5 Superfoods to Prevent Anxiety and Chronic Illness
This is a writing sample from Scripted writer Gisele Albano
Superfoods are a unique group of foods that grow in nature. They are also loaded with nutrients and very low in calories. They are excellent sources of illness-fighting antioxidants and immune-boosting essential nutrients.
Furthermore, certain superfoods even act like medications, and can help stave off and treat various health disorders such as anxiety, depression, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and arthritis. Select superfoods can also help you lose weight, lower your cholesterol levels, dampen systemic inflammation, and diminish pain.
Although eating superfoods may substantially improve the quality of your life, it is important that you discuss your medical concerns with your health care provider prior to self-treating yourself with superfoods.
Almonds Almonds are rich sources of amino acids and protein which help in the production of certain chemicals responsible for muscle growth and nerve function. Since they are excellent sources of protein, they help boost your metabolism, while peeling off the pounds. Almonds may also play an important role in preventing anxiety disorders, panic attacks, and depression.
Almonds also help lower bad cholesterol and may even help regulate blood glucose levels, which is beneficial to diabetics. The plant sterols in almonds also provide energy, and the vitamin E helps protect against damage from the sun.
Almonds are also excellent sources of antioxidants, which helps prevent damage from free radicals. They also help keep your arteries healthy and may help improve cognitive functioning.
Tomatoes Tomatoes are important superfoods because they are loaded with lycopene, a potent antioxidant that may enhance your weight loss efforts, keep you calm, and promote restorative sleep.
Whether you consume your tomatoes fresh or processed, the benefits remain strong. Diets high in lycopene may help decrease your risk of certain cancers, such as prostate, lung, bladder, stomach and skin cancers.
Lycopene may also help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and help reduce the risk of skin damaged caused by ultraviolet rays. Although fresh tomatoes are great to eat, consuming tomato paste or cooked tomatoes may help your body absorb the lycopene more efficiently.
Flaxseeds Flaxseeds are one of the superstars of weight-loss superfoods, as they are high in fiber and protein, and are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help improve the quality and texture of your skin while helping to lower total cholesterol levels, and keeping panic attacks at bay.
Flaxseeds may also help relieve symptoms of fibrocystic breast disease, while improving overall cardiovascular health. The omega-3 fatty acids in flaxseeds also have been shown to reduce levels and anxiety and promote a more restful and restorative sleep.
For those who are unable to tolerate the side effects from cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins, supplement their diets with flaxseeds may be a viable alternative to taking these drugs. It is important to note, however, that you should never stop taking medications that your doctor has prescribed for you, without first discussing it with them.
Spinach Spinach is another great superfood that is not only a potent muscle enhancer, it is also rich in magnesium and potassium, minerals that may help reduce anxiety and mood disorders. These vital nutrients play important roles in heart health, weight loss and blood pressure, and may help ward off a stroke. Spinach also contains lutein, which is an antioxidant, helpful in keeping clogged arteries at bay. Spinach also helps bolster your bone density, while helping to fight colon cancer, skin cancer and prostate cancer.
Sweet Potatoes Talk about one of the most amazing superfoods! Sweet potatoes just might be one of the healthiest foods around to help you quick-start your weight loss, ease anxiety, curb depression, and promote sleep.
Those who make sweet potatoes a regular staple in their diet may be helping to reduce the risk of diabetes while helping to counteract the harmful effects of secondhand smoke.
Sweet potatoes contain glutathione, a strong antioxidant known for its ability to support the immune system. It might also help protect against liver disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, heart attacks, cancer, stroke and HIV.
If you want to take steps to improve your health while reducing your risk for anxiety, depression, or chronic health conditions, incorporate more of the aforementioned superfoods into your daily meal plans.
It is important to note, however, that certain superfoods such as flaxseeds may interfere with certain prescription medications such as aspirin or anticoagulants. Before loading up on superfoods, talk to your doctor to make sure they will not interact with your medications.
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