Health Benefits Of Curcumin From The Spice Turmeric

Turmeric is that peppery, yellow spice that is used in curry. It is also the spice that makes bright yellow mustard , well, bright yellow. It is so good at making things yellow that it is used as a textile dye.

A lot of research has been conducted over the past 20 to 30 years studying the health benefits of one of turmeric's active ingredients called curcumin. A great overview of the health benefits of turmeric and curcumin can be found at Whole Foods. In summary, turmeric and curcumin are found to be

• A potent and safe anti-inflammatory
• An effective Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease
• Relief for Rheumatoid Arthritis
• A benefit to Cystic Fibrosis sufferers
• Inhibits Cancer Cell Growth
• May help prevent Colon Cancer in combination with onions
• Helps prevent prostate cancer in combination with cauliflower
• Reduces the risk of childhood leukemia
• Improves liver function
• Provides cardiovascular protection
• Lowers cholesterol
• May provide protection against Alzheimer's Disease

Turmeric can be added to salads and vegetables to provide a tasty and peppery flavor. I like drinking turmeric tea in the morning, and it is easy to make. For 1 serving,

• Bring to boil 1 cup of water
• Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground turmeric to the water and simmer for about 10 minutes
• I don't strain the tea, but some may prefer to strain out the remaining particulates.
• Add honey to taste and enjoy.

You can also add ginger for an added zing to the tea if you prefer.

Here are some recent research articles regarding curcumin:

• Curcumin And Multiple Myeloma
• Curcumin Nanoparticles 'Open Up' Resistant Cancers
• Curcumin News and Research
• Curcumin Research
• Curcumin Selected Research
• Indena Curcumin Complex Shows Eye Therapy Potential
• Dietary Curcumin Increases Antioxidant Defenses In Lung

Remember that diet in combination with a regular exercise program is the best way to a healthier life. For illustrated examples of exercise techniques, click Exercise-To-A-Healthier-Life.com .

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Charles

WebMD's Least Effective Exercises

WebMD has a nice slide show of their "9 Least Effective Exercises." Some of the least effective exercises on their list are:

• The Lat Pull-Down Behind the Head exercise. According to WebMD, "only people with very mobile shoulder joints can keep their spines straight enough to do this exercises properly." Doing this exercise improperly may lead to a tear in the rotator cuff.
• Military Press Behind the Head exercise. This exercise done improperly can have the same consequences as the Lat Pull-Down Behind the Head.
• Upright Row. This exercise can compress the nerves of the shoulder.
• Lying Leg Press with your Knees Bent Too Deeply. This can hurt your back and knees.
• Squats on the Smith Machine. This exercise can force your body into risky positions, according to WebMD.

A couple of the recommended and safer alternative exercises are:

• The Front Raise and Lateral Raise exercises.
• And Squats

Charles

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Benefits of Lifelong Exercise

We have more scientific evidence that we should remain active for as long as possible to stay healthy.

The findings of another study shows that active senior men have twice the capacity for oxygen uptake than men who do not exercise. Incredibly, the active senior men have values that are similar to men 40 to 50 years younger but do not exercise.

The study is a collaborative effort between researchers at Mid Sweden University and Ball State University.

Go to Exercise-To-A-Healthier-Life.com for exercise ideas for your fitness program.

Charles

New American Heart Associatiion Guidelines For CPR

The American Heart Assciation (AHA) has issued new guidelines for CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation).

Two of the main highlights are

• "When administering CPR, immediate chest compressions should be done first."
• "Untrained lay people are urged to administer Hands-Only CPR (chest compressions only)."

Trained people are now urged to start with chest compressions first, and then check the airway and administer breaths. In addition,

• "During CPR, rescuers should give chest compressions a little faster, at a rate of at least 100 times a minute."
• "Rescuers should push deeper on the chest, compressing at least two inches in adults and children and 1.5 inches in infants."
• Between each compression, rescuers should avoid leaning on the chest to allow it to return to its starting position."
• "Rescuers should avoid stopping chest compressions and avoid excessive ventilation."
• "All 9-1-1 centers should assertively provide instructions over the telephone to get chest compressions started when cardiac arrest is suspected."

Charles

Exercise-To-A-Healthier-Life.com

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Chest Compressiion Only CPR

Recently I updated by CPR training. The new procedure was much different than the one that I learned years ago. The compressions now occur between the nipples rather than below the sternum. The protocol cycle is also 2 breathes followed by 30 compressions.

However, a new study published in The Lancet indicates that bystanders should use chest compression only CPR rather than the standard 2-breathes and 30-compression current protocol.

The results of this study show that survival rates for compression only CPR is 14% compared to 12% for the current standard CPR. The conclusion is that "For adults with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, instructions to bystanders from emergency medical services dispatch should focus on chest-compression-only CPR."

The may actually convince many to give CPR to a stranger, since many of us are concerned with exchange of body fluids with a stranger. Knowing the compression-only CPR may actually be better is a big help in eliminating those concerns.

As a side note, automatic defribilators have really come down in price over the last few years. Even though it is still pricey at between $1000 and $1500, the cost is substantially down from what it used to be. An example is the Philips HeartStart Home Defibrillator (AED) for less than $1300. A good investment if you have someone in your family with heart problems.

Charles
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Health Benefits Of Walking

One of the health benefits of walking as reported in a study supported by the U.S. National Institute on Aging is that walking at least 6 miles each week protects the brain from shrinkage in old age. This is also an indication that regular and frequent walking helps prevent memory problems and a decline in cognitive abilities.

This is another reason to live an active lifestyle. Similar studies have shown that those who walk at least 10000 steps each day reduce their risks of cardiovascular disease by 72% compared to those who walk only 5000 steps each day.


Longitudinal studies have also shown that we can reduce our mortality risk by 50% with 30 minutes of moderate intensity workouts on 5 or more days of the week. If you combine an exercise routine with a Mediterranean style of diet, you can reduce your risks of developing Alzheimer's Disease by 60%, according to studies by Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas.

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Charles

My Gall Bladder Story

For 8 years, I had near sleepless nights due to digestive tract spasms. It actually felt like my stomach was being twisted.

My physician usually pointed to possible vision problems or stress. I knew, however, that these possible problems were not the cause of my spasms.

So, I experimented with diet and lifestyle changes. Nothing seemed to work. The spasms continued, and I slept less and less.

I finally realized that the spasms were coming from my gall bladder. Determined to keep my gall bladder right where nature put it, I started researching for possible cures.

I tried various suggestions, even the Chinese Gold Coin Grass herb. Nothing really worked.

I finally came across a suggestion that seemed plausible. It was lecithin.

I started taking 3 teaspoons of granular lecithin with meals everyday. In 2 days, the spasms stoppoed. I have continued taking 3 teaspoons of lecithin per day with my doctor's approval, and I have been spasm free for almost 2 years now.

With the spasm free nights, I sleep much better.

Lecithin contains choline compounds. Choline helps prevent the abnormal accumulation of fat in the liver. Some studies suggest that it may also help dissolve fatty deposits in the liver , gall bladder and blood vessels. Choline is used by our body to transport and metabolize fats. Choline also regulates inflamation in our cardiovascular system.

I also eat half a red beet root everyday, also. Compounds found in red beet root increases bile flow, which helps prevent fatty buildup in the liver and bile ducts. Betalain found in beet roots also converts choline to betaine, which provides anti-inflamatory functions in our body.

For more information on the benefits of exercise and a proper diet, click on http://www.exercise-to-a-healthier-life.com/benefits-exercise.html .

Charles