Healthy Body

Few may have considered bee pollen to be a source of nutrition for humans. However, bee pollen is actually known to be rich in protein, vitamins, amino acids, and folic acid.

Individuals who maintain a diet that is lacking in nutrition are vulnerable to many diseases. Bee pollen is widely used to improve health and has the ability to increase the production of blood cells in those who have anemia, prevent allergies, increase energy levels, build up the immune system against allergens, prevent infections, and may have anti-cancer properties as well.

What are the components in bee pollen that makes it so effective? Well, it contains eighteen amino acids, vitamins, calcium, copper, iron, phosphorous, potassium, fatty acids, carbohydrates, and protein. It also contains rutin which, taken as a supplement, can increase blood circulation, and has been used to treat hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

The nutritional value of bee pollen to humans is quite amazing when you think about it. It really does sustain life and is considered to be a healthy, nutrition-filled food. According to one study done with honeybees, researchers have stated that “if bee pollen had none of its other vital ingredients, its content of rutin alone would justify taking at least a teaspoon daily, if for no other reason than strengthening the capillaries.”

They even go as far as to say that not even animal products contain the amount of protein that can be found in bee pollen. Also, the amino acid in bee pollen is higher than that found in dairy products and meat.

Bee pollen used as a nutritional supplement can enhance stamina, as well as prevent aging, prostate conditions, rheumatism, and cerebral hemorrhage. It also has an antibiotic agent that has been shown to be effective against salmonella poisoning and certain bacteria.

While we probably know that taking bee pollen can prevent allergies in which one can develop an immune reaction to allergens, it is quite exciting to know that it has so many nutritional values as well. As we strive to find alternative methods to improve and enhance our health, the benefits of bee pollen are well documented and cannot be overstated.

One holistic doctor commented that bee pollen is the best treatment available to reduce the symptoms of old age and should be used as a natural geriatric remedy worldwide.

Got Milk? Raw milk, that is? There is an interesting debate between proponents and opponents of raw milk who have been asked this question: Is raw milk suitable for children? Before you weigh in with your verdict, here are the nuts and bolts of why this subject has become so intense.

The basis upon which these two sides cannot agree has to do with pasteurization. Raw milk has bacteria, but so does pasteurized milk. The difference is that the E. coli bacteria found in raw milk is less prevalent than in milk that has been pasteurized. Research has shown that children who are given raw milk develop a resistance to such diseases as pneumonia, tuberculosis, diphtheria, and other related illnesses. While we know that there is a high level of calcium in milk, scientists found that the growth of children drinking raw milk was far superior to those who did not ingest raw milk.

If you think about countries such as Africa, for example, part of the Masai’s diet is goat’s milk. In other countries and regions where people rely on cows and other animals to provide nutrients, raw milk is at the top of the list.

While it is true that cows should be healthy and the milk should be fresh, scientific data has proven that raw milk has been found to be good for children, and that it contains high concentrations of calcium, iodine, and protein which are essential components in promoting good health.

On the other side of the aisle are the opponents of raw milk who strongly suggest that raw milk is as bad as poison. Their rationale is that children develop tuberculosis which is caused by the germs contained in raw milk. While scientists generally discount this theory, there was a study which disclosed that one child out of seventy developed this disease. The research goes on to admit that fourteen children who drank pasteurized milk, however, developed TB.

There is another part of the equation that these debates inject. According to opponents, farmers would have to purchase machinery to process the raw milk. What if they can’t afford to? Proponents would counter with this argument: what did everyone do before Louis Pasteur came along?

While we know that pasteurization removes some nutrients and good bacteria, there is no scientific data that suggests raw milk is a bad thing. As a matter of fact, the data indicates that children and adults have become ill from drinking pasteurized milk as opposed to raw milk.

So there’s the debate in a nutshell. Considering that so much research has been done to explain the effects of raw milk versus pasteurized milk, it seems possible that this discussion is largely based on a political agenda and not the nutritional benefits derived therein.

