6 Vegetables That Lower High Blood Pressure

6 Vegetables that Lower High Blood Pressure
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High Blood Pressure - High Blood Pressure 2012

Written by Frank Mangano

Sunday, 19 August 2012 19:36

High blood pressure, or hypertension as it is known in the medical world, is one of the major risk factors for a heart disease. But there is more to high blood pressure than we know it. There are a lot of complications associated with the condition which could ultimately leave us incapacitated, debilitated and with a very poor quality of life. Unfortunately, high blood pressure can go unnoticed for years and years. This may go on without you experiencing any symptom or seeing any sign. Uncontrolled blood pressured level is the source of other health problems, but once hypertension is detected early, lifestyle changes, dietary intervention and other forms of treatment may be employed to help control the condition and then significantly reduce one’s chances of developing life-threating complications. The Dangers of High Blood Pressure Uncontrolled high blood pressure levels affect the many different organs and tissues in the body. In order for you to know the extent of damage which can result from hypertension, here is a brief outline of what it can actually do to your body: It can damage your arteries. Arteries act as conduits, or channels, where blood flows from the heart to other organs in the body. These arteries are strong and flexible with elastic properties. Increased pressure within the walls of the arteries may damage the walls, cause inflammation and then consequently harden it. The hardening of the walls of the arteries is medically termed as arteriosclerosis. Over time, fatty deposits may form a plug on the arteries, blocking the normal flow of blood to the different body organs. This may deprive the organs of their much-needed blood supply. When this goes on for a long period of time, tissues of the organs distal to the blockage may die. It can damage your heart. Remember that arteries are present in the heart. When heart arteries are affected, the heart could no longer properly perform its function of pumping blood to reach the different body parts. As a result, the heart has to work extra hard to ensure that blood reaches the farthest points of your body. This could enlarge the heart, and when it becomes too overworked, heart failure may occur. It can damage your brain. The brain needs its blood supply too, and the lack of blood supply to the brain caused by damaged blood vessels may lead to conditions such as impairments in cognition, dementia, transient ischemic attack (TIA) and stroke. These conditions oftentimes affect a person’s quality of life. It can damage your kidneys. Your kidneys play a very important role in maintaining your health. It filters out toxic waste materials and flushes it out of the body. Failure to do so may cause your body to be filled with poisonous materials. Imagine what can happen if your blood vessels had been damaged because of high blood pressure. Your kidneys will not be able to serve its purpose well. As a result, kidney failure and kidney scarring may occur. It can damage your eyes. Your eyes are made up of tiny, delicate blood vessels, and high blood pressure can cause damage to these vessels. Because of this, retinopathy, nerve damage and fluid build-up may result. What Can You Do? High blood pressure is not a death sentence. With the proper treatment and the right lifestyle changes, it can be controlled. The key to a successful treatment program is to know what works for you. Go natural. This way, you are left in no doubt that you are safe from side and adverse effects of synthetically-made medications. Look at your vegetable garden. Mother Nature has provided us with a bounty of blessings which are good for our health. If you don’t have a garden, do not pass up on these vegetables the next time you are looking for fresh and organic produce. Celery The medical director of the Hypertension Institute of Nashville and the Doctors of Traditional Medicine recommends eating at least 4 stalks of celery daily because it helps lower high blood pressure levels. Celery is said to contain phthalides, a phytochemical which promotes relaxation of the muscle tissues in the walls of the artery, allowing blood to flow smoothly and thereby lowering one’s blood pressure. Broccoli Broccoli, along with spinach, cabbage, arugula, collard greens and kale, are considered to be a part of the family of leafy greens. They are rich in nutrition and are high in iron and vitamins A and C. Broccoli is power-packed with magnesium, calcium, potassium and fiber – nutrients which all help lower blood pressure. They also possess a natural form of nitrites – compounds which help promote the relaxation of blood vessels thereby helping reduce heart strain and ultimately lowering high blood pressure levels. Leafy greens are very easy to incorporate in one’s daily diet as they can be utilized as salads, as well as in main and side dishes. Eat at least one serving of broccoli per day. Winter Squash Winter squash is packed with fiber and beta-carotene. Not only is this vegetable good for the eyes, it happens to be good for your heart too. Beets Beets are packed with nutrition. It also contains high levels of potassium, manganese and folate. These are nutrients which are essential for the proper functioning of the heart. Beet root is very nutritious, but its greens are also good for the heart as well. Peas Green peas are rich in vitamins and fiber which helps promote a healthy heart. A study revealed that yellow garden peas contain a protein that helps in lowering high blood pressure levels while reducing the strain in our kidneys. Sweet Potatoes Sweet potatoes are loaded with antioxidants and fiber. Fiber helps “sweep off” bad cholesterol which could just be the cause of fatty deposits while the antioxidants help fight off the negative effects of free radicals in the body by neutralizing them. Free radicals are the by-products of the oxidative processes inside the body. Aside from that, sweet potatoes are also rich in vitamin A. Sources gardeningchannel.com health.yahoo.net mayoclinic.com

