health benefits of turmeric Topical Application of Turmeric Curcumin for Cancer

Topical Application of Turmeric Curcumin for Cancer

In my video, Turmeric Curcumin and Colon Cancer, I talked about a study where researchers showed that, by taking curcumin, the yellow pigment in the spices turmeric and curry powder, those at high risk for colon cancer could cut down on precancerous and even pre-precancerous lesions, in effect reversing cancer progression. Are there other high risk lesions we can try spicing up?

How about giving turmeric extracts to people who just had bladder cancer taken out? Or to those who have an early stage of squamous cell carcinoma skin cancer caused by arsenic exposure, or early stage cervical cancer, or precancerous lesions in the mouth or stomach? Researchers did this, and in about a quarter of the patients, the lesions started to get better. One out of the two bladder cancer survivors, two out of seven patients with precancerous mouth lesions, one out of six patients with precancerous stomach lesions, one out of four early stage cervical cancer cases, and two out of six patients with early stage skin cancer, all without any noticeable side-effects.
One of the reasons turmeric curcumin may work in some cancers better than others, or in some people better than others, is differences in bioavailability. Megadoses were given and just a tiny amount ended up in the bloodstream. If we’re treating skin cancer, though, why not just put the curcumin directly on the skin?
I’ve talked about what turmeric compounds can do to cancer cells in a petri dish. If you click on the above video, you can see some before and after pics. Cervical cancer cells are laid to waste as more and more curcumin is added, and normal cells are unharmed. But to make it to the cervix, curcumin must be absorbed (though a vaginal cream has been invented).
A variety of delivery methods have been devised, including oral, intra-abdominal, intramuscular, under-the-skin injections, straight into the veins, or the arteries, on the skin, up the bladder, in the nose, breathed like an inhaler, up where the sun don’t shine, or straight into the spinal column, bone marrow, the tumor itself, or implanted somehow. Taken orally, some curcumin does actually get into the tissues. We can measure the amount of curcumin absorbed into the wall of the intestine by examining biopsies and surgical specimens taken after a curcumin regimen. It makes sense to take turmeric orally to try to fight colon cancer, but if we have cancer erupting on our skin why not just rub it on directly?
That’s what one group of researchers did. They took some turmeric from the store, made a tincture out of it, dried it, put it in Vaseline, and then had cancer patients rub it on their cancer three times a day. What kind of cancer can you get at with a finger? These were folks with cancers of the mouth, breast, skin, vulva, and elsewhere. Isn’t breast cancer under the surface? Not always. Advanced breast cancer can ulcerate right through the skin. The subjects were all people with recurrent ulcerating tumors that had failed to respond to surgery, radiation, and chemo. These open cancers can stink and itch and ooze, and there was nothing else medicine had to offer. So they rubbed some turmeric ointment to see what happened. It produced remarkable relief. A reduction in smell was noted in 90% of the cases, even in extensively ulcerated cases of breast cancer, and a reduction in itching in almost all cases as well. For example, treatment relieved severe itching in two of the vulva cancer patients. Most of the lesions dried up, and in many cases this relief lasted for months, all from just rubbing on the harmless spice turmeric, which the researchers describe as “an indigenous drug … highly effective in reducing smell, itching and exudate.” The effect of this so-called drug is remarkable. And that “drug” is just some edible spice used in curries for centuries.

Benefits of Apple

10 Amazing Benefits of Amla

Last week, I ran out of Amla. I went to my regular health food store to get more, and they were out of it. In fact, they were reducing the size of their inventory, and Amla was one of the things they had discontinued selling. Even though I knew I could get it somewhere else, strangely, I felt a little sad. On the bright side of things, it made me appreciate how wonderful the plant is, and inspired me to write about it today.

I’ve been taking Amla off and on for about 12 years. It was recommended to me by my natural health practitioner, and it happens to be one of my favorite herbs. It’s very nourishing and rejuvenative; and I enjoy the effects it has on my body.
First, I’d like to say that before trying any new or unfamiliar supplement, you should check with a trusted health practitioner to make sure it’s right for you. I’d also like to let you know that I only recommend products that I feel are safe and I have experience taking. If I’m not sure of a product, or am unfamiliar with it, I don’t write about it or recommend it.
If you were to step into my kitchen or go through my cabinets, you would find a lot of the things I’ve recommended in articles. You’ll probably find a jar of coconut oil on my kitchen counter next to a little bottle of Vitamin D, and a box of tulsi tea. I sometimes have a bottle of Nucleotides on hand for cold and flu season (but unfortunately, I ran out recently). And I also have a bottle of Amla.
With that said, here are 10 reasons why Amla is so amazing:

1.) It’s an excellent source of Vitamin C:
Amla is a highly potent form of Vitamin C, and contains much more Vitamin C than is found in oranges.

2.) It enhances immunity.


3.) It’s high in antioxidants.

Antioxidants prevent the body against free radicals. Free radicals are harmful and can damage cells, potentially leading to cancer and other possible diseases.
4.) It reduces inflammation.



5.) It is good for digestion, and helps the body to absorb and assimilate nutrients from the foods we eat.

Amla also reduces acidity. It’s a lot more slow and gentle than other herbs that aid digestion. For example, ginger is an herb/root used for digestion. It is a lot stronger and warmer than Amla. But don’t get me wrong, ginger is great for anyone who can handle it. Personally, as an individual who’s a bit more sensitive than most people, I tend to not have it very often. I prefer the gentleness and cooler quality of Amla.


6.) It strengthens the liver and helps us to flush out toxins.


