Foods which shouldn't mix with medicines

Bananas, kale, grapefruit, milk – these sound like the makings of a healthy diet, right? And indeed, for most people, eating plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and low-fat dairy is good for their health, while having a glass of wine or two or a cup of coffee is no drama either.

But what many may not know is that some foods interact badly with certain medications. This means your meal could end up reducing the efficacy of your drugs, or worse still, could become a health nightmare.

1. Coffee

Avoid if you take -Bronchodilators for asthma

These help patients to breathe more easily by relaxing the muscles in the lungs and widening airways. Common side effects of these include palpitations, nervousness and excitability. When mixed with caffeine these risks are increased.Too much caffeine can also limit their effectiveness in an emergency, so speak to your GP if you are taking them but need caffeine too.

2. Bananas

Avoid if you take - ACE inhibitors such as captopril, enalapril and fosinopril among others. ACE inhibitors lower blood pressure and treat heart failure by opening up blood vessels, so blood flows more efficiently.

Bananas (as well as oranges, leafy greens and certain salt substitutes) are high in potassium. Too much potassium can cause an irregular heartbeat and heart palpitations. Avoid eating large amounts of foods high in potassium if you're on ACE inhibitors, and tell your doctor if you're taking potassium supplements or diuretics.

3. Alcohol
Avoid if you take -Antihistamines, diabetes medicines or painkillers
Medicines often come with a warning to avoid alcohol. This is due to the pressure booze puts on your liver. Alcohol, paracetamol and codeine are metabolised by the liver and it will have to work harder to break down alcohol and medications at the same time. This can increase the risk of side effects from the medications, including drowsiness. Also, overworking your liver can eventually increase your risk of liver damage.

4. Grapefruit

Avoid if you take a range of medicines including some lipid-altering agents/statins which lower the rate of production of bad cholesterol – anti-anxiety medicine buspirone, the anti-malaria drug quinine, the antibiotic erythromycin, or triazolam – a medication used to treat insomnia.

Chemicals in grapefruit interfere with how your body metabolises certain drugs, which can result in more of the medicine ending up in your bloodstream. It can increase the chance of side effects if you're on the lipid-altering statins.

5. Milk
Avoid if you take -Antibiotics
Ciprofloxacin and tetracycline should be taken with a glass of water one hour before a meal or two hours after you have eaten.Food will interfere with the way these medications are absorbed by your body and dairy products, such as milk, will have the same effect. So while it might be tempting to take antibiotics with a glass of milk, don't.

6. Black liquorice

Avoid if you take glycosides like digoxin, which treat heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms.

Liquorice contains glycyrrhizin. Mixing digoxin with glycyrrhizin can cause irregular heartbeats and could even lead to a heart attack. Herbal liquorice extract can also interfere with a host of other medications including insulin, certain antidepressants, oral contraceptives, blood thinners, and some other medications.

Top 10 Anti-Cancer foods that helps you to fight against Cancer

An anti-cancer diet is an important strategy you can use to reduce your risk of cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends, for example, that you eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables daily and eat the right amount of food to stay at a healthy weight. In addition, researchers are finding that certain foods may be particularly useful in protecting you from cancer.

This article of the following foods and drinks helps you to fight against cancer:

1. Garlic

Garlic helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce insulin production. Low insulin levels in your blood cells helps to prevent tumor-growing cells. Garlic is known to reduce the risk for breast and prostate cancer. A phytonutrient in garlic called diallyl disulfide helps prevent cancer of the lung, skin and colon. Diallyl disulfide also helps to kill leukemia cells, according to Foods That Heal.

2. Broccoli

Broccoli is another plant that can help minimize the possibility of getting cancer. It contains several nutrients such as vitamins A and C, calcium, fiber and folic acid. The calcium content of broccoli not only builds strong bones but research has shown that it is also responsible for managing high blood pressure. Broccoli also contains two phytochemicals that are very crucial to our health. These chemicals are; Isothiocyanates and indoles. These enzymes increase the activity of various enzymes in our body that are known to suppress agents that cause cancer. Health organizations recommend the intake of broccoli several times per week and they are linked to low rates of cancer.

3. Beans

All beans contain compounds called protease inhibitors that help prevent cancerous cells from affecting nearby tissue. Phytochemicals in beans help to slow down or prevent damage to cells that cause cancer. Beans have been found to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, according to the Stanford Prevention Research Center.

