Antioxidants in the Kitchen

In today’s world, antioxidants protect our body against damage done by free radicals, chemicals, toxins and pollution. Unlike 30 years ago, today medical scientists, doctors, nutritionists will you that:

Heart attacks, angina, heart failure, stroke, ageing, brain damage, kidney, radiation sickness, Rheumatoid arthritis, male infertility, Retinopathy of prematurity, malnutrition, common cold and cancer have a common cause.

Antioxidants are phyto-chemicals derived from natural colors present in our food. The carotenoids, lycopene, and vitamin C found in them prevent, retard and reverse cancer, eye disorders, strokes, etc. they are little soldiers that protect our body and fortunately, we do not need to pop pills to derive their benefits.

Let us look in our Indian kitchens – they are a virtual antioxidant pillbox in themselves. A meal in a regular Indian household is a magic canon loaded to combat diseases. The variety of fruits, vegetables herbs, spices, condiments, grains, pulses and cold pressed oils are the bullets. The Indian diet is a riot of natural colors – so load on the guavas, papayas, oranges, bananas, and amlas – the list is endless.

And much as we might have hated it then, dadima was actually right. She hit the nail on the head by making us eat karela, palak or methi. When she lovingly sprinkled tons of kothmir on our food, little did we know that these were rich in chlorophyll – a major cancer fighter.

Even veggies like cabbage, cauliflower, radish and turnips, commonly eaten by most Indian households are great crucifiers. These vegetables are all on the cancer and heart disease prevention map, providing amazing protection to our immune system. Meanwhile, soups, rasams, purees and low fat gravies of tomato cut your risk of prostate cancer by half.
Though onions and garlic make you cry, they repel and lower cholesterol, prevent arthritis, constipation, common colds, and flu and cancer risks. ‘Chapata’ potato and sweet potato chaat (with their skin) are a good source of phyto-chemicals and are antidepressants.

Among the species, turmeric is a virtual gold mine. Not only does it flight heart diseases, lowers triglycerides and is an anti-Alzheimer, turmeric also reduces the risk of cancer and is anti-inflammatory. And while the red color in red chillis is excellent for arthritis, cumin stops the process of cancer by preventing DNA to blind with cancer cells. Flavaniods in ajwain and mint not only prevent flatulence, colds and digestive disorders, they cause cancer cells to mutate. In addition, flax seeds contain 100 times more ligans, which help in lowering cholesterol.

Cold pressed oils like olive, groundnut, sesame, mustard and sunflower contain omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which cut down the risk of elevated lipids and cholesterol.

Grains including bajra, jowar, barley and brown rice are great sources of soluble fiber, and help to lower cholesterol. Pulses like rajma and chana help in battling heart diseases, cancer and osteoporosis.

It’s important to remember that chemicals, preservatives and addictives are all a cause of diseases. They are high in free radicals so let’s be smart and in all our foods let’s go organic. The best part is that we do not need to make any drastic changes to our food habits – these food items have been handed down to us through generations. It depends on us to understand and appreciate it. The Indian meal can be one of the healthiest and heartiest. So throw out those pills and dig deeper in your kitchen – the remedies are in front of you!

How to avoid injuries at gym

A regular workout is a very common and practical way to counter the harmful effects of a sedentary lifestyle. However, one may suffer from gym related injuries if some simple precautions are not followed. There are two basic categories of such injuries: the sudden injury and the slowly progressing injury, the former being more sinister.

Gym activities may also aggravate some pre-existing ailments, like osteoarthritis, or precipitate cardiac problems like angina in people who are predisposed. Proper warm up should be done to prevent such occurrences. Here are some simple tips to prevent such injuries:

Wear appropriate clothing and closed footwear

Get yourself checked by a physician before you start any strength-training program. Some conditions like muscle or joint problems, seizure disorders, heart disease, high blood pressure, previous injuries or any other physical condition with potential for danger may require that you modify your exercise program.

It is preferable to start gym activities under the supervision of a trainer who can devise a workout program specific for your needs

Never workout when you are tired or ill

Always warm up first. Muscles that haven’t been properly prepared tend to be injured more easily. If there is a significant break in between, start again with gentle exercises

It is equally important to cool down and stretch for a number of reasons. It flushes out lactic acid from the muscles, reducing post workout soreness. It also allows the heart rate to return to a normal to a normal resting level thus avoiding dizziness or light headedness. Stretching while muscles are warm gives the greatest benefit to flexibility and also decreases post workout soreness.

Do not life weight with jerk

Holding your breath while lifting weights can cause increased abdominal pressure that can lead to hernia.

Drink Water On Empty Stomach ...:)

DRINK WATER ON EMPTY STOMACH

It is popular in Japan today to drink water immediately after waking up every morning. Furthermore, scientific tests have proven its value. We publish below a description of use of water for our readers. For old and serious diseases as well as modern illnesses the water treatment had been found successful by a Japanese medical society as a 100% cure for the following diseases:
Headache, body ache, heart system, arthritis, fast heart beat, epilepsy, excess fatness, bronchitis asthma, TB, meningitis, kidney and urine diseases, vomiting, gastritis, diarrhea, piles, diabetes, constipation, all eye diseases, womb, cancer and menstrual disorders, ear nose and throat diseases.


