Cancer Doctor Explains How Cooking with Turmeric Leads to Amazing Health Benefits

Digested through every day meals turmeric gives excellent results. Medical oncologist Dr. Saraswati Sukumar  explains how you may get the most out of turmeric. This conclusion comes after laboratory studies on mice and people who tried it out.

 

Scientific facts about curcumin

Curcumin is a diarylheptanoid. It is the principal curcuminoid of turmeric, which is a member of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). Turmeric’s other two curcuminoids are desmethoxycurcumin and bis-desmethoxycurcumin. The curcuminoids are natural phenols responsible for the orange-yellow color of turmeric.

Daily doses over a 3-month period of up to 12 grams are considered to be safe. However, several studies of curcumin efficacy and safety revealed poor absorption and low bioavailability.

Curcumin has effect  on various diseases, including multiple myeloma, pancreatic cancer, myelodysplastic syndromes, colon cancer, psoriasis, arthritis, major depressive disorder and Alzheimer’s disease.

The power of cooking with turmeric 

Dr. Sukumar who is a cancer doctor says that she has acquired some experience on how to use surcumin and get the most of it, because as she claims she uses it a lot in her daily meal routine. She uses it daily in her kitchen and has built a good portion of her professional reputation on touting the benefits of this powerful herbaceous perennial plant.

“The health benefits are many, many. For example, for those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, those who have painful swelling in the knees, or those who suffer from diabetes turmeric is a great way to suppress the inflammation,” says Dr. Sukumar for A Woman’s Journey. “We have close to 300 publications (that cite turmeric) for its anti-cancer effects.

In addition she says – “Many diseases, such as colon cancer and other types of cancer, are being traced to inflammation. So, curcumin not only regulates inflammation which leads to certain types of cancer, but also cures certain types of cancer”.

Natural News stated that curcumin actually seeks out malignant cancer cells and alters the regulation of DNA in order to kill them. Dr. Sukumar also points out that you can get the most of this amazing herb by adding spices to he cooked dishes.

“The problem with the pill is that it is very insoluble in water,” said Dr. Sukumar. “The better way to take it, I feel, is to use it in your cooking very extensively. If you have any sauté, just sprinkle it in. The moment you heat oil and add turmeric to it, it becomes completely bio-available to you.”

Lucky, turmeric has great taste. It tastes great with all kinds of veggies, meat and anything else that you would like to cook. It has a mellow, smoky flavor despite its bright-yellow color. Dr. Sukumar says she uses as little as ¼ to ½  teaspoon in her cooking, depending on the dish. But there is nothing wrong with using more of it in intensely flavored dishes like curry.

Here are 2 simple recipes with turmeric to rev up your metabolism and reduce cancer risk.
1. Sprouted Lentil Veggie Burger Recipe (dairy-free):

Makes 1-2 burgers

Ingredients:

• 2 cups sprouted lentils
• 1 cooked and mashed sweet potato
• 2 tbsp butter or coconut oil
• 3 tbsp ground flax
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tbsp pepper
• 1 tbsp. turmeric

Instructions:

Make sure to sprout the red lentils about 3 days earlier. Cook the sweet potatoes by steaming or in the oven. Peel and mash them. In a food processor add all of the ingredients and mix. From this mixture form patties and then fry them in a pan, on a medium heat, using butter or oil. Make sure to fry them well, flip when one side is browned. Serve with cheese, avocado or other favorite toppings!

Anti-Inflammatory Frozen Watermelon Pineapple Smoothie Recipe

(Vegetarian, Vegan, Paleo, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)

You can use turmeric to make sweet drinks as this amaizing smoothie. Red watermelon will protect your body against inflammation; Pineapple has a special enzyme called bromelain which helps promote healthy digestion by breaking down protein. Bromelain is also a potent anti-inflammatory that protects your body from the effects of chronic inflammation.

Makes 1 to 2 servings

Ingredients:

• 2 cups frozen watermelon flesh, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1 cup frozen organic pineapple, cut into 2-inch chunks
• 1 orange—peeled, white pith and seeds removed
• ½ cup organic coconut milk, preservative free
• 1½ cups organic coconut water, sugar free
• 1 tea spoon grated fresh ginger
• ½ tea spoon organic turmeric powder
• 2-3 drops liquid stevia or 1 teaspoon raw honey (optional)

Instructions:

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender. Blend until smooth and frosty. Spoon into serving glasses and enjoy with a spoon or large straw. Pairing turmeric with watermelon and pineapple seems like a very healthy fit and tastes delicious too.
So, give it a try!

