Top 10 Health Benefits Of Goji Berries

Have you ever wondered how these little red berries can change your life? Well, goji berries are one of the most nutritionally rich foods on the planet. They are grown on a vine-like bush only in the shade. Goji berries differ in colors from pale yellow, sun-fire orange and deep red. The two main types of goji berries are Asian and American. The only difference between them is their history. The Asian goji berries have been grown for thousands of years by Chinese, Mongolian and Tibetans, whereas the American goji berries originated from the South-West dessert of the United States which was used for survival when no water was found. 

There are many benefits of goji berries. Here are some of them:

1. Longevity and Healthy Hormones. According to researches, the seventy year old person produces only one-tenth of the amount of the Human Growth Hormone generated by the twenty year old person. This causes the body to have lower energy levels and wastage. To feel, look and function like a youthful person, you need to boost the natural production of the growth hormone. This superfood has been identified as "the longevity fruit" which is filled with a variety of nutrients. These nutrients will help you to live a longer and healthier life. Goji berries help your body to achieve this in three ways:

• They are high in sesquiterpenoids which are filled with anti-inflammatory properties.
• They stimulate the pituitary and pineal glands which increase the glandular production of the Human Growth Hormone (HGH).
• They are rich in l-arginine and l-glutamine which works together to boost the HGH to revitalize your appearance and metabolism.

2. Enhancing Libido and Sexual Function. Goji berries are known for strong sexual tonic in Asia. Goji berries improve your stamina levels, mood and wellbeing, while decreasing the impact of stress on your body. These benefits lead to a much healthier life. Goji berries will help your HGH production and raise the testosterone levels to ensure healthier sex life.

3. Improving Vision. Goji berries contain the highest concentration of eyesight improving antioxidants, namely zeaxanthin and lutein. Zeaxanthin and lutein protect the eyes from the damage of the free radicals that attacks your eyes every day. They also heal the membranes of your eyes keeping them youthful and healthy. These two key antioxidants are concentrated at the center of the retina and protect your eyes from the following diseases:

• Cataracts
• Diabetic retinopathy
• Loss of sight
• Eye aging problems.

4. Antioxidants. Antioxidants protect your DNA from the damage of free radicals and radiation. If your DNA is damaged, it's easier for every imaginable illness to enter your body, as well as increase the aging process. Your body is equipped to repair itself, but if your body gets faced with too many free radicals, it becomes overwhelmed and the result is the premature death of healthy cells. This can be the cause of a variety of diseases, such as a cancer. The goji berry is filled with carotenoid antioxidants which are natural sources of fat soluble antioxidant pigments.

5. Immune System Booster. Goji berries are rich in Vitamin C and Zinc. Both of these vitamins protect the body against diseases and help in recovery. They also protect the cells in your body and boost your immune system through these three main components:

• Polysaccharides which protect the cells from generic mutation.
• Beta-carotene which enhances the thymus gland function and increases the stimulation action on your immune system to prevent any viral infection.
• Mineral germanium which fights off any cancer properties, such as liver cancer, lung cancer, cervical cancer, testicular cancer and uterine cancer.

6. Hydration. Proper hydration is a very important aspect for your overall health. If your body isn't hydrated you become dehydrated and your body doesn't have enough water to absorb to function normally. You lose water when you breathe, when you go to the bathroom and through your sweat. You don't have to drink water only. You can consume this superfood for hydration as well. This fresh superfood grows in rich, alkaline alluvial soils which contain a big amount of hydrogen needed for hydration.

7. Supporting Brain and Neurological Health. Goji berries help our bodies with the production of choline. The choline is an essential nutrient that fights off free radical damage, narrows the arteries that delivers oxygen to the brain cells which can cause Alzheimer's disease and neurological degeneration.

8. Supporting Cardiovascular Health. Goji berry holds the key to fight off the main cause of most heart diseases, mainly oxidized cholesterol. Cholesterol becomes more dangerous when it is oxidized as a result of free radicals. This is when the blood fats clench to the artery walls with calcium forming nanobacteria to form plagues. An enzyme called Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) acts as a defense mechanism against cholesterol and may prevent cholesterol from oxidizing. Goji berries can increase your SOD to decrease your cholesterol levels.

9. Keeping Vital Organs Healthy. They keep our vital organs healthy through balancing blood sugar levels and increasing the digestive system, skin and liver function. They're also filled with phytonutrients which enhance the ability to detoxify and guard the liver against any damage from carcinogens and hepatitis virus. These phytonutrients include betaine, polysaccharides and antioxidant pigments. The liver gets cleaned by betaine. This reduces the toxic amino acids in the cardiovascular system. Goji berry tea can be used for the treatment of diabetes and all types of digestive problems, as well as the recovery of ulcers and a spastic colon. Goji berries also contain fatty acids which can stimulate collagen production to ensure moisture resulting in a youthful skin.

