Health benefits of sex and love

Besides putting a spring in your step, romance can bring some positive health benefits.

Some scientific studies suggest that a loving relationship, physical touch and sex can bring health benefits such as lower blood pressure. Of course, no relationship can guarantee health and happiness, but cupid's arrow can send you some health boosts.

Sex is good for your heart

Want to get healthy and have fun at the same time? Anything that exercises your heart is good for you, including sex.

Sexual arousal sends the heart rate higher, and the number of beats per minute reaches its peak during orgasm. But as with most exercise, it depends how vigorously you do it. Some studies show that the average peak heart rate at orgasm is the same as during light exercise, such as walking upstairs. That's not enough to keep most people fit and healthy.

It's recommended adults do at least 150 minutes (two-and-a-half hours) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking, every week.

Unless you're lucky enough to have 150 minutes of orgasms a week, try cycling, brisk walking or dancing.

    Embracing someone special can lower blood pressure, according to researchers.

Having heart disease doesn't have to hold you back in the bedroom. Experts advise that you can usually have sex as long as you can do the everyday activities that have the same impact on your heart without causing chest pain, such as walking up two flights of stairs.

A hug keeps tension away

Embracing someone special can lower blood pressure, according to researchers. In one experiment, couples who held each other's hands for 10 minutes followed by a 20-second hug had healthier reactions to subsequent stress, such as public speaking. Compared to couples who rested quietly without touching, the huggers had:

    lower heart rate
    lower blood pressure
    smaller heart rate increases.

So give your partner a hug - it may help to keep your blood pressure healthy.

Sex can be a stress buster

Workload too high? Hot and bothered after the morning commute to work? Sex could help you beat the stresses of 21st century living, according to a small study of 46 men and women.

Participants kept a diary of sexual activity, recording penetrative sex, non-penetrative sex and masturbation. In stress tests, including public speaking and doing mental arithmetic out loud, the people who had no sex at all had the highest stress levels. People who only had penetrative sex had the smallest rise in blood pressure (this shows that they coped better with stress).

Plenty of people find that intimacy or orgasm without penetration helps them feel relaxed, as does exercise or meditation. It doesn't have to be penetrative sex; it's whatever works for you.

Source: healthdirect

Determine Whether You Have This Evolutionary Tendon

 Bring Your Pinky And Thumb Together. If The Tendon Raises Here's What It Reveals

Evolution is a topic that we have been discussing since Charles Darwin shared his theory with us back in the 1800s. It is a fascinating study that dives us deeper into scientific research of how we are all connected somehow to one another. Our entire makeup is built around traits and features that have been passed down for generations from our ancestors. In fact, a body trait that you have could be enlightening to how you're connected.

Knowing where we come from and who our ancestors are is a common interest a lot of us share. Now with being able to trace back our ancestral roots, practically anyone can figure out their genealogy makeup. Yet, most don't know you can even take it one step further, and trace your history back to evolutionary times. According to Encyclopedia Britannica, all living creatures are related by descent from common ancestors.

Since our body traits can be passed down from our ancestors, you could have the same feature too. What's even more fascinating, is that proof that evolution is real, is something that we can verify by just looking at our arms. Determining whether you have a particular tendon or not, could open the door to your past and answer your evolutionary questions.

An ancient muscle, called the palmaris longus, is used to help apes jump from tree to tree and from branch to branch. Since the ape era, we have evolved to where we may not need this tendon to jump from tree branch to tree branch anymore, but we still may have a trace of its existence in our own arm. Through our hereditary however, the tendon could also be non-existent, according to Cameron University.

If you want to see if you have this ancestral tendon, all you have to do is lay your forearm flat on a table, keeping your palms facing up towards the ceiling. Next, touch your pinky to your thumb while lifting your hand slightly off of the table surface. Do you see a raised part in the middle of your wrist? If you can see it, then you still have this ancestral tendon. If you don't see it, then your ancestral line has evolved.

It's pretty neat if you do have this tendon, because that physically links you to your ancestors. We're not just talking about your ancestors from centuries ago, but more from the caveman days. If you don't have the tendon, there is nothing wrong with that. Since we don't use the tendon anymore in the ways our ancestors did, this tendon will most likely phase out eventually, through future family bloodlines.

Source: healtheternally

Alkaline Water To Purify and Protect Your Body From Toxins (Recipe)

Our body creates an acidic environment, for which our immune system becomes weaker.That happens because we are not always able to consume only healthy foods and a balanced diet.

The acidity or alkalinity is determined based on the pH factor and everything below 7 is considered dangerous to human health. For acidic environment is considered one that has a pH below 7, while everything over 7, it is considered as an alkaline environment.

The pH which we seep into the body is extremely important because of the consequences it has on the state of the organism, so you should try to spring it only with the best.

Because there are not always opportunity for that, here is alkaline water recipe, which is a real blessing and can be of a great help for you to remove all the toxins from the body and prevent cancer.

Here’s how you can do by yourself this elixir of health in a very simple way!

Ingredients:

    8 cups bottled water
    one lemon (preferably organic)
    1 teaspoon Himalayan salt

Procedure:

1.Simply take a clean glass jar and fill with water. Add lemon that you have previously cut and squeezed. If you do not use organic lemon, remove the rind.

2.Then add the salt, close the jar and allow the contents to stand for about 12 hours at room temperature.

Use:

In the morning on an empty stomach drink 3 glasses of alkaline water. With this start of the day, your body will be both grateful and it is impossible not to notice the positive effect.

Source:healthylifestylechronicles

How to Boost Energy Levels

Fatigue and low energy levels are two of the most common problems faced by people of all ages.[1] Low energy levels can make it difficult to be productive at work or to engage in everyday activities. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to increase your energy levels. Eating the right types of food, exercising properly, getting enough rest, and controlling your stressors can help give you more energy to enjoy your day and get back to doing the things you love.

Changing Your Diet to Boost Your Energy

1.
Give your body more protein. Even if you're eating enough food every day, it's possible you're not eating the right kinds of food. Dietary deficiencies are one of the most common causes of low energy levels, and protein in particular plays a big part in your daily energy levels.

    Protein is essential for increased energy levels. But not all protein is good protein. Some meats, for example, are high in protein but also come with high sodium or saturated fat levels.    Medical professionals recommend that adults consume at least eight grams of protein for every 20 pounds of body weight (or 0.8 grams of protein for every kilogram of body weight) every day.    Optimal sources of heart-healthy protein include salmon, eggs, and legumes like beans, lentils, and tofu.


2.
Choose slow-burning starches. Starches and carbohydrates are an essential part of a healthy diet. They provide us with energy to complete all manner of activities, from running to breathing. But there are good carbs and bad carbs, and if you're feeling fatigued it's important to choose healthy carbohydrates that will help fuel your body throughout the day.
    Eat four to eleven servings of grains each day, and opt for whole grain foods instead of processed or refined grains.    Whole grain or wholemeal sources of starch and carbohydrates release energy gradually throughout the day, helping you feel more energetic. Choose whole grain, complex carbohydrates rather than simple carbs, which can cause an energy crash shortly after eating.    Some sources of energy-boosting, complex carbohydrates include vegetables, legumes, and whole grains like bran and germ.    Choose breads and pastas made from whole grain whenever possible.



3
Select good sources of fats. Fats act as a source of energy as your body begins to run low on carbohydrates. Your body needs some dietary sources of fat, but it's important to choose the right kinds of fat.

    The four basic forms of fats are monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, saturated fats, and trans fatty acids. Of these, saturated fats and trans fats are the worst fats.    Choose a diet high in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids for more energy and a healthier heart.    Some heart-healthy sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats include seafood, nuts, seeds, olives, avocados, olive oil, canola oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, grape seed oil, and flaxseed oil.    Nuts that provide healthy fatty acids include macadamias, hazelnuts, pecans, almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts, and Brazil nuts.

4
Eat more raw fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables provide you with vitamins and minerals that your body needs to feel full and energetic throughout the day.
    Eat at least five servings of vegetables each day and two to four servings of fresh fruit.    Aim for fruits and vegetables that are low on the glycemic index (GI). High-GI foods cause a spike in blood sugar levels, which typically causes a subsequent energy crash. Low-GI foods enter the blood more slowly and can help avoid energy crashes.    Examples of low-GI foods include non-tropical fruits, sweet potato, corn, yam, beans/legumes, and non-starchy vegetables like carrots, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli, and squash.    Select vegetables for daily consumption that are leafy and dark green. Green and leafy vegetables are packed with vitamins and nutrients.



5
Drink plenty of water. Inadequate water consumption can lead to dehydration, which causes fatigue and feelings of low-energy. Help fight fatigue by staying hydrated throughout the day.

    Experts recommend drinking nine to twelve glasses of water each day to stay properly hydrated. That total includes water you consume through juice, coffee, tea, and dietary sources of water like fruits and vegetables.    If you're engaging in strenuous physical activity, or if you are in a hot environment, you will need to drink even more water to stay properly hydrated.    Avoid sugary sodas and beverages.    Avoid drinking too much caffeine. Caffeine is a diuretic, which can cause you to lose a considerable amount of water.
6
Avoid sugar. Sugar gives consumers a temporary burst of energy (known as a sugar rush), but these effects wear off quickly. Once the sugar rush ends, most people feel tired and sluggish.
    Don't eat candy, sweets, soda, or any other food products with added sugar, as these will only make you more tired as the day goes on.

Source:wikihow

DID YOU KNOW THAT TOOTHPASTE CAN MAKE YOUR NOSE SMALLER? YES, IT’S TRUE!

We often hear about celebrities going under the knife to look better. Some go for nose jobs while others get their lips done. However, these surgeries are way too expensive for the common man. Moreover, if you do not get it done from an expert, the chances are that the surgery might go wrong, and you might be left with a hideous nose. Not to mention, it may cause further complications as well.

But, there are many girls who are not happy with the shape and size of their nose; especially if they have a broad and big nose. They feel that it mars their beauty. So, what should they do if they wish to make their nose smaller but cannot afford to get such a costly surgery done?

Home remedies have a solution for almost each and every problem. The question is, is there any home remedy that can help in solving this problem too?

Well, yes. You need not spend a lot of money for it, and the best part is it does not cause pain at all. Here is a list of things required:


    1 teaspoon toothpaste
    1 teaspoon freshly ground ginger
    1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

HOW TO PREPARE AND APPLY IT

    Mix the ingredients in a bowl to make a thick paste.
    Now, take a brush and apply a little amount of this mixture on your nose.
    Leave it on for half an hour.
    After half an hour, rinse your face with cold water. You can also use apple cider vinegar to clean your nose. Wash it with cold water later.
    Apply this to your nose every day until you get the desired results. You will notice the difference within 10 days.

Initially, you might feel a burning sensation on your nose. However, if it is burning a lot, wash it off and reduce the amount of ginger in the mixture. Here is a video tutorial for the same:

Source: bookforhealthyfood

Dont Eat these 10 Foods before Going to Sleep

1 Pasta:
Do you love pasta? Sorry!!! This is absolutely a “No-No” dinner food. Well, no doubt it is easy to cook and it is very filling. But pasta is a storehouse of carbohydrates. And, pasta cooking is done with lots of cheese and oil. So ultimately it turns into fats when you go to bed. So stay away from it.


2 Pizza:
Just like pasta, many of us love pizza also. In today’s fast paced world, the youngsters, the young married couples, children or working professionals, will not hesitate to have one or two big pieces of juice pizza as their dinner. Dial a Pizza delivery number and get it delivered at your doorstop. You don’t have to cook. So lucky, aren’t you? But, while you will relish that piece of pizza, you won’t believe what harm it does to your body. Very greasy and cheesy, with the ingredients having high levels of acidity, your digestive system finds it difficult to break it down. Result: you have a bloated stomach, you feel uneasy while sleeping and in due course of time, fat accumulates in the body.

3 Candy:
Well, studies have also shown that eating candy before going to bed is bad. Eating any sugary products leads to fats built up in your body. Infact, Some says that candy eating before bed time has an impact on your brain waves and they can lead to nightmares. So, for a relaxing night, don’t eat candies before bed time.


4 Red Meat:
Red meat, whether dry fried or gravy, is always yummy. It is storehouse of proteins and iron. But then, if you have it just before bed time, it will do more harm than good to your body. It will prevent you from a deep, relaxing and refreshing sleep.

5 Dark Chocolate:
Doctors have always considered dark chocolate to be good for your brain and memory. But there is no doubt that it is a high-calorie food. So eating dark chocolates before bedtime is a big “No”. A small or a big piece of chocolate may work as a dessert for you, but being rich in caffeine and other stimulants, it will make you more active, putting your mind to work, rather than allowing you to have a peaceful night.

6 Some Vegetables:
Well, you must be wondering, how can vegetables be bad for health if taken during bedtime? No doubt, vegetables are delicious and nutritious. But, certain vegetables like onions, broccoli or cabbage include high amounts of insoluble fiber in them. Consuming such vegetables at night make you feel full for a long time and they cause excessive flatulence. Your digestive system cannot process these vegetables at night when you sleep. So avoid taking these vegetables.

7 Alcohol of any Kind:
You had a wonderful time at your friend’s party. You drank and danced. But then, did you realize that you had consumed a sleep killer. Drinking alcohol before bed reduces your night sleep as it causes night sweats, making you wake up repeatedly. And it is very high in calories as well.


8 Cheeseburgers:
 Just like pasta, pizza, cheeseburgers are also high calorie, fatty foods. You should avoid taking them during dinner time. They increase the natural production of acid in the stomach. You suffer from heartburn during the night.

9 Chilly Sauce:
Chilly is healthy when taken with other ingredients. But if you plan to go to bed soon, then say a big “NO” to chilly sauce. Chilly sauce is filled with proteins and slow-burning carbohydrates and it is a high-calorie food.

10 Snacks and Chips:
Not only during bed time, even at all other times, you should avoid taking processed foods like snacks and chips. These are high calorie foods which contain monosodium glutamate in high amounts. They are linked to sleep disorders as well.

Source: weightlossol

Remove The White Patches On Your Skin – Medical Name “Vitiligo”

People often feel embarrassed and with low confidence, the reasons for its appearance are not known.The medical name for white patches is vitiligo which can appear on different body parts. Experts believe it can be because of an automotive disorder where the immune system attacks the melanin-producing cells, also genetic predisposition, overexposure to sun rays, excessive stress, vitamin B12 deficiency, superficial fungal infections which include tinea versicolor, psoriasis, eczema.

There are natural remedies which let you improve this skin condition, but before applying any of these natural remedies, consult your doctor.

– Ginger:

It improves blood circulation and helps with melanin production. Cut a couple of slices of fresh ginger and apply your skin leaving it until it dries. Repeat the procedure 1-2 times a day for a couple of weeks. Or, extract the juice from a bigger ginger root and mix it with fresh mint leaves drinking it every day for a few weeks.

– Ginkgo Bilboa:


It has antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties which can reduce the progress of this disease and can induce repigmentation. Take 40-80 mg three times a day, but consult your doctor to determine the dosage.

– Apple cider vinegar:

Its properties destroy the fungi which cause the white patches. It also helps in low stomach acid connected to vitiligo. Mix water and apple cedar vinegar in equal amounts and apply on the affected skin 2 times a day for a month, or drink one glass of water with 1 tbsp. of ACV vinegar every day before your meals.
Moreover, you must pay attention to your diet avoiding berries which work like a natural depigmentation agent but include foods rich with vitamin B12 such as spinach, cabbage, dried beans, dried figs, walnuts, chickpeas, and also foods rich in folic acid and zinc. Stay away from red meat and seafood.

– Turmeric:

If mixed with mustard oil it can be very beneficial and effective. Mix 5 tsp of the powder with 250 ml/1 cups of mustard oil and apply it on the discolored area repeating this 2 times a day for a year, or make a paste of turmeric powder and neem leaves applying it on the skin area which is affected.
Neem – when it is being consumed it works as a blood cleaner and immune booster. Mix crushed neem leaves and buttermilk to make a paste and apply on the white patches leaving it until it dries completely and then wash it off, repeating this for couple of weeks; apply neem oil on the affected skin every day after diluting it, or mix it with 1 tsp of coconut oil, or some other oil and then apply and you can as well drink neem juice each day for couple of months, or eat 4 neem leaves before meals 3 times a day.

Babchi/Psoralea cory-li-folia – soak the seeds in ginger juice for 3 days replacing the juice every day. Remove the husks by rubbing them between your hands, dry them in the sun and then grind them to a fine powder, take 1 gr od 1/5 of a tsp. with a glass of milk every day for 40 days; or apply baby chi oil on the affected skin area exposing it to sunlight for 15 minutes (start with a short duration of sun exposure to see if the response is favorable), you can combine it with black seed oil.
Red clay – it contains a lot of copper which is able to restore skin pigment. Mix ginger juice and red clay in equal ratio and apply it to the affected area. Leave it to completely dry and then wash it off repeating this procedure for a couple of months.

– Radish seeds:

Grind 25 grams of the seeds into a fine powder and mix it with 2 tsp of vinegar to make a paste. Apply it to the affected area for 20-30 minutes and rinse only with lukewarm water. Repeat this every day for a few months.

– Copper:

It is needed for melanin production. Take a copper vessel, pour water in it and let it stay overnight at a room temperature and drink it on an empty stomach each morning, as the vessel will release copper ions which aid the production of melanin.

– Coconut oil:

It promotes re-pigmentation of the skin as it soothes and heals chronic inflammation. I t also has antibacterial and antifungal properties. Put some oil on the affected area of your skin 2-3 times a day and repeat the procedure for a couple of weeks.
Source: bookforhealthyfood

Secret to get long and strong hair in one month!

1. Make Tea from Curry Leaves for your hair.

 Boil some curry leaves in water, squeeze a lime and add some sugar to it. Drink this tea daily for 1 week this will increase hair growth, make your hair smooth, shiny and prevent white hairs. Intake of curry leaves is good for the digestive system too and it resolves many hair problems.

2. Make a Hair Mask for your hair to prevent hair loss.

Take some curry leaves and make a paste of them. Mix this paste with yogurt and massage it on your hair. Keep this mixture on your scalp for about 25 minutes and then wash off with a soft shampoo. Apply this mask every week consistently to see instant results in terms of hair growth. Not only that this will help your hair to look shiny, smooth and bouncy.


3. Make a Hair tonic to prevent hair loss: 

Take few curry leaves and some coconut oil in a bowl. When it mixed with curry leaves, it increases hair growth. Boil these two together until you see black deposit forming. After the deposit is formed, apply it all over your scalp after it becomes cool . Keep this mixture for one hour and then wash off with a soft shampoo. Apply this tonic twice a week and ll see the result in just fifteen days. This oil will not only stimulates hair growth but also prevents the white of hair. This is the best way for healthy hair and for hair growth.
Source: weightlossol

6 Reasons Women Leave the Men They Love

Love has no judgment, no agenda, no bias, and no bigotry. Love is love without a concrete definition. It lets go of boundaries, walls, and inhibitions. It is effortless. In relationships it does require work, but it’s just a rhythmic dance of ease and grace. Unfortunately, when it isn’t an easy dance, the relationship ends disastrously. It’s in those moments that we ask, “What happened?”

Here are 6 reasons women leave the men they love:
 

1. They feel alone.

A woman needs to feel that she matters. If her man is not there to support her, there is no reason to continue a relationship. Women are nurturers. When in a relationship they believe that the man is their entire world. Men tend to detach quickly when they get comfortable. Sometimes in the loneliness of being with someone who is not emotionally present, the noise is deafening. A woman realizes that there is no room for the worthlessness that keeps coming up through the avoidance. When love and attention is not reciprocated, they realize they do not need to stay in that relationship.
 
