Do you eat enough carrots?

1 large (70 g) carrot has 30 kcal, only 0,2 g fat, 1 g protein, 2002 IU vitamin A, 4,2 mg vitamin C, 10 mcg vitamin K, 24 mg calcium, 25 mg phosphorus, 230 mg potassium, 50 mg sodium.

Pumpkin soup

1 bowl - Calories: 260, total fat 11g (omega 3- 0,3 g) cholesterol 40mg, protein 5g, vitamin A 2930 IU, vitamin B6 0,5mg, vitamin B5 1,1mg, vitamin C 18m, vitamin B3 3mg, vitamin B1 0,2mg, sodium 1g, copper 0,3mg, phosphorus 132mg, potassium 860mg, manganese 0,4mg, magnesium 47mg, calcium 72mg, zinc 0,8mg.

Surgical procedures for weight loss

Before any extremely obese person is considered for surgery, failure of a comprehensive program that includes calorie restriction, exercise, lifestyle modification, psychological counseling, and family involvement should be demonstrated. Failure is defined as an inability of the patient to reduce body weight by one third and body fat by one half and an inability to maintain any weight loss achieved. Such patients have intractable morbid obesity and should be considered for surgery. Before surgery the patient should be evaluated extensively with respect to physiologic and medical complications, psychological problems such as depression and poor self-esteem, and the extent of motivation.

Weight loss medication

Appropriate pharmacotherapy can augment diet, physical activity, and behavior therapy as treatment for patients with a BMI of 30 or higher, or patients with BMI of 27 or higher who also have significant risk factors or disease. These agents can decrease appetite, reduce absorption of fat, or increase energy expenditure. 

Very low calorie diet (VLCD)

Extreme energy-restricted diets provide fewer than 800 calories per day, and starvation or fasting diets provide fewer than 200 calories per day. These diets are frequently involved as a part of religious or protest regimen or in a personal effort to lose weight. Under these circumstances it is seldom continued long enough to produce the serious neurologic, hormonal, and other side effects that accompany prolonged starvation. 

Obesity and overweight

Obesity and overweight are a result of an imbalance between food consumed and physical activity. Nowadays calories consumption of adults has increased, but there are no changes in physical activity. Obesity is a complex issue related to lifestyle, environment, and genes. Overweight adolescents often become obese adults. Obese adults are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, certain cancers, infertility. 

Sodium

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide, and high blood pressure is a major risk factor. In some people, sodium increases blood pressure because it holds excess fluid in the body, creating an added burden on the heart. Too much sodium in the diet may also have other harmful health effects, including increased risk for stroke, heart failure, osteoporosis, stomach cancer and kidney disease. 

Potassium

Most people who eat a healthy diet should get enough potassium naturally. However, many Americans don't. While the typical American diet, which is high in sodium-containing processed foods and low in fruits and vegetables, contains about two times more sodium than potassium, many health experts recommend taking in at least five times more potassium than sodium. So the average U.S. intake of potassium is lower than it should be. 

Chromium

Chromium potentiates insulin action and as such influences carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. Chromium regulates blood sugar, and helps insulin transport glucose into cells, where it can be used for energy.With a deficiency of chromium, the chances of getting diabetes increase. Chromium can also help raise HDL cholesterol levels, and may play a role in preventing heart disease.

Manganese

The 10 to 20 mg of manganese contained in the adult human body are concentrated in tissues rich in mitochondria. Manganese is a component of many enzymes. Manganese is associated with the formation of connective and skeletal tissues, growth and reproduction, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. Manganese helps your body utilize several key nutrients such as biotin, thiamin, ascorbic acid, and choline; keep your bones strong and healthy; help your body synthesize fatty acids and cholestorol; maintain normal blood sugar levels; promote optimal function of your thyroid gland; maintain the health of your nerves; protect your cells from free-radical damage. 

Iron

Iron deficiency, the precursor of iron deficiency anemia, is the most common of all nutritional deficiency diseases. In the United States and worldwide, iron deficiency anemia is prevalent among children and woman of childbearing age. The groups considered to be at greatest risk for iron deficiency anemia are infants younger than 2 years of age, adolescent girls, pregnant woman, and older adults. Pregnant teenagers are frequently at high risk because of poor eating habits and continuing growth. Women in their childbearing years who are iron deficient benefit from either a diet rich in iron-containing foods or supplements. 

Magnesium

The adult human body contains approximately 20 to 28 g of magnesium, of which 60% is found in bones, 26% in muscles, and the remainder in soft tissues and body fluids. Gender differences in the body content of magnesium begin before puberty. 

Phosphorus

Approximately 700 g of phosphorus exists in adult tissues, and about 85% is present in the skeleton and teeth as calcium phosphate crystals. The remaining 15% exists in the metabolically active pool in every cell in the body and in extracellular fluid compartment. 

Calcium

Calcium, the most abundant mineral in the body, makes up 2% of the body weight and 39% of total body minerals. Approximately 99% of the calcium exists in the bones and teeth. The remaining 1% of calcium is in the blood and extracellular fluids and within the cells of all tissues, where it regulates many important metabolic functions. Bone is a dynamic tissue that returns calcium and other minerals to the extracellular fluids and blood on demand. Bone takes up calcium and other minerals from the blood when they are consumed. The calcium in teeth cannot be mobilized back to the blood because the minerals of erupted teeth are fixed for life. Late in life bone retention of calcium derived from food and supplements is limited unless the calcium is consumed along with sufficient vitamin D or bone-conserving drug. 

Why we need minerals

Just like vitamins, minerals help your body grow, develop, and stay healthy.

Minerals are important for your body to stay healthy. Your body uses minerals for many different jobs, including building bones, making hormones and regulating your heartbeat.

The Mediterranean Diet, is it healthy for you?

The Mediterranean Diet has received attention because of its potential for protecting the body against cardiovascular disease and cancers. The diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. 

Daily menu with all required vitamins

Start your day with a rich breakfast.
Just one cup of cereals (54 g), one glass of milk, low fat, (250 ml) and you'll be satiated and full of energy until lunch.

How computer games effect blood pressure

Computer games have long been suspected to be linked with blood pressure and hypertension. It has been hypothesized that marked elevation of blood pressure during play of computer games is a risk factor for future hypertension.

For your heart: low salt products

How much sodium is in our favorite products? 

1. Apricot, 1 medium (0mg)
2. Cherries 1 cup (0mg)
3. Grapefruit, 1/2 fruit (0mg)

Yogurt benefits to heart health

Yogurt with live and active cultures supports the naturally occurring good bacteria in the intestinal tract. Yogurt is high in calcium and protein. It is a nutrient dense food and can be made in whole-fat and low-fat varieties.