Food You Weren’t Eating In 2012 But Need In 2013 To Become Well

Power through your workouts, lose weight, and boost your health with these commonyet often overlooked foods.

 Seaweed

Perhaps most commonly eaten wrapped around a sushi roll, nori is loaded with iodine, a mineral essential for proper thyroid function. While iodized salt was introduced in 1924 to prevent goiter, the increased emphasis on low-sodium diets and the popularity of sea salt, which often doesn’t contain iodine, have recently resurfaced concerns about getting enough iodine. This trace mineral isn’t the only benefit of sea vegetables. Nori contains high levels of vitamin K and iron, micronutrients essential for proper cellular function. Look for nori pieces in the international section of your supermarket and crumble them on top of chili, soups, and salads. (This will add a little extra salty flavor, so if you are salt sensitive, use less in your recipe.)

 

Sauerkraut

Considering cabbage is low-carb, high-fiber, and contains cancer-fighting 3-indole carbinol and d-glucarate, a compound that works to clear excess estrogen, the veggie is already a superfood. Fermenting it into sauerkraut, however, puts it on nutritional steroids. The probiotics that drive fermentation also help repopulate your digestive system with healthy, hardworking good bacteria that lower inflammation, improve digestion, and maybe even aid in weight loss. Plus fermentation increases the bioavailablity of the antioxidants found in cabbage, and the longer cabbage ferments, the higher the levels of antioxidants become, meaning your body can better absorb and use them.

 Shirataki Noodles

Pasta lovers, it’s time to throw an Italian feast: Now you can enjoy your noodles for 20 calories and 5 carbs (and some brands have even less of both!) per serving. Shirataki noodles are made from the konjac plant, the same plant that we get the fiber and satiety supplement glucomannan from—read: They keep you full. Shirataki don’t have much flavor and come in every shape from angel to fettuccine to penne and more, so you can use them in any pasta recipe. Just take them out of the bag, rinse thoroughly, and heat, and they’re ready to toss into stroganoff, primavera, or whatever you’re craving.

~ Thanks to S contributers

Holiday Moods in Motion

ENERGY TAKES A HOLIDAY during winter. These dark, depressing days can leave you overweight, overstressed, or just over it. The solution? Short bouts of activity get the blood flowing, which instantly lifts your spirits. Exercise builds brain endorphins that help us feel happier and more positive about life.
So how do you pump up your pep when you’re feeling fat, frazzled, fried, or forlorn? We consulted four vitality specialists, whose favorite moves will boost your mood and resurrect your energy in just 10 to 15 minutes.
You’re Feeling: Fat Energy Transformer: Brisk Walking
If you found it hard to resist overeating during the holidays and even harder to squeeze in regular workouts, moderate cardiovascular exercise is a great way to get back in gear. Not only will you burn calories, but a brisk walk lets fresh oxygen and blood circulate through your body, making you feel more fit and confident nearly instantly.

Stride And Stretch To shake yourself out of your sluggish mood, try this 15-minute walking program.

1. Begin by walking for 3 minutes at a relaxed pace to gradually warm up your muscles. 2. Pause to stretch your quadriceps by standing on your left leg, your left arm reaching out for balance. Hold onto your right ankle with your right hand and gently pull the ankle toward the back of your thigh. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat on the left side. 3. Walk for another 2 minutes, going at a faster pace than in the warm-up. Hold your head high, lower your shoulders, and concentrate on drawing your abs in tight. 4. Increase your speed for 5 minutes. Pump your arms with each stride and keep drawing in your abs. Your heart rate should now be elevated. You ought to be able to carry on a conversation, but only with a little effort. 5. Reduce your heart rate by gradually slowing your pace for 3 minutes. Focus on your breathing, and include some deep inhales and exhales through your nose. 6. Stretch out your calves by standing with your feet a couple of inches apart, right leg front and left leg back, toes pointing straight ahead, feet flat. Bend your right knee and keep your left knee straight, feeling the stretch in your left calf. Hold for 30 seconds without bouncing, then switch legs and repeat.
Tips: Parks recommends building up to 10,000 steps per day. A step-counting device will help you achieve your goal. Or try the NL-2000 Activity Monitor ($54.95; digiwalker.com), which lets you plug in your age, height, and weight to get an accurate account of how many calories you’ve burned. * Wear supportive footwear as well as socks made of breathable fibers. * Drink water before and after your walk.
You’re Feeling: Frazzled
Got a million things to do and no time to do them? Most people, especially those balancing work and family, end up feeling frazzled several times a day. You need an exercise that provides mental clarity to help you focus on the task at hand. Qigong, an ancient Chinese healing art that offers unique breath-control techniques, can put you in a more centered frame of mind. The steady focus and concentration enable you to calm the chaos in your mind.

