Friday, November 4, 2011

Quick Slim by Handful of Beans


Recent research shows that eating a handful of nuts every day can help curb hunger, and even erode the fat deposits in the abdomen. The researchers claim this is the first findings that show, nut consumption may affect levels of serotonin, a hormone that can reduce appetite and increase happiness and heart health.

Researchers from the University of Barcelona, ​​Spain, stating, for the benefit of magic effects, you just need to consume about 30 grams of raw walnuts, almonds or hazelnuts every day.
Researchers hope the findings published in the Journal of Proteome Research is beneficial to patients with metabolic syndrome (mets) are characterized by abdominal fat, high blood sugar, and high blood pressure (hypertension).

Changes in diet with regular consumption of nuts contain healthy fats and antioxidants believed to help patients cope with the problem of overweight, reducing risk of type two diabetes, and heart disease.

The team, led by Cristina Andris-Lacueva working with the Human Nutrition Unit of the Rovira i Virgili University says, "Increased excretion of serotonin metabolites for the first time associated with the consumption of peanuts."
During the study, the scientists involved 22 volunteers who suffer from metabolic syndrome. They are fed a fortified peanut for 12 weeks and the other group 20 volunteers also go on a diet but not regular nuts. After that, the researchers then do the checker urine of patients.
The result, volunteers who ate 30 grams of beans per day had higher levels of serotonin. About 90 percent of serotonin is located in the gut, while the remainder is found in the central nervous system that regulates mood and appetite.

Another study in the United States Department of Agriculture published in the British Journal of Nutrition earlier this year also found that pistachios (nuts) may help you lose weight and promoting heart health.

Lead researcher David Baer said, "Pistachios provide a variety of health benefits, including weight management and cardiovascular health."

Free the Stress with Meditation


Meditation is the practice of relaxation that involves emptying your mind of all things interesting, overburden, or worry about in our daily lives.

A recent research shows that mindfulness meditation (mindfulness meditation) have effectiveness in combating stress and improving quality of life. This research has been published in the latest issue of the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science.

According to research conducted by Britta Holzel, a psychologist at the Massachusetts General Hospital, mindfulness meditation has benefits for health and performance, including improved immune function, lowers blood pressure, and improve cognitive function.

To understand the mechanism of consciousness, Holzel and colleagues found that what counts as consciousness is a multi-faceted mental practice that involves multiple mechanisms rather than a single capability.
The authors of the study specifically identifies four key components of consciousness that explains the effect: regulation of attention, body awareness, emotional regulation, and self-awareness. The result, these components together was able to help overcome problems caused by mental disorders and psychological stress.

Says Holzel, although this component is theoretically distinct, but they have relation to one another, nor by its effect on the working mechanism of the brain.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

8 Best Foods Against Cholesterol

High levels of bad cholesterol in the blood can be bad for your health
and lead to the development of various diseases such as heart disease,
hypertension, and diabetes. However, you need not worry. According to
the American Heart Association (AHA), you can lower bad cholesterol
levels by eating healthy foods.
Here are some of the best foods that can help you fight bad cholesterol.

1. Oats
To obtain maximum results, you have to get used to replace breakfast by
eating oats. According to the study, consumption of two servings of oats
per day may lower bad cholesterol by 5.3 percent in just six weeks. Keep
in mind, oats contain a substance called beta-glucans, which function in
absorbing bad cholesterol.

2. Red wine
Alcohol consumption is not always bad. According to the study, red
grapes used in making red wine has an important effect in regulating
cholesterol levels. Consumption of two glasses of red wine every week is
believed to be of great benefit to your health.

3. Salmon
Salmon is known as the best source of omega-3 fatty acids which play an
important role in keeping cholesterol levels under control and prevent
heart disease and stroke. Some types of fish such as salmon, sardines,
and herring help in raising good cholesterol levels by 4 percent.

4. Nuts and seeds
Monounsaturated fats found in nuts and seeds have a fatty acid molecules
at low and is the best among the three types of fats, polyunsaturated
fats, saturated fats and monounsaturated fats. Adding a menu of nuts in
your diet can help lower cholesterol levels by 8 percent. Black beans,
red beans, or pinto beans are the types that can be consumed to meet a
third of your daily fiber needs.

5. Tea
This is the most popular beverages to scrape the fat. Tea has
antioxidants and less caffeine content than coffee. In a cup of coffee
contains about 135 mg of caffeine, while tea contains only 30 to 40 mg.
The content phytocemical in tea may also help protect the bones. This
compound also acts as a major defense against LDL cholesterol (bad).

6. Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate rich in antioxidants and has a role to reduce
cholesterol. In a study published in the Journal of Hepatology
mentioned, the content of antioxidants in dark chocolate can reduce
damage to blood vessels which in turn can threaten the health of people
with cirrhosis (chronic liver disease). Experts advise to consume 100
grams of dark chocolate every day in helping to reduce the risk of
cardiovascular disease by 21 percent.

7. Spinach
Vegetables are one contains about 13 flavonoid compounds you away from
cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. Some literature mentions, the
consumption of half a cup of vegetables rich in lutein content of this
will keep us from heart attacks.

8. Olive oil (olive oil)
This oil has many health benefits. Monounsaturated fatty acids in these
oils can protect the heart by lowering total cholesterol, triglycerides,
and cholesterol, "bad" or LDL cholesterol, without lowering the good
cholesterol levels.