GINGER FOR YOUR HEALTH

GINGER FOR HEALTH USE

The spicy, pungent underground rhizome of the ginger plant is firm with a striated texture. It may be yellow,  white or red, depending on the variety, and is covered with a thin or thick brownish skin, depending on whether the plant was harvested mature or young.If you're in the market for a healthy spice, pick up some ginger. Ginger's benefits are many and varied - it:

1. Alleviates nausea and motion sickness
2. Relieves congestion
3. Reduces inflammation
4. Reduces the risk of blood clots
5. Provides a pleasant "warming" sensation against winter chills.
6. Nausea and motion sickness: Ginger is well known for its ability to ease nausea, and it’s helpful for motion and sea sickness. Women suffering from morning sickness were given beverages with ginger during the first trimester of pregnancy, and when compared with women given a placebo, ginger alleviated the nausea in a large majority of the cases.
   
   
   7.      Diabetes complications: Studies show ginger may reduce urine protein levels, decrease water intake and urine output, and reverse proteinuria, which is kidney damage caused by too much protein in the urine. Ginger may also protect nerves in diabetics and lower blood fat levels. “Ginger can help increase circulation, thin blood, and lower both blood pressure and cholesterol,” says author Steelsmith. 
   
   
   8.      Arthritis: A placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover study published in the journal Osteoarthritis Cartilage found patients with painful arthritis in the knee who were given ginger vs. a placebo experienced significantly less pain and loss of movement compared to those taking the placebo.
   
   
   9.      Cold and flu: Chinese medicine practitioners commonly prescribe ginger to treat symptoms of colds and flu. The root acts as an antihistamine and decongestant, two cold-easing effects that can help with symptoms. 

A simple way to incorporate ginger into your diet is to make fresh ginger tea: add about one half teaspoon of grated ginger root to eight ounces of boiling water. You can also eat candied or pickled ginger or honey-based ginger syrups - or try this recipe, which includes ginger.

TIPS FOR YOUR HEALTHY BRAIN 

Maintaining a healthy brain is an important part of overall health. If you feel like your memory is getting worse with every passing birthday, you aren’t alone: it happens to all of us as we age. The good news is there are ways to help prevent or lessen memory loss.

1. Challenge yourself. Medical evidence suggests that lifelong stimulation is the key to building and maintaining brain cells, staving off memory loss and maybe even preventing Alzheimer's disease . Try doing interesting work (paid or volunteer), pursuing hobbies, engaging in an active social life, taking music or language lessons, or learning a new computer program.
2. Take a daily low-dose aspirin. Some studies link the use of aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) with reduced risk of Alzheimer's.
3. Supplement with vitamins C and E. A study at Johns Hopkins University suggested that vitamins C and E taken together might slow the progression of Alzheimer's.
4. Use a daily multivitamin that provides adequate levels of folic acid and other B vitamins. They help the body reduce levels of homocysteine, an amino acid formed by the breakdown of animal protein that, at elevated levels in the bloodstream, has been linked with increased risks of Alzheimer's.
5. Use healing spices in your cooking: Turmeric, ginger and red pepper can add zing to meals and are all natural anti-inflammatories.
6. Eat a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, including wild Alaskan salmon, sardines, freshly ground flaxseed and walnuts.
7. Incorporate plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables in your meals.
8. Reduce your intake of polyunsaturated vegetable oils (such as sunflower, corn and safflower oils), replacing them instead with a high quality extra-virgin olive oil. 

AVOID WEIGHT GAIN

1. Choose fiber-rich fruits and vegetables for appetizers, eat high-calorie foods sparingly, and avoid dishes high in saturated fat and sodium.
2. Be aware of what you eat. To help prevent overindulging - and the stomachache, bloating and other gastrointestinal discomfort that can come with it - be mindful when you are eating and stop when you are feeling full.
3. Don't starve yourself all day to justify eating more at dinner. Eating a satisfying breakfast can ward off the temptation to overindulge later in the day.
4. Concentrate on portion control and planning: choose foods that you really love to eat, chew each bite slowly, and savor all the flavors and smells. Eating slowly not only allows you to enjoy and be thankful for your food, but helps prevent overeating: it takes 20 minutes for the stomach to signal the brain that you're full.
5. Get up from the table when you're done, in order to avoid nibbling.
6. Once your meal is over, take a walk to help digest your food and think about what a wonderful meal you just had - and the company and conversations that contributed to making it memorable and enjoyable. 

YOGA FOR YOUR WEIGHT LOSS...

- Yoga is a great way to burn calories, increase muscle mass (which in turn burns more calories) and enhance stretching, which is important for keeping joints limber and preventing injury.

- While any form of physical exercise will help to burn calories and thus support weight-loss efforts, some forms of exercise are gentler on the body than others. 

- If yoga classes seem too intimidating, read up on the practice of yoga and begin doing poses on your own. You are sure to feel the benefits - both physical and mental - that yoga provides.

BENEFITS OF YOGA 

1. Better sleep 

2. Better Posture 

3. Stress Relief 

4. Weight loss 

5. Muscle tone

6. Mental Sharpness

7. Balance

8. Life long love

9. Whole family can do it

10. No back pain / Stiffness