Our bodies are made up of about 70% water and we must drink water constantly to stay alive. Water prevents constipation, cushions your joints, protects organs and tissues and cools down the body. You can survive more than a month without food, but without water, the human body can function for only about a week. Yet most of us do not drink our daily requirement of eight to ten glasses of water each day.
There are a variety of reasons to drink plenty of water each day. Water helps carry essential nutrients to all our cells, aids in circulation and digestion, and helps carry away the metabolic waste products, such as lactic acid, urea, uric acid, and ammonia.
Mild dehydration can cause fatigue and difficulty concentrating. The best way to prevent dehydration is to have plenty of water to drink before starting any activities. It is also a good idea to drink a glass of water when you get up and one at bedtime, and have water with your meals instead of soda and coffee. On hot summer days you should drink more plenty of water, especially if you are outdoors in the sun and heat.
Selasa, 09 Februari 2010
Jumat, 05 Februari 2010
Nutrition for infants and babies
Producing healthy children is one of the most important roles we have as parents. Nutrition is the key to growth and development of an infant. Breastfeeding is the best source of nutrition for infants. Until solid foods are introduced - breast milk can be a complete source of nutrition for infants. There is no question about that in the mind of anyone. Breast milk is easy to digest, always available, comes at the rigth feeding temperatures, and carries little infectious risk. A mother's milk has amount of fat, sugar, water, and protein that is needed for a baby's growth and development.
At 4 to 6 months, infants require additional iron, preferably in the form of iron-fortified cereal. Although such young infants are unable to swallow much of the food or to digest completely what they do swallow, solid foods were thought to help the baby grow and sleep through the night. Iron is essential for growth and development, and iron-deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the United States.
At 4 to 6 months, infants require additional iron, preferably in the form of iron-fortified cereal. Although such young infants are unable to swallow much of the food or to digest completely what they do swallow, solid foods were thought to help the baby grow and sleep through the night. Iron is essential for growth and development, and iron-deficiency anemia is the most common nutritional deficiency in the United States.
Selasa, 02 Februari 2010
Garlic for Heart Health
To tap into the heart-healthy effects of garlic, consider choosing the freshly crushed herb over the dried variety. In a recent study, researchers found that fresh-crushed garlic may be richer in hydrogen sulfide (a compound said to relax the blood vessel and stimulate circulation).
For the study, investigators fed freshly crushed garlic and processed garlic to lab rats recovering from simulated heart attacks. While both types of garlic reduced damage to the heart, the fresh-crushed form more effectively restored blood flow to the aorta. The study's authors attribute this effect to the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a substance that dried garlic is unable to produce.
Past studies have shown that garlic may moderately cut cholesterol and help keep blood pressure in check. A popular cold remedy, garlic has also been found to possess virus-fighting properties.
For the study, investigators fed freshly crushed garlic and processed garlic to lab rats recovering from simulated heart attacks. While both types of garlic reduced damage to the heart, the fresh-crushed form more effectively restored blood flow to the aorta. The study's authors attribute this effect to the presence of hydrogen sulfide, a substance that dried garlic is unable to produce.
Past studies have shown that garlic may moderately cut cholesterol and help keep blood pressure in check. A popular cold remedy, garlic has also been found to possess virus-fighting properties.
Rabu, 27 Januari 2010
Healthy Eating Habits While Breastfeeding
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that infants receive breast milk for at least the first 12 months of life and beyond for as long as mutually desired by mother and child. The time you spend for breastfeeding your baby is a relatively brief and very special period in your life that you will remember with fondness and pride. Breastfeeding provides an excellent opportunity to enhance a true symbiotic bond between mother and child.
For breastfeeding mom, your body will provide your baby with all the nutrients she needs, even if it means taking them from you. Even mothers who are nutritionally deprived can nurse their babies, but mothers who have better diets can provide better-quality milk to their babies. As long as you eats a variety of nourishing foods and gets 15 minutes of sunshine on most days to ensure that you body manufactures sufficient vitamin D, you can be assured that your milk will satisfy the vitamin and mineral requirements for healthy baby. Keep eating lots of fresh fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and be sure to get plenty of lean protein.
For breastfeeding mom, your body will provide your baby with all the nutrients she needs, even if it means taking them from you. Even mothers who are nutritionally deprived can nurse their babies, but mothers who have better diets can provide better-quality milk to their babies. As long as you eats a variety of nourishing foods and gets 15 minutes of sunshine on most days to ensure that you body manufactures sufficient vitamin D, you can be assured that your milk will satisfy the vitamin and mineral requirements for healthy baby. Keep eating lots of fresh fruits, veggies, and whole grains, and be sure to get plenty of lean protein.
Minggu, 24 Januari 2010
Healthy Food for Diabetics
Diabetes has become an epidemic, affecting millions of Americans. A person with diabetes takes insulin to control the blood glucose. Diabetics must strictly control their intake of calories and macronutrients and balance their food consumption and exercise against their insulin intake or their body's production of insulin. Sugar-heavy foods such as candy, soft drinks, desserts, cookies, syrup, honey, and jams and jellies are usually avoided.
Kamis, 21 Januari 2010
Healthy Fast Food
Today obesity became epidemic in the world, with fast food as one of its factor. The obvious reasons fast food become popular is consumers want fast, easy, and flavorful food to fit their busy lifestyles. Fast food is fun to eat occasionally, but it is not healthy to eat too much of it. Easy access to fast food and limited access to healthy food options can contribute to overweight and obesity.
Whether at a fast-food restaurant or at home, making healthy food choices is important. I know healthy fast food sounds like an oxymoron, but there's no reason fast food can't taste food and be nutritious at the same time. Although the typical fast food meal remains a burger, fries, and a carbonated drink, many restaurants increasingly offer other, more healthful options, such as baked potatoes and salads. Healthy fast-food choices include lean meats, whole-grain breads, low-fat or fat-free milk, fruits, and vegetables.
Whether at a fast-food restaurant or at home, making healthy food choices is important. I know healthy fast food sounds like an oxymoron, but there's no reason fast food can't taste food and be nutritious at the same time. Although the typical fast food meal remains a burger, fries, and a carbonated drink, many restaurants increasingly offer other, more healthful options, such as baked potatoes and salads. Healthy fast-food choices include lean meats, whole-grain breads, low-fat or fat-free milk, fruits, and vegetables.
Senin, 18 Januari 2010
Healthy Foods to Keep a Heart Healthy
The basic rules for keeping your heart healthy are simple; eat low-fat foods, and avoid being overweight. Fat intake puts you at risk for a heart attack, high blood pressure and other serious health problems. Eating foods that are low in saturated fat and cholesterol is a crucial piece of a heart healthy diet.
There are different ways that foods help decrease the risk of heart disease, including lowering blood lipids so fatty plaque is less likely to be deposited in the arteries, making components of the blood less likely to stick together, and making our arterial walls more flexible.
There are different ways that foods help decrease the risk of heart disease, including lowering blood lipids so fatty plaque is less likely to be deposited in the arteries, making components of the blood less likely to stick together, and making our arterial walls more flexible.