PERSONAL

2008-01-02T02:39:00.000-08:00

L-Glutathione Can Eliminate Toxins in the Liver

L-glutathione is the reduced form of glutathione, and is a tripeptide synthesized in the animal and plant tissues from glycine, cysteine and glutamate. Commonly known as GSH, it contains thiol groups that are maintained in a reduced state, and is a very powerful antioxidant, considered to be the key antioxidant and protective substance in the body.

Glutathione can reduce any disulfide groups in the cytoplasm within the body of the cell, and ensures that the cytoplasm is a strongly reducing medium protecting against oxidation. It has a synergistic effect with other antioxidants to protect the body against free radicals and oxidizing agents that cause so much damage to the body through what is commonly referred to as ‘oxidative stress’. However, there is more to it than that and it attaches itself to toxic chemicals and drugs in the liver and renders them into a state suitable for elimination from the body.

These toxic materials include poisonous pesticides, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and chromium and many other substances that we come into contact with due to present day pollution of our atmosphere and foodstuffs. Glutathione can also help protect the body from the effects of chemotherapy and evidence is suggesting possible links with the control of some cancers, diabetes, atherosclerosis and many other degenerative conditions caused by free radical attack and the effects of pollutants.

The way that GSH acts in the cells is that the redox state of the glutathione-glutathione disulfide couple is critical to the health of the intercellular and intracellular fluid. GSH in the reduced state of glutathione reacts with an oxidative agent such as hydrogen peroxide to form the oxidized form, glutathione disulfide and water. It hence mops up oxidizers such as peroxides and free radicals within the cytoplasm of the body’s cells, and also in between the cells. The disulfide is then converted back to GSH by the combined action of the enzyme glutathione reductase and NADPH (the reducing agent nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate).

The cycle then repeats so that two molecules of glutathione continue to reduce damaging oxidizing agents without themselves being consumed. In so doing, the NADPH becomes oxidized. A continuous supply of NADPH is needed to allow GSH to undergo these biochemical reactions, and up to 10% of our blood glucose is used by the pentose phosphate pathway by which NADPH is synthesized.

Since this cycle consumes no glutathione, it would appear that a supplement is unnecessary. However, this is not the case since the molecule takes part in other reactions in the body, particularly in the elimination of toxic heavy metals from the body. Mercury is highly reactive with the thiol that GSH is, and so will bind to form a stable Hg-sulfydryl bond in the liver. This mercury-glutathione chelate is unable to bind to other proteins or gain access to the body cells, and is eventually harmlessly secreted. The same is true of many other heavy metals that are reactive with thiol’s.

In this way the body is protected from the harmful effects of these heavy metals. However, it results in the loss of the glutathione, and the pollution of modern day living can take a heavy toll of the GSH content of our bodies. For this reason a glutathione supplement is recommended, especially for city dwellers that may be exposed to more heavy metals than those residing in rural areas.

However, the form in which this supplement is taken is very important, because the human digestive tract contains a significant amount of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase. That is an enzyme which apparently destroys glutathione before it can be absorbed. However, it can be absorbed directly into the bloodstream by dissolving the pill between the teeth and inner cheek. It has also been suggestion that the supplement could be administered by injection.

Others have suggested that rather than administer a supplement, individuals could take other supplements that contain the materials needed to stimulate the formation of GSH. Substances such as vitamin C, selenium (important in GSH biochemistry), methionine, alpha-lipoic acid and glutamine could all help to increase the body’s production of glutathione. A supplement of the constituent parts of cysteine, glycine and glutamic acid should also help. The dosage ranges recommended vary widely from 50mg to 500mg daily, and the effects of supplementation are not yet well know.

Some specific conditions that this wonder antioxidant is useful in treating include liver disease such as hepatitis, cirrhosis and so on. Patients suffering from these diseases show a massive reduction in their GSH content and prior GSH treatment appeared to offer a significant degree of protection in controlled clinical investigations. Patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C have been found to be associated with reduced GSH levels, particularly if also HIV positive.

