Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in all the cells of our body. It is essential for the proper functioning and production of hormones like vitamin D and pepsin. Cholesterol is also found in food items from animal sources like egg yolk, cheese, and meat. Even our body is capable of generating all the cholesterol it requires. The thing with cholesterol is to maintain its equilibrium as too much of it tends to combine with other food substances in the blood and form plaque which eventually sticks to the arteries, leading to a condition called atherosclerosis. This can subsequently cause multiple coronary heart diseases blocking up the blood flow through the arteries. But as it is said there is always a solution to a problem. Likewise, cholesterol can be easily eliminated by many methods. One being, use of prescribed drugs like statins that function by inhibiting an enzyme needed to produce cholesterol. But with the interaction of these drugs, specific food products can turn out to be very dangerous causing severe side effects like joint aches, muscle pain, vomiting, increased blood sugar, kidney damage and many unexpected neurological side effects. It has also been reported that statins can cause a breakdown in muscle cells leading to permanent muscle damage. Alternative to statins Cholesterol absorption inhibitors If statins are not your savior, then a common alternative to statins is cholesterol absorption inhibitor. These drugs function by preventing your small intestine from properly absorbing the cholesterol you consume. It is pretty evident that what is not absorbed cannot reach your bloodstream. One such inhibitor is “Ezetimibe” which when combined with a low-fat diet helps reduce cholesterol efficiently. Resins Other common alternatives to statins are sequestrants or acid-binding resins. They are efficient and function by binding itself with the bile in your intestines, blocking cholesterol absorption to a great extent.

All of us know what constipation is, but not many know how to treat it. People often get anxious as they don’t know how to prevent this condition. This article aims to help readers understand what constipation is, what are its causes, and what foods one should consume if they are constipated. What is constipation? Constipation is the partial, or in rare cases, complete inability to pass stools or have bowel moments. It may also cause mild to extreme pain. Constipation can occur to anyone at any time, and generally, it is common in young people below the age of 20. The problem usually goes away in a day, though sometimes, in severe cases, it may take weeks to cure this condition. What are the causes of constipation? While the causes of constipation can vary depending upon one’s diet, age, and location, the common causes of constipation are as follows: Sudden changes to your diet or activities Inadequate consumption of water or fiber Eating a lot of dairy products Not being active Resisting the urge to have bowel moments Stress or tension Overuse of laxatives Medications such as strong painkillers, narcotics, antidepressants, iron pills, and any supplement taken in bulk Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) Pregnancy Aging Other changes in the routine like the excessive intake of carbs or fats Other forms of disorders and diseases What should one do if they experience these bowel problems for more than a day? If you don’t wish to visit the doctor and want to treat your problem at home, it’s rather easy. Adopting a diet for constipation can go a long way of not only curing the problem but also preventing it in the future. What should one consume if they have constipation? Water If you have constipation, you should drink a lot of water, irrespective of how severe your condition may be.

Potassium plays a significant role in balancing the fluids and minerals in the human body. It also helps the muscles to function properly. If there is a deficiency of potassium in your body, then it can cause fatigue, high blood pressure, and anxiety. Potassium is a nutrient which is needed by the organs to functions in a healthy manner. These organs include the heart and kidneys as well. Following is a list down of some foods with potassium that will keep the level of this vital nutrient balanced in your body. Acorn squash This food item contains potassium in a huge amount. One can say that avocado has potassium as one of its main contents. Studies have also shown that those who have a regular intake of avocado in their diet tend to have healthier bodies and lesser chances of getting any metabolic problems. Beans A single cup of beans has nearly 1000 mg of potassium. Consuming beans will keep away the troubles of inflammation. Even soybean is one of the best beans which are rich in potassium content. Sweet potatoes and potatoes Potatoes may not have many nutrients, but, they are a good source of potassium. One-third of the potassium content of white potato is in its peels and the rest is in its body. This is the reason it is always advised to eat potatoes without peeling off the skin. On the other hand, sweet potatoes are also a food item that is rich in potassium. To be precise, 180 gm of white potato provides 18% of RTI. Spinach Spinach has always been popular when there are talks about potassium-rich food items. People who suffer from potassium deficiency are recommended to involve spinach in their diet to balance the level of potassium in their body. Not only potassium, but spinach is also rich in the plant content called chloroplasts which are believed to have cancer-fighting qualities.

