smoking and sexual health

April 30, 2012 8:13 pm /

Impotence or erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to attain or maintain an adequate erection for sexual satisfaction. It affects up to 30 million American men.

An erection depends on an intact nervous system and adequate blood flow to the penis. When a man is sexually stimulated, the brain sends signals to the arteries in the penis causing them to dilate and fill up with blood. Special sponge-like erectile structures that run the length of the penile shaft, two corpus cavernosa and the corpus spongiosum, become engorged with blood causing the penis to become firm. The swollen erectile tissue compresses the veins, preventing the blood from draining and thus the erection is maintained.

The penile arteries are very small, about 1/3 the size of the coronary arteries so they are very vulnerable to damage. Damaged blood vessels do not allow adequate blood flow, and low flow equals a weak or non-existent erection.

The four most common causes of erectile dysfunction are smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, and high blood pressure. All of these heath problems damage blood vessels. Of the four, only smoking is a otherwise healthy young man’s problem. Smoking doubles the risk of moderate to severe erectile dysfunction.

A man who starts smoking at the age of 18 and continues for 20 years may have his sex life seriously derailed by the age of 38. Smoking is the most common cause of ED for men under 40. The more cigarettes smoked, the greater the risk. As men age other conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease, may develop further compounding the problem.

This kind of damage is very hard to reverse – only 25% of men will see improvement in their erectile dysfunction if they quit smoking. Other options include drugs like Viagra, Levitra, and Cialis; however, these therapies are most effective when combined with smoking cessation.

The good news – smoking rates in California are on the decline and are the second lowest in the United States. The bad news is 17% of Californian men and 9% of women still smoke.

In Canada, graphic pictures of smoking related diseases, including erectile dysfunction, appear on cigarette packages; in studies more than 70% of adults and 90% of teenagers found these warnings effective and 44% of smokers said these images increased their motivation to quit. Why don’t we have these warnings on cigarette packages in the United States? Maybe the $100,000 a day Big Tobacco spends on Washington lobbyists has something to do with it.

May 31 is World No Tobacco Day. Pass it on.

http://www.examiner.com/article/cigarettes-are-hazardous-to-your-erection-smoking-and-sexual-health

Posted in: Men Health / Tagged: , , , ,

Glow with Fruit Packs

April 23, 2012 11:19 am /

Fruits are the easiest source for improving our body from inside and outside.

Well, everybody talks very high of eating fruits. Let us talk a little about unique qualities of fruits as Face-packs.

Apples: The Doctors can be kept at a distance if you consume ‘Apple a day’. You know why? Well it has minerals, vitamins, pectin and tannin. It all helps in improving blood circulation. It is equally effective in toning and tightening the skin.

Put apple in mixie and add a teaspoon of glycerin. Apply the mix as face pack on your face for 15 minutes. Wash it with cold water and gain relief from sun burnt skin.

Add two teaspoons of grated apple with two pieces of mashed papaya, one teaspoon of fresh cream and a spoon of china clay. Mix it properly and apply this face pack on the face. Wash it off after 15 minutes and relish healthy looking skin.

Bananas: Revitalize dry skin, tighten and clean the pores of your face by adding a teaspoon of honey into two ripe mashed bananas. Apply the mix on your face. Wash it with clean water after 15 minutes. It will reveal soft, supple and hydrated skin.

Oranges: Indian Beauty expert Shahnaz Husain recommends rubbing fresh orange peels on the skin to tighten it. It will also lighten the color of the skin. The citrus family is best known for its astringent properties.

Papayas: Papaya is an excellent cleanser. It has enzyme papain. It revives blemished and undernourished and oily skin. Mix papaya pulp with oatmeal and honey/curd and apply on face. Wash it after 15 minutes. Papaya pulp mixed with cucumber pulp and applied below eyes will help in minimizing the dark circles.

Pomegranates: Face scrubs of pomegranates remove excess oil from your face and make the skin look fresh. Pomegranates juice acts as an astringent and it is a natural toner.
Massage your face with pomegranate juice with a cotton wool. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash it for an instant glow.

http://fitnessnectar.com/blog/index.php/2008/12/14/glow_with_fruit_packs

Posted in: Beauty tips, Home remedies / Tagged: , , , , ,

Extremely Obese Children Have Higher Prevalence of Psoriasis, Higher Heart Disease Risk

April 12, 2012 2:16 am /

Children who are overweight or obese have a significantly higher prevalence of psoriasis, and teens with psoriasis, regardless of their body weight, have higher cholesterol levels, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published online in the Journal of Pediatrics. The study findings suggest that higher heart disease risk for patients with psoriasis starts in childhood in the form of higher cholesterol levels.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin that often starts early in life and, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation, affects more than 7 million Americans.

