After the excesses of the holiday season January is always a popular time of year for body detox and weight loss. We all want to shed the extra pounds we have accumulated eating 73 chocolate oranges. It’s always nice to feel a bit healthier too. So what better time to inject our body with some nice healthy detoxing food, perhaps aided by one or two quality detox supplements

The main focus for detox diets is to clean your body’s elimination system of impurities ingested the food we eat and the air we breathe.  Generally speaking, detox diets are formulated to clean the colon and liver, where toxins tend to build up. The key to planning for colon cleansing diets is to include lots of fibre, water, and eating plenty of veggies, nuts, fruits, and beans.  You may notice something missing from the above lists of foods? Meat! The amount of meat you eat needs to be reduced. As well as processed starches! Bread and pasta should be conspicuous by their absence when you are cleansing your bodies’ digestive system. 

Cleansing drinks are a super way to give an additional boost to the healthy detoxification your body requires.  Simply gather some of your favourite fruits – berries are especially nutritious – and throw them into a blender with some purified water and ice.  Keep whipping them up until they are of a thick-but-drinkable consistency, and you have an amazing breakfast or snack that will assist your colon rid your body of some nasty toxins.

Soups of various kinds are also some of the best foods for detox diets that you can find.  Gazpacho soup and alkaline diet soups are often used for body and colon cleaning diets. Alkaline diets are those that rely mostly on vegetables, nuts, and legumes, all of which encourage movement in the digestive system.

One particularly popular and delicious alkaline soup recipe is for a vegetable broth. Simply cut up celery, broccoli, spinach, and a courgette into small pieces. Add them to a large pot of distilled water, then simmer for around half an hour.  Run the ingredients through a strainer or colander, reserving the broth.  All  of the natural vitamins remain in the water when you boil those veggies, which is why you should only slightly steam your vegetables when eating them.  In this instance you want the broth, so it is fine to  give the vegetables a heavy boil.  Discard the chopped vegetables and eat/drink your tasty and healthy broth.

These are just two examples of good food recipes you can use when detoxing Each of these recipes contain viable ingredients for helping you to lose weight and keeping your body’s waste system working as it ought to. Include plenty of these bad boys in your daily diet for the next few weeks and you will feel good as new.

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Poor eating habits, low-fiber diets, environmental pollution, and stress causes the production and absorption of several toxins into the body. These toxins affect adversely the functioning of all the major organs of our body and especially the fine balance of our immune system. Detoxing one’s body is now more of a necessity than a choice.

Fortunately there are many techniques and health supplements which can help you detox so that your body becomes significantly healthier and revitalized.

1. Consumption of adequate amounts of water, herbal teas, fruits, vegetables and other fibre rich foods.
2. Rreducing consumption of fats, red meats, and milk products are natural ways of detoxifying. Fibres in the diet ease absorption and promote utilization of the dietary nutrients.
3. Sweating is a very effective way to detox. Sauna and simple aerobics increase our metabolisms, increase sweating and thereby help purify the body through enhanced skin elimination. Regular bathing is essential to cleanse the skin of the toxins it has released and to open the pores to eliminate more.
4. Though tea contains potentially harmful elements such as tannin and caffeine, it is also a diuretic (a compound that increases urine production). This helps the body to washout several toxins. Tea is also a powerful antioxidant, which means that it protects the body from the harmful action of free radicals.
5. Herbal medicines like a home brew made of cumin, coriander and fennel, strained and taken with or without honey, can be an excellent detoxification beverage.
6. Commercially available detox teas include lemongrass, red clover, calendula, rosehips, juniper and chamomile. Taken in various combinations and blends, these can be helpful in preventing oxygen free radical build-ups in our body.

