High Cholesterol

Overview

Hypercholesterolemia, or high cholesterol, is a high level of cholesterol in the blood that can cause plaque to form and accumulate leading to blockages in the arteries (atherosclerosis), increasing the risk for heart attack, stroke, circulation problems, and death.

What Is Cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a soft, waxy fat particle (lipid) that circulates in the blood. It has several important functions in the body: it is a building block for all cell membranes and many sex hormones, and is the digestive substance released by the gall bladder.

The body produces cholesterol in the liver. The liver, in fact, produces almost all of the cholesterol the body needs. However, many popular foods contain cholesterol and the substances used to produce cholesterol particles, which can increase the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

Evidence that High Cholesterol Levels are Bad
Many studies have looked at the relationship between high cholesterol levels and heart attack and death. In one study of young men without known heart disease, cholesterol levels were measured and participants were followed for 6 years. During this time, researchers recorded heart attacks and deaths that occurred in the participants.

The higher the cholesterol level, the greater the risk for having a fatal heart attack. In fact, the risk for a fatal heart attack is about 5 times higher in those with a cholesterol level of 300 mg/dL or more than in those with a cholesterol level below 200 mg/dL.

The Framingham Heart Study is probably the most famous ongoing heart study in the world. Cholesterol levels, smoking habits, heart attack rates, and deaths in the population of an entire town have been recorded for over 40 years. After 30 years, over 85% of people with cholesterol levels of 180 mg/dL or less were still alive; almost 33% of those with cholesterol levels greater than 260 mg/dL had died.

There have been many studies examining the relationship between cholesterol levels and heart attacks and death. There is overwhelming evidence that high cholesterol levels increase the risk for heart attack, circulation problems in the legs, stroke, and death.

What Cholesterol Levels Require Treatment?
There is no formula to determine what level of cholesterol is considered "safe" and what level of cholesteral requires treatment. Cholesterol experts, including those who wrote the NCEP guidelines, have come up with general recommendations based on ongoing research.

The NCEP based its recommendations, in part, on the future risk for heart attack. This makes sense, because someone who has no risk factors for coronary artery disease or heart attack can tolerate a somewhat elevated cholesterol level. In someone with established coronary artery disease, the risks for heart attack (or additional heart attacks) and death are much higher, so even a mildly elevated cholesterol level must be aggressively treated.

NCEP recommendations are based on the LDL cholesterol level because it correlates best with risk for heart attack and death, and because treatment of the LDL level has been the focus of recent studies.

All these considerations make the recommendations a little complex. Fortunately, several general guidelines have emerged. Different physicians may suggest different levels at which therapy should be started, and different goals of therapy, so it is important to discuss your levels with your doctor.

Many physicians recommend that patients without known atherosclerosis should strive to lower their LDL cholesterol level if it is above 160-190 mg/dL. The more risk factors for coronary artery disease one has (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, history of premature heart disease in parents or brothers and sisters), the less tolerance there should be for high LDL levels. Most physicians agree that patients with known atherosclerosis whose LDL levels are above 100-130 mg/dL should be treated.

Target LDL Cholesterol Level
There is no golden number below which an LDL level is considered "safe." Target levels vary, depending on the individual. Again, one should discuss the goals of cholesterol therapy with one's physician. The following is presented only as a general discussion.

Many physicians follow the recommendations of the NCEP and establish a target LDL level below 130-160 mg/dL for patients without known atherosclerosis. For patients with no other cardiac risk factors (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, family history of premature heart disease), a level below 160 may be acceptable.

For those with multiple cardiac risk factors, a level below 130 mg/dL may be considered more desirable. For those who have atherosclerosis, many physicians believe LDL should be brought down to a level below 100 mg/dL, the target level set by the NCEP

Treatment

The treatment approach to abnormal lipid levels differs depending on which lipid is high. For the purposes of simplicity, the focus here is on management of a high LDL ("bad") cholesterol level.

There are basically two ways to lower LDL cholesterol: with medication (pharmacological therapy) and without medication (nonpharmacological therapy).

Nonpharmacological Therapy
Standard nonpharmacological therapy consists primarily of modifying eating and exercise habits. This therapy often modestly reduces LDL cholesterol but is not likely to lower the LDL cholesterol level by more than about 30 mg/dL.

When can nonpharmacological therapy be used?
For people without atherosclerosis and with modestly elevated LDL cholesterol levels, the urgency to treat with medication is not great. An initial 6-12 month trial of nonpharmacological therapy may be advised by some physicians. If the LDL cholesterol has fallen to an acceptable level within that time frame, the patient can continue with these interventions only. If the level remains high, however, drug therapy should be initiated.

Changing diet can decrease the cholesterol level by about 8%-14%, which may be enough to reach the target level in some cases. However, diet and other lifestyle modifications generally do not decrease LDL levels by more than 30 mg/dL. If your LDL level is notably elevated, you may want to discuss with your doctor the possibility of adding drug therapy to your treatment plan.

People with established atherosclerosis have the incentive to significantly lower their high LDL levels. Most practitioners agree that both drug therapy and lifestyle modifications are needed, particularly because there is such good evidence that medication significantly decreases the chances of having a future heart attack or stroke and increases the chances for living longer.

What lifestyle changes can bring about lower LDL cholesterol levels?
Several are commonly accepted as positively impacting elevated cholesterol levels:

• Diet. Minimize excess cholesterol and fat intake, especially saturated fat. These fats raise cholesterol levels more than any other substances. Cholesterol and saturated fats are found primarily in foods derived from animals, such as meats and dairy products. Unwanted cholesterol and fats lurk in many foods that might never be suspected of having high amounts of these substances. Here are some dietary guidelines for reducing cholesterol and fat consumption:

1. Eat lean fish, poultry, and meat. Remove the skin from chicken and trim the fat from beef before cooking.

2. Avoid eating commercially prepared and processed food (cakes, cookies, etc.)

3. Increase the relative amount of fruits, vegetables, breads, cereals, rice, legumes, and pasta.

4. Use skim or 1% milk.

5. Avoid breaded fried foods.

6. Eat no more than 2 egg yolks (or whole eggs) per week.

7. Use cooking oils that are high in unsaturated fat (e.g., corn, olive, canola, safflower oils)

8. Use soft margarines. They contain less saturated fat.

• Weight loss. Losing modest amounts of weight (even only 5-10 lbs.) can double the reduction in LDL levels achieved through an improved diet. Weight loss should be achieved gradually by modestly decreasing calorie intake and increasing exercise.
• Exercise. Exercise can decrease LDL levels and increase HDL levels to some extent. For example, taking a brisk 30-minute walk or a low-level jaunt on a treadmill 3-4 times a week is likely to positively impact the cholesterol profile. Patients with chest pain and/or known or suspected heart disease should talk to their doctors before beginning any exercise program.

Pharmacological (Drug) Therapy
The introduction of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (or statins) significantly advanced the treatment of hypercholesterolemia. Statins lower LDL cholesterol levels by 20%-40%. At maximum doses, they lower LDL levels by an amazing 40%-50%. They provide the added benefit of modestly increasing HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, usually by about 5%-10%.

These agents are usually well tolerated, have few side effects, and need to be taken only once or twice a day. Because the body produces cholesterol primarily during the night, most of these medicines should be taken after dinner or during the evening. A high dose can be split and taken once in the morning and once in the evening.

Should patients already taking one of the older types of cholesterol-lowering medications switch to a statin? Several things should be kept in mind. First, some people are possibly being treated with a different type of medication because the primary lipid problem may not be a high LDL level but some other abnormality, such as a markedly high triglyceride level.

Second, if treatment with an older type of medication is working well and the patient is satisfied, there's no reason to change. However, if the person doesn't take the medication regularly because it's hard to remember to take several doses every day, because it has unpleasant side effects, or because it has failed to lower the LDL to an acceptable level, it may be worthwhile to discuss switching to one of the statins with a physician.

Statins. Commonly prescribed statins include: atorvastatin (Lipitor®), cerivastatin (Baycol®), fluvastatin (Lescol®), lovastatin (Mevacol), pravastatin (Pravachol®), and simvastatin (Zocor®).

There are two rare but potential side effects associated with these medications. The first, mild inflammation of the liver, can be detected by simple blood tests (liver function tests, or LFTs). The tests are usually performed once or twice during the first several months of therapy and then periodically (e.g., twice a year) thereafter. The second very rare side effect is muscle inflammation, soreness, pain, and weakness. Because this occurs so rarely, no routine testing is performed. However, a patient who develops diffuse muscle pain or weakness should speak with his or her doctor.

Occasionally, even with high-dose statin therapy, the LDL level may not decrease sufficiently. In this case, another cholesterol-lowering medication may be added.

Other medications. These medications, when combined with a statin, may help lower cholesterol to an acceptable level. Patients should be aware that using the combination may increase the risk for liver and/or muscle inflammation. These drugs include: cholestyramine (LoCHOLEST®, Questran®), colestipol (Colestid®), fenofibrate (Tricor®), fluvastatin (Lescol®), gemfibrozzil (Lopid®), and niacin (Niacinol®, Niacor®, Nicolar®, Slo-Niacin®).

Alternative Treatment

Most alternative medicines and therapies have not been subjected to scientific investigation, making it hard to assess their effectiveness. Some objective information, however, has emerged.

• Garlic. The medicinal properties of garlic (used by the Babylonians and other ancient peoples in their medicines) continue to be debated. The debate has instigated a number of studies examining garlic's effect on cholesterol levels. When combined, the results of some of the earlier studies suggest that garlic may lower total cholesterol levels by an average of about 9%. However, some of the recent, more well-designed studies (in which half of the group was treated with garlic and the other half with a placebo) have found no beneficial effect produced by garlic on either total cholesterol or LDL levels. What can be concluded from this? The best that can be said, from a scientific point of view, is that garlic may at most have a modest effect on cholesterol levels but should not be used instead of other interventions.
• Oat bran. Oat bran mania swept across the United States a decade ago. Research (including one report published in the New England Journal of Medicine) found that oat bran, per se, had little impact on cholesterol levels. Rather, any beneficial effects were attributable to the fact that people were eating more oat bran and less fat.
• Cholesterol-lowering margarine. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently approved two of these products, Benecol® and Take Control®, for marketing. These margarines contain plant-derived substances that can decrease the absorption of cholesterol in the digestive tract. They modestly reduce cholesterol by about 7%-10%. They should not be used instead of drug therapy but can be added to a treatment plan for hypercholesterolemia.

Dental Caries

Dental Caries
Definition
A disease of the teeth resulting in damage to tooth structure.
Alternative names
Dental cavities; Tooth decay; Cavities - tooth

Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Dental caries (tooth decay) is one of the most common of all disorders, second only to the common cold. It usually occurs in children and young adults but can affect any person. It is the most important cause of tooth loss in younger people.

Bacteria are normally present in the mouth. The bacteria convert all foods-especially sugar and starch-into acids. Bacteria, acid, food debris, and saliva combine in the mouth to form a sticky substance called plaque that adheres to the teeth. It is most prominent on the grooved chewing surfaces of back molars, just above the gum line on all teeth, and at the edges of fillings. Plaque that is not removed from the teeth mineralizes into calculus (tartar). Plaque and calculus irritate the gums, resulting in gingivitis and ultimately periodontitis.

The acids in plaque dissolve the enamel surface of the tooth and create holes in the tooth (cavities). Cavities are usually painless until they grow very large inside the internal structures of the tooth (the dentin and the pulp at the core) and can cause death of the nerve and blood vessels in the tooth. If left untreated a tooth abscess can develop.

Plaque and bacteria begin to accumulate within 20 minutes after eating, the time when most bacterial activity occurs. If plaque and bacteria are left on the teeth, cavities can develop and untreated tooth decay can result in death of the internal structures of the tooth and ultimately the loss of the tooth.

Dietary sugars and starches (carbohydrates) increase the risk of tooth decay. The type of carbohydrate and the timing and frequency of ingestion are more important that the amount. Sticky foods are more harmful than nonsticky foods because they remain on the surface of the teeth. Frequent snacking increases the time that acids are in contact with the surface of the tooth.

Prevention
Oral hygiene is the primary prevention against dental caries. This consists of personal care (proper brushing at least twice a day and flossing at least daily) and professional care (regular dental examination and cleaning, every 6 months). Select X-rays may be taken yearly to detect possibily cavity development in high risk areas of the mouth.

Chewy, sticky foods (such as dried fruit or candy) are best if eaten as part of a meal rather than as a snack. If possible, brush the teeth or rinse the mouth with water after eating these foods. Minimize snacking, which creates a constant supply of acid in the mouth. Avoid constant sipping of sugary drinks or frequent sucking on candy and mints.

The use of dental sealants is a good means of cavity prevention. Sealants are thin plastic-like coating applied to the chewing surfaces of the molars. This coating prevents the accumulation of plaque in the deep grooves on these vulnerable surfaces. Sealants are usually applied on the teeth of children, shortly after the molars erupt. Older people may also benefit from the use of tooth sealants.

Fluoride is often recommended to protect against dental caries. It has been demonstrated that people who ingest fluoride in their drinking water or by fluoride supplements have fewer dental caries. Fluoride ingested when the teeth are developing is incorporated into the structure of the enamel and protects it against the action of acids.

Topical fluoride is also recommended to protect the surface of the teeth. This may include a fluoride toothpaste or mouthwash. Many dentists include application of topical (applied to a localized area of the skin) fluoride solutions as part of routine visits.

