Health Benefits of Papain
Papayas contain a digestive enzyme called papain that is sold as a supplement for digestive health problems. Besides its useful ability to help us digest food, papain is also used topically for burns and cuts, especially in its native grown countries. Harrison ford was actually treated with papain injections for a disc he ruptured during the filming of one of the Indiana Jones movies!

Colon Health Benefits of Papain
Papayas are a great source of fiber that can help protect us from colon cancer. The fiber binds with toxic cancer causing chemicals in the colon so that they can be eliminated out of the body in feces.

So how does these cancer causing chemicals get into the colon you may ask? The liver has to process and breakdown harmful chemicals that we breathe in from air pollution or ingest in the form of pesticides sprayed on foods into a less harmful (but still somewhat dangerous) form. From the liver, some of these chemicals are sent to the colon so that they can be eliminated. However, if we don’t have enough fiber in our diet to bind with these chemicals, they can hang around in the colon causing inflammation of the colon wall that can lead to cancer.

In addition to its fiber content, papaya is also a good source of folate, vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene. These nutrients are also associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer. They work together synergistic-ally to protect the DNA in colon cells from free radicals (harmful unstable oxygen molecules) that are generated inside feces.

Papaya Juice Benefits
A study has found that papaya juice is effective at inhibiting the growth of human liver cells in the test tube. A study is yet to be conducted with living humans but the preliminary evidence looks promising. To make your own Papaya juicing recipe you will need 3 papayas. You will need to peel the hard skin and remove the pips before placing the papayas in your juicing machine (if you don’t have a juicer I recommend visiting Jack LaLanne Power Juicer Review ). This will provide one glass of juice. Papaya juice is especially good first thing in the morning.

It is not necessary to be so radical in the approach though. If you feel it could be too stressful or disruptive for your everyday life, it is not necessary to go all the way, one o two days can be enough to get good results. You can schedule, for example, every weekend of a certain month of grapes only diet. More importantly, if  you suffer from diabetes or hyperglycemia you should NOT try this diet without talking to your doctor first.
Grapes have great detoxing and liquid draining qualities and the effects of the grape diet are almost immediate:

• The intestine will be more active and the belly less swollen and flatter
• Your silhouette will look slimmer
• You will feel your legs lighter
• You will be lees hungry
• The craving for sweet food will almost disappear

The therapeutic qualities of vine have been known for a very long time. Not only the bunch of grapes, but the whole plant can be effectively used in a healthy weight loss diet.
Grape seeds. The oil extracted from the seeds is very rich in vitamins E and F and linoleic acid, an essential polyunsaturated fat acid, very important for the intestinal activity and to burn fat. Try it for one month. You can either have a tablespoon in the morning, before breakfast, or use it instead of olive oil to dress your salad.
Buds. The extract from the vine buds has strong detoxing and diuretic properties. Thirty drops a day for one month and you will see amazing results
Pomace. It’s what remains after pressing the grapes, before fermentation. It looks like a pudding, and it’s very rich in vitamins and minerals. It’s normally sold in tablets.
Leaves. Vine leaves have very strong diuretic properties. Leave a tablespoon of dried leaves in boiling water for 10 minutes. You can have up to 4 cups a day, between meals.
You will hardly find these vine extracts at your local supermarket, but for any herbalist they are very common items.

Benefits of Green Tea  Weight Loss

There were a lot of reports that some diet methods such as  chemical based supplements actually do more harm than good to your body. This has triggered a lot of people to be more conscious about their diet tea choices and look for products that naturally achieve  weightloss . Consequently, green tea was able to grab the spotlight above the rest of the diet methods that are available in the market.

Actually, you also have the capabilities of improving your health while experiencing green tea weight loss. Asians with rich cultures like China and Japan have been consuming green tea for a very long time because of the numerous health benefits it provides.

Green tea has carcinogenicity, this has antioxidant and metabolic properties due to the fact that is has a high content of poly phenols that can also be found in wu long tea. The polyphenol called EGCG is said to help develop our body’s immune system and increase metabolism which can help defend our cells against radicals that  basically cause  disease.

Your are not only improving your immune system, but you are also acquiring protection for your body against serious ailments and a lot of diseases, like cancer or heart complications.

Things You Should Know About Green Tea

If you are planning to add green tea weight loss to your regimine of losing weight then better keep in mind to take it with moderation. Wu Long tea has a caffeine, however considerably less than coffee.

Green tea has stimulants that are active by nature and these stimulants may get in the way and cause a reaction with medications that you are taking. This is the reason that it’s best to consult your doctor first before taking this green tea weight loss diet plan or other kinds of diets to avoid serious ailments.

Keep in mind that when you are on diet you should not only focus on it as green tea weight loss alone ,but also think about the health benefits it can provide you as well.