Monk Gazing At The Moon Find mental clarity–and a little peace in the chaos–with this standing meditation. 

1. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your knees slightly bent. Raise your arms in front of your chest, with your hands at eye level,  palms facing each other, and fingers spread. Maintaining a straight back, “sit” in a shallow stance (shown). Relax the back so it doesn’t arch. Keep your eyes open, gazing through your fingers. 2. Keeping your mouth closed and the tip of your tongue touching the roof of your mouth, begin to breathe through your nose. 3. Take 3 deep breaths. After the third one, inhale fully, then exhale 60 percent of your breath capacity. 4. Inhale fully, then exhale 100 percent. 5. Inhale fully again, then exhale 40 percent of your breath capacity. 6. Inhale fully, then exhale 100 percent. 7. Inhale fully once more, then exhale 20 percent of your breath. 8. Inhale fully, then exhale 100 percent. 9. Take 3 deep breaths, then hold the position for 3 to 5 minutes, breathing naturally.
Tip: To keep physically balanced, focus your attention on your lower abdomen, about 3 inches below your navel, which is the body’s natural center of gravity. The Chinese call this center the Tan Tien, or “Elixir Field,” where the qi, or life force, is nurtured.
You’re Feeling: Fried Energy Transformer: Kundalini Yoga
Is “deflated” your primary state? You need to pick yourself up and get on with your day. Kundalini yoga practitioners do repetitive movements while focusing on a word or the sound of the breath. This repetition stimulates the nervous system, allowing you to decompress, re-energize, and awaken your senses.

Kundalini Torso Twist Whenever you feel burned out, try this technique

1. Sit tall in a comfortable crossed-leg position, with your fingers spread and resting on your shoulders. Keep your elbows in line with your shoulders and your belly drawn in. Close your eyes. 2. As you inhale through your nose, twist your torso from your waist to the left, keeping your hips still and allowing your shoulders and head to follow your trunk. Then exhale through your nose and twist to the right. 3. Repeat this twisting motion for 1 minute without stopping, eventually working up to 2 minutes or more. Let your breath guide you into each side of the twist. 4. When you’ve completed your minute (or more), slow the movement gradually until you come to a complete stop, then lower your hands to your shins and take 3 deep breaths to get centered and bring yourself back to a restful state.
Tip: Focus on the sound of your breath to let go of any distractions. 10. End with 3 more deep breaths. On the third, exhale through your mouth, then lower your arms to your sides.
You’re Feeling: Forlorn Energy Transformer: Strength Training
It’s common to get the blues this time of year; you need a workout that will give you a much-needed boost of positivity. Getting your body into shape with strength training does just that. Strengthening your muscles improves your posture, making you look taller and slimmer–a great confidence booster. It also releases feel-good endorphins, putting you on the road to physical and emotional wellness.

Twisting Walking Lunge This multi-muscle exercise utilizes not only the upper and lower body, but also the abdominals, making it a fast way to shape up all over. Adding in the balance challenge forces your muscles to work harder to stay upright and stable.
1. Warm up by walking on a treadmill or outside for 5 minutes, pumping your arms as you go. 2. Stand with your feet about hip-width apart, holding a ball in front of your chest. Keep your elbows bent and close to your ribs, and your abs pulled in. (If you’re new to strength training, use a volleyball or other lightweight ball until you are comfortable with your balance and stability. Those who are more advanced can use a 3- to 5-pound medicine ball; find one at spriproducts.com.) 3. Take a step forward with your left leg, bending both knees to 90 degrees. Your front knee should stay over your ankle as your back knee approaches the floor. When you are in a full lunge, rotate your torso and shoulders to the left, taking the ball to your left hip as you draw your abs in tight [A]. 4. Rotate back to center, then push off the back foot and lift your right knee to hip height as you raise the ball above your head [B]. Keeping the right knee lifted, toss the ball up in the air and catch it. 5. Take a step forward with your right leg to repeat the sequence on the opposite side. 6. Continue lunging forward, alternating sides. Start with 1 to 2 sets of 10 to 12 repetitions, building up to 15; add a set when you’re ready.
Tip: Hold your gaze steady–don’t let it wander. Keep your posture erect and your abs drawn in to stabilize your balance as you perform this exercise.

