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Walnut: Packed Full With Life Saving Nutrients

Oftentimes, the simplest foods are best for your health, and this is certainly the case for nuts, in which Mother Nature has crafted a nearly perfect package of protein, healthy fats, fiber, plant sterols, antioxidants, and many vitamins and minerals.
Among nuts, the case may be made that walnuts are king, as research shows they may boost your health in a number of ways at very easy-to-achieve "doses."
Eating just one ounce of walnuts a day (that's about seven shelled walnuts) may be all it takes to take advantage of their beneficial properties.
Walnuts belong to the tree nut family, along with Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pine nuts, and pistachios. Each has its own unique nutritional profile.
One-quarter cup of walnuts, for instance, provides more than 100 percent of the daily recommended value of plant-based omega-3 fats, along with high amounts of copper, manganese, molybdenum, and biotin. Some of the most exciting research about walnuts includes:
Cancer-Fighting Properties
Walnuts may help reduce not only the risk of prostate cancer, but breast cancer as well. In one study, mice that ate the human equivalent of 2.4 ounces of whole walnuts for 18 weeks had significantly smaller and slower-growing prostate tumors compared to the control group that consumed the same amount of fat but from other sources. 
Overall the whole walnut diet reduced prostate cancer growth by 30 to 40 percent. According to another study on mice, the human equivalent of just two handfuls of walnuts a day cut breast cancer risk in half, and slowed tumor growth by 50 percent as well.1
Heart Health
Walnuts contain the amino acid l-arginine, which offers multiple vascular benefits to people with heart disease, or those who have increased risk for heart disease due to multiple cardiac risk factors. 
If you struggle with herpes, you may want to avoid or limit walnuts, as high levels of arginine can deplete the amino acid lysine, which can trigger herpes recurrences. 
Walnuts also contain the plant-based omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is anti-inflammatory and may prevent the formation of pathological blood clots. Research shows that people who eat a diet high in ALA are less likely to have a fatal heart attack and have a nearly 50 percent lower risk of sudden cardiac death.
Eating just four walnuts a day has been shown to significantly raise blood levels of heart-healthy ALA, and walnut consumption supports healthful cholesterol levels.  
Separate research showed that eating just one ounce of walnuts a day may decrease cardiovascular risk, and among those at high cardiovascular risk, increased frequency of nut consumption significantly lowers the risk of death.
Rare and Powerful Antioxidants
Antioxidants are crucial to your health, as they are believed to help control how fast you age by combating free radicals, which are at the heart of age-related deterioration. 
Walnuts contain several unique and powerful antioxidants that are available in only a few commonly eaten foods. This includes the quinone juglone, the tannin tellimagrandin, and the flavonol morin.6 
Walnuts contain antioxidants that are so powerful at free-radical scavenging that researchers called them "remarkable,"7 and research has shown that walnut polyphenols may help prevent chemically-induced liver damage.8  
In another study, researchers found that nuts, especially walnuts, have potent antioxidant powers. Walnut polyphenols had the best efficacy among the nuts tested and also the highest lipoprotein-bound antioxidant activity. The researchers concluded:9 
"Nuts are high in polyphenol antioxidants which by binding to lipoproteins would inhibit oxidative processes that lead to atherosclerosis in vivo. In human supplementation studies nuts have been shown to improve the lipid profile, increase endothelial function and reduce inflammation, all without causing weight gain."
Weight Control
Adding healthful amounts of nuts such as walnuts to your diet can help you to maintain your ideal weight over time. In one review of 31 trials, those whose diets included extra nuts or nuts substituted for other foods lost about 1.4 extra pounds and half an inch from their waists.10 Eating walnuts is also associated with increased satiety after just three days.11
Improved Reproductive Health in Men
One of the lesser-known benefits of walnuts is their impact on male fertility. Among men who consume a Western-style diet, adding 75 grams (a bit over one-half cup) of walnuts daily significantly improved sperm quality, including vitality, motility, and morphology.12
Brain Health
Walnuts contain a number of neuroprotective compounds, including vitamin E, folate, melatonin, omega-3 fats, and antioxidants. Research shows walnut consumption may support brain health, including increasing inferential reasoning in young adults.
One study also found that consuming high-antioxidant foods like walnuts "can decrease the enhanced vulnerability to oxidative stress that occurs in aging," "increase health span," and also "enhance cognitive and motor function in aging."14
Diabetes
The beneficial dietary fat in walnuts has been shown to improve metabolic parameters in people with type 2 diabetes. Overweight adults with type 2 diabetes who ate one-quarter cup of walnuts daily had significant reductions in fasting insulin levels compared to those who did not, and the benefit was achieved in the first three months.
The outermost layer of a shelled walnut – the whitish, flaky (or sometimes waxy) part – has a bitter flavor, but resist the urge to remove it. It's thought that up to 90 percent of the antioxidants in walnuts are found in the skin, making it one of the healthiest parts to consume.16 To increase the positive impacts on your health, look for nuts that are organic and raw, not irradiated or pasteurized.
Furthermore, be aware that walnuts are highly perishable and their healthful fats easily damaged. If you're purchasing shelled walnuts in bulk, avoid those that appear shriveled or smell rancid, or that you cannot verify are fresh. Walnuts should be stored in an airtight container in your refrigerator or freezer, whether they are shelled or unshelled. Walnuts are great as a quick snack, but if you're not a fan of their flavor, you can still get their therapeutic benefits by blending them into smoothies. Or you can try one of the other healthful nuts available.
You can further improve the quality of walnuts by soaking them in water overnight, which will tend to lower some of the enzyme inhibitors and phytic acid. After soaking, you can dehydrate them at low temperature of around 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit until they are crispy again, as they are far more palatable when they are crunchy.

Prevent Cancer, Heart Disease And Others With Cucumber

Cucumbers belong to the same plant family as squash, pumpkin, and watermelon (the Cucurbitaceae family). Like watermelon, cucumbers are made up of mostly (95 percent) water, which means eating them on a hot day can help you stay hydrated.
However, there's reason to eat cucumbers all year long. With vitamin K, B vitamins, copper, potassium, vitamin C, and manganese, cucumbers can help you to avoid nutrient deficiencies that are widespread among those eating a typical diet.
Plus, cucumbers contain unique polyphenols and other compounds that may help reduce your risk of chronic diseases and much, much more.
Protect Your Brain
Cucumbers contain an anti-inflammatory flavonol called fisetin that appears to play an important role in brain health. In addition to improving your memory and protecting your nerve cells from age-related decline , fisetin has been found to prevent progressive memory and learning impairments in mice with Alzheimer's disease.
Reduce Your Risk of Cancer
Cucumbers contain polyphenols called lignans (pinoresinol, lariciresinol, and secoisolariciresinol), which may help to lower your risk of breast, uterine, ovarian, and prostate cancers.They also contain phytonutrients called cucurbitacins, which also have anti-cancer properties. According to the George Mateljan Foundation:
"Scientists have already determined that several different signaling pathways (for example, the JAK-STAT and MAPK pathways) required for cancer cell development and survival can be blocked by activity of cucurbitacins."
Fight Inflammation
Cucumbers may help to "cool" the inflammatory response in your body, and animal studies suggest that cucumber extract helps reduce unwanted inflammation, in part by inhibiting the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes (including cyclo-oxygenase 2, or COX-2).
Antioxidant Properties
Cucumbers contain numerous antioxidants, including the well-known vitamin C and beta-carotene. They also contain antioxidant flavonoids, such as quercetin, apigenin, luteolin, and kaempferol, which provide additional benefits.
For instance, quercetin is an antioxidant that many believe prevents histamine release—making quercetin-rich foods "natural antihistamines." Kaempferol, meanwhile, may help fight cancer and lower your risk of chronic diseases including heart disease.
Freshen Your Breath
Placing a cucumber slice on the roof of your mouth may help to rid your mouth of odor-causing bacteria. According to the principles of Ayurveda, eating cucumbers may also help to release excess heat in your stomach, which is said to be a primary cause of bad breath.
Manage Stress
Cucumbers contain multiple B vitamins, including vitamin B1, vitamin B5, and vitamin B7 (biotin). B vitamins are known to help ease feelings of anxiety and buffer some of the damaging effects of stress.
Support Your Digestive Health
Cucumbers are rich in two of the most basic elements needed for healthy digestion: water and fiber. If you struggle with acid reflux, you should know that drinking water can help suppress acute symptoms of acid reflux by temporarily raising stomach pH; it's possible that water-rich cucumbers may have a similar effect.
Cucumber skins contain insoluble fiber, which helps add bulk to your stool. This helps food to move through your digestive tract more quickly for healthy elimination.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Cucumbers are very low in calories, yet they make a filling snack (one cup of sliced cucumber contains just 16 calories). The soluble fiber in cucumbers dissolves into a gel-like texture in your gut, helping to slow down your digestion. This helps you to feel full longer and is one reason why fiber-rich foods may help with weight control.
Support Heart Health
Cucumbers contain potassium, which is associated with lower blood pressure levels. A proper balance of potassium both inside and outside your cells is crucial for your body to function properly.
As an electrolyte, potassium is a positive charged ion that must maintain a certain concentration (about 30 times higher inside than outside your cells) in order to carry out its functions, which includes interacting with sodium to help control nerve impulse transmission, muscle contraction, and heart function.
          Dr Mercola, who authored this piece, is an expert nutritionist.

