May09

Acai Berry Select-weight loss formula

by Beautiful on May 9th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
Posted In: Beauty, Health and fitness, Nutrition, Product review, Weight loss

Just like other fruits, acai berries are nutritious and full of anti-oxidants. But contrary to popular belief, acai berries do not hold magic to losing weight, what they do is enable your body to burn fat more efficiently as they are loaded with essential minerals and vitamins. They also help in muscle building and increase one’s overall energy, a property that is very necessary for weight loss, as it is optimal in bodies with very high metabolic rates.

Some of the important acai berry functions are;

  • Enhancing weight loss
  • Increasing metabolism
  • Helps fight fatigue
  • Increases fat oxidation
  • Unbelievable antioxidants functions
  • Increases the overall energy

 

Acai Berry Select – weight loss formula boosts the effectiveness of the acai berries with a combination of nutrients that help in weight-loss, increased energy levels and antioxidants to leave you not only smaller and healthier, but also feeling and looking youthful.

They have also thrown together three free premium bonuses namely:

  • Free weight management club membership
  • Free weight loss tips E-book
  • Free weight loss visualization mp3 download

It’s definitely worth checking out.

Click here to visit the site.

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May08

Yoga For The Cancer Patient

by Beautiful on May 8th, 2012 at 8:15 am
Posted In: Health and fitness

Cancer and yoga are not often used in the same sentence. The truth is, yoga provides substantial benefits cancer patients, whether they are recently diagnosed or in remission. Since studies suggest that exercise is helpful for cancer patients, yoga is an excellent class to take up.

What Yoga Does

There are many reasons that yoga exists. For some it is about spiritual health. Others practice yoga to increase flexibility. Every person that practices yoga does so because it feels amazing. There are few exercises that can bring forth the sense of calmness and beauty that yoga can. It centers the mind, body and spirit. It calms nerves and builds flexibility. Yoga is a well-rounded practice that enhances your quality of life from all angles.

Yoga will:
•           Give you strength.
•           Help you relax and meditate.
•           Boost your health and fitness.

How To Start Yoga

If you are diagnosed with bone cancer, breast cancer, color cancer or even mesothelioma, it is safe to start yoga whenever you are ready. Unless you have previous experience, start a beginner yoga class. Difficult classes can lead to injury. Advanced moves can take time to work up to. Beginner classes are great and suitable for those with an illness or limitation. Anyone can do yoga.

Find A Type Of Yoga You Love

There are a dozen or so types of yoga. Ananda yoga, for example, is designed for meditation and relaxation. Bikram yoga focuses on fitness training for the body. It builds strength, endurance and cardiovascular flexibility. Power yoga on the other hand, is fast paced and will make you sweat. It’s important to ask what type of yoga class is hosted at your gym, and then go from there. Find something you love. There is a yoga type for everyone.

Yoga Can Be Modified

Don’t worry if yoga seems too difficult at first. Plenty of cancer patients start off not knowing a thing about yoga. Your instructor can help you modify poses. You will still get the same benefits modifying the poses. As long as you feel the stretch and focus on breathing properly, you are doing it correctly.

Why Yoga Is Excellent For Cancer Patients

Cancer is no doubt stressful. Yoga provides such a great sense of well-being to those that practice. The yogi community is positive and strong. There are even classes that cater to those going through cancer treatment. When you participate in a yoga group, you can expect to feel welcome. Overtime you will feel your strength building. Practicing yoga will change your life in a positive manner that will walk you through the toughest stages of treatment.

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Mar15

Health Benefits of Strawberries

by Beautiful on March 15th, 2012 at 9:41 am
Posted In: Beauty, Health and fitness, Nutrition

Here’s an extract from Daily Nation’s Living magazine.

I was at the green grocers the other day when a flash of bright red caught my eye. Nowadays, I ignore the berry section since all you get is small fruit.

 

Yet here I was, staring at a punnet filled with fat, juicy strawberries with that bright, red colour that is unique to the fruit.

The garden strawberry is a hybrid species that is cultivated worldwide for its fruit. The fruit, in strict botanical terms, is not berry, but an aggregate accessory fruit.

It is valued for its aroma, inviting red colour, juicy texture, and sweetness.

Strawberries are either eaten fresh, or in prepackaged foods such as fruit juice, ice creams, milkshakes, as well as pies.

Strawberries have the taste that varies by cultivar (grown variety), and ranges from quite sweet to acidic. The typical berry features are a red pulp with tiny yellow coloured seeds piercing through its surface from inside.

The top end has a small, green leafy cap and a stem that adorns its crown. Each berry is conical in shape, weighs about 25g and measures about 3cm in diameter.

Although wild varieties are sometimes available in the market, large scale production uses the modern “plasticulture” system. In this method, raised beds are formed each year, fumigated, and covered with plastic, which prevents weed growth and soiling of berries.

History

There is evidence that the wild variety of strawberries was present in Italy as early as 234 B.C., but the cultivated variety doesn’t appear in history until the early 1300s in France.

Health benefits of strawberries

Strawberries are low in calories (32 kcal/100g) and fats but are a rich source of many health promoting phyto-nutrients, minerals and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.

Fresh berries are an excellent source of vitamin-C (about 98% of RDI), which is also a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin C helps the body to develop resistance against infections, counter inflammation and get rid of harmful free radicals.

