healthy living tips by Dr.Vina

What does tea-time have got to do with your health?
Well, according to numerous study: many!

The health benefits from tea-drinking has often been lauded. Researchers found that by drinking tea (the second most popular drink) people can have lower bad cholesterol (LDL) level. Studies have found an association between consuming green tea and a
reduced risk for several cancers, including, skin, breast, lung, colon, esophageal, and bladder.Additional benefits for regular consumers of green and black teas include a reduced risk for heart disease.

A study done by Vanderbilt University Medical Center, after double-blind, randomized 12 week trial,concluded that the effect of tea is substantial to reduction of LDL level. The 375 mg capsule used in this study is an extract made up of 75 mg of theaflavins (flavonoids from black tea), 150 mg of catechins (flavonoids from green tea) and 150 mg of other tea polyphenols. It is equivalent to 7 cups of high-quality black tea or 35 cups of green tea.The dosage can reduce the
LDL up to 16%.

The flavonoids is the content of tea, an antioxidant, that is the primary source of the benefits. The antioxidant is good for cancer prevention and heart health, in addition to lowering low density lipoproteins and raising high density lipoproteins. In particular, green tea is the best food source of a group called catechins. According to lab experiments, catechins are more powerful than vitamins C and E in halting oxidative damage to cells and appear to have other disease-fighting properties.

To harvest the benefit of tea the most, here are a couple of tips from Medical News Today:

• Drinking a cup of tea a few times a day to absorb antioxidants and other healthful plant compounds. In green-tea drinking cultures, the usual amount is three cups per day.
• Allow tea to steep for three to five minutes to bring out its catechins.
• The best way to get the catechins and other flavonoids in tea is to drink it freshly brewed. Decaffeinated, bottled ready-to-drink tea preparations, and instant teas have less of these compounds.
• Tea can impede the absorption of iron from fruits and vegetables. Adding lemon or milk or drinking tea between meals will counteract this problem.

Imagine a glass of iced pink guava juice on a hot sticky day!
Very tempting for sure ...

But there is a lot more about it.
Guava comes laden with vitamin C, fiber and potassium, the three players to help combat heart disease and hypertension.

A medium size guava offers a staggering 275% of our vitamin C needs, 20% of our fiber needs, a load of potassium all in an only 45 calories.

In a 12-week study, a group of participants were asked to eat 4-7 guavas a day.

The result was stunning!

Cholesterol level dropped an immense 10% translating to 20% reduction in heart disease. HDL went up while the blood pressure fell.
Is there any better combination you can ask for a glass of guava juice?

I should say, apple is an A+ food for your health.
According to a number of research studies, eating an apple a day can protect yourself from heart disease.

Apple is brimming with fiber called pectin and phyto-chemicals. Pectin lowers cholesterol level by binding it in the intestines keeping it from entering your system. Further components of the apple called flavonoids (a kind of phyto-chemicals) has been proven to be lowering the risk of heart disease.

Good news for apple lover : snack on apples anytime!
A study in Netherlands found that a ground of elderly men who ate at least an apple a day slash their risk for dying of heart disease by 50%.

So apple anyone?

The blood circulation system inside our body can be likened to roadways of a complex city with million of businesses and homes to be supplied with food, fuel, and other necessities.

Imagine that all these provisions are provided by public transports running through the freeways of the city.

Over the years, however, the buses, trucks and the vans have been littering the city with the trash thrown out of their window.

As a result, now there is traffic jam and supplies are not delivered timely and properly due accumulated garbage along the highways. The city is being choked off from its environment because of the garbage-clogged highways.

Same situation happens with your heart.

The first sign of constricted blood flow (the traffic jam) is gripping chest pain known as angina pectoris. The worst situation is when your heart artery has been completely blocked and you suffer a massive heart attack.

If this happens elsewhere in your body, the clogged artery can result in the damage of tissue. The process is called atherosclerosis - an accumulation of plaque made up of a cholesterol-fat mixture and other.

When it occurs in the artery that feeds your heart, it can lead to heart disease and ultimately a heart attack.

If it happens in your brain, plaque causes stroke.

The risk factors that boost your chances of developing heart disease include
smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and eating a diet loaded
with artery-clogging fats. Here are five most important facts you need to know
about the disease:

• Cholesterol is the chief contributor in clogged arteries. The higher
  cholesterol level of your blood, the greater the possibility for you to have
  clogged arteries


• Regular sport activities (swimming, playing tennis, jogging, cycling and
  others) helps reduce heart disease risk by maintaining blood pressure down,
  reducing blood cholesterol level and keeping arteries clean.


• Smoking cigarettes substantially increase your level of heart disease
  rate. Studies show that substances contained in inhaled cigarette smoke
  accelerates both the damage to the artery walls and the blockage of arteries.
  This is applicable also for passive smokers.


• Obesity puts a strain into the heart and can disturb the readings of
  cholesterol level and high blood pressure.


• Food plays a major role in your determining your heart health. Eating the
  right food can protect and heal your heart.