Natural Health Ezine » Aging

Health Benefits Of Sorrel

NHE — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:28:21 +0000

Every holiday season in Jamaica, a certain type of drink makes an appearance. The main ingredient comes from the sorrel plant. Sorrel is a perennial herb that also goes by the names Narrow-leaved Dock or Spinach Dock. Sorrel tea can be consumed either hot or cold. Sorrel is also used as a dried herb in meals. The taste is a bit sour, and it’s customary to add flavorings to it, such as ginger or cinnamon to sweeten it. In addition to being a great drink for the holidays, the health benefits of sorrel are many. Sorrel is not at all common in America, but it’s popularity is sure to grow, the more people learn about it’s benefits. Sorrel is most prominent in France, Greece, Egypt, Rome, and the Caribbean.

Disease Prevention

The sorrel plant contains nutraceleuticals, which are said to be helpful to people’s health. Nutraceleuticals can help prevent and treat several diseases including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and cancer. A group of compounds known as flavonoids are present in red sorrel, which are known to be anti-oxidants. The flavonoids are also what makes is a good deterrent against specific types of cancer. The immune system is also enhanced due to the flavonoids. Sorrel contains high amounts of vitamin C, vitamin A, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

The anti-oxidant properties in the sorrel plant can help fight the signs of aging. It can help protect against free radical damage that can leave the skin looking aged and wrinkled. Free radicals also have a hand in causing stroke and Alzheimer’s disease, along with many other problems.

When used as a dried herb, the leaves of the sorrel plant can be used to treat itchy skin, fever, scurvy, and ringworm. Sorrel can be cut thinly and sprinkled over soups and salads to help relieve these ailments. Even if you don’t suffer from these issues, sorrel makes a great addition to a meal. Sorrel can be incorporated into meals as a sauce, that can go over fish or chicken dishes.

When taken in the form of a tea, this herb is helpful in treating jaundice and kidney stones. The liquid that comes out of the leaves can be used to help certain rashes. When the leaves are consumed dry and fresh, it acts as a diuretic and can clear out the body’s system. As a result of this “cleansing” the prostate benefits and can work more efficiently. Sorrel has also been used to treat hemorrhages when combined with the seeds and roots of the plant.

Tea Recipe

As stated earlier, Jamaicans drink sorrel tea during the holiday season. They combine six ounces of dried sorrel with two tablespoons of dried ginger, and an eighth of a teaspoon of ground allspice. When you mix these ingredients into hot water, it makes a warm and inviting tea. If it’s too bitter for your taste, it’s OK to add sugar to make it a little sweeter. For best results, boil the water for about 10 minutes with the ingredients in the water. It’s best to use a tea strainer when you pour it into a cup, to avoid getting leaves and other residue in your drink. You can either drink it hot right away, or put it in the refrigerator for later. If you pour it over ice, it creates a great iced tea beverage.

Sorrel is much more that a holiday beverage. There are quite a few health benefits of sorrel. Because sorrel is a natural laxative, only a small amount should be used at any one time. It could cause the stomach to react badly. However, medical studies have been performed, showing that this herb can help improve a person’s quality of life and help to maintain the health and function of the whole body.

Photo by Eatwell.in

What Is Juvenon? Does It Work?

Terrie — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:52:01 +0000

Whether you’re for or against taking supplements, sometimes they are necessary. If you track your food intake and track certain nutrients, you can figure out what you’re lacking. Not getting enough calcium? Take a calcium supplement. Not getting enough iron in your diet? There are iron supplements available to help with that. But what about energy supplements? Or supplements that can improve memory function and provide a more restful sleep? There is a supplement that can provide these benefits as well as other advantages. It’s called Juvenon. But does does Juvenon work?

What Is Juvenon?

Juvenon is a supplement pill that contains alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC). These two nutrients have been proven to slow aging on a cellular level and also to boost levels of mitrochondria in the body. Higher levels of michochondria means cells in the body have more energy. In Juvenon, the ALC and ALA nutrients are specifically balanced to provide certain benefits.

What Does Juvenon Do?

According to the Juvenon website, it states that the supplement can boost your energy, improve your memory and concentration, and improve your skin tone. Juvenon also protects against harmful oxidants.

What Are The Benefits Of Juvenon?

Some of the benefits that this supplement can provide include the following:

An increase in energy
Improvement in memory
Sharper mind
More restful sleep
Improvements in blood pressure
Younger looking skin
Shinier hair

What Are the Juvenon Ingredients?

Each tablet contains the following ingredients:

*Biotin (100 micrograms) – Biotin is vitamin B7 and is found in the yolks of eggs.
*Calcium (77 milligrams)
*Acetyl-L-Carnitine (500 milligrams) – ALC is an anti-oxidant ingredient.
*Alpha Lipoic Acid (200 milligrams) – ALA is another anti ingredient.
*Dicalcium phosphate – A packaging agent.
*Microcrystalline cellulose – Another packaging agent.
*Stearic acid – Packaging agent made from saturated animal fat.
*Silicon dioxide – A mineral packaging agent.
*Magnesium stearate – What binds the pill together.
*Hypromellose – A thickening agent.
*Croscarmellose sodium – A pill additive.
*Polydexterose – An artificial sweetener.
*Titanium dioxide – A pill coloring agent.
*Maltodextrin – Another sweetener.
*Talc – A tablet processing lubricant.
*Medium chain triglycerides – Vegetable oils.
*Peppermint oil – A masking agent to make the pill taste better.

This long list of ingredients is mainly made up of filler ingredients, lubricants, and preservatives. However, the bottle claims that Juvenon does not contain any preservatives or artificial colors. On the positive side the pills do not contain common allergens, dairy, or soy. Note it says “common allergens”, so there may still be a possibility of an allergic reaction. It’s recommended that a user take two tablets each day.

What Are The Cons Of Juvenon?

According to Dr. Ray Saheilian, Juvenon may actually cause harmful side effects. He states, “I have not seen any human studies that taking Juvenon or high dosages of acetyl-L-carnitine or alpha lipoic acid prolongs lifespan.” He goes on to say, “In my experience, high dosages of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-L-carnitine can disrupt sleep and ALA may even cause heart rhythm disturbances.” Dr. Saheilian also says that excessive amounts of ALC and ALA can cause insomnia and over-stimulation. Insomnia can result in the lack of deep sleep. A lack of deep sleep can actually speed up the aging process.

There are some other things to be aware of when it comes to Juvenon. There’s a warning label on the bottle in reference to sustaining energy level, promoting brain cell function, and supporting metabolic efficiency. The warning label states the following: “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease”.

Does Juvenon Work?

Juvenon may work for a short time period. But, it may not be the best thing to use over an extended period. If you suffer from low energy or problems with sleep patterns, you may want to seek medical advice rather than taking Juvenon. However, Juvenon may be an option if you don’t normally have these issues and you just need a boost of energy for the day.

Based on what we uncovered in the ingredient list of Juvenon, it’s sort of hard to tell what to believe. It claims no artificial colors are added, yet it lists titanium dioxide which is a coloring agent. It also says it has no preservatives, yet we see packaging agents listed, such as silicon dioxide and dicalcium phosphate. We get conflicting statements, such as Juvenon providing a more restful sleep. According to Dr. Saheilian high levels of ALC and ALA can cause insomnia.

Ultimately, it’s up to the individual to decide whether to take a supplement or not. It holds true that what works for one person may not work for another. If an energy supplement such as Juvenon works for you, great! However, based on the conflicting information, it may make you want to think twice about taking it.

9 Health Foods With Benefits Of The Fountain Of Youth

Linda — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:31:38 +0000

This article is written by John Smith from NursingUniforms.net. This nursing scrubs website is your one stop online shop for branded lab coats for women, scrub tops and all kind of medical uniforms.

The concept of the Fountain of Youth dates back hundreds of years. Although it’s only a legend, the simple truth is humans have always been interested in preserving their youth. From exercising to avoiding excessive sunlight to taking anti-aging supplements, almost everyone is doing something to stay young, but most people overlook one of the most effective tools for slowing the aging process: food.

The foods we eat absolutely affect how we look and the way our body functions. By eating the right foods, you can look better, feel younger, and have a stronger, healthier mind. What are the best foods for keeping you young? Read on to find out.

Cocoa—Did you know that cocoa powder has almost twice the amount of antioxidants as red wine? It also has nearly three times the amount found in green tea. These antioxidants offer numerous anti-aging benefits, helping to prevent many diseases and keeping your mind sharp. To get the most benefits from chocolate, you should eat dark chocolate as milk chocolate has fewer of these antioxidants.
Almonds—The Food and Drug Administration has released studies suggesting daily consumption of almonds could reduce the risk of heart disease. But that’s not all. Almonds also have healthy fatty acids that can help your nails stay strong and look their best. The result? You stay healthier, and the antioxidants and healthy fats keep you feeling and looking your best.
Olive oil—It seems like every day you hear about more benefits associated with olive oil. Olive oil contains heart-healthy fats that can help prevent diseases and keep you feeling your very best. Some scientists even claim olive oil can help prevent cancer. This antioxidant-rich compound is also a feature ingredient in many beauty products as it helps to keep you looking young.
Yogurt—Yogurt offers a wide range of health benefits, but perhaps the most important benefit is that it strengthens your immune system. A strong immune system means fewer illnesses and just less wear and tear on your body. The calcium in yogurt can also help keep you strong, further working to preserve your youth.
Cranberries—The cranberry is pretty remarkable. These little berries are rich in flavonoids. Flavonoids have been found to have various anti-cancer, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties, meaning they can basically help you stay healthier and stronger. Cranberries are also jam-packed with antioxidants, fighting off damage done to the body by free radicals and pollutants we’re exposed to every day. Cranberry extract is a popular ingredient in skin renewal products.
Fish—There’s a reason fish oil supplements have become so popular. Fish contain omega-3 fatty acids which work to clear out your arteries, improve heart health, and even improve brain function. The best fish varieties are wild salmon, tilapia, mahi mahi, and whitefish. Try to keep fish as a part of your regular diet so you can ward off heart disease and preserve your youth.
Soybeans—Soybeans have numerous heart-healthy fasts, proteins, and fibers that can keep your heart and mind performing at optimal levels. Soybeans have been said to help diabetes, aid in growth in development, prevent mental fatigue, energize the brain, and fight cholesterol. But be sure to buy non-GMO soybeans.
Blueberries—Blueberries have extraordinarily high antioxidant levels. It’s pretty difficult to find any other food that can match it. The antioxidants in blueberries work to destroy free radicals. What are free radicals? These are the substances many believe cause aging in the body. Evidence seems to suggest that an antioxidant-rich diet can slow the aging process, and with the high levels of antioxidants in blueberries, you could get the maximum anti-aging benefits.
Grapes—Grapes provide a comprehensive range of health benefits. They have polyphenols, which can be helpful in preventing cancer and heart disease. Grapes are also rich in antioxidants, so you’ll enjoy the anti-aging benefits every time you consume grapes or grape juice. Some studies have even found that grapes can prevent skin cancer, keeping your skill cells healthy and smooth.

The key to getting the most of these foods is to enjoy them regularly with a sensible diet. If you eat these alongside foods that are bad for you, you’ll never get the full results you hope for. You should also exercise regularly to further protect yourself against aging.

How many of these 9 foods are a regular part of your diet? What other foods do you think help with preserving youth?

Photo by J.C. Rojas

Why Are Beets Healthy?

NHE — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 09:35:57 +0000

Beets are one of those vegetables that have a bad reputation. They look odd, and when you mention them to some people, you get a grimace in return. They may look a little strange, but beets are packed with lots of benefits. Beets can be eaten raw, cooked, cold, or hot. You’ll gain the same benefits no matter how you consume them. What are the health benefits of eating beets?

Gives Energy

They’re a great source of energy due to their high carbohydrate count. Carbohydrates are often thought to be “bad”, but consuming appropriate amounts of carbohydrates keep your body running efficiently. Carbohydrates are essentially what fuels the body. Beets make an excellent food to eat before a workout. They provide the body with the fuel it will need to keep going. They would also be good to eat after a workout to replenish the energy that was used up. Incorporating beets into a meal before or after your workout will help to re-energize you.

Calcium & Iron

Beets contain many essential nutrients that promote good bodily health. These include calcium, magnesium, sodium, phosphorus, and iron. Two of the nutrients that most people don’t get enough of are calcium and iron. There’s about 10% of the daily recommended amount of iron in one cup of boiled beets. You’ll also get about 3% of the daily recommended amount of calcium in one cup of boiled beets.

Helps During Pregnancy

Another essential vitamin found in beets is B vitamin folate. This vitamin is vital for normal tissue growth, A diet rich in folate is particularly important for pregnant women. Without enough folate during pregnancy, the spinal column of the infant doesn’t develop properly. Pregnant women should aim to get 400 micrograms of folate each day. One cup of boiled beets has 136 micrograms of folate.

Fights Cancer

Beets contain the pigment betacyanin that can help fight cancer. Studies have been done on beets and their relationship with cancer, and the results from these studies show that the vegetable can guard against colon cancer and stomach cancer. The red pigment of beets increases levels of anti-oxidant enzymes of the liver, and could promote detoxification within the liver, blood, and the intestines. Colonic CD 8 cells are able to find and remove abnormal cells. Beets can increase these colonic CD8 cells.

Protects Against Heart Disease

Studies have shown that beets can help protect the body from developing heart disease. Beets are able to help lower both the bad type of cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides. This is due to the amounts of folate that are found in beets. They can also promote good health toward the gall bladder, and the colon.

Strong Bones

Healthy bones not only require calcium, they also require magnesium. Magnesium promotes bone production and helps the bones to maintain their stability and strength. Because of their high levels of magnesium, beets are great for anyone who has osteoporosis. Eating beets regularly could even prevent the onset of osteoporosis. Beets contain a metabolite of choline, called betanine, which can help reduce joint inflammation. Not only does this help people with osteoporosis, but it helps people suffering from arthritis as well.

Good For Your Brain

Certain cognitive disorders, such as senile dementia and Alzheimer’s disease can be prevented by anti-oxidants. Vegetables that have dark skins, like the beet, have high levels of anti-oxidants. Anti-oxidants help to avert free radicals that can damage cells, including those cells located in the brain. Due to the anti-oxidants present, beets are a great food to help stave off the aging process, and help you to feel and look younger.

With all of the health benefits of eating beets, it’s a wonder why this vegetable gets strange looks from people. This strange looking vegetable can help with many health issues and can leave you feeling healthier longer.

Photo by Darwin Bell

Natural Remedies for Vericose Veins

NHE — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 17:04:53 +0000

Most women have either experienced or are at least familiar with varicose veins. These veins are enlarged and can sometimes be quite painful. The term “varicose” is a Latin based word meaning “twisted”. You may think that women are the only ones who deal with varicose veins, but that’s not the case. In the United States, 25% of women experience varicose veins, while 15% of men are affected by them. Because the veins in the legs have to work against gravity, varicose veins are most prevalent in the lower limbs. Varicose veins can appear in other areas, such as the arms. These unsightly veins are a cosmetic concern, because they’re enlarged, twisted, and are a bluish purple color. Not only are they a deterrent in one’s appearance, they also cause swelling, pain, aching, or a heaviness in the legs. They can also be a warning sign of circulatory disorders or heart disease. If varicose veins aren’t treated, they can lead to blood clots, skin ulcers, and inflammation of the veins. Luckily there are some natural remedies for varicose veins.

Diet and Supplements

Probably the safest natural way to treat varicose veins is through diet and supplements. If your diet is low in fiber, if can lead to pressure build up which can aggravate varicose veins. Getting enough fiber will help to eliminate stool and will prevent any straining action that can occur otherwise. Fiber helps to move things along smoothly. If you suffer from varicose veins, there are some foods that should be avoided. Foods such as salt, sugar, alcohol, animal protein, processed or refined foods, fried foods, ice cream, and cheeses can all have an effect on varicose veins. Eat them in moderation or try to cut them entirely out of your diet.

Extracts such as horse chestnut extract, grape seed extract and pine bark extract can treat varicose veins. The horse chestnut herb is the most widely used herb for this purpose. A compound called aescin that is found in this herb seems to inhibit the release of enzymes that cause damage to the walls of capillaries. Results of studies show that those participants that used horse chestnut extract lead to a significant decrease of leg pain as well as swelling compared to those that were given a placebo. Caution needs to be heeded when taking horse chestnut. Manufactured horse chestnut products are safe, such as those in extract form, because the toxic substance esculin has been removed. The FDA has deemed whole horse chestnut unsafe and if a person uses it, they can experience headache, nausea, vomiting, convulsion, diarrhea, respiratory and circulatory failure, or even death. So make sure that the component esculin has been removed.

Both pine bark extract and grape seed extract contain anti-oxidants called oligomeric proanthocynidin complexes (OPCs). These types of anti-oxidants strengthen the connective tissue structure that make up blood vessels. They also help to reduce inflammation. OPCs have been studied, and results show that these anti-oxidants bring relief to people who have varicose veins. There’s some caution that needs to taken when using pine bark or grape seed extract. If you suffer from any autoimmune disorder, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or Crohn’s disease, you should avoid using both pine bark extract and grape seed extract. Only do so if you get the “OK” from your doctor.

The plant Butcher’s broom, which is part of the lily family, is believed to be able to strengthen collagen in the walls of blood vessels. This is due to the component ruscogenin. This component is believed to be able to tighten those vessels that are weak and stretched causing the varicose veins. Again, take caution when using this plant. If you take high blood pressure medication or medication for benign prostate hyperplasia, or an MAO inhibitor, talk with your doctor first.

It’s best to talk with your doctor before trying any of these natural remedies for varicose veins.

An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away

NHE — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 08:46:54 +0000

Apples are one of the most common and popular fruits in people’s diets today. This juicy piece of fruit can be made into many delicious snacks. Deserts such as candied apples, apple pie, or a cut up apple with cinnamon sprinkled on it. No matter how you eat them, apples are just plain delicious. Most everyone has heard the old adage “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Is this just an old proverb parents tell their children to get them to eat apples, or can it really prevent frequent doctor visits? There are quite a lot of health benefits of eating an apple a day.

Fiber and Pectin

One medium sized apple contains only 80 calories and provides five grams of fiber. Fiber is essential for a healthy digestive tract. Consuming enough fiber allows food to travel more easily through the digestive system. Pectin, a type of soluble fiber, is present in the skin of the apple. Pectin helps prevent cancer by blocking the development of a certain type of protein that is found in all stages of cancer. Pectin has also been linked with being able to lower cholesterol levels. This link was discovered back in the 1960s when tests were conducted by European scientists. The study concluded that people with high levels of cholesterol benefited greatly by eating several apples during the allotted time. Apples not only lowers total cholesterol, but they raise the good cholesterol (HDL) and lower the bad cholesterol (LDL). The results suggest that people who eat two apples every day can lower their cholesterol by 16%.

