The term osteoporosis translates to “porous bones”, and is a disease in which your body either loses too much bone, or doesn’t make enough bone, or in some cases even both. This results in weakening of the bones. A minor bump, or sneezing can also cause injuries to the body. Women are more prone to being diagnosed with osteoporosis. How do you know you have osteoporosis? While many diseases can be diagnosed as its symptoms are experienced in the early stages, but with osteoporosis, one can experience little to no symptoms. It progresses slowly, making the condition severe over time. Some of the osteoporosis symptoms you need to watch out for are: Experiencing back pain Because of loss of bone density, you may have a fracture or a collapsed vertebrae. In this condition, back pain should be taken lightly as it can relate to your bone health. Loss of height As strange as this sounds, loss of height is one of the signs and symptoms of the onset of osteoporosis. This essentially denotes that your spine has been fractured making you unable to stand straight. Some of these spine fractures are painless so you may not recognize this sooner. Hence, you need to watch out for this osteoporosis symptom. Stooped posture This is another sign that shows a decreased amount of bone density. With bones being more porous and soft, they are unable to hold your body up straight leading to a curved spine. This curved spine naturally leads to a stooped posture. Easy fractures Fractures are not easy injuries, so if you are injuring your bones often, it is probably because your bones are porous and not strong enough. Tips for a healthy lifestyle While you cannot prevent any disease, you sure can manage it, and lower the risk of triggering it further.

You’ve finally decided to stop smoking. Great! Now comes the tricky part of sustaining this resolution. Kicking this habit takes a lot more than simply dumping that cigarette pack. While it can be challenging to practice abstinence, there are certain measures you can take to ensure that you succeed in this endeavor. In this article, we’ll discuss “what not to do” when you are trying to quit smoking: Don’t be pessimistic An intense craving for nicotine after you quit smoking is a very natural reaction. It can be accompanied by symptoms like sweating, tingling in hands and feet, constipation, headaches, insomnia, and anxiety. These symptoms provoke negative feelings that could eventually lead to a relapse. The only way to weather this period is by staying patient and focusing your energy on the present, which can include your work, partner, children, friends, and hobbies. Remember that thinking about your smoking history will not do you any good, so make a conscious effort of living in the moment. Don’t be negligent about your health Cessation is a time when you need to pay extra attention to your physical and mental needs. Doing so will help you deal with any withdrawal symptoms more effectively. Neglecting your health will only weaken your resolve and might trigger a relapse to the toxic habit. Following the mentioned tips can help you ditch smoking for good: Wholesome diet : To eliminate all the toxins accumulated in your body, you need to follow a well-balanced diet. It should ideally contain nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables, especially those high in vitamin C. Your diet should also include milk and dairy items. Studies suggest that drinking milk made the taste of cigarettes worse. So if you are having strong nicotine cravings, you can have dairy to keep it in control. Exercise :

Menopause is characterized by the permanent stopping of the menstruation cycle, which generally occurs in women between 40 to 50 years of age. Since the normal menstrual cycle ceases, the women in the menopause stage experience certain hormonal fluctuations and the onset of several other diseases. With the estrogen levels falling and the disrupted cyclical changes of progesterone and estrogen, most women suffer from increased levels of cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Hence, women are highly advised to maintain a strict diet during menopause. The following food items help to keep the hormonal fluctuations at a normal rate and also helps in combating the diseases as well. Whole grains Loaded with fibers, nutrients, and vitamin B components, whole grains are primarily necessary for the normal functioning of the body. The fiber in whole grains helps in maintaining normal bowel functioning and maintains a healthy gut. The range of vitamin B complexes cater to the diverse needs of the body and helps in restoring normal body metabolism, thereby keeping various diseases at bay. Thus, whole grain foods need to be included in the diet during menopause . Oatmeal Oatmeal work wonders in lowering blood cholesterol levels and is thus considered as one of the best foods to consume during menopause. It also helps in weight loss and improves heart health in women. Fruits & green veggies Fruits, as well as green vegetables, are undoubtedly one of the best foods to eat during menopause. These are loaded with fiber, nutrients, minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants which are necessary for the normal functioning of a healthy gut and heart. The antioxidant prevents the formation of free radicals and maintains normal body metabolism. Where fruits like berries help in lowering blood pressure, broccoli helps in preventing cancer in women. Dairy products Menopause results in a huge decrease in body minerals which makes osteoporosis a common condition.