10. Improving Sleep. Goji berries contain Thiamine and Magnesium - two main nutrients needed for a healthy sleep. Thiamin improves your mood and energy levels, while magnesium improves the quality of sleep by shortening the time it takes to fall asleep.

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7 Ways To Beat High Cholesterol Safely

The term high cholesterol refers to a high concentration of cholesterol, a waxy fatty substance, and other lipids (fats) in the bloodstream. This condition is a known risk factor for heart disease.

The most common doctor-recommended treatment for high cholesterol is a statin drug. Statin drugs are accompanied by numerous side effects. There is no research proving the drugs are beneficial for people who do not have ongoing heart disease.

However, normalizing your cholesterol will definitely improve your health. Fats in the blood make the blood thicker which raises blood pressure and puts stress on the arteries, as well as the heart. Here, you can learn more about why high cholesterol happens and how it can be helped.

Why High Cholesterol Happens

High cholesterol results from a combination of factors including unhealthy diet and lack of physical activity. Excessive alcohol intake and smoking cigarettes also increases cholesterol levels.

When it comes to diet, dietary cholesterol such as that found in eggs and shrimp, has less of an effect on blood cholesterol levels than saturated and trans-fats. Trans-fats are man-made fats found primarily in processed foods. They are listed as partially hydrogenated vegetable oils on ingredient labels. Efforts are being made to eliminate trans-fats from processed foods but currently they are still present in many foods. Diets high in trans-fats are a separate risk factor for heart disease.

Cholesterol is also produced by the liver because it is an essential component of the body's cells. This means that cholesterol, itself, is not bad. Excessive cholesterol is the problem.

When there is too much cholesterol in the bloodstream, it is taken back to the liver for reprocessing. The liver may attempts to "dump" some of it through the digestive system. But this dumped cholesterol can get reabsorbed into the bloodstream. So, there are multiple pathways for cholesterol to get in your blood.

You may have seen commercials for statins saying that high cholesterol happens because of your family history. There is a condition called familial hypercholesterolemia that must be treated with drugs. In the condition, the liver produces excess cholesterol for unknown reasons. But the condition is rare. You probably don't have it.

How High Cholesterol Can Be Helped

It has been proven without a doubt that high cholesterol can be helped without drugs. The methods for lowering cholesterol that work safely include:

1. Increased physical activity - exercise raises good HDL levels which in turn lowers bad LDL levels and total cholesterol counts
2. Eliminating trans-fats from the diet
3. Reduced intake of saturated fats and total fats - a low-fat diet
4. Quitting smoking - smoking affects the liver and causes it to produce more cholesterol
5. Limit alcoholic beverages
6. Eat more fiber-rich foods such as oatmeal and whole grains - fiber absorbs and carries cholesterol out of the body
7. Take a good dietary supplement to maintain healthy cholesterol levels naturally

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5 Great Benefits to Get From a Plant-Based Diet

A plant-based diet includes a high percentage of food sourced from plants rather than animals. This can mean eating nuts, whole grains, lentils, peas, beans, fruits, and vegetables. But, this style of diet does not need to be strictly vegetarian. Here are five of the health benefits that come from eating lots of plant foods:

Blood pressure

A plant-based diet offers a perfect source of potassium-rich foods which can help to naturally lower blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables, as well as most seeds, nuts, legumes, and whole grain include a sufficient amount of vitamin B6 and potassium for healthy blood pressure. Animal foods like meat include minimal potassium and can lead to higher cholesterol and blood pressure.

Cholesterol

A significant benefit of adopting a plant-based diet is the ability to lower cholesterol. Plants are cholesterol-free, even the more saturated types like cacao and coconut. For this reason, eating a diet that mostly consists of plant-based foods can offer a simple solution to lowering cholesterol. Great food choices to lower rates of heart disease and cholesterol include seeds, nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables.

Blood Sugar

A highly effective method to control high blood sugar is to increase the fiber in the diet. A fiber-rich diet is perfect to help with slowing the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream. An added benefit is the ability to control hunger throughout the course of the day. Also, fiber can help with balancing the level of cortisol in the blood stream, which is responsible for the feelings of stress. Many of the animal foods can have a significant hand in increasing the blood sugar level.

Cancer

A plant-based diet that includes low-fat, whole food is one of the most efficient choices for helping to cut the risk of cancer. Certain cancers like breast and colon are at great risk for those that eat a diet mainly consisting of animal foods.

