Healthy Weight - it's not a diet, it's a lifestyle!

Losing Weight

What is healthy weight loss?

It's natural for anyone trying to lose weight to want to lose it very quickly. But evidence shows that people who lose weight gradually and steadily (about 1 to 2 pounds per week) are more successful at keeping weight off. Healthy weight loss isn't just about a "diet" or "program". It's about an ongoing lifestyle that includes long-term changes in daily eating and exercise habits.

To lose weight, you must use up more calories than you take in. Since one pound equals 3,500 calories, you need to reduce your caloric intake by 500—1000 calories per day to lose about 1 to 2 pounds per week.1

Once you've achieved a healthy weight, by relying on healthful eating and physical activity most days of the week (about 60—90 minutes, moderate intensity), you are more likely to be successful at keeping the weight off over the long term.

Losing weight is not easy, and it takes commitment. But if you're ready to get started, we've got a step-by-step guide to help get you on the road to weight loss and better health.

Even Modest Weight Loss Can Mean Big Benefits

The good news is that no matter what your weight loss goal is, even a modest weight loss, such as 5 to 10 percent of your total body weight, is likely to produce health benefits, such as improvements in blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugars.2

For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, a 5 percent weight loss equals 10 pounds, bringing your weight down to 190 pounds. While this weight may still be in the "overweight" or "obese" range, this modest weight loss can decrease your risk factors for chronic diseases related to obesity.

So even if the overall goal seems large, see it as a journey rather than just a final destination. You'll learn new eating and physical activity habits that will help you live a healthier lifestyle. These habits may help you maintain your weight loss over time.

In addition to improving your health, maintaining a weight loss is likely to improve your life in other ways. For example, a study of participants in the National Weight Control Registry found that those who had maintained a significant weight loss reported improvements in not only their physical health, but also their energy levels, physical mobility, general mood, and self-confidence.

Want to learn more?

Getting Started 

Check out our step-by-step guide to help you get on the road to weight loss and better health.

Improving Your Eating Habits 

Your eating habits may be leading to weight gain; for example, eating too fast, always clearing your plate, eating when you not hungry and skipping meals (or maybe just breakfast).

Keeping the Weight Off 

Losing weight is the first step. Once you've lost weight, you'll want to learn how to keep it off.

http://www.cdc.gov/HEALTHYWEIGHT/LOSING_WEIGHT/INDEX.HTML

Apples walk away with most health accolades, and spinach leads the healthy veggie brigade. Compared to them, celery is somewhat unsung, but once you read its incredible–and nearly endless–list of health benefits, you will quickly join its growing list of lovers.

• Celery is a great choice if you are watching your weight. One large stalk contains only 10 calories! So, add celery to your shopping list and enjoy it in your salads, soups and stir-fries.
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• Celery reduces inflammation. If you are suffering from joint pains, lung infections, asthma, or acne, eating more celery will bring much-needed relief.
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• It helps you calm down: Celery for stress-relief? Oh yes! The minerals in celery, especially magnesium, and the essential oil in it, soothe the nervous system. If you enjoy a celery-based snack in the evening, you will sleep better.
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• It regulates the body’s alkaline balance, thus protecting you from problems such as acidity.
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• Celery aids digestion: some say celery tastes like “crunchy water,” and that is the reason it is so good for your digestive system.  The high water content of celery, combined with the insoluble fiber in it, makes it a great tool for easy passage of stool. Note: because celery has diuretic and cleansing properties, those with diarrhea should avoid eating it.
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• It contains “good” salts. Yes, celery does contain sodium, but it is not the same thing as table salt. The salt in celery is organic, natural and essential for your health.
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• It cares for your eyes. One large stalk of celery can deliver up to 10 percent of your daily need for Vitamin A, a group of nutrients that protects the eyes and prevents age-related degeneration of vision.
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• Celery reduces “bad” cholesterol: There is a component in celery called butylphthalide. It gives the vegetable its flavor and scent. Guess what: this component also reduces bad cholesterol! A Chicago University research shows that just two stalks of celery a day can reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) by up to 7 points!
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• It lowers blood pressure: An active compound called phthalides in celery has been proven to boost circulatory health. Raw, whole celery reduces high blood pressure.
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• It can amp up your sex life: and this is not just hearsay. Dr. Alan R. Hirsch, Director of the Smeel and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation, says two pheromones in celery–androstenone and androstenol–boost your arousal levels. They are released when you chew on a celery stalk.
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• Celery can combat cancer: Two studies at the University of Illinois show that a powerful flavonoid in celery, called luteolin, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, especially in the pancreas. Another study suggests that the regular intake of celery could significantly delay the formation of breast cancer cells.
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Useful Tips:

Choose celery with upright stalks that snap when bent. The leaves should be fresh and crisp.  When selecting celery, remember this rule of thumb:  The darker the color, the stronger the flavor.

