Atopic dermatitis or eczema is an inflammatory skin disease that can lead to rashes, skin irritation, patches, and blisters. While there is no single diet plan that does wonders for everyone with eczema, some foods can prevent a flare-up and some that can make it worse. Here are some such foods worth knowing about. Fatty fish You may have long heard about the many benefits of including fatty fish in your diet. And they are true because such type of fish can help prevent an eczema flare-up too. Fatty fish contain omega-3 fatty acids that can help control inflammation and save you from eczema’s flare-up. You should consume fishes such as herring and salmon. You can take omega-3 supplements instead. Experts suggest taking 250mg of omega-3 fatty acids daily to prevent eczema flare-up, ideally from fish. Quercetin Quercetin is a plant pigment or flavonoid responsible for giving vegetables, fruits, and flowers their distinct color. Quercetin is also considered as one of the best antihistamines and antioxidants. Hence, it is often used to reduce inflammation and high levels of histamine in the body. People with eczema can consume foods high in quercetin as it can help prevent flare-ups. Foods such as broccoli, apples, kale, blueberries, spinach, and cherries are excellent sources of this flavonoid.

Ulcerative colitis is a type of inflammatory disease that affects the rectum and colon. While the causes of UC are still not understood completely, but often recommend medications such as entyvio, stelara, and simponi. Diet also plays a critical role in disease management. Food can lead to flare-ups, so it is important to understand what you can eat and what you should avoid if you have UC: Eat: Cooked vegetables Cooking vegetables and consuming them is a good option for people with ulcerative colitis. You should consume vegetables such as spinach and carrots, which provide vitamins K and A. You should ensure the fiber is completely broken down. Avoid: Nuts Nuts are fibrous and so avoiding them can help you get relief during a flare. You should avoid eating nuts such as cashews, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, pecans, peanuts, hazelnuts, and macadamia nuts. Eat: Applesauce People with UC can easily digest applesauce and so this is one of the safe foods to eat even during a flare. You should opt for unsweetened applesauce as the sweetened version can lead to inflammation, making UC worse. Avoid: Dairy Many people with UC are intolerant to dairy. If you have found it to be a trigger, then it is best to avoid it.

As a dog owner, it is your duty to know about the alarming signs of food allergies in dogs, in order to keep them healthy and protected. Dogs are prone to allergies of different kinds, such as flea, food, and environmental allergies. While food allergies may not be too common in dogs, they are important for us to know. Food allergies typically lead to immune responses that may be in the form of skin conditions, such as itchiness, hives, swelling, and gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and vomiting. Your furry companion cannot understand if they are allergic to certain foods. Hence, it is best to work with a vet to pinpoint the ingredient that is causing the allergy, and manage your pet’s symptoms and prevent allergic reactions in the future. These are some of the warning signs to watch out for: Constant kicking and scratching This is one of the biggest alarming signs of food allergies in dogs. While dogs are known to scratch or lick themselves in order to stay clean, the behavior becomes worrisome when they do so at all times. As a result, certain areas on their bodies may become inflamed, red, and irritated, and this indicates a possible allergic reaction to something.

While you may want to share everything at home with your beloved pets, some things can actually cause them harm, such as human foods. Many foods, such as vegetables, fruits and treats like chocolate, can actually be responsible for health issues in pets. At the same time, there are also those that can be comfortably introduced in your pet’s diet, because they boost immunity or improve bone strength. Here are the top foods that you need to avoid giving your pet: Almonds These nuts are toxic to dogs, just like macadamia nuts, because they block the esophagus or can even damage the dog’s windpipe if it fails to chew them well. If the nuts are salted, then the effects are more damaging, as they may cause water retention. Cinnamon Pets should never be given cinnamon. This spice can be toxic to pets, as its oils make them sick and irritate the insides of their mouths. Cinnamon can also drastically reduce blood sugar levels, trigger diarrhea and vomiting, and reduce heart rate in dogs and cats. If dogs inhale cinnamon powder, then they may have breathing difficulty, and even choke. Chocolate Chocolate, a favorite of many, should not be given to pets.

If you want to feed your cat the safest and most nutritious treats, then preparing them at home can be the best option. In fact, homemade cat treats are easy to make and can be a delight to your feline companion. If you do careful research, you’ll find a wide variety of cat treat recipes that can be prepared from the comfort of your home. Moreover, feeding your cat with homemade treats is a great way to strengthen your connection with your cat and radiate optimum love and care. Here are a few delicious and easy-to-make treats to ensure that your cat gets only the best: Cheesy treats These delights are prepared by combining cheese, yogurt, cornmeal, and flour with water. Roll the mixture with a rolling pan and bake it like a pizza for 25 minutes. Cut it into small squares, and make sure the pieces are crunchy on the outside, and chewy on the inside. Organic treats This highly nutritious and delicious cat treat requires an egg, 200 grams of boneless and skinless chicken, a cup of oats, a proportionate quantity of flour, and spinach. All these items should be from organic sources. Steam the chicken until it’s boiled, and blend it with spinach, egg, oats, and catnip.

