Brown Rice & its Benefits

What is  Brown Rice & why is it so called?

Brown rice is “unpolished” white rice. Brown rice retains unsaturated fatty acids, protein, minerals, vitamins, and starch that are usually removed during polishing. It is eaten as food and taken as medicine.

Uses of Brown Rice:

• Brown rice is used for diarrhea, upset stomach and other stomach problems, fluid retention, intestinal worms, yellowed skin (jaundice), thiamine deficiency (beriberi), burns, nosebleed, fever, vomitingblood, swelling (inflammation), paralysis, hemorrhoids, and psoriasis and other skin ailments.
• It is also used as an appetite stimulant, drying agent (astringent), soothing agent (demulcent), and tonic

8 Reasons why Brown rice is better than the White rice

1. Brown Rice is Rich in Selenium

Extremely high in selenium, an important trace mineral known to drastically reduce our chances of developing certain forms of cancer, as well as heart disease, inflammatory conditions and rheumatoid arthritis.

2. Brown Rice is Very High in Manganese

One cup of brown rice provides over 80% of our daily manganese requirements. This mineral helps the human body create the important fatty acids that make healthy forms of cholesterol. It is also beneficial to the health of our nervous and reproductive systems.

3. Brown Rice Holds Naturally Occurring Oils

These heart-healthy oils are naturally found in brown rice and can help the body reduce LDL forms of cholesterol.

4. Brown Rice Promotes Weight Loss

Because of its fiber-richness and ability to keep healthy bowel function, brown rice “keeps things moving” in a way that promotes weight-loss and metabolic function. After one bowl of brown rice, you’ll feel more full despite eating a smaller amount of food.

5. Brown Rice is a Whole Grain

Unlike white rice, brown rice has not lost its wholeness. Studies show that six servings of whole grains weekly can lower the creation of arterial plaque build-up and reduce chances of developing heart disease and high cholesterol.

6. Brown Rice is an Antioxidant

Most people associate antioxidants with blueberries and green tea, but many are unaware that brown rice is also a source of antioxidants.

7. Brown Rice is Very High in Fiber

Studies have correlated the high use of whole grains like brown rice with lowered levels of colon cancer. This may be related to its high fiber content. Studies show that fiber actually attaches to cancer-causing substances and toxins, helping to eliminate them from the body, and keeping them from attaching to the cells in our colon. Brown rice also contains the necessary components to stabilize digestion, prevent/relieve constipation and promote proper elimination/bowel function.

8. Brown Rice is a Slow-Release Sugar

Unlike stripped rice, brown rice can help keep blood sugar stabilized as it releases sugars slowly and in a sustained fashion. This makes it a better option for diabetics, as compared to white rice. While studies in Asia have shown a link between the consumption of white rice and risk of type 2 diabetes, new research shows that individuals who eat at least two servings of brown rice weekly can reduce their chances of developing diabetes 2 by up to 11 percent.

I personally recommend using organic wild brown rice as the best option. But, even if you don’t buy organic, just making the switch from white rice to brown rice is a great first step to a healthy diet.

How does it work?

It is not known how brown rice might work for medical conditions. Developing research suggests brown rice might help prevent some of the heart-related complications of diabetes. There is also some evidence that it might keep some kinds of cancer cells from multiplying.

Top 10 Bad Things That Are Good For You

 

Beer quells heart disease and chocolate staves off cancer? Though often tagged with a disclaimer, studies that tell us to eat, inhale and generally indulge in “bad stuff” is music to our ears. So go ahead and enjoy these bad-for-you remedies-everything in moderation, as they say-until the next study inevitably overturns the research.

Sex

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Scientists have found that the benefits of sex go beyond immediate, ahem, gratification and satisfying the goal of procreation. Besides the obvious evolutionary purposes, we can all take pleasure in the news that having sex is an easy way to reduce stress, lower cholesterol and improve circulation throughout the body. As if you needed another excuse.

Chocolate

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Chocolate lovers rejoice: study after study lately has touted the magical benefits of the indulgent treat, which is packed with the antioxidant flavonols that prevent certain cancers and keep your arteries from clogging. The most recent news? These powerful chemicals may even increase blood flow to the brain, warding off dementia. Just stick to the highest cocoa content possible-the bars packed with sugar don’t help your health one bit.

