Healthwizard

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Benefits of Mango

Posted on | April 6, 2009 | No Comments

Health Benefits of Mango :

1. Mangoes contain phenols, this phenolic compound have powerful antioxidant and anticancer abilities.
2. Mango is high in iron, pregnant women and people with anemia are advised to eat this fruit regularly.
3. Mango is effective in relieving clogged pores of the skin.
4. It is also valuable to combat acidity and poor digestion.
5. Mango is high in antioxidant and low in carbohydrates.
6. Mango is a rich source of vitamin A(beta-carotene), E and Selenium which help to protect against heart disease and other ailments.

Other cases where Mango is beneficial ;

* Kidney problems including nephritis.
* Fever
* Respiratory problems
* Constipation

Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm.

* Vitamin A : 6,350 I.U.
* Vitamin B : Thiamine .06 mg.;
* Vitamin C : 41 mg.
* Calcium : 9 mg.
* Phosphorus : 13 mg.
* Protein : .7 gm.
* Calories : 66

Benefits of Breakfast

Posted on | February 12, 2008 | 2 Comments

You’ve heard it before: “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Ever wonder why? Breakfast is important for refueling your body after a night’s sleep. The eight or more hour time span between dinner and breakfast is the longest span between any of three meals of the day. While you are sleeping, the body needs fuel to keep your heart beating, nerves transmitting, and cells dividing, just to name a few. Much of that fuel comes from the readily available stores of glucose in the blood, liver and muscles. By sunrise, the body is essentially in a fasting mode. That first meal of the day literally breaks the fast. That’s why breakfast is so important, especially if you exercise in the morning. If you skip breakfast, blood sugar levels drop, fatigue, poor concentration, irritability and lethargy results. During intense or long duration exercise, your muscles need the fast-burning energy that comes from carbohydrates. Without it, your performance will suffer because of low blood sugars and depleted energy stores. A quick high-carbohydrate breakfast that includes a low-fat protein source may be all it takes to boost your morning workouts and keep your energy levels high throughout the day. Some good breakfast choices include: 4 Whole-grain cereal, a banana and skim milk 4 Egg substitute, whole-wheat toast and ½ a grapefruit. 4 A whole-wheat toaster waffle topped with fat-free sour cream and fresh blueberries 4 A flour tortilla or pita pocket filled with cottage cheese and fresh fruit.4 A low-fat whole-wheat bran muffin topped with applesauce and yogurt 4 An English muffin topped with an ounce of low-fat melted cheese and a glass of orange juice. 4 A cinnamon-raisin bagel topped with peanut butter and banana slices. Other good reasons to eat breakfast:

By eating a nutritious breakfast, one that includes at least one serving of fruit, you have better chances of reaching the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Dozens of studies have shown that people who eat plenty of fruit and vegetables have a lower risk of heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases.

Start your day with a bowl of breakfast cereal, and you’re more likely to get all the nutrients you need. That’s because most cereals these days are fortified with many of the important vitamins and minerals your body needs to stay healthy.

The best breakfast cereals are rich in fiber, something most of us don’t get enough of. Experts say we need 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day to be our healthiest. In a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in September 1999, Harvard University scientists found that women who ate 23 grams of fiber a day, mostly from cereal, were 23% less likely to have heart attacks than those who consumed only 11 grams.

If you’re trying to drop a few pounds, sitting down to a healthy, high-fiber breakfast could be the key to success. One reason may be that high-fiber foods fill you up on fewer calories. Fiber also slows the digestive process, which in turn wards off hunger pangs later. That’s especially important in the morning.

Finally, the key to a healthy start to your day is to follow these simple rules: If you’re a seasoned breakfast skipper, consider changing your ways and start eating breakfast, even if you aren’t hungry. It takes two to three weeks to reset the appetite clock. After that, you should notice a boost in energy and fewer problems with overeating later in the day. Make sure breakfast includes at least one, preferably two, servings of fruit.

smoking (contd)

Posted on | February 11, 2008 | No Comments

Will nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) help?

There are several drugs available to help you succeed to stop smoking and lessen the withdrawal symptoms.

Nicotine replacement therapies are scientifically proven to improve many smokers’ chances of quitting successfully. They are available in tablet form, chewing gum, nasal spray or patches and are available without prescription. The choice of which form of nicotine replacement to take is an individual one. Most are taken for a maximum of three months, during which time the smoker is gradually weaned.

Nicotine patches. Initially, one patch is applied every 24hrs. Side effects include nausea, dizziness, headaches, difficulty sleeping and skin irritation.

Nicotine tablets. 1 -2 tablets are placed under the tongue. These tablets can interact with certain drugs like warfarin and theophyllines.

Nicotine nasal spray. One spray is applied to each nostril as required but one should not exceed 64 sprays a day.

Nicotine inhalator. This looks like a cigarette. It is inhaled when the urge to smoke arises.

Nicotine chewing gum. A piece of gum is chewed for about 30 minutes when the urge to smoke arises.

Nicotine replacement is not indicated for those with severe heart problems, those who have had a recent stroke, women who are pregnant and women who are breastfeeding.Zyban (bupropoion hydrochloride). This is a nicotine-free tablet available on prescription only. It works to help reduce nicotine cravings and alleviate the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal such as irritability, restlessness and difficulty in concentrating.

As with all medicines side effects can occur. The most common side effects of Zyban are a dry mouth, insomnia and headache.

Smoking (contd)

Posted on | February 10, 2008 | No Comments

How should I deal with cravings?

Write down all the reasons for stopping

Pick a day to stop

Occupy yourself to avoid thinking about the craving

Tell those around you that you are stopping so that they can give you encouragement

Take exercise.

Don’t be put off if at first you don’t succeed.

Take one day at a time

If there is a stop smoking support group near you consider joining.
Contact your nearest health board for information about a group in your area.

The Irish Cancer Society recommends the following tips to deal with cravings, known as “the four Ds”

Delay at least three minutes and the urge will pass.

Drink a glass of water or fruit juice.

Distract yourself. Move away from the situation.

Deep breathe. Breathe slowly and deeply.

Smoking

Posted on | January 30, 2008 | 1 Comment

Why should I quit?

The health benefits of stopping smoking become evident within a very short time period.

As soon as you stop smoking, body will begin to rid itself of tobacco toxins;

Your clothes, hair and breath will smell fresher;

After just 20 minutes, your circulation will improve;

Within eight hours nicotine levels in the blood will have halved;

Within a few weeks your sense of taste and smell will improve;.

Your overall general health will improve; you will feel fitter and breathing problems will gradually disappear;

Within a year or two of not smoking your risk of having a heart attack is reduced by half that it would have been had you continued;

After three years of not smoking your risk of having a heart attack is similar to that of a life-long non-smoker;

After 10 years of not smoking the risk of getting lung cancer is halved. The longer you stop the lower the risk;

You will save money;

Friends and family will also benefit.

The sooner you decide to quit, the better but remember: it is never too late to quit smoking.

Many smokers are worried about putting on weight when they stop smoking. However, the average weight gain is only about 5lbs and you can lose this gradually once you have succeeded in stopping smoking. Besides, the positive benefits of being a non-smoker far outweigh the possibility of putting on a few pounds.

If you don’t succeed in stopping at first, don’t give up. If you give in to temptation and have a cigarette don’t regard this as a complete failure. Think about what made you give in, learn from experience and get back on track.

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