While approximately 1% of the population prefers drinking raw milk because of its many health benefits, there is a one question that should be addressed: is it okay to drink raw milk during pregnancy? Proponents would argue yes; however, the consensus among doctors as well as the National Institute of Health and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention are definitive in their answer – an unequivocal no. Here are the reasons why pregnant women should not ingest raw milk.

Raw milk that is not “clean” or does not go through the pasteurization process contains harmful bacteria such as listeria, salmonella, and E. coli. It is estimated that pregnant women are more likely to develop listeriosis than healthier adults. This can be extremely harmful not only to the pregnant woman but the fetus as well.

For example, there is a domino effect which can cause a myriad of problems. According to doctors, there are hormonal changes in a pregnant woman which can affect the course of treatment. While medication may cure the illness, it may affect the unborn fetus. How? It can cause miscarriages, illness, and even death. Even if the newborn survives, the immune system in an infant is not fully developed and their illness can become even more pronounced which would require appropriate medications to treat the newborn. This is the domino effect.

While it is true that raw milk that is clean and acquired from a farmer whose practices are beyond repute can be utilized, there is always the possibility that the bacteria can cause severe illness in a pregnant woman, which in turn can affect the fetus. Although it is also true that the “good” bacterium in raw milk plays an important role in preventing diseases among children, it can have an opposite effect in women who are pregnant.

In addition, any foods that are made from raw milk, such as cheeses, can also be harmful to pregnant women. Some of the symptoms associated with drinking or eating foods derived from raw milk can include vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and body aches.

There are a number of online blogs wherein women state they have been drinking raw milk during and after pregnancy. Some even swear by its benefits. They have not developed any illness from it and their babies are born healthy. In fact, some women state that raw milk is part of their family’s diet.

While the controversy surrounding the question of drinking raw milk during pregnancy will no doubt continue, since the data suggests that pregnant women have a higher chance of developing illness, one has to conclude that pregnant women should not drink raw milk.

As more people are choosing healthier lifestyles, eating the right foods has become a top priority. One area which has spawned renewed interest is grass fed meats. They are a great natural source of saturated fats. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits derived from grass fed meats.

Grass fed meats contains omega-3 fatty acids which are important in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression. On the other hand, grain fed meats offer little in health benefits and studies have shown they contain none of the necessary vitamins and minerals found in grass fed meats.

Saturated fat in grass fed meats may lower cholesterol levels due to the stearic acid that is contained therein. What is stearic acid? Well, it is a saturated fat that can also be found in chocolate, believe it or not. It is also utilized in margarine and shortening. When converted, it turns into monounsaturated fat. This conversion is good news since studies have indicated that the fat has little if any effect on cholesterol levels.

While we normally produce cholesterol in our bodies, there are some individuals who inherently produce more than others. The omega-3 fatty acids in grass fed meats help lower these levels, and grass fed meat contains less fat and calories than grain fed meats.

With the high amount of omega-3 which is found in grass fed meats, you have a healthy alternative to grain fed meats. Conversely, in grain fed meats the amount of omega-6 fatty acid is greater. Individuals whose diet does not consist of a proper ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 can be more prone to disease.

In the old days, livestock were traditionally grass fed. Unfortunately, today we find that most livestock are given grain and other food products to fatten them up. Cows, for example, are given corn which is not readily digestible. Thus, antibiotics have to be given to counteract the effects of these foods.

The recent outbreak of E. coli is a testament to the devastating effects of feeding corn to cows. Grass fed meat does not contain the E. coli bacteria.

It seems every time you listen to the news they are either telling you to eat meat or don’t eat meat. The fact of the matter is that the data collected from a myriad of studies and research shows that grass fed meat is a healthy alternative.

Natural beef is becoming all the rage and the reasons why are even more important: natural beef is free of antibiotics, hormones, and steroids. Does natural meat cost more? Yes, but it’s worth it.

