WORMS: Symptoms, Treatment and Prevention

Tapeworm - courtesy: foxnews.com

Worm infestation is a serious worldwide health problem, but it is found much more frequently in the third world countries. The worms that infect humans are usually of three types: roundworms, tapeworms, and flukes. In the most parts of the world, roundworms or tapeworms are the most frequent, and these may range in length from less than an inch up to fifteen or twenty feet.

Types of worms

The most common worms in the roundworm family are: pinworms, roundworms, hookworms, and whipworm. 

Pinworms

Pinworms - are tiny parasitic worms that infect the large intestine of humans. Found mostly in children. At night the female pinworms pass to the anal region and lay their eggs. This causes severe itching, and the eggs can be transmitted to the mouth when the hands become contaminated, either by scratching around the anal area or by coming in contact with the pinworms eggs on contaminated bed clothes. More than one member of the family may be contaminated. It is important that during treatment, all underclothes and bed clothes be changed and sterilized daily. 

Whipworm and roundworm

Whipworm and roundworm infection can be prevented by proper disposal of human waste. 

Hookworm

Hookworm disease is contracted by walking barefoot on contaminated soil. Prevention of this disease depends on proper sanitary disposal of human feces and wearing shoes.

Tapeworm

Tapeworm infestation is acquired by the ingestion of eggs or larvae in uncooked meat. To prevent infection with tapeworm it is necessary that all beef, pork, and fish be thoroughly cooked before eating.

How do I prevent a tapeworm infection?

Since most people get it from raw or undercooked meat, the best advice is to really be sure you’re fully cooking meat, the CDC says. If you’re cooking whole cuts of beef or pork, use a food thermometer to check that the temperature reaches at least 145° F (63° C) for whole cuts and 160° F for ground meat.

Symptoms 

Many persons infected with worms have few if any symptoms. With a heavy infection of the worms, anemia or weakness may develop. Trichinosis, which is acquired by eating improperly cooked pork, frequently causes muscle pains; the worms may also lodge in the heart, brain, or eyes. Abdominal pain and diarrhea may be present. Children are frequently restless during the night with gritting of the teeth, a dry cough, and a slight fever. Occasionally worms may cause convulsions.

Diagnosis

Occasionally, with heavy infections, the thin adult threadworms may be seen on the surface of freshly passed faeces. Sometimes the worms can be seen around the child’s anus, if examined with a torch at night time. However, the best method of diagnosis is by the ‘sticky tape test’. To do this, press some clear sticky tape onto the skin around the anus first thing in the morning, before wiping or bathing. Then place the tape onto a glass slide or put it in a specimen container, so that your doctor can have it examined with a microscope to see if any eggs have been picked up by the sticky tape.

Treatment

The cause must be corrected, and this usually means the correction of unhygienic living conditions and the proper cooking of all meat and fish. It is easy to remove the worms from the body, but this does not necessarily cure the disease. Do not eat food robbed of its life-giving properties such as white flour products, cane sugar products, vegetables cooked in lots of water and the water thrown away, peeled potatoes, candy, cakes, ice cream, and meats of all kinds. Constipation, if present, must be overcome by herbal laxatives or enemas.

Fast two or three days and eat raw pumpkin seeds generously. You can eat as much as one pound a day. After doing these two or three days, drink freely of fennel seed tea. Worms do not like these as it is sedative to them, and they will pass from the body of the bowels are kept loose. Slippery elm tea taken freely will remove worms from the body and it is also good for the entire system. White oak bark tea used as an enema will remove pinworms.

Any of the following herbs are beneficial to those suffering from any kind of worms: wild yam, tansy, bogbean, poplar bark, balmony, hyssop, wormseed, American worm root, meadowsweet, white oak bark, golden seal, bitterroot, fennel, and slippery elm. Use them singly or in any combination to suit the need. Read their description and take according to direction given.

A single dose therapy is usually effective and is given to the infected person and each family member at the same time. You can buy worm treatment from pharmacies, without a prescription. It is not necessary to treat children on a regular basis, just in case they have worms.

Prevention

• Exclusion of people with worms from childcare, preschool, school and work is usually not necessary. If there are loose bowel motions, exclusion should be for 24 hours after the diarrhoea has ceased.
• Make sure children wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating.
• Parents should seek medical treatment for infected children.
• Change bed linen and underwear daily for several days after treatment. Normal hot water washing of clothes and bed linen will kill threadworm eggs.
• Clean toilet seats and potties regularly.
• Keep children’s fingernails short.

Useful links
Hand hygiene
Exclusion periods from childcare, preschool, school and work

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THE IMPORTANCE OF GOOD NUTRITION

The true science of eating should be thoroughly understood by all - what elements the system requires in order to build and repair, how best to supply them, and how to prepare them in the appetizing manner without destroying their life-giving properties.

The human body is finely constructed machine and transforms the food supplied to it into energy. As the auto-mobile burns gasoline, the human body burns food. All the parts on every machine are constantly wearing and require renewal; just so, the body must have proper food to build new tissues and to repair worn-out ones.

The best way to obtain the nutrients that are needed by your body is from natural foods the way nature prepared them, and not from pills. Nearly 40 percent of people over the age of 16 regularly take some form of dietary supplement.

God in his infinite wisdom neglected nothing, and if we would eat our food without trying to improve, change, or refine it, thereby destroying its life-giving properties, it would meet all the requirement of the body.

Several recent surveys that included thousands of families revealed several potential or real areas of nutritional deficiency. The vitamins that tended to be low were vitamin A, B₆ (pyridoxine), and C. The minerals that were often deficient were iron, calcium, and magnesium.

In order to insure the proper function of the nearly limitless and complicated reactions that are necessary for our body’s optimum health, good nutrition is absolutely essential. This means not only supplying the body with a sufficient amount of food, but just as important is eating the right kinds of food and eating them in the proper proportions. Strangely enough, many overweight persons, although they look well fed, are not getting the proper kind of nourishment.

In all the food we eat, whether it comes from plants or secondhand from animals, there are roughly 50 different nutrients - substances necessary for life and growth. These nutrients can be conveniently arranged into six basic groups, as follows:

Basic Nutrients

Carbohydrates: Foods rich in carbohydrates

These foods also furnish energy and fuel.  Malt sugar, malt, honey, ripe fruit, starchy vegetables (such as potatoes), cereals, refined white sugar (Sugar removes minerals salts as well as vitamin B from the body and should not be eaten.)

Fats: Foods rich in fat

These foods are used mainly for furnishing fuel and energy. Butter, cream, egg, yolk, milk, cheese, cereal, ripe olives, olive oil, vegetable oils, all nuts, and avocados. Choose a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol and moderate in total fat.See Cholesterol: fundamental for life. How to eat diet low in saturated fat.

Proteins: Foods rich in protein

These foods repair and build tissue. Peas, beans, nuts, lentils, milk, eggs, cereals, cow peas (black-eyed peas), soybeans, peanuts, and nut preparations.

Minerals
Vitamins
Water

Although protein is one of the three energy producers, the body is best suited to obtain its energy supply from carbohydrates, with fat as its second choice. Protein is used by the body as a source of energy only when there is more of it present than is necessary for normal growth and the repair of tissues, or when there is not enough carbohydrate and fat to meet the body’s energy demand. Protein foods are the most costly way to obtain energy, while carbohydrates are the least expensive.

These three energy-producing constituents of food, plus water, are needed by our bodies in large amounts, and all are present in various amounts in nearly all the food we eat. Vitamins and minerals, on the other hand, though also essential for the maintenance of food health, are needed only in comparatively very small amounts.