There are ways to evaluate the efficacy of your detox regimen. A successfully incorporated detox will pump in fresh energy levels; renew appetite, and provide relief from chronic lethargy, aches and pains. Enjoy the holiday season but think about how to cleanse your body afterwards,

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1. ‘Detox‘ is the short form of detoxification and involves the removing of toxic substances from your body. Learning how to detox your body can bring substantial benefits to your health and well being by boosting your immune system. There are natural ways we can strengthen our immune system. Some of these ways are listed here:
2. Make sure you catch your daily dose of sleep, to rejuvenate and boost your immune system. Many convince themselves that sleeping 5 to 6 hrs a day is enough. But the truth is, we require at least 8 hours of un-fragmented sleep per night.
3. Stress raises the levels of steroid hormones in your body. Steroids have a very strong suppressive action on the normal functioning of your immune cells. There are studies that prove that stress and depression affect the body physically and can even weaken the immune system. De-stressing sessions like meditation, aerobics and yoga help a lot. Listening to relaxing music and just doing what you love to do are also help some to unwind.
4. Water helps to flush the body of toxins and keep you well hydrated. Drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day improves with healing & toxin removal processes.
5. Nothing is as important as a well balanced diet to sustain a powerful immune system. Vitamins and trace nutrients play very intricate roles in the metabolism of rapidly diving cells like the cells of immunity. A diet full of fresh fruits and vegetables, are excellent sources of antioxidants. Vitamins like A, C, E, and beta carotene are the major antioxidants performing the important role of scavenging free radicals and limiting their damage. Antioxidants also improve immune system functioning.
6. Finally, regular exercise makes our body stronger, improves circulation of blood and nutrients, and helps flush the body of toxins; thus indirectly contributing to a healthy immune system.

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Eat healthy stay vibrant

Winter ushers the time to celebrate and along comes the discomforts associated with binge eating and drinking and those late night sessions.

While digestive problems may seem like a mere inconvenience, they can turn all celebrations sour by causing indigestion, stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. Overeating is a common problem since there is so much good food around during this time. It is important to know how to prevent digestive problems this festive period.

Obviously at Troo Health Care we have lots of excellent natural digestive health remedies to help see you through. As well as these here are some great tips to keep the ache away.

DONT’s:

By either reducing or eliminating your intake of certain foods which are known to cause stomach ailments, you will greatly increase your stomach’s comfort level:

1. Processed red meats such as hot dogs, lunch meats, and sausages
2. Trans Fats and Hydrogenated Oils
3. Try to avoid milk if you suffer from lactose intolerance
4. Gluten-sensitive individuals should avoid food containing Wheat, Rye and Barley
5. Try not to eat in a hurry. Digestion starts in your mouth. Eating slowly, chewing each mouthful well eases the load on your digestive system.
6. Do not skip meals, eat regularly
7. Smoking lowers the pressure at the junction between the stomach and oesophagus, promoting backflow of stomach acid into the oesophagus (reflux) – causing heartburn
8. Avoid drinking too much alcohol

DO’s:

By including certain other food items, you can help your stomach perform better this festive season:

1. Foods rich in fibre (vegetables, fruit and whole grains/cereals) promote intestinal transit and prevent constipation.
2. Drinking adequate water per day will ensure that your body stays flushed of any toxins
3. Regular exercise stimulates the intestinal muscles to push digestive contents through your system and promote a healthy digestive system.
4. Probiotics like yogurt, contain “good bacteria” that help the body digest food properly and also fight infections

With these few simple alterations to your daily diet and lifestyle, you can prevent digestive disorders and feel vibrant and healthy.

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The Acai Berry and more recently the Maqui Berry are the two top super berries, both hailing from the exotic South America. The Acai comes from the dense rainforests of the Amazon, while Maqui is found further south, in the Patgonian area of Argentina and Chile.

Between the two the Acai fares somewhat better in taste, but what keeps consumers interested in these berries are their scientifically proven antioxidant contents and overall health benefits. Antioxidants protect our body against free radicals which are unstable molecules produced during day to day functioning of the cell. The antioxidant activity of these two berries is attributed to their content of a phytochemical, Anthocyanin. These antioxidant packed berries empower us to fight the pull of age, wear a healthy skin, stay active and look young.

Consumers, in their quest for the one which will promise a longer and disease-free life are now between two horns while searching for the overall better among the two berries.

