Archive for the well being Category
Herbal Tea Health Benefits
29/01/2012 by admin.
Have a look at this Herbal Tea Health Benefits page. It lists many herbal teas and their suggested benefits. Herbal teas have been used for centuries to cure minor ailments. Whether or not you believe that they do have specific medicinal benefits, one thing the teas do have is a high vitamin content. Why not substitute your fizzy soda drink or your high caffeine jet fuel for a delicious fruity tea instead. Who knows, they may have those hidden health benefits after all.
For a fantastic range of organic herbal teas, including green tea and fruit flavoured teas visit the natural matter herbal tea page.
Horsetail Herbal Tea
05/12/2011 by admin.
The Horsetail herb has a mild diuretic effect and increases the activity of the kidneys and bladder. It has the ability to rid the body of water. Therefore, it is often found to be an ingredient in many weight loss products.
Other studies have suggested that horsetail has antioxidant properties. Therefore, Horsetail could help the body neutralise harmful free radicals.
The horsetail herb has been used in herbal medicine for centuries . The herb dates back to ancient Greece or Rome when it was used to stop bleeding and heal wounds.
Horsetail contains silicon which is important for bone strengthening. The Silicon helps the body process more Calcium.Therefore, the herb has been linked with the treatment of Osteoporosis.
To enjoy this drink it is recommended that you pour fresh boiling water over the bag. Brew the Horsetail for up to 10 minutes. You do not need to remove the bag from the cup. You can sweeten the drink if required.
We also have Horsetail Plant Juice 200ml.
An alternative is to drink horsetail in a delicious juice. This horsetail juice may help support the urinary system. Horsetail contains plant complexes including many minerals and trace elements. Together these nutrients help strengthen, the skin, hair and nails. However, a more pronounced feature of their interaction is the natural diuretic and anti inflamatory effect it has on the urinary tract system.
Please see more in the Natural Matter health and fitness shop for the entire Floradix range.
Warming Up and Cooling Down
22/11/2011 by admin.
Warming Up
You need to warm up for at least 10 minutes. Your aim is to increase your heart rate slightly and then move onto gaining flexibility. It is good to start with exercises that increase the heart rate so you are slightly warmer when you start your stretches. You are less likely to damage muscles this way.
Exercises that increase the heart rate slightly are gentle jogging, fast walking or jumping. You should feel that your heart rate is slightly raised as you begin your routine.
Exercises which increase flexibility include knee lifting, placing your hands on your hips and making a circular movement, raising and lowering your shoulders, gently tilting your head from side to side to stretch the neck and also gently stretching the back.
stretch mat fitness mat yoga mat
Cooling Down
Cooling down is also a vital part of your exercise routine. You want to return your cardiovascular system to its former level. When you are exercising your body is delivering a high level of blood to muscles. If you stop suddenly this flow continues when it is not needed, this could cause dizziness or even fainting.
Your aim is to cool down slowly and let the muscles cool down at the same pace. If you are running it is good to slow the pace to a walk, if you are weight training it is good to perform stretches of the muscles you have been using. Cool down should last for at least 5-10 minutes. Try to hold the stretches for a longer time than you did when you were warming up. Stretching the muscles you have worked also reduces post workout aches.
Back and Muscle Support during weight training
If you are weight lifting, it may help to wear a back support belt. This helps improve body mechanics and posture, ensuring that the back is supported when lifting heavy weights. Do not wear the belt expecting it to stop injury. It is a support. All support socks and knee braces are meant to support the body. They cannot prevent further injury. Make sure you do not exercise when your body is not 100%
lifting belt weight lifting belt reebok weight lifting belt
For fitness equipment visit www.naturalmatter.co.uk
Warning:- The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any medical condition. Should you have any medical condition, always consult your doctor, before undertaking any change in exercise or dietary advice.
Exercise can be hazardous. If you use any of the ideas, techniques or suggestions discussed in these documents, all are undertaken at the reader’s sole discretion and risk.
Calipers can help you on your way to a beautiful body.
23/10/2011 by admin.
Do you want to change your body shape? Maybe you want to lose weight or develop more muscle mass? Maybe you’d like both. Whatever your goal, all bodybuilding or weight loss programs are going to take time, so a great way to start is by drawing up a fitness plan.
1. Set a healthy and achievable target weight with a shape up routine that can be easily maintained.
Don’t aim for an unrealistic or unhealthy body shape. Severely underweight people are certainly not healthy. At the other end of the scale, even the most shredded muscular physique cannot be maintained indefinitely.
