Tomatos again, more health benefits

Tomato extracts have been mentioned in this blogs due to its anticancer properties, but that is not all from this delicious plant product. Betacarotene, flavonoids, folate, potassium and vitamins C and E, are chemicals that give tomato fruit other very important health properties.These chemicals protect lipoproteins and vascular cells from oxidation, one of the mechanisms of atherosclerosis formation. Modulate platelet aggregation and reduce blood pressure. All these may help to reduce the development of cardiovascular disease.The manufacture or processing methods are very important to maintain the different chemicals bioavailability.

Medicinal dessert

As a medicinal dessert, no doubt, fruits. Fruits contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbohydrates, plus special chemical compounds, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, carotenoids, isocyanates, with many medicinal properties. Let me begin with some fruits and in the coming days I will complete the full list. Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). The blueberry fruit contains amino acids and tannins that improve microcirculation, increase capillary resistance and decrease capillary permeability, very important properties for the eyes, ears and skin, as well as very beneficial for hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Another series of blueberry compounds possess a significant amount of properties, astringent, antifungal, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, antithrombotic. Apple (Malus domestica). The active components, pectin, amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, catechins, quercetin, sorbitol, minerals. The mere fact of writing a list of properties indicates the importance of apple for health. I have described some of their properties already. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Lowering cholesterol, analgesic, antiflu, antidiabetic, antiarthritic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiulcer, empowers the immune system, protects blood vessels, antacid, digestive, laxative, diuretic, blood cleanser, hypotensive, sedative, and several other also important actions.. Orange (Citrus auriantum). Oranges fiber content, vitamins and minerals make them an exceptional food. Among most notable effects, its ability to reduce cardiac arrhythmias, their antiviral properties, and hypotensive activities of declining levels of colesterol blood. It is also a digestive plant. Flavonoids, fruit acids, pectin, alkaloids, sugars, essences and more. Recent findings are establishing a relationship between some orange chemical compounds and the prevention of several cancers, including lung cancer.

Asthma and medicinal plants

Asthma is a chronic disease that causes breath shortness, cough, chest congestion and often a strong feeling of breathlessness. It is a very serious disease and needs medical care.

The causes are not dealt with and it is classified among the autoimmune diseases, with rheumatism, psoriasis and allergies. Bronchospasms, a sudden drop in light of the bronchi, are the main symptoms. May be associated with allergies and with the increase of histamine levels by several causes, including environmental pollution and stressful situations.

It is a disease that must be continuously monitored and treated by specialists and only as a guide some plants and plant extracts that can help relieve asthma attacks are mentioned.

Theophylline, caffeine and theobromine are three active ingredients, belonging to alkaloids chemical group, present in plants that have proven effectiveness in reducing some symptoms of asthma.

Theophylline is found mainly in black and green tea (Camellia sinensis) and is a nervous system stimulant and a lung muscles relaxing factor. Improve breathing movements. Caffeine, present mostly in coffee (Coffea arabica) is vasodilator, stimulates the nervous system and respiratory apparatus and it is also a muscle relaxant. Theobromine is derived from cocoa (Theobroma cacao) and is also present in chocolate. It stimulates nervous and cardiovascular systems and produce bronchodilation.

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica) has for long been used as a bronchodilator, decongestant of the respiratory tract and central nervous system stimulant. Ephedrine is one of its main components.

However it is considered an herb that is not safe and its use should be done under strict medical surveillance.

The ginkgolides of Ginkgo biloba are important due to their interference action with platelet activation factor, which participates in the onset of asthma attacks. The problem is that obtaining adequate amounts of these substances requires a high concentration of the extract.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) contains alphapinene and creosol that remove bronchial secretions and improve breathing. Anise (Pimpinella anisum) also contains these elements, but in smaller amounts.

Nettles (Urtica dioica), leaves and roots infusions or decoctions have proved potent antihistamine and antispamodic activities.

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), used as roots infusion relieves airways congestion and cough. Not recommended for continued use due to the appearance of side effects.

Vitamin C is a potent antihistaminic, so those plants that contain it, citrus (Citrus spp), tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) and others, are recommended.

The wasabi (Wasabi japonica) is a plant whose dried powder is used as a condiment and has proven to be an important bronchial decongestant.

There are several plants that are important to alleviate asthma, onions, cabbage, mauve, oregano, sage, thyme, carrots, etc.

