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3 Great Reasons to Eat More Pecans
Nuts have have a very well-deserved reputation as a healthy food. In addition to fiber and plant protein, they’re chock-full of good fat, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. But
pecans are one nut healthy eaters tend to overlook. The truth is, this delicious nut boasts some unique nutritional perks that are worth spotlighting. Here are three good reasons to eat more pecans: Pecans contain particularly potent antioxidants Pecans are rich in polyphenol antioxidants, specifically flavonoids, which have been tied to heart benefits. In fact, the nuts have more than twice the flavonoid content found in almonds, cashews, and pistachios, and seven times the amount
in walnuts. Compared to other nuts, pecans also have the highest levels of gamma-tocopherols, which is a form of vitamin E and another key antioxidant. Two separate studies have suggested that the increase in gamma-tocopherols levels from eating
a pecan-rich diet helps prevent the oxidation of cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. They're also rich in minerals
Pecans are an excellent source of thiamin and zinc, as well as manganese and copper. One ounce (about 19 halves) supplies 60% of the Daily Value (DV) for manganese, and 40% of the DV for copper.
Manganese helps regulate blood sugar, and is needed for healthy bones. This mineral also helps form colllagen which gives skin its firmness and elasticity. Copper aids in iron absorption, and works with iron to help the body form red blood cells. It also
supports immunity, and helps keep blood vessels, nerves, and bones healthy. And they're naturally sweet One ounce of pecans contains just one gram of sugar. But compared to other nuts, pecans taste sweeter. That means they can help satisfy a sweet craving with no or less added sugar. You can simply eat a handful, or pair them with fruit (pecans go well with apples, pears, grapes, etc.). In the morning, add them to hot or cold cereal, oatmeal, yogurt, or muesli. Pecans also add natural sweetness and crunch to savory dishes. Sprinkle them onto cooked vegetables, whole grains, pulses, spaghetti squash, fish, chicken, tuna salad, or entrée salads. Or use chopped pecans as a garnish... . ...
Pick up a bag of pecans on your next trip to the market, or look for the nuts in bulk. And if you live in California, Kansas, Missouri, or a southern state, search for fall pecan
picking in your area. (Source: Adapted article of Cynthia Sass, Nutritionist/Best Selling Author)
No Alcohol During Pregnancy -- Ever -- Plead U.S. Pediatricians
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk the baby could have myriad problems.
"No amount of alcohol should
be considered safe to drink during any trimester of pregnancy," the group wrote. The group released a report Monday identifying prenatal exposure
to alcohol as the leading preventable cause of birth defects, as well as cognitive problems later in life. Health authorities in nearly every other
country also advise pregnant women unequivocally not to drink, according to the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking. Italy and the
United Kingdom are two exceptions. While authorities there instruct pregnant women not to drink, they say if women do choose to imbibe, they should limit it to about one drink, once or twice a week. In the United States, the ACOG and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also advise pregnant women to abstain from alcohol. "There is no safe amount, no safe time, and no safe type of alcohol to drink during pregnancy. It's just not worth the risk," said Dr. Cheryl Tan, an epidemiologist at the CDC. [...] A study cited by the pediatricians' group found the risk of having a baby with growth retardation
goes up even when a woman has just one alcoholic drink a day. Drinking alcohol during pregnancy increases the risk the baby could have myriad problems,
including trouble with hearing and vision, and with the heart, bones and kidneys. Children of mothers who drank while pregnant were also more likely to have neurodevelopment issues such as troubles with abstract reasoning, information processing, and attention-deficit/hyperactivity
disorder. Women who drank in their first trimester were 12 times more likely to have a child with these issues, compared to women who didn't drink
at all. First- and second-trimester drinking increased the risk 61 times, and women who drank during all trimesters increased the risk by a factor of 65. Previous studies in animals and humans have shown that alcohol exposure is related to a decrease in the size of the cerebellum, a part of the brain, according to researchers. [...] "The research suggests that the smartest choice for women who are pregnant is to just abstain from alcohol completely," said Dr. J.