“This study suggests a link between obesity and psoriasis in children,” said study lead author Corinna Koebnick, PhD, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Southern California’s Department of Research & Evaluation in Pasadena, Calif. “But our study findings also suggest that the higher heart disease risk for patients with psoriasis starts in childhood in the form of higher cholesterol levels. We may need to monitor youth with psoriasis more closely for cardiovascular risk factors, especially if they are obese.”

“Very little is known about psoriasis in children where the disease is mostly viewed and treated as a burdensome skin condition and less considered a metabolic disease,” adds Dr. Koebnick.

“Psoriasis may also put children at risk for metabolic disease, as seen in adults, so studies such as these are extremely important in helping primary care providers learn the best way to care for these children,” notes co-author Amy Porter, MD, Southern California Permanente Medical Group’s regional physician lead for weight management, and pediatrician at Kaiser Permanente’s Baldwin Park Medical Center.

Epidemiologic studies in adults have shown that patients with psoriasis are at a higher risk of developing metabolic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart attack and stroke. In adults, obesity has also been linked to a higher risk of developing psoriasis, and obesity, like psoriasis, is also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and diabetes.

“Both conditions are characterized by a chronic low-level inflammation,” notes Dr. Koebnick. “Yet, we know little to nothing about the metabolic risk of psoriasis, especially when combined with obesity in children.” Psoriasis in children may increase blood cholesterol levels, and this may additionally be triggered by the presence of obesity. While the present study has limitations due to its cross-sectional design where both body weight and information on psoriasis were assessed at the same time, future studies based on this cohort will address these issues.

Read more at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110518131433.htm

Posted in: Psoriasis / Tagged: , , , ,

Wheat Grass – A Miracle Medicine

March 29, 2012 11:47 pm /

WHEAT grass therapy can thus be effectively used for skin diseases and ulcerated wounds. By retarding bacterial action, it promotes cell activity and normal regrowth. The chlorophyll content present in wheat grass enhances heart and lung functions. Capillary activity also increases, while toxemia is reduced. By increasing iron content in the blood and thereby haemoglobin, lungs function better. Oxygenation improves and the effect of carbon-dioxide is minimised.

Wheat Grass Juice Therapy
Wheat grass juice furnishes the body with vital nourishment, providing extra energy to the body. This juice contains nearly 70 per cent of chlorophyll. It is a rich source of vitamins A, B, C and contains minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur, cobalt, and zinc. The chlorophyll contained in wheat grass juice is very beneficial for the body. It purifies the blood due to its high vitamin and mineral contents. This property is used by the body to cleanse and rebuild itself. By drinking this juice regularly, toxins can be neutralised. It thus helps to maintain good health.

Constituent of Wheat Grass
tHe chief constituent of wheat grass is chlorophyll which nature utilises as a body cleanser, builder and neutraliser of toxins. Dr. Fisher, a Noble Prize winner, used chlorophyll to treat anaemia. As early as July, 1940, the American Journal of Surgery, reported 1,2000 cases of peritonitis, brain ulcer, pyorrhoea and skin disorders cured by chlorophyll.

The chlorophyll molecule bears close resemblance to haemoglobin, the red pigmentation in human blood, and differs only in the central element which in blood is iron and in chlorophyll, magnesium. Owing to their close molecular resemblance.

Skin Diseases
If has been scientifically proved that chlorophyll arrests growth and development of harmful bacteria. Wheat grass therapy can thus be effectively used for skin diseases and ulcerated wounds. By retarding bacterial action, it promotes cell activity and normal regrowth. Regular drinking of wheat grass juice creates an unfavourable environment for bacterial growth.

Digestive System Disorders
Wheat grass juice used as an enema helps detoxify the walls of the colon. The general procedure is to give an enema with lukewarm water. After waiting for 20 minutes, 100 to 125 m.litre of wheat grass juice enema is given. This should be retained for 15 minutes.

