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Showing posts from March, 2018

The health benefits of this plant are incredible

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Unknown to most people, garden egg is one of the greatest food, in terms of health benefits, for pregnant women The importance of consuming fruits and vegetables of all kind cannot be overemphasized. As a matter of fact, when fruits and vegetables are consumed continuously, they help reduce the risk of many lifestyle-related health conditions. This is why medical practitioners have been advising that we add fruits and verges to our diet because of their health benefits. And talking about fruits and verges, it is important to note that when it comes to garden egg the health benefits are incredible. Studies have even suggested that eating eggplant can boost overall health and well-being. And with laboratory analyses showing that the phenolic compounds in eggplant contain anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid, and chlorogenic acid, a powerful free-radical scavenger, it goes to say that this plant counted among the

WHO Warns of World’s Next Deadly Epidemic Called ‘Disease X’

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In an apparent fear of the unknown, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned ahead of a possible epidemic that could be caused by a yet to exist disease it refers to as ‘Disease X’. The caution is contained in the 2018 edition of the organisation’s annual review of the Blueprint list of priority diseases. The organisation released a list of diseases it considers pose a high risk to the public due to their potential to spark an epidemic and the limited treatment available to combat them. Virus such as Ebola, Zika, Lassa fever and severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which have all seen outbreaks in recent years are included as serious threats. However, the apex health agency has included the ominous-sounding Disease X to its priority list for the first time this year after a review by health experts in February. The most probable source of the disease is zoonotic diseases present in wild and domes

Why you might want to try a yogurt facial

For years, we’ve been advised to eat yogurt — teeming with “good bacteria” called probiotics — for maximum health. But now, dermatologists and skin-care companies say that in addition to eating gut-friendly foods like yogurt, kefir, miso, sauerkraut and kombucha, we should also slather their beneficial microorganisms onto our skin. “This is a very hot area in scientific research and product development today,” explains Dr. Whitney Bowe, a New York City dermatologist and author of “The Beauty of Dirty Skin” (Little, Brown & Company, out next month). “Based on the information we have, skin issues stemming from chronic inflammation — like acne, eczema, rosacea and even premature aging — can be addressed by incorporating topical probiotics, which can destroy harmful viruses, fungi and bacteria before they stir up trouble.” While it may sound counterintuitive to get germy for a clearer complexion, consider the relatively recent discovery that there’s a layer of helpful bacter

Is vitamin D really a cure-all – and how should we get our fix?

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Evidence is growing that the ‘sunshine vitamin’ helps protect against a wide range of conditions including cancers A couple sunbathe in Brighton. Photograph: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images Vitamin D is having quite a moment. In the past few months, evidence has been growing that the “sunshine vitamin” not only has an important role in bone and muscle health, but might also help prevent a range of cancers, reduce the chance of developing rheumatoid arthritis, protect against multiple sclerosis and cut the risk of colds and flu. But is vitamin D truly a cure-all? And if the benefits are real, should we all be taking vitamin D supplements or even fortifying our foods? One area where the impact on health appears to be clear is vitamin D’s role in keeping bones and teeth healthy and improving muscle strength. “The musculoskeletal stuff is really good and really strong,” said Helen Bond, a spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, pointing out that vitamin D is i

Seven Things You Should Avoid Sharing With Others

It is a good thing to share things with others because love is sharing, however, there are some things you should avoid sharing with anyone. Here is a list of 7 things you won’t want to share after reading this post so… Read On! 1.Toothbrush: The toothbrush is used to wash the mouth. Toothbrush harbour bacteria and other microorganisms after they are used. There is also a possibility of it transferring HIV if its bristles have pierced an infected individual. Therefore, do not share your toothbrush. 2. Nail Clippers: It may seem harmless to share nail clippers but there are a lot of medical conditions that could spread through the sharing of nail clippers which includes fungal infections (e.g. Athlete foot- a common fungal infection that usually affects the area between the toes with symptoms of redness, cracking and itching), bacterial infections (e.g. Paronychia- an infection of the nail fold where the nail meets the skin of the finger or toe, which causes redness and swe

Four Everyday Pill Combinations You Didn't Know Are Seriously Dangerous

A lot of us are walking around with pill combos in our handbags we have no idea could seriously damage our health – or even be lethal. In some cases, doubling (or tripling) up on prescriptions is necessary – but the wrong combo could have critical consequences, says epidemiologist Dr Leonard Paulozzi. Beware these potentially toxic matches and always ask your doctor before mixing… SSRIs + Opioids (Antidepressants And Painkillers) Some antidepressants work by increasing brain levels of the “happy hormone” serotonin. Certain painkillers can have the same effect – leading to way too much of a good thing. Sky-high serotonin levels can cause agitation, high body temperature and rapid heart and breathing rates. Statins + Fluconazole (Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs + Antifungal Medication) Anyone who’s had a yeast infection (75 percent of you) is likely familiar with fluconazole. And statins are among the world’s most prescribed drugs, making this a highly likely duo that could cause m

What are the health benefits of folic acid?

Also referred to as folate, folic acid is a B vitamin that may be combined with other B vitamins for a wide range of health benefits, including the management of muscular degeneration, eye diseases, osteoporosis, depression, vitiligo and nerve pain, states WebMD. In some cases, folic acid is recommended for AIDS patients. While some people apply the substance to the gum to treat infections, others use it to counter the harmful effects of treatments such as methotrexate and lometrexol. Pregnant women are perhaps the major beneficiaries of folic acid. Doctors recommend taking the nutrient as early as possible in pregnancy, as birth defects occur in fetuses in the first three weeks or one month of pregnancy. While it may be taken as a supplement, the nutrient is found in foods such as fortified cereals, enriched bread, pasta, and rice. Legumes such as kidney beans, navy beans, garbanzo beans and lentils also contain generous levels of folic acid, and so do green leafy vegetables, repor

How lifetime of regular exercise slows down ageing, by researchers

Groups of older people, who have exercised all of their lives, were compared to a group of similarly aged adults and younger adults who do not exercise regularly. The results showed that those who have exercised regularly have defied the aging process, having the immunity, muscle mass, and cholesterol levels of a young person. Researchers at the University of Birmingham and King’s College London have found that staying active keeps the body young and healthy. The researchers set out to assess the health of older adults who had exercised most of their adult lives to see if this could slow down ageing. The study recruited 125 amateur cyclists aged 55 to 79, 84 of which were male and 41 were female. The men had to be able to cycle 100 km in less than 6.5 hours, while the women had to be able to cycle 60 km in 5.5 hours. Smokers, heavy drinkers and those with high blood pressure or other health conditions were excluded from the stu

23 Health Benefits Of Marijuana

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Marijuana may help with inflammatory bowel diseases. (Bruce Bennett/Getty) From promoting appetite in chemo patients to potentially protecting the brain from trauma caused by a concussion, there are plenty of medical marijuana uses. States around the country — 29 of them, plus Washington DC — have legalized medical marijuana.   The American public largely supports the legalization of medical marijuana. At least 84% of the public believes the drug should be    legal for medical uses , and recreational pot usage is less controversial than ever, with at least 61% of Americans in support.   Even though some medical benefits of smoking pot may be overstated by advocates of marijuana legalization, recent    research has demonstrated  that there are    legitimate medical uses  for marijuana and strong reasons to continue studying the drug's medicinal uses.   Even the NIH's National Institute on Drug Abuse    lists medical uses  for cannabis.   There ar

Omega-3s Aren’t So Great For Your Heart After All

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Omega-3s were supposed to protect us all from heart disease and other health problems, but it’s taken some time for the evidence to catch up with the hype around these supplements. Based on a large and important study published earlier this year in  JAMA Cardiology , that evidence is here: fish oil or omega-3 supplements won’t help people with heart disease. What about all the other reasons you might be taking omega-3s? Bad news: Major reviews have concluded that there’s little evidence that omega-3s are helpful for dementia, depression, inflammatory bowel disease, or age-related macular degeneration, all of which were at one point thought to be potential benefits of the supplements. There’s also little evidence that taking omega-3s or DHA in pregnancy will make your baby smarter or prevent allergies. Some studies show that taking omega-3s may lower the risk of breast cancer, but others show increased risk of prostate cancer. There are a few glimmers of hope; o

The Gospel According to St Science - Drink, If You Feel The Cold Coming

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Boosting your immunity could be as simple as drinking five cups of this popular hot beverage daily. The colder seasons are gradually descending upon us, and that means so many wonderful things: falling leaves, cozy sweaters, crackling fireplaces, and the holidays. But, unfortunately, it also means flu season. When your body begins showing signs of a nasty cold, like sneezing or congestion, or a whole body flu, like chills and fatigue, you might be inclined to hurry to the drugstore or your medicine cabinet to take over-the-counter meds—which may or may not work. Turns out, sipping a hot cup of tea is not only comforting while you’re feeling under the weather, but according to research, it’s chock-full of benefits to help you combat this season’s biggest sickness. According to research published in the  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences , drinking black tea is a major immune booster. The study, out of Br

A Harvard doctor says these are the best exercises for your body

None of these workouts requires a gym membership. Most are low-impact (meaning good for your joints) and have benefits for your heart and brain too. Running isn't the only way to work out. Harvard Medical School professor of medicine I-Min Lee says five other types of exercise are also hugely beneficial for your brain and body.  The exercises include strength training and walking. If you think running a marathon is the quickest way to a rock-hard body, I-Min Lee, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, has news for you: That classic feat isn't as good for your body as it seems. Instead of long-distance running, which can be hard on your joints and digestive system, Lee recommends five other types of workouts. They generate benefits that range from weight loss and muscle building to protecting your heart and brain and strengthening your bones. The findings are detailed in a Harvard Medical School he