METHOD OF TREATMENT
1. As you wake up in the morning before brushing teeth drink 4x 160ml glasses of water
2. Brush and clean the mouth but do not eat or drink anything for 45 minute
3. After 45 minutes you may eat and drink as normal.
4. After 15 minutes of breakfast, lunch and dinner do not eat or drink anything for 2 hours
5. Those who are old or sick and are unable to drink 4 glasses of water at the beginning may commence by taking little water and gradually increase it to 4 glasses per day.
6. The above method of treatment will cure diseases of the sick and others can enjoy a healthy life.

The following list gives the number of days of treatment required to cure/control/reduce main diseases:

1.High Blood Pressure (30 days)
2.Gastric (10 days)
3.Diabetes (30 days)
4.Constipation (10 days)
5.Cancer (180 days)
6.TB (90 days)
7.Arthritis patients should follow the above treatment only for 3 days in the 1st week, and from 2nd week onwards – daily.

This treatment method has no side effects, however at the commencement of treatment you may have to urinate a few times.

It is better if we continue this and make this procedure as a routine work in our life. Drink Water and Stay healthy and Active.

This makes sense .. The Chinese and Japanese drink hot tea with their meals ..not cold water. Maybe it is time we adopt their drinking habit while eating!!! Nothing to lose, everything to gain...

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you:
It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion.

Once this "sludge" reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine.

Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

A serious note about heart attacks:
·Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting,
·Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.
·You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack.
·Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.
·60% of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up.
·Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. Let's be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive...

Eat Healthy this winter

Have boiled or baked vegetables. Don’t overcook vegetables.

Eat two or three servings of fruits every day.

Include carbohydrates in your diet with whole wheat toast, brown rice, phulkas, pasta, oats or ragi porridge, and coarse cereals like jowar, oat bran, wheat flakes etc.

Include pulses like moong and rajma as they are highly nutritious.

Herbal teas like green tea and lemongrass tea are good. You can add honey for taste.

Avoid much of fried foods and desserts.

How to quit smoking

Deciding how to quit smoking is one of the best decisions you can possibly take and a difficult choice to cope with. These are some of the ways to quit smoking and remain smoke free.

Take an Oral Substitute:
In one study, about 25 percent of quitters found that an oral substitute was invaluable. Another 25 percent didn’t like the idea at all. They wanted a clean break with cigarettes. The rest weren’t certain. One can use cinnamon sticks, chewing gum or artificial cigarettes as a substitute. You will mostly find that after the first week of being a non smoker, you wouldn’t even need these.

Get Exercising:
Go to gym; sit in the steam, exercise. Change your normal routine, take time to walk or even go around the block or in the local park.

Pamper yourself:
Go ahead and join a yoga class or maybe reiki they’re great! Get a one hour massage, take a long bath – pamper yourself. Get yourself involved in a hobby.

Ask for support:
As for support from co-workers, friends and family members. Ask for their tolerance. Let them know you’re quitting, and that you might be edgy or grumpy for a few days. If you don’t ask for support, you’ll be surprised how much if can help. Ask friends and family members not to smoke in your presence.

Destroy all your Cigarettes:
On your quit day, hide all ashtrays and destroy all your cigarettes, preferably with water, so no past of them is smokeable.

Write it down:
Write down ten good things about being a non-smoker and ten bad things about smoking. It really helps.

Don’t Pretend:
Don’t pretend smoking wasn’t enjoyable it was. This is like losing a good friend and its okay to grieve the loss. Feel the grief, don’t worry, its okay. Feel and you heal. Stay with it and you can do it.

For Improving Memory Power

1. PROCEDURAL/ KINESTHETIC MEMORY :Physical activities like riding bicycle, swimming etc , Stays in memory forever.


2. SEMANTIC MEMORY : Knowledge of language, concpts, ideas. Reasonably stays in memory.


3. EPISODE MEMORY : Situation based. Does not stay in memory for long.



FOR IMPROVING MEMORY POWER


1. Rmember by picturising than by words.

2. Repeat those things which you want to remember.

3. Involve in puzzles, riddles, brain - teasing games.

4. Memorise in small bits and pieces (instead of whole, big).

5. Avoid distrction (like phone calls, music, etc.) when you want to remember.

6. Use brain - Think, visualise, imagine.

7. Do physical exericises (increases oxygen content in blood).

8.Do relaxation techniques-slow breathing, meditation.

9. Avoid tranquilisers, alcohol,drugs . They affect memory power.

10 Eat more:

(a) Proteins
(b)Vitamins A,B,C,E: Fruits,greens.leafy vegetables, pulses, nuts, bread.

11. Don't worry that your memory power is less. The worry itself affects your memory.Only a relaxed mind can memorise better.

12. You notmally remember what you feel is important for you. Feel the importance of the thing which you want to remember.

13. Perform inverted postures which make more blood to flow into brain by the help of gravity.
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Garlic Remedy - Self Detoxification

Before you go to bed at night, prepare this magic potion: Finely chop or
use the food blender to chop up two cloves of fresh garlic and let it
expose to the air for a few minutes while you wash up your blender or
chopping board.

The chopping releases the enzyme allinase in the garlic. Gather the
chopped garlic on a spoon and swallow it with water.

