Benefits of Carageenan

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #18: Benefits of Carageenan

Carageenan

“Carageenan is a healthy substitute for creams and other fatty, thickening and gelling agents. It improves palatability and appearance of food minus the fat and calories” (excerpt from the original article).

Carageenen is a product from seaweeds. It is a popular alternative to gelatin especially for vegetarians. There are three main commercial classes of carrageenan:

• Kappa forms strong, rigid gels in the presence of potassium ions; it reacts with dairy proteins. It is sourced mainly from Eucheuma cottonii.
• Iota forms soft gels in the presence of calcium ions. It is produced mainly from Eucheuma spinosum.
• Lambda does not gel, and is used to thicken dairy products. The most common source is Gigartina from South America. (source: en.wikipedia.org) 

Carageenan has medicinal value as well. Medical research suggests the effectiveness of carrageenan against the common cold virus. An Austrian company has introduced a nasal spray that contains carageenen in 2010, which claims direct treatment against the virus and not just for the symptoms.

In another study, “at the Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America suggest that carrageenans might function as a topical microbicide” (en.wikipedia.org). A microbicide is a compound or substance that reduces the infectivity of microbes, which could be virus or bacteria. Studies even suggest the potency of carageenan-based lubricant as personal microbicide in women against HPV and HIV viruses.

Carageenan is an amazing medical break through.


Image above courtesy of:
http://allenwang1225

Benefits of Eating Breakfast

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #17: Benefits of Eating Breakfast

A full English breakfast with scrambled eggs, sausage, black pudding, bacon, mushrooms, baked beans, hash browns, and half a tomato c/o Wikipedia

“Breakfast skippers are most likely to overeat and be overweight than those who take a high-carbo breakfast. A cereal with low-fat milk, a banana and orange juice for breakfast provide 90 percent carbohydrate to fuel your day.” (excerpt from the original article)

Many people think that skipping meals can help them reduce weight and usually, they skip breakfast but that is wrong. As a matter of fact, skipping breakfast contributes to obesity because it would make us eat more later in the day since we feel so starve. Scientifically, long hours of fasting increases insulin in the blood, which also increases the accumulation of fat.

Health professionals say that “breakfast” is the most important meal of the day. Coming off from 8-10 hours of sleep, the body needs an energy source to keep up with the demand of the entire working day from the food that we eat at breakfast.

However, some skip breakfast not just for trying to lose weight but because they do not have much time to prepare food and eat in the morning since they rush to work. Often, they just eat in fast food restaurants.  

There are however, easy to prepare but tasteful and nutritious recipe that is perfect for breakfast. For example:

Oatmeal Congee

by Chef Gigi Angkaw

from Good Houskeeping Magazine

This recipe is good for one serving and takes 15 minutes to prepare.

1 pack instant oatmeal

¼ cup water

1-1/2 cups chicken stock

½ cup chicken, boiled and flaked

1 hard boiled egg sliced

2 tablespoon chopped spring onion

3 pcs. calamansi

2 tablespoon patis

Procedure:

Combine oatmeal and water. Mix well. Simmer chicken stock, add oatmeal mixture. Top with chicken, eggs, and sprinkle with spring onion. Add calamansi and patis.

Enjoy a healthy lifestyle while indulging in the benefits of eating breakfast.

Dietary Benefits of Brown Rice

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #16: Benefits of Brown Rice

"Brown rice is rich in thiamine, niacin and fiber. It is also more filling than white rice." (excerpt from the original article)

Brown and white rice are the same in terms of carbohydrate, calorie, and protein content but the former has richer nutritional components compared the the latter.

In the process of polishing rice, there are certain nutrients that are lost like Vitamin B1, B3 and Iron. Producers of enriched rice return these nutrients to make more healthy rice. The Food and Drug Administration require them to do this.

Other nutrients that are lost in the polishing process are magnesium and bran oil. Brown rice is said to have 195 mg of magnesium per cup. This is reduced to only 84 mg per cup of white rice. Bran oil is said to help lower LDL (Low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol.

Most people like white rice more but with this information maybe we can have brown rice more often in our diet.

Image:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brown_rice

Benefits of Skin Brushing

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #15: Benefits of Skin Brushing

"Brushing the skin with dry brushes or “loofah” sponges can slough off or exfoliate the dead skin cells to reveal fresh, younger looking skin." (excerpt from the original article)

According to a website that I have visited, skin brushing is more than just a beauty regimen. It provides health benefits for the body. According to whole-body-detox-diet.com, skin brushing is a good addition to a person’s detoxification program as a form of therapy. It website says, skin brushing: 

• Stimulates blood and lymph flow
• Removes dead skin cells
• Stimulates the hormone and oil glands
• Reduces cellulite
• Strengthens the immune system
• Stimulates the nervous system, tones the muscles, tightens the skin
• Nurtures your body

(Source: http://www.whole-body-detox-diet.com/dry-skin-brushing.html)

It is astonishing that simple skin brushing can give a lot of benefits to the body. Let’s just take the lymphatic system of the body, which is essential for the body’s cleansing process. Lymphocites or white blood cells are responsible for bringing nutrients to cells and take wastes out. Then, they go back to the blood vessels so they could release the wastes they have gathered. However, the body needs to get rid of these lymphs right away to avoid swollen tissues due to high toxicity level. Skin brushing can help stimulate and speed up the cleansing process of the lymphatic system.

