If you know you have unhealthy eating habits, it is about time you start scaling down because that bad habit might just be affecting your brain negatively.....Read Full Article>>

The brain is arguably the most important organ in your body as the brain controls all other parts of your body and it is the repository of everything that makes you, you. With this in mind, there is no gainsaying that the brain needs to be kept healthy.

Proper nutrition can mean the difference between a clear head with a sense of purpose and a foggy head with a sense of desperation. As a lifelong habit, healthy eating also slows the rate of ageing-related cognitive decline and reduces the risk of developing dementia.

In this article, we have listed five items you need to remove from your diet to protect the health of your brain for the long haul.

Refined Carbohydrates

These are products made with processed grains and they are bad for your brain because they break down into sugar in your body very quickly even though they may not necessarily taste sweet.

A meal rich in refined carbohydrates represents a high glycemic load that spikes your blood sugar and causes all the same issues as if you had eaten straight sugar, including memory impairment, inflammation, and a higher risk of developing dementia. Studies have shown that children who consume diets high in refined carbohydrates score lower on nonverbal intelligence tests while elderly people who take in more than 58% of their daily calories in refined carbs have twice the risk of mental impairment and dementia than those who eat more whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Trans Fat

Trans fats are found naturally in animal products including meat and dairy, margarine, store-bought baked goods, chips and crackers, frozen and canned meals, and creamy beverages. Otherwise known as hydrogenated oil, those who eat trans fat are at a greater risk for Alzheimer’s and dementia. Studies have shown that high consumption of trans fats also leads to earlier cognitive decline, lower brain volume, and poorer memory. It is noteworthy that not all fats are bad for you but trans fat has a detrimental effect on your brain.

Processed and Packaged Foods

Processed and packaged foods although providing convenience and fast food cannot be compared to slow-cooked homemade meals. Relying on a processed and packaged diet is notorious for causing an accumulation of fat around the vital organs which in turn is associated with damage to the brain tissue and a reduction in the brain’s volume. It may also cause disruptions to the blood-brain barrier, the membrane that is responsible for protecting the brain from harmful substances.

Sugary drinks

Many sugary drinks contain fructose (a mega-concentrated sweetener) which has been shown to reduce learning ability, memory, overall brain function, and the formation of new neurons in the brain. It may also lead to increased inflammation in the brain, which negatively affects all types of brain function.

Regular intake of sugary drinks can lead to type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Cut down on your intake of sugary drinks like soda, sports drinks, energy drinks, and even fruit juice have little to no nutritional value.

Alcohol

Yes, you read that right, alcohol affects the brain negatively. A drink every now and then won’t cause permanent damage to the brain but alcoholism and bouts of binge drinking absolutely can. Heavy drinking shrinks the brain and disrupt the neurotransmitters that your brain uses to communicate. Alcoholics also often experience a vitamin B1 deficiency, which can lead to the development of Korsakoff’s syndrome. That syndrome is responsible for severe brain damage that causes memory loss, confusion, unsteadiness, and intermittent loss of eyesight

Health

The Cancer Sign That Can Occur When You’re Eating Food That Everyone Should Know

Published

51 mins ago

November 7, 2024

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The Cancer Sign That Can Occur When You’re Eating Food That Everyone Should Know

People are being urged to be vigilant for any warning signs of oesophageal cancer that can occur while eating. Oesophageal Awareness Month is marked during February in the UK. Each year, around 9,000 people across the country are affected by oesophageal cancer. The cancer can develop anywhere in the oesophagus, also known as the gullet or food pipe, which links your mouth to your stomach.......Read Full Article>>

The severity of oesophageal cancer can depend on its location, size, whether it has spread (metastasised), and your overall health. However, the exact cause of oesophageal cancer isn’t always clear, as anyone can develop it.

There are two primary types of oesophageal cancer: squamous cell carcinoma (which develops in the thin, flat cells lining the gullet) and adenocarcinoma (which originates from glandular cells and is often associated with Barrett’s oesophagus). There are also some less common types of oesophageal cancer, including neuroendocrine cancer, small cell cancer, and soft tissue sarcomas.

It’s crucial to be aware of the risk factors. To diagnose the cancer, the main tests include an endoscopy, which examines the lining of your oesophagus, stomach and duodenum, reports Gloucestershire Live.

Here are some of the red flag warning signs that can occur when eating, which could indicate symptoms of oesophageal cancer.

Symptoms of oesophageal cancer

MacMillan Cancer Support has highlighted that the most common symptom of oesophageal cancer is difficulty swallowing food. However, the charity also points out that some symptoms can mimic other common conditions.

Food coming back up before reaching the stomach (regurgitation), feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
Weight loss
Pain in the chest or back, or pain in the throat or chest when swallowing
Indigestion or heartburn that does not go away
A hoarse voice or a cough that does not go away.

If you’re struggling to swallow or are concerned about any other symptoms, it’s crucial to seek medical advice promptly.

Risk factors

It’s important to note that being in a risk factor category doesn’t guarantee you’ll develop oesophageal cancer. Conversely, even without any risk factors, you could still be diagnosed with this type of cancer.

The NHS suggests that many cases of oesophageal cancer are linked to lifestyle choices, such as being overweight, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption.

