Fact or Myth: Does Yoga Protect Against Heart Disease?

Yoga is an ancient Indian mind-body practice that combines the physical with the mental and spiritual to strengthen the body and the mind and reduce stress.
Danica Collins

This is a FACT…

Yoga is an ancient Indian mind-body practice that combines the physical with the mental and spiritual to strengthen the body and the mind and reduce stress. Over the last few decades it has spread globally and taken the Western world by storm. Yoga definitely has something for everyone, as there are countless styles to choose from—from vigorous Ashtanga flows to more meditative Integral yoga practices. But how does yoga compare to more traditional workouts, like bicycling or brisk walking? And does yoga protect against heart disease?

According to a 2014 meta-analysis of 37 randomized controlled studies made up of 2,768 people and published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology, yoga offers the same protective benefits against heart disease as more traditional forms of exercise do.

Yoga Improves Heart Disease Risk Factors

Researchers from the United States and the Netherlands measured yoga’s effect on heart disease against the effect of traditional exercise and the effect of no exercise on heart disease. Their systematic review turned up some interesting findings.

While no exercise had zero consequence on lowering heart disease risk, yoga improved the following markers:

• A reduction in body mass index (BMI) of 0.77 kg/m²
• A reduction in systolic blood pressure of 5.21 mm Hg
• A reduction in diastolic blood pressure of 4.9 mm Hg
• A reduction in LDL cholesterol of 12.14 mg/dl
• An increase in HDL cholesterol of 3.20 mg/dl
• A reduction in total cholesterol of 18.48 mg/dl
• A reduction in body weight of just over 5 pounds
• A reduction in heart rates of 5.27 beats per minute

Patients already diagnosed with coronary artery disease showed dramatic improvement in cholesterol levels when a yoga practice was implemented alongside a regimen of cholesterol-lowering drugs.

How Does Yoga Protect Against Heart Disease Compared to Traditional Forms of Exercise?

Very well! Researchers noted that yoga offers a cardioprotective benefit on par with brisk walking and bicycling, and is an excellent alternative for those who can’t engage in traditional forms of exercise.

Researchers also noted that the mechanism behind this effect is still unclear, but could be linked to yoga’s ability to lower stress levels, “leading to positive impacts on neuroendocrine status, metabolic and cardio-vagal function.”

All you need is a mat and your own body weight to start practicing yoga today, and to begin enjoying its heart-healthy benefits.

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Further Related Reading:

• Yoga Reduces Cardiovascular Disease Risk
• Ward off Illness with Yoga Nidra
• The Health Benefits of Yoga More Powerful than Anti-Anxiety…

This post is on Healthwise

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Health Benefits of Oil Pulling

Ayurvedic Remedies from Neem Tree

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Danica Collins

Did You Know…

 ... that the “magical” Indian Neem Tree is used in almost 75% of Ayurvedic remedies for countless health conditions, from diabetes … to skin and gum diseases … to infections … and even AIDS?

The Indian Neem tree, also known in English as the Margosa tree (Azadirachta indica) was named by the United Nations as one of the most promising trees of the 21st century. Its bark, leaves, and oil have been used medicinally for several thousand years in India, where it’s still used today to treat digestive disorders, skin diseases, diabetes, gum disease, fungal and viral infections, malaria, and even AIDS.

Common uses for various parts of the Neem tree—according to the Biovera Newsletter and other sources—include:

• Bark: Neem bark is used for treatment of respiratory disorders, fever, and skin diseases.
• Leaves: Neem leaves are used to help remove toxins, purify blood, and prevent damage caused by free radicals.
• Fruits: Neem fruits offer benefits for skin, digestion, and diabetes.
• Seeds: Neem seeds are said to be antipoisonous.
• Oil: Neem oil (derived from crushing the seeds) is incredibly medicinal—however, it breaks down quickly and is highly unstable. Also, for potency the oil must be from a tree that is at least 50 years old.

Neem Stands Up to Rigorous Scientific Scrutiny

Ancient claims for Neem’s medicinal powers have stood up to rigorous scientific testing. Researchers have identified more than 150 active substances in Neem—making it the most extensively studied tree in modern science.