Holiday Health Concerns Solved

The holiday time is here and from jet lag to indigestion, we at OMG are hear to make your season bright. Check out some of our solutions to the most common winter woes.

Holiday hazard: JET LAG After you cross time zones, it takes a few days for your body’s internal clock to adjust to the new light/dark schedule, especially if you’ve traveled west to east. The resulting jet lag can make you feel tired (but unable to sleep), headachy, disoriented and dizzy.
To the rescue
When you arrive at your destination, try to get on the local eat/sleep schedule, spend some time in sunlight (it helps reset your clock) and exercise to improve sleep quality.
Eat a high-protein breakfast and minimize your intake of caffiene, alcohol and simple carbs, all of which further disrupt sleep.
Melatonin helps reset your internal clock; take 5 milligrams right before your new bedtime on the first night, and 1 to 3 milligrams for two more nights.

Holiday hazard: INDIGESTION Celebrating the season often revolves around eating large quantities of rich foods, resulting in gas, bloating, reflux (heartburn) and other gastrointestinal problems. Overindulging in alcohol and simple carbs (more dessert, anyone?) can compound symptoms.
To the rescue
Exercise gently to stimulate digestion.
Fennel seeds may combat gas and bloating; after a meal, chew two to five seeds thoroughly and swallow.
Ginger can quell nausea and indigestion.

Our OMGRX Line addressed both of these holiday ailments through aromatic topical application. www.omgalternmed.com

~ Travel Tonic  •Helps redress any imbalances in the central nervous system •Soothe your nerves and muscles •Help in boosting your immune system, keeping your body in a healthy state of equilibrium •Relieve stress and encourage alertness

~ Put Intestinal Fire-out Massage Lotion •Balance gastric acid (hydrochloric acid) secretion •Basil and Peppermint aid in digestion •Lavender soothes the nervous system and is anti-spasmodic •Bergamot helps with anxiety and nervous tension to guarantee optimal food processing •Kiwi extract has a very high level of actinidin, a protease enzyme that is known to behave in the same way as the natural enzyme, pepsin, present in the stomach. Kiwifruit is also a rich source of naturally occurring vitamin C, vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and essential fatty acids, all of which facilitate and ease the process of digestion.

Yoga For The Winter Blues

As the weather shifts to chillier temps, many of us are finding ourselves with the sniffles or sore throats. Beat the symptoms of a common cold all year long with these yoga asanas, which help to balance the sympathetic (activity, or “fight or flight” response) and parasympathetic (rest and relaxation) systems. Anything that affects this balance, whether coming from the inside (like hunger, the need for oxygen, fear) or the outside (like temperature change, movement, watching a movie), requires a change from one state of balance, such as hunger, to another, such as digestion.

Because our immune systems consist of white blood cells that circulate in the blood and organs of the thymus located in the chest (above the heart and the spleen in right upper abdomen) you can help stop the common cold by a shoulder stand to draw blood to your head and throat, which brings more white blood cells to the areas where they are needed and helps relieve sinus congestion.

Shoulder Stand  (Sarvangasana)

Benefits: Brings blood to the head and throat, thereby relieving sinus congestion and stress, and strengthens the immune functions of the hormonal system.

How-to:

1.  Lie on your mat, press shoulders down and draw the shoulder blades toward the waist. 2.  Turn the upper arms out and extend them toward the legs, bring elbows close to trunk. 3.  Move the back ribs in and bend the legs with feet close to the buttocks. 4.  With palms up press elbows into the floor, exhale and lift the trunk, bending legs over the abdomen. 5.  Support the back with the hands and raise the trunk and legs higher, bringing the chest toward the chin; take the hands lower down and press the back ribs forward. Straighten the legs up until they are vertical and with the help of the hands raise the shoulder blades and extend the trunk up, lift the hips and stretch the legs.