Weight Loss

A diet consisting of plant-based and whole foods, with minimal processed sugars and low in fat, is certain to help with cutting weight. A further benefit comes from a diet that is high in clean and raw whole foods. Weight loss is naturally able to occur when the daily diet includes a higher percentage of vitamins, minerals, and fiber compared to proteins and animal fats. A well-planned plant-based diet has the potential to cut 4-6 pounds within a two-week period. This should also ensure you aren't left feeling hungry.

Eating a diet based on whole, plant-based food can reduce your risk of a broad spectrum of diseases, such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, and cancer. What we should eat is our main concern.

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Dietary Fats - The Good, The Bad And The Ugly For Skin Health

Good fats, bad fats....how do we know the difference? For skin health good fats are essential. Find out which good fats you have in your diet.

Fats have a bad name and we are told to avoid fats in our everyday diets. However, some fats are very important for our general well-being including healthy, radiant skin. Nutrition has moved away from the “all fats are bad” stance to “it’s the type of fat that matters, not the quantity”. Fats are an essential part of our diet but it is important to focus on the good fats in our diets and minimise the bad fats.

Beneficial fats “good” fats support healthy skin cell nutrition and the production of collagen as well as maintaining healthy blood flow to the skin. Fats help to absorb nutrients such as vitamin A and E which maintain skin integrity and fluidity. Good fats also help to moderate inflammation, a factor curtail to the management of many skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Sources of good fats in our everyday diet include olive oil, sesame oil, nuts and seeds, avocado, deep sea fish such as mackerel, salmon, tuna, anchovies and sardines.

Saturated fats are found in animal products such as butter, cheese, whole milk and meats. High levels of saturated fats will contribute to inflammation which may contribute to a worsening of inflammatory skin conditions such as those listed above. While labelled a contributing factor to cardiovascular disease, eaten in moderation saturated fats are an acceptable part of a modern diet.

With saturated fats it is quantity that counts here and less than 10% of daily intake is considered acceptable. Combined with a diet high in antioxidants from fruit and vegetables, saturated fats don’t pose as great a risk as Trans fats.

Trans fats are created when a vegetable oil is changed from a liquid (as found naturally) to a solid. This is where we come to the “ugly” category. Trans fats have been linked to high cholesterol and heart disease. Trans fats also promote inflammation and will worsen any skin condition. They are found in margarines, deep fried foods and processed foods. To avoid trans fats it is important to read the labels of all packaged and processed foods.

The right kind of fats support our health and well-being, the wrong kinds of fats have numerous affects from promoting inflammation to cardiovascular disease. For skin health concentrating on good fats, minimising saturated fats and cutting out Trans fats is the key.

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Benefits Of Red Clover

Red clover, also known as trefoil, is a common flowering plant with a wide range of medicinal uses. Benefits of red clover include detoxification, cough and allergy treatment, blood flow, and relief of menopausal symptoms. Most of the benefits of red clover come from the flowers, which contain isoflavones - estrogen-like substances believed to fight cancer.

Red clover can simply be added to food or made into a tea or juice. It is also available as a health supplement in tablet, capsule, or tincture form. However, red clover may not be right for everyone and a doctor's prescription is recommended before taking this herb. Here are some of the benefits of red clover and some tips on using this supplement.

Prevention of heart disease

One of the primary benefits of red clover is cholesterol regulation. Red clover can raise levels of good cholesterol or high-density lipoproteins (HDL), which help fremove bad cholesterol or low-density lipoproteins (LDL) from the body. it also strengthens the artery walls and prevents plaque buildup. This effect is primarily seen in women after menopause, who are naturally at higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

Anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant

Red clover has anti-inflammatory properties that relieve irritation from psoriasis, eczema, and other severe skin conditions. This can also reduce hot flashes, an intense heat in the face and neck area commonly suffered by menopausal women.

Cough treatment

Red clover aids in the expulsion of mucous and has been used in traditional medicine as a cough expectorant. It works like a spring tonic, and is especially useful for whooping cough in children. It can also flush out urine and waste fluids to get rid of toxins and bacteria.

Some precautions

Red clover is an anti-coagulant, so people taking blood thinning medications should consult their doctors before taking this herb. The isoflavone content can interact negatively with hormone medications such as birth control pills. There may also be some side effects on pregnant and breastfeeding women.

IMPORTANT: Red clover is considered a dietary supplement, so it is less strictly regulated than conventional drugs. Because of this, some products may contain additives that hinder the benefits of red clover, or even be harmful to your health. To stay safe, buy only red clover supplements that are GMP-compliant and make sure they do not contain artificial colors and flavors. This shows that the product passes stringent quality standards and contains no harmful ingredients.

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