Various Food Nutrients and Their Use in the Body Prenatal Nutrition

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Vomiting: Induction and Prevention

Vomiting, also known as emesis and throwing up, among other terms, is the involuntary, forceful expulsion of the contents of one's stomach through the mouth and sometimes the nose.

The causes of vomiting differ according to age. For children, it is common for vomiting to occur from a viral infection, food poisoning, milk allergy, motion sickness, overeating or feeding, coughing, or blocked intestines and illnesses in which the child has a high fever.

The timing of the vomiting can indicate the cause. When appearing shortly after a meal, vomiting may be caused by food poisoning, gastritis (inflammation of the stomach lining), an ulcer, or bulimia. Vomiting one to eight hours after a meal may also indicate food poisoning. However, certain food- borne bacteria, such as salmonella, can take longer to produce symptoms.

Is Vomiting Harmful?

Usually, vomiting is harmless, but it can be a sign of a more serious illness. Read more here: webmd.com

Vomiting in adults

Vomiting in adults isn't usually a sign of anything serious and tends to only last one or two days. Read more here: www.nhs.uk

Vomiting in children and babies

It's normal for babies and children to vomit occasionally. In most cases, it will last no longer than one to two days and isn't a sign of anything serious. Read more here nhs.uk
 

Induction of

A substance or medication that induces vomiting is known as an emetic. Emetics are useful when it becomes necessary to empty the contents of the stomach because of the ingestion of a poison or toxin of some kind.

Caution: Care should always be taken that the vomit not be aspirated. ‘Vomiting can be dangerous if the gastric content gets into the respiratory tract. Under normal circumstances the gag reflex and coughing prevent this from occurring - however, these protective reflexes are compromised in persons under the influences of certain substances such as alcohol or anesthesia. The individual may choke and asphyxiate or suffer aspiration pneumonia… Prolonged and excessive vomiting also depletes the body of water (dehydration), and may alter the electrolyte status.

Natural treatments

Balloon vine

Make a decoction from the roots (1 teaspoon taken 2 times daily) or eat some leaves.

Emetic swallow-wort

Make a decoction from the dried leaves.

Dose: normal

Indian Acalypha

Use the juice of the leaves to cause vomiting.

Wild Ipecacuanha

Take the juice of the root.

Prevention of

Nausea and vomiting are often the body’s means of ridding itself of a foreign, unpleasant or toxic substance. Persistent vomiting should be a warning that there may be an underlying cause that requires urgent medical attention.

It is also a sign that those treating the sufferer should guard against the potential for his or her dehydration.

When vomiting leads to dehydration from loss of fluids, the affected person may have increased thirst, dry lips, and dry mouth. The person may not urinate often or urine will be darker in color. In children, signs of dehydration include dry lips and mouth, sunken eyes, rapid breathing, lethargy, and dry nappies, indicating the child is not producing urine.

Natural treatment

Citron

Dilute the juice of the fruit with water and consume it.

Cloves

Chew 1 or 2 and hold the extract in the mouth for a while.

Coconut

Drink the water of the young coconut.

Caution: Excessive use may result in painful or difficult urination.

Curry leaf

Use an infusion of the roasted leaves.

Dose: normal

Grapefruit

Consume the peel of the fruit.

Lemon grass

Use extract from the leaves internally with milk or as a herbal tea.

Sage

Drink the hot tea of the herb.

Dose: 10 grams for 1 liter of water; use 4 to 5 cups a day.

When to see a doctor

Occasional bouts of nausea and vomiting are usually nothing to worry about. Treatment will depend on what's causing your symptoms.

Consult your doctor 

• The queasiness is accompanied by fever, abdominal pain, or a severe headache - especially if you haven't had this type of headache before.
• You're unable to drink anything for twelve hours or keep liquids down for eight hours.
• The vomiting lasts more than two or three days and is accompanied by diarrhea.
• You have abdominal pain in your middle or lower right abdomen along with nausea and vomiting.
• You become dehydrated - you have excessive thirst, dry mouth, little or no urination, and severe weakness, dizziness, or light-headedness. 
• Your vomit resembles coffee grounds or contains noticeable blood.

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WHY IT’S RECOMMENDED TO EAT ALKALINE FOODS?

fit4lifeindia.com

Alkaline Diet helps to maintain a constant blood pH. Body's pH levels is the key to life. pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline something is & our blood pH needs to maintain a slightly alkaline to keep us healthy. We should help our bodies to maintain this P.H balance by eating more Alkaline -forming foods & fewer acid -forming foods.

Your Blood is a slightly Alkaline, with a pH between 7.35- 7.45. Your stomach is very acidic, with a pH of 3.5 or below, so it can break down food and your urine changes, depending on what you eat; that's how your body keeps the level in your blood steady. 0-7 is ACIDIC. 7 is NEUTRAL. 7-14 is ALKALINE.

The fact is... Foods simply cannot change your blood pH... However, food can definitely change the pH value of the urine. This is actually one of the main ways your body regulates blood pH by excreting acids in your urine. 

Our Kidneys are fundamentals to removing acids & regulating body pH. The kidney produces Bicarbonate ions that neutralize acids in the blood, a sustainable process which enables the body to tightly regulate blood pH. Our respiratory system is also involved in controlling blood pH. When bicarbonate ions from the kidneys bind in the blood, they form carbon dioxide (which we breathe out) & water (which we pee out).

Alkaline-forming Foods: fruits, Vegetables, Herbs, seeds, Herbal teas.

Acid-Forming Foods: Most grains, Beans, Non-vegetables, Dairy products, Fast foods, Processed foods.

When we eat acid-forming foods, our body brings our Blood pH back into balance by releasing alkaline rich minerals such as calcium, phosphorus & Magnesium into our bloodstream. If we are eating enough alkaline- forming food each day, then our body has easy access to these minerals from our diet. If we are not eating enough Alkaline -forming foods, then our body has to pull these important minerals from our bones, teeth & organs. This can compromise our immune system, cause fatigue & make us vulnerable to virus & disease. 

Eat a diet of 60-80% alkaline forming foods & 20-40%acid forming foods. For the Acid -forming foods skip the fast food burgers & processed foods. Instead choose healthier options like beans, grains & other fresh foods.

Also how the body reacts to certain foods is what determines what foods are alkaline-forming & what foods are acid forming. For e.g. Lemons are acidic in nature, but have an alkalizing effect on the body once they are digested. Milk also is alkaline outside the body, but acidic upon digestion.

Highly Alkaline Foods

Baking Soda, Lemon, Onion, Pineapple, Lentils, Lotus roots, Pumpkin seeds, Raspberry, Sea salt, Sea vegetables, Spirilluna, Sweet potatoes, Vegetable juice.

Moderately Alkaline Foods

Apples, Apricots, Asparagus, Fresh beans, Broccoli, Carrots, Cashews, Chestnuts, , Citrus, Dandelion, Garlic, Fresh ginger, Grapefruits, Green leafy vegetables, Kiwi, Parsley, Peas ,Pepper, fresh corn Turnip.

Low Alkaline Foods

Almonds, Apple cider Vinegar, Apple, Avocado, Bell pepper, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cherry, Egg yolk, Egg plant, Ginseng, Green Tea, Herbs, Papaya, Peach, Pear, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Sesame seeds, Sprouts.

alkalinedietblog.com

The secret formula of this healthy diet is to eat at least 60 to 80% alkaline foods. The remaining percentage (20-40%) refers to acidic food consumption. That must be the statistic you keep in mind as you follow the alkaline diet. This should be applied on every meal that you take on a daily basis. It also means that you do not have to avoid acidic food. You still include some acidic foods on your plate but only less.

