Category: Health

We have March – we drink nettle! As Paul Pitchford wrote, “Wild vegetables give us a lot of strength and vitality, especially when we collect them ourselves.”

There is a lot of truth in this, because the movement in the open air is the basis of health. That’s why we take gloves and run to forests, parks and gardens for fresh nettle.

March is the best time to harvest. We can remove it and then drink it in the form of infusions, use as a hair rinse. But later, in spring, I encourage you to drink freshly squeezed nettle juice.

Nettle has a protective effect on the mucous membranes of the body due to the high content of beta-carotene (provitamin A). The chlorophyll contained in the cut inhibits the development of viruses and allows the lungs to expel the remains of chemical vapors, coal dust, tobacco smoke – something that is in effect after the heating season.

If you’re looking to improve your health, nettle is a fantastic herb to incorporate into your overall nutritional plan. Let’s take a closer look at the health benefits of nettle.

Nettle Health Benefits: Nature’s Powerhouse Herb

Nettle is packed with nutrients and offers many beneficial health properties including:

Nettle is also…

Chock-full of Minerals

Nettle is packed with minerals, especially magnesium and calcium. Studies have shown that nettle has more calcium, magnesium, potassium, boron, phosphorus, and strontium than other popular herbs including peppermint, sage, and even chamomile.

Packed With Beta Carotene

Also due to the content of beta-carotene, the nettle has a protective effect on the lungs and large intestine. And as we know, the large intestine is our body management center (to pair with the brain).

A Gentle Diuretic

It works as a gentle diuretic and improves the functioning of the kidneys, so it is good to get rid of excess water from the body. It has beneficial effects on the kidneys, urinary bladder and urinary tract, and thanks to chlorophyll for hair growth and blood reconstruction, which is important for people with anemia or, for example, those with celiac disease.

Vitamin B9 Rich

Nettle juice is a very good way to deliver folic acid to the body, which we often lose while cooking green vegetables. And folic acid, together with iron, copper and vitamin K – nettle ingredients – are involved in the formation of red blood cells and hemoglobin, that is, improves the quality of blood.

Full of Antioxidants

Nettle contains a lot of antioxidants in the form of vitamins C, E, folic acid or beta-carotene, which deal with these free radicals, responsible for the aging of the body and the formation of diseases.Therefore, it helps to keep our body young.

The Bottom Line

The health benefits of nettle are many. Nettle is packed with minerals, folic acid, antioxidants, and other key nutrients. There’s a reason nettle has been a stable among herbalists for centuries.

Stinging nettle grows wild in temperate regions globally so the usage of nettle as a nutritive herb is widespread too. This means getting a hold of some is as simple as buying nettle tea at your local grocery store or visiting your local herbalist.

If you’re looking to improve your health, try some nettle tea today for some easy and refreshing nourishment!

Now, we usually love science. Science is awesome! Science deals in facts and evidence, so you can’t argue against it. It can’t really be misinterpreted or changed, because facts are facts, right? But every once in a while, a new scientific study comes along with research that is … a little hard to swallow. We don’t mean that the research is wrong – far be it from us to question science. We mean that the research runs contrary to everything we know to be true in our own lives. This 2016 study on aging is one such piece of research. We truly WANT to believe that having more children slows the aging process. We want to believe that so very much! But … personal experience tells us otherwise. But science says that the more kids a woman has, the slower she ages, so we’re going to give science a chance here.

The 2016 study published in Science Daily was conducted by researchers at Simon Fraser University. The research suggests that the number of children a woman has can actually influence the rate at which her body ages. The more kids, the slower the rate of aging. This is because women who give birth to more living children have longer telomeres.

What are telomeres, you ask? They’re kind of like the little pieces of plastic at the end of a shoelace. These protective tips are found at the end of each DNA strand, and they are indicative of the cellular aging process. The longer the telomeres, the faster the cell replication, and thus, slower aging rate and increased longevity!

Now, we fully accept that to be true. Howver, there’s big difference between physical signs of aging and longevity. Will having more kids help you live longer? Quite possibly! Will having more children make you look and feel younger? Well, on that point we’re not quite convinced. More children means more stress, less money, less sleep, and less time. All of those things age you like cheese.

But still, it’s a pretty cool study. And just think – the more kids you have, the more options you have for someone to care for you in your old age since you’ll live so long!

