Gotu Kola is native to boggy and tropical areas of Madagascar, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan, India, and Eastern Europe.
Compounds with medicinal value are found in the leaves and roots of the plant.
Gotu kola has been used historically in Indonesia, China, and India to treat problems such as stomach ulcers, epilepsy, asthma, diarrhea, hepatitis, syphilis, fever, and mental fatigue.
Recently, gotu kola has been used to treat problems involving tissue swelling including rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, anklylosing spondylitis (arthritis of the spine), and psoriatic arthritis (arthritis occurring in conjunction with psoriasis).
New uses for gotu kola may include treating venous insufficiency, easing anxiety, lowering blood pressure, speeding injury healing, and increasing intelligence and memory.
healthy india
Wednesday
Gotu kola
Pomelo/grapefruit/chakotra
Health Benefits
Rich in the Nutritional Powerhouse Vitamin C
Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamin C, a vitamin that helps to support the immune system. Vitamin C-rich foods like grapefruit may help reduce cold symptoms or severity of cold symptoms; over 20 scientific studies have suggested that vitamin C is a cold-fighter. Vitamin C also prevents the free radical damage that triggers the inflammatory cascade, and is therefore also associated with reduced severity of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. As free radicals can oxidize cholesterol and lead to plaques that may rupture causing heart attacks or stroke, vitamin C is beneficial to promoting cardiovascular health. Owing to the multitude of vitamin C's health benefits, it is not surprising that research has shown that consumption of vegetables and fruits high in this nutrient is associated with a reduced risk of death from all causes including heart disease, stroke and cancer.
Enjoy Benefits from the Antioxidant Lycopene
The rich pink and red colors of grapefruit are due to lycopene, a carotenoid phytonutrient. (PLEASE NOTE: Lycopene is only found in pink and red grapefruit. White grapefruit does not provide this carotenoid.) Lycopene appears to have anti-tumor activity.
Among the common dietary carotenoids, lycopene has the highest capacity to help fight oxygen free radicals, which are compounds that can damage cells.Choosing to regularly eat lycopene-rich foods, such as pink grapefruit, and drink green tea may greatly reduce a man's risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests research published the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Jian L, Lee AH, et al.)In this case-control study involving 130 prostate cancer patients and 274 hospital controls, men drinking the most green tea were found to have an 86% reduced risk of prostate cancer compared, to those drinking the least.A similar inverse association was found between the men's consumption of lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, apricots, pink grapefruit, watermelon, papaya, and guava.
Men who most frequently enjoyed these foods were 82% less likely to have prostate cancer compared to those consuming the least lycopene-rich foods.Regular consumption of both green tea and foods rich in lycopene resulted in a synergistic protective effect, stronger than the protection afforded by either, the researchers also noted.Practical Tips: Get in the habit of drinking green tea and eating lycopene-rich foods.Take a quart of iced green tea to work and sip throughout the day or take it to the gym to provide prostate protection while replenishing fluids after your workout.Pack a ziploc bag of apricots and almonds in your briefcase or gym bag for a handy snack.
Start your breakfast with a half grapefruit or a glass of grapefruit, apricot, papaya or guava juice.Begin lunch or dinner with some spicy tomato juice on the rocks with a twist of lime. Snack on tomato crostini: in the oven, toast whole wheat bread till crusty, then top with tomato sauce, herbs, a little grated cheese, and reheat until the cheese melts.Top whole wheat pasta with olive oil, pine nuts, feta cheese and a rich tomato sauce for lunch or dinner.For a delicious dessert, drizzle a little honey over a half grapefruit and broil for 2 minutes. Serve topped with a fresh mint leaf.
Grapefruit Juice Ranked among Those Highest in Antioxidant Activity
Not all fruit juices are the same.
They differ markedly in the variety of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity, according to Alan Crozier, Professor of Plant Biochemistry and Human Nutrition, who, with colleagues at the University of Glasgow, evaluated 13 commercially available popular juices.Concord grapes came out on top with the highest and broadest range of polyphenols and the highest overall antioxidant capacity.
(The main components in purple grape juice were flavan-3-ols, anthocyanins, and hydroxycinnamates, together accounting for 93% of the total phenolic content.)Other top scorers were cloudy apple juice, cranberry juice and grapefruit juice.Results for the red grape juice were said to be equal to those for a Beaujolais red wine. Interestingly, however, white grape juice, mainly containing hydroxycinnamates, had the lowest total phenolic content.The products analyzed were: Spray Classic Cranberry; Welch's Purple Grape; Tesco Pure Pressed Red Grape; Pomegreat Pomegranate; Tesco Pure Apple (clear); Copella Apple (cloudy)
Tesco Pure Grapefruit; Tesco Value Pure Orange (concentrate); Tropicana Pure Premium Smooth Orange (squeezed); Tropicana Pure Premium Tropical Fruit; Tesco Pure Pressed White Grape; Tesco Pure Pineapple; Del Monte Premium Tomato.Dr. Crozier's findings come shortly after those of the Kame project, which indicated that long-term fruit juice consumption can provide protection against Alzheimer's disease (Dai et al., Am J Med), and suggest that, since each fruit juice contains its own array of protective phenols, drinking a variety may offer the best protection.
Practical Tip: "The message is to mix these juices during the week. That way you will get all the compounds with anti-oxidant activity. If you drink only one juice you risk missing out on the compounds in the others," explained Crozier.
Limonoids Promote Optimal Health
Phytonutrients in grapefruit called limonoids inhibit tumor formation by promoting the formation of glutathione-S-transferase, a detoxifying enzyme. This enzyme sparks a reaction in the liver that helps to make toxic compounds more water soluble for excretion from the body.
Pulp of citrus fruits like grapefruit contain glucarates, compounds that may help prevent breast cancer.In animal studies and laboratory tests with human cells, limonoids have been shown to help fight cancers of the mouth, skin, lung, breast, stomach and colon.
Now, scientists from the US Agricultural Research Service (ARS) have shown that our bodies can readily absorb and utilize a very long-acting limonoid called limonin that is present is citrus fruits in about the same amount as vitamin C.In citrus fruits, limonin is present in the form of limonin glucoside, in which limonin is attached to a sugar (glucose) molecule. Our bodies easily digest this compound, cleaving off the sugar and releasing limonin.In the ARS study, 16 volunteers were given a dose of limonin glucoside in amounts ranging from those that would be found in from 1 to 7 glasses of orange juice. Blood tests showed that limonin was present in the plasma of all except one of the subjects, with concentrations highest within 6 hours after consumption. T
races of limonin were still present in 5 of the volunteers 24 hours after consumption!Limonin's bioavailability and persistence may help explain why citrus limonoids are potent anti-carcinogens that may prevent cancerous cells from proliferating. Other natural anti-carcinogens are available for much less time; for example, the phenols in green tea and chocolate remain active in the body for just 4 to 6 hours.The ARS team is now investigating the potential cholesterol-lowering effects of limonin.
Lab tests indicate that human liver cells produce less apo B when exposed to limonin. Apo B is a structural protein that is part of the LDL cholesterol molecule and is needed for LDL production, transport and binding, so higher levels of apo B translate to higher levels of LDL cholesterol.
Grapefruit Lowers Cholesterol
Grapefruit contains pectin, a form of soluble fiber that has been shown in animal studies to slow down the progression of atherosclerosis. In one study, animals fed a high-cholesterol diet plus grapefruit pectin had 24% narrowing of their arteries, while animals fed the high-cholesterol diet without grapefruit pectin had 45% narrowing.Both blond and red grapefruit can reduce blood levels of LDL ("bad") cholesterol, and red grapefruit lowers triglycerides as well, shows a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.Israeli researchers from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem first tested the antioxidant potential of blond and red grapefruits and then their cholesterol-lowering potential in humans. The test tube research showed that red grapefruit contains more bioactive compounds and total polyphenols than blond, but both grapefruits are comparable in their content of fiber, phenolic and ascorbic acids, and the flavonoid, naringinen, although red grapefruit contains slightly more flavonoids and anthocyanins.In this recent study, participants added either red grapefruit, blond grapefruit or no grapefruit to their daily diet. The results indicated that both types of grapefruit appeared to lower LDL cholesterol in just 30 days: total cholesterol by 15.5% in those eating red grapefruit and 7.6% in those eating blond grapefruit; LDL cholesterol by 20.3% and 10.7% respectively; and triglycerides by 17.2% and 5.6% respectively.
No changes were seen in the control group (those that didn't eat any grapefruit).
Both red and blond grapefruits both positively influenced cholesterol levels, but red grapefruit was more than twice as effective, especially in lowering triglycerides. In addition, both grapefruits significantly improved blood levels of protective antioxidants. Red grapefruit's better performance may be due to an as yet unknown antioxidant compound or the synergistic effects of its phytonutrients, including lycopene.
In response to this rapid and very positive outcome, the researchers concluded that adding fresh red grapefruit to the diet could be beneficial for persons with high cholesterol, especially those who also have high triglycerides.One caveat, however: Compounds in grapefruit are known to increase circulating levels of several prescription drugs including statins.
