Heal Thyself
Nature's Sports Drink
Coconut water may well one of the healthiest naturally occurring beverages, making it an effective alternative to sports drinks like Gatorade. Bruce Fife, a nutritionist and naturopathic physician, says coconut water is a superfood that contains minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, amino acids and enzymes. According to Fife, it can be effective in treating ailments that cause dehydration like chorea, dysentery, and influenza. The FDA has even approved the claim that it may reduce the risk of high blood pressure and stroke.
Coconut water is the liquid found inside coconuts; this is not the same as coconut milk, which is made from squeezing the juice of coconut meat. Fife says the coconut water is used to save sick and dehydrated children in poor, tropical countries where coconuts are found in abundance.
In other news:
Eat Your Veggies
Researchers from Imperial College in London showed that the chemical sulforaphane, found in broccoli and other leafy vegetables, can protect arteries from clogging and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Alternatives to the Flu Shot
Dennis Godby, a California naturopathic physician, gives tips on how to protect yourself from the H1N1 virus and other winter illnesses if you choose not to take the flu shot.
How Your Socks Fight the Flu
One of the worst parts about the flu is spending all night tossing and turning as you try to fall asleep. But before you take another swig of Nyquil, it might be worth trying a different, more natural option. According to Suzanne Lawton, MD., one quick and easy way to help you sleep better is the warming socks technique. Here's the three-step process:
1. Soak a pair of thin, cotton socks in cold water, and put them on
2. Put on a pair of thick wool socks over them
3. Wrap yourself in a ton of blankets and go to sleep
By the time you wake up in the morning, your socks will be dry and you would have had a good night's sleep. The heat your body generates to warm up your feet also clears up congestion and stimulates the immune system. For optimal results, repeat the technique three nights in a row.
In Other News:
The Power of Tea
Certain types of tea can provide certain health benefits. Researchers from Kingston University found that white tea contains antioxidants that help prevent cancer and heart disease. Also, researchers from the Tianjin Key Laboratory in China have found that black tea has glucose-inhibiting properties that help control diabetes.
Milk Allergies? Drink Milk
Research from Johns Hopkins has found that some children can treat their severe allergy to milk by drinking small doses of milk on a daily basis. Continuous exposure to milk slowly and gradually trains the child's immune system to fight off the proteins that cause the bad reactions.
Your Mood Is Coming Up Roses
Imagine a bouquet of beautiful red roses. It probably stirs up thoughts of your first love or a special anniversary. Turns out that roses themselves, and not just your true love, may relax and reenergize you: According to a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the scent of roses can lower stress levels, thanks to a chemical found in many flowers known as linalool. Rats were exposed to stressful conditions in the presence or absence of linalool. Inhaling the chemical caused levels of lymphocytes and neutrophils, immune system cells that are elevated in times of stress, to return to near baseline. Linalool also inhibited the activity of 109 genes that kick into gear during stressful events.
A dozen roses never smelled so sweet.
In Other News:
An Orange Rind Will Help You Unwind:
Calming news for fruit-lovers: The Vitamin C in oranges regulates coritsol and blood pressure levels after a stressful situation, while the magnesium in apricots not only fights stress but relaxes your muscles as well.
Downward Dog at Your Desk:
A pilot study published in the Journal of Health Education and Behavior shows that doing 20 minutes of yoga alone at your desk, in addition to one hour weekly group meetings at lunch, reduces stressful feelings by more than 10 percent. Subjects also reported better sleep quality.
Love for Lavender:
Lavender is a particularly potent stress-reliever (subjects exposed to it experienced less test-taking anxiety), and it's also known for its ability to cure insomnia. Case in point: This Michigan woman got great sleep, felt relief from fibromyalgia pain, and became an entrepreneur, all thanks to lavender!
Shed Some Tears, Live a Long Life
Ah, the onion. You might think of it as nothing but a tear-inducing nuisance when you're cooking, but this vegetable has life-saving powers. Studies have shown it can stall the growth of liver and colon cancer cells, as well as ease allergy irritation in the bronchial tubes of asthma sufferers.
Whether you're a lover of red onions or its scallion (green onion) rival, both varieties contain sulfur-rich compounds with healing properties.
