There is a misconception that heart attacks are more common in men than women, but this perception has changed in the 1980’s. From this decade, the rate of women dying due to heart attack has increased and crossed that of men. It is identified that women of age 45 years and above have more chances of facing heart attacks or heart related diseases. Unfortunately, most women do not notice or care about the symptoms and as a result could face fatal results.

Knowing the symptoms of Heart attack in women…
The symptoms of heart attack in men are tightness in the chest, back pain, neck and jaw pain, chest pain, but the symptoms for a woman are different and much expressive. Generally, women will face heart attack 10 years earlier than that of men. Even when they see the symptoms at an early stage they tend to ignore them. It is very important for every woman to know their health status, especially once you reach the age of 40 years. Yes, knowing your sugar levels, cholesterol levels and blood pressure levels are very important. This is going to help you in some extent to know about the chances of getting a heart attack and if there are chances they could be avoided beforehand with less painful treatments.
• Bleeding before and after the periods
• Peculiar changes in the texture or color of the skin
• The occurrence of blood either in urine or excrement
• Sudden weight loss
• Heartburn when excess food or alcohol is consumed or when there is too much stress
• Continuous attack of cough, fatigue and fever along with pains.
Do not neglect the symptoms because of your younger age. It is not always true that only women of age 45 years or above will be affected by heart attack. It is just that they are more likely to be attacked by heart attack, but people of younger age also can face this health issue. In fact I met someone a few months ago, that said they were 32 and already has suffered two heart attacks. A regular checkup and thorough awareness of the symptoms would help you prevent a heart attack. Moreover, there are cases of women who fought the disease with determination and stand out as inspiration for those who are willing to know more about the disease.

Skin allergies like eczema, hives etc. are very common problems. The main causes of these troubles are still unknown. However you can find plenty of medications at your local drug store that treat these allergies. The downside of these medications is that they may have the risk of side effects plus most of them are pretty expensive. How about treating the symptoms of skin allergies like redness of skin, itchiness and rashes naturally? Here we have a few effective home remedies to cure skin allergies in a safe and inexpensive way.
• Oatmeal: the anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory compounds found in oats works great for soothing itching and irritated skin. These natural moisturizers are also good for rashes and keep the redness at bay. You can simply soak yourself in an oatmeal bath, preparing it is very easy. Just pour a cup or two of plain, uncooked oat flour or rolled oats directly into the bathtub and your oatmeal bath is ready.
• Banana: swelling and inflammation on the skin due to some kind of allergy can be readily treated with a banana because of its antioxidant properties. This fruit is also loaded with potassium which helps in maintaining the fluid balance in the affected area of the skin. Simply eat the banana and instead of throwing away the peel, rub its inside on the affected skin and do not wash it for an hour. Repeat it several times a day to keep away itchiness.

• Green tea: Green tea is considered to be a promising source of anti-allergenic agents and is therefore used topically to cure many symptoms of skin allergies. If such symptoms appear in your sensitive area like your face, neck or genitals then you can soothe it topically with green tea. For this, prepare a strong cup of green tea by making use of two green tea bags. After steeping the tea bags for about 10 minutes, remove the tea bags and with the help of a cotton ball, apply the strong tea over the allergy spots. The symptoms are likely to reduce when applied frequently.
• Aloe Vera: aloe Vera is a good source of a strong anti-inflammatory component called B-sitosterol which effectively cures almost every kind of skin irritation and also healing sunburns. The anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties of aloe Vera are also helpful in soothing the skin and restraining many infections. One of the best ways to apply aloe Vera is by breaking off a fresh leaf from the aloe plant and cutting it open to squeeze the gel directly onto the infected skin and rub it with your fingers.
• Sandalwood: if your skin allergy is accompanied with a burning sensation, then sandalwood is the best cure for this. This is not usually found in every household, but you can definitely look for a packet of powdered sandalwood at the local grocery store. Make a paste of this powder with water and apply on the infected skin to get an immediate relief from the burning sensation.

