Some Health Tips

• Drink hot lemon water can prevent cancers. Do not add sugar. The bitterness in hot lemon water is the best substance to kill cancer cells. It can control cancer tumor growth. Add hot water to 2-3 slices of lemon. Make it a daily drink. Clinical tests have proven hot lemon water works. Cold lemon water only has vitamin C, no cancer prevention. Hot lemon water can also prevent blood clots.
• Both yellow and purple sweet potatoes have good cancer prevention properties.
• Taking supper often at late night can increase the chance of stomach cancer.
• Never eat more than 4 eggs per week.
• Eating pope's nose (chicken backside) can cause stomach cancer.
• Never eat fruit after meal. Should be eaten before meal.
• Do not take tea during menstruation period.
• Take less soy milk, no adding sugar or egg to soy milk.
• Do not eat tomato with empty stomach. Cooked tomato has healing properties than the raw tomato.
• Drink a glass of plain water every morning before food to prevent gall bladder stones.
• Drink 10 glasses of water a day to prevent bladder cancer. Drink more water during the day time, less at night.
• No food 3 hours before bed time.
• After 5 pm, eat less.
• Eat less oily food. It takes 5-7 hours to digest them and makes you feel tired.
• Drink less Teh Tarik - no nutritional properties but can cause diabetes and hypertension.
• Do not eat toast bread when it is hot from oven or toaster.
• Do not charge your handphone or any device next to you when you are sleeping.
• Do not drink more than 2 cups of coffee a day. It may cause insomnia and gastric.
• Food that makes you happy: deep sea fish, banana, grapefruit, whole wheat bread, spinach, garlic, pumpkin, low fat milk, chicken and peach.
• Sleep less than 8 hours a day may deteriorate your brain function while taking afternoon naps may keep your youthful look.

Cure for Colds

Colds are highly contagious viral infections of the nose and throat and bring congestion, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, coughing, mild fever and headache. Most colds are minor illnesses and they usually go away within 14 days, with or without treatment. Children, along with the elderly, smokers, and individuals with serious health problems such as asthma, heart disease, cancer, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tend to suffer longer when they get colds.

If your cold lasts much longer than two weeks or keeps coming back, allergies, sinusitis, or some other secondary infection may be the culprit.

"Fever is an important sign," says Dr. Norman Edelman, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association. Adults with a fever of  39℃ or higher and children with a fever of 39.5℃ or higher, should see a doctor, Dr. Edelman advises. Colds can wear down your body's natural defenses, leaving you vulnerable to health issues ranging from ear and sinus infections to strep throat, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Headaches, fever, and sinus pain could point to a sinus infection that requires treatment.

Cure for colds:

1. Blow Your Nose Often - to remove virus and bacteria.

2. Stay Rested         
Resting helps your body direct its energy toward the immune battle. This battle taxes the body and so it is better to lie down under a blanket.

3. Gargle        
Gargling can moisten a sore throat and bring temporary relief. In addition, warm salt-water rinsing helps break nasal congestion while removing virus particles and bacteria from your nose.

4. Drink Hot Liquids
Hot liquids relieve nasal congestion, help prevent dehydration and soothe the uncomfortably inflamed membranes that line your nose and throat.

5. Take a Steamy Shower
Steamy showers moisturize your nasal passages and relax you.

6. Eat infection-fighting foods
Here are some good foods to eat:

• Bananas: Soothe upset stomachs.·       
• Peppers: Loaded with vitamin C.·       
• Blueberries: Curbs diarrhoea, high in natural aspirin. 
• Carrots: Loaded with beta-carotene.·       
• Chilli peppers: Can open sinuses and help break up mucus.·       
• Mustard and horseradish: Helps break up mucus in air passages.·       
• Onion: Has phytochemicals claimed to help the body clear bronchitis and other infections.
• Rice: Curbs diarrhoea.·       
• Tea: Black and green tea contain catechin, a phytochemical claimed to have natural antibiotic and anti-diarrhoea effects.

Tips for Cough Relief

Having a cough can be uncomfortable and annoying when you are trying to get through your day, and a cough that acts up at night can also disrupt your sleep. So how can you get a much-needed break from a stubborn cough?

The following tips may help tame the hacking:

1. Try an expectorant. Over-the-counter (OTC) cough medications with an expectorant such as guaifenesin work by clearing the mucus and other secretions of a productive cough so that you can breathe easier.
2. Take a cough suppressant. OTC cough remedies often contain dextromethorphan, which may provide temporary relief from a dry, hacking cough. In fact, honey also works as well. However, it is not suggested for children younger than 1 year because of possible impurities and the risk of infant botulism.
3. Sip green tea. Hot antioxidant-rich green tea may also help reduce upper respiratory infection symptoms. Add honey for an extra boost.
4. Stay hydrated. Getting enough fluids is always a good idea, and even more so when you have a cold, as staying hydrated helps to thin mucus and make coughs more productive, and helps fight infection. Water is ideal, but soothing chicken soup counts, too.
5. Suck on lozenges. These cough drops are good for soothing a scratchy, dry throat and reducing the urge to cough. A hard candy also provides moisture and can help relieve a dry cough.
6. Zap your cough with a vaporizer. Using a vaporizer or a humidifier adds moisture to the air, which can moisten your airway passages, reducing the likelihood that a dry, hacking cough will wake you up.
7. Elevate your head while you rest. Sleeping with your head elevated can reduce coughing from post-nasal drip. Sleeping this way also helps alleviate GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), which can cause coughing.
8. Apply vapor rub. The same menthol-scented balm your mother or grandmother rubbed on your chest when you were a kid can help clear nasal passages, which can help relieve nighttime coughing. It still works great on your kids as well.

However, “A persistent cough that doesn’t go away should be checked, as it may be a sign of something more serious, such as chronic sinusitis, reflux, asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia,” says Olveen Carrasquillo, MD, chief of internal medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Happy New Year!

Kefir - a fantastic source of many nutrients

Kefir originated from parts of Eastern Europe and Southwest Asia. Kefir is made by adding kefir “grains” to any type of milk (from cow, goat or sheep), coconut, rice or soy.

Kefir grains are not grains in the conventional sense, but cultures of yeast and lactic acid bacteria that resemble cauliflower in appearance.

Kefir tastes sour like yogurt, but has a thinner consistency.

A 175 ml serving of milk kefir contains:

·        Protein: six grams

·        Calcium: 20 percent of the RDA

·        Phosphorus: 20 percent of the RDA

·        Vitamin B12: 14 percent of the RDA

·        Riboflavin (B2): 19 percent of the RDA

·        Magnesium: 5 percent of the RDA

·        A decent amount of vitamin D

Dairy-free versions of kefir do not have the same nutrient profile as dairy-based kefir.

Its benefits:

1. A Powerful Probiotic

Some microorganisms (known as probiotics) can have beneficial effects on health, including digestion, weight management and mental health. Probiotics can help restore the balance of friendly bacteria in the gut.This is why they are highly effective for many forms of diarrhea.

Kefir grains contain about 30 strains of bacteria and yeasts, making it a very rich and diverse probiotic source.

2. Has Potent Antibacterial Properties

Certain probiotics in kefir are believed to protect against infections.

This includes the probiotic Lactobacillus kefiri, which is unique to kefir.

Studies show that this probiotic can inhibit the growth of various harmful bacteria, including Salmonella, Helicobacter Pylori and E. coli.

Kefiran, a type of carbohydrate present in kefir, also has antibacterial properties.

3. Improve Bone Health and Lower The Risk of Osteoporosis

Ensuring an adequate calcium intake is one of the most effective ways to improve bone health, and slow the progression of osteoporosis.

Kefir made from full-fat dairy is not only a great source of calcium, but also vitamin K2. This nutrient plays a central role in calcium metabolism, and supplementing with it has been shown to reduce the risk of fractures by as much as 81 percent.

Recent animal studies have shown that kefir can increase calcium absorption by bone cells. This leads to improved bone density, which should help prevent fractures.

4. Protective Against Cancer

The probiotics in fermented dairy products are believed to inhibit tumor growth by reducing formation of carcinogenic compounds, as well as by stimulating the immune system.

One study found that kefir extract reduced the number of human breast cancer cells by 56 percent.

5. Well Tolerated by People Who Are Lactose Intolerant

Many people are unable to break down and digest lactose properly. The lactic acid bacteria in fermented dairy foods (like kefir) turn the lactose into lactic acid, so these foods are much lower in lactose than milk.

They also contain enzymes that can help break down the lactose even further.

Because of this, kefir is generally well tolerated by people with lactose intolerance.

6. Improve Symptoms of Allergy and Asthma

In animal studies, kefir has been shown to suppress inflammatory responses related to allergy and asthma for people with an over-sensitive immune system.

Uses for Jojoba Oil

Contrary to popular belief, jojoba oil is not oil; it is actually a liquid wax. Jojoba oil comes from seeds found on a desert shrub in Arizona, Mexico and California.

