SUNFLOWER SEEDS AND SPROUTS

-7 Top Health Benefits from eating them!

I have already written about the astounding health benefits from the Sun, which helps our bodies to make vitamin D. Well it should be no wonder any at all that the Sunflower Plant is also a very rich provider of health benefits to the human body. The sunflower seeds come from the big round centre of the sunflower, which turns every day to follow the course of the sun. It is definitely one of the unsung heroes of the nutritional world because they are cheap, very accessible, they are available all year round and they are tremendously nutritious.  They have extremely high levels of Vitamin E, a significant source of Vitamin C, a rich source for Vitamin B and they are also packed with minerals such as Magnesium and Zinc. The sunflower sprout is also packed with all the vitamins mentioned earlier, as well as protein, but it is also a very good source of chlorophyll which helps to cleanse the body of toxins. To top it off sunflower seeds also contain a significant amount of fibre.

Now here are the 7 most significant benefits to the body from the sunflower:

Cancer Prevention:

The vitamin E that is so abundant in sunflower seeds has been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer, bladder cancer and prostate cancer. Sunflower seeds are also however a good source of selenium which detoxifies the body and help to prevent cancer. There are studies which suggest a strong correlation between low selenium intake and high incidence of cancer. Selenium has been shown to induce DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells, to slow the growth of cancer cells and to induce their apoptosis (i.e. the self-destruct mechanism that the body uses to get rid of abnormal cells). A ¼ cup of sunflower seeds provide over 30% of the body’s daily requirement of selenium.

Heart Health:

As already mentioned, sunflowers are an exceptional source of vitamin E, which plays a very important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease.  Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps keep free radicals from oxidising cholesterol. It is only when cholesterol is oxidized that it sticks to blood vessel walls and cause atherosclerosis, which can lead to blocked arteries, heart attack and stroke.  You can get over 90% of the daily value for vitamin E in only a ¼ cup of sunflower seeds!

Nerve Health:

Sunflower is a very good source of the mineral Magnesium. Magnesium keeps our nerves relaxed by preventing calcium from rushing into nerve cells and activating them. If our bodies do not have enough magnesium, then too much calcium can gain entrance to the nerve cells, causing it to send too many messages and leading to too much contraction. Magnesium therefore helps to keep calcium in check! (Do you notice that they tend to twin magnesium and calcium together as a supplement? Now you know why). Insufficient levels of magnesium leads to higher blood pressure, migraine headaches, muscle tension, soreness and fatigue. It is therefore not surprising that studies have demonstrated that magnesium helps to diminish the frequency of migraine attacks, lowers blood pressure and helps prevent heart attacks!  Sunflower seeds also contain tryptophan, an amino acid that helps to produce serotonin, which is an important neurotransmitter. Serotonin relieves tension, calms the brain and promotes relaxation.

Sunflower sprouts are also high in B vitamins, especially folate (folic acid), which is a necessary B-vitamin for pregnant women, as it is required to ensure proper development of the baby’s nervous system. The combinations of B-vitamins also assist in the mother’s circulation as well as aids in stress relief.

Bone Health:

Magnesium is also necessary for strong bones. It is a well known fact that calcium is necessary for strong bones, but so too is magnesium. Most of the magnesium in the human body is in our bones. Some of it actually helps to lend bones their physical structure and the rest is located on the surface of the bone where it is stored for the body to use as it needs it. Copper, (which is also found in sunflower seeds) is vital for the function of enzymes involved in cross linking collagen and elastin, providing strength and flexibility in bones and joints.

Skin Health:

Vitamin E to the rescue again!  It has sometimes been described as the “lightening rod” of the cell, as it allows reactive molecules to strike the cell like lightening without causing damage. This function of vitamin E is particularly apparent in the case of the skin, since it directly protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation.  In many studies, vitamin E has been proven to prevent UV damage even when applied topically. A diet that contains foods rich in vitamin E will therefore promote the same protective effect.

Anti-Inflammatory:

Vitamin E is the body’s primary fat-soluble antioxidant. It travels throughout the body neutralizing free radicals that would otherwise damage fat-containing structures and molecules such as cell membranes, brain cells and cholesterol. By protecting these cellular and molecular components, vitamin E’s significant anti-inflammatory effects result in the reduction of symptoms from asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Fertility:

Both sunflower seeds and their sprouts contain high amounts of zinc. Zinc is a well researched mineral that is essential for the development of sperm. This is why it is especially important for men.

So the next time you are looking for a good add-in for your salads, or just looking for a good nutritious snack or drink, opt for some sunflower seeds or sprouts. Your body will be very grateful for it and it will definitely help to preserve your life!

Be blessed and stay healthy!

Sharbs

Sources:

http://www.healthdiaries.com/eatthis/6-health-benefits-of-sunflower-seeds.html

http://astronutrition.com/blog/benefits_sunflower_seeds

CELL PHONES & CANCER

Many of you who know me well will recall that for years I have been warning about cell phone usage and the risk of cancer (especially if you have kids).  Most of you might recall my warning not to give your kids under the age of 12 years a cell phone as their skull is not fully developed as yet. I am sure that I am known by now as the ‘paranoid friend’. Well the health authorities have now finally decided to confirm this! This is unfortunate and most of you will be sorry to hear this because the cell phone has now become such an essential daily tool which we all feel like we cannot live without!

In 1993, talk-show host Larry King had a guest on his program -- David Reynard, who argued that radiation from a cell phone caused or accelerated the growth of a brain tumour in his wife. Susan Reynard died in 1992, just short of her 34th birthday. The Florida Circuit Court that heard Reynard's case rejected it on the grounds that too little was known about a potential link between cell phones and cancer. What was needed, the court said, was much deeper and more comprehensive knowledge about the subject.

Scientists have long debated whether or not radiation from cell phones can cause adverse health effects but the scientific evidence has now proven this from research conducted. A branch of the World Health organization (WHO), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), has now officially labelled cell phone usage as “possibly carcinogenic”, grouping it with the same risk category as lead, the pesticide DDT and gasoline fumes. Their research has concluded that prolonged use of cell phones may increase chances of developing ‘glioma’ (a type of brain cancer). Of course the report is not claiming that cell phones cause cancer, but the scientists are calling for more research to be done to draw further conclusions about the health effects. As far as I am concerned however I do not need to get any further conclusions on top of what have already been concluded. A group of 31 scientists from 14 countries around the world had assembled in June 2011 and reviewed hundreds of scientific articles before making this conclusion so you can decide for yourselves but this is enough of a conclusion for me.

So why do scientists think cell phones might cause brain cancer?

During phone calls and other data transmissions, cell phone antennas emit radio wave, which is a form of electromagnetic radiation, or light, which is invisible to the human eye. It is still unclear the exact impact that large doses of these radio waves have on biological tissues, but there is enough evidence that it has an impact.

There are two types of electromagnetic radiation: Ionizing and Non-Ionizing. Ionizing radiation includes X-Rays, UV Rays and Gamma-rays, and it has long since been established that large doses these ionizing rays can cause cancer as it dislodges atoms from the cells DNA, breaking chemical bonds and thus causing cell mutations.

Non-Ionizing radiation however, such as microwaves and the radio waves emitted by cell phones, whilst they are not strong enough to break up the atoms, it does heat them up quite a bit and this can still affect the cells DNA. Keith Black, chairman of neurology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre in Los Angeles, recently told CNN “What [cell phone radiation] does is similar to what happens to food in microwaves, essentially cooking the brain” Though the effects of this “cooking: are not well defined, some scientists believe it may spur the growth of brain tumours.

What about Kids and cell phones?

Well, according to Keith Black of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center “Children's skulls and scalps are thinner. So the radiation can penetrate deeper into the brain of children and young adults. Their cells are dividing at a faster rate, so the impact of radiation can be much larger"

Children are a great cause for concern because many parents are now finding it necessary to give their kids a cell phone in order to keep in touch with them whenever they are away from the house. According to the NCI "Cell phone use by children and adolescents is increasing rapidly, and they are likely to accumulate many years of exposure during their lives". This is something we need to give great consideration.

So how can you minimize your exposure to radiation?

