Monday 15 April 2013

Home Remedies for Back Pain

• Calcium: Calcium helps build strong bones and protects the spine from osteoporosis. Incorporate plenty of calcium-rich foods in your diet such as milk and milk products, finger millet (ragi), green leafy vegetables, sesame, small fish (eat along with bones) etc.

• Heat and ice therapies: In chronic back pain, applying a hot pack for about 20 minutes is found to be very beneficial. In the initial stages of back pain or when you have acute pain, using ice packs for a duration of 10 to 15 minutes helps in relieving down the pain.

• Eucalyptus oil: This is known to be a very beneficial remedy for back pain. Apply some eucalyptus oil to the affected area. Adding ginger paste to the eucalyptus oil and then applying also helps.

• Mustard oil: A massage with mustard oil is also a good remedy for back pain.

• Garlic: Heat some coconut oil or sesame oil on a low flame with eight cloves of garlic in it. Cool it and massage the affected area with this oil softly. Leave it on for three to four hours and take a bath in warm water. This will give you good relief from back pain.

• Camphor: Mix some camphor in your massage oil and apply to your back.

• Epsom salts: Epsom salts ease back pain by reducing swelling. Add 2 cups of Epsom salt in your bathtub of warm water. Soak for 30 minutes.

• Chamomile: Tea made of this herb offers a calming relief to soothe tense muscle tissues. Drink one to three cups of chamomile tea a day to get relief from back pain.

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Harmful Effects Of Cigarette Smoking

10 Harmful Effects Of Cigarette Smoking

Cigarette does contain several harmful and toxic chemicals which are fatal to the body. One needs to be aware of these harmful effects and must immediately quit smoking. Cigarette smoking does have adverse harmful effects on the entire body and does affect every part and organ of the body.

1. Yellow Teeth. Cigarette smoking shall stain your teeth yellow/brown in color.

2. Infant death. Smoking during pregnancy can cause birth defects or death in a child.
Cigarette


3. Cancer. There are 43 chemicals that are found in cigarette smoke which have been clinically proven to cause cancer. These 43 chemicals cause lung cancer, mouth cancer, cancer of bladder, or throat cancer.

4. Skin discoloration. The skin of long-term smokers show dull, grayish skin discoloration with deeper lines and wrinkles.

5. Expenses. Smoking cigarettes can cost people tens of thousands a dollars a year.

6. Pollution. Smoke generated from cigarettes contributes to world pollution.

7. Gum disease and other oral problems. Smoking causes several gum diseases and oral complaints.

8. Cigarette smoking can raise the likelihood of developing cataracts – capable of causing blindness.

9. Infection. The smoker’s body is more likely to develop an infection in an open wound, as the immune system in them can be damaged.

10. Early menopause. Smoking may stop the menstruation cycle in a woman.

Top 10 Reasons Why you Should Drink Coffee

1. Coffee Improves Vascular Health

Caffeine present in coffee increases nitric oxide production in the endothelium (the thin layer of cells that line the interior surface of blood vessels), which improves vascular muscle tone. Drinking caffeinated coffee increases short-term acute blood pressure, but blood pressure returns to normal after the caffeine gets metabolized. It has been found in various studies that 8 weeks of habitual coffee drinking lowers blood pressure readings significantly.

2. Coffee Improves Cholesterol Health

Coffee, like tea, contains a lot of antioxidants. The ones present in coffee are capable of raising the HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol), and lowering inflammation related to heart diseases.

3. Coffee Improves Reaction Time

A significant number of sports coaches have reported that caffeine in coffee is used by them in improving reaction time on soccer skill tests in athletes when they are sleep deprived.

4. Coffee Reduces Risk of Liver Cancer and Cirrhosis

Coffee contains a substance known as Praxanthine. This chemical slows down the growth of cell tissues in liver cancer and alcohol cirrhosis.

5. Coffee Reduces Risk of Type II Diabetes

Coffee has an inhibitory effect on toxic hIAPP (Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide) formation which is found usually in the pancreas. This hIAPP is found in people having type II diabetes.

6. Coffee Prevents Parkinson’s Disease

Researchers have found that consuming five cups of coffee per day reduces the incidence rates of Parkinson’s disease.

7. Coffee Prevents Dental Cavities

A substance called tannins in coffee reduces the formation of plaque. This certainly prevents a person from having dental cavities. Drinking coffee also reduces the growth of bacteria like Streptococcus which are responsible for tooth decays.

8. Coffee Prevents Headaches

Caffeine present in coffee decreases the size of blood vessels before they can affect nerves in the brain. Hence, drinking coffee in the early stages of a headache minimizes the chances of a severe headache.

