The Wonderful Healing Power Of The Pomegranate

A new and odd looking fruit, at least to those who live in North America, has exploded onto the health food scene recently. The pomegranate is, originally, a native plant to Persia (Iran) and China. Although it grows wild in its native environment rather freely, widespread cultivation of this highly prized fruit gem has been practiced in the Middle East and Orient for well over a thousand years. Now this ancient fruit is enjoying a newfound popularity, here, in the U.S.

The pomegranate, with its rich color, surprising structure, and strong sweet taste was brought to North American shores, for the first time, by the Spanish conquistadors. This unusual fruit, whose name means “apple with many seeds”, has not reached the level of popularity in this country that it enjoys in its native lands, or in Europe.

This small tree, shrub-like, plant can be grown successfully in the American dessert southwest, and further south into the hot and arid climate of the South American countries of Chile and Argentina. It is, currently, successfully cultivated in Arizona and southern California. Unfortunately, due to its limited commercial success in the U.S., the fruit and juice, both, are rather expensive. Beside the fact of its well-touted health benefit potential, the many fans of this strange looking fruit do appreciate the unique taste, color, and textural variety the pomegranate brings to the ordinary diet.

When it comes to the health advantages of eating pomegranates, what makes this fruit so special?

Nutritional research science, now, suggests that all parts of the pomegranate, seeds, juice, and peel offers its own unique polyphenol protection. Polyphenols are plant antioxidants (natural chemical nutrients) that help protect us from developing many different kinds of diseases.

As in the case of this particular fruit, which consists primarily of juicy seeds called “arils”, ellagic acid is the main polyphenol found in pomegranates, and it is this substance that helps control several types of cancer. There is also a high level of punicic acid, which is closely related to conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), a healthy trans fat found in nature. Daily drinking 6 to 8 ounces of pomegranate juice seems to prevent or inhibit cancer growth in prostate, breast, and reduces inflammatory enzymes in colon cancer.

Its amazing antioxidant power has also been studied in its relative importance to cardiovascular health. Consuming the seeds, for at least 3 months, seems to halt the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Type 2 diabetics, especially, have more problems with the development of this disease, than those without Type 2 diabetes. The juice from the seeds appears to halt atherosclerosis by lowering high blood cholesterol levels. Pomegranates are, also, a good source of vitamin B-6 and vitamin C. Vitamin C, of course, is well known for its healthy promotion of blood vessel strength, and vitamin B-6 deficiencies have been linked to higher homocysteine levels in heart attack and stroke victims.

Other, less notable, health advantages from eating this fruit are:

1.fights the build up of dental plaque

2.naturally calms diarrhea

3.eases, or eliminates, the many different symptoms of menopause

4.protects against the development of osteoporosis

5.natural skin conditioner and great sunburn protection

6.possible preventive use in HIV infection

More studies need to be undertaken in all of these different health arenas, but this fruit, currently, appears to have a lot of powerful health potential. Before jumping into eating a substantial amount of this plant food a couple of warnings need to be mentioned here, as these may affect certain individuals.

The juice derived from the seeds of this fruit is extremely high in natural sugars (30 grams per 8 ounce serving). If you are a diabetic, or hypoglycemic, you should not drink the juice on an empty stomach. However, eating the seeds will slow down the absorption of the fruit sugars with their naturally occurring plant fiber content.

There is also some evidence, in preliminary research studies, that suggests that pomegranate juice, like that of the juice from the grapefruit, may interact with certain prescription drugs. Please, play it safe. Consult with your pharmacist or doctor before adding a large amount of this fruit, or fruit juice, to your daily diet.

Beefing up your daily water intake, along with your improved daily dietary practices, will also carry in the nutrients to (via blood flow) to all body cells for metabolism. Water will also carry away the metabolic wastes, and other noxious toxins, out of cells, and on out of the body through elimination. Choosing a more natural food diet, definitely, calls for more of a natural fluid beverage choice, in saying you are really living a healthier diet lifestyle.

Live Forever With These Health Secrets

Many people from the Himalayas live past 100 years. And, they do this while feeling well and walking with few problems. Wouldn’t you like to know what these wise and healthy persons rely on?

Leave it to the native spices, plants, and fruits they’ve been relying on for thousands of years. Fortunately, the secret’s out and these natural healers are now available in other countries.

Here’s a list of 7 top Tibetan healing gifts from nature:

Live Longer With Goji Berries

This tasty, small red berry is known for helping the Himalayan population live 20 years longer than the rest of most of us. The goji berry is high in iron and vitamin C which helps the body absorb iron. It also contains essential amino acids. Drink goji juice daily or eat organic berries a few times a week. Find them at your local health food store. If they’re hard to find, have your grocer order them and freeze them so you can use them all year.

