tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35516171360090074242024-03-12T19:17:41.434-07:00Health Biz 'n BuzzThe place to learn more about health and wealth, health questions and solutions.Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-83738076276824937332009-12-06T18:56:00.000-08:002009-12-06T19:21:14.204-08:00Morning Exercise to Start Your DayHey guys, lets do this. Very simple yet so beneficial to our bodies. As usual, I so needed to do this....again!<br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:180%;">Exercises to do in the Morning</span></strong><br />by<a href="http://www.stylecaster.com/news/6255/exercises-to-do-in-the-morning-to-start-your-day/UjBdMwg3UDUJbA=="> Jessica Dolese</a><br /> <br />Setting aside time during your morning routine for exercise yields great benefits. People who exercise in the a.m. will find themselves much more energized throughout the day, as well as an increased metabolism. It is important, however, to choose your morning exercise routine carefully--losing too much sleep (not getting your recommended 6-8 hours of beauty zzz's)--can actually harm you. Sleep is an important part of maintaining your healthy, high energy, calorie-burning body. With that said, here are our morning exercise suggestions that you can try at home. Just 15 minutes each morning can lead to a healthier, happier you!<br /><br /><strong>Pilates Exercises.</strong><br />Why? Pilates builds your core strength, which is extremely important. Core strength has to do with strengthening and lengthening your spine. That's right, Pilates can actually make you grow taller, because the types of exercises used in Pilates create long, lean muscle, rather than bulkier muscle mass.<br /><br /><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 341px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412325242780451826" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDhL3S4AwB6Y-ARwQWCAhA6f5HWk9lIc70o1vcBSI5VCnJMxq5OViKnblrD4qBz4it__BHXWQDzD2UTNzC0EL_EadknVAi4foQBMnB9vSqes2T6PdVkrHa523LVNsqy0rQDu95IOcXW0w/s400/80695.jpg" /><br /><strong>Exercise 1: Arm Reach and Pull </strong><br />This is a great warm-up exercise which creates shoulder stability. You will begin standing up perfectly straight, then reach your arms out in front of you so that they become parallel with the floor, keeping your shoulders relaxed down and your arms coming straight out from your shoulders. Breathe in and out, each time further relaxing your shoulders down while maintaining your posture. This is a great move to get you started with your Pilates exercise routine and you can repeat three to five times. Great posture is essential to all Pilates moves and is ultimately the result of following a Pilates exercise routine. </p><p><br /></p><p><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 283px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412325132594473378" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIWimdfQAtdhppIHPm4MFNLb671dB5HA0YGeUQrLAe0b1xX8-snHR1IsPDIj8NlezlcAdCYmwrPetck1547_k2Yy5o1osXRte7K-JfzyxDwprgprWpJFry6d8ecsfaInP772uQo9FtJfQ/s400/80696.jpg" /><br /><strong>Exercise 2: The Plank</strong><br />In this exercise, you want to form yourself in a push up position, being sure that you are a straight line from your neck to your feet. Your arms should be a straight line from your shoulder to the floor and your feet shouldn't be flat--you should be on your toes.<br />Holding yourself in this position for one minute a day helps create stability and build core strength. With no prior training, this exercise can be difficult. Work your way up to the full minute by starting with 10-15 second planks at first. If even this is causing too much upper body strain, try the modified plank by coming down to your elbows rather than your hands.</p><p> <img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 252px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412325130486294386" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPF-h5NuJ6hoVjXqsHuNzm3lJqb7ZOlEkHFLWkcUkjKhc9GAeQD61gTIAJGfOFED8dWlIW2lI8VZjDekODLTP-FEX5FykL8iQx4TTZqC5rudp82tHBmmF26AsMRxRXMSsEheC9qZ-_sus/s400/80697.jpg" /><br /><strong>Exercise 3: One Leg Teaser<br /></strong>This is a little more difficult, but is designed to flatten your abs! Begin by lying flat on your back, with your hands at your sides, palms up, and your legs bent at 45 degrees with feet flat on your mat. Raise one leg off the mat, creating a straight line without moving your knees. Tuck your chin to your chest and begin reaching for extended foot, slowly; maintaining your balance and posture. Remember to use your core muscles, this exercise is not led by upper body strength. (If you have trouble finding your core, take a deep breath in and exhale fully, bringing your belly button toward your spine and holding it there. Maintain this throughout all Pilates exercises, or you will not see the benefits.) When you reach your arms to the tip of your toes, pause, then roll back down, slowly, ending where you started, with your hands over your head. Repeat five times on each leg.<br /></p><p>For beginners, leave both feet on the mat. Roll up and tap your knees, pause, then roll back to start position. It can take several weeks before you will be ready to try the full teaser exercise.<br />Note: In Pilates, some of the best results come from stretching out your muscles after working them. When your muscles are heated up, stretching them will result in much greater flexibility. So, in between workouts, lie flat on your back and form a straight line with your body, from the tips of your fingers to the end of your toes and feel yourself getting a great stretch!<br />Stability Ball Exercises. Why? Because to be quite honest, the stability ball is a ton of fun. Working out feels more like playing when you were a kid. </p><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 198px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412325120375253922" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSD-kX6zE09j5-_OdKsAZxZAJfHrooDntqWm45i2x6YGr0wfXizDvbsOb4JSV_4WG1ARpJ-v2a5KYpgPsq7XsTmOG7kxyxBYFs_gQHdHCsmL3brXCvBDI_Q3uUMXusT3WyD8DgEDbByHo/s400/80698.jpg" /><br /><strong>Exercise 1: Hip Extension</strong><br />Lie down on the ground and put your heels on top of the ball, at hip width apart. Slowly raise your hips off the ground to form a straight line, leaving your arms lying flat on the floor. Hold yourself in this position and feel your muscles working. Then, lower and repeat five times. If you feel confident, you can start raising one leg at a time off the stability ball, balancing with only one heel for support on the ball.<br /><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412325117597839858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeu5_rtQN2-psoIgZrBn5p_Dekdv9C3vwZ0D3I9NXNziS_Urh73HQmMKxiJiX5fxP06gegF09NhHUg-ToUOv8T3dOihqv0qlwugNIEAbnrhwJ2v9JP5drIhHK8nMjLkZeW0rBf7MN1j3o/s400/80699.jpg" /><br /><strong>Exercise 2: Exercise Ball Crunch<br /></strong>Lean your mid to lower back on the ball and put your hands behind your head (fingertips lightly touching your head--your arms should not be doing the work in this exercise), and pull your body forward, using your abs, into a crunch. Try to be sure you are in the center of the ball and keep the ball stable. Repeat ten reps of ten.