Wrinkles and fine lines are the signs of aging. These are especially visible on the neck, hands and face. When the collagen and elastin present in the connective tissue of the skin is destabilized or reduce in number, it emerges. Nowadays wrinkles are not limited to aging skin but in younger skin also. The main factors foremost to wrinkles are sun, stress, pollution and free radicals. Wrinkles can be divided into two groups, fine surface lines and deep furrows. In general, wrinkle treatments are much more effective for fine lines. Deeper creases may need more aggressive techniques.

Natural remedies for wrinkles:

Glycerin honey mask:
Mix one tablespoon of glycerin and one tablespoon of honey and massage this pack on face and neck before going to bed. Rinse your face with soft water at morning

Honey & Carrot Juice:
Take one table spoon of honey and add one fourth tea spoon of fresh carrot juice. Apply this all over the face and then wipe it off with cotton soaked in warm water in which a bit of sodium bicarbonate is also added.

Avocados:
Avocado is another very effective remedy. Spread some avocado slices or pulp on the face especially in the dry areas. This will be helpful in increasing the oil production of your skin.

Fruit Facial:
Natural, homemade fruit facial keeps the wrinkles at bay. Mash a fruit and use to massage the face, in upward motion, following circular strokes. This accelerates the blood circulation and helps to fight against wrinkle formation.

Plenty of Water:
Drinking plenty of water is the best natural remedy to soften wrinkles on the face. It is the most effective thing to improve the skin and also it is least costly.

Seedless Grape:
First cut the grape into two pieces and crush it. Pay extra attention to the crow feet and the fine lines near your mouth. Leave it for twenty minutes and then rinse it with warm water and pat dry the area. Do it daily.

Healthy Diet:
Diet plays a role in improving skin. The diet with plenty of fresh fruits, whole grains and vegetables, and the use of healthy oils like olive oil may protect the skin.

Carrot cream:
First extract juice from two fifty grams of carrot. Add one teaspoon of almond oil in the juice and mix well. Let it cool in refrigerator for two hours and then apply on cheeks, around the eyes and the chin for 30 minutes. Then rinse with lukewarm water.

Facial Massages:
Regular facial massage helps to keep elasticity in the skin and keep wrinkles and fine lines away. Massage does this by relaxing the muscles and by stimulating the blood vessels under the skin.

Other natural remedies:

• Mix milk cream and lime juice and apply on face for at least 30 days. This pack is effective for dry skins which are more prone to wrinkles.
• Take one cup of sugarcane juice and add one teaspoon of turmeric powder to it. Apply the mixture on the face regularly.
• Pineapple juice is an excellent solution for the fine lines caused by wrinkles. Drink it on a regular basis.
• Take an apple and boil in a pan of water. Once it is boiled, mash it and then add one teaspoon of honey. Apply the paste all over the face and neck. Keep the paste for about half an hour and then rinse off with cold running water.
• Apply the paste of raw banana and rub it on your face. Keep it till it is dry. This remedy is very effective.
• Garlic helps in improving the skin elasticity of the face. 2-3 cloves daily can be effective to fight against wrinkles.
• Lavender essential oil also helps to reduce wrinkles. A few drops of the oil in the bath or gently massage it on the wrinkles areas of the face.
• Avoid excessive exposure to the sun as this tends to dry out the moisture in your skin leaving your skin drier. This in turn promotes aging. So the best way is to use a sunscreen with a good SPF to protect yourself whenever you go out.
• Use Castor oil on regular basis, this works wonders in removing the wrinkles on the face.
• Smoking is another major factor for the appearance of wrinkles. Apart from causing other health related problems, smoking also causes wrinkles to appear making you look more aged.

Home remedies to remove Face wrinkles:

• Empty the contents of 3 Vitamin E capsules into a small bowl. Add 2 tsps plain yogurt, 1/2 tsp honey and 1/2 tsp lemon juice. Apply this mixture on the face using a cotton ball. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse.
• Drinking one teaspoon of ginger by mixing some honey in it will make your skin glow and will delay the formation of wrinkles too.
• A paste of turmeric made with sugarcane juice is great to get rid of wrinkles and slow skin ageing.
• To remove the wrinkles form below the eyes area, apply egg whites into this area and allow it to dry then wash it off.
• A mixture of 1/4 cup comfrey infusion, 1/4 cup witch hazel and 10 drops of patchouli essential oil is effective in treating wrinkles. This can be stored in a clean bottle and applied on affected areas with a cotton ball.
• Gently massage coconut oil on portions of skin prone to wrinkles every night a bedtime.
• Applying juice of green pineapples and apples on the face daily for 10-15 minutes is good for fine wrinkles and cracked skin.
• Applying lemon juice over the face and neck is also effective in reducing the wrinkles.

