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Showing posts with label cholesterol. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cholesterol. Show all posts

9 Herbal Foods That Naturally Lower Cholesterol And Keep Your Heart Healthy

Image: wikimedia.org

Patricia BratianuOff The Grid News

Keeping your heart and blood vessels healthy prevents many serious illnesses and enhances longevity. Many factors influence the heart and the circulation. Unfortunately, the stresses of modern life, coupled with poor nutrition and inactivity, put us at risk for several heart and blood vessel problems. As a result, heart attacks, strokes and other life-threatening cardiovascular conditions abound. Herbs may be used as a very important part of a wellness plan to enhance the health of your heart and blood vessels.

Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Low density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as LDL or bad cholesterol, begins as a sticky substance that builds inside the walls of blood vessels. It hardens over time, creating rough surfaces and inflexible blood vessels. As a result, blood vessels harden and contribute to high blood pressure, blood clots, heart attacks and strokes. Blood flow throughout the entire body is impaired.

High density lipoprotein cholesterol, also known as HDL or good cholesterol, protects the heart and blood vessels from damage due to LDL buildup and other factors.

Triglycerides are other kinds of fats in the blood. Many experts believe that elevated triglyceride levels are a more important predictor of cardiovascular disease than elevated levels of LDL cholesterol.

Several herbs which are used to reduce harmful cholesterol and triglyceride levels are right in your own kitchen. Others may be grown easily or gathered from the wild.

Herbal Foods With Cardiovascular Benefits

1. Shiitake mushrooms reduce inflammation, and lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Many large grocery stores sell fresh shiitakes. I keep dried ones on hand, too. Several companies offer kits which provide you with opportunities to grow your own. Shiitakes are one of the most valuable herbal foods available, in my opinion.

2. Flax seed binds with excess cholesterol and aids in its elimination from the body. Flax seed may be obtained in large grocery stores. It is very inexpensive. Flax also reduces inflammation, a major contributor to heart and blood vessel disease. Simply grind two tablespoons of flax seed each day. Add it to cereals, smoothies or yogurt. Do not purchase ground flax meal. Flax loses its healing benefits quickly when ground or heated. It is easy to grind in a coffee grinder reserved for herbs.

3. Garlic has been studied extensively for its many healing benefits. Garlic’s relatives — onions, shallots, leeks and chives — offer healing benefits as well; however, the active compounds in garlic are the most potent. Researchers have discovered that while garlic reduces LDL and triglyceride levels, the herbal food does much more to ensure cardiovascular health. Garlic lowers blood pressure and even relieves leg cramps which are due to poor circulation. Garlic tablets and capsules are available for purchase, but I recommend eating at least one clove daily for maximum benefits and economy. Either eat the garlic raw or lightly sautéed. This way you will retain all of the healing powers of this wonderful herbal food.

4. All peppers are beneficial for the cardiovascular system as they contain fiber and high amounts of vitamin C, a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Cayenne pepper has been studied extensively. I believe that any other hot peppers likely offer similar benefits. Cayenne helps to increase the efficiency and strength of the heartbeat, without increasing the blood pressure. It prevents harmful blood clots from forming. Blood clots are responsible for several life threatening conditions, such as strokes, heart attacks and pulmonary emboli. Cayenne prevents hardening of the arteries and relaxes the blood vessels. This helps to decrease blood pressure and relieve leg pain due to poor circulation. Again, I believe that the best way to reap the healing benefits of this herbal food is to simply include cayenne in your diet. Be careful if you are preparing fresh peppers, as they can cause burns. Some people with digestive issues are unable to tolerate cayenne.

5. Did you realize that black pepper reduces cholesterol levels? It improves the circulation of the entire body and has been used to relieve hypertension, high blood pressure.  Like many other herbal remedies for cholesterol, black pepper is considered to be an herbal stimulant. It enhances the circulation of the entire body and improves blood pressure.

Wild Herbal Remedies for Heart Health

6. Hawthorn is an amazing herb. The berries may be gathered from the wild. Just be sure that you correctly identify the bush. I think of hawthorn as a kind of “miracle herb” If your blood pressure is too low and you consume a little bit of hawthorn, it will bring it up to a healthy range. On the other hand, if it is too high, you can lower high blood pressure by consuming a larger amount of the berries. Hawthorn reduces unhealthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels, too.

7. Motherwort is an easy to grow herb which can sometimes be found in the wild. It is a relaxing herb that offers health benefits for the circulatory system and the entire body.

8. Kudzu may be “the vine that ate the south,” but it has some redeeming qualities. Kudzu root extract lowers blood pressure, unhealthy triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Kudzu reduces the pain of angina by improving the circulation within the heart itself. Historically, kudzu was used to relieve irregular heartbeats and reduce rapid heart rates.

