Archive for the ‘Health Matters’ Category
Health Matters – 5 Kitchen Cures
May 29th, 2011 | 
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Link:- http://www.ivillage.com/natural-pain-remedies-your-kitchen/4-b-334141#ixzz1JzfggDZ8
Cooked tomatoes can reduce cholesterol like statins: Study
Australian scientists have found that cooked tomatoes can have the same benefits as statins for patients battling against high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure, which can lead to heart problems.
Their study revealed tomatoes could be an effective alternative to statins, the class of drugs commonly prescribed for these conditions, reports the Daily Mail.
Tomatoes contain high levels of a powerful anti-oxidant, lycopene, which helps lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
The compound also gives the veggie its bright red colour when ripen.
Cooked tomatoes are best as tests showed the body can absorb more lycopene from these than raw fruit.
The experts, who analysed the results of 14 international studies into the benefits of lycopene over the past 55 years, concluded that it could provide a natural defence to raised levels of so-called ‘bad cholesterol’ – or low-density lipoprotein – in the blood.
The effect was comparable to small doses of statins that are used to treat patients with high cholesterol or blood pressure.
One of the study’s authors, Karin Ried, of the University of Adelaide, said half a litre of tomato juice or 50 grams of tomato paste daily ‘would provide protection against heart disease’.
Health Matters – Benefits of Coconut Water
Overview
The coconut has received a lot of attention as of late due to its perceived health benefits. In particular, coconut water has been touted in some health enthusiast circles as a viable substitute for sports drinks. It is low in calories and contains vitamins and minerals, including electrolytes, much like commercial energy drinks. But is there anything that sets it apart? There are many benefits of coconut water.
What Is Coconut Water?
Coconut water is the clear liquid found in young coconuts. As the fruit matures, the water is gradually replaced by air and solid coconut meat; therefore, it is important to extract the water early. This water should not be confused with coconut oil or coconut milk, which are both processed from the meat and contain a large amount of calories and fat. Coconut water, on the other hand, has a lot of potassium and lesser amounts of electrolytes such as sodium, phosphorus and magnesium, the American Council on Exercise explains.
Low Calorie, Low Sugar Content
These days, many sports and health enthusiasts are drinking coconut water instead of sports drinks after exercise, the Texas Department of State Health Services reports. It has a low caloric content of just 46 calories per cup and 9 grams of carbohydrates. Coconut water also contains less sugar than many energy drinks and fruit juices. However, to ensure that you’re getting these benefits, be certain that you’re drinking plain coconut water and not those that have added sugar, since these are no different from sodas and processed fruit drinks.
Comparison to Sports Drinks
Like many sports drinks, coconut water contains electrolytes, carbohydrates and water, and offers similar benefits, explains All Systems Fitness. The main difference lies in electrolyte content: coconut water contains a lot more potassium, while sports drinks have more sodium. Since athletes engaging in heavy exercise require more sodium than potassium, coconut water may not be a viable replacement for sports drinks in this respect. It is also worth noting, however, that neither sports drinks nor coconut water contain enough sodium to adequately replace that lost through perspiration, “U.S. News & World Report” explains.
Considerations
Coconut water is a good source of potassium and magnesium. There are no known risks from regular consumption of coconut water. However, it can be a relatively expensive habit to maintain. In addition, keep in mind that coconut water has not yet been well-studied. As far as side effects are concerned, coconut water seems to be much like any fruit or vegetable juice. If you have any health conditions or are currently taking supplements or medication, be sure to consult with your doctor before you include coconut water in your regular diet.
Source & link: http://www.livestrong.com/article/366141-why-drink-coconut-water/#ixzz1MPAGCWNs
Nuclear Catastrophe – How to save humanity & planet earth by using thorium in nuclear reactors
A ferocious tsunami unleashed by Japan’s biggest recorded earthquake slammed into its eastern coast Friday, killing hundreds of people as it carried away ships, cars and homes, and triggered widespread fires that burned out of control.
An 8.9 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Northeast Japan spawned a ferocious tsunami that’s caused massive destruction; flattening whole cities, starting raging fires, and killing hundreds.
Nearly 88,000 people are reported missing, according to the official Kyodo news agency. Nuclear experts said the solutions being proposed to quell radiation leaks at the Daiichi nuclear plant in Fukushima were last-ditch efforts to stem what could well be remembered as one of the world’s worst industrial disasters.
Situation has turned so grave that workers were ordered to withdraw briefly from a stricken Japanese nuclear power plant on Wednesday after radiation levels surged, Kyodo news reported, a development that suggested the crisis was spiraling out of control.
Now it is high time that world must wake up for launching a campaign of getting rid of ALL nuclear reactors from the face of the Earth, before another major catastrophe hits in some other country after Japan.
Now this issue has become a matter of life and death for the humanity. UN Secretary General must immediately summon a meeting of the Security Council to chalk out a unified strategy to combat the menace of nuclear radiation from destroying the life from the face of the Earth.
In this regard, as a first step towards making planet earth safe and free from accidents at nuclear reactors, which produce electricity using uranium/plutonium as a fuel, the world leadership must also look into the possibility of using ONLY thorium, as a fuel for producing electricity from nuclear reactors.
Unlike current nuclear power stations, that use uranium, the thorium plant won’t use a material that can be weaponised. It would also mean there is much less danger from a meltdown. Thorium is also more abundant than uranium, so it will be cheaper and easier to supply.
The safer material means it can be supplied at a lower cost with far fewer security needs. Security measures are actually the most expensive part about building current nuclear power stations. Thorium reactors, on the other hand, don’t require special containment buildings and can even be set up in normal structures.
The proposed thorium reactor is made to run by itself without any need for intervention. It will only need to be checked by a person once every four months.
Since thorium reactors are far safer than current nuclear reactors there has been talk of miniaturising them so a $1000 unit could power a ten house street for a lifetime.
