Fruits and Vegetables may cut Stroke Risk

Fruits and vegetables 

have always been very beneficial to health.

A new study just proved that they help to fight against 

stroke, can reduce the risk of heart disease and some types 

of cancer.

A new Chinese study shows that once a person consumes 200 grams of vegetables and 200 g of fruit per day, his risk of stroke is reduced to 32%.
Fruits and vegetables also help reduce the risk of aneurysm, diabetes, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and improve appetite.
Recent research, on more than 720,400 participants including 16,500 have suffered an attack, showed that the risk of stroke is reduced by 10% to 30%.
They help to lower blood pressure and improve microcirculation. Citrus fruits, apples, peaches, and leafy vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, spinach ... are particularly effective in reducing the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

The benefits of fruits and vegetables on cardiovascular health are confirmed

EPIC "European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition" confirm that daily consumption of fruits and vegetables would reduce cardiovascular mortality by 22%.

People who eat fruits and vegetables frequently have the lowest risk of dying from ischemic heart disease. The work has been highlighted on the University of Oxford, UK.

The authors followed more than 200,000 people aged 45 to 85 years to assess the link between consumption of fruits, vegetables and cardiovascular mortality.

During the study, 1638 people died from ischemic heart disease. The results show that cardiovascular mortality in people consuming at least 8 servings of fruits and vegetables each day is reduced by 22% compared to those who eat less than three a day. Furthermore, any additional portion reduces the risk of 4%.

Prostate Health

It can be frustrating and confusing to find out what really works for a man’s prostate health.
In this article I’ve summarized some of the major guidelines and recommendations you should know.
And if you’ve found something that has really worked for you, which you have verified through trial and observation, please let me know. I’d like to be able to share it with others.

First, read the following list of helpful hints related to improved prostate health and benign prostate enlargement.

1. Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are mostly related to an enlarged prostate. Candida and infections like prostatitis are also related. Candida is a common and insidious condition you should be sure to eliminate. At my website I have a simple self-test for candida.

2. Do pelvic exercises to increase circulation by tightening your pelvic muscles intentionally at least 100 times a day. Raise your awareness of the inner world of your pelvic area. Give separate consideration to your buttocks, lower abdominals, scrotum, urethra, and sphincter.

3. Use Prosperon to raise your testosterone level naturally.

4. Drink plenty of water, every day, to flush out your system.

5. Move to a low animal-protein and grain-rich diet, or some variation on the macrobiotic.

6. Keep your weight in check.

7. Keep a journal in order to track and recognize, as soon as possible, what is working for you, and what is not. Think about your symptoms for yourself; don’t just depend on your doctor!

8. Realize that hormones are hormones and vitamins are vitamins. When his PSA test results were too high, a friend decided to heal himself by doing an anti-parasite treatment. It did no harm, but your prostate has to do with hormones, and needs to be dealt with on this level.

You can’t put fresh oil in your car when you’re out of gas and then wonder why your engine won’t work!

9. Visualize that you are much healthier and that your prostate and urethra function well. Approach your body with love, as it is part of your temple where the soul resides. ACCEPT .

Melatonin: An excellent study done at Tel Aviv University showed that the melatonin receptors in

the prostate could suppress prostate enlargement. Researchers found that an enlarged prostate is

due to the imbalance of estrogen and testosterone that occurs as we age. They further noted that

the excess estrogen also interferes with the normal metabolism of melatonin (J. Clin. Endoc. Metab.

82 (1997) p. 2535 – 41).

Their advice then, is to take 1-3 mg. of melatonin supplement every night. (Stick with this dosage;

as with most medicines, more is by no means better.) Take it ONLY in the darkness of night, in order not to interfere with the body’s natural production of melatonin before sunrise. Go to bed by ten o’clock also, to get a good night’s rest.

