Health benefits of Mushroom

Mushroom is the fleshy, spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, typically produced above ground on soil or on its food source. The standard for the name ‘’mushroom’’ is the cultivated white button mushroom,Agaricus bisporus; hence the word’’mushroom’’ is most often applied to those fungi (Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes) that have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae, sing. lamella) or pores on the underside of the cap. Mushrooms have long been valued as highly tasty and nutritional foods by many societies throughout the world. It has been used for thousands of years both as food and for medicinal purposes. They are often classified as a vegetable or a herb, but they are actually fungi. While there are over 14,000 mushrooms, only about 3,000 are edible, about 700 have known medicinal properties, and fewer than one percent are recognized as poisonous.

Greeks believed that mushrooms provided strength for warriors in battle. The Pharaohs prized mushrooms as a delicacy and the Romans regarded mushrooms as a gift from God and served them only on festive occasions, while the Chinese treasured them as a health food. Mushrooms are also used in the form of soups, salads, and sandwiches, or to use them as an appetizer. Chinese were first to cultivate black ear mushroom (Auricularia) about 1000 years ago. Paddy straw mushroom (Volvariella volvacea), Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus sojarcaju) and white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporous) are commercially cultivated mushrooms. Morels (Morchella), alsocostly mushrooms belong to Ascomycotina are collected from Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh and exported to other countries.

Composition: Mushrooms contain about 80 to 90 percent water, and are very low in calories (only 100 cal/oz). They have very little sodium and fat, and 8 to 10 percent of the dry weight is fiber. Hence, they are an ideal food for persons following a weight management program or a diet for hypertensives. Mushrooms are an excellent source of potassium, a mineral that helps lower elevated blood pressure and reduces the risk of stroke. One medium portabella mushroom has even more potassium than a banana or a glass of orange juice. One serving of mushrooms also provides about 20 to 40 percent of the daily value of copper, a mineral that has cardioprotective properties.

Health Benefits
The health benefits of mushroom include relief from high cholesterol levels, breast cancer, prostrate cancer, and diabetes.

 It also helps in weight loss, increasing immunity:
Cholesterol Levels : Mushrooms themselves provide you with lean proteins as they have zero cholesterol, fats and very low carbohydrates. The fiber and certain enzymes in them also help lower cholesterol level. Moreover, the high lean protein content in mushrooms helps burn cholesterol when they are digested.

Breast Cancer and Prostrate Cancer : Mushrooms are very effective in preventing cancer of breast and prostrate due to presence of Beta-Glucans and conjugated Linoleic Acid having anti carcinogenic effects. Out of these two, linoleic acid is particularly helpful in suppressing effects of estrogen. This estrogen is the prime reason for breast cancer in women after menopause. The Beta-Glucans, on the other hand, inhibit growth of cancerous cells in cases of prostrage cancer. The chemoprotective effect can be seen with an intake of about 100 grams (3.5 ozs) of mushrooms per day.

Diabetes :Mushrooms can be an ideal low energy diet for diabetics. They have no fats, no cholesterol, very low carbohydrates, high proteins, vitamins and minerals, a lot of water and fiber. Moreover, they contain natural insulin and enzymes which help breaking down of sugar or starch of the food. Again, they are known to contain certain compounds which help proper functioning of liver, pancreas and the other endocrinal glands, thereby promoting formation of insulin and its proper flow.

Immunity : Ergothioneine, a powerful anti oxidant present in mushrooms is very effective in giving protection from free radicals as well as boosting up immunity. Mushrooms contain natural antibiotics (similar to penicillin, which itself is extracted from mushrooms) which inhibit microbial and other fungal infections. They also help heal ulcers and ulcerous wounds and protect them from infections. A good combination of vitamins A, B-Complex and C, found in mushrooms also strengthen immune system.

Other Benefits : Mushrooms are the only vegetable and the second known source (after cod liver oil) to contain vitamin-D in edible form. They are rich in calcium (good for bones), iron (benefits in anemia), potassium (very good for lowering blood pressure), copper (anti bacterial) and selenium (very good for health of bones, teeth, nails, hair and as an anti oxidant). The best source of selenium is animal proteins. So, mushrooms can be the best choice for vegatarians to obtain selenium. A lot of fats are burnt to digest (break - down) proteins in the food, more so when the protein is accompanied by a very low carbohydrate, zero fats and cholesterol and a good amount of fiber. This is exactly what mushrooms offer.

