The guidelines for healthy living – Natural health guide

7 ways to improve your metabolism

There are very few people who are able to eat everything they want and still not put on weight. Not many people have a perfect metabolism. In order to help the calories which enter our organism we have to respect certain rules.

Having breakfast

The metabolism decelerate in nighttime, when we don’t consume food for 9-12 hours. When we refuse to have breakfast we give a signal to our metabolism not to begin its activity and continue to sleep. The organism decide it have to protect its energy until the receipt of food. Breakfast has the capacity to stimulate the metabolism, in this way reminding the organism it has to begin the working process.

Drink green tea

Green tea is a fount of useful substances. But the most important is the fact that green tea contains phenols, which clean the liver, helping the organism to get read of toxins and thermogenics – substances, which have the property to burn fats, assuring a more efficient work of the metabolism.

Eat carefully

Concentrate not on the fact WHAT are you eating, but HOW are you eating. The process of digestion begins with the moment you smell the food you intend to eat. Therefore it is not recommended to eat in front of the monitor, while watching TV or while reading a book or a magazine. Concentrate on the process of food consummation, eat slowly and chew carefully.

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When should we consider the alcohol useful? Which doses are considered being medicinal?

It is obvious that drinking is evil and the end of December is a period of the year when everyone understands the fact that you can not avoid drinking alcohol. We will try to find something useful in it.

Champaign

The “pro” arguments: the most festive drink. It has the capacity to take off the irritability, to restore the appetite and to enhance the gustatory sensations. It is also useful in cases of edemas and cardiac insufficiency, when we need to enhance the elimination of liquids out of the organism.

”Contra” arguments: it’s harmful for people with gastritis.
Facts: French scientist confirmed the efficiency of the old Cold healing method: put in Champaign two pieces of sugar, boil the solution and drink it before sleep. Tannins and sugar give impulse to develop the antibodies, magnesium helps to recovery and liquidate muscles tiredness; selenium helps to stop the development of the infection, sulphur and amino acids decrease the temperature.

Wine

The “pro” arguments: red wines are useful for heart, has antioxidant properties, decelerate the aging processes, favor the recovery of vital force and raise the tone and the cheerfulness. The wine is recommended in case of   gastrointestinal disturbances. White wine is good for thirst. Portwines and Vermouths help in case of lack of appetite, favoring a better release of gastric juice.

”Contra” arguments: white wines are not indicated in case of urolithiasis, which may lead to inflammatory process (nephritis, cystitis, etc.). It can not be drink while suffering from prostatitis .
Facts: In wine-making regions during the epidemics the amount of infected people, regularly consuming wine is much lower. The wine suppresses the tuberculosis, malaria bacteria, etc. The same effect is present if we dissolve the wine with water.

Cognac

The “pro” arguments: cognac widens the veins and removes the headache; 30 ml of this drink mixed with sugar will help in case of hypertension and stenocardia. One spoon of cognac will soothe the nerves and remove the stress.
”Contra” arguments: cognac must not be consumed in cases of diabetes and cholelithiasis.
Facts: As older is the drink, as efficient are its properties. On American market during the “dry law” cognac was sold in drug stores as a medication.

Vodka

The “pro” arguments: Pepper Vodka is efficient in cases of Cold and cough. In little doses it helps cure the headache (in large doses it becomes the reason of headache). A moderate dose influences the digestion. If we consume daily 25-30 grams of vodka it will decrease the level of our cholesterol.

”Contra” arguments: vodka may accomplish a faster alcohol dependency.
Facts: researches prove that strong drinks, based on refined alcohol (which is more pure from chemical point of view) lead to alcoholism, and during the healing process is much more difficult to heal the dependence of vodka than of cognac, for example. We should not think that vodka is the safest drink, because unlike cognac or whiskey, it’s more “pure”.

Do not flatter yourself!

