The Top Ten Healthiest Vegetables

There is no doubt that adding vegetables to your diet at any stage of life can  improve your health. Often, people being treated for diseases such as  cancer are advised to increase their intake of vegetables to help give their  bodies the boost it needs. Here is a list of ten vegetables that are great choices to add to your diet that will improve your health. *********************************************************************

1/ Collard Greens
Widely consumed in the Southern US for many years, this leafy green vegetable packs a lot of nutrient value. Collard Greens have high levels of calcium,  Vitamin E, and beta-carotene. In addition to these nutrients, it also boasts high selenium content. Collard greens can be had throughout the year but most consider them to be best between January to April.   ******************************************************************************  2/ Sweet Potatoes
The anti-oxidant properties of sweet potatoes can help to rid the body of free radicals linked to many chronic illnesses including diabetes and colon cancer. They are also thought to be able to lessen the effects of asthma and arthritis due to their  anti-inflammatory tendencies. Sweet potatoes are also a good source of iron, calcium and fiber, and best of all they can be used in a number of recipes. *********************************************   ******************************************************************************** 3/ Broccoli
Like so many vegetables out there, this one is also great protecting your body from the ravishes of cancer. They are attractive enough to enhance any dish but their uses go far beyond aesthetics. With high folic acid levels, it is useful in preventing birth defects. In addition it is great for getting enough calcium and vitamin C in your diet. ***************************************************************************************** 4/ Onions
This unassuming bulb actually offers more health benefits than you may think. They help to lower blood sugar levels in addition to promoting good cardiovascular health. It has been proven that adding onions to your diet can reduce your risk of developing certain cancers and contribute to gastrointestinal health. *************************************** ****************************************************************************************

5/ Carrots
Ask anyone to name a vegetable, and most of them will say ‘carrot’ right off the bat.  There’s a reason why this vegetable is so popular. Apart from being one of the most commonly used, it is the best source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. They are also known to help strengthen the vision, in particular night vision. Carrots can also be used to regulate blood sugar levels and are good for the health of the colon. ************************************************ ****************************************************************************************** 6/ Spinach
While most people make a face at the thought of eating this vegetable, but spinach  actually protects us from a number of illnesses like arthritis, heart disease and osteoporosis. Studies have shown that spinach contains a minimum of 13 flavonoid compounds. Serious illnesses like ovarian and prostate cancer can also be helped by  consumption of spinach. ******************************************** ********************************************************************************************** 7/ Kale
This vegetable has a multitude of benefits for the body. Like every other vegetable  it contains important vitamins, but has more dietary value per calorie than most vegetables. Kale is known for its detoxing ability, as well as its proven capacity for reducing the risk of cancer, especially of the ovaries. Consuming adequate amounts of this vegetable can also help to keep lungs healthy. Maybe the best thing about kale is that it can easily be grown in home gardens.   ************************************************************   8/ Eggplant ( brinjal)
Studies have indicated that eggplant may have a protective effect on the brain. The fact that they are low in calories makes it a popular food among dieters and health conscious individuals. This vegetable has high levels of copper, potassium and fiber. Eggplants positive effect on cardiovascular health is well documented. *******************   9/ Cucumbers
Widely acknowledged for its soothing effect on the skin, cucumber is popular not only for eating but skincare products. It has a positive overall effect on the body,  including the ligaments, bones and muscles, and is also essential for a healthy complexion due to its hydrating properties. Cucumbers are able to help lower blood pressure if consumed in sufficient quantities.  

********************************************************** 10/ Asparagus
Aside from promoting healthy skin, asparagus also contains fiber and vitamin B6. It is a good food for pregnant women to consume due its high levels of folate, which also promotes heart health. Another advantage is that it is low in sodium, but contains potassium, and helps to maintain a healthy large intestine. As outlined, it is difficult to put one vegetable ahead of another because of the similarities in nutritional content. Most would agree however that to improve or to maintain health, these vegetables should be consumed regularly as a part of a healthy diet. 

Processed Meats Declared Too Dangerous for Human Consumption

 

       

Processed Meats Declared Too Dangerous for Human Consumption

By Mike Adams

The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has just completed a detailed review

of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer.

Its conclusion is rocking the health world with startling bluntness:

Processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives. Processed meats include bacon, sausage, hotdogs, sandwich meat,

packaged ham, pepperoni, salami and virtually all red meat used in frozen prepared meals. They are usually manufactured with a carcinogenic ingredient known as sodium nitrite. This is used as a color fixer by meat companies to turn packaged meats a bright red color so they look fresh. Unfortunately, sodium nitrite also results in the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines in the human body. And this leads to a sharp increase in cancer risk for

those who eat them. A 2005 University of Hawaii study found that processed

meats increase the risk of pancreatic cancer by 67 percent. Another study revealed that every 50 grams of processed meat consumed daily increases the risk of colorectal cancer by 50 percent. These are alarming numbers. Note

that these cancer risks do not come from eating fresh, non-processed meats. They only appear in people who regularly consume processed meat products containing sodium nitrite.

Sodium nitrite appears predominantly in red

meat products (you won't find it in chicken or fish products). Here's a short list of food items to check carefully for sodium nitrite and monosodium glutamate (MSG), another dangerous additive:

* Beef jerky

* Bacon

* Sausage

* Hot dogs

* Sandwich meat

* Frozen pizza with meat

* Canned soups with meat

* Frozen meals with meat

* Ravioli and meat pasta foods

* Kid's meals containing red meat

* Sandwich meat used at popular restaurants

* Nearly all red meats sold at public schools, restaurants, hospitals, hotels and theme parks.

If sodium nitrite is so dangerous to humans, why do the FDA and USDA continue to allow this cancer-causing chemical to be used? The answer, of course, is that food industry interests now dominate the actions by U.S. government regulators. The USDA, for example, tried to ban sodium nitrite in the late 1970's but was overridden by the meat industry. It insisted the chemical was safe and accused the USDA of trying to "ban bacon."

Today, the corporations that dominate American food and agricultural interests hold

tremendous influence over the FDA and USDA. Consumers are offered no real protection from dangerous chemicals intentionally added to foods, medicines and personal care products.

You can protect yourself and your family from the dangers of processed meats by following a few simple rules:

1. Always read ingredient labels.

2. Don't buy anything made with sodium nitrite or monosodium glutamate.

3. Don't eat red meats served by restaurants, schools, hospitals, hotels or other institutions.

And finally, eat more fresh produce with every meal. There is evidence that natural vitamin C found in citrus fruits and exotic berries (like camu camu) helps prevent the formation of cancer-causing nitrosamines, protecting you from the devastating health effects of sodium nitrite in processed meats. The best defense, of course, is to avoid eating processed meats altogether!

*[Ed. Note: Mike Adams, the Health Ranger - a leading authority on healthy living --

is on a mission: to explore, uncover and share the truth about harmful foods and beverages, prescription drugs, medical practices and the dishonest marketing practices that drive] ]these industries.

       

       

2 Nutrients That Are Vital to Your Heart Health

If you’re over the age of 45, you should not take your heart health for granted. Heart disease is responsible for the death of 1 in 4 Americans.[1] To put that into perspective, each year, heart disease kills more people than accidents, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, influenza, pneumonia, stroke and respiratory disease — combined.[2] And while there are many ways to keep your heart running strong, you should be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that the pills your doctor recommends are a safe long-term solution. Sadly, the conventional strategy for balancing cholesterol and averting heart-related tragedy is deeply flawed.

Remember That Your Heart Is Your Engine

Your heart is literally the “engine” that powers your entire body. It works day in and day out to circulate oxygen and crucial nutrients, and on average, needs to beat about 100,000 times a day, which equates to tens of billions of times over the course of your life.
This is a lot of work and can eventually strain your heart, arteries and veins. What’s more, factors such as poor diet and being overweight add to this strain, causing your heart to work even harder.

