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LIVING HEALTHY IN THE 21st CENTURY

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LIVING HEALTHY IN THE 21st CENTURY

WHAT IS HEALTH

Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living organism. In humans it is the ability of individuals or communities to adapt and self-manage when facing physical, mental or social challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) defined health in its broader sense in its 1948 constitution as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."This definition has been subject to controversy, in particular as lacking operational value and because of the problem created by use of the word "complete"

Systematic activities to prevent or cure health problems and promote good health in humans are undertaken by health care providers. Applications with regard to animal health are covered by the veterinary sciences.

HEALTHY FOOD

Healthy food is food considered beneficial to health in ways that go beyond a normal healthy diet required for human nutrition. Because there is no precise, authoritative definition from regulatory agencies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, different dietary practices can be considered healthy depending on context.

Foods considered "healthy" may be natural foods, organic foods, whole foods, and sometimes vegetarian or dietary supplements. Such products are sold in health food stores or in the health/organic sections of supermarkets.

HEALTHY DIET

A healthy diet is one that helps maintain or improve overall health.

A healthy diet provides the body with essential nutrition: fluid, adequate essential amino acids from protein, essential fatty acids,vitamins, minerals, and adequate calories. The requirements for a healthy diet can be met from a variety of plant-based and animal-based foods. A healthy diet supports energy needs and provides for human nutrition without exposure to toxicity or excessive weight gain from consuming excessive amounts. Where lack of calories is not an issue, a properly balanced diet (in addition to exercise) is also thought to be important for lowering health risks, such as obesity, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

ADULT HEALTHStaying healthy

When you think of adult health, you might think about various ways to stay healthy — from hand-washing and vaccines to cancer prevention. Good for you! The choices you make every day go a long way toward promoting adult health.

It's equally important to pay attention to your signs and symptoms. Know which adult health warning signs merit medical attention, from unexplained weight loss or changes in bowel habits to shortness of breath and sudden headaches.

And of course, regular physical exams and adult health screening tests are an important part of preventive adult health care. Know which screening tests you need and how often to have them done. Early detection can be the key to successful treatment.

TOP TEN HEALTHY FOOD

• apples

• almonds

• broccoli

• blueberries

• oily fish

• leafy green vegetables

• sweet potatoes

• wheat germ

• avocados

• oatmeal

Apples

"An Apple A Day Keeps The Grim Reaper Away"

Apples are an excellent source of antioxidants, which combat free radicals. Free radicals are damaging substances generated in the body that cause undesirable changes and are involved in the aging process and some diseases.

Researchers at The Florida State University said that apples are a "miracle fruit".

AlmondsAlmonds are rich in nutrients, including magnesium, vitamin E, iron, calcium, fiber, and riboflavin. A scientific review published in Nutrition Reviews3 found that almonds as a food may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.The authors wrote:"The message that almonds, in and of themselves, are a heart-healthy snack should be emphasized to consumers.

BroccoliBroccoli is rich in fiber, calcium, potassium, folate and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are compounds which reduce the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Broccoli also contains vitamin C, as well as beta-carotene, an antioxidant.

A single 100 gram serving of broccoli can provide you with over 150 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, which in large doses can potentially shorten the duration of the common cold.7

BlueberriesBlueberries are rich in fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are natural chemicals found in plants.Unlike minerals and vitamins that are also found in plant foods, phytonutrients are not essential for keeping us alive. However, they may help prevent disease and keep the body working properly.According to a study carried out at Harvard Medical School, elderly people who eat plenty of blueberries (and strawberries) are less likely to suffer from cognitive decline, compared to other people of their age who do not.

Oily fish

Examples of oily fish include salmon, trout, mackerel, herring, sardines and anchovies.

These types of fish have oil in their tissues and around the gut. Their lean fillets contain up to 30% oil, specifically,omega-3 fatty acids. These oils are known to provide benefits for the heart, as well as the nervous system.

Leafy green vegetablesStudies have shown that a high intake of dark-leafy vegetables, such as spinach or cabbage may significantly lower a person's risk of developing diabetes type 2.Researchers at the University of Leicester, England, said that the impact of dark green vegetables on human health should be investigated further, after they gathered data from six studies.

• Sweet potatoes are rich in dietary fiber, beta carotene, complex carbohydrates, vitamin C, vitamin B6, as well as carotene (the pink, yellow ones).

• The Center for Science in the Public Interest, USA, compared the nutritional value of sweet potatoes to other vegetables.17 The sweet potato ranked number one, when vitamins A and C, iron, calcium, protein and complex carbohydrates were considered.

Wheat germ is the part of wheat that germinates to grow into a plant - the embryo of the seed. Germ, along with bran, is commonly a by-product of the milling; when cereals are refined, the germ and bran are often milled out.Wheat germ is high in several vital nutrients, such as vitamin E, folic acid (folate), thiamin, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, as well as fatty alcohols and essential fatty acids.

• Avocados

• Many people avoid avocados because of its high fat content; they believe that avoiding all fats leads to better health and easier-to-control body weight - this is a myth. Approximately 75% of the calories in an avocado come from fat; mostly monosaturatedfat.

Oatmeal is meal made from rolled or ground oats. In the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, the term "porridge" or "porridge oats" are common terms for the breakfast cereal that is usually cooked.Interest in oatmeal has increased considerably over the last twenty years because of its health benefits.

TOP TEN HEALTHY DRINKS

• Pomegranate Juice

• Low Fat Milk

• Green Tea

• Orange Juice

• Beet Juice

• Hot Chocolate

• Kale Juice

• Lemon Juice

• Ginger Tea

• Cranberry Juice

• Pomegranate Juice

The powerful pomegranate has been consistently praised recently for the hefty antioxidants it packs. Research has suggested that the red juice may help prevent inflammation, heart disease, and cancer. So having a glass every now and then is a good choice.

Low Fat MilkMilk has always been there for you, hasn’t it? Touted as an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D since you were a child, it may seem like less of a grown-up drink than other options, but low fat and skim milk are still great sources of protein and other essential micronutrients.

• Green Tea

A cup of green tea is a better choice than a cup of joe when that afternoon slump hits. You are jonesing for a caffeine buzz, so this will do the trick, with just enough caffeine to give you that energy boost but not so much that you crash later.

Orange JuiceA glass of fresh squeezed OJ really hits the spot, but some feel it takes too much effort to make on a regular basis. If that is the case, save it for when it will be most handy, like come allergy season.

• Beet Juice

• Beets have the ability to lower your blood pressure, increase your stamina, increase the blood flow to the brain in older adults (slowing the progression of dementia), and make for a healthy liver with their zero trans and saturated fats and high magnesium, calcium, and iron levels.

Hot ChocolateWell if it weren’t for your least favorite monthly friend, it might not have made it. But if you’re dealing with menstrual cramps, one of the best natural ways to ease the pain is through drinking beverages with high magnesium content.

• Kale Juice

Kale, kale, kale. Everybody loves kale. It might seem annoyingly trendy, but there are legitimate reasons why so many people are in love with this stuff. The dark, leafy green is packed with vitamins and minerals that help with everything from bone health to regulating your bowels.

Lemon JuiceWell, it certainly takes care of gross stuff for us, like cleansing the liver, stimulating bile production, and helping with digestion. Lemon also brings vitamin C to the party to boost your immune system.

• Ginger Tea

• Ginger is an excellent natural remedy for all tummy troubles. It has been promoted as a way to sooth an upset stomach, relieve motion sickness and pregnancy related nausea, and ease digestion.

Cranberry JuiceNobody likes a UTI. And once you have one, it can take up to 2 days after treatment starts for your symptoms to go away. So let’s get on the proactive side of things and help prevent the UTI by drinking pure cranberry juice, which one study found can work “against infections and bacteria within 8 hours of consumption.”

Irida Pajenga