Is Strawberry Greek Yogurt Good For Health? - Healthy Life 9

My own menu, strawberry Greek Yogurt

I make strawberry Greek yogurt for my own purposes, for breakfast or for small dessert in the middle of day.

Breakfast is combination of yogurt and strawberry, while mixture of yogurt, ice cream and strawberry for middle of day for dessert.

Strawberry is one of my favorite fruits. Its riches of:

- antioxidants
- fiber
- and vitamin C.

It is good to regulate blood sugar, lower blood pressure and improve immune system.

I believe that most of us consumed yogurt, but you might not notice the different between Greek yogurt and Others (regular yogurt).

Greek yogurt involves the process to take out the whey, a lactose liquid (a natural sugar).

Greek Yogurt contains lower sugar, suitable for diabetic patients.

More strawberry than yogurt

Just to let you know that 150 gram (5.3 oz) of Greek yogurt is an excellent sources of:

- 150 calories
- 11 gram of
- Calcium
- Vitamin D

Some health benefits of consuming of Greek yogurt are:

- Calcium improves bone health
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower risk of type 3 diabetes.

In addition that Greek yogurt has probiotics that good for gut health. Probiotics from specific bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei could improve digestive functions by balancing presence of bad microorganism or bacteria.

Bad bacteria in the gut responsible for diseases such as constipation or diarrhea, skin conditions, weight gain and other health conditions.

Have you tasted Greek yogurt or mixed of Greek yogurt and strawberry?

Do You Know a Sign of Bipolar Disorder? - Healthy Life 8

Illustration of Bipolar Disorder,

credit to Cleveland Clinic Health Essential

Bipolar disorder is “a brain disorder” relates to daily activities where moods may swing highly from low to high. Lower level refer to depression periods, while higher mood refers to mania periods.

In addition to moods, irregularity in activities and energy lead to unable cope with difficulty in daily live.

The exact caused of bipolar disorder is not known yet. However, the causes are suspected from internal and outside factors.

Hormonal imbalance in the body could trigger this mental diseases. Outside or environmental factors that may cause disorder include mental stress, abuse and traumatic events.

As reported by National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in 2017 that “The average age-of-onset is about 25, but it can occur in the teens, or more uncommonly, in childhood.

The condition affects men and women equally, with about 2.6% of the U.S. population diagnosed with bipolar disorder and nearly 83% of cases classified as severe.”

Flowers in the garden

How many of 2.6%?

The number should be: 2.5% x 350 million = 9.1 million of USA population affected by bipolar disorder illness.

When the people ever experienced depression, mania and Hypomania, then they might develop bipolar disorder. Many signs of people enter early bipolar disorder such as stop (difficult) sleeping and loss focus.

They might not know, but the patients stop sleeping day by day will face severe conditions later on.

If patients or family bring the patient to see a doctor (family doctor), then the doctor may refer to the psychiatrist for treatments.

Reference

NAMI. 2017. Bipolar Disorder. Retrieved From:
Www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions/Bipolar-Disorder

Summer, be aware with Traveler's Diarrhea – Healthy Life 7

People at the beach

Yes, many parts of the world are facing trouble pandemic in this Summer.

However, do you have any plans to travel abroad?

Getting ready to visit the nice places and enjoy the local culinary, but...have you ever have stomach flu when you enjoy traveling?

It does annoy you and sometimes it ruins your traveling schedules.

You are not alone, that happened to me, and many of us. In every 10 person, 3 to 7 person have this experience.

This stomach flu causes loose or watery stool, also known as diarrhea, and it's almost common in travelers. This stomach flu is called the Traveler's Diarrhea (TD).

Why do you get stomach flu when travel?

When I traveled to the warmer area and an area with poor public hygiene, that easy for me to get infected the stomach flu.

These areas do not have access to plumbing and latrine, so you can imagine that the amount of stool contaminated and more accessible to flies.

Sunset in the tropical area

Whenever an area has lack of safe water. electricity frequent to black out, and lack refrigerators will increase risk to the stomach flu.

The stomach flu is caused by many pathogens from contaminated water, prepared food, and utensils. Bacteria is the most commons cause, such as E. coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Shigella, dan Salmonella.

Viruses, such as norovirus also contribute to the somach flu. Parasites is less common.

How do you know that you got TD?