Video from YouTube, Caring for Skin: How to Remove Wrinkles Naturally:

Most women are lacking of fiber. Fresh fruits and vegetable as well as grains are good for energy and also good sources of fiber. A healthy body is one that receives sufficient servings of all major food groups in regular meals and snacks. The main base of this daily diet program is a food group combination that makes energy available for body activities other than digestion. After following the healthy daily diet, the body can easily breakdown foods and remove the undigested food. However, keep in mind that wrong combination of food consumption would result in accumulation of the waste in the body which results in weight gain and toxicity.

To nourish body, wholesome fresh foods overflowing with nutrients can be helpful and also they reflect their effect on skin, hair etc. Moreover, it can also help to solve symptoms of problems regarding digestion, constipation, allergies, headaches, menstrual problems, pimples, arthritis, eczema, heart problems and other diseases; if followed consistently.

Breakfast:

Beginning of the day, you have an empty stomach and so the foods that you eat pass from the stomach to the intestines at a very rapid pace. Digestion, absorption, and conversion of food to energy unit glucose is also done quickly. This glucose is to be unavoidably supplied in sufficient quantities to brain cells to allow working of people be efficient.

A decent serving of low in sugar cereal coupled with fruit is a decent way to get a serving of grains and fruit with breakfast.  Also, you can drink skim or fat free milk with your cereal to complete your dairy serving without the added fats of whole milk. For breakfast, apples, peaches or blueberries are wise fruit choices, as they all contain antioxidants and fiber. In place of cereal, a muffin would also be sufficient.

Lunch and Snacks:

To satisfy hankering, snacking on dried fruit is a smart way as they are good sources of fiber and energy.  In the late afternoon, add yogurt to your dried fruit for a more filling snack. Sandwiches on whole wheat bread with little to no mayonnaise are best for lunch. Turkey or roast beef meats are both decent meat options. Also, ensure to add tomato and lettuce to your sandwich that will sure that you don’t over do it on the meats. If you skip dairy during breakfast cheese is fine in a sandwich.

Cereal or pulse with a lot of vegetables-cooked and raw should be included in lunch. So, you can consume whole wheat flour, bajra or jowar rotis or moong sprouts with a lot of high water content veggies. This food combination facilitate only limited amount of energy to be diverted for digestion of food.  Thus, it may be helpful to maintain concentration in office work.

Dinner:

A healthy and filling dinner idea is colorful salad with grilled or baked fish. Fish is a good source of protein and salads before meals prevent you from gorging yourself on the meat and sides. Spinach tossed with tomatoes, tangerines and nuts create a tasty and healthy salad. Salmon or trout fillets are both decent protein rich fishes that will tribute your salad. The dressing should be light vinaigrette and skip the cheese for this meal. Try to keep your beverage low calorie and alcohol, while popular, is rich with calories.

If you are vegetarian, you can take a complete meal of chapatti, vegetable, dal and salad for dinner. This meal should be consumed at least two or three hours before you go to sleep. The amount of food consumed should not depend on your taste-bud but left on your hunger pangs to decide.

Dessert:

As a sufficient dessert, you can use a small serving of ice cream (one cup) with fruit like strawberries or cherries. Ice cream is full of calories but when taken in restraint, would not be harmful to a healthy diet.

Daily diet schedule for working women:

7 am: Begin with lemon

Add three teaspoons of lemon juice to lukewarm water and drink it first thing in the morning which helps in absorption of nutrients and eliminates fat from the body.

7.30 am: Tea and Biscuits

In the morning, Biscuits prevent acidity. Eat digestive biscuits or cream crackers which gives fibre to the body.

8.30 am: Breakfast like a queen

To give your body enough calories for the day, you should eat plenty of carbohydrates in the morning. A good breakfast should include one of the following: Two chapatis with sabji or idli and sambhar or wheat/oat flakes with milk or a brown bread sandwich.

11.30 am: Mid-morning snack

To speed up fat absorption, drink fresh fruit juice. Squeeze in two biscuits or plain wheat khakras to avoid feeling too hungry by lunchtime.

2 pm: Eat lunch like a common man

To avoid feeling lethargic in the afternoon, lunch should be lighter than breakfast. Lunch should fulfill your nutritional requirements for the day. It can include salad, two chapatis, dal or sabji.

5 pm: Mid-evening snack

Consuming at least one seasonal fruit along with some roasted nuts, popcorn or whole wheat bread in the evening is recommended. A handful of roasted nuts are ideal since they satisfy your hunger without getting too many calories in.

8 pm: Eat dinner like a pauper

Dinner should be the lightest meal of the day. It should include soup, porridge or salad, with one chapati, dal and sabji.

10 pm: A glass of warm milk

Before going to bed, take a glass of warm milk. It takes care of your calcium intake and some claim it helps them sleep better.

Metabolism rate of the body depends on the frequency of eating and the amount of exercise that carried out by you.

