Tag Archives: Health Benefits

Hawthorn Berry

Hawthorn is just a flowering shrub in the rose family, says the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (the NCCAM). Although native to northern Europe, today hawthorn is grown all around the world. Dry extracts are just one of many byproduct options of hawthorn, and the herb can be made into tablets or capsules, according to the NCCAM. While there are a wide variety of hawthorn berry benefits, I’ll be covering just the more commonly used ones in this article.

Heart Problems

The NCCAM states that scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of hawthorn use for mild heart issues. Based on Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, experts believe that hawthorn raises heart muscle contraction and heart rate.

High Blood Pressure

Substantial evidence supports the benefits of the herb, even though hawthorn hasn’t been studied specifically in individuals with hypertension. Studies indicate that hawthorn could be used safely by individuals with hypertension that will also be taking blood pressure medicines.

Angina

Angina, or chest pain because the heart is perhaps not getting enough oxygen-rich blood, may likewise be eased by hawthorn, based on the NCCAM’s studies.

Stress

Hawthorn tea is helpful for coping with nervousness. The chief symptoms of stress which hawthorn economically treats are heart palpitations along with chest tightness. AltMD.com describes that hawthorn may help with stress by decreasing the resistance of blood circulation inside your own body. To put it simply, it helps by lowering blood pressure levels along with tension.

Chest Pain

In a single study performed last year, 60 angina sufferers got 180 mg per day of hawthorn berry leaf-flower infusion as well as a placebo for three weeks. Persons who got hawthorn happened to experience increased blood circulation, and found that they were able to workout for prolonged levels of time without fighting with chest pain.

Atherosclerosis

Animal and lab studies illustrate this herb has antioxidant properties which help protect against the formation of plaques that lead to a medical condition referred to as atherosclerosis.

High Cholesterol

Research utilising rats shows that a hawthorn tincture (created from the berries) may possibly be considered an effective agent for the removal of LDL (“poor”) cholesterol from the bloodstream. The tincture of hawthorn berries also reduced the formation of cholesterol with-in the liver of rats who had been being supplied a diet high in cholesterol. There is still further research needed to see if the same effects occur in humans.

A Strong Antioxidant

Hawthorn is still another powerful antioxidant. There’s surely strong evidence to support that antioxidants trim the likelihood of heart attacks, strokes, in addition to deaths from heart disorders, yet this hasn’t been verified in studies. Antioxidants are generally viewed as being able to boost blood flow to the heart, as well as help the coronary arteries dilate.

Aids Against Insomnia

Hawthorn has been shown to help as a sleep aid, and boosts restful sleep. Its commonly found in teas for exactly this purpose, though fresh hawthorn tea is best.

Calorie Burning

Hawthorn berries may assist with the metabolic process of fat. Hawthorn vinegar also helps to reduce amounts of cholesterol in the body.

Hot Flashes

Hawthorn berries may help women who are currently experiencing menopause-associated hot flashes. The berries also help with aging ovaries.

Indigestion

Hawthorn was used in quite a few Chinese medicines to help with the retention of meals inside the belly. Hawthorn’s capabilities to break up fat also causes it to be useful for helping with indigestion that comes on as a result of eating greasy foods.

Prevent Liver Disease

Investigators are likewise beginning to investigate the effects of hawthorn berries when it comes to liver disease. Preliminary studies look to be encouraging, yet a lot more research is still needed to ascertain whether this treatment will be practical for persons dealing with liver issues.

Side Effects of Hawthorn Berry

Hawthorn probably will be safe for grown ups whenever utilised at recommended doses over the short term (up to 3 or 4 months). It’s not recognized whether hawthorn is relatively safe to make use of in the long term. The use of herbs is actually a time honored process of dealing with disorders together with building up the human body. Herbs, nevertheless, consist of parts which could cause negative effects as well as interact with several other herbs, supplements, and certain drugs.

The side effects of hawthorn are unusual, yet they might cause head aches, nausea, and possibly palpitations (a sense of a speeding heart).

Heart problems: Hawthorn can readily interact with numerous prescription medicines used to deal with cardiovascular issues. If you have a heart condition don’t make use of hawthorn without first consulting your primary care physician.

It is really significant to be sure and notice any sort of changes you might experience if you are using hawthorn. The taking of any new drug or herb should always be supervised by means of your physician. Negative results may include head-aches, migraines, vertigo, dizziness, and palpitations. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not make use of this herb.

Arginine

There are plenty of powerful new drugs to help prevent and treat chronic health problems. But we also know that certain nutrients may help as well. Take arginine, for example. Arginine has gotten lots of attention lately for its potential heart benefits. That’s important because, today, about 64 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease.

Deficiencies of arginine are rare. It’s abundant in many different types of foods, and your body can also make it. Arginine-rich foods include red meat, fish, poultry, wheat germ, grains, nuts and seeds, and dairy products. But what does arginine do for the heart, and are there potential side effects?

