Foods to Increase Metabolism

There are several foods to increase metabolism. Metabolism refers to the processes in our body which are required to maintain life. These processes lead to our growth and reproduction of cells. They are divided into two categories catabolism and anabolism.  Metabolism determines what food is nutritious to our body and what food is poisonous. Low metabolic rate could lead to ill health. The metabolic rate is extremely important for good health. 

Water to Increase Metabolism

One important natural metabolism booster is water. Water suppresses hunger and boosts the rate of metabolism. It is necessary to drink water at regular intervals right through the day.  Water also helps to flush out all the toxins from the body.  Drinking water also reduces the pangs of hunger. It is essential to drink at least two liters of water a day.

Vegetables boost Metabolism

Several vegetables help to boost metabolism and convert food to energy efficiently. Some of these vegetables are leafy greens like turnip greens, spinach, kale and collard greens. They help the blood cells to transport the nutrients right through the body.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal has abundance of dietary fiber. Most of it is soluble fiber, which is more effective than insoluble fiber to boost metabolism. High fiber foods are more filling and curb appetite. Water soluble fibers lower the levels of insulin and help to breakdown fats more efficiently.   

Chilies

Eating spicy foods like chilies raises the body temperature. This helps to boost metabolism. Spicy foods also suppress appetite. Some peppers like jalapeno and cayenne contain capsaicin which helps to increase metabolism and burn more calories.

Fruits to Increase Metabolism

Most fruits contain abundant quantities of fiber. They contain natural sugar which is different from the sugar we use for coffee and cooking. Some of the fruits that help to increase metabolism are apples, oranges, plums, peaches, blackberries, apricots and melons.

Grape fruit has been considered to be a healthy food from a long time. It is fiber rich. Fiber is hard to breakdown and requires more calories to so. This results in weight loss. Grape fruit lowers the levels of insulin in the body. Higher levels of insulin induce the body to store fat. Grape fruit also contains folic acid, vitamin C and potassium. They provide a boost to the immune system.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

Foods that contain omega 3 fatty acids boost metabolism. Some important foods that contain omega-3 fatty acids are

• Fish
• Vegetable oils
• Eggs
• Meat
• Butter nuts
• Walnuts
• Pecan nuts
• Linseed oil

These are some of the natural foods to increase metabolism and help to reduce weight.

Do You Burn Calories When You Sleep?

There are several foods that burn calories even when you sleep. They burn more calories than they contain. Including these foods in your diet will help you to burn calories faster. These foods are called negative calorie foods. To get better results include exercise in your daily routine.

Most of these negative calorie foods consist of fruits and vegetables. They do not burn calories in the exact sense of the term. They speed up metabolism or break the components of fat.  These foods are rich in fiber and contain more water. It is better to eat most of these foods without cooking in the raw state.  These foods burn calories when you sleep.

Burn Calories with Green Tea

Green tea is a very effective metabolism booster. Green tea contains catechin polyphenols which are said to aid the fat burning qualities of the herb. It is said that the strongest of these catechins called EGCG reduces the calories that are absorbed from the diet and helps to burn fats faster. It also prevents the storage of fats.  It has thermogenic properties which help to burn off the calories.

Vitamin C

Citrus fruits contain vitamin C.  They help to dilute the fats and push them out of the body. They also speed up metabolism. Some of the citrus fruits that aid weight loss are lemon, orange, sweet lime, grape fruit and tangerines.

Legumes

Legumes have large amounts of protein and very high fiber content. Examples of legumes are soya beans, brussels sprouts, French beans, kidney beans and lentils. Some of them can be included for breakfast. Bean soup or salad for dinner will help to burn calories when you sleep.

Diary Foods

Milk, yogurt and other dairy foods contain calcium which breaks down fat cells and aid weight loss. Milk has an abundance of complex carbohydrates which helps to keep the insulin levels low. Low insulin levels help to boost the metabolism rate. Human body requires about 1200 to 1300mg of calcium daily. Drinking skimmed milk will help to burn fat without the addition of any unnecessary calories.

Whole Grains

Whole grains have carbohydrates in abundance. They are also rich in fiber. They increase the rate of metabolism and help to burn more calories and fat. Eating oatmeal for breakfast in the morning will boost your energy levels and also help to burn more calories. Some of the whole grains that would help to burn off fat are brown rice, wheat bran, whole wheat, barley and wheat germ.

You should include in your diet some of these foods that help to burn calories when you sleep. 

How to Treat Sinus Infection at Home - Remedies

How to Treat Sinus infection at Home 

Several home remedies are available for sinus infection. Sinus infection is very common and can occur with the changes in the weather. It is also known as sinusitis. The symptoms of the disease resemble that of a cold. It causes the blockage of the nasal passages and inflammation of the sinuses. Sinus infection may occur following a common cold or flu. When you have the infection, sinuses swell up and proper drainage of the mucus is prevented. They can cause runny nose, fever, bad breath, headaches, dizziness and ear aches. It is necessary to reduce the congestion by draining the sinus. Acute cases may even require hospitalization. Generally it is treated with antibiotics. Home remedies for sinus infection can reduce the suffering.

Steam for Sinus Infection

Take some water in a vaporizer add Vicks or eucalyptus oil and inhale steam for ten minutes three times a day. This will help to ease the congestion and make breathing easier. Hot water shower may also help. You can also inhale steam from a bowl of steaming hot water.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Sinus Infection

Add two tsp of apple cider vinegar to water and keep sipping the liquid at short intervals.

Herbal Tea

Make herbal tea using ginger, lemon and honey. It soothes the throat, eases the congestion and keeps you hydrated

Grape Seed Extract for Sinus Infection

Grape seed extract is an anti oxidant. It is a very good home remedy for sinus infection. It helps to reduce the inflammation in the nasal and sinus passages.  The recommended dosage of grape seed extract is 50 to 100 mg, 2-3 times a day. It is available both in the capsule and liquid form.

Garlic for Sinus Infection

Garlic is a very good remedy for sinus infection. You can take two to three cloves of garlic twice a day. Crush garlic and add it to a bowl of steaming water and inhale the vapor. This will help to clear the nasal congestion

Eucalyptus Lozenges

Take eucalyptus lozenges. It helps to sooth the throat.

Soups

Hot liquid based foods are a very good remedy for sinus infection. Hot chicken soup helps the mucus to thin and drain out.

Vitamin C for Sinus Infection

Vitamin C is useful in reducing the effects of sinus infection. Eat fruits that contain vitamin C or take vitamin C tablets every day.

Oil of Oregano

Oil of oregano is a very good remedy for sinus infection. It has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to reduce the irritation due to inflammation of the mucus lining. Add 2-3 drops of oil of oregano to coffee tea or orange juice. Drink it 3-4 times a day.

Drink plenty of fluids and keep yourself hydrated. Avoid smoking and alcohol. These are some of the methods to treat sinus infection at home. 

Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar Remedies 
                                                                                                                 Apple cider vinegar(ACV) is made by crushing apples and extracting the juice. The juice is fermented by adding yeast and sugar. Apple juice turns into alcohol during the first stage of fermentation. Fermentation continues further and vinegar is obtained. It contains a substance called pectin which has disease fighting properties. It also contains vitamins, minerals and amino acids. It is an excellent preservative of food products. There are several apple cider vinegar remedies.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Blood Pressure

It contains potassium which helps to reduce blood pressure. Mix ACV with some oil and add it to salads instead of salad dressing. It is also a blood thinner. Two tsp of ACV can be added to water to taken before meals every day to reduce blood pressure. It has a strong acidic taste. A physician has to be consulted before starting on ACV. 