A low potassium diet helps to stop high blood levels of potassium. It is very important to limit potassium rich foods in your daily diet if you have a medical condition that may cause high potassium levels. Muscle weakness, irregular heart beat, and also death can occur when blood potassium levels are too high in the body. Limiting potassium in diet can help to keep blood potassium levels normal.

About Potassium:

• Potassium is found in most foods. Fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, peanut butter and milk are very high in potassium.
• The amount of potassium in a food item can now be found on some food labels.
• It keeps the heart beating regularly, helps to maintain fluid balance, and allows the nerves and muscles to work properly.
• You will need to limit your intake of these foods and pay close attention to serving sizes.

Need of a low potassium diet:

The level of potassium in body is normally balanced by eating foods that contain potassium and getting rid of excess potassium in the urine. But, some people who have chronic kidney disease cannot get rid of enough potassium in their urine as their kidneys do not work well. In such person, the level of potassium in the blood can become higher than normal. This condition is known as hyperkalemia. The risk of developing hyperkalemia can be lowered by eating a low potassium diet.

Potassium levels in the blood can increase up to dangerous levels if an individual has kidney problems and this causes irregular heartbeats, confusion or a heart attack. A low potassium diet is suggested to such individuals. Diet which contain less than 2000 mg of potassium per day, called as a “low potassium diet”.

By taking a small sample of blood from a vein, the potassium level is measured in the body. 3.5 to 5 meq/L is a typical normal range for potassium and a level greater than 6 meq/L is considered as dangerous. A low level can also be dangerous for the body.

Benefits of a Low Potassium Diet:

• It helps to maintain normal muscle and heart function.
• It helps to lower the amount of potassium in your blood.

Guidelines of a Low Potassium Diet:

• Check labels for words that include potassium, such as potassium chloride, to avoid potassium hidden in foods.
• Avoid salt substitutes as many of them contain potassium. Salt-free herb blends and spices are acceptable.
• Limit foods that are high in potassium.
• Be sure to cook frozen fruits and vegetables in water; wash and drain well before serving.
• Liquid should be drained from all canned fruits and vegetables and washed before serving.
• Potatoes may be peeled, sliced thin, and soaked in water for at least 4 hours or overnight before washing and cooking. Leafy green vegetables (collards, kale and spinach) should also be soaked for at least 4 hours and washed well before cooking. This helps to considerably lower the amount of potassium in these foods.

Low potassium foods:

1 serving of the following can be believed as Low potassium food and more than 1 serving of the following can make it high potassium food. 1 serving means ½ cup.

General foods:

• Cookies (without nuts or chocolate)
• Noodles
• Pasta
• Bread (bread products)
• Cake – angel, yellow
• Coffee ( maximum 8 ounces)
• Pies (without chocolate or high-potassium foods)
• Rice
• Tea (maximum 16 ounces)

Vegetables:

• Canned Chestnuts
• Carrots (cooked)
• Celery (1 stalk)
• Cucumber
• Eggplant
• Alfalfa sprouts
• Asparagus – 6 spears
• Beans (wax or green)
• Leached potatoes
• Lettuce
• Cabbage (red and green)
• Mixed vegetables
• Okra
• Onions
• Parsley
• Rhubarb
• Water
• Watercress
• Fresh mushrooms
• Green Peas
• Kale
• Peppers
• Corn (Fresh – ½ ear, Frozen – ½ cup)
• Radish

Fruits:

• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Apple – 1 medium/juice/sauce
• Peaches – Fresh (1 small), Canned (½ cup)
• Apricots, canned in juice
• Cherries
• Cranberries
• Pineapple (juice)
• Fruit cocktail
• Grapes (juice)
• Plums – 1 whole
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Tangerine – 1 whole
• Watermelon – 1 cup
• Pears – Fresh (1 small), Canned (½ cup)
• Grapefruit, ½ whole
• Mandarin oranges

What is Gestational diabetes?

Gestational diabetes is one type of the diabetes that develops during pregnancy. It is a carbohydrate intolerance of variable severity. In this type of diabetes, the tissues are unable to absorb glucose from the bloodstream due to a lack of the hormone insulin. For most women, blood sugar levels go back to normal after they give birth. Treatment of Gestational diabetes involves controlling your blood sugar by strictly following a healthy diet and exercising regularly. To control blood sugar, some women also need to use insulin. For a healthy pregnancy and baby, controlling of high blood sugar is helpful to you.