What if you could eat fast food all day and still lose weight? That’s what dirty keto promises — go ahead and eat that sausage, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich, minus the bun. While you’re at it, wash it down with a sugar-free Slurpee. It’s the latest version of the high-fat, low-carb keto diet, but is it good for you in the long-term? And can you still burn fat while eating processed foods? Read on to find out how dirty keto works, and if it can really help you lose weight fast.

What is “dirty keto”?

On a regular keto diet, you focus on fats (75% of your daily calories), some protein (20%), and a very small amount of carbs (less than 5%). Restricting carbs puts your body into ketosis — a metabolic state where you burn fat, not glucose, for fuel. The result? Rapid weight loss and reduced inflammation.^[1] 

Dirty keto follows the same breakdown of fats, protein, and carbs, but with one key difference — it doesn’t matter where those macronutrients come from. Instead of choosing good fats like wild salmon and avocado for lunch, you might reach for a bunless double bacon cheeseburger and diet orange soda.

Clean keto diets like Bulletproof focus on organic vegetables, grass-fed meat and butter, and healthy fats like coconut oil and olive oil, while dirty keto lets you wallow in pork rinds and Cheez Whiz.

“Dirty keto is a pithy way of referring to the ‘fast and dirty’ practice of using premade, packaged foods instead of homemade food crafted from whole food ingredients,” says Stephanie Pedersen, holistic nutritionist and author of “Keto Lunches: Grab-and-Go, Make-Ahead Recipes for High-Power, Low-Carb Midday Meals.”

The idea has caught on — numerous dirty keto groups have cropped up on Facebook. One has the tagline “No shaming, no judgement, no negativity.”  On a page called “The Dirty Keto Life,” a user posted an image of their morning snack — Powerade Zero and packaged bacon BBQ cheese crisps.

Drawbacks of dirty keto

Dirty keto is tempting — you can quickly scan a nutrition panel on a package to see whether a product will work with your daily macro counts. But what you’re missing are micronutrients (like vitamins, minerals, and enzymes) — equally as important to your overall health, says Pedersen.  

“[Micronutrients] help keep your immune system strong, help your skin look great, help your body systems function, help fight off oxidants that lead to aging and illness, help with everything from healthy vision to preventing weak bones,” she says.

Dirty keto and weight loss

So will you lose weight this way? Probably, but here’s what you’ll get in return:

Processed foods tend to contain a lot of sodium to add flavor and as a preservative — this can cause bloating and puffiness. It can also exacerbate dehydration, constipation, and other symptoms of the keto flu.

“Can you ‘do keto’ relying on fast food, convenience food and packaged food? Yes,” says Pedersen. “But your skin may not look as good. Your hair may not look as good. You may not feel as good. And, in the long run, you may run into some deficiencies.”

But dirty keto is convenient…

If you’re choosing dirty keto for its convenience or you don’t like to cook, you have other options, says Pedersen.

“If you downright despise cooking, look into keto boxed meal-prep services or reach out to a healthful private chef in your area and hire him or her to make a few keto-compliant meals and snacks to help you reach, and maintain, ketosis,” says Pedersen.

Or, do what Bulletproof Diet founder Dave Asprey does while traveling or in a pinch: order sushi.

Cleaner ways to indulge

Now, eating keto the Bulletproof way doesn’t have to mean salads and steak all the time — there are clean ways to indulge. You can still enjoy bread and sweet treats on occasion. Start with these keto apple pie fat bombs, almond flour pancakes, or this white chocolate and raspberry keto cake. They’ll keep your body, and your tastebuds, happy.

Join over 1 million fans

Sign-up for the Bulletproof mailing list and receive the latest news and updates!

Those who have poor eyesight should know just how precious the eyesight is. Visual problems can hinder many activities and opportunities that could otherwise have had left an impact on your life. Sadly, 3 out of 4 adults need eyeglasses of one kind or another. Moreover, cataracts are increasingly becoming an endemic problem in certain areas which then leads to billions of dollars being spent each year for operations concerning the disease. As early as today, no matter what the current state of your eyesight is, you should learn to protect your vision and eye health. You can do this by taking precautions or by checking in with your local eye specialist or by changing your diet and lifestyle. There are a lot of foods out there that are rich in vitamins and nutrients necessary for promoting the sharp vision and youthful eyes. Here are six foods you can eat to boost your eye health.

