Month: August 2014

Why Packaged Foods Harm Your Health?

Why Packaged Foods Harm Your Health

In today’s world, a normal and healthy life with naturally cooked foods has been exchanged with convenience foods. The words “rush” and “time constraint” has become common to any man’s life dictionary. Convenience or packaged foods burn your pockets leaving a hole both in your finance and health front. You pay money to buy illness to yourself—all in a package!

If you are seriously concerned about your health and today’s unhealthy lifestyle, this is an intense custom-made article just for you. When fruits and vegetables are naturally and luckily yet available next doors, people compromise on these healthy stuff with processed, cut and canned fruits and veggies. When the dosa and idli flour can be grinded at home on your weekend spare time and refrigerated for a whole week’s use, we go in for packaged flour from the shop next door—all these to compromise and convince ourselves that we are still eating traditional and staple food!

We never realise that with price and the packaging comes illness as a free supplement. It is absolutely not wrong to go in for convenience foods to take that weekend off and pamper yourself with beauty sleep, but what is the final result—you pay for both the food you buy, and the hospital you end up landing once it has done all possible harm to you. Consider naturally cooked foods and change your lifestyle. Do not blame time for it; time is always the same for everyone, making use of it effectively is unto you.

Now, if you wonder what big harm the packaged foods bring to you, here is the list of the trio that can doom your own health and your family’s too. Read on about the factors and then decide if you really want to continue this “convenience lifestyle”.

BPA- Bisphenol: BPA, the food industries’ permanent ingredient is used in all packaged foods to keep the food away from reacting with the metal or plastic or paper it comes in. This food that helps prevent corrosion of metal from your food packaging, gives neural disorders to the embryo that’s growing in your womb if you are prego. Indirectly, you administer this harmful agent to your baby right from the stage of its formation until its lifespan is completed. For the adults, BPA brings along cardiovascular diseases, endocrinology problems, heart diseases and cancer. This is one major reason why you should stay away from processed and canned foods.

Sodium: Sodium that comes naturally with every veggie and the sodium that you add from your salt shaker do no harm to you. But the packaged foods do. They are loaded with double-triple the times of sodium than what’s normal. This is just to prevent the food from getting spoilt and for a longer shelf life. For example, there is 15 times more of sodium in canned tomatoes and you can imagine what goes into your stomach when you consume these. The bag of chips and such close to heart snacks of yours is packaged with 10 times sodium than what’s normally used to give it the crispiness and long shelf life. You spend for a pack and get your BP illness free along! High levels of sodium in your diet causes fluctuation in sodium levels in your blood and this can lead even up to a heart disease.

Sulphites: Sulphites are the sulphur based components that are the preservatives added to the nicely packaged favorite food of yours. Food labels on canned vegetables may not say “sulphites” per se, but look for any of these ingredients which have sulphites in them: sulphur dioxide, potassium bisulphites, potassium metabisulphites or sodium sulphites.

Choose fresh or frozen vegetables first and canned vegetables second!

Source: Divine herbs

Effects of Cold Water After Having Meal

Effects of Cold Water After Having Meal

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this “sludge’ reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks – you should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let’s be careful and be aware. The more we know the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people; you can be sure that we ‘ill save at least one life. Read this & send the link to a friend. It could save a life. So, Please be a true friend and send this article to all your friends you care about…

Source; Ayurvedic health tips

9 Simple Home Remedies To Remove Tan From Hands and legs

Home Remedies To Remove Tan From Hands

Be it winter or summer, tanning has always been a nagging skin problem. In winters, you have the option to hide it by wearing full sleeves; but in summers there is no other option but getting rid of it once it occurs.

We worry a lot if our face gets tanned but we tend to ignore our hands. Well, don’t you think you would look even more beautiful if the skin on your hands looked as good as the skin on your face? So, don’t ignore your hands. Let’s pay equal attention to them as well so that every part of our exposed skin looks gorgeous and tan free.

