health tips

Unlocking the Power of Vitamin D: A Guide to Boosting Bone Health and Wellness Through Proper Consumption

Vitamin D is often known as the sunlight vitamin For bone health, it is very important for bone health that you consume it on a regular basis. It’s one of the 4 essential vitamins, and there are plenty of great sources of the vitamin which are available to you. The consequences of a vitamin D deficiency are very severe, meaning it’s important to consume it on a regular basis to maintain your overall health and wellness. Here are examples of sources of this essential and beneficial vitamin. The recommended amount of Vitamin D consumed on a daily basis is 400-800 International Units.

Milk

It’s widely known that milk is a rich source of Vitamin D. In one 8 ounce glass of milk, you’ll find approximately 110 International Units of Vitamin D. Consuming approximately 4-6 8 ounce glasses of milk per day will provide for the full amount of your recommended daily vitamin D serving. Milk also has calcium and other essential vitamins and minerals that benefit your overall health.

Fish

According to the USDA guidelines, Rainbow Trout is a great source of Vitamin D with over 645 International Units. This is followed by salmon at between 383-570, and a serving of only 3 ounces of either fish is able to suffice. Fish is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids which support heart health, and is also known for being a lean source of protein. Fish is the richest source of Vitamin D on the USDA guidelines list.

Orange Juice

Just one cup of orange juice has 114 IU of vitamin D! You won’t necessarily find vitamin D in cold-pressed orange juice because it’s not a natural part of an orange. Vitamin D is often added to standard orange juice before it is sold. This is the same size as a small glass. It’s very easy to get a large amount of your body’s necessary vitamin D when you wake up. Because fat is not required for absorption, orange juice is a great option for adding vitamin D to your diet.

Cheese

Just a tiny amount of cheese is packed with Vitamin D. Fortified American Cheese is another great source of Vitamin D. Just 1 and ½ ounces of cheese has 104 IU of Vitamin D. Naturally, cheese can contain up to 30 IU of vitamin D. Aside from being a rich source of Vitamin D, it’s also packed with other nutrients. These include Vitamin A and calcium, which is a critical mineral for bone health. Cheese is a great snack when you’re looking for a quick and nutrient-packed bite to eat.

Sunlight

Sunlight is another great way to get Vitamin D! This is a perfect option during the summer months. Sunlight also does not cost anything, which makes it an excellent option when the sun is out. Approximately 15-30 minutes of sun exposure per day will provide your body’s required daily amount of Vitamin D. During the winter months, or at times when it’s not possible to go outside – it’s important to supplement with additional Vitamin D.

Vitamin D is important for bone and immune health. Especially during the winter months, you may not be getting enough of it. That’s why it’s important to make Vitamin D a regular part of your diet.

November 13, 2023 by johnc Health Tips 0

How to Recover Faster from Your Home Workout with Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Recover Faster from Your Home Workout witRecover Faster With Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Nutrition is a part of overall health, and a great way to recover faster from your home workout is with anti-inflammatory foods. Here is a brief overview of the benefits of eating anti-inflammatory foods before or after exercise, as well as a few examples of foods with anti-inflammatory properties.

What are anti-inflammatory foods?

Anti-inflammatory foods are foods that have the ability to reduce or slow damage to your body caused by environmental factors, stress, and aging. Too much inflammation results in serious chronic diseases such as heart disease, liver disease, and diabetes.

Anti-inflammatory foods are typically antioxidant-rich sources of nutrition. Olive oil, vegetables, fish, and green vegetables are great examples of anti-inflammatory foods. These are able to have a very positive impact on your overall health and well-being.

1. Anti-inflammatory foods slow aging

Research demonstrates that inflammation in the body is a major accelerant of aging. This is due to damage caused by radical oxygen species in the body. In all parts of the body, including even the eyes, reactive oxygen species are demonstrated to cause inflammation and aging. A study looking at the retina has discovered that reactive oxygen species cause damage to the retina over time.

These anti-inflammatory foods work by restoring antioxidant activity and other critical components of overall health. Free radicals cause damage to DNA and living cells through chemical interactions. Anti-inflammatory foods have Antioxidants that are able to absorb these damage-causing free radicals to prevent further damage.

