Vitamins for Wellness

Juliet Cohen :

Wheatgrass is the grass of young wheat plants. It also a powerful health food supplement. There are many benefits of wheatgrass, some of which you may not know if you are unfamiliar with this particular nutritional supplement. Wheatgrass juice is probably the easiest way to reap the benefits of wheatgrass. One of the major benefits of wheatgrass is that it includes living chlorophyll. Chlorophyll stops the growth and development of what is considered “bad bacteria.” It also has the ability to rebuild and replenish the bloodstream. Wheatgrass and wheatgrass juice are excellent ways to get dark greens in the diet.

Wheatgrass juice is a safe, effective, and an extremely potent aid to weight loss. It works by suppressing appetite, and by stimulating metabolism and circulation. Wheat grass juice can dissolve scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses. The effects of carbon monoxide is minimized since chlorophyll increases hemoglobin production. Wheat grass juice helps to reduce high blood pressure as the juice helps to reduce toxins from the body and gives the blood iron which helps circulation. Another one of the benefits of wheatgrass is its ability in some cases to restore fertility as was done with farm animals in the Midwest.

Wheatgrass juice has external benefits as well. It can be used as a scalp treatment to restore luster to hair, as a skin cleanser and astringent, and as a sinus treatment. It acts as a detergent in the body and is used as a body deodorant. A small amount of wheatgrass juice in the human diet helps prevent  tooth decay. If held in the mouth for 5 minutes will help eliminate toothaches. It pulls poisons from the gums. It is an excellent skin cleanser and can be absorbed through the skin for nutrition. Pour green juice over your body in a tub of warm water and soak for 15 to 20 minutes.

Wheatgrass implants (enemas) are good for healing and detoxifying the colon walls. Wheatgrass juice can disband the scars that are formed in the lungs from breathing acid gasses. Wheatgrass Juice reduces high blood pressure and enhances the capillaries, it can withdraw heavy metals from the system, and is good for blood disorders of all kinds.  Wheatgrass juice products are available in most health stores.

Paul Rodgers :

High cholesterol foods are usually foods high in saturated fats. High cholesterol foods are the more delicious foods. High cholesterol foods are mainly found in all animals and animal products, for example, egg yolks, meat, poultry, fish and higher fat milk products. High cholesterol foods are a major contributor to having high blood pressure. High cholesterol foods are bad for us, and God knew it.

Your body produces three to four times more cholesterol than you eat. The production of cholesterol increases when you eat little cholesterol and decreases when you eat much. In other words, the more high cholesterol foods you eat, the less cholesterol your body produces. It is true that the body – more specifically the liver – can produce cholesterol for the body’s needs. But taking cholesterol from high cholesterol foods can be helpful. When you do not take enough high cholesterol foods – for example, if you take mainly vegetable oils rather than animal fat containing cholesterol – the cholesterol in your blood will the transferred to your cells.

In traditional societies, high cholesterol foods were regarded as healthy foods. Our ancestors did not know about cholesterol but they knew that eggs, organ meat (including the brain), seafood, shellfish… were all highly nourishing for the body. Cholesterol is not a deadly poison, but a substance vital to the cells of all mammals. Cholesterol in its proper place is good, but it also has a dark side. Thus, the highest concentration of cholesterol in the body is found in the brain and other parts of the nervous system. And because cholesterol is needed for the brain, babies and children need high cholesterol foods for brain development. One of the richest high cholesterol foods is, in fact, human breast milk. And one of the worst foods to give to babies is soy infant formula, because it contains zero cholesterol.

People with very low cholesterol (below 150 mg/dl) are more prone to depression and nervous system disorders. Many scientific studies have found an association between cholesterol and heart disease. But this does not meant that high cholesterol foods cause heart disease – because there are people who eat plenty of high cholesterol foods and do not develop heart disease. And there are also people who develop heart disease even though they avoid high cholesterol foods. It is also important to understand that eating high cholesterol foods will not automatically lead to high cholesterol levels in the blood.

