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The popularity of pomegranates, which are native to Iran, may have been delayed in the West because it is such a labor-intensive fruit. Beneath its tough but thin skin, each pomegranate holds hundreds of tiny seeds encased in translucent ruby pulp. Bitter, inedible membranes hold the seeds, and getting the seeds out can be a struggle -- although it doesn't have to be (see left).

Since the pomegranate's health profile has risen, though, more people are willing to make the effort. And what they find is a fruit with many uses. The seeds can be sprinkled into a green salad for color and crunch, or used in baked goods, soups, sauces and ice cream. You also can just put a bunch of them in a bowl to use as a centerpiece.

Most U.S. pomegranates are grown in California, and they're in season right now. Look for fruit that is heavy for its size and has bright, unblemished skin. Pomegranates can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two months, or in a cool, dark place for up to a month.

Pomegranates are the fruit of a small, bushy tree and are used extensively in Middle Eastern cooking. One of the most famous pomegranate dishes is the traditional Persian fesenjan, a stew of duck or chicken, pomegranates and walnuts. Like many Middle Eastern dishes, fesenjan calls for pomegranate juice or syrup. Once available only in ethnic markets, such products now are found in more mainstream markets.

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FM


Easy Way to Remove Seeds

Cut the crown end off the pomegranate, then lightly score the skin from top to bottom in quarters.

Immerse the fruit in a bowl of cool water and soak for a minute or two. Hold the fruit under water (which prevents juice from spattering) and break sections apart.

Next, separate seeds from the rind and membrane. Seeds will sink to the bottom of the bowl; rind and membrane will float. Skim off and discard the rind and membrane.

Drain seeds, then pat dry. (At some markets, you can buy containers of seeds that someone else has extricated.)
FM
In her book In a Persian Kitchen, Maida Mazdeh writes, "I always connect fesenjan with the winter season.

Grandmother used to say, 'Fesenjan is hot, therefore one shouldn't eat it in summer time.' Persians divide food into two categories â€Ķ some foods should be eaten in summer time because they have a cooling effect and others should be eaten in winter because they have a warming effect."
FM
Pomegranate Juice

Pomegranate juice is juice made from the pomegranate fruit.

Pomegranate juice is a Middle Eastern beverage, and can be easily made at home.

Pomegranate juice is also used in cooking both as a fresh juice and as a concentrated syrup ("pomegranate molasses") in dishes such as the Persian fesenjan and ash-e anar and the Levantine muhammara.

A worker preparing juice from pomegranates at a market in Istanbul, Turkey >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
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Possible Health Benefits

While preliminary research has shown that the fruit juice may play a role in reducing the risk of cancer, can reduce serum cholesterol, and protect arteries from clogging, more research is needed to validate these findings. Its possible benefits also need to be balanced against its high caloric content derived from its natural sugars.

The cholesterol reduction effect has been observed only in small studies. This, as well as the anti-clogging effect of pomegranate juice, are the result of its concentration of antioxidants, and are similar to the effects shown in studies of red wine, black tea, and purple grape juice. There has been no large clinical trials showing that antioxidants can prevent heart attacks or other major heart-related events.

A peer-reviewed study showed that men who had undergone surgery or radiation therapy for prostate cancer could significantly slow the increase of prostate specific antigen when they consumed a glass of pomegranate juice daily.

A 250 ml (8 oz) glass of pomegranate juice provides approximately 50% of an adult's recommended daily allowance (RDA) of the vitamins A, C and E, 100% RDA of folic acid, and 13% RDA of potassium. Like most other fruit juices and soft drinks, each such glass also exceeds the maximum daily amount of sugar recommended by the FAO and WHO, who recommend that only 10% of calories come directly from sugars.

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FM
Vinyl Flooring And Autism In Children

In a study published on March 30, Swedish, Danish and U.S. scientists have discovered a link between vinyl flooring and autism in children. The purpose of the study -- which involved nearly 5,000 children -- was to investigate the connection between indoor air pollutants and allergies, however, the autism connection was accidentally found instead.

The findings, published in the journal Neurotoxicity, surprised even the scientists involved in the study, and are the first to find a connection between an environmental chemical and autism. Although their purpose was not to study autism, they recommend that the results be taken seriously and that further studies be conducted on a larger group to confirm the link.

The study followed the children from infancy up to at least 6 years of age and was conducted by having Swedish family members fill out surveys asking various questions related to their indoor environments. Of the study's 4,779 children aged 6-8 years, 72 had autism and 60 of those were boys.

Four factors were connected to the children's autism: family economic issues, poor ventilation, the mother's smoking, and vinyl flooring. Children under 3 years of age who slept in bedrooms with vinyl, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), flooring, or whose mothers smoked, were twice as likely to develop autism. The children with autism were also more likely to have asthma.

"A greater proportion of children with autism spectrum disorder were reported to have PVC as flooring material in the child's and the parent's bedroom in 2000 compared to children without autism spectrum disorder," reported the researchers. "Furthermore, children with autism spectrum disorder were reported to live in homes with more condensation on the inside of the windows, which... may be seen as an indicator for deficient ventilation."

