Cholesterol plays an important role in many bodily functions. It is of two types — The first type is LDL or bad cholesterol, which leads to plaque build-up in blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart diseases. The other is HDL or good cholesterol, which can reduce the risk of heart conditions. It is important to develop healthy eating habits to lower LDL cholesterol. Mentioned below are three foods to avoid to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Three high cholesterol foods to avoid Sugar-sweetened beverages Common examples of such beverages include off-the-shelf soft drinks, sodas, sports drinks, flavored juices, and energy drinks. Some form of electrolyte replacement drinks also contain excess sugar. These items are high in calories and provide zero nutritional value. Almost 11 percent of total calories come from sugar-sweetened drinks. Instead of these beverages, one can choose to have plain water since it provides adequate hydration. One can also opt for fresh homemade lemonade or fruit juices. To keep the calories in check, you can have herbal tea and low-calorie hot chocolate. Saturated fats Pizzas, butter, cheese, fast foods, red meat, or foods cooked in palm oil are all high in saturated fats. This type of fat increases bad cholesterol in the blood.

Studies indicate that heartburn may indirectly trigger heart palpitations, one of the common symptoms that may be a precursor to heart attacks. And there are many triggers of heartburn, ranging from unhealthy eating to lifestyle choices that could lead to potential problems down the line. However, simple substitutes and changes in daily foods can help both promote heart health and provide frequent heartburn remedies at the same time. Here is a brief overview. Green veggies Spinach, kale, collard greens, and other nutrient-rich green vegetables promote excellent heart health. These greens contain vitamin K, which helps protect arteries and are rich in dietary nitrates that lower the risk of blood pressure to improve overall cardiovascular function. Whole grains Brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, barley, and oats are popular whole grains that help promote heart health. Whole grains help improve digestion, lower cholesterol, and improve systolic blood pressure levels, lowering the risk of coronary artery disease. Oatmeal also helps reduce the recurrence of heartburn as soluble fibers absorb a lot of the acidic content in the stomach. Banana Banana is rich in potassium and low in sodium, helping the body maintain healthy heart function and optimum blood pressure levels. Also, the alkaline content and soluble fibers, including pectin, promote better digestion.

Fructose is a type of sugar found in several foods, including natural fruit juices, honey, fruits, vegetables, and sweetened beverages. Though fructose-rich foods and drinks may increase the risk of diabetes, it is the latter that puts one at greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes. The best thing to do if you have diabetes is to eat healthy foods low in sugars. Here are five such foods. Leafy greens Spinach and kale are leafy green vegetables. These vegetables are rich in minerals and vitamins, like vitamin C. There is evidence that suggests that people with diabetes require more vitamin C in their body. Leafy greens are also low in digestible carbs and do not impact blood sugar levels. Avocados Other than being a delicious fruit, avocados have several health benefits. The fruit contains less than a gram of sugar; it’s rich in fiber and healthy fats, and it has low carbohydrate levels. Avocados can help improve a person’s lifestyle and maintain a healthy body mass index. The fruit reduces the risk of an imbalanced BMI, a condition that is otherwise likely to increase the risk of diabetes. Fatty fish Fatty fish like sardines, salmon, anchovies, and herring are abundant in omega-3 fatty acids called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

Hair loss is a common condition that affects thousands of men and women across the country. A person can experience it on the scalp or other parts of the body. Frequent hair loss can affect a person’s self-esteem and can be an indicator of underlying health conditions. It is vital to know about the essential vitamins for preventing hair loss that can help in controlling the condition. Why does hair loss happen? First, let’s take a quick look at the causes and symptoms of hair loss. This condition is often a result of medication, hormonal imbalances, lifestyle or hereditary factors. Male pattern baldness or excessive loss of hair from the scalp, commonly known as alopecia, is mostly a result of genetic factors. Different people may experience different types of hair loss. Men and women lose their hair in different ways. Some people may experience symptoms such as thinning of hair or bald patches while others may find clumps of hair fall after brushing or washing their hair. People who have gone through radiation or chemotherapy experience hair loss all over the body, although this hair grows back once the treatment is complete. Other factors such as age, traumatic experiences or nutritional deficiency can also result in hair loss.

The food you eat can have a major impact on the health and appearance of your hair. More often than not, a majority of hair problems like hair loss, hair thinning, and itchy scalp stem from nutritional deficiencies. If you suffer from iron or vitamin deficiency, there are chances that you are highly susceptible to hair problems. Your diet plays a crucial role in hair treatment, and here we have compiled a list of food items to consume for healthy hair and to boost hair growth: Fatty fish Fish and other seafood are enriched with Omega-3 fatty acids and a host of other nutrients that help control hair fall and aid hair growth. Increasing the consumption of fatty fish like salmon and mackerel is a great way to boost hair growth. Along with that, it helps combat a myriad of conditions like a dry and flaky scalp. Berries Berries like strawberries and blueberries are rich in antioxidants that safeguard your hair from free radicals, which damage it and hamper healthy growth. The high content of vitamin C in berries aids hair treatment by boosting the collagen production in hair and promotes hair health. It keeps premature aging signs like greying and thinning of hair at bay.

The degeneration of brain cells can lead to the development of various health concerns. It can compromise the person’s cognitive and physical function and deteriorate their lifestyle. To avoid these complications, doctors often recommend adopting a healthy lifestyle. Eliminating unhealthy foods and adopting a healthy lifestyle can prevent the brain’s and other organs’ free radical damage. Here are three essential tips that help avoid the degeneration of brain cells due to dementia. Have these foods to prevent degeneration Proper nourishment is essential for brain functions, and providing the correct nutrients helps prevent this organ from rapid damage. Here are some foods to consider: Nuts Regular inclusion of nuts in meal plans can help develop better cognitive skills. It can also help keep other systems running smoothly. Nuts have also been linked to having a better memory. Green vegetables Two servings of green vegetables a week can help prevent the degeneration of brain cells. Those who include leafy vegetables in their daily meals are better protected against cognitive decline. Fatty fish Omega-3 fatty acids are abundant in fish like salmon, tuna, and herring. This nutrient also benefits people with low cognition and those at risk of developing degenerative brain disorders. Berries Berries are rich sources of anthocyanin, a compound with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

ADHD, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, is a neurological disease that affects many people across the globe, children as well as adults. The common symptoms include daydreaming, forgetfulness, talking too much, making careless mistakes, hyperactivity, and trouble concentrating. ADHD is manageable with treatments. But, lifestyle changes can support ongoing treatment and improve the condition further. Doctors have identified some foods to avoid with ADHD that patients should be aware of. Candy When dealing with ADHD, one should avoid candy because it has a very high sugar content and artificial coloring. Both elements can worsen hyperactivity. While avoiding candy will not prevent hyperactivity altogether, it will help reduce the intensity and frequency of episodes. Too much sugar, in general, can also impact energy levels and lead to other health conditions like diabetes, so it is best to limit its quantity in foods. Coffee Coffee is also a no-go for people with ADHD. The caffeine in coffee can improve concentration levels, but it can worsen the symptoms of this health condition. It can also interfere with ongoing treatment. Besides coffee, beverages like tea and even cola are also counted among the foods to avoid with ADHD due to their caffeine content. Frozen fruits and veggies While fresh fruits and veggies are healthy, frozen ones may have artificial additives that worsen ADHD symptoms.

Having a cold and flu at the same time can be an exasperating condition, especially if you are down with a range of symptoms such as fever, muscle ache, runny nose, sore throat, coughing, headaches, sneezing, chest congestion, nasal stuffiness, nausea, loss of energy, diarrhea, etc. Therefore, it can undoubtedly interfere with your everyday activities. However, the good part is that there is a range of cold and flu treatments which can assist you in alleviating the discomfort. The following cold and flu treatments comprise the use of home remedies as well as OTC (over-the-counter) medications. The best aspect is that most of the home remedies can be easily found in your kitchen. OTC medications – Based on the signs, you can use OTC drugs to ease the distress caused by cold and flu. You can get a variety of medicines such as decongestants, antihistamines, cough suppressants, antipyretics, pain relievers, expectorants, combination medications, etc. For instance, if you are particularly suffering from a stuffy nose and fever, you can use nasal sprays, nose drops, antipyretics, combination medicines, etc. to get rid of the congestion. Likewise, if you are suffering from body ache and fever, you should opt for pain relievers and antipyretics to gain quick relief.

Smartphones are versatile devices that allow you to communicate with people even if they are across the globe. They can also be used to watch a movie on the go, read an e-book, take high-quality photos and videos, and even play games of your liking. But as important as they are, there are some things you should avoid doing when using a smartphone. Here are five smartphone habits to stop today: Using the phone while walking You may use your phone to perform multiple tasks. However, it is imperative to do so when you are not on the move. Using the device while walking can distract and endanger you or another individual. Relying only on GPS The GPS on a smartphone is exceptional but not always 100% accurate. There are days when your phone may guide you the wrong way or take you to the wrong destination. So sometimes, you should self-navigate by looking at the traffic signs or by seeking directions from a traffic officer. Scrolling through the smartphone before bed Most of us tend to scroll through social media or watch content like movies or a web series before sleeping. However, smartphones emit a blue light that suppresses melatonin, a chemical that regulates sleep.

The eye is an organ part of the visual system in the human body that enables individuals to see. But several factors can affect one’s overall vision. Age, diabetes, high blood pressure, and genetics are significant factors impacting one’s vision. Improper nutrition can also be a contributing factor to poor vision. Therefore, one must ensure they eat foods rich in vitamins to improve eye health. Here are four such vitamins to include in each meal. Vitamin A Including foods rich in vitamin A may help maintain a clear cornea (the outer covering of the eye). The vitamin is also a component of a protein in the eyes known as rhodopsin. The protein allows individuals to see in low light conditions. Furthermore, vitamin A reduces the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Foods abundant with A vitamins include pumpkins, bell peppers, squash, and sweet potato. Carrots, black-eyed peas, spinach, broccoli, mangoes, and cantaloupe are other foods rich in this vitamin. The lack of vitamin A can lead to xerophthalmia, a severe condition that may cause permanent blindness. Vitamin C Eating foods rich in vitamin C can have several health benefits, including those for the eyes. The vitamin also protects the eyes from oxidative damage.