Circulatory Disorders
The chlorophyll content present in wheat grass enhances heart and lung functions. Capillary activity also increases, while toxemia is reduced. By increasing iron content in the blood and thereby haemoglobin, lungs function better. Oxygenation improves and the effect of carbon-dioxide is minimised.The chlorophyll content present in wheat grass enhances heart and lung functions. Capillary activity also increases, while toxemia is reduced. By increasing iron content in the blood and thereby haemoglobin, lungs function better. Oxygenation improves and the effect of carbon-dioxide is minimised.

Several diseases can be treated successfully by regular drinking of wheat grass juice. These include: arthritis, psoriasis, premature greying and falling of hair, general weakness and debility, kidney stones, weak eyesight, abdominal pain, asthma, constipation and insomnia.
Many physicians at Hippocrates Health institute at Boston have tested the miraculous effectiveness of the wheat grass therapy. They have proved satisfactorily that wheat grass chlorophyll is a New Age food — medicine capable of alleviating the problems of sick humanity.
An exclusive diet of wheat grass can be used beneficially in treating diseases. In adopting this mode of treatment, the patient should undertake fast on wheat grass for seven days. Such a fast can pleasantly cleanse and nourish at the same time. One can be confident of complete safety and real health

How to Grow and Use Wheat grass
Wheat grass can be grown in any sheltered place where the direct rays of the sun do not reach from about 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and where the temperature is mild. The direct rays of the sun have a tendency to sap the strength from the grass. The round stalks flatten out and become limp.

For growing wheat grass a good variety of wheat should be soaked for eight to 10 hours. The water should then be drained and those grains allowed to sprout for 15 hours. Earthen pots or wooden trays can be used to grow the wheat grass. They should be filled with compost manure and the wheat sprouts should be spared. They should be covered with a dark cloth or kept away from the sunlight in a room. They should be sprinkled with water once or twice a day and allowed to stay as such for six to seven days the grass grows five to seven inches high.
The grass can be cut with a scissor. It should be immediately washed and group. Thereafter, the juice of the ground pulp should be extracted through a fine piece of cloth. To derive maximum advantage, the pulp should be ground and the juice extracted for two or three times. The juice so extracted should be taken immediately, as its efficacy reduces every minute and the medicinal value is completely lost after three hours.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Wheat-Grass---A-Miracle-Medicine&id=483810] Wheat Grass – A Miracle Medicine

Posted in: Herbs and uses / Tagged: , , , ,

10 Tips to increase healthy hair growth

March 21, 2012 5:37 am /

1.    Eat a healthy Balanced diet. Include plenty of green vegetables, fresh fruits, minor millets, milk and milk products. Vegetables and fruits provide antioxidants and minerals which are necessary to keep the body healthy. Amla (amalaki or Indian gooseberry or emblica officinalis), is considered as a fruit which help in hair growth. Include banana in your diet as banana contains plenty of calcium which is a vital nutrient required for hair growth. Healthy diet prevents hair loss and improves quality and quantity of hair.

2.    Drink plenty of water (2 liters or 12 glasses per day). Water flushes out toxins and increases moistness of skin and hair. This prevents splitting of hair.

3.    Our body produces natural oil which is secreted through oil glands of skin and scalp. This oil keeps our hair strands conditioned. Hence do not use harsh shampoos or soaps which strip off natural oil of scalp. Always use mild shampoo to wash hair.

4.    Wash your hair once in three days. Repeated hair wash leads to dry hair and split ends.

5.    Exercise regularly. This helps to increase blood circulation and keep our whole body healthy and rejuvenated. A brisk walk for 30 minutes is advisable for all ages.

6.    Massage your scalp with good hair oil. Hair oil which is processed with hair friendly herbs help to condition the hair and prevent drying of hair. A good head massage help to increase blood circulation to scalp skin and aid hair growth. Head massage also reduces stress, tension headaches and induces good sleep.

7.    Take measures to prevent formation of dandruff. Dandruff leads to hair loss and stunts hair growth.

8.    Brush your hair from root to tips before taking head bath.

9.    Wear a swimming cap to prevent hair damage due to chlorine.

10.    Avoid tying hair tightly with hair bands. This leads to baldness.

This article is copy righted. The author Dr.SavithaSuri is an Ayurvedic Physician and web master of   Ayurveda help through ayurveda consultations

Posted in: Hair care, Home remedies / Tagged: , , , ,

Banana Diet on Losing Weight

March 9, 2012 8:17 am /

There are many people who are used to banana diet every morning. This is one of the best ways to lose weight. This kind of diet started in Japan. Historically, it was reported that when a Japanese model starts on banana diet, she lose 15 pounds. And that time the huge supply of banana has been vanished for many markets. In America, banana diet has also become popular. But there are certain issues that disagree with this diet plan.

The morning banana diet is actually good as being suggested by medical sciences. The diet plan includes eating two to three pieces of banana for breakfast. After that, instead of old drink, you may want to have a warm drink. When you go for lunch, you can eat anything. You can eat dinner before 8pm. It is a big no-no when you eat banana from breakfast to dinner. Too much intake of banana can be dangerous to your body.

A banana has different organic vitamins and minerals. It is abundant in Vitamin C and B. These vitamins are considered to be the fat fighters and fat burners. So, if you eat 2 to 3 serves of banana a day, you can burn at least 30% to 40% of calories. Include with a proper exercise everyday for a good result.

You can also find a lot of fibers in a yellow banana. Knowing all the works of fibers that includes, losing weight can hastens the metabolism. By making the stomach to feel full adds to the losing weight action of a banana.

Banana contains a certain enzymes that bring weight reduction in progressive phase. This is one of the most interesting facts about a banana. One of theory suggested that it actually hastens the digestion and the elimination pattern causing the drop of weight reduction.

There is also a theory that introduces a resistant starch. Resistant starch is a type of fiber that promotes the fullness of a stomach. This can lead to increase fat burning. Resistant starch can be found in carbohydrate group foods. Carbohydrate foods include potatoes, green and yellow bananas, whole grains, and beans. It also been said that these food must be eaten only when they are cold, fresh from the chiller or a refrigerator. It somehow opposes digestion.

When you tend to try this kind of diet, make sure that you are able to. Too much diet can be dangerous to your health. Remember that when you take banana diet, incorporate discipline and patience.

Banana is just one among many fruit that know to help people lose weight and maintain health.

One of the recent breakthrough in weight loss community is African Mango which is known to have greater impact on reducing fat and losing weight.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Banana-Diet-on-Losing-Weight&id=5931836] Banana Diet on Losing Weight

Posted in: Weight-reduction / Tagged: , ,

Natural Remedies for Psoriasis Treatment

February 25, 2012 10:59 pm /

Psoriasis flare ups can damage your skin, wearing it out over time. This can lower the ability of your skin to protect your body and internal organs. Also the scaly, rough and red patches caused by a Psoriasis attack can make your skin become unattractive. This can make you lose confidence, which will lead to other physiological and emotional problems. You may be on the look outs on ways to repair your damage skin. I know that there are countless over the counter skincare products that make bold claim to help you, there are also natural Psoriasis remedies that can easily produce better results.

If you are suffering from Psoriasis, check if you consuming sufficient vitamins. You can get necessary vitamins by either taking vitamin supplement or through the consumption of vitamin rich foods. Vitamins are important component in your quest for a natural remedy for your Psoriasis. Even if you are experiencing peeling skin or any of type of Psoriasis by taking Proteins, Vitamins A, Vitamins B and Vitamins C, you can get relief.? Proteins and Vitamins help your skin by replenishing it with needed nutrients. Food like fish, eggs, carrots, milk, cheese, vegetables and citrus should be consumed every day.

Psoriasis affects about 4 million Americans. Some type of Psoriasis are dangerous because it can become debilitating. All forms of Psoriasis can produce an uncontrollable urge to itch. This will lead to rashes which open your skin to other form of infections. You can prevent Psoriasis by limiting exposure to trigger factors. Diary product can trigger off Psoriasis in some people; others are fragrance and laundry detergents. You can consume tomato juice to get relief.

You should not expose yourself to the sun to avoid sunburn. It can cause complications for you as a Psoriasis sufferer. If you experience Sunburn, you can use Aloe Vera to get relief. Milk, when apply on a towel and gently apply to the skin can reduce inflammation. Milk can produce a calming effect on an inflamed skin. You can also apply slices of raw cucumbers for same result.

As a Psoriasis sufferer, dry skin is your enemy. Dry skin can result in itching and thus increase your likelihood of having a Psoriasis outbreak. You can get natural relief for you dry skin. You can mash a ripe banana and use it for dry skin o your neck and face.? Another way to relieve dry skin on the whole body includes taking a milk bath once or twice a month. Adding five drops of oat extract to warm water can also give you same result.

There are a number of natural remedies that you can use to treat Psoriasis. Try and keep any open wound covered. No matter the complication, you are sure to get relief nature’s way.

Author :Ed Blanchard ; recoveryourhealthnow.info

Posted in: Psoriasis / Tagged: , , ,

Three Cheers For Curds!

February 19, 2012 10:54 am /

A dietary staple in many parts of the world, Curds or Yogurt is an amusing and accidental discovery for mankind. Curd has been around with us for ages and is used profusely in cooking and for its medicinal properties.

Components: The basic and the most natural form of curd is made with milk, which is curdled using culture (Jaman), and other acidic substances such as lemon and vinegar. Soybean curd which is made by curdling the soy milk is another healthy option.

Sugar and Lactose present in the milk get converted into lactic acid during the process of curdling giving rise to a thick and solid form which is called as curd or Yogurt.

Tips to set perfect curd:

Quality of curd largely depends on the existing culture used to curdle the milk. Use fresh culture (Jaman) to set the curd.
Boil required quantity of milk and cool it to room temperature. Add just a teaspoon of existing curd and keep aside at a warmer place to set the curds.
Curd set using Buffalo milk is thicker than the curd which is set with Cow’s milk.
Use a teaspoon of Soy powder for a thick and creamy curds.
It takes 5-6 hours in hot weather and 14-15 hours in cold weather to get a perfectly set curd. To increase the process of curdling in winter, place the milk with the culture in a microwave without switching it on.
Hot case helps to set the curd faster during winter.

Health Benefits of Curds:

The most important and the healthy live bacteria present in the curd makes it very special and a nutritious food option for all ages.
Curd is rich in calcium, protein, riboflavin and vitamins.
It is low in fat and high in potassium, provided the milk used to make the curd is skimmed and low fat.
Curd is used to prevent diarrhea.
Curd is suppose to increase longevity and immunity.
It lowers bad cholesterol and increases good cholesterol in the blood.
Helps against arthritis and stomach ulcers and many other stomach ailments.
Improves digestion.
Calcium present in the curd helps strengthen the bones.
Curd is very helpful during the treatment of certain ailments, as it replenishes the beneficial bacteria lost during heavy medication.
Last but not the least it is a boon for lactose intolerant who are allergic to milk and milk products. As the protein in curd is easily digestible than that in milk.

Prudent way to Include Curds in Diet;

Use skimmed milk or low fat milk to set the curd.
Buttermilk is much healthier option than curds which is 1:3 parts of curds to water.
Lassi – sweetened and thick buttermilk is a refreshing summer drink.
Srikhand and Indian delicacy is a great dessert.
Add nuts, fresh fruits and granolas to a bowl of curd for a healthy breakfast.
Make oatmeal porridge with curds and roasted cumin powder.
Sprinkle herbs such as coriander leaves, mint and dill for a tasty accompaniment to any meal.
Dips made with hung curd is good with sliced fruits and steamed veggies.
Raita is a great recipe which goes well with any meals of the day. Mix sliced cucumber, pineapple and apples for a refreshing raitas.
Add a teaspoon of sugar while setting the curds for a quick and refreshing dessert.

It is three cheers for curds, with all the health benefits accrued to it and for being one of the most versatile cooking ingredients available to us.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Three-Cheers-For-Curds!&id=4833343] Three Cheers For Curds!

Posted in: Ayurveda, Health care / Tagged: , , ,

Men’s Health Tips – 3 Ways to Keep Yourself Healthy

December 25, 2011 1:42 am /

Men who are conscious about their health are able to lead a happy and successful life. They can enjoy all the blessings of life. A healthy body also keeps your mind healthy and as a result you are able to make your personal and professional dreams come true. As we are living in a fast paced world, it often gets hard to attend to your diet and look after your well-being. Many times we remain caught up in the vicious circle of life. What we need to bear in mind is that taking out time to attend to your health is going to pay you all your life. This is because unhealthy men cannot lead a normal and healthy life while the healthy ones have got the whole world in their hands.

Here we have for you 3 important tips that would help you lead a healthy and vigorous life.