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Smoking may drive you nuts

Researches proved smoking being even dangerous for younger smokers’ brain – Smoking may influence the mood and temper not in the best manner

American researchers state that smoking in adolescence may lead to psychical disorders after several decades.The scientists of Florida University reached to this conclusion. A group headed by psychology professor Carlos Bolanos studied the influence of nicotineusing the laboratory rats. Don’t be surprised: even animal may be submitted to psychological disorders. In this way, the animals that participated inprofessor’s Bolanos researches fell into depression. They became more sensible to stress, were permanently nervous and fell no pleasure during the eatingprocess and of other external stimulants.

These are the main symptoms of depression among people. Thus the test proved that nicotine may lead to psychological disorders and the effect is postponed for years, even decades.

The experiment took place in two stages. Young rats were injected a small doze of nicotine. Then the scientists had to wait until the rats will grow older and carried their tests. One of them had as a purpose to analyze the rats’ reactions to stress, other to analyze their reaction to pleasure. Accordingly in these tests there participated “rats-smokers” and rats which didn’t get nicotine.

As it was expected the rats from the nicotine group proved signs of depression. They were reacting indifferently to rewards, ignored their favorite food andin stress situation practically showed a lack of any action. This reaction was common even for the rats that got a single doze of nicotine. As Bolanos explained, even the insignificant smoking experience may have an effect on the psychic setup.
– I was very surprised to find that even a one day influence of the nicotine can have such complicated consequences – stated Bolanos for Science Daily.

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Coffee, sex or alcohol: what is really harmful for our heart?

Heart related questions with keys – Find a lot of interesting things and facts about human’s heart

1. How and why is it working?
The main purpose of the heart is to disperse the blood through our organism. It practically contains two pumps: the first (the left one) favors the circulation of blood through arteries. This blood is called arterial and is rich in oxygen, glucose, minerals and vitamins. When it passes through blood veins, the organism is filled with the necessary substances and gets rid of unnecessary ones, like carbonic acid.
After a full cycle the blood is returning to the heart, this time to its right “pump” which lead it into lungs. There blood is filled with oxygen, gets rid of carbonic acid and is returned to the heart. Then the cycle restarts.

2. Are the heart diseases contagious?
Some of them are very contagious, because heart, as well as every other organ may be charged with infectious diseases. The most popular is infective endocarditis, which affected more often men than women. It is encountered among people after 50 years old and has a lethal consequence.

3. How to detect if you have problems with your heart?
There is a large amount of symptoms and signs that reveal heart diseases. Among them we may name chest ache, edemas of the lower parts of body and of feet, short breaths, insomnia (caused by breathing difficulties), headaches, tiredness and extra weight. All these symptoms may be caused by other diseases, but it is recommended to check your heart situation.

4. Does the first heart attack mean you will have the second?
In many cases – yes. Unfortunately, heart attack can easily be repeated. If you had one heart attack or a stroke, the risk to get the second one is much higher, than for other people.

5. Are the heart diseases hereditary?
Yes. According to researches the genetic factor defines 50% of heart diseases cases.

6.  Can the heart be treated with…alcohol?
It is not possible to cure your heart with alcohol, but in some cases consumption of moderate doses of alcohol is useful. Small portions of alcohol increased the amount of “good” cholesterol in your blood and favor a good state of the veins. Besides, alcohol has the property to dilute the blood and to favor the blood circulation. But the consumption of the alcohol should not be at all excessive.

7.  How aging favors the deterioration of your heart?
While aging the risk of contracting heart diseases is increasing, for example in case of coronary disease. As older we are, as less elastic are our vessels (veins). It favors the hypertension and the risk of heart attacks and strokes. There are heart attacks at 35 or 40 years, but these cases are very rare. The largest number of strokes and attacks are after 60.

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Antioxidants – Useful information with practical application

All about antioxidants activity, details about different kind of antioxidants and the products with the greater amount of antioxidants – (Antioxidants are nutrients that protect against health-threatening “free radicals.” Antioxidants neutralize “free radicals” before they can attack healthy cells and cause damage.  There are over 50 degenerative diseases in which “free radicals” are implicated, including cancer and heart disease)

Fresh fruit and berry juices contain a large amount of antioxidant activity

Strong antioxidants, like anthocyanins and flavonoids are present in garnet, grape and citric juices. Beside juices, a large amount of these antioxidants are present in citric plants mesocarp – a white stratum under the peel. A large amount of this substance is also present in chokeberry( The chokeberries (Aronia) are two species of deciduous shrubs in the family Rosaceae, native to eastern North America. They are most commonly found in wet woods and swamps) juice and winter apples juice.