<br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 255px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 384px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5412325111148237042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqRmVmJR4wQbIMpbNUWLQmGdLbFzy1i6CBS9ib2_4wqRLlfV1zO23DbCvcetCG-Td81Aox7nOqUaRVJU52VC0GecWs_UVnIiJxDuuDzl-lrGJAgmKCF18laqQiwlSFCeavtIqw-SDTmRA/s400/80702.jpg" /><strong>Exercise 3: Bouncing!</strong><br />Sit with your butt on the very middle of the ball. Be sure you feel stable and the ball isn't leaning toward one side. Put your arms straight out in front off you, and your legs hip width apart, feet flat on the floor. Begin bouncing slowly without moving your leg positioning. After feeling out and being sure you have good balance, start opening and closing your legs at each alternating bounce. Continue this exercise for one minute, or a little longer if you're having too much fun to stop!<br />Enjoy these exercises every morning you can! Remember, results don't come immediately, but they will comeYdianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-79596962201922418692008-09-12T15:17:00.000-07:002008-09-12T15:23:23.485-07:00Diets Do's and Dont'sIf any of us considering to go on a diet, here are some helpful pointers from <a href="http://health.msn.com/weight-loss/articlepage.aspx?cp-documentid=100214769&GT1=31036">MSN Fitness & Health.<br /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>7 Diet Dos (and Don'ts)</strong></span><br />By Joy Bauer, PARADE Magazine<br /><br />Doesn't it seem like cravings and emotionally driven eating are amped up when you're on a diet? The good news is that there are many tried-and-true methods to help keep you on track. I'm about to let you in on a few.<br /><br /><strong>Do fill up on fiber</strong><br />Protein is digested more slowly than carbohydrates and fat, so it takes fewer calories to fill you up. Fiber slows mealtime digestion and absorbs water, which expands your stomach and creates a feeling of fullness. Lentils and starchy beans (for example, navy, kidney, black, pinto, and garbanzo beans) naturally combine protein and fiber in very impressive amounts, so consider eating them in soups and salads or as a side dish instead of rice or pasta.<br /><br /><strong>Don't miss out on sleep</strong><br />Recent studies show that sleep deprivation can make it difficult to fit into your favorite jeans. When you don't get enough shut-eye, your body produces more ghrelin, a hormone that makes you hungry, and less leptin, a hormone that increases satiety. Discipline might enable you to resist, but why not give your body a well-deserved rest?<br /><br /><strong>Do downsize</strong><br />Scientists at Cornell University and the University of Illinois researched the effect of serving-bowl size on eating behavior and then published their findings in no less an esteemed publication than the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers found that students serving themselves from a large bowl took 53 percent more and ate 56 percent more food (the equivalent of 142 calories) than those who served themselves from smaller serving bowls. If 142 calories doesn't seem like much, try multiplying it by three meals a day for 365 days. If the resulting yearly weight gain of 44 pounds doesn't inspire you to consider a new china pattern, I don't know what will!<br /><br /><strong>Do veg out<br /></strong>Nonstarchy vegetables (anything but peas, corn, acorn/butternut squash, and potatoes) are "filler foods" in the best sense of the term. Low in calories and packed with water and fiber, vegetables fill you up without filling you out. Enjoy them in the form of stir-fries and soups, and munch on baby carrots, celery sticks, green beans, or cauliflower between meals.<br /><br /><strong>Don't eat standing up</strong><br />Back when people ate most of their meals while seated at their kitchen or dining-room tables, rates of obesity were far lower. Coincidence? I think not. When eating is limited to a particular place, your brain doesn't associate other places with food, and the cascade of bodily signals that stimulate appetite is activated less frequently. So, no more chowing down while leaning over your kitchen sink or strolling down the street, OK?<br /><br /><strong>Do limit your choices</strong><br />Contrary to popular belief, variety is not all that it's cracked up to be—at least when it comes to snacks. When you have more to choose from, you tend to sample a little of this and a little of that, which can lead to a lot of extra pounds. Besides, research shows that we are generally happier eating our favorite foods repeatedly than experimenting with a wide variety.<br /><br /><strong>Don't eat in the dark</strong><br />Dining by candlelight may be romantic, but the end result can be anything but. Eating in a dimly lit room tends to make people consume more calories. Simply put, in the light you're more self-conscious of others watching what you eat. Also, in low lighting, you can't see your food as well, which may cause you to lose track of how much you're eating. So, if possible, nix the dimmer.Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-73374132082788206322008-09-03T00:25:00.000-07:002008-09-03T00:33:33.972-07:00Slim Down With Vitamin C!<div><em>The good news is, I've been taking this vitamin C forever. The not-so-good-news is, sometimes I skipped taking it. I guess it works to an extent, anyway. From now onwards, will take it everyday!</em></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241694703536823746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4nub2_BKoMQaLyjxk_TbLS0CpcSNacYFUJnNQdez5Fsrq43Bj8WfzYdGu31FWhN6K2Lj2-LQiHrauY7nniRM4emOdEqEGpMnpXL0_QGx4h3xZ8baje83XzJubNPSXg4HDxltaSa_t1zc/s400/myPolyC.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.realage.com/ct/eat-smart/food-and-nutrition/tip/6702">RealAge Tip</a></div><br /><div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Slim Down with This Vitamin</span></div><br /><div><br />Lose a pound recently? Great! Then keep it off with this mighty nutrient: vitamin C. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Research shows that your body needs sufficient vitamin C to burn fat -- and burning fat is key to keeping excess pounds away. So pop your C supplement, or snack on some C-rich orange sections before your next power walk. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>A Critical Compound</strong></div><br /><div>People in a study who had low blood concentrations of vitamin C and walked on a treadmill for an hour burned 25 percent less fat than people with adequate C. But a dose of C brought fat-burning levels back up to par. Why? Seems C is essential for creating carnitine, a substance that turns fat into fuel. <a onclick="Call_AJAX_Tracking('326,F',this,'')" href="http://www.realage.com/NutritionCenter/VitaminsNutrients.aspx">Find out how much C you need with this tool</a>. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>How Much Is Enough</strong></div><br /><div>To keep the pounds you dropped from coming right back, you could start your day with some grapefruit, have an orange after lunch, or fill your dinner plate with C-rich veggies like red bell peppers, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. Here are a few more reasons to C up!<br /></div><br /><div>For a better smile: <a onclick="Call_AJAX_Tracking('326,F',this,'')" href="http://www.realage.com/ct/tips/3142">Find out how C can make your gums bleed less</a>. </div><br /><div>For a stronger heart: Vitamin C makes bad cholesterol less dangerous. <a onclick="Call_AJAX_Tracking('326,F',this,'')" href="http://www.realage.com/ct/tips/3309">Read this tip on berries and oatmeal to find out how</a>.