The Beneficial Property of Beans in Our body

The beneficial effect of beans in our body

      I have always enjoyed eating beans; I even participated in a little study of it. Till it hit me two days ago by a friend who replied to my little write up on reducing cholesterol levels using seeds… “Beans could also do wonders on cleaning the veins” which is true!, not many people know the powerful effect of beans in improving your health.

      Beans which is also referred to as large seeds may be a bad rap for making people gassy and I would get to the science of why it gives us gas, Beans contains Oligosaccharides which the human body is unable to properly digest, but are digested by bacteria present in the large intestine thus the by-product is the flatulence-causing gases, but leaving it out of your diet can be a bad joke.

     Beans contains significant amount of fibre and an excellent source of protein that can help keep away hunger, they also contain other nutrients like potassium, folic acid, zinc and iron. Interchanging your meat diet with a protein diet in a week would remove some saturated fats present in your vessels reducing chances of a heart disease. Following stories on Fitteam

“Beans contain a wide range of cancer fighting plant chemicals, specifically isoflavones and phytosterols which are associated with reducing cancer risk”.

They are different types of beans like the navy beans, Garbanzo beans, soy beans, Lentils, Red kidney beans, Pinto Beans, black beans even the African honey Beans

Effect of Beans in Controlling Cholesterol

Beans provide the body with soluble fibre which is important in controlling blood cholesterol levels. Beans contain saponins and phytosterols, which lower cholesterol.

Beneficial Effect in Reducing Constipation

The fibre present in the beans is at a desirable effect for weight loss. And high dietaryfibre also means that you get the bulk effect need for good bowel function and fewer problems with constipation.

Effect of Beans in Managing Diabetes

Because of the complex carbohydrates and protein present in it, it provides a slow and steady source of glucose which helps to stabilise blood sugar level lowering the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Effect of Beans on Body Building

Soy Beans is known to be the only beans with all the essential amino acids thus making it a good muscle building meat.

Anti-Ageing Power of Beans

Some beans like the Red Kidney beans contain anti-oxidants and omega-3. Since omega 3 have been linked to better cognitive outcomes in older adults. Plus the thiamine present prevents Alzheimer’s disease.

Disadvantages of Beans

Although these kinds of beans are healthy to the body some do contain toxins and some causes allergy to your body. Fava beans for example have toxins that affect people who lack an enzyme called G6PD and interact with your medication raise blood pressure. People who have a condition called Favism. Favism can cause anemia through the destruction of red blood cells. 

Other examples like the red Kidney Beans contain toxin lectin which is present in its raw and uncooked state, which causes nausea vomiting and stomach pain. If it isn’t properly cooked.

Reducing Cholesterol Levels Naturally using Seeds and Fruits

Reducing Cholesterol Levels Naturally using Seeds and Fruits

Reducing your cholesterol levels requires you to change certain pattern of life styles like smoking and eating right, regular  exercise.. Knowing what to eat can be a problem since you cant identify what is right or wrong for you.

Here I provide few fruits, seeds and food that can reduce cholesterol levels

Oat Bran 

A fabulous, inexpensive source of the fiber beta-glucan, that can reduce both large and small LDL by 10, 20, 30 Mg/dl. Use oat bran as a hot cereal micro-waved with skim, 1%, or soy milk with Walnuts, blueberries, e.t.c. Or, you can add a teaspoon or two to yoghurt or cottage cheese, even "bread" chicken, fish, eggplant, or other foods.

Ground Flaxseed 

Similar to oat bran but essentially devoid of digestible carbohydrates, it is a wonderful way to reduce LDL and obtain healthy fiber. Use it just as you would oat bran, as a hot cereal or added to other foods.  • Elimination of wheat products - Yes, that's right. I know it sounds weird. Elimination of wheat products is an enormously-enormously-effective strategy that reduces the small LDL particles drastically. Small LDL particles have exploded in recent years, often dominating total LDL. For this reason,
Eliminating any food made with wheat flour, such as all breads (white, wheat, whole grain), pastas, breakfast cereals (unless oat based), crackers, pretzels, e.t.c yields drops in LDL of 20, 30, 50 mg/dl, sometimes more, depending on how much small LDL is present. Get your fiber from oat bran, flaxseed, vegetables, fruits, and nuts instead. Interestingly, people who eliminate wheat find it easier than just cutting back on wheat. I believe this is because wheat has an addictive quality that makes you want more and more and . . . Avoidance of high-glycemic index foods - Along with wheat, this includes candies, soft drinks, cookies, white potatoes, white rice, etc. This effect develops if small LDL is present.

Raw nuts 

A really great way to reduce LDL. Nuts got a bad name from the processed, salted, hydrogenated-oil soaked products that dominated supermarket shelves. Instead, look for raw almonds, walnuts, pecans
and pistachios. ¼-1/2 cup per day can yield significant reductions in LDL and do not make you fat, since high fiber and monounsaturated fat content provide a feeling of fullness that diminishes appetite for other foods.

Niacin 

Yes, yes, I know: The hot-flush effect is annoying. Niacin is vitamin B3 and I have well over a thousand patients taking it. Niacin is as effective as statin drugs in reducing LDL; it's also the best agent available (after weight loss and elimination of wheat) for reducing the dreaded small LDL particles.


Drinking up to 16 oz water if you get the hot flush is tremendously effective in eliminating this annoying effect.
Other methods to reduce LDL include the stannous esters from the butter-substitute, Benecol, and soy foods rich in soy protein like tofu, soy protein powder (as a smoothie, for instance), and soy milk.

Nutritional supplement fans will note the absence of red yeast rice, policosanol, pantethine, and some others purported to reduce LDL cholesterol. However, I have not found consistent, reliable effects with any of these agents.


Please also note that fish oil-one of my favorite supplements in the world-is not on the list because it does not reduce LDL cholesterol. It raises it, in fact, because of the shift of VLDL(Very Low Density Lipoprotein) particles into the LDL class-an important topic for another post.

Remember one thing to note is that eating right is as important as regular exercise to achieve your optimum body weight

Cholesterol!! What You Need to Know...

Cholesterol War!

Cholesterol can be a friend and a foe, at different levels. Knowing that It still is essential for all animal life but if its levels get to high then it becomes a problem.

 What is cholesterol I may ask?

Cholesterol is a soft waxy substance found in all parts of the body its is found in every cell of the body and has important natural function, it doesn't mix with the blood since it is oily based therefore it is carried around the body by Lipoproteins. It is produced in the body and can also be gotten from food we eat (Egg yolk, dairy products and organ meats like liver kidney, brain) which are high in cholesterol. 

They are basically two types of lipoprotein that carry cholesterol through out the body:

Low density Lipoprotein (LDL) “bad cholesterol” – this carries cholesterol from the liver to the cells.

High density lipoprotein (HDL) “good cholesterol”- This carries cholesterol from the body cells back to the liver.

Having healthy levels of both types of lipoprotein is important.

DO YOU KNOW?

That cholesterol contributes to the structure of your cell wall.

It’s a precursor of our steroid hormone like progesterone testosterone and other important hormones.

Allows the body to produce Vitamin D.

Makes up digestive bile acids in the intestine.

WHY SHOULD I CARE?

High Cholesterol is one of the major risk factors leading to Heart Disease, Heart attack and stroke. High cholesterol levels can run in families, and women generally tend to have higher levels of HDL than men. Eating foods with saturated fats also increases the amount of LDL in your blood. And for some people Cholesterol- lowering medication may also be needed to reduce the risk for Heart attack or stroke.

HOW DOES IT AFFECT MY HEART?

High levels of LDL lead to build up of cholesterol in the arteries, where as HDL carries cholesterol to the liver. A build up of cholesterol can narrow the arteries and causes restriction of blood flow called atherosclerosis which process over decades leading to Heart attack, stroke.

Being Overweight or obese can also lead to higher blood LDL levels. Some are Genetic.

Abnormal Cholesterol levels may also be from other conditions like Diabetes, Liver or kidney Diseases, Pregnancy other conditions that would increase level of female hormone, severe Hyperthyroidism and drugs.

SYMPTOMS

There isn't any obvious symptoms that can been seen unless routinely screened through blood testing is done. High levels of cholesterol would go unnoticed and may present itself as a silent killer “Heart attack”.

LEVELS OF CHOLESTEROL

Total Cholesterol    <200 mg/dl desirable level to lower the risk for heart disease

                                          200- 240 mg/dl Borderline high risk

                                                >240 mg/dl High risk

LDL cholesterol      <129 mg/dl Optimal

                                         130- 159 mg/dl Borderline high

                                                >160 mg/dl high

HDL Cholesterol    <40 mg/dl Low

                                        >60 mg/dl high

HOW DO I LOWER MY CHOLESTEROL LEVELS

• Eating a Heart healthy food for example Low fat toppings and sauces and avoid food with high saturated fats, eat vegetables and fruits and fiber-rich grains.
• Regular exercise, increase physical activities can help lower the level of cholesterol in your blood, adopting Healthy Habits.
• Keep cholesterol checks.
• Avoid smoking.
• Maintain a desirable body weight.

Prescription Drugs like Atorvastatin can be provided by your Health Professional. Who would advice you more on the drugs needed.