2. Use body fat calipers to work out your fat and lean body mass ratio or perhaps ask your gym to measure you.
A great way to get your exercise program off on the right foot is to get a set of body fat calipers. This instrument measures your body fat and lean muscle mass ratio. It is important to have an accurate measurement of your fat / lean muscle ratio from the very beginning of your program, rather than relying on the bathroom scales.
Scales are inaccurate because they do not let you know if you have replaced body fat with lean muscle. They give you the same reading regardless of dramatic changes in your body. You may have reduced body fat but replaced that weight with lean muscle. Unfortunately, your bathroom scales are unable to detect that difference. If you attend a gym you could ask them to do this measurement for you, as they will have the correct instruments. When you are training you need motivators to keep you on course. body fat calipers allow you to see any results immediately helping you stay on track.
Check your progress on a monthly basis. This will allow you to see any changes and plot progress. Don’t check yourself any more than this as there are natural changes in the body throughout a period of a month, depending on whether you are retaining water, perhaps from food you have eaten. It is best for females to check themselves after their period has finished due to water retention. Try to stick to the same part of the month when you record your fat/lean muscle mass ratio.
3. Measure four folds of skin with your body fat calipers and work out your body fat/lean muscle percentage by using the table provided with them.
Body fat calipers measure the thickness of a fold of skin. There are 4 places on the body where a measurement should be taken, because of where these places are someone else can help you do this. They are,
· Centre of the back of arm (the triceps)
· Centre of the front of arm (the bicep)
· The back, just below the shoulder blade at a 45% angle.
· The waistline between the hipbone and the naval horizontally.
By recording your fat/lean muscle ratio regularly you can see positive changes in your body that you wouldn’t normally be seen with a set of weighing scales. 4. Work out a diet plan. Remember, you don’t have to starve, just eat the right foods.
5. Work out an exercise routine incorporating stretches, a cardiovascular routine and weight training for all the muscles.
6. Check your improvements on a monthly basis, no more than this. It will encourage you on when you start to lose heart or waver.
7. Stick to it, even if you have a bad few days just start again and you’ll soon be looking and feeling fantastic.
The Health Benefits of Cacao Powder
11/10/2011 by admin.
The seed of the cacao tree, the cacao bean, has had a lot of attention recently due to its apparent health benefits. This sweet tooth alternative is the new super-super food of choice, as it is a fantastic alternative for chocolate lovers and health advocates alike.
Cacao beans are grown and cold pressed. The cacao butter oil is removed after pressing and the cacao cake-like residue is ground into a fine powder.
The powdering process is ‘undertaken in a controlled environment ensuring the temperature remains low, therefore maintaining the nutritional potency. In fact processing Cacao in this way actually increases the health benefits up to 33%.’ - Creative Nature.
Cacao powder is packed with nutrients. The powder has a higher amount of antioxidants than green tea, raw blueberries or any other nutritionally dense food. This has been measured using the ORAC test. ORAC stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity. This test measures how a food can combat the harmful effects of free radicals. (Free radicals are responsible for disease and the aging process). Therefore, cacao beans really are a true super food as they outperform even the top foods on this scale. As well as having an abundance of antioxidants, the Cacao beans have a high amount of Magnesium. Magnesium plays many roles within the body but one important role is to help with the formation of bones and teeth. In addition to this, it assists in the control of blood pressure.
When mixed with fruit or anything with a natural sweetness the chocolaty flavour of the cocoa bean is released. Why not mix it into ice cream to make a truly delicious dessert? Smoothies and shakes taste delicious with the addition of cacao powder. The mouth-watering alternatives are endless. Just use your imagination.
Adding the Cacao powder to diary products does however inhibit the body’s ability to absorb the nutrients in the Cacao powder. So for best results the powder is best uncooked and not added to any diary products.
Try our extensive range of cacao nibs, cacao powder and many more healthier alternatives at www.naturalmatter.co.uk
Your Heart Health Tips
05/10/2011 by admin.