Women at risk of developing Gestational Diabetes:

Up to 1 in 50 women temporarily develop diabetes mellitus during the course of pregnancy. Women at risk for gestational diabetes include those who:

• have a family history of diabetes
• are overweight
• are over 25 years of age
• have previously had a baby who was stillborn, or born with a birth defect
• have an excess amount of amniotic fluid (the cushioning fluid within the uterus that surrounds the developing fetus)
• belong to an ethnic group known to experience higher rates of gestational diabetes (in the United States, these groups include Mexican-Americans, American Indians, African-Americans, as well as individuals from Asia, India, or the Pacific Islands)
• have a previous history of gestational diabetes during a pregnancy
• have previously given birth to a very large, heavy baby

Symptoms of Gestational Diabetes:

Most of women, who have gestational diabetes, have no familiar symptoms for this reason.  It is suggested that all pregnant women should carry our testing for gestational diabetes during the 24th and 28th weeks of their pregnancy. The symptoms are generally mild and not life-threatening to the pregnant woman.

• Increased thirst
• Fatigue
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Increased urination
• Blurred vision
• Weight loss in spite of increased appetite
• Frequent infection including those of bladder, vagina and skin

Treatment:

Gestational diabetes treatment will depend on the severity of the diabetes. It mainly carried out to maintain blood glucose levels within normal limits during the duration of the pregnancy. Treatment ensures the well-being of the fetus.

Gestational diabetes treatment includes following:

• Diet
• Medication
• Exercise

Diet plan for Gestational diabetes:

During pregnancy, diabetic women are required to follow a carefully regulated meal plan. Small, frequent meals and lot of water may be helpful. The diet should include 3 meals and 3 snacks. Foods which are eaten by pregnant women must contain high fiber, less sugar foods like whole grain bread, beans, fresh fruits and vegetable. Do not eat chocolates, candies and cakes as they deliver a large amount of glucose from a very small volume and very quickly shoot up your blood sugar levels. Also, avoid fruit juices with a lot of added sugar. Be careful for saturated fats in your diet such as butter, whole milk, dairy and other animal fats.

Also, keep in mind to have a balanced meal with fewer carbohydrates. Do not completely stop you sugar intake. Actually, that would be very dangerous to do so as carbohydrates are absolutely necessary for giving energy to you and your baby.

A sample diet for women having gestational diabetes:

Breakfast:

• 3 slices of brown bread with 1 tsp of low fat bread spread Or 1 cup cooked oatmeal with skimmed milk added

Mid Morning:

• 1 fruit Or 1 vegetable with high water content like tomato or cucumber

Lunch:

• 1 bowl vegetable preparation (cooked)
• 1 skimmed milk yoghurt
• 2 wheat or cereals
• A small bowl green salad
• 1 small bowl pulse preparation or lean meat preparation
• Can add 1 tsp of vegetable oil to the preparation

Evening Snack:

• 3 crackers

Late Evening:

• ½ cup sugar free pudding or custard Or ½ cup sprout mixture with tinge of lemon juice

Dinner:

• A small bowl of steamed vegetables
• 1 tsp of margarine added
• 1 Cup of cooked pastas
• 1 cup fruit salad

Late Night:

• 1cup of skimmed milk

Nutrition Diet plan for Gestational diabetes:

• Break fast Meal: 30 grams of Carbohydrates, Any amount of protein, moderated fat.
• Brunch Snack: 30 grams of Carbohydrates, Any amount of protein, moderated fat.
• Lunch Meal: 45 grams of Carbohydrates, Any amount of protein, moderated fat.
• Evening Snack: 30 grams of Carbohydrates, Any amount of protein, moderated fat.
• Dinner: 45 grams of Carbohydrates, Any amount of protein, moderated fat.
• Late Night Snack: 30 grams of Carbohydrates, Any amount of protein, moderated fat.

Especially for a diabetic pregnant woman, selection of healthy diet is very important. To control diabetes, diet is a natural way and if you strictly follow a healthy diet with exercise and medications, you can keep your blood glucose at a stable level. A well-balanced diet, with low fat, high carbohydrates and high fiber will be very helpful to you and to your unborn child if you are able to adhere it.

Vegetarian diet consumption will exclude high-calorie foods and the saturated fat in animal products. Instead of this, you can eat foods with necessary vitamins and minerals that help to control your blood glucose levels more effectively. Vegetables, fruits, legumes and whole grains are such type of diet.

If you can strictly follow gestational diabetes diet plan, whether vegetarian or not, surely you and your unborn child stay healthy.

Gestational Diabetes information from Youtube:

Healthy Food Choices for Gestational Diabetes from Youtube:

Dried Cranberries are the dehydrated form of common cranberries (Vaccinium oxycoccus). It is a great source of important nutrients and also it has a lot of health benefits. Cranberries contain powerful antioxidants that help to fight against infections and also it can cut bad cholesterol. The best use of cranberry juice is for the prevention and relief of urinary tract infections, and also as a digestive aid for removing fat in your lymphatic system. Furthermore; dried cranberries constitute a vital part in many salad recipes, cereals and breads. It also prevents the speedily growing of tumors.

