Eat To Beat Anything

Dear Folks, In this second part of two series, I will be sharing with you food that you should add to your diet to rid off colds, cramps and more... Fight A Cold With Pomegranate Juice Goodness of oranges – this fruit is the new must-have for sniffle season. Researchers at Pace University in New York City found that the antioxidants in pomegranate juice actually helps prevent colds due basically to its high content in Vitamin C. Drink 4 ounces of pomegranate juice daily during cold season. If you don’t like its tart taste, blend it with a splash of apple or pear juice and you’ll still get all the benefits. However, you shouldn't have it at the same meal with soy or dairy products, because they seem to negate its cold-fighting properties. De-Stress With Pistachios If you are feeling frazzled, try unwinding with a handful of pistachios because the high levels of plant sterols, fiber, antioxidants, healthy fats and other nutrients in pistachios helps to control the body’s response to stress. Pistachios are not actually low in calories, hence, you may want to control the amount you pop. The simplest way is to sprinkle some pistachios on your standbys like salad or breakfast cereal. Beat Bad Mood With Salmon If you’re feeling down, a fish dinner may just do wonders to help you to beat it. In fact research from the National Institutes of Health shows that the omega-3 fatty acids in fish can significantly raise your levels of serotonin, a mood-boosting brain chemical. Of the 10 most common types of seafood taken in the U.S., salmon supplies the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids. One way to work it into your diet; Top field greens with sliced salmon and walnuts which is one of the few non-fish sources of omega-3s and toss in a vinaigrette made with canola or olive oil. For more goodness of fish or salmon, you may want to refer back to my previous post on 27/2/08; Great Value of Fish Oil. Curb Cramps With Chamomile Tea This herbal remedy has long been touted for staving off menstrual cramps that plaque 30 to 50 per cent of women, and now a study at some universities explain why. After 14 volunteers drank 5 cups of chamomile tea every day for 2 weeks, their levels of glycine – and amino acid that’s been shown to relieve muscle spasms and relax nerves – shot up dramatically. If you get cramps every cycle, consider having a cup or two a day all month long to maintain high glycine levels. Otherwise, drink a couple of strong cups daily – use 2 tea bags in each – when cramps start to come on. Of course there are pain killers medication to relieve menstrual cramps, but don't you think herbs are better than any medication which are made from chemicals? I hope you enjoy this post as much as I like to take time to write at this hour of the night. To your health success, Janice H. http://www.stayyoungsecret.com

Preventing Hair Loss

Dear Folks,

In my previous post, I wrote about hair care to overcome dandruff. Today, I will be sharing tips on preventing hair loss which is a common phenomenon and concern these days, to both the young and the senior.

A bald head person definitely looks few years older than his age. Which is not the case we want
right? Let's go through these tips if you are currently facing hair loss or beginning to experience
hair loss.

Many of us lose about 50 to 100 head hairs a day. These hairs are replaced as they grow back in the same follicle. Although this amount of hair loss is normal, but if you’re losing more than that, something may be wrong. While bald areas are an obvious sign of hair loss, it can otherwise be difficult to tell whether your hair is getting thinner. “Hold a small bunch of hair between your thumb and index finger. Pull slowly and firmly. If more than 10 hairs come out, there may be a problem. There are ways you can potentially avoid the upsetting issue of hair loss.

Many cases of hair loss are genetic. Look into your family history, and find treatment options as soon as possible. The sooner you begin treatment, the better. You may consider seeing a hair specialist for a personal consultation to understand your problem. Computerized hair scanning technology to examine your hair follicles will provide a clearer picture of the causes of hair and scalp problems, and appropriate hair care treatments will be recommended.

Antioxidants are great for protecting skin from free radicals during the day. it also helps to repair skin during your sleep. However, be careful if you’re using vitamin C, as it can irritate skin if used together with retinol.

Stress can actually increase the chances of hair loss, hence it is important to manage your stress level by exercising, meditating, relaxing, having time of your own for your interest and hobby or simply going for a retreat to shut off your mind. This is what I do and I make sure I make an overseas trip every year to take a breather and coming back to work fresh and rejuvenated.

Women are pone to hormonal hair loss. Get your annual checkups, and have your thyroid checked at each visit to make sure your hormones are in proper balance. Off course, men are equally prone to hair loss, so annual medical checkup will be wise routine for check and balance.

