A grapefruit a day.

You know the story about an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Well it may be that also a grapefruit a day a keeps the doctor away. My wife had high cholesterol and was given statins by her GP. The instructions inside said do not take grapefruit at the same time as taking the statins, which asks the question why not add grapefruit to your diet instead of taking statins, would that be a more natural way of lowering high blood cholesterol?.Here is an article I have found.

ScienceDaily (Feb. 13, 2006) — A grapefruit a day — particularly the red variety — can help keep heart disease at bay, according to a new study by Israeli researchers. In a controlled study group of patients with heart disease, the scientists found that feeding some patients the equivalent of one grapefruit daily significantly reduced levels of cholesterol in comparison to patients that did not eat grapefruit. Chronic high blood cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart disease.

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Spirulina

Spirulina is a blue green algae which thrives in warm lakes like Lake Chad in Africa. It has been used in the treatment of Anaemia, weakness, malnutrition, hepatitis, inner inflammations. diabetes,hypoglycaemia and poor skin tone. Spirulina is a versatile food supplement which strengthens the immune system, and increases resistance to disease and inflammations.
It also contains a blue pigment, phycocyanin, which is a protein known to inhibit cancer. Since it is grown and harvested in unpolluted areas totally free of environmental pollutants, spirulina is one of the safest foods available. It is sold in health food shops in both powder and tablet form

Spirulina is also high in vitamin B12, and is known to boost energy and cellular health..

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Coriander seed/oil health benefits

Coriander seeds are known to have many health benefits.
1. Protects against the Salmonella bacteria
2. Reportedly works as a natural chelation treatment
3. Aids in digestion and helps settle the stomach and prevent flatulence
4. Is an anti-inflammatory that may alleviate symptoms of arthritis
5. Protects against urinary tract infections
6. Prevents nausea

7. Relieves intestinal gas 8. Lowers blood sugar
9. Lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) and raises good cholesterol (HDL)
10. A good source of dietary fiber
11. A good source of iron
12. A good source of magnesium
13. Rich in phytonutrients and flavonoids

Coriander oil could be used to cure a host of infections including food poisoning and the superbug MRSA, say researchers.

The herb extract is resistant to a range of toxic bacteria which cause infections that are resistant to drugs, a study has found.

Portuguese scientists tested samples of the oil – taken from the seeds of a coriander plant – against 12 lethal bacteria.

All showed reduced growth and most were killed by a solution containing less than 1.6 per cent of the oil.
The team from the University of Beira Interior found the oil attacks and kills the outer membrane of bacteria cells, including salmonella, E.coli and MRSA.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2029248/Coriander-oil-used-cure-food-poisoning-MRSA-say-scientists.html#ixzz1tVbzCN1T

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Ipriflavone

Ipriflavone is a derivative of isoflavones from which it is synthesized. It hardly occurs in nature and was found in trace amounts only in bee propolis. Discovered in the late 60's in Hungary, ipriflavone was used  as a food additive for laboratory animals. Later however studies on humans showed it can mimic the beneficial effects of oestrogen and HRT without their potential risks.
Various studies since have confirmed that ipriflavone can improve calcium retention, enhance bone formation, promote the repair of long bone fractures and prevent osteoporosis in a safe way.

Ipriflavone was also found to increase the secretion of calcitonin, the primary bone building hormone. While high doses of oestrogen or HRT are known to prevent osteoporosis, they are also known to increase the risk of cancer. In this sense, ipriflavone can provide a safer complementary treatment. Ipriflavone is presently marketed under the name Ostivone.

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A natural oral contraceptive

Wild yam or dioscorea villosa contains diosgenin, a glycoside that can easily be converted to the hormone progesterone. In a study carried out over a four year period Wild yam was found to be effective as an oral contraceptive, but without the side effects of the pill.

What is it?

Wild yam is a plant. It contains a chemical, diosgenin, which can be made in the laboratory into various steroids, such as estrogen and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). The root and the bulb of the plant are used as a source of diosgenin, which is prepared as an “extract,” a liquid that contains concentrated diosgenin.

There are over 600 species of wild yam. Some species are grown specifically as a source of diosgenin for laboratories to use in making steroids. These species are generally not eaten due to a bitter flavor. Only about 12 of the 600 species are considered edible.

Diosgenin or wild yam is often promoted as a “natural alterative” to estrogen therapy, so you will see it used for estrogen replacement therapy, vaginal dryness in older women, PMS (premenstrual syndrome), menstrual cramps, weak bones (osteoporosis), increasing energy and sexual drive in men and women, and breast enlargement. Wild yam does seem to have some estrogen-like activity, but it is not actually converted into estrogen in the body. It takes a laboratory to do that.

Similarly, you will also see wild yam and diosgenin promoted as a “natural DHEA.” This is because in the laboratory DHEA is made from diosgenin, but this chemical reaction is not believed to occur in the human body. So taking wild yam extract will not increase DHEA levels in people. Individuals who are interested in taking DHEA should avoid wild yam products labeled as "natural DHEA."

Wild yam is also used for treating a disorder of the intestines called diverticulosis, gallbladder pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and for increasing energy.

Some women apply wild yam creams to the skin to reduce menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes.

How effective is it?

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.

The effectiveness ratings for WILD YAM are as follows:

Possibly ineffective for...

• Hot flashes and night sweats associated with menopause, when wild yam cream is applied to the skin. Using wild yam cream for 3 months doesn’t seem to help with these menopausal symptoms. It also doesn’t seem to affect levels of hormones such as follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol, or progesterone that play a role in menopause.

Insufficient evidence to rate effectiveness for...

• Use as a natural alternative to estrogens.
• Postmenopausal vaginal dryness.
• PMS (Premenstrual syndrome).
• Weak bones (osteoporosis).
• Increasing energy and sexual desire in men and women.
• Gallbladder problems.
• Painful menstrual periods.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Infertility.
• Menstrual disorders.
• Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate wild yam for these uses.

Hemicellulose

Hemicellulose is an indigestible fibre that absorbs water and expands in the digestive tract. It promotes bowel movements and can help to prevent constipation and promote weight loss. It is also useful in the prevention of colon cancer by its action in reducing cancer causing compounds in the digestive tract. One of its chief sources is oat bran, but it is also found in other whole grains, fruit and vegetables, such as banana, apples,pears, beans , corn and peppers.

Worst virus ever

Well! what a day yesterday was. I felt so ill, I just had to stay in bed. I was vomiting about every half hour, it must be some kind of stomach flu. I have been trying to boost my immune system by taking high doses of vitamin c, 1000mg three times a day, and high doses of garlic oil, 4000mg per day. I think this reducing the time that I feel sick. I feel much better today I wouldn't want that again. I makes you feel so ill.