Day 1: Water & Your Heart

Drinking high levels of water can significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease, say researchers at Loma Linda University whose research was reported in the American Journal of Epidemiology (Vol. 155, No.9). This exciting study reveals that drinking high amounts of plain water is as important as exercise, diet, or not smoking in preventing coronary heart disease.

“Basically, not drinking enough water can be as harmful to your heart as smoking,” warns Jacqueline Chan, DrPH, principle investigator and lead author of the article. Dr. Chan and Synnove Knutson, MD , PhD , second author, chair of epidemiology department, found that California Seventh-day Adventists who drink five or more glasses of plain water a day have a much lower risk of fatal coronary heart disease compared to those who drink less than two glasses per day.

The results from this study show that by drinking more plain water, healthy people without any history of heart disease, stroke, or diabetes– reduced their risk of dying from a heart attack by half or more . This is as much or more than if they had adopted any other well-known preventive measure, including stopping smoking and lowering cholesterol levels, increasing exercise or maintaining ideal weight.

Because drinking more plain water is a simple lifestyle change that anybody can do, this simple practice has the potential of saving tens of thousands of lives each year with minimal cost . Neither total fluid intake, nor intake of other fluids combined showed this reduced risk. Instead, for women, high intake (5 or more glasses a day) of other fluids showed a greatly increased risk of coronary heart disease.

“People need to be made aware that there is a difference, at least for heart health, whether they get their fluids from plain water or from sodas,” says Dr. Chan.

As you enjoy your favorite Wholefood Farmacy foods, we encourage you to make water your drink of choice.

Betty Harbour, Helping Others to Abundant Health

http://www.3john2.wholefoodfarmacy.com

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It seems everyone these days has a busy agenda and certainly when it comes to eating, healthy food is not usually on the agenda.

The secret to eating healthily is planning. It is no good rushing out of the house in the morning and hoping that you pick up something good as you rush out of the door.

It just will not happen, as usual you will grab the first thing to hand or just opt to buy your lunch as usual.

The truth of the matter is, there is no need to give up healthy eating just because you are busy, but you do need to plan in time to prepare healthy meals, the best time is in the evening. Prepare your meal then put it in the fridge ready for the next day.

With a good healthy diet, you will be much better able to handle the stress of daily living, organic food can really help you here as it will provide a greater concentration of nutrients per pound than regular food.

Even if you frequently have to eat in restaurants, it’s still possible to have a healthy meal. You just have to pay attention to the portions, and choosing the right kinds of food like salads, and other dishes containing fresh fruits and vegetables.

Whenever possible, it’s best to stay away from heavy meals, like hamburgers and French fries. They may be tempting but they will help to pack on the extra pounds faster than you can eat them.

Waiting around in airports can be stressful and boring, which is why it’s important not to sit around and eat just because there’s nothing better to do. Eat when you’re actually hungry, and not from pure boredom.

If you spend a lot of time in your car, it would be a good idea to keep some healthy snacks handy at all times, like organic fresh fruit, vegetables or nuts.

Using this method you will find it much easier to pass by the fast food places as you will not be hungry and so less tempted.

If your house is like mine then the most hectic times of the day are first thing in the morning and early evening when everyone comes home.

You really need to find time to have a decent breakfast, it really is the most important meal of the day and is crucial to people who are trying to lose weight. Those in particular must have a healthy breakfast to start the day right.

In summary, if you plan into your day some time to prepare healthy meals in advance and buy some fruit to keep in the car and in preparation for long journeys then it really is possible to give the fast food restaurants a miss.

Your body really will thank you for it and you will feel better and more alive as a result.

Finally, take a look around at your local supermarket for organic food options. If you lead a fast life then organic options will help to keep you more healthy and energetic.

Virginia Louise is an organic food enthusiast. She firmly believes in free education in health and offers 7 free organic recipes and information to visitors to her web site.

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I recently read an article about how many whole foods have a pattern that resembles a body organ or physiological function. The similarities between the food and organ signal the benefit that food provides. Basically saying, you are what you eat.

I did a bit more research and found the similarities between different whole foods strikingly similar. It may surprise you, and hopefully encourage you to continue eating those good-for-you foods. Here are just a few examples.

