Health benefits of Sea Buckthorn

Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) is found throughout Europe and Asia, particularly eastern Europe and central Asia. It is known as the “Holy fruit of the Himalayas”. This herbal medicine has been used in Asia, particularly in the Himalayan region.

Sea Buckthorna plant produces the orange-colored sea buckthorn berry.This tiny yellow-orange berry is approximately one third of the size of a blueberry, yet packs 12 times the amount of vitamin C as an orange, also with high amounts of protein, fibre, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. The anti-oxidant vitamins in Sea Buckthorn oil include vitamin A (derived from -carotene), vitamin C (ascorbic acid) and vitamin E (-tocopherol).

The fruit and the oil from its pulp and seeds have been used traditionally for skin conditions, coughing, phlegm reduction and digestive disorders.  

According to the Chinese Pharmacopeia, Sea Buckthorn is used as a pain reliever, cough suppressant, expectorant, digestive tonic and blood flow promoter.

Heart health
The cardio-protective effects of Sea Buckthorn flavonoids have been attributed to their ability to increase circulating lipid markers, act as powerful antioxidants, improve cardiac cell health and prevent cardiac cell death from oxidative stress and injuries.

Mucus membranes
Sea Buckthorn is also the perfect natural supplement for those who have problems with their mucus membranes. Sea Buckthorn is an important membrane repairer. Its essential Omega 7 fatty acid properties improve the mucus health, creating a better barrier against allergens, moisturize the body, and repair the natural rhythm of the body’s tract systems.

Immune system
Because of its high Omega 3 fatty acid properties, it can restore the essential Omega 3 fatty acids so as to promote better health. Thus one of Sea Buckthorn’s primary applications in holistic medicine is its use in cancer prevention and treatment.

Direct healing
Sea buckthorn is effective on the skin for burns, wounds, cuts, and any kind of skin damage.  It is a true skin healer and the high levels of omega-7, mostly found in the berry oil, are known for supporting tissue and mucous membranes.  Daily use can keep us young and healthy from the inside-out, nourishing the skin and body tissues.  The oil is commonly taken internally to deal with ulcers and other inflammation issues such as in the throat or skin.

Wound Healing
Sea Buckthorn promotes wound healing when applied topically.

Diabetes
Researchers found that Sea Buckthorn may help keep blood sugar in check and protect against type 2 diabetes.

Weight loss
It contributes to weight loss by preventing the storage of excess fat.It boosts the overall metabolic profiles of an overweight person, says a study from Finland.

In addition, Sea Buckthorn can improve our nail tone, hair, texture besides skin.

Lead’s health effects

Lead, a metal found in natural deposits, is commonly used in household plumbing materials and water service lines. The greatest exposure to lead is through drinking water (the major sources of lead in drinking water are corrosion of household plumbing systems and erosion of natural deposits. Lead enters the water through contact with the plumbing), or breathing in lead paint chips and dust.

 

It has long been known that lead in drinking water is highly toxic and recent developments have increased the level of concern. Contamination of drinking water with significant levels of lead is much more widespread than previously believed and levels that were once considered safe are now known to be health threats.

 

 Lead is a toxic substance. Even low levels in drinking water, when continuously ingested, will cause a deterioration in health.

Infants, children, pregnant women and fetuses are more vulnerable to lead exposure than others because the lead is more easily absorbed into the sensitive tissue of actively growing bodies. An equal concentration of lead is more destructive in a child than in an adult. Pregnant women should also be especially cautious about lead exposure, because it can cause premature birth, and reduce the birth weight of babies.

 

Lead is considered the number one health threat to children, and the effects of lead poisoning can last a lifetime. Not only does lead poisoning stunt the growth of a child, damage the nervous system and cause learning disabilities, but it is also now linked to crime and anti-social behavior in children (the Wisconsin State Journal, February 7, 1996: "Researchers using a new test that looks for lead in the bones instead of the blood say exposure to the toxic metal may contribute to crime and anti-social behavior in children"). Children six years old and under are most at risk because this is when the brain is developing.

 

Exposure to lead is cumulative over time. High concentrations of lead in the body can cause death or permanent damage to the central nervous system, the brain, and kidneys. This damage commonly results in behavior and learning problems (such as hyperactivity), memory and concentration problems, high blood pressure, hearing problems, headaches, slowed growth, reproductive problems in men and women, digestive problems, muscle and joint pain.

 

Health Benefits of Maple Syrup

One of the popular sweeteners today is maple syrup.

It is a 100% natural sweetener that is claimed to be more nutritious and healthier than sugar.

