Health Benefits of Eating Walnuts

Photo credit: taken from yahoo.com

Have you ever wondered why a walnut looks like a very tiny-scale model of human brain? Here's the wonder of nature coming in; walnuts are brain food. It is rich in omega-fatty acid that is a good nutrient for the brain. It helps boost memory and cognitive function.

Aside from being a good brain food, it is also rich in plant-based protein and other vitamins and minerals which are all good for our body.

Walnuts also help in lowering bad cholesterol because of the presence of omega-fatty acids. It helps in heart health and also is rich in fibre so if you are into weight management, eating walnuts help you feel fuller. And the fibre also aids in your digestive tract.

Selenium, zinc and biotin are also present in walnuts so it helps in promoting healthy, shiny hair.

So, start infusing walnuts in your meal plans. You can use walnut oils in your salads or dressings to ensure you get the health benefits of walnuts. You can also snack on it rather than buying processed treats which are full of calories with no good nutrients to provide your system. Choose walnuts instead!

Nuts and Seeds That Can Lower Your Blood Pressure

If you are one of the millions of people who have hypertension, you are probably into your maintenance or rigid diet to maintain your pressure stable or else you will have complications. Eating the right food can help stabilise your blood pressure. Medication also helps but would it be nice to enjoy good food that actually help reduce your blood pressure rather than limit your intake to bland food and very less sodium?

Here are some nuts and seeds that you can add to your meals or even snack on them for healthier reasons than grabbing the chips and sodas you can see. These nuts and seeds are not only tasty, they are also packed with vitamins and nutrients that help your arteries and blood pressure. Add them on your salad, sandwich spreads and even on oats!

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are rich in Vitamin E, the fat soluble vitamin which aids in the absorption of Vitamin K that helps in the production of red blood cells.

Pumpkin seeds

These green seeds contain high amounts of magnesium. Magnesium helps in relaxing blood vessels and it is also responsible in balancing the levels of sodium and calcium in our body.

Cashew nuts

Cashew has lower fat content than other nuts. It contains oleic acid which is the good monounsaturated fat similarly found in olive oils that helps improve heart conditions.

Almond nuts

Almonds protect artery walls. It helps lower bad cholesterol levels and improves heart conditions.



(Photos not mine. Credit to the owners)

GloryFeel Omega 3 Fish Oil Review #gloryfeelOmega3

** I received this product for free in exchange of my unbiased review. My findings are 100% mine and may vary from yours. (This review is also available in my Amazon profile)

I have been drinking omega fish oil for sometime now. I have tried many brands already, as prescribed by my doctor and some I have bought on my own. And so far, of all the brands I have tried, this one does not give off that fishy smell and taste. I also noticed that my burp didn't have that fishy after-taste which I have experienced with the other brands.

The size is almost similar with the other brands I have taken. The one thing that I noticed right away from Gloryfeel's Omega 3 Fish Oil is that it is not glossy. It still comes in a gel-like capsule but it has matte texture so it does not stick with the other capsules inside the bottle. That is a plus factor for me because the one I am taking (Vitamin World Omega 3 Fish oil) before I tried this brand, the capsules stick to each other so I have to shake the bottle to loosen the contents.

Each capsule contains 2000mg fish oil, 800g EPA and 600mg DHA. And it contains fish oils from herring, anchovy, sardine, salmon and mackerel which is clearly indicated in the bottle label so those with allergic reactions are informed.

Omega 3 fish oil is beneficial to one's health. It improved good cholesterol level, healthy heart and joints, brain functions and skin texture. According to the label of this product, it also supports weight loss. So far, I have not noticed any remarkable change in my weight since I am not dieting nor exercising. So I cannot provide any input in that aspect.

I do recommend this product. However, like any other precautions to take when ingesting supplements, please check your physician especially if your are taking medications for known conditions.

You can purchase this from Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Omega-Fish-Pills-Counts-Pharmaceutical/dp/B00UVKRC3M/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1430249223&sr=1-2&keywords=gloryfeel

Review - Ozeri Automatic Cardio Tech Wrist BP Monitor BP5K

I have a portable Blood Pressure monitor at home or another brand. It is a bit bulky and heavy because it's slightly bigger than the Ozeri Automatic Cardio Tech Wrist BP Monitor.