1. Watch what you eat! In the present times, people mostly stick to junk food. They often watch what they are eating and as a result they made their bodies weak and prone to disease. Men who wish to remain safe from sickness and have healthy bodies must make sure to eat healthy foods. They should take healthy food items such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products and meat in healthy proportions. Fruits and vegetables endow your body with vitamins which are essential for to keep your body healthy. Milk products are rich in proteins that are essential for your well-being as well. You should not consume too much fatty or starchy stuff as it does no good to your body. In fact they spoil your health and make you prone to disease. You may have junk food once in a while, not on regular basis. Try to eat what is fresh and avoid processed foods so that your body can enjoy health naturally.

2. Exercise! As men grow older their physical activities becomes very limited. They often have to sit for long hours working in offices or on front of computers. As a result they tend to put on excessive weight which leads to disease. To avoid this you must stick to exercise. You may join a gym or do some exercise on your own. You can swim, run, walk or use some exercising machines. Even dancing can be a good exercise that helps you to remain healthy and save you from sickness.

3. Avoid Smoking! Avoiding smoking is very important for men who wish to stay healthy. Smoking leads to many diseases. Those who smoke regularly cannot stay healthy so stay away from fags!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Mens-Health-Tips---3-Ways-to-Keep-Yourself-Healthy&id=5081945 ] Men’s Health Tips – 3 Ways to Keep Yourself Healthy

Posted in: Health care, Men Health / Tagged: , , ,

Raw Butter And Coconut Oil Have Slimming Properties

November 21, 2011 2:33 am /

Utterly Butterly Healthy

Most diet plans and nutritionists will tell you that butter is a definite no-no for anyone who wants to lose weight. So this will come as a surprise – butter may have slimming benefits. But before we go into the details, here’s something to think about first. Heart disease rose to become the number one killer in the US between the 1920s and 1960s, about the same time that butter consumption fell from an average 18 pounds per person per year to 4.

Though butter would have to be eliminated as the culprit, it was still tainted as the villain contributing to heart disease, obesity and diabetes, three of America’s biggest health concerns today. So was it pure coincidence that margarine manufacturers had stepped in to convince the gullible public that they had found a healthy substitute for butter? Could margarine have been the unlikely culprit?

Butter provides your body with essential fatty acids, it keeps your hormones in balance, it is good for the heart, it sharpens vision, and it keeps skin moist. So when you eliminate butter from your diet, you are also harming your health. Butter, used in ancient cultures as an offering to the gods, is a natural food – organic, raw butter is the best form of butter. Cultured raw butter, made from fermented cream, is even healthier.

Margarine, on the other hand, is a processed or ‘plastic-like’ food, made chemically from refined polyunsaturated oils and hydrogenated to make it viscous.

Here are 10 reasons why organic, raw butter constitutes a healthy addition to your diet:

  • It helps the body absorb Vitamin A which is needed for thyroid and adrenal health
  • It contains lecithin, which helps metabolize cholesterol
  • It contains anti-oxidants which guard against free radicals
  • It strengthens the immune system
  • It is a great source of Vitamins E and K
  • It is a rich source of selenium, a vital mineral
  • Its saturated fats guard against tumors and cancer
  • Vitamin D in butter is essential to calcium absorption
  • It is a rich source of iodine
  • It guards against gastrointestinal infections

What is wrong with factory-made butter? Factory-made butter is made from pasteurized milk or cream and is nutritionally deficient. Pasteurization is a process that uses heat to kill harmful bacteria and other organisms. However, it also destroys the ‘good’ bacteria; it destroys active enzymes, reduces vitamin content, and denatures fragile milk proteins.

But where can you get raw butter? The sale of raw butter is prohibited in the US but it is easy to make at home.

It’s All in the Oil

Here’s something else that will surprise you. Just like raw butter, coconut oil is not only healthy, it also has slimming properties. If you’re looking to lose weight, you’re looking for organic, unrefined, extra-virgin coconut oil. Unlike refined oils, virgin coconut oil contains unrefined essential fatty acids (except Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids which you can get from other sources) that have several health and powerful slimming benefits.

Most of the oil we use to cook our food with is refined oil. To increase shelf life, manufacturers remove the fatty acids – and with that, its main nutrients – from the oil. In fact, a lot of the ‘healthy’ oils in health food stores lack essential fatty acids (EFAs) and are nutritionally deficient.