Among the many research findings published in scientific journals, Uffe Ravnskov discovered that: lowering cholesterol did not result in lower death rates from heart disease, but in HIGHER death rates from all causes. More significantly, Uffe Ravnskov has published over 80 scientific papers and letters in peer-reviewed journals criticizing what is commonly called the Lipid Hypothesis of heart disease – the belief that dietary saturated fats and cholesterol clog arteries and cause atherosclerosis and heart disease.  If a food does not come from an animal (such as a fruit or vegetable), then it does not have cholesterol.

To appreciate why high cholesterol foods are not harmful, we need to understand what cholesterol is, and what role it plays in human health. Typically, high cholesterol foods are also high in saturated fats, which is part of what makes them taste good. High cholesterol foods should not be entirely avoided, as many of them are an essential part of a healthy diet, as noted above, but you should learn to reduce their intake in order to maintain or lower your LDL cholesterol levels. High cholesterol foods are animal products such as eggs, fatty meats, and any poultry with the skin on would be high in cholesterol.

Kevin Agrawal :

Superfoods are a hot topic today. But just what exactly are they? And which ones should we include in our diet—reds or greens?

Superfoods are a category of foods that contain a high concentration of nutrition. It is therefore believed that including these in our daily diet may promote general health and well-being. Superfoods are delightful sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are believed to assist the body in fighting cellular damage by neutralizing free radical damage. Superfoods are also low in calories, high in fiber content and therefore, make excellent fillers for those on a diet.

Nutrition experts recommend that you fill your plate with a rainbow diet—an assortment of different colored foods to obtain a variety of nutrition. In particular, we should include both red and green superfoods. Here’s why:

Green Superfoods

Green superfoods have the least calories, are high in fiber and contain compounds that nutritionally assist your body in burning fat. They contain a high percentage of condensed nutrition—vitamins, minerals, proteins and healthy bacteria. All of these promote health, aid digestion and support detoxification. Green superfoods provide a variety of phytochemicals such as beta-carotene, zeaxanthin and lutein. Beta-carotene helps to promotes cell protection. Zeaxanthin and lutein nutritionally serve our body in protecting our eyes from age-related problems.

Green superfoods contain chlorophyll. This is the pigment that imparts plants their green color. Chlorophyll is similar in structure to the molecular structure of human blood. Chlorophyll helps to increase hemoglobin production, resulting in more oxygenated blood. Oxygen is necessary for cells to survive and replicate.

Some of the important, but least talked about, green superfoods are:

Wheat grass. This is sprouted wheat seeds. It does not contain gluten or other allergens so is specially suited for allergy-sensitive individuals. It contains vitamins, minerals, enzymes, amino acids and chlorophyll. It is said to aid digestion, promote general health, and detoxify the body of heavy metals.

Barley grass. This green superfood has five times more iron content than spinach. It contains more calcium than cow’s milk (eleven times more) and contains seven times more Vitamin C than orange juice.

Spirulina.1 This is a micro-algae and consists of sixty percent protein! It contains a whole spectrum of B vitamins and minerals, including antioxidants, enzymes and amino acids.

Chlorella.1 Chlorella is a fresh water algae and contains a complete protein profile, higher in protein content than beef or soybeans. It also contains vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and amino acids.

Green leafy vegetables.

Spinach, mustard sprouts, romaine lettuce, bell peppers, parsley, watercress, kale, broccoli—all these vegetables are readily available and highly nutritious.

Nutrition experts recommend that you eat at least one to two servings a day of these vegetables. Population studies show that those who do run a lower risk of heart disease and perhaps other critical illnesses.

Red Superfoods

Red superfoods are rich in phytochemicals such as lycopene and anthocyanins. Lycopene, being a strong antioxidant, effectively help your body neutralize free radicals, nutritionally assisting blood vessels and heart function.

