By Jennifer R. Scott, About.com
1.Learn to Read Labels
Paying attention to food labels is an absolute must if you want to lose weight. Counting calories is impossible without this skill. You should know how to find a food's caloric content and its serving size. Comparing labels is essential for making informed food choices.
2. Say Yes to Snacks
It's important to maintain blood sugar levels by eating about every three hours. If it's been five or six hours since your last meal, you need to start planning snacks. Getting too hungry will backfire on your efforts to eat healthier and control portions. Aim for a healthful, satisfying snack, such as an apple and some reduced fat cheddar cheese -- the apple is high in fiber and low in calories, and the cheese will provide protein for an energy boost and a sense of satiety.
3. Drink Plenty of Water
The rule of thumb of eight glasses a day is a great goal, but why not aim for even more? Water can help with weight loss in several ways: First, if you tend to carry "water weight" (i.e. you're often bloated), drinking more water can help alleviate this problem. Second, replacing high-sugar, high-cal drinks -- such as soda -- with water can cut hundreds of calories. Lastly, staying well-hydrated will help you feel more satisfied (which may prevent overeating) and improves your overall sense of well-being.
4. Stop Skipping Meals
Skipping meals is one of those dieting mistakes most of us make at one time or another. But meal skipping does your diet more harm than good. You'll be more likely to eat too much later on, plus your body may go into "starvation mode" if you skip too often -- which will cause it to actually hang on to weight rather than lose!5.
5)Just Get Moving
Working in some exercise each day will give your metabolism a boost. Anything that gets your heart pumping faster will do. Start out today with a brisk walk or a bike ride. Work your way up from 10 minutes a day to 30 minutes a day and you'll make a significant difference to your overall health, fitness, and weight loss in a matter of months ... or even weeks!
6. Start a Food Diary
Keeping a food diary, even if it's just jotting down what, when, and why you eat in an old spiral notebook is an excellent first step toward losing weight. You can also keep track of your exercise efforts, too. Take a look at it every so often to find problems areas and identify changes to be made. [p] If you're interested in tracking your food intake online, [link url=http://caloriecount.about.com]Calorie Count Plus[/link] is a great tool -- you can search for [link url=http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/browse.php]many foods[/link] in the database and add them to your diary as the day progresses. You can also [link url=http://caloriecount.about.com/cc/calories-burned.php]track your activity calories[/link], too!
7. Eat More Whole Grains
Eating more whole grains -- as well as more produce -- could be the best health and weight loss decision you ever make. Not only do grains, fruits and veggies provide nutrients you may be missing that improve your health and possibly reduce disease-risk, they're automatically low in calories and fat, and high in fiber, so you can eat more of them, more often, and not gain weight. The fiber in whole grains and produce will help you feel fuller longer, which can in turn help you better control portions and avoid overeating.
8. Practice Portion Control
Paying attention to portion sizes may be the most eye-opening weight loss experience you ever have. For example, take a look at the serving size listed on your favorite pasta. Measure out this serving. Place it on the dish you usually use. Is it miniscule compared to your usual serving? When you begin measuring portions you will realize just how oversized our idea of a "helping" is and where all those extra calories come from that are causing you to gain weight.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
What Is Water Therapy?
This article taken from: http://www.romow.com/health-blog/what-is-water-therapy/
Since diseases first began to plague the earth, man has continuously looked for the perfect medicine to cure all the sickness. At the same time, man is also looking for a way to prevent all the possible sickness for people to live longer and experience life to the fullest.
These ambitions of man have led to the development of medicine as we know it. Surgeons have become more specialized and expert in very sensitive areas of the human body such as the heart and the brain. These people can now operate without any fuss on a brain of a human or even the live pumping heart of man in the operating room. At the same time, there are also alternative medicines being developed and introduced to the public such as herbal capsules and herbal therapies.
There is one alternate therapy being introduced to the public and being constantly supported by various practitioners. This therapy is practically free, safe and can be done without the help of any specialist. The therapy is called Water Therapy.
Water Therapy is really simple. The person who wishes to undergo water therapy should prepare 1.5 liters of water everyday. The person then drinks them altogether and fasts for at least an hour from any food or drink and that’s it. You may wonder why 1.5 liters. It’s the estimated amount of water you can take so that you body can be cleansed with the use of water. Everyday the water will clean all the toxins found in your body and release them via sweat or urinal excretions.
Before we look into its effects, let’s all consider first the danger of this therapy. People have shown hesitation to this kind of therapy since there is a potential of water intoxication – a fatal disease that can happen from drinking water. This can be prevented by drinking clean waters and give intervals in drinking the whole 1.5 liters. People also showed hesitation since drinking 1.5 liters will make you urinate from time to time. This is true however, with daily intake of water; the body would eventually adjust to the water intake and you can act normally even with the daily intake of 1.5 liters everyday.
Now let’s take a look at the benefits water therapy has to offer. If taken properly, constipation can go away with only one session. Acidity are known to be cured with only two session. Diabetes can be controlled with only seven sessions. Hypertension can be controlled with only four weeks of water therapy, and even cancers are known to be controlled in the same amount of time. If person has pulmonary TB, three months of water therapy should do it. These facts were based on research and experience by followers.
