12 Amazing Foods That Will Improve Your Resistance to Disease
2) Barley and oats: Barley and oats are
a source of beta-glucan, a type of fiber that has powerful antimicrobial
properties. Studies conducted on animals have shown that a diet high in
beta-glucan is linked to a markedly decreased likelihood of contracting
influenza viruses and herpes viruses. There is also some evidence that eating
food that contains beta-glucan can enhance the ability of antibiotic drugs.
3) Pineapples: Pineapples provide you
with a chemical called bromelain, and this improves your resistance to disease
in a couple of different ways. Firstly, it reduces sinus inflammation when you
have a cold, flu or sinus infection. Secondly, it lowers levels of unwanted
inflammation associated with diseases such as arthritis and asthma.
4) Honey: All honey is capable of
reducing the duration and severity of the main symptoms that are associated
with upper respiratory infections. This is because honey erodes and destroys
any bacteria that it encounters in your throat. However, there is one particular
kind that is especially good at fighting infection. Manuka honey has been the
subject of nutritional research for quite some time, and studies have shown
that it contains a special compound capable of fighting bacteria throughout the
entire body. Unlike regular honey, which can only kill bacteria it physically
touches, manuka honey helps to fight bacteria everywhere inside you.
5) Goji berries: Goji berries are an
infamous superfood, bursting with different chemicals that can improve your
quality of life by enhancing a whole host of bodily functions. When it comes to
fighting disease, the polysaccharide sugars found in goji berries help by
encouraging your immune system to produce more white blood cells (which are
vital when it comes to fending off viral and bacterial infections).
6) Black tea:One study conducted by scientists
at Harvard discovered that people who drank at least five cups of black tea for
two weeks had ten times the normal amount of interferons in their blood.
Interferons are proteins that fight viral and bacterial infections by
inhibiting their ability to replicate. This means that steady consumption of
black tea is likely to make you less vulnerable to infection.
7) Blueberries: Blueberries are a
source of copper, and copper has antibacterial properties that will help you to
fight certain infections. Further, blueberries provide you with a large chunk
of your recommended daily intake of iron, and this increases the amount of
hemoglobin in your blood (making sure that the right amount of oxygen reaches
all the important parts of your body).
8) Shiitake mushrooms: Shiitake
mushrooms can help your body effectively resist disease by improving immune
system function. Like goji berries, they are a source of polysaccharide sugars
that promote the production of white blood cells, and your body is more capable
of fending off infections when it has a large supply of white blood cells.
9) Chili: When you have a cold or flu,
try adding plenty of chili to your food. It thins out mucus, reducing the
discomfort of a blocked nose and speeding recovery from infection.
10) Ginger: Ginger is a popular
traditional treatment for nausea and vomiting, but it is also capable of
lowering levels of inflammation. This is due to the presence of gingerols,
chemicals that stop certain enzymes from raising inflammation in the body.
Given this property of ginger, it is an ideal part of your diet if you happen
to suffer from inflammatory diseases like ulcerative colitis, arthritis and
asthma.
11) Strawberries: Strawberries are awonderful source of vitamin C, with one serving providing you with a massive
136% of your recommended daily intake. It is well documented that high levels
of vitamin C are associated with better resistance to disease.
12) Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds are an
ideal snack when you are suffering from a gastric flu or related viral
infection, as they contain a powerful antiviral chemical called cucurbitin. In
addition, it is a good idea to eat pumpkin seeds even when you are perfectly
healthy, as they will reduce your likelihood of falling ill in the future. This
is because they contain zinc, and zinc is necessary to ensure proper white
blood cell function. When your white blood cells are functioning well, you are
more resistant to disease.
Eating plenty of all of the above foods will
improve your resistance to disease and make you less likely to contract
annoying bacterial and viral infections.
Click here take sources
5 steps for preventing kidney stones
Preventing kidney stones means preventing the
conditions that support their formation. I asked Dr. Melanie Hoenig, an
assistant professor of medicine at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center, for the top ways to prevent kidney stones. Here are her
recommendations:
Drink
plenty of water: Drinking extra water dilutes the
substances in urine that lead to stones. Strive to drink enough fluids to pass
2 liters of urine a day, which is roughly eight standard 8-ounce cups. It may
help to include some citrus beverages, like lemonade and orange juice. The
citrate in these beverages helps block stone formation.
