Cardiac Clinic Botswana

Turmeric: The Healthiest Of Spices?

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a culinary spice, a major ingredient in Indian curries. Used as both medicine and food for centuries, accumulating evidence suggests that this relative of ginger is a promising preventive agent for a wide range of diseases, probably due largely to its anti-inflammatory properties. Curcumin is the chief active component of turmeric and is usually taken as a supplement. Research indicates that:

Curcumin seems to delay liver damage, potentially protecting from the eventual progression to cirrhosis.
Turmeric reduces levels of heterocyclic amines – carcinogenic compounds that are formed when meats are barbecued, boiled, or fried – by up to 40 percent.
Curcumin inhibits the growth of skin cancer (melanoma) and also slows the spread of breast cancer into the lungs.
Turmeric that is part of daily curries eaten in India may help explain the low rate of Alzheimer’s disease in that country.

Why are you not using mint?

Menthol, the active ingredient in mint that gives it its characteristic flavour, is more concentrated in peppermint than in spearmint and is considered an aid in digestion by providing calm to muscles of the stomach and intestine. It is a great aid for when the stomach is uncomfortably full, and encapsulated forms of peppermint oil help to ease GI spasms. Oil of peppermint has also been used to stop the growth of bacterial, viral and fungal infections, and to address asthma, sinusitis, allergy-related colds and other respiratory issues. Nutritionally, peppermint is a good source of vitamins A and C, along with manganese, and copper.

5 Suggestions To Manage High Triglyceride Levels (a sub-fraction of cholesterol)

Triglycerides are the form of fat that moves through the bloodstream to your body’s tissues. Whenever your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol is measured, triglycerides are checked too, as it is typically performed in a lipid panel, in which total, HDL and LDL cholesterol are all measured.

High triglyceride levels can be genetic, but lifestyle influences are strong, and refined carbohydrates like sugar and fruit juices as well as alcohol are the main factors boosting triglyceride levels in the blood. This is especially true for quick-digesting (high glycaemic load) carbs. In many people, these foods elevate insulin levels, promoting both triglyceride production and the storage of fat on the body and in the liver.

I recommend the following lifestyle changes to help keep your serum triglyceride levels down to a level as low as possible:

Get regular exercise that is at least moderately intensive along with some weight training.
Opt for your carbohydrate sources to be whole. Vegetables, fruits, rolled or steel cut oats and sprouted breads provide you with a lot of variety, fibre and usually little in the way of blood sugar surges that often lead to rising triglycerides.
Cut back on alcohol, avoiding beer especially (even small amounts of alcohol can elevate triglyceride levels).
Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids by eating oily fish on a regular basis
Maintain a diet that’s low in processed carbohydrates including fruit juices

Reasons to eat tomatoes....

Low in calories.
Excellent sources of vitamin C, and provide vitamins A and K, potassium, manganese and fibre.
A source of lycopene – researchers have linked the lycopene (a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red colour) with a lowered risk of heart disease and cancers, including those of the prostate, breast, colon and lung, as well as being helpful in lowering high cholesterol.
To get the tomatoes with the most lycopene content, choose smaller sized ones with the darkest red colour.

4 Reasons Celery Is Healthy

Is an excellent source of vitamins C and K, and its active compounds, phthalides, may help lower blood pressure.

Has long been associated with dieting due to its fibre content and low-calorie count.

Is rich in potassium and sodium – important in regulating fluid balance and stimulating urine production.

Lends itself to soups, stews and stir-fries as well as salads, or spread on natural nut or seed butters as a snack.

Canned Or Dried Beans?

The health benefits of beans are numerous: they are an excellent source of protein and fibre, are high in the B vitamin folic acid, and are a low-glycaemic-index food meaning a carbohydrate with a more stable blood sugar impact. But some beans – both in terms of variety and the way they are cooked – are actually healthier than others.

The most nutritious varieties of beans are black, red, kidney and pinto beans. Black beans have the most antioxidant activity of any of these bean choices.

When using dried beans, don’t discard the water used to simmer them – up to 70 percent of the antioxidants that beans provide end up in the simmering liquid. Instead, simmer the beans until they are done and then give them a chance to soak these key nutrients back in by leaving them in the liquid for at least an hour, longer is better.

Consider pressure cooking – a growing trend in preparing healthy, whole-food meals is pressure cooking. Dried beans that were soaked and then cooked in a pressure cooker were shown to retain the most antioxidant, therefore health value.

The easiest (and possibly healthiest) route? Buy canned beans. Canned kidney and pinto beans are two of the most antioxidant-rich foods you can eat, as the heat of the canning process enhances the availability of nutrients in the beans.

Study Identifies The Best Form Of Exercise For Osteoarthritis

Knee osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage cushioning the knee joint gradually wears down, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced mobility. It is very common, particularly in adults over 45. Now, a major recent investigation published in the British Medical Journal suggests that aerobic exercise — especially walking, cycling, and swimming — is the most effective type of physical activity for managing this condition.

Veggies to consider using frequently:

1.Beetroot. The deep red colour of these root vegetables comes from anthocyanins, phytonutrients that protect against damage from carcinogens and may help prevent heart disease. They are versatile, inexpensive, and delicious hot or cold.
2.Squash. With a wide variety of types, flavors, shapes, and sizes, squash is readily adaptable to any occasion. It provides beta-carotene, potassium, and fibre, nutrients that are necessary for good overall health.
3.Tomatoes. This red fruit (often considered a vegetable) contains lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps fight heart disease and possibly some types of cancer, particularly prostate cancer. Use tomatoes in everything from salads to sauces, but know that lycopeneis most easily absorbed when the tomatoes are cooked and eaten with a little fat, such as extra virgin olive oil.
4. Broccoli. This vegetable is a classic, along with other cruciferous vegetables, offer cancer-protective benefits. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamin K and calcium – both of which help keep bones strong. It is tasty both raw and cooked, and can be a stand-out in soups, casseroles, and salads.
5. Mushrooms. Prized for their tonic effects, mushrooms can help address a host of illnesses. Maitake mushrooms (known as “hen of the woods” for their resemblance to the fluffed tail feathers of a nesting hen) are particularly valued, as they have anti-cancer, anti-viral and other immune-enhancing properties, and may also reduce blood pressure and blood sugar.

5 Ideas For Radiant Skin At Any Age

1. Increase your consumption of antioxidant-rich foods, particularly a wide variety of colours of vegetables.
2. Include omega-3 fatty acids from foods like fish or freshly ground flaxseeds to help reduce and prevent inflammation. If regular consumption is not happening, consider a fish oil supplement for additional omega-3s.
3. Drink lots of water to keep the skin hydrated and healthy.
4. Limit processed and refined foods
5. Consider the connection between the microbiome and inflammation that can manifest via the skin. Increasing your consumption of fermented foods, whether in the form of vegetables from fermented dairy (for example madila) if tolerated can help improve the balance of life in your digestive tract, which may aid in calming inflammation from the inside. Taking a probiotic supplement every day can also be effective.

And don’t be afraid to eat a piece of dark chocolate now and then – there is no link between chocolate and acne, and dark chocolate actually has antioxidant benefits!

How To Use Aloe To Treat Burns & Bites

The gel extracted from the inside of aloe (Aloe vera) leaves is a cost-effective, natural way to treat a variety of ailments: it can be used topically for the treatment of sunburn, first and second degree burns, skin irritations or inflammation, mosquito bites, and rashes from poisonous plants.

It’s a good idea to keep a potted aloe plant in your kitchen. Slice open a leaf and apply the gel to the affected area. Be aware that topical use can trigger rare allergic reactions and may delay surgical wound healing. Always seek evaluation from your GP for burns with significant blistering for proper evaluation and care.