2. They are not being acknowledged.

There is nothing more detrimental to a woman than not being fully present when she is speaking. A woman is moved by words. She needs to feel that she is understood, accepted, respected and supported. When she is sharing with her mate, it is because she needs to feel a connection with him. Chivalry is masterful. Women love the simple acts of communication and love. Taking out the garbage, doing the laundry, or anything that acknowledges presence is exceptional in a relationship. A woman will move on, while holding her heart, when she feels that she is being taken for granted.
 
3. They no longer feel sexy.

Men are sexual creatures. When they want sex they are ready. A woman needs intimacy, foreplay, and the feeling of being completely desired by her man. Routine is the kiss of death. A woman wants spontaneity. She craves to be romanced. Women live in their heads. Therefore, when a man is only being stimulated by porn or other women or just wants to have a release, a woman will be completely turned off. There is a moment in a woman’s life when she realizes that if her man doesn’t desire her, or makes her feel special (in and out of bed) then it’s time to move on.

4. There is a significant life change.

Midlife hits everyone differently. Most women do not require a new car or fancy clothes. They need to know that they are sexy and wanted by their men. Menopause starts to creep into the picture, and what was once easily tolerated is no longer. Life changes: Children leave to college; a parent needs full time care; or financial stress is present. Women who overcome cancer or other illnesses also find a reset button that pushes the men out of their lives. A woman needs to know that these life changes are being navigated with strength and dignity alongside her man. When there is no support, a woman will quickly disassemble her life to get rid of her man.

5. Women don’t like someone who is predictable.

Men fall into comfortable routines. The older they get, the less they want to participate in anything that is not about them. This is also why some men go through a massive midlife crisis. But, women need serendipitous moments. They need to know that they matter. Even a small note on a coffee mug is enough to bring appreciation into a relationship. Familiarity is not something that feels good in midlife. It feels boring. To a woman, a man is not a fixture. He is a companion.

6. Their man is not physically there.

Women tolerate a lot, but having a man who cares more about being out and about is a definite “no-no!” In today’s world of feminism, a woman doesn’t need a man to take care of her. She needs a partner who will work along her side and appreciate her presence. When a man is more interested in spending time any place but next to her, she will cut him loose. It might take time, but the longer she postpones it the worst it is in the end. She knows it is over when there is nothing spiritually and intellectually available.

Women have evolved in our society. The “need” to have a man is surpassed by a “desire” to share a life with him. When there is no love, appreciation, touch, spiritual connection, intellectual stimulation, or presence, a woman will choose to be alone. Women work just as hard as men. To tolerate a companionship that is not stimulating is no longer on the agenda. It’s a reality check that it is time to move on.
Source: powerofpositivity

Should I Worry About Wi-Fi Radiation?

Depends who you ask. Here's what we know now.

At home and at work, dozens of wireless networks are streaming invisible radio waves through your space and body. (So are the phones, computers, Bluetooth speakers and other devices that connect to them.) It’s logical to wonder—and worry—about what effect all that wireless energy might have on your health.

But while the volume and ubiquity of wireless devices is a new phenomenon, the kind of radiation they produce has been the subject of scientific scrutiny for decades, says John Moulder, professor emeritus of radiation oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin.

In 2013, Moulder coauthored a review of the existing health research on Wi-Fi. Like your mobile phone, Wi-Fi routers send and receive information using radio waves, which are a form of electromagnetic radiation, he says.

The research on radio waves and human health goes back at least to the 1950s, when there were concerns about Navy servicemen being exposed to powerful shipboard radar. “We have 50 or 60 years of research into the kind of radiation associated with Wi-Fi,” Moulder says.

All that research has taught us that at high frequencies, electromagnetic radiation can promote tumor growth and cancer. The sun’s ultraviolet rays and their links to skin cancer are one example. Even at lower frequencies, very high levels of electromagnetic radiation exposure can hurt you. “But we’re talking skin burns, not cancer or tumors,” says Kenneth Foster, a professor of bioengineering at the University of Pennsylvania.

Foster was Moulder’s coauthor on that 2013 review of Wi-Fi’s health effects. He says that, based on our current understanding of radio wave strengths and risks, world health authorities have set safety standards for all devices and appliances that emit electromagnetic radiation—from phones and microwaves to your car’s keyless entry fob. “The exposure you get from your Wi-Fi router is orders and orders of magnitude below those safety limits,” he explains.

Asked for specifics, Foster says it helps to understand how Wi-Fi works. While most people assume their wireless router is constantly sending and receiving information, Foster says these devices actually transmit just 0.1% of the time. “Maybe that goes up somewhat if you’re streaming video,” he says, “but most of the time your router is just sitting idly waiting for something to happen.”

Also, every inch you put between yourself and your Wi-Fi router significantly lowers the strength of the radiation your body encounters. “Put it this way,” Foster says. “During a call, your mobile phone is transmitting steadily at a strength maybe 100 times more powerful than Wi-Fi, and you’re holding the phone right against your head, and we still don’t find any health issues with that level of exposure.”

That may be true today. But some experts have grave concerns about the types of low-intensity radiation our wireless devices produce. “We have animal studies suggesting even low-level exposures to the kind of radio wave radiation associated with Wi-Fi could have a variety of negative health effects,” says Joel Moskowitz, director of the Center for Family and Community Health at the University of California, Berkeley. (Moskowitz has collected much of that research here.)

He mentions neurodevelopmental issues, cancer, and reproductive harm—in both men and women—as some of those potential health concerns, especially for pregnant women and young children.

The World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer have classified mobile phones as a “possible carcinogen,” which means there’s currently not enough research to say whether either causes cancer.

Earlier this year, a rodent study found heavy exposures to cell phone radiation increased rats’ risks for some brain and heart tumors. More rodent research has tied high levels of Wi-Fi and cell exposure to hormonal shifts and oxidative stress—the kind of shifts that could promote cancer or brain diseases.

But many of these animal studies are “all over the place” in terms of their design quality, Foster says. Animal research often does not translate to humans. Also, many of the most worrying experiments involved rodents that had been exposed to levels of radiation far greater than what people encounter when using mobile phones or wireless networks.

Moskowitz doesn’t disagree with Moulder. But he says the amount of radio wave radiation people—and especially children—are exposed to today is different, and this raises new concerns. When it comes to our long-term, cumulative exposures to all our wireless networks and gadgets, “we’re basically flying blind,” he says.

Of course, trying to avoid radio wave exposure is more or less impossible if you live in modern society. Moskowitz advises keeping wireless devices away from your body and turning off wireless networks when they’re not in use. While any health risks are still theoretical, “I think trying to minimize exposure is the best advice at this point,” Moskowitz adds.
Source: time

The benefits of Manuka Honey

In an era of prescription human-made medicines, many people are looking for natural health alternatives to treat their ailments. Manuka Honey is supported by scientific research to contain medicinal qualities that cover a range of conditions.

Based on the report by Crop & Food Research Institute, a New Zealand Government research agency (Dec 2007), Manuka Honey is said to have high levels of anti-bacterial activities eliminating pathogenic bacteria in the gut as well as encouraging the growth of good, probiotic gut bacteria.

Trials have indicated that Manuka Honey can also help to heal wounds and skin ulcers that haven't responded to standard treatments. It naturally acts to assist as a balm for skin infections, acne, bites, cuts and burns.

Oral hygiene
Don’t be surprised if you see toothpaste with Manuka in it. Manuka helps to fight off the nasty bacteria that can lead to tooth decay and keeping those pearly whites well supported.

First Aid
We’ve all experienced burns and cuts while preparing for food. Wound and burns healing is one of Manuka’s most traditional uses, so make sure you have a jar on hand in the first aid kit as well as the
kitchen pantry.

Sore Throats
Try mixing a spoonful of Manuka Honey into a cup of warm water with lemon and ginger for a soothing beverage every day. It tastes great and is good for you and help soothe a sore throat.

Beauty Treatment and Health Booster
Manuka is a pure carbohydrate like glucose and fructose, which can support your body with short-term energy boosts. Because of its nutrient dense profile, it boosts vitality, youthful energy, and has been known to improve skin tone and texture. Consider using it in a homemade face wash to exfoliate and fight free radicals in the skin. Use it in your shampoo or a hair mask, to boost the shine of your hair.

What is MGO?
Manuka factor MGO stands for methylglyoxal. It is a compound naturally formed in the nectar of the Manuka flower ready for collection by the honey bee. In the case of Manuka Honey the methylglyoxal is transferred into the honey, where it remains stable and is resistant to heat, light and enzymatic activity in body fluids.

The MGO Manuka Honey certification system is based on scientific evidence confirming that naturally occurring methylglyoxal is one of the key compounds in New Zealand Manuka Honey.

Every Batch of MGO Manuka Honey is certified, guaranteeing the minimum level of methylglyoxal as clearly indicated on the label. For example, MGO 800+ Manuka Honey means there is at least 800mg methylglyoxal per kg of Manuka Honey in the product.

New Zealand government – Ministry for primary industries (MPI) acknowledge Methylglyoxal as being an allowable claim in labelling Manuka Honey.

Beneficial uses for MGO 100+
• Dry, irritated thoat, mouth ulcers
• Topical for Eczema and dry skin

Beneficial uses for MGO 280+
• Gastritis, heartburn/reflux, Irritable Bowel
• Dry, irritated thoat, mouth ulcers

Beneficial uses for MGo 400+, 550+ & 800+
• Gastritis, heartburn/reflux, Irritable Bowel
• Sore throat and Coughs
• Gum disease, mouth ulcers, dental care
• Wound healing

What are the different types of Flower Honey?
Wild flower honey - has been collected from wild flowers native to New Zealand’s pristine green pastures. The honey-bee produces a distinctively viscous blend yields and exquisitely rich honey laced with a floral fragrance. Wild flower has the perfect match with tea and water. With a scoop of wild flower honey, water, lemon and ice can produce one of the best honey drinks.
Clover Flower Honey - is one of the most widely available and popular honey varieties from New Zealand.This classic honey has a pleasingly mild, floral sweetness. Clover honey is best used as a honey spread and a perfect companion with your sandwiches, yoghurts and fruits.
Source: healthylife

How We Train Our Brains to Hate Our Bodies

When you look at your body in the mirror, where does your gaze go? If you’re like most women, your eyes are instantly drawn to the parts of yourself you want to change, the parts you hate. You zoom in on your “trouble spots.”

Maybe you suck in your belly or use your hands to lift or tighten something that’s sagging, and you curse your body for looking the way it does. Why can’t you just look different? Ugh.

If this nasty little ritual sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most of us really don’t believe others who say we look fine (or great!). And we allow negative thoughts about our appearances to dictate how we act. We choose to dress certain ways, behave certain ways, and pursue certain careers and relationships, all based on how we think we look. That behavior is so common we hardly even recognize how messed up it is.

When you look at your body in the mirror, where does your gaze go? If you’re like most women, your eyes are instantly drawn to the parts of yourself you want to change, the parts you hate. You zoom in on your “trouble spots.”

Maybe you suck in your belly or use your hands to lift or tighten something that’s sagging, and you curse your body for looking the way it does. Why can’t you just look different? Ugh.

If this nasty little ritual sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Most of us really don’t believe others who say we look fine (or great!). And we allow negative thoughts about our appearances to dictate how we act. We choose to dress certain ways, behave certain ways, and pursue certain careers and relationships, all based on how we think we look. That behavior is so common we hardly even recognize how messed up it is.
Source:greatist

Happy People Make Their Spouses Healthier

They're fitter, feel better and are less physically impaired

People who are happier are usually also healthier—and not just because they’re happy about being healthy. When humans feel good, they’re more likely to be active and less likely to attempt to cheer themselves up with cheeseburgers, ice cream and a two-day Game of Thrones marathon.

But a new study suggests that people whose spouses are happier are probably also in better shape, even independently of their own happiness. In fact, the study’s data suggests that people with a happy partner are 34% more likely to be healthy than those married to a downer.

The study, out of Michigan State university looked at about 2,000 older married heterosexual couples in the Health and Retirement Study over six years, from 2006 to 2012 and found that those who reported a happier spouse also reported feeling better overall.

“Participants with happy partners were significantly more likely to report better health, experience less physical impairment, and to exercise more frequently than participants with unhappy partners,” says the study, “even accounting for the impact of their own happiness and other life circumstances.”

The authors propose a couple of reasons why a happy person might improve the health of their lover. First, a happy spouse is a better caretaker; he or she is more likely to have the emotional energy to look after a significant other, making sure they’re O.K., have taken their medications and are looked after when they’re ill.

Secondly, people with a positive outlook are more likely to be playing the long game; they eat better, they exercise, they sleep regularly, they make plans and avoid doing self-destructive things because they feel good about the future. And they bring their companions along for the ride. “Happy people drag their spouses out of bed to go exercise, and they encourage them to eat healthier,” says Bill Chopik an associate psychology professor at MSU, and lead author of the study.

And thirdly, happy spouses make life easier for their partners because their partners aren’t stressed by the fact that their closest companion is always in a bad mood, and they’re not exhausted and stressed by efforts to jolly them along or not upset them.

The study adjusted for gender, wealth and educational attainment and also for people who were desperately ill or whose partners were, which would obviously have a big impact on happiness.

Surprisingly, there was no difference in these outcomes between husbands and wives. “There’s a sense that women’s manage their husbands’ health, but it appears that the amount your spouse’s happiness affects your health doesn’t vary across gender,” says Chopik.

One of the ways the researchers think this works is that the happy soul becomes a proxy for their partner, so the gloomy individual behaves as a non-gloomy person would. “It’s compensatory,” says Chopik. “Another person’s happiness is filling you up, so you do these healthy things.”

It’s hard to know what moral to draw from the study—apart from try to marry a happy person—since the stress of trying to figure out how to improve your spouse’s mood may well undo all the beneficial effects of having a happy spouse. Chopik has a workaround. “Relationship satisfaction between couples is one of the largest predictors of happiness,” he says. So instead of trying to figure out what’s up with him or her, he suggests working out what’s up with the two of you.

The study looked at four health indices: self-reported health, physical impairment, exercise and chronic conditions. The only thing that wasn’t improved by a cheerful life partner was the chronic conditions. Hey, love can’t fix everything.
Source: time

10 Cozy Casseroles Under 350 Calories

The time has come to elevate your dinner with a classic one-pot wonder, otherwise known as the casserole. Whether you prefer veggies and rice or spicy sausage and noodles, there’s something for everyone in this roundup of comforting casseroles. Now gather round the table with family and friends and dive into a scrumptious bowl of comfort–all under 350 calories per serving.

1. Vegetable Rice Casserole | 24 Carrot Life
Sneak a serving or two of veggies into the kiddos’ dinner with this creamy mix of mushrooms, spinach, brown rice, and cheesy goodness galore. To reduce prep time even further, use frozen spinach and brown rice. For an extra fiber boost, swap out the all purpose flour for whole wheat flour. Recipe makes 8 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 250; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 14mg; Sodium: 429mg; Carbohydrate: 32g; Dietary Fiber: 3g; Sugar: 3g; Protein: 10g

2. Chicken Enchilada Casserole | Cooking Light
Craving Southwestern-style comfort food? Look no further than this simple, flavorful one-pot meal made with chicken thighs, corn, fresh cilantro, salsa and spices. Add a hefty pinch of cayenne for extra heat! Top with cubed avocado and chopped cilantro. Recipe makes 4 servings at 1 3/4 cups each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 346; Total Fat: 12g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 22mg; Sodium: 709mg; Carbohydrate: 36g; Dietary Fiber: 5g;  Sugar: 7g; Protein: 24g

3. Hatch Green Chili and Tomato Egg Casserole | Cotter Crunch
This unique casserole is made with fresh hatch green chiles, crusty bread, juicy tomatoes, and provolone cheese. It’s quick, easy, and even gluten-free. Feel free to add lean chicken sausage or ground turkey for the hungry carnivores. Recipe makes 6 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 194; Total Fat: 11g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 218mg; Sodium: 542mg; Carbohydrate: 13g; Dietary Fiber: 2g;  Sugar: 5g; Protein: 11g

4. Slow Cooker Cheesy Eggplant Casserole | Clean Eating
Skip the breading and frying without sacrificing the cheesy, saucy goodness that is classic eggplant Parmesan. Slow cooking the eggplant adds moisture and keeps the flavors intact without all that extra oil. Serve with mixed greens and balsamic or steamed veggies to round out the meal. Recipe makes 6 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 165; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2.5g; Monounsaturated Fat: 1g; Cholesterol: 344; Sodium: 53mg; Carbohydrate: 16g; Dietary Fiber: 4g; Sugar: 10g; Protein: 14g

5. Spinach and Artichoke Quinoa Casserole | iFoodReal
Dabble in the greatness of spinach and artichoke dip without all the guilt! This lighter version uses whole-grain quinoa, almond milk, and lots of fresh spinach instead of the typical mayonnaise and sour cream found in heavier versions. A casserole that’s hearty, filling, and full of fresh flavors–what more could you ask for? Recipe makes 8 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 244; Total Fat: 8g; Saturated Fat: 3g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 14mg; Sodium: 383mg; Carbohydrate: 34g; Dietary Fiber: 7g; Sugar: 2g; Protein: 11g

6. One-Pot Taco Casserole | Fit Foodie Finds
The best part about these terrific tacos is that they require next to no clean up! Mix everything together in a bowl, dump it in a casserole dish, and pop it in the oven. Lean turkey, corn, black beans, salsa, and spices make this a winner for adult and kiddos alike. Serve with taco shells, Greek yogurt and diced tomatoes. Recipe makes 8 servings at 1 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 316; Total Fat: 12g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 94mg; Sodium: 734mg; Carbohydrate: 25g; Dietary Fiber: 6g;  Sugar: 5g; Protein: 28g

7. Healthy Green Bean Casserole | Hummusapien
This decadent, comforting dish features lighter ingredients that won’t leave you looking for more because, guess what? Green bean casserole isn’t just for Turkey Day! Whip it up this weekend for a vegan flavor powerhouse that the whole family will enjoy. Hooray for baked crispy onions! Recipe makes 8 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 139; Total Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 1g; Monounsaturated Fat: 3g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 863mg; Carbohydrate: 21g; Dietary Fiber: 5g;  Sugar: 3g; Protein: 4g

8. Unstuffed Beef & Cabbage Casserole | Give Recipe
When you don’t feel like slaving away all day in the kitchen (and who does?), whip up these quick and easy deconstructed stuffed cabbage rolls instead. You get all the flavor of the original in half the time. Serve with plain yogurt and a crisp salad. Recipe makes 6 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 246; Total Fat: 9g; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Monounsaturated Fat: 5g; Cholesterol: 47mg; Sodium: 107mg; Carbohydrate: 24g; Dietary Fiber: 5g;  Sugar: 6g; Protein: 20g

9. Baked Spaghetti Squash Casserole | Eat Yourself Skinny
Swap out pasta for spaghetti squash in this tasty, comforting casserole. Not only is it an excellent way to sneak in more vegetables, but it’s also kid-approved. The best part is that the leftovers taste even better the next day. Top with fresh torn basil and a sprinkle of Parmesan. Recipe makes 10 servings.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 142; Total Fat: 5g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 2g; Cholesterol: 31mg; Sodium: 265mg; Carbohydrate: 13g; Dietary Fiber: 3g;  Sugar: 6g; Protein: 12g

10. Baked Ziti with Creamy Kale and Sausage | Clean Eating
What better way to sneak in kale than with pasta, mozzarella cheese, and spicy Italian sausage? Whole grain noodles, low-fat milk, and whole-wheat flour lighten it up without reducing the flavor factor. Bring it to a potluck, or serve it for Sunday night dinner alongside roasted veggies. Recipe makes 12 servings at 3/4 cup each.