Arginine, also known as L-arginine, is involved in a number of different functions in the body. They include

Wound healing

Helping the kidneys remove waste products from the body

Maintaining immune and hormone function

As a natural dietary supplement, arginine has garnered particular attention for its possible heart benefits.

What Are Arginine’s Heart Benefits?

In the body, the amino acid arginine changes into nitric oxide (NO). Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves circulation.

Some evidence shows that arginine may help improve blood flow in the arteries of the heart. That may improve symptoms of clogged arteries, chest pain or angina, and coronary artery disease. However, there currently is no data on how the long-term use of arginine affects cholesterol or heart health.

Since arginine may help arteries relax and improve blood flow, it may also help with erectile dysfunction.

There are other potential health benefits with arginine, such as possible reduction of blood pressure in some people and improved walking distance in patients with intermittent leg cramping and weakness known as intermittent claudication. However, the scientific studies are not conclusive enough for experts to make any firm recommendations.

Not all studies on arginine have been positive. A 2006 study showed that arginine was not helpful — and may have been harmful — for treating heart attacks in combination with standard treatment.

Is Arginine Supplementation Safe?

In clinical trials, arginine has been used safely with minor side effects for up to three months. Possible side effects include abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea, and gout. It may also cause a worsening of breathing in people with asthma.

Arginine may interact with certain medications that lower blood pressure. It may also interact with certain heart medications and drugs such as Viagra that treat erectile dysfunction.

Pregnant women and women who are nursing should not take supplements without first talking to their doctor.

How Much Arginine Is Needed Daily?

There is no recommended daily amount established for arginine because the human body normally makes enough.

Health Benefits of Pine Nuts

Pine nuts are not really nuts but are the edible seeds of about 20 different species of pine cone. They have been eaten as food since the Paleolithic period and today are most commonly eaten as an ingredient in pesto sauce.

Here are six health benefits of pine nuts.

Weight Loss

Even though they are high in fat, eating pine nuts on a regular basis can boost your weight loss efforts because they contain pinoleic acid, which research has found to be an effective appetite suppressant. Pinoleic acid works by triggering the release of two hunger suppressant hormones, cholecystokinin (CCK) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

Cardiovascular Support

In addition to good circulation, pine nuts also contribute to a healthy heart. They are a great source of monounsaturated fats, which have been linked with lower cholesterol levels and a lower risk of heart attack. They are also high in vitamin E, vitamin K, copper, iron, and manganese, all of which help the cardiovascular system.

High in Iron

Pine nuts are a great source of iron, which is a key nutrient for many processes of the body, including circulation and nerve regulation. The copper they contain helps the body absorb more of the iron.

Anti-Aging

The antioxidants in pine nuts slow down the aging process because they help to remove free radicals from the body. When higher levels of free radicals are present, signs of aging will increase and those free radicals may also cause cancerous cells to grow. Eating foods high in antioxidants, such as pine nuts, will reduce the risk of these health concerns. The copper in pine nuts also contributes to their anti-aging arsenal.

Eye Health

Pine nuts contain lutein, an antioxidant that is crucial to the prevention of eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. They also contain vitamin A in the form of beta carotene, another important eye vitamin.

Energy Boost

When you are feeling tired or fatigued, pine nuts can give you the boost that you need because they contain protein and magnesium. It has been found that magnesium helps to improve symptoms of fatigue and it is also beneficial for tension release and muscle cramping alleviation.

Health Benefits of Pure Organic Cranberry Juice

Cranberries–one of only three fruit species native to North America–are borne on small evergreen shrubs that grow in the acid bogs in cooler regions of the continent. Initially white in color, cranberries ripen to dark red and are well known for their medicinal benefits. “Native Americans used the fruit for the treatment of bladder and kidney ailments hundreds of years ago,” notes Sheldon S. Hendler, Ph.D., M.D., and clinical professor of medicine at the University of California, San Diego. If the health benefits of cranberries is paramount, consider buying organic juice at a health or natural food store. Significant amounts of the juice’s health benefits are sacrificed when it’s blended with the sweetened versions available in supermarkets.

Loaded with Vitamins, Minerals

Cranberries are an excellent source of vitamins A, C, B complex, folic acid and fiber. They also provide such minerals as calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, sodium and sulphur. Their plant pigments–called biolflavanoids–repair molecules damaged in the body’s use of oxygen.

Miracle Berry for Urinary System

As documented in the Journal of Medicinal Food, chemicals found in cranberries–called proanthocyanidins–prevent such infectious bacteria as E.coli from attaching to the cells that line the urinary tract. High amounts of acids and other useful chemicals in cranberries also help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

Fight Cancer Cells, Cellulite

Cranberry juice’s phytochemicals break down breast cancer cells. Its organic acids emulsify fatty deposits, decrease cellulite and improve overall skin health. Its concentration of calcium combats osteoporosis while strengthening other bones and teeth.

