How much water you need according to your body weight?

Water is our body's principal chemical component; it makes up about 60 percent of our body weight. Every system in our body depends on water. For example, water flushes toxins out of vital organs, carries nutrients to body cells and provides a moist environment for ear, nose and throat membrane tissues.

Lack of water can lead to dehydration which is a condition that occurs when we don't have enough water in our body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain our energy and make us tired. Although uncommon, it is possible to drink too much water. When kidneys are unable to excrete the excess water, the electrolyte (mineral) content of the blood is diluted in which resulting in low sodium levels in the blood, a condition called hyponatremia.

How much water should you drink a day? It's a simple question with no easy answers.

I bet you’ve heard that you need to drink at least eight glasses of water a day in order to stay properly hydrated. What would you say if I told you that this widely held truth is little more than urban legends?

Studies have produced varying recommendations over the years, your body needs water, but in truth, the amount of water you need can change every day, it depend on many factors, including your health, how active you are, the weather and where you live.

Now, you can find out how much water your body needs to function properly according to your weight! All you need to do is click here, go to the website and put in your body weight in human water requirement calculator and hit the Enter button on your keyboard. Your ideal daily water consumption will show up.

Above is a short clip about how water could be influenced by our thought. Remember that our brain composed of 70% water, body - 60%, lungs - 90% and blood - 80% of water.

Apple juice can pose a health risk

It’s true — apple juice can pose a risk to our health. I get startled by this fact when I read the article, because commonly we think that apple juice is a healthy drink.  But not necessarily from the trace amounts of arsenic which people are arguing about.

Nutrition experts say apple juice’s real danger is to waistlines and children teeth. Apple juice has few natural nutrients while lots of calories, in some cases, it contain more sugar than soda. It train children to like very sweet things, displaces better beverages and foods which will adds to the obesity problem.

“It’s like sugar water,” said by a nutrition professor at the University of California, who has consulted for candy makers as well as for Weight Watchers. “I won’t let my 3-year-old grandson drink apple juice.”

Although many juices are fortified with vitamins, so they’re not just empty calories, but that doesn’t appease some nutritionists. “If it wasn’t healthy in the first place, adding vitamins doesn’t make it into a health food,” and if it causes weight gain, it’s not a healthy choice, said Karen Ansel, a registered dietitian in New York.

Juice only has a small amount of protein and minerals and lacks the fiber in whole fruit. Drinking juice can delivers a lot of calories quickly so you don’t realize how much you’ve consumed, whereas you would have to eat a lot of apples to get the same amount, and you would feel much more full from the apples compare to juice. Whole fruits are much better for us, you can click here for more information.

Does an apple a day keep the doctor away?

A few days back my family and I ate some red delicious apples. They asked me why is it that we never hear an orange, a banana a day or any other fruits a day keep the doctor away. I bet you’ve heard that an apple a day keeps the doctor away…. but why? What is so special about an apple that sets it apart from the other fruits?

This is because apples have properties that no other fruits have and its benefits have been proven overtime. We able to get the benefits of these properties individually with other fruits, but an apple combine everything and make it simpler for us. It has been shown over and over that if it’s not simple, easy and fast, people won’t take care of their health.

Here are the reasons why an apple a day really keeps the doctor away:

-       Apple contains Vitamin C. Vitamin C helps improve our immune system. Many people who lack Vitamin C in their diet have poor healing, bruise easily and have bleeding gums.

-       Apples are very rich in flavonoid which is an antioxidant compounds. It can can prevent both coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease.

-       Apples do not have cholesterol, low in calories and combined with fibers. Eating an apple when craving for snacks can make the desire disappear, but gives you only ¼ of the calories.

-       Apples can prevent multiple cancers such as colon cancer, prostate cancer and breast cancer in women.

-       Apples contain phenols, which can reduce bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol.

-       Apples can prevent tooth decay which is caused primarily because of bacteria. The juice of the apples has properties that can kill up to 80% of bacteria. So there, an apple a day also keeps the dentist away!

-       Apples protect our brain from brain disease. Apple has substances called phytonutrients, these phytonutrients prevents neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinsonism.

