If you’re wondering what to eat to improve a fatty liver, then take just a few moments to read to the end of this article. I’ll share with you what I’ve learned about fatty liver disease (FLD) and what foods you should and should not eat to reduce fat in your liver.

A fatty liver simply refers to having too much fat (specifically triglycerides) accumulated in your liver. So what exactly is “too much” fat? Generally speaking, a liver is considered “fatty” when fat makes up between 5-10% or more of the liver by weight. Fat builds up in and around the spaces of hepatocytes (liver cells), causing the liver to enlarge and grow heavier.

In the early stages of FLD, often referred to as simple steatosis, the condition is often benign and asymptomatic. Many patients don’t even know they have FLD. It is often found when doing blood work or other tests for entirely different reasons. The only way to definitively diagnose the condition is through a livery biopsy, but factors such as elevated liver enzymes often clue physicians into the problem.

A diet plan for fatty liver is most often centered around balance, moderation, regulation, and reducing fat intake to less than 30% of the total daily calories. In other words, if you’re eating a 1200 calorie diet, then fat calories should make up no more than 360 of those calories. This is equivalent to about 40 grams per day. Since fatty liver is often associated with obesity, losing weight can have a significant impact on improving liver function and liver health.

So that brings us to the question of what you should and should not eat. Complex carbohydrates should make up the bulk of your energy source. These can be found in things like whole grains, brown rice, and pasta. The simple carbohydrates found in sweets should be avoided.

Diets for fatty liver patients are also generally high in fiber and include an abundance of fruits and vegetables. Fats, particularly saturated fats, should be carefully monitored. Protein can be obtained from vegetables or from leaner white meats such as chicken or turkey instead of beef or pork. Here is a brief run down of some of the things you should and should not eat if you want to reduce fat in your liver.

Foods You Should Avoid And/Or Carefully Monitor

• White bread and white rice
• High fat butters
• Sweets containing simple carbohydrates (candy, doughnuts, etc.)
• High fat foods (pizza, ribs, pot pies, etc.)
• Eggs and other high cholesterol foods
• Sugary and/or carbonated drinks such as soda
• Fast foods and/or processed meats such as hot dogs
• Fried foods
• Alcohol (particularly if you have alcoholic fatty liver (AFL))
• Salad dressing and other high fat condiments (look for low-fat or non-fat alternatives)
• Red meats (beef, pork)

Foods To Eat To Improve A Fatty Liver

• Vegetables (greens, leaves, legumes, tomatoes, and especially broccoli)
• Fruits rich in vitamin E and vitamin C (oranges, papaya, kiwi, mango)
• Beans (these are a great alternative source of protein)
• Whole grain breads
• Milk in moderation (substitute whole milk or 2% milk with either skim milk or 1% milk)
• Brown rice and pasta
• Lean white meats (chicken, turkey, tuna)

If you hate counting calories or Weight Watcher points to keep your weight under control, or if you are counting away so you can lose a few pounds, Stop. That is right, just stop. Every article you ever read talks about the importance of eating 3-5 small meals everyday as the key to keeping your weight under control. But finding healthy meals that are satisfying and different every day can be a challenge.

But you can win the battle of the weight with the help of a wide-variety of smoothie meals which offer vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants that are both flavorful and satisfying. But every day, more and more health-conscious people are adding smoothies to their daily diets. Smoothies can be used any time of the day; breakfast, lunch, mid-meal snacks, or dinner.

Smoothies will help you combine fruits and vegetables in a wide variety of tasty and flavorful combinations while also fulfilling many of the vitamins and nutrients you need for a meal plan that works best for you.

Regardless of your diet; be it a detox diet plan, protein diet plan, high, or low carb diet plan, smoothies can be seamlessly included in your diet. Simply mix the ingredients needed o help you manage your diet and keep your weight under control. You will find smoothies will give you the basis of a diet you can stick to because they are both delicious and filling. And you can try a new smoothie every day.

Don't worry if you can't imagine what to use, or where to start. Go to Best Fruit Smoothies to find a wide variety of smoothie recipes. The site posts a new smoothie recipe every weekday!

For those of you counting calories, try one, or both of these tomorrow: one for breakfast and one for a great afternoon snack

Apple Strawberry-Kiwi Smoothie

Combine in your blender

1 banana cut in chunks.

