8 Foods to Make Hair Grow Faster

Just like the other parts of your body, a balanced diet is required to support processes that promote strong and vibrant hair. Whether the changes are good or bad, it usually takes a longer time for the effects to show up in your hair. The food and nutrients that you consume today help fortify the follicles and the scalp so you have longer and stronger hair in days to come. Nutritional deficiencies can lead to hair loss, dryness and a range of other hair related problems. Hair just like other tissues is made up of protein mostly and the secret to long and shiny hair lies in the food you eat. There are certain foods that can promote hair growth and in this article, we will take a look at 8 foods that can actually make your hair grow faster.

1. Salmon

Salmon is rich in Vitamin D and protein which are both important for strong and long hair. Salmon also contains Omega 3 fatty acids which is needed by the body to grow hair. The fatty acid helps keep the hair and scalp hydrated. Apart from salmon, fish such as mackerel, trout and herrings also contain good amounts of the fatty acid. Read more

10 Non-Dairy Foods Highest in Calcium

Calcium is one of the essential nutrients needed by the body. It is needed by almost every cell in the body in one way or the other. It is required for the health of your teeth and bones. However, it also affects your nerve function, muscles, hormones and the ability to form blood clots. According to research, calcium may help with problems such as weight gain, high blood pressure and PMS.

Calcium is stored in the bones which provide support to the body. But, when we age, the ability to absorb calcium from the foods we eat decreases. This causes the body to take calcium from the bones and over time, the aging process leads to osteoporosis which is a kind of bone disease where the bones become brittle and weak.

Dairy products such as milk and cheese are considered as good sources of calcium. But, there are a number of nutritionists and health experts who suggest that you should not be entirely dependent on dairy products to get all the calcium your body needs. There are some nutritionists who are against the use of dairy in diet. In fact, some nutritionists and health experts have reported that consuming calcium from dairy products alone can reduce its absorption. An average adult needs about 1,100mg of calcium per day and according to recent studies, only about 30 percent of calcium is absorbed by the body when it comes only from dairy sources. Read more

10 Best Foods for Brain Health

Eating well is not only good for your physical health, but your mental health as well. Just like other organs in your body such as lungs, heart and muscles, your brain also needs nutrients. There are many foods which can improve memory and support healthy cognitive function. So if you want to keep your grey matter happy and healthy, given below are the ten best foods that you should start including in your diet.

1. Blueberries

These tasty fruits can reduce the effects of Alzheimer’s and other age related conditions. They can also protect your brain from oxidative stress. In addition, including blueberries in the diet can improve motor skills and learning capacity.

2. Seeds and Nuts

Whether it is flax seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, cashews, almonds or walnuts, seeds and nuts provide Vitamin E which boosts memory and prevents cognitive decline as you age. Read more

Top 10 Foods Highest in Zinc

Your body needs vitamins and minerals and a healthy diet is one that contains most of the essential nutrients including trace minerals. A trace mineral is one that is needed by the body in small amounts, an example of which is zinc. Zinc is present in all the cells in your body and there are a number of reasons why it is important.

There are enzymes in the body and for them to function correctly, they need zinc. Zinc also keeps the proteins in your body stable. It helps maintain cell membranes and controls how the cells function. Zinc also plays an important role in the functioning of your nervous system. Aside from these, there are many other health benefits of zinc. These include fighting gastric ulcers, managing diabetes, reducing symptoms associated with sickle cell anemia, managing Wilson’s disease and treatment of acne vulgaris.

Because zinc offers so many health benefits and because it is an essential trace element, it is worth knowing which foods contains the highest levels of zinc. Here’s a look at the top 10 foods highest in zinc.

1. Beef

Beef is one of the easiest ways to get zinc into your diet. Although most other foods listed below contain more zinc than beef, it is not possible to eat much of those foods in a single sitting.

2. Spinach

Being a plant source, spinach contains good amounts of zinc and the best way to eat spinach is in a salad. You can even top your salad with other zinc containing foods to get more zinc in your diet. Read more

7 Foods To Fight PMS

Mood swings, anxiety, irritability, headaches and bloating are some common premenstrual symptoms. You may not experience all of them, but a single one can spoil your day. It is common to reach out for salty food to curb that craving or even get mad at your best buddy over a small thing. There are over-the-counter medications available to help find relief from stomach cramps, but did not know that there are certain foods which can actually help you during this time of the month. Let’s take a look at 7 such foods that can help fight PMS.

Low Fat Yogurt

Think of yogurt when you are craving for something filling. One cup of low fat yogurt can provide good amounts of calcium. Foods rich in calcium can actually lower the risk of developing PMS and this has been proven by a number of studies and researches.

Grilled Salmon

Omega 3 fatty acids can help overcome the blues that come along with your period and grilled salmon is one of the best sources of fatty acids. Read more