The Advantages of Taking Ginger Root

By Jinnene Foster, eHow Contributor

Ginger Root

The roots of ginger plants, known as rhizomes, originate in Southeast Asia, and are innate to counties like India and China. Ginger root's benefits are vast, and according to Nutritional-supplements-health-guide.com, has been implemented into Asian cooking and medical methods for centuries. Ancient Chinese herbalists discovered ginger root as a curing aid to food poisoning, menstrual cramping and nausea, but the numerous benefits of taking ginger root continue to gain steam

Aids in Digestion

Ginger root stimulates the circulation of bile, which eases discomforts associated with nausea and indigestion. Ginger root has also proven beneficial in soothing pains pertaining to menstrual cramping. Ginger root aids in the breaking down of proteins, a process that can be hard on the body, resulting in abdominal pain. 

Improved Circulation and Arthritis Relief

Ginger root contains anti-inflammatory qualities, which can relieve pain resulting from poor circulation and arthritis. Particular benefits of ginger root result from using the root in oil form, and applying it to affected areas as a topical, as with massage.

Promotes Hearty Cardiovascular Function

According to Herbal-supplements-guide.com, ginger root is believed to decrease LDL (unhealthy) cholesterol levels in the blood, which leads to lower risks of heart disease. Taking ginger root also reduces adhesive properties in blood platelets, thus ensuring greater overall blood circulation. 

Enhances Immune System

Ginger root is believed to contain properties for boosting the body's immune system, and can aid in treating symptoms associated with common viruses like cold and flu. 

Improved Respiratory Health

Ginger root ably acts as a natural decongestant or antihistamine, which naturally relieves congestion of the mucous membranes. As a result, ginger root promotes overall respiratory conditions and general allergies often associated to conditions like asthma.
Death of Cells in Ovarian Cancer Cases

According to Whfoods.com, conducted research from medical professionals at University of Michigan showed ginger root to possess antioxidant properties, and to be linked with anti-tumor effects on human cells. Studied cases indicated that ginger extract led to cell deaths in ovarian cancer patients. 

Aids in Side Effects of Pregnancy

Ginger root has been found beneficial when taken as a natural alternative to anti-vomiting medication prescribed to pregnant women. Ginger root is safe, and is taken in small doses, making it a more appealing choice over synthetic anti-vomiting medications that could lead to birth defects when taken incorrectly, or in higher doses.

http://www.ehow.com/list_6017408_advantages-taking-ginger-root.html

9 Spices for Health, Energy and Longevity!

By Dr. Maoshing Ni

The colder weather is beckoning us back to our kitchens. Break out the spices to bring warmth, robust flavor, and a bounty of health benefits, including higher energy, increased immunity, and other life-enhancing surprises.

Considered to be dried seeds, fruit, roots or bark, spices have been valued for centuries by ancient cultures for their culinary and medicinal properties. For instance, a traditional Indian beauty trick was to spread turmeric paste on the skin to beautify it and prevent pimples. And Chinese doctors have used ginger since ancient times to cure aches and pains.

Here are some spices that you can start cooking with right away to elevate your longevity and health!

1. Garlic wards off heart disease

In addition to warding off Count Dracula, garlic, the spicy favorite in Italian fare, has been shown to improve cholesterol and lower blood pressure. According to the National Health and Medical Research Council, consuming half to one clove of garlic daily may reduce cholesterol by nearly ten percent. Your breath might suffer, but your heart will thank you. As an antibacterial, garlic is often used to treat minor infections.


2. Spotlight on cinnamon

Another ancient spice to recently come under scientific investigation is cinnamon. In the United States, cinnamon is usually thought of as the delicious spice in apple pie filling, but in other parts of the world, especially India and Asia, cinnamon has been used as a healing herb for centuries. Research is finally catching up to the wisdom of the East; many clinical studies have linked cinnamon consumption to lowered blood sugar. Both in vitro and human studies show improvement in insulin sensitivity with cinnamon polyphenols, as well as improvement in total and LDL cholesterol. Cinnamon is also thought to detoxify the system and stimulate brain function. Its antiseptic properties give it the ability to fight bladder infection, and if taken in the first 48 hours, a cup of strong cinnamon tea might just nip a bladder infection in the bud. Keep in mind that mixed study results make it difficult to prove these benefits on paper -- but it doesn't hurt to sprinkle a teaspoon into your next bowl of oatmeal.