Furthermore, the pH levels of your body become more acidic in the morning. That’s why it’s pretty much significant to eat higher alkaline foods during your breakfast. And since the pH levels are interchangeable throughout the day, eating foods high in alkaline is still the best option. This can help you fight over-acidity in the long run.

Children, including infants, and adults must have a well balanced diet. Unlike other diets, alkaline diet is safe for all ages. You can make a puree of carrots and spinach for your baby. Many vegetable-based cereals are already offered in boxes in grocery stores. But it’s much better if you make your own recipe. As for older kids, you can fry some kale and bake glazed carrot sticks with a glass of blended fruits.

Since it usually involves veggies, fruits, beans, and nuts, there is no harm of trying it. You and your family can absolutely have this kind of diet without worrying about side effects. Take note: The more it is recommended to a person who usually gets sick.

Bear in mind that every food you eat does not always have an impact on your body right after digestion. It is an investment to eat alkaline foods. It may take a short or long time to balance your normal pH level depending on the foods you eat and how disciplined you are with this diet. That’s why consistency and patience are both key elements that help you succeed with the main objective of this diet. To add that, start eating foods that are high in alkaline and see for yourself after several weeks that you’d feel much better and healthier.

Alkaline diet is not expensive, but involves time. You have to be objective with this goal to help you get through it. For more tips and information click here.

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Health and Medicinal Value of Charcoal

charcoalremedies.com

For medicinal purposes, fresh charcoal made from the finest woods should be used. The best charcoal is obtained from boxwood, shells of coconuts, willow, pine, and other soft woods.

Charcoal is an adsorbent and it will adsorb and condense many times its own volume of various gases. It is very useful as an antiseptic due to its adsorbent and oxidizing qualities. It is excellent taken internally for acid dyspepsia and also for gas, fermentation, and heartburn.

Dosage

One heaping teaspoonful after each meal. Put the charcoal powder in a cup, add water enough to make a paste, dilute, and drink at once. More can be taken with benefit.

Charcoal is a valuable remedy in cases of colic due to decomposition of foods in the stomach and bowel, and can be used as either a preventive or curative. Give a tablespoonful in half-a-glass of hot water. As a preventive, take a tablespoonful after each meal in a little hot water.

For inflammation of the bowels or dysentery, give a tablespoonful in half-a-glass of hot water and repeat as often as necessary. Also give charcoal poultices over the bowels and stomach.

Charcoal mixed in a strong smartweed tea makes an excellent poultice for bruises and inflammation.

A charcoal poultice is good for relief of inflammation in the eyes. It is also a most excellent poultice for gangrene, old ulcers, and sores.

I have used charcoal and olive mixed to the consistency of paste, or so that it is easy to take. It is very good for some kinds of indigestion. Charcoal also mixes easily with soybean milk, and may be taken in this way for indigestion.

Old charcoal is made more effective if heated before using.

Charcoal is truly a universal antidote. No home should be without charcoal and the knowledge of how to use it effectively. It is a marvelous antidote for many kinds of poisons and is excellent to use for infections. Charcoal is also an excellent air deodorizer when placed in a dish in the refrigerator or anywhere that unpleasant odors are present. It may be used either internally or externally. Charcoal has been found to be harmless when ingested or when used on the skin and may be applied in powdered form directly to skin ulcers or wounds, specially if they are infected.

For a long time there has been some difference of opinion as to whether or not charcoal will adsorb necessary nutrients as well as poisons. Dr. Holt states: “It is now very clear that activated charcoal will adsorb not only poisons but also vitamins, digestive enzymes, amino acids, and other valuable nutrients from the gut. Such losses if continued will seriously affect health, but are of no importance in situations of acute poisoning.”

Poultices made of charcoal are excellent for insect bites, stings, poison oak, inflammation around the ears and eyes, to dress and disinfect wounds, cellulitis, boils, carbuncles, and abdominal pain. They also act as a deodorant and antiseptic.

What is Activated Charcoal?

herbsandoilsworld.com

Activated charcoal is well known as a antidote as it adsorbs most organic toxins, chemicals and poisons before they can harm the body. Some Emergency Rooms administer large doses of activated charcoal for certain types of poisoning.

Where to Get Activated Charcoal

I keep this brand of activated charcoal on hand because it is made from coconut shells and is the most pure source I’ve personally found. I store in a glass jar and usually keep it on the bathroom sink since we typically just use it for teeth. Fair warning: activated charcoal is EXTREMELY messy if spilled. It will easily wash out of a sink or bathroom counter but isn’t so easy to get out of rough surfaces like tile grout (don’t ask how I know). I recommend keeping this out of the reach of children or messy pets for that reason!

Activated charcoal is also use in the carbon block filters on our water filter as it can pull toxins from the water as well.

How to Use Activated Charcoal?

I most regularly use charcoal to brush my teeth as it whitens them naturally. I keep it on hand in case any of the kids ever ingest any toxins or household chemicals, though we also do our best to keep anything toxic out of the house completely. In case of any emergency, I would absolutely call a poison control center (we keep the number with all emergency numbers on our fridge) and follow their directions, but this basic use guide is also helpful.

I have personally used charcoal to treat a spider bite on my son’s leg (we had confirmation that it was likely a brown recluse bite and a mix of charcoal and baking soda helped draw the toxin out and he healed with no long term scarring. I’ve also used it when I got food poisoning (another good reason not to eat out!) and was able to get rid of it within a few hours with charcoal followed by apple cider vinegar and then epsom salt (to avoid the charcoal building up in my system).

As with any substance, you should always check with a doctor or medical professional before use, especially in an emergency or life threatening situation or if there is any other underlying health problem.

Activated charcoal is not known to be toxic, though it should not be taken within two hours of vitamins or medications because it will keep the body from adsorbing them. Care should also be taken to find a high quality form of charcoal. I personally would not take charcoal on a regular basis and would only use as needed. This article has a full list of precautions.

Also, activated charcoal is NOT the same thing as the ashes from burning wood or other fires at home, so please don’t try to use those type of ashes for these or any other uses! Read more at wellnessmama.com

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SMALLPOX: Symptoms and Treatments

Smallpox is a very contagious disease caused by a virus. The sores tend to leave permanent scars when they heal. This disease is contagious from the time the first symptoms appear until all of the sores have healed completely. In the United States, smallpox is no longer the common dreaded disease it once was. In fact, while smallpox was once one of the world’s most dreaded diseases, it was officially declared eradicated in 1977 by the World Health Organization, thanks to world-wide cooperation and vaccination.

Symptoms of Smallpox

After exposure to smallpox, the symptoms usually appear in about ten or twelve days. These symptoms consists of fever, headache, weakness, vomiting, and constipation. In a few days the sores begin to appear, usually on the face and around the wrists. Later the entire body is involved, with more of the pustules located on the arms, legs, and face, than on the back, chest, or abdomen. The sores gradually heal over a period of four to six weeks, and when the crust comes off a scar very often remains. Smallpox has a fairly high fatality rate, particularly in small infants.

Smallpox Vaccine

Smallpox can be prevented by the smallpox vaccine. If given to a person before exposure to the virus, the vaccine can protect them. Vaccination within 3 days after exposure may prevent or greatly lessen the severity of smallpox in most people. Vaccination 4 to 7 days after exposure likely offers some protection from disease or may decrease the severity of disease. Vaccination will not protect smallpox patients who already have a rash.