Knowing the symptoms, such as suddenly I have loose stool or watery stool, bloating, urgency using bathroom, vomiting, belly pain, tired, and fever.

When this symptoms mild, it goes away, but when severe I need to call health care provider.

How does you prevent TD?

I always make sure do not eat food from unknown sources, do not put ice in drinks, and only drink sealed bottle water. Avoid to eat raw fruits and salads, raw meat, selfish, and unpasteurized milk or yogurt.

I always carry traveler size of alcohol sanitizer, tissue, and liquid soap in my purse. Some medications for TD prophylaxis are always along with other cases.

Could Positive Thinking Lead to Live Longer? - Healthy Life 6

 

A wild flower at backyard

Based on researches done by several Universities recently that there is relationship between positive thinking and live longer.

I think this finding have changed our long belief that the physical outfit only could increase our chances to live healthy and life expectancy.

Feeling of positive thinking or optimism make our health condition better, thus naturally, our immune system or body in better condition to fight many diseases.

In other word that positive thinking people have lower risk to get diseases such as:

- respiratory relate diseases
- cancer
- stroke
- heart diseases

It is interesting that we may have positive thinking by doing good or healthy or certain habits.

What kind of habits?

Positive thinking, just for illustration (credit to RTE)

The positive or healthy habits include:

- exercise regularly
- consume healthy foods (not smoking, no alcohol)
- sleep enough, at least six hours daily
- strong work ethics
- regulate emotional

Moreover, one of researches has observed more than 70 thousands men and women for periods of 10 to 30 years. It is concluded that:

- positive thinking people may live about 13% longer than pessimism people.
- optimism persons have greater chance to reach 85 years old age.

Do you believe that a positive thinking or optimism can make us live longer?

First Important Step to Know Mental Illness - Healthy Life 5

Fig 01- The first day of Tuesday Farmer Market in 2021

May is about the end. As we know May is Mental Health Awareness Month statewide.

In the beginning of this month, I met a pretty girl, 30s. She is slim, tall, and smart.

She worked in a chemical company before pandemic. She lost her job, and now she has done hospital visiting due to her diseases.

She underwent multiple removal surgeries.

When I asked her about her life and how she managed her stressful, she asked me back. “Stress?” then “Let it go away.”

She laughed, I believe she had a beautiful smile behind her face mask, “No stress. Nah!”

It seems she knows how to cope her problems. That is great.

In truth, there are always some problems that we face as we live in this world.

Fig 02- Beside enjoy walking around and taking photos, buying fruits and vegetables in farmer market is one of my activities to keep away from 

mental illness. At this moment, I was taking photos.

Along the month of mental awareness, I am trying to “investigate” myself.

Do I have:

-excessive anxiety and fear
-feeling sad and low so bad
-extremely mood swing, euphoria
-very easily disturbed and grumpy
-confusing in thinking and lack of focus and learning
-keeping away from friends

Fig 03- Zucchinis and yellow squashes look very fresh. 

Grab some to cook today, cooking is also fun!

The points above are common signs of mental illness that I need to be aware.

HEALTHY Lives mentioned that knowing anything about mental illness is important first step.

Do not hesitate to find help, do not afraid to consult a doctor.

Even I have some points above, I take control of myself. I find something fun! Such as:

- walking in the gardens
- taking photos
- reading favorite books
- listening to the old school music
- chatting with friends
- shopping small things
- cooking simple foods

The most important is: posting my thought in my blog then enjoying every single comment from you all, my friends.

I really appreciate for your visiting and commenting.

They are such medicines to me to keep healthy and away from mental illness. Thank you so much!

Which One Has Vitamin C more - Red Bell Pepper or Orange? - Healthy Life 4

Fig 01- Red bell pepper

Few people consume red bell pepper sometimes, but many people love to consume it often with their own reasons.

Actually, we familiar with this vegetable. I always see red bell pepper whenever I went to groceries.

The price is reasonable, depend on groceries, generally about US$ 1 each or less.

They are fresh and attractive.

However, if there is a comparative question: Which one has vitamin C more - Red Bell Peppers or Oranges?

You might answer suddenly: an orange!

Is it right?

No

Off course not!

Why?

Fig 02- Sliced papaya, rich in vitamin C

Fig 03- several colors of bell peppers

Vitamin C in the medium size orange is 69.7 mg

Vitamin C in the cup of chopped red bell pepper is 190 mg, about three times of vitamin C in the orange.

