We all know that maintaining a healthy diet is vital in terms of controlling blood sugar levels and preventing type 2 diabetes. Generally, the advice given to diabetics is relevant to the general population as well: consume adequate vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, poultry and fish, and less industrial sweets and foods high in bad fat and salt.

We tend to think that diet, exercise, and obesity are completely within our control and that weight loss is merely a matter of willpower, diet, and exercise. These thoughts leave people who are overweight or obese feeling that they are just “weak” and that there is something wrong with them. Not only are these thoughts disempowering, but also they are not entirely true.

Are you looking for a natural way to help you fall asleep?  Here is a recipe for a delicious natural drink that will help you get a better sleep, and as an added bonus it has a lot of other health benefits as well. Its main ingredients are milk and honey but there are other two optional ingredients that can greatly enhance its benefits.

Cayenne peppers are delicious spicy chili peppers that are packed with medicinal properties, vitamins and minerals. People have been using cayenne peppers for thousands of years to spice up food and for their healing power. Cayenne pepper powder is full of antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation, prevents heart disease, and boosts your digestive health.

L-cysteine is an amino acid which is also sold as a dietary supplement. The benefits of L-cysteine are mostly due to the fact that it’s one of the building blocks of glutathione – one of the body’s main antioxidants. Scientific studies have shown that L-cysteine can help improve digestion, boost mental health, reduce pain, and help rid your body of toxins.

One of the top selling dietary supplements these days are omega 3 fish oil supplements. It was a study from the 70s that paved the way for understanding the importance of omega 3 fatty acids. The study followed a group of Inuit in Greenland, a population whose main dietary source is from the sea and is very rich in fatty acids. During the test period it was found that these men had less chronic diseases and were overall healthier compared to the Western population.

Olive leaf extract contains powerful medicinal compounds that can help to address a number of health issues. The benefits of olive leaf extract are mainly due to a chemical called oleuropein. Using extracts from olive leaves therapeutically has been linked with lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, and fighting viral infections like herpes.

Lemon is a citrus fruit rich in vitamin C which is a powerful antioxidant with many health benefits. Lemon juice has been linked to improving heart health, boosting the body’s immune system, and improving iron absorption. Because of the acidic nature of lemon water or lemonade, it can also help to dissolve kidney stones.

Psyllium is a type of fiber that is made of the husks (outer coating) of the Plantago ovata plant’s seeds. Psyllium husk is beneficial in treating constipation and helping your digestive system work efficiently. Psyllium and psyllium husk can help to bulk up stool to make it easier to pass. Psyllium powder and capsules help to lower cholesterol, control blood sugar levels, and even help lose weight.