3. Curry for joint health

Are your aching joints not jumping for joy in these autumn days? Try sprinkling some curry on your veggie omelet. Curry, a staple spice combo in Southeast Asian cuisine, contains turmeric, the yellow spice that gives curry its distinctive color. The active component in turmeric is called curcumin. If you are a fan of curry, you will be happy to know that this substance is associated with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, and anti-amyloid properties; amyloids are plaque-like proteins that build up in brain tissue, and are responsible for diseases like Alzheimer's and rheumatoid arthritis. In one randomized control study 107 patients with knee osteoarthritis received either 800 mg per day ibuprofen or 2 grams per day Curcuma domestica extract. Both groups showed improvement in pain on level walking and climbing stairs.

4. Star Anise aids digestion

As the name suggests, star anise is indeed star-shaped. Though it is not actually related to anise, star anise shares a similar licorice flavor, due to its content of anethole. Used to bring out flavor in slow-cooked meat dishes and long-simmered soups, this spice frequently makes an appearance in Indian cuisine and is an ingredient of the traditional five-spice powder of Chinese cooking. Star anise has been used in a tea to remedy rheumatism, and the seeds are sometimes chewed after meals to aid digestion.

Special combinations of spices and herbs can bring you a powerful immune zoom; one that includes star anise in the mix is the 5 Elements of Health, which promotes a strong immune function and balances the energies of your whole body.

5. Cardamom improves energy

Found in curries, rice dishes, herbal teas, and breads, cardamom is the spice that gives chai tea its main flavor. In Asia, cardamom has long been valued medicinally for its ability to increase circulation and improve energy. Considered an aphrodisiac in the Middle East, cardamom may also improve digestion, asthma, bronchitis, halitosis, and even help improve a bad mood.

6. Clove curbs cramping

A delicious addition to cooked fruit, roasts, sweet vegetable dishes, and teas, clove has been used since ancient times in India to improve digestive function. You may chew on some to alleviate toothaches, sore throats, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.

7. Cumin boosts immunity

An excellent addition to meat curries, stews, vegetables, seafood, and sauces, cumin is thought to boost the immune system and also to improve liver function, reduce flatulence, and aid in digestion.

8. Fennel Seed soothes your intestines

Often used to spice up recipes with meat, beans, or legumes, fennel helps digestion in two ways: It stimulates the production of gastric juices and also soothes the nervous system, regulating the action of the muscles that line the intestine.

9. Ginger: Remedies aches and nausea

A perfect compliment to vegetables, marinades, and sweets, ginger is also delicious in tea. Ginger may help relieve nausea, arthritis, headaches, menstrual cramps, and muscle soreness.

A word of warning: always discuss with your physician before treating conditions with spices to avoid any adverse interactions; for example, because garlic and ginger possess natural blood-thinning properties, individuals about to undergo surgery and those taking blood thinners should take extra precaution.

To maintain peak flavor, use spices within six months -- but the spice police won’t come knocking at your door if you keep them longer. They like to hang out in a cool, dark place in your pantry to preserve their oils and prevent loss of pungent flavors.

You can find many more tips about life-lengthening foods in Secrets of Longevity: Hundreds of Ways to Live to Be 100, now available on Kindle.

I hope you can use spices to make the most of your meals and your health! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

May you live long, live strong, and live happy!

—Dr. Mao

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/drmao/9-spices-health-energy-and-longevity

Sudden Cardiac Death: Not So Random As It Looks

Source: Article by National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS), Heart Health

It is estimated that 1000 Singaporeans die from sudden cardiac death (SCD) every year, about half of whom are below 60 years old.