Symptoms

toothache -- particularly after sweet or hot or cold foods or drinks
visible pits or holes in the teeth
Signs and tests
An examination of the teeth reveals dental caries (cavities). Most dental caries are discovered in the early stages during routine checkups. The surface of the tooth may be soft when probed with a sharp instrument. Pain may not be present until the advanced stages of tooth decay. Dental X-rays may show some cavities before they are visible to the eye.

Treatment
Destroyed tooth structure does not regenerate. However, the progression of dental caries can be stopped by treatment. The goal of treatment is to preserve the tooth and prevent complications. Ideally proper dental education is the best weapon in preventing tooth decay.

In filling teeth, the decayed material is removed (by drilling) and replaced with a restorative material such as silver alloy, gold, porcelain, or composite resin. Porcelain and composite resin more closely match the natural tooth appearance, and may be preferred for front teeth. Many dentists consider silver amalgam (alloy) and gold as stronger and are often used on back teeth, although there is a trend to use high strength composite resin in the back teeth as well.

Crowns are used if decay is extensive and there is limited tooth structure which may cause weakened teeth. Large fillings and weak teeth increase the risk of the tooth breaking. The decayed or weakened area is removed and repaired and a covering jacket or "cap" (crown) is fitted over the remainder of the tooth. Crowns are often made of gold, porcelain or porcelain fused to metal.

A root canal is recommended if the nerve (pulp) in a tooth dies from decay or from a traumatic blow. The center of the tooth, including the nerve and vascular (blood vessel) tissue (pulp), is removed along with decayed portions of the tooth. The roots are filled with a sealing material. The tooth is filled and a crown may be placed over the tooth if needed.

PrognosisTreatment often preserves the tooth. Early treatment is less painful and less expensive than treatment of extensive decay. Anesthetics -- local, nitrous oxide (laughing gas), or other prescription medications -- may be required in some cases to relieve pain during or following drilling or other treatment of decayed teeth. For those who fear dental treatment, nitrous oxide anesthesia may be preferred.

Complications
tooth abscess
fractured tooth
discomfort or pain
tooth sensitivity
inability to bite down on tooth

Islamic Medical Tips

Honey's Nutrition & Health Facts

Honey's Nutritional Profile

Honey is a source of simple carbohydrates. Its composition on average, is 17.1 percent water, 82.4 percent total carbohydrate and 0.5 percent proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. The average carbohydrate content is mainly fructose (38.5 percent) and glucose (31percent). The remaining 12.9 percent of carbohydrates is made up of maltose, sucrose and other sugars.

Source of Energy

As a carbohydrate, honey supplies energy at 64 calories per tablespoon, providing fuel to working muscles. A limited study at the University of Memphis Exercise and Sports Nutrition Laboratory found honey to be one of the most effective forms of carbohydrate gels to ingest just prior to exercise. According to Dr. Richard Kreider, the study's lead investigator, "honey appears to be a carbohydrate source that is relatively mild on its effects upon blood sugar compared to other carbohydrate sources." Continuing research is examining the effects of honey in comparison to different types of carbohydrate gels prior to weightlifting on the effect on glucose, insulin and markers of protein breakdown.

Other limited studies performed in Dr. Kreider's lab have shown that honey may comprise half of the secret to post-workout recuperation. Many post-workout products on the market combine a large amount of carbohydrates with protein. The most common carbohydrate source used is maltodextrin, a mildly sweet carbohydrate usually derived from corn. Upon comparison of a honey-protein vs. a maltodextrin-protein shake taken after a vigorous weightlifting workout, the honey-protein combination fared as well in promoting markers of muscle recuperation. The honey group's blood sugar was sustained for at least two hours post-workout. "Our data suggest that honey functions well in all of the aspects associated with post-workout recuperation and energy repletion. In addition, honey appears to stand out as perhaps a better source of carbohydrate to ingest with post-workout protein supplements. These findings support our previous study presented at the annual Experimental Biology meeting in April 2000," added Dr. Kreider.

"In addition to promoting muscle recuperation and glycogen [carbohydrates stored in muscle] restoration, honey-protein combinations also seem well suited to sustain favorable blood sugar concentrations after training."

Vitamins, Minerals and Amino Acids in Every Bite

Honey contains small amounts of a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants. The vitamins found in honey may include (depending on floral variety) niacin, riboflavin and pantothenic acid; minerals present include calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. Just as the color and flavor of honey varies by floral source, so does the vitamin, mineral, antioxidant and amino acid content.

Antioxidants in Honey

In addition to the nutrients that are involved in normal metabolic activity, foods contain components that may provide additional health benefits. These nutrients are referred to as nutraceuticals. Phytochemicals are one broad category of nutraceuticals found in plants that are actively being investigated by scientists for their health-promoting potential. Honey has a phytochemical profile which includes polyphenols that can act as antioxidants.

Antioxidants perform the role of eliminating free radicals, which are reactive compounds in the body. Free radicals are created through the normal process of metabolism and contribute to many serious diseases. Researchers at the University of Illinois, led by Nicki J. Engeseth, Ph.D. and May R. Berenbaum, Ph.D., are studying the antioxidant capacity of common honey varieties.

Honey's Antimicrobial Properties and Benefits to Wound Healing

The use of honey as a wound dressing goes back to ancient times and has now been 'rediscovered' by modern medicine, according to Dr. Peter Molan of the University of Waikato, New Zealand. "It is a common observation in the many reports in medical journals that numerous benefits result from using honey to dress wounds," says Dr. Molan. The antibacterial properties of honey may help clear infection in wounds, and the anti-inflammatory action of honey may reduce pain and may improve circulation which hastens the healing process. According to Dr. Molan, "Honey stimulates the re-growth of tissue involved in healing, making healing faster and reducing scarring."

