Posts Tagged ‘Low-fat’

Arthritis – Make some smart lifestyle choices to make a difference against it.

Arthritis is affecting our daily lives to a large extent. Scientists are discovering methods that can make a difference against arthritis by making some smart lifestyle choices. Something that really works are:

To alleviate pain, eat good diet
- Dietary changes are suspected to be the possible counters to arthritis.
- Fibre from foods protect your heart. It reduces inflammation and less swelling can definitely benefit the joints as well as heart. A good source of dietary fibre lowers the C-reactive protein. Low C-reactive protein have arthritis benefits.
- Healthy omega 3 fatty acids play a good role in reducing inflammation that is related to arthritis. Consume omega-3s in more proportion than omega-6 fatty acids that are found in vegetable oils like sesame, soy and corn.
- Intake of olive oil is better than any other oil as it is high in mono-unsaturated fatty acids and lower in omega-6s. One disadvantage is that one has to consume three and a half tablespoons of olive oil which contains 44 calories to get the anti-inflammatory benefit of a 200 mg ibuprofen pill.
- Advanced glycation end products(AGEs) such as high heat cooking contributes to arthritis. Cut down AGEs in diet by lowering the cooking temperatures.

Shed the pounds and be on a move
- It is scientifically proved that obesity increases the arthritis pain. To ease this pain, simply loose weight.
- Knee osteoarthritis which results in disability, knee replacement with sometimes poor outcomes increases the impact of arthritis.
- Obese people has a risk of around 60% – double the risk for those who are normal. Stay physically active, do regular exercise as it strengthens the muscles around the joints.
- Do some flexibility, strengthening and aerobic exercises to stay active and in shape.
- Less stress on your joints by doing exercises like swimming, yoga, cycling is better.
- Tai chi combines meditation with slow, gentle movements with deep breathing exercises relaxes the body and move vital energy throughout the body.

Supplements lose their shine
- It is still not clear whether the supplements glucosamine and chondroitin actually help arthritis sufferers.
- According to Peter Juni, MD of University of Bern pooled the results and found out that neither supplement nor a combination is associated wit an improvement in joint pain.
- trials by supplement makers showed some good benefits in pain relief.

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Lettuce – What are Lettuce Health Benefits?

Lettuce which belongs to the composite family is native to Europe and Asia but today is grown throughout the world. Lettuce can be grown in a wide variety of soils including marshy and sandy. Ample sunlight, cool weather and plenty of moisture are essential for a well developed lettuce. High temperature can lead to inferior quality.

Lettuce is one of the most delicate salads, grown as a leaf vegetable. The vegetable is usually consumed as cold and raw, in salads, hamburgers, tacos and a number of other dishes. There are basically six different types of lettuce, namely Butterhead (Boston or Bibb), Chinese lettuce, Crisphead (Iceberg), Looseleaf, Romaine (Cos) and Summer Crisp (Batavian). Usually lettuce leaves are slightly bitter; however they might be specifically bred to get rid of the bitterness.

The darker the color of the salad green, the more nutritious it is. Beta carotene is the chief disease-fighting nutrient found in the darker-colored greens. Since lettuce is very low in calories, it has been effective when consumed as a diet food. Due to its high water content, lettuce provides little health benefits beyond its nutrient content.

Health Benefits of Lettuce

- All lettuce is a good source of chlorophyll and vitamin K.
- Lettuce is very good for dieters because it is very low in calories.
- Lettuce is a good source of Iron which is the most active element in the body.
- Lettuce magnesium content has exceptional vitalizing powers especially in the muscular tissues, the brain and the nerves.
- The juice of lettuce combined with carrot and spinach juice is very helpful for maintaining the normal color of the hair.
- Lettuce is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia as it contains a sleep inducing substance.
- As an antioxidant, it battles certain cancers, heart disease, and cataracts.
- A dark-green color also indicates the presence of folic acid, which helps prevent neural tube birth defects in the beginning stages of pregnancy.
- Lettuce may also help treat the following problems; acid indigestion, anemia, arthritis, catarrh, circulatory problems, colitis, constipation, cough, diabetes, gastritis, gout, insomnia, irritable bowel, obesity, sexual addiction, stress, tuberculosis, ulcers and urinary tract diseases.

The fresher the salad, the better. When the cut surfaces are exposed to air, it diminishes the crispness as well as the nutritional quality of the lettuce.
Nutritional values Per 100g
- Calories : 14
- Vitamin E : 0,57mg
- Iron : 0,7mg
- Folate : 55 mcg
- Carotenes : 355mcg
- Potassium : 220mg
- Vitamin C : 5mg

Sweet Corn Nutrition And Health Benefits Of Sweet Corn

Corn, one of the most popular and versatile vegetables, is also a good source of several nutrients. Corn is a low-fat complex carbohydrate that deserves a regular place on any healthy table. These high-fiber, fat-fighting kernels of goodness are also hearty and satisfying.

Corn grows in “ears,” each of which is covered in rows of kernels that are then protected by the silk-like threads called “corn silk” and encased in a husk. Corn is known scientifically as Zea mays.

- Corn is a body building food.
- Corn is helpful in kidney problems including renal dysfunction.
- Corn bran is a heart protector, when eaten everyday it can lower cholesterol in the body.
- Cornstarch can prevent diaper rash.
- Corn is also beneficial in anemia and constipation.
- It helps in treating gout – boil 2 fresh cobs in 4 cups of water for 45 minutes, then strain and allow to cool. Place in the refrigerator. Drink one cup three times a day. Once there is relief, reduce your intake to one cup a day.
- Corn’s contribution to heart health lies not just in its fiber, but in the significant amounts of folate that corn supplies.
- Consuming foods rich in beta-cryptoxanthin, an orange-red carotenoid found in highest amounts in corn, pumpkin, papaya, red bell peppers, tangerines, oranges and peaches, may significantly lower one’s risk of developing lung cancer.
- Corn is a good source of thiamin, providing about one-quarter (24.0%) of the daily value for this nutrient in a single cup.
- Corn is a good source of pantothenic acid. This B vitamin is necessary for carbohydrate, protein and lipid metabolism.
- Rich Source of Calories : The calorific content of corn is 342 calories per 100grams, among the highest in cereals.
- Consumption of corn kernels assists the management of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and is effective against hypertension.
- Corn starch is used in the manufacture of many cosmetics and may also be applied topically to soothe skin rashes and irritations.

For these various reasons, the consumption of sweet corn is very necessary, as it has so many health benefits. It is a good idea to include sweet corn as a staple part of your diet to a considerable extent so as to maximize the benefits that you can glean from this rich food source.