I have used and recommended the
The most crucial factors to our wellness are the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Sometimes we forget how critical pure air is to our health, but the average person takes 23,000 breaths every day, inhaling about 35 pounds of air. If this were fresh, clean, oxygen-rich air, it would be wonderful. The problem is, most of us spend about 80% of our time in our homes, offices, and vehicles, and this indoor air is stale and full of dust, bacteria, viruses, and other toxins that pose a serious threat to our health. In fact, numerous studies have indicated that indoor air is up to 10 times more polluted than most outdoor air. To make matters worse, the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere has dropped from an estimated 38% in 1800 to about 19% today. As you can see, we have a huge problem with air quality that has contributed to many modern illnesses.
Can Ionic Air Purifiers Help With This Situation?
Various types of air purifiers and filters have been invented over the years, but by far the most effective, safe, and economical design has been the ionizer or negative ion generator type. One of the reasons why ionizers work so well is that they imitate and duplicate methods of air purification that occur spontaneously in the natural world. For example, thunderstorms, lightning, sunshine, ocean waves, and waterfalls all have something in common: They increase the number of negative ions in the air, just as ionizing air purifiers are designed to do.
Negative ion generators work by using high voltage to release negatively charged air molecules (anions) into the air. Since literally all particles and foreign matter in the air are positively charged (cations), the two are magnetically attracted, thus causing the particles to get heavier and fall out of the air. They are either collected by a filter, on some machines, or simply allowed to fall to the ground and can then then be vacuumed or dusted away.
This action also has a disinfecting effect on the air, thus reducing the risk for bacterial and viral infections. In fact, ionizing air purifiers have been very successful at battling hard to handle infections that have been running rampant in hospitals and other health care facilities in recent years.
One thing to be aware of when choosing an ionizing air purifier is that many older machines secondarily produce significant amounts of ozone. In fact, ozone generators that primarily form ozone are available too. Ozone is an excellent air purifier and is also anti-bacterial and anti-viral. However, too much ozone can be toxic to humans and pets, causing respiratory distress such as coughing, chest pain, lung damage, and aggravating conditions like asthma and chronic bronchitis.
Many ionizers also have added features such as a HEPA filter, ultraviolet light, and carbonated filters to further cleanse the air of smoke, odors, germs, pollen, and molds. Permanently installed and portable units are available for home and vehicles. Prices vary greatly, so it pays to understand which features you need and to shop around. Some manufacturers of appliances such as computers, air conditioners, and even refrigerators and washers/dryers are jumping on the bandwagon by including negative ion generators built into their appliances.
How Can an Ionizer Air Purifier Improve My Health?
Using a negative ion generator in your home, car, or office can provide many benefits:
negative ion air purifier can greatly reduce these pests, and thus lower risk for allergic reactions, colds, flus, and other respiratory disorders.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Creating a Green Environment with Ionic Air Purification
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Wildcrafted Chanca Piedra and Your Liver
As it has with so many other herbs and medicinal plants, the Amazon Rain Forest has once again produced another gift in the form of a plant called chanca piedra. The native peoples of the area have used chanca piedra for thousands of years, primarily as a powerful liver cleanser, but researchers in recent times have discovered and documented many other uses for this amazing plant. Relatively obscure to the Western world until the last few decades, chanca piedra is now being used more commonly by herbalists and other natural health care practitioners as well as by informed individuals who have learned of its many benefits.There is some debate as to the origins of chanca piedra. Some say due to writings from the 18th century, that the plant was originally found in India or in the Philippines, and then transplanted to the New World. However, it is clear that it has been a staple of South American medicinal herbalists for many hundreds of years, and now grows wild from Argentina to the southern United States as well as in tropical zones around the world. Chanca piedra is known by several other names including chamberbitter, breakstone, and leafflower.
When choosing a source of chanca piedra to use as a supplement, it is important to secure wild or "wildcrafted" forms of the plant as they are generally more potent and effective than cultivated plants. This is likely due to the natural genetic characteristics of the plant that have developed over time in the wild.
Why is Chanca Piedra Such Good Medicine?
Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) has been employed in traditional and herbal medicine for centuries, and it has a long list of uses that until recently have only been supported by folklore. The name chanca piedra means "stone breaker" or "shatterstone" in Spanish, a reference to its ability to treat kidney stones and gallstones. Recently, the scientific community has gained quite an interest in chanca piedra, and several major studies have been done to learn more about what it can do for our health and why it is so beneficial.
One of the results of these studies is a better understanding of chanca piedra's effects on the liver, the main filter and detoxifying organ of the body. Research has shown that chanca piedra acts as a catalyst to enhance the liver's natural detoxifying properties. When the liver is operating at peak efficiency, the blood, and therefore the entire body, is able to rid itself more effectively of toxins we become exposed to through food, water, pharmaceutical drugs, the air, and other sources of pollutants. This one factor can greatly decrease our risk for many degenerative conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and others.