Currently, the smallpox vaccine is not available to the general public. However, there is enough smallpox vaccine stockpiled to vaccinate every person in the United States in the event of a smallpox emergency.

For more details about vaccination, see Smallpox Vaccine Basics.

Treatment and Prevention

There is no proven treatment for smallpox disease. Prevention is achieved through vaccination. For purposes of controlling a smallpox outbreak, smallpox vaccine and antivirals can be used. Read more here CDC: Disease facs

Natural Treatments of Smallpox

Because of the highly contagious character of this disease, the patient must be kept in isolation, and all persons and articles that come in contact with the patient need to be disinfected. The isolation needs to be continued until all the sores have healed and the crusts have come off.

The patient must be kept clean and the room darkened. Good ventilation and an even temperature of not over 70°F. are best. During the fever stage, give plenty of lemonade without sugar. When the skin is hot and dry, take equal parts of pleurisy root and ginger; steep a teaspoon in a cup of boiling water for twenty minutes and give a cupful every hour on until there is free perspiration. Equal parts of yarrow and valerian taken in the same way will also produce perspiration. Red sage, made into a tea or taken in the powdered from in capsules, is very good.

If there is severe itching of the skin, bathe with a tea made of burdock root, golden seal root, or yellow duck root. When the pustules are well advanced and begin to rupture, the skin can be kept clean with boric acid compresses. Bathing the pustules with golden seal tea is a help against permanent scarring. Cleansing with hydrogen peroxide is also helpful.

The diet should be very light.Soybean milk, oatmeal water, or bran and barley water are good. Vegetable broth is very nourishing. Fruit juices are excellent.

When there is exposure to smallpox or any danger of contracting it, cleanse your system with high enemas. Take the herbal laxative given in this blog or any good herb laxative; go on a fruit juice diet for a number of days; then take vegetables broth, or vegetable puree (made from leafy vegetables combined with thick potato peelings, with some oatmeal or natural brown rice added; and after cooking strain, and use).

Hot baths taken before contracting smallpox or after contracting it will make the skin active and shorten the course of the disease.

Source: Jethro Kloss, Back To Eden

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LEMONS: MEDICINAL BENEFITS

Fresh lemons

Medically, lemons acts as an antiseptic - an agent that will prevent infection or putrefaction. They are also anti-scorbutic, which means a substance that will prevent scurvy. They also assist in cleansing they system of impurities. The lemon is a wonderful stimulant to the liver and is also a solvent for uric acid and other poisons. It liquefies the bile and is very good in cases of malaria. Sufferers from chronic rheumatism, rickets, tuberculosis, and gout will benefit by taking lemon juice, as will those who have a tendency to bleed or have uterine hemorrhages. During pregnancy it will help to build strong bones in the child. We find that the lemon help to build strong bones in the child. We find that the lemon contains certain elements that help to build a healthy system and then to keep that system healthy. The lemon, owing to its potassium content, will nourish the brain and nerve cells. Its calcium strengthens the bony structures and makes healthy teeth.

The minerals found in lemons have an important part to play in the formation of plasma - the fluid portion of the blood. A single average-sized lemon contains phosphorus, 16 mg; sodium, 2 mg; calcium, 26 mg; potassium, 138 mg; vitamin C, 53 mg and iron, 0.6 gm. Lemons are useful in treating asthma, biliousness (gas), colds, cough, sore throat, diphtheria, influenza, heartburn, liver complaints, scurvy, fevers, and rheumatism.

For diphtheria, use pure lemon juice every hour, or more often if needed. Use either as a gargle or swab the throat with it. Swallow some until it cuts loose the false membrane in the throat.

For sore throat, dilute lemon juice half-and-half with water and gargle frequently. It is better to use it full strength if possible.

A slice of lemon tied over a corn overnight will greatly relieve the pain.

A slice of lemon tied over a felon will not fail to bring the pus to the surface where it can be easily removed.

To relieve asthma, take a tablespoon of lemon juice one hour before each meal.

For liver complaints, the juice of a lemon should be taken in a glass of hot water one hour before breakfast every morning.

To break up influenza, take a large glass of hot water with the juice of a lemon added, while at the same time keeping the feet in a deep bucket or other vessel of hot water. Have the water deep enough so that it comes almost to the knees. Keep adding water as hot as the patient can stand it for about twenty to thirty minutes, or until the patient is perspiring freely. Be sure there is no draft on the patient while this is being done. The patient should be near the bed so he can get into bed without moving around, thereby avoiding any danger of getting chilled. If it is convenient, a full hot tub bath would be good in place of the foot bath. The lemon water should be taken every hour until the patient feels that all symptoms of the cold are gone.

A teaspoon of lemon juice in one-half glass of water will relieve heartburn.

Lemon juice is an agreeable and refreshing beverage in fevers if the bowels are not ulcerated.

For rheumatism, one or two ounces of lemon juice freely diluted should be taken three times a day, one hour before meals and at bedtime. In case of hemorrhage, lemon juice diluted and taken as cold as possible will help stop it.

Scurvy is treated by giving one or two ounces of lemon juice diluted with water every two to four hours. In excessive menstruation, the juice of three or four lemons a day will help check the bleeding. It is best to take the juice of one lemon at a time in a glass of cold water.

Many have asked: “How can one with an inflamed or ulcerated stomach partake of lemon juice? Would not a strong acid like that of the lemon act as an irritant?”

That would depend on how it was taken. If in quantity - yes, but if taken very weak at first, diluted with water, it will eventually cease to burn. The sufferer afflicted with an ulcerated stomach has to use great perseverance to effect a cure, but it can be cured if care and patience are used.

The gastric juice in the stomach is four times as strong as lemon juice.

It should be especially remembered that it is a wonderful remedy for colds, influenza, and all kinds of fever. Always take without sugar.

I wish that humanity would understand the real value of the lemon and learn to make a real medicine of it.

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VARICOSE VEINS: CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND NATURAL REMEDIES

SPIRAL/BROKEN/VARICOSE VEINS

VARICOSE VEINS: Is a condition when abnormally enlarged veins appear close to the skin's surface. They usually occur in the thighs & calves when the veins develop weakened walls or poorly functioning valves, which regulate blood flow. Read more about Varicose veins during pregnancy ...VARICOSE VEINS IN PREGNANCY

SYMPTOMS OF VARICOSE VEINS

Include; restlessness, fatigue, pain feeling of tingling, burning, throbbing or heaviness in the legs.

CAUSES OF VARICOSE VEINS

 
The most common causes for this condition are heredity, occupation, long standing hours, obesity, constipation, use of birth pills & hormonal changes in the body during pregnancy, puberty & menopause.

Home remedies for varicose veins 

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR (ACV)

It is a natural body cleansing product & also improves blood flow & circulation.

• Apply undiluted ACV on the skin over the varicose veins & gently massage the area. Do it everyday before going bed & again in the morning. Follow it for few months to reduce the size of varicose veins.
• Add 2 tsp. of ACV in a glass of water & stir well. Drink the mixture twice a day for at least a month to see positive results. 

COCONUT OIL

It is very necessary in treating varicose veins is increasing the blood circulation & with that reducing pain & inflammation.

• Mix equal amount of coconut oil/olive oil + Vitamin E oil & warm up slightly. Massage with this for several minutes. Do it twice daily for 1-2 months. 
• You can mix four drops of essential oil in 2 tsp of warm coconut oil & massage with this mix.

