Anemia is a prevalent health condition that develops when the body does not have enough red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry sufficient oxygen to the tissues. A common cause of this condition is a deficiency of iron, which can cause issues such as weakness, fatigue, paleness, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Here, in addition to seeking treatment for these symptoms, making better food choices can help in managing anemia.  Nutrition and anemia When dealing with anemia, it is crucial to choose foods rich in iron, as iron helps in the production of hemoglobin in red blood cells, thereby helping manage the condition. In addition to iron sources, one should opt for foods that help in the absorption of iron to maximize the benefits of this vital nutrient. Here, it is important for one to understand the difference between the two types of food-derived iron—heme iron and non-heme iron. Heme iron is commonly found in animal products, while non-heme iron is present in plant-based foods. Although both types contribute to increasing overall iron levels, optimizing each type’s absorption through a well-balanced meal plan is key to combating anemia and managing overall health. Best foods The following are a few common foods that one must consider adding to daily meals when dealing with anemia: 1. Fruits with vitamin C Vitamin C is an essential nutrient for managing anemia, as it helps the body absorb iron. Some of the best sources of this vitamin are citrus fruits such as oranges, tangerines, and lemons. Additionally, tomatoes, kiwis, and strawberries are excellent vitamin C-rich options to add to daily meals. These fruits can be eaten as-is or in the form of juices to reap their benefits. 2. Iron-rich fruits To increase the intake of iron, one can add certain fruits like apricots, watermelons, figs, and dates, among others, to their daily meals.

Certain foods that are healthy for us may be beneficial for your cat. As a responsible cat parent, it is essential to be aware of the foods and their sources before slipping a morsel from your plate into your pet’s bowl. Ingestion of toxic foods can adversely affect the cat’s digestive system. Hence, it is advised to consult a vet for recommendations. Here is a list of human foods that are perfectly safe for cats: Meat Cats are carnivores by nature. Most of the commercial cat food in the market contains different meats, an excellent protein source. So, feeding them bits of cooked meats like beef, turkey, or chicken from your lunch plate is entirely alright. Make sure you limit the quantity of the meats. Overeating may cause digestive issues in cats. Salmon Cats love fish, and most vets recommend feeding them fish-based foods. They are a good source of omega-3 and other nutrients. Oily fish like tuna, salmon, or mackerel prove beneficial for their eyesight and joints. However, do not feed your feline straight from the can as they might lick it too aggressively, leading to cuts and bruises on their tongues. It’s best to feed them cooked fish without bones. Cat food brands like Royal Canin, IAMS, and Greenies™ source their ingredients from salmon. Whole grains As grains are loaded with nutrients, they are healthy for humans and cats. Oats have lots of protein, but not many cats like it. Some cats prefer brown rice and coarsely grounded cornmeal too. If you’re not feeding your cat any meat or fish, whole grains can be a good substitute. Smaller grains like wheat berries and millets can also be cooked at home. Cat food brands like IAMS use whole grains like wheat in their products. Eggs Another food item that is safe for cats is eggs.

