All about Garlic

Garlic is one of the most valuable foods on this planet.  It has been used since biblical times and is mentioned in the literature of the ancient Hebrews, Greeks, Babylonians, Romans, and Egyptians.  The builders of the pyramids supposedly ate garlic daily for endurance and strength.

Garlic lowers blood pressure by dilating the blood vessels.  It thins the blood by inhibiting platelet aggregations, which reduces the risk of blood clots and aids in preventing heart attacks.  It also lowers serum cholesterol levels and aids in digestion.  Garlic is useful for many diseases and illnesses, including cancer.  It is a potent immune system stimulant and natural antibiotic.  It should be consumed daily.  It can be eaten fresh, taken in supplement form, or used to prepare garlic oil.  An alternative to fresh garlic is Kyolic.  Kyolic is an odorless, “sociable” garlic product, and is available in tables, capsule, and oil extract forms. 

Garlic contains an amino acid derivative, alliin.  When garlic is consumed, the enzyme alliinase, which converts alliin to sllicin, is released.  Allicin has an antibiotic effect; it exerts an antibacterial effect estimated to be equivalent to 1 percent of that of penicillin.  Because of it antibiotic properties, garlic was used to treat wounds and infections and to prevent gangrene during World War I.

Garlic is also effective against fungal infections.  There is some evidence that it may also destroy certain viruses, such as those associated with fever blisters, genital herpes, a form of the common cold, smallpox, and a type of influenza.

What is the Acai Berry?

The Acai Berry is an inch-long reddish, purple fruit. It comes from the acai palm tree (Euterpe Oleracea), which is native to Central and South America. Acai berries have been said to be one of the elite super foods with anti-aging and weight loss properties. Studies have shown that the Acai fruit pulp has a very high antioxidant capacity with even more antioxidant content the cranberry, raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, or blueberry.

Acai contains several substances called anthocyanins and flavonoids. Anthocyanins and flavonoids are powerful antiocidants that help defend the body against life’s stressors. They also play a role in the body’s cell protection system. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants may interfere with aging and the disease process by neutralizing free radicals. It is also an excellent source of dietary fiber. Fiber promotes a healthy digestive system. Research studies suggest soluble fibers may help lower blood cholesterol. The insoluble fiber may help to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancers.

 Besides its outstanding content of protein and unsaturated lipids, acai is also rich in carbohydrates which provide your body with the necessary energy while working or practicing any kind of sport.

Acai is truly an amazing berry, why not give it a try?

Fantastic Flax

 Flax has become very popular over the year because of the health benefits.  Flax seed oil is very rich in omega 3 fatty acid which can be a major benefit to vegetarians who do no consume fish but still want to maintain a healthy diet. 

Flax seed is made from flax which is a plant that has been for centuries.  Some have seen Flaxseed oil can be used to help treat skin disease like eczema and psoriasis like fish oil does.  It has also been shown to prevent or reduce the symptoms of arthritis, colitis, cancer, heart disease and even acne.  It also has a great source of fiber that can help keep you regular and prevent constipation.

Flax seed is also one of the most organic and easy to find supplement around.  You can find it in most local natural food stores, markets, drug stores and at Nokomis Nutrition.  In addition to all the health benefits of Flax, unlike many other supplements, it is very inexpensive.

All you need is up to two tablespoon during your day which you can easily mix with cereal, yogurt, salad, smoothies, mustard while making a sandwich and anything else that you feel would benefit from the additional taste. You could even make muffins with them and still get the full range of flax seed benefits!

Heart Healthy

Are you heart healthy?  I wondered after I read an article about 5 surprising signs of an unhealthy heart.   What I could do to help have a healthy heart.   There is a lot of talk about taking vitamins that can help with having a healthy heart, while fish oil supplements are going to help there is more to it than that.  Below are 7 steps that can help your goal of being heart healthy:

1. Don’t smoke, or if you do try to quit.  Not only does it stink and cost a ton of money, it is pretty bad for you.  Smokers are at a higher risk for developing an assortment of health problems such as atherosclerosis, the buildup of fatty material in the arteries, which can result in heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.  Smoking itself is considered to be the most important preventable cause of premature death in this country, the AHA reports.
2. Lower you’re Body Mass Index.  To protect your heart, aim for a body mass index lower then 25, the AHA says.  If that number seems a little high right away it is a goal to work toward.  The truth is if you are overweight any loss is beneficial. 
3. Exercise, Exercise, Exercise…  If you need to work your way into now is the best time to start.  The key is if you are doing nothing, do something.  If you are doing something, do more.  You really should exercise at least 3 times a week, or 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of high intensity. 
4. Maintain a healthy diet.  To control your weight and blood pressure, add a variety to your diet by including fruits and vegetables that are low in calories but high in vitamins, minerals, and fiber.  Eating fish at least two times a week may help decrease your risk from heart disease by supplying you with some omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Control your Cholesterol.  Having a total cholesterol level of less than 200 milligrams per deciliter is the goal for ideal heart health. While you’ve most likely heard talk about “good” and “bad” types of cholesterol, “what research shows is that one number matters most to the most people, and that’s the total cholesterol,” Yancy says. A blood test at your doctor’s office can let you know where you stand.
6. Lower you’re Blood Pressure.  One in 3 adults has high blood pressure, but about 21 percent don’t know they have it, according to the AHA. Considered the most significant risk factor for heart disease, hypertension—if left uncontrolled—can be deadly. It can result in heart attack, stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Normal blood pressure is less than 120/80. Doctors can prescribe medications to help control blood pressure, but drug-free approaches—such as a nutritious diet, regular exercise, stress management, decreasing alcohol use, staying away from tobacco smoke, and keeping your body at a healthy weight—may help, too.

Got Stress? Take a Chill Pill!

Anger causes stress. Sadness causes stress. Body strain causes stress. Planning causes stress. Work causes stress, and the list continues. It seems as though everything and anything can cause stress in our lives. Why is that? Well, chemical changes in our bodies contribute to this state of emotional turmoil, but the reason behind why humans get stressed is still unknown. Still, some people are not as affected by stressful situations as others, and some get stressed about seemingly everything! Who is right to say what should and should not cause stress? Well, this article isn’t designed to make your head spin at philosophical questions, but the absolute truth of life is that at some point or another, we get stressed. Whether this stress affects us adversely or otherwise is determined only by our own experience and personality.

Stress can lead to many health problems directly relating to it. Some such health problems include serious heart trouble ranging from hypertension to rapid heart rates and possible heart attacks. Other negative things can stem from stress in our lives such as: stomach ulcers, insomnia, obsessive behavior, and emotional problems like depression or fits of anger.  How many times have you said things like, “Well, it can’t get any worse…” or “I can’t handle all this!” then MORE stressful situations occur? It seems that stress is like a poisonous gas, it can get to us from almost anywhere, and until it affects us greatly, we don’t notice that it’s there. So IS there some safe, effective treatment methods that we can look to for help with stress?

Many stress and anxiety treatments are out there, but how affordable and practical are they? Many people look to counselors or psychiatrists to help them with their stress, but that can cost you a fortune! Some doctors prescribe medications for stress or depression to deal with this. These can also be bad because of the chemicals and side effects from the medicine. Sure they do greatly help some people deal with their stress, but wouldn’t you want to try a product that is all natural and inexpensive? In this economy, I would assume that your answer is YES!

The Product?  The natural stress reliever “Chill Pill”! It takes the “take a chill pill” phrase completely literally! “Chill Pill” includes many different vitamins, minerals, extracts, and herbs. The main vitamins working wonders for stress relief are the B vitamins. Many variations of this vitamin exist, and many are in this product.  These vitamins help support adrenal function, and calm and maintain a healthy nervous system. “Chill Pill” also includes the herbAshwagandha root extract, which has been used in ancient medicinal formulas for anxiety. Another Herb included in “Chill Pill” is Valerian root, which is recognized world-wide for its relaxing effect on the body. “Chill Pill” is further supported with the traditional, soothing herbs Chamomile, Hops, Nettle, Fennel, Skullcap, and Motherwort, which have historically been used to support relaxation. With all of these powerful herbs and extracts, it’s no wonder that “Chill Pill” is so effective in supporting relaxation and stress relief. And for only $6.95 you can get a 60 tab bottle of Futurebiotics’ “Chill Pill”. So sit back, take a Chill Pill, and relax!