Enjoy a full years subscription of Healthy Revelations and discover life-changing health secrets you won't find anywhere else.

  • $240 Yearly Value
Topics covered include:
  • How To Lose Weight Fast
  • Healthy Eating
  • Stress Relief
  • Disease Prevention
  • Doctor Recommendations
  • Seasonal Health Tips
  • And More...

FEATURED ARTICLES

Details

Before you consider jumping into the vegetarian bandwagon, there are several things you should first consider. Turning a new leaf entails some sacrifices but can be very rewarding once these changes become second nature. Going cold turkey and switching to a vegan lifestyle may not be for everybody. Becoming a vegetarian is a life changing decision. But before you make that all important decision.

Vegetarians and Vegans

A pure vegetarian also termed as a vegan, is a person who only consumes fruits and vegetables. They have made a conscious decision to exclude meat, fish and poultry from their diet. Becoming a vegetarian started to become popular in the 90's and has shed its image as a fad diet for the rich and famous to one of the healthiest diet being used today.

Upsides

Eating vegetables drastically lowers a person's risk for cancer. Compared to the preparation and cooking of meat, vegetables require less or no cancerous elements during its preparation. Simple grilling and smoking : two of the most common ways of preparing and cooking meat produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic amines which are said to be carcinogenic.

Vegetarians are also less likely to be overweight compared to their meat-loving counterparts and are more likely to be energetic during the day. A higher intake of dietary fiber is also observed with vegetarians while people who shun from vegetables have greater chances of suffering from micronutrient deficiencies.

Downsides

The advantages of being a vegan and having a vegetarian diet are well-documented. However, the disadvantages of vegetarianism should not be taken for granted either.

  • Protein deficiency

Meats are our body's primary sources for protein, essential building materials for our body. If you're shunning out meat entirely from your diet, include legumes, poultry, soya beans, nuts and seeds. Rich sources of protein include dairy products such as milk, egg, yogurt and cheese.

Vegetable based meat alternative don't only look the part but also contain good amounts of proteins. Tofu for example is rich in proteins making them a healthy option for vegetarians.

  • Mineral deficiency

There is a chance that a vegan might suffer from mineral deficiencies so it's important that you consult with your doctor or a dietician to keep your diets truly healthy. Restrictive diets run the risk of shunning out limited sources of important nutrients and minerals needed by the body. Taking in natural food supplements is a simple way of supplying yourself with much needed minerals and vitamins.

  • Food Preparation

Many restaurants would label themselves as Vegan-friendly but are unaware on how to properly prepare vegan dishes. Take for example restaurant that cook using meat based oils in preparing their dishes. Dining out could be a challenge as Vegan restaurants are hard to come by.

Three Simple Steps to Becoming a Vegetarian

Discipline and sacrifice are two of the most important attributes for those planning to switch to a vegetarian lifestyle. Lifelong eating habits could not be changed overnight. Going cold turkey is highly discouraged. People who suffer from the unpleasant psychological side effects of the experience might not continue

It takes a lot of discipline and sacrifice to embark on this vegetarian journey and avoiding the stress of completely overhauling your diet overnight can be really helpful. Allow your body to be acclimated with a plant-rich diet for at least a month or two before shifting full gear into a vegetarian lifestyle. Here is PETA's (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) guide to becoming a vegetarian.

  1. For the first two weeks, be vegetarian three times a week
  2. For the next two weeks, try being a vegetarian five times a week
  3. You've been nearly vegetarian for almost a month : congratulations!

Meat Alternatives

Tofu

First used in ancient China around 200 B.C., tofu or sometimes called us bean curd has long been used in Chinese cuisines. Tofu is made up from soy milk and has a subtle flavor, making it a perfect partner for dishes that require strong meat flavors.

Tempeh

Tempeh is a traditional Indonesian food made from fermented soybeans and other grains. Unlike tofu which is made from soybean milk, tempeh contains whole soybeans, making it a lot denser. Because of its density, tempeh should be braised in a flavorful liquid for at least an hour prior to cooking or preparation. Doing so softens the tempeh and makes its flavor a lot milder.

Seitan

Seitan or wheat gluten is derived from wheat and is a great source of protein. Seitan can be used as a chicken substitute in all-time favorite chicken-based meals like curry, chicken soup or the Spain's paella and picadillo.

