Category: Healthy Tips

4 scientifically proven brain boosters

Did you know that a whopping 75% of brain aging can be avoided by making small tweaks to your everyday routine? Three experts recently discussed these brain health hacks in Women’s World magazine. Here are four brain boosting tips that you can adopt today. It’s easier than you might think to cultivate good brain performance! 1. Grow new neurons by taking a stroll “Walking without breaks helps keep the part of your brain that grows brain cells more resilient,” reveals psychotherapist, Mike Dow, Ph.D. In fact, it’s so effective that strolling for 25 a few times a week will keep your brain’s “incubator for new brain cells in shape. 2. Take five for five Dr. Leanne Young says chronic multitasking causes the brain to shrink. “In particular, it reduces the size of the hippocampus, a brain region supporting memory and learning,” Young says. The fix? Cut back on multitasking and let your brain recharge five times a day by taking five minutes to rest – no social media, no TV, no emails … just rest. “Spend those five minutes stretching, going outside or meditating,” Young suggests. 3. Kids’ Play Mike Dow says game concentration is shown to sharpen memory. Try …

Healthy Tips

New research reveals 4 ways to keep brain young

Perhaps you’ve heard that exercising and sleep slows brain aging. But now researchers have dug deeper and found other lifestyle tweaks that can have an equally beneficial impact on your brain. 1. Energize brain with squash: That’s right, the Journals of Gerontology reports that eating squash daily could cut your dementia risk by 20%, plus help your brain function as if it were three years younger. It turns out that beta-carotene – the orange pigment – in butternut and acorn squash nourishes and energizes brain cells, plus block the formation of damaging plague inside brain arteries. 2. Clear brain fog with broccoli: A study in the journal Genesis suggests that eating three cups of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, etc.) weekly could shake off brain fog, often within six weeks. 3. Sweep trouble away with onions: Spanish researchers say that consuming as little as ¼ cup of any type of onion each day slows brain aging 21% or more – and makes your brain function as if it’s six years younger. 4. Your brain’s fav drink: Sipping two cups of green tea daily revs the flow of oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to your brain 25%, staving off brain aging. According to …

Healthy Tips

More Veggies, Less Meat Linked With Longevity

It shouldn’t come as a big surprise that a plant-based diet has plenty of benefits. A recent study in the JAMA Internal Medicine concludes that eating more legumes, vegetables, fruits and less meat is associated with lower mortality risk. Alice Lichtenstein, director of the Tuft University’s Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory discussed the chink in the vegetarian armor in a recent newsletter. “It’s important to note that vegetarians in the study were more highly educated, less likely to smoke, exercised more and were thinner,” she says. She notes that as with anything, you need to think of it in terms of the whole package. For instance, all meat substitutes are not created equal. Cheese is high in saturated fat, so quiche on Meatless Monday is not going to get you the hoped-for results. However, a rice and bean casserole might. In the Tufts Newsletter, Lichtenstein says it’s OK if you’re not ready to swear off meat completely. It’s better to think about the whole diet. She says that if animal products are part of your normal diet they should be mostly fish and poultry. And it’s always a wise idea to boost your servings of veggies and fruit, opt for whole grains …

Healthy Tips

6 natural ways to boost your energy without caffeine!

Yawn … it’s 2 p.m. and all you want to do is take a snooze! If this sounds familiar, you are not alone. In our busy world, many of us observe our energy level dipping on a regular basis. However, if your exhaustion is lifestyle-related, there are many ways you can up your energy levels … without downing another cup of joe! Stress Less: Constant high levels of stress will leave you feeling tired and drained. It’s important to Incorporate stress busters in your daily life. Strategies include meditation, talking with a friend, taking Sparky for a long walk or even watching a funny movie (laughter is the best medicine!). Get Moving: We all know that regular exercise is important for your health. However, it may seem counterintuitive to exercise when you’re feeling tired and all you want is a nap. Luckily, you don’t have to run a marathon to experience energy boosting benefits. In fact, one study found that sedentary people with persistent, unexplained fatigue decreased their tiredness by 65% just by regularly participating in low-intensity cycling. Other studies prove that even a 10-minute walk is a better pick me up than a snack! Quit Smoking: Of course, you …

Healthy Tips

Four Reasons To Love Tea

Lately, everyone from Dr. Oz to Oprah has been touting the benefits of tea. The Tea Association of the United States cites health benefits as the main reason tea consumption has grown steadily for the past two decades. Technically tea is anything that comes from the tea plant, including green tea, black tea, white tea and oolong tea. So, if the tea leaf is present, you’ll get all the health benefits. When you learn of its many healthy charms, a cup of tea just might replace your favorite Starbuck’s standard.

Healthy Tips

5 foods to keep you looking young

As a nation, we throw down millions of dollars each year searching for the remedy for aging skin, hair and nails. It turns out that you can head off many common beauty concerns by simply noshing on the right foods. That’s right, eating well is not only good for general health, but certain foods are especially skillful in smoothing wrinkles, giving hair a glossy shine, and even strengthening flimsy nails. Save your high brow beauty store dollars and consider adding these tasty, get-gorgeous items to your next grocery shopping list. Watermelon That’s right … this summertime fave is rich with lycopene. Why is this antioxidant compound so important? Simple: it helps skin stave off UV damage. In fact, researchers believe this melon contains as much as 40 percent more of the phytochemical than raw tomatoes. What’s more, that’s the equivalent of an SPF 3! Obviously you can’t toss your daily sunscreen, but this delicious, juicy melon can bolster your body’s natural sun protection. Eggs Sure, there’s lots of super duper nail products out there that promise strong nails, but experts know that healthy nails start from the inside out. Our nails are made of protein, so when we aren’t getting …

Healthy Tips

Healthiest Vegetables on Earth

We all know that vegetables are good for health. What’s not to love? They’re low in calories and sky high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber. But did you know that some veggies stand out from the rest with additional health benefits? Take a peek and discover the top vegetables that you should include in your diet… Spinach: This leafy green is a chart-topper, thanks to its impressive nutrient profile. It’s rich in antioxidants that may reduce risk factors such as high blood pressure. Carrots: Peter Rabbit was right. This common vegetable is especially high in beta-carotene, which can turn into healthy vitamin A in the body. Carrots high antioxidant content may help reduce risk of lung and prostate cancer. Broccoli: This cruciferous vegetable contains sulforaphane, a compound that may prevent cancer growth. Eating broccoli also helps reduce the risk of chronic disease by protecting oxidative stress. Brussels Sprouts: Like broccoli, Brussels sprouts are a member of the cruciferous family of vegetables. They contain a specific antioxidant called kaempferol, which may protect against oxidative damage to cells and prevent chronic disease. They may also help enhance detoxification in the body. Kale: Like other leafy greens, kale is well-known for its health-promoting …

Healthy Tips