Tanning is usually caused when the skin is overexposed to sunlight (owing to the harmful UVA and UVB rays) and also when you forget to apply sunscreen. Moreover, some of us tend to tan or get sunburnt faster than others. This darkened skin can be quite embarrassing, especially when the dual skin shades are easily visible. But don’t worry. There are home remedies for tan removal on hands that are very simpler than you thought.

Home Remedies To Remove Tan From Hands:

Here are a few home remedies to remove tan from hands and legs.

Remedy 1:

Take chilled yogurt in a bowl and add a pinch of turmeric or haldi to it. Mix it properly. Apply this paste daily for 20 minutes on your hands, face and neck before bathing. You can wash it off earlier during the winter season as it dries faster.

Remedy 2:

Take a cucumber and cut it into two halves. Now grate the half cucumber and keep it in a bowl. To this, add 2 tbsp milk or milk powder and few drops of lemon juice. Mix well. Apply and let it stay till it dries. Wash with normal water. Apply this weekly to get the best results.

Remedy 3:

Cut a tomato into two halves. Rub the inner side of the tomato on the skin of your hands, so that the seeds and juice come in contact with the skin, helping you to get rid of tanned skin.

Remedy 4:

Almonds are also very good at removing tan from the hands. Take 5 to 10 fresh and green almonds and grind them. Mix this paste with 5 drops of sandalwood oil. Apply this paste on the affected area. If fresh almonds aren’t available, buy almonds and soak them overnight. Now grind them next morning and follow the same procedure as you did for the fresh almonds.

Remedy 5:

Take the pulp of mashed papaya. Try rubbing it on the tanned area. This massage also helps in curing the tanned skin.

Remedy 6:

Turmeric is a natural skin care product that is capable of curing almost all common skin problems. Take turmeric and mix it with lemon juice. Stir well. Now add 1 tbsp of raw milk to it. Apply this on your hands and let it stay there till it gets dried up. Thereafter, wash it with cold water to see the visible results.

Remedy 7:

Cut a raw potato into half and rub its moist, exposed flesh on the affected areas. Let it dry and rinse off. Do this daily to see results.

Remedy 8:

Tap the benefits of the good old Aloe Vera. It is a great natural healer. It helps to relieve sunburn and fades tan. You can use the sap from a broken leaf directly on your skin. Apply this liberally and use regularly.

A lot of brands too are selling pure Aloe Vera gel these days in packaged form. You can buy a tub for yourself and keep it handy. You may mix a little rose water with the gel and apply on your skin.

Remedy 9:

This remedy is the easiest of all and can be applied anywhere and everywhere.

Just take lemon juice and apply it directly on your hands. Let it stay for 15 minutes. Now wash it off with cold water. Lemon juice contains citric acid which effectively lightens the skin and fades away tan. However, this treatment can be a bit drying for your skin, so don’t forget to moisturize afterwards.

Just follow any of these simple home remedies for removing tan from hands. But it is also very important to take care of your skin so that it is safe from the sun’s harmful rays.

Important And Basic Tips To Prevent Sun Tan:

  •  Cover your hands properly before stepping out in the sun to avoid direct impact.
  • If you can’t cover them, then apply a good sunscreen to keep the skin protected. Apply a sunscreen with at least SPF 30 liberally and half an hour before sun exposure. If you skip sunscreen because you sweat a lot, look for a ‘non-comedogenic’ one as this will not clog your pores.
  •  Drink lots of water. This helps you to keep your skin hydrated from inside out, thus reducing the risk of the skin drying. It increases the cell turnover and lets your skin rejuvenate and renew itself.
  •  Moisturize your hands, that is, hydrate your skin externally too by applying a moisturizer that contains natural fruit acids on a regular basis. This will aid tan removal from the skin.
  •  Exfoliation really helps to remove natural tan from your skin. It helps to slough off the top layers of dead skin, leaving fresh skin beneath. Hence, you should incorporate this in your weekly skin care routine.

Just use a good body scrub and a loofah to exfoliate your skin using gentle circular motions while you are in the shower. Pick up a good drugstore body scrub. The Body Shop has many varieties available.