F. Williams, one of the leading authors of the report from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Ever Wondered Whether or Not it's Safe to Drink Rain Water?
If you drink rain water, collect it from the sky, not as run-off from plants or buildings. (Getty Images)
Have you ever wondered whether or not it's safe to drink rain water? The short answer is: sometimes. Here's a look at when it's not safe to drink rain
water, when you can drink it, and what you can do to make it safer for human consumption.
When You Shouldn't Drink Rain Water
Rain passes through the atmosphere before falling to the ground, so it can pick up any contaminants in the air. You don't want to drink rain from hot radioactive sites, like Chernobyl or around Fukushima.
It's not a great idea to drink rain water falling near chemical plants or near the plumes of power plants, paper mills, etc. Don't drink rain water that has run off of plants or buildings because
you could pick up toxic chemicals from these surfaces. Similarly, don't collect rain water from puddles or into dirty containers.
Rain Water That Is Safe for Drinking
Most rain water is safe to drink. Actually, rain water is the water supply for much of the world's population. The levels of pollution, pollen, mold, and other contaminants are
low -- possibly lower than your public drinking water supply.
Keep in mind, rain does pick up low levels of bacteria as well as dust and occasional insect parts, so you may
want to treat rain water before drinking it.
Making Rain Water Safer
Two
key steps you can take to improve the quality of rain water are to boil it and filter it. Boiling the water will kill off pathogens. Filtration, such as through a home water filtration pitcher, will remove chemicals, dust, pollen, mold, and other contaminants.
The other important consideration is how you collect the rain water. You can collect rain water directly from the sky into a clean bucket or bowl. Ideally, use a disinfected container
or one that was run through a dishwasher. Let the rain water sit for at least an hour so heavy particulates can settle to the bottom. Alternatively, you can run the water through a coffee filter to remove debris. Although it isn't necessary, refrigerating
the rain water will retard the growth of most microorganisms it could contain.
What About Acid Rain?
Most rain water is naturally acidic, with an average pH around 5.6, from the interaction between water and carbon dioxide in air.
This is not dangerous. In
fact, drinking water rarely has a neutral pH because it contains dissolved minerals. Approved public water could be acidic, neutral, or basic, depending on the source of the water. To put the pH into perspective, coffee made with neutral water has a pH around
5. Orange juice has a pH closer to 4. Truly acidic rain that you would avoid drinking might fall around an active volcano. Otherwise, acid rain isn't a serious consideration. (Source:
a Ph.D. Chemistry Expert)
Summer is Here: (Avoiding Heatstroke & Worse)
Tips for outdoor activity during high temperatures.
The official first day of summer starts on Sunday, June 21. As you head outdoors, it's important
to be prepared for hot weather, because heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, results in hundreds of deaths each year and even more heat-related illnesses. This can be avoided with easy precautions. Limit your time outdoors in the heat
of the day, which is usually the late afternoon and early evening during the summer. Drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated. Dress for summer. Wear modest lightweight, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight. Wear sunscreen because excessive sun exposure
can lead to skin cancer. Not being prepared can lead to heat stroke - a very serious condition that can kill you if not treated. Some of the signs of heat stroke are: confusion, a throbbing headache, nausea, a rapid and strong pulse and a body temperature above 103 degrees. If you or someone around you is showing these signs, call 911 immediately. In the meantime, move the victim into air conditioning or shade, reduce their body temperature
with cool cloth and do not give the person fluids. Their body is just too stressed to process the fluids, and they may choke if they pass out. The most vulnerable are children
and the elderly, so it's extremely important to show them special care and attention during the hot summer months. (Source: Adapted from KOB News)
Desk Exercises: The Mini Exercise Bike
The "DeskCycle" Desk Exercise Bike Pedal Exerciser is designed to be ridden as you work at your desk. (Note: TCW makes no monetary gain by posting this.)
