Calcification of the arteries

Calcification of the arteries

 September 18th, 2012 

Calcified arteries in the heart are a form of coronary arteriosclerosis. In this condition, the arteries become hard and narrowed. This restricts the flow of blood to the heart, limiting the amount of work it can perform, even to the point at which a person may have trouble walking a few steps without chest pain or shortness of breath. The narrowing of the arteries can be progressive, leading to stronger symptoms. If the artery suddenly becomes occluded, the blood supply to the area of the heart supplied by the artery will be cut off and a heart attack will result. Lifestyle, medical and interventional treatments for coronary artery disease can relieve symptoms and prolong life.
One of the most common medicines prescribed is aspirin. Aspirin interferes with platelets. Platelets help form blood clots, a good thing when a person is bleeding, but when the blood vessels in the heart are constricted and hard, a platelet plug will cause a heart attack.

Hawthorn

Hawthorn is a thorny shrub plant with small red berries. Extracts from the hawthorn plant have been used to treat heart disease for many centuries. Hawthorn benefits the heart and circulatory system as it helps to decrease blood pressure while strengthening heart muscle. The University of Maryland Medical Center explains that hawthorn is rich in chemicals known as flavonoids. Flavonoids are antioxidants and may also increase vasodilation to increase blood flow through veins and arteries to decrease blood pressure.

The University of Maryland Medical Center advises taking a total of 160 to 1,800 mg of the herb hawthorn in two to three doses per day. Hawthorn contains antioxidant compounds called quercetin and rutin, which help dissolve fatty and calcium plaques in the arteries. Hawthorn may help to treat high cholesterol and high blood pressure levels, but speak to your doctor first before self-treating your condition.

Garlic

Regular use of aged garlic extracts may help to clean out your arteries and reduce your chances of developing coronary heart disease. The Natural Health and Longevity Resource Center explains that garlic raises good HDL cholesterol while decreasing bad LDL cholesterol in your body to help prevent the buildup of plaque. According to a 2006 study in the “Journal of Nutrition” by Matthew Budoff, the way garlic reduces plaque formation in arteries is not understood. This study suggests that garlic may help to prevent fat in the arteries from hardening and causing blockage.

Consume garlic. Take a daily 900 mg garlic supplement, and add raw and cooked garlic to your daily meals, to naturally reduce calcium buildup in the blood vessels. Garlic is a popularly used herbal remedy to treat and prevent cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, garlic contains active organosulfur compounds, which help to reduce inflammation and the synthesis and buildup of cholesterol that leads to calcium deposits in the arteries.

It contains allicin–a compound with potent antioxidant and antimicrobial effects. Dipak K. Das, Ph.D., professor at the Cardiovascular Research Center at the University of Connecticut, states that garlic can greatly improve circulation in the aorta while reducing heart damage caused by oxygen deprivation. It also has mild cholesterol-lowering properties and may help improve circulation by reducing the viscosity of blood platelets.
The dosage of garlic recommended for heart health is between one and three cloves daily. Side effects include indigestion, nausea and increased bleeding risks. Garlic may be taken in supplement form or crushed and added to foods for its medicinal effects.

Bilberry

Bilberry is a berry fruit similar to blueberry that is rich in heart-health chemicals known as anthocyanosides. Anthocyanosides can act as antioxidants to protect arteries and veins from hardening and clogging. A 2006 study published in the “Journal of Applied Physiology” explains that bilberry extracts can not only prevent hardening of arteries, but also helps to relax blood vessels so that more blood can flow through veins and arteries. In addition to helping keep veins and arteries clear, bilberry may also help improve blood flow though capillaries in the eyes. Medical scientists are now researching bilberry extracts to treat eye damage caused by diabetes as well as macular degeneration.

Olive Leaf

We often hear that olive oil is a heart healthy source of fat, however, we rarely hear about the leaves of the olive plant that can also benefit cardiovascular health. Extracts of the olive plant leaf are rich in compounds called oleuropeins which also act as vasodilators to relax blood vessels and increase blood flow through arteries. Olive leaf extract may also lower levels of fats in arteries to prevent artery blockage and increase blood flow. Interestingly, a 2010 clinical study in the journal “Phytomedicine” found that supplementation with olive leaf extract can lower blood pressure in people with mild hypertension. Olive leaf extract was also found to lower the levels of fats circulating in the cardiovascular system of people with early hypertension.

 Nattokinase

Ingest nattokinase supplements.This natural enzyme helps to dissolve fibrin, cholesterol and calcium that has accumulated in the arteries of the legs and other parts of the body. Nattokinase is commonly derived from a traditional Japanese fermented cheese called natto, which is produced by the bacteria Bacillus natto that is added to soybeans, giving it its beneficial properties. Take one to two 138 mg capsules of nattokinase every four hours to help dissolve arterial plaques. Talk to your physician before using nattokinase for any medicinal purpose.

