Celery is a popular low calorie vegetable you can find in any vegetable stall. It comes from the same family as carrots and parsley. This green vegetable's origins can be traced to the Mediterranean and North Africa. This plant is now cultivated globally and can be found in cuisine of many cultures. 

This green vegetable has many  health benefits because it contains antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals that help reduce the risk of some ailments in addition to aiding digestion . I n this article we will discuss the many health benefits of celery and side effects.

Benefits Of Celery

Supports digestive function

Fiber is important for digestive function. Celery is a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber. Celery also contains substances (phytonutrients) that protect digestive mucosa and increase the lining of the stomach. This can decrease occurrence of gastric ulcers.

Improve memory

Studies have found that celery extract appeared to improve cognitive function. Cognitive function refers to mental abilities such as learning, thinking, reasoning, remembering, problem solving and decision making. Celery contain flavonoids which help cognitive function. Flavonoids are powerful anti oxidants which occur naturally in  vegetables, fruits and some beverages.

 A research study found that people who consumed about 600 mg of flavonoids per day had a 20% lower risk of cognitive decline than those who had only 150 mg.  It has also been shown that flavonoids can help counter dementia by protecting the cells from aging process caused  by brain inflammation.

May reduce blood pressure

Celery contains chemical compounds known as pthalides. These substances relax and expand the walls of blood vessels allowing blood to move  more freely, thus reducing blood pressure. It also contains potassium which helps regulate blood pressure. When blood pressure is well regulated, it reduces the chances of suffering a stroke, heart attack or developing arteriosclerosis.

May help in weight loss

One cup of diced celery is said to contain only 14 calories. This makes it a great addition to salads, soups and other meals if you are on a weight loss diet. The fiber in celery can make you feel full for longer. Also, the high water content can help prevent dehydration, thereby boosting energy levels.

Boosts immunity

Celery is rich in Vitamin C, vitamin A and other antioxidants. This helps to boost immunity and aid healthier eyes and skin.

How To Include Celery In Your Diet

Celery can be used in salads, soups, juices and smoothies. This smoothie recipe is a favorite and very tasty.

Celery and pineapple smoothie

Ingredients

One pineapple

Half of a cucumber

Ginger

Celery

Wash pineapple carefully under clean running water to remove sand and dirt.

Peel pineapple and cut into small pieces and set aside.

Boil the pineapple peels in two cups of water.

Wash celery sticks and cut into pieces.

Add peeled ginger, diced cucumber, diced pineapple, celery and water from the boiled pineapple peels into a blender and blend for a few minutes.

Side Effects Of Celery

Celery can cause a severe allergic reaction in some people. Symptoms include breathing difficulties and swelling.

Celery seed can stimulate the uterus and should be avoided by pregnant women.

There is a risk of possible contamination with pesticides. Wash well to remove all traces of pesticide before consuming it.

Eating too much can cause bloating and gas.

Vancouver has the most pleasant climate of Canada’s largest cities. It rarely snows, and the temperature seldom drops below zero. Vancouver homes for sale are the most expensive in Canada, in part due to the temperate climate that makes it the perfect venue not only for a variety of outdoor events and festivals but also for ambitious athletic activities. Vancouver is culturally diverse and welcoming to new immigrants, with 20 percent of its population from China and a further 12 percent coming from South Asia.

If you want to build a house, determine the best plan of action for you and your family. While buying an existing home may be cheaper and more convenient, building a brand-new house gives you a sense of ownership over your living space.

Below are the benefits of building your own home.

Energy Efficient
If environmental friendliness is important to you, it makes a lot of sense to build. Modern building techniques and materials are more energy-efficient than they used to be even 20 short years ago, and you might even be able to construct a zero-energy home if saving energy is your top priority.

No Need for Remodelling
Building your home saves you money on remodeling and additions. One of the first things many homebuyers do when they move into an existing home is a kitchen remodel. Even the bathroom and living room may need some updating to suit your wants. You can avoid remodeling costs by
designing and building your own home.

Pick Your Lot
Choosing a lot for a custom home is a crucial piece of the home-building process. Many factors affect the design and features of the home and can also impact your quality of life in the home.
Two lots with the same square footage may not both be buildable despite having the same area. A long narrow lot will not be as useful as one that is square. The shape of the lot impacts where the home is situated and the size of front, side, and rear yards.

Less Maintenance
Obviously, new construction homes have less maintenance than older existing homes. You won’t have to worry about a leaky roof when it rains or your HVAC breaking in the middle of an arctic blast or heatwave. You can enjoy all the perks of living in a brand new home without maintenance headaches. When things break down, they are typically covered by the builder’s warranty.