From them mauve, oregano and thyme are emphasized. A decoction of these three plants produce a significant relief in pulmonary congestive situations and they also have antimicrobial effects.

Microalgae as chemicals producers for functional foods

Sometimes I wish to be able to choose the research lines in institutions that work with functional foods. The small amount of research done on the potential of microscopic algae as a source of substances to be incorporated in new functional foods are demonstrating the enormous potential of these marine plant organisms and should be giving rise to a whole new line of work. The draw on the rich biodiversity of these algae and the possibility to transform them into controlled biorreactors as factories of secondary metabolites, usually produced to defend themselves from adverse or extreme conditions, seems that these microscopic beings are shouting, COME FOR US, WE CAN HELP YOU.The beneficial effects of some of these metabolites are already known and surely there are clues about what factors cause the microalgae to produce them in larger quantities. The huge bioreactors that today produce fish food throughout the cultivation of these microscopic algae can also be used to produce chemical compounds to be added to common foods in order to transform them into functional foods.

What about a cup of coffee

To the traditional effects on the nervous system, mind concentration and alertness increase, another set of benefits should be added, some of which are not yet fully proved, but they are reversing a range of views on the potential damage of this traditional drink.Moderate consumption has significant benefits, but it must be remembered that the addition of sugar or creams is independent of their properties and can cause other problems.Coffee has a vasodilator effect on brain blood vessels, which could reduce the risk of vascular accidents and can relieve headaches.Its antioxidant properties can be related to the prevention of several types of tumors.Chlorogenic acid and trigonelline, two chemical components of coffee, reduce insulin resistance, thereby produce a decrease in blood glucose levels and helps to reduce the risk of some tumors associated with insulin resistance.There is a positive effect on lung functioning through bronchial dilation, important in allergies and asthma, activity that apparently occurs mostly in nonsmokers.There are more works that demonstrate the positive relationship between coffee consumption and Parkinson's disease reduction. Some substances contained in coffee slow nerve cells degeneration. Could not be found, by contrast, a relationship between coffee consumption and brain activity in old age, which will prevent senile dementia.Another positive effect is the lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in moderate coffee drinkers, always referring to people with normal blood pressure. The action of coffee on hypertension has not been fully elucidated, although there are works that demonstrate a positive effect of achieving control.There is an important finding related to liver degeneration by alcohol consumption. Coffee consumption slows the formation of abnormal fibrous tissue, which may result in tumor tissue. A metabolite of caffeine inhibits the synthesis of a connective tissue growth factor .There is no clear evidence of the influence of coffee consumption on and uric acid, gout and osteoporosis.

A medicinal preventive salad

This "medicinal recipe" is certainly not the most appetizing, but one of the healthiest. The plants listed below are to be added raw to the salad. Garlic, a must be in all food medicine, with a healthy set of actions as described elsewhere and if heart protection is required , the crushed fresh garlic attains the best activity, according to a very recent research. Broccoli, aerial parts and shoots. With vitamins A, C and E, antioxidant compounds, antitumor compounds, immune system enhancers and in the case of shoots a very effective compound for asthma control. Pumpkin, Its fleshy pulp and it seeds. It is an important source of beta carotene, a vitamin A precursor and a powerful antioxidant with antitumor properties and a immune system enhancer. Contains phenolic compounds importat in cases of diabetes. Turmeric is included for its anti-inflammatory activity, promotion of inmmune cell production and its particular taste, besides giving the salad a nice touch of color. Another imperative condiment is oregano, with its phenolic acids and flavonoids, generously donating its antioxidant properties and its excellent flavor. Tomato. In this case the tomato extracts is to be used, because of its anti-cancer properties and also it contains beta carotene, flavonoids, folate, potassium and vitamins C and E, chemicals that confer other important health properties, interfere with the formation of atheromas, modulate platelet aggregation and reduce blood pressure.Red pepper. Energizing salad condiments must also contain one strong taste condiment, red pepper contains significant amounts of vitamin C, one of the best known compounds as immune system enhancers. Generous amounts of olive oil completes the dish. I agree that it is not a traditional salad, but really a series of properties beneficial for health, aiming to prevent a series of major diseases. The effects of these plants have been the subject of research, providing results that are favorable for its use.

