Tips to Improve Brain Health & Power

Healthy Brain Tips

28 Ways to improve brain power

1.     Exercise: Long-term exercise has been proven to increase brain power and even create new neurons in the brain. Go out and get a natural high off of your own brain chemistry through exercise!

2.     Avoid Junk Food: Junk food has been proven to decrease energy in the body and promotes “brain fog.” Cut some junk food from your diet, and reap the benefits of a more calm, focused brain chemistry.

3.     Deep Breathing: Deep breathing actually increases oxygen levels and blood-flow to the brain. 10-15 minutes of daily deep breathing can make a huge difference in the quality of your life and brain’s functioning potential.

4.     Take Fish Oil: Fish oil supplements are literally like membrane material for the brain. The 2 primary components of EPA and DHA each act to strengthen both the emotional center of the brain and boost focus. There is an increase in overall brain activity after taking fish oil for awhile.

5.     Meditate: Meditation has been known to increase IQ, relieve stress, and promotes higher levels of brain functioning. Meditation also activates the “prefrontal cortex” of the brain, an area responsible for advanced thinking ability and performance.

6.     Laugh It Up: Laughter causes a natural release of the brain’s endorphins — chemicals that drown out pain and increase overall well being. Laughter is a well known, natural stress reducer. Watch a comedy, crack a joke, and increase those endorphin levels!

7.     Take A Multivitamin: Vitamins are great for the brain, and if it does not get enough of a certain vitamin through daily diet, consider a multivitamin. Multivitamins help facilitate the functioning of a healthy body and enriched brain. Start popping a vitamin each morning for awhile and chances are good that you’ll notice a difference!

8.     Eat Healthy: You know what ‘healthy’ is, so why not eat healthy and improve your brain? The brain requires a certain amount of energy to reach it’s maximum level of functioning. Eating chocolate cake and chips instead of fish and legumes, well maybe that’s why you cannot think clearly.

9.     Eat Less: Eating too much food has the effect of decreasing blood-flow to the brain and increasing blood-flow to the digestive system. Therefore, if you are able to cut-back on the total amount of food you consume, you will have enhanced brain functioning. In several lab studies, rats on a calorie-restricted diet had increased blood flow to their brains.

10.                        Change Your Environment: To keep your brain properly stimulated, it is important to keep changing your environment. Drive a new route to work, eat at a new restaurant on Friday night. Changing the environment helps change the brain!

11.                        Set Goals: Setting goals activates areas of the brain associated with positive thinking and action. Setting goals is great for achieving success and prosperity in life and boosting your brain.

12.                        Be Empathetic: Being empathetic and trying to understand the emotions of others is a skill that your brain can learn. Being empathetic is definitely a powerful trait to have and allows your brain to relate to the emotions of others.

13.                        Avoid Stress: A little bit of stress will never hurt anybody. Too much stress actually causes detrimental increases in the hormone “cortisol” which in high levels, kills brain cells and suppresses brain functioning.

14.                        Think Positive: If you are currently very good at thinking positively, chances are good that you already have a more powerful brain than those “Negative Nellies.” Take 10 minutes daily to think more positive and start noticing an improvement in thinking abilities and problem solving skills.

15.                        Brainstorm: A good brainstorming session to think of new, stimulating ideas is a great way to boost your brains ability to think creatively. Brainstorming is actually a different way of thinking that will equip your brain with a quick creative boost.

16.                        Ask Questions: Asking questions is a phenomenal way to keep your brain in shape. Get in the habit of questioning others and their thoughts. Questions can provoke new thoughts and ideas and asking them is a great way to build up brain power!

17.                        Re-Read This List: Want to boost your brain power? Start by re-reading this list and highlighting several methods that you can apply to your life. As a matter of fact, print this list out and staple it up someplace that you will view every day. That way, when walking past the list, you can take a glance and randomly choose an activity to boost your brain power!

18.                        Visualize: Visualization has been associated with focus at a deeper level. Many successful athletes that are able to play “in the zone” actually visualize their game at a deeper level. Visualization has been linked to lowered stress, increased creativity, and peak mind-body performance.

19.                        Get Some Sleep: Be sure to always fulfill your brain’s need for sleep. Sleep clears out mental clutter and unimportant thoughts. Getting a good night’s sleep can also be the difference between a sharp memory and feeling forgetful. Everyone has different sleep requirements, be sure to fulfill yours! If you don’t get enough sleep — you may want to take a nap…

20.                        Do Self-Hypnosis: The power of hypnotic suggestion is definitely real. You can change aspects of your thought process and learn to shift your focus by taking the time to do some self-hypnosis. Hypnosis research shows that by practicing hypnosis, an individual experiences lowered stress, increased pain tolerance, and clear thinking. Try it out for yourself if you haven’t already!

