Apple Cider Vinegar- It's medicinal Properties

Apple Cider Vinegar: A Natural Supplement for Health

"Most Herbal experts recommend the use of raw, unpasteurized, unheated, apple cider vinegar as an important dietary ingredient. It reduces common infections, aids whelping, improves stamina, prevents muscle fatigue after exercise, increases resistance to disease and protects against food poisoning”.

Apple Cider vinegar is very rich in vital supplements such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements which are abundantly found in apples, such as potassium which normalizes acid levels [pH] in the stomach, improves digestion and the assimilation of nutrients, reduces intestinal and faecal odours, helps cure constipation, reduce some of the symptoms of arthritis and helps prevent bladder stones and urinary tract infections.

Apple Cider vinegar also contains Boron, a mineral which is necessary for all life. Deficiency of Boron in humans can cause bone rickets ( rough and deshaped).Without boron, calcium cannot form and maintain strong and healthy bones as both combine to give strength to the bone and aid in their formation. Boron affects steroid hormones release in the human body. It regulates their use, and determines the duration for which they should be retained in the body which is utmost critical..Blood and tissue levels of several steroid hormones (such as estrogen and testosterone) increase dramatically in the presence of boron. Both of these are needed to complete the calcium-to-bone growth cycle. This bond between these ingredients namely hormones, boron, and calcium is the main basis  on which estrogen replacement treatment for osteoporosis is so successful.

Apple cider vinegar should be made from fresh, crushed preferably green apples which are found in upper reaches and freshly grown for the purpose of vining. These are then matured in wooden casks and the vinegar thus obtained is amber in colour with the semi solid content at the bottom which is the "mother. Standardised variants of vinegar contain approximately 4 to 7 percent acetic acid, which is responsible for the way vinegar tastes and smells..

A leading research and health practitioner, in his own research has pointed out that apple cider vinegar lowers blood’s natural alkalinity, and getting it to be in it’s healthy acid state, with the ideal pH balance, which discourages bacteria and is less likely to grow yeast and fungus.The acidic qualities of ACV help break down protein, in the digestive system, for absorption into the bloodstream.

ACV is very effective in detoxification of the body. It purifies, breaks down fatty, mucous and phlegm deposits within the body thus aiding in protecting all organs where it is likely that fat deposits and toxic deposits shall accumulate such as the kidney and liver.

Apple cider Vinegar helps extract calcium from fruits, vegetables and meat, helping in good bone and skeletal health of the human body. It also possesses huge amounts of Potassium which is necessary for the replacement of worn-out tissues of the human body apart from helping healing of soft tissues.Potassium deficiency can cause many ailments such as hair loss, weak finger nails, brittle teeth, sinusitis, weakness, prone to infections etc. The beta-carotene in Apple cider controls damage caused by free radicals, helping in the skin to keep firm and radiant. This beta-carotene within apple cider Vinegar is said to be in a natural and easy to digest form.

There are no known side-effects of ACV if used in recommended dosage as it has been consumed by humans from generations. People with high creatinine levels in the kidney or with kidney disease should however avoid using ACV.Pregnant or lactating women should also avoid ACV. or take the opinion of their medical advisor.

References:

Vinegars and Acetic Acid Bacteria. International Symposium; May, 2005;

Available at:http://www.vinegars2005.com/images/Vin_2005_book.pdf. Accessed March 9, 2006.

US Food and Drug Administration. Acetic Acid - Use in Foods.http://www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/cpg/cpgfod/cpg562-100.html. Accessed March 9, 2006.   

Available at : http://anushveda.com/disease-and-efficacy/efficacy/

#AppleCiderVinegar #Fitness #Wellness #Healthyheart 

Some more content on Garlic as a healer for many ailments-It's Basic properties

Garlic's properties summed up include the following:

 Reduces cholesterol, blood pressure, blood sugar balancer, cancer combatant, fungus fighter, bronchitis soother, cold curer, wart remover, and immune system booster.

It also could mention garlic's potential career as an organic pesticide. This member of the lily family is one of the most extensively researched and widely used plants. Its actions are diverse and affect nearly every system in the human body especially the circulatory system.

Lots of people include garlic in their daily diets for health reasons, while many others eat it because they love its pungent flavor. Many thousands of acres of land in India is used for Garlic cultivation.

Uses for Garlic

As an antimicrobial, garlic seems to have a broad spectrum action. It displays antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral properties and is reportedly effective against many flu viruses and herpes simplex (the virus responsible for cold sores). Garlic can be safely added to soups, salad dressings and most of the Dals (lentils) that we eat in India as well as to dry vegetables we cook. It can be used quite extensively in non vegetarian diets such as chicken dry or curry, mutton dry or curry or fish. This builds up our immune system for especially fighting off colds, cough, or flu. Garlic reduces congestion and may help people with bronchitis to expel mucus.

Garlic is used to treat many types of infections: Garlic capsules can be used internally for recurrent vaginal yeast infections, garlic infusion topically as a soak for athlete's foot, or add garlic to an oil to treat ear infections.

Garlic may improve immunity by stimulating some of the body's natural immune cells. Studies suggest that garlic may help prevent breast, bladder, skin, and stomach cancers. A study of women in Iowa U.S. suggests that women who eat garlic may lower their risk of colon cancer. Garlic appears particularly effective in inhibiting compounds formed by nitrates, which are preservatives used to cure meat that are believed convert into cancer-causing compounds within the intestines.

Garlic lowers blood pressure by relaxing vein and artery walls. This action helps keep platelets from clumping together and improves blood flow, thereby reducing the risk of stroke. Garlic also decreases the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides, substances that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Garlic's cardiovascular protective properties have been demonstrated in a number of studies, including a  4 year clinical trial on people who were 50+ years old, who already had symptoms of atherosclerosis. Those who consumed at least 900 mg per day of a standardized garlic supplement had significant reduction of arterial plaque formation.

Garlic contains a large number of unique sulfur-containing compounds, which are credited with many of this herb's medicinal actions. Did you ever wonder why garlic bulbs on your kitchen counter don't have a strong odor until you cut or crush them? That's because an enzyme in garlic promotes conversion of the chemical compound alliin to the odorous allicin. Allicin, in turn, produces other sulfur compounds: ajoene, allyl sulfides, and vinyldithiins. These sulfur compounds are potent antimicrobials and are thought to be the source of garlic's lipid-reducing and cancer-preventing effects.

The constituents in garlic also increase insulin levels in the body. The result is lower blood sugar. Thus, garlic makes an excellent addition to the diet of people with diabetes. It will not take the place of insulin, antidiabetes drugs, but garlic may help lower the need for additional insulin by reducing glycogen (stored sugar) release from the liver and by increasing the overall effectiveness of insulin.

Garlic is a herbal remedy that can be used as an antibiotic and to treat infections.

#Garlic #Fitness #Wellness #Healthyheart 

Mental Vulnerability- A 36% contributor to Cardiovascular events

To understand all the risk factors contributing to actually developing into a cardiovascular event for any one of us it is necessary that we understand ourselves as a person, individual,personality,our traits,thought processes. Cardio symptoms come suddenly but have a long history and take time to develop. All these factors are contributors and in addition to all clinical ones which medical science keeps telling us and which are tangible and measurable, for example bad cholesterol can be measured. However stress does not have a measurement scale but might just be as deadly.

In the latest available research showing just how bad stress is for anyone, a new European study indicates that having a stress-prone personality could seriously increase the risk for heart disease.

The new research, conducted on a large Danish population, found that people who are "mentally vulnerable" -- meaning they are more susceptible to stress -- are at a significantly higher risk for both fatal and non-fatal heart events. The study's findings were presented on April 18 in Rome at the EuroPRevent 2013 congress.

Researchers measured "mental vulnerability" on a 12-point scale, looking at mental and physical symptoms that measured an individual's level of stress, and determined whether they had a personality that was more prone to getting stressed-out. A statistical analysis of nearly 11,000 individuals showed that mental vulnerability was correlated with cardiovascular events, both fatal and non-fatal, independently of normal risk factors like smoking, cholesterol and age.