Strengthening the lungs can help one avoid respiratory issues and diseases. Even when diagnosed with a lung-related illness, making significant changes to the lifestyle and food regimen can help people manage the symptoms and restore lung function. However, it is equally important to avoid the food items that damage these organs and cause issues like inflammation, sneezing, and wheezing. Here are a few foods to avoid to improve lung health: Salty food Foods with excessive salt should be avoided as their long-term consumption can have severe consequences on the overall health. Excess sodium in such food items can enlarge the muscles of the heart, cause headaches, increase blood pressure, and lead to a wide range of kidney-related issues like stones. Such foods can also have a negative effect on the health of the lungs and have been linked to an increased risk of bronchitis. Additionally, too much salt in meals can also worsen the symptoms of respiratory issues like asthma. This is because sodium can cause fluid retention, leading to shortness of breath in those with lung diseases. To reduce its intake, one should start by limiting salt in their meals and instead add more herbs and spices as seasoning. A lot of sodium is already added to the foods people purchase, so one must check the labels and ingredients for adequate sodium content beforehand. One can also cut back on their salt intake by avoiding processed and packaged foods such as salted nuts, crackers, and chips.  Dairy products For those diagnosed with lung disease, milk or other dairy products can worsen their symptoms. This is because in the digestion of dairy products like milk, cheese, or ice cream, a breakdown product known as casomorphin is released. This component is known to increase mucus and phlegm buildup in the stomach and respiratory tract during flare-ups of asthma or other lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Diagnosing and treating cancer can be a draining process. It becomes imperative for patients and their caretakers to ensure that patient is eating the right food. This provides the body with the necessary energy to fight the symptoms. It also helps the body to recover from the damage caused by the condition and treatment options employed to keep cancer under control. Therefore, the inclusion of foods with anticancerous properties becomes non-negotiable. Tomatoes Lycopene is an essential component that helps fight prostate cancer. This compound is found in abundant quantities in tomatoes. Aside from prostate cancer, lycopene also helps manage and prevent cancers of the lungs and stomach. Including meals rich in vegetable and fruit content as a staple can help combat numerous health concerns. Other foods that carry high amounts of lycopene include guava, papaya, and watermelon. Pectic has also been proven to decrease the number of cancer cells in the body by 40%. However, it should be noted that the compounds are more effective if taken in their natural form. Fiber-rich foods Studies in the past have suggested that Asian men are less prone to developing prostate cancer than Caucasian men. This difference can be attributed to the presence or lack of fiber in one’s meals. Including good quality and quantity of vegetables in one’s meals greatly prevents and manages prostate cancer. The inclusion of fiber-rich leafy vegetables also provides the body with the ability to fight off free radical damage. Adding vegetables like spinach, lettuce, salad greens, broccoli, and cauliflower is recommended. Broccoli, a cruciferous vegetable, contains sulforaphane, a phytochemical that helps in fighting against cancer development. Fish Omega-3 fatty acid is an essential component of a well-balanced and nutritious meal. It helps protect the body from undergoing damage suffered because of frequent wear and tear. Fish rich in this compound has been shown to have benefits against multiple health conditions.

When you have bronchitis, it’s easy to overeat greasy, salty, or sugary foods to relieve the coughing, breathing, and throat pain. Alternatively, you may decide not to consume anything at all. However, you should take care and watch what you eat as refined carbs and saturated fats might impede recovery. Knowing which foods to avoid and which to eat may influence the severity of bronchitis symptoms. Here’s a list of a few items you should avoid. Foods with preservatives and additives Sulfites, a form of preservative, may aggravate bronchitis. Liquor, dried fruits, pickled foods, maraschino cherries, and lime juice all contain sulfites. Processed and quick meals frequently contain chemical additives, flavors, and colorings. Some bronchitis patients may be susceptible to or intolerant to these artificial components. Gas-forming foods Eating large meals or gas-producing foods strains the diaphragm, especially if you suffer from acid reflux. This can cause chest pains and asthma flare-ups. Beans, cabbage, carbonated beverages, onions, and fried dishes are examples of these foods. Sugar and HFCS Do you enjoy drinking sugar-laden colas? Be cautious. They can be dangerous to your health. Avoiding syrups, candies, and other sugary foods will help to relieve symptoms such as coughing, irritation, and discomfort in your lungs. A study released in the Nutrition Journal in October 2015 discovered a link between consuming soft drinks flavored with High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS), such as colas, and the incidence of chronic bronchitis in individuals. Read nutrition facts, recognize this ingredient, and eliminate goods sweetened with HFCS, such as bread, cakes, and beverages. Many sweets include HFCS and refined carbs that are deficient in health-promoting elements. If you’re searching for healthier alternatives, fruit can be your best option. Fruits for bronchitis, including berries, oranges, and apples, provide fiber, which slows your body’s absorption of glucose while also being rich in inflammation-fighting minerals.

Black Friday is not just the time to shop for furniture, electronics, clothes, or gifts for friends and family. You can also save a lot of money on food for your pet cat. Black Friday brings the best deals and discounts on cat foods from various top brands, and you must take full advantage of that. Make this sale extravaganza useful by ensuring your cat gets the best nutrition and taste at a pocket-friendly expenditure. Purina Pro Plan The Purina Pro Plan LiveClear is one of the top cat foods that can be perfect for pets with food allergies and intolerances. It is a kibble that safely and strategically neutralizes Fel D 1 with a key protein from eggs. Fel D 1 is a cat allergen found in their saliva. If you wish to safeguard your little furry friend from allergies, then Amazon, on Black Friday, is giving you the Purina Pro Plan at a great discount. Nutro Wholesome Essentials Nutro Wholesome Essentials is a kibble that can nourish your cat with the nutrients it needs while also being full of flavor and easy to digest. It is made with non-GMO ingredients and is free of all sorts of artificial preservatives, flavors, and colors. It is a healthy and tasty meal, and you can expect this item to be available on Amazon on Black Friday at quite a good discount. Tiki Cat Tiki Cat is a brand of canned cat food that is grain-free. Felines can have this option as a full meal or even in small amounts as a snack. It is delicious and nutritious enough to keep your cat healthy. This Black Friday, you might be able to get it for $16.56 instead of $18.48. Wellness Wellness has three ranges for cats, Core, Core Digestive Health, and Complete Health.