In addition, it has also been discovered that chanca piedra helps to stimulate greater bile secretion from the liver, a factor that improves digestion and allows us to absorb more nutrients from our food. Bile also boosts the body's ability to remove waste products more effectively.
What Else can Chanca Piedra Do For My Health?
Besides its positive effects on the liver, Chanca Piedra is helpful to many aspects of our health:
- As its name indicates, chanca piedra is commonly used to help dissolve, eliminate, and prevent kidney stones and gallstones. It is estimated that about 20 million Americans are afflicted with kidney stones alone every year, due mainly to a lack of water and a poor diet. A study in 1999 found that chanca piedra can both shrink existing stones and prevent them from forming in the first place.
- It has a relaxing effect on smooth muscles, such as those involved with expelling kidney and gallstones.
- Chanca piedra has been shown to lower blood cholesterol too. This is thought to be a function of its beneficial effects on bile production and efficient operation of the gallbladder.
- Other uses for chanca piedra include: as a diuretic and laxative, to relieve intestinal gas, externally on minor skin irritations, for jaundice, to reduce inflammatory pain, and even to rid the body of parasites such as worms and others.
This plant is an immune system booster with antiviral effects that many people use to ward off and treat the common cold, flus, HIV, and other infections.
I have seen the wonderful effects of chanca piedra when supported by other cleansing herbs in helping to dissolve and eliminate gallstones and liver stones. This is the reason that when formulating the main product, LivaPure, for my Optimum Liver and Gallbladder Cleanse, wild-crafted chanca piedra was chosen to be one of the chief ingredients.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Fulvic Acid: Nature's Treasure Chest
As the quest for nutritional excellence intensifies in our modern world that is so increasingly
devoid of the basic stuff of life, researchers and natural food scientists are always on the lookout for new understanding that can move us along towards better health. Fulvic acid is an ancient compound that has been a natural by-product of the functions of life here on planet Earth ever since Creation. However, it is only in the last few decades that fulvic acid has been studied extensively, although its existence was known long before then. Fulvic acid is generating a lot of excitement in many people's minds because of its surpassing value and many important benefits. This versatile substance may prove to be one of the most vital nutritional building blocks ever discovered by man.
What is Fulvic Acid?
Fulvic acid is an organic acid that is formed by the activity of microbes that occur naturally in healthy soil, and this formation takes place primarily in and around the root systems of plants. Many minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients in the soil are not initially in a form that can be easily absorbed and utilized by plants. This is because these elements are what is called metallic or clay-based
, rather than organic minerals which can be efficiently assimilated by plants, and eventually by the animals and humans who eat these plants. This is where fulvic acid fits into the grand scheme of things. Fulvic acid is the ingredient that changes non-organic materials into a form that is highly bio-available by our own body's cells. Therefore, if fulvic acid is not present, crops and other plants become much less nourishing when we eat them.
We are all aware of the many problems of modern agriculture. Commercial growers are in business to produce the most amount of food in the least amount of time, at minimal cost. Therefore, quality is sacrificed for quantity. The soil is overplanted, crops are not rotated, and toxic pesticides and fertilizers further poison and weaken the earth. Thus, there are less minerals and vitamins for plants to absorb and modern farming kills off helpful microbes in the soil -- the types of microbes that are needed for fulvic acid to form. So we have less nutrients available, and less fulvic acid to change them into a more usable form.
What is the Answer for the Lack of Fulvic Acid?
Unfortunately, due to all the issues mentioned above and others, it is nearly impossible to obtain enough fulvic acid in our diets, even if we eat organic. In order to get enough, we must use a quality supplemental fulvic acid so that we can more fully absorb nutrients from our food. But it doesn't stop there -- far from it. As we shall see, fulvic acid provides many additional benefits as well.
How Else Can Fulvic Acid Keep Me Well?
devoid of the basic stuff of life, researchers and natural food scientists are always on the lookout for new understanding that can move us along towards better health. Fulvic acid is an ancient compound that has been a natural by-product of the functions of life here on planet Earth ever since Creation. However, it is only in the last few decades that fulvic acid has been studied extensively, although its existence was known long before then. Fulvic acid is generating a lot of excitement in many people's minds because of its surpassing value and many important benefits. This versatile substance may prove to be one of the most vital nutritional building blocks ever discovered by man.What is Fulvic Acid?