The garlic will travel your entire digestive tract while you sleep and
scavenge and neutralize all the toxins, carcinogens, harmful bacteria,
fungi, viruses, foreign chemical before they can harm your healthy cells.

Swallowing the chopped garlic will not give you garlic breath, as long as
you don't chew it. You brush your teeth and rinse your mouth before you go
to bed anyway.

In the morning, drink a big glass of water. Your first bowel movement will
have a strong garlic odor and you will know that the harmful stuff have
been eliminated from your body. Try it, especially if you have had a bad
eating day.

Bone Strength Exercises

People who exercise regularly are less likely to suffer from fractures or bone injuries –and ailments such as osteoporosis and back pain can be reduced or prevented with regular exercise. Weight breathing exercises can improve calcium deposition in the bones.

How does exercise help build strong bones?

Exercise helps develop and maintain healthy bones. It builds strength and stamina, and increases bone density. The human skeleton comprises 206 bones, which gives our body its framework. Bones also need calcium, which is their source of nourishment. The right kind of exercise can improve calcium absorption in the bones. This is why regular exercise results in greater bone density.

What kind of exercise strengthens bones?

The two types of exercise that helps strengthen bones are weight-bearing and resistance training exercises. Weight-bearing exercises are those in which the bones and muscles work against gravity. Any exercise where feet and legs bear the body’s weight while exercising is called weight-bearing exercise. Examples are walking, jogging, stair climbing, dancing, tennis, golf and soccer.

Resistance training exercises are those exercises that use resistance to strengthen the bone and muscles. Examples are weight-training exercises using machines, free weights or body weight.

Do these exercises in two sets of 12 repetitions.

Bicep burls (works the biceps)
Sit or stand tall. Hold weights in your palms, bend your elbows slowly tensing the bicep muscles as you lift up, and then lower down.

Calf lifts (works the calf)
Stand with your heels off the edge of a step. Now, slowly raise yourself up on your toes and then lower down.

Butt Bridge (works the hips and thighs)
Lie of your back with feet in the floor, and your knees bent shoulder-width apart. Raise your pelvis and squeeze your hips as you lift up. Slowly return to starting position.

Diets to keep diabetes at bay

Being at risk of developing diabetes or being in the pre-diabetes stage is the right time to begin dietary changes. Some simple changes in your food intake can prevent diabetes to a great extent. Knowing what to eat can be baffling, sometimes intriguing.
Her e are 12 basic dietary tips to help you keep diabetes away:

• As always, eat plenty of vegetables and fruits, especially seasonal ones. The more colorful they are, the better it is foe health. Use non-starchy vegetables liberally.

• Include pulses and dals in two of your daily meals, particularly if you are a vegetarian. Sprouts would be a good addition.

• Choose whole grains like unpolished rice, whole wheat chapaties, ragi, jowar rotis, corn etc. Restrict strict maida and its products.

• If your eat non-veg foods, choose fish or lean chicken.

• Use low-fat dairy foods – skim your milk.

• Avoid soild fats that are high in saturated fats and trans fats. Use oils in small quantities.

• Avoid high-calorie snacks, fatty foods, rich desserts and aerated drinks.

• Ensure good amount of fibre intake in your daily diet.

• Watch your portion sizes. Don’t eat large portions, especially when you eat in your office cafeteria or a restaurant.

• Eat breakfast everyday to maintain blood sugar levels.

• Maintain your waistline, body weight and body fat within normal limits. Fat deposition around your waist is a huge risk for developing adult diabetes.

• When you buy packaged food, read labels. Many times we fail to account for the fats, sugars and sodium present in packaged foods.

Diabetes is not caused by a single food. There are several risk factors associated with diabetes. So keep your lifestyle risks under check, particularly if you have a family history of diabetes.

Skincare with Ayurveda

Ayurveda offers remedies for skincare. Here are a few

Mix lime, glycerin, and rose water in equal quantities, and apply preferably at night wherever required. It is effective on pimples, blackheads and scars.

Apply a mixture of tomato juice (50 ml) and one teaspoon of lemon juice for smooth and glowing skin, free of pimples.

Blend cucumber juice, rose water and lime juice in equal quantities and apply it overnight.
Rinse it off in the morning for a clear complexion and a healthy skin.
Mix the extracts of coconut, manjishta (the root of Rubia cordifolia), and sandalwood oil to form a good under-eye lightening cream.

Mix one teaspoon of carrot juice, and a little honey. Apply on the face and leave it for 15 minutes, then rinse. This is good for skin lightening.

Mix grapefruit, lemon juice, a hollowed apple, approximately two egg-whites, and seedless grapes in a blender. Apply this mixture on the face and leave for 15 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This is good for oily skin as it unclogs the pores, acts as an astringent, and tightens the skin.

Whip honey, egg white, and glycerin with flour to produce a thick paste. Apply on the face and rinse after 15 minutes. This helps to smoothen and moisture the skin.

Diet to prevent acne

Acne occurs due to increased oil secretion and blockage of oil glands in the skin. Factors that lead to acne are age, stress, and deficiency of Vitamin A and zinc.

Here’s how you can prevent acne:

Drink eight glasses of water daily to keep the skin hydrated and clear.

To help prevent breakouts, cut down on refined and processed foods and eat a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, nuts and wheat germ.