Hydrating: An Important Part of Training

5 Foods to Eat to Prevent Dehydration
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Dehydration - Dehydration 2012

Written by Frank Mangano

Wednesday, 30 May 2012 03:01

Master Fitness 21 GX-21 Group Fitness Two-thirds of the earth is covered with water. Almost 75% percent of the human body is composed with the same substance. So if you ask if water is important, then there is no doubt about it. The way that it makes up the most of the earth and how much the body is composed of it proves that water is essential for man’s survival. We can live for days and a week without eating, but we cannot last a day without drinking water. Since antiquity, water has been regarded as a symbol of purity and devotion. However, recent technological changes have exploited, abused and contaminated our waters. If this continues, not only will we lose our marine life, but we might not have anything clean to drink anymore. An average body of an adult contains up to 42 liters of water. A little lack of water, approximately 2.7 liters, man can immediately suffer from dehydration. In the book “Your body’s Many Cries For Water”, Dr. F. Batmanghelidj wrote an essay about the vital role of water in a water “starved” society. He says that since water affects cell function, the deficiency in water intake can affect cell efficiency activity, and cause chronic dehydration as a result. Dehydration is a condition in which the amount of water lost in the body exceeds the amount that you take in. The body is dynamic and ever changing, we lose water everyday through the water vapor we release by exhaling as well as through urine, stool and sweat. As such, a person has to take a specific amount of water in a normal day to replace the loss of water and avoid dehydration. A person has to generally drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day and may increase depending on the environment temperature and body weight, heavier people need more amount of water a day. Master Fitness GX-21 Causes of dehydration come from too much water loss or lack of water intake. Sweating to cool one’s self can cause huge amounts of water loss, whether it is due to a hot environment, intense physical activity or due to fever. It can also be due to diarrhea or vomiting where we expel many fluids. Diabetes and burns are also causes. The inability to drink due to impairment or lack of availability of water will also endanger one of dehydration. When the body feels dehydrated, its initial reaction is either thirst to be able to drink water, or decrease urine outflow to conserve body fluids, however, the urine will become more concentrated and yellow in color. Signs and symptoms become more evident the more water loss increases. Signs of dehydration include lightheadedness, dry mouth, heart palpitations, weakness, decreased urine production, no sweating and no tears come out. Eventually, if dehydration remains untreated, it can become a cause of coma and death. Due to the increasing popularity and demand of sodas and artificial flavored waters, pure water becomes less and less appealing to us. However, CNN.com reports that there are foods that contain fluids to fight dehydration. Most of the foods richest in water are vegetables and fruits. Taking water, together with fruits and vegetables, will definitely steer you away from dehydration. Cucumber Cucumber is a vegetable rich of many nutrients that contain seeds, water and huge amounts of vitamin C. The low caloric production of cucumbers makes it ideal for dieters, containing only 13 calories per cup. Cucumbers are also filled with water that eating it generates hydration levels more than that of plain water consumption. It also contains minerals that help combat dehydration like potassium, magnesium, calcium and sodium. In addition, cucumber contains vitamin C and dietary fibers that help regulate the digestive system. Cantaloupe Like cucumber, cantaloupe is very nutrient packed yet contains low calories. Just taking a cup of cantaloupe gives you the 100 percent daily recommended intake for Vitamin A and C. Almost 15 percent of your daily recommended intake for potassium is also contained in cantaloupes, which helps in reducing your risk for dehydration. Being a water-rich food, it only lacks 2 percent of the water content from the most watery fruit of all, the watermelon. The impressive amount of beta-carotene and vitamin C contained in cantaloupe can also help in preventing many degenerative diseases. It can also help in water retention especially for pregnant women. Watermelon There is a significant reason why there is “water” in the name watermelon. Eating a watermelon directly or reducing it into watermelon juice can give you both its high liquid and high nutrient content. Watermelon juice contains 92 percent of water. It also contains vitamins rich with anti-oxidants, Vitamins A, B1, B6 and C. It also contains lycopene, a phytonutrient containing properties of antioxidants that help combat risks of developing cancer, macular degeneration and eye diseases. Watermelon juice also contains potassium, a nutrient that regulates the water balance of the cells and kidneys. Feel free to splurge on watermelons! They only contain 48 calories a cup. Grapes A little less than water melon, grapes is 80 percent water and only contains 60 calories, making it a delectable snack and dessert. It is practically obvious how water-rich grapes are. What is not is its nutrient content. It contains 5 to 21 percent of Vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and K. Together with watermelon and cantaloupe, it also contains potassium that regulate body water balance. Grapes are also known to contain resveratrol, an antioxidant that is known to reduce cancer risk. Tomatoes Eating tomatoes raw and fresh is the best way to acquire its water-rich content, which 95 percent of its mass is accounted for. It contains impressive amount of lycopene that can only found in tomato-based foods which helps in reducing risk of cancer. 3 to 5 ounces of tomatoes makes up of 22 percent of vitamin C’s recommended daily intake, making it great for skin health. Sources laleva.cc medicinenet.com webmd.com ehow.com juicing-for-health.com voices.yahoo.com livestrong.com foodreference.com

