Touted Benefits of Aloe Vera

 

Aloe vera, or Aloe barbadensis, a succulent plant commonly found in warm countries, has been used in traditional medicine for more than 2,000 years.

There are two substances from aloe vera that are used in health products: a clear gel that is commonly applied to the skin to relieve burns and psoriasis, and a yellow latex, known as aloe latex, that can be taken by mouth as a remedy for constipation.

1. Boosts healing of wounds

Aloe vera gel contains powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols. These polyphenols, along with several other compounds in aloe vera, help inhibit the growth of certain bacteria that can cause infections. Aloe vera also contains the enzyme bradykinase, which is the active ingredient to suppress signs of inflammation, namely redness, swelling, pain and heat when the gel is applied on the skin

Thus aloe vera is known for its antibacterial, antiviral and antiseptic properties. It helps heal wounds and can treat skin problems. It has a long history of use in treating sores, and particularly burns, including sunburn. Studies suggest that it is an effective topical treatment for first and second-degree burns.

2. Fights skin-ageing

Aloe vera gel has vitamins C and E, and beta-carotene in abundance. Therefore, it has anti-ageing properties. It could help the skin retain moisture and improve skin integrity, which could benefit dry skin conditions and slow aging of the skin. It helps to eradicate skin blemishes and diminish age lines. Additionally, it helps to increase the production of collagen in the body and skin elasticity.

3. Reduces infection and acne

Aloe vera gel is considered a great cleanser for the skin due to its antiseptic action. It is comprised of soap-like substances, saponins, which are effective antiseptic agents.

People who suffer from acne will find respite in aloe vera. It helps in gentle cleansing, and its antimicrobial properties treat pimples without causing any damages to the skin.

Aloe vera contains polysaccharides and gibberellins. These help in the growth of new cells and at the same time, reduce inflammation and redness. It also works as an astringent that reduces the size of pores, flushing out the excess sebum, microbes and dirt.

4. Reduces dental plaque

Aloe vera gel is effective in killing a yeast found in the mouth known as Candida albicans.

5. Helps treat canker sores

Studies have shown that aloe vera treatment can accelerate the healing of mouth ulcers.

6. Reduces constipation

Aloe vera may help treat constipation from its latex. The key compound responsible for this effect is called aloin, or barbaloin, which has well-established laxative effects.

7. Lowers blood sugar levels

People sometimes use aloe vera as a remedy for diabetes. This is because it may enhance insulin sensitivity and help improve blood sugar management.

However, the quality of the existing studies is not ideal and the blood-sugar-lowering effects of aloe vera may cause hypoglycaemia. Thus scientists do not currently recommend using aloe vera for this purpose.

8. Helps hair growth

Aloe vera gel helps in activating new hair growth as it increases blood circulation to the scalp. It also provides essential minerals and vitamins. And aloe vera contains proteolytic enzymes that help repair dead skin on the scalp.

Aloe vera significantly reduces itchiness, scaliness, and affected area size in those people with seborrheic dermatitis condition and promotes hair growth. Given that seborrheic dermatitis can lead to temporary hair loss, this underscores aloe vera’s potential for promoting hair growth.

How to use aloe vera?

People most often rub aloe vera onto the skin.  The oral use of aloe vera may cause stomach cramps or diarrhea due to its laxative effects. There have also been some reports of liver injury associated with oral forms of aloe vera.

Western and Chinese Nutritional Food Therapy

"Western and Chinese Nutritional Food Therapy" is a book about food and nutrition. It is also about different approach between Western and Chinese to nutrition. 

The foods we eat have great impact on our health. Overweight, chronic diseases and premature aging are all related to our lifestyle and the kind of foods we eat daily. 

Being overweight itself can also lead to cardiovascular diseases including hypertension and stroke, diabetes and some cancers. Research shows that nutrition knowledge and diet quality are linked to a lower body weight. Studies also found nutritious eating patterns are tied to long-term weight loss maintenance. 

Some foods can be used for medical purposes, while some foods with medical properties are also used as everyday foods. In the book, a balanced diet and its importance on health and disease prevention are discussed in great details. 

In addition, some myths about foods are also mentioned in the book.

Western and Chinese Nutritional Food Therapy - https://www.amazon.com/stores/Frank-YS/author/B0185OZ6OW?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true

Are plant-based meat substitutes really better?

 

Are plant-based meat substitutes really better than meat options?

As diets rich in plant-based foods have been found beneficial for heart and metabolic health, plant-based meat analogues, which are designed to mimic the taste and texture of real meat, are becoming increasingly popular worldwide.

In a research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, scientists compared the effects of diets based on plant-based meat analogues (PBMAs) and traditional animal-based meats (ABMs), especially in terms of cardiovascular health and diabetes risk.

The findings showed no clear advantage of one diet over the other in improving heart health. And it seems that those eating animal meat managed their blood sugar levels better while blood pressure improvements were also noted in the animal meat group but not in the PBMA group.

This suggests that the benefits often associated with plant-based diets might not directly apply to PBMAs.

That is likely because plant-based meat alternatives are often heavily processed foods, which are high in sodium and saturated fats, and so would not likely improve cardiometabolic health and may instead increase risk. Their frequent consumption, in fact, is associated with negative health outcomes.

For instance, in a 2019 cohort study that followed 105,159 adults over a 5-year period, the researchers observed that even a 10% increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods was associated with a higher risk of heart disease and stroke.

This small increase in ultra-processed foods is also associated with a higher risk of developing some cancers, type 2 diabetes and increased exposure to harmful chemicals from food packages.

In addition, calorie intake is reportedly higher in plant-based diets that are rich in ultra-processed foods, which may lead to weight gain and a greater potential for developing obesity.

To compound the negative health risks associated with diets rich in ultra-processed foods, vegetarian and vegan diets often exclude some food groups, making nutrient deficiencies more common - they may contain lower levels of some nutrients, such as protein, vitamin B12, or zinc, than a regular meat product. And proteins from PBMAs might not be as easily absorbed as those from animal meats, affecting insulin and gut hormone responses differently.

The better blood sugar control seen in the animal meat group might be due to their lower carb and higher protein intake.

This suggests that the health advantages typically associated with plant-based diets should not be assumed to apply to PBMAs, given their different nutritional profiles and effects on heart and metabolic health.

Some Old Days Weight Loss Diets

From the past to the present, people have been trying anything and everything they could to shed weight as quickly as possible. Here are some of the most popular (though often misguided) weight loss tips from your parents' dieting days.

The Buttermilk Diet

The Buttermilk Diet involved drinking 6 glasses of buttermilk each day and nothing else, which would only amount to about 911 calories each day. It was one of many unhealthy dieting fads of its time.

The Drinking Man’s Diet

This is a book written by Robert Cameron.

The Drinking Man’s Diet focuses on eating meat instead of carbs and drinking plenty of gin, vodka and wine.

Contrary to the modern opinion, the Drinking Man's Diet characterized alcohol calories as "good calories," while all other calories from food were "bad”.

It touted a weight-loss method that involved drinking as much alcohol as you want and almost zero carbs otherwise.

The Cookie Diet

In 1975, Dr. Siegal introduced the Cookie Diet, which is a calorie-restricted diet focused on eating specially formulated, meal-replacement cookies 6 times per day, plus a few additional “hunger-controlling” foods containing protein.

The Grapefruit Diet

Originally started in the 30s, the Grapefruit Diet gained popularity again in both the 70s and 80s.

The diet consists of eating a lot of grapefruit. This is not the only thing you could eat, but the diet was extremely low carb and low calorie, with grapefruit at every meal. Some of the more restrictive versions of the diet kept calories below 1000 a day.

Cabbage Soup Diet

This extremely low-calorie diet (eating nothing but cabbage soup for 10 days) was not exclusive to the 1980s but it was popular then nonetheless. Dieters may have lost weight with the cabbage soup diet but would have gained it back quickly after resuming normal eating.

The Scarsdale Diet

The Scarsdale Diet was developed in the late 70s but reached fad status in the 80s. It is the first low-carb, high-protein diet to gain popularity.