7.) It’s great for the urinary system.

It helps flush out toxins through the urinary system without over-stimulating it.

8.) Great for the skin.

Whenever you see someone with a lot of skin blemishes or acne, often times it’s due to them having a liver overrun by toxins.        Since Amla helps to detoxify the liver and aids digestion (as well as being a good source of Vitamin C and other minerals), one of the results of taking it regularly is that it’s good for one’s complexion.
9.) Gives us healthier, more lustrous hair.

Since Amla is great for digestion, it makes it easier for our bodies to absorb the calcium in the foods we eat, therefore resulting in healthier hair (not to mention healthier bones, teeth, and nails). It helps us to preserve our natural, youthful hair color, and minimizes hair loss.

10.) Relieves menstrual cramping.

If you plan to take Amla specifically to get rid of menstrual cramps, you’ll need to start taking it at least a few weeks before menstruation in order for it to be in your system long enough to have an effect.

Cellphone Radiation Is Real:Here Are 5 Ways To Protect Yourself

Whether radiation from cellphones is dangerous or not has been in the news for a really long time. The flummoxing data has now come up with enough evidence substantiating the ill-effects of exposure to radiation from cellphones. It is therefore, all the more salient for you to take preventing measures. Here are the top five ways in which you can save yourselves the impending dangers of cellphone radiation.

It has been found that a lot of people exposed to excessive degrees of cellphone radiation tend to develop fatal diseases like leukemia, thyroid cancer, lung cancer, breast cancer and also cancers of several other organs.

Use a Speaker or a Headset

While taking a call, try to not put the phone directly against your ear. Instead, choose a wireless or a wired speaker or headset to take a call. If you choose to go wireless, make sure that you take the instrument out of your ear after the call is disconnected. Put the call on the speaker if you are in a comfortable space.

Hold the Phone Away from your Body

To not find a youngster playing with the phone now-a-days is strange. Keeping the phone very close to the body can make your body susceptible to a lot of damage occurring as a result of exposure to the radiation. Handling the phone at even a small distance from the body dramatically decreases the amount of radiation that is absorbed by the brain and the body.

Do not keep the Phone under the Pillow or Store it in your Pocket

You’d be wrong to assume that your phone is not sending any radiation when it is not in use. It still sends out intermittent signals so as to connect with the cellphone towers nearby, implying that the radiation exposure is happening continually. If you must keep your phone under your pillow at night, make sure that you either switch it off or put it on airplane mode. Putting the cellphone on “airplane mode” cuts off all the wireless transmissions from the device, thus stopping all the radiation. You can also save battery this way.

Text more and Talk less

Phones emit far less radiation compared with voice communications. So, try to text more and talk less.

Make a Call when the Signal is Strong

When you make a call when there are fewer signal bars on the phone’s screen, your phone will have to try harder to broadcast the signal. According to research, radiation exposure increases significantly when the signals of the cellphone are weak.

Whiling away on the phone may be the best way you can pass your time while travelling or when you are drowned in boredom at a restaurant waiting for someone and lack the basic right to luxury. Now that you know the possible effects of cellphone radiation, make sure that you take the right steps to keep yourself safe.

Things That Might Help a Friend Deal with Miscarriage

A miscarriage is a traumatic event that occurs at an enormous physical and emotional cost. Women who have had suffered from one suddenly become vulnerable to infections, decreased immunity, depression and sleeping disorders.

 To help a friend through miscarriage can be a daunting task. There are several things you will have to take into account since the patient may be too disoriented to care for herself.

D&C

If the gynaecologist has recommended a D&C procedure, the patient is normally discharged after a few hours. It is still a crucial moment as complications cannot be ruled out. It would help if you stay with her for twenty four hours and make sure to call the doctor in case the cramps continue.

Blood Flow

If the miscarriage has been natural, the blood flow should stop after a week. If it continues and other discharge is particularly foul smelling, an infection may be suspected. Take the patient to a doctor immediately.

Temperature

Fever is the first alarming sign of an infection. The patient should be checked regularly for a rise in temperature. If left unchecked, fever can lead to infertility.

Nutrition

You should consult a doctor to inquire about the kind of diet that the patient must take to heal. If the latter has lost appetite, it is imperative to keep up a regular supply. The idea is not to force feed her but to make sure she eats enough to regain health.

Grief Symptoms

You should read about grief symptoms the patient is bound to show and consult a counsellor on how to deal with those. She may have nightmares, confusions, unexplained tears and other unpleasant sensations. Do not let yourself be swept away with such emotional intensity. Be the steady rock your friend can lean on. A strong shoulder to cry on does wonders to one who is suffering from post-traumatic stress and is worth more than any psychotherapy. 

Morale

As a friend your most important job is to boost her morale. The patient will need all the love and care possible. At the same time, you should watch out for signs of over dependence. Ultimately, she will have to make her peace with the situation by herself alone.

Personal Decisions

A wise friend knows where to draw boundaries. It is not up to you to decide when the patient can resume sexual intercourse and plan the next pregnancy. At best you can point her in the direction of the gynaecologist. The biological is intrinsically linked with the emotional so you should avoid making her decisions that concern her own body and mind.

The Partner

A good friend will always work in tandem with those closest to the patient, especially the spouse or partner. If other family members are involved, it helps to be cooperative and let you know when your efforts are not enough.

 Being the helpful friend that you should be, can help the patient recover more easily and faster.

