Foods That Fight Water Retention

Healthy Lifestyle : Edema, or also known as water retention, is accumulation of excess fluids in the circulatory system and areas between the body cells. Edema commonly occurs in pregnant women, but anyone can be affected by this condition. Edema causes swelling in different parts of the body, such as face, hands, feet, ankles and legs.

Causes Of Water Retention

Water retention can be caused by many different factors, including body`s reaction to humid weather, hormonal changes during menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause and side effects of oral contraceptives. Furthermore, nutritional deficiencies, heart or liver disorders, hyperthyroidism, kidney and liver disorders, lack of protein, prescribed medications and inadequate intake of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, are also causes of fluid retention in the body. However, the most common cause of edema are food allergies.

Food Allergies

The aging process leads to decreased digestive functions which results with improper food digestion. The food which is not properly digested passes into the intestines where it can cause irritation and inflammation. In this case, it can appear damage of the intestinal walls, causing perforation which allows the food particles to enter the blood.

The immune system responds with releasing antibodies to deal with them, causing allergy symptoms, including fluid retention. Generally, we become allergic to the foods we eat most frequently such as dairy products, eggs and wheat.

All you need to do is eliminate these foods which cause you problems, and the fluid retention will disappear. But, if the fluid retention is caused by other factors, losing weight can be a bit difficult.

Lay Off The Salt

Fast food such as French fries, potato chips, hamburgers, and other food that is rich in salt can cause water retention. Daily body need of sodium is between 2000-2500 mg to complete its metabolic functions properly. Sodium overconsumption can cause many health issues, so you should keep your sodium intake at moderate level and change your diet routines. For instance, you should eat more garlic, ginger, fresh vegetables, chives, cilantro, black pepper, or hot sauce.

Eat More Fiber

Unfortunately, most Americans do not take enough food rich in fibers. These nutrients cleanse the colon and the intestines which allows regular bowel movement and elimination of excess waste and fluids from the body. So, your diet routine should include fresh vegetables and fruits, such as blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries.

Get Sweaty

Water retention condition does not include only water, but also sodium ions trapped under the skin, and this is why your sweat tastes salty. The temperature in our body is regulated with the process of sweating. So if you are sweating, you have a healthy metabolism.

Therefore, you can seat in a sauna, and keep drinking water or coconut water. Soon you will notice how your sweat is changing from being salty to watery. This means that the retained sodium has been eliminated.

Natural Diuretics

Diuretic is a substance which increases the amount of urine excreted from the body. There are natural and synthetic diuretics. Urine is one of the body`s chief means of eliminating excess water and salt and also contains nitrogen compounds such as urea and other waste substances removed from the body by the kidneys. Diuretics are prescribed to treat high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and liver disease all of which cause water retention.

Long and unnecessary use of diuretics can cause dehydration of the body which can damage the kidneys and lead to electrolyte imbalance (sodium and potassium) which are essential for heart, liver and kidney proper function. Electrolyte imbalance can be very dangerous because it can lead to heart failure and sudden death.

Foods With Diuretic Properties

Coffee, tea, celery, eggplant, onion, asparagus and watermelon are excellent natural diuretics. Also, herbs like hawthorn, corn silk, and parsley are very powerful natural diuretics. Of these, hawthorn is said to be the most powerful. Dandelion root can be added to this list as well.

About 90% of your daily diet should consist of unprocessed foods, whole grains, vegetables, fruits, seeds, soya, oily fish and non-GMO foods.

Water

Many people believe that they can reduce swelling by restricting their water intake. But, dehydration actually contributes to water retention in your body. Therefore, you should drink plenty of water throughout the day. Also, you can add a few slices of lemon, lime, or orange as citrus is rich in potassium and can relieve bloating.

Melons

Potassium-rich fruits such as melons and citrus can reduce water retention because they are loaded with the potassium which balances sodium levels. Therefore, you should start your da with fruit salad or smoothie.

Whole Grains & Nuts

Nuts are delicious and are rich in vitamin B6, a nutrient which relieves PMS symptoms. Try to avoid the salted nuts and make sure the whole grains you consume are low in sodium. Whole grains are loaded with fibers and nuts are rich in good fats.

Fatty Fish

Fatty fish, salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna and flax are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids which are extremely beneficial for your heart, brain and joints.

Foods to Avoid

If you want to prevent water retention, you should avoid salty, processed and packaged foods which are overloaded with sodium. Instead, you should consume fresh and organic foods which will reduce the risk of bloating and will improve your overall health.