This is actually an amazing therapy. However, if you are seriously ill, make sure to contact your physician first and get their confirmation before chugging down this volume of water. Sometimes there are patients who are advised against drinking too much water as they would be harmful to their own health. But if you’re not a special patient and see no complications in your body, start drinking and see the results in no time. You’ll feel healthier, stronger and cleaner inside and out.
Since diseases first began to plague the earth, man has continuously looked for the perfect medicine to cure all the sickness. At the same time, man is also looking for a way to prevent all the possible sickness for people to live longer and experience life to the fullest.
These ambitions of man have led to the development of medicine as we know it. Surgeons have become more specialized and expert in very sensitive areas of the human body such as the heart and the brain. These people can now operate without any fuss on a brain of a human or even the live pumping heart of man in the operating room. At the same time, there are also alternative medicines being developed and introduced to the public such as herbal capsules and herbal therapies.
There is one alternate therapy being introduced to the public and being constantly supported by various practitioners. This therapy is practically free, safe and can be done without the help of any specialist. The therapy is called Water Therapy.
Water Therapy is really simple. The person who wishes to undergo water therapy should prepare 1.5 liters of water everyday. The person then drinks them altogether and fasts for at least an hour from any food or drink and that’s it. You may wonder why 1.5 liters. It’s the estimated amount of water you can take so that you body can be cleansed with the use of water. Everyday the water will clean all the toxins found in your body and release them via sweat or urinal excretions.
Before we look into its effects, let’s all consider first the danger of this therapy. People have shown hesitation to this kind of therapy since there is a potential of water intoxication – a fatal disease that can happen from drinking water. This can be prevented by drinking clean waters and give intervals in drinking the whole 1.5 liters. People also showed hesitation since drinking 1.5 liters will make you urinate from time to time. This is true however, with daily intake of water; the body would eventually adjust to the water intake and you can act normally even with the daily intake of 1.5 liters everyday.
Now let’s take a look at the benefits water therapy has to offer. If taken properly, constipation can go away with only one session. Acidity are known to be cured with only two session. Diabetes can be controlled with only seven sessions. Hypertension can be controlled with only four weeks of water therapy, and even cancers are known to be controlled in the same amount of time. If person has pulmonary TB, three months of water therapy should do it. These facts were based on research and experience by followers.
This is actually an amazing therapy. However, if you are seriously ill, make sure to contact your physician first and get their confirmation before chugging down this volume of water. Sometimes there are patients who are advised against drinking too much water as they would be harmful to their own health. But if you’re not a special patient and see no complications in your body, start drinking and see the results in no time. You’ll feel healthier, stronger and cleaner inside and out.
Water Therapy
6 glasses of water (1 litre) - Astonishing Performance God has given us plenty and free water. Without spending on medicine, tablets, injections, diagnosis, Doctor fees, etc., just by drinking pure water, the following diseases will be cured. You can never believe before practising. Let us see the list of diseases being cured by this therapy.
Diseases cured by Drinking water
1. Headache
2. Urogenital diseases
3. Blood Pressure/Hyper Tension
4. Hyper acidity
5. Anaemia
6. Gastro-enteritis
7. Rheumatism
8. Dysentry
9. General Paralysis
10. Rectal Piodapse
11. Obesity
12. Constipation
13. Arthritis
14. Hostorthobics
15. Sinusitis
16. Diabetes
17. Tachycardia
18. Eye diseases
19. Giddiness
20. Opthelmic Haemorrhage & Opthalmia (reddish eye)
21. Cough
22. Irregular Menstruation
23. Asthma
24. Leucamia
25. Bronchitis
26. Uterine cancer
27. Pulminory Tuberculosis (T.B.)
28. Breast cancer
29. Meningitis
30. Laryngitis
31. Kidney stones
How does pure water act?
Consuming ordinary drinking water by the right method purifies human body. It renders the colon more effective by forming new fresh blood, known in medical terms as Haematopaises. That the mucousal folds of the colon and intestines are activated by this method, is an undisputed fact, just as the theory that new fresh blood is produced by the mucousal fold.
If the colon is cleaned then the nutrients of the food taken several times a day will be absorbed and by the action of the mucousal folds they are turned into fresh blood. The blood is all important in curing ailments and restoring health, and for this water should be consumed in a regular pattern
How to do this water therapy?1)
Early morning after you get up from bed (without even brushing your teeth) drink 1.50litres of water i.e., 5 ? to 6 ? glasses.
Better to premeasure 1.50 litres of water. Let us all know that our ancestors termed this therapy as "Usha Paana Chikitsa". You may wash your face thereafter.
2) Here it is very essential to note that nothing else - neither drinks nor solid food of any sort - should be taken within 1? hours before and after drinking this 1.50 litres of water.
3) It is also to be strictly observed that no Alcoholic drinks should be taken the previous night.
4) If required, boiled and filtered water may be used for this purpose. Is it possible to drink 1.50 litres of water at one time?
1) To begin with, one may find it difficult to drink 1.50 litres of water at one time, but one will get used to it gradually.
Initially, while practising you may drink four glasses first and the balance two glasses after a gap of two minutes.
Initially you may find the necessity to urinate 2 to 3 times within an hour, but it will become normal after sometime.
