Advantages of Organic Food

Organic food has become very popular in many parts of the world. As the demand for organic food increases so does the production, but currently the demand still exceeds the supply. What makes organic food so popular? According to the USDA organic foods are described as: Organic meat, poultry, eggs and dairy products come from animals that are given no antibiotics or growth hormones. Organic food is produced without using most conventional pesticides, fertilizers made with synthetic ingredients or sewage sludge, bioengineering or ionizing radiation.

Making a commitment to healthy eating is a great start towards a healthier life. Beyond eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and good fats, however, there is the question of food safety, nutrition, and sustainability. How foods are grown or raised can impact both your health and the environment. This brings up the questions: What is the difference between organic foods and conventionally grown foods? Is “organic” always best? What about locally grown foods?

HEALTH BENEFITS OF EATING ORGANIC FOODS

The first and foremost benefit is that the organic food developed in organic hydroponic greenhouses, for example, is healthier than the products harvested from the usual and conventional forms of farming. This is because the average farmer often uses toxic anti-pest fertilizers to enhance production. The toxic elements end up as part of our food and the implications of their effect in the long run are still not completely understood. This toxic burden also harms the natural supplies of drinking water and deactivates the usefulness of soil.

Often, the flavor is just so much better. Good organic fruits and vegetables are juicy and full-flavored, milk tastes richer, cheeses are ripe and mouthwatering. Once you've experienced the sweet intensity of a fresh organic carrot, bought with the sandy soil still clinging to it, other carrots will seem insipid and bland. Of course, there are no guarantees. Not every organic item will give you a burst of flavor pleasure, but if you shop carefully, buy only the freshest, and seek out quality, you won't be disappointed. Eating organic makes it easier to follow the seasons too.

One of the huge advantages of organic foods is that they haven't been doused in pesticides. Organic farms ban artificial pesticides. In the UK, 31,000 tones of pesticides are blasted on to farmland every year, and 25% of food carries residues of these chemicals, created to kill pests and weeds. Non-organic fruit and veg is covered in the stuff and it won't all wash off. Pesticide residues turn up, not just on fruit and vegetables, but in bread, baby food and other products. Governments claim that there's no need risk to health from these pesticide traces, but wouldn't you rather feed yourself and your kids on food that's pesticide free?

Organic hydroponics naturally support bio diversity since the absence of pesticides and herbicides encourages wildlife. These are some of the major advantages of organic food. More growers are becoming conscious of growing organics as the public awareness grows and demands healthier foods.

Water; The Essential Element of Life

Are you drinking enough water? If you're not, you could end up with excess body fat, poor muscle tone, digestive complications, muscle soreness even water-retention problems. As you know, up to 75% of your body weight is water. Water plays a role in every process occurring in your body, right down to the cell level. We can go without eating for a month or more and still survive, but death is almost certain within a matter of days without water.

Next to air, water is the element most necessary for survival. A normal adult is 60 to 70 percent water. We can go without food for almost two months, but without water only a few days. Yet most people have no idea how much water they should drink. In fact, many live in a dehydrated state.

When a person stops drinking water or doesn't drink enough, they can become dehydrated. Symptoms of dehydration include dry and sticky mouth, sunken eyes, not producing enough tears, little to no urine output and lethargy, according to the National Institutes of Health. People who don't drink enough water may also develop low blood pressure and a rapid heart rate.

The body cannot survive without water. Water consumption helps the body breathe, because it moistens the lungs. Lung functions can use up to a pint of water every day, decreasing the body's moisture through exhalation. When that liquid isn't replaced, it makes it difficult to breathe. People who don't drink enough fluids can also gain excess body fat, have poor muscle tone and a decreased ability to digest food.

Drinking water is important if you're trying to lose weight, some studies have shown that thirst and hunger sensations are triggered together. If there is a slight dehydration the thirst mechanism may be mistaken for hunger and one may eat when the body is actually craving fluid. As most food contains some water, if one doesn't drink much they may be subconsciously driven to eat more to gain the necessary water supply however, you also gain the undesired effects of increased calorie consumption. Drinking more water can help to prevent overeating and benefit weight loss.

While water is very important for your health, there are some times when drinking too much water can be a problem:

If you have any kidney or adrenal problems, or your doctor has you taking diuretics, you need to consult with your doctor about how much water to drink each day

Don't drink all of the water you need per day all at once. Divide the amount you need and drink several glasses of water throughout the day. This is especially important if you engage in lots of heavy exercise.

For the average person experts suggest getting at least 64 ounces of water daily or eight 8-ounce glasses. If you are on a diet to lose weight it is more important to consume more and keep drinking water throughout the day, unless you have any medical condition that doesn't allow much water intake. A good guide for daily intake is to drink 1 ounce of water for every 2 pounds of body weight. A 200 pound person should be drinking around 100 ounces (12.5 cups) of water in order the gain the benefits of increased energy and metabolism.

Your intake should be spread throughout the day and evening. You may wonder if I drink this much, won't I constantly be running to the bathroom? Yes. But after a few weeks, your bladder tends to adjust and you urinate less frequently but in larger amounts. And by consuming those eight to ten glasses of water throughout the day, you could be on your way to a healthier, leaner body.

Discover The Best Way to Lower Cholesterol Naturally With Proven Ingredients

Of all the ways to lower cholesterol currently available, a natural route is the best option, especially considering the side effects of statin drugs. With only 20% of cholesterol coming from your diet, it is essential to get the right nutrients proven to help as well.

Over 80 % of your cholesterol is produced by the liver and so lowering this production is key to a successful treatment. This is where statin drugs fall down as they not only lower cholesterol but also Coenzyme Q10 which is essential to the body.

If the amount of CoQ10 is reduced, you will actually have an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke as this enzyme is essential for producing energy in the cells, particularly the heart. Some statins have been removed like Baycol because of a number of deaths related to its use.

One of the most effective ways to lower cholesterol is by eating sensibly but also ensuring you have the right ingredients that are proven to be effective at lowering your bad or LDL levels and raising your good or HDL ones.

It is important to realize that some cholesterol is good as this waxy substances helps to manufacture vitamin D and regulate the hormones in your body. Too little, which can result from statin drug use, can result in brain impairment and mood disorders, even suicidal thoughts.

The best ingredient is Policosanol, an extract from sugar cane as this helps to balance your levels, lowering the bad while raising the good. It has been shown to remove plaque build up from the arteries and does not interfere with CoQ10 production.

Lecithin, a natural phospholipid, helps to dissolve excess cholesterol while plant sterols or Phytosterols have a similar structure and help to reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the gastrointestinal tract.

Rice Bran and Pumpkin seed oil also have very beneficial effects and combine well with the others.

It is always best to start with the natural route before considering powerful and potentially harmful drugs like statins, which in my opinion are prescribed far too easily and you are also meant to stay on them for the rest of your life, making substantial profits for the pharmaceutical companies.

I hope you can see the huge benefits of using natural ways to lower cholesterol and the long term benefits they provide to help you maintain good health.

If you would like to learn more about the effective and natural cholesterol balancing supplements I personally use, visit my website today.