Fish Pose (Matsyasana)

Benefits: Opens up the throat and lungs, increasing circulation while helping to break up congestion. Stimulates the thyroid gland in the base of the throat, helping to regulate metabolism. Stimulates the pineal gland in the center of the brain, releasing melatonin brings a relaxed response to the nervous system.  Increases blood flow to the thymus and the spleen helping white blood cells target infection.

How-to:

1.  Lie flat on the floor with your palms pressed against sides of your thighs. 2.  Shift your bodyweight to your elbows and raise your head and trunk. 3.  Arch your chest and lower the crown of your head to the floor, creating a “bridge” between your buttocks and head; expand your chest as much as possible. 4.  To come out of the pose, place your body weight on your elbows again and raise your head gently.

Yoga Nidra (Deep Relaxation)

Benefits: Relieves strain and tightness of the lower back.  This asana massages the abdominal organs and digestive tract, increasing circulation and pushing the contents of the bowel along, helping to relieve constipation. A powerful ancient meditation technique, it is also a scientific way to eliminate the root cause of all the negativities. This asana also allows heart to rest deeply and reduces stress, helping to strengthen the immune system. It is also helpful in balancing the hormonal system while stimulating the pineal, thymus and thyroid glands, which increases circulation into all major organs.

How-to:

1.  Lie on your back in a comfortable supine position with your arms and legs extended, about a foot-and-a-half apart, and your arms a few inches away from your body with your palms up. 2.  Close your eyes, breathing through your nose and begin relaxing. 3.  Bring your awareness to your right leg and foot. Tense the leg. Lift it off the floor a few inches. Tense a little tighter and let it drop. Roll it from side to side and just forget about it. Repeat with the left leg. 4.  Now, inhale and tense your pelvis and buttocks; squeeze the tension out. Most of us hold a lot of stress in this area, which can lead to disorders in the reproductive system as well as in the pelvis and hips. 5.  Inhale and fill your stomach with air. Hold it for a few moments, then release through your mouth – just let it gush out.

~ Spa Wellness

Should You Eat Breakfast?

Why You Need to Eat Breakfast
Starting your day with a meal
that combines unprocessed or minimally processed grains (oats, Muesli, quinoa) and protein (Greek yogurt, eggs)
improves overall health and your ability to lose weight. Here’s why: Eating
breakfast sets your body up to better metabolize lunch through a phenomenon
known as the second meal effect. The second meal effect describes a
biochemical shift that occurs in your body as a result of eating breakfast that leads to better blood sugar control
after lunch. This doesn’t happen when you skip your morning meal. But
simply eating breakfast isn’t enough.

What You Should Eat for
Breakfast
Most traditional breakfast foods are high in
carbohydrates/sugar, low in fat, and low in protein (i.e. a bowl of cereal). If you
improve the overall nutritional quality of your breakfast, you’ll reap
benefits beyond just the second meal effect. Here’s your simple plan to makeover
the morning meal:

1.
Improve the quality of carbohydrates you’re eating for breakfast. The Cereal
F.A.C.T.S. 2012 report recently released from the Yale Rudd Center for Food
Policy & Obesity found that 63 percent of the cereals in commercials viewed
by adults have a sugar content higher than 20 percent.  Opt for the lower sugar,
high fiber, minimally processed breakfast grains (oats, sprouted grain cereals, etc.) for better focus and mental
performance throughout the morning.

2. Add protein. Having protein-rich

meals throughout the day is a key strategy in maintaining calorie-burning
muscles. Plus, one study found that breakfast was the only meal of the day in
which increased protein helped in satiety and fullness. Make sure your breakfast
contains protein-rich foods like eggs, egg whites, Greek yogurt, or a protein
shake to reap these two metabolic advantages.

The Bonus
Benefit
From a physiological standpoint, I have always found that
starting the day with a nutritious breakfast sets the tone for a day of healthy
eating. By having a well-rounded and nutritious breakfast you are sending a message to
your body that you are going to do what it takes to be fit and healthy. A
unifying characteristic of most of the perennially lean and healthy people that
I know and have coached is that the all eat breakfast.

Here’s one of my
favorite hearty breakfasts:

Blueberry Crunch Yogurt
Bowl
About 500 calories (40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, 30%
fat)

Ingredients:
2/3 cup fresh or frozen
blueberries
¼ cup sprouted grain cereal
1 cup fat-free plain Greek
yogurt
½ scoop vanilla protein
1 Tbsp Chia seeds
2 Tbsp chopped
walnuts

Directions: Mix all the ingredients together in
a bowl and enjoy.