Few Words of Caution :
Mushrooms can even kill! Most of the mushrooms are not edible, are highly poisonous and look strikingly similar to their edible counterparts. Even certain edible mushrooms can go poisonous depending upon the substance they grow on . Do not trust on the unknown vendors too.

Always trust sealed products from reputed companies or those which you grow yourself under controlled conditions after buying their seeds (called spawns) from trusted source. Because a single poisonous mushroom among others can send a whole lot of people to coma, induce severe poisoning symptoms, nausea, vomiting, convulsions, cramps, insanity or worst, can kill them.

Avoid eating discolored mushrooms or those which are different in color than the characteristic color of their species.

Does everyone require a Blood Sugar test

Unless a conscious sustained effort is made to diagnose Diabetes Mellitus early and, if possible, to detect unknown cases of Diabetes and Pre-diabetes, we will continue to be confronted with unfortunate instances of relatively young individuals succumbing to problems like heart attack and only then discovering that they had underlying Diabetes which they were not aware of.

All those who complain of symptoms or show signs commonly associated with Diabetes must have a test done for Diabetes. However, a negative test for Diabetes does not mean that the person will never get Diabetes. It only means that the person does not have Diabetes at the time of testing.

Unless a conscious sustained effort is made to diagnose Diabetes Mellitus early and, if possible, to detect unknown cases of Diabetes and Pre-diabetes, we will continue to be confronted with unfortunate instances of relatively young individuals succumbing to problems like heart attack and only then discovering that they had underlying Diabetes which they were not aware of.

WHO recommends that mass screening to detect Diabetes and even pre-diabetes should include Blood Sugar test for each and every individual. However, for a variety of reasons this may not be feasible in a country like India. Nevertheless, though everybody over the age of 30 years should undergo periodic annual testing for the presence of Diabetes, the following groups of people are at a high risk for Diabetes.

i) All persons manifesting any of the following signs and symptoms like excessive urination, excessive thirst, excessive hunger, weight loss in spite of adequate food intake, undue tiredness and fatigue, tingling or numbness in extremities, burning feet, generalized itching, itching around genital parts in case of women, infection involving genitals in case of men, delayed wound healing, impotence, premature cataracts, visual disturbances etc.

ii) All persons with a family history of Diabetes.
iii) All obese persons, especially those with central obesity, waist-hip (W-H) ratio, approx.>0.95 in men and >0.85 in women, and/ or a Body Mass Index (BMI) >23 to 25 kg/m2
iv) All adults with tuberculosis including atypical presentations, recurrent infections or non-healing ulcers.
v) Those with a history of atherosclerosis and its complications, especially premature heart attacks and brain strokes.
vi) All women with a bad obstetric history, recurrent abortions and those who give birth to large weight babies.
vii) Persons who were large weight babies at birth or very low birth weight babies may also be predisposed to Diabetes.
viii) Persons who show an acute rise in blood glucose levels at the time of physical or mental stress, for example, in situations like acute heart attacks, brain strokes, acute infections, injuries or accidents.
ix) Persons taking drugs which are known to increase blood glucose levels. These include steroids, oral contraceptives, certain diuretics, beta-blockers, etc.

Regarding the methods for detection of Diabetes, it needs to be emphasized that urine test for presence of Sugar should never be taken as an authentic method either for final diagnosis of Diabetes or even for ruling out Diabetes. The diagnosis of Diabetes can only be done by estimating plasma or blood glucose levels in fasting and postprandial/post meal state. In certain cases where the values of blood glucose are found to be higher than those generally expected, an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) may have to be undertaken.

7 Best fruits for your health

You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI:

Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE:

An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants & flavonoid which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.

STRAWBERRY:

Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE:

Sweetest medicine, eating 2 to 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON:

Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA:

Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes. 

Aromatherapy

INTRODUCTION: The essential oil obtained in aromatherapy is an extract obtained by distillation or pressing plants.

HISTORY OF AROMATHERAPY: The use of herbs to purify the body and mind to restore balance, also known as aromatherapy, was born in ancient times.

Prehistoric man did not know what was the aroma, but I knew that by burning some plants gave off fumes healthy, exercised a protective effect against diseases.

In India, Ayurvedic medical texts cite the essences of aromatherapy from Egypt terapéuticos.En procedures known antiseptic properties of essential oils of aromatherapy balms anoint prepared with myrrh, calamus, cinnamon and casia.Grecia and Rome were Religious ceremonies and solid ointments, perfumes, powders, oils after bathing.

After the fall of the Roman Empire some works were translated into Persian, Arabic and other languages, eg: Galen, Hippocrates, Theophrastus, and Herodotus. In the East grew rich on the Arab Avicenna .. There are plenty of used oils in aromatherapy:

Aromatherapy came to the West at the hands of the Crusaders. He kept mixing these beliefs in different signs, in the nineteenth century, the scientific method led to experiments in aromatherapy, but it was not until the early twentieth century when the essential oils of aromatherapy themselves were reintroduced into medical practice, the French chemist Rene -Maurice Gattefosse, should the name of the branch of natural medicine with the term aromatherapy. Marguerit Maury, a French biochemistry introduced aromatherapy in beauty treatments, which give the skin rejuvenating effects. At this point we have seen the history of aromatherapy in the following articles we will see the types of aromatherapy oils used, the time of absorption of the oils in aromatherapy, as obtained in aromatherapy oils, etc.

Healthy eating for renal patients

Eating well is an important part of your treatment and can help you feel better. Diet is essential part to your treatment process, not only will it help you feel better, it can also help you avoid complications of your renal disease such as fluid overload, high blood potassium, bone disease, and weight loss. Every individual is different and their needs unique, dietary advice should be given depending on a number of factors and discussion with your dietician.

Kidney function is essential for removing the waste material from food that you eat. The kidneys excrete a dietary protein called urea, as well as sodium, potassium, and phosphate. These substances can build up in the body if kidney function is impaired. Following a strict diet can lessen this accumulation and its effects.

Dietary Guidelines:

Fluid:

* Drink only when thirsty. Do not drink out of habit or to be social.

* Eat less salt so you will feel less thirsty.

* Take your medications with sips of fluid.

* When dining out, ask your beverage to be served in a child-size glass.

* Measure out the total amount of fluid you can drink for the day, place the water in the container. During the day drink only from this container to keep a check.

Potassium:

Eat low potassium foods which include:-

Apples, apricots, cherries, strawberries, peaches, pears, plums, beans, cabbage, cucumber, mush rooms, peas, potatoes, radish, onion.

Leached vegetables

Potassium dissolves in water; therefore, you can lower the potassium content in vegetables that have high potassium content by a process called leaching. Peel the skins off raw vegetables and then slice or cut them into small pieces. Next rinse the vegetables in warm water and soak in water for several hours. This removes some of the potassium. Vegetables should soak in water at room temperature for at least four hours.

Protein:

Protein is needed for the repair and maintenance of body tissue and is a vital component of body fluids including blood.

The breakdown products of proteins are:

* Urea - chiefly from protein provided by foods and

* Creatinine- produced from normal muscle 'turnover'.

* Your doctor or dietician may recommend a moderate - protein diet (1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day).

Eating too much protein may cause urea to build up more quickly. Eating less protein may be helpful in reducing your blood urea levels.

Sodium

Sodium is needed by the body for many functions in the body like balancing fluid, controlling blood pressure. Healthy kidneys remove excess sodium in the urine. As kidney functions decline, sodium and fluids may accumulate in your body. Fluid retention may cause swelling in your eyes, hands, ankles.

Foods high in sodium include:-

Table salt, potato chips, nuts, processed cheese, instant soups, canned vegetables.

Low sodium alternatives

Season with variety of spices like garlic, oregano, lemon.

Health Benefits of Fasting

There has been much contention in the scientific field about whether or not fasting is beneficial to one's health. Fasting is an integral part of many of the major religions including Islam, Judaism and Christianity. Many are dubious as to whether the physiological effects are as beneficial as the spiritual promoted by these religions. There is a significant community of alternative healers who believe that fasting can do wonders for the human body. This paper will look at the arguments presented by these healers in an attempt to raise awareness of the possible physiological benefits that may result from fasting.