Apple Cider Vinegar Excellent For Many Skin Conditions

Healthy Lifestyle : Apple cider vinegar is produced in the process of fermentation of apple juice until its sugar turns into vinegar. You can recognize a good ACV if it has a cloudy thing at the bottom of the bottle. That substance contains beneficial bacteria, enzymes, pectin and trace minerals which have numerous health benefits to your health. If you have problems with pimples, age spots, acne or other skin conditions, apple cider vinegar is the right solution for you.

Always try to use only raw, organic and unpasteurized vinegar.

ACV for pimples and acne – soak a cotton pad in the ACV and apply on the pimple/acne area and let it act for 5 minutes if you use it for the first time, and then wash with warm water. When your skin gets used to it, you can prolong the amount of time. Malic acid, contained in ACV, has anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal effects that prevent acne and skin infections. It unblocks the pores which allows the skin to breathe normally, removes the excess oil from your skin, balances the pH levels and the sebum, keeping your skin from being too dry or oily.

ACV for age spots– dip cotton buds in undiluted ACV and apply it on the age spots. Let it act for 20-30 minutes and then wash your face with water. Repeat the procedure once or twice a day for about 6 weeks. ACV contains alpha hydroxyl acids which are able to remove the dead cells from your skin and make it look healthier, younger and refreshed.

ACV for skin cleaning– make your own face tones, diluted with water because it is very acid and can damage your skin. Mix equal amounts of water and vinegar and you can also add green tea, aloe vera or witch hazel. When your skin gets used to it, you can increase the amount of ACV. Shake before use. Dip a cotton bud and apply it to your skin to remove makeup or oil impurities, just try to avoid eye contact. First don`t let it stay longer than 5 minutes. After your skin gets used to it, you can leave it for longer time, if don`t have any reactions. It is recommended to apply it at night. This procedure is also beneficial for treating your acne on the back. After the treatment, use a chemical-free moisturizer such as coconut or jojoba oil

Healthy Ideas and Beautiful Skin

Healthy Lifestyle - All women in the world are worried with their skin. If you understand how to treat your skin, so you can earn better advantages and look young. Metro sexual men are also visits beauty salon to consult skin treatment from beautician. Wow…

Skin begins to lose its luster with the loss of collagen, the material that creates the smooth, elastic feel of youthful skin. As we age, collagen is replaced by amorphous bundles of cells. Skin becomes thin and stretched, and outward signs can include slight inflammation. Outer layers of skin become depleted of blood vessels that supply life-giving nutrients. But this is only part of the story. The loss of collagen and youthful skin is not just a result of simply aging. In fact, the main culprit for the vast majority of these unwanted changes is sunlight exposure. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light can damage your skin in many ways:

• Removes natural antioxidants in your skin, such as vitamins A, C, E, and coenzyme Q
• Decreases or even stops altogether your skin’s ability to make collagen
• Eliminates immune cells that protect against infections and cancers
• Causes several kinds of skin cancers, including melanoma.

Do you love to enjoy outdoor activities? Without excessive exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, skin remains young well past middle age. Science News demonstrated this assertion with contrasting photos in a recent issue. A ninety-year-old Asian monk who never went outdoors appeared to be a much younger man in his thirties. Also shown was a Navajo woman who spent most waking moments in the sun. While only fifty, she appeared twice her age.

Prevention and Treatment

Remember, you can’t change your past. You can, however, take control of what happens to your skin in the future. And you can go a long way toward undoing the damage of past years.
The first step is a commitment to keeping out of the sun. While some sun exposure is necessary to produce vitamin D, reduce that exposure to your face with broad-brimmed hats and wrap-around sunglasses that screen out UV. Also use appropriate sunscreen for your face and body. A broad-spectrum sunscreen that explicitly says it protects against UVA is the best. The spectrum of ultraviolet light causes most of the damage to your skin by creating oxidative free radicals. Traditional sunscreens protect only against UVB. Next, eat a healthy diet that will replenish from within the vitamins and antioxidants your skin needs to neutralize UV damage.
Please beware of cosmetic promotions that can solve your entire skin problem. Consult with your skin expertise.

The most practical route to reversing the ravages of photo aging is to use high-quality skin products formulated according to the latest scientific research. Simply purchasing products at the supermarket or drug store that make wild promises won’t achieve the effect you desire. With a range of scientifically-designed products to attack multiple areas, it is possible to make your skin look younger, to get rid of wrinkles, and to make your skin fuller and more elastic in short, to reverse a great deal of the damage your skin has suffered.

