Showing posts with label cells. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cells. Show all posts

August 25, 2010

Prevent Acne with Whole Grains

A study found that eating whole grains can help to prevent acne. An American Journal of Clinical Nutrition paper reported that when people cut refined carbs from their diet and increased high-fiber grains, they had half as many pimples after 12 weeks. The fiber in whole grains helps the body absorb and burn carbs more slowly, which keeps blood sugar and insulin levels steady.

Less healthy carbohydrates, such as white bread and pastries, encourages the pancreas to send out a surge of insulin, which triggers hormone-levels to change, oil production to increase, and cells to multiply. This chain of events clogs pores and causes acne.

April 20, 2010

Cinnamon Used to Help Diabetes

Cinnamon is a spice that has been used for medicinal properties since ancient times in ancient Egypt, China, and India. It is now grown in many countries all over the world. Recent studies show that cinnamon can help to keep blood sugar levels stable by enhancing insulin sensitivity and allowing more glucose in the blood to be used. Keeping blood sugar levels stable decreases sugar highs and lows, which may cause a diabetic to need less insulin. Cinnamon increases the ability of fat cells in diabetics to respond to insulin and there is an increase of glucose removal. The spice contains a substance called MHCP that is believed to be the reason for its benefits. Type II diabetes is a condition that causes cells to lose their ability to respond to insulin, which is the hormone that tells the body to remove excess glucose in the bloodstream.

Cinnamon can be bought in powdered form at most food shops and can be added to milkshakes or fruit juices to make it easier to drink. It is recommended that type II diabetics should take a quarter to one full teaspoon of cinnamon per day. Even a teaspoon of the spice each day might help to prevent the onset of diabetes.

January 29, 2010

Reduce Skin Cancer Risk with Black Tea

Black tea is made from the dried leaves of the Camellia evergreen shrub that is native to southeast Asia. Green tea and oolong tea also come from this plant. In 2007, Partmouth Medical School did a study and found that drinking at least two cups per day of black tea can cut the risk of skin cancer in half.

The tea has polyphenols that could protect the body against UV radiation. Tea has an antioxidant called catechins that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Both black tea and green tea has 10 times the amount of antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants have a detoxifying effect that protects cells from free radicals. Free radicals can cause damage to cells that can cause blood clot formation, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Studies have shown that when tea extracts are applied to the skin, the risk of skin cancer due to sun damage is decreased.

January 20, 2010

Improve Memory with Apples

It is found that eating apples could help to improve and prevent Alzheimer's disease. Eating two or three apples a day causes the levels of acetylcholine to increase. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter that is important to maintaining memory that decreases with age. Neurotransmitters are chemicals that are released from nerve cells that transmit messages to other nerve cells. Apples also have an antioxidant called quercetin, which has been proved in studies to help prevent Alzheimer's disease and it improves memory. Quercetin is found in the flesh and skin of an apple. The juice in apples may protect against oxidative damage that contributes to age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease.

January 17, 2010

Cure Hangovers with Asparagus

It is found that asparagus contains certain amino acids and minerals that can help to relieve hangover symptoms from drinking too much alcohol, such as headache and nausea, and it protects liver cells against toxins. The amino acids help to metabolize alcohol and the faster that alcohol breaks down, the less likely that hangover symptoms will occur. Asparagus has been used for many years as a herbal medicine due to its anticancer, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic properties. Eating it before or after drinking alcohol can be a good hangover remedy.

January 12, 2010

Slow Aging with Tea

White tea is good at slowing down the aging process of the body. It has ingredients that are effective at boosting the immune function of skin cells and protecting them against the damaging effects of the sun. It also has an extract that protects the skin from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress of the skin causes a breakdown in cellular strength and function. The extract has antioxidant properties that make it very effective. Antioxidants rid the body of free radicals that speed up the aging process. White tea has a high amount of the antioxidant called catechin, which is believed to help prevent stroke, diabetes, cancer, and heart failure.

In a study done on 21 different plant extracts, scientists have found that white tea was better than all of the other botanicals at stalling the activity of the enzymes that wear down elastin and collagen, which are two proteins that help to prevent wrinkles. Elastin helps maintain the elasticity of the skin, lungs, and arteries. Collagen is commonly found in the connective tissue and it is important for the strength and elasticity of the skin.

White tea also has anti-viral and antibacterial properties. It has a considerable amount of both caffeine and the amino acid theorine, both have mood enhancing qualities.

September 11, 2009

Naturally Improve Your Vision

Lutein is a natural plant pigment and antioxidant that is good at improving eyesight. It is found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, peas, broccoli, egg yolks, and corn. Lutein is good at protecting and strengthening the eyes. It accumulates in the macular region of the retina in the eye and acts like internal sunglasses since it filters out the sun's ultraviolet rays. The antioxidant property of it helps to maintain cells and tissues for good health. A study done by the North Chicago VA Medical Center found that patients with age-related macular degeneration improved their vision significantly after taking 12mg of lutein each day for a year.

