Garlic and Ginger

Many cultures use garlic not only as a fragrant and flavorful ingredient in dishes, but also as a medicine. Research confirms that garlic has numerous healing properties and can be especially beneficial to expectant mothers.
Garlic has a veritable grocery-list of general health benefits, including its ability to:
Protect against cardiovascular disease.
Reduce the risk of heart attacks and stroke by lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol while elevating HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Reduce triglycerides and blood pressure.
Increase circulation in the capillaries.
Prevent LDL oxidation and reduce clot-forming platelet activity and inflammation, thereby preventing coronary plaques.
Protect against free radical and carcinogen-induced DNA damage.
Stop the growth of a wide variety of human cancer cells including breast, colon, prostate, melanoma and erythroleukemia.
Prevent neuron death, and enhance memory by stimulating growth and branching of neurons in the brain.
Protect against fungal, yeast, and viral infections.
New research shows that consuming garlic during pregnancy can reduce the risk of preeclampsia and may help boost the birth-weight of growth-retarded fetuses. The research, performed at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital in London, demonstrated that when extracts of garlic were added to placental cells of women who were likely to suffer from these conditions, growth was stimulated. In addition, the activity of key enzymes whose activity is reduced in such abnormal pregnancies was significantly increased when garlic was administered.Ginger
For morning sickness relief, try a piece of ginger! For over two thousand years traditional Chinese medicine has used ginger to treat a variety of health problems, including abdominal bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, and rheumatism. And now research has found that ginger can help reduce nausea related to motion sickness, post-operative recovery, and pregnancy.
Ginger's nausea reducing benefits are attributed to its ability to absorb and neutralize toxins and stomach acid, while increasing digestive fluids and bowel activity. Ginger also causes the blood vessels to dilate (which is why you feel warm after eating it), and blocks the serotonin receptors in the stomach that cause nausea.
Ginger has general health benefits in addition to its anti-nausea properties. The fresh root's ability to induce sweating is believed to dispel pathogens and it has been used to treat asthma, cough, colic, heart palpitation, swellings, dyspepsia, loss of appetite, and rheumatism. Researchers have also found ginger to be a more potent blood clotting agent than garlic or onion, and that it reduces the stickiness of blood platelets which may help reduce the risk of atherosclerosis. However, ginger is not recommended if you suffer from gall bladder disease.
Try grinding or chopping fresh ginger and adding it to your favorite dishes tonight!

Dark Chocolate for the Heart

Finally, some good news about a favorite sweet indulgence! Recent studies examining the health benefits of dark chocolate confirm that this delicious treat is actually beneficial for your heart.
According to research, dark chocolate contains more antioxidants and plant flavonoids (chemicals that provide antioxidant and antibiotic properties and control inflammation) than any other type of chocolate. These components prevent cholesterol from collecting in blood vessels, reduce the risk of blood clots, inhibit the immune response that can lead to clogged arteries, lower blood pressure and platelet activity, and eradicate free radicals and other destructive molecules in the body that can cause heart disease.
Standard processing of chocolate destroys up to half of its beneficial flavonoids, negating virtually all of its natural nutritional benefits. However, as evidence of the benefits of raw or minimally-processed dark chocolate mounts, chocolate producers have developed a way to turn out dark chocolate that retains up to 95 percent of its natural flavonoids
In fact, according to Mary Engler, PhD, RN, of the University of California, San Francisco, eating a small, 1.6-ounce bar of dark chocolate every day is very good for you. Engler and her colleagues studied the effects of dark chocolate on a group of 21 healthy adults. One half of the group was given a Dove Dark Chocolate bar every day for two weeks, and the other half was given a dark chocolate bar that had the flavonoids removed. Like other dark chocolate bars with high-cocoa content, the Dove bar is loaded with epicatechin, which has been found to be a particularly active type of flavonoid. All of the test subjects were evaluated to determine how well their blood vessels dilated and relaxed - an indicator of healthy blood vessel function. Those who ate the full-flavonoid chocolate showed significantly better results. "This is the longest clinical trial to date to show improvement in blood vessel function from consuming flavonoid-rich dark chocolate daily over an extended period of time," Engler said. "It is likely that the elevated blood levels of epicatechin triggered the release of active substances that ... increase blood flow in the artery. Better blood flow is good for your heart. Many people don't realize that chocolate is plant-derived, as are the fruits and vegetables recommended for a healthy heart."