(Extracts below from the Chicago Tribune Newspaper)
For those with sedentary jobs, these portable pedal machines may be a useful tool in the fight against obesity (from gluttony
-TCW), according to a small study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. "Evidence demonstrating the drastic health consequences of sitting idle for two to three hours at a time is growing considerably," said lead author Lucas Carr, an expert in the sport & excerise
educational field.
"The
idea for this device is to simply pedal at your chosen intensity to mitigate these negative health consequences," he said. The researchers asked 18 volunteers, most of them overweight and female, to try a specially designed pedal exercise machine at their desks for four weeks. The volunteers used their computers to monitor their activity and get real-time feedback on pedal speed, distance covered and how many calories they burned. At
the end of the four weeks, the volunteers overwhelmingly said they'd use a machine if they could, and that it didn't affect their productivity or work quality. They also found it was easy to use and an alternative exercise option during bad weather.
Just 23 minutes of pedaling could boost health if done regularly, the authors say. The mini exercise bike could be
a more practical alternative to the treadmill desk which has been shown to reduce obesity. The one used in the study is smaller, portable, quiet, less costly and connects directly to the computer. The machine's setup depends on the person and the office environment,
said Carr. When he uses one, he fits it under his desk and pedals while he's on the phone, reading, checking email or surfing the Internet. Some participants in the study set the trainer up next to their desk and took a designated activity break from their
computer. Carr said he regularly pedals 20 to 30 minutes on most days. "I try to get some time in over lunch and right before I head home," he said. "I recommend
the end of the day for those that pedal at an intensity that makes them sweat." Still, you don't have to have a pedal machine to be active at work, he said.
"Take mini walks around the halls at your work every 45 minutes (200 steps in 2 minutes is something I do while working). You can do chair stands (stand up and sit down
10 to 15 times in a row) every 45 minutes. Note: this seems like a really
neat product. -TCW
Exercising Daily to Maintain a Healthy Heart
Exercising daily is so important to the health of your heart that even exercise viewed as not intense (such as daily walking) can go a long way to keeping a healthy heart.
If you want a healthy heart, you need to add a good dose of physical activity and daily exercise to your schedule. In fact, the lack of daily exercise is what leads to the development of coronary artery disease, as well as other heart problems. Coronary
artery disease is typified by the buildup of calcium, cholesterol and other fatty substances in the inner lining of the arteries, which provide the flow of blood to your heart muscle. Exercising daily is so important to the well being and health of your heart
that even exercise viewed as not intense (such as daily walking) can go a long way to keeping a healthy heart. Why Daily Exercise Is Good for Your Heart In short, daily exercise is good for your heart because it significantly helps
to lower your risk of both primary as well as secondary cardiovascular disease. The more daily exercise you fit into your schedule on a regular basis, the more it increases your level of fitness and, as a result, the more your capacity for daily exercising is
expanded. If you have had trouble with diabetes, being obese or even any abnormalities in your blood lipid levels, daily exercising will go a long way towards managing these conditions with more success. Likewise, if you have experienced problems
with high blood pressure, then simply exercising daily will have a positive effect on your aim to lower your blood pressure. Recommended Schedule If you are serious about providing your heart with real health benefits, then do
some either moderate or intense aerobic exercises for at least 30 minutes, every day of the week. You must also get yourself to a level of exertion where you are doing the exercises at 50 to 85 percent of your maximum heart rate. Don't feel
like you have to be weighed down by keeping an inflexible schedule. If you can't fit in the 30 minute recommendation all in one session, you can get your exercise in by way of installments. For instance, split up your exercise session into
two 15-minute sessions at different times of the day if you find that works more conveniently based on your own schedule. The important lesson is that you need regular activity to benefit your heart, even if you break up your activity sessions. Exercises
for a Healthy Heart Some of the simplest exercises can (... really) help your heart. Stair climbing, jogging, fast-paced walking, aerobic exercises, hiking, rowing, swimming, bicycling and even sports like soccer
and basketball work, especially if you run constantly during the sport. To get the most benefits for your heart, be sure to exercise at a rate that exceeds at least 50 percent of your maximum heart rate, or your average exercise capacity. Be
sure not to exert yourself excessively.
