Avoid these calcium robbers

Aerated drinks have high phosphate content. Phosphate binds calcium in the bowel and reduces its absorption.

Salt may adverse effect on calcium metabolism in the body. This can lead to bone loss. When the amount of sodium in the body goes up, more calcium is excreted from body to maintain a sodium-calcium balance.

Cereals and pulses contain phytates, phosphorus compounds, which bind calcium and reduce its bioavailability. Though generally safe, if you think that your intake of cereals may lead to loss of bone health, ask your nutritionist or orthopedic to guide you.

Caffiene

Many people assume that decaffeinated coffee and tea is somehow healthier- and there have been suggested links between caffeine and heart palpitations and pancreatic cancer. But there's growing list of ways that it might actually be good for you.

Several studies have flagged coffee as combating or delaying the development of Parkinson's disease in men.

It's most likely the caffeine that's doing it, says Dr. Kieran Breen, director of research for the Parkinson's Disease Society in the UK; perhaps it stimulates nerve cells' production of dopamine to counteract the disease's symptoms, or it may actually be protecting the nerve cells.

Some studies have suggested the caffeine can help prevent gallstones, though there's no consensus yet. A Japanese study found that middle-aged and older people drinking cofee daily had half rate of common liver cancer.

Also, as a pick-me-up, caffeine doesn't just affect mood - there's evidence it can enhance the performance of athletes.

BUT WATCH OUT!
It has been suggested that caffeine is harmful to those with diabetes or hypertension, though doctors simply advice sufferers to drink it in moderation and the Blood Pressure Association in the UK says cutting out caffeine does not have a major impact on blood pressure.

Detox

What is a detoxification?
A cleansing and detoxification program is a series of steps taken in order to actively enchance the elimination of toxic wastes from your body that creating, or have the potential to create bothersome symptoms and disease. An exceptional cleansing and detoxification program that greatly improve your health, requires the ingestion of higher quality nutrient. These nutrients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, protein, carbohydrates, fats and water. Quiet activities such as prayer, meditation or slow diaphragmatic breathing are equally as important a successful detoxification program.

Types of detox.
Skin Brushing:
It facilitates the skin cleansing by stimulating the lymphatic system which eliminate toxins through the skin. Lymphatic system is the part of the body responsible for cleansing soft tissue found just under the skin.

-Instructions:
*Use a long handled natural bristle brush, or a loofah sponge.
*Begin at the base of your teeth and brush in small circles from the legs towards the chest, palms of the hands towards to chest and then back forward the abdomen. Use light pressure. End with the scalp.
*Avoid the face, breast and other sensitive areas.
*Skin brushing can be done either in the morning or evening shower. It takes only 5-10 minutes.

-Benefits:
*The circular brushing promotes a clearer lymphatic pathway. It rejuvenates dull, lifeless skin and gives a healthy glow.

Aromatherapy:
*Combine in a bath with one cup of Epsom salts and 1 to 2 tablespoons of an essential oil, such as lemon, jojoba, rosemary or olive. These stimulating properties naturally draw toxins through the pores of the skin efficiently.
*Or, combine 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1 tablespoon cornmeal and several drop almond oil with enough milk to form a paste. Then apply by hand to the entire body (not the face) with gentle and circular motions. Rinse and brush the skin using loofah or sponge. This help exfoliate the skin which indirectly increase respiration and removes toxins.

Balneotherapy:
This therapeutic bathing uses normal tap water, natural thermal or mineral water. A special built baths contain more than 200 individual jets aimed at various parts of the body. Aromatic essential oils, mineral salts or dried seaweed are added to the water enhance a more therapeutic affect.

-Benefits:
*Soothe sore muscles and calm mind
*Ease dry or oily, inflamed or itchy
*Help patients suffering from rheumatic condition or arthritis.
*Increase lymphatic drainage.
*Improved blood circulation
*Lowered blood pressure.
*Improved muscle tone
*Increase flexibility.
*Relief from emotional stresses and mental fatigue.
*Stimulate activity in the liver and kidneys.