Menopause is an inevitable phenomenon in any woman’s life that marks the end of menstruation. In general, menopause occurs in women who are 51 years of age or older. This natural condition is often accompanied by a host of unpleasant symptoms that can take a serious toll on the quality of one’s life. Some of the commonly experienced menopausal symptoms are hot flashes, mood swings, sleep problems, fatigue, and vaginal dryness. Good nutrition plays a vital role during menopause and can help get relief from the symptoms and also promote overall health in the years following menopause. Listed below are a few food options that one can eat during menopause to cope with the symptoms and associated complications. Iron-rich foods Iron is a vital mineral that has powerful properties essential for women during and after menopause. One should aim for 3 servings of foods packed with iron to promote overall health. Also, iron is essential to ward off medical conditions like anemia. Including food items like nuts, eggs, vegetables (spinach, kale), and fish in the diet to ensure the daily iron requirements are met is advisable. High-fiber foods The onset of menopause often leads to estrogen deficiency that increases the risk of heart diseases. As per the findings, an increase in the intake of dietary fiber can help lower the risk of heart disease in women. Dietary fiber is a type of carbohydrate that is found in abundance in many food items such as fruits, beans, legumes, bread, grains, breakfast cereal, and pasta. One should consume at least 21 grams of fiber per day to prevent menopause from putting them at risk of cardiovascular diseases. Calcium-rich foods During menopause, women experience a sharp decrease in the levels of estrogen, a hormone that plays a vital role in bone health. Low estrogen levels increase the risk of osteoporosis, a chronic bone disease.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is not a life-threatening problem but it can alter your lifestyle drastically. Women are more likely affected by this condition and it can be experienced during their late teens to the early 40s. IBS tends to affect bowel habits drastically. One can experience discomfort or pain while passing stools. Your bowel habits are likely to change completely from less or more than normal which can be diarrhea or constipation. The texture of the stool may be thin, hard, soft or liquid. Some common symptoms of this condition are as follows: Bloating or a lot of gas Constipation Diarrhea Cramps/ belly pain Pellets or flat ribbon stools (i.e. hard or loose) Common things that activate IBS are: Refined grains that are used to make bread and cereals Processed foods Coffee, alcohol Carbonated drinks Dairy products like cheese High protein diets Stress-related activities like work, commuting, family problems, financial issues Medicines that evoke this condition are antibiotics, some antidepressants and sorbitol included medicine like cough syrups Eating in a hurry while working or driving Chewing gum regularly Not exercising enough It is a well-known fact that a proper diet and consumption of the right food helps control IBS to a great degree. Here are some of the diets prescribed for IBS patients. High fiber diet Fiber adds bulk to your stools that helps aid the movement. It is estimated that an adult consumes only 5 to 14 grams of fiber per day. Eating 25 to 30 grams of fiber per day is an essential way to manage IBS. Foods such as whole grains, vegetables, and fruits are high in fiber that helps prevent constipation. Low fiber diet People with regular gas and diarrhoea might find it difficult with the high intake of fiber as it can worsen the symptoms.

Cholesterol levels play a vital role in defining our overall health. It differs from person to person depending on their age, gender, and weight. Cholesterol levels change gradually, and we should check it frequently. Excessive cholesterol can adversely harm your health, and once you cross the age of twenty, you should check your cholesterol levels from time to time. Excessive cholesterol often results in plaque that blocks the arteries. Therefore, you should keep an eye on these levels. Recent studies have shown that nearly one million Americans die due to heart diseases, and one of the primary reasons for these diseases is excessive cholesterol. Why should one maintain healthy cholesterol levels? After getting a cholesterol test, one can check if their cholesterol levels are in the healthy range by consulting a cholesterol level chart, but there are some points that one needs to keep in mind while checking this chart. Generally, cholesterol is measured in three different categories that include total cholesterol, LDL or bad cholesterol, and HDL or good cholesterol. The primary challenge begins with the maintenance of these levels. Experts suggest keeping the total cholesterol and LDL levels low. High cholesterol can increase the risk of stroke and heart diseases among patients. Therefore, it is essential to maintain to maintain one’s cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of heart-related illnesses. The connection between age and cholesterol levels Cholesterol levels have a close relationship with an individual’s age. Excessive cholesterol can lead to several diseases. Moreover, unmanaged cholesterol is tough to treat. Hence, experts suggest maintaining healthy cholesterol levels from an early age. Cholesterol generally affects men after older than 20 years, and usually, children don’t suffer from high cholesterol. You don’t have to check a child’s cholesterol levels more than twice before they turn 18. It is quite rare for children to suffer from high cholesterol, and you should only monitor their cholesterol levels after consulting a doctor.