5 Superfoods that You Are Not Eating

We hear about superfoods often. But, do you know what they are? A superfood is that which has the richest amount of nutrients, the least amount of calories and are packed with vital nutrients that nourish the body in many ways. There are many food choices that provide your body with essential nutrients for overall health, but superfoods offer greater health benefits than others.

Picking the same food choices day after day is not only boring, it may also be depriving you of vital nutrients and disease-fighting antioxidants. For obvious reasons, the list of superfoods comprises fruits and vegetables. Here are the five superfoods that you should consider eating.

Beans

Beans are an excellent source of protein that give you more protein per ounce than most of the green leafy green veggies. The shoots that grow from germinated beans contain essential fatty acids that are important to boost immune system. Low on the glycemic index, beans do not cause dramatic fluctuations in blood sugar but prevent it. Moreover, they are high in fibre, which helps boost digestive health.

Salmon

Salmon fish, referred to as ‘saaman’ in hindi, is one of the best sources of good fat or Omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to help improve brain function, prevent type 2 diabetes, prevent arteries from getting blocked and keeping away eye ailments like age related macular degeneration and dry eyes. Also, it is loaded with vitamins A, B and D as well as calcium, iron, phosphorus and selenium.

Yoghurt

If you come to know the several benefits of eating yoghurt, it will certainly make a place on your dining table. Yogurt, unlike other milk and other dairy products, is easy to digest. It is one best natural probiotics; it has the good bacteria that aids in digestion, iritable bowel syndrom, inflammatory digestive tract disorder and also when you are struggling with tummy ache. Besides, it has calcium to protect your bones and proteins to provide all the energy you need.

Soy

If you don’t eat soy, you should consider including it in your diet. Soybeans are part of the large legume family, which includes beans, dried peas and lentils. Soy is also an excellent source of minerals, including calcium, iron and zinc. Calcium is essential for strong bones, iron for cell repair and zinc for growth and immunity.

Nuts

These days, nuts are being used in salads and recipes besides being used as a snack. They are capable of lowering the levels of bad or LDL cholesterol without affecting good or HDL cholesterol. Moreover, nuts such as almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts are rich in antioxidants, vitamin E and promote heart health. Since they are high in calories, make sure you stick to moderate amounts of no more than one ounce a day.


Incorporate the aforementioned foods to your daily diet; adding even just a few of these superfoods can help you to improve your health and fitness levels significantly.

Mushrooms, crimini

What's New and Beneficial About Crimini Mushrooms

• You can definitely make a difference in the health benefits you get from mushrooms by being extra careful with the temperature at which you store them. A recent study looked at color and texture changes in mushrooms over a 6-8 day period, including color changes that were associated with the mushrooms' phytonutrient content (discoloration was related to a reduction in these important nutrients). As temperatures moved closer and closer to room temperature (the researchers stopped at 59°F/15°C in their study), discoloration and hardening became more and more problematic. Prevention of discoloration and hardening required the researchers to take the temperature down all the way to 38°F/3°C over this 6-8 day period. Since 38°F/3°C is great temperature setting for your home refrigerator, what we're talking about here is careful refrigeration of mushrooms as soon as you've arrived back home from the grocery store. Leaving mushrooms out on the countertop is worth avoiding, and you never want to store them even temporarily in a cabinet.
• Like most mushrooms, crimini mushrooms can provide us with unique immune system support. But contrary to public belief, these common button-type mushrooms have recently been shown to surpass some of their more exotic mushroom counterparts (like shiitake or maitake mushrooms) in terms of immune system benefits. We've seen several recent studies that placed button mushrooms at the top of the mushroom list with respect to regulation of unwanted inflammation. Included here were studies on laboratory animals involving the development of arthritis--an area where we expect to see more news about the health benefits of mushrooms.
• Protection against cardiovascular disease has become an area of special research interest in crimini mushrooms. Along with extracts from oyster, shiikate, maitake, and white button mushrooms, extracts from crimini mushrooms have been found to reduce the binding of certain immune cells onto the lining of the aorta. When mushrooms reduce this binding, they also lower risk of damage to the aorta and risk of blood flow problems.
• For women who are at risk of hormone-dependent breast cancer, crimini mushrooms may be an important diet addition. These mushrooms have recently been shown to be a significant source of conjugated linolenic acid (CLA)—a unique type of fatty acid that can bind onto aromatase enzymes and lessen the production of estrogen. Since some breast cancer tumors are dependent upon estrogen for their growth, this blocking of the aromatase enzyme by the mushrooms' CLA may lower risk of this breast cancer type. The presence of CLA in mushrooms is fascinating, because we typically expect to find this type of fatty acid exclusively in animal foods like milk, cheese, and meats.
• Crimini mushrooms may sometimes be a valuable source of vitamin B12. Even though this B12 issue can be a little confusing, we believe it's important for you to know that recent studies have found significant amounts of vitamin B12 in some samples of fresh crimini mushrooms. The B12 in these mushrooms was apparently produced by healthy bacteria growing on the surface of the fresh mushrooms. Mushroom content of B12 varied significantly, and sometimes it varied from farm to farm. That kind of diversity makes sense to us because growing conditions for mushrooms can vary dramatically. Traditionally, we've thought about animal foods as being our only reliable source of vitamin B12. Animals tend to store up small amounts of this vitamin after it has been produced via being consumed in a food or produced by bacteria in their digestive tract. This way of thinking about vitamin B12 still holds true. However, it might also be smart for us to start thinking about fresh mushrooms (including fresh crimini mushrooms) as a potentially valuable source of vitamin B12. While we cannot ask fresh mushrooms for a vitamin B12 guarantee, we can count on them for a variety of other important health benefits, and along with these benefits, we may also be getting a boost in our B12 intake.

WHFoods Recommendations

People do not usually consider mushrooms, including crimini mushrooms, as a part of their meals that can offer great nutritional value. However, the nutritional value of crimini mushrooms may surprise you. One cup of crimini mushrooms provides a good, very good, or excellent source of 15 different vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant phytonutrients. To maximize their flavor and the retention of their nutrients it is important to not to overcook them. That's why we recommend healthy sautéeing crimini mushrooms for just 7 minutes to bring out their best flavor while maximizing their nutrient retention. For more on our Healthiest Way of Cooking crimini mushrooms see the How to Enjoy section. 

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Mushrooms, Crimini, raw
1.00 cup
(72.00 grams)

Calories: 16
GI: very low

NutrientDRI/DV

 copper40%

 selenium34%

 vitamin B227%

 pantothenic acid22%

 vitamin B317%

 phosphorus12%

 potassium9%

 zinc7%

 vitamin B16%

 folate5%

 vitamin B65%

 manganese5%

 protein4%

 choline4%

 vitamin B123%

This chart graphically details the %DV that a serving of Mushrooms, crimini provides for each of the nutrients of which it is a good, very good, or excellent source according to our Food Rating System. Additional information about the amount of these nutrients provided by Mushrooms, crimini can be found in the Food Rating System Chart. A link that takes you to the In-Depth Nutritional Profile for Mushrooms, crimini, featuring information over 80 nutrients, can be found under the Food Rating System Chart.

Health Benefits

Immune System Support

White blood cells play a key role in the health of our immune system, and without healthy and balanced activity on the part of our white blood cells, we cannot protect ourselves from diseases caused by microorganisms or from allergy-related problems. There are many important types of white blood cells, and these include monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells. All three types of immune cells have their activity levels shifted by substances found in crimini mushrooms! In a remarkable way, unique phytonutrients found in crimini mushrooms change the way these white blood cells go about their business. In some cases, they prevent white blood cells from becoming active when they would be better off remaining inactive. In other cases, they trigger white blood cell activity when more activity is needed. The list of immune-impacting phytonutrients in crimini mushroom is both unusual and lengthy. It includes beta-D-glucans, fucogalactans, APO (2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one), p-tolyl-hydrazine, and a wide range of substances involving unique combinations of protein-plus-carbohydrate components. The role of a healthy immune system in helping protect us against arthritis, development of cancer, and development of cardiovascular disease has been examined with a focus on dietary mushroom intake, and evidence suggests that crimini mushrooms can help lower our risk of these health problems by supporting balanced activities among the white blood cells of our immune system.

One final note may be in order when thinking about crimini mushrooms and our immune system. One key nutrient for healthy immune system function is vitamin D, and crimini mushrooms do provide measurable amounts of this vitamin. However, the relationship of vitamin D to mushrooms can be complicated. The form of vitamin D most commonly found in mushrooms is ergosterol (sometimes called vitamin D1). This form of the vitamin is not active in humans as a hormone. With the help of sunlight, some of the ergosterol in mushrooms can be converted into ergocalciferol (sometimes called vitamin D2). However, since mushrooms do not require sunlight for growth, they are sometimes produced without exposure to light and, in this case, would not provide D2. (Some mushroom growers deliberately expose mushrooms that are being grown in the dark to a short burst of light that can help some of the D1 in mushrooms get converted into D2.) Even though D2 can be useful to our cells, this D2 form of vitamin D is still not the fully active hormonal form. That fully active form (vitamin D3, cholecalciferol) is not provided by mushrooms whether exposed to light or not. From our perspective, the bottom line for vitamin D and mushrooms is much like the bottom line for vitamin B12 and mushrooms. You cannot count on mushrooms to be helpful with your vitamin D requirements (just like you cannot count on them to be helpful in meeting your vitamin B12 requirements), but you may end up getting some bonus vitamin D (and vitamin B12) benefits from crimini mushrooms, along with their other amazing health-supportive nutrients.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Risk of many common health problems—including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer—is increased by the presence of chronic unwanted inflammation. Many factors can contribute to chronic inflammation, and these factors include overproduction of molecules in our body that tell it to launch an inflammatory response. If production of these molecules—called pro-inflammatory molecules—can be reduced, chronic inflammation can be reduced or sometimes prevented altogether. Intake of whole fresh mushrooms, mushroom extracts, and powdered/dried mushrooms has been shown to accomplish precisely this result—blocked production of pro-inflammatory molecules. In some studies, crimini mushroom appears to be a better blocker of certain pro-inflammatory molecules than its fellow mushrooms like shiitake and maitake. These anti-inflammatory studies have usually been conducted on laboratory animals, and have usually focused on pro-inflammatory molecules like IL-10 (interleukin-10), IL-12 (interleukin-12), and IFN-gamma (interferon-gamma). The results of these studies have been consistent and also clear: to avoid chronic overproduction of pro-inflammatory molecules, it's helpful to include crimini mushrooms in a diet.

Antioxidant Benefits

There are two outstanding types of antioxidant support provided by crimini mushrooms. The first type involves their nutrient composition, and the second type involves their impact on oxidative metabolism. In terms of nutrients, you don't have to look far to find key players in antioxidant world: crimini mushrooms provide an excellent amount of selenium, and a very good amount of zinc and manganese. All three minerals are critical antioxidant nutrients and are also required for the functioning of antioxidant enzymes. The antioxidant content of crimini mushrooms also includes some unusual antioxidant molecules. The best studied of these molecules is ergothioneine (technically identified as 2-mercaptohistidine trimethylbetaine). Ergothioneine is an amino acid-like molecule that has not only been shown to have antioxidant properties but to also specifically help prevent oxidative damage to DNA (our genetic material) and proteins.