Some of the best red superfoods are said to have many health benefits:

Pomegranates. They are known to have anti-inflammatory properties which may aid to relieve the inflammation in arthritis. Pomegranates are also known to assist the body to maintain sugar levels in diabetics.

Tomatoes.2 Tomatoes are a good source of lycopene, potassium and vitamin C which support heart health.

Red beans. Red beans are good sources of iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and thiamine (Vitamin B1). They’re also an excellent low-fat, low-calorie, vegetarian source of protein.

Apples are an excellent source of pectin, a soluble fiber that may aid the body in its ability to maintain healthy blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Fresh apples are also good sources of vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects your body’s cells from free radical damage. Vitamin C is needed to form collagen. It also supports the healthy functions of capillaries and blood vessels and helps in the assimilation of iron.

Other red superfoods include strawberries, a good source of folate and vitamin C. Cherries are high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium. Cranberries are believed to help protect the body from urinary tract infections and help to your body protect itself from stomach ulcers.

Our body needs all the important nutrients found in all kinds of food sources, especially green and red superfoods. A busy life, hectic schedules can often lead us to neglecting our diets and turning to fast foods or junk foods which are more convenient. They are high in calories, low in fiber and extremely low in essential nutrients. In the long run such a lifestyle will take its toll on our health making it vulnerable to various health problems.

A healthy diet and a daily exercise program are recommended for general health and well-being.  The best way to optimize your health is to choose supplements that give you all the benefits that a well balanced diet is able to give.

References:-
Healing With Whole Foods, Paul Pitchford. North Atlantic Books, 1993 Diet and Nutrition: A Holistic Approach, Rudolph Ballentine. Himalayan Int. Institute 1978.

Arab L, Steck S (2000) Lycopene and cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr 71: 1691S-1695S

Roy J Walker :

Coconut oil which has been used extensively in the Indian sub-continent for several centuries is now identified as a super product that can be consumed and applied topically. More and more experts are taking efforts to explain the health benefits of coconut oil. Unlike other food products, saturated fats in coconut oil prevent various diseases and promote good health of essential organs in the body.

Because of this reason, many people are interested in buying coconut oil. In the market, you can find several coconut oil products and some of them contain virgin label on them. You need to know he difference between ordinary coconut oil and virgin oil so that you buy the best product.

Normally, coconut oil is extracted from dried coconut meat which is called copra. This copra is obtained by drying fresh meat under sun or any other process. Drying process may catch harmful bacteria and fungi. Extraction of oil from the copra results in an impure coconut oil that cannot be used without refining. The refining process involves applying heat and other processes to the extracted coconut oil. After this process, you will get ordinary coconut oil with a bland taste and smell.

Virgin coconut oil is obtained from fresh coconut meat. The fresh meat is not dried using any method. In one method of extraction, oil is extracted from coconut milk in a natural way. Other methods quick dry fresh coconut meat and extract oil from it quickly. Sometimes, the oil may be heated to a very low temperature to remove all moisture. Virgin and organic coconut oil are obtained from fresh coconuts that are produced organically without the use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

Virgin and organic coconut oil contains fresh coconut taste and smell. The extracted oil need not be refined as the oil will be as clear as water naturally.

To get best health benefits, you have to buy virgin and organic coconut oil. All vitamins, minerals and other essential acids in coconut are maintained only when oil is extracted from fresh coconut meat. Ordinary coconut oil contains chemicals and other impurities that are passed on to the product during refining process. Unlike olive oil, there is no industry standard to qualify virgin coconut oil. Some companies even add extra virgin label which means nothing more.

When it comes to composition, ordinary coconut oil and virgin and organic coconut oil contain same components, but virgin oil contains something more and fresh.

When you buy virgin and organic coconut oil, you cannot expect any standard to define the oil quality. Though virgin oil should be very clear like water, most of the products will have some coloration due to the actual process used in the extraction of oil. To stay away from scams, buy products that are produced in the tropical areas in the world where fresh coconut is readily available. If the oil tastes and smells like fresh coconut, you can ensure that the virgin and organic coconut oil is real.

