Heartburn is a very common condition, which may occur to anyone. It refers to the burning sensation in the esophagus, which is a tube connecting the throat and stomach. The primary cause of heartburn is stomach acid. The food when swallowed combines with enzymes and acids in the stomach for digestion. The stomach has special protective lining cells, which prevent the acid from causing inflammation. This protective lining is not present in the esophagus and hence, when the digestive juices and stomach acid return back to the esophagus due to a malfunction, they can cause a burning sensation and sometimes, damage to the unprotected lining of the esophagus. Causes of heartburn The main reason for heartburn is the returning back of digestive juices and stomach acid into the esophagus. The connecting point of esophagus and stomach is juncture called the lower esophageal sphincter. Normally, this sphincter closes when food transfers to the stomach. But if your sphincter is not working properly, then it will not close after the food enters the stomach. The stomach acids then move into the esophagus causing irritation and resulting in heartburn. In some people, heartburn is also caused due to a hiatal hernia. In this condition, a part of the stomach pushes through the diaphragm into the chest.

The paleo diet is based on the principles of the human hunter-gatherer thousands of years ago. Researchers believe their diet consisted of whole foods. Additionally, they were leading physically active lives, which presumably helped avoid conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and many other issues. Research has shown that this diet can help with a major weight loss and improvements in health. There is no specific guideline as Paleolithic humans lived on a variety of diets, based on location and time. Some ate a low-carb diet with animal-based foods, whereas others preferred a high-carb diet which was mostly plant-based foods. You can adapt a diet based on your body’s needs and preferences. Foods and ingredients that should be avoided: Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup One of the major things is to avoid is food with high levels of sugar or fructose, like soft drinks, table sugar, fruit juices, candy, ice cream, pastries, etc. Grains This diet also excludes grain-based eatables like bread and pasta, wheat, rye, etc. Legumes Beans, lentils or any other legumes are excluded from this diet. Dairy You also need to avoid many of the dairy products, especially low-fat products. Some versions do allow for full-fat dairies like butter and cheese.

The Mediterranean diet is the diet that is usually consumed by the people living in the Mediterranean region. This diet is not followed as the diet for weight loss, but it usually helps people who are consuming it in living a healthier life with no diseases and a healthy heart. There are certain cities located in the Mediterranean region like Italy, Greece, and Sardinia where most of the people consume this diet and there are various studies that suggest the lower rate of heart diseases and cancer in these regions. There are a lot of food items that you can consume while having a Mediterranean diet. Almonds Almonds are a great option to consume if you are trying to lose some weight and also, wish to have a tasty snack. You can have the almonds at any time of the day at dinner, lunch, for breakfast, and also as a snacking option. There are several types of research according to which almonds also help in losing some extra pounds when you consume them just before the workout. Chickpeas Another food item that is utilized in the Mediterranean diet is chickpea. If you consume chickpeas daily with other food items like grains and starches, then you can get plenty of nutrients like protein, zinc, folate, calcium, and iron.

Dementia refers to a group of symptoms affecting memory, thinking, and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functions. Although it involves memory loss, memory loss has different causes. So memory loss alone doesn’t mean that one is suffering from dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of a progressive dementia in older adults, but there are a number of other causes of this disease. Prevention of dementia Leading a brain-healthy life might reduce the risk of developing dementia later on, however there are no guarantees. Even though this disease cannot be prevented or cured, one can reduce the risk by developing a healthy lifestyle. Leading a brain healthy lifestyle means looking after the brain, body, and heart. There are a number of ways to keep the brain healthy and reduce the risk of developing this disease later in life. Taking care of your heart Remaining physically active Stimulating the brain by indulging in mentally challenging activities Enjoying social activity Avoiding injuries Eating certain foods can reduce the risk of developing dementia too. Foods one should eat Raw leafy greens:  Dark greens such as spinach are high in folate and B9, which increases cognition and reduces depression. Cruciferous vegetables:  Broccoli, cauliflower, and sprouts contain antioxidants and vitamin K, which are very important for brain health and should be consumed daily.

Cystinuria is a genetic condition wherein the kidneys are not able to reabsorb the cystine from the urine, and as a result, one develops cystinuria. Cysteine is part of the amino acids that make up the essential proteins in the body, and the kidneys often do the grunt work as they break down the various amino acids and reabsorb the proteins, including cystine. When the kidneys cannot reabsorb the cysteine, it can cause the same to build up and form crystals in the urethra, which soon turns into a stone. This is more common than one would think and affects 1 in 100 adults and 6-8 children in 100; it can affect an individual at any point and can affect both the genders equally. There are effective ways to treat cystinuria, including medication and surgery, but it is always a good idea to go in for non-invasive options to remove the stone. If one has been diagnosed with cystinuria, it is always better to adopt a special diet to help dissolve the stone. Foods to have and avoid If one has been diagnosed with cystinuria, they should opt for a diet that helps deal with the condition. It is important to consult a doctor as well as a dietician right away, but a few tips might also help:

The thyroid is a butterfly-shaped gland in the neck. This gland regulates the metabolism and other functions of the body. It produces two hormones known as tetraiodothyronine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These hormones control the energy consumption of the cells. When the thyroid gland overproduces both the T4 and T3 hormones, it leads to hyperthyroidism. Having a healthy diet can ease the symptoms of hyperthyroidism and aid in faster recovery. Foods to eat Low-iodine food Iodine is an essential mineral that aids in the production of thyroid hormones. Limiting the intake of iodine can help to reduce the production of these hormones and ease the symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Non-iodized salt, fruits, egg whites, unsalted nuts, oats, potatoes, and honey are some examples of low-iodine food. Cruciferous vegetables These vegetables stop the thyroid gland from using iodine properly. So they are beneficial to reduce the production of hormones that cause hyperthyroidism. Bamboo shoots, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, mustard, and collard greens are some cruciferous vegetables, you can include in your diet. Vitamins and minerals Several vitamins and minerals such as iron, selenium, zinc, calcium and vitamin D are essential to maintain the health of the thyroid gland and keep hormone production in control.

Gastric ulcers, also known as stomach ulcers, are any erosion of the inner lining of the stomach. These are painful sores which are a type of peptic ulcer disease. It represents a breakage in the tissue lining of the stomach. These ulcers might be easily treatable, but a severe, untreated ulcer can even burn through the wall of the stomach allowing the digestive juices and food to leak into the abdominal cavity. This medical condition is known as perforated ulcers and is very painful and requires immediate surgery. Causes of gastric ulcers Gastric ulcers occur when the thickening of the mucus layer that protects our stomach from the digestive juices is decreased. These digestive juices containing acids then erode or damage the stomach lining. The most common causes for gastric ulcers include: An infection due to the Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria which is found to be the causative factor for 60 percent of gastric ulcer cases. The consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin or Ibuprofen for a long period of time or if these drugs are taken in high doses. These are responsible for causing one-fifth of the total gastric ulcer cases. The carcinoma of the stomach may also present itself as an ulcer especially in the elderly.

What is a gastrointestinal infection? Gastrointestinal infection is the term used for any of the viral, bacterial or parasitic infections which result in gastroenteritis. It is a health condition which results in the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract and involves both the small intestine and the stomach. It is one of the most commonly reported infections in people worldwide. Mostly, the duration or longevity of the infection would depend on the causative agent but generally, it should subside within a few days. Many of these infections might not be severe and can be rapidly resolved while others can prove to be troublesome for patients. Causes of a gastrointestinal infection Gastrointestinal infection can be caused due to a large number of microbes existing in the stomach. The most common causes of this infection are: Adenovirus Campylobacter Clostridium difficile Escherichia coli Helicobacter coli Rotavirus Salmonella and Shighella Staphylococcus aureus Yersinia enterocolitica The infection is found to spread mainly as a result of improper food consumption known as food-borne infection which leads to the microbes attacking your gastrointestinal tract. The infection can very easily spread from accidental indigestion of unhygienic and infected food items. Exposure to any of the causative potential microbes leads to the build-up of the symptoms of the infection.

Without absorbing the required amount of iron, our body faces iron deficiency. The symptoms of this deficiency appear only when it has progressed to iron deficiency anemia. This kind of anemia is a condition where the body’s iron levels or stores are so low that not nearly enough normal red blood cells can carry oxygen with efficiency. Iron deficiency is a common nutritional deficiency. Intake of certain iron-rich food products can prevent or reduce iron deficiency in the body. Some of those foods that are good sources of heme iron and give 3.5 milligrams or more with each serving are as follows: 3 ounces of chicken or beef liver 3 ounces of mussels 3 ounces of oysters Some good sources of heme iron, which give 2.1 milligrams or more with every serving are as follows: 3 ounces of cooked beef 3 ounces of canned sardines, canned in oil Some other sources of heme iron, which give 0.6 milligrams or more with every serving are as follows: 3 ounces of chicken 3 ounces of ham 3 ounces of cooked turkey 3 ounces of veal Food sources which give 0.3 milligrams or more heme iron with each serving include  3 ounces of haddock, salmon, halibut, perch or tuna.

The flexitarian diet is a term used to refer to a diet which is purely vegetarian. But, this diet includes non-vegetarian dishes occasionally after a period of time. Thus, this die is also termed as the semi-vegetarian diet. The interesting fact about this diet is that it excludes the red meat from its chart because this can be the prime risk factor of a number of severe diseases and disorders. In place of red meat, it includes other types of organic protein sources. The health benefits of a flexitarian diet The people, who follow the flexitarian diet, are benefitted with its manifold advantages and can lead to a healthy lifestyle because of the availability of options of both non-veg and veg dishes. The health benefits of this diet are explained in the following paragraphs: It lowers the risk of type-2 diabetes and insulin resistance This diet is preferred by most vegetarians because it is helpful for lowering the risk of type-2 diabetes and resistance of insulin. This diet helps one in consuming calories. The vegetarian foods which are included in the flexitarian diet chart help in reducing the level of saturated fats, cholesterol, refined carbs, and sugars. These are the factors which lead to the occurrence of diabetes in the in the body.