Aspirin is quite good at controlling blood clots by keeping platelets from clumping for their entire life span, about 10 days. The salicylates in foods are not as powerful and their effects are more temporary. But it’s easy to take in a small, steady supply of salicylates through the foods you eat.

Foods with natural salicylates:

• Apricots
• Canteloupes
• Dates
• Grapes
• Oranges
• Pineapple
• Raisins
• Raspberries

• Turmeric

  Used for centuries in Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine, turmeric is an herb credited with a multitude of healing properties. Its main active compound, curcumin, has anti-inflammatory and blood-thinning effects that may be useful in conditions such as atherosclerosis and heart disease. A study by Tatsuya Morimoto and colleagues in the March 3, 2008, issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation states that curcumin prevents heart failure caused by hypertension in rats and may have similar cardio-protective effects in humans.
  Turmeric can thin the blood and should be used cautiously by people taking blood thinners. The typical daily dose is between 400 and 600 milligrams dried powder.

  Willow Bark

  Willow bark is a close chemical relative of aspirin. Like aspirin, willow bark contains salicin, a compound with blood-thinning and pain-relieving properties. After ingestion, the salicin in willow bark is converted to salicylic acid, which thins the blood and prevents clotting that can lead to heart attack or ischemic stroke.
  The typical dose of willow bark for heart health is between 1 and 3 grams daily, or approximately 60 to 120 milligrams salicin. To prevent Reye’s syndrome–a potentially fatal condition–do not give willow bark to children with a fever or other signs of viral infection.

 

Source

Livestrong

Conquering Any Disease

Basil

Easy to grow and great for your health to eat everyday. Great for digestion and relieves stomach problems. The stem carries most of the nutrients.

Basil as an "anti-inflammatory" food that can provide important healing benefits along with symptomatic relief for individuals with inflammatory health problems like rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel conditions.

Add a good helping of basil. Basil is a very good source of vitamin A (through its concentration of carotenoids such as beta-carotene). Called "pro-vitamin A," since it can be converted into vitamin A, beta-carotene is a more powerful anti-oxidant than vitamin A and not only protectsepithelial cells (the cells that form the lining of numerous body structures including the blood vessels) from free radical damage, but also helps prevent free radicals from oxidizing cholesterol in the blood stream. Only after it has been oxidized does cholesterol build up in blood vessel walls, initiating the development of atherosclerosis, whose end result can be a heart attack or stroke.

Basil is also a good source of  magnesium, which promotes cardiovascular health by prompting muscles and blood vessels to relax, thus improving blood flow and lessening the risk of irregular heart rhythms or a spasming of the heart muscle or a blood vessel.

Basil has been shown to provide protection against unwanted bacterial growth. Consuming fresh basil leaves may boost immune system function. The chemical compounds in basil may improve production of infection-fighting antibodies by up to 20 percent, according to Castleman. Basil may also help destroy viral cells that cause flu and the common cold.

Basil may help prevent acne outbreaks and speed the healing of acne lesions. The oil in fresh basil leaves may help clear bacteria from the skin that contribute to clogged pores, according to Michael Castleman, author of "The New Healing Herbs." However, consuming fresh basil may not help clear or prevent acne -- it must be applied to affected areas of the skin to help destroy bacteria

The aroma of basil may help relieve sadness, fatigue and lack of mental clarity.

A great way to use basil is in pesto.

A great recipe from Body Chef Chris

Thai Basil Chicken with Brown Rice

1lb ground chicken
2 cups basil
5 cloves garlic
1/2 cup soy sauce
3 tb chili paste
1 small onion
red chili flakes
1 cup brown rice

In stir fry pan add garlic onions with light olive oil add chicken lightly brown then add sauce with chili paste and chili flakes, lastly add fresh basil and serve over brown rice

serves 4
365 calories
40 grams protein
5 grams of fat
40 grams carbs

I like to also use ground meat instead of the chicken and it comes out great. This is a quick and easy dish.

Source

World's Healthiest Foods

Body Chef Chris

Live Strong

The 7 Healing Herbs Garlic

The 7 Healing Herbs
Garlic

Ginger

Mint

Cilantro

Turmeric

Rosemary

Basil

Add the to smoothies, and in your regular foods
Add cilantro, basil, and mint to your salads
Add Garlic, ginger, Turmeric, and Rosemary to your soups
The more herbs that you add to your diet the healthier you will be
Fresh is always the best but not always available.

My next post I will tell you the nutritional facts about these herbs and  give you ideas on how to use them.

