Pat's Health & Beauty Tips

monthly health articles and beauty tips

Sunday, April 09, 2006

Newsletter #2

To maintain a healthy body we all need to eat less processed foods and soda, drink lots of water and eat a healthy diet. A healthy diet requires a plant-based diet. We have all heard that we need to eat more fruits and vegetables. Phytochemicals are the main reason why these foods are so good for us.

Vegetables and fruits have a complex composition with a great many vitamins, minerals, fibers and other beneficial substances. Phytochemicals are plant chemicals that offer protection from cancer. Phytochemicals are substances that plants naturally produce to protect themselves against viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Some of these naturally occurring substances are cartenoids, flavonoids, indoles, isoflavones and protease inhibitors. Many different plant foods supply different kinds of protection.

Some of the primary phytochemicals are: Allyl sulfides found in onions and garlic. Ellagic acid found in strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, walnuts and pecans. Flavonoids found in green tea, citrus fruit and red grapes. Lycopene found in tomatoes, tomato products and red grapefruit. Phytoestrogens found in soybeans and grains. Resveratrol found in peanuts.

Free radicals are the by-products of cells burning oxygen. Free radicals damage body cells and tissues, as well as DNA, which is your body's master plan for reproducing cells.

Antioxidant vitamins and selenium, a mineral, are effective in neutralizing free radicals. The antioxidant vitamins are Vitamin A, E and C.

Beta-carotene turns into Vitamin A in the body. This is supplied by dark green and deep orange fruits and vegetables: carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, winter squash, bok choy, broccoli, spinach and vegetable juices.

Vitamin C is contained in oranges, cantaloupe, strawberries, papaya, kiwi, red bell pepper, broccoli and brussel sprouts.

Vitamin E is found in wheat germ, almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds and vegetable oils.

Selenium is present in seafood, lean meats and whole grains.

Your diet is an important part of your defense against cancer and other disease. Eating the right kinds of food, everyday, can help you feel better and stay stronger. Eat from five to nine servings of preferably raw fruits and vegetables everyday. A serving is around ½ cup for most foods. Colorful foods are better than white foods such as russet potatoes or white rice.

Another health tip is drinking six glasses of water a day. Drinking a lot of water is the best thing you can do for your skin. So get out the carrots and water! See you at the juice counter.

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