Similar deficiencies have been noted in some lung conditions such as asthma and other pulmonary conditions. In such cases it has been demonstrated that administration of GSH supplements sufficient to restore normal levels of the substance improved the patients’ conditions by a significant amount. Its effect on atherosclerosis appears to be significant since a decreased level of GSH peroxidase has been recorded in such patients in addition to an increase in lipid peroxides, indicating that oxidation of the arterial wall had been occurring.

Anti-viral therapies that rely on GSH biochemistry for their action have been found to be less effective in those with low GSH levels, and other studies have confirmed that supplementing with GSH improves the response to interferon treatment. These results indicate the activity of oxidizing agents and free radicals in liver conditions, and in fact this has been demonstrated by tests carried out in New York and Philadelphia in the 1990s.

This suggests that the liver is prone to damage by oxidative stress, and that GSH levels may be able to be used as an indication of potential liver disease. What is evident is that a strong case can be made for glutathione supplementation as protection against potential liver, pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases, especially by those exposed to specific polluting agents such as primary or secondary tobacco smoke, auto and diesel fumes and chemicals and pesticides.

L-glutathione is useful, not only for the elimination of toxins in the liver, but also in protecting this large and vital organ from the oxidative stress that modern living brings. L-Glutathione and its precursors are sold over the counter at your local or internet health food store.

2008-01-02T02:32:00.000-08:00

Tea, 10 Basic And Interesting Things To Know

Tea, a beverage that is consumed in almost every culture and is enjoyed by millions. Whether you brew it naturally hot or cold, many benefits can be obtained by drinking several cups a day. Almost everyone at some point has had a cup of tea.

Below are ten interesting facts about tea providing folks a helpful insight and fun read about the beverage enjoyed by many. Make your favorite cup and enjoy!

1) Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world! It is only beaten by water. Out of all the sports drinks, sodas, and even coffee, tea still holds (and probably will always hold) second place!

2) All tea, white, green, oolong (aka. wu long or brown tea), and black tea come from the same plant. Camellia sinensis is the mother of tea and gives us the leaves that can become those four main types. It is the processing the leaves go through that determines their classification or "color".

3) Tea is grown in many countries, but it is India that produces most of the world's exported tea! China produces the second, mostly green and white teas, and Sri Lanka comes in third for total world production. Japan produces a lot of green tea as well, but only around two percent is exported since Japan is a huge green tea drinking nation.

4) Even though there are only four main types of tea, literally thousands of varieties can be made from each! Many factors such as culture, climate, growing conditions, processing, and even time of day of harvesting all make that possible.

5) Tea is not graded by taste or color, but by leaf size and texture. There are eight main grading categories, with "Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe" (FTGFOP) as one of the highest to "Pekoe" (P) which is the lowest loose leaf grading. The common term "Orange Pekoe" is believed by many folks as being a variety of tea when in fact is just a grading of tea. The "orange" in orange pekoe has nothing to do with oranges or extracts from them either.

6) In America, over 90 percent of folks brew their tea by tea bag. The majority of the tea is black tea; green and white teas have only started to become popular, but continue to increase in sales every year.

7) There are many health benefits that can be obtained from drinking tea daily. Common benefits are help with certain tumor and cancer prevention, lowered cholesterol, and a healthier heart. But did you know that the properties in tea can also help your skin look younger by destroying free radicals which cause dark spots and wrinkles? Tea has shown to even fight cavities!

8) Black tea is the most common, most exported, and most consumed type of tea in the world, while white tea is the least. Black tea is also the most oxidized of all types, while white tea is the least.

9) Tea contains less caffeine than coffee. A cup of black tea has half the amount of caffeine compared to a cup of coffee, and green tea has less than half the amount of caffeine compared to a cup of black tea.

10) The most important yet basic of tea facts is that brewing tea loose leaf style over tea bags is the best way to obtain true tea flavor and benefits! There are also many more varieties of loose leaf tea which can provide folks a lifetime of drinking enjoyment.

2008-01-02T02:13:00.000-08:00

Green Tea: An Antioxidant Power House

For centuries in China, Japan, Malaysia, and Indonesia, green tea has been a popular drink. In the past few years green tea has become popular in the United States and continues to grow around the world. Part of this ever growing popularity is because of the scientific data supporting the health benefits of green tea.