By research and experience, the following diseases are observed to be cured with this therapy within the indicated days as below
Constipation: 1 day
Acidity: 2 days
Diabetes: 7 days
BP & Hypertension: 4 weeks
Cancer: 4 weeks
Pulminory TB: 3 months
Note:
It is advised that persons suffering from Arthritis or Rheumatism should practise this therapy thrice a day, i.e., morning, midday and night, 1 hours before meals - for one week; and twice a day subsequently till the disease is cured.
Diseases cured by Drinking water
1. Headache
2. Urogenital diseases
3. Blood Pressure/Hyper Tension
4. Hyper acidity
5. Anaemia
6. Gastro-enteritis
7. Rheumatism
8. Dysentry
9. General Paralysis
10. Rectal Piodapse
11. Obesity
12. Constipation
13. Arthritis
14. Hostorthobics
15. Sinusitis
16. Diabetes
17. Tachycardia
18. Eye diseases
19. Giddiness
20. Opthelmic Haemorrhage & Opthalmia (reddish eye)
21. Cough
22. Irregular Menstruation
23. Asthma
24. Leucamia
25. Bronchitis
26. Uterine cancer
27. Pulminory Tuberculosis (T.B.)
28. Breast cancer
29. Meningitis
30. Laryngitis
31. Kidney stones
How does pure water act?
Consuming ordinary drinking water by the right method purifies human body. It renders the colon more effective by forming new fresh blood, known in medical terms as Haematopaises. That the mucousal folds of the colon and intestines are activated by this method, is an undisputed fact, just as the theory that new fresh blood is produced by the mucousal fold.
If the colon is cleaned then the nutrients of the food taken several times a day will be absorbed and by the action of the mucousal folds they are turned into fresh blood. The blood is all important in curing ailments and restoring health, and for this water should be consumed in a regular pattern
How to do this water therapy?1)
Early morning after you get up from bed (without even brushing your teeth) drink 1.50litres of water i.e., 5 ? to 6 ? glasses.
Better to premeasure 1.50 litres of water. Let us all know that our ancestors termed this therapy as "Usha Paana Chikitsa". You may wash your face thereafter.
2) Here it is very essential to note that nothing else - neither drinks nor solid food of any sort - should be taken within 1? hours before and after drinking this 1.50 litres of water.
3) It is also to be strictly observed that no Alcoholic drinks should be taken the previous night.
4) If required, boiled and filtered water may be used for this purpose. Is it possible to drink 1.50 litres of water at one time?
1) To begin with, one may find it difficult to drink 1.50 litres of water at one time, but one will get used to it gradually.
Initially, while practising you may drink four glasses first and the balance two glasses after a gap of two minutes.
Initially you may find the necessity to urinate 2 to 3 times within an hour, but it will become normal after sometime.
By research and experience, the following diseases are observed to be cured with this therapy within the indicated days as below
Constipation: 1 day
Acidity: 2 days
Diabetes: 7 days
BP & Hypertension: 4 weeks
Cancer: 4 weeks
Pulminory TB: 3 months
Note:
It is advised that persons suffering from Arthritis or Rheumatism should practise this therapy thrice a day, i.e., morning, midday and night, 1 hours before meals - for one week; and twice a day subsequently till the disease is cured.
When Nature Knows Best
The Independent - London
02-05-08
Homespun cures have been handed down the generations. But a new website will tell us which ones really work. Meg Carter reports
Cobwebs to heal wounds and onions to soothe a sore throat are among the hundreds of home cures now being contributed by members of the public to MedicineChest - an online compendium of traditional remedies put together by Channel 4 and the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew to document and distinguish scientific fact from fiction
CLOVES
What are they used for?
Although not native to Britain, cloves - the sun-dried flower- buds of a tree now harvested primarily in Zanzibar, Indonesia and Madagascar - have long featured in traditional remedies in this country: from clove-based poultices which were applied to lesions caused by bubonic plague to clove oil as a cure for toothache.
Do they work?
Clove oil is rich in eugenol. Eugenol is similar in structure to the neurotransmitter dopamine and acts as a mild anaesthetic. It also has antibacterial properties so reduces infection. A paste of clove and zinc has been used by dentists for many years as a dental packing material.
COBWEBS
What are they used for?
Packing a wound and/or dressing it with cobwebs has featured in remedy folklore across Europe and even in America's Deep South for generations. Besides acting as a natural gauze, the webs were believed to contain natural elements that enhanced the body's ability to heal.
Do they work?
"The medical benefits of applying cobwebs to a wound are borne out by a number of scientific studies," says Professor Monique Simmonds, who is collaborating with Channel 4 on the MedicineChest site. "It has even been demonstrated that the webs of different types of spider may have different qualities," she adds.
ECHINACEA
What's it's used for?
Regularly taking echinacea, commonly known as purple coneflower in eastern and North America, where it is native, helps combat colds and flu, many people still believe. According to one estimate, there are more than 800 herbal products based on the flowers, stems or roots of the plant.
Does it work?
A review of 14 past trials to assess whether echinacea really works against the common cold virus published last year concluded that it can reduce the risk of infection by 58 per cent. However, scientific evidence is still unable to pinpoint exactly how much we should take for what complaint; which part of the plant is best; or how long to take it.
ELDER
What's it used for?
Elder flower and berry teas were once a popular remedy for coughs, cold infections, bronchitis and fever. Elderberry juice, meanwhile, has been claimed to be an effective treatment for inflamed eyes.
Does it work?