Source: http://www.dietoflife.com/cancer-doctor-explains-how-cooking-with-turmeric-leads-to-amazing-health-benefits/

3 Ingredients That Cure Clogged Arteries, Fat In The Blood, Infections And Cold

3 Ingredients That Cure Clogged Arteries, Fat In The Blood, Infections And Cold

By Job Ayantoye on May 23, 2015

We present you one of Germany’s oldest home remedies. For preparation of this remedy, you need only ginger, garlic, lemon and water.

In fact, this drink, which is a combination of three super healthy foods, can bring more benefits to your health, such as: preventing general fatigue, the arteries congestion, reducing the blood fat levels, liver cleansing, prevention of infections, flu and colds , enhance immunity and so on.

This remedy, because of its ingredients, is the best prevention from free radicals and one of the greatest fighters against heart and circulatory diseases.

3 Ingredients Home Remedy

Ingredients:

    4 whole garlic (large).
    One 1 – 1,5 inch (3-4 cm) ginger.
    4 whole lemons (with zest).
    0,5 gallons (2 l) of pure water.

Directions:

Wash the lemons well and cut them into a few pieces. After that, peel the garlic and blend it in a blender, together with the ginger and lemons.

In a larger metal container, pour the water, add the blended mixture, heat and stir them until the boiling point. Just before boiling, turn off the stove and allow the mixture to cool down. Drain the mixture in bottles.

Lemon water and cooking neutralize the unpleasant smell of garlic.

Every day, at least 2 hours before a meal, drink a cup of this drink on an empty stomach. Before drinking, shake the bottle to get Lemon and garlic at the bottom, mixed with juice.

This Incredible Detox Drink Helps You Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism, Fight Diabetes And Lower Blood Pressure

This Incredible Detox Drink Helps You Burn Fat, Boost Metabolism, Fight Diabetes And Lower Blood Pressure

By Job Ayantoye on May 21, 2015 ·


This amazing drink will help you lower the blood pressure, burn the extra fat, fight diabetes and boost your metabolism. The detox combination is made to lower blood pressure, blast the fat in your entire body and fight diabetes through doing that. You don’t believe us? Prepare it and see for yourself! Here is the recipe:




Ingredients:

        1 teaspoon of cinnamon
        2 tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar
        1 tablespoon of Raw Honey
        2 tablespoons of lemon juice
        1 glass of water (12-16 oz.)

Directions:

Put all of the ingredients in a blender and mix them together.Consume the drink every morning on an empty stomach. Make a fresh supply every morning once you wake up,since it is very easy to prepare, and drink it before you do anything else. The results will be amazing!Lemon juice has an alkaline effect on your body helping to regulate ph and will help you balance the blood sugar levels. The most importantly it contains, Vitamin C.

Apple Cider Vinegar is full of good bacteria and enzymes. It contains acetic acid which lowers the blood pressure up to 6%. If you do eat grains in your diet,it can also help eat up the starches.

Honey is packed with many beneficial substances and can it be used even for weight loss. For centuries it has been used to treat wounds, and also heart, skin, lung and gynecological diseases. One teaspoon of honey daily can be very helpful to lose weight, reduce pain in the throat, and even can calm the nerves. It contains enzymes that boost your metabolism and stimulate the digestive process, which help in weight loss.

Cinnamon is one of the best anti-oxidants on the planet. For balancing blood sugar,it is the number one spice/herb.

Sources: http://romanticupdates.com/2015/05/this-incredible-detox-drink-helps-you-burn-fat-boost-metabolism-fight-diabetes-and-lower-blood-pressure/

9 Ingredients That Make Any Meal Healthier

Boost vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants with a snip or two of fresh herbs. 

 

What's the quickest way to load your dinner down with antioxidants? Add oregano. Need more iron? Add lavender. If you’re not utilizing all the fresh herbs overflowing at farmers’ markets right now, you’re missing out nature’s real miracles, tiny taste-enhancers loaded with compounds that add antioxidants and vital minerals to every dish, and some that can even cut down on toxic chemicals that form while cooking. Even if you don’t care about nutrition, they’ll all help you make totally killer meals sure to impress anyone.

Thyme

One of the most commonly used medicinal herbs, thyme has been used for everything from killing germs to curing colds. But don’t just relegate it to your medicine cabinet. Two teaspoons of the herb pack in nearly 20 percent of your daily requirement for iron, and it’s also rich in manganese, a mineral that boosts brain function and aids in healthy bone, skin, and cartilage formation.