Copied with permission from: http://plrplr.com/79744/prostate-health-learn-the-basics/

Top 15 Weight Loss Myths

There are many common weight loss myths that people live by when it comes to their health. It is difficult at times to separate the weight loss myths and fact from what is true. Many sound true while others are just laughable. I once read somewhere that if you drink water at night that you are going to gain weight or that if you scratch your head too often you are going to lose your hair....

Weight Loss Myth # 1
The more weight that I have to lose the more intense my exercise routine should be

Weight Loss Truth: Although having an intense workout routine is great, there are a few things you should consider: the first being that everyone is at a different level when it comes to their fitness and how much intensity they can actually handle. If you have been physically inactive for a number of years, an intense work out for you might be, walking half a mile a day. After you walk that half mile you notice that you are sweating bullets and that you are tired. However, for someone who has been physically active for many years, walking half a mile can be done without a sweat. Everyone has a different definition of what "intense" is.

If intense for you is working out for an hour a day, but due to life's busy schedule you only have time for 20 minutes a day, then those 20 minutes will go an extremely long way. It might not necessarily be classified as "intense", according to your definition, but those little cardio moments will have positive health altering effects.

Fat Loss Myth # 2
Stress and weight gain do not go hand in hand

Weight Loss Fact: This is one of those "laughable" myths. To learn more how stress is adding lbs. to your life please download my free E-Book, "Psychology of Releasing Weight"

Weight Loss Myth # 3
I can lose weight while eating whatever I want

Weight Loss Truth: Sir Isaac Newton once said " What goes up must come down." There are natural principles that govern our lives. If you throw a ball up in the air, it is going to come back down. You can sit on your couch and imagine and visualize that the ball will staying afloat in the air, but natural principles teach us that it will come down. Same goes when it comes to our weight.

This is one of the most common weight loss myths out there. It is illogical to think that your health and weight are going to be in balance if your nutrition consists mainly of twinkies, chips, and donuts. Sure you can burn it off by exercising, but most people whose diet consists of mainly junk food are probably not disciplined enough to stick to a workout routine. I do know a few people who, from the outside, look like they are in good shape, because they are not "fat, but who have high cholesterol.

Just because I feel sorry for crushing the hearts of so many twinkie lovers out there, I would say this. You can eat junk food, cookies, chips, ice cream, pizza, burgers.... All of those "soul satisfying foods", but it should be in moderation. Anything in excess is never good.

Fat Loss Myth # 4
Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight

Weight Loss Fact: There are numerous studies that show that people who skip breakfast and eat fewer times during the day tend to be a lot heavier than who have a healthy nutritional breakfast and then eat 4-6 small meals during the day. The reason to this might be the fact that they get hungrier later on in the day, and might have a tendency to over eat during other meals of the day.

Weight Loss Myth # 5
I will not lose weight while eating at night

Weight Loss Truth: You can over indulge in food during the day and not eat a single thing at night and you WILL gain weight. As is the fact that you can starve yourself during the day and eat all night long and you still will gain weight. The key here is balance. If your body is telling you that it is hungry then perhaps you should listen to it. The truth is, that over eating, while not exercising, will cause you to gain weight; no matter what time of the day that you eat. Whenever I am hungry at night, as is my habit with other meals during the day, I try to select something that is natural in nature. Something like fruits, vegetables, or I might even make myself a fruit smoothie. During those moments that I am craving ice cream or something sweet, I allow myself to get some, and DO NOT feel guilty about it. Many people who are overweight live their life in guilt and shame. I allow myself to get some, however, WITH MODERATION.

Fat Loss Myth # 6
I'm not acceptable until I lose weight

Weight Loss Fact: The person who doesn't feel acceptable because they are fat is because they are not acceptable to themselves first. The way that you think others view you is based on your view of yourself. I honestly believe that one must become emotionally fit before becoming physically fit. I have gone through these self-limiting emotions before. Once I realized that I was ALREADY ENOUGH in the eyes of God and that I had no need to prove myself to anyone or to receive external validation for my self-worth, that made all the difference for me. Once you accept yourself as who you are RIGHT NOW and realize that you are already enough in the eyes of God, you will not feel like you are not acceptable because of your weight.