Five Steps To a Younger You!!!

5 Steps To Looking 10 Years Younger

By Steve & Becky Holman

Did you know that once you hit 40 years of age, whether you're a man or a women, your body starts aging FASTER than normal? Studies have shown that without the proper nutrients and exercise, your body will age about 6 months EXTRA for every year that passes. Think about that! If you are 40, that means by the time you hit 44 you will LOOK and FEEL 48. And by the time you reach 60, you will LOOK and FEEL 70 YEARS OLD! We see this every day... just look around you.

Did you know that 90% of people over the age of 35 lose enough muscle every year to burn off an additional 4 pounds of body fat? That means you not only lose the only thing on your body that creates shape, tone, and strength—you also gain more fat every year, even if your calories stay the same.

Did you know that all of this is reversible at any age? That there are specific ways to move, eat, and think that tell your brain to STOP this rapid aging process... and even SLOW IT DOWN to the point where you're aging less than a year for every year? That means you can look younger at 40 than you do at 35... or if you're like Becky and I, younger at 50+ than we did at 40!

This is not fantasy talk. This does not require a boatload of anti-aging drugs, supplements, or gimmicks. And, this works for anyone, male or female, and works at any age. 35, 45, 55, 65, 75... you name it. The biology is exactly the same.

My years as editor-in-chief at Iron Man Magazine have allowed me to peer into the secret routines of the anti-aging experts. Over the years, both Becky and I have picked up SO many tips, tricks, and strategies that have allowed us to literally reverse the aging process, at least from a cellular level. That means our body's look, feel, and MOVE younger than our chronological age.

We've taught this System to countless men and women over the years, and it always begins with these 5 key principles you must apply in order to STOP the rapid onset of aging that's going on right now, reverse it, and begin "aging backwards" by restoring your body's natural youth hormones.

That said, we have to warn you: What you are about to hear may go against all the conventional diet and exercise advice you've been hearing. That's because the world has, to be utterly frank, gone soft! "Core training", hot yoga, spin classes, tai chí all of these are just fine, but they won't slow your aging, and they certainly will never shape your muscles or burn off stubborn body fat. No way!

These 5 steps reveal the things you absolutey MUST AVOID if you want to slow the aging process, reclaim your health, and achieve your ideal body.

What you need is a splash of cold water, a touch of Old School, and the honest truth. Sound good? Let's dive in!

Step 1: Forget Low-Fat Diets

Low fat everything has been the craze now for decades and look around. What has that wonderful bit of advice done for the bodies you see? We're fatter, sicker, and more addicted to sugar and carbs than any other time in history. And, we're passing these habits to our kids.

Fats are not to be feared – they're to be embraced. They do not make you fat; rather, they help your body regenerate your power hormones. Testosterone, the 'strength' hormone, for example, is the direct result ofcholesterol and dietary fat intake. That's right: "Cholesterol" isn't a dirty word! Your body needs dietary fat and cholesterol in order to produce ANY AND ALL vital hormones.

People on low fat diets look drawn, gaunt, and weak. They are often sick, sometimes to the point of literally breaking down. And, they can never just enjoy eating out. Every meal and every gram must be accounted for. Do you really think this will make you younger? Of course not... it will worry you to death if it doesn't kill you first!