Crohns disease is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract that mainly occurs in the colon and the small intestine and can affect any part of the GI tract. It causes sudden and painful symptoms such as diarrhea, fever, cramps, bloody stool, and fatigue. While food doesn’t cause Crohns, it can perhaps worsen the disease by leading to flare-ups. Here are some foods one needs to avoid if they are experiencing discomfort due to Crohns. Grains Grains contain a lot of fiber, which can worsen the symptoms of Crohns. This is because a high amount of fiber can make your intestines work harder. This makes the normal digestive process difficult, leading to abdominal pain, cramps, and even bloating. Avoid eating whole wheat bread or pasta, rye products, and barley to prevent these painful symptoms. Spicy foods Regarding the worst foods for Crohns flare-ups, spicy foods rank among the top. Most foods with spices are rich in capsaicin, which causes a burning feeling inside your mouth and stomach. These include chili, paprika, pepper, nutmeg, clove, and mustard. Capsaicin increases the level of acids in your stomach and may worsen symptoms, such as stomach cramps, diarrhea, and acidity. Fibrous fruits and vegetables Like grains, fibrous fruits and vegetables don’t get digested easily, and can cause constipation and cramps – typical symptoms of Crohns flare-ups. However, you don’t need to avoid vegetables and fruits altogether. For instance, you can have cooked veggies instead of consuming them raw. For fruits you can limit your intake of apples with skin, cherries, peaches, and plums. You should also avoid cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli. They are not only high in fiber, but can also cause flatulence, leading to a double whammy for an already irritated intestine. Nuts and seeds Foods such as pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc., are more complex for your body to break down even on regular days.

Potassium is an essential nutrient that allows your body to function optimally. A meal plan rich in potassium allows proper nerve function and regulates your heartbeat. However, certain conditions such as kidney diseases and consuming food rich in potassium excessively may increase its levels in your bloodstream leading to a condition known as hyperkalemia . Let’s look at foods you should limit to keep your potassium within normal levels. Bananas The first food that comes to mind when people think of potassium sources is bananas. One medium-sized banana contains almost 422 mg of potassium. Though it would take a lot of bananas to cause an overdose of potassium, if you are also eating other foods rich in potassium, it will lead to excessive potassium levels in your blood, which in turn, will trigger hyperkalemia . Tomato Sauce and Paste Raw tomatoes contain a decent amount of potassium. One medium tomato has about 292 mg of potassium. Concentrated forms of tomatoes, such as sauces, salsa, paste, puree, etc., contain even higher amounts of potassium. For instance, a small cup of tomato sauce contains almost 728 mg potassium. So, it is advised to skip tomato sauce and opt for alternatives such as basil or roasted red peppers. Milk If you have been advised a low potassium meal plan, you must avoid milk or at least its consumption needs to be reduced. A cup of whole milk contains around 350 mg of potassium. The lower the amount of fat in milk, the higher the potassium content. While you may have a small serving of milk daily, it should not exceed 300 ml. It means avoiding milk and dairy products such as buttermilk, yogurt, milk-based sweets, ice creams, and other desserts. Oranges and Orange Juice Oranges have a very high potassium content and are best avoided if diagnosed with hyperkalemia .

Pet owners are extremely protective of their fur babies. They want to ensure that their pets get the best of care and, most importantly, food. Most often, one gets tempted to share the food from the plates with them. But, not all the food we consume is safe for our pet cats. This makes it important to stay informed on the food items that are safe or harmful for cats. Read on to learn more. Whole grain and whole grain foods You can also share whole grain products like brown side, oatmeal, and more with your cat in moderate quantities. Whole grains are nutritionally dense and contain iron, fiber, vitamins, and tons of minerals that can boost your cat’s health. The fiber content can help improve digestive health, while vitamins and minerals can help make their coat healthy and shiny. Cheese Cats across the globe share an intense love for all things dairy. Not only will they enjoy a bowl of fresh milk, but they also love other dairy products such as cheese, yogurt, and even butter. When they are born, cats rely on their mother’s milk to survive for the first two to three months. But, as they grow, cats, much like many humans, tend to develop an intolerance for lactose, a protein that is found in milk and milk products. So, if your cat can digest milk and other dairy products without an upset tummy, you could consider giving them small amounts of cheese and even milk. They are rich in calcium and have a high level of protein. Cheese also makes for a great way to provide your pet cat with oral treatments. Poultry Cats are carnivorous animals and enjoy foods such as chicken, beef, and other animal products. As a matter of fact, meat is their natural choice of food for cats.