Weight Loss Myth # 7
I need to cut calories to lose weight faster

Weight Loss Truth: Cutting your calories down might be a great thing, if you are drastically overeating and stuffing your face. However, if you are eating proportionally then cutting calories might have an aversive affect. If you are cutting calories and are starving your body, then that will lower your metabolism, or in other words slow it down, which may result in you actually not losing any weight at all, even if you are "cutting calories"

Fat Loss Myth # 8
Skipping meals will help me lose weight

Weight Loss Fact: Skipping meals may actually cause you to gain weight! You will become too hungry and will eventually have to eat. This will knock your metabolism off track and will eventually slow it down. Think of a car running low on gas (food), if you do not fill it up, it will eventually stop working. Same goes for our body, we need to keep it fueled constantly.

Weight Loss Myth # 9
I think I have genetic weight gain, it runs in my family!

Weight Loss Truth: Can someone say E-X-C-U-S-E-S? I will not deny that there might be tendencies for heavy parents to raise heavy children who will remain heavy their whole lives, but I don't believe that there is actually a "fat" gene or DNA out there. What we do inherit from our family, primarily those who directly raised us, are our views and beliefs. Your views about food, money, religion, politics, education, etc. are based upon how you were raised. If you were raised in a home where the primary meals cooked where fried foods, then you might have a tendency to continue cooking and eating fried foods throughout your life. If that is the case then you might be a little heavy around the waist. The easy thing to do is to blame it on those who were in charge of your upbringing, however, you ALWAYS have a choice to change.

Fat Loss Myth # 10
Eating healthy is too hard

Weight Loss Fact: Eating healthy is the simplest thing in the world.....once you have trained yourself to do it. How many times have you placed a goal to lose weight or to "eat better"? The first few days you are doing great, eating all kinds of foods which you normally wouldn't eat. Then something funny started to happen, you went back to your old habits and behaviors. This has happened to you in other areas outside of your health. It could be with making money, looking for a new job, or in your relationships. Creating a new habit takes time because our brain's do not like change. Change to the brain is dangerous. Anyways, if you would like to learn more about how our brain attempts to sabotage us from creating new habits then please download my free E-book, "Psychology of Releasing Weight"

Weight Loss Myth # 11
You have to give up your favorite foods to lose weight

Weight Loss Truth: What would a world without chocolate and without pepperoni pizza be like??? I think it would be a torturous world to live in!! lol, now on a real note I completely disagree with this myth. You are definitely able to eat your favorite foods. Depriving yourself of this kind of pleasure is not fun, and quite frankly you probably WILL eat it anyways. As has been mentioned before, the real key is moderation. If you are a steak lover, then perhaps it might not be the best things to eat it every single day, but perhaps once or twice a week. Those who know me personally know that I LOOOOOOOOVE chicken wings with pizza. In a perfect world where I wouldn't gain any weight and my arteries were clog-less, I would love to eat it several times per week, well more like every day. However, I know that those aren't the healthiest of food choices so I have it about 2-3 times per month. I am not giving up my favorite foods, I am just eating it in moderation so that it doesn't catch up to me in the form of excess weight.

Fat Loss Myth # 12
Overeating is caused by hunger

Weight Loss Fact: Nice try there. If only we could blame "hunger" for it. In fact, this person we call hunger has nothing to do with you OVEREATING. It might have something to do your body telling you that it is time to "fuel up" and that it needs food, but that is not an indication that one should overeat. What causes many people to overeat are different reasons. One of the main ones is feeling of stress, depression, loneliness, anxiety, fear, and other down grading emotions of that nature. Many times food can be a means of satisfying your needs. You might be actually getting your needs met through your foods. For example, if you live a lonely life, and aren't very happy, then food could perhaps be a means of you feeling happy and comforted. There are other articles that I have written on this subject but suffice it to say that overeating is NOT cause by being hungry.

