Did You Know?

There are a lot of things which we should or shouldn’t do, or can and cannot take when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, especially if you take medication. Below I have outlined what I feel are interesting facts which you may or may not already know.

• An APPLE a day keeps the doctor away. It not only keeps the doctor away researchers now know extracts from the fruit prevent the growth of mammary tumours (Breast cancer affects 46,000 British woman every year).
• A BANANA is high in vitamin B6. It can also ease those between-meals hunger pangs as they help to stabilise blood sugar levels. So instead of that dry cracker biscuit, do yourself a favor reach for a banana, Oh! did I mention having an attack of the Monday morning blue’s no… well they’re good for that to as they help to relieve anxiety and stress.
• A British research team is investigating the compounds in BLACKCURRANTS which they believe reduce the damage done to nerve cells that initiate the progression of Alzheimer’s. Because Blackberries are already known to be packed full of antioxidants this research claim is most probably true.
• The BRAZIL NUT… consuming a small handful 3 or 4 times a week can not only fight against heart disease, and a variety of other conditions it can also protect us against cancer.
• Cutting down on the amount of CALORIES you eat amongst other things, will help make you less likely of developing high blood pressure.
• Researchers at the University Hospital of Cologne have researched that eating 30 calories worth of DARK CHOCOLATE with at least 70% cocoa every day, could reduce blood pressure, cutting the risk of stroke. I have tried this one myself by eating two squares of dark chocolate each day and I can say, hand on heart, that it does work.
• It is believed that excessive ALCOHOL DRINKING is also a main cause of high blood pressure.
• The headache remedy FEVERFEW can increase both blood pressure and heart rate when used with certain migraine drugs.
• A friend of mine swears by FISH oil capsules. She tells me that for many years now she has suffered from slightly raised blood pressure and the taking of these capsules has led to a significant drop in blood pressure.
• It is best to take supplements with FOOD. All vitamin and mineral supplements are better absorbed when taken with food. Digestive enzymes are released making absorption of vitamins that much easier.
• If you suffer from diabetes and you take GARLIC CAPSULES then you should be made aware that it is possible for the capsules to interact with some diabetic medication causing a drop in blood sugar levels.
• GLUCOSAMINE supplements are known to help arthritis sufferers, but did you know if it is taken with anti-clotting drugs (for example warfarin) they may thin the blood that much it could cause excessive bleeding.
• GINSENG should be avoided if you take medication for hypertension as it can cause an increase in blood pressure.
• Eating PISTACHIO NUTS daily may help to reduce the risk of lung cancer as well as other forms of the disease. says Texas research dietician Ladia Hernandez.
• According to new research out of the USA drinking PURPLE grape juice can help prevent heart attacks, angina and strokes. Apparently the drink boosted the nightly dip in blood pressure, giving the heart and veins much needed rest.
• PUMPKIN SEEDS contain calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, the B vitamins, potassium, omega-6 and omega-9 essential fatty acids. These vitamin and minerals are excellent for a healthy prostrate they also help to remove intestinal parasites and are an added bonus to a vegetarian diet.
• Reduce your chances of having a STROKE by more than a third. Yes that’s right. Dr Jacob Sattlemair of a US study report reckons taking regular walks are better than other vigorous forms of exercise to reducing the risk of having a stroke, but it only applies to women.
• Have a sweet tooth? Like a lot of SUGAR in your tea? This can also raise the old blood pressure.
• TEA is a diuretic. The more you drink the more you will need to pee. So if you are a tea drinker never drink it before going to bed.
• Drinking TEA and COFFEE may protect individuals against the most common form of Diabetes, and an extra cup of coffee each day could reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes by 7%.
• VITAMIN A is essential for a healthy scalp. Vitamin A will keep your hair looking at its very best and free from scalp irritation and dandruff.
• My wife and daughter swear by a regular intake of VITAMIN B6 (B.complex), especially during menstruation. Apart from it bringing relief to the nervous system it appears to reduce the intensity of painful and uncomfortable cramps during this time of the month.
• American researchers have found that those people taking more than 500mg (10 times the recommended daily allowance) of VITAMIN C daily may be increasing their risk of hardening of the arteries.
• VITAMIN D is the only vitamin that your body can manufacture by itself with the help of sunshine. For all other vitamins, the body must rely upon outside sources for its intake.
• If you regularly take an iron supplement, then VITAMIN E should not be taken at the same time. Iron seems to destroy the effects of vitamin E before it can get into the body’s system.
• WHITE BREAD can boost our levels of serotonin the all singing, all dancing, happy chemical released by our brain. If you don’t like white try wholemeal bread it does not produce as much serotonin as white but its effects last much longer. Plus wholemeal is packed full of the B vitamin.
• YOGHURT can ease the symptoms of PMS like depression, anxiety, mood swings, and that bloated feeling, it is also rich in calcium and vitamin B. It can be a perfect pick-me up if you sprinkle it with Brazil nuts.