Fulvic acid is an organic acid that is formed by the activity of microbes that occur naturally in healthy soil, and this formation takes place primarily in and around the root systems of plants. Many minerals, vitamins, and other nutrients in the soil are not initially in a form that can be easily absorbed and utilized by plants. This is because these elements are what is called metallic or clay-based
, rather than organic minerals which can be efficiently assimilated by plants, and eventually by the animals and humans who eat these plants. This is where fulvic acid fits into the grand scheme of things. Fulvic acid is the ingredient that changes non-organic materials into a form that is highly bio-available by our own body's cells. Therefore, if fulvic acid is not present, crops and other plants become much less nourishing when we eat them.We are all aware of the many problems of modern agriculture. Commercial growers are in business to produce the most amount of food in the least amount of time, at minimal cost. Therefore, quality is sacrificed for quantity. The soil is overplanted, crops are not rotated, and toxic pesticides and fertilizers further poison and weaken the earth. Thus, there are less minerals and vitamins for plants to absorb and modern farming kills off helpful microbes in the soil -- the types of microbes that are needed for fulvic acid to form. So we have less nutrients available, and less fulvic acid to change them into a more usable form.
What is the Answer for the Lack of Fulvic Acid?
Unfortunately, due to all the issues mentioned above and others, it is nearly impossible to obtain enough fulvic acid in our diets, even if we eat organic. In order to get enough, we must use a quality supplemental fulvic acid so that we can more fully absorb nutrients from our food. But it doesn't stop there -- far from it. As we shall see, fulvic acid provides many additional benefits as well.
How Else Can Fulvic Acid Keep Me Well?
- Fulvic acid is one of the most powerful substances -- on a cellular level -- that has ever been identified. It is structured so that it acts as an electrolyte, which simply means it can help to stabilize electrical charges in the cells. It also has the ability to bring chemical balance to our cells, and these two factors alone make fulvic acid a significant disease preventer and wellness tool. Fulvic acid acts as an alkalizing agent, thus lowering acidity in the body, a known factor in almost every degenerative disease.
- Fulvic acid is a potent antioxidant. It has a unique way of either destroying free radicals and enabling the body to eliminate them as waste, or it can even, in some cases, transform free radicals into useful substances that the body can absorb as nourishment.
- Fulvic acid also acts as a body cleanser, ridding us of heavy metals, chemicals, and other toxins. Studies have shown that fulvic acid can also turn certain toxins into useful substances, much as it does with some free radicals.
- Another fascinating aspect of fulvic acid is its ability to boost enzyme production in the body. Enzymes are agents that are responsible for many complex chemical reactions, mostly at the cellular level. Without enzymes, life would be impossible, and enzymes thrive on fulvic acid.
- Fulvic acid also helps to oxygenate the body by increasing the blood's ability to absorb oxygen. Oxygen is a key factor in wellness, as insufficient amounts of this gas produce a disease-friendly environment.
OAW Products that contain Fulvic Acid:
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae (Blue Green Algae) -- Why You Need It Everyday!
The following are brief summaries of a couple of scientific studies: As you can see, AFA Blue Green Algae is definitely an asset when it comes to your health and wellness routine. I highly recommend one of the most beneficial blue-green algae products that I have found, E-3 Live AFA from Klamath Lake.
There are virtually tens of thousands of types of algae found in nature, and quite a few of these are of the blue green variety. Algae is at the bottom of the food chain for many creatures, and is thus an important nutritional building block found world wide. However, you can't just go to your local pond or fishing hole and skim off some pond scum, as algae is often called. Many forms of algae and blue green algae are toxic to humans, and others have minimal nutritional value. The safest and most nutrition-packed species of blue green algae is called Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA), and is often harvested from pristine, cold, fresh-water lakes. Secure yourself a quality source of AFA, and you and your family will begin to reap the incredible health benefits it offers.
What is Blue Green Algae Composed of?
In scientific terms, AFA is classified as a micro-nutrient, but don't let the name fool you. There is nothing small about its nutritional value. The term "micro" refers to its tiny molecular structure that enables up to 95% of its nutrients to be absorbed. For example, AFA is an excellent source of protein of which 80% can be utilized by the body. In comparison, meat proteins only average about 20% assimilation.
Unlike some other types of algae, blue green (and particularly AFA) is especially beneficial to our health because of its synergistic ingredients. The blue tint of AFA is the result of a substance called phycocyanin that is a powerful enemy of free radicals, and also as a significant anti-inflammatory effect.
The green part of AFA is due to its high chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll is a complex phytonutrients that serves many valuable purposes including cleansing and detoxifying the body and helping to repair and rebuild damaged tissues. The best sources of AFA come from waters that receive a great amount of sunshine annually, thus increasing the chlorophyll content.
AFA is also high in vitamin B12, iron, and numerous enzymes and amino acids that provide needed building blocks for our bodies to maintain wellness. In addition, these critical substances act as a catalyst to increase the absorption of other nutrients. With AFA, the whole is definitely greater than the sum when it comes to benefitting our health.