Fasting technically commences within the first twelve to twenty-four hours of the fast. A fast does not chemically begin until the carbohydrate stores in the body begin to be used as an energy source. The fast will continue as long as fat and carbohydrate stores are used for energy, as opposed to protein stores. Once protein stores begin to be depleted for energy (resulting in loss of muscle mass) a person is technically starving.

The benefits of fasting must be preceded by a look at the body's progression when deprived of food. Due to the lack of incoming energy, the body must turn to its own resources, a function called autolysis. Autolysis is the breaking down of fat stores in the body in order to produce energy. The liver is in charge of converting the fats into a chemical called a ketone body, "the metabolic substances acetoacetic acid and beta-hydroxybutyric acid", and then distributing these bodies throughout the body via the blood stream. "When this fat utilization occurs, free fatty acids are released into the blood stream and are used by the liver for energy." The less one eats, the more the body turns to these stored fats and creates these ketone bodies, the accumulation of which is referred to as ketosis.

Detoxification is the foremost argument presented by advocates of fasting. "Detoxification is a normal body process of eliminating or neutralizing toxins through the colon, liver, kidneys, lungs, lymph glands, and skin." This process is precipitated by fasting because when food is no longer entering the body, the body turns to fat reserves for energy. "Human fat is valued at 3,500 calories per pound," a number that would lead one to believe that surviving on one pound of fat every day would provide a body with enough energy to function normally. These fat reserves were created when excess glucose and carbohydrates were not used for energy or growth, not excreted, and therefore converted into fat.

When the fat reserves are used for energy during a fast, it releases the chemicals from the fatty acids into the system which are then eliminated through the aforementioned organs. Chemicals not found in food but absorbed from one's environment, such as DDT, are also stored in fat reserves that may be released during a fast. One fasting advocate tested his own urine, feces and sweat during an extended fast and found traces of DDT in each.

A second prescribed benefit of fasting is the healing process that begins in the body during a fast. During a fast energy is diverted away from the digestive system due to its lack of use and towards the metabolism and immune system. The healing process during a fast is precipitated by the body's search for energy sources. Abnormal growths within the body, tumors and the like, do not have the full support of the body's supplies and therefore are more susceptible to autolysis. Furthermore, "production of protein for replacement of damaged cells (protein synthesis) occurs more efficiently because fewer 'mistakes' are made by the DNA/RNA genetic controls which govern this process." A higher efficiency in protein synthesis results in healthier cells, tissues and organs. This is one reason that animals stop eating when they are wounded, and why humans lose hunger during influenza. Hunger has been proven absent in illnesses such as gastritis, tonsillitis and colds. Therefore, when one is fasting, the person is consciously diverting energy from the digestive system to the immune system.

In addition, there is a reduction in core body temperature. This is a direct result of the slower metabolic rate and general bodily functions. Following a drop in blood sugar level and using the reserves of glucose found in liver glycogen, the basal metabolic rate (BMR) is reduced in order to conserve as much energy within the body as can be provided. Growth hormones are also released during a fast, due to the greater efficiency in hormone production.

Finally, the most scientifically proven advantage to fasting is the feeling of rejuvenation and extended life expec-tancy. Part of this phenomenon is caused by a number of the benefits mentioned above. A slower metabolic rate, more efficient protein production, an improved immune system, and the increased production of hormones contributes to this long-term benefit of fasting. In addition to the Human Growth Hormone that is released more frequently during a fast, an anti-aging hormone is also produced more efficiently. "The only reliable way to extend the lifespan of a mammal is under-nutrition without malnutrition." A study was performed on earthworms that demonstrated the extension of life due to fasting. The experiment was performed in the 1930s by isolating one worm and putting it on a cycle of fasting and feeding. The isolated worm outlasted its relatives by 19 generations, while still maintaining its youthful physiological traits. The worm was able to survive on its own tissue for months. Once the size of the worm began to decrease, the scientists would resume feeding it at which point it showed great vigor and energy. "The life-span extension of these worms was the equivalent of keeping a man alive for 600 to 700 years."