Brenda Skidmore:

Sweet and succulent, this elongated, pear shaped fruit is loaded with more vitamin C than an orange. It has a velvety soft, almost buttery-like, texture which Christopher Columbus described as “fruit of the angels”. Once considered quite rare and exotic for most of us, papayas are now commonly found in most larger end supermarket chains. The seasonal peak of the papaya is early summer to fall. But, as a tropical plant, the tree can bear fruit year round.

Key nutrients found in this warm weather fruit are vitamins A, B-9 (folate) C, E, K, and a great source of dietary fiber. They also contain calcium, potassium, phosphate, magnesium, copper, and more iron than most fruits with fewer calories. While they are very sweet to the taste, they are, also surprisingly, relatively low in sugar. And another plus, this fruit is one of the least likely to be contaminated with heavy pesticide spraying.

Yellow and orange flesh colored vegetables and fruits, like certain varieties of the smaller varieties of papaya, contain various amounts of plant antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E, and K. Nutritional scientists are currently, and extensively, studying the different classifications of phytochemicals, like carotenoids and bioflavonoids, that are found in plant foods for their potential health benefits.

Some of the many positive health effects associated with eating papayas include:

* Offers protection against developing heart disease by preventing atherosclerosis of blood vessels due to its high vitamin C content. The high concentration of carotenoid phytochemicals and antioxidant vitamins A and E help prevent the oxidation of cholesterol that can build up inside artery walls.

* Provides protection against developing colon cancer with a complex nutritional source of antioxidants, phytochemicals, minerals, and fiber.

* Contains several unique protein-digesting enzymes, including papain and chymopapain. These enzyme substances help reduce inflammation in diseases like asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and improves healing of burn wounds.

* The vitamin A and C content, which is made from the beta carotene in papayas, are both needed for the support of a healthy immune system. A wonderful fruit choice for the prevention of systemic ear infections, colds, and flu.

* Fruits like the papaya, and many others, may provide better protection against age-related macular degeneration than carrots in adulthood. Three or more servings of fruit a day lowers the risk of developing this eye disease in older adults by 36 percent.

This fruit has an amazing concentration of two proteolytic enzymes called papain and chymopapain that enables the digestion of protein. Papain, the most important and abundant of the two, is extracted and dried from the green fruit. It has been used for tenderizing meat for years, used to heal wounds, soften, and cleanse the skin, and is one of the primary ingredients used in natural digestive aid supplements.

According to Dr. Lytton-Benard, Yale University, consistently poor digestion leaves the body without proper nutrients. Those who often find it nearly impossible to digest a high protein meal, will find the rejuvenating effects of papaya juice, or dry supplement form, marks the turning point on the climb back up to vitality and good health.

When selecting a fresh papaya, always avoid those that are dark green. They may not fully ripen. A ripe fruit will smell mildly sweet, and you can hasten the ripening of a slightly green fruit at room temperature by placing it in a paper bag for a day or two. The papain concentration is highest when the fruit is green, and lessens when it fully ripens. The papayas outer skin layer turns a golden-yellow color when fully ripe, and the flesh can range from pink and red to bright orange, depending on the specific variety of the fruit.

There are two varieties commonly found in the United States. The ‘Solo’ variety is grown in Hawaii. It is called solo because it is small, usually about 7 inches long, weighs about a pound, and is easily eaten by one person. The Maradol variety is grown in Mexico or Central America. It is a much larger fruit, measuring up to 20 inches in length, and can weigh up to 5 or 6 pounds.

To eat the fruit like a melon slice it lengthwise and scoop out the slick, black seeds in the center. Refrigerate any left overs and eat within a couple of days.

The flavor of the papaya has been described as having an apricot taste with a twist of ginger. The flesh of the fruit can be used and mixed in all types of recipe dishes, from salads and meat marinades to adding with other fruits in the blender for fruit smoothies.

