Is depression a kind of allergic reaction? Barely a week goes by without a celebrity “opening up” about their “battle with depression”. This, apparently, is a brave thing to do because, despite all efforts to get rid of the stigma around depression, it is still seen as some kind of mental and emotional weakness. But what if was nothing of the sort? What if it was a physical illness that just happens to make people feel pretty lousy? Would that make it less of a big deal to admit to? According to a growing number of scientists, this is exactly how we should be thinking about the condition. The basis of this new view is blindingly obvious once it is pointed out: everyone feels miserable when they are ill. It also looks a lot like depression. The answer to that seems to be yes, and the best candidate so far is inflammation – a part of the immune system that acts as a burglar alarm to close wounds and call other parts of the immune system into action. If that’s the case, prevention is probably the place to start.
5 Healthy Reasons to Eat Quinoa The United Nations named 2013 ‘The International Year of Quinoa’. In this way the grain’s nutritional potential and its raising worldwide popularity was recognized once again. Quinoa is the magic grain of South America. Originally, quinoa was roasted and made into flour, which served as a basis for traditional types of bread. Here are great reasons why eating quinoa is a good idea: Quinoa is high in antioxidants Antioxidant-rich foods protect you from many chronic and degenerative diseases (including cancer) by destroying free radicals, which can injure and kill healthy cells. When researchers analyzed different Andean indigenous grains, it emerged that quinoa had the highest antioxidant activity. Quinoa is a complete source of protein This characteristic made quinoa so popular among vegans and vegetarians. If you are looking for other vegetarian sources of protein – read my post about the following 13 surprising sources of protein that are completely meat free. Quinoa is rich in fiber
From inflammation to sickness and depression: when the immune system subjugates the brain 50 Smoothies : Recipes and Cooking 1. Banana Blend 2 bananas, 1/2 cup each vanilla yogurt and milk, 2 teaspoons honey, a pinch of cinnamon and 1 cup ice. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. New Research Discovers That Depression Is An Allergic Reaction To Inflammation New research is revealing that many cases of depression are caused by an allergic reaction to inflammation. Tim de Chant of NOVA writes: “Inflammation is our immune system’s natural response to injuries, infections, or foreign compounds. When triggered, the body pumps various cells and proteins to the site through the blood stream, including cytokines, a class of proteins that facilitate intercellular communication. It also happens that people suffering from depression are loaded with cytokines.” Inflammation is caused by obesity, high sugar diets, high quantities of trans fats, unhealthy diets in general, and other causes. By treating the inflammatory symptoms of depression — rather than the neurological ones — researchers and doctors are opening up an exciting new dimension in the fight against what has become a global epidemic. Eleanor Morgan of VICE adds: “Cytokines skyrocket during depressive episodes and, in those with bipolar disorder, halt in remission.
Eat a rainbow | Nutrition Australia Fruit and vegetables fall into five different colour categories: red, purple/blue, orange, green and white/brown. Each colour carries its own set of unique disease fighting chemicals called phytochemicals. It is these phytochemicals that give fruits and vegetables their vibrant colour and of course some of their healthy properties. What’s in a colour? RED Red fruits and vegetables are coloured by a natural plant pigment called lycopene. PURPLE /BLUE The plant pigment anthocyanin is what gives blue/purple fruits and vegetables their distinctive colour. ORANGE/YELLOW Carotenoids give this group their vibrant colour. GREEN Green vegetables contain a range of phytochemicals including carotenoids, indoles and saponins, all of which have anti-cancer properties. BROWN/WHITE White fruits and vegetables contain a range of health-promoting phytochemicals such as allicin (found in garlic) which is known for its antiviral and antibacterial properties. Fruit and vegetable colour chart rainbow poster.
Foods You Need to Eat More of If You're Over 40 As you get older, your body doesn’t work as smoothly as it once did. When you turn 40, you may notice your digestive system has slowed a bit. You might see the beginnings of wrinkles, and complications down the road, such as heart disease and dementia, may start to enter your mind. But a big part of combating these age-related issues is eating healthy. Blueberries | Eike Leppert/iStock/Getty Images Blueberries Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants. Next: Sprinkle some of this on your oatmeal. Cinnamon Cinnamon | Derkin/Getty Images Cinnamon has been shown to reduce blood sugar. Next: These nuts are tasty and healthy. Almonds Raw almonds spilling out | iStock.com/Elenathewise Almonds are an excellent way of getting protein if you don’t want to eat much meat. Next: Everyone loves the smell of this, but it also has great health benefits. Garlic Garlic | dulezidar/iStock/Getty Images Next: These are an easy breakfast — and a healthy choice. Eggs Eggs | katyenka/Getty Images Avocado Watermelon Beets
30 x De aller lekkerste manieren om meer groenten te eten Jij mag dan misschien al helemaal overtuigd zijn van het verwerken van zoveel mogelijk groenten in je gezonde maaltijd, maar met deze waanzinnige recepten kun je werkelijk iedereen de mond snoeren. We houden van onze veggies, en veel mooier gepresenteerd dan op onderstaande manieren kan het bijna niet. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.
How-to: Whipped Coconut Cream from Coconut Milk Things have been oh-so-creamy around my blog the past few weeks. Cream pies everywhere. And much chatter of coconut milk and all its glorious attributes and uses. But I was being a tad lazy when it came to my pies.. Why? Well, as you read in my recipes, I was simply giddy about the new product I discovered called "Healthy Top" - a cashew and coconut based whipped topping of sorts. Coconut Cream 101. Chilled can of coconut milk - the top layer of opaque "cream" - this is what you want to whip... Put to use: "Almost Tiramisu" Pie.. When I was little one of my favorite family recipes was an Easter cake called "Lamb Cake" I veganized the recipe a few years back: Lamb Cake Gone Vegan. Well until I discovered coconut milk cream, I never knew that the "whipped creamy frosting" thing could happen for vegans. How-to Make Whipped Coconut Milk Cream Coconut cream is best eaten right after it is whipped as it will lose some fluffiness if you stick it in the fridge to chill.