Dried cranberries are sometimes referred as “craisins”. Dried cranberries are found mainly in the northern hemisphere and especially in the cooler parts of some countries. It is the major crops in the United States. Commercially, produced dried cranberries contain added sugar to balance the fruit’s excessive sourness. Also, they may be coated with very small quantities of vegetable oil to keep them from sticking together. Dried cranberries are produced from the fresh cranberries by dehydration procedure.

Nutrients present in dried cranberries:

Dried cranberries are a good source of dietary fiber, proteins, carbohydrates, etc. Also, they are good source of other essential nutrients such as minerals and vitamins. It contains minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, potassium, iron, zinc, calcium and copper. Moreover, vitamins such as, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin A, are also found in them.

Health Benefits of Dried Cranberries:

In Urinary Tract Infection:

The cranberries contain proanthocyanidins which decreases the adherence of bacteria to the wall of the urinary tract. It also acidifies the urine and prevents bacteria from sticking to the walls of the bladder.

In Heart Disease:

Cranberries contain flavonoids which help to reduce the bad cholesterol in the walls of arteries and so decrease the clogging of arteries. It also helps in increase of the good cholesterol level in the body. Also, it has powerful antioxidants which help to repair the damages caused by free radicals.

Cranberries in Cancer:

It contains high amount of vitamin C and antioxidants which decreases the effect of free radicals in the body and so inhibit the development of cancer cells. Chemicals in cranberries also prevent multiplication of breast cancer cells.

For digestive system:

It improves digestive health because it contains higher amount of dietary fiber, about seven grams of dietary fiber per cup. Dried berries contain more amounts of dietary fibers than fresh. Due to its higher fiber content, it is beneficial for digestive system.

Prevents tooth decay:

It prevents the teeth decay. The chemicals present in cranberries block the bacteria from sticking to the teeth. Thus, it prevents the formation of dental plaques.

Strengthens bones and teeth:

It is a source of calcium and other minerals so it strengthens bones and teeth. Also, it reduces the risk of osteoporosis, the joint disease.

Other Health Benefits of Cranberries:

• It strengthens the immune system and fights against bacterial and viral infections.
• It prevents the atherosclerosis, hardening of the walls of the arteries.
• Cranberries can inhibit bacterial infections and so it is used for treating urinary tract infections and also ear and mouth infections.
• Dried Cranberries can improve your digestive health.
• It also prevents kidney stones.
• It also offers protection against Alzheimers’ disease and Parkinson’s disease.
• It detoxifies the toxic metals present in the body.
• It helps to reduce the effect of free radicals and thus inhibit the development of cancer cells.
• Also, it contains vitamin E which glows skin.

In Ancient times, the skins of potato were peeled of prior to cooking with the thought that the potato would be cleaner and therefore healthier. But, Potato skins store many nutrients and also contain a lot of fiber, which is essential for a healthy diet. If potato is cooked with the potatoes skin, it is more nutritious than Meals that made without potato skin. Potato skins are a snack food or appetizer. Especially, the potato skin has a high concentration of potassium that is necessary for cellular body functions. A slight insufficiency of potassium in the body can cause salt sensitivity and high blood pressure. Recently, scientists have revealed a compound ‘kukoamine’ in potatoes, which helps to lower the blood pressure.

The skin of potato is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, copper, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. 18% of the recommended daily allowance of iron and 7.5 grams of protein are contained by Potato and potato skins, which is rarely found in vegetables in such high concentrations. It also contains a variety of phytonutrients, which are a natural source of antioxidants that help to prevent cellular worsening of the body. The phytonutrients present in potatoes include carotenoids, flavonoids, and caffeic acid. Potato contains the protein called patatin which works as an effective antioxidant and helps to lower blood pressure. Also, it provides protection against heart disease and cancer.

Nutrients that are present in potato skins:

• Fat
  • Saturated Fat
  • Polyunsaturated Fat
  • Monounsaturated Fat
• Cholesterol
• Protein
• Carbohydrate:
  • Dietary Fiber
• Minerals:
  • Sodium
  • Calcium
  • Potassium
  • Magnesium
  • Zinc
  • Copper
  • Iron
  • Phosphorus
• Vitamins:
  • Vitamin C
  • Thiamin
  • Riboflavin
  • Niacin
  • Folate
  • Vitamin B-6

There are many delicious ways to prepare potato skins. Most of the nutrients are contained right below the skin and also skin is a concentrated source of dietary fiber, so avoid peeling when possible. Potato skins are made of small, flat circular or oval pieces of potatoes with skin on one side and a quarter-inch or so of fleshy potato on the other. Some times, the fleshy side is covered with bacon, cheddar cheese, and anything else that might be found on a baked potato.