Scientists not involved in the study have been cautious about making any definitive statements about the results, citing the study's limitations. Those leading the research made similar statements in their report. "The data are far from conclusive. They are puzzling, even baffling, and not readily explicable at this time," they wrote. "However, because they are among the few clues that have emerged about possible environmental contributions to autistic disorders, we believe that they should be weighed carefully and warrant further study."

As a possible explanation for the link, the researchers -- from Karlstad University in Sweden, the universities of Rochester and Texas in the U.S., and the Technical University of Denmark -- suggest that the children breathed in dust full of phthalates produced by vinyl flooring. If this is the cause, they believe that children are most vulnerable in the womb when their brains are still developing.

Past studies have shown household dust to be contaminated with phthalates as well as with other hazardous substances such as pesticides and alkylphenols. Phthalates are used to soften plastics in vinyl flooring and other household products.

In 2008, the U.S. banned the production and sale of toys and childcare products containing certain phthalates. The same ban has been put in place in Europe, Argentina, Japan, Israel, and Mexico.

It is estimated that 1 in 150 children in the U.S. suffers from autism.

Sources:

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id...
http://www.independent.co.uk/life-s...
http://www.safer-products.org/downl...
http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17047721/
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Flouride in Toothpaste, Drinking Water etc.

Fluoride has been used for over sixty years to help prevent tooth decay. Over 60% of people in the U.S. receive fluoride in their drinking water; some water supplies have naturally occurring fluoride in it and some have fluoride added at a water treatment facility. Since the onset of fluoridation of the water supply there has been a drastic reduction in the amount of tooth decay. In fact, the CDC has recognized fluoridation of water as one of the biggest public health breakthroughs of the 20th century. Why, then, is there a controversy over the use of fluoride in drinking water and as a dental supplement? Critics say that the safety and effectiveness of fluoride has never been fully proven, and that it can actually be dangerous to consume with resulting health consequences such as neurotoxicity, cancer, and fluorosis among others.

Studies done on mice have shown varying levels of neurotoxicity when these mice were exposed to fluoride. The first major study that showed fluoride caused neurotoxicity was done in 1995 by Dr. Phyllis Mullenix on mice. All the previous theories about fluoride that the researchers were working from were proved incorrect as the research went on. The mice who were drinking fluoridated water were expected to perform tasks similarly to the control mice and they did not. The fluoride was not expected to cross the blood-brain barrier and it was proven that it did.

Eighteen subsequent studies on fluoride and the brain have shown lower I.Q. levels in children with elevated fluoride levels, even after controlling for other factors that could cause the lower I.Q. such as parental education levels, lead levels, iodine exposure, and family income.

For all the studies that state that there is no association between fluoride and cancer there are just as many noting an association. Research has shown elevated cancer rates in cities with fluoridated water, cancerous changes in liver cells, and unscheduled DNA synthesis.

Fluorosis is a result of over consumption of fluoride. Drinking water is the most significant source of fluoride with fluoride in food, air, and toothpaste also contributing. Dental fluorosis results in staining and pitting of the teeth with some enamel damage possible at advanced levels. Skeletal fluorosis is a more advanced and serious case of fluorosis and results in pain and impairment of joints, muscles, and tissue.

The consequences of fluoride seem to outweigh the benefits, although dentists and other health professionals often disagree. Personal education about the risks and benefits of fluoride is necessary for each individual to make the best choice for themselves.

Sources:

Fluoride and Water, (http://kidshealth.org/parent/genera...)
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Thai green curry is the way to a spicy sex life!

Want to make your bedroom life more adventurous? Well, in that case, turn to Thai green curry, which has been found to give a person's libido that much needed boost.

The conclusion is based on a new research, which found that the 'magical' meal is full of aphrodisiacs.

The curry includes cardamom, ginseng, garlic, ginger, basil, lemon grass and asparagus - all considered by different cultures to get you feeling sexy.

The top-10 list of takeaway meals based on the number of aphrodisiac ingredients per meal was compiled by takeaway company Just-Eat.

Hot and spicy pizza topped with tomatoes, onions, garlic, basil, olives, meatballs and chillis grabbed the second position, according to research for takeaway website Just-Eat.co.uk.

"Thai green curry has long been known in the East to boost sex drive," The Sun quoted Just-Eat's Ash Ali, as saying.

"The British public instead only tend to know more expensive aphrodisiacs such as oysters and caviar," Ali added.

Other foods sure to steam up more than just the kitchen are meatballs and pasta, king prawns with ginger, sushi and even chicken tikka masala, say the experts.
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A daily dose of garlic can help lower your BP

A daily dose of garlic can help in lowering blood pressure, says a new research.

What’s more, the magical plant can also be as effective as drugs, the study says.

The discovery means that readily available over-the-counter supplements could be used to help save lives.

Figures show that high blood pressure – also called hypertension – is responsible for up to 40 per cent of the 150,000 strokes every year and tens of thousands of heart attacks.

But, in the latest research, patients suffering from the condition who took garlic supplements every day for up to five months saw their blood pressure levels drop significantly.

In some cases, the drop was as much as that seen in patients taking drugs such as beta-blockers and ACE inhibitors. However, researchers have yet to establish whether garlic supplements are as effective as prescribed medicines when used for many years.

“I think this is interesting research as it shows a reasonably consistent effect. The reduction in blood pressure is not trivial, it is the same as gained from taking pills,” The Daily Express quoted Dr Tim Chico, a cardiologist and academic from the Centre for Developmental and Biomedical Genetics at Sheffield University, as saying.

“What we do not know is if garlic works as well as pills over the long term or if it would reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke. But I was surprised at the extent of blood pressure reduction seen with garlic.

“There is no harm in taking garlic along with other lifestyle factors such as eating less red meat, less salt, less alcohol and taking more exercise and also continuing to take blood pressure medication,” Chico added.

People can reduce blood pressure by cutting their intake of salt, losing weight and getting fit.

But many still need to be placed on medication to reduce their blood pressure readings to the safe level of 140/90.

Dr Karin Ried, of the University of Adelaide, examined 11 studies in which patients were randomly assigned to garlic or a placebo.

The higher a person’s blood pressure was at the beginning of the study, the more it was reduced by taking garlic.

Dr Rosemary Leonard, the Daily Express doctor, said: “Anyone could benefit from regular doses of garlic, but it is important not to assume that taking supplements is all you need to treat high blood pressure.

“If you have high blood pressure and are overweight, then it is important to take regular exercise and eat a healthy diet.”
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Soon, just a drop of blood to spot cancer

Just a drop of blood or a chunk of very tiny tissue is all that will be required to diagnose cancers and assess their response to treatment, if scientists have their way.

In a recently study, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine used a specialized machine that was capable of analysing whether individual cancer-associated proteins were present in the tiny samples, and even whether modifications of the proteins varied in response to cancer treatments.

The study focussed on blood cancers, but the research team is optimistic that their technique may some day provide a faster, less invasive way to track solid tumours.

"Currently we don''t know what''s going on in a patient''s actual tumor cells when a treatment is given," Nature magazine quoted oncologist Dr. Alice Fan, a clinical instructor in the division of oncology at the medical school, as saying.

"The standard way we measure if a treatment is working is to wait several weeks to see if the tumor mass shrinks. It would really be a leap forward if we could detect what is happening at a cellular level," the researcher added.

Dr. Dean Felsher, a member of Stanford''s Cancer Center in whose lab the research was performed, said: "This technology allows us to analyse cancer-associated proteins on a very small scale. Not only can we detect picogram levels - one-trillionth of a gram - of protein, but we can also see very subtle changes in the ways the protein is modified."

During the study, the researchers used the machine to separate cancer-associated proteins in narrow capillary tubes based on their charge, which varies according to modifications on the proteins'' surface. Two versions of the same protein - one modified and one not - can be easily distinguished because they travel different distances in the tube.

The team then used antibodies to identify the relative amounts and positions of the various proteins.

The scientists found that not only was the technique able to identify oncogene activation in cultured tumour cells, but it also worked well in small lymphoma samples drawn from laboratory mice with small, hollow needles.

They were also able to detect varying levels of expression of two common oncogenes in 44 of 49 lymphoma samples from human patients as compared with normal controls, and even distinguish some types of lymphomas from others.

Fan and Felsher said that their study also detected subtle differences in modifications in several other cancer-associated proteins.

"Some of these proteins can exist as five or six phosphorylated variants. With this technology we can see changes that occur in as little as 10 percent of the total protein pool. Now we have a tool that will really help us look at what''s happening in cells over time," said Felsher.

"Surgical biopsies usually require general anaesthesia and large amounts of tissue. If we can figure out how to go in with a needle and remove just a few cells for analysis, we could repeatedly assess how the tumour is responding to treatment," added Fan.

Though the research group focused on lymphoma and leukaemia during the study, Fan is expanding her investigations to include head and neck tumours, which tend to be relatively accessible for cell sampling.

Both Fan and Felsher caution that more research is needed before the technology is widely available clinically.

"This is really a complement to existing diagnostic and therapeutic methods," said Fan.

The study has been published in the online version of the journal Nature Medicine.
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Dangers of Aspartame Poisoning

The dangers of aspartame poisoning have been a well guarded secret since the 1980s. The research and history of aspartame is conclusive as a cause of illness and toxic reactions in the human body. Aspartame is a dangerous chemical food additive, and its use during pregnancy and by children is one of the greatest modern tragedies of all.

Why haven't you heard about aspartame poisoning before? Partly because the diet industry is worth trillions of American dollars to corporations, and they want to protect their profits by keeping the truth behind aspartame's dangers hidden from the public. When NutraSweetÂŪ was introduced for the 'second' time in 1981, a diet craze revolutionized America's eating protocols and a well-oiled money machine was set into motion changing modern lifestyles.

After more than twenty years of aspartame use, the number of its victims is rapidly piling up, and people are figuring out for themselves that aspartame is at the root of their health problems. Patients are teaching their doctors about this nutritional peril, and they are healing themselves with little to no support from traditional medicine.

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What can you do about aspartame poisoning?

Set an example by changing your diet.

Tell everyone you know.
Talk to the schools and day care centers. Offer to speak at parent-teachers meetings.
Contact your local, state, and Federal government representatives.
If you see someone with a diet drink, ask if they have had any of the typical aspartame side effects.
Spread the word at your work.
Distribute the Aspartame Consumer Safety Network and Pilot's
Hotline number: 1-800-969-6050 or 1-214-563-4268.
Tell your doctor about the scientific research available proving the negative side effects of aspartame.
Register a complaint with the FDA, the FAA, the NutraSweet Company about aspartame poisoning.
Return all food products with aspartame, opened or unopened, to your grocer. Tell him/her the products make you sick. The grocer can return them to the manufacturer for a store refund. The manufacturer should get the message. So, will the grocer.
Spread the word on computer networks.
Publish articles in newsletters at your church, place of work, or neighborhood association.
Set a personal example for health and wellness.
Read more about Aspartame Side Effects
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Phenylalanine - Aspartame Poisoning

Nutrition fact about Phenylalanine in aspartame:

The 1976 Groliers encyclopedia states cancer cannot live without phenylalanine. Aspartame contains 50% phenylalanine.

Phenylalanine is one of the essential amino acids found in proteins, but I am one of the believers that amino acids should be eaten in combination, not in isolated form. Nature provides amino acids in combination; only man isolates them for processing purposes.

Phenylalanine is found naturally in foods such as eggs, milk, bananas, and meat. If you are PKU (Phenylketonuric) or sensitive to phenylalanine, you will react to the phenylalanine in aspartame. You many want to get a blood test to check for this condition. Over the past 20 years, humans have become more aware of PKU reactions because human beings began using isolated phenylalanine to the degree it is harmful to some individuals, many as aspartame side effects. My suggestion would be to research PKU and phenylalanine extensively. Phenylalanine can be very harmful to diabetics.

Read all food labels and avoid anything with isolated amino acids. You want to buy products with at least eight amino acids in combination.

Read more about Phenylalanine and Aspartame
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Aspartame and PKU

This sugar substitute, sold commercially as Equal and NutraSweet, was hailed as the savior for dieters who for decades had put up with saccharine's unpleasant after taste. There are quite a few problems with aspartame. The first is phenylketonuria (PKU). One out of 20,000 babies is born without the ability to metabolize phenylalanine, one of the two amino acids in aspartame. Toxic levels of this substance in the blood can result in mental retardation. Beyond PKU, several scientists believe that aspartame might cause altered brain function and behavior changes in consumers. And many people have reported the following side effects from aspartame:

Fibromyalgia Syndrome and symptoms of Fibromyalgia

  • Multiple Sclerosis symptoms
  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Menstrual problems

    Read more about Aspartame and Phenylketonuria

    Aspartame Dangers

    The dangers of aspartame poisoning have been a well guarded corporate secret since the 1980s. The research and history of aspartame dangers is conclusive as a cause of illness and toxic reactions in the human body. Aspartame dangers are the result of its chemical structure, and its use during pregnancy and by children is one of the greatest aspartame dangers of all.

    Aspartame dangers are the common denominator for over 92 different health symptoms at the root of modern disease. The Aspartame Detoxification Program demonstrates the most effective way to reverse aspartame dangers by removing the underlying cause - Aspartame.
  • FM
    ASPARTAME DISEASE

    I counsel aspartame victims worldwide and witness nine out of ten clients restore their health by following the Aspartame Detoxification Program. Recovery from Aspartame Disease begins with detoxifying your body of all residual chemical toxins from aspartame’s chemical structure of phenylalanine, aspartic acid and methanol and their toxic by-products.

    Many contemporary health practitioners call modern disease syndromes
    ASPARTAME DISEASE because aspartame is at the root of diseases such as:


  • aspartame fibromaylagia,
  • aspartame restless leg syndrome,
  • aspartame & migraines,
  • aspartame & vaginal irritation,
  • aspartame & tumors,
  • aspartame & allergy,
  • aspartame & multiple sclerosis,
  • aspartame & bladder cancer,
  • aspartame & central nervous system,
  • aspartame & infertility,
  • aspartame & weight control,
  • aspartame & weight gain,
  • aspartame Parkinson's Disease.

    The chemical structure of aspartame causes the body to mimic these disease symptoms,
    but bottom line, it's aspartame disease.
  • FM
    Aspartame Structure

    The structure of aspartame seems simple, but what a complicated structure aspartame really is. Two isolated amino acids in aspartame are fused together by its third component, deadly methanol. In this structure, methanol bonds the two amino acids together, but when released at a mere 86 degrees Fahrenheit, the methanol becomes a poisonous free radical.

    Methanol breaks down into formic acid and formaldehyde, embalming fluid. Methanol is a dangerous neurotoxin, a known carcinogen, causes retinal damage in the eye, interferes with DNA replication, and causes birth defects.

    Aspartic acid makes up forty percent of the structure of aspartame. Under excess conditions, the structure of aspartic acid can cause endocrine (hormone) disorders and vision problems. Aspartic acid is a neuroexicter, which means its structure affects the central nervous system. Hyperactivity is stimulated by aspartic acid, so this structure is not good for ADD/ADHD conditions and should be avoided during pregnancy.
    Adverse reactions to aspartic acid are:

  • headaches/migraines,
  • nausea,
  • abdominal pain,
  • fatigue,
  • sleep disorders,
  • vision problems,
  • anxiety attacks,
  • depression,
  • asthma/chest tightness.

    The second isolated amino acid in aspartame's chemical structure is phenylalanine, fifty percent of aspartame's 3-D structure. Too much phenylalanine causes seizures, elevated blood plasma, is dangerous for pregnancy causing retardation, PMS caused by phenylalanine's blockage of serotonin, insomnia, and severe mood swings.

    Read more about Aspartame Side Effects

    Read more about Aspartame Detoxification

    Related:

    Aspartame Victims Support Group
    Official site for aspartame victims support e-mail group where victims can discuss issues of aspartame recovery and aspartame activism.

    source
  • FM


    One interesting way that many people overlook on improving their health is by taking advantage of unprocessed, organic herbs and spices.Interestingly most of these herbs add virtually no calories to your diet.You'll find that herbs and spices:

  • Maximize your nutrient density -- They contain healthful vitamins and minerals.

  • Help speed up your metabolism -- Because spices are nutrient dense, they are thermogenic. This means they naturally increase your metabolism to help you burn calories.

  • May increase your overall feeling of fullness and satiety -- So you'll eat less. Studies show consuming certain herbs and spices prior to each meal can potentially reduce your calorie intake.

  • Provide you healthful properties -- Help boost and enhance your overall wellbeing with antioxidants that can be more potent than many fruits and vegetables.

  • Benefit your "whole person" -- Herbs and spices tend to enhance your entire body, and not just focus on a particular area.

    And this "whole person" approach is where I've focused a great deal of my attention. Why?Because my primary focus in making health recommendations for you and your family that address the cause of your health concerns.
  • FM
    Don't Waste Your Time and Health with Synthetically Processed Herbs and Spices

  • Just as it's very important for you to select and consume wholesome, unprocessed organic foods, the same applies to herbs and spices.

  • You want to avoid breezing down the spice aisle of your local grocery store to pick up any old herb or spice. It is important that you are very selective.

  • If the herb or spice you're looking for is processed or not organically grown, then you risk missing out on their greatest benefits.

  • You need their most potent active ingredients to provide you with optimal benefits.

  • If the herb or spice is not cultivated, harvested, produced, and packaged using certified organic processes, you could be robbed of the healthful active ingredients.

  • In fact, I would recommend you totally avoid herbs and spices not based on 100% certified organic ingredients. Why waste your time -- and risk potential health consequences from artificial ingredients and questionable chemical processes?

    India is the home of Ayurveda, recognized as an authoritative source of knowledge and truth in natural health promotion -- with herbs and spices lying at the very heart of Ayurvedic practice. So it would make perfect sense to consider using herbs that were grown in India if you are considering Ayurvedic herbs.
  • FM
    How this Ancient Spice Originated Thousands of Years Ago

    That is one of the reasons I traveled over 15,000 miles to India last year -- to find a high quality source of these herbs. During this trip to India, I witnessed firsthand how this Ayurvedic holistic approach and organic processes work in unison.

    And of the many herbs and spices I studied, one in particular caught my immediate attention.
    The herb is called turmeric, and it can provide you whole person health benefits:

  • Supports your healthy joint function*

  • Promotes your radiant skin*

  • Helps improve your digestion*

    And much more...

    Now, there is some debate about the timing of turmeric's first use as a healthy spice.
    But one thing is certain. Thousands of years ago, people in India and China used the spice.

    In fact, some stories suggest usage dates back 10,000 years in India when they say Lord Rama walked the earth.And the ancient Polynesians carried turmeric with them on their incredible voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Hawaii. Today, Hawaiians still use this spice -- known to them as Olena.

    While in China, Marco Polo in 1280 AD recorded information on turmeric in his diary:
    "There is also a vegetable which has all the properties of true saffron, as well the smell as the color,
    and yet it is not really saffron."


    So, turmeric has been used as a substitute for saffron (an old world spice) in Europe for over 700 years. One of the main healthful ingredients in turmeric is curcumin (a curcuminoid), which gives turmeric its yellow color.

    Western scientists first isolated the curcumin molecule in 1815, obtained its crystalline form in 1870, and determined its overall structure in 1910.
  • FM
    Curcumin can potentially benefit you by:

  • Promoting your immune system against stress*

  • Helping maintain your healthy digestive system*

  • Supporting your healthy bones, joints, and overall skeletal system*

  • Helping you maintain cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range*

  • Promoting your healthy blood and liver functions*
  • FM
    How Turmeric Provides Antioxidant Nutrients

  • You probably know that antioxidants are important nutrients in supporting your health.
  • They help you slow down free radical damage that can seriously damage your cells, organs and DNA
  • Turmeric helps protect your cells -- and helps you counteract this process with its antioxidant content.*
  • The antioxidant content within turmeric comes from active compounds called curcuminoids.

