Easy Ways to Eat a High Fiber Diet

You have probably heard for years that a high fiber diet is an important part of eating nutritiously. Recently, emphasis has been put on eating a high fiber diet because of the numerous health benefits. Some of the benefits of a high fiber diet are: relief of constipation, aid in weight loss, lowering cholesterol, controlling blood sugar levels and more. You may have even believed that the only way to eat a high fiber diet was to drink Metamucil or something filled with fiber that tastes like cardboard. The good news is that having a high fiber diet does not mean drinking funny drinks or eating cardboard. Read on and you can learn five tastier ways to eat a high fiber diet.

High Fiber Diet Tip#1

Changing over to wheat pasta is a great way to start a high fiber diet. The average person needs about 30 grams of fiber per day so if you just switch from white pasta to wheat pasta you can add about 4 extra grams per day. On average, white pasta has 2 grams of fiber per serving while wheat pasta has about 6 grams of fiber per serving. I have made the permanent switch to wheat pasta and have found that I love it and it wards off hunger unlike white pasta which makes me hungrier.

High Fiber Diet Tip#2

Simply eating breakfast can help you on your way to a high fiber diet. Not only does breakfast keep you from feeling hungry and overindulging at lunch, it is also a great time to work towards having a high fiber diet. When planning breakfast you can keep it simple by buying whole grain cereal and you don't even have to get the cardboard kind. I get Total whole wheat which has 3 grams of fiber per serving and I usually eat 1.5 servings since it is pretty low in calories too. By doing this you are starting your gihg fiber diet by adding another 4.5 grams of fiber to your diet that you would be missing out on when skipping breakfast.

High Fiber Diet Tip #3

Eat sugar, natural sugar that is! I am guilty of always having a sweet tooth but today instead of grabbing a chocolate bar that leaves me hungry in 10 minutes, I opt for fruit which also helps me maintain a high fiber diet. Apples contain about 4 grams of fiber, pears have about 5 grams of fiber and adding raspberries to your diet will give you a whopping 8 extra grams of fiber (you have to eat the skin on the apples and pears to get the full amount of fiber). As I stated, not only does fruit help you consume a high fiber diet, it can satisfy a sweet tooth and control hunger.

High Fiber Diet Tip#4

One of the simplest ways to sneak in a high fiber diet is by putting it in your meals that you are already cooking. Add a cup of Kellogg's All Bran Complete Wheat Flakes to your meatloaf, casseroles, bread, and muffins when you cook and you are sneaking 6.25 grams of extra fiber into the dish. If you crush it up well, you probably won't notice it which is a great way to get your family on a high fiber diet without them even knowing it. I add it to all of my cooking and my family has never complained.

High Fiber Diet Tip #5

This has to be my favorite and it's by far one of the easiest ways to substantially help create a high fiber diet. Instead of snacking on candy or chips, buy Fiber One Bars! When I first saw the Fiber One bars I figured they probably tasted like chocolate covered cardboard. I was wrong! The Oats and Chocolate Fiber One bars are great and the Oats and Caramel ones are even better (however they do taste like butterscotch to me). I always keep a Fiber One bar in my purse since I am dieting and try to maintain my blood sugar levels by eating every 3 hours. Eating the Fiber One bar gives me about 9 grams of fiber with only 140 calories and you would not believe how well it satisfies hunger, I recommend you try it today and get started on your way to a high fiber diet!

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Alzheimer's Cure from Nature

Different herbs and spices, all from earth and nature. Mostly all can deliver a cure or treatment for diseases and conditions. Chris Kilham, of Fox News "Medicine Hunter" and ethnobotanist, latest announced spice turmeric root, also referred to as curcumin when it is in extract form. This spicefrom Asia seems to pack a powerful delivery in possibly the prevention of Alzheimer's diseaseand may just be able to cure the disease as well.

Dr. Manny Alvarez, who recently gave an interview to Fox News had stated that person's with Alzheimer's develop a sticky plaque in the brain called amyloid beta. These type of plaques either actualize as a reaction of Alzheimer's or they are the explicit cause of the disease. In either case they are absolutely associated to the degenerative process.