How To Reduce Stress That Causes Hair Loss and Bad Hair

Healthy Lifestyle - Life is not always comfortable and enjoyable. You can be exposed to the stress of work, life issues, and many other pressures. Get the right tips so that you can reduce or overcome it, you can even prevent it. You can enjoy this interesting article below is written by the experts. Your hair will be radiant and shining if you are healthy physically as well as emotionally. Your hair becomes dull and lifeless if you are upset emotionally. Your hair will begin to fall out, and it will become waxy with the overproduction of sebaceous glands.

Stress can affect your hair the same way that affects your other major organs such as your heart. Stress can cause hair loss and many times cause hair problems 3-6 months after some trauma event occurred. As soon as your body finds its equilibrium and you have recovered from stress, the hair loss should cease. Reducing stress can stop stress hair loss so consider the following stress management techniques.

Deep Breathing
Deep breathing is a simple but effective stress management technique. It is actually the core component of many stress management techniques, which are comparatively complex in nature.

Imagery
Imagery is a method of relaxation through use of pleasant or relaxing images. Such images help to calm the body and mind. One can get a sense of relaxation by simply controlling the breathing and viewing some soothing image.

Meditation Techniques
Meditation has long been one of the most popular stress management techniques. It is the process of focusing upon the core of one's being. It soothes the mind, body and the emotions. One can do meditation by daily practice of a routine or simply while being alone outdoors.

Progressive Muscle Relaxation
One can use Progressive Muscle Relaxation to achieve mental relaxation through physical relaxation. It involves tightening and relaxing the muscle groups in succession. In this technique, you first need to tense up a group of muscles to contract them as much as possible. Then relax the muscles normally after a few seconds. You should relax the muscles as much as possible.
Autogenic Training
This stress management technique uses passive concentration and awareness of the body sensations for relaxation. Physicians use Autogenic training as a part of therapy for many ailments. In this technique, one focuses upon different sensations in different organs of the body through repetition of the autogenic "formulas". Those sensations include warmth, heaviness etc.

Biofeedback
Biofeedback is an advanced technique for achieving relaxation, controlling stress responses and for modifying the body's reactions. It uses certain monitoring equipment to extract information from the body. Such equipment can measure heart rate, blood pressure, brain activity, muscle tension, stomach acidity and other biological functions inside the body.

Martial arts
Practicing martial arts can be a great stress management technique. It keeps one physically fit and mentally alert. There are several martial arts that one can take up. Tai chi is a Chinese martial art that is popularly known as "meditation in motion". It stresses precision and force. The body movements are soft and flowing.

Qigong
This ancient Chinese health care system combines Eastern philosophy and relaxation techniques with physical training. The physical training includes aerobic conditioning, isometrics, isotonics etc. This stress management technique has several forms. They are effective in treatment of various medical conditions.

Yoga
This ancient Indian form of exercise is highly effective as a stress management technique. Yoga has many forms but all forms work on the principle that the mind has a connection with the body and breathing. Yoga restores the balance and harmony in the body and emotions through different breathing exercises and postures. It increases the body’s flexibility and capability for relaxation.

Cure Stomach Problems Without Medicine With These 9 Natural Remedies

Healthy Lifestyle - “The gut literally has a mind of its own, and it is intimately, almost instantaneously, connected with the one in our brain,” says gastroenterologist Anil Minocha, MD, author of Natural Stomach Care (Avery, 2003).

Statistically, one out of 5 Americans has problems with functional digestive disorders. This means that their digestive system is structurally healthy, but its function is affected by certain factors. The most common digestive problem which occurs due to intense emotional stress is IBS- Irritable bowel syndrome which is accompanied by chronic pain, diarrhea, constipation and bloating. Also,  there are people who are not diagnosed with a disorders but still experience heartburn or upset stomach each time they are about to give a speech or get on a plane. The conventional treatments for these disorders include fiber and over-the counter-medications which are poorly effective and often have numerous side effects. Or instance, fiber can cause bloating, diarrhea drugs can lead to nausea, etc.

An year ago, the FDA removed the IBS prescription medication Zelnorm from the market after it has been scientifically proved that it can cause heart attack and stroke. Therefore, many people opt for psychosocial approaches, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), relaxation techniques, and hypnotherapy—and experience powerful results.

“The magnitude of improvement that has been reported with psychological treatments [for IBS] seems to be similar to or greater than that reported with medications,” stated an article in the April issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. That’s not to say IBS is “all in your head.” This means that your gut is more closely connected to your psychological state than you think.