Parsley

Two tablespoons of fresh parsley will provide more than 150 percent of your daily requirement for vitamin K, which plays an important role in blood clotting, proper bone formation, and liver function. A super side benefit of eating parsley is that the herb’s odor-beating chlorophyll will freshen your breath—which might spice things up in your bedroom. The ancient Greeks utilized parsley as an aphrodisiac.

Lemongrass

This aromatic, citrusy grass is probably best known for its prevalence in Southeast Asian cuisine. And exotic lemongrass—which derives its flavor and scent from the same compound found in lemon zest—is not only a great addition to recipes, but also is prized in natural medicine for its ability to relieve fever, muscle cramps, upset stomachs, and headaches. It’s loaded with antioxidants, as well, which help protect against oxidative stress, one of the leading causes of heart disease and cancer. Studies have also found that lemongrass contains antimicrobial properties that fight E. coli.

Oregano

If you use only one herb in your cooking, make it oregano. This potent herb (which some chefs think actually tastes better dried) contains up to 20 times more cancer-fighting antioxidants than other herbs, on average, and holds its own against fruit, as well. According to USDA researchers, 1 tablespoon of fresh oregano has the same antioxidant power as an entire apple. And gram for gram, the herb has twice the antioxidant activity of blueberries.

Rosemary

Who doesn’t love a good grilled steak? But exposing meat (red or white) to the hot flames of a grill leads to the formation of heterocyclic amines (HCAs), carcinogenic compounds created when meats are barbecued or grilled. Add rosemary, though, and that doesn’t happen, according to researchers from the University of Arkansas, Iowa State University, and Kansas State University, who found that cooking meats with rosemary could lower the levels of HCAs by 60 to 80 percent.

Cilantro

Love it or hate it, you may want to make sure you always throw a few sprigs of cilantro into your next chicken dish. Researchers from the University of California have found that a compound in cilantro called dodecenal is nearly twice as effective at killing salmonella bacteria (commonly found in raw meats) as commercial antibiotics, and they isolated a dozen other antibiotic compounds that were also effective at killing other foodborne bacteria. Those same compounds were also found in coriander, the spice made from seeds of the cilantro plant.

Sage

This strong-flavored herb is an antioxidant powerhouse, ranking just behind oregano in terms of antioxidant content, and this herb, widely used in herbal and traditional cures, boosts your brain power. In a study published in the journal Pharmacological Biochemical Behavior, 45 adults were given either a placebo or varying levels of the essential oils found in sage. Those receiving even the lowest levels of sage oils had better memory and subject recall, based on cognitive tests, than people taking a placebo. If you’re a local-food addict, try pineapple sage, a variety you can grow in your back yard that tastes and smells just like the tropical fruit but without the food miles.

Lavender

Most people associate lavender with candles and potpourri; it has a pretty solid reputation for relaxing you and alleviating stress. But if you’re not cooking with it, you’re missing out on all the nutrients stored in its fragrant leaves. A great source of calcium and vitamin A, lavender also has a decent amount of iron and vitamin C, the latter of which can help ward off seasonal allergies.

 

Peppermint
Peppermint does more than just dress up a cocktail or freshen your breath. It ranks third, behind sage and oregano, in terms of antioxidant content, and it might actually keep you skinny. Simply smelling mint can reduce cravings, so much so that a study from Wheeling Jesuit University in West Virginia found that people who sniffed peppermint every 2 hours for a week consumed 2,800 fewer calories that week than non-peppermint-sniffers.




Sources: http://www.organicgardening.com/cook/9-ingredients-to-make-any-meal-healthier?page=0,1

11 Benefits of Lemon Water You May Not Know About

I was first introduced to the concept of lemon water when I started doing yoga. An avid drinker (of water!), it was refreshing to learn a new spin on an old favorite. When I started having a glass of lemon water every morning, it was after learning only two of the benefits of lemon water. Little did I know just how many there are!

Why lemons?

Lemons are packed like a clown car with nutrients, including vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and fiber. (Fun fact: they contain more potassium than apples or grapes!). Because of how hard lemon juice can be on the enamel of your teeth, it’s important to dilute it with water of any temperature (though lukewarm is recommended). Drink it first thing in the morning, and wait 15 to 30 minutes to have breakfast. This will help you fully receive the benefits of lemon water, which are listed below.

11 Benefits of Lemon Water

1. Gives your immune system a boost.

Vitamin C is like our immune system’s jumper cables, and lemon juice is full of it. The level of vitamin C in your system is one of the first things to plummet when you’re stressed, which is why experts recommended popping extra vitamin C during especially stressful days.

2. Excellent source of potassium.

As already mentioned, lemons are high in potassium, which is good for heart health, as well as brain and nerve function.

3. Aids digestion.

Lemon juice not only encourages healthy digestion by loosening toxins in your digestive tract, it helps to relieve symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, burping, and bloating.

4. Cleanses your system.

It helps flush out the toxins in your body by enhancing enzyme function, stimulating your liver.

5. Freshens your breath.

It also helps relieve toothaches and gingivitis (say wha?). Because the citric acid can erode tooth enamel, either hold off on brushing your teeth after drinking lemon water or brush your teeth before drinking it.

6. Keeps your skin blemish-free.

The antioxidants in lemon juice help to not only decrease blemishes, but wrinkles too! It can also be applied to scars and age spots to reduce their appearance, and because it’s detoxifying your blood, it will maintain your skin’s radiance.

7. Helps you lose weight.

Lemons contain pectin fiber, which assists in fighting hunger cravings.

8. Reduces inflammation.

If you drink lemon water on a regular basis, it will decrease the acidity in your body, which is where disease states occur. It removes uric acid in your joints, which is one of the main causes of inflammation.

9. Gives you an energy boost.

Lemon juice provides your body with energy when it enters your digestive tract, and it also helps reduce anxiety and depression. (Even the scent of lemons has a calming effect on your nervous system!)

10. Helps to cut out caffeine.

I didn’t believe this until I tried it, but replacing my morning coffee with a cup of hot lemon water has really done wonders! I feel refreshed, and no longer have to deal with that pesky afternoon crash. Plus, my nerves are thankful.

11. Helps fight viral infections.

Warm lemon water is the most effective way to diminish viral infections and their subsequent sore throats. Plus, with the lemon juice also boosting your immune system, you’ll simultaneously fight off the infection completely.

How much?

For those who weigh less than 150 pounds, squeeze half a lemon’s worth of juice into a glass of water. If over 150 pounds, use an entire lemon’s juice. You can of course dilute the lemon juice more, depending on your personal taste. Not only are the benefits of lemon water endless, it’s one of the most substantial yet simple changes you can make for your health.

Source: Life Hack 

This Unusual Tropical Fruit Can Stop Cancer and Increase Life Span

Sapodilla or sapota (chikoo) is a popular delicious tropical fruit in line with mango and kiwi. It has now joined the list of fruits that have proven anticancer properties. Originated in the central American rain forests, probably in Mexico and Belize, today it has spread all over the tropical belt and is being grown as a major commercial crop in India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia and Malaysia. The tree is fast growing, wind and drought resistant, and suitable for dry arid regions receiving scanty rains.

Sapota fruit is brown in color with sandy “kiwifruit like” outer surface but without the fuzziness. Internally, the pulp in unripe fruits is white with sticky latex called as saponin. Latex content gradually disappears as the fruit ripens, and its flesh turns brown. The ripe fruit is sweet with smooth or grainy texture, and has light musky flavor. It contains about 3-10 black, smooth, shiny “biconvex/bean” shaped, inedible seeds located at its center.

Sapodilla is high calories, 100 g provides 83 calories (almost same as that of calories in sweet potato, and banana). In addition, it is a very good source of dietary fiber (5.6 g/100g), which makes it an excellent bulk laxative. The fiber content helps relieve constipation episodes and help protect the mucous membrane of the colon from cancer-causing toxins by firmly binding to them.

Different components of the Sapota plant such as saponins and triterpenoids have been used in folk medicine and are known to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, analgesic and spermicidal activities. Importantly, chemical constituents such as flavonoids, polyphenols, dihydromyrecetin, quercitin, myricitrin, catechin, epicatechin, gallocatechin and gallic acid have been isolated from fruits.

Study 

The study was undertaken by a team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore and the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology, Bangalore. The results were published recently in the Nature group’s journal Scientific Reports.

Phytochemicals have been considered as conducive for cancer prevention. Preclinical and clinical studies have established plant derived dietary substances as suitable candidates for treating various types of cancers due to their broad chemical diversity. Such phytochemicals can block the action of carcinogens on target tissues thereby suppressing cancer development. Hence, the risk of cancer can be repressed by eating more fruits, vegetables and other plant products.

 

Meta-analyses of cohort and case control studies show significant evidence for cancer preventive effects with fruit consumption as they are good sources of vitamins, minerals and fibers. Experiments were carried out using different human cancer cell lines and mice induced to develop breast cancer to test and verify the efficacy of the sapota fruit extract in inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.