Any way you choose to slice and eat them, the wide variety of nutrients that are available in a papaya helps support a healthy body. It is one of many fruits that can help you enjoy a happier life inside your skin.

Bette Dowdell asked:


Bette Dowdell

Enough with the fluoride already! Communities began adding fluoride to our drinking water based on “scientific” studies–which turned out to be bogus–claiming fluoride would protect our teeth from cavities. Based on the same “science,” companies put the stuff in toothpaste.

Fact is, fluoride doesn’t reduce cavities. Communities with fluoride in their drinking water have the same incidence of cavities as communities without. European countries woke up, smelled the coffee and got rid of the stuff–with no increase of dental caries.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, fluoride creates all kinds of health havoc.

•  Fluoride beats up on the endocrine system big-time. It has a significant impact on the thyroid,  the pancreas, the pineal gland, the testes and the ovaries. And those are just the ones with studies to back up the anecdotal data..

•  Fluoride interferes with iodine intake. Added to the negative impact on thyroid, which is related, the damage can be substantial. 40% of us have thyroid problems now, double the historic levels.

•  Fluoride lowers IQ levels.

•  Fluoride weakens bones.

•  Fluoride causes fluorosis, a weakening and mottling of tooth enamel.

•  Fluoride increases the incidence of cancer.

•  Fluoride speeds up aging.

• Fluoride impacts fertility

Well, I could go on, but gloryosky! Isn’t that enough to make you start a campaign? Especially if you have children who are doubly impacted by fluoride’s negative effects?

First off, ditch any toothpaste containing fluoride–which is most of them. Jason’s Natural Products and Kiss My Face Corporation have excellent, fluoride-free toothpastes available at health food stores and on-line.

Stay alert, though. The growing popularity of natural products has large companies moving in. They buy small, natural product companies, then, in some cases, quietly make the products unnatural. Always read labels.

In terms of fluoride in the water system, I tell you true, if you’re waiting for somebody else to take care of you, you’re waiting in vain. Going against “science,” even bogus science, asks a lot of elected officials. Only the pressure of public noise can motivate change.

Overwhelm your city government with mail, e-mail and phone calls. Get some good research reports off the internet and send them along–with highlighting to increase the impact. Make your presence known at meetings.

The old saying tells us the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Translate that in this case to the pest gets results. Doing nothing takes no effort by city officials. Behind-the-scenes financial interests may need flushing out. Whatever the case, few good things happen by themselves.

In the meantime, reverse osmosis sustems get rid of fluoride, and they fit under the sink. Unfortunately, they make water acidic–a whole lot better than fluoride, but still needing attention. Most of us already flirt with ill health because of acidity, but we can handle that. What we can’t handle is fluoride..

First order of the day: Get rid of fluoride.

Darrell Miller asked:


Red yeast rice is rice that has been fermented by the addition of yeast to red rice and is incorporated into many natural dietary supplements. It contains natural HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, which inhibit the enzymatic reaction that is necessary for production of cholesterol in the body, especially in the liver. The liver is considered to be the main site of cholesterol production, as it is responsible for over seventy-five percent of our total cholesterol supply.

When cholesterol production is out of control, the liver needs red yeast rice to inhibit its action and decrease cholesterol production. Many studies have confirmed that red yeast rice has the ability to reduce total cholesterol by a significant percentage. It has also been found that red yeast rice contains unsaturated fats that may also help reduce serum lipids or blood fats that we call triglycerides.

Red yeast rice supplements are made for individuals who suffer from cholesterol levels that are moderately high. When supplementing with red yeast rice, one should incorporate the supplement into an overall therapeutic strategy that utilizes diet and exercise. Instead of viewing red yeast rice supplements as a cure for a condition, they should be looked at as a natural way to help maintain desirable cholesterol levels. Anyone who has high cholesterol levels should talk to their physician before starting any new natural supplements. If your level is about 230, try talking to you doctor about using red yeast rice therapy before going on any prescription drugs.