Freshly chopped celery retains its nutrients much better than if you chop and store it even for a few hours.

Steamed celery not only retains its flavor, but also most of its nutrients–up to 99 percent of them, in fact!

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/11-super-health-benefits-in-just-1-celery-stalk.html

The Health Benefits of Mushroom Consumption

Mushrooms contain some of the most potent natural medicines on the planet. Of the 140,000 species of mushroom-forming fungi, science is familiar with only 10 percent, according to world-renown mycologist Paul Stamets, who has written six books on the topic.

About 100 species of mushrooms are being studied for their health-promoting benefits. Of those hundred, about a half dozen really stand out for their ability to deliver a tremendous boost to your immune system.

It's important to eat only organically grown mushrooms because they absorb and concentrate whatever they grow in — good OR bad. This is what gives mushrooms their potency. Mushrooms are known to concentrate heavy metals, as well as air and water pollutants, so healthy growing conditions is a critical factor.

While it may sound strange, we're actually more closely related to fungi than we are to any other kingdom, as we share the same pathogens, meaning bacteria and viruses.

As a defense against bacterial invasion, fungi have developed strong antibiotics, which also happen to be effective for us humans. Penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline all come from fungal extracts.

The Many Health Benefits of Mushrooms

The FASEB Journal recently published nine studies on mushrooms that were also presented at Experimental Biology 2013, which detailed a wide variety of health benefits, including:

• Weight management: One study found that substituting red meat with white button mushrooms can help enhance weight loss. Obese participants with a mean age of just over 48 years ate approximately one cup of mushrooms per day in place of meat. The control group ate a standard diet without mushrooms.
At the end of the 12-month trial, the intervention group had lost an average of 3.6 percent of their starting weight, or about seven pounds. They also showed improvements in body composition, such as reduced waist circumference, and ability to maintain their weight loss, compared to the control group.
• Improved nutrition: One dietary analysis found that mushroom consumption was associated with better diet quality and improved nutrition.
• Increasing vitamin D levels through your diet: Consuming dried white button mushroom extract was found to be as effective as taking supplemental vitamin D2 or D3 for increasing Vitamin D levels (25-hydroxyvitamin D).
• Improved immune system function: Long chain polysaccharides, particularly alpha and beta glucan molecules, are primarily responsible for the mushrooms' beneficial effect on your immune system. In one study, adding one or two servings of dried shiitake mushrooms was found to have a beneficial, modulating effect on immune system function. Another study done on mice found that white button mushrooms enhanced the adaptive immunity response to salmonella.

Parasitic Fungi Showing Promise for Immune Disorders and Cancer

Cordyceps, also called caterpillar fungus or Tochukasu, is a favorite of athletes because it increases ATP production, strength and endurance, and has anti-aging effects. 

This parasitic mushroom is unique because, in the wild, it grows out of an insect host instead of a plant host. It has long been used within both traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine.

It has hypoglycemic and possible antidepressant effects, protects your liver and kidneys, increases blood flow, helps normalize your cholesterol levels, and has been used to treat Hepatitis B.

Cordyceps has antitumor properties as well. Scientists at The University of Nottingham have been studying cordycepin, one of the active medicinal compounds found in these fungi, and the one identified as a potential cancer drug. More recent studies suggest it also has potent anti-inflammatory characteristics that may be helpful for those suffering from:

• Asthma
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Renal failure
• Stroke damage

A question that was begging for an answer was how cordycepin could produce so many different beneficial effects at the cellular level. Researcher Dr. Cornelia de Moor told Medical News Today:

"We have shown that cordycepin reduces the expression of inflammatory genes in airway smooth muscle cells by acting on the final step in the synthesis of their messenger RNAs (mRNAs) which carry the chemical blueprint for the synthesis of proteins. 

This process is called polyadenylation. Commonly used anti-inflammatory drugs either work much earlier in the activation of inflammatory genes, such as prednisone, or work on one of the final products of the inflammatory reaction (e.g. ibuprofen).

These findings indicate that cordycepin acts by a completely different mechanism than currently used anti-inflammatory drugs, making it a potential drug for patients in which these drugs don't work well. 

However, it is a surprise that cordycepin does not affect the synthesis of mRNAs from other genes, because nearly all mRNAs require polyadenylation."

