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This is another reason why we should try to avoid flu vaccines and focus on building our immune system with foods that have natural healing properties such as garlic and other super foods. Vaccines are weakening us.  Every time we take a vaccine shot it may be preventing our bodies from developing natural antibodies for fighting these flu’s.  I believe with cleanliness, hygiene and naturally home grown foods minus the heavy pesticides, and preservatives, we can live longer healthier lives.

Thu Sep. 24 2009 7:54:03 AM

Unpublished studies question whether seasonal flu shot raises swine flu risk

Helen Branswell, Medical Reporter, The Canadian Press

A nurse draws a dose of H1N1 flu vaccine during the start of a clinical trial on the vaccine Monday, Aug. 31, 2009 at the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital in Iowa City, Iowa. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Brian Ray, Pool)

A student walks past a hand sanitizer dispenser at Simon Fraser University in Surrey, B.C., on Thursday, September 10, 2009. The stations have been placed in the school to combat the spread of swine flu. (Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

TORONTO — Unpublished Canadian data are raising concerns about whether it’s a good idea to get a seasonal flu shot this fall and fuelling a drive by some public health officials in Canada to delay, reduce or scrap altogether campaigns to vaccinate against seasonal flu this year.

Drawn from a series of studies from British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario, the data appear to suggest that people who got a seasonal flu shot last year are about twice as likely to catch swine flu as people who didn’t.

A scientific paper has been submitted to a journal and the lead authors — Dr. Danuta Skowronski of the British Columbia Centre for Disease Control and Dr. Gaston De Serres of Laval University — are consequently constrained about what they can say about the work. Journals bar would-be authors from discussing their results before they are published.

Skowronski, who initially declined to speak after news of the findings leaked to the media, said it’s important that the work gets the expert scrutiny the journal peer-review system provides.

“Good scientists know that methods can influence results,” she said Wednesday night from Vancouver.

“For me, it’s very important that we respect the peer-review process as good scientists. Because the implications … are important. And if there are methodologic flaws, we need to be assured that every stone was turned over to make sure what we’re reporting is valid.”

“Epidemiologists are taught there a limited number of explanations for results,” she continued. “Either they’re real, they’re due to chance or they’re due to bias or to confounding. And so it’s going to have to be in one of those categories and that’s true of any study conducted anywhere.”

While few people appear to have actually seen or read the study, the puzzling findings have been a poorly kept secret and many in the public health community in Canada have heard about them.

The findings are causing consternation abroad as well, with officials at public health agencies and even at the World Health Organization worried the alleged link will deter people from getting vaccinated in a fall when many are being urged to get both seasonal and pandemic flu shots.

The Public Health Agency of Canada was informed of the findings some time ago and has been seeking help here and internationally to try to figure out if the effect is real or if the studies are flawed.

“An arms-length review of the various methods is currently underway to assess the validity of the studies relative to that observation,” Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s chief public health officer, said via email.

“We are also examining other data that will help to understand what if any association there is. We look forward to the results of the review and other data to inform our recommendations as we go forward.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control also knows of the work. It said it has looked for similar evidence in the United States but sees none.

“It is difficult to speak about a study that has yet to be published, however, as this is an important issue involving the subject of seasonal influenza and the fast moving global pandemic of 2009 H1N1 influenza it is important to note the scientists at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not seen this effect in systems we have reviewed in the United States,” spokesperson Joe Quimby said by email.

A number of influenza and infectious diseases experts know of but are unwilling to speak publicly about the paper. But several were quick to note that British and Australian researchers haven’t seen the phenomenon either. The lack of corroboration in other jurisdictions is “a red flag,” said one expert, who believes the findings will be shown to be due to a study flaws.

Another flu expert who was willing to speak on the record said they do not make sense to him either.

“I cannot think of a good reason why this is biologically likely, especially since we have sufficient evidence now that … there is priming in the population by the way the vaccine is working,” said Dr. Arnold Monto, of the University of Michigan.

He was referring to the fact that studies of swine flu vaccine show a single dose induces a strong and likely protective response in teens and adults. That suggests humankind’s long exposure to seasonal H1N1 viruses has “primed” or awakened our immune systems to recognize the new virus and fight it off.

Dr. Donald Low, chief microbiologist at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, was reserving judgment on the findings. But he said this kind of effect of previous exposure raising the risk of future illness is seen in some diseases, like dengue fever.

“We don’t see that in flu,” Monto countered.

Low said it is important to get to the bottom of the issue, but in the meantime, delaying the use of seasonal flu vaccine makes sense for logistical reasons. Swine flu activity is on the upswing in the U.S. and in parts of British Columbia, and focusing on speeding delivery of that vaccine makes more sense now, he said.

“If we’re going to try to protect people, this is the virus we should be trying to protect them against,” Low said, suggesting decisions on whether to try to vaccinate against seasonal flu can be done later in the season.

He admitted the controversy could undermine the public’s willingness to be vaccinated against influenza.

“This is obviously difficult for public to be able to digest this,” he said. “There’s a crying need here for a prospective randomized controlled study.”

That type of study — which is not the kind on which the findings are based — is considered the gold standard of medical evidence. They are also costly and Skowronski said it wouldn’t be feasible to mount one in time to help public health officials faced with the current dilemma of whether to push seasonal flu vaccine this year or not.

“If it was possible, we would have attempted it,” she said.

Carrot juice has anti-carcinogen properties.

Carrot juice contains many healthful benefits. Carrot juice is widely used swinging the diet. Carrot juice is very effective thanks to the health more requires the habitus essential vitamins. owing to a era carrot is used as treatment for the special diseases. Carrot juice is a valuable protective means accepted the building and maintenance of health in both children and adults. Carrots are used since their anti-cancer properties. individual pound of carrots will make approximately six to eight ounces of carrot juice.

Calcium helps to strengthen bones, teeth, and the intestinal walls.

Vitamin A features growth of bones and teeth, the maintenance of body tissues.

Falcarinol is toxic afoot large amounts but to net a lethal dose you would entail to eat 400 kilograms of carrots at once.

Beta carotene is the greater part careful guise of carotenoids.

It’s a regnant known fact that a liquid nutrient is far topnotch to any other of the tablet variety. Once the liquid is existent your mouth it forms to novel straight away providing excellent nutrients for the body, where as a tablet has to draft the acid in the stomach put through the work, and only a small percentage of goodness in reality goes into the system.

For a healthy option to thicken the mix up you can allow for natural yoghurt together with you find that afoot legit circumstances that it is trial moreover performance to get scraps right.

Vitamin A promotes growth of bones and teeth, the maintenance of healthy body tissues.

The active columns of the carrot are valued for the improvement of health. There are so zillions benefits are available existent teh carrot juice.

Carrot contains teh various terms which are relevant for the various diseases. separate pint of fresh vegetable juice effects approximately the true vitamins, minerals, and enzymes as two large salads. Carrots enclose the vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K; the minerals calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, and traces of other minerals; and a trace scope of protein. Juicing a carrot removes teh leathery fiber.

Beta carotene is the most active form of carotenoids.

Carrot involves the various terms which are scarce for the various diseases. particular pint of fresh vegetable juice provides approximately the same vitamins, minerals, and enzymes for two large salads. Carrots contain the vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K; the minerals calcium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, along traces of other minerals; and a trace amount of protein. Juicing a carrot removes the indigestible fiber.

Carrot juice can improvement your eyesight.

teh benefit of carrot juice is with the heart and malignancy cells.

The aim of this article is to period externally the goodness that is inside carrot juice, and to list the nutrients that are accepted it. Carrot juice on its own can live pretty boring even though at the same time being very gratification for you, together with by adding unalike ingredients into your juicer it can be both tasty and blessing for you at the same time.

Now it is a fact of identity that children do liking smoothies or shakes, moreover by making fruit smoothies with bananas, strawberries, raspberries, blackcurrants or any other of these types of fruits further then mix in a little carrot juice the battle is next won.

Many people find the taste of carrot juice enjoyable along with surprisingly sweet. many of teh aches conjointly pains connate with being older, will reiteration far less if carrot juice is in our diet on a daily basis. Carrot comprise more amount of vitamin A. Deficiencies instant Vitamin A can cause dryness and damage to the skin, nails additionally hair. Drinking carrot juice as well considering eating carrots is heed to be especially beneficial as prenatal health. To make carrot juice you greed a stagnant duty juicer powerful enough to seperate the carrot pulp from the carrot juice.

Recent studies have concluded that the regular and adequate tomato consumption can actually reduce the risk of developing cancer by 40 percent. This plant’s fruit mainly protects the human organism against prostate, lung and stomach type of cancers. In an study conducted in the United States, which included a sample of 14,000 Americans and over 3,000 Norwegians, scientists have discovered that smokers who eat tomatoes or carrots frequently (more than fourteen times a month) had lower chances of developing lung cancer in comparison to the people that did not select to eat these kind of vegetables.

How many health benefits can a small fruit provide? Well, in the case of the tomato, numerous health benefits can be attributed to this particular fruit. Tomatoes are loaded with countless health properties that aid in reducing and preventing some of the most life threatening diseases.

Other than preventing cancer it also prevents heart attack due to abundance of vitamin C and E. Tomato also contains lycopene – a fabulous anti-oxidant, which prevents bad cholesterol in the blood. This anti-oxidant gives tremendous boost in the fight for cancer. Lycopene happens to prevent cancer of the mouth pharynx, esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum. It also reduces risk of prostrate and cervical cancer.

Having raw tomatoes can provide relief from mouth ulcers. Gargling tomato juice 3 to 4 times a day would also help.

If you want to loose weight, have a raw tomato early morning. It would help to remove those extra pounds you been carrying around.

Moreover, nutrition experts support that people should eat both raw and cooked tomatoes. Some ingredients found in the tomatoes become available only through heat and by adding olive oil. Thus, tomato-based sauces are an excellent resource of additional nutritional benefits. Thus, add tomatoes to your daily diet and increase the balance in your life while enjoying a tasteful and full of aroma vegetable.

There are many tomato lovers all over the world and they would be more than happy to know the importance of tomato. The number of qualities tomato possesses is impeccable making it one of the finest fighting machines for cancer. Ketchup is one of the favorite thing kids like to have. If not anything the children would easily lick all the ketchup from the plate. It is one of the best ways to provide the needed anti-oxidants, though having it in excess may not be good for you. These anti-oxidants remove the free radicals which are implicated in causing diseases like cancer.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.

What are the Health Benefits of Tomatoes?

First of all, tomatoes contain four major carutenoids: alpha carotene, beta carotene, lutein, and lycopene. All of these carutenoids have individual health benefits and they offer great health advantages when they all work together. The red pigment contained in the tomatoes is Lycopene. Lycopene is one of the strongest antioxidants and it is very beneficial when it comes down to neutralizing free radicals which damage the cells in the body. Lycopene is also very beneficial when it comes down to heart health, prostate health and pancreatic health. A study has shown that men, who consumed ten tomatoes per week, reduced their chances of developing prostate cancer by an overwhelming forty-five percent. Other studies indicated that people who consumed more than seven servings of raw tomatoes lowered their risk of developing stomach, rectal or colon cancers by sixty percent.

Tomato is known to treat the skin disease known as eczema. By drinking tomato juice everyday you can see the difference.

In fact, the daily consumption of two tomatoes provides the human organism with 2/3 of the needed vitamin C. Moreover, since tomatoes have in abundance folic acid, which is considered necessary by experts in the reconstruction and recovery of human body cells, they are one of the healthier snacks a patient could eat. Specifically, those that receive any kind of medication treatment, drink a lot of alcohol, or eat a lot of meat, and also pregnant women or the elderly, need to consume folic acid and thus it is considered essential to eat a lot of tomatoes.

The prevention of lung cancer is yet another health benefit of consuming tomatoes. Recent studies show that tomatoes contain two important compounds, coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid. These two compounds block some of the carcinogens that are found in tobacco. When these carcinogens are blocked, our bodies are protected from second hand smoke and we are less likely to develop lung cancer. And last but certainly not least, tomatoes are extremely rich in potassium, something that many of us lack in our daily diets. For instance, a single cup of tomato juice contains 534 milligrams of potassium. Clearly, with all of these health benefits, many of us should incorporate more tomatoes into our diets.

To remove dark circles under your eyes make a paste by using 1 tsp tomato juice, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder and a pinch of gram flour. Apply this paste under your eyes and keep it for 10 minutes. You will notice the difference with regular use.

This “miracle plant” contains also vitamin E, which is helps fertility and assists in maintaining a balanced sex life. In addition, it is a great recourse of different vitamins from the vitamin B group, which help the human metabolism function smoothly and develops a strong neural system. It also contains selenium, which belongs to the chemical substances that prevent certain types of cancer, while it plays a very important role for the human immune system. The amount of potassium found in tomatoes protects the human heart and the magnesium it contains helps the organism overcome the symptoms of stress and muscular cramps. Tomatoes are also an excellent source of iron, copper and manganese.

Tomatoes are made out of water and vital biological substances. The tomato is a plant belonging to the Solanaceae or nightshade family, native to Central and South America, from Mexico to Peru. Because tomatoes are low in calories, they are considered an excellent and nutritional type of food for people that wish to follow a weight-loss plan. Having high vitamin C levels that help the body increase naturally its immune system, tomatoes have evolved to become one of the most loved vegetables used in meal preparation worldwide.

If you love having a farm but are not sure how to kill those worms here is an easy solution. Use 10 -15 tomato leaves for 1 liter water. Immerse these leaves in the required water for 24 hours. Strain it and use the water as an insecticide especially for cabbage worms.

The new food guidelines issued by the United States government recommend that all Americans eat about nine servings of fresh, raw fruits and vegetables each and every day. This is important to provide your body with the minimal levels of essential nutrients and antioxidants needed by each and every cell in your body to support optimal health. When you first hear that number, it may seem like a lot, but it is actually much easier than you think to fit that many servings of fruits and vegetables into your healthy diet plan. Shelves of the grocery stores are bursting with fresh fruits and vegetables. Uncooked, these provide essential nutrients, fiber and even a portion of the water you need every day of your life. In addition, vegetables and fruits are some of the least expensive, most nutrient rich, foods in the supermarket. With all these fruits and vegetables to choose from, it is very easy to make these nutritious, delicious foods part of your daily meals and snacks.

Adding nine servings of fruits and vegetables to your healthy diet plan is not as difficult as it sounds. Seek a variety of foods; choose foods with different colors because those colors are indicators of different nutrients inside the cells of the food. As a general guideline, the nine servings come out to two cups of fruit and two and a half cups of vegetables every day. Most people who add this to their diet quickly find that they no longer have cravings during the day and save money on other snack foods which typically provide no nourishment of any kind. So not only do you improve your diet, you can save money and experience the health benefits of a diet, high in whole foods and low in sodium, fat, simple carbs and preservatives.

As your wean yourself from a life of snack foods to better foods, you may experience some changes as your body uses the improved fiber and higher levels of nutrients to deal with your biological “to do list.” This is normal so keep at it and eventually you should experience more energy, better sleep and a variety of other benefits reported by people who share a better diet.

When shopping for fruits and vegetables, choose a variety of different colors. This is for more than purely aesthetic reasons. Different color fruits and vegetables have different types of nutrients, and choosing a variety of colors will help ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals you need each and every day.

New recipes can also provide you the important opportunity to try out some fruits and vegetables you have never tried before. Be sure that you’re cooking things lightly to preserve as many of the essential nutrients as possible. Try to avoid putting any of your food through the microwave because the penetrating radiation heats water, sugar and fat molecules inside the food as well as on the surface and will damage even more of the essential nutrients than conventional cooking practices.