<br />For more powerful lungs: <a onclick="Call_AJAX_Tracking('326,F',this,'')" href="http://www.realage.com/ct/tips/3026">Here's why C makes you less of a wheezer</a>. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div><strong>Recipe Corner</strong></div><br /><div>Try this tutti-frutti way of getting more C: <a onclick="Call_AJAX_Tracking('326,F',this,'')" href="http://www.realage.com/NutritionCenter/Recipes/Lemon_Orange_Fizz.aspx">Lemon-Orange Fizz</a>.<br />RealAge Benefit: Getting 1,200 milligrams of vitamin C per day from food and supplements can make your RealAge as much as 1 year younger</div>Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-3191811805864032522008-08-04T19:05:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:23:21.272-07:00Stomach Toning, Anyone?<em>Of late, I feel the need to do this exercise. Please don't ask why...ha ha. Apart from my weekly yoga, I think this exercise will help tone my midriff and save me from getting new wardrobes...hahaha</em><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">Tune Up Your Trunk</span></strong></strong><br />Written by RealAge, Inc., January 2007<br /><br />First, grab an exercise ball. Using an exercise ball for stomach toning gives you stronger muscles than if you did the exercises on the floor. Plus, you get bonus benefits, like better balance. Now, follow these three easy "Ab Curl" steps:<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230959485980812210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwpifJJBICWX7du52B5L3IhcOwHVTaorMYa7hyphenhyphenjQnybm3xj5q22f9rTpLGdCsWFQb1or1A1aeGI_RQcnhHGNQrhdM5fwfID3QU8B2hhiRj6J6XOBpiTX38-Ve9RGL-xBvmoSTz4Esnu8/s320/W1.gif" border="0" /><br />1. Sit on the exercise ball, feet flat on the floor, knees hip-width apart and bent at a 90-degree angle.<br /><br />2. Place your hands behind your head, elbows pointed out, and slowly roll back until your mid to lower back rests on the ball.<br /><br /><br />3. Pull your ribs toward your pelvis to raise your upper back 3 to 4 inches off the ball. Hold for a second and then return your shoulders to the ball. Repeat 10 times.<br /><br /><strong>RealAge Benefit: A physical activity program that builds stamina, strength, and flexibility can make your RealAge as much as 8.1 years younger. </strong><br /><br />Your core -- the 29 muscles surrounding the middle of your body -- is responsible for keeping you stable and strong. Core workouts not only give you firm, flat abs but also help you out-drive your golf group, add aces to your tennis game, kick up your carving quotient when you're skiing or snowboarding, and make you look better in jeans.<br /><br />In addition to abdominal curls, you can strengthen your back and your sides with these two other core exercises.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>For Back Building: Supine Bridge</strong></span><br /><br />Keep that exercise ball around for this one.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230959489012012178" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sfEappw3W-67hSYi46R3oizcyUKzMS5v18WA8lHBIOTjXN_e5xFRfyULjYuJPj5gFnr6BmDp_t9QVpiSmENjDmAovpVBphKRJsAyiz2Wt20VAZozSRlFX8OMM7FvIiliBdpuZru6jl0/s320/W2.gif" border="0" /><br />1. Sit on the ball with your knees hip-width apart and bent at 90 degrees, feet flat on the floor.<br /><br />2. Roll, so that your shoulder blades are resting on the ball and your torso is suspended above -- and parallel to -- the floor. Like a bridge.<br /><br />3. Tilt your pelvis, so that your bottom dips toward the floor, then bring it back to original parallel position. Relax and repeat 10 times.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">For Sleeker Sides: Side-Lying Leg Lift</span><br /></strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5230959488157929746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyjMFAnO22aSOGbn9NLsOnYzBVS5UyenxKvShjbTdHquNsDDJAEt-SAzeTh1l22GmmdeXW2ZFc3Bt0-vQ5cVwU873WnQHzMzqmPhEY8oCfMq4gsooKsWBeU_TanpCNhgDSabBsUkTvHnw/s320/W3.gif" border="0" /><br />Put your exercise ball aside; you won't need it for this one.<br /><br />1. Lie on the floor, on your right side, with your right arm extended in front of you for balance and support.<br /><br />2. Keep your torso straight, aligning your shoulders<br /><br />and hips so that they form a straight line with your ears. You can bend your right knee slightly for balance.<br /><br /><br />3. Keep your left leg straight and slowly lift it upward 8 to 10 inches. Your left heel, knee, hip, shoulder, and ear should remain in a straight line.<br /><br />4. Lower your left leg slowly. Repeat 10 times and switch sides.<br /><br />If you have back problems or other medical conditions, or if you haven't exercised in a long time, talk to your doctor before trying these or any other kinds of exercises.Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-88408190714824764572008-07-17T22:21:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:23:59.338-07:00Fresh lemon Grass Drink Causes Apoptosis to Cancer CellsFresh Lemon Grass Drink Causes Apoptosis to Cancer Cells(apoptosis) noun: a type of cell death in which the cell uses specialized cellular machinery to kill itself; a cell suicide mechanism that enables metazoans to control cell number and eliminate cells that threaten the animal's survival.<br /><br />Fresh lemon grass fields in Israel become Mecca for cancer patients<br />By Allison Kaplan Sommer April 02, 2006<br />***************************************************************<br /><br /><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224221486214808738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtjyJnqfyM2Migw1S5H3zmA7X_GWaMHJ3J08X_2-psH_3Mwi57DW-TZuYDI6knC_ZlT2mskHoS7m96qrWcgGxQZuaHG2KSToTMSnOCp1_hvIgHhq5bIrzYazryMH_UWgqcKHH9PuoXmBk/s400/lemongrass1.bmp" border="0" /><br />A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube.Israeli researchers find way to make cancer cells self-destruct -Ben Gurion University.</p><p>At first, Benny Zabidov, an Israeli agriculturalist who grows greenhouses full of lush spices on a pastoral farm in Kfar Yedidya in the Sharon region, couldn't understand why so many cancer patients from around the country were showing up on his doorstep asking for fresh lemon grass. It turned out that their doctors had sent them. 'They had been told to drink eight glasses of hot water with fresh lemon grass steeped in it on the days that they went for their radiation and chemotherapy treatments,' Zabidov told ISRAEL21c. 'And this is the place you go to in Israel for fresh lemon grass.'</p><p>It all began when researchers at Ben Gurion University of the Negev discovered last year that the lemon aroma in herbs like lemon grass kills cancer cells in vitro, while leaving healthy cells unharmed. The research team was led by Dr. Rivka Ofir and Prof. Yakov Weinstein, incumbent of the Albert Katz Chair in Cell-Differentiation and Malignant Diseases, from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at BGU.<br /></p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224221490205363554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSZ3QDm17f_eM5Jehs6tpXetYbIAIlzgktV4Cf9syt_R43PHFQ9VtlPtspDC3NjmWiwJpgGd5wEC90P-beoA2EhT__lQmYxmiL5-6cVLMCsdUdQ04_6Jxo1rpTxi8m1jStXW8-3UmXnY/s400/lemongrass2.bmp" border="0" /><br />Citral is the key component that gives the lemony aroma and taste in several herbal plants such as lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus), melissa (Melissa officinalis) and verbena (Verbena officinalis.)