According to Dr. de Moor's research, the mechanism responsible for cordycepin’s many varied effects may stem from its ability to alter the synthesis of many classes of rapidly induced genes that help counteract inflammatory genes, thereby slowing down otherwise rapid cellular responses to tissue damage. It may also help prevent over-activation of inflammatory responses.

“However, it also indicates that cordycepin could have adverse effects on normal wound healing and on the natural defenses against infectious diseases,” the featured article states.

“Dr. de Moor said: 'We are hoping to further investigate which genes are more dependent on polyadenylation than others and why this is the case, as well as test the effect of cordycepin on animal models of disease. Clinical testing of cordycepin is not in our immediate plans, as we think we first have to understand this drug in more detail before we can risk treating patients with it.'"

Foragers, Beware of Toxic Mushrooms

An November 2012 article in The Atlantic highlighted recent cases of lethal food poisonings related to eating wild mushrooms, and the need for caution when foraging food:

“Of the over 10,000 species of mushrooms, only about 50 to 100 are toxic. About 6,000 Americans each year end up eating them. Over half of those cases involve unsupervised small children. So if you're considering treating that special person in your life to a wild mushroom-based dish, take the following into consideration: Over 90 percent of deaths, including these most recent ones, are caused by amatoxins.”

As mentioned in the article, the North American Mycological Association offers critical information on a number of toxic mushrooms and the symptoms they cause, including those for amanitin (amatoxins), which is one of the most serious:

• Stage 1: A latency period of 6 to 24 hours after ingestion, in which the toxins are actively destroying the victim's kidneys and liver, but the victim experiences no discomfort.
• Stage 2: A period of about 24 hours characterized by violent vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and severe abdominal cramps.
• Stage 3: A period of 24 hours during which the victim appears to recover (if hospitalized, the patient is sometimes released)
• Stage 4: Relapse, during which kidney and liver failure often occurs, leading to death. Patients may also "bleed out" and die due to the destruction of clotting factors in the blood. There may be more than one relapse.

Warning: If you have any reason to suspect that someone has ingested an amanitin-containing mushroom, DON’T WAIT for symptoms to appear! There is no antidote for amanitin poisoning, and the best hope is to rush the person to the hospital where the toxins can be removed before being fully absorbed into the body.

It's also important to eat ONLY organically grown mushrooms because they absorb and concentrate whatever they grow in — good OR bad. This is what gives mushrooms their potency, for better or worse. Mushrooms are known to concentrate heavy metals, as well as air and water pollutants. One way to know what you’re getting is to grow your own. You can find a variety of DIY garden kits available online, which will eliminate any questions about what kind of mushroom you’re picking.

Improving Your Nutrition with Mushrooms

Two years ago, I interviewed Steve Farrar, who worked and studied mushrooms professionally for the last 30 years. The first 20 years he spent growing them and working primarily with gourmet chefs, but in the past decade, he's started applying his expertise of mushrooms to health purposes. According to Farrar, Americans consume about 900 million pounds of mushrooms a year, but 95 percent of that is just one species: the common button mushroom and its relatives, the Crimini and the Portabello mushrooms.

Granted, the button mushroom is an excellent low-calorie food, especially for diabetics. It contains a number of valuable nutrients, including protein, enzymes, B vitamins (especially niacin), and vitamin D2. However, there are many other types of mushrooms worthy of consideration if you want to improve your diet. I’ll review a few of my favorites below. Farrar's focus has been on growing various gourmet mushroom species, particularly the wood decaying mushroom species, which differ greatly from your average button mushroom in terms of biology, nutrition and medicinal value.

Mushrooms are excellent sources of antioxidants in general as they contain polyphenols and selenium, which are common in the plant world. But they also contain antioxidants that are unique to mushrooms. One such antioxidant is ergothioneine, which scientists are now beginning to recognize as a 'master antioxidant.' Interestingly, it's an amino acid that contains sulfur, and if you listened to my interview with Dr. Seneff on the highly underestimated importance of sulfur, you may recognize why this particular antioxidant may be of particular importance for human health, as many are severely deficient in sulfur.

A previous study in the journal Nature discusses the importance of ergothioneine, which is fairly exclusive to mushrooms, describing it as "an unusual sulfur-containing derivative of the amino acid, histidine," which appears to have a very specific role in protecting your DNA from oxidative damage. With that in mind, it becomes easy to see how mushrooms may be an important part of an optimal diet. If you don't like to eat them whole, you can also find them in supplement form, either as an extract or whole food supplement.