Weight Loss Myth # 13
Only drastic diets work

Weight Loss Truth: There goes that word again...DIEt....those "drastic diets" are only good for quick weight loss and rapid weight gain once you get of it. These drastic diets range from the "cookie diet", lol.... All that way to "the water only diet"..... I am sure you can lose weight while on these DIEts, however the weight will be gained right back and usually with some added weight as a bonus

Fat Loss Myth # 14
I am too fat and too far down the road to begin

Weight Loss Fact: A long journey begins one step at a time. It is natural to expect instantaneous results and to even fear the road ahead of you; especially if you are extremely overweight. The secret here is to make SMALL incremental changes. Don't expect perfection because that will lead you to disappointment. You are never too far down the road to where you cannot see the sun's light......

Weight Loss Myth # 15
I can't do it, I have tried many times and have failed

Weight Loss Truth: The great Henry Ford once said "Whether you think you can, or you think you can't- you're right.'"......It is 90% mindset, and 10% actually getting off your butt and doing something about it. You fall down, you get back up.... you fall down again, you get back up again. If you have tried to lose weight in the past then it is time to keep trying. Discouragment is to losing weight as is a piece of fried chicken to a vegetarian......they DO NOT go hand in hand.

[Http://PsychologyOfReleasingWeight.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Hyrum_R

Why You Should Go for Hijama Therapy

Though primarily discovered to cure body pain only, now this ancient therapy proved beneficial for curing several health conditions. Scientific researchers have shown that it works like magic on migraines and the back pain. The therapy is effective in healing many clinical manifestations of external pathogens, which harbors at the level of the skin. The Hijama releases toxins; de acidifies tissues, and boosts blood circulation. It releases harmful chemicals from the body, which reduce stress and depression.

This procedure involves creating negligible pressure to the internal organ. It can be applied at anywhere in the body. However, it is mostly performed at the site of pain, though the traditional method tells about using it only six optimal points of the body.

Diseases that can be cured by the Hijama Therapy are as follows:-

1. Back pain
2. Arthritic Pain
3. Hair Loss
4. Asthma
5. Skin problem
6. Fertility problem
7. Stomach problems
8. Migraines
9. Headache
10. Period Pain
11. Injuries
12. Cellulite
13. Fatigue
14. Anemia
15. Depression
16. Emotional problems
17. Atrophy
18. Sciatica
19. Common cold and Flu
20. Weight loss and many more

As per the Islamic prophet, Hijama is the best remedy. Latest Science proved that this therapy strengthen the immune system. Sufficient flow of nutrition to the affected tissues, stimulation of blood and lymph flow is the basis of curing so many health problems. Hijama also activates the function of the organs; it can be used for treating liver and kidney disorders as well.

The therapy is based on cupping. At ancient era, horns were used as cups, but now the metal, glass or plastic cups are used. Some therapists, even use machines, instead of the cups.

However, this therapeutic procedure warns against over cupping. Traditionally cupping was used only at six optimal points of the body, to clean the entire cardiovascular system.

The traditional Hijama Method is as follows:-

The traditional method confers that pain occurs in the body due to stagnation of blood and Qi or the body energy. The location of cupping is shaved at first, to make certain the tight seal of the cup with the skin. A small piece of paper or cotton is burned inside the vessel, to make it sterile. This also makes the vessel stick to the skin, which is necessary to accomplish this process.

The modern therapeutic use two types of cupping, the dry cupping and the wet cupping.

1. As per the dry cupping, only the cups are placed with suction. An Incision is not made so the blood is not removed from the skin.

2. The wet cupping is the procedure that says about creating incisions, after placing of the suction cup. It lets out the blood and pus from the body.

Cups that are used for Hijama to create a pulling power in the skin. It causes pain reduction and mobilizes the immune system, which makes it strong and releases energy.

The author is a reputed therapists of Hijama therapy UK. He has been practicing it for more than 12 years. He bears a sound knowledge in this field.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anjuman_Shahzad

Fenugreek - Fights Diabetes, Heart Disease, Obesity

Although fenugreek seeds are used extensively in the recipes of countries in the Middle and Far East, in the West it is not as well known as many other spices.
Not only does fenugreek impart a characteristic flavour and tang to food but it also has several very important disease preventing characteristics.

In traditional medicine, fenugreek has been used to treat a number of conditions including diabetes, sore throats, and in poultices used to treat sores and abscesses. Recent investigations into the medicinal properties of this spice suggest it is important not only as a preventive for chronic diseases such as diabetes, but also for enhancing normal physiological processes, especially with respect to athletic performance.

As with most spices it contains many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds such as apigenin,
genistein, kaempferol, quercetin, rutin, selenium and superoxide-dismutase. It also contains compounds such as trigonelline that has shown to prevent the degeneration of nerve cells in neuro-degenerative diseases.

Medicinal properties of fenugreek

Cardiovascular disease and blood lipids

Fenugreek has a strong modulating effect on blood lipid levels and can substantially reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. In diabetics, who usually suffer lipid imbalances, it has demonstrated a remarkable ability to lower cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL levels while raising HDL levels. Another property of fenugreek is the reduction of platelet aggregation which, in turn, dramatically reduces the risk of abnormal blood clotting associated with heart attacks and strokes. Like most spices, fenugreek also contains many important antioxidants and has the added benefit of protecting other dietary and internally produced antioxidants from free-radical damage. This has important cardioprotective benefits, as well as helping to fortify the body against a range of other chronic conditions.

Diabetes

Fenugreek, which has comparable antidiabetic potency to cinnamon, is one of the most valuable spices for the control of glucose metabolism and thus the prevention and treatment of Type II diabetes.
Owing to its many properties it helps in the prevention and treatment of diabetes in several ways.

Working in a similar way to the common antidiabetic drug glibenclamide, fenugreek lowers cellular insulin resistance and controls blood glucose homeostasis. It has been shown to lower blood glucose levels of Type II diabetics by as much as 46 percent.

It also increases the levels of several important antioxidants and reduces the damaging oxidation of lipids associated with diabetes.

As an added bonus, fenugreek seeds are a very rich in a type of dietary fibre that modulates post-prandial blood glucose levels by delaying the absorption of sugar in the intestines. This mucilaginous fiber also reduces the absorption of fat and cholesterol from the intestines thus providing additional protection against heart disease and obesity.

Cataracts

Fenugreek is also effective against diabetes-related cataracts which occur commonly in diabetics. The enzymes that control glucose uptake into the lens of the eye do not function normally in diabetics and, as a result, glucose and its metabolites, fructose and sorbitol, accumulate in the lens tissues. The lenses of diabetic patients are also prone damage by enzymes that would normally protect against destructive free radicals, and a combination of these factors leads to the gradual opacification of the lens known as a cataract. As fenugreek has been shown to partially reverse both the metabolic changes in the lens and to reduce the density of the cataract, it is likely to be even more effective as a prophylactic agent against cataract formation in diabetics.

Alzheimer's and other neuro-degenerative diseases

Fenugreek contains the compound trigonellene that has shown to stimulate the regeneration of brain cells. This property has stimulated further research to see whether it can help in the prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

Sport

One of the greatest difficulties facing athletes who compete in endurance events is maintaining a readily available supply of energy in the body. In order to achieve this, muscle carbohydrate stores, in the form of glycogen, must be continuously replenished. In an event lasting more than one-and-a-half hours, glycogen stores become depleted, and for the remainder of the event the athlete has to rely on external sources of energy, such as high carbohydrate drinks, which are inferior to glycogen as an energy source. Post event re-synthesis of glycogen is also very important, and the two hours immediately following prolonged exercise is the crucial time for this process to occur.

Fenugreek has been shown to have a strong effect on glycogen replenishment; increasing post-event re-synthesis by over 60 percent in some endurance athletes. While its effects on glycogen re-synthesis during an event have yet to be tested, fenugreek is likely to exhibit a similarly beneficial effect during, as well as after, exercise.