The researchers followed the Danish group which was as large as  10,943 individuals initially free of heart disease, for nearly 16 years. Just over 3,000 fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events were recorded during the follow-up analysis, and the data showed that the risk of cardiovascular events in the mentally vulnerable was 36 percent higher than in the non-vulnerable, independently of other risk factors.

“So mental vulnerability might describe a ‘new dimension’ when compared to the five classical and all known risk factors, but to take this forward we need to identify sub-groups of the population where mental vulnerability does improve risk prediction beyond the classic risk factors,” one of the study authors, Dr. Anders Borglykke, of the Research Centre for Prevention and Health
 at Glostrup University Hospital, said in a statement..

Although previous studies have linked personality traits with cardiovascular disease and mortality, their role in predicting risk although wasn't very clear. 

For instance, a 2006 Duke University study found that regular anxiety, depression and hostility increase a person's risk of developing coronary heart disease, and that the combination of these negative emotions could significantly increase that risk. 

Research has also found that those with Type A personalities -- characterized by being competitive, impatient, ambitious and uptight -- are at a higher risk for heart disease, although one study found this to be untrue.

But personality type isn't the only stress-related risk factor for cardiovascular events. A 2012 review of studies also showed that excessive work stress could increase the risk of heart attack: Those with demanding jobs were found to have a 23 percent higher risk of suffering from heart attack.

#MentalVulnerability #Fitness #Wellness #Healthyheart 

LEMON (Citrus latifolia or Citrus aurantiifolia (Nimbu)- Cardiovascular Benefits

LEMON (Citrus latifolia or Citrus aurantiifolia (Nimbu)

Lime contains an essential oil (7%), whose main components are citral, limonene, β-pinene, and fenchone (up to 15%). Lime oil has also been documented to contain oxypeucedanin, a phototoxic compound and up to 7.7% citric acid. Lemons are high in vitamin C; 4 tbsp. of lemon juice will give you half the vitamin C you need for the day.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant. It makes cholesterol less likely to stick to artery walls and prevents cardiovascular problems by lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of hypertension, ensuring the proper dilation of blood vessels, lowering cholesterol, lowering the risk of congestive heart failure and preventing angina pectoris.

Vitamin P, another component found in lemons, helps strengthen blood vessels and prevent internal hemorrhage. For the same reason, lemon juice is also effective in stopping gum bleeding. Lemon juice is sometimes applied to the nostrils to stop epistaxis (nosebleeds). The antioxidants found in lemons and other citric fruits (called bioflavonoids) can also help prevent recurring nosebleeds by strengthening blood vessels and making them less susceptible to rupture. These antioxidants have the same effect on other blood vessels in the organism, being able to prevent cerebro-vascular accidents in people suffering from high blood pressure.

Lemons are also packed with limonene, a natural disease-preventing compound that helps lower cholesterol. In addition, its high levels of potassium help to control high blood pressure alleviate nausea and dizziness and uplift mind and body.

#Lemon #Cardiovascular #Benefits #Fitness #Wellness #Healthyheart 

CARDIAC BENEFITS OF APPLE CIDER VINEGAR AND HONEY

4.               CARDIAC BENEFITS OF APPLE CIDER

VINEGAR AND HONEY

Health benefits of apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar, or cider vinegar has been used since ancient times as a remedy for many different ailments. Hippocrates is said to have used it as an antibiotic. Its uses in cardiac care are mainly for reduction of the bad cholesterol i.e. LDL and lower blood pressure There is scientific evidence linking apple cider vinegar to weight loss, control of blood glucose and also reduction of LDL (bad cholesterol) and raising of HDL (good cholesterol). These results indicate that apple cider vinegar improved the serum lipid profile in normal and diabetic rats by decreasing serum TG, LDL-c and increasing serum HDL-c and may be of great value in managing the diabetic complications.

The health benefits of the apple cider vinegar and honey drink are widely accepted as part of ‘traditional or home-remedies’. Anti-aging properties have been attributed to the combination while others have recognized and made use of its cleansing and disinfecting properties to self-detoxify their body. It is seen as a powerful cleansing agent and natural healing elixir with naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic that fights germs and bacteria. It has been found to be particularly effective in the control of blood pressure and management of high cholesterol.