GARLIC

It is a natural blood thinner, anti-inflammatory, also helps to breakup harmful toxins in the blood vessels & improve circulation.

• Slice up 6 garlic cloves & put them in a clean glass jar. Extract the juice from 3 oranges & add it to the jar along with 2 tablespoon of coconut oil. Let it stand for about 12 hours. Shake the jar & then put a few drops of the solution on your fingers & massage the inflamed veins with it , in a circular motion for 15 minutes. Wrap the area with a cotton cloth & leave it on overnight. Repeat daily for several months.

CAYENNE PEPPER

Rich in vitamin c & bio-flavonoids, it increases blood circulation & eases the pain of congested, swollen veins.It protect the walls of the blood vessels from free radical damage & promote collagen formation to keep them healthy & elastic. Also Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory, Analgesic& blood thinning properties.

• Add 1 tsp of cayenne pepper powder to a cup of hot water & stir well. Drink this mixture 3 times a day for 1-2 months.

RUSSIAN FOLK REMEDY

Take few GREEN TOMATOES, clean them & cut them in thick pieces. apply them on the varicose vein area & put a cloth over them. Tie the cloth so the slices don't fall off. Leave them on the affected area until you feel tingling. As tomatoes contains an ASPIRIN-like substance & also it is an anti-coagulant which dilutes blood.

MUD PACKS

Applying a mudpack to varicose affected legs may help reduce vein enlargement. It helps to reduce pain also. Fine clay such as FULLER"S EARTH is best for mudpack. Mix the clay with water & apply to your legs before going to bed. Morning wash the clay with warm water & pat the area dry. As the clay dries, it contracts, resulting in a tightening effect. It works in a similar fashion to compression stockings by constricting the dilated blood vessels & promoting blood flow. Clay has a detoxifying effect too. It draws out impurities from the skin & the blood vessels.

COMPRESSION

Applying uniform pressure on the legs with specially designed compression stockings is a tried & tested remedy for varicose veins. Loss of elasticity of the blood vessels & their consequent enlargement reduces the efficiency of the venous valves trying to stem the back-flow of blood. The gentle, yet consistent pressure compresses the veins, reducing their diameter. This helps the valves to work more effectively to prevent the back-flow. The additional support for the venous walls facilitates the smooth flow of blood, reducing the risk of stagnation & blood clot formation.

DIETARY SUPPORT

Research indicates that an increase in homocysteine levels in the blood can damage the lining of the blood vessels & increase the risk of thrombosis & varicose veins. Deficiency of B-complex Vitamins, B 6 (Pyridoxine), B9 ( Folic Acid )& B12 (Cobalamine) in particular, is known to elevate homocysetene levels. Include Tuna, Salmon, Shrimp, Chicken, Turkey, & eggs . Also vegan sources like Sweet Potato, Potatoes, Sunflower Seeds, Avocados, Bananas, Broccoli, Lentils & Lima beans. Include Anti-inflammatory foods like oily fish, Green leafy Vegetables, Beets, Tomatoes, Nuts, Whole Grains, Ginger Turmeric, Garlic, Onion, Berries & Cherries To reduce Pain & Swelling.

Increasing activity

The heart pumps blood into the arteries, but its return to the heart from the legs is aided by the movement of the calf muscles. That is why sedentary lifestyles are bad for varicose veins. Walking is a good activity since it boosts blood circulation, even though the veins in the legs have to carry the blood upwards against gravity.

GRAPE SEED EXTRACT

Tiny seeds inside grapes contain antioxidant substances, flavonoids, linoleic acid & Vitamin E. It also promotes the formation of collagen, a protein that helps maintain the elasticity of connective tissues & strengthen the walls of the blood vessels. It prevents leakage of fluid from the veins & resultants swelling of the legs.

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CHOOSING THE CORRECT COOKING OIL

Oils are a cook’s best friend. They impart, enhance, and carry flavors, and they help conduct heat for better cooking. But, not all oils are created equal. As a general rule for cooking oils, you want at least two — one for high heat cooking like frying, and one for dressings and finishing — but not more than you can use before they go rancid.

Anyone can toss some oil into a pan and cook, but if you want to up your cooking game, consider using different oils based on the dish you're making and how you plan to cook it. Using the right one can mean the difference between a tasty, well-cooked meal and a smoke alarm going off over your burned food.

We're not suggesting that you run out and buy a dozen different oils just in case you need them, but there is some benefit to having more than one type of cooking oil in your kitchen. Depending on whether you plan to bake, fry, broil, or grill, a different oil will yield different results in your food, and give you more control over the cooking time and temperature.

Different oils fill different needs — for health, taste and cooking. For good health, our bodies need a variety of healthy fats found naturally in different oils. This guide will help you choose what oils are best suited for specific cooking techniques, or used raw.

Oils and fats are of 2 kinds:

Saturated fat which increases blood cholesterol. Examples are all animal fats (butter, ghee, organ meats) except fish oil.

Unsaturated fat which does not have any major effect on blood cholesterol.they provide good cholesterol. Examples are all vegetables oil are predominantly unsaturated fats except palm kernel oil,coconut oil and hydrogenated vegetable oils.

As a general rule, the fats which remain solid at room temperature are saturated fats and which remain liquid are unsaturated fats.

Best option is combination of Oils:

If we use a combination of oils, then the danger of saturated fat content of one oil is counteract by the benefits of unsaturated fat due to Omega 3 and Omega 6 content. Therefore,it is best to use groundnut oil, sunflower oil, mustard oil mixed in equal proportions.

However, it is important to realize and remember that quantity of oil is more important than the type of oil.therefore use as little oil as possible for cooking.if you are using very little oil for cooking then the type of oil doesn't matter since you are exercising and having healthy diet.

Frequently asked questions

Should I heat oil to the smoke point?

No. If oil smokes in the pan, discard it. The temperature is too high. Clean the pan and start over at a lower temperature. The point where oil smokes signals that the oil has been damaged and potentially cancer-causing properties have formed.

Which oils are genetically engineered?

Soy, corn, canola and cotton are the most common genetically engineered (GE) crops and all are cooking oil sources. PCC does not sell any of these oils, except canola oils that are Certified Organic or Non-GMO Project Verified.

Can I use olive oil for all of my cooking?

No. Extra virgin olive oil deserves its reputation as a healthy culinary oil. It contains heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and phenols — protective compounds that provide numerous benefits. But to maximize the health benefits, we recommend using it raw for salads and dips or for lower-heat cooking.

I've heard I should not use canola oil. Why?

It is true that more than 90 percent of the canola grown in the United States is GMO, but organic and non-GMO sources are available at PCC. Canola was bred from rapeseed, which 30 years ago contained elevated levels of erucic acid considered harmful to humans. Today's canola contains less than two percent of this controversial fatty acid.

Choose the Right Cooking Oil Every Time With This Guide

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Five Reasons to Eat Watermelon

1. It soothes sore muscles.

According to a new study in the Journal of Agricultural Food and Chemistry, drinking watermelon juice before a hard workout helped reduce athletes' heart rate and next-day muscle soreness. That's because watermelon is rich in an amino acid called L-citrulline, which the body converts to L-arginine, an essential amino acid that helps relax blood vessels and improve circulation.

2. It helps heart health.

Postmenopausal women experienced improved cardiovascular health after six weeks of taking commercially available watermelon extract supplements containing citrulline and arginine.