<br /><br />According to Ofir, the study found that citral causes cancer cells to 'commit suicide: using apoptosis, a mechanism called programmed cell death.' A drink with as little as one gram of lemon grass contains enough citral to prompt the cancer cells to commit suicide in the test tube.<br /><br />The BGU investigators checked the influence of the citral on cancerous cells by adding them to both cancerous cells and normal cells that were grown in a petri dish. The quantity added in the concentrate was equivalent to the amount contained in a cup of regular tea using one gram of lemon herbs in hot water. While the citral killed the cancerous cells, the normal cells remained unharmed.<br /><br />The findings were published in the scientific journal Planta Medica, which highlights research on alternative and herbal remedies. Shortly afterwards, the discovery was featured in the popular Israeli press.<br /><br />Why does it work? Nobody knows for certain, but the BGU scientists have a theory. 'In each cell in our body, there is a genetic program which causes programmed cell death. When something goes wrong, the cells divide with no control and become cancer cells. In normal cells, when the cell discovers that the control system is not operating correctly - for example, when it recognizes that a cell contains faulty genetic material following cell division - it triggers cell death,' explains Weinstein. 'This research may explain the medical benefit of these herbs.'<br /><br />The success of their research led them to the conclusion that herbs containing citral may be consumed as a preventative measure against certain cancerous cells. As they learned of the BGU findings in the press, many physicians in Israel began to believe that while the research certainly needed to be explored further, in the meantime it would be advisable for their patients, who were looking for any possible tool to fight their condition, to try to harness the cancer-destroying properties of citral.<br /><br />That's why Zabidov's farm - the only major grower of fresh lemon grass in Israel - has become a pilgrimage destination for these patients. Luckily, they found themselves in sympathetic hands. Zabidov greets visitors with a large kettle of aromatic lemon grass tea, a plate of cookies, and a supportive attitude. 'My father died of cancer, and my wife's sister died young because of cancer,' said Zabidov. 'So I understand what they are dealing with. And I may not know anything about medicine, but I'm a good listener. And so they tell me about their expensive painful treatments and what they've been through. I would never tell them to stop being treated, but it's great that they are exploring alternatives and drinking the lemon grass tea as well.'<br /><br />Zabidov knew from a young age that agriculture was his calling. At age 14, he enrolled in the Kfar Hayarok Agricultural high school. After his army service, he joined an idealistic group which headed south, in the Arava desert region, to found a new moshav (agricultural settlement) called Tsofar 'We were very successful; we raised fruits and vegetables, and,' he notes with a smile, 'We raised some very nice children.'<br /><br />On a trip to Europe in the mid-80s, he began to become interested in herbs. Israel, at the time, was nothing like the trend-conscious cuisine-oriented country it is today, and the only spices being grown commercially were basics like parsley, dill, and coriander. Wandering in the Paris market, looking at the variety of herbs and spices, Zabidov realized that there was a great export potential in this niche. He brought samples back home with him, 'which was technically illegal,' he says with a guilty smile, to see how they would grow in his desert greenhouses. Soon, he was growing basil, oregano, tarragon, chives, sage, marjoram and melissa, and mint just to name a few.<br /><br />His business began to outgrow his desert facilities, and so he decided to move north, settling in the moshav of Kfar Yedidya, an hour and a half north of Tel Aviv. He is now selling 'several hundred kilos' of lemon grass per week, and has signed with a distributor to package and put it in health food stores. Zabidov has taken it upon himself to learn more about the properties of citral, and help his customers learn more, and has invited medical experts to his farm to give lectures about how the citral works and why.<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224221491794223810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT9DrE-HKkqVKtyIAlAuhYuf_3UAiR9Dwh2vHM7jrHEGdybcvTCgheDdHxHXsb0oh_PTomXpCX2AkuthozBc-buDrc_Z7hXsvvEuuSPsHv_O1_rfK5ZGPulbw62ZZNoDgLV8ZQ4jtqZ7M/s400/lemongrass3.bmp" border="0" /><br />He also felt a responsibility to know what to tell his customers about its use. 'When I realized what was happening, I picked up the phone and called Dr. Weinstein at Ben-Gurion University, because these people were asking me exactly the best way to consume the citral. He said to put the loose grass in hot water, and drink about eight glasses each day.' </p><p>Zabidov is pleased by the findings, not simply because it means business for his farm, but because it might influence his own health. Even before the news of its benefits were demonstrated, he and his family had been drinking lemon grass in hot water for years, 'just because it tastes good.'</p>Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-64979089423224801392008-06-28T19:30:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:24:36.365-07:003 Tips to Healthy Living<em>I am so gonna do this...<br /></em><br /><br />Healthy Living<br />Saturday, June 28, 2008<br />3 tips for how to live to 100<br /><a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/blog/aByKYunSqcuvjjwXCOptdPBGbdCx5TJAEfDJU/"></a><br />by <a href="http://shine.yahoo.com/blog/aByKYunSqcuvjjwXCOptdPBGbdCx5TJAEfDJU/">Glamour Magazine</a>, on Thu May 15, 2008 2:43pm PDT<br /><br /><a id="c.wp" title="Your behavior now" href="http://www.glamour.com/health/articles/2007/07/20goodthings?mbid=yshine_glam" rel="nofollow"></a><br /><a href="https://w1.buysub.com/pubs/N3/GLM/self_summerreading08_split.jsp?cds_page_id=49323&cds_mag_code=GLM&id=1212699487160&lsid=81571556585025689&vid=2&offer=hairpdf&cds_response_key=I8ENAAT3&cds_offsite_id=250761bb414a4034dcc6bb58c1c8545f292831ea&cds_mag_code=GLM&mbid=yshine_glam" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"></a>Your behavior now makes a difference, says new research. Experts recommend these habits:<br /><br /><strong>Get creative at work.</strong><br />On average, a woman with a creative job has the cardiovascular fitness and other health attributes of someone six years younger, according to a recent study. What does “creative” mean? Acting, writing or painting are obvious picks, but any job can count as long as you find it interesting and it lets you develop new skills, experts say.<br /><br /><strong>Make sure you cover the basics.<br /></strong>Eating five servings of fruits and veggies a day, being active, not smoking, and drinking in moderation could add 14 years to your life, according to new British research. Too tall an order? Tackle just the exercise part: A recent study by the National Cancer Institute found that older people who got at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise most days of the week were less likely to die over the next seven years than those who didn't.