The immune system is frequently overworked when the days get shorter and the temperature starts to drop, and elderberry can boost the immune system in winter for those that find themselves susceptible to all the colds, flu and other viral infections that seem to come out of the woodwork at that time. (more…)
Dandelion root has been used since time immemorial for the treatment of a wide variety of disorders, and the first written records of its use are from the 10th century writings of Arabian physicians. It was certainly regarded as more than a common weed in mediaeval times when medicines as we know them did not exist. (more…)
Quadrillions of reactive oxygen species bombard our bodies each day to produce harmful effects in the body including aging and cell death. Extensive research found that the reactive species can be controlled by antioxidants found in numerous plants and fruits. One of the fruits rich in antioxidants is the acai berry, a berry found in the bushes of Brazil. This berry was found to have antioxidant contents twice to that of blueberries. Because a cup of blueberries contains as much as 13,000 antioxidants, then doing some calculations would show the antioxidant content of one cup of acai berries to be more than 26,000. So what are acai antioxidants? (more…)
The word antioxidant is used to describe a group of vitamins, minerals, polyphenols and carotenoids whose job it is to protect the body from destructive free radicals. Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral selenium are the most well known of the antioxidants. Carotenoids like lutein, beta-carotene and lycopene have high antioxidant nutrition and give a myriad of fruits and vegetables their bright colors. The reason carrots and pumpkins are orange is due to their high beta-carotene content. Green leafy vegetables contain a high concentration of lutein, which is essential for eyesight. You can find lycopene in most red fruits and vegetables, like tomatoes. Color in your diet not only adds variety, it has high nutritional value as well. (more…)
What has been described as a “universal,” “ideal,” and “metabolic” antioxidant? Alpha lipoic acid or ALA. It neutralizes free radicals in both the fatty and watery regions of cells. It helps produce the energy for our body’s normal function by converting glucose (blood sugar) into energy. Our bodies produce this fatty acid in small amounts. It occurs naturally in foods like spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, peas, Brewer’s yeast, rice bran and organ meats. ALA is used to treat many serious illnesses. (more…)
As the old saying goes, the key to the heart is through the stomach. According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, maintaining a balanced diet is critical to protecting your heart. For many, adopting a low-cholesterol, high-nutrient diet can seem daunting and unappealing. Luckily, protecting your heart doesn’t mean giving up on taste. (more…)
What has been described as a “universal,” “ideal,” and “metabolic” antioxidant? Alpha lipoic acid or ALA. It neutralizes free radicals in both the fatty and watery regions of cells. It helps produce the energy for our body’s normal function by converting glucose (blood sugar) into energy. Our bodies produce this fatty acid in small amounts. It occurs naturally in foods like spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, peas, Brewer’s yeast, rice bran and organ meats. ALA is used to treat many serious illnesses. (more…)
Many recent studies have found that Essential fatty aCids may be extremely helpful for many chronic, stubborn conditions. Their continuously growing range of applications includes overcoming diseases such as alcoholism, breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease; strengthening the immune system; helping eliminate yeast infection; reducing symptoms of premenstrual syndrome; minimizing inflammation of rheumatoid arthritis; and assisting in the proper management of weight. (more…)
Panax is a type of perennial plant with fleshy roots, and grows in Eastern Asia. Ginsengs contain ginsenosides that are triterpene saponins, steroidal compounds that are found only in Panax ginseng. The effects of these saponins are difficult to establish, but they are believed to be behind the properties of ginseng. (more…)
A lot of us eat without really thinking about the food that we are putting into our bodies. This is extremely unfortunate because diet is crucial to human health. A good diet depends on choosing what to eat and how much to eat, because otherwise food can actually harm someone. People’s food choices in Japan have significantly changed in recent years, with the Japanese diet becoming more and more like the American and European diet, leading to an increase in various diseases that are associated with the Western diet increasing in Japan. This new Japanese diet is high in protein and fat and low in fiber, just the way the Western diet is. (more…)