You can make your own exfoliator at home using natural ingredients from your kitchen shelf. For this, mix together olive oil, 1 cup of crushed brown sugar and add some freshly squeezed lime juice.

Source: style craze

Top 15 Foods for Kidney Health

Most of us know that eating a balanced diet is important for good health. Now scientists have pinpointed certain foods as super foods. In addition to promoting overall health, these are foods for kidney health as well.

To understand why they’re called super foods, we first have to understand oxidation and free radicals. Oxidation is a normal bodily process for producing energy and is part of many chemical changes in your body. However, it can sometimes lead to the production of molecules called free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that bounce wildly around inside your body, damaging proteins, genes and cell membranes. Free radicals are believed to contribute to aging and many chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

Top-15-Super-foods-to-boost-kidney-health

The good news is super foods contain antioxidants that help neutralize free radicals. Even in relatively low amounts, antioxidants can help slow or stop the rate of oxidation caused by free radicals. Examples of antioxidants include flavonoids, lycopene and vitamins C, E and beta-carotene.
Super foods for your kidneys

If you are on dialysis or have chronic kidney disease (CKD), you’ll be glad to know that there are lots of super foods, containing antioxidants and other health-supporting properties, included in the kidney diet. People with kidney disease experience more inflammation and have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease than those without kidney problems. If you have kidney disease, it’s important that you consult a renal dietitian and follow a kidney diet. Including super foods in your kidney diet eating plan can help you increase your intake of nutrients and antioxidants.

Here’s a list of the top 15 kidney-friendly super foods. These foods are good for everyone, not just people with kidney disease, so by using them in your family’s meals, you’ll be helping your loved ones enjoy good health too.

1. Red bell peppers
Red bell peppers are a good choice for those concerned about kidney health, because they’re low in potassium. In addition, they add color and taste to any dish, while packing a generous portion of vitamins A, C, B6, folic acid and fiber. They also contain the antioxidant lycopene, which protects against certain types of cancer.

If you’re following the kidney diet, it’s easy to add red bell peppers to your food plan. Mix them into tuna or chicken salad or eat raw with dip. Roasted, they’re great for topping sandwiches or green salads. Chop them up for use in egg dishes, such as omelets or scrambled eggs, add them to kabobs for grilling or stuff them with a ground beef or turkey mixture for a tasty baked entrée.

2. Cabbage
Crunchy cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable filled with phytochemicals, chemical compounds found in certain fruits and vegetables. Phytochemicals work to break apart free radicals. Many phytochemicals are believed to combat cancer and support cardiovascular health.

Inexpensive cabbage is a great addition to your eating plan, because it’s also high in vitamins K and C, high in fiber and a good source of vitamin B6 and folic acid, yet it’s low in potassium, so it’s especially kidney-friendly.

If you’re following the dialysis diet, add cabbage by turning it into coleslaw or use as a topping for fish tacos. Cabbage can be boiled, steamed or microwaved and then enjoyed with a touch of butter or cream cheese and a sprinkling of pepper or caraway seeds. Other nutritious meal options include cabbage rolls and stuffed cabbage.

3. Cauliflower
Another kidney-friendly super food is cauliflower. This cruciferous vegetable brings lots of vitamin C to your plate, along with folate and fiber. In addition it contains compounds that help your liver neutralize toxic substances.

Cauliflower can be eaten raw with dip or in salads. Steamed or boiled, it can be seasoned and turned into a great side dish. You can even mash cauliflower as a dialysis-friendly replacement for mashed potatoes.

4. Garlic
Garlic is good for reducing inflammation and lowering cholesterol. It also has antioxidant and anti-clotting properties. (Cooking garlic will not affect its antioxidant properties, but it will reduce its anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory effects.)
If you’re following the dialysis diet, use garlic powder instead of garlic salt to add extra flavor to your meals without adding extra sodium. Garlic can be used in cooking many dishes: meat, vegetables or tomato sauce, for instance. Once you start cooking with garlic, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without it.

