Food for Life

Dairy foods 'help prevent diabetes'

 A natural substance found in dairy foods could help prevent diabetes, research suggests. 

The trans-palmitoleic acid compound occurs in the dairy fat of milk, cheese, yoghurt and butter but cannot be made by the body.

Now researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health in the US have found the compound could help combat Type 2 diabetes, which affects more than 2.3 million Britons.
Up to half a million more people in the UK also have the condition but do not know it.
The latest research, published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, involved more than 3,700 people.

They were followed for 20 years by researchers looking at the risks of developing cardiovascular disease as people get older.

Measurements included blood glucose and insulin levels, and levels of fatty acids (including trans-palmitoleic acid) in the blood.
The results showed that higher levels of trans-palmitoleic acid were associated with healthier levels of blood cholesterol, insulin levels and insulin sensitivity, even when other factors were taken into account.

Overall, people with the highest levels of trans-palmitoleic acid had about a 60% reduced risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, compared to those with the lowest levels.
The authors called for further studies but lead author, associate professor Dariush Mozaffarian, said "the magnitude of this association is striking".

Link : http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20101220/thl-dairy-foods-help-prevent-diabetes-d831572.html



 Drinking water at the correct time

Drinking water at the correct time maximizes its effectiveness on the human body:

  •    2 Glasses of water after waking up                   -   Helps activate internal organs
  •    1 Glass of water 30 minutes before a meal     -    Helps digestion
  •    1 Glass of water before taking a bath               -   Helps lower blood pressure
  •    1 Glass of water before going to bed               -    Avoids stroke or heart attack

Drinking Enough Water

When you were a kid in school, you learned that each molecule of water is made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. You may also have learned that it was great fun to fill up your squirt guns with water, at least until the principal caught you. What you may not have learned, however, was that you need water to be a healthy human being.

Why You Need to Drink Water

Your body is estimated to be about 60 to 70 percent water. Blood is mostly water, and your muscles, lungs, and brain all contain a lot of water. Your body needs water to regulate body temperature and to provide the means for nutrients to travel to all your organs. Water also transports oxygen to your cells, removes waste, and protects your joints and organs.

Signs of Dehydration

You lose water through urination, respiration, and by sweating. If you are very active, you lose more water than if you are sedentary. Diuretics, such as caffeine pills and alcohol, result in the need to drink more water because they trick your body into thinking you have more water than we need. Symptoms of mild dehydration include chronic pains in joints and muscles, lower back pain, headaches and constipation. A strong odor to your urine, along with a yellow or amber color, indicates that you may not be getting enough water. Note that riboflavin, a B vitamin, will make your urine bright yellow. Thirst is an obvious sign of dehydration, and in fact, you need water long before you feel thirsty.

How Much Water do You Need to Drink?

A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. That gives you the number of ounces of water per day that you need to drink. For example, if you weigh 160 pounds, you should drink at least 80 ounces of water per day. If you exercise, you should drink another eight ounce glass of water for every 20 minutes you are active. If you drink alcohol, you should drink at least an equal amount of water. When you are traveling on an airplane, it is good to drink eight ounces of water for every hour you are on board the plane. If you live in an arid climate, you should add another two servings per day. As you can see, your daily need for water can add up to quite a lot.
  • This water calculator can help you determine how much water you need to drink each day.
At least twenty percent of the water you need will come from the foods you eat. The rest will come from the beverages you drink. Water is probably the best choice; sweetened soft drinks and sodas have added sugar that adds extra calories. Sports drinks contain electrolytes and may be beneficial; just look out for added sugar and calories that you may not want. Fruit and vegetable juice are good because they have vitamins and nutrients (read labels, however -- vegetable juices may be high in sodium).
Caffeinated beverages like tea and coffee count too, but too much caffeine can make you feel jittery.

How To Drink Enough Water

It may be difficult to drink enough water on a busy day. Be sure you have water handy at all times by keeping a bottle for water with you when you are working, traveling, or exercising. If you get bored with plain water, add a bit of lemon or lime for a touch of flavor. There are some brands of flavored water available, but watch for extra calories. 
 Link : http://nutrition.about.com/od/hydrationwater/a/waterarticle.htm


How to Avoid Back Pain by Drinking Water

If you want to avoid painful back spasms, I suggest that you consume more water before, during, and after you begin your gardening chores or any increased physical exertion. Don't wait until you are thirsty to drink water. You may avoid painful and sometimes expensive episodes of back pain at any time time of the year by drinking more water.

Link : http://nutrition.about.com/od/hydrationwater/a/back_pain_water.htm

Link : http://www.emedicinehealth.com/back_pain/article_em.htm