They also taste great! And not only that, they also come in variety flavors and colors. Not in a mood for a red apple? Why not get a green one, or a golden one! Their taste can be vary greatly, but still give you all the apple benefits.

Brilliant Detective Movie--- Sherlock Holmes 2

Recently, I watched a detective movie-- Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows with my friends. Sherlock Holmes is the world’s most famous and recognised fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In the books, he is the fantastic London-based “consulting detective”. Holmes is famous due to his astute logical reasoning, his ability to take on almost any disguise and his use of forensic science skill to solve all difficult cases. I think he made the occupation of private detective a very cool thing to be.  I have been reading some of Sherlock Holmes books such as A Study in Scarlet, The Sign of the Four and A Scandal in Bohemia before I watched this movie.

The classic picture of Sherlock Holmes seated with Doctor Watson.

In this movie, Sherlock Holmes and his formidable colleague, Dr. Watson faces off Professor James Moriarty--- Holmes’s arch nemesis. The story opens in 1891 Europe, as a series of anarchist bombings set France against Germany. Holmes connects the dots which lead him to Moriarty. Holmes has unraveled almost all of the Moriarty’s evil plots before the movies even halfway through, the real story here is in finding a way to stop him, and save the world all over again.

This is the one of the Sherlock Holmes movie posters. The main characters of the film Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson are played by Robert Downey Jr. and Jude Law respectively.

Professor James Moriarty--- Holmes’s arch nemesis is played by Jared Harris.

I was a bit disappointed at the beginning of movie because it is pretty boring at the start but then it gets better towards the middle and end. It is one of my favourite movies now; it is mixed correctly—bit of humour, bit of action and bit of u-need-to-think situations. The action is intense, the story complex and thrilling. This movie is even better compare to the first movie. Overall, it’s a brilliant and enjoyable movie. I’m expecting the third Sherlock Holmes movie.

Above is a short clip of Sherlock Holmes: A game of shadows official trailer.

If you want to know more about sherlock holmes, you can click here for more information.

Mind Your Eating Habits

There is an article I have been reading lately,   the article in regard to human eating behaviors. It is an interesting article, it propose some new and different view about our common eating habits. You won’t have to loosen your belt buckle here but you need to open another window in your mind.

Do you eat only when hungry?

Do you live to eat or eat to live?

Do you skip meals because you forget to

eat or plan the next meal as soon as you

have finished one?

These questions sound quite simple and general, right? If you think that, then you are WRONG! The answer to these questions will differ from person to person and are actually much more complicated than we could ever imagine.

There are association between our thoughts, feelings, moods and the food we consume, which could either benefit or compromise our health and well-being. The relationship we have with food begins in childhood. What we are taught by our parents as well as the different eating related behaviors we observe, will influence all of us right into adulthood.

The three most common ways we are shaped in early years of life are:

1.       You are taught to eat everything on your plate, and if you don’t eat it all you will be punished. In this situation is that different eating habits and quantity capability of children aren’t taken in account. Thus, we learned that we had to eat what everyone else is eating around us and had to finish all the food, even if we weren’t hungry.

2.      We associate social activities and gatherings with food. So what tend to happen is that we over emphasis the food factor. The focus on social interaction and communication is often overshadowed by the food we consume during these gatherings. Why don’t we try getting together with friends without including food as a central variable?

3.      One of the eating habits shaped by early conditioning is that foods can be used as a reward or punishment. I’m pretty sure all of us remember being given chocolate, sweets, ice-cream or other snacks such treats as a reward for good behavior. This is somewhat contradictory in what we have been taught. If sweets are bad for us, then why are they used it as rewards for good behavior? Isn’t that sending a mixed message since sugar filled artificial junk items shouldn’t really be used as rewards if they are bad for us, should they?

Therefore, if you have been eating healthy and on the right track about diet and exercise, giving yourself a day off by allowing tons of calorie filled carbohydrates and sugary type food might not be a wise reward at all, but rather a regressive punishment. Instead, buy yourself a new outfit rather than a massive meal.