Studies have demonstrated that turmeric does really dispose of the plaques. They eliminate these plaques when they are just beginning to form and during the later phases in their progression.

Mr. Kilham, states that what is present in turmeric is something that seems to prevent the developing of Alzheimer's disease and in all reality it aides to decrease the appearance of plaque in the brain if you happen to have it. In animal studies, when the animals have the amyloid beta plaque in their brains and they receive turmeric, the plaque is decreased.

Observational studies have also indicated that persons in groups that consume turmeric basically never get Alzheimer's disease.

Among countries where the populace eat a lot of this spice, the rate of Alzheimer's disease is extremely low. In Southeast Asia and India it is a rare disease. However, in the United States Alzheimer's disease is very common.

Mr. Kilham notes that pharmaceutical companies are working hard attempting to produce medication versions of turmeric. However, consuming the real spice when possible and taking turmeric extract supplements in case the spice in food is not a viable option is highly recommended.

Mr. Kilham remarks pharmaceutical companies face one challenge in being that they cannot patent turmeric. Therefore, they will attempt to develop something else. It very well appears that the consumption of turmeric or using its extracts supplements seems to guard against one of the worlds most dreadful and incapacitating disease around.

ALC Supplements

Acetylene-L-carnitine (ACL) is an amino acid in which is produced in the bodies liver and kidneys and kept in the skeletal muscles, heart, brain and sperm. It aides the body to turn fat into energy.

It is used in many conditions as a treatment due to the fact it decreases oxidative stress.

Research evidence of the supplement is divided. Results for delaying the onset of Alzheimer's disease by using this supplement have been favorable. It has also shown good results in decreasing depression cause by senility and other types of dementia. It also has demonstrated the ability to improve memory.

This supplement is safe and effective. However, in serious conditions such as Alzheimer's disease checking with your primary care provider first is recommended.

PS Supplements

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is an element in the membranes which enclose the nerve cells. There have been small studies done on PS supplements and Alzheimer's disease. The outcomes of these studies have suggested that these supplements possible can aide in preventing in mental decline due to age progression. The supplements strengthen the cell membranes which guards them and their contents from harm.

PS supplements are synthesized from soy and in a small trail they resulted in promising results. Dr. Dharma Singh Khalsa, Medical Director and President of the Alzheimer's Prevention Foundation in Tuscon, Arizona recommends PS in the following doses:

100mg to maintain top brain functioning

200mg for mild cognitive impairment

300mg to treat Alzheimer's disease

These are all in daily doses.

Vitamin E

In a recent study findings did conclude that vitamin E possibly is associated to decreasing the risk of Alzheimer's disease. High intakes of vitamin E in foods show a 25% less chance of developing Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Food sources of vitamin E include almonds, hazel nuts, wheat germ, broccoli and some green vegetables. High dosage amounts of vitamin E can cause a risk for bleeding. When taking supplements no more than 1,000mg is recommended daily.

American/Asian Ginseng

Ginseng is vastly being used to strengthen immune system and increase strength.

In animal studies and individual reports for either American or Asian ginseng, have demonstrate ginseng has the possibility in slowing down the progression of Alzheimer's also improving memory and behavior.

Coffee

University of Florida researchers conducted a study on caffeine. The study had provided evidence that caffeine could be practical treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

In the study mice had been bred for the specific purpose to develop Alzheimer's. Half of the mice had received large amounts of a caffeine diet upon researchers noticing signs of the disease. The mice in which had consumed the caffeine had a higher performance rate on memory testing than those mice who received no caffeine.

The researchers stated just due to the fact they could reverse the diseases effects on cognitive ability is of major significance.

Current research on Alzheimer's treatment had concentrated on clumps which form in the brain of Alzheimer's patients which interrupt normal memory capability. At times these clumps are caused by two enzymes. When heavy doses of caffeine is consumed it appears that these enzymes are halted in forming.

Apple Juice

University of Massachusetts researchers in 2009, had discovered apple juice possibly can postpone the beginning of Alzheimer's disease. In mice who consumed two glasses of apple juice (glasses were of human consumption amounts) each day for a length of 30 days had manufactured less beta-amyloid. This is said to be the substance in which is liable for composing the senile plaques which are most often in the brains of Alzheimer's patients.

This study was published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease along with past studies which had also discovered that the consumption of apple juice aided in boosting the performance of mice in maze trails.

Dr. Thomas B. Shea, PhD., of the universities Center of Cellular Neurobiology, Neurodegeneration Research, head researcher on this study commented that the results gave further evidence associating nutritional and genetic risk factors of age related neurodegeneration and advocates that drinking apple juice on a regular basis not only aides in keeping the mind functioning at its peak performance level but can also inhibit main elements of Alzheimer's disease.

Vitamin B Supplements

University of Oxford scientists just recently conducted a trail of the effects of vitamin B and Alzheimer's disease. The trail consisted of 168 persons and found that when taking high doses of three vitamin B supplements each day had decreased the brain from shrinking by 53%. Brain shrinkage is a normal part of aging but can happen faster in persons with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) associated to Alzheimer's.

The researcher stated that since these findings were significantly immense it should be open to debate as whether to prescribe vitamin B supplements to everyone with MCI half of those persons do develop Alzheimer's disease.

Even though the evidence is very promising more research is required before a decision is made to use the supplements as a positive treatment for Alzheimer's.

Mediterranean Diet and Exercise

At the Columbia University Medical Center in New York, researchers had assessed 1,880 elderly residents who did had no dementia at the beginning of the study. The residents in the study had undergone neurological and neuropsychological assessments every 1.5 years from 1992 to 2006 along with their endurance of the Mediterranean diet and level of exercise evaluated.

In total, 282 persons developed Alzheimer's during the study. In comparison of persons who had low exercise levels and sticking to the diet, and those who had high exercise level and maintained the diet. Those who kept the diet along with high exercise rate had shown a 35 - 44% decline risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

In 2007, a study which was published in Neurology, had discovered that persons with the disease who follow the Mediterranean diet have longer healthy life spans.

In the 2009, British American Journal, published research had noted that the most valuable foods in the Mediterranean diet for aiding in Alzheimer's were vegetables, fruits, nuts, pulses, olive oil and moderate intake of alcohol.

There are numerous studies that support the Mediterranean diet along with regular exercises for a healthy long life span.

It seems more and more the natural things of mother nature prevails at higher rates than that of conventional medicines.

Read more here:

http://voices.yahoo.com/alzheimers-cure-nature-6808352.html?cat=68

Could Lettuce Cure Diabetes?

Would you believe that the lettuce you are eating in your dinner salad could possibly be a cure for Type 1 diabetes? In about five years, a diabetic could be swallowing a capsule containing ground up lettuce with insulin once or twice a week for a few weeks and then be cured and not have to inject insulin for the rest of his life.

Let's start at the beginning. Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in young adults and children. Diabetes does not permit the body to manufacture insulin, which is needed to convert starches, sugar and other food into energy. This disease can bring on many problems such as blindness, foot and skin problems, and heart and kidney disease. Watching their blood sugar levels is a number one priority for patients with this form of the disease.

According to the American Diabetes Association, about 20.8 million children and adults or about 7 percent of the population have type 1 or 2 diabetes in the United States. The National Changing Diabetes Program released last month that the number of Americans with diabetes is estimated to double by 2025. During a congressional briefing, the Mathematical Policy Research, Inc. reported that one of every eight federal health care dollars, $79.7 billion out of $645 billion, is spent on care for diabetics.

The current treatment for type 1 diabetes entails putting insulin into the bloodstream usually by injection. Patients can also inhale the insulin or wear a pump that delivers the insulin into the bloodstream. Unfortunately, the insulin does not cure the diabetes, it only treats it. Patients have to take insulin for the rest of their lives. People experiencing this disease may have a cure and it could come from lettuce, according to Henry Daniell, Ph.D., a molecular biologist at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida.