The acai berry is an excellent source of anthocyanin. No one can argue against the benefits this berry provides to the human body.

The little deep purple Maqui berry on the other hand has now set the bar higher and in doing so set the wellness industry on fire. With its ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) content 4-10 times higher than that of the Acai berry the Maqui is set to become the new king of health supplements. Maqui berries also contain minerals such as iron, calcium and potassium; along with Vitamins A and C.

But the Acai does still win against the Maqui Berry in its rich content of Omega 3 essential fatty acids.

Finally, the factors that will drive home the popularity of Acai and Maqui berries are scientific research and raising public awareness of their superfruit credibility. Both the Acai and the potentially improved Maqui are touted to benefit weight loss, boost immune support, possess anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and anti-carcinogenic properties, and definitely provide long term benefits like help to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.

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The Maqui Berry is a recently discovered berry that was found in the jungles of South America. It is power packed with incredible health benefits. Unlike any other fruit in the world, Maqui is an incredible blend of everything that is healthy for you and your body!

Defy ageing: Looking younger is easy with Maqui Berry. The Maqui being punched with so many things that are good for you that it is no wonder how it is so effective when it comes to a natural way to fix your skin & body to look much less aged and degenerated. It contains anthocyanin which helps you to protect your skin naturally from sun’s radiation and pollution.

Detox your body: A detox plan is very important for every person who wants to enhance their wellness and overall health.  The best and most effective way to detoxify your body from harmful toxins and chemicals is by using a natural product such as Maqui berry. By flushing all the toxins and harmful chemicals from your body it helps you to keep your body fit and healthy. Its powerful antioxidant system scavenges on the free radicals and is a very effective stress buster. It strengthens your immune system, improves blood circulation, promotes a clearer thought process, and even decrease the risk of age related diseases like cancer and diabetes in the long run.

Lose weight: Maqui berry spurs your metabolism, makes you active, decreases the levels of stress hormones and is proven to be the best natural way to remove fats without any side effects.

The Maqui Berry is viewed as a symbol of health, power, and healing powers by the Mapuche Indians. The antioxidant content is completely through the roof, which makes it the best known supplement for our body.

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The Acai Berry is a high energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree  collected in the rainforests of Brazil. It tastes like a combination of chocolate and berries. Acai berry has been classified as a “super food”; a food with high phytonutrient content. Phytonutrient basically means that something has a high nutrient level such as beta carotene.Acai berries are filled with antioxidants, amino acids and fatty acids that are considered essential. This has been a large part of the reason for it’s explosion into the health supplement market – though it is generally only found in specialist retailers – not your local supermarket for example.This berry is special in the properties it possesses for anti-aging. It has approximately ten times more antioxidants than red grapes. Because of this it can provide many benefits including fighting premature aging and promoting cardiovascular and digestive health.Acai berry has been most commonly touted as an aid in weight loss, leading to the development of the supplement in various forms such as capsules, tablets, smoothies and powders. This is because the high fibre content of the berry makes you feel fuller quicker when eating meals. It also aids digestion enabling you to process your food more efficiently.  Of course endorsements from Brad Pitt and Oprah have done no harm to the credentials of this potent health food supplement as a weight loss aid.Whatever your beliefs about the Acai Berry there are no doubts that it does carry many health benefits.  It has been called the super food by many and a weight loss miracle berry by others. Super food, anti aging wonder or weight loss drug?  It has many properties that are very exciting.  If this berry can do half of what is claimed then it is a very worthwhile addition to your daily supplement intake.

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Nothing moves, even though you know you have to move your bowels. Everything in your body sends you that signal. You feel bloated and uncomfortable, but when you try to go, nothing happens. Or, if you do finally go, it hurts.

Though constipation is a problem, it’s not an illness. It’s simply what happens when bowel movements are delayed, compacted, and difficult to pass.
Improper dietary habits, eating excessive non vegetarian, fried, fast foods, insufficient intake of water are common causes of constipation. However, constipation also stems from various psychological causes such as lack of adequate sleep, tension, depression, extreme emotions of anger, fear and stress.

