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Sunday, June 3, 2012

Honey better than cough medicines

A new study released Monday by a research team at Pennsylvania state university found that honey may offer parents an effective and safe alternative than over-the-counter children"s cough medicines.
The study found that a small dose of buckwheat honey given before bedtime provided better relief of nighttime cough and sleep difficulty in children than no treatment or dextromethorphan (DM), a cough suppressant found in many over-the-counter cold medications.
Honey did a better job reducing the severity, frequency and bothersome nature of nighttime cough from upper respiratory infection than DM or no treatment.
Honey also showed a positive effect on the sleep quality of both the coughing child and the child"s parents.
In the contrast, DM was not significantly better at alleviating symptoms than no treatment, said the study.
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The Correct Way of Eating Fruits

The Correct Way of Eating Fruits

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not so easy as you think.
It's important to know how and when to eat fruits. Do you know of anyone who hates fruits? Most likely no. Everyone will immediately tell you about the fruits they like very much. The reason why everyone likes fruits is because our bodies crave for it instinctively. The color, the texture, the aromas and the sweetness all make it very attractive. But I find that most of us tend to think of fruits as a treat e.g. on a hot day - watermelon!
But do you know that fruit is an important food to the human being? Remember our ancestors were not meat eaters or seedeaters – they were all fruit eaters. Fruits have the highest water content of any food. In addition, the vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, amino acids and fatty acids that a human requires can be derived from fruits. When fruit is consumed correctly, nothing can surpass it. Even for those who want to lose a little weight, the proper consumption of fruit will help. A survey was made and it was found that those who eat fruits more at every meal tend to want to eat less in the next meal.
The reason, being the sugar in the fruit. It was also found that a particular substance in some fruits could cut the risk of heart disease or heart attack. The substance protects the heart by preventing the blood from becoming too thick and plugging up the arteries.
So fruit is cleansing! Fruit requires less energy to be digested than any other food. Everything consumed by the human body eventually breaks down in the system and is transformed into glucose, fructose, amino acids etc.

Breast cancer - 1

Breast cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when a malignant tumor forms from cells within the breast. It occurs most frequently in women. The American Cancer Society estimates that 1 in every 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, making it the most common cancer among women, aside from skin cancer.
Risk Factors and Causes of Breast Cancer
Research is ongoing to identify the exact causes of breast cancer. Researchers have, however, identified several breast cancer risk factors. A risk factor is something that increases the chance that a person will develop a disease. It is not a guarantee and does not predict a future diagnosis. Risk factors for breast cancer include:
Age: As we grow older, our risk of developing breast cancer increases. It is estimated that 80% of women diagnosed with breast cancer are 50 or older. This doesn’t mean that younger women aren’t at risk. Young women are diagnosed with breast cancer, just much less frequently.

Water before meal causes weight loss

Drinking one or two glasses of water before each meal can help an individual shed the extra pounds off through curbing his/her appetite, a new study says.
According to the study presented at the 240th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society (ACS), individuals who drink two glasses of water before each meal lose an average of 5 pounds more weight than their peers on the same diet who do not drink water.
Water curbs the appetite as it fills the stomach with a substance that has zero calories and subsequently makes the individual eat less calorie-rich food during the meal.
"Over the course of 12 weeks, dieters who drank water before meals, three times per day, lost about 5 pounds more than dieters who did not increase their water intake," said lead researcher Brenda Davy.
Scientists therefore concluded that increasing water intake can be considered as an effective weight-loss strategy.
While there is no rule determining the exact amount of water one should drink per day, experts recommend women to drink about 9 glasses of fluids and men about 13 glasses every day.

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Blueberries can ward off memory problems