Nutrition (per serving): Calories: 338; Total Fat: 10g; Saturated Fat: 4g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 36mg; Sodium: 481mg; Carbohydrate: 43g; Dietary Fiber: 2g;  Sugar: 6.5g; Protein: 19g
Source: blog.myfitnesspal

All about cooking oils

Avocado Oil

Deep, natural colour; rich in vitamins. Can be used for natural cosmetic formulations. Do not heat as bitter flavours may develop.

    Rich source of Omega-9 essential fatty acid
    Drizzle over gourmet salads
    Use in vinaigrettes or as dipping oil

Macadamia Oil

High heat tolerance and nourishing for dry skin if used externally.

Rich source of monounsaturated Omega-9 essential fatty acids

    Marinate BBQ meats
    Fry fish and veal
    Nutty addition to pastries and sweets

Walnut Oil

Light in colour and flavour.

    Rich source of polyunsaturated linoleic acid (Omega-6)
    Contains Omega-3
    Excellent in salads with lemon juice and sea salt
    Drizzle over steamed vegetables

Wheatgerm Oil

Soothes irritated skin, eczema, wound healing and scar tissue. Do not heat as its properties break down.

    Highly nutritious with vitamins and minerals
    Great to finish a dish (drizzle on)
    Use as salad dressing

Safflower Oil

Good for massage; can help inflamed joints, sprains and bruises; source of vitamin E.

    Tasty oil base for salad dressings
    Add a dash to soup or vegetables
    Add to baked food such as cakes and pastries

Almond Oil

Excellent moisturiser and skin care oil; often used by massage therapists. High in vitamin E and calcium.

    Great source of Omega-9 essential fatty acid
    Drizzle over gourmet salads
    Use in homemade mayonnaise
    Use in desserts, home baked pastries and sweets

Apricot Kernel Oil

This food-grade unrefined oil can be used as flavour in baking. Excellent skin care oil. Fine consistency for skin absorption.

    High in monounsaturated fat and essential fatty acids
    Use in specialty sauces and sautés
    High smoke point for frying
    Base oil for salad dressings

Olive Oil

Pressed from Manzanilla and Paragon varieties; has a distinctly fruity flavour; rich in antioxidants.

    High in monounsaturated Omega-9 essential fatty acid
    Drizzle over salads, breads or use as a dipping sauce
    Use in mediterranean cooking
    Marinade for meat, chicken and fish

Grapeseed Oil

High smoking point; versatile oil; use as a base for infusing or flavouring with garlic, rosemary or other herbs and spices.

    Use in stir fry meat and vegetables, sautés and fondues
    Base oil for salad dressings
    Great for mayonnaise
    Deep frying

Sunflower Oil

Superior frying oil with a high smoking point; versatile for most cooking.

    Use in frying
    Drizzle over vegetables for roasting
    Base oil for salad dressings
    Stir through soups before serving

Sesame Oil

Contains two powerful antioxidants called sesamol and sesamin, that may help to reduce blood pressure.

    Contains Omega-6 and Omega-9 essential fatty acids
    Adds flavour to asian cooking
    Marinate meat and fish

Coconut Oil

Significant anti-viral, antibacterial, antimicrobial and antiprotozoal properties; very stable; with stands high cooking temperatures.

    Sautés, baking, roasting and frying

Flaxseed Oil

A highly polyunsaturated natural oil. Do not heat or you will lose the Omega-3 benefits and develop a bitter flavour.

    Richest source of Omega-3
    Drizzle over salads
    Mix with cereals and cottage cheese

Canola Oil

Excellent source of the Omega-6 fatty acid, linolenic acid; high in the Omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

    Low in saturated fat; very high in healthy unsaturated fats
    Use for sautés, stir frys, grills and baking
    Add to salad dressings, sauces and marinades
    Coat pans for non-stick baking
    Replace solid fats (such as margarine and butter) in recipes

Vegetable Oil Blends

Derived from a blend of vegetable (plant) sources. A significant source of unsaturated fatty acids, fat soluble vitamins and sometimes antioxidants.

    Use as per canola oil
Source: healthylife

Sugar, Not So Sweet?

In the mid 70s there was a battle waged between fat and sugar; something was to blame for the expanding girths of the population, as well as the increasing rates of cardiovascular disease. Fat was blamed because we were getting fatter, and the low fat trend was born.

 

Fast-forward 40 years and the population is still expanding, heart disease and diabetes rates continue to rise, as does the sugar consumption across the world...

The concept behind a ‘sugar-free’ diet is simple; our bodies do not need sugar!
1. Sugar is an industrialised, processed food.
2. The only cells capable of metabolising fructose are the liver cells, unlike glucose which can be utilised by every cells of the body.
3. Research has demonstrated it can be addictive.
Fruit should be limited to 2 serves a day. Going sugar-free helps to get over the cravings and addictive response sugar can initiate in many people.

In order to indulge your sweet tooth and enjoy a guilt-free treat many sugar-free experts cook with rice malt syrup (low G.I and fructose free) and Stevia.
Source:healthylife

Why Grains Are Unhealthy

I find that grain bashing makes for a tasty, but ultimately unsatisfying meal.

You all know how much I love doing it, though. But no matter how often I sit down to dine on the stuff (and I’ve done it with great gusto in the past), I always leave the table feeling like I left something behind. Like maybe I wasn’t harsh enough about the danger of gluten, or I failed to really convey just how much I hated lectins. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the mere mention of grains was eliciting a crazy insulin-esque response and throwing my satiety hormones all out of whack. I was filling up on anti-grain talk, but I just couldn’t fill that void for long.

Well, I’ve got the hunger today, and this time I aim to stuff myself to the point of perpetual sickness. I don’t ever want to have to look at another anti-grain argument again (yeah, right). If things get a little disjointed, or if I descend into bullet points and sentence fragments, it’s only because the hunger has taken over and I’ve decided to dispense with the pleasantries in order to lay it all out at once.

Apart from maintaining social conventions in certain situations and obtaining cheap sugar calories, there is absolutely no reason to eat grains. Believe me – I’ve searched far and wide and asked everyone I can for just one good reason to eat cereal grains, but no one can do it. They may have answers, but they just aren’t good enough. For fun, though, let’s see take a look at some of the assertions:
 
“You need the fiber!”