Examples of Mushrooms to Add to Your Diet

A few of my favorite health-enhancing mushroom species include:

• Shiitake (Lentinula edodes): Shiitake is a popular culinary mushroom used in dishes around the world. It contains a number of health-stimulating agents, including lentinan, the polysaccharide for which it was named. Lentinan has been isolated and used to treat stomach and other cancers due to its antitumor properties, but has also been found to protect your liver, relieve other stomach ailments (hyperacidity, gallstones, ulcers), anemia, ascites, and pleural effusion.
One of the more remarkable scientific studies demonstrating shiitake's antitumor effect was a Japanese animal study,where mice suffering from sarcoma were given shiitake extract. Six of 10 mice had complete tumor regression, and with slightly higher concentrations, all ten mice showed complete tumor regression.
Shiitake mushrooms also demonstrate antiviral (including HIV, hepatitis, and the "common cold"), antibacterial, and antifungal effects; blood sugar stabilization; reduced platelet aggregation; and reduced atherosclerosis. Shiitake also contains eritadenine, which has strong cholesterol-lowering properties.
• Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum): Reishi is known as Lingzhi in China, or "spirit plant." It's also been called "Mushroom of Immortality" — a nickname that kind of says it all. Reishi has been used medicinally in Asia for thousands of years. One of its more useful compounds is ganoderic acid (a triterpenoid), which is being used to treat lung cancer, leukemia and other cancers. The list of Reishi's health benefits includes the following
• Antibacterial, antiviral (Herpes, Epstein-Barr), antifungal (including Candida) properties
• Anti-inflammatory, useful for reducing symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
• Immune system up-regulation
• Normalization of blood cholesterol levels and blood pressure
• Reduction of prostate-related urinary symptoms in men
• Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor): Turkey Tail is also known as Coriolis, or "cloud mushroom." Two polysaccharide complexes in Turkey Tail are getting a great deal of scientific attention, PSK (or "Kreskin") and PSP, making it the most extensively researched of all medicinal mushrooms with large scale clinical trials.
A seven-year, $2 million NIH-funded clinical study in 2011 found that Turkey Tail mycelium improves immune function when dosed daily to women with stage I–III breast cancer. Immune response was dose-dependent, with no adverse effects. PSP has been shown to significantly enhance immune status in 70 to 97 percent of cancer patients. Turkey tail is also being used to treat many different infections, including aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, E. coli, HIV, Herpes, and streptococcus pneumonia, and is hepatoprotective. It may also be useful for chronic fatigue.
• Himematsutake (Agaricus blazei): Himematsutake, also called Royal Sun Agaricus, is a relative of the common button mushroom. Himematsutake was not cultivated in the East until fairly recently but is now a very popular natural medicine, used by almost a half million Japanese.
Himematsutake mushroom is attracting many scientists worldwide due to its remarkable anticancer properties related to six special polysaccharides. Like many other medicinal mushrooms, this fungus can also protect you from the damaging effects of radiation and chemotherapy. But its benefits don't stop there — Himematsutake may also help decrease insulin resistance in diabetics, normalize your cholesterol, improve your hair and skin, and even treat polio.

Usage and Dosage Recommendations for Mushroom Supplements

When it comes to mushroom supplements, there are two primary types:

• Mushroom concentrates or extracts — Most of these are so-called hot water extracts, where either the mushroom mycelia — the fruit body — is boiled for extended periods of time to extract the long chain polysaccharides. The end product is a concentrated form of glyconutrients (complex sugars) thought to be responsible for many of the health benefits of the mushroom.
• Whole food/raw mushrooms — Consuming the mushrooms raw or using a whole food mushroom (powdered pill) product is generally a better alternative if you're reasonably healthy and looking to maintain optimal health, as they help maintain ideal function of your various systems as opposed to imparting a direct effect. Most of the knowledge about mushrooms come from ancient Chinese medicine where mushrooms are regarded as tonics. Tonics are considered to have non-specific beneficial effects across several systems of your body that do not decline over time.

As mentioned earlier, if you choose to eat your mushrooms raw, make sure they are organically grown, as their flesh easily absorbs air and soil contaminants. Likewise, you'll want to make sure any product you buy is certified organic for the same reason. In addition to valuable nutrients, whole mushrooms also provide healthful dietary fiber that acts as prebiotic platforms for the growth of probiotic organisms in your gut, which is very important for digestive health. This is yet another reason to opt for a whole food mushroom product.

Adding Mushrooms Is a Simple Way to Boost Your Health Through Your Diet

With all the evidence supporting mushrooms as little powerhouses of potent nutrition, I highly recommend adding some to your diet. They’re an excellent addition to any salad and go great with all kinds of meat and fish. “Let food be thy medicine” is good advice indeed, and with mushrooms that is especially true, as they contain some of the most powerful natural medicines on the planet.