How Your Diet Can Aid in Wound Healing
Even a small wound can alter the way your body metabolizes nutrients.
Without proper nutrition, the whole process of wound healing can be negatively impacted. Your diet during recovery plays a critical role in how fast your wound heals, how strong the wound tissue becomes, the duration of the recovery period and how well
your body fights off infection A poor diet can turn a normal wound into a chronic wound that never seems to be get better. The Catabolic Phase Even a small wound can alter the way your body metabolizes nutrients. As the body attempts
to heal itself from a wound, it will create stress hormones and divert extra resources – carbohydrates, fats, proteins, antioxidants and more – to the creation of new tissue. This is referred to as the catabolic phase of healing. Your metabolism
essentially speeds up during this process. If the catabolic phase drags on too long, protein energy malnutrition (PEM) can set in. This begins a negative cycle which slows wound healing and deteriorates your health. Your body sends extra protein to
deal with the wound and, as a consequence, other important body systems and organs don't receive enough protein. This leads to reduced muscle mass and delayed wound healing. Proper Nutrition in Wound Healing
Protein is the most important aspect of your diet when healing from a wound. Energy (calories from carbohydrates and fats), amino acids, antioxidants and minerals (zinc) are also important. Your dietary needs will be calculated on an individual
basis, and your doctor or nutritionist may adjust the levels of each nutrient to facilitate healing. The following guidelines are only generalizations, but will give you an idea of what your diet should include. Protein Protein helps repair
the damaged tissue from your wound. You'll want to take in more protein than usual to help the healing process. This means 2 to 3 servings of protein a day, with each serving containing at least 2 to 3 ounces of meat (1 cup of beans or 2 tablespoons of peanut
butter are alternatives). Your doctor will want to monitor your diet closely. If you don't take in enough calories, the body might convert more of your body's protein to energy instead of healing. Fats Fats from dairy products are essential
for wound healing. Cell membranes are created with the use of fatty acids, and you'll need to take in extra sources of these to maintain healing. Cooking oils and meats are also a good source of fats. One cup of milk or yogurt or an ounce of cheese would be
good examples of how much you should include in your daily diet during the healing process. Carbohydrates Taking in plenty of carbohydrates is essential, to prevent the body from using other nutrients and protein for energy. Cereals, breads,
rice and pasta are good sources of energy, and should be included in your daily diet. Vitamin C Vitamin C is an important antioxidant for wound healing. It increases the strength of the wound as it heals, and it helps with the creation of collagen
in the skin. Vitamin C is also important in the creation of new blood vessels, and it helps with iron absorption. Citrus fruits and leafy green vegetables are great sources of vitamin C. You should be taking in up to 200 mg of vitamin C daily, which is fairly
easy with at least one serving of these foods per day. Vitamin A Vitamin A is another crucial antioxidant. The body needs additional vitamin A to help with wound healing. It can help fight off infection, and aids in controlling the inflammatory
response. Vitamin A levels have to be monitored closely, because toxicity can occur if too much is consumed. Red fruits and vegetables, eggs, fish and dark green vegetables are all good sources of vitamin A. Zinc Zinc helps the body synthesize
proteins and develop collagen, so it is an important mineral for wound healing. As long as you are taking in sufficient amounts of protein from meats, you should be getting enough zinc in your diet. The level recommended by your doctor will vary from 15 to
50 mg per day. Take extra care to follow your physician's dietary advice, especially if it is a prescribed diet. Diabetic patients will have additional considerations when devising a nutritional plan with their doctor. A final note is needed to emphasize
the importance of hydration for wound healing. Drink plenty of water and fluids throughout the healing process to help facilitate proper circulation and detoxification. (Source: Wound Care Centers)
7 Special Foods that Help you Prevent and Fight Cancer
Free radicals are unavoidable and everywhere! They become especially dangerous when they reach the inner structure of our cells, which affects our DNA, cell functions and cell structure.
