Eczema, which is also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic condition that affects the skin and makes it itchy and inflamed. This condition is most prevalent among young children and infants. Infants who have eczema usually develop red, itchy patches on their forehead, scalp, and cheeks, while older people often develop these on their hands and feet, wrists, and ankles. Is there a link between eczema and food allergies? Studies suggest that around 35% children, aged below five, suffering from eczema suffer from food allergies as well. These allergic reactions may trigger symptoms such as flare-ups, itching, hives, flushing, wheezing, gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, heartburn, and abdominal pain. This is why it is essential to get young kids with eczema tested for food-related allergies. However, in many cases, children with eczema and food allergies tend to lose their allergy towards products, such as soy, milk, and wheat, after a few years. Once the allergy has completely gone, the child can resume eating these foods, and their symptoms will not worsen. But, before they are allowed to consume such trigger foods, one should check with a doctor for the same. Are certain foods responsible for causing eczema flare-ups? Diet can be considered partly responsible for causing flare-ups in children with eczema.

No diet or food can prevent or trigger breast cancer immediately. However, what you eat will certainly make a big difference to the risks of developing breast cancer. Getting breast cancer depends on multiple factors like family history, gender, age, etc., that are not in your control. Diet is perhaps one of the factors which you can control and change to minimize the risks of developing breast cancer. If you have been diagnosed with breast cancer already, you may want to know which foods to avoid to ensure that cancer does not grow further or relapse after you recover. Research shows that dietary factors may account for almost 30-40% of all types of cancers. Your dietary choices affect the way you live and determine how healthy you are. There has been plenty of research on breast cancer and there are some helpful guidelines which can benefit patients. You need to stay healthy after treatment by controlling your body weight, exercising regularly, and eating the right kind of foods to cut down risks of cancer relapse. There is no magic diet to eliminate the risks of breast cancer. However, breast cancer survivors need to eat more vegetables, whole grains, fresh fruits, fish, and chicken.

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition which can lead to very serious consequences if not kept under control. Unchecked diabetes may result in cardiovascular problems, blindness, kidney diseases, and various other complications. Aside from medication, there are certain lifestyle and dietary changes which can help an individual manage diabetes. Eating a well-balanced diet helps patients diagnosed with this condition maintain their health more easily. Given below are foods that you should avoid when you have diabetes. Sugary drinks Sugary drinks should be completely avoided when you have diabetes. Not only are these very high in carbohydrate content, but they are also rich in fructose, which causes insulin resistance. Studies show that when you drink sweetened beverages, risks of a diabetes-associated condition such as fatty liver become very high. High fructose content triggers metabolic changes and leads to belly fat, high triglyceride, and blood cholesterol levels. Trans fats Trans fats are very unhealthy and are found in peanut butter, margarine, creamers, spreads, and frozen meals. Food manufacturers often add this to muffins, crackers, and baked products so that they last longer. Trans fats do not spike blood sugar levels directly, but they can cause inflammation, belly fat, and insulin resistance. They also lower good cholesterol levels and impair the function of arteries.

Constipation is essentially a digestion-related problem. The food you consume can affect the digestive system. Constipation leads to difficulty in having bowel movements, bloating, irritability, and a host of other problems. Those who have constipation should ensure to avoid consuming the food listed below. These foods can worsen digestive problems and make it difficult to pass stool and cause other problems. Processed foods Processed foods are one of the items to avoid if you have constipation. Processed meat found in bacon, hot dogs, and sausages can increase constipation. Processed foods made from white flour, like cakes, cookies, doughnuts, pizza, and sandwiches made from white bread, should be avoided. Even processed grains can cause constipation in some people. White rice, pasta, and white bread can cause constipation as it does not have bran needed for a smooth bowel movement. Fried foods like French fries, potato chips, hamburgers, and fried chicken are also a problem for people suffering from constipation. Gluten Gluten is a protein that is found in wheat, rye, barley, and other such grains. Food having gluten can cause constipation in some people, while others are allergic to gluten. Consuming foods with gluten can aggravate constipation symptoms. Dairy products Milk and products made from milk can cause constipation in many people.

Those who suffer from eczema develop itchy skin feel constant inflammation, and one of the main triggers of this condition is food. So, eczema patients must add the right food to their diet, which mainly comprises foods that can naturally help the healing process. These foods must contain substances that stimulate the body’s immune system to release anti-inflammatory compounds that are useful to reduce redness and itching. Herein, we discuss some of the foods that are beneficial for those suffering from eczema. Foods with Fatty Acids Fatty acids are useful in fighting inflammation. They provide nutrients that protect and rejuvenate the skin, reducing the symptoms of eczema. The essential fatty acids are found in whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, oats, barley, seeds, nuts, plant oils, and avocado. Omega-3 fatty acids are especially useful in fighting inflammation. It is found in fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines. It is recommended to consume at least 250 mg of Omega-3 fatty acids daily. Apart from fighting inflammation, these compounds are also good for the heart. Foods with Quercetin There are several fruits and vegetables like apples, avocado, kale, berries, cherries, broccoli, and spinach that contain a flavonoid called quercetin. It gives the natural color to fruits and vegetables.