Another favorable characteristic of AFA is its many carotenoids, which are power-packed phytonutrients such as lycopene, lutein, and beta carotene. These elements are very effective antioxidants that combat the deteriorating effects of free radicals.
AFA is also rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) which provide many nutritional benefits including a stronger immune system and increased cardiac health. AFA is also an alkalizing food that lowers acidity in the body, the cause of many forms of illness.
How Can Blue Green Algae Benefit My Health?
Due to its impressive list of ingredients, AFA can be an excellent tool for preventing disease and pursuing wellness.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Aloe Vera: The Healing Plant
One of the handiest home remedies and natural treatments to have around the house is an aloe vera plant that can be used to care for a variety of ailments including skin care and digestive disorders. In fact, this wonderful gift from our Creator has been revered for its healing properties for thousands of years. The use of aloe is referred to in the Bible, and in ancient Egyptian literature as well. Cleopatra (68-30 B.C.) used aloe to keep her skin young, and it was also used by Egyptians for embalming bodies. Greek writings also discussed internal uses of aloe for bowel regularity and for treating kidney problems. In modern times, aloe vera is a common ingredient in many personal care products such as cosmetics, sunscreens, and shampoos.
There are more than 200 varieties of the aloe plant, and this member of the desert lily family (Aloe barbadensis) has become popular all over the world. Aloe vera, literally "true aloe" in Latin, is the most commonly used species, and one that is highly effective both nutritionally and medicinally. In some cultures, cuttings from aloe vera plants are passed down from previous generations, and its use as a staple in the home becomes a family tradition. Many people keep an aloe plant in the kitchen to quickly deal with household burns.
What Makes Aloe Vera So Special?
There is a wealth of nutrition packed into an aloe vera plant. It contains every major vitamin (except D), and is one of the few known vegetable sources of vitamin B12. Aloe vera is also rich in minerals such as zinc, germanium, calcium, and magnesium. In addition, aloe vera is high in other key bioactive substances like enzymes, amino acids, and essential fatty acids (EFAs).
The unique and powerful thing about this amazing plant is that it contains about 15 different types of compound nutritional substances working together to produce a synergistic effect that makes it such a useful, natural healer. Scientists who have studied aloe vera can identify its components, but cannot combine them artificially to reproduce the same results in the lab.
How is Aloe Vera Used?
One of its most popular uses is as a treatment for skin problems for minor burns, sunburn, or cuts and scrapes. Simply break open a leaf of the plant, and apply the gel-like juice directly on the skin to experience its soothing effects. The combination of amino acids, so critical for the formation of protein in the body, and various enzymes, powerful compounds that are involved with virtually every part of the body at the cellular level, make aloe vera so nourishing and restorative to the skin. Aloe vera also keeps healthy skin moisturized and younger looking. It additionally works great on insect bites and rashes like poison ivy.
The internal use of aloe vera provides many health benefits. Due to the EFAs and other compounds found in the plant, aloe has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Thus it works well for treating and preventing many conditions such as colitis, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and other intestinal troubles. It also is quite useful for treating ulcers, cramps, stomachaches, heartburn, and indigestion.
Aloe is also a very capable body cleanser that can be used to eliminate toxins. It has positive effects on the colon, liver, kidneys, stomach, spleen, bladder, and other organs.
Aloe vera has also been documented to relieve the swelling and inflammation of arthritis, and other joint disorders.
Aloe acts to strengthen the immune system too, and has been used to treat such varied conditions as HIV, cancer, and viral infections. In fact, in 1994, aloe vera was approved by the FDA for use on HIV patients.
Another use for aloe vera has been to aid cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. The potent natural substances in aloe vera have helped people to have less nausea, higher blood counts, and increased energy during and after treatment.
There are so many health and nutrition benefits associated with aloe vera that it seems a given that it should be a part of everyone's natural health routine. Start a plant today, and begin to discover how aloe vera can impact your health.
There are more than 200 varieties of the aloe plant, and this member of the desert lily family (Aloe barbadensis) has become popular all over the world. Aloe vera, literally "true aloe" in Latin, is the most commonly used species, and one that is highly effective both nutritionally and medicinally. In some cultures, cuttings from aloe vera plants are passed down from previous generations, and its use as a staple in the home becomes a family tradition. Many people keep an aloe plant in the kitchen to quickly deal with household burns.
What Makes Aloe Vera So Special?
There is a wealth of nutrition packed into an aloe vera plant. It contains every major vitamin (except D), and is one of the few known vegetable sources of vitamin B12. Aloe vera is also rich in minerals such as zinc, germanium, calcium, and magnesium. In addition, aloe vera is high in other key bioactive substances like enzymes, amino acids, and essential fatty acids (EFAs).
