Hi

As a nation I believe we are now realising the responsibility we have with nutrition and our children. There are far more stories about obesity increasing on the whole across all ages, but worryingly in children it has steeply increased over the past decade.

With the waist lines of our children increasing, we are greatly adding the risk of future diseases and ill health to them in adulthood, so much so that health officials have said that if the trend carries on as it is, the next generation are more likely to die before their parents!

So, as parents we need to develop a sensible healthy diet plan of good food for our children, introducing new fresh foods regularly and making the meals and meal times fun.

Fast food really should be kept to the odd treat, and crisps, biscuits and carbonated drinks also to a bare minimum, as these are the foods that are causing the upturn in weightier children. A child’s liver function soon gets slowed with an excessive fat build up which can lead to liver damage.

If the liver is damaged through fatty degeneration - saturated fat - cholesterol regulation is hampered, it fails to produce enough ‘good’ HDL and allows levels of ‘bad’ LDL to increase leaving a higher risk of heart attacks and strokes later in life.

We always say ‘you are what you eat’ and that by eating a varied diet of good food for good health is what everybody should be aiming at, along with moderate exercise and drinking plenty of fluids.

By doing this we are giving our body the best help we can to achieve the full range of nutrients and vitamins needed to perform at its optimum.

Obviously other factors do have to be included that can greatly affect our health and well being including lack of sleep, living environment, geographical position, pollutants, genetic conditions etc,

A diet of good nutritional food is critical for us all at all ages, but studies have shown that during childhood, and especially the younger years, a diet of good food really can make all the difference.

A study carried out at Bristol University showed that women with longer legs tended to have healthier livers researchers said, and that it suggested liver damage was more susceptible by ladies with shorter legs.

The key they say seems to be childhood nutrition. Eating healthily is beneficial in the early stages of life, enabling the body to grow consistently and evenly and that with this good liver function and growth is encouraged.

Recently there have also been several studies showing the health of babies can be greatly increased by pregnant mothers eating a good varied nutritional diet, and by cutting out smoking and alcohol.

They found taller people generally have larger livers and being the body’s detoxifier, enables the body to remove a greater amount of harmful substances from the blood.

A build up of ‘toxins’ in the liver can make it become ‘sluggish’, and that can be detrimental for the body to maintain good health and well being.

A healthy liver is vital to good health and eating nutritional food helps new liver cells form and can even repair some damaged cells.

So therefore liver performance is greatly enhanced or affected by the diet we eat.

It really is easy to add helpful detoxifying foods to your diet just by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables; if you are getting your five-a-day then you are well on the way. Include protein from lean meat, fish twice a week, grains and nuts - preferably not salted.

The way we cook our food is also important - over cooked and a lot of the goodness is lost, so lightly boiled, steamed, stir fried and grilled are the best ways to keep the vitamins and nutrients at a maximum in the food.

We believe that our daily required amount of vitamins and nutrients can be achieved through eating a healthy varied diet, but during or after illness when lack of appetite often occurs, taking a supplement can help, but as always you should seek medical advice first.

So make our motto ‘good food for good health’ yours, and by eating a good varied diet of healthy food can only help in attaining good health and well being for yourself and your children.

Sandra & Ted
http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com
http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com
http://www.quantum-mind-power.com

Hi

I just love tomatoes and with all the new research carried out on this humble fruit – or as many mistake it as a vegetable – they should be at the top of everybody’s favourite foods.

Tomatoes really are a ‘super food’ that more than live up to our motto of ‘good food for good health. And the benefits mount up the more regularly you eat them.

Lycopene is the ingredient rightfully accredited with the magical properties, which can also be found in watermelons and pink grapefruit.

Being a powerful anti-oxidant, lycopene is a great at mopping up the harmful molecules -free radicals – that are linked to cancer.

Tomatoes have regularly been linked with warding off cancer of the skin, breast, lung, liver, bladder and pancreas, and even combating prostrate cancer.

The amount of lycopene you get from raw tomatoes is about 3mg per 100g, although some varieties yield a higher figure such as the Santa plum cherry tomato, levels are also affected by ripeness so the deeper red they are generally the more lycopene.

Tomatoes have also been long known for their capacity in reducing cholesterol which is another good reason that makes them such a good food and great for good health, but the latest studies findings will definitely have me devouring even more.

Ladies, perhaps we will not have to worry about buying expensive creams to keep our skin looking youthful, but just increase our intake of tomatoes, yes that’s right, not only this but they also found that by eating tomatoes regularly can also help with protection against sunburn.

The research was carried out at Newcastle and Manchester Universities, where they said Tomatoes are a cheap way of improving health and that they recommended for optimum health eating two tomato based meals daily. What could be easier?

To assess the fruits ability at protecting the skin volunteers were either asked to eat olive oil mixed with five tablespoons of tomato paste daily for three months, or to take a dose of olive oil on it’s own over the same period.

The volunteers then under went tests with ultra violet lamps that showed the tomato eaters were protected against sunburn by a third better than they had been at the start of the study.