Zinc found in shellfish, pulses, pumpkin seeds and whole grain cereals help skin heal quickly and prevents infections.
Foods containing bromides, iodine and caffeine stimulate the endocrine system, which in turn increases the amount of oil produced by the sebaceous gland.

Avoid fried foods, butter, cheese, whole milk, ice cream, rich salad dressings, chocolate, fatty meats, anything from cocoa or coffee beans, other stimulants, sweets and processed nut products. Your diet should allow regular bowel movements.

Include nuts and seeds rich in Vitamin E such as hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pumpkin and sunflower seeds. They prevent sagging facial muscles, age spots and
provide skin lubrication.

Beauty Tips !!!

to get rid of blemishes on face:
juice half a carrot and apply the juce on face and wash out after 20 mins.

acnes and pimple
powder santhanam and mix with rose water. apply on the affected area overnight and wash out im the morning. do this for a few days and acne will be gone.

how to make your face look brighter??
juice a slice of fresh pavaka and apply on face avoiding the areas around the eyes. wash out after 30 mins. do this once a week.

for fairer skin
slightly dab milk onto the face using cotton ball. wash out after 20 mins and repeat 3 times a day. not only does it make it fairer but makes it baby soft too.

how to get rid of dandruff??
before showering, squeeze a whole lemon on to ur hair and lather the juice into ur hair thoroughly. after 30 mins, wash ur hair as usual. do this 3 days in a week untill there is no sign of dandruff.

black circles around ur eyes
cut two slices of cucumber and place it on the eyes for abt 20 mins.

beautiful and strong fingernails
soak fingers in milk for 10 mins and wash out in lukewarm water.

black and grazed knees and elbows
get lemon tht has been used, and put a few drops of castor oil inside and rub it on the area before showering. do this 3 times a week

soft silky hair
soak fresh hibiscus flowers in water over night and before showering, apply tht water on ur hair. soak it in ur hair for 1 hr and wash out thoroughly.

mix a tbls of yoghurt and aloevera gel and apply onto ur hair and soak for 30 mins and wash out very thoroughly.

shinny hair
after washing ur hair, jus rinse it under plain COLD water and it will leave ur hair shinny and dazzling.

seperate the white from yolk of one egg and apply only the white onto ur hair and soak for 30 mins before showering. RINSE THOROUGHLY !!!
or else it will smell...lol

Liver damage.....don't always sleep late !!!

Take note...don't always sleep late!! The main causes of liver damage are:

1. Sleeping too late and waking up too late are the main cause.
2. Not urinating in the morning.
3. Too much eating.
4. Skipping breakfast.
5. Consuming too much medication.
6. Consuming too much preservatives, additives, food coloring, and artificial sweetener.
7. Consuming unhealthy cooking oil. As much as possible reduce cooking oil use when frying, which includes even the best cooking oils like olive oil. Do not consume fried foods when you are tired, except if the body is very fit.
8. Consuming overly done foods also add to the burden of liver. Veggies should be eaten raw or cooked 3-5 parts. Fried veggies should be finished in one sitting, do not store. We just have to adopt a good daily lifestyle and eating habits. Maintaining good eating habits and time condition are very important for our body to absorb and get rid of unnecessary chemicals according to 'schedule.'

Because: Evening at 9 - 11pm : is the time for eliminating unnecessary/ toxic chemicals (de-toxification) from the antibody system (lymph nodes). This time duration should be spent by relaxing or listening to music. If during this time a housewife is still in an unrelaxed state such as washing the dishes or monitoring children doing their homework, this will have a negative impact on her health.

Evening at 11pm - 1am : The de-toxification process in the liver, and ideally should be done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 1 - 3am : de-toxification process in the gall, also ideally done in a deep sleep state.

Early morning 3 - 5am : de-toxification in the lungs. Therefore there will sometimes be a severe cough for cough sufferers during this time. Since the de-toxification process had reached the respiratory tract, there is no need to take cough medicine so as not to interfere with toxin removal process.

Morning 5 - 7am : de-toxification in the colon, you should empty your bowel. Morning 7 - 9am : Absorption of nutrients in the small intestine, you should be having breakfast at this time. Breakfast should be earlier, before 6:30am, for those who are sick.

Breakfast before 7:30am is very beneficial to those wanting to stay fit. Those who always skip breakfast, they should change their habits, and it is still better to eat breakfast late until 9 -10am rather than no meal at all. Sleeping so late and waking up too late will disrupt the process of removing unnecessary chemicals. Aside from that, midnight to 4am is the time when the bone marrow produces blood. Therefore, have a good sleep and don't sleep late.

Guide for Shopping Organic Body Care Products

Well, till the standards for organic body care products are developed and implemented in all countries, as an informed consumer, you have to check the ingredients of organic cosmetic products. For this you need detailed information about different chemicals that are being used in making cosmetics and the organic alternatives for them.

The Organic Consumers Association suggests that whenever you buy organic cosmetics, you should screen the truly organic products in the following manner:

* The cleansing and conditioning ingredients should be made from certified organic materials.
* They should not contain any chemical, synthetic or petroleum derivatives.
* The manufacturing process should be simple and ecological in nature.
* Non-agricultural water such as floral water and botanical water extracts should not be used to increase the percentage of organic content in the product.

The Sacramento Natural Foods Co-op, educates consumers about controversial ingredients that can be used in organic personal care products in its guide ‘Body Care – A Consumer’s Guide to Shopping and Living Green’. The following reference list can help you in judging organic cosmetics:

* Emollients: Emollients are added in numerous body care products, especially those meant for skin care, because these substances help in moisturizing the body surface.
o Chemical petroleum based emollients include hydrogenated oils, butyl glycol, mineral oil, monostearate dimethicone, oleth 2, paraffin, stearic acid, petrolatum, potassium stearate and octyl palmitate.
o Natural oils and waxes that you should look for as emolliating agents include almond oil, beeswax, coconut oil, cocoa butter, jojoba oil, shea butter and olive oil.
o You can also use certain natural oils with caution. These include cottonseed oil (cotton is often grown with pesticides and about 25% of the global pesticides and insecticides are used in cotton farming), peanut oil (it can cause allergic reactions on the skin, hence do not use products containing peanut oil if your are allergic to peanuts) and grapeseed oil (check the means of extracting the oil as solvent extraction is the most preferred way of extracting the oil).

* Preservatives: Preservatives are added not only in food products but also in cosmetic products as these are also susceptible to bacterial growth.
o Chemical or petroleum based preservatives include butyl paraben, methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben and dazolidinyl urea.
o Natural preservatives include essential oils, vinegar, grain alcohol, honey, vitamins A, C and E and grapefruit seed extract (GSE).

* Fragrances: There is hardly any cosmetic product in the market that does not have an aroma. Organic essential oils are the most important source of organic fragrance additives.
o Synthetic fragrances include amyl acetate (banana scent), benzophenone (rose scent), coconut fragrance, cucumber fragrance, and various fruit fragrances. Consistent research in the field of chemical fragrances has enabled companies to develop synthetics that smell exactly like the natural products and if you don’t read the contents properly, you can easily mistake them for natural fragrances.
o Organic plant extracts that have strong fragrances include extracts from cedarwood, lemongrass, citronella, orange, eucalyptus, tea tree and fennel. Organic essential oils are so effective that they form the basis of aromatherapy which has been practiced in ancient civilizations since thousands of years and is now gaining rapid popularity.

* Solvents: Solvents form an essential part of all body care products. Solvents dissolve one or more substances and hence you get a uniform solution, cream or gel.
o Common synthetic or chemical solvents used in personal care products include acetone, propylene glycol, benzene, butylene glycol and hexane.
o Water is the most efficient solvent as it is neutral in nature. Water is added in many cosmetic products in varying proportions.

o Other natural solvents include apple cider vinegar and grain alcohol.
* Colorants: Since cosmetic products are primarily used for looks, looks of these products are also important. Colorants are hence added in body care creams, lotions, gels, etc., to ensure consumers don’t reject them due to a dull color.
o Synthetic colors are obtained from coal tar.
o Natural colorants include saffron, turmeric, annatto, paprika, caramel and beets.

Chocolate Helps Heart Stay Healthy

A small square of dark chocolate daily protects the heart from inflammation and subsequent heart disease, a new study of Italians suggests. Milk chocolate might not do the job.

However, this guilty pleasure has a limit. Specifically, only 6.7 grams of chocolate per day (or 0.23 ounces) represents the ideal amount, according to results from the Moli-sani Project, one of the largest health studies ever conducted in Europe.

For comparison, a standard-sized Hershey's Kiss is about 4.5 grams (though the classic Kiss is not made of dark chocolate) and one Hershey's dark chocolate bar is about 41 grams (so a recommendation might be one of those weekly). Chronic inflammation of tissues in the circulatory system is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, such as myocardial infarction or stroke. So doctors strive to keep patients' inflammation under control.

One marker for inflammation in the blood is called C-reactive protein. The researchers found a relationship between dark chocolate intake and levels of this protein in the blood of 4,849 subjects in good health and free of risk factors (such as high cholesterol or blood pressure, and other parameters).

The findings are detailed in the latest issue of the Journal of Nutrition. "We started from the hypothesis that high amounts of antioxidants contained in the cocoa seeds, in particular flavonoids and other kinds of polyphenols, might have beneficial effects on the inflammatory state," said Romina di Giuseppe, lead author of the study.

"Our results have been absolutely encouraging: People having moderate amounts of dark chocolate regularly have significantly lower levels of C-reactive protein in their blood. In other words, their inflammatory state is considerably reduced." The inflammation reduction that the researchers observed controlled for other confounding variables such as wine or produce intake.

Previous studies have found that chocolate might be good for you, though doctors usually warn that it is more important to focus on one's overall diet when it comes to health. One health study found that blood platelets among chocolate-lovers were less likely to clot together in dangerous clumps.

Other studies have found a host of diet and exercise changes that can help a person beat the odds of death. Clearly, no single change is a guarantee of long life. With chocolate, moderation is key, the new study found.

"The best effect is obtained by consuming an average amount of 6.7 grams of chocolate per day, corresponding to a small square of chocolate twice or three times a week. Beyond these amounts the beneficial effect tends to disappear," di Giuseppe said. The milk in milk chocolate interferes with polyphenols, so the team kept that out of the study.

