Ashwagandha

Stress Reduction, Neural Protection, and a Lot More from an Ancient Herb

By Dale Kiefer

Ashwagandha, an exotic Indian herb, has remarkable stress-relieving properties comparable to those of powerful drugs used to treat depression and anxiety. In addition to its excellent protective effects on the nervous system, Ashwagandha may be a promising alternative treatment for a variety of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Ashwagandha has powerful antioxidant properties that seek and destroy the free radicals that have been implicated in aging and numerous disease states. Even more remarkable, emerging evidence suggests that Ashwagandha has anti-cancer benefits as well.


For the full article:

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/jun2006_report_ashwa_01.htm


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Rhodiola - to Prevent Fatigue and Relieve Depression

Rhodiola is still widely used in Russia as a tonic and remedy for fatigue, poor attention span, and decreased memory

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), sometimes called Arctic root or golden root, is considered an adaptogenic herb, meaning that it acts in non-specific ways to increase resistance to stress, without disturbing normal biological functions. The herb grows at high altitudes in the arctic areas of Europe and Asia, and its root has been used in traditional medicine in Russia and the Scandinavian countries for centuries. Studies of its medicinal applications have appeared in the scientific literature of Sweden, Norway, France, Germany, the Soviet Union and Iceland. Rhodiola is still widely used in Russia as a tonic and remedy for fatigue, poor attention span, and decreased memory; it is also believed to make workers more productive. In Sweden and other Scandinavian countries it is used to increase the capacity for mental work and to boost general strength and vitality.


For the full article:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA400399/Rhodiola-for-What-Ails-You.html



Copyright © 2013 Weil Lifestyle, LLC.  All Rights Reserved.

Chia Seeds are Popular Again — This Time for Nutrition

Forget Chia Pets. Chia seeds, dietary staples of the Maya and Aztecs, are catching on in America for their omega-3 fatty acids and fiber content.

By Mary MacVean


From kitschy gift to kitchen darling, chia is having another 15 minutes of fame. And this time, it's not slathered on clay "pets."

Chia seeds have become popular for their omega-3 fatty acids and fiber content. With their neutral taste, they can be consumed in many ways — now they're even showing up in processed foods such as chips and spreads.

Eaten by the Maya and Aztec people, chia seeds have long been reputed to be nutritional powerhouses.

"They were basics when we grew up," says Ramiro Arvizu, a chef at La Casita Mexicana in Bell. "Now it's becoming a fashion, and I love it."

His restaurant has served lemonade with chia seeds for more than a decade, says Arvizu, whose grandmother made him a similar drink in his childhood. The seeds become gelatinous when soaked in liquid, sort of like tapioca.

At Juan's Restaurante in Baldwin Park, owner-chef Juan Mondragon focuses on the foods of ancient Mexico. In one popular dish, he coats salmon with chia seeds before grilling.

In 2009, a book by Christopher McDougall called "Born to Run" focused on the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico — long-distance runners who consume chia in food and drinks. And the seeds remain popular among runners. Last week, Business Week magazine reported that "among Wall Street's trading desks and bullpens, chia seeds are becoming the stimulant of choice." They are, the magazine said, "healthier than coffee, cheaper (and obviously more legal) than cocaine, and less juvenile than a 5-hour Energy drink."

"More and more, people in this iPad, junk food way of living … [are] looking for some way to live healthier and create some balance and relying on foods" that cultures ate thousands of years ago, says John Roulac, founder of Nutiva, a company based in Oxnard that sells chia products.

Demand has grown fivefold this year, he says. "Dr. Oz's megaphone" didn't hurt, adds Roulac, who recently returned from a trip to South America to meet with farmers and government officials about chia crops.

Whole Foods has been selling chia seeds for five years as a niche product, but recently sales have boomed, says Jeremiah McElwee, the company's global whole body buyer. At home he mixes chia seeds into his children's oatmeal.

A tablespoon of the seeds has 60 calories, 5 grams of fiber, 3 grams of protein and 3 grams of fat. Online, they're about $10 a pound.

David Nieman of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., who has conducted several studies of chia seeds, in part funded by Dole Food Co., says chia seeds are not the magic that will keep people Olympian strong and model slender while they live like couch potatoes. Exercise and a good diet still are key. Nevertheless, he says, "chia is a lot of nutrition in a little package."


For the full article:
http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-he-chia-20120602,0,5254162.story


Copyright 2012 The LA Times.  All Rights Reserved.

Supplements for Depression: What the Research Reveals

What science shows about omega-3 fatty acids, folate, SAM-e and St. John's wort.