5. Onion
Another popular food used for seasoning is the onion. Onion is full of flavonoids, particularly quercetin. Flavonoids are natural chemicals that prevent the deposit of fatty material in blood vessels and add pigmentation (color) to plants. Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to help reduce heart disease and protect against many forms of cancer. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

Low in potassium, onions are not only kidney-friendly; they also contain chromium, a mineral that assists your body with the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.
Onions can be enjoyed raw or cooked in a variety dishes.

6. Apples
An apple a day really does help keep the doctor away! High in fiber and anti-inflammatory properties, apples help reduce cholesterol, prevent constipation, protect against heart disease and decrease your risk of cancer.
Renal-friendly apples can be eaten raw or cooked. Or get their health benefits by drinking apple juice or cider.

7. Cranberries
Cranberries are great for preventing urinary tract infections, because they make urine more acidic and help keep bacteria from attaching to the inside of the bladder. They’ve also been shown to protect against cancer and heart disease.
Although we think of cranberries as a holiday side dish, cranberry juice can be enjoyed daily for added nutrition. Or toss a handful of dried cranberries into your cereal or salad.

8. Blueberries
These tasty berries get their blue color from antioxidant compounds called anthocyanidins. Blueberries get high marks for nutrition, thanks to natural compounds that reduce inflammation and lots of vitamin C and fiber. They also contain manganese, which contributes to healthy bones.
Use blueberries to top off your morning cereal, whip them up in a fruit smoothie or enjoy them in a baked treat, such as muffins or crisp.

9. Raspberries
Raspberries contain a compound called ellagic acid, which helps neutralize free radicals. The berry’s red color comes from antioxidants called anthocyanins. Raspberries are packed with fiber, vitamin C and manganese. They also have plenty of folate, a B vitamin. Raspberries have properties that help stop cancer cell growth and the formation of tumors.
Sprinkle fresh raspberries on cereal, or whip them up in a kidney-friendly fruit smoothie.

10. Strawberries
Strawberries are rich in two types of antioxidants, plus they contain lots of vitamin C, manganese and fiber. They have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties and also help keep your heart healthy.
Like most berries, they’re wonderful on cereal or in smoothies. Add whipped topping for a quick dessert, or puree them for a fresh addition to pound or angel food cake.

11. Cherries
Cherries are filled with antioxidants and phytochemicals that protect your heart. When eaten daily, they have been shown to reduce inflammation.
Fresh cherries make a delicious snack. Of course, cherry pie is a popular dessert, but there’s also cherry crisp, cherry cheesecake and even cherry coffee cake. Cherry sauce makes a nice accompaniment to lamb or pork.

12. Red grapes
The color in red grapes comes from several flavonoids. These are good for your heart, because they prevent oxidation and reduce the chance of blood clots. One flavonoid in grapes, resveratrol, may boost production of nitric oxide, which increases muscle relaxation in blood vessels for better blood flow. Flavonoids also help protect you from cancer and prevent inflammation.
Choose those with red or purple skin grapes for the highest flavonoid content. Eat grapes as a snack. When frozen, they make a good thirst-quencher for those on a fluid-restricted diet. Add grapes to fruit or chicken salad. Or drink grape juice.

13. Egg whites
Did you know that egg whites are pure protein? They provide the highest quality protein there is, along with all of the essential amino acids. If you’re on the kidney diet, it’s good to note that egg whites have less phosphorus than other protein sources, such as egg yolks or meats.
Use egg whites for omelets or egg white sandwiches. You can also add them to smoothies or shakes. Hard boil eggs and use the whites to use in tuna or green salads.

14. Fish
Another high-quality source of protein is fish. Both the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association recommend that you include fish in your meal plan two or three times a week. Besides being a great source of protein, fish contains anti-inflammatory fats called omega-3s. These healthy fats help prevent diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. They also help lower LDL (the bad cholesterol) and raise HDL (the good cholesterol).

The types of fish that have the most omega-3s are salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, herring and rainbow trout.