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vitamin e
Vitamin e is excellent if you want to prevent your arteries from thickening and can also increase the levels of ‘high density lipoprotein’ – which is good cholesterol. But if you have high blood pressure already, vitamin e can increase these levels so always check with your doctor before increasing your intake. |
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aspirin
Extensive research has been conducted into aspirin and significant benefits have been discovered concerning heart disease. It is a good idea to discuss with your doctor the benefits of taking aspirin, as it has been shown to be able to reduce the formation of blood clots. |
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garlic
Another great food for lowering blood pressure and cholesterol is garlic. It is recommended that you eat a whole clove a day. It is also possible to supplement your diet with garlic tablets. |
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ginger
This root vegetable is an excellent addition to any meal. Not only does it taste good but it is able to prevent heart disease and strokes. It does this by reducing internal blood clotting. It is possible to take the ginger in tablet, capsule or liquid form. |
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blood
pressure
You can watch your blood pressure closely by getting a home blood pressure monitoring kit, this will let you know if the actions you are taking to lower your levels are being effective or not. |
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vegetarianism Vegetarianism is particularly advantageous if you suffer with a heart problem or want to reduce your risk of heart disease altogether. There are fewer reported cases of heart disease among Vegetarians and Vegans (exclusion of dairy products, eggs and meat) because their diets contain less fat and cholesterol.
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isoflavones
Isoflavones can be found in soya beans, these have been shown to lower cholesterol levels and in turn heart disease. It is also possible to your supplement diet with Isoflavones in the form of tablets. |
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folic acid
Research has been conducted into Folic Acid and it has emerged that individuals who have good levels of folic acid are less likely to die of heart disease than those whose diets did not have enough. |
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sodium
Too much salt or sodium in your diet can cause high blood pressure. Try reducing the amount of salt you put into your food. It may also help to keep an eye on sodium levels in the food you are eating. The lower the levels the better. |
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workout
Regular aerobic exercise is really important as it strengthens the heart and lungs. It also keeps blood vessels working properly. People who do not take part in any exercise are twice as likely to develop heart disease than people who work out regularly. |
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relax
Learning how to relax is vitally important. Stress may be a contributing factor in heart disease and learning how to cope in stressful situations is essential. Relaxation techniques like meditation and yoga and have proved beneficial in coping with such situations. |
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fat
It is a fact that our daily fat consumption is over 35% of our daily calorie intake and this is a serious problem. It is recommended that we aim for around the 20% level. If you restrict your fat intake to about 10% of your daily calorie intake then there is significant research which suggests that, with the addition of exercise and relaxation techniques, an individual can significantly reduce their risk of heart disease. It may even be possible to unclog existing arteries. |
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family
Check if any members of your family have a history of heart disease of have died at an early age due to heart problems. Knowing your family history will enable you to be more aware of your own health and allow you to make health changes to combat a hereditary heart problem.
Exercise can be hazardous. If you use any of the ideas, techniques or suggestions discussed in these documents, all are undertaken at the reader’s sole discretion and risk.
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hawthorn
This is a great herb which strengthens the arteries and tones the heart muscle. It is possible to drink the herb as a tea, take it in extract, tincture or tablet form.
Warning:- The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any medical condition.
Should you have any medical condition, always consult your doctor, before undertaking any change in exercise or dietary advice. |
Total Body Fitness – endurance, movement and strength.
23/09/2011 by admin.
For more info please visit www.naturalmatter.co.uk
Total body fitness is an equal ability in three different areas. The three areas are endurance, movement, and strength. The area you concentrate on most depends on what goals you wish to achieve. However, all three areas should be considered when training.
A marathon runner for example, is going to concentrate on endurance training, but still needs to work on their flexibility and strength. Their focus will be on endurance because they are looking to increase the amount of oxygen their body can supply to their muscles.
All oxygen requirements are supplied via the heart and lungs. Endurance training of any kind (like cardiovascular or endurance aerobic work) increases the productivity of the heart by making it a larger and stronger muscle. It also increases the capacity of the lungs and in doing so increases the amount of oxygen that is supplied to the muscles.
Once the oxygen has been delivered it can be used to release energy from stored reserves of fat and carbohydrates. As training continues the heart becomes much stronger and there is an increase in endurance levels for sustained periods of activity.
A weight lifter needs to focus on different areas of exercise. Their focus will be mainly on their strength training and this is achieved by weight resistance work. Muscles must be worked beyond their capacity in order for them to grow.
Weight training is an excellent form of exercise as it can be aerobic or anaerobic. Using a lower weight and repeating the move many times can improve muscular endurance. Using a heavier weight and completing a shorter amount of repetitions can improve strength.
The very least you can achieve from strength training is a more productive life with regards to lifting, correcting lazy posture, tiredness and being easily injured. Strength training increases your metabolic rate and the muscle fat ratio within your body.
Muscle is living tissue and requires energy to be sustained or grow larger. The stronger your body is the better chance it has to fight off injuries as you progress into old age. Weight training has been shown to develop bone density, which can help prevent Osteoporosis, (a degenerative bone disease particularly prone to target older men and women.)