I am very happy with this hi-tech digital BP monitor because it has many features that my other monitor cannot perform. It is more compact and can be brought on my travels.



What I like:
It has voice-guided operation which you can switch on and off. It provides instruction on whether your wrist is too elevated or too low and when it will commence reading your BP.
Big LCD display
Portable and easy to use
Can store your reading in the morning (AM) and afternoon or evening (PM)
It can store 90 blood pressure readings for 2 users (=180 readings)
It has automatic Irregular heartbeat (Arrhythmia) detection and Hypertension Indicator.
It has velcro fastening for the wrist.
Just the right amount of LCD brightness.
It comes with a hard-shell case for storage and protection.

What I don't like:
It takes almost half a minute for the BP monitor to start reading and that is when you got your wrist position leveled properly. If not, it will take another few seconds to find the right position before it starts reading.


Price:
List price is at US$ 89.95 but currently on sale at $42.95 from Amazon


My recommendation:
I recommend this BP monitor due to its hi-tech features, portability and ease of use.


This product is available from Amazon. To know more about Ozeri's products, you may visit their FB Page: http://www.facebook.com/OzeriProducts


Disclaimer:
I was not compensated in this review. All my opinions and findings are 100% mine and may vary from yours.

Heart Rate Monitors USA

There are a wide variety of heart rate monitors in the market now from various well known manufacturers of gadgets used for medical, health and fitness purposes. These heart rate monitors are used by athletes and people who wants to get into tip-top shape, monitors their heart rates and commit to a healthy lifestyle and provide valuable information in the proper way to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

One of the well-known authorized dealer of well-known brands of   heart rate monitors is Heart Rate Monitors USA. It is a company committed to provide high-quality heart rate monitors to ensure that people can achieve their goals to be fit and bettering their performances. Regardless of your activity level, they can create a fitness program you can handle and provide you with wellness tips and training goals.

HeartRateMonitorsUSA.com has a wide range of products to monitor your heart rate as you work out. It is an important aspect to make sure you are burning enough calories while making sure that you are not over doing it.

There are monitors designed for specific sports such as running, cycling, swimming, triathletes, team sports, and solo gym/indoor exercising. They offer strapless monitors that can be worn like a watch, while others come with a strap that is worn around the chest and a sensor that receives the information. Many also give more information than heart rate including calories burned and whether you are burning fat or improving fitness. They also sell a variety of other items to help in the task of getting fit. There are pedometers, water bottles and other hydration equipment, energy bars and drinks, GPS equipment and other monitoring devices, action helmet cameras, fitness gear and blood pressure equipment.

Heart Rate Monitors USA wants to see people getting in shape in healthy ways. With well-known brands and quality products, they can help the athlete improve their performance and the couch potato to get into the action and start living an active life.

My Lab Results

I got my lab results last night and went to see my doctor again for a reading. My cholesterol is high but my blood sugar is normal. However, I can't believe my uric level is so high. It's not even just above the meridian. It's high!

So, that could be the reason why my ankles ache in the morning before I get up. Although, my ankles don't swell, I do feel pain there and on my knees. I thought, the pain was brought about by the 2.7 km walk I did so I didn't give much thought.

Well, I may go vegan for a while. I have no idea how it will go and how my taste buds will receive the new idea and food group. I don't have a problem taking red meat and some seafood out of my eating equation but  not eat my favorite wheat breads and oatmeal cookies? That's just plain torture!

I am barely on my 40s and yet I have these conditions normally felt by middle-aged people. The doctor advised me to really lose weight and strict diet on low purines because purines found on most food I love to eat are one of the culprits of my rising uric acid. 

I just wonder why I was predisposition to have these kinds of conditions. I don't smoke. I don't drink. I get my 8 hours of sleep. I eat healthy foods and not much of a meat eater. I exercise and I try my best to think of positive thoughts. And yet, I still have these conditions which can affect my heart if I don't do something about them. I am really bummed right now.

Anyway, no use crying over spilled milk. I just have to follow my doctor's advise to the letter. I may experience some withdrawal symptoms while I wean away from breads and other delicious food I love to eat. Let this be a warning... Grumpy alert!

Low Salt Intake and a Healthy Heart

Photo credit: examiner.com

The body can only take so much sodium in the system. Too much of the salty, processed and sodium-laden food is very detrimental to one's health.