Mechanism of action:

What is the reason for the beneficial effects of apple-cider-vinegar and honey? How does the combination act? The combination acts by helping to maintain the ‘acid-base’ balance of the body. Too much ‘acidic’ environment in the body is harmful. The combination of apple cider vinegar and honey pushes the acidic environment towards ‘alkaline’ which is highly beneficial and healthy. The body has an acid-alkaline (or acid-base) ratio called the pH which is a balance between positively charges ions (acid-forming) and negatively charged ions (alkaline-forming). When this balance is compromised many problems can occur. The body is forced to borrow minerals—including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium from vital organs and bones to neutralize the acid and safely remove it from the body. And severe damage can be done to the body due to high acidity. Ideally, for most people, the ideal diet is 75 percent alkalizing and 25 percent acidifying foods by volume. Allergic reactions and other forms of stress also tend to produce excessive acids in the body. The alkaline-forming ability of apple cider vinegar can correct excess acidity in the body and also help prevent and fight infection. Honey added to the vinegar naturally makes the mixture more palatable. Unprocessed raw honey has been classified as an alkaline-forming food. Interestingly, every sweet food has a low pH and that is the nature of sugar. However, researchers have discovered that 45 minutes after eating honey, blood tests showed more alkalinity. Diabetics also have lower blood sugar 45 minutes after eating honey. This is because, unlike processed sugar and artificial sweeteners, honey is very quickly absorbed into the body cells for fuel use, rather than sitting in the blood. 

Ginger-Cardiovascular benefits and medicinal Properties Research work

While we are striving to detail medicinal properties of Shimbhala ingredients one by one with their research work and side effects as well, we are covering Ginger today as Garlic extract had been covered yesterday.

1.               GINGER (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae)

Ginger rhizome is one of the most commonly consumed dietary condiments in the world.

Cardiovascular Benefits

The University Of Maryland Medical Center cites several preliminary studies that suggest ginger may lower cholesterol and prevent blood from clotting. Stopping your blood from clotting can help people with heart disease, where blood vessels become clogged and lead to heart attack or stroke. High cholesterol can also lead to clogged arteries when the cholesterol builds up on the artery walls. Ginger may also help to lower blood pressure, another indicator of heart disease. The University of Michigan Health System informs that taking 10 g, or 1 heaping tsp., or more of ginger root per day can reduce platelet stickiness and help clear arteries of plaque. Taking either dry ginger or fresh ginger can affect blood platelets, but the dosage must be at least this much. Ginger contains more than 12 antioxidants and can help reduce serum cholesterol levels, improve circulation and lower the risk of blood clots, says the Herb Growing & Marketing Network.

Research

A study published in 2005 in the “Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology” found that ginger lowered blood pressure in controlled experimental conditions. Researchers investigated the cardiovascular effects of ginger on the blood pressure of different animals. Using crude extract of fresh ginger injected intravenously in rats, researchers found a dose-dependent fall in blood pressure. Further experiments in this research suggest that the blood-pressure-lowering effect of ginger is due to the blockage of voltage-dependent calcium channels. However, researchers did not examine the effects of ginger on the blood pressure of humans. Ginger does not cleanse arteries, but it might have protective effects. Research is still lacking to confirm whether ginger has benefits for people with heart disease, according to the UMMC, but preliminary research indicates ginger might reduce cholesterol levels. This protects against atherosclerosis, a disorder in which fatty material accumulates in the arteries and hardens, which narrows the arteries and can lead to blockages that result in a heart attack or stroke. A study published in the "South Asian Journal of Preventive Cardiology" in 2004 with lead author S.K. Verma notes that ginger contains components with strong antiplatelet and antithrombotic properties, which helps prevent blood clots. It also is a potent antioxidant and scavenges free radicals, harmful substances that might contribute to atherosclerosis. In the 2004 "South Asian Journal of Preventive Cardiology" study, participants took either 5 g per day of dry ginger or a placebo. After four weeks, the researchers evaluated the antioxidant effects on the oxidation of blood lipids, or fats. Consuming ginger was shown to have strong antioxidant properties for both healthy participants and those with coronary artery disease.