Step 2: Stop Spinning: You're Just Spinning Your Wheels

Spinning classes can be fun, if you like sitting in one place and torturing yourself. But have you noticed how little people change their bodies in these classes? Sure, it's good "cardio", but cardiovascular conditioning can be gained with far less time and effort.

Spinning, and any form of endurance training (especially running) does very little to help the age reversal process. Many times, these long-duration exercise bouts accelerate the aging process by increasing free radicals. These free radicals are scavengers that prey on your body's essential nutrients and tissues.

There's a smart way to exercise... we'll cover that in a minute. And, what's wonderful is that it takes you about ¼ the time of traditional workouts. We'll cover more details on the next page. 

Step 3: Stop Blaming Everything On How Old You Are

The guys to the left are not fat because they are old—they're fat because they eat, think, and move like a fat, old, dying person! Becky and I are both in our 50s—older than the guys in this photo—and I still sport a nice six-pack, and Becky transformed her body from the typical "middle age mom" to a slim, toned, and super-sexy woman who looks 10 years younger. (See the next page for photos!)

Listen: Your body doesn't own a clock. Studies have shown that men and women in their 90s were able to gain muscle tone in just a matter of weeks of simple weight training. I've personally seen men and women transform their physiques at literally all ages—25 to 95!

If you're around those naysayers who are constantly talking about growing old, all their aches and pains, and how life is just down hill after 40—LEAVE! Surround yourself with positive thinkers who absolutely crave a challenge. A challenge is what keeps you YOUNG, and the best challenge there is happens to be taking control of your health and body.

We'll show you HOW we do that on the next page.

Step 4: Avoid Chronic Dehydration

Water isn't just "good for you" — water burns fat. Water suppresses hunger. Water renews your skin. Just drinking 12 ounces of pure water every day can take a few years off your face in a matter of weeks. You'll also drop fat, have more energy, and save your kidneys and liver from chronic overwork.

When your kidneys are taxed from too little water, your liver has to take over. Now, get this: Your liver is your number one fat-burning organ. Do you REALLY want it processing liquids and toxins rather than BURNING FAT? No way, right? Well, grab a glass of water, and watch the mirror. Within a few weeks, the change to your face and body will be noticeable.

Step 5: Work Out LESS (Yes, Less)

If you don't work out at all, you're going to lose muscle tissue every year. That means you'll get fatter and flabbier each and every year with less shape and more sag. Is this what you desire? No way, right?

Well, the answer is old school resistance training. Here's the secret: hardly anyone is doing it right!

Becky and I have seen literally thousand of pro fitness athletes train over the years. The ones who looked the best — and that means looked the youngest, most toned, and had the least amount of unwanted fat — were the ones who left the gym while others were still warming up!

Over the past decade, Becky and I have developed a men and women's workout system that we call F4X Training System. This is a revolutionary way of combining four specific exercises done in literally a matter of minutes. That's ALL YOU NEED... And don't let anyone tell you otherwise!

That's right: We do not do endless cardio sessions (the F4X Training System is a great cardiovascular workout) and we do not spend an hour a day in the gym. We have a life, thank you. We have kids, and we value being both fit and real people at the same time. The F4X Training System was our personal breakthrough to achieving our ideal bodies, staying in tip-top shape with minimal time, and having a life outside a gym.

WARNING: THIS IS NOT FOR EVERYONE!

We're not going to lie to you: The F4X System is definitely not for everyone. For example:

• If you enjoy spending an hour a day working out, this is NOT for you (and good luck with those free radicals!)
• If you think you can "spin" or run your way to a younger, time-changing body, have at it... this is not for you.
• And, if you are not prepared to work very, very hard for a very short period of time, this is not for you.

We're not going to lie: F4X is hard work — anything that produces this kind of radical age-defying result will never be a walk in the park.

However, it's FAST it's EFFICIENT and it's SAFE. Fair enough? Hey, if you're looking for an EASY way out, then Google "Pipedream Workout" and maybe you'll get lucky. If you want results that have stood the test of DECADES, then read on.

You MUST be okay with brief bouts of old-school-style hard work. If you are, here's a routine you've never seen before, AND you will get in and out of the gym in RECORD time.

"So, what do I do next?"

If you are really ready to get started on our exact Old School, New Body System that features our F4X Training Program, the OSNB Ageless Nutrition Plan, and all of our anti-aging secrets and protocols, then click the button below and we'll take you to the next page.

On the very next page, we'll let you in on the specifics of our System, and how you can get started within less than 30 minutes from now.