A human can only consume around 1,500 mg of sodium to be in the normal level. When the consumption is beyond that, there will be health risks involve like hypertension. Hypertension, when not treated and controlled, will lead to heart diseases and stroke.

One way of regulating the intake of sodium is to read labels when buying food in the grocery. Avoid putting too much salt while cooking. Use herbs to spice up your food instead. Avoid processed and canned goods because they are high in sodium. Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits rich in fibre and potassium.

Health Nut - Food for the Heart

Photo credit: diet.lovetoknow.com

Eating green salad with a healthy drizzle of olive oil is a good lunch meal for the heart. Aside from the green salad, here are more food to consider adding in your palate for a healthy heart:

1. Fruits like strawberries, cranberries, red grapes, oranges and plums (among a few)

These fruits are rich in flavonoids which is are great antioxidants in helping minimize inflammation. Inflammation is one of the bad processes that can happen to your heart. To avoid that, have a hearty-full serving of colorful fruits.

2. Avocado

Although is also a fruit, it is rich in fats that are helpful in lessening the bad cholesterol. Have this though in moderation as you would taking fats.

3. Rye, Wheat, Multi-Grain breads

These breads are rich in fiber and magnesium. Fiber aids in lessening hypertension.

4. Salmon

This deep-sea fish is a good source of omega fatty acids which help lower bad cholesterol and keep blood pressure within range. It is also a healthy source of protein.

5. Nuts

Nuts such as almonds, pistachios and walnuts are loaded with heart-friendly fats. Substitute your chips with a palm-sized serving of these nuts instead.

Health Nut - Quiz on Heart Health

Photo credit: colorsmatter.com

Ever wonder if your heart is healthy enough? Do you want to know what your risk for heart disease may be? If so, take this quiz from RealAge.com and the results will tell you what you have to know.

Click this to go to the quiz.

Great Foods for the Heart

Stock up on these heart-healthy food and keep those arteries-clogging food out of the way.

1. Salmon - very high in omega-3 fatty acids which lowers blood pressure and keeps clotting at bay
2. Oatmeal - eat this for breakfast because it is high in fibre and aids in reducing the bad cholesterol (LDL)
3. Olive Oil - this oil is full of mono-unsaturated fats which lowers LDL and reduces your risk of developing heart diseases
4. Avocado - this fruit is rich in monounsaturated fats which helps raise the HDL or the good cholesterol in your body
5. Nuts - area also great source of good fats. Have a palm-full serving of almonds, walnuts and macademia nuts to raise your HDL
6. Berries - like blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries - these fruits are rich in anti-inflammatories which reduce your risk of cancer and heart ailments
7. Legumes - like lentils, chickpeas, black and red kidney beans are packed with soluble fibre, calcium and omega-3 fatty acids
8. Spinach - this green leafy vegetable is full of lutein, folate and potassium which makes your heart in top shape
9. Flaxseed - full of fibre and omega-3 fatty acids, great in combating the development of heart ailments
10. Soy - this may lower cholesterol and a great source of lean protein which is good for a healthy heart-diet

(source: Yahoo.com/Health.com)

Health Nut - Rubbing Your Blood Pressure Out

We can eat as much as we want but we cannot eat food that shouts bloody bad cholesterol, right? However, this is one indulgence we can bask ourselves in without having to feel guilt and that is having a long and deep massage.

According to RealAge.com, when people have deep massages, their systolic and diastolic pressure drops and that is a good sign. Study showed that there was a brief drop in the BP (blood pressure) of those who had their deep-tissue work from a licenced bodyworker for 45 to 60 minutes. It also induced a 10-point drop in heart rate. Oh, that is so relieving.....

Fending off the Bad

Old man's tale claims that garlic can drive away bad spirits and even scare off the vampires . I don't know if that ever holds true but one thing I am sure of, garlic does drive something away and it's not the bad spirits or vampires but the bad bacterias, heart diseases, inflammation, type 2 diabetes complications, high-blood pressure and cancer.

Garlic has a very pungent smell but it has many benefits for our health. Not only that it's quite a stinker but it's rather full of Vitamin C and allicin which studies show can help protect cells from cancer-causing substances.

The only caveat is the longer-lasting smell it leaves in your mouth. However, with the benefits in mind, I think I'll allow myself to smell "pungently nice" once in a while...hehehehe. Booooo...