Coconuts

One of the important discoveries I have made in the past five years is that coconut is actually good for you. It was thanks to my desperate search for a cure for the chronic dermatitis I used to suffer from, that I came across some interesting information on the health benefits of coconut oil. Then, I found out that coconut oil can protect your body against harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

The main reason I had avoided coconut was the high content of saturated fats it contains. However, later on, I learned that saturated fats are actually good for you, and the lauric acid in coconut helps protect against disease. In addition, the medium-chain fatty acids in coconut oil have little or no effect on your cholesterol levels.

Subsequently, I started using coconut oil for cooking. I also started taking it as a supplement to my daily regimen. Another advantage of adding coconut to your diet is that you can eat the flesh, drink its water or milk, and eat it in cream or shredded form. In addition, coconut oil can be used externally as a cosmetic or healing agent. 

Here is a list of some of the health benefits that coconut.

1.     Coconut can help protect you from illness by fighting off bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

2.     It has a positive effect on your hormones.

3.     It gives you natural energy and endurance.

4.     It can help your heart function better.

5.     It can help your thyroid function better.

6.     It will keep your cholesterol levels within a healthy range.

Finally, you should remember that coconut oil used for human consumption must be made from organic sources, preferably extra virgin coconut oil.

Please check this out:  urbanocane.com

Aloe

  

One of my all-time favorite supplements is the Aloe Vera gel or juice. Aloe is a flowering succulent plant that is mostly grown for its uses in cosmetic products due to its soothing and healing effects on the skin. According to the literature available on this miracle plant, there are over 500 types of aloe. Among this wide variety of aloe plants, Aloe Vera is the one I know that is used for nutritional and therapeutic purposes.

It is said that the gel of the Aloe Vera plant contains over 200 active components including vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharides, and fatty acids, which makes Aloe Vera so useful in a wide range of remedies. Although some supplements are made with the leaves of this plant, it is important to note that the gel of this plant is the part commonly used in supplements as the leaves are used only as a potent laxative, which I do not recommend.

 Some of the properties this useful plant has been shown to possess are the following:

·         Aloe Vera helps with digestion.

·         It alkalizes the body.

·         It helps fight germs, fungi, and bacteria.

·         It helps sooth the skin.

·         It helps heal minor skin problems.

·         It helps with elimination.

·         It helps detoxify the body by contributing to elimination.

You can’t go wrong with Aloe Vera gel since it is just like any other plant or vegetable you may have in your diet. The effects of this gel are subtle, but real. Don’t expect great changes at first, but a smooth transition from your particular health issues to an overall improvement.

Finally, if you decide to start using Aloe Vera, don’t forget to use the gel of this plant. Stay away from the leaves, unless you are suffering from a bad case of constipation.

See you next time!

For more information, visit:  urbanocane.com

Check this out:  swagbucks.com/refer/urbanocane

Food Quiz 2

As I promised you in a previous post about surprising food facts, here is my second quiz. Once again, I suggest you do your own research, and decide what to believe or not.

Choose True or False.

1.     Egg whites are more nutritious than egg yolks.  (True—False)

2.     Saturated fats are healthier than unsaturated fats.  (True—False)

Well, if you chose egg whites for number one, you were wrong.

According to numerous studies on the subject, egg yolks are the part of the egg that contains the most nutrients. The list of nutrients includes vitamins, minerals, and protein that may help you stay strong, and avoid disease. Incidentally, if you are concerned about the high cholesterol contents in egg yolks, studies show that dietary cholesterol does not really affect you so much as was previously thought.

If you chose unsaturated fats such as those found in vegetable oils for number two, some new studies may dispute that claim.

According to the latest information on this subject, I t seems that the fats found in lard, butter, and other animals may be the best type to ingest as it is more natural and heart healthy than vegetable oils. This may be confusing and shocking to you, but I suggest you do your own research so that you may come to your own conclusion.

In conclusion, I think that we should keep an open mind when it comes to nutrition. There is so much conflicting information on food and nutrition out there that we may have resigned ourselves to following the current trends and fad diets. However, I believe that we should always question the claims made by the food industry, and stop to think that maybe things are not what they seem to be. After all, our grandparents may have been right when they cooked with animal fats, and ate whole eggs for breakfast.

Weight Loss Tips

 Before I begin this short article, let me tell you that I know this is a very controversial topic.  If you look up weight loss online, you will find hundreds of news and articles on the subject. Nevertheless, here is my two cents on weight loss for what it’s worth.

Even though I am very close to my ideal body weight after having lost over 50 pounds in the past year, I am still one of those millions of people in this country who are interested in weight loss. However, I think I have hit upon a permanent solution to this vexing problem.

I have learned the hard way that there is little hope of losing weight for good if you do not make significant changes in your diet and lifestyle. In fact, you must make sacrifices that are not unlike those that an addict must make in order to kick a bad habit. You might also have to change your philosophy of life by asking yourself these questions: Do I let food manage my life, or do I manage food in my life?

 In my view, we are fortunate to live in a country where most of us can choose the food we eat. All you have to do is become informed and educated on what kinds of food can cause health problems and avoid them. Those same foods are usually the ones that make you fat and keep you in that condition permanently, so that no matter how much you exercise, take supplements, medications, or fast, the excessive weight remains unchanged.

In my opinion, these are the most important changes you must make if you want to lose weight permanently:

1.       Avoid gluten-containing foods such as bread, most grains, and pastries.

2.       Avoid dairy products such as cow’s milk and its derivatives.

3.       Cut down on the sugar content in your diet.

4.       Eat lots of vegetables and some fruits in moderation.

5.       Eat non-processed meats, eggs, fish, and poultry in moderation.

6.       Substitute saturated fats for most commercial vegetable oils.

7.       Exercise three or four times a week for about 30 minutes.

8.       Drink enough water on a daily basis.

9.       Get enough sleep whenever you can.

10.   Add dietary fiber to your meals naturally or in supplemental form.

Finally, I suggest you become a good label reader, and go over the list of ingredients in any food product you consider buying. You would be surprised at how gluten, dairy, and other strange additives turn up hidden in the small print of those labels.

Magnesium

Magnesium

   Magnesium is an essential mineral. Our bodies need it in order to maintain normal muscle and nerve function. In addition, this important mineral helps the heart to maintain it normal rhythm, and the immune system to work properly. Magnesium also helps to keep your bones strong.

   One of the properties of magnesium that many people may not know about is that of a laxative. Magnesium acts a gentle, but efficient laxative that will keep you regular no matter how much fiber you ingest during the day.

   I take one or two magnesium capsules on a daily basis mainly as prevention against constipation, muscle pain, and bone mass loss. You should not take too much magnesium because it can cause diarrhea due to its laxative properties.

 See you next time!