Do not start high intensity weight training if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart problems, as high intensity training has been known to increase blood pressure levels. Always consult a doctor if you are unsure about your state of health and its impact on your fitness regime.
Remaining flexible is another very important feature of any exercise programme. By regular correct stretching it is possible to avoid injury and post work out muscle ache or stiffness. Stretching also enables you to keep full mobility and speeds up any recovery from injury.
It is always important to stretch when working out but it is vital to remember not to stretch until you are fully warmed up. It is best to do approximately 10-15 minutes of cardiovascular activity before attempting a stretching routine.
When warmed up the muscles are more flexible and can be extended much more easily avoiding unnecessary strains. A great way to incorporate stretching and strength is to take up yoga. Not only does yoga develop balance, posture, strength and great flexibility but also calmness and inner balance. This, of course, is another important requisite for the other side of fitness - mental fitness.
Find all our fitness equipment, weights, dumbbells, yoga mats and supplements at www.naturalmatter.co.uk
Wheat Sensitivity and Coeliac Disease - wheat free & gluten free diets
16/09/2011 by admin.
www.naturalmatter.co.uk
Wheat sensitivity is an allergic reaction or intolerance to wheat. It is a very difficult allergy to pinpoint, as each person’s reaction can be very different. Many people can overcome their allergy by sticking to a wheat free diet. Thankfully some sufferers can, after a period of abstinence, return to a diet where wheat is eaten in moderation. However, others have to remove wheat from their diets permanently. These individuals have to select wheat free foods for life.
Coeliac disease however, is when the small intestine cannot absorb all the nutrients from the food you are eating. The fronds on the intestinal wall become damaged by gluten. (Gluten is a part of the protein found in barley, rye and wheat.) Once gluten is removed from the diet the fronds repair and are able to absorb nutrients from food once again. Unfortunately, for the sufferer, gluten can never be reintroduced into the diet. Therefore, they have to stick rigidly to a gluten free diet.
If you have recently been diagnosed with a wheat allergy or Coeliac Disease it can seem quite disheartening, as it appears every foodstuff contains either wheat or gluten. However, more and more companies are producing food that is safe for wheat free and gluten free diets.
Some of the varying symptoms for a wheat allergy are,
Sweating, skin rashes, asthma, irritability, stomach cramps, runny nose, migraine, sneezing, muscle pain, tiredness and difficulty swallowing.
Some of the symptoms for Coeliac Disease are,
Abdominal discomfort, tiredness, weight loss, diarrhoea, anaemia and fertility problems.
wheat free muesli gluten free chocolate chip cookies gluten free pasta wheat free cake
For all our gluten free and wheat free products please visit www.naturalmatter.co.uk
If you feel that you have some or all of these symptoms please seek advice from your doctor. It is not safe to start a restrictive diet without the correct medical supervision.
The information contained on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, cure or treat any medical condition. Should you have any medical condition, always consult your doctor, before undertaking any change in exercise or dietary advice.
Super foods
12/09/2011 by admin.
For our great range of organic health foods please visit www.naturalmatter.co.uk
If you are having trouble getting your five portions of fruit and vegetables a day, don’t despair. There are many nutritionally dense foods that can come to your rescue. These foods are often called ‘super foods’ because they are packed with vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals. Our bodies need vitamins and minerals to function and to stay healthy. By adding these super foods to a meal you can fill up on your fruit and veg portions in half the time.
Super foods have more vitamins and minerals than an average fruit or vegetable of the same size. In reality, super foods aren’t as exotic as you may think. Instead, they are regular fruit and vegetables, all readily available at any supermarket. You just need to know which are the true ‘super’ ones. Add them to any meal and you can significantly boost the nutritional content.
The super foods that we are listing in this article have an abundance of antioxidants. Antioxidants are a necessary part of the bodies own defence system. Antioxidants cancel out free radicals (unpaired electrons) that are causing damage to surrounding cells.
As an example, Vitamin C sacrifices itself to counteract the destruction caused by free radicals. The only problem is we cannot produce Vitamin C ourselves, so we have to get it from sources outside the body. It is vital that we replenish it on a regular basis. As we get older, our free radical defence system doesn’t work as effectively and extra Vitamin C is needed. So, if you can stock up on those super foods your body will thank you for it.
Here is the important SUPER FOODS list…
Goji berries – These wonderful berries have a high antioxidant level. Goji berries are said to improve, among other things, vision, complexion and circulation.
Ginger – Ginger is a powerful antioxidant. Scientists are investigating the idea that ginger aids in blood vessel balance.
