The holidays are some of the most enjoyable time of the year. We reconnect with distant relatives and make new friends. We enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere at the office and at home we usually find time to slow-down and reflect upon all of the events of the previous year.

We also get an opportunity to attend numerous holiday parties. Many of these events have great tasting food and drink. However, with all of these temptations we need to remember that a change in diet can cause a painful gout attack. So it makes sense to understand what types of food should be avoided to help manage gout during the holidays.

Managing gout is a year-round concern for the millions who have experience the painful deposits of needle-like crystals of uric acid that build up in joint space and connective tissue. These deposits can lead to swelling, heat, redness and arthritis. The proverbial swollen toe often characterizes a gout attack.

What causes gout and how can it be managed and prevented?
Gout is typically brought on by the inability of the body to eliminate excess uric acid. Uric acid is a result of the breakdown of purines. Purines are naturally found in the body and in many types of food. So with the temptation of party trays overflowing with food of every type, read on to learn how to manage gout pain during the holidays.

It is typically suggested that people with gout reduce their intake of high-purine foods. Here is a brief list of high-purine foods, foods in moderation and low-purine foods for your review. Although this is not an all-inclusive list, it can provide some insight into healthy eating during the holiday season:

High-purine foods: (foods that should be avoided for low-purine diets)

Alcohol, including beer
Seafood, including anchovies, herring, trout, mussels, scallops and ocean perch
Coffee, tea, cola drinks
Lamb, sausage, game meat

Foods in moderation: (foods that should consumed in moderation for low-purine diets)

Mushrooms, asparagus, cabbage, dried beans, artichokes, peas
Peanuts, soy and soy products (tofu and soy sauce)
Brown rice, whole wheat, malt, whole grain cereal

Low-purine foods (foods lowest in purines for low-purine diets)

Tart cherries, fruits, berries
Carrots, celery, eggplant, lettuce, radishes, tomatoes, potatoes
Non-caffeine sodas
Cottage cheese, yogurt, dairy (fat free or low fat)

In addition to eating in moderation and maintaining a healthy and balanced diet during the holidays, many are searching for natural ways to manage gout year-round. Several low purine cookbooks are available with dozens of great tasting low-purine recipes.

Highly concentrated food products are another excellent way to manage gout pain all year long. For example, tart cherries supplements and cherry juice concentrate are an ideal way to manage gout attacks.

Research on tart cherries indicate the natural antioxidants contained in this tiny red fruit can help dissolve the painful crystals that form in the joints. One outstanding product that delivers a highly concentrated dose of tart cherries is Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry supplements.

If you are interested in managing gout pain year-round with natural solutions consider a drinking plenty of water, eating a healthy and well-balanced diet, drinking cherry juice concentrate and using Fruit Advantage Tart Cherry capsules.

Russ Rudolph
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/how-to-manage-gout-pain-during-the-holiday-season-74327.html

Natural heartburn treatments have been gaining momentum as the choice heartburn treatments in many households. Though there are a number of over-the-counter and prescribed medications and drugs to treat heartburn, most are non-curative unlike natural heartburn treatments. People are also increasingly concerned about the harmful side-effects of such medicines. Folks are now more willing and ready to learn about heartburn, its preventive measures and natural heartburn treatments.

Before we head to the local pharmacy for quick fixes with over-the-counter and prescribed medicines, we need to be aware of the different self care tips we can use to reduce the occurrences of heartburns and prevent them from happening in the first place. A lot has to do with our diet. It is common knowledge that consuming certain foods could trigger heartburns. We also do know that eating right before bedtime is not a good idea at all. Yet, we simply ignore these warnings and stick to our unhealthy eating habits. When the pains of heartburns strike at us, we reach out quickly for our heartburn medication. Unfortunately, in the long run, this quick fix loses its effectiveness and not only so, your heartburn condition can be aggravated.

What are possible harmful side effects of OTC and prescribed medicines and drugs?

You may not be aware but heartburn medicines such as antacids are acid blockers and in the process of offering heartburn relief by blocking stomach acids, they also block nutrients adsorption and hinder digestion. So you may end up in a worst condition. Besides this, since a number of medicines contain trace elements such as aluminum, magnesium, calcium and sodium bicarbonate, patients may suffer from constipation, stomach bloating, excessive gas, stomach upset, abdominal pain, dizziness, nausea and excessive after-effect acid production.

Enough is said about the possible risks. We will take a look at how natural heartburn treatments can help to arrest heartburns without causing repercussions in our health.

1. Diet

There are some foods that trigger heartburns. You need to also keep track of foods that can cause you to develop heartburns. Avoid them at all cost.

a. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits like tomatoes, grapefruit and oranges increase the stomach acidity, and irritate the esophagus.

b. Fatty Foods

Fatty foods are difficult to digest and tend to stay in our stomach longer, giving it a greater chance of escaping to the esophagus.

c. Caffeinated and Carbonated Beverages

Avoid coffee, tea and other caffeinated beverages. These drinks increase stomach acidity. Carbonated drinks like soda promote production of gases.

d. Alcohol, Peppermint, Spearmint and Chocolate

These foods relax the lower esophageal sphincter, the valve between the stomach and the esophagus. Stomach acids could then escape to the esophagus, inducing heartburns. Alcohol can also affect muscle contractions which indirectly affect swallowing of food into the stomach, and irritate the esophagus.

e. Foods that Irritate the Esophagus

Other foods include raw onions, garlic, pepper, vinegar and other spices.

2. Home Remedies as Natural Heartburn Treatments

There are a number of home remedies which make excellent natural heartburn treatments. Here is a list you can try:

a. Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera juices have been widely used in European countries as natural heartburn treatments. They are soothing to the esophagus.

b. Ginger

Ginger can be prepared with fresh foods or, sliced or powdered and prepared as ginger tea. In both ways, they are good for digestion and are known to aid in suppressing heartburn.

c. Chamomile

Chamomile tea is excellent for treating heartburns.

d. Licorice

It has been reported that licorice is one of the best natural heartburn treatments. DGL, acronym for deglycyrrhizinated licorice is readily available at any health and lifestyle shops in the form of chewing gums and tablets. Daily consumption would effectively suppress the recurrence of heartburns.

e. Fibrous Foods

Eating more fibrous foods like cereals, fruits and vegetables are useful for our digestive systems. A medical research study found that those who stick to a high-fiber diet are 20 percent less likely to suffer from acid reflux heartburns. Fruits like cantaloupe, bananas and apple and vegetables like peas, celery, carrots, broccoli and cauliflower are packed with fibers.

Find out more at my blog about effective natural heartburn treatments that have set many heartburn victims free from this nagging problem.

This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The author’s name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.

Davion W
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/natural-heartburn-treatments-versus-other-treatments-112221.html

If you have diabetes or you need to lose weight the Glycemic Index Diet Plan might be just the solution you’re looking for. This diet is based on a diet plan that was developed in the 1980’s as a way for diabetics to better control their blood glucose levels and subsequently manager their diabetes.

It was discovered that the diet plan had a wonderful side effect; efficient weight loss. Since that time the Low GI Diet, as it is often referred to, has become quite popular with non-diabetics as well. Individuals who use the diet claim they are able to lose weight as well as retain more muscle. Many people report the diet helps them to shave off weight in critical areas as well, including the stomach.

Under the Glycemic Index Diet Plan, foods are divided into three categories based on how they rank on the glycemic index. The glycemic index ranks foods according to how quickly the body is able to digest them. Foods that are processed more quickly by the body rank higher on the Index. Foods that take longer to be digested by the body rank lower on the scale. The idea is to base your diet on foods that rank in the low to medium range by eating foods that rank high on the Index sparingly. Some of the low foods which are allowable on the Glycemic Index Diet Plan include broccoli, tomatoes, cauliflower and other fruits as well as whole grains. Legumes are also allowable. Some foods rank in the middle range, including bananas and apricots.