1 kiwi peeled and cut in 4 sections

1 cup of strawberries (if fresh about 4-6) You can also use frozen

1 cup of cold apple juice

1 Tbsp honey

Blend the ingredients until smooth. If you use fresh strawberries over frozen you might need to add a little more apple juice to reach the consistency you like best. Everyone in your family will love it. You can add a tsp of the chia seed Mila too, which will give you even more added vitamins and minerals. Please visit Mila Healthy Living for more information about Mila.

Apple Carrot Smoothie

Perfect for lunch or as an afternoon snack, this recipe is also a low calorie smoothie, perfect to keep your weight under control.

Before you can make this smoothie, take a bag of carrots cut the tops and scrub the skin. You do not have to peel the carrots. Boil about 1-2 cups of water, depending on the number of carrots being used and gently cook until the carrots are tender. Put the cooked carrots in the refrigerator to chill.

When it is time for lunch, in your blender mix

2 cooked carrots (chilled)

1 cup of cold apple juice

1 tbsp Chia seed (excellent source of additional protein including heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids)

This morning I stopped by my local farmers market for my bi-weekly fruit and veggie shopping spree.

I started shopping at the farmers market more often a few weeks back and I thought I might share the amount of money that can be saved by ditching the supermarket. When you eat local, you get a better selection, as well as better prices on most foods.

First off, here is what I spent on the items in the photo above:

1 seedless watermelon: $ 3

2 kiwi: $ .25 each, $ .50 total

12 banana peppers: $ 1

2 large avocados: $ 1

3 yellow squash: $ 1

1 lb. bag of spinach: $ 2

1 lb. strawberries: $ 1.75

1 lb. purple potatoes: $ 2

1 lb. green beans: $ 1.80

3 bunches kale: $ .50 each, $ 1.50 total

Total amount saved by deciding to eat local: $ 15.55

This is all from shopping on a Thursday, where I would estimate that 1/4 of the farms have their stands open. When you go on a Saturday morning, there are people everywhere yelling all kinds of deals and you actually get better prices. Last Saturday morning I got a cantaloupe the size of a medium pumpkin for $ 2, as well as 2 large pineapples for $ 1 total. As I was leaving last week, one man working a stand yelled "Hey man! Cherries! $ 1.50 a lb." I would have bitten on that sales pitch if it weren't for the fact that I had so many bags in my hands that I couldn't hold anymore.

When I got home today, I decided to go to the supermarket and see just how much money I actually saved by deciding to eat local.

Here are the prices at the supermarket chain for the same items I purchased, along with my total savings:

Seedless watermelon: $ 3.99 each, similar size: Savings = $ .99

Kiwi: $ .50 each: Savings = $ .50

Banana peppers: Not sold at the supermarket except for in jars cut up. Savings = N / A

Avocados (smaller than the ones I purchased) 4 for $ 5 = $ 1.25 each: Savings = $ 1.50

Yellow squash: $ 1.49 per lb. (Three weighed 1.4 lbs) = $ 2.22 for 3: Savings = $ 1.22

Spinach: $ 1.99 per lb. (This spinach looked much less fresh, but was cheaper): Loss = $ .01

Strawberries: $ 2.99 per lb .: Savings = $ 1.24

Purple Potatoes: Not sold at the supermarket: Savings = N / A

Green beans: $ 1.99 per lb .: Savings = $ .19

Kale: $ .99 per bunch: Savings = $ 1.47

My total savings today was $ 7.10.

To put these savings in other words, that is almost 50% of the amount that I spent on all of my fruits and veggies. That's $ 738.40 saved a year!

Remember above when I mentioned getting 2 pineapples for $ 1 last Saturday? Well, as I was leaving the produce area at the large supermarket, I noticed this: $ 3.99 pineapples!

Now that is an 800% increase in price over what I paid. I am not sure why the cost is so high, but it is clearly a total ripoff. I hope I have convinced you to at least go check out your local farmers market and see what kind of prices and selection they have. If I were paying the exact same price and not saving any money, I would still rather eat local from the farmers market. You are supporting small business by shopping there, and if you are a people watcher like me, there may be no place better to go.

