Acai berry fruit has a very powerful antioxidant which could fight the damaging effects of free radicals that cause cell damage or decreased function of body cells and increase the risk of premature aging.

The fruit which comes from Central and South America is a favorite for the health and diet programs in the United States in recent years.

Acai berry is a natural source of antosianin. which is one type of very strong antioxidant, a pigment that can be found in the fruit berries, red wine, and other healthy foods. Antosianin also helps eye function vision especially at night.

In addition to a strong antioxidant, acai berries also contain essential fatty acids, amino acids and plant sterols which are compounds that resemble cholesterol. Sterols help to maintain a safe level of cholesterol in the normal range. Some compounds are also useful to help maintain prostate health and strengthen the immune system.

Dr. Perriconne Nicholas, one of the herbal health experts who frequently appear in the Oprah Winfrey Show, include acai berries in a list of 10 great foods that can make you look younger, healthier, and prolong life.

He says that the acai berry juice contains an extraordinary antioxidant concentrations that can help fight premature aging, with 10 times the antioxidant power than red grapes and 10-30 times the antosianin level of red wine. Also contain unsaturated fats, diet food, fiber and Phytosterol that can help keep your cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal health.

Protein has been garnering extra attention as the health conscious realize the benefits of including protein in their diets. Protein is needed to help rebuild the body’s tissue, which is important to athletes and bodybuilders. In fact, the body is in need of a continual supply of protein in order to repair and rebuild its tissue. Protein is also essential for producing antibodies, hormones, new muscle tissue, and blood hemoglobin. All protein that is lost within the body must be replaced and protein must be present in order to construct the new tissue.

While athletes swear by the ability of animal protein to build muscles, researchers are concerned about the potential effects of animal protein on the liver and the kidneys, as well as the link between animal protein and osteoporosis. As a result, many are turning toward soy protein and whey protein instead. But, what are the benefits, drawbacks, and differences between these different forms of protein? And, how much should you include in your diet in order to garner the benefits you are looking for?

Soy Protein
Soybeans contain high quantities of protein (considered to be of equal quality as animal protein) and also contain substantial amounts of amino acids. In addition, soy has been observed to lower cholesterol. Even the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has stated 25 grams of soy protein per day can reduce the chances of developing heart disease.

Soy protein has also been found to reduce the symptoms of menopause, to reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis, and to help prevent a number of diseases related to hormonal issues. These include endometrial cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. Soy protein has also been shown to speed up the metabolism of the thyroid, which can help with obtaining a leaner body. If you are intolerant to soy, however, its specific protein can actually have the opposite effect.

A number of soy protein products can be found at health food stores, including food bars, soy burgers, and even soy-based beverages. Those products containing soy protein isolate generally have the highest saturation. Other products containing soy protein include soy flour, whole soybeans, and tofu. Be sure to check the product label in order to determine the amount of soy protein the product contains.

Remember, however, soy isoflavones, which are sold as supplements in health food stores, are not the same substance as pure soy protein. Nonetheless, soy isoflavones possess a number of beneficial effects, such as improving kidney function and preventing bone loss.

If you are not allergic to soy, there are very few side effects to including soy in your diet. In some people, however, consuming soy on a routine basis can lead to an upset stomach and may even cause diarrhea or constipation.

Whey Protein
Like soy protein, whey protein has been shown to provide a number of benefits. For example, clinical studies have shown whey protein can:

* Act as a natural antibacterial or anti-viral
* Assist in maintaining the proper weight
* Reduce the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
* Reduce liver damage
* Improve the function of the immune system
* Improve blood pressure
* Improve athletic performance
* Improve the function of the digestive system
* Reduce gastric mucosal injury

Whey protein is very high in biological value (BV), which is highly sought by athletes. In short, BV is the amount of protein your body can replace with 100 grams of consumed diet. The only other foods containing high levels of BV are whole eggs and egg whites. Unlike eggs, however, whey protein does not contain high levels of fat.

While soy protein is derived from soybeans, whey protein is derived from milk as a diluted byproduct of the cheese-making process. Fresh liquid whey protein contains only about 1% protein because it is mostly comprised of lactose and water. For this reason, it takes about 229 liters of milk to produce just one kilogram of high quality whey protein isolate.