For this reason, the risk of muscle toxicity associated with statins may increase when grapefruit is consumed.
(See our Individual Concerns section for more information.)
Prevent Kidney Stones
Want to reduce your risk of calcium oxalate kidney stones? Drink grapefruit juice. A study published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that when women drank 1/2 to 1 liter of grapefruit, apple or orange juice daily, their urinary pH value and citric acid excretion increased, significantly dropping their risk of forming calcium oxalate stones.
Protection against Colon Cancer
Not only are grapefruit rich in vitamin C, but new research presented at the 228th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society provides two more reasons to drink grapefruit juice: protection against lung and colon cancer.In humans, drinking three 6-ounce glasses of grapefruit juice a day was shown to reduce the activity of an enzyme that activates cancer-causing chemicals found in tobacco smoke. In rats whose colons were injected with carcinogens, grapefruit and its isolated active compounds (apigenin, hesperidin, limonin, naringin, naringenin, nobiletin) not only increased the suicide (apoptosis) of cancer cells, but also the production of normal colon cells.Researchers also confirmed that grapefruit may help prevent weight gain by lowering insulin levels.
Grapefruit's Naringenin Repairs DNA
Naringenin, a flavonoid concentrated in grapefruit, helps repair damaged DNA in human prostate cancer cells (cell line LNCaP), reports a lab study published in theJournal of Nutritional Biochemistry.The risk of prostate cancer, the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men in the U.S, increases with age since the older we become, the more times our cells have divided and the greater the chance for DNA mutations to occur. DNA repair is one of the body's primary defense mechanisms against the development of cancer since it removes potentially cancer-causing mutations in cells.
Naringenin helps restore health to damaged DNA by inducing two enzymes that repair DNA during the replication stage. These enzymes, 8-oxoguanine-DNA glycosylase 1 (hOGG1), and DNA polymerase beta (DNA poly beta), are both involved in the DNA base excision repair (BER) pathway.
The scientists in this study exposed cell cultures to 80 micromoles per liter, an amount we cannot achieve by consuming grapefruit since research indicates that only between 2 and 15% flavonoids in the food we consume are absorbed in the GI tract, and plasma concentrations after eating flavonoid-rich foods range from 0.5 to 1 micromole per liter.
Fortunately, however, the researchers also demonstrated that the concentration of naringenin inside the cells that was needed for its beneficial effects was only 5% of the amount in the medium, and this amount is physiologically achievable in our tissues.Unlike many other cancers, prostate cancer is slow growing initially and often remains undetectable for a long time. Enjoying grapefruit regularly may be one way to prevent its progression by promoting the repair of damaged DNA in prostate cells, thus preventing them from becoming cancerous.
Tuesday
Acai berry heath benifits
Antioxidants of the Acai Berry
Of all the benefits of the Acai berry, the antioxidant properties are given the most attention. Perhaps that's because most of the health benefits offered by the Acai berry are related to its antioxidant properties. Being antioxidant means that the berry is capable of getting rid of harmful toxins in the body.
Toxins may cause injuries or diseases in the human body.
They may come from our daily diet, or from the environment.
Everyday, we are exposed to harmful toxins in the environment.
Such toxins come from pesticides, mold, heavy metals, chloroform (found in washing agents) and other substances.In addition, some of the food that we consume may contain their own toxins. For instance, we may be unaware of pesticide on vegetables, or harmful toxins from certain type of fish. Sometimes, symptoms such as dizziness and headaches result from consuming such harmful toxins.
Of course, if the condition is severe, always seek professional medical help immediately. However, sometimes toxins may just be building up in the body, with no visible symptoms showing. This may lead to lethargy and listlessness.
The affected individual may also feel sleepy.
This is because blood circulation is impeded by the harmful toxins.
And when blood circulation slows down, the brain receives less oxygen.
Hence, this leads to drowsiness and a persistent lack of energy.
For sure, this is harmful to the individual because without energy, all aspects of the individual's life is affected.
For example, the individual may find it hard to complete his work, which in turn affects his professional life.
Or he may find himself unwilling to go out to socialize, which in turn affects his social life.Fortunately, by eating the right food, such problems can be totally avoided.
Acai berries antioxidant capabilities have been widely promoted by the media. Many health experts have used the fruit to help improve the general health of those they are trying to help.
Some even consumer Acai berries on a regular basis to help them lose weight.
Anyone who has ever tried to lose weight know that they must exercise regularly to improve their metabolism rate.