Tired + Bored = Stronger Lungs?

If you get side stitches when you work out, your breathing muscles may not be as in shape as the rest of you body. Exercise can help to train the respiratory muscles over time, but you can also increase breath control without working up a sweat, says Thomas Vanhecke, MD, a cardiologist at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan.

“Although sighs are often regarded as a sign of boredom or tiredness, they also offer a significant benefit for respiratory mechanics,” says Vanhecke. A sigh is defined as a breath three times larger than a normal breath. You probably already sigh ten to twelve times an hour, but increasing this amount may help strengthen your breath. If you’d rather have an official routine, follow a guided meditation that emphasizes sigh-like deep breathing. Or, simply focus on taking long and controlled inhales and exhales. Start by breathing in for a count of four and out for a count of four, moving up to six then and eight  and so on.

Source: Dr.Vanhecke

Advil vs Acupressure for Headache Relief

IF YOU’RE TIRED OF POPPING pills to ease headache, acupressure offers a natural and medication free way to get rid of pain fast. You may have already heard of the technique of squeezing the meaty part of your hand between your thumb and forefinger; this is one of the most commonly used acupressure points. Simply pinch that tender area on either hand between your opposite thumb and forefinger and press for about two-minute, or until your headache subsides. This trick stimulates the pressure point called Large Intestine-4, nd typically brings relief for traditional headaches.

If you’re suffering from a sinus headache, you’ll use a different pressure point for hands on pain relief. To target this spot called Urinary Bladder-2 firmly press the inner corners of your eyebrows with thumb and forefinger. You can rest your elbow on a desk or counter and lean into your hand to make this position easier to hold. The pressure needn’t be intense, but you should feel a bit of an ache. After a couple of moments, your sinus pressure should start to lift. For best results, repeat either treatment about once an hour., holding for two to five minutes at a time. To boost the OMG status of this treatment more try out Head Strong Massage Oil at www.omgalternmed.com  which is formulated with beet extract and lemongrass to promote lymphatic drainage as well as relieve nervous tension.

Source: Venus Elyse, acupuncturist and founder of Integrative Healing in Fairfax, California

Scientific Food Studies for OMG Health

We hear all the time of foods helping us better our health and building our immune system but having a scientific study to prove this is correct makes it even better. Here are a couple of studies done on various foods that will boost you health to an OMG status of 100% Enjoy the holiday with a smile and a winter wellness attitude.

~41% is how much your risk for a stoke is lowered if you regularly use olive oil in cooking and dressings as compared with people who never use olive oil according to a new study published in  Neurology.

~Coconut oil’s lauic acid may ward off illness by boosting your immune system. Preliminary research suggest it could cut your cholesterol levels. Chrissy Barth, R.D., a dietitian in Scottsdale, Ariz.

~Freeze dried foods aren’t just for astronauts anymore-they’re a healthy way to increase your fruit consumption. Unlike traditional drying methods which can involve exposure to nutrients and antioxidant damaging heat, freeze drying involves getting produce at peak ripeness and then removing its moisture and oxygen in a low-temperature vacuum chamber. The end result: light and crispy morsels of goodness with nutrients intact.  Research by Matthew Kadely M. Sc., RD

~New research from the Veterans Affairs Puget Sound Health Care System in Seattle found a link between diet and Alzheimer’s disease risk. For four weeks, elderly test subjects dined on high saturated fat and high glycemic index foods or low saturated fat and low glycemic index foods. Eating the former foods increased levels of a protein often found in brains afflicted by Alzheimer’s but the latter were linked to lower levels of the protein, plus reduced brain inflammation and better problem solving abilities.

~Good news for nut lovers: Research published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that pistachios have 5.9% fewer calories than previously thought. Studies also indicate that people who eat in-shell pistachios consume 41% fewer calories than those who buy them shelled.

~A diet rich in calcium and vitamin D may help decrease your risk of developing premenstrual syndrome research shows. Women who drank the equivalent of about four servings of low-fat milk per day decreased their PMS symptoms by up to 46%. Fortified orange juice and yogurt were also shown to decrease risks.

Holiday Health OMG Style

‘Tis the season to be jolly but between the stress, colds, aches and pains that is kind of hard to do. Here are a couple of holiday foods and ideas that can help you tackle those seasonal OMG Moments.