According to Dr. Daniell, a lettuce leaf is put into a machine and then it is injected with a human gene for insulin. The leaf is in effect creating human insulin. The lettuce is grown in the lab. The lettuce is then ground up and put into a capsule. Dr. Daniell considers the lettuce to be genetically modified. Every solitary cell in the lettuce leaf contains 10,000 copies of the insulin gene. The plant cell walls are made of cellulose to prevent the insulin from degrading. Insulin is little by little sent into the bloodstream when the bacteria living in the intestine slowly break down the cell walls. This generates an immune reaction in the body and trains it to release its own insulin. This is a completely new theory and a new way to use this oral delivery system to cure this immune disorder. Dr. Daniell has been working to make his technique perfect for the past 20 years.

Dr. Daniell has tested this concept on mice. All the diabetic mice had normal blood sugar levels and created insulin after eight weeks, even after they quit ingesting the lettuce powder. He had given the lettuce powder to the mice once a week and the results were amazing.

Patients would only have to take the pill for weeks, not months or years according to Dr. Daniell. Technically, they would no longer have diabetes once their immune system reacts to the pill. Additionally, since this therapy is based on plants, it would only cost pennies to produce. The mice had no side effects from the treatment.

The next step is to test the lettuce capsules in humans and that is expected to start in the next year. Dr. Daniell said his research team has offers from formal partners and the University of Central Florida is consulting with them to start a phase 1 clinical trial. Dr. Daniell is expecting to see the same result in humans as they found in the trials on mice.

Prior results and these results signify that insulin capsules possibly in the future might be used to prevent diabetes before the symptoms appear and even treat the disease in its later stages. It could also assist patients that have multiple sclerosis, type 2 diabetes and some forms of arthritis.

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http://voices.yahoo.com/could-lettuce-cure-diabetes-1843278.html?cat=70

More about SWEET POTATO (kamote)

Did you know that SWEET POTATO (kamote) far exceeds the nutrition and
health values of rice? Here are the benefits of substituting rice with
kamote:

1. Sweet potato is more filling and suppresses hunger pangs longer.
It is also cheaper than rice.

2. Unlike rice, it is easy to grow. It grows in backyards with or
without fertilizers. Local government executives can provide their
poor communities with idle government land for planting kamote which
the entire community can share.

3. Unlike rice which needs to be eaten with a dish, Sweet Potato
tastes good and can be eaten by itself. Thus, substituting rice with
sweet potato saves money for other needs.

4. Rice cannot match the nutritional values of potato. Because rice
converts to sugar in the body, the Philippines registers as a top
producer of diabetics in the world. The poor tends to load up on rice
and less on the dish which are more expensive. That makes them
vulnerable to diabetes, an ailment known in developed countries as a
rich's disease.

5. The nutritional values of a 3 oz. baked sweet potato are:
calories 90, fat 0 g, saturated fat 0 g, cholesterol 0 mg,
carbohydrate 21 g, protein 2 g, dietary fiber 3 g, sodium 36 mg,
vitamin A 19,218 IU, folic acid 6 micrograms, pantothenic acid 1 mg,
vitamin B6 <1 mg, vitamin C 20 mg, vitamin E 1 mg, calcium 38 mg,
manganese 1 mg, carotenoids 11,552 mcg, potassium 475 mg and magnesium
45 mg. Compare that to a 100 g serving of white rice with: calories
361 kcal, water 10.2 g, total fat 0.8 g, dietary fiber 0.6 g, calcium
8 mg, phosphorous 87 mg, potassium 111 mg, sodium 31 mg, vitamin B1
0.07 mg, vitamin B2 0.02 mg, niacin 1.8 g, protein 6 g and
carbohydrates 82 g.

6. Too much rice consumption can make you sick, but sweet
potato(kamote) can bring you to health and keep away some health
problems. These have been proved medically.

In a medical documentary I watched recently on KBS World (the South
Korean TV Network), I was awed by the results of the research the
Koreans conducted on the nutritional and medicinal benefits of kamote
(which they refer to as sweet potato).

In that Korean medical documentary I watched (which I followed through
the English subtitles), they presented the research findings on people
with established health problems who were placed on a kamote/sweet
potato diet.
Believe it or not Sweet Potato (kamote) lowers hypertension, bad
cholesterol and even blood sugar when eaten as SUBSTITUTE TO RICE! The
purple sweet potato (kamote) is particularly effective for lowering
hypertension.

