Tag: vitamins

Essential Muscle Nutrients Which Are Found Only in Animal Food

Muscles are every much important for the human body as they perform several essential functions such as breathing and allow us to do physical labor. Every man today wants to have a body full of muscles so that they can look attractive and powerful. Muscles burns calories and so if you are planning to build a powerful body you need to pay special attention towards the food that you eat as the consumption of right food is very important. In order to build and later maintain these muscles there are some essential nutrients which your body requires and more importantly these nutrients are only found in the animal food. For the non-vegetarian people this is not a problem as they eat flesh but the vegetarian people look around for the replacement of this option. So they go for supplements which are available in the market today. These supplements are made up of artificial ingredients which causes harm to the body if you take it regularly. So it is recommend that if you want to build muscle and maintain your body, then you should start eating meat. Hereby we are mentioning some of the nutrients which are only found in animal food i.e. meat and are essential for muscle building.

Creatine:

Creatine is extremely important for the body and is one of the most popular supplements used for the muscle building. If your body has adequate amount of Creatine in it, then it not only improves the mass of your muscles but also the strength. Creatine forms the energy reserve in the muscles which helps in its maintenance. The energy in the body is provided by the Adenosine Triphosphate and the cells in the body have them in limited quantity. In the process of building muscles, people perform complex and vigorous exercises and so the amount of Adenosine Triphosphate in their body is not enough to last long. Creatine provides the phosphate in the cells and helps in producing the required extra energy. Although human body produces Creatine on its own but it is not enough and you need them in your diet. All the vegetarian foods are deprived of Creatine. So you should go for the meat and other animal foods.

Carnosine:

Carnosine is a dipeptide made with the help of the two amino acids. These amino acids are beta-alanine and histidine. Carnosine is highly popular as one of the wonderful anti-aging food supplement which stops the degenerative processes in the body and helps in maintaining the muscles. They are also required to keep your muscles in shape. When you perform intense workout the body releases lactic acid which stops the muscles from functioning normally and you experience fatigue. Carnosine is required as it helps in stopping the formation of this acid in the body by acting as a buffer. If the formation of the lactic acid is kept in check, there is no hindrance in the functioning of the muscles and you can carry out with your work with ease. This nutrient is only found in the animal food or else you will have to take supplements.

Animal Protein:

Proteins are the basic building blocks of muscles and they themselves are made up of amino acids. In total there are 21 essential amino acids required by the human body to synthesize proteins. Out of which only few of these amino acids can be produced by the body itself, rest all are provided in the diet. Those amino acids which the body cannot produce on its own are called as the essential amino acids. The best source of all these essential amino acids is animal food. Fish, meat and eggs have tremendous amount of proteins in them and they can easily compensate for the amino acids which the body requires. The proteins found in the plants lack some of the amino acid profiles and so the animal food is essential. Simply a vegetarian diet cannot provide you with the proteins that your body requires.

Vitamin D3:

Vitamin D3 is extremely essential for the human body. The proper functioning of the muscles and other body organs are very much dependent on it. There should be adequate amount of Vitamin D3 in the bloodstream. If your body is deprived of Vitamin D3, your muscles will decease and they will stop functioning properly. Although supplements are available to maintain the amount of Vitamin D3 in the body, the best source of this essential nutrient are fatty and the cod fishes. Moreover if you stay in such a place which receives less sunlight then you must start eating animal foods as the plants foods do not offers Vitamin D3.

Saturated Fats and Cholesterol:

Generally people believe that saturated fats and cholesterol are very much harmful for the human body and they are also the reasons for various dysfunctions in the body. So people opt for the low fat foods. But such food items have tendency to reduce the testosterone hormone in the body which is very much essential for muscle building and their maintenance. The testosterone hormone is required to increase the muscle mass and libido. The animal foods have large amount of saturated fats and cholesterol required for muscle building and that is why you should eat them.