The Miracle of Honey

More than 1,400 years ago Allah and His Messenger, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, told us that honey can heal a variety of medical problems.
Allah says in the Qur'an, "And the Lord inspired the bee, saying: Take your habitations in the mountains and in the trees and in what they erect. Then, eat of all fruits and follow the ways of your Lord made easy (for you). Then comes forth from their bellies a drink of varying color wherein is healing for men. Verily in this is indeed a sign for people who think." (16:68-69)
The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, has also told us of the healing found within honey for a variety of medical problems, including stomach ailments. One hadeeth reported by Bukhari, states that a man came to the Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa salaam, because his brother had stomach disorder. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "Let him drink honey." The man returned a second time, saying his brother had a stomach disorder, and again the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam said, "Let him drink honey." The man returned a third time, saying again his brother had a stomach disorder. The Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, responded again, "Let him drink honey." The man returned and said, "I have done that." The Prophet then responded, "Allah has told the truth, but your brother's stomach has told a lie. Let him drink honey." He drank it and was cured.
Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, and Baihaqi also reported that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, said, "Make use of the two remedies: honey and the Qur'an."
Modern medicine is only just learning of this fact. Traditional uses of honey have included honey mixed with lemon for sore throats. Honey coats the throat and reduces throat irritation. Research has already shown that honey blocks the growth of oral bacteria. Honey has also been used for stomach pains and problems. Modern research shows that honey is effective when used in the treatment of gastric or peptic stomach ulcers. Research has also revealed that honey is effective in the treatment of various wounds and infections because of its antimicrobial (antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal) properties.
Researchers are not absolutely sure why honey heals but they are learning new things about honey every day. We do know that honey contains a variety of sugars and minerals. Honey is also considered an antioxidant. This means it allows the blood to circulate better and provide more oxygen to areas of the body such as the brain. Honey can also be used externally to promote healing when applied to wounds, even postoperative wounds. Honey has also been effective in its use to treat burns. It has even been shown to be low in calories and useful as a sweetner for diabetics, people with heart disease or those overweight.
Although there is healing in honey for variety of medical disorders, certain precautions should also be taken. Children under the age of one year should never be give honey due to the possibility of infant botulism. This type of food poisoning can be dadly, however, it only seems to affect infants under on year of age. Also, if you have any known allergies to specific plants, then you should make sure the honey you are using is not made from that plant. People with allergies to bee stings should also be careful when using other bee-related products such as propolis or royal jelly. If these precautions are followed, then honey may provide healing for you. As Muslims, we must acknowledge and accept that Allah and His Prophet, sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, know better and have revealed the truth. We should, therefore, accept that honey can heal and make use of it. We should study the research that is available, not to confirm or deny the truth that has been revealed by Allah and His Prophet sallallahu alayhe wa sallam, but to learn of new ways we can use honey.

Benefits

MILK:
The Prophet (SAW) said thatmilk wipes away heat from the heart just as thefinger wipes away sweat from the brow. Itstrengthens the back, increases the brain, augments intelligence, renews vision and drives away forgetfulness.

HONEY:
? is considered to be the best remedy for constipation when mixed in hot water. It is the food of foods, drink of drinks and drug of drugs; gives appetite, strengthens the stomach, eliminates phlegm, can be used as a meat preservative, hair conditioner, eye salve and mouthwash. It is not only beneficial to drink in the mornings in warm water; it is also a sunnah.

OLIVE OIL:
Excellent treatment for skin and hair,delays old age, treats inflammation ofthe stomach.

MUSHROOM:
The Prophet (SAW) said that mushroom is a good cure for the eyes, it also serves as aform of birth controland arrests paralysis.

GRAPES:
The Prophet was very fond of grapes. It purifies the blood, provides vigourand health, strengthens the kidneys and clears the bowels.

DATES:
The Prophet (SAW) said thata house without dates has no food, also to be eatenat the time ofchildbirth .

FIGS:
It is afruit from paradise and a cure for piles.

BARLEY:
Good forfever in a soup form.


MELON:
Melon contains1000 blessings and 1000 mercies , the prophet SAW said 'None of your women who are pregnant and eat of watermelon will fail to produce offspring who are good in countenance and good in character.

POMEGRANATE:
The Prophet (SAW) said it cleanses you of Satan and evil aspirations for 40 days.

WATER:
The Prophet (SAW) said the best drink in this world and the next is water, when you are thirsty drink it bysips and not gulps, gulping produces sickness of the liver

--
Fi Aman Allah

with best wishes and regards
Khurram Shahzad
+92 - 333 - 5127596
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"صرف وہی چیز انسان کی قسمت میں ہے جس کے لیے وہ کوشش کرتا ہے۔ سورہ النجم آئت 39"

Fruits & their Values - Part 3

Avocado
The avo is a natural source of monounsaturated fat, which makes it a heart-healthy food package. And it's delicious!

The avo is a natural source of monounsaturated fat, which makes it a heart-healthy food package. And it's delicious!
Key benefits of avocado
Avocados reduce cholesterol and so reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. They also have antioxidant ability and contain both vitamins E, C and B6, as well as potassium.
How much avocado should you eat?
Intake of avocados should be moderate, as they are high in calories. A whole avocado weighs about 130g and has about 240 calories.
Maximising the benefits fo avocado
Avocado is a natural source of monounsaturated fat, which makes it a heart-healthy food package. Alpha-carotene is best absorbed with some fat, as is vitamin E.
Nutritional values of avocado

Calories - 190

Potassium - 450 mg

Fibre - 3,4g

Vitamin E - 3,2mg

Per 100 g raw

Fruits & their Values - Part 2

Appricot
An apricot, with its fat, juicy, bright-coloured flesh, is rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene as well as iron and potassium.
An apricot, with its fat, juicy, bright-coloured flesh, is rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene as well as iron and potassium.
Key benefits of apricots
Apricots are rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene and rich in iron and potassium. It can help regulate blood pressure and is also high in soluble fibre, which helps maintain regular bowel function.
How much apricots should you eat?
Dried or fresh apricots can be eaten freely. A handful of dried apricots supplies one fifth of an adult's daily potassium needs and between 10 and 20 percent of an adult's iron needs.
Maximising the benefits of apricots
Dried apricots should be eaten with foods that are rich in Vitamin C so that iron absorption can be increased.
Nutritional values of apricots

Calories - 188

Carotenes - 323 mcg

Fat - 1 g

Fibre - 8 g

Iron - 4 mg

Potassium - 1880 mg

Carbohydrates - 37 g

Starch - 0

Sugars - 37 g

Protein - 4 g

Glycaemic index high - 100 g Dried apricots

VOMITING

Vomiting is a forceful expulsion of the stomach contents due to the contraction of stomach muscles. Vomiting is also known as emesis. Sometimes you may attempt to vomit but may not expel anything from your mouth. This is known as retching. Vomiting may or may not be accompanied by nausea.

Vomiting Symptoms

Some of the symptoms of vomiting are as follows Increased saliva, Dizziness, Lightheadedness, Difficulty in swallowing food or liquid, Changes in skin temperature, Increase in heart beat rate.
Vomiting Causes Some of the causes of vomiting are as follows Overeating, Drinking excessive alcohol, Pregnancy, Migraine, Infections, Flu, Stomach upset, Stomach virus, Food poisoning, Poisoning, Accidental poisoning, Acute gastritis, Reflux, Intestinal obstructions, Chronic digestive conditions, Peptic ulcers, Stomach cancer, Intestinal obstruction, Kidney failure, Cholera.

Home Remedies for Vomiting

Some of the effective home remedies for vomiting are as follows. Have a cup of ginger tea, Eat a mixture of honey and powder of 2 roasted cardamoms, Have a glass of chilled lime juice, Have a mixture of 1 tsp mint juice, 1 tsp lime juice, 1/2 tsp ginger juice and 1 tsp honey. Slowly sip a glass of honey water, Have one tsp onion juice in regular interval, Slowly sip a glass of chilled cola, Relax for some time.