"We consider this outcome as the beginning of a large series of data which will give us an innovative view on how [to achieve] prevention in everyday life, both against cardiovascular disease and tumors," said Licia Iacoviello, head of the Laboratory of Genetic and Environmental Epidemiology at the Catholic University of Campobasso and responsible for the Moli-sani Project.

Foods To Keep You Healthy (or not)

Are you confused about whether what you’re putting in your body is making you healthier or killing you? Here’s the latest science on what’s up and what’s down on the food charts.

Artificial Sweeteners (↑/↓)
Surprising news for people trying to stay slim: New research suggests that even noncaloric sugar substitutes, whether “natural” or artificial, may contribute to weight gain. Researchers at Purdue University published a study in February showing that rats gained weight when fed foods artificially sweetened with saccharin. The researchers speculated that when the sweet taste of the sugar substitute wasn’t followed by lots of calories, it threw off the rats’ response to calories in general. As a result, they ate more food. Although this response doesn’t necessarily apply to humans, many dieters find that after eating sugar-free food, they compensate by indulging in other calorie-rich sweets.

Coffee (↑)
No need to feel guilty anymore about that double-shot Americano that gets you going in the morning. In fact, coffee is looking more and more like a health drink. Among its remarkable benefits, new research shows, coffee may reduce the risk of diabetes, heart attack, gallstones, Parkinson’s disease, kidney stones, and cirrhosis. One caveat is that black coffee may lead to thinner bones, especially in women, but the simple solution is to add milk to your coffee.

Chocolate ( ↑ )
Dark chocolate, which contains at least 70% cocoa, has proven health benefits. It contains less sugar than white or milk chocolate and is a rich source of health-promoting compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoid antioxidants (similar to those found in green tea). Studies show that even a small intake of dark chocolate may reduce the risk of the blood clots that cause heart attack or stroke and may lower blood pressure. And, as many people know from experience, chocolate also can lift your mood and give you a boost of energy. Of course, chocolate is high in calories and contains saturated fat, so enjoy it in moderation—no more than 2 ounces a day.

Soda (↓)
There’s not much good news to relate about soda. Both the high-fructose corn syrup in regular soda and the artificial sweeteners in the diet varieties may kick your pancreas into overdrive, which boosts insulin levels and causes weight gain. Research last year from the American Chemical Society found that chemicals in beverages sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup (called “ reactive carbonyls”) may increase the risk of diabetes. In addition, the caffeine and phosphoric acid in colas may thin the bones of those who frequently consume them.

Oatmeal (↑/↓)
Oatmeal is most people’s idea of a healthy breakfast, but you may need to rethink your morning meal. A controlled study at Boston Children’s Hospital found that eating only instant oatmeal for breakfast increased kids’ appetite and calorie consumption by more than 80% the rest of the day when compared to eating a vegetable omelet and fruit for breakfast. (Eating steel-cut oats did not spike appetite as much.) The study’s researchers attribute the results to fluctuations in blood sugar that occur after a meal consisting of processed grain products, and they stress the importance of having some protein at breakfast.

Pizza ( ↑/↓ )
Pizza isn’t exactly a health food, but it certainly is a food with healthy ingredients. Tomato sauce is rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Recent studies suggest that lycopene may have a range of benefits, including reducing the risk of cancer and lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Adding veggies to pizza further improves its health benefits. But stay away from sausage, pepperoni, and other toppings rich in saturated fat—you already get that with the cheese. The biggest concern about pizza is calories and what they can do to your waistline, so order by the slice.

Eggs (↑)
Eggs get a bad rap. Their negative reputation started because egg yolks are a source of cholesterol. But studies have not shown that the risk of cardiovascular disease increases in egg eaters. For example, in a study of more than 115,000 men and women, there was no association between egg intake and the risk of coronary heart disease or stroke over an eight-year period, except among those with diabetes. Women who ate more than one egg a day actually had the lowest risk of coronary heart disease. Eggs also are a great source of protein, and many organic eggs are now rich in omega-3 fatty acids, thanks to a change in chicken feed.

Fish ( ↑ )
Eating fish twice a week may cut your risk of heart attack, stroke, and sudden cardiovascular death. Fish are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the risk of diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and inflammation. The best for your health are oily and small fish such as sardines, herring, anchovies, salmon (organic or wild), and mackerel (except king mackerel). Large fish such as swordfish, tuna, tilefish, and shark live at the top of the marine food chain and accumulate many contaminants. In general, canned chunk light tuna—lower in such contaminants as mercury than albacore or sushi tuna—is also a good choice.

Dr. Mark Liponis is the author of “Ultra-longevity” and medical director of Canyon Ranch spas.

Milky Way

We know from a very young age that “Milk does a body good” and drinking milk makes our bodies stronger and healthier. But did you know that using milk on your skin is also beneficial?

Cleopatra bathed in milk centuries ago and discovered how smooth and supple it made her skin. Modern science has rediscovered the benefits of milk for your skin. Because milk naturally contains vitamins A and D and probiotics that makes your skin soft, yet strong.

Additionally, the lactic acid in milk has natural beta hydroxy acids which exfoliate your skin, as well as soothe it. Milk eliminates dead skin cells from the surface of your skin while adding essential moisture to improve the overall appearance and condition of your skin.

