Meet Moringa Oleifera - You'll Love Her

Good Bacteria Level Is Key For Optimal Digestive and Immune System Health

2012-04-28T19:33:00.000-07:00

Did you know that more than 70% of our body's immune system is in the digestive system? Our body harbors about a hundred trillion good and bad bacteria, and anytime the bad outnumbers the good, the environment becomes fertile for illness and disease to set in.

Supplementing with probiotics is gaining popularity as more people become aware of the benefits of good bacteria for digestive and immune health system. Aside from this, researchers have found probiotics to benefit also oral, urinary, and vaginal health.

Have you heard of the catch phrase "death starts in the colon?" This phrase is backed up by numerous scientific researches.

For optimal health, it is recommended that at least 85% of the good bacteria is maintained in the body to ensure an efficient immune system, protection from overgrowth of disease-causing microorganisms, proper vitamin production, efficient toxin disposal, and prevention of allergies.

Replenish good bacteria by supplementing with probiotic food sources containing active, healthy bacteria, such as yogurts, juices, cereals. Or like many consumers, you can take the probiotics supplement form which are low in calories, convenient and easy to take in capsule form, and more importantly, have a longer shelf-life than dairy products. Probiotic supplements are also a good alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.

Another way to replenish good bacteria in the body is by eating fermented foods such as yogurt or sauerkraut. But make sure that these foods must not be pasteurized since the pasteurization process kills the good bacteria and their benefits.

Just as it is important to fortify with good bacteria, it is equally important to avoid killing off the good bacteria in your body. One surefire way to kill the good bacteria and allow unhealthy bacteria to proliferate is to consume a diet high in processed foods and chemicals. Eating mostly cooked foods instead of raw foods can also create a bacterial imbalance. And since this is mostly what we do, supplementing with probiotics becomes even more imperative.

Another big threat to a balanced digestive system is the proliferation of antibiotics use which kills off not only the bad bacteria but also the good ones. The overuse of antibiotics and consumption of unnatural, chemically processed foods, are two of the greatest causes of modern day illnesses. Other causes of an unhealthy flora imbalance of the body include the birth control pills, steroids, environmental pollution, and life stress.

In choosing a probiotic supplement or food, make sure it states “LIVE” or “ACTIVE” on the packaging, meaning it contains good, live bacteria. Check the date to ensure it is not past the date of expiration. Experts say probiotic supplements should contain at least 10 million live bacteria from one or more of the Lactobacillus family strains, which are some of the only friendly bacteria robust enough to survive harsh stomach acids and make it to the large intestine where they need to be.

If you’re searching for a quality probiotic supplement, take a look at Healthy Choice Naturals Balanced Probiotic GI Support Formula. It has 5 billion live, good bacteria in all seven Lactobacillus strains proven to support optimum digestive and colon health and boost the immune system.

Beware Of The Symptoms And Signs Of Hypothyroidism

2012-04-22T16:26:00.000-07:00

According to the American Thyroid Association, 60% of an estimated 20 million Americans currently having some form of hyperthyroidism have not been diagnosed and hence, are unaware that they have it.

It is very important to be aware of the symptoms of low thyroid level because an underactive thyroid influences the production of thyroid hormones, a deficiency of which virtually affects every cell and function of the body. Yes, that's how important it is! So be reminded to keep your thyroid levels in check with the proper nutrition for optimum health.

What are the symptoms of low thyroid?

Some of the symptoms of low thyroid level includes fatigue, frequently feeling cold, dry skin, depression, muscle and joint weakness and/or stiffness, constipation, and weight gain. If you are experiencing some of these signs you may have a low thyroid that warrants changes in your dietary nutrition and possibly a visit to your doctor for a thyroid blood test screening.

Hyperthyroidism Symptoms Checklist

[This questionnaire is intended as a self-assessment to help determine if you may have a low thyroid.]

Instructions: Score one point for each of the following questions you answer “yes” to. After answering all of the questions, to get your total score, add up all the points for your “yes” answers, and read the section below titled “Understanding Your Score.”