July 1, 2014
Foods that can actually kill you

We have several food items in the market which people believe are very healthy and essential for the human body. But there are not aware that these food items can cause serious damage to their body. The result of which can even lead to death of the person. You must be aware of the side effects of such food items so that you can stay protected. Here we are mentioning some of those foods and you should stop eating immediately as they can kill you.

Sports Drink:

Today we have several sports drink in the market and people believe that they are highly beneficial for the body. These types of drinks are specially designed for the people who get involved into the training sessions or play different sports. Due to the intense workout and physical labor they sweat a lot and the level of glycogen in their body goes down. The sports drink contains water, sugar and electrolytes which compensates for the loss of fluid, energy and the electrolytes. If you are not getting involved in any intense workout sessions then this drink can be highly dangerous for your body as you don’t need any additional sugar, fluid and electrolytes. So please avoid drinking it.

Heart Healthy Vegetable Oils:

People are so much influenced with the heart healthy vegetable oils that are present in the supermarkets. They believe that with its consumption, they can protect their heart and keep it healthy. But it is not necessarily true. The methods performed in their extractions are quite complex and involves several processes such as bleaching and addition of hexane which are very much harmful for the human body. As a result these oils have a large amount of Omega 6 fatty acid and trans fats in them which are not at all beneficial. There are chances that you may get diagnosed with the chronic diseases if you consume these types of oils.

Agave Nectar:

You must have seen several advertisements in which the manufacturers claim that their product is sugar free. It is because it contains Agave Nectar and it gives the sweetened taste. While people prefer it as Agave Nectar has low glycemic index and it acts as a wonderful replacement to the actual sugar, they are not aware that it contains unnatural fructose which cause several damages to the human body. Those people who are not very much active or say don’t exercise much, high fructose can lead them to serious diseases which are life threatening. Agave Nectar has 40 % more fructose in it than the actual sugar. So it is better to avoid them.

Energy Bars:

Energy bars are not for such people who have a normal routine. They are very much similar to the sports drink. The ingredients that they have are required only by the specific peoples and if you are not among them, then you should avoid it so that you remain protected. The sports personalities need extra protein intake so as to make them fitter and gain energy. So they eat it in 2-3 hours intervals. If you don’t have such work then there is no need for you to eat these energy bars. They have a lot of ingredients which are harmful for a normal person.

Fat Free Foods:

Today people love to eat those food items which have less fat or absolutely no fat in them as they believe that it is the best way they can keep a check on their health. But this is not at all a wise decision. The absence of fat in the body also leads to several diseases. The fat free foods have several disadvantages. Since they are highly processed and several chemicals and sweeteners are added so as to get rid of the fat contents, they are extremely dangerous for the human body. It is advised that you stay from such food items as their adverse effects can take your precious life from you as well.

Foods Having Low Carbohydrates:

People generally believe that it is good to eat those food items which offer low carbohydrates as they offer several health benefits. The market today is full of such food. For the companies which manufacture such food items, they find it a perfect opportunity to make some cash as people prefer them without knowing that such foods harm them and make them prone to the diseases. The artificial ingredients added in them can cause some serious damage and you can eventually get yourself killed because of its side effects.

Gluten Free Foods:

People today have started to eliminate gluten from their diet completely as they find it one such ingredient which causes them serious trouble. Gluten is found in wheat and barley. So the food items in the markets today are gluten free. But the point which needs attention here is that gluten free foods are not at all healthy. They contain starch and other artificial chemicals which causes several adverse effects on the health. Moreover they also have large sugar content. So you should understand that gluten containing food items are much healthier and the complete absence of gluten can deteriorate your health and cause you trouble.

July 1, 2014
Get hydrated with fruity Fruits this Summer!