There is a farmer in Canada who, 30 years ago, decided to raise beef cattle the natural way. He started a company by attracting other local farmers who felt as he did, and together they are now one of the biggest producers of natural meat. Not only is he contributing to the environment by using this practice, but he has helped the economy as well.

Natural meat is not the same as grass fed meat. It is not organic meat. Natural meat is processed minimally and contains no artificial ingredients. Moreover, while some labels may say “all natural” it doesn’t necessarily mean it is natural. Natural meat comes from cattle that are able to graze on an open range.

However, even though there is a surge in the number of consumers who prefer natural meat, the supply does not consistently meet the demand. This is why the cost of natural meat is high. For example, a pound of ground beef may sell for $2.00, whereas a pound of natural ground beef will sell for $5.00.

There is another consideration regarding natural meat which should be mentioned. A study was conducted among consumers who purchased natural meat from a well-known company. As with most natural meats, the cattle had been fed corn within the last 90 or 100 days before production. The general consensus among the group was that natural beef tasted better than regular beef. What is the point of this scenario?

Consider that natural beef from cattle is in its prime at two years of age. Thus, farmers have to join cooperatives in order to supply enough natural beef to their respective companies. In addition to this, the farmers have to have the cattle certified and the companies have to market the natural meat to assure customers that it is indeed “natural” meat. This is a costly process on both ends of the spectrum. It is estimated that it costs 25% more to produce natural beef and the need to lower costs is a major consideration among cattle owners.

Another factor is that consumers tend to prefer the loin because it is more tender than other cuts of meat. Surveys show these consumers would definitely pay more for this particular cut.

The next time you decide to go out for dinner, why not find a restaurant in your area that serves only natural beef. You will be quite surprised at how fantastic it tastes. In addition, you can always check online where there are a number of farms who only sell natural beef products. It may cost more, but the health benefits and improved taste may well make it worth it.

Heart disease has become a pandemic in our society, often due to high cholesterol resulting from high fat diets and unhealthy lifestyles. Efforts to reduce heart disease and other related illnesses have become part of the collective mindset, and the use of cod liver oil for lower cholesterol levels is one area which has specifically come to the forefront.

If you take a look at native Alaskans, whose diet consists mainly of fish, you may be interested to learn they have lower cholesterol levels, which in turn has decreased their risk of developing heart disease.

In most countries today, however, the consumption of saturated fats is on the rise. This gives way to higher cholesterol levels among children and adults alike. Considering that obesity is also a major cause of concern today, alternative methods to reduce “bad” cholesterol are on the rise. Cod liver oil is one alternative that has been shown to be an effective agent in reducing LDL (or “bad” cholesterol) levels. In addition, cod liver oil can lower triglycerides as well as increase the “good” cholesterol or HDL.

Several studies have been conducted to determine the effects of cod liver oil and cholesterol. One study revealed that cod liver oil had a significant effect in arterial function. Another study asserted that a diet composed of omega-3 fatty acids lowers LDL levels, while simultaneously raising HDL levels. This study also confirmed that cod liver oil helps prevent blood clots and maintains a healthy heart.

Diet plays an important role in how much our cholesterol levels are increased or decreased. We know that unsaturated fats can reduce the amount of cholesterol while saturated fats increases it. With all of the diet programs available today, supplementing the diet with cod liver oil can have a beneficial outcome.

Let’s face it; we all want to live healthy lives. The cause of high cholesterol depends on many variables including improper diet and lack of exercise, family history, and a deficiency in essential fatty acids and nutrients.

If you or someone you love has high cholesterol, no doubt you have had the blood test to determine the numbers and perhaps a doctor has prescribed one of the many cholesterol-lowering medications available today.

Whether to take these medications or opt for an alternative method can only be determined by your doctor. Certainly pre-existing conditions or negative interactions with drugs may be the deciding factor. However, if you are a healthy individual whose cholesterol levels are a bit high, you may wish to ascertain if taking cod liver oil is a prudent course of action to lower cholesterol.