_____ Do you often feel fatigued?
_____ Do you have elevated cholesterol levels?
_____ Do you have difficulty losing weight?
_____ Do you frequently have cold hands and feet?
_____ Are you sensitive to the cold?
_____ Do you have slower thinking or “brain fog?”
_____ Do you find it difficult to concentrate?
_____ Do you have poor short-term memory?
_____ Do you often feel depressed?
_____ Do you have thinning hair on your head, eyebrows, eyelashes, body?
_____ Do you have less than one bowel movement a day?
_____ Do you have dry skin?
_____ Does your skin itch in the winter?
_____ Do you have fluid retention?
_____ Do you have recurrent headaches?
_____ Do you have restless sleep?
_____ Are you tired when you awaken?
_____ Do you have sleep apnea?
_____ Do you have afternoon fatigue?
_____ Do you experience tingling or numbness in your hands or feet?
_____ Do you have decreased sweating?
_____ Do your muscles ache?
_____ Do you have joint pain?
_____ Is your tongue enlarged with teeth indentations?
_____ Is your skin pasty, puffy or pale?
_____ Is your voice hoarse?
_____ Does your body temperature run below the normal 98.6º F.?

_____ Total Score (To get your total score, add one point for each of the above questions you answered “yes” to.)

[Click frame to enlarge]

Veggies That You NEVER Want To Eat

2012-04-17T14:23:00.000-07:00

Vegetables are healthy food, no doubt about it. But there's a certain way it is packaged and cooked that should make you avoid it.

Here's a very informative article I would like to share with you which is relevant to a big portion of the population.

How to Protect Your Health From Plastic Meal Containers
By Cassandra Forsythe-Pribanic, PhD, RD

They’re a common lunch item, especially among weight-conscious 9 to 5’ers because they’re quick, convenient, and boast low calories and sodium. They have no preparation required unless you count taking them out of their box, which is why people buy them.

Frozen vegetables are also now taking this quick-preparation route and are touted as easier to eat due to steamer technology plastic bags. In fact, two-thirds of our frozen vegetable aisle is now these plastic bags of veggies.

But just how safe are these plastic-contained microwave meals and vegetables anyhow? Even containers that claim to be BPA-free still have unknown health effects.

What is BPA?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a chemical produced in large quantities, mostly for the production of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins.

BPA is often found in human blood because it can leach into food from the protective internal epoxy resin coatings of canned foods and from polycarbonate tableware, food storage containers, water bottles, and baby bottles. The degree to which BPA leaches from containers into food may depend more on the temperature of the liquid or bottle, than the age of the container.

It’s been discovered that BPA can disrupt our normal hormonal make-up, giving it the label of an endocrine-disrupter. Since this discovery, most plastic food containers are now BPA-free, such as water bottles and baby bottles.

However, it’s not well known what other chemical constituents are found in plastic containers, which may also have hormonal-disrupting effects for humans.

Thankfully, scientists are continually working on this problem and have recently released a new study giving us insight into the safety of plastic meal containers.

New Research Exposes Chemicals Leaching From Plastic Food Containers

Researchers from Texas and Boston through the past 5 years have been sampling over 500 plastic food container components (microwave meals, baby bottle parts, plastic steam bags) and exposing them to common environmental stresses:

• Moist Heat (like your dishwasher)

• UV Light (leaving a plastic bottle in the sun)

• Microwave (heat and radiation)

After various extractions and several years, the scientists found that subjecting plastic containers to these types of stress caused them to leach chemicals with known estrogenic-activity, and a potential danger to human hormonal make-up.

Chemicals that mimic or antagonize the actions of naturally occurring estrogens are defined as having estrogenic activity (EA), which is the most common form of endocrine disruptor activity.

What this means is that even containers that claim to be BPA-free are not EA-free, which is what we should be ultimately concerned about.

Although this study did not directly test how much of these EA chemicals a person will actually be exposed to through food products, given that each stressor may not be exactly the same, and a person may not absorb or metabolize these chemicals at the same rate, it is nevertheless very important to remember that numerous scientific data overwhelmingly show that very low-dose exposure to EAs alters normal cell function, and consistent exposure to EAs alters the reproductive health of various human populations.

Many scientists who study EA chemicals feel that is it not worth risking our health and our future population by using plastic products with EA activity. As such, there is a push to remove all EA components from plastic containers and continue researching the safest mode of food containing.

In the meantime, your best bet is to avoid microwaving, dishwashing, and exposing plastic containers to direct, continuous sunlight.

Instead, use non-plastic containers and cook your food on the stove or in the oven. Bring leftovers to work for your lunch, but either eat them cold, or warm them in a non-plastic container.

Remember: eating food in its most natural state possible is the best option. Meals and food items that come in ready-to-cook convenient plastic containers are not the most ideal choice. Choose food that you have to do a little leg-work to prepare, but will help you enjoy the fruits of your labor without risking your health.

Broccoli-Tomato Combo Prevents Prostate Cancer

2012-04-12T14:01:00.000-07:00

Prostate cancer is what is breast cancer to women. I've heard friends who have been diagnosed with BPH comparing notes on their medical procedures and the drugs prescribed by their doctors. Yes, they undergo the same procedures and share the same expensive medications.

Want to know how to beat prostate cancer the simpler and less expensive way?

A University of Illinois study published in Cancer Research in 2007 shows that tomatoes and broccoli are better at shrinking prostate tumors when both are part of the daily diet than when they're eaten individually. This study also suggests that it is better to eat them as whole foods rather than consuming their components in the form of supplements. Click here to read about the research study.

There’s even more good new. These powerful healing foods with potent antioxidants are effective not just against prostate cancer. They also prevent and even help reverse breast cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, and other cancers of the body.

If these simple food combinations are so powerful against cancer, then why don’t doctors tell their patients about them? Sadly, few doctors have even a fundamental understanding of nutrition, and it’s rare to find a practicing physician who keeps up with the latest news on nutrition research. In med school, doctors are primarily taught drugs, drugs and drugs, not nutrition. Drugs are their best answer to treating chronic diseases like cancer. The healing power of natural foods is relegated to the realm of quackery.

Numerous studies and researches exists confirming the healing power of herbs, spices, and superfoods. Yes, studies showing that they're better than the most commonly used drugs in fighting and controlling cancer, cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and other medical conditions.

Sadly, most of these researches are being suppressed and gathering dusts in archives. It's a grim reality. The medical and pharmaceutical industries are no different from other industries. It's big business, and powerful. Anything that will affect their bottom-line figures shall have difficulty seeing the light of day.

Just be resourceful. Better alternatives exist, at just a fraction of the costs, for various medical issues. You might want to look into <Cancer: Step Outside The Box> to understand better what I'm trying to tell you. There are helpful reviews at the lower portion of that page.

How to Live to Be 100 and Stay Active and Healthy

2012-04-08T21:54:00.000-07:00

[This is a nice article on aging healthily which I found in an archive. The information is relevant not only to the "young once" but also to the younger generation sets.]

Most of us were taught to believe that longevity is 70% determined by our genes, but it turns out that the ratio is actually in reverse. Only 30% of a person’s longevity is determined by genetics, which means the other 70% is up to you. 100? Yes it is quite possible…According to the U.S. Census Bureau, centenarians are the fastest-growing segment of the U.S. population.

But it’s not enough to simply live a long life, you want to live a life that’s long, enjoyable, healthy and active to the end. Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control predict that over half of us will spend our final years in a nursing home, medicated and unable to care for ourselves.

The good news is you can be among the healthy half if you make a few smart choices now.

Many of the simple decisions you make every day will determine whether your later years are marked by dependence, disease, and lack of mobility or playing tennis in your seventies, traveling the world in your eighties, and horsing around with the great-grandkids through your nineties.

Here are seven smart choices you can make today that will help you make it to your big 100th birthday:

Add Antioxidants Our bodies are constantly challenged by “free-radicals” – substances in the food we eat and the environment around us that cause the oxidation and breakdown of our cells. Without the protection you get from antioxidants, these free-radicals can cause a domino effect of cellular damage that becomes the pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. Incorporate a diet that includes a variety of whole fruits and vegetables or consider the most powerful and highly rich antioxidant available.
Eat an All-natural Diet Whenever possible, choose foods that are grown organically, without the use of pesticides and herbicides, and avoid genetically modified foods. If you eat meat, insist on animals (free-range poultry and grass-fed beef and bison) raised on their natural diets. If you eat fish, stick with those known to be free of pollutants. Limit your consumption of refined sugars and processed starches. And be sure to drink plenty of fresh, purified water.
Resistance Exercise There are many studies showing that resistance exercise (i.e. weightlifting and calisthenics) increases muscle size and strengthens bones. This is especially important as we get older, because the loss of muscle mass and bone density is a common “side effect” of aging. Resistance exercise also increases stamina, reduces fat, and rejuvenates the hormone systems.
Stretch for Health There is nothing better for beating the aches and pains of an aging back, shoulders, joints, etc. than a combination of yoga and Pilates or in-home daily stretches. Start a daily stretch regimen to become increasingly flexible and eliminate aches and pain.
Fire up Your Brain Cells The brain is often likened to a muscle in that it gets stronger with exercise. Stay mentally active ie, learn a new language, write or keep a journal, work actively on a business or hobby or part time venture. Become active in a local program where you can contribute time and skills. Brain cells talk to each other through chemicals known as neurotransmitters. The New York Times cites studies indicating that if you stimulate your brain, you can increase those important contact points by as much as 20%.
Eliminate your Stress Try this: make a list of the most bothersome, people, or situations that are aggravating you. Then create a plan to heal, eliminate or radically reduce you involvement.
Get Quality Sleep Most of us need at least six hours to function properly. Try to stick to a regular bedtime schedule and get 6-8 hours of sleep every day.

