Long ago it is said that a lone shepherd and his flock came across a strange and mysterious plant growing upon a secluded and forgotten hillside. Before he could stop them some of his herd had began to gnaw away at this unusual berry. After about fifteen minutes or so the herder started to notice that his sheep were behaving in an odd manner. Not only were they unusually alert but they also appeared to be extremely hyperactive. Now being a little weary and extremely tired the shepherd decided to try the berries and see if the end results would be the same for him as they had been for his flock. To his pleasant surprise the shepherd began to feel wide awake and he too became very alert. After a few hours had passed along came a wandering monk who, after being informed of the plants amazing qualities proceeded to scold the poor shepherd and lecture him on his foolish indulgence. After he had finished telling the shepherd just what a sinner he had been the monk set upon his journey but not before he had added a little something to his backpack and supplies.
Back at the monastery the monks decided to try this new and exciting substance. Soon the endless hours of praying were endured with the greatest of ease. Coffee, the drink had been revealed to the world. Its widespread use then took a grip in the Ethiopian lands before then migrating on to the Arabian outlands. Here it was to be held for many years as a sacred substance but was eventually to be unlawfully exported by a merchant called Baba Budan. Word of its qualities were soon to spread and within a few years coffee was to emerge as one of the most valued commodities of all time. Now would you believe that each year we drink an amazing four billion cups and there are those among us who would cry at the thought of starting their day without it.
Although coffee is mainly known as a sleep suppressant there are those who consider coffee to have many health benefits. It is thought that people who suffer from asthma and partake of the beverage have at least 25% less symptoms which may be due to a substance in coffee called theophylline. This is known as a bronchodilator and quite simply it is thought to help those who suffer with the disease to breath with a little more ease. Drinking coffee on a daily basis is also thought to help lower your chances of developing colon cancer by a figure also in the region of about 25%. This may be due to the fact that coffee helps to keep you regular. Coffee can do more than just help you get through your day!
Aside from the benefits that have been mentioned above, it has to be said that simply enjoying coffee as a beverage is a delight that will never be easily surpassed. The unbelievable thing is that most people have no idea of the different tastes and delights that this monarch of all drinks has to offer. One of the fastest growing trends of the past few years has to be the rising popularity of obtaining coffee via the internet. Never before has it been so easy to sample such a huge variety of blends, tastes and aromas, and all at the click of a mouse. I order coffee frequently through the internet and I always make a point to record the country, blend and from whom I purchased.
Well now that you know the tale of the mystical beans I hope that if in the future you are considering visiting your local coffee shop you recall the story of the lowly shepherd and think about just what you might be drinking were he not to have wandered onto that bleak and lonely hillside. Why not take advantage of the internet and try the many different varieties and blends available. Not only will you impress your tastebuds, your friends will be grateful as well.
Cappuccino or latte?
About The Author
Mary Chambers is a regular contributor to the Fuzzy Coffee Directory
http://www.fuzzycoffee.com
majestic12@onetel.com
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
How Closely Are Fibre and Weight Loss Connected? by: Rajesh Shetty
Consumption of Fiber and weight loss are very closely connected.
The incidences of deseases like obesity, diabetes, colon deseases etc.are minimal in countries where the population has a regular dose of fiber in their diet.
Fiber is very important to solve the weight loss puzzle. Fiber cannot be digested by the human digestive system and it passes out from the colons taking all the waste material with it.
Fiber provides bulk and softens the stools therby helping in regular bowel movements and avoiding constipation. In the intestine, fiber produces a gel which binds the bile acids and this leads the lever to convert cholesterol into bile thereby reducing cholesterol levels.
Fiber makes people feel less hungry on account of its bulk and reduces appetite resulting in weightloss. It also helps the body in controlling blood sugar.
Ayurveda Medical Science recommends consumption of fibre rich vegetables in large quantities to get rid of all the toxins from your body.Removal of toxins automatically ensures removal of excess fat from your body.
There are two types of fiber found in foods:
Insoluble fiber :
Insoluble fiber doesn't dissolve in water. This fiber increases the bulk of the food and helps in the fast passage of waste materials from the colons avoiding build up of toxins and therby deseases like colon cancer.
Soluble fiber :
This type of fiber forms a gel in the intestine and helps in reducing the cholesterol.
Your body needs a regular dosage of 30-40gms of fiber to keep in good health and lose those excess pounds.
Consuming the following foods will keep you in great shape and health:
High fiber foods:
Oat bran, Corn Bran, rice bran, wheat bran.
Medium fiber foods :
Whole grains, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat flour, oatmeal-rolled oats, steel cut oats, wheat-oat flour, corn meal, brown rice.
Low fiber foods to be avoided:
Refined foods like white flour(bleached or unbleached), pasta, cream of wheat, oat flour, corn starch, white rice.
One important aspect of fiber and weight loss is drinking lots of water.
Water makes the fiber swell and work better.
However, increase your consumption of fiber very gradually to avoid digestive discomfort.
Get more cutting edge fat burning secrets in my Free 5day email ecourse delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing to my newsletter at: www.eweightlosstips.com
About The Author
Rajesh Shetty - Expert in weight loss principles of Ayurveda Medical Science and Author of the Best selling book, "Proven weight loss secrets revealed".
www.eweightlosstips.com
article@eweightlosstips.com
The incidences of deseases like obesity, diabetes, colon deseases etc.are minimal in countries where the population has a regular dose of fiber in their diet.
Fiber is very important to solve the weight loss puzzle. Fiber cannot be digested by the human digestive system and it passes out from the colons taking all the waste material with it.
Fiber provides bulk and softens the stools therby helping in regular bowel movements and avoiding constipation. In the intestine, fiber produces a gel which binds the bile acids and this leads the lever to convert cholesterol into bile thereby reducing cholesterol levels.
Fiber makes people feel less hungry on account of its bulk and reduces appetite resulting in weightloss. It also helps the body in controlling blood sugar.
Ayurveda Medical Science recommends consumption of fibre rich vegetables in large quantities to get rid of all the toxins from your body.Removal of toxins automatically ensures removal of excess fat from your body.
