Saturday, July 9, 2011

Dreaming Able to Remove Traumatic Memories


According to recent studies dreaming is the body's natural mechanism to erase memories of unpleasant events or even traumatic.

Several studies have linked that 20 percent of our sleeping dream containing also called REM sleep. Dreams are something that is important in the functioning of human memory.

In a brain scan on the 35 participants revealed that people who sleep with a good quality to have brain activity of the amygdala is lower. Amygdala is associated with emotion, while the forebrain associated with rational thought.

Before the sleep study participants were shown 150 images designed to provoke an emotional response. Then half the participants were allowed to sleep soundly tonight. Apparently they are not sleeping too well remember the horror pictures ever.

Scientists think that chemical changes in the brain when a person is in REM sleep (dreaming) effect on memory.

"During REM sleep there is a decrease norepinephrine, brain chemicals associated with stress," said Dr.Matthew Walker, who conducted this research.

He added, when the brain reprocess the emotional experience, but in conditions of low norephinephrine substance, then the next day we'll wake up in the emotion that is lighter on the incidence of previous unpleasant.

"So we will feel more comfortable and able to face the unpleasant experience it," he said.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Complete Your Diet with Coloured Vegetables and Fruits



Fruit and vegetable intake are included in the group that should be consumed every day. Nutrition experts recommend that we consume at least five food groups every day in color, namely red, white, blue / purple, yellow, and green.
The resulting color of the plants showed the presence of certain phytochemicals are efficacious in the prevention of certain diseases. Therefore recognize the benefits behind the different vegetables and fruits because of different color properties.


1. Red
Red-colored fruits and vegetables rich in phytonutrients lycopene and anthocyanins, the natural pigment that gives color to this food. Lycopene, as found in tomatoes, guava or watermelon has anti-aging benefits and protection of cancer, particularly prostate cancer.
Anthocyanins, found in strawberries, red grapes, red apples or cherries, full of antioxidants that protect the body from the effects of free radicals. These compounds also help reduce the risk of heart disease and keep blood pressure under control. Recent studies indicate anthocyanins in cherry fruit contains anti-inflammatory that is useful for patients with inflammatory arthritis or gout.


2. Blue or Purple
Fruits and vegetables are  blue or purple
colored has fitokemikal such as anthocyanins found in blueberries, purple grapes and black currants, and also phenolik found in eggplant, prunes or raisins, contain powerful antioxidants.
Antioxidants in dark colored fruits and vegetables has been shown to slow the aging process, especially the risk of memory decline.


3. Green
The green color in vegetables and fruit due to the pigment chlorophyll. Lutein and zeaxanthin are two carotenoids found in yellow peas, spinach and other dark green vegetables. Both of these compounds is necessary to maintain eye health and reduce risk of cataracts.
Besides the green is also high in fiber and source of potassium, magnesium and folate are highly recommended for those who are planning a pregnancy.


4. Yellow or orange
Protect eye health and function with a regular power ingaat eating fruits and vegetables yellow or orange. Get also other benefits such as protecting the skin from the sun.
Citrus family is a source of vitamin C, antioxidants that will boost the immune system, protect against cardiovascular disease and rebuild collagen in skin. Vitamin C also helps absorption of iron. Yellow fruit is also rich in potassium are useful to prevent stroke and coronary heart disease.


5. White
Garlic, bananas, mushrooms, potatoes and cauliflower, belongs to a group of white-colored vegetables and fruits which we are familiar. The white color in this food come from antozantin, the type of flavonoids that have antioxidant properties.
The main advantage of the white group are lower risk of prostate cancer, enhance immune activity and are also rich in potassium

Saturday, July 2, 2011

Knowing More About Antioxidants



Certainly we have heard or read health articles in which there is the term "antioxidant", and of course the word is described as something that is beneficial to the human body, ranging from preventing aging to anti-cancer. But actually what is an antioxidant? What are its functions? And where we can get it? Here's the explanation.
Antioxidants are nutrients contained in foods that can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our bodies. When the body cells of oxygen mengguankan, naturally these cells produce free radicals that can cause damage that ultimately lead to cancer.

 
What are the Advantages of Antioxidants?
Antioxidants are nutrients naturally found in fruits and certain vegetables, and has been shown to protect human cells from oxidative damage and provide other advantages, among others:
• Strengthens the immune system to resist colds, viruses, and infections.
• Reduce the incidence of all cancers.
• Prevent the occurrence of glaucoma and macular degeneration.
• Reduce the risk of oxidation of cholesterol and heart disease.
• Anti-aging of cells and whole body.
What Are Types of Antioxidants?
Here are some types of antioxidants and a source where we can get it:


Vitamin A: fat soluble vitamin that is needed for bone formation, digestion, and eye health but it also can help the immune system and skin. Foods rich in vitamin A include, carrots, liver, sweet potatoes, apricots, oranges, mangoes, guava, papaya, milk, yogurt, and egg yolks.


Vitamin C: Vitamin is cleaning free radicals that are in an aqueous environment, such as inside the cell. Vitamin C works synergistically with vitamin E to eliminate free radicals. Vitamin C found in oranges, lemons, strawberries, tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli, and leafy green vegetables.


Vitamin E: Vitamin is also fat soluble it maintains cell membrane (which is mostly composed of fatty acids) from damage caused by free radicals. Another function of vitamin E is to protect the fat in the LDL (bad cholesterol) from oxidation. Nuts, grains, green leafy vegetables, vegetable oils, and liver oil, a diet rich in vitamin E.


Selenium: Selenium is a mineral that should be consumed in a measurable amount, because if in large doses can be toxic to the body. Foods that are rich in selenium, among others, fish and shellfish, red meat, eggs, chicken, garlic, and whole grains.


Beta-carotene: Beta-carotene is known as peluruh singlet oxygen (a form of oxygen that is toxic to the body) the best. In addition, beta-carotene is also a good cleanser, especially free radicals at low oxygen concentrations. Beta-carotene found in carrots, yellow and red peppers, broccoli, sweet potatoes, mangoes, and other types of fruit and vegetables.


Lycopene: As an antioxidant, lycopene is twice as powerful as beta-carotene in protecting white blood cells from membrane damage caused by free radicals. Lycopene may also reduce the risk of prostate and cervical cancer. In addition, lycopene may prevent heart disease by inhibiting oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Together with beta-carotene, lycopene is known to play a role in protecting the skin from damage caused by UV radiation. Foods that are rich in lycopene, among others, tomatoes, grapefruit, and watermelon.


• Lutein: Lutein is kartenoid in high concentrations in the macula of the eye (the back of the eye which became the retina), which is believed to filter out damaging blue light and protect the back of the eye from damage caused by free radicals. Lutein also helps prevent macular degeneration related to age, developmental glaucoma, and cataracts. Foods that are rich in lutein include dark green vegetables, like broccoli, kiwi, spinach, and brussel sprouts.


• Lignans: Foods that contain lignans found in flax seeds, oatmeal, and berley.