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http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/breathingspace/vol04/dark_chocolate.asp

Heart Health is a Laughing Matter

It turns out, whoever said "laughter is the best medicine" wasn't too far off the mark - at least where the heart is concerned. A recent study revealed that laughing has surprisingly beneficial effects on your heart.
Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore studied 20 healthy, young adults who watched 15 to 30 minute segments of either funny or sad movies. After watching humorous clips, the researchers observed increased blood flow in 19 of the participants that was comparable to performing aerobic exercise or beginning a cholesterol-lowering statin treatment. The researchers also found that watching a good tearjerker had the opposite effect, actually lowering 14 of the participants' brachial blood flow an amount equivalent to remembering periods of anger or doing mental arithmetic.
Before the study commenced, the participants were tested and were all found to have normal blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose levels. They were also asked to fast overnight and refrain from aerobic exercise or consuming alcohol, vitamins or herbs the evening before the viewings, since these can all affect blood flow.
Prior to seeing a movie, the volunteers were tested for their blood vessel reactivity in order to measure what is known as flow-mediated vasodilation. During the test, blood flow in the brachial artery in the arm was restricted by a blood pressure cuff and then suddenly released. An ultrasound device was then used to measure how well the blood vessel responded to the abrupt increase in flow. The brachial artery runs from the shoulder to the elbow and is a good indicator of blood flow throughout the body. Researchers collected a total of 160 measurements of brachial artery flow from the participants a minute before and after phases of laughter or sadness.
Volunteers watched each segment of the movies while lying down in a temperature-controlled room, after which the brachial artery was tested for blood vessel reactivity. Each volunteer was shown part of two movies at the extreme ends of the emotional spectrum, randomized to first watch either a movie that would cause mental stress, such as the opening scene of "Saving Private Ryan," or a segment of a movie that would cause laughter, such as "King Pin." At least 48 hours later, they were shown a movie intended to produce the opposite emotional extreme. Overall, average blood flow increased 22 percent during laughter, and decreased 35 percent during mental stress.
"I think it would be reasonable for everybody to loosen up, and spend about 15 to 20 minutes a day laughing," said lead researcher Dr. Michael Miller, director of preventive cardiology at the University of Maryland. "The magnitude of change we saw in the endothelium is similar to the benefit we might see with aerobic activity, but without the aches, pains and muscle tension associated with exercise," says Dr. Miller. "We don't recommend that you laugh and not exercise, but we do recommend that you try to laugh on a regular basis."
Learn more: http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/breathingspace/vol03/heart_health.asp

The Power of Omega-3

In today's diet-conscious culture, many people try to eliminate every kind of fat from their diet. However, omega-3 fatty acids, also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids, are good fats that can improve cardiovascular health, prevent diabetes, improve brain function, and may even help you lose weight.
According to the American Heart Association, omega-3 fatty acids can improve cardiovascular health by decreasing blood pressure, minimizing the hardening of arteries, stabilizing heart rhythm and preventing the development of clots and plaque, thereby decreasing the chance of stroke and heart attack. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and increase DHL ("good") cholesterol.
The high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes can damage nerves and blood vessels and lead to increased deposits of fatty materials on the insides of the blood vessel walls, which can lead to complications such as heart disease and stroke. Omega-3 fatty acids help lower blood sugar and reduce plaques and clotting, helping to prevent heart disease and keep diabetes at a manageable level.
In addition, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), one kind of omega-3 fatty acid, has been found to boost insulin function in people who are obese and at particular risk of developing type 2 diabetes. In one study, 70 percent of patients with insulin resistance who took a daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids showed a marked improvement in insulin sensitivity.
Omega-3 fatty acids may even contribute to weight loss, although additional studies are needed to confirm initial findings. According to several small studies, it appears that omega-3 fatty acids may increase oxidation of fat by activating genes that break down fat and reduce the number of fat cells, especially in the abdominal region. And due to regulated blood sugar levels, omega-3 fatty acids may make you feel fuller longer, helping to curb those snack attacks.
Inflammatory disorders such as asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBD) may be at least partially relieved from omega-3 fatty acids. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center gave patients suffering from chronic pain fish oil supplements for 20 to 30 days and found that nearly two-thirds of the patients no longer needed to take other anti-inflammatory pain medication. At Indiana University, patients taking fish-oil supplements were found to have reduced symptoms of asthma and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
Omega-3 fatty acid's ability to improve brain function has been the focus of a lot of attention. A particular type of brain wave that is linked to memory and learning has been found to transmit significantly faster when supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids. These brain waves typically slow down with age and are slower in people with dementia. But within two hours after taking the supplements, test subjects showed an increased rate of transmission. DHA is also critical to proper visual and neurological development in babies and infants who do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids from their mothers during pregnancy are at risk for developing vision and nerve problems.
The effects of omega-3 fatty acids on the brain may also contribute to psychological stability. DHA makes up about 25 percent of the body's brain fat and manages the production and flow of serotonin. People battling bi-polar disorder, depression, and schizophrenia have been found to be DHA deficient, although more studies are necessary to determine the connection between psychological health and omega-3 fatty acids. This finding may be particularly helpful for women suffering from postpartum depression and those going through menopause.
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Olive Oil's Bountiful Benefits

