Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals are substances whose main function is to prevent disease and improve the immune system.

Food sources of phytochemicals are:

-Onion, garlic, and chives; cooked onions, garlic and chives have no value beyond adding taste and smell to foods.

-Soybeans such as tofu, and soymilk; these are good sources for snacks.

-Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, watercress and bok choys are a source of fiber and cancer fighting agents.

-Phenolic acids; such as tomatoes, carrots, citrus fruits, whole grains and nuts (carrots are high in sugar).

-Poly-phenols, Flavanoids such as black, green, and oolong teas, onions berries, peppers, eggplant, cabbage, soy, tomatoes, parsley, carrots, citrus fruits and broccoli.

Early Life Trauma

Trauma, particularly in early life, does not need to be very serious to affect you seriously. Sometimes the seriousness of the trauma is not comparative to the outcome. Two children who are raised in two different environments with the same type of trauma could be affected in a different manner in their adulthood. Even children who are raised in the same family can be affected differently by the same type of trauma. Genetic factors, resilience, and other environmental and supportive measures play a role in the outcome.

When you were in the womb everything was perfect and natural. Everything was provided promptly, you were attached to your mother and the environment was warm, cozy and comfortable. It is very difficult to have all of that outside the womb. This is the first major problem that you have to face. You do not need to experience major traumatic events in order to develop wounds. As an infant you are dependent and unstable, you have no control over your needs so you can be wounded very easily. AS a result of repetition you develop habits which continue throughout life to ensure your survival and protect you against the perceived threats.

Vitamins and Minerals

Although they do not produce energy, vitamins and minerals play a major role in the growth and development of the body, and the prevention of diseases.

Minerals are chemical elements used in the body to promote certain reactions and to form body structures. If we eat nutritious food, our bodies consume a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals to sustain life and prevent disease.

In general, during pregnancy there is an increased need for vitamins, minerals and iron. Vitamin deficiencies are more observable during pregnancy and have more sesrious consequences for the fetus. Neural tube defectsin hte first six weeks of pregnancy may cause anencephaly (no brain development), spinal bifida, and cleft palate. If you are a woman of child bearing age, 400 mg of folic acid daily is recommended. Witamin compounds are needed in only very small amounts in the diet to help regulate and support chemical reactions in the body. Diseases related to the vitamin deficiency are rarely seen in the Wst, or in developing countries and more often seen in under-developed areas around the world.

Basic Weight Gain Prevention

There are two basic preventive measures for prevention of weight gain and prevention of a variety of diseases and illnesses. In fact, they are so basic, that more often than not they have been ignored.

One measure is diet; eating nutritious food affects many aspects of your life. If you eat healthy and eat in moderation you can keep your weight in a normal range and control your triglyceride levels, lower your blood pressure, and ultimately have a productive life.

Some simple changes to your diet produce great results. You can lower your triglycerides dramatically by doing the following:
-Reduce your intake of starchy food, saturated and hydrogenated fat and use vegetable oil in cooking.
-Increase your intake of omega-3, fatty acid by taking supplements or eating salmon or adding flax-seed power to your salad.
-Increase soluble fiber in your diet.

Don't forget about your intake of vitamin C and E to reduce oxidation. Fresh garlic and onion can reduce stickiness in your blood and may help to increase HDL.