Red Wine

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A crucial ingredient in the diets of the world’s heart-healthiest populations-like those Bordeaux-guzzling French-red wine has long been known to have potent anti-cancer and artery-protecting benefits. The key, some studies indicate, is an antioxidant found specifically in the skin of red wine grapes, called resveratrol. The latest studies even link resveratrol to greater endurance, a reduction in gum disease and Alzheimer’s. White wine, which is fermented after the skins are removed, is less beneficial according to some studies.

Marijuana

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It’s medicinal, we swear! Marijuana, often associated with memory loss, is ironically now being hyped as a way to stave off the ultimate form of memory loss: Alzheimer’s. Recent studies on mice suggest that anti-inflammatories found in the drug prevent the clumping of brain proteins, one major cause of the disease. So when should you start preventative therapy? We suggest waiting for the human studies to wrap up.

Maggots

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They’re creepy, slimy and altogether ooky, but maggots can save your life. These squirmy larvae are science’s newest wonder-cure and were approved in 2003 as the Food & Drug Administration‘s only live medical device. Placed on serious wounds, maggots mimic their “wild” lifestyle and munch on bacteria and dead tissue, stimulating healing and helping to prevent infection.

Sunlight

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Exposure to the sun’s rays is necessary to survive, but can also kill youin gross, cancerous quantities. Asthmatics, at least, could benefit from measured doses of ultraviolet rays, according to scientists. Sunlight suppressed the immune reactions that cause asthma in some lab studies with mice and could be used to treat humans afflicted with the disease in the future. And sunlight-even if indirect, such as on a shaded porch-is known to boost the mood. Extra sunlight can help office workers avoid afternoon drowsiness, a recent study found. There’s still no excuse to head outside and bake, however.

LSD

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We’re definitely not in the business of advocating drug use. But check out this interesting science: In heavy drinkers, small doses of LSD have been thought to help bypass the rock-bottom stage of alcoholism and prevent relapses. These studies-some decades old-were done in closely monitored, clinical settings; many patients haven’t had a drink in the many years since. It’s an interesting finding that needs a lot more investigation, and not a remedy that should ever be tried at home. Meantime, and this may come as no surprise, recent study of 36 volunteers who took an LSD-like drug in a lab setting had them reporting mystical experiences and behavior changes that lasted for weeks.

Coffee

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Java is one of the most debated substances around. Is it good for you? Is it bad for you? Both? The consensus, now anyways, seems to favor those who enjoy their morning jolt — unrelated studies claim coffee is a major source of antioxidants in our diet and can help lower your risk of diabetes. Something in the beans is also thought to ease the onset of cirrhosis of the liver and pancreatitis, good news for those who like to party hard all night before their morning caffeine boost.

Anger

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If you’re one of those people who tends to bottle things up, only to explode … don’t hold it in so long. Studies show that bursts of anger here and there are good for the health, and can be an even more effective coping mechanism than becoming afraid, irritated or disgusted. Anger, like the consumables in this list, however, is best in moderation: stay angry for long periods of time and you’ll be plagued with a host of health issues, like blood pressure, sleep disorders and lung damage.

Beer

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The newest bad kid on the block, beer has long been overshadowed by its healthier alcoholic cousins. While no one’s suggesting you switch that glass of antioxidant-rich Pinot Noir for a tall glass of lager-there’s still that beer gut to worry about-new research has suggested that moderate beer intake can actually improve cardiovascular function. Now if only a scientist will discover the health benefits of ballpark franks and chicken wings. Heaven.

 

The all-important heart is constantly at work, pumping blood (about 2,000 gallons a day) filled with essential oxygen and nutrients to your body’s organs 24/7. Everything about the heart and how it works is interesting, but here are some nuggets of information we found particularly fascinating.

The Heart Sits in the Center of the Chest, Not On the Left Side

Does this blow your mind because you’ve always been told it’s on the left? When we place our hands over our hearts to pledge allegiance, we actually go a tad too far to the left. The heart is located in the middle of the chest, snuggled between the lungs.