Olea europaea, also known as the olive tree, has been a source of food, wood, fuel and medicine for civilizations since approximately 3000 B.C and has become a symbol of peace and wisdom throughout the world. The oil produced from its olives is used extensively in Mediterranean diets and may be the cause of lower rates of heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, asthma and certain types of cancer in that region's population.
Olive oil is made from crushing and pressing olives. Extra virgin is the unrefined oil made from the first pressing and has the most delicate flavor and highest phyto-nutrient and antioxidant content. Virgin is also derived from the first pressing but has a higher acidity level than extra virgin, fewer phyto-nutrients and a less delicate flavor. Pure olive oil is a bit of a misnomer as it actually means the oil is a blend of refined and virgin olive oils.
While olive oil is rich in fat, it is primarily monounsaturated fat which is better for you than saturated fat. Scientists have determined that particles of LDL ("bad") cholesterol that contain monounsaturated fats are less likely to become oxidized and stick to artery walls, eventually forming the plaques that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. A recent study, published in the Medical Science Monitor, of 28 individuals with high cholesterol showed that, when the saturated fat was removed from their diets and replaced with olive oil, their LDL cholesterol levels dropped an average of 18 percent. Scientists believe that the polyphenolic compounds found in olive oil inhibit the adhesion of cells to the blood vessel lining, thereby preventing atherosclerosis.
The polyphenols present in olive oil are responsible for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anticoagulant benefits, and may help fight osteoporosis, colon cancer, diabetes, heart disease, asthma and arthritis. The positive affect of olive oil's polyphenols on bone health are so dramatic that France's National Institute for Agricultural Research has been licensed to use them in food, supplements and herbal medicine for the prevention of osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women used in a crossover study were found to have decreased inflammation-mediated bone loss and their DNA experienced 30 percent less damage when consuming extra virgin olive oil. This is due to the antioxidants found in olive oil, which are free radical scavengers.
A recent study found that the oleic acid found in olive oil may help fight breast cancer. Oleic acid, the primary monounsaturated fatty acid present in olive oil, has been found to reduce the expression of Her-2/neu oncogene, which has been related to the aggressive growth of breast cancer. Her-2/neu levels are high in one-fifth of breast cancer cases, particularly those that are resistant to treatment. Oleic acid promotes the suicide (apoptotic) of aggressive, treatment-resistant cells. The anticoagulant properties in olive oil have beneficial effects on the endothelium, the thin layer of cells that lines every blood vessel in the body. The endothelium facilitates blood flow and regulates blood clotting and the adhesion of cells to the vessel walls (which leads to the formation of plaque). After eating a meal, the endothelium is usually impaired for hours, but scientists at Reina Sofia University Hospital in Cordoba, Spain, found that after consuming virgin olive oil its function actually improves. In addition, the amount of nitric oxide in the blood increases, which relaxes the blood vessels.
Olive oil may also be useful as a mild pain reliever. Pennsylvania biologist Dr. Gary Beauchamp found that, when he tasted high quality olive oil, the stinging sensation it left in his throat resembled the sensation caused by ibuprofen. After studying olive oil further, he discovered a compound in the oil that suppresses the body's prostaglandin system and functions like a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. He found that approximately 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil contains roughly the same amount of anti-inflammatory compounds, or oleocanthal, as 10 percent of the ibuprofen recommended for pain relief in adults. While this amount won't cure a headache and many diets should not include this much oil, daily consumption can prevent inflammation and provide similar benefits as long-term ibuprofen use without the risk of intestinal bleeding and kidney damage. To find out how much oleocanthal is in your olive oil, scientists suggest tasting it. The greater the sting, the greater the oleocanthal content.

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http://www.parentingweekly.com/pregnancy/breathingspace/vol17/pregnancy_health_fitness.asp

The Heart Can Heal Itself

At the University College London (UCL), scientists have recently discovered that cells from the heart's outer layer can migrate into a failing organ to carry out necessary repairs. This finding highlights the power of stem cells that are readily available in each person's heart and may lead to more effective treatment of serious heart problems.
Ten years ago, a toddler with a heart that was too big and too weak was given a donor heart and her original heart left intact. Recently, her body rejected the donor heart and when the doctors opened her up, they found her heart had healed itself.
The cells that carry out these repairs are called progenitor cells and are controlled by the protein thymosin beta 4, which has already been shown to reduce muscle cell loss after a heart attack. Scientists are now researching ways to manipulate this protein to treat heart disease. Progenitor cells are similar to stem cells because they have the potential to turn into many different types of adult tissue.
In the past, it was thought that to carry out repairs on the heart, progenitor cells needed to be summoned from the bone marrow, but this study puts that theory to rest. The progenitor cells needed to repair the heart are already located within the heart tissue itself.
The UCL team found that progenitor cells under the influence of thymosin beta 4 can be stimulated to create new blood vessels. Dr. Paul Riley, the lead researcher said: "We found that, when treated with thymosin beta 4, these adult cells have as much potential as embryonic cells to create healthy heart tissue." This discovery helps to avoid the risks of immune system rejection when using stem cell transplants from another source because the cells are already located where they are needed.

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