Non-ionizing radiation is emitted by a cell phone's antenna, which is usually embedded inside the handheld device itself. The best way to minimize your exposure is to use a headset, which allows you to conduct phone calls without holding your phone to your ear.

power radiated from the phone drops off rapidly with distance, so some researchers say you can significantly decrease your exposure by simply holding your phone away from your head slightly during phone calls. Some cell phone manufacturers recommend doing this. The Apple iPhone 4 safety manual advises, "When using iPhone near your body for voice calls or for wireless data transmission over a cellular network, keep iPhone at least 15 mm (5/8 inch) away from the body." Blackberry Bold tells users to "keep the BlackBerry device at least 0.98 in. (25 mm) from your body when the BlackBerry device is transmitting."

My advice is that it is better to be safe than sorry!

Be blessed and stay healthy!
sharbs

Sources: LiveScience.com

http://emf.mercola.com/sites/emf/archive/2011/08/27/do-cell-phones-cause-brain-cancer.aspx?e_cid=20110827_DNL_art_1

CUT THAT BELLY FAT!

CUT THAT BELLY FAT!

Belly fat is by far the hardest fat to get rid of. It is also the most unsightly fat to have hanging around! So how do you get rid of it? I have 4 words for you: Carbs, Sugar,  Exercise and Sleep! Reduce your carbs intake, and you should definitely stay away from white flour!! Reduce your sugar intake, especially those sweet juices and drinks! Consuming too much liquid is known to increase the size of your waistline. Substitute water for most of the juice you consume on a daily basis. Work those abs by including weights in your exercise routine. Get at minimum 7 to 8 hours of sleep!!

Here is what e-How Health has to say about cutting that belly fat:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5708741_cut-belly-fat.html#ixzz1M0ZdBOj7

How to Cut the Belly Fat

By Kelly Nuttall, eHow Contributor

There are many myths and falsehoods out there concerning the "best" possible way to cut belly fat in a healthy manner. So-called diet foods are just junk foods in disguise. TV advertisements push exercise machines into the marketplace that do nothing to help you lose those unwanted pounds. However, scientists are getting smarter when it comes to shedding those last 10, 20 or 30 pounds. Doing so will decrease your risk of heart disease, stroke and many different types of cancer. In short, eat better, exercise more and get the rest you need every day.

Instructions

1. Change the way you eat and what you eat the most of. Your diet is the most important aspect of losing belly fat. Diets that are high in carbohydrates, especially easily digested carbohydrates like sugar, make it almost impossible to lose belly fat. The human body burns carbs first, followed by fat and then protein. Decreasing the amount of carbohydrates and fats consumed and increasing the amount of protein consumed will help you burn unwanted body fat.

2. Change the way you exercise. Exercising is a very important aspect of any fat loss regimen, but traditional cardio workouts will do very little to cut belly fat. Instead, a National Center for Biotechnology Information study found that adopting a high intensity interval training (HIIT) program will help burn fat up to nine times faster than an endurance training program, like running, walking or jogging. HIIT is an exercise routine that involves periods of low-intensity exertion followed by periods of high-intensity exertion. HIIT sessions only need to last for 10 to 20 minutes.

3. Add strength training to your exercise routine three times per week. Strength training using weights (free weights or weight machines) helps to build muscle. Increasing your overall lean body weight will help you to burn more calories throughout the day. Muscle is an active tissue and uses energy to maintain itself---even while you are sleeping. Increasing your lean body weight will help burn extra fat all day long.

4. Get at least eight hours of sleep per day (seven to nine per night is a good range). Studies have shown that people who do not get enough sleep are more likely to be obese than those who sleep enough. Sleep deprivation decreases the amount of leptin produced in the body, which is a protein that tells your brain that it is full. Less leptin leads to more hunger, which leads to more eating, which leads to a bigger waistline. Your body also has a more difficult time producing insulin when it is sleep deprived. Insulin regulates the level of sugar in the blood, and if there is not enough insulin to take care of the sugar in your blood stream, it will be stored as body fat.

