Monday, April 30, 2012

Religion and spirituality have a positive effect on health


Ever notice that most hospitals have chapels and clergy? In a survey of 1,144 U.S. doctors published in a leading medical journal, 85 percent said that religion and spirituality have a positive effect on health. In addition: 76 percent said faith can help people cope with illness. 74 percent said it helps ill people think in a positive way. 55 percent thought religious groups provided good emotional and practical support to the sick. 54 percent believe that at times, a supernatural being intervenes in health car. There is a direct relationship or link between faith or spirituality and health. God made us with a spirit, soul and body and they work together in a marvelous way.
http://www.fox28.com/Global/story.asp?S=12171845
In a study of 87 depressed patients hospitalized for medical conditions like heart disease and stroke, those who scored high on a measure of "intrinsic religiosity" recovered faster from depression than those who scored low on the scale.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Health benefits of Acai Berries

Acai berries are rich in anthocyanins – the same compounds that give red wine its goodness. But these berries surpass both grapes and blueberries in their concentration of anthocyanins. According to experts, acai berries have 30 times more anthocyanins than red wine! Acai berries contain high concentrations of omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids. These fatty acids play an important role in lowering cholesterol levels and have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular health. Since they can lower cholesterol levels in the blood, these berries help prevent arteriosclerosis.Acai berries also contain compounds that have anti-aging effects. In fact, acai berries have been touted as one of the most effective anti-aging foods, thanks to the high concentration of anthocyanins and antioxidants contained in the berry. Since acai berries have high concentrations of antioxidant minerals and vitamins, they have the ability to fight cancer causing free radicals in the body. (note, for another berry rich in antioxidants go here: Goji Berry health benefits)
Read more: http://www.worldofdiets.com/acai-berry-benefits/

Saturday, April 28, 2012

CANCER CANNOT LIVE IN AN ALKALINE BODY


Ever wondered why the heart never gets a cancer. The heart might get affected eventually by cancer of any other part of the body but we never hear of cancer of the heart. This is because the heart never gets cancer. Alkaline diet is perhaps the only permanent way to prevent and rid oneself of cancer. Let us understand what causes cancer and how an alkaline diet can prevent it. Each cell in our body takes in oxygen, nutrients and glucose while throws out toxins. These cells are protected by the immune system. But as the body gets acidic the immune system gets overpowered by the toxins and the cell looses its capacity to take in oxygen and thus ferments. This cell gets cancer affected and is lost. The next question is can cancer be prevented and cured by consuming a diet with less acid and more alkaline. Cancer cells lie dormant in a ph of 7.4 but as the body gets alkalized higher and the ph level reaches 8.4 these malignant cells die off. So the answer to cancer lies in an extremely alkaline diet. With the right consumption leading to a high alkaline body ph the cancer cells cannot live in that environment and die off.

Cancer cells being anaerobic cannot live in oxygen. They can only thrive in very low oxygen conditions. When the ph of the body is maintained by consuming an alkaline diet the immune system of the body stays strong. This leads to the cells getting enough oxygen and discarding their toxin waste. Cancer will neither thrive nor take birth under such circumstances.

How does an alkaline diet prevent cancer? Such a diet leads to a high alkaline body ph. This high alkaline body ph results in alkaline tissues in the body. Alkaline tissues hold 20 times more oxygen than acidic tissues. Cancer cannot live in an oxygenated atmosphere. If the cells are oxygen rich they will prevent cancer. Therefore while an acidic tissue will be an ideal ground for cancer to develop as well as spread, an alkaline tissue will destroy a cancer cell. Having a lot of green vegetables and fruits along with alkaline water can save you from cancer. To give your body the best alkaline/acidic balance requires one to eat foods that are highly alkalizing while avoiding the acidifying foods.

An alkaline diet is very beneficial in fighting many diseases apart from cancer. Alkaline supplements are good ways to include alkaline food in your diet. Over cooking of vegetables leads to their nutrients being destroyed. Alkaline supplements make sure one gets enough alkalizing foods in a day. Also alkaline water is a good alternative to ordinary water. So if you want your body to be cancer free as well as healthy and energetic adopt an alkaline diet and make it your way of life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/458737

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Fruits and vegetables are high in inflammation-reducing antioxidants


Inflammation is a common symptom of arthritis, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease and certain forms of cancer. Diets that aim to reduce inflammation have reaped interest from people who have these conditions and those hoping to prevent them. Fruits and vegetables hold anti-inflammatory properties and provide the body with a variety of helpful nutrients. To improve your health and help prevent or treat conditions involving inflammation, increase fruits and vegetables in your diet. A basic anti-inflammatory diet is based upon foods that reduce pain and swelling, including a variety of nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables,
Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/91102-antiinflammatory-fruit-vegetable-diets/#ixzz1tDKm5KnQ  
Watch this video:
http://youtu.be/Wxn0pgJU2rk

Mushrooms Fight Breast Cancer

Mushrooms are known as some of the most potent immune boosters and disease fighters. In one recent Chinese study, women who ate at least 10 grams of fresh mushrooms each day (about one mushroom per day) had a 64 percent decreased risk of breast cancer.

Arpril 26, 2012 - Mushrooms Fight Breast Cancer with Joel Fuhrman MD

Today's Tip with Dr. Joel Fuhrman

Every woman should know that eating mushrooms regularly could dramatically lower breast cancer risk - one recent study found that consumption of about 1 button mushroom per day may decrease the risk of breast cancer by 64%! Phytochemicals from a number of different mushroom varieties have a unique ability to fight breast cancer because they block an estrogen-producing enzyme, plus mushrooms have additional protective effects that may help to prevent other cancers.

Yours in good health,

Dr. Fuhrman

Watch this video:
http://youtu.be/bs_yGgD6IvU


 
also: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/mushrooms-new-superfood

Immune Booster Smoothie

Immune Booster
1 (14-ounce) grapefruit, peeled and cut into chunks
2 medium oranges (10 ounces total), peeled and cut into chunks
3 kiwis (preferably golden, about 12 ounces total), peeled and cut into chunks. In a blender, combine grapefruit, oranges, and kiwis; blend, scraping down sides occasionally, until smooth. Strain juice and, if desired, thin with water. Refrigerate up to 2 days (shake before serving).

Cruciferous vegetables contribute to their risk-lowering impact on certain cancers


Cruciferous vegetables can contribute a surprising amount of protein to the diet-over 25% of the Daily Value in 3 cups-and at a very low calorie cost. Two hundred calories of steamed broccoli will provide you with 20 grams of protein-not as much as the 30 grams in two hundred calories of roasted chicken breast-but still a very substantial amount. We suspect that the substantial protein content of cruciferous vegetables may contribute to their risk-lowering impact on certain cancers, partially due to their support of detoxification. (Especially during Phase 2 detoxification, certain amino acids found in protein are known to play a critical role.) http://whfoods.org/genpage.php?tname=btnews&dbid=126

Healing Herbs and spices

Herbs and spices have more disease-fighting antioxidants than most fruits and vegetables, some can even destroy cancer cells. Traditional Mediterranean herbs such as sage and oregano help battle insulin resistance, a blunting of the body's ability to balance blood sugar that can raise risks of heart disease and stroke by 28 and 64 percent, respectively. Read some of the amazing benefits of herbs: http://www.fitnessmagazine.com/recipes/healthy-eating/nutrition/health-benefits-of-spices-herbs/

Ginger and the Immune System

Ginger and the Immune System- Astrong antioxidant
Antimicrobial (kills bacteria - including salmonella) - internally and topically as an antiseptic,two natural antibiotics are found in ginger
contains anti-inflammatory agents helps eliminate congestion
contains zingibain that dissolves parasites and their eggs ginger root tea eases some throat pain kills cold viruses inhibits production of cytokines which cause pain and swelling combats chills and fever ginger inhibits 5-LO enzymes, the only food for prostate cancer cells , prostate cancer cells die in one to two hours without this enzyme gingerol (an extract of ginger) inhibits pancreatic cell growth beneficial to prevent constipation-related cancer an effective ani-tumor agent in leukemia cells an extract of ginger causes lung cancer cell death gingerols inhibited the growth of Helicobacter pylori associated with dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease and the development of gastric and colon cancer
ginger extract raises significantly the thymus index, spleen index, percentage of phagocytosis, and thus improves the immunologic function relating to tumors gingerol inhibits cell adhesion, invasion, motility and activities of breast cancer cell lines..Read more: http://www.boost-immune-system-naturally.com/health-benefits-of-ginger.html