<br /><br /><strong>Do something fun.</strong><br />Women who are feeling “happy, excited or content” have lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol, as well as C-reactive protein and interleukin-6—two markers of inflammation linked to heart disease, a University College London study found. It may not take a Ph.D. to figure out that being happy is good for you, but this is one of the first studies to pinpoint a biological reason. So the next time you're feeling frazzled, make plans to do anything that'll get you smiling.<br />—LISA MULCAHY<br /><br /><em>When they say about Creative job here, I believe its not only at your job, but also something recreational outside your job, like a hobby, etc. In my case, maybe blogging...</em>Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-3333565288093615912008-06-18T06:16:00.001-07:002008-08-05T02:25:10.741-07:00Health Nugget - Take the Cheapest Supplements You Can Find?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-vD9LzeajOABekmwWzWl8ehhCZGRmP-mxQcwUdKXZ43tX92eHtJuMEiClX4zqsyg0hR8MtF-LZy4gVk_0yDD_HioQHRuc7afgrrUpRRizlS-8wQp6pV-nGX9-PSxrkknNd24mLzfrtY/s1600-h/newsletter-header.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213210047337578226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6-vD9LzeajOABekmwWzWl8ehhCZGRmP-mxQcwUdKXZ43tX92eHtJuMEiClX4zqsyg0hR8MtF-LZy4gVk_0yDD_HioQHRuc7afgrrUpRRizlS-8wQp6pV-nGX9-PSxrkknNd24mLzfrtY/s400/newsletter-header.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Early in my career, I remember telling my patients who were set on taking supplements to just take the cheapest ones they could find. The reason I made this comment was that I really did not believe that supplements had any value anyway, so why not just buy the cheapest ones? At least, they would not cost my patients too much money. In contrast, now that I realize all of the health benefits my patients can receive by taking supplements, I want to be sure that they receive high-quality products. One of the greatest frustrations in becoming a specialist in nutritional medicine is that I work with such an unregulated market. The FDA looks at nutritional supplements the same way it looks at foods. This entire industry is really not regulated, and a nutritional company can pretty much put any amount of nutrients in their tablets. In other words, the amount stated on the label is not necessarily what is in the tablet. Unless a nutritional company voluntarily produces its nutritional supplements in a pharmaceutical-grade method, the consumer has no assurance that what is on the label is in the tablet. Why sell your health to the lowest bidder? Taking high-quality, complete and balanced nutritional are the least expensive health insurance policy you will ever purchase.Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-8947825754283451902008-06-18T06:04:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:25:40.682-07:00Health Nugget - You Can Get Everything You Need from a Healthy Diet<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBisq0ombr8b60My1dYrSx9j6GV5D8yHIfNqTlGdjQO7jrJjd40tZMr15u7kM33e7DrfyCbmF0QlbfPdTHOr4xue8LLdYEGgLQgXwk3aNvmrcrkUQvOjlgg3Z-0_jMbL3tuumFr9qTKw/s1600-h/newsletter-header.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213207306231037810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDBisq0ombr8b60My1dYrSx9j6GV5D8yHIfNqTlGdjQO7jrJjd40tZMr15u7kM33e7DrfyCbmF0QlbfPdTHOr4xue8LLdYEGgLQgXwk3aNvmrcrkUQvOjlgg3Z-0_jMbL3tuumFr9qTKw/s400/newsletter-header.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />I told my patients for years that they did not need to take supplements and that they could get everything they needed by eating a healthy diet. When I began to realize that RDA's had nothing to do with the types of diseases I was trying to prevent, I had to rethink my decision not to recommend supplements. As I mentioned earlier, the optimal level of vitamin E is 400 IU. Why just not have my patients eat 400 IU of vitamin E. They would only need to eat 33 heads of spinach or 28 pounds of butter or 5 pounds of wheat germ each day to get that much vitamin E. The optimal level of vitamin C is about 1000 to 2000 mg daily (the RDA is only 60 mg). My patients would only have to eat 18 large oranges or 80 avocados to get that amount of vitamin C from their diet.<br /><br />I certainly believe that we must supplement a healthy diet with 8 to 12 servings of fruits and vegetables along with those good fats and good proteins. However, there was no way my patients could receive health benefits from optimal levels of nutrients without supplementing their diet. It became very obvious to me that my patients needed to supplement their diet with high-quality, complete and balanced nutritional supplements for the best protection against chronic degenerative diseases.Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-44408962333003010062008-04-24T18:13:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:26:11.493-07:006 ingredients for a green, clean homeBy Valerie Rains<br /><br />Sure, it’s great to find that one magical product that solves a very specific household problem. (The Gonzo Pet Hair Lifter a multiple-cat-owning friend received as a Christmas gift truly has no equal.) But the truth is, you need little more than the following six ingredients—baking soda, borax, lemon juice, salt, olive oil and white vinegar—to clean just about anything in your home (pet hair excluded). Here are just a few of the many uses for these, well, magical multi-taskers:<br /><br />1. Baking soda: Acts as a scrub to remove hard water stains; polishes metal; deodorizes pretty much anything it touches (try stashing some in the fridge).<br /><br />2. Borax: Mixed with three parts water, it makes a paste for cleaning carpet stains; mixed with ¼ part lemon juice, it cleans stainless steel and porcelain. (Note: although borax is a natural substance, you still shouldn’t eat it—and neither should your kids or pets.)<br /><br />3. Lemon: Deodorizes and cuts grease on counter tops; rubbed on cutting boards, it bleaches stains and disinfects; combined with baking soda, it removes stains from plastic food storage containers.<br /><br />4. Salt: Another natural scrubber—sprinkle it on cookware or oven surfaces, then rub; add citrus juice to turn it into an effective rust remover.<br /><br />5. White vinegar: Deodorizes and disinfects; combine with water (and a little liquid soap—I know, it feels like cheating) to clean windows, mirrors, and floors; use at full strength in a spray bottle to fight mold and mildew.<br /><br />6. Olive Oil: Mix two parts oil with one part lemon juice and use as a natural wood polish. (Save the really good stuff for dinner.)<br /><br />One added bonus of using natural cleaners: as part of your spring cleaning regimen, you can now clear out all those bottles of specialized (and possibly toxic) potions.Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-79673753943392230052008-03-25T00:20:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:26:52.107-07:00Can Eggs Make You Smarter?Our Most Popular Tips »<br />Like your poached egg and whole-wheat toast in the morning? Your brain might enjoy it, too.<br /><br />Eating selenium-rich foods -- like eggs -- could help keep your memory sharp and your brain speed on high as you age.