9. Dandelion leaf reduces edema, excess swelling in the body, which can stress the heart. Unlike pharmaceutical diuretic drugs which rid the body of needed potassium, dandelion leaf is a great source of potassium and other nutrients.

These are just a few of the many herbal remedies which we have available to use to improve heart and blood vessel health. Include a wide array of culinary herbs in your diet, as many of them offer health benefits to the heart, circulation and entire body. By incorporating herbs as part of your wellness plan, you will feel better and prevent serious illnesses from impacting the life of you and your loved ones.

Source: offthegridnews.com

15 Ways to Naturally Reduce Cholesterol and Reduce the Risk of Heart Attack




The new guidelines that were recently issued by the American Medical Association for the use of statin drugs really ticked me off.  Under the new guidelines, roughly 1/3 of all adults should consider taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs.  Many healthcare practitioners already feel there is an overuse of statin medication in the United States.  Many people on statins suffer with serious side effects, which I’ll get to in a bit.  Also, 50% of people who die suddenly from heart attacks do not have high cholesterol.  Clearly, handing out statins like PEZ is not the answer – unless you’re a big pharmaceutical company looking to improve your bottom line.  In this post we’ll discuss the role of cholesterol in the body, side effects of stain medication, and ways to naturally reduce cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart attack.

What is Cholesterol and What Does Cholesterol Do in the Body?

“Everyone” knows cholesterol is “bad” – which is why you should think twice about going along with what “everyone” thinks. Cholesterol is not good or bad – unless it’s oxidized (damaged).  Then it can cause problems.  Otherwise it’s just a specific form of lipid (fat).  Some studies have even shown that people with high cholesterol levels live longer.
In truth, cholesterol is absolutely essential to good health and is used for many functions in your body, including:

·         Making vitamin D from sunlight, helping to preserve strong bones and boost your immune system
·         Being used to make sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone, so we can reproduce
·         Required to create cell membranes and coat nerves with a protective fatty layer that makes up 60-80% of our brain (which is likely why cholesterol lowering drugs have been linked to dementia)
·         Essential for proper food digestion and fat absorption (and fat soluble vitamin absorption, such as vitamin A, D, E and K) because cholesterol produces bile salts
·         Acting as an anti-inflammatory in the body, working to repair damage due to stress, poor diet, toxin exposure and other other health challenges

High-density lipoproteins (HDL) takes cholesterol from the body tissues back to the liver.  Low-density lipoproteins (LDL – so called “bad” cholesterol) takes cholesterol from the liver out to the rest of the body.  As Dr. Kate Rheaume-Bleue says in the bookVitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox, “blaming cholesterol for heart disease is a lot like blaming firefighters for a fire“.  In most people, our livers produce about 85 percent of the cholesterol in our bodies, and 15 percent comes from diet.  This is why switching to a low cholesterol diet is not generally an effective way of reducing cholesterol.  Instead, we should look at ways to reduce the inflammation, i.e., put out the fire, to help our bodies heal and reduce cholesterol naturally.

Side Effects of Statin Medication

Statin medications work by reducing the liver’s ability to produce cholesterol.  Sometimes this produces a rebound effect when cholesterol levels get too low (remember, we need cholesterol), which triggers the liver to produce more cholesterol, which leads to an increased dose of the medication and so on.  But what happens when you shut down the body’s ability to produce cholesterol?

Use of statin medication has been linked to:

Muscle Pain and Weakness
The most common complaint associated with statin use is muscle pain and weakness.  People find themselves unable to get out of bed, unable to walk or climb stairs, or simply plagued with muscle pain and soreness.  In rare cases, Mayo Clinic notes that “statins can cause life-threatening muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis (rab-doe-mi-OL-ih-sis). Rhabdomyolysis can cause severe muscle pain, liver damage, kidney failure and death. Rhabdomyolysis can occur when you take statins in combination with certain drugs or if you take a high dose of statins.”
Decreased Cognitive Function/Memory Loss
Julian Whitaker, MD reports in the article “Statins: Bad for the Brain” reports that ” Hundreds of cases of statin-induced memory loss and TGA (transient global amnesia) have been reported to MedWatch, the FDA’s system for filing adverse drug events.” People can’t concentrate, they can’t remember, they can’t focus – basically, the brain starts severely malfunctioning.

