Wednesday, 2 April 2014

What Causes Chronic Bronchitis?

Bronchitis is a respiratory disease where the mucus membrane in the lungs' bronchial passages becomes inflamed. Because the irritated membrane swells and grows thicker, it narrows or turns off the tiny airways in the lungs, resulting in coughing spells which may be accompanied by phlegm and breathlessness. The disease is available in two forms: acute (lasting in one to three weeks) and chronic (lasting a minimum of three months of the year for two years in a row). People with asthma could also have asthmatic bronchitis, inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes.

Within this disorder, the air passages in the lungs are inflamed. And also the mucus-producing glands in the lung's larger air passages (bronchi) are enlarged. These enlarged glands produce too much mucus. This triggers a cough. In chronic bronchitis, this cough is present not less than three months out of the year for 2 or more consecutive years.

What Causes Chronic Bronchitis?

Frequent lung infections: Frequent lung infections may damage your lungs with time and lead to chronic bronchitis.

Cigarette smoke: Smoking causes most cases of chronic bronchitis. The greater you smoke, the more damage you do to your lungs. People who don't smoke but who live or deal with others who smoke are at higher risk.

Family history: You may be more likely to get a lung disease if someone else in your family had one.

Exposure to lung irritants: Some dusts and chemical fumes in your workplace can damage your lungs with time. Your risk also increases if you live within an area with heavy air pollution.

Monday, 24 February 2014

Healthy Foods that Give You Stress Relief


Healthy Foods
Healthy Foods
We all suffer from stress at some reason for our lives; it is not very easy to prevent it. All reasons lie behind the super hectic and fast lifestyles we lead today. However, when you're stressed out your body needs its vitamins and minerals more than ever before to function at its best. Eat your way to avoid it of stress with these ten healthy stress-busting foods. They're not going to only boost your overall energy and help you to definitely keep your cool; they’ll also counteract the damaging effects of stress on your body.
Stress can cause emotional eating, which results in unhealthy weight gain. But eating the right food can provide you with relief from stress and help you keep it in check. All you have to do is stock your shelves with these stress relieving foods for any happier, healthier you.
Here are the top stress reducing foods you should be eating if you suffer from stress, to get relief from it:

Blueberries

Blueberries are thought to be one of the best stress busters, to some they're also known as super fruits and rightly so. They're full of antioxidants and vitamin C, which fights free radicals and in turn reduces stress. To ensure optimum health benefits, consume a cup of blueberries every day, to notice difference.

Broccoli

Yet another food that's chock-full of stress-relieving B vitamins, broccoli has the added benefit of containing folic acid, which is also part of the B vitamin family. Folic acid helps relieve stress, anxiety, panic, and even depression. Try broccoli like a simple accompaniment to fish or chicken, or toss it right into a stir-fry along with a few other vegetables and some beef or shrimp.

Bananas

Bananas are filled with potassium, a mineral that will help reduce tension. Bananas are also great in pacifying and soothing the mind because they are rich in tryptophan, an amino acid which reinforces the formation of serotonin (the feel-good hormone) and melatonin (the sleep hormone).

Green Leafy Vegetables

Remember how our parent always kept telling us to consume more and more green leafy vegetables? They'd a point! Green leafy vegetables act to reverse the indications of stress. Some of them like spinach and kale possess a good comforting effect and are very high in magnesium.

Avocado

Perfect on tacos, great with eggs, and awesome with anything else, avocados pack a substantial amount of omega-3s. Additionally they contain potassium, which helps lower blood pressure that may spike with stress.

Dark Chocolate

Don’t we all love chocolate? But dark chocolate essentially is extremely beneficial for health as it is full of antioxidants. Look for dark chocolate, which contains a minimum of 70% cocoa. It'll instantly cheer you up. It helps tremendously in improving mood, but do attempt to consume it in moderation.

Milk

Milk is high in vitamin B, along with protein and calcium and for that reason, drinking a glass of milk will even keep you full for longer, and stabilize blood sugar. If possible attempt to have low fat skim milk on a daily basis to keep stress at bay. This is also the best stress relief food.

Nuts

Nuts are great stress relievers. They're a rich source of the serotonin-booster tryptophan and packed with B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium and zinc. The B-vitamins and magnesium regulate mood and relieve stress by boosting serotonin, whereas zinc has been proven to fight some of the negative effects of stress. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that destroys the free radicals related to stress and heart disease.

Cheese

Many types of cheese, especially cottage cheese, is extremely high in protein and enables you to feel full for longer and provides a feeling of satiety, as it effectively stabilizes blood sugar levels in the body. The best strategy is to consume the low fat version, so you get all the necessary nutrition without the calories.