Some other vegetables that can be used to substitute or totally remove meat from your diet include nuts, wheat and bread : all of which are great sources of protein and calories. Similarly, fresh fruits and their juices can also be incorporated into a healthy vegetarian diet.

Vegetables versus Meat

Declaring vegetables better than meat or vice versa outright is arguable. Labeling certain food group as being unhealthy is unjustified. Even your average burger with all its fat and cholesterol plays a vital role in supplying our bodies with much needed energy.

However, this doesn't mean that we should ignore the benefits of eating vegetables over meat. Research reveals time and time again that being a vegetarian or consuming a plant-rich diet can help you in more ways than you can imagine.

Details

You have seen people drinking it on the subway, in the elevator, at the gym and maybe even in those posh cafés and grills, but what's the big deal about coconut water?

Well, that's easy, coconut water is incredibly healthy and one of the best drinks to hydrate the body.  And besides aiding in digestion and helping to remove harmful toxins from your body, coconuts have anti-viral, anti-microbial, AND anti-fungal properties that can help cure disease!

Coconut water is low in carbohydrates, low in sugars and is 99 % fat free.  Many nutritionists are calling coconut water the “sports energy drink” of today's day and age because it is naturally good for you and full of the vitamins we need to ward off fatigue.

When compared to sports drinks, coconut water:

  • Contains more potassium, about 294 mg.
  • Has less sodium, at about 25 mg.
  • Has 5 mg of natural sugars.
  • Is very high in chloride at 118 mg.

(Data based on a 100 ml size coconut water drink.)

Because coconut water contains organic compounds possessing healthy growth promoting properties, drinking it has been known to help the following:

  • Raise your metabolism.
  • Boost your immune system.
  • Promote weight loss.
  • Keep the body cool and at the proper temperature.
  • Carry nutrients and oxygen to cells.
  • Naturally replenish your body's fluids after exercising.
  • Detoxify and fight viruses.
  • Boost poor circulation.
  • Control diabetes.
  • Cleanse your digestive tract.
  • Treat kidney and urethral stones.
  • Balance your pH and reduce your risk of cancer.
  • Aid your body in fighting viruses that cause the flu, herpes and AIDS.
  • Orally hydrate your body; it is an all natural isotonic beverage.

Still not sold on the amazingness of coconut water? How about these little known facts,

  • Coconut water is much healthier than orange juice because it has much fewer calories.
  • Coconut water is more nutritious than whole milk because it has less fat and no cholesterol.
  • Coconut water is better than processed baby milk because it contains lauric acid, which is present in mother's milk.
  • Coconut water is a universal donor and is identical to human blood plasma.
  • Coconut water is naturally sterile.
  • Coconut water is a naturally isotonic beverage; the same level that we have in our blood.
  • Coconut water has saved lives in Third World Countries through Coconut IV.

Details

elderly exercise 2 Health experts are constantly conducting research in order to learn more about the benefits of exercise for the elderly. Studies have shown that sedentary adults are more likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and joint and muscle disorders.

To help ward off these conditions and to deal with the everyday wear and tear that aging has on our bodies, experts suggest that individuals over the age of 50 should consult their physician and a personal trainer to come up with a fitness plan that works for them.

According to MSNBC, Joe Scott, a NATA member who is outpatient orthopedic team leader for South Coast Hospitals Group in New Bedford, MA says, “If we continue to exercise, especially strength training, we decrease the loss of bone density. Just by working on strength training, you're working your muscles to keep strong.”

Elderly adults who do choose to maintain an exercise regimen experience the same benefits as their younger counterparts including weight control, the ability to manage daily stress and improved self-confidence. In addition, experts say regular exercise can lower blood pressure, increase strength and stamina, enhance flexibility, improve balance and coordination in senior citizens, curb depression, reduce the risk of premature death and minimizes the development of brittle bones. A 1994 Tufts University study showed that even at age 98, exercise and strength training can significantly reverse a loss of strength.

Many people think that beyond a certain age, you become too weak to strength train or benefit from it. But research shows the complete opposite. Without adequate muscle exercise, most adults lose 20 to 40 percent of the muscle they had as young adults. With too much muscle loss people have difficulties performing daily activities that allow them to live independently.