In conclusion, it seems that there are many reasons to consider fasting as a benefit to one's health. The body rids itself of the toxins that have built up in our fat stores throughout the years.

The body heals itself, repairs all the damaged organs during a fast. And finally there is good evidence to show that regulated fasting contributes to longer life. However, many doctors warn against fasting for extended periods of time without supervision. There are still many doctors today who deny all of these points and claim that fasting is detrimental to one's health and have evidence to back their statements.

The idea of depriving a body of what society has come to view as so essential to our survival in order to heal continues to be a topic of controversy. 

How to Eat Fruits

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. 

It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! 

FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON AN EMPTY STOMACH.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, 

supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities. 

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD.

Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. 

The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, 

but it is prevented from doing so. 

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. 

The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, 

the entire mass of food begins to spoil....

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! 

You have heard people complaining — every time I eat watermelon I burp, 

when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, 

when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc — 

actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. 

The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat! 

Greying hair, balding, nervous outburst and dark circles under the eyes

all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight. 

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. 

Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. 

Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. 

You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins. 

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. 

If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, 

because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. 

You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. 

Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days 

and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look! 

KIWI:

Tiny but mighty. 

This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. 

Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange. 

APPLE: 

An apple a day keeps the doctor away? 

Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, 

it has antioxidants & flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C 

thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke. 

STRAWBERRY: 

Protective Fruit. 

Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power 

among major fruits & protect the body from 

cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals. 

ORANGE :

Sweetest medicine. 

Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, 

prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer. 

WATERMELON:

Coolest thirst quencher. 

Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, 

which helps boost our immune system. 

They are also a key source of lycopene — the cancer fighting oxidant. 

Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium. 

GUAVA & PAPAYA:

Top awards for vitamin C. 

They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. 

Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. 

Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes. 

*

Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! 

Can u believe this?? 

For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. 

It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. 

However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. 

It will slow down the digestion. 

Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, 

it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. 

It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. 

It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal. 

A serious note about heart attacks 

HEART ATTACK PROCEDURE': (THIS IS NOT A JOKE!) 

Women should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. 

Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line. 

You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. 

Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms. 

Sixty percent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. 

Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep. 

Let's be careful and be aware. 

The more we know the better chance we could survive.

A cardiologist says if everyone who gets this mail sends it to 10 people, 

you can be sure that we'll save at least one life.

Urine Therapy for Health

I haverecently heard of this ancient natural cure for almost every disease and it sounds rather odd. It’s called Uropathy which involves drinking your own urine for health benefits.

Just when I think I’ve heard it all I hear this. There several books about this healing process one is done by author Martha Christy titled “Your Own Perfect Medicine”. This therapy has been around for over 5,000 years. They use urine for healing cancer, heart disease, allergies, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, asthma, infertility, infections, wounds and on and on. Urine is a by-product of blood filtration, not waste filtration. Medically it is referred to as “plasma ultrafiltrate”. Nutrient-filled blood passes through the liver where toxins are removed to be excreted as solid waste. Eventually, this purified “clean” blood undergoes a filtering process in the kidneys, where excess water, salts, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, antibodies, urea, uric acid and other elements not usable at that time by the body are collected in the form of a purified, sterile, watery solution that is urine.

What can drinking your own urine actually do you might ask? When urine is taken back in the chemicals and nutrients in it act as natural vaccines, antibacterial, antiviral and anti carcinogenic agents as well as hormone balances and allergy relievers. Multiple sclerosis, colitis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, hepatitis, hyperactivity, pancreatic insufficiency, psoriasis, eczema, diabetes, herpes, mononucleosis, adrenal failure, allergies and so many other ailments have been relieved through use of this therapy.

But with such a taboo process it’s clear why many people don’t discuss nor use this alternative therapy for results. I guess it all depends on this one question. What would you do to cure your current illness or ailment?

So, how exactly do you drink your own urine? Well, the middle stream of fresh, warm, morning urine is the most potent, and drinking it mixed with freshly squeezed orange juice is probably the fastest way to accomplish this task, although it is best not to mix urine with other foods or drinks or to take it within an hour before or after eating.

