Breathing for Health [Infographic]

Breathing for Health - Infographic from Huffington Post

Breathing is one of the body's most important detoxification systems.  It also directly and indirectly affects other aspects of our health.

Many health experts say that, unfortunately, most of us do not breathe "correctly".  That is, we routinely take short, shallow breaths and this type of breathing can cause various negative health effects in the body.

This infographic entitled "Change Your Breathing, Change Your Life" from Huffington Post illustrates and explains some of the many ways breathing impacts our health including how "correct" (controlled, long and deep breathing) can:

❤ Stimulate brain growth

❤ Improve heart rate variability

❤ Lower stress levels

❤ Alleviate anxiety and negative emotions

❤ Reduce testing anxiety

❤ Lower blood pressure

❤ Alter gene expression

Additionally, certain deep breathing techniques - like those often used in yoga and meditation - are thought to prevent premature aging, detoxify, and increase the metabolic rate.  For example, it is thought that the additional oxygen received from exercise (particularly exercise performed outdoors) boosts metabolism and helps to burn fat.

Together with reducing and managing stress (another big consideration in weight loss), deep breathing techniques may have the potential and effect of helping you to lose weight.

For additional reading and listening on this subject, we recommend:

Breathing: The Master Key to Self Healing from Andrew Weil, M.D.

The Healing Power of the Breath: Simple Techniques to Reduce Stress and Anxiety, Enhance Concentration, and Balance Your Emotions from Richard Brown M.D., and Patricia Gerbard MD

Infographic source and more information:  Huff Post The Third Metric:  How Changing Your Breathing Can Change Your Life

Related:
Heart Healthy Foods
Is Your Diet Toxic?
How to Naturally Cleanse Your Body
Top Foods that Chelate the Body of Heavy Metals

Infographic: Craving This ... Means You're Missing This ...

This infographic entitled "Craving This ... Means You're Missing This ..." address various food and substance (salt, sugar, caffeine, nicotine) cravings and related challenges, like overeating or a lack of appetite.

It illustrates examples of some commonly craved types or categories of foods and substances, identifies which nutrients (vitamins, minerals, amino acids, etc.) the body may be missing or needing and offers healthier food options.

Cravings for certain foods (most often junk, fast or processed food) are often what leads dieters to stray from their diets.  Even non-dieters give in to food cravings and disrupt an otherwise healthy eating regiment.

I find this infographic very informative and only wish it offered more plant-based diet options in the healthy alternative column for vegans and vegetarians.

Infographic Source:  FreedomFitness.ca

Orange Tomato May Be Healthier Than Red Tomatoes

Golden Yellow-Orange Tomatoes by Morgan Ellis, SkinnyDivaDiet.com 

The tomato is considered one of nature's superfruits and consistently makes it on every superfoods list.  Tomatoes contain lycopene, the red pigment that has been associated with many health benefits including its ability to lower risk of cancer, heart disease and macular degeneration, and its function as a powerful antioxidant.  We were always told that the redder the tomato, the better because the deeper red tomatoes contained more lycopene.  So, why are we now being told that the orange tomato is healthier?

Looking and Feeling Young, Fit and Healthy: Tips for Success

Looking and feeling young, fit and healthy at any age is so much easier if you adhere to a certain attitude and follow a few simple rules and course of action. Although every self-improvement endeavor requires a commitment, discipline and effecting some changes in lifestyle habits, the following tips and suggestions are considered to be very helpful in successfully achieving and maintain self-improvement, transformation or makeover goals: