Benefits Of Water Spinach (Kangkong)

Water spinach has been ranked high among the world’s healthiest foods. Used to be a poor man's food. Certain variety (plant with bigger & hollow trunk) are usually found growing along the sides of drain. The sister variety (thinner stalk) are often grown in large scale at the farms and sold commercially. It is also known as ‘kangkong’ and is a popular green leafy vegetable, eaten by most households. It is basically herbaceous aquatic, or semi aquatic perennial plant that is found in tropical and subtropical regions. 

Water spinach offers a wide range of beneficial nutrients, including the skin & brain. It contains abundant volumes of water, fibres, protein, calcium, iron, vitamin C & A, amino acids and minerals. It can be eaten raw too, for better benefits. Otherwise, eating them in 'steamed' form, is equally great. Alternatively, there are also users who even drank extracted juices of water spinach too.
Its best known benefits, include :

1. Reduces Cholesterol
2. Treatment of Jaundice and Liver Problems
3. Useful in treating Anaemia
4. Treatment of Indigestion and Constipation
5. Anti Diabetic
6. Protection against Heart Diseases
7. Prevention of Cancer
8. Beneficial for Eyes
9. Boosts the Body’s Immunity
10. Anti-ageing Benefits
11. Treatment of skin Diseases
12. Healing Properties
13. Rejuvenates Skin

May I take this opportunity to wish all my dear friends and supporters a very Prosperous New Year 2014 and lets look forward to a better year, filled with Hope, Happiness, Longevity and Better Health !!!

What is Progeria ?

Known to be a rare progressive genetic disorder, which causes children to age rapidly. This sort of problem usually occurs within their first two years of life. However, as they grew up and often, when they reached their 1st year of age, signs and symptoms, such as slow growth and hair loss, will begin to happen. Sadly, these type of patients does not live long and their average life expectancy is about 13 years old. Although, some may die younger, but there are also others ... who have lived to 20 years, or longer.

Heart problems, or strokes are the eventual cause of death in most children. It is said that children with such condition, usually develop severe hardening of their arteries, causing restriction of blood flow. So far, there is no known cure for such 'genetic disorder' condition, but the world has not given up ... researching for a breakthrough.

What is Graves' Disease ?

According to www.medicalnewstoday.com, Graves' disease is defined as an autoimmune disease, in which the patient's own immune system started to attack its own thyroid gland. When this happens, it will trigger the gland to produce large amount of thyroxine. Thyroxine (T4) is a hormone, produced by the thyroid gland which serves to help regulating growth and controlling metabolism in the body. Contrary, graves' disease is a form of hyperthyroidism. When thyroxine levels are high, the patient's metabolic rate increases. This, in turn will affect one's physical appearance, as well as their moods.

However, it seems to affect more on women, especially those, aged 20 years, or more. At this moment, there is no known medication, or treatment to stop the patient's immune system from attacking their thyroid gland. Nevertheless, treatments do exist ... which can ease the symptoms and bring down the production of thyroxine.

The purpose of the immune systems is to attack pathogens, organisms and substances that are existing in our body, especially bacterias, viruses, parasites, cancerous cells and fungi. But, if the immune system starts to attack good tissues in the body, this will become an auto-immune disease. Even medical experts are still unsure, why autoimmune diseases occur. Strangely, when it affects the thyroid gland, it does not damage it, but instead, it will cause the thyroid gland to produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone. The thyroid gland is part of the endocrine system and is located in the neck (below the Adam's apple). It produces hormones which help to regulate growth and the rate of chemical reactions, by which the body uses energy. The thyroid gland produces thyroxine and triiodothyronine. Thyroxine affects many body systems and has a key role in regulating our body's metabolic rate --->  the rate at which chemical reactions occur in our body; the rate at which our bodies break things down to produce energy, and build new tissue (metabolism).

To ensure that such medical condition is correctly detected, one's must undergo a detailed physical & blood examinations.

What is meant by Sepsis ?

When a patient developed 'Sepsis', it means he is facing a potentially life-threatening complication of an infection. This occurs when chemicals that are released into the bloodstream, to fight any infection ... had triggered inflammation throughout the body. Such inflammation can lead to subsequent changes that can damage multiple organ systems and causing them to stop functioning properly. When it becomes more severe, a patient will go into septic shock, causing their blood pressure to drop dramatically. Often, it will lead to death, especially when involving the elderly patients, or those with weak immune system, including young patients. So far, the only applicable methods of treatment with such condition are usually the application of antibiotics and increased amounts of intravenous fluids.

Common signs of Sepsis are :

• fever above 101.3 F (38.5 C), or below 95 F (35 C);
• heart rate higher than 90 beats a minute; and
• respiratory rate higher than 20 breaths a minute.

Should, it progresses and causing damages to internal organs, some of their obvious symptoms are :

• drastic decreased in urination;
• unstable mental status;
• decrease in platelet count;
• breathing difficulty;
• abnormal heart beat function; and ...
• sometimes, abdominal pain.

Sepsis often occurs in people who are hospitalized. Patients in the ICU are more vulnerable to developing infections after their surgeries.

Great information .......... Cinnamon and Honey ! Drug companies won't like this one getting around.

Facts on Honey and Cinnamon :

It is found that a mix of honey & cinnamon cures most diseases. Honey is produced in most countries of the world. Scientists of today also note honey as very effective medicine for all kinds of diseases. Honey can be used without side effects which is also a plus.Today's science says that even though honey is sweet, when it is taken in the right dosage as a medicine, it does not harm even diabetic patients. Researched by western scientists :

HEART DISEASES :
Make a paste of honey & cinnamon powder, put it on toast instead of jelly & jam, and eat it regularly for breakfast. It reduces the cholesterol and could potentially save one from heart attack. Also, even if you have already had an attack studies show you could be kept miles away from the next attack. Regular use of cinnamon honey strengthens the heart beat. In America and Canada, various nursing homes have treated patients successfully and have found that as one ages the arteries and veins lose their flexibility and get clogged; honey and cinnamon revitalize the arteries and the veins.

ARTHRITIS :
Arthritis patients can benefit by taking one cup of hot water with two tablespoons of honey and one small teaspoon of cinnamon powder. When taken daily even chronic arthritis can be cured. In a recent research conducted at the Copenhagen University, it was found that when the doctors treated their patients with a mixture of one tablespoon Honey and half teaspoon Cinnamon powder before breakfast, they found that within a week (out of the 200 people so treated) practically 73 patients were totally relieved of pain and within a month, most all the patients who could not walk or move around because of arthritis now started walking without pain.

BLADDER INFECTIONS :
Take two tablespoons of cinnamon powder and one teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink it. It destroys the germs in the bladder.

CHOLESTEROL :
Two tablespoons of honey and three teaspoons of Cinnamon Powder mixed in 16 ounces of tea water given to a cholesterol patient was found to reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood by 10 percent within two hours. As mentioned for arthritic patients, when taken three times a day, any chronic cholesterol-could be cured. According to information received in the said Journal, pure honey taken with food daily relieves complaints of cholesterol.

COLDS :
Those suffering from common or severe colds should take one tablespoon lukewarm honey with 1/4 spoon cinnamon powder daily for three days. This process will cure most chronic cough, cold and clear the sinuses, and it's delicious too !

UPSET STOMACH :
Honey taken with cinnamon powder cures stomach ache & also is said to clear stomach ulcers from its root.

GAS :
According to the studies done in India and Japan, it is revealed that when Honey is taken with cinnamon powder the stomach is relieved of gas.

IMMUNE SYSTEM :
Daily use of honey & cinnamon powder strengthens the immune system & protects the body from bacterial and viral attacks. Scientists have found that honey has various vitamins and iron in large amounts. Constant use of Honey strengthens the white blood corpuscles (where DNA is contained) to fight bacterial and viral diseases.

INDIGESTION :
Cinnamon powder sprinkled on two tablespoons of honey taken before food is eaten relieves acidity and digests the heaviest of meals

INFLUENZA :
A scientist in Spain has proved that honey contains a natural 'Ingredient' which kills the influenza germs and saves the patient from flu.

LONGEVITY :
Tea made with honey and cinnamon powder, when taken regularly, arrests the ravages of old age. Use four teaspoons of honey, one teaspoon of cinnamon powder, and three cups of boiling water to make a tea. Drink 1/4 cup, three to four times a day. It keeps the skin fresh and soft and arrests old age. Life spans increase and even a 100 year old will start performing the chores of a 20-year-old.

RASPY, OR SORE THROAT :
When throat has a tickle or is raspy, take one tablespoon of honey and sip until gone. Repeat every three hours until throat is without symptoms.

PIMPLES :
Three tablespoons of honey and one teaspoon of cinnamon powder paste. Apply this paste on the pimples before sleeping and wash it off the next morning with warm water. When done daily for two weeks, it removes all pimples from the root.

SKIN INFECTIONS :
Applying honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts on the affected parts cures eczema, ringworm and all types of skin Infections.

WEIGHT LOSS :
Daily in the morning one half hour before breakfast and on an empty stomach, and at night before sleeping, drink honey and cinnamon powder boiled in one cup of water. When taken regularly, it reduces the weight of even the most obese person. Also, drinking this mixture regularly does not allow the fat to accumulate in the body even though the person may eat a high calorie diet.

CANCER :
Recent research in Japan and Australia has revealed that advanced cancer of the stomach and bones have been cured successfully. Patients suffering from these kinds of cancer should daily take one tablespoon of honey with one teaspoon of cinnamon powder three times a day for one month.

FATIGUE :
Recent studies have shown that the sugar content of honey is more helpful rather than being detrimental to the strength of the body. Senior citizens who take honey and cinnamon powder in equal parts are more alert and flexible. Dr. Milton, who has done research, says that a half tablespoon of honey taken in a glass of water and sprinkled with cinnamon powder, even when the vitality of the body starts to decrease, when taken daily after brushing and in the afternoon at about 3:00 P.M., the vitality of the body increases within a week.

BAD BREATH :
People of South America, gargle with one teaspoon of honey and cinnamon powder mixed in hot water first thing in the morning so their breath stays fresh throughout the day.

HEARING LOSS :
Daily morning and night honey and cinnamon powder, taken in equal parts restores hearing.

How well do you know about your Liver ?

A friend sent this simple explanation (via email) to me,
about our Liver and its functions,
which I think is a set of valuable information,
for everyone to share.

Nutrients required by Vegetarians

Undoubtedly, adopting a lifestyle of a Vegetarian will surely render good health, on condition the person concerned knows how to balance his daily meals, including all the necessary nutrients required to energize his body constitution. As been well defined in the web page of www.eatingwell.com, they have listed the followings 8 key nutrients, namely :

1) Calcium
This helps to build strong and healthy bone & teeth, and also helping nerve cells to transmit messages and muscles contraction. The best and biggest source of calcium is from all types of dairy products. Alternatively, it can also be found in vegetables such as : bok choy, broccoli & kale. ToFu (made from bean curd), bean sprout are also good sources, including fortified soymilk.

2) Iodine
This is needed for metabolizing food into energy, including maintaining a normal thyroid function. Most varieties of seafood offers iodine and this particular nutrients are often been overlooked. However, for vegetarian, a good source of iodine is from Iodized salt & kelp.

 3) Iron
This is the main ingredient required by the body to make hemoglobin (to carry oxygen in the blood). For those who are meat-consumers, red meat and dark meat in chicken are some of the best sources of easily absorbed iron. Iron is also found in some plant foods, namely; dried fruits, legumes, seeds, vegetables and whole grains. These are less readily absorbed, especially when we eat them with tea, coffee or cocoa (they have compounds that bind the mineral). Therefore, it is recommended that iron intake for vegetarians is 1.8 times that of non-vegetarians. Consuming vitamin C with iron-rich foods markedly helps its absorption.

4) Omega-3 Fatty Acids
DHA and EPA are the two types of Omega-3 fatty acids that are important for eye & brain development, including the well-being of the heart. Omega-3 fatty acids are found mainly in salmon fish. However, for vegetarians, flaxseed, walnuts, canola oil and soy are their main sources. A variety of foods, including soymilks and breakfast bars, are now fortified with DHA. Supplements of DHA/EPA made from algae are available too.

5) Protein
Every cell in our body contains protein because it is required to repair cells, build tissues, grow hair, nails and bone. Protein is found in almost every food we eat. For vegetarians, there is a good source in protein-rich soybeans, beans, whole grains, seeds and nuts. All these items provides all the amino acids (the building blocks of protein) that we need.

6) Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 plays a major role in making red blood cells & DNA. It is required for proper neurological function and is found abundantly in animal foods. For vegetarians, their alternative sources are soy milks and breakfast cereals. However, for the aged vegetarians, it is recommended that supplements are recommended to assist their bodies to absorb it.

7) Vitamin D
This vitamin helps the body to absorb calcium and is equally important for the development of bone health. Subsequently, it also plays a big role in the nervous, muscular and immune systems. The body itself, will also generate vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Vegetarians usually outsource this vitamin from cow’s milk & soy milk. Fresh mushrooms that have been exposed to UV light (sunlight) are also good sources.

8) Zinc
It is important to maintain a properly functioning immune system and also for cell growth & division. Beef, pork and lamb are known to be an abundant source. But for vegetarians, it is found in soy products, peanuts and legumes. However, zinc are lesser found in plant sources and as such, a vegetarian might needs to use supplement to support.

Are Whole Eggs, or just the Egg Whites, Better for You ?

 [Written by Mike Geary, a Certified Nutrition Specialist]

I was on a weekend trip with some friends recently and one of my friends was cooking breakfast for the whole group. I went over to see what he was cooking and saw he was getting ready to make a big batch of eggs.
Well, to my shock and horror, I noticed that he was cracking the eggs open and screening the egg whites into a bowl and throwing out the egg yolks. I asked him why the heck he was throwing out the egg yolks, and he replied something like this ... "because I thought the egg yolks were terrible for you...that's where all the nasty fat and cholesterol is". And I replied, "you mean that's where all the nutrition is !"

This is a perfect example of how confused most people are about nutrition. In a world full of misinformation, somehow most people now mistakenly think that the egg yolk is the worst part of the egg, when in fact, the YOLK IS THE HEALTHIEST PART OF THE EGG !

By throwing out the yolk and only eating egg whites, you're essentially throwing out the most nutrient dense, antioxidant-rich, vitamin and mineral loaded portion of the egg. The yolks contain so many B-vitamins, trace minerals, vitamin A, folate, choline, lutein, and other powerful nutrients... it's not even worth trying to list them all.

In fact, the egg whites are almost devoid of nutrition compared to the yolks.

Even the protein in egg whites isn't as powerful without the yolks to balance out the amino acid profile and make the protein more bio-available. Not to even mention that the egg yolks from free range chickens are loaded with omega-3 fatty acids. Yolks contain more than 90% of the calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, thiamin, B6, folate, and B12, and panthothenic acid of the egg. In addition, the yolks contain ALL of the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K in the egg, as well as ALL of the essential fatty acids.

And now the common objection I get all the time when I say that the yolks are the most nutritious part of the egg ... "But I heard that whole eggs will skyrocket my cholesterol through the roof"

No, this is FALSE ! First of all, when you eat a food that contains a high amount of dietary cholesterol such as eggs, your body down-regulates it's internal production of cholesterol to balance things out. On the other hand, if you don't eat enough cholesterol, your body simply produces more since cholesterol has tons of important functions in the body. There are indications that eating whole eggs actually raises your good HDL cholesterol to a higher degree than LDL cholesterol, thereby improving your overall cholesterol ratio and blood chemistry.

And 3rd... high cholesterol is NOT a disease ! Heart disease is a disease...but high cholesterol is NOT.  Cholesterol is actually a VERY important substance in your body and has vitally important functions... it is DEAD WRONG to try to "lower your cholesterol" just because of pharmaceutical companies propaganda that everyone on the planet should be on statin drugs. In addition, the yolks contain the antioxidant lutein as well as other antioxidants which can help protect you from inflammation within your body (the REAL culprit in heart disease, not dietary cholesterol !), giving yet another reason why the yolks are actually GOOD for you, and not detrimental.

To help bring even more proof that whole eggs are better for you than egg whites, I recently read a University of Connecticut study that showed that a group of men in the study that ate 3 eggs per day for 12 weeks while on a reduced carb, higher fat diet increased their HDL good cholesterol by 20%, while their LDL bad cholesterol stayed the same during the study. However, the group that ate egg substitutes (egg whites) saw no change in either and did not see the improvement in good cholesterol (remember that higher HDL levels are associated with lower risk of heart disease) that the whole egg eaters did. So I hope we've established that whole eggs are not some evil food that will wreck your body ... instead whole eggs are FAR superior to egg whites.

 

 Also, your normal supermarket eggs coming from mass factory farming just don't compare nutritionally with organic free range eggs from healthy chickens that are allowed to roam freely and eat a more natural diet.  Your typical cheap grocery store eggs will have lower nutrient levels and a higher omega-6 level and lower omega-3 level.  On the other hand, the cage-free organic eggs from healthier chickens allowed to eat more natural feed and roam freely will have much higher vitamin and mineral levels and a more balanced healthier omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acid ratio.

I recently compared eggs I bought at the grocery store with a batch of eggs I got at a farm stand where the chickens were free roaming and healthy.

Most people don't realize that there's a major difference because they've never bought real eggs from healthy chickens... The eggs from the grocery store had pale yellow yolks and thin weak shells. On the other hand, the healthier free range eggs from the local farm had strong thick shells and deep orange colored yolks indicating much higher nutrition levels and carotenoids... and just a healthier egg in general.

So next time a health, or fitness professional tells you that egg whites are superior, you can quietly ignore their advice knowing that you understand the REAL deal about egg yolks.

And can we all please STOP with this silliness about eating an omelete with 4-5 egg whites and only 1 egg yolk... If you want real taste and real health benefits, we'd all be better off eating ALL of our eggs with the yolks.

I read a study recently that compared groups of people that ate egg breakfasts vs groups of people that ate cereal or bagel based breakfasts.  The results of the study showed that the egg eaters lost or maintained a healthier body weight, while the cereal/bagel eaters gained weight. 

It was hypothesized that the egg eaters actually ate less calories during the remainder of the day because their appetite was more satisfied compared to the cereal/bagel eaters who would have been more prone to wild blood sugar swings and food cravings.

Enjoy your eggs and get a leaner body !

What is Triglycerides ?

[As explained in webmd.com]

Triglycerides are actually, fat in the blood and are used to provide energy to the body. If you have extra triglycerides, they are stored in different places in case they are needed later. High triglyceride levels have been linked to a greater chance for heart disease.

Triglycerides are important to human life & are the main form of fat in the body. When you think of fat developing & being stored in your hips, or belly, you're thinking of triglycerides. They are the end product of digesting and breaking down fats in meals. Some triglycerides are made in the body from other energy sources such as carbohydrates. They are measured using a common test called a lipid panel. It's the same blood test that checks "good" and "bad" cholesterol levels. The American Heart Association recommends that everyone over the age of 20 should get a lipid panel to measure cholesterol and triglycerides at least every five years. Triglyceride levels are checked after an overnight fast. Fat from a meal can artificially raise the triglyceride levels on the test.

Normal triglycerides means there are less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Borderline high triglycerides = 150 to 199 mg/dL.

High triglycerides = 200 to 499 mg/dL.

Very high triglycerides = 500 mg/dL or higher.


High triglyceride levels may lead to heart disease, especially in people with low levels of "good" cholesterol and high levels of "bad" cholesterol, and in people with type 2 diabetes. Experts disagree, though, on just how bad of an effect high triglyceride levels by themselves have on the heart. Some of the confusion stems from the fact that high triglycerides have a tendency to appear with other risk factors. We do know that a low level of good cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. We also know that blood tests for triglycerides can show some variability. Many experts believe that high triglycerides may be a sign of other heart disease risk factors. That is, high triglyceride levels could multiply the bad effects of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Some research also suggests that high triglycerides are a more important risk factor for women than for men, although this is also disputed.

A healthy diet and exercise plan can lower triglyceride levels, improve cholesterol, and lower the risk of heart disease. The main way to deal with high triglyceride levels is by eating a healthier diet and getting more exercise.
Here are some guidelines to help you manage your triglyceride level :

• Moderate exercise on five, or more days each week can help lower triglyceride levels;
  
• Losing 5%-10% of your weight can lower triglycerides. People with a healthy weight are more likely to have normal triglyceride levels. Belly fat is associated with higher levels;
  
• Reducing saturated fat, trans fat & cholesterol in your diet can improve triglyceride levels & help manage cholesterol. Eating less carbohydrates in your diet will also help lower triglyceride levels;
  
• Drinking alcohol can raise triglyceride levels. Some studies show that drinking more than one drink a day for women, or two for men can raise triglyceride levels by a lot. Some people with high triglycerides may need to cut out alcohol entirely;
  
• Eating more fish high in Omega-3, can lower triglyceride levels. Fish like mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon are high in Omega-3. It may be hard to get enough Omega-3 from food to help lower your triglycerides. Your doctor may recommend a supplement, or prescription Omega-3.
  
  

For some people with high triglycerides, medicine may be needed. The decision to treat triglyceride levels with drugs can be complicated because other health conditions are usually involved. Several medications can improve triglyceride levels :

• Fibrates, such as Lopid, Fibricor & Tricor;
  
• Nicotinic acid, also called Niaspan;
  
• High-doses of Omega-3 are needed to lower triglycerides & should be taken only under a doctor's care. Lovaza & Vascepa are prescription forms of Omega-3;
  
• By taking steps to improve your triglyceride levels, you'll likely improve your overall health, fitness, cholesterol levels & risk for heart disease.