Just as there are differences between olive oil and extra virgin olive oil, so too is there a difference between coconut oil and virgin coconut oil.

How is coconut oil processed? First, the meat is removed from the nut. The meat is crushed and boiling water is poured over it. After it has been strained, the milk is extracted and boiled so that the remaining liquid evaporates. What is left is the oil. Next is the filtering stage, which is a process whereby impurities in the oil are removed. It is boiled again and another filtering process occurs after which the oil is bleached, deodorized, as well adding food color. The food color is designed to make it more attractive to consumers.

The process of making virgin coconut oil is vastly different. The meat is extracted in similar fashion from the nut. To begin with, care is taken to ensure the coconut is mature. Once it is chosen, the meat is taken out and a mechanical grater is used to extract the meat. The grated meat is put into a press twice so that the milk can be extracted.

Coconut water is then added to the milk. Culturing is the next step. This is a 20 hour process wherein the milk is allowed to settle. During culturing three levels appear: water at the bottom, oil in the middle, and protein at the top. The oil is then taken out and filtered twice. The curing process is next which allows for the oil to rest for two weeks. After that it is filtered one last time and prepared for bottling.

The difference between copra coconut oil and virgin coconut oil is that virgin coconut oil maintains the aroma, flavor, and scent of the coconut. In addition, virgin coconut oil is more popular than coconut oil because it can be stored for a year without worrying about it turning rancid.

Due to the extensive time and methods used to process virgin coconut oil, it is quite expensive compared to regular coconut oil. For example, regular coconut oil may sell for $3.00, and virgin coconut oil may sell for $12.00.

There are a number of online sites which sell both products; however, you may wish to visit your health food or bath and body stores to ensure that you can check the labels on the product.

Studies show that cod liver oil can prevent dry skin, help individuals who have arthritis and aid in increasing vitamin and omega-3 fatty acids which are essential for cardiovascular health. But the question some have raised is: can cod liver oil help asthma?

There is a definite link between asthma and cod liver oil. Experts suggest that one of the causes of asthma is a deficiency in omega-3 fatty acids. They attribute this in part to children who have not been breastfed as well to as a diet which is lacking in vitamins and minerals.

Therefore, because cod liver oil contains omega-3 fatty acids, research suggests that asthma can be reduced as a result of consuming an appropriate amount of essential fatty acids a day. Scientists also state that among the fatty acids most consumers ingest, omega-6 is the highest while omega-3 fatty acid lags behind.

Asthma is considered to be an inflammatory condition and since we know that omega-3 fatty acids can curb inflammatory conditions, then it is reasonable to assume that cod liver oil can be an effective alternative in the treatment of this condition.

Moreover, other studies have indicated that children who are deficient in nutrients such as Vitamin C, E, B12, beta-carotene, magnesium, selenium, and zinc are also prone to develop asthma. Thus, a diet regimen composed of these nutrients as well as cod liver oil has been considered an effective treatment for asthma sufferers.

The results of these studies and research suggest that since omega-3 fatty acids cannot be easily obtained simply through diet alone, it is often necessary to supplement the diet with cod liver oil as a way to maintain the vitamins and fatty acids which are components of this oil.

One asthma sufferer stated that she was suffering from wheezing and decided to take cod liver oil. The wheezing ceased. After a while, she stopped taking the oil and the wheezing returned. One can deduce from this that cod liver oil can reduce the symptoms of asthma.

If you or your child has asthma, the first suggestion would be to consult with your physician to determine if cod liver oil is appropriate for you. There may be certain conditions under which you cannot use this oil, especially if you of your child have a pre-existing illness or have been taking medications which can interact with the oil.

Cod liver oil seems to help asthma patients and judging from the overall consensus in researching the relationship between the cause and effect of asthma, this may be an effective alternative.

