30 December 2018

Drinking lemon water cures cancers?

Lemon water is simply the juice from lemons mixed with water.

Lemons, especially their peels, are an excellent source of terpenes such as d-limonene. The primary health benefits of terpenes revolve around some impressive anticancer effects – both in prevention and possibly treatment. Studies have revealed that lemon extract can successfully destroy malignant cells in a wide range of cancers.

Specifically, d-limonene reduced the expression of breast tumor cyclin D1 (cyclin D1 is one of the frequently overexpressed proteins and one of the commonly amplified genes in breast cancer).

In lemons the highest content of limonene is found in the peel and white spongy inner parts. A typical average-sized lemon has about 300 mg of d-limonene. Thus to take advantage of the health benefits of lemons and achieve adequate d-limonene intake is by juicing them (complete with peel).

In addition, lemon water contains other beneficial substances, It is a source of plant compounds called flavonoids, which  have antioxidant properties that appear to help protect our cells from damage.

Lemon flavonoids also have the potential to reduce oxidative stress and damage.As lemon water contains high amounts of citrate, numerous studies have found it can successfully help treat kidney stones.

Drinking lemon water is a low-calorie and low-sugar beverage that can boost our vitamin C intake. In addition, it also contains trace amounts of folate and potassium.

However, the acid in lemons can damage our tooth enamel over time, which makes our teeth more prone to cavities. Thus we should rinse the mouth with water afterwards and it is best to wait an hour before brushing your teeth.

28 December 2018

High-protein diets

There is a suggestion that it is less effort to have weight loss if we can eat 10 to 35 percent high protein food such as turkey, chicken and red meat in our diets.

Proponents say that such diets boost our metabolism, promoting weight loss while making us feel full. This is because it takes more energy for our body to digest protein in meat than it does for carbohydrates or fat. In other words, the more protein we eat, the harder our body has to work to digest it and so more calories can be burnt in the process.

However, we need to be very careful about high protein diets as nutritional deficiencies could arise and our liver or kidney might have problem as a result, since a high-protein diet could affect these organs.

22 December 2018

Fresh vs Dried Turmeric


Turmeric is a plant in the same botanical family as ginger. It supports internal cleansing, acting as a liver and gastrointestinal system tonic. Curcumin, which is found in turmeric, is a powerful antioxidant and can help support joint health and helps support blood circulation. Moreover, its antioxidant properties help calm and brighten skin and provide protection from free radicals.

Fresh vs Dried Turmeric
Fresh turmeric is the root of the turmeric plant and some studies show that it is more bioavailable, which means the body uses it more readily and effectively. We can slice, grate, juice or blend the turmeric root. However, some people find it difficult to prepare fresh turmeric and consume it regularly to avoid spoilage.

Dried turmeric is the ground powder made from the root of the turmeric plant. The powder is shelf-stable and easy to add to recipes. Many people prefer the powder form of turmeric for these reasons and we do not have to toss it for about 2 years.



14 December 2018

Top Herbs for Immune Health

# Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb that is native to North America and was used as a health tonic by Native Americans. There are 9 known species of this antioxidant-packed plant. Taking echinacea may reduce our risk of some health concerns and it may stimulate the immune system.

# Elderberry
As one of the most commonly used health tonics in the world, elderberries are high in vitamin C and a good source of antioxidant flavanols and phenolic acids, among other health-supporting substances.

# Turkey Tail Mushroom
This wild-sounding mushroom gets its name because it is shaped like a turkey tail. Turkey tail mushroom is a common mushroom with uncommon benefits for immune health. Research shows it may boost immune health by modulating cytokine production, a substance made by immune cells that influences the health of other cells.

# Reishi
Being an adaptogenic herb with a long history of combatting stress and promoting wellbeing in many aspects, reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma lucidum, contains several molecules that promote health—triterpenoids, polysaccharides and peptidoglycans.Reishi mushroom has been scientifically proven to boost the immune system and it may positively influence the genes in white blood cells, a critical component of immune health.

# Black Cumin Seed
Black cumin seeds are the seeds from the plant Nigella sativa. As a supplement, black cumin seed nourishes our body from head to toe. This botanical is most often taken to maintain immune health, support microbial balance and promote respiratory health.

# Olive Leaf
The same olive plant that gives us healthy Mediterranean staples like olive oil and delicious olives also contains an antioxidant substance known as oleuropein in its leaves. Olive leaves have been used in Greece, Morocco and Tunisia as a health tonic for centuries and modern wellness-seekers are catching on to its immune-boosting benefits.

# Garlic
Another feature of the healthful Mediterranean diet is garlic. Garlic boosts the immune system by producing more natural killer cells in the blood.

# Essiac Tea
Essiac tea is an herbal blend traditionally comprised of four ingredients: slippery elm, sheep sorrel, Indian rhubarb root and burdock root. This combination of herbs is often used to support immune health. Essiac was popularized by Rene Caisse, a Canadian nurse, in the 1920s.

In addition, lack of sleep suppresses immune function and has been linked to a long list of health concerns. If you have trouble sleeping, try a sleep-promoting supplement like melatonin or magnesium.