It’s Entirely Natural - Articles

One of the major problems that you can run into when trying to eat a healthy diet and find the right foods are allergies that may come up with different types of foods as well as from different seasons. The first step in relieving allergies to help with nutrition is recognizing the source where it is coming from. From here, you will be able to find several solutions to get the nutrition you need in food without allergy problems.

An allergy is a reaction that happens in your body when there is not recognition of the food or substance that is in it. The body will react by creating a defense mechanism to fight off the substance. It does this by making antibodies through chemicals known as histamines. This then causes the body to react to the substance.

There are several natural things that you can do to change the body’s reaction to the substances that are in your system. One of the solutions is to cause an alternate reaction with the body. This can be done by eating a variety of different supplements. By doing this, it will cause the chemicals in your body to stop reacting as much. Drinking water, eating more fruits and vegetables, white fish, turkey and almonds, walnuts and sunflower seeds all allow for the chemicals in your body to slow down and minimize the allergy reaction.

There are also certain vitamin supplements that you can take that will reduce allergies. Vitamins C, A and E, Zinc are the recommended vitamins that will fight allergy reactions. You can also take gamm linoleic acid, (GLA), extra enzymes, and colon cleansing products, such as high fiber, garlic and cayenne pepper. These are all known to help balance your body so that it doesn’t react through allergies.

There are several different natural formulas that are available as well to help fight allergies. Green Tea, selenium, licorice root, copper and magnesium are all available as supplements or in teas. This will help to calm down the chemicals in your body.

If your allergies do not seem to be getting any better, you can also ask your doctor for the best substance to use. There are several over the counter or prescribed medications that are popular for bad allergies. These will block the chemical from being able to produce, which will eliminate the allergy. Some will have laser correction if the allergies are extreme.

Allergies can get in the way of you being able to eat nutritious food as well as to feel that you are living healthy. By using a variety of methods, you can fight off allergies. If the allergies are from the food that you are eating, then it is important to first find which food it is, and then supplement it with a vitamin or another type of food. Knowing what you are body is reacting to then using the proper reaction to it will allow for your allergies to disappear. From here, you can add to your nutritious lifestyle.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Nutrition & Health.

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Tags: cayenne pepper, Colon Cleansing, diet, enzymes, Fiber, garlic, green tea, licorice, linoleic acid, magnesium, Nutrition & Health, sunflower seeds

Chocolate is not just a tasty treat. Chocolate is actually healthy for you in small quantities. Researchers have spent many years studying this delicious food (what a fun thing to research!) These researchers have found that dark chocolate, which is bitterer in taste than milk chocolate or other forms of chocolate, has a number of benefits to health. Dark chocolate, red wine and green tea have all been shown to share many of the same health benefits.

Antioxidants are to be found in dark chocolate, and one of the benefits of antioxidants is their cancer-fighting properties. Other health benefits that have been connected to dark chocolate include

• a tremendous improvement in the work of the arteries and blood vessels; the lowering if high blood pressure,
  a lower incidence of deaths related to heart disease;
• improved efficiency of the endothelial cells;
• better digestive process and increased stimulation of the kidneys.

Flavonoids found in chocolate have been found to help people who suffer from anemia, a poor appetite and kidney stones. Dark chocolate is instrumental in fighting bad cholesterol in the blood vessels and it lowers blood pressure and greatly improves the circulation of blood from the heart to the brain and then back again.

Dark chocolate is believed to set off a biochemical effect in the brain that helps to clot the blood much in the same way as aspirin does if a person suspects that they are suffering a heart attack.

Dark chocolate contains the minerals copper and magnesium. These minerals are necessary for a normal functioning heartbeat and for stable blood pressure.

There are potential downsides: be aware that chocolate is fattening, and it contains caffeine so never overdo a good thing!

Not just any dark chocolate will do. In order to get the dark chocolate, experts say that the very best source is the dried extract of roasted cocoa beans. If you cannot consume chocolate this way or if it is not for you then the second best option is to eat a small chocolate bar that is approximately 1.6 ounces. This is just enough chocolate to keep the heart as healthy as possible and to keep the blood vessels opened wide, allowing blood to freely circulate.

There are many dark chocolate bars on the market but one of the best in terms of high cocoa content is the Dove Dark chocolate bar. Even eating a few tiny pieces, such as three or four squares broken off from a chocolate bar can be of tremendous benefit to the heart.

Keep in mind that eating any type of chocolate is not enough to keep the heart “heart healthy.” What you need to eat specifically is dark chocolate as dark chocolate has the most cocoa in it and the most flavonoids.

Before it was discovered that cocoa contained healthy substances called flavonoids, chocolate manufacturers used to destroy this entire important ingredient in the processing. Now that the health benefits are known, they work hard to maintain an estimated 95 percent of it after processing.

Why just dark chocolate? Because milk chocolate, white chocolate, and other forms of chocolate do not have the same level of flavonoids. If you find dark chocolate too bitter then consider buying a dark chocolate bar that contains almonds or raisins or both to add a little more variety to the flavor.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Food Cures.

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Tags: almonds, antioxidants, caffeine, cholesterol, cocoa beans, dark chocolate, flavonoids, Food Cures, green tea, magnesium, red wine