5 Real Health Questions and Answers - Issue 2

--> Question 1:

The joints of my body and those of my elderly parents are not functioning very well, what about hyaluronic acid?

--> Answer 1:

Hyaluronic acid is a fairly recent phenomenon in the health industry. It is boasted as a successful therapy for joint and skin problems mainly. However there are not many studies to show that hyaluronic acid (taken orally) is effective in easing joint pain or increasing joint movability.

There have been some studies done where hyaluronic acid was injected into the knees of patients. In some of these studies the results were positive, while in others, patients showed no results at all.

With that said, many people claim that hyaluronic has had positive results on there joint pain or arthritis. The best way to find out is to try it for yourself. Keep in mind however that no long term studies have been conducted on hyaluronic acid taken orally - so we don't know for sure if it is completely safe or not.

Occasionally people using hyaluronic acid have reported breaking out in a skin rash.

With all the above in mind, I would suggest taking a joint supplement that includes hyaluronic acid, as well as more trusted and proven supplements, mainly glucosamine, and chondroitin sulfates, MSM, sea cucumber and grape seed extract. If you want a supplement that includes all of these I recommend Joint Power RX.

--> Question 2:

Clogged arteries - I know that good cholesterol i.e. olive oil, helps to reduce clogged arteries, however, I see commercials where platelets form along the walls of the arteries in small clumps and if broken loose result in a blood clot, often causing a heart attack or stroke.

Am I correct, in that, clogged arteries (the thick build-up on the artery walls) and platelets (in clumps in an artery wall) are two different things? Is there anything natural that can eliminate these platelets if they are different from clogged arteries? I have yet to find an answer anywhere.

--> Answer 2:

Platelets do indeed build up on the artery walls, and this was confirmed in a 2002 study. This platelet build up is in fact different from what we usually refer to as "clogged arteries" or high cholesterol. The platelets, normally responsible for blood clotting, get activated in the bloodstream and become sticky. Once this happens they are likely to form clumps on artery walls.

A healthy lifestyle in general will go a long way to prevent any arterial disease. With that said, there are a few vitamins, supplements, and herbs that will also help prevent the risk of platelet and cholesterol build up, in turn lowering the risk of heart attack and strokes.

Here's a brief list of helpful vitamins and herbs:

-Garlic

-Ginseng

-Three cups of gingko biloba tea can help counter any inflammation and prevent "hardening of the arteries" (oxidized cholesterol and platelet build up).
-Hawthorn berry (very efficient in lowering blood pressure safely).

-Spices such as ginger, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, cloves help dilate arteries and increase blood and oxygen flow.
-Antioxidant fruits or superfoods high in antioxidants.

-Vitamin E (400 IU daily) has been shown to have dramatic effects on reducing the risk of heart attacks by up to 77%

-EFA's (essential fatty acids) Omega-3 and Omega-6 are also important for healthy arteries.

-Grapeseed extract and Bromelain (pineapple derived enzyme) can also lower the risk of arterial disease.

Other then that, sauna therapy will help increase blood flow and reduce the chance of blood clotting as well as help to remove toxins in the body. Exercise will do the same, to a lesser extent.

--> Question 3:

how can I chart my daily meals and snacks. Are there any sites that have charts were you can monitor your daily intake of foods?

--> Answer 3:

There are many sites that allow you to do this, some free and some paid. However, I find many of the sites lack the features necessary to make it worthwhile.

The best free food diary/tracker is probably http://www.startyourdiet.com

The best paid food diary/tracker is, in my opinion, http://www.myfooddiary.com which costs $9 per month.

If you can afford the $9 a month, definitely go with http://www.myfooddiary.com as it has alot more options and is much easier to use and manage than http://www.startyourdiet.com

--> Question 4:

How can i stay away from sweets when i have a really big sweet tooth.. its not all that easy?

--> Answer 4:

First of all you have to realise that you have a sugar and carbohydrate addiction. Carb addictions are actually quite common in this day and age, and must be treated like any other addiction.

The first step in beating any addiction is admitting to yourself that you have one. From there, you must lay out a logical step-by-step plan to beat your addiction to sweet (high carb) foods.