1. Fish

Oily fish is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that are not only good for your cardiovascular health, but for your eyesight as well. These fatty acids will prevent dry eyes, macular degeneration, and even reduce the risk of cataracts. Cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel are only some of the oily fish you can incorporate in your diet to obtain omega-3 fatty acids.

2. Carrots and squash

Basically any fruit and vegetable of the color ranging from yellow to oranges, such as carrots and squash, are rich in the nutrient carotenoid. Carotenoids contain lutein which protects the part of the retina known as macula from damage caused by blue and ultraviolet light. Other foods rich in the same nutrient include cantaloupe, dried apricots, sweet potatoes, and sweet red peppers. Apart from carrots, it is better not to overcook these vegetables as they lose more of their carotenoid content under prolonged heat. Carrots, on the other hand, will retain its maximum benefit even if it is cooked well.

3. Kale

Kale is rich in a number of nutrients including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. All of these nutrients can contribute in one way or another to protecting your eye health such as by preventing macular degeneration and reducing the risk of cataracts. You can either eat the kale fresh as a salad or as a side dish or you can bake the leaves to into kale chips. You can even blend it with some fruits to make a healthy smoothie. Kale is also rich in potent antioxidants that can reduce your risk of developing cancer.

4. Eggs

There are many vitamins and nutrients in eggs including lutein and vitamin A. Vitamin A can protect against night blindness and prevent dry eyes. Lutein specializes in protecting the macula from damage caused by blue light and UV light. Coupled together, both promote eye health and efficient eye function.

5. Almonds

One of the most potent vitamins when it comes to promoting eye health is vitamin E and one of its richest sources is almonds. In fact, most nuts contain great amounts of vitamin E. The reason why vitamin E is great for protecting the eyes is because of its powerful antioxidant properties. Being a potent antioxidant, vitamin E can then prevent free radicals from causing much damage to your cells including those in your eyes. Therefore, snacking on almonds and nuts can help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration.

6. Whole grains

By reducing the glycemic index (GI) in your diet, you can prevent age-related macular degeneration. You can do this by swapping refined carbohydrates for whole-wheat bread and pasta, quinoa, brown rice, and whole oats. Whole grains also contain some amounts of vitamin E, zinc, and niacin which further promote optimal overall eye health.

source

We all have our eating quirks, and a common one is a belief that food should stay separate on the plate. Mixing peas and mashed potatoes or rice with beans are common food combinations but not to these picky eaters. Enter the company ‘Food Cubby,’ dedicated to ‘keeping food in its place,’ with innovative BPA- free, silicone dividers that fit on any plate so that your grub will never fraternize again – well until it goes in your stomach.

Sold on Amazon in packs of two, the Food Cubby offers a choice of orange or green and includes two different sizes to assure that it fits on any of your dishes. The site says it not only works as a divider but also “as an ‘edge’ to push food onto a utensil, without fingers. ”

So often getting kids to eat is a battle that parents go through. They have to come up with creative methods to make food seem more appetizing, but the sleek, smooth, plates and clever suction plate design is guaranteed to be kid-friendly, maybe because the original Food Cubby was invented by one. However, the company notes that this is perfect for all ages, “Good for special needs, elderly, vision impaired, and occupational therapy needs at mealtime.”

Food Cubby can even help make sure you are eating healthier. This mealtime helper can hold 1/2 cup of food within its walls which can help with portion control and nutrition. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends your plate include lots of fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and whole grains, with quarter portions of each.

Food Cubby Plate Divider 

The ORIGINAL Food Cubby food divider, invented by a kid, suctions to flat, smooth plates to keep runny food from spreading. The Food Cubby keeps food separated on plates you already own, so you don’t have to buy and store plastic divider plates. It also provides an “edge” to push food onto utensils for people who might need that help at mealtime. Good for special needs, elderly, vision impaired, and occupational therapy needs at mealtime. Also, holds 1/2 cup of food within its walls for portion control and nutrition. The Food Cubby was created by a kid inventor!

source

File this under “long-standing health beliefs we now know are false:” Sunscreen isn’t really that good for you after all. Like eggs and salt, the sun has been given a bad name rather unfairly. Not only is the sun not bad for you – quite the opposite, in fact – but sunscreen isn’t exactly doing your health any favors. Let’s take a look at what we now know.