Blow-drying and heated brushes can deteriorate hair loss, due to the extreme heat that damages proteins in the hairs, turning them fragile and prone to breakage. Careless use of heated brushes can result in burnt and damaged scalp, causing permanent damage to hair follicles. It is therefore best to allow hair to dry naturally just as what I do. I won't blow dry my hair unless it is necessary. If a hair dryer must be used, turn it to its lowest setting. Heat from dryers, curling tongs and other styling equipments cause serious damage to our hair.

If your body is deficient in certain vitamins or minerals, hair loss may be the cause. Even healthy eaters may not be getting the recommended amount of nutrients – that’s why it’s good to take some supplements to make up for deficiency in vitamins.

Avoid using harsh products on your hair. Keep tresses hydrated with a mild shampoo and conditioner. Don’t rub your hair vigorously, as excess friction can cause it to break off. It is important that you comb your hair gently when it is wet to prevent hair falling off. Back combing, for added volume or whatever, is also one of the causes of hair breakage. Always use a wide-toothed comb.

If you are having hair loss problem, I hope this post helps in one way or another. As we age, there will be a tendency of hair loss, which may not be serious initially, but overtime, volume can increase. Hence, we should prevent or reduce hair loss, for a better looking personality, right?


To your beauty and health success,

Janice H.

http;//www.stayyoungsecret.com

Eat Wisely for Better Skin and Health...

Dear Folks,

In a two- posts series, I wish to write on quality foods which we should focus on to enhance our skin, memory, boost energy...

Let's see what are these foods.

Soothe dry skin with leafy green vegetables

For glowing and smooth skin, we should be taking about 10 milligrams of lutein a day – a nutrient naturally found in spinach , kale and collard greens which increases moisture in our skin Eat at least a cup of cooked leafy greens daily – that amount supplies 10 milligrams or more of lutein. Saute them in a little olive oil, and season with garlic, herbs, chopped nuts or dried fruit for a flavor boost.


Improve Your Memory With Whole Grains

If you’re having trouble learning the names of new co-workers, or having difficulties in remembering what you did with your house keys, your blood-sugar levels may be to blame. Having 3 servings of whole grains a day may be all it takes to prevent your blood-sugar levels from creeping up in your 30s and 40s.
Eat a sandwich made with whole-wheat bread plus additional cup of whole-grain cereal for breakfast or snack on 2 cups of air-popped popcorn. Many products noted on the label the number of grams of whole grains each portion contains; aim for at least 48 grams daily, the equivalent of 3 servings.


Boost Your Energy With Dark Chocolate

Eating dark chocolate can help revive you up, giving a short-term boost to cognitive skills, according to a new study from the University of Nottingham in England. The cocoa caused blood vessels in the brain to dilate, improving blood flow and allowing more oxygen in for 2 to 3 hours – changes that help you feel more alert.
But if you are weight conscious and are afraid you won’t stop at one or one or two small pieces, go for alternative like green tea and berries.


Banish Bloating With Banana

It’s possible to wake up feeling bloated even if you didn’t eat a lot of salty foods the day before. The culprit? Too little potassium, a mineral that helps regulate your body’s fluid levels. Most of us, women don’t come close to getting the 4,700 milligrams we need daily which is a mistake, because a banana is one of the most potassium-rich foods, and it’s quite convenient.
Simply slicing a banana into a bowl of low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt which is also packed with potassium, makes an easy morning breakfast if you wake up looking a little puffy. The combo will dole out more than 1,000 milligrams’ worth of potassium. For an extra 500 milligrams, have a glass of orange juice.

So, you now realized the popularity of leafy vegetable, grains, bananas with its high potassium and even the goodness of dark chocolate.

Stay tuned to next week's post which I will reveal more goodness of other foods.


To your health and beauty success,

Janice H.
http://www.stayyoungsecret.com

Get Sufficient Sleep For A Healthier Body

Dear Folks,

We all know the importance of sleep, it is crucial for our overall health and beauty. Notice if you don't get enough sleep, eye bags form below your eyes, pimples pop up and you don't feel good and look good. But then, getting enough sleep doesn't mean you sleep 5 hours during night and another 2 hours in between the day. You should be sleeping 7 or 8 hours during bedtime at night so that you can accomplish and enjoy your activities during the day.