June 24, 2009

Health Benefits of Strawberries

Strawberries are a fruit that is commonly eaten and has a lot of health benefits. It is rich in the antioxidants called anthocyanin and ellagitannin. Anthocyanins help to reduce inflammation, protect cell structures in the body, and prevent oxygen damage to the body's organ systems. Ellagitannins are effective at fighting cancer cells, especially colon and cervical cancer. Strawberries can be used to clean and whiten teeth and to freshen breath. The peak season for ripeness is between April and July.

Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese, folic acid, potassium, riboflavin, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, copper, magnesium, folate, and omega-3 fatty acids. Strawberries have more vitamin C in them per serving than oranges. Vitamin C is important because it helps the brain to function properly and helps the body to rebuild blood vessels, tendons, ligaments, and bones. It also helps to keep blood pressure low. One serving of strawberries has 210 mg of potassium, which is a mineral that helps to regulate the electrolytes in the body and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke. Strawberries are also high in folate, which are important when it comes to the manufacturing of red blood cells.

March 24, 2009

Ignite the Body's Weight Loss Hormone

There is a hormone called leptin in the body that can suppress hunger. It is produced in the fat cells of the body and it travels to the brain after a meal to tell the body that you are full and don't need to eat anymore. When the meal is digested, leptin levels decrease and you gain an appetite again. There are things that you can do to help leptin levels and reduce hunger.

It is a good idea to eat foods that are low in triglycerides. Triglycerides are negative in the fact that it prevents leptin from reaching the brain. Studies have found that foods higher in carbohydrates and lower in fat can raise leptin levels.

It is also a good idea to sleep 8 hours each day and exercise regularly. Sleeping less than 8 hours lowers leptin levels in the blood and brain. Regular exercise lowers triglyceride levels and helps the brain to absorb more leptin.

February 25, 2009

Health Benefits of Ginger

There are positive health benefits to ginger. Fresh ginger and ginger root have compounds that can fight certain cancer cells and slow the growth of tumors. For many years, ginger root has been used to treat nausea, pain, swelling, and cold symptoms. Studies have shown that regular use can lower cholesterol levels, help to stabilize blood pressure and glucose levels, and reduce blood clotting.

Ginger root is safe to use as long as it is used in reasonable amounts. A safe dose would be 100 mg per day. There have not been any severe side effects reported when higher doses are taken, except in people who are allergic to ginger root. The most common allergic reaction is excessive burping.

Ginger capsules are sold for medicinal purposes in pharmacies in many other countries. They are not sold for medicinal purposes in pharmacies in the United States. They are sold as capsules in the United States as dietary supplements. The FDA classifies it as a food and not a drug.

February 12, 2009

Cotton Candy Used to Grow Tissue

It is found that the sweet treat cotton candy can be used to help scientists grow replacement tissues for people who need it. It can also be used in creating networks of blood vessels in laboratory-grown bone, skin, muscles, or fat for breast reconstruction.

The process would work by first putting a thick liquid chemical over a wad of cotton candy. The liquid would then solidify into a chunk. The chunk would be placed into warm water to dissolve the candy. Tiny channels will then be left where the strands of candy used to be. These channels would be lined with cells to make artificial blood vessels. The solid chunk would be seeded with immature cells of whatever tissue that is meant to be made. The block would be biodegradable and would eventually be replaced by growing tissue as it disappears. In the end you would get a piece of tissue permeated with tiny blood vessels.

Researchers are testing this method and have used rat blood to run through the channels to test it. Eventually, they plan to use something other than cotton candy as the research progresses.

January 22, 2009

Use Chocolate to Fight Cancer

Dark chocolate or any type of chocolate that is over 70 percent cocoa has antioxidants, such as proanthocy anidins, and many polyphenols. These can slow down the growth of cancer cells and limit the amount of blood to the vessels that feed the cancer cells. Dark chocolate also contains compounds called flavonoids that can help to inhibit enzymes that can help to protect the body against cancer. Milk chocolate isn't a good choice because the dairy in it interferes with the cancer protection qualities of the polyphenol compounds.

January 15, 2009

Fight Cancer with Fruits

Citrus fruits, such as oranges, tangerines, lemons, and grapefruit, contain flavonoids, which are anti inflammatory compounds that stimulate the detoxification of carcinogens by the liver. There are certain flavonoids in the skin of tangerines that promote the death of brain cancer cells. In some fruits there are compounds that give them their dark color and contain powerful cancer fighting properties. Citrus fruits have been shown in studies to reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer in the digestive system, such as the esophagus, mouth, and stomach. They also have anticancer molecules that affect the growth of cancer cells.