Red meat lovers more likely to die early

Eating almost half the daily recommended amount of meat can significantly increase the risk of early death caused by heart disease and cancer.
A 28-year follow-up of more 120,000 US people revealed that regular consumption of any kind of red meat is much riskier than ever thought.
Dr. Frank Hu and colleagues at Harvard University found that daily consumption of unprocessed red meat was tied to 13 percent higher risk of mortality while a portion of processed red meat raised the risk up to 20 percent.
“It's not really surprising because red meat consumption has been linked to an increased risk of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer,”‌ said Dr. Hu. “What is surprising is the magnitude of risk associated with very moderate red meat consumption.”‌
“Habitual, daily consumption of these products is actually very common, both in our study and in the general population,”‌ he added noting that about three-quarters of the study participants reported eating one or more daily servings of red meat.
The study showed that people who eat regularly red meat are also more likely to be engaged in other unhealthy behaviors including smoking, says the article in Archives of Internal Medicine.
“I think the public health message is pretty straightforward,”‌ Hu concluded. “We should switch from a red meat-based diet to a plant-based diet with healthier protein choices.”‌
Some experts who reviewed the new study suggest that it has provided further evidence showing that current guidelines for red meat consumption need to be revised.
In its 2005 study, the World Cancer Research Fund recommended that people should not eat more than 499 grams of red meat a week while children should not eat any amount of processed meat like sausages.

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Blueberries can ward off memory problems

Saturday, June 2, 2012

What Is a food Allergy?

When a person has a food allergy, the body reacts as though that particular food product is harmful. As a result, the body’s immune system (which fights infection and disease) creates antibodies to fight the food that triggers the allergy. The next time a person comes in contact with that food by touching or eating it or inhaling its particles, the body releases chemicals, including one called histamine, to protect itself. These chemicals trigger allergic symptoms that can affect the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, skin, or cardiovascular system.
What Causes food Allergies?
Doctors cannot predict which children will have food allergies and which children won’t, but some factors may place a child at higher risk for developing food allergies. “The capacity to be an allergic person is inherited,” says Michael Young, MD, a pediatric allergist and immunologist and author of ‘The Peanut Allergy Answer Book’.
There is nothing parents can do that will completely eliminate the possibility that their child will develop food allergies. However, breast-feeding (especially exclusive breast-feeding that is not supplemented with infant formula) can help infants who are especially prone to milk or soy allergies avoid allergic reactions. When an infant consumes only breast milk, she has a decreased exposure to foods that can cause allergies. Some doctors also recommend that allergy-prone babies not be fed solid foods until six months of age or later to avoid exposure to allergenic foods.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Blueberries can ward off memory problems


Drinking two and a half cups of blueberry juice per day acts as a memory booster and improves age-related memory problems in seniors, a new study finds.
According to the study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, daily dose of wild blueberry improves memory in the elderly at risk of dementia.
The high phytochemical content of blueberries has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the study found.
Anthocyanins, commonly found in the fruit, increase signaling in the areas of the brain involved in memory. They help slow the memory decline process through eliminating the glucose found in the brain.
‘The findings of this preliminary study suggest that moderate-term blueberry supplementation can confer neurocognitive benefit,’ concluded lead researcher Robert Kerkorian, stressing that the juice improved the drinkers performance in learning and memory tests.


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Health Benefits of Grapes

The health benefits of grapes include its ability to treat constipation, indigestion, fatigue, kidney disorders, macular degeneration and prevention of cataract. Grapes, one of the most delicious fruits, are rich sources of vitamins A, C, B6 and folate in addition to essential minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus, magnesium and selenium. Grapes contain flavonoids that are very powerful antioxidants, which can reduce the damage caused by free radicals and slacken ageing.
Grapes, owing to their high nutrient content, play an important role in ensuring a healthy and robust life.
Benefits: Some of the health benefits of grapes include the following:
• Asthma: Due to its eminent therapeutic value, grapes can be used for cure of asthma. In addition to it, the assimilatory power of grapes is also higher. It increases the moisture present in lungs.
• Heart diseases: Grapes increase the nitric oxide levels in the blood, which prevents blood clots thereby reducing the chances of heart attacks. In addition the antioxidant present in grapes prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, which blocks the blood vessels.
• Constipation: Grapes are very effective in overcoming constipation. They are considered as a laxative food, as they contain organic acid, sugar and cellulose. They also relieve chronic constipation by toning up intestine and stomach.
• Indigestion: Grapes play an important role in dyspepsia. They relive heat and cure indigestion and irritation of the stomach. They are also preferred as they constitute a light food.
• Fatigue: Light and white grape juice replenishes the iron content present in the body and prevents fatigue. Though, the dark grape juice might not give an iron boost and on the other hand, decrease the iron levels. Drinking grape juice also provides you with instant energy. The anti-oxidants present in grapes also provide the needed boost to your immune system.
• Kidney disorders: Grapes can substantially reduce the acidity of the uric acid and helps in the elimination of the acid from the system, thereby reducing the work pressure of kidneys.
• Breast cancer: Through a latest study, it has been discovered that purple colored Concord grape juice helps in preventing breast cancer. Significant reduction in mammary tumor mass of laboratory rats was seen after they were fed the grape juice on the experimental basis.
• Alzheimer’s disease: Resveratrol, a beneficial polyphenol present in grapes reduces the levels of amyloidal-beta peptides in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Studies suggest that grapes can enhance brain health and stall the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Macular degeneration: Grapes can prevent the age related loss of vision or macular degeneration. Three servings of grapes a day can reduce the risks of macular degeneration by over 36 %.
• Prevents cataract: Flavonoids present in grapes have antioxidants, which can reduce and fight the damage caused by free radicals such as cataract apart from cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and age related problems.