Jojoba oil resembles sebum, the natural oil your body produces. Thus Jojoba oil can help slow down your body's natural rate of sebum secretion to restore your skin's pH balance. Because of this, jojoba oil is helpful whether you have normal, oily, dry or combination skin.

Jojoba oil is full of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamin E and sterols. It delivers a high amount of ceramides, which help regulate the hydration of skin cells. Jojoba oil is safe for most people when applied to the skin, but it is not safe to ingest.

Ten Uses for Jojoba Oil

1 Hair shine treatment

Apply a few drops of jojoba oil all over your hair, or just on the ends, to smooth the appearance of dry, frizzy hair. It also helps seal the natural moisture found in hair shafts.

2 Chlorine protectant

Apply three to four drops to your hair before swimming. This will close your hair cuticles. It prevents chemicals from stripping your hair color, and it also prevents your hair from drying out.

3 Eye makeup remover

Apply jojoba oil to a cotton round, and swipe it gently over and around eyes to remove makeup. Jojoba oil is gentle enough for your sensitive eye area but powerful enough to remove makeup. As an added bonus, it can help make your lashes stronger and longer with continued use.

4 Face wash

Apply jojoba oil to a cotton round, and spread it all over your face. Then moisten another cotton round with water, and go over those same areas. Proceed with your usual face wash.

5 Lip balm

Apply a drop or two of jojoba oil to dry, chapped lips to protect them. This will be especially helpful against the drying effects of cold and wind. The jojoba oil will dry quickly on your lips, but be careful not to ingest it.

6 Moisturizer/lotion

Apply it right after a bath or shower while skin is still damp to help seal in moisture.

7 Shaving prep

Jojoba oil helps prep skin for shaving and prevent razor burns. You can also use it after shaving to soothe and moisturize the skin.

8  Cuticle treatment

Rub a drop or two of jojoba oil on your nail beds to help moisturize dry cuticles and hands. Once a week, soak nails in warm water for five to 10 minutes before applying the oil for greater absorption.

9  Foot softener

Apply a few drops of jojoba oil to help your feet become softer and less calloused. For a more intense foot treatment, apply the oil, put socks on and leave them on for an hour.

10 Sunburn relief

Rub a few drops wherever you have sunburn on your skin to lighten the pain and redness. You can also mix it with aloe vera and vitamin E to make an even more soothing balm.

Foods that fight stress

It is better to eat foods that naturally provide the kind of raw energy your body can use to maintain healthy energy and stress levels.

Oatmeal

Carbohydrates help your body produce serotonin, a hormone that naturally fights the negative effects of stress. Choose healthy carbohydrates like organic oatmeal, which also offers a good serving of dietary fiber that will help keep you feeling full for longer. 

Avocados

Everyone’s favorite green, fleshy, fatty fruit is one of Mother Nature’s best stress fighters.

Rich in glutathione, a substance that specifically blocks intestinal absorption of certain fats that cause oxidative damage, avocados also contain lutein, beta-carotene, vitamin E, and more folate than any other fruit.

Avocados are also full of B complex vitamins, another natural positive energy booster. 

Salmon (and Other Fatty Fish)

Another food high in those good-for-you fats known as omega-3s, salmon can help reverse symptoms of stress in your body.

Omega-3s can help boost serotonin levels. A diet high in omega-3s can also help suppress anxiety-causing hormones like cortisol.

Try salmon, trout, sardines, herring or anchovies to have omega-3s.

Black Tea

Another great cortisol blocker, black tea is known as a calming, relaxing and stress-fighting beverage.

Take a tip from the ancients to kick your anxiety to the curb with a fresh cup of black tea (hot or cold). As an added bonus, it may also improve your memory and help get rid of headaches.

All the Berries

Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and blueberries are all naturally high in vitamin C, a natural stress fighter linked to lower blood pressure and lower cortisol levels. Blueberries in particular are also high in anthocyanin, a special kind of antioxidant that is linked to improved cognition and mental power. 

Nuts and Seeds

Nuts and seeds will also help you fight off stress.

Cashews offer a natural source of zinc (low levels of which have been linked to anxiety and stress). Walnuts may help you lower blood pressure (which anyone dealing with high levels of stress. And seeds like sunflower seeds provide folate, which helps your body produce dopamine, the pleasure hormone.

Dark Chocolate

Dark chocolate helps elevate your mood and reduce anxiety.

It also may help lower blood pressure, and it contains more antioxidant polyphenols and flavonols than some highly touted fruit juices.