Just make sure they’re organically grown in order to avoid harmful contaminants that mushrooms absorb and concentrate from soil, air and water. Also, avoid picking mushrooms in the wild unless you are absolutely sure you know what you’re picking. There are a number of toxic mushrooms, and it’s easy to get them confused unless you have a lot of experience and know what to look for. Growing your own is an excellent option and a far safer alternative to picking wild mushrooms.

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/05/13/mushroom-benefits.aspx

Health Benefits of Potassium

The health benefits of potassium include relief from stroke, blood pressure, heart and kidney disorders, anxiety and stress, as well as enhanced muscle strength, metabolism, water balance, electrolytic functions, and nervous system.

Potassium, the third most abundant mineral in human body, is a powerful element in improving health. It contains the components for maintaining a high level of well-being and an improved lifestyle. You should not underestimate the importance of potassium in your dietary plan.

Apart from acting as an electrolyte, this mineral is required for keeping the heart, brain, kidney, muscle tissue and other important organ systems of the human body in good condition. Potassium chloride is the main variety of this mineral, and it works in association with sodium to perform a number of critical body tasks.

Deficiency Symptoms

Deficiency of any nutrient in the body is undesirable and potassium is not an exception. A diet deficient in potassium may lead to symptoms like fatigue and muscle weakness. Other indications for a deficiency of potassium include inactive reflexes, abnormal heartbeat, heart palpitations, anaemia and severe headaches. Potassium-deficient people may also experience high blood pressure, pain in their intestines, swelling in their glands and diabetes as serious side effects of this deficiency.

Important Sources of Potassium

A balanced diet must contain a fair quantity of potassium, as per the recommendations of health experts. The most important dietary sources of potassium are citrus fruits, vegetables and grains. Also, you can get an ample amount of potassium from salmon, chicken, whole milk, fresh fruit juices and almonds. Apart from those, nuts, lime beans, potatoes and poultry are other products to be included in the potassium boosting list. However, the most important sources of potassium are avocados, bananas and coconut water.

Health Benefits of Potassium

Potassium is often considered an essential health nutrient, due to its numerous health benefits.

Stroke: Potassium plays an important role in keeping brain function at a normal level. High levels of potassium allow more oxygen to reach the brain, thereby stimulating neural activity and increasing cognitive function. There is a good reason why people call bananas brain food; they contain impressively high levels of potassium!

It is of great importance in preventing the occurrence of stroke in the human brain. It is not secret that people at high risk for this tragic condition are often found to be deficient in this essential nutrient.Since potassium acts as a vasodilator, the blood vessels relax throughout the body when proper amounts of potassium are consumed. This means that blood flows more freely, and is less likely to clot and break off to cause strokes.

Low blood sugar: A decrease in the potassium level causes a drop in blood sugar. Decreases in blood sugar can cause sweating, headache, weakness, trembling and nervousness. An intake of potassium chloride and sodium provides immediate relief from such situations. This is also why diabetic patients are encouraged to keep their potassium levels normal, to reduce the chances of unpredictable spikes and plunges in their glucose and insulin levels by stabilizing the blood sugar levels throughout the body.

Muscle disorders: Potassium plays an important role in regular muscle contraction. A sufficient concentration of potassium is required for the regular contraction and relaxation muscles. Most of the potassium ions in the human body are located in the muscle cells. It maintains optimal muscle and nerve function, and helps to keep our reflexes fast because it stimulates the neural connectivity of muscles and the brain!

Cramps: Muscle cramps are a common result of low levels of potassium in the blood, a condition called hypokalemia. If you consume a banana every day, you can easily prevent muscle cramps because bananas have a rich potassium content, not to mention all of the other benefits of bananas!

Bone Health: The benefits of potassium even extend to improving the health of your bones. There are certain qualities of potassium which neutralize various acids throughout the body which retain and preserve calcium, making it inaccessible to use for bone strength and durability. Furthermore, a study at the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center claims that eating fruits and vegetables that have high levels of potassium results in higher mineral density in bones, further strengthening and prolonging the life of your bones!

Brain function: Potassium channels play a key role in maintaining the electrical conductivity of the brain and dramatically affect brain funtion. It is also involved in higher brain function like memory and learning. In addition to this, serious ailments like epilepsy are related to the dysfunction of potassium channels that can occur through potassium deficiency.  There are actually potassium currents that play a major role in mammalian neurones. These channels are interconnected with a vast array of neural function and can help moderate and regulate electrical currents throughout the body!