As a child, you may remember receiving a spoonful of cod liver oil from your grandmother. While this “spoonful of sugar” didn’t necessarily help the “medicine go down”, it nonetheless was a remedy that was popular at that time. Today, the benefits of cod liver oil for dry skin are still considered worthwhile.

Cod liver oil contains vitamin A, D, and E which are derived from the liver of the cod. However, there are some manufacturers of cod liver oil who add Vitamin E in a synthetic form, while others use the original source of these vitamins contained in the liver of the cod.

Vitamin E helps in promoting healthy skin, while Vitamin A can prevent such skin conditions as acne and the like. Vitamin D helps to lower the toxicity found in Vitamin A. Since dry skin can results from a deficiency of Vitamin A, these three vitamins found in cod liver oil work in tandem to address the problem effectively.

Cod liver oil can be used as a topical agent or taken in capsule form. What are the benefits? When used topically, cod liver oil allows for the acceleration of healing and overall good skin. Taken orally, cod liver oil actually maintains the supple soft skin and may prevent aging skin signs such as “liver spots”. This oil also has been known to reduce the number of wrinkles on the skin as well.

While it is evident that the benefits of cod liver oil for dry skin are numerous, it should be noted that because this oil contains Vitamin A and D, that additional supplementation of these vitamins may cause side effects. Thus, pregnant women should consult their doctors before taking cod liver oil.

In addition, there has been recent news regarding high amounts of mercury found in fish. However, cod liver oil is tested for over 30 contaminants before it is made available to consumers. Further, cod liver oil does not contain mercury, which can only be found in fish and not the oil itself.

Finally, choosing the right cod liver oil may take a bit of research on your part as some companies utilize synthetic vitamins in the processing of this oil. There are well known brands of cod liver oil which you can find online or via your pharmacist that contain the appropriate amount of Vitamin A, D, and E.

With the crazy weather we have been having lately, most of which has probably contributed to dry skin, it is clear that cod liver oil not only helps prevent this condition but has been used for other ailments as well. Just ask grandma!

Although there has been controversy surrounding the use of coconut oil, recent studies assert there are definitive health benefits in using the oil.

Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is a saturated fatty acid that has an anti-microbial component. More importantly, the anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties in coconut oil are now widely accepted as a healthy alternative that can be utilized in a variety of areas:

* In its purest form, coconut oil contributes to healthy hair. For use on the skin, it is not only a great moisturizer, but can help in the treatment of eczema and other skin conditions.

* Coconut oil has also been effective in weight loss, since it suppresses the appetite. In conjunction with this, it has also been attributed to help treat thyroid conditions.

* The saturated fat in this oil can lower cholesterol levels as well as reduce hypertension.

* Known as an antioxidant, it aids in preventing diseases that cause degeneration and can slow down the aging process.

* Coconut oil is effective in improving digestion problems which are caused by bacteria. It also allows for vitamins, minerals, and amino acids to be digested and absorbed more easily.

* Listeria can occur among pregnant women who may have ingested raw milk. Coconut oil can protect against this bacterium as well as destroy viruses which are known to cause measles, herpes, and the flu. Moreover, studies have shown that it is effective in preventing yeast infections as well.

* Coconut oil is effective for diabetics in that it can control the sugar levels.

* This oil may help prevent liver disease and gall bladder conditions as well as rid the body of kidney stones.

* Coconut oil is effective in helping to prevent osteoporosis.

* It has been known to decrease symptoms linked with CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome).

* It promotes a healthy complexion.

* Studies have shown it may protect the body from developing certain types of cancer.

* Coconut oil can reduce the number of epileptic seizures.

* It can prevent skin infections.

* Research indicates that coconut oil can be an effective treatment for individuals with HIV/AIDS.

What is so unique about coconut oil is that unlike other oils which have a high fat content, this oil is low in fat content and is widely used among individuals who weight train because it is easily converted into an energy-building source in the body.