A good night’s sleep doesn’t just begin when you hit the pillow. The habits you engage in throughout the day can influence how well you snooze. Hence, for better rest, try taking these sleep-smart steps which I have been practicing effectively all these years


6:30 A.M. GET SNOOZE BUTTON-SAVVY
Your sleep-regulating internal clock works best when you wake up at the same time every day. When I was working in the corporate, 7.00am was my wake up time, without an alarm clock. During some of the weekends, I woke up at the same time; 7.00 am and soon realized it was weekend. Then, if I had my schedule to accomplish, I would roll out of bed to prevent falling back to sleep. This is proven by a new study in the journal Neuron that the physical act of rolling out of bed activates brain cells that prevent you from falling back asleep.


8:15 A.M. SOAK UP THE SUN
A half-hour walk tells your brain to stop making melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone. But leave your sunglasses behind because the rays actually have to hit your retina to send the signal. For me, I take a morning walk followed by breathing exercises in the park near my house after which, I will have breakfast and start with my daily schedule.


12:30 P.M. MAKE A DATE
Social people are better sleepers, according to a recent study from the Duke University Medical Center. Having frequent lunches or other get-togethers makes you more likely to stick to a schedule, say study authors, who believe that your body’s internal clock runs best when you follow a regular routine.
I will once a while catch up with friends over lunch or coffee and enjoy ourselves by sharing our stories or views. This is even so when you have different groups of friends; friends with whom you play games with, friends from work, friends from neighborhood, social group and so on.


3:15 P.M. DUMP THE DECAF
Caffeine affects our sleep quality and don't think that decaf coffee is free of caffeine, they actually contain some amount which has been proven by University of Florida researchers. In fact, a few cups of decaf coffee can add up if you drink after lunch. You should instead snack on some fruit or salad. The combination of vitamins, fiber and carbohydrates provides enough energy to get you through the rest of the afternoon.


5:45 P.M. BREAK A SWEAT
Exercising in the gym is good, but you have to know when to visit the gym because gym exercises raise your body temperature, which makes falling asleep more difficult. You should give yourself at least 3 or 4 hours between working out and lights-out to allow adequate time to cool down and have a good night sleep. This way, you will sleep better because you will be tired then after the workout in the gym.


8:00 P.M. STICK TO ONE GLASS OF WINE
Alcohol slows the nervous system, so a second round may help you feel sleepy initially, but when your blood-alcohol level drops in 2 to 4 hours, you could wake up feeling wired. Hence, just stick to one glass of wine for better health and better sleep.


10:30 P.M. MAKE YOUR BEDROOM PET-FREE
Do you have a pet? If you have, try to put him on his own bed because your pet’s wriggly body can keep you tossing and turning, hence it is better to put him in another room.


Have a good night sleep from now on if you have not been getting it before.


To your health success,

Janice H.
http://www.stayyoungsecret.com

Great Value of Fish Oil

Dear Folks,

Let's get back on subject of nutrients for the benefits of health, longevity and so forth.

Today, I wish to write on fish oil, a great nutrient that we just can't simply ignore.

Most of the time, when we hear the word “fats” we immediately assume the worst, probably due to the fact that we are constantly drilled on the dangers of a diet high in fat. That perception is wrong...

Do you know that there are some fats that are not only good, but also essential for our well-being? These are called essential fatty acids;EFAs. EFA are polyunsaturated and can be classified into two groups: omega-6 and omega-3.

Scientists believe that an imbalance of these two fatty acids, which is caused mainly by a low intake of omega-3 can lead to health problems like obesity, hypertension, heart disease and diabetes.

In plants, omega-3 acids are obtained mainly from flaxseed, and partially from borage, a herb found naturally in Europe and walnut oil. We can also obtain these EFAs from fatty fish, where the main omega-3 acids are in the form of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Scientists first stumbled upon the benefits of EPA and DHA when they observed that the Eskimos of Greenland were at low risk of heart disease despite a diet rich in fat.

It was then discovered that two of the fats they were consuming were advantageous to health – EPA and DHA.

In more recent years, it has been suggested that these oils can help prevent other ailments, like depression and cancer although the evidence remains inconclusive. Their potential use for inflammation, skin diseases and brain development has also been studied.

People who suffer from certain skin diseases may benefit from increasing their intake of fish oil. Drugs that are normally prescribed for skin conditions can cause serious side-effects, but a group of scientists conducting a trial on patients with severe psoriasis found that fish oil did not have negative effects. In fact, several patients saw an improvement in their condition and the scientists concluded that fish oil may be a safe and effective therapy for psoriasis in addition to conventional treatment.

A large portion of the gray matter in the brain consists of DHA. Research has shown that low amount of DHA contribute to several neurological problems like dementia, memory loss and depression.