In addition to providing us with these key antioxidant nutrients, mushrooms also impact our oxidative metabolism. Intake of crimini mushrooms and crimini mushrooms extracts has been studied in relationship to the activity of several oxidative enzymes, including SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), and GPO (glutathione peroxidase). Most of these oxidative enzyme studies have been conducted on animals, including mice, rats, and chickens. Addition of mushroom to the animals' diets in relatively small amounts has been shown to increase enzyme activity and in the case of GPO, to increase the cell's supply of glutathione (GSH) itself. In the minds of many researchers, GSH may be a central antioxidant in many cellular activities.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Since the health of our circulatory system depends on great antioxidant protection and effective regulation of inflammation, it is not surprising to see crimini mushrooms providing impressive cardiovascular benefits. This mushroom is simply to rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients to go unheralded in this cardiovascular area. As might be expected, research studies show that crimini mushrooms can help protect us from cardiovascular disease by protecting our blood vessels from oxidative damage as well as chronic inflammation. This protection has been specifically shown with respect to the aorta--our body's largest blood vessel. Cardiovascular protection by crimini mushrooms extends beyond these antioxidant and anti-inflammatory areas, however. Research studies on laboratory animals with high blood levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides (TGs) have also shown that daily intake of crimini mushrooms over a period of 1-2 months can reduce levels of all three blood fats (total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and TGs.

The cardiovascular benefits from crimini mushrooms also involve their B vitamins. In addition to being an excellent source of vitamins B2, B3 (niacin), and B5 (pantothenic acid), crimini mushrooms are a very good source of vitamin B1, and good source of vitamin B6, folate, and choline. As described earlier in this profile, these mushrooms also sometimes provide us with a significant amount of vitamin B12. The B vitamin choline (about 19 milligrams per cup) is also provided by this B vitamin-rich food. One hallmark risk factor for cardiovascular disease (especially atherosclerosis) is an elevated level of homocysteine. This amino acid lies at the intersection of many complicated metabolic pathways important to the healthy function of our cardiovascular system. Deficiencies of vitamins B6 and B12 or folate can increase our risk of elevated homocysteine and, along with it, our risk of cardiovascular disease. By providing us with these critical homocysteine-balancing B vitamins, crimini mushrooms provide us with yet another tool for improving our cardiovascular health.

Anti-Cancer Benefits

A fascinating twist in the story of crimini mushrooms, immune support, and anti-inflammatory benefits involves cancer cells. In some ways, cancer cells can be considered the opposite of healthy cells. With healthy cells, we want to avoid chronic inflammation, and we want our immune system to maintain a sense of respect for the miraculous functioning of each healthy cell. With cancer cells, the situation is somewhat reversed. In the case of cancer cells, we would like our immune system to be unusually active and to send out white blood cells that can dismantle and deactivate cancerous or cancer-like cells.

In some situations, it can also be helpful for inflammatory activity to be increased in cancer cells. Increased activity of pro-inflammatory molecules (for example, prostaglandin E2, also called PGE2) can sometimes cause a cancer cell to shift itself over into a process called apoptosis (programmed cell death). In this case, the cancer cell can be prevented from causing more disruption among healthy cells.

The immune system's ability to actively detect and deactivate cancer cells (or potentially cancerous cells) and the inflammatory system's ability to help trigger apoptosis in cancer cells (or potentially cancerous cells) are abilities that can be enhanced by intake of crimini mushrooms. We've seen recent studies on laboratory animals as well as lab studies on different cancer cell lines that show significant anti-cancer benefits from crimini mushroom extracts and also from dried, powdered crimini mushrooms. (Extracts and dried powder forms are used to enable measured consumption by the laboratory animals.)

Of special interest in this health benefits area have been studies on breast cancer and prostate cancer. In the case of breast cancer—especially hormone-related breast cancer—it may be the presence of a special fatty acid called CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) in mushrooms that is especially important. CLA may be able to bind onto aromatase enzymes in the cancer cells and lessen their ability to produce estrogen. Since some breast cancer tumors are dependent upon estrogen for their growth, this blocking of the aromatase enzyme by the mushrooms' CLA may help prevent or control this type of tumor. In the case of prostate cancer, blocking of the aromataseenzyme by CLA has also been a research focus since prostate cancer cells are known to producearomatase enzymes. Blocking of a second type of enzyme (called 5-alpha reductase) by mushroom extracts has also been a focus of prostate cancer studies. It's important to remember that most types of cancer begin their development in situations where there has been chronic unwanted inflammation related to lack of anti-inflammatory nutrients and also in situations where there has been chronic unwanted oxidative stress due to lack of antioxidant nutrients. By providing us with their unique mix of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients, crimini mushrooms may be able to help us decrease our cancer risk not only for breast and prostate cancer, but for other cancer types as well.

