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.

Chemicals In Cosmetics

Posted on 26/05/2013 by sbonham

toxic cosmetics The folks at Environmental Defense in Toronto found some pretty disturbing stuff lurking in common cosmetics. Below is a list of the cosmetic products that were found to contain the most heavy metals of all the products testing in each category.

Eyeshadow: The Body Shop Shimmer Cues, Almay Intense i-color Trio, Two Faced Eyeshadow Due (contained lead cadmium, nickel, berrylium etc.)

Powders: Sephora Sculpting Disk Powder Trio (lead, nickel, berrylium, thallium). Foundation: Clinique Stay-True Makeup (cadmium, arsenic, nickel, lead)

Mascara: L’Oreal Bare Naturale and Avon Astonishing Lengths (arseninc, cadmium, lead, nickel, etc.)

Lipstick: Benefit Benetint pocket pal (red) (arsentic, lead, cadmium, nickel, berrylium)

Source: Envirionmental Defence, Heavy Metal Hazard: The Health Risks of Hidden Heavy Metals in Face Makeup. May 2011

If you want to learn more about which products to watch out for, or about the ingredients in your everyday products subscribe to our mailing list below.

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?

Natural Weight Loss Secret: Spices

Posted on 10/05/2013 by sbonham

Next time you want a more natural, eco-friendly, healthy alternative to loosing a few pounds, forget buying weight-loss supplements or killing yourself at the gym.

New research in the journal called Flavour shows that breathing in strong aroma’s from spices such as rosemary and peppermind prior to eating can actually help you eat 5 to 10% less of a meal.

The author of the article, Dr. Rene de Wijk (Ph.D) from Wageningen University in the Netherlands says that “people may unconsciously take smaller bites to regulate the amount of flavour.”

PEPPERMINT was one of the first natural ingredients that was tested for weight loss in association with aroma. The best study I came across was conducted at the Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, West Virginia by Bryan Raudenbush.

In another study involving peppermint, a scientist by the name of Bryan had asked 40 participants (large enough group to avoid bias) to sniff peppermint every two hours for five days. In the remaining five days a placebo was given to them. I am guessing the placebo was a scent very similar to peppermint, but lacked the distinct chemical makeup to be considered “peppermint”. The results were astounding. Overall, in the week that the participants sniffed peppermint, a total of 1,800 less calories were consumed.

“A large part of the reason that you feel full is your brain interpreting that you’ve smelled it and tasted it,” said Dr. Hirsch, a neurologist, psychiatrist and the founder of the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago.

GRAPEFRUIT has also been extremely popular over the years for people trying to loose weight… AND now, there is scientific evidence that it does work. Researchers at Vanderbilt University have conducted a study investigating the effects of grapefruit on weight loss when the fruit is consumed as a “pre-load” before a meal. Grapefruit was selected for the study because of its reputation for facilitating weight loss. The study revealed that grapefruit, whether consumed in a solid or liquid form, demonstrated a measurable weight loss effect in participants, as well as providing other benefits.

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