Liver Damage
Dr. Mercola notes that the most common adverse drug reaction due to statins received by the Swedish Adverse Drug Reactions Advisory Committee from 1988-2010 was drug induced liver damage. This liver damage was linked to death from acute liver failure, liver transplantation and jaundice.
Kidney Damage
Health Day News reports that, “(Study) participants who took higher doses of statins were 34 percent more likely to be hospitalized for acute kidney injury during the first 120 days of treatment, compared to their counterparts who were taking lower doses. This risk remained elevated two years after starting treatment. The findings appeared online March 19 in the journal BMJ.” Please see your health care provider if you have dark urine, difficulty urinating or less frequent urination.
Heart Damage
Statin medications have been shown to deplete Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels in the body.  Both your skeletal muscles and your heart muscles need CoQ10, but your heart may need as much as 200 times more CoQ10 than your skeletal muscles.  Elderly people, who are most commonly prescribed statins, also typically have the highest risk of low levels of CoQ10.  Put all this together, and it’s no surprise that statin therapy has been shown to decrease myocardial (heart) function.
Decreased effectiveness of exercise

Both statins and exercise are supposed to reduce your health risks, so researchers recently tested a group of volunteers on an exercise regime combined with a statin (half the volunteers used a statin, half did not). The study found that: “The unmedicated volunteers improved their aerobic fitness significantly after three months of exercise, by more than 10 percent on average. But the volunteers taking the statins gained barely 1 percent on average in their fitness, and some possessed less aerobic capacity at the end of the study than at its start.”


The list of potential statin side effects goes on and on – digestive issues, rash or flushing, increased risk of type 2 diabetes – it’s no wonder that many people who try statin medications stop taking them.  As I mentioned above, half of people who have heart attacks do not have high cholesterol levels.  So what can you do to naturally reduce cholesterol and help keep your heart healthy?

15 Ways to Naturally Reduce Cholesterol and Reduce the Risk of Heart Attack

#1 – Increase Your Magnesium Levels
In The Magnesium Miracle, Dr. Carolyn Dean explains how magnesium acts as a natural statin, limiting cholesterol production so that it covers necessary functions but is not produced in excess.  Foods that are high in magnesium include:  kelp, wheat bran, wheat germ, almonds, cashews, molasses, brewer’s yeast, buckwheat, brazil nuts, dulse, filberts, peanuts, wheat grain, millet, pecans, English walnuts, rye, tofu and dark chocolate.  many wild plants are also high in magnesium, such as burdock root,dandelionchickweed and nettle.  It may be difficult for people to get enough magnesium through diet, so applying magnesium oiltopically can also be helpful.
#2 – Get More Vitamin C
As an antioxidant, vitamin C helps to reduce inflammation.  A 2008 study showed a significant decrease in serum LDL cholesterol and tryglyceride concentrations with the supplementation of at least 500mg/d of vitamin C.  Some good sources of vitamin C includes citrus fruits; sweet bell peppers – green or red; kiwi; papaya; cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and kale; sweet potatoes and cantaloupe.
#3 – Drink Some Green Tea
Catechin, a major constituent of green tea, has been shown to reduce oxidized (damaged) low-density lipoprotein.  In a 2007 study, volunteers consumed the equivalent of 6 to 7 cups of green tea daily and experienced a significant change in plasma LDL concentration.
#4 – Add Some Vitamin K2 to Your Diet
In the book Vitamin K2 and the Calcium Paradox, the author explains how vitamin K2 packs a one-two punch when it comes to heart disease.  While K2 can lower serum cholesterol, more importantly, K2 reduces atherosclerois, i.e. plaque accumulation in the arteries.  This plaque is the deposits of calcium, fatty substances and scar tissue that together cause “hardening of the arteries”.  With plaque build up, the arteries either clog up and reduce or stop blood flow entirely, or get fragile and have a blow out.  Vitamin K2 is not the same as vitamin K1, which is abundant in leafy greens and great for bone building.  Vitamin K2 works in concert with calcium and vitamin D, making sure the calcium gets where it’s needed – in your bones, not your muscles and arteries.  In addition, vitamin K2 can remove calcium buildup in the arteries after it has formed and help restore arterial flexibility.  The best source of vitamin K2 is natto, a fermented soybean concoction with a stringy, slimy texture.  Other sources of vitamin K2 include goose liver pate, hard cheeses (such as gouda), soft cheeses (such as Brie), egg yolk, butter and chicken liver.  Most people in the US are low in vitamin K2, although regular cheese eaters tend to far better than the general population.
#5 – Eat Your Oatmeal
As the much publicized commercials for popular cereal brands note, the soluble fiber in oats helps to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.  Go ahead and enjoy a nice warn bowl of oatmeal (soak overnight for quick morning cooking and easier digestion) or sneak some oatmeal into your snacking with fun recipes such as these cranberry-walnut powerballs.
#6 – Make Sure Your Thyroid is Functioning Normally
Hypothyroidism (under active thyroid) often correlates with high cholesterol levels.  Talk to your health care provider about checking your thyroid.  Improving thyroid function may help to naturally reduce cholesterol levels.
#7 – Get a Cat
University of Minnesota Researchers studied more than 400 people for 10 years and found that cat owners had their risk of heart attack reduced by 30%.  Of course, this top would probably not be helpful if you are a cat hater like my father-in-law.  This may be related to a cat’s ability to purr.  In the article “The Cat’s Purr and Sounds That Heal“, the author states that “The type of frequencies that are found in the cat’s purr are good for healing muscle, tendon, and ligament injuries, as well as for muscle strengthening and toning. They are good for any type of joint injury, wound healing, reduction of infection and swelling, pain relief, and relief of chronic pulmonary disease.”