Blood Pressure: Potassium is helpful in reversing the role of sodium in unbalancing normal blood pressure. Thus, it acts as a vital component that maintains the normality of blood pressure in the human body. This further reduces the risk of heart diseases and hypertension. Regulation of blood pressure is one of the most important functions of this powerful mineral. As mentioned earlier, potassium has vasodilating properties that work to relieve the tension of blood vessels, which is one of the main causes of high blood pressure.

Muscular Strength:  One of the most useful benefits of potassium is its role in ensuring the proper growth of muscle tissues and the proper utilization of energy released during metabolism, which adds significantly to muscular strength. The muscles, including those all-important cardiac muscles, are prone to paralysis due to a deficiency of potassium in a person’s diet.

Stimulating cell growth and providing the metabolic energy to do so is a vital function of potassium, and muscular health would be compromised without it. Also, without the contractions and relaxations that potassium allows muscles to perform, exercise and additional muscle training would be impossible!

Metabolism: Potassium assists in the metabolic processing of various nutrients like fats and carbohydrates. Thus, potassium is of great value in extracting the energy from nutrients that are consumed. Studies have shown that potassium is also integral in the synthesis of proteins, which have an impact of tissue regeneration, cell growth, and an overall balanced metabolism.

Anxiety and Stress:Potassium is of great importance for people suffering from undesirable mental states like anxiety and stress. It is considered as a powerful stress buster and therefore ensures the efficient mental performance of the human body. Anxiety and stress are so detrimental to other parts of health that any bonus from things like potassium are considered a very good idea if you suffer from chronic stress. Potassium can help regulate various hormones in your body, including stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, excess amounts of which can be quite detrimental to a wide array of the body’s systems.

Heart and Kidney Disorders: The health benefits of potassium ensure good health for the heart as well as the kydneys. It plays an irreplaceable role in regulating the functions of the metabolism and keeping the heart and kidneys running smoothly. Additionally, this mineral assists kidneys in removing waste through the process of excretion. However, it is strongly advised to consult your doctor to get recommendations about potassium dosage, because potassium can help stimulate the body to absorb more calcium than necessary, which can actually calcify and cause kidney problems, rather than solve them.

Water Balance: Another significant role that potassium plays is in the maintenance of an optimal fluid balance in the human body. Different types of cells require a proper water balance for efficient functioning and potassium aids these cells in regulating the balance. Fluid balance keeps all of our organ systems functioning in one way or the other, which is why many people recommend eating bananas after athletic events, or after a heavy night of drinking, in order to rehydrate and optimize fluid balance.

Electrolytes: Potassium is also a great electrolyte in the human body. It helps in regulating the level of fluids in the body and thus aids in a number of critical body functions. Furthermore, electrolytes help to transmit electrical charges throughout the body from the brain and nervous system, so extra electrolytes keep everything functioning faster and more efficiently in the body!

Nervous System: In connection to the previous point about electrolytes, potassium helps to boost the efficiency of nerve reflexes that transmit message from one body part to another. This in turn helps in muscle contraction to perform various activities every day without tiring quickly, which are further benefited by potassium, which is required to induce muscle contraction and function.

A Few Words of Caution: It is definitely possible to have too much of a good thing. Excess potassium in the body, for example, from patients with kidney issues that cannot properly process potassium, may have dangerously high levels. This can lead to heart disease, muscle paralysis, trouble breathing, tingling in the hands and feet, heart arrhythmia, and nausea. Potassium can be a miraculous addition to certain diets, but always be careful that you don’t overdo, and if you choose to take potassium supplements on top of a change to your diet, consult your doctor first!

http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/minerals/health-benefits-of-potassium.html

30 Amazing Benefits Of Pears For Skin, Hair And Health

Who doesn’t like those juicy and sweet pears especially in summers? They provide some much needed relief with their fiber rich juiciness to get some cooling effect especially for kids. They have a lot of fiber content and its anti-oxidants help to fight against many health problems improving immunity.

Below listed are a few important pears fruit benefits for health, which you might find useful.

Health Benefits of Pears:

1. Fights against free radicals:

The presence of vitamin C, vitamin K and copper in pears fights against free radicals that damage our body cells.

2. Prevents heart diseases:

Pears benefits include the presence of fiber, which reduces the cholesterol in the body and thereby protects us from heart diseases. Daily intake of fiber rich food like pears can reduce the risk of stroke by up to 50%.

3. Prevents cancer:

High content of fiber present in pears binds to the carcinogenic cells by removing them and prevents colon cancer. A pear a day can prevent breast cancer by upto 34% in women after menopause.

4. No allergic reactions:

Pears when compared with other fruits have less chance of allergenic reactions when eaten and thus are one of the few fruits that can be given to infants.

5. Controls blood sugar level:

Even though it is slightly sweet, with low glycerin index and high fiber content pears helps in controlling the sugar levels in the blood and prevents diabetes.