15. Olive oil
Research has shown that people in countries where olive oil is used instead of other types of oils tend to have lower rates of cancer and heart disease. This is believed to be due to olive oil’s many good components: oleic acid, an anti-inflammatory fatty acid which protects against oxidation and polyphenols and antioxidant compounds that prevent inflammation and oxidation.
Use virgin or extra virgin olive oil – they’re higher in antioxidants. Olive oil can be used in cooking or to make salad dressing, as a dip for bread and as a marinade for vegetables.

Source: health digezt

Renew beauty regime for monsoon season

Renew beauty regime for monsoon season

The monsoon season poses a challenge for many to look tip top all the time, but you can ease your woes by following some tips for your hair and skin.
Visit a spa or salon once in a while to rejuvenate. Here are a few tips by a specialist from hair and beauty salon Naturals:

  •  Get funky with your hair colour this monsoon. Get a somber look or highlight your hair with full head highlights or colour stripping treatments.
  •  Brighten up your gloomy day with vibrant Nail Art in bold colours.
  •  During monsoon, the hair becomes limp and loses its sheen. So, a trip to the salon for a Protein Restore Treatment will never leave you disappointed. Also, tame your tresses with an oil massage.
  •  Keep your make-up to a bare minimum. Humidity and frequent downpours can accelerate oil-secretion, so, using non-greasy and light make-up provides a clean matte finish. Also, always opt for waterproof brands.
  • Some home remedies can also come in handy!
  •  Papaya works as a great de tanner; curd clears blemishes; aloe vera soothes the skin; and lavender boosts rejuvenation.
  •  To eliminate roughness, try this – take some almond paste, mix this with some milk to make a smooth and thick paste. You can also mix almond oil with milk cream to make a winter face pack. Apply the pack to get a smooth and flawless skin.

Source: The Express

One more dies of Encephalitis in WB, toll mounts to 117

Encephalitis-ou39646One more dies of Encephalitis in WB, toll mounts to 117

One person died today from Encephalitis while five new cases were reported from north Bengal, a senior health department official said.

“The toll in West Bengal rose to 117 since January this year after a patient, who was admitted few days back, died today at the North Bengal Medical College (NBMC),” state Health Services director Biswaranjan Satpathy said.

Five new cases were reported from different hospitals in north Bengal, he said. Another person, hailing from Assam, was today admitted at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine here with signs of suspected Japanese Encephalitis, he said.

“We are suspecting it as a case of Japanese Encephalitis. Tests have been conducted and we are waiting for the results,” Satpathy added.

Source: business standard

Middle-aged drinking ‘impairs memory’

Problem drinking in middle age doubles the risk of memory loss in later life, research suggests. A US study found men and women in their 50s and 60s with a history of alcohol abuse were more likely to have memory problems up to two decades later.

The study, in The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, adds to growing evidence that excessive drinking can impair mental processing later. Researchers say it is a public health issue that needs to be addressed.

Middle-aged drinking 'impairs memory'

Scientists questioned 6,500 US middle-aged adults about their past alcohol consumption. They were asked three specific questions:

  • Had people annoyed them by criticising their drinking?
  • Had they ever felt guilty or bad about their drinking?
  • Had they ever had a drink first thing in the morning to steady nerves or get over a hangover?

Those who answered yes to one of these questions were considered to have a problem with alcohol. They had more than double the risk of developing severe memory impairment, the study found.

“We know that alcohol is bad for the brain in general, but it’s not just how much you drink but how it affects you,” lead researcher, Dr Iain Lang, from the University of Exeter Medical School.

“The amount that you drink is important – what is also important is if you experience any problems in your drinking or if other people tell you you have a problem.”

He advised drinking within recommended daily and weekly amounts and to cut down if affected by any of the items in the questionnaire, as this could increase dementia risk.

Hidden cost
Dr Doug Brown, director of research and development at the Alzheimer’s Society charity, said there was a hidden cost of alcohol abuse, given mounting evidence that alcohol misuse can impact on cognition later in life.

“This small study shows that people who admitted to alcohol abuse at some point in their lives were twice as likely to have severe memory problems, and as the research relied on self-reporting that number may be even higher.