In order to avoid the oxidation process, on producing juices in factories, there are added different types of oxidation preventives, especially ascorbic acid. But due to the use of preservatives and stabilizers the energy of juices becomes lower.

This is why our ancestors used in their meals a lot of garlic, anions, cabbage, beet, carrot. The Cruciferae like radishes and turnips have almost the same amount of antioxidants like garlic. They also have sulfur-containing glycosides, indole compounds, vitamins. All these plants are successfully used in preventing oncology diseases.

Besides anion and garlic, parsley and celery also contain a large amount of volatile oils, which have antiseptic, bactericidal and spasmolytic effect on man’s gastrointestinal tract.

Many active biological substances, like proteins, sugar, tannins, alkaloids, vitamins and volatile oils are present in tea. The tea is useful in cases of poisoning, weakening of heart and respiratory activity. It also helps to improve our digestion.

Antioxidant activity of the tea depends on the condition in which it is cultivated and on technology of leaf processing: degree of blending (granulated, small-leaved or large-leaved), on condition of drying, fermentation and storage. The quality of the tea is generally measured depending on flavonoids content, which represent unstable connections that loose their energy in the process of oxidation. The ratio of non-oxidized flavonoids and oxidated product in a normal tea represents 1:10, in bad tea – 1:20, and it is not conceivable to consume tea with 1:25 ratio.

The tea should be drawn for 3-5 minutes and then consumed instantly. If it kept for a longer period it grows brown, turbid, loose its taste and aroma, but more important, it looses its antioxidant energy.

The largest amount of antioxidants is present in high quality (elite) tea. This kind of tea contains Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) – an antioxidant which prevents the development of cancerous tumors and carcinogen activation (substances which causes cancer).

In black tea the amount of GEGK is decreased by 10% as a result of leaves fermentation. The ability of the green tea to decrease the impact of radioactive substances on body organism is characterized by the chemical reaction between strontium 90 and catechines present in tealeaves.

Green tea has anti-microbial properties, it is recommended to be consumed in cases of colitis and dyspepsia. This kind of tea improves the organism’s thermoregulation, increases the work efficiency, decreases the pressure and the level of cholesterol in blood. As a prophylactic mean it has to be consumed 3 times a day with a quantity of 60-80 ml of infusion. The tea is prepared by using one spoon of infusion with ½ glass of boiled water.

Many sorts of ordinary dry or strong grape and berry wines, as well as cognacs have healing properties. In wine made of grapes there is a large amount of active biological substances like polyphenol and carbohydrates, organic acids, pectin, amino acids, mineral salts and vitamins.

Wine improves the functioning of the pancreas, gall bladder, and intestine, has bactericidal and anti-stress activity, decrease the level of cholesterol and widen the heart arteries, block the shortening of vessels as a reaction to spasms caused by the stress.

In order to feel the healing effect of the wine it is recommended to use it three times a day during your meals. The daily doze represents 150-200 ml. Besides the alimentary products and drinks we mentioned earlier, antioxidant activity also may be encountered in coffee and beer.

Read more – which fruits and vegetables is high in antioxidants

Healthy Mind – Healthy Body

Brain activity builds up a healthy body; listen to your mind – help you body

It is a known fact that positive imagery has the capacity to generate positive emotions. The connection between our state of mood and the healing process in some cases is very important. When someone visualizes positive pictures, the effect on its mind has a certain reflections over the physical state of the organism.  All these effects, including self-suggestion will eventually favor the healing process of the body.

THE BELIEF - healthy body, mind and soul

Our life experience is formed during years by acknowledging verbal and non-verbal information. We learn to become aware of the reality by acquiring associations and separating information according to our beliefs. An eventually what we become is what we think. The connection between mind and body is often formed using positive imagery. This connection creates a collective body and mind work which eventually will foster our organism and help the healing process.