Oral drops of fresh urine can be placed directly under the tongue. Urine therapists suggest their patients start with 5 drops of fresh morning urine on the first day, increase to 5 or 10 drops on the second day, and take 10 drops on the morning of the third day and the same amount that evening before going to bed.Self-urine may be used as eye drops and ear drops, in foot baths and even as effective enemas. Nose drops can help loosen mucus and clear up blocked nasal passages. Gargling with it is helpful for a sore throat, and inhaling it relieves sinus and respiratory congestion. Taken internally, it has a laxative and diuretic effect, as it cleanses the digestive tract. They also suggest it as an excellent cosmetic for moisturizing and healing skin blemishes, burns and scar tissue. However, for this usage, it is preferable to use urine that is 4 – 8 days old. The smell of ammonia in the old urine is not toxic but actually beneficial if used topically only, and not taken internally.

Who knew that drinking your urine could actually be good for you. There are so many unknown elements when it comes to our bodies and health. How far would you go to just feel better? This could be a new option.

way to Live Longer

Ever since I was a child,I have always been creating thoughts from observation made and finding time to ponder on those thoughts until I get some satisfactory answers.

One of my most disturbing thoughts makes me ask these questions:Why do people of old live longer than those of our present generation?,Why do you hear of oldmen who “sleep in the lord”when dead while the usual case for a fifty or even forty-year-old man is he died of brief illness or fatal accident?,Why is it that in those days one can live as long as nine hundred(900) years while today nobody reaches three hundred years of age?

I have given it a lot of thoughts and I have come to realise that we humans contribute immersely to our shorter life span.Think about it,in those days there was nothing like automobiles,combustion engines e.t.c that releases pollutants like carbonmonoxide(CO), sulphur(IV)oxide gases to the atmosphere which when taken in every minute we breathe our air,causes slight or sometimes severe damages to the various parts of our body both internally and externally.

Modern drugs treat people’s illnesses but they always come with various side effects.In those days,these same illnesses could be treated with herbal medication with very little

or no side effects.

The advent of electricity and communication technology is not left out in this.If you mistakenly mishandle a working electrical gadget or a high tension wire with electricity flowing through it,you get shocked and you might die in the process.Do you know that your mobile phone emit radiation that can be harmful to you when making or receiveing phone calls.People of old didn’t need to go through all that which made them live longer. Shortage of time and space will not allow me to give details or even list these harzards because the list is endless.(oh! I forgot to mention nuclear energy disaster).

Now that you know these things or they have been brought to your mind,dont you think you need to have a rethink of some of the daily activities you do that might hamper long life.Minding the way you use your cell phone,I think,is a good idea because prolonging your life is a good idea.You should not just say because you have a lot of business calls,you use the phone anyhow.Afterall “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul”-Jesus.One should always try to avoid contact with pollutants in the air trying not to breathe in any of those dangerous gases.The most efficient way of ensuring longevity is to take care of your health.There are various methods of maintaining very good health conditions.For instance ,waking up in the morning to have a nice glass of lime juice(on empty stomach of course) and go exercise.This works because lime contains citric acid which deactives those disease causing organisms in the body when they are not feeding ,hence the need to drink on empty stomach.Dieting is not left out in this.Avoiding red wine or meat,cholestro and other organically altered foods and drinks.It pays to always depend on natural foods that are cooked in ordinary ways.A very important point I want to talk about is we should try to reduce our over dependence on on modern medicine because of their side effects but focus on the use of herbs.Yes herbs.Do you know that some of the illnesses you complain about everyday can be cured perfectly with simple herbs?.Dont believe me then try this:I know that you depend on always for your frequent headaches despite its side effects,well add a level table spoon of salt to coconut juice,a quantity that come from three coconut ,drink all at once and see yourself getting in next few minutes.Are you having any type of pain?.Just sqeeze some paw-paw leaves with some water and filter it.Take one shot twice daily (morning and night) until the pain is gone.There are many illnesses that can be cured with herbs.May be in my next article I will talk about some of them.

Vegetables of Spring

Flavors and health benefits

Asparagus, peas, beans, artichokes ... early vegetables are easy to cook and rich in fiber and vitamins. Recipes to enjoy!

The heyday announce the arrival of spring vegetables. It's time to enjoy their delicate flavors, but also their nutritional values. Here are some easy recipes to make meals to give a note of spring.

