Avocados are available all year and they are very good for your health. Avocados are highly recommended because they are excellent for reducing cholesterol, helping with heart disease and much more. In addition avocados are good for the prevention and treatment of breast and prostate cancer.

Although they are known to have a high fat content, avocados do help to lower cholesterol. This and their high vitamin E content are great reasons for eating avocados.

The avocado “meat” is considered to be the healthiest fruit on earth due to the many nutrients and the presence of the vitamins A, C, B6 and K, fiber, potassium, folic acid and copper.

Also avocados have an abundance of vitamin E which is an essential vitamin that protects against a host of diseases and will aid with maintaining your overall health.

Folate which is also found in avocados helps to lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Avocados also contain oleic acid which is a monounsaturated fat that helps to lower cholesterol and has recently been proven to protect against breast cancer.

Avocados are a great antioxidant which has healing properties as well which can be used to treat arthritis, high cholesterol and gum disease. The pulp or “meat” of avocados is thought to be anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. And it is used to heal skin problems such as acne, skin rashes and sunburns. Avocados also help heal digestive problems.

There are numerous ways to enjoy avocados. They can be sliced and added to salad or they can be chopped and mixed into salsa which makes a delicious dip for fresh vegetables or multi-grain crackers. They can also be eaten in many other ways such as in soup, you can cut them in half and sprinkle herbs over them. Avocados are also great as a spread on bread which is a good substitution for butter.  Avocados go with just about anything so be creative!

One tip about avocados: the brighter colored the fruit the better it will be for you. If the fruit or meat of the avocado is bright in color that means it contains more beta-carotene and this will help prevent cancer.

One tip for picking avocados: pick avocados without blemishes and ones that feel heavy in your hand.

Avocados are great for your overall health, so it is an excellent idea to begin including them into your diet. One last note avocados are fairly high in calories so eat them in moderation.

Author: Lisa Arnold

Vitamin A is also called retinol. This is the vitamin that has been called the “miracle vitamin” for years because of the positive effects it has on boosting the immune system and with promoting growth. It is also been shown that Vitamin A helps to slow down the aging process by improving the skin. That’s why we at YoNaturals try to keep our vending as organic and natural as possible.

Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin which aids in many important body functions; it also helps with vision, helps to keep teeth in good condition, helps to keep your skin healthy, and helps to fight certain cancers.

There are many other benefits to the consumption of Vitamin A which includes:

·         promoting the formation of strong bones

·         improving vision and preventing night blindness

·         acting as anti-oxidant which helps to protect cells against cancer and other diseases

·         lowering cholesterol levels

·         protecting against heart disease and stroke

·         guarding against bacterial infections

·         eliminating wrinkles

·         reducing fine lines

·         fading age spots

·         improving skin conditions such as acne

As an organic vending business, we at YoNaturals try to incorporate as many of these important ingredients as possible. There are two categories of Vitamin A, water-soluble and fat-soluble. Vitamin A is considered a fat-soluble vitamin which means that it is stored in the body’s fat cells and the liver until it is used. Vitamin A can be found in dairy products including whole milk, cheddar cheese, cantaloupe, romaine lettuce and eggs. Vitamin A can also be found in cod liver oils and beef liver.

The other form of Vitamin A is beta-carotene which is water soluble and is a pigment that is orange-yellow or red in color. It is stored in the body and turns into Vitamin A when needed. Beta-carotene is found in vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables such as sweet potatoes, carrots, pumpkin, broccoli, apricots, broccoli, tomatoes, collard greens and spinach.

Large doses of fat-soluble Vitamin A can become toxic, but if a normal consumption of foods rich in this vitamin is obtained there will not be any problems. Too much Vitamin A has been known to cause hair loss and birth defects. It has been known to increase the risk of bone fractures in some individuals.

Vitamin A deficiency is rare but it can cause night blindness, diarrhea, nausea, irritability, blurred vision and other problems.

The recommended daily dose of Vitamin A for women is 800 mg. It is recommended that men consume a slightly higher dose of 1000 mg of Vitamin A on a daily basis. Children aged four to eighteen should take around 500 mg of Vitamin A per day.

It important to note large amounts of Vitamin A can cause birth defects, damage to the central nervous system and liver damage. It can also cause bone density loss which can eventually lead to osteoporosis.

Vitamin A is excellent for the body when properly taken, and it can help to fight off the onslaught of infections. Before beginning any vitamin regimen it highly recommended that it be discussed with health care professionals to ensure that the proper doses and vitamins are being administered for individual overall good health. Try something new; try organic vending for a change.