Foods That Help You Gain an Advantage Over Rare Diseases

​Foods That Help You Gain an Advantage Over Rare Diseases

Rare diseases are on the rise and many people think our diets have changed and brought about this increase. Some diseases, like Beta Thalassemia, are on the increase according to xpertdox.com.

Studies have found that changing your diet will help you manage and even gain an advantage over these rare diseases. Here is a list of foods that might help you in your fight for a normal life after being diagnosed.

Pomegranates

Who knew that fruit with the delicious red seeded interior would be able to help you fight and manage a rare disease? It turns out that this fruit if rich in potassium, vitamin C, and antioxidants. All of which are known to help fight against things like Alzheimer’s and cancers.

Plus, if you enjoy eating messy fruits, this is one that will definitely satisfy those urges. Pomegranates are one of the messiest fruits to eat, spreading their sticky joy to little faces and fingers. But, don’t let that messy interior fool you, the whole fruit is rich in nutrients that will help you manage your disease.

Nuts

Most nuts are high in the good nutrients that will help you manage and gain advantage over your disease. Nuts are a dry fruit with one or two seeds that are housed inside a hard-outer layer that is either stony or woody. Some examples of nuts include pine, almonds, pistachio, chia, and caraway seeds.

They are packed with protein and polyunsaturated fats, the good kind. Some nuts even include vitamin E and selenium. By consuming an average amount of nuts every day, you can help your system manage a rare disease.

Fruits

Fruits like tomatoes and grapefruits are in cancer fighting lycopene. Berries are also a big antioxidant carrier that will help you neutralize the cell-damaging molecules called “free radicals.”

Remember the old adage, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well, it turns out that’s true in managing rare diseases, too. They are rich in pectin that is a soluble fiber that will help lower your blood pressure as well as decrease the symptoms of colon and breast cancers. It’s easy to grab an apple as quick snack when you’re on the go.

Mint

Did you know that there are many plants in the mint category? It’s not just for peppermint, anymore. It also includes fragrant plants like lavender, sage, oregano and rosemary. They are classified in the mint family. These amazing plants can help ease an upset stomach and can even prevent the neurotransmitter, acetylcholine, breakdown that keeps your memory intact.

So, feel free to make that spaghetti sauce and load up on the Italian seasoning. You’ll be able to soothe your anxiety with lavender extract or oil in your warm bath or you can calm your senses with sage incense. The Mint family is a powerful tool to manage your disease.

Caffeine

Do you consider coffee and chocolate to be one of the major food groups? It turns out that you may be inadvertently helping manage your disease with these foods. Coffee, chocolate and tea include high levels of polyphenols. These are known as super antioxidants because they fight everything, including cancer and depression. Studies have shown that drinking five cups of coffee a day can cut your risk of diabetes in half. The flip side is that five cups could mean the shakes for some people.

It’s a wonderful thing, then, that tea or decaf has the same power and can substitute for later afternoon drinks. Also, this doesn’t mean adding sugar and cream to the coffee. That’s just plain black coffee. So, if you like your Latte or Espresso sweet, you might consider dropping to two cups a day and look for other ways to get the benefit. Check this article if you don’t know what is the no. 1 low acid coffee in market: http://thehomemakersjournal.com/best-low-acid-coffee-brand/

Organic dark chocolate contains the same polyphenols and tastes a bit sweeter that black coffee. Just remember, the darker the chocolate, the better antioxidant effect you will receive, so try to stay away from the milk or white chocolate versions.

Fish and Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acids are the super energizers when it comes to helping fight rare diseases. One way to get high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids to eat fish or fish oil supplements. Omega-3 has been proven to lower triglyceride levels and boost the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs. It’s also been known to benefit diseases that affect your memory, like Alzheimer’s.

You can find high levels of Omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, lake trout, and tuna. Other not so famous fish include herring and anchovies. So, if you’re into saltier versions, those might be ones you consider.

This list of foods that can help you gain an advantage over your rare disease is not comprehensive, but it will give you a great start to controlling the disease you’ve been diagnosed with.