Description

Crimini mushrooms are a coffee-colored variety of the world's most commonly eaten mushroom, commonly called the "button" mushroom. The names "white button," "crimini" and "portobello" all refer to this same scientific category of mushroom, Agaricus bisporus. Different strains (also called "isolates") of Agaricus bisporus are used in commercial mushroom production along with varied growing conditions and varied time periods of cultivation to produce different varieties this of widely loved food. White button varieties are typically obtained from select strains that can be harvested at a relatively immature stage of growth. Strains used to produce crimini mushrooms are typically harvested at an intermediate growth stage. Baby bella mushroom, mini bella mushroom, baby portobello mushroon, and portobellini mushroom are other names for crimini mushrooms. Crimini mushrooms are also sometimes referred to simply as "brown mushrooms." Portobello mushrooms are crimini mushrooms that have been allowed to grow to full maturity.

Mushrooms are as mysteriously unique as they are delicious. While often thought of as a vegetable and prepared like one, mushrooms are actually fungi, a special type of living organism that has no roots, leaves, flowers, or seeds. Technically speaking, mushrooms are not vegetables. In fact, technically speaking, mushrooms are not even plants! Mushrooms do not require either soil or light in order to grow. All that's required is decaying organic matter of some kind, including the kind found in decaying wood, decaying leaves, or manure. While mushrooms can be cultivated, they easily grow wild in many regions of the world due to their unusual and fairly simple growth requirements.

The unique nature of mushrooms as a fungus that grows on decaying matter is one of the reasons that we encourage purchase of certified organic mushrooms. Growth media used in the commercial production of non-organic crimini mushrooms can be inconsistent in terms of quality, and we believe that your risk of contamination with pesticides, heavy metals, and other unwanted substances will often be lowered through the purchase of certified organic mushrooms. (At present, there are no organic certification standards created exclusively for mushroom production. But at the same time, many organic standards created for production of all foods apply to the growing of organic mushrooms as well. For example, regulations for the composting of manure in production of certified organic mushrooms are stricter than the regulations for the composting of manure in production of non-organic mushrooms.)

Skip the Fancy Lotion and Use Oil to Moisturize Your Skin

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• The beauty industry doesn’t want you to know how pointless moisturizing lotions actually are. All you need is high quality plant oil to do a better job for less money.

There used to be a giant pump-action bottle of Jergen’s hand lotion in my parents’ bathroom. Every night I would rub some into my dry winter-skin hands and hope to wake up with lusciously hydrated skin, but it never seemed to make a difference. That lotion was a totally useless addition to my teenage beauty routine.

I’ve since learned an unusual lesson, one that you won’t typically hear anywhere mainstream because the big beauty industry would hate for the cat to get out of the bag: Moisturizing lotions are pointless.

Basic lotion is nothing more than oil emulsified in water, with alcohol added to help with evaporation and chemicals to help with the emulsification. Conventional brands contain parabens for preservation, toxic fragrances (or more chemicals to mask the smell and make it ‘fragrance-free’), petrochemical-based emollients (to soften and give the impression of smooth, tight skin) and humectants (to enhance water absorption), penetration enhancers, and thickening agents. Despite all these fancy ingredients, many of them don’t even work that well.

If you want to avoid all of those nasty additives, then break it down to the most basic component of lotions – the oil that actually provides the moisturizing action that your skin needs.

Smearing oil directly onto your face might seem counterintuitive, especially after years of brainwashing from the cosmetics industry that all oils are bad. We’ve been taught to believe that oil clogs pores, causing acne breakouts and blackheads. It does, but that’s because it’s the wrong kind – usually mineral oils or animal fats, which, according to Julie Gabriel, author of The Green Beauty Guide, form a “waterproof plastic film on top of all the debris on the skin’s surface, locking in the bacteria, dead skin cells, sweat, and sebum.” Yuck!

Plant oils, on the other hand, are similar to the kind of oil that your skin produces naturally. They are easily recognized and absorbed by the skin without clogging pores and can bind moisture to the skin while strengthening skin cell membranes.

My advice is to use oil to moisturize your skin directly. Rub oil into your face after washing. (You can even wash your face with oil!) Rub oil over your body when you step out of the shower or after shaving. Rub oil into your hands and cuticles. I’ve been doing this for years; it’s the best (and cheapest) high quality moisturizer I’ve found yet.

Some good oils to try are sweet almond, avocado, extra-virgin olive or coconut oil, grapeseed, cold-pressed sesame, apricot kernel, and rosehip oil.

7 Surprising Health Benefits of Parsley

• Parsley is a pretty little Mediterranean herb that lends a sprinkling of color to your plate. But let’s not think of it as just a garnish—after all, parsley has been around for more than 2000 years, and boasts some time-tested benefits that you should know about.

• Parsley is rich in many vital vitamins, including Vitamin C,  B 12, K and A. This means parsley keeps your immune system strong, tones your bones and heals the nervous system, too.
• It helps flush out excess fluid from the body, thus supporting kidney function. However, the herb contains oxalates, which can cause problems for those with existing kidney and gall bladder problems.
• Regular use of parsley can help control your blood pressure. The folic acid in this herb is like a tonic for your heart.
• Parsley essential oil, when massaged into the scalp, may reduce hair loss.
• Use parsley daily, and you’ll feel relief from joint pain. That’s because the herb has anti-inflammatory properties.
• Parsley tea relaxes stiff muscles and encourages digestion.
• Studies indicate that parsley—especially its essential oil—may have a role in inhibiting cancerous tumors. In fact, scientists have billed it a ‘chemoprotective’ food.

On my recent visit to France, I had the chance to enjoy several delicious dishes garnished with parsley. Now I am back in India, and while we here are partial to cilantro leaves, I am going to flirt with dainty parsley in my cooking. Your suggestions are welcom

How To Do A Pregnancy Test? Here Are Your Options

On our usual hangout at the coffee shop, we caught up with Carol, 27, who was discussing the options of a pregnancy tests with her bestie Lisa, 31. The question of taking a pregnancy test haunts each and every one of us some time or the other in our lives, doesn’t it? Find out more information about the options you have if you want to take a pregnancy test.