Loofah Sponge (wikipedia)

Skin brushes are made up of soft natural fiber bristles. Loofah sponges are also good for skin brushing. In the Philippines, loofah is patola, a green vegetable akin to cucumber. It would be ideal to do skin brushing in the morning before shower. Be gentle on sensitive parts of the body like the breasts but vigorously on other parts like the sole of the feet, arms, legs and areas where cellulite builds up.

Benefits of Breathing Exercise

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #14: Benefits of Breathing Exercise

"Breathing techniques can be very successful in “calming the mind and nurturing the spirit”. Coupled with meditation, it can reduce stress and promote good health." (excerpt from the original article)

Experts have proposed the value of breathing and meditation in handling stress. They say that it relaxes the body and thus, it provides relief from fatigue and stress related irritations.

While I am surfing the net, I have come across Dr Andrew Weil’s site where he teaches different styles of breathing exercises. He says, "Practicing regular, mindful breathing can be calming and energizing and can even help with stress-related health problems ranging from panic attacks to digestive disorders." (Andrew Weil, M.D.)

Here’s an example of one breathing exercise he teaches:

Sit in a comfortable position with the spine straight and head inclined slightly forward. Gently close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Then let the breath come naturally without trying to influence it. Ideally it will be quiet and slow, but depth and rhythm may vary.

•     To begin the exercise, count "one" to yourself as you exhale.
•     The next time you exhale, count "two," and so on up to "five."
•     Then begin a new cycle, counting "one" on the next exhalation.

Never count higher than "five," and count only when you exhale. You will know your attention has wandered when you find yourself up to "eight," "12," even "19."

Try to do 10 minutes of this form of meditation.

Personally, when you find yourself in a very stressful day, nothing beats talking to a person who listens well and responds swiftly. The best form of meditation is still prayer. You may not hear God’s voice audibly, but He warms your heart more than any other. His presence will calm your weary soul and lift your spirit up. You won’t get disappointed if you try it.

Benefits of Biking

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Principle #13: Benefits of Biking

From baking soda, let us now go to biking. Well, it is "a good aerobic activity whether done indoors or outdoors." (excerpt from the original article)

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), physical inactivity is second to tobacco smoking as a health risk in developed countries. If that is the case, one can decrease his health risk by stopping cigarette smoking and starting to increase physical activity.

Biking is a good physical activity that can help burn many calories and build muscles without the need of lifting heavy weights. Done indoors, working out on stationary bike can help burn calories without putting too much strain on the knees compared to cycling on a real bike. In fact, it is a good rehab work out for people with knee or leg injury.

However, optimum result can be achieved on the real bike. Dr. Edward Coyle at the University of Texas in Austin has formulated a way of computing the calories a cyclist will burn at a particular cycling speed.

For instance, a 140-pound man biking at 20 mph will burn 35 calories per mile (140 pounds x 0.25 calories/pound), and a 160-pound man biking at the same speed will burn 40 calories per mile (160 pounds x 0.25 calories/pound). The heavier you are, the more calories per mile you will burn (www.eHow.com).

Like swimming, cycling is a healthy activity that the family can enjoy. It is not only good for the body, it is fun. I remember learning how to ride a bike in my childhood days. It has been a lot of fun.

However, cycling is also a dangerous sport so if you want to try biking make sure you wear proper safety gear.

Some info courtesy of:

www.ehow.com/

Images courtesy of:

Family Biking: http://thevthotel.wordpress.com/2011/04/25/biking-big-in-blacksburg-and-the-nrv/family-biking/

Woman Biking: http://www.livestrong.com/article/401706-stationary-cycling-heart-rate-zones/

Extra Benefits of Baking Soda

“99 ABC’s of Wellness” Article Credit: The original article 99 ABC’s of Wellness is by Mylene Mendoza-Dayrit, which has appeared on the Philippine Star on January 12, 1999.

Baking Soda c/o Wikipedia

Principle #12: Extra Benefits of Baking Soda

"Baking soda is a very versatile cleaner that can be used instead of toothpaste and mouthwash. It can also be used as an all-purpose cleaner to remove grease and stubborn dirt when mixed with water or liquid soap to form a paste." (excerpt from the original article)

Extra Benefits of Baking Soda

Baking soda or sodium bicarbonate is primarily a leavening agent. It makes the bread puff up. However, aside from that it is a

• good exfoliant scrub because of its fine and rounded texture, making it effective and gentle to the skin. It helps remove dead skin cells especially skin discoloration due to scarring
• good deodorant in combination with other ingredients. It can be used to make a dry or wet deodorant
• alternative shampoo also in combination with other ingredients
• good oral antacid taken to treat acid indigestion and heartburn
• good cleansing agent. A solution in warm water will remove the tarnish from silver when the silver is in contact with a piece of aluminum foil

So, baking soda serves more than just baking bread. 

Image and info courtesy of:

http://en.wikipedia.org