Tuesday, October 7, 2008

What Maintains Healthy Skin, Bones and Eyes?

In today's fast world, no one cares about healthy food; we have gotten so busy in our lives that we prefer to munch a burger or other junk food instead of worrying about its nutrient value or the hazard it is doing to the body. Saying no to vegetables is becoming a trend and people now end up going out for spicy food which has very little or mostly no health value at all.

The major food nutrients include carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals; our body needs an adequate amount of all of these to function properly. Any deficiency or over dosage of any will be very harmful for us. There are certain nutrients which maintain healthy skin bones and eyes, let's have a look at them.

Protein is a macronutrient and a basic component of body-cells; it is a building block of skin, hair and nails. It helps in repairing the body tissue and protects it from wear and tear. Carbohydrates provide the body with glucose and energy.

Vitamins are enzymes that play a vital role and maintain healthy skin bones and eyes. They promote healthy bones and teeth; enhance the protection and regeneration of cells and mucous membrane, and keep the hair and nails strong. Vitamin D is very important for bones as it helps the body to absorb and utilize calcium and phosphorus which are very essential for bones and teeth.

Vitamin E is known for its ability to rejuvenate cells and maintain normal conditions to the skin tissues. It also protects red blood cells and hence keeps the body healthy. Vitamin B2 helps in protecting eyes from various damage.

Vitamin C is a very important enzyme, it is a well known antioxidant, and it helps in the synthesis of collagen which restores skin elasticity; promotes the growth and repair of cells, teeth and bones.

Vitamin A is very important for eye and skin health, as it prevents us from blindness and dry eyes and also maintains vision. It also promotes development to ensure healthy bones and teeth. Lack of it will result in dry, scaly and itchy skin, as well as hair loss and bone pains etc.

Minerals like iron, calcium, phosphorus and sodium are also important for healthy skin and over all body health. Fresh fruits and vegetables should be added to the diet plan because they are rich in essential nutrients. Excessive washing, preserving or overcooking results in wastage of water-soluble or oil soluble minerals and vitamins. Avoid that and eat healthy to maintain healthy skin bones and eyes.

Exercising the Body Keeps the Mind Strong As Well

Mental disorders are common and widespread in the global population with an estimated 26.2 percent of people over 18 or one in four adults affected. The burden on health and productivity throughout the world has long been underestimated as the cost of caring for people with mental health disorders is expected to sky rocket as the population ages.

The World Health Organization reveals that mental illness accounts for over 15 percent of the burden of disease in established market economies. This is more than the disease burden caused by all cancers and by 2020 will be the second highest cause of death and disability in the world.

Mental health is defined as a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own full potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.

Vigorous physical exercise is the body's key method of staying healthy and is crucial to mental health and fitness as well. With each new study, experts are getting a better understanding of the intimate connection between the health of the body and the health of the mind. And physical exercise - the body's key method of staying healthy - appears to be crucial to mental health, too.

Most people's idea of fitness stops at the neck and we forget that the brain is the central processing unit for all body systems and should be kept as strong and fit as the rest of our body. Everyone knows that proper exercise benefits the body physically - stronger muscles and joints, weight control, disease risk reduction etc, but many are unaware of the use of exercise for mental well-being as it is far less widely reported.

However, as research grows, the importance of physical activity in both prevention and as a therapeutic measure for mental health problems is becoming better understood and acknowledged. Physical and mental ill-health usually occurs together and, by improving one, you can also improve the other.

Modern technology with cell- phones, faxes and computers have pushed people into being expected to multitask and work at a fast pace. People today can and do absorb more information in one day than our ancestors absorbed in an entire lifetime. With our mentality of moving quicker and constantly doing things people tend to forget that down time is needed and is vital to mental health.

The most beneficial and effective way of getting this down time to reduce stress and anxiety is a proper exercise program. This program needs to contain at least 60 percent strength training exercise that will bring literally dozens of additional health benefits as well as the down or "me" time that is needed to stay centered and calm mentally and emotionally.

This type of exercise will generate feelings of happiness, well-being and an increase in energy due to the chemicals released by the brain after exercise - the body's natural painkillers and feel good endorphins.

If you view exercise as a task or punishment you may need to change your mindset to view it as a pleasure and a function or tool to maintain wellness. Instead of saying no to an exercise program say no to something else that is not as important. This will ensure that you will not become one of those four people with mental health problems somewhere in your lifetime.

Healthy Lifestyle - 10 Useful Tips

The way you carry on your daily life constitutes your lifestyle. Your lifestyle habits can be beneficial or detrimental to your health.
Adopt the following healthy lifestyle habits:

1. The habit of exercise: Choose a physical activity that you enjoy and stick to it. For me I like jogging around the field about three times a week. It is not only physically beneficial but it improves my mental health and helps avoid depression.

2. A satisfying and motivating job: It is fulfilling to keep yourself busy doing something challenging: You enjoy doing it and it's good for your brain. Keep on learning to up-date yourself.

3. Family Life: Family always comes first. A happy family life is a healthy life.

4. Be in the company of friends: Don't live in isolation. When you are connected you are able to express you feelings freely. When you keep thing inside you heart you are more likely to die from heart disease.

5. Relax: Find a way to unwind and relax. Practice yoga or play Tai Chi to calm your mind and reduce pressure.

6. Spiritual well-being: Pray to God or meditate to give you peace of mind. You will live longer.

7. Count your blessings: Don't hold a grudge against anyone. Be happy with what you have. Just think they are many more people in this world who are in very much worse conditions.

8. Eating habit: Adopt a balanced diet and avoid junk food. Drink plenty of water. Give up smoking and drinking. Avoid coffee and food processed in salt.

9. Sleep Well: Go to sleep and wake up at the same time for around 8 hours. A good night's sleep refreshes your mind and rejuvenates your body.

10. Live within you means: It gives you peace of mind and reduces your stress when you know that you can be independent financially.

When you make changes for the better be patient with yourself, old habits die hard, do it a step at a time.