When dieters first start the eating plan they are in what is known as Phase One. Under this phase, dieters are encouraged to eat only foods which are low on the glycemic index in order to lose weight. These foods are low in calories and high in fiber which makes it easier to lose weight. Dieters should plan to be on the first phase of the diet for about three to six months depending on how much weight they want to lose. After that time period, the individual may then advance to the second phase, which is the weight loss maintenance phase.

In this phase, you may eat low as well as medium foods according to the glycemic index. It is important to understand that exercise is an important component in both phases of the diet plan in order for it to work effectively. The Glycemic Index Diet plan by itself is not a complete solution for weight loss. You must be dedicated to participating in an active and healthy lifestyle. It should also be understood that this is not a diet in the true sense of the word but rather a change in lifestyle.

If you abort the diet plan after losing weight and return to eating large amounts of highly processed and refined foods it is quite likely that you will regain weight, particularly if you are not exercising on a regular basis.

One of the major advantages of this diet plan is that it is not as restrictive as many other diet plans. For example, you can have some carbs on this diet as long as they are good carbs and they rank low on the glycemic index. In addition, it is perfectly okay for you to eat out. Once you have become familiar with which foods rank low on the index you can then usually find something on any menu which is acceptable according to the Low Glycemic Index Diet plan.

Vegetarians frequently find that many low carb diets do not work well for them because they place a strong emphasis on meat. With the Low Glycemic Index Diet plan there is no such problem because proteins from vegetables can replace meat.

With time and dedication the Low Glycemic Index Diet plan has proven to be quite effective at managing diabetes, promoting weight loss and encouraging a healthy lifestyle.

Wesley Atkins
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/losing-weight-with-the-glycemic-index-diet-plan-110331.html

That’s the consensus from researchers now more interested in “energy density” and “food volume” as opposed to the supposedly tried-and-true “Glycemic Index.” The Glycemic Index (GI) is a ranking of carbohydrate-containing foods, based on the food’s effect on blood sugar compared with a standard reference food’s effect. In short, how carbs affect your body, insulin spikes, and consequently fat storage.

For years nutritionists (myself included) were all about the GI. “Eat foods low on the GI, and you’ll store less fat”, we all chanted. And, there’s some truth to it – just not for the reasons we originally thought. Insulin is still a major issue for heart disease and diabetes management, that is a given. However, it turns out that the energy of food itself may be the key to long-term fat loss.

I’m going to cover a bit about energy density here today. The subject is really quite involved, so I’ll be covering it over several issues – and really trying to focus on what you need to know ‘now’ in order to make this amazing distinction work for you when it comes to shedding body fat.

First, here are some comments on the latest research from my friend and colleague Christian Finn.

“When I first read about the glycemic index in the early 1990’s, it seemed to make perfect sense. And, being one of those people who have a tendency to obsess over small details, I invested a lot of time and effort in eliminating foods with a high GI from my diet.

“Much of this effort, unfortunately, was a complete waste of time.

“It’s not that there’s anything wrong with following a diet that has a low GI. However, if you make the same mistake that I did and focus only on the glycemic index (without making a change to your calorie intake too), chances are you’ll end up feeling frustrated because you’re not losing any weight.

“In one of the most recent studies of the glycemic index, researchers from the University of Minnesota tested whether lowering the GI of a diet already low in calories would have any further effect on weight loss.

“The researchers compared the effects of three low-calorie diets, each with a different glycemic load, on 29 obese adults. All of the diets – high GI, low GI or high fat – provided the same number of calories.

“For the first 12 weeks, all food was provided to the subjects (the feeding phase). Then, 22 subjects were told to follow the assigned diet for an additional 24 weeks (the free-living phase).