If you suffer from a burning sensation or acute discomfort that travels up from your stomach into your chest and the regurgitation of food that you recently ate along with a sharp and sour taste of acid, these symptoms are native to acid reflux. While the occasional experience of acid reflux need not worry you, if it becomes regular, more intense, and disturbs your sleep, you must visit your doctor. Food that enters the stomach is retained by means of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which is a muscular ring, and it must close immediately as it may become weak or damaged. If it doesn’t close fully or remains open too often, it causes digestive acids to move up into the food pipe or esophagus. This causes the typical symptoms of heartburn, sour taste in the mouth, regurgitation, dyspepsia or burning sensation in the stomach, nausea, upset stomach, bloated feeling, difficulty swallowing, burping, dry cough, and a sore throat. Sometimes, the symptoms are so severe that they can be mistaken for a heart attack. If symptoms persist and are left untreated, you can develop gastroesophageal reflux disease. Relationship Between Food and Acid Reflux Your diet has a significant impact on acid reflux. Foods that are acidic in nature contribute to the increase of acids in the stomach and there are more chances of these causing reflux through a weak or damaged LES. There are many such trigger foods, and along with the medication, exercise and lifestyle changes that your doctor recommends, avoiding such foods can help you manage and eliminate your symptoms. Eating heavy meals close to bedtime and lying down immediately after a meal can trigger an attack. Being obese or pregnant, bending over after a meal, snacking close to bedtime, smoking, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen and muscle relaxants, certain antibiotics, and blood-pressure medications can set off acid reflux symptoms.

Protein powders are gaining huge popularity—not just among weightlifters, six-packers and gym addicts. They’re a useful nutritional supplement for people who want to lose weight or gain muscle, convalescents, senior citizens, athletes, vegans, and vegetarians. Let’s find out what they’re all about. What are protein powders? These special nutritional supplements contain concentrated protein from animal or plant sources and can be consumed in the form of concentrates, isolates, and hydrolysates. They are often available with added vitamins and minerals, in various flavors. You can buy them at most pharmacies, health stores, supermarkets, and online in powder form or as pre-mixed drinks. Add them to your normal food, mix them into juices, or just make a simple shake out of them. The common forms of protein powder are soy protein, whey, and casein protein. Whey is the most popular form since it’s water-soluble and contains all the nine essential amino acids that are necessary for the complete human diet. Each protein source has its own characteristics and benefits. Benefits Since protein is essential for the health and growth of all parts of our bodies, we need to make it a part of our daily diet. Proteins give energy, help to repair and rejuvenate cells. They also contribute to bulking up muscle mass, reduce fat, and help to repair and maintain the muscles. They give you a feeling of fullness and prevent hunger pangs that send you hunting for food in your fridge. When to take them You should take them if you’re an athlete or a teenager, planning a drastic work-out program, preparing for an athletic event or competition, opting to become a vegan or vegetarian, recovering from an accident/injury/illness. How much do you need? According to the American College of Sports Medicine, the normal adult needs about 0.8 gm/kg body-weight every day.

A normal blood sugar range can be extremely different scenarios for a diabetic and a non-diabetic. Usually, 70 mg/dL to 140 mg/dL is considered to be a normal blood sugar range. On the other hand, 140 mg/dL to 180 mg/dL is a relatively raised level of blood sugar. However, this isn’t a diabetic condition but a major red flag indicating its possible onset. Anything above 180 mg/dL specifies as a diabetic condition, i.e., hyperglycemia. Some of the symptoms of hyperglycemia are headaches, unexplained weight loss, weakness, excessive thirst, frequent urination, decreased concentration, blurry eyesight, etc. For most diabetics, normal blood sugar ranges between 70 mg/dL to 140 mg/dL before eating anything and below 180 mg/dL two hours after having meals. But these levels can surge when you – Miss insulin shots or sugar control medications Consume food containing high levels of sugar Are battling with any illness Are dealing with mental pressure Not adequately active Why is it essential to monitor your blood sugar range? Blood sugar monitoring on a regular basis on a regular basis is a healthy practice for any individual. However, for people who have diabetes examining blood sugar levels is of utmost significance. The following points explain how keeping normal blood sugar range in check can benefit you. You will get a better perspective about how well your treatment is working. It helps you make necessary changes in your lifestyle, diet, and medication if in case the results are unfavorable. Self-monitoring the blood sugar range makes you more disciplined, and this can have a positive effect on your overall health. Keeping an eye on your blood sugar will also help evade any potential health scares caused due to diabetes such as vision and nerve damages, cardiovascular diseases, kidney disorders, circulatory problems, intestinal complications and slow healing.

