Top Power Foods To Fix Your 5 Most Common Complaints...

Nothing much to do with Cancer but some of the advice here are very good for general good health. Ok, I stay away from Red Meat but other than that, I agree with what is in the article.


Source: Extracted from Top Power Foods To Fix Your 5 Most Common Complaints...by Kirsten Whittaker, Daily Health Bulletin Editor...

Not feeling up to par, but you're not sick? Dragging and unfocused but you don't know why? The answer may well be something you'd not expect - marginal nutritional deficiencies.

According to Elizabeth Somer, R.D., the author of Eat Your Way To Happiness, not having enough of important nutrients shows itself in how you feel and perform; eating too much of the wrong types of foods can have this same effect.

Here are some of the most common complaints... things we can all identify with, and some diet fixes that will have you feeling better.

1. Feel tired all the time? You might not be getting enough iron, and for women who are menstruating (or who have heavy periods) you lose this vital mineral each month. And even without a full blown iron deficiency, you can feel groggy and deal with clouded, confused thinking.

The fix? Eat more lean, unprocessed red meats, chicken and fish or try soybeans, lentils, spinach and fortified cereals, along with a glass of orange juice for the vitamin C that helps iron be absorbed by the body.

2. Jittery? Don't blame your favorite morning beverage so quickly, because this feeling can come from another source - too many refined carbs. These are the foods that have lots of white flour and are stripped of the natural nutrients and fiber that would keep blood sugar level. Too many of these carbs causes your blood sugar to jump and an excess amount of insulin to be secreted by the pancreas, this can leave you feeling antsy and unable to focus, later when your blood sugar drops you'll feel sluggish.

The fix? Make sure your meals and snacks are based around lean protein, unrefined carbs and healthy fats... foods like brown rice, whole grain pastas and bread, whole oats as well as fruits, vegetables and legumes.

3. Losing things? This can be the result of a lack of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12, both known to help the brain function. Omega-3s are full of DHA a kind of fatty acid that encourages optimal functioning synapses according to Joseph Quinn, M.D. a professor of neurology at Oregon Health and Science University. The means that DHA keeps the neurons in your brain working at maximum effectiveness.

Not having enough B12 has been associated with confusion, numbness and fatigue, and as many as 15% of Americans could be low in this important nutrient according to the NIH.

The fix?
...Try fatty, rich in omega-3 fish such as mackerel, trout, salmon, herring and tuna. You might also look to fortified breakfast cereals, liver, yogurt, cooked clams, cheese, whole eggs and ham.

4. Bloated? It's true that some veggies and legumes (beans, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower) also leave you with lots of gas... and bloating. No one knows just why this happens. Carbonated drinks can also cause bloating.

The fix? Don't cut these foods from your diet, they do have important nutrients to give you, but do cut the soda and seltzer, and consider probiotic supplements. You'll also want to be drinking lots of plain, ordinary water, as this not only gives you the fluids you need, but helps with constipation too.

5. Crampy after exercise? Muscle cramps can signal you're low on electrolytes such as potassium or magnesium. Potassium and sodium work together to keep muscle contractions in check.

The fix? Try foods like bananas, a medium baked potato, prunes or orange juice. Magnesium comes from almonds and most nuts, spinach and other greens or bran flakes or another unrefined grain. Taking in enough calcium also helps, get this from low fat milk, dark leafy greens and tofu. And be sure you're getting enough fluids overall as cramping can be a sign of dehydration too.

To your good health,

Kirsten Whittaker
Daily Health Bulletin Editor