Yuki Hayashi in Canadian Living has these suggestions:

http://www.canadianliving.com/health/fitness/8_ways_to_blast_belly_fat_exercise_and_diet_tips_for_a_slimmer_stomach_2.php

8 ways to blast belly fat: exercise and diet tips for a slimmer stomach

Discover how to whittle your waistline and shrink ab fat cells, from reducing trans fats to lowering your stress levels.

By Yuki Hayashi

Stubborn abdominal fat is like an unwanted guest you just can't get rid of, and kicking it to the curb can be the mother of all exercise and health challenges. But some methods are more promising than others. Here are 8 tactics to rid yourself of stomach fat.

1. Exercise and eat right
No kidding, right? Yet so many of us sabotage this no-brainer of a gut-busting plan. Study after study proves that eating a well-balanced diet heavy in fruits, veggies and whole grains and low in fat and refined sugars, plus exercising regularly, will help you shed not only subcutaneous fat (the surface fat that makes love handles), but also the deeper visceral fat, which builds up around abdominal organs and can raise your chance of suffering high cholesterol, heart disease, or type 2 diabetes. And regular exercise not only helps you slim down your whole body, it actually shrinks the size of fat cells in your stomach.

2. Get down to your healthy weight
Losing that gut isn't easy, but you can improve your contours (and lower your risk of heart disease and cancer) by lowering your overall body mass index. A healthy adult BMI is roughly 19 to 25. You can do as many crunches as you want, but if you're overweight, your abs will be hidden under a padding of fat. (By the same token, you can be naturally slim but still carry a paunch if you don't exercise or eat right. Bottom line: think of Tactic #1 as the Golden Gut-busting Rule.)

3. Don't be a stress case
Scientists are studying the link between stress and belly fat. Heightened cortisol levels in blood, resulting from stress, seem to react with the body's insulin to create visceral abdominal fat -- and, in a double whammy, to also drive us toward fatty, sugary foods. Reducing stress may make it easier to say no to barbecue chips or chocolate truffles that go straight to the waistline. Try yoga as a way of cutting stress. Bonus: it'll tone you, too. And if your daily commute is a cause of stress, wear an iPod or read a funny book to help you chill out on public transportation; if you drive, consider ways to reduce your commuting time.

4. Stop boozing, quit smoking
Think cigarettes keep you thin? Think again. Both smoking and alcohol raise the levels of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. See Tactic #3 for a refresher on what that means for your gut.

5. Hire a personal trainer
Embarking on a fitness regime is more likely to be successful if you invest in some one-on-one workouts with a personal trainer. She can devise a regimen that will give you the right amount of cardio plus strength training to help you tone up, and target trouble spots most effectively. And the faster you see results, the more likely you are to stay motivated -- and active.

6. Skip the Thai, meet for sushi instead
A recent Japanese study found that fucoxanthin, a compound in brown seaweed, shrank abdominal fat in lab animals, and encouraged a five to 10 per cent weight loss. Human studies are next, but the scientists are excited. And you should be too, if you love Japanese food. Order that miso soup or seaweed salad. Not only do these low-fat appetizers contain seaweed, they'll fill you up so you won't pig out on that caloriepaloooza known as tempura.

7. Avoid trans fats like the plague
Yes, we already mentioned a low-fat diet in Tactic #1, but trans-fatty acids, found in many convenience foods, deserve their own mention. Trans fats are linked to cardiovascular disease, and, as if that weren't enough, they literally go straight to your belly. A recent study found that not only do trans fats create excess visceral fat in the abdomen, they actually cause fat from other parts of the body to redistribute there.

8. Don't believe late-night infomercials
A study by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) found that expensive ab-targeting home-exercise equipment is no better than (and in some cases, is worse than) good, old-fashioned exercises. Skip the gimmicks and work these three ab moves into your workout: the bicycle manouver, reverse crunches and pull-ups done in a captain's chair (an old school Rocky Balboa-style gym staple you'll probably never find a lineup for at your club). Go to the ACE's website for how-tos on these simple moves.