Our lungs play a vital role in the functioning of our body, so it is crucial to care for them. Increased exposure to air pollutants, microbes, and allergens can cause inflammation in the airways and lead to breathing trouble. These pollutants can also increase the risk of severe respiratory problems like asthma and chronic bronchitis. One way to keep the lungs healthy in the long term is to eat foods that help them function better. Apples Apples are packed with the antioxidant quercetin, which helps keep the lungs healthy. This red fruit also contains vitamin C, vitamin E, and flavonoids, which promote lung function. People who eat apples regularly have an improved lung capacity and experience a slower decline in lung functioning that occurs naturally with age. Peppers Vitamin C is an antioxidant that protects against certain lung diseases like asthma and lung cancer. This vitamin is abundant in red bell peppers, chili peppers, and cayenne peppers. Cayenne peppers, in particular, are also a great source of capsaicin and beta-carotene. One can add these peppers to salads or pasta to benefit from vitamin C and antioxidants. Beets This root vegetable is loaded with nitrates, a natural chemical that may support lung health. Nitrates are converted into nitric oxide in the body, which helps relax blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, and improve lung function. Due to these benefits, beets are recommended for people with pulmonary hypertension and breathing difficulty. Tomatoes Tomatoes contain lycopene, an excellent source of carotenoids that have numerous health benefits. According to a particular study, adding tomato and tomato products to meals can reduce airway inflammation in individuals with asthma and improve lung function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It can also prevent chronic bronchitis from flaring up. Further, eating tomatoes regularly may help slow down the natural decline in lung function that occurs as a person ages.

For the body to function optimally, it is vital to have a stable blood count and good blood circulation. Blood count refers to the total amount of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets in the blood. Of these, the count of the RBCs and platelets should not drop below the normal range. A low RBC count can cause anemia, while a low platelet count can result in internal bleeding. Foods that help improve blood count A natural way to boost blood count is to include certain beneficial foods in the meal plan. The following foods help in raising and maintaining RBC and platelet numbers and preventing complications: Red meat Red meats like beef, poultry, and liver are rich in iron, an essential element for producing RBCs. These foods also boost hemoglobin levels in the blood, which are crucial in supplying oxygen throughout the body. Spinach This green leafy vegetable is a good source of folic acid (vitamin B9) and iron, which are vital for maintaining RBC levels. Spinach also helps increase platelet count to some extent. Dairy products Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, can help stabilize blood count. They contain vitamin B12, which is critical for creating RBCs and platelets in the blood. This vitamin is also essential for the cognitive development and maturation of children. Sweet potato Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamin A, which is required for better absorption of iron into the blood. So, it is safe to say that vitamin A and iron work together to promote blood count. Black-eyed peas Black-eyed peas are packed with folic acid, a form of folate. Folate is essential for the multiplication of cells in the body. In other words, it helps increase RBC and platelet count. Unsurprisingly, anemia is linked to low folic acid levels in the body.

Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that develops in some people with psoriasis, a chronic skin condition. It occurs when a person’s immune system starts to attack the body’s cells, leading to inflammation in joints and the overproduction of skin cells. It affects close to 1-3 percent of the world’s population. It is non-curable, and few treatment options aim to manage the symptoms. Read along to learn about its symptoms, triggers, and more. What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis? Many signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis. The manifestations of this disease also may vary from person to person.  Some of the common indicators of the condition include: Scaly and inflamed skin, especially on the knees, scalp, and elbows. Pain, swelling, and stiffness in one or more back, hips, or neck joints. Lack of energy or tiredness. Tenderness in the soles and heels  Swelling of a whole toe.  Dents or pits in the nails. Inflammation of the eye and blurry vision accompanied by redness or pain. What triggers psoriatic arthritis? The cause of psoriatic arthritis is an immune system disorder, where your immune system acts against your body. Both genetic and environmental factors seem to influence this response. Other than these, here are some other elements that can trigger psoriatic arthritis: Having psoriasis is one of the most significant risk factors that increases one’s tendency to develop psoriatic arthritis Obesity Having a family history of the condition A viral or bacterial infection may trigger psoriatic arthritis in some people who have the chance of inheriting psoriasis Which foods help to minimize the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis? Psoriatic arthritis may worsen over time. In severe cases, it may even cause permanent damage to your joints, including deformity.  People living with this condition are also at a higher risk of getting other serious health problems, such as: