Coconut Oil boost brain function in only one dose....

MCT Fats Found In Coconut Oil Boost Brain Function In Only One Dose

Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs), the primary type of fat found within coconut oil, have been found to boost cognitive performance in older adults suffering from memory disorders as serious as Alzheimer's -- and not after months or even days of treatment, but after a single 40 ml dose!
 
A groundbreaking 2004 study published in the journal Neurobiology of Aging found that the administration of medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), the primary fat type found in coconut oil, almost immediately improved cognitive function in older adults with memory disorders.

The study involved 20 subjects with Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment who, on separate days, were given either emulsified MCTs or a placebo.  The researchers observed a significant increase in blood plasma levels of the ketone body beta-hydroxylutyrate (beta-OHB) after only 90 minutes of treatment, and depending on the apolipoprotein E genotype of the subject tested, beta-OHB levels either continued to rise or held constant between the 90 and 120 minute blood draws in the treatment condition. Remarkably, cognitive testing revealed that this brief MCT treatment facilitated improved performance on the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-cog) in 4 subjects within the study group. Moreover, "higher ketone values were associated with greater improvement in paragraph recall with MCT treatment relative to placebo across all subjects ."

The details of the study procedure was described as follows:

The study was conducted with a double-blind placebo controlled design with two study visits. During each visit, subjects received one of two isocaloric conditions (690calories) in a randomized order: emulsified MCTs, or emulsified long chain triglycerides as a placebo. NeoBee 895 (Stepan, Inc.) was used for MCTs. To increase palatability, heavy whipping cream was used as a source of long chain triglycerides and as a source of long chain mono- and di-glycerides for emulsification. MCTs (40ml) were blended with 152ml heavy whipping cream to create the emulsified test sample. Heavy whipping cream alone (232ml) was blended to create the placebo.
Subjects fasted from 8:00 p.m. on the night prior to the study visit. They arrived in the morning and blood was drawn to determine plasma β-OHB levels and APOE  genotyping (first visit only). Subjects then consumed the test beverage and rested quietly for 90min, after which blood was drawn and a 30-min cognitive testing session ensued. After testing, a final blood draw was taken.

How Medium Chain Triglycerides Work
How could a single dose of MCTs (40 ml or 2.7 tablespoons) cause an almost immediate improvement in cognitive performance in those suffering from cognitive impairments as serious as Alzheimer's disease? The explanation is found both in the unique metabolic needs of the brain and in the configuration of MCTs themselves. Whereas the primary fuel source for the energy-hungry brain is glucose, when insulin resistance and suboptimal metabolism (hypometabolism) develops in the brain, both the brain's structure and function are compromised. Ketone bodies provide a much needed alternative fuel source to glucose that can recharge metabolic processes within the brain, resulting in an almost immediate improvement in cognitive function.

MCTs are not like most fats we consume. For instance, due to their smaller size they do not form micelles and are not stored in adipose tissue. Whereas up to 97% of the dietary fats we ingest are made up of long-chain triglycerides (LCTs) which have been 14 and 18 carbons,[ii] MCTs have relatively shorter chain lengths of 5 to 12 carbons, making them easier to absorb and utilize. They are preferentially oxidized by the liver, and when provided in large enough quantities, they give rise to ketone bodies.


What is the best way to take MCTs? As we are advocates of whole food nutrition, coconut oil is our preferred source of these triglycerides, containing approximately 2/3^rds MCTs by volume. Coconut oil also has a broad spectrum of other health benefits, which we highlighted in our previous article "13 Evidence-Based Medicinal Properties of Coconut Oil."

Also, instead of treating coconut oil or MCTs as some new nutraceutical "magic bullet," almost as if we are just loading natural bullets into the same old outdated allopathic gun, try incorporating it into your diet in a way that displaces less healthy fats. For instance, replace that rancid, pro-inflammatory 'vegetable oil' (e.g. soy, grape seed, peanut, canola oil) you are using to fry an egg or bake with, with sublimely saturated, rancidity-resistant coconut oil.

Or, enjoy a delicious curry with coconut milk as a base. Because 25% of coconut milk is fat, and about 66% of that fat is MCT, you are still getting a healthy dose. It is always better to eat smaller amounts of truly therapeutic foods, enjoyed in the context of sharing, preparing and enjoying good food, so that you will ideally never have to use the heroic "food as medicine" approach after a serious disease has had the opportunity to set in.  

For additional information view the testimonial of Dr. Mary Newport who discovered the benefits of using coconut oil to treat her husband's Alzheimer's Disease.