If you are not sure where you nearest farmers market is, I found a great resource over at http://www.localharvest.org/ which shows where to go in your area, along with reviews so that you know what you are getting when you make the trip.

Happy shopping!

It is a common fact that poor nutrition can affect the way our body grows and retains our hair. Not eating a well-balanced diet packed with essential vitamins, minerals and proteins can contribute to baldness. Women, especially on crash diets or who suffer severe anorexia nervosa and bulimia may, experience a temporary (and sometimes permanent) loss in body hair.

Good nutrition is essential to growing healthy hair. As in every function of your body, there are certain vitamins and minerals that can aid the follicles to grow thicker, healthier hair. Keep in mind, however, that results may not be seen for 2-3 months after starting a new vitamin regiment due to the growing patterns of our hair. Here are some of the most common vitamins known to promote healthy hair growth:

Vitamin A – An antioxidant that produces healthy sebum in the scalp and can promote hair growth. It can be found in Fish liver oil, meat, milk, cheese, eggs, spinach, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, apricots and peaches. Recommended daily dose: 5,000 IU.

Vitamin C – An antioxidant known for its ability to help maintain skin & hair health. It is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, cantaloupe, pineapple, tomatoes, green peppers, potatoes and dark green vegetables. Recommended daily dose: 60 mg.

Vitamin E – An antioxidant that encourages scalp circulation thus increases blood flow to the follicles and increasing their ability to grow thicker, healthy strands of hair. It is found in cold-pressed vegetable oils, wheat germ oil, soybeans, raw seeds and nuts, dried beans, and leafy green vegetables. Recommended daily dose: up to 400 IU. Take Note: excessive use of vitamin E can raise your blood pressure and reduce blood clotting. People taking high blood pressure medication or anticoagulants should check with their doctors before taking these supplements.

Biotin – A mineral found in brewer’s yeast, whole grains, egg yolks, liver, rice and milk is known to help produce keratin in the body which may prevent graying and hair loss. Recommended daily dose: 150-300 mcg.

Inositol – Keeps hair follicles healthy at the cellular level and is found in whole grains, brewer’s yeast, liver and citrus fruits. Recommended daily dose: Up to 600 mg.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) – Promotes scalp circulation. Normally found in brewer’s yeast, wheat germ, fish, chicken, turkey and meat. Recommended daily dose: 15 mg. – not to exceed 25 mg.

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) – A vitamin that prevents graying and hair loss and is found in whole grain cereals, brewer’s yeast, organ meats and egg yolks. Recommended daily dose: 4-7 mg.

Vitamin B6 – Is known to help prevents hair loss, and maintain levels of melanin to prevent graying. Commonly found in brewer’s yeast, liver, whole grain cereals, vegetables, organ meats and egg yolk. Recommended daily dose: 1.6 mg. Warning: High doses of B6 can cause numbness in the hands and feet.

Vitamin B12 – Prevents hair loss and is most commonly found in chicken, fish, eggs and milk. Recommended daily dose: 2 mg.

Vaginal moisturizers have been developed to replace the natural moisture of the vagina. This moisture is needed by women to avoid the discomfort and pain felt during sexual intercourse, particular after reaching menopause, when the body fails to produce the natural moisture in sufficient amounts. These days, a large number of companies have come up with moisturizers to relieve the pain and discomfort caused due to vaginal dryness. These products need to be used few times a day, depending on how much vaginal dryness one is experiencing. 

Vaginal dryness often becomes a big problem, particular when a woman goes through menopause, due to lack of estrogen. Estrogen supports the production of vaginal moisture and help to maintain plumpness of vaginal lining, and elasticity of vaginal tissues. When estrogen level falls, the vagina loses its elasticity and the vaginal walls become dry and thin. Due to lack of moisture, the ‘friendly’ bacteria which keep the vagina acidic cannot survive, leading to threat of infections like thrush, leading to further discomfort and irritation. Since these changes make sexual contact extremely uncomfortable, all women look for ways to get rid of this dryness. This is where vaginal moisturizers come in. 

