Benefits of Tumeric

Posted on 02/06/2013 by sbonham

Want to find a more natural cure for digestion, circulation, arthritis and your overall health? Well, it probably already exists in your home! It’s called Turmeric…you know, that BRIGHT YELLOW HERB that probably has been sitting there for a while?

Benefits of Tumeric

The benefits of turmeric are endless. It has been used for centuries and is actually considered an ancient herb. Today it is often prescribed by naturalpathic doctors to treat everything from digestion, arthritis, skin conditions, circulation, liver ailments and to increase health of the brain.

Why is Tumeric Powder good for you?

Turmeric health benefits are a result of the antioxidant called curcuminoids. Curcuminoids key benefits are that it (1) eases inflammation (2) eases stomach pain (3) stimulates the secretion of bile and (4) kills bacteria.

Limitations of Turmeric

The only limitations of turmeric, as many herbs on your spice rack, is that it is not as concentrated or as easily absorbed by your body when compared to the turmeric in quality supplements.

DON’T LOSE HOPE THOUGH! SCIENTISTS HAVE DEVELOPED A SOLUTION IN A SUPPLEMENT CALLED THERACUMIN!

Where to Buy Quality Turmeric Supplements?

To increase the absorption in your body of turmeric and thus health benefits, scientists have taken this potent herb and created a really incredible supplement called Theracurmin. What’s so great about theracurmin? The particle size.

The average curcumin particle size is more than 100 times smaller than particles of curcumin powder alone. These microscopic particles are obtained by mixing curcumin powder with all-natural emulsifiers, including gum from the Indian ghatti tree. The mixture is ground to an extremely fine state, then the particles are dispersed evenly through the emulsifiers and kept in suspension so the curcumin is easily absorbed by the digestive tract. As a result, the level of curcumin antioxidant that is actually absorbed is much greater.

Scientific Studies: Benefits of Turmeric

In a research study using healthy human volunteers, scientists were each given an oral dose of 30mg of curcumin powder (Sasaki) and 30mg of Theracurmin at different time periods. The bio-availablility was analyzed and found to be 27 times higher for Theracumin.

Researchers from Michigan State University, also published a study in the Journal of Biological Chemistry showing that curcumin helps prevent abnormal protein formation, thus supporting neurological communications. Ultimately this may help prevent Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Disease. Curcuminoids, especially in this highly absorbable form found in Theracumin supplements, may be able to cross the blood-brain barrier to influence biochemical reactions in the brain.

Questions for Eco-Savy readers. Fill out in Comment Box Below.

So have you every tried Theracumin? Eco-Savy encourages its readers to write about turmeric and wants to promote discussion on the benefits of this herb and your health. For example, have you ever used this herb to help with any health problems such as digestion, circulation, arthritis? Have you found another natural herb that helps just as much?

We look forward to your comments.

Natural Pain Relief Supplements

Posted on 21/05/2013 by sbonham

So many of us are so caught up on the “Tylenol” marketing bandwagon, that we have been trained not to even think of possible alternative remedies when we have a headache, cramps or inflammation. Believe it or not, there are some great natural alternatives for your pain, if you ever want to avoid the litany of drugstore painkillers polluting our waterways. Here are a few your might want to consider:

White Willow Bark: This bark contains “salicin” which was originally used to make aspirin (of course today Aspirin is 100% synthesized- surprise, surprise). It is also known as an “herbal aspirin” and is really good for headaches, pain relief, muscle aches, cramps as well as lowering fever. Most children are not allowed to take antibiotics when sick (or doctors don’t give it out very readily), so this could even be a more diluted solution for when your little-one is sick.

Turmeric: Ever wonder what this spice is good for besides in “curry”??? Well it actually is considered an anti-carcinogenic root and can do incredible work reducing inflammation throughout your body. It is also a mild blood thinner and is currently being tested on everything from Alzheimer’s to HIV. You can even add black pepper to your turmeric in cooking to bump up its bio-availability thanks to the piperine in there. If you are like me at hate the taste of turmeric, you can buy a natural turmeric extract called BCM-95. What is great about BCM -95…maybe even eat this after you have sprinkled some black pepper on your breakfast to increase its absorption.

Capsaicin: Otherwise known as cayenne pepper cream desensitizes pain receptors called C-fibres and really helps to reduce nerve and muscle pain on contact. I warn you, though, to keep this cream away from your eyes and mucous membranes: it’ll burn a lot!

Have you heard of any natural supplements that work miracles for you? Eco-Savy would love to hear about them! Looking forward to hearing your comments.

Kill Harmful Bacteria on Your Wash Cloth in 30 Seconds

Posted on 18/05/2013 by sbonham

Ever wonder how many microorganisms are on your scotch brite dish sponge or tea towels? Or how about that cutting board you used to cut the chicken for dinner? Whether wood or plastic, they can be washed in the dishawasher or cleaned with a dilute bleach solution. However, dish clothes and tea towels are another problem.

