NATURAL FOODS FOR GOOD HEALTH

We must try to cultivate a habit for taking these natural food for good health. May be due to busy lifestyle and changed food habits, we seldom keep these in our daily diet chart. Try few common ones, if not full.

Broccoli : 294 mg of potassium in just three spears. Potassium counteracts the effects of sodium by dilating blood vessels and increasing the amount sodium excreted in your urine, thus lowering blood pressure and protecting against stroke.

Almonds : One tablespoonful of almonds providees 2.2 gms of alpha- tocopherol, a type of vitamin E, which reduces the risk of Alzheimer's. Vitamin E fights free radical damage.

Cashew Nuts : High in iron, cashew nuts are great for lifting you out of blues. Taking 20 cashew medium cashew nuts three times a week is ideal. However if you are extremely calorie conscious, avoid.

Orange : A vitamin C enriched orange is what you need to face the audience. Studies proved that who take 1000mg of Vitamin C before a speech are much more relaxed than those who don’t.

Avocado : Loaded with Vitamin C & E. Avocados are excellent for keeping skin soft supple and healthy and for maintaining glossy hair. High in Omega-3 fatty acids, they help prevent wrinkles, enhance brain power and treat arthritic pain. They contain the antioxidant lutein, which has been shown to protect against eye problems and cardiovascular disease.

Walnuts : Walnuts contain melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep and also acts as a powerful antioxidant. Consuming walnut in the evening leads to sound sleep.

Sunflower seeds : One tablespoon of sunflower seeds provides 8.35 mcg of selenium. Men with high level of selenium have a 49 % lower incedence of advanced prostate cancerthan thoswe with the lowest levels.

Cucumber : It helps to maintain a youthful appearance, thanks to its hydrating and anti inflammatory properties. When ingested, the high water and balanced mineral content makes it one the best diuretics.Cucumber is rich source of silica, a mineral needed for healthy skin, bone and connective tissue. Silica also plays a major role in preventing cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis.

Flaxseeds : One tablespoon of flaxseeds will give you 2.3 grams of OMEGA-3 fatty acids (read in details about Omega-3, in "Facts about Fats" below), which are linked to reduced risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's and depression. It also inhibits cancer cell growth. (Picture of flaxseeds shown at left ).

Ginseng : Consuming Ginseng counters mental fatigue and nervous disorders. The main health benefits are derived from its roots, which are chewed to recover form bad health.

Oatmeal : A magical food. It strengthens the nervous system and has tranquilizing and relaxing effects. It can be cooked with milk or water.

Cardamom : Regular intake of cardamom sharpens and stimulates the mind. It also counters premenstrual tension and attendant irritation.

TREAT HERBAL WAY

Poor immunity : Grapefruit seed extract, burdock, black walnut and wormwood.

Skin problem : Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids – available in walnut, oily fish, hemp seed oil, pumpkin oil, flax seed oil.

Anti-aging : Oats, Brahmi, alfalfa, gingko, green tea & almonds.

Menopausal problems : For menopausal women – suffering from common symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats, leading to insomnia, fatigue and depression- soy consumption is extremely beneficial. Take it in any form – beans, milk, flour, tofu and let the constituent phytochemicals fight for you.

Male Infertility

We seldom think about our fertility or the health of sperm before marriage or before having a child. But science tells us, we should consider our fertility and be protective of it for the well being of our future children. The present day life style and environmental hazards can adversely affect our productive health.

If you want to become a father, cool your testicles, avoid long hot baths and stick to showers. Yes research confirmed that prolonged immerson in hot water affects male fertility.

Men used to spending half an hour or more in a bath shows decrease of sperm production, according to research published in the journal of Brazilian Society of Urology. Sperm needs cool surroundings to develop best which is why the testicles are outside the body. Because of this, men who want to father a child are advised not to wear tight clothing or underwear that causes too much heat to build up.

In a pilot study by the researchers, involving men with fertility problems half of those who refrained from baths saw their sparm count rise by an average of 491%.

It has been believed for decades that wet heat exposure is bad for fertility. Research has proved that believe and the evidence they got can be shown to the patients that theses recreational activities are a real risk for men.

Source : TOI 8/3/07

A survey conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi, India, revealed that those males who wear tight jean pants are less fertile than those who don't. Reason is the same heat of surrounding areas of testicles as explained above.

Source : TOI