Diabetes type II and medicinal plants

Diabetes occurs either when the pancreas stops producing the hormone insulin or the body becomes unable to use the insulin produced. Glucose can not enter the body cells unless insulin is present and active. Without insulin, glucose accumulates in the bloodstream and eventually in the urine, causing the characteristic sweet taste. The imbalance in blood sugar levels also leads to increased urination and thirst. 

Diabetes also causes a small blood vessels narrowing throughout the body. It seems that the higher the blood sugar level, the more narrow the small blood vessels become. When this occurs, blood vessels carry less blood, and circulation is affected. Poor circulation in turn leads to the complications of poorly controlled diabetes, kidney disease, poor wound healing problems and eye and feet disturbances. 

Diabetes also alters fat metabolism, increasing the risk of cholesterol plaques that accumulate in the large blood vessels. This means that people with diabetes are at risk of heart disease. 

There are actually two types of diabetes, Type I (insulin-dependent) and type II (non insulin-dependent). People who have Type I diabetes must get insulin injected daily to control their blood sugar. People with type II produce their own insulin but their cells do not respond to it correctly. 

Type II diabetes is by far the most common form of diabetes, accounting for 85 to 90 percent of cases. Is typically associated with obesity. People with type II diabetes can usually control their blood sugar through weight loss and diet, in combination with oral medication that boosts the effect of its own insulin. 

It is often possible for people with type II diabetes to prevent the consumption of drugs and controlling blood sugar levels with diet, a more effective and more enjoyable method than the majority of pharmaceutical alternatives. 

Diabetes is a serious illness. People who has it, should be under doctor's care. But there is much that the patient can do to help manage the condition. 

Given that obesity is so strongly associated with type II diabetes, weight control is an important element. A diet low in fat and moderate exercise is the way. 

There are also many herbs that have demonstrated effectiveness in controlling blood sugar levels and they can be a means to help diabetics, under medical supervision. 

Garlic (Allium sativum). Like onions, garlic has a significant ability to control blood sugar levels. Eat more raw garlic, if possible, or lightly cooked in foods. 

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum). About half of fenugreek seeds (by weight) is a soluble fiber called mucilage, and this herb contains other six compounds that help to regulate blood sugar. 

Fenugreek also increases blood levels of HDL ( "good" cholesterol) while lowering total cholesterol, which may help prevent cardiovascular disease, a particular danger for people with diabetes. 

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia). This herb has attracted considerable interest because of its ability to regulate blood sugar. In one test, five grams (about two teaspoons) of powdered bitter gourd one day decreased blood sugar by 54 percent. Otherwise, 50 milliliters (about one quarter cup) of bitter gourd extract reduced high blood sugar by 20 percent. 

Onion (Allium cepa). Onions have a long history of popular use as a dietary supplement to treat diabetes in Asia, Europe and the Middle East. Onions skins or rinds are one of the best sources of quercetin, which has proven to help with eye problems that are often associated with diabetes such as diabetic retinopathy. 

Beans, beans (Phaseolus, various species). Many studies show that eating foods that are high in soluble fiber, especially beans, reduces the increase in blood sugar after meals and decreases the fall of blood sugar afterwards, thus helping to keep blood sugar close to desired levels. 

Bay (Laurus nobilis) and other spices. It has been shown that bay leaves help the body use insulin very efficiently. The leaves have been shown to reduce levels of blood sugar in experimental animals. Also, the cinnamon, cloves and turmeric are good modulators of blood sugar levels. 

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis). Marshmallow has a high level of soluble fiber known as pectin (35 percent on a dry weight basis). The use of pectin is an effective way to maintain low levels of blood sugar. 

Other good sources of pectin are mallow, wild carrots, dog rose, apples and figs. 

Peanut (Arachis hypogaea). Like beans, peanuts have the ability to maintain low levels of blood sugar. 

Macadamia Nut (Macadamia, various species). A diet with 15 to 20 percent of calories from protein, less than 35 percent fat and 55 to 60 per cent of carbohydrates is recommended. The substitution by certain healthy oils, like monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) of some of the carbohydrates can improve blood sugar control, while it does not increase cholesterol levels. 

Olive oil is the main source of MUFA, it follows the macadamia. Other good sources of MUFAs are avocados, pistachios, cashews, peanuts and Brazil nuts. 

Tea (Camellia sinensis). Several researchers have demonstrated the benefits of black tea in fighting diabetes. In studies, extracts of black tea significantly reduced the levels of sugar in the blood of laboratory animals.