  • These curcuminoids deliver antioxidants that may be:

  • 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamin E -- and also stronger than vitamin C

  • 3 times more powerful than grape seed or pine bark extract

  • Strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical -- considered by many to be the most reactive of all oxidants

    I believe antioxidants are your body's #1 way to neutralize free radicals and help you potentially slow down the signs of normal aging.* Oxidation by free radicals can damage cells and DNA -- and thus impact your aging process* -- something we all would like to put the brakes on.

    Antioxidants are also key nutrients in:


  • Supporting your memory function*
  • Promoting your heart health*
  • Boosting your immune system*

    So, I can't say enough about the importance antioxidants play in promoting your overall health.*

    And turmeric is another excellent source of antioxidants for you.
  • FM
    Why this Herb Can Help Enhance Your Outer Beauty*

    Speaking of antioxidant nutrients and their potential to impact the aging process,
    some of the first aging signs you may see as you get older are changes to your skin.



    Well, the organic ingredients found in turmeric can help promote your healthy skin.*

    How does it work?

  • Curcuminoids support important blood and liver functions, healthy joints, and your overall well-being.*
  • This in turn helps promote your radiant, supple skin.*
  • Turmeric has been considered to be ‘skin food' for thousands of years in India and other cultures.*

    Turmeric helps you:

  • Cleanse your skin and maintain its elasticity*
  • Provide nourishment to your skin*
  • Balance the effects of skin flora*

    So, turmeric can act as your one-two punch against normal aging with its skin promotion and antioxidant capabilities -- outer beauty and inner purity.*
  • FM
    Your Triple-Action Cellular Booster and Adaptogen*

    Another potential advantage from turmeric usage involves the smallest living things within you -- your cells.

    Turmeric can assist your cells in three ways, by:

  • Helping you neutralize substances that can cause cellular stress*

  • Maintaining your cells' integrity when threatened by occasional environmental stressors*

  • Providing the antioxidants you need to help support your cells against excessive oxidation and free radicals*

    And turmeric is also recognized as an adaptogen -- helping to support your body against stress
    and providing immune system support.*
  • FM
    How this Ancient Spice has Become Embedded in India's Ayurvedic Practice



    Turmeric, like other herbs and spices, is a principle herb in Ayurveda -- India's ancient holistic health system.

    Ayurveda means "knowledge of life" -- with herbs lying at the very heart of Ayurvedic practice.

    Turmeric has multiple uses within Ayurveda, including blood cleansing and maintaining healthy skin.*

    In Ayurvedic terminology, Turmeric includes the following:

  • Verdana Sthapana-- promotes your healthy nervous system and helps you with occasional discomfort*

  • Sangrahani -- supports your absorption of vitamins and minerals*

  • Anulomana -- helps you in purging out wastes and building healthy blood*

  • Rakta Stambhaka -- promotes the wellness of your circulatory system*

    And this is pretty much the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Ayurvedic turmeric uses.

    What does all this mean to you?

    Simply, turmeric has been used in Indian culture for thousands of years for a multitude of health-promoting reasons.* And an estimated 500 million Indians still use the spice today.

    source
  • FM
    What are Your Sources for Turmeric?

    So by now, you might be wondering about potential sources of turmeric.

    Well, you could already know you can find it in the spice aisle of your local grocery store. But as I mentioned earlier, I would not recommend you use your local grocery store as a high-quality source of organic herbs and spices.

    Even though there may be some good spices available there, it is very difficult to verify their purity and potency.

    And also, the turmeric powder you buy in your store is a spice. It doesn't necessarily come from high-quality organic herbs -- and is not produced using certified organic processes. So you risk missing out on its healthful benefits.

    Plus, with store-bought turmeric powder, you'll probably just use it once in awhile to cook with -- and not on a daily basis to consistently take advantage of the benefits it offers.

    So, what are your other choices?

    I would recommend searching for a high-quality, 100% organic-based turmeric supplement.

    However, there are some things you need to watch out for when choosing a turmeric supplement.

    source
    FM
    Avoid Unnecessary Fillers, Additives, and Excipients

    When I did my own research on available turmeric supplements, I found a surprising number of choices.

    In addition to the curcumin and curcuminoid ingredients, I found many products that had other questionable ingredients in the form of fillers, additives, and excipients. An excipient is a substance added to the supplement as a processing or stability aid.

    One ingredient, magnesium stearate (also know as stearic acid), is a potentially toxic metal additive from pill production.

    Another ingredient I found in many turmeric supplements, Dibasic Calcium Phosphate (DCP), may even inhibit the absorption of essential minerals within your system.

    There are others you may find as well, but the bottom line here is... you don't want or need these ingredients in your turmeric supplement. Some pose potential health risks -- and really are unnecessary.

    source
    FM
    Make Sure Your Herbal Supplement Comes from aCertified Organic Producer Committed to Quality Processes


    The key to delivering an organic-based turmeric supplement rests in the manufacturer's commitment to quality and excellence.

    In fact, I believe that without these quality processes in place, it really doesn't matter what organic herbs are harvested. You simply won't end up with a top-notch consistent organic formula. And in turn, you won't receive the maximum potential value of the herb.