Appropriate amounts of DHA are especially important for pregnant and lactating mothers as DHA levels in an infant’s brain triple in the first three months of life.

Other studies have indicated that reduced levels of DHA result in a lower amount of serotonin in the brain. Low serotonin levels have been linked to depression and suicide which are on the rise worldwide.

Conclusion? include more fish in our diet for meat intake, plus of course lots of vegetables and fruits.


To your health success,

Janice H.
http://www.stayyoungsecret.com

Top 10 Health Foods

Dear Folks,

There is practically no real 'super food' which keeps us in top health and free of diseases.

Our health comes from:-

1. Balanced lifestyle
2. Balanced diet which consists of the necessary nutrients
3. Exercises and rest

I have written in details on the same subject in my previous post. Hence I won't want to repeat it here but would like to suggest some of the top foods that we should include most of them in our diet if not all.


TOP FOODS

Berries
Rich in: antioxidant and soluble fiber
Prevent: cancer, age-related memory loss

Broccoli
Rich in: antioxidant, cancer-preventing sulforaphane
Prevent: breast, colon and lung cancer

Citrus Fruits
Rich in: antioxidant; bioflavonoids
Prevents: cancers, heart disease and stroke

Garlic
Rich in: allicin
Prevents: high cholesterol and heart disease

Nuts
Rich in: proteins, omega-3 fatty acids
Prevents: heart disease

Oats
Rich in: soluble fiber
Prevents: high cholesterol

Salmon
Rich in: proteins, omega-3 fatty acids
Prevents: heart disease

Spinach
Rich in: Lutein
Prevents: cataract, age-related vision loss

Tomatoes
Rich in: lycopene
Prevents: cancer and heart disease

Turkey
Rich in: protein; selenium
Prevents: cancer, infections, thyroid problem

For the least, in Christmas at the end of each year, we take turkey for its protein and selenium for a good course. But please don't stop there, try including the rest in your diet if you haven't done so. Of course there are also much more good foods which will take me another few pages to finish the list. The important point is; include more vegetables and fruits in your diet. If you are a 'meat' person now, start adjusting yourself over time and you will notice a change in you; healthier, younger and more energetic.

If you enjoy my post, please drop me some comments and you will make my day!


To your health success,

Janice H.

http://www.stayyoungsecret.com

Look Fantastic In Seconds

Dear Folks,

In my previous posts, I have written in details, in 12th May 2007 post, on how to look your best in terms of postures. Today I wish to touch this on as a reminder and write something more on other important area, which is our lips. As a reminder, this is not just for the ladies, but apply equally to the gentlemen as well:-

We can look 100 percent better by minding our posture! which most of us neglect, or don't think it is important. Yes, it is important because if reflects on us because:-

1. It improves our appearance
   
2. Take few years off our age and few pounds off our body
3. Makes us look and feel assured
4. Good attitude conveys self-respect, hence respect from others
5. Improves self-confidence

But then what are the great ways to check if you have good posture? You can stand sideways as you naturally would in front of a full-length mirror and check if the followings are right:-

1. Your neck straight?
2. Shoulders are square?
3. Tummy is tucked in?
4. Feet are pointing forward and NOT out?

I am sure you ever notice people who practice good posture and walk confidently in the office, work place do give you a good impression of him. So start practicing good posture now if you have not done so and you will notice how great you feel about yourself.

Here are further tips on your lips makeover:-

Lips gloss is becoming more essential than the conventional lipstick. We need to know how to use use it to brighten up our lips which can make a tremendous improvement to our appearance:-

1. Apply lip gloss in the middle of the lower lip and rub your lips together to prevent thick coating which can make your lips look overdone.
2. In case you have applied too much gloss, blot out the excess by smacking you lips on tissue paper.
3. You can wear gloss over lipstick-but make sure it is just a dab.
4. If you have dark lips, use colorless gloss or lighten lips first with a concealer, then dab on a tinted gloss.
5. Invest in good quality lip gloss that will stay longer on your lips and gloss more naturally.

The other areas that we need to improve is the good taste of outfit which you can learn more in detail in essential style guide. Good taste of attire brings out the best in you and shed years off your age.

I am in my midlife, I still care much about my image and I want to look at least 10 years younger my age! and I do because I apply these essential style guide, which you too can achieve by taking action today and NOT tomorrow!



To your great image success,

Janice H.

http://www.stayyoungsecret.com