There are two types of fiber found in foods:
Insoluble fiber :
Insoluble fiber doesn't dissolve in water. This fiber increases the bulk of the food and helps in the fast passage of waste materials from the colons avoiding build up of toxins and therby deseases like colon cancer.
Soluble fiber :
This type of fiber forms a gel in the intestine and helps in reducing the cholesterol.
Your body needs a regular dosage of 30-40gms of fiber to keep in good health and lose those excess pounds.
Consuming the following foods will keep you in great shape and health:
High fiber foods:
Oat bran, Corn Bran, rice bran, wheat bran.
Medium fiber foods :
Whole grains, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat flour, oatmeal-rolled oats, steel cut oats, wheat-oat flour, corn meal, brown rice.
Low fiber foods to be avoided:
Refined foods like white flour(bleached or unbleached), pasta, cream of wheat, oat flour, corn starch, white rice.
One important aspect of fiber and weight loss is drinking lots of water.
Water makes the fiber swell and work better.
However, increase your consumption of fiber very gradually to avoid digestive discomfort.
Get more cutting edge fat burning secrets in my Free 5day email ecourse delivered directly to your inbox by subscribing to my newsletter at: www.eweightlosstips.com
About The Author
Rajesh Shetty - Expert in weight loss principles of Ayurveda Medical Science and Author of the Best selling book, "Proven weight loss secrets revealed".
www.eweightlosstips.com
article@eweightlosstips.com
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Health Benefits for Chai Drinkers by: Rachel Medlock
What is Chai Tea?
“Chai” actually means “tea” in Hindi, so calling “chai” “chai tea” is actually rather redundant. However, marketers in the western world thought that “chai tea” would help them sell the “new” product to the western market. Chai is actually centuries old, with its origins in India. Generally, it is a milky, spiced tea made with black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, pepper, and various other spices. It is usually sweetened – most commonly with sugar, but some drinkers prefer honey. There is not a universal recipe for chai, as different drinkers like it different ways, so the spice list can change depending on who’s making it.
It is most likely this list of ingredients not often found in western beverages that makes chai seem “exotic” to westerners. But in India, chai is as common as tea is in Britain and coffee is in the United States. In fact, it’s so common that in many Indian households, the first thing a host offers a guest is a cup of chai.
Potential Health Benefits of Chai
Some tea companies tout the health benefits of drinking their chai product – but buyer beware. While chai is certainly better for the body than a drink such as coffee, because not all chai is made with the same ingredients, it’s not really possible to state that chai is universally beneficial. And it’s also more likely to benefit the drinker when the drinker has brewed his/her own chai, rather than buying boxed chai or chai in tea bag form. Why? Simply because the spices and herbs being used are much fresher. Here is a list of some of the benefits of the different ingredients in most chai recipes:
1) Cinnamon: In a recent study by the US Agricultural Research Service, cinnamon has been shown to benefit diabetics because the cells are less likely to let insulin in. In lab rats with Type 2 diabetes, cinnamon helped lower blood pressure and prevented cell damage. Cinnamon’s oils also help to stop the growth of certain bacteria and yeasts.
2) Ginger: In the Far East, ginger has been used for over two millennia to treat upset stomach, diarrhea, arthritis, and heart disease. Recent research by western scientists also suggests that ginger may help lower the risk of colon cancer.
3) Cardamom: Like ginger, cardamom is often used to soothe digestion problems. But it is also used to treat respiratory problems such as asthma or people suffering from other kinds of respiratory spasms. Further, in Saudi Arabia, animal studies have shown cardamom to have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing muscle spasms.
4) Cloves: Used in Ayurvedic medicine as an analgesic, cloves are most often used to soothe toothaches and remedy halitosis. It also has antiseptic qualities, and can be used to kill intestinal parasites, fungi, and bacteria. These latter qualities have also led cloves to be used for treating diarrhea and similar digestive ailments.
5) Pepper: Most chai recipes do not usually contain enough black pepper for it to be of significant benefit to its drinkers. However, black pepper does reduce intestinal gas and works as an antioxidant.
Just remember: The best way to ensure that your regular cup of chai provides you with the health benefits you’re looking for is to brew it yourself. Then you can select the herbs and spices that benefit your specific health condition.
About The Author
Rachel Medlock is a connoisseur of hot drinks, including chai. She also operates the informational website http://www.MyChaiTeas.com.
“Chai” actually means “tea” in Hindi, so calling “chai” “chai tea” is actually rather redundant. However, marketers in the western world thought that “chai tea” would help them sell the “new” product to the western market. Chai is actually centuries old, with its origins in India. Generally, it is a milky, spiced tea made with black tea, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, pepper, and various other spices. It is usually sweetened – most commonly with sugar, but some drinkers prefer honey. There is not a universal recipe for chai, as different drinkers like it different ways, so the spice list can change depending on who’s making it.
It is most likely this list of ingredients not often found in western beverages that makes chai seem “exotic” to westerners. But in India, chai is as common as tea is in Britain and coffee is in the United States. In fact, it’s so common that in many Indian households, the first thing a host offers a guest is a cup of chai.
Potential Health Benefits of Chai
Some tea companies tout the health benefits of drinking their chai product – but buyer beware. While chai is certainly better for the body than a drink such as coffee, because not all chai is made with the same ingredients, it’s not really possible to state that chai is universally beneficial. And it’s also more likely to benefit the drinker when the drinker has brewed his/her own chai, rather than buying boxed chai or chai in tea bag form. Why? Simply because the spices and herbs being used are much fresher. Here is a list of some of the benefits of the different ingredients in most chai recipes:
1) Cinnamon: In a recent study by the US Agricultural Research Service, cinnamon has been shown to benefit diabetics because the cells are less likely to let insulin in. In lab rats with Type 2 diabetes, cinnamon helped lower blood pressure and prevented cell damage. Cinnamon’s oils also help to stop the growth of certain bacteria and yeasts.
2) Ginger: In the Far East, ginger has been used for over two millennia to treat upset stomach, diarrhea, arthritis, and heart disease. Recent research by western scientists also suggests that ginger may help lower the risk of colon cancer.
3) Cardamom: Like ginger, cardamom is often used to soothe digestion problems. But it is also used to treat respiratory problems such as asthma or people suffering from other kinds of respiratory spasms. Further, in Saudi Arabia, animal studies have shown cardamom to have anti-inflammatory properties, reducing muscle spasms.
