Keeping You Healthy

THEY TOLD YOU GINGER WAS GOOD. THEY DIDN’T TELL YOU WHAT JUST A ¼ TEASPOON CAN DO

2015-11-02T15:37:00.004-08:00

The International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition recently published a study which reports that ginger could be the new alternative therapy for the prevention of diabetes and its side effects.

According to a different study published in the American Diabetes Association’s journal Diabetes Care, ginger belongs to the same family (Zingiberacea) as turmeric, another spice with numerous medicinal properties, and it has only recently been proven to be 100% efficient in inhibiting the onset of

The new ginger study, titled “The effect of ginger consumption of glycemic status, lipid profile and some inflammatory markers in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,” involved 70 type 2 diabetic patients in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial, which was aimed at evaluating the influence of ginger consumption on glycemic status, lipid profile and some common inflammatory markers linked to this condition.

In the study, the participants were divided randomly into two groups – a ginger group and control group. The first group was given 1600mg ginger, whereas the second 1600mg placebo every day for 3 months. Several parameters including blood sugar levels, blood lipids, C-reactive protein, prostaglandin E2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) were measured in the patients before and after the experiment.

The results of the study revealed that ginger treatment drastically lowered the following parameters in comparison to the placebo group:

Fasting plasma glucose

HbA1C (aka glycated hemoglobin) – a measurement of how much damage is caused to red blood cells in the body by sugars, as well as how much damage is caused to the body by chronically elevated blood sugar

Insulin

HOMA (the homeostatic model assessment) – which measures insulin resistance and beta-cell function (the pancreatic cells that produce insulin)

Triglycerides

Total cholesterol

C-reactive protein (CRP) – a marker of inflammation

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) – a marker of inflammation

There were no substantial differences in HDL, LDL and TNFα between the two groups (p > 0.05).

The study concluded:

“Ginger improved insulin sensitivity and some fractions of lipid profile, and reduced CRP and PGE2 in type 2 diabetic patients. Therefore ginger can be considered as an effective treatment for prevention of diabetes complications.”

How Much Was Used?

As for the amount of ginger used in the study, the subjects were given two doses of 800mg, delivered twice a day, in the form of capsules. This amounted to 1.6 grams, which in culinary terms equals about ¼ teaspoon. In addition, it was found that higher doses does of complex plant extracts within the spice category are not always better, and in some cases, can even produce counter-effects. Namely, this study discovered that rosemary at a lower dose (750mg) improved cognition while a higher dose (6,000mg) hampered it. To conclude, lower doses, such as used traditionally in cooking, passed down to us for generations as ‘recipes’ (literally: ‘medical prescriptions’), are in fact more health beneficial than higher ones.

Prevent Inflammation and Migraines With This Simple Ginger Ale Recipe

2015-10-30T09:04:00.001-07:00

When it comes to old holistic medicine, ginger is a frequent go-to. I can absolutely attest to its abilities when it comes to settling the stomach and helping with digestion. Ginger has been used for thousands of years in China to treat nausea, arthritis, and heart disease. But let’s get into how we make our own “ginger ale” for nausea and pain.

Ginger has been shown to ease muscle pain, as well as back pain. In addition, it has been shown to reduce inflammation. Women have been able to find relief from menstrual pain. Relief from the pain of migraines has also been experienced.

Many studies have shown that ginger appears to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger is able to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.

Ingredients

1 cup of peeled, finely chopped organic ginger
2 cups of purified water
1 cup of raw organic honey
Sparkling water
1 organic lime, juiced

Directions

Boil 2 cups of water
Add the ginger
Reduce the heat to a medium-low setting, let simmer for 5 minutes
Take it off the heat and strain

When serving, use 1 part of the ginger syrup to 3 parts water. Serve it over ice and enjoy!

How to Make Okra Water for Diabetics

2015-10-30T06:02:00.002-07:00

If you are diabetic or know someone who is, you might have wondered if there are any natural remedies that can help treat someone who has the condition. In fact, there are, and medical science is only now starting to realize the benefit of plants that we’ve had access to all along. One of those plants is Okra and a glass of Okra water can do wonders for diabetes.

In fact, people are calling Okra the “super food” because of how amazing it works. Let’s go over why Okra water might just be the all-natural cure for diabetes.

Okra, which is sometimes called ladyfingers, is a tall vegetable that started in Ethiopia and found its way to the Americas where people have been cooking it and frying it for some time.

It has been shown to help heal certain conditions like diabetes because of the effect it has on blood sugar. Many people also use it regularly to prevent cancer.

People often fry the pods, add them to soups or boil them and serve with other dishes, but you can also use Okra water to get the benefit of the plant. The great thing about these pods is that they are very few calories and rich in nutrients with no side effects, as well as no saturated fats or cholesterol.

Studies of Okra and its Effects on Diabetes

There have actually been studies where Okra was shown to reduce blood glucose levels immediately in mice as well as gradually decreasing levels over time in another set of mice subjects.

When it comes to people, there have been a number who have diabetes and have stated that they noticed a drop in blood sugar levels after ingesting Okra juice, which is made by simply leaving in a glass of water overnight and then drinking the juice in the morning.

There are other ways that Okra can be added into your dietsuch as juicing the Okra leaves. However, Okra water seems to be the most effective delivery method. The reason behind this drop in glucose levels seems to be the fiber in the Okra leaves slow down the absorption of sugar from the intestines.

Some Other Health Benefits of Okra

Okra isn’t just good for diabetes, many health experts believe that it could actually help in preventing cancer and some other conditions. It is a great source of fiber and provides essential vitamins and minerals as well as antioxidants.

Some of the other health benefits that people have reported they found when using Okra water include preventing constipation and helping to alleviate it if you have it.

As mentioned, Okra water can reduce your risk for cancer, particularly cancer of the colon. It also helps to alleviate depression and gives you energy for the day ahead if you drink it in the morning and because of the way that it reduces inflammation it can help to treat a sore throat, IBS, ulcers and even help with lung inflammation.

source :http://www.healthyfoodhouse.com/how-to-make-okra-water-for-diabetics/