Scientific tests have proven elder flowers have anti- inflammatory properties and confirmed elder can be beneficial in the treatment of flu.
NETTLES
What are they used for?
Beating yourself with nettles helps relieve rheumatism, according to one traditional remedy. Nettles also appear on MedicineChest as one of the ingredients in a so-called herbal equivalent to Viagra.
Do they work?
Nettles are widely acknowledged to be a fantastic source of iron, and are high in Vitamin K, which controls blood clotting in the body. However, there is no evidence to suggest it works as a cure for rheumatism, or as a substitute for Viagra.
ONIONS
What are they used for?
Onions have been variously linked to remedies for a range of ailments - from sore throats and respiratory infections to treating warts, spots and stings. One remedy detailed by MedicineChest used in London in the 1930s involved mixing brown sugar with onion juice and drinking it to ease a sore throat. Another, from Denmark in the 1970s, involves applying the liquid from an onion steeped in salt to warts.
Do they work?
The onion's proven anti-inflammatory properties mean it can have a positive effect in the treatment of cold symptoms, rheumatism and even some ailments that are associated with cancer, Professor Simmonds observes. The same property may also explain claims that onions can reduce inflammation caused by spots or stings, although this has not been proven.
PEPPERMINT
What's it used for?
Different forms of mint have long been used to treat a variety of ailments including digestive problems and breathing difficulties.
Does it work?
Peppermint and spearmint, the two main forms of mint used in remedies, contain menthol - the compound responsible for the perceived "cooling" effect of mints. Peppermint is used for nausea, morning sickness, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome - with good reason, research suggests. It can also relieve respiratory tract conditions, infected sinuses and catarrh.
RASPBERRY
What's it used for?
An infusion of raspberry leaf tea was traditionally recommended to help bring on labour and ease the pains of childbirth. The leaves and roots have also been used as a gargle for ulcers, tonsillitis and mouth inflammations.
Does it work?
There is no scientific evidence of raspberry leaf tea's effectiveness in pain relief and childbirth. However, the leaves and roots are now widely used as a gargle for ulcers, tonsillitis and mouth inflammations. A dilute tincture of raspberries is sometimes used as a mouthwash for gum infections, or applied to wounds. The berries are rich in nutrients and iron so help combat anaemia.
SAGE
What's it used for?
Although often thought of as a herb for cooking, sage has a tradition as a treatment for sore throats, sore gums and mouth ulcers.
Does it work?
Sage leaves are rich in plant compounds called terpenoids, which have a proven antibacterial effect. Laboratory tests on aromatic sage oil and leaf extracts, meanwhile, have provided their antibacterial properties. Long associated with wisdom, sage has also been proven to have a positive effect on brain function.
ST JOHN'S WORT
What's it used for?
St John's wort is a yellow-flowering plant widely found across Europe. Although listed as a noxious weed in more than a dozen countries and large doses when consumed by grazing livestock can lead to poisoning, it is most widely known today as a herbal treatment for depression.
Does it work?
Clinical studies have shown taking St John's wort can help people suffering from mild depression, with fewer side effects than many conventional antidepressants. However, a number of studies have found no improvement for those with more serious depression.
TEA TREE OIL
What's it used for?
Tea tree oil comes from a tree native to the north-east coast of New South Wales in Australia. Traditionally, local people in the area inhaled the crushed leave to treat cold symptoms; sprinkled the leaves on wounds; and drank an infusion made from the leaves to treat sore throats and skin conditions.
Does it work?
Tea tree oil is now widely known for its proven anti- inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is also an anti-fungal agent, and added to shampoo effectively treats the most common cause of dandruff. Tea tree oil was also found to have a positive effect on mild acne in a recent trial.
WILLOW
What's it used for?
The willow's leaves and bark have been used as remedies for aches and fever for generations and was written about for its medicinal properties by Hippocrates.
Does it work?
Willow leaves and bark contain the basis for acetylsalicylic acid, more commonly known as aspirin. This compound's medicinal properties were tested in the 18th century and led to the development of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs now widely used to reduce pain, fever and inflammation.
ABOUT MEDICINECHEST
MedicineChest is an evolving online compendium detailing personal accounts of traditional remedies launched to coincide with Medicine Men Go Wild, the Channel 4 series exploring traditional remedies from remote parts of the world. "The aim was to gather and archive information easily lost over generations," the site's editor, Adam Gee, explains. "An important feature of MedicineChest is the cross- referral of personal anecdotes with scientific evidence supporting perceived benefits," adds Professor Monique Simmonds of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, who is overseeing Kew's Ethnomedica Project to classify the medical benefits of British herbal remedies. "Over the longer term, we have plans for selected plants to undergo clinical trials to understand their benefits more clearly."
02-05-08
Homespun cures have been handed down the generations. But a new website will tell us which ones really work. Meg Carter reports
Cobwebs to heal wounds and onions to soothe a sore throat are among the hundreds of home cures now being contributed by members of the public to MedicineChest - an online compendium of traditional remedies put together by Channel 4 and the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew to document and distinguish scientific fact from fiction
CLOVES
What are they used for?
Although not native to Britain, cloves - the sun-dried flower- buds of a tree now harvested primarily in Zanzibar, Indonesia and Madagascar - have long featured in traditional remedies in this country: from clove-based poultices which were applied to lesions caused by bubonic plague to clove oil as a cure for toothache.