“After 12 weeks, all three groups lost weight. However, there was no significant difference in weight loss between the groups. Subjects on the low GI diet lost, on average, 21.8 pounds (9.9 kilograms), while those on the high GI diet lost 20.5 pounds (9.3 kilograms).

“In summary, lowering the glycemic load and glycemic index of weight reduction diets does not provide any added benefit to energy restriction in promoting weight loss in obese subjects,” conclude the researchers.

“Eating a diet with a low glycemic load can help with weight loss. But, that’s largely because many foods with a low glycemic index (with the exception of high-fat foods like nuts and avocados) also have a lower energy density.”

So what does all this mean? All food can be measured in terms of “energy density”. Foods that physically weigh very little yet contain a lot of calories, have a high energy density. Many fats would be in this category. The inverse is true – foods that gather their volume from water, fiber, and non-caloric elements like fruits and vegetables (eaten, not in juice form) have a very low energy density factor despite weighing in as heavy as some of their energy-dense counterparts.

Let’s not confuse “energy density” with foods that give you energy. In fact, it’s just the opposite – often the foods with the lowest energy density (those with the lowest calories and the greatest volume, or weight) provide sustained energy.

Let’s break this down into something we can use. I was working on a “diet plan” well before reading some of the information I discovered when researching this article. However, I want to give props to those who had the same idea. Dr. Barbara Rolls and her “Volumetrics” plan really kicked off my interest in energy density. Also, a great and simple book called “The Three Apple A Day Plan” by personal trainer/nutritionist Tammi Flynn solidified my thoughts that the key to long-term fat burning is found in volume and energy density of food. Literally, how much your food ‘weighs’ for the amount of calories that food provides.

Let’s start right now with the basic foundation: consume foods that consume you. This means eating foods that require a lot of energy from the body to process. Celery fits the bill, but you don’t want to live on it – that’s for sure. Don’t worry, I’m not asking you to. However, you can use celery, protein foods that are higher in thermogenic response (meaning they generate more heat and conversely burn more calories), and low-energy, high-volume foods to fill you up. With that combination, it’s next to impossible to go wrong.

And, it tastes good!

Here’s step one: eat an apple 15 minutes prior to your first meal. Then simply eat a normal breakfast for you. You’ll find you eat less, and your cravings for sugar are diminished. You’ll also find that the pectin in the apple peel will help your blood sugar stabilize, hence you’ll be less hungry throughout the day.

Step two: eat 1-2 raw carrots immediately prior to lunch. Then, just eat your normal lunch. (How easy is this?!) The carrot should ‘not’ be feared, even though it is a “high GI food.” It’s also a very low energy density food, and that’s all you need to worry about.

Step three: eat 1-2 raw celery sticks prior to dinner. Then, just eat a high protein, low-carb dinner. That’s it.

Just doing these three things can cause radical changes in your body’s ability to cleanse itself, burn more fat, and fill yourself up prior to eating “normally.” After this stage, we kick it up a few notches and really get the fat burning happening – but for now, start here. Feel the power of energy.

Remember: the weight of your food reflects the weight you see on your scale. Eat food that weighs more but has less calories in the form of energy density and you’re well on your way to a healthy, long-term solution to fat burning.

Jon Benson
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/weighing-in-on-your-food-can-the-weight-of-your-food-affect-the-weight-of-your-body-66935.html

What is Acidity?

The human stomach contains gastric glands which are responsible for the proper digestion of food in it. Gastric glands achieve the digestion by secreting various acids, the chief of which is the hydrochloric acid. These acids are aided by various enzymes of the stomach in bringing about digestion. The level of acids in the human stomach is generally controlled; but for some reason if the level of acids increases beyond the

normal levels, then the condition is known as acidity.

Hence, acidity is the condition in which there is an excess secretion of acid within the stomach. Other names for acidity are hyperacidity or acid dyspepsia.