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by tracy ducasse

6. Boosts immune system:

High content of anti-oxidants like vitamin C and copper helps in boosting the immune system of the body to fight against various diseases.

7. Prevents osteoporosis:

Bone problems are very common these days. So in order to keep those bones healthy and prevent osteoporosis, it is very important to maintain the pH of the body and eat recommended amount of calcium daily. pH of the body can be maintained through diet by consuming fruits and vegetables daily. The boron rich pears can help to absorb the calcium consumed easily.

8. Increases energy levels:

The high glucose content in pears gives you instant energy when you feel weak. It gets absorbed very quickly by the body and converts into energy.

9. Digestion:

A medium sized pear contains around 20-25% of the recommended daily intake of fiber. Since its fiber is insoluble, it moves through the colon easily and prevents colon polyps. The high fiber content helps and improves digestion.

10. Pregnancy:

Folic acid is very important for a pregnant woman to keep the baby safe from birth defects. Folic acid present in pears can help you in this issue and it is recommended to use it regularly during the pregnancy.

11. For weaning children:

For weaning children, it is always recommended to give pears because it is hypoallergenic and is a low acidic fruit. So it doesn’t create any digestion related problems. This fruit can be peeled, heated and then pureed. The peel also can be fed but it is very important to take care that it doesn’t have any harsh edges that can hurt children. Pears should not be given to children with diarrhoea.

12. Against gallbladder, colitis, arthritis, gout:

Pears help to prevent gallbladder problems, colitis, arthritis and gout if taken regularly.

13. Blood pressure:

Anti-carcinogen glutathione and anti-oxidants present in pears help in controlling the blood pressure.

14. Fever:

Pears help in curing fever easily with its cooling effects.

15. Inflammation:

Pears have anti-inflammation properties which help to reduce inflammation of arthritis and other such problems.

16. Shortness of breath:

During summers shortness of breath is quite common due to heat in both children and adults. So it is recommended to take pears during those hot days.

17. Throat problems:

Pears prevent throat problems during summers. So it is good to take a pear a day or a glass of its juice will do the work.

To get all the benefits of pears, take them regularly during these hot summer days.

Skin Benefits of Pears

18. Fibers Prevents Skin Damage: 

Pears are loaded with dietary fibers which play a pivotal role in keeping our skin smooth and soft. They decelerate the discharge of sugar into the bloodstream and prevent the damage of skin collagen (certain type of protein) caused due to frequent sugar spikes. Consequently, we get a smooth skin and plump look.

19. Keep Wrinkles Away: 

Munch on pears daily to stay away from aging. The fruit is rich in vitamin C – a super effective antioxidants, vitamin K and copper. All these elements are capable of combating harmful free radicals thereby protecting our skin cells from severe damages. It eventually helps in toning up the skin and curtailing the formation of fine lines near our eyes as well as lip area.

20. Treat Oily Skin: 

If you have an oily skin, pears can be really beneficial for you. Just smash a pear and mix fresh cream and honey with it. Use this paste thrice a week as a face mask and the over secretion of the sebaceous glands present in your skin will reduce to a great extent.

21. Get Acne-Free Skin: 

People with acne-prone skin can also be benefited by pears. Pears contain high levels of vital vitamins and essential minerals, these fruits can boost their immunity and make them stronger internally. As a result, their skin becomes able to fight against acne, pimple and all other types of skin infections from inside.

22. Stay Moisturized for Long: 

Pears not only good for oily skin, but are also good for dry and flaky skin. They contain natural humectants, which help balance the normal water-content of the skin and retain its natural moisture. Hence, the extract of this fruit is widely used in making moisturizing lotion. Regular intake of pear juice can also make your skin even and smooth.

23. Effective Natural Scrub: 

The natural enzymes present in the fruit make it a great scrubbing agent. You can easily get rid of the dead skin cells present in the superficial layer of your skin by blending a mashed pear in your regular face pack and exfoliate your skin with it. The fruit extract can also be used as a gentle peel for accelerating the cell turnover.

24. Good for Lip Treatment: 

Pears are excellent for our lips. The credit goes to the lactic acid present in its extract. This acid content of the fruit can keep the cells of your lips healthy and hydrated for long so that you get a soft and smooth pout.

25. Anti-Inflammatory by Nature: 

The anti-inflammatory properties of pears works as a beauty remedy. Consuming pears or using any beauty products containing its extract does not impose any allergic reactions. Hence, it is good for skin and useful for infants too.

