Benefits of Cucumber : Cucumber For Your Health

1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc.

2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours.

3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance.

4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give off a scent undetectable to humans but drive garden pests crazy and make them flee the area.

5. Looking for a fast and easy way to remove cellulite before going out or to the pool? Try rubbing a slice or two of cucumbers along your problem area for a few minutes, the phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your skin to tighten, firming up the outer layer and reducing the visibility of cellulite. Works great on wrinkles too!!!

6.. Want to avoid a hangover or terrible headache? Eat a few cucumber slices before going to bed and wake up refreshed and headache free. Cucumbers contain enough sugar, B vitamins and electrolytes to replenish essential nutrients the body lost, keeping everything in equilibrium, avoiding both a hangover and headache!!

7. Looking to fight off that afternoon or evening snacking binge? Cucumbers have been used for centuries and often used by European trappers, traders and explores for quick meals to thwart off starvation.

8. Have an important meeting or job interview and you realize that you don�thave enough time to polish your shoes? Rub a freshly cut cucumber over the shoe, its chemicals will provide a quick and durable shine that not only looks great but also repels water.

9. Out of WD 40 and need to fix a squeaky hinge? Take a cucumber slice and rub it along the problematic hinge, and voila, the squeak is gone!

10. Stressed out and don�t have time for massage, facial or visit to the spa? Cut up an entire cucumber and place it in a boiling pot of water, the chemicals and nutrients from the cucumber with react with the boiling water and be released in the steam, creating a soothing, relaxing aroma that has been shown the reduce stress in new mothers and college students during final exams.

11. Just finish a business lunch and realize you don�t have gum or mints? Take a slice of cucumber and press it to the roof of your mouth with your tongue for 30 seconds to eliminate bad breath, the phytochemcials will kill the bacteria in your mouth responsible for causing bad breath.

12. Looking for a �green� way to clean your faucets, sinks or stainless steel? Take a slice of cucumber and rub it on the surface you want to clean, not only will it remove years of tarnish and bring back the shine, but is won�t leave streaks and won�t harm you fingers or fingernails while you clean.

13. Using a pen and made a mistake? Take the outside of the cucumber and slowly use it to erase the pen writing, also works great on crayons and markers that the kids have used to decorate the walls.

Varicose Veins : Causes and How To Prevent Varicose Veins

Varicose veins is a condition where the veins swell and forms a winding stream.

Varicose veins occur because the blood vessel muscle structure are weak and are not strong enough to push blood back into circulation. As a result, blood flow stops and are gathered at the base of the vein, so the veins swell. Then appears blood sedimentation on the vessels.

Well, here are tips to prevent varicose veins

- Give skin sunscreen daily.
- Exercise regularly to get stronger legs and improve blood circulation. Especially exercise for the leg.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Do not cross your legs frequently.
- Move frequently, avoid sitting or standing for long periods.
- Do not wear clothes that are too tight. Avoid high heels.
- If you wear stockings, use elastic ones.
- Eat more fiber to help prevent constipation, which can lead to varicose veins.
- Reduce salt intake.

Assorted Thoughts About the 2010 Dietary Guidelines

In the past week, I've been rooting through the USDA's 2010 Dietary Guidelines (1). Here are a few of my thoughts.

Positive

One of the things I've been enjoying recently is watching health authorities shift away from a nutrient-oriented philosophy in favor of a more food-oriented philosophy. For example, I recently read a nice editorial by Drs. Dariush Mozaffarian and David S. Ludwig (not associated with the USDA) that encapsulates this (2). Here's a quote:

Nutritional science has advanced rapidly, and the evidence now demonstrates the major limitations of nutrient-based metrics for prevention of chronic disease. The proportion of total energy from fat appears largely unrelated to risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or obesity. Saturated fat�targeted by nearly all nutrition-related professional organizations and governmental agencies�has little relation to heart disease within most prevailing dietary patterns. Typical recommendations to consume at least half of total energy as carbohydrate, a nutrient for which humans have no absolute requirement, conflate foods with widely divergent physiologic effects (eg, brown rice, white bread, apples). Foods are grouped based on protein content (chicken, fish, beans, nuts) despite demonstrably different health effects. With few exceptions (eg, omega-3 fats, trans fat, salt), individual compounds in isolation have small effects on chronic diseases. Thus, little of the information found on food labels� �nutrition facts� panels provides useful guidance for selecting healthier foods to prevent chronic disease.

In contrast with discrete nutrients, specific foods and dietary patterns substantially affect chronic disease risk, as shown by controlled trials of risk factors and prospective cohorts of disease end points

Although this approach may seem radical, it actually represents a return to more traditional, time-tested ways of eating. Healthier food-based dietary patterns have existed for generations among some populations.