Skin products may incorporate oat milk, soy milk, cow’s milk, rice milk or goat’s milk. Because goat’s milk has the same pH as human skin, using it on your skin makes it extremely smooth and supple. For more beautiful, glowing skin naturally, consider using milk and milk based products.

Cleansing Agents

Milk makes your skin supple and radiant. Milk has calcium that helps make the skin look good and nice. You may also use a combination of lemon and milk as a cleansing ingredient every morning and evening to take away impurities from your skin and make it look youthful and radiant.

Take a little amount full cream or skim milk in a bowl and mix it with lemon juice and then wipe the solution on your face for 1 to 2 minutes and then wash it away with water.

There you have it, a natural facial wash without using soap. Milk also has ingredients that could moisture the skin.

Milk Mask for Dry Skin

Mix 1 teaspoon of powdered milk with a little warm water. Please use distilled or mineral water. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and mix. Apply. Rinse off with warm, spring water. Experiment with the length of time to leave on. Every skin is different. However, if you feel a burning sensation, rinse immediately. Some people are allergic to honey.

....For Normal Skin

Soak a cotton ball with warm milk and apply to your face three times a day. Rinse off with warm water.

MANAGING WATER RETENTION

Factors that have a great effect in water retention are:-

1. Salt & alcohol

2. Sugar and sweet intake

3. Fried food and fried snacks

4. Too much starch at one time

5. Female hormone controlling the menstruation cycle.

When consuming salt in greater quantities, blood concentration rises. It happens mainly in Chinese foods which are loaded with salts and people who are having frequently alcohol.

Some people have a tendency of water retention since birth.

Symptoms:-

a. Puffy feet, fingers, face & eyes.

b. Feel sleepier.

c. Knees and back may retain more water collecting and start hurting.

d. Feeling depressed.

How to avoid water retention.

• adding raw salt in salad.

• Avoiding pickles.

• Avoiding papad.

• Drink plenty of water.

5 Essential Weight Loss Foods

There are many fad diets that promise to help you lose weight in almost no time at all. After two or three weeks on the diet you find yourself losing enough to be able to brag to your family and friends about it, and you're so optimistic that this new lifestyle will be your ticket to a smaller waistline that you start to browse the stores for new clothes.

You continue to lose weight for another couple of weeks, and then something happens: you start to feel sluggish, you begin craving something that your diet absolutely forbids you to have, or the general sense of optimism begins to transform itself into a feeling of constriction, frustration, and even dietary imprisonment.

You decide to have just one snack, or spend just one day eating whatever you want with the intention of going back to the diet the following day. What happens then, is that you feel such satisfaction from that treat that the entire effort falls apart and you put the weight back on in practically no time at all.

Does this scenario sound at all familiar?

Diets are very hard, as is the feeling of being overweight. Many of these fad diets may promise instant and significant weight loss results, but most of them rely on depriving your body of certain nutrients and disrupting the natural function of your body's metabolism. Chinese medicine considers obesity to be partly the result of declining function of the metabolic fire of the kidney network and a diet that provides a well-balanced array of nutrients is the key to losing weight in a healthy way. What follows are five foods that will help you restore your body's ability to use energy and help you become your healthy weight.

1. Millet: A well-balanced diet should consist of whole grains instead of refined grains like white rice and pasta, and millet is a beneficial and delicious staple of this category of food. This non-glutinous grain is over 10-percent protein, has high amounts of fiber and B-complex vitamins, and because it isn't an acid forming food, is easy to digest.

2. Asparagus: When losing weight, it's important to favor chlorophyll-rich foods, including asparagus. Asparagus is a nutrient-rich vegetable packed with folate, vitamins A, C, and K, and fiber. Asparagus also contains a carbohydrate known as inulin (not to be confused with insulin) that promotes healthy bacteria in the large intestine - which in turn promotes a healthier digestive function.

3. Pomegranates: Eating a balanced diet to lose weight should include eating fresh fruits, and pomegranates are a wonderful example of a healthy, nutritious fruit that has antioxidant properties and will help prevent cancer. While the benefits of drinking pomegranate juice have gained a lot of attention recently, you will be more likely to lose weight by eating the fruit fresh to increase your fiber intake and keep the calories down.

4. Pine Nuts: Pine nuts are the edible seeds of pine trees and are considered an essential ingredient in the tasty Italian mixture pesto. Chinese medicine uses pine nuts to improve gastrointestinal tract and digestive functions, and pine nut oil is even used for appetite suppression. Pine nuts and other nuts are a tasty part of a well-balanced diet intended for weight loss.

5. Green Tea: It has been found that consuming large amounts of coffee and caffeine can lead to food cravings, increase one's appetite, and induce stress-related eating. Green tea is a wonderful alternative to coffee in that it does provide a little caffeine but also contains beneficial antioxidants. So drink up!

A healthy diet also includes lean proteins like chicken breast, legumes such as lentils, and other whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. While fad diets may promise a large amount of weight loss in a short period of time, there's almost a guarantee that you will put that weight back on-and then some!

Eat five smaller meals a day, avoid processed foods, chew more slowly, and incorporate more healthy foods into your diet-starting with these five. Also, click here to learn more about the Tao of Wellness B-Slim dietary supplement, which will help you lose weight naturally.