A small percentage of people are born with dextrocardia, a condition in which the heart points more toward the right side of the chest than the left. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, people who have dextrocardia with situs inversus (when visceral organs like the liver and spleen are reversed too) can live normal lives without any disability.

In many cases, though, dextrocardia is associated with other heart defects or other misplaced, and even missing, organs that might require surgery to correct.

The Human Heart Beats Around 70 Times per Minute

This is a ballpark figure. According to Mayo Clinic, a healthy adult heart should beat anywhere from 60 to 100 times a minute while at rest. Do the math, and it adds up to around 100,000 beats a day and 2.5 billion beats in the average lifetime. That’s a lot of pumping.

Newborns have the fastest heartbeats, at 70 to 190 beats per minute, and the hearts of well-trained athletes tend to beat slower, at a rate of 40 to 60 beats per minute.

Faster-than-normal resting heart rate (called tachycardia) or a below-normal heart rate (bradycardia) could be signs of heart problems.

It’s important to watch your normal heart rate over time, too. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found people whose resting heart rates increased from under 70 beats per minute to more than 85 beats per minute over 10 years had a 90 percent increased risk of dying from heart disease compared to those whose heart rates stayed around 70 beats per minute.

Having a Big Heart Isn’t Necessarily a Good Thing

In the literal sense, an enlarged heart is a symptom of heart disease. For an adult, a normal heart is about the size of your fist.

An enlarged heart, termed cardiomegaly, can occur for a number of reasons, some temporary (stress on the body or pregnancy) and some tied to heart condition (weak heart muscle, coronary artery disease, heart valve problems, or abnormal heart rhythms).

Complications of cardiomegaly include cardiac arrest and sudden death (commonly seen in athletes), heart failure, heart murmurs, and blood clots, depending on the part of the heart enlarged.

And a Cold Heart Isn’t Always a Bad Thing

Therapeutic hypothermia is actually a form of treatment for cardiac arrest. According to American Heart Association guidelines for inducing hypothermia, doctors cool a patient’s body to 91 degrees F, 7 degrees below average, in order to slow damage to brain and other organs that begin when the heart stops and restarts.

Research published in the Annals of Neurology in late 2010 found that two-thirds of patients who received the therapy after revival from cardiac arrest recovered and went home with good heart function.

Monday is the Most Common Day of the Week for Heart Attacks

Mondays get a bad rap — Manic Mondays, Monday blues, case of the Mondays — but where heart health is concerned, maybe it’s deserved. Research has shown that more heart attacks occur on Mondays than any other day of the week. One 2005 study published in the European Journal of Epidemiology found that the incidence of heart attack was 20 percent higher in men and 15 percent higher in women on Mondays.

Some experts theorize that the spike has to do with the stress of returning to work after a relaxing weekend, while others correlate Monday heart attacks with the effects of boozy Saturday nights.

Other popular heart attack days: Christmas, the day after Christmas, and New Year’s.

Male-Pattern Baldness is a Sign of Heart Disease

This one may seem strange, but studies have shown that, compared to men with full heads of hair, men with crown hair loss have an increased risk of heart disease, about 23 percent higher, and complete hair loss on top of the head brings that number up to 36 percent. If you’re a guy who also has high blood pressure or high cholesterol, your risk is even higher.

Scientists can’t be sure what causes the link, but it might have something to do with testosterone. Too much of it interferes with hair growth on the head and also causes hardened arteries. The hair-loss link to heart disease could also be genetic.

The Body’s System of Blood Vessels is More Than 60,000 Miles Long

There are three different kinds of blood vessels: Arteries carry blood from heart to organs, veins carry blood from organs and limbs back to the heart, and capillaries connect the two. Together, all of the arteries, veins, and capillaries in the body are long enough to go around the world more than twice.

How tall are you? Think about it.

Hardening of those arteries, called atherosclerosis, is the result of cholesterol and fat buildup in the vessels, which causes plaque. It can lead to coronary artery disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Women’s Hearts Beat Faster Than Men’s

A female human heart pumps about six beats faster per minute than a male heart, which can be explained by the gender difference in heart size. A male heart is bigger (by about 25 percent), so it can pump more blood in a single beat.

