Surprisingly Healthy Fast Food Choices

Let's face it - there are times when we need to go to a fast food restaurant. Desperate times call for desperate measures is my motto. Sometimes you have no choice but to eat fast food in the fast paced culture we live in today. If you're traveling, in a rush or if there are no other alternatives and you're about to pass out may be one of those times. Many of us would prefer to boast that we never eat fast food but if we took a lie detector tests it would be proved otherwise.

Healthy Foods - To Keep Your Body and Mind Staying Fit & Healthy

No matter what point you are at in your life, whether its a matter of age,situation or life style, you can always afford to eat a little healthier. While we all know that eating healthy is a good thing, it might not strike you as thoroughly as it could about how important it is! The things that we put into our bodies have a very strong effect on how well we function and feel, and when you really know a little bit about the unhealthy foods that we might eat too casually, you'll find that there are plenty of reasons to look into what you are eating and to make sure that you think about it.

Clinical and biochemical effects of a combination botanical product (ClearGuardTM) for allergy: a pilot randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Background: Botanical products are frequently used for treatment of nasal allergy. Three of these substances, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Malpighia glabra, and Bidens pilosa, have been shown to have a number of anti-allergic properties in-vitro. The current study was conducted to determine the effects of these combined ingredients upon the nasal response to allergen challenge in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Methods: Twenty subjects were randomized to receive the combination botanical product, (CBP) 2 tablets three times a day, loratadine, 10 mg once a day in the morning, or placebo, using a randomized, double-blinded crossover design. Following 2 days of each treatment and during the third day of treatment, subjects underwent a nasal allergen challenge (NAC), in which Nasal Symptom Scale scores (NSS) were assessed after each challenge dose and every 2 hours for 8 hours. Nasal lavage fluid was assessed for tryptase, prostaglandin D2, and leukotriene E4 concentrations and inflammatory cells. Results: Loratadine significantly reduced the total nasal symptom score during the NAC compared with placebo (P = 0.04) while the CBP did not. During the 8 hour period following NAC, loratadine and the CBP both reduced NSS compared with placebo (P = 0.034 and P = 0.029, respectively). Analysis of nasal lavage fluid demonstrated that the CBP prevented the increase in prostaglandin D2 release following NAC, while neither loratadine nor placebo had this effect. None of the treatments significantly affected tryptase or leukotriene E4 release or inflammatory cell infiltration. Conclusions: The CBP significantly reduced NSS during the 8 hours following NAC and marginally inhibited the release of prostaglandin D2 into nasal lavage fluid, suggesting potential clinical utility in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Mission Impossible - A Quick Healthy Dinner

After a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is come home and cook a five course meal fit for a king. Your significant other may like that or even demand it, but that just isn't realistic on most days. You may be starving during your evening commute and be tempted to stop at a drive thru. Don't do it! Or at least don't make a habit of it. There are many simple, quick healthy dinners that don't involve French fries or take out.

The Best Way to Purify Your Water

Water purification technology might still be in the early stages of development. A lot of the methods of water purification used today have been around for decades, some for centuries. As time goes by, researchers may come up with newer and better treatment options. What we have provided here is a brief overview of some of the popular methods of water purification used in homes and treatment facilities around the country. Some could be considered modern water purification technology, while others need to be improved or possibly scrapped.

How to Eat Healthy on a Budget

With rapidly soaring food prices we need to get more creative and organized when it comes to planning our meals. It is a common myth that eating healthy is more expensive than eating unhealthy. That is not the case, fresh fruits and vegetables in season can cost less than some processed meats. You don't have to shop at organic stores and spend your entire paycheck to get nutritious food. Stay tuned for some helpful reminders on ways you can eat healthy and save money at the same time.

A Healthy Relationship With Food

How you think about food can be just as important as what you eat. Food is something to be savoured and enjoyed. Unfortunately, diet books and the media often imply that some foods are "bad" or that eating certain foods may cause health problems. In actual fact, it is your overall pattern of eating that affects your nutritional status and risk of certain diseases. The goal is to make nutritious choices most of the time, but it does not mean you need to eat "perfectly" at every meal.

Eat Right: the Blood Type "O" Plan

Everyone who is interested in blood type diet begins at different level of so-called compliance and different state of health. In order to reap remarkable benefits from your individualized blood type diet, you must first restore or undo the damages to achieve the neutral state. This can be done by either a strict adhesion to the recommended diet and/or a combination of supplements to help you tie through, especially when the beneficial foods are not readily available or certain constraints like religion that forbid your change in diet.

