I really do hope that my thirst for knowledge will never be quenched. I so much enjoy reading, watching videos and learning as much as I possibly can, about the direct link between the food we eat and our health.
In
fact, I just finished watching a TEDtalk presented by Dr. Vincent W.
Li, given in Montreal in May 2015. He shared with the audience his "Top
10 list of DIY Health" and here it is.
#1 SLEEP ~
Getting adequate sleep is crucial to our health. On average adults
should sleep for 7-9 hours. Studies have shown that Melatonin
suppresses cancers.
#2 POWER DOWN ~
Powering down, or better yet keeping electronic devices out of our
bedrooms are best at bed time. Studies are showing that the use of
e-devices at bedtime was associated with a 55% reduction of Melatonin.
So not only do we not sleep well but we increase our risk of getting
cancer. Read an "actual" book. :)
#3 EXERCISE ~
Taking the time to exercise, 30 minutes power walk, every day will
increase cancer fighting chemicals in our body that will remain elevated
for several hours afterwards.
#4 RESVERATROL (found
in Red Wine) ~ Resveratrol is a biochemical that starves cancer. So,
for those who enjoy a glass of wine from time to time, your ideal choice
would be red. And going even further Cabernet/Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc
or Petit Verdot contain even more resveratrol than other red wines.
#5 CRUCIFEROUS ~
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts and
bok choy all contain bioactive molecules that are potent in our system
in fighting cancers. And if you are one of those people who cuts off the
stems of your broccoli, you might be surprised to know that they are
more potent than the florets themselves.
#6 TOMATOES ~
Tomatoes being an excellent source of lycopene, which starves cancer,
is ideally eaten cooked in olive oil as the oil doubles the absorption.
#7 BRIGHT COLOURS ~
The rightly coloured pigment in our produce is what is bioactive and
most beneficial for us. Try something new and wild today!
#8 GREEN TEA ~
Drinking green tea daily not only reduces the risk of getting colon
cancer but it also helps to get rid of abdominal fat. As an additional
tip, it is also an excellent idea to let your tea steep for at least
five minutes.
#9 OMEGA 3s ~
Omega 3 fatty acids found in salmon, flax seeds, walnuts, sardines and
other foods are critical for brain development, even "in utero". When a
pregnant woman consumes a higher amount of Omega 3s, the higher the
child's IQ will be at age 8.
#10 COFFEE ~
And finally yes, for all those coffee lovers out there, drinking coffee
will reduce the risks of getting the most common form of skin cancer.
That would be good news for those who can not get a lot of exposures to
the sun without risking their health. On a personal note here, I would
be certain to drink mostly certified organic coffee. Who needs
unnecessary chemicals?
Well, time for me to implement a few more of those suggestions.
Above all, enjoy life, have fun and laugh often. :)
Healthfully yours,
Be kind to yourself and stay grounded! 💜
Diane 🌞