3. It could be a natural Viagra.

Improved circulation can benefit more than just the heart, as at least one watermelon researcher has pointed out. But you'd probably have to eat an awful lot to achieve the desired effect--and eating too much could cause unfortunate side effects, since watermelon has long had a reputation as a natural diuretic.

4. It's rich in vitamins and minerals, but low in calories.

Given its name, you might assume the fruit has little nutritional value—and it is more than 90 percent water. But a 10-ounce (300-mL) wedge of watermelon packs in about one-third of the recommended daily value of vitamins A and C, as well as a modest amount of potassium (9 percent of the daily value).

5. It could even combat cancer.

Watermelon is among the best dietary sources of lycopene, an antioxidant linked to both the prevention and treatment of prostate cancer, although scientists are still investigating the details of that connection.

Source: www.epmmi.org

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Facts About Health You Never Knew

40 Facts about Health ←FACTSlides→
One of the worst tragedies regarding the World health crisis is that through poor lifestyle habits, most people actually invite the unsavory assortment of disabling diseases bent on killing them. Plagued with a pandemic of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, many seem to spend their last 10 or even 20 years dying rather than really living! Worse, these self-destructive habits have led to astronomical medical costs.

It doesn’t need to be this way. It can change. Not only for you personally and for those you love!

Most people want good health, but they are confused about where to find it. Did you know that the public indulges on the nearly 30,000 quick-fix health supplements available on the market? It’s a multi billion dollar industry. More than 150 million people take some form of supplement each year. While taking a vitamin pill might be helpful at times, it’s not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle. It’s not worth spending a fortune on something that doesn’t get to the core of the problem.

15 Amazing Facts About Health

1. People who regularly eat dinner or breakfast in restaurants double their risk of becoming obese.
2. Farting helps to reduce high blood pressure & is good for your health.
3. Laughing 100 times is equivalent to 15 minutes exercise on a stationary bicycle.
4. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it feeds your body & mind with the necessary nutrients & energy to function throughout the day . Eating breakfast regularly will also keep weight off because it gets your metabolism going.
5. Over 30 % of cancer could be prevented by avoiding tobacco & alcohol, having a healthy diet & physical activity.
6. Mental disorders such as depression are among the 20 leading causes of disability worldwide.
7. Sleeping less than 7 hours each night reduces your life expectancy.
8. Every cigarette you smoke reduces your expected life span by 11 minutes.
9. The average person loses about 80 hair a day-- & they end up everywhere from shower drains to pillows & coats.
10. There are up to 1000 different types of good bacteria living in our skin. They help with our skin cell turnover & immunity.
11. Each minutes your heart pumps 1.5 gallons of blood.
12. A women 's average heartbeat is faster than a man's by almost 8 beats a minutes.
13. 1 can of SODA a day increases your chances of getting Type 2 Diabetes by 22 %.
14. Ginger can help reduce exercise- induced muscle pain by up to 25 % .
15. On average, people who complain live longer, Releasing the tension increases immunity & boost their health.

8 Scary Health Facts

1. It's not just coughs and sneezes that spread diseases. One single bacteria cell can multiply to become more than 8 million cells in less than 24 hours. Just imagine what's on the toilet door handle you just touched, the taps and even on other people's hands...
2. Flies can't eat solid food. They vomit on food to make it soft before sucking it back up. Flies will eat anything from poo, to your roast dinner. Speaking of poo, a typical bowel movement can contain up to 100 billion potentially disease-causing organisms some of which end up in the air and on the toilet even after flushing - even if the lid is put down. When you're cleaning special attention should be paid to anything likely to be touched or contaminated with feces. This includes lavatory seats, flush handles, door handles, wash basins, taps, floors, tiling, light switches, potties, baby-changing mats etc.
3. Airborn - Different viruses cause the common cold and flu, but both are spread through the air in tiny droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or breathes. When you sneeze your body is getting rid of infected cells and an average sneeze will spread over 100,000 virus cells up to 30 feet. And, in case you were wondering, people suffering from a cold can spread the virus from two days before the symptoms of the illness start and up to four days afterwards. On average, adults catch two to three colds each year. School-age children can have twelve or more colds in a year.
4. Do not use eyeshadow if you have an eye infection as this will aggravate the problem. You could also pass the bacteria on to the eyeshadow with the applicator or your finger. And pay attention to how those suave mall makeup artists apply their products on your face. You don't want to get used tools. Which reminds us, never use lipstick if you have a cold sore, it will aggrivate the cold sore but, more importantly, the infection will be on the lipstick and you could re-infect your mouth. Ok, one more thing, never share mascara as this is the most common way to pass on eye infections such as conjunctivitis.
5. The wart virus is very contagious. The skin cells on the warts release thousands of viruses and touching the wart or skin cells on it releases the virus, which can then infect others. Similarly, 6-9 million Americans have toenail fungus. Protect your feet by keeping them clean and dry. Furthermore, a tiny flake of infected skin from a person with athlete's foot can fall off whilst showering. It may then be trodden on by others who can then develop the infection. Once a small patch of infection develops it typically spreads along the skin.
6. High heels over 1.5 inches could lead to broken and twisted ankles as well as knee and backstrain. Pointed shoes could lead to bunions and hammer toes.
7. Don't neglect your beard. If you do it will smell like a sweaty armpit. Dirty beards harbour the same smelly bacteria that live in smelly armpits. Human beards that aren't regularly maintained or groomed create the perfect environment for human lice.
8. Make sure you brush and floss your teeth twice a day to avoid plaque. Plaque produces smelly gasses and bacteria which lead to bad breath and gum disease.

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Health Benefits of Avocado

The avocado is a rather unique type of fruit. Most fruit consists primarily of carbohydrate, while avocado is high in healthy fats. Numerous studies show that it has powerful beneficial effects on health.

Nutritional Value of Avocados

Avocados are considered a “Super Food” and have a special position in the food calorie pyramid. Avocados are rich in various nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Avocados are also a good source of monounsaturated fatty acids, and they have a low sugar content. They are a good source of energy and contain a number of essential vitamins and minerals. Avocados contain calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, copper,manganese, phosphorus and zinc. They also contain minerals such as vitamin C, B6, B-12, A, D, K, E, thiamin,riboflavin, and niacin. Furthermore, they are a great source of dietary fiber, and a single serving can provide more than 40% of the daily requirement!

Avocados are rich in potassium and successfully balances the potassium to sodium ratio which is vitally important to overall health. According to CAC (California Avocado commission), a medium-sized Hass avocado contains almost 22.5 grams fat. Two-thirds of this fat is of the monounsaturated variety, and they are also very low in fructose. Perhaps most importantly, avocados have a unique collection of organic compounds like phytosterols, carotenoids, flavonoids,

How to Select and Store Avocados

A ripe, ready-to-eat avocado is slightly soft but should have no dark sunken spots or cracks. If the avocado has a slight neck, rather than being rounded on top, it may have ripened a bit more on the tree and have a richer flavor. A firmer, less mature fruit can be ripened at home and may be less likely to have bruises, depending on how it was handled during harvest and transport. Other varieties can have different textures (for example, smoother and less pebbly), different colors (for example, lighter or brighter greens), and varying degrees of glossiness.

A firm avocado will ripen in a paper bag or in a fruit basket at room temperature within a few days. As the fruit ripens, the skin will turn darker. However, we do not recommend relying exclusively on color to determine the ripeness of an avocado. Hold the avocado very gently in your palm and begin to press very gently against its surface. A ripe avocado will yield to very gentle pressure, without feeling squishy.