Many Americans ask the question, what makes green tea better than black tea; they both come from the same plant? Green tea leaves are harvested fresh and steamed. Black tea is harvested in the same way but the leaves are left to age and oxidize, this oxidation creates chemical compounds that are good for cholesterol among other health benefits, but does not exhibit the cancer fighting benefits of green tea.

Green tea unlike black tea is high in polyphenols, which have powerful cancer fighting antioxidant properties. These beneficial compounds will vary from season to season along with the climate the plant is located in so not all green tea supplements are the same. Also, harvesting processes will determine how much healing polyphenols are left in the herb at time of encapsulation. Many studies have come out on the benefits of green tea and a few on black teas, with all this research, scientists still believe green tea is better than black tea as an antioxidant and cancer prevention herb.

With all the research pointing to the positive benefits of green tea, more than 4 times the amount of black tea is consumed in the United States and around the world as apposed to green tea. With in the next few years green tea is expected to grow in popularity by leaps and bounds. Many gourmet coffee shops have added green tea to their menu, along with grocery stores. At gas stations, bottled green tea can be purchased as well in the United States.

Ninety percent of all the research done on green tea has been done on its ability to fight cancer. Green tea has a greater Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) then both vitamin C and vitamin E, this means green tea can fight free radical damage better than either vitamin. Green tea not only has a great ORAC value, it also helps improve the body’s natural antioxidant activity as well. Studies have shown that green tea inhibits the creation of nitrosamines and carcinogens that cause cancer in the body, as well as helps detoxify other cancer causing agents. Green tea has shown to be effective against breast, colon, lung, pancreas, stomach, and small intestine cancers.

Another recent study suggested that green tea can protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Green tea, when ingested or rubbed on the skin externally in both tea or extract form, showed skin protection from the sun. Green tea is good for sensitive skin and can help sooth irritations offering relief to those individuals with sensitive skin. Many cosmetic companies are adding green tea as their main ingredient to help reduce fine lines. Green tea can safely be used with facial steaming and herbal baths to help sooth the skin.

Green tea does contain small amounts of caffeine, but the caffeine does not exhibit the same stimulating effects as other caffeinated beverages. To date, there have not been any significant side effects reported so daily consumption is safe for most individuals. Some individuals need to stay away from all caffeinated products; supplement manufactures now offer caffeine free green tea as well.

For centuries third world countries have been benefiting from the consumption of green tea, don’t you think its time we start to as well? Green tea in regular or decaf can be found at your local or internet health food store

2008-01-02T01:13:00.000-08:00

The Opposing Worlds of Coffee and Tea

They say that opposites attract but there are always exceptions. Coffee and tea is one example that will never come to terms as far as public perception. Find out why!

everything. The two common household items of coffee and tea are truly unique in perception not only regarding taste but also of social significance. They are both champions in respect of our choices in beverage but are unquestionably distinct in personality and acceptability. How so?

Let’s start with coffee. It’s got that reputation as the working man’s everyday go-to tonic for a boost in vim and vigor needed to start the day. The odor is strong and satisfying and welcomes anyone taking a whiff to meet life head-on in no uncertain terms. The first sip clears the mental fog and the remaining ones set the tone for the rest of the day.

Coffee is for the blue collar folks that need the physical stimulus to get the proverbial gears in motion. Many just could not imagine beginning the day without a sure foundation of a rich and satisfying source of caffeine. The office folks share that need throughout the day to meet the administrative and executive challenges that confront them during these days of corporate tension.

Tea, however, is a whole different species. Its reputation leaves it in a category as the choice of the more refined members of society. It’s more sweet and gentle in its delivery. It would have no part with those lacking in delicacy or refinement.

It has an elitist quality about it that avoids the brutish side of humanity. It invites those at a social gathering to speak in a more sophisticated way to others that share their sentiments. Tea is seemingly meant for those that are a tad bit more polished in behavior and mannerisms.

When coffee and tea proponents look each other in the eye what do they see? Many a coffee aficionado would roll their eyes and wonder if the other lived in the real world and could handle the slightest bit of pressure. There are sure to be many cup o’ joe fans that would easily dismiss the tea sippers as pansies born with silver spoons in their mouths.

What about the other side? There are sure to be enthusiasts of tea that are sympathetic to the plight of the common man of coffee who wouldn’t know what to do with a good, cultured life even if it fell on his or her lap with ribbons attached. Why, those poor ruffians wouldn’t have to work so hard if they would think and act more like those of our sort. Tsk tsk, indeed!

Was the scenario presented a bit exaggerated? Perhaps so, but there is unquestionably a social division between the two sides that will never be resolved. There will always be words unspoken between members of these separate worlds that ask “So where did you go wrong?”

2008-01-02T01:12:00.000-08:00

Quick and Healthy Cooking

Great tips for cooking quick and healthy meals.

Most people nowadays have busy work schedules and full personal lives. This does not leave much time for planning out one’s meals, much less having the time to plan out healthy ones. This is when quick and healthy cooking becomes a wonderful addition to one’s life!

Quick and healthy cooking solves so many daily dilemmas and they are, as the name suggests, easy! The next question is, where do you find these quick and healthy cooking solutions?

Quick and healthy cooking techniques, tips, menus, and solutions can be found within internet searches, at bookstore, libraries, and health stores, etc. In other words, you can find quick and healthy cooking ideas in many different places and the more you search for them, the more you will find!

There are many people in the health field who are working diligently to provide as many tips for such a popular need. They know that quick and healthy cooking is one of the most popular desires and as such they want to do their best to cater to it.

They will suggest simple life changes for those people who want to make changes but do not want to completely alter their eating habits like eliminating butter, mayonnaise, and fattening salad dressings from one’s diet. These simple changes make huge differences in one’s appearance and health. This is truly important for people who want to make quick and healthy cooking changes.

For those who want to try more aggressive means for quick and healthy cooking changes in their lives, a person can definitely become a vegetarian, look into the fruitarian lifestyle, and even research the benefits of fasting, all food religions that people follow and believe give great health benefits. I mean what is quicker or easier than skipping a meal or two? Depending on what you believe this can be a great way to go!

It is always truly up to you in the end what new ideas you want to include in your life. It is always important to do your research and see what fits best with your comfort level and value system. It is just important to be aware that there are many avenues you can take when adding quick and healthy cooking changes to your life.

Just because you have lived your life one way or that you were taught something else does not necessarily mean it is the only way or the right way to live it. There are many theories. People are constantly studying and re-studying well known theories. Take your time, and you will find the best quick and healthy cooking lifestyle for yourself!

2008-01-02T01:10:00.000-08:00

Save Money On Food: 7 Useful Tips

Seven valuable tips that can help you to save money on food.

By being a bit more frugal, you can save some of the money you spend on food and use it for other important things.

Here are seven tips to help you get started.

1. Begin a price book
Your price book will give you information about products that you've bought by price, date, size, store, and most importantly unit price (how much you're paying by ounce, pound and so forth).
With this information at your disposal, saving money on groceries will be much easier for you.
All you'll need to do is compare the prices you see in the grocery store to what you have in your price book. Then, take advantage of the great deals you find and pass on the bad ones.

2. Meal plan.
Meal planning can help you to save money on food by reducing trips to fast food and family restaurants.
In order to get started meal planning, simply take some time to decide what dinners you want to cook. Then, purchase the food in advance.
In addition, you could plan out your meals by using what you already have on hand.

3. Brown bag it at work.
Instead of opting to spend money on a quick meal at a fast food restaurant during your lunch break, you could pack deli style sandwiches or hoagies along with a side of salad or fruit.
In addition, you could take a thermos filled with part of a soup and sandwich combination, or you could fill it with your favorite drink.

4. Plant a garden.
Gardening can help you to replace some of the food you typically buy at the grocery store with your own fruits, vegetables and herbs.

In addition, gardening can help you get more exercise and reduce some of the stress of everyday life.