Not only that, the Korean medical documentary credits the sweet potato
(kamote) as high fiber and is one of the best foods that one can eat
to prevent cancer!

For those who are only impressed by US doctors, read this: the North
Carolina Stroke Association, American Cancer Society, and the American
Heart Association have all endorsed the sweet potato for its disease
prevention and healing qualities.

The Americans, the South Koreans both progressive nations have raised
the kamote to a high pedestal. Many of them even call the sweet Potato
a super food that heals.

Avocado - Nature's Health Supplement

Avocado is a fruit that is often avoided because of its high fats content. Together with that perception, the numerous health benefits are also overlooked. It's time we take a good look at the healing virtues of this fruit:

• Bad breath: The avocado is one of the best natural mouth wash and a remedy for bad breath. It is effective in removing intestinal putrefactions or decomposition which are the real cause of a coated tongue and this unpleasant condition.
• Beauty aid: The oil extracted is widely used in preparation of beauty products. These include creams, cleansers and moisturizers to prevent the ageing effect of dehydration; bath oils, shampoos, scalp conditioner and hair tonic.
• Blood pressure: The high potassium and folate content in avocado helps to regulate blood pressure, protecting your body against circulatory diseases, heart problems and stroke.
• Cholesterol: An avocado contains oleic and linoleic acids that are effective in lowering the LDL cholesterol and increasing the healthy HDL cholesterol.
• Duodenal ulcer: The blandness of this fruit (and papaya) is comforting and soothing to the hypersensitive surfaces of the stomach and duodenum. Its abundant nutrient and enzymes are an effective remedy to treat these ulceration.
• Eyesight: The potent anti-oxidant content in avocado helps neutralize free radicals that are important for improving eyesight and prevent eye problems like astigmatism, cataracts and glaucoma.
• Fetal development: The high folate content is important and necessary for healthy fetal cell and tissue development.
• Immune system: Regular consumption of avocados strengthens the body's immune system.
• Increases absorption of phytonutrients: Studies have proven that when even a small amount of avocado is consumed together with other fruits and vegetables, the absorption of phytonutrients are a few times higher than when consumed on its own. This alone makes it worthwhile to be eating avocados regularly.
• Kidney stones: Consumption of the high-potassium content fruit helps to reduce urinary calcium excretion, lowering the risk of stones forming in the kidney.
• Morning sickness: The vitamin B6 helps relieve nausea and queasiness associated with pregnancy.
• Muscle and nerve: The high potassium content helps balance our body's electrolytes, aids muscle activity, nerve function and energy metabolism.
• Prostate cancer: Studies have shown that certain unique phytonutrient substances in avocados have been known to help prevent the growth of prostate cancer cells and may even help repair the damaged cells.
• Psoriasis: The avocado oil is beneficial in the treatment of psoriasis. Apply regularly on affected parts to remove the scales.

find more here:
http://www.juicing-for-health.com/avocado.html

Food as Medicine

HEADACHE?
EAT FISH! 
Eat plenty of fish -- fish oil helps prevent headaches.
So does ginger, which reduces inflammation and pain. 

HAVE FEVER? EAT YOGURT! 
Eat lots of yogurt before pollen season.
Also-eat honey from your area (local region) daily. 
TO PREVENT STROKEDRINK TEA! 
Prevent buildup of fatty deposits on artery walls with regular doses of tea. (actually, tea suppresses my appetite and keeps the pounds from invading....Green tea is great for our immune system)! 
INSOMNIA (CAN'T SLEEP?)HONEY! 
Use honey as a tranquilizer and sedative. 

ASTHMA? EAT ONIONS!!!! 
Eating onions helps ease constriction of bronchial tubes. (when I was young, my mother would make onion packs to place on our chest, helped the respiratory ailments and actually made us breathe better). 

ARTHRITIS? EAT FISH, TOO!!
Salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines actually prevent arthritis. (fish has omega oils, good for our immune system)
UPSET STOMACH?BANANAS - GINGER!!!!! 
Bananas will settle an upset stomach.
Ginger will cure morning sickness and nausea. 