Tell it! Although he doesn't use the word nutritionism, that's basically what he's arguing against. Dr. Mozaffarian seems to represent the less reductionist school of nutrition, which is a more informed version of what nutrition pioneers such as Sir Edward Mellanby, Dr. May Mellanby, Dr. Weston Price and Sir Robert McCarrison advocated.

Although the 2010 guidelines are too focused on nutrients for my taste, they do spend some time talking about food groups and eating patterns, for example, recommending an increase in the consumption of vegetables, fruit, whole grains and seafood. They also recommend Mediterranean and plant-focused eating patterns. Although I don't think their recommendations quite hit the mark, they do reflect a shift in thinking.

Another thing I enjoyed about the Guidelines is the table on page 12 of chapter 2, which shows just how messed up the average American diet is. The number one source of calories in all age groups is "grain-based desserts". The next five in adults are yeast breads, chicken dishes, soda/sports drinks, alcohol and pizza. To see typical American food habits presented like this just blows me away. They call this the "obesogenic environment"; the idea that we're surrounded by tasty but unhealthy food and situations that favor the consumption of it. I agree.

The Guidelines also contain a surprisingly accurate one-sentence review of the glycemic index literature:

Strong evidence shows that glycemic index and/or glycemic load are not associated with body weight; thus, it is not necessary to consider these measures when selecting carbohydrate foods and beverages for weight management.

Negative

The first problem is the creation of the category "solid fats and added sugars", abbreviated SoFAS. With the creation of this term, they lump pastured butter together with Crisco and Red Hots. If they've been hiding the evidence that pastured butter, virgin coconut oil or red palm oil contribute to heart disease, I'd like to see it so I can stop eating them!

Another problem is their list of recommendations to curb the obesity epidemic. They say:

The current high rates of overweight and obesity among virtually all subgroups of the population in the United States demonstrate that many Americans are in calorie imbalance�that is, they consume more calories than they expend. To curb the obesity epidemic and improve their health, Americans need to make significant efforts to decrease the total number of calories they consume from foods and beverages and increase calorie expenditure through physical activity.

Looks like we have Sherlock Holmes on the case. Now that we have this information, all we have to do is tell overweight people to eat less and they'll be lean again! What's that, they already know and it's not working?? Someone should tell the USDA.

Jokes aside, I do think energy balance is a huge issue, perhaps even the central issue in chronic disease risk in affluent nations. The basic problem is that Americans are eating more calories than is optimal, and they have a very hard time stopping. It's not because they have less willpower than their stoic ancestors, it's because their bodies have decided that overweight/obesity is the new lean, and they defend that higher level of fat mass against changes. Simply telling an overweight person to eat fewer calories, without changing the dietary context, is not very effective in the long term, due to compensatory mechanisms including hunger and increased metabolic efficiency (fewer calories burned for the same muscular exertion).

What does the USDA recommend to lose fat or maintain leanness?

• Count calories. Doesn't work for most people, although I acknowledge that it is physically possible to lose fat (and lean mass) by restricting calories.
• Reduce sweetened beverages. Thumbs up.
• Serve smaller portions. As far as I know, this rests exclusively on very short-term studies that showed that food consumed at a single meal or three is reduced if portion size is smaller. I guess it can't hurt to try it, but I'm not convinced it will have any effect on long-term body fatness. I think restaurant portion sizes have probably increased because people eat more, rather than the other way around, although both could be true.
  
• Eat foods that are less calorie dense. I think vegetables are healthy, but is it because they're less calorie-dense? Why is dietary fat intake generally not associated with obesity if it's the most calorie-dense substance? Why do many people lose body fat eating energy-dense low-carbohydrate diets? Not convinced, but I'm feeling open minded about this one.
• Exercise more and watch less TV. Exercise is good. But don't let it make you hungry, because then you'll eat more!

Overall, I think their recommendations for fat loss are not very satisfying because they don't address the core reasons Americans aren't in energy balance. Eliminating sweetened beverages and exercising are the most solid advice they offered in my opinion. The rest strikes me as wishy-washy advice that's offered because they have to say something.

At one point, they talk about changes in the US diet that have corresponded with the obesity epidemic:

Average daily calories available per person in the marketplace increased approximately 600 calories, with the greatest increases in the availability of added fats and oils, grains, milk and milk products, and caloric sweeteners.

Let me edit that so it's more complete:

Average daily calories available per person in the marketplace increased approximately 600 calories per day, 250 calories of which were actually consumed (USDA and NHANES). Added fats increased, due to a large increase in seed oil intake, but total fat intake remained approximately the same because of a roughly equal decrease in fatty meat and whole milk consumption (USDA and NHANES). Grain intake, predominantly wheat, increased, as did the consumption of refined sweeteners, predominantly high-fructose corn syrup (USDA).

It reads a bit differently once you have a little more information, doesn't it? Animal fat intake declined considerably, and was replaced by seed oils, in parallel with the obesity and diabetes epidemics. Maybe it contributed, maybe it didn't, but why not just be forthright about it? People appreciate honesty.