Do they work?
Clove oil is rich in eugenol. Eugenol is similar in structure to the neurotransmitter dopamine and acts as a mild anaesthetic. It also has antibacterial properties so reduces infection. A paste of clove and zinc has been used by dentists for many years as a dental packing material.
COBWEBS
What are they used for?
Packing a wound and/or dressing it with cobwebs has featured in remedy folklore across Europe and even in America's Deep South for generations. Besides acting as a natural gauze, the webs were believed to contain natural elements that enhanced the body's ability to heal.
Do they work?
"The medical benefits of applying cobwebs to a wound are borne out by a number of scientific studies," says Professor Monique Simmonds, who is collaborating with Channel 4 on the MedicineChest site. "It has even been demonstrated that the webs of different types of spider may have different qualities," she adds.
ECHINACEA
What's it's used for?
Regularly taking echinacea, commonly known as purple coneflower in eastern and North America, where it is native, helps combat colds and flu, many people still believe. According to one estimate, there are more than 800 herbal products based on the flowers, stems or roots of the plant.
Does it work?
A review of 14 past trials to assess whether echinacea really works against the common cold virus published last year concluded that it can reduce the risk of infection by 58 per cent. However, scientific evidence is still unable to pinpoint exactly how much we should take for what complaint; which part of the plant is best; or how long to take it.
ELDER
What's it used for?
Elder flower and berry teas were once a popular remedy for coughs, cold infections, bronchitis and fever. Elderberry juice, meanwhile, has been claimed to be an effective treatment for inflamed eyes.
Does it work?
Scientific tests have proven elder flowers have anti- inflammatory properties and confirmed elder can be beneficial in the treatment of flu.
NETTLES
What are they used for?
Beating yourself with nettles helps relieve rheumatism, according to one traditional remedy. Nettles also appear on MedicineChest as one of the ingredients in a so-called herbal equivalent to Viagra.
Do they work?
Nettles are widely acknowledged to be a fantastic source of iron, and are high in Vitamin K, which controls blood clotting in the body. However, there is no evidence to suggest it works as a cure for rheumatism, or as a substitute for Viagra.
ONIONS
What are they used for?
Onions have been variously linked to remedies for a range of ailments - from sore throats and respiratory infections to treating warts, spots and stings. One remedy detailed by MedicineChest used in London in the 1930s involved mixing brown sugar with onion juice and drinking it to ease a sore throat. Another, from Denmark in the 1970s, involves applying the liquid from an onion steeped in salt to warts.
Do they work?
The onion's proven anti-inflammatory properties mean it can have a positive effect in the treatment of cold symptoms, rheumatism and even some ailments that are associated with cancer, Professor Simmonds observes. The same property may also explain claims that onions can reduce inflammation caused by spots or stings, although this has not been proven.
PEPPERMINT
What's it used for?
Different forms of mint have long been used to treat a variety of ailments including digestive problems and breathing difficulties.
Does it work?
Peppermint and spearmint, the two main forms of mint used in remedies, contain menthol - the compound responsible for the perceived "cooling" effect of mints. Peppermint is used for nausea, morning sickness, indigestion and irritable bowel syndrome - with good reason, research suggests. It can also relieve respiratory tract conditions, infected sinuses and catarrh.
RASPBERRY
What's it used for?
An infusion of raspberry leaf tea was traditionally recommended to help bring on labour and ease the pains of childbirth. The leaves and roots have also been used as a gargle for ulcers, tonsillitis and mouth inflammations.
Does it work?
There is no scientific evidence of raspberry leaf tea's effectiveness in pain relief and childbirth. However, the leaves and roots are now widely used as a gargle for ulcers, tonsillitis and mouth inflammations. A dilute tincture of raspberries is sometimes used as a mouthwash for gum infections, or applied to wounds. The berries are rich in nutrients and iron so help combat anaemia.
SAGE
What's it used for?
Although often thought of as a herb for cooking, sage has a tradition as a treatment for sore throats, sore gums and mouth ulcers.
Does it work?
Sage leaves are rich in plant compounds called terpenoids, which have a proven antibacterial effect. Laboratory tests on aromatic sage oil and leaf extracts, meanwhile, have provided their antibacterial properties. Long associated with wisdom, sage has also been proven to have a positive effect on brain function.
ST JOHN'S WORT
What's it used for?
St John's wort is a yellow-flowering plant widely found across Europe. Although listed as a noxious weed in more than a dozen countries and large doses when consumed by grazing livestock can lead to poisoning, it is most widely known today as a herbal treatment for depression.
Does it work?
Clinical studies have shown taking St John's wort can help people suffering from mild depression, with fewer side effects than many conventional antidepressants. However, a number of studies have found no improvement for those with more serious depression.
TEA TREE OIL
What's it used for?
Tea tree oil comes from a tree native to the north-east coast of New South Wales in Australia. Traditionally, local people in the area inhaled the crushed leave to treat cold symptoms; sprinkled the leaves on wounds; and drank an infusion made from the leaves to treat sore throats and skin conditions.
Does it work?
Tea tree oil is now widely known for its proven anti- inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It is also an anti-fungal agent, and added to shampoo effectively treats the most common cause of dandruff. Tea tree oil was also found to have a positive effect on mild acne in a recent trial.
WILLOW
What's it used for?
