It is commonly observed that people whose diet is irregular, suffer through acid reflux problem. It is a prevalent issue in the digestive system where acids accumulate because of unhealthy eating habits and food contents. Mainly oily food, spicy agents, and acidic caffeine based drinks create excessive acids in the digestive tract which at a certain point cannot digest easily. Hence, a severe stomach problem people suffer is of a hiatal hernia. In this type of condition, the stomach’s upper portion presses upward through the diaphragm under the chest area. The main symptom one could face during the existence of a hiatal hernia is the acid reflux. Discomfort and pain caused after eating a specific type of spicy food items is another primary symptom of the respective condition. What are the food items to avoid? Therefore, a hiatal hernia diet should include non-acidic food preparations and liquid products. Some of the food items and ingredients are listed below: Garlic and onion:  Raw or cooked both are acidic. They should curtail in food preparations from the hiatal hernia diet plan. Citrus fruits: It is better to avoid citrus foods entirely such as oranges and limes entirely until acid reflux and discomfort last. Tomato-based food items: Pasta in red sauce, salsa, spaghetti sauce all have high tomato content and should not include in the diet plan. Fried and spicy foods:  Burgers, fried chicken, nuggets and food that is high in sodium and eliminated. Which beverages are not allowed in hiatal hernia diet? Anything which has acid and bubbles must be avoided. But to clearly understand what is not healthy for you at all, they are stated below: Wine, beer, spirit based drinks, and alcohol are not allowed Coffee filtered or non-filtered both avoided. Avoid caffeinated teas or ginger based tea preparation Seltzer water and soda drinks wholly banned for the hiatal hernia patients Whole milk which has a high-fat percentage and not pasteurized Symptoms of a hiatal hernia Hiatal hernia diet includes various food preparations that have low fat, few carbohydrates, and zero acidic contents.

Maintaining a healthy diet is more of a need than a norm in today’s age. The introduction of processed food and junk food to our diets has led to the onset of a plethora of diseases. While we can try to limit the amount of junk we eat, we hardly do so. Over 100 million citizens suffer from pre-diabetic conditions or diabetes. This number itself tells a tale. The sad thing is that this number is only expected to increase with time. Maintaining a healthy diet is a necessity to ensure the proper functioning of the body. It also helps to keep our skin healthy and glowing. While no one is telling you to quit eating junk food and processed food, there is a limit to everything. Following heathy diet plans is the norm of the day and it can do you a world of good to say the least. Here are a few of the best diet plans you must follow today, irrespective of you being a man or a woman. Healthy diet plans DASH Diet The DASH diet plan is one of the healthiest diet plans out there. Not only does it recommend eating certain food items, but it also recommends avoiding a whole host of unhealthy food items. This diet was initially designed to help people suffering from high blood pressure. It has caught on and is quite prevalent today. The diet includes eating a mix of fruits, low-dairy fat, whole grains, vegetables, and lean protein. You should also avoid eating food items having saturated fat, sugary beverages, sweets, harmful oils, and full-fat dairy. Try to reduce your sugar and salt intake as well to ensure that the diet is well-rounded and effective. The DASH diet truly is one of the healthy diet plans. Mediterranean Diet The Mediterranean diet is another diet that has become quite popular with time and it is used across the globe.

Aging is a natural process that affects all life. Although we can’t chase our youthful self as the years go by, we definitely would want to relive those early days. Most of us fantasize about looking younger than and search for ways to get that look back. Nowadays, you can find cosmetic surgeries and other methods like botox injections to look younger, but there are certain natural ways too. Diet based solutions can be very effective to get your younger skin back. Vitamins play a major role in aging, and you can find several vitamins that are used from ancient time for healthy and hydrated skin. There are numerous vitamins available in the market to help with the anti-aging process. This article highlights some of the most effective anti-aging vitamins that you should try now for beautiful, younger-looking skin. Vitamin E Vitamin E has a significant role, and it is often called as the dry-skin defender for its numerous benefits. If your skin is dry, you should consume proper foods that include Vitamin E. You can easily get it from your multivitamins, and there is no need to overdo it as a supplement. Vitamin E is an effective fat-soluble antioxidant that helps to regain the natural moisture, and your skin looks younger and hydrated. Nowadays, you can get many oils and creams enriched with Vitamin E, claiming to easily fix scars, stretch marks, and burns marks. Moreover, you can apply it to protect cell membranes and to prevent oxidative damage to your skin. You can find it in seeds and nuts, avocados, and wheat germ. Vitamin A Vitamin A is yet another anti-aging vitamin that you must have heard of. The effectiveness of this vitamin is very high when it comes to treating spots and wrinkles from different sources. Retinoids, which is a synthetic form of vitamin A, can help treat various skin disorders like rough patches, acne, and psoriasis.