Vitamin D

Sun exposure is a very touchy subject.  So I may make some people mad.  I am just presenting the information out there.  The sun can be looked at as an enemy and it will kill you just as many other cancer causing things.  But it does not mean that it should be avoided.  Too much of anything is bad and for others a little can be bad or life threatening. Some people can be sun worshipers and have no ill effects yet others get skin cancer or melanoma.  Know your own body.  

Three years ago my colon reputed and I almost died.  I found out I have many food sensitivities like gluten.  My diet has changed and I can not eat a lot of foods that I once enjoyed.  This did not make me hate food instead I embrace life and enjoy all the other great foods that I can eat without getting sick.  Believe me I still would enjoy a deep dish pizza from Chicago with a cold beer, but that is  not on the menu for me.  IT has not consumed me with worry or hate. It has taught me to  be more sensitive to other peoples health struggles.    

Most people do not realize that there are two forms of Vitamin D.  The two types are, Ergosterol which comes from plants. is the basic building block of vitamin D in plants. Cholesterol is the basic building block of vitamin D in humans. When ultraviolet light from the sun hits the leaf of a plant, ergosterol is converted into vitamin D2. In just the same way, when ultraviolet light hits the cells of our skin, one form of cholesterol found in our skin, a form of vitamin D3. Foods that contain vitamin D are typically animal-derived, so it may be difficult for vegans to meet the standard. A supplement may be necessary.

World's Healthiest Foods rich in
vitamin D

FoodCals%Daily Value

Salmon245264.7%

Sardines18943.7%

Milk - Goat16831.1%

Milk12229.8%

Mushrooms - Shiitake487%

Eggs786.6%

Insufficient sun exposure

By far the most important D-deficiency contributing factor faced worldwide is insufficient exposure to sunlight. 

Although the task of getting enough sunlight may seem like a fairly straightforward one, the relationship between our vitamin D status and our time in the sun is not nearly as simple as many people might think. First, there is the fluctuating nature of UVB light.  Skin pigmentation also plays an important role in skin synthesis of vitamin D. Darker skin pigmentation means less vitamin D synthesis per minute exposure to UVB light. (In the United States, for example, it is estimated that African American adults are 2-3 times more likely to have vitamin D insufficiency than Caucasian adults.) 

Some lifestyles and occupations provide unusual amounts of sun exposure. Individuals who work outdoors throughout the day in warmer climates have a great chance of getting good exposure to UVB light and synthesizing adequate amounts of vitamin D. Under optimal circumstances, our skin can synthesize between 10,000-20,000 IU of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) in 30 minutes. 

 Researchers are discovering that many autoimmune conditions have greater severity in winter versus summer, and they are investigating possible links with vitamin D deficiency under these circumstances. Similarly, there has been a strong research trend for studying the occurrence of vitamin D-related diseases at different latitudes on the earth. Over the past 10 years, researchers have found increased occurrence of multiple sclerosis, Crohn's disease, and type 1 diabetes in areas with a  greater incidence of  vitamin D deficiency at higher latitudes (farther from the equator).. In other words, there is lesser incidence of these vitamin D deficiency-related diseases at lower latitudes (closer to the equator) where UVB light exposure is presumably higher. 

Cancer Specialist: Sun Exposure Does Not Cause Melanoma

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

By Tom Fudge

The risk of skin cancer increases in San Diego's sunny summer months, but not the risk of melanoma.

Melanoma may be the most deadly form of skin cancer, but it's not the most common. UCSD cancer specialist Gregory Daniels says 95 percent of skin cancers are non-melanomas, which are easy to spot and do not easily spread. Those more benign cancers are caused by UV rays from the sun. But Dr. Daniels says there is no direct connection between getting a lot of sun and getting melanoma.

He says, in fact, "As the incidence of melanoma has risen it's also paralleled a change in behavior that's going on all across the world, and that is people are working indoors."

Studies show that people who get lots of sun, like farmers, are less likely to get melanoma than office workers. He says this could mean that intense, occasional sun exposure increases the risk of the disease.

Top Foods Containing Vitamin D

Shiitake & Button Mushrooms:

Surprisingly, the dried versions of shiitake mushrooms are high in Vitamin D. This may be due to the fact that these mushrooms are adept at sucking up sunlight. Shiitake is also rich in B Vitamins like B1 & B2. Make sure that you find mushrooms that have been dried in the sun, not by some artificial means, in order to extract the benefits of high Vitamin D content.

Mackerel:

A small, 3½ ounce portion of this Omega-3 rich fish will give you 90% of the recommended daily amount. Currently, the FDA recommends that we eat more of these oily fishes to infuse our bodies with the vitamins and omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA’s) that our body cannot produce on its own.

Sockeye Salmon:

A small 3½ ounces portion of cooked salmon will give you 90% of the Dietary Reference Intake for Vitamin D. Make sure to purchase salmon that has been caught from the wild, if not, then sustainably farmed. Salmon eat zooplankton, an excellent source of the important vitamin.

Herring:

Fish like herring are so high in vitamin D because they are the part of our food chain that thrive on plankton, which is chocked full of the vitamin.

Sardines:

Sardines are one of the best foods containing Vitamin D. One small tin can of sardines will provide you with approximately 70% of your daily needs. These tiny canned fish are also a great source for Vitamin B12, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, protein and selenium.

Catfish:

Again, another fish that makes a habit of feeding on plankton, catfish are constantly taking in minuscule sea life that create vitamin D from sunlight.

Tuna fish:

Eat 3 ounces of tuna daily for 50% of your Vitamin D needs. Fresh, wild-caught tuna is the most nutritious. Remember, eating oily fish can also lubricate the body with “good fats,” providing a host of health benefits to your body, like better memory and brain function.

Cod Liver Oil:

If you can stomach the strong aroma, this oil is super-rich in Vitamin D. This marvelously golden, yet terrible-tasting oil, is also rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Incorporating this oil into your diet will help you increase your bones ability to stay strong and healthy. Because of its high Vitamin D content, cod liver oil has also been shown to prevent osteoporosis in adult, improve brain function and optimize the functioning of the nervous system. What is more, the oil holds 10,000 IUs of vitamin D. One tablespoon of the oil provides more than enough Vitamin D for the day.  I take it in a capsule form. I like the fermented cod liver oil from Green Pasture.

Eggs:

Eggs are another food containing vitamin D in small amounts. Eating one egg will provide you with approximately 10% of your daily needs. I would personally recommend to eat free-range eggs from a local farm, if possible.

Sunshine:

Light hitting the skin from the sun’s rays stimulates the production of this vitamin and hormones.

There are many reasons to stock up on foods containing vitamin D. Health benefits of the vitamin include:

• The prevention of chronic diseases such as many forms of cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension.
• The protection and lubrication of your bones, teeth and hair.
• The regulation of cellular growth and healthy cell activity
• Overall reduction of the inflammatory response, a condition known to cause many chronic diseases, from cancer to diabetes to obesity.
• Protection against adult osteoporosis
• Reduction in the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women
• Significant reduction in the occurrence of prostate cancer in African-American men

The hormonal functions of vitamin D include regulation of bone health, regulation of muscle health (including both skeletal and heart muscle), regulation of immune response, regulation of insulin and blood sugar, and regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism.
The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention is a lively area of current research, and the linking vitamin D to cancer prevention are not completely evident. Nevertheless, research has shown a clear role for vitamin D in prevention of the following types of cancer: bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate, and rectal cancer. In certain situations, vitamin D may also play a role in cancer treatment. 


Source
http://www.kpbs.org/news/2009/jun/03/sun-exposure-does-not-cause-melanoma/
World's Healthiest Foods
Live Strong 

bitter melon

The Chinese have used bitter melon to reverse diabetes for hundreds of years.
It is also know as a fierce cancer fighter. It has strong anti -viral, parasite killer and improves digestion. Eating it cooked  increases its antioxidant levels. It can be added to smoothies and coleslaw, Pregnant or lactating women should not eat it.

Source

Conquering any disease

Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe Vera Juice

 September 11th, 2012 

Called the “Queen of all Herbs”
It has many healing properties
Should only be used 2 to 3 weeks at a time.
Useful for dry stools, constipation, and IBS (irritable Bowel Syndrome)  and  it will help heal the digestive system.
Aloe is a YIN tonic meaning it will cool the body and lower the blood pressure, that similar to wheat grass.

 The leaves of the aloe plant are edible, according to the Plants for a Future database. The leaves can be eaten, but they are bitter and not very tasty. The leaves can be mashed and the pulp used in combination with the gel in juices.

The green part of the leaf that surrounds the gel is used in juices. It is also dried for use as a powder that is called latex, according to the National Institutes of Health. Aloe latex is used for its laxative effects.

Pregnant women should not use aloe latex or bitter aloes, as it can cause uterine contractions and miscarriage,

Anyone taking diuretics, diabetes medication or heart medication should not use aloe internally.

Source   Conquering Any Disease

Livestrong

Acia berry

Acia

 September 11th, 2012

The Antioxidant powerhouse
Everyone can eat these berries, even diabetics and cancer patients since they contain no sugar.

These berries have the highest antioxidant value. They fight free radicals that cause cancer and aging.
Great ways to add Acia to your diet is to add it to your smoothies or mix into your yogurt.

Source   Conquering Any Disease