Increase Sperm Count ... Naturally

Low sperm count, medically termed as oligospermia is a health disorder characterized by less number of sperms than normal count in semen volume. Problems causing this particular health disorder can be either of psychological or physical origin. Common causes reported for the formation of this health disorder include hormonal imbalance, malnutrition and testicular injury.

Regular doing of relaxation exercise is one among the best recommended natural remedial measures to increase sperm count. It is found to be very helpful for treating oligospermia due to high stress condition. It calms down nerve cells and improves blood circulation throughout the body. In order to prevent the risk of stress condition, patients are recommended to set aside at least ten to twenty minutes per day for practicing relaxation exercises. Deep breathing exercise of yoga is one among the common relaxation exercises recommended by health practitioners. Apart from improving sperm count, regular doing of relaxation exercises also helps in improving concentration power, slowing down breathing rate and lowering blood pressure level.

Charak samhita, one of the most famous ancient medicinal texts have dedicated whole chapter regarding increasing quality and quantity of the sperms. It has mentioned certain methods i.e. lifestyle and supplements by which sperms of great quality can be generated.

According to Sushrutacharya Testicles are made of Kapha and Medha (fat). Increased heat imbalances kapha and medha, thus affecting sperm production.

In ayurveda these herbs are called as bajikaran dravya (sperm quality and quantity increasing herb)

Arogyam Pure Herbs Kit For Sexual Weakness.......

YOGA ASANA:

Regulate blood flow to the lower abdomen, keep the sperm count in check, boost the health of reproductive glands, prolong a man's productive age, cure problems like infertility. Counter obesity and constipation, boost thyroid gland functioning and strengthen the lower back.

AGNISAAR KRIYA:

Stand erect with your feet a foot apart. Place your hands on your knees and loosen your belly. Exhale fully, hold your breath out and pull your stomach in as far as you can, such that it touches you back. Then loosen and release the stomach. Repeat this pumping action for as long as you can. Relax and inhale. This completes one round of Angnisaar Kriya. Do this Kriya for 2-3 times.

Note: Not for people suffering from peptic ulcers, heart disease, high blood pressure, slip disc and intestinal swelling.

HALASANA:


Lie on your back and stretch your body. Place your hands beside your thighs, palms facing down. Inhale and raise both legs slowly, till they are at 90 degrees to your waist. Do not lift your head. Using your hands as pivots, lift your waist too and stretch your legs beyond your head, trying to touch the ground behind with your feet. Keep your knees straight. Hold this position for as long as you can. Breathing normally. Return to base position, bringing your legs back very slowly and ensuring that your palms and head stay on the floor and your knees stay straight. Do Halasana ones or twice.

Note: This is not for people suffering from backache, slip disc or cervical spondylosis.

SETUBANDHASANA:


Lie on your back. Bend your legs at the knees, keeping the heels as close as possible to the hips. Hold your ankles with your hands if possible, else keep your palms beside your hips, palms facing down. Inhale and lift you're your back and hips very slowly and smoothly. Keep your shoulders and heels on the ground. Close your eyes and focus on the painful area of your spine. Hold the posture for as long as your can, breathing normally. Return to base position very slowly and relax. Repeat three times.

DHANURASANA:

Lie on your stomach, facing down. Bend your legs and grasp the ankles with your hands. Inhale and raise the hind part of your body and your chest. Tilt your neck back with eyes closed. Feel the strain between legs and hands as your entire body rests on your belly. Arch the back into a bow, breathing normally. Hold the posture as long as you can and then return to base position. Repeat Dhanurasana twice.

Note: If you are suffering form hernia, hypertension and peptic ulcers, avoid Dhanurasana.

ASHWANI MUDRA:

Sit comfortably in Padmasana or Sukhasana as shown in the picture, back straight and eyes closed. Breathe normally. Pull your anus and lower abdominal muscles up and relax. Focus on the muscles contracting and relaxing. Repeat this motion 200 times in two set with 100 repeats each.

BHASTRIKA PRANAYAM:

Sit comfortably in Padmasana or Sukhasana as shown in the picture, back straight and eyes closed. Form the Gyan Mudra and place your hands on your knees. Exhale to your maximum capacity through both nostrils, and then inhale through both with full force. Repeat this process continuously till you feel tired. Do it slowly first, then speed up gradually. Maintain a rhythmic patter; the time taken to inhale should equal that taken to exhale. And remember when you breath in, your lungs should expand and not your belly. Similarly, when you breathe out, your lungs must come back to their original position. Do this process according to your capacity, 30-40 times.