Yet, outside of India and the Indian scientific community, Neem tree has been virtually unknown until very recently, perhaps due to the challenges of processing and stabilizing it. When properly processed, however, Neem can be tremendously therapeutic for:

• Digestion: Neem is very powerful against irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, and hyperacidity.
• Respiratory Health: The bark and leaf powder from Neem can treat bronchitis.
• Skin: Neem has proven antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparastic properties. According to an article in the Guardian, British doctors are increasingly using Neem for eczema, psoriasis, gingivitis, head lice, dandruff, athlete’s foot, and ringworm.
• Diabetes: Ayurvedic remedies practitioners recommend managing diabetes by taking Neem extract and oil daily with aloe gel on an empty stomach for 3 months. One study published in Medicinal and Aromatic Plants showed that Neem oil reduced blood sugar levels up to 48%, a major benefit for controlling diabetes.
• Malaria and More: Neem is an effective treatment for malarial fevers. Researchers say it could offer hope for preventing and treating Chagas disease, which cripples millions of people in South America every year.

Ayurvedic Remedies: How to Use Neem

Depending on your condition, different parts of the Neem tree are required, and its use may be external or internal. Every part of the Neem tree—bark, leaves, and oil—has medicinal properties and is used differently for specific ailments.  

Many natural health stores and web retailers carry Neem products (oil, cream, toothpaste, lotion, supplements, etc.), but quality should be carefully considered.

A wealth of additional information about using Neem for therapeutic purposes can be found online and from knowledgeable natural health practitioners.

Source: Ayurvedic Remedies from An Indian Tree – Neem Tree

Green Superfood From Moringa Tree...

Green Superfood From Moringa Tree Can Be Used to Prevent and Treat Over 300 Diseases

Danica Collins | More

 

 

The superfood known as moringa (from the moringa tree) contains several thousand times more of the powerful anti-aging nutrient zeatin than any other known plant — and that it also has 2 compounds that prevent cancer and stop tumor growth.

The moringa is a genus of trees indigenous to Southern India and Northern Africa. It is a short, slender, deciduous, perennial tree that grows about 30 feet tall.

The Moringa oleifera flowers are creamy white in color, with yellow stamens.
Moringa oleifera flowers serve a variety of purposes: medicinal, cosmetic and nutritional

Once grown only in India, Africa and the Himalayas, it is now cultivated in Central and South America, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and the Philippines.

The leaves, flowers, bark, wood and roots of the moringa tree are used all over the world for a wide variety of medicinal, pharmacological and nutritional purposes. But it’s the leaves of the species called moringa oleifera, in particular, which have become recognized in recent years as being highly beneficial to human health.


Compared to other green superfoods like spirulina, wheat grass and chlorella, moringa oleifera has been relatively unknown until recent years when reports appeared in mainstream scientific journals describing its medicinal and nutritional properties.

Moringa, The “Miracle Tree” Multiple Health Benefits

Moringa, which has been called the “Miracle Tree” in many indigenous cultures, contains more than 90 essential nutrients. Folk medicine practitioners and anecdotal reports suggest moringa’s great value in reducing tumors or retarding their growth.

Studies show that 2 compounds that are present in moringa cause a dramatic reduction of skin tumors, and even inhibit tumors in lab mice that are bred to be susceptible to tumors. This has earned moringa the reputation of being a cancer preventative plant.

Over the past 40 years, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been studying and using the moringa plant as a low-cost health-enhancing food for third world countries where malnutrition and hunger are widespread.

India’s natural Ayurvedic medicine uses moringa leaves to prevent and treat over 300 diseases. The leaves contain complete proteins, which are rare to find in the plant kingdom.

This should come as good news for vegetarians, as well as those who are trying to limit their meat and dairy consumption — without compromising their protein intake.

A Bureau of Plant Industry report states that, gram per gram, moringa leaves contain: twice the protein content of 8 ounces of milk (and 4 times the calcium); the Vitamin C equivalent of 7 oranges; the potassium content of 3 bananas; 3 times the iron of spinach; and 4 times the Vitamin A of carrots.

Moringa leaves’ rich combination of nutrients, amino acids, antioxidants, as well as anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties could fill an entire book. But perhaps the most fascinating discovery about moringa leaves is that they are rich in zeatin.

Zeatin is a member of the plant hormone family known as cytokinins. Cytokinins induce cell division and growth, and delay cell aging. A study published in Rejuvenation Research shows the undeniable youth-preserving effects of zeatin on aging human skin.

Zeatin has recently become increasingly sought after because of its powerful anti-aging properties. It defends cells against free radical damage, protects healthy cells from the effects of stress, helps the body replace dying cells more rapidly, and strengthens living cells… thereby slowing the aging process.