“This isn’t to say that people need to abstain from alcohol altogether. As well as eating a healthy diet, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight, the odd glass of red wine could even help reduce your risk of developing dementia.”

Dr Eric Karran, science director at Alzheimer’s Research UK, said: “Although studies such as this one can be very useful for observing health trends, it’s important to note that they are not able to show cause and effect, and it’s not clear whether other factors may also have influenced these results.”

Source: bbc news

Is Soy Bad For You or Good? Find the Truth Here

Soy is one of the largest cultivated crops in the US and used as the main protein source by most vegetarians or vegans. There seems to be a lot of confusion whether soy is good for your health or not. For decades the mainstream media has been telling us how healthy soy products are. But have those million dollar campaigns tricked us into believing something that’s not true?

Well the answers is YES. Soy is not healthy. It causes major health problems and its production is destroying our planet. There are hundreds of research studies linking soy to malnutrition, allergic reactions, thyroid disorders, immune issues, digestive disorders, infertility, cancer, and heart diseases.

So if you think soy is a health food, just like I thought, then you have been the victim of smart marketing campaigns over the past years.

But What About Asian People? They Eat Tons Of Soy And Are In Good Health.

Is Soy Bad For You or Good

We all assume Asian people eat tons of soy, and since they are thin and in good health, soy must be the superfood the media claims it to be. Or is this just an illusion?

To be honest I have been to Asia a few times and they are not the big soy-eaters we think they are. Soy based foods are served as a condiment and never as a main meal or replacement for animal protein. And another big difference, all their soy products are fermented in contrary to what you get on your plate in the West.

Soy’s History

Originally soy was an inedible plant used as a rotating crop to fix nitrogen in the soil. Ancient Asian people were aware that soy contained many toxins (such as saponines, goitrogens, hemagglutinin, oxalates, phytates, protease, estrogens, etc.), making it unsafe for consumption. Only after discovering that soy’s toxins could be neutralized through fermentation they started to use fermented soy products in small amounts for cooking.

The soy industry made massive investments in marketing campaigns, and that’s how unfermented and overly processed soy products like soymilk, tofu, soy cheese, burgers, and ice cream ended up on our kitchen tables.

So in contrary to what we think, Asians do not use soy (as we know it) as their main source of protein and all soy is fermented.

The Hidden Dangers Of Soy

Our western market is flooded with unfermented soy products that we should avoid at all cost. Before going into detail about the risks, I want to share with you my personal experience with soy.

3 years ago I decided to eat less meat, and soy became my main source of protein. After 2 months all my breast glands where painfully swollen, my hormones were a total mess, and they found calcifications in both breasts. These calcifications can be the onset for breast cancer. Luckily it didn’t come so far, but the thought scared the hell out of me. I stopped all soy intake and everything went back to normal in less than a week or 2.

Health Risk Of Soy Products

Although soybeans are complete proteins with moderate amounts of fat and considered a good alternative for animal protein, these 8 reasons will definitely change your mind, if my personal story didn’t give you enough proof to stay as far as possible from unfermented soy like tofu, edamame, soy milk and soy burger.

1. Estrogen-like Phytochemicals

Soybeans contain phytoestrogens, which act like natural estrogen and can seriously mess up your hormones. And not only women are affected. Men, children and newborns as well.

For men, raised estrogen levels mess up testosterone levels and may cause infertility, low libido, low sperm count, man boobs, fat accumulation around the waist, energy loss, and it increases the risk of cancer (especially prostate cancer).

For women, raised estrogen levels cause estrogen dominance which is linked to infertility, disrupt endocrine system, menstrual issues, and increased risk of cancer (especially breast cancer).

Newborns who are consuming soy formula are daily consuming an amount of estrogens that equals the amount of 4 to 5 birth control pills! Your baby needs a balanced hormonal system for its normal development. Especially baby boys are affected. Too much estrogens can mess up the development of the testicles and other issues may appear when they grow older (lack of facial hair, prostate cancer, thyroid malfunctions, and emasculation).