Diet plays an important role in asthma treatment. The food to have listed here are those that are good for those suffering from asthma. These items do not cause any allergic reaction and can help provide relief from asthma symptoms. Diet has an important role to play in the management of asthma. Certain foods can trigger an asthma attack and need to be avoided. While there are foods that can be safely consumed by asthma patients which even might help improve their condition, foods triggering an attack must be avoided. A balanced diet ensures the body gets sufficient nutrients. It helps to improve immunity and overall health. Herein, we duscuss the best foods that can be consumed for dealing with asthma. Vitamin D Vitamin D is helpful, especially in children and can help reduce asthma attack incidents. Salmon, milk, eggs, and citrus fruits are rich in Vitamin D. However, those allergic to milk and eggs should avoid them. Basking in the sunlight also helps get Vitamin D. Vitamin A Vitamin A has a role to play in improving the function of the lungs. Foods that are rich in Vitamin A include carrots, broccoli, all leafy green vegetables, sweet potatoes, papayas, and mangoes.

Glucose in the body helps in maintaining optimum energy levels and is also the brain’s main source of fuel, but it all comes down to how the glucose in the body is utilized. Diabetes mellitus refers to a group of diseases affecting how the blood sugar (glucose) is used by the body. Based on a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 100 million people in our country are suffering from diabetes or prediabetes. Irrespective of the cause of diabetes, it can cause excess sugar in the blood, leading to several other complications. Apart from medical treatment, dietary changes also play a crucial role in controlling blood sugar levels. Here are some foods that can help in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels in the body: Leafy greens Green vegetables like kale, collard greens, spinach, cabbage, beet greens, and watercress are high in nutrients and low in calories. Leafy greens are low in digestible carbohydrates, which helps in maintaining low blood sugar levels. Other antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin in greens also help in maintaining a healthy immune system. These antioxidants also protect the eyes from cataract and macular degeneration, which may be complications of diabetes.

Statistics show that over 4 million people in the country suffer from mild to moderate symptoms of constipation. It is a health condition wherein the bowel movements become uncomfortable and it is hard to pass stools as they are hard, dry, and small. There are a number of factors that contribute to the development of constipation. Some may be side effects of medications or health complications while others can be problems resulting from an improper diet or poor nutrition. Even not drinking enough fluids throughout the day can cause trouble in bowel movements. The good news is that you can manage the condition and the symptoms at home by incorporating certain foods and beverages to your diet. Fiber-rich foods If you are on an extremely low-fiber diet, the food that is being digested will be hard to pass through the intestine and the colon. Fiber-rich fruits and vegetables help break down the bulk of the food to encourage bowel movements. Castor oil When it comes to natural laxatives, nothing beats castor oil. It is a home remedy for constipation that has been handed down from generation to generation. Castor oil is rich in a compound that stimulates the small and large intestines to encourage bowel movements.

7 lifestyle changes that can help improve psoriatic arthritis Psoriasis arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the skin causing red patches, development of flakes and inflammation. Two to three percent of the world’s population has psoriasis, with about 8 million affected people from the US alone. Patients with psoriasis tend to develop an inflammatory form of arthritis called psoriatic arthritis. It affects about 1% of the population and can result in a poor quality of life. With that being said, here are seven lifestyle changes that can help improve psoriatic arthritis. Eat healthily Following a healthy diet is a lifestyle change that has to be incorporated into everyone’s life, be it someone suffering from psoriatic arthritis or not. Its importance cannot be reinstated enough with obesity being one of the rising concerns in today’s world. Eating healthy. Psoriatic arthritis patients should take care to consume food that is low in salt, sugar, and fat. Since psoriatic arthritis causes pain in the joints, being overweight does not help this at all. Drink lots of water and consume enough fruits and vegetables. Stay active An active lifestyle, similar to healthy eating is not specific to psoriatic arthritis patients but everyone in general.

5 snacks that help ease rheumatoid arthritis pain Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that damages the health of the joints and affects their ability to function efficiently. In this lifelong inflammatory disease and people experience a lot of pain in the joints of their hands and feet. Rheumatoid arthritis causes pain, stiffness, inflammation, tenderness, and weakness in the joints. The excruciating rheumatoid arthritis pain can be extremely difficult to cope with. However, by incorporating certain food items in the diet, you can alleviate this pain. And the best way to do so would be by having healthy snacks that help avoid any further problems. Herein, we discuss some of the snacks you can try making at home. Fruit salad Fruits like cherries, raspberries, oranges, and grapefruit are packed with potent antioxidants and vitamin C that enable them to combat the pain in the joints caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Berries contain anthocyanins that reduce the inflammation and eases the associated discomfort. Put all these fruits in a bowl and mix to enjoy your very own pain-relieving snack. Edamame Feast on Edamame, which is immature soybeans served with salt, for that boost of fiber and protein to the body. The incredible nutritional value of edamame makes it an amazing snacking item for those suffering from the unpleasant and painful symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

7 snacks that help lower your cholesterol Cholesterol in the blood can be a problem when its levels are high. It can lead to clogged arteries and exposes a person to the risk of a heart attack or a stroke. Those with high cholesterol need to follow a strict diet. The snacks listed here can help in lowering cholesterol levels. Nuts Nuts are tasty and filling and would be a great snack for anyone. Having a fistful of nuts at 11 am or 4 pm is the best way to snack to avoid hunger pangs and to feel satisfied. Those having high cholesterol levels would find nuts highly beneficial as nuts have shown to be useful in reducing the levels of bad cholesterol, i.e., LDL cholesterol. Almonds, cashew nuts, pecans, Brazil nuts, and peanuts can be consumed as a snack. A quarter cup per day is recommended by the American Heart Association. Popcorn A tasty snack that everyone loves is popcorn. For someone with high cholesterol, popcorn can be a good snack to help in lowering the levels, provided it is made without butter and salt. Instead of butter, olive oil would help not just in reducing bad cholesterol levels but also in increasing good cholesterol levels.