All of the above mentioned remedies are free of complex chemicals and also easy on the wallet, while treating the skin allergies efficiently.

 

Breakfast, as we know it, is the most important meal of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast is in fact the most effective method for those who want to lose weight in a healthy way. Since we have not eaten for the past eight to ten hours before eating breakfast, eating a meal in the morning is necessary to get started. A healthy breakfast gives a kick start to our metabolic system for the day. On the other hand when we skip breakfast we increase our bodies’ tendency to store fats, which can ultimately result in a weight gain. Eating a healthy and nutritious breakfast provides our body with the necessary energy needed to carry out the work for the day. You can have a fiber and protein rich breakfast to keep you full longer and help in reducing hunger cravings. This in turn helps in cutting down calorie intake and hence you lose weight. Your concentration power is also improved because of a healthy breakfast intake and you can work more productively.

When you eat a nutrient rich and healthy meal in the morning, you will feel fresh and active throughout the day. On the other hand when you just have a cookie or donut, you will certainly feel tired and sluggish while working. Therefore you must always make healthy choices for your first meal of the day. Here we have a few tips for you on having a healthy breakfast that can help you lose weight.
• Make sure to choose foods that are rich in proteins and fiber while low in fats and sugar as well. Such foods will keep you full for long. Oatmeal in fat free milk with fruit topping or corn flakes or other whole grain cereals rich in fiber with fat free natural yogurt or fat free milk and again topped with fruits are the best choices of foods for breakfast. You can also select your own recipe for breakfast, but make sure that your breakfast is well balanced and combine a group of food that offer a wide range of vitamins or minerals.
• After choosing the foods that have to be included in your breakfast, you also have to decide on the portion size of that meal. Even if you eat a healthy breakfast in large sizes, you will definitely gain weight in place of losing. For selecting the appropriate portion of your breakfast you can read the labels to count the number of calories in a serving size. Then calculate the amount of calories needed for your breakfast that is equivalent to almost a quarter of daily required calories for weight loss. You can then calculate the portion size of your breakfast.
• You should also limit your coffee and juice intake throughout the day. Although having a glass of fresh juice or a cup of coffee fills you with enormous energy, drinking them also contribute to a large number of calories. In place of juice, opt for the whole fruit, which will provide you with fiber and comparatively less calories than their juices.

Cinnamon and honey are the two staples that can be found in almost every kitchen shelf. You often top off your salads, snacks, breakfast meals and many recipes with these kitchen ingredients to make your dish more delicious and also healthy. Both of these behold a lot of nutritional benefits. Let us discuss them one by one.
Honey: Honey is a good source of natural sugars. The vitamin content of honey includes B6, niacin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and a variety of other amino acids. It is also rich in a variety of minerals like iron, calcium, copper, potassium, manganese, magnesium, zinc and sodium.
Cinnamon: This sweet spice is known for its anti-oxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, carminative and anti-flatulent properties. This spice is an excellent source of manganese, iron, calcium, fiber, potassium, zinc, and magnesium. Little amounts of vitamin A and vitamin K are also present in cinnamon.
Because of these nutrient contents, honey and cinnamon are considered for numerous health issues. These include:
• Immunity: a mixture of honey and cinnamon is very beneficial for the immune system of a person. It enhances the immunity and knocks out fatigue. With a strong immunity, we can fight a variety of ailments like flu, viral infections, cold, sore throat and many other such illnesses. The antioxidant properties of both honey and cinnamon help to eradicate the free radicals in the body.
• Control diabetes: the effect of flavonoids contained in cinnamon almost equates to that of insulin levels, which encourages the sugar from the blood stream into the cells where it is required as energy for their proper functioning. Honey provides a natural source of energy that does not cause much fluctuation in blood sugar levels. A combination of these two hence controls and even improves diabetes.
• Lose weight: cinnamon boosts the metabolism while honey provides natural sugars that are required by the body in the form of energy. A combination of these two in warm water is a great weight loss tool.
• Cancer: the phytochemicals contained in honey along with the anti-tumor properties of cinnamon are found to be helpful in resisting the spread of cancers. Certain acids of honey also help in combating the cancerous materials in the body.
• Prevents itching: a paste made of a mixture of one spoon of honey to two spoons of water with one teaspoon of cinnamon can be applied on the itching body part to make any itching go away within minutes.
• Skin care: a mixture of these two ingredients is also beneficial to cure plenty of skin problems like rashes, pimples and a variety of skin infections. The anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and antioxidant property of these two, works wonders for almost all skin problems.
• Reduce arthritis: honey and cinnamon is beneficial for those suffering with arthritis. Simply drink a mixture of two spoons of honey and a teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a cup of hot water two times a day. This will help in reducing the pain of arthritis and if consumed regularly, the arthritis may also be cured.