Many people mistakenly believe they do not need to eat nine servings of fruits and vegetables every day if they just take a vitamin supplement. Nothing could be further from the truth. Supplementation should be a means to supplement, not substitute, the benefits of a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables contain far more than micronutrients. They also contain the more complex phytochemicals, phytosterols and essential fiber that you need to support proper cell function and optimal health.

While fresh fruits and vegetables are not the only component of a health diet, they are an essential one and are typically left out of the Standard American Diet (which is S.A.D.). Choose optimal health and choose a healthy diet. By adding fresh, raw fruits and vegetables to your daily diet, you too will discover the benefits that others do when they choose a healthy diet.

About the Author
Dave Saunders is a professional lecturer, and certified nutritional educator. He enjoys creating interconnections through his writings and lectures to help others create context and see new discoveries and technologies in more a practical light. You can find out more about new discoveries how to benefit from a Healthy Diet at www.glycoboy.com

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Choosing Fruits and Vegetables For A Healthy Diet

Are you concerned that the food you are eating may be harmful to you and your family? With news reports about GM (genetically modified) foods, health scares about eating beef, chemicals on food affecting people’s health and the intelligence of children, it’s no wonder that many are looking to organic foods as an option.

WHAT IS ORGANIC FARMING?

Organic farming produces plant and animal foods without the excessive use of chemicals. It focuses on using fertile soil along with a variety of crops to maintain healthy growing conditions which produce a food with more nutrients and less chemicals than typical commercial foods. Organic farming prohibits the growing of GM foods, a controversial issue among commercial growers.

Animals reared on organic farms are treated properly with room to behave like animals and are fed healthy food sources not laden with drugs and other chemicals.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ORGANIC FOODS?

One of the common benefits proclaimed about organic foods is that they taste better – but there are many other benefits to incorporating organic foods into your diet. Besides the physical benefits to you there are environmental benefits and benefits to the animals and people who live and work on the farms.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Organic foods prevent people from ingesting regular amounts of pesticides and insecticides commonly found in commercial products. Animals are not routinely given antibiotics and other medication which enters the food supply to humans. Some research suggests that this excessive use of chemicals in food can be linked to increased health problems and interferes with the healthy development of children.

ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Organic food also protects the planet. Organic farming ensures that bio-diversity remains available in the foods we eat and the wildlife that live on the farms. Fruits and vegetables are naturally available in 100′s of varieties. Commercial growing limits the variety of each food available by mass producing only a handful. Many species of birds, insects and other animals are affected by the chemicals and farming conditions used in growing commercial foods.

Organic farms grow a mix of crops and promote a balanced ecosystem including insects that protect crops from pests and worms and other micro-organisms which fertilize the soil.

HUMAN AND ANIMAL BENEFITS

Organic farming is considered ‘sustainable’ farming. The workers and the animals are not as exposed to dangerous toxins or working and living conditions. This enables people to continue growing healthy foods for the rest of society without reliance on huge machinery and chemicals.

The animals raised on organic farms are not subject to the terrible living conditions imposed on commercially reared animals who often live in exceedingly small spaces without the freedom to move or interact. These unhealthy conditions lead to a spreading of illness which is combated with regular doses of antibiotics.

On organic farms the animals’ needs are given priority. Healthy food, clean living conditions and freedom to behave like animals means healthier animals. When animals are sick they are cared for individually according to their actual needs.

Organic, sustainable farming protects humans, animals and the environment. Increasing the demand for organic products will encourage this form of farming and ensure that the food supply available to our children is a healthy one.

About the Author
More information on health issues is available at http://www.healthandfinesse.com

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Why Choose Organic Foods

Ginseng is the most widely available herbal supplement today. Many people believe the ginseng plant has mystical healing powers and health benefits. Ginseng’s original name was “man root” since the ginseng root resembles the shape of a human body. Ancient Chinese doctrines state that a plant that resembles a human body part will have a healing effect on that body part. Therefore it is believed ginseng is able to restore harmony to the entire body.

