Alternative Health Articles

Fishing for a Longer and Healthier Life

Ever wondered why some people have a longer life expectancy? It has often been said that we are what we eat. And if we took a closer look at the diets of countries that have the longest life expectancy then it would be no surprise that their diets have the healthiest mix of foods prepared over their table. The Japanese in particular have diets that are rich with fish and vegetables. So what makes it standout from most of today's modern diet and what are the benefits of taking fish oil?

Fish takes a centerpiece when we talk about Japanese diets. Its cuisine is characterized by fish often prepared raw combined with fruits and vegetables. One nutrient that is found in great amounts in fish particularly fish fat is Omega 3. This could not be found in fats found in animal meat making it special to fish fat.

Unlike many of the body's much needed nutrients which are produced by breaking down food, Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that could only be taken directly from its source. Good sources of these fatty acids include cold water fishes like salmon, herring and calamari. It could also be found in plant based sources like flaxseed.

Omega 3 fatty acids can be categorized into three types; EPA, DHA and ALA. Fish fat and calamari or squid oil contain EPA and DHA while plant based sources have ALA. Those contained in plant sources however (ALA), needs to be converted to EPA and DLA before being used by the body.

Omega 3 could be found in great amounts in fish fat. It is also referred to as polyunsaturated or essential fatty acids. Omega 3 or “good fat” helps clear clogged arteries and reduces the risks for cardiovascular diseases. This is the exact opposite the action of meat fat which is one of the main culprits in strokes or heart attacks.

The benefits of Omega 3 go beyond keeping our hearts healthy. It is also a vital building block for cell walls. It helps regulate the flow of nutrients to and from the cell and helps send signals to the brain. Omega 3 is essential for keeping our body's basic unit (cells) healthy and functioning at its optimum.

Omega 3 is required for normal brain development. Pregnant women are strongly advised to take their recommended dietary allowance of Omega 3 to ensure normal brain development. This is also important during their growing years for optimum brain growth.

Omega 3 also plays a role in the production of hormones. It is responsible for regulating the production of eicosanoids. This aids in the body's normal immune functioning by reducing inflammation. It reduces blood clotting and promotes the dilation of blood vessels. Omega 3 could also decrease the gravity of strokes and heart attacks by reducing blood clots.

A healthy diet means eating the right type and amount of nutrients. But many of us fail to follow a healthy diet because of the lack of food choices. Varying your choice of foods

The best way to get the most out of eating fish based diets is to have variety. You could have the recommended daily amounts of Omega 3 by eating cold water fish or squid oils. Omega 3 fatty acids could be sourced from a variety of food. These include cold fish, prawns and squid oils which are rich in DHA and EPA. ALA, the third type of Omega 3 fatty acid could be taken from vegetable oils and nuts. Plant sources for ALA include soy bean, flax seed, canola and olive oil.

Foods that Promote Detoxification

Several foods have already been hailed in science and nutrition journals as the saving grace of humankind. That is if humankind is keen enough to forget take-outs, burgers and sodas.

The way your body functions can be taking a lot from your diet, from what you eat and what you ingest. Everything in your system from your digestive to your circulatory to your nervous system relied mostly in the food you take in. They may not function as they usually do once it has been filled with all the oxidants both from external and internal factors.

And here comes the miracle foods that can promote detoxification in the body.

The Detox Craze

Several detox craze has surfaced over the years. Some are even promoted and advertised by famous Hollywood Celebs.

Some established detox process involves incorporation f several foods and natural ingredients. Mostly it requires a day or more of consumption of these formulas but most often results to hunger and eating impulse since it's the only thing they take in.

By this, experts say that to be able to detoxify you may not need to deprive yourself of food, instead choose it wisely and let it complement each other. Take a hint below.

Avocado

Avocado is rich with fiber and anti-oxidant which makes it good for digestion and for the cleansing of the body. Avocado is also high in fats but the good ones. And for the right detox, an organic avocado can do the job instead of the little piece of guacamole in your restaurant meals.

Beets

A regular beet in your meal can do a lot good than an occasional one in your salad. Beets can make sure that you will really flush out the toxins since sometime the toxins are not totally ousted from your system and are reintroduced in your body. It can help in free-radicals and can aid against cancer.

Blueberries

Blueberries have long been known to be a detoxifier. It contains vitamin c and fiber. It is low in calories and is rich with anthocyanins. These antioxidant pigments protect body's cells from free radical damage. It can enhance the glutathione production which is another antioxidant.

Broccoli

Broccoli is health food and you just have to deal with that. It can work for your liver through its enzymes. Raw broccoli can be more nutritional than a cooked one, but you can have your options.

Chia Seeds

Chia seeds can aid in detoxification since it's also rich in antioxidants. It has even more than those of blueberries. It can help boost metabolism, rich in fibre and is high in protein.

Ginger

Gingers benefits have been recognized even back then in the world's ancient civilization.  It can be taken in as tea or as drinks it can help liver to function properly and is rich with astringent properties.

Green tea

Green eta is refreshing but it can also be high in anti-oxidant value. It can help educe and fight free-radicals.

Kale

Kale, blended and made into a shake can be the best possible way to benefit form this vegetables anti-oxidant properties. It can help fight kidney disease and is anti-inflammatory.

Lemons

Lemon as has been a component of most known detox craze. It is rich in vitamin C and can flush out toxins.

Garlic

Though pungent to smell, garlic can be a very good detoxifying food. It is antibacterial, antibiotic and is antiviral. It contains allicin which helps fight against toxins

The above superfoods are just part of the big picture. Some other option not mentioned above includes seaweed, flaxseed, water, watercress, wheatgrass, artichoke and more. And with these options, who's got an excuse not to detoxify?

