Grapes - A Queen of All Fruits

Grapes are one of the most valuable fruit that is known to revitalize our entire system. They are delicious, highly nutritious and very easily digestible. Grapes can be eaten fresh or dried (raisins) or can be consumed as a grape juice. Although seedless grapes are highly sought after for table grapes, the absence of seeds does diminish the phytochemical content of the grape. To receive the maximum nutrients from grapes, it is recommended that the seeds are also consumed.

Many of the health benefits attributed to red/purple grapes are due to the pigments that are concentrated largely in the skin and seeds, which have about 100 times higher level than the pulp of the grape. Grapes are rich in content with water, protein, fat, minerals (calcium, phosphorus, iron) and vitamins (Vitamin C, Vitamin A and P). Due to its rich content of sugar which is formed of glucose, they are easily absorbed in the body soon after its consumption thus supplying heat and energy within a short time.

Health benefits are massive and can be illustrated as follows:

1. Cancer:

Grapes seem to be very good cancer fighting fruit. (They are an excellent source of health promoting flavonoids. Usually, the stronger the color of the grapes, the concentration of flavonoids are found higher.) Grapes are also rich in ellagic acid, a potent flavonoid that helps fight cancer. Besides there is a substance found in the skin (not flesh) of grapes, called "resveratrol". Researchers reported in a study that resveratrol is converted in the body to a known anti-cancer agent that can selectively target and destroy cancer cells.

Besides, red grape skins and seeds contain recently isolated compounds shown to reduce the size of estrogen-dependent breast cancer tumors.

Still more interesting fact is that grapes acts as a preventative agent in prostrate, lung, liver, and breast cancer.

2. Heart Disease:

Grapes are abundantly useful in the treatment of heart disease as they tone up the heart and are effective in cardiac pain and palpitation of the heart. Besides grape juice is highly valuable for a person who is suffering from a heart attack which will avert serious consequences and by reducing the pain and palpitation.

Also eating fresh grapes may prevent the accumulation of harmful oxidized cholesterol as well as the development of atherosclerotic lesions. According to the study, as reported in the Journal of Nutrition (vol. 135, pp. 722-728, 2005.), naturally occurring antioxidants in fresh grapes known as polyphenols are believed to be responsible for this beneficial impact.

The flavonoid compounds found in grapes called resveratrol appear to decrease the risk of heart disease by:

-Reducing platelet clumping and harmful blood clots

-Protecting LDL cholesterol from the free radical damage that initiates LDL's artery-damaging actions

-Boosts good type of HDL cholesterol

They are also known to keep heart flexible and healthy.

3. Blood Pressure :

The intake of grapes regularly in our diet reduces the risk of hypertension.

4. Alzheimer's disease:
Resveratrol, a beneficial polyphenol present in grapes reduces the levels of amyloidal-beta peptides in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Studies suggest that grapes can enhance brain health and stall the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

5. Constipation:

As grapes are a laxative food, it is valuable in relieving constipation. It tones up the stomach and intestine and relieves the most chronic cases of constipation. When fresh grapes are not available, raisins soaked in water can be used.

6. Dyspepsia :

Grapes constitute a light food that eliminates indigestion and irritation of the stomach and, is valuable in dyspepsia.

7. Asthma :

According to Dr. Oldfied, grapes and their juices are beneficial in the treatment of asthma.

8. Body building fruit:

Grapes are very good for the blood and a body builder - it is also a quick source of energy.

9. Migraine:

The grape juice is very effective home remedy for severe migraine.

10. Kidney Troubles:

It is an excellent food remedy in acute and chronic nepthritis and bladder stones. Also grapes help to decrease the acidity of the uric acid greatly and, lends itself further in aiding the elimination of the acid from the system, thus benefiting the kidneys greatly.

11. Antibacterial activity:

Red grapes have strong antibacterial and antiviral properties and can protect you from infections. They have a strong antiviral property against poliovirus and herpes simplex virus.

12. Liver Disorders:
Grapes activate liver to glycogenic functions and bile secretions and is highly useful for all types of liver disorders.

13. Pyorrhoea :

The organic acid of the grapes are strongly antiseptic and has a strong effect on the gums. According to Johanna Brandt, "Every tooth may be loose in its socket and pus may be pouring from the gums, but after a few weeks on the exclusive grape diet, it will be found that teeth are firmly set in the jaws and that every trace of pyorrhea poisoning has disappeared".