Asparagus: A true vegetable thinness
With 25 calories per 100 grams, the asparagus should be in the spring menus to find the line before step swimsuit! Its low calorie count is not her only asset, it is a source of various minerals (magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium) but low in sodium, making it a food diuretic that stimulates the activity of the kidneys. It is ideal as part of a detox treatment.

It should be eaten soon after purchase as it dehydrates quickly. It is kept in a cool, wrapped in a damp cloth to preserve its freshness up to 24 hours to enjoy all its benefits.

She cooked, preferably with steam to maintain its mineral wealth. It can be accompanied by a light sauce.

Recipe: fried green asparagus with parmesan
Cook the asparagus for 3 minutes in boiling salted water and sauté 2-3 minutes in olive oil over high heat, stirring regularly. Add pine nuts and parmesan and cook for 1 more minute and serve with Parmesan shavings.


The Artichoke: An excellent purifying
It drains the liver and gallbladder and cleanses the digestive system. It is also rich in minerals and low in calories.

It will keep 2-3 days in the crisper of the refrigerator. Small purple, meanwhile, should be eaten, preferably on the day of purchase.

Small purple are delicious stew prepared with tomatoes, white wine and herbs. The largest are eaten boiled or steamed with a sauce or dressing, lighter, a mustard sauce and chive cream cheese.

Recipes for artichokes

The bean: source of protein
It is interesting for its protein intake (5 g / 100 g) and fiber. But it also provides complex carbohydrates, carotenes and vitamin C.

Still in its shell, it keeps up to 4 days refrigerated.

It is excellent raw with salted butter and bread but you can also enjoy simmered with onions and parsley.

Recipe for baked beans, fresh

The sugar snap peas: delicate and tender
Even if, in fact, a pea picked before maturity, it is two times less calories than the pea (only 40 kcal per 100 g). However, it is rich in vitamins A, B, C and E, minerals and fiber making it a good food bowel. Finally, it is also richer in protein than other vegetables.

We must choose a bright green, it must be crisp. it will keep 2 to 3 days protected by plastic wrap.

It can be eaten very simply steamed with just a dab of butter. But it also lends itself to Fried, risottos, alone or mixed with other spring vegetables.

Physical Effects Overeating

Say you're full after a meal is not just a metaphor, when you eat too much at once you are stretching your stomach beyond its normal capacity. When you sit down to eat, your stomach is the size of a fist. So look before you eat the food on your plate, and compare it with the size of your fist, then feet like the food that enters your stomach, if excessive, it expands like a balloon.

Extending the capacity of your stomach repeatedly through overeating not only causes considerable discomfort, but long-term commitment to your health. If you recognize any of these symptoms, you're probably eating too much at one sitting:

- Running out of breath after eating. Eating fast and much causes the stomach to distend, forcing him to go against the diaphragm and lungs. Your stomach can expand more than three times its size after a large meal, causing difficulty breathing until your stomach starts to shrink.

- Nausea. When you eat a lot, not all the food goes quickly into the stomach. This causes a kind of stuck in the esophagus and its consequence are those feelings of discomfort and nausea, less than ideal to finish a delicious meal.

- Acidity. Eating too much at once difficult for the valve on your stomach from closing properly, causing digestive fluids go into your esophagus and causing reflux. This condition causes severe discomfort, if it happens regularly it could damage the delicate tissue around the esophagus, in some cases this can lead to esophageal cancer.

- Eat food. It is common to feel sleepy after a big meal. While this is partly due to brain chemistry, the food coma is directly related to energy expenditure needed to digest food overdose. The stomach and intestines are forced to process and distribute all the nutrients they are receiving, this causes a large expenditure of energy that leaves the rest of your system in a state as eager to go to sleep.

It can be tempting sometimes eat a lot, especially at family parties or special occasions, but a little common sense can help you overcome and avoid all the symptoms mentioned above. Try drinking a glass of water before eating, so you feel full before and without causing the side effects of which we speak. And test your normal day to five or six small meals every three to four hours instead of two dishes fill three times a day.

With your ideal body there is a healthy and safe alternative to use the science of nutrition in your favor to achieve the changes you desire in your body permanently.