Help Prevent Peptic Ulcers

Preliminary research suggests that cranberries–laden as they are with flavonoids–may help prevent peptic ulcers by inhibiting the growth of H. pylori, the bacteria most responsible for ulcers.

Fights Osteoporosis

Cranberry juice’s concentration of calcium combats osteoporosis while strengthening other bones and teeth.

Source: http://www.livestrong.com/article/112134-cranberry-juice-health-benefits/

Maca Root Health Benefits

A couple of days ago I started the topic of Superfoods. We discussed whether there is any truth to the claims and reviewed benefits of certain foods, claimed as superfoods. Today I would like to give special attention to Maca Root Powder, since it is one of the foods I use nearly on a daily basis.

I came to finding maca root while I was researching ways to reverse hypothyroidism. When I read about maca’s ability to help balance hormones without negatively affecting them I had to try it. I knew there would be no harm–it is a plant; so I had nothing to lose and much to gain. I ordered my first bag of maca through a local co-op [I have to tell you that I LOVE co-ops–the price of maca was about 50% less through the co-op than what I have to pay now]. I strongly believe that maca has been very helpful in my healing process and reversing hypothyroidism. I could not pin point to tell you if it gives me an energy boost or works in another specific way, since I have a very nutrient rich diet and believe that all of the foods I consume work together in helping me heal, but I have no doubt that raw maca powder does it’s job too.

I am going to recap some of the material we covered earlier about maca and then get a bit deeper into its history and benefits.

Maca is endocrine adaptogen. Maca does not contain hormones itself, instead it provides a unique set of nutrients that directly fuel the endocrine system and help the glands to produce vital hormones in precise dosages predetermined by one’s own body.

Adaptogen, by definition, is a substance which brings the body to a heightened state of resistance to disease through physiological health and brings balance .

Benefits

Increases energy and endurance
Increases stamina
Alleviates chronic exhaustion (fatigue) syndrome
Improves sexual function in men and women
Enhances fertility in people and animals
Helps to regulate menstrual cycles
Reduces hormonal dysfunction during menopause and andropause
Can regulate hormonal imbalances
Aids in alleviating depression- gives a sense of well being
Reduces anxiety and stress
Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system;
Speeds wound healing and reduces anemia
Enhances memory, learning, and mental ability
Has a beneficial action on the circulatory system; gives skin a more youthful appearance
Helps treat anemia, rickets, osteomalacia, and stomach cancer
Good for healthy teeth and bones
Acts as a fungistatic and bacteriostatic
Acts as an anticarcinogen and antioxidant
Is an alternative to anabolic steroids, helps to build muscle
Libido enhancer

As an adaptogen, maca works broadly to contribute to overall well-being. It nourishes and calms the nerves with calcium, phosphorus, vitamins B1 and B12, and fatty acids, all of which work eneficially on the nervous system.

It stimulates the appetite and aids in digestion with calcium, vitamins B1 and B2, B12, and fatty acids. Its phosphorus is a primary building block in the cell fuels Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P).

At the same time it supports the adrenal glands so they don’t have to rely on damaging cortisol to fuel the body. Its sterols, calcium, and vitamin C help build muscle mass and its starches aid in physical endurance. Its alkaloids help the body assimilate all these nutrients just where they are required.

In addition, recent studies of maca also show:

Its fiber as well as glucosinolate content show promise in helping combat some cancers.
Bio-available calcium, in conjunction with its alkaloids, make it an effective bond builder, thus reducing osteomalacia and rickets.
Some of its fatty acids function as fungicides and local antiseptics, which may aid in overall immunity enhancement.
Tannins bind and precipitate proteins, which improves the nutritional value of maca.
Saponins and terpenoids may aid as a sedative, expectorant, pain reliever, anti-tumoral, and analgesic.
Effects general and not localized to a specific organ.
Normalizing action irrespective of the pathological state.

Background and History

Cultivated for thousands of years at elevations over 13,500-14,000 feet, maca had been an important food and medicinal supplement for villagers who inhabited the Peruvian highlands. It has even been used as currency, and even in our modern times still is in some regions.

The Incas found maca so potent that the root was prescribed to warriors in preparation for battles to increase their strength and endurance. It has been told that outside of war-time, however, warriors were banned from consuming maca due to its ability to increase the libido–a fact confirmed by modern science. During peaceful times the consumption of maca was restricted to be used only in the royal court.

When Spaniards conquered Incas, they became aware of maca’s value and collected tribute from the Incas in maca roots for export to Spain. The Spanish royalty learned of maca’s benefits and used it as energy enhancer and for nutrition. As the time went on, however, the knowledge of maca’s properties had been lost. It was not until mid- 20th century that this potent plant was rediscovered and regained its place on the list of power plants.

Today maca root is consumed by people from all around the world, including professional athletes, those looking to increase their energy and libido, and by many who suffer from health ailements, one of which is hormone imbalance.

Source: http://www.vega-licious.com/health-nutrition/maca-root-powder-properties-and-benefits/