Friday 27 April 2012

Ginger!

I have only been able to sleep 2,5 hours but I'm full of energy which is weird so I decided to write some about ginger :) Not sure how alert my brain is though as I started writing about garlic so had to take it all away. But now I don't understand why, I mean, I could've just written about garlic instead? Anyways, here it goes!

Ginger is antiemetic (works against vomiting and nausea) and are therefore really good for pregnant girls to consume during the first 4-5 months when the nausea tends to be worse. It is not really enough with eating just fresh ginger though but you could need it in a bit more concentrated form.

Ginger also stimulates saliva, gastric juices (which is great because that means better digestions as more enzymes gets produced) and increases the intestinal peristalsis (which pretty much means that the food goes through the intestines better).

It's also antibacterial, antifungal, stimulates the blood circulation for the whole body plus the smooth muscles (which also gives better digestion when it's better blood circulation in smooth muscles/glatt muskulatur), inhibits inflammation, lowers the cholesterol and much more!

 Ginger is great to eat when you have a cold, the flu, are tired, cold (due to bad blood circulation so if you have cold feet and hands), have nausea (especially then morning sickness for pregnant women), week digestion etc.
You should not take ginger if you have gall stones though.. 

Ginger is one of those herbs that is well investigated. Most studies has shown a positive result (of what I've mentioned) but only a few showed no effect.

I bought concentrated ginger capsules on the herb course last week but I'd have to eat them for a while I think before I see major results but I think that I'm actually feeling better already!

Thursday 26 April 2012

Bilberries

I learned on the phytocourse that what we swedes call blueberries are actually what americans call bilberries and that blueberries are what we call american blueberries. So this post will be about bilberries which are the ones we have here in Sweden. But then bilberries and blueberries are pretty similar even though bilberries are healthier.

There are three main components in bilberries. They are anthocyanins, flavonoids and tannins and they are all antioxidants.

It is the anthocyanins that gives the blue colour. Flavonoids are also giving colour and they make your immune system stronger and reduces inflammation (and much more). Tannins are antiseptics which means that they inhibits bacteria. There is a lot more you could say about these three and maybe I'll blog seperatly about them later.

Bilberries has a lot of antioxidants (as I mentioned), improves the vision, inhibits platelet collection and inhibits inflammation and allergies etc. They can help with allergies, bleedings due to weak blood vessels, painful menstrations, stomach problems etc.. However, fresh berries can irritate the intestinal mucosa. Bilberries also increases the dopamine levels in the brain.

I'm to lazy right now to look through my papers from school but they showed us a study that I think was about that bilberries and probiotics together lowers inflammation in the stomach.. I should look it up, it was really interesting!

Now to something that has nothing to do with bilberries - if you have time, you should watch this program that is about cancer and sugar (it's only the first 20ish minutes). VERY interesting!
http://svtplay.se/v/2773069/vetenskapens_varld/ig_nobel?cb,a1364145,1,f,-1/pb,a1364142,1,f,-1/pl,v,,2781791/sb,p102815,1,f,-1

Otherwise, I got my exam result back yesterday and even though it was my worst result personally, it still went good so now all exams for this year are done, passed and now it's only 3 different projects left to do :) I hardly have any time left in school so the most of the time I'll be able to study from home which I'm happy about because I always learn more that way. And it gives more time over to do other things like working out, working and hanging out with friends.. I'm really considering doing most of what I have left on my education through distance courses. I found several courses I really want to take that are distance about physiology and other course that has to do with how the body works. Anyways, now I gotta go back to studying and read an article about obese kids :)

Wednesday 25 April 2012

Health links

Probiotic BLIS K12 may protect against oral yeast growth

Supplements containing the probiotic BLIS K12 ingredient may inhibit the growth of the yeast responsible for oral thrush, suggests new in vitro data that supports the oral health potential of the ingredient.
Multivitamin supplements boost brain function, say UK researchers

Taking a multivitamin supplement daily can improve cognitive performance in both children and adults, say UK researchers.
Acrylamide on the increase in certain baby foods, reports FSA

The levels of acrylamide is increasing in certain baby foods. However, on the whole levels of the potentially carcinogenic compound are falling in other products, according to a new report from the UK Food Standards Agency.
Fibre may protect against heart disease in women: Study

High-fibre foods may offer good protection against cardiovascular disease, with the effects particularly marked in women, say researchers.
Increased vitamin D intakes may reduce Alzheimer’s risk

People with higher intakes of vitamin D may be at a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but not other forms of dementia, suggests new data from France.

Dietary vitamin E better than supplements to battle cancer: Researchers

Dietary vitamin E in the form of gamma- and delta- tocopherol could be beneficial in battling and even reducing the risk of certain cancers, however the alpha- form commonly used in supplements has no such benefits, say researchers.

Cocoa products may offer fiber source for consumers

Fiber-rich cocoa products may help consumers hit recommended levels and improve their bowel habits, says a new study.

Sunday 22 April 2012

Best course ever - Phytonutrients - read this!

I've now been to Stockholm this whole weekend for the first part of the phyto course I mentioned here a while ago. It is held by an australian man that has a PhD from Westminster University in London and has been doing research about herbs effect on the body. He is the best on these things on this side of the earth so it has been extremly interesting to listen to him.

When I've told people about this course/education, I've got a few reactions as if it's occult etc. So I'll mention already now that it is pure scientific and everything he teach has research that proves it.

So what is the course actually about? To put it simple: It's about how different herbs and plants can effect our bodies. God has put so many things in the nature that are good for us and why take a lot of medicine (which a lot of people get sick from) if there is a natural thing you can try first?

So this weekend we went through the digestive system and it has been SOOOOOOOOOO (+ another million OOO:s) interesting!!!!! It's so inspiring to listen to an expert and I've learned so much. I'm glad for everything I've learned at the university because it's a lot of basic knowledge I get from there, but it is at courses like this I learn the essential things. My education at the university is far from enough.

There's a lot of things I could mention from the course but I'll only mention a few things:

  • One cup of coffee contains just as much antioxidants as 1 dl blueberries. Coffee is a herb!
  • If you throw up you don't only loose fluid but also a lot of enzymes (pretty obvious I guess but I've never thought of that). If you loose a lot of enzymes, your body will also get more susceptible (mottaglig) for parasites. 
  • You don't get as tired through the day if you start the day with protein. We normally eat too little protein - but eat real food, not protein shakes. People with kidney problems can maybe not eat a lot of protein, but that doesn't mean that you get kidney problems from eating a lot of protein.. Include protein in all your meals
  • Caffeine does not produce stress in the body - that is only a myth. It reduces the body's relaxation instead. The research that shows that caffeine is bad has been made on caffeine capsules and with a dose that is about 2-3 times higher than what we normally get from drinking coffee every day. But ofcourse some people can have a problem with it - but that's how it is with everything
  • Sugar is a major burden for the pancreas/bukspottskörteln (one of many reasons why you should avoid sugar). And if you have a bad pancreas, you should only eat simple food - 1 or 2 vegetables in one dish, not 5-6 and 1 fruit at a time instead of fruit salad with many different fruits as it will be to many different things to digest and that makes it hard on the pancreas (it produces a lot of enzymes)
  • People who drink coffee has a lower risk of getting diabetes
  • Many of those who exercise a lot has problems with the small intestine because the muscles takes all of the aminoacid glutamine which is very important for the small intestine to have so it can produce new cells there (to put it simple). So all athletes needs a lot of glutamine. Glutamine also breaks down lactic acid, gives energy to the muscles, builds up the immune system and regulates the pH balance in the body. You can't feel the small intestines and often people have problems with it without even knowing about it. It is very normal to have problems with it.
  • People who has cancer needs a lot of glutamin as the cancer makes the body very sour (cancer cells doesn't have a krebs cycle so the glucose can only go through the glycolysis and then produces lactic acid). Cancer also loves sugar...
  • Your immune system works worse if you have taken away your appendix
  • Mineralwater with a lot of magnesium stimulates the bowel function - which can give you diarrhea. Many of the mineralwaters you buy in other countries (speaking of outside of north of Europe, not sure which countries specifically) contains a lot of magnesium so if you go to a country and you buy the mineral water to be healthy and make sure you don't get sick - then your stomach might get upset because of the magnesium even if you think it's a bacteria or something else
I could mention many more things but I think that's enough for one post :) Things like this is so interesting and I'm so excited for the next course time which is in a month and it will be about detoxification of the liver, gallbladder, kidneys and the skin.