Conclusion

Although the 2010 USDA Dietary Guidelines show some promising trends, and contain some good information, I hope you can find a better source than the USDA for your nutrition advice.

Facts About Breast Size : Breast Enlargement

The main factors that affect breast size is genetic, which is characterized by production of the estrogen hormones in the body. However, in women with excess body weight, fat deposits also affect the breast size. Excessive production of estrogen cause breast enlargement.

The estrogen hormone is the female sex hormones that affect growth and maintain secondary sex signs of a woman like breasts, and menstrual cycle regulation.

Apart from the natural condition of the body, estrogen production is also affected the lifestyle of modern women. Like the use of contraceptive pills that can increase the estrogen hormones in the body.

In fact, the use of birth control pills in a long term can make the body adapts so it influence the genetic of offspring. Often these hormones affect the daughter�s production of estrogen triggering early puberty.

There are factors that influence breast enlargement.

1. Products containing xenoestrogen.
Xenoestrogen is poison which disrupts hormones that are structurally similar to estrogen. These toxins can be found in plastics, furniture cleaners, car fan, hair dryer, deodorant, cosmetics, and moisturizers.

Xenoestrogen could fool the body as if it is a real hormone and locks estrogen receptor and sends intruding messages to the cell. These vandals messages trigger PMS (pre-menstruation syndrome), mood instability, weight gain, and breast growth.

2. Consumption of dairy products from pregnant cows.
As many as 2/3 cow�s milk on the market was derived from cows that are pregnant. The milking of pregnant cows, especially during the last week of pregnancy, have high estrogen levels. This will affect the levels of estrogen in the body of the consumer.

3. Changes in lifestyle
It affects the metabolism of the body including the metabolism of hormones. Hormones are not effectively excreted will be circulated again in the body. This can trigger the growth of estrogen hormone.

Teeth and Lips Care : How To Take Care of Your Teeth and Lips,Home Remedies

Cleaning teeth with little salt for at least a week will polish your teeth.

Cleaning teeth with a paste of lime and coriander leaves will strengthen your teeth.

Bad breath is prevented by washing your mouth normally with a mixture of radiogram powder and 1-glass of lukewarm water .You have to gargle every morning.

Gargling with a mixture of water and a spoon of honey twice a day will whiten and strengthen your teeth. Brushing with a paste of padam seeds and lime juice will brighten your teeth.

Washing your mouth with a mixture of 2 spoons of lime juice, water and half glass of rose water every morning will cure tooth decay or gum swelling.

Rubbing gums with clean fingers before brushing your teeth will remove deadly germs.

Brushing teeth with a paste of dry lime peel powder and salt will whiten your teeth and help in removing stains.

It is compulsory for you to brush your teeth twice daily, change your brush frequently, choose supple bristled toothbrush and consult a dentist regularly.

Neck Care : How To Take Care of Your Neck

* Always maintain a correct posture and keep the neck straight.

* For your skin care. Clean your skin properly everyday. Remove the dead skin by using a gentle exfoliating scrub.

* Massage the neck area daily with light finger pressure. Use a natural scrubber on your neck daily to keep the lymphatic glands active and also to remove dead skin.Use a low pillow. Neck alignment stays better with low pillows.

* Do not lean over your work table. Work at angles that help you maintain your head straight or sit closer to the table.

* It is recommended not to sleep over a soft bed, while natural sleep. When you are lifting something then use your legs rather than back. This will not put excess strain on your neck.

* The neck should be gently supported during sleeping and not bent or extended.

* Neck exercises can be and should be done whole through the day.

The term good posture does not involve standing tall only, it also means making right use of body parts every time. Avoiding strain should be a part of your life whether you are working, sitting, walking, standing or exercising. A good posture and proper massage techniques will make your muscles stronger and develop a good carriage that is needed to support the neck.

Nail Care : How To Take Care of Your Nails, Home Remedies

Health can be determined by your nail color. Healthy nails are translucent and look a little pinkish because of the blood underneath. Removal of all nail varnish every week and allowing nails for breathing are important.


Coconut Oil and Castor Oil

Nails can be made to shine by massaging coconut oil or warm castor oil on them. You can also apply dry soap to your nail and buff, or you can use lemon peel with the same result.

Healthy Nail Care using Lemon Juice

A cotton-tipped swab moistened in hydrogen-peroxide whiten your nails. Dipping your nails in a mixture of cup of water with one tablespoon of lemon juice is wanted before a nail manicure. Your fingertips are to be inserted in half a lemon and you have to twist you fingers back and front to clean the cuticles and nails.

Finger Massage for Nail Care

Before applying nail varnish, you can apply a base coat of three smooth strokes from the nail bed to the nail tip and then allow to dry before giving a second coat and then a third coat.