Other symptoms include:

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD)
Barrett’s oesophagus
Being overweight
Oesophageal cancer is more common in men than in women
Most oesophageal cancers are diagnosed in people over the age of 40
Smoking
Drinking a lot of alcohol
Eating a diet that is high in fat and cholesterol
Previous treatment for cancer.

MacMillan also identifies two rare conditions, achalasia and tylosis, which can increase the likelihood of developing this cancer. To help reduce your risk of oesophageal cancer, the NHS advises losing weight if you’re overweight, allowing hot drinks to cool before consuming them, reducing alcohol intake, and quitting smoking.

Health

Stop Disposing Egg Shells You Can Eat Them To Prevent These Diseases

Published

51 mins ago

November 7, 2024

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Stop Disposing Egg Shells You Can Eat Them To Prevent These Diseases

The following diseases can be prevented by eating egg shells: Osteoporosis, characterized by weakened bones and an elevated risk of fractures, particularly affects post-menopausal women. The use of eggshell powder may prove more effective than calcium carbonate in reducing osteoporosis risk by enhancing bone density....Read Full Article>>

Inflammation of joints causing pain and stiffness, arthritis can be alleviated by the collagen-rich eggshell membrane. Found between the egg whites and shell, this membrane contributes to joint health, reducing pain and stiffness.

Calcium deficiency can impact myocardial contraction, leading to cardiovascular diseases. Consuming eggshells, rich in calcium, helps prevent these issues by supporting proper muscle function.

Eggshells provide ample calcium, effectively preventing the aforementioned health concerns.

To avoid bacterial contamination, such as salmonella, ensure eggs are boiled thoroughly before consuming the shell. Additionally, to prevent throat damage, refrain from swallowing large eggshell pieces; opt for smaller pieces or crush them into eggshell powder

Health

Signs You’re Eating Too Much Salt

Published

51 mins ago

November 7, 2024

Admin

Salt is a seasoning that can flavor food and act as a preservative. It’s about 60% chloride and about 40% sodium. Nearly all unprocessed foods – think veggies, fruits, nuts, meats, whole grains, and dairy foods – are low in sodium....Read Full Article>>

The salt that we do eat helps relax and contract muscles, lends a hand with nerve impulses, and balances the minerals and water we take in Our body needs only a small amount of sodium. We should get about 1,500 milligrams of it every day. But the average American takes in about 3,400. Too much salt can lead to a stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure. But how do you know if you take in too much salt

YOU’RE BLOATED

Bloating – when your stomach feels swollen or tight – is one of the most common short-term effects of having too much salt. It helps your body retain water, so extra fluid builds up. Foods don’t have to taste salty for them to be high in sodium. Sandwiches, pizza, bagels, and canned soup can be sneaky sources for salt.

YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE IS HIGH

There are lots of reasons you might have high blood pressure, but one could be too much sodium. The change in blood pressure happens through your kidneys. Too much salt makes it harder for them to get rid of fluid that you don’t need. As a result, your blood pressure goes up.

YOU’RE PUFFY

Swelling can be a sign of too much sodium in your body. Body parts like your face, hands, feet, and ankles are most likely to swell. If you’re more puffy than usual, take a look at how much salt you’re eating.

YOU’RE REALLY THIRSTY

If you’ve been really thirsty lately, it could be a sign that you’re eating too much salt. When that happens, you become dehydrated. Your body pulls water from your cells, and you might start to feel very thirsty. Drinking water can help neutralize that salt and can freshen up your cells.

YOU’VE GAINED WEIGHT

When you retain water, you might gain weight. If you’ve put on pounds quickly over a week or even a few days, it could be because you’re having too much salt. If you gain more than 2 pounds in a day or 4 pounds in a week, think back to the foods you ate during the past few days and try to make changes to cut down on the salt.

YOU USE THE RESTROOM A LOT

More salt could lead to more trips to the bathroom. This could be because salt can make you very thirsty, which might encourage you to drink more water. Later on, you might have to go to the bathroom more than usual.

YOU AREN’T SLEEPING WELL

If you eat too much salt before bed, it can lead to disturbances in your sleep. Signs can range from restless sleep, to waking up often at night, to not feeling rested in the morning.

YOU FEEL WEAK

When there’s too much salt in your blood, water gushes out of your cells to thin out the salt. The result? You might start to feel weaker than usual.

YOUR STOMACH BOTHERS YOU

If too much salt in your diet makes you dehydrated, your stomach will feel it. You might feel nauseated, or you might have diarrhea. If your stomach is upset or you have cramps, take a look at what you’ve been eating during the past few days and figure out how to cut back on the salt. Drinking plenty of water can help rehydrate your cells and get you feeling better.

LONG-TERM EFFECTS OF TOO MUCH SALT

Although there are lots of short-term effects to watch out for, there are also long-term effects of eating too much salt. It might raise your chances of things like enlarged heart muscle, headaches, heart failure, high blood pressure, kidney disease, kidney stones, osteoporosis, stomach cancer, and stroke.

HOW TO CUT DOWN

ON SALT

Since 9 out of 10 Americans get too much sodium, chances are, you might take in too much as well.

To help keep your levels in check: • Choose fresh meats instead of packaged ones • When you buy frozen vegetables, choose ones that are “fresh frozen” and stay away from ones with seasoning or sauces already added • Read labels and check the sodium content in the foods you buy • When choosing spices and seasonings, go for ones that do not list sodium on their labels • If you eat out, you can ask for your dish to be prepared without salt.