The reason you have a sugar addiction in the first place is because you eat too much sugar. When you eat sugar your body tends to overproduce insulin. This excess insulin causes your blood sugar to drop. Your body then craves more sugar in order to raise your blood sugar level back to normal.

You find yourself caught in a vicious circle. The only way out of this never-ending sugar addiction circle is to break stride - that means eliminating sugar from your diet, or at least cutting down on it dramatically. The less you eat, the less you will crave.

Now as you said, it's not all that easy. Well, to make it easier, you must replace the bad refined sugars with something else.

Some good natural sugars are fruits (low sugar fruits such as kiwis are best), unpasteurized honey, and stevia (very sweet, no calories, no aspartame).

Your first step in cutting down sugars should be to stop drinking any soda pops and fruit juices. Both pop and fruit juices are loaded with sugars - usually refined (bad) sugars.

Beating a sugar addiction is akin to quitting smoking (which I myself went through not long ago). Just remind yourself of why you want to cut sweets out of your diet, and use that as your motivation. Sugar cravings generally only last from 5-10 mins, so take each craving one at a time. The longer you go without sugar, the less you'll crave it, and the closer you'll be to no longer craving sweets at all!

--> Question 5:

Which food is good for health?

--> Answer 5:

This article is getting long, so I'll try and keep this one short.

Generally speaking any food that is organic is "good" for your health. However, good is a relative term. Some organic foods, such as fruits and vegetables are healthier for you, then say organic bread.

When it comes to eating healthy, moderation is key. Too much of anything is not good for the body.

A healthy diet should consist of plenty of fiber, protien, essential vitamins and nutrients, fresh fruits and vegetables (washed and peeled), organic chicken and fish, organic free range eggs, and plenty of unroasted, unsalted nuts and seeds.

Many people think dairy is necessary for a healthy diet, I tend to disagree with this, but I'll keep that issue in wraps for another day.

You should avoid any foods that contain MSG, Aspartame, pesticides, heavy metals, chemicals and preservatives.

What's So Special About Raw Honey?

Raw honey is the concentrated nectar of flowers that comes straight from the extractor; it is the only unheated, pure, unpasteurized, unprocessed honey.

An alkaline-forming food, this type of honey contains ingredients similar to those found in fruits, which become alkaline in the digestive system. It doesn't ferment in the stomach and it can be used to counteract acid indigestion. When mixed with ginger and lemon juices, it also relieves nausea and supplies energy. Raw honey is the healthiest choice amongst the various forms of honey as it has the most nutritional value and contains amylase, an enzyme concentrated in flower pollen which helps predigest starchy foods like breads.

Most honeys found in the supermarket are not raw honey but "commercial" honey, which has been heated and filtered so that it looks cleaner and smoother, more appealing on the shelf, and easier to handle and package. When honey is heated, its delicate aromas, yeast and enzymes which are responsible for activating vitamins and minerals in the body system are partially destroyed. Hence, such honey is not as nutritious as raw honey.

Characterised by fine textured crystals, raw honey looks milkier and contains particles and flecks made of bee pollen, propolis, honeycomb bits, and broken bee wing fragments. Raw and unfiltered honey is relatively low in moisture content (14% to 18%) and has a high antioxidant level. It will usually granulate and crystallize to a margarine-like consistency after a month or two. Many people prefer to spread it on bread and waffles, dissolve it in hot coffee or tea, or use it for cooking and baking.

You may also find raw honey that are unprocessed but slightly warmed to retard granulation for a short period of time and allow light straining and packing into containers for sale. In this case, the honey will not be considered 100% "raw" because it has been heated slightly and therefore rightfully should not be labeled as such by the supplier. There's a very simple way to tell if honey has been heated or not: hold it up to the light. If the honey is clear, then it's been heated.

Source: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/raw-honey.html

How to Use Ginger in a Detox Diet

Ginger is a very popular spice used in oriental and far eastern cuisines.   Not only is it a spice, it is a very useful item in a detox diet.  It has properties that are very helpful in cleansing the body of toxins.  There are many ways it can be used in detoxing,  including as a food, a bath additive, and a tea.  Here are some ideas:

Ginger Bath:  Add 3 or 4 tablespoons of dried ginger to a tepid bath ( not hot).  Soak in it to promote perspiration, relieve tired achy muscles and to relieve congestion.