21.                        Eat Nuts: Brazil and South American University students swear by eating nuts before taking exams. They notice that eating them is correlated with an increase in test scores. New studies are beginning to prove nuts effectiveness at increasing brain power. If you do not eat a lot of nuts, try it sometime and reap the brain related benefits!

22.                        Go For A Walk: Exercise definitely benefits the brain, and walking is a great form of exercise that is easy and very effective for boosting brainpower. Walking puts your mind in a relaxed state of clear thought and brain function. Walking gives your brain a chance to wander and free itself from any troubling thoughts.

23.                        Solve Puzzles: Solving puzzles is a great way to stimulate your brains ability to critically think and process information. Puzzles are thought provoking, challenging, and a fun activity. The great thing about puzzles is that they require activity in the left-hemisphere of the brain to work with, and transfer information to, the right hemisphere’s visual center of the brain. Want a more integrated brain? Solve a puzzle!

24.                        Do Neurofeedback: Neurofeedback is a great way to learn to consciously control your brain wave patterns. Neurofeedback builds brain structure and helps promote flexibility within a brain’s neural network. Though neurofeedback is somewhat costly, if you’ve got enough money — it may very well be the best investment you can make for your brain!

25.                        Live A Drug-Free Lifestyle: Everyone knows that drugs are bad for them. Drugs do not foster creativity, they kill creativity and deplete brain cells. Depending on the drug, effects can range from brain bleeding, to cell loss, to impairments in neural growth. Live drug free and keep your brain more powerful!

26.                        Drink Freshly Squeezed Juice: Drinking fresh pressed vegetable juice revitalizes the brain and provides cells with a refreshing jolt of nutrients. Most juices provide your brain with vital nutrients which in turn, provide you with more mental energy and focus.

27.                        Be Self-Aware: When you learn to let go of ego-driven and emotional aspects of life, rational thinking kicks in. Rational thinking will allow you to become self-aware, which in turn allows you to make better future decisions to achieve optimal brain health. Activities like meditation, self-hypnosis, and introspection allow us to increase our self-awareness.

28.                        Stay In School: If you are in school, chances are good that you will boost your brain power more than the average dropout! Keeping up with school work, means giving your brain a good workout in areas of self-discipline, learning, and mental processing. Stay in school, or do something to always be learning something new!

Tips for Avoiding Winter Bugs

Tips for Winter Season

How to Avoid Catching a Cold This Winter

To avoid the winter bugs you should get vaccinated against flu, limit exposure to infected people & keep yourself warm. Other main tips are as follow;

Perform Exercise & Stay active

When it's cold outside you might be tempted to spend the winter months curled up inside, huddled on a couch, reading a good book. But getting off the couch and doing some exercise will help you keep those sniffles at bay.

Research has shown that exercise is another way to boost your immune system, one study found that people who exercised were less likely to develop a cold and if they did, then it was less severe.

Take fruit and vegetables over supplements

Maintaining a healthy diet, which includes plenty of fruit, vegetables, whole grains and legumes, is also believed to help improve your immune system. In fact, it's more likely to do so than topping up on supplements such as vitamin c, zinc or Echinacea.

Most of the research into supplements generally suggests that they don't work, and the money you save on supplements you can spend on fresh fruit and vegetables.

Wash your hands often

Short of living alone in a sealed room, it's impossible to avoid the 200 or so viruses that cause colds. These bugs are everywhere from door knobs to other people's hands, to money and shopping trolleys. In fact, you'll find these bugs anywhere that's been contaminated by someone who has a cold; when they've coughed, sneezed or touched a surface. But you won't get a cold if you simply get the virus on your hands. The particles need to make their way into your nose.

Washing your hands regularly gets rid of these germs before they can cause you any harm. Keeping your hands away from your face – especially your eyes and nose – also helps.

Get plenty of rest & Sleep

Most of us know that getting good sleep is essential for good health. This is especially the case when it comes to keeping your immune system in good shape. It's your immune system that helps you to fight off common infections, such as colds. A large body of research has shown that poor sleep and insomnia can affect your immune system and contribute to a wide range of health conditions, including the common cold.

It's not clear exactly how much sleep you need to keep your immune system in good shape. Also the amount of sleep you need varies from person to person, which is why some people are able to function reasonably well on very little sleep. But making sure you get plenty of rest can help you want to maintain a strong immune system, which will help you fight winter bugs.