Most of us eat for reasons that may not due to hunger. We tend to use food to help ease underlying emotions such as loneliness, depression, frustration, fear, worry anxiety, or even as a way of celebration.

If feeling bad, food might help us deal with negative feelings, temporarily. In the long term, however, dealing with stress by eating, especially those wrong foods, can actually amplify negative feelings because the root problem which causing the stress is not being dealt with solved directly. Moreover, you may struggle with feelings of guilt which due to over eating and your self-image might become negative if overweight.

Above is a short clip about how to stop bad eating habits.

Just remember, as long as you’re not eating excessively or mindlessly munching to relieve yourself, feeding your mood with the delicious foods can be a healthy and effective way to help you function at your physical and emotional best. You can click here to check out 7 secrets for stress relief that  don't involve food. Have a Good Day!

Chinese New Year Do’s and Don’ts

Seeing that Chinese New Year is just a few days away, here are some Chinese customs to ensure a prosperous and lucky year. Most of the Chinese believe to be customary do’s and don’ts to usher in the new year, so they can with the best luck on their side.

This list is not exhaustive because I believe there are many Chinese customs out there which I don’t know and probably some contradicting views too. However, this is the best collection I’m able to find from my grandmother tales I’ve heard and from searches on the web.

Chinese New Year do’s :

-     Do clean house before the Chinese New Year.

-     Do speak only good words during Chinese New Year.

-     Do wear bright clothing to the New Year festivities.

-     Do place bamboo or a money tree in your home. Bamboo represents longevity. The money tree (pachira macrocarpa) helps ensure a wealthy year. Decorate it with small paper ornaments of coins and fruit.

-     Do pay off all your debts before CNY.

-     Do greet your relatives, neighbors, and friends and wish them well.

-     Give red envelopes with lucky money to children and unmarried people.

Chinese New Year don’ts:

-    Don’t eat all the fishes, save some fishes until last day of CNY.

-    Don’t speak of sad things. If anything sad is mentioned during CNY, it may happen that year.

-    Don’t sweep or dust on the first day of CNY. It might sweep away the good fortune.

-    Don’t wear black during CNY celebrations because it usually wears for sad days, such as funerals.

-    Don't wash your hair on the first day of Chinese New Year. or you will wash away any good luck for the new year.

-    Don’t use sharp cutting objects like knives and scissors on New Year’s Day. You may be cutting away your wealth for the New Year.

-    Don’t lend money to anyone on New Year’s Day. That could have you lending all year

-    Don’t break any objects, especially breakables like glass in the home during Chinese New Year. It is considered bad luck.


You also can find out more about Chinese New Year Festivals by clicking here.

Year of the Dragon

Chinese New Year falls on Monday the first day of the lunar moon, there are just a few days away from Chinese New Year 2012. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2012 is the Year of the Dragon (壬辰) that would commence on 23rd January 2012 and go on till 9th February 2013.  The Dragon is the 5th sign of the Chinese Zodiac, which consists of 12 different animal signs.

 Chinese Zodiac - 12 animal signs

Dragon is a creature of legend and myth, thus the dragon Chinese zodiac year is special. Think about the dragon! It is the only animal of the Chinese Zodiac that is not real. The Chinese Dragon was made up of different parts of animals having the head of an ox, muzzle of a donkey, eyes of a shrimp, horns of a deer, body of a serpent covered with fish scales, and feet of a phoenix. The Chinese dragon was not seen as a threatening evil being as in the west.

In ancient China, power and emperor was represented by the celestial Dragon. At present the Dragon signifies happiness and success. In fact, the Han Chinese still call them the descendants of the Dragon. It is believed that the Dragon Year 2012 would bring for all of us good luck and charm.

China dragon playing with the flaming pearl.

It is believed that the Dragon Dance performed on Chinese New Year’s day can scares away the evil spirits and all the bad luck with them. During the Dance, a dozen or more performers hold the dragon up on poles. One performer uses a pearl-like thing to lead the dragon. They raise and lower the Dragon slowly or rapidly making it "dance" as they wind through the masses to the sounds of horns, drums and gongs. Dragons can be varying in length, some reaching up to 100 meters long! It is believed that the longer the Dragon is, the more luck it will bring!