Ginger Cough Syrup: 1/4 tsp. Cayenne Pepper, 1/4 tsp Ginger, 1 Tbsp Honey, 1 Tbsp Vinegar,  2 Tbsp warm water.  Mix all ingredients and use as often as necessary to relieve chest congestion.

Tea:  Add three thin slices of Ginger to a cup of water that has been boiled.  Steep for fifteen minutes.  Drinking this tea while soaking in a Ginger bath will further the perspiration process to release toxins.

Ginger can be freshly grated or put through a garlic press and added to salads, soups and noodle dishes. Ginger's cleansing properties will aid in the detox process because ginger acts as  cleansing agent in the kidneys and the bowel.  It also stimulates the circulatory system and removes congestion from the sinus cavities.  Because it acts as a digestive agent,  it helps the body in digesting other foods for their nutrient value.

Adding ginger to the detox diet will enhance the body's ability to rid itself of toxins.  It will also enhance the flavor of the foods that are eaten in the detox diet, which sometimes can seem bland.

Lose Five Pounds in a Week - Secret of Losing Five Lbs Exposed!

People all across the globe spends time to get that smart & fit body. The fact is that you can lose five pounds in a week with some little efforts and determination. This is a safe and natural technique of weight loss.

Here are techniques to lose 5 lbs. in a week without any expense:

Diet to Lose 5 lbs. in a Week

· On an average an adult needs 1200 to 1500 calories per day. Shop wisely and read the labels of the food you purchase. Plan your diet to take a stipulated amount of calories per day.

· Divide it in to 6 short meals in place of 2 major ones.

· Have your meals on time and do not skip them.

· After a fixed time in the night do not eat anything.

· Do not sleep just after a meal.

· 20 minutes before the meal take a handful of nuts. It reduces your appetite.

· Focus on taking raw fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, soy milk, skimmed milk, and nuts.

· Avoid unsaturated fat and excess of carbohydrates.

· Avoid oily food, junk food, rice, sugar, white flour & potatoes.

· Take honey and apple and sweeteners.

· Replace tea & coffee with herbal ones like green & white tea.

· Use cayenne pepper, honey, low sodium salt, maple syrup and lemon to garnish your salads. These are natural detoxifying products.

· Avoid smoking & alcohol.

· Drink anti oxidant rich juices or consume such fruits in the breakfast. Some of these are acai berry, blue berry, goji berry, etc.

Exercises To Lose 5 lbs. in a Week

· The best time to exercise is early in the morning or just before you sleep at night.

· If you can't do intense exercises do the moderate ones like jogging, swimming, walking, cycling, etc.

· 30 minutes workout in the day is a must.

· You may also choose to do yoga, meditation and aerobics.

· The impact of the exercises would almost double if you drink a detox drink before the workout. You may have a glass of warm water with honey & lemon or a glass of water with cayenne pepper, maple syrup and lemon.

· Another helpful tip to lose 5 pounds in a week is taking Acai Supplements. Combining Acai with the above mentioned tips you can even lose 15 to 20 pounds healthily.

Type 2 Diabetes - Does Honey Raise Or Lower Blood Sugar Levels?

Do you think you can't eat honey because you have type 2 diabetes? And your doctor did tell you to avoid all sweets! It is true honey is a sweet... but this is true also: one tablespoon of honey contains approximately the same amount of carbohydrate as a quartered amount of a raw apple.

Research also shows that consuming honey produces a much lower blood sugar response than the equivalent amount of sugar or other glucose enriched starches.

Of all the natural sweeteners with clear nutritional value, honey has the least effect on blood sugar levels. Different diabetics, however, react to honey in different ways and different kinds of honey can have different effects on your blood sugar levels.

What is Honey? Honey is a mixture of glucose and fructose. The fructose in honey makes it very sweet, and the glucose in honey makes it a great source of quick energy. Because honey also contains wax, antioxidants, and water bound inside crystals that have to be broken down in the stomach, it's not high on the glycemic index. Raw honey has a glycemic index of about 30, while heat-treated, processed honey has a glycemic index of about 75.