Oatmeal is ground oat groats or porridge made from oats steel-cut oats, crushed oats or rolled oats. Oatmeal is significant sources of dietary fiber. This fiber contains a mixture of about half soluble and half insoluble fibers. Also, it contains calcium, vitamins, minerals and protein. Beta-glucans, one component of the soluble fiber found in oats, effective in lowering blood cholesterol. These advantageous properties of oatmeal makes it healthy meal for breakfast; the most important meal of the day. Excluding serving as an ideal breakfast, Oatmeal also helps in several home therapies to take care of certain medical conditions. Major health benefits of oatmeal are; it lowers bad cholesterol without affecting the good cholesterol so reduces the risk of heart disease when combined with a low fat diet.

Nutritional Information of Oatmeal:

Oatmeal contains the various nutrients which help in normal as well as therapeutic conditions. The nutrient which are resent in oatmeal are Fat, Sodium, Carbohydrate, Dietary fiber, Calcium, Iron, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Vitamin B6, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin and Folate. The fibers present in the oatmeal are not only for the heart but also for the digestive system. Fiber can clean out your colon and get your digestive tract back to a healthy level.

Oatmeal is a complex carbohydrate which is not a simple sugar that increases your glucose level too high for a short period of time by speedily releases in your blood. This Complex carbohydrate break down slowly and thus helps to maintain the blood sugar level when body’s energy and stamina is very high. Oatmeal is good source of vitamin B complex which is essential for normal functioning of nervous system. This vitamin is also necessary for starch metabolism. Oatmeal also contains nutrient like iron, phosphorous, magnesium, calcium and thiamine that help in growth of bone, teeth and muscle.

Vitamin E prevents blood clotting and act as antioxidant which removes harmful free radicals from body that damages cells of body. These free radicals are responsible for aging. Zinc, the micronutrient present in oatmeal, is essential constituent of many enzymes and is required for metabolism and stabilization of nucleic acid. Also, it is associated with healing of wound, growth, reproduction and glucose tolerance of human body. Thiamine is important for metabolism of branched-chain amino acid, helps in carbohydrate metabolism.

For pregnant women, Oatmeal is best choice as it is full of nutrients such as vitamin, minerals and fiber. Avoid the flavored oatmeal because it is full of sugars that suppress the health benefits of oatmeal. Milk is rich in calcium and protein so Oatmeal cooked in milk enhances the food value of the dish.

Health Benefits of Oatmeal:

Cholesterol and heart:

Oatmeal contains the soluble as well as insoluble fiber. Beta-glucans, a soluble fiber which has proven effective in lowering blood cholesterol. The bad cholesterol, LDL, is trapped without lowering good cholesterol (HDL) so reduces the risk of heart disease when combined with a low fat diet. Also, it contains antioxidants with vitamin E. The tocotrienols present in oats inhibit cholesterol synthesis and have been found to lower blood cholesterol.

Weight control:

Oats contain the most soluble fiber compared to barley and other cereal grains. The content of soluble fiber slows digestion. By Taking oatmeal, you feel full longer and thus help you to control your food intake following your weight.

Reduce risk of diabetes type 2:

Studies on oatmeal have shown that taking oatmeal produced small fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin level. It not only reduces the risk of diabetes 2 but also the risk of heart disease and in weight control. To add oat in the diet is recommended to the diabetic people by the American Diabetes Association.

Regulates bowel movements:

Due to its fiber content it regulates your bowel movements. Insoluble fiber present in oats dissolves in water and absorbs many times its own weight of liquid. Thus, helps to decrease chances of getting constipation by making heavier stool. It also reduces the risk of developing hemorrhoids.

Blood Pressure:

Daily using of whole oats rich in soluble fiber in diet can reduce hypertension, or high blood pressure, and so reduce the need for anti-hypertensive medication.

Anti cancer:

Like other grains and vegetables, Oats contain hundreds of phytochemicals which helps to reduce a person’s risk of getting cancer.

Athletic Performance:

It is a source of carbohydrates which provide calories for energy needs. In scientific studies, Oats have been shown to alter metabolism and enhance performance when ingested 45 minutes to 1 hour before exercise of moderate intensity.

General Health and Longevity:

Oatmeal contains a good balance of essential fatty acids, which have been linked with longevity and general good health, and also have one of the best amino acid profiles of any grain.

Cinnamon:

Extensively, Cinnamon bark is used as a spice. In cooking, Cinnamon bark is used as a condiment or flavoring. For medicinal purpose, cinnamon is used to cure cold. Also, it is used to treat digestive symptoms. In the treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance, Cinnamon has been reported as remarkable pharmacological effects. The substance used in the study was not true Cinnamon but Cassia. The main difference in Cassia and cinnamon is cassia has a stronger flavor than Cinnamon and the sticks are thicker. The anti oxidant content of cinnamon bark is very high so the essential oil of cinnamon has anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties. Traditionally, cinnamon is used to treat toothache and fight bad breath.