Dosage

Ginger is available in fresh and dried root, oil, tea, dried and liquid extracts and tinctures. The UMMC recommends taking ginger with food and consuming 4 g or less per day as a general guideline, including food sources, but Verma and colleagues say using less than 5 g yields inconsistent results in studies. A typical dosage as suggested by the UMMC is 75 to 2,000 mg in divided doses. Extracts should be standardized for 4 percent volatile oils or 5 percent total pungent compounds.

Caution and Potential Side Effects

Because ginger has antiplatelet effects, the UMMC advises not taking this supplement if you have a bleeding disorder, and using it only with the supervision of a health-care provider if you take other herbs or drugs with blood-thinning effects, including aspirin. Taking ginger in addition to these substances might increase the risk of bruising and excessive bleeding. Although ginger may have cardiovascular benefits, it may also be harmful to people with heart disease. High doses of ginger can worsen heart conditions. People with low blood pressure or who are already on blood pressure medications can experience an unsafe drop in blood pressure or heartbeat irregularities when taking ginger, which can also interact with other medications, including blood thinners. Other side effects are mild and include heartburn, diarrhea and general stomach discomfort. 

#Ginger #Cardiovascular #Fitness #Wellness #Healthyheart 

Shimbhala Ingredients-Garlic

Introduction

This fact sheet provides basic information about garlic—common names, what the science says, potential side effects and cautions, and resources for more information.

Garlic Common Name: garlic

Latin Name: Allium sativum is the edible bulb from a plant in the lily family. It has been used as both a medicine and a spice for thousands of years. Garlic’s most common folk or traditional uses as a dietary supplement are for high cholesterol, heart disease, and high blood pressure. Other folk or traditional uses include prevention of certain types of cancer, including stomach and colon cancers. Garlic cloves can be eaten raw or cooked. They may also be dried or powdered and used in tablets and capsules. Raw garlic cloves can be used to make oils and liquid extracts.

What the Science Says

·        Some evidence indicates that taking garlic can slightly lower blood cholesterol levels; studies have shown positive effects for short-term (1 to 3 months) use. An NCCAM-funded study on the safety and effectiveness of three garlic preparations (fresh garlic, dried powdered garlic tablets, and aged garlic extract tablets) for lowering blood cholesterol levels met with profound positive effects. 

·       Extensive research suggests that taking garlic may slow the development of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), a condition that can lead to heart disease or stroke.

Clinical studies done on patients consuming Shimbhala have also revealed gradual opening up of arteries and lowering the blockage level of the artery in start and end of 2 year periods through monitored angiographies.

·        Evidence suggests that taking garlic may slightly lower blood pressure, particularly in people with high blood pressure.

·        Some studies suggest consuming garlic as a regular part of the diet may lower the risk of certain cancers. However, no clinical trials have examined this. A clinical trial on the long-term use of garlic supplements to prevent stomach cancer found no effect.

·        Recent NCCAM-funded research includes studies on how garlic interacts with certain drugs; its effects on liver function and the dilation and constriction of blood vessels; and the bioavailability (how well a substance is absorbed by the body) of allicin, the main active compound of garlic. http://www.anushveda.com

Side Effects and Cautions

·        Garlic appears to be safe for most adults.

·        Side effects include breath and body odor, heartburn, upset stomach, and allergic reactions. These side effects are more common with raw garlic.  

·        Garlic can thin the blood (reduce the ability of blood to clot) in a manner similar to aspirin. This effect may be a problem during or after surgery. Use garlic with caution if you are planning to have surgery or dental work, or if you have a bleeding disorder.

·        Garlic has been found to interfere with the effectiveness of saquinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection. Its effect on other drugs has not been well studied.

·        Tell all your health care providers about any complementary health practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Sources

•      Agency for Healthcare Research and QualityEvidence Report/Technology Assessment no. 20. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2000. AHRQ publication no. 01-E023.
•      Gardner CD, Lawson LD, Block E, et al.  Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007;167(4):346–353.
•         Garlic. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:139–148.
•         Milner JA. Garlic (Allium sativum). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York: NY: Marcel Dekker; 2005:229–240.

#Shimbhala #Garlic #Fitness #Wellness #Healthyheart