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Notoriously referred to as the gentleman’s aphrodisiac, this controversial shellfish has a lot more to offer than a simply heightened mojo. Oysters contain an impressive amount of nutritional value that shouldn’t be overlooked. Packed with high levels of protein, iron, omega 3 and zinc – to name just a few, maybe it’s time to look into this controversial dish.

Nutritional Value

Studies undertaken by students from the University of Washington found that the consumption of oysters helps raise HDL’s (good cholesterol levels) and lower LDL’s (low cholesterol level). Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood. The recommended daily guideline for your protein intake according to the USDA is 56 grams a day for a man and 46 grams a day for a woman. Take into account that in a six-ounce serving of oysters there is on average 16 grams of protein, you can see the benefits for yourself. Increasing the level of protein you consume can have the added benefit of a better mood.

Immune System

Oysters are rich in Vitamins C, D, and B12, all of which attribute to a better functioning immune system. Packed with protective properties, oysters contain anti-inflammatory properties, antioxidants, and minerals. Our bodies use proteins every day in order to keep the body functioning correctly, from our digestive enzymes and immune system antibodies to our hair, skin, and nails. Raw oysters or extracts of oysters are a rich source of not only zinc which is beneficial to the immune system but selenium and other immune boosting minerals. A healthy immune system means a lower risk of infection, fast recovery of wounds or tissue damage and the prevention of disease.

The high levels of zinc found in oysters help strengthen your immune response, making the production of white blood cells more efficient and rapid. Noted in the book “Biochemical Pathways” Zinc enhances the actions of antibodies, thus making them more effective in warding off infection.

Blood Circulation and Volume

With over 90% of the recommended daily amount of iron in one serving, oysters prove to be a great and natural way to boost your iron intake. Iron is pivotal to combating against anemia (iron deficiency) which can lead to medical issues such as fatigue, stomach disorders, and muscle weakness. Iron also helps transport oxygen to the cells, which results in higher levels of energy. Another potent ingredient in oysters is selenium, which helps detoxify your tissues and regulate blood pressure.

Due to the high levels of potassium, omega 3 and magnesium, blood pressure can be significantly improved. These help fight against heart attacks and risk of stroke and thus makes oysters a worthy choice on your menu.

Skeletal Benefits

It is communally known that as we age our bone density decreases and therefore makes conditions such as osteoporosis more likely to occur. However not many are aware of the health benefits oysters possess

They boast an impressive mineral content, high levels of calcium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper, and selenium, all of which contribute to bone mineral density and durability.

Due to the large quantities of zinc present in oysters, they prove to be a great way to increase tissue repair and growth, which is fundamental to bone development.

Aids Weight Loss

Low in calories, fat and a good source of protein, oysters represent one of the most nutrient-packed foods with a low level of calories versus volume of serving. As previously mentioned oysters are a great source of protein resulting in making you feel fuller for longer. Since oysters are a naturally sourced form of protein, the body is required to work harder to digest the proteins, unlike fast-acting refined carbohydrates.

Eating too little protein can result in a sluggish metabolism, making it harder to shift excess weight. Oysters aid weight loss due to their protein-packed ingredients, boosting your metabolic activity.

Now that you know how beneficial a plate of oysters can be, is it time that we overlooked their slimy exterior and started appreciating the gems of the sea for what they really are? A highly nutritional, low in fat health boost.

Its fascinating look may drive you away; however its sweet and delicious taste will make you return for more. It can now be found in various grocery stores and just like many other fruits, the dragon fruit has low calories and is a vital source of major nutrients needed for good health.

Great for the Waistline

Dragon fruit is the best option for anybody cautious of his calories. A small dragon fruit, with 198 grams as its weight, has only 60 calories. The dragon fruit contains very low density of energy with just 0.3 calories which implies it contains very small calories in comparison with the size it is served. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says including a lot of low-energy-dense foods can effectively help in your weight reduction and make maintaining a healthy weight easier for you.

Mostly Carbohydrates With Some Fat and Protein

The majority of the calories in dragon fruit is gotten from its carb content, with the fruit also having a little amount of protein and fat. A little dragon fruit has 14 grams of carbohydrates, a gram of fiber, 0.4 grams of fat and 2 grams of protein. Carbs are most time blamed for causing an increase in weight, but they aren’t generally bad. When it gets to the point of selecting carbohydrates, you want to ensure you add healthy unprocessed carbs that are naturally rich in various nutrients just like those present in dragon fruit, to promote good health. Consumption of many unhealthy carbs such as those present in highly processed foods like French fries and white bread, can cause an increase in risk of heart disease and weight gain.

Rich Vitamin C content

The dragon fruit is a wonderful source of vitamin C, meeting 15% of the everyday recommended value in a small fruit. Vitamin C is a water-dissolvable vitamin you require in making collagen, the neurotransmitters and, the amino acid L-carnitine. Additionally it does the work of antioxidants shielding the cells from oxidative destruction by free radicals; this may help reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. Vitamin C has also been demonstrated to regenerate other antioxidants present inside the body, like vitamin E.

Vital for Bones and Blood

With the iron and calcium content it has, the dragon fruit is additionally good for your blood and bones. The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations classifies dragon fruit as a fruit with “very high nutrients” because of its calcium content. One little fruit meets 1 percent of the recommended everyday value. Meeting 8% of the everyday value the dragon fruit is definitely a preferable source of iron. Asides enhancing the health of bones, calcium is required for good nerve transmission and proper muscle function. Iron on the other hand is vital for taking oxygen all around your body. The high vitamin C content of the dragon fruit improves the ability of the body to take more iron out of the fruit.

Here are some more benefits that Dragon Fruit offers:

Acne: Dragon fruit is very rich in vitamin C and is an extraordinary topical treatment. A cut of dragon fruit can be made into a paste and applied to the red parts of your skin and face, then washed off with warm water.

Anti-aging: Consuming dragon fruit can help in maintaining the tightness of the skin making you appear more youthful due to its high amounts of antioxidants.

Anti-inflammatory: Because of its high antioxidant content and phytonutrients, pitaya has wonderful anti-inflammatory properties that may be helpful in forestalling inflammatory problems such as arthritis, gout, and asthma.

Cancer: The immune system can be boosted by the antioxidant protection the vitamin C gives. Also the dragon fruit carotene content has been linked with many anti-carcinogenic qualities, like reducing tumor size.

Cardiovascular health: Dragon fruit doesn’t have cholesterol and barely any undesirable, cholesterol-producing fats. When cholesterol quantity in the blood is reduced, your chances of creating plaque buildup in the veins and arteries are less. Dragon fruit seeds contain goo types of fat that can lead to HDL cholesterol which actively reduces LDL cholesterol amount through reducing the receptors that holds the arteries walls.

Constipation: Individuals experiencing constipation might be benefit by consuming just one of these fruits per day. The very rich dietary fiber is vital for bowel movement improvement.

Detox: Dragon fruit can help the body with ordinary functions, like, helping with disposing of harmful large metals.

Diabetes: Dragon fruit isn’t sweet and is an appropriate meal for diabetics. It has a high fiber content that can aid the regulation and stabilization of the levels of blood sugar while suppressing sugar spikes.

Digestive health: Dragon fruit can clean your digestive system because it contains high fiber, which can enhance constipation and poor absorption. The seeds and flesh have high good protein contents and will maintain your body’s fortification. When you use dietary fiber to regulate bowel function you reduce the chances of situations like colorectal cancer, constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.

Heart health: Dragon fruit is awesome for diminishing bad levels of cholesterol and renews great levels. It is a wonderful source of monounsaturated fats that aids in maintaining the heart healthy.

Immune system health: providing your body with good defense system is one of the astonishing advantages of dragon fruit. Dragon fruit contains large amounts of vitamin C which happens to be one of the best resources for the immune system of your body; it likewise supports other antioxidant actions inside the body. It effectively finds and kills free radicals, which are perilous side effects of cell metabolism and have been connected to possibly lethal illnesses like cancer.

Respiratory health: The huge concentration of antioxidants and vitamin C in pitaya makes this beautiful natural fruit valuable for building respiratory wellbeing, forestalling asthma, wheezing and bronchitis.

Sooth sunburn: The high measure of supplements and antioxidants in dragonfruit might make it appropriate to effectively nourish sunburned skin. Mix with honey and cucumber juice and make use of this blend to discharge heat sensation from the parts that is affected.

There’s nothing particularly wrong with coffee, per se, but it’s often something that works its way into someone’s normal routine so thoroughly that they might find it difficult to imagine getting through the day without it. Sometimes too much of a good thing might not be so good after all. And there are some people that just don’t want to feel like they have to depend on something to get them going in the morning. Let’s face it, for some people coffee may as well be considered an addiction. Here are some alternate ways to rise and shine if you want to take a break from your morning java.

1. Move!

We all know that moving around can help get the blood circulating in the body. Stretching can be a great way to get moving in the morning and limber you up a bit for the day’s activities. There are numerous ways to stretch and even serious areas of study like yoga that can help start your day off right.

Asthenophobia is a state where an individual experiences a persistent fear of fainting or weak spot. This is a usual phobia, where people suffer hours of distress as a result. Scientifically speaking, fainting is closely associated with an unexpected loss of consciousness. Asthenophobia usually begins with an occurrence that could have happened earlier in life for the individual as a result of anemia. In such instances, it’s possible the individual may have fainted whilst with a group of people which has since led to embarrassment. This occurrence continues to linger in the mind of the individual who fell victim to  the unfortunate incident, and so they try and avoid any lengthy work or engage in any vigorous physical activity in fear of feeling weakness or fainting again.

There are several methods for treating phobias. Since the beginning of the 20th century, knowledge about phobias and new ways for their treatment have witnessed tremendous increase. The most predominant treatment devices are focused on assisting people in dealing with their phobic glitches. These treatments are a combination of multiple methods as stated below.

Treatment based on the Patient’s behavior

This treatment is based on doctors studying a patient’s symptoms and analytically desensitizing the person based on the outcome of the symptoms. The basis of this therapy is based on the general assumption that phobias are learned occurrences that can be unlearned. In addition, this method of treatment can occur in a real life situation or in the imagination of the individual with the doctor’s help in walking the individual through a possible phobic causing condition.

Treatment by Exposure

Exposure Therapy exposes the patient to the phobic causing situation in diverse levels of intensity. It can as well be through the use of photographs, with the sole purpose of giving the patient an opportunity to develop an effective tolerance for the phobic causing catalyst. A speedy progress can also be ascertained through a procedure called Flooding.

Supplementary Therapies

Hypnotherapy has been held to be very effective for some patients. However, this therapy is yet to be proven as being successful and applicable for the long term. In addition, self help groups can be of great benefits. In some cases, medication has also proved to be effective.

One of the biggest enemies of weight loss and healthy eating, in general, is your own mind. We all have those inner voices that often encourage us to eat things that we know we’re going to regret later. It can seem impossible to turn off those inner voices and get food off your mind so you can start losing the weight you want.

Here are some simple things that you can do to stop thinking about food all the time, so you can take control of your life and your eating habits to get the body that you’ve always wanted. These tips are not only simple, but they’re also effective and were created by Dr. Stephen P. Gullo, Ph.D. who wrote the weight loss book “The Thin Commandments Diet: The Ten No-Fail Strategies for Permanent Weight Loss.”

1. Take Over Your Senses of Smell and Taste

Even if you’re not hungry, just smelling somebody else’s food can make you want to eat something, so take over your sense of smell and taste by choosing peppermint. You can pop in a piece of sugar-free peppermint gum or breath strip, and let the mint drown out all other smells. This will immediately stop your craving for the food that’s in front of you and let you just focus on the minty goodness that’s happening in your mouth.

2. Bust Boredom

When there’s nothing to do, your stomach along with those little voices will often offer a suggestion: eat something. Studies have shown that many people tend to eat more when they get bored. So, if you find yourself with nothing to do and start feeling hungry, take a moment to ask yourself if you’re actually hungry or just bored, and then get up and do something productive.

3. Out of Sight, Out of Mind

If you’ve got chocolate sitting out on the counter in a clear glass jar, it’s going to vanish a lot more quickly than if you have it in a paper bag up in the cupboard. We’ve all been there, not even thinking about grabbing a piece every time we pass by the jar, but it doesn’t have to be that way. By putting sugary foods in hidden places and promoting healthy foods to the eye-level shelves in the fridge, it’s easier to make healthier food choices, and it’s even easier if you don’t let unhealthy foods into your house in the first place.

4. Budget Your Calories

Start thinking of your calories like money, and then budget them accordingly. Each person is allowed to “spend” a certain number of calories on food every day without gaining weight. Consider this budget before indulging in a huge plate of pasta and think if there was something more filling that you could spend your calories on such as a piece of grilled chicken.

5. Always Have Healthy Snacks Ready

When you get hungry in between meals, it’s easy to reach for something convenient like a bag of crisps or a chocolate bar, but those are obviously not the most healthy choices. Instead, have healthy snacks already prepared and ready in bags or Tupperware containers that are easy to take with you. By devoting even 1 day a week to preparing snacks, you can always have a healthy snack on hand. This can also help you limit the amount that you’re eating, since too many of even healthy foods can increase your calorie count. Carrots or other vegetables or nuts and seeds are great for those mid-meal snacks.

6. Keep Your Hands Busy

This is especially important when you are sitting in front of the TV and don’t have anything better to do with your hands other than eat. By picking up a hobby that involves your hands like knitting, or painting, you can keep your hands busy without eating. Plus, while you’re working, you won’t want to get your hands dirty by eating. As an additional bonus, these types of hobbies can help reduce stress which in turn reduces stress eating.

7. Call Food What it is

Food is just food, and romanticizing it can lead to it becoming more powerful in your mind than you think. By referring to it as treats, goodies, or “comfort” foods, you may begin to think of food as the answer to your problems, but that isn’t the case. Instead, just refer to food as food, and don’t let it be the answer to anything other than providing energy so you can live your life to the fullest.