After years of avoiding the sun in hopes of preventing skin cancer, doctors and researchers are now seeing just how badly a lack of sunlight can impact your health. One of the biggest problems right now is vitamin D deficiency. This hormone is manufactured by your skin upon exposure to sunlight. Although there are food sources of vitamin D, it’s very difficult to get it from diet alone.

These days, most people work indoors, and many of us wear sunscreen every time we do go outside because we’ve been told that UV rays can cause skin cancer. The advice from some experts has been to always use sunscreen and get vitamin D supplements, but clinical trials have shown that these supplements are no match for the real deal.

In fact, a study of nearly 26,000 participants found that taking high doses of vitamin D supplements over five years had essentially no impact on stroke, heart disease, or cancer. This may have added fuel to those who argue that vitamin D isn’t that important, but it overlooks the fact that getting vitamin D from a pill simply isn’t the same thing as inspiring your body to produce its own the way nature always intended.

Many experts now believe that stepping outside without sunscreen is a healthy lifestyle choice, and it deserves a place right alongside eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly.  Do not forget to protect yourself from the sun by using something as simple as a hat.

Sunscreen is bad news all around

If you still can’t shake your reservations about cancer and want to wear sunscreen anyway, consider this: The ingredients in sunscreens actually transform into chemicals that can cause cancer when they are exposed to the chlorine found in swimming pool water. In addition to cancer, such chemicals have also been linked to problems like immune system damage and infertility. The reaction is even worse in pools that use copper salts to enhance the blue color of the water; this causes sunscreen to break down into a substance called bromoform that has been linked to liver and kidney problems as well as nervous system disorders.

Natural sunscreens do exist, but you should only use them after you’ve gotten adequate sun exposure to keep your vitamin D levels healthy. It’s hard to say for sure how much sun you might need as factors like your location, skin tone, time of day, and the weather all play a role, but as a general rule, 20 to 30 minutes without sunscreen three times per week should do the trick.

source:  https://www.naturalnews.com

Half the battle of cleaning up after dinner is trying to find a plastic container and the right lid to hold your leftovers. Like a modern-day Goldilocks dilemma, it seems that the lid is always too big—or too small—for the container you want to use. Houseware and handbag brand Finell may have found a solution, though. The company’s Zip Top containers combine the best features of a plastic container and zippable plastic baggie while eliminating the hassles associated with both.

Zip Top containers stand upright like a typical plastic container, but they’re a lot more malleable, letting you squeeze them into tight spots in your fridge. And unlike other storage containers, they have a zippable top, so you’ll never have to tear apart your kitchen looking for another lid. (Another helpful feature: The container’s pointed “pour corners,” so you won’t make a mess trying to transfer soup or sauce to a bowl.)

Another selling point is its versatility, they’re safe for the dishwasher, microwave, oven, and freezer. You can even use them as sous vide, with some modifications. “Zip Top containers are thicker than most commercial sous vide bags, so you may need to increase the temperature slightly to compensate,” the company notes.

They’re also said to be “virtually indestructible,” so you can use them as many times as you’d like—all while helping the environment. By some estimates, traditional plastic bags may take 500 years to break down in a landfill. According to Finell, one Zip Top can save 5000 plastic bags.

Source: Mentalfloss.com

Red states and blue states may like to point to one another as the source of all that is wrong with the U.S., but the truth is that each of the 50 states has its own virtues and vices. For example, Missouri has the worst drug use problem. And it certainly comes as no surprise that Nevada is the most gambling-addicted.

But the cost of state sins is something we have to share as a nation. Gambling alone costs the U.S. about $5 billion per year. That’s nothing compared to the amount of money we lose from smoking, though – over $300 billion per year. Harmful behavior on the individual level can add up to staggering economic costs on a national scale.

Some states are more well-behaved than others. In order to determine the states that most give in to their desires, WalletHub compared the 50 states across 43 key indicators of immorality. Our data set ranges from violent crimes per capita to excessive drinking to share of the population with gambling disorders. Read on to see the full ranking, insight from a panel of experts, and a full description of our methodology.

With Mardi Gas approaching and Louisiana set to be the center of plenty of drinking, drug use, and sex, WalletHub has also prepared a Mardi Gras Facts – Booze, Floats, Money & More infographic to go along with this report.

Read More