The unique and powerful thing about this amazing plant is that it contains about 15 different types of compound nutritional substances working together to produce a synergistic effect that makes it such a useful, natural healer. Scientists who have studied aloe vera can identify its components, but cannot combine them artificially to reproduce the same results in the lab.
How is Aloe Vera Used?
One of its most popular uses is as a treatment for skin problems for minor burns, sunburn, or cuts and scrapes. Simply break open a leaf of the plant, and apply the gel-like juice directly on the skin to experience its soothing effects. The combination of amino acids, so critical for the formation of protein in the body, and various enzymes, powerful compounds that are involved with virtually every part of the body at the cellular level, make aloe vera so nourishing and restorative to the skin. Aloe vera also keeps healthy skin moisturized and younger looking. It additionally works great on insect bites and rashes like poison ivy.
The internal use of aloe vera provides many health benefits. Due to the EFAs and other compounds found in the plant, aloe has excellent anti-inflammatory properties. Thus it works well for treating and preventing many conditions such as colitis, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and other intestinal troubles. It also is quite useful for treating ulcers, cramps, stomachaches, heartburn, and indigestion.
Aloe is also a very capable body cleanser that can be used to eliminate toxins. It has positive effects on the colon, liver, kidneys, stomach, spleen, bladder, and other organs.
Aloe vera has also been documented to relieve the swelling and inflammation of arthritis, and other joint disorders.
Aloe acts to strengthen the immune system too, and has been used to treat such varied conditions as HIV, cancer, and viral infections. In fact, in 1994, aloe vera was approved by the FDA for use on HIV patients.
Another use for aloe vera has been to aid cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation. The potent natural substances in aloe vera have helped people to have less nausea, higher blood counts, and increased energy during and after treatment.
There are so many health and nutrition benefits associated with aloe vera that it seems a given that it should be a part of everyone's natural health routine. Start a plant today, and begin to discover how aloe vera can impact your health.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Health Benefits of Asparagus
For many people, asparagus is considered a pricey, gourmet vegetable that is not a part of their every day diet. Some may not even like the texture or flavor of asparagus, and choose to avoid eating it. However, when you hear about its considerable nutritional and health benefits, along with some tasty ways to prepare it, you may just change your mind.
Asparagus has been valued for thousands of years for its many medicinal uses, as well as for its unique flavor and succulence. Asparagus is mentioned in the literature of ancient Egypt, and was also popular throughout the African Continent and Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions. It was revered as a luxury and a "royal" vegetable, a favorite of the upper and ruling classes. The ancients were probably unaware of its additional value as a nutritional powerhouse. Today asparagus is grown in many countries and available in most parts of the world.
This member of the lily family has some rather interesting characteristics. The shoots or spears that we are familiar with are harvested from the underground body of the plant known as the crown. It takes about three years after planting for a crown to give spears, but these hardy perennials can continue to produce for up to twenty years.
How Can Asparagus Benefit My Health?
If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, asparagus may help. It is rich in a B Vitamin called folate (or folic acid) that plays a key role in cellular division (especially nerve cells) and DNA formation. Studies have shown that folate may also help to reduce risk for certain birth defects, including Spina Bifida. Asparagus can also boost fertility, and is used by some women to fight PMS and menstrual cramps, as well as for stimulating milk production in nursing mothers.
Asparagus are high in Vitamin K, a necessary nutrient that is involved in the formation of blood clotting factors, and is also important for bone health and for that of the circulatory system, particularly the smallest blood vessels known as the capillaries.
One of my favorite uses for asparagus is to nurture intestinal tract health. This vegetable is rich in a carbohydrate called inulin that nourishes friendly bacteria in the gut, causing the intestines to operate more efficiently by absorbing more nutrients and eliminating wastes better. This in turn boosts the immune system, thus affecting the entire body.
Asparagus is also a natural diuretic, and has an anti-inflammatory function as well. Asparagus is high in potassium, and this mineral works together with an amino acid found in the vegetable called asparagine to stimulate urination, and to rid the body of excess fluids in other ways too. Thus asparagus in your diet can help relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and the bloating and swelling often associated with water retention.
Asparagus is great for cardiac health too. It helps to reduce levels of a harmful amino acid in the blood called homocysteine, elevated levels of which have been linked to increased risk for heart attacks. Getting enough folate, which asparagus is high in, may decrease heart attack risk by up to 10% according to some estimates.
Other benefits of asparagus include:
-- Less urinary tract infections
-- Phytonutrients that decrease cancer risk (especially lung cancer)
-- Lowered blood pressure
-- Improved eye health
-- Excellent body detoxifier
-- Less bruising and faster healing of skin wounds
-- Improved bowel health, both for constipation and diarrhea
-- Great for the kidneys, helping to flush them and to prevent kidney stones
How to Buy and Prepare Asparagus
Of course you want to choose only fresh, organic asparagus if at all possible. Look for spears that have buds that are tight and not opened and shafts that are not too woody (tough and fibrous.) You may cut off the shaft about half way up, if necessary, in order to avoid eating the toughest portions. Most varieties are green, but there are also white and purple asparagus available, but may be rather hard to find. The purple variety is a treat because of its somewhat fruity flavor and increased phytonutrients due to the purple color.