Is sudden cardiac death the same as a heart attack?

"A sudden cardiac death, or SCD, is not a heart attack," said Dr Aaron Wong, Senior Consultant at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS). "A SCD can be due to many causes but is usually caused by an abnormal heart rhythmdue to abnormal 'electrical circuit' of the heart. A heart attack is caused by blockages in the heart arteries supplying blood to the heart, causing a portion of the heart muscle to be damaged. Heart attack may lead to abnormal heart rhythm, and therefore SCD, but not always."

Unlike a heart attack, which has symptoms such as chest pains and breathlessness, SCD usually has no warning signs. The only way to treat a SCD is to set the rapid heartbeat back to its normal pace by delivering an electrical shock to the heart using a device called a defibrillator.

Patients at high risk of SCD may be advised by their doctors to have an Implantable Cardiac Defibrillator (ICD)implanted. The ICD is a pocket-sized device which detects abnormal heart beats or rhythm and sends an electric current to the heart. This electric current shocks the heart and helps to reset the heart rhythm like a mini-defibrillator.

The most common cause

The most common cause of SCD is a sudden onset of abnormal heart rhythm. This is usually due to a fast but chaotic heart rhythm called ventricular fibrillation (VF) or tachycardia (VT). An extremely slow heart rate may cause SCD as well but usually presents with prior symptoms of giddiness or fainting episodes.


In a patient with VF (a form of cardiac arrest), the heart beats 400 to 500 beats per minute and the normal rhythmic contractions of the lower chambers of the heart stop. When this happens, blood and oxygen are not pumped to the rest of the body and within seconds, the brain becomes starved of oxygen and the person loses consciousness. Without immediate treatment, the brain will cease to function and the person can die within minutes.

Who is likely to suffer from sudden cardiac death?

SCD does not randomly occur in people. Almost 75 per cent of all SCD patients show signs of a previous heart attack and 80 per cent of them have signs of coronary artery disease (CAD).


It has also been found that people who have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, or a family history of CAD are at risk of developing CAD which in turn could lead to SCD.


According to Dr Ching Chi Keong, Consultant, Department of Cardiology at NHCS, a typical SCD patient is likely to be male, more than 35 years old and has a family history of early heart attack. There is also a higher incidence amongst South Asians.


For those who are younger than 35 years old, risk factors include:

• a family history of sudden deaths or unexplained drownings
• recurrent chest pain and/or fainting episodes during physical exertion and
• known heart disease, especially hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Risk factors of SCD 

Coronary artery disease (CAD)

• SCD can occur during a heart attack where the damaged heart muscle induces an abnormal heart rhythm or there is a sudden loss of heart pumping function due to massive damage to the heart muscle. The latter is usually not sudden but presents initially with symptoms of difficulty in breathing.
• Dr Wong advises, "Patients who have CAD (e.g. previous angina, heart attack, angioplasty or bypass surgery) should control their risk factors for CAD and stop smoking. Some medications have also been proven to reduce the progression of CAD, the risk of heart attack and heart failure but may have to be taken on a long term basis. Patients should not stop or reduce their medications dosage without consulting their doctors."

Poor heart function or heart failure

• Poor heart function is usually caused by repeated injury to the heart muscle (heart attacks) that leads to scarring and subsequent loss of muscle contraction function.
• Poor heart function can also be due to disease of the heart muscle (known as cardiomyopathy) due to an inherited heart muscle disease or virus infection.
• SCD is one of the most common mode of death in patients with heart failure. Patients with heart failure should be on long-term medications that have been shown to improve symptoms and prolong life expectancy. Patients with severely impaired heart function may benefit from implanting an ICD to reduce the chance of dying from SCD.

Strong family history
Some heart diseases, including CAD, cardiomyopathy and some heart electrical disorders are hereditary.