14. Alcoholism :

Grapes are an effective remedy for those craving alcohols as it is the most purest form of alcohol. So grapes must form an exclusive diet in treating the alcoholics.

15. Eyesight:

Grapes can contribute to reducing the risk of loss of eyesight (a major problem among the elderly). By increasing grapes intake we can reduce the risk of macular degeneration (the main cause of vision loss) by 30-40%. Flavonoids present in grapes have antioxidants, which can reduce and fight the damage caused by free radicals such as cataract.

16. Anti-aging & Life-prolonging properties :

The resveratrol found in grapes seems to influence genes controlling the aging process. According to Harvard Medical School researchers, this substance can restrict calories intake. It activates enzymes that slow aging, thus increasing DNA stability and extending life span by 70%.

In short, for taste and for health, put either some grapes or grape juice in your daily diet that will do wonders to your overall health and immune system! (However, a word of warning, grapes have many health benefits, but have a high sugar content and should therefore be eaten in moderation or choose the less sweet ones).

By Yasmin M Elias

Fatty Liver Treatment - Eating the Right Foods to Lose That Fatty Liver

Eating the right foods and losing weight are one of the things we should do to lose that fatty liver. Fatty liver of course can be treated, but how? this article will help you.When you eat right and lose weight, fat build ups will disappear, together with the help of doctors prescription. So What foods must we eat in order to prevent fatty liver and lose weight at the same time?
Here are the foods one must eat:
1. Vegetables-
These foods can help you lose that fatty liver, since vegetables are healthy foods, it can also help you prevent the risk of having heart problems, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney infections and obesity. specifically you must eat vegetables that are rich in vitamins and minerals to help correct the digestion flow of your digestive system so that big bellies can be prevented.
2. Eat fruits that are rich in fibers-
We all know that fruits such as pineapple, apples etc. are rich in fibers which can help burn fat also and increase your metabolism, since a fatty liver are excess fat build ups that build in your liver, when metabolism boosts, results will follow.Pineapple juice is one of the fruits that is rich in fiber, so try to drink at least once a day.
3. Drink freshly squeezed Juice, not the powdered one or with preservatives-
Freshly squeezed juice are one of the healthiest way of living, in the past people live longer because there were no preservatives back then, all were fresh that is one of the reasons why they live longer than us.
4. Drink lots of water-
8 glasses per day is the standard requirement to drink water, the more you drink the better, but try to drink it luke warm, not cold because study show drinking cold water are one of the causes why you do not have a flat stomach, although that has not officially been proven and address to the world, still we must take precautions right?
Eating the right foods and at the same time losing weight can help you lose that fatty liver, since the liver is one of the most important part of our body, we must treat it well, 80% of people today have a fatty liver, whether you are as skinny as olive or as muscular as Popeye, or as fat as Brutus, you will never know unless you will go to a doctor and have an ultra sound, there you will find out if you have a fatty liver.

So do whatever it takes to lose that fatty liver, because if you don't things might be bad and might lead to other things. Lose that weight, and have a strict diet.
By Wendy Witter 

Natural Cure For Liver Disease

One of the greatest abilities of the Liver is that it can regenerate itself. This should provide a great deal of hope for anyone suffering from liver disease. There are a few things that you need to do in order to turn your scarred liver into a brand new healthy liver. Follow the steps below:
Start consuming Dandelion (that plant that probably grows all around your home). The leaves of the Dandelion plant can be picked, washed, and mixed in with your salads. But you can also find Dandelion tinctures or other forms of Dandelion extracts at your local health food store. Dandelion is extremely useful for the health of the liver and related organs and glands. (Note that a poorly functioning liver will only bring DOWN the function of other organs and glands). It has been used to successfully treat liver disease, such as hepatitis and liver insufficiency.
If you only had one choice for picking a natural cure for liver disease it should be Milk Thistle Seed Extract (...fortunately you have more than one choice, so why not use all of them, it will only speed up your healing). There are a few reasons why Milk Thistle Seed Extract (also referred to as "Mte") is beneficial to the liver and liver regeneration. Firstly, it protects the liver from toxins. Toxins, like Alcohol (the number one cause of Cirrhosis), compete against Mte for space on the cell membrane of the liver...except they always lose against the much stronger Mte. If your liver has Mte (milk thistle seed extract) all around itself, therefore preventing harmful toxins from destroying the liver, then the liver actually has time to regenerate. Also, Mte increase protein synthesis, which means that it speeds up the regeneration of destroyed liver tissue.
Another huge benefit of Milk Thistle Seed Extract is its interference with the enterohepatic circulation. Now, you might be wondering what the enterohepatic circulation is? Toxins are constantly being cycled back in forth between the gastrointestinal tract and the liver. Each time the toxins pass by the liver, the liver gets damaged. However, Mte interrupts the first absorption of toxins and then it helps prevent the re-absorption when the toxins are recycled. Cells that are not yet poisoned are therefore protected and become sites for new liver cell growth. In time a full restoration of the liver can be achieved.
I don't want to sound repetitive so all I'm going to say about Artichoke is that it has the same healing properties as Milk Thistle. That being said I would use both Milk Thistle Seed Extract and Artichoke extract to heal my liver (along with a regular consumption of Dandelion extract). The human liver will regenerate itself, by using the above mentioned natural healers we can restore our livers faster. Don't give in to taking pharmaceutical drugs they cause way too much damage to the liver, even if they are meant to heal your liver. Use natural cures and you will heal your liver faster, safer, and cheaper.
There are many other ways to speed up the recovery of your liver. Things like Acupuncture, Acupressure, Reflexology, Magnet Therapy, Essential Oils, Homeopathic Medicine, Home Remedies, Healing Crystals, and other Healing Herbs can all be used simultaneously to increase the restoration of the liver.