<br /><br />Your Brain on Selenium<br />In rural China, researchers found that elderly people who got at least the U.S. recommended daily value of selenium (about 55 micrograms per day) had cognitive test scores that put them in a league with people 10 years younger. Test your mental acuity with this quiz and see how you match up for your age.<br /><br />Super Sources<br />You can get your daily dose of selenium by eating whole-wheat bread (10 micrograms per slice), eggs (14 micrograms per egg), tuna (63 micrograms per 3-ounces), Brazil nuts (270 micrograms per half ounce), and many other foods. In other words, you don't have to go overboard with eggs -- and probably shouldn't -- to get your fill.Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-80298797294514359682008-01-12T18:05:00.000-08:002008-08-05T02:27:19.046-07:00Will These Foods Make You Smarter?The trend to fortify foods with the omega-3 DHA.<br /><br />One of the reasons nutrition experts recommend eating fish twice a week is that they are a good source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fat that has heart-healthy benefits. Now preliminary studies suggest that DHA may help boost brain power too. It makes sense: DHA comprises much of the cell membranes in our brains. And food producers are taking the concept and running with it—they’re adding DHA to foods like yogurt, soy milk and eggs, then marketing them with "smart" slogans. But do these products really maximize mental performance?<br /><br />Supporting evidence: Some research links higher intakes of DHA with reduced risk of Alzheimer’s disease and the cognitive decline that precedes it. In a 2003 study in the Archives of Neurology, people aged 65-plus who ate at least one (DHA-rich) fish meal per week had a 60 percent reduced risk for Alzheimer’s. And growing evidence suggests DHA supplementation during pregnancy and early infancy may result in superior cognitive performance of the child. This past June, a randomized clinical trial in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that nine-month-old babies of mothers who’d eaten DHA-fortified cereal bars (about 200 mg of DHA daily) during the last trimester of their pregnancies demonstrated better problem-solving skills than those whose mothers consumed "placebo" cereal bars.<br /><br />Cons: Currently, there is no research to show that eating DHA-rich foods improves mental function in healthy adults. "It remains to be seen whether initiating DHA later in life has an important effect on the brain," says Joseph Quinn, M.D., associate professor of neurology at Oregon Health & Science University.<br /><br />Our verdict: Eating inherently healthful foods like yogurt that have been fortified with DHA, along with foods like salmon and tuna, is a good way to increase intake of DHA, says Elizabeth Somer, R.D., author of Food & Mood (Henry Holt & Co.). And research does indicate that boosting DHA intake to about 200 mg per day—about three times what the average American gets now—may have some mental benefits. That said, don’t expect these fortified foods to help you land a spot on Jeopardy!Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-69494928216839363642007-09-05T00:19:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:30:11.100-07:00Omega3 Fatty Acid Lowers Heart Disease<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRAsrmMa06eHRgjn8QuOoP_gd1bWg1Z4PxIJx0UWnpNs9P86BC35ry_pF92LtwtVqFDQoOEf1Mqx6wpfGb2OpvzC1qLupnqXKylkUea8ggBNOmPRgzfc3v1NWUtxmuXJCYcmEsjKMQHc/s1600-h/myBiOmega.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5106616661848223042" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnRAsrmMa06eHRgjn8QuOoP_gd1bWg1Z4PxIJx0UWnpNs9P86BC35ry_pF92LtwtVqFDQoOEf1Mqx6wpfGb2OpvzC1qLupnqXKylkUea8ggBNOmPRgzfc3v1NWUtxmuXJCYcmEsjKMQHc/s320/myBiOmega.jpg" border="0" /></a>Omega-3 fatty acid intake associated with lower heart disease risk<br />Increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is associated with lower levels of inflammation and endothelial activation, according to results from a study at Harvard. Dysfunction of the endothelium, which is the inner lining of the blood vessel wall, is an early event in the development of atherosclerosis and subsequent heart disease. Food frequency questionnaires completed in1986 and 1990 by 727 participants in the Nurses' Health study were evaluated for levels of the omega-3 fatty acids alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Alpha-linolenic acid consumption was found to be inversely associated with several plasma markers of inflammation, while EPA and DHA intake was inversely related to platelet aggregration. Results of this study indicate that in addition to reducing triglycerides, platelet aggregation and heart arrhythmias, omega-3 fatty acids may also reduce the body's production of hydrogen peroxide, which is involved in the inflammatory process. J Nutr 2004 Jul;134(7):1806-11Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-88985876228835602182007-08-22T21:23:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:30:38.160-07:00<span style="color:#006600;">VITAMINS<br /></span>Vitamins are essential to the normal functions of our body. They are necessary for our health, vitality, and well-being. Natural vitamins are found in living things, such as plants and animals. Vitamins must be supplied through our foods or plant supplements. Vitamins cannot or should not be taken to replace food. Our bodies can only assimilate added vitamins when taken with food. Always eat before taking vitamins.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">VITAMIN A (BETA CAROTENE)<br /></span>Necessary for growth & repair of body tissues. It helps maintain smooth, soft skin; helps protect the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose, throat & lungs, protects against air pollutants; counteracts night-blindness & weak eyesight; aids in bone and teeth formation. Current medical research shows that foods rich in Beta Carotene will help reduce the risk of lung cancer and certain oral cancers.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">VITAMIN C (Ascorbic Acid)<br /></span>Essential for healthy teeth and gums; helps heal wounds, scar tissue, and fractures; prevents scurvy; builds resistance to infection; aids in the prevention & treatment of the common cold; gives strength to blood vessels and aids in the absorption of iron. It is required for the synthesis of collagen, the "cement" which holds tissues together. It is also one of the major antioxidant nutrients. It prevents the conversion of nitrates (from tobacco smoke, smog, lunch meats, & some vegetables) into cancer- causing substances. According to Dr. Lines Pauling, the foremost authority on Vitamin C, Vitamin C will decrease the risk of getting certain cancers by 75%.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">VITAMIN D<br /></span>Improves absorption and utilization of Calcium and Phosphorous; required for bone and teeth formation; maintains a stable nervous and cardiovascular system.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">VITAMIN E<br /></span>Major anti-oxidant nutrient; retards cellular aging due to oxidation; supplies oxygen to the blood; alleviates fatigue; aids in nourishing cells; strengthens the capillary walls and protects the red blood cells from destructive poisons; prevents and dissolves blood clots; has also been used by doctors in helping prevent sterility, muscular dystrophy, calcium deposits in blood walls and heart conditions.