Honey:

Both Ayurvedic and Yunani medicine, use honey as a vital medicine for centuries. It is a natural product with beneficial effects. It can be used for any kind of diseases without any side effect. It is sweet in nature but today’s science says that if taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm diabetic patients. In some creams and ointments, it is used for natural antiseptic and soothing properties. Also, it is used for cough and cold remedies. It can be used both internally and topically for a numberless of conditions. Honey is accepted as a “Ram Ban” (very effective) medicine by scientists of today because it cures all kind of diseases.

Caution: never give honey to babies under 1 year

Combination of cinnamon and honey:

The mixture of honey and cinnamon has been used in both Yunani and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Cinnamon’s essential oils and honey’s enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, the two “anti-microbial” foods with the ability to stop the growth of bacteria as well as fungi. Both are used as a beverage flavoring and medicine, as well as a preserving agent and alternatives to traditional food preservatives due to their effective antimicrobial properties. The health benefits of honey and cinnamon include a strong immune system, digestive system, healthy heart, bones, skin, teeth, and hair, weight loss. This mixture is a natural cure for many diseases and for many health benefits:

Heart Disorders: The mixture of honey and cinnamon helps in reduction of cholesterol from the arteries and lowers the risk of heart attacks. The veins and arteries of aged people lack elasticity and tend to get bunged easily. So, honey and cinnamon help to restore that strength. They can also help in strengthening the heartbeat. For this, you have to use honey and cinnamon daily by including in your breakfast. Instead of any jam or jelly, use a paste of honey and cinnamon on your breakfast bread. It is also believed that honey and cinnamon is good for treating cancer and hearing disorders.

Immune System: The daily intake of honey and cinnamon powder is good for boosting the immune system. It protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Researchers have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts and its use strengthens the white blood corpuscles (WBC). It can also be used for treating colds and influenza. Also, honey and cinnamon paste is used to remove regular fatigue and increasing the long life of an individual.

Digestion: Honey and cinnamon helps to improve the digestive system. Also, it is used to remove gas from the stomach and intestine and to treat stomachache, flatulence, indigestion and bladder infections. For people who are suffering from gas problems, honey with cinnamon powder in equal quantities is best to relieve gas and pain in the stomach.

Dental Care: Both honey and cinnamon, used individually for dental care. Also, a mixture prepared from the two is useful in dental care, particularly in removing bad breath and toothache. Make a paste of one teaspoon of cinnamon powder and five teaspoons of honey and apply on the aching tooth. This may be applied 3 times a day till the toothache stops.

Skin Care: The benefits of honey and cinnamon are extend to skin care. Minor skin infections and pimples are treated with regular application of a paste formed from these two precious foods. Apply honey and cinnamon powder mixture in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin infections.

Hair Care: Honey and cinnamon also helpful for hair. It reduces hair loss and further increase hair growth. To treat hair loss or baldness, may apply a paste of hot olive oil, one tablespoon of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder before bath and keep it for approx. 15 min. and then wash the hair. It was found to be effective even if kept on for 5 minutes.

Weight Loss: For reducing weight, a mixture of honey and cinnamon in warm water is considered good. Like any other weight loss remedy, this comes true only when you ensure controlled diet and regular exercise. Drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one-cup water in the morning 1/2hour before breakfast on an empty stomach and at night before sleeping daily. If taken regularly it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also drinking of this mixture regularly reduces the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

Arthritis: The paste provides some relief to arthritis patients and also it is good for bone health. Take one part honey to two parts of lukewarm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste and massage it on the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.One cup of hot water with two spoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder may be taken by Arthritis patients daily, morning and night. If taken regularly even chronic arthritis can be cured.

Infertility: Ancient medical streams like Ayurveda and Yunani have been using honey for thousands of years to strengthen the semen of men and improve impotence. This combination will work wonders for women as well. In China, Japan and Far-Eastern countries, women, who do not conceive, and if their uterus is weak, have been taking cinnamon powder for centuries. A pinch of cinnamon powder in half teaspoon of honey may be taken by women who are unable to conceive and apply it on the gums frequently throughout the day, so that it slowly mixes with the saliva and can therefore enter the body. Through the regular ingestion of two tablespoons of honey, prior to sleep, impotence can be greatly reduced.

Insect bites: To treat insect bites, Paste of honey and cinnamon is used. Take one part honey and mix with two parts of lukewarm water and add a small teaspoon of cinnamon powder, make a paste. Massage it on the itching part of the body slowly. It is noticed that the pain recedes within a minute or two.

Olive oil is extracted by the crushing and then subsequent pressing of olives. First pressing of the olives gives extra virgin oil which has the most delicate flavor and antioxidant benefits. It is generally used in cooking, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and soaps and as a fuel for traditional oil lamps. Olive oil is used throughout the world, but especially in the Mediterranean. People who use olive oil regularly, especially in place of other fats, have much lower rates of heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, colon cancer, and asthma.

Types of olive oil:

Depending on the amount of processing involved, olive oil comes in different varieties.