It was based on a book “The Complete Scarsdale Medical Diet” by Dr. Herman Tarnower.

The main rules include eating a protein-rich diet, restricting yourself to 1,000 calories per day, and following a limited list of approved foods. You are forbidden from any snacks except carrots, celery and low sodium veggie soups, which are only to be eaten when necessary.

Also, you must drink at least 4 cups (945 ml) of water per day but can enjoy black coffee, plain tea or diet soda.

The Beverly Hills Diet

The Beverly Hills Diet came on the scene in 1981, focusing primarily on eating fruit plus a few very specific combinations of foods. The instructions on how and when to eat everything were just as strict.

It was created by Judy Mazel, author of the 1981 best-selling book “The Beverly Hills Diet”.

Mazel believed that weight loss could be achieved by eating foods in the proper combinations and in the correct order.

The Beverly Hills Diet is based on the idea that the order and combinations in which foods are eaten causes weight gain. Mazel claimed that eating foods in the wrong order could stop some foods from being digested, causing fat build-up. The diet divides foods into four groups: carbohydrates, proteins, fruits and fats.

On the Beverly Hills diet, protein and carbohydrates cannot be eaten together. Fat is allowed to be eaten with either group but may not be eaten with fruit.

Fruit, even different types of fruit, must always be eaten alone. If a different type of food is eaten, such as a protein, the dieter must wait until the next day to eat fruit again.

The order throughout the day in which food is eaten is also very important. Each day, fruit should be eaten first. After fruit, the carbohydrate group can be eaten, then protein. Once a dieter has changed food groups, he or she cannot eat from the previous groups again until the next day. Dieters must wait two hours between eating foods from different food groups.

South Beach Diet

The South Beach Diet was created by a cardiologist as a “foolproof plan for fast and healthy weight loss”.

This diet of the early 2000s focused on eating high-fiber, low-glycemic carbohydrates, lean protein and unsaturated fats.

It has several phases with varying restrictions. Phase 1 prohibits almost all carbohydrates, but later phases are more inclusive and aimed at establishing long-term habits.

The Christian Bale Diet (Tuna Apple Diet)

The actor Christian Bale used this diet to lose 63 pounds in four months. He is said to have eaten a diet of only one can of tuna and/or one apple per day for four months. (There are 194 calories in one can (6.5 ounce) of tuna in water (drained) and one medium size apple (about 150 g) has 80 calories.)

Thus it is a very low calorie diet, ensuring only 50-260 calories/day. The “menu” was completed with black coffee and water.

Besides the extremely low calorie intake, the foods chosen for this diet are, by themselves, metabolism boosters. For example, due to the caffeine content, coffee increases the metabolism. And apples are high in sugar and pectin (a soluble fiber), which dampens down the appetite.

The Pineapple Diet

The 2010s brought us raw diets and highly-restrictive mono diets (single ingredient diets) like the Pineapple Diet, promising extreme weight loss in a short period of time. 

In the diet, you simply choose two days a week to eat nothing but pineapples. The rest of your days are free for you to eat whatever you want. However, we need a variety of nutrients to stay healthy, and any weight lost from diet like this is likely to return quickly.

Hydrogen Water and its Benefits

 

What is Hydrogen Water?

The chemical formula for water is H2O (two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom). Hydrogen water is simply water with more hydrogen (H) added to it. The concept seems to have started in Japan, where it is referred to as shin'nooru solution.

The whole idea is that extra hydrogen amps up antioxidant activity. Molecular hydrogen has been shown to be more selective than other antioxidants by neutralizing only harmful reactive oxygen species (such as free radicals) rather than both harmful and helpful ones. The extra antioxidants can help you tap into a host of potential benefits:

Enhances Energy and Exercise Performance

One small study found that participants who drank hydrogen water 10 to 30 minutes before exercise had increased endurance and lower levels of fatigue as measured by maximal oxygen consumption, visual analogue scales, and Borg’s scale (which measures intensity of physical activity). 

Another small study found that hydrogen water increased attention and alertness among sleep-deprived individuals who normally relied on caffeine.