Fruits are lovable part of the diet all over. These are naturally sweetened, flavored palatable to famish over whenever you want and the bonus is the vitamins and minerals we get and other innumerable benefits. They are overloaded with vitamins and other nutrients and antioxidants and keep you fit, healthy, and hydrated and also the pleasurable feeling you get after the consumption. The refreshing experience of the fruits is irreplaceable. The wrenching heat of summer demands hydration of body or otherwise it gets too stressed up and tiring. In summer, your body water levels drop so quickly that you wouldn’t even realize when you are already dehydrated due to sweating. Obviously, water is the best bet for hydration, but you also need to make up for the electrolytes you loose in sweat due to sun or heat. For that, you need fruits to keep you fully refreshed and hydrated. According to the old rule of thumb, one is supposed to drink eight glasses of water per day, which sometimes can’t be fulfilled due to any varied reasons. Though, its really important to drink plenty of water in the summertime, but one can also quench his thirst by having the hugely hydrating foods, which have atleast 90% water content. Hydrating foods provide us with plenty of fluids and nutrients to fuel the hotness of summer. Let’s go through these summer special fruits high in water and nutrients and how they benefit us in so many ways;

Watermelon: It is but obvious that juicy watermelon is full of water. It has almost 90% water content, low in calories and high in fiber, which helps in losing weight and prevents constipation and obviously keeps you hydrated. Afterall, it is the number 1 water containing fruit. They are also rich in Vitamin C, which provides protection against immune system deficiencies and also have Vitamin A which is important for good skin and good eyesight. The red skin of a watermelon is also a significant source of phytochemicals, called lycopene, a nutrient which is cancer fighting anti-oxidant. This fruit is really refreshing is a great incentive to drink more water overall.

Lychee: It is very sweet flavored, all time favorite fruit of old and young. It is a great source of Vitamin C, which helps to prevent cold, gum bleeding, heal wounds, build collagen for skin and bones, protects the heart and prevents infections and also helps the body to fight against cancer. They are very rich in polyphenols, which help to protect against heart problems, cancer and infections and lychees also help to improve bowel movement and digestion. Lychees are also a good source of potassium, an electrolyte that helps to control blood pressure, contract muscles and maintain fluid balance.

Pineapple: Pineapple has anti-inflammatory properties and growth of cancer cells and is a good source of energy. It is a great digestive fruit as contains enzyme bromelain, which softens the food in the stomach and is rich in fiber and relieves constipation. It is also rich in manganese that is necessary to build strong bones and connective tissues. It has high Vitamin C content which strengthens the immune system and improves hair, skin and nails.

Mango: The king of all fruits, Mango is very tasty, juicy, versatile fruit and is loved by everyone. The enzymes in mango help to improve digestion, and the Vitamin A in mango is like a power supply for your eyes and skin, improves acne, clears complexion, helps to prevent eyesight related issues and gives a glow to your skin, with anti ageing benefits. The vitamin B6 content helps to improve brain function and memory and Vitamin C helps to boost immunity. It also keeps the body cool and refreshed.

Honeydew Melon or Cantaloupe: This moist, luscious melon provides a big nutritional payoff for very few calories. It is a refreshing fruit filled with water give you cool feeling on a summer day. It is high in Vitamin A and C which helps to neutralize toxins and also helps in the synthesis of collagen, which is used to support blood vessels, ligaments and skin. It also improves skin texture and complexion. The potassium in the cantaloupe helps to lower high blood pressure. If you have a sweet tooth, it will definitely satisfy.

Peaches: The peaches, being naturally sweet, high in fiber and low in calories helps in weight loss. Also being a good source of Vitamin B provides energy. Peaches also provide magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, iron and calcium, and they work to support red blood cells, bone and nervous system health. Peaches are rich in Vitamin A, a great antioxidant, which helps in protecting the body against cancer, skin, eyes from damage. The fiber in peaches helps to lower cholesterol and they are a super source of potassium for normal BP, heart disease and muscle function.