Heal Your Heart With Pomegranates

According to modern science, pomegranates, which grow wild in the Himalayas, contain natural substances that boost your heart’s health. Pomegranate juice is three times healthier than green tea and red wine. You will find it at your local supermarket in many different brands. Drink 2 ounces daily for an optimal effect.

Get To Sleep With This Herb

The Asian herb ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years to treat insomnia. It is just making its appearance and increasing in popularity in the West. One study proved that 100 mg taken before bedtime is effective for helping those who can’t sleep. Ashwagandha is also an adaptogen used for curbing the release of cortisol and controlling stress. So, it also helps relieve inflammation and improves the immune system.

Stop Anxiety And Welcome Peace With This Tree

The spicy, woodsy scent of the sandalwood tree has been used for centuries to reduce stress and eliminate anxiety and depression. Yogis even apply the essential oil to their third eye (middle of forehead) during deep meditation. They use it to cool an overstimulated mind. You can use a few drops of sandalwood essential oil in your diffuser at anytime, or relax with it in your bath.

Soothe Your Tummy With This Spice

Tame an upset stomach, stop gas and bloating, or soothe your digestive tract with cardamom. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the ground spice in tea or coffee, and drink it 10 minutes before meals. It is found in most grocery stores.

Heal Your Skin With Neem

The people of the Himalayas bathe in warm water steeped with neem leaves to help heal rashes and wounds. Oil from the leaves of the neem tree has been used in Asia for over 2,000 years. Infuse your skin in neem by choosing health store bath products that contain it.

Glow With Sea Buckthorn

Sea buckthorn is the latest hit in natural skin care as an anti-aging winner. This Nepalese shrub bears the berries that are proven to stimulate skin-cell renewal and protect against the damaging rays of the sun. Sea buckthorn contains cell healing antioxidants and Omega-7, a renowned skin rejuvenator. To get glowing skin, use a moisturizer which contains sea buckthorn as a main ingredient. Pure sea buckthorn oil is also useful for preventing and reducing stretch marks.

By using these wonderful healers, you can feel better today. Live longer and have a healthier tomorrow now that you know the great secrets of the Himalayas.

Common Ingredients of Supplements for Prostate Health

The increasing number of men suffering from prostate disorders has resulted in the pharmaceutical industry’s development of various products that act as supplements for prostate health. These products are not meant to cure disorders such as prostatitis, enlarged prostate and cancer; instead, they are formulated to help keep the prostate gland healthy and less susceptible to these disorders.

Most supplements for prostate health are based on herbs, vitamins and minerals that have been proven to help in the maintenance of the prostate gland. Most of these supplements are manufactured in gel or tablet forms and are taken either once or twice a day. Lycopene, saw palmetto, Pygeum and other vitamins and minerals commonly form the foundations of these supplements. For the most part, they are priced just like ordinary vitamin or mineral supplements that are being offered in the market.

Products that are based on saw palmetto are some of the most popular prostate supplements in the market today. Saw palmetto is a shrub with palm-like leaves and stems that are like the teeth of a saw. In several European studies, the extract of saw palmetto berries have been shown to be effective in helping patients with enlarged prostate by inhibiting the synthesis of growth-stimulating DHT and by lowering estrogen levels.

Pygeum, another herbal remedy, is often combined with saw palmetto in commercial supplements offered by drug companies. Pygeum is derived from tree bark and has been used for enlarged prostate and prostatitis. Cernilton is another product that is primarily based on herbs; in this particular case, from the extract of rye pollen. Studies have shown that this supplement is effective in managing benign prostatic hypertrophy and prostatitis.

Aside from herbs, green tea extract and pomegranate juice have also been used as basic ingredients in some commercial supplements. Decaffeinated green tea extract is said to be an effective cancer fighter and some researchers are actually giving it credit for the low incidence of prostate cancer among Asian men, a group that is known for regularly drinking green tea. Pomegranate juice, on the other hand, has been shown to help in slowing the progression of prostate cancer.

When it comes to vitamins and minerals, vitamin E, D and C are the primary supplements recommended for the maintenance of prostate gland health. Minerals such as zinc and selenium are also popular among drug manufacturers and are also highly recommended by scientists and nutritionists.

Supplements for prostate health are not cures for prostate cancer or any other prostate-related disorders. They are used primarily to strengthen a man’s prostate gland and minimize his chances of developing disorders. Whatever brand or type a patient is considering to use, it is still highly advisable to first seek the advice of doctors and health professionals before making any purchase.