No plant has a greater abundance of zeatin than the moringa plant. In fact, moringa has several thousand times more zeatin than any other known plant.

The human body has approximately 19 million skin cells at any given time. However, 30,000 to 40,000 skin cells die every minute. New skin cells make their way to the upper skin layers as old skin cells flake off and die.

With the zeatin contained in moringa, new skin cells grow at a faster rate than old skin cells die. This results in a marked reduction of wrinkles on the face and other parts of the body, and a more youthful skin appearance.

Moringa dietary supplements are available in the following forms: moringa leaf powder, moringa leaf capsules and moringa condensed powder tea.

According to Optima of Africa, Ltd., 25 grams of moringa leaf powder could provide these astounding percentages of recommended daily allowances:

• Protein: 42%
• Calcium: 125%
• Magnesium: 61%
• Potassium: 41%
• Iron: 71%
• Vitamin A: 272%
• Vitamin C: 22%

Moringa powder and capsules are sold by many online retailers such as World’s Choice Products (brand: Supreme Moringa), as well as several health food stores. Type any of the following keywords in any search engine: “moringa leaf powder” or “moringa capsules”.

It is suggested that you purchase supplements only from companies that do not have a multi-level marketing structure because MLM companies charge a premium for moringa supplements in order to compensate multiple tiers of direct sellers.

Further Related Reading:

• Use of Tea Tree Oil From Thousand Year Old Tree Beats Skin Cancer
• Ayurvedic Remedies from An Indian Tree – Neem Tree
• Anti-Aging Foods Make Your Cells Grow Younger

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/moringa-tree-green-superfood
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Bacopa May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s and Dementia

October 28, 2011 by Danica Collins

An extract of a little-known herb called Bacopa can dramatically increase your brain function and memory — and may even help prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Its therapeutic use has its origins from traditional Ayurvedic medicine in India, where it has been used for its adaptogenic, tranquilizing and antioxidant properties.

Bacopa is a creeping perennial herb that can be found in Nepal, China, India, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Vietnam and some parts of the United States, including Hawaii, Florida and other Southern states. Bacopa (also called Bacopa monnieri or brahmi) thrives in wetlands, on muddy shores and around ponds or bog gardens.
Used in India for thousands of years for both traditional and medicinal purposes, Bacopa had a central role in religious consecration ceremonies for infants: The botanical was believed to open a gateway to intelligence for children.

Shamanic Memory
Researchers may first have been intrigued by Bacopa monnieri because of the effect they believed it had on ancient shamans, who reportedly used the herb to help them memorize epic poems.

Researchers theorized that perhaps the Bacopa plant enhanced the shamans’ brain function and improved their memory, concentration and recall.

It’s no wonder researchers suspected a link, since some of these epic poems — when they were finally written down — exceeded 900 pages, and the shamans could recite them word for word!

Mind Booster

Today, modern science is confirming traditional wisdom about Bacopa. In research conducted in Australia and the United States, Bacopa improved study subjects’ ability to retain new information — and it also helped them increase their visual processing speed in as little as three weeks.

Research into the benefits of Bacopa includes:

• A study by the psychology department at the University of Wollongong in Australia that demonstrated Bacopa could increase memory and recall ability.
• Research in 1996 presented at the International Brain Research Conference that showed that Bacopa reduced the time needed to learn new tasks by almost half. Participants taking Bacopa mastered mental exercises in as little as six days compared to 10 days for the control group.
• An extensive 2001 rigorous, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment in Victoria, Australia confirmed the herb’s benefits for learning. After 12 weeks, those taking Bacopa scored significantly better on all higher order cognitive processing tests.

Bacopa monnieri has been extensively tested and proven as a memory and concentration enhancer, but the benefits of Bacopa extend to other mental and emotional functions, as well.

In many areas of the world, Bacopa is also used to treat:

• Depression
• Stress
• Anxiety
• Attention Deficit Disorder
• Epilepsy
• Alzheimer’s disease
• Mental deficiency

Bacopa May Combat Cognitive Decline

 In addition to its short-term cognitive benefits, Bacopa may also prevent long-term cognitive decline. A study in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine showed that elderly participants who used 300 mg per day of Bacopa demonstrated improved mental functions in comparison to a placebo group. Improvement was most profound in the areas of attention and verbal-information processing — and researchers concluded that Bacopa could be effective in preventing cognitive decay.