A mind of its own

Ten years ago, Michael D. Gershon, Columbia University neurobiologist and MD, invented the term “the second brain,” which describes the web of nerve cells and fibers within the wall of the gut. The gut has over 100 million nerve cells, which is more than in any other organ, including the spinal cord. Also, it contains the same neurotransmitter as those in the brain (including more than 90 percent of the body’s serotonin).

Storehouse of emotion

Psychoneuroimmunologist Candace Pert, PhD, author of Molecules of Emotion (Simon and Schuster, 1999), explains that our gout has the same neurotransmitters as those which make us feel good when someone smiles at us or jerk when watching a violent movie. This affects the esophagus, the intestines as well as the anus.

“People thought that the emotions were housed in the brain, but it turns out that the hundred or so chemicals that modulate our emotions are also found throughout the body, particularly in the gut,” says Pert. “Whether someone is smiling at you or grimacing at you while you are eating can literally open or close one of these sphincter valves,” helping or obstructing digestion.

If you are under stress for a longer period, it can lead to decreased secretion of stomach acid and can slow down digestion, which further leads to overgrowth of bad bacteria which can cause numerous gut problems. Also, chronic stress can slow down the gut`s cell regeneration which normally occurs every 3-5 days. When this regenerative process is obstructed, it causes the intercellular microscopic gaps to allow the partially digested food molecules to enter into the bloodstream, which leads to development of dangerous health condition, known as leaky gut. “On the other hand, when we give our bodies messages that we live in a safe environment, it calms the whole body down, including the gut,” says nutritionist Elizabeth Lipski, PhD, author of Digestive Wellness (McGraw Hill, 2005).

Sending the right message

“A significant number of IBS patients tend to worry a lot, think the worst, and blow things out of proportion,” says Jeffrey Lackner, PsyD, at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine. “That works if they can tackle a problem and do something about it, but if they can’t, it can lead to physical problems, many of them GI-related.”

Lackner conducted a study which included 75 IBS patients. The participants were divided into three groups, where the control group was under their usual therapy which included medications, one group underwent 10 sessions of therapistadministered cognitive behavioral therapy, and the last group had self-directed CBT. After a period of 12 weeks, 72% of the self-directed group experienced considerable improvement, while 62 percent of the therapist group and 7 percent of the control group improved.

Another effective therapy for IBS is “gut-directed” hypnotherapy: The patients is put under hypnosis and is asked to imagine that she has the power over her aching stomach ( in some cases she may be told that when she puts her hand on the stomach, it feels calm and warm). According to a recent study, children with IBS who underwent t six sessions over three months reported significant pain relief than the control group. Also, another study confirmed that relaxation and mediation therapies reduce IBS symptoms.

“Ancient cultures have always believed all health and sickness begin in the stomach. That’s why there has been so much emphasis not just on what you eat, but how.”

Mind Over (Gut) Matter

The principle aim of Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is to help people change their perception of stressful situations and help them solve their problems efficiently. Some elements of CBT for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) include:

Write a journal of symptoms for at least two weeks where who can note foods or stressful situations before the symptoms began. This can give you a clear picture of the most common triggers and will help you notice whether your therapy forks.

Track stressful situations in your week, how you managed to handle them, what were you feeling and thinking in that time and whether you experienced stomach problems.

If you have a problem which bothers you all the time, ask yourself these questions: What is worrying me? How much control do I have over the situation? What can I do? What is the worst that could happen?

If there is something you can do to solve the problem, make a decision and do it. If you there is nothing you can do, simply try to let it go.

De-catastrophize. If you are bothered about certain upcoming event, ask yourself these questions: Is this situation time-limited? Can I handle it for that long? Is it worth having stomach problems over?

Easy Remedies for Better Digestion

Consume yogurt

According to research, people with IBS who regularly consume probiotics can reduce the symptoms by half. “They affect gut motility, gut secretion, and immune antibody responses,” says Anil Minocha, MD. He recommends regular consumption of two servings of high-quality yogurt containing multiple live active cultures.

Take peppermint

A recent New York study found that one capsule of peppermint oil three times a day reduced abdominal pain in IBS patients by 80%. Moreover, it has been proved that peppermint has the ability to relax the muscles which cause stomach spasms and cramps.

Come prepared

If you have problems with GI distress before certain speech or before getting on a plane, try to get on the place early and take time to prepare, take a deep breath and relax.

Try homeopathy

The nutritionist Elizabeth Lipski finds the homeopathic remedy Hyland’s Calms Forte (calmsforte.com) extremely beneficial for treating stomach disorders caused by stress and nervous tension.