11 Ways to Keep You Healthy
1. Avoid Hydrogenated Oils:
Hydrogenated oils are processed oils that should be avoided. Their purpose is to prolong shelf-life they have nothing to do with health. These oils do not exist in nature (man-made) and our bodies have a hard time digesting them. Rectum and colon cancer has been attributed to too much daily consumption of them. Avoid them at all costs. Hydrogenated oils are in a lot of processed foods. They inhibit the normal metabolism of the body which can lead to long term damage as well as cardiovascular diseases. You really need to read labels. You can find hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oil in: cookies, candies, pizza, cake mix, muffins, pies etc.
2. Start An Exercise Regimen
Start an exercise program and get the body going. Where do I begin is a usual question and will I stick with it is another. It’s a great way to lose weight and get muscle tone especially for those who sit at a computer all day. Find something that you can stick to, and enjoy. Thai chi, yoga and hiking are great places to start or just take a walk 20 to 30 minutes three times a week is very beneficial. Thai chi and yoga will help get the body flexible, relax you, strengthen your circulation and get your heart rate to where you want it. The key to exercise is to be consistence.
3. Get on a Garlic Kick
Garlic is Mother Nature’s natural cleanse. It helps rid the body of unwanted accumulations such as parasites. As you clean the inner body, digestion and circulation of blood and oxygen improves and you will start to look and feel a lot better. This is where Mother Nature lends you a hand against the sometimes dishonest tricks of Father Time. The great thing is garlic can be used in many dishes to spice up your health. If you don’t like garlic in your food you can get some good quality garlic in a pill form.
4. Swiss Chard
This is one of the most popular greens in Europe and nutritious as well, it’s quick to prepare and eat. It’s delicious sautéed in olive oil with garlic and crushed red pepper. Swiss chard is high in vitamin A, K and C. It is also rich in minerals, dietary fiber and protein. Vitamin K is great for bone health. Swiss Chard is one of the most powerful anti-cancer, antioxidants around. It’s a deep green vegetable and it’s from nature. It is great in boosting the immune system, digestion and cleansing the body. Get this in your diet on regular bases. Your body will be glad you did.
5. Increase Your Healthy Fat Intake
Your health depends on the good fats you consume. The risk of heart disease and clogged arteries increases with the daily intake of excessive bad fats (saturated fat). Unclog your arteries by adding unsaturated fats like omega-3 fatty acids. Found in fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel. Unsaturated fats are also derived from plants like nuts, olives, avocados, seed such as sunflower. There are two types monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fat. These types of fats are liquid at room temperature. Their benefits are numerous especially in reducing heart disease which stems from clogged arteries. They help to increase HDL (good cholesterol) and decreases the LDL (bad cholesterol). Remember fat does not make you fat. You have to have good fats in your diet to have healthy hormones. Good fats decrease the risk of hypertension, depression and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
6. Consume Cruciferous Veggies
A protective protein which is found within our body is inactive in arteries that are disease prone until a chemical called Sulforaphane was identified. It can be found in broccoli sprouts, which are part of the cruciferous vegetables, or cabbage family of vegetables. These vegetables have the highest concentration of sulforaphane. It is also found in cauliflower, bok choy, kale, collards, Chinese broccoli, broccoli raab, kohlrabi, mustard, turnip, radish, arugula, and watercress. Eat them raw and start your protection against heart disease by the prevention of atherosclerosis. Eating your veggies is also very helpful in the fight against cancer and diabetes. Remember if you have a thyroid problem you will want to lightly steam your cruciferous vegetables because cruciferous vegetables are goitrogenic which means they can cause goiters. The steaming or cooking will destroy the substance that causes the goiter and then you can eat them.
