Vitamin A is very important for normal vision, the immune system, and reproduction.
Vitamin A protects your eyes from night blindness and Age – related Decline. Night blindness occurs in people with vitamin A deficiency, as the vitamin is a major component of the pigment rhodopsin.
Rhodopsin is a G – Protein coupled receptor and is the most abundant protein in the rod cells found on the retina. It functions as the primary photoreceptor molecule of vision.
Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) the leading cause of blindness in the developed world. Though it’s exactly cause is unknown it’s thought to be the result of cellular damage to the retina.
SUMMARY: Eating adequate amounts of vitamin A prevents the development of night blindness and may help slow the age – related decline of your eyesight.
HERE ARE 4 COMMON FOODS THAT ARE RICH IN VITAMIN A
4: BROCCOLI
Broccoli is a nutrient – rich vegetable that enhances your health in a variety of ways such as by reducing inflammation, improving blood sugar control, boosting immunity and promoting heart health.
3: SPINACH
Spinach contains large quantities of vitamin A which moderates oil production in the skin pores and hair follicles to miosturize the skin and hair. Vitamin A is also necessary for the growth of all bodily tissues including skin and hair.
2: LIVER
Liver is high in vitamin A, folic acid, iron, and zinc. Liver is the most nutrient dense organ meat, and it is without a doubt a powerful source of vitamin A.
1: CARROTS
No surprise it’s the number one on our list….. carrots are rich in beta- carotene, a compound your body changes into vitamin A, which helps keep your eyes healthy. And beta-carotene helps protect your eyes from the sun and lowers your chance of cataracts and other eye problems. Yellow carrots have lutein, which is also good for your eyes.
CONCLUSION: Vitamin A is beneficial for eye health and for reducing diseases that cause inflammation, including everything from Alzheimer’s diseases to arthritis.
High blood pressure (hypertension) can be dangerous if it’s not treated. It can put you at risk for stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, and other medical problems. Changing what you eat exercising more and taking your prescribed medicine can help you keep your blood pressure where it should be.
WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
Blood Pressure is the measurement of the pressure or force of blood rushing against blood vessel walls. When you have hypertension (High blood pressure) it means the pressure against the blood vessels walls in your body is consistently too high. High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” because you may not be aware that anything is wrong, but the damage is still occuring within your body.
HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE?
High blood pressure usually doesn’t cause symptoms. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have your provider measure it with a blood pressure cuff to know your numbers so you can make the changes that help prevent or limit damage. A normal blood pressure should be under 130/80mmHg, herpertensive crisis (get emergency care) 180/120mmHg or higher. Consult your health care provider for more blood reading info.
High blood pressure if left untreated may lead to serious health problems including:
Stroke
Heart attack
Peripheral vascular diseases
Kidney disease/failure
Eye damage
Complications during pregnancy
Vascular dementia
RISK FACTORS OR CAUSES OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
You are more likely to have high blood pressure if you:
Have family members who have High blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases or diabetes
Are older than 55
Are of african decent
Are over weight
Don’t get enough exercise
Eat food high in sodium (salt)
Smoke or use tobacco products
Are a heavy drinker
STEPS TO AVOID OR CONTROL HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
Check your blood pressure regularly with a home blood pressure monitor. These are automated electronic monitors and are available at most pharmacies or online.
Eat healthy foods that are low in salt and fat.
Limit alcohol intake to no more than two drinks each day for men and less than one drink each day for women.
Be more physically active.
Quit smoking or using tobacco products.
Work on controlling anger and managing stress
FOODS TO AVOID IF YOU HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
1: Bacon and Deli meat
Roast beef, ham, bacon it doesn’t really matter which deli counter item you choose, they are all loaded with sodium.
2: Canned soup
With modern techniques, we no longer need salt to preserve canned goods. But since food can lose it’s flavor when cooked properly to sterilization and stored in a can, it’s common for manufacturers to still add a lot of salt. Canned soups contain anywhere from 100mg to 940mg of sodium per cup. Look for the ones labeled unsalted, sodium-free or low sodium.
3: Alcohol
Consuming 7 to 13 alcoholic beverages a week can substantially raise your risk of high blood pressure in recent studies “it’s thought that alcohol in this amount may stimulate the sympathetic nervous system which ups cortisol levels and creates an imbalance in the vascular inflammatory system” says Kimberly parks, D.O.
4: pizza
Just one slice of cheese and pepperoni pizza can contain more than half your daily recommended dietary sodium even if you go for the veggie version, your still knocking your blood pressure.
5: Salty snacks
Of course foods like chips, popcorn, pretlels, snack mixes and crackers are high in sodium. It’s better to opt for low sodium snacks that offer 140mg of sodium or less per serving.
FOODS THAT ARE GOOD FOR HIGH BLOODPRESSURE
1: Fruits
Fruits is full of nutrients that can bring down your blood pressure. The key nutrients are potassium in bananas for example lowers tension in the walls of your blood vessels. It also helps get rid of sodium which raises blood pressure, through urine.
Eat fruits that are rich in potassium, magnesium and fiber
Apples
Cantaloupe
Apricots
Raspberries
Pears
2: Vegetables
Like fruits vegetables are full of potassium, magnesium and fiber that helps bring your blood pressure down. Keep in mind you may need to eat more than you normally would for them to have an effect.
Stock up on these veggies that are rich in potassium, magnesium and fiber.
Avocado
Leafy greens
Beets
Broccoli
Green peas
Mushroom
3: Whole grains
Whole grains are full of dietary fiber, that’s why they are alot better for your body than foods made with refined White flour. Switch to whole grain versions of food you already eat for example go for whole wheat bread rather than white.
Look for whole grain versions of these foods
Bread
Cereal
Granola
Flour
Oat meal
4: Nuts, Seeds and Beans
You get a big boost of magnesium when you eat nuts, seeds and beans. This essential nutrients regulates your blood pressure and helps blood vessels relax. Foods in this category also have fiber and plant compounds that protect you from heart diseases and some cancers. They are an easy portable snack and also make great salad toppings.
High blood pressure (hypertension) can be dangerous if it’s not treated. It can put you at risk for stroke, heart failure, kidney failure, and other medical problems. Changing what you eat exercising more and taking your prescribed medicine can help you keep your blood pressure where it should be. WHAT IS HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? Blood…
Honey is the sweet, sticky substance that bees make from flower nectar, it owes it’s sweetness to the presence of monosaccharides, glucose and fructose, it’s shelf life or it’s preservation life extends to thousands of years making it a very essential part of our kitchen. Apart from imparting flavor to food and drinks Honey provides…
Honey is the sweet, sticky substance that bees make from flower nectar, it owes it’s sweetness to the presence of monosaccharides, glucose and fructose, it’s shelf life or it’s preservation life extends to thousands of years making it a very essential part of our kitchen.
Apart from imparting flavor to food and drinks Honey provides essential nutritional substances that our body needs, it is also used to help treat many health ailments. This dark, sweet and sticky natural substance is one of the best things mother nature has to offer.
HERE ARE SOME HEALTH BENEFITS OF HONEY THAT MAY LIKELY AMAZE YOU….
HEALTH & FITNESS 