Throw away used tissues

Don't leave dirty tissues or hankies lying around. It's not just gross; it can also spread your cold. When you cough, sneeze or blow your nose the secretions that end up in your hanky or tissue are teeming with the virus that's making you sick. These viruses can survive for some time once they leave your body, so when you leave a tissue for someone else to pick up you're actually leaving a little virus bomb to go infect someone else's hands. So throw away any used tissues and wash your hands straight away – so you don't spread the germs around. And if you prefer hankies take care not to leave them lying around and be sure to wash them regularly.

Avoid smoking

There are loads of reasons to avoid smoking. And here's another: smoking destroys tiny hairs that propel mucous from the lungs. This tips the balance in favour of viruses and bacteria, predisposing smokers to bronchial infections and colds.

Home remedies to treat Diarrhea

Health Tips 

Tips to recover from Motions

Home remedies to treat Diarrhea

Diarrhea refers to loose stools or an increase in the frequency of passing stools. There is a loss of bodily fluids when diarrhea occurs and this can result in dehydration and imbalance of electrolyte levels.

The most common causes of diarrhea are:

• Medications: The intake of certain medications can result in adverse reactions in the body. Many individuals react in this manner to antibiotics or medications used to treat hypertension.
• Diseases: Conditions that affect the intestine such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease usually trigger diarrhea.
• Bacteria: Various types of bacteria may be responsible for causing diarrhea. These bacteria are usually present in contaminated food and water. Some examples of bacteria that cause diarrhea are salmonella, campylobacter and E. coli.
• Viruses: Herpes simplex virus, rotavirus and Norwalk virus are some of the viruses that cause diarrhea.
• Parasites: These can cause infection in the digestive system when they enter the body through food and water.
• Intolerance to Certain Foods: Some individuals cannot digest the components present in certain foods. Lactose allergy is one of the most common food allergies.
• Hormone Disorders: Conditions that arise due to hormonal imbalances such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes can also lead to diarrhea.

Natural ways & tips to recover from Diarrhea:

• Drink more & drink wisely
• To treat dehydration caused by diarrhea, add a little salt to the juice of bitter gourd and drink.
• Don't eat only bland foods
• Get the right nutrients
• Use over-the-counter medications
• Rest. Give your body time to recover.
• Herbs such as chamomile and thyme are known to help in relieving diarrhea. You may use them in the form of tinctures, pills or teas.
• Black tea contains beneficial tannins which help to alleviate inflammation and infection in the intestines. You can add some sugar to the tea since it helps to enhance the absorption of water and sodium.
• Black seed oil is known to help in treating diarrhea. Add one teaspoon of black seed oil to a cup of yogurt and consume twice daily.
• To reduce pain and cramps, soak a small towel in warm water and place it over your abdomen. The heat will help to relieve cramping and muscle spasms.
• Turmeric helps to destroy bacteria and thus helps in treating infection. Add one teaspoon of turmeric to warm water and drink.
• To reduce abdominal cramps arising from diarrhea, add half a teaspoon each of lemon juice and ginger juice to black pepper powder. Consume the mixture thrice daily.
• Indian gooseberry serves as an effective diarrhea treatment. Add a pinch of black salt to half a teaspoon of Indian gooseberry powder and consume after meals.
• Mashed apples are known to be a beneficial food for those with diarrhea.

Pumpkin Seeds | Winter Food for Men

Perfect Food 

Best Food for Brain 

Food for Winter Season 

            

Research shows that pumpkin seeds are a great libido booster. Pumpkin seeds are one of nature's most perfect foods. They taste delicious, make great snacks, and add nutrient rich flavor and texture to salads and many other dishes. They contain many libido vitamins including the B vitamins, and vitamins E, C, D, and K. They also contain essential sex drive minerals like calcium, potassium, niacin, and phosphorous.

Most importantly, pumpkin seeds contain high loads of zinc, which is important for preventing testosterone deficiency in men.

Seeds are food for the brain – pumpkin seeds contain omega 3 and 6 – an excellent snack choice for kids. It contains a high amount of magnesium which has a calming effect on the brain. So if your little kids seem to sometimes be dancing on the ceiling and driving you around the bend don’t give them a chocolate as a bribe to behave, give them some pumpkin seeds – it will help to calm them down. Pumpkin seeds are known to have anti- depressant properties, so it is suggested eating them can elevate your mood. So it may be a healthy choice to reach for some pumpkin seeds before you go for anti-depressant medication. The natural choice is always the best. I say this tentatively because there are some people who have to for medical reasons be on anti-depressants but then there are those people who can choose the healthy alternative. The omega 3 fatty acids are known for their role in improving mental health, and aiding memory. Another excellent reason why it should be in every one’s diet – if you want brainy kids feed them pumpkin seeds. Also, ladies if you’re looking for a fat burner pumpkin seeds are excellent – that was my first attraction to it – anything to burn fat – has it ground and sprinkled over your cereal!

