Category: Foods that Heal

Take advantage of the enormous variety of foods that have incredible health benefits and stand as a testimony to “Let food be thy medicine”

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Vitamine B1 or Thiamine

Vitamine B1 or Thiamine is a water soluble vitamin, which means it is not stored in the body.

A member  of the B complex family, it is necessary for the functioning of the nervous system.

Thiamine is easily  destroyed by air, water, caffeine, alcohol, estrogen and food additives, so its necessary to eat fresh, whole foods in order to get optimum levels of this important vitamin. All of the B complex vitamins should be taken in combination for best effect.

Thiamine is the lest stable of the vitamins, and cooking and processing cause massive losses to occur.

It is known as the “morale vitamin”, because of its effect on mental outlook and the nervous system in general.

  • necessary for the production of energy, brain, muscle , heart an the nervous system function.
  • necessary for the conversion of carbohydrates to energy
  • improves mental state
  • promotes growth

Deficiency symptoms

  • the most common deficiency symptoms is beriberi, and long term deficiency can take a great time to put right, even when the diet is altered to supply adequate amounts.

Good sources

  • dried yeast, beans, wholegrains, oatmeal, pork, vegetable, milk, brown rice

Therapeutic uses

postoperative pain, treatment of the herpes, zone zoster ( shingles), epilepsy, trigeminal neuralgia and sensory neuropathy in diabetes

Special notes

Vitamin B1 is not toxic in any known quantities and is one of the safest of the vitamins

Foods that claim to be thiamine enriched are likely to contain less than normal quantities, since the thiamine lost in processing is usually more than the quantity added

The B vitamins are synergistic, which means that they work together. Insure that you take vitamins B1, B2 and B6 in roughly equal

quantities.

A folic acid deficiency and eating large quantities of raw fish, blackcurrants and red cabbage among other , will discourage thiamine metabolism

Smoking, alcohol, the contraceptive pill and a diet high in sugar will increase requirements.

REMINDER! If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before taking supplements.

Madelena

nutrition and weight management

herbal medicine

MLD therapiest

 

 

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Vitamin A, retinol and beta carotene

Vitamin A

Retinol and beta carotene

Retinol is the naturally occurring form of vitamin A, and it is founded mainly in animal product. Beta -carotene, also called “plant” vitamin A, is, in fact, a carotenoid, which is converted into vitamin A by our livers. Vitamin A stores in your body can be depleted by infection, so is a good idea to boost your intake during colds, flu and other viral and bacterial conditions. Retinol is metabolized better by your body if you take it with fat, oil, or protein in the same meal.

Beta carotene is found in all brightly coloured fruits and vegetables, and is generally believed to be safer than retinol, which is fat soluble.

Alpha carotene is found in carrots and pumpkin; lycopene is abundant in red fruits, such as watermelon, red grapefruit, guava and , in particular, cooked tomatoes. Lutein and zeaxanthin are plentiful in dark green vegetables, pumpkin an red peppers, and crytoxanthin is present in mangoes, oranges and peaches.

The primary benefit of carotenoids lies in their antioxidant effect- protecting the cells of the body from damage by unstable oxygen molecules called free radicals.

Carotenoids may guard against certain types of cancer, apparently by limiting the abnormal growth of cells. Lycopene, for instance, appears to inhibit the development of prostate cancer. Lycopene may also be effective against cancer off the stomach and digestive tract. Studies show that high intakes of alpha carotene, lutein and zeasanthin decrease the risk of lung cancer, and that crypoxbathib and alpha carotene lower the risk of cervical cancer.

There is a link between low levels of carotenoids and menstrual disorder.

Facts:

  • boost immunity
  • help to prevent cancer
  • antiaging
  • necessary for healthy eyesight, mucous membrane, synthesis of protein, and tissue development

Deficiency symptoms

  • poor vision (night blindness), mouth ulcers, frequent infections, dandruff, your scalp may become dry, and acne.

of retinol : liver, fish liver oils, cheese, butter

of betacarotene: carrots, apricots, cantaloupe, parsley, spinach, kale, sweet potatoes

Carotenoids are pigments that give plants their colour and beta carotene in particular is a good antioxidant which may help to slow down the ageing process and prevent cancer.

Take vitamin E and C with vitamin, A, since polyunsaturated fatty acids work against vitamin A unless there are antioxidants present

The body needs Zinc to utilise stored vitamin A

Retinol in very high dosses may causes headaches, some nausea, and liver problems. Pregnant women, ot those planning a pregnancy, should not take in excess of 7.500 iu per day because it can cause birth defects. They should also avoid eating animal livers.

In a major European study lycopene was shown to be effective in preventing heart attacks. Men who consumed large amounts of lycopene had only half the risk of a heart attack compared with men who took small amounts. the protective effect was most marked among non smokers.  All carotenoides, in special alpha carotene and lycopene, block the formation of LDL (‘bad’) cholesterol, which can lead to heart attacks and other cardiovascular problems.

REMINDER! If you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before taking supplements.

Madelena

nutrition and weight management

herbal medicine

MLD therapiest

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Dandelion the best natural sources of potassium

Dandelion the best natural sources of potassium

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

I would like to introduce one of my favourite herb: dandelion. Don’t weed out your dandelions, embrace them 🙂

Constituents: Glycosides, triterpenoids, choline, up to 5% potassium.

Actions: Diuretic, cholagogue, anti-rheumatic, laxative, tonic.

Dandelion is a very powerful diuretic, its action comparable to that of the drug “Frusemide”.

The usual effect of a drug stimulating the kidney function is a loss of vital potassium from the body, which aggravates any cardio-vascular problem present. Patients which take Frusemide, also are monitored for Potassium level, and if the level drops under normal range, Potassium is administrated, to replace what was lost.

A moderate potassium deficiency can increase your blood pressure, lead to salt sensitivity, increase your risk of cardiovascular disease and reduce the health of your bones. In addition to heart arrhythmias, excessively low potassium levels — a condition called hypokalemia — can cause glucose intolerance, weakness, fatigue, muscle cramps and stomach problems. In some cases, heart arrhythmia, or an irregular heartbeat, can be fatal and lead to sudden death.  When the heart does not beat properly, it cannot effectively pump blood to the brain, organs and muscles.

Potassium is well absorbed from the small intestine, with about 90 percent absorption, but is one of the most soluble minerals, so it is easily lost in cooking and processing foods.

On the other hand, with Dandelion, we have one of the best natural sources of potassium. It thus makes an ideally balanced diuretic that may be used safely wherever such an action is needed, including in cases of water retention due to heart problems.

As a cholagogue it may be used in inflammation and congestion of liver and gall bladder. It is specific cases of congestive jaundice. As part of a wider treatment for muscular rheumatism it can be most effective. This herb is a most valuable  general tonic and perhaps the best widely applicable diuretic and liver tonic.

The whole plant is bitter, particularly the root which has digestive stimulating properties. This action can be harnessed in a decoction to encourage bowel movements ( bile being a natural laxative) and is safe and effective even for children.

SUMMARY: Dandelion aids the liver and kidneys to clear bodily wastes, it is a go to herb for those suffering from chronic skin and joints problems, including acne and eczema, arthritis and rheumatism.

 

Homemade  dandelion and carrot soap: dandelion infused olive oil, carrot pulp, turmeric,  shea butter, coconut oil, palm oil. No flagrance. Anti-allergic, anti-fungal, antimicrobial.

Properties of the carrot and dandelion soap combine to make this a great soap for fighting acne, ageing, and is extra moisturising. Beta carotene, a precursor to active vitamin A is critical for healing any type of wound. Dandelion Rich in Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium and Phosphorous, these are all minerals which are required for healthy skin function. The natural anti-fungal content and the high alkaline levels, help fight off infection in the skin tissues, which can be useful for eczema and the bacteria which promotes acne. The anti-fungal and antimicrobial properties help to keep the skin clean and safe.

 

Madelena

herbal medicine

nutrition and weight management

MLD therapiest
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Benefits of eating apples

Apples, food that heal

Apples, food that heal are high in pectin, a fibre and and slow release sugar that help to regulate the body’s blood sugar level and improve heart health.

Apples contain important vitamins  and minerals, that promotes among other things strong and healthy bones.

Benefits of eating apples ( green, red, yellow apples). Green apple contain malic acid a useful digestive help. Red apples, rich in antioxidants, that can protect against neurological damage associated with condition such as: Alzheimers’s disease. The pectin helps lower the body’s absorption of excess dietary fats.

  • blood sugar regulation
  • constipation and diarrhoea ( can provide relief from both constipation and diarrhoea, depending of body needs)
  • protecting bones
  • reduce cholesterol

Don’t forget!

Apples most of them are coated with wax to give a shine and keep the fresh over long periods, hence, always wash  thoroughly these apple before eating.

Go organic and from sources as local as possible, from the fresh fruit without chemical contamination.

 Do not peel the skin!  Peeling can remove more than half an apple’s fibre, Vitamin C and iron.

 

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