Posted June 23rd, 2008 By: Yorick Pinto
A tiny amla contains as much vitamin C as 2 oranges!
A recent survey found that nearly one-third Americans aren’t getting enough vitamin C from the foods and beverages in their diet. “When we hear so much about the obesity crisis today, it’s surprising to learn that most Americans aren’t getting enough of some nutrients in their diets,” said Andrea Astrachan, Consumer Advisor at Stop & Shop.
A simple way by which you can increase the intake of Vitamin C in your diet is by consuming Amla or the Indian gooseberry. It is the most potent natural source of Vitamin C. The amount of Vitamin C contained in this tiny fruit is the same as that contained in two oranges!
Here are some interesting aspects about Amla (Indian gooseberry)
- It is the richest natural source of Vitamin C. 100 gm. of Amla contains about 700 mg. of vitamin C, which is thirty times the amount found in oranges.
- Besides Vitamin C, it also contains calcium, iron, protein, garlic and tannic acids, sugar, phosphorus, carbohydrates etc.
- When you consume Vitamin C in the form of supplements, not all of it is absorbed in the body, however, when you eat the Indian gooseberry, its Vitamin C content is easily assimilated by the body.
- It also helps boost protein metabolism, so if you exercise and work out, you will benefit greatly from regular amla intake.
- The Indian Gooseberry helps strengthen the liver, and rid the body of toxins, which accumulate on account of consumption of alcohol, antibiotics and other medicines.
- It strengthens the body’s central nervous system.
- It is also good for the skin and if taken along with neem, it can help cure acne and pimples.
- Besides, it is also good for the hair.
- It works as a laxative and can relieve constipation
- It is a very powerful anti-inflammatory herb.
- It increases Hemoglobin and the Red blood corpuscle count of the blood.
- It is helpful for relief from Cough, Bronchitis, Asthma.
- Amla is an excellent food for the brain. It helps in improving the brain functioning as well as mental concentration.
- It has antioxidant properties and helps combat free radicals, which are the unstable ions in the body – responsible for ageing and cell degeneration.
- It is low in sugar and has high fiber content, thus making it a must-have fruit for everyone.
- It also cleanses the mouth and strengthens the teeth.
How You Can Consume Amla
1. The best way to enjoy the benefits of Amla is to consume it raw. It could be taken with a little bit of salt for taste.
2. Amla can also be consumed as a pickle.
3. Various amla squashes or juices are available in the marketplace, making it easy to enjoy.
4. You could also buy Ayurvedic Amla Powder or Amla oil and add it to your hair directly.
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Posted May 28th, 2008 By: Yorick Pinto
Hope You Can Cut a Cake with a 100 Candles on it One Day!
1. Drink a lot of water
The benefits of drinking water cannot be understated. It is used by the body to flush out toxins and other waste products. Water also is one of the best tools for weight loss, besides assisting in clearing your skin.
Drinking a good amount of water could lower your risks of a heart attack. A six-year study published in the May 1, 2002 American Journal of Epidemiology found that those who drink more than 5 glasses of water a day were 41% less likely to die from a heart attack during the study period than those who drank less than two glasses.
The important question to bear in mind is how much water should one consume? The amount would be different for different people, depending on factors such as the body weight, physical activity, health of the person, etc. However, you should avoid drinking water only when you are thirsty, instead you should make a routine – drink a glass of water first thing in the morning, another glass with each meal, one between meals and before, during and after a workout. Thus you should ensure that you do not feel thirsty.
(To get a quick and easy formula that tells you how much water your body needs, subscribe to the “7 Essential Secrets to Longevity” above.)
2. Have an anti-oxidant rich diet
It is a well known fact that the aging process is directly influenced by the food you eat. Hence you should consume a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables such as broccoli, tomatoes, carrots, squash, berries, apricots, and pink grapefruit, as they are rich in anti oxidizing agents. The anti oxidizing agents or antioxidants as they are commonly referred to, protect the cells of our bodies from the damage caused by free radicals. This in effect means they slow down the aging process of the body and thus help you live a long, healthy life.
Also you must ensure that you get sufficient doses of Vitamin C & Vitamin E as these two are important anti-oxidants. The common sources of Vitamin C are citrus fruits such as oranges and lime, green peppers, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, strawberries and tomatoes. Whereas nuts & seeds, whole grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oil and liver oil contain Vitamin E.
3. Ensure that you exercise regularly
Exercise will not only help you lose weight and stay in shape, but it also helps in slowing down the aging process. If you exercise regularly, a number of ailments associated with aging can be reduced. These include insomnia, back and joint pain, flexibility, stress related disorders, weight-gain, etc. Also exercise has the added advantage of making you feel more energetic, preventing the incidence of high blood pressure, increasing blood flow to your skin, reducing stress and increasing your metabolism rate.
Another aspect of exercise – especially during the aging process – is that it helps you be more independent and increases your self-esteem, thus reducing the phobias/fears normally associated with aging.
4. Reduce stress
You would be familiar with stress and its harmful effects on the human body. However, you must remember that not all stress is bad! To a certain extent, stress is needed by the body to perform its day-to-day functions.
The problem arises when the stress level increases and the body is affected by its harmful effects. Hence in order to minimize the damage done to the body by excess stress, it is necessary to keep it in check. There are many ways by which this can be done such as deep breathing, listening to soothing music, meditation, yoga, etc.
Another way to alleviate stress is to learn the art of time management in your daily life. This will help you allocate some time for yourself on a daily basis, which can be used for practicing meditation or any other technique to reduce stress.
5. Sufficient sleep
The lack of sufficient sleep not only makes you age faster but also makes you look older.
When you do not get enough sleep, you feel tired and find it difficult to concentrate. Also you tend to be irritable and grumpy, as a result you may not be able to perform your tasks efficiently. The best way to avoid all the problems caused by lack of sufficient sleep would be to ensure that you get a good night’s rest.
The main problem is how many hours of sleep does an individual require? This figure differs from person-to-person and generally reduces as one grows older. A good way to check if you are receiving adequate sleep is to see if you feel refreshed when you wake up in the morning and you do not feel sleepy during the day. If not, chances are you are not getting sufficient sleep. In such a scenario, it is essential to sleep for some more time and see if the drowsiness reduces.
Posted in Exercise, Food & Diet, Lifestyle | 8 Comments »