Be Blessed and stay healthy!

sharbs                

Read more: How to Cut the Belly Fat | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_5708741_cut-belly-fat.html#ixzz1V1dxa1oZ

http://www.canadianliving.com/health/fitness/8_ways_to_blast_belly_fat_exercise_and_diet_tips_for_a_slimmer_stomach_2.php

THE TROUBLE WITH FRUCTOSE and its link to Obesity...

Fructose is a simple sugar which the body can and does use for energy. It does not cause blood sugar to rise tremendously (has a low glycemic index) so it was once considered a good substitute for table sugar. The thoughts on this have now been changing rapidly however by leading nutritional experts.

It is ok to consume the small amounts of fructose such as the amounts found in most fruits and vegetables. There is even evidence that a little fructose does help your body to process glucose properly. The problem arises when the consumption gets too much, which is the case today because of the amount of packaged foods that we consume on a daily basis.

What happens when you consume too much fructose?

Unlike other sugars such as sucrose (table sugar) and glucose (sugar from carbs), which are processed by the body using insulin, fructose on the other hand takes much longer to be processed as it is all processed by the liver. Note this: the body does take about a day to process the other sugars, however the liver will take up to 3 times longer! When too much fructose enters the liver, the liver cannot process it fast enough for the body to use it as sugar, so instead it starts to make fats from the fructose and send them off to the bloodstream as a thing called triglycerides. This in turn leads to heart diseases, obesity and also diabetes (as there is growing evidence that excess fructose consumption may facilitate insulin resistance and so eventually type 2 diabetes results.

So what are the main sources of fructose?

The problem is in a product called High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). As I have already noted, fruits and vegetables have relatively small amounts which the body can handle quite well.  The problem arises because the HFCS is being used to replace sugar in a whole lot of everyday foods. It is relatively cheap and so it has found its way into almost everything these days, from juices to cereals to bread! Even foods that are touted as being healthy for you (such as yogurt, vegetable and fruit dips, salad dressings and countless others) are packed to the brim with this HFCS! Look at these 5 regular everyday foods listed below in this article:

5 Sources of High-Fructose Corn Syrup in Your Diet 

 http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/5-sources-of-high-fructose-corn-syrup-in-your-diet.html

Every day a large percentage of consumers take in hefty quantities of high fructose corn syrup. Most people don't even realize how much or where it's coming from. High fructose corn syrup has become a very commonly used sweetener and preservative due to the low cost to manufacturers. Sodas, fruit drinks, processed foods and even condiments contain the controversial ingredient. Some studies have shown a connection between consumption of these products and obesity, while other recent research suggests no link between the two. Regardless of who is right, the fact remains that high fructose corn syrup, like sugar, should only be consumed in moderation. Knowing some common sources and reading labels carefully can make modifying your intake easier. 

1. Soft Drinks and Fruit Punch 

High fructose corn syrup is the principal sweetener used in the manufacturing of soft drinks. This has been the case since the 1980s, when the switch was made from sugar because of the price. With the gradual increase of bottle sizes over the years, soft drinks have become one of the most common sources of high fructose corn syrup in the American diet. Unfortunately, when people decide to steer clear of soda, they often move over to fruit punches and juice drinks. They sound healthy, but many of them are also full of high fructose corn syrup. Choose drinks made with real fruit juice and no added sugars.

2. Breakfast Cereal 

Many children and adults eat cereal every day. It is a quick and cost effective solution for people on the go. Choose with care, though. All varieties of breakfast cereal, even the ones advertised as healthy, can be chock full of high fructose corn syrup. Fruit Loops and other sweetened cereals geared towards children are major culprits. Don't be fooled by the so-called healthy cereals for adults, either. Some HFCS-free options include Post Grape-Nuts, Life Cereal and Cheerios. Most organic cereals are free of corn syrup, but again, read all labels to be sure. 

3. Bread

Many Americans are leaving white bread behind in search of more fiber and less carbohydrates. Making the switch to wheat bread, however, doesn't always do the trick when it comes to weight loss. White bread and many wheat breads contain high fructose corn syrup. The best choices will be breads made with whole grains. 

4. Condiments

In an effort to be healthier, people are eating more salads and adding more fruit to their diets. Watch those low fat salad dressings, though. Eat whole fruits instead of jams and jellies. All three, along with ketchup and other sauces are filled to the brim with high fructose corn syrup. Another source is vegetable and fruit dips.  

5. Yogurt 

High fructose corn syrup is added to many yogurts not only as a sweetener, but to maintain the flavor and firmness of the fruit. It also helps to diminish the amount of separation between the liquids and solids in the mixture. More Americans are turning to yogurt to aid digestive disorders because of the probiotic content, but if the probiotics are competing with the sugars, most of the benefit is lost. Plain, unsweetened yogurt is best with whole fruit added for taste.

Be Blessed and Stay Healthy!

sharbs

_{Other Sources:}

_{http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/nutrition/a/fructosedangers.htm}

_{American Diabetes Association. "Nutrition Recommendations and Interventions for Diabetes–2006." Diabetes Care 29 (2006): 2140-2157.}

_{Bantle, John, et al. "Effects of dietary fructose on plasma lipids in healthy subjects." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 72.5 (2000):1128-1134.}

_{Elliott, Sharon, et al. "Fructose, weight gain, and the insulin resistance syndrome." American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 76.5 (2002): pages.}

_{Teff, Karen, et al. "Dietary Fructose Reduces Circulating Insulin and Leptin, Attenuates Postprandial Suppression of Ghrelin, and Increases Triglycerides in Women." The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 89.6 (2004): 2963-2972.}

THE SUNSHINE VITAMIN (D) AND HOW IT HELPS TO PREVENT CANCER!

Vitamin D is known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’ because sunlight (exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays) actually causes your skin to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D has been proven through numerous studies and research to help prevent many forms of cancer, strengthen your bones, fight infections and prevent autoimmune disorders. It is also strongly believed to help prevent Multiple Sclerosis.

Imagine what a little sunshine can do! Unfortunately however, if you live in a country that experiences winter for almost half of the year then there are less opportunities for you to enjoy the Vitamin D from the sunshine. In the wintertime you should therefore definitely consider taking Vitamin D supplements if you wish to remain healthy. The various health authorities recommend anywhere from 400IU to 2000IU daily depending on the age group that you fall within.

According to CBC Health:

 http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/story/2008/05/16/f-health-vitamin-d.html)

“In September 2007, an analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials involving people over the age of 50 found that people who took at least 500 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily had a seven per cent lower risk of death compared with those given a placebo.

Lead researcher Dr. Philippe Autier said it was not clear how the supplements lowered risks of mortality, but he suggested that vitamin D may block cancer cell proliferation or improve blood vessel and immune system functions. The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, reviewed research involving 57,311 participants.

The findings are part of a growing body of research regarding vitamin D's benefits. In June 2007, the Canadian Cancer Society said that based on current research adults should consider increasing their daily dosage of vitamin D. The society said Canadians should now consume 1,000 IU of vitamin D daily during the fall and winter months, in consultation with a health-care provider.

The society noted, however, that more research on appropriate dosage levels is needed and said it would update its recommendations as new studies are released.”

Vitamin D – The POWERFUL Cancer Prevention Strategy!

Can you imagine if you were told that there is something you could do to cut your risk of cancer by 60%, and that it is totally free! Well shout for joy, because there certainly is! And it is called SUN exposure!

This idea of getting sun exposure in order to fight cancer and stay healthy otherwise is such a simple strategy that it will be quickly dismissed in today’s world where most people believe that remedies have to come in a bottle or in surgery and it costs a fortune! It is very true however, and with the numerous research and mounting of evidence, not even conventional medicine can continue to ignore this fact!

Because of the way we live these days, most people’s exposure to the sun is so reduced so that a good majority of the earth’s population is now considered to be Vitamin D deficient! Based on one study, around 600,000 cases of breast and colorectal cancers could be prevented each year if vitamin D levels were increased amongst the world’s population (and imagine that this is just counting the death toll of only 2 types of cancer!). The majority of cancer deaths in the USA are from vitamin D sensitive cancers.

Other earlier studies had shown that optimum vitamin D levels could help to prevent at least 16 different types of cancer including pancreatic, lung, ovarian, prostate and skin cancers, however now there is evidence which proves that vitamin D plays a key role in the development of ALL types of cancers!