4) Cloves: Used in Ayurvedic medicine as an analgesic, cloves are most often used to soothe toothaches and remedy halitosis. It also has antiseptic qualities, and can be used to kill intestinal parasites, fungi, and bacteria. These latter qualities have also led cloves to be used for treating diarrhea and similar digestive ailments.
5) Pepper: Most chai recipes do not usually contain enough black pepper for it to be of significant benefit to its drinkers. However, black pepper does reduce intestinal gas and works as an antioxidant.
Just remember: The best way to ensure that your regular cup of chai provides you with the health benefits you’re looking for is to brew it yourself. Then you can select the herbs and spices that benefit your specific health condition.
About The Author
Rachel Medlock is a connoisseur of hot drinks, including chai. She also operates the informational website http://www.MyChaiTeas.com.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Health Benefits Of Tomatoes by: Tim Sousa
Did you know that tomatoes were once considered poison? It's true, the tomato is a member of the nightshade family, and was at one time considered to be toxic. Tomatoes were first eaten in the U.S. in the early 1800's, when a gentleman by the name of Robert Johnson shocked his hometown by eating a basket of tomatoes in the middle of town. When he didn't die, or even get sick from the tomatoes, they became a part of the American diet.
We now know that tomatoes are not toxic, and in fact are quite nutritious. First of all, tomatoes contain a lot of vitamin C, which is quite beneficial, as you've probably heard. Vitamin C helps the body to produce collagen, an important protein skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, helping to prevent cell damage by free radicals.
Tomatoes also contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Studies have shown that men consuming 10 servings of tomatoes a week cut the risk of prostate cancer by 45%. Lycopene also lower the risk of colorectal cancer and stomach cancer, and inhibits the growth of other types of cancer cells. Lycopene may also help older folks remain active.
Coumaric acid and chlorogenic acied are also found in tomatoes. These two compounds are thought to block the effects of nitrosamines, which are formed naturally in the body, but are also a strong carcinogen in tobacco smoke.
Tomatoes may also help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. Niacin has been used for years to lower cholesterol. Potassium has been shown to lower high blood pressure. And vitamin B6 and folate are used by the body to convert a dangerous chemical called homocysteine into more benign compounds.
Vitamin K, found in tomatoes helps to maintain healthy bones. Vitamin K1 activates a protein in the bones called osteocalcin, which anchors calcium inside the bone. Without enough vitamin K, bone mineralization is impaired.
When you buy tomatoes, be sure to buy the ones with the brightest red color. This indicates high amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene. Lycopene is found in the cell walls of the tomato, so by cooking it in a bit of oil, more lycopene is fully released. Also, cooking the tomato in a bit of olive oil helps your body to absorb the lycopene. If all you can find are canned tomatoes, that's fine. Cooking and canning don't cause tomatoes to lose any of their nutritional value. So cooked and processed tomatoes are just as beneficial as fresh tomatoes.
So tomatoes, once thought to be deadly poison, are now a nutritious staple of our diet. They help to fight cancer, and they contain a good amount of vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals. So go ahead and start adding tomatoes to your diet.
Spaghetti Sauce:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you want)
1 lb ground beef (optional)
4 28oz. cans of crushed tomatoes
1 28oz. can of tomato sauce
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp dried oregano
3 bay leaves
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the chopped onion, and cook for a couple of minutes, until the onion is tender. Add the garlic, and cook briefly. Be sure not to burn the garlic.
If using ground beef, cook the meat in a skillet until browned. Drain the meat, and add it to the pot.
Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, worcestershire sauce, oregano, and bay leaves. Stir everything together, then turn the heat to medium low, and simmer for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Remove the sauce from the heat, and serve over pasta. The leftover sauce will freeze well.
About The Author
Tim Sousa is the webmaster for http://negative-calories.blogspot.com, A blog about the negative calorie diet, and negative calorie foods.
We now know that tomatoes are not toxic, and in fact are quite nutritious. First of all, tomatoes contain a lot of vitamin C, which is quite beneficial, as you've probably heard. Vitamin C helps the body to produce collagen, an important protein skin, scar tissue, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels. Vitamin C is also an antioxidant, helping to prevent cell damage by free radicals.
Tomatoes also contain a powerful antioxidant called lycopene. Studies have shown that men consuming 10 servings of tomatoes a week cut the risk of prostate cancer by 45%. Lycopene also lower the risk of colorectal cancer and stomach cancer, and inhibits the growth of other types of cancer cells. Lycopene may also help older folks remain active.
Coumaric acid and chlorogenic acied are also found in tomatoes. These two compounds are thought to block the effects of nitrosamines, which are formed naturally in the body, but are also a strong carcinogen in tobacco smoke.
Tomatoes may also help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Tomatoes are a good source of potassium, niacin, vitamin B6, and folate. Niacin has been used for years to lower cholesterol. Potassium has been shown to lower high blood pressure. And vitamin B6 and folate are used by the body to convert a dangerous chemical called homocysteine into more benign compounds.
Vitamin K, found in tomatoes helps to maintain healthy bones. Vitamin K1 activates a protein in the bones called osteocalcin, which anchors calcium inside the bone. Without enough vitamin K, bone mineralization is impaired.
When you buy tomatoes, be sure to buy the ones with the brightest red color. This indicates high amounts of beta-carotene and lycopene. Lycopene is found in the cell walls of the tomato, so by cooking it in a bit of oil, more lycopene is fully released. Also, cooking the tomato in a bit of olive oil helps your body to absorb the lycopene. If all you can find are canned tomatoes, that's fine. Cooking and canning don't cause tomatoes to lose any of their nutritional value. So cooked and processed tomatoes are just as beneficial as fresh tomatoes.
So tomatoes, once thought to be deadly poison, are now a nutritious staple of our diet. They help to fight cancer, and they contain a good amount of vitamin C, and other vitamins and minerals. So go ahead and start adding tomatoes to your diet.