Above is a short clip of a Chinese New Year Dragon Dance at Pavilion KL in 2012.

Choose Chicken over Beef

You can find out the calories in chicken and beef from here.

Last weekend, I was reading the Sunday paper and came across an article on how to take your favorite comfort foods and make them lighter. For the article, a famous TV chef had adapted some recipes to make them healthier; she replaced ground beef with chicken. That’s it.

It is true that different types of dietary protein have different influence on the risk of stroke. Commonly, most of the people believe that a high protein diet may have health benefits, but not all protein is equal. According to a US study, eating lots of red meat will raises the risk of having a stroke while poultry lowers it. It seemed that replace the beef with poultry can prevent us from stroke.

Picture above show different type of red meats, such as beef, pork, and lamb.

Different types of dietary protein will have different influences on the risk of stroke. The researchers divided the people based on how much red meat, poultry, fish, dairy and other sources of protein they ate each day.

Moreover white meat is obtained from poultry animals like chicken, ducks and others.

In the study, men who ate more than two servings of red meat each day had a 28% increased risk of stroke compared to men who ate a third of a serving of red meat each day. Women who ate two servings of red meat a day had a 19% higher risk of stroke than women who ate less than half a serving each day.On the other hand, one serving of poultry lowered stroke risk by 27%, a serving of nuts or fish was linked to a 17% drop in stroke risk, and a serving of dairy dropped the risk by 10-11%.

From this study, I am surprise that fish seemed to offer no protection against stroke, although Adam Bernstein, lead author of the study, said it was possible that the benefits of fish depend on how it’s served.

Natural Supplements for Weight Loss

Nowadays, many people invest in diet pills as a way to speed up their weight loss process; they want to lose weight effortlessly. However, the reality is that most weight loss pills are ineffective, and some can be downright dangerous. There is really no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise plans, but there are some natural supplements that may help. The good news is that these supplements are not dangerous for the healthy person and they may have other health benefits as well.

Fish oil supplements

Omega-3’s found in fish oils may help to boost fat metabolism in body. Study showed that mice which were given a high fat diet along with fish oils over a five month period metabolized fat more easily and gained less weight than mice that didn’t receive supplements. Fish oil supplements also help to boost satiety which can reduce our calorie consumption. Fish oils are safe for most people, except those people who taking blood thinners.

Green tea extract

A few studies show that adding green tea extract to the diet helps to subtly boost fat metabolism. Initially, the metabolism boosting effects were thought to be due to the caffeine in green tea, while studies show it’s actually the catechin polyphenols that are responsible for boosting effect. If you have high blood pressure or heart disease, you should talk to doctor before taking a green tea supplement.

Don’t count on these supplements to give dramatic results, but combining them with a healthy diet and exercise plans may give you an additional edge. As always, talk to your doctor before taking any type of weight loss supplement to prevent the negative effect. Beside this, you can find out more weight loss foods that help you get into shape by clicking here.

An egg a day keeps extra calories at bay

“An apple a day keeps the doctor away” is a famous phrase which known by most of the people. While now researchers suggest going to work on an egg everyday could be the best way to start a day. They said the egg can also keep unwanted intake of calories at bay.

According to a Surrey University study, eating eggs for breakfast can help slash the calories eaten at lunch and dinner. This is due to eggs can keep us fuller for longer time compared to other common breakfast foods such as bacon, French toast, sandwiches and  pancakes.

The researchers suggest that eggs are also better for people who want to resist afternoon snacks----biscuits, cakes or chocolate. This study tested three typical breakfasts with the same amount calories which are eggs on toast, cornflakes with milk and toast, and a croissant and orange juice. There is evidence to support eggs as a key ingredient of weight-loss diets, the Surrey team found volunteers felt fuller for longer time and had a lower desire to eat after the egg breakfast compared with the other ones.

  The egg breakfast also led to a significantly lower intake of energy at lunch and dinner meals compared with the other common breakfasts.