(*I believe that by sharing the good, we make the world a better place. This blog is my attempt to "give some good" back, but it is simply my opinion only, ok? I am not a doctor, nurse or candy striper so nothing on this site, including this blog, is intended to diagnose, prescribe or treat. Please do your own research and use at your own risk. Thanks for understanding!)
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1/26/08
Whole grains…. offer HOPE!
Headlines say,
“Whole Grains Protect the Pancreas from Cancer”
Check it out at http://newhope.com/news.cfm?news=1971
This article says -
* genetics,
* smoking,
* being obese,
* having type 2 diabetes
* a diet high in sugar
* a diet high in refined grains
* a diet low in fiber
could increase affect your pancreatic cancer risk.
HOWEVER....
they also say to -
* quit smoking, and
* change your diet
to maybe improve your odds.
Specifically, they advise to EAT WHOLE GRAINS!
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1/8/2008
Honey & it’s "sweet" properties!
I’ve read that 4,000 years ago the Egyptians used honey on their wounds.
Well, the medical community is catching on!
They’re now making medicated pads that are soaked with HONEY!
Why? Because of concerns with drug-resistant superbugs and non-healing wounds on diabetics!
Medihoney was approved this past fall by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
I read it’s made from highly absorbent seaweed-based material that is saturated with manuka honey and is being sold to hospitals, doctors and clinics in North and South America.
As I understand it, this is exciting because antibiotics could lose their effectiveness against pathogens and the dressings have..….
* germ-fighting abilities
* fluid-absorbing effects
* both it’s germ-fighting and fluid-absorbing effects last up to a week so patients can be “out”-patients
* reduces inflammation
* eliminates foul odors of infected wounds (*whoa….that’s good news for caring for them, huh?.....)
Read about it here - http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,318456,00.html)
Sweet news, huh?
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12/13/2007
Headlines say grandma was right!
Especially about honey & coughs…
The Federal health advisors recently issued warnings about the dangers of children under age 6 taking cough and cold medicines.
A new study says a teaspoon of honey before bedtime may coat the throats, thereby helping irritations and calming coughs so children can sleep better.
Hm....should they brush their teeth afterwards?
(*I don’t know. We don’t want cavities in place of coughs, you know? But does honey cause cavities?)
Anyway, our kids would yell, “YEA!!!", cause they’d rather eat honey than take cold meds!
This recommendation is the result of a study that did a three-way comparison to see which was better:
* no treatment,
* cough meds, or
* honey
The results were written up in the December Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine but they issued a warning NOT to give honey to children under the age of 1 due to the dangers of botulism.
Hey, hot tea with honey and lemon always helps my throat! And tastes wonderful, too!
Read the article at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,314805,00.html
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12/13/2007
In the stores - CINNAMON dusted RAISINS!
Make your own!
1.) Place cinnamon in a small plastic bag,
2.) Add raisins,
3.) Seal the bag,
4.) Shake the bag,
5.) EAT! YUM!
Sounds delicious, huh?
Cinnamon is getting big headlines in the “health” news lately….. such as the Israeli researcher that says the key to cinnamon’s anti-viral extract is found in the Bible!
Read it at …
http://www.israel21c.org/bin/en.jsp?enDispWho=Articles%5El1718&enPage=BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enVersion=0&enZone=Health&
As I understand it, this scientist discovered it in a really "round" about way. He first looked for hidden healing properties in SNAKE venon - a far cry from cinnamon, huh?
His "a-ha" moment came as he attended synagogue one day.
(*You know, I can identify! Some of my BEST brain storms have occurred during church!)
Anyway, while listening to a reading of Old Testament scriptures, he was reminded that the High Priests during those times used a holy oil derived from spices, including cinnamon, to annoint and protect themselves.
His unique cinnamon extract may even quell viral infections, from HIV to the Avian flu, but before you start downing huge amounts of cinnamon, be warned that the article says not to do that.
It may be that he’s using an "extract" whereas high amounts of cinnamon in it’s "natural" form could be more toxic but one day they could create a commercial spray disinfectant for use in hospitals during viral outbreaks.
Oh well, since I can’t safely down large doses of cinnamon, I’ll just be content sprinkling it on top my coffee and pop a Carotenoid Complex instead!
Those have been VERY valuable towards my health! I try to never go a day without them! To read more on Carotenoid Complex, visit our other website at www.gnldfavorites.com.
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12/13/2007
CINNAMON - in the news AGAIN!
Go to http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,314805,00.html
and read that cinnamon may prove useful to diabetics, too.
The reason? Cinnamon appears to:
* fight inflammation, and
* help insulin
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11/8/2007
The lowly "anti-inflammatory" POMEGRANATE!
During dinner at a Chinese restaurant, a chemical engineer ordered a bottle of green tea with pomegranate juice, turned to me and said, "You know .... pomegranates are really good for you!"
Our children had recently "discovered" pomegranates so I said,"Oh really?".
He replied, "Yes, they’re LOADED with antioxidants and they’re anti-inflammatory!"
Hey, I LIKE anti-inflammatory!
