When we talk about getting “rusty” at certain tasks, we may not be far off. Oxidation is the process that causes metal to rust and it can also damage our brain cells. This type of stress plays a part in many diseases associated with aging from Dementia and Alzheimer’s to Parkinson’s.

There are several types of Fruits that you can eat that will not only keep you healthy, but help fight this oxidation process.

Berries

Getting the beneficial anti-oxidative compounds like vitamins C, E, beta-carotene and other nutrients may help prevent, or at least curtail, the damage caused by Oxidation Stress. Need more reasons to eat fruit? Research has shown that the beneficial chemicals found in raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are also found right in the hippo-campus, the brain’s memory control center. Eating more fruit can help you improve your memory!

Strawberries also help fight against aging and potentially against cancer as well and blueberries help protect your heart.

Cherries

Cherries help to calm your nervous system and act as natures little anti-inflammatory pills. They contain Cox 2 inhibitors similar to those found in pain medications such as Vioxx and Celebrex, and they also contain compounds called polyphenols that help keep platelets in the blood from clumping together. This is so they don’t produce undesirable side effects— like heart attacks and strokes—which are risks associated with manufactured drugs.

Apples

That old saying that you Grandma used to say about “an apple a day keeps the Doctor away” was actually spot on. It turns out that Apples contain a group of chemicals that could potentially protect the brain from the types of damage that triggers Alzheimers and Parkinsons.

Apples also contain other chemicals like phenolic acids and different flavonoids that protect the apple itself against damage by bacteria, viruses and fungi. If these natural chemicals are able to protect the apple, then imagine what they can do for us. Several studies have suggested that eating apples may not only help reduce the risk of cancer, but diminish the risk of neurodegenerative disorders, too.

Peaches

A peach is extremely rich in vitamin A and potassium, fluoride and iron, making them rank very high in nutritional value and good for the overall health of an individual. Peaches help make the skin healthy and also add color to the complexion. Being rich in Vitamin A, peaches may also help prevent cancer in organs and glands with epithelial tissue.

Peaches also are comprised of more than 80 percent water and are a good source of dietary fiber, making them good for those trying to lose weight. Consumption of peaches, on a regular basis, can keep your bowel movements regular and even prevent straining. Peaches also have a small laxative effect and a powerful diuretic effect and have been recommended to people suffering from rheumatism and gout. Peach flowers have sedative proprieties and are good for children who are restless, especially when boiled in water with sugar and honey.

There are several more types of fruits that you should be eating that are not only just very good for you to eat, but also help protect your body. Check back to see which fruit it is that can help relax your blood vessels and fight arthritis.

On average people lose between fifty and one-hundred hairs a day. You will lose even more on the days that you wash your hair. So, if you see a clump of hair in the drain, clean it out and don’t worry. Also, women have a tendency to lose more hair after they have given birth or if they are taking birth control pills.

However, thinning hair and losing large clumps of hair can be your body trying to tell you there is something wrong. Here are a few things that can cause this to happen:

Weight Loss – If a person loses 15 or more pounds — even if it is in a healthy way– they will experience some sort of hair loss. This type of hair loss usually self-corrects without any need for treatment.

However weight loss and the subsequent hair loss caused by eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia is not something to take lightly. These eating disorders do not allow the body to receive the necessary protein, vitamins and minerals needed for it to function, which results in the body shutting down hair growth.

Nutritional Deficiences – Iron and protein deficiencies are two of the most common nutritional triggers for hair loss. If individuals have low levels of iron — even if they are not anemic — hair loss may occur. Hair requires protein to grown and when the body is not getting enough protein it moves what it is getting to other, more necessary functions. Correcting the Iron and Protein intake in an individuals diet will allow the protein to shift back to the hair and they will see normal hair growth again within a couple of months.

Thyroid Disease – Hair loss is a common symptom of Thyroid issues. Both Hypothyroidism — an underactive thyroid– and  Hyperthyroidism — an overactive thyroid– can lead to an excessive shedding of hair. Simple blood tests can tell you if your hair loss is due to thyroid issues. Once the imbalance is treated with the thyroid, the hair usually grows back.

Trauma or Stress – The growth phase of hair typically lasts two  to three years and during this time your hair grows a half an inch a month. Once the hair is done growing, it goes into what’s known as the resting phase where it stops growing. This phase typically lasts three to four months. Stressful events can force the hair  into an early resting phase, resulting in hair loss.

Life altering events — such as a death or a divorce– are what usually cause this type of hair loss; this also happens to be more prominent in women than in men. This type of hair loss typically doesn’t manifest itself until two to four months after the stressful event occurs.

An interesting fact to note: Men and Women who experience some type of baldness and are otherwise healthy have been shown to have higher than normal levels of insulin in their body. The correlation between men, insulin resistance (pre-diabetes) and hair loss has been well established, and research is now showing the same connection in women.

Did you know that your body is constantly talking to you? Beyond just the stomach growls, your body can be sending you some very strong signals that, if ignored, could be disastrous for your health.

The first in our series is your finger nails. Yup. Your finger nails– even for guys– can be trying to tell you that you are sick, or missing key nutrients in your diet.

First off, we need to know what healthy finger nails are supposed to look like. Healthy finger nails have a specific shape and color. If you look at your nail, you will notice that it arches slightly in the middle, then curves down a bit at the tip. If you see anything other than that it is a clue that there is something potentially wrong with your body.

There is a white half-moon shape called the lunula at the back of your nail. The lunula is most apparent on the thumb and then becomes noticeably less so as you move towards your pinky.  If you are missing your lunula, then chances are your body is trying to tell you something.

Peeling Nails can happen if you have your hands in water a lot or are exposed to cold, dry air. Putting polish on them can seal in the keratin, which is a form of protein. Peeling nails can also mean that your diet is lacking in Linoleic Acid. The easiest way to up your intake of linoleic acid is to increase your use of vegetable oils (add some to your salad dressing or drizzle some on steamed veggies).

Brittle Nail Syndrome is an actual medical term used to describe nails that cannot retain moisture. It is quite possible that an under-active thyroid could be the cause of brittle nails. Nutritionally, a diet low in iron can cause nails to become thin, brittle and easily broken. Increasing your protein intake along with eating more green, leafy vegetables will help to boost your iron intake. Taking a B-complex vitamin has been shown to improve the condition of brittle nails. It can also be a sign that you are low in Calcium, Vitamin D and Zinc.

Beaus Lines is when deep grooves, or lines run horizontally across your nails. These should not be confused with the vertical lines going from the tip of the nail to the cuticle. The vertical lines are usually harmless and are associated with aging. Beaus Lines can be caused when the growth under the cuticle is interrupted by injury or a severe illness. Some of the causes of Beaus Lines are: High Fevers associated with the Measles, Mumps, Pneumonia, or Scarlet Fever. It can also be a symptom of Circulatory Disease, Diabetes and Malnutrition.

Terry’s Nails is when your finger or toe nails appear to be white, opaque or have a glassy, no color look to them and you are missing your Lunula. There will also be a dark band at the tip of your nail. Sometimes this happens with aging but it is often a sign of serious medical conditions such as: Heart Failure, Diabetes, Liver Disease and Malnutrition.

It’s important to listen to your body.

Check back on Wednesday to see what else your body could be trying to tell you!