Follow and incorporate the above smart choices and it’s probable you will enjoy a long high quality healthy lifespan. Read <Too Old To Get Fit? Part II> and get inspiration from a classic example of how to age healthily.

Why Moringa Oleifera Is A Miracle Tree

2011-10-03T00:54:00.000-07:00

Moringa Oleifera is now being hailed as the "miracle tree" all over the world as mankind continues to discover more and more of her astonishing natural wonders.

Because Moringa Oleifera packs an arsenal of more than 90 nutrients and 46 antioxidants, her powerful impact on nutrition and health could not be understated.

In the previous post, I made mention of her superior nutritional advantage compared gram per gram with other food sources. And because Moringa Oleifera is a natural food source, the protein, minerals, and vitamins she provides are easily recognized and absorbed by our body.

I had also stated Moringa's role in stopping and curing cancer, and in arresting the aging process. But aside from these, she is also traditionally being used to:

Boost the body's natural defenses
Promote a healthy circulatory system
Support healthy blood sugar and cholesterol levels
Help regulate a healthy metabolism
Help detoxify the body
Assist in weight control and digestion
Promote healthy skin and prevent hair loss
Increase energy levels
Promote Healthy cell structure

Another important use of Moringa is the little known fact we can purify water cheaply with the use of Moringa seeds. This information has been hardly disseminated even in underdeveloped countries were it would be of great help to the population.

Oil can be extracted from Moringa. Known as Ben oil, the extracted oil is used as cooking or lamp oil, and as an ingredient in making soap.

The above really says a lot about Moringa Oleifera, but not too many people know about it. Fortunate indeed are those who are in the know.

If I may recommend, I get these miracles of Moringa Oleifera here. They're 100% pure, reasonably priced, with money back guarantee, and MADE IN THE USA.

Meet Moringa Oleifera

2011-09-26T23:27:00.000-07:00

You can meet Moringa Oleifera not necessarily in the deep forest. She may be
just lurking there in your backyard, basking under the sun, dancing in the
rain, or swaying gently with the wind.

Moringa Oleifera may not be that stunningly head turner, though she comes from
a slender breed. Yet, she is now enjoying celebrity status, and more and more
people are coveting her.

In fact, the World Health Organization and other humanitarian institutions have recruited her in their campaigns to fight malnutrition and hunger in under-developed countries where these are widespread.

Why is she getting that much attention nowadays?

Well, eversince Moringa Oleifera's awesome properties and characteristics,
unrivaled by any other pretender, appeared in scientific journals, she has
been catapulted to her present superstar prominence.

Did you know that the lowly Moringa Oleifera has been aiding in the prevention
and treatment of over 300 diseases?

This is because Moringa abounds with a rich mixture of antioxidants, amino
acids, and nutrients, hand in hand with its anti-inflammatory and antibiotic
properties. Moringa has two compounds which can prevent cancer and stop tumor
on its track.

But the hottest buzz on Moringa is her powerful anti-aging substance, called
zeatin, which is several thousand times more than her closest competitor! Now
you're not surprised anymore why she is in beauty products and preparations.
There is a study published in Rejuvenation Research, which showed the
undeniable proof of zeatin's effects in preserving the youthful appearance of
aging human skin.

And here's more from the Bureau of Plant Industry report. Gram for gram,
Moringa Oleifera contains;

2 times the protein content of 8 oz of milk
4 times the calcium content of 8 oz of milk
4 times the Vit A of carrots
3 times the iron of spinach
potassium content of 3 bananas
Vit C equivalent of 7 oranges

25 grams of Moringa Leaf powder could already provide the recommended daily
allowances of the following nutrients;

Protein: 42%
Iron: 71%
Calcium: 125%
Potassium: 41%
Magnesium: 61%
Vitamin A: 272%
Vitamin C: 22%

As you can see, one can reduce his/her meat consumption by sourcing protein
from Moringa. Also, she is good for those who are aversed to eating vegetables
since Moringa Oleifera is available in powder form, capsules, and tea drink.
The powder can be sprinkled in food or mixed in drinks.

Do you see now what Moringa Oleifera can do for you and your loved ones, and why she is so much in demand these days?

Now, go and meet Moringa Oleifera! When you get to her page, scroll down for more information about her. She is the most powerful and best priced among her cousins that I could strongly recommend. Go, meet Moringa Oleifera now!