walnut

Via: NaturalNews

The demands on a woman’s body during pregnancy often leave her feeling depleted, physically and emotionally. Depression is common among pregnant women. Concerns have been raised about possible harm from antidepressants which might affect both mother and child. Mothers-to-be and their health care providers often look for other choices than pharmaceuticals.

Researchers at China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan noted a possible reason why many women experience depression during pregnancy, reports Reuters Health. Depression is often associated with lower levels of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs).

Dr. Kuan-Pin Su and colleagues presented their findings in the April issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry. Dr. Su supplemented subjects’ diets with 3.4 grams Omega-3 each day. Control subjects received an olive oil derived placebo. At 6 and 8 week follow up testing, the Omega-3 receiving women scored lower on depression measuring scales than the placebo group. These scores indicated less depression. Two thirds of the women consuming the PUFAs showed significant improvement, the study said, compared with 27 per cent of the control group. Many became free from depression altogether.

The best news came when researchers noted the absence of negative effects on either mothers or their newborn babies. A few mothers experienced minor stomach upset the first few days while their systems got used to the new substances.

Many pregnant women are deficient in a variety of nutrients, including Omega-3 PUFAs. In an effort to provide for the baby’s needs, a woman may lose 3 percent of her brain mass during the last trimester. This loss is thought to be responsible for postpartum depression. The diminished supply of Omega-3 PUFAs can have far-reaching effects on both mother and baby beyond perinatal and postpartum depression. Deficiencies in these PUFAs can lead to pre-eclampsia, prematurity, and low birth weight babies.

The American Chronicle reports that Omega-3s consumed during pregnancy are also beneficial for the baby. EPA and DHA, components of Omega-3 oils, make up nearly 70 percent of the developing baby’s brain, nervous system, and the retinal tissue of the eyes. The article summarizes findings presented in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

The need for these PUFAs, the article goes on to say, begins even before conception. Omega-3 oils are required to produce healthy and vigorous eggs and sperm.

The Chronicle article suggests salmon and fish oil as good sources for these essential Omega-3 oils. Yet, there are concerns about mercury contamination in fish, points out an article from Reuters Health. The solution recommended by the researchers: avoid farm raised fish and large long-lived fish like swordfish and tuna. They also call for lowering levels of environmental contamination with mercury. Over-all these researchers suggest that mothers-to-be should eat at least two servings a week of fish lower in mercury.

According to The World’s Healthiest Foods Omega oils are best absorbed from whole foods. If you choose to use supplements: “remember that these oils are highly sensitive to damage from heat, light and oxygen. Choose a certified organic product that has been refrigerated and is packaged in a dark brown or green glass jar and be sure to store the product in your refrigerator or freezer.”

Nutrition Data gives a comprehensive list of food sources for Omega oils. Most of those listed at the top are concentrated oils, fats, and salad dressings, beginning with flax seed oil. Within the top ten, these concentrated oils begin to be interspersed among food sources:

• Whole flax seed appears first among the actual food sources with 22,813 milligrams per 100 grams –- far above the others.
• The next highest source from food: chia seeds with 17,552 milligrams per 100 grams.
• Foods following these include English walnuts (9,079) and butternuts (8,719). Black walnuts offer 2,006 and beechnuts contain 1700 milligrams per 100 grams. Toppings of nuts in syrup (2,420) and pecans (1031) are also on the chart.
• Surprisingly high on the list we find familiar spices like clove (4,279), oregano (4,180), marjoram (3,230), and tarragon (2,955). Other spices offering more than 1 gram in 100 grams of mass include: Spearmint (2,792); yellow mustard seed (2,680); basil (1509); saffron (1,248); sage (1,230); rosemary (1076), and bay leaf (1050). Of course, we do not use these in large quantities, but we see how they can add more than flavor to our meals.
• Fish are numerous at the top of this list. Among the fishes we first encounter caviar (6,789) and mackerel (5,134). Finally, at number 58, we come to Atlantic native red sockeye salmon with skin, which has received so much press, weighing in at 2,865 milligrams per hundred grams of fish. These are followed by another variety of mackerel (2,670), shad (2,649), wild Atlantic salmon (2,586; farmed – 2,260; canned – 1,480), herring (2,418 and kippered – 2,365), and sardines (1,480). Note that varieties and sources for the same species of fish can have widely differing amounts of nutrients.
• Among soy foods we find: tofu dried (2,024) and fried (1,346); roasted soybeans (1,694); soy flour (1,458); and raw soybeans (1,330).
• These are the stellar sources which offer more than one percent of their substance as Omega-3 oils. Many other foods are considered good sources, even with a lower density of the nutrient. The World’s Healthiest Foods recommends cauliflower, cabbage, kale, collard greens and Brussels sprouts as good sources in addition to many of those listed above.

Pregnancy is a good time to take extra special care of yourself, even if you fall short at other times. Indulge in the sheer delight of sampling the vast variety of nutrient dense foods. Your body –- and your baby –- will reap abundant benefits.