Juices:
For your body's regenerative system to work, toxin must be flushed out and drinking eight glasses of a water a day won't do it alone. To purify your system, try fruit in the morning and vegetables juices in the afternoon along with your normal diet, And remember to stay away from salty food, sugar, alcohol and caffeine.

Go green:
Say no to snacks and head for food which are high in water content such as cucumber, celery, lettuce and kale. Avoid alcohol, excessive caffeine, red meat and dairy product and always remember to keep up your water intake. No more instant noodles or hamburgers, but it's best to stick to foods low in fat and high in nutrients.

-Try these:
*Grapefruits (increase metabolic stimulants)
*Grape (high in potassium-essential maintaining normal kidney function)
*Cantaloupes (High in digestive enzymes)
*Bananas and avocados (maintain blood sugar)

Diet myths debunked

When eating out, a salad is always the best option.

FALSE!

It's easy to believe that all salads are healthy but this is not actually the case. Some salads contain fatty ingredients and could, in some cases, contain more calories than a steak and fries.

High fat ingredients include croutons, crispy bacon, mayonnaise and oily dressings - these don't really add any vitamins and minerals, they all considerably boost the calories, fat and salt content of the dish.

Cheese and nuts contain more nutrients, but they can still add a lot of calories when mixed in a salad.

Organic food is "healthier" than non-organic food.

FALSE! (mostly)

Organic food isn't automatically the healthier option as the term 'organic' refers to the farming methods used to produce the food - not it's nutrient contain. Therefore, organic food might be better for environment but eating more of it doesn't necessarily mean you'll have a lower calorie diet.

Organic biscuits, chocolate and cakes contain on average just as much fat, sugar and salts as their non-organic counterparts - and it's often harder to find the 'healthier' alternatives in organic ranges.

However, products such as organic fruit won't have been sprayed with insecticides and animals raised for organic meat won't in most cases have been fed antibiotics.

Having a traditional cooked breakfast in the morning can be a healthy choice.

TRUE!

This myth is certainly true as long as you have a 'grill-up' and not a 'fry-up'

If you grill lean bacon, peach and eggs and include baked beans, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms (not cooked in oil/fat), this meal can then easily be healthy and balanced.

Maintaining your new healthy weight.

Achieving your weight goal is, for many, like winning the battle but not necessarily the war.

Remember, it is important to maintain your new slimmer, healthier body for the long run.

Burn fat by eating chocolate

Chocolate-loving (and eating) men are in better health than those who don't like it, say researchers at Imperial College London and Nestle. Over five days, a group of healthy young men (half liked chocolate, half didn't) ate the same food, plus a choice bread or chocolate. Blood and urine showed the chocolate lovers processed fatty foods better and had lower LDL ("bad") cholesterol. So, indulging on occasion may have long-term health benefits- but researchers say, only when paired with otherwise healthy diet and lifestyle.

Healthier ways to BBQ

I always have BBQ with my family and my friend. It is one way having a good time with them. But cooking meat over an open flame or BBQ creates chemicals long suspected of increasing cancer risk. According to two news studies, eating barbecued red meat may raise the risk of prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in post-menopausal women. This is some tips to prevent that happen:

Scrape off any charred portion, which contain many of the chemicals believed to lead to cancer.

Keep the temperature lower to lessen the smoke and flames that reach the food and raise the barbecue racks.

Flip with top or spatula- a fork pierces food, releasing juice and fat that lead to flare-ups.

Choose skinless chicken and fish. They don't appear to raise cancer risk.

Microwave meat before barbecuing to reduce time over the charcoal and use an oil-free marinade to hinder the formation of cancer-causing chemicals

Make kebabs with fruits and vegetables, which don't form harmful chemicals when flame-cooked.