Eric Clemmer

Aromatherapy Natural Thyroid Treatment

LEDUM (Ledum groenlandicum ~ Greenland Moss or Labrador Tea) A rare oil Ledum has a strongly medicinal aroma. Traditionally Ledum has been used in folk medicine and by Native Americans as a 'cure all.'
Ledum's powerful action to regulate and balance makes it an especially effective tonic for thyroid gland function.
Pure Ledum essential oil can be used to balance either an over active (hyperthyroid) condition or an under functioning or (hypothyroid) condition.
Ledum has a natural affinity for the immune system and known to effectively stimulate immune function.
In my aromatherapy practice I primarily use Ledum to balance thyroid function and for general immune support.
Ledum promotes healthy thyroid function and relieves symptoms associated with thyroid imbalance.
For good reason Ledum has been used traditionally as a 'cure all!'
Research in brain chemistry and receptor science has found properties in many of the medicinal plants used by native cultures, such as Ledum, to have sequiterpenoid compounds that actively communicate within the human body to produce very specific biological actions.
These actions include: anti-tumoral, anti-malarial, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects.
Sesquiterpenoids are known to have an especially calming effect on the body, mind and emotions.
Other pure essential oils with sesquiterpenoids known to have strongly calming and reassuring effects are Frankincense, Myrrh, YlangYlang (the third distillation of Ylang Ylang has the highest amount of sesquiterpenoids) and Vetiver which is primarily made up almost entirely of sesquiterpenoids and known to be highly effective for relieving Panic, Anxiety and Stress.
Ledum's highly specific sesquiterpenoid profile makes it especially effective for liver and kidney detoxification.
Kurt Snaubelt recommends Ledum (taken internally - two drops per day) after acute illness. He considers Ledum to be the number one choice for liver and kidney detoxification. He also recommends Ledum for the treatment of nephritis and suggests using it to counteract the effects of insomnia and allergies.
PLEASE NOTE: Internal use of essential oils is not recommended unless you are under the supervision and care of a trained and licensed health care professional!
Ledum promotes the healthy function of respiratory and digestive systems.
Its calming properties are useful for relieving stomach upset and nervous indigestion.
Ledum is especially beneficial for relieving cold and flu symptoms such as nausea, aches and pains, congestion, sore throat and cough.
In Ayurvedic Medicine, an ancient system of healing practiced in India, the warm medicinal and spicy aroma of Ledum helps to regulate and pacify both Vata and Kapha Doshas.
Symptoms of Vata imbalance are premenstrual syndrome, constipation, insomnia, restlessness, nervousness, anxiety and worry.
Symptoms of Kapha imbalance are high cholesterol, low metabolic forces, slow to lose weight, fluid retention, stagnation and blockage, lethargy and depression.
BLEND WITH: Ledum's strong medicinal aroma is rather distinct. Try a sharp citrus oil like Lemon or Pink Grapefruit or the powerful and sweet aroma of Fennel to enhance Ledum's effects and to soften its strong medicinal scent.
PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.
Aromatherapy is a gentle and noninvasive complementary health care system used for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind, spirit and emotions to enhance your health. Properly administered essential oils are a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being and can produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.

KG Stiles