4. Turmeric

Turmeric is widely used in India for cooking because of its flavor and the yellow color that makes food look appealing. It is also used to make mustard and to add color to cheese and butter. Turmeric has been used for the treatment of various health conditions for over 4,000. Studies reveal that turmeric may be useful against multiple infections and certain types of cancers, treat problems of the digestive system and reduce inflammation.

5. Grapes

The skin of red grapes is a particularly rich source of an antioxidant called resveratrol. Grape juice and red wine also contain this antioxidant. According to the National Cancer Institute, resveratrol may be useful in keeping cancer from beginning or spreading. Lab studies have found that it limits the growth of many kinds of cancer cells; in men, moderate amounts of red wine have been linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer.

6. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are the primary source of lycopene which is an antioxidant that makes tomatoes red. It is also known to protect cells and the DNA from being damaged. Approximately 10,000 deaths occur every year in the UK due to prostate cancer with around 35000 cases of new infection. Studies have revealed that men who have a high intake of tomatoes are less likely to get prostate cancer.

7. Carrots

Caretenoids, which include beta-carotene that gives carrots their color, are responsible for the anti-cancer action it has in your cells. Falcarinol is an anti-cancer compound in carrots that is more effective when carrots are cooked whole instead of sliced. Other anti-cancer properties in carrots are known to reduce your risk for cervical, bladder, colon and breast cancer in post-menopausal women, according to Foods That Heal.

8. Green Tea

Green tea is said to be very beneficial to our health because it contains nutrients and antioxidants; That have very influential effects to our body. It not only improves the functioning of the brain but it also helps in weight loss and reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, such as; Prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. Research also highly advises people not to put milk in their tea as this could decrease the value of the antioxidants.

9. Whole Grain Foods

According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, whole grains contain many components that might lower your risk of cancer, including fiber and antioxidants. A large study including nearly half a million people found that eating more whole grains might lower the risk of colorectal cancer, making them a top item in the category of foods to fight cancer. Oatmeal, barley, brown rice, and whole-wheat bread and pasta are all examples of whole grains.

10. Bok Choy

It is a cruciferous vegetable, and it is a staple food in Asia. It belongs to the Genus Brassica, and it’s juicy and tasty stalks. Its leaves are very popular in the western world. it is rich in vitamins C and A, minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients and antioxidants. Antioxidants such as indole-3-carbinol, thiocyanates, zeaxanthin, isothiocyanates, and sulforaphane. In addition to vitamins and fiber have been found to prevent certain cancers of the colon, prostate, and breast. Besides cancer prevention, they also help to reduce the level of LDL in the blood.

Top 10 healthy vitamin D rich foods

Although we can find many foods in the supermarket that have been fortified with a synthetic form of vitamin D, there are only a select number of foods that naturally contain vitamin D. Normally, the human body makes its own vitamin D; exposure to sunlight is the catalyst for the synthesis of this hormone in the skin. But today, many people spend countless hours indoors, and exposure to the sun is limited. This fact may be a root cause of many ailments, including a depressed mood and weak bones. With age, bones can become weak and thin. Although you can’t turn back the hands of time, good nutrition is one of the best ways to encourage your body to be its best. Vitamin D is one nutrient in particular that supports normal bone density and strength.

Let's take a look at top 10 healthy vitamin D rich foods:

1. Sunlight

Sunlight spurs the body to make vitamin D. But because of the skin-cancer risk, there isn't an official recommendation to catch some rays. However, a small amount of sun exposure without sunscreen can do the trick. "If you're going to get it from the sun, about 20 to 25 minutes of exposure is helpful," says Stephen Honig, MD, director of the Osteoporosis Center at the Hospital for Joint Diseases, in New York City. The sun is less likely to provide your daily needs at higher latitudes, in the winter, or if you're older or dark skinned (skin pigment blocks light and the process is less efficient with age). And FYI: Light through a window won't work.

2. Mushrooms

Mushrooms are, in fact, the only plant source containing vitamin D. This genius grows in sunlight and is great at absorbing sunlight as well, making it a good vitamin D source. Mushrooms are also rich in B-complex vitamins like B1, B2, B5 and minerals like copper. The amount of vitamin D in mushrooms varies according to the type and variety. Shitake mushrooms are considered as the best source of vitamin D among all mushrooms. Always choose mushrooms that are dried in natural sunlight and not by artificial means.