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Via: NaturalNews

We all know that optimum weight is something everyone needs to be striving for if we are going to live healthy and harmonious lives. Research shows that the best foods for enjoying good weight are those that don’t cause a sharp rise in blood sugar levels. Balanced blood sugar is associated with physical and emotional health, as well and longevity. In fact, steady blood sugar levels are the one thing that every person who lives over 100 (centurion) has in common.

Foods that cause a spike in blood sugar are generally sugar and refined carbohydrates. They cause the body to produce insulin, which makes you crave food constantly, leading to weight gain and a variety of health conditions including diabetes. Cutting down on carbohydrates and sugar is the first step to bringing your weight and overall health into balance.

But while it’s all well and good to talk about cutting down on carbohydrates, it can be excruciatingly painful for those who are addicted to them. And carbohydrate addiction is far more common than you think. Just try cutting them out for a day to find out how difficult it can be.

The key is to have plenty of delicious low carbohydrate foods available. Here are 7 of them that can help you get through the withdrawal of high carb foods.

Almonds: A study published in the International Journal of Obesity shows that people eating a diet rich in almonds lost more weight than those on a high-carb diet with the same number of calories. This goes to show that weight loss is not simply due to calorie counting. Almonds are bulky and filling, so you feel that you are getting some substance without the spike in blood sugar.

Quinoa: Although quinoa looks like a grain, it’s actually the seed of a green leafy plant. It is one of the best sources of amino acids, and is a good source of iron, potassium, and B vitamins. The reason why quinoa is an incredible super food for weight loss is that it’s packed with protein, but its grain-like texture makes it a fantastic substitute for rice, couscous, and other carbohydrates.

Millet: This is rich both in fiber, which makes your stomach feel full longer, and in protein, which keeps your blood sugar even, although it has the texture of a carbohydrate. And studies have shown a link between millet and weight loss. Some researchers believe that it’s the combination of phytonutrients and fiber that’s responsible for the lower rate of colon cancer in people who eat millet, rather than fiber alone.

Hummus: Because hummus is packed with protein, it fills you up, but again without any blood sugar spiking. Try to get hummus with olive oil rather than sunflower oil… or better yet, make your own sprouted raw hummus, which will provide you with an incredible amount of nutrients.

Avocado: Avocados offer a range of nutrients, and help you absorb other nutrients more effectively. They are also creamy and bulky at the same time, so they help people feel satisfied.

Lentils: Lentils are nutritious, flavorful, and are easy to prepare. Lentils, like beans, are a good source of protein. Lentils also provide calcium and phosphorus, vitamin B and iron.

Walnuts for Weight loss: Walnuts are a great snack food that will fill you up and help you to feel less hungry. They contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats, and a study at Loma Linda University showed that people who ate walnuts regularly had a reduced incidence of heart attacks. The research also asked people to add a quarter cup of walnuts to their diets, or for comparison, to remove all walnuts from their diets. They found that not eating walnuts led to weight gain.

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parsnip, potato, walnut

• When cooking parsnip, save the juice. A glass drunk every morning and evening for up to 6 weeks will help you to get rid of gallstones.
• Drink 4-5 glasses of broth made of potato peel for about a week in order to get rid of existing gallstones and decrease the possibility of getting new.
• Walnut meat is very helpful to get rid of gallstones too.  Deep-fry 2 1/4 cups of walnut meat in pure olive oil until crispy.  Grind, then mix with 2 1/4 tbsp of honey.  You will get a somewhat smooth paste.  Eat this paste for two days in a row to soften, dissolve and eliminate gallstones.

anise, ginger, walnut

• Anise tea serves many purposes: It relieves coughs and strengthens the memory, it eliminates oily skin problems, stimulates milk flow in nursing mothers and helps with heartburn and indigestion. This Multi-Purpose Healing Tea can be brewed from about 7 tsp of anise seed, added to a quart of boiling water. Then let the tea simmer down to 1.5 pints. Strain. If used to relieve hacking coughs and to strengthen the memory, add 4 tsp of honey and glycerin (to preserve syrup tea, can be obtained in drugstores) while still warm, and take 2 tsp every few hours against the cough, and 2 tbsps three times a day to strengthen the memory. If used to get rid of oily skin, enhance milk flow in nursing mothers or relieve stomach problems, drink 2 cups of the strained tea once or twice daily.
• Ginger tea rids sinuses, throat and lungs of mucus buildup and breaks high fever to boot: Grate enough ginger to equal about 2 level tbsps, the add them to 2 cups of boiling water and cover. Let steep for 30 minutes, drink 1 cup while still warm every 2.5 hrs.
• To get rid of persistent coughing in the throat and excessive accumulation of phlegm in the lungs, add 3 finely ground walnuts and 3 slices of fresh finely grated ginger to any kind of warm liquid or hot broth and swallow slowly before retiring. By the next morning all symptoms of coughing and phlegm will have disappeared for good.