Showing posts with label disease. Show all posts
Showing posts with label disease. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Knowing What Food to Eat And Avoid For Acid Reflux Disease

Acid reflux disease can be an extremely painful condition. For people who live a socially active life and attend frequent parties and gatherings, acid reflux is like a curse as they have to often miss out on the delicacies served because of fear of the acid reflux attacks.

Acid attacks, as the name suggests is the attack of the stomach acids on the esophageal lining. The frequency of such attacks can be extremely damaging for the esophagus because it leads to the formation of scar tissue. If this scar tissue is not able to heal, then it may lead to ulcers and in certain cases even the cancers of the esophagus. Of all the reasons, for acid reflux problem, bad eating habits contribute the most.

Hence, the first point to remember in the treatment of acid reflux is the knowledge of foods to eat and foods to avoid. Acid reflux may require you to create a new meal plan for yourself, giving more places to healthy and nutritious food and say goodbye to some other.

Why Are Some Foods A Problem?

To answer this question, let us first consider what causes acid reflux problem. The food goes into the stomach via the esophagus. Inside the stomach the digestion process begins where the food is acted upon by the digestive enzymes and the hydrochloric acid present in the stomach. The food remains locked inside the stomach by the action of valves that is present at both the ends of the stomach. Due to the acidic environment inside the stomach, sometimes the excess pressure causes the valve to open. This causes the acidic content of the stomach to move out into the esophagus. This condition is known as acid reflux.

It is therefore clear that the more acidic the content of the stomach, the greater will be the pressure on the lower esophageal sphincter valve and hence greater chances of acid reflux. So, to solve the problem of acid reflux, acid forming foods should be avoided.

Common Foods to Avoid for Acid Reflux

Having talked of acidic foods, let us list certain foods in this category that can trigger acid reflux problem. Red meat is one such food. Instead opt for fish that may be great nutrition wise and excellent from health point of view.

One also needs to stop consumption of dairy products. This not only includes milk but also creams, cheese, ice cream, shakes and any other food item that uses dairy. Apart from dairy, chocolates are also a prohibited for people having acid reflux. Food items such as pasta and macaroni should also be avoided. Instead whole grain bread can be used. Low fat yogurt however, seems to have relieved acid reflux in many people. Fruits and vegetables are generally alkaline forming and should be taken in adequate quantities. Tomatoes and tomato based products are yet another thing to be avoided. This includes tomato sauces and even tomato pickles.

It is important to use less oil and spices while preparation of food for acid reflux. There is a direct relation between acid reflux and obesity. People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from acid reflux problem. Hence foods rich in carbohydrate and fat content should also be avoided.

Picking the Right Food to Eat For Acid Reflux

Picking the right food to eat for acid reflux can be bothering especially for people who are very choosy about their food habits. But where there is will, there's always a way. Using a little bit of imagination and creativity one can still find replacements for his/her favorite foods. For example, instead of opting for a scoopful of ice cream for dessert, one can go in for fruit salad combined with whipped low fat yogurt.

Not all foods can cause acid reflux problem to everyone. The condition varies from person to person. While some may get acid attack immediately after eating a bar of chocolate, the other person may not. One has to try and observe if a particular variety of food is causing acid reflux.

You may have to give up on your favorite hotdog or beef corn sandwich while dealing with problems of acid reflux. Choosing healthier means of cooking such as baking and grilling also is an advantage. Frying can not only destroy the nutritional value of the foods but can also be bad for acid reflux.

On the other hand fruits like pineapple, banana and apple are known to absorb the extra acid from the stomach and prevent acid reflux. Similarly vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower are alkaline forming and can prevent symptoms of acid reflux.

Monday, March 8, 2010

High Sugar Meals Lead to Future Disease, Not Just Obesity


Image : http://www.flickr.com


A new study shows that eating meals with high sugar content causes the release of damaging substances into the blood. Parents should take special note since many kids are eating high sugar meals and snacks several times a day. This behavior is setting the stage for a lifetime of chronic disease problems.

It’s all about the burn

All foods have a ‘glycemic index’, which is a measure of how fast the body burns the food to turn it into fuel. Foods with a lot of simple sugars burn very quickly while foods high in fiber and complex carbohydrates burn very slowly.