Decoding the No Trans Fat Craze

It seems like every food manufacturing company is jumping on the band wagon with the "no trans fats" labeling. Sounds healthy, right? The truth is that these labels can be misleading to the general consumer who does not know what this means. Trans fats are the bad fats which are man made in which chemical bonds of a vegetable oil, normally liquid at room temperature are changed so it becomes solid at room temperature and more shelf stable. The fats become chemical bonds which become twisted hence the name "trans."

The Critical Role of Sodium and Chloride (Salt) in the Diet!

If you look on the Periodic Table of the elements, you will see that sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium are alkaline earth metals. You can tell by their positioning how interrelated they are. For example, sodium is number 11 on the Periodic Table indicating the number of protons in its nucleus. Whereas magnesium is number 12 on the Periodic table just 1 more proton or hydrogen ion more then sodium. Potassium is number 19 and calcium is number 20. These four elements are all right next to each other on the Periodic Table of Minerals for good reason!

Vegetarian Diet For Health and the Environment - Vegetarian Food and Healthy Living

The vegetarian diet is great for your health and also for the health of our environment. If you've ever read anything about the benefits of a vegetarian diet, and the improvements a vegetarian diet can make to your health and the health of the planet, you'll be happy to learn that becoming a vegetarian is easier today than ever. There is a difference between being a vegetarian, a lacto-vegetarian and vegan. Some vegetarians eat only raw food or organic food, but in general living any kind of vegetarian lifestyle can make you healthier.

Are Everyday Products Affecting Your Fertility?

Before heading off to work each day many of us have exposed ourselves to an array of different lotions and potions containing a cocktail of synthetic chemicals. Yet how many of us are aware that these chemicals could be adversely affecting our fertility. The truth is that most of the toiletries we use on our body are made from the same harsh chemicals used in industry! and many of these are hormone disrupting, for both men and women For example, propylene glycol is a solvent used in hair care products, make up and deodorants.

Do You Know the Disadvantages of Reverse Osmosis?

It is certainly a very good idea to invest in some sort of water filtration system for your home, but there are just too many disadvantages to reverse osmosis to make a system using this process a good one to go for. The ordinary tap water piped into your home has way too many pollutants and contaminants in it to make a good long-term source of drinking water for you and your family. It is certainly a fact that a reverse osmosis water filter will get rid of a significant proportion of these health-damaging impurities.

An Apple a Day

The apple was one of the earliest and is now one of the most cultivated fruits worldwide. The apple tree originated in Asia nearly 7500 years ago but there have been apple seeds carbon dated back to 6500 BCE and fossilized apple seeds from the Neolithic Era! Apples are known in culture and art as a fruit of luxury, fertility, mystery and even as a symbol of sexual seduction, from portrayls of the forbidden fruit, in the garden of Eden. Best of all, apples are very good for you. There must be some truth to that old phrase.

Anti-Aging Nutrition

Good nutrition is the key to remaining and looking younger. If your body is getting all of its nutritional needs met and you lead a balanced lifestyle with a minimum of stress and regular exercise then you can expect to look better than the majority of people who don't manage any of those aspects of their life very well. While there are many good skin care products available on the market the key to good skin is in good nutrition. What is under the skin is far more important than the creams you put on the outside.

What Are You Eating Prior to Exercise? Maximize Your Results

People will often ask me what they should eat before they train. It's a good question because what and how much you eat prior to working out should depend on which fitness component you will be working on. For example, say that your emphasis on a particular day is going to be muscular strength, and so you will probably be lifting free weights and or a machine weights. It is a known bit of information in the world of strength that what you eat prior to strength training has a direct correlation on your ability to lift.

Vemma Verve - A Healthy Energy Drink?

Are you one of the many Americans searching for a different, healthy energy drink? Sounds like an oxymoron, you may be thinking. What about one that contains all that's necessary to give your body the proper nourishment and a natural energy boost? If you answered yes, Verve Energy Drink may be a simple solution, as it contains all the vitamins and minerals you need and boatloads more. What makes Verve so unique is that it's low in natural sugar and they even have a sugar-free version. According to food industry experts, it's the healthiest energy drink on the market.