While following a healthy diet and improving the overall quality of your health is of optimum importance, you cannot ignore the health of your furry friend. It’s important to know what makes for a healthy dog diet if you intend to ensure their health and happiness. Boosting the release of happy hormones and enhancing the immune system of your dog should be your top priority while choosing dog food. Here are some important points that you should consider to ensure that your dog is healthy and sound: Add digestive enzymes A dog’s dry food lacks digestive enzymes that are important to help absorb nutrients. You can add yogurt, cottage cheese, and similar moist foods to the kibbles to induce sufficient enzymes. It will encourage your dog to consume the enzymes, aiding in digestion. Make sure the enzymes are plant-based and rich in probiotics, which help promote healthy bacteria in the gut. Limit portion sizes While it matters what your dog is eating, the quantity also plays an equally important role. Even if it’s healthy and freshly prepared food, feed your dog only in small proportions. Observe how your dog eats and enjoy food, and make changes to the portions accordingly.

Hepatitis C (or hep C) is a viral infection (hepatitis C virus) that affects the liver. Patients who suffer from hep C often experience fatal complications, which include liver disease and cirrhosis. Hepatitis C is spread through blood contact, which is often contracted through the sharing of unclean needles, tattoo or piercing equipment, and unsterilized surgical or dental equipment. Hep C, in rarer cases, can be transmitted via rough intercourse. If you’re a patient living with Hep C, there are certain foods that can either benefit or worsen the symptoms, such as: 1. Alcohol Hepatitis C and alcohol are two of the leading causes of cirrhosis, which is why many people who suffer from hep C avoid consuming alcohol. Hepatitis C is an infectious liver disease, which is why you should do everything in your ability to maintain a healthy liver. Even if you’re not an excessive drinker, you should still avoid consuming alcohol, especially if you suffer from hep C. 2. Raw oysters and shellfish If you suffer from Hep C, then you should likely refrain from eating raw oysters and shellfish. Consuming raw oysters and shellfish can cause deadly side effects if you suffer from Hep C. Unless it’s cooked thoroughly, contaminated shellfish often contains a virus, which can cause a different form of hepatitis.

As one of the most prevalent conditions accompanying old age, arthritis has become a persistent affliction for many within our population. This disease is infamous for joint inflammation at various points throughout the body and typically exists in one of two forms: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis emerges due to significant wear on cartilage joints over time, while the latter occurs when the immune system malfunctions, destroying the synovial membrane meant to protect joints from damage. While there is no current cure for the ailment, steps can be taken to greatly reduce the severity of the pain-like symptoms associated with it. Not much can be done about the disease resulting from heredity, but extensive research has gone into the idea of nutrition being a powerful tool in one’s battle against it. Researchers suggest that vegetables, fruits, spices and foods rich in dietary fibers become staple components of one’s diet to aid in this endeavor. Let’s take a look at a few examples and the role they play in making this a possibility: 1. Broccoli and brussels sprouts While not the most popular food items among younger children, broccoli and Brussel sprouts are widely regarded as some of the healthiest foods out there.

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues. It can cause a wide variety of symptoms with varying degrees of severity. One of the more common symptoms is listlessness and emotional apathy. People are energetic, unmotivated and find that they no longer enjoy things which used to make them happy. Depression is often caused by a combination of internal and external factors. Some foods in particular will often trigger symptoms of depression: 1. Processed meats Processed foods are always tempting when we’re feeling down. Usually the more food is processed the less work we need to put into its preparation. This fits in quite well with some of the symptoms of clinical depression. People suffering from depression will often see cooking as an insurmountable obstacle. Unfortunately, eating heavily processed food can actually trigger symptoms of depression. This creates a cycle where one eats more processed food because of the depression. But the processed food itself makes the depression worse. And as a result people increase their intake of processed food even more. Processed foods, and especially meats, are typically lacking in major nutrients. What’s more it usually isn’t very filling. People are essentially eating up material that isn’t helping their body, and which might even hurt it, in order to reach a feeling of satiety.

Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones in which the body’s skeletal system deteriorates becoming weak and brittle. In severe cases, osteoporosis can cause bones to break with a minor bump or shaking, or even a violent sneeze. The word osteoporosis actually means “porous bone” and if you could see the bones of a victim of this disease up close, like under a microscope, you would see bones that have holes. All bones have some spaces in between, but those with osteoporosis have holes and spaces that are much larger than people with healthy bone structure. The density, the tissue structure, and the mass of a person with osteoporosis has been depleted. The most common osteoporosis symptoms include a bent posture, back pain and bones that are easily broken. There are some foods that you must avoid if you want to effectively reduce your chances of getting osteoporosis or if you already have it, minimizing its symptoms: 1. High-salt foods Any foods that are high in sodium have a deleterious long-term effect on the bones. In particular, meats such as ham which is cured, canned foods, and foods that require a great deal of seasoning are to be avoided. You could also use salt substitutes if you think your food tastes bland.