Hormones

Fenugreek is one of the richest sources of phytoestrogens and is thus a very useful spice for women who have low oestrogen levels. Phytoestrogens are also thought to help protect against certain types of cancer, and fenugreek may well be proven to have anti-tumourigenic effects should this property be investigated in the future.

Selenium

Fenugreek is one of the richest sources of selenium, which is among the most important antioxidant micronutrients. When consumed regularly, selenium appears to have a protective effect against a range of cancers, including those of the colon, lung and prostate. Recent evidence also shows that selenium helps to prevent the progression of HIV and other chronic viral illnesses.

While other spices like chilies and cinnamon hold the culinary and medicinal headlines, the research into fenugreek is showing us that this spice has health benefits on a par with, or even superior to, those of the better known spices.

However it is important to appreciate that synergism between different spices enhances the bioavailability and efficacy of their respective bioactive compounds. Therefore, to obtain optimum benefit from fenugreek, it is important to use it with other common spices in both the prevention and treatment of disease.

Keith Scott is a medical doctor who has a special interest in nutritional medicine. He has written several books on health related topics including Medicinal Seasonings, The Healing Power Of Spices and Natural Home Pharmacy. For more information about the medicinal properties of fenugreek and other spices go to: [http://medspice.com/]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Keith_Scott_M.D.

Reduce Your Weight Naturally

Why should you lose weight? Obesity can create a lot of problems for you. High fat content in your body can affect your health in several ways. Your heart, liver, kidneys and the joints in your ankles, knees and hips become vulnerable to the ill effects of the excess fat in your body. Quite a few severe diseases like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart diseases like coronary thrombosis, arthritis, gout and disorder of your liver, kidneys and bladder can all be caused by overweight.

Therefore, don't treat the issue of excess weight as something that only impairs your looks and causes minor inconveniences to your physique.

Obesity can be caused by several factors such as excessive eating, irregular food habits, inappropriate diet, eating incompatible dishes together, lack of physical exercise, a sedentary lifestyle, smoking, drinking etc. Whatever might have been the cause of your excess weight, you can reduce your weight by focusing on three things. These are changing your eating habits, exercising regularly and avoiding things that will lead to weight gain. You can reduce your weight naturally by taking appropriate action covering these three areas.

Diet:
Make it a practice to stick to a strict regimen of diet. Start your day with a juice made of half a lemon fruit mixed in a glass of water and a teaspoon of honey. For breakfast, take wheat or bean sprouts and a cup of skimmed milk. You can make up for the light breakfast by drinking a glass of pineapple, orange or carrot juice between the breakfast and lunch. You can have a lunch comprising raw vegetables such as carrot, spinach, beetroot, cucumber, cabbage and tomato, steamed or boiled vegetables, whole grain bread and a glass of buttermilk mixed with cumin seeds, green coriander leaves, a pinch of salt and grated ginger. If you can't do without a non-vegetarian dish, then you can include a few pieces of lean meat. If you feel hungry in the mid afternoon, you can take dry fruits along with z cup of coconut water, vegetable soup or lemon tea.

Your dinner can include whole grain bread, steamed vegetables and seasonal fruits other than apple and banana. Ensure that your meals are largely made of low calorie foods, fruits and vegetables. Milk products like cheese and butter and red meat should be avoided. Reduce the salt content in your food, since salt is known to contribute to weight gain. Food items that should be used more are mint leaves, mint tea, spices like dry ginger, cinnamon, black pepper, honey and vegetables like carrot (especially in the form of juice), bitter gourd, drumstick. Things to be avoided include rice, potatoes and other high carb foods and of course meat.

Exercises:
A simple exercise like walking or running will be of great help in bringing down your weight. Swimming and rowing are also very effective.

Things to be avoided:
Smoking, drinking, high consumption of coffee and irregular food habits should be avoided.

You will find that you are able to lose weight naturally by changing your eating habits, following a simple but regular exercise plan and avoiding undesirable lifestyle habits.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Parthasarathy_Rengaswami