The Secret to a Healthy Lunch

I don't know about you, but I have been so bored with lunch recently. I attempt to maintain a healthy diet for the most part, but it has been difficult to say the least. It's been tempting to take the easy road with fast food runs, but I feel more energized and mentally clear when I have a nutrition packed lunch. Bringing lunch seems to be the best option for me. It cuts calories, costs, and saves time in the long run. By preparing your lunch at the same time as dinner, you will be able to sleep in a little later.

Have You Discovered the Pomegranate Yet?

We live in a world where extremely high levels of productivity and performance are needed to survive and move up in the urban jungle. One of the biggest drawbacks of this immense competition has to be the effect of stress on human health. In many cases, extremely high productivity is achieved at the cost of putting the body on the line, physically or mentally. However, nature offers us treatment against these health drawbacks. Among them comes in the form of fruit. Studies have shown that pomegranates have beneficial effects on health. Thanks to the many antioxidants which can be found in pomegranates, this fruit is highly nutritious.

Bored With Water?

We all know that water is the healthiest drink on the planet. It has been drilled into our heads to drink 8 glasses of water a day. Every where you go you see people carrying around water bottles which is definitely a good thing. Water is much healthier than soda which was the hip thing to carry around not too long ago. We just need to recycle those cute plastic bottles so they don't end up in a land fill somewhere. Or better yet, invest in an aluminum or stainless steel reusable water bottle that is easy to clean. Never the less, there are many other healthy drink options available today if you need a variation in your life from plain, boring water.

Nutrition - Why is Nutrition Important?

You're, no doubt, aware that a person has to eat less calories that he or she burns in order to lose weight, but do you ever really consider your nutrition when you take into account what you eat? It's a vital part of your day to day living, and most people over look it because they want to shed weight. I am going to outline the three most important parts of nutrition for you so that you can fully understand why you should not only be watching your calorie intake, but also be able to live a healthier life.

How to Eat Well With Your Kids?

Moms find a easy way out to eat, whatever is left after the kids eat, settle for the fried and burnt chicken nuggets that the kids left back or eat whatever which appeals to their kids. Instead of making this compromise by utilizing the facility that Diet to Go has to offer you too can enjoy the fresh healthy food prepared specially for you. You can go right ahead and make whatever your kids, husband or family wants and eat with them the food which suits your body and you savor After all, you are your kids personal chef and...

Alkaline and Acid Balance and Your Energy Levels

Are you eating enough alkaline foods to counteract the high acidity in your body,to produce higher levels of energy? Most of the foods that we love to consume are acidic in nature and can harm us by making our blood too acidic. Too acidic a level is the cause of disease.It is also the cause of low energy levels and makes us susceptible to colds, flu and all other viruses that are going around. It is wise to monitor your pH levels to discover the level of acidity that you are at. The correct balance is a pH level of 7.35 to 7.45.

Get More Advantages by Consuming Fruit

Fruit is healthy and very important to give the body extra vitamin and minerals, even some of fruits can make us fresher, It is also used to make our face look younger, yes we can see a double advantage from eating fruits, it can be consuming for daily food or even to cure some part of our bodies. The better way to eat it anytime, or if you want to take a dinner, supper or lunch with our beloved family, it will be very recommend that you consume a fruit for the opening about an hour before start having a dinner together. Why we have to do this? The entrails that planted in our body, usually start working when the human doing her need like having lunch, the needs was very dicey, because we eat another hard food like steak, hot dog or other that can be categorized as a main need, its circumstance always take a side by adding amount of food or meals we eat. It results for the entrails shock and work harder at a time and this is not a healthy way for entrails to work crunching the materials, at least we can still eat it...

What to Eat?

The question, what to eat? Implies an almost unlimited variety of foods which to choose. But abundance is one thing: adequacy of diet is another one. People usually decide the matter in one of the two ways: (1) They eat what they please, or (2) What is the best for them. Judging by appearances, most people eat what they please. Those who eat what they please become slaves to their appetites. If they like a food, they will eat it: if they don't, they will avoid it. People make their food choices for all kinds of reasons, including taste, nutrition knowledge, and availability of different foods.

Are You Getting Your Vitamins?

Lately, I've been feeling really sluggish at work as well as outside of work. This past weekend, I had a family function that required me to go to my cousin's graduation. Normally, I would have been fine; however, at the end of the day I just felt totally exhausted! The next morning, we had to meet my family for breakfast. The whole production only took approximately an hour or two of my time. However, after I finished spending some quality time with my family, I was in my car with my boyfriend and told him I felt like I was going to pass out from exhaustion.

What Are Negative Calorie Foods?

When you break it down, a food is something that is supposed to provide us with nutrients and we measure these nutrients by how many calories the food gives us. So if it's a food, how can it take calories away? Let's look at black coffee. In drinking a cup it takes energy which is delivered to the muscles involved. This energy is measured in calories and these calories are stored in body fat. How many calories do we get from black coffee? A cup of coffee consists of water which has no calories, and particles of coffee which is high in caffeine but little else.

How Colostrum Can Help You Lose Weight, Feel Better, and Be Healthier

Colostrum is an all natural 'first milk' that is found in the mother of all mammals. What a lot of people don't know is that Colostrum is packed with a whole host of vital nutrients that can dramatically change our health lifestyle. Colostrum has been studied as far back as 1799 for its health benefits. Many people many not have even heard of Colostrum and what it can do for our bodies. It is considered a 'whole food' because of the wide range of elements that it contains that promote a healthier body. There are several different factors that can improve our health including, metabolic, essential, basic, and immune factors.

Get to Know the IronMan Inside You

Many of us know the superhero, IRONMAN, of Marvel Comics. But how many people know the iron that is in our body. Some may know that our body needs this to produce hemoglobin. Other may know that if one is suffering from anemia, it means that the body is lacking of it. So taking iron supplement would be the solution. But not many know the danger of excessive of such intake. Also not many know that we can be taking too much without knowing till too late. Therefore knowing the danger of too much or too little of this mineral in your body is necessary for you to stay healthy.

Living Great Lives Needs Excellent Nutrition, Deep REM Sleep and Passion Fulfilling Destinies - Yes

Do you start a business with researching leadership? researching franchises? studying marketing? writing a business plan? Back to school? Where on earth do you start? Start anything? Do anything? Follow your dream? Where is your dream going? Can I succeed? Who cares? Why? Passion? Joy? Lifestyle? Is integrity important? What is rapport? Congruence? Consilience? Collaboration? Competition? The seven steps of this or that? Target audience? Just plain tired of the rat race? Where is my cheese? Who is the rat? Why are we so lost? 9/11 scared me? where do we go from here? What can we do? Clean house? Downsize? Rightsize? Where are the leaders? Do we need leaders? What does a leader need to know? Can you read this? So many, too many questions? My head is spinning? Where can we find the answers? In statistics? Business journals? Home based businesses? Factories? 100 year old businesses? Mom and Pop operations? Writing a book? Writing an e-zine? Just what do we do? Everything? Scattergun approach? Follow our passion? Do what we love? Make money? Pay the Bills? Give away our sense of self? Who am I? This is our world today. A world of questions filled with angst.

The relationship between bioelectrical impedance phase angle and subjective global assessment in advanced colorectal cancer

Background: Bioelectrical Impedance (BIA) derived phase angle is increasingly being used as an objective indicator of nutritional status in advanced cancer. Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) is a subjective method of nutritional status. The objective of this study was to investigate the association between BIA derived phase angle and SGA in advanced colorectal cancer. Methods: We evaluated a case series of 73 stages III and IV colorectal cancer patients. Patients were classified as either well-nourished or malnourished using the SGA. BIA was conducted on all patients and phase angle was calculated. The correlation between phase angle and SGA was studied using Spearman correlation coefficient. Receiver Operating Characteristic curves were estimated using the non-parametric method to determine the optimal cut-off levels of phase angle. Results: Well-nourished patients had a statistically significantly higher (p = 0.005) median phase angle score (6.12) as compared to those who were malnourished (5.18). The Spearman rank correlation coefficient between phase angle and SGA was found to be 0.33 (p = 0.004), suggesting better nutritional status with higher phase angle scores. A phase angle cut-off of 5.2 was 51.7% sensitive and 79.5% specific whereas a cut-off of 6.0 was 82.8% sensitive and 54.5% specific in detecting malnutrition. Interestingly, a phase angle cut-off of 5.9 demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy in males who had failed primary treatment for advanced colorectal cancer. Conclusions: Our study suggests that bioimpedance phase angle is a potential nutritional indicator in advanced colorectal cancer. Further research is needed to elucidate the optimal cut-off levels of phase angle that can be incorporated into the oncology clinic for better nutritional evaluation and management.