Maple syrup is made in 2 steps:

Step 1: A hole is drilled in the maple tree. Then the sugary circulating fluid leaks out and is collected into a container.

Step 2: The sugary fluid is boiled until most of the water evaporates, leaving a thick sugary syrup, which is then filtered to remove impurities.

Health Benefits of Maple Syrup

1. Antioxidants

Maple syrup has various minerals and antioxidant properties that are essential for healthy living. 100 grams of maple syrup contain:

§  Calcium: 7% of the RDA.
§  Potassium: 6% of the RDA.
§  Iron: 7% of the RDA.
§  Zinc: 28% of the RDA.
§  Manganese: 165% of the RDA.

It is the function of the manganese mineral present in the maple syrup to supply the superoxide dismutase which is an oxidative enzyme. This enzyme helps in disarming the dangerous free radicals.

2. Healthy Heart 

As maple syrup contains zinc, it can protect and prevent against various cardiovascular disorders. Zinc enhances the performance of the endothelial cells by protecting them against damage due to the existence of excess cholesterol, together with other oxidized lipids. A low level of zinc exposes the inner lining of blood vessels to injuries, which in return can affect the normal operations of the heart.       

3. Male Health

It helps in maintaining male reproductive health. This is because certain minerals found in maple syrup are useful for a healthy reproductive system, particularly the prostate gland. Reduction in the levels of the minerals increases the risk of disorders, such as prostate cancer. 

4. Immune System

A lack of zinc and manganese in the body could easily lead to a reduction in the number of white blood cells, which affects the response of the immune system.

But even though maple syrup does contain nutrients and antioxidants, it is also high in sugar content. And so consuming it in excess can lead to obesity.

I am the driver of my life

Another inspiring story:

Does milk cause cancer?

Estrogen in the fat of dairy products may fuel cancers that are hormone related, including cancers of the breast and prostate, research suggests.

In one study of breast cancer patients, women who ate more than one serving daily of high-fat dairy products were about 50 percent more likely to die of breast cancer than other patients.

The link may be due to estrogen. This hormone is soluble in fat, so it is found in higher concentrations in high-fat dairy products. And some types of breast cancer have estrogen receptors and are fueled by estrogen.

However, a healthy, well balanced diet is more important to prevent cancers. A healthy diet should also be high in fibre and include at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables each day. And it is best to avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake.

Are you hungry?

How do you know you are hungry?

Leptin is a very important hormone produced in the fat cells. It tells your brain when you are full, triggering the feeling that you need to stop eating. If you have too much leptin, your sensitivity to it can decrease and this leads to more hunger and cravings, and eventually obesity.

No food contains leptin. But some foods can help increase our sensitivity to it. This means our metabolism can then go up, cravings go down. These foods include leafy greens and fiber-rich foods. They can also help keep your body feeling full. These foods spark the sensitivity that your body needs in order to respond appropriately to leptin. For even more regulation of that sensitivity, it needs to get a good allotment of fish in your diet. 

Benefits of Green Tea

The bioactive polyphenolic compounds found in green tea account for the benefits of drinking green tea. Its predominant polyphenols are the catechins and include epicatechin, epicatechin-3-gallate, epigallocatechin and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).

Studies show that green tea can increase our metabolic rate and greater use of fat.

This is because the catechins in green tea inhibit the enzyme that breaks down norepinephrine (a chemical released from the sympathetic nervous system in response to stress, also referred to as a stress hormone) so that its biological effect (e.g., increased metabolic rate, increased fat breakdown, etc.) are prolonged.

Further, green tea causes a preferential use of fat over carbohydrate. A study shows that green tea is an effective in shedding fat, particularly in the mid-section. It has a great effect on reductions in subcutaneous and visceral fat in the abdomen, a region associated with higher risk for many chronic diseases.

The increased metabolic rate and greater use of fat amounted to an increase in energy expenditure ranging from 65 to 200 kcal/day. This extra fat burning translates into about 0.7 to 1.5 pounds of fat loss over a month period.

Green tea may also act to reduce food intake and inhibit the main enzymes involved in fat storage.

In addition, several lines of evidence point to green tea as an effective preventative and therapeutic agent in heart disease and cancers.

Green tea lowers cholesterol levels in the blood and is positively associated with a lower incidence of different forms of heart disease. This could be due to improved antioxidant capacity in the blood after intake of green tea and lowering of oxidized LDL. Green tea can also prevent a variety of different cancers.

And it may be used as a nutritional supplement for atherosclerosis, blood sugar control, HPV virus infection and neurodegenerative diseases.