High glycemic foods that burn very quickly cause blood sugar to rise fast. The body reacts to this rise in blood sugar by releasing a large dose of insulin to drive the blood sugar back down. This is the reason for the ‘energy crash’ that you feel after eating a high glycemic meal.

Low glycemic foods that burn very slowly cause blood sugar to rise gently at a controllable rate. This way the body does not need to take drastic measures to keep blood sugar under control. You feel a smoother level of energy after a low glycemic meal and don’t feel the crash a couple hours after eating like you do with the high glycemic meal.

The danger of your personal reactor

The energy spike and crash that you feel after a high glycemic meal is because the body uses blood sugar as the primary source of fuel to make an ‘energy molecule’ called ATP. However, the production of ATP is somewhat dangerous because it also leaks other molecules called ‘free radicals’, which in turn cause ‘oxidative-stress’.

Oxidative stress can be very damaging to your cells and if left unchecked this damage leads to chronic diseases like heart disease, some cancers and even depression. The damage caused accumulates in your body in places like your arteries, heart, lungs and brain and slowly leads to chronic degenerative illness.

Luckily, our bodies have mechanisms to keep free radical damage and oxidative stress under control. We have proteins that actually capture the free radicals and ‘neutralize’ them so that they are no longer dangerous. However, to function properly, this system requires the anti-oxidants you get from fruits and vegetables and multi-vitamin supplements.

It’s similar to the dangers involved in using nuclear energy. This is an incredibly efficient energy source as long as nothing goes wrong. If the nuclear reactor over-heats then trouble can happen. The same happens with ATP production. When blood sugar levels are high, ATP production goes into high gear and free radical release gets out of control. High glycemic meals kick up ATP production.

It has been known for some time that eating high glycemic meals leads to oxidative stress and a new study in the July 2006 issue of The Journal of Clinical Nutrition validates that by actually measuring signs of oxidative stress in the blood after eating both low and high glycemic meals. The study found a strong relationship between the glycemic index of the meal and the level of oxidative stress markers in the blood after the meal. High glycemic meals caused high levels of oxidative stress.

Why is this important? It means that high glycemic meals that our kids eat all the time are causing damage that will likely lead to chronic degenerative disease when they are adults. Especially when you couple this with the fact that most kids do not get the anti-oxidant protection that they need from eating several portions of fruits and vegetables. It’s a double whammy; increased damage and decreased protection.

Damage control

What types of foods are causing this damage? There are many common kid’s foods that are very high on the glycemic index scale. For starters, high-sugar breakfast cereals, waffles and pancakes with lots of syrup and white toast with jam are very high glycemic foods. It’s not just sugary meals that are the problem. Foods made primarily from refined grains and white flour are just as bad. Things like white bread, macaroni and cheese, crackers and hotdog buns.

You can go a long way in protecting your kids current and future health by switching to whole grain cereals and breads and getting more fruits and vegetables into their diet. This is common sense stuff that people have known for a long time.

My hope in writing this article is that understanding a little more about the reason why ‘healthy foods’ are so necessary will help motivate people to act. Just picture in your head little pick axes circulating through your kids blood every time they eat these high glycemic meals and perhaps that will help you help them make better choices.

To be realistic, food choices are all about balance. It’s not going to kill you to eat poorly every now and then. You just need to understand that it’s all about risk. The more you or your kids make poor eating choices the more damage you are allowing to accumulate and the higher your risk will be for problems later in life. Act now to instill thoughtful food choice in your kid’s behavior.

A proud moment I want to end with a brief story. Last week my 9-year old son came to work with me and we had lunch in our small cafeteria. The menu choices that day were a turkey sandwich, pepperoni pizza, soups and a salad bar. I told him he could have whatever he wanted and I was very happy when he chose the salad bar. It’s not that he doesn’t like pizza or turkey sandwiches but he made a healthy choice on his own because he really likes salad.

A year ago, he hated everything ‘green’. My wife and I just kept putting a small amount of vegetables on his dinner plate and offering salad when we had it. We did not force him to eat this stuff but just kept offering it. Eventually he started to eat more and more and realized that he likes salad. Now both my kids love a wide variety of steamed vegetables and eat all kinds of fruits on a regular basis.