Cancer Prevention
Carotenoids as a group have been the subject of much research since their first discovery in the early 20th century. They are all proven antioxidants and evidence points strongly that they have protective qualities against various cancers, especially esophageal and lung cancer. Beta-cryptoxanthin itself has been inversely linked to colon cancer. In one study, humans with low colon tissue levels of beta-cryptoxanthin were more likely to develop colon polyps. Studies with animals also show that high levels of beta-cryptoxanthin are protective against colon cancer. Researchers also speculate that there is more to this protection than just antioxidant activity; beta-cryptoxanthin can induce more activity of the RB gene, which protects cells from becoming cancerous. Other evidence also shows a link between high blood levels of beta-cryptoxanthin and reduced risk of lung cancer. High blood levels of beta-cryptoxanthin is also associated with overall improved lung function ability.

Food Sources and Dosage
Beta-cryptoxanthin is a yellow based plant pigment and is found abundantly in most yellow colored produce. The best food sources of beta-cryptoxanthn are red bell peppers, papaya, oranges, corn, avocados, serrano pepper, watermelon and grapefruit. Unlike vitamin A, there is no present RDA for carotenoids. They are not yet recognized as a nutrient by the the Institute of Medicine at the National Academy of Sciences, although they are under review. So there is no upper and lower limit set at this point.

A great way to increase your intake of beta-cryptoxanthin is by making your own homemade juice recipes. The fresher the juice, the higher its nutrient content. You also get a lot more fruit, so to speak, in one juice than you would by eating. This greatly increases the nutrition, with the exception of fiber.

Green tea has been used in Asian cultures for centuries and is not only a weight loss supplement but also has been known to aide with depression and headaches.  The biggest advantage to green tea is that it is a natural metabolism booster, which causes your body to burn calories more efficiently and benefit more from the nutrients you put inside it.  Switching out your morning cup of coffee with green tea is a great way to start the day, because it will give you a similar energy boost that you get from coffee’s caffeine.  Not to mention cutting out the coffee will also cut out the sugar that you add to it.

Combine green tea in the morning with drinking more water throughout the day and you’ve taken the first big steps towards no longer being overweight.  There are other ways you can fit green tea weight loss strategies into your day and it’s a refreshing way to get away from chugging down soft drinks that are full of sugar.  You don’t always need to go on a crazy diet where you starve yourself.  Most people don’t understand what they are putting in their bodies and because of that they don’t understand how to properly diet.  Educating yourself on what foods are good for you and what are just empty calories will help you keep the pounds off, and let you indulge in a bit of chocolate cake once in a while.

There are some drawbacks to ultra high temperature processing, which is why not all milk is processed using that technique.  Some of its sugars are burned, a procedure called caramelization, and this sweetens the flavor of the milk slightly.  A very few of the vitamins that are normally available in milk are also destroyed.  The ultra high temperature processing also makes this organic milk unusable for making cheese.

In addition to the absence of pesticides and hormones, the advantages of organic milk include protecting young children against asthma and eczema.  Breastfeeding mothers who drink organic milk have a better quality of breast milk.

Despite the destruction of some of the vitamins that ultra high temperature processing does, organic milk starts out with amounts of vitamins E and A, that it will get to the consumer with more of these vitamins than conventionally processed milk.

Organic milk has more omega-3s, essential fatty acids that promote healthy growth and appear to inhibit such diseases as cancer, arthritis, and eczema.  The omega-3 called DHA is important for brain development, and it is present in raw organic milk in higher concentrations than regular milk.

Conjugated linoleic acid, a substance that increases metabolism, immunity, and muscle growth is present in organic milk in higher concentrations than in regular milk.

Consider the benefits of organic milk next time you go to the grocery store to buy milk.  The higher price brings a higher quality.

In this modern day corporate world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find time to have a nutritious home cooked meal. Surveys say that 50% of the Americans consume fewer vitamins than the recommended intake. Vitamins are more associated with the pill now days. A person consuming food normally may just about get his daily dose of vitamins. On the other hand someone on a diet or an athlete or body builder and even patients recouping after an illness require these vitamin supplements other than what they get form the food. When nutrition is reduced as in the cases above the quantity of vitamins and minerals consumed reduces too.

Now is the time to decide between synthetic or natural vitamins. The words organic and natural have become buzzwords in every health magazine and shows. How natural are they? What are natural vitamins? It is easier to define synthetic vitamins as being manufactured by chemical process and in the laboratories using coal tar preservatives. Natural vitamins on the other hand is said to be derived directly from the source like fruits, plants, vegetables etc. Natural vitamins derived without additives and preservatives is said to retain other co factors that accompany the vitamins. Vitamin C for example is accompanied by the miraculous Bioflavonoid, which plays a major role in maximizing the benefits of vitamin c. They help to inhibit the breakdown of vitamin C in the body.

Some doctors however argue that synthetic vitamins have the same chemical molecular structure that is found in natural vitamins. Hence, they propagate using multi vitamin pills prepared in the lab as having the same benefits as natural vitamins. Synthetic nutrients according to them convert easily into the natural form in the human body.