A higher metabolism ratemeans that the body is able to burn off excess fats automatically, which leads to loss of weight. Therefore, exercise is a must for any sustainable weight loss program.
However, if an individual has a lot of harmful toxins in the body, which leads to energy loss, he may find himself unwilling to stick to a strict exercise program.Even when taken without exercise, the Acai berry has the natural ability to help regulate cholesterol levels in the body.
This helps with weight control.When consumed regularly, the Acai berry helps to slow down the aging process, and may even help prevent cancer. No wonder thousands of health experts are heavily endorsing the Acai berry!Healthy Benefits of AcaiThe multitude of healthy benefits of Acai should not be underestimated.
The Acai berry has a load of healthy benefits affecting the whole body. They have the highest nutritional composition of anything you can eat in the world and as a result it can give the body a large number of nutritional requirements that it is typically short on. Many people just don't learn that their body is able to perform under adverse conditions without the nutrition they require, only not in the way it really wants to.The most significant health benefit of Acai berry is that it reintroduces
nutritional elements that the bodies ought to have, but are typically just not present in our diet. Eating more of these nutrients aids the body in functioning the manner it's supposed to.
This helps the body to reach a healthy equalibrium.Acai Berry and Acai Berry Juice can be put into everything from salad dressings, smoothies, even cocktails. It takes some getting acustomed to. It tastes kind of like a combination of chocolate and berry. There are a multitude of ways to incorporate the health advantages of Acai as part of your nutrition plan and the advantages justify the effort. Acai organicly aids in increasing your energy level and your metabolism so your body will use more calories naturally that you will discover helps you to lose weight and helps you to feel a lift in energy.
Imagine what you could do if you had a boost in your energy level and a body that not only feels more youthful but appears younger too?Because of new harvest and import methods it is even easier to get these berry products. Since they are very perishable when they are fresh for much more than about a day the dehydrated form and the juice have become more commonly found as products at health food markets. you will also find some major grocery chains who have started to carry Acai due to its increaed popularity however mostly it is only found in health grocers and web based stores.
Monday
Blueberries heath benifits
Blueberries are often known as the antioxidant super fruit due to its high concentration of antioxidants. They are a rich source of phytonutrients, and they contain a significant amount of the antioxidant anthocyanadins that possess great nutritional value. <
The benefit of eating 2 cups of blueberries every day exceeds the benefits of all other types of berries combined.How to Eat BlueberriesAlthough blueberries make an enticing addition to your muffins and cakes, the best way to take advantage of their nutritional benefits is by eating a cup of fresh blueberries every morning. This can be done by adding them to your cereal, yogurt or just as they are with a little crème fraiche on top.Prior to eating blueberries, ensure that they are washed briefly to prevent removal of the protective ashen layer of the berry. While, organic blueberries are free from production chemicals, it’s best to give them a rinse as well because of handling during transit and stocking.
If berries are frozen, they will take a few more minutes to cook and will sweat more, adding liquid to your dish (take this into account with other ingredients).
Blueberries and Anti-Aging
The antioxidants in blueberries come to your rescue, preventing early aging and protecting you against diseases like cancer and chronic heart disease.
The antioxidants prevent cell damage by neutralizing the radicals and helping keep diseases at bay. Blueberries also prevent inflammation that is a known cause of aging diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease and brain aging.Blueberries and Brain HealthBlueberries are natural brain food and can help in reversing short-term memory loss and other symptoms associated with aging.
The antioxidants help with motor skills. Research on animals proved this when improvements in learning capacity and motor skills were observed in aging animals who were fed a blueberry and, thus antioxidant-rich diet.Blueberries and EyesightAlong with carrots, blueberries provide an excellent source of vitamin A. Blueberries are known to prevent vision loss due to aging. In fact, the British Air Force during World War 2 claimed to eat blueberries to enhance night visionand quicker adjustment to darkness.
Blueberries and Cancer
Along with anthocyanins, blueberries also contain other antioxidants like proanthocyanidins, resveratrol, flavonols and tannins that help prevent growth of cancer cells.
Lab studies have found the benefits of blueberries include preventing colon cancer and ovarian cancer.
They also claim inhibition chances to be as high as 50%.
Blueberries should find special place in a woman’s diet, which makes a major difference in preventing ovarian cancer, the most common form of cancer in women.A bowl of blueberries can give almost five times more benefits than a bowl of apple wedges. A diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables is a healthy way to manage weight, control diabetes and prevent cancer. Packed with antioxidants and a low calorie count, blueberries are nutrient-rich choice for a healthier life.