Aromatherapy : Scents and Effects

Aromatherapy

Have ever you experienced smelling something nice or different and it having an effect on you? Yes, even our sense of smell could have a direct effect on our mood and how we feel. And this is the principle behind aromatheraphy. In fact it's defined as the use of natural oils which induces physical and psychological well being.

Aromatheraphy is also a form or alternative or traditional medicine that is used to promote health naturally. Often time people use aromatheraphy to induce specific moods and feelings or reduce stress and pain caused by physical ailments.

Different scents trigger different reactions. You should know that there are several types of scents which offer a different effect on the person's mood and feeling. It is essential that you understand what particular scent can relieve your ailment. You can get the specific scent you want from oils, candles, soaps, and even perfumes. There are also a lot of variations that you can choose from with each scent having a different effect.

Here are some of the common scents available and their effects:

• Cedar wood- this has a woody, sweet scent. The effects on the body is both soothing and strengthening. This kind of scent is used for treating Dandruff and arthritis.
• Chamomile- it has a sweet, crisp scent which can be relaxing and soothing. You may want to use this scent if you have a headache, experiencing insomnia and nausea. This can also be effective in reducing stress.
• Eucalyptus- this scent is characterized by a fresh and earthy smell. It balances and stimulates your body. This provides relief for colds, poor blood circulation and arthritis.
• Ginger- this scent is commonly used for treating nausea and colds. It is characterized by a warm and spicy aroma which can be warming if inhaled.
• Jasmine- the scent provides a soothing and calming effect for people who are suffering from depression and mental tension. It has a floral and exotic scent which calms and reduces stress levels.
• Lavender- It is characterized by a fruity and fresh aroma. It can have a calming and therapeutic effect on the body. It's a great remedy for people with depression, muscle pain, anxiety and burns.
• Lemongrass-this scent has a fresh and lemony aroma to it. This helps relax the muscles and a great stress releaser. It's great for relieving muscle pain.
• Peppermint- it has a fresh and strong minty aroma. It helps refresh and stimulate the body. This is a good remedy for people who are experiencing headache and nausea.
• Sandal wood - the scent is characterized by a rich delicate and sweet aroma. It can be warming and relaxing to people. This can be a great relief for stress and anxiety.
• Vanilla- it has a rich and warm scent which could be stimulating and relaxing for the body. It is also a great scent for people suffering from depression and anxiety.

Smelling different scents can trigger different reactions from your body. If you want to relax and feel refreshed you now know that specific scents could have a soothing effect on your mind and body. So why not use aromatheraphy to relax your body and lighten up your mood. The next time you start reaching out for your pills; why not experiment with scents and oils to help relieve your tired and stressed body naturally.

Three Steps to Detoxification

Our bodies come fully equipped with natural processes that eliminate harmful toxins in the body. But in today's modern world, keeping our bodies free from toxins is becoming more difficult. We can't control the world around us but there are things we could change to minimize our exposure to toxins. Instead of reaching out for medications we could help our body become more efficient by living a healthier lifestyle.

Assess your lifestyle Poor lifestyle habits are major factors which increase our risk of certain diseases. Choosing to live a healthy lifestyle is the first step towards achieving a healthier body. Smoking, drinking and eating unhealthy diets should be avoided to give your body its best chance of recovering from illness. Drinking or eating foods which contain chemicals defeats the purpose of detoxification which is to completely eliminate and flush all harmful chemicals and agents from a patient's body.

Eating Healthy There are many types of detoxification diets available. However, all of these promote diets which contain general food types. People planning to take a detoxification diet should always remember to keep everything natural. Great care should be taken to avoid foods containing chemicals such as those artificially prepared or preserved.

Eating natural foods is not the only thing important to remember. But eating the right type of food is equally important. Fruits and vegetables are foods rich in antioxidants, they also contain large amounts of fiber which not only prevent some types of cancer but also aids in proper digestion. People should also drink lots natural juices which contain large amounts of natural antioxidants.

Drink lots of water, water is the main medium for transporting toxins out of the body. They increase urine output and hasten the release of toxins in the body. Water therapy also helps to manage constipation, gastric acidity, and diabetes. Studies have also shown their benefits in decreasing the levels of blood chemicals after treatment.

Maintaining Optimum Function of Detoxification Organs The liver and kidneys act as the two major organs responsible for eliminating toxins from the body. Medications all pass through the liver; this is where they are broken down before finally being released for elimination. Medications are important for treatment but they also take a toll on the liver. Taking in too much medication may cause liver damage and cause side effects.

Blood passes thru the kidneys where they are filtered and impurities are passed out thru the urine. It is important that we keep this organs working properly. Putting great stress on these organs can impair their normal functioning. Giving these organs some rest by providing other exits for toxins. This is possible by encouraging the patient to go to a sauna or letting them do simple exercises in order for the toxins to be passed out by the skin thru perspiration.

Free Radicals

Simply put, free radicals are atoms which have an odd number of electrons in its outer ring. Free radicals are atoms which have unstable outer rings. These atoms react by giving off some of its electrons or gain electrons from other atoms to complete their outer shells. It is believed that thru these chemical reactions, normal cells mutate and give rise to cancer cells.

The body normally produces these free radicals thru normal body functions such as metabolism. The danger is when the body's antioxidants become insufficient to eliminate these free radicals. Abnormally high concentrations of free radicals in the body may also be due to exposure to some external factors. Excessive drinking, smoking and pollution are major factors in the formation of free radicals in the body. Another factor which causes high levels of free radicals in the body is age, decreasing production of antioxidants and accumulation exposes this age group to the negative effects of free radicals.