Synthetic vitamins can be consumed if they have an USP grade. This would indicate that they are produced form good grade licensed laboratories and have met the rigid standards of the Unites States Pharmacopoeia. But these same rigid standards apply to make pharmacutical drugs and there are plenty that have caused damage or death so really what does it mean?

So, even though natural vitamin supplements are manufactured using organic ingredients with no licensing, check the label and the source to make sure what it states is correct and just remember natural is better.

One of the easiest ways to ensure that your cooking contains no gluten is to use fresh ingredients. Look through the produce section in your grocery store for inspiration. Consider purchasing some onions, tomatoes, cilantro and lime for a quick, flavorful homemade salsa. For make it yourself fish marinades, buy a few citrus fruits for their juices and some fresh spices to add additional flavor. If you will be making your own marinade for meats, rubs with garlic, bay and peppercorn are easy to make and gluten free. In addition to the calories that will be saved, one will find that their sodium intake will decrease greatly.

Some of the best cookbooks for those on a gluten free diet are those that include recipes for foods that you used to love, but may now think are impossible to eat. This is not necessarily the case, though. There are a number of flour alternatives that may be used to create substitutions for the breads that you love, including tapioca and potato flour. If they are safe for consumption by those with Celiac disease, they will be marked with a gluten free label. In addition to selling the raw ingredients for your favorite foods, look for dump and stir packaged options.

1.  Love yourself.  No matter what your story is…you deserve love.  Negative thinking and self criticism are unhealthy habits that will attract more of the same things to be negative about.   When you love yourself and feel good, you will attract more things to feel good about.  That’s the universal law of attraction.

2.  Eat a wholesome diet.  Develop healthy eating habits for you and your family. 

3.  Vitamin D.  Vitamin D is a more important nutrient than was once thought.  It builds your immune system and protects you from many diseases and cancers.  Chances are you’re deficient since the minimum RDA is 2000mg stronger than before.    Build your immune system strong and healthy with adequate intake of vitamin D.

4.  Eat Iodine rich food.  There are many halogens present in our environment that deplete us of our iodine.  Fluoride and bromide found in water, food and toothpaste are the culprits.  Eat plenty of seafood and make sure your salt is iodized.  Have your iodine levels checked, especially if you’ve been diagnosed with cycts, thyroid problems or breast cancer.  Iodine is needed by your entire body to function properly.    Your body doesn’t produce it, so deficiences may cause a severe imbalance  in the functioning of the body. 

5. Bowel health.  Your immune system exsists in the colon and bowels.  When you are constipated, toxins sit  in your body making you ill.  You want a smooth transit time for food.  Eating plently of whole grains and foods should be most that is needed to get things moving.  Also, a good probiotic or kefir drink to build up the good bacteria needed in the colon.  Avoid over use of antibiotics unless absolutley needed.  Learn about natural antibiotics at www.thenaturalremedyguide.com.

6.  Family time.  Spend time with family or the people you love.  Love and a sense of community  keep people living longer, happier lives. 

7.  Spend time in nature.  Nature is very healing.  It de-stresses and washes away worries.  Sunshine is also the best source of vitamin D.  People who spend time outdoors  are less depressed and lead much healthier lives.

Image by Cooking Up A Story via Flickr

Organic milk is a great way to provide your family with the vitamins and nutrients that their bodies require, as well as making a huge impact on allowing future generations to enjoy the environment that they grow up in.  When farmers are producing non-organic milk, they often use growth hormones, antibiotics, and other harmful chemicals to keep the cows “healthy” as they call it, but what this does is pass these types of chemicals and substances through the milk, into your families bodies as they drink it.  Organic farmers take great care of their animals to ensure that they produce the best organic whole milk naturally.

It has been proven through scientific research that the levels of vitamins are substantially higher in organic milk products than in non-organic milks.  This is because of the amount of chemicals that farmers use to keep their cows “healthy” actually harming their natural production of milk that is high in vitamins and nutrients.  Farmers save money on the cost to produce the non-organic milk, but also get to charge substantially less for the end user product which in turn encourages them to continue their non-organic milk farm and to continue breeding more milk cows.

Organic milk products comes from natural herds where farmers haven’t used any chemicals at all during the cows entire life.  Whether using chemicals in the water that they drink, adding growth hormones to the food that they eat, or using herbicides and insecticides on the grass that they eat, organic farmers take great pride in ensuring that their cows are all natural as well as the milk being produced.  What this does for your family is providing them with the top quality milk that has the highest levels of vitamins and nutrients that your family requires to live a healthy life.

The costs and benefits of organic milk are the make reason that most farmers continue to produce non-organic milk.  They know that by keeping the prices down that they will actually sell more milk, and this is mainly due to the fact that most people can’t afford to live off of organic milk.  This is where you have to weigh in the benefits and compare them against the costs associated with purchasing organic milk products.  What you are going to find is that the price generally isn’t much higher when you think about the value that your body is receiving.