Spaghetti Sauce:
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 small onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced (or more if you want)
1 lb ground beef (optional)
4 28oz. cans of crushed tomatoes
1 28oz. can of tomato sauce
2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 Tbsp dried oregano
3 bay leaves
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium high heat. Add the chopped onion, and cook for a couple of minutes, until the onion is tender. Add the garlic, and cook briefly. Be sure not to burn the garlic.
If using ground beef, cook the meat in a skillet until browned. Drain the meat, and add it to the pot.
Add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, worcestershire sauce, oregano, and bay leaves. Stir everything together, then turn the heat to medium low, and simmer for 4 hours, stirring occasionally.
Remove the sauce from the heat, and serve over pasta. The leftover sauce will freeze well.
About The Author
Tim Sousa is the webmaster for http://negative-calories.blogspot.com, A blog about the negative calorie diet, and negative calorie foods.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Does Coffee Have Any Antioxidant Benefits? by: Aaron Matthews Morgan
Before we get all excited over the recent news about coffee being our new antioxidant, we need to take a look at the entire picture. Is there truly a coffee antioxidant? If there is, how exactly is coffee an antioxidant? Does it become the antioxidant when it's heated? Does the coffee antioxidant benefit everyone? Are there still dangers to drinking coffee? How much coffee is good for us and when does it become bad for us?
Brewed coffee contains many antioxidants and consumption of antioxidant-rich brewed coffee may inhibit diseases caused by oxidative damages. Antioxidants are said to be an inhibitor of certain types of diseases. However, coffee beans are not all a like. Not all coffee beans are of the same quality or even the same make up. Sort of like comparing tennis shoes to sandals. Both go on your feet, but they are not made up of the same components. You can actually break coffee down into several different water-soluble components. The dietary fiber derived from roasted coffee silverskin. This is one component of the coffee bean that has high antioxidant content. This is how the scientists find out about the antioxidant benfits of coffee in their studies. What they do in fact is the break down the coffee beans into different components. They filter out the components that the coffee antioxidant is found in, and then they test lab rats in a variety of experiments to determine how well they survive with or without the various additives in their diet. When they discover something really swell, like a coffee antioxidant, our culture of coffee drinking addicts suddenly becomes a feverorish mob.
For years and years we've heard bad things about coffee. For example: it's bad for your heart, increases blood pressure, may cause breast cancer, probably keeps you awake at night, and my personal favorite, has a poisonous gas when brewed.When the world of coffee addicts even gets a tiny hint that coffee could have something beneficial, believe me they don't just drink more coffee, they try to get everyone to join them. So, here we now have scientific studies proving to us that coffee has antioxidants.
Researchers have identified several compounds in coffee that create a coffee antioxidant. Why would this be of interest to us? Because scientific studies are showing that antioxidants may help prevent cancer. You see the connection here. However, until human studies are done, science cannot state exactly how much coffee must be consumed in order gain this protection against colon cancer or any other type of cancer. Before the coffee is roasted the antioxidant benefits are varied. However, once the coffee is roasted and served as a drink things get evened out. They all seem to have the same degrees of antioxidants.
Some studies suggest coffee having other benefits such as added fertility in men and some benefits for those suffering from diabetes. You'll have to read those studies on your own. The fact that a coffee antioxidant exists may be true, but the reality is that coffee can be just as harmful if your body doesn't like it, if you consume too much, if you have high blood pressure, and if it keeps you awake at night. Is there truly a coffee antioxidant? Yes, but the actual amount needed to be consumed in order to receive the anti-cancer benefits by humans is unknown. How exactly is coffee an antioxidant?
Coffee alone isn't the antioxidant, it's several different components that are part of the coffee bean. Roasting and heating the coffee changes the total antioxidant output. Does it become the antioxidant when it's heated? It seems that although some coffee beans like green coffee beans may be higher in antioxidants that other more common beans, once they are roasted and heated for consumption, the results are the same regarding the antioxidantal benefits. Does the coffee antioxidant benefit everyone? Honestly, this is NOT a question easily answered. In fact, the truth is it is still unknown just how beneficial coffee antioxidants are for humans. Are there still dangers to drinking coffee? Yes, of course there is. If you have high blood pressure and you have seen how coffee enhances this problem, you know it's bad for YOU personally. If you can't get proper sleep or you drive everyone around you nuts because you can't sit still or shut-up, you know coffee is bad for you.
Use common sense and listen to your body. Coffee is not good for everyone and unknown just how good for anyone. How much coffee is good for us and when does it become bad for us? Again drink coffee in moderation, pay attention to your own body. Exercise and good eating habits are a far better way to get healthy than drinking 10 cups of cappuccino a day. All things in moderation. After reading everything about this new thing called a coffee antioxidant I have decided that there are better ways of getting antioxidants into my blood.
Coffee may have many benefits, but so does water and it is possible to drown from drinking too much water. Yes, I know, you have to really drink a lot to accomplish this, but it's the principle of the matter. Too much of anything is not a good thing.
About The Author
Aaron Matthews-Morgan is the owner of Heavenly Kona Coffee, an e-business that specializes in 100% Gourmet Kona Coffee from Hawaii. HeavenlyKonaCoffee.com is also a premier website for free information and resources, providing quality info and articles on everything related to coffee. Go to: http://www.heavenlykonacoffee.com
Brewed coffee contains many antioxidants and consumption of antioxidant-rich brewed coffee may inhibit diseases caused by oxidative damages. Antioxidants are said to be an inhibitor of certain types of diseases. However, coffee beans are not all a like. Not all coffee beans are of the same quality or even the same make up. Sort of like comparing tennis shoes to sandals. Both go on your feet, but they are not made up of the same components. You can actually break coffee down into several different water-soluble components. The dietary fiber derived from roasted coffee silverskin. This is one component of the coffee bean that has high antioxidant content. This is how the scientists find out about the antioxidant benfits of coffee in their studies. What they do in fact is the break down the coffee beans into different components. They filter out the components that the coffee antioxidant is found in, and then they test lab rats in a variety of experiments to determine how well they survive with or without the various additives in their diet. When they discover something really swell, like a coffee antioxidant, our culture of coffee drinking addicts suddenly becomes a feverorish mob.