Amazing Raw Honey: Raw honey has about the same effect on blood sugar levels as leafy greens... as usual, as long as you don't eat too much! A tablespoon per meal is enough. And the antioxidant content of honey is so potent that American cosmetic surgeons literally use honey as an antiseptic dressing... because it's a better germ-fighter than other chemical treatments.

Processed Honey: Processed honey, on the other hand, has had its antioxidants broken down by the heat used during pasteurization, and is broken down into sugar in your digestive tract about as quickly as ice cream is broken down. Most diabetics, Type 1 or Type 2, don't have room for processed honey in their diets.

Lower Blood Sugar Levels: Research studies (on humans, not rats), indicate that the consumption of raw honey can result in lower blood sugar levels between 60 to 100 mg/dL (3.3 to 5.5 mmol/L) when tested 90 minutes after eating a similar amount of sucrose or sugar. This then means the HbA1c percentage would be lower by approximately 2 to 4%.

Keep It Down: The key to using honey in your diet in order to control your blood sugar levels is never to use too much. Even foods that are digested slowly still require insulin. As long as you don't eat too much, and you still have insulin production capacity in your pancreas, your body benefits from the energy and antioxidant content of raw, natural honey.

Picnic Food Ideas - Two Delicious Picnic Food Recipes For Chicken Dishes

Planning for a picnic can be a daunting task, especially if you are preparing for a lot of people, or maybe hosting people you do not know very well. In any case, it is important to prepare food that is pleasing to as many of your guests as possible, so that everyone enjoys your picnic - and good food is what makes a good picnic possible. Chicken is a fantastic choice for just about any picnic because it can be prepared in a variety of ways. The two picnic food ideas for chicken below will use this perfect poultry solution in two different yet equally delicious ways.

Picnic Food Ideas: Fried Chicken Tenders

Ah, chicken tenders. These are tasty, simple to make, easy to eat, and palatable to just about anyone. Plus, you can eat them with a wide variety of dipping sauces to please any guest you host at your picnic. To make these chicken tenders, you will need the following ingredients:

1 1/4 cup of flour
2 cups of Italian bread crumbs
2 beaten eggs
2 quarts of peanut oil (can use canola instead)
1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
Salt
Black pepper
Two dozen chicken tenderloins
2 tablespoons of water

To make, take a bowl or baking dish and put the flour in it. In another dish, place the breadcrumbs and mix them with both types of pepper and a dash of salt. In another small bowl, mix the eggs and water together. Then, take each tenderloin and dip it in the flour, then the eggs, and then the bread crumbs. After each has been dipped, take your peanut oil (it tastes the best, in my opinion) and heat it in a fryer to about 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry your chicken about 4 at a time until the crush is golden brown in color. Drain on a paper towel. For dipping sauces, you can use anything you wish. I prefer honey mustard and BBQ sauce, but ranch, ketchup, Dijon mustard, and other sauces are also used. For best results, bring several and let your guests sample them all!

Picnic Food Ideas: Sesame Chicken

With this recipe, we move away from the traditional chicken tender to the more exotic sesame chicken dish. For this recipe, you will need:

2 chicken breasts (whole and boneless)
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
1 1/4 tablespoon of cooking wine
1/2 teaspoon of sesame oil
2 tablespoons of white flour
2 tablespoons of water
2 1/4 tablespoons of corn starch
1 1/2 teaspoon of vegetable oil

Take all of these ingredients except for the chicken and mix them together. Cut your chicken into small chunks and let your chicken marinate in this solution for two hours. Then, gather these ingredients:

1/2 cup of water
1/8 cup of vinegar (white)a
1/4 cup of corn starch
3/4 cup of chicken broth
2 tablespoons of soy sauce
2 ¼ tablespoons of sesame oil
1 tablespoon of sesame seeds (toasted)
1 minced clove of garlic
1/2 tablespoon of cayenne pepper
Peanut oil for frying

Take your chicken pieces and deep-fry them in the peanut oil. While you are doing this, add the above ingredients together and bring to a boil. Then, reduce the heat and let it simmer while stirring occasionally. When your chicken has turned a nice golden-brown color, remove and drain the pieces on a paper towel. Bring the sauce up to a boil for about 10 seconds, then add a handful of sesame seeds and pour over the chicken.

Yin and Yang Food - How Does it Affect You?

Did you know that Yin and Yang, the principle at the heart of Chinese philosophy, applies to Chinese food and cooking as well? In Chinese medicine, all food can be divided into four Qis: Hot, warm, cool and cold; or yang, mild yang, mild yin and yin respectively.

In general, yang food improves blood circulation and warms us up, but too much yang food (or eaten during the wrong season e.g. summer) will induce constant thirst, hot flashes, night sweats and constipation. In contrast, yin food quenches thirst, cleanses our systems and cools us down, but if eaten inappropriately it will lower our metabolism and weaken our bodies. In particular, according to traditional Chinese, pregnant women are traditionally advised not to eat yin food (e.g. crab, watermelon) as it may increase the chance of miscarriage.

So what are some examples of yin and yang food?

Grains and Beans


Mild Yang (warm food): glutinous rice, black rice, barley, sago, sorghum

Mild Yin (cool food): wheat, barley, green beans, buckwheat, millet

Right in the middle: Rice, corn (maize), sweet potato, sesame, soy beans, rice beans, oat, long beans, sweet peas, kidney beans, mung beans, lentil, broadbean

Meat and Dairy Product


Mild Yang (warm):beef, lamb (mutton), chicken, shrimp, lobster, mussels, goat milk

Mild Yin (cool): duck, abalone

Yin: duck egg, crab, clam, octopus, squid, escargots, raw food

Just Right: chicken egg and egg white, pork, scallop, fish, cow milk, yogurt

Fruits and Nuts


Mild Yang (warm): peach, almond, dates, lychee, long yan, lemon, papaya, pine nut, walnut, chestnut, cherry, mango

Mild Yin (cool):apple, pear, orange, strawberry, pipa

Yin (cold): Persimmon, pomelo, banana, starfruit, kiwi, water melon, sweet melon

Just Right: plum, pineapple, grapes, olive, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, coconut milk, peanut, hazelnut

Vegetables


Mild Yang (warm): spring onion, garlic, leeks, coriander / parsley, onion, pumpkin

Yang (hot): pepper

Mild Yin (cool): tomato, celery, egg plant, choy shum, spinach, asparagus, artichoke, cauliflower, tofu (including soy milk), gluten, lotus root, winter melon, cucumber, mushroom, needle mushroom

Yin (cold): bok choy, arrowhead, water spinach, watercress, bamboo shoots, seaweed, straw mushroom, bitter melon, water chestnut

Just Right: carrot, potato, taro, mushroom, turnip (very mild yin), black fungus (very mild yin)

Other Food and Ingredients


Mild Yang (warm): spices such as young ginger, clove, dill, rosemary, sage, turmeric, thyme, horseradish, cayenne, nutmeg, wild pepper, cumin, star anise; stimulants such as alcohol, coffee, black tea and other caffeinated drinks; red sugar, ginseng

Yang (hot): Cinnamon

Mild Yin (cool): green tea, honey, beer, chrysanthemum tea, mint

Yin (cold): Soy sauce, soy bean paste, salt

How Does This Apply To Us?

According to the Chinese, each of us are born yin, yang or somewhere in between. For example, if you always crave for spicy food you may have a "yin" body; and if you love watermelon anytime in the year you are likely a Yang.

Your health condition can also indicate the yin-yang balance of your body. Constant cold hands and feet? A Yin; Get soar throat easily and have a quick temper? A Yang. Seasonal and geographic variations will also affect our preference on yin and yang foods.

The Advice

When cooking yin food (applies to most veggies), add yang ingredients such as garlic, spring onion, ginger and coriander.

Eat seasonal food: let the nature guide us how to eat.

Balanced diet: if we eat a wide variety of food, the yin and yang will balance out.

Nature's Wonder Medicines - Honey, Garlic and Vinegar

I was rummaging around in my bedroom the other day for a particular book, without much success I have to say.

Now anyone who knows me will testify to you that my house is so crammed with books that it somewhat resembles a mini-library. However, my organisational skills do not in any way resemble that of a professional librarian, so you can imagine what a jumble of titles and genres you will come across while looking around for a specific book.