It doesn’t only fight cancer!

As mentioned earlier, a reduced cancer risk is not the only benefit of maintaining optimum vitamin D levels. Soaking up more of the “sunshine vitamin” may also help to keep your brain cells ‘smart’ as you get older as well as keep you saner! A study which was published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry back in May 2009 gives evidence that vitamin D helps older people to stay mentally fit.

Other studies have also explored vitamin D’s impact on brain functions and found that it has a protective and normalizing effect, even on serious brain disorders such as schizophrenia!

So make most of the heat wave that is on right now! And when the winter comes around, I don’t know about you but I will be stocking up on those vitamin D supplements!

One love! Be Blessed and Stay Healthy!

sharbs

Source:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/06/11/New-Model-Of-Cancer-Development-Vitamin-D-is-the-Key.aspx

MONO SODIUM GLUTAMATE (MSG)

A couple of years ago my husband did an audit of my kitchen cupboard and ended up dumping its entire contents in the garbage bin! The reason? MSG!

It is amazing to know that even though the side effects of MSG are fairly well known for a long time now, it is still very widely used in numerous processed foods as a flavour enhancer!

No matter how much you try to read labels in supermarkets and try not to buy anything that has MSG in ingredients list, it is literally in almost every processed food either spelt out fully or under different hidden names. 'No added MSG' on the label usually doesn't mean a lot!

It is impossible to avoid mono sodium glutamate completely in your diet or being exposed to the harms of MSG but you can still try and have a whole food diet as much as you can with foods as little processed- in its most natural form and as organic as possible - to help reduce your MSG consumption significantly and not to suffer from MSG side effects.

MSG, like Aspartame which I wrote about on my last blog, is an excitotoxin that literally shocks your nervous system and excites your brain to a significant level. The side effects of MSG are quite hard to avoid and they are found to be similar to that of certain neurological drugs.

MSG Side Effects

If you are suffering from any of the following conditions then it is very likely that you are suffering from MSG poisoning:

• Headaches (constant)

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Diarrhoea.

• Irritable bowel symptoms.

• Bloating.

• Stomach cramps.

• Chest pain.

• Rashes or hives.

• Runny nose or sneezing.

• Weakness and fatigue or lethargy.

• Warmth on the face, back or arms.

• Tightness or pressure on face.

• Pressure around eyes.

• Burning or tingling sensations in the neck, chest and back.

• Heart palpitations and rapid heartbeat.

• Stiffness.

• Mental confusion, anxiety, mood swings or depression.

• Difficulty focusing.

• Dizziness or light-headedness.

• Blurred vision.

• Bags under the eyes.

• Difficulty sleeping and insomnia.

• Frequent urination.

• Constant cravings.

• Restlessness.

MSG Serious Health problems

Then of course there are the even more serious health problems that can occur due to frequent use of MSG:

• Extreme drop or rise in blood pressure.

• Increased rates of obesity.

• Hypoglycemia.

• Rectal bleeding.

• Panic attacks.

• Behavioral problems and hyperactivity in children that are often attributed to junk foods.

• Asthma and inability to breathe in asthmatic patients.

• Swelling on prostate and vagina.

• Paralysis.

• Seizures.

• Brain cell death and brain damage.

• Brain tumors.

• Strokes.

• Severe depression.

• Rage reactions.

• Liver abnormalities.

Source:

http://www.glycemic-index.org/msg-side-effects.html

Hidden Sources of MSG In Foods

From the book -

Excitotoxins - The Taste That Kills

By Dr. Russell Blaylock, MD

What if someone were to tell you that a chemical (MSG) added to food could cause brain damage in your children, and that this chemical could effect how your children's nervous systems formed during development so that in later years they may have learning or emotional difficulties?

What if there was scientific evidence that these chemicals could permanently damage a critical part of the brain known to control hormones so that later in life your child might have endocrine problems? How would you feel?

