Vitamin E

Here are some reasons you should make sure you are getting enough Vitamin E

-It can fight against cardiovascular disease -by reducing both blood cholesterol and triglyceride level,s it decrease the likelihood of forming blood clots which can lead to heart attacks and stroke and also reduce blood pressure levels. In addition, they possess anti-inflammatory action. And like their other family members, the tocopherols, they act as antioxidants and help to protect against cholesterol oxidation. Oxidized cholesterol is much more likely to be deposited in arteries. But where these compounds differ from tocopherols is that they can also suppress cholesterol production in the body in a similar fashion to some cholesterol-lowering medications.

-These compounds seem to have an impressive impact on cancer. They have been shown to suppress tumour growth as well as induce the death of cancer cells for many different types of cancer including breast, prostate, colon, pancreas, liver, lung, stomach and skin.

-Their act in both preventing diabetes and its assorted complications is also an exciting area of research. Tocotrienols may guard against insulin resistance which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
-For those who already have the diabetes, these substances may guard against certain kidney ailments as well as a decline in cognitive function that's linked to diabetes. Researchers have also found that they can reduce nerve pain that's all too often a consequence of having diabetes for a number of years. And if this isn't enough, they've also been shown to help lower blood sugar readings and raise levels of the protective HDL-cholesterol.

-On the osteoporosis prevention front, these compounds seem to protect against bone thinning in a number of ways. For example, they have been shown to reverse the bone thinning that's associated with smoking - (that's not to say that it's alright to smoke and tocotrienols will protect your health.)

-Their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions are a perfect combo for maintaining healthy nerves, brains, and cognitive function.

-And they may the stomach against hyperacidity, particularly that linked to stress. For those of you who experience heartburn when you're stressed, excess acid in the stomach is a common cause. Scientists are finding that tocotrienols may help protect against this hyperacidity.

Food Sources of Vitamin E
Fortified Cereal, Sunflower Seeds, Nuts (almonds and hazelnuts), Vegetable Oil, Turnip Greens, Tomatoes, Pine Nuts, Peanut Butter, Wheat germ, Avocado,

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Heart Healthy Food

Here are some things to try if you are looking for heart healthy foods to add to your diet..

Make homemade salad dressing with 1tbsp Flax seed oil for a big dose of heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids

Or sprinkle ground flax seeds on your cereal or yogurt every morning

Add legumes such as peas, or beans to 4 meals a week - this can cut you chance of heart attack by 22%

Hazelnuts have also been shown to reduce the risk of heart attack

Induldge a bit:

Eat a few small pieces of dark chocolate (not milk chocolate) a week - high in flavonoids, dark chocolate helps arteries stay flexible and prevent plaque build up

A beer a day has been shown to reduce cholesterol, increase antioxidants in the blood , and reduce the protein fibrinogen which promotes blood clots (red wine is also a good choice - but you have to choose one of the other - not both!)

Cook with spices such as ginger and turmeric a couple times a week - they are great because of their anti-inflammatory properties

Take a B vitamin complex every morning (a combination of folic acid, B-6 and B-12) - studies have shown that levels of homocystein (linked to heart disease) are about 40% lower

Fight the Flu Part 4

Sick of hot water with lemon?

Drink hot water with 1-2 Tbsp of Brewers Yeast

It might be pretty gross and bitter BUT it can help fight off the flu, diarrhea, and respiratory illness.

It is packed full of B vitamins - B1 (thiamine), B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folic acid), and H or B7 (biotin).  (but no Vit.B12 -which is found in meat products)

It can also help support the nervous system, help maintain the muscles used for digestion, and keep skin, hair,(it may even prevent the graying of hair) eyes, mouth, and liver healthy.

If you are taking any medications though, make sure to talk to your doctor before you start taking brewers yeast because it can interact with a lot of medications.

It also has not been tested on children - so maybe still with the hot lemon for the kids!

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source for the past four tips

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and the Secrets of People Who Never Get Sick

Flight the Flu Part 3

How to fight off Colds and Flu

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Drink lots and lots of hot liquids

Whether its tea, hot lemon water or coffee the hot beverage can help boost your immunity.

Hot lemon is especially good because along with the immunity benefits, it can help increase liver function to release more digestive enzymes, it also has vitamin C, antioxidants and calcium

So boil the kettle, slice up a lemon and drink up!

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Fight Fatige continued...

