As I come to my senses I have learned that ginger has beneficial effect to our health. Known as a spice as well as a herb in the orient, some studies suggest that it really has medicinal effect when taken.

When you are suffering from stomach cramps due to indigestion ginger can be taken as tea to stimulate digestion.

There is also a component in the ginger that can block the effect of prostaglandin. As we know prostaglandin is a natural substance from the body that causes inflammation.

In the Orient, a ginger tea can lower down high blood pressure as well as the cholesterol level.

Continued studies are conducted by some professionals to support the claims that ginger is a potent medicine that can cure certain types of diseases.

Colds: One of the most common ailments garlic has been touted to treat is the cold. Upon the onset of the sniffles, many people testify that consuming a clove or more of raw garlic takes them away. How can a clove of garlic possibly help? Studies have shown that garlic extract improves immune function, giving our natural defense system a boost, and helping it conserve our levels of antioxidants in our system. It is this strengthening of the immune system that aids in its support for other health related conditions.

Cancer: For years research has been conducted on the effects of garlic on cancer. A healthy immune system is necessary to fight cancer, and we already know conclusively that garlic supports that system. Studies have been done on the population and in animals, as well as in test tubes. What is determined is that garlic has the ability to reduce the formation of cancerous cells. Garlic is shown to actually block cancer causing compounds from forming, and slow the growth of tumor cells. Garlic is especially helpful in blocking oesophagal, breast, stomach, prostate and bladder cancer. Research has proven that compounds in garlic not only slow the rate of growth in a tumor, but can reduce the tumor size by half. When studying the effects on breast cancer, these compounds can actually prevent carcinogens from attaching to breast cells. What are these wondrous compounds? They are diallye disulphide and s-allycystein. These compounds form when garlic is crushed. Among the sulfur components of garlic there are some called ajoenes, which are also noted for their “antitumor” abilities.

Heart Disease: Just as there are many factors that cause heart disease, there are many benefits of garlic that aid in preventing and treating it. So how can garlic help keep our heart in check? First, it helps lower our cholesterol levels. It raies our HDL (good) cholesterol levels, prevents LDL (bad) cholesterol from building up on arterial walls. This reduces the chances of plaque forming in our arteries. It has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels by 9% in people who ate 2 cloves of garlic per day.

Recent studies have also shown it to protect the aorta. The aorta is the heart blood vessel that maintians blood pressure and flow while the heart is pumping. Age, poor diet and environmental factors such as smoking can damage the aorta, causing it to stiffen. Studies have also shown that regular consumption of garlic slows the aging of the aorta and helps keep it flexible.

Hypertension: Another heart benefit of garlic is its ability to help control our blood pressure by thinning our blood. Once again the chemical found in garlic, called ajoene, thins the blood and keeps clots from forming. Studies done with general populations have shown that where there is more garlic consumed in a population, there is also a reduced incidence of hypertension and heart disease. Although garlic’s heart healthy benefits may be new to some, for centuries Chinese herbalists have been using garlic to treat people with angina attacks and circulatory disorders.

Infection: Since 1858 garlic has also been known for its anti-bacterial properties. At this time Louis Pasteur discovered that bacterial cells died when they were saturated with garlic. Other cases of it being used as an antibiotic in history include WW II, when British doctors used it to treat those wounded in battle, and Albert Schweitzer used garlic to treat typhus and cholera. Garlic is known to have not only antibacterial but antiviral and antifungal abilities as well. It is effective against intestinal parasites, recurrent yeast infections and the growth candida albicans is slowed by garlic. With this in mind, it should be condsidered only as an aid to antibiotics in fighting infections, as it is not enough to replace them. Garlic can help by stimulating T-cells that help fight infection.

Impotence: Garlic has also been found to be helpful to those dealing with impotence. Folklore dating back centuries has hailed garlic as an aphrodisiac, and now studies have proven this legend to be true. We know that garlic aids in blood circulation and keeps veins and arteries youthful, but that is only one way it helps with impotence. According to researchers, to obtain an erection an enzyme is required called nitric oxide synthase, and compounds in garlic stimulate the production of this enzyme in people who suffer from low levels of it.

It contains balanced minerals, vitamins & nutrients & its oil has strong smell due to concentrations of plant hormones. The presence of the essential oils makes celery special. They are also found in the seeds & can be added to the juice also. These oils have a specific effect on the regulation of the nervous system, and have a great calming influence. Celery is used for its strong stimulating and beneficial effect on a weak sexual system, but as is usual with plant therapies the normally active person does not have to fear an uncontrollable upsurge.

Lettuce contain alkaloids which is responsible for it therapeutic effect. Although all varieties of lettuce have low calories, each variety has different nutrient content. Romaine lettuce is the most nutrient-dense of all the lettuce varieties and is an excellent source of vitamins A, B1, B2, and C, folic acid, manganese and chromium, while Iceberg lettuce variety provides a good source of choline. It is important to know that the outer leaves may contain fifty times more nutrients than the stem, so eat everything.

Health Benefits:

• All lettuce is a good source of chlorophyll and vitamin K.
• Lettuce is very good for dieters because it is very low in calories.
• Lettuce is a good source of Iron which is the most active element in the body therefore it must be replenished frequently to meet any sudden demand of the body such as the rapid formation of red blood corpuscles in heavy loss of blood.
• Lettuce magnesium content has exceptional vitalizing powers especially in the muscular tissues, the brain and the nerves.
• The juice of lettuce combined with carrot and spinach juice is very helpful for maintaining the normal color of the hair.
• Lettuce is beneficial in the treatment of insomnia as it contains a sleep inducing substance.
• Lettuce may also help treat the following problems; acid indigestion, anemia, arthritis, catarrh, circulatory problems, colitis,constipation, cough, diabetes, gastritis, gout, insomnia, irritable bowel, obesity, sexual addiction, stress, tuberculosis, ulcers and urinary tract diseases.

Oily fish: Oily fish like mackerel, salmon, tuna have more than 5% fat (mostly omega-3) in their flesh. All omega-3 fats are essential for healthy cells, brain development, cognitive function and general good health. As well as offering vitamin D, canned sardines is an excellent source of calcium as you can eat the bones. Canned tuna contains much less vitamin D and essential fatty acid than the fresh fish as its oil is removed before canning and is sold separately. Avoid fish canned in vegetable oil as this blend may contain a lot of saturated fat. Only buy fish that has been canned in olive, sunflower or soya-bean oil. If you suffer from any other forms of arthritis, however, you will find oily fish extremely helpful as they have a potent anti-inflammatory action, which can relieve joint and muscle pains.

White Fish: They all contain virtually no fat, few calories and plenty of protein as well as the B vitamins. They don’t however, contain much iron and though halibut, which is slightly oily, may contribute a little vitamin A, the white fish do not generally supply fat-soluble vitamins. The livers of cod and halibut are very rich in vitamins A, D and E, but these aren’t eaten, only used for the production of oil. The roe of white fish is an excellent source of B vitamins and as a good source of iron and some meat, but fish roe contains cholesterol so may not be suitable for people with inherited disorders of fat metabolism or very high cholesterol levels.

]]> http://www.ordinarybiscuit.com/2010/05/fish-meat/feed/ 2 http://www.ordinarybiscuit.com/2010/03/health-benefits-of-banana/ http://www.ordinarybiscuit.com/2010/03/health-benefits-of-banana/#comments Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:58:10 +0000 adminjason http://www.ordinarybiscuit.com/?p=1972 Health Benefits of Banana :

1. Banana is an energy booster.
2. Banana contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is known to make you feel happy and improve your mood.
3. Banana is a rich source of iron, thus it is helpful in cases of anemia.
4. Banana is good a good source of potassium. If you are taking diuretics take 2 bananas a day to prevent the depletion of potassium in the body.
5. The skin of the banana is said to help remove warts(cover the warts with the inner skin of banana).
6. Banana is good for people who have high blood pressure because it is low in salt.

Banana is also helpful in the following cases : Stomach ulcer (banana has a natural antacid), Colitis, Digestive disorder, Diarrhea, Constipation (banana is high in fiber), Hemorrhoids

Nutritive Values : Per 100 gm.

* Vitamin A : 430 I.U.
* Vitamin B : Thiamine .04 mg.;
* Vitamin C : 10 mg.
* Calcium : 8 mg.
* Iron : 6 mg.
* Phosphorus : 28 mg.
* Potassium : 260 mg.
* Carbohydrates : 23 gm
* Protein : 1.2 mg.
* Calories : 88

One special health benefit of dragon fruit which has been verified by the authors of this web site is the special dragon fruit health benefit that dragon fruit helps control levels of glucose blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetes (and type 1 diabetes by some reports). This is one of the health benefits of pitaya fruit in addition to the pitaya fruit nutrient profile being full of dietary fiber and Vitamin C. The pitaya nutritional benefits even include a high level of pitaya fruit antioxidant levels. All these great dragon fruit nutrients make fresh dragon fruit or dried dragon fruit both great additions to a healthy diet – and you get the nutrition benefits of dragon fruit from the dried or fresh fruit just as well.

Think D-fense. Unless you bask in the midday sup up to a half hour several days a week or gulp 10 glasses of milk each day, aim for 800to 1,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D3 (more than the usually suggested 200 to 600 IUs). Deficiency is linked to osteoporosis and possibly heart disease and cancers of the breast, colon and prostate.

Bone up. To help prevent osteoporosis, women need 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium per day-1,200 mg after menopause. Best sources are dairy products, like milk and yogurt, or supplements. Men need calcium too, but no more than 1,000 mg/day. Early studies suggest a possible link between too much calcium and prostate cancer.

Consider magnesium. Regular headaches, muscle aches and constipation may call for magnesium to combat the deficiency studies show most people have.