Oranges

Vitamin C is a great stress buster, and just what better source of vitamin C than oranges! They're not only tangy and yummy but also work wonders that will help you fight against stress. Consume at least one orange very day to reduce your cortisol levels and reduce stress.
Stress Relieving Foods For You
Stress Relieving Foods For You

Water

The goodness of water can't be replaced by anything! Yes, plain water. No wonder people keep telling you to drink water and enough from it. Sipping water every few minutes help tremendously in keeping stress away. Whenever you return home, tired after a long working day, drink a glass of water. Dehydration can in fact cause stress. So, if you keep your body hydrated, you'll definitely remove one factor that may be leading to your stress levels.

Wednesday, 5 February 2014

Enjoy the Beauty Benefits of Almond Oil for Hair


Almond Oil
Almond Oil
Almond oil contains many benefits that can help your hair grow longer and stronger. Almond oil may strengthen hair and add shine to them. Additionally, it stimulates hair growth and reduces breakage and hair fall. Regular use of this oil ensures that your scalp and hair remain healthy. Using almond oil for hair loss and damaged hair is optimal since it nourishes and strengthens your hair. Almond oil can be expensive, but you only need a few drops.
Increasingly more people are using natural oils to make their hair long and beautiful. The chemicals used on some shampoos do not make your hair better, but make sure they are worse. By using sweet almond oil for hair, you can make your hair longer and stronger. Listed here are some of the benefits of using sweet almond oil for hair:

Leaves Hair Shiny and Soft

To aid in repairing damaged hair, mix mashed avocado with almond oil and put it on as a hair mask. Leave it for 20-30 minutes accompanied by hair wash with your favorite shampoo and conditioner. This can leave your hair shiny and soft.

Strengthens and Repairs Split Ends

Sweet almond oil contains vitamin A, B and E along with omega 9, omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids which help keep hair strong and healthy, preventing against breakage. Sweet almond oil’s natural moisture-sealing properties assistance to replenish hair and also fight against split ends by holding moisture in hair for longer periods of tim.

Damage Repair

To repair the damaged hair take an avocado fruit and mash it properly. Now mix the mashed mixture in almond oil and canopy your hair with the damage repairing hair mask. Leave the mask for around half hour and wash it with your shampoo.

Application Before Bath

Almond oil also turns out to be a very good cleansing agent. If you put it on on your hair a few hours before you go for any bath, the sticky fats of the oil absorb and collect the particles and also the particulates of dust and pollution which have entered your hair. Eventually, when you wash your hair, the entire mixture of oil and dirt gets washed off effectively cleansing your hair and your scalp.

Fight off Fungi and Bacteria

Dandruff, head lice and other adverse conditions can bring about hair loss. Fortunately, olive oil fights off many of these things, helping keep your hair healthier.
Almond Oil for Hair
Almond Oil for Hair

Reduce Hair Loss

Studies have shown that with regular massage of almond oil, the cuticles in our hair become nourished leading to lesser hairfall. It offers various necessary nutrients and fatty acids for hair repair and growth. Since almond oil is extremely light, it forms an outer layer on the hair shaft, strengthening the present hair which helps in preventing hair loss.

Treats Dandruff

To get rid of dandruff, mash gooseberry and mix it with almond oil. Apply this mixture to your scalp. Keep it on for 20-30 minutes accompanied by a regular hair wash. This hair mask can help in soothing your scalp and will make sure that your hair appears black and shiny.

Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Benefits of Eating Quinoa for Health


Eating Quinoa for Health
Eating Quinoa for Health
Quinoa is very fast becoming well known as one of the most healthy grains available. More precisely an excellent grain, quinoa is derived from the seed of the quinoa plant, that is connected to the spinach family. Centuries ago, quinoa was the best focus of the ancient Incan diet. While quinoa is growing in popularity and achieving more well known throughout the world as well as in the United States, many still don't realize the unique and significant health benefits which come from eating quinoa.
Once its bitter coating has been soaked or steamed off, the seeds are often prepared and can be served in recipes where rice, wheat, corn or other grains are used. The benefits of quinoa are as plentiful since it's culinary uses. Here are a few of the roles quinoa can enjoy in a healthy diet:

High in Protein

Quinoa is a rich source of complete protein, particularly for a grain. The secret is lysine, an uncommon amino acid not found in many other grains, which will make the protein levels in quinoa similar to those in milk.

Quinoa is antioxidant rich

Quinoa offers the antioxidant phytonutrients quercetin and kaempferol. Additionally, quinoa has a lot of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients as well. This can promote tissue growth and aide in tissue repair as well as fight off disease and infection.