But having a quicker heart beat doesn’t equal quicker finishing times for runners. Because men’s hearts can pump more blood, on average, they tend to run faster than women.

Your Heart Doesn’t Stop When You Sneeze

The increased pressure in your chest can affect blood flow to the heart, briefly changing its rhythm, but contrary to common belief, your heart doesn’t skip a beat when you sneeze. That doesn’t mean you should stop saying “bless you” or “gesundheit” after a sneeze, though. It’s only polite!

Despite the name, your heart doesn’t stop during heart failure either. It just can’t pump blood as well as it should. The only time the heart stops is during cardiac arrest.

The Aorta Is Nearly the Diameter of a Garden Hose

Sure it’s the largest artery in the body, running from the heart to the abdomen, but the thickness of a garden hose? That’s pretty big, and a weird thing to visualize.

But its size isn’t the only thing that makes the aorta a big deal: Most aneurysms, or bulges in the wall of an artery, will happen there.

Narrowing, or coarctation, of the aorta is a birth defect (doctors normally notice when a baby is a newborn) that can make it difficult for blood to pass through. Doctors have to perform surgery to remove the narrowed part or open it to correct the problem.

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Signs of a heart attack for women

In a survey of the attitudes of women to heart disease, only a small percentage OF people was found to be aware that a heart attack is a major cause of death in the world today. The survey also says that about 300,000 women die of heart attacks each year, all because they tend to ignore the signs and symptoms. Women are less likely to visit a doctor and a check because they believe their family is more important and should be given higher priority.

The first signs of a heart attack are not as difficult to distinguish. However, you must understand that women’s symptoms are not always the same as in men. These are the signs and symptoms that you have to look out to save him from a fatal heart attack as possible.
1. Upper body discomfort – is logical that a heart attack strike and affect the left side of the body, especially in the left arm. However, one of the sure signs of a heart attack is the feeling of pain and discomfort, either in the left arm or both arms. The discomfort can also be felt in the jaw, back, neck, or stomach.
2. Shortness of breath – If you are the athletic type, but finds it difficult to breath even when sitting or lying in bed, something is probably wrong. Shortness of breath that comes with profuse sweating and a feeling of vertigo is usually a sign of a heart attack. Be careful, because this symptom may also lead to fainting.
3. Unexplained weakness – It is normal to feel tired, especially if you’ve had a stressful day at work, but if you feel fatigued and weaker than normal, it could be a sign that you’re having a heart attack. Before or during a heart attack, his heart fails to pump properly. Because of this, oxygen and glucose does not spread throughout the body, causing you to feel very weak, as if his energy was weakened.
4. Nausea and vomiting – Because your body is in a state of emergency for a heart attack, the nerves that control body function can overwork. This will make you sweat profusely and very pale. Also make you feel very dizzy to the point that will keep you in the vomit. Experts do not know exactly the reason behind this, but if you’ve been experiencing this for a while, seek medical attention immediately.
5. Anxiety – Anxiety is a normal part of life, but be aware that there may be a risk factor and a sign of a heart attack at the same time. There is a link between panic and heart attacks so you have to be very careful in the diagnosis of both. When you are having panic attacks, you may experience shortness of breath and feeling some pain and discomfort as well. But if you are getting tense, for no reason at all, can mean that your nerves are reacting to the exertion of the heart.
6. Inability to sleep – Experts suggest that sleep disturbances are a symptom of a heart attack on women. In obstructive sleep apnea, where the upper airway is partially or totally blocked, breathing is interrupted by a heart attack is more likely to happen. This is accompanied by turning in bed at night and a total inability to sleep sometimes. According to surveys, women who suffer from a heart attack experience this type of symptom than a month before the attack occurs. So when you wake up often in the middle of the night with cold sweats, unable to catch your breath, it’s time to visit the doctor for a checkup.
7. Indigestion – Heartburn is sometimes difficult to distinguish from a heart attack simply because acid reflux can fester just behind his heart. However, you can easily know that you are having a heart attack if you do not get heartburn during a meal, but during physical activity. When this occurs, consult your specialist immediately.
Your heart is a muscle, so what makes your biceps and triceps strong also strengthen the heart. If you can combine a heart-healthy diet with regular exercise, you will have the greatest chance of not experiencing a heart attack in full