Ginseng is a slow growing herb, which consists of a light colored root, a single stalk and long oval green leaves. Ginseng contains complex carbohydrates called saponins or ginsengsines. It possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer elements. For years, the Chinese have used ginseng as an energy tonic. Today, the western world is exploring its benefits in treating stress and levels of mental lucidity.

Russian research has found ginseng stimulates physical and mental activity in tired and weak individuals. It was also found to help with balance. Asian research has found that ginseng helps mental improvement, eliminates anemia, and helps prevent diabetes, neurosis, coughs, tuberculosis and asthma. It was also found to strengthen the gastrointestinal system and help with liver regeneration. It is even able to reduce the effects of alcohol and decrease hangovers. People taking regular ginseng were found to be able to handle higher levels of stress on both an emotional and physical level.

It is advised to stop taking ginseng if you experience side effects such as a rash or diarrhea, or if you develop a fever. People using warfarin, a blood thinner, should consult their physician and be monitored.

If you are interested in trying ginseng, the best supplements to buy are those which have not been subjected to excessive processing, thereby rendering them ineffective. Also, make sure you purchase authentic ginseng products since wide variations in quality exist today. It was found 15% of ginseng products contained no ginseng when tested. Your best guarantee of quality would be to purchase the whole root.

There is tradition, folklore, and research which support the healing and health benefits of ginseng. It also has experienced safe use through the years. There has been more modern research done on ginseng than on any other herb. In fact, today athletic performance experts as well as the medical community are studying it. Although it is best known and successful at boosting the immune system, improving mental function, and enhancing the ability to deal with stress, there are still studies being done to determine what other areas ginseng can be beneficial.

About the Author
More Remedy Articles at http://Remedy-Today.com. Learn how to operate a Successful Adsense Website Network at http://eWebCreator.com. Matthew Hick has been designing profitable Niche Adsense Websites for over 5 years. Award winning Adsense Website Service at http://eWebCreator.com

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Ginseng The Mystical Healer

The health perks of garlic are anything but new. Garlic has been produced and enjoyed for remedy purposes for thousands of years. The Roman soldier would eat garlic prior to going into battle, and the Egyptians fed it to their slaves to make sure they stayed strong and healthy. Evidence is still out on if garlic helps ward off vampires, it is known, however, to prevent a collection of illnesses.

It is a great source of significant nutrients like calcium, vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and selenium. Investigation shows eating garlic helps lower the danger of esophageal, stomach and colon cancers. It is also noted to lower the danger of heart disease.

Research has demostrated that garlic can reduce triglyceride levels and blood pressure. Garlic also reduces the bad LDL cholesterol while at the same time raising the good HDL cholesterol. It is also been demonstrated to help in the breaking up of blood clots, which means it will assist in reducing the chance of stroke.

Much of the advantages of garlic are accredited to a compound called allicin. In an interesting manner, raw garlic doesn’t really contain allicin. Garlic does have alliin, which is changed to allicin when fresh garlic is shredded, crushed, compressed or chewed. By mashing the garlic clove before cubing it, you cause the production of allicin. Wait a few minutes before cooking or consuming the garlic. This will permit even more of the powerful allicin to be created.

Garlic has been shown to be a potent antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drug. Reports show it can assist with treating the symptoms related with the common cold. It can help combat health problems, as well as lower the intensity of inflammations created by conditions like arthritis.

Garlic, in fact, is a wonder food. We can wonderhow much do you need to consume in order to partake in the health advantages. Experts suggest around one or two cloves daily.

That may appear to be a lot, but there a thousand ways to slip garlic into your diet. It contributes such a powerful and pleasant-tasting flavor to almost anything. You can chop it up and put it in any marinade, sauce, dressing or salad. If making garlic bread, leave out the dried garlic powder and just mash some cloves and put it on the bread. It will add a lot fresher and more acute flavor.