I know I didn't mention that much about herbs but that would take a long time to go through so I might do one by one in future posts. Something people might wonder is why they should buy a certain herb if they can just go to a normal grocery store and buy it. You have to remember then that often there's a reason why they have made a pill or concentrated extract of it. First, the herb might have the same name in swedish or english as the normal vegetable/herb we can easily find but it can be two totally different things with different latin words - which means, we can't just go and buy it fresh in a normal store. Second, to get the effect, you might need to eat quite a lot of the herb, more than anyone would want to eat for taste or convienience. 

I got ginger capsules today and I'm so excited to try them the nearest weeks :) 

Monday 16 April 2012

Finally!!! - Turmeric

Our personal supply
I've been wanting to write about turmeric for a long time. I'm pretty excited about it actually, first because turmeric is awesome, second because I have now "given up" studying for my exam tomorrow so writing about this will be luxery!

Aggarwal BB 2007, copied from S. Bengmark


Turmeric/gurkmeja...

  • Is stabilizing the cell membrans (and makes the toxins go out easier)
  • Inhibits inflammation in the body
  • Protects the liver
  • Inhibits bacterias (especielly against salmonella)
  • Lower high blood pressure
  • Is an antioxidant (partly means that it "prevents" aging)
  • Lowers high cholesterol
... and much much more!

    You can eat 1 tablespoon per day, and I'm not sure about this but probably unheated as molecules changes when they get heated so I would guess that goes for turmeric as well. I can not answer on how you can eat 1 tablespoon per day, that is quite alot.. As we have machines that makes capsules, we have put turmeric in capsules and then it's much easier. The picture on top of this post is the ones we've made so we would eat up to 9 per day (which is 1 tablespoon).


    If you want to know more you can read these articles:
    Bengmark S JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2006:30:45-51
    Indian J Public Health 1989 Apr-Jun:22(2):82-3
    Indian J Exp Biol. 2010 Aug;48(8):830-6.

    Friday 13 April 2012

    Some honest thoughts + bibleverses

    To be honest, some moments I doubt that God will fulfill his will in my life. I want to be used by Him and make a difference in this world more than anything else. When I doubt, if I can put it that way, I think that it's all up to me to get it fulfilled and I see my weakness and all the things I've done wrong. When I'm in those moments, God reminds me that it's not me who will get it fulfilled because I can't! I can only do it in Gods strenght. When God tells us to do something, he will also give us the tools needed for it, even the faith for it. God has shown me a few bibleverses concerning this that are so awesome that I'd like to share them with you.

    When I feel that my past sins (that I've asked for forgivness for about a million times) are in the way for God to use me (one of my absolute favourite bibleverses):
    Ps 103:10-14
    He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

    When I think my life will be boring or when I dream, what I believe are really high dreams, God says that His ways for me are even higher! :
    Isaiah 55:8-9
    “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.  

    Phil 4:13
    I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

    Matt 19:26b
    “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

    1 Tess 5:24 (the swedish translation says: and he will also fulfill his work)
    The one who calls you is faithful, and HE will do it. 

    2 Tim 1:9
    He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time..


    There's obviously many many more awesome bibleverses. I think extra much on things like this when I have a lot in school. I love studying and I thank God for this opportunity, however, it's not always easy to sit hours and hours studying about molecules, phenol components and myofibrils when there's a world out there that are starving, hurting and broken down..

    Ps. they finally had fermented cabbage in the store today - it made my day :D 

    Health links

    This time there were quite many interesting articles...

    Sea buckthorn leaf extracts show exercise benefits: Study

    Extracts from the leaves of the sea buckthorn plant may boost exercise capacity and protect against oxidative damage caused by excessive exercise, suggests new data from a lab rat study.

    Allergen test may not accurately detect milk proteins triggers, warn researchers

    The standard test used to detect potentially allergenic milk proteins in processed foods may not work as well as previously believed, according to new research.

    Vitamin C good for blood pressure: Meta-analysis

    Short-term supplementation with vitamin C may reduce blood pressure, with benefits even greater for people with high blood pressure, says a new meta-analysis.

    Marine omega-3s may reduce depressive symptoms: Study

    Increased intakes of the marine omega-3s EPA and DHA may be associated with a decrease in the number of depressive symptoms, say researchers from the University of Rochester, New York.

    Baked goods and fast-foods linked to depression: Study

    Consumption of fast food and commercial baked goods are linked to an increased risk of depression, according to new research.

    Sunshine vitamin supplements could boost critically ill survival rates

    Vitamin D supplementation could help to boost survival rates of critically ill patients in hospital intensive care units, suggest researchers.

    Bioavailable curcumin matches prescription drug for joint health benefits

    Supplements of a patented, high bioavailability curcumin may match a prescription rheumatoid arthritis drug for joint health benefits, but with fewer side effects, suggests new data.
    Managing weight is about more than energy balance or ‘bad foods’, warn experts

    Weight management is more far more complex than cutting out a few ‘bad’ foods or balancing energy in and energy out, according to a new consensus paper.

    Vitamin D-fortified yogurt may cut heart disease risk in diabetics

    A traditional Persian yogurt drink fortified with vitamin D may reduce markers of inflammation in diabetics and reduce the risk of heart disease, suggest results of a randomized clinical trial.

    Chilli compound delivers heart benefits: Hamster study

    The chilli compound capsaicin could help heart health by lowering cholesterol and increasing blood flow in vessels, according to new research in hamsters.

    Tuesday 10 April 2012

    Updates

    Happy easter! (the easter card we got from the kids on our street)

    I haven't been online that much lately, first because of easter but my exam is also coming up in a week and I'm sure I'll do good on it but I still feel less prepared for this one then all my other ones in the past. I easily do to much and get to ambitious so after my last exam I've been taking school just a little bit less serious to be able to stress down and actually have a life outside of it. I defently still take it serious but am just trying to understand that school is not the most important thing in the world.

    So, the phytotherapist course/education I'm taking is starting next week as well - three days after my exam. It's funny (or maybe not) but I found out a week or two ago that we will have 5 big books and three documents that are on around 300-400 pages each for this course. Did I mention this is suppose to be a course on the side of my other fulltime studies? But God is good and the course is starting with things I already know and then my normal school is slowing down (only 6 days left in school after the exam!!) and I'll have a lot ot time this summer to get ahead and read by myself before the second part of the course starts after summer.

    Speaking of summer, I'm so excited because I don't work at the airport anymore ( = no more getting up at 2.55 am) and all the work I'm going to do will be at my dads buisness ( = which means it's very flexible and I can do it whenever I want and also decide when I want to have vacation/days off) and all the studying I'm going to do will be distance, which also means more flexibility! So I can pretty much decide exactly how I want to organize the summer. That feels like a huge blessing after the lasts summers. God is SO good and I'm so blessed!

    Hmm, what else can I write that gives me time away from my studies lol :D


    Oh yeah, I can tell you about the desserts I made last friday. Don't mind the second one on the right, I should have turned it around and pretended that they were all perfect (hiding another 5 in the freezer that didn't look as good), but hey, it was good practice! I made mango parfait with the chocolate around it and chocolate italian meringue and raspberries on top. The things on the side are raspberry sorbet and black currant sorbet with white chocolate. It took almost the whole day but it was so much fun! In the evening, my friend from school and his girl came and also my other friend who went to India the next morning (he is going to move there and take care of our bibleschool there). We had a lot of fun!

    Before I have to go back to my studies, it snowed yesterday. Is that even legal?

    Here is a picture of black currants from our garden from last summer (and no, I guess it doesn't have a purpose in this post but they are pretty and I miss them):


    AND last but defently not least! Me and mom has booked tickets to go see Paul Simon this summer (from Simon & Garfunkel). You have no idea of how excited I am! I normally don't care about concerts but I mean, Paul Simon!!!!!!!

    Okay now I have to be diciplined again and study about what's happening in the chicken when it dies.

    Monday 2 April 2012

    Note for myself


    Yesterday, me and dad fermented more vegetables. We have just started eating the ones we did a few weeks ago and they taste great! (I have to blog about these things because it's easier for me to look back at the date and see when the vegetables are done)

    My swedish students has had a bigger test last week also and I'm happy to say they all got excellent! I'm so proud of them and they are doing such a great job!

    Have a great day everyone. I'm off to learn about starch in school now :)

    Update(another note for myself) 8/4: 2 more fermented cabbage done, will be done May 2nd
    15/4: 3 bigger ones made, will be done 10/5