3. Salmon

Salmon has a high fat content, which makes it an excellent source of vitamin D. Around 3.5 ounces of salmon will provide you with 80% of the recommended dietary amount of vitamin D. The key is to get salmon that has been caught in the wild or is sustainably farmed. Alaskan salmon contains 5 times more vitamin D than Atlantic salmon, which makes it the better choice. Half a fillet of sockeye salmon contains 1400 IU of vitamin D, which is twice the recommended amount you need for a day.

4. Herring

Herring fishes contain a significant amount of vitamin D as they feed on plankton, which is full of vitamin D. These shiny gray fish are consumed pickled, smoked or creamed. Herring contain healthy fats and other important nutrients, which make them a wise addition to your diet. They are also an excellent source of protein, which promotes muscle development, and contain high amounts of vitamin B12, selenium, phosphorus, calcium, and iron.

5. Sardines

Sardines are becoming more and more popular due to their amazing health benefits. They are one of the best sources of vitamin D. Just a small amount of sardines will fulfill 70% of your recommended dietary allowance of vitamin D. This fish offers 270 IU of vitamin D per 100 grams. They are also a great source of vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and selenium. The high omega-3 fatty acid content contributes to better bone health, lowers cholesterol, and reduces inflammation.

6. Canned tuna

Three ounces of tuna provides 50% of the vitamin D your body needs. Fresh and wild-caught tuna is the most nutritious. Moreover, eating oily fish that lubricates the body also provides other health benefits like better memory and proper brain function. Light tuna has the maximum amount of vitamin D, and it has lesser mercury than white tuna.

7. Cod liver oil

While its name might suggest a less-than-savory flavor, cod liver oil is often flavored with mint or citrus, or comes in capsule form. One tablespoon contains about 1,300 IUs of vitamin D, which is more than twice the recommended dietary allowance of 600 IUs per day. That amount doesn't exceed the maximum upper-level intake of 4,000 IUs for people over 8 years old, but it exceeds the daily maximum for infants (1,000 IUs).

8. Fortified milk

Almost all types of cow's milk in the U.S. are fortified with vitamin D, but ice cream and cheese are not. In general, an 8-ounce glass of milk contains at least 100 IUs of vitamin D, and a 6-ounce serving of yogurt contains 80 IUs, but the amount can be higher (or lower) depending on how much is added. Some soy and rice milks are fortified with about the same amount, but check the label since not all contain vitamin D.

9. Orange juice

Not a dairy fan? No problem. You can get vitamin D from fortified orange juice. One 8-ounce glass of fortified juice usually has around 100 IUs of vitamin D, but the amount varies from brand to brand. Not all brands are fortified, so check the label. Two fortified brands, Florida Natural Orange Juice and Minute Maid Kids+ Orange Juice, contain 100 IUs per 8-ounce serving.

10. Eggs

Eggs are a convenient way to get vitamin D. They're popular in many breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert recipes. Since the vitamin D in an egg comes from its yolk, it's important to use the whole egg—not just the whites. One yolk will give you about 40 IUs, but don't try to get your daily vitamin D just from eggs. One egg contains about 200 milligrams of cholesterol, and the American Heart Association recommends consuming no more than 300 milligrams a day for heart health.

11. Fortified cereal

If you're a vitamin D seeker looking for a crunch, look no further than fortified cereals. Choose a low-calorie fortified cereal like Multi Grain Cheerios to get part of your daily fill of vitamin D. You can pair it with fortified milk and a glass of fortified OJ too. A 1-cup (29 gram) serving of Multi Grain Cheerios with one-half cup of fortified milk is 90 IUs; add in an 8-ounce glass of fortified orange juice, and your total is close to 200 IUs.

12. Butter

Good news for all the butter enthusiasts! While it is typically frowned upon by dieters, this ‘fatty’ food is known to contain a small amount of vitamin D. Butter is saturated fat, and it is essential to aid the absorption of antioxidants and vitamins by the body. It also assists in the absorption of vitamin D obtained from other sources. Always remember that quantity is the key. Don’t go overboard with butter. When consumed in moderation, it can actually be a healthy addition to your diet.

10 Foods that can help you sleep better

Some people have trouble falling asleep. Others can’t stay asleep. And then there are the people who have trouble turning life “off” and tucking into bed at a reasonable hour.
Whatever the reason, we’re not alone—more than 50 million Americans don’t get enough shut-eye. Yet the health benefits of a good night’s rest are countless: sleep helps keep you happy, your brain sharp, your immune system strong, your waistline trim, your skin looking youthful—and lowers your risk of high blood pressure and heart disease.