Bone Builder

For vegans, people with lactose intolerance or those people who are simply looking for non-dairy sources of this vital mineral, quinoa is really a flavorful source of plant-derived calcium. Calcium builds and maintains bones and teeth, helps regulate the contraction of the heart, and facilitates nerve and muscle function. One cup of cooked quinoa contains 30 milligrams of calcium. Quinoa also includes impressive quantities of potassium, magnesium and zinc, minerals which are crucial for heart, nerve and muscle function.

Quinoa for Weight Loss

Quinoa has more protein than all other grains and also the protein in quinoa contains all essential amino acids making it a complete protein. According to research, in comparison to wheat and rice, quinoa was discovered to provide greater satiety, which makes it an excellent alternative for weight loss and management.

Lower in Fat

If you’re trying to lose weight, you'll love quinoa not only because it’s extremely lower in fat compared to other whole grains, but additionally because any fat present is nearly all made up of essential fatty acids, or omega-3 essential fatty acid, which are healthy fats that promote further fat loss while keeping you full considerably longer than dishes made with rice or pasta.

Chalked Full of Essential Vitamins

Quinoa contains more vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants than any other grain. Actually, you’ll get an impressive list of vitamin B6, thiamin, niacin, potassium, and riboflavin, plus minerals like copper, zinc, magnesium, and folate, as well because the antioxidants phytonutrients quercetin and kaempferol, which lend anti-inflammatory and disease-fighting prowess to each bowl consumed.

Quinoa is high in fiber

Fiber is definitely an essential nutrient that regulates blood sugar levels and regulates your digestive system by preventing and relieving constipation. Quinoa contains twice as much fiber as almost every other grain. Diets high in fiber with foods like quinoa have been recognized to lower cholesterol and can help you loose weight inside a healthy way. Unlike other grains within the category, quinoa has a low glycemic index due to its chemical makeup and the amount of fiber, which makes it a great carbohydrate choice for diabetics that will not raise your blood sugar.

Promotes Health Blood Sugar Levels

It turns out that eating quinoa also reduces your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, however it can also help you keep those blood sugar levels balanced if you already have diabetes. It's because the fact that it’s rich in complex carbohydrates, or healthy carbohydrates, that slowly digest and keep you satiated for extended while keeping your blood sugar and appetite level.

Gluten Free

Should you suffer Celiac disease or gluten intolerance, quinoa will be your new noshing best friend. Quinoa is technically a seed. However, it’s unrelated to wheat, which makes it the perfect substitute for pasta, wheat flour, oatmeal, and a whole lot. You can grind, boil, bake, steam, as well as fry quinoa.
Benefits of Eating Quinoa
Benefits of Eating Quinoa

Promotes Healthy Digestion

If you tend to have troubles within the digestion department or suffer from constipation, quinoa is one food that will encourage things to, shall we say, move along nicely. An amount of quinoa is high in soluble fiber that promotes optimal digestion and healthy, regular bowel movements.

Reduces Migraines

If you are unfortunate enough to suffer from nasty migraine headaches, then you need to be featuring quinoa in your regular weekly meal line up. Why? Quinoa is high in riboflavin, or vitamin B2, which promotes blood vessel expansion within the brain and reduces instances of migraine headaches.

Tuesday, 7 January 2014

Risk Factors for Breast Cancer

A breast cancer risk factor is anything that causes it to be more likely you'll get breast cancer. But having one or perhaps several breast cancer risk factors doesn't necessarily mean you'll develop breast cancer. Many women who develop breast cancer don't have any known risk factors other than simply being women.

Having particular factors that increase your risk doesn’t imply that you will definitely get breast cancer. Conversely, not having many risk factors doesn’t imply that you won’t. Risk factors simply increase or decrease your chances of developing the disease. So, even though you have a factor that increases your risk and you are identified as having breast cancer, there’s no way of proving the risk factor actually caused it.

Being Overweight

Overweight and obese women possess a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer when compared with women who maintain a healthy weight, especially after menopause. Being overweight may also increase the risk of the breast cancer coming back (recurrence) in women who may have had the disease.

Inherited factors

Some inherited genetic mutations may increase your breast cancer risks. Mutations within the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are the most common inherited causes. Other rare mutations could also make some women more susceptible to developing breast cancer. Gene testing reveals the existence of potential genetic problems, particularly in families that have a history of breast cancer.

Alcohol Consumption

Research has shown a causal link between alcohol consumption and breast cancer. It has been suggested that alcohol consumers might have higher levels of sex hormones from the disease compared to those who do not consume alcohol.