What is cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a waxy chemical substance found in every cell of the body. It is a fat-like substance that moves in the blood. The liver produces about 80% of the cholesterol in the body. We can also get it from food. Cholesterol is only found in foods that come from animals like meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products.

The liver regulates the cholesterol in the blood. After a meal, cholesterol in the meal is absorbed in the small intestine, metabolized, and stored in the liver. The liver secretes cholesterol as the body needs it.

What is the role of cholesterol in the body?

Cholesterol performs many vital functions in the body. It is found in all the cell membranes of the body. Cell membranes are layers that protect the contents of the cell by acting as a gatekeeper to what things can enter or leave the cell. Cholesterol is also needed to make Vitamin D and some hormones like estrogen and testosterone.

Types of cholesterol

Cholesterol is transported in the blood by particles called lipoproteins. There are three types of lipoproteins that are categorized based on how much protein there is in relation to cholesterol. 

Low-Density Lipoprotein

This is typically called "bad" cholesterol. It has more cholesterol than protein. This lipoprotein transports cholesterol throughout the body. They accumulate in the arteries clogging them and making them hard and stiff.

High levels of LDL can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease by forming cholesterol plaques on the walls of the arteries. As the plaques continue to build up, they narrow the arteries. This is called arteriosclerosis. This will also cause the blood flow to decrease. 

If the plaque ruptures, this can cause a blood clot to form. This blood clot can prevent blood flow. If this clot occurs in any coronary arteries in the heart, it can cause a heart attack or myocardial infarction.

High-Density Lipoprotein

This is called good cholesterol. This is made up of higher levels of protein and lower levels of cholesterol. HDL picks up excess cholesterol and takes it back to the liver. Higher levels of HDL reduces the risk of heart disease. 

Very Low-Density Lipoprotein

These are particles in the body that carry triglycerides. Triglycerides are important because most of the fat in the body exists as triglycerides. VLDL contains even lower levels of protein than LDL and has been associated with cholesterol plaque build-up.

How to test your cholesterol levels

Cholesterol levels are tested with a blood test. In most cases, you will need to fast for 12 hours before drawing blood for the test.

Accepted cholesterol levels

How to lower cholesterol by diet

Reduce saturated fats

Saturated fats are mainly found in animal foods, though a few plant foods are also high in saturated fats like coconut oil, palm oil, and palm kernel oil. Some sources of saturated fat are meat products (sausage, bacon, meat, hamburgers), whole and reduced-fat milk, butter and dairies desserts, pizza, cheese, and cookies.

The American Heart Association recommends limiting saturated fats to no more than 7% of calories.

Eliminate trans fats

Trans fats are made by heating liquid vegetable oils in the presence of hydrogen gas and a catalyst. Partially hydrogenated oils can withstand heating without breaking down making them ideal for frying foods. Trans fats are also found in beef fat and dairy fat in small amounts.

Trans fats lower HDL and raise LDL. They can also create inflammation and increase insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is when your body stops responding to insulin, causing an increase in blood sugar levels.

Increase unsaturated fats

Unsaturated fats are liquid at room temperature and are considered beneficial for health. They can improve blood cholesterol levels, reduce inflammation and stabilize heart rhythms. Unsaturated oils are found in food from plants such as vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. 

There are two types of unsaturated fats:

Monounsaturated fats which are found in avocados, oils suchs as peanut oil. canola oil, nuts like almonds and seeds like sesame and spinach seeds.

Polyunsaturated fats which are found in walnuts, fish, flax seeds and canola oil.

Eat foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids

Increase your physical activity

Exercise helps boost your body's HDL (good fat).

Quit smoking

Smoking  may lower your body's HDL(good fat).

Lose Weight

Drink alcohol in moderation

Drinking too much alcohol can increase your cholesterol level.

Take your medication

 Basic health screening tests are tests your healthcare provider recommends to identify any undetected disease or conditions. The goal is to discover diseases that can be easily treated if found on time. Getting screened is one of the most important things you can do for your health.

Health screening  tests are recommended based on  some criteria:

• The condition has an early stage during which symptoms may not be obvious but early detection and treatment will significantly improve the outcomes.
• An acceptable treatment is available for the condition.
• It affects the person's life expectancy and quality of life.
• A simple and affordable screening test for the condition is available.
• It is a common public health problem.

Basic Health Screening Tests

Blood Pressure Screening

Read: What do your blood pressure numbers mean? 

Diabetes Screening

If there are other risk factors such as a family history of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol among others, screening should be done at an earlier age and more frequently.

Read: Diabetes, 5 warning signs you shouldn't ignore

Cholesterol/lipid profile

Mammogram

Pap Smear 

Colonoscopy