Why is Acidity caused?

The stomach is equipped with these acids in order to be able to digest the food. The acids are released when foods enter the stomach. However some foods are difficult to digest than the others. For such foods, the stomach needs to secrete more acids. Continuous secretions of such acids could lead to acidity in the stomach.

This excessive production of acids could be made higher due to various factors. Ulcers in the stomach are one of the commonest causes in increasing acid production.

People with stomach cancers will also have acidity problems as one of the symptoms. For this reason, acidity should not be ignored if it lasts for a long period of time, or if the person is older.

There is a condition known as the acid-reflux complex, due to which the stomach acids are refluxed back to the food pipe. When this happens, a prominent sour taste is felt in the mouth, and a belch might occur.

What are the Symptoms of Acidity?

When a person has acidity in the stomach, there can be a vast difference in the kinds of symptoms observed. For some people it may be a simple bellyache, but for others, it could lead to days of restlessness with continuous cramps in the stomach.

In fact restlessness is the most common symptom of acidity, followed by nausea and vomiting. There is a sour taste felt in the mouth, which is due to the excess deposition of the acids. Sometimes there are sour belches and passing off wind. Other digestive problems like constipation and indigestion will also occur. In some cases, stiffness is felt in the stomach.

How can Acidity be avoided?

A proper dietary pattern is the best thing in order to avoid acidity. The following tips must be followed:-

How can Acidity be controlled with Simple Home Remedies?

There are several simple household tips to keep acidity under control. The following are some of them:-

Tom alter
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/acidity-herbs-and-ayurvedic-remedies-acidity-symptom-and-other-treatments-106659.html

French bean: French bean is one of the most commonly used vegetables all over the world. There are several varieties, the most widely used being the French bean, is also known as common or kidney bean. Beans are high in carbohydrates and fiber. They should be eaten liberally to keep diabetes under control.

A decoction prepared from the beans is an excellent remedy for diabetes. This decoction is prepared by boiling 60 grams of fresh kidney bean pods, after removing their seeds, in four liters of water on a slow fire for four hours. It is then strained through fine muslin cloth and allowed to stand for eight hours. One glass of this decoction every two hours during the day is recommended. This treatment should be continued for four to eight weeks along with the prescribed diet restrictions. The decoction must be made fresh every day, as it loses it medicinal value after 24 hours.

The juice extracted from French beans is also valuable in controlling diabetes. It stimulates the production of insulin. This juice is generally used in combination with the juice of Brussels sprouts. The patient must, however be on a controlled diet.

Dr. James Anderson of the Human Nutrition Research Center of the US Department of Agriculture insists that the same foods that lower cholesterol and fight heart disease are also excellent for diabetics, who are at high risk of heart disease. This puts foods like beans that are high in soluble fiber in “highly recommended” category. Dr. Anderson quotes confirm that high fiber foods significantly reduce blood sugar along with cholesterol.

Lettuce: Lettuce belongs to that group of vegetables that contain three percent or less of carbohydrates. It is among the important foods that can be prescribed for diabetes. Diabetics can use it freely.

Onion: The onion has been used as a treatment for diabetes since ancient times. Recent research studies have proved that this pungent vegetable can lower blood sugar in diabetes. In recent investigations in India, scientists fed onion juice and whole onions in does of 25 to 200 grams to a group of diabetics and found that the greater the dose, the faster the decrease in blood sugar levels. It made no difference whether the onion was eaten raw or cooked. It was found that the onion affected the liver’s metabolism of glucose, or release of insulin, or prevented the destruction of insulin. The probable active hypoglycaemic substances in the onion are allyl, propyl, disulphide and allicin. In fact, as early as 1923, researchers had detected the blood sugar lowering properties of onion. And in the 1960s, scientists isolated anti-diabetic compounds from onions, which are similar to the common anti-diabetic pharmaceuticals that are used to stimulate insulin synthesis and release.