Experts say that even small gains in muscle : too small to see : can make significant differences in how seniors live. Strength training can affect whether an older person can get out of a chair without help. It can also influence their sense of balance, risk of falls and fractures, and the ability to climb stairs or carry groceries. Strength training can even make bones stronger and weight control easier.elderly exercise

One recent study of seniors showed that after six months of strength training, strength in a variety of muscle groups increased 31 percent for the duration of the two-year study. Other studies show benefits for the frail elderly living in nursing homes. People who had formerly needed walkers to get around could use a cane instead.

As found on MSNBC.com, the National Institute on Aging recommends strength training of all major muscle groups: arms, shoulders, chest, abdomen, back, hips and legs, as well as exercise to enhance grip strength. The NIA has even developed a free exercise guidebook to help seniors train safely. It includes 12 strength-training exercises, equipment options, safety cautions (especially for those who have had hip replacements) and resources for additional free information. View it at www.nia.nih.gov/exercisebook .

Seniors often identify access to appropriate equipment as a barrier to strength training. While free weights or Nautilus-type equipment at fitness centers are one option, elastic bands or resistance tubing, which are sold at sporting good stores and discount chains, are effective at keeping seniors strong. Even cans of food or water bottles filled with beans or sand can work.

The American Institute for Cancer Research emphasizes regular exercise, ideally an hour a day, as a vital part of a lifestyle to lower cancer risk and promote good health and a healthy weight. Aerobic exercise like walking, biking and swimming can be the mainstay of your activity. But we all need to include exercise that maintains our flexibility, balance and strength. And that doesn't change as we age.

Details

As odd as it may seem, your feet may be the window to your overall body health. Here are some things to look for regarding your feet that will give you clues that there may be other important body issues to look into.

No hair on your feet or toes If your feet or toes are lacking hair, it can be a sign of having poor circulation because of vascular disease.  If you notice that your feet and toes do not have any hair on them, you will want to consult your doctor to find out ways to improve your circulation thereby reducing your risk of acquiring vascular disease.

A wound that won't heal on your foot Wounds on your feet that just won't heal could be an indication of diabetes.  Over time, elevated blood glucose levels can lead to serious nerve damage in your feet and because of this damage you may not feel when you have a sore or a wound on your foot.  If your wound continues to go unhealed there could be major problems, including amputation.  If you notice a wound that won't heal on your feet be sure to contact your doctor to discuss your wound.  If you are currently living with or being treated for diabetes, be sure to check your feet often and mark any changes.

Cold feet While most women are known for their “cold feet” there may be something even more serious going on if you constantly have cold feet.  For women, having cold feet is a sign of an under functioning thyroid, the gland that regulates temperature and metabolism.  Poor circulation is another explanation of cold feet in both women and men.  If you experience cold feet that simply don't warm up with warm socks or slippers, talk it over with your doctor to have your thyroid checked and explore your options, which may include thyroid medications.

Thick, yellow toenails

Toenails are not supposed to be thick and/or yellow.  Thick, yellow nails are most often an indication of a fungal infection living beneath your toenails.  People that have other medical conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and other immune deficiencies are more likely to get a fungal infection than those that do not have these conditions.  To treat thick, yellow toenails, you will need to consult a podiatrist.  While there are plenty of over-the-counter treatments for thick, yellow toenails, by the time your nails are already discolored and thick it is too late for any over-the-counter creams or medicines to work. You must discuss your options with a professional.

An enlarged big toe Gout is the condition when the big toe suddenly swells up to an uncomfortable size. Gout is actually a form of arthritis due to the buildup of uric acid. This condition typically shows up in your big toe because it affects the part of your body with the lowest temperature, which is often the big toe.  It can also occur in your knees, elbows, Achilles tendon and the instep of your foot.  If you discover that your big toe has swollen to an abnormally large size, contact a foot care specialist, who with diet recommendations and medication, can help to cure this condition.

Details

It's a well-known fact that being overweight increases your chance of being at risk of a number of chronic diseases, including high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular disease.  But research shows that even a small amount of weight loss can lessen your risk of falling victim to these deadly diseases.

Research also shows that, unfortunately, eating just 100 more calories a day than you should, can cause your body weight to be in the obese category and not just the overweight category.

To determine whether or not you are overweight or obese, use a BMI Calculator.  A BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight; a BMI between 30 and 39.9 is considered obese.  If your BMI is greater than 25 and you are older than 30 years old, you should strongly consider losing weight to reduce your risk of heart disease and other life-threatening conditions.