The willow's leaves and bark have been used as remedies for aches and fever for generations and was written about for its medicinal properties by Hippocrates.
Does it work?
Willow leaves and bark contain the basis for acetylsalicylic acid, more commonly known as aspirin. This compound's medicinal properties were tested in the 18th century and led to the development of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs now widely used to reduce pain, fever and inflammation.
ABOUT MEDICINECHEST
MedicineChest is an evolving online compendium detailing personal accounts of traditional remedies launched to coincide with Medicine Men Go Wild, the Channel 4 series exploring traditional remedies from remote parts of the world. "The aim was to gather and archive information easily lost over generations," the site's editor, Adam Gee, explains. "An important feature of MedicineChest is the cross- referral of personal anecdotes with scientific evidence supporting perceived benefits," adds Professor Monique Simmonds of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, who is overseeing Kew's Ethnomedica Project to classify the medical benefits of British herbal remedies. "Over the longer term, we have plans for selected plants to undergo clinical trials to understand their benefits more clearly."
An Aspirin a Day?
New Study Says Yes, But with Conditions
The Record, Bergen County, NJ
02-05-08
In 1982, 22,071 male doctors said they'd be happy to be part of a study to see whether a single tablet of aspirin would reduce their risk of heart attack. They were the right age between 40 and 84. They were healthy, with no history of heart disease. Not much else was noted not how much they smoked or what they weighed or whether they liked a good thick steak every night.
One group took 325 milligrams of aspirin and another took 325 milligrams of sugar. The study was called the Physicians' Health Study, and it was supposed to last through 1990.
By March 1988, an independent board looking at the data had seen enough. The aspirin regimen produced a 47 percent reduction in the total incidence of heart attacks.
And that medical finding became a cultural given in no time. There was a new reason to take aspirin, and companies that made it were happy to market it to a new and massive audience. An estimated 50 million Americans now take the over-the-counter pain reliever to protect their hearts from clots, the leading cause of attacks and strokes.
Take an aspirin, save your life. Better than apples.
It's been 20 years since the first news. And science continues to refine the initial finding. Every year but one since 1900, the leading cause of death in the United States has been cardiovascular disease. (The exception was 1918.) Even with all the advancements since, more than 2,500 Americans die every day from heart disease. That's one every 34 seconds.
Last spring, researchers at the University of Kentucky published findings that might have changed some thinking in the medical profession. In short, they said that not everyone needs an aspirin a day. And if you do, they said, you don't need 325 milligrams.
Two of those researchers cardiologists Charles Campbell and Susan Smyth at the university's Gill Heart Institute recently explained their work and the most current findings about aspirin and heart health.
Q. What was the crux of your findings?
In a review of numerous trials employing aspirin as a preventative and as subsequent regimen after an initial heart attack, we could not find a benefit from taking the higher [1 adult tablet, 325 milligrams] dose over taking a quarter of that [one baby aspirin, 81 milligrams] dose.
Q. So taking a baby aspirin a day is now what should be recommended?
If it's warranted. No one should begin an aspirin regimen without first speaking to a doctor or health care provider. Things like your blood pressure and cholesterol count and family history are what's important in determining your risk of heart attack, and those should be analyzed before any regimen is begun.
In general, if it's been determined that you have a 10 percent chance of having a heart attack in the next 10 years, the aspirin regimen is advisable. Obviously, the higher the risk, the more benefit you accrue.
Q. If it's warranted and I am diligent in taking it daily, am I absolutely reducing my risk of heart attack?
It's hard to prove the negative. And it may matter if you are male or female. In studies with men, there is reasonable data to suggest that taking an aspirin will reduce heart attack risk but not stroke. (It should be noted that men suffer heart attacks about 10 years earlier in life i.e., in their 50s than women do.) And in studies with women, the effect of the regimen seems to be reducing stroke but not heart attack.
Q. But what about if I'm having a heart attack?
Get an aspirin into you as quickly as you can. In an emergency room setting, that's 162 milligrams or two baby aspirins but 325 milligrams is fine. Chew it so that it dissolves and gets into your bloodstream with haste. Some 250,000 people die of heart attacks each year before they reach a hospital. That number could be reduced if more would recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and act accordingly.
Q. Do Tylenol, Motrin or Aleve work the same way?
No. Those are acetaminophen products and do not have the same mechanism. However, do not take these drugs and aspirin together, as they compete for the same binding sites and may blind each other's positive effects.
Q. Does coated aspirin work?
That's not really clear, but absolutely do not use it in the acute setting where you're in the midst of a heart attack. It would take too long to get into your system.
Q. Who should not take a daily dose of aspirin to prevent heart attack?
Anyone at low risk of having a heart attack. If there is not much benefit of using the drug or any drug, all that you're left with is the side effects and, in the case of aspirin, that can be bleeding into the stomach or intestines or an allergic reaction.
Q. Is there any evidence that an aspirin regimen is valuable in treatment of other diseases?
Yes. In a study following 90,000 American nurses for 20 years, those who reported taking a regular dose of aspirin experienced half the colon cancer as those who did not take aspirin. This is called observational evidence, and it [also] suggests that those women who regularly take aspirin have a slightly lower risk of having breast cancer. The question is if taking the aspirin is what causes the slight variation in incidence. Much more work is needed. The results of a randomized controlled study by researchers at Harvard Medical School are expected this year.