BLADDER INFECTION? DRINK CRANBERRY JUICE!!!! 
High-acid cranberry juice controls harmful bacteria. 

BONE PROBLEMS? EAT PINEAPPLE!!!
Bone fractures and osteoporosis can be prevented by the manganese in pineapple. 

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME? EAT CORNFLAKES!!!! 
Women can ward off the effects of PMS with cornflakes, which help reduce depression, anxiety and fatigue. 

MEMORY PROBLEMS? EAT OYSTERS! 
Oysters help improve your mental functioning by supplying much-needed zinc. 

COLDS? EAT GARLIC! 
Clear up that stuffy head with garlic. (remember, garlic lowers cholesterol, too.)
COUGHING?USE RED PEPPERS!!
A substance similar to that found in the cough syrups is found in hot red pepper. Use red (cayenne) pepper with caution-it can irritate your tummy. 

BREAST CANCER? EAT Wheat, bran and cabbage
Helps to maintain estrogen at healthy levels. 

LUNG CANCER? EAT DARK GREEN AND ORANGE AND VEGGIES!!! 
A good antidote is beta carotene, a form of Vitamin A found in dark green and orange vegetables. 

ULCERS? EAT CABBAGE ALSO!!!
Cabbage contains chemicals that help heal both gastric and duodenal ulcers. 
DIARRHEA?EAT APPLES! 
Grate an apple with its skin, let it turn brown and eat it to cure this condition. (Bananas are good for this ailment)

CLOGGED ARTERIES? EAT AVOCADO! 
Mono unsaturated fat in avocados lowers cholesterol. 

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE? EAT CELERY AND OLIVE OIL!!!
Olive oil has been shown to lower blood pressure.
Celery contains a chemical that lowers pressure too. 

BLOOD SUGAR IMBALANCE? EAT BROCCOLI AND PEANUTS!!! 
The chromium in broccoli and peanuts helps regulate insulin and blood sugar. 

Kiwi: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, Vitamin E &fiber. It's Vitamin C content is twice that of an orange. 

Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low Vitamin C content, it has antioxidants &flavonoids which enhances the activity of Vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack & stroke.. 

Strawberry: Protective fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits &protects the body from cancer causing, blood vessels clogging free radicals. (Actually, any berry is good for you..they're high in anti-oxidants and they actually keep us young.........blueberries are the best and very versatile in the health field........they get rid of all the free-radicals that invade our bodies) 

Orange: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2 - 4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessen the risk of colon cancer. 

Watermelon: Coolest Thirst Quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are Vitamin C &Potassium. (watermelon also has natural substances [natural SPF sources] that keep our skin healthy, protecting our skin from those darn suv rays) 


Guava &Papaya: Top awards for Vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high Vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber which helps prevent constipation. 

Papaya is rich in carotene, this is good for your eyes. (also good for gas and indigestion) 
Tomatoesare very good as a preventative measure for men, keeps those prostrate problems from invading their bodies

Watercress - Another Super Food

UK Scientists say watercress is the new super food, able to prevent certain types of cancer.

According to a study published this week in The British Journal of Nutrition, the consumption of a three ounce portion of watercress reduced the presence of a key tumor growth factor six and eight hours after eating the watercress in healthy patients who had previously been treated for breast cancer.

The study was conducted by the Cancer Research Centre at the School of Medicine, Southampton General Hospital in the United Kingdom.

The study concluded watercress is as therapeutic as traditional drug treatments with tamoxifen and herceptin, commonly used chemotherapy drugs. The study also said that through regular consumption, watercress "has the potential to confer valuable protection against cancer in general."

"Watercress has the ability to turn off HIF1, a signal sent out by cells calling for blood supply," said noted aging scientist Dr. Nicholas Perricone.

When HIF1 becomes incorrectly regulated, otherwise harmless precancerous clusters of cells have the opportunity to grow to form invasive tumors.  "Scientists have been looking for anti-angiogenesis agents for years because if we can turn off the blood supply, we can kill the cancer," said Perricone.  "And it looks like watercress can do that ."

Another study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in February of 2007 showed that, in addition to reducing DNA damage, a daily dose of watercress increased the ability of cells to further resist DNA damage that may be caused by free radicals.

In the study, 60 men and women, half of whom were smokers, consumed their usual diet plus 85 grams of raw watercress daily for eight weeks. Blood samples were analyzed for plasma antioxidant status and DNA damage in lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell. Watercress consumption significantly reduced lymphocyte DNA damage.

In the time of the Romans, Greeks and Persians watercress was used as a natural medicine, prescribed for migraines, anemia, eczema, kidney and liver disorder and tuberculosis.

Check out also Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watercress

Papaya - the "humble" fruit.....

Papaya was the only studied  food found to halt breast cancer.

Scientists studied 14 plant foods commonly consumed in Mexico to determine their ability to halt breast cancer cell growth. These included avocado, black sapote, guava, mango, prickly pear cactus (nopal), pineapple, grapes, tomato, and papaya.

They also evaluated beta-carotene, total plant phenolics, and gallic acid contents and antioxidant capacity. They found that only papaya had a significant effect on stopping breast cancer cell growth. (International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition,May).

Papaya is a store-house of cancer fighting lycopene. The intense orangey-pink color of papaya means it is chock full of cancer fighting carotenoids. Not only beta carotene, but lycopene is found in abundance.The construction of lycopene makes it highly reactive toward oxygen and free radicals.

Scientists at the University of Illinois think this anti-oxidant activity contributes to its effectiveness as a cancer fighting agent. Epidemiological studies have indicated an inverse relationship between lycopene intake and prostate cancer risk. They showed that oral lycopene is highly bioavailable, accumulates inprostate tissue, and is localized in the nucleus of prostate epithelial cells.

In addition to antioxidant activity, other experiments have indicated that lycopene induces cancer cell death, anti-metastatic activity, and the up-regulation of protective enzymes. Phase I and II studies have established the safety of lycopene supplementation. (Cancer Letter, October 8, 2008)

Prostate cancer was the subject of a study in Australia that looked at 130 prostate cancer patients and 274 hospitalized controls. The scientists found that men who consumed the most lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables such as papaya were 82% less likely to have prostate cancer. In this study, green tea also exerted a powerful anti-cancer effect. When lycopene-rich foods were consumed with green tea, the combination was even more effective, an outcome the researchers credited to their synergy. ( Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2007)

Isothiocyanates found in papaya restore the cell cycle to eliminate cancer.

Organo-sulfur compounds called isothiocyanates are found in papaya. In animal experiments, isothiocyanates protected against cancers of the breast, lung, colon pancreas, and prostate, as well as leukemia, and they have the potential to prevent cancer in humans. Isothiocyanates have shown themselves capable of inhibiting both the formation and development of cancer cells through multiple pathways and mechanisms. (International Journal of Oncology, October, 2008)

Researchers in Japan clarified the mechanisms of action in a type of isothiocyanate found in papaya known as BITC, that underlies the relationship between cell cycle regulation and appropriate cell death. When cancerous cells die on schedule, they are no longer a problem. The researchers established that BITC exerted cancer cell killing effects that were greater in the proliferating cells than in the quiescent cells. Cancer cells that are proliferating are much more dangerous than cancer cells that are in a state of dormancy. (Forum of Nutrition, 2009)

Enzymes from papaya digest proteins including those that protect tumors. The fruit and other parts of the papaya tree, also known as the paw paw tree, contain papain and chymopapain, powerful proteolytic enzymes that facilitate chemical reactions in the body. They promote digestion by helping to break down proteins from food into amino acids that can be recombined to produce protein useable by humans. Proteolytic enzymes protect the body from inflammation and help heal burns. They do a good job of digesting unwanted scar tissue both on the skin and under its surface.

Research has shown that the physical and mental health of people is highly dependent on their ability to produce proteins they can use effectively. However, as people age, they produce less of the enzymes needed to effectively digest proteins from food and free needed amino acids. They are left with excessive amounts of undigested protein which can lead to overgrowth of unwanted bacteria in the intestinal tract, and a lack of available amino acids.