Let's take a look at 10 foods that can help you sleep better:

1. Cherries

Grab some fresh cherries or a glass of cherry juice before bed, and you can start catching Zs in no time. Researchers have found drinking tart cherry juice right before bed helps you fall asleep. Some studies suggest it is more effective than taking melatonin supplements.

2. Milk

A glass of warm milk before bed has long been thought of as the ultimate sleep remedy. Since calcium promotes relaxation and has a calming effect on the body’s nervous system, try drinking milk or a non-dairy milk substitute that’s calcium-fortified before you start your nighttime routine.

3. Fish

Most fish—and especially salmon, halibut and tuna—boast vitamin B6, which is needed to make melatonin (a sleep-inducing hormone triggered by darkness), according to an article published in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Everyday Health recommends a 3-ounce serving of fish at least two times per week to aid in restful sleep.

4. Jasmine rice

When healthy sleepers ate carbohydrate-rich suppers of veggies and tomato sauce over rice, they fell asleep significantly faster at bedtime if the meal included high-glycemic-index (GI) jasmine rice rather than lower-GI long-grain rice, in a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. While the authors aren’t sure how it happened, they speculated that the greater amounts of insulin triggered by the high-GI meals increased the ratio of sleep-inducing tryptophan relative to other amino acids in the blood, allowing proportionately more to get into the brain.

5. Bananas

The magnesium and potassium in bananas serve as muscle and nerve relaxants. Dudash says that the vitamin B6 found in the fruit also converts tryptophan into serotonin, increasing relaxation even more.

6. Oysters

Oysters contain a sleep-inducing mixture of zinc, iron, magnesium, and vitamin B11. According to Livestrong, oysters are the best food source of magnesium and zinc. A 3-ounce portion of cooked oysters provides 19% of the daily recommended amount of magnesium and well over 1,000% of your RDA of zinc.

7. Herbal tea

No surprise here, but herbal tea has tons of snooze-promoting properties. "Chamomile tea is excellent for calming nerves before bedtime," says London. "It's also hydrating and stomach-soothing, same as ginger tea."

8. Kiwi

A study from Taiwan’s Taipei Medical University found that eating two kiwi fruits around an hour before bedtime had surprising results. Psychology Today reports that study participants fell asleep more quickly, with a decrease in falling-asleep time of 35.4 percent. They also slept 28.9 percent more soundly and slept better, with a 42.4 percent improvement on a standardized sleep quality questionnaire. Overall, total sleep time for the study subjects increased by 13.4 percent.

9. Almonds

A study published in the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine found that if the body is suffering from low levels of magnesium, sleep problems often ensue. The National Institutes of Health lists almonds as the number one source of magnesium; adding almonds to your diet is good all around, but may be especially good for boosting some shut-eye.

10. Peanut butter

Peanut butter also pack in filling protein too. Spread it on graham crackers, a banana or that sweet potato toast. Again, keep your dollop under a tablespoon so you're not feeling too stuffed before heading to bed.

10 best energy boosting foods

Energy boosting foods – When you wish to get loaded with full energy at work it is must that you must eat nutritious food. It’s high time to give a revamp look to your lunch box.

Let's take a look at 10 best energy boosting foods:

1. Nuts

By eating raw, unsalted nuts your body is provided with a high-energy boost packed with nutrients and free from any form of processing. If possible, try and soak your nuts overnight in water to activate them. Activated nuts starts the germination or sprouting process, increasing the nutrient value of the nuts and allowing the body to more easily digest them. Try my Sweet Spiced Nuts from my book Eat Clean, Green and Vegetarian.

2. Yogurt

Include a dab of characteristic goat's drain yogurt to your breakfast, most loved plate of mixed greens or over the following curry you make to get an awesome increase in calcium and gigantic measurement of probiotics. Probiotics are the great microscopic organisms found in yogurt with can encourage changes in the microflora of the gut and upgrade the body's safe framework. Probiotics help to keep your gut sound, aiding assimilation, which thusly prompts you getting the greater part of the sustenance you devour and battling exhaustion.

3. Salmon

Salmon is packed with omega-3 fatty acids which have been found to help lower cholesterol, potentially reducing your risk of heart disease. Not only is it great for the heart, salmon is high in protein, vitamin B6, niacin and riboflavin. Don’t worry if you don’t have a clue what these last few are. Basically, they help to convert food into energy - giving you a healthy wake up call when you think you are going to fall asleep at your desk.