Avocados should not be refrigerated until they are ripe. Once ripe, they can be kept refrigerated for up to a week. Loss of some nutrients in avocado—for example, its vitamin C content—is likely to be slowed down through refrigeration. If you are refrigerating a whole avocado, it is best to keep it whole and not slice it in order to avoid browning that occurs when the flesh is exposed to air.

If you have used a portion of a ripe avocado, it is best to store the remainder in the refrigerator. Store in a sealed and reusable glass container or sealed and reusable plastic container. Sprinkling the exposed surface(s) with lemon juice will help to prevent the browning that can occur when the flesh comes in contact with oxygen in the air.

Tips for Preparing Avocados

Use a stainless steel knife to cut the avocado in half lengthwise. Gently twist the two halves in opposite direction if you find the flesh clinging to the pit. Remove the pit, either with a spoon or by spearing with the tip of a knife. Next, take each of the avocado halves and slice lengthwise to produce four avocado quarters. The use of "nick and peel" method to peel the avocado. Just take your thumb and index finger to grip an edge of the avocado skin and peel it away from the flesh, in exactly the same way that you would peel a banana. The final result will be a peeled avocado that contains most of that dark green outermost flesh that is richest in carotenoid antioxidants.

You can prevent the natural darkening of the avocado flesh that occurs with exposure to air by sprinkling with a little lemon juice or vinegar.

The method you use to peel an avocado might make a difference to your health. Research on avocado shows that the greatest phytonutrient concentrations occur in portions of the food that we do not typically eat, namely, the peel and the seed (or "pit.") The pulp of the avocado is actually much lower in phytonutrients than these other portions of the food. However, while lower in their overall phytonutrient richness, all portions of the pulp are not identical in their phytonutrient concentrations and the areas of the pulp that are closest to the peel are higher in certain phytonutrients than more interior portions of the pulp. For this reason, you don't want to slice into that outermost, dark green portion of the pulp any more than necessary when you are peeling an avocado. Accordingly, the best method is called the "nick and peel" method. In this method, you actually end up peeling the avocado with your hands in the same way that you would peel a banana. The first step in the nick-and-peel method is to cut into the avocado lengthwise, producing two long avocado halves that are still connected in the middle by the seed. Next you take hold of both halves and twist them in opposite directions until they naturally separate. At this point, remove the seed and cut each of the halves lengthwise to produce long quartered sections of the avocado. You can use your thumb and index finger to grip the edge of the skin on each quarter and peel it off, just as you would do with a banana skin. The final result is a peeled avocado that contains most of that dark green outermost flesh, which provides you with the best possible phytonutrient richness from the pulp portion of the avocado.

Here are health benefits of avocado, that are supported by scientific research.

Avocados have many health benefits. They are packed with nutrients and are therefore considered as one of the best foods you can eat. Avocados are most beneficial when eaten raw. Many of the most well-researched and important health benefits of avocados are as follows:

Healthy Eyes

Avocados help to keep your eyes healthy. They contain carotenoids such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which help to protect your eyes against cataracts, eye diseases related to age, and macular degeneration. Those conditions are often caused by free radicals that accumulate in the tissues of the eyes. The antioxidant activity of those special carotenoids neutralize the effects of those dangerous free radicals.

Healthy Heart

The health benefits of avocados include a healthier heart. Beta-sitosterol, which is found in avocados, helps to maintain healthy cholesterol levels. Research studies suggest that the intake of avocado may enhance antiatherogenic properties of HDL cholesterol, which helps in protecting your heart fromatherosclerosis, also known as arteriosclerotic vascular disease. The significant levels of potassium also make avocados a powerful fruit in the fight against hypertension. Potassium is a vasodilator, which relaxes the tension of blood vessels and arteries, thereby reducing the chances of clotting, heart attacks, and strokes.

Kidney Health

Your diet plays a very important role in maintaining the balance of minerals and fluids in those who suffer from chronic kidney disorders. Potassium is one of the minerals that helps in maintaining a normal heart rate. Avocados are a good source of potassium and their inclusion in your diet may provide other benefits as well. It is important to make sure that potassium levels are not too high as that can also be dangerous for the heart. Potassium is a key aspect of maintaining fluid balance through chemical channels for cells and organs. This balance of fluid is also vital for the functioning of the kidney, which handles the movement of fluid and toxins through the body.

Vitamin K Deficiency

A vitamin K deficiency is not very common, but is frequently seen in neonatal care. It may lead to a bleeding disorder known as vitamin K deficiency-related bleeding (VKDB). This occurs mostly due to an insufficient intake of vitamin K during pregnancy. Inclusion of avocado in the diet of a pregnant woman may help in lowering risk of VKDB in the newborn child, since avocados are one of the rare fruits that have a very high amount of vitamin K (almost 40% of the daily requirement in a single serving!)

Morning Sickness

During pregnancy, morning sickness is very common. Avocados help to overcome nauseaand queasiness during pregnancy since it contains vitamin B6, which is commonly connected to reducing nausea and vomiting.

Arthritis

The anti-inflammatory properties of avocados are perhaps its most valuable attribute, and between the wide range of phytochemicals, flavonoids, carotenoids, phytosterols, fatty alcohols, and omega-3 fatty acids, avocados are one of the best foods for reducing the inflammation in tissues, joints, and muscles.Arthritis affects tens of millions of people around the world, and by consuming a proper amount of avocados, studies have frequently shown the symptoms and associated pain of arthritis can be efficiently reduced!

Anti-Cancer Properties

Health benefits of avocados include a lower risk of cancers, including breast cancerand prostate cancer. Avocado containss carotenoids and monounsaturated fat, which both contribute to the significant reduction of cancer. Avocado also contains Glutathione, an antioxidant that protects the cells from cancer and the dangerous effects of free radicals. The list of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds in avocados is impressive, and it is almost difficult to determine which one has the largest impact. Studies have been widely done on oral, skin, and prostate cancers, and the results show that instead of metastasizing, the organic compounds in avocados cause cancerous cells to undergo apoptosis (automatic cell death). Research is ongoing in terms of avocado and cancer.

Antioxidant Properties

Avocado contains both vitamin C and E, which help to enhance antioxidant properties of the human body. Vitamin C recycles vitamin E and helps to reduce the oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Avocado also contains antioxidants like epicatechin, violaxanthin, neochrome, and about a dozen others. Antioxidants neutralize the effects of free radicals, which are the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism. They are responsible for dozens of serious conditions in the body, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, vision problems, premature aging, cognitive disorders, and many more.

Healthy Skin

Avocados contain many vitamins and minerals that help in maintaining healthy skin.Carotenoids found in avocados are associated with reducing UV-induced inflammation of the skin due to exposure to sun. Oil made from avocado helps in protecting the skin against sunburn damage. The high levels of beta-carotene in avocados can be enzymatically split into provitamin A, which has long been connected to protecting the skin from a variety of conditions and the damaging effects of the sun.

Weight Management

Regular exercise, along with a healthy diet, is very important in weight management. Avocados are fruits that provide nutritional value to the body and support weight control. Findings of a recent study suggest a number of beneficial effects of avocado on weight management.

Anti-Aging

Consuming avocados is also associated with healthy aging. It contains compounds such as xanthophyll, which have antioxidant properties. Research studies suggest that an intake of xanthophyll may decrease signs of the aging process on various parts of your body.

Bone Health

Avocados contain carotenoids such as zeaxanthin and lutein, which are associated with a reduced risk of cartilage defects (symptom of osteoarthritis). Intake of foods such as avocado and soy may help in reducing the risk of osteoarthritis. Furthermore, the levels of essential minerals in avocados are significant, including zinc, phosphorous, copper, and trace amounts of calcium and selenium. All of these are connected to lowered risks of osteoporosis and improvements in bone mineral density.