January 13, 2009

Fight Cancer with Berries

Berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries, contain ellagic acid and polypenols, such as anthocyanidins and proantocyanidins, that promote the death of cancer cells. Berries are also high in antioxidants, which attract and neutralize free radicals that could damage body cells in ways that could cause cancer, heart disease, and age-related eye damage. They are also good source of vitamin C and could help to prevent or reverse the disease processes of diabetes, heart disease, and stomach ulcers. They can also help to lower cholesterol levels. It is best to eat them raw in their whole fruit form instead of eating processed berries or fruit drinks that are made from berries.

December 30, 2008

Use Cabbage to Help Beat Cancer

Cabbages, cruciferous greens, brussels sprouts, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower contain substances called sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinols, which are anti-cancer molecules. These two molecules help to detoxify the body of certain carcinogenic substances and can help stop precancerous cells from developing into malignant tumors. They also contain other anti-cancer substances, such as glucosinolates and myrosinase enzymes. They also help to kill cancer cells and block tumor growth.

December 9, 2008

Increase Metabolism with Tea

There are catechins and thermogenic properties in green and oolong teas that can increase metabolism and speed up fat oxidation. One cup of green tea can increase metabolism by 4 percent for 1 and 1/2 hours. One cup of oolong tea can increase metabolism by 10 percent for 1 and 1/2 hours.

Green tea is also an antioxidant that is rich in compounds called polyphenols that reduce the growth of new blood vessels that feed tumors. It is also a good detoxifier that activates enzymes in the liver that eliminate toxins from the body. It has even been shown to increase the effect of radiation on cancer cells to help cancer patients. It prevents the formation of free radicals that can cause diseases, such as cancer, stroke, and heart disease.

November 21, 2008

New Pill for Lung Cancer Patients

There is a new pill called Iressa for advanced lung cancer patients that can be a replacement for chemotherapy. The drug has less negative side effects even though it is more expensive. It works by attacking specific growth receptors on cancer cells and is less harmful. The drug costs thousands of dollars each month.

Iressa is currently available in the United States, but it is not licensed in Europe. It is also approved for use in patients that failed chemotherapy. The common side effects are rash, acne, and diarrhea. Cancer patients have shown to live nearly as long on the drug as with chemotherapy.

October 19, 2008

The Health Benefits of Omega-3s

Omega-3s are a family of unsaturated fatty acids that are important for good health but are not naturally made by the body. They are mostly found in fish and offer good healthy benefits for the heart, eyes, joints, and brain.

Omega-3s have been found to reduce the rate of fatal and nonfatal heart attacks and can slightly lower blood pressure levels. It can reduce heart attacks by reducing inflammation and blood clots. It also slows the buildup of plaque in the arteries that can cause a heart attack. It can lower blood pressure by making it possible for blood to flow better in the veins through the reduction of plaque buildup.

Omega-3s can protect against the development and progression of retinopathy, which is the deterioration of the retina. DHA is in the omega-3 group and it is used by the photoreceptor cells of the retina in the eye. Not getting enough omega-3s in your diet can cause vision problems.

When it comes to the joints, omega-3s can improve morning stiffness and joint pain related to rheumatoid arthritis and reduce inflammation in the joints.

Omega-3s have an effect on the brain because they can increase the grey matter in the brain that is related to mood and behavior. This could help depression and improve mood and emotions.

September 2, 2008

Ways to Fight Fatigue and Sleep Better

There are many good ways to fight the feelings of fatigue and tiredness. Not getting enough sleep each day can disrupt hormones that signal your body's need for nourishment. There are foods that can help increase energy levels and help you feel satisfied without overeating.

There are certain vitamins and minerals that can have an effect on how well you sleep. Getting the right amounts of vitamins B6 and B12, calcium, iron, and magnesium can help you to have healthy sleeping patterns. Vitamin B12 helps to fight fatigue by building strong and healthy red blood cells. It may also help insomnia by having an effect on melatonin, which is a hormone that regulates sleep cycles.

Carbohydrates can help you sleep. Eating carbohydrates, such as oatmeal and whole grain products, can increase levels of serotonin to help you sleep better.

Caffeine can keep you alert. Small amounts of caffeine over the length of a day, such as 8 ounces or less each time you drink, can keep you more awake, alert and focused than a large amount would. A large amount of caffeine would peak in the bloodstream sooner than if you spread it out and take smaller doses over a length of time.

August 24, 2008

Use Blueberries to Help Memory

Eating at least a cup of blueberries each day can improve your memory in just a matter of weeks. Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, and cherries contain flavonoids, which are compounds that are contributed to the growth of brain cells. Blueberries are also phytochemical rich so that they are good at reversing age-related memory problems. They also have an effect on neurons by enhancing neuronal connections in the brain to improve cellular communications and stimulate neuronal regeneration.