4. Mushrooms

One cup of mushrooms gives very nearly 50 for each penny of your day by day serving of iron - which is fundamental in transporting oxygen inside the circulatory system. Without a productive oxygen supply to our real organs, we can frequently feel exhausted and torpid. Devouring mushrooms will support the level of iron in your body, boosting the phones inside the bloods capacity to transport oxygen around our body and fuel our organs to work adequately.

5. Spinach

Spinach is extremely high in iron, magnesium and potassium. Magnesium plays a vital role in producing energy, and paired with potassium enables effective digestion in the stomach and the regulation of nerve and muscle function. Add some fresh spinach to your favourite salad, or serve it wilted with some eggs for breakfast. If you think you have enough spinach, think again Just keep adding it!

6. Pumpkin and Sunflower Seeds

Snack on a quarter of a cup of pumpkin seeds and you will get about a large portion of the day by day prescribed measure of magnesium. Like in spinach, magnesium helps in bone, protein and unsaturated fat arrangement, unwinds muscles and keep up sufficient calcium levels.

7. Sweet Potatoes

My favourite source of carbohydrate, sweet potatoes, contain iron, potassium, magnesium, vitamin C and vitamin D - all of which help to increase energy levels and stop your from feeling tired. Sweet potatoes are hugely versatile and you can enjoy them mashed, grilled, steamed, roasted, in a salad, by themselves or in a curry.

8. Water

Without water there would be no life. Sorry to sound so gloomy! Yet, water is certainly the most fundamental substance on earth and is basic for human to work consistently. Water is expected to help convey supplements and oxygen to cells, both of which if are in low supply can prompt exhaustion and sickness. By and large its suggested grown-up ladies have around some water every day and men roughly ten glasses for each day. One great approach to guarantee you are getting enough water into your eating regimen is having a glass before each dinner.

9. Dark Chocolate

Work could sometime lead to stress. Anxiety or stress could cause lot of hectic resulting in weight gain. The ingredients present in dark chocolate will boost up your energy and mood.

10. Eggs

Gone are the days of limiting your intake to six eggs per week - I say eat eggs until the cows come home. Eggs are the highest source of complete protein with eggs providing an impressive 30 per cent of your daily requirement. They are great to help after exercise to ensure your muscles can recover properly and your body feels fresh for the day ahead. My curried egg and walnut recipe combines the amazing protein benefits of eggs with the power of nuts. You could also add some extra spinach for some added energy.

7 Foods that helps in burning of Belly Fat.

1) Fruits are low calorie content, rich in vitamins and minerals. Set up this as a basic nourishment to burn belly fat in your eating routine!

Citrus fruits like orange, lemon, kiwi, tangerine, crisp limes are phenomenal fat killers that boosts metabolism and the acid present in it burns fat quicker contrasted with other fruits. Other fat-burning fruits include apple, watermelon, grapes and strawberries.

2) Vegetables are rich in minerals and water content, their calorie substance is lower than natural products. What's more, this makes it another fundamental expansion to our eating regimen as nourishments that decrease belly fat.

Cabbage, broccoli, tomatoes, spinach, beans; peas are all extremely rich in minerals and have nil fat substance in them.

3) Pulses or dalis rich in amino acids, low on calories, and fat. Basic boiled dal is more beneficial than fried or spiced up dal. Eat ideal to fetch health benefits

4) Oats contain insoluble fiber and a few carbohydrates that check your appetite, give you strength for better exercise and decrease fat substance in your body. Oats come fourth in the list. Having a bowl of oats with skimmed drain for breakfast is the best thing you can pick in the morning. When you are purchasing cereal, ensure that you pick one that is flavorless. Enhanced oats contain sugar and chemicals.

5) Nuts keep your stomach full for a more longer time and they are great fats that don't add to your calories. Nuts all in all are a decent wellspring of supplements to consume fat for young ladies who are veggie lover. Nuts are brimming with omega-3 fat that builds vitality and digestion.

6) An egg is a protein rich sustenance that is low in calories and fat. Having one boiled egg day by day will help you burn belly fat. Other than being a rich source of proteins, minerals and anti-oxidants, eggs additionally contain an amino acids called leucine. So having an egg during breakfast is a must for teenagers.

7) FISH : Salmon, mackerel, tuna are rich in protein, include good fatty acids (omega 3 acid) and mono saturated fatty acids that boost metabolism and are good belly fat burning foods.

Foods which shouldn't mix with medicines

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