In the case of human cells, the anti-tumour potency was pronounced in the case of leukaemia. Of the two different human leukaemia cancer cell lines studied, the effect was pronounced in one of them (NALM6). The viability was “significantly affected” in these cell lines after 48 hours of treatment at extract concentrations of 1 mg/ml onwards. “Over 80 per cent of cell death was observed at 2 mg/ml concentration,” the paper notes. As expected, the effect of the sapota fruit extract on normal cells was “limited” compared with cancer cells.

Importantly, ~3-fold increase in lifespan was also observed at least in 50% of the mice (6/12 mice) when tumor bearing mice were treated Sapota extracts. These results indicate that Sapota fruit can be used as a potent chemotherapeutic agent.

Top Health Benefits of Sapota

1. Apart from being a delicious fruit, the humble Sapota is known for the large amount of health benefits it can give the human body. This is because the fruit has plenty of nutrients in it which makes digestion easy, it also helps with refreshing the body and providing the body with a lot of energy in it, thanks to the high amounts of glucose found in the fruit. Since it is rich in tannins and minerals too, most consume it as a shake. For better eye sight as well, the Sapota in any form is good, since it has plenty of vitamin A in it.

2. Those who suffer from aches, pains and inflammation issues should have Sapota. This is because the fruit has plenty of tannins in it which makes it an anti-inflammation agent, say experts. Sapota in other ways also helps work with the digestive system, and it also keeps the body safe from issues such as irritable bowels, enteritis, oesophagitis and gas too.

3. The rich antioxidants found in Sapota can help the body stay safe and clear from cancers of various kinds. This is because of the vitamins A and B in them which helps maintaining the health of the mucus lining, say experts. Even the skins texture would be taken care of when the paste is applied as a body or face mask, and kept for twenty minutes. The nutrients and dietary fibre helps the digestive system too, and protects the body from cancers, the carcinogens in the fruit helps the colon stay safe and clean too. Lung, cavity and oral cancers too can be prevented when the fruit is consumed.

4. To have healthy bones, the body needs enough of iron, phosphorus and calcium, which Sapota has in abundance. Since the fruit is rich in minerals and vitamins, it helps the body have high bone density and gives the bones a lot of strength as well

5. The fruit is rich in dietary fibre as mentioned, which would help the digestive tract steer clear of constipation issues. In many countries across the globe, people consume Sapota as a laxative. The fibre in the fruit is known to break down the proteins and helps the food dissolve easily too. When food is dissolved well, the body then doesn’t suffer from issues such as constipation. Even the membrane of the colon would be cared for, and it is made stronger to help fight infections too.

6. Pregnant women would find a lot of help having Sapota, because of the high amounts of nutrients and carbohydrates in it. Lactating mothers especially face weakness, which is why Sapota is given to them. Other pregnancy symptoms can be taken care of when Sapota is eaten too, say experts.

7. Blood loss can be an issue and one needs to stop it. Thanks to the fruit Sapota, this can be done, especially when internal injuries and piles happen to the body, both of which make the body lose a lot of blood. If there are stings and bites that cause blood loss, the seeds of the fruit can be crushed and applied on the affected areas, say experts.

8. Anti bacterial and anti viral properties are found in the Sapota, because of the polyphenols found in the fruit. These compounds stop the bacteria from entering the body and the vitamin C in the fruit helps destroy free radicals which if left unchecked can create havoc.

9. For those who suffer from diarrhoea and loose motions, having Sapota would be of great help say experts, since the fruit has purgative properties in it. Apart from that, Sapota can help with mental health too, and since it is a sedative, it has the potential to calm the nerves as well. Stress and anxiety pangs can be beaten off, and that is why most consume the fruit to beat depression, insomnia and anxiety as well.

Other benefits:

a. It is a well known fact that coughs and colds can be treated when Sapota is consumed. Phlegm is removed and the mucus too, the nasal tract is cleared and respiration is helped.

b. Sapota can help with removals of kidney stones too, when the seeds are crushed as used. This is because the seeds are diuretic and can help with bladder expelling and removal of stones as well.

c. Consume Sapota and watch how you lose weight. The fruit is best for those who have bloating and obesity issues too, because it regulated the gastric enzymes and metabolism in the body too.

d. Detox your body and do it by consuming Sapota. The fruit is diuretic and can help eliminate waste from the human system through frequent urination, say sources. Water retention would be prevented and no dehydration would happen.

About the Author:

Mae Chan holds degrees in both physiology and nutritional sciences. She is also blogger and and technology enthusiast with a passion for disseminating information about health.