Also, other tests suggested that production of collagen had been boosted by the tomato-based diet; this being the protein that keeps our skin supple.

I certainly will look at tomatoes in a different light from now on, even though they have always been a firm favourite.

Just last weekend I was pricking out my baby tomato plants, of which I have way too many and usually give away, but yes you guessed it this year I am going to grow far more, well at my age the skins elasticity is not quite what it used to be and if by eating a few more tomatoes can help in that area - I’m sold!

Tomatoes I find are one of the easiest things to grow, they just love plenty of feed and water, and even in last year’s rotten summer – the lack of sun - I had a fantastic crop. I admit I only grow cherry tomatoes, as I am lazy and these rarely need staking and fruit profusely even though I often forget to pinch out shoots.

So for healthy younger looking and firmer skin, tomatoes really are a safe option – so long as you do not have an allergy to them – much better than slapping on all those creams with ingredients that

you need a PHD just to read.

I have always been a great fan of the ‘Mediterranean diet’ as it is known - plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables, lean meat and fish, olive oil, the odd glass of wine. Eating good food for good health like this not only makes you feel better, another great plus it that it is also associated with longevity of life.

Sandra & Ted

http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com

http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com

http://www.quantum-mind-power.com

Hi everybody

A couple of weeks ago I wrote an article on probiotics the ‘good bacteria’ that can help boost your immune system. We received an immense amount of comments and questions, I replied to some personally but thought it easier to do it this way.

The comments ranged from how many feel better in them selves since adding probiotics to their diet and lifestyle, to people who have read articles in newspapers saying that they just do not work.

During 2006 and 2007 there were many studies on probiotics, where scientists warned that there were some products available that did not live up to promises on the labels. These warnings however did not apply to major brands such as Actimel, Vitality and Yakult.

There has also been other press recently, claiming that there is no proven benefit in consuming probiotics or prebiotics, but has always been followed up by others claiming there is.

I myself started taking probiotics after being advised to by health workers after having to take a couple of courses of antibiotics, one straight after the other.

Research has shown that they can indeed restore a healthy digestive system after being wiped out by the use of antibiotics, as to kill the bad bacteria - virus, the good bacteria is destroyed as well.  The researchers say that the mechanism behind this is poorly understood.

A study carried out last year found that diarrhoea symptoms caused through use of antibiotics or from C. diff were stopped by consuming two pots a day.

Ongoing research has suggested that probiotics help in a range of health conditions such as protecting children against allergies, which nowadays is a big concern as the number of children experiencing allergies has doubled in the past decade. Also they are thought to help prevent ulcerative colitis.

Studies are being carried out on the effect probiotics have on reducing the risk of colon cancer.

Health chiefs only yesterday said that they believe they may have found an antidote to the superbug Clostridium difficile, by using the beneficial - friendly bacteria that naturally lives in the digestive system and that helps to regulate it.

At the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals where the trials are being carried out, they are giving out free pots of probiotic drinking yoghurts to patients, hoping it will help to combat the increase in C.diff.

Medical director Mathew Fletcher said ‘There is some evidence to suggest that using these probiotics may reduce a patients’s risk of C.diff and we will be evaluating he difference it makes to the number of cases’.

There are many probiotic products on the supermarket shelves nowadays; in either drink form or yoghurt and I have been told you can even purchase probiotic capsules at health stores.

I do believe to get the full benefit from your probiotic, ‘live’ bacteria, that storage and shipping is critical, and that the correct refrigeration is essential.

Also eating a wide variety of foods - ‘good food for good health’ - with plenty of liquids is essential, to maintain a flourishing immune system. By consuming just one type of food, be it the latest ‘healthy ‘fad food’ is not going to let your body achieve its aim in protecting you from constant encounters with viruses.

Probiotics are not advised for children under the age of one, and those whose immune systems have been improvised through blood poisoning and chemotherapy. Recently there was also an article claiming that people with liver problems should also refrain from consuming probiotics.

You can always check with your local health advisor before using probiotics to make sure there are no problems taking them.

For most people giving your immune system a little help can go a long way. Probiotics help greatly after suffering from diarrhoea or sickness, and are easy to consume.

I hope this has addressed most of your questions, but if you have any other queries let me know.

So do not forget, eating a varied diet of good food for good health is always the best way to ensure your whole body receives the complete range of nutrients and vitamins required to keep us in good health.

As always with good health our well being is immensely improved, our immune system flourishes, increasing our defence system against viruses and pollutants, so by adding a probiotic for additional back up can only help.

Sandra and Ted

http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com
http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com
http://www.quantum-mind-power.com

Hi

I know it is not a subject we like to talk about, but do you know that being regular as clockwork - having a bowel movement - or going to the loo, daily ablutions whatever you like to call it is really important for liver cleansing.

It is not a something we are likely to talk about over coffee or when chatting on the phone to friends, but it really is an essential function and I cannot stress this too much.