Okay, for one: no, I don’t. If you’re referring to its oft-touted ability to move things along in the inner sanctum, fiber has some unintended consequences. A few years back, scientists found that high-fiber foods “bang up against the cells lining the gastrointestinal tract, rupturing their outer covering” which “increases the level of lubricating mucus.” Err, that sounds positively awful. Banging and tearing? Rupturing? These are not the words I like to hear. But wait! The study’s authors say, “It’s a good thing.” Fantastic! So when all those sticks and twigs rub up against my fleshy interior and literally rupture my intestinal lining, I’ve got nothing to worry about. It’s all part of the plan, right?

Somehow, I’m not convinced that a massive daily infusion of insoluble grain fiber is all that essential. And that “lubricating mucus” sounds an awful like the mucus people with irritable bowel syndrome complain about. From personal experience I can tell you that once I completed my exodus from grains, the IBS completely stopped. If you’re not yet convinced on the fiber issue I’ll refer you to Konstantin Monastyrsky’s Fiber Menace. Anyway, there’s plenty of fiber in the vegetables and fruit I eat. Which takes me to the next claim:
 
“You need the vitamins and minerals!”

You got me. I do need vitamins and minerals, like B1 and B2, magnesium and iron, zinc and potassium. But do I need to obtain them by eating a carb-heavy, bulky grain? No, no I don’t. You show me a serving of “healthy whole grains” that can compete – nutrient, vitamin, and mineral-wise – with a Big Ass Salad. What’s that? Can’t do it? Thought so.
 
“But it forms the foundation of the governmental food pyramid!”

You know, I should have just started the entire post with this one. I could have saved my fingers the trouble of typing and your eyes the trouble of reading. Governmental endorsements are not points in your favor, grain-eater; they are strikes against you. An appeal to authority (unless that “authority” is actually a preponderance of scientific evidence, of course) does not an effective argument make. Conventional Wisdom requires consistent, steady dissection and criticism if it is to be of any value.

There’s a reason grains are first and foremost on the list of foods to avoid when following the Primal Blueprint: they are completely and utterly pointless in the context of a healthy diet. In fact, if your average unhealthy person were to ask for the top three things to avoid in order to get healthy, I would tell them to stop smoking, to stop drinking their calories (as soda or juice), and to stop eating grains. Period. Full stop. They really are that bad.

I’ve mentioned this time and again, but the fundamental problem with grains is that they are a distinctly Neolithic food that the human animal has yet to adapt to consuming. In fact, cereal grains figured prominently in the commencement of the New Stone Age; grains were right there on the forefront of the agricultural revolution. Hell, they were the agricultural revolution – einkorn wheat, emmer, millet, and spelt formed the backbone of Neolithic farming. They could be stored for months at a time, they were easy enough to grow in massive enough quantities to support a burgeoning population, and they promoted the construction of permanent settlements. Oh, and they were easily hoarded, meaning they were probably an early form of currency (and, by extension, a potential source of income inequality). And here’s the kicker: they were harsh, tough things that probably didn’t even taste very good. It also took a ton of work just to make them edible, thanks to their toxic anti-nutrients.
 
Toxic anti-nutrients? Do tell.

Living things generally do not want to be consumed by other living things. Being digested, for the most part, tends to interrupt survival, procreation, propagation of the species – you know, standard stuff that fauna and flora consider pretty important. To avoid said consumption, living things employ various self defense mechanisms. Rabbits, for example, with their massive ears, considerable fast-twitch muscle fibers, and nasty claws, can usually hear a predator coming, outrun (out-hop?) nearly anything, and (in a pinch) slash a tender belly to shreds. Blue whales are too big to fit into your mouth, while porcupines are walking reverse pincushions. Point is, animals have active defense mechanisms. They run, fight, jump, climb, fly, sting, bite, and even appeal to our emotions (if you’ve ever seen a puppy beg for a treat with sad eyes, you know that isn’t just accidental cuteness) in order to survive. All the while, predators are constantly evolving and generating adaptations.

Plants, though, are passive organisms without the ability to move, think, and react (for the most part). They must employ different tactics to ensure propagation, and they generally have to rely on outside forces to spread their seed. And so various methods are “devised” to dissuade consumption long enough for the seed to get to where it’s going. Nuts have those tough shells, and grains have the toxic anti-nutrients, lectins, gluten, and phytates. (Of course there are some obvious exceptions. Fruits are tasty, nutritious, and delicious so that animals will eat them whole and poop out the seeds, preferably into some fertile soil. The seed stays intact throughout the digestive process; it is indigestible by design. No seed “wants” to be digested, because this would defeat the purpose. They “want” to be swallowed, or borne by the wind, or carried by a bee to the next flower, but they do not want to be digested.)

Some animals are clearly adapted to grain consumption. Birds, rodents, and some insects can deal with the anti-nutrients. Humans, however, cannot. Perhaps if grains represented a significant portion of our ancestral dietary history, things might be a bit different. Some of us can digest dairy, and we’ve got the amylase enzyme present in our saliva to break down starches if need be, but we simply do not have the wiring necessary to mitigate the harmful effects of lectins, gluten, and phytate.

Lectins are bad. They bind to insulin receptors, attack the stomach lining of insects, bind to human intestinal lining, and they seemingly cause leptin resistance. And leptin resistance predicts a “worsening of the features of the metabolic syndrome independently of obesity”. Fun stuff, huh?

Gluten might be even worse. Gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley, is a composite of the proteins gliadin and glutenin. Around 1% of the population are celiacs, people who are completely and utterly intolerant of any gluten. In celiacs, any gluten in the diet can be disastrous. We’re talking compromised calcium and vitamin D3 levels, hyperparathyroidism, bone defects. Really terrible stuff. And it gets worse: just because you’re not celiac doesn’t mean you aren’t susceptible to the ravages of gluten. As Stephan highlights, one study showed that 29% of asymptomatic (read: not celiac) people nonetheless tested positive for anti-gliadin IgA in their stool. Anti-gliadin IgA is an antibody produced by the gut, and it remains there until it’s dispatched to ward off gliadin – a primary component of gluten. Basically, the only reason anti-gliadin IgA ends up in your stool is because your body sensed an impending threat – gluten. If gluten poses no threat, the anti-gliadin IgA stays in your gut. And to think, most Americans eat this stuff on a daily basis.

Phytates are a problem, too, because they make minerals bio-unavailable (so much for all those healthy vitamins and minerals we need from whole grains!), thus rendering null and void the last, remaining argument for cereal grain consumption.

What, then, is the point to all this grain madness? Is there a good reason for anyone (with access to meat, fruit, and vegetables, that is) to rely on cereal grains for a significant portion of their caloric intake?

The answer is unequivocally, undeniably no. We do not need grains to survive, let alone thrive. In fact, they are naturally selected to ward off pests, whether they be insects or hominids. I suggest we take the hint and stop eating them.Source: marksdailyapple