Everyday Foods that Can Heal (Part Two)

There is a great fear that usually overwhelms people when they get bad news that their health is deteriorating rapidly and everyday will be a struggle for comfort. For those times when a person may feel as though all hope is lost there is something to remember. Doctor's studies show that certain foods are known to heal some serious diseases and provide a better quality of life.

Below are a few conditions that strike fear into many hearts and the foods that can help heal them. Education is key in preventing and treating illnesses.

Foods That Heal: Cancer

We have already discussed the foods that are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C to help heal cells and prevent the changes that occur in the cancer process. But there is still a little more you should know about these foods that heal.

For those who eat foods everyday like potato chips, cheeseburgers, donuts, French fries etc, these people are much more likely to develop cancer. There is so much evidence that supports that a fatty diet is linked to breast cancer, cancer of the prostate and colon cancer.

Fiber is another important aspect of your diet. Not only does this healing food significantly reduce the chance of colon cancer but it also works on many different levels throughout the body and takes other harmful elements out of the entire digestive tract. Foods high in fiber are kidney beans, chickpeas, okra, Brussels sprouts, and whole grains.

Foods That Heal: Heart Disease

This is a serious illness but doctors have done so much research that they know what can prevent and heal this silent killer. A fatty diet is one of the prime factors. The bad fats, which are saturated, are found in some red meat, butter, etc. Saturated fat will clog your arteries not to mention they are high in cholesterol. There are good fats though, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats may be high in calories but for this one not so great point there are many health benefits. Monounsaturated fats are found in nuts and natural oils which lover cholesterol and remove it from your body. Polyunsaturated fats maintain healthy blood pressure and can actually stop blood from clotting where it shouldn't be.

Then we have the Omega 3 fatty acids, These are extremely good for us and we should eat the foods that contain them every chance we get . They are found in fish and flax seeds. They stop the formation of clots in our blood stream, lower triglycerides and keep our arteries working and stay in prime condition.

Fiber and folate are another significant medicinal property that guards against heart disease. Folate is found in B vitamins and the foods that contain it are: leafy greens, and beans. The darker the greens the better. Fiber is found in beans, fruits, and grains and you should be eating 25 grams of it a day in order to keep your heart healthy.

Foods That Heal: Alzheimer's Disease

There are several things that keep the brain healthy. Antioxidants control free radicals that can damage the brain cells. A great antioxidant is vitamin E which is found in foods such as nuts, seeds, cooking oils, and wheat germ. B vitamins are a way to heal early signs of Alzheimer's and prevent it from occurring. B12 and thiamin can improve mental function. Foods rich in these elements are pasta, pork, turkey, liver, chicken, and sea foods.

Foods That Heal: Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's' disease is an illness that affects the brain. Dopamine is a chemical that is in your brain and it tells what your brain to do. From breathing to walking and every move your body makes. People with Parkinson's have damaged cells that can not make the dopamine they need. Although there is no cure as of now you can stop the destruction of these cells.

Vitamin C and E are antioxidants that have been shown to help with this aspect. They can be found in oils and can protect the cells that are producing the dopamine. To repair the destruction that has already been done and fix the problem Your body need niacin, which is found in foods such as meats, fish and grains.

To relieve symptoms many are eating large amounts of fava beans which contain lots of levodopa. Levodopa, when consumed changes into dopamine. So if you are experiencing the harsh affects of this condition you might want to consume large amounts of fava beans and incorporate them into your daily diet.

Foods That Heal: Stroke

For anyone who has ever suffered a stroke they know how swift it can come upon you. One minute you are dong a normal activity and the next minute you have suffered a life changing illness. When your blood, and the oxygen therein, stop reaching parts of your brain you will suffer a stroke. There are a couple of things that interfere with blood flow to the brain, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Foods rich in soy can lower cholesterol but you need to be careful how much you can consume because soy has been linked to a variety of health problems. The best way to go is to eat, at the very least, 3-4 servings of fruits and vegetables everyday. Fiber also lowers cholesterol and the benefits of fiber are good for so many different areas of your body. Not to mention there are lots of foods that contain fiber so it won't be had to find.

Foods that you should be eating on a daily basis to prevent in occurrence are onions, green beans, broccoli, cranberries, carrots, bakes potatoes, spinach, cantaloupe, low fat milk, tea, fish, meats, bananas, and wheat bran.

Foods That Heal: Kidney Stones

These painful...no, no, wait- agonizing...no, no, excruciating, yes that's the word. These excruciating kidney stones are formed from calcium deposits.

Potassium is a wonderful way to stop this from happening. Baked potatoes, bananas, and dried apricots are excellent foods to consume to relieve this threat.

Magnesium prevents this condition so fish, broccoli and avocados are a wonderful foods to balance out your body's absorption of minerals that way they wont form into solid deposits.

Fiber and calcium can also play a major part in protecting yourself from this painful ordeal. Yes, that's right I said calcium. While it was once believed it was all to blame for the stones, new research suggests that increasing your calcium intake can help your body absorb it and use it. Yogurt, mozzarella and skim milk can significantly reduce the occurrence of kidney stones.

Foods That Heal: Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

I don't really need to tell you how bad cholesterol and high blood pressure can be. Heart attacks, strokes, etc are a direct result of these two common culprits. There are foods you can eat everyday that can considerably maintain and control these aspects and keep them at healthy levels. Lots of fruits and vegetables is the first thing that should be done. Secondly, if you like cheese , pastries, ketchup, and other tasty treats then you are actually consuming a large amount of salt in the foods that make up your diet. You need to be consuming low fat dairy, orange juice, and broccoli. Again, fiber is a huge helper in these areas. Garlic is another way to reduce your cholesterol both fast and efficiently. It can be used in a variety of dishes and even making a loaf of freshly minced garlic bread is a spectacular idea for your dinners every night. Omega 3 fatty acids are a great way to lower triglycerides. So, eating canned tuna along with other fish approximately 2-3 times a week can help dramatically. But remember, that all these things should be given in place of fatty foods and other unhealthy choices.

Foods That Heal: In Closing

This installment of foods that heal was specifically designed to be a beacon of hope for all those who are on the verge of giving up. Natural foods are what keep our bodies working in a full capacity. Optimal health and function means a long and full life you can achieve this by eating foods that can heal and maintain proper functionality.