If we do not have regular bowel movements to remove the waste from our body problems can occur. Not going daily has recently been linked with liver problems and bowel cancer.

The time we are most likely to think about our bowel movement is if we become constipated, and if this is a regular occurrence you should notify your doctor and really take a good look at your diet.

If we take care and eat a varied diet of good food for good health and drink plenty of fluids we should not have too many problems. Obviously taking some forms of medication can have a bearing on this.

What one person calls being ‘regular as clockwork’ is not necessarily the same for every one; some people go more that once a day, some say every other day is normal for them. But it does not matter whether you are male of female going at least once a day is vital for good health, makes your body work more effectively leaving us feeling good.

Did you know that our hormones are made in the liver, both testosterone and oestrogen, - and these have a lot to do with the ‘feel good factor’ as well as the important roles that they play every day.

These hormones are then broken down by the liver and excreted through the gut as stools. Your body keeps producing new fresh and bouncy hormones all the time.

Problems can arise if you are not going to the loo daily to get rid of these hormones as they become reabsorbed, going all around your system again and stimulating hormone sensitive areas of your body.

Oestrogen excess is what this is known to be in women and can stimulate development of period irregularities, fibroids and breast lumpiness.

For men, testosterone excess can mean their prostrate may become enlarged and inflamed.

Teenagers who have to many hormones floating around their bodies often have far more spots.

So to avoid having excess hormone problems is really easy, we just need to eat a really good diet of good food making sure we have enough fibre and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to keep our digestive system and tract on track, ensuring a healthy bowel movement is performed daily.

Do not forget to drink the necessary amounts of fluid that our body needs daily as this really does have a bearing on bowel performance. With a lack of fluid the stools become too firm and this can lead to other problems, not just constipation.

Surveys have shown that 40% of the British population drink far less than the required 1.8 litres daily. This certainly does not have to be just water, but can be attained from all drinks including tea and coffee as well as juices. Alcohol should not be included in the daily amount.

In some eastern counties stools are still used for diagnostic tests to show the health of liver function. And in the west some complimentary health practices offer similar tests.

As you know our motto is ‘good food for good health’ and we believe that maintaining your well being through a varied nutritional diet should be everybody’s goal- you are what you eat after all.

How well you eat affects how well your liver performs and also how regular waste products are removed from your system, therefore it is essential to eat good food to support your liver, as good nutrition helps form new liver cells and can help rebuild some damaged cells enabling good health.

So eating good food for good health really is ‘the way to go’ please excuse the pun, it is our motto and should be yours to make sure your bowels work regularly.

Eat well with regular bowel movements for a good healthy liver.

Please give us your ideas on how you believe you improve your liver health.

Sandra & Ted
http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com
http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com
http://www.quantum-mind-power.com

Hi

Just like me I’m sure this will benefit you.

I bet like myself until recently, you don’t realise just how powerful and beneficial some of the most common foods at our fingertips, either in our fridges or growing in our gardens are.

As always but even more as I get older the health of family, close friends and myself holds much more importance to me, and so a good healthy balanced diet is top priority as always - good food for good health.

This has sometimes been a hard task with our two children, but we persevered and over the years learnt many ways of camouflaging food - mainly vegetables.  

As you know I believe “you are what you eat” and “any food in moderation once in a while won’t hurt you” really is true.

But did you know that eating certain foods regularly really could help prevent cancer. And this is true of the humble tomato

Tomatoes have hit the headlines many times with health issues and the greatest being the prevention of certain cancers, especially prostrate.

The word cancer drives fear in many people, but to be able to help protect our selves by just eating the tomato is a step in the right direction.   

Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene and this is the main reason they are linked with the prevention of cancer. This is found in tomatoes and tomato products equally.

Luckily, lycopene is more easily absorbed by the body when the tomato has been processed which is great news for me as neither of our children eat salad tomatoes, but pasta in tomato sauce is one of their favourites and pizza which usually has a tomato puree base. 

The amount of lycopene you get from raw tomatoes is about 3mg per 100g, although some varieties yield a higher figure such as the Santa plum cherry tomato, levels are also affected by ripeness so the deeper red they are generally the more lycopene.

Tomato puree has 10 times more lycopene than raw tomatoes; tomato ketchup gives about 16mg per 100g and tomato juice 10mg.

Lycopene is fat soluble and so to increase the bio availability - how easily it is absorbed by the body, cook the tomatoes in a little oil - extra virgin olive oil is what I use.

Studies have shown that lycopene may help reduce the risk of not only some cancers but also heart disease.

A study found that men who daily ate more than 10 servings of tomato-based foods have a lower risk of developing prostrate cancer by up to 45 per cent  - this includes tomato sauce and cooked tomatoes.

It was also found that the benefits of lycopene were even greater in men who had already had prostrate cancer 

The amazing benefits of tomatoes doesn’t stop there, being low in sodium and high in potassium can greatly help us to stay in control of our blood pressure. This is beneficial to everyone young or old.

For these reasons alone you can see why the Mediterranean diet is hailed as one of the healthiest and gives to the longevity of life.

In places such as Italy, the abundance of tomatoes is used in the preparation of breakfast, lunch and dinner, being either roasted, caramelised, pureed and so on and used on toasted ciabatta, eaten alone or with pasta and herbs etc.

Growing your own tomatoes is a great idea and really easy, you only need a few plants in medium size pots or generally 3 plants to a grow bag, a sunny windowsill or spot in the garden or on a  balcony. Tomatoes love being kept moist so I always add some swell gel - which helps retains the water.

Harvesting your own is great but if you can’t buy nice deep red ones, generally on the vine are best. The deeper the red the better the flavour and the greater yield of lycopene.

We eventually managed to get our children to eat raw tomatoes after barbecuing kebabs using cherry tomatoes brushed in olive oil, herbs and garlic on a regular basis, then we noticed that they would help themselves to the cherry tomatoes straight from the garden, that’s a high five to PPP -‘patient parent persuasiveness’.

When I asked how come they would pick and eat them in the summer but would never touch them when I made a salad, they both said the same thing - “they taste great when they are ‘warm’ and squidgy yet taste flavourless when straight from the fridge”.

They have a point! I now no longer refrigerate tomatoes, and I eat them just like any other piece of fruit, and use them daily in our diet in one form or another, which is not difficult as they are so versatile, especially ketchup and to think I used to tell my nephew off for wanting it all over his roast!

With summer now on its way tomatoes will be plentiful, so don’t forget to eat them regularly along with a variety of good food for good health.

The summer is a good time to introduce new foods to children, as you can have fun picnics in the garden or the beach where they are often more open to sampling new tastes and ‘see’ food in a different way. Let me know if you have a unique way of getting your children to try new flavours and textures?

Sandra and Ted
http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com
http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com
http://www.quantum-mind-power.com

Hi

Are you like me and finding it more and more confusing with the information we are given about vitamins. One-day vitamin supplements are the way to go - the next day we should drop them like a hot potato and stay clear.

The best way to get all the vitamins we need is by eating a good varied diet of nutritional food, as we always say ‘good food is good health’, this should be as fresh as possible as storage depletes the values as well as over cooking.

Sometimes, as when taking drugs or medication they do have a negative effect on some parts of the body such as the liver, but the consequence of not taking them could be of greater significance.

So when taking vitamins - even though you can pick them up readily at any grocery store and health food shop, it is always recommended to ask your Doctor or health adviser opinion before taking. 

Recently there has been speculation that Vitamin D could greatly cut the chance of Type 1 diabetes developing later in life if supplements are taken in early childhood.

The research showed that children who were given the additional Vitamin D were up to 80 per cent less likely to go on and develop the disease compared to those not given the supplement.

It was noticed that the higher the dose and the more regularly taken, the lower the chance of developing the condition. 

Another study found that those who took any amount of Vitamin D had a lower rate of diabetes than the group that took no supplement.

Vitamin D is believed to help by acting as an immuno-suppressant agent, as Type 1 diabetes is an auto-immune disease, and may prevent an over-aggressive reaction from the immune system - when the immune system destroys it own cells. 

Type 1diabetes develops when insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas are destroyed.

Vitamin D is only found in a few natural food sources such as eggs (the yolk), fish and shellfish. Salmon, tuna, herring, halibut, shrimps and oysters are excellent sources.

Often foods are already enriched or fortified with vitamin D - milk being a good example, some breakfast cereals, soy drinks and some varieties of margarine.

Obviously it is better if you can reach your daily requirement from your diet - the RDA is not the same in all countries so check with a pharmacist or your health centre who will be pleased to advise you.

There are many supplements of Vitamin D readily available; I know that I reach my required RDA as the cod liver oil supplement I take daily includes vitamins A, D and E, even though I make sure I eat fish at least twice a week and generally eat eggs on almost a daily basis.

So if Vitamin D can cut the chance of us developing diabetes in later life, it really is important that we do eat a wide variety of foods to attain it and all the other vitamins and minerals to stave off other illnesses and diseases.

Eating a healthy diet can only benefit us, and the earlier in life we start the better. Therefore we all need to look to our diets and see if we are lacking in any area or over indulging in others.

Us as parents need to instil early in life a good varied diet to our children - before they become ‘faddy and picky’ and only want to eat the latest ‘in’ food.

Granted this can be quite difficult with children, but perseverance usually works and by introducing a small amount of a new food regularly helps.

So remember ‘good food is good health’ and that ‘we are what we eat’.

Sandra & Ted
http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com
http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com
http://www.quantum-mind-power.com

Hi

We must all be guilty of taking our liver for granted, as unlike our heart it does not thump in our chest and palpitate on exercise or when under duress.

Generally we probably only consciously think about it either when we are diagnosed with an illness, contracted food poisoning or have over indulged on alcohol.

I must admit it is the latter that we read about regularly in the media, and some of the headlines have been very hard hitting at young people and women in particular.

I think many people are not aware of the ‘pressure’ they are putting their liver under by following an ‘unhealthy lifestyle’ i.e. excess alcohol and a high fatty diet, and with little or no exercise.

So we need to think about how we can change our lifestyle and adapt to a healthy diet, to include all the vitamins and nutrients needed to keep our liver in good condition - ‘good food for good health’ - as you know I believe ‘we are what we eat’ and with that I should include drink, and that we all have choices.

It has been quite a few years since I left school and learnt biology, but one of the facts I remember that stands out about the liver is the amazing way it can heal and re-grow itself, up to three quarters of your liver can be removed and within a few weeks will grow back.

Our bodies are amazing but they do need our help, and the easiest way to do this is with a sensible diet, not needing to have to omit any food type if it is eaten moderately and not on a regular basis.

A diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, fish, poultry and eggs, meat, nuts, seeds and whole legumes is excellent and the best way for detoxing the liver, and do include lemon in your diet as protein digestion is enhanced by the diluted hydrochloric acid contained in lemons.

I can remember my grandmother saying the best way to start the day is with a glass of hot water with a couple of slices or squeeze of fresh lemon, just as her mum before her did, as this is supposed to be a good detox not just for the liver but the whole body.

Obviously the way your food is cooked is of great importance, steamed and grilled is the way to go, with much less roast and fried food.

The liver can work much more effectively if meals are light, small meals more frequent rather than skipping meals and eating a large meal late in the evening.

Avoid the foods that make the liver work harder - fatty foods, processed food, alcohol, margarine and caffeine.

Salt is another ingredient that should be cut down on and not only for the health of your liver, quite often the use of salt is just a habit - something you have always done - and you just need to re-educate your taste buds.

Essential fatty acids that are found in cold pressed oils such as extra virgin olive oil and sunflower are beneficial for your health with avocados being a very good source.

You need to ensure that you eat enough fibre, as this is vital in helping to eliminate fats and toxins through the bile in your liver out of your body, otherwise it is re-absorbed and stored.

Drinking plenty of fluid is important - two litres a day, a mixture of different drinks is the best way to make up your daily requirement -juices, water - tap and bottled, milk, tea and coffee.

Recently it has become popular to use a vegetable juice-drink diet for two weeks (and this is to be drunk cold) to detox the liver, but this really can be quite drastic and importantly before embarking on any type of diet like this you really should seek medical advice.

I believe cutting down or out on some foods - only for a couple of weeks - can benefit the liver and aid detoxification, such as hard cheese, full fat cream and milk, starchy foods including pasta, potatoes and rice, and caffeine.

If you actually feel better after the two weeks having cut out certain foods, why not eat less or less regularly when you re-introduce them.

Eliminate saturated fats, high sugary foods and alcohol, and coming into close contact with chemicals.

This is just as important as what we eat, as what we breathe and absorb through our skin such as household cleaning solvents, gardening pesticides and even air fresheners, are toxins that can damage the liver.

Some herbal supplements are said to help with detoxing , milk Thistle is renowned as a liver-promoting herb, along with dandelion and licorice.

Milk thistle has shown to help protect the cells of the liver from toxins and by eliminating harmful toxins that are already present .

Sillymarin is the active ingredient in milk thistle, found in the seeds of the herb that contain a bioflavanoid complex.

So remember ‘good food is good health’ and that we are what we eat.

Eat a varied diet including fresh fruit and vegetables daily, why not make a beeline for the fresh produce shelves when you go food shopping and try to miss out the aisles with the processed foods, this can only benefit the health of yourself and your family.

So by eating a varied diet of good food for good health you detox your liver naturally.

If you detox your liver, what method do you use and how regularly, I would be interested to know.

Sandra & Ted

http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com

http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com

http://www.quantum-mind-power.com

Recently it has dawned on me that if I still want to feel this good for the next twenty years that I really should take steps now, so that I can maintain the good health that I am enjoying at the moment.

I have been looking in general at women’s health of my age and how to keep up good health through the next twenty years.

Middle-aged women, like myself I guess, have been told for years that they should take calcium and vitamin D tablets to protect their bones against osteoporosis that is why recently I have increased my intake of calcium.

I always eat a good balanced diet and as you know my theory is ‘good food for good health’, so when I checked on the amount of dairy products Ted and I consume to calculate our daily intake, I was a little surprised that it was myself not Ted that was not always getting the required amount.

Our two daughters easily reach their required amount from their normal diet, as one of the cereals they eat is fortified with vitamins and they also drink a couple of milk shakes a day.

Osteoporosis is a disease due to loss of bone density with a break down of bone structure. Diseased bones become brittle, porous and thin, resulting in bones becoming easier to break especially those in the legs, hips and arms.

Women are far more prone to osteoporosis, in fact 80 per cent of all sufferers are women. So making sure we maintain a healthy balanced diet rich in dairy products is essential, and to check that our levels of calcium and vitamin D intake is correct.

Although 99 per cent of calcium in the body is found in the teeth and bones, the other 1 per cent plays a major role in our health and is found in muscles, blood, soft tissue, organs and nerves.

Meeting your calcium need is quite easy if you like milk and dairy products. Generally 8 ounces of milk provides about 300mg of calcium and general daily requirements are: -

Children 1 - 8 years 500 - 800mg

9 - 18 years 1300 mg

19 - 50 years 1000mg

Women 51+ with HRT and men 51+ 1200mg

Women 51+ without HRT 1500mg

Breastfeeding and pregnant women 1200mg

The best sources of calcium and vitamin D are Milk, cheese and yoghurt, and also foods made with milk, such as custard, rice pudding, ice cream etc.

Fish and shellfish are an excellent source of Vitamin D - salmon, tuna, herring, halibut, shrimps and oysters as well as eggs, milk and cod liver oil.

Low fat foods also contain good amounts of calcium including low fat yoghurt, skimmed and low fat fluid milk and buttermilk. Cheese contains varying amounts of calcium and in general, the more firm the cheese the more calcium in contains. Soft cheese has a low amount present and cream cheese is not a good source at all.

Keeping good bone health is essential for all of us at any age, and therefore our intake of calcium is beneficial. Calcium moves in and out of the bones throughout our lives.

The need for good supplies of calcium throughout childhood and teen years is crucial, as bones grow in size and density through this period.

Calcium combines with phosphorous to form teeth and bones, making them hard and resistant to decay and breaks, it also: -

Is vital in blood to help it clot normally.

Helps muscles to contract normally. A deficiency can cause spasms and cramp.

Is essential in the nervous system for messages to be passed from the brain to other parts if the body and back again.

Helps to regulate blood pressure. A deficiency or low intake of calcium has been associated with high blood pressure.

Calcium may help with the prevention of colon cancer. This is thought to work in tow ways, one if that it binds with fat and bile acids in the large intestine to keep them from causing harm, the other that it prevents the excessive growth of cells in the intestines that could otherwise lead to cancer.

Also new research has found that another incentive for taking calcium is that

It can help you stay slim, and this interested me greatly. The study found that women who were over 50 and took regular calcium and Vitamin D supplements are less likely to gain weight than those who do not, and what was surprising the women who had previously been deficient in Vitamin D and calcium had the greatest benefits.

The slimming effect is thought to be down to the fact that there is an improved breakdown of fat cells and also an increase in the production of leptin, a chemical that curbs your appetite.

Also experts said that stimulation of the metabolism is likely to be increased with a better balance of nutrients in our diet, and so I cannot stress to much the importance of the ‘good food good health’ benefits, and equally if you can get the required amount of calcium from a balanced diet can only be a plus, helping your body fight many diseases and the ever ageing process.

I have mentioned vitamin D several times and this is very important as calcium is not readily absorbed and used without this fat-soluble vitamin.

Vitamin D is often referred to as the ’sunshine vitamin’, as the action of the suns ultra violet rays forms vitamin D in the skin.

Specialists say that we need 15 minutes of sunlight to produce enough vitamin D in fair skinned people which should last for a couple of days, darker skinned people however need up to 3 hours.

The use of sunscreen 8 SPF of higher will form a barrier and prevent the formulation of vitamin D, so just wait 15 minutes before applying, but so not do this through the hottest hours. Clouds and window glass also prevent penetration of ultra violet rays.

So for good bone health - which means having the most dense and strong bones possible at reaching adulthood, a regular good intake of calcium is needed and continuously required after this age to help eliminate the chance of osteoporosis in latter years.

If to little calcium has been stored before the age of thirty in the bones or calcium is drawn out to fast in later life, then osteoporosis is at a greater risk.

All our bodies after the age of forty lose calcium quicker in the bones than going back in, and because of this we all need to be made aware just how important calcium in the diet is.

Many people have been put off from consuming dairy products over the past twenty or so years, and because of this health specialists are concerned about the future female population and the risk of osteoporosis. Also the specialists are watching the worrying trend of teenagers and fad diets that will cause complications to well being in future generations.

So for all of us the message is do not skimp on your dairy product intake, skimmed milk is just as rich in calcium, check you are consuming the correct amount in your diet. If you cannot get the required amounts in your daily diet then think about supplements. Always check with your doctor or medical practice before taking supplements as a sensible precaution, as it is with any medication.

Let us know how you achieve your intake of calcium and vitamin D, and whether this is through a natural diet or supplement.

Remember good food is good health.

Sandra & Ted

http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com

http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com

http://www.quantum-mind-power.com

Hi Everyone

Ladies did you know the greatest thing to help keep cellulite to a minimum is through a good healthy diet, as this keeps your liver working at its potential, reducing storage of HDL - bad cholesterol.

As I have mentioned many times before ‘we are what we eat’ so our motto ‘good food for good health’ should be everybody’s.

I believe as we get older we do take this ‘on board’, but we need to encourage the younger generation that they need to instill this as a way of life now, and not something they can just put right later on, as cellulite can start to form at puberty - although it is generally later.

French doctors coined the term ‘cellulite’ - the bain of all women, believing it is a certain form of fat that accumulates under the skin, leaving the affected area looking lumpy and dimpled, like orange peel.

As with any health problem, there is generally no such thing as a single cause, but different life situations combined with co-factors and causative agents that interact and promote an effect or symptom, and cellulite is no different.

Today most doctors do not believe cellulite to be a special form of fat, but believe it is simply ordinary fat that is pulled down by gravity.

I hold my hand up to the fact that over the years I have checked in the mirror for tell tale signs, and yes I do have some, I first noticed it when I was half way through my first pregnancy and nearly had a fit, only being 28.

Before this I had always thought cellulite was an ‘older’ thing that happened to us when we became a certain age, unlike nowadays when the paparazzi show pictures of stick insect models sporting it.

Cellulite can affect any woman of any size at any time.I really wish that when I was younger I knew what I know now about ‘good food for good health’, as this has a great bearing on what we are, and how this really does affect our health and its effect on our body.

Many studies have been carried out on cellulite and its causes, and weak functioning of the liver was found to be common in women prone to it.

So it cannot be stressed enough ladies that we really do need to eat a varied diet of good food, so that the liver can work effectively. When we eat a poor diet that is high in saturated fats, our liver becomes sluggish and clogged.

Fatty degeneration of the liver is caused by excessive fat build up and impairs the ability to function and handle fat properly, this allows fat to be stored around the body accumulating often around the waistline or being deposited as cellulite under the skin.

When the liver is impaired by fatty degeneration cholesterol levels are hampered allowing ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol to build up instead of manufacturing ‘good’ cholesterol - HDL.

Also it revealed that a poor lymphatic system, bad circulation and constipation were thought to help with the formation of cellulite. Hormonal in-balances could also be a determining factor.

Therefore poor dietary choices and nutritional deficiencies- where diets are rich in processed foods, fats, alcohol and toxins such as additives and colourings affect our biochemical processes and digestion, that hinders and prevents natural detoxification.

Because of the fast food lifestyle undertaken nowadays - obesity is alarmingly on the rise, and is an underlying cause of several illnesses, as the dietary factors with these types of foods are causing congestion of vessels and ducts of the circulation and eliminations systems including the bile ducts of the liver and the digestive tract.

Unfortunately for us females hormones and fat are very much related, and after reaching puberty we carry twice as much fat due to the body becoming ready for the event of pregnancy. This stored fat is very resistant to the effort of weight loss.

Fat or fat cells are formed from - fatty acids in food, lipoproteins in the liver, chylomicrons in the intestine and from insulin dependant triglycerides that come from amino acids and glucose.

The volume of fat cells in certain areas of the body is increased with higher levels of estrogen and progesterone, whereas testerone does the opposite.

So ladies we are all bound to have some cellulite, but by eating a healthy diet and eating slowly can help as this allows the enzymes that break down food to work efficiently enabling proper absorption of nutrients and digestion of the food.

As we get older- the pancreas that produces enzymes to metabolise food starts to diminish, so this can also lead to fat gain. Aging is not the only factor for of the pancreas producing fewer enzymes, our diet can be a cause when high in processed foods and trans fatty acids.

When your liver is healthy it produces bile that breaks down fat. If your body is lacking certain nutrients the bile cannot do its job properly, or if the liver is clogged with toxins, pharmaceuticals and chemicals.

So drinking plenty of fluid and eating a varied diet of good food will give you many of the different nutrients, vitamins and anti oxidants needed to keep the liver working at full potential.

Fruit and vegetables are excellent, and you can always make them into a smoothie if you prefer to ‘drink’ them rather than eat them.

Beetroot juice is said to help the liver break down stored fats, you can make it fresh with an extractor or buy it from your local health food shop and drink a small glass daily.

Seaweed is rich in minerals, proteins, iodine and vitamins and is said to promote smooth skin and to gets fats moving in the body. Seaweed - Kelp tablets are available in most health stores, and there are many seaweed-based products that are great for the skin.

Skin brushing is claimed to remove toxic waste by stimulating the lymphatic system, directly through the skin. Brush your whole body once a day, I often do this in the shower, start off gently then gradually increase pressure to a firm stroke as you become used to it.

Begin brushing with the soles of your feet, moving up your legs with firm sweeping strokes - I always linger a little longer on the thighs, then brush up the arms, across the shoulders and down your back to the buttocks - another area I linger on, then softly across your tummy and chest with light circular strokes to your neck

I believe massage is the best way of making cellulite look less obvious, it does not go away but the surface becomes less dimply with regular massaging.

There are many products today claiming to reduce cellulite, whether these are effective or not is a matter of opinion, but if they make you feel better about your cellulite then they are worth it.

Skin firming lotions are great for massaging all over your body and especially in areas where cellulite is prone.

Almost twenty years on since having seen my first signs of cellulite, I am really lucky as it has not increased much at all, and my friends and family have noticed this too.

I have never been a great exercise freak, but yoga and walking are my passion and my dog appreciates the walks! This combined with a healthy diet most of the time - like everyone eating a little of what you fancy does not hurt- but continually on a regular base can cause problems- is all I do.

I have not yet bought into buying expensive creams and lotions, but I do body brush a couple of times a week and massage an ordinary body lotion all over every day, I feel this keeps my skin in excellent condition and really helps with circulation by improving blood flow.

It may take a few minutes longer every day doing this, but it has the advantage that you really get to know your body and notice when there are little changes, which us women should all take care of, especially the breast area.

Let me know how you have improved your cellulite?

So remember good food is good health.

Sandra & Ted
http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com
http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com
http://www.quantum-mind-power.com

Hi everyone

We all feel good when we have been out and eaten a good meal, the feel good factor really kicks in, our mood is enhanced making us less stressed helping to keep our body’s immune system ready for anything thrown at it.

Keeping our inner body - our organs healthy, and along with a healthy mind gives us all a greater wellness and sense of being, and leads to good health.

Eating good food for good health is essential for a healthy liver, and a varied nutritional diet is the true way to give all our body the vitamins and minerals that we need to keep us in tip top condition.

Often overlooked is the need to drink plenty of fluids, not only through the summer time but all year round.

We not only need to drink plenty of fluid to stop us becoming dehydrated - which itself causes many problems, but to help the liver flush toxins out of our system.

As we know the liver is the largest gland in the body and it performs more than 500 functions, we all really do need to look to our diet to enable it to look after our body for us.

The liver is a complex organ and works like a stream lined machine when it is healthy, comparable to a ‘computer’ in it’s many tasks, from storing carbohydrates and vitamins to excreting waste products from our bloodstream.

The production of bile is one of the main tasks; this aids digestion of food and is what makes faeces brown. It metabolises carbohydrates and proteins, and stores and metabolises fats - producing cholesterol.

The livers production of blood clotting chemicals and heparin - an anticoagulant is another major function along with regulating the amount of sugar in the bloodstream.

It synthesises Vitamin A and stores it together with vitamins B12, D and K. The liver also removes poisons, drugs and worn-out red blood cells from the bloodstream; these are also extremely important tasks.

Unfortunately being such a complex organ makes the liver susceptible to a vast number of disorders.

Recently, a topic that has hit the headlines many times is the rise in cases of cirrhosis of the liver, generally through alcohol abuse with today’s current trends of fashionable binge drinking.

Cirrhosis - where scar tissue replaces dead or injured liver cells - actually has many causes not just alcohol that most people are aware of; gallstones or other blockages that block the bile duct, hepatitis and immune system disorders also cause it.

Cirrhosis of the liver can also occur for no apparent or known reason - is chronic inflammation and can progress ultimately to organ failure.

Obviously cancer of the liver is extremely serious because of the organs many important functions.

Inflammation of the liver is called hepatitis. Hepatitis A - ‘infectious hepatitis’ is caused by a virus and is transmitted by food and drink. Hepatitis A is rarely serious.

Hepatitis B - ‘serum hepatitis’ is far more serious, also a viral infection and is spread through use of infected blood and blood products, sexual intercourse, syringes and needles.

I believe it is good for us all to take some time and think about our ‘organs’, how they work continuously and what they do, showing how intrinsically important they are to our good health.

Highlighting the knock on effect of continually abusing the liver whether through bad diet, alcohol or drugs, should I believe be made more aware to everyone, just as smoking has been with publicity and the effect it has on health and the lungs.

So help your liver by eating good food, it does not have to be expensive, fresh food that is seasonal has the best vitamin and mineral content. Use your local market or farm shop.

Fresh quick frozen food is another great way of getting excellent properties from all types of foods including fish.

Include fresh greens - all green vegetables are excellent, broccoli contains vitamins B and C and folic acid for detoxification.

Cabbage and broccoli, along with garlic and onions contain a high content of natural sulphur needed for detoxification.

Garlic and onions also contain selenium and glutathione that act as anti-oxidants.

All fruits are great for us including strawberries, raspberries, melons, oranges, blackcurrants, red grapes, guava etc - all with excellent vitamin and anti-oxidant properties.

Tomatoes - are high in lycopene an excellent source of anti-oxidant.

You can easily get your daily vitamin C from peppers instead of eating oranges each day.

Lean meat, eggs and fish are important too, and a good source of fibre from cereals, bread etc.

So remember our motto ‘good food is good health’ and make it a way of life as we are what we eat after all, and by consuming a wide variety of foods regularly enables us to attain the vast range of minerals and vitamins we need to keep all of our body in good condition.

Sandra & Ted
http://www.goodfoodgoodhealth.com
http://www.thetalkingbooksite.com
http://www.quantum-mind-power.com