Diet for the first twelve hours

For the first twelve hours after vomiting do not take any solid food. Limit yourself only to liquids like apple juice, carbonated juices, water and so on. Avoid citrus juices and dairy products for the first 24 hours.
Diet for the next twelve hours
During the next twelve hours gradually start eating banana, peeled apple, boiled potatoes, boiled rice and soup without cream.
Diet after 24 hours
After 24 hours you can have cottage cheese, non-fat milk, broiled chicken, lean meat and so on.


Other Suggestions for Vomiting

Once vomiting stops, do not rush to normal diet immediately. If vomiting continues then it is advisable to see a doctor as soon as possible.

Fruits & Their Values - Part 1

Apple
Apples, known as a cleansing food, contain fibre, antioxidants and fruit flavonoids. This fruit is also a source of vitamin C.
Apples, known as a cleansing food, contain fibre, antioxidants and fruit flavonoids. This fruit is also a source of vitamin C.
Apples, known as a cleansing food, contain fibre, antioxidants and fruit flavonoids. This fruit is also a source of vitamin C.
Key benefits of apples
Apples, known as a cleansing food, contain fibre, antioxidants and fruit flavonoids. The most important of the flavonoids contained in apples is quercetin, which has anti-inflammatory as well as anti-cancer actions. Apples contain vitamin C as well – more so in green apples than in red ones. Apples can reduce blood cholesterol levels, counter constipation and diarrhoea, help joint problems and help prevent diseases in general. How much apples should you eat?
Apples can be eaten freely, but more than two or three a day does not increase the health benefits. Large quantities of apple juice can encourage tooth decay and diarrhoea.
Maximising the benefits of apples
Apples are best eaten raw, as cooking them can reduce the flavonoids by as much as 70 percent into the cooking water. It is also a good idea to eat the apple unpeeled as flavonoids are contained in or near the skin.
Nutritional values of apple

Calories - 57

Fibre - 1,8 g

Potassium - 120 mg

Vitamin C - 10 mg

Vitamin E - 0,6 mg

Quantities per 100 g

20 Health Benefits of Turmeric - Haldi

20 Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.

The medicinal properties of this spice have been slowly revealing themselves over the centuries. Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.

Here are 20 reasons to add turmeric to your diet:

1. It is a natural antiseptic and antibacterial agent, useful in disinfecting cuts and burns.

2. When combined with cauliflower, it has shown to prevent prostate cancer and stop the growth of existing prostate cancer.

3. Prevented breast cancer from spreading to the lungs in mice.

4. May prevent melanoma and cause existing melanoma cells to commit suicide.

5. Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia.

6. Is a natural liver detoxifier.

7. May prevent and slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by removing amyloyd plaque buildup in the brain.

8. May prevent metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer.

9. It is a potent natural anti-inflammatory that works as well as many anti-inflammatory drugs but without the side effects.

10. Has shown promise in slowing the progression of multiple sclerosis in mice.

11. Is a natural painkiller and cox-2 inhibitor.

12. May aid in fat metabolism and help in weight management.

13. Has long been used in Chinese medicine as a treatment for depression.

14. Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it is a natural treatment for arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

15. Boosts the effects of chemo drug paclitaxel and reduces its side effects.

16. Promising studies are underway on the effects of turmeric on pancreatic cancer.

17. Studies are ongoing in the positive effects of turmeric on multiple myeloma.

18. Has been shown to stop the growth of new blood vessels in tumors.

19. Speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling of damaged skin.

20. May help in the treatment of psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions.

Turmeric can be taken in powder or pill form. It is available in pill form in most health food stores, usually in 250-500mg capsules.

Once you start using turmeric on a regular basis, it's fun to find new ways to use it in recipes. My favorite way to use it is to add a pinch of it to egg salad. It adds a nice flavor and gives the egg salad a rich yellow hue.

Contraindications: Turmeric should not be used by people with gallstones or bile obstruction. Though turmeric is often used by pregnant women, it is important to consult with a doctor before doing so as turmeric can be a uterine stimulant.

Cancer Cells

CANCER  CELLS  !

AFTER YEARS OF TELLING PEOPLE CHEMOTHERAPY IS THE ONLY WAY TO TRY AND ELIMINATE CANCER,  JOHNS HOPKINS IS FINALLY STARTING TO TELL YOU THERE IS AN ALTERNATIVE WAY .    

Cancer Update from Johns Hopkins :

1. Every person has cancer cells in the body. These cancer cells do not show up in the standard tests until they have multiplied to a few billion. When doctors tell cancer patients that there are no more cancer cells in their bodies after treatment, it just means the tests are unable to detect the cancer cells because they have not reached the detectable size.

2. Cancer cells occur between 6 to more than 10 times in a person's lifetime.

3. When the person's immune system is strong the cancer cells will be destroyed and prevented from multiplying and forming tumours.

4. When a person has cancer it indicates the person has multiple nutritional deficiencies. These could be due to genetic, environmental, food and lifestyle factors.

5. To overcome the multiple nutritional deficiencies, changing diet and including supplements will strengthen the immune system.

6. Chemotherapy involves poisoning the rapidly-growing cancer cells and also destroys rapidly-growing healthy cells in the bone marrow, gastro-intestinal tract etc, and can cause organ damage, like liver, kidneys, heart, lungs etc.

7. Radiation while destroying cancer cells also burns, scars and damages healthy cells, tissues and organs.

8. Initial treatment with chemotherapy and radiation will often reduce tumor size. However prolonged use of chemotherapy and radiation do not result in more tumor destruction.

9. When the body has too much toxic burden from chemotherapy and radiation the immune system is either compromised or destroyed, hence the person can succumb to various kinds of infections and complications.

10. Chemotherapy and radiation can cause cancer cells to mutate and become resistant and difficult to destroy. Surgery can also cause cancer cells to spread to other sites.

11. An effective way to battle cancer is to starve the cancer cells by not feeding it with the foods it needs to multiply.

WHAT CANCER CELLS FEED ON:

a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar substitutes like NutraSweet, Equal,Spoonful etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in colour. Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.

b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intes tina l tract. Cancer feeds on mucus. By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soya milk, cancer cells are being starved.

c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.

d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment.  About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to no urish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts) and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).

e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties.Water- best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distilled water is acidic, avoid it.

12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become putrified and leads to more toxic buildup.

13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to attack the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.

14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the body's own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.

15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body into a stressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.

16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.

(PLEASE FORWARD IT TO PEOPLE YOU CARE ABOUT) 

Nuskha [Treatment through Diet]

Migraine Headache..