~Cloves: Has one of the highest antioxidant rankings of any spice and can be used in cider as well as winter fruit salads

~Thyme: Full of antioxidants that alleviate respiratory ailments like bronchitis and keep you breathing easy even when you’re not sick. It can be used in roasted poultry, meats and seafood.

~Anise: Use this to help with stomach issues-its relaxes the gastrointestinal muscles and can be used in poached fruit and pastries.

~Hazelnuts:The skin of the nut, filberts, is full of proanthocyanidins, compounds that may help strengthen blood vessel, reduce heart disease risk, and boost brain health.

~Pecans: They boast an ORAC score (a measure of antioxidant capacity) higher than even wild blueberries. Plus regular servings may help delay age related cognitive decline.

~ Clear Your Chest:Combine 3 to 4 drops of pine or eucalyptus essential oil with a few drops of lavender in olive oil. Rub it on your chest, then apply hot and cold packs for relief. Once inhaled they stimulate blood flow through the lungs.

~Soothe Throat: Use zinc cough drops every two hours. The lozenges will coat the irritated throat tissue, dulling pain, while the mineral migrates into your system, potentially reducing the lifespan of the cold.

~Hot Cordial for Cold Relief: concentrated fruit juice warmed up can relieve colds symptoms. Try this apple and black currant cordial either hot or at room temperature. Stir 2tsp black currant syrup into 1 cup hot apple juice.

~ Health Booster: Elderberry is high in anthocynanins and antioxidants, which increase cellular absorption of vitamin C. Vitamin C, in turn, protects the mucosalsurfaces of your nose and mouth so viruses have more difficult time penetrating them.

A Natural Approach to Autumn Arthritis

As the autumn weather fast approaches, a lot of people will assert that they can feel the twinge in their joints. Whatever your age, a small ache now could become arthritis – or worse – down the road, so start taking care of your joints today. You don’t have to be one of the more than 40 million Americans who suffer from arthritis and joint pain. Take these tips to protect your joints well into the future.

Caring Curry
Curry, a staple spice combo in Southeast Asian cuisine, contains turmeric, the yellow spice that gives curry its distinctive color. The active component in turmeric is called curcumin. If you are a fan of curry, you will be happy to know that this substance is associated with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and has been associated with relief for joint pain. In one randomized control study, 107 patients with knee osteoarthritis received either 800 mg per day ibuprofen or 2 grams per day Curcuma domestica extract. Both groups showed improvement in pain during level walking and climbing stairs.

Helpful Herbal Therapy
The traditional Chinese remedy for back and joint pain is the herb eucommia, which strengthens bones, tendons and ligaments. A western study confirmed that both the leaves and the bark of eucommia contain a compound that encourages the development of collagen, an important part of connective tissues such as skin, tendons and ligaments.   

Exciting Exercises
One of the best ways to protect your joints is regular exercise. Exercise circulates blood flow to your joints, stimulating the body’s regeneration mechanisms. Regular exercise also strengthens the muscles surrounding your joints, preventing them from rubbing against one another and wearing down cartilage. One more bonus: Exercise also helps you maintain your ideal body weight. The more you weigh, the more stress you are putting on your joints, especially your hips, back, knees and feet – so that is a major consideration.

Gentle on the joints, tai chi and qigong exercises improve overall flexibility and strengthen the joints. In my clinic, I teach a simple 30-minute daily practice called Eight Treasures qigong, which has been passed down through my family. It has been clinically shown to strengthen bones and joints and prevent arthritis. Best of all, it is far less stressful and strenuous than other types of physical exercise, and particularly emphasizes stretching and the strengthening of joints, tendons and muscles. Most licensed practitioners of Chinese medicine are able to teach some form of qigong and tai chi exercises, or you can learn from an instructional DVD.

Posture Perfect
You don’t have to walk around with a book on your head, but if you value your joints, do make an effort to stand up straight. Good posture protects the joints in your neck, back, hips and knees. Over time, gravity will make sure that slump shows up as joint problems.
Once you’re used to standing and sitting up straight, your muscles will feel an overall ease in stress because they won’t be in constant use to maintain an unsupported off-center body form. To get proper posture, pull your chin inward and pretend there is a string pulling straight up from the top of your head.

Source: Mao Shing Ni, L.Ac., D.O.M., PhD