The average adult can safely consume about 3.5 tablespoons of coconut oil per day in their diet without the risk of putting on weight. But start slow and gradually increase the quantity you consume.

Coconut oil is made up of medium-chain fatty acids, which are easy to digest and therefore speed up metabolism. On the other hand, long-chain fatty acids (in polyunsaturated oils) take longer to break down and are easily stored as fat in the body. Some studies even indicate that medium-chain fatty acids also burn fat stored in the body.

Here is how coconut oil can help you lose weight. This virgin oil slows digestion and keeps you feeling full for a longer time. This discourages snacking. Carbohydrates cooked in coconut oil take longer to be broken down and digested and hence blood glucose or blood sugar levels tend to remain stable and not fluctuate, precipitating further hunger.

Virgin coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, a medium-chain EFA. Lauric acid is a good anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-yeast agent, and kills all major strains of Candida albicans. Lauric acid also reduces carbohydrate cravings.

Coconut oil is also a wonderful detoxification agent. It cleanses the body of toxins, keeps the digestive tract healthy, and nourishes the cells in your body. All of this is essential on the road to restoring your body’s optimal weight.

Detoxifying the body with coconut oil is important to weight loss because it dissolves and removes toxins trapped in fatty deposits, and this reduces the need for fat accumulation. Remember, fat accumulates as a survival mechanism to store toxins surrounded by fatty tissue.

This could also explain why coconut oil helps to build lean muscle, and is preferred by Olympic athletes, body builders and personal trainers.

‘Good’ and ‘Bad’ Oils

Understanding fats and oils is a complicated subject, or so the food industry would have you believe. Thanks to propaganda by food and oil manufacturers, we are brainwashed into believing that saturated fats are bad and unsaturated fats are good.

This is not true. There are just as many saturated fats that are healthy for your body as there are unhealthy unsaturated fats. The only factor that determines whether a fat is good or bad for your health is whether it is present in its natural form or is engineered or ‘refined’.

When margarine and other refined and hydrogenated products were introduced into the US food market, commonly used coconut oil, flax oils and fish oils disappeared from the shelves of America’s grocery stores.

The campaign by the emerging food industry against natural oils and beneficial fats such as coconut oil was fueled by massive media disinformation that blamed saturated fats for the wave of heart attacks that suddenly began to scare the American population.

For 30 or more years, coconut oil and other healthy oils vanished off the shelves of grocery stores before they made a recent comeback in health food stores. They were replaced by cheap junk oils, including soy oil, cottonseed oil and rapeseed oil (sold as Canola oil). These refined oils are responsible for severe gastrointestinal disturbances including acid reflux disease, irritable bowel syndrome Crohn’s disease, constipation, and colon cancer.

Healthy oil is needed to keep the body’s trillions of cells healthy and functioning properly. Their plasma membrane, an active player in glucose absorption, needs to contain a complement of cis type w=3 unsaturated fatty acids. This makes cell membranes fluid, allowing them to easily absorb glucose molecules for energy generation. This, in turn, balances blood sugar levels.

By regularly eating fats and oils that are heat-treated (in contrast with natural expeller-pressed oils and untreated fats), cell membranes begin to lose their healthy fatty acids and replace them with harmful trans-fatty acids. As a result, the cell membranes become thicker, stiffer and stickier, and inhibit the glucose transport mechanism, resulting in elevated blood sugar levels.

This sets off a chain reaction, affecting several organs and systems. To deal with the high blood sugar, the pancreas releases extra insulin, which can lead to inflammation throughout the body. The liver tries to convert some of the excess sugar into fat, stored by adipose cells. This can make the body fat. To get rid of the rest of the sugar in the blood, the urinary system goes into overdrive. Eventually, the body enters a condition of chronic exhaustion due to the lack of cellular energy. The adrenal glands respond by pumping extra quantities of stress hormones into the blood, creating mood swings, anxiety and depression. The endocrine glands also malfunction. Overtaxed by the constant demand for extra insulin, the pancreas fails to produce enough. Body weight may increase a little more each day. The heart and lungs become congested and fail to deliver oxygen to all the cells in the body, including the brain.

Practically every organ and system in the body is affected by this simple dietary mistake.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Raw-Butter-And-Coconut-Oil-Have-Slimming-Properties&id=6235144] Raw Butter And Coconut Oil Have Slimming Properties

Posted in: Health care, Uncategorized / Tagged: , , , ,