#8 – Eat some Blueberries
A recent study concluded that “blueberry intake acutely improves vascular function in healthy men in a time- and dose-dependent manner”. Blueberries are high in anti-oxidants, which reduce inflammation
#9 – An Apple a Day Really May Keep the Doctor Away
My grandmother Catherine always loved to say, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”. It turns out she was probably right. A 2011 study by researchers from Florida State University found that older women who ate apples every day reduced LDL cholesterol levels by 23% within six months and increased HDL cholesterol levels by 4%. The apple eating women also lost an average of 3.3 pounds.
#10 – Choose Coconut Oil for Lower Cholesterol and a Slimmer Waist
In a 2011 study, woman consuming about 2 tablespoons of coconut oil per day experienced increased levels of HDL, decreased LDL/HDL ratio and reduced waist circumferences.
#11 – Enjoy Some Garlic
A study published in January 2012 analyzed 26 clinical trials and found that garlic was more effective than a placebo in reducing cholesterol levels, specifically total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.  Garlic did not appear to have a significant effect on HDL and LDL.  Garlic is also anti-viral, antibacterial and anti-fungal, and may help lower blood pressure and improve liver function.  Fresh garlic packs more punch than cooked.
#12 – Supplement with Fish Oil
Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil is a nutritional powerhouse that reduces inflammation and clotting, lowers triglycerides and increases HDL cholesterol.  Make sure to choose a quality brand that has been tested for mercury and other contaminants.
#13 – Get a Little Nutty
Walnuts, like fish oil, are also high in omega-3 fatty acids.  Nuts are also high in magnesium.  In an unrelated note, getting a little silly to reduce stress is also very good for reducing inflammation and improving overall health.
#14 – Ditch Transfats, Don’t Smoke, and Eat Less Processed Food-like Products
What you shouldn’t eat is as important as what you should eat.  The FDA has *finally* admitted that transfats are bad, after allowing them to dominate the market for years.  Of course, manufacturers are likely to come up with some other modified goobledegook that is equally as nasty.  When choosing fats (and other foods), look for less processed options.  As the saying goes, I trust cows more than chemists, which is why I eat butter.  Shop around the edges of the grocery store, looking for items that are minimally processed – real vegetables and fruit, fresh meat and dairy.  Learn to bake your own bread.  You can check out ourRecipes page for a wide assortment of homemade fare.
#15 – Exercise
Although exercise is very good for many reasons, promoting circulation and strengthening the body, it’s not a magic bullet when it comes to cholesterol.  Cleveland Clinic states that “Exercise has the greatest effect on triglycerides (lowers them) and HDL, the good cholesterol (increases it). Exercise does not have much impact on LDL unless combined with dietary changes and weight loss.” Start out slowly and gradually increase your activity levels.
I hope this post has helped you to realize just how important cholesterol is for our bodies, and how many side effects statin drugs can have.  Remember that oxidized (damaged) cholesterol is more of a problem than high cholesterol.  Look to reduce inflammation so that your body doesn’t need to produce excess cholesterol to fight inflammation – don’t attack the firefighters for trying to put out the fire!  There are alternatives to statin medication.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not meant to treat or diagnose any illness. Please work with your health care provider to address any health concerns you may have.

11 Amazing Health Benefits of Cinnamon

by Andrea Manitsas – Organic Authority

Once upon a time, cinnamon was more valuable than gold. And while these days I’m betting most of us would rather get our hands on 24 karats over 24 ounces – a bar over a stick – this bark-cum-spice has just as much bite as it does bark. The potential health benefits attributable to cinnamon could be stated as nothing short of astonishing.
Image: www.amillionlives.net

It’s possible we’re just brushing the surface here, for Chinese medicine and Ayurveda have long revered cinnamon as a superpower used to treat things such as colds, indigestion and cramps and also believed to improve energy, vitality and circulation. The following are ten health benefits associated with this beloved spice that studies have suggested:

1. 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower your bad cholesterol (or LDL).

