Tag: skin

All about Oats, are they healthy?

Todays post is all about Oats.

With the cooler weather, many people turn to oats or porridge for breakfast. It has certainly become one of our favourites. There are also many differing opinions regarding how healthy this cereal is. I decided to do my own research and, as usual, share the results.

What are Oats?

The oat (Avena sativa), is a species of cereal grain grown for its seed, which is known by the same name. Oats have been around for a very long time. Researchers have found significant evidence that hunter-gatherers ate oats 25,000 years before the spread of farming.

In Scotland, oats became the staple grain. This is because oats are better suited than wheat to the country’s low temperatures and high humidity. As a result, the cereal grain is held in high esteem, as a mainstay of the national diet.

As a food, oats are most commonly rolled or crushed into oatmeal, or ground into fine oat flour. Oatmeal is chiefly eaten as porridge, but may also be used in a variety of baked goods, such as oatcakes, oatmeal cookies and oat bread. Oats are also a staple ingredient in cereals such as muesli and granola.

Oats are naturally free of gluten. They do however contain proteins called Avenins, which are similar to Gliadins from wheat. Avenins can trigger celiac disease in a small proportion of people. Other gluten-containing grains, mainly wheat and barley, also frequently contaminate oat products.

 Are oats really healthy?

They are generally considered healthy due to containing several essential nutrients.

A 100-gram serving provides 389 calories and is an excellent source of protein, dietary fibre, several B group vitamins and numerous minerals. Research has proven that the consumption of the whole grain, and oat-based products, significantly reduces total cholesterol concentrations.

Studies have also shown other possible health benefits of this cereal grain. These include reduced risk of coronary artery disease, lowering levels of cholesterol, and reduced risk of colorectal cancer.

A unique type of soluble fibre found in oats called beta-glucan, has numerous benefits. It nourishes and restores healthy gut bacteria and helps reduce blood sugar levels.

A few studies also indicate that oats may boost the immune system, enhancing the body’s ability to fight bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites

Oats contain a range of molecules that act as antioxidants; this includes avenanthramides, which are polyphenols. Studies have revealed that Avenanthramides may play a role in keeping blood pressure low.

They also have anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties when applied topically to the skin.

Using oats on the skin.

Oats contain zinc, which is an anti-inflammatory. They also contain compounds called saponins, which are natural cleansers. Oat extracts can also be used to soothe skin conditions, and their emollient properties are used in cosmetics.

It certainly seems that oats are good for us, inside and out.

Till the next post, 

Live clean n prosper

Sweat and sweating

Today’s topic is about sweat, sweat glands and sweating.

This stems from an article I read this morning discussing whether we shower ‘too much’. It quoted a study conducted by the University School of Nursing in Columbia, which claims we don’t need to wash once a day.

The idea being that the body does a good job of managing it’s own bacteria and too much soap can kill off the good stuff. According to the study, showering twice a week is enough, as long as you are regularly washing your hands and changing your clothes.

Scott has recently been studying Biology and this article created a discussion about sweat and sweat glands.

Maybe it doesn’t get as hot and humid in Columbia as Queensland.

I am sure that most of us have found that a crowded train or bus can sometimes be a bit smelly at the end of a hot summer day. Usually this is a result of sweating and for some people this means body odour.

Sweat itself isn’t smelly at all; it’s the bacteria that feed on the sweat and some of the expelled toxins that cause the offensive odour.

Showering doesn’t actually damage the skins bacteria; it’s the soaps we use that can do this.

 The technical stuff …

Sweat glands are used to regulate temperature and remove waste by secreting water, sodium salts, and nitrogenous waste (such as urea) onto the skin surface.

We have two different types of sweat glands: eccrine sweat glands, which are distributed over the entire body, and apocrine sweat glands, located on the scalp, armpits, and genital area.

Interesting fact – we are born with anywhere between 2 million and 4 million sweat glands. The number of such glands we have will determine, in part, how much we sweat. As we age, our sweat glands actually decrease in size and become less effective.