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• Quality-of-life for women an issue: in some matters of the heart, women do not fare as well as men (eurekalert.org)

Truth about blood pressure

Judging by the huge numbers of high blood pressure medications being prescribed today – especially to older adults – high blood pressure seems to have reached epidemic proportions. The catch is that these medications do not promote healing nor do they prevent heart attacks and strokes. Due to serious side effects, including death, blood pressure medications often do not lengthen life; they shorten it. Instead of relying on these types of medications, there are much more effective lifestyle changes and natural remedies that one can implement to stabilize blood pressure and to strengthen his/her cardiovascular system.

Blood pressure is measured by the pressure exerted by blood as it travels through the arteries. Blood pressure is read by two numbers, systolic pressure (the top number) and diastolic pressure (the bottom number). Blood pressure that is considered normal is between 110/60 and 138/80. Elevated blood pressure is called hypertension. Stage I hypertension is considered to be measurements between 140 to 159/90 to 99 and Stage II hypertension is measurements of 160/100 or above.

It is important to note that high blood pressure is not a disease. It is a symptom. In almost all cases, high blood pressure is the mechanism by which the body provides more oxygen to keep it alive.

Cultural habits have a lot to do with the variance of blood pressure levels throughout the world. The fast-paced life in western cultures that includes fast foods, junk foods, processed foods, too much salt, and sugar have a lot to do with the rise in diseases that cause high blood pressure.

Factors that cause high pressure include:

*Being overweight;

*Poor Diet;

*Lack of exercise; and

*Diseases such as diabetes, and kidney and liver disease. Note: In the case of kidney and/or liver overload, a two week detoxification process will usually bring down blood pressure levels within a normal range;

Stress is a major cause of high blood pressure, and it is important to note that prescription and over-the-counter medications are a very common cause of high blood pressure.

Symptoms of high blood pressure include:

*Heart palpitations
*Dizziness
*Fatigue
*Headaches
*Nosebleeds
*Diarrhea
*Constipation
*Nausea
*Erectile Dysfunction
*Menstrual problems

Eliminating stress, achieving regular physical activity and eating the proper diet are imperative when treating high blood pressure. All fast foods, junk foods, processed foods, excess salt, sugars, unhealthy oils, sodas, etc. must be eliminated. Foods that help to lower blood pressure are: Garlic (preferably raw), cinnamon, bananas, and a diet that includes plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. It is also important to remain hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Important herbs and supplements that are effective when addressing the cardiovascular system are:

Cayenne Pepper: A most effective remedy, cayenne stabilizes blood pressure. In fact, it is the best thing that can be taken to strengthen the entire cardiovascular system. Cayenne stabilizes the blood so that it both stops bleeding and prevents blood clots. Cayenne cleanses clogged arteries, and it has been known to repair a damaged heart. Drinking one teaspoon of cayenne in warm water will stop a heart attack in less than a minute. One teaspoon taken daily in warm water or mixed with juice (no sugar, no additives) will bring instant results in stabilizing blood pressure. If one teaspoon is too much for the beginner, start with a quarter of a teaspoon and work up.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) also helps to stabilize blood pressure, promotes arterial health, and supports the cardiovascular system.

Hawthorne Berry Syrup lowers blood pressure, protects arterial walls, and prevents and treats hypertension and angina.

Additional supplements that support the cardiovascular system are fish oil and folic acid.

Genetics, diet, and stress can cause high blood pressure (hypertension), but a recent study shows there’s a way to lower it naturally.

 

Drink three cups of hibiscus tea a day. Look for this tea at your health food store, either solely hibiscus, or ones that are blended with this herb. The ability to lower blood pressure has to do with the actual plant and also the relaxing effects of sipping tea. Although your blood pressure may not decrease dramatically, even a small drop can benefit the body and lower your risk of the health problems associated with hypertension. Most people — 50 percent — are unaware that they even have high blood pressure, so if you haven’t had yours checked in a while, see a doctor, or use one of those machines at your pharmacy. If it’s on the high side, while you’re out, pick up some hibiscus tea.

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