Beware: Killer Chickens And Turkeys In Lagos Markets - NOA

Lagos State Government at the weekend raised the alarm over the danger of buying and consuming ex­humed contaminated poul­try produce like chicken and turkey meat presently in circulation in the state.

The state’s Commission­er for Agriculture, Mr. To­yin Suarau, who disclosed this while receiving offi­cials of the National Orien­tation Agency (NOA), who came on the directive of the Federal Government to ap­peal for support on how to sensitise Lagosians on the danger posed by this act noted that these exhumed poultry produce are poi­sonous and could lead to death if consumed.

Suarau added that the imported contaminated poultry produce were seized by men of the Ni­geria Customs Service in Badagry but were later exhumed - after being de­stroyed - by some unscrupu­lous individuals who now sell same to unsuspecting consumers.

“This visit by officials of National Orientation Agency was based on the circular received by the agency about the recently exhumed contaminated poultry produce being de­stroyed by officials of the Nigeria Customs Service somewhere in Badagry. The need for sensiti­sation on the dangers as­sociated with consuming these exhumed poisonous poultry produce cannot be overemphasised especially in view of the havoc it pos­es to the public,” he noted.

The commissioner pos­ited that the imported poultry produce were pre­served with chemicals like formalin which is poison­ous, adding that it could lead to slow death without the knowledge of the con­sumer.

Once-A-Week Sex Is Healthy For Couples


If the World Health Organization's definition of health as "the totality of a person's well being, including the physical, the spiritual, the emotional etc" is anything to go by, then the issue of sex and its effects on the health of couples (especially married couples) cannot be down-played.

For decades, self-help books and therapists have advised couples that the key to a successful relationship is sex…and plenty of it.

But a new study suggests that behind closed doors, the happiest partners are actually making love just once a week.

According to the University of Toronto-Mississauga more frequent attempts at copulation will not boost satisfaction or well-being.

 
"People often think that more money and more sex equal more happiness, but this is only true up to a point"
Dr Amy Muise, University of Toronto-Mississauga

The study was based on questionnaires filled in by 30,000 Americans over more than 30 years.

“I think the take-home message is that in general it is important to maintain a sexual connection with a romantic partner, but it is also important to have realistic expectations for one's sex life, given that many couples are busy with work and family responsibilities,” said psychologist Dr Amy Muise, who led the research.

“Our research suggests that having more frequent sex in relationships is associated with greater happiness, but this is only true up to once a week, having sex more frequently is no longer associated with greater well-being.

“Therefore, is not necessary, on average, for couples to aim to engage in sex as frequently as possible.”

The study established that people in a relationship tend to have sex about once a week on average. For couples, happiness tended to increase with more frequent sex, but this plateaued at weekly sex.

Despite common stereotypes that men want more sex and older people have less sex, there actually was no difference in the findings based on gender, age or length of relationship.

"Our findings were consistent for men and women, younger and older people, and couples who had been married for a few years or decades," added Dr Muise.

Relationship expert Tracey Cox said the research would leave most couples breathing a sigh of relief
"Sex is important in relationships for bonding and feeling that your partner still fancies you, but having sex once a week is a realistic and achievable goal for busy people," she said.