• Blood cholesterol: Grapes contain a compound called pterostilbene, which has the capacity to bring down cholesterol level. Saponins present in grape skin can also prevent the absorption of cholesterol by binding with it.
• Antibacterial activity: Red grapes have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties and can protect you from infections. They have a strong antiviral property against poliovirus and herpes simplex virus.
• Anticancer properties: Grapes are found to have strong anti cancer properties due to the anti-inflammatory effect of resveratrol present in grapes. It is particularly effective in colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins present in grapes have properties of an anti-proliferate and can inhibit the growth of cancer causing agents. Grape juice not just prevents the risk of cancer but also suppresses the growth and propagation of cancer cells. The pigments contained in grapes enhance the overall immunity of the body.

Fatty Liver Diet


Fatty liver diet does not sound appealing but it can help prevent illness. In some cases, it can be life saving.

What Is Fatty Liver?
According to the American Liver Foundation, fatty liver occurs when 10 percent or more of the organ's weight is fat. While fat in the organ is normal, excess adipose tissue can lead to complications. In some cases, the liver may become inflamed.

Inflammation leads to steatohepatitis, when alcohol is a factor. When alcohol is not a factor, the condition is called NASH (nonalcoholic steatohepatitis). Over time, the liver may become scarred and it may harden. When this occurs, the condition has progressed into cirrhosis, a very serious health problem that can lead to liver failure.

Causes
The liver is responsible for breaking down fats and when the organ is flooded with excess fat and calories on a regular basis, it is unable to break down the fats as it normally would. This leads to a build up of excess fat in the organ. People may be at risk for developing the condition if the following apply:

Diabetic
High triglycerides
Obese
Losing weight too quickly
Poor nutrition
Alcohol abuse
It is important to note that the condition may develop in people who are not at risk. Since the disease is asymptomatic, it is necessary to discuss testing options with your physician. The problem may be detected with a blood test or through a routine physical exam. The liver may be enlarged. A biopsy may be necessary for proper diagnosis.

Fatty Liver Diet
A diet for fatty liver can be a treatment, but some people may want to adopt this type of eating plan if they are at risk for developing the disease. One of the most important steps you can take is to adopt a healthy eating plan. Those who have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease want to stay away from high-glycemic carbohydrates.

High-glycemic carbohydrates
White bread
Breakfast cereal
White rice
Potatoes
The list is not comprehensive but it gives you a good idea of the types of food that can cause problems.

Developing and Eating Plan
Any diet for health conditions should be a collaborative process between you and your doctor. Your physician may refer you to a nutritionist to help you develop a healthy eating plan. A liver cleansing diet may be in order, involving detoxification but this can lead to unpleasant side effects and should be done with the guidance of a doctor.

What does a typical diet for fatty liver look like? Programs vary according to the individual's specific needs, making it critical to see a doctor about the best meal plans. A diet that helps you to lose abdominal weight may be helpful. General guidelines include:

Avoid saturated fats
Replace sugary treats with fruit
Avoid processed foods
Eat whole grains
Choose lean meats over red meat
Eat many vegetables
Make your own salad dressing using olive oil and vinegar, and use it sparingly
Add legumes to your recipes for added protein and fiber
As a rule of thumb, the closer the food is to its natural state, the better. The more processing the food goes through, the more additives are likely to be in the mix. The additives, extra calories and artificial ingredients have to be processed by the liver.
Alcohol
People who adopt a this diet should avoid alcoholic beverages, including people who have the nonalcoholic version of the disease. People who consume alcohol on a regular basis may be more likely to develop liver problems. Some suggest that a single glass of wine per day may be beneficial, but it is necessary to discuss this option with your physician.