SPEAKING OF POMEGRANTES -
Learn how to open and enjoy one here - http://pomegranates.org/nomess.html
They’re only available September through January!
The seeds are packed with juice, and a tiny, solid center that’s also edible, but don’t eat the white “membranes” as they’re bitter.
A dear friend LOVES to mix bottled pomegranate juice with water, then she adds sweet, flavored stevia. Check the stevia out at http://www.my-favoritethings.com/?action=viewCategory&ID=157&SID=bW1keV8hSDgyOFgjX2RTNUBAMDg=
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11/8/2007
SIMPLE - not easy!
Our chemical engineer friend gave a health "talk" locally.
He quoted info taken directly from many of the leading "official" health organizations (Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, etc.).
One thing that literally "jumped" out at me was how many of these health organizations have linked poor diet to many of today’s major health concerns (*heart conditions, stroke, diabetes, etc.)
The instructions from these and more organizations were simple -
* eat more fruits & veggies
* eat more whole grains
* get more omega 3
* control your weight
* exercise, (*or at least “MOVE AROUND” more!)
In today’s rushed world, I’m not saying it’s EASY, but the concept is definitely "simple".
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11/8/2007
Regarding OMEGA 3s -
I know flax is big in health circles these days, but there are those who say that flax is not a “complete” omega 3 as salmon oil is. Reason being is that flax seed oil may not have the same anti-inflammatory properties as fish oil.
I must admit, I’d not had time to research this "concept" thoroughly. (*I’m not a "fish" lover, either - no sushi for me!) However, it’s the anti-inflammatory properties of omega 3 that interest me the most!
Let’s just say I have a very "personal" vested interest in them because not only are omega-3s noted in topics like "heart health", or "brain health", but they also seem to keep the inflammation lower in my back, hence giving me more mobility, flexibility and less aches and pains!
I enjoy fish sometimes, (*if it doesn’t taste fishy! ha!)but to get a steady supply of those omega-3 anti-inflammatories daily, I take Salmon Oil Plus, by GNLD. (*Check it out at our site at www.Favorites.GNLD.net!)
I seriously believe GNLD has the best omega 3 on the market for two reasons:
1.) It has all 8 members of the omega 3 family! With a more "complete" omega 3, I believe I get more "complete" results.
2.) I believe it is tested for 160 potential contaminants with an allowable detection rate of zero! If I’m going to take a fish oil supplement, I don’t want things like toxic heavy metals or pesticides in it! No mercury, ok?
If you want to simply eat more fish and are concerned with pollutants, then consider WILD CAUGHT fish instead of farm raised fish when grocery shopping.
On packages of frozen fish filets, this distinction is often written on the back of the package, under an “ingredient” listing.
The reason I prefer WILD CAUGHT is:
1.) We used to own an aquarium! Sometimes I had to clean it! I saw just how "dirty" fish can be when contained in small quarters.
2.) I watched a TV show about working on a fish farm being a dirty job. The starter fish were first vaccinated, then raised in giant tanks, then taken to market. Another type of fish (*tilapia, I believe) was brought in to "clean" up the fish droppings left behind in the tank. Once the tank was clean, the tilapia was taken to market for human consumption, as well. Yum....
3.) I read an article in The State Newspaper on January 9th, 2004 that said pollution levels were HIGHER in farm-raised salmon.
The study said farm raised fish are so contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals, such as pesticides (*some that are even banned in the U.S.), that people should NOT eat farm raised fish more than once a month.
According to this study, wild salmon had much lower levels of contaminants, thus were deemed safer to eat.
Read more info at:
http://www.foxnews.com/printer_friendly_story/0,3566,177344,00.html
As you’ll see below, our chemical engineer friend feels there are MANY good uses for omega-3s being in our diet!
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11/8/2007
Pregnant, or thinking of it?
Our chemical engineer friend said pregnancy demands omega 3 for things like nourishing the baby’s brain and it will actually “draw down” the mother’s levels of omega 3 to provide for the newborn. If Mom doesn’t take in enough omega 3, it could put her at a higher risk for emotional ups & downs, maybe even post-partum depression.
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11/8/2007
Anger management?
Oh go EAT A FISH! ha!
Our same friend said for some, omega 3 helps with anger management.
He told of a published study done at a prison system showing the benefits of omega 3 in the diets of prison inmates.
I don’t have all the details but he said that nutrients like omega 3 are not only a part of “who” we are physically, but also “who” we are emotionally.
So next time I have road rage, maybe I’ll stop and eat a fish sandwich! Or pop a Salmon Oil Plus!
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11/8/2007
Dementia?
Seniors, are you in a dietary “rut”?
You know what I mean....
* Friday is canned soup day
* Saturday is bologna sandwich day
* Sunday is "bowl of cereal" day
C’mon - live a little and MIX it up more!
After all, variety is the SPICE of life, right?
Our chemical engineer friend says if you follow a "pattern" of behavior such as the above, your nutrition can become quite limited.
He said that keeping a wide variety in your foods is a good step in the right direction, and adding omega 3 could diminish many “markers” of dementia.
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