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">VITAMIN B-1 (Thiamin)<br /></span>Plays a key role in the body's metabolic cycle for generating energy; aids in digesting carbohydrates; essential for the normal functions of the nervous system, muscles & heart; stabilizes appetite; promotes growth & good muscle tone.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">VITAMIN B-2 (Riboflavin)</span><br />Necessary for carbohydrate, fat & protein metabolism; aids in the formation of antibodies and red blood cells; maintains cell oxygenation; necessary for the nourishment of good vision, skin, nails & hair; alleviates eye fatigue.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">VITAMIN B-6 (Pyridoxine)</span><br />Necessary for the synthesis & breakdown of amino acids. Aids in the metabolism of fat and carbohydrates; aids in the formation of antibodies; maintains the central nervous system; aids in the removal of excess fluid of premenstrual women; promotes healthy skin; reduces muscle spasms, leg cramps, hand numbness, nausea & stiffness of hands; helps maintain a proper balance of sodium & phosphorous in the body.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">VITAMIN B-12 (Cobalamin)<br /></span>Helps in the formation and regeneration of red blood cells, which helps to prevent anemia; necessary for carbohydrate, fat & protein metabolism; maintains a healthy nervous system; promotes growth in children; increases energy; needed for Calcium absorption.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">NIACINAMIDE (Niacin- vitamin B-3)<br /></span>Improves circulation and reduces cholesterol levels in the blood; maintains the nervous system; helps metabolize protein, sugar & fat; reduces high blood pressure; increases energy; helps maintain a healthy skin, tongue & digestive system.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">PANTOTHENIC ACID<br /></span>Participates in the release of energy from carbohydrates, fats & protein; aids in the utilization of vitamins; improves the body's ability to cope with stress; helps in cell building & the development of the central nervous system; helps the adrenal glands; fights infections by building antibodies in the blood.<br /><br /><span style="color:#006600;">FOLIC ACID<br /></span>Necessary for DNA & RNA synthesis, which is essential for the growth and reproduction of all body cells; essential to the formation of red blood cells; aids in amino acid metabolism.<br /><br />Now you know which vitamins you need for some of the deficiencies that you are experiencing. If you are not getting the vitamins your body needs through your food then you must get them by means of taking vitamins and supplements. Remember this, the sooner you practice what you are learning here the sooner you will begin to enjoy natural health and <span style="color:#006600;">HEALING THYSELF NATURALLY!!!!<br /></span>Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-67095436998324073452007-07-07T01:20:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:31:08.111-07:00Almonds<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMCGrujLhn_ZZ3ZGmcm0koemfVEvNK66VGfcyvcKkmgl-SSDFJl0KUSOhCThPyzfQGWtQAZNRwhFmjwCHuREqnKHj-fKgk0tYcoAm-WJ-RrmKOSMEIa8lQfTM5nwk4_cuJmKXKiXyzYY/s1600-h/almonds1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210793716967794450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNMCGrujLhn_ZZ3ZGmcm0koemfVEvNK66VGfcyvcKkmgl-SSDFJl0KUSOhCThPyzfQGWtQAZNRwhFmjwCHuREqnKHj-fKgk0tYcoAm-WJ-RrmKOSMEIa8lQfTM5nwk4_cuJmKXKiXyzYY/s320/almonds1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Almonds: Give Me Some Skin<br /><br />If you're a health nut, munch on almonds with the skin they're in.<br /><br />The skins give almonds extra heart-protection powers, especially if you take some vitamin E or vitamin C to boot. So what's in the skin?<br /><br />Almond Attributes<br /><br />Almonds abound with heart-healthy goodies, including vitamin E, monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats, arginine, potassium, and fiber. The skins add even more nutrition: They're bursting with flavonoids that help protect cells from oxidation and inflammation. Look up the nutrition information of more foods here.<br /><br />Synergistic Effects<br />In a lab study, almond-skin flavonoids helped prevent LDL cholesterol (what's that?) from oxidizing -- and that's a very good thing, because when LDL oxidizes, it can lead to heart attack. Adding vitamins E and C enhanced the effect by working synergistically with the almond-skin flavonoids.<br /></div><br /><div>_________________________________________________________________________</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>What Are Almonds Good For?</div><br /><div>By Charles Browne<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hn89iBTxOr44NSJMe7n0B4yK6-1a5zmuNcjrS1aURtpfpvup61XHP1SZYHG5DPsszMiB43G75yBdxYRT0LU9v5HODzHfIKahA0cJKD3NriQP055DD9DUK88fwkC25cQKEY2e3aCiMWA/s1600-h/almonds2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210794457481171394" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hn89iBTxOr44NSJMe7n0B4yK6-1a5zmuNcjrS1aURtpfpvup61XHP1SZYHG5DPsszMiB43G75yBdxYRT0LU9v5HODzHfIKahA0cJKD3NriQP055DD9DUK88fwkC25cQKEY2e3aCiMWA/s320/almonds2.jpg" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.ourhealth.com.au/uploaded_images/almonds-744727.jpg" target="_blank"></a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The almond, which we think of as a nut, is actually the seed of the fruit from the almond tree. The almond is related to the peach, but the fruit toughens into a leathery coat, called the hull, which contains the shell and the edible kernel. Unlike the peach pit, the almond kernel is not only edible, but also quite nutritious.Almonds are high in health-promoting monounsaturated fats. These fats are beneficial for healthy hair, skin, and nails. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>But don't be too concerned about almond consumption leading to a high-fat diet; it is believed that not all of the fat in almonds is absorbed. A study, from King's College in London, showed that the cell walls of almonds may influence the body's absorption of the fat in almonds. When eating almonds, chewing appears to break down only some of the cell walls, leaving some of the almond intact, so that not all of the fat was released for digestion. Almonds are also low in calorie density, which means you get a larger portion size with a fewer number of calories (eat more, gain less). But don't go overboard; anything eaten in excess can lead to health problems. The most widely recommended intake of almonds is one ounce per day.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Almonds are a good source of manganese, magnesium, copper, tryptophan, phosphorus, vitamins E and B2. They are also loaded with other vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Furthermore, like all nuts, almonds provide one of the best plant sources of protein. Almonds have been used to treat iron deficiency, menopause, pain and for cancer prevention. The beneficial fats and fibre in almonds are believed to help prevent heart disease. One study showed almonds to be almost twice as effective at lowering cholesterol levels than oatmeal.With all the health benefits, as well as great taste of almonds, it's no wonder that producers turn out over two million tonnes yearly.