Banana heath benifits
Mango nutritional benifit
Mango has a myriad of benefits that are good for the health of our bodies, can treat diseases such as cancer, helps digestion because it is rich in fiber and many more benefits and efficacy that we can get by eating mangoes every day. Mangoes classified as rich fruit beta-carotene and vitamin A. As a provider of vitamin A. Because rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A, eating mangoes can also boost the immune system and can lower the risk of heart disease.Mango also known as Mangifera Indica, this exotic fruit belongs to the family of Anacardiaceae. Though native to Southern and Southeast Asia, the fruit is now also grown in Central and South America, Africa and the Arabian Peninsula also. Today there are over 1,000 different varieties of mangos throughout the world.
Nutritional Value of Mango
In a cup of mango slices,
contained 105% percent of calories,
76% vitamin C,
25% vitamin A,
11% vitamin B6,
9% prebiotic fiber,
9% copper,
7% potassium, and
4% magnesium.Nutritional value per 100 g based on USDA
Energy 250 kJ
Carbohydrates15 g
Sugars13.7
Dietary fiber1.6 g
Fat0.38 g
Protein0.82 g
Vitamin A equiv.54
μgbeta-carotene
640 μglutein and zeaxanthin23 μg
Thiamine 0.028 mg
Riboflavin0.038 mg
Niacin0.669 mg
Pantothenic acid 0.197 mg
Vitamin B60.119 mg
Folate43 μg
Choline7.6 mg
Vitamin C 36.4 mg
Vitamin E0.9 mg
Vitamin K4.2 μg
Calcium11 mgIron0.16 mg
Magnesium10 mg
Manganese0.063 mg
Phosphorus14 mg
Potassium168 mg
Sodium1 mg
Zinc0.09 mg
Health Benefits of Mango
1. Prevent CancerResearch shows antioxidant compounds in mangoes protect the body against the risk of colon cancer, breast, leukemia and prostate cancers. Compounds in mangoes role in preventing cancer is quercetin, isoquercitrin, astragalin, fisetin, gallic acid and methylgallat.
2. Lowering CholesterolTinnginya fiber, pectin and vitamin C in mango help lower blood cholesterol levels.
3. Brighten SkinCompounds in mango are able to clean your pores and remove acne on the skin. Can be used both internally and externally to the skin.
4. Healthy EyesA cup of mango supplies 25 percent of the daily value of vitamin A as needed. Therefore, consumption of mango both for clarity of vision and prevent dry eyes.
5. Meet the Needs of AlkalineTartaric acid, malic acid, and citric acid in these fruits helps keep the body's alkaline reserve.
6. Normalize Insulin LevelsMango leaves help normalize insulin levels in the blood. Mango fruit also has a relatively low glycemic index (41-60) so eating mango harmless for your sugar levels.
7. For Healthy DigestionMango contains gallic acid which is very good for the digestive tract. The content of the enzyme present in mangoes can also help the process of digestion and also helps breakdown protein. In addition, it is also able to prevent constipation and soothes the stomach.
9. Maintaining healthy teeth and gums,This is because mangoes contain vitamin C, which has the function to maintain and trigger healthy teeth and gums. Vitamin C can also help absorb iron and can inhibit the production of natrosamin, a substance that can cause cancer.
10. Immune BoosterThe amount of vitamin C and vitamin A sufficient, plus 25 types of carotenoids in mango helps keep your immune system healthy and strong.
Mango Serving Suggestions
Mangoes can be eaten both raw and ripe. Mangoes are a good source of vitamins and minerals essential for the human body. Always have mangoes in your daily diet to get the health benefit.Mango fruit can be enjoyed all alone without any additions.Fresh mango cubes are a great addition to fruit salads.Mango juice with ice cubes is a popular, delicious drink.Mango fruit juice blended with milk as "mango-milk shake." Mango fruit is also used to prepare jam, ice cream and in candy industries.The unripe, raw, green mango has been used in the preparation of pickles and chutney.
Remedies for stress
Get six to eight hours of sleep at night.Wake up early before sunrise
Practice yoga and meditation.
Listen to soothing music.
Enjoy smelling rose flowers in your garden and Gardening.
Hobbies - long walks beside a riverside or a lakeside, writing and venting out your thoughts on paper, learning to play a musical instrument, taking a class on pencil drawing, water color painting or oil painting, collecting stamps or anything you like, etc.
Don’t allow worrying thoughts come to your mind.
Talk and listen to everyone that comes across your life
.Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) -an adaptive and is used in the treatment of hypertension, diabetes, general weakness, sexual impotence, etc. - improve physical strength, mental ability and problem solving capacities.