Antioxidants

Apples have large amounts of polyphenols and flavonoids, which are types of antioxidants. Antioxidants helps to stave off the effects of premature aging. Various oxidants, or free radicals, can penetrate our bodies and cause aging signs to show up earlier than normal. These oxidants can be due to stress, sun exposure, pollution, smoking, alcohol consumption, and unhealthy foods. Cells that have already been damaged by free radicals can be repaired with antioxidants.

Healthy Bones

The flavanoids found in apples also provide bone protection. A certain type of flavanoid, called phloridzin, was discovered by French researchers, that is only present in the apple. Phloridzin may help to protect women who are in post menopause from developing osteoporosis. It may help to increase the density of the bones as well, along with another component called boron.

Helps with Asthma

There’s a link between eating apples and asthma too. A study was conducted where children who had asthma drank apple juice every day. As a result, the children had less wheezing than other children that drank apple juice just one time every month. In another study, women who ate a lot of apples during the time they were pregnant, gave birth to children with a lower risks of getting asthma.

Prevents Cancer

Eating apples regularly could help to prevent cancers such as lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and colon cancer. Various studies have shown a lower percentage of these cancers in people who ate apples regularly and those that didn’t. The study on lung cancer for example, showed those people who ate a lot of apples split their chances of getting lung cancer in half. This is believed to be due to an abundant amounts of naringin and quercetin flavanoids, found in apples. This study was comprised of 10,000 people.

I would say that the old proverb “An apple a day can keep the doctor away” is true. With all of the health benefits of eating an apple a day, it’s no wonder that this saying has been passed down from generation to generation. Apples are very easy to come by, and are cheap. It should be no problem at all to stock up on these juicy fruits and start taking advantage of the benefits they provide.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin Eye Care

Guest Author — Mon, 24 May 2010 09:07:00 +0000

This is a guest article from Nick Lewis.

It is a generally accepted fact of life that when you get older, your vision gets worse. This is due to a number of factors involved in the ageing process, however, one condition in particular that tends to affect those of a certain age (50+) is that of macular degeneration.

What is Macular Degeneration?

The macula is a tiny yellow spot that sits in the centre of the retina and is responsible for our central field of vision, and so the principle symptom of macular degeneration is impaired central vision. That it is yellow in colour means that it absorbs high energy blue light that can be very damaging to the eye, a property that has earned it the nickname ‘nature’s sunglasses’.

The reason the macula is yellow is because it contains high levels of beta-carotenes, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, which are both also present in colourful plants (including fruit and vegetables, and yes, contribute to the orange colour of carrots, as you might have guessed from the name). These organic compounds act as anti-oxidants and there is evidence to suggest that they go a long way towards protecting our vision from free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules that can damage tissue).

What Else Contains Lutein and Zeaxanthin?

We principally get our lutein and zeaxanthin from our diet. Not only are they present in colourful fruit and vegetables such as carrots and peppers, but they are highly present in leafy green vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, asparagus and kale. As modern diets are notoriously lacking in fruit and vegetables, this could be resulting in a corresponding decrease in these important carotenes that help protect our vision; the broad recommendation is to make sure you have 5 to 9 portions of fruit and vegetable a day in order to keep up the requisite level of lutein and zeaxanthin: most of us have trouble getting to the standard 5 a day!

As such, for those concerned for their vision, some health professionals advise taking natural carotene supplements, such as VisualEyes from Higher Nature , just as many people now take multi-vitamins for their general health. However, it is important to note that if you are a smoker, there is some evidence that taking beta-carotenes can increase your chance of lung cancer. The evidence is by no means conclusive, but many health professionals would advise against taking lutein supplements if you smoke.

Whether you do it through a good diet or by taking supplements, maintaining good levels of lutein and zeaxanthin should help protect against high energy blue light and dangerous free radicals; both said to be contributing factors in macular degeneration.

Photo by Maschinenraum

Health Benefits Of Flaxseed Oil

NHE — Wed, 12 May 2010 12:58:34 +0000

Why take flaxseed oil?

No matter how healthy a person’s diet might be, there may still be a lack of certain nutrients. A good way to get these nutrients is to take a supplement. Flaxseed oil provides nutrients such as vitamin E and vitamin D, minerals that include iron, potassium, and calcium. It is also a great source of fiber. Flaxseed oil contains good fats like Omega three fatty acids, which are essential to the body. It is possible to get “good fat” from foods such as nuts or fish, however these foods are high in calories. It’s also inconvenient to cook fish every day, therefore its might be easier for people to take a flaxseed oil supplement. There are several wonderful health benefits of flaxseed oil.

What is flaxseed oil good for?

There has been research done that indicates people who get high amounts of lignan in their diet have a low incidence of colon cancer and breast cancer. Flaxseed oil contains a high amount of lignan, more than you would get in most whole grain products. It is said that lignans have the ability to stop the growth rate and spreading of tumor cells. Flaxseed oil may also help to prevent type two diabetes, again due to the lignans.

Studies have shown that healthy fats, like Omega 3 fatty acids, help to prevent clots in arteries, as well as lowering cholesterol and blood triglycerides. Getting a low amount of healthy fats may result in strokes, thrombosis, and heart attacks. Lignans found in flaxseed oil have been known to reduce atherosclerotic plaque buildup as much as 75%. Flaxseed oil can play a big role in regulating a natural heart rhythm, and can be used in treating an irregular heartbeat, as well as heart failure.

Among the many health benefits of flaxseed oil, is the fact it can help with the healing of bruises and sprains. It can also increase the body’s metabolism, making it easier to burn fat and to lose weight. Flaxseed oil helps with the absorption of calcium, and is great for strengthening toenails and fingernails. It can also be a treatment for dandruff, psoriasis, and eczema. There is a high content of phytochemicals in flaxseed oil which include several antioxidants. Therefore taking flaxseed oil can possibly help slow down the aging process, as well as make your skin look and feel younger.

Flaxseed oil has the potential to improve mental function in elderly people. It has been scientifically proven to help people who have depression. The behavior of schizophrenics has been proven to improve when taking flaxseed oil. Symptoms of premenstrual syndrome can be relieved by taking flaxseed oil. Women who are going through menopause can take flaxseed oil to help with the effects of hot flashes. There have been studies that show that the intensity of a hot flash was cut by 57% when flaxseed oil was taken regularly.

Other health benefits of flaxseed oil include helping with the treatment of multiple sclerosis, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, and diabetes mellitus. Flaxseed oil has been known to improve the perception of colors and eyesight in general. It can relieve side effects from many forms of cancer, and even stop the development of this disease. Taking flaxseed oil can lower high blood pressure in people who suffer from hypertension.

There are many health benefits of flaxseed oil, and the results can be seen both on the inside and the outside of the body. Adding flaxseed oil to your diet will improve many aspects of your health.

The Bountiful Health Benefits of Cherries

NHE — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 09:23:26 +0000

A cherry enriched diet will provide many important health benefits. Recent studies have found that a daily intake of cherries contain vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber, folate, and beta carotene. Studies show that tart cherries contain the highest level of disease fighting antioxidants compared to most other fruits. Cherries also contain melatonin which is an aid in promoting good sleep patterns, preventing aging and memory loss.

The American Heart Association claims that weight that is carried most particularly around the middle area is a sign of heart disease. Studies show that consumption of cherries will lower weight and overall body fat, along with lowering cholesterol levels. Other evidence links cherries to reducing risk of diabetes and cancer. Cherry consumption has been known to ease gout and pain that comes from arthritis. Cherries have ten times more the affect than one aspirin. The role that cherries play are an important factor in disease management and prevention.

Athletes such as runners and body builders that have experienced sore muscles or aching joints should incorporate cherries into their diet in some form or another to relieve the stress and soreness. It has been recommended that consumption of cherries will prevent gout, which is an inflammation of the joints. Gout is caused from urate crystals combining with the joint fluid. Although all cherries are a great health benefit tart cherries surpass the sweet cherries in benefits as they contain sources of anthocyanins and flavonoids. The deeper the red pigment the more plentiful the flavonoid . Generally speaking the darker the skin of the cherry the higher the anthocyanin content as well. Most of the health benefits of the cherry are in the skin which is why research often refers to the colouring of the cherry skin. The list of benefits continues to grow:

Reduce pain due to muscle damage
Lowers cholesterol
Lowers blood sugar
Preventative to colon cancer
Significant weight loss
Reduce risk factors for heart disease
Regulates sleep patterns
High in fiber

The health benefits of cherries along with many other fruits cover most of the systems of the human body. The function of the cardiovascular system, digestive system, the immune system are all are all linked together to having a healthier functioning body. Although cherries are one of the first fruits to ripen and have the shortest season you can purchase cherries year round as a fresh fruit, dried fruit, cherry juice or frozen cherries.

The studies concerning cherries are still in early stages and are still undergoing additional research, the health benefits of eating cherries, both sweet and tart, and drinking cherry juice concentrate are numerous. By adding adequate amounts of tart cherries to your diet is an additional role you can take to help prevent disease and aid the body in prevention of disease and other ailments.

Photo by bensonkua

Blueberries Health Benefits

NHE — Fri, 23 Apr 2010 10:18:57 +0000

Blueberries are popular around the world not only for their good taste but for their nutritional qualities as well. In fact, recent research suggest that blueberries are one of the most vital fruits for those wanting to maintain their health at the highest level. The base for all of the health benefits of blueberries is in the fact that they are extremely rich in antioxidants. Antioxidants are very important in our diets as they help support overall health and our immune system. Due to the blueberry having high levels of antioxidants regular consumption of blueberries will help to eliminate free radicals in our bodies and contribute to overall good health. The list of health benefits provided by blueberries is almost limitless and below we have tried to capture some of the most important ones.

Lowers Cholesterol

One major health benefit of blueberries is their ability to naturally lower ones cholesterol. Recent research has shows that the antioxidant pterostilbene, which is highly concentrated in blueberries, has been proven to lower cholesterol in the same way as we see with many prescription drugs. Eating blueberries is a way that those with high cholesterol can look to lower it without being forced to take expensive and potentially side effect loaded prescription drugs.

Helps Infection

Another health benefit of blueberries is their ability to prevent urinary tract infections and cure them as well. Blueberries have been proven time and time again to be an excellent food source for urinary traction infection prevention and cure due to their high level of antioxidants. In order to get the greatest benefit against UTI it is recommended that one consume total raw and unsweetened blueberry juice but regular blueberries should also do the trick.

Improves Eyesight

The nutrients contained in blueberries have been shown to help greatly in improving and maintaining peoples eyesight. Blueberries are extremely high in Vitamin A which is a vital nutrient for maintaining good vision. Blueberries have also been shown to help those with tired and dry eyes.

Slows Aging Process

Blueberries high antioxidant concentration has also been proven to help slow down the bodies normal aging process but helping to prevent age-related illnesses including arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. Finally, the antioxidants and vitamins in blueberries are known to be excellent for helping one maintain and improve brain function. In animal studies, blueberries appear to reverse some aspects of brain aging. Regular consumption of blueberries can help both memory and concentration, especially in those suffering from Alzheimers or Parkinsons disease.

Eat Blueberries Regularly

In order to experience the blueberries health benefits to the fullest extent it is best to consume blueberries in a raw and natural form while unsweetened. Beyond that it has also been proven that wild blueberries contain the greatest level of antioxidants which are the maintain contributors to the blueberries health benefits. In order to get blueberries that contain these higher level of antioxidants it is recommended that you grow your own little giant blueberries. These blueberries are more natural and more fresh than anything you can buy at the store.

Regardless of where you decide to get your blueberries it is clear that they provide enormous benefits and that everybody should be eating them regularly.

For more you can learn how to grow blueberries at home.

Photo by norwichnuts