So instead of persisting in my search, I was distracted by a book I had long forgotten about. What caught my eye were the capital letters HGV. So there I sat, cross-legged on the floor of my bedroom with my nose stuck in a HGV book.

But before you start to scratch your head in wonder believing I had suddenly developed a passion for driving heavy goods vehicles, do not worry, I am not considering getting a tattoo and hanging out of a lorry cab window shouting 'alright love' to any passing young men at motorway service stations.

Something to ponder though!

No, this book was on the subject of Honey, Garlic and Vinegar. These three potent ingredients have some wonderful health benefits individually, but when you combine them together you get a triple whammy of healing powers that doctors are now proving scientifically.

Did you know for example that raw, unpasteurized honey contains a complex mix of organic acids, esters, enzymes, antibiotic agents, trace minerals, and plant pigment to name but a few. This is why you see such a price difference between natural, raw honey, and regular jars of honey found in the supermarket that have been pasteurized. So when cooking with honey always go for the cheaper brands and keep the expensive stuff to eat as it is.

Most people will already be aware of the health benefits of garlic, and how it can lower bad fats in the blood stream to help prevent heart disease. But did you know it can also help to strengthen your immune system to prevent or fight off colds and flu. For those of us leading a busy life where we cannot afford to slow down, or take time out to nurse a cold, it could pay you to eat more garlic to help ward off all those nasty bugs circulating the office each winter.

Vinegar has to be one of our most ancient substances estimated to have been in use for well over 10,000 years. If you wanted to invent a liquid that can be used internally for good health, externally for disinfecting wounds, and could also be used as an effective household cleaner - you would have hit a gold mine with vinegar.

Around 2,400 years ago, Hippocrates was renowned for prescribing vinegar to cure all manner of ills amongst his patients. You could say that in those times vinegar was the equivalent of aspirin today.

One of the earliest diet drinks was believed to be used by ancient Persians to rid the body of fatty deposits, and this was made from vinegar and citric fruit juice. So maybe our diet obsessed nation are no so different to our ancient ancestors after all.

Why Honey is Good For You - Health Benefits of Honey

There are some really great natural products on the market that can help you healthwise. One of these natural products is honey. Nowadays it seems that you hear about everything known to man that can help with your overall health but so often the old classic is forgotten, that is honey. So, why is honey good for you? Let's take a look at some of the benefits that you receive from eating it.

1. Boost immunity. If you are prone to getting colds or other types of bacteriological or viral illnesses than it would not hurt for you to try a daily dosage of honey in order to see if that will help boost your immunity and in so doing make you less prone to getting infections and/or illnesses. As with any supplement, you should first consult a Medical Doctor in order to get a professional opinion before you start anything.

2. Allergies. Many report that they have seen a reduction in allergies to pollen and ragweed as a result of consistently taking the supplement.

3. Skin health. Many who take a supplement on a regular basis claim that it helps keep their skin clear and moist.

4. Inflammation reduction. Although medications such as ibuprofen are very popular, there are some great natural means by which you can reduce the amount of inflammation and one of these is through honey.

5. Gastroesophageal reflux disorder. If you are wondering why honey is good for you then this may be one of the most popular reasons for taking a consistent dosage of the supplement.

There are many other reasons why honey is good for you but these are some of the most popular reasons for taking the supplement on a regular basis. If you are not noticing positive effects after starting this supplement then you may want to try increasing the dosage of your intake but as previously mentioned, you should consult with a Medical Doctor before beginning any program.

Apple Cider Vinegar and Honey Remedy

The health benefits of the apple cider vinegar and honey drink are widely known. This recipe has traditionally been used as an at-home self remedy for many ailments, and even an anti-aging elixir. Many people have smartly made use of its cleansing and disinfecting properties to self-detoxify their body. It is seen as a powerful cleansing agent and natural healing elixir with naturally occurring antibiotic and antiseptic that fights germs and bacteria.

Alkaline-Forming Diet

So, how does this vinegar and honey remedy actually work? A person's bloodstream tends toward becoming acidic with our modern diet of fats, starches and processed foods, (e.g fast foods, meats, peanuts, seafoods, alcohol and coffee)and if your body is acidic, disease can flourish; if it is alkaline, it is in balance and can fight off germs and ailments such as bladder and kidney conditions, osteoporosis, brittle bones, joint pains, aching muscles, low energy and chronic fatigue, and slow digestion. Raw fruits, leafy green vegetables, legumes, and tea are examples of alkaline forming foods. Interestingly and ironically, a food's acid or alkaline-forming tendency in the body has nothing to do with the actual pH of the food itself. For instance, lemons and limes are very acidic, however the end-products they produce after digestion and assimilation are very alkaline so lemons and limes are alkaline-forming in the body. Likewise, meat will test alkaline before digestion but it leaves very acidic residue in the body so, like nearly all animal products, meat is very acid-forming. It is important to know that stomach acid or the pH of the stomach is an entirely different matter from the pH of the body's fluids and tissues. The body has an acid-alkaline (or acid-base) ratio called the pH which is a balance between positively charges ions (acid-forming) and negatively charged ions (alkaline-forming). When this balance is compromised many problems can occur. The body is forced to borrow minerals-including calcium, sodium, potassium and magnesium from vital organs and bones to neutralize the acid and safely remove it from the body. And severe damage can be done to the body due to high acidity. Ideally, for most people, the ideal diet is 75 percent alkalizing and 25 percent acidifying foods by volume. Allergic reactions and other forms of stress also tend to produce excessive acids in the body.

The alkalinity of apple cider vinegar can correct excess acidity in our system and help prevent and fight infection. Honey added to the vinegar naturally makes the mixture more drinkable for people. And the good news is that unprocessed raw honey has been classfified as an alkaline-forming food. (Processed honey is only little acidifying and artifical sweetener is very acidifying). When you first drink the apple cider vinegar formula, it might taste horrible to you, but as your body becomes less acidic and more alkaline, it would begin to taste good. The ailments that could be cured by this apple cider vinegar and honey treatment include:

1. Premature aging

2. Obesity

3. Food poisoning

4. Heat exhaustion

5. Heartburn

6. Brittle nails

7. Bad breath

8. Arthritis

9. High blood pressure

10. High cholesterol level

Try this healthy and refreshing vinegar and honey drink! Essentially, to prepare:

* Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and a tablespoon of raw honey. (Apple cider vinegar is actually made from fresh, organic, crushed apples that are allowed to mature naturally in wooden barrels, but you can get it easily from the grocery shops or supermarkets.)

* Dissolve in a glass of chilled water.

* Take it twice daily.

Note: For this vinegar and honey remedy, do not get commercial distilled vinegars as they do not contain the same health values of organic, raw apple cider vinegar. The powerful enzymes and minerals like potassium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium, sulphur, iron copper, fluorine, silicon, pectin and natural malic and tartaric acids, which are important in fighting body toxins and inhibiting bacteria growth, are all destroyed during the distilling process.

Homeopathic Health Secrets of Cayenne Pepper - Part 2

In the first article about homeopathic uses for cayenne pepper entitled Homeopathic Uses for Cayenne Pepper #1, I went over eight simple yet profoundly effective applications of cayenne pepper you can use today to improve your health. As there are so many medicinal uses of cayenne and a multitude of ailments it can be used for, one article was not enough. So, let's now go into a little more depth of cayenne pepper health benefits.

1) Have digestion problems? Cayenne pepper promotes healthy digestion and peristaltic movements within the bowels. (Of course, it helps if you adopt a more healthy, fiber-rich diet.)

2) Pain of the joints and others like gout, rheumatism, arthritis, and are ready-made for cayenne. When applied topically warm or hot, it is an excellent application to those who have such joint problems and swelling.

3) Not many get scarlet fever or diphtheria anymore, but Cayenne is an excellent gargle for it as it is an antiseptic herb as well.

4) Have cold sores or ulcers in the mouth? Cayenne can help heal them. How about strep throat or tonsillitis? Cayenne pepper or capsicum as it is sometimes called (it's just a synonym), when gargled, will help heal it.

5) Cayenne is an excellent remedy for the common viral cold. When taken with slippery elm (a very soothing herb, honey or molasses and taken throughout the day will stop the cold. Cayenne produces perspiration to those who take it and to those who are suffering from a cold or the flu, they need to get those impurities out of the lymphatic system. Cayenne will help do that.