Following healthy eating guidelines, avoiding processed foods and avoiding alcohol can help. However, the first step in determining whether a fatty liver diet is right for you is to consult your doctor.


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Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables


Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in saturated fats can significantly lower the risk of heart attack for people with mildly elevated blood pressure, Johns Hopkins University researchers say.


The diet they examined -- called the DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) -- was designed to lower blood pressure and cholesterol. In this new study, it reduced the risk of heart attack by almost 20%, the researchers said.

"Heart disease is an important cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States," said lead researcher Dr. Nisa M. Maruthur, an assistant professor of medicine at Hopkins' School of Medicine. "Thus, adoption of the DASH diet should have important benefits on a public health scale."
The diet also calls for reducing fats, red meat, sweets and sugary beverages, and replacing them with whole grains, poultry, low-fat dairy products, fish and nuts. The eating plan is recommended by the U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans and the American Heart Association.
For the study, published online Aug. 31 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, Maruthur's team studied 436 people with high blood pressure or borderline hypertension who were not taking blood pressure medication. The participants were assigned to either the DASH diet; a typical American diet, which is low in important minerals and high in saturated fat, total fat and cholesterol; or an American diet plus more fruits and vegetables.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, heart failure and kidney disease.
To determine their risk of having a heart attack over 10 years, the researchers used the Framingham Heart Study risk equation.
After eight weeks, the DASH dieters, who were eating nine to 11 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, had reduced their risk of heart attack 18% compared with those eating the American diet. They also saw their low-density lipoprotein ("bad") cholesterol levels reduced by about 7% and their systolic blood pressure lowered by 7 mm Hg.
While both whites and blacks benefited from the DASH diet, black participants had the greatest benefit, the researchers noted. Blacks on the DASH diet saw their heart risk decline by 22% over those on a typical diet, versus 8% for whites.
Those who ate the American diet plus fruits and vegetables reduced their risk of heart attack by 11% compared with those chowing down the usual American fare.
"The problem with hypertension is that it really is a silent killer because you do not feel it," said Samantha Heller, clinical nutrition coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby, Conn. Millions of people have no idea their blood pressure is high and are walking around like "ticking time bombs," she said.
Those who know they are hypertensive do not always know what to do about it aside from taking medication, Heller added.
"The good news is that with a few dietary tweaks, the risk of these diseases and their co-morbidities can drop considerably. For example, add a salad or side of vegetables with lunch. Have fruit for dessert. Make your mashed potatoes with olive oil and low-fat milk. Top your pizza with part-skim mozzarella, broccoli, spinach and mushrooms," she said.
"The DASH eating plan is a good way to go for people looking to lower their blood pressure and improve heart health," she said.
Another expert, Dr. Gregg C. Fonarow, a professor of cardiology at the University of California, Los Angeles, said although the DASH diet has been shown to lower systolic blood pressure and total cholesterol levels, changing risk factors does not always translate to a reduction in actual heart disease.
"It is therefore essential to hold dietary modification and other forms of lifestyle modification to the same gold standard that statins and antihypertensive medical therapies have been held to," he said. What's needed are prospective randomized trials that demonstrate actual reduction in coronary heart disease events, Fonarow said.

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Which Vitamins are Good for Fertility?

Is there just one vitamin good for fertility? There is no magical pill or Vitamin F for fertility but a combination of vitamins and minerals definitely have an impact on fertility. They are easy to take yet there are so many to choose from. How do you know which vitamins are good for fertility? How much do you take?

“A study performed by Harvard medical school has shown that taking multivitamins improve chances of pregnancy. “
Here is a listing of the most essential vitamins and minerals you will need to take on a daily basis to increase fertility and have a powerful reproductive system! Our fertility supplement program is located at the bottom of this page.
Calcium
In preparation for conception, building up your own calcium stores is very important. Once you are pregnant you will have ample stores and will be eating daily calcium so the baby is getting all that it needs and your teeth are staying healthy.