• The most common inherited risk factor is high cholesterol.
• Extremely high cholesterol can lead to CAD and heart attack at an early age. A person whose parents or sibling had CAD at a young age or high cholesterol should have his/her cholesterol checked regularly. Aggressive control of cholesterol levels can reduce the chance of developing CAD and therefore SCD.
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• An abnormal thickening and arrangement of the heart muscle cells can cause VF or VT leading to SCD, especially during exertion. Certain types of HCM are prone to SCD and a person with HCM who has close family members who passed away due to SCD should have an ICD implanted.
• Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia (ARVD)
• A structurally abnormal right ventricle is also an inherited disorder. An ICD is often required in these patients.
• Dilated cardiomyopathy
• Features a dilated heart with poor heart function. The condition can also be caused by a virus infection or in some cases, is related to pregnancy.

Electrical disorders of the heart

• Some electrical disorders of the heart can lead to SCD and occasionally can be picked up during routine ECG. Many of these disorders are also inherited, and a strong family history of SCD is important.
• One of these disorders (known as the Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome) is caused by an extra nerve connecting the heart chambers, which can cause an 'electrical short-circuit' in the heart, resulting in a rapid heartbeat. This condition is now easily treatable with catheter ablation, a procedure where a thin tube (catheter) is advanced into the heart via a vein (usually from the leg/groin), to deliver a burst of radiofrequency energy to burn off this abnormal nerve or pathway.
• Another type of electrical disorders that can cause SCD is due to abnormalities in the heart muscle cell membrane (e.g. Brugada's and Long QT Syndromes).
• They frequently present in young, apparently healthy individuals with no known heart problems, although some abnormalities can often be seen in the ECG on careful examination. In many, the first presentation is usually SCD. Frequent fainting episodes or even a diagnosis of epilepsy may accompany such conditions. For these patients, the ICD is the only alternative to prevent SCD.

Awareness of your risk factors is important. "If you are more than 35 years old, do adopt a healthy lifestyle. Screen yourself for risk factors of CAD (e.g. diabetes, high cholesterol) and stop smoking, especially if you have a family history of CAD. For those who are less than 35 years old, learn to recognise the above symptoms and go for a medical check up for assessment", says Dr Ching.

What to do if you witness a sudden cardiac death

In the event a person collapses from SCD, the key to survival is early defibrillation. It has been found that each minute of delay before defibrillation reduces survival by about 10 per cent. To help a person who has collapsed from SCD, the following steps have proven to be vital.

1. Call the ambulance.
2. Perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
3. Use the automated external defibrillator (AED), if available.

http://www.healthxchange.com.sg/healthyliving/SpecialFocus/Pages/Sudden-Cardiac-Death-Not-So-Random.aspx?

Why do young, fit men die playing sports?

By Health Xchange | Fit to Post Health

An underlying heart condition may be the cause of sudden deaths in sport events. (Health Xchange)

Just four days after English Premier League midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered cardiac arrest during an English FA Cup match, Indian footballer Venkatesh suffered a similar fate during a match in Bangalore, India.

The 27-year-old Venkatesh, who was playing in a district level league match on March 21, collapsed on the field during the back end of the match.

While 23-year-old Muamba is in hospital in London recovering from his mid-match cardiac arrest, Venkatesh did not survive.

In a similar incident in Singapore a week earlier, 19-year-old Temasek Polytechnic student Muhammad Khairil Muhamad Nizam suddenly collapsed halfway through a friendly football match.

He was rushed to the hospital in an unconscious state but didn't survive. While investigations are underway into his death, initial reports indicated that he had died of heart failure.

There have been other previous sudden death incidences related to sports in Singapore. Last year, a 22-year-old Singaporean runner, Malcolm Sng Wei Ren, collapsed and died during the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore.

What can explain such unexpected deaths?According to doctors, these sudden deaths in otherwise healthy and fit sportsmen may be explained by an underlying heart problem, compounded by vigorous physical exertion.

Dr Reginald Liew, consultant at the Department of Cardiology and deputy director of the research and development unit at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) said an underlying heart problem could include:

• a heart muscle disorder (e.g. abnormal thickening of heart muscles)
• an electrical problem (e.g. abnormal heart rhythm)
• an infection weakening the heart muscle
• a congenital abnormality of the coronary arteries

"The first two of these causes often have a genetic predisposition, meaning they may be related to certain mutations," Liew said. Given the appropriate stimuli and triggers, all four scenarios, he explained, could result in ventricular fibrillation: the heart ventricles don't contract properly, which may cause the heart to stop suddenly.

Related article: Sudden cardiac arrest — not so random as it looks

Who's at risk?Sometimes, the victim is found to have a family history of sudden death. But sudden cardiac arrest can also occur in healthy individuals without any known pre-existing heart issues and with no known family history of sudden death.

Liew added that there are screening tests available for the detection of heart muscle diseases and heart electrical disorders. For example, an echocardiogram can detect the former, and 12-lead ECG, the latter.

Related article: What heart disease symptoms should you look out for?

What can you do to lessen your risk of heart disease?

• Have your cholesterol levels checked once a year. Excess cholesterol can cause the blood flow to the heart to become blocked or reduced.
• Get your blood pressure checked yearly. If your blood pressure is persistently above 140/90mmHg and left untreated, it can result in damage to the heart and blood vessels.
• Control your diabetes and monitor your blood sugar levels.
• Lose excess body fat, especially around the waist.
• Exercise regularly to help prevent heart and blood vessel disease. Just check with your doctor first if you have known coronary artery disease or if you're above 40 years of age and have been inactive.
• Quit smoking. Smokers have two to three times the risk of non-smokers of sudden cardiac death. In fact, smokers account for about 40 per cent of deaths caused by heart disease in patients who are younger than 65 years.
• Manage your stress. Prolonged stress may contribute to a heart attack. Emotional stress and tension also cause the body to produce adrenaline, which makes the heart pump faster and harder, and may also cause the blood vessels to narrow down.

This article was written by the Health Xchange Editor, with expert input from the Department ofCardiology and Research and Development Unit at the National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS).

Find more health-related tips and articles on HealthXchange.com.sg, Singapore's trusted health and lifestyle portal. Health Xchange's articles are meant for informational purposes only and cannot replace professional surgical, medical or health advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment.

Marlon  •  Manila, National Capital Region

All the junkfoods and chemically-laced preserved food stuck in the guts for years and mutated into toxins and re-introduce to the blood via the intestinal villi - this is a more probable cause of most of the diseases including sudden death as the "toxins" can mutate into so many possibilities ie: cholesterol, uric acid, assorted bad bacteria: some of these that are cancer-forming. So clean your guts and plugged your mouth from junks (creation of men) and seafoods and eat natural (boiled, raw juiced, natural fruits, veggies, rootcrops) and you will never go wrong. Take it from God - (1Timothy 4:4) "For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving.."

A Yahoo! User  •  Singapore, Singapore 

Cardiac Doctors always have the last say!? Why not specialists in Lung illnesses and weak conditions? I know of a young man who died because of a torn lung? Due to disconnected or poorly co-ordinated growth which implicates hormonal effects in genetically modified food?
Come out with the truth for all our young people.

http://ph.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/fit-to-post-health/why-young-fit-men-die-playing-sports-063444317.html

Vogue article by mom about 7-year-old daughter’s weight sparks heavy backlash

By Dylan Stableford | The Cutline

An article by a woman who is "fighting" her 7-year-old daughter's "childhood obesity" at home--published in the April issue of Vogue--is causing a big backlash online among readers critical of the magazine and its author.

Dara-Lynn Weiss, the author, wrote about her response to a pediatrician who suggested that her daughter, Bea, should be put on a diet because--at 4'4" and 93 pounds--she was clinically obese and could be at risk for high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.

It wasn't the diagnosis that readers railed against, but Weiss' management of Bea's subsequent year-long diet.