2. Anti-inflammatory foods are a mood booster

A significant component of mood is nutrition, as there is a clear link between nutrition and improved mood. Your intestines have receptors for serotonin, a chemical that your body uses in order to regulate your mood. When anti-inflammatory foods are absorbed by the intestines, your body’s serotonin levels get a major boost. As added evidence of the benefits of anti-inflammatory foods, processed foods have the opposite effect.

3. Anti-inflammatory foods help your body heal faster

Anti-inflammatory foods are great for helping your body counteract the effects of chronic disease. Inflammation is the body’s response to being injured. Over time, too much inflammation is what causes chronic heart, brain, lung, and liver diseases. Because anti-inflammatory foods support the immune system, this means that your body is able to recover quickly from illnesses or even exercise. Furthermore, anti-inflammatory foods are able to lower cholesterol levels.

As you know, exercise puts a lot of stress on the body. You are probably very familiar with the post-workout aches and pains that you may experience. The reason why you feel this way is because of the stress caused by exercise. Anti-inflammatory foods counteract these effects by reducing post-workout inflammation.

Citrus

Citrus fruits (Oranges, Limes, and Lemons) are a rich source of Vitamin C and other antioxidants. These vitamins are able to absorb the damage-causing free radicals. The Vitamin C found in citrus fruits is also critical to the functioning of your immune system.

Leafy Green Vegetables

Leafy green vegetables are always a very rich source of antioxidants. Kale is a widely recognized source of antioxidants. It is packed with Vitamins A, C, and K as well as carotenoids. Leafy green vegetables are always a great source of nutrition as natural superfoods.

Spices

Turmeric is another common source of antioxidants. As a spice, it’s known for its powerful free-radical absorbing abilities. It has also been demonstrated to improve memory and overall cognitive health on top of its antioxidant benefits

Incorporating antioxidants into your diet is the best way to improve your health. If you’re looking for a way to improve your nutrition and recover quickly from exercise – add antioxidants to your diet!

October 9, 2023 by johnc Health Tips obesity 0

Crushing Fitness Goals while at a Startup: Tips for Exercising Around Late-Night Schedules

Although you may be busy, it’s possible to exercise around your late-night schedule while at a startup! Although startups require a demanding work schedule, don’t let that deter you from getting the physical exercise that you need in order to meet your fitness goals. Exercise has a ton of both mental and physical benefits. You just need to be creative to ensure that you’re getting the right amount of exercise that you need. Here are a few tips to craft your workout routine around your busy startup schedule!

A few minutes at a time is better than nothing to exercise around your late-night schedule while at a startup

If you only have a few minutes each day, a little bit of physical activity can be better than none at all. A quick 10-minute jog outside, this will give you a quick boost of energy! You’ll also be able to have the cardiovascular benefits of increasing your heart rate. A 2011 study indicates that significant benefits in terms of better mood scores were demonstrated following a 10-minute jog. The outdoors, fresh air, and the burst of physical activity will help you gain more clarity and focus.

Stretching!

Stretching is always a great way to build your body’s core physical strength. It is a quick and easy exercise that you’re able to do at your desk. This study indicates that between 10-30 seconds of stretching is able to increase your muscular range of motion. If you don’t have time for a jog, then a quick stretch is the best option. Although you won’t be able to have the cardiovascular benefits of a jog, you’re still able to benefit from the muscular strength gains.

Deep Breathing

Looking for a quick way to improve your mental health? Try deep breathing exercises. These are fast, and are correlated with lower anxiety and stress levels. If you’re working a hectic startup schedule, these exercises can help you calm down. With 30 minutes per day of deep breathing exercises, 40 participants in a study in China displayed lower stress and cortisol levels following the end of an 8 week period. Deep breathing exercises are fast, and are great for releasing tension that you have built up.