1. Take a blood test

“If you are not a fan of home pregnancy tests, one of the options that you have is to take a blood test. Your blood sample will be sent to the laboratory and results will be given in a few days time”, said Lisa. She also added that this was one of the safest and surest answers to the question of how to take a pregnancy test because blood tests done by doctors are generally 99% accurate.

2. Take a urine test

“I don’t like needles”, exclaimed Carol when Lisa told her about the blood test. “How is it possible to take a pregnancy test without involving needles and other painful things, Lisa?” asked Carol. Lisa went on and said, “You can even get a urine test done to confirm whether you are pregnant or not. This is quite similar to taking a home pregnancy test”, she added.

3. Use pregnancy test kits

“Most women who want to take a pregnancy test end up buying a home pregnancy test kit”, said Lisa. She also added that the most beneficial aspect of this type of pregnancy test was that women could buy kits from the pharmacy and perform the test in privacy. Carol seemed to like the idea of a home pregnancy test and we did too. Did you know that manufacturers claim up to 96% accuracy if the pregnancy test is carried out as per the instructions? “Tall claims, I must say”, said Lisa who had got inaccurate results with her home pregnancy test.

4. Home pregnancy test kits – How to use them

“How should I go about taking a pregnancy test at home?”, asked Carol who certainly seemed confused at this point. “Home pregnancy tests are generally easy to do. You are provided with strips that you can dip into your urine that has been collected in a small container. Some types of strips can also be held under your urine stream”, explained Lisa. She also mentioned that it is best to take a home pregnancy test when you first urinate after getting out of bed in the morning.

5. Home pregnancy test kits – Cautionary advice

From the conversation between Carol and Lisa, we picked up that home pregnancy tests can sometimes be inaccurate and may give misleading results. Typical situations of a dirty urine collecting container, a fault in the pregnancy test kit, fluid intake, varying HCG levels, tests timed incorrectly, medication or other medical conditions may alter the test results. So watch out for these points before jumping on a conclusion regarding the results of your pregnancy test. If you are not satisfied or are unsure of the results, go consult your doctor.

5 Benefits of Eating Ice Cream

There is nothing better than an ice cream, especially on a hot summer day. There is no better dessert to serve after a delicious dinner. Who does not love ice cream? We all do! But did you know that in spite of the several disadvantages that eating ice cream is likely to have, there are certain benefits as well? Listed below are the top 5 advantages of eating ice cream.

1. Source of vitamins

Ice cream is a rich source of vitamins. It contains many vitamins including vitamins A, B-6, B-12, C, D and E. It also contains thiamine, riboflavin and niacin. Ice cream also contains vitamin K which prevents blood clotting.

2. Provides energy

Ice cream is an outstanding source of energy. It has a very high nutritional value. It contains carbohydrates, fats and proteins – all of which are essential for energy. Also, it helps to gain weight. If you are looking for energy, you should have ice creams, and with all the goodness of milk, it also provides you with necessary sugars.

3. Source of minerals

Ice cream is a rich source of minerals like calcium and phosphorus. Besides helping in building and maintaining stronger bones and avoiding bone related diseases, researchers have also found that calcium reduces the chances of kidney stones. Calcium also helps in preventing mood swings and premenstrual symptoms – another reason why you should have ice creams!

4. Stimulates the brain

Ice cream stimulates the thrombotonin, which is a hormone of happiness and helps in reducing the levels of stress in the body. Ice cream is made of milk which contains L-triptophane which is a natural tranquilizer and helps in relaxing the nervous system. It also helps prevent symptoms of insomnia.

5. Reduces risk of cancer

The calcium content in ice cream also helps in reducing the chances of colon cancer. Apart from being a catalyst to building stronger bones, this particular benefit of calcium makes ice cream all the more beneficial.

In spite of all the benefits that ice cream has, there is no reason to over indulge in it because it also has a large number of disadvantages which are harmful for your health. So relish on ice creams, but in moderation.

8 Surprising Health Benefits of Sex

Find out how getting intimate can improve your well-being

Of course sex is healthy, but did you know that a good sex life can provide specific health benefits? We spoke to the experts to find out just how sex improves our health (not that you needed any convincing).

1. It May Make You Thinner
Dread working out? Don’t break up with your treadmill just yet. But if it’s late and you haven’t made it to the gym, don’t forget that sex counts as exercise, too! “Sex burns between 75 and 150 calories per half-hour,” says Desmond Ebanks, MD, founder and medical director of Alternity Healthcare in West Hartford, Connecticut. It’s comparable to other physical activities, he says, like yoga (114 calories per half-hour), dancing (129 calories per half-hour) or walking (153 calories per half-hour).

Bonus: Sex may also help your muscles stay lean in the process. “Sexual arousal and orgasm releases the hormone testosterone, which, among other things, is necessary to build and maintain bone and lean muscle tissue,” he adds.

2. It May Improve Your Heart Health
You’re probably already aware that heart disease is the number-one killer of women. Eating a healthy diet, and keeping your cholesterol low and sodium in check are great ways to stay on top of heart health, but so is having sex. “Sex is exercise that raises heart rate and blood flow,” says Dr. Ebanks. “In a study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, researchers found that having sex twice or more a week reduced the risk of fatal heart attack by half.” While the study results were focused on men, Dr. Ebanks suspects similar effects for women, too.