Amla: Something that is extremely rich in Vitamin C is, amla. It is a powerful antioxidant and helps to prevent gum problems and prevents common cold and cough by boosting immunity. It has many benefits ranging from improving vision and cataracts and improves skin texture and act as anti ageing, also strengthens nails and prevent hair fall. It helps in the absorption of iron thereby preventing anemia and increases your digestive power and helps in weight loss as well. It also acts as a detoxifying agent for the liver and kidneys, prevents cancer, mouth ulcers and also enhances mood. Amla is really worth having.
Now, you can enjoy so many fruits this summer as per your choice and taste and keep your body healthy and hydrated, to keep your water levels high and feel refreshed at any time of the day in this hot summer.
Love fruits. Happy Summertime.

June 24, 2014
Health Benefits of Eating Eggs

Eggs are excellent source of vitamins which helps the body in functioning appropriately and so doctors often recommend people to start eating egg regularly. Not only vitamins, eggs are also rich in essential nutrients which are very much required for the proper growth and development of the human body. You should daily eat eggs to stay healthy. Some people just eliminate the yellow yolk which is present inside the egg and eat only the outer whitish portion. This is not a good as the yolk is the only one which provides the essential fats, vitamins and nutrients to the human body. But that does not mean that the whitish portion of the egg is not important. They provide the proteins to the body.

A normal large egg contains the following: Selenium (22 % of the RDA), Vitamin A (6 % of the RDA), Vitamin B5 (7 % of the RDA), Vitamin 2 (15 % of the RDA), Vitamin B12 (9 % of the RDA), Vitamin E, iron, Folate, calcium, potassium, manganese, zinc and many others essential nutrients. Just imagine a single eggs is how much beneficial. If you eat eggs regularly then you are surely not going to get deficiency of any of the above mentioned vitamins and minerals. Further a single large egg also has 77 calories, carbohydrates and 5 grams each of fats and proteins.

Much people are not aware of the Choline, which is a very important nutrient considering the fact that it is responsible for the growth of the brain. It is often named with the B-complex vitamins. Egg is a tremendous source of Choline. This nutrient is required for various metabolism processes that go inside a human body. The synthesis of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine is only possible if the body has adequate amount of Choline in it. If your body is deficit of Choline, then you are prone to cardiovascular and liver diseases. Also there are chances that you may suffer from neurological disorders. All these can be avoided if you eat egg as one egg contains about 113 mg of Choline. So go for it and stay away from these life threatening diseases.

One egg has about 212 mg of cholesterol in it, so often people have this doubt in their mind that it will affect their body in negative way. In a human body it is the responsibility of the liver to maintain the amount of cholesterol. If you consume less cholesterol food then liver compensates for it and if you are eating foods such as eggs which are rich in cholesterol, then liver produces less cholesterol. One of the biggest advantages of eating egg is that it raises the level of the HDL cholesterol which is very much required by the body and reduces the LDL cholesterol which is responsible for the various diseases that occurs in the body. This will in turn helps in keeping the cardiovascular disease away from you.

We have not mentioned about the antioxidants which are present in the egg so far. So let me tell you egg is a wonderful food item which has two most essential antioxidants required by the human body and they are Zeaxanthin and Lutein. Both of them are present in the yolk of the egg and are excellent for the proper functioning of the eyes. In the recent times cataracts is one such disease because of which many people have lost their eyesight. These antioxidants which we have mentioned here reduce the risk of cataract by providing power and stamina to the eyes.

You must have read it in your books that proteins are must for the human body as they are considered as to be the building blocks and performs several work in the human body which is very essential for its proper growth. There are 21 amino acids which the human body requires and out of these 21, there are quite a few which the body cannot produce on its own and so the protein rich foods are eaten to compensate for them. Egg provides all those amino acids which the body requires. In short if you want to stay healthy, then continue eating eggs regularly.

If you daily eat eggs in your breakfast then it can help you in losing your body fat and you can easily become fit and slim. When measured on the Satiety scale, an egg gets a reading of 19 which is quite high. This proves that eggs helps in shedding weight and improving the body mass index by a whopping 61 percent. If you have obesity problem and you do not eat eggs then this is one such food item which you should start eating. With so many health benefits that it provides and considering the fact that it is easily available and pocket friendly food item, one should include eggs in their diet chart. Moreover there are so many egg recipes available, so just try them and stay protected.