A Strong Heart Is Not Just About Living Longer

There’s no question that a poorly performing heart can lead to premature death. But suboptimal heart function can also result in “mystery” symptoms such as fatigue, chronic pain and decreased mental function, just to name a few. If you have nagging health problems that just won’t go away, there is a chance that the root cause can be found within your cardiovascular system.

Beware of Big Pharma’s Cholesterol-Lowering Pills

Big Pharma has developed a variety of pills aimed at “improving” cholesterol ratios and cardiovascular function. They spend billions each year on advertising and employ an army of sales reps who market directly to doctors.
Unfortunately, their efforts are turning us into a nation of lifetime pill poppers. By some estimates, 1 in 3 people over the age of 50 are on a cholesterol-lowering drug, with prescriptions being written at a rate of 20,000 per hour. However, the shocking truth is that 99 out of 100 people do not even need these drugs, according to a growing number of experts.

Conventional Treatments Are Unsafe and Ineffective

Emerging research is showing that cholesterol medications are not the wonder drugs they were once thought to be. Their effects wear off quickly if you stop taking them; they do little to raise good cholesterol; and while they make your “numbers” look good, they actually do little to decrease cardiovascular-related deaths.
In fact, a recent study published in the British Medical Journal found that less than 3 percent of people get any benefit, and the rest just get risks and complications.[3]

Little Benefit… But Lots of Side Effects

Many people experience fatigue and aches and pains within days of beginning to take cholesterol-lowering medications. They report memory loss, headaches, difficulty sleeping, dizziness and nausea. However, what is extremely scary is that some of these medications can actually cause more serious problems, including death.
As USA Today reported, these drugs have killed and injured more people than the government has acknowledged.[4]

Depleting a Vital Nutrient Your Body Needs

It is widely known that cholesterol-lowering medications severely deplete your body’s natural levels of CoEnzyme Q10 (CoQ10), which is very dangerous. A Columbia University study found that within 30 days, your levels of CoQ10 can be decreased by half.[5]
Not only does CoQ10 help your heart health, it boosts cellular energy throughout your entire body and fights fatigue. In addition, CoQ10 helps to reduce muscle pain and weakness, which are the most commonly reported side effects of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

Do Your Heart a Favor – Try Natural Options First

The best thing you can do for your heart health is to exercise and eat well. However, making lifestyle changes is easier said than done — and even if you start today, it could take months or years to get back on track.
That’s why you should consider specific dietary supplements as part of a conjunctive strategy for boosting your cardiovascular health quickly and safely. There are several great options out there, but without a doubt, the most promising is something called red yeast rice, which has been an important food staple throughout Asia for centuries.

A Strong Heart and Balanced Cholesterol

Dozens of clinical studies published in prestigious medical journals, such as the Annals of Internal Medicine[6] and the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,[7] have proven that naturally occurring compounds found in red yeast rice effectively balance cholesterol ratios quickly and with no side effects. Unfortunately, many people do not even know about red yeast rice because few doctors have the time to keep up on the latest research, especially when a natural compound is involved.

Not All Red Yeast Rice Is Created Equal

Red yeast rice may be one of the most effective ways to balance cholesterol ratios and support optimal heart function quickly and with no side effects, but it’s critical to choose the right red yeast rice supplement.
Here are four easy-to-remember tips:
1. Choose organic red yeast rice because it has been found to be the most effective and free of any potential toxins.
2. Be sure to choose a red yeast rice supplement that also contains CoQ10. Red yeast rice and CoQ10 are a match made in heaven when it comes to heart health.
3. To get an effective daily dose, read the label on the bottle to ensure that it contains 1,200 mg of pure red yeast rice. Anything less and you will not be getting a clinically effective dose.
4. Always look for a supplement made in the United States in an FDA-inspected facility that meets the stringent standards of US Pharmacopeia (USP).