These days, the stomach diseases are increasing, and therefore, the doctors show a severe concern towards the overall nutrition of the people. Every age group has certain gut bacteria levels and must follow a routine check-up. Cleansing of the colon area is a must so that toxins from the body keep on regularly releasing without harming organs and intestine lining. However, a particular health condition came into highlight mostly in the age group of 30 to 50 years is diverticulitis. It is a kind of a stomach disease which occurs when small pockets are formed in the wall of the digestive system. They lead to the intestine inflammation. One of the reasons for this can be an infection due to the toxics of colon. What are diverticula and how is it formed? Diverticula are small sacs or pockets which take birth on their own when the colon muscles become weaker. They protrude outward in the large intestine lining in red color like boils or polyps. It is a painful condition during a flare-up. Sometimes, on diagnosing, immediate surgery is recommended by the specialists. What are the symptoms of diverticulitis? Most people are unaware of the initial symptoms and lead to the chronic stage and then realize the fact that they are affected by diverticulitis. Hence, there are some common symptoms which one must consider and get immediate help from the doctor whenever they experience them. Long-term constipation is the condition when one cannot pass stool regularly and sustains for a long term. It causes immense pain and fatigue. Long-term diarrhea is a common symptom of diverticulitis. If a person suffers from diarrhea and no antibiotic works, then it is a sure symptom of diverticulitis. Pain and tender feeling in the abdomen with bloating is a symptom of diverticula formation in the colon lining.

Probiotics are living bacteria that are consumed by for their health benefits. There is hype in the use of probiotics as many people have received substantial health benefits like improved digestive systems and glowing skin. However, there are certain side effects to probiotics   that people have experienced. Before you buy and start consuming probiotics, do know about the potential side effects of this product. We have highlighted some these side effects to probiotics below: Troubled Digestion It may surprise you that the very product used for the betterment of the digestive system can also cause trouble to it. Unfortunately, some users have experienced it. The effect is temporary but increases the gas levels and bloating in the body. People who have consumed yeast-based products have suffered from constipation. These side effects are mild and slowly vanish with the continuous consumption of probiotics. You can avoid this side effect if you begin with taking small doses on slowly increase them as the days go by. This will make your body used to the dietary product and there is a chance that there would not be any side-effects that you will experience. Skin Problems Intake of probiotics means you are taking biogenic amines in your body. This can cause acne and skin rashes. But this side-effect is not totally bad. This is because acne and pimples are caused to release the toxins from the body. But if the rashes remain for long and the pimples do not go soon, then this is the signal of allergic reaction that is one of the probiotics side effects. In such a situation, consult a skin specialist and immediately cease the intake of the probiotic product. Infection Some people have gone through serious infections with the intake of probiotics. The number of users who have experienced infections is few but they do exist.

Our daily diet defines our health in reality. The nutrients from different foods react in different ways in our body, and it affects the cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, and weight. Diabetes is one of the most common problems nowadays, and many people suffering from diabetes find it difficult to maintain a healthy diet to stay fit. Many people prefer consuming processed food and often end up with numerous health-related problems. A healthy diet can be very helpful for a diabetic patient, and they should try some good diabetic meal plans to stay healthy and fit. This article will highlight some great meal plans for the diabetes patients, and you should also go through the article if you are in search of effective diabetic meal plans to stay healthy and fit. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates play a major role in maintaining your blood glucose. Experts suggest your insulin dosage depending on your dietary habits, especially carbohydrates. If you don’t have the habit of consuming carbohydrates in every meal, try to include it now onward. Diabetes patients should prefer sources like fruits, high-fiber whole grains, vegetables, and so on. We also recommend you to choose the source of carbohydrate with added sugars, salt, and fats. Proteins Proteins acquire the position of the second important factor for diabetic patients. Proteins play a vital role in defining your health and satiate hunger at the same time. Proteins play a major role as they don’t affect your blood glucose similar to carbohydrates. We recommend you to use portion control along with protein consumption to prevent excessive weight gain. You have to remember that low blood sugar can’t be treated with protein mixtures and shakes. It can push insulin to work faster in type2 diabetes and hence it should not be used for patients suffering from type2 diabetes.

