Health Node - Your Health, Nutrition, and Weight Loss Portal

We have all heard that little saying at one point or another in our lives, most likely as children. Chances are that some of us still use it on our own children. The funny thing is that it isn’t just a line parent’s use, it is really true, and apples have been helping to keep people healthy since the time of Greek mythology. In ancient Greek stories, apples were a gift given from the god Apollo, who is said to be the god of healing, and of good health.

Apples are not full of vitamins, as citrus fruit is. What apples do provide are antioxidants photochemical; namely Phenolics, and the flavonoid Quercetin. Researchers believe that these natural antioxidants may be more effective than those found in vitamin supplements. Apples even provide some potassium and a small amount of vitamin C. Apples also contain pectin, which is helpful for controlling natural insulin levels in the body.

Many people find that apples aid in digestion, and can even soothe troubled stomachs and bowels. In some cases, apple juice will relieve the symptoms of respiratory ailments, and minor quirks of the nervous system. Long before the invention of anti-depressant medications, doctors would prescribe daily servings of apples or apple juice to people afflicted with mild cases of “melancholy”, and it helped!!

Tagged with: • Apples • natural health • nutrition

Fad diets are just that. They really have no long term value and most people re-gain any weight lost when they resume eating normally. The down falls of the top ten fad diets are as follows:

1.) Top ten fad diets - Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution
With low-carbs and high-protein, this diet allows between 1,200 and 1,800 calories per day. After the goal weight is reached people eventually re-gain the weight when carbohydrates are eaten again.

2.) Top ten fad diets - The Zone Diet
This diet calls for lean protein (which is healthy) but allows very few carbohydrates and only 1000-1700 per day. With strict amounts and combinations of food at every meal, it is very hard to stick to.

3.) Top ten fad diets - Eat Right For Your Type
This diet makes unfounded claims that blood type should determine what foods to eat and not to eat. The foods on this varied calorie diet are unusual and hard to find.
 

4.) Top ten fad diets - Sugar Busters!
At 1200 calories and no carbohydrates on this diet long term success is unlikely due to weight gain when carbs are re-introduced into the diet.
 

5.) Top ten fad diets - Eat More, Weigh Less
1200-1350 calories per day are allowed on this low fat, high carb diet. Some fat is important for dieting success for reasons including transportation of vitamins and feeling full
 

6.) Top ten fad diets - The Pritikin Weight Loss Breakthrough.
This diet limits fat to 10-15 % of total calories and requires a lot of complex, fibrous carbohydrates. Overeating, when trying to maintain weight, can happen due to the extremely low fat intake.
 

7.) Top ten fad diets - New Cabbage Soup Diet
1000 calories and limited food choices per day make this diet unsustainable, and possibly dangerous, for any length of time.
 

8.) Top ten fad diets - The Grapefruit Diet
At only 800 calories per day and little nutrients this diet is simply unsafe.
 

9.) Top ten fad diets - The New Beverly Hills Diet
This confusing diet is very low in calories and can lead to stomach aches due to large fruit intake. It is also extremely low in protein, vitamins and minerals which are needed for health.
 

10.) Top ten fad diets - Neander-Thin
This low carb diet calls for only raw foods (which can be healthy) but eventual carb cravings will win out and cause re-bound weight gain.

As always, be sure to speak to your doctor before beginning any diet regimen.

Tagged with: fad diets • low calorie diet • low carb diets • top 10 fad diets • weight loss plan

Spinach, dried beans, peas, fortified cereals, sunflower seeds, turnip greens, liver and asparagus all have one thing in common: they are rich in folic acid. Folic acid is a vitamin which is important for both women and babies, since it helps prevent birth defects. Folic acid is the synthetic equivalent of folate, which is essential for the production of new cells in the human body.

Lactating, pregnant women or those who are planning to have a baby in the near future should not be lacking in folate. There is a risk of the newborn baby to develop defects in the spinal cord if there is folic acid deficiency.  In addition, folic acid lowers the risk of stroke, certain cancers and heart disease. It is also known to help alleviate depression, improve memory, mental agility and fertility.

Thus, if there is one essential vitamin that women should not be lacking, it is folic acid so that their own health and that of the baby’s will be well taken cared of.

Tagged with: folic acid • folic acid supplements • folic acid vitamins • sources of folic acid • what is folic acid

The promoters of the Special K diet would have you believe that there is some miracle ingredient in the cereal to help you loose weight; however this is not the case.

The Special K diet is just calories like any other food. Of course, the cereal itself is low in calories and in fat, but that alone does not cause weight loss. So claiming that the Special K diet will help you lose weight depends on other factors.

It could also make you gain weight because if you eat too much Special K, include lots of whole milk and top it with some sugar, it adds up to lots of calories.

However, the Special K diet, compared to eating a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich for breakfast, is a much better choice. But, one can achieve the same results with oatmeal, fruit, or another cereal like Cheerios if the same number of calories is taken in.

Special K is a much better choice than some of the other cereals that are full of sugar but the secret of the Special K diet is really not a secret. If you were eating a 750 calorie breakfast and change it to a 250 calorie Special K breakfast you could lose some weight.

The truth of the matter is that a person is more likely to lose weight if they eat less calories, burn more calories, or do a combination of both and this can be done with any food.

Tagged with: special k diet • ways to lose weight • weight loss diet • weight loss help

Snoring is one major issue that can threaten a relationship or even a friendship.  This can be funny for those who have not experienced sleeping with the enemy—errr—a snoring person.  If you have had sleepless nights for this reason then you might want to try Invacare’s Polaris LT CPAP.

This home medical equipment is intended for those suffering from sleep apnea or breathing interruptions while sleeping.  If you are a snorer then you are a most likely candidate for sleep apnea.  Couple that with high blood pressure and being overweight and you get maximum points.

There is a specific treatment for apnea depending on the person’s health condition, the extent of his apnea and his tolerance to medication.  If you have sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend oxygen administration, behavioral or lifestyle changes, physical or mechanical therapy or surgery. 

This home medication equipment is used when undergoing mechanical therapy for sleep apnea where the patient is made to wear a mask that supplies air to the nose when sleeping.  The equipment is really lightweight at less than 5 lbs and with a low noise level so it allows you to sleep comfortably once you get used to the mask hooked on you while sleeping.    

Tagged with: Home Medical Equipment • Invacare • Polaris LT CPAP • sleep apnea • snoring