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Eating Healthy |
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Research has shown that following a healthy eating plan can both reduce the risk of developing high blood pressure and lower an already elevated blood pressure.
For an overall eating plan, consider the DASH eating plan. "DASH" stands for "Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension," a clinical study that tested the effects of nutrients in food on blood pressure. Study results indicated that elevated blood pressures were reduced by an eating plan that emphasizes fruits, vegetables, and lowfat dairy foods and is low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol. The DASH eating plan includes whole grains, poultry, fish, and nuts and has reduced amounts of fats, red meats, sweets, and sugared beverages.
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Terrific Turmeric! |
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Turmeric is a deep yellow-to-orange powder that comes from rhizomes that are of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). The rhizomes are boiled for hours, dried for days or weeks and then powdered.
In the Ayurvedic medicine, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties and many in India use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts and burns. Whenever there is a cut or a bruise, the home remedy is to reach for turmeric powder. Ayurvedic doctors say it has fluoride which is thought to be essential for teeth. It is also used as an antibacterial agent.
It is taken in India as a dietary supplement, which allegedly helps with stomach problems and other ailments. It is currently being investigated for possible benefits in Alzheimer's disease, cancer and liver disorders. India produces nearly all the world's turmeric, and consumes 80% of that crop. Curry powder, though it varies in its ingredients, always contains turmeric as a major constituent. Though the current research focuses on curcumin, the entire groups of spices usually included in curry powder have been touted for centuries as being good for the "braynes". And those "in the know" from India say that it is much better to take whole turmeric than to take the extracted curcumin.
Turmeric, under the name Avea, is becoming popular to treat depression.
It is only in recent years that Western scientists have increasingly recognized the medicinal properties of turmeric. According to a 2005 article in the Wall Street Journal titled, "Common Indian Spice Stirs Hope," research activity into curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, is exploding. Two hundred and fifty-six curcumin papers were published in the past year according to a search of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Supplement sales have increased 35% from 2004, and the U.S. National Institutes of Health has four clinical trials underway to study curcumin treatment for pancreatic cancer, multiple myeloma, Alzheimer's, and colorectal cancer.
If one wishes to add turmeric to one's diet, there are many, many recipes in that include it. So next time you visit your local grocery store you can go to the Asian section and look for Turmeric Powder. A little turmeric in your diet goes a long way Happy healthy eating!
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