Migraine Headache:

Migraine Headache are paroxysmal ailments, that are accompanied by a severe headaches. The headache normally occurs on one side of the head. Migraines is associated with disorders of digestion, liver, and sight. Migraine headache occur sometimes due to great mental tension and stress. Migraine headache patients are typically smart, inflexible, disciplined. Sudden migraines attacks may occur due to overworked muscles in the head and neck and due to continuous stress. The blood flow drops because these tight muscles squeeze the arteries. When the person suddenly relaxes these tight muscles expand and stretch the blood vessel walls. The blood pumped with each heartbeat then pushes the vessels further causing immense pain.

 

Migraine Headache Symptoms:

Pain on one side of the head:

Migraine headache have a certain pattern: Normally, the pain is on only one side of the head and often starts from behind the eye. The migraines attack is concentrated on the left side on once occasion and on another you have a headaches on the right side.

A short period of depression, irritability and loss of appetite:

Migraines and depression are sometimes related in some persons. The affected person may have a period of depression prior to a migraines attack. Migraine headache also are sometimes preceded loss of appetite and irritability. Migraines attacks may occur every day in some people or may occur with a weeks gap or a month or may be over a year. There is no predictable migraines attack cycle that has been established yet.

Pounding pain, nausea, and vomiting:

Symptoms of migraine include pounding pain, nausea and vomiting. You can feel the blood pulsating through the affected side of the head.

Numbness or weakness in an arm or leg, or on one side of the face:

Migraines pain may be preceded by numbness and weakness or an arm or a leg. The eye may start paining or one side of the face gets numb prior to a migraine headache. In some cases the entire face and tongue may get numb making the speech slurry. Digestive problems are experienced sometimes as the headaches develops.

Common Migraine (without aura) symptoms:

 Constipation, Irritability, laziness, stiff neck, yawning are signs of common migraines (migraine without aura). Confused thinking, weakness, difficulty in concentrating are some other signs.

 

Migraine relief diet Migraine Headache Relief:

Fasting on orange juice and water:

Cleansing the body of toxins is important for effective treatment of migraine headache. Fast for 2-3 days on orange juice and water. Alternatively, fast on juices of carrot, celery or cucumber.

Avoid foods like white flour products, sugar, tinned or preserved foods, etc:

To prevent migraines avoid or reduce white flour products, sugar, confectionery, rich cakes, pastries, sweets, refined cereals, greasy foods, tinned or preserved foods, pickles, condiments and sauces.

All-fruit diet:

3-4 fruit based meals for about 2-3 days after the juice diet could help relieve some of the migraines pain.

Well-balanced diet of seeds, nuts etc:

Adopt a well-balanced diet consisting of seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables and fruits. Include milk, yoghurt, buttermilk, vegetable oils, and honey. All fruit diet for a couple of days each month can keep your body cleansed as a migraines therapy.

Eat frequent small meals, Copious drinking of water is essential:

Drink water regularly and in good quantity. Eat frequent smaller meals than lesser large meals. This help your digestion process.

Other migraines treatment:

* Take warm-water enema to cleanse bowels.Cleanse the bowels by taking warm water enema during the fruit juice diet.

* Hot bath, cold compress applied to head.A hot foot bath, fomentation over the stomach and spine, cold compress applied to the head, and towels wrung out of very hot water and frequently applied to the neck will go a long way in relieving

migraine headache.

* Plenty of exercise and walk in fresh air is essential.Exercise regularly and frequent fresh air walks help relieve migraines tension.

 

 

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Home Remedies for Curing Cold and Cough

Some of the common home remedies for treating cold and cough are:
Carr seeds – a tablespoon of carom seeds crushing and bound in gauze fabric can be used for inhalation to relieve congestion / blocked nose.
Lemon - Lemon is also an effective treatment for cough and cold that is now saying that was designed half a lemon day keeps the cold out. To bad cold, juice of one lemon in a full liter of boiling water sweetened with honey, taken at bed time is a very effective remedy.
Turmeric powder – turmeric powder mixed in hot milk is a very effective remedy for colds and coughs house. Take one teaspoon of turmeric powder and mixed in one cup of warm milk.
Raisins – sauce prepared from raisins is also useful in coughs. This sauce is prepared by crushing 100 g of grapes with water. About 100 g of sugar mixed with them, and the mixture is heated. Калі сумесь трапляе соусам паслядоўнасці, яна павінна быць захавана. Twenty grams should be taken at bedtime daily.
Ginger - in cases of dry cough (especially at night), clean piece of fresh ginger. Sprinkle a little salt on it and chew.
Tamarind (World Literature) and pepper (Kali Mirch) – is an effective remedy used in South India for centuries. Dilution of 50 grams of tamarind in 250 ml of water. Add half a teaspoon of pepper powder and a tsp of ghee. Broth in a few minutes and inhale the steam from the steaming mixture three times a day to clear the nasal blockade in the cold.
Bitter gourd plant – the roots of bitter gourd plant are used in folk medicine to treat colds. Spoon the root paste, mixed with an equal amount of honey or juice of Tulsi leaves, given one night a month, acts as an excellent remedy for colds.
Seeds of anise - anise seed of another effective remedy for a hard dry cough with phlegm heavy. She splits mucus. Tea Spice this should be taken regularly to treat the condition.
Say "No" to chocolate: These are disgusting, as is well known candy wrapped in shiny paper and an attractive yield, but no holes, cold and cough and unnecessary calories.
Walk – Mild exercise improves circulation, helps the immune system to fight infections extend antibodies. Jump to a soft jumper in the house for 15 minutes or take a quick walk half an hour. But refrain from strenuous exercise, he warns, that can worn.
Almond nuts - almonds are another very effective remedy used home after many years to treat colds and coughs. Soak 6 / 7 almonds overnight. Remove brown morning nixt skin. Make a paste of these almonds with a little butter and sugar. Very useful for dry cough.

Blood Disorders and Treatment

Blood in the water body that serves as a link between the parts of the body transport oxygen, nutrients, and more for cancer of the blood and parts disordersdifferent. Because the function of blood and how it runs a bit strange clinical care experts are needed in cases of diseases related to blood that may contain cancer and blood disease, hemorrhagic disorders, anemia, etc.
Diseases of blood is not for any reason in particular. Various factors are responsible. Lab tests are the most important thing that your doctor prescribes to diagnose the problem. Com (the main part of blood plasma) by each organ, blood opens the perception of our body, and tells us what happens inside our body. The numbers are many blood disorders, some of them were anemia, sickle cell anemia and leukemia. There are also other types of anemia, in addition to the above.
Symptoms of blood disorders are not very specific and different for different disorder. It is usually not specified. Means, which may indicate problems in any part of the body, not a specific one. Speak no symptoms of disease, but the group of symptoms indicating a particular type of disease in blood. Symptoms generally increase or decrease in leukocytes, red blood cells, ie leukocytes, platelets.
Disorder related to blood components may result in improper functioning of the blood. Take, for example, if the number of blood platelets in the blood is not enough, then integrity is not carried out effectively or abnormal clotting can occur. This is because blood is not producing enough platelets according to the needs of the body or who have used the body too fast

Treatment: –
Generally doctors prescribe for treatment after blood tests and by analysis of the reports against their experience. Treatment depends on the type and stage of disease in blood. Many types of treatments available ranging from bone marrow transplant, stem cell transfer to the transfusion of blood.
When someone thinks of transplant, the images of surgical procedures is important to mind, but in case of transfer of stem cells, no need for surgery, it is mainly used for organs that are , the main Bone is not a solid body, for example liver.
Top stem cell transplant is the healthy cells to replace damaged and functioning of the stars. In this type of stem cell treatment is injected in the body and if all goes well to start the proper functioning of blood cells by replacing damaged.

Ways To Improve Self Esteem

Faith, refers to mental image of themselves. This is a perception that people have started to receive their early years. This may reveal their strength, weakness, and many more insider information for each individual. It is very important that one of his self-confidence when in motion. This is about mental strength. If one lacks confidence, he may be low on his mood and may disappear in extreme conditions. Therefore, self-respect, confidence and gives good strength to face challenges and situations. People who think that is beautiful can maintain good relations with others. Here are some ways to improve self-confidence.
The positive thinking can really be an instigator. Never allow negative thoughts to control you. Thinking and thoughts have great power in the training itself. You are responsible for what they are. It will be positive, a single pump in more energy and power, always fresh. Not always trying to be perfect. Because nobody is perfect. If you feel that perfection can not win the competition. Instead, he wants to achieve success. Consider your failures as a cornerstone for success increases. The failure has brought a great hero in the past. Never botheHealth Tipsred to failure. This will teach you a lesson in life. Experiment with innovative ideas. Try to understand yourself. Knowing your strength and focus more on tap. Do your objectives perfectly and always intended their actions to achieve it. Make a contribution and courage to accept the truth. Be sensitive and responsive. A fit your body regular and proper exercise form the body.

These are some tips for improving self-respect, which is very important. Low sense of self for themselves can lead to serious mental illness. It is always good to be high in spirits

Root canal or dental implant?

Root canals and dental implants are equally successful, but implants may need more follow-up maintenance, a new study shows. Dental implants replace tooth roots. A root canal is a procedure designed to save an infected or decayed tooth. The study comes from researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. James Porter Hannahan, DMD, and Paul Duncan Eleazer, DDS, followed 129 dental implants and 143 root canals for three years, on average. Dental implants and root canals had similar success rates, meaning that the teeth in question were still in the mouth and hadn't rotated or needed further correction. Those success rates were 98 percent to 99 percent. "There appears to be little difference in the success of the two treatments," except that "implants required additional procedures more frequently" than teeth that got root canals, Hannahan and Eleazer told.

Prevention to lung cancer

Smokers and former smokers who eat lots of broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables may be less likely than other smokers to develop lung cancer. Researchers at Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, N.Y. reported that news recently in Washington, D.C. at an American Association of Cancer Research meeting on cancer prevention. "The first thing to do is to quit smoking," because that is "still the best thing to do to reduce the risk" of developing lung cancer, researcher Li Tang, PhD, says. Besides quitting smoking, Tang recommends smokers and former smokers eat more cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, turnip greens, mustard greens, and collard greens - especially in their raw form. Tang cautions that "nothing is the magic bullet" guaranteed to prevent lung cancer. But there's no downside to eating more vegetables.Exercise: The brain's fountain of youth

Daily physical exercise keeps the brain young, mouse studies suggest. But don't wait too long to start. The brain-boosting effects of exercise diminish rapidly after early middle age, say researchers working in the lab of Yu-Min Kuo, PhD, of Taiwan's National Cheng Kung University Medical College. Kuo's team previously found that young brains create new brain cells and integrate them into existing brain networks. As animals get older, however, this process dramatically slows. And this slowdown in brain cell creation is linked to impaired memory and learning. Mice that started exercise in early middle age did much better than mice that didn't start exercising until later middle age. Interestingly, the brain changes seen in exercising mice weren't caused by a drop in stress hormones, as some studies predicted. Instead, the positive changes came from increased production of signalling molecules that promote brain cell growth and survival.

Contact Lenses!

Dear All,
A 21 year old guy, he used to wear a pair of contact lenses, during a barbecue party. While, barbecuing he stared at the fire charcoals continuously for 2-3 minutes. After a few minutes, he started to scream for help and moved rapidly, jumping up and down.
No one in the party knew why he was doing this? Then he admitted into the Hospital, the doctor said he'll be blind permanently because of the contact lenses that he had worn.
 Contact lenses are made by plastics, and the heat from the charcoal melted his contact lenses.

So, send this information to all your friends..... DO NOT WEAR CONTACT LENSES WHERE OVERHEATING AND FLAMES ARE CONCERNED.....OR WHILE COOKING...!

Friends if this information is important......please pass this message to all your near & dear ones.

Constipation (Qabz) - Mother of Disease

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

It means not eating fruits after your meals! Fruits should be eaten in an empty stomach.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities. Fruit is the most important food. Eating 'dessert' in the form of fruits has become a habit in many cultures. Not many people realize, however, that eating fruits after meals cause the food to ferment, which in turn causes bloating or gas. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but is prevented from doing so. In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil.

So please eat your fruits in an empty stomach or before your meals!

You have heard people complaining - every time I eat water melon I burp, when I eat durians my stomach bloats up, when I eat bananas I feel like running to the toilet etc. actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit in an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the purifying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat! Graying hair, balding, nervous, outburst, dark circles under the eyes - all these will not happen if you take fruits in an empty stomach. There is no such thing as some fruits like orange and lemon are acidic because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according or Dr. Herbert Sehlton who did a research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice. Not from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. So stop making 'Pisang Goreng' or 'Durian Porridge' if you want nutrients. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. But if you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly. Because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it.

You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprise when your friends tell you how radiant you look! During the fruit fast you can eat fruits, prepared in salad forms and make it more interesting.

Kiwi: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

Apple: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants and flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.

Strawberry: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits and protect the body from cancer causing, blood vessel clogging free radicals.

Orange: Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

Watermelon: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene - the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C and Potassium.

Guava and Papaya: Top awards for vitamin C. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

Fasting - The Master Remedy

Fasting refers to complete abstinence from food for a short or long period for a specific purpose.
The word is derived from the old English, ‘feastan’ which means to fast, observe, be strict.
Fasting is nature’s oldest, most effective and yet least expensive method of treating disease. It is
recognised as the cornerstone of natural healing. Dr. Arnold Eheret, the originator of the
muscusless diet healing system, describes it as " nature’s only universal and omnipotent remedy
of healing" and "nature’s only fundamental law of all healing and curing. "
The practice of fasting is one of the most ancient customs. It is followed in almost every religion.
The Mohammedan, the Buddhists, the Hindus and many others have their periods of strict
fasting. The saints of medieval times laid great stress on this method.