6) It is an excellent herb for removing obstructed menstruation.

7) For pregnant women, it is superb for relieving pains of the womb.

8) It may seem counter intuitive, but Cayenne is actually an excellent herb for relieving sea sickness.

9) A great cayenne pepper health benefit is it helps to shrink or regress hemorrhoids.

10) Snake bites are very rare, but it can be very helpful to help slow the spread of the poison throughout your system before you get to a doctor.

11) Oral drinking of the "cayenne pepper detoxification drink", as some call it, actually helps to stimulate the gall bladder reflex. This can be beneficial to those suffering from gall bladder problems.

12) Cayenne helps to prevent and treat the formation of blood clots in the system

13) Capsicum is great for the kidneys, pancreas, and the spleen.

14) Because of its literal almost instant action on the blood, it can stop in its tracts a bloody nose.

15) Cayenne is fantastic with all forms of ague or fever distinguished by paroxysms of chills and sweating like in malaria.

16) It is an excellent expectorant where it helps to facilitate the discharge of excessive mucus in the respiratory passages

17) It is helpful to arrest yellow fever

18) It is good for those who cannot seem to catch their breath (asthmatical asphyxia) as it is a stimulant herb among its other numerous curative powers.

Needless to say, while cayenne is a phenomenal herb, you should attempt to improve your diet and adopt a more healthy lifestyle so as to prevent some of these ills from happening. Limiting your intake of red meat, dairy products like milk, cheese and eggs is a great start. Severely limiting caffeine and processed sugar foods in your diet is also very wise.

Clearly, western medicine is a great benefit to modern man, but medicinal herbs could be so too if the medical establishment didn't have such a stranglehold on our health care system in this society. (While cayenne and other herbs are wonderful aids in restoring health, you should always seek out a licensed medical doctor for your ills.)

Conclusion

We're not done yet. Look for the third installment of this article series, Homeopathic Uses for Cayenne Pepper #3 for there are even more uses and key information you need to know about this magnificent medicinal herb.

Can The Honey & Cayenne Pepper Diet Help Me to Really Loose Fat?

When people are first looking at the honey & cayenne pepper diet they may be asking if its for real. If it really can help them to loose the weight that they want to loose. They ask if they can really cut the fat in their body and have a leaner toner look in only 10 days. The truth is that it can help you to loose weight clean out your system and have more energy in only to short days and the benefits that you will experience are amazing.

When it comes to weight loss, cutting fat and gaining muscle is the name of the game. The honey & cayenne pepper diet can get you started on the right direction by cutting 10 pounds of fat from your system if only 10 days. Its also a cleansing diet which can help to purge the digestive system of toxins and and immune diet which can help boost the immune system by ridding the blood of harmful bacteria which may be laying dormant.

Its important to get all the crud and bad stuff out of your system before you start any health building regimen. If you don't do this then you are going to see significantly slower results. Its also recommended that you start to work out slowly with some small weights and basic calisthenics, you might also want to consider taking up a low impact low stress technique such as yoga, pi lattes or tie chi. These will not only help your body but your mind and spirit as well

Its important to understand the connection with the mind and body. The honey and cayenne pepper diet will help you to change the way you look and how you feel, but you need to also be changing the way that you think and how you look at yourself and your life, you must strengthen the spirit. This will lead to better confidence and a calmer mind will lead to less stress which will but you in the capacity to live healthier and make better choices

The main aspect that you need to remember about the honey cayenne pepper diet is the fact that it is used for cleansing the body. If you want to see true fat loss then you need to start out with the honey cayenne pepper diet and move forward with something a lot more long term. You should not use this diet for more than 10 days; otherwise you could do great harm to your health.

Those who have given the honey cayenne pepper diet a try have seen great weight loss results, but this is mostly leftover waste or water weight. If you want to see a true decrease in fat, then you need to make sure that you start eating right and take the time out to give yourself some activity each day. Even walking for 30 minutes a day is going to help you see fat loss while on the honey cayenne pepper diet. After ten days of the diet, simply continue to eat right and exercise and see how much more fat you can lose from there. Now is the best time to start losing weight and feeling good about yourself again!