Bacteria in Wash Cloths and Tea Towels

The Sun recently wrote about a report by the Hygiene Council – a panel of the world’s leading microbiologists and virologists; revealing kitchen cloths and tea towels are the main culprits for harbouring and spreading bacteria. Shockingly, nine out of ten dish clothes are contaminated with bugs such as E.coli, salmonella and campylobacter – the bacteria that causes food poisoning.

How to Kill Bacteria on a Washcloth in Seconds?

Many people think they have to always just throw out their tea towels or dish cloth once they have been used to clean up a yucky spill or are smelling funky. Often when they start to smell you know there is a build up of bacteria.

The solution is really quite simple. According Dr. Joe Schwarcz, author of “Let them Eat Flax” (can find this book in Eco-Savy Store), wash clothes can be rid of microorganisms by putting a dry one in the microwave for thirty seconds or wet one for three minutes. The microwaves will kill all bacteria. HOW SIMPLE AND CONVENIENT IS THAT. What I like most about this is you don’t have to use any harmful chemicals and you will use less sponges in the long run, which is more sustainable.

It would be great to get feedback from our readers. What are your thoughts on bacteria and dishcloths? Have you ever heard of this technique to kill bacteria? What are you doing?

Nanoparticles and Doughnuts!

Posted on 05/05/2013 by sbonham

Trying to be more eco-friendly, sustainable and healthier can be hard in a world surrounded by so much temptation. No matter how healthy one tries to be, sometimes we have to cheat and grab a mouth-watering powdered donut filled with whatever our heart desires. But what if that doughnut had harmful chemicals that were one-billionth of a nanometer that could potentially be harmful to your health. Would you still want it then? Most definitely not!!!

Nanoparticles in Food

In a new report, As You Sow, an environmental health group found particle of titanium dioxide less than 10 nanometers in size in the powdered sugar coating on donuts from Dunkin’ and Hostess. The group argues that nanoparticles have no business in any kind of food until safety testing is done.

There is a huge lack of transparency occurring right now in the food industry about nano-particles in food and no one is willing to talk. Indeed, it is reported that nanotechnology is already being used in food and food related products, but again, due to lack of transparency on the issue, no one knows any details as to how much nano materials are being used.

What are nanoparticles?

I am sure you have heard of nanoparticles or nanotechnology by now. They are engineered, small particles that are roughly one-billionth of a meter in diameter (50 000 times smaller than the width of a human hair). We hear about these particles in the spotlight for medical technology, 3D printing and a wide array of technological advancements…but NOT IN OUR FOOD!

It is reported that nanotechnology is already being used in food and food related products but, due to the food industry’s lack of transparency on the issue, concrete information about whether, and how much, nanomaterials are being used in food products is difficult to obtain.

Nanoparticles and Health?

Many want to know how these particles if ingested will affect ones health. Their small size makes them more readily accepted into cells within our bodies, as well as allowing them to travel throughout of bloodstream faster than larger particles.

Currently noone knows the longterm effects of nanoparticles on our health. However, considering these particles have been ubiquitous in suscreens, lotions and other personal care products for a while and noone has raised serious concern, they are likely to pose a more longterm problems and are considered benign in the short-term.

With regards to titanium dioxide, the affect it has on our health hasn’t been studied long enough to have concrete answers, but one scientist found that the inhalation of highly insoluble titanium dioxide nanoparticles ~20 nanometers in diameter (note: the ones found in Dunkin Doughnuts were even SMALLER) resulted in significantly increased pulmonary inflammatory responses. With further investigation that same scientist found titanium dioxide nanoparticles were capable of penetrating through the skin and even into cellls, forming free radicals (often linked to cancer) and causing intracellular damage. Additionally, another sceintist by the name of Dr. Kreilgaard even suggested that very small titanium dioxide particles (~20 nm) could penetrate into skin and interact with the immune system.

So if you eat doughnuts frequently, maybe think of an alternative snack or get a doughnut that isn’t sprinkles with powder next time.

References

Oberdo¨ rster, G. (2001). Pulmonary effects of inhaled ultrafine particles. International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health, 74, 1-8.

How to Build Muscle Natually While You Sleep!

Posted on 30/04/2013 by sbonham

Ever wonder how to build muscle naturally through your diet?

It seems like everyone today is obsessed with getting more definition in their legs, arms and abs? I can’t think of one woman who wouldn’t like that perfect subtle, feminine line on their bicep. However, for most it seems nearly impossible to achieve these results…until recently.

New research in the Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports and Exercise reports that when taking 20 grams of protein after working out, and then again half an hour before bed, increases muscle growth naturally. You body will be working for you while you sleep!

Just so you understand how little 20g of protein is, that equates to seven ounces of Greek Yogurt! Don’t like greek yogurt? You can also get this protein by gulping down two large glasses of low-fat milk! How simple is that!

If you like this article you may also like our article on tomatoes and loosing weight! Click here to read.

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