Q. If I am not advised to take an aspirin regimen, what should I be doing to protect my heart against attack?
Exercise regularly. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Don't smoke. Drink only in moderation. Know what your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol readings are. Have regular checkups to monitor your overall heart health.
The Record, Bergen County, NJ
02-05-08
In 1982, 22,071 male doctors said they'd be happy to be part of a study to see whether a single tablet of aspirin would reduce their risk of heart attack. They were the right age between 40 and 84. They were healthy, with no history of heart disease. Not much else was noted not how much they smoked or what they weighed or whether they liked a good thick steak every night.
One group took 325 milligrams of aspirin and another took 325 milligrams of sugar. The study was called the Physicians' Health Study, and it was supposed to last through 1990.
By March 1988, an independent board looking at the data had seen enough. The aspirin regimen produced a 47 percent reduction in the total incidence of heart attacks.
And that medical finding became a cultural given in no time. There was a new reason to take aspirin, and companies that made it were happy to market it to a new and massive audience. An estimated 50 million Americans now take the over-the-counter pain reliever to protect their hearts from clots, the leading cause of attacks and strokes.
Take an aspirin, save your life. Better than apples.
It's been 20 years since the first news. And science continues to refine the initial finding. Every year but one since 1900, the leading cause of death in the United States has been cardiovascular disease. (The exception was 1918.) Even with all the advancements since, more than 2,500 Americans die every day from heart disease. That's one every 34 seconds.
Last spring, researchers at the University of Kentucky published findings that might have changed some thinking in the medical profession. In short, they said that not everyone needs an aspirin a day. And if you do, they said, you don't need 325 milligrams.
Two of those researchers cardiologists Charles Campbell and Susan Smyth at the university's Gill Heart Institute recently explained their work and the most current findings about aspirin and heart health.
Q. What was the crux of your findings?
In a review of numerous trials employing aspirin as a preventative and as subsequent regimen after an initial heart attack, we could not find a benefit from taking the higher [1 adult tablet, 325 milligrams] dose over taking a quarter of that [one baby aspirin, 81 milligrams] dose.
Q. So taking a baby aspirin a day is now what should be recommended?
If it's warranted. No one should begin an aspirin regimen without first speaking to a doctor or health care provider. Things like your blood pressure and cholesterol count and family history are what's important in determining your risk of heart attack, and those should be analyzed before any regimen is begun.
In general, if it's been determined that you have a 10 percent chance of having a heart attack in the next 10 years, the aspirin regimen is advisable. Obviously, the higher the risk, the more benefit you accrue.
Q. If it's warranted and I am diligent in taking it daily, am I absolutely reducing my risk of heart attack?
It's hard to prove the negative. And it may matter if you are male or female. In studies with men, there is reasonable data to suggest that taking an aspirin will reduce heart attack risk but not stroke. (It should be noted that men suffer heart attacks about 10 years earlier in life i.e., in their 50s than women do.) And in studies with women, the effect of the regimen seems to be reducing stroke but not heart attack.
Q. But what about if I'm having a heart attack?
Get an aspirin into you as quickly as you can. In an emergency room setting, that's 162 milligrams or two baby aspirins but 325 milligrams is fine. Chew it so that it dissolves and gets into your bloodstream with haste. Some 250,000 people die of heart attacks each year before they reach a hospital. That number could be reduced if more would recognize the symptoms of a heart attack and act accordingly.
Q. Do Tylenol, Motrin or Aleve work the same way?
No. Those are acetaminophen products and do not have the same mechanism. However, do not take these drugs and aspirin together, as they compete for the same binding sites and may blind each other's positive effects.
Q. Does coated aspirin work?
That's not really clear, but absolutely do not use it in the acute setting where you're in the midst of a heart attack. It would take too long to get into your system.
Q. Who should not take a daily dose of aspirin to prevent heart attack?
Anyone at low risk of having a heart attack. If there is not much benefit of using the drug or any drug, all that you're left with is the side effects and, in the case of aspirin, that can be bleeding into the stomach or intestines or an allergic reaction.
Q. Is there any evidence that an aspirin regimen is valuable in treatment of other diseases?
Yes. In a study following 90,000 American nurses for 20 years, those who reported taking a regular dose of aspirin experienced half the colon cancer as those who did not take aspirin. This is called observational evidence, and it [also] suggests that those women who regularly take aspirin have a slightly lower risk of having breast cancer. The question is if taking the aspirin is what causes the slight variation in incidence. Much more work is needed. The results of a randomized controlled study by researchers at Harvard Medical School are expected this year.
Q. If I am not advised to take an aspirin regimen, what should I be doing to protect my heart against attack?
Exercise regularly. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Don't smoke. Drink only in moderation. Know what your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol readings are. Have regular checkups to monitor your overall heart health.
Soy lowers cardiovascular disease risk factors in diabetics with kidney disease
An article published online on January 9, 2008 in the journal Diabetes Care reported that long-term soy intake can reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors among diabetic patients with kidney disease (nephropathy). Injury to the kidney is a not uncommon complication of diabetes, necessitating the switch to a low protein diet consisting of 70 percent animal protein. However, this type of diet may have adverse effects on blood cholesterol, contributing to the development of atherosclerosis, which may already be a concern for diabetic patients.