Calcium also helps to alkalize the body, which is favorable to the sperm and fertilized egg. The Best food sources for calcium are Raw milk products (most absorbable), dark leafy greens, almonds. 1 quart of raw milk supplies 900mg of calcium!
I would focus on getting your daily calcium from food, but supplemental calcium that is easy to absorb is available.
Zinc
Zinc is a vitamin that is essential for fertility. Zinc is a very important especially for men.
Zinc is involved in:
Building good sperm

Healthy testicles
Increases sperm counts
The best food source for zinc is oysters. They are packed with it. But you don’t have to eat oysters everyday to receive the benefits; cooked or raw. Zinc should be included in a whole food multivitamin for men with 15mg. of zinc a day.

Vitamin C
Vitamin C is important for both women and men.

For women vitamin C:
Improves hormone levels
Increases fertility
Keeps the immune system healthy
Helps Iron to be absorbed.

“A study published in Fertility and Sterility, states that vitamin C improves hormone levels and increases fertility in women with luteal phase defect.”

**Too much VI C. for the woman can create and acidic environment in the vagina and dry up cervical fluid.

The dosage for woman, 750-1000mg, should come from foods and acerola cherry or whole food supplements only.
Taking a 100% whole food prenatal vitamin is the
best for preparing for pregnancy.
Learn more…
In men vitamin C is helpful to:
Keep sperm from clumping
Improves movement
For men, a daily dosage of 1,000mg per day of acerola cherry based vitamin C
Great food sources of vitamin C are red bell peppers, oranges and strawberries.

Vitamin E
Vitamin E is very important for the reproductive system of both sexes.
In women it is essential for:
The endocrine system
Absorption of other essential fats that make the good hormones
For men vitamin E helps with:
Producing sperm and key sex hormones
Protects the sperm from mutation
The best sources for vitamin E are watercress, dark leafy greens, liver, sunflower oil, pumpkin seeds and wheat germ.
You can get your daily recommended dosage of 400IU daily from a whole food multivitamin.
Iron
Iron is a blood building nutrient that helps to increase fertility by helping to balance ovulation.
“In a study women who were having ovulation problems, 40% became fertile after supplementing with iron.”
The best form of iron is from a whole food supplement. Synthetic versions tend to be constipating.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is essential for the utilization of proteins, minerals, and other vitamins. The best sources for Vitamin A can be found in grass fed butter, egg yolks, liver, sea foods and Cod Liver Oil . Recommended daily dose 5000-10000IU.

L-Arginine
L-Arganine is an amino acid that promotes the synthesis of Nitric Oxide(NO). Nitric Oxide is naturally produced by the body and is important for blood dilation, increases blood flow to the uterus, ovaries and genitals.

The main 5 important effects NO has on the body are:
Increased cervical mucous
Enhanced libido
Sexual stimulation
Creates a healthy environment in the uterus for implantation
May extend fertility for women over 40
This is a major breakthrough in scientific research that won a Nobel Prize. Read more

Folic Acid
Folic acid is known to prevent spina bifida in your future baby. This nutrient is very important to take before becoming pregnant and through pregnancy. But it is not just folic acid that is important, B12 and all the others B vitamins that make up the B-Complex are necessary to insure your baby’s genetic codes are intact. The recommended dosage for folic acid is 400mcg a day.

PABA
PABA is part of the B-Complex family.
In an ancient study (1942) there was a isolated trial published that reported that 75% of women that were taking 100mg of PABA four times a day, became pregnant.
Essential Fatty Acids
EFA’s are so essential for the production of hormones in both the woman and the man. Hormones use these fats as building blocks for what will become progesterone and many other reproductive hormones. Some of the best EFA’s to take are evening primrose oil, flax seed oil, Coconut Oil and Cod Liver Oil . .

DHA
Taking DHA prior to conception is a great way to assure your baby will end up a genius! DHA is an EFA that helps with the formation of the brain in utero. The best sources of DHA are Cod Liver Oil . and sea vegetables. Recommended daily dose is 400mg.
How to choose the best supplements
When you are buying vitamins and supplements remember two things:
They are not all created equal

You do get what you pay for
So a one-a-day from W*lmart is not going to cut it. Throw them all out. I love Trader Joes but that is not where to buy your vitamins either. Using a quality vitamin vs. a cheapie will make all the difference in the world.
So what do you look for when you are buying a vitamin? One of the first things I look for is that it is Food Based or has some food based ingredients.
You also want to avoid unnecessary fillers, colors and preservatives.

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