5. Eat more vegetable dishes.
Make the meat you purchase at the grocery store last longer by making more vegetable dishes for you and your family.
If you need meat in the dish you're going to prepare, try simply cutting back on how much meat you use.

6. Refrigerate or freeze the bread you buy at the grocery store.
You can also save money by making the bread you buy at grocery store or bakery last longer.
An easy way to do this is to keep the bread you want to eat during the week in the refrigerator.
In addition, you can save money by freezing some of the bread you buy for later use.

7. Stay focused.
Grocery stores choose their layouts with an eye to getting you to spend more money.
A smart way to combat this is to stay focused when you grocery shop. Planning your meals, writing out a shopping list and keeping a price book can help you to do this.
You can also stay focused in the store by knowing where the different sections are, not shopping while you are hungry, and by shopping without your kids if they tend to pressure you into buying things you or they don't really need.

2008-01-02T01:09:00.000-08:00

Vegetable food products

A proper mix of vegetarian food items and to maintain the nutrition at the time of cooking, eating boiled food, properly drying, sprouts and fermentation can increase the food quality. Milk and milk products have sufficient amount of protein, calcium and vitamins.

According to vegetarian food finding, in India alone around 33 crores of birds and animals are killed every year and 50 lakh ton of flesh trade is carried on. This is enough to show that innumerable birds and animals are killed every year throughout the world. The question that arises is that, is it not possible for the human being to live healthy without eating non-vegetarian food? The fact is that the human being can get the less expensive, nutritious, disease curing and healthy food from vegetarian food without killing any living creature. This can be proved from the following facts, that vegetarian food contains sufficient amount of nutrition. Besides the report says that the human beings contracts around the healthy body by the consumption of vegetable food. The vegetarian food is totally harmless, beneficial and keeps us healthy. Killing the innocent birds and animals amounts to sin and crime. The poor speechless creatures are subjected to torture during the process of killing.

A proper mix of vegetarian food items and to maintain the nutrition at the time of cooking, eating boiled food, properly drying, sprouts and fermentation can increase the food quality. Milk and milk products have sufficient amount of protein, calcium and vitamins. The toned milk also contains 38 per cent of high protein. There is no nutritional element, which is present in meat and eggs and not available in milk. This is beneficial for the heart patients as well because it reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood; it is the antidote to several poisons. For your comments Indo Munch

After a certain time limit you will notice the changes that your health is having due to the benefits of eating good food that is green. The most important aspect that you will find due to a vegetarian health conscious diet is that your health is better than ever before

2008-01-02T01:07:00.000-08:00

Eating healthy vegetable food

Vegetarian food gives good health in long life. A good vegetarian food plan can benefit you in so many different ways. When you look at the many great tasting meals that you will get with eating vegetables you will begin to understand why so many people seem to be switching to a vegetarian foods.

Vegetarian food gives good health in long life. The vegetarian consumption average life span of a person is 100 years. The vegetarian food eaters looking at all of these different ways to have good food you maximize your health status. The vegetable food and vegetable products contain very low levels of cholesterol. In fact the free flow of blood to the heart and hence heart problem is less among the vegetarians.

A good vegetarian food plan can benefit you in so many different ways. When you look at the many great tasting meals that you will get with eating vegetables you will begin to understand why so many people seem to be switching to a vegetarian foods. Since there are so many different foods that can be made with vegetables you will need to look at how these foods are prepared. This preparation method will help you to see what changes you may need to make.

You will find there are various types of vegetables and fruits that can be placed on a vegetarian health conscious diet. These different vegetables all contribute to the way that your health and metabolism can change for the better.

After a certain time limit you will notice the changes that your health is having due to the benefits of eating good food that is green. The most important aspect that you will find due to a vegetarian health conscious diet is that your health is better than ever before. For your comments Indo Munch

Food has long been a way of deriving comfort as well as having the energy to do what you want for the day. While you will find many different types of foods that you can eat, sometimes you will find that eating a vegetarian style meal is more satisfying. In order to take full advantage of a food like this you should have a complete vegetarian food..