June 24, 2014
Foods that have the healing powers

Eating proper food is very important in maintaining a healthy body as it helps the body organs to function appropriately. Treating the diseases with the healthy food is one such method which we have been following from a very long time now. A normal person is generally aware of such food items which give the essential required nutrients to the human body and so they love to eat them. But they are not necessarily aware that there are few food items as well which have high healing capacity in it. This simply means that if you eat these food items then your body will have the enough power to fight the diseases and will heal automatically. All these food items which have been mentioned here have several distinct properties in them which help in maintaining a healthy body.

There are hundreds of food options that are available and so people have the liberty to choose the food as per their liking. But eating a food which has the healing power in it has several advantages. Firstly it helps in treating the diseases without the need of medicines. Secondly it slows down the aging mechanism of the human body. So you will fell fresh and young. Thirdly it helps the body in gaining the energy required to fight the disease causing germs and bacteria. Today science and medicine has progressed a lot and all these facts that we are going to mention in this article have been proved in various research conducted by the scientists. Start eating these foods and protect your body from any harmful disease.

Spinach: You must have seen the Popeye cartoon series in your childhood where he eats the spinach and gets the strength to fight against the enemies. It is because spinach has tremendous amount of Folic acid, Fibre, Vitamin A and Vitamin C in it which has several positive effects on the human body. The fibre present in the spinach helps in controlling the condition of constipation and is a very essential mineral for the proper functioning of the eyes and the digestive system. Spinach also has the anti-inflammatory properties in it which stops the cancer causing cells in getting replicated and protects the body from the prostate and breast cancer. Several eye and heart disease can also be avoided with the help of spinach. It also helps in keeping your bones strong as it has Vitamin K in it. So it is advised that you should eat spinach on a regular basis.

Carrots: Carrot not only has an adequate quantity of Vitamin A in it but is also very much rich in antioxidants. It has carotenoids in it which makes it an excellent food if you have an eyesight problem as it helps in maintaining the proper vision and protects you from the postmenopausal breast cancer which is very common now a days in the ladies. It also helps in regulating the blood pressure of the body. One can eat carrot daily and stay away from all these health problems. Carrots also help in stimulating the body’s immune system which fights with the disease causing germs and bacteria.

Beans: Beans has several essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals in it which makes the body stronger and helps in fighting the harmful effects of the diseases. Beans have very low glycemic index level in it which helps the human body in regulating the insulin production and maintaining the sugar level in the blood. Beans are actually low in energy density level which is a good sign as it helps in sustaining the energy and maximizing the positive effects on the human body. To your surprise beans is also equipped with rich amount of magnesium, fatty acids and potassium which provide several benefits to the human body. Where else will you find so much essential nutrients together in one place? So it is often said by the learned people that you must start eating beans to stay healthy.

Cherries: Cherry is one such fruit which has lots and lots of antioxidants and various vitamins in it. One of the biggest benefits with cherry is that they are themselves very rich in sugar which acts as an excellent source of fibers which are required by the human body. Further they have low carbohydrates content in it which again proves to be good for the body. All these help us in getting our body shielded from the harmful effects of the various diseases. Cherries can be consumed daily.

Kiwis: Kiwis is one such food which is often recommended by the doctors as it has the excellent healing capacity. Kiwi has the perfect amount fiber, potassium and phytonutrients in it which help in protecting the body against the heart stroke, respiratory diseases and cancer. It has the natural property of making the blood thin so that it can easily flow through the heart and also checks the formation of the blood clot as they are extremely dangerous for the body. It helps in lowering down the cholesterol present in the body and also maintains the blood sugar. Kiwi also helps damaged cells to get repaired and protects the DNA from getting damaged.

June 19, 2014