The Versatility of Olive Oil Extends to Health Benefits

Olive oil is a widely used ingredient in just about any style of cooking with a variety of different types and flavors available to compliment different types of dishes. Though it is known for its versatile cooking purposes, its health benefits should not be overlooked. Its major health benefits include reducing the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes/ metabolic syndrome, and Alzheimer's disease while aiding in the aging process to increase longevity.
Hypertension is a condition characterized by high blood pressure, generally as a result of a diet high in saturated fat. Olive oil helps to lower blood pressure with unsaturated fats such as monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids found in fish and vegetable oils that neutralize saturated fats with antioxidant components such as polyphenols. These properties are demonstrated by an Italian study in which hypertension patients who consumed 40 grams of olive oil a day reduced their blood pressure by around 50%, allowing half of them to reduce the dosage of their blood pressure medication or stop taking it altogether.
Olive oil not only helps to lower high blood pressure, but it also lowers cholesterol to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. The main cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke is high LDL, or "bad," cholesterol levels that block major arteries to the heart, brain, and kidneys. This is counteracted with HDL, or "good," cholesterol that reduces blockage by removing buildups of LDL cholesterol and preventing it from oxidizing. The HDL cholesterol also breaks down blood clots and prevents new ones from forming. By consuming just two tablespoons of olive oil a day, it is possible to decrease LDL cholesterol levels while slightly increasing HDL cholesterol.

In addition to reducing the risk for hypertension and cardiovascular disease, olive oil also helps reduce the complications of type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Inflammations are a common symptom of these conditions and the polyphenols and squalene components have anti-inflammatory qualities to help relieve these symptoms. These anti-inflammatory qualities can also reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease which is caused in part by inflammation of the brain cells that result in neurodegeneration. Another way that olive oil can help with type 2 diabetes is with glycemic control. It does this by taking space away from carbohydrates and simple sugars to lessen their effect on insulin levels.

The same components that have been shown to help reduce the risks of cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's disease also help slow the aging process and increase longevity. Our bodies contain free radical agents that attack body cells and damage the DNA found within them. Olive oil helps reduce the damage to cells and DNA by limiting peroxidation, or the loss of electrons to free radical agents. This will help reduce the effects of aging and keep cells protected from radical free agents to preserve their vitality and youthfulness.

Olive oil is more than just a versatile cooking agent; it also contains several components that are beneficial to your health. These health benefits include reducing the risks of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, and Alzheimer's and alleviating symptoms of diabetes, hypertension, and aging. By making olive oil a consistent part your diet, you can experience the many health benefits it has to offer.

The Olive Gallery provides a wide range of flavored oils and balsamic vinegars.
http://www.theolivegallery.com/

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Turmeric Health Benefits

Turmeric is widely used as a spice in South Asia and is the predominant ingredient in curry and is part of the ginger family. One of its most noticeable traits is its bright yellow color which was the original attraction to the spice: it was used as a dye thousands of years ago before it was discovered to have certain Ayurvedic (ancient Indian) medicinal properties.

What are the Benefits?
The primary component of turmeric is a natural phenol called curcumin (not to be confused with the familiar sounding spice cumin). Curcumin is actually the culprit for the distinctive yellow coloring, and it is also responsible for most of the health benefits of turmeric. Most notably, curcumin has been shown to be a potent herbal remedy as it possesses many antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Why is Turmeric (and Curcumin) Important?
After going through the trauma of surgery, the body needs time to recover from the stress of being cut open.

By supplementing your intake of turmeric, you help your body recover from the trauma. After surgery, free radicals are even more abundant as the body is using its primary defenses to focus on healing from surgery.

Increased anti-oxidants can come to the rescue to ensure that your body is fully protected from intruders that can cause further cell damage. Additionally, the anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric help support recovery of inflamed post-surgical tissue.

Turmeric also supports a healthy digestive system, which after surgery is especially important given the fact that pain medications often cause digestive issues. As an added bonus, when incorporated into a balanced diet, turmeric also has been shown to help maintain a healthy weight.

Bioavailability & Black Pepper Extract

Turmeric is a key ingredient in nutritional supplements that support brain health. When considering the purchase of such a supplement, we recommend that, in addition to finding one with a high dose of turmeric, that you also find one with at least 4mg of black pepper extract.

What gives black pepper its kick, and also provides its nutritional punch, is called piperine. Piperine is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, and it helps support overall digestive health. One of its most important benefits, however, is that it enhances the bioavailability of nutritional compounds. More simply, piperine supports nutrient absorption in the intestines.

It has even been shown to increase absorption of curcumin and its source, turmeric, by 2,000%. Otherwise, curcumin would simply pass through the body and we would miss its ability to improve brain function.

C Prusmack is the author of this article on Curcumin. Find more information, about Nutritional Supplements here

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The Powerful Health Benefits Of Chaga Tea

In Russia and other European countries, chaga tea has been considered as an effective remedy for different ailments. This drink comes from weird looking mushroom that grows in the barks of birch tree. This plant is usually found in Russia and has been known as an effective booster of the immune system and it can also treat different kinds of cancer. According to research, this mushroom is said to be black in color and has veins that is cream colored. However, unlike with the other fungus, it does not resemble its kind. Its appearance is very much different from other mushrooms. Also, when you touch it, the texture is similar to a cork.

It was Alexander Solzhenitsyn who introduced this medicinal mushroom. He wrote a book that tells a story of an individual who is suffering from cancer but later on was cured by chaga tea. This is where the curiosity of the people about this helpful remedy started. It interests them more when Solzhenitsyn himself suffered also from the most detested disease.

As the years passed, many studies have been conducted in different countries to determine the abilities of the amazing fungus. In the year 1958, the mushroom was found to be potent by the researchers in Finland and in Russia. According to them, it could cure cancer of the breast, uterus, and of the liver. In the 90s, Japanese scientists have also tested it and they found out that if cells will be exposed to the extracts of the plant, it will have less chances of growing uncontrollably. Even the polish researchers have tested it and came up with the conclusion that it too can hinder the growth of tumor. In the mid 2000, scientists from Korea found out that the cells that are infused with the extracts are more resistant to damage if it will be exposed to harmful agents.

Based on studies, the herb has a lot of phytochemicals, polysaccharides, and antioxidants that are helpful in preventing cancer. There are also some mushrooms that are thought to have these properties. Furthermore, betulinic acid is also found from the birch trees' wood that holds the herb. This is believed to fight off viral infections as well as prevent tumors from growing.

Another helpful benefit of drinking the chaga mushroom tea is that it could strengthen the immune system.

Others use it to treat stomach aches, hypertension, infections caused by virus, and diabetes.

It also has a great potential in curing HIV or the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Also, it was known to have no side effects. However, patients have to be cautious when taking this and must discuss it first with their doctors so that it can be used with their other medications.

The author writes for http://www.sayanhealth.com which provides information regarding chaga tea. Sayan Health has the goal of bringing pure and potent Siberian Chaga mushroom products to the USA.

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How Cool Can Cucumbers Be As Health Benefits?

Originated from India, cucumbers are health food worth eating, as they dish out many health benefits and uses unknown to us. Classified into three categories, they are:-

• Slicing: Slicing cucumbers or slices, are consumed fresh in their unripe green form. Grown commercially, slices are usually longer, smoother and possess a tougher skin.

• Pickling: Intended for pickling, they are pickled for flavor and for longer shelf life. Pickles tend to be shorter compared to slices and are soaked in brine or in vinegar combined with brine.

• Burpless: These are sweeter and almost seedless, commonly grown in green houses. Imagine, they can grow to a length of two feet!

Now for their Health Benefits and uses:

• Hydrates the body - Being ninety-five percent water, they keep your body hydrated, whilst eliminating toxins.

• Ward off Cancer - Known to contain laricirasinol and pinoresinol, they can reduce the risks of breast cancer, uterine cancer, prostate cancer and including several types of cancer.

• Removes Halitosis - Having bad breath? No problem! Not when the phytochemicals can eliminate the bacteria in your mouth causing halitosis. Try placing slices on the palate of your mouth and press them with your tongue for awhile. Do it twice daily.

• Relieves Arthritis and Gout pain - Rich in vitamins A, B, C, Folate, magnesium, calcium and potassium, when cucumbers are mixed with carrot juice... Arthritis and Gout pain can be relieved as uric acid levels are lowered.

• Reduces cholesterol, Diabetes and controls Hypertension - Gulp down one glass of its juice daily in the evening, for it contains a hormone required by the pancreas to produce Insulin, that is beneficial to Diabetics. Sterols found in them can help reduce cholesterol. Want to control your high blood pressure naturally? Then, its juice can effectively lower your blood pressure!

• Hair and skin care - The skin of cucumber peels is good for treating sunburns and skin irritations. Its slices placed over puffy eyes, can visibly reduce puffiness. Whilst the silicon and sulphur present, will stimulate your hair to grow.

• Is your door hinge squeaking? Then stop it by rubbing slices on the hinge and notice the difference!

•  That fog on your wall mirror is really annoying! Just when you need the mirror after a warm shower-- O No, the reflection is foggy! Don't panic, all you have to do is... rub slices of cucumber on your mirror! They prevent it from fogging up. Cool, isn't it?

How can we not love cucumbers, when they are such useful and healthy food? In a hot and humid weather, they quench our thirst and help to cool us down. O for a glass of refreshing Cucumber juice to replenish our health!

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