Posts Tagged ‘vitamins’

Black Seed Benefits

Tuesday February 09, 2010

What is Black Seed?

Black Seed is a traditional herb that has been in use for thousands of years by people living in the Middle East and some parts of Asia and Africa to promote health and fight disease. It is also known the “Blessed Seed”.

What are the essential properties of Black Seed?

Black Seed herb contains over 100 components, many of which still remain to be discovered. It is a rich source of unsaturated fatty acids and contains about 35% oil, 21% protein, and 38% carbohydrates. More than 50% of the oil are essential fatty acids. It’s linoleic acid and gamma linolenic acid content help form Prostaglandin E1, which helps the body to inhibit infections, balances the immune system, and regulates allergic reactions. Gamma-linolenic acid also helps stabilize the cell membrane. Black Seed also contains about .5-1.5% volatile oils including Nigellone and thymochinon which are responsible for Black Seed’s anti-histamine, anti-oxidant, anti-infective, and broncho-dialating effect.

What are some of the traditional uses of Black Seed?

Traditionally, Black Seed has been used for a variety of conditions and treatments related to respiratory health, stomach and intestinal complaints, kidney & liver function, circulatory and immune system support, and to improve general health. Its can be topically used for eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, inflammation, and scalp massage. (more…)

What are free radicals?

Wednesday January 20, 2010

Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction, like dominoes. Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system of antioxidants.

What are free radicals?

Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle micronutrient (vitamin) antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Additionally, selenium, a trace metal that is required for proper function of one of the body’s antioxidant enzyme systems, is sometimes included in this category. The body cannot manufacture these micronutrients so they must be supplied in the diet.

Vitamin E : d-alpha tocopherol. A fat soluble vitamin present in nuts, seeds, vegetable and fish oils, whole grains (esp. wheat germ), fortified cereals, and apricots. Current recommended daily allowance (RDA) is 15 IU per day for men and 12 IU per day for women.

Vitamin C : Ascorbic acid is a water soluble vitamin present in citrus fruits and juices, green peppers, cabbage, spinach, broccoli, kale, cantaloupe, kiwi, and strawberries. The RDA is 60 mg per day. Intake above 2000 mg may be associated with adverse side effects in some individuals.

Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A (retinol) and is present in liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains. Because beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A by the body there is no set requirement. Instead the RDA is expressed as retinol equivalents (RE), to clarify the relationship. (NOTE: Vitamin A has no antioxidant properties and can be quite toxic when taken in excess.)

Health: ORAC Testing

Monday January 04, 2010

NuVerus Euforia ORAC

Brunswick Labs, a global leader in antioxidant R&D and testing, has established a test for ‘Total ORAC’ for Food and Nutrition (Total ORAC FN) test. Total ORAC FN represents a breakthrough in comprehensive antioxidant testing for food and nutrition products. Total ORAC FN delivers valuable, quantitative analysis to evaluate broadspectrum antioxidant potential of oil and water-soluble ingredients.

Total ORAC FN measures antioxidant activity against 5 of the most important free radicals found in humans. These are hydroxyl, peroxyl, peroxynitrite, singlet oxygen, and superoxide anion. These five major radicals cause oxidative damage in the human body. In combination, they cause DNA, protein, and lipid damage, contribute to systemic inflammation and other harmful pathways.

Click here to access the euforia ORAC Test Document

With euforia, we can now start the day with a delicous superjuice packed with anti-oxidants and super foods for only $2 per ounce. (A 32 oz bottle of euforia costs ~ $60.) (more…)

Is your Health Worth $2 per Day?

Thursday December 24, 2009

Make euforia the first part of your day

With our fast pace lifetstyles, and the over processing of foods, it can be difficult to get our daily allowance of antioxidants. Plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, contain many antioxidants that are essential to human health.

With euforia, we can now start the day with a delicious superjuice packed with anti-oxidants and super foods for only $2 per ounce. (A 32 oz bottle of euforia costs ~ $60.)

Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in our foods which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (by-products) that can cause damage. Antioxidants act as “free radical scavengers” and hence prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. Health problems such as heart disease, muscular degeneration, diabetes, and cancer, are all contributed to oxidative damage. Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense and therefore lower the risk of cancer and infection.

Antioxidants are present in foods as vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and polyphenols, among others. Many antioxidants are often identified in food by their distinctive colors such as the deep red of cherries and of tomatoes; the orange of carrots; the yellow of corn, mangos, and saffron; and the blue-purple of blueberries, blackberries, and grapes. The most well-known components of food with antioxidant activities are vitamins A, C, and E; ß-carotene; the mineral selenium; and more recently, the compound lycopene. (more…)

Aloe Vera Juice

Thursday December 17, 2009
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera

You have perhaps already heard about the benefits of aloe vera when applied topically. You could also benefit from its innumerable medicinal properties if you consume aloe vera in the form of juice, pills or capsules. One of the very popular uses of aloe vera is in the form of aloe vera juice, benefits of which seems endless and has spread far and wide in terms of popularity. But how is it made? Essentially aloe vera juice is made from its gel. A regular use of 2 to 4 ounces of aloe vera juice taken twice in a day can boost your immune system and keep you in good health.

In case you are wondering why you should take aloe vera juice, here are some of the key aloe vera juice benefits:

  • While on one hand it can be used as a detoxifying agent, you could also use it as a regular colon cleanser. The juice of this wonderful herb can help in purification of blood.
  • Aloe vera juice can be used to heal burns and wounds. Because of its anti inflammatory properties, aloe vera juice is an effective calmative that soothes the affected area as well as reduces swelling, redness and offers sustainable pain relief.
  • With regard to wound healing, aloe vera juice exerts its strong anti bacterial properties and does not allow any infection to affect the wound.
  • Drinking aloe vera juice can alleviate several gastro-intestinal problems including healing of ulcers, irregular bowel clearance, irritable bowel syndrome and more.
  • Aloe vera juice can be applied on an itchy scalp or to treat chronic skin disorders. (more…)