While in its original form, whey protein affects the digestive tract in much the same way as yogurt. Therefore, it is considered to be a natural remedy for many intestinal issues. In fact, it is often used in Sweden to help prevent bowel problems, gas, and constipation. Nonetheless, it can have the opposite effect and actually lead to constipation for some individuals.

The amount of whey protein recommended in a person’s diet depends on his or her weight, gender, age, level of activity, and overall health. Including both soy and whey protein in your diet can be very beneficial to your health; but, since both can lead to constipation, be sure to follow a high fiber diet to help keep your bowel movements regular. Try one or both of these all-natural health supplements and discover the results for yourself!

Breastfeeding is the act of naturally feeding an infant with milk produced in the mother’s breast. This has unlimited amounts of benefits for the baby not only breast milk is healthier but the action of feeding the child is a moment of love in which the baby learns to bond, smell and caress with the mother as she gives nourishment and affection. Without a doubt breast milk is the best food for a newborn, nothing comes even closer to provide all the nutrients that the baby will need later in life. Breast milk is much easier to digest then any formula in the market, at the same time it provides protection against infections, prevents future food allergies, helps the growth of healthy teeth, and most important it improves brain development. Studies had shown that breastfed babies are more intelligent than formula fed babies.

However, many mothers stop breastfeeding after the third or fourth month switching to formula and later to cow’s milk, this certainly robs the baby of the special qualities that breast milk offers. Infants that stop nursing before the forth month are at risk of developing asthma, food and respiratory allergies, intestinal bacteria, and oral weaknesses (poor teeth development).

Sometimes a mother can not breastfed her baby due to a number of reasons, such as, low quality of milk, breast pain, infection, etc. That’s when herbs come into play, many midwifes have used them for years to improve quality and quantity of milk, to fight infection and much more, take a look at the following conditions and the natural ways to treat them.

Low quality or quantity of milk

Low quality of milk can be cause by medications or a poor diet, many antibiotics contaminate the milk and a diet high in caffeine may cause colics and sleeping problems for the baby it is very important the the mother keeps eating a well balance diet after giving birth, and preferably foods with no traces of pesticides these poisons become highly concentrated in the milk.

The use of a breast pump may inhibit the production of milk, lowering the amount available to the baby, this gives the false idea that the infant should be change to formula in order for him to be satisfied, when in fact the problem is the quantity of milk that the mother is producing.

Herbs can help with both of these common problems.

We recommend

- Eat alfalfa or take it in capsules, it stimulates lactation, improves quality and quantity of milk.

- Chaste tree Increases flow of milk, by affecting pituitary’s prolactin secretion.

- Chinese use an herb called codonopsis to increase lactation and strengthen the blood.

- Goat’s rue this herb is been used by midwifes for hundreds of years to improve breast milk production by as much as 50 %.

- Vervain encourages milk secretion and flow, it also increases absorption of nutrients from food and helps with postpartum depression.

- Milk thistle promotes production of milk and decreases pesticide residues in breast and milk.

TIP: Did you know that tight bras may stop the milk production and cause plugged ducts?.

- Cumin helps increase milk production.

- Caraway, aniseed, dill, and fennel promote flow of best milk. It can be taken in form of teas or infusion.

- If you are prone to chills while breastfeeding and have poor quality of milk use calcarea.

Engorgement

Breast engorgement is a very common problem that start affecting the mother in the first two or three weeks after delivery and is more annoying to women with poor skin elasticity. Engorgement is due to milk excessively filling the breast together with blood and fluid retention in the same area.

Usually the breast feels full, hard, tight, tender, painful, the breast feels hot to the touch and a fever may develop, the baby may have a hard time to latch on and suck.

We recommend

- Take a handful of Confrey leaves and steam them for a few minutes wrapped in a gauze and placed on the breast are very helpful relieving engorgement.

- Take the homeopathic remedy Belladonna 6X.

- Soak a towel in hot water and place it on the breast ten minutes before feeding.

- Poke root reduces swollen breast and pain. Use under doctor supervision.

- Elder is used to reduce swelling of engorged breast.

- Chamomile help control inflamed breast.

- Give your baby frequent feeds on both breast 10 to 15 minutes each.

- Use a pump to extract milk between feedings to control engorgement.

- Massage the breast while feeding to help milk flow easily.

- Mix 2 quarts of boiling water.