Source:  http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/mct-fats-found-coconut-oil-boost-brain-function-only-one-dose

A must read: 4 Fun Ways to fight Stress and Heart Disease

Take It Easy and Your Irregular Heartbeat Will Too

By Maryann Hammers, Special to Lifescript

Published January 21, 2014

Stress is everywhere in our lives and can be a factor in several serious health problems, including heart disease and an irregular heartbeat. Ever wish there was a button you could push to make stress disappear? There is – inside your head. Our experts tell you how with these easy, natural remedies for stress...

Our hearts hate stress.

That’s because it raises heart rates, cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It can make us fat, particularly around the belly, and that increases the risk for metabolic conditions, like diabetes and heart disease. And it can trigger atrial fibrillation, a condition in which an irregular heartbeat could cause a stroke or heart attack.

Stress also means we’re more likely to take up heart-harming habits like smoking cigarettes, drinking too much, skipping workouts or gorging on junk food, all of which make atrial fibrillation worse.

But who isn’t stressed these days? From rush-hour madness and mounting bills to blood-boiling bosses, stressors are everywhere.

But annoying people and events don’t create stress and heart disease. We do.

“Stress isn’t what happens, but how we respond to what happens,” says psychotherapist Steven Alper, former director of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Program at the Scripps Center for Integrative Medicine in San Diego.

That’s because when our brain senses threat, a primitive part of the nervous system triggers a physiological “fight-or-flight” response, Alper explains.

The evolutionary mechanism was handy for our cavewoman ancestors during a saber-toothed tiger attack. The problem is, thousands of years later, the nervous system still turns on the stress response when you’re arguing with your spouse, stuck in traffic or the boss says “boo.”

That’s where harm is done: The stress response triggers changes such as high blood pressure, palpitations, an irregular heartbeat and elevated blood sugars – “all of which put strain on our heart and body and increase cardiovascular risk in the immediate and long term,” says internal medicine physician Steve Tan, M.D., director of the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Program at the California Health and Longevity Institute.

Still, you don’t have to stay trapped in a world of tension. To change your response, try these fun, natural remedies for stress.

1. Meditation

Meditating can lower blood pressure as effectively as medication and better than stress-management training or health-education classes, according to a 2007 study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

It also improved the severity of congestive heart failure in 23 African-American men and women with heart disease, the University of Pennsylvania found.

That’s because “meditation calms the stress response and boosts our relaxation response,” Dr. Tan explains.

Try it: New meditators may find it tough to stop their minds from wandering, so focusing on a tangible object may help. Here’s how:

1. Choose a quiet, interruption-free spot.

2. Sit comfortably in a chair or cushion on the floor with good posture, hands on your thighs or clasped in your lap.

3. Light a candle and focus on it, watching the flame move, grow, flicker and change colors.

4. When your mind wanders, bring your attention back to the flame.

5. Start with meditation sessions of 5-10 minutes and gradually build to longer periods. Aim for 20 minutes, the Mayo Clinic suggests.

2. Art Therapy

Art therapy may sound like child’s play, but it’s a powerful ally against stress, an irregular heartbeat and heart disease. Creative pursuits – like journal writing, music, dance, painting, sculpting, sketching, collage, even quilt-making – can decrease anxiety, stress and mood disturbances, according to a 2010 review of studies published in the American Journal of Public Health.

In fact, hospitals often incorporate creativity techniques into their healing programs: Cleveland Clinic offers it to its Heart & Vascular Institute patients. Veterans’ hospitals use art therapy to relieve depression and anxiety, especially for post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Art therapy is a wonderful way to empty your mind and reconnect to the present – similar to meditation,” says board-certified art therapist Joan Stanford, who leads art “playshops” at the Mendocino Center for Wellbeing in California. “With stress, you feel boxed in, overwhelmed, tightly wound. By ‘playing’ with materials, words or ideas, you unwind, release pressure and enjoy the process.”

Try it: Don’t worry, you don’t have to be “artsy.” Here are Stanford’s tips for stirring creative juices:

1. Set the stage for a meditative environment with candles and soothing sounds. Classical music, for example, lowers heart and breathing rates, according to a 2001 Australian study.

2. Breathe slowly, close your eyes and savor the moment.

3. Write for 15 minutes, choosing a specific topic, such as something that worries you, or whatever comes to mind. Need inspiration? Fill a sack with random items, Stanford suggests. Then reach in, pull out an object and write about it for 5 minutes. “Let the object speak to you,” she says.

4. Not a word person? Then just doodle on a sheet of unlined paper. “Using one pen, let your hand move around the page in all directions,” Stanford says. “Allow overlapping and looping.”

5. If you’re right-handed, try doodling with your left hand or vice-versa. Or close your eyes.

6. With different-colored markers, pens, chalk, pastels, pencils or watercolors, outline any shapes suggested by your scribbles. “For example, a circle may resemble a head, balloon or sun,” Stanford says. “Add eyes, strings, rays or whatever the shape seems to ask for.” Rotate the page in different directions to see more options.

7. When the page feels “finished,” give it a title. Or keep an “art journal” with your drawings.

3. Deep breathing

Breath is a powerful indicator of stress levels.

“When we’re stressed, breath shortens and quickens,” says psychotherapist Leslie Davenport, who specializes in stress management at the Institute for Health & Healing at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco.

Deep breaths also calm you – lowering blood pressure, reducing anxiety, slowing heart and respiration rates and easing tension, the Mayo Clinic reports.

Deep breathing is “a stress-relief kit we carry within us,” Davenport says.

Even if you don’t have an irregular heartbeat, you can practice deep breathing anytime, anywhere – your living room, office chair, a park bench – for an immediate relaxing, recharging experience.

Try it: Davenport recommends this deep-breathing technique:

1. Think of two calming words – for example, “relax,” “joy,” “peace,” “ease,” “calm,” “clarity.” Fully inhale and silently say one of the words; then fully exhale and silently say the other word. “Words have power to influence moods,” Davenport explains. “Language is generated by the brain’s left hemisphere, and breathing and images activate the right hemisphere. By using words with breathing, both sides of the brain simultaneously move toward relaxation.”

2. Feel your ribcage and belly expand as you inhale and contract as you exhale. Feel the air traveling through your nostrils, down your throat and into the lungs in an easy, comfortable rhythm.

3. Now focus on how your breathing reflects nature’s rhythms – “the ebb and flow of the tides, waxing and waning of the moon, the turning of the seasons,” Davenport says. “Soothing and beautiful images of nature expand our world beyond our desk, worries, list of to do's.”

4. Continue for three minutes.

4. Think positively

“The brain has a ‘negativity bias’ – it’s wired to scan for things that can go wrong, which trigger the stress response,” explains Portland, Ore., psychotherapist Don Altman, author of The Mindfulness Code: Keys to Overcoming Stress, Anxiety, Fear and Unhappiness (New World Library).

But positive thinking counteracts the effects of stress and heart disease, including an irregular heartbeat .

In fact, it can cut your risk of heart disease in half, according to a landmark 2001 Johns Hopkins study that followed 600 adults with a family history of heart disease for 5-12 years. Optimistic folks also were half as likely to have a heart attack, chest pain or sudden cardiac death, regardless of age, race or sex.

“Positive thinking counters negative thoughts, helping you calm down,” he says. “Eventually, it changes how you feel and behave, and what you believe.”

Still, being positive doesn’t mean pretending everything is great when it isn’t. But by focusing on happy moments even on the darkest days, you’ll learn to better manage adversity, buffer stress and build resiliency against life’s curveballs, according to a 2009 study at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Try it: These three exercises may promote a more positive outlook about life and yourself:

Give yourself pep talks: You wouldn’t tell a good friend, “You’re a big, fat loser.” So why say that to yourself? Instead be your own good buddy and talk up your fine skills and characteristics. Altman has these tips:

1. Write down a frequent negative thought. Then write the emotion (such as hopeless, angry, scared) that accompanies it. For example, one of Altman’s clients who lost her job at age 50 wrote: I’m too old to find a new job and I don’t have computer skills. Her emotion? Terrified.

2. “Find a positive, alternate view to your negative script,” Altman advises. His client wrote: I know people over 50 who found new jobs. I like learning and can take a computer class. “Phrase the thought as an ‘I’ statement to really own the new, more positive view.”

3. Rehearse the positive statement before a mirror. “Practice saying it in front of a mirror to help you picture yourself in a new way,” Altman says. “Notice your more positive facial expressions and confident posture.”

Cultivate a gratitude attitude: Keep a journal of good things and events in your life, advises dermatologist Amy Weschler, M.D., author of The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Less Stress, Gorgeous Skin and a Whole New You (Free Press). Here’s how:

1. Every night, write down three positive, joyous events, experiences or people, no matter how insignificant (for example: a great cup of coffee in the morning, your purring cat nestled on your lap, hearing a good joke). Also make lists of things for which you’re grateful.

2. Even on bad days, “try to turn a negative into a positive by reshaping your attitude,” Dr. Weschler advises. For example, My boss yelled at me today for a mistake I made can be recast as I learned from my mistake, and I am much smarter. Or: Tomorrow is a new day, and I’m excited to tackle new challenges.

Don’t judge yourself: The word “should” expresses disapproval and turns you into a victim. These steps counteract that:

1. Every time the words “should” or “shouldn’t” enter your mind, write the thought on a piece of paper. For example: I shouldn’t have eaten that second piece of cake. Or, I should exercise more.

2. Restate the thought with a confident, positive spin: I choose to have fresh fruit for dessert tomorrow. Or, I want to exercise because I’ll feel better and be healthier. Such thoughts aren’t judgmental, don’t dwell on mistakes and put you back in control.

Source:  http://www.lifescript.com/health/centers/atrial_fibrillation/articles/take_it_easy_and_your_irregular_heartbeat_will_too.aspx?utm_source=newsalert&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2014-01-27b

Do older Women still need to get pap smear?

Even if you're over age 60, you should still undergo regular Pap tests and pelvic exams to prevent or detect cervical cancer.

By Krisha McCoy, MS

Medically reviewed by Christine Wilmsen Craig, MD

Pap tests, also called Pap smears, are the best way to detect cervical cancer or cervical abnormalities that may eventually become cervical cancer. But although Pap tests are important cervical cancer screening tools for almost all women, many older women skip their regular Pap tests.

Cervical Cancer Screening in Older Women: Pap Tests After Menopause
"As gynecologists, we still recommend that women get screened in their 60s and 70s," says Marcela G. del Carmen, MD, MPH, clinical director of the Gillette Center for Gynecologic Oncology at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and assistant professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology at Harvard Medical School, in Cambridge, Mass.
According to the National Cancer Institute, most women who have gone through menopause still need to get regular Pap tests. Yet this depends on individual circumstances, such as if you are currently sexually active, if you have ever had an abnormal Pap smear, and if you have had a hysterectomy, among other factors.
Your doctor can tell you whether and how often you need to get screened for cervical cancer, but most women should get a Pap test at least once every three years. If you are older than 65, talk to your doctor about what makes the most sense in your situation; you may be able to stop having regular Pap smears if you satisfy certain criteria. If you have had a total hysterectomy (including removal of your cervix) for reasons other than diagnosis of abnormal cells or cancer, you may be a good candidate for discontinuation of Pap smears, for example.
You may still need to get Pap tests even if you have had a hysterectomy in some cases, however. Pap tests are still recommended if your cervix was not removed (partial hysterectomy) or if you had a hysterectomy to treat cervical cancer or precancerous abnormalities.

HPV and Cervical Cancer
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the primary cause of cervical cancer. HPV is a sexually transmitted disease, so many women who are no longer sexually active opt to skip their regular Pap tests, thinking that they are not at risk for having HPV. But since HPV can live in your body for many years before it is detected, Pap tests are still important even if you are no longer sexually active.
"We worry about some infections being latent," says Dr. del Carmen. She says that the medical community used to think that you could forgo regular Pap tests as you got older and were with the same partner, but that is no longer the case.
"It has become much more difficult to decipher risk factors for chronic HPV infection," del Carmen says, adding that "we don't ever feel comfortable saying to someone that you no longer need screening."
Another reason for keeping up with regular Pap tests is so that you will also have regular pelvic exams, says del Carmen. "For a lot of women, the Pap smear becomes the reason to go get an annual exam," she says. Even when you no longer need to have a Pap smear, a pelvic exam is still recommended.

How Often Should You Get Screened for Cervical Cancer?
If you have not had a Pap test in many years, or if you have never had one, talk with your doctor, who can tell you how often you should get screened based on your age and risk factors.
Pap tests only take a few seconds and can be done in your doctor's office. To perform a Pap test, a nurse or your doctor will take a sample of cells from your cervix using a small brush. The cells will be sent to a laboratory for analysis in order to detect any abnormalities.
Regular Pap tests can find abnormal cells on your cervix before they become cancerous, or detect cervical cancer early, when it is easiest to treat. That is why it is so important for women, regardless of their age, to undergo regular cervical cancer screening. If you can't remember the date of your last ob-gyn visit, call your doctor to make an appointment.

Source:  https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5775366693487108145#editor/target=post;postID=3471076611533963132

Super Foods for your Eyes

Many people suffer from poor eyesight. They have distorted vision as well as difficulty in seeing objects which are near or which are at a distance. It has been seen that with age, eyes and their problems are often resolved. Many kids develop eye problems from a small age. It is necessary that we take proper care of our eyes. They need to be kept healthy and in that account, the importance of proper diet cannot be undermined. Our eyes need vitamins A, C as well as omega 3 fatty acids and bioflavonoids, carotenoids, mineral, fatty acids and anti oxidants to stay well and healthy.

The top 15 super foods for the eyes are enumerated below:

 

1.    Spinach

It is necessary to consume this vegetable to improve and keep eyes in proper health.
Benefits
•    Spinach includes nutrients like vitamin A which helps to protect the cornea
•    Lutien which is found in spinach protects the eyes from ultra violet light
•    Zeaxanthin is a chemical compound found in spinach leaves which helps one towards visual development
It is best that one consumes spinach juice early morning on empty stomach. It can also be consumed in different dishes in cooked, boiled or sauteed form.

 

2.    Salmon

It is seen that salmon fish has wondrous benefits for the eye as well.
Benefits
•    There are helpful nutrients in salmon which can protect the retina from damage and prevent blindness
•    Omega-3 fatty acids help to preserve the essential moisture content of the eyes
•    The macular degeneration that occurs is protected against by the omega-3 fatty acids
It is recommended that one has two servings of salmon at least twice a week. Salmon can be consumed in different forms but should be baked, grilled or poached to retain its nutritional benefits. The other cold water fishes that have similar benefits for the eyes:
•    Herring
•    Mackerel
•    Sardines
•    Tuna

 

3.    Carrot

Carrot is especially beneficial for the eyes.
Benefits
•    It is known to contain beta carotene which acts as a precursor to vitamin A
•    Night blindness is prevented
•    Healthy and clear cornea is maintained
•    The cells in the eyes are protected also by the lutien compound found in carrots
•    Carrot are rich in potassium and fiber
One can use carrots to snack or they can use it in the preparation of different food items.

 

4.    Blueberries

Blueberries help one enjoy better eyesight.
Benefits
•    Blueberries support healthy eye function through its antioxidant, collagen stabilizing and anti inflammatory properties
•    It also has vasoprotective and rhodopsin properties which help in better cellular regeneration
•    Weak eyesight is strengthened and blood vessels at the back of the eyes are made stronger
•    Blood pressure levels are lowered and inflammation is controlled in order to prevent blockages in arteries due to the presence of anthocyanins present in blueberries
Other berries with similar properties:
•    Mulberries
•    Cranberries
•    Bilberries
•    Blackberries

 

5.    Sweet Potato

This root vegetable is known to be good for the eyes.
Benefits
•    Sweet potato contains vitamin A in good amount which makes it ideal for the eyes
•    It helps in improving eyesight
•    Even cataracts, macular degeneration and glaucoma are prevented by this vitamin intake
•    Bacterial or viral infections and their possibilities are lessened by taking in sweet potatoes
•    This vegetable is rich in potassium, fiber and beta carotene
There are various forms of this vegetable and one can have it in fried, boiled, baked or grilled form.

 

6.    Peppers

It is known that peppers in different colors are good for the overall health of the eyes.
Benefits
•    The peppers are rich sources of vitamins A and C
•    Vitamin A helps to preserve eyesight
•    Vitamin C protects the eyes against cataracts
•    Peppers are rich in vitamin B6 as well as in beta carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin
•    These nutrients ensure that the overall health of the eyes are maintained
One can have peppers in different forms. One usually consumes them steamed, baked, stir fired or eve in raw form in salads.

 

7.    Walnuts

Walnuts play an important role in maintaining the good health of the eyes.
Benefits
•    These nuts contain good amount of fatty acids of omega-3 variety
•    There are zinc and vitamin  nutrients in them as well as different anti oxidants
•    Inflammations in the eye is prevented by such nutrients
It is known that walnuts as well as other nuts like almonds, peanuts, pecans and hazelnuts can protect the eyes and improve vision related problems.

 

8.    Avocado

The avocado fruit is known to be great for the eyes.
Benefits
•    This fruit contains lutien which prevents the macular degeneration of the eyes
•    The lutien compound even prevents cataracts and age related disease from coming on
•    Other nutrients contained in avocado are vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B6, beta carotene which help to ensure good eyesight
•    The stress and damage that lead to poor vision is reduced by the intake of this fruit
One can add it to salads, sandwiches, and soups or have it by themselves. This fruit has many beneficial properties for general health.

 

9.    Broccoli

Broccoli, among all other green vegetables, offers many kinds of nutrients which can affect eye health.
Benefits
•    Broccoli is rich in vitamin B2.
•    If there is deficiency of the vitamin it can cause sensitivity to light, ocular fatigue, blurred vision and inflammation
•    Cataracts are prevented and their progress is delayed in old people
•    The powerful phyto chemical anti oxidants are essential for one to maintain healthy eye sight
•    Lutien and zeaxanthin are antioxidants which ensure healthy eye sight
•    The nutrients are present in the flower heads as well as stalks and leaves of broccoli
One can consume this vegetable in salad or raw form.

 

10.    Strawberry

Strawberry contains many nutrients which can foster healthy eyes.
Benefits
•    There is a high amount of vitamin C in this fruit which ensures that the eyes are healthy and inflammation is reduced
•    There are different antioxidants present in strawberries which can help prevent the drying up of eyes, macular degeneration as well as vision defects
One should consume three or more serving of strawberries in order to reduce the possibilities of eye defects related with age. The fruit can be had as a healthy snack or as fruit salad, dessert, smoothies and more.

 

11.    Dark Chocolate

If you love to have dark chocolate, here is one more reason to have it. It helps to preserve the health of the eyes.
Benefits
•    Antioxidants like flavonols are present in dark chocolate which increases the blood flow to the retina
•    When one incorporates flavonols in their diet they are able to see situations better even under dim lighting
Even if one does not have access to dark chocolate, apples, cranberries, red wine are other options which contain the flavonol compound to help better eye health.

 

12.    Leafy And Green Vegetables

Spinach is a popular choice when it comes to ensuring good eyesight but so are other green and leafy vegetables like:
•    Collard greens
•    Turnip greens
•    Kale
Benefits
•    These leafy greens are rich in lutien and zeaxanthin
•    The rate or risk of macular degeneration as well as cataract formation is lowered by the intake of green and leafy vegetables

 

13.    Red Wine

Nowadays red wine is being linked with many health benefits.
Benefits For The Eye:
•    Red wine is known to contain flavonol compounds
•    This compound is linked to better eye health including improved vision even under low visibility
Red wine can be consumed several times in a week but moderation must be exercised. It is even good for the heart and for alleviating other ailments as well.

 

14.    Coffee And Tea

Now you can feel less guilty about consuming tea and coffee several times in a day.
Benefits
•    It is known that coffee and tea can help to reduce the dryness of eyes
•    Caffeine is known to boost the production of tears
In such ways the symptoms of dry eyes is eliminated by the consumption of caffeine. However one needs to moderate their intake of caffeine on a daily basis as other side effects might come forth.

 

15.    Black Eyed Peas

While you might not be very familiar with this legume, it certainly contains valuable nutrients for the eye.
Benefits
•    It contains the important nutrient zinc
•    Zinc is a mineral that is required in the retina as well as for the maintenance of the blood vessels which serve the eyeball
•    Zinc obtained from black eyed peas can help to prevent vision loss as well as cataract formation

Do you wish to have better eyesight? Do you worry about failing vision with age? You can incorporate the above mentioned super foods in your diet to ensure better eye health.

Source:  http://www.myhealthtips.in/2013/12/top-15-super-foods-for-eyes.html

A Must Read: Super Foods that Prevent Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer might be a common form of cancer but it can also take on a deadly form. It has been predicted by the World Health Organization that by 2020 the incidence of breast cancer cases will be higher than what it is today. It is believed that one in every eight women runs the risk of developing breast cancer during her lifetime. Such an ailment is a complex one. There are many factors that play a role in it such as dietary and lifestyle factors as well. Breast cancer can be prevented as well as controlled by taking on healthy habits like reducing alcohol consumption, controlling the weight, breast feeding, avoiding exposure to polluting and radical elements as well as following a healthy diet plan.

Top 14 Super Foods That Help To Fight Breast Cancer

 

1.    Spinach

Spinach is a vegetable that contains many properties which help it to fortify the system against breast cancer.

Benefits

•    It consists of an antioxidant which is lutien that has a major role to play in guarding the breast cancer cells and to stop it from spreading to other areas of the body
•    It consists of carotenoids and zeaxanthin which can help to remove unstable molecules from the body

Preparation

•    Spinach can be enjoyed in the form of a salad ingredient
•    It can be steamed, stirred and sauteed and added to any dish
•    Other cruciferous vegetables like Swiss chard, romaine lettuce and kale are known to have similar properties

 

2.    Tomatoes

One should try and include tomatoes highly in their diet as this vegetable item is known to have beneficial properties

Benefits

•    Tomatoes are known to contain lycopene which is a powerful antioxidant that can help to prevent breast cancer development
•    It can assist in stopping the cancerous cell growth
•    Lycopene can also stop other cancerous cells from growing in other organs like the lungs or the endometrial
The best way to gain its benefits is to enjoy a glass of tomato juice in its fresh form. One can also enjoy it in their meals in the raw, boiled, cooked or pureed form.

 

3.    Turmeric

It is known to contain a substance known as curcumin which can help to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells such as skin cancer, lung, breast and gastrointestinal cancer.

Benefits

•    Curcumin in turmeric helps to stop the spreading of breast cancer to other areas
•    It can help to repair DNA which is damaged by radiation
One can consume turmeric powder in their food or consume a pinch of raw turmeric with water on an empty stomach every morning. This is a root that finds place in daily cooking of many Indian meals. That is surely a great way to protect the system from the onset of cancer.

 

4.    Pomegranate Juice

Research shows that pomegranate can help to destroy cancer cells without affecting the cells which are healthy.

Benefits

•    It is known to contain polyphenol which is a form of ellagic acid and is known for its antioxidant properties
•    It will prevent the formation of cancer cells in the breast region
Pomegranate can be consumed as a fruit juice or as a fruit based dessert. One needs to include it in their diet to prevent breast cancer, either as a fruit or as its juice.

 

5.    Salmon

It is a fish that contains types of omega-3 fatty acids and other nutritional ingredients which can help to slow down the growth of cancerous tumors.

Benefits

•    It contains omega-3 fatty acids which can help to slow down the growth of cancerous tumors
•    It helps to boost the immune system as it contains vitamins B complex and D
•    It is a source of lean protein
Such elements will help to regulate cell growth and prevent the onset or progress of cancer. Salmon can be consumed by baking or grilling it than deep frying it. One can try and consume three portions of the fresh fish every week. Other similar fishes with preventative properties:
•    Trout
•    Sea bass
•    Tuna

6.    Garlic

Garlic is seen to help prevent breast cancer in different ways.

Benefits

•    Sulfur compounds are present in the garlic which can help to speed up the repair of DNA
•    It can help to kill the cancerous cells that cause breast cancer as well as stomach, colon, mouth and other forms of cancer
The maximum benefit is derived from the garlic by peeling and chopping the garlic cloves and allowing them to sit for some time before they are cooked. One could also crush or swallow a piece of garlic every morning if one wishes to lead a cancer free life.

 

7.       Blueberries

This wondrous berry is known to have many properties which can help to avert ailments like cancer.

Benefits

•    These berries are known to be rich in vitamins, antioxidants and minerals
•    The phytochemicals that are present in the blueberries prevent the spread of breast cancer
•    Antioxidants like ellagic acid is known to have anti cancer properties which can slow down the growth of tumor as well as helps to destroy substances which cause cancer
•    It is best to try and eat fresh blueberries instead of the packed version
The other berries of the same family and with similar benefit are:
•    Strawberries
•    Blackberries
•    Cranberries

 

8.     Flaxseed

Flax seed is known to contain many beneficial properties that will help to prevent and control the growth of breast cancer.

Benefits

•    Flaxseed is known to contain high levels of lignin which in turn protects the cells which are affected by the cancer causing estrogen cells
•    The flaxseed oil contains omega-3 fatty acids which can help to form a protective shield from cancer

Preparation
•    Powdered flaxseed can be added to yoghurt or made a smoothie to produce a nutty or richer flavor
•    Flaxseed oil can be used to make salad dressings
•    It can be used or added as an ingredient in cookies or muffins

 

9.    Broccoli

Broccoli is a vegetable that is known to contain certain unique ingredients which can help to fight this ailment.

Benefits

•    It contains compounds such as indole-3-carbinol that help fight cancer. This chemical is known to convert the cancer causing estrogen into an estrogen which helps to protect the body from cancer.
•    It will help to reduce risk of other types of cancer such as prostate, lymphoma, bladder and even lung cancer
•    Other cruciferous vegetables can be included such as cauliflower, kale and cabbage which help to reduce the risk of breast cancer
It is best to have the vegetables in the cooked form.

 

10.    Walnuts

Walnuts are known to be good for those who are suffering from breast cancer.

Benefits

•    Walnuts contain healthy fatty acids like omega-3 which can help the body to fight the inflammation and reduce the growth of cancerous tumors
•    Walnut and their daily consumption will help to keep at bay all risks of breast cancer
Those who are suffering from breast cancer can consume two ounces of walnuts which will slow down the growth and development of the cancerous tumors.

 

11.    Grape seed extract

Such an extract might be harder to find as many of the grapes sold in stores are nowadays of the seedless variety.

Benefits

•    The extract of the grape seeds is known to help inhibit aromatase
•    This in turn helps to prevent the formation of cancer
•    Grape seed extract also helps to prevent the growth and spread of cancer cells

 

12.    Beans

Beans, especially of the black and navy variety have been tested to help reduce colon cancer in rats.

Benefits

•    When one consumes a diet rich in legumes it increases the level of fatty acid butyrate in them
•    That in turn helps to reduce and prevent cancer growth
•    Dried beans are found to be effective in preventing breast cancer in rats

 

13.    Mushrooms

Mushrooms have been identified to have cancer fighting abilities.

Benefits

•    The white button mushrooms are capable in slowing down the growth of breast cancer tumor cells by controlling aromatase
•    This protein enzyme is known to biosynthesize estrogen in the body and is linked in helping to spur breast cancer tumors
•    These are even linked in helping to control and prevent the growth of prostate cancer
Mushrooms can be consumed in boiled or cooked form to enjoy its many health benefits.

 

14.    Cinnamon

Cinnamon is used as a medicine as well as a spice. It offers many powerful benefits.

Benefits

•    It is known to block a protein which gives blood supply to the cancer cells
•    Angiogenesis is prompted by cinnamon which can help to prevent the tumors from growing as well as spreading.
Are you suffering from breast cancer? Have you been cured but told to stay under supervision? The fight against cancer is a long one but with the right diet one will be able to stave off its snares for good.
(Photo Credit: Tips Times , Flickr)

Source:  http://www.myhealthtips.in/2013/10/15-super-foods-that-prevent-breast-cancer.html

Ginger Root kills Ovarian & Prostate Cancer Cells Better than Chemo

 

Thanks to research from the University of Michigan and nearly three centuries of medicinal use, we can now utilize ginger root to not only kill ovarian cancer cells, but also prostate cancer cells with zero toxicity.

Truly among the great medicines of the world, ginger has long been used to treat inflammation and nausea, but the results presented in a session at the American Association for Cancer Research show that in every single instance where ginger powder was used to treat cancer cells, they all died as a result of being exposed to the compound. In medical lingo this is called apoptosis (cancer cell suicide.) When ginger is present, the cells even attack one another, called autophagy.

While ginger has been deemed a great natural remedy for those who are undergoing chemotherapy, it can also be used in larger quantities to treat cancer of its own accord.

Another study showing ginger’s ability to fight ovarian cancer concludes with:

“Ginger inhibits growth and modulates secretion of angiogenic factors in ovarian cancer cells. The use of dietary agents such as ginger may have potential in the treatment and prevention of ovarian cancer.”

Ginger has also been proven to treat prostate cancer. The British Journal of Nutrition published the results of an American study recently in which ginger extract (zingiber officinale) killed human prostate cancer cells while healthy prostate cells were left alone. Whole ginger extract was revealed to shrink prostate tumor size by a whopping 56%

Further adding to the benefits of ginger, the spice has no toxicity when consumed even in high doses, and does not cause people to endure the very uncomfortable side effects of chemo and radiation treatments. The American Cancer Society admits  that more than 15% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 20,000 American women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer this year. Many of these cases can be helped with ginger root.

While Big Pharma would have these men and women endure very invasive treatments, some simple ginger root powder can cause their cancer cells to commit a certain death.

***************

Christina Sarich is a musician, yogi, humanitarian and freelance writer who channels many hours of studying Lao Tzu, Paramahansa Yogananda, Rob Brezny,  Miles Davis, and Tom Robbins into interesting tidbits to help you Wake up Your Sleepy Little Head, and See the Big Picture. Her blog is Yoga for the New World. Her latest book is Pharma Sutra: Healing the Body And Mind Through the Art of Yoga.

Brilliant idea--Candles made from Oranges--Citrusssyyy

Candles – made from oranges? Brilliant, huh?

I love when DIY wedding projects are simple – and this one is as simple as they come! Orange candles add a beautifulbotanical touch to garden wedding or party decor. They would look lovely placed in a row on a long table or individually on smaller tables. How do you make them?

* Do NOT leave orange candles unattended for any length of time. Also, make sure the orange is stable so it does not topple over. It is a good idea to place the orange on a dish or saucer. Do not place the candle near anything flammable.

You will need:

• A navel orange (they are easier to peel)
• a knife
• Olive oil or other kind of vegetable oil
• Lighter

The orange will be resting on the stem side, so find an orange with a stem that doesn’t protrude too much. Using a small, sharp knife cut around the orange – but only skin deep.

Use your fingers to work the skin away from the orange. Be gentle, so you don’t rip the skin! (If you are using a navel orange, the skin should loosen quite easily.)

Once it has been loosened, remove the skin – but leave the white stem-like piece intact. This will be the wick.

Fill with olive oil until it is about 1cm from the top of the wick. Dunk the wick in the oil, so it is coated. Light. Enjoy! The flame will last several hours. Don’t want to use an orange? What about a grapefruit? A tutorial on Instructables says you can use any type of citrus fruit – but I have yet to try anything other than an orange.