The Spice That Fights Depression

The kitchen cure that works as well as antidepressants

By Jessica Chia

In feel-good news (literally), a completely natural pill could soon join the ranks of depression prescriptions. Curcumin, an active compound derived from the spice turmeric, was put to the test against a traditional antidepressant, fluoxetine in a study published in Phytotherapy Research. A 1000 mg daily dose of curcumin was just 2-5% less effective than the pharmaceutical drug, and, most importantly, showed no unexpected side effects. 

Study author Ajay Goel, PhD, director of epigenetics and cancer prevention at Baylor University Medical Center, says synthetic options work well when taken as a one-hit fix, but that side effects, toxicity, and tolerance become concerns when the drugs are taken for chronic symptoms. Although curcumin has shown promise as an alternative to antidepressants for years, this is the first time researchers have been able to show the compound at work in humans, and its performance is promising. 

“From a clinical standpoint, a 2% lower efficacy makes no difference,” says Dr. Goel. “Curcumin has been proven safe, even at high doses.”

Researchers are still at work trying to pinpoint exactly how curcumin balances depressive symptoms, but they have a few leads. Curcumin is a natural inhibitor of monoamine oxidase, an enzyme that at high levels, is linked to depression, and it also blocks the release of substances known as cytokines, which can throw off the delicate balance of your body’s stress reactions. 

Although doctors won’t be prescribing the compound to patients soon, anyone can reap the health benefits of curcumin capsules, which are available at most health food stores  “It’s a very strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compound, and is great as an everyday health supplement,” says Dr. Goel. “People who do not have depressive symptoms can make this spice a part of their daily diet now.” 

http://www.prevention.com/food/food-remedies/curcumin-fights-depression?icid=OBtrafficPV_TBD_AR1

Red Algae Extract Defends Against Ebola, HIV, SARS, and More

 Red algae is a key antiviral for this crazy world we are living in. Just having a healthy, strong immune system could save your life, and at least minimize your chances of getting sick where other less-propagandized sicknesses are concerned, such as the ‘flu’ or even the common cold. Compounds in red algae help to greatly promote our own natural immune systems.

Red algae, the pigments in which are caused by compounds known as phycoerythrin and phycocyanin, can now be known as yet another one of Mother Nature’s answers to the latest ‘Ebola Pandemic,’ as well as a host of other diseases ranging from HIV, Hepatitis-C, SARS, and more.There is no need to resort to experimental nationwide Ebola vaccines as suggested by U.S. authorities.

When researchers were looking into more details of the Gabon Africa Ebola outbreak of 1996, they also note that there are many people who think that cases deemed to be Ebola are actually hemorrhagic fevers, like Dengue, because they present the very same symptoms.

In any case, this 70% statistic led researchers from Gabon’s Franceville International Center of Medical Research to investigate more fully. How did 30% of the people exposed to Ebola live, even when they were in close
 contact with Ebola victims?

(Currently, there is controversy as to how Ebola is transmitted. Some say it can be airborne, which could mean it isn’t Ebola, and others say it must be contracted only through direct mucosal or blood such as a transfer of saliva, urine, semen or blood from one person to another.)

These researchers found that nearly half of those who were asymptomatic and seemingly immune developed antibodies (IgM and IgG) to the Ebola virus. Antibodies are protective proteins that guard against disease in the body, and they normally occur naturally in a healthy person.

They also noted that the asymptomatic group exhibited fewer inflammatory responses in general. Not to be too graphic, but Ebola is said to ‘liquefy’ the insides, which is a bit of an exaggeration It does cause extreme inflammation, though, which can eventually lead to heavy bleeding and death.

The asymptomatic group was also found to have higher levels of circulating cytokines and chemokines – which speed up the body’s ability to break down viral cells and stop them from causing people to be sick.

This happens in many diseases, not just Ebola. Mannose-binding lectins attack the Ebola virus but also other lethal infections like HIV, HCV and SARS.

Mannose-binding lectins are produced in the human body via a DNA sequence, called the MBL2. When our genes are working properly, these lectins flood the bloodstream and scourge disease – including unwanted fungi, bacteria, and even parasites, which utilize glycoprotein shells to protect themselves. They also inhibit virus growth.

They do this by breaking apart the surface of the unwanted microbe and breaking them down, allowing the body’s additional immune cells to kill off the virus or toxin and prevent it from replicating.

Research over the past five years has found that low levels of mannose-binding lectins increases the risk of respiratory infections, including syncytial virus infections, pneumonia and others.

Ebola, as many other viruses do, comes with a glycoprotein shell that must be broken down in order for someone who is in contact with it to remain healthy.

Where Red Algae Comes into Play

Furthermore, the glycoprotein shell of the Ebola virus produces glycoproteins that damage cells, allowing the virus to penetrate and replicate within the cell – but red algae has been shown to keep this from happening.

The reason for this mutation/switch-off has yet to be fully understood.

Red algae produces mannose-binding lectins plentifully, which allow the plants to protect themselves from invasion by viruses.

The most promising form of mannose-binding lectins is a component of the Scytonema varium red algae called Scytovirin. The protein extract was isolated by researchers from the National Cancer Institute at Frederick, Maryland in 2003. It contains 95 amino acids, and was found to bind to HIV-1 viral shells.

Another antiviral protein in red algea broke down the glycoprotein shells of HIV and HCV.

And yet another anti-viral extract found in a New Zealand red algae species, Griffithsia sp.. The anti-vrial, Griffithsin, was beneficial in treating mice with epidemic-potentiated SARS and also HIV-1. It stopped the viruses from replicating.

Here’s the Real Proof

In 2010, Harvard researchers tested a recombinant version of Griffithsin – called rhMBL – against Ebola, and found that it broke down those pesky viral shells while giving mice complete immunity to the virus. Other animals have since been tested with similar results.

So, even if you aren’t certain red algae will keep you from contracting Ebola, you can boost your immune system and protect against a number of diseases, from Ebola to SARS,  simply by taking a red seaweed supplement.

No fear here.

Additional Sources:

Nat Med. 1999 Apr;5(4):423-6.

Lancet. 2000 Jun 24;355(9222):2210-5.

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2012;7:767-77. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S33714.

J Clin Immunol. 2008 Mar;28(2):166-73.

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2014;58(1):120-7. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01407-13.

PLoS One. 2013 May 21;8(5):e64449. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0064449.

J Biol Chem. 2005 Mar 11;280(10):9345-53.

Biochemistry. 2003 Mar 11;42(9):2578-84.

J Infect Dis. 2011 Jan 15;203(2):175-9. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiq025.

Int Immunopharmacol. 2001 Apr;1(4):677-87.

Crit Rev Microbiol. 2013 Jul 16.

http://beforeitsnews.com/health/2014/10/red-algae-extract-defends-against-ebola-hiv-sars-and-more-2553350.html

How The Sauna Improves The Immunity Of The Body?

It is enough to spend just 10 minutes in the sauna or in the steam room, and for that time you will lose half a liter fluid of the connective tissue , which contributes to the reduction of fat and cellulite .

The high temperature improves blood circulation , the moist air opens the pores and cleans the skin , toxins are released from the body and are discharged through the sweat .

 
The sauna can relieve muscle soreness and stress , which is a common cause for a weak immunity , relaxes the muscles and helps in the work of the respiratory system . Breathing heated air stimulates the production of immunoglobulin which defends the body against disease .

The body temperature of the body after the sauna increases for 1 degree , and temperature of skin for ten degrees . The difference between the classical sauna and the steam bath is the temperature and the humidity , so in the highest sauna bench you are exposed to a heat from 70 to 90 degrees with low humidity as 5 percent .

The middle level of the temperature is between 60 and 70 degrees with humidity of 10 to 20 percent , and the lowest is 40 to 60 degrees with a humidity of 20 to 40 percent . Steam baths have a humidity of 100 percent , while the temperature is usually set at 40 to 50 degrees .

Because of the high temperatures, the sauna and the steam bath is not recommended for those with heart disease , and the older people should consult their doctor .
http://www.healthnaturalguide.com/2014/05/how-sauna-improves-immunity-of-body.html

Cashews Are A Natural Anti-Depressant

2 handfuls of cashews is the therapeutic equivalent of a prescription dose of Prozac. Inside you, the essential amino acid L-tryptophan is broken down into anxiety-reducing, snooze-inducing niacin. Even more important, tryptophan is also made into serotonin, one of your body’s most important neurotransmitters. Serotonin gives a feeling of well-being and mellowness, or as the Australians would say, “no worries.” This is such a profound effect that Prozac, Paxil and similar antidepressants usually either mimic serotonin or artificially keep the body’s own serotonin levels high. You can do the same thing with your food. And no one can tell us that beans, peas, cheese, nuts and wheat germ are toxic if you eat a lot of them!

Plenty of carbohydrates (starches) in your meals help tryptophan get to where it does the most good: in your brain. In order to cross the blood-brain barrier to get in, carbos are required. So cheese and crackers provides a better effect than the cheese standing alone. An egg or two on toast is better than just the egg. Beans, peas, and nuts already contain carbohydrate, so you are all set there.

Consider that five servings of beans, a few portions of peanut butter, or just one big handful of cashews provides one to two thousand milligrams of tryptophan, which will work as well as prescription antidepressants… but don’t tell the drug companies. Some skeptics think that the pharmaceutical people already know. Here are two quotes in evidence:

“Pay careful attention to what is happening with dietary supplements in the legislative arena… If these efforts are successful, there could be created a class of products to compete with approved drugs. The establishment of a separate regulatory category for supplements could undercut exclusivity rights enjoyed by the holders of approved drug applications.” (Source: FDA Deputy Commissioner for Policy David Adams, at the Drug Information Association Annual Meeting, July 12, 1993)

Here are 15 other Amazing Health Benefits Of Cashew Nuts

Who doesn’t know about cashew nuts? Caju is what we call them in India. We use them mostly in sweets and children love to eat them as they are. They are full of anti-oxidants, vitamins and minerals which are required for the normal functioning of the body. They actually belong to Brazil but Portuguese brought them to India in the 16th century. The kidney shaped or bean shaped nuts have many health benefits, a few of which are presented below:

1. Prevents Cancer:

Proanthocyanidins are a class of flavonols which fight against tumor cells by stopping them to divide further. These proanthocyanidins and high copper content in cashew nuts help fight against cancerous cells and keeps you away from colon cancer. This is one of the major cashew nut benefits.

2. Healthy Heart:

Cashews contain low fat content when compared to other nuts and that too in the oleic acid form which is very healthy for heart. They are cholesterol free and the antioxidants present keeps you away from heart diseases.

3. Lowers High Blood Pressure:

Cashew nuts lower your blood pressure with the help of magnesium present in them.

4. Helps Hair:

Copper is the mineral which helps your hair get that color. So if you take cashews which are full of copper content, you can get that black hair that you always wished for.

5. Healthy Bones:

Like calcium, magnesium is also important for bone health which is the main content in cashew nuts.

6. Healthy Nerves:

Magnesium is stored on the bones surface which prevents calcium from entering the nerve cells and thus keeps the blood vessels and muscles relaxed. Insufficient amount of magnesium can lead calcium to enter the blood vessels leading them to contract. It also leads to high blood pressure, migraine headache etc.

7. Prevents Gallstones:

Daily intake of cashewnut can reduce the risk of developing gallstones up to 25%.

8. Helps in Weight Loss:

Even though cashew nuts are considered as fats, it contains good cholesterol. So contrary to popular belief, those who eat cashews at least twice a week gain less weight when compared to those who eat less.

9. Anti-oxidants:

Selenium, copper, magnesium etc. act as co-factors for many enzymes.

10. Helps Digestion:

Cashew nuts help in growth and development, nucleic acid synthesis and digestion.

11. High on Vitamins:

Cashew nuts are rich in vitamins like riboflavin, pantothenic acid, thiamin, niacin etc. These vitamins keep you safe from sideroblastic anemia, pellagra, etc.

12. Healthy Gums and Teeth:

As mentioned before, the magnesium content present in cashew nuts is very good for bones. So it gives healthy teeth as well as strong gums to hold them.

13. Pleasant sleep:

After menopause, these cashew nuts can give you relaxed and pleasant sleep during nights.

14. Free Radicals:

Cashew nuts help our body to utilize iron properly and eliminate free radicals which cause health problems.

15. Macular Degeneration:

Cashew nuts have the ability to filter Sun’s UV rays and protect us from macular degeneration.

Now that you know the health benefits of Cashew nuts, ensure that you eat a few once every week I am sure you already love them.

Sources:

#1, www.tinyurl.com/ax8gdy

#2, 15 benefits: www.tinyurl.com/p7qarmn

~ Food Matters FILM

Dave Sommers
http://www.naturalcuresnotmedicine.com/2014/03/3149.html