How Changing Your Diet Can Change Your Life

We all are aware of the importance of a good diet for staying healthy. Improper diet is one of the most important preventable causes of death and disability in United States.

Wrong dietary habits are a main cause behind numerous diseases. Wrong dietary habits may cause problems of both over nutrition and under nutrition. The risks associated with obesity are numerous and some are very severe and life threatening. Overweight and obese people are more likely to develop Heart diseases, Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and insulin resistance, hypertension, stroke, sleep apnea syndrome, osteoarthritis and numerous other disorders. One of the major complications of diabetes is damage to peripheral nerves. This neuropathy causes formation of ulcers in feet which do not heal easily and sometimes become so severely infected, that it may need amputation. It may also cause loss of sensations in hands and feet and sexual dysfunctions like impotence. Not following proper diet as advised even after diabetes is diagnosed is an important cause that leads to damage to nerves. Following a proper diet may go long way in preventing diabetes, or even if diagnosed, then preventing its long-term complications. Diet rich in fats also are associated with some very severe diseases like atherosclerosis which is an important cause of heart attack. So changing one's dietary habits from eating junk foods like pizzas and burgers to more nutritious ones greatly reduces the risk of acquiring these diseases and their complications.

Dietary deficiency of certain nutrients especially vitamins can cause various diseases. The main vitamins whose deficiency causes nerve damage are Thiamine, pyridoxine, vitamin B12. The nerve damage may present with symptoms of peripheral neuropathy like weakness of muscles, numbness and tingling, pain, pins-and-needles sensations, ataxia, and abnormal gait (due to ataxia). Deficiency of Vitamin B12 (though dietary deficiency is rare except in strict vegetarians) causes degeneration of spinal cord and symptoms other than those described above like impotence, loss of bladder bowel control etc. Once again, avoiding high fat junk foods and taking diet low in fats and rich in nutrients like fruits and vegetables prevents these diseases.

Not only there is problem of over nutrition or under nutrition but presence of toxic substance in foods and substances that act as allergens in many people. Food allergy may present with easily recognized symptoms like itching, difficulty in swallowing and breathing, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting, skin rash or sometimes may present with varied symptoms like neuropathy with pins-and-needles sensation, tingling, numbness, burning or aching sensation, pain (sometimes very severe) and muscle weakness if motor nerves to muscles are also affected. Once again changing diet and avoiding the allergy causing food may alleviate all the symptoms of allergy. Sometimes the food like fish may contain toxins due to pollution of water bodies by known toxins (like heavy metals) or chemicals whose toxicity is not known yet. They may again cause widespread damage to body including nerve damage resulting in peripheral neuropathies.

Hence clearly changing dietary habits and taking more healthy and nutritious diet prevent innumerable diseases and their complications.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6923772

10 Changes You Can Make To Lose Weight!

People consider that losing weight takes all the effort on earth plus the power of the sun. Well you'll be thankful to know that it doesn't. Losing weight is just as possible as gaining weight, and it all begins with making changes. Simple changes like healthier choices or more exercise can really make a big difference.

Incorporate these little changes in your life and turn them into habits. Next thing you know, your pants are fitting better, you feel better and the scale just hit a couple of notches back. Change begets change, plus in this case it would be your excess fat. So what on earth are you waiting for, starting seeing change with these 10 awesome tips.

Here's a summary of 10 changes you can make to lose excess weight.

1) Minimize your white carbohydrates, this can include food that's composed of or contains bread, pasta, white rice and potatoes. Carbohydrates are elements that take longer to digest and quickly become fat.

2) Replace sugary and caffeinated drinks for instance soda and coffee with natural juices. The sugar and calorie content in most drinks are absolutely ridiculous, plus they have no advantages to your state of health in any respect. While soda and coffee can provide you with a burst of instant energy, natural fruit or vegetable juice can likewise do the same although with greater benefits and longer lasting effects.

3) Clean your body and regulate your system with fiber. Doing so will help you dispose of all the waste and additional substances that you don't need in your body. You can locate fiber in food including cereal or oatmeal, nuts, fresh and dried fruits, and vegetables.

4) Drink a lot of liquids such as water, tea and natural juices. This can help you stay fuller throughout the day, in addition to keeping your body hydrated and cleansing your system.

5) Steer clear from processed, hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated foods. Not only are these unhealthy, but they also have cancer causing elements.

6) Avoid adding salt on lots of food items. An excessive amount of sodium in your body can interfere with the right absorption of nutrients.

7) Eat more frequent and smaller sized meals through the day as suppose to just having three big ones. 5 to 8 small portions will keep you fuller than 3 big ones, plus you won't be consuming as much calories in fewer sittings.

8) Stay off the couch. Couches are usually positioned in front of TVs. TVs usually lead to hours of inactivity. One change you absolutely should make if you're trying to lose weight is MORE activity. So keep busy and remain active. Whether that's by exercising or cleaning the house, whatever that will keep you off the couch will work.

9) Snack healthy. As an alternative to reaching for a donut or candy bar, have your cabinets and fridge stocked with healthier options like yogurt, fruits, nuts, and cheeses.

10) When dining out, don't consume over fifty percent of what you've ordered. Restaurant portions tend to be larger than what you would normally have in one meal. So cut fat and calories by only eating a portion of the plate. Save the rest for another meal.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6946682