2. Cinnamon may help treat Type 2 Diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and increasing the amount of insulin production in the body.

3. Cinnamon has antifungal properties, and it’s been said that candida cannot live in a cinnamon environment.

4. Cinnamon can reduce the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

5. Cinnamon has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.

6. Honey and Cinnamon combined have been found to relieve arthritis pain.

7. When added to food, cinnamon inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

8. Just smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.

9. Cinnamon fights the E. coli bacteria in unpasteurized juices.

10. Cinnamon has been found to be an effective natural remedy for eliminating headaches and migraine relief.

11. Cinnamon can also help stablize blood sugar (which is great for weight loss). A couple of dashes in your morning tea or cereal is all it takes!

Now, this said, we are absolutely not advocating you start guzzling the cinnamon – as it has been found to be toxic in large doses. We are, however, wholeheartedly encouraging a little pinch (or stick) here and there in places you might otherwise have overlooked (in your tea or coffee, added to savory dishes, etc.) – if not for your overall health, for its undeniably enchanting aroma and flavor. And while we all have fell victim to the irresistible smells wafting through an otherwise bleak airport experience, this does not make Cinnabon a free for all. We’re just saying.

Amazing Health Benefits of Mango

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Mango (Mangifera indica) is one of the most cultivated fruits in the tropics and has become a staple in the households of many. The fruit is generally sweet although you will find that different varieties supply your taste buds with very different flavours. The texture of mango also varies across different species. Some have a soft, pulpy texture, which others have a more firm, fibrous texture. Mangos contain many phytochemicals and nutrients, and is high in prebiotic dietary fibber, vitamin C, beta-carotene (responsible for producing vitamin A) and a diverse array of polyphenols. Please continue reading to discover the miraculous benefits of our fruity friend, the Mango!



Cancer Prevention:
Mango (Mangifera indica) possess antioxidants that help protect against disease such as cancer, diabetes, liver disorders and oxidative stress (1). One study found that mango has hepatoprotective properties (ability to prevent liver damage) in human hepatocarcinoma cells (cancer cells of the liver). The mango extracts demonstrated significant antioxidant property and efficient scavenging of free radicals. They also protected liver cells from chemical-induced damage (1).

Another study found that the flesh and peel of mango fruit and the bioactive compounds found within these areas of the fruit were effective in inhibiting human breast cancer cell proliferation in vitro (2).

In addition, researchers from Texas A&M University (3) looked into the anticarcinogenic effects of polyphenolics from different mango varieties (Francis, Kent, Ataulfo, Tommy Atkins, and Haden). They studied mango’s effects on cell cancer lines including leukemia, lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancer cell lines as well as a non-cancerous colon cell line.

The extracts of all mango varieties exhibited efficient inhibition of cell growth in the colon cancer cell lines, where Ataulfo and Haden demonstrated the greatest antioxidant capacities followed by Kent, Francis and Tommy Atkins. Leukemia cells were most efficiently eradicated by Ataulfo and Haden, followed by breast, lung, and prostate cancer cells in decreasing efficacy.

In fact, Ataulfo inhibited colon cancer cell growth by up to 72%! As well, the growth of non-cancerous colon cancer cells was not inhibited, suggesting that mango can efficiently select and destroy cancerous cells and will not interfere with normal cellular growth.

These mango extracts inhibited cancerous growth mainly due to their ability to increase mRNA expression of pro-apoptotic biomarkers and cell cycle regulators, cell cycle arrest, and by reducing the generation of reactive oxygen species.

Improves Vision:
Mango’s are excellent for our vision! Why? Mainly because they contain Vitamin A. Vitamin A deficiency can cause nyctalopia (night blindness), hemeralopia (day-light blindness), xerophthalmia (eyes fail to produce tears), and even blindness itself (4).

The carotenoid pigments in mango, specifically, beta-carotene provides the highest vitamin A activity (5). Haden and Tommy Atkins have lower beta-carotene levels than Palmer and Uba, however they still provide our bodies with the vitamin A we need (regardless of which variety you choose – if you had a choice, I would go for Palmer and Uba, however, the most common mango varieties in store are Tommy Atkins – this also depends on time of year too).

How does vitamin A improve our vision? Vitamin A is a molecule in the retina that helps to transform light energy into nerve impulses inside the retinal matrix. It helps maintain the health and repair of the mucous membranes in the eye, and thus helps protect the cornea and eye surface, and prevents dry eye.