Constipation is sometimes the tip of the ice berg- a sign of a larger problem within the digestive system and hence it cannot be ignored. Constipation lasting for several days, should raise the alarm, and should be definitely brought to the notice of a doctor.

However, for treating mild cases of constipation, here are several effective constipation remedies:

1. Always consume mixed foods. Include fibers in the diet as they provide the roughage necessary to encourage the movement of bowels.
2. If the food is fatty and filling, supplement it with a salad having several green vegetables in it. Salads incorporated in every meal are important constipation remedies. These salads should contain green leafy vegetables such as spinach and celery, and they must also contain other nutritive vegetables such as beetroot, carrots, radishes and tomatoes. You can add some slices of coconuts to the salads. Have these salads specifically with your dinner. They will ensure proper motions in the morning.
3. Consume about eight to ten glasses of water a day, and have more of it during summer. Fluids improve metabolism and keep you fresh and going.
4. Eat several fruits. Jackfruits are better avoided by people who have persistent constipation problems. However, all other fruits are constipation remedies. Start the day with fruits in the breakfast and then supplement five more servings between meals.
5. When eating, always keep a cheerful mood. Eating while reading or watching television taxes the digestive system, promotes indigestion and can cause constipation.
6. Avoid forced feeds. Do not eat when you are not actually hungry. Such foods burden the digestive system and become causes for constipation.
7. Avoid red meats and try to subsist more on a vegetarian and fruitarian diet during warm weathers. Also, try to eat less in hot climate.
8. Eat less of foods which are either oily or spicy as digestion takes longer for these types of foods.
9. Always keep an ideal gap between different foods. Allow the body to digest one food completely before burdening your system with consumption of another.
10. A glassful of warm milk before going to bed is also one of the most effective constipation remedies.

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After our post on the Mangosteen and its affects on Arthritis a few days ago we had an email from one customer asking ‘what the hell are xanthones’? Fair enough – I better get to the point sharpish by the sounds of things. In a nutshell xanthones are natural occurring chemical compounds found in various organic materials – in our reference point the Mangosteen fruit. Many researchers actually believe that Mangosteen contains the strongest xanthones of any fruit, the most beneficial being Alpha Mangostin and Gamma Mangostin. This is why the Mangosteen is a largely sought after source of xanthones.As with most things health related, research continues into the various ways in which xanthones affect the human body. What has already been established is that xanthones are extremely potent anti-oxidants and, as such, are benficial in fighting illness and disease (including cancer and asthma). Xanthones have also been identified as having a positive effect on cardiovascular health, as well as being a natural anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory. As we mentioned a few days ago this has led to Mangosteen being widely used in the treatment of arthritis. This is due to its ability to treat inflammation, though this benefit could also extend to treating other ailments such as heart problems, headaches, MS, and circulatory issues. It’s fair to say Xanthones play a large role in Mangosteen being literally a super food!

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As with many modern day superfoods the health benefits associated with Mangosteen range from anything between cancer to simple infections. What is more certain however is it’s anti-inflammatory properties and ability to help arthritis sufferers. This is a significant reason for the rise in the popularity of health supplements such as pure mangosteen capsules.Mangosteen has many beneficial characteristics, being rich in vitamins and minerals – especially vitamins B-1, B-2, B6, calcium, potassium and iron. Like most super-foods it is also a potent anti-oxidant, helping to fight off free radicals which attack the body. What is important in the case of arthritis though is that Mangosteen is an excellent source of xanthones, the cause of the powerful anti-inflammatory effect which aids arthritis pain relief. Research also indicates that the aforementioned presence of anti-oxidants and vitamins will help the body to absorb other vital nutrients which assist in self-healing and health promotion.To summarise Mangosteen provides a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory cocktail to help you keep a healthy and pain free body. Research indicates that the properties of the Mangosteen fruit can improve overall health and decrease pain and inflammation. As mentioned in a previous post though it is probably easier if you consume Mangosteen as a juice or supplement – otherwise you will be in need of climbing apparatus, a sharp knife and likely a long haul flight.

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