Vaginal Moisturizers v/s Vaginal Lubricants

These are not exactly the same as vaginal lubricants. Vaginal lubricants are generally used as aids for smooth sexual intercourse and work on short-term to help a woman lubricate the region. It is suitable for those who cannot produce enough natural vaginal moisture on their own. Vaginal lubricants help women engage comfortably in intercourse. On the other hand, vaginal moisturizers can be used by women of all ages without worrying about any side effects. The vaginal moisture of menstruating women also changes from time to time, depending on the hormones responsible for producing vaginal moisture. Many women experience vaginal dryness during menstrual bleeding. 

Which to Use?

Different brands are available over-the-counter, amongst which some of the good ones include Sylk, Yes, and KY Jelly. Sylk is a moisturizer made using kiwi fruit extract and should be avoided complete by those who are allergic to kiwi fruit. These moisturizers have non-sticky texture and feel much like the natural lubrication of the vagina. Some moisturizers can also harm the condoms, but water-based moisturizers like Sylk, YES, and Replens are not at all harmful.

Instead of the conventional breakfast why not try a smoothie? My recipe is simple, easy to make, and great for the health. Yoghurt is the base for it and the fruits involve low calories and low glycemic qualities. They replace breakfast cereals and morning snacks when done right and give enough energy to get you easily satisfied until lunch-time. The key is not to cheat by adding other things to the menu.

My recipe starts with a couple of tablespoons of an increased protein yoghurt. Yes, it is dairy but not as unhealthy as milk. It is also lighter in calories.

My selection of fruits is designed for taste and quality. They include strawberries; blueberries; kiwi fruit; apples; pears; passion fruit; and a banana. Usually four or five from this selection is enough. To this add one stick of celery, which is also low-calorie and good for the skin.

Whizz the mix until it is turns into a smooth consistency. Pour it into a large breakfast bowl and devour with a spoon. A hot cup of tea or coffee to follow after around 30 minutes to give the digestive juices a chance to do their work.

No weight loss is possible by diet alone because exercise is important. Muscles need to work and the body needs movement. Those who vegetate all day and do nothing but eat will always suffer from health problems. The heart muscles also need a good workout.

That's why I joined a gym and spend at least 30 minutes a day on the bike followed by a work-out on the other machines. Stretching the neck, back, and thigh muscles is a must. Balance is also important and if one can get some PT training through classes at the facility they are a good addition to the regime. Don't be put off by paying small fees as there is nothing more important than good health and keeping fit.

Find out what foods can help you feel better and live healthier.

There have been numerous studies which suggest that while supplements can prove to be very helpful, it is the foods providing those supplements that prove most beneficial. By eating whole foods and avoiding processed junk, you can improve your life expectancy, appearance, and mood. Here are some of the best health foods that you aren’t eating.

Algae

It’s safe to say that most people probably aren’t eating algae. There are many studies which suggest that you should, however. Spirulina is an algae that can be found in health food stores. The algae has been discovered to provide antioxidant benefits, and it also serves as an anti-inflammatory supplement. It has also proven good for the immune system.

Cloves

Cloves originate from Indonesia, and in all likelihood they were the first breath fresheners. A study conducted by the University of Oslo found that they contain more antioxidants than any of the thousand other foods in the study. They can be used as a spice, and are also known to reduce bloating or gas. They taste good when stewed with fruit.

Kiwi

The kiwi fruit is very high in vitamin C, which is well known to be very beneficial for your immune system. In addition to this, it is high in vitamin E, which improves the T-cell count of your body, another factor that is helpful for your immune system.

Cinnamon

This spice helps people with diabetes get their blood sugar back on track. It also works as an antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and it reduces your risk of blood clots. A quarter teaspoon is enough to cut cholesterol and triglycerides by as much as thirty percent.

Chocolate Milk

Okay, maybe this one is in your diet already. The good news is that it provides all the same nutrients as normal milk. At the same time, the amount of sugar is comparable to a glass of apple juice. There are sixteen nutrients in milk, and only two in apple juice.

Swiss Chard

This is great for making a healthy salad. It is high in cancer fighting phytonutrients and chlorophyll. A very large amount of the antioxidant lutein is present in the leaf as well, which fights blindness.

Flaxseeds

Just a tablespoon of flaxseeds provides 2.3 grams of fiber. Sprinkling it over cereal could provide you with more fiber than the entire bowl. Flaxseeds also contain lingans, which reduce the risk of hormone related cancers. It also works as an anti-inflammatory.

