Eid Mobarak

I would like to wish All Happy Eid Mobarak

Don't forget to take care of your healthy

Shally!

Alternative medicine: Grapefruit

Grapefruit, the 'forbidden fruit' of Barbados is recommended for lowering blood cholesterol levels due to its fat metabolism effects. Botanical: Citrus paradisi Family: N.O. Rutaceae Habitat: Grapefruit is believed to be native to Jamaica. Description: It is a sub-tropical citrus tree, originally named as the 'forbidden fruit' of Barbados. The evergreen grapefruit tree can grow to a height of 5-6 meters. Grapefruits are round with thin yellow or yellow with a pinkish hue peel. It is more or less acidic, sweet, and fragrant. Part Used Medicinally: Fruit Constituents: Grapefruit is a rich source of many nutrients and phytochemicals; it is a good source of vitamin C, pectin fiber, and the beneficial antioxidant lycopene. A cup of unsweetened grapefruit juice has 95mg of vitamin C. It contains considerable amounts of carbohydrates, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron and fiber. Pink and red varieties are high in beta carotene, a vitamin A precursor. Grapefruit seed has low antioxidant properties. Medicinal Uses: Grapefruit lowers cholesterol.
It contains bioflavonoids and other plant chemicals which protect the body against cancer and heart disease. Grapefruit seed extract is a strong antimicrobial. Grapefruit flower essence helps overcome insomnia. Grapefruit pulp is an effective treatment for urinary disorders. Leaf extractions have antibiotic activity. Grapefruit stimulates the appetite and is used for its digestive, stomachic and diuretic qualities. Daily consumption of grapefruit helps alleviate the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other inflammatory disorders. Caution : Allergic individuals to citrus fruits are likely to react to grapefruit. Scientists believe the daily consumption of a quarter of grapefruit is associated with a 30% increase in breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women. Grapefruit often increase the effective potency of several drugs by blocking a special enzyme in the intestines, which may lead to toxicity and other side effects. Taking such medications along with grapefruit juice can damage organs or impair their normal function. Reported drug interactions with the fruit include: Statins (Baycol (Cerivastatin), Mevacor (Lovastatin), Lipitor (Atorvastatin), Zocor (Simvastatin)), Antihistamines (Ebastine, Seldane (Terfenadine)), Calcium Channel Blockers (Blood Pressure Drugs) (Nimotop (Nimodipine), Nitrendipine, Plendil (Felodipine)), Psychiatric Medications (Buspar (Buspirone), Halcion (Triazolam), Tegretol (Carbamazepine), Valium (Diazepam), Versed (Midazolam)), Intestinal Medication (Propulsid (Cisapride)), Immune Suppressants (Neoral (Cyclosporine), Prograf (Tacrolimus)), Pain Medication (Methadone).

Vyakula Vilivyoungua Vinasababisha Kensa!

Wanasayansi wanasema kuwa wanawake ambao hula chips au 'crips' kila siku wanaweza kuongeza mara mbili hatari ya kensa ya kizazi na ya ovari. Hatari hiyo inatokana na mada iitwayo acrylamide, ambayo hupatikana wakati wa kukaanga, kuoka au kuchoma vyakula mbalimbali. Wataalamu wa Kidachi wamewafanyia uchunguzi watu 120,000 juu ya tabia yao ya ulaji na kugundua kuwa wanawake ambao wanakula vyakula vyenye acrylamide, wanaonekana kukabiliwa na hatari zaidi ya kupatwa na aina hizo za saratani. Vyakula ambavyo vinapata rangi mbalimbali au kuungua wakati wa kupikwa vinaonekana kuwa na uwezekano mkubwa zaidi wa kuwa na acrylamide. Wataalamu wa vyakula wanasema kuwa, ni wazi kuwa haiwezekani kuondoa aina hizo za vyakula moja kwa moja katika lishe yetu. Uchunguzi kuhusiana na masuala hayo umeonyesha kuwa, wale ambao wanakula mikrogram 40 za acrylamide kwa siku ambayo ni sawa na nusu ya pakiti ya biskuti, sahani ya chipsi ya paketi moja ya crisp, basi wanakabiliwa na hatari ya kupatwa na kensa mara mbili zaidi ikilinganishwa na wale wanaokula acrylamide kwa kiasi kidogo zaidi ya hicho. Hata hivyo wataalamu wa uchunguzi huo wanawatoa shaka watu kwa kusema kuwa, matokeo ya uchunguzi huo yanapaswa kuthibitishwa zaidi na uchunguzi mwingine.