetables are loaded with phytonutrients, the health-promoting components of plants. Studies have shown that phytonutrients can help protect seven key organs, including the heart, liver, eyes and skin.
Antioxidant Properties: Researches that measured the total antioxidant power of various foods, placed fruits and vegetables at the top of the list.
Antioxidants are known to protect our bodies from free radicals that can cause damage to cellular membranes. Antioxidants also help to make our muscles stronger, boost our immunity, and support bone and skin health.
Colorful fruits and vegetables derive their antioxidant properties from the chemical that causes their various colors. It is therefore very beneficial to consume fruit and vegetables from all the different color groups.
T
he seven food color groups and their properties.
1.Red
Tomato, tomato juices, watermelon, pink grapefruit, red plum: Produces Lycopene which has shown to inhibit cancer cell growth in laboratory test.
2.Red/Purple
Grapes, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries, blueberries, prunes, red apples. Proanthocyanidins protect against urine infections.ellagic acid inhibits cancer cell growth.
3.Green
Broccoli, Brussel Sprouts, Cabbage, Bok Choy. Produces Isothio-cyanates which increases liver proteins for defending against carcinogens.
4.Green/Yellow
Spinach, corn, collard greens, kale, avocado, mustard greens. Lutein protects vision, the heart, and inhibits cancer cell growth.
5. Orange
Carrots, cantaloupe, pumpkin, mangos, apricots. Beta carotene protects vision and immune function.
6.Orange/Yellow
Oranges, lemons, papaya, peaches, nectarines, pineapple. Flavonoids inhibit tumor growth and repair DNA. Limonoids in the skin of oranges and lemon inhibit tumor growth.
7.Green/White
Garlic, onion, celery, chives, pears, leeks. Allyl sulfides inhibit tumor cell growth.
A study by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's, suggest that: Eating more fruits and vegetables can also help lower cholesterol. In the study, the 4466 subjects consumed on average a shade over 3 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Men and women with the highest daily consumption (more than 4 servings a day) had significantly lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol than those with lower consumption
Exactly how fruits and vegetables lower cholesterol is still something of a mystery. It just may be that eating more fruits and vegetables result in eating less meat and dairy products, and thus less cholesterol-boosting saturated fat. Soluble fiber in fruits and vegetables may also block the absorption of cholesterol from food.
The next time you feel the urge for a snack why not try a half a cup of fresh or frozen blueberries. Blueberries are one of the best antioxidant-rich foods, they have been so effective in retarding aging in laboratory animals that they can block brain changes leading to decline and even reverse failing memory.
If you are having difficulty eating the recommended daily servings of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, you may want to add dietary supplements to your diet. Dietary supplements can provide you with the powerful phytonutrients and antioxidant benefits found in seven servings of colorful fruits and vegetables. It also supports your body's vital organs by providing them with key nutrients.
By making the effort to follow your mom's advice by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables each day, you may be doing your body one of the biggest favours ever.
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To be able to eat healthy, you need to understand what the body needs to stay healthy and functional. Your body needs food for three main reasons. Firstly as fuel, to keep us warm and supply the energy we need to stay alive and to move about and work. Secondly, food supplies the necessary materials for growth and to repair worn tissues. Thirdly we need vitamins, minerals and other substances that are necessary for the chemical processes that take place inside our bodies.
The energy supplied by food is measured as kilojoules. Two-thirds of this energy is used to maintain our normal body temperature, the normal tone of our muscles and to keep our heart and other vital organs functional and healthy. Even when we stay in bed all day we will still need about two-thirds of our normal food intake to maintain our metabolic systems. Normal activities such as getting dressed, eating, walking, working and playing requires about 3350 kilojoules. A housewife uses about 9200 kilojoules to perform her basic household tasks.
The harder we work and the more we move about the more kilojoules we use up. Whatever kilojoules we use up in our daily activities, is supplied by food, but if we consume more kilojoules / food than the body needs you will gain mass. The aim of Eating Healthy is to get the balance right.
If you are NOT currently eating healthy, it can be difficult to start such a plan. IF you truly want to live the best lifestyle possible, then it is important for you to follow these tips to start eating more healthy. Firstly, rid your home of all foods that do not fall into the healthy categories. Keep junk foods and beverages out of your house, so that you will not be tempted. Keep healthy snacks like carrot sticks, yogurt, fresh fruit, or whole-wheat crackers on hand. In case you cannot bear to toss out the sweets, try keeping something on hand, like chocolate chips. Eating a few of these won't ruin your diet but also will give you that little sugary fix you rave.