Red Cabbage

The color of red cabbage comes from high strength antioxidants known as anthocyanins. These natural chemicals may fight off cancer, diabetes, and hardening of the arteries, and improve brain function and neurological functioning.

Passion Fruit

This fruit is filled with edible seeds and a tart pulp. It contains a great deal of fiber and antioxidants. The plant sterols are also good at reducing cholesterol. Large amounts of vitamins C and E are present in the fruit as well, making it excellent for your immune system.

Oats

A soluble fiber that is found in oats has properties which lower cholesterol and blood pressure. A cup and a half of oatmeal a day has been shown to lower the amount of cholesterol in the blood by five percent. Your risk of a heart attack drops by ten percent.

If you want to have a beautiful skin, improve your brain, sleep well, have joint health, great vision and lose weight look no further than Omega 3 Oil.

Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid made of docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, both are essential for our good health.

Those essential fatty acids are located in every part of our body, in the tissues of our eyes, nerves and brain. Our body needs large amounts of fatty acids for our immune system but it can not produce it so we have to get them from our diet.

Unfortunately nowadays we eat a lot of processed food and snacks that are full of sugar and have very low in Omega 3. You can find omega 3 in salmon, trout, walnuts, mackerel and flaxseed.

How our Digestive System Controls our Immune System

The bacteria in our digestive system helps to protect our health, but it also has the important role to control our immune response.

There are 2 main ways bacteria fight bugs: by Strengthening the gut wall, Producing antimicrobial chemicals and Regulating inflammation.

The bacteria in our digestive system influences the level of inflammation in our body. We have good and bad bacteria in our bodies and the balance of those controls our inflammation and immunity.

Keeping a Balance

However in our modern way of life we consume a lot of processed food, snacks, alcohol, a lot of sugar, we are stressed and take many medications all of those impacts the balance in our body, making bad bacteria to grow up and harming good bacteria. This impairs our immune function, affects negatively our digestive system and promotes inflammation.

Let See How You Can Build Good Bacteria

With a quality supplementation you can build good bacteria to improve the balance of your digestive system. Vegetables, fruit and whole grains promote the growth of good bacteria.

Kiwifruit

Kiwifruit is a natural immunity and digestion super food which also keeps a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Kiwifruit contains Vitamin C, soluble fibers and pre-biotics which is a fantastic combination for the immune system.

But be aware that most kiwifruit available in the supermarket is artificially ripened to improve its shelf life and this affects kiwifruit efficiency. You will also need to eat the whole kiwifruit with its fuzzy skin, seeds and flesh to receive all of its health benefits. That is why is very convenient to take a kiwifruit supplement.

Make sure that you get a natural supplement that contains omega 3 fatty acids and you will experience all its amazing benefits, improve your immune system and feel healthier.

Fecal body odor is a horrible and hugely stressful issue for those who have it. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a simple case of bad hygiene. As those who contend with this issue will tell you, we can take a thorough shower, scrubbing every part of ourselves, step out of the shower, dry off, and still have an unpleasant, fecal odor about ourselves. It is enough to drain the self-confidence of anyone, and sends many into depression. This is why finding a cure for this problem is so very important to those who suffer from it.

Many folks with fecal body odor notice this early on, but just in case it has yet to become evident to you I will state it here: covering this smell will not work. There is no deodorant, body wash, perfume, cologne, after shave, shampoo or similar product that will remedy true fecal body odor. If you are trying to cover it with any of these (or anything similar), do yourself a favor and stop wasting money on such products. This is almost always an internal problem, and can only be resolved with products or processes which treat the issue from the inside out. The five most successful such treatments are as follows:

5. Herbals: Cayenne and goldenseal are the most widely recommended herbs for combating body odor, and some fecal body odor sufferers have reported very good results with them, both separately and in combination. Try goldenseal alone first, and if that does not produce a measurable improvement, add the cayenne as well (be sure to purchase a commercially prepared cayenne supplement, however; some have made the mistake of preparing their own, and learned the hard way that cayenne seeds can be toxic). Most people tolerate both goldenseal and cayenne very well, though neither is recommended to be taken over a prolonged period. Still, supplementing with these herbs may make it possible to restore balance to your system, and enable you to eventually discontinue their use. Please also note: if you are allergic to latex, bananas, kiwi, chestnuts or avocado, you may also react poorly to cayenne.