Fasting indisease was advocated by the school of natural philosopher, Asclepiades, more than
two thousand years ago. Throughout medical history, it has been regarded as one of the most
dependable curative methods. Hippocrates, Galen, Paracelsus and many other great authorities
on medicine prescribed it. Many noted modern physicians have successfully employed this
system of healing in the treatment of numerous diseases.

The common cause of all diseases is the accumulation of waste and poisonous matter in the
body which results from overeating. The majority of persons eat too much and follow sedentary
occupations which do not permit sufficient and proper exercise for utilisation of this large quantity of food. This surplus overburdens the digestive and assimulative organs and clogs up the system with impurities or poisons. Digestion and elimination become slow and the functional
activity of the whole system gets deranged.

The onset of disease is merely the process of ridding the system of these impurities. Every
disease can be healed by only one remedy - by doing just the opposite of what causes it, that is,
by reducing the food intake or fasting.

By depriving the body of food for a time ,the organs of elimination such as the bowels, kidneys,
skin and lungs are given opportunity to expel, unhampered, the overload of accumulated waste
from the system. Thus, fasting is merely the process of purification and an effective and quick
method of cure. It assists nature in her continuous effort to expel foreign matter and disease
producing waste from the body, thereby correcting the faults of improper diet and wrong living. It also leads to regeneration of the blood as well as the repair and regeneration of the various
tissues of the body.

Duration
The duration of the fast depends upon the age of the patient, the nature of the disease and the
amount and type of drugs previously used. The duration is important, because long periods of
fasting can be dangerous if undertaken without competent professional guidance. It is, therefore,
advisable to undertake a series of short fasts of two to three days and gradually increase the
duration of each succeeding fast by a day or so. The period, however, should not exceed a week
of total fasting at a time. This will enable the chronically sick body to gradually and slowly
eliminate toxic waste matter without seriously affecting the natural functioning of the body. A
correct mode of living and a balanced diet after the fast will restore vigour and vitality to the
individual.

Fasting is highly beneficial in practically all kinds of stomach and intestinal disorders and in
serious conditions of the kidneys and liver. It is a miracle cure for eczema and other skin
diseases and offers the only hope of permanent cure in many cases. The various nervous
disorders also respond favourably to this mode of treatment.
Fasting should, however, not be restored to in every illness. In cases of diabetes, advanced
stages of tuberculosis, and extreme cases of neurasthenia, long fasts will be harmful. IN most
cases, however , no harm will accrue to fasting patients, provided they take rest, and are under
proper professional care.

Methods
The best, safest and most effective method of fasting is juice fasting. Although the old classic
form of fasting was a pure water fast, most ofthe leading authorities on fasting today agree that
juice fasting is far superior to a water fast. According to Dr. Rangar Berg, the world -famous
authority on nutrition, "During fasting the body burns up and excretes huge amounts of
accumulated wastes. We can help this cleansing process by drinking alkaline juice instead of
water while fasting ... Elimina tion of uric acid and other inorganic acids will be accelerated. And
sugars in juices will strengthen the heart ... juice fasting is, therefore, the best form of fasting. "
Vitamins, minerals, enzymes and trace elements in fresh, raw vegetable and fruit juices are
extremely beneficial in normalising all the body processes. They supply essential elements for
the body’s own healing activity and cell renegeration and thus speeding the recovery. All juices
should be prepared from fresh fruit immediately before drinking. Canned or frozen juices should
not be used.

A precautionary measure which must be observed in all cases of fasting is the complete
emptying of the bowels at the beginning of the fast by enema so that the patient is not bothered
by gas or decomposing matter formed from the excrements remaining in the body. Enemas
should be administered at least every alternate day during the fasting period. The patient should
get as much fresh air as possible and should drink plain lukewarm water when thirsty. Fresh
juices may be diluted with pure water. The total liquid intake should be approximately six to eight glasses.

A lot of energy is spent during the fast in the process of eliminating accumulated poisons and
toxic waste materials. It is, therfore, of utmost importance that the patients gets as much
physical rest and mental relaxation as possible during the fast. IN cases of fasts in which fruit
juices are taken, especially when fresh grapes, oranges or grapefruit are used exclusively, the
toxic wastes enter the blood -stream rapidly, resulting in an overload of toxic matter, which
affects normal bodily functions. This often results in dizzy spells, followed by diarrhoea and
vomiting. If this physical reaction persists, it is advisable to discontinue the fast and take cooked
vegetables containing adequate roughage such as spinach and beets until the body functioning
returns to normal.

The overweight person finds it much easier to go without food. Loss of weight causes no fear
and the patient’s attitude makes fasting almost a pleasure. The first day’s hunger pangs are
perhaps the most difficult to bear. The craving for food will, however, gradually decrease as the
fast progresses. Seriously sick persons have no desire for food and fasting comes naturally to
them. The simples rule is to stop eating until the appetite returns or until one feels completely
well.

Only very simple exercises like short walks may be undertaken during the fast. A warm water or neutral bath may be taken during the period. Cold baths are not advisable. Sun and air baths
should be taken daily. Fasting sometimes produces a state of sleeplessness which can be
overcome by a warm tub bath, hot water bottles at the feet and by drinking one or two glasses of
hot water.

Benefits
There are several benefit of fasting. During a long fast, the body feeds upon its reserves. Being
deprived of needed nutrients, particularly of protein and fats, it will burn and digest its own
tissues by the process of autolysis or self-digestion. But it will not do so indistriminately. The
body will first decompose and burn those cells and tissues which are diseased, damaged, aged
or dead. The essential tissues and vital organs, the glands, the nervous system and the brain
are not damaged or digested in fasting. Here lies the secret of the effectiveness of fasting as a
curative and rejuvenative method. During fasting, the building of new and healthy cells are
speeded up by the amino acids released from the diseased cells. The capacity of the eliminative
organs, that is, lungs, liver, kidneys and the skin is greatly increased as they are relieved of the
usual burden of digesting food and eliminating the resultant wastes. They are, therefore, able to
quickly expel old accumulated wastes and toxins.

Fasting affords a physiological rest to the digestive, assimilative and protective organs. As a
result, the digestion of food and the utilisation of nutrients is greatly improved after fasting. The
fast also exerts a normalising, stablising and rejuvenating effect on all the vital physiological,
nervous and mental functions.

Breaking of Fast
The success of the fast depends largely on hos it is broken. This is the most significant phase.
The main rules for breaking the fast are : do not overeat, eat slowly and chew your food
thoroughly ; and take several days for the gradual change to the normal diet. If the transition to
eating solid foods is carefully planned, there will be no discomfort or damage. The patient should
also continue to take rest during the transition period. The right food after a fast is as important
and decisive for proper results as the fast itself.