100 grams of mango provides 765mg or 25% of our daily vitamin A! If you ate four mangoes, you would have your daily vitamin A intake at around 100% – and eating four mangoes is incredibly easy – they just taste so amazing, and the benefits you get are incredible.

High in Copper:
Did you know that mangoes are high in copper? Micronutrients such as copper are often paid very little attention even though they have excellent benefits to our health and wellness. Of course, mangoes grown in soils that are more copper rich will contain higher levels of copper, but in general, mangoes do contain sufficient amounts of copper to have an impact on human health.

Copper is essential in supporting many biochemical processes of life such as cellular respiration, utilization and transport of oxygen via the blood, DNA and RNA reproduction, maintaining integrity of cell membranes, and eradicating free radicals via cascading enzyme systems like cytochrome c-oxidase and superoxide dismutase (6) which helps to reduce the risk of cancer and slows the aging process. Red blood cell production is also dependent on the presence of copper.

Improves Sex Life:
Eating mango will provide you with supple amounts of vitamin E – just one cup of mango provides us with over 2mg of vitamin E – multiply this by four cups (which can easily fit in a salad) and you get up to 8mg vitamin E. It is recommended that you consume 15mg of vitamin E daily, so eating mango will ensure you increase your vitamin E levels.

Aside from keeping our skin soft and supple, how does vitamin E help improve one’s sex life? Vitamin E regulates the body’s sex hormones and helps to boost sex drive, all of which increase attraction, mood and desire. Most men and women who get adequate vitamin E levels notice more sexual energy and pleasure when touched and more powerful and frequent orgasms. The root cause of female sexual dysfunction is an excess of estrogen – interestingly, vitamin E (600 to 800 IU daily) helps the woman’s body produce estriol and progesterone which help balance estrogen, and thus bring high estrogen levels back to their normal levels.

Alkalizes the Body:
Acid-producing foods that are highly acidic (such as meat, dairy & eggs, processed foods, coffee, white sugar, and alcohol) can cause the body to not function at its prime state, resulting in disease and illness (7). Numerous studies over the years have correlated acidic environments to perfect cancer-thriving conditions (8, 9, 10), thus is it crucial that we maintain an alkaline state in the body through a diet rich in foods that promote an alkaline effect on the body (namely, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds).

The mango is a perfect example of a fruit that alkalizes the body. It is considered an alkaline-forming food, so that when you eat it, the end products of digestion and nutrient assimilation will result in alkaline ash which gets buffered. Since mango is so alkaline, our buffering system doesn’t need to work as hard as if we ate a steak, which can over burden our buffer systems, and turn to other areas of the body such as our bones to draw upon calcium reserves which can result in osteoporosis. Muscle also has the ability to break down in an acidic body, so that alkalizing amino acids from the muscle can help support our buffer system and bring our pH back to normal levels. This results in muscle wasting.

Thus, consuming alkaline fruits and vegetables (all fruits and vegetables this includes, in fact, the most alkaline is the lemon! The effect it has in the body is the opposite from it’s label – acidic fruits does not mean that they have acidic effects in the body).

Improves Digestion:
Mangoes contain 25 grams of fibre per fruit, which accounts for around 20% of our daily fibre intake. Fibre helps to fill the stomach and intestines and stimulates healthy muscle contractions which moves food smoothly through the GI tract. Fibre absorbs water in the intestine and gathers waste which helps to create smooth and regular bowel movements. It helps to prevent constipation and diarrhea.

Digestive enzymes are crucial for a healthy GI tract – and mangoes contain just that. They contain a similar digestive enzyme as the papaya, called papain, which soothes the digestive tract and helps break down proteins and fats. Mangoes also contain enzymes such as mangiferin, katechol oxidase, and lactase, all of which stimulate our metabolism and purify the intestines.


 Lowers Cholesterol:
Plant stanol esters (such as those in the mango) are very efficient in reducing LDL (“bad”) cholesterol. They inhibit cholesterol absorption from the intestine in humans. Plant stanol esters at around 2-3 grams per day are efficient in reducing LDL cholesterol by 10-15% (11).

Mangoes are also rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C controls the transformation of cholesterol into bile acids in the liver, and helps reduce cholesterol accumulation in blood serum as well as the liver (12). Vitamin C also works to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease via higher plasma HDL- and HDL2 cholesterol (13), thus it helps to increase our good cholesterol while lowering our bad cholesterol.

Pectin also helps reduce cholesterol levels, and mangoes contain significant amounts of this fibre type. Pectin is a form of soluble fibre and has been shown to provide cholesterol-lowering benefits. One study found that mean serum-cholesterol levels fell significantly when participants consumed up to 36 grams of pectin over a two-week period (14). Pectin can reduce cholesterol levels by preventing glucose absorption in the gut, and thereby prevent blood sugar spikes and elevated triglyceride levels. It’s gel-like consistency also acts as a physical barrier in the intestines to prevent absorption and movement of cholesterol in the GI tract.