By Elena Conis

Struggling with the black dog of depression? The supplement aisle abounds with options for people seeking a non-medicinal remedy — but figuring out what works and what doesn't can be a challenge for consumers and experts alike.

That's because the data are generally poor, says Dr. Charles Raison, associate professor of psychiatry in the College of Medicine at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

There are some exceptions. Hundreds of studies have investigated the effects of omega-3 fatty acids and St. John's wort. Researchers have been studying a compound known as SAM-e for decades. And, more recently, evidence on the effectiveness of folate compounds has been piling up.

Even though all of these compounds are available over the counter in one form or another, there are precautions you should take if you choose to self-medicate, to avoid potential drug interactions and make sure you're getting adequate mental health care.

"We always recommend that patients take these natural supplements under the care of a doctor and not independently," says Dr. George Papakostas, an associate professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.

Here's a look at what the latest studies have shown.


For the full article:
http://www.latimes.com/health/la-he-mental-health-supplements-20111205,0,6917033.story


Copyright © 2012 Los Angeles Times.  All Rights Reserved.

Alkaline Foods & Drinks

The pH level is one of the most important balance systems of the human body. To promote proper functioning, the human body innately maintains a strict acid-base, or pH, balance. An acid imbalance may be caused by poor dietary habits, cigarette smoking, stress, alcohol consumption or chronic disease. Fatigue, weight gain, frequent illness and overall poor health can result from over-acidity. Choosing alkaline-rich foods can restore your body's pH balance and improve your health.

Citrus Fruits
Most people think of citrus fruits as acidic, but certain citrus fruits actually produce an alkaline ash after digestion. While oranges, grapefruit and tangerine have a pH level of about 5, lemons and limes rank a pH of 9.0. Rich in electrolytes, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, citrus fruits give the body added strength and endurance to fight colds, cough and the flu. Lemons and limes provide immediate relief from heartburn, hyperacidity and virus-related ailments.

Spinach
This dark, leafy green vegetable is bursting with vitamins A, C and K, magnesium, iron, folate and dietary fiber. Spinach is alkalinizing with a pH of 9.0. Its antioxidant and polynutrient content helps prevent inflammation and fight cancer-causing cells. Eat it raw as part of a salad or cooked for an alkaline-rich side dish.


For the full article:
http://www.livestrong.com/article/447471-alkaline-foods-drinks/


Copyright © 2012 Demand Media, Inc.  All Rights Reserved.

Ginseng May Banish Cancer Fatigue, New Study Finds

Cancer can leave patients feeling run down, worn out and overall fatigued by their disease and the treatments that fight it. The malaise often lingers even after cancer treatment is over. But a new study from the Mayo Clinic found that ginseng may be a tool for fighting cancer-related fatigue.

Researchers gave 2,000 milligrams of pure ground American ginseng or a placebo pill to 340 patients being treated for cancer and cancer survivors who had finished their treatment. After four weeks, patients reported little change in their cancer-related fatigue. But after eight weeks, the patients taking ginseng reported feeling generally more energized than their sugar pill-popping peers. The response was particularly strong among patients who were currently undergoing cancer treatment.

The study was presented today at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology.

Dr. Debra Barton, an associate professor of oncology at the Mayo Clinic and the study’s lead author, said knowing how to combat fatigue, one of the most common side effects reported during and after cancer treatment, is becoming increasingly important.

“We are making progress in cancer treatment, and we do have more survivors than ever before, so we can’t just ignore these quality-of-life factors once the cancer is gone,” she said.

Doctors often caution patients against taking supplements that might interfere with their cancer treatment drugs. According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, potential adverse interactions with prescription medications are one of the primary safety concerns with taking herbs and other supplements. In recent years, patients undergoing cancer treatment have reported adverse reactions after taking ginseng.

Barton said it’s important for patients to tell their doctors about all the supplements they’re taking. But she said recent research on ginseng is encouraging.

“Ginseng is one of the more studied herbs,” she said.

Some studies have shown that ginseng decreases inflammation and the stress hormone cortisol, both of which may be contributing factors to cancer-related fatigue. Barton and her team plan to study how ginseng affected these biological factors in the patients in the current trial.

But because herbs and dietary supplements are largely unregulated by the federal government, Barton said it’s important for fatigued patients to be smart consumers. When purchasing ginseng supplements, consumers should look for the amount and type of the herb the product contains, as well as how the plant is prepared.

“Extracts of ginseng that are alcohol based change a characteristic of the ginseng to be somewhat estrogenic, which of course is something women with breast cancer should be aware of,” she said. “Stay with very reputable companies, and try to get information on how the herb is processed.”


Source:
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2012/06/04/ginseng-may-banish-cancer-fatigue-new-study-finds-3/



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