Manuka honey - Manuka honey has antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. These are said to be much higher in Manuka honey. Hydrogen peroxide is added to all honey by bees but in Manuka honey the bees add another substance. This substance has been called the Manuka Factor. A UMF of 10+ is recommended.
Red grapes – It has been proved that red grapes lower LDL blood cholesterol and prevent blood clots. For Grapeseed extract click here.
Cocoa – A great source of cocoa is dark chocolate. Choose a dark chocolate with a 70% or higher cocoa content. Don’t think that milk chocolate will do, it has to be dark.
Green Leafy vegetables – spinach or kale. A true super food. Jam packed full of vitamins.
Green tea – Through its processing it has held onto more of the nutrients from the plant.
Broccoli – Broccoli contains antioxidants including vitamin C but it is also a great source of naturally occurring folic acid. Folic acid isn’t just for pregnant women. It is thought that increasing your levels of folic acid may prevent heart disease.
Flaxseed – Flaxseed is high in the b vitamins, it’s a super grain that leaves all the others in the shade. This grain is very rich in omega-3 fatty acids and has a high fibre content.
Avocado - Avocados are full of B vitamins and folic acid. They are known as nutrient enhancers. When avocados are eaten with other nutrient rich foods they help the body absorb those nutrients. They also help lower cholesterol levels and are a great source of monounsaturated fatty acids.
Sweet potatoes - Sweet potatoes are high in fibre, Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, manganese and potassium.
Tomatoes – Tomatoes are a great immune system booster. Many studies have claimed there are many health benefits to be gained from eating this super food. One of which is a reduced risk of heart disease.
Natural yogurt – This super food has probiotic cultures. These are said to keep the intestines healthy and in addition they boost the immune system.
Garlic - Garlic can help protect against heart disease by thinning the blood and helping to lower cholesterol.
Blueberries - Blueberries have one of the highest levels of antioxidants. If there is one super food that you should add to your diet, blueberries should be it.
Nuts - Nuts are full of nutrients. Nuts have fibre, calcium, protein, vitamin E, iron, magnesium and selenium.
Peppers - All peppers contain compounds called capsaicinoids. These capsaicinoids are said to have anti-inflammatory effects and are said to be great for your heart.
Acai berries– Acai berries are packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids.
Kiwis – This fruit is rich in vitamin C and Vitamin E.
Quinoa - Quinoa is high in protein and includes all nine essential amino acids.
Muscle Works
04/08/2011 by admin.
For our muscle gain products please visit http://www.naturalmatter.co.uk
The body has about 650 muscles that take up approximately one half of your entire body weight. These muscles are continuously working to keep us alive and moving. Some muscles we consciously control while others move involuntarily.
Muscle is an elastic type of material, which rapidly responds to any form of increased activity requiring it. There are three different types of muscles in the body, skeletal muscle that we will concentrate on here, cardiac muscle and smooth muscle. Skeletal muscle is in a constant state of being toned or tightened. We need this muscle for any movement we make from running to getting out of the car.
If you want to know what your muscles will be like after a certain training technique, look to the sports men and women who train that way. If you want to have large well-defined muscle groups, go towards the weight training and weight lifting techniques. If you don’t want large muscles but want endurance capabilities, then focus on a runner’s training technique.
When you start weight training, your muscles will start to grow after approximately 2 months depending on your dedication and genetic make-up. Your muscle size increases because there is an increase in your muscle fibres, you don’t actually grow more muscle cells.
You will start to see changes in your body as your training develops. Large muscles will start to develop first, such as your chest and back muscles, as these tend to grow faster.
The triceps are usually a great motivator when you first begin training. This is because they are not used very much, so from a little work they firm quite quickly. This will be very noticeable in women as this is a common fat storage area.
The muscle will decrease however when you stop training it. Also, if you continue to eat at the same rate as you did before when you were training the living muscle, a layer of fat will develop over the tissue. Don’t worry though, it is easy to regain what you once had.
Muscle strength does tend to reduce, as we get older. The main reason for this reduction is reduced activity. If we keep active and maintain muscle strength into our older years, this will promote health and allow us to remain independent, due to increased mobility.
Bigger muscles
There is great debate on how much protein is necessary for increased muscle and performance but many body builders believe that increasing your protein intake will increase your body muscle mass and in turn increase strength. It is generally believed though that by taking a good supply of carbohydrates and then consuming approximately 1.5 -2.0 grams of protein per lb of body weight per day will be enough to promote muscle growth and development.