Since research has shown a link between mild cognitive decline and eventual dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, preventing even mild memory difficulties may play an important role in warding off those memory-related diseases that are so prevalent among baby boomers and elderly people.

News of the many health benefits of Bacopa recently seeped into mainstream news. In his TV show on May 30, 2011, Dr. Mehmet Oz (also known as “America’s Doctor”) recommended Bacopa for brain health.

Dr. Oz said, “Bacopa Monnieri will make you smarter, enhance your memory and help you focus better.”

How to Use Bacopa

A 225 mg tablet of Bacopa taken up to three times daily is recommended by many health practitioners, although consultation with a qualified herbalist is advised to determine your ideal dosage.

To be most effective, Bacopa extract is usually taken in the recommended dosage daily for 12 weeks.

In low doses, Bacopa is mild and non-addictive. Although overdose is uncommon, Bacopa has been known to be toxic in very high doses, so caution is advised. However, it is reported that any symptoms of toxicity will immediately subside once Bacopa supplementation is discontinued.

Bacopa is relatively inexpensive and can be found at health food stores and through a variety of online retailers.


 http://www.easyhealthoptions.com/alternative-medicine/bacopa-may-help-prevent-alzheimers-and-dementia/

Ashwagandha is the super adaptogen

Friday, October 07, 2011 by: Dr. David Jockers
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(NaturalNews) Life in the 21st century is full of stress in the form of emotional setbacks, environmental toxins, physical trauma & poor nutrition. This stress depletes the body of critical nutrients and causes oxidation of various cellular elements. Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb that helps the body successfully adapt to stressful conditions.

Ashwagandha is also called Indian ginseng, winter cherry, & Withania Somnifera. Although it grows naturally in North America and Africa, it is most commonly associated with the Ayurvedic traditions of the east. Ayurveda is an ancient philosophy and application of natural health common in India and the Far East. This tradition is known to use the roots of the Withania Somnifera plant to prepare Ashwagandha. This herb has been used for a myriad of health conditions throughout the centuries by Ayurvedic medicine men.

Ashwagandha Improves Neurological Function:

This exotic herb has powerful antioxidant properties that protect the brain and nervous system. Premature aging associated with chronic tension on the nervous system is related to increased oxidative stress. This stress increases lipid peroxidation while decreasing critical antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase.

One amazing animal study showed how powerful ashwagandha is at reducing tension and stress on the nervous system. Animals exposed to chronic stress had 85% of their cells showing signs of chronic degeneration. When ashwagandha was administered to another group of chronically stressed animals, the number of damaged cells dropped by 80%.

In the largest human trial using ashwagandha the herb was shown to reduce cortisol levels up to 26%. Chronically elevated cortisol increases inflammatory and degenerative processes in the body. Additionally, the participants had a lowered fasting blood sugar level and improved lipid profile patterns.

This herb has been shown in studies to have as strong an anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effect as leading name brand medications. Ashwagandha has been shown to support the regeneration and reconstruction of nerve cells and synapses. This suggests that ashwagandha could help reverse states of brain and nervous system degeneration. This makes it a potent defense against dementia, Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

Ashwagandha Fights Cancer Formation:

Ashwagandha has been shown to disrupt cancer cells' ability to effectively reproduce. This is due to the anti-angiogenic activity that ashwagandha contains in which it prevents cancer cells from forming new blood vessels that support its growth. One study showed that ashwagandha produced a marked increase in life span and a decrease in overall tumor weight in animals with cancer of the lymphatic system.

Ashwagandha has also been shown to decrease the formation and potentiation of certain oncogene characteristics. These include inhibiting the formation of nuclear factor Kappa Beta, & intracellular tumor necrosis factor. Additionally, this herb has been shown to increase the sensitivity of the apoptotic signaling that allows for the natural regulation of cancer cells in the body.

Ashwagandha can be found in supplement capsules, in the dried root form, or as a natural growing plant. In fact, people could grow it in their backyard during the heat of the summer. This plant loves hot sun and sandy soil. It is very good to use dried or fresh ground root. This can be put into different types of tea, smoothies, salads or green drinks. Another easy way to ingest Ashwagandha is to buy organic teas that contain the herb. Typically, these teas are marketed for their immune, memory and relaxation benefits.