Get
the calcium you need: Getting too little calcium in your
diet can cause oxalate levels to rise and cause kidney stones. To prevent this,
make sure to take in an amount of calcium appropriate to your age. Ideally, obtain
calcium from foods, since some studies have linked taking calcium supplements
to kidney stones. Men 50 and older should get 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium
per day, along with 800 to 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D to help
the body absorb the calcium.
Reduce
sodium: A high-sodium diet can trigger kidney stones
because it increases the amount of calcium in your urine. So a low-sodium diet
is recommended for the stone prone. Current guidelines suggest limiting total
daily sodium intake to 2,300 mg. If sodium has contributed to kidney stones in
the past, try to reduce your daily intake to 1,500 mg. This will also be good
for your blood pressure and heart.
Limit
animal protein: Eating too much animal protein, such
as red meat, poultry, eggs, and seafood, boosts the level of uric acid and
could lead to kidney stones. A high-protein diet also reduces levels of
citrate, the chemical in urine that helps prevent stones from forming. If
you’re prone to stones, limit your daily meat intake to a quantity that is no
bigger than a pack of playing cards. This is also a heart-healthy portion.
Avoid
stone-forming foods: Beets, chocolate, spinach, rhubarb,
tea, and most nuts are rich in oxalate, and colas are rich in phosphate, both
of which can contribute to kidney stones. If you suffer from stones, yourdoctor may advise you to avoid these foods or to consume them in smaller
amounts.
For everyone else, particular foods and drinks are
unlikely to trigger kidney stones unless consumed in extremely high amounts.
Some studies have shown that men who take high doses of vitamin C in the form
of supplements are at slightly higher risk of kidney stones. That may be
because the body converts vitamin C into oxalate.
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Sinharaja Forest Reserve
Sinharaja Forest Reserve is a national park and a
biodiversity hotspot in Sri Lanka. It is of international significance and has
been designated a Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site by UNESCO.The hilly
virgin rainforest, part of the Sri Lanka lowland rain forests ecoregion, was
saved from the worst of commercial logging by its inaccessibility, and was
designated a World Biosphere Reserve in 1978 and a World Heritage Site in 1988.
The reserve's name translates as Kingdom of the Lion.The reserve is only 21 km
(13 mi) from east to west, and a maximum of 7 km (4.3 mi) from north to south,
but it is a treasure trove of endemic species, including trees, insects,
amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.Because of the dense vegetation,
wildlife is not as easily seen as at dry-zone national parks such as Yala.
There are about 3 elephants and the 15 or so leopards are rarely seen. The most
common larger mammal is the endemic purple-faced langur.
Location Sabaragamuwa
and Southern Provinces, Sri Lanka
Established April,
1978
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Designated 1988
(12th session)
State Party
Sri Lanka
Region Asia-Pacific
Content take wikipedia
Dubai Creek
Dubai Creek is a saltwater creek located in Dubai, United
Arab Emirates (UAE). It ends at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary. Some sources
say that the creek extended as far inland as Al Ain, and that the Ancient Greeks
called it River Zara. Historically, the creek divided the city into two main
sections – Deira and Bur Dubai. It was along the Bur Dubai creek area that
members of the Bani Yas tribe first settled in the 19th century, establishing
the Al Maktoum dynasty in the city. In the early 20th century, the creek,
though incapable then of supporting large scale transportation, served as a
minor port for dhows coming as far away as India or East Africa. Although it
impeded the entry of ships due to current flow, the creek remained an important
element in establishing the commercial position of Dubai, being the only port
or harbour in the city. Dubai's pearling industry, which formed the main sector
of the city's economy, was based primarily on expeditions in the creek, prior
to the invention of cultured pearls in the 1930s.Dubai Creek's bank, north of
Al-Maktoum Bridge. Still used by small traders from across the Gulf, some of
the dhows anchored here are well over 100 years old. You can visit here,
watching cargo being loaded and unloaded on and off the dhows. Dhow workers
often invite visitors onto the vessels for a tour, where you can gain insight
into the life of these traditional sailors. Many of the dhows here travel
onwards to Kuwait, Iran, Oman, India, and down to Africa's horn. This tiny
remnant of Dubai's traditional economy is still a bustling and fascinating
place to wander around.To travel across the creek you can either take a trip on
one of the many dhows that have been restored as tourist cruise boats or take
an abra (small wooden ferry) between the ferry points on the creek's Bur Dubai
and Deira banks.
TAKE from wikipedia and planetware
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