Saturday, July 16, 2011

Nasturtium - Good Source Of Vitamin C




There is not a lot of information on the nutritional content of the Nasturtium plant, but many report that it is high in vitamin C. The entire plant is edible - stem, leaves and flower. It is an easy plant to grow, and gives your salad a mild peppery taste. And while providing an interesting addition to your salads, it will give you beautiful blooms all summer.

It is also a good plant to have around the border of your vegetable garden, since deer and rabbits just don't like Nasturtium. It does attract various varieties of bees. The bees just love these flowers.

I have also included a video on how to collect the seeds to grow these plants in following years.

Charles

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Melatonin And Proper Prostate Function

The Prostatitis Foundation has an informative summary of the importance of melatonin for proper prostate function.

Research has shown that healthy prostate tissue has melatonin receptors, which indicates that the hormone is important in the proper function of the prostate. Additional research shows that men who develop prostate cancer have low levels of melatonin.

In test tube studies, melatonin actually blocks the growth of prostate cancer cells. Melatonin treatments combined with conventional cancer treatments have improved survival rates in 9 out of 14 men with metastatic prostate cancer.

Melatonin has also been shown to lower prostate weight and shrink the prostate, which may help in preventing cancer. Studies at Tel Aviv University has shown that melatonin in human prostates can suppress prostate enlargement as we age.

Ever since I started taking low doses (300 mcg) of melatonin just before bedtime, it has improved my urine flow, which indicates that my prostate may be shrinking. Others have reported that symptoms of prostate inflammation or prostatitis have disappeared after taking low doses of melatonin at night.

You should take melatonin supplements under the supervision of your doctor. Some of the side effects are
  • Vivid dreams or nightmares
  • drowsiness
  • stomach cramps
  • dizziness
  • headache
  • irritability
  • And it may worsen symptoms of depression
For additional information on melatonin, see "Melatonin" by the University of Maryland Medical Center.

Dr. Al Sears also has a nice article called "The Melatonin Miracle."

"Melatonin: Unique, Potent Nutrient" by Ward Dean, MD

"How To Stop Aging?" by Walter Pierpaoli, MD, PhD

"Melatonin Supplement - Good of Bad" by Dr. Nor Ashikin Mokhtar

Charles