Jumping Jacks

Jumping jacks are a great exercise for cardiovascular health. They are often part of a high intensity interval training program. Following a 20 minute, 4 time per week, 4 week series of jumping jacks and HIIT exercises, participants in a study showed lower stress levels and lower resting heart rate. This demonstrates that quick and simple cardiovascular exercises for a brief period of time on a daily basis can impact your cardiovascular health and overall stress level. The study recommended exercising within 64% to 94% of the recommended maximum heart rate for the most benefit.

July 29, 2023 by johnc Health Tips 0

How Can We Calculate BMI (body mass index) with Height and Weight

how can we measure bmi (body mass index) with height and weight

Curious on how we can calculate BMI (body mass index) with height and weight, as well as what it’s useful for? Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement which uses a person’s height and weight in order to determine the amount of body fat the person has. The idea is that a taller person that is heavier will have less body fat than a shorter person who is heavier.

Limitations of Using BMI – and How Can We Calculate BMI (body mass index) with Height and Weight

One of the most widely-known limitations of body mass index is that it does not take body composition into account. Suppose you have two people, one of them is named Jake and the other person is Ryan. Jake and Ryan are both 5 Feet, 8 Inches tall. However, Jake is heavier (at 190 pounds) than Ryan (at 170 pounds) although both have the same 30 inch waist size and height.

The reason behind Jake’s heavier body weight is that he has a different body composition from Ryan with more lean muscle mass. Ryan’s BMI would be 24.9, while Jake’s BMI would be at nearly 29. BMI measurements would classify Ryan as being of a normal body weight, while Jake would be considered Overweight. However, the reality is that Jake has more muscle mass than Ryan which is not accounted for in BMI.

Furthermore, BMI does not adjust for other factors that create explainable differences between body weight and height. Age and Gender are often common contributing factors as to why two people of the same height and even similar body composition would have different BMI indexes based on weight.

How To Calculate BMI (body mass index) with height and weight

BMI Is relatively easy to calculate with a simple formula. If you’re in the US and you are measuring in inches and pounds, do the following:

Multiply your weight in pounds by 703. If you weigh 170 pounds, 170 x 703 = 119510
Using your height in inches (remember, 1 foot is 12 inches), find the square of this number by multiplying it by itself. If you are 5 feet, 8 inches tall, you would use the number 68 and multiply it by itself = 68 x 68 = 4624
Divide the first number by the second, and you will get the number 25.84

Here’s how to interpret your BMI:

Less than 18.5 is considered underweight
18.5 to 24.9 is normal weight
Overweight is 25 to 29.9
Obese is anything over 29.9

What Can It Be Used For?

BMI can be a great measurement which allows you to more accurately determine whether or not you’re overweight or obese. It’s not an entirely accurate measurement of your level of health and overall fitness, but it’s a great starting point. You may want to assess your BMI in combination with your body fat level to make a more accurate determination as to whether or not you’re at a healthy body weight.

Conclusion

Don’t rely on BMI by itself to determine whether or not you’re overweight. Use it in combination with self-assessments of your own health.

August 18, 2022 by johnc Health Tips obesity Resources 0

US Obesity Epidemic – Why Is Obesity So Commonplace

Most likely, you are aware that obesity is a major problem in the US and even globally.

Obesity is a result of excess body fat. It leads to other serious health issues such as hypertension, heart disease and more.

Unfortunately, we often live sedentary lifestyles. This is also combined with high levels of stress that we encounter in our careers and day-to-day lives. The combination of these two factors lead us to consume too much food while getting not enough exercise.

Higher levels of stress trigger eating as a coping mechanism as this provides a quick release of feel good chemicals in the brain. With each dopamine release, a person is more likely to become addicted to this sensation caused by eating.

This is coupled with the fact that the unhealthiest foods are often the most affordable. Fast food restaurants can feed an entire family for very cheaply, while a healthier alternative is more or less not unaffordable.

The solution to avoiding obesity is simple:

Get regular exercise that will help you burn fat
Eat a balanced diet with a reasonable amount of calories
Avoid cheap, low-quality foods

It’s really simple and easy to avoid the challenges of obesity! By taking a few basic measures, you’re able to overcome many of the common risks.

May 11, 2022 by johnc Health Tips obesity 0