Apple Cider Vinegar for Weight Loss

ACV has been used to aid weight loss for hundreds of years. It increases the rate of metabolism and helps to burn fat faster. It is also said to reduce cholesterol levels. Add two tsp of ACV to half liter of water and keep drinking it right through the day.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Detoxification

ACV is used for the detoxification of liver and blood purification. It helps the body to get rid of the toxins effectively. It aids digestion. Add 2-3 tsp of ACV to water and take it before meals.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Cholesterol

ACV benefits include the reduction of cholesterol in the blood. It has water soluble fiber pectin, which helps to absorb cholesterol and fat in the body. It is then excreted.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Hair Growth

It is an excellent remedy for thinning hair. It is full of nutrients that promote hair growth. It removes the dead skin cells that block the hair follicles. It is also a very good remedy for dandruff. Add half a cup of ACV to an equal quantity of water. Apply it to your hair after shampooing. Rub it in gently. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Healthy Skin

It is an antiseptic which destroys viruses, bacteria and yeast, when it is applied to the skin. Excessive oil in the skin is absorbed by ACV. It helps to remove acne and blackheads. It makes the skin soft and smooth.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Sore Throat

ACV gargle is a very useful remedy for sore throat. Mix it with equal quantity of water and gargle once every two hours. But make sure that you rinse your mouth with water after gargling to prevent the deposit of acid on the teeth.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Acne

Drinking ACV regularly will help to reduce acne. You can apply ACV directly to the affected skin. Acne will start to reduce after several applications and vanish.

Apple Cider Vinegar for Acid Reflux

It is a very good remedy for acid reflux. Add one tsp of ACV to a glass of water and drink it thrice a day. It will get rid of all the discomfort and uneasiness. 

These are some of the important apple cider vinegar remedies

Homemade Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin

Homemade Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin
                                                                                                         Face moisturizers are essential to take good care of the facial skin. Skin loses moisture when exposed to the sun and cold weather.  People with all types of skin need to keep the skin hydrated. Moisturizers provide protection to the skin against environmental damage. Different types of skin need different moisturizers and levels of hydration. Moisturizer hydrates the skin. It makes it soft and glowing. A wide range of chemical based moisturizers are available in the market. Some of these chemicals could be harmful to the skin. The moisturizer has to keep the skin hydrated but should not block the pores. Skin absorbs the moisturizer. Several recipes of homemade face moisturizer for dry skin is given below.

Cucumber and Yogurt

Put a peeled cucumber and two tsp of yogurt in a blender. Cucumber soothes the skin and yogurt hydrates it. Apply the paste to the face and wash it off after 30 minutes.

Avocado and Honey

Avocado is a very good moisturizer. Put a peeled avocado in a blender till it becomes soft and smooth. Add two tsp of unprocessed honey. Wash your face and apply the mixture. Wash it off with warm water after 30 minutes. 

Vinegar and Lemon Juice

Apple cider vinegar promotes a smooth and supple skin by removing the dirt and oil on the skin. It also removes the dead skin cells. Lemon exfoliates and lightens your skin complexion. Add quarter tsp of apple cider vinegar to a tsp of lemon juice. Mix it and apply it to your face with cotton. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

Aloe Vera and Olive Oil

Extract gel from a large leaf of aloe vera plant. Mix it with a tsp of virgin olive oil. Use it morning and evening. It can also be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.

Banana and Honey

Mash a ripe banana. Add two tablespoons of honey and mix it will. Make it into a fine paste. Wash your face well and apply it. Wash it off after 30 minutes

Egg Yolk and Honey

Egg yolk and honey are an excellent combination for a moisturizer. Beat up an egg yolk and mix it with a tsp of honey.  Apply it to your face. Wash it off with warm water as it starts to dry. The skin will become smooth and soft.


Strawberry Moisturizer


Mash 4 strawberries with a fork. Add 1/2 tsp of olive oil and 1/2 tsp of coconut oil. Mix it well and make a paste. Apply the paste to your face and wash it off after 15 minutes.


Homemade moisturizers contain natural ingredients that are harmless and economical. You can choose the most convenient recipe of homemade face moisturizer for dry skin from the list above.


Glycerin Soap

Glycerin soap is much gentler on the skin than any other soap. Glycerin is hygroscopic (absorbs moisture from air). It helps to keep the skin hydrated always. it is very useful for dry skin.