For years and years we've heard bad things about coffee. For example: it's bad for your heart, increases blood pressure, may cause breast cancer, probably keeps you awake at night, and my personal favorite, has a poisonous gas when brewed.When the world of coffee addicts even gets a tiny hint that coffee could have something beneficial, believe me they don't just drink more coffee, they try to get everyone to join them. So, here we now have scientific studies proving to us that coffee has antioxidants.
Researchers have identified several compounds in coffee that create a coffee antioxidant. Why would this be of interest to us? Because scientific studies are showing that antioxidants may help prevent cancer. You see the connection here. However, until human studies are done, science cannot state exactly how much coffee must be consumed in order gain this protection against colon cancer or any other type of cancer. Before the coffee is roasted the antioxidant benefits are varied. However, once the coffee is roasted and served as a drink things get evened out. They all seem to have the same degrees of antioxidants.
Some studies suggest coffee having other benefits such as added fertility in men and some benefits for those suffering from diabetes. You'll have to read those studies on your own. The fact that a coffee antioxidant exists may be true, but the reality is that coffee can be just as harmful if your body doesn't like it, if you consume too much, if you have high blood pressure, and if it keeps you awake at night. Is there truly a coffee antioxidant? Yes, but the actual amount needed to be consumed in order to receive the anti-cancer benefits by humans is unknown. How exactly is coffee an antioxidant?
Coffee alone isn't the antioxidant, it's several different components that are part of the coffee bean. Roasting and heating the coffee changes the total antioxidant output. Does it become the antioxidant when it's heated? It seems that although some coffee beans like green coffee beans may be higher in antioxidants that other more common beans, once they are roasted and heated for consumption, the results are the same regarding the antioxidantal benefits. Does the coffee antioxidant benefit everyone? Honestly, this is NOT a question easily answered. In fact, the truth is it is still unknown just how beneficial coffee antioxidants are for humans. Are there still dangers to drinking coffee? Yes, of course there is. If you have high blood pressure and you have seen how coffee enhances this problem, you know it's bad for YOU personally. If you can't get proper sleep or you drive everyone around you nuts because you can't sit still or shut-up, you know coffee is bad for you.
Use common sense and listen to your body. Coffee is not good for everyone and unknown just how good for anyone. How much coffee is good for us and when does it become bad for us? Again drink coffee in moderation, pay attention to your own body. Exercise and good eating habits are a far better way to get healthy than drinking 10 cups of cappuccino a day. All things in moderation. After reading everything about this new thing called a coffee antioxidant I have decided that there are better ways of getting antioxidants into my blood.
Coffee may have many benefits, but so does water and it is possible to drown from drinking too much water. Yes, I know, you have to really drink a lot to accomplish this, but it's the principle of the matter. Too much of anything is not a good thing.
About The Author
Aaron Matthews-Morgan is the owner of Heavenly Kona Coffee, an e-business that specializes in 100% Gourmet Kona Coffee from Hawaii. HeavenlyKonaCoffee.com is also a premier website for free information and resources, providing quality info and articles on everything related to coffee. Go to: http://www.heavenlykonacoffee.com
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Your Guide on Holistic Healing
More and more people are using holistic healing as either a supplementary method or their main technique of health care. Holistic healing uses all aspects of the individual to treat illness. It is a combination of body, mind and spirit. It takes all things into consideration such as the patient's diet, their environment, their lifestyle, social outlets, spiritual health and of course their physical health. All the aspects of their life create the disease or illness, not just an isolated part.
Today, many new research studies indicate that this is true. Claims of a diet of red and purple fruits and vegetables as a cure for colon cancer caught the ears of researchers at Ohio State, primarily because it worked. Today they found the reason, anthocyanins. They isolated the active ingredient in blueberries and grapes and now attempt to duplicate it in a drug for cancer. The holistic doctor, of course, would recommend eating the vegetables and fruit instead.
Many holistic cures are "chicken soup cures". Like chicken soup for a cold, they make you feel better and do no harm for your body. Until recently physicians thought that chicken soup made you feel better because it's one of the many comfort foods, but instead found that there's something in the fat in the broth that actually helps you heal. Other types of non-invasive holistic treatments involve traditional Chinese medicine, herbology, chiropracty, reiki, the healing touch, reflexology, acupressure, massage therapy, yoga and breathing exercises to name but a few.
Unlike some of the invasive surgery or toxic medication, most won't hurt you. I use the term most because herbology and Chinese medicine, while normally safe, also uses some toxic herbs. Foxglove, a plant that Indians used for heart conditions is the plant digitalis purpurea. This plant from herbal remedies of the American Indian gave us the drug Digitalis, a toxic medication if used improperly. Many of the herbs and treatments found in both Chinese medicine and herbology are now getting a second look by scientists and physicians. Herbs contain a vast amount of additional nutrition compared to their weight and some feel that this may be why they work. Like Digitalis, herbs also are the basis for many drugs on the market today.
The massage therapy, reiki, yoga and even breathing exercises are for the body as well tapping into pent up spiritual issues. Massage therapists tell that they not only stimulate the flow of blood to injured areas, they unlock the stress that's trapped in the tight muscles and allow it to flow out. Stress from anger, disappointment and fear all gathers in the body and if not released causes disease. Studies now prove that stress causes the body to weaken and illness to settle in the body.
The body is a beautiful instrument that heals itself. The body maintains itself if we work with it, feed it properly, appreciate and exercise it. Yoga and breathing exercises work to improve the circulation of the body and increase the healing oxygen intake. More doctors are recommending yoga classes as a form of maintaining limberness, relieving the pain of arthritis and overcoming other problems such as back pain.
Creative visualization, once thought as something for people that wore tin foil hats and practiced strange beliefs, now is part of the supplemental treatment for cancer and other diseases. Doctors found that this simple tool increases the speed of recovery and increases the effectiveness of treatment.
Holistic medicine isn't one theory; it's a combination of different techniques that looks at the whole person using as many as necessary to make them well again, often with no drugs or invasive procedures.
Today, many new research studies indicate that this is true. Claims of a diet of red and purple fruits and vegetables as a cure for colon cancer caught the ears of researchers at Ohio State, primarily because it worked. Today they found the reason, anthocyanins. They isolated the active ingredient in blueberries and grapes and now attempt to duplicate it in a drug for cancer. The holistic doctor, of course, would recommend eating the vegetables and fruit instead.
Many holistic cures are "chicken soup cures". Like chicken soup for a cold, they make you feel better and do no harm for your body. Until recently physicians thought that chicken soup made you feel better because it's one of the many comfort foods, but instead found that there's something in the fat in the broth that actually helps you heal. Other types of non-invasive holistic treatments involve traditional Chinese medicine, herbology, chiropracty, reiki, the healing touch, reflexology, acupressure, massage therapy, yoga and breathing exercises to name but a few.
Unlike some of the invasive surgery or toxic medication, most won't hurt you. I use the term most because herbology and Chinese medicine, while normally safe, also uses some toxic herbs. Foxglove, a plant that Indians used for heart conditions is the plant digitalis purpurea. This plant from herbal remedies of the American Indian gave us the drug Digitalis, a toxic medication if used improperly. Many of the herbs and treatments found in both Chinese medicine and herbology are now getting a second look by scientists and physicians. Herbs contain a vast amount of additional nutrition compared to their weight and some feel that this may be why they work. Like Digitalis, herbs also are the basis for many drugs on the market today.
The massage therapy, reiki, yoga and even breathing exercises are for the body as well tapping into pent up spiritual issues. Massage therapists tell that they not only stimulate the flow of blood to injured areas, they unlock the stress that's trapped in the tight muscles and allow it to flow out. Stress from anger, disappointment and fear all gathers in the body and if not released causes disease. Studies now prove that stress causes the body to weaken and illness to settle in the body.
The body is a beautiful instrument that heals itself. The body maintains itself if we work with it, feed it properly, appreciate and exercise it. Yoga and breathing exercises work to improve the circulation of the body and increase the healing oxygen intake. More doctors are recommending yoga classes as a form of maintaining limberness, relieving the pain of arthritis and overcoming other problems such as back pain.
Creative visualization, once thought as something for people that wore tin foil hats and practiced strange beliefs, now is part of the supplemental treatment for cancer and other diseases. Doctors found that this simple tool increases the speed of recovery and increases the effectiveness of treatment.
Holistic medicine isn't one theory; it's a combination of different techniques that looks at the whole person using as many as necessary to make them well again, often with no drugs or invasive procedures.
About The Author
Keith Ward is the Founder and Director of the Circle of Professional Clairvoyants, which offers Psychic Readings with fully qualified Psychics and Senior UK Clairvoyants.
| Visit the author's web site at: http://www.psychicreadings.org.uk |
Monday, June 8, 2009
12 Common Home Remedies for Constipation
This article is dedicated to the best Home Remedies for Constipation. First of all let me tell you what is Constipation?
Constipation is one of the most ordinary digestive disorders. Constipation is most ordinary in children and older people, and affects women more than men.
Constipation is identified when bowel movements are difficult, hard, or painful. Constipation is also a moderately common complaint among children, affecting up to an estimated 10 percent at some point.
Constipation may cause abdominal pain and swelling in some people. Constipation can lead to a build up of toxins, which can cause many health problems. Constipation mostly refers to a reduction in the frequency of bowel motions or increased difficulty passing stools.
Most cases of constipation are due to the less fibre included in diet.
However, some cases of constipation may be due to a severe problem such as colon cancer. Nausea, headache and malaise (general feeling of discomfort) may be linked with constipation.
Most people have at least three bowel movements weekly, but some people have lesser and would not be detected with constipation. Most individuals with constant constipation build up a variety of symptoms, ranging from abdominal pain, rectal discomfort, and abdominal fullness and bloating, nausea, and loss of appetite to a common feeling of malaise.
Complications of Constipation
Difficulties of constipation include hemorrhoids (which are caused by straining to have a bowel movement) and anal fissures (which are tears in the skin around the anus). Causes Constipation occurs when the large intestine sucks up too much water from the stool to make it dry and hard or the bowel walls cannot contract adequately to pass the stool and waste products along fast enough
Diet for Constipation Sufferers
If your constipation is associated to diet, however, simple additions of fiber-rich foods and non-dehydrated fluids are your best way of treatment.
Drink abundance of Purified Water
One of the main causes of constipation is a shortage of hydration. You should drink 6 to 8 glasses of purified water each day to encourage a healthy bowel. Adding lots of water is always superior in the diet for constipation sufferers.
Five servings of all-natural fruits and vegetables each day can develop your bowel
Here is a list of some best Home Remedies for Constipation:
Home Remedies for Constipation
1) Fiber is brilliant for largely intestinal health and for alleviating chronic constipation so try to include fibre in your diet. .
2) 8 ounce of milk should be mixed with about 3 ounces of prune juice in addition to little drops of licorice extract and should be taken in morning to treat constipation as soon as possible. This is simple and effective Home Remedy for Constipation.
3) Drink each morning on an empty stomach, humid water mixed with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and half a lemon juice.
4) One good Home Remedy for Constipation is to Drink lemon juice mixed with warm water two to three times a day.
5) Another remedy is to drink one liter of warm water and walk around for a few minutes instantly after waking up early in the morning.
6) Immerse 10-12 big raisins in a cup of milk and bring to boil, first eat the raisins then drink the milk.
7) Mix 2 tsp husk seed (Isabgol) in 1/2 a cup of hot milk and drink instantly. This is effective Home Remedy for Constipation.
8) Mix 1/4 teaspoon of Epsom salt to 1/2 a glass of water and drink (bitter but wonderful).
9) Mix 1/4 teaspoon dry ginger powder with a pinch of asafoetida and a bit of black salt in a little warm water and sip it. This is simple Home Remedy for Constipation.
10) One or two teaspoons of aloe gel can be taken two times in a day.
11) Pears are valuable in the treatment of constipation. Patients suffering from chronic constipation should accept an exclusive diet of this fruit or it's juice for a few days, but in usual cases, a medium-sized pear taken after dinner or with breakfast will have the preferred effect.
12) Guava is a further helpful Home Remedy for Constipation. When eaten with seeds, it offers roughage to the diet and helps in the usual evacuation of the bowels. One or two guavas must be taken every day.
Constipation is one of the most ordinary digestive disorders. Constipation is most ordinary in children and older people, and affects women more than men.