The fruit is rich in B-complex group of vitamins and folic acid that act as co-factors that help your body metabolise carbohydrates, proteins and fats.

Strawberries also contain vitamin A, vitamin E and many health-promoting antioxidants such as beta-carotene in small amounts.

A good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, fluorine, copper, iron and iodine are also found in strawberries.

Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that help to control the heart rate and blood pressure.

Copper is required for the production of red blood cells while iron is required for red blood cell formation. Fluoride is a component of bones and teeth and is important for prevention of dental caries.

Selection and storage

Select strawberries that are shiny, deep red, with attached green caps. They should feel firm and plump, and of course, free of mold.

Avoid those that appear dull, sunken or flattened and those with cuts or discolored patches. Unripe strawberries have green or yellow patches on the surface.

They are likely to be sour and of inferior quality. Strawberries stop to ripen as soon as they’re harvested, and don’t have a long shelf life.

Before storing in the refrigerator, remove any berries that have the slightest sign of mold or damage, since they may spoil the rest. Place them in a wide bowl or spread out on a plate covered with paper towel, and then cover with plastic wrap.

They keep fresh in the refrigerator for a day or two. Use them as soon as possible unless they are frozen.
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Feb24

10 Health Benefits of Apricot Fruits

by Beautiful on February 24th, 2012 at 8:06 am
Posted In: Beauty, Health and fitness, Nutrition

This fruit which originated from china contains copper, iron, potassium, zinc, iron, manganese, carotenes, phyto-chemicals, lycopene, vitamins A and C, riboflavin (B2) and niacin (B3). It’s benefits range from combating indigestion, helping the skin, easing an earache, lowering fevers, preventing cancer among others.

Image source: thebest-healthy-foods.com

Below are some of its benefits:

1. Prevents constipation

Its high fiber content helps prevent constipation by adding the bulk thus aiding smooth and regular bowel movements.

2. Good for the skin

Apricot oil is easily absorbed by the skin and does not leave it shiny. It is also used to prevent and heal skin diseases like scabies and itching.

3. Boosts immunity

Vitamins present in the fruit like Vitamin C are natural oxidants that help prevent diseases by boosting one’s immunity.

  1. Prevent macular degeneration

Luycopene in the apricot fruit reduces the risk of macular degeneration by 36%.

  1. Regulate heart rate and blood pressure

High potassium content helps regulate heart rate and the blood pressure.

  1. Good for earache

The perfect remedy for an earache is apricot oil

  1. Prevents anaemia

The formation of hemoglobin treats anaemia. And the fruit is rich in iron and copper help its formation.

  1. Helps in the treatment of asthma

The anti-asthmatic nature of the fruit helps treat asthma.

  1. Good for fevers

Apricot juice provides the required minerals, vitamins, water and calories for patients suffering from fevers.

  1. Cures Cancer

Apricot seeds are good in curing of cancer.

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Jan20

10 Health Benefits of WaterMelon

by Beautiful on January 20th, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Posted In: Beauty, Health and fitness, Nutrition, Weight loss

The water melon is one of the juiciest fruits on earth. It contains a very large quantity of water which brings about a cooling effect especially during the summer season. A water melon is very rich in potassium, carotenoid, sodium antioxidants, lycopene, Vitamin A, B1, B6 and C, magnesium, citrulline, amino acids, arginine and other phytonutrients.

It therefore goes without saying that it’s health benefits are many. Below are some of the major ones…

Image source: home.howstuffworks.com

  1. 1.      It controls the blood pressure

The high amounts of potassium and magnesium in the fruit ensure that it reduces the blood pressure. This is also made possible by the present carotenoids that work by preventing the hardening of the veins and arteries’ walls.

2.      Strengthens the immune system

In addition to magnesium and potassium, water melons are also a great source of thiamin which protects the body from many diseases.

3.      Neutralizes free radicals

Water melons contain anti-oxidants that travel throughout the body neutralizing free radicals thus preventing against colon cancer, prostate cancer, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, heart diseases and stroke.

4.      Reduces the risk of kidney disorders

Potassium that is present in water melons is crucial in the toxic deposition from the kidneys. It also reduces the concentration of uric acid in the blood thus reducing the formation of calculi in the kidneys.

5.      Cooling effect

Watermelon has a special cooling effect and is exceptionally high in citrulline, an amino acid used by our bodies to make another amino acid, known as arginine, which is used in the urea cycle to remove ammonia from the body.

6.      Prevents macular degeneration

Beta-carotene and the vitamin C in the fruit both protect the eyes from macular degeneration thus promoting a sharp vision and ensuring that our eyes stay healthy

7.      Improves cardiac functions

Water melon is also famous for its high lycopene abundance. It is the one that gives the fruit its characteristic red colour. This carotenoid, beta-carotene and the anti-oxidants properties in the fruit work together towards ensuring that our hearts remain young and free from age related cardiac problems

8.      Good for diabetes

Water melons are good supply of low energy and low sugar diets which ease the inflammation in diabetic people. They also promote the proper functioning of the insulin which further reduces the blood sugar levels. Arginine also enhances the impact of insulin on sugar

9.      Good for energy production

A water melon is rich in vitamin B1 and B6 which are essential for energy production.

10.  Prevents impotence

The presence of arginine in water melons is also beneficial in curing erectile dysfunctions.

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