Healthwizard

Benefits of vitamin C

Vitamin C plays an essential role in the immune system. It is found in every cell of our body and performs various functions:

• It aids in fighting off foreign invaders.
• It is vital to the production of collagen, which is involved in the building and health of cartilage, joints, skin, and blood vessels.
• It helps protect the fat-soluble vitamins A and E as well as fatty acids from oxidation.
• It aids in neutralizing pollutants.
• It is needed for antibody production.
• It has natural antihistamine properties.

Other Possible Benefits
One small study conducted at the Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York, found significant reductions in blood levels of histamine after people took 1,000 milligrams of Vitamin C for three consecutive days.An Italian study found that people with hay fever, who had taken 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C daily, were better able to maintain the volume of air they could exhale.

Vitamin C may also help reduce some of the inflammation associated with chronic allergies, according to other studies.

Studies have found that Vitamin C may:

• Contribute to healthy bones
• Help prevent periodontal disease
• Aid in healing wounds
• Combat inflammation and pain
• Aid iron absorption
• Break down histamine
• Offer potent antioxidant protection
• Protect lung function
• Maintain cognition in the elderly

Sources of Vitamin C
Since our bodies do not produce Vitamin C, it is imperative we get it from other sources. The ideal way is to eat fruits and vegetables that are high in Vitamin C content.The Vitamin C content in most fruit is higher when it is slightly immature, and declines as the fruit hits peak ripeness. Some of the fruit sources include:

• Berries
• Cantaloupe
• Grapefruit
• Guava
• Lemons
• Limes
• Mangoes
• Oranges
• Papayas
• Peaches
• Persimmons
• Pineapples
• Strawberries (fresh)
• Tangerines

4 Comments October 30, 2006

Healing Power and Curative Properties of Bamboo

Benefits of bamboo

The leaves of bamboo tree are stimulant, aromatic and tonic. They are- useful in counteracting spasmodic disorders, and arrest secretion or bleeding. They are also an effective aphrodisiac. The leaves do not have any prominent taste.

Stomach Disorders

The leaves are beneficial in the treatment of stomach troubles. They are useful in strengthening .he stomach and

promoting its action. The young shoots of the tree are also useful in stomach disorders. Pickled or cooked, they serve as an appetizer. In many parts of India , the leaves of the tree are used in the form of decoction to treat diarrhea.

Respiratory Disorders

The tender shoots are useful in the treatment of respiratory diseases. Decoction of the shoots should be taken with a tablespoon of honey once or twice daily.

Menstrual Disorders

A decoction of the leaves as an emmanagouge would stimulate menstruation. It promotes and regulates the menstrual periods. A decoction of the nodes of the bamboo stem is also useful for this purpose.

Intestinal Worms

The leaves are useful in killing intestinal worms, especially thread worms. They should be taken in the form of decoction.

Wounds and Ulcers

A poultice of the tender shoots is used for cleaning wounds and maggot-infested sores. Decoction or juice of the fresh bamboo leaves is applied as a medicine in such ulcers.

Dosage of Bamboo: The juice of 35 grams of fresh leaves may be taken twice daily either alone or mixed with any other juice. The decoction extracted from 70 grams of leaves may be used by itself. About 120 ml of the juice extracted from very tender shoots may be taken twice daily.

1 Comment October 24, 2006

Water-The wonder drug

water

Water-The wonder drug

Some nutritionists insist that 80% of the country is walking around dehydrated. We drink too much coffee, tea, and sodas containing caffeine, which prompts the body to lose water. More troubling is that fact that when we are dehydrated, we don’t know what to drink.

4 Comments October 23, 2006

Health benefits of cashew nuts

cashew-nuts

Cashew nuts are significant sources of iron (essential for red blood cell function and enzyme activity), magnesium (promotes energy release and bone growth), phosphorus (builds bones and teeth), zinc (essential to digestion and metabolism) and selenium (has important antioxidant properties, thus protecting the body from cancer).

These nuts are also good sources of protein.

In comparison to other tree nuts, cashew nuts have a lower fat content. They are also, like all other tree nuts, cholesterol free.

Cashew nuts also contain significant amounts of phytochemicals with antioxidant properties that protects the body from cancer and heart disease.

How much cashew nuts to eat

Eighteen medium cashews count as one serving (30 grams). Don’t eat more than three servings per week, unless you need to gain weight – then you can add two more servings to your weekly intake. Always ensure that you are replacing other dietary fats. By simply adding the cashew nuts to your diet, you will add many extra calories to your diet.

Maximising the benefits of cashew nuts

To reduce sodium and added fats in the diet, avoid salted, oil-roasted cashew nuts. Choose the plain variety and roast them yourself on a baking tray at 180 degrees Celsius for a few minutes (without adding oil).

For a bit of variety, add cashews to your favourite stir-fry recipe.

5 Comments October 3, 2006