Benefits of Cabbage

Cabbage is abundant is Vitamin C. You will be surprised to know that it is richer in vitamin C than the famous oranges. Vitamin C, being one of the best anti oxidant, reduces free radicals in your body which are the basic causes of ageing. It also helps repairing the wear and tears in the body. Thus it is very helpful in treating ulcers, certain cancers, depressions, for strengthening immune system and fighting against cough and cold, healing of wounds and damaged tissues, proper functioning of nervous system and thereby help curing Alzheimer’s disease...read more: http://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/vegetable/health-benefits-of-cabbage.html

The importance of water

Water makes up more than two thirds of human body weight, and without water, we would die in a few days. The human brain is made up of 95% water, blood is 82% and lungs 90%. A mere 2% drop in our body's water supply can trigger signs of dehydration: fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic math, and difficulty focusing on smaller print, such as a computer screen. (Are you having trouble reading this? Drink up!) Mild dehydration is also one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. An estimated seventy-five percent of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. See more:
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water-education/water-health.htm

Detox your body

Our bodies naturally detoxify every day, detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin. Just as our hearts beat nonstop and our lungs breathe continuously, so our metabolic processes continuously dispose of accumulated toxic matter.
However, the environmental toxins of modern-day life -- the pollutants, chemicals, other synthetic substances -- are more than the average body can handle.The body doesn't know what to do with foreign substances, so it will store them outside of the regular elimination system, so we don't get poisoned. Those poisons start building up in our body fat.
 

Why Detox?
Iintense levels of toxic overload is typically caused by an improper diet, stress, overeating, sedentary lifestyle, illness, and poor health habits in general. When the accumulation of toxins in the body leads to disease, the body has developed what is known as toxemia. When toxemia occurs, some people’s digestive tracts become incapable of breaking down and digest food normally. When the digestive system is impaired in this way, food does not move efficiently through the digestive tract. Rather than being digested normally, food will rot and create toxic by-products. This condition is known as intestinal toxemia or toxic colon syndrome.


The purpose of a detox is to cleanse the body of toxins that have accumulated in the body. While some dieters turn to fasting as a detox method, a safer, more nutritionally sound approach is based on ingesting natural fruit and vegetable juices. A well-balanced combination of fresh, raw juices is not only fat-free but also provides the body with concentrated vitamins, enzymes, and antioxidants. These help the body flush out toxins, leading to increased energy, vitality, and fat loss.You can detox naturally by just eating fruits and vegetables for about a week and, of course, drinking tons of water.
Watch this video on juicing to detox:
http://youtu.be/i2cAwt7bIYk

Here is a recipe for juicing.

Cucumber Greens Delight Detox
1 cucumber
1 large cup of spinach
1 large cup of parsley
1 celery stock
1/2 medium lemon (not the peels) ( fruit exception because of it's alkalizing effects on the body and helps with taste. )


Strawberry Pudding

This Strawberry Pudding recipe is a healthy dessert alternative and is perfect for springtime. It has no added sugar and substitutes protein-rich tofu for heavy milks and creams. Give it a try: http://droz.me/HhX3Cl


Ingredients
Serves 4

8 oz frozen strawberries, unsweetened, thawed and drained
8 oz firm or extra-firm silken tofu
1 tbsp orange zest
1/4 cup agave nectar (optional)
1 tbsp vanilla extract
4 fresh strawberries, sliced

Directions
In a food processor, combine all ingredients, except for the sliced strawberries, stopping after 1 minute to scrape the sides of the bowl.

Blend for an additional minute or until the mix is very smooth.

Divide the mix evenly among small bowls, and chill for at least 1 hour.

Garnish with sliced strawberries and serve immediately.

Salt

Tips to Lower Your Blood Pressure:By making healthy lifestyle changes, including lowering sodium intake, improving diet and exercise, and reducing stress, you can lower blood pressure on your own terms.One of the most effective ways to lower blood pressure is to reduce your sodium intake. Studies have shown that reducing the amount of sodium in your diet can lower your blood pressure 4–5 mmHg.Why it works: While it is a complicated process, sodium can increase blood pressure by causing fluid retention and/or constricting blood vessels.Your daily sodium intake should be:2,300 milligrams of sodium or less: For adults up to the age of 50 1,500 milligrams of sodium or less: For those older than age 50, African-Americans, and those with high blood pressure Sources: The National Institutes of Health and the American Heart Association