Make a sandwich or salad with these 5 ingredients and you will be getting all of the 7 nutrients mentioned in the previous post

Spinach ( potassium, magnesium, iron, complex carbs)
Avocados (potassium, complex carbs)
Carrots (beta-carotene, complex carbs)
Red Pepper (vitamin C, complex carbs)
Chicken/Cheese/Beans/Egg (protein)

Add a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar dressing

What you need to know

About sunscreen and sun bathing...

1. The SPF on the bottle is not a reliable number. The problem? Most people do not apply enough to get the amount of protection the sunscreen claims.  You should apply about 1 -2oz of sunscreen - (1oz = 1shot glass)

2. Environmental Working Group has come out with some new information suggesting that Vitamin A (or its derivatives ie. retinol) can actually promote burning. This is very preliminary information and the studies have only done on mice.

However, it is something to think about when buying sun screen

(read more here and here)

3. Even in the shade you can be reached by UV rays - so put sunscreen on either way. Same goes for sheer or thin clothing.

Now that its getting sunny and hot out we are spending more time outside. It is important to apply sunscreen before you go out, after swimming or sweating, and apply liberally. Most dermatologists (mine included)  suggest anything below SPF 15 is useless. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen so it blocks burning and cancer causing rays as well as those that cause tanning and wrinkling.

-remember to use enough of your spf containing makeup to be protected. - re-read this post

image from Bittersweet Life

Health Tip

Steam your broccoli!

Steaming broccoli can increase the concentration of glucosinolates by up to 30% Glucosinolates are a category of phytochemicals (anti-oxidants) found in broccoli and other vegetables such as kale, brussel sprouts, and garlic.

These specific chemicals are knows for lowering risk of cancer by blocking carcinogins and preventing the initiation of tumors in some organs such as liver, mammary glands,  and pancrease.

-boiling your vegetables can cause phytochemicals and nutrients to leach out of vegetables into the water - and then down the drain.  so next time, steam your broccoli!

tip found on MSN BC - 12 quick tips for a longer, healthier life

Check out the 11 others here

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23727899/

vitamin D

the sunshine vitamin.
Did you know it is actually a hormone produced naturally by our bodies. When we are exposed to UVB rays,  our skin produced vitamin D3 and we only produce as much as we need. It only takes about 10 minutes of unprotected exposure to UVB rays to get all the vitamin D that we need.  That being said, I think our hands and faces should always have sunscreen on them because they are typically always exposed to the sun. But maybe consider waiting 10 minutes after going outside before putting sunscreen on your arms. (Make sure you talk with your doctor/demetologist before going out without sunscreen)
Unfortunatly... here in Canada about 6-8 months out of the year, you could go outside without sunscreen all day and your body wouldnt produce any vitamin D.
This is because the sun is at the wrong angle, and the UVB rays are not strong enough to activate the vitamin D synthesis process (this DOESNT mean they arent strong enough to do damage. a sun burn in the winter is as dangerous as a sunburn in the summer).
That is why so many doctors recommend taking a vitamin D supplement.
Currently, the recommended daily intake of vitmin D is 1000 IU but a lot of research is suggesting that the number be increase to as high as 5000 - 10 000 IU.  (check out an interesting article here)

Vitamin D plays an important role in bone density. it raises blood calcium levels by increasing the absorbtion of calcium from the gut, and reabsorption of calcium from the kidneys. When blood calcium levels rise, more is stored in the bones increasing their density and strenght.
It has also been implicated in the prevention of many types of cancer, and Multiple sclerosis.  MS is almost not exisitant in equatorial regions where sunlight and vitamin D levels are typically adequate.
Vitamin D can help improve mood by alleviating Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD/Winter blues), and can also help reduce muscle fatigue and chronic pain.
Some preliminary studies also suggest that low Vitamin D may also be linked to an increased risk in heart disease and stroke (see a brief overview of Vitamin D here)

Vitamin D is found in some foods, such as salmon, and milk and breakfast cereals are typically fortified with vitamin D (fortified means it has been added to a product that did not naturally contain that vitmain/mineral, where as enriched means vitamins and minerals that have been lost during processing have been added back in). Most multivitamins contain about 400 IU (about 10% of the body's daily need)
So how do you know if you are getting enough vitamin D?
Ask your doctor, and get your blood tested for vitamind D levels. Once the results come back talk to your doctor about how much vitamin D you should be taking every day. 1000IU may be sufficient, or they may recommend more. Make sure you follow the doctors advice because, as with all vitamins, Vitamid D does have toxic effects if taken in excess (although up to 10 000IU appears to be safe)
Write down some questions or concerns that you have before you go to the doctor so you don't forget or get overwhelmed!