As with all vegetables, raw is always best. However, if you prefer asparagus cooked, steaming or baking them are popular ways of preparation that preserve more nutrients than boiling, for example. Wash them well, as they are grown in sandy soil.
Asparagus may be chopped and added to salads, smoothies, and casseroles. Eating them raw with a healthy vegetable dip is also a delicious way to enjoy them (try organic olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and spices). Including this wonderfully tasty and nutritious veggie in your diet is a terrific way to bring more variety and beneficial nutrition to your table.
Asparagus has been valued for thousands of years for its many medicinal uses, as well as for its unique flavor and succulence. Asparagus is mentioned in the literature of ancient Egypt, and was also popular throughout the African Continent and Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions. It was revered as a luxury and a "royal" vegetable, a favorite of the upper and ruling classes. The ancients were probably unaware of its additional value as a nutritional powerhouse. Today asparagus is grown in many countries and available in most parts of the world.
This member of the lily family has some rather interesting characteristics. The shoots or spears that we are familiar with are harvested from the underground body of the plant known as the crown. It takes about three years after planting for a crown to give spears, but these hardy perennials can continue to produce for up to twenty years.
How Can Asparagus Benefit My Health?
If you are pregnant or trying to conceive, asparagus may help. It is rich in a B Vitamin called folate (or folic acid) that plays a key role in cellular division (especially nerve cells) and DNA formation. Studies have shown that folate may also help to reduce risk for certain birth defects, including Spina Bifida. Asparagus can also boost fertility, and is used by some women to fight PMS and menstrual cramps, as well as for stimulating milk production in nursing mothers.
Asparagus are high in Vitamin K, a necessary nutrient that is involved in the formation of blood clotting factors, and is also important for bone health and for that of the circulatory system, particularly the smallest blood vessels known as the capillaries.
One of my favorite uses for asparagus is to nurture intestinal tract health. This vegetable is rich in a carbohydrate called inulin that nourishes friendly bacteria in the gut, causing the intestines to operate more efficiently by absorbing more nutrients and eliminating wastes better. This in turn boosts the immune system, thus affecting the entire body.
Asparagus is also a natural diuretic, and has an anti-inflammatory function as well. Asparagus is high in potassium, and this mineral works together with an amino acid found in the vegetable called asparagine to stimulate urination, and to rid the body of excess fluids in other ways too. Thus asparagus in your diet can help relieve conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and the bloating and swelling often associated with water retention.
Asparagus is great for cardiac health too. It helps to reduce levels of a harmful amino acid in the blood called homocysteine, elevated levels of which have been linked to increased risk for heart attacks. Getting enough folate, which asparagus is high in, may decrease heart attack risk by up to 10% according to some estimates.
Other benefits of asparagus include:
-- Less urinary tract infections
-- Phytonutrients that decrease cancer risk (especially lung cancer)
-- Lowered blood pressure
-- Improved eye health
-- Excellent body detoxifier
-- Less bruising and faster healing of skin wounds
-- Improved bowel health, both for constipation and diarrhea
-- Great for the kidneys, helping to flush them and to prevent kidney stones
How to Buy and Prepare Asparagus
Of course you want to choose only fresh, organic asparagus if at all possible. Look for spears that have buds that are tight and not opened and shafts that are not too woody (tough and fibrous.) You may cut off the shaft about half way up, if necessary, in order to avoid eating the toughest portions. Most varieties are green, but there are also white and purple asparagus available, but may be rather hard to find. The purple variety is a treat because of its somewhat fruity flavor and increased phytonutrients due to the purple color.
As with all vegetables, raw is always best. However, if you prefer asparagus cooked, steaming or baking them are popular ways of preparation that preserve more nutrients than boiling, for example. Wash them well, as they are grown in sandy soil.
Asparagus may be chopped and added to salads, smoothies, and casseroles. Eating them raw with a healthy vegetable dip is also a delicious way to enjoy them (try organic olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and spices). Including this wonderfully tasty and nutritious veggie in your diet is a terrific way to bring more variety and beneficial nutrition to your table.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Organic Gardening: Healthy Food at Your Fingertips
At this stage in history, we face many issues when it comes to securing unadulterated, nutritious foods for ourselves and our families. It is becoming increasingly difficult to find healthy food at the grocery store, as the practices of commercial farming are now producing pseudo foods that are often tasteless, stripped of nutrients, and poisoned with toxic chemicals and genetic mutations. One of the best ways to overcome these challenges is to grow your own organic fruits and vegetables. This can be done whether you live in the city, suburbs, or in a rural area.