Are you having sexual problems in your relationship? Do you need an expert, natural cure for your sexual problems, including infertility, weak erection, STD's etc? call Dr E.E. Humphrey, the CEO of Save Soul Natural Clinic on: +2348069223334, +2349092770089.

Green Tea Helps With Healthy Ageing - Study

Green tea has long been considered for possible health benefits, including its potential to decrease the risk of certain cancers, its antioxidant properties and its blood-pressure lowering effects.

A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition suggests that green tea could help to make ageing a healthy process, too. Green tea is a product made from the Camellia sinensis plant.

It can be prepared as a beverage, which can have some health effects. Or an “extract” can be made from the leaves to use as medicine. Green tea is used to improve mental alertness and thinking.

Researchers from the Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan, looked at the green tea-drinking habits of 14,000 older adults, ages 65 and older, for a three-year period.

The researchers found that the ones who drank the most green tea over these tidy period were also the ones who functioned best in old age — meaning they did not have trouble with basic activities like bathing or dressing.

Seven per cent of people who drank at least five cups of green tea a day had basic functioning problems, compared with 13 per cent of people who drank a cup or less of green tea a day.

“Green tea consumption is significantly associated with a lower risk of incident functional disability, even after adjustment for possible confounding factors,” researchers concluded in the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Anti-aging and antiinflammatory effects of green tea may delay signs of skin ageing, such as sun damage, expression lines and wrinkles, according to a study published in the journal of Collegium Anthropologicum.

Also, catechins, in green tea may also help prevent skin cancer due to sun exposure, notes Pearl E. Grimes, author of the book “Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery for Darker Skin Types.”

How Alcohol Affects Parkinson's Disease Risk

Drinking alcoholic beverages is not associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) risk, according to a new study published in the June issue of PLOS ONE. However, in additional analyses the study did find that among those who drink only beer, greater consumption was associated with lower risk for PD and among those who consumed only liquor, greater consumption was associated with higher risk for PD. No association was found between wine and PD risk.

While previous studies have found that cigarette smoking and coffee consumption are associated with a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease, research on alcohol consumption and PD risk has shown conflicting data. The researchers, led by Rui Lui, Ph.D., of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences in Research Triangle Park, NC, were interested in learning more about alcohol’s effects on Parkinson’s disease risk and how specific types of alcoholic beverages might influence that risk.

The study looked at 306,895 people (ages 50 to 71 at the time) who participated in the 1995-1996 NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study, which collected detailed lifestyle and dietary information from participants. Researchers followed up with study participants and compared the alcohol consumption of the 1,094 people who were diagnosed with PD between 2000 and 2006 and those who did not develop the disease.
  • Overall, total alcohol consumption was not associated with Parkinson’s disease risk.
  • People who drank beer only and consumed one or more beers per day had a 59 percent lower risk of PD than non-alcohol drinkers.
  • People who drank liquor only and consumed one or more drinks per day had a more than two-fold higher risk of PD than non-alcohol drinkers.
The major finding of this study is that there is no association between total consumption of alcoholic beverages and future risk of Parkinson’s disease.

This is in contrast to caffeine consumption and smoking which are associated with lower risk for PD.

Researchers have tried to explain the association between caffeine and smoking to PD in one of two ways - either that there is something protective in caffeine or in smoking which reduces the risk for PD, or, that people with PD are less predisposed to addiction, possibly because of reduced dopamine even before disease onset. The fact that alcohol consumption is not associated with reduced PD risk argues against the second hypothesis.

In additional analyses, the researchers found that among those who consume only beer, higher consumption was associated with a lower PD risk and among those who consume only liquor, higher consumption was associated with a higher PD risk. It is very difficult to interpret these findings because of the opposite effects of beer and liquor consumptions. Plus this study reports on an association between a substance (alcohol) and an outcome, but is not designed to prove definitive cause and effect.

The study did not investigate the reasons why beer and liquor affect Parkinson’s disease risk. One proposed mechanism would be that beer consumption elevates plasma urate which is associated with lower PD risk.

The higher risk of Parkinson’s disease among liquor drinkers may be due to the detrimental effects of liquor’s high ethanol content and its lack of vitamins and antioxidants.

Research on alcohol consumption and Parkinson’s disease still shows conflicting data. People who do not drink alcohol should not start drinking beer to try to prevent PD.

This material was sent in from Parkinson's Disease Foundation.