Constipation is identified when bowel movements are difficult, hard, or painful. Constipation is also a moderately common complaint among children, affecting up to an estimated 10 percent at some point.
Constipation may cause abdominal pain and swelling in some people. Constipation can lead to a build up of toxins, which can cause many health problems. Constipation mostly refers to a reduction in the frequency of bowel motions or increased difficulty passing stools.
Most cases of constipation are due to the less fibre included in diet.
However, some cases of constipation may be due to a severe problem such as colon cancer. Nausea, headache and malaise (general feeling of discomfort) may be linked with constipation.
Most people have at least three bowel movements weekly, but some people have lesser and would not be detected with constipation. Most individuals with constant constipation build up a variety of symptoms, ranging from abdominal pain, rectal discomfort, and abdominal fullness and bloating, nausea, and loss of appetite to a common feeling of malaise.
Complications of Constipation
Difficulties of constipation include hemorrhoids (which are caused by straining to have a bowel movement) and anal fissures (which are tears in the skin around the anus). Causes Constipation occurs when the large intestine sucks up too much water from the stool to make it dry and hard or the bowel walls cannot contract adequately to pass the stool and waste products along fast enough
Diet for Constipation Sufferers
If your constipation is associated to diet, however, simple additions of fiber-rich foods and non-dehydrated fluids are your best way of treatment.
Drink abundance of Purified Water
One of the main causes of constipation is a shortage of hydration. You should drink 6 to 8 glasses of purified water each day to encourage a healthy bowel. Adding lots of water is always superior in the diet for constipation sufferers.
Five servings of all-natural fruits and vegetables each day can develop your bowel
Here is a list of some best Home Remedies for Constipation:
Home Remedies for Constipation
1) Fiber is brilliant for largely intestinal health and for alleviating chronic constipation so try to include fibre in your diet. .
2) 8 ounce of milk should be mixed with about 3 ounces of prune juice in addition to little drops of licorice extract and should be taken in morning to treat constipation as soon as possible. This is simple and effective Home Remedy for Constipation.
3) Drink each morning on an empty stomach, humid water mixed with 1 teaspoon of olive oil and half a lemon juice.
4) One good Home Remedy for Constipation is to Drink lemon juice mixed with warm water two to three times a day.
5) Another remedy is to drink one liter of warm water and walk around for a few minutes instantly after waking up early in the morning.
6) Immerse 10-12 big raisins in a cup of milk and bring to boil, first eat the raisins then drink the milk.
7) Mix 2 tsp husk seed (Isabgol) in 1/2 a cup of hot milk and drink instantly. This is effective Home Remedy for Constipation.
8) Mix 1/4 teaspoon of Epsom salt to 1/2 a glass of water and drink (bitter but wonderful).
9) Mix 1/4 teaspoon dry ginger powder with a pinch of asafoetida and a bit of black salt in a little warm water and sip it. This is simple Home Remedy for Constipation.
10) One or two teaspoons of aloe gel can be taken two times in a day.
11) Pears are valuable in the treatment of constipation. Patients suffering from chronic constipation should accept an exclusive diet of this fruit or it's juice for a few days, but in usual cases, a medium-sized pear taken after dinner or with breakfast will have the preferred effect.
12) Guava is a further helpful Home Remedy for Constipation. When eaten with seeds, it offers roughage to the diet and helps in the usual evacuation of the bowels. One or two guavas must be taken every day.
About The Author
Dr John Anne is an Ayurvedic doctor having years of experience in the field of Ayurveda and Alternative medicine. Find out more Home Remedies for Constipation at http://www.natural-homeremedies.org
He has an exclusive website on Home Remedies for various diseases. You can also contribute to the Home remedies by visiting the website.
He has an exclusive website on Home Remedies for various diseases. You can also contribute to the Home remedies by visiting the website.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Did You POOP Today?
If you’re like many Americans, constipation is something you’ve experienced. Over 4 million people each year report being constipated. Cases of colon cancer are rising steadily. To understand why you may be suffering, you first need to know exactly what constipation means. When John Wayne died they found 60 pounds of compacted hard fecal matter stuck to the lining of his intestines.
My definition of being constipated means that you have difficulty passing stools and do not have daily bowel movements.
If your stools are soft and pass easily and you pass them at least 2 times per day, I would say you’re not constipated.
In order to be diagnosed with constipation, you must have at least two of the following symptoms for at least 12 months:
- Hard or pellet-like stools at least 25% of the time
- Straining with bowel movements at least 25% of the time
- A feeling that you don’t completely empty your bowels at least 25% of the time
- Fewer than 5 bowel movements per week
What causes constipation?
The most common cause of constipation is a lack of adequate amounts of water, exercise, stress and fiber in the diet. The longer the stool sits in the large intestine waiting to be passed, the harder and less easy to pass it becomes.
There are many other reasons that you may find yourself constipated. Common causes of constipation include:
- A change in schedule, such as traveling or anything that changes your daily routine
- Repressing the urge to have a bowel movement
- An increase in your stress levels
- A lack of exercise and poor dietary habits
- Loss of activity as a result of injury or aging
- Pregnancy
- Medication use
Constipation may also be a result of another health problem, such as irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes or other illnesses.
Older people (over the age of 65) still experience constipation more often than other adults. This is often due to an increase in medications and loss of mobility. Recently, over the last 10 years, children as well as adults are becoming constipated. Most doctors attribute this to a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, and poor nutrition. Studies now show that 50% of the children in America are obese and uneducated about proper diet and healthy living.
A more uncommon type of constipation results from an actual obstruction in the large intestine. This can be caused by an obstruction such as a tumor or gallstone that is wedged in the intestine. High stress levels can also cause the muscles in the bowel to constrict or contract at different times. Normally the muscles in the upper part of the intestinal tract contract, as the lower muscles in the bowel relax. When the lower muscles in the bowel contract or go into a spasm instead of relaxing, problems start to occur.
The bowel may also be obstructed if the large intestine has twisted on itself. Sometimes after any type of abdominal surgery scar tissue will grow internally and pinch off or restrict a section of your bowel. Another possible cause of bowel obstruction is from connective tissue diseases such as lupus or scleroderma.
