The Chemical Your Body Can’t Live Without

July 12th, 2008

by Samuel S. Peters

It is made up of two gases, two atoms of hydrogen, and one of oxygen. When they are combined chemically, they produce the body’s most important nutrient, water!

Did you know that 70%-80% of your body weight is water? It helps to keep the blood a liquid, metabolize fat, maintain body temperature, wash out toxins from the body, transport nutrients, lubricate and cushion organs, and a host of other benefits.

We each need at least 64 ounces of water per day. If you are active, you need even more. When you don’t get enough, you become dehydrated. Then the body takes the water from any place it can, including the blood.

When the body gets dehydrated, it closes down some of the capillaries. The blood becomes thicker, more likely to clot, and it is harder for the heart to pump it through the systems. This results in high blood pressure, heart disease and high cholesterol. Dehydration has also been linked to heartburn, headaches, and arthritis.

Some have guessed that up to 75% of Americans suffer from dehydration. At times the body seems to be asking for food when really it is needing water. A drink can also satisfy the stomach’s cravings and thus help to keep proper body weight.

Some feel that the coffee, tea, or soft drinks they ingest suffices for the needed water. Actually, they can cause a greater need for water! This is because some contain caffeine which is a diuretic. In other words, they force the water and nutrients out of the cells.

Dehydration is dangerous. Dehydration leading to a 2% loss of body weight may affect mental ability. Reducing water in the body as little as 5% can result in as much as a 20%-30% drop in physical performance; 10% reduction can make you sick, and 20% can mean death. With water pollution on the rise, it is best to drink filtered water whenever possible.

Though a number of sicknesses are directly related to a lack of water, the cure is often simply to take in more water. High blood pressure, cholesterol problems, ulcers, kidney problems, stress, and headaches can sometimes be cured by drinking pure water. Drinking 64 ounces of water a day decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, of breast cancer by 79%, and of bladder cancer by 50%!

Perhaps your body is craving water right now and you don’t even know it. So go get a glass. But be sure it is pure first. Water taken from the tap will probably have impurities. So might even bottled water. Best is the water you purify yourself through a charcoal filter. You can trust it to help you maintain good health.

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Cinnamon Chips Origin and Constructive Benefits

July 11th, 2008

by Susannah Singer

Cinnamon is one of the most universally known spices available today. It appears in both powder and in sticks. The cinnamon stick is actually the brown bark which is dried and rolled into what is also known as a quill.

As plentiful as cinnamon seems to be, it is a surprising fact that real cinnamon is hard to get. Most cinnamon sold in the U.S. is really cassia, also known as Chinese cinnamon. To find real cinnamon, go to a spice or health food shop. It is grown in Sri Lanka and is called Ceylon cinnamon after the former name for Sri Lanka. Today the country exports 10,000 to 12,000 metric tons annually.

Cinnamon has a long history dating back to 2800 BC in China. The name comes from the Greek word kinnamomon. It is mentioned four times in the Bible, famous for its fragrance. The priests used it in their holy anointing oil (Exodus 30:23). It was also used simply because of its fragrant smell (Proverbs 7:17; Song of Solomon 4:14; Revelation 18:13). Cinnamon gets its flavor and scent from cinnamaldehyde, a compound in the bark.

In Ancient Egypt and Rome, cinnamon was used in the embalming process. The Egyptians also used cinnamon medicinally and as a flavoring in food and beverages. In the Middle Ages, cinnamon was only affordable by the elite of society. A person’s social rank could be determined by the number of spices he owned.

Cinnamon is best known as a spice but it also has medicinal value. LDL cholesterol can be lowered significantly when a person takes .5 teaspoons a day. Cinnamon can also benefit people with Type 2 diabetes by helping to regulate blood sugar. It also helps to stop certain types of yeast infections.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland showed that cinnamon reduced the spread of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells. Cinnamon also has an anti-clotting effect on the blood. At Copenhagen University, researchers found that in just one week cinnamon was effective in reducing arthritic pain. It also inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

Cinnamon is a good source of iron, fiber, calcium, and manganese. Calcium and fiber together help remove bile and thus help prevent colon cancer and damage to colon cells. The fiber relieves constipation and problems caused by irritable bowel syndrome. Cinnamon even helps our brains reason and memory, and helps to fight E. coli bacteria found in some unpasteurized juices.

Cinnamon has been used to treat yeast infections of the mouth and vagina, stomach ulcers, and head lice. Components of the essential oils are responsible for these healing qualities. Cinnamon also fights bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

In addition, cinnamon has been valued for its warming qualities. At the onset of a cold or flu, children are often given a tea containing cinnamon and fresh ginger.

Here are some recipes for enjoying cinnamon in a variety of ways. Adding ground cinnamon to black beans to be used in burritos or nachos will give them a uniquely delicious taste. Simmer cinnamon sticks with soymilk and honey for a deliciously warming beverage. Healthy saute lamb with eggplant, raisins and cinnamon sticks to create a Middle Eastern inspired meal. Add ground cinnamon when preparing curries. Drizzle flax seed oil onto whole wheat toast and then sprinkle with cinnamon and honey. Enjoy cinnamon toast with a healthy twist.

A few cautions are in order. Don’t think that because a little cinnamon is good for you, a lot is better. Large amounts can be toxic. Cinnamon should not be used in place of prescription medicines either. If you want to keep cinnamon fresh, store it in a tightly sealed glass container in a dark, cool, and dry place. The smell of it will tell you if it is fresh and sweet.

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Skin Is Deeper Than You Think

July 11th, 2008

by Ricardo d Argence

Your skin is the biggest organ you have. Yes, I said organ. It is very important that we care for it because it is what we use to protect the rest of your body’s insides. It is important to take care of your skin from the inside out. It is good to take vitamin K to ensure that your skin gets its rightful nutrients. There are several layers that consist of many things to protect your body.

Many different skin conditions exist. There is a remedy for any medical condition. You can choose from many different remedies to find one that satisfies your requirements. The care of your skin can include many natural treaments. Many athletes in ancient Greece brushed their skin with fine sand to protect it from sunlight and bathed in olive oil to keep their skins soft.

There are many other things that you could use as well, like different fruits and vegetables that are used to protect against aging and the sun. There are other ancient ways to care for your skin such as bathing in sour milk.

Things that you should avoid too much of is exposure to the sun. The sun will damage your skin because of the ultraviolet rays. They act as if they literally suck the life out of the skin. They say that water is the fountain of youth. Drinking plenty of water will keep your skin healthy as well.

It is wise to properly clean your skin and make sure that you use the proper products. There are many chemical laden products that are on your skin all the time. This is not really healthy for your skin and there are alternatives to these chemicals. You can use all natural cleansers and lotions. Avoid exposing your skin to a lot of hot water as well. This washes away the natural oils in your skin that is vital for healthy skin. Your body’s natural oil is essential for healthy skin.

Consistently using moisturizers will help replenish your skin as it sheds dead cells. Treat your skin to a facial, or other treatments at a local spa for that special glow. More than just your muscles and nerves, a good massage also benefits your skin.

It is not expensive to go natural and only if these tips are diligently followed, future skin problems can be avoided. You have to shift that paradigm of yours that skin is not at all important. It functions in so many ways besides protecting you. Give your skin a little pampering. You owe it to yourself after all the days’ hard work.

People associate healthy skin with beauty because the condition of our skin is an indication of what is going on inside our bodies. And while healthy skin can be beautiful, it is also essential to our survival. Eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and always using the proper skin care products will help your skin maintain a youthful glow.

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