I hope this article helps you find foods that can aid in your weight loss goals! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.

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

Source: Yahoo Health.

Alcohol Treatment

What is alcohol treatment?

Alcohol treatment refers to the process of getting help for those who abuse alcohol or struggle with the issue of alcoholism.

Different types of alcohol treatment

There are a variety of styles and treatment types among the thousands of alcohol treatment centers around the world, but by and large they utilize either a 12-step program (as found in Alcoholics Anonymous) or a social/counseling model (found at residential alcohol treatment programs).

12-step programs focus on regular meetings with a peer group that is experiencing the same issues and challenges as the alcoholic.

Residential programs offer a more robust selection of treatment programs. Although residential programs differ, there are several things that almost all have in common:

Assistance with detox and withdrawal symptoms. For alcohol treatment to be effective, the individual must stop drinking and clear his body of all toxins related to the alcohol. This detox process generally brings about withdrawal symptoms which are always best monitored by a professional – like those found at a residential alcohol treatment program.

Counseling: A big part of alcohol treatment is counseling. This is where the individual with alcohol related issues can talk about their problems and attempt to learn more positive behaviors not associated with drink. These counseling sessions can be particularly effective when done in a group setting – as the peer group help provide understanding and accountability to the alcoholic.

A Common message to everyone who says drinking is bad. Here are the advantages of each brand that people drink.

DCSL EXTRA SPECIAL	Protects your heart	prevents constipation	Blocks diarrhea	Improves lung capacity	Cushions joints
WHITE DIAMOND	Combats cancer	Controls blood pressure	Saves your eyesight	Shields against Alzheimer's	Slows aging process
BLUE LABEL	Aids digestion	Lowers cholesterol	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Guards against liver disease
DOUBLE DISTILLED	Battles diabetes	Lowers cholesterol	Helps stops strokes	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin
OLD RESERVE	Protects your heart	Quiets a cough	Strengthens bones	Controls blood pressure	Blocks diarrhea
RITZ	Prevents constipation	Helps hemorrhoids	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Stabilizes blood sugar
RICHORT	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones	Protects your heart	Aids weight loss
HANNEPIER	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Stabilizes blood sugar	Boosts memory	Prevents constipation
FRANKLIN	Strengthens bones	Saves eyesight	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure
VSO	Combats cancer	Prevents constipation	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Helps hemorrhoids
GALLERY	Saves eyesight	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Supports immune system
RED RUM	Saves eyesight	Protects your heart	Prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Promotes weight loss
DARK RUM	Protects against Prostate Cancer	Combats Breast Cancer	Strengthens bones	Banishes bruises	Guards against heart disease
HANSEN	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Ends insomnia	Slows aging process	Shields against Alzheimer's
BLACK WHITE	Promotes weight loss	Protects your heart	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
RED LABEL	Aids digestion	Soothes sore throat	Clears sinuses	Combats Cancer	Boosts immune system
BLACK LABEL	Promotes weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Lowers cholesterol	Combats Cancer	Controls blood pressure
GOLD LABEL	Protects your heart	Boosts memory	Protects your heart	Combats Cancer	Supports immune system
CHIVAS REGAL	Aids digestion	Battles diabetes	Protects your heart	Improves mental health	Boosts immune system
GRANTS	Lowers cholesterol	Controls blood pressure	Combats cancer	kills bacteria	Fights fungus
GREEN LABEL	Protects against heart attacks	Promotes Weight loss	Helps stops strokes	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol
REMUS MARTIN	saves eyesight	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Enhances blood flow	Protects your heart
V&A	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Helps stops strokes	Promotes Weight loss	Kills bacteria
NAPOLEON	Heals wounds	Aids digestion	Guards against ulcers	Increases energy	Fights allergies
MENDIS	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
LEMON GIN	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Controls blood pressure	Smoothes skin	Stops scurvy
ORANGE GIN	Combats cancer	Boosts memory	Regulates thyroid	aids digestion	Shields against Alzheimer's
WHITE GIN	Controls blood pressure	Lowers cholesterol	Kills bacteria	Combats cancer	Strengthens bones
DRY GIN	Lowers cholesterol	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	prevents constipation	Smoothes skin
CLASIC RUM	Protects your heart	Promotes Weight loss	Combats cancer	Battles diabetes	Smoothes skin
VODKA	Reduce risk of heart attack	Combats cancer	Kills bacteria	Lowers cholesterol	Fights fungus
SMIRNOFF	Supports immune systems	Combats cancer	Protects your heart	Straightens respiration
GALETINE	prevents constipation	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes	aids digestion	Helps hemorrhoids
GOLD COIN	Protects against heart disease	Promotes Weight loss	Combats Prostate Cancer	Lowers cholesterol	Aggravates diverticulitis
BACARDI	Strengthens bones	Relieves colds	Aids digestion	Dissolves warts	Blocks diarrhea
WHITE RUM	Slows aging process	prevents constipation	boosts memory	Lowers cholesterol	Protects against heart disease
ILICITY ARACK	Protects your heart	Battles diabetes	Conquers kidney stones	Combats cancer	Helps stops strokes
POT ARRACK	Combats cancer	Protects your heart