A sliced carrot looks like the human eye. The lines inside the carrot resemble the pupil, iris and radiating lines in your eye. Science shows that carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.

A tomato resembles the heart. Tomatoes have four chambers and are red, just like the heart. The lycopene in tomatoes are crucial in the fight against heart disease.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell. Research today shows that grapes are also a profound heart and blood vitalizing food.

A walnut is strikingly similar looking to the brain. The shape of a walnut looks just like the left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds are on the nut just like the neo-cortex. We now know that walnuts help develop over 3 dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.

Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.

Celery, Bok Choy, and Rhubarb look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength and they replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Onions look like body cells. Today’s research shows that onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes.

Rachel Lukasavige is a Health Coach at Lukas Coaching. You can view more free articles, download free books, and become a member of the Reader’s Group at no cost by visiting http://www.healthierwayoflife.com

For free resources to help you improve your health, visit http://www.healthierwayoflife.com/resources.htm

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What is a great way to eat healthy when your schedule is hectic, easily cut calories to lose weight and maintain more of a flexitarian diet (a mainly meatless diet for better health)? It is easy! Have breakfast for lunch or dinner, because healthy breakfast choices, are also great ideas for a healthy lunch or a dinner.

Healthy breakfast food like whole grain cereal with fat free organic milk ideally, and some fruit, makes a terrific and quick healthy lunch, or even a healthy dinner. Whole grain cereals are an easy to fix, healthy choice. Plus, there are so many varieties of great, healthy cereals on the market–if you buy from the natural foods store, or natural foods section of your local, enlightened supermarket.

Eating healthy breakfast food is especially helpful when you have eaten extra during the day and need a lighter meal alternative. Or you know you want something for dinner, but worked late, don’t know what to have, and don’t want a heavy meal sitting in your stomach before going to bed. Plus, if you live in place that has sweltering Summer temperatures like I do, a light, easy meal that does not involve turning the stove on is always welcome.

As a flexitarian, I often have healthy breakfast food for a second meal during the day. It’s also a great way to cut back on some calories if done correctly when you are looking to lose weight since using healthy breakfast foods are generally low in calories, low in fat and are filling because of high fiber and/or protein.

Love typical breakfast food like bacon and sausage but want to do it healthier I hope? This is an easy healthy food makeover. Go with turkey-based versions, or a soy or veggie-based option (like those available from Boca or Morningstar Farms).

Love eggs or egg and cheese omelets like I do? Use any of the brands of egg substitutes or use traditional eggs with extra Omega-3 and DHA sourced from free-range chickens who have had a vegetarian diet, and use double the egg whites, and half the yolk. The cheese in your omelet should be fat-free or at least reduced fat. Don’t be afraid to add high antioxidant vegetables like spinach or broccoli to your creation either.

Why does eating healthy versions of breakfast foods work so well as a quick and healthy lunch or dinner? Whole grain cereals have heart-healthy fiber that keeps you full, and the fat-free organic milk has protein that also lets that meal last longer without that stuffed feeling. If you pick a cereal with healthy nuts like almonds or walnuts, you’ll get additional protein and good fats your body needs. The fruit adds additional nutrition, fiber and some natural energy to keep you going.

If you choose the higher protein choices like eggs, cheese, bacon and sausage made over to their healthiest forms as noted above, you’ll have filling, but low-fat protein that will also keep you full without feeling like a balloon!

Either way, you’ll find that healthy breakfast food for

Copyright 2008 SunLover Publishing LLC

Melanie R. Jordan is a Health Coach, Food Makeover Specialist and Author of “Have Your Cheeseburger And Keep Your Health Too!” which advocates healthy eating achieved with favorite comfort foods as being deliciously possible. She is passionate about helping others achieve healthy eating habits and maintain a healthy lifestyle. More of her down-to-earth healthy eating articles are available at http://www.healthyeatingcoach.com

Melanie R. Jordan regularly publishes fun, tell it like it is healthy food reviews, as well as fitness tips, health and nutrition news and her own unique commentary on her popular blog “The Healthy Food Review” at http://www.TheHealthyFoodReview.com

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