Secondly, take a few moments to learn about what foods are the healthiest for you and how they work in the body. Most people understand what fruits, vegetables, and low-fat means and that dairy products are good for you, but few people understand why.
What Does Vitamins and Nutrients Mean?
Vitamins and Nutrients nourishes the body. They consist of micro- and macro-nutrients which is essential for good health and is consumed in small amounts. These are absorbed by the body unchanged and have catalytic functions. Vitamins are classified as fat-soluble (A, D, E and K) or water-soluble (B and C). The former and vit. B12 tend to be stored in the body. Many elements present in food are essential for health such as calcium, phosphorus and potassium. Others termed trace-elements are iron, zinc and iodine.
Carbohydrates, fats and proteins are macro-nutrients and when digested turns into glucose, fatty acids, peptides and amino acids. Macro-nutrients are interchangeable sources of energy. If sufficient non-protein calories are not available, the body cannot produce proteins for tissue maintenance. Tissue replacements and growth does not occur and considerable more dietary proteins is required for positive nitrogen balance. The polyunsaturated fatty acids are termed essential fatty acids (EFA) and must be included in your diet. The EFA and B6 is crucial in the functions of the metabolism.
Fiber mainly a complex mixture of indigestible carbohydrate material is a natural and much neglected component of the normal diet. Fiber components act in various ways for instance, prevention of constipation. Many intestinal diseases ie: colon cancer, Crohn's disease, obesity, varicose veins and hemorrhoids are associated with the lack of fiber in the diet. Fruit and vegetables rich in pectins reduce plasma cholesterol by enhancing hepatic cholesterol, to bile acids and reduces the forming of gallstones. Fiber is the most important part of any diet.
Five Basic Groups of Nutrients
The key is learning about nutrients. When you understand how specific nutrients work in the body, you will be more likely to make healthy choices.
No single food is essential to our diet. What is important is to eat a variety of foods, there are five basic groups:
Proteins for building up the body. Throughout life there is a continuous breakdown and loss of body tissues. If a person does not get enough protein to make up for this loss, some of the less vital protein tissues in the body, such as muscles are broken down to maintain vital organs like the heart and kidneys. Illnesses cause a considerable loss of protein like infections, burns, broken bones and the stress after surgery.
Carbohydrates provide energy. Carbohydrates is a collective term for sugars, starches and cellulose. Most sugars are eaten in the form of sweets, jams, biscuits, cakes and drinks. A small amount is from fruit. Starches are found in potatoes, rice, pastas, wheat and maize. When we eat starches it gets broken down to glucose which is absorbed into the blood stream as a form of sugar. Cellulose is not a source of energy but it is needed in the diet, because of it's major source of fibre or roughage. It stays undigested in the intestines to promote regular bowel movements.
Fats provide energy and flavour. Fat is contained in milk products like cheese, cream, butter and meat (visible around tjops or hidden in the fibres), fatty fish like pilchards, kabeljou and eggs. Fats have several roles in the diet directly because of its nutritional value and indirectly in improving foods and making them easier to chew and swallow. Vitamins like A,D,E and K are found in these fatty foods and following a low fat diet you need to supplement these shortfalls. Fats are very important because of the energy it provides, it is twice as much as carbohydrates or protein. Fatty foods remain longer in the stomach than low-fat foods, so they provide a greater feeling of fullness.
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Cultivating healthy eating habits strengthens your body's resolve against diseases. Fruits and vegetables are the ultimate sources of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals which our body needs to function properly. These antioxidant-rich foods help fight the damaging effects of free radicals. By eating less fat and sugary foods, you are essentially reducing the risks of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and other chronic disorders.
Glowing Appearance
This is another tried and tested advantage brought about by healthy eating. People who eat more fruits and vegetables on a daily basis almost always exude that vibrant, youthful look. The secret is simply eating high antioxidant fruits and vegetables, along with foods rich in vitamins and minerals, and lots of water. Proper nutrition and hydration are the keys to healthy, younger-looking skin.
Positive Outlook in Life
Depression can be attributed to poor diet. Eating foods rich in B vitamins helps counter the blues. A happy disposition is the culmination of a healthy diet and a regular exercise program. The more you engage yourself in living a healthy lifestyle, the better it is for your emotional well-being. Nothing beats a well-nourished and active body, alongside good sleep and youthful appearance, to make you feel good about yourself. At the end of the day, happy people are healthy people.
Kate Trillin is a freelance writer who specialises in proper nutrition, healthy eating, and healthy living. She has been an avid health enthusiast for the past 5 years, and has recently ventured into the world of online publishing in an effort to reach a wider audience. Her writing focuses on providing useful tips and information on the benefits of healthy eating and healthy lifestyle.
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