7. Eat Steel-Cut Oats
Steel-cut oats are whole grain goats (which means the inner portion of the oat kernel) which have been cut into only two or three pieces by steel rather than being rolled. Steel-cut oats are golden in color and resemble small rice pieces. Oats are an excellent source of thiamine, iron and dietary fiber. Fiber is helpful in reducing cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. Whole oats are the only source of antioxidant compounds known as avenanthramides; these are believed to have properties which help to protect the circulatory system from arteriosclerosis. Oats also contain beta-glucan, which may help people with Type 2 diabetes control their blood sugar level, and seems to stimulate the immune system to fight off bacterial infections.
8. Take Vitamin E
Vitamin E can help against the narrowing of the arteries. Vitamin E is best known as an antioxidant. When used as oil it is a quick way to remedy any deficiency you may be trying to get under control. Vitamin E can help in the damage to the arteries caused by bad fatty foods and lifelong bad diets. Sunflower seeds and sunflower oil as well as pumpkin seeds are rich in Vitamin E. Vitamin E helps with malabsorption, which is difficulty digesting or absorbing nutrients from food. Healthy skin, hair and healthy hormones are some of the benefits in consuming foods rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E can be great protection against bladder conditions and cancer.Vitamin E is also a natural blood thinner, works better than taking an aspirin a day. Other good source of vitamin E would be Wheat Germ Oil. Wheat germ oil rubbed on scars or cuts on the skin will improve the rate of healing. Wheat germ oil can be used on almost any skin problem to improve its condition.
9. Use Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar is an ancient holistic remedy. One of its many benefits is its ability to clean out your arteries. It is great for the circulatory system. Research has shown that apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a good source for potassium. ACV has benefited many people experiencing clogged arteries. Studies have proven that the quality of lives of the elderly can be restored once toxic poisons are flushed out of their bodies. The potassium in ACV helps to clean out these clogged arteries from plaques, the same way water and vinegar cleans dirt from windows. Not only this but apple cider vinegar is also known to lower cholesterol levels and blood sugar factors that may lead to heart diseases.
10. Lecithin
Lecithin is produced within our bodies, it is found in our heart, liver and kidneys. It is needed for overall health maintenance and is utilized by every living cell in our bodies. It is found in cabbage, cauliflower, garbanzo beans, split peas, organic meat, seeds, nuts, and eggs. It helps in decreasing cholesterol which helps promote cardiovascular health and weight loss. It restores damaged livers and improves memory function. Prevents large deposits of fat from accumulating which allows blood to flow more smoothly where it may once had been clogged.
11. Cayenne Pepper
Add the right spicy zest to your diet. It has amazing effects, particularly promoting the body systems which help adjust blood pressure, of course this would extend to the improvement of arteries also. Cayenne pepper helps the body reduce the LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. It aids in warming the body which helps to stimulate the immune system to fight bacteria and viruses. It fights inflammation and increases blood flow throughout the body. (You can buy Cayenne Pepper in capsules from my office. It is 35,000 Scoville Units. This is hot but in a capsule form you will not notice how hot it is.) Cayenne Pepper also helps to encourages overall healthy circulation, supports healthy blood lipid (fat) profiles, supports blood sugar handling and provides antioxidants.
Follow the above suggestions, if this is done on a regular bases you will reap the rewards of a healthy cardiovascular system, healthy immune system and a healthier you.
For more information on how to get healthy and stay healthy, go to www.youralternativedoctor.com Dr Foley is an Advance Nutritionist/ Chiropractic physician that specializes in nutritional rehabilitation of chronic and hard to manage health conditions. He has practiced over 24 years, lecturing weekly on how to get rid of belly fat, Hypothyroid, Hashimoto’s Autoimmune, Gluten Sensitivity and many other health topics. You can listen to Dr. Foley every Sunday at 2:00 PM central time on his radio show “The Natural Health Care Show” on 99.7 FM Nashville, TN or on the Internet “live” at www. 997wtn.com. Past shows are available on his website. Dr Foley takes a natural approach that is safe and effective. All health care programs are tailor made for the individual person. You can contact Dr. Foley at 5602 Nolensville Pike Nashville, TN 37211 Office Phone: (615) 333-0021 or drbjfoley@comcast.net or like us on facebook/drfoley or Twitter @drfoleybrian