When it comes to cancer, you have more control than you think. Your proactive choices can really make a huge difference, and just by including a few special foods in your diet, you can take advantage of their natural cancer fighting properties.
To understand cancer prevention and truly take advantage of foods that are loaded with antioxidants, it’s important to understand their relationship to the illness itself. Cancer causing free radicals
are atoms with an uneven number of electrons that form when oxygen teams up with these misfits. They are unavoidable and everywhere! They become especially dangerous when they reach the inner structure of our cells, which affects our DNA, cell functions
and cell structure. When a cell is affected by a free radical, it no longer can perform its function and dies. This all can cause cells to act abnormally. Cancer itself is essentially the rapid, out-of-control multiplication of
rancid cells in a specific part of the body. Simply
put? Free radicals cause cell reactions that can lead to cancer. Antioxidants are our knight-in-shining armor molecules. Made up of vitamins and phytochemicals, these are our body’s natural defensive
line against free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize and interrupt free radicals effects on our cells – before any major damage occurs. Now that we have the science straight, it’s time to get our diets in
line! One of the best weapons against cancer is healthy foods. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, even teas and spices have the highest supply of antioxidants available. Before you dash off to the market though, remember that some healthy foods just
happen to outshine a few of the others. Here is a quick list of special cancer fighters:  Blueberries are potent antioxidants. Blueberries – Brimming with vitamins, antioxidants – and proven results. Don’t forget other berries
either – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries all have highest antioxidant levels around! Dried blueberries and other dried fruit are a great choice too. Why? Since they contain less water, there’s actually more antioxidants
in them. Spinach – Spinach is loaded with one particular cancer fighter, beta-carotene. That actual number weighs in at about 3,600 IU per cup, which puts spinach at the top of the list. It protects from
all kinds of cancer. In addition, this superfood protects against high cholesterol and keeps your bone density intact due to its high levels of vitamin K, A, C and calcium. And that’s just the summary!
Broccoli – Broccoli is one of the all-time, best foods that you can consume for cancer prevention. Broccoli contains enough vitamin C to put oranges and tangerines to shame. In addition to its high calcium
levels, broccoli contains Sulforaphane, an antioxidant that is proven to decrease your chances of getting many types of cancer.  Green tea fights and protects against nearly every kind of cancer known to man. Green tea – Drink
green tea everyday. Green tea fights and protects against nearly every kind of cancer known to man. It contains catechins, antioxidants that are even more potent that heavyweight vitamins E and C. Many studies have shown that
green tea may have the ability to accelerate death in cancer cells – without harming the healthy ones surrounding it. Celery – This is an excellent choice for fighting free radicals. Celery is full of vitamin
C and K. potassium, fiber and manganese. It has proven anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial properties. It includes apigenin, coumarin and polyacetylenes – as well as perillyl alcohol, a substance that has stimulates the body’s anti-tumor
fighting properties. Seaweed is
one of the most powerful foods you can add to your diet. Seaweed - Seaweed is proven highly effective! Edible seaweed is high in iron, potassium and fiber. It is also a great source of carotenoids and
unique compounds that have been found to be effective in various types of cancer cells. Pomegranate – Pomegranate has anti-inflammatory properties proven to help in rheumatoid arthritis cases.
They are also great to help heart disease and lower cholesterol levels, and fight agains, pancreatic, and lung cancer. By choosing foods that are the highest in antioxidants, you can help yourself to steer towards a cancer-free
future and feel much better (healthier) while you do it.
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