Other fruit and vegetable contain more vitamin C than an orange as reported by Christine Matthels (Health, January 27, 2020) are:

- Chili
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Papaya
- Strawberry
- Cauliflower
- Brussels sprouts
- Pineapple
- Kiwi
- Mango

Now, we understand that a lot of alternatives as sources of vitamin C in addition to oranges.

Can Six Dolar Drug Kill Covid 19 Virus? - Healthy Life 3

Fig 01- Xlear is brand name drug for sinus relief.

Do you know drug called monoclonal antibody cocktail?

Yes, this drug had been used to treat former US president, Donald Trump when he infected by Covid 19 virus.

How much its cost?

The monoclonal antibody cocktail also called as REGN- COV2 has price tag of US$ 1,250 per dose.

Donald Trump got a single dose of 8- gram drug through intravenous infusion. The 8 gram is the highest dose in that time.

What is the result?

You know that former US president survives until now.

How about with US$ 6 drug?

The drug known with brand name Xlear is a nasal spray to relieve congestion in our nose.

Much cheaper compared to REGN- COV2! 

Fig 02- Wild flower on the grass

Fig 03- Colorful carrots

Interestingly that this cheap drug is Over the Counter (OTC) drug which mean that we can buy it without a Medical Doctor (MD) prescription.

Best Life (27 January 2021) reported that nasal spray can kill corona virus. The report based on the in vitro study which was conducted by researchers from two universities:

- Northwestern University
- Utah State University

Other study of Covid 19 patients has shown the results that:

- nasal spray improves symptoms
- nasal spray reduced in the clinical course

Hence, nasal spray is a potential Over the Counter (OTC) drug to combat Covid 19 virus in the near future

What is Coronasomnia? - Healthy Life 2

Katie Ruellia, blue and pink flowers

We all know “insomnia,” which affect on million people all over the world. In term of time length, there are two kinds of this sleep disorder:

1) Short term insomnia

- difficult to sleep from several days to weeks

2) Long term insomniacs

- difficult to sleep for months

Since Covid 19 pandemic, there is emerging a word called as “Coronasomnia.” Washington Post (September 3, 2020). Disorder is found in people who can not sleep for 5 months during pandemic.

The causes of Coronasomnia are varies, it could be such as:
- dismal of government response to the pandemic
- upset condition of love life.
- uncertain future
- don’t have clues to the end of pandemic crisis

Garage sales at our neighborhood, just for illustration.

Moreover, coronasomnia have devastating impact on public health problems, and lead to:
- low productivity
- heightened stress
- increase upset
- depression
- higher risk of hypertension.

Finally, do you experience Coronasomnia in recent days? Or during this Covid 19 pandemic?

Important of Microorganisms in Food Industry – Healthy Life 1

 

Lactobacillus casei, Shirota is used for enumeration of 

Bifidobacterial in fermented milks

Our life might not exist without microorganisms, since these “tiny” unseen creatures help human being in many ways.

They are digesting our food, fixing gases, decomposing waste and involving in may cycles like to break down dead organisms then to be used as fertilizer by living organism as part of food chain.

In industry, microorganisms are widely used in many industries, from small to large scale ones, and from traditional to cutting edge technology industries.

Bacteria, yeast, molds, combination of several microorganisms and even virus are commonly used in many types of industries.

The types of industry include food industry (industrial products), pharmaceutical industry, biotech industry, agriculture industry and waste treatment (reduce toxic pollutants).

In food processing, our ancestors routinely used microorganisms for production of beverages, sausages and dairy products.

Ornaments in the parking lot

Currently, we could use microorganisms of naturally occurring and genetically modified microorganism to increase food production.

These products (beverages, sausages and dairy products) could be improved their health benefit to public by attaching probiotic microorganisms.

The health benefits include to improve digestion, to protect body from pathogens, increase peristaltic activity in intestine and stimulate immune system.  

Above figure (top of this article) shown an example of probiotic microbes from lactic acid bacteria group.

The bacteria called Lactobacillus casei, Shirota is used in dairy product to improve nutritional and health benefit.

The Japan company, Honsha used this bacterium to produce Yakult. The Yakult is believed nutrient rich drink and could improve immune system.