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Archive for January 19th, 2009

Is Milk Good For You?

by firmbodies.com on Jan.19, 2009, under Health and Fitness, Nutrition

Is milk good for you? Our government says yes, but most scientists who do not work for the dairy industry say no. Why the discrepancy? Let’s look at the research.

Though most people still think that milk is good for their bones, there is no evidence for this. The famous Harvard Nurses Study followed more than 77,000 women for over twelve years. Among other things, researchers wanted to see if milk would help prevent or slow the progression of osteoporosis (a disease that makes bones more brittle). Not only was there no evidence of any benefit, researcher Doctor Robert M. Kradjian of Seton Medical Center in California points out that “Fracture rates were higher for those who consumed three or more servings, compared to those who did not drink milk.”

Some scientists now believe that the particular types of proteins in milk may lead to bone damage. In addition, most agree that the calcium found in dairy products isn’t very absorbable for humans. Calcium found in plants is much easier to absorb. These sources include leafy green vegetables, as well as sesame butter (used in humus), some other seeds, whole grains and nuts.

Milk And Digestion

Lactose intolerance is another problem with milk. I once cared for a little girl who vomited whenever she ate ice cream or drank milk. After a bit of research I found that most Native Americans like her don’t have the enzymes necessary to digest lactose, which is a natural milk sugar. Most adults of all races eventually lose their ability to easily digest dairy products, resulting in digestive problems, gas and irritable bowels.

Lactase supplements can help. The enzyme lactase helps you digests lactose. You simply take a capsule whenever you eat dairy products, convincing a two-year-old of that wasn’t easy. But lactose intolerance is not the only problem with milk.

Milk Allergies

Some, possibly many people are allergic to the proteins in milk and dairy products. Common symptoms include inflammation in the upper respiratory tract and sometimes throughout the body. People often suffer from this for years before learning why. Milk and dairy allergies are also a common cause of sinusitis, as well as frequent colds and ear infections.

It seems increasingly likely that milk is bad for you. But if you’re not allergic to dairy, and not lactose intolerant, it may not do any harm. More good news: yoghurt and soft cheeses may digest more easily, and have beneficial substances not found in milk. Of course, we haven’t even touched on the possibility that the hormones fed to cows may pass into humans and have unhealthy effects. We’re still waiting for the research on that.

The Bottom Line?

You may wonder why you don’t hear more about these issues. Dairy producers spend millions to promote their products as healthy, and have an obvious profit motive to do so. But why does our own government promote the idea that milk is a health food? Perhaps it is because dairy producers are subsidized, and would require more subsidies if sales dropped. Is milk good for you? I guess it is if you’re a dairy farmer.

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What are some of the best foods to eat

by firmbodies.com on Jan.19, 2009, under Health and Fitness, Nutrition

Most people could be regarded as food enthusiasts because of their fondness for eating. Most people tend to be exploratory with their choice of foods and are brave enough to try out different foods from other countries. Eating has become a most common leisure activity that friends and family enjoy. Eating continues to be one of the best forms of bonding for people all over the world.

People have become ever more accepting of different tastes when it comes to food. This could probably be one reason why more and more people tend to fall into the obese category. Who can blame them? There are several great dishes that you must try at least once in your lifetime but sometimes because they are so good for the palate, trying these dishes once isn’t enough.

There are several different foods you can consider best depending on your mood and taste. Some people think that the best foods to eat are those inspired by a particular country or genre while others consider foods to be best if they are able to satisfy their cravings for sweets, something sour or salty.

However, you must remember that no matter how exciting it is to try out new dishes and food products, you health should still be regarded with utmost importance. That is to say, the best types of foods to eat are those that are healthy and could make you feel full for a long time, and are able to satisfy your discriminating taste buds.

Some of the 10 best foods to eat include vegetables, fruits, oats, breads, cereals, fish, rice, nuts, chicken, and beef. All these foods are healthy and nutritious to the body and could help free you from health related illnesses and risks. Eating could be enjoyed if you know how to monitor it and moderate your eating habits. That is to say you have to learn to eat everything in moderation and bear in mind that most foods nowadays are made with the use of healthy ingredients like grains, wheat and low calorie contents.

Avoid junks, sweets, sodas and other fattening foods that can satisfy your craving in the mean time but could risk your health eventually.

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The Benefits of Vegetarianism

by firmbodies.com on Jan.19, 2009, under Health and Fitness, Nutrition

Benefits Of Vegetarianism

There are many benefits to becoming a vegetarian but do you know why? A person in this situation may also be questioning if this dramatic change to their life will help the planet at all. However, if enough individuals do stop, it becomes statistically more important to the health of animals on this planet. One argument for making this change are the benefits it has on your health and the problems that an excess of meat causes, like heart disease; this is the most common reason for death in America and other big meat eating nations.

Meat, dairy produce and eggs are the main sources of cholesterol which are the contributing factors in coronary heart disease and other circulation problems. According to Earth Save, the average vegetarian has about a quarter of a chance of having a heart attack as the average person. On the other hand the numbers of heart attacks in vegans are an astonishing 10 times less than those of people that eat meat. The improvements in health do not end there if you are a vegetarian.

Preservatives which are used a great deal in meat are reduced and so are the incidences of cancer. Of course vegetarians will not be exposed to the number of additional hormones that are fed to cattle as part of their feed and will not experience some of the hormone problems people have because of this. Another substance, lactose, is also missing from their diet which has causal links with digestive conditions. In addition to health benefits you will receive as an individual by becoming a vegetarian, you will also reduce your share of the suffering human beings inflict on animals.

The appalling death toll statistic suggested by Vegan Out-Reach is that over 2,700 animals will be eaten by an average American during their life. It is a sobering thought that a change in diet could literally save hundreds of animals from being slaughtered over the course of a decade alone. In addition to this, if you stop eating eggs and drinking milk, you will also reduce your share in the suffering and death of battery hens and their offspring, as well as dairy cows. So if you haven’t worked it out by now, yes we can all make a difference both individually and collectively which should show why becoming a vegetarian is so important. It matters to the thousands of animals you could potentially save and it matters to you as an individual because you can greatly reduce your chances of getting cancer and heart disease.

Find more information on health and fitness go to How to Lose Weight Naturally as well as Flax Oil Supplements

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