Improves Memory & Concentration:
Mangoes contain glutamine which converts into glutamic acid in the brain and becomes an important excitatory neurotransmitter which has numerous benefits for our memory and concentration. Glutamic acid stimulates glutamate receptors in the brain which helps in hippocampal long-term potentiation and memory processing (15). Glutamic acid is also thought to play a role in mental alertness, which is beneficial for children in school who have a hard time concentrating, or for individuals with the inability to concentrate and/or focus on projects/work for long periods of time.

In addition, mango extracts and their antioxidants called mangiferin, have the ability to prevent glutamate-induced excitotoxicity of cerebral cortex neurones (16). In general, mangiferin is a neuroprotector that has therapeutic potential to treat neurogenerative disorders such as dementia which can develop into Alzheimer’s disease.

Mangana Smoothie Recipe:
3 Mangoes, peeled and chopped into cubes
3 Bananas, peeled
1 Cup fresh young thai coconut water
2 sprigs of mint leaves
3-4 stalks of kale (stalks removed, with leaves left over)

Place kale, mint leaves and fresh young thai coconut water into a blender and blend until smooth (it is okay if your blender is not incredibly strong and there are some tiny pieces left over). Next, place in the fruit (mango & banana) and pulse blend (to reduce oxidation) until uniformly mixed. Pour into a glass and enjoy!

Sources:

(1) Hiraganahalli, B., Chinampudur, V., Dethe, S., Mundkinajeddu, D., Pandre, M., Balachandran, J., & Agarwal, A. (2012) Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of standardized herbal extracts. Pharmacogn Mag., 8, 116-123.

(2) Wilkinson, A., Flanagan, B., Pierson, J., Hewavitharana, A., Dietzgen, R., Shaw, P., Robers-Thomson, S., Monteith, G., & Gidley, M. (2011) Bioactivity of mango flesh and peel extracts on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARy) activation and MCF-7 cell proliferation: fraction and fruit variability. Journal of Food Science, 76, H11-8.

(3) Noratto, G., Bertoldi, M., Krenek, K., Talcott, S., Stringheta, P., & Mertens-Talcott, S. (2010) Anticarcinogenic effects of polyphenolics from mango (Mangifera indica) varieties. Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, 58, 4104-4112.

(4) Meda, N., Chevalier, P., & Mathieu-Daude, C. (2000) Ocular manifestations associated with vitamin A deficiency in a rural area of Burkina Faso. Med Trop (Mars)., 60, 57-60.

(5) Ribeiro, S., Queiroz, J., Queiroz, M., Campos, F., & Sant’Ana, H. (2007) Antioxidant in mango (Mangifera indica L.) pulp. Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, 62, 12-17.

(6) Chan, S., Gerson, B., & Subramaniam, S. (1998) The role of copper, molybdenum, selenium, and zinc in nutrition and health. Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, 18, 673-685.

(7) The University of California at San Diego: Acid and Alkaline foods.

(8) Park, H., Lyons, J., Ohtsubo, T., & Song, C. (1999) Acidic environment causes apoptosis by increasing caspase activity. Cancer Research Campaign, 80, 1892-1897.

(9) Gatenby, R., & Gillies, R. (2007) Glycolysis in cancer: A potential target for therapy. The International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology, 39, 1358-1366.

(10) Xu, L., & Fidler, I. (2000) Acidic pH-induced elevation in interleukin 8 expression by human ovarian carcinoma cells. Cancer Research, 60, 4610.

(11) Nguyen, T. (1999) The cholesterol-lowering action of plant stanol esters. The American Society for Nutritional Sciences, 129, 2109-2112.

(12) Ginter, E. (1973) Cholesterol: vitamin c controls its transformation to bile acids. Science, 179, 702-704.

(13) Hallfrisch, J., Singh, V., Muller, D., Baldwin, H., Bannon, M., & Andres, R. (1994) High plasma vitamin C associated with high plasma HDL- and HDL2 cholesterol. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 60, 100-105.

(14) Jenkins, D., Newton, C., Leeds, A., & Cummings, J. (1975) Effect of pectin, guar gum, and wheat fibre on serum-cholesterol. The Lancet, 305, 1116-1117.

(15) Flood, J., Baker, M., & Davis, J. (1990) Modulation of memory processing by glutamic acid receptor agonists and antagonists. Brain Research, 521, 197-202.