Eating papaya after a meal promotes digestion, and helps prevent bloating, gas production, and indigestion. It is quite helpful after antibiotic use to replenish friendly intestinal bacteria that were the casualties in the war against the unwanted bacteria. When the intestinal tract is well populated with friendly bacteria, the immune system is strengthened, and can better protect against flu and cancer.

Being a proteolytic enzyme, papain is able to destroy intestinal parasites, which are composed mostly of protein. To rid the body of intestinal parasites, half a cup of papaya juice can be alternated each hour for twelve consecutive hours with the same amount of cucumber or green bean juice.

Papaya contains fibrin, another useful compound not readily found in the plant kingdom. Fibrin reduces the risk of blood clots and improves the quality of blood cells, optimizing the ability of blood to flow through the circulatory system. Fibrin is also important in preventing stokes. Proteolytic enzymes containing fibrin are a good idea for long plane rides to minimize the potential of blood clots in the legs. People who sit at a desk all day might want to use proteolytic enzymes too.

Proteolytic enzymes are able to digest and destroy the defence shields of viruses, tumours, allergens, yeasts, and various forms of fungus. Once the shield is destroyed, tumours and invading organisms are extremely vulnerable and easily taken care of by the immune system.

Undigested proteins can penetrate the gut and wind up in the bloodstream where they are treated by the immune system as invaders. If too many undigested proteins are floating around, the immune system becomes overburdened and unable to attend to the other tasks it was meant to do. Proteolytic enzymes can digest these rogue proteins, freeing up the immune system.

Let's ensure a slice of papaya every day in our diet. Papaya juice will be great.

Green Papaya cure for uric acid

Green papaya cube with green tea - Effective cure for uric acid
This is a really effective, just mix green papaya cubes to the
ordinary green tea, my cousin brother tried and found it very
effective. I have also shared with a friend with gout to try this (his
"toe joints" started to deform), after a week of drinking this formula
there is significant improvement, after two weeks the toe joints heal
and revert to normal state. It is almost three years now, the joint
pain is gone, but he maintain the intake between 1-3 times monthly to
avoid relapse.

An improved sequence by Professor Lai from the China School of Pharmacy :
Cut green papaya into small cubes, place into the water, bring to
boil, then add green tea leaves, similar to the tea-making process.
Clinical tests show that this brings better effects for treatment of
gout, subject to frequent drinking of this formula.

Mr Liu Qing, Chief of the Rende Town in Tainan , was suffering for
years from severe stomach pain around the posterior wall of stomach.
He used green papaya as a tea pot to prepare the family tea daily,
after a month his chronic disease condition was much improved. His
family members with high uric acid were also healed by the same papaya
tea. For this Mr Liu planted a lot of papaya to share with relatives
and friends with similar sickness.

According to Mr Liu, in selection of the Green Papaya as tea pot, pick
those whose shape are fat and short, with larger capacity. Cut off the
top part of the papaya, clear away the seeds, open a small hole at the
upper side wall to facilitate pouring of tea. Create a small
ventilation hole at top cover, put in the tea leaves,  pour in boiling
water, place the top cover back to papaya, you may use the toothpicks
to secure the top cover. Similar to normal process of preparing tea.
Liu like to use Oolong tea as the taste is good. He was pleasantly
surprised that the stomach pains he suffered for many years was healed
after a month of drinking tea from the green papaya pot, without
taking any other medication. He passed some green papaya leaves to a
friend who worked at a Medical Center to test and analyse the content.
The tests confirmed that healthy the enzyme present in papaya is
beneficial to human health. Now as papaya in Mr Liu's orchard is
yeilding suitable size fruit, he would share the fruits with family
and friends.

Xu Fuchang, an experienced papaya farmers, the green papaya refers to
papaya that is not ripe, where the skin is still green in colour.
Generally, the papaya takes about four months to fully mature and
ripe, but there healing effect would be lost after it is fully ripe.
Green Papaya should be harvested when the papaya is approximately
three months old, when the fruit is still firm, and the  "papaya milk"
contains high papaya enzyme and other healthy ingredients. Not only
the green papaya can be used in tea drinking, you may also cut them
into cubes, and boil with the ribs, or even slicing the green papaya
into fine long pieces and fried with garlic, very tasty, and no
adverse effects on the human body.