Suppose evidence was presented to you strongly suggesting that the artificial sweetener in your diet soft drink may cause brain tumors to develop, and that the number of brain tumors reported since the introduction of this widespread introduction of this artificial sweetener has risen dramatically? Would that affect your decision to drink these products and especially to allow your children to drink them? What if you could be shown overwhelming evidence that one of the main ingredients in this sweetener (aspartate) could cause the same brain lesions as MSG? Would that affect your buying decisions?

And finally, what if it could be demonstrated that all of these types of chemicals, called excitotoxins, could possibly aggravate or even precipitate many of today's epidemic neurodegenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, ALS, and Alzheimer's disease? Would you be concerned if you knew that these excitotoxin food additives are a particular risk if you have diabetes, or have ever had a stroke, brain injury, brain tumor, seizure, or have suffered from hypertension, meningitis, or viral encephalitis?

Would you also be upset to learn that many of the brain lesions caused by these products in your children are irreversible and can result from a SINGLE exposure of these products in sufficient concentration?

How would you feel when you learn the food industry hides and disguises these excitotoxin additives (MSG and Aspartate) so they can't be recognized? Incredulous? Enraged? The fact is many foods are labeled as having "No MSG" but in fact not only contain MSG but also are laced with other excitotoxins of equal potency and danger.

All of the above are true. And all of these well known brain toxins are poured into our food and drink by the thousands of tons to boost sales. These additives have NO OTHER purpose other than to enhance to TASTE of food and the SWEETNESS of various diet products.

Hidden Sources of MSG

As discussed previously, the glutamate (MSG) manufacturers and the processed food industries are always on a quest to disguise the MSG added to food. Below is a partial list of the most common names for disguised MSG. Remember also that the powerful excitotoxins, aspartate and L-cystine, are frequently added to foods and according to FDA rules require NO LABELING AT ALL.

* Food Additives that ALWAYS contain MSG *
Monosodium Glutamate
Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein
Hydrolyzed Protein
Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
Plant Protein Extract
Sodium Caseinate
Calcium Caseinate
Yeast Extract
Textured Protein (Including TVP)
Autolyzed Yeast
Hydrolyzed Oat Flour
Corn Oil
* Food Additives That FREQUENTLY Contain MSG *
Malt Extract
Malt Flavoring
Bouillon
Broth
Stock
Flavoring
Natural Flavors/Flavoring
Natural Beef Or Chicken Flavoring
Seasoning
Spices
* Food Additives That MAY Contain MSG Or Excitotoxins*
Carrageenan
Enzymes
Soy Protein Concentrate
Soy Protein Isolate
Whey Protein Concentrate

A Final Note...
Dr. Blaylock recounted a meeting with a senior executive in the food additive industry who told him point blank that these excitotoxins are going to be in our food no matter how many name changes are necessary...

For more information:

The Govt definition of "natural flavors" - because it's "natural" doesn't make it safe.
George E. Shambaugh, Jr., MD, Professor Emeritus - writes about the dangers in taste enhancers.
The dangers of MSG: If MSG isn't harmful, why is it hidden?
Collected reports of adverse reactions to MSG ingestion.
Hidden sources of MSG; some names of ingredients that contain MSG.
The danger of MSG and how it is hidden in vaccines.
Links to MSG Documents.
Food additives - uses and side effects.
The Slow Poisoning of America- book about the dangers of food additives.
Hidden Sources of MSG - From the book Excitotoxins - The Taste That Kills

If you wish to E-mail this warning to someone, here is the web address:

http://www.sellingsalesmanship.com/msginfo.htm

Be Blessed & Stay Healthy!

sharbs

The Brilliant CANCER Cure the FDA Tried Their Best to Shut Down...

I am posting another blog before my usual schedule because this video is only available until tomorrow (June 13th). it is a must see! This is the link:

http://vimeo.com/24821365

Important! The producers of this powerful film are allowing a full and FREE preview through June 13th! Please tell everyone you know to watch this film in it's entirety through June 13, 2011.

You may visit Dr Mercola's website at the link below to read up some more about this video:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2011/06/11/burzynski-the-movie.aspx 

This is real...it is not a hoax. Please pass it on as nuch as you can. I hope and pray that someone out there who is suffering from cancer will see this video and have some hope.

Blessings
sharbs