9. Coffee Reduces Workout Pain

Consuming caffeinated coffee an hour before vigorous exercise may help prevent pain while you’re working out. Caffeine in coffee blocks the activity of a chemical called adenosine that activates pain receptors in cells.

10. Coffee Keeps Skin Healthy

Coffee is believed to keep the skin healthy. Its antioxidants are known to prevent skin cancer and melanoma-related diseases. Coffee helps in getting rid of free radicals in the skin. This reduces the onset of skin-related problems such as acne and eczema.

Monday 1 April 2013

Benefits of Apple Juice

Health Benefits of Apple Juice

1. Reduced Risk of Heart Diseases

Apple juice prevents cholesterol to form in your blood vessels and arteries. High cholesterol level and plaques in the arteries are one of the major causes of heart diseases. By drinking apple juice you reduce the risk of heart diseases.

2. Cleaner Organism and Improved Digestion

Apple juice (especially raw apple juice) helps to clean the liver and kidneys from harmful toxins. As a result, you have a cleaner organism and you are better protected against liver and kidney diseases.

3. Apple Juice is Great for Weight Loss
Apple Juice


This health benefit of apple juice is loved by weight conscious persons. Cholesterol and calories are two major causes of extra weight. Apple juice is basically free of calories and fat + it protects you from cholesterol.

4. Excellent Source of Energy

Apple juice is packed with different vitamins – A, C, E, K, B1, B2, B6 and Folate, so it is an excellent source of energy. As a result, it is a great drink to restore your energy after a physical exercise.

5. Lower Risk of Dementia

Some studies have shown that apple juice lowers the risk of dementia in older people. Apple juice slows brain aging and helps to keep it sharp for longer time.

6. Improved Vision and Eye Health

Apple juice contains vitamin A, which is good for your eyes. Vitamin A helps you to protect your eyes from eye diseases and keeps your sight sharp.

Those were the most important health benefits of apple juice.
As a conclusion there is one advice we can give you – drink apple juice and enjoy good health.

Note- photo& content are posted only for health awareness in people, not for business purpose!

Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

Health Benefits of Pomegranate Juice

1. Fights Breast Cancer
Studies in Israel show that pomegranate juice destroys breast cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. It may also prevent breast cancer cells from forming.

2. Lung Cancer Prevention
Studies in mice show that pomegranate juice may inhibit the development of lung cancer.

3. Slows Prostate Cancer
It slowed the growth of prostate cancer in mice.

4. Keeps PSA Levels Stable
Pomegranate Juice


In a study of 50 men who had undergone treatment for prostate cancer, 8 ounces of pomegranate juice per day kept PSA levels stable, reducing the need for further treatment

5. Protects the Neonatal Brain
Studies show that maternal consumption of pomegranate juice may protect the neonatal brain from damage after injury.

6. Prevention of Osteoarthritis
Several studies indicate that pomegranate juice may prevent cartilage deterioration.

7. Protects the Arteries
It prevents plaque from building up in the arteries and may reverse previous plaque buildup.

8. Alzheimer's Disease Prevention

It may prevent and slow Alzheimer's disease. In one study, mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease were given pomegranate juice. They accumulated significantly less amyloid plaque than control mice and they performed mental tasks better.

9.Lowers Cholesterol
It lowers LDL (bad cholesterol) and raises HDL (good cholesterol).

10. Lowers Blood Pressure
One study showed that drinking 1.7 ounces of pomegranate juice per day lowered systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 percent.

11. Dental Protection
Research suggests that drinking pomegranate juice may be a natural way to prevent dental plaque.

Flat Tummy Tips

1. Drink a glass of water before taking food.
2. Eat 5 small meals a day.
3. Do Cardio Exercises 20 mins a day and 5 days a week.
4. Know your serving size
5. Swim.
6. Strengthen your core.
7. Avoid Sweets.
Flat Tummy

8. Do Push ups & Sit ups correctly.
9. Never Skip Breakfast
10. Drink as much of water Daily.
11. Sleep 7 - 8 hours daily.
12. Stop taking alcohol.
13. Avoid Salt.
14. Reduce the Stress.
15. Avoid Fast Food.
16. Avoid Soda.
17. Take More fiber content food.
18. Do not isolate your stomach.




Health Benefits of Papaya



Top 5 Papaya Health Benefits
 There are many papaya benefits for your health and this beautiful orange/yellow tropical fruit is proof that nutritious food can also have an amazing taste.
Papaya, also known as papaw, is a rich source of antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals and special digestive enzymes that have a remarkable effect both internally and externally.
If you’d like to improve your skin, relieve digestion problems, protect your eyes and heart and possibly lower your risk of many diseases like cancer, then consider the many benefits of eating papaya.

Skin Protection:
 
Ripe papaya is a great source of antioxidant vitamin C, vitamin E and carotenoids like beta-carotene and lycopene. The high levels of these valuable nutrients can help protect your skin against free radicals known to cause damage that leads to wrinkles and other visible signs of aging.
The enzyme papain in the flesh and skin of the fruit actually breaks down dead skin cells and helps promote skin renewal when used topically on the face or body. Papaya facial treatments are a popular way to improve your skin’s texture, elasticity and appearance. They may also help with wound healing and burns and even assist in the treatment of skin problems like acne, blemishes and age spots.

Papaya is Good for Your Eyes:
Papaya
 
Along with its beta-carotene content that can be converted to vitamin A, so important to healthy eyes and vision, papaya also contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin.
Lutein and zeaxanthin, known as xanthophylls, are concentrated in the macular region of our eyes. Here they provide protection against high energy blue light that can damage our eye’s retinas. A good intake of both lutein and zeaxanthin is believed to significantly reduce our risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), the most common cause of blindness in America.
The high levels of lutein and zeaxanthin in papaya may also protect us against developing cataracts, glaucoma, and other chronic eye diseases. Other good sources of lutein and zeaxanthin are pumpkins, spinach, broccoli and the yolks from free range eggs.
Many people also report an improvement in visual acuity and color perception with high doses of lutein and zeaxanthin in supplements derived from natural sources like marigold flowers.

Heart Disease and Papaya:
 
The high levels of vitamin C and vitamin E along with antioxidants like beta-carotene and lycopene in papaw can help reduce the oxidization of cholesterol in our arteries. Cholesterol oxidization is considered a dangerous process, potentially leading to arteries blocked with plaque that can result in heart attacks. Increasing your intake of these antioxidants from health foods like papaya may help improve blood flow to the heart and reduce your risk of developing heart disease.
Papaya is a good source of folate which helps control homocysteine levels in the bloodstream. High levels of homocysteine in the blood is known to damage blood vessels and is considered another potential cause of cardiovascular disease.
The beneficial fiber in papaya can also help lower undesirable LDL cholesterol levels in the blood by inhibiting its absorption during digestion. This is yet another way eating this amazing superfood can help protect us from heart disease and stroke.
Improve Digestion:
 
The enzymes in papaya, and especially the green fruit, can improve digestion by breaking down proteins into their individual amino acids. Undigested proteins can lead to many health issues, such as gastrointestinal problems and an overgrowth of flatulence causing bacteria in the colon.
The proteolytic enzyme papain found in papaya is actually so good at breaking down proteins, it is used as a meat tenderizer commercially.
If you can’t find it fresh, green papaya enzyme capsules and high strength digestive powder are convenient to take with a protein meal. Papaya does make for a great dessert whenever you can get it though.
There is much more on how papain can benefit your health in the page on how papain enzymes benefit digestion.

Papaya and Cancer Prevention:
 
There are several important compounds that may make papaya a very beneficial superfood for reducing your risk of developing certain types of cancers. Obviously seek the advice of a knowledgeable health care professional when dealing with any serious disease. But also know that nutritious foods can support the body’s natural defenses and, in the case of papaya, may have certain nutrients of particular relevance for reducing cancer risk.
Once again, the rich antioxidant content of papaya, particularly lycopene, beta-carotene and another less well known carotenoid called beta-cryptoxanthin, are particularly beneficial in reducing your risk of developing cancer.
Proteolytic enzymes in papaya can digest the fibrin protein layer of cancer cells that usually surrounds and protects them. This may leave the cancerous cells more susceptible to the body’s immune response. It is also believed to hinder its growth and inhibit the cancer from spreading.
The fruit also contains compounds called isothiocyanates that may help prevent cancer by eliminating potential carcinogens from our bodies and enhancing the action of tumor suppressing proteins. Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli are an even richer source of isothiocyanates, but papaya is still a good source.
Recent research has studied the powerful cancer cell killing effects of compounds found in papaya leaves. See the page on could papaya leaf be a cancer treatment for more details.

Eating Papaya:
Hopefully these 5 papaya health benefits are inspiring enough to have you wanting to eat it more often. If so, the next page on eating papaya for better health has many ways to include more of this great tasting and very healthy fruit in your daily meals.