"Sometimes Bea's after-school snack was a slice of pizza or a gyro from the snack vendor," Weiss wrote. "Other days I forced her to choose a low fat vegetable soup or a single hard-boiled egg. Occasionally I'd give in to her pleas for a square of coffee cake, mainly because I wanted to eat half of it. When she was given access to cupcakes at a party, I alternated between saying, 'Let's not eat that, it's not good for you'; 'Okay, fine, go ahead, but just one'; and 'Bea, you have to stop eating crap like that, you're getting too heavy,' depending on my mood. Then I'd secretly eat two when she wasn't looking."

Weiss continued:

I once reproachfully deprived Bea of her dinner after learning that her observation of French Heritage Day at school involved nearly 800 calories of Brie, filet mignon, baguette, and chocolate. I stopped letting her enjoy Pizza Fridays when she admitted to adding a corn salad as a side dish one week. I dressed down a Starbucks barista when he professed ignorance of the nutrition content of the kids' hot chocolate whose calories are listed as "120-210" on the menu board: Well, which is it? When he couldn't provide an answer, I dramatically grabbed the drink out of my daughter's hands, poured it into the garbage, and stormed out.

After Bea lost 16 pounds--meeting her mom's weight-loss goal for her before a Vogue photoshoot--Weiss wrote about her daughter's reaction:

"That's still me," she says of her former self. "I'm not a different person just because I lost sixteen pounds." I protest that indeed she is different. At this moment, that fat girl is a thing of the past. A tear rolls down her beautiful cheek, past the glued-in feather. "Just because it's in the past," she says, "doesn't mean it didn't happen."

"I have not ingested any food, looked at a restaurant menu, or been sick to the point of vomiting without silently launching a complicated mental algorithm about how it will affect my weight," Weiss admitted. "Who was I to teach a little girl how to maintain a healthy weight and body image?"

"The socialites who write personal essays for Vogue aren't known for their kindness and humility," Katie Baker wrote on Jezebel.com. But Weiss "has to go down in history as the one of the most f---ed up, selfish women to ever grace the magazine's pages."

Weiss "comes across as obsessive and the fact that she made such an issue of her daughter's weight, both in public and in Vogue—seems wrong," Dhani Mau wrote on Fashionista.com.

An anonymous blogger for New York magazine added: "I'm pretty sure Weiss just handed her daughter the road map to all her future eating disorders."

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/cutline/vogue-article-mom-7-old-daughter-weight-sparks-175546979.html;

Fried food raises stroke risk in older women

By Agence France-Presse

Older women who eat high amounts of the kind of fat found in fried foods and baked goods face a greater risk of stroke than women who eat lower fat diets, a US study suggested.

 

Older women who eat high amounts of the kind of fat found in fried foods and baked goods face a greater risk of stroke than women who eat lower fat diets, a US study suggested.

However, aspirin use could cut those risks, said the researchers from University of North Carolina whose findings are published in the Annals of Neurology.

The data came from the largest study to date of post-menopausal women and their eating habits, and included 87,025 women between the ages 50 and 79 who were generally in good health at the time of enrollment.

Women who reported eating diets high in trans-fatty acids, or 6.1 grams a day, showed a 39 percent greater incidence of stroke due to a blocked artery than women who ate 2.2 grams per day of such fats.

The researchers did not find any significant links between stroke risk and how much total fat the women consumed, or their level of dietary cholesterol.

But aspirin use was shown to slim down the link between trans fat intake and stroke, which affects nearly 800,000 people in the United States per year and is the fourth leading cause of US death.

"Our findings confirm that postmenopausal women with higher trans fat intake had an elevated risk of ischemic stroke, but aspirin use may reduce the adverse effects," said lead author Ka He of the UNC School of Public Health.

"We recommend following a diet low in trans fat and adding an aspirin regimen to help women reduce their risk of stroke, specifically following the onset of menopause."

Trans fat is on the decline in the United States due to a public health and legislation campaign which has banned its use in many fast food restaurants and in food preparation.

But it hasn't disappeared altogether.

"Trans fats are rare in living nature, but can commonly occur in foods as a result of food processing called partial hydrogenation when a liquid vegetable oil is turned into a solid fat," said Nancy Copperman, director of public health initiatives at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System in New York.

Copperman, who was not involved in the study, added that the behaviors of women who ate lots of trans fat were also unhealthy, including decreased physical activity, smoking, and higher levels of diabetes.

"Encouraging and supporting women consume a balanced diet avoiding trans fat and including healthy oils and daily physical activity can be a major step in preventing stroke and other lifestyle related diseases," she said.

http://news.xin.msn.com/en/world/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5947202

Why You Need Prebiotics

By Nathan Schiller 
Reviewed by QualityHealth's Medical Advisory Board

We tend to think that bacteria in the digestive system are what we want to rid our bodies of. But there is a certain food ingredient that helps these bacteria grow and is actually beneficial to our digestive health.

They are called prebiotics, nondigestible food ingredients that help bacterial species grow in the colon, which is good for our overall health.[1] In nutrition terms, prebiotic foods are classified as fibers-the stuff that runs through your digestive system. In addition to helping the intestinal tract, prebiotics have been shown to increase the absorption of certain minerals (like calcium and magnesium)[2] and inhibit the growth of lesions, thus reducing the risk factors involved in colorectal diseases.[3]

The prevalence of prebiotic foods is a continual and ongoing research project. In 2008 the Institute of Food Research published a study that identified how almonds could have prebiotic properties.[4] We already know that almonds, being high in vitamin E and other minerals, and thought to reduce cholesterol, are extremely healthy. Now we can add that they may improve digestive health: the study shows that they may increase levels of beneficial gut bacteria.

While there's a good chance you're already eating almonds-after all, they go great with cereal, yogurt, and plain, as a snack-here are three sources of prebiotics.

Whole grains. This encompasses everyday foods like rice, pasta, and cereal. In a 2007 study, wherein two groups of people ate 48 grams of cereal for 3 weeks, one group devouring wheat bran, the other taking in whole grain, the authors discovered that those who ate the whole grain had higher levels of faecal, a beneficial bacteria.[5] This suggests that the whole grains were having a prebiotic effects.

Bananas. This is one of the healthiest fruits in existence. For one, it is high in potassium, which helps stave off muscle cramps during exercise and can lower blood pressure. Secondly, its high potassium content may help promote bone health.[6] And third, its fiber content is extremely high, which helps prevent heart disease, according to the Archives of Internal Medicine. Plus, they are in season all year.

gotquestions qualityhealth.com

10 Best Foods for Your Heart

10 Best Foods for Your Heart

By Alana Brager, Life2PointOh.com 

Did you know that heart disease is the number one killer of women in the United States? Scary! Luckily, we have tasty ways you can keep that heart of yours pumping longer!

1. Oatmeal contains a certain element of fiber called beta-glucan, which has been shown to reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol. It also contains a special antioxidant called avenanthramides, which prevents free radicals from attacking good cholesterol and helps reduce the risk of heart disease. Oatmeal also helps keep your arteries clear and contains calcium, omega-3's and fiber, which have been proven to stabilize blood sugar. Just skip the instant oats, since they're loaded with hidden sugars and sodium!

2. Salmon is the premiere source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are healthy fats that the human body cannot produce on its own. Omega-3's are known to minimize symptoms of inflammatory diseases and reduce blood pressure. Salmon is very high in protein, low in cholesterol and also contains astaxanthin, a very powerful antioxidant that's converted to vitamin A in the body.

3. Avocados contain oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat that may help lower bad cholesterol. They're high in potassium, which can help ward off high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. They also contain a heart healthy fat that contains lycopene, a potential cancer-fighting agent.

4. Olive Oil oil is full of monounsaturated fats, which can help lower your risk of heart disease and help normalize blood clotting. The antioxidants found in olive oil can also help protect against some cancers while boosting your HDL (good) cholesterol.

