In a study published June 2017 and published in BMJ Open, the health benefits of coffee are clearly shown and encouraging to those who have to have more than one cup of Joe per day. The study entitled “Coffee, including caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, and the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review and does-response meta-analysis” shows that having several cups of coffee whether caffeinated or decaf does lead to significant drops in developing cancer. The caffeinated coffee had higher results than the decaffeinated, but the bottom line is science has shown the beverage is far more important than previously realized. For decades the arguments regarding coffee’s benefits for health have been strongly debated. Study after study conflicted one another but this time, the data is on the table for everyone to take a bite out of. The objective of the study was to determine: “To examine the association between coffee, including caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee, with hepatocellular (HCC) and assess the influence of HCC etiology and preexisting liver disease.”. […] Continue reading
Alternative Medicine
Do you go weak in the knees when you spot someone snacking on a meal of ‘mashed avocados seasoned with bell peppers, tomatoes, and chopped onions’ better known as guacamole? If you do, then you’re in good luck as a fresh evaluation of scientific reports pinpoints that feasting on avocados may help in delaying and reducing the risks of ‘metabolic syndrome’. Metabolic syndrome is being touted as the ‘new silent killer’ and can be a major impediment to healthy living. You’re said to be suffering from ‘metabolic syndrome’ if you’re hypertensive, have a large girth, and your triglyceride level is abnormally high. The peer review which was issued in ‘Phytotherapy Research’-a leading medical journal was carried out by Iranian scientists. These researchers meticulously sifted through 129 studies published earlier that evaluated the impacts of consuming avocado on various aspects related to metabolic syndrome. A majority of the trials focused on the flesh of avocado the section of the fruit that we generally consume but quite a few were dedicated to […] Continue reading
Ginger-the humble rhizome that is believed to have been first used in the Indian subcontinent millenniums ago-is extensively used for spicing up a range of food preparations. This herbaceous perennial spice also touted to have numerous health benefits, has long been used as a folk medicine. Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine are replete with different formulations of this rhizome that can help in dealing with various ailments. And it is reassuring to hear that medical science is corroborating the curative properties of this herbal spice. You might be aware that ginger is extremely effective in tackling common cold and flu, promote digestion, and reduce muscle pain or soreness. But did you know that the spice is highly effective in dealing with motion sickness that results from voyaging on the sea, flying long hours, and driving for hours on mountainous or elevated routes? Apart from seasickness or airsickness, the herb can be used for remedying bloating, headaches or pain caused due to PMS. Significantly enough, you can either use zests sliced […] Continue reading
Stress is a natural reaction to situations which our mind perceives to be dangerous or that require a level of high alert. It is a protection mechanism that is necessary at times but sometimes gets overplayed in the modern world due to excessive stress alerts. This makes it necessary to ensure we get adequate stress relief to mitigate the effects of too much stress- namely cardiac or mental health issues. Amongst these include a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and heart attacks, substance abuse issues, anxiety, sadness or anger, or physical changes to the body including changes in sex drive, sleep, and even body composition with increased fat being linked to high levels of cortisol, a stress-related hormone. It is important to manage your life and your stress so that these risks are mitigated as best as possible because no one wants to deal with these comorbidities and conditions. Thankfully, there are many different forms of stress relief out there- everything from meditation to exercising to getting massages and it […] Continue reading
The Olympics have now ended and another global event of fanfare and record-breaking is now in the books. While the games may have ended, one thing is still on everyone’s mind: what is cupping? The 2016 Summer Olympics made the practice famous as viewers and fans noted large circular discolorations on many of their favorite athletes’ bodies. Cupping took the Olympics by storm this year, particularly in swimming, but the practice is actually much older than these Olympics. Cupping because in 300 AD in a book by a Taoist herbalist describing a number of “prescriptions for emergencies”. It referred to the use of bamboo jars as suction devices that are placed on the skin (today’s athletes likely used small glass cups instead). A practitioner can create the suction from the cups by lighting rubbing alcohol under the cup on fire and place it against the skin (the fire burns the alcohol but the change in temperature allows for a suction effect). This does not burn the skin, but just creates […] Continue reading