Aging is a natural process that affects all life. Although we can’t chase our youthful self as the years go by, we definitely would want to relive those early days. Most of us fantasize about looking younger than and search for ways to get that look back. Nowadays, you can find cosmetic surgeries and other methods like botox injections to look younger, but there are certain natural ways too. Diet based solutions can be very effective to get your younger skin back. Vitamins play a major role in aging, and you can find several vitamins that are used from ancient time for healthy and hydrated skin. There are numerous vitamins available in the market to help with the anti-aging process. This article highlights some of the most effective anti-aging vitamins that you should try now for beautiful, younger-looking skin. Vitamin E Vitamin E has a significant role, and it is often called as the dry-skin defender for its numerous benefits. If your skin is dry, you should consume proper foods that include Vitamin E. You can easily get it from your multivitamins, and there is no need to overdo it as a supplement. Vitamin E is an effective fat-soluble antioxidant that helps to regain the natural moisture, and your skin looks younger and hydrated. Nowadays, you can get many oils and creams enriched with Vitamin E, claiming to easily fix scars, stretch marks, and burns marks. Moreover, you can apply it to protect cell membranes and to prevent oxidative damage to your skin. You can find it in seeds and nuts, avocados, and wheat germ. Vitamin A Vitamin A is yet another anti-aging vitamin that you must have heard of. The effectiveness of this vitamin is very high when it comes to treating spots and wrinkles from different sources. Retinoids, which is a synthetic form of vitamin A, can help treat various skin disorders like rough patches, acne, and psoriasis.

Health is a primary concern for a lot of people and with a rise in health issues like obesity and arthritis, the biggest concern is weight loss. However, weight loss is not an easy task and cannot be achieved in a few days. A winner amongst quick, yet healthy weight loss methods is a liquid diet. A diet consisting only of liquids instead of solid food is called a liquid diet. A liquid diet comprises water, broth and plain gelatin that are easy to digest and leaves no undigested residue in your intestinal tract. In a liquid diet, most of your carbs and other minerals necessary for your body are obtained by fruit and vegetable juices or broth that contains no pulp. It is often prescribed to patients with digestive problems, recovering from injuries or who are about to undergo surgery. When a person follows a liquid diet, it helps detox and kick-starts your body‘s mechanisms with weight loss procedure. There are various liquid diet plans that one can follow to reduce weight. However, choose the best liquid diet plan by consulting a dietician and understanding the needs of your body and your stamina. Detox/cleansing liquid diet plan In a busy and hectic schedule, our body tends to suffer the most. An unhealthy lifestyle and constant pollution can take a massive toll on your body making it prone to diseases. Detoxing and cleansing have to be a priority for all to maintain its well-being. In a detox/cleansing liquid diet, you can see the effects almost immediately. One can always opt for a lemonade diet, also referred to as a master cleanse diet. One needs to drink only one drink of lemonade for a week. Blend 50 ounces of water with10 tablespoons of organic B grade maple syrup, ten tablespoons of fresh lemon juice along with half a spoon of cayenne pepper.

It is commonly observed that people whose diet is irregular, suffer through acid reflux problem. It is a prevalent issue in the digestive system where acids accumulate because of unhealthy eating habits and food contents. Mainly oily food, spicy agents, and acidic caffeine based drinks create excessive acids in the digestive tract which at a certain point cannot digest easily. Hence, a severe stomach problem people suffer is of a hiatal hernia. In this type of condition, the stomach’s upper portion presses upward through the diaphragm under the chest area. The main symptom one could face during the existence of a hiatal hernia is the acid reflux. Discomfort and pain caused after eating a specific type of spicy food items is another primary symptom of the respective condition. What are the food items to avoid? Therefore, a hiatal hernia diet should include non-acidic food preparations and liquid products. Some of the food items and ingredients are listed below: Garlic and onion:  Raw or cooked both are acidic. They should curtail in food preparations from the hiatal hernia diet plan. Citrus fruits: It is better to avoid citrus foods entirely such as oranges and limes entirely until acid reflux and discomfort last. Tomato-based food items: Pasta in red sauce, salsa, spaghetti sauce all have high tomato content and should not include in the diet plan. Fried and spicy foods:  Burgers, fried chicken, nuggets and food that is high in sodium and eliminated. Which beverages are not allowed in hiatal hernia diet? Anything which has acid and bubbles must be avoided. But to clearly understand what is not healthy for you at all, they are stated below: Wine, beer, spirit based drinks, and alcohol are not allowed Coffee filtered or non-filtered both avoided. Avoid caffeinated teas or ginger based tea preparation Seltzer water and soda drinks wholly banned for the hiatal hernia patients Whole milk which has a high-fat percentage and not pasteurized Symptoms of a hiatal hernia Hiatal hernia diet includes various food preparations that have low fat, few carbohydrates, and zero acidic contents.