2. Affects Absorption Of Essential Minerals And Vitamins

Soy has very high levels of phytic acids. These inhibit the absorption of essential minerals like zinc, calcium, magnesium, iron and copper. Soy also contains protease inhibitors, which block the function of important enzymes necessary for the digestion of proteins.

Eating soy regularly will increase your body’s need for vitamin D and B12. People who often eat soy make their B12 deficiency much worse. And that is bad news for the vegetarians and vegans who are already at higher risk of vitamin B12 deficiency. Just as with the estrogens, soy contains vitamin B12-like compounds that can’t be used by our body.

3. Thyroid Disruptor

Soy contains high levels of goitogens. These compounds slow down thyroid function and disturb the thyroids ability to use iodine. This can lead to hypothyroidism, or and under-performing thyroid gland. Especially women are at risk.

Goitrogens can also be found in cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, cabbage), but in smaller amounts and these are removed when vegetables are cooked, which is not the case for soy-products.

4. Free Glutamic Acid (MSG)

MSG is potentially neurotoxic and is formed during the processing of soybeans. And if that isn’t bad enough, they add more to mask soy’s natural bad flavor. MSG can change the normal activity of the nervous system and damage nerve tissue.

5. High Levels Of Aluminum

MSGs are not the only thing found in final soy products. When soybeans are processed they are washed with acids in aluminum tanks. During the process high levels of aluminum end up in the final product.

6. Almost All Soy Is GMO

More than 80% of all soy grown in the US is genetically modified to make the plants resistant to a toxic herbicide (Roundup). GM soy has often been associated with allergies and an increased risk of infertility.

7. Not A Good Alternative For Celiac and Gluten Intolerant People

Although soy does not contain gluten, its lectins can damage your intestines and prevent your gut from healing.

8. Not Good For our Planet

And soy is not only wreaking havoc on our bodies, it is ruining our planet and poisoning our livestock as well. Actually they see the same issues appearing in animals that are fed with soy.

And one last thing, soy is a very destructive crop. It depletes the soil from its essential nutrients and the crops are heavenly sprayed and processed afterwards.

Source: healthy and natural world

Ebola Warning: CDC Issues Travel Advisory for West Africa

Ebola Warning CDC Issues Travel Advisory for West Africa

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention upgraded its travel advisory for West Africa Thursday because of the raging Ebola outbreak, saying people should avoid nonessential travel to Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.

“This Level 3 travel warning is a reflection of the worsening Ebola outbreak in this region,” CDC said in a statement.

““This is the biggest and most complex Ebola outbreak in history. Far too many lives have been lost already,” said CDC Director Dr. Tom Frieden. “It will take many months, and it won’t be easy, but Ebola can be stopped. We know what needs to be done. CDC is surging our response, sending 50 additional disease control experts to the region in the next 30 days.”

Source: nbc news

Beware! Teenagers active in evenings more prone to insomnia

Have you witnessed your teenage son getting more active in the evenings compared to rest of the day? He may be prone to develop insomnia in addition to depression and anxiety.

Teenagers who are more active in the evenings are more likely to have depression and insomnia, research finds. Such people are also more likely to have obsessive-compulsive disorder, separation anxiety and social phobia.

Beware! Teenagers active in evenings more prone to insomnia

“Our findings suggest that the ‘eveningness’ chronotype – being more active in the evenings – is an independent risk factor for insomnia and depression,” said Pasquale Alvaro from University of Adelaide’s school of psychology.

In many countries, nearly 11 percent of teenagers aged 13-16 years experience insomnia at some stage. Having insomnia in addition to anxiety or depression can further intensify the problems being experienced with each individual disorder.

“It can lead to such problems as alcohol and drug misuse during adolescence,” Alvaro added. To reach this conclusion, Alvaro surveyed more than 300 Australian high school students aged 12-18 to better understand their sleep habits, mental health condition and the time of day they were most active.

He found that the presence of insomnia was independently linked with depression, generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder among teenagers. The results were published in the journal Sleep Medicine.
Source: India