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-58622281195647328362007-07-07T01:15:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:31:55.778-07:00Knees Ache?When a Pound Is More Than a Pound<br /><br />Knees ache? Make a promise to lose 1 pound.<br /><br />Yes, you heard right. Just 1 pound could mean a lot to your knees. If you are overweight or obese, losing 1 pound feels more like losing 4 pounds to this all-important joint. Here's why.<br /><br />When you carry excess weight, your gait changes to accommodate your size and help you keep your balance. Often, these gait changes involve placing a disproportionate amount of stress on already strained knees. That's why losing weight -- even as little as 1 pound -- helps give your knees a much-needed break. Losing weight can even help reduce your risk of knee osteoarthritis.Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-67449482386156160232007-06-30T18:24:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:29:41.883-07:00Fishing for the Right Words - More on Fish<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierdeOhIXqSv62SrbKXZUpy6tjXzPU4YpfOhh9z0Lgd2DoRgp8Lri2Dvtj22odoJxzU1SxuDdRsm73OQd_-fkXmrDvkjruwUFU71agYTjmAbmbAtoy0WECw7CV87T3vxbFXEBgJyYKOk0/s1600-h/HQ24FJCAG6UBO6CA0EMH90CACH0P3GCACTX0VVCAENZC10CA9J5672CADU9GZNCAH3LSMCCA8RQ0BZCAJD2D3ZCASB6CHMCAK5U52FCAQJFVZDCA5KCJISCA5Y75C7CA66Y5C8CAIWCUYUCA5PLFZQCAQWJ7DA.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5082034831568789090" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierdeOhIXqSv62SrbKXZUpy6tjXzPU4YpfOhh9z0Lgd2DoRgp8Lri2Dvtj22odoJxzU1SxuDdRsm73OQd_-fkXmrDvkjruwUFU71agYTjmAbmbAtoy0WECw7CV87T3vxbFXEBgJyYKOk0/s320/HQ24FJCAG6UBO6CA0EMH90CACH0P3GCACTX0VVCAENZC10CA9J5672CADU9GZNCAH3LSMCCA8RQ0BZCAJD2D3ZCASB6CHMCAK5U52FCAQJFVZDCA5KCJISCA5Y75C7CA66Y5C8CAIWCUYUCA5PLFZQCAQWJ7DA.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Words may not trip as lightly off the tongue as we get older, but we can do something about it: Eat salmon. And tuna. And herring. And lake trout. Sounds like a fish tale, but it's true. Here's how eating fish helps give you a silver tongue.<br /><br />Thank Fat for a Nimble MindMiddle-aged and older adults who have higher blood levels of certain fatty acids -- those found in fatty fish like salmon and tuna -- fare better on verbal fluency tasks compared with their peers who are deficient in fatty acids. It seems to be particularly true for people with artery troubles like hypertension or high levels of unhealthy blood fats. Researchers suspect that people in this group suffer from greater oxidative stress -- which can wreak havoc on memory and other cognitive functions. </div>Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-26014453313394148572007-06-29T20:50:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:28:57.814-07:00Fish Oil Lowers Heart Risk<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5081701769739886162" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy5uZ4XwFOeVZAXJDWvFd_AcLnk4vEsw9UmIQYN2vp3jsTT3DPK-1GVxhbdH_hZcuybEkskjynS9gsMqQQW1MeecEQIc9-xB5sa77gmiC79H9z4oGShLuLIThzeR4hJwIH6J3XWJiu1tg/s320/myBiOmega.jpg" border="0" />Fish oil is known to decrease the risk of heart arrhythmias, which are a potential cause of heart disease, stroke and sudden cardiac death. According to a new study, regular intake of fish oil can reduce heart rate and decrease the risk of sudden death by as much as 5% in the overall population.<br /><br />There is significant evidence that omega-3 fatty acids can reduce arrhythmias, disorders of the regular rhythmic beating of the heart. Arrhythmias can occur in a healthy heart and be of minimal consequence, but they also may indicate a serious problem and lead to heart disease, stroke or sudden cardiac death.<br /><br />A recent meta-analysis published in the journal Circulation further confirms this association. Researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health combined statistical analysis of thirty studies published from 1996 to 2005. These studies involved nearly 1,700 individuals treated with fish oil or placebo for up to one year. The median combined dose of EPA and DHA was 3.5 grams/day for an average of 8 weeks. The overall estimated change in heart rate of those treated with fish oil was 1.6 beats per minute. The reduction in heart rate was even greater among trials whose participants had higher baseline heart rates.<br /><br />In those studies, treatment with fish oil resulted in a decreased heart rate of 2.5 beats per min. There was no evidence of a dose-response effect, and heart rate was not significantly different between higher and lower doses compared with placebo. Although the overall effect of fish oil on heart rate appears small, researchers estimate that on a population basis this could correspond to as much as a 5% reduction in sudden death.<br /><br />Mozaffarian D, Geelen A, Brouwer IA, Geleijnse JM, Zock PL, Katan MB. Effect of fish oil on heart rate in humans. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Circulation 2005;112:1945-1952.Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-4561671776088778242007-06-19T19:42:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:28:26.608-07:00Folic acid supplements reduce stroke risk </span>A meta-analysis published in the most recent issue of The Lancet concluded that supplementing with the B vitamin folic acid can reduce stroke risk by at least 18 percent. Researchers analyzed eight randomized trials involving folic acid and stroke. Participants supplementing with folic acid lowered their risk of stroke by an average of 18 percent compared to those who did not use folic acid supplements.<br /></span>Trials involving folic acid supplementation longer than 3 years showed an even greater reduction in stroke risk (29%). Folic acid supplementation was also more significant in people with reduced homocysteine levels, those with no prior stroke risk, or those who lived in area without folic acid fortification of foods.It is believed that folic acid's ability to reduce homocysteine, an amino acid found in the blood that is toxic in excess, may be the reason for the lower incidence of strokes.<br />Lancet 2007 Jun 2;369(9576):1876-82Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3551617136009007424.post-40400213976659075292007-06-10T22:11:00.000-07:002008-08-05T02:27:56.250-07:00The Health ChallengeThe world’s most destructive diseases today are not those caused by viruses and germs. They are degenerative diseases – which result from accumulated damage and degeneration of our cells.<br /><br />There is yet no effective cure...<br /><br />In its annual report, the World Health Organisation warns that cancer, heart diseasea nd other chronic conditions, which already killed more than 24 million people a year, will impose increasing burden of suffering and disability in hundreds of millions of others.<br /><br />…but degenerative diseases can be prevented. Many people still think of chronic diseases as unfortunate, but inevitable results of old age. We now know that “old” does not equal “sick”. Balanced nutrition, physical activity and a healthy lifestyle give us an excellent chance of avoiding degenerative diseases.<br /><br />These are the public health enemies throughout the modern world.<br />1: Heart Disease<br />2: Cancer<br />3: Stroke<br />4: Diabetes<br />5: Osteoporosis<br />6: Arthritis<br />7: Alzheimer<br />8: Obesity<br />Are You a Likely Victim?Ydianahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18124680898024472578noreply@blogger.com0