4. Chlorophyll tablets: Chlorophyll is the pigment which gives plants their green color, and chlorophyll tablets are simply made from this extracted pigment. While chlorophyll alone is, on rare occasions, sufficient to treat the problem, most people reported that chlorophyll tablets produced an even more noticeable reduction in their unpleasant odor when used in conjunction with other products and processes.

3. Zinc supplementation: Again, not usually a solution by itself, but coordinated with other methods zinc is reported to bring perceptible relief to sufferers of fecal body odor. If you choose to try this type of supplementation, however, be certain to purchase a zinc supplement which also contains a balancing dose of copper. This will prevent the zinc from lowering your copper to an unhealthy level (which can easily contribute to anemia and other undesirable side effects).

2. Probiotics: These are currently a popular product being touted as able to restore normal bowel movements. What fecal body odor victims have discovered, however, is that their use can also help alleviate the symptoms from which they are suffering. Probiotics work by restoring balance to your “intestinal fauna,” which is just a fancy way of saying the bacteria and other organisms living in your gut. When these organisms are out of balance, their waste products can have a terrible odor and that smell, because it is contained within your body, must find somewhere to escape, leading to not just body odor, but unpleasant flatulence as well. Probiotics come in many different forms, from yogurts to capsules to tasty drinks, so there is sure to be a type that suits you.

1. Colon cleansing: This is a common treatment for many ailments, including irritable bowel syndrome, obesity and various types of toxicity, including those which may be causing your fecal body odor. There are two types of colon cleansing: dietary and hydrotherapy. It is recommended that if you wish to attempt dietary colon cleansing that you consult with your medical practitioner so that you may do it safely. Usually, however, it involves some sort of fasting, as well as intake of specific foods and juices which are high in fiber, since fiber has an effect of “sweeping” the residue of other foods out of the intestinal tract, much like a broom. Colon hydrotherapy must be performed by a trained professional with special equipment, and uses water to directly flush toxins out of the colon.

If you have the opportunity to travel to the Amazon region of South America, you must take advantage of the exotic, amazing cuisine indigenous to the area. Amazon fruits, in particular, are especially delicious when served fresh or incorporated in a variety of meals and desserts. If you thought these tropical areas were all bananas and mangoes, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Many of these fruits are available only in South America, unless one can find imports at specialty shops. Before you go shopping, however, be sure to know which fruit is which, how they are served and how you can enjoy them. Here is just a small sampling of what awaits you in the glorious Amazon region:

Pupunha: this is a small, conical shaped fruit that ranges from yellow to reddish orange in color. Pupunha grows on tall palm trees and contains a single, large seed within its edible pulp – very much like a peach. This fruit is rich in Vitamins A and C, and may be cooked or eaten raw.

Tucumã: on the outset, this fruit may resemble a persimmon in size and color, which varies from yellow to dark red-orange. Like persimmons, the fruit’s flesh is thin, but the flavor is quite unique. Tucumã contains a great amount of Vitamin A, more than the average avocado.

Pitomba: this tangy fruit is popular in area farmer’s markets and known for its golden pulp and tart flavor. Pitomba is traditionally used to make jams and jellies, and the flavor is also used in popular soft drinks in the region.

Cupuaçu: this fruit bears a similar look to the kiwi with its brown, fuzzy exterior, but in actuality it is closer to cacao in flavor. In fact, cupuaçu is often used as a substitute for cocoa in local recipes. Cupuaçu is used primarily in dessert and other sweet items.

Açaí: this may be the best known of the Amazon region fruits, as there is a visibility for acai in America. Açaí is a small, purple berry found on rainforest palm trees, and the pulp and juice are used for a variety of purposes. Look around Brazil and you will find Açaí juice drinks, soft drinks, protein bars, candy and entrees topped with the pulp. It is not recommended to eat the berries straight from the tree, but when enjoyed Açaí provides the body with vitamins and antioxidants.

From the healthful properties of Açaí to the sweetness of Cupuaçu, South America offers visitors an array of exotic fruits to enjoy. Try some on your next trip.