What Are the Advantages of Organic Gardening?
First let's start with a definition: What is organic gardening? In a nutshell, organic gardening is the growing of fruit, vegetables, and other plants using only fertilizers, pest control techniques, and other organisms and materials that are exclusively found naturally in the environment. In other words, no artificial chemicals or toxins are used in the production of organic crops.
Organic gardening is the right choice for many reasons. The most obvious one is that growing your own organic food is the most effective way to eat fresh, nutritious fruits and veggies that will provide the maximum amount of vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive phytonutrients. In addition, you will not be exposing yourself to toxins that are used in the growth process (pesticides, insecticides) and those applied to crops after harvest (dyes, waxes, etc.). You also know the sources of your food, and will most likely be eating food that is "in season."
Another great reason to take up organic gardening is to save money. It is much more economical to grow your own produce than to purchase organic from someone else, especially when you can get the maximum freshness and nutritional benefits from your own garden. Also, you can pick and use only what you need for that day, thus minimizing waste.
Finally, one of my favorite things about organic gardening is that you can create a tradition with your children and grandchildren, and pass on a love of gardening and healthy food to them as well. The harvest is sweet when you can pick and eat the fruits (and veggies) of your own labor.
Some Pointers on Organic Gardening
It is possible to grow enough organic produce for your family no matter where you live. You can make a plot in your yard, or if you live in an apartment in the city, you can take up container gardening on a porch or patio. It is beyond the scope of this article to cover all the details, but there are a lot of great resources available on all phases of organic gardening. Determine how much space you will need for the amount of crops you desire. One of my favorite books is Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. You can preview this book at http://books.google.com/books?id=9_spjPVMnCUC
Seeds
One of the key factors is the seeds you choose. These days, all seeds are not created equal. It is vital that you use what are known as heirloom seeds. This means they have not been genetically tampered with, and it also means that you can save seeds from your own crops and use them next season. Many seed producers now alter seeds so that they cannot be used again. Heirloom seeds will also provide you produce with maximum nutritional value.
Composting
Composting is an excellent way to provide cost-effective, natural fertilizer and mulch for your garden. Basically, you want a combination of brown material (which provides carbon) and green material (a source of nitrogen.) Some suggested browns include: corn stalks, straw, dried leaves, and shredded newspaper. Beneficial greens include: coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, lawn clippings, green leaves, and tea bags. A few items to avoid in your compost pile include: meat or dairy products, bones, treated lumber or sawdust, glossy paper, and diseased plants.
Water
Organic gardening begins with your water. Yet most gardeners don't think about the importance of using clean, pure water on their organic garden. Highly chlorinated water can kill microorganisms in the soil that are there to protect the plant and its food source. Chlorine is designed to kill living organisms such as fungi and bacteria that can contaminate your water source. It does such a great job of killing these organisms, that it can be harmful to your plants, because your plants rely on some of the fungi and bacteria to survive. Every plant's survival is based on the nutrients it receives from its water and soil. A healthy soil is made up of beneficial bacteria, molds, and various forms of fungi (the very things that chlorine was designed to kill). Organic farmers and gardeners have known for years that the safest way to protect their plants and the environment from insects, disease, and pests is through the use of beneficial bacteria. Highly chlorinated water can kill microorganisms in the soil that are there to protect the plant and its food source. As a rule, commercial farmers and horticulturists do not use chlorinated municipal city water to irrigate their crops.(1)
How safe is your garden hose? Ever wonder about that? Most PVC garden hoses contain lead. The good news is lead-free garden hoses are available. They are constructed from materials approved by the FDA, and the fittings are often nickel plated, because brass fittings can also leach lead. They are labeled "drink-safe" or "safe for potable water." However, with any hose, even one labeled "drink-safe," always let the water run before you water your garden. You can also purchase garden hose filters which will eliminate chlorine and many chemicals. Type "garden hose filter" into Google and you will be able to pick the type that best fits your needs and pocketbook.
Natural Pesticide Control
There are about as many home remedies for pest control as there are gardeners, but one of the most popular and effective ones is to introduce friendly insects that will prey on harmful pests. Your choices will vary depending on where you live, but some favorites include ladybugs, beetles, spiders, and praying mantises. Some gardeners also spray plants with organic soap diluted with water.
For larger critters, tips include fencing and surrounding your garden with items that have a human scent such as hair or even urine.
Once most people give organic gardening a try, they become hooked. Don't be intimidated if you are a rookie. Embrace the idea, and get started. You will learn as you go, and like any other hobby, your skills and knowledge will grow over time. You will soon discover that growing and eating your own organic produce is one of the great pleasures of life.