Kids don’t like a lot of foods when they are very young but experts have told us to just keep offering them. Eventually they will come around. Otherwise, they will grow up eating fast food for the rest of their life and be robbed of good health in there older years. Please do not rob your kids of this. Give them the greatest gift you can, their health.

Copyright 2006 Simon Evans

Friday, February 12, 2010

High sugar content of the disease Meals Lead in the future, not just overweight

A new study shows that consumption of food high in sugar leads to the release of harmful substances in the blood. Parents should take special note, because many children high sugar meals and snacks several times a day. This behavior is the stage for a lifetime of problems of chronic diseases.

This is the process of writing

All foods have a "glycemic index" which is a measure of how quickly the body burns the food that is in the fuel line. Foods with a lot of simple sugarsburn very rapidly, while foods rich in fiber and complex carbohydrates to burn very slowly.

High-glycemic foods that burn very fast rise in blood sugar levels cause rapid. The body reacts to this increase in blood sugar by releasing a large dose of insulin to drive the level of sugar in the blood back. This is the reason for the crash "energy" you feel after eating a meal high in GI.

Low glycemic foods that cause blood sugar to increase very slowly burn care at a speed controllable. In this wayThe body does not need to take drastic measures to take to keep blood sugar levels under control. They feel a uniform level of energy after a low glycemic food and not feel the crash a few hours after eating, like you, with a high glycemic meal.

The risk of personal reactor

The peak energy and block that you are after a high glycemic meal, blood sugar because the body is used as the primary source of fuel for a molecule of "energy" required to make ATP. However, the production of ATP isa bit 'dangerous because the losses and other molecules called free radicals, which in turn of "oxidative stress".

Oxidative stress can be very damaging to cells and has not discovered the damage leads to chronic diseases such as heart disease, some cancers and even depression. The damage accumulates in the body in places such as the arteries, heart, lungs and brain and leads to slow chronic degenerative diseases.

Fortunately, our bodies have mechanisms to maintainFree radical damage and oxidative stress under control. There are proteins that actually captures the free radicals and "neutralize" so that they are no longer dangerous. However, at work, this system requires that the anti-oxidants in fruit and vegetables, and multi-vitamin supplements.

E 'similar to hazards in the use of nuclear energy. This is an incredibly powerful source of energy, until it goes wrong. When the reactor over-heats thenDifficulties that may occur. The same happens with the production of ATP. When blood sugar is high, the production of ATP is in full swing and the release of free radicals out of control. Eating high glycemic kicks ATP production.

It is known that the consumption of foods with high glycemic results of oxidative stress and a new study in the July 2006 Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirmed by measuring the actual signs of oxidative stress in blood after a meal at low and highglycemic meals. The study found a strong relationship between the glycemic index of a meal and the degree of oxidative stress markers in the blood after eating. High glycemic foods cause high oxidative stress.

Why is it so important? This means that eating high-glycemic meals that our kids all the time cause damage, which probably can lead to chronic degenerative diseases, when they become adults. Especially when you couple this with the fact that most children do not get theantioxidant protection that they need to eat more servings of fruits and vegetables. This is a double whammy, the greatest damage has been reduced and security.

Damage Control

What types of foods that cause this damage? There are many common foods guy, which is very high on the glycemic index scale. For starters, there are breakfast cereals, high sugar, waffles and pancakes with plenty of syrup and toast with jam foods with high glycemic index much. It's not just sugary foods that areIssue. Foods that are mainly of refined grains and flour as bad. Things like white bread, pasta and cheese, crackers and hotdog buns.

Much can be done to protect the current health and future of your children, to make the switch to whole grain bread and fruit and vegetables in their diet. This is common sense, things that humans have been known for some time.

My hope in writing this article is that understanding a little 'more aboutBecause "healthy foods" are so necessary to help motivate people to act. Imagine in your head a little 'picks blood circulating through your children every time they eat high glycemic meals and maybe that will help you make better decisions.

Be, all decisions about food are equilibrium realistic. Will not kill you to eat badly and then. Enough to understand that's it for the risk. The more you or your children make poor food choicesgreatest damage is collected and increases the higher your risk for problems later in life. Act now to give the thought of food choice in the behavior of your children.