As the body’s’ temperature rises, it will automatically perspire to release salty liquid from the sweat glands to help cool it down.

This is controlled by our autonomic nervous system, which cannot be consciously controlled. However, certain emotions, such as anxiety, anger, embarrassment, or fear, can prompt us to sweat more.

 Sweating is beneficial

The skin is the largest organ of the body, and serves important roles just like any other bodily organ. Sweating actually helps the body in many ways:

– It maintains the body’s temperature to keep it from overheating

– Sweat expel toxins, which supports proper immune function and helps prevent diseases related to toxic overload

– It kills viruses and bacteria that cannot survive in temperatures above 37 degrees Celsius.

– Sweat also cleans the pores, which will help eliminate blackheads and acne.

Despite its many health benefits, most of us use some kind of product to control or stop the sweating process.

 And body odour…..

 There are many different factors that can contribute to body odour.

Some studies into body odour have revealed that our diet plays a large role. This is probably due to the sweat expelling the toxins from the body.

This subject, however, maybe a topic for another post.

Until the next one,

 

Live clean n prosper

Vitamin D, Sunlight & Mushrooms

Today’s topic is Vitamin D, Sunlight & Mushrooms.

I know that this seems like a strange combination but all will become clear.

This morning I read an article about vitamin D deficiency. It seems that despite Australians being referred to as ‘bronzed aussies’ and our nation referred to as a ‘sunburnt country’, many Australians are actually deficient in this vitamin.

Many Australians work predominantly indoors and spend much of their leisure time indoors. This limits overall sun exposure.

The awareness of skin cancer and the increasing use of sun screens also mean that our bodies don’t absorb the necessary rays required to create vitamin D from sunlight.

What is Vitamin D?

It is a hormone that helps the body absorb calcium and control calcium levels in the blood. It is also important for preventing depression, muscle growth, organ development and supporting the immune system.

Recent research suggests adults may actually need at least 2,000 IU of vitamin D every day to maintain a healthy level in the body and reap the most benefits.

Most living things can make vitamin D through sunlight exposure.

The human body is able to produce its own vitamin D3 when the skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet (UVB) rays. When UVB rays hit the skin, a chemical reaction happens: The body begins the process of converting a prohormone in the skin into vitamin D3.

It’s estimated that we should get more than 90% of our vitamin D from daily sun exposure.

The amount of vitamin D absorbed from sunlight depends on some variables, including the country and skin pigmentation. Under picture-perfect conditions, the human body is able to produce as much as 10,000 IU to 20,000 IU of D3 in just 30 minutes

Studies have found that between 2 to 15 minutes of sun exposure to your unprotected face, arms, legs or back, three to four times every week is enough for your body to produce all the D3 it needs. Times will vary depending on the time of year and where you live. (Source – ABC Health)

Where do the Mushrooms come in?

Research has found that we can get a small amount of vitamin D from food. Fish and eggs naturally have some vitamin D, while some processed foods have added vitamin D.

Mushrooms also have a small amount of Vitamin D. The form of D vitamin produced in mush­rooms is D2, unlike the D3 found in the few animal foods that naturally contain it.

It used to be thought that D2 was less potent and bioavail­able in the body than D3. A recent study comparing D2 from mushrooms with D3 from supplements, has found that D2 is as effective as D3 in boosting the biologically active form of the vitamin in the body.

It is also possible to boost the levels in mushrooms by putting them in the sun for a while.

Just 15 minutes of direct sun­light can produce 200 to 800 IU in 85 grams of mushrooms regardless of type. At least 90% of the vitamin is retained after storage and with cooking.

To do this your­self, place the mushrooms with the “gills” (or underside) facing the sun to increase D production. The mush­rooms may discolour or dry out a little.

If you like mushrooms, exposing them to UV can help you get more vitamin D, however you have to eat a lot. They will certainly boost your levels and add other nutritional elements to your diet. Most of us probably find it’s easier to take a vitamin D3 supplement.

Till the next post,

Live Clean n Prosper