Next you can make garlic oil by putting pressed garlic to olive oil. Garlic flavored mashed potatoes are scrumptious, and you can put it into other meals without fanfare. Try adding some pressed garlic to chopped meat when making hamburgers. It contributes an additional level of flavor, and makes the hamburger a little bit more wholesome.

While it is not my first selection for a late night snack, many individuals drop whole cloves into their mouths and eat them raw. Just make sure to have several breath mints close at hand.

About the Author
Jim’s articles are from extensive research on each of his topics. You can learn more of garlic and healthy foods by visiting:Healthy Foods

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The Healthy Perks of Garlic

Ever since its cultivation began thousands of years ago in ancient China, garlic (botanical name: Allium sativum) has been held in high esteem throughout the ages for its gastronomic as well as for medicinal properties. When crushed or finely chopped, garlic yields allicin, which is a powerful antibiotic and antifungal compound. It is allicin that lends the characteristic smell and the hot pungent taste to garlic. Allicin is also known for its antioxidant and fat-dissolving properties, and has been shown to inhibit arteriosclerosis (thickening and hardening of arteries).

Nutritional Value Of Garlic
The chemical analysis of garlic shows garlic to have a storehouse of valuable minerals like phosphorus, sulfur, calcium, magnesium, manganese, selenium, copper and zinc, in addition to substantial amount of vitamin C and a small amount of vitamin B complex. Its moisture content is 62%, protein content 6.3%, carbohydrate content 29.8%, and fat content is only 0.1%.

Of the 100+ chemical compounds present in garlic, scientists have identified more than 30; these along with the unknown ones act in synergy to make it a wonder drug that it is. For example, its hypertension-lowering ability is attributed to the compound allyl mercaptan, which also lowers cholesterol, prevents artherosclerosis (formation of plaque in arteries), and has anti-tumor and anti-diabetic properties. The amino acid arginine in garlic is considered a stimulant that warms the body and improves blood circulation by helping to relax blood vessels.

Benefits Of Garlic
The extract of garlic is a very potent medicinal compound having pharmacodynamic properties. Scientific studies have shown that garlic has many medicinal properties, such as for preventing and fighting common cold, reducing platelet aggregation and thrombosis (formation of blood clots), reducing bad cholesterol (LDL or low-density lipoprotein) while increasing good protective cholesterol (HDL), reducing blood pressure, etc.

In traditional herbal remedies, garlic has long been in use for ailments like bacterial and fungal skin infections, bronchial congestion, intestinal disorders, poor appetite, high blood pressure, rheumatism, whooping cough, etc. The sulfur compound diallyl disulfide present in garlic oil, formed by steam distillation of garlic, has also been associated with anti-cancer properties (could be partly due to its inhibitory action on bacteria like H. pylori) and anti-diabetes properties.

For the digestive system too garlic is very helpful: it aids in elimination of toxic wastes in the body, benefits the lymph, and stimulates the secretion of digestive juices. It also helps fight infectious diseases and inflammations of the stomach and intestine.
In traditional Indian medicine system garlic infused in milk is suggested as a remedy for respiratory disorders like asthma and tuberculosis of the lungs.

To sum up, the principal ailments for which garlic is known for its beneficial effects are:
1.Cardiovascular diseases
2.Hyperlipidemia (i.e., high cholesterol)
3.Hypertension
4.Digestive disorders
5.Respiratory Disorders
6.Skin ailments
How Much Garlic?
The American Dietetic Association suggests 600 to 900mg (about 1 fresh clove) per day of garlic in order to obtain its potential health benefits.

About the Author
Donnell Koh is the author of “7 Simple Steps To Lower Your Cholesterol”. He is a garlic advocate and uses natural Himalayan Garlic to lower cholesterol. To receive your free copy of the ebook and free tips on ways to lower cholesterol, go to: http://garlictolowercholesterol.com

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Garlic – The Wonder Drug