Zinc is one of the primary nutrients in sperm production, and increases sperm count and sperm motility. High zinc levels also reduce the risk of prostate disease. Adequate zinc also prevents the formation of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). When testosterone levels decline, the prostate gland converts the testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. DHT breaks down testosterone, causing a range of problems including prostate enlargement, balding in men, and potentially even prostate cancer. Pumpkin seeds can also help to sustain lubrication and boost female sex drive.

Pumpkin seeds contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are the precursors of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are hormone-like substances that play a key role in sexual desire and sexual health. Essential fatty acids also natural antidepressants and help balance the mind, which is vital for an optimum sex life.

In Addition to higher sex drive, pumpkin seeds may also provide these benefits:

* Prevention of Heart Disease and Decreased Libido

* Improved Bladder Function

* Natural Anti-Inflammatory

* Prevention of Kidney Stones

* Prevention of Osteoporosis

* Lowered Cholesterol

* Cancer Prevention

Skin Care in Winter Season

Beauty Tips

How to Overcome Skin Dryness

In winter seasons you can overcome the conditions of dryness caused by the solidification of skin's oily content by following ways;

• A vital skin care tip for winter involves bare minimum use of water. After a wash or shower, make sure to pat yourself completely dry.
• Skin toner containing essential oils or the rejuvenating elements of Vitamin E can prove to be similarly effective.
• However if the facial skin is naturally oily, avoid using the same on face.
• While going for manicure and pedicure, make sure to have your limbs soaked in lukewarm water enriched with drops of natural oils.
• Facial masks containing avocado extracts in addition to olive oil is helpful during winter.
• Similarly a blend of yogurt, buttermilk and sour cream or the creamy layer of milk with respective ingredients being combined in small measure is helpful for activating the skin's collagen content.
• To do away with the conditions of hardness harnessed during winter, consumption of juicy fruits and vegetable with the particular inclusion of olive oil and primrose juice will prove to be a healthy alternative.
• In order to get rid of external dryness and chaps, application of coconut oil prior to bathing can be another helpful option.
• As far as application of oil is concerned, it is better to opt for ones which do not clog the dermal pores.
• Non clogging oils such as avocado oil, primrose oil and almond oil should be preferred over those causing to block skin pores.
• Application of petroleum jelly on areas particularly affected with chaps and dryness happens to be one of the most effective options.
• Instead of using soap high in their alkaline content, it is better to have your skin washed with paste of ground gram and yogurt.
• In case you prefer using soap, make sure to use one with adequate moisturizing content. Soaps based on natural oils and glycerin may turn out to be a healthy alternative.
• Avoid using hot water for bathing; instead go for lukewarm water enriched with drops of glycerin or herbal oil such as tea tree oil to make up for the loss of moisture.
• Skin may be similarly hydrated with cold creams and moisturizer oily in content. In place of water based moisturizers opted for during summer, go for the oily ones.
• Moisturizing lotions based on glycerin and alpha-hydroxyl content can contribute to the smoothening feel of the skin.
• To overcome conditions of dryness and chap formation on lips, opt for a lip balm enriched with Vitamin E.
• In order to overcome flaking, chapping and itchy cracks caused during winter, use cotton socks & gloves to have yourself adequately covered from the pinching chill of winter.
• Avoid using facial packs and masks which suck out the natural oil content of the skin. Facial pack containing mud should be avoided for this reason. Rather go for cleansing milk and oil based pack.
• Use humidifiers to have the indoor environment well hydrated and moisturized. With the help of a humidifier, winter harnessed dryness and conditions of cracks can be overcome.
• One need not avoid using sun's cream during winter, but it is always preferable using one with an increased moisturizing content.
• Likewise, to get rid of ugly cracks on feet, go for a therapeutic ointment or lotion containing Vitamin E. In extreme cases of cracks, one needs to use ointment containing necessary anti biotic.
• In case your work demands recurrent exposure to water, make sure to use gloves to have the hands well protected.
• To prevent brittleness in nails, make sure to pamper your finger and toe nails with sufficient touches of oil, glycerin or moisturizers.

How to Reduce High Level of Uric Acid

15 Simple Health Tips

Reduce your High Level of Uric Acid

High uric acid level can be reduced with a change in diet. Doctors strongly recommend making simple changes in diet like eliminating beef rolls and choosing green leafy vegetables, cabbage and high fiber foods instead for regulating uric acid levels.