MORE INFORMATION
Organic Gardening Articles
Gardens Alive
Organic Garden Info
What Are the Advantages of Organic Gardening?
First let's start with a definition: What is organic gardening? In a nutshell, organic gardening is the growing of fruit, vegetables, and other plants using only fertilizers, pest control techniques, and other organisms and materials that are exclusively found naturally in the environment. In other words, no artificial chemicals or toxins are used in the production of organic crops.
Organic gardening is the right choice for many reasons. The most obvious one is that growing your own organic food is the most effective way to eat fresh, nutritious fruits and veggies that will provide the maximum amount of vitamins, minerals, and other bioactive phytonutrients. In addition, you will not be exposing yourself to toxins that are used in the growth process (pesticides, insecticides) and those applied to crops after harvest (dyes, waxes, etc.). You also know the sources of your food, and will most likely be eating food that is "in season."
Another great reason to take up organic gardening is to save money. It is much more economical to grow your own produce than to purchase organic from someone else, especially when you can get the maximum freshness and nutritional benefits from your own garden. Also, you can pick and use only what you need for that day, thus minimizing waste.
Finally, one of my favorite things about organic gardening is that you can create a tradition with your children and grandchildren, and pass on a love of gardening and healthy food to them as well. The harvest is sweet when you can pick and eat the fruits (and veggies) of your own labor.
Some Pointers on Organic Gardening
It is possible to grow enough organic produce for your family no matter where you live. You can make a plot in your yard, or if you live in an apartment in the city, you can take up container gardening on a porch or patio. It is beyond the scope of this article to cover all the details, but there are a lot of great resources available on all phases of organic gardening. Determine how much space you will need for the amount of crops you desire. One of my favorite books is Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. You can preview this book at http://books.google.com/books?id=9_spjPVMnCUC
Seeds
One of the key factors is the seeds you choose. These days, all seeds are not created equal. It is vital that you use what are known as heirloom seeds. This means they have not been genetically tampered with, and it also means that you can save seeds from your own crops and use them next season. Many seed producers now alter seeds so that they cannot be used again. Heirloom seeds will also provide you produce with maximum nutritional value.
Composting
Composting is an excellent way to provide cost-effective, natural fertilizer and mulch for your garden. Basically, you want a combination of brown material (which provides carbon) and green material (a source of nitrogen.) Some suggested browns include: corn stalks, straw, dried leaves, and shredded newspaper. Beneficial greens include: coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, lawn clippings, green leaves, and tea bags. A few items to avoid in your compost pile include: meat or dairy products, bones, treated lumber or sawdust, glossy paper, and diseased plants.
Water
Organic gardening begins with your water. Yet most gardeners don't think about the importance of using clean, pure water on their organic garden. Highly chlorinated water can kill microorganisms in the soil that are there to protect the plant and its food source. Chlorine is designed to kill living organisms such as fungi and bacteria that can contaminate your water source. It does such a great job of killing these organisms, that it can be harmful to your plants, because your plants rely on some of the fungi and bacteria to survive. Every plant's survival is based on the nutrients it receives from its water and soil. A healthy soil is made up of beneficial bacteria, molds, and various forms of fungi (the very things that chlorine was designed to kill). Organic farmers and gardeners have known for years that the safest way to protect their plants and the environment from insects, disease, and pests is through the use of beneficial bacteria. Highly chlorinated water can kill microorganisms in the soil that are there to protect the plant and its food source. As a rule, commercial farmers and horticulturists do not use chlorinated municipal city water to irrigate their crops.(1)
How safe is your garden hose? Ever wonder about that? Most PVC garden hoses contain lead. The good news is lead-free garden hoses are available. They are constructed from materials approved by the FDA, and the fittings are often nickel plated, because brass fittings can also leach lead. They are labeled "drink-safe" or "safe for potable water." However, with any hose, even one labeled "drink-safe," always let the water run before you water your garden. You can also purchase garden hose filters which will eliminate chlorine and many chemicals. Type "garden hose filter" into Google and you will be able to pick the type that best fits your needs and pocketbook.
Natural Pesticide Control
There are about as many home remedies for pest control as there are gardeners, but one of the most popular and effective ones is to introduce friendly insects that will prey on harmful pests. Your choices will vary depending on where you live, but some favorites include ladybugs, beetles, spiders, and praying mantises. Some gardeners also spray plants with organic soap diluted with water.
For larger critters, tips include fencing and surrounding your garden with items that have a human scent such as hair or even urine.
Once most people give organic gardening a try, they become hooked. Don't be intimidated if you are a rookie. Embrace the idea, and get started. You will learn as you go, and like any other hobby, your skills and knowledge will grow over time. You will soon discover that growing and eating your own organic produce is one of the great pleasures of life.
MORE INFORMATION
Organic Gardening Articles
Gardens Alive
Organic Garden Info
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