A proud moment, let me conclude with a brief history. Last week my 9-year-old son came to work with me and we had lunch in our little shop 'of coffee. The selection of menus that day was a turkey sandwich, pepperoni pizza, soups and a salad buffet. I told him that was what he wanted, and I was very happy when he wantedthe salad bar. It's not that he does not like pizza or turkey sandwich, but has made a healthy choice at your own salad, because I really want.

A year ago, he hated everything "green." My wife and I moved a small amount of vegetables on your plate with salad, if we had them. We did not force them to eat the stuff, but still single provider. Lastly, he began increasingly to eat and he realized that he likes the salad. Now, the twoMy children love of a variety of steamed vegetables and eat all kinds of fruit at regular intervals.

Children do not like a lot of food when they are very young, but experts have told us, just continue with them. Finally, come around. Otherwise, they grow up fast food for the rest of their lives and health, there are no more years. Please do not rob your children of them. Give them the greatest gift possible, their health.

Copyright 2006 Simon Evans

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Knowing what foods to eat and avoid for acid reflux disease


Image : http://www.flickr.com


Acid reflux disease can be an extremely painful condition. For people who have active social lives and often live at parties and gatherings, acid reflux is like a curse, because they were often used by food because of fear of attacks of acid reflux.

Acid attacks, as the name suggests, is attack the stomach mucosa of the esophagus. The frequency of these attacks can be extremely harmful to the esophagus, because it leads to scarringTissues. If these scars are not healing in a position, then there can be ulcers, and in some cases, cancer of the esophagus. Of all the reasons for acid reflux problem, bad eating habits contribute more.

Therefore, remember the first step for treating acid reflux, is the knowledge of eating food and avoiding food. Acid reflux can you ask for a meal again to create for themselves, so that more sites of healthy and nutritious food and to leave someother.

Why some foods a problem?

To answer this question, we must first look at what causes acid reflux problems. The food goes into the stomach through the esophagus. In the stomach, digestion begins where the food is done by the digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The food remains in the stomach by the action of the valves is blocked at both ends of the stomach. Thanks for the acidic stomachsometimes the pressure opens the valve. The acidity of the stomach is moving into the esophagus. This condition is known as acid reflux.

It 'so obvious that the more acidic stomach contents of the "greater pressure on lower esophageal sphincter valve and thus a greater chance of acid reflux. So, the problem of acid reflux, acid-forming foods should be avoided.

Foods to Avoid for AcidReflux

After talking to acidic foods, try to list some foods in this category, which can cause problems with acid reflux. Red meat is one such food. Instead of fish, the great sage and good nutrition from the standpoint of health.

They must also stop the consumption of dairy products. These include not only milk but also cream, cheese, ice cream, shakes and other food item is one that uses dairy products. In addition to milk, chocolate is also prohibited for people with acidReflux. Foods like pasta and pasta, should also be avoided. Can be used instead of bread. Low fat yogurt acid reflux, however, it seems easier for most people. Fruits and vegetables are generally alkaline forming and should be included in sufficient quantity. Tomatoes and tomato products have yet another thing to avoid. These include tomato sauces and even tomato and cucumber.

It 'important to use less oil and spices, while preparing meals for the acid --Reflux. There is a direct relationship between acid reflux and obesity. People who are overweight tend to suffer from acid reflux problems. Content Therefore, foods rich in carbohydrates and fats should be avoided.

The choice of eating the right foods for acid reflux

Choosing the right foods to eat for acid reflux can interfere, especially for people who are very picky about their food choices. But where there is a will, there's always a way. With a little 'fantasy andCreativity can be still found a replacement for his favorite dishes. For example, instead of a shovel can be used for ice cream for dessert, we go for the fruit salad with whipped cream with low fat yogurt in touch.

Not all foods are capable of acid reflux problem for everyone. The condition varies from person to person. While some may have acid attack immediately after eating to get a chocolate bar for the other person is. You must try to see if a particular type of food causesacid reflux.

You can give up your favorite hot dog or sandwich, corn beef, while dealing with problems of acid reflux. The election means healthy cooking such as baked or grilled fish is also an advantage. Fry can destroy not only the nutritional value of foods, but can also occur if the acid reflux bad.

On the other hand known fruits such as pineapple, bananas and apples are to absorb the extra acid from the stomach and prevent acid reflux. Even vegetables such as broccoli,Cabbage, cauliflower are alkaline forming and can prevent symptoms of acid reflux.