Use of adaptogenic herbs such as Ashwagandha along with an anti-inflammatory diet and lifestyle optimize the body's ability to adapt to stress. This herb has been used by cultures around the world for thousands of years. They have found it to improve immunity and memory & to promote overall wellness.

[Editor's Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.]

Sources for this Article Include:
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006...
Jain S, Shukla SD, Sharma K, Bhatnagar M. Neuroprotective effects of Withania somnifera Dunn. in hippocampal sub-regions of female albino rat. Phytother Res. 2001 Sep;15(6):544-8.
Christina AJ, Joseph DG, Packialakshmi M, et al. Anticarcinogenic activity of Withania somnifera Dunal against Dalton's ascitic lymphoma. J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Aug;93(2-3):359-61.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Withan...
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Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/033798_ashwagandha_adaptogen.html

Alternative Therapies in Ovarian Cancer

Immunotherapy

Photo Credit fruit and vegetables image
by photo25th from Fotolia.com

The body's white blood cells or leukocytes are designed to seek and destroy anything that wants to causes harm--including bacteria, viruses, parasites and cancer cells. Immunotherapy is the process of determining which leukocytes are effective against a cancer and then delivering them as a vaccine to kill the cancer cells. Ovarian cancer cells depend on the development of many blood vessels to allow their growth. A specific population called vascular leukocytes targets the formation of these structures, according to researchers from Dartmouth University Medical School writing in the May 15, 2007 issue of "Cancer Research." This is effective against ovarian cancer that has spread outside the ovary into the pelvic cavity. Other cancer vaccines are already in use, usually for women whose tumors are resistant to traditional chemotherapy.

Ayurvedic Therapies

More than 75 percent of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed after the cancer has spread beyond the ovary, and only 25 percent achieve five-year survival. These women look at alternative approaches in greater number than people with cancers more amenable to conventional treatment. Many of the most popular treatment alternatives come from Ayurveda medicine, an approach to health care that integrates detoxification, herbal remedies, massage, exercise, yoga, breathing techniques and meditation. Dietary Ayurveda principles include increasing consumption of fruits and vegetables while decreasing or eliminating sugar, white flour and saturated fat. Massage, yoga and meditation can be used with chemotherapy, radiation and immunotherapy. Interactions between medications and Ayurveda's detoxifying enemas, episodic fasting and herbal remedies may be debilitating.

 

Tumeric

Ovarian cancer causes the buildup of free fluid in the pelvis, a process called ascites. It's painful and allows the cancerous cells to float freely. Researchers from India and Germany collaboratively revealed in the October 2002 issue of "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications" findings that turmeric, an herb, effectively blocks the development of blood vessels that supply ovarian tumors and causes a 66 percent decrease in ascites. They recommend infusing turmeric directly into the peritoneal cavity; an approach already used to deliver chemotherapy.

This is a example of a simple, non-toxic treatment that can be used in combination with chemotherapy and radiation. It allows a woman to embrace a natural, plant-based approach to cancer treatment without abandoning treatments supported by medical research. In order to prove whether an approach such as turmeric is safe and effective, public research funding is required because there is no profit in proving that an herb can effectively treat cancer.

 

Yoga

Survival is not the only goal in battling cancer. When a woman faces the stress of an ovarian cancer diagnosis or the fatigue that accompanies chemotherapy, her quality of life is affected. If long-term survival is not possible, maintaining comfort, emotional peace and quality relationships becomes the focus. Yoga provides these improvements. Yoga is valued for its ability to restore flexibility and aid meditation. A team published in the 2008 issue of the "Journal of the Society for Integrative Oncology" found yoga to be an effective complementary ovarian cancer treatment for depression, negative effect, anxiety, fatigue and overall quality of life.

 

References

• Johns Hopkins: Understanding Ovarian Center
• National Cancer Center: Ovarian Cancer
• "Cancer Research"; Scavenger Receptor-A--Targeted Leukocyte Depletion Inhibits Peritoneal Ovarian Tumor Progression;S. Peter Bak, M.D. et al;May 15, 2007
• "Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications"; Molecular mechanisms of anti-angiogenic effect of curcumin; A.Gururaj et al; October 2008
• "Journal for the Society of Integrative Oncology"; Restorative Yoga for Women with Ovarian or Breast Cancer; SC Danhauer, M.D.; 2008

Article reviewed by Anton Alden Last updated on: Sep 11, 2010              

 http://www.livestrong.com/article/240591-alternative-therapies-in-ovarian-cancer/