MIND AND BODY WORKING TOGETHER

The connection between body and mind is quite obvious. Emotion first generates a felling, than transform it into a physical effect on our body. In order to analyze that we may use a simple example: for example you hear a bad news; let’s say one of your friends had an accident. On hearing this news you were receiving a negative suggestion through your perception and it generates an emotion of anxiety which turned into the physical sensation and makes you very worried, even if his situation is not so bad. You may produce positive emotions in this case by using positive pictures and visions that will encourage positive sensations of your body. In many cases it will work.

THE INFLUENCE OF OUR THOUGHTS OVER HEALING PROCESS

Our body generally reacts to the thoughts we generate. The endocrine system in our body is directly affected by the emotional and feelings we have. For example adrenaline is connected with the sensations of fright and horror. It is a strong interconnection between the sensation of fear and the adrenaline flow. The chemical reactions in our body are a result of our mind work.

The physical reaction to emotions is made in the emotional center of our brain – hypothalamus. The hypothalamus, as well as the receptor of neuro-peptides controls certain important functions and organs of our body as appetite, the level of sugar in blood, body temperature, glands that generate adrenaline, heart, lungs, digestions and blood circulation. Neuro-peptides make a connection of emotions, hormones and cells between mind and body. Its influence over the immune system is also a force that makes our brain and our body to work together as a whole mechanism.

THE BRAIN ACTIVITY

There are billions of pathways that connect our brain to every cell in our body, to every vital system. The brain is divided in two parts: the left one which is responsible for communication, logic, ration and the right one responsible for creativity and imagination. Our daily encounters and events are stocked in the left part of the brain and using the functions of the creative part we are able to make a balance in its work. The interconnection between brain and body helps as to accomplish the think we want. The creative (tight) side of the brain helps us to establish and accomplish our goals. It acts based on automatic judgment and that’s why the imaginary and visualization aim the right side of our brain.

OUR THOUGHTS ARE MADE BY OUR EMOTIONS

It is a known fact that our health and productivity depend on our mood and emotions we experience. Negative emotions decrease the efficiency of the immune system while positive emotions increase it and lead easier to the expected results.

VISUALIZATION IS A MIND STIMULATING INSTRUMENT

Visualization has the capacity to strengthen the healing process of our body. For a more efficient stimulation it requires the following:

1. Define your goal
In this case we make our body do what our brain thinks. If we want to accomplish a specific result, we must make our intention:

• Concrete
• Specific
• Accessible
• Believe in its accomplishment

2. Define the responsibility

In this case visualization without a certain responsibility is useless. In order to achieve your goal we must take action and responsibility. Visualization takes usually about 40 days and is done once in morning or in evening. Everyone’s mind and body has its specific characteristics and the results are achieved differently. The elements of responsibility are:

Be responsible to yourself.
• Make an engagement to yourself
• Visualize regularly
• Have patience
• Be optimistic

3. Your mind should be relaxed
In order to reach the subconscious we have to be in a positive relaxed state of mind. The steps to relax are:

• Try to relax in your favorite places.
• Try to be as comfortable as possible
• Arms, legs and other parts of your body should also be relaxed
• Focus on your breath
• Totally relax your body and mind.

4. Visualize
Visualization for healing is a general process. When you relaxed the next step is to realize your visualization.

• State your intention (you may think or state them loudly)
• Close your eye and concentrate on the healing
• Imagine your body healed already
• Try to feel the healing of your body
• Have a strong belief that healing will eventually accomplish

We propose you also some alternative methods:

• Use your imagination to create visions representing the fight of your immune system with the enemy or cells working in your body;
• Imagine a place you would like, a quiet, nice and pleasant place
• Try to make self-hypnosis, use your imagination more profoundly
• Listen to audio-visualization information. Many people use audio information in order to stimulate the perception.
• Try to record your own tape with your own voice

Visualization has the role to lead you to health and prosperity. If we want to be healed the physical intervention is not good enough, pay serious attention to your mind healing force, using visualization.

Being active helps keep a healthy mind !