• Extra-virgin olive oil: considered the best, least processed, comprising the oil from the first pressing of the olives.
• Virgin olive oil: from the second pressing.
• Pure olive oil: undergoes some processing, such as filtering and refining.
• Extra light olive oil: undergoes considerable processing and only retains a very mild olive flavor.
• Olive-pomace oil: refined pomace olive production oil possibly blended with some virgin production oil.
• Lampante oil: olive oil not suitable as food
• Refined olive oil

Olive oil’s health benefits:

Olive oil and heart diseases:

By controlling LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels while raising HDL (the “good” cholesterol) levels, olive oil proposes protection against heart disease. Olive oil has as large an amount of monounsaturated fat mainly oleic acid, no other naturally produced oil has such.

• It decreases the level of cholesterol and prevents arteriosclerosis.
• It prevents high blood pressure and diabetes.
• It regulates the digestion system by protecting against gastritis and ulcer.
• It prevents the possibility of formation of gall bladder stones.

Olive oil and colon cancer:

Including olive oil in diet may also offer benefits in terms of colon cancer prevention suggested by Spanish researchers. Their study on rats showed that rats fed diet supplemented with olive oil had a lower risk of colon cancer than those fed safflower oil-supplemented diets.

Olive oil in skin care:

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the preferred grade for moisturizing the skin, especially when used in the oil cleansing method.
• Olive oil can be used as an effective shaving oil to shave facial and other body hair giving results that are equivalent to expensive commercial products.
• Extra-virgin olive oil helps in making your hair healthy and adding gloss to it.

Medicinal use:

• It has demulcent properties and mild laxative properties, acting as a stool softener.
• Long-term consumption of small quantities of this olive oil may be responsible in part for the low incidence of heart disease associated with a Mediterranean diet.

Culinary use:

• Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is mostly used as a salad dressing and as an ingredient in salad dressings. It is also used with foods to be eaten cold.
• Refined olive oils are perfectly suited for deep frying foods and should be replaced after several uses
• The flavour of these oils varies considerably and particular oil may be more suited for a particular dish.
• Also, people who like lots of tannins in their red wines might prefer more bitter olive oils.
• Olive oil has more uses than just consuming; it also works as a natural and safe lubricant. For example, lubricating the machinery, that is used within the kitchen (grinders, blenders, cookware, etc.)

Coconut oil has been used from time unknown as a vital source of food for health and general well being in the tropical regions where coconut trees are found abundantly. It is the sole source of lauric acid among all the other oils apart from other sources like mother’s milk. Besides this they are also rich in fatty acids, poly-phenols, betaines, ethanolamide, ethoxylates, fatty esters, fatty polysorbates, monoglycerides and polyol esters, fatty alcohols, vitamin E & K and iron.

Amongst the numerous health benefits of coconut oil a few are mentioned as follows:

• Coconut oil plays a very significant role in hair care. It provides shine and luster to the hair making them strong from the roots. Regular massage with this oil makes sure that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice and lice eggs. It has excellent hair conditioning properties and helps in the growth of hair.
• Many massage parlors in tropical regions use this oil to massage the head. It is known to have great soothing effects and drives away mental fatigue. It is a stress reliever.
• It has incredible moisturizing effects on the skin of all types. It prevents appearance of flaky and dry skin. It also keeps maturing skin firm and supple that usually tends to have wrinkles and loosen with time. It is used as an effective medication against skin issues like psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and so on.
• It is an effective antioxidant thus is acts against premature ageing.
• The abundance of lauric acid found in coconut oils makes it a valuable candidate to fight against major diseases like heart disease, cholesterol and high blood pressure. Although it has high saturated fats, these are not harmful to the body since they do not increase the LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) levels.
• It tends to reduce the incidence of injuries in the arteries thus preventing atherosclerosis.
• It contains short and medium chain fatty-acids that help in effective weight loss. It improves metabolism by relieving the stress off the pancreas and resulting in weight reduction in obese and overweight people.
• It is also used in the treatment of pancreatitis.
• Coconut oil is used as cooking oil in certain places. They are observed to enhance the digestive system.
• On account of their composition that constitutes vital ingredients like lauric acid, capric acid, caprylic acid and antimicrobial lipids they possess antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. This qualifies the coconut oil as the perfect immune system booster. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which fights against viruses and bacterias that are responsible for diseases like herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus and even AIDS.
• It helps in the healing of infected areas by forming a protective layer that forms a barrier to dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus.
• It helps prevent liver diseases due to its medium chain triglycerides and fatty acid content.
• It also helps preventing kidney and gall bladder diseases.
• Curbs blood sugar levels in diabetic patients and improves the secretion of insulin.
• In many places they massage new born kids with these oils since it helps strengthen bones. It improves the absorption of essential minerals like calcium and magnesium crucial for the development of bones.
• It prevents tooth decay.