3. It Can Help You Get a Better Night’s Sleep
What do you do to help you sleep? When chamomile tea and other remedies aren’t doing the job, sex may help—especially if you’re having trouble sleeping due to anxiety or stress. “People having frequent sex often report that they handle stress better,” notes Dr. Ebanks. “The profound relaxation that typically follows orgasm for women and ejaculation or orgasm for men may be one of the few times people actually allow themselves to completely relax. Many indicate that they sleep more deeply and restfully after satisfying lovemaking.”

4. It Can Boost Your Immune System
With all the concerns about cold and flu viruses, combating germs can sometimes feel like a full-time job. Surprisingly, there may be something you can do in the bedroom to keep your immune system strong, says Dr. Ebanks, who points to a study by researchers at Wilkes University in Pennsylvania. “Individuals who have sex once or twice a week show 30 percent higher levels of an antibody called immunoglobulin A, which is known to boost the immune system,” he says. So, make this your new cold-and-flu season mantra: Wash your hands and make a bedroom date with your sweetie—often!

5. It Can Improve Your Mental Health 
The quickest way to boost your mood, fight depression and beat anxiety? Patricia Tan, MD, a board-certified internist in Arizona and medical expert for JustAnswer.com, says the answer is simple: sex (in a loving, committed relationship, of course). “Psychologically, sex improves one’s mental health by building intimacy and reducing stress,” she says. “The stress reduction component lowers a person's cortisol level, thereby reducing the chances of increased blood pressure, hyperglycemia and increased acidity in the abdomen.”

6. It Can Help Relieve Pain
You might change “Not tonight, honey, I have a headache” to “Yes, tonight, honey, I have a headache,” or so says Dr. Ebanks, who believes there’s a real correlation between sex and pain management. “Through sexual arousal and orgasm the hormone oxytocin is secreted in your body, which in turn causes the release of endorphins,” he explains. “Because of these natural opiates, sex acts as a powerful analgesic.”

7. It Can Help You with Bladder Control
It may sound weird—the idea that sex can help you minimize incontinence—but it’s true, say experts. Sex therapists have long recommended that women do Kegel exercises (flexing the muscles in your pelvic floor) throughout the day, but also during sex. Why? Not only can the exercises help increase pleasure, they also strengthen the muscles associated with incontinence. You can do Kegels anywhere (including during intercourse), so don’t be shy! Gently flex and tighten your pelvic floor muscles in the same way you would to stop the flow of urine. Hold for three seconds, then release.

8. It May Give You Healthier Skin
Could sex make you more beautiful? It sounds far-fetched, but Eric Braverman, MD, founder of PATH Medical Center in New York City, says having sex releases a key compound in the body that is good for all kinds of things—including improving your complexion. During sex, your body produces a hormone called DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone). “It can boost the immune system, give you healthier skin and even decrease depression,” he says. So much for the $79 night cream!

Elaichi

Description:

Cardamom is native to India and Sri Lanka where it occurs in the wild. It has been introduced all over all over tropical Asia where it is cultivated.
The plant grows in a thick clump of up to 20 leafy shoots. It can reach a height of between 2 to almost 6 m.

Leaves - dark green, long and sword-shaped. The underside is paler and may have a covering of tiny hairs.

Flowers - on a long flowering stalk which can grow to more than 1 m long. They are both male and female and are pale green. One of the petals is white and streaked with violet.

Fruits - pale green to yellow and elongated oval-shape. Each fruit has 3 chambers filled with small aromatic seeds, each about 3 mm long. The fruits and seeds dry to a straw-brown colour and are widely used as flavouring.
 

Always try to buy black cardamom whole rather than in seed form as it begins to lose its potency and aroma when the skin is removed and seeds are stored without the skin. It is also preferable not to buy the powdered form if whole pods are available, for the same reason. When required for use as a powder, remove the skin and discard and then grind the seeds in a clean, dry coffee grinder and use immediately. Look for fragrant, well formed pods that are plump, firm, dry and about an inch in length.

Benefits of Elaichi : 

According to traditional wisdom of Ayurveda, cardamom is effective in improving digestion. It helps those suffering from stomach cramps. It is a good stimulant and beneficial for those suffering from flatulence and gas.

Cardamom helps treat Sexual dysfunctions such as premature ejaculation and impotency can be easily remedied using the elaichi herb. Boiling the cardamom seeds in a mixture of honey and milk and then ingesting the concoction every night has been shown to yield superb results.

Cardamom also helps in cleansing the body as it has detoxifying properties. It is basically a warm spice and known to have originated from India. It improves blood circulation to the lungs and can be helpful in prevention of spasms or convulsions. Hence, cardamom in small quantities is beneficial for those suffering from asthma or bronchitis.

Cardamom enhances appetite and provides relief from acidity in the stomach. It is used in the cure of halitosis. It is beneficial for those suffering from various kinds of respiratory allergies. When you have sore throat, you can try out a little quantity of this medicinal spice.

Those suffering from nausea as well as excessive threat can also try out cardamom. Along with some other medicines, it can be used for treating mouth ulcers. It is known to be a good cure for weakness in general. Some practitioners of Ayurevda also advise its use for treating infection of the urinary tract.

Cardamom is known to be helpful in balancing all three 'doshas' in the human body. Hence it is termed as "tridoshic”. A little quantity of cardamom is especially beneficial in balancing "kapha”. It can be used for balancing "vata" and "pitta" also.

Quality of Elaichi :

• Small Elaichi
• Big Elaichi