Apple cider vinegar - Appealing health benefits

Apple cider vinegar is often looked upon by natural wellness enthusiasts as a panacea for all good things. Taking a tablespoon or two of it every day is said to cure everything from gout to allergies and more. It's said that it is important that the apple cider vinegar you take be organic and have the "mother" in it to be of most benefit to you. The mother is a stringy-looking ball of matter that either floats at the top or settles at the bottom of a bottle of the vinegar and is the source of its sour, fermented taste.

Many companies are now creating apple cider vinegar drinks that contain fruity flavours to mask the sometimes harsh flavour the vinegar has on its own. The age of apple cider vinegar as a health tonic is truly here, and while there is only anecdotal evidence that it actually cures many of the things it is said to, there is also plenty of evidence of definite health benefits in other areas.

Here are some of the best documented and strongest health benefits of apple cider vinegar.

1. It Helps Ease Stomach Cramps and Diarrhoea

This is a proven apple cider vinegar cure. The probiotics in the vinegar help ease diarrhoea and the pectins from the apples in the vinegar ease stomach cramps. Mix a tablespoon or two in water or your favourite juice to get the best results.

2. It Prevents Indigestion

Another proven health benefit is its ability to stop indigestion before it starts. Simply mix 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a cup of water and sip it slowly a half hour before you eat something you know will cause you indigestion. You'll be surprised that you feel fine after eating!

3. It Helps Ease Night time Leg Cramps

This old folk remedy has a long history of proof to its effectiveness. Simply mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with honey to taste before going to bed and drink it slowly. Those nighttime cramps shouldn't bother you anymore. Do this every night before bed for continuing results.

4. It Drains Your Sinuses

Do you have a stuffy nose due to allergies or some other reason? Fix it with a teaspoon of straight apple cider vinegar in a cup of water. The harshness of drinking the vinegar without any flavouring will help drain your sinuses and clear your nose.

5. It Helps Energize You

Apple cider vinegar is excellent for beating exhaustion. The amino acids it contains counteract the build-up of lactic acid you can get after exercising or other intense physical activity. It's also full of electrolytes that help eliminate that tired feeling. Electrolytes are the same things that are in sugary sports drinks. A teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in chilled water has the same energizing effect without the sugar and artificial colours and flavours.

Apple cider vinegar is also good for treating heartburn, easing the pain of arthritis, whitening teeth, and much, much more. There are entire books written on the miracle of apple cider vinegar. Even though many of its supposed benefits only have folklore to back them up, there is enough concrete evidence of its many benefits that many people take it every day as a general health tonic. Anyone looking to maximize their health could definitely benefit from a daily dose of this amazing amber liquid.

http://www.naturalnews.com/041489_apple_cider_vinegar_health_benefits_natural_medicine.html

Apple Cider Vinegar You Should Know - 10 Amazing Facts

Kitchen goods are gradually becoming the stars of the beauty world. Whether we're reusing old tea bags for under eye puffiness or tightening our pores with turmeric, these unconventional treatments are just as good, if not better, than what we'd pay for at the beauty counter.

As we stock up on grocery items that can pull double-duty, we asked our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram communities to share the amazing beauty benefits of another common household good: apple cider vinegar. Here are 10 ways to incorporate apple cider vinegar into your beauty regimen.

Hair rinse: Skip harsh shampoos and wash away build-up with an apple cider vinegar rinse. When used as a follow-up to baking soda, this do-it-yourself treatment makes strands shinier, reduces frizz and seals cuticles. It also simulates the scalp to promote hair growth.

Toner: Psoriasis sufferers praise apple cider vinegar for reducing inflammation. Apply a few drops to a cotton ball and rub on your T-zone or other dry spots to prevent breakouts and minimize blemishes. Scarlett Johansson swears by this trick!

Mouthwash: Mix apple cider vinegar with water, then swish around in your mouth. This antiseptic will break down plaque and bad breath-causing bacteria.

Face mask: When you combine equal parts apple cider vinegar and Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay, you get one pretty awesome mask. Leave this detoxifying, deep-pore treatment on for 10-15 minutes before rinsing off with warm water.

Bath solution: The next time you get ready to slip into a warm bath, add one to two capfuls of apple cider vinegar. It draws toxins out of the body, leaving behind toned and moisturized skin.

Wart removal: Can't afford surgery to get rid of warts? Try placing a cotton pad soaked in apple cider vinegar on top, then secure with a bandage. Leave on overnight and remove in the morning. If you stick to this consistently for a week, you should start to see results. (Warning: Don't pick at your skin as the wart dries up.)

Foot soak: Go the natural route with your at-home pedicure and use apple cider vinegar to soothe aching and swollen feet. This provides instant relief for pregnant women, runners, high-heel lovers and flip-flop wearers.

Sunburn remedy: Laying out in the sun is fun until you get burned. Relieve pain and minimize peeling skin by applying a wash cloth soaked in apple cider vinegar to the area.

Age spots and varicose veins treatment: Many women claim that drinking apple cider vinegar (with water) maintains youthful-looking skin. But a way to stop signs of aging, including age spots and varicose veins, is to simply dab it on before going to bed.

Deodorant: The smell of apple cider vinegar is putrid, but it pales in comparison to underarm odour. Rub a little into your pits and the odour will eventually neutralize.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/16/apple-cider-vinegar-beauty-benefits_n_3589264.html

Olive Oil Health Benefits and Nutrition

Olive Oil Health Benefits

The health benefits of olive oil are extensive with new positive attributes discovered all the time. One prominent cardiologist recommends at least two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil each day to enjoy the many ways olive oil can be beneficial to your health and well-being.

In addition to bolstering the immune system and helping to protect against viruses, olive oil has also been found to be effective in fighting against diseases such as:

Cancer: The phytonutrient in olive oil, oleocanthal, mimics the effect of ibuprofen in reducing inflammation, which can decrease the risk of breast cancer and its recurrence. Squalene and lignans are among the other olive oil components being studied for their possible effects on cancer.

Heart Disease:  Olive oil helps lower levels of blood cholesterol leading to heart disease.

Oxidative Stress: Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, especially vitamin E, long thought to minimize cancer risk. Among plant oils, olive oil is the highest in monounsaturated fat, which doesn’t oxidize in the body, and it is low in polyunsaturated fat, the kind that does oxidize.

Blood Pressure:  Recent studies indicate that regular consumption of olive oil can help decrease both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Diabetes: It has been demonstrated that a diet that is rich in olive oil, low in saturated fats, moderately rich in carbohydrates and soluble fibre from fruit, vegetables, pulses and grains is the most effective approach for diabetics. It helps lower “bad” low-density lipoproteins while improving blood sugar control and enhances insulin sensitivity.

Obesity:  Although high in calories, olive oil has shown to help reduce levels of obesity.

Rheumatoid Arthritis:  Although the reasons are still not fully clear, recent studies have proved that people with diets containing high levels of olive oil are less likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoporosis: A high consumption of olive oil appears to improve bone mineralization and calcification. It helps calcium absorption and so plays an important role in aiding sufferers and in preventing the onset of Osteoporosis.

Olive Oil Might Help Prevent Strokes

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According to a new study from France, older individuals who consume olive oil daily may be able to protect themselves from a stroke.  The study which is part of the Three-City Study, an on-going multicentre study of vascular risk factors for dementia, was published in the online issue of Neurology.

Researchers gathered information from the medical records of 7,625 individuals over the age of 65 from three cities in France: Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier. None of the participants had a history of stroke. They then categorized the individuals into three groups based on their olive oil consumption. The researchers noted that the participants used mostly extra virgin olive oil, as that is what is usually available in France.

After 5 years there were 148 strokes. The results showed that the “intensive” users of olive oil, those that used for both cooking and dressings had a 41 per cent lower risk of stroke compared to those that did not use olive oil at all. These results were noted even after considering weight, diet, physical activity and other risk factors. 

Olive Oil Diet Reduces Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

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Traditionally a low fat diet has been prescribed to prevent various diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. While studies have shown that high fat diets may increase the risk of certain diseases such as cancer and diabetes, it appears that it is the type of fat that counts rather than the amount of fat. We now know that a diet rich in monounsaturated fats such as the ones found in olive oil, nuts and seeds actually protects from many of these chronic diseases.

A recent Spanish study published in the scientific journal Diabetes Care showed that a Mediterranean style diet rich in olive oil reduces the risk of type II diabetes by almost 50 per cent compared to a low fat diet. Type II diabetes is the most common and preventable form of diabetes.

Olive Oil Keeps the Heart Young

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A diet rich in olive oil may be able to slow down the aging of the heart. It is a known fact that as we grow older the heart also goes through a normal aging process. The arteries may not function as well as they did and this can lead to a number of health problems. However, in a recent study, Spanish researchers discovered that a diet rich in olive oil or other monounsaturated fats could improve the arterial function of elderly individuals.

The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, compared the effect of a Mediterranean style diet rich in olive oil with that of a low fat high carbohydrate diet and a diet rich in saturated fats and concluded that the diet rich in olive oil resulted in the reduction of endothelial damage and dysfunction.

Olive Oil Fights Osteoporosis

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Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by a decrease in bone mass, which in turn causes the architecture of bone tissue to become fragile. This can then increase the possibly of fractures, making even the slightest of knocks potentially fatal for sufferers.

The disease is recognized as being particularly prevalent among postmenopausal women for whom a decrease in the production of oestrogen then weakens bone structures and most commonly affects the ribs, wrists, and hips. For this study, scientists were particularly interested in how a supplementation of olive oil could be used to help women in this category.

Tests were carried out on rats showing comparable conditions to female human menopause, with one group being treated orally with olive oil. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected and tested for levels of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitrates.

The results found that that rats not treated with olive oil showed a significant decrease in calcium levels and a significant increase in plasma ALP, MDA, and nitrates levels.

Olive oil supplementation proved to be beneficial and was found to both attenuate these changes and to positively affect the thickness of bones. 

http://www.oliveoiltimes.com/olive-oil-health-benefits

Olive oil

Summary

Choosing extra virgin olive oil as your main source of dietary oil or fat, as well as eating a healthy and balanced diet, may reduce your risk of chronic disease development and increase life expectancy.

Choosing extra virgin olive oil as your main source of dietary oil or fat, as well as eating a healthy and balanced diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals, may reduce your risk of chronic disease development and also increase life expectancy.

The Mediterranean diet

Olive oil is a major component in the Mediterranean diet. Evidence shows that Mediterranean populations have reduced risk for certain chronic diseases and extended life expectancy compared with other populations in the world, despite their high dietary fat intake, which is usually in excess of 30 per cent of their total energy intake.

A famous study carried out in the 1950's highlighted differences in diseases that occurred between Mediterranean populations and those living in northern Europe and North America, and compared their diets. Over 30 years, it was found that the Mediterranean diet was associated with low rates of conditions like cardiovascular disease (CVD) and certain types of cancers, as well as increased life expectancy.

The health benefits of olive oil

Clinical studies focusing on olive oil show that consumption of olive oil may reduce cardiovascular risk factors by decreasing plasma triglycerides, total and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, platelet activation, inflammation and oxidative damage, and increase high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and antioxidant status.

Studies have also shown that olive oil consumption may have a protective role on breast, colon, lung, ovarian and skin cancer development. Compounds specific to olive oil, known as phenolics, seem to possess free radical-scavenging properties and so may be able to reduce oxidative damage to DNA.

A number of studies have also shown that olive oil may have additional beneficial effects on blood pressure, obesity, rheumatoid arthritis and immune function.

Types of olive oil

Olive oil is produced by the pressing or crushing of olive fruit. It comes in different grades, depending on the amount of processing involved. There are unrefined (virgin) grades and refined grades. The less the oil is refined by heat and chemical treatments, the higher the quality of the oil.

Virgin varieties of olive oil are believed to offer the greatest health benefits as they retain most of the nutrients from the olive fruit.

Varieties include:

Extra virgin – This oil is considered to be the premium grade of olive oil. It is made from the first pressing of olives. The oil is extracted by the traditional cold-pressing method, where no chemicals and only a small amount of heat are applied.

Virgin – This oil is produced from the second pressing of olives or from the second-best grade of olives by cold-pressing, without use of chemicals and use of little heat.

Olive oil – Also marketed as ‘pure’ olive oil. This type of oil is non-virgin, commercial-grade olive oil. It is ‘pure’ olive oil to the extent that it consists only of olive oil. This grade of olive oil consists of the inferior oil that is a result of subsequent pressings after the virgin oil has been extracted from lower-quality olives. This oil then undergoes a refining process involving heat, chemical solvents, high pressure and filtration treatments. This oil is then mixed with a small quantity of virgin olive oil to restore colour and flavour.

Light and extra light – These oils are produced from the last pressing of olives. They are more refined and of lower quality than the other grades. There is little of the natural olive flavour and colour in these oils.

Things to remember

Choosing olive oil as your main source of dietary oil or fat, as well as eating a healthy and balanced diet containing a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grain breads and cereals, may reduce your risk of chronic disease development.

Virgin varieties of olive oil are believed to offer the greatest health benefits as they retain the majority of the olive fruit’s nutrients.

Locally produced olive oil is better than imported, due to local oil being kept in storage for a shorter time than imported oil. Prolonged storage may result in the breaking down of some of the olive oil’s nutrients.

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Olive_oil

Benefits of Colloidal Silver (Colloidal Silver)

What is Colloidal Silver?

Colloids are the smallest biological form of any matter.  They are small enough to pass through membranes and therefore they skip past the digestive process and are easily absorbed by the body.

There are many benefits of colloidal silver.  Colloidal silver supports the natural defence system of the body and is powerfully alkaline.  It is created when an electromagnetic process pulls tiny particles of silver from a larger samole of pure silver into (usually distilled) water.   The minute electric charge on each atom holds these silver particles in suspension.  This is essential to the effectiveness of the silver as it allows the particles to move more easily throughout the body.

Another benefit is that colloidal silver has been recognised as a powerful, natural antibiotic.  Research has shown that it works by acting as a catalyst, disabling the enzyme that single-celled bacteria, fungi and viruses require for the metabolism of oxygen.  This then suffocates the invading cell whilst doing no harm to any human enzymes, resulting in the removal of disease-causing organisms from the body.

It also works through the negative charge on the silver clusters binding up with the positive charge on the germ/bacteria.  This causes an interruption of the germs biological function which means that it is then unable to reproduce.

The History of Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver has long been the subject of hot debate in medical circles.  In the 19th Century, colloidal silver was used prominently to treat all manner of illness and disease ranging from skin infections to common colds.  This common use continued until 1983, when the FDA started its long and heavy oppression against the use of medicinal silver.  Arguably its disdain for silver's use in medicine came from the threat that it poses to the highly lucrative antibiotics industry.  Up until recently, any silver-based products had to be classified as a pre-1938 drug.  However, now that the FDA has begun to approve of medicinal silver, more and more products are emerging.

Benefits of Colloidal Silver

Colloidal silver has been reputed by various studies to be able to kill over 650 micro-organisms.  Please be aware, that this does not mean that taking colloidal silver will cure diseases that can be caused by such germs - the human body is a very complex system which works within a number of different environments and systems.

Nonetheless, it has been reported to be effective in fighting against: acne, AIDS, allergies, arthritis, athlete’s foot, boils, burns, candida, cystitis, diabetes, eczema, hay fever, indigestion, parasitic infections, psoriasis, ringworm, warts and yeast infections.

It can be used either orally or topically. When taken orally you can either place droplets directly under the tongue or it can be put into water and drunk. Silver is often used topically by spraying onto cuts, burns, skin infections or acne.

http://www.energiseforlife.com/benefits_of_colloidal_silver.php

Colloidal Silver

Colloidal Silver reviews

Colloidal silver is a health supplement that is created by immersing tiny particles of silver in a colloidal base solution. It is consumed by those who would like to stave off such serious health ailments as cancer, AIDS and herpes. Silver is thought to make the immune system more active and thereby more effective at fending off disease. It is most commonly available in a liquid form that is dispensed with a dropper. Clear or pale yellow colloidal silver is the best as the particle size affects the colour of the solution and the larger particles produce a darker coloured liquid but they aren't easily absorbed by the body.

History of Use

Before the invention of antibacterial soap, colloidal silver was used as a disinfectant. It is still most commonly used to kill bacteria. Silver is effective at both preventing and combating bacterial illnesses and infections because it does not corrode. In ancient times silver was used in wound dressings and it was frequently used for the same purposes in America following the Civil War. It is also why churches use silver chalices in Communion to stop disease spreading through the congregation. Silver fell out of favour with the advent of regulated synthesized medications but has become popular again along with lifestyle trends that promote natural organic food.

Blue Bloods 

Even thousands of years ago, Ancient Greeks realised that the rich families who ate, drank and stored food in silverware were much less likely to be ill than the commoners who ate from ceramics and used iron utensils. The rich people developed a slight blue tinge to their skin from years of silver ingestion; hence the term Blue Bloods was born.

How it Works

Proponents of colloidal silver claim that it is effective against every virus and illness and that it has never reacted dangerously with other medications. Scientific studies have shown that pure silver quickly kills bacteria. It even kills the super-bacteria that evolve after conventional disinfecting agents kill the weak strains of bacteria. Silver acts as a catalyst and disables an enzyme that facilitates actions inside cells. It is not consumed in the process so it is available to keep working again and again. The enzyme silver destroys is required by anaerobic bacteria, viruses, yeast and moulds. (Unfriendly bacteria tend to be anaerobic and friendly bacteria aerobic). This is the action that destroys pathogens. It stops them from using the body's own cells as vehicles for replication. Colloidal silver creates an environment that makes it impossible for pathogens to survive and multiply.

Since it is not designed to combat a specific pathogen but rather works against the very nature of their life cycles, it is an effective preventative agent against all illnesses caused by all pathogens including future mutations. There is no known disease-causing organism that can live in the presence of even minute traces of colloidal silver. Laboratory tests show that anaerobic bacteria, virus, and fungus organisms are all killed within minutes of contact. Parasites are also killed whilst still in their egg stage. Colloidal Silver is effective against infections, colds, influenza, fermentation and parasitic infestations.

Colloidal Silver is touted as a treatment for HIV and AIDS. These claims have not been recognized by the medical community but there is no denying the lengthy survival rates of some AIDS patients who swear by colloidal silver.

The same mechanism that hinders the replication of pathogens also seems to prevent the body from developing cancer. Cancerous tumours form when the cells' internal regulators stop working. The cells divide at a rate that outstrips the body's need for them. Colloidal silver recalibrates cells' rates of division.

When colloidal silver is used as a broad-spectrum viral and bacterial preventative it may cure other seemingly unrelated ailments. People who have sustained severe burns can use colloidal silver to promote healthy cell growth and fend off infections. It reduces the appearance of acne that is bacterial in origin. It helps maintain a healthy digestive environment and it maximizes the amount of nutrients that the body is able to extract from food. Colloidal silver makes it impossible for parasites to flourish and lay their eggs.

Colloidal Silver is also effective as a digestive aid when taken with meals as it stops fermentation of food in the stomach and intestines. Fermentation can occur if food sits there for too long and this can lead gas, bloating, pain, indigestion and reflux, so taking silver can help avoid all these unpleasant symptoms which a lot of people suffer with after meals.

Silver has also been known to destroy water-borne parasites and to filter out impurities.

How to Use

People who use colloidal silver tend to develop their own ways of maximizing its efficacy. People who suffer from conjunctivitis sometimes drop it directly into their eyes several times every day. Throat problems are treated by gargling colloidal silver. The most common way to ingest it is to mix three or four drops into a large glass of water.

Side Effects 

  

All of these positive claims considered, colloidal silver is still ignored by the medical community at large. Scientifically speaking, the human body has no essential need for silver. Someone who is overzealous in his consumption may experience a build-up of the metal in his organs. The most common negative side effect of colloidal silver is a condition called argyria. It causes the skin and eyes to permanently become grey but it does not otherwise affect one's health. It is claimed that silver does not interact with other drugs or herbs.

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-colloidal-silver.html