Whenever we are on the verge of eating something spicy, some of us may eat a chilli pepper with our meals or sprinkle a pinch of powdered chilly to our dish to make it hot and spicy. Although chilli peppers burns our tongues, make our eyes water and bring us out in a sweat, we still love to have it as it brings a tinge of flavor, even to an ordinary meal. Besides being considered as a spicy ingredient of a dish, a chilli pepper is also known for its medicinal properties and is widely used as a natural remedy for various health issues. Here we shall be discussing about the health benefits of eating chilli peppers.

• Vitamin A and Vitamin C content of chilli peppers is excellent to boost your immune system. Vitamin A is essential to keeping a healthy mucous membrane that lines the nasal passages and intestinal tract, while vitamin C acts as an antioxidant to soak up free radicals and make the body immune to fight infections like chest congestion and the common cold.
• Studies have shown that when chilli peppers are regularly consumed in the diet, the body requires less levels of insulin to break down the food. Hence to lower down the blood sugar levels in the body a lower amount of insulin is required. Therefore, chillies work great for those suffering with diabetes.
• The cardiovascular functioning of a person is improved when he/she consumes chilli peppers regularly in the diet. Chillies, especially the red chillies lower the levels of bad cholesterol and triglyceride and also reduce platelet aggregation. They also help in increasing the body’s ability to dissolve fibrin, which if not dissolved can form blood clots. Further, chillies also promote blood circulation and prevent strokes.
• The high levels of antioxidants found in chilli peppers can cause cancer cells growth to be inhibited. Therefore, a certain amount of chilli peppers is often recommended to people suffering from prostate and bowel cancers as chilli triggers the death of cancer cells.
• Many people relate stomach ulcers with chilli consumption. However this is not true. While chilli is not the cause of ulcers, it actually aids in the prevention of ulcers. It helps in killing the ulcer causing bacteria by stimulating the stomach cells to secrete protective fluids.
• For those suffering with osteoarthritis pain, chilli is often recommended as a natural pain killer. Studies have shown that consumption of chilli is associated with the famous feel-good chemical neurotransmitters in your brain called endorphins and when the chilli is even hotter, you can experience a bigger endorphin rush and your pain will be gone away within seconds.
• A chilli is helpful in fighting obesity, which is a common condition leading to various health issues. The thermogenic properties of a chilli pepper make you feel hot after eating it. This hotness generated consumes energy and hence the metabolism process is increased causing a speedy breakdown of fats causing a loss in unwanted weight.

There is no wonder why tea has been a popular drink amongst people for thousands of years now. It is not only delicious to drink but also beneficial for your health. Drinking tea, especially herbal teas, helps to reduce obesity and therefore is an excellent addition to any weight loss plan. When you replace the sugary soda drinks with herbal tea consumption you will immediately notice weight reduction. Along with that, the herbs have additional benefits such as preventing strokes, arthritis, tooth decay and many more such diseases. Here we have a list of 9 different herbal teas that can help in shedding weight.

 

Star anise tea: digestive troubles like upset stomach, diarrhoea, nausea and other such problems can be cured by star anise fruit of a small evergreen anise tree (Illicium verum), which is native to China. A cup of tea made with the entire pod simply by steeping it in hot water can cure almost all digestive issues and also help in boosting the metabolism, which indirectly helps in losing weight.

Peppermint tea: this tea again helps in improving digestion and thus aid in burning more calories. You can make a light, refreshing tea with peppermint leaves and drink it either hot or chilled.

Green tea: green tea contains the chemical EGCG, which helps in enhancing the metabolism process of the body. Thus drinking around three cups help in melting the extra body fats. Along with EGCG, green tea also includes antioxidants, which again boost metabolism and help shed those extra pounds.

Rose tea: rose tea is a blend of fresh roses and a bud of tea and is found to have therapeutic effects. Not only does it clarifies toxins from the body and beautifies the skin, the majority of vitamins in it including vitamin A, B3, C, D and E act against infections, improves digestion by preventing constipation and thus help in losing weight.

Oolong tea: this semi-fermented tea is known to have a stronger effect than green tea in losing weight as it melts the extra body fat, reduce bad cholesterol, and prevents obesity. Having two cups of this herbal tea daily can help you in weight loss.

Chickweed Tea: chickweed is one of the most effective herbs known for helping with weight lost. It is rich in potassium which helps with food cravings. A cup of chickweed tea assists your body to burn more fats.

White Tea: this herbal tea is a great for weight loss because of its EGCG (Epigallocatechin Gallate) content, which is a kind of fat absorption blocker. It promotes the metabolism of your body and is recommended to drink with meals.

• Bilberry Tea: This herbal tea helps to reduce hunger cravings. It contains antioxidants and healthy levels of Vitamin C, which helps in balancing blood sugar and also cleansing the digestive tract of impurities, extra foods, and fats making it an excellent weight loss beverage. Having two cups a day is recommended for losing weight fast.

Arthritis is a disease concerning one or several joints in the body that produces unbearable pain and inflammation. It is typically caused by wear and tear and is treated with pain medication.

 

Though there is no sure shot diet that will alleviate the pain of arthritis, yet according to researchers, there are anti-inflammatory foods that patients of arthritis can benefit by. These are:

Foods that fight arthritis:

Omega-3 fatty acids: Omega-3 fatty acids are known to reduce the inflammation related to arthritis. COX-2 enzymes causing inflammation of the joints tend to be less active when you’re on a diet of Omega-3 fatty acids. They can be found in meat, snacks, corn and sunflower oil, and in salmon, tuna, mackerel, trout and sardines, walnuts and flaxseeds.

Broccoli: Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, bokchoy and kale prevent further arthritis development.

Vitamin D: Those who kept out in the sun or took Vitamin D tablets benefitted by having lesser arthritic pain. The progression of arthritis too slows down immensely when you take Vitamin D tablets. Vitamin D is found in oily fish, bread, dairy products, etc.

Olive oil: Those suffering with arthritis should get on to a Mediterranean diet, which includes olive oil. It helps reduce the stiffness and pain associated with arthritis. Add olive oil, lemon juice and vinegar to your salad, and add herbs if you like too.

These are foods that aggravate arthritis, hence should be avoided:

Fried foods: Foods rich in fats like French fries, donuts, fried chicken and fish should not be eaten by arthritis patients. If one overeats these foods, body fat increases and this puts strain on the joints and increases the chances of wear and tear. Since body fat produces chemicals and hormones, it is responsible for heightened inflammation levels. To prevent arthritis from worsening, grill, bake, steam or roast your food.

Sugars &refined carbs: Refined carbohydrates can be seen in foods with white flour. So, white bread, cakes, rolls and biscuits contain them. Refined carbs cause inflammation in the joints and increase levels of cytokines and other inflammatory substances that worsen arthritis. Foods rich in refined carbs should be swapped for their whole grain counterparts such as whole wheat grain, bread, pasta, and wild and brown rice.

Dairy Products: Dairy products contain certain proteins that aggravate the affected arthritis joints. For relief from arthritis, sufferers are known to switch to a vegan lifestyle, where protein from dairy products is absent. They get this protein from green leafy vegetables.

Depression is a commonly experienced feeling. People feel depressed when they lose someone very close to them or very precious, or when their self-esteem takes a big hit. There are many situations in life to which people crumble and end up feeling depressed over prolonged periods. It could also be due to hypothyroidism or anemia.

It is said that 20 million people in the United States suffer from depression. Though most sufferers of depression do not seek medical help, the first step for patients with depression is to speak to their doctor because if left untreated, depression can become chronic. If patients do not want medical help, they can take recourse to any of these natural remedies:

Natural remedies to cure depression:

                                        

St. John’s Wort: This herb helps as a mood upper for nervousness, sadness, anxiety and insufficient sleep. According to research, St. John’s Wort is a good remedy for mild depression. It is available in the form of tablets, capsules, tea or extracts. For best results, patients should take it for about five weeks. They could experience side-effects such as exhaustion, indigestion, dry mouth and dizziness.

 

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These fatty acids stimulate brain function and since our bodies do not manufacture it, we need to add it to our diet. There is definite research that points to a low intake of Omega-3 fatty acids and depression. By eating a diet of Omega-3 fatty acids foods such as salmon, cod, herring, tuna, sardines or anchovies, you can find relief from depression. Take them in the form of capsules, or as cod liver oil capsules. However, take care not to take it two weeks before and after a surgery.

SAM-e: SAM-e or S-Adenosyl-L-Methionine is a naturally occurring chemical in the human body that enhances levels of neurotransmitters in the brain, serotonin and dopamine. It should be taken according to your doctor’s instructions.

Meditation: Meditation helps to quiet the confusion and hurt in the mind and replace it with serenity.

Yoga: There are several effective yoga exercises to fight depression and regain one’s mental control and freedom.

Eat magnesium-rich foods: Foods rich in magnesium can help to improve your moods and add a dash of health to your daily food. Eat pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds and cashew nuts and almonds, apart from legumes and beans, dark leafy veggies to increase your magnesium intake.

Reflexology: In this therapy, a professional applies pressure to certain points on the feet and hands. By manipulating the nerves at these points, the healing process is expedited and the patient experiences relief.

On reaching menopause, a woman is vulnerable to face many health  issues mainly because of the estrogen hormone reducing. However, the risk of many of those health issues can be avoided by consuming a healthy and balanced diet full of essential nutrients. Before discussing about the necessary diet for women after menopause, let’s first take a look at the various health issues that women are prone to after menopause.

Mental health: estrogen is one of the necessary hormones that govern the mental health of a woman. Because of the certain properties of this hormone it protects against memory loss and aids in proper brain functioning. It stimulates production of neurotransmitters and also eliminates the production of free oxygen radicals that cause Alzheimer. When a woman reaches her menopause stage, she becomes more prone to get Alzheimer because of the decline in estrogen production.

Bone Density: because of the lack of estrogen after menopause, a woman becomes more susceptible to osteoporosis, as she tends to lose bone density. Her bones become fragile and get easily fractured. Estrogen is responsible for the resorption of calcium in the bones and also maintains the levels of vitamin D, which is again an important nutrient in maintaining strong bones.

Heart health: Estrogen again is responsible for maintaining a healthy heart. This particular hormone can maintain cholesterol levels, smoothen blood vessels for a normal blood flow and reduce free radicals that affect the arteries. A menopausal woman is at a higher risk of heart ailments due to a fall in estrogen levels.

Diet essential for menopausal woman

Now that we know the various problems that a menopausal woman can face, we also must know that eating a healthy and nutritious diet can help menopausal women avoid many of those problems. Here we have a list of certain foods rich in nutrients that should be included in the diet of a woman after menopause.

 

Fats: unsaturated fats reduce the risk of heart diseases and diabetes and should be therefore consumed in the daily diet of a woman after menopause. These include skimmed milk, nuts, olive oil, peanut butter, avocados etc. While eating these sources of unsaturated fats is necessary, avoiding those with saturated fats is also necessary for a menopausal woman.

Carbohydrates: carbohydrates are one of the essential macro-nutrients that supply the body with energy. Wholegrain cereals like oats, rice, barley and cornmeal, starchy vegetables like potatoes, yams, green peas, brown bread and wholemeal pasta are rich sources of carbohydrates that should be included in the diet of a menopausal woman.

Protein: meat products, eggs, nuts, beans and lentils, yogurt, cottage cheese and soy milk are some of the protein rich sources that should be included in the diet of a woman after menopause. Proteins tend to increase the immunity and save from various illnesses and infections.

Calcium: this is yet another important mineral nutrient that the body of woman approaching menopause lacks. Dairy products like, cheese, yogurt, milk, green leafy vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, soya beans and tofu are some of the rich sources of calcium. In order to prevent disease like osteoporosis and maintain a good bone health even in old ages, calcium rich foods should be incorporated in the diet of a menopausal women.

Many of us enjoy eating different kinds of nuts as a snack food along with something to drink. Their salty, creamy and savoury taste and texture also makes them a popular ingredient in a host of dishes. While many people are fond of nuts, there are some who are afraid of their high caloric and fat content and therefore avoid them as much as possible. However, according to researches and various studies, incorporating nuts in your daily diet, especially that of women, have plenty of health benefits.

The primary women’s health issue is being overweight or obese, which is the main cause of many diseases with a risk to life. Nuts like almonds, walnuts, cashews and others were found to be beneficial in weight loss, according to a study. But weight is not the only women’s health issue that could be resolved with consuming a particular quantity of nuts. There is a galore of health benefits associated with nut consumption including:

 

Stress Reduction: including nuts in your daily diet can help in reducing stress in your body.  The good nutrients present in nuts like alpha-linolenic acid of walnuts, and a collection of vitamins including vitamin E and vitamin B along with magnesium in almonds and cashews can protect your body against the harmful effects of stress and also help to boost your immune system.

Heart Health: almonds, hazel nuts, peanuts, walnuts and cashews are a few nuts that can help in reducing LDL cholesterol that causes major heart issues.  They also include monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat and fiber, which are heart healthy. These nuts also contain arginine and amino acid that are converted to nitric acid for relaxing the blood vessels.

Lung Cancer: pistachios are rich in gamma-tocopherol, a type of vitamin E that helps in providing lung cancer protection. Therefore this particular nut is a must have in a women’s diet plan.

Cholesterol: nuts, especially walnuts are good for keeping away the bad cholesterol or LDL out of your body. A higher level of LDL can cause cardiovascular ailments, stroke and abdominal and stomach pains. Other than walnuts, almond and pistachios are also found to lower the bad cholesterol and increase the good cholesterol or HDL in your body. Many nutritionists recommend including these beneficial nuts in your diet to lessen the risk of heart disease.

Pancreatic Cancer: the consumption of nuts like brazil nuts, cashews, pecans and other popular variety of nuts lower the risk of diabetes mellitus, which is one of the causes of pancreatic cancer in women. Therefore incorporating nuts in your daily diet can save you from this disease.

Brain Health: most nuts like almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pistachios, cashew nuts and different others are great for maintaining good brain health. They consist of vitamin E, which is good for having a sharp memory. As you age you are more at a risk of cognitive decline. Peanuts that are rich in folates and brain boosting fats can prevent this risk.