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Category: Health

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What is Food Combining?

HealthOptimal Health

Food Combining is a way of eating to simplify the complexity of digesting our foods. It ensures that the foods we eat can travel through our entire digestive system with ease.

Depending on the combinations of foods you are eating, a healthy looking meal may end up causing weight gain and/or digestive problems.

There are two simple rules to food combining:

1) No proteins and starches at the same meal, wait two hours between protein and starches

2) No fruits and vegetables at the same meal, wait two hours between fruits and vegetables

So how can using these rules help? By food combining we are taking into account mechanical digestion (chewing and churning) and chemical digestion (micronutrient breakdown & enzyme production) of our macronutrients.

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4 Ways with Hemp

HealthOptimal Health

From the 12th November 2017 the Australian and New Zealand Food Standards Code made changes to permit the sale of hemp seed as a food. Previously, Australia and New Zealand were the only countries in the world which prohibited the consumption of hemp as it was classed under the species of cannabis, a psychoactive drug.

Despite numerous and thorough studies showing that hemp seed is low-psychoactive it has taken many years and lots of lobbying to get the change through. Hemp has naturally low levels of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) which is the psychoactive ingredient found in cannabis. Hemp seeds contain less than 0.5% of THC.

The Australian Government now acknowledges that there is no risk of getting ‘high’ from hemp seeds and you will not be tested positive to being under the influence of THC on road side drug test.

So why is hemp so good for us? Hemp seeds are similar to a small nut with a crisp shell and soft inner heart. Seeds are sold unhulled and the heart has a light nutty taste. Hemp is a fantastic source of protein (around 25%) and contain essential amino acids, minerals and vitamin E. It is one of the best food sources with a high ratio of omega 6 to omega 3 polyunsaturated fats.

Now that we can eat it, what do we do with it? Here are 4 ways to eat hemp with various food combinations:

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Top 5 Tips on Nutritional Balance for Vegans

HealthOptimal Health

1. Get Regular blood tests
Vegans are in the group of those at high risk of iron, calcium and B12 deficiency. Luckily these are easily checked through blood test by your GP. Your aim is to be on the high end of the test results. If you are showing signs of levels dropping make sure to increase your green leafy vegetables and legumes. If you drop to the low end of the scale, supplementation is necessary! Don’t wait until you’re considered clinically deficient to supplement, you want to make sure nutritionally you can be the best you!

2. It’s all about the plant proteins
Avoid all those tempting starchy carbohydrates and ensure you are having a high protein portion to each meal including snacks. This means lots of nuts, seeds, beans and other legumes. You may even what to try a few vegetable based protein powders to keep the intake up if you are exercising regularly. (Try NutraOrganics Clean Protein)

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Is Grass Fed Meat Better For You?

HealthOptimal Health

In recent years there has been increasing evidence of the benefits of eating pasture-raised and grass-fed meat and dairy. These are not just limited to animal welfare and the environment, but also include health benefits for humans.

Studies show grass-fed meats are leaner and have lower total saturated fat content and calories than feedlot beef. Meat from grass-fed cattle also has higher levels of healthy fats – conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the omega-3 fatty acids ALA, EPA, and DHA.

However, the absolute levels of CLA and the omega-3 acids remain extremely low, in comparison to the high omega 3 content found in plant forms such as linseeds and hemp seeds or even seafood such as mackerel and sardines.

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How to Recover Properly From Cataract Surgery

HealthOptimal Health

If your sight is blurred or cloudy because you have a cataract, your doctor can prescribe cataract surgery to resolve the issue. Cataract surgery is an effective treatment and has an excellent record of allowing people suffering from cataracts to return to some the activities that they had been preventing from doing, but only after proper recovery.

Recovery From Cataract Surgery

Although the precise time for a swift recovery from cataract surgery will differ from person to person, the eye will generally retain some discomfort for a few hours after the treatment, and you should experience clear vision anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. About 90 % of patients report near perfect vision after cataract surgery.

While patience is needed during recovery of cataract surgery, it should be remembered that the recovery period after surgery is barely no time, relative to a lifespan of clear vision ahead. If you know what to expect following cataract surgery, you can reduce risks and speed up the recovery process.

It should not require much more than 24 hours for most patients to resume their normal lives following cataract surgery. Your eye might have scratching or discomfort for a few days after surgery. Your doctor will issue you eye drops to avoid infection from happening. Your eye should be fully recovered after eight weeks.

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How to Break Your Addiction News to Your Family

HealthOptimal Health

There may come a time when you take the monumental step and admit you need drug rehab. It’s also around that point you inform your family about what has been happening in your life.

Sometimes, people with substance abuse wait until they are in a supportive drug rehab facility or programme until they share their news with loved ones. There can be a right time for when you feel up to doing so.

Breaking addiction news to your family is never easy, but it can be freeing. Read on for helpful information on how to take that first step.

  1. Discuss When You’re Feeling Ready

When you first enter a drug programme or decide to enter a rehab facility, it might not feel like the right time to tell your friends and family circle what you’re going through. And that’s okay. It can be scary enough to admit to yourself that you have a substance abuse problem, let alone those you love.

So, it’s important to discuss your addiction when you’re feeling ready. It should be a time when you’re feeling well, the discussion will serve a purpose, and when you believe those close to you are ready to hear the news, as well.

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5 Things You Can Do to Boost Your Confidence 

HealthOptimal Health

Around 85 percent of people have suffered from low self-esteem at some stage in their life. Botox can’t solve that, but it’s one of many things that can assist. Alongside exercise, a healthy diet, and a few other things, you can be on your way to feeling far better about yourself.

Botox

Botox, dermal fillers, and anti-wrinkle injections can all aid in giving your confidence a boost. In Australia, licenced and registered doctors and nurses can administer such treatments. Within a few days, you can be experiencing far smoother lines and wrinkles. The dermal fillers can even assist with volume, balance, and lifting.

If you believe such treatment is right for you, get in touch with a trained professional. Remember, only qualified medical professionals can provide Botox.

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