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Normally, neurotransmitters play an important role in defining higher cognitive abilities and behavior in human beings. All aspects from mood regulation, appetite, sleep, memory, learning and ability to express emotions are possible only because of the release of neurotransmitters in the brain.
Currently, hundred or more neurotransmitters have been identified, and serotonin happens to be one of the most important among them. While it is not so easy to define serotonin in a manner that is comprehensible by a layman - it can be said, that the effect of this neurotransmitter on the health of the human brain in general, and mental illnesses in particular, is immense.
Serotonin – What Is It And Where Is It Manufactured In The Body?
"Given the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease, new strategies to prevent, halt and reverse the disease conditions are necessary," says the researchers.
To carry out their study, the researchers modified mice so that they exhibit disease-specific alterations and symptoms.
Soon therapeutic trials on patients?
After the administration of levetiracetam, these alterations of the electrical activity decreased significantly. In addition, after two weeks of treatment, memory disorders have been reduced as learning abilities have improved.
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What is it
The calcium is the most important mineral in our body. Almost all of the calcium is in the bones and teeth. It participates in the proper metabolism of cells, especially nerve and muscle cells. It also plays a role in kidney function, blood clotting and in the activation of certain enzymes. The absorption of calcium depends on the age (the younger you are, the better it is). Calcium is closely related to phosphorus.
Essential for growth and in the prevention of osteoporosis.
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What is potassium
It has multiple functions in the body and it is very important! Potassium with sodium helps to maintain the acid-base balance of the body and of the fluids within the cells. Potassium is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. It is also essential for muscle contraction, including the heart. Potassium plays a role in the activity of the kidneys as well as in the metabolism of carbohydrates.
salmon is rich in potassium
Chemical substance capable of releasing hydrogen ions (H).
Condition in which the muscles of the esophageal wall and the sphincter between the esophagus and the stomach does not relax after swallowing, which prevents food from entering the stomach.
A British study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry, belies this trite assumption, saying that smoking tends rather to increase the stress!
Decrease in stress after quitting smoking
A team of British researchers from King's College London and Southampton University conducted a study of 491 patients measuring their anxiety levels before and after quitting smoking. They were subjected to a smoking cessation combining psychotherapy, educational methods and drug treatments, after which the patients have to answer a questionnaire to measure their stress levels before and 6 months after quitting smoking.
Remember that dark chocolate is made from cocoa mass, cocoa butter, sugar and usually lecithin (which can replace the cocoa butter).
Nutritional values of chocolate
By studying the various macronutrients that make up the chocolate and its content, you can see what they bring in a daily diet, and what role they can play in the functioning of our body.
Dark chocolate pastry or Chewable chocolate with 40% cocoa content
Indeed, it can generate cardiovascular disease or lung diseases and cause a decrease in life expectancy.
Road traffic decreases life expectancy
According to this study conducted in 25 European cities, including 9 French cities, air pollution in European cities causes diseases and decrease the life expectancy of its inhabitants. Road traffic is responsible for half of nitrogen emissions to air, including the Paris region. In particular, diesel cars are singled out.
Hundreds of cases of deaths caused by respiratory and cardiac diseases due to inhalation of fine particles are reported each year.
The research, headed by the team of Professor Luc Bue University of Lille 2, just reinforce assumptions of liability of metabolic abnormalities in neurodegenerative disorders. The study proves that there is a relationship between the causes of diseases such as Alzheimer's and obesity.
TAU protein abnormality is responsible?
Abnormal TAU protein is responsible for the degeneration of nerve cells in Alzheimer's disease, since it disrupts the functioning of nerve cells.
Tests were carried out for five months on mice fed with diet rich in fat, leading to a progressive obesity. The test results showed that these mice developed modifications of the protein TAU, promoting memory disorders and mental disabilities.
Researchers hope to build up on this discovery to develop new treatments against Alzheimer's disease.
Time of Preparation: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 40min
Difficulty: Easy
Season: Spring
Origin: Europe, Italy
Ingredients
10 tomatoes
250 g arborio rice
1 liter of broth poultry
3 tablespoons olive oil
50 g shallots
1 bouquet garni
125 g of parmesan
250 g whipped cream
10 tomatoes
10 small basil leaves
Heat the chicken broth.
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12 apricots
25 cl light sugar syrup
50 g almonds
4 tablespoons of rum
1 tablespoon of wheat flour
30 cl of milk
200 g of powdered sugar
2 eggs
50 g butter
For 4 people
Time: Preparation: 25min / Cooking time: 20min
Difficulty: Easy
Calories: 618 per person
Season: Summer
Origin: Europe, United Kingdom
Preheat the oven to 210 ° C (th.4-5).
This vitamin has a strong anti-oxidant property, much like vitamins C , A and selenium. As such, it acts strongly against the aging of tissues and organs, and may even have preventive properties against certain diseases.
What is vitamin E?
The family of vitamin E includes eight substances, the best known is alpha-tocopherol. One of the main functions of vitamin E is its antioxidant quality, helping to neutralize free radicals in the body. Thus, it helps to protect cells (especially the cell membrane) and has a particular role in protecting vessels. It also acts as an anti-coagulant.
What are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are molecules that help prevent the oxidation of certain chemicals, and thus reduce the production of free radicals which can "spoil" our cells if they are in excess in our body.
The Benefits of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are found mainly in fruits and vegetables, and many studies have proven their health benefits. Here are some of the major benefits of antioxidants:
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For 6 people:
For 6 muffins:
100 g flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
1 natural yoghurt
3 tablespoons vegetable oil (or butter)
100 g cooked ham in cubes or stripes
75 g of grated cheese
salt and pepper
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Waiting: 0 min
Total time: 30 minutes
1. Set and preheat the oven to 180 ° C.
Beat the eggs to omelette, add some, but not much salt and pepper (the ham is salty) and then successively add the flour, the yeast, the yogurt and the vegetable oil. Whisk well.
2 Add the grated cheese and the ham. Mix well again.
3 Fill the muffin cups 2/3 (smear the inner sides with butter if needed) and bake about 20 minutes until the muffins are well puffed and golden brown.
Finally ... you can replace the cheese with grated parmesan and the ham with bacon.
Tomatoes come in many different varieties, sizes and colors. Irrespective of their physical differences, this vegetable (technically, it is supposed to be a fruit!) features an extensive range of nutrients thus making it a crucial aspect of any healthy diet.
Tomato Health Advantages
The nine major health benefits of tomatoes are discussed below:
Healthy Skin – Unknown to many; lycopene found in tomatoes also happens to be one of the major substances found in expensive skin care products such as application creams, face wash etc. However, this advantage is reduced manifold when the skin of the tomato is peeled off and only the pulp is consumed. As a result, tomato peels prove to be a natural and rather effective skin treatment technique used by beauticians around the globe.
Improved Vision – Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin-A, and are therefore considered to be a good option for improving optic health. Vitamin-A is required by the retinas to help it process visuals under low light conditions. That is why deficient quaintly of the vitamin in your body leads to a vision problem known as night blindness.
Countering The Effect of Smoking – Nitrosamines are a class of carcinogens found in cigarette smoke. In that respect, two specific chemical components namely chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid are found in tomatoes that efficiently fight off the harmful effects of nitrosamines. So, while tomatoes cannot undo all the harm done to your body from smoking, it can however protect against this particular cancer causing chemical.
Good For Your Heart – Studies have shown how regular consumption of tomatoes can impact cholesterol production in the body therefore help in managing the lipid. Lycopene found in tomatoes perform remarkable well in decreasing the bad cholesterol and triglyceride levels in blood, thereby reducing the risks faced from heart complications associated with cholesterol and general aggregation of blood cells.
Cancer Fighting Abilities – Studies undertaken by different groups to understand the effect of the juicy red vegetable on various types of cancers have yielded some rather encouraging albeit slightly unsubstantiated results. For instance, tomatoes seem to reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men owing to the presence of a phytochemical namely, alpha-tomatine in them.
Hypertension Prevention – Hypertension is a condition caused when the blood pressure increases beyond a certain limit. Not taking remedial measures in time can result in the condition bellowing out of control and resulting in cardiac arrest, brain seizure, kidney failure and arterial bursts and even blindness. In that respect, tomatoes turn out to be an excellent choice for managing blood pressure and reducing the effect of hypertension.
Fights Against Gallstones and Urinary Tract Infections – A natural remedy for kidney stones and gallstones is to increase consumption of seedless tomatoes. This is due to the fact that chemicals present in tomato pulp can actually dissolve the sedimentary aggregations that cause these problems in the first place. A similarly positive effect of the vegetable is also noticed with urinary tract infections.
Diabetes Control – There is enough proof to suggest that tomatoes can actually be beneficial in arresting the effects of type II diabetes. Given that tomatoes contain a healthy quantity of chromium, patients suffering from the disease are advised to consume a tomato juice to manage their condition.
Promotes Bone Health – Lycopene in tomatoes does play an important role in keeping bones healthy. The chemical reduces oxidative stress in bones and ensures unwanted changes don’t occur in the bone tissue. In addition, the fair amount of calcium and vitamin-K content in tomatoes also encourage healthy bones in individuals. Together, all these components slow down the advance of osteoporosis (bone weakening condition) in women who have reached menopause.
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Classified under the botanical name ‘Spinacia oleracea’, the delicately textured spinach shares more than just common ancestry with beet and Swiss chard. In fact, raw spinach leaves have the characteristic bitterness of beet greens while adding a slight yet unmistakable briny taste of Swiss chard, thus retaining the best of both leafages. Spinach health benefits are abundant, covering different aspects of the body from the skin and bones to everything else in between.
Interesting Facts About Spinach
There exist at least three types of edible spinach varieties. Baby spinach too is quite nutritious and its soft and tender leaves make it an excellent ingredient for salads. Even though spinach is available round the year in grocery stores, it is actually cultivated biennially, once between March through May and then in the months of September and October. So, buying the vegetable during these periods will ensure consumption of the produce when it is at its freshest and retains most of the nutrients.
Health Benefits Of Spinach
Spinach not only makes for a tasty vegetable, but also comes packed with lots of goodness. Here is a detailed list of spinach health benefits that you stand to enjoy if you decided to incorporate it into your daily diet:
• Roughage – Just one cup of spinach covers for nearly 18% of the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of dietary fiber requirement. Roughage is a crucial element of any balanced diet as it regularizes bowel movement, prevents constipation, and therefore aids in the digestive process, apart from maintaining low blood sugar level in the body and curbing the desire to overeat.
• Anti- Inflammatory Benefits – Spinach is blessed with unusual quantities of violaxanthin and neoxanthin, both of which exhibit amazing anti-inflammatory characterises.
• Anti-Carcinogens – Spinach leaves come loaded with a certain phytonutrient called ‘Flavonoids’. These compounds exhibit excellent anti-cancer properties as they are naturally predisposed to containing cancerous cell growth in the skin and stomach. Concurrent studies on spinach have also shed light on its defensive ability against stage III and IV prostate cancer.
• Anti-Oxidant Advantage – Minerals such as zinc, manganese, selenium along with other nutrients like vitamin E, vitamin C and beta carotene are all present in appreciable quantities in spinach. Together, they provide the body with anti-oxidant diversity to counteract physical conditions like high blood pressure, atherosclerosis (arterial blockage) and osteoporosis (porous bones).
• Visual Acuity – Two anti-oxidants namely zeaxanthin and luitein found in spinach protect against visual defects like cataracts (thin film formation in front of the lens of the eye) and macular degeneration (vision loss around the centre of the eye).
• Blood Pressure – Peptides present in spinach are well known for their effectively regulate blood pressure by inhibiting the enzyme action of angiotensin I-converting enzyme.
• Healthy Skin – Vitamin A present in the leafage efficiently checks against acne, wrinkles and even fights against skin problems such as keratinisation and psoriasis.
• Mental Health – Vitamin K found in spinach not only contributes towards healthy brain functioning but also ensures a more responsive nervous system.
• Internal Defence – Close to 377% RDA of Vitamin A is contained within just one cup of spinach. This essential vitamin is responsible for bolstering the immune system to fight off infections more efficiently.
• Stronger Bones –Vitamin K found in spinach (approximately 1100% RDA in 180g) is best known for aiding in the synthesis of osteocalcin, a bone strengthening protein.
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A Comprehensive Look At Gastroesophageal Reflux
In normal circumstances, the esophagus acts a one way street where food moves from the mouth and into the stomach. However, in dire circumstances, the acids in stomach might overwhelm the muscles surrounding the esophagus and push upwards to the back of the mouth.
This is termed as gastroesophageal reflux or acid reflux and tends to happen sometimes. If it happens too often, then the problem turns into a physiological aberration called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Closely related to the cauliflower and cabbage, broccoli along with its stack, branches and small green colored florets (flowery heads) offers a rich diversity in taste, texture and nutrients. In fact, the vegetable is considered a reservoir of nutrition and good health.
Interesting Broccoli Facts
Except for Africa and a handful other countries, broccoli is consumed just about everywhere else in the world. Classified in the cultivar group of ‘Italica’ and botanically considered to belong to the Brassica Oleracea species, broccoli can be consumed raw as a salad dish, or be cooked and served. However, the best balance between taste and nourishment is achieved when the green, stalky broccoli is steamed or shallow fried.
The Broccoli Health Advantages
Take a look at the detailed list below to understand just how much of a pro-health food broccoli can be. In fact, broccoli health benefits are so wide-spread that we were only able to fit in the most prominent ones here.
Detoxification:
An increased presence of toxins in the body is never a good sign. Especially when you consider health disorders like boils, rashes, itches, gouts, rheumatism, arthritis, renal calculi, and skin diseases, they are all directly or indirectly related to impurities present in the blood. As such, essential amino acids, vitamin-C and sulfur present in broccoli make the vegetable extremely potent in dealing with toxins by removing them from the system and purifying the blood in the process.
An increased presence of toxins in the body is never a good sign. Especially when you consider health disorders like boils, rashes, itches, gouts, rheumatism, arthritis, renal calculi, and skin diseases, they are all directly or indirectly related to impurities present in the blood. As such, essential amino acids, vitamin-C and sulfur present in broccoli make the vegetable extremely potent in dealing with toxins by removing them from the system and purifying the blood in the process.
Eye Care: Broccoli contains two eyesight promoting carotenoids namely zeaxanthin and lutein in considerable amounts. Lutein is found in the outer extremities of the retina in the eyes. Therefore, replenishment of the carotenoid will naturally improve your peripheral vision. Similarly, zeaxanthin is concentrated in the central portion of the retina as well as in the lens. As such, the carotenoid prevents the onset of macular disintegration, a condition that reduces the central focusing, and even lessens the risk of cataracts.
Skin Care: The vegetable contains vitamins A C, E, K and B-complex. Out of these, vitamin-C refreshes the skin and keeps age circles from appearing, while vitamin-E ensures revives skin tissues and provides shine to the skin and luster to the hair. Broccoli has one more card up its sleeve in the form of glucoraphanin, which is converted to sulforaphane in the body. Now, sulforaphane is known to counteract the damage caused to the skin from excessive sunlight.
Digestive Support: This is achieved in two steps. First, there is the fiber support. Broccoli adds good quantities of dietary fiber into your total diet, which in turn helps with managing cholesterol, improves digestion and instates regular bowel movements. Then, there is the glucosinolate factor. This class of phytonutrients is converted to isothiocyanates (ITC) in the body. ITC plays an important role in preventing the harmful bacteria helicobacter pyroli from sticking to the stomach walls and causing digestive disorders.
Bone Strength: Broccolis are an excellent source of calcium and even contain an appreciable amount of other minerals such as phosphorus, zinc and magnesium that are necessary for improving bone health. This is why doctors strongly advise broccoli to be included into daily diet as it can solve calcium deficiency to a large extent and in do so provide pro-developmental attributes for the bones, teeth etc.
High Blood Pressure Management: A trace mineral, chromium is relatively abundant in broccolis. This mineral is necessary for regulating blood sugar and better functioning of insulin. In addition, the entire enchilada of vitamins and omega-3 fats found in the vegetable also lend a helping hand in managing blood pressure.