Soya bean: Soya bean is one of the most nutritious foods of the great value in the treatment of diabetes. The journal of the American Medical Association quotes from an article by Dr. Christian Becker published in an authoritative German Medical journal. In this article, Dr. Becker points out that the Soya bean bread is a valuable food for diabetics. It contains very little starch, but is rich in fat and protein, both the excellent quality. Soya bean has steadily grown in importance from a therapeutic point of view, since 1910 when studies indicated it to be a valuable part of diabetic diet. Its usefulness in diabetes is attributable not only to its richness in protein and its palatability, but also to its ability to cause, in some unexplained way, a reduction in the percentage and the total quantity of urinary sugar in diabetes patients on the usual dietary restrictions.

Tomato: Tomato with its low carbohydrates contents is very good food for diabetic patients and for those who want to reduce their body weight. It is said to be very effective in controlling the percentage of sugar in the urine of diabetic patients.

Find complete diabetes information, diabetes supply, diabetes treatment, diabetes diet, diabetes causes, diabetes types. More on Diabetes Mellitus Information and Treatment Supply. Also see Natural Ayurvedic Herbal Cure for Diabetes.

Dr John Anne
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/prescribed-foods-for-diabetic-patients-61200.html

Scientific studies published in both the United States and the United Kingdom have now shown that antisocial behavior, aggression and violence are a result of poor diet. This particularly affects those people who eat processed and highly refined foods. These studies also point out that a diet high in omega 3 oils can cause a significant reduction in violent and aggressive behavior.

This is great news, but it’s not exactly earth shattering. Any parent who’s watched their children get wound up after eating sugar can tell you what it’s taken researchers years to figure out. And, these researchers are not even the first ones to come to this conclusion.

Back in the 1930s Dr. Weston Price, an American researcher, provided evidence proving that a diet made up of processed and refined foods increased the likelihood of antisocial, deviant, violent and aggressive behavior.

In a study he did of delinquent boys, he found that 98.4% demonstrated the characteristics, physical, emotional and mental, of malnourished individuals. He observed what foods they were eating and confirmed that they were getting less than optimal nutrition from processed foods.

Dr. Price also found that “primitive” societies, those who ate a natural, non-commercial diet, left “few impressions [that] can be more vivid than that of the absence of prisons and asylums.” And he goes on to reference many studies at that time showing how violence and crime increased greatly with each generation eating refined processed foods.

So take a look at what you and your family are eating. Do you eat whole foods or the highly processed fake foods that line our grocery store shelves? How much nutrition do you think you’re getting from those fake foods? If you answered, “none” or “not much” - you’re right.

And what about the omega 3 oils that researchers have proven have such a significant effect on behavior? Well, unless you’re eating fatty fish like salmon, tuna or mackerel at least 3 times a week, you and your family are not getting enough of those oils either.

So what can you do? Well the first thing you’ll want to do is to get more whole foods in your diet. By “whole foods”, I mean things that haven’t been processed - fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and low fat dairy.

Next, you need to add between 3 to 5 servings of fatty fish to your family’s diet each week. Now for most people, that’s going to be close to impossible.

So in order to get your omega 3s, you’ll need to start taking a high quality, pure fish oil supplement. It will provide the all-important omega 3 oils that are necessary for our brains to function properly

And when our brains are functioning properly, you’ll see fewer incidences of aggressive behavior, attention deficit disorder, violence, depression and ADHD. Doesn’t that sound like a brighter future?

Michael Byrd
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/the-connection-between-omega-3-and-aggressive-behavior-113060.html

Even if we are not sick and look healthy, we may not be getting enough adequate nutrition. We can improve our state of health by simply knowing what nutrition we need. Nutrition is about what the perfect food is all about, the amount we need, its function, and the basic materials we need for our body in order for it to continue on with its daily activities. By knowing how to take care of our body through nutrition, we can maintain its high performance levels instead of being unable to because of the low levels.