Choose complex carbohydrates

Eat more whole grains, fruits and vegetables and fewer refined carbohydrates such as white bread, cakes and candy. Because foods rich in complex carbohydrates promote feelings of fullness, and prevent overeating and are useful in maintaining a healthy weight.

Avoid bakery products

Avoid cakes, pastries, cookies and other sugary delights which are rich in saturated fats and trans fats.

Cold-pressed olive oil

Use cold-pressed olive oil in cooking instead of shortening, butter or vegetable oils. Oils that have been subjected to heat or processing turn rancid quickly. Rancid fats destroy vitamin E in your body - this vitamin is necessary for controlling uric acid levels. Olive oil helps you avoid the production of excess uric acid, which is associated with the consumption of rancid fats.

Take in a healthy dose of vitamin C

To help reduce the amount of uric acid in your system, regularly taking 500 mg of vitamin C will decrease your uric acid levels in a month or two.

Drink plenty of fluids to help flush uric acid from your body

Drink a minimum of 3 and 1/2 liters of water daily. Water is a medium that aids the kidney to 'strain' the impurities from your body.

Also avoid high-protein weight-loss diets which can cause you to produce too much uric acid (hyperuricemia).

High-fibre foods

Foods high in dietary fibre may help lower uric acid levels in your blood. Dietary fibre may help absorb uric acid in your bloodstream, allowing it to be eliminated from your body through your kidneys. Increase the consumption of dietary soluble fibres such as Isabgol, Oats, Spinach, Broccoli to name few.

Celery seed extract

The seeds of the celery plant have long been used to treat gout, rheumatism and arthritis. Celery possesses sedative, antioxidant and mild diuretic action and is considered a urinary antiseptic. In rare cases, this herb is also used to treat sleeplessness, anxiety and nervous breakdown. Although the seeds of this plant are often used in herbal supplements, the roots may also be used.

Antioxidant-rich foods

Fruits and vegetables such as red bell peppers, tomatoes, blueberries, broccoli and grapes are rich sources of antioxidant vitamins. Antioxidants which are vitamins that prevent free radical molecules from attacking your organ and muscle tissue cells may help lower uric acid levels.

Cherries

Cherries contain chemical compounds that may help neutralize uric acid allowing your body to eliminate this acid as waste. Some researchers recommend consuming 30 to 40 cherries every four hours during an attack.

Apple cider vinegar

It is believed that raw, apple cider vinegar can help alleviate high uric acid levels by changing the pH values of your blood. But it has to be raw, un-distilled, un-pasteurized apple cider vinegar; the kind you get from your local health food store.

Saturated fat, trans fat, sugar and alcohol

All above affect your triglycerides, a type of fat that can clog your arteries and increase your risk for heart attacks and strokes.

High-fructose corn syrup

This is a type of sweetener in soft drinks and other processed foods that can elevate your levels of triglyceride and uric acid - a chemical associated with diabetes, gout, alcoholism, kidney disease and other health problems.

Limit meat, poultry and fish

Animal proteins are high in purine and this will result in high uric acid levels in the body

Limit or avoid alcohol

Alcohol interferes with the elimination of uric acid from your body. Drinking beer in particular has been linked to gout attacks. If you are prone to uric acid attacks, limit alcohol consumption to one drink three times a week.

Benefits of Pomegranate Seed Oil

Benefits of Pomegranate Seed Oil

The pomegranate Oil is very beneficial, it’s benefits can be found in a single drop of its precious oil, pressed from the seeds found in the red arils of the fruit. Rich in rare Omega 5 essential fatty acid, it is the only known botanical source of Conjugated Linolenic Acid (CLnA), also known as Punicic Acid, one of the most potent antioxidants, and a natural phytoestrogen (plant-based estrogen).

Conjugated molecular structure makes it highly compatible with and easily absorbed by skin. Acting as a delivery system, it helps channel nutrients directly to the cell, accelerating the process of cellular regeneration and rejuvenation.

Rich in antioxidants, which deliver improvements in skin health and appearance by eliminating free radicals that can cause cellular degradation and premature aging.

Supports the body’s resilience against inflammation, which takes place on the cellular level and can be triggered by many factors (environmental toxins, stress, poor diet). Controlling this inflammatory response minimizes the possibility of illness and helps preserve the youthfulness of skin.

Contains a human-compatible form of phytoestrogen that supports hormonal balance and skin health.

Contains essential vitamins and minerals (B1, B2, C, potassium, and magnesium), is anti-carcinogenic, and supports and maintains immune, hormonal, circulatory, and metabolic health. 

As dry oil, it absorbs readily into skin without leaving any greasy residue. It is very important to source the pure, cold-pressed organic source of pomegranate seed oil.