    So, it's important for you to highly scrutinize and research the manufacturer's credentials.

    And you may not be able to stop with the manufacturer alone. Keep in mind, the total organic process involves planting, cultivation, selective harvesting, and then producing and packaging the final formula.

    Here's the type of certifications I recommend you look for:

  • Hazards and Critical Control Points (HACCP) -- International food safety certification that World Health Organization (WHO) standards are met

  • Safe Quality Food (SQF) -- HACCP-based food safety and risk management system covering the identification of food safety, quality risks, and the validation and monitoring of control measures

  • Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) -- International certification verifies all required practices necessary for an effective food safety program are followed

  • International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2000 -- International standard for quality, safety, ecology, economy, reliability, compatibility, inter-operability, efficiency, and effectiveness

  • Orthodox Union (OU) Kosher -- Certifies compliance for Kosher observers and followers.

  • International organic certificationssuch as: USDA, EU, and NSOP (India)
    source
  • FM
    13 Ways this Ancient Herb Can Help You Spice Up Your Life (and Your Health*)

    Let me summarize a few of the ways this 100% certified organic-based
    Turmeric can spice up your whole person:


  • Boosts your antioxidant protection against free radicals*
  • Helps promote your healthy skin*
  • Supports your overall eye health*
  • Provides you immune system support*
  • Aids your skeletal system and joint health*
  • Encourages your healthy liver function*
  • Helps you maintain healthy cells with support against free radicals*
  • Balances the health of your digestive system*
  • Aids you in support of healthy blood and your circulatory system*
  • Helps you maintain normal cholesterol levels to support your cardiovascular system*
  • Assists your neurological system's healthy response to stress*
  • Promotes a healthy female reproductive system*
  • Helps you maintain blood sugar levels already within the normal range*

    And more...

    Millions of people use turmeric on a daily basis in their lives today.

    In India alone, up to 500 million people use it in one form or another every day.

    Isn't it time you gave your body what it deserves?

    source
  • FM
    Vitamin E: The Mistrusted Vitamin


    When the two Canadian doctors, brothers Evan and Wilfred Shute pioneered the treatment of heart patients with vitamin E in the 1940s, they were denunciated as a couple of quacks by their American colleagues as well as the media. Their research was ignored.

    Fortunately due to the 60s’ nutrient and vitamin euphoria, vitamin E made a comeback and its health benefits were finally recognized by the once skeptical medical profession.

    Vitamin E as well as its peers A and C offers antioxidant action against free radicals, which harm cells and their DNA. Together, the trio reactivates damaged cells and deactivates damaging cells by restoring, neutralizing, and repairing them. By doing so, the three can boost the immune defenses and protect against infections in both young and old.

    In studies, the elderly who used E (400 I.U.) and C (1,000 mg) were less likely to catch flu viruses or die from them. Apart from scavenging free radicals, this fat soluble vitamin coming from nuts and seeds also enhances and rejuvenates brain tissue, neurotransmitters, cells, blood vessel elasticity, and immunity against the ravages of age. By protecting the fatty cell walls and eliminating damaged cells, the nutrient delays the process of aging. A protective dose is around 400 I.U.

    Vitamin E has a major protective function against strokes, heart attacks and blood clotting by thinning the blood and acting on clots. How is that? The combination of fatty and sugary foods leads to platelet coagulation, thickening the blood and making it lumpy and sticky, which blocks arteries and vessels. Vitamin E comes to the rescue by attaching itself to the very enzyme that makes the blood coagulate and starts breaking it up. By making the blood more fluid, it prevents disabling strokes and deadly heart attacks. Vitamin E 400 I.U. is just as effective as blood thinning drugs and even safer.

    According to Dr. Heinerman’s recommendation in Nature’s Vitamins and Minerals, the combination of vitamin E and ginger supplements (4 a day with meals) produces an anticoagulant effect on thickened blood. A two-year study showed the benefits of both E and ginger root supplements on high risk patients.

    Scientists at Health Sciences Institute believe tocotrienol in vitamin E can act like a blood thinner and lower “bad” cholesterol, thus reducing fatal heart attacks and strokes.

    Vitamins E (400 I.U.) and C along with a low-fat-and-sugar-diet showed a slow down in the advancement and recurrence of cardiovascular blockage and heart disease in patients undergone bypass surgeries. Together, they counteract oxidation of cholesterol and plaque in arteries, lowering risk of heart disease and fatality.

    Diabetes is another disorder that vitamin E can help. It can lower diabetic incidents by preventing oxidation that disrupts sugar breakdown and exhausts pancreatic insulin secretion. Doses over 1,000 I.U. of E alpha-tocopherol increase insulin efficiency.

    Neurological disorders (Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy) can be helped or reversed by supervised high doses of vitamin E (over 1,200 I.U.). E deficiency can lead to nerve damage and supplementation can protect against the disorder.

    Individuals suffering liver disease (cirrhosis), fat malabsorption, and cystic fibrosis can benefit from high doses of vitamin E. Deficiency in the nutrient can result in such problems, undigested fat, muscle weakness, pain, and loss, weak reflexes and unsteadiness, restrictive vision, and abnormal eye movements.

    Hyperventilation, crackling voice, and low blood plasma oxygen are side-effects of vitamin E deficiency. A combination of vitamins E (600 I.U.) and C (3000 mg) and selenium (200 mcg) can correct the condition along with avoiding dairy products and eggs.

    Painful menstruation and its symptoms can be relieved by 400 I.U. of vitamin E.

    Vitamin E has seven Greek letters of its tocopherol components. Alpha-tocopherol and delta-tocopherol (d-tocopherol) are the most commonly known ones. Do not confuse the latter with ld-tocopherol, which is chemically manufactured and not as effective.

    According to Dr. Heinerman, a research at the University of California, Berkeley, showed that gamma–tocopherol prevented nitrogen oxides from causing inflammation in the body, which alter cell’s DNA. With the help of alpha, gamma can deactivate nitrogen oxides.

    Researches at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii showed that high doses of the gamma type can inhibit tumor cell growth in the body.

    Vitamin E (alpha and gamma) occurs naturally in raw nuts, seeds, and their unrefined oils as well as avocadoes, legumes, butter, peas, tomatoes, fresh apples, wheat germ and oil, grains, sweet potatoes, sardines, salmon, tuna, chicken breast, and beef.

    Many in the medical profession still mistrust vitamin E, but the vitamin along with its helpers C and selenium is essential for a healthy and functional immune system. A nutritious diet should include whole organic nutrient-dense foods in order to supply the body with health-protecting nutrients. Smart eating can save a lot of pain and money!
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    Too Much Cola Can Cause Muscle Problems By HealthDay -

    Drinking too much cola can increase the risk of a muscle problem called hypokalemia, experts warn.

    In people with hypokalemia, a drop in blood potassium levels results in problems with vital muscle functions. Symptoms can range from mild weakness to serious paralysis, say Greek researchers who conducted a review of people who drank between two to nine liters of cola a day.


    Two of the patients were pregnant women who were admitted to hospital with low potassium levels. One was a 21-year-old woman who drank up to three liters of cola a day and complained of fatigue, appetite loss and persistent vomiting. An electrocardiogram revealed she had a heart blockage, and blood tests showed she had low potassium levels, the researchers explained in a news release.


    The second pregnant patient, who'd consumed up to seven liters of cola a day for 10 months, had low potassium levels and was suffering from increasing muscular weakness, the researchers noted.


    Both patients made a rapid and full recovery after they stopped drinking cola and took oral or intravenous potassium. The case studies are described in the June issue of the International Journal of Clinical Practice.


    "We are consuming more soft drinks than ever before, and a number of health issues have already been identified including tooth problems, bone demineralization and the development of metabolic syndrome and diabetes," and there's increasing evidence that excessive cola consumption leads to hypokalemia, Dr. Moses Elisaf, of the University of Ioannina, said in the news release.


    Elisaf said the three most common ingredients in cola -- glucose, fructose and caffeine -- can contribute to hypokalemia.


    "The individual role of each of these ingredients in the pathophysiology of cola-induced hypokalemia has not been determined and may vary in different patients," Elisaf said. "However, in most of the cases we looked at for our review, caffeine intoxication was thought to play the most important role. This has been borne out by case studies that focus on other products that contain high levels of caffeine but no glucose or fructose."


    However, "caffeine-free cola products can also cause hypokalemia because the fructose they contain can cause diarrhea," Elisaf said.
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    10 points to stay young and healthy

    The latest research conducted by the experts of the Harvard University put forward the following points for postponing the aging.

    1. Keeping the married life intact for longer years (taking divorce should be discouraged).

    2. In family life, parents and their children should be take meals daily at least once.

    3. Exercise daily at least 30-45 minutes.

    4.”No smoking tobacco”- is our motto.

    5. Don’t get chronic diseases like diabetes, heart involvement and hypertension etc.

    6. Take green vegetables daily which keep the skin smooth and shiny and prevent drying.

    7. Don’t take too much food, so that the energy is saved.

    8. Take blueberries, spinach leaf curry which contain more amounts of oxygen radical absorbents which prevents aging.

    9. Take vitamin Supplements (if necessary), like vitamin C, E and selenium mineral along with phytonutrients.

    10. Beliving in god and having interested in spirituality brings peace in mind.
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    Ten rules for better health


    1. Water: Drink 1 glass of pure water for each 15 pounds of body weight daily.

    2. Posture: Maintain correct posture while sitting, standing and walking.

    3. Air: Breathe deeply of good quality air.

    4. Exercise: Daily walking for 30-45 minutes is a must.

    5. Eating: Moderate eating at regular intervals (4-5 times). Avoid fast foods.

    6. Charity: Find some way to help someone daily who are in genuine needy.

    7. Abstinence: Avoid Caffeine, Tobacco, Alcohol and harmful drugs.

    8. Rest: Sleep for 6-7 hours is necessary for enjoyable day life.

    9. No guilty consciousness: Live in such a way, as to maintain conscience free of guilt.

    10. God and contentment: Cultivate an attitude of genuine contentment with positive thrust in God and cheerfulness.
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