Ten Important Steps To Maintain Your Health

When we are young most of us neglect the health of our bodies. Fortunately, our youth allows us some leeway in this respect. What we do not realize until later on is our unhealthy habits catch up to us. One day we wake up to find ourselves in a not so healthy state. Following are ten ways we can maintain our health and live a full life.

One important area we need to address is cholesterol intake. The first step is to get tested for your cholesterol levels. This will let you know what your cholesterol levels are and how strict you will need to be in monitoring your intake.

As we have always been told, start eating more fruits and vegetables. Even though science has isolated many vitamins and healthy substances from many fruits and vegetables, dieticians agree it is much better to consume them than swallow a pill. There are many synergistic substances which we cannot get from a pill.

Stay away from processed foods. They are loaded with sodium, chemicals and preservatives. Processing also takes away many of the health benefits in foods , such as fiber,vitamins and minerals.

Portion control is one of the most important tips for maintaining health. Failure to monitor portion size results in weight gain. Of course, to much weight gain and your health becomes plagued with high blood pressure, diabetes and more.

Fiber is crucial to a healthy diet. One of the best things we can do for our body is substitute processed foods for non processed. For instance whole wheat bread instead of bleached white bread. Natural cereals rich in bran and oats instead of sugar filled, processed ones.

Having sufficient protein intake is another important step to staying healthy. Our skin, hair, fingernails and muscles need protein to stay healthy. If we exercise, protein is needed for muscle repair.

Drinking enough water to keep you hydrated will prevent muscle cramps and help wash away toxins. Most dieticians recommend we drink water regularly, without waiting until we are actually thirsty. Our bodies need water to be able to function well, so routine hydration is a must.

As the name implies, vitamins are vital to our health. Remembering to take your vitamins every day is crucial. With many of our modern foods having been stripped of their vitamin content during processing, it is difficult to get all our recommended daily allowances of vitamins and minerals.

Remember to eat a well balanced breakfast for a healthy start to your day. Neglecting to eat breakfast can result in low energy levels and overeating during lunch. Doctors and health care professionals always tell us breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Make sure to get a good night sleep. When we sleep our body and mind have a chance to recuperate. Not only is sleep deprivation detrimental to our health, but also our safety when engaging in activities like driving and other tasks requiring mental clarity .

Following these simple tip, using common sense and moderation will help us stay healthy into our golden years.

Six Important Vitamins And Minerals For Better Health

Are you struggling to come up with a great diet plan? Do you not have much knowledge about the importance of vitamins and minerals? If so, then the below article is for you. We have outlined six vital vitamins and minerals that you should take for optimum health.

Make sure you consume enough Vitamin A. This vitamin is important for fighting off free radicals. Free radicals play a large part in developing many chronic diseases, such as cancer, arthritis, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Therefore, eliminating these free radicals will ensure that your immune system remains strong and healthy. Foods that are high in vitamin A include sweet potatoes, chili peppers, carrots, lettuce, cantaloupe, and more.

Include foods with zinc in order to improve your immune system. Zinc is important for the protein synthesis in your body, and it helps regulate the production of cells in your immune system. In addition, zinc improves your digestion, stress levels, diabetes, energy metabolism, and more. Foods high in zinc include oysters, low fat roast beef, peanuts, dark chocolate, and more.

Ensure you do not forget about the benefits of including Omega 3 fatty acids in your diet. These fatty acids assist in the growth and development of your brain. Not only that, but they also help reduce your risk of heart disease. Omega 3 cannot be reproduced by your body; therefore, it is important that you consume foods that have lots of them. Foods that are high in omega 3 fatty acids include fish, algae, krill, and nut oils.

Do not forget the importance of Vitamin C. This vitamin is important for healthy cell development, repairing and growing cells, normal tissue growth, and absorbing calcium. Vitamin C is water soluble. Because of this, it cannot be stored in your body, and therefore, you must continually supply your body with this vitamin. Foods that are high in Vitamin C include watermelon, cantaloupes, grapes, tomatoes, strawberries, broccoli, and many other fruits and vegetables.

Consume foods high in iron. Iron is important for your immune function, cognitive development, and heart health. Iron is necessary for hemoglobin creation, which is important for oxygen transportation in your body. Foods that are high in iron include dark, leafy greens, egg yolks, turkey or chicken giblets, beans, dried fruit, and more.

Finally, do not forget about the importance of fiber in your diet. Fiber is needed for proper digestion, which is important for preventing or lessening constipation. Fiber has other benefits, which include lowering your chance of developing heart disease and diabetes. Foods that are high in fiber include raspberries, bananas, raisins, apples, and more.

Although following a healthy diet can be difficult, it can be much easier if you have some knowledge on how vitamins and minerals can benefit your body. Now, whenever you are consuming a healthy food item, you will know exactly how it is benefiting your body. That should give you more motivation for remaining on your healthier diet, which will lead to a new and improved you.

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