The brain supplements are effective supplements to boost the brain power. These supplements have good effects on the functionality of the brain. They improve memory, concentration levels, cognitive function, motivation, creativity, and alertness. The brain function reduces with the gradual progressing of age. People of all age-groups must have effective brain functioning for better performance. Many suffer from memory loss, forget things usually and feel low. Well, there are many natural supplements which can improve memory and help people focus properly. The top 10 brain supplements you can include in your daily diet are as follows: Vitamin B: Vitamin B is one of the top 10 brain supplements which ensures effective cognitive brain functioning. It is important for brain chemicals which include dopamine, serotonin, and epinephrine. All kinds of vitamins have their importance for the body. Folic acid (Vitamin 9) improves memory and focus. Vitamin B12 controls the myelin which offers protection for nerve fibers. Lack of V12 result in mental retardation, loss of memory, mood swing, and damages the nerves. Vitamin V6 boosts the production of brain chemicals such as dopamine and serotonin which make the mind alert and enhance moods. The benefits of vitamin B are tremendous for health which makes it a necessary supplement. Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo Biloba is a powerful herbal remedy. It has proven results for boosting memory during memory loss and is one of the top 10 brain supplements. Ginkgo Biloba is available at affordable costs. It gives wonderful results for memory improvement among people with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. It is benefiting supplement for adults and boosts mental creativity and alertness. Caffeine: Caffeine has wonderful properties as a memory booster. The intake of caffeine can enhance mental focus, ability, and productivity. Take diet supplements which contain caffeine. High caffeine levels are found in brain supplements and energy drinks.

Regular bowel movements are important. They help clear toxins and waste from your body. They indicate a good constitution and healthy metabolism. Digestion shouldn’t just help your body utilize the nutrients in the food you eat; it should also keep the body free of toxins and functioning at its peak. Constipation However, your body isn’t able to rid itself of waste efficiently when you suffer from constipation. When waste builds up in your body, it takes a toll on your physical and mental health. Whether you suffer from the occasional bout of constipation or chronic constipation, you need to find the right solution. Fiber intake The best solution for constipation is to consume adequate amounts of dietary fiber. Fiber aids in digestion and ensures smooth bowel movements. Fiber is mostly found in plant-based food. Unlike other carbs though, fiber is non-digestible. Fiber doesn’t have any nutrition on its own, but it helps regulate many bodily functions. There are two types of naturally occurring fiber in the food you eat, and both are highly beneficial to general health. These are soluble fiber and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber absorbs water from the food you’ve eaten. It then slows down digestion and helps you absorb nutrients from food. As digestion slows down, so does the breakdown of carbohydrates. It ensures that your blood sugar doesn’t rise too rapidly, and helps regulate blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber also helps reduce LDL cholesterol, often referred to as bad cholesterol. Soluble fiber makes you feel satiated for a longer time. It could help fight obesity because you won’t feel hungry soon after. A high-fiber diet is very important if you want to stay healthy. Insoluble fiber adds bulk to your stool and keeps it moving through your digestive tract. It ensures your bowel movements are smooth and relieves constipation.

Fiber is very important for our system. It does not just help with the digestion but also reduces the risk of hypertension, stroke, and other heart diseases. Most people do not get sufficient fiber, and so you see it affecting their health in different ways. The list of high-fiber foods won’t affect your health in any negative way. It only benefits you as fiber foods take longer to digest. In this time, all the essential nutrients and vitamins are absorbed by the body. How fiber helps the human body To understand what fiber does in your body, you first need to know that there are two kinds of fibers—soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber turns into a gel and slows the digestion process. This lowers your blood glucose and lowers your cholesterol. Moreover, the insoluble fiber stays in the same form and is the bulk of the stool. It makes the process of digestion a lot easier. Not having sufficient amounts of fiber can lead to constipation. Fiber regulates the speed of your digestion and makes sure that the body gets all the required nutrition. At the same time, you need to have fibers in the right amount. Here is a list of high-fiber foods that you need to include in your diet every day. Beans Beans are the answers to all the good things that your body needs and is hence included in the list of high-fiber foods. They have the necessary proteins, vitamins, and minerals that will aid in digestion and make you strong. If you don’t have much of it in your diet, then you should start eating it. However, having too much of it can make you gastric. So, limit your intake of beans. You can choose from lima beans, broad beans, black beans, kidney beans, and so on.