If you’re experiencing symptoms from constipation for more than two weeks, it’s a good idea to seek the advice of your doctor. Together you can pinpoint the causes of your constipation and choose the best treatment options.
Make sure you pay attention to your bowel habits and keep your colon and intestinal tract clean. Do not consume products containing aspartame, mineral oil, milk of magnesia or high fat content.
Increasing your water intake, exercise, a high fiber diet and using a safe and natural oxygen based intestinal cleanser such as “Oxy-Powder” can keep your bowels regular.
A clean colon can prevent and reduce: Bad breath, body odor, constipation, depression, diverticulitis, colon cancer, fatigue, gas, stomach pain, bloating, weight gain, headaches, hemorroids, indigestion, appendicitis, insomnia and varicose veins.
About The Author
A prolific author, Dr. Edward Group has written seven books and dozens of articles on subjects such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, ultimate health, constipation, pain relief and more... In addition he is editor of the worldwide Internet monthly newsletter Alternative Health and Healing.
His latest work, “Transforming Your Health in 90 Days or Less!” shows people the seven most important steps to feeling good and looking younger without using drugs or surgery. Dr. Edward Group’s knowledge of alternative/natural protocols is thorough and his expression is opinionated and passionate
staff@globalhealingcenter.com
Saturday, June 6, 2009
What You Need to Know About Colon Cancer
Colon cancer or colorectal cancer is a disease characterized by the development of malignant cells in the lining of the first and longest portion of the large intestine. These cells have lost the normal control mechanism for growth. It is also termed as colorectal cancer because in time it can affect the rectum too. The rectum is the continuation of the large intestine into the pelvis that terminates in the anus.
The Causes and Symptoms
Primarily, there are two causes of colon cancer: the sporadic case and the genetic case. Exposure to the carcinogenic agents in the environment constitutes the sporadic case. It can induce mutation, and in time, it can also turn into a cancer. Specific carcinogens for colon cancer are still unidentified, but they can be narrowed down to the dietary factors of the person. Some of the probable causes of colon cancer include:
1) Diets that are high in fat and alcohol can predispose people to this disease.
2) Age and smoking habits of the person. A person over the age of 50 is more likely to have the disease than those who are under 50. Smoking individuals have risks too.
3) Patients who suffer from inflammatory diseases of the colon like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis also have increased risks.
4) Genetics like familial cases are also factors that help spread the disease.
Symptoms of colon cancer are related to the release of bowel and wastes of the affected person. They may occur alone or in combination. These symptoms are as follows:
1) Change in the bowel habit of the affected person
2) Blood in the stool
3) Bloating or persistent abdominal distention
4) Constant constipation
5) Feeling of fullness after just having a bowel movement
6) Presence of ribbon stools
7) Persistent and chronic fatigue and anemia
8) Abdominal discomfort
9) Unexplained weight loss, resulting from a systemic disease
10) Nausea and vomiting, which can occur rarely
The Treatments Available
Treatment of the colon cancer first depends on the stage of the cancer. It can be curable when caught at an early stage, but if detected at later stages, when metastases are present, it is less likely to be curable. Up until now, surgery is still the primary treatment of colon cancer. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy or the combination of both may be recommended on the patient, depending on their cancer’s stage and other medical factors. It can also be a challenge to determine how aggressive the treatment for the patient is because this type of cancer primarily affects the elderly; it is rare for young people to develop this disease. Some elderly people are not recommended for chemotherapy after the surgery because it can have ill effects on their health.
These are among the summarized treatments of colon cancer that are practiced today:
1) Surgery in the colon area
2) Chemotherapy
3) Radiation therapy
4) Immunotherapy
5) Vaccine for colon cancer
6) Treatment of liver metastases that can spread to the colon area
7) Support therapies
The Causes and Symptoms
Primarily, there are two causes of colon cancer: the sporadic case and the genetic case. Exposure to the carcinogenic agents in the environment constitutes the sporadic case. It can induce mutation, and in time, it can also turn into a cancer. Specific carcinogens for colon cancer are still unidentified, but they can be narrowed down to the dietary factors of the person. Some of the probable causes of colon cancer include:
1) Diets that are high in fat and alcohol can predispose people to this disease.
2) Age and smoking habits of the person. A person over the age of 50 is more likely to have the disease than those who are under 50. Smoking individuals have risks too.
3) Patients who suffer from inflammatory diseases of the colon like ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis also have increased risks.
4) Genetics like familial cases are also factors that help spread the disease.
Symptoms of colon cancer are related to the release of bowel and wastes of the affected person. They may occur alone or in combination. These symptoms are as follows:
1) Change in the bowel habit of the affected person
2) Blood in the stool
3) Bloating or persistent abdominal distention
4) Constant constipation
5) Feeling of fullness after just having a bowel movement
6) Presence of ribbon stools
7) Persistent and chronic fatigue and anemia
8) Abdominal discomfort
9) Unexplained weight loss, resulting from a systemic disease
10) Nausea and vomiting, which can occur rarely
The Treatments Available
Treatment of the colon cancer first depends on the stage of the cancer. It can be curable when caught at an early stage, but if detected at later stages, when metastases are present, it is less likely to be curable. Up until now, surgery is still the primary treatment of colon cancer. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy or the combination of both may be recommended on the patient, depending on their cancer’s stage and other medical factors. It can also be a challenge to determine how aggressive the treatment for the patient is because this type of cancer primarily affects the elderly; it is rare for young people to develop this disease. Some elderly people are not recommended for chemotherapy after the surgery because it can have ill effects on their health.
These are among the summarized treatments of colon cancer that are practiced today:
1) Surgery in the colon area
2) Chemotherapy
3) Radiation therapy
4) Immunotherapy
5) Vaccine for colon cancer
6) Treatment of liver metastases that can spread to the colon area
7) Support therapies
About The Author
Florida Abortion Clinics . Dr. James S. Pendergraft opened the Orlando Women's Center in March 1996 to provide a full range of health care for women, including Florida abortion clinic, physical examinations, family planning, counseling, laboratory services and sexually transmitted disease screening and counseling.
| Visit the author's web site at: http://www.womenscenter.com |
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