Leila Azadbakht, PhD, of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran and her colleagues enrolled 18 men and 23 women with diabetic nephropathy in a four year trial which compared the effect of diets containing 35 percent soy protein in addition to 35 percent animal and 30 percent vegetable protein, with diets containing the standard 70 percent animal protein and 30 percent vegetable protein. Blood samples were analyzed for fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, creatinine and urea nitrogen, and urine samples for creatinine and protein, at the beginning of the study and every six months for four years.
At the study's conclusion, the group that received soy protein had experienced a significant decline in plasma fasting glucose, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as in proteinuria and urinary creatinine. Serum CRP levels were also significantly lower in the group that received soy compared with the control group, demonstrating a reduction in inflammation.
To the authors knowledge, this is the first long-term study to assess the effect of soy on kidney-related biomarkers and cardiovascular risk factors. The findings suggest that soy protein may be a beneficial substitute for some of the animal protein in the standard diet recommended to kidney disease patients.
—D Dye
February 01, 2008
Popular fruits may protect against neurodegeneration
An article published online on January 24, 2008 in the Journal of Food Science reported that the fruits most commonly consumed by Westerners and Asians, in addition to providing us with fiber, vitamins and minerals, may have a protective effect against the neurodegeneration that occurs in Alzheimer's disease.
Free radical formation induced by amyloid beta, a substance that forms in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, results in neurotoxicity that is believed to be responsible for the neuronal degeneration that takes place in the disease. Antioxidants from fruits and vegetables may help prevent some of this free radical activity, thereby helping to protect the brain.
C. Y. Lee of Cornell University and his Korean colleagues pretreated cultured neuron-like cells derived from rats with four concentrations of phenolics extracted from apples, bananas, and oranges. The cell cultures were then exposed to hydrogen peroxide, a well known inducer of oxidative stress.
Cell viability tests showed that all of the fruit extracts dose-dependently reduced neurotoxicity compared with cells that were treated with hydrogen peroxide alone. Apples showed the greatest benefits, with the highest concentration associated with the greatest increase in viability. Although the lowest concentration of banana showed less benefit than the lowest orange concentration, the highest concentration of banana demonstrated a greater effect than the highest concentration of orange.
"Our study demonstrated that antioxidants in the major fresh fruits consumed in the United States and Korea protected neuronal cells from oxidative stress," the authors conclude. "In addition, it has been reported that apple juice with antioxidative phytochemicals protected brain tissue against oxidative damage, and improved cognitive performance in genetically induced Alzheimer's disease mice. Therefore, additional consumption of fresh fruits such as apple, banana, and orange may be beneficial to improve effects in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.”
—D Dye
Leila Azadbakht, PhD, of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in Iran and her colleagues enrolled 18 men and 23 women with diabetic nephropathy in a four year trial which compared the effect of diets containing 35 percent soy protein in addition to 35 percent animal and 30 percent vegetable protein, with diets containing the standard 70 percent animal protein and 30 percent vegetable protein. Blood samples were analyzed for fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, C-reactive protein, triglycerides, creatinine and urea nitrogen, and urine samples for creatinine and protein, at the beginning of the study and every six months for four years.
At the study's conclusion, the group that received soy protein had experienced a significant decline in plasma fasting glucose, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, as well as in proteinuria and urinary creatinine. Serum CRP levels were also significantly lower in the group that received soy compared with the control group, demonstrating a reduction in inflammation.
To the authors knowledge, this is the first long-term study to assess the effect of soy on kidney-related biomarkers and cardiovascular risk factors. The findings suggest that soy protein may be a beneficial substitute for some of the animal protein in the standard diet recommended to kidney disease patients.
—D Dye
February 01, 2008
Popular fruits may protect against neurodegeneration
An article published online on January 24, 2008 in the Journal of Food Science reported that the fruits most commonly consumed by Westerners and Asians, in addition to providing us with fiber, vitamins and minerals, may have a protective effect against the neurodegeneration that occurs in Alzheimer's disease.
Free radical formation induced by amyloid beta, a substance that forms in the brains of Alzheimer's patients, results in neurotoxicity that is believed to be responsible for the neuronal degeneration that takes place in the disease. Antioxidants from fruits and vegetables may help prevent some of this free radical activity, thereby helping to protect the brain.
C. Y. Lee of Cornell University and his Korean colleagues pretreated cultured neuron-like cells derived from rats with four concentrations of phenolics extracted from apples, bananas, and oranges. The cell cultures were then exposed to hydrogen peroxide, a well known inducer of oxidative stress.
Cell viability tests showed that all of the fruit extracts dose-dependently reduced neurotoxicity compared with cells that were treated with hydrogen peroxide alone. Apples showed the greatest benefits, with the highest concentration associated with the greatest increase in viability. Although the lowest concentration of banana showed less benefit than the lowest orange concentration, the highest concentration of banana demonstrated a greater effect than the highest concentration of orange.
"Our study demonstrated that antioxidants in the major fresh fruits consumed in the United States and Korea protected neuronal cells from oxidative stress," the authors conclude. "In addition, it has been reported that apple juice with antioxidative phytochemicals protected brain tissue against oxidative damage, and improved cognitive performance in genetically induced Alzheimer's disease mice. Therefore, additional consumption of fresh fruits such as apple, banana, and orange may be beneficial to improve effects in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s.”
—D Dye
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