- tsp. of vitex berries. 2 tsp. of blessed thistle leaves. 1 tsp. of nettle leaves. 1/2 tsp. fenugreek seed. 1/2 tsp. anise seed. Let it steep for 30 minutes, strain and drink 2 cups a day.

- Bryonia reduces swollen and hard breasts.

- Pulsatilla and calcarea is very helpful reducing the size and hardness of engorged breasts.

- When the production of milk is excessive and produces engorgement a cold compress using peppermint oil should be used.

- A compress of marshmallow and slippery elm often reduces engorgement.

Plugged duct

This is a problem that occurs when the baby does not empty the breast completely on each feeding, the milk remaining in the duct hardens and blocks the duct eventually plugging it. Tight bras can cause plugged ducts as well. If the breast feels sore
it might be a sign of plugged ducts. A plugged duct should be taking care of as soon as possible, if not so it can develop into Mastitis.

We recommend

- Castor oil helps with inflammation and pain.

- Elder is used to reduce swelling of plugged breast ducts.

- Queen’s delight Clears congestion of lymphatic vessels, stimulates white blood cells to react to infection.

- Check your nipples everyday, if you see dry milk on them or dark dots remove them with a cotton and warm water and feed your child as soon a s possible from that breast.

- Place the baby in different positions every time, this will ensure that all ducts are being used.

- Place hot towels on the breast or run hot water over them in the shower.

- Massage the breast in the direction of the nipple to try to get the milk to come out. Mastitis

Mastitis is a condition that results when a plugged duct becomes infected, the breast swells due to a bacteria that enters through tinny cracks on the nipples. The breast infected with mastitis becomes red and painful with pus secretion other symptoms are fever, fatigue, vomiting or nausea.

We recommend

- Take poke root this helps mastitis. Use under doctor supervision.

- Queen’s delight Clears congestion of lymphatic vessels, stimulates white blood cells to react to infection.

- Place hot towels on the breast or run hot water over them in the shower.

- Elder is used to reduce swelling of breast infected with mastitis.

- Rest as much as you can.

- Drink lots of water or alfalfa juice.

- Coat your nipples with breast milk after feeding.

- There are antibiotics that are safe for nursing mothers and their babies, see your doctor if your case is very severe. However we recommend that you try to avoid antibiotic as much as you can.

- Wash your hands before and after feeding, to prevent bacteria contamination.

- Dandelion is very helpful and popular herb to treat mastitis.

- The chinese use gentian to cure mastitis.

- Madder root is useful in relieving mastitis.

Cracked nipples

Cracked nipples can develop when the baby is being position wrongly or by using damp breast pads. The nipple becomes irritated, redBusiness Management Articles, and painful in some cases bleeding may develop.

- Calendula cream will soothe and encourage the healing of cracked nipples and is safe for the baby to swallow.

- The homeopathic remedy called chamomilla helps heal cracked nipples.

- The homeopathic remedy called pulsatilla helps heal cracked nipples.

- Sulfur is also helpful for cracked nipples.

- Apply vitamin E to sore and cracked nipples.

Vitamin B12 has a long history and a solid reputation as an energy booster, and it is among the most important of all the B-complex vitamins. Vitamin B12 deficiency may result negative in hematological, neurological, and gastrointestinal conditions. Gastrointestinal effects of B12 deficiency may include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, excessive flatulence, and a burning sensation on the tongue. Vitamin B12, a member of the B-vitamin family, is a term used collectively to represent a group of cobalt-containing compounds known as corrinoids. The principal cobalamins are cyanocobalamin, hydroxocobalamin, and the two coenzyme forms of vitamin B12, methylcobalamin, and 5-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (adenosylcobalamin). However, the term vitamin B12 is usually used to refer to only one of these forms, cyanocobalamin, which is used to fortify foods and nutritional supplements. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin required for normal cell activity, DNA replication, and the synthesis of the mood-influencing substance SAMe. Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, works with folic acid to produce healthy red blood cells. Vitamin B12 also keeps your central nervous system healthy.

Vitamin B12 helps maintain the myelin sheath that insulates nerve fibres from each other. B12 deficiency can cause a type of anemia marked by fewer but larger red blood cells that’s called pernicious anemia. It can also cause walking and balance problems, sore tongue, weakness, confusion and, in advanced cases, dementia. Vegetarