Green leaf vegetables Also Protect Eyes

Carrots have long been considered efficacious improve vision. In fact, recent evidence indicates, green leafy vegetables and colorful fruits have the same efficacy for the eyes.

The results of research by experts from the University of Georgia, published in the Journal of Food Science mentioning green leafy vegetables and colorful fruits can improve visual ability and prevent disease macular degeneration (age-related eye disease).

According to study leader, Billy R. Hammond, PhD, vegetables and fruits contain carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which play an important role in vision and has positive benefits for the health of the retina. Lutein and zeaxanthin can be found in spinach and other green vegetables.

"Lutein and zeaxanthin reduce the discomfort due to too blinding light, increasing contrast, and even improve eyesight sharp," said Hammond. He added that 20 kinds of carotenoids found in the body, but only lutein and zeaxanthin in the visual system. That's why these pigments play an important role in the function of human vision.

A study conducted in 2008 also mentioned the pigment that protects the retina and lens of the eye and protect from eye diseases due to aging such as macular degeneration or cataracts.

7 Food repellent Disease

According to health experts with a natural holistic approach, keeping the body's immune actually can be started with care and maintain a healthy digestive system.

With the condition of good digestion, absorption of nutrients from each food that is digested more easily. A healthy digestive tract can also neutralize toxins as well as against bacteria and viruses that harm the body.

In order for the digestive system still okay, there are many ways to do but eat regularly with a balanced nutrition. One of them is eating the kinds of foods that boost immunity. Here are seven types of food that makes your body is naturally able to resist disease.

1. Garlic: active material, allicin, act as antiviral and antibacterial. This substance can clean the liver so that in turn will clean the blood and stimulates the production of white blood cells.

2. Ginger: This plant contains a number of important substances that can warm the body, making the body sweat, overcoming fever, and neutralize toxins. Ginger also trigger the release of mucus and effective way to relieve respiratory and lung channels. Ginger is often used for an upset stomach because of its function as a cleaner.

3. Honey: This dye is a natural antibiotic and as an antiseptic. Honey also contains immune boosters and a variety of vitamins and minerals like B-complex, vitamin C, D, E, and propolis. Honey also can solve problems of the throat, allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems because of its ability to overcome irritation.

4. Cayenne: Foods that one has levels of vitamin C, A, B, calcium, and high potassium. In addition, cayenne can also stimulate blood circulation and is known to treat several gastrointestinal diseases.

5. Acidophilus and bifidus: Known as the good bacteria, these microbes play suppress bad bacteria growth in the intestine, improve immune function and stimulates the production of vitamin K. Two types of bacteria can be found in yogurt or kefir.

6. Green vegetables: dark green vegetables like kale, swiss chard, and spinach contain vitamin B12, folic acid, potassium, vitamins A, C, and K, all of which are known to boost immunity.

7. Acid and alkaline: Mixed acid or alkaline balance claimed to improve digestion and help healing. For example, you can make a drink lemon juice mixed with warm water.

Benefits to Being Vegetarian

In general, those who have a vegetarian diet to avoid consumption of foods derived from animals, and eating only plant foods, like whole grains, nuts, vegetables, and fruits. Specifically, there are several types of vegetarians. The difference between the one with the other groups related to food consumption patterns of animal and processed products. Please note, it's been a little number of vegetarians who consume no animal foods at all.

The division of types of vegetarians are as follows;
Lacto-ovo vegetarian. vegetarians who still eat eggs, milk and milk products (like cheese and yogurt), but do not eat meat, poultry, and fish.

Lacto-vegetarian. The only consume milk and dairy products, but avoid other animal foods.

Vegan. Only eat vegetable food sources, do not eat all types of animal products.

Fruitarian. The main food of these fruits, nuts, honey, and vegetable oils.

Semivegetarian. These people usually follow a vegetarian diet, but occasionally still eat red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and milk.

Several studies have shown, the followers of vegetarians have a reduced risk of death from some specific diseases. For example, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, various cancers, type 2 diabetes, and obesity (overweight). The level of risk reduction is obtained when compared with non-vegetarians. In short, the more vegetarian longevity. Especially considering a vegetarian lifestyle is often accompanied by other healthy lifestyle, such as not smoking, exercising regularly, not drinking alcohol, or drugs.

Guest speaker: Dr. John C Chandrawinata, MND, SpGK, clinical nutrition specialist from Melinda's Hospital, Bandung.