When we eat meals, it is important to understand that we should not mix raw perfect food with cooked perfect food, as this will produce acid in the stomach. This acid does not mix well with the raw perfect food and will create indigestion. Another thing to think about is when eating raw fruits and vegetables, we should try to stay with organic perfect foods due to the amount of pesticides that are usually on the non-organic perfect foods.

Perfect foods in different categories that are mixed together can cause an imbalance in the body. For example: when we eat a meal high in both fats and simple carbohydrates, we become tired and exhausted while we develop muddled thinking. The reason is our tissue is not receiving enough oxygen. Carbohydrates are simple and complex: simple carbohydrates should be totally eliminated while complex ones are very beneficial for us. Fresh fruits and vegetables produce elimination while vitamin D milk and cheese counter it. When we send mixed messages to our body because of our lack of knowledge about its nutrition, it causes disorder and disease.

When we go for periods of time in-between meals, the body becomes very active and more alert when perfect food is not consumed. It is believed that three hours or more is adequate between meals before another meal should be eaten.

Hani Masgidi
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/eating-perfect-foods-that-are-hard-to-digest-55858.html

Every woman who lives past the age of 35 will have to go through the stage of menopause. This is an inevitable part of her life, and she will have to learn in advance how to deal with the changes that will affect her life. There are many changes, and these changes include hormone changes as well. One of the hormone changes causes a craving for food. Therefore, women going through menopause should have good knowledge of the foods to be taken during menopause.

Menopause Effects All Spheres Of Life

These changes will also include changes in her social life, her way of working and, most of all, her feelings about herself. In the medieval times, menopause was surrounded by misconceptions governed by unscientific thought or myths. Women have come to accept menopause as a natural step in the unavoidable process of aging. Menopause means that a woman does not possess the ability to conceive. Along with this, the body goes through many hormonal changes as well affecting the moods and mental frame of mind. It is a very difficult time for her, and she needs all the support she can get from those around her.

Menopause brings with it many changes. Some of these changes may be related to the dietary intake of the individual. The diet or the food to be taken during menopause will vary according to the different individuals and their weight. Many doctors advise their patients to choose and stick to a healthy diet that includes plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, whole grains, lean meat, fish, cereals, and some chicken several times a week. The fluid intake should be increased considerably, and low-fat dietary products should be increased in the diet. Though alcohol may not be done away with completely, the intake should be limited to one to two drinks per day when you are approaching menopause.

Phytoestrogens Help In Estrogen Replacement

The intake of Phytoestrogens actually supports estrogen levels in the body. These Phytoestrogensare are found in abundance in soy and soy products. Phytoestrogens have the capacity to bind to estrogen receptors and replace estrogen in women with low levels of that hormone. Hormone health in women during menopause is greatly improved by including Phytoestrogen-rich food in the diet. Soy, flax, vegetables, beans, seeds, and nuts all have some amount of Phytoestrogens. Along with these foods, a decrease in animal fat intake is also recommended in the foods to be taken during menopause for better results.

Ryan Arsendatama
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/foods-to-be-taken-during-menopause-65008.html

Brewer’s Yeast: Brewer’s yeast is a wonder food. It is rich in traces of mineral chromium. This mineral helps the pancreas produce more insulin. It is one of the best supports for normal handling of sugar by the body. According to an article by Dr. Richard J. Doisy and others, which appeared in the Medical World News, Brewer’s yeast has lowered the insulin requirements of many diabetes patients.

Broccoli: Broccoli, a close relation of the cauliflower, has long been a popular food in Europe. This vegetable has proved to be an effective anti-diabetic food. It is rich source of chromium, a trace mineral that seems to lower blood sugar. This trace mineral regulates blood sugar, thereby often reducing the medication and insulin needs of diabetes. In cases of mild diabetes, chromium may prevent the onset of the full-fledged disease. If a person’s glucose tolerance is on border, chromium can help control it. Even low blood sugar levels can be brought to normal with chromium.

Curd: Curd injects friendly bacteria in to the digestive system that stimulate the pancreas. It also washes the pancreas of its acids and wastes. These cleansing actions enable the pancreas to perform much better and thereby help in the production of insulin.

Garlic: In scientific trials garlic and its constituents have been found to lower blood sugar in diabetes. This vegetable is rich in potassium, which effectively replaces the large quantities of potassium lost in the urine of diabetics. It also contains zinc and sulphur, which are constituents of insulin. Some authorities believe that low levels of zinc may be one of the factors responsible for the onset of diabetes. Garlic also contains manganese, a deficiency of which can contribute towards diabetes.

Garlic constituents appear to act by blocking the inactivation of insulin in the liver. The result is higher blood insulin levels and lower blood sugar.

Garlic has other benefits for diabetes besides lowering blood sugar. It prevents arteriosclerosis, which is a common complication of diabetes and relieves body paid. Diabetics can take the equivalent of one or two cloves of garlic a day in any form they like, either raw or cooked in food or as capsules. Garlic milk, prepared by adding four cloves of crushed garlic to 110 ml of milk, is one good way of taking garlic. The best way, however, is to chew raw garlic thoroughly first thing in the morning.

Bengal Gram: Bengal gram, also known as chickpea, is a widely used important component of Indian diet. It is a valuable anti-diabetic food. Experiments have shown that the oral ingestion of the water extract of Bengal gram increases the utilization of glucose in diabetics as well as normal people. In a study conducted at Central Food Technological Research Institute in Mysore, the requirement of insulin of chronic diabetes patients decreased from 40 units a day to 20 units, when kept on a diet which included liberal supplements of Bengal gram extract.

Diabetic patients who are on a restricted diet, which does not severely limit the intake of carbohydrates but includes liberal amounts of Bengal gram extract, have shown considerable improvement in their fasting blood sugar levels, glucose tolerance, urinary excretion of sugar and general condition.

Bitter Gourd: The bitter gourd is a common vegetable cultivated extensively. It has excellent medicinal virtues. This vegetable has been used as fold medicine for diabetes from ancient times. Research has established that it contains insulin like principle designated as plant-insulin, which has been found beneficial in lowering blood and urine sugar levels.

Bitter gourd is thus and effective anti-diabetic food and should be included liberally in the diet of a diabetic. Juice of three or four bitter gourds taken every morning on an empty stomach has been found more effective than eating fruits. The seeds of bitter gourd can be powdered and added to regular meals. A decoction prepared by boiling chopped bitter gourd is water is equally effective, as is its dry powder mixed with liquid foods.

Bitter gourd is rich in all essential vitamins and minerals especially vitamins A, B1, B2, C and iron. Its regular use, therefore, prevents many complications associated with diabetes including hypertension, eye complications, neuritis and the defective metabolism of carbohydrates.

Black Gram: Black gram is a highly prized pulse in India. It is an anti diabetic food. Germinated black gram taken with half a cup of fresh bitter gourd juice, forms and effective remedy for treating mild types of diabetes. It should be taken once a day, for three to four months, with a restricted intake of carbohydrates.

In severe diabetes, regular use of this combination is an effective complement to other treatments. It is also a useful health food for preventing complications due to malnutrition in diabetes. Milk prepared by grinding sprouted whole black gram is also recommended for diabetics.

Groundnut: Groundnuts are valuable in diabetes. Eating a handful of groundnuts daily by diabetics will not only prevent malnutrition, particularly the deficiency of niacin, but also checks the development of vascular complications.

Find complete diabetes information, diabetes supply, diabetes treatment, diabetes diet, diabetes causes, diabetes types. More on Diabetes Mellitus Information and Treatment Supply. Also see Natural Ayurvedic Herbal Cure for Diabetes.

Dr John Anne
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