Red yeast rice has long been used in Asian cuisine, with usage dating back to 800 A.D. In south China, red yeast rice has been consumed as food stuff and also as a medicinal agent for over two thousand years. With records dating back to the fourteenth century, red yeast rice was used for the treatment of several maladies which included infections, circulatory problems, and stomach ailments. In more recent times, cultures in Japan, Thailand, India, Korea, and the Philippines use red yeast rice in cookery as well as a therapeutic compound. The popularity of red yeast rice in European countries has just taken hold over the last few decades.

Today, red yeast rice is used in foods such as meat products, poultry, fish, ketchup, chocolates, cereals, jams, and beverages a rich, stable red color. Using red yeast rice is a great nontoxic way to color foods plus it remains stable even when it is exposed to high temperatures. When looking at medicinal value, scientists have classified many different species from red yeast. Scientific studies have confirmed that pharmacological qualities of this substance, especially when looking at its ability to reduce LDL cholesterol and blood triglycerides or fats.

Although adverse effects to red yeast rice have been rare and are considered very mild, the list includes heartburn, flatulence, and dizziness. If you are thinking of supplementing with red yeast rice, be sure to check your cholesterol levels after a two-month course of therapy. Anyone who is taking prescription drugs to control cholesterol levels should not take red yeast rice without their doctor’s approval. Additionally, people who suffer from yeast allergies or have liver disease or infection should not use red yeast rice supplements with out consulting a doctor. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding you should avoid the use of red yeast rice supplements.

Steven Jones :


Coral Calcium and the Environment

For years, coral calcium web sites have been claiming that they do not harm the environment when harvesting their coral. Taking a closer look at the harvesting processes that are used tell a different story about the effects of coral calcium on the environment. Now more than ever, the coral reefs of Okinawa Japan are endangered and need all the help we can provide.

Marine Coral Calcium

Many companies sell marine coral calcium that they say is “only the dead coral debris vacuumed up from around the reefs.” Unfortunately for the environment this dredging process includes a 250 foot industrial dredging ship lowering a large pipe to the bottom of the ocean and vacuuming. This method not only takes the dead coral debris but destroys the reef eco system by generating a thick layer of silt which smothers the reef killing the coral larvae that grow future reefs in the surrounding areas.

The problem with vacuuming up the dead coral debris is that one can not destroy part of an ecosystem without harming the remainder. For example, there are more living organisms and creatures that live in a dead tree than a live one. If all of the dead trees were eliminated from a forest, the forest would lose its vitality. The same is true for coral reefs: the dead coral debris plays an important role in the health of the entire reef.

To combat the negative press on the environmental effects of coral calcium, other marine coral calcium promoters have come out with a different story. This new story claims that their coral calcium is being harvested 4 miles from the reefs and therefore does not harm the reefs. If it is true that their coral is harvested miles away from the reef how can they have a pure coral calcium product? We are asked to believe that only bits of pure coral is carried by currents for 4 miles where it is deposited with no sand, shells, rocks and impurities. If this were true then why is the delicate ocean bottom ecology still being dredged and destroyed unnecessarily by competing marine coral calcium providers?

Above Sea Coral Calcium

The majority of coral calcium products are below-sea or marine coral calcium, that harm the environment with their questionable harvesting methods. But the news is not all bad because there is a few above sea coral calcium products available that do not harm the environment. Above-sea coral calcium uses Okinawa coral that was pushed up above-sea level geologically. The harvesting occurs by cleaning the top soil off of ancient coral heads and trucking them off to a grinding facility with minimal environmental impact.

Coral reefs are considered an endangered species. The coral used in above sea coral calcium products is eco safe. Above sea coral calcium protects living reefs by only using coral from above-sea level deposits on the islands of Okinawa. The eco safe coral grew under water millions of years ago and has been preserved under layers of soil until mined for the above sea coral calcium products. So if you buy or use coral calcium, do your part and protect the environment by choosing above sea coral calcium.