Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Posted February 24th, 2009 By: Ahalya
Fresh Turmeric at the Market
Turmeric, the Multipurpose Herb
Although I love making Indian food for its myriad colors and flavors, I must admit I never knew why turmeric was used in just about everything – in desserts, in chutneys, in the main course, and in the bedtime mug of milk. Now I know it’s because turmeric is the most beneficial herb you could add to any dish. It cools the stomach, purifies the blood, eliminates toxins, and aids digestion. It’s also an antioxidant. And there’s more.
Turmeric is a golden-yellow slightly bitter powder derived from the boiled, dried, powdered rootstock of a plant that looks very much like ginger. It is the flavoring agent that is most often held responsible for curry stains that don’t wash away easily. But that can be forgiven, as it lowers your risk of cancer, reduces inflammations, is used to treat asthma, arthritis, skin infections, anemia, and several other disorders.
Just as good as an external medicine, turmeric is said to be effective against many, if not all, germs that invade the body. It is used in sunscreens and gets rid of acne without leaving behind scars. It is applied over wounds to prevent infections. It is a fungicide and keeps bugs away from stored grains. Not surprising then that it is the physician’s favorite herb and the subject of several patent wrangles.
Curcumin: Concentrated Turmeric
The main constituent of turmeric is curcumin. This element has been shown to prevent several kinds of cancers in tests on animals. Curcumin can prevent a tumor from growing and spreading through the body. This has been confirmed in studies on animals afflicted with tumors in the colon, prostate gland and breast.
Curcumin’s antioxidant properties destroy free radicals that affect our cells and result in premature aging and several disorders. It strengthens the liver and rids it of toxins. And those at risk of heart diseases can incorporate a pinch of turmeric in their meals to prevent any damage to the arteries. Turmeric also lowers cholesterol levels, and does not allow clots to form in the arteries.
Anti-aging Brain Spice?
Curcumin has also been shown in animal studies to protect the brain as it ages. Asian Indians have at least half the age related brain diseases (like Alzheimer’s disease) of those in the rest of the developed world. One possible explanation is their almost daily consumption of turmeric in dishes like curry.
While curcumin is the concentrated extract of turmeric and can be purchased as a supplement, the ethnobotanist James A. Duke theorizes the synergistic effects of food are more important than just consuming what appears to be the active ingredient.
Home remedies:
- Asthma: Add I teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of milk. Let this boil over a slow flame for a couple of minutes without spilling over.
- Sore throat: A milk-turmeric drink can be used by those with a sore throat from a cold. If you add a teaspoon of powdered pepper to this (only if you can handle the spice), it acts as an expectorant and clears up the nose.
- Intestinal worms: You will need a teaspoon of fresh juice from raw turmeric first thing in the morning. Add a pinch of salt and sip this before you eat or drink anything else.
- Muscle strain: Take equal quantities of ginger paste and turmeric paste and apply it over the affected area for at least 30 minutes.
- Stomach upset: After a meal that didn’t agree with you, take a cupful of yogurt. Add a spoonful of turmeric to it and eat it.
Want to start using turmeric right away? Get started with 20 top turmeric recipes.
Photo credit: Bengal*foam
Posted in Food & Diet, Medical, Mental Fitness, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Posted July 23rd, 2008 By: Rod Newbound
Disclosure: This post asks you to take 10 minutes of your time and help a good cause that could restrict FDA’s flaunting and mis-using its power. Read on…
1. The Problem: FDA Takes Action Against Compounded Menopause Hormone Therapy Drugs
The Federal Drug Administration (FDA) has limited the rights of women to seek natural hormone alternatives instead of synthetic drugs (which are created from horse urine). Compounded drugs are specifically personalized to each patient by their doctor and carefully prepared by licensed pharmacists. The chemicals used in these compounds are molecularly identical to hormones produced by the human body. They are usually safer too. But yet the FDA has banned them.
2. The Start of the Problem
Wyeth Pharmaceuticals makes Premarin and Prempro – synthetic drugs.
A study funded by the National Institutes of Health specifically linked these two drugs to increased risk of stroke, breast cancer, and heart attack. As a result, sales of these 2 drugs dropped by 68%! The beneficiaries were compounded natural hormone therapy drugs.
So Wyeth Pharmaceuticals responds by sending a “citizens petition” to the FDA requesting action against natural hormonal therapy for women.
3. The FDA Bias to Take Bad Action
In an unprecedented ethical conflict of interest, the FDA receives a cut (called drug user fees) from the pharmaceutical companies based on the number of drugs they sell. Since the states and not the federal government regulate compounding pharmacies, they don’t have to pay the FDA.
And because natural hormones cannot be patented, there is comparatively little financial incentive to the drug companies to bring them to the market.
So despite an outpouring of support for natural hormonal therapy from doctors, patients and pharmacists the FDA heeded to Wyeth Pharmaceuticals citizens petition and made the move to ban bio-identical hormone therapy.
4. Is There a Solution to This FDA Problem?
In a key first step toward reigning in the FDA’s actions against women’s health, Congress has introduced House Concurrent Resolution 342 and Senate Concurrent Resolution 88. This resolution calls upon the FDA to stop their new policy of restricting women’s access to prescriptions containing estriol, a natural hormone that has been prescribed for women in the US for over 20 years.
So What Can You Do To Help?
- Write your senators and congressmen.
- Send letters to your local newspaper. (You can send this post along with your letter too.)
- Ask your friends and family to get involved.
Also…
- Please send this post to your friends.
- Vote for it at StumbleUpon.com and other social media websites and help us spread the message.
Thank You!
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Posted July 1st, 2008 By: admin
Did you know that unlike its other more famous counterparts, the benefits of Vitamin K have often been overlooked? In fact this vitamin is often called the ‘forgotten vitamin’ as it rarely gets any press coverage. But this is going to change. According to the latest research, Vitamin K is one of the most remarkable anti aging agents and demonstrates properties that no other vitamin does.
Here are some interesting facts about Vitamin K
- Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in aiding blood clotting. What this means is that, when your body gets injured, vitamin K begins the healing process by reducing the bleeding and helping it stop.
- It also prevents the hardening of the arteries, which helps prevent heart disease and heart failure.
- Researchers have found that Vitamin K may play a major part in reducing many degenerative diseases.
- Vitamin K helps regulate the flow of calcium to the bones. Thus it helps in improving bone density.
- According to a study published in the September 2003 International Journal of Oncology, treating lung cancer patients with vitamin K2 slowed the growth of cancer cells.
- Sufficient amounts of vitamin K could reduce the susceptibility to stroke and other blood vessel related problems.
- A deficiency of Vitamin K may be a contributing factor to Alzheimer’s disease.
How to improve your consumption of Vitamin K
Asparagus – Rich in Vitamin K
Remember that Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. This means that in order for your body to absorb Vitamin K, you will need to consume some fat along with it.
Some of the foods which are rich in Vitamin K are:
- Spinach
- Collard Greens
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Asparagus
- Olive Oil
- Yogurt
- Green Tea
- Liver & Fish liver oils
- Egg yolks
- Blackstrap molasses
Note: If you have experienced a stroke, cardiac arrest or you are prone to blood clotting, do not take vitamin K without first consulting your physician.
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Posted June 9th, 2008 By: admin
Reality TV shows have shown us some dramatic overhauls and image changes.
Case Study 1: Rachel
Before and after she got her makeover on the show The Swan
Case Study 2: Ali
Before and after she lost 112 pounds on The Biggest Loser
Case Study 3: Sarina
Before and after she got her makeover on the show The Swan
Case Study 4: Before & After of all 9 Finalists of The Swan
Click on Picture to Enlarge
If people on TV can completely change their looks, why can’t you?
“There are no ugly people. Just lazy people.”
You too can look young and fab. The secret is… you have to put in the effort!
And just like how you brush your teeth everyday to prevent them from decaying, you have to work on your body and image everyday! A little bit of consistent effort everyday will make you look like 60… when you hit a 100!
1. You have to eat in moderation
2. You need to exercise regularly
3. You should also groom yourself and dress well
4. Getting a coach or a buddy goes a long way in making sure you stay on course
Anti Aging & Youth Rejuvination Tips & Hacks
If you haven’t already, please subscribe to AntiAgingHacks.com’s RSS Feed. And you’ll receive more specific tips on how to look young and live longer every week!
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Posted May 13th, 2008 By: Rod Newbound
By Rod Newbound
When someone in our extended family has a health problem, the most common refrain is “Ask Rod”. Why? Because I’m known for searching out the truth and finding solutions they probably won’t get by visiting their doctor. Over many years I have developed a particular talent for cutting through the clutter and finding what many times turns out to be simple solutions for their health problems.
Background
My interest in healthy living and longevity in particular began with my father. No, he wasn’t a doctor… just a simple workingman with only a 6th grade education. But he was an avid reader. Each month there appeared in our mailbox early issues of Organic Gardening (and later Prevention) magazine. We eagerly read them from cover to cover.
Tragically, when I was 12 my mother developed cancer. After a three-year battle, she died at age 32. No doubt this event more than any other helped solidify my desire to learn more about health and longevity.
In late spring of my 19th year, I dropped out of college after completing a year of pre-med and took a job as a hospital orderly. My plan at the time was to return to college in the fall and pursue my goal to become a doctor. But Uncle Sam had other ideas… I received a letter to report to St Louis for an induction physical.
Being drafted into the Army in 1969 wasn’t an appealing proposition, so despite the fact I could have avoided it by returning to college (keeping my college deferment), I decided to join the Air Force. Although I asked to be considered for any of 3 health related positions, the Air Force ordered me to Small Arms Marksmanship Instructor School!
By the time I returned to civilian life in Dec. 1974, I had married a nurse and had two daughters. Knowing the amount of time and money it would take for me to become a doctor would place a tremendous hardship on my family; I decided to enter nursing school instead. For personal reasons I dropped out after a year. During that time, I wrote my first paper on longevity. I’ll be sharing what I discovered in the free anti aging digest newsletter.
Nineteen years later (1994), I wept uncontrollably at the traditional “candle-lighting ceremony” given for graduating Registered Nurses. I had finally reached my goal to become a nurse.
Even though there were many obstacles in my path to become a nurse, my interest in learning more about health and longevity never wavered.
My primary focus in nursing is in the field of geriatrics with a secondary focus on psychiatric nursing. I have served as Health Services Director for a 110 room assisted living facility, Resident Care Coordinator for a skilled nursing facility, Regional Nurse Consultant for a multi-facility assisted living company, and in two positions as a geriatric psychiatric nurse in both a dementia care unit and a hospital.
My current position is Resident Care Manager in a long-term care and skilled nursing facility. I interact with seniors everyday.
AntiAgingHacks.com Mission
Because of my father’s early influence, I continue to avidly read books and newsletters on health, nutrition, and longevity. And because of my history in the medical profession, I can sift through the jargon and biased half truths and make sure that you get to know the useful anti aging information.
At 58 I am certainly not in a position to be passive about extending my life for another 58 or more years, but living a long life is only part of it. Every day I see people in their 80s and 90s (and even much younger) who require extensive assistance with the normal activities of daily living. Their lives are extremely regimented by the structure of institutional living. I’ve also seen people in the same age group still actively (and healthily) living in their own homes. I’m sure you’ll agree, the later is better.
My mission is to share with you my current and future knowledge on life extension for many years to come.
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