Dense Breast Tissue

Having dense breast tissue can increase your risk for breast cancer making lumps harder to detect. Several states have passed laws requiring physicians to reveal to women if their mammogram suggests that they have dense breasts so they are aware of this risk. Be sure to ask your physician for those who have dense breasts and what the implications of getting dense breasts are.

Family History and Genetic Factors

If your mother, sister, father or child has been identified as having breast or ovarian cancer, you have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer in the future. Your risk increases if your relative was diagnosed prior to the age of 50. 

Diet

Although there are many inconclusive studies linking diet with growth and development of breast cancer, a large review of studies implies that a high total fat intake as well as high consumption of saturated fat is associated with increased breast cancer risk. On the other hand, high consumption of phytoestrogens, particularly lignans, which are found in plants, is associated with a reduction of risk. Other foods that have been found to reduce breast cancer risk are soy-based food products and high-fiber foods.

Certain Breast Changes

If you have been diagnosed with certain benign (not cancer) breast conditions, you might have a higher risk of breast cancer. There are several types of benign breast conditions affecting breast cancer risk.

Wednesday, 25 December 2013

List of Vegetarian Diet Foods High in Protein

A vegan diet is a strict vegetarian diet which contains no animal products at all. Thus a vegan diet may provide less protein than the usual meat-based diet or a vegetarian diet that includes eggs or dairy products. More importantly, the quality of protein in a vegan diet may not be as high as with other diets. If you plan your meals to incorporate a wide variety of plant foods, however, you'll be able to have a relatively high-protein vegan diet.

This booklet will outline why athletes choose a vegetarian diet, the nutritional problems that vegetarian athletes need to consider and helpful tips for vegetarian athletes striving to maintain health and optimise their performance in training and competition.

Milk

Milk, buttermilk, paneer, and sweets or curries based on these are causes of protein in the Indian diet. Luckily we've several dishes based on these. Including these plus a regular intake of milk or buttermilk will give you good protein. A quarter litre of milk contains 8 grams of protein.

Lentils and Beans

A cup of iron-rich lentils packs 18 grams of protein, nearly as much as three ounces of steak. One cup of chickpeas, contains 15 grams of protein, along with a cup of black or kidney beans.

Legumes

These power vegetation is chock-full of protein, and you're probably already old friends with split or green peas, soybeans, chickpeas (garbanzos), black, navy, kidney and pinto beans, as well as peanuts and peanut butter.

Soya

Soy needs special mention, because it is the highest and best source of protein for vegetarian. ¼ litre of soymilk contains more protein than regular milk, and soy products like tempeh and tofu are as good as meat proteins.

Grains/Quinoa

It is because among grains, the protein content in quinoa contributes as complete protein, when compared with other grains. About a quarter cup gives 8 grams of protein. Among other grains, amaranth and wheat have the highest protein foods.

Nuts and seeds

Besides as being a protein provider, nuts and seeds are filled with those fabulous fats (including omega-3). Ideal for snacks, sandwiches, and salad toppings. Try almond butter for something new of pace (or if you have peanut allergies), walnuts, cashews, pistachios, almonds, Brazil nuts, pine nuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds (pepitas). Crunch on!

Wednesday, 4 December 2013

Ginger Tea for Weight Loss

Ginger is not often used by the majority of Americans, even though it commonly appears in the kitchens of countries across the globe. With so many healthy properties to it, it makes sense to start adding this to more of your dishes, or to start brewing a daily glass of ginger tea. It’s easy enough to make ginger tea, simply add boiling water to slices of ginger root. Adding lemon is a way to make it taste better and get more benefits from it.

Ginger should not be given to children under the age of 2 and even adults should consult with their physicians first before taking ginger especially if they are currently placed on other drugs or supplements.

Digestion

As a digestive aid, ginger can reduce appetite through its regulatory effects on blood sugar and serum cholesterol. Raw ginger as having a stabilizing effect on blood sugar, cholesterol and lipids. A few slices of fresh ginger simmered in a cup of water and consumed before a meal stimulates digestion. Studies are not conclusive, but hot water appears to increase the benefits of the ginger tea.

Cortisol Reduction

Ginger suppresses cortisol production.  But chronic stress can cause cortisol levels to rise too high. Adipose fat moves to the visceral area where it receives an increased blood supply that encourages tissues to produce an excess amount of cortisol. High cortisol levels may increase excess belly fat and weight gain.

Energy

Ginger is among the group of herbs and spices regarded as stimulants, having an effect similar to caffeine. Consume no more than 4 grams, or 2 teaspoons, of ginger per day. Pregnant women should take no more than 1 gram per day. Increased energy makes it easier to exercise and put more pep in your step, which will help you burn calories and flatten your tummy.