Lowers Inflammation

According to one small study, healthy adults over age 30 who consumed 1.5 liters of hydrogen water per day for four weeks had greater antioxidant capacity, and therefore reduced inflammatory responses.

Also, from another small study, it was found that nearly half of the 20 study participants with the inflammatory disease rheumatoid arthritis achieved remission after drinking hydrogen water daily for four weeks.

Boosts Skin Health

One small study noted that eight weeks of bathing in hydrogen water led to significant skin improvements, with 25 percent of the participants seeing at least a 75 percent improvement.

Improves Metabolic Health

A small study found that drinking hydrogen water for 10 weeks helped participants with a risk of metabolic syndrome lower their total and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and improved their “good” HDL cholesterol levels.

Greater Quality of Life

Participants in one small study who drank 300 milliliters (about 10 ounces) of hydrogen water twice a day for four weeks experienced improved mood and anxiety levels, suggesting that hydrogen water could be beneficial to quality of life and good health.

While all this sounds promising, many of the studies above were quite small. High-quality studies with large sample sizes and control groups that look at long-term effects, are needed to determine if hydrogen water truly offers a health benefit. As a nutritionist said, “When it comes to water, best to not overthink it. Plain water is just as hydrating. Staying hydrated is important as it can prevent dehydration and the mood swings and unclear thinking that go with it while helping your body maintain a normal temperature and body weight.”

Health Benefits of Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made by fermenting the juice of crushed apples.

Apple cider vinegar contains antioxidants, phenolic compounds, which can fight inflammation and might protect cells from damage that leads to disease. Research has shown that drinking apple cider vinegar helps manage weight, diabetes and heart health.

Weight Management

Consuming apple cider vinegar may help with managing weight and visceral fat (deep, internal belly fat) as it helps to increase feelings of satiety, influence metabolism and insulin sensitivity, thus potentially contributing to fat oxidation and reduced fat storage.

Maintaining the body weight can help reduce the risk of several health conditions. For example, obesity is a risk factor for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and several types of cancer.

Type 2 Diabetes

Some evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar helps manage type 2 diabetes. People who had apple cider vinegar with water saw significant reductions in fasting blood sugar and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C, a measure of average blood sugar over the previous two to three months.)

Heart Health

Drinking apple cider vinegar every day (being diluted with water) in the short term may reduce triglycerides, total cholesterol and raise HDL cholesterol (HDL is considered the "good" cholesterol and triglycerides are a type of fat).

Meanwhile, applying apple cider vinegar to the skin may help reduce the appearance of varicose veins.

Some research found that using apple cider vinegar every day (being diluted with water) in the short term to manage certain health conditions may be safe. However, long-term oral use of apple cider vinegar may pose risks. Using large amounts of it for a prolonged period may lower potassium levels, harm the esophagus, tooth enamel and skin. As it might interact with other medicines, and so it is important to consult a doctor before trying.

Smoking can help lose weight?

 

Experts says it is a myth that smoking can help you lose weight or stay trim.

“At lower smoking rates, there is some evidence of appetite suppression from nicotine and increased metabolic rate. Hence why patients may/do gain weight when they stop smoking (due to increased appetite and lower metabolism),” Dr. Tyler Kjorvestad, a specialist in internal medicine and psychiatry at the University of Kansas Health Systems, said.

 “It isn’t that smoking makes you thin, it’s that when smokers try to quit, they sometimes gain weight. When people stop their addiction, they often find that they have more food cravings and it also is an oral activity and so people who are used to having their mouth busy often replace the cigarette or others tobacco behavior with food behavior,” Dr. Kjorvestad added.

Moreover, researchers said that smoking may in fact increase belly fat and cause visceral fat, an unhealthy fat that is located deep within the abdomen and is associated an increased risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes and dementia. And smoking can also cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis, among other health problems.

In addition, smoking can speed up the aging process as well as increase the risk of cancer. This is because smoking causes damage to chromosomes in white blood cells that can cause premature aging.

Dr. William Dale, the director of the Center for Cancer and Aging at City of Hope said that smoking is known to shorten lifespan by an average of about 10 years. He added that aging is an independent risk factor for cancer.