Nutrient Absorption

Avocados are best eaten along with other fruits and vegetables. This is due to the fact that nutrients present in fruits and vegetables get enhanced when eaten along with avocados. The absorption of carotenoid antioxidant molecules, which helps to protect the body against free radical damage, increases three to five times when a salad is eaten along with avocado. Therefore, adding sliced avocado to mixed salad is a good way to make a healthy meal even better. This makes avocado a great element as an appetizer since it prepares the digestive tract to function at its highest level during the meal to come!

Blood Glucose Levels

Apart from the fruit, the leaf extracts of avocados also provide health benefits. A study conducted on non-diabetic and diabetic rats suggest that the leaf extracts may help in lowering blood glucose levels. For diabetic patients, the metabolism of starch-based foods into simple sugars like glucose can cause the spikes and plunges that are so dangerous for diabetics. Fiber helps to slow the breakdown of food into usable sugars, so it is absorbed by the body in a more balanced way. Furthermore, the majority of carbohydrates in avocados are made up of 7-carbon sugars, a relatively rare form of sugar that actually inhibit the enzyme hexokinase. This helps avocados control the way that glucose is metabolized by the body, thereby protecting the overall health of diabetic patients.

Useful for Athletes

Athletes require a lot of energy and must maintain optimal nutrition to fuel their body. Avocado provides vital nutrients to athletes to maintain required energy levels and good health. Moreover, they contain phyto-chemicals that are a natural fuel source for your body.

Good Digestion

It is believed that avocados are soothing for the intestine and therefore aid in digestion. They contain soluble and insoluble fibers that help to keep digestive system running smoothly. These two types of fiber are very important for digestion, because they bulk up stools and help to ensure the smooth passage of food through the intestinal tract. Furthermore, they stimulate gastric and digestive juices so nutrients are absorbed in the most efficient and rapid way. Finally, they reduce the symptoms from conditions like constipation and diarrhea. All in all, the huge amount of fiber found in avocados (40% of daily requirement per serving) makes this a very important food for optimizing your digestive health.

Dental Care

Consumption of avocados also helps in preventing bad breath, which is primarily caused due to indigestion or an upset stomach. Halitosis can be eliminated by improving digestive health, and the antibacterial and antioxidant flavonoids found in avocados also kill the bacteria in your mouth that can result in bad breath as well. Avocados have also been connected with preventing oral cancers!

Skin and Hair Care

Avocados are packed with nutrients that are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin. It enriches skin that is dry, chapped or damaged. They are added to a variety of cosmetics due to their ability to nourish the skin with essential vitamins and make it glow. It is also used for nourishing dry and damaged hair. Many people use avocados to prepare skin and hair masks. Above all, avocado oil helps in treating plaque psoriasis. Beta-carotene and lycopene are two of the organic compounds found in large quantities within avocados. Both of these have been connected to improving the health and tone of your skin and eliminating signs of premature aging.

Liver care

Avocados are very good at reducing liver damage. It has certain organic compounds that help in improving liver health. Liver damage is normally caused due to Hepatitis C. Findings of a recent research study suggest that avocados may play a major role in toning up and protecting your liver from a wide variety of conditions.

Avocado is Delicious and Easy to Incorporate in The Diet

Not only are avocados healthy, they’re also incredibly delicious and go with all sorts of foods. You can add them to salads and various sorts of recipes, or you can simply scoop them out with a spoon and eat them plain. They have a creamy, rich, fatty texture and blend well with various other ingredients.

A notable mention is guacamole, which is arguably the most famous use of avocados. It includes avocado along with ingredients like salt, garlic, lime and a few others depending on the recipe. An avocado often takes some time to ripen and it should feel slightly soft when ripe. The nutrients in avocado can oxidize soon after fleshing it, but if you add lemon juice then that shouldn’t happen as quickly.

If you’re serious about adding avocado to your diet, then I highly recommend that you watch this video about how to pick, prepare and eat avocados.

At the end of the day, avocados are an awesome food. They’re loaded with nutrients, many of which are lacking in the modern diet.

They are weight loss friendly, heart healthy and… last but not least, taste incredible.

What more could you ask for in a food?

organicfacts.net

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Foods to Prevent Gastric Ulcers

Photo Credit Image Source/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Stomach ulcers are lesions in the stomach, esophagus and small intestine caused by the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Heredity, age, history of chronic pain, alcohol use, diabetes, stress and smoking are all risk factors for developing stomach ulcers.

Before you reach for a glass of milk to soothe your ulcer pain, consider this: Much of what we used to "know" about ulcers has been proven wrong. Most ulcers aren't caused directly by stress but by the bacterium Helicobacter pylori, which is why ulcers today are often treated with antibiotics along with an acid suppressor.

Treatment requires antibiotics to kill the bacteria and antacids to reduce the acid in the digestive tract and promote healing and pain relief. There is no specific diet prescription for a stomach ulcer. However, certain foods can exacerbate symptoms of burning, pain, indigestion, gas, nausea and vomiting and therefore should be limited or avoided. See this slideshow

Find out which foods can aid in healing and preventing ulcers.

HONEY

Honey inhibits bacterial growth which in turn will reduce acid formation. Start by taking a tablespoon of raw unprocessed Honey in the morning and at night to calm your stomach.

Green Veggies such as Kale, Rape, Broccoli

Eat a plate a day of raw or cooked listed vegetables. Provides vitamin C and a generous amount of fibre which are useful in the fight against ulcers.

Cabbage

Eat at least 2 cups of raw cabbage daily...add it to salads, coleslaw and wraps.

Yogurt with active cultures

Foods like yogurt and sour milk (fermented milk) contain "good bacteria" that can inhibit the secretion of excess acid and may help ulcers heal faster. Have a cup of yogurt or fermented milk without sweeteners at least once a day.

Bananas

Eat at least one banana per day to prevent discomfort through the day. When in pain eat at least two bananas and you will have immediate relief.

Green or black unsweetened tea

Have a cup of green or black unsweetened tea in the morning to jump start the day and prevent pain and discomfort through the day.

Foods to Avoid When You Have a Stomach Ulcer

You may need to avoid acidic, spicy, or high-fat foods. Not all foods affect everyone the same way. You will need to learn which foods worsen your symptoms and limit those foods. The following are some foods that may worsen ulcer or gastritis symptoms:

Beverages:

• Whole milk and chocolate milk
• Hot cocoa and cola
• Any beverage with caffeine
• Regular and decaffeinated coffee
• Peppermint and spearmint tea
• Green and black tea, with or without caffeine
• Orange and grapefruit juices
• Drinks that contain alcohol

Spices and seasonings:

• Black and red pepper
• Chili powder
• Mustard seed and nutmeg

Other foods:

• Dairy foods made from whole milk or cream
• Chocolate
• Spicy or strongly flavored cheeses, such as jalapeno or black pepper
• Highly seasoned, high-fat meats, such as sausage, salami, bacon, ham, and cold cuts
• Hot chilis and peppers
• Tomato products, such as tomato paste, tomato sauce, or tomato juice

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Foods to Avoid When You Have a Stomach Ulcer

What other guidelines may be helpful?

Do not eat right before bedtime. Stop eating at least 2 hours before bedtime.
Eat small, frequent meals. Your stomach may tolerate small, frequent meals better than large meals.

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