Durham Family Chiropractic

Healthy Eating

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Top Tips to Combat Hayfever Naturally

Nature can be cruel! Just when we are over the worst that Winter has to offer looking forward to the Spring sunshine, those suffering with seasonal “hayfever” allergies, are probably sighing and stocking up on their tissue supplies. Thankfully nature also provides us with, natural remedies, and natural ingredients that can provide some relief from hay-fever symptoms and help to prevent their return.

Sneezing, running nose, and itchy eyes, nose and throat can be a miserable problem for those suffering from hay-fever (allergic rhinitis) and the figures are rising, as 20% of the population are now affected by allergic rhinitis (Allergy The Unmet Need)

The chief reasons for seasonal change allergies are airborne dander, dust-mites, feathers, moulds, and pollen. The immune system of sufferers overreacts to the normally harmless particles in the air. The airborne pollens cause the body to produce antibodies, and it releases a natural substance called histamine. Histamine irritates the upper respiratory passages (nose, throat, eyes and sinus), resulting in swelling and other hay-fever symptoms.

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Are there health benefits to eating chocolate?

 We often hear about the negative effect chocolate can have on our bodies, but we don’t often hear about the health benefits that chocolate has. Of course, chocolate can be bad for you if you eat it in large amounts, but chocolate in moderation can have its benefits.

Chocolate can:

  • Lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure: ‘’Chocolate may support cardiovascular health by lowering cholesterol and improving blood pressure.” This is because it reduces low-density lipoprotein (LDL) which is also known as bad cholesterol.
  • Improve blood flow to the brain: ‘’Scientists at Harvard Medical School have suggested that drinking two cups of hot chocolate a day could help keep the brain healthy and reduce memory decline in older people.’’ This is because chocolate can reduce or prevent damage to the nerve pathways in the brain and studies are being done to see the effects of this in reducing diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Reduce the risk of heart disease or stroke: Studies have shown that eating chocolate can reduce the risks of developing heart disease and stroke

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Health Benefits of the Tomato-“Love Apple”

February is considered the month of love, so why not examine all things good that symbolise love?The French actually named it tomato d’amour, “love apple,” because of its believed aphrodisiac power. Whether or not this prophecy  is true, there is a lot to love about the tomato.

According to an article published in Medical News Today, a tomato is considered to be a nutrient-dense superfood that offers benefit to a range of bodily systems. Its nutritional content supports healthful skin, weight loss, and heart health.

There are different types and sizes of tomato, and they can be prepared in different ways. The health benefits can vary between types. Eating a diet that contains large amounts of fruit and vegetables, is also linked to healthy skin and hair, increased energy, and lower weight. Increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables significantly decreases the risk of obesity and overall mortality.

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Essential Vitamin D

Did you know that Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles?

 We need vitamin D to help the body absorb calcium and phosphate from our diet. These minerals are important for healthy bones, teeth and muscles. The body creates vitamin D from direct sunlight on the skin when outdoors.

According to the NHS, a lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.

During the spring and summer months, most people should be able to get all the vitamin D they need from sunlight. However, in the UK, the winter sunlight doesn’t contain enough UVB radiation for our skin to be able to make vitamin D. During these months, we rely on getting our vitamin D from food sources and supplements. Using sunbeds is not a recommended way of making vitamin D.

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