(16) Lemus-Molina, Y., Sanchez-Gomez, M., Delgado-Hernandez, R., & Matute, C. (2009) Mangifera indica L. extract attenuates glutamate-induced neurotoxicity on rat cortical neurons. Neurotoxicology, 30, 1053-1058.

Additional Sources:
http://envisionoptical.com.au/how-does-vitamin-a-help-the-eyes/
http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/mango-fruit.html
http://www.the-vitamin-and-supplement-guide.com/vitamineandsexdrive.html
http://www.alkalinelifestyle.com/nutrition_Phase1
http://www.livestrong.com/article/492225-fruit-pectin-cholesterol-cure/

http://www.barbara-simonsohn.de/mango.htm

The Health Benefits and Uses of Garlic





Some Pointers about Garlic:-
  • Garlic is most effective when it's crushed or chopped and when raw.
  • One clove a day will improve your health and 2-3 cloves will help prevent a cold.
  • When cooking garlic wait until the last 10 minutes of cooking to add the garlic.
  • Be careful about taking too much as it can irritate your digestive system.
  • Try not to microwave garlic as this kills the active ingredients
  • Garlic supplements may interact with certain drugs such as anticoagulants.
  • And we always suggest you consult a doctor if you are unsure about anything.

Thanks RawForBeauty.Com for allowing us to use their Image.

Other related article:

How To Use Garlic as a Natural Antibiotic:

http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2013/03/how-to-use-garlic-as-natural-antibiotic.html

Garlic Oil Kills cancer:


Cancer Fighting Foods:

Garlic does more than you think!

Flavor doesn't even scratch the surface:


Photo by Francesco Perito

Used in food and medicine for several thousands of years, garlic is used across the world from Asia to South America.  Though the flavor is popular, studies are now showing that natural compounds in garlic have some potent healing effects.



Allicin, the super antioxidant:  Many experts agree that the main active ingredient in garlic is allicin.  Allicin is a compound that is created when you damage the cell walls of garlic cloves by chopping or crushing the garlic.  Studies have shown that allicin breaks down and rapidly interacts with free radicals in the body helping to prevent tissue damage in people who eat it regularly.  Allicin is also believed to have powerful antibiotic properties.

Garlic for your heart:  Heavy antioxidant activity in garlic helps protect against damage to tissue and prevent heart disease, but some studies even suggest that garlic can help prevent blood clots.  What's more, eating a bulb or two of crushed garlic daily can possibly help to scrub away plaque buildup in the blood vessels and reverse heart disease.

Fight cancer naturally:  Garlic has been shown to slow the spread of different types of cancers in studies on rats.  Since garlic helps to fight harmful free radicals, it lowers the risk of cancers developing in the body.  Some studies suggest that garlic contains compounds that stimulate production of anti cancer enzymes.  Garlic oil is also believed to shrink tumors.

Garlic is truly a wonder herb.  It has antiviral properties, anti fungal properties, fights bacteria, helps with cholesterol, manages blood pressure, and greatly boosts antioxidant activity in the body.  Remember that many experts are recommending 1 to 3 cloves of garlic a day, finely minced or crushed.  Although cooked and dried garlic is shown to have some of the same health benefits as fresh cloves, the potency is no comparison and fresh pulverized garlic is the best for healing.  To maximize the healing potential and get all the anticancer benefits, break down the clove finely and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before consuming.  Mix with some olive oil and dip some gluten free bread into it for a great heart saving snack!


More great posts by Natural Cures Not Medicine:


How To Use Garlic as a Natural Antibiotic


Uses of Garlic


Secret of the Benefits of Garlic



Natural Cures Not Medicine

Nutrition is nature's health insurance .



How raspberries boost your health


Considered one of the most popular berries, raspberry can also be a big hit with your health and nutrition.

File:Inchworm on raspberry.jpg


  • Anti inflammatory
  • Anti cancer
  • Fat free
  • Cholesterol free
  • Help to lower blood pressure
  • Low in calories
  • High in fiber
  • Good source of iron and folate
  • Potassium rich
  • Loaded with antioxidants
  • Sodium free
  • Help eye health
  • High in vitamin C


There are over 200 types of raspberry.  The plant actually produces a great amount of berries and is very hearty.  Raspberry plants can produce in the spring, in the fall, or be ever bearing.  About 90% of the raspberries eaten in the U.S. are grown in Washington, Oregon, and California.  British Colombia produces about 80% of the raspberries enjoyed by Canadians.





Some other great recent posts:

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Why you should start juicing carrots today!




Natural Cures Not Medicine
Healthy Eating Is Health Insurance!


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Before trying anything you find on the internet you should fully investigate your options and get further advice from professionals.

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