Superfoods

We are always hearing about the latest "superfood" that promises to improve your health, but just what do these miracle foods really do to our body?

• Beetroot: high in Boron, vital to the production of sex hormones;


• Avocados: rich in vitamin E, vital for fertility;


• Strawberries: high in vitamin C, stimulates circulation and strengthen blood vessels;


• Chocolate: rich in antioxidants, prevent diseases;


• Eggs: rich in B vitamins, improve brain functions;


• Olive oil: rich in mono-unsaturated fat, prevents cardiovascular diseases;


• Pomegranates: rich in antioxidants, prevent prostate cancer;


• Blueberries: rich in antioxidants, fight cell damage;


• Tomatoes: rich in lycopene, prevents cancer formation;


• Garlic: antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial;


• Brazil nuts: rich in selenium, strengthen the immune system.

Unfortunately, part of this properties, together with vital nutrients (vitamins & minerals) are lost during farming processes. It is for this reason that more and more, the role of nutritional supplements in human nutrition is vital.

Pleople are unaware, but on the market 95% of the nutritional supplements are not bio-available to the human body. As a qualified nutritionist myself (MSc) I truly believe that the USANA supplements are readily bio-available and a great quality product.

Go to my website and have a look for yourself:

http://www.nutritionals4health.usana.com

Do feel free to contact me for any further information and remember invest in your health now for an enjoyable future!

Why is coffee and black tea making you piling on the pounds?

One of the most common mistakes that dieters make is to replace food with tea and coffee to avoid hunger cramps and provide an energy boost. Unfortunately, this is a big mistake as the effects of caffeine on your blood sugar level are similar to that of sugar. How can caffeine, which is contained in coffee and black tea, do this?

Well, to nerve cells caffeine looks like a substance made in the brain which slows down nerve cell activity and causes drowsiness (adenosine). Caffeine therefore prevents adenosine from exerting its action (slowing down brain cell activity) actually speeding brain activity up.

Then, the pituitary gland in the brain releases hormones that tell the adrenal glands to produce adrenaline. These stimulant effects are why caffeine is known as a pick me up, and why so many people can’t do without their dose of tea or coffee to get them started in the morning.

In conclusion, the increase in blood sugar levels, given by caffeine and also buy other foods, is of real interest in relation to dieting.

USANA supplements for good health

You cannot turn your head, the evidence is there! Hundreds of research studies around the world have shown that a diet rich in plant foods leads to increased health benefits and reduces the risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, eating a well balanced diet is one of the best investments you can make for long-term health benefits. Unfortunately, more recent studies have also shown, and no doubt about this, that fruits and vegetables grown today do not contain the same level of nutrients as they did in the past, far from it.


Like in any other competitive industry, modern farming techniques to increase production and profits have led to this. Fruits and vegetables are nowadays grown at a faster rate, leaving less time for the crops to develop the right amount of nutrients. Also, farmers are paid by the weight and/or appearance of a crop, not by the amount of nutrients it contains, which moves the focus from quality to quantity. And since the human body cannot manufacture vitamins and minerals (essential nutrients), the role of nutritional supplements in human nutrition is undisputed.

Pleople are unaware, but on the market 95% of the nutritional supplements are not bio-available to the human body. As a qualified nutritionist myself (MSc) I truly believe that the USANA supplements are readily bio-available and a great quality product.

Go to my website and have a look for yourself:

http://www.nutritionals4health.usana.com

Do feel free to contact me for any further information and remember invest in your health now for an enjoyable future!

Making the most of summer fruits while you can

One of the pleasures of summer is the amount of summer fruits on the shelves. These "nutrition powerhouses" have few calories, almost no fat and are full of vitamins, phytonutrients and fiber, which helps to lower cholesterol and keeps the digestive tract running smoothly.

Filling up on plant-based foods during the summer is a great way to cut down on fat and calories and to detoxify your body. Adding fruits to your life can be easier than you may think: begin by adding bananas or fresh berries to cereals at breakfast and wash it down with a glass of 100% fruit juice with no added sugar or sweeteners. Next you can add a fruit bowl to the dinner table to encourage healthy snacking to be eaten at the start of the meal if you do not want to incur in bloating and belching.

Here are some tips that can fit anyone's hectic lifestyle:

• Aim for two to four servings of fruit a day. A serving is considered to be an apple, a peach, a pear, a banana, an orange, 1/3 cantaloupe, 15 small grapes, 8 medium strawberries, ¾ cup blueberries or one cup fruit cut up in large chunks


• Let fruit always ripen at room temperature, wash well before eating and discard any bruised or moldy fruit


• Refrigerate fruit salads until served and add a bit of lemon juice to stop it from turning dark


• This summer, add a variety of summer fruits to your daily routine

Remember: a healthy lifestyle begins with a healthy body. Don't leave your health to chance, do something active to gain health and write to me for any questions you might have.