In Other News:
Brittle Bones? Peel an Onion:
Swiss scientists found that onions can decrease bone loss, which is promising news for older women suffering from osteoporosis.
Garlic for Good Luck:
From regulating cholesterol to driving away the mosquitos (and vampires!), garlic also contains allicin, a strong antioxidant. So and garnish your dishes with this pungent vegetable.
The Cranberry vs. the Cavity
It's good for more than just drizzling as a sauce during Thanksgiving feasts: Cranberry juice combats the cavity-causing bacteria Streptococcus mutans. It also prevents gum disease and plaque by inhibiting enzymes which form the gunk that can coat our teeth.
But don't chug a whole carton. Cranberry juices sold in grocery stores usually have a lot of added sugar, so opt for a sugar-free version.
In Other News:
Say Cheese with Vitamin C:
Brush, floss, and sip some OJ if you aim to keep those pearly whites. Vitamin C has been found to prevent gum disease, thanks to its ability to enable bone and connective tissue growth.
Rx-Cranberry Cocktail:
The same cranberry chemicals that keep plaque-causing bacteria from clinging to teeth also ward off bacteria responsible for urinary tract infections.
Adios, Aquafresh:
Aloe vera is being touted as an alternative to traditional toothpastes, especially for people with sensitive teeth and gums, since it's a less abrasive substance. Researchers found it to be as effective in killing germs in the mouth as leading name brands.
Cool as a Cucumber
You know it's a refreshing summer snack to nosh on, but cucumbers are also a remedy for rosacea, the facial redness condition. Primarily composed of water, it's no wonder the vegetable is known for its hydrating powers. Cucumbers are rich in vitamin C, silica and caffeic acid as well, which soothe skin irritations, ease signs of swelling and leave a glowing complexion year-round.
The most popular recipe to treat rosacea: puree and mix cucumber slices with several tablespoons of yogurt. For those suffering from ocular rosacea, simply placing chilled slices over the eyes for 15 minutes can calm splotchiness.
In Other News:
Other Fiery Fixes:
Herbal remedies abound: Licorice, feverfew and that perennial cure-all, green tea, have also proven to calm the crimson flush brought on by rosacea.
On Pins and Needles:
If you're not the type to be squeamish over needles, acupuncture is a viable treatment option for rosacea as well, by coaxing open facial channels, which in turn alleviates symptoms.
Seasonal Slump:
A survey of 1,190 rosacea patients found that hot summer days and harsh winter winds pose major problems for sufferers, and extra precautions should be taken.
Sip Tea, Shed Pounds
Forget its soothing power, white tea can save your waistline. German health foods company Beiersdorf AG published results of a study in Nutrition and Metabolism that showed white tea extract reduced the expression of genes responsible for the growth of new fat cells. The extract also stimulated the break down of already existing human fat cells, known as adipocytes. Named for the white fuzz covering the unopened bud of tea plant, white tea is the least processed of all types of tea. The beverage of choice in China for thousands of years, white tea has recently piqued the interest of the West for its ability to combat colon cancer and strengthen bones. So curl up on the couch with a freshly brewed cup, inhale its sweet scent and feel those pounds melt away.
In Other News:
White Tea for Pearly Whites:
Pace University researchers found that white tea extract inhibits the growth of bacteria associated with cavities and tooth decay. The study also showed that adding white tea extract, which is rich in fluoride, to toothpastes boosted their anti-viral and anti-bacterial effects.
Go Green, Fight Cancer:
Rivaling white tea for its healing powers, green tea has been in the news for its potential in leukemia treatment. Scientists at the Mayo Clinic found that administering green tea extract to patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) showed at least a 50 percent decline in lymph node size.
Tea and Scones: Healthy Heart:
Researchers have found that three to four cups daily go far in keeping you heart-healthy. Due to its high concentration of flavonoids, plant compounds known for their antioxidant abilities, tea can lower the risk of heart attack by a whopping 70 percent.
An Elephant of a Tale
Deep in the wetlands of South Asia, the gotu kola herb has been viewed as the secret to long life, based on an unlikely source: elephants. In Sri Lanka, people noticed that elephants consumed the herb in abundance, and it was believed to account for their impressive life span of 75 years. And it's not just the elephants: Li Ching-yun, a Chinese herbalist, allegedly born in 1736, lived to the ripe old age of 256 thanks to his gotu kola-rich diet.
From the common cold to leprosy, asthma to stomach ulcers, gotu kola has been a cure-all in India, Sri Lanka and China for centuries now. Besides its "fountain of youth" powers, the Ayurvedic medicinal herb is a stress reliever, counterbalancing the hormones secreted by the adrenal glands in response to stressful events. It can also prevent the appearance of those dreaded varicose veins by strengthening the surrounding connective tissue. Triterpenoids are the active compounds present in gotu kola. The molecules have anti-inflammatory properties and increase the rate of wound healing. It's available in ointment form, teas and capsules. Or take a cue from the ancient Ayurvedic tribes and enjoy the herb au naturel by making yourself a salad!
In Other News:
So Long to Starbucks:
Often mistaken for gotu kola, kola nut differs in that it contains a high amount of caffeine. It's often used to fight fatigue and is considered a better alternative to other stimulants, since it is not addictive.
Pile on the Basil:
Another Ayurvedic medicinal secret: basil. Though best known for making Italian dishes all the more delectable, basil's properties make it useful in treating diabetes and allergies, as well as aiding digestion.
Take an Herb-Approach:
When it comes to minimizing the appearance of scars, there are plenty of herb options out there, from aloe vera to indian gooseberry.
Seeing Red
Peking duck might be more than just a delicacy. Its reddish color is due to red yeast rice, a fungus that could lower cholesterol. Red yeast rice, a natural remedy used in China as far back as 800 A.D., is believed to contain statins that can lower LDL cholesterol levels. Drugs such as Lipitor, which are currently used to treat high cholesterol, consist of manufactured statins that can cause muscle pain. A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that high-cholesterol subjects who took 6 capsules of red yeast rice daily over 6 months showed a significant decline in LDL (the "bad" cholesterol) levels compared with the placebo group.
Want to test your cholesterol knowledge? Take this American Heart Association quiz.
In Other News:
Go Nutty:
If you aren't partial to poultry, nosh on nuts, especially pistachios, which reduce cholesterol. The FDA has recommended hazelnuts, almonds, walnuts and pecans as part of a heart-healthy diet.
Voilà, a Healthy Heart!
Despite a diet high in saturated fats, the French do not succumb so readily to heart disease. Their secret may be red wine, which contains resveratrol, a compound that reduces the risk of heart disease up to 30 percent, when consumed in moderation, of course.
Yes to Yeast:
Vegans, rejoice. Nutritional yeast, hailed as a "wonder food," is packed with B-vitamins, particularly B-12. With its distinctive cheesy flavor, this supplement regulates blood sugar and can be used to whip up tasty treats.
With a Cherry on Top
Cherries are good for a whole lot more than just topping off your sundae. Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University have found that people training for a long distance run experienced less muscle pain when drinking tart cherry juice. In the study, subjects drank 10.5 ounces of cherry juice twice a day over the course of one week before, as well as on the day of, a long-distance relay. They reported less muscle pain after the race compared with people who drank a different fruit juice. Cherries may be just as effective as conventional medications when combating post-exercise inflammation. Sports physicians generally prescribe NSAIDS, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, to ease inflammation. However, these drugs can have adverse side effects, such as ulcers. Cherries are rich in anthocyanins, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant that gives the fruit its alluring shade of red.
In Other News:
The Superfruits:
Some fruits boast exceptional healing and nutritional benefits, and the cherry is among the so-called "superfruits." Blackcurrants, blueberries, and peaches are some of the common superfruits, but if your palette is craving something more exotic, give guarana or açaí a try.
One-Stop Shop:
Besides their anti-inflammatory powers, cherries have been shown to play a part in lowering cholesterol and mediating risk factors associated with heart disease.
The Savvy Sprinter:
When it comes to training for, and recovering after, a marathon, keep a healthy regimen to bypass aches and pains. A popular method of unwinding after a run is known as RICE, which stands for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
