You are browsing the tag archive for vitamins.

Photo: mcbill / Flickr

Eating a wide range of different kinds of fruits and vegetables, paying special attention to the orange, red and dark green varieties, is one of the best ways to stay healthy. By eating this way, you give your body essential vitamins and minerals which help build and maintain bone, blood and tissue ‑ while dealing with free-radicals. Antioxidants, in the form of phytochemicals, have been found in a variety of vegetables and fruit. Here we summarise the major vitamins, their sources and benefits. (more…)

Photo: ShaneRobinson / Flickr

Are you waking up tired every morning? Do you never feel you’ve had a good night’s sleep? If something is interrupting your sleep and you find yourself waking in the night it’s likely you don’t ever get up feeling rested and refreshed – you probably feel groggy and find it hard to get going. Restless leg syndrome, indigestion and waking up to use the bathroom in the night can all leave you tired in the morning. If one of these applies to you, there are things you can do to get a better night’s sleep. (more…)

Photo: Stock.Xchng

There are very few people who have a passion for pumpkin – unless it’s in pie or used as a Halloween decoration. But pumpkin is actually a very nutritious vegetable, packed with vitamins and fibre, and prepared properly it’s delicious. Here’s how to do this underrated veggie justice – and why you should add it to your shopping list. (more…)

Photo: Coco Mault / Flickr

Bruises happen. When you bump into something – or something bumps into you – blood vessels deep underneath the skin are damaged, and blood from these damaged blood vessels pools near the skin’s surface. This is what causes the blue-purple colour of a bruise. Bruises aren’t pretty, though, and if they’re in a visible spot you may want to cover up to hide them. Try the following steps and you may not have to. (more…)

Photo: St0rmz / Flickr

Many consider tomato to be a vegetable, but few know that it is actually a fruit. Tomatoes are not only good for the body, but they are also versatile and easy to prepare. Tomatoes form a part of most salads, sauces and gravies and can be eaten in a variety of ways. If you do not like the taste, you can simply hide them in your stew or curry and it cooks within minutes. You do not have to be a chef to cook a tomato – and if you don’t want to cook them, simply eat them raw. (more…)

Photo: thebone / Flickr

It’s thought that around 3 million people in the UK have osteoporosis. It affects the bones, making them weak and fragile. People with osteoporosis have over 230,000 fractures a year because of this weakening. The good news is that bone is a living tissue that constantly rebuilds itself, meaning that osteoporosis can be prevented, and even halted if caught in the early stages. Read on to find out whether you’re at risk. (more…)

Photo: Kake Pugh / Flickr

Choosing locally produced food in season is the best way to get the most out of what you eat. When you buy local you lessen the impact your groceries have on the environment while getting the benefit of eating nutrient-packed fresh fruit and vegetables. Of course, you save money buying fresh produce in season, too. Here’s what to look out for this spring – vegetables so good for you they’re known as superfoods. (more…)

Photo: TheRogue / Flickr

Aching joints, forgetfulness and fatigue have come to be accepted as part of ageing. But what you eat – or don’t eat – can either slow down the ageing process or make you feel old before your time. ‘We eat too many processed foods,’ says director of Yale University’s Prevention Centre David Katz, MD. ‘They’re often high in calories and low in nutrients such as vitamin B12 and omega-3s, so we end up with islands of deficiencies in a sea of excess.’ These deficiencies can lead to symptoms we associate with ageing, but a healthier diet and, in some cases, supplementing nutrients will help put the spring back in your step. (more…)

Photo: tibchris / Flickr

Did you know that the skin is your largest organ? An average person’s skin is about two square metres in size! Our skin keeps diseases, viruses and bacteria from entering our bodies, and keeps us from losing water and provides us with a sense of touch. Our skin also protects our muscles and organs. Usually, we don’t worry about what our skin does for us – we’re mostly concerned about how it looks. (more…)

Photo: Foxtongue / Flickr

If you’re keen to protect yourself from memory loss in the future, consider the role that exercise and diet can play in preventing ailments like Alzheimer’s disease.  There is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease – and many other mental health problems – at this point and the prevention experts are advising people to adopt healthier lifestyles in order to have independent and happy golden years. (more…)