Hair Benefits of Pears

26. Healthy and Nourished Hair:

When it comes to the most excellent hair benefits of pears, the first thing that should be included in the list is its ability to make hair healthy and nourished. Pears, especially the ripe ones, contain a natural sugar alcohol named ‘sorbitol’ or ‘glucitol’, which feeds the hair roots, nourishes the scalp and keeps the hair moisturized in order to make it healthy.

27. Reduce Hair Dryness: 

The moisturizing property of pears is extremely beneficial for reducing the dryness of our hair. Moreover, it holds lots of vitamin C, which works as a natural antioxidant and helps keep the hair strands conditioned by maintaining the health of the hair cells.

28. Tame Your Frizzy Hair: 

From regular consumption of pears to giving your tresses a treatment with the fruit – everything is helpful for eliminating those ugly tangles. Your frizzy hair can easily become manageable with the help of pears.

29. Restore the Lost Shine: 

If you are worried about your dull and unattractive hair, pears can be of help. All you need to do is to prepare a natural hair mask at your home by mixing the extract of 1 fresh and ripe pear, 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and water. This is a great hair revitalizer that can revive your dull hair and restore its lost shine.

30. Maintain Curly and Coloured Locks: 

Maintaining the curls and shades of your hair can be much easier with the application of pear hair pack. To make such a pack, peel and smash a pear properly and then form a smooth paste by adding soybean oil to it. Now, spread this paste all over your hair evenly. After an hour, wash it off with a mild shampoo. The difference will be easily visible!

How to Select and Store Pears

Choosing the right pears and storing them in a perfect manner are essential for getting the most out of the fruits. Here is a guide for you:

1. How to Select the Right Pears:

• Ripe-to-fall pears are the best to pick. If the skin of the fruit is bright and glossy, do give it a miss. Rather go for the ones that are matte golden in color, featuring a nice fragrant and having a little soft neck.

• A good pear should be firm enough (not too stiff). The skin of the fruit must be even as well as damage-free. Even if it has a bit russet (brownish patches) on the skin, go for it as there will be nothing wrong with the flavour or the benefits of the fruit.

• While buying a pear, make sure that the top portion (close to the stem) is neither too soft nor too rigid. In order to do so, just press that area lightly with your fingertips instead of squeezing the entire fruit.

2. How to Store the Selected Pears:

If you want to store ripe pears, put them simply in the refrigerator. Conversely, if you wish to make them ripened at room temperature, place them in a bowl without washing as moisture can decompose the fruit fast.

You can also help the pears to be fully grown by keeping them in a pierced paper bag. It will help them get enough oxygen and slow down the decay or over ripening.

Tips for Cooking / Eating Pears

Now, when you have almost all information about pears, get ready to eat or cook it. Here are some tips for you:

• Clean and wash a fresh pear, pat it dry and eat it along with the skin. This way, you can make the most of the fibers, phytonutrients and antioxidants present in the fruit.

• Pears can be sliced by using an apple corer. You need to cut it from the base so that the core can be removed effortlessly. Also, pour 2-3 drops of lemon juice into the slices as soon as possible so that they do not get oxidized.

• You can prepare a dessert by combining blue cheese or goat cheese with the pears. If you want to come up with something more delicious, just make a cheese board with some buttery pears, fresh walnuts and honey.

• A tasty pear salad can be prepared by combining the fruit with some leeks, mustard green and watercress. Make it a bit more nutritious by spreading a few walnuts over it.

• Coring pears and softening them with red wine and sugar can also be a wonderful choice.

Principle	Nutrient Value	Percentage of RDA
Energy	58 Kcal	3%
Carbohydrates	13.81 g	11%
Protein	0.38 g	<1%
Total Fat	0.12 g	0.5%
Cholesterol	0 mg	0%
Dietary Fiber	3.10 g	8%
Vitamins
Folates	7 µg	2%
Niacin	0.157 mg	1%
Pantothenic acid	0.048 mg	1%
Pyridoxine	0.028 mg	2%
Riboflavin	0.025 mg	2%
Thiamin	0.012 mg	1%
Vitamin A	23 IU	1%
Vitamin C	4.2 mg	7%
Vitamin E	0.12 mg	1%
Vitamin K	4.5 µg	4%
Electrolytes
Sodium	1 mg	0%
Potassium	119 mg	2.5%
Minerals
Calcium	9 mg	1%
Copper	0.082 mg	9%
Iron	0.17 mg	2%
Magnesium	7 mg	2%
Manganese		2%
Phosphorus	11 mg	2%
Zinc	0.10 mg	1%
Phyto-nutrients
Carotene-ß	12 µg	–
Crypto-xanthin-ß	2 µg	–
Lutein-zeaxanthin	45 µg	–

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