5. Nuts, like almonds and walnuts, are full of monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats, a fat that's mostly found in plant based foods and oils. They are also full of protein and omega-3's, which are great for the heart. About a handful a day is enough to do the trick.

Heart Healthy Month may be coming to a close, but it’s vital that you follow healthy practices year-round to prevent heart disease. Here’s Part 2 of our list of foods that make your heart happy! 

6. Berries are full of powerful antioxidants called polyphenols, which have been known to lower the risk of heart disease. Studies have shown that eating a moderate amount of berries may increase HDL (good) cholesterol and reduce blood pressure. They’re also rich in disease fighting phytochemicals that can help prevent heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

7. Legumes, or beans, are incredibly low in fat and contain no saturated fat or cholesterol. Beans are a high plant based protein that also have fiber, iron, folic acid and the heart healthy omega-3’s. Red and black beans also contain eight types of flavanoids, which reduces the risk of a stroke.

8. Spinach is an antioxidant rich super food that’s high in vitamins A, C and K, all of which are good for your bones and heart. It has been shown to lower the risk of some cancers while also being incredibly rich in fiber and folate, a water soluble B vitamin that’s important for building and maintaining healthy cells.

9. Soy is a nutrient dense, heart healthy food. It contains B-vitamins, unsaturated fats, calcium, zinc and fiber. It’s cholesterol free and a healthier, leaner protein, compared to meat. Soy is a complete protein, meaning it contains all of the essential amino acids that the body cannot produce. Studies have shown that soy protein could lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, which can help prevent heart disease.

10.  Tomatoes are packed with vitamins and lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease. When lycopene is combined with other antioxidants found in tomatoes, such as beta-carotene or vitamin c, the body works to neutralize free radicals that could damage cells. Studies have shown that tomato products prevent the oxidation of LDL (bad) cholesterol.

http://life2pointoh.com/2012/02/heart-healthy-foods/

Walnuts help protect against prostate cancer, osteoporosis, and CHD, but the FDA does not want you to know Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034951_walnuts_prostate_cancer_osteoporosis.html#ixzz1mFHhgcZI

(NaturalNews) Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, natural, whole foods are packed with synergistic nutrients that work together in unity to provide a plethora of health benefits without causing negative side effects -- and walnuts are no exception! A new study published in the British Journal of Nutrition has found that walnuts lower LDL (or "bad") cholesterol, prevent bone loss, and even fight cancer. For their study, researchers from both the University of California, Davis, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Western Regional Research Center in Albany, Calif., fed mice with prostate tumors the human equivalent of three ounces of walnuts a day. At the conclusion of the study, the mice's tumors shrunk by 50 percent, and tumor growth slowed by 30 percent compared to control mice. "These results make me very hopeful that walnuts may be beneficial both in terms of avoiding cancer and slowing cancer growth and therefore should be included in a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables," said Dr. Paul Davis, lead researcher of the study. "If additional research determines that walnuts have the same effect in men as they do in mice, adhering to a diet that excludes walnuts to lower fat would mean that prostate cancer patients could miss out on the beneficial effects of walnuts." Besides serving as a prevention and treatment intervention for prostate cancer, walnuts also demonstrably lowered the risk of heart disease by naturally decreasing levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as "bad" cholesterol, while simultaneously increasing levels of HDL cholesterol, also known as "good cholesterol." The amazing thing about walnuts and other whole foods, though, is that no single nutrient inside them can be pinpointed and isolated as the sole beneficial factor. In explaining this very important fact, the study researchers noted in their report that "[t]he walnut diet's beneficial effects probably represent the effects of the whole walnuts' multiple constituents and not via a specific fatty acid or tocopherol." But walnuts' benefits do not stop there. Walnuts are high in beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to help prevent the type of bone loss that comes with aging. At the same time, the protein found in walnuts helps to build muscle, which is associated with stronger bones. Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034951_walnuts_prostate_cancer_osteoporosis.html#ixzz1mFHoGD9H