Heart Health& B3

• Vitamin B3, also known as niacin, plays many vital roles in the body:
  1. It lowers harmful cholesterol levels while raising the more protectiveHDL cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart disease. Some studies show a cardiovascular risk reductioneffect as the HDL level rises. Being sure to incorporate regular exercise and healthy fats like olive oil, avocado and nuts will help keepHDL up as well.
  2. It may reduce the incidence of asthma-induced wheezing.
  3. It may be helpful in treating or preventing atherosclerosis, second heart attacks, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoarthritis.

  Chicken breast, tuna and veal are good dietary sources of niacin as are truly whole grains.

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Why Chia Should Be Part Of Your Healthy Diet

Perhaps best known as the source of “fur” on novelty planters called Chia Pets, chia is the highly nutritious seed of a desert plant called Salvia hispanica. An important part of the diet of ancient Aztecs and Mayans, chia seed is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, as well as vital minerals including calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.

It has a nutty flavor and gives some added consistency to your foods – try sprinkling whole or ground seeds on cereal, yogurt or salads, or grind and mix them with flour when baking. Chia is undergoing a well-deserved renaissance and is widely available online and in natural food stores. Seek out organic versions and experiment on all kinds of foods – you’ll likely find it a tasty addition to your diet!

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* This article was originally published here

Home remedies to say bye to wrinkles - India Today

Home remedies to say bye to wrinkles  India Today

* This article was originally published here

Can Coconut Oil Be Unhealthy?

While I am increasingly persuaded that consuming modest amounts (no more than two tablespoons daily) of natural saturated fats such as virgin coconut oil is not hazardous, I still recommend extra-virgin olive oil, nuts or avocados as the main sources of fat in the diet. The bottom line is that coconut oil is 82 percent saturated fat and may be as bad for your heart as other oils high in saturated fat, such as butter, beef fat, and palm oil – all of which should be consumed in moderation, as excess saturated fat may raise levels of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and LDL cholesterol which increase cardiovascular risk.

While it is possible that coconut oil is less harmful than other saturated fats, I use it more on my skin than I do in my diet. Although I prefer skin care products with natural anti-inflammatory activity, some components of coconut oil have been studied for their benefits to both skin and hair. The lauric acid found in coconut oil is available in a wide variety of skin and hair care products, including body and facial cleansers, soap and sunscreens. Clinical research supports the safety of these products in general, and the utility of coconut oil to help moisturize skin in particular.

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3 Reasons You Should Be Eating Tomatoes This Summer

This fruit, which many consider to be a vegetable due to its lack of sweetness, is a seasonal staple. Chopped in salads, sliced with fresh buffalo mozzarella, pureed for gazpacho or eaten fresh off the vine, a ripe tomato in summertime is a delicious and healthful treat. Tomatoes are:

1. Low in calories.
2. Excellent sources of vitamin C, and provide vitamins A and K, potassium, manganese and fiber.
3. A source of lycopene – researchers have linked the lycopene (a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red color) with a lowered risk of heart disease and cancers, including those of the prostate, breast, colon and lung, as well as being helpful in lowering high cholesterol. To get the tomatoes with the most lycopene content, choose smaller sized ones with the darkest red color.

To get the full health benefit of tomatoes, especially their lycopene-driven and anti-cancer potential, keep in mind that carotenoids are fat-soluble and are better absorbed into the body when eaten lightly cooked and paired with healthy, monounsaturated fats such as extra-virgin olive oil.

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Can Certain Foods Be Bad For The Thyroid?

If thyroid health is of concern to you, you should be aware of the foods that contain natural goitrogens. These chemicals can cause the thyroid gland to enlarge by interfering with thyroid hormone synthesis. Common food goitrogens include cruciferous vegetables, such as cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli and cauliflower (corn, sweet potatoes and lima beans are other sources). If you eat generous amounts of cruciferous veggies (which ideally should be the case!), you can inactivate much of the goitrogens by cooking them – try lightly steaming them, so you can retain the benefits of the antioxidant and cancer-protective effects cruciferous vegetables offer. The bottom line is that I believe it is far better to eat a wide variety of these healthful veggies regularly than avoid them, especially when preparing them cooked.

Another goitrogen source may be soy. Excess consumption of soy can affect thyroid function, but is generally only a problem in those taking levothyroxine or other thyroid replacement medication. If you are on such medication, tell your doctor how much soy you consume so your dosage can be adjusted, if necessary. You should also know that if you eat soy foods at the same time that you take thyroid hormone, they may directly interfere with its absorption. To be safe, do not eat soy within three hours of taking your medication. Moderate soy consumption should not be a problem – that means one serving a day of whole, organic soy products, such as one cup of soy milk or a half cup of tofu, soy protein (tempeh), or crispy soy nuts.

Overall, use the moderation rule with these very healthy foods. Avoiding them completely means you miss out on the beneficial compounds and fibers, so find a balance that does not overdo it, and make them a consistent and regular part of your diet. Keep your healthcare provider updated though, and have your labs measured regularly so that your thyroid hormone levels and medications can be balanced properly.

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7 home remedies to get rid of skin rashes in children during monsoon - Moneycontrol

7 home remedies to get rid of skin rashes in children during monsoon  Moneycontrol

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