Note: People suffering form high blood pressure, heart problems and migraine should do Bhastrika Pranayam slowly without undue force.

Nutrients Needed to Make Healthy Sperm Count :

Zinc:
Oysters are often touted as an aphrodisiac food, or food generating sexual arousal. The key turns out there on the content of zinc in oysters. Minerals are necessary for healthy sperm production. Other sources are the main source of zinc is a ginger, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds

Selenium:
Selenium is a substance antioxidants. Selenium protects DNA, nervous system, and prevent sperm damage. As many as 40% of sperm damage occurs because of the influence of free radicals. By protecting sperm from free radicals, sperm health can be more awake.

Vitamin B complex:
Men need vitamin B complex to improve body functions physically and mentally. Vitamin B6 and B2 plays an important role in the production of sex hormones in men.

Foods:

• Foods that contain iron and amino acids such as spinach, seaweed, sunflower seeds, egg whites, and poultry
• Foods that contain lots of protein such as oysters, goat meat, red meat, turkey meat, wheat, beans, nuts, watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds and avocados.
• Foods that contain androsterone, which is good for sexual stimulation such as celery
• Foods that contain lycopene, which many found in tomatoes, guava and red wine.
• Foods that contain folic acid found in broccoli, asparagus, green beans, oranges, green leafy vegetables.

Other: 

• Antioxidant vitamins C, E and B12 for sperm production
• Selenium sources such as tuna, red meat, poultry meat.
• Proper intake of Water
• Nuts & Grains
• Fruit and Vegetables

Increasing the quantity of sperm can also be done by increasing the portion of green vegetables like spinach, broccoli, asparagus, and seaweeds. Spinach contains amino acids, while others contain folic acid which also affect sperm production.While fruits such as tomatoes, watermelon, guava, and red wine, have a high enough concentration lycopine. Not only beneficial to maximize the production of sperm, lycopine also good to fight prostate cancer.In addition to nutrient intake, sperm health are also influenced lifestyle. For the sake of quantity and quality of sperm to prime then you should do is to avoid stress, avoid smoking and alcohol consumption. Such bad habits can damage sperm quality. Use panties that are too tight also worsen the quality of sperm.

OTHER TIPS:

• Normally your testicles should be a couple of degrees cooler than your body temperature. So avoid wearing tight underpants and avoid bathing in very hot water or sitting in a hot tub to prevent overheating of testicles.
• Maintain a gap of two to three days between two consecutive ejaculations.
• Exercise regularly to loose excess fat and avoid sitting for long hours.
• Sperm levels are generally high in the early morning. This is the best time.
• Massaging the body with oil, a technique known as abhayanga in ayurveda, increases blood circulation and sperm count. Abhayanga slackens aging, boosts health and increases the libido.

Above is a healthy food you can consume to increase sperm quantity (sperm count / more sperm), sperm quality and sperm motility. Hope can help.

* Please feel free to add your feedback on this topic & if you like it do share it with your friends !

Top 10 health benefits of tulsi

Tulsi also known as basil leaves, is a fairly common plant in Indian households. Considered holy by many religions, the tulsi plant is revered for its divine properties.

Besides praying to the plant, a number of people advice including the leaves and roots of the plant in various medical decoctions.

With immense benefits right from clear skin to dissolving kidney stones, tulsi is tonic for the entire body. Here are the top 10 benefits of tulsi.

Cures a fever: Tulsi has very potent germicidal, fungicidal, anti-bacterial and anti-biotic properties that are great for resolving fevers. It has the potential to cure any fever right from those caused due to common infections to those caused due to malaria as well. In ayurveda, it is strongly advised that a person suffering from fever should have a decoction made of tulsi leaves. In case of a fever boil a few leaves of tulsi with powdered cardamom in half a litre of water( The proportion of tulsi to cardamom powder should be in the ratio 1:0.3). Let it reduce to half its total volume. Mix this decoction with sugar and milk. Sip every two to three hours. This remedy is especially good for children.

Beats diabetes: leaves of holy basil are packed with antioxidants and essential oils that produce eugenol, methyl eugenol and caryophyllene.  Collectively these substances help the pancreatic beta cells (cells that store and release insulin) function properly. This in turn helps increase sensitivity to insulin. Lowering one’s blood sugar and treatingdiabetes effectively. An added advantage is that the antioxidants present in the leaves help beat the ill effects of oxidative stress.

Protects the heart: Tulsi has a powerful anti-oxidant component called Eugenol. This compound helps protect the heart by keeping one’s blood pressure under control and lowering his/her cholesterol levels. Chewing a few leaves of tulsi on an empty stomach everyday can both prevent and protect any heart ailments.

Beats stress: According to a study conducted by the Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India, tulsi helps to maintain the normal levels of the stress hormone – cortisol in the body.  The leaf also has powerful adaptogen properties (also known as anti-stress agents). It helps sooth the nerves, regulates blood circulation and beats free radicals that are produced during an episode of stress. People who have high stress jobs can chew about 12 leaves of tulsi twice a day to beat stress naturally.

Dissolves kidney stones: The holy basil being a great diuretic and detoxifier is great for the kidneys. Tulsi helps reduce the uric acid levels in the blood (one of the main reasons for kidney stones is the presence of excess uric acid in the blood), helps cleanse the kidneys, the presence of acetic acid and other components in its essential oils helps in breaking down kidney stones and its painkiller effect helps dull down the pain of kidney stones. To relieve kidney stones one must have the juice of tulsi leaves with honey, every day for six months to help wash out the stone from the kidney.

Beats cancer: With strong anti-oxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties tulsi has been found to help stop the progression of breast cancer and oral cancer (caused due to chewing tobacco). This is because its compounds restrict the flow of blood to the tumour by attacking the blood vessels supplying it. Have the extract of tulsi every day to keep these conditions at bay.

Helps to quit smoking: Tulsi is known to have very strong anti- stress compounds and is great to help one quit smoking. It helps by lowering the stress that may be involved in trying to quit smoking, or stress that leads to the urge to smoke. It also has a cooling effect on the throat just like menthol drops and helps control the urge to smoke by allowing the person to chew on something. Ayurveda relies heavily on tulsi leaves as a smoking cessation device. Keep some leaves with you and chew it whenever the urge to smoke arises. Another plus is that the antioxidant property of the leaves will help fight all the damage that arises out of years of smoking.

Keeps your skin and hair healthy and glowing: The holy basil has powerful purifying properties. When eaten raw, it purifies the blood giving the skin a beautiful glow, and prevents the appearance of acne and blemishes. Its anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties are very effective in preventing breakouts on acne prone skin. Ayurvedic doctors say that this herb can cure difficult skin conditions like those caused due to ring worms and even leucoderma. Apart from all this, it helps in reducing itchiness of the scalp and helps to reduce hair fall. Mix the powder in coconut oil and apply regularly to the scalp to prevent hair fall. Eating tulsi leaves, drinking the juice, or adding its paste to a face pack can help cure skin and hair conditions.

Heals respiratory conditions: Tulsi has immunomodulatory (helps to modulate the immune system), antitussive (suppresses the cough center, reducing the amount of cough) and expectorant properties (helps expel phlegm from the chest), that make it a great relief for coughs, cold, and other respiratory disorders including chronic and acute bronchitis. Another great property of this leaf is that it has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties that help to beat the infection causing the respiratory problem. It also relieves congestion since it contains potent components like camphene, eugenol and cineole in its essential oils. Its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties also help to treat allergic respiratory disorders.

Cures a headache: Tulsi helps to relieve headaches caused due to sinusitis, allergies, cold or even migraines. This is because it has pain relieving and decongestant properties,  that help relieve the pain and resolve the root cause of the condition. If you are suffering from a headache, make a bowl of water that has been boiled with crushed tulsi leaves or tulsi extract. Cool the water till it is room temperature or bearably hot. Place a small towel in it, wring out the excess water and place this on your forehead to treat a headache. Alternatively you could dip a towel in plain warm water and add a few drops of tulsi extract to the towel for immediate relief. 

These are just some benefits of the plant, other benefits include treatment for common colds, itchiness of the skin, treatment for insect bites, curing common conditions of the eye and as a herbal remedy for bad breath. So the text time you feel ill, try having a few leaves of tulsi. To know more about the health benefits of various everyday ingredients, check out our natural remedies page.

all problame soluliton hear

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