Probiotics are living bacteria that are consumed by for their health benefits. There is hype in the use of probiotics as many people have received substantial health benefits like improved digestive systems and glowing skin. However, there are certain side effects to probiotics   that people have experienced. Before you buy and start consuming probiotics, do know about the potential side effects of this product. We have highlighted some these side effects to probiotics below: Troubled Digestion It may surprise you that the very product used for the betterment of the digestive system can also cause trouble to it. Unfortunately, some users have experienced it. The effect is temporary but increases the gas levels and bloating in the body. People who have consumed yeast-based products have suffered from constipation. These side effects are mild and slowly vanish with the continuous consumption of probiotics. You can avoid this side effect if you begin with taking small doses on slowly increase them as the days go by. This will make your body used to the dietary product and there is a chance that there would not be any side-effects that you will experience. Skin Problems Intake of probiotics means you are taking biogenic amines in your body. This can cause acne and skin rashes. But this side-effect is not totally bad. This is because acne and pimples are caused to release the toxins from the body. But if the rashes remain for long and the pimples do not go soon, then this is the signal of allergic reaction that is one of the probiotics side effects. In such a situation, consult a skin specialist and immediately cease the intake of the probiotic product. Infection Some people have gone through serious infections with the intake of probiotics. The number of users who have experienced infections is few but they do exist.

Testosterone is a steroid hormone which is the main sex hormone in men. But females also have a small amount of it. These are produced in men’s testicles, and for women, it is in their ovaries. A small amount of testosterone is also produced by adrenal glands. The physical changes that experienced in boys during their puberty phase like the change in voice, hair growth, and muscle development are due to the testosterone hormone. Having an optimal level of testosterone during adulthood and old age is vital. Healthy levels of testosterone in adults are important for their body composition, sexual functioning, and for avoiding risks of diseases. In addition to that, increasing the testosterone levels helps you to gain muscle mass and vitality within weeks. Testosterone plays an important role in the well-being of female sexual and physical health. Making your endocrine system work properly helps in optimizing the performance and maintain a healthy sex drive. Following are some of the recommended herbs to increase testosterone levels naturally and to maintain a healthy endocrine system. Tribulus Terrestris Tribulus Terrestris is the most common herbs that help increase testosterone levels. It is found in almost all the supplements that are designed to boost the men’s hormones and increase the sex drive. Studies have shown that Tribulus increases the body’s production of luteinizing and follicle stimulating hormones. These hormones signal the testicles to produce testosterone. DHEA, another powerful androgen and precursor to testosterone, is also produced dramatically by Tribulus. Pine Pollen Unlike other herbs, this one increases the testosterone levels directly. Pine pollen is the only herb that provides the body with an externals source of testosterone and other phyto-androgens that supplement the body’s own production. It comes in powdered, tincture, and capsule forms. Among these, the tincture form is the most efficient and powerful in giving increased levels of testosterone.

Have you been battling with high cholesterol problems and are wondering how to lower LDL cholesterol levels? High cholesterol increases the risks of heart attacks and diseases. Although treatment may help improve your cholesterol levels, you still need to make essential lifestyle changes to boost the cholesterol-lowering power of the treatment. To help you make healthy lifestyle changes, some effective tips have been listed below on how to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Making some changes in the diet can help reduce the level of fat in the body and help enhance your heart’s health. The following changes can help you be on your way to having a healthy heart: Eliminate trans fats  – Often labeled as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, trans fats are used in store-bought crackers, cookies, cakes, as well as in margarine. They raise the levels of cholesterol in your body and that’s why most hydrogenated vegetable oils are not recommended for use when the LDL levels in the body are high. Reduce saturated fats  – Primarily found in full-fat dairy products and red meat, saturated fats can raise your cholesterol levels. By decreasing consumption of saturated fats, you will be able to reduce LDL cholesterol levels in your body. Increase the intake of soluble fiber  – Foods that are rich in soluble fiber are great at lowering cholesterol levels naturally. The soluble fiber reduces the absorption of cholesterol into the bloodstream. Therefore, consider eating more fiber-rich foods such as barley, yams, oats, sweet potatoes, oat bran, and other types of potatoes. Beans or legumes like black beans, peas, pinto beans, garbanzo beans, and kidney beans are also excellent sources of soluble fiber. Vegetables are also rich in soluble fiber so consider including beets, eggplant, carrots, okra, and Brussels sprouts in your diet. Some good fiber-rich fruits are oranges, passion fruit, berries, apricots, apples, pears, and nectarines.

A significant statistic was recently released on the number of Americans suffering from diabetes or pre-diabetes. Over 100 million Americans are suffering from one of these two conditions and this number is only expected to rise with time. Processed food and junk food does us more harm than good and sadly, many people do not know their limits. If you continue to consume junk foods, it will lead to weight gain and you might suffer from either high blood pressure or high levels of sugar in the blood. Why suffer from these diseases in the first place when you can control what you eat? Living a life dependant on pills and medications is not appealing and hence exercising and following a proper diet is essential. Of the many diet plans available in the market today, the 1200 calorie diet plan is quite popular and with good reason. In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of this diet plan and help you determine whether it is worth taking up or not. What is the 1200 calorie diet plan? The 1200 calorie diet plan is believed to be very effective when it comes to tackling weight loss. Our bodies require a certain amount of energy to function and in order to maintain a healthy look. We get this energy from the food items we eat and following an intake of just 1200 calories per day encourages the burning of stored fats in the body. Hence, this way, your body will lose weight while compensating for your limited calorie intake. While maintaining the requirement of nutrients, avoiding junk food and maintaining a lowered calorie intake, the body should respond well and help you achieve the weight you dream of. While this will take time, the method is spot on. The details of the 1200 calorie diet are given below:

Recently, there has been a lot of hype on the role of probiotics in promoting health. Almost everyone with a digestive problem is prescribed probiotics. They are essentially bacteria which are good for your health. Probiotics contain good bacteria that are very similar to the bacteria found in the human gut. Certain types of bacteria like lactobacillus and bifidobacteria are present in the intestinal flora and the gut lining. The lower digestive tract is home to complex and varied strains of healthy bacteria that are more in number than the cells in one’s body. These healthy bacteria help with digestion of food and also enhance immunity against infections. What are probiotics made of? They are foods that contain bacterial strains having similar properties as the healthy bacteria present in the intestinal lining. FDA regulations treat probiotics as foods and not medications. Probiotic foods Infection of the intestinal tract or consumption of an unhealthy diet that destroys healthy bacteria in the gut generates more “bad” bacteria than “good” bacteria. This imbalance may lead to weight gain, diarrhea, constipation, and other chronic health conditions. Probiotics are prescribed to restore the balance. Popular natural foods containing probiotics are as follows: Certain yogurts Yogurt is the most popular source of probiotics. Yogurt is known to ease out lactose intolerance. Other digestive issues like diarrhea, gastric trouble, and constipation can be eased out by consuming yogurt. Some types of cheese Fermented cheese like Gouda is loaded with probiotics. Compared with other types of cheese, Gouda cheese is robust enough to retain probiotics all through the journey from the stomach to intestines. Sourdough bread This bread packs consist of probiotics that enhance digestion. Sauerkraut The unpasteurized type of sauerkraut is the best way to retain good bacteria in sauerkraut. Pasteurization process kills the good bacteria, hence, unpasteurized sauerkraut is the best source of probiotics.

We all like living a healthy and happy life, and for that, we have to keep our body and health in good condition. One of the most important organs in the body is our heart. A healthy heart is indispensable for living life to the fullest. Apart from exercising daily, dietary habits are equally important to keep the heart healthy. One can include the following food items for a healthy heart in their diet as it will improve their overall health and not lead to any side effects. Following are some food items that are indispensable to a good and healthy heart. You must try and opt for the organic variants of these foods, if possible: Oatmeal: Gym-goers often opt for oatmeal because of its high protein content, and at the same time, it is also a good option for those people who want to keep heart-related problems away by staying fit. It is rich in soluble fiber which lowers the risk of cholesterol significantly. One can either add some sugar or salt to it or use some other spices for flavor. Berries: While most people know that blueberries are amongst the few food items that promote a healthy heart, only a few know that other berries like raspberries and strawberries are equally good. Consuming blueberries on a regular basis lowers the risk of heart-related problems by more than 30% in comparison to those who don’t consume berries at all. Dark chocolate: Most of us like eating chocolate. Only a few stay away from it, and that too, because of medical reasons. However, everyone needs to know that dark chocolate is good for the health of the heart. Dark chocolate has flavonoids called polyphenols which aid in maintaining regular blood pressure levels and prevent blood clotting. However, other types of chocolates such as milk bars do not provide the same benefits.

People with kidney disease need to evaluate what they are eating and impose certain restrictions on their diet. It is important to eat foods that do not stress out the kidneys. Avoid eating processed food items. Natural food items are best suited for the body. Try to avoid eating canned food as well. Organic food items may or may not have a higher nutritional value than standard food items, but they are devoid of pesticides and worth the shot. Organic food items are also devoid of GMOs and are a better bet in the long run. All in all, you need to maintain a proper diet for kidney diseases. Here are the tips to help you out. Protein Proteins are found in several food items like vegetables, nuts, seeds, dairy products, and meats. Your body needs protein intake to build red blood cells, hormones, and muscles. Try to incorporate a diet composed of proteins among other things. However, all the protein your body needs is 1 gram per kilogram of weight. Moreover, try to avoid eating too much meat as protein wastes are hard on the kidneys. Follow a moderate protein diet and try to eat more vegetables than meat. Watch your portion sizes and try to eat foods you like best. If you are on dialysis, your meal plan may change again as you will need to eat more protein to cover up for the protein loss during treatment. Maintaining a proper protein diet for kidney diseases is the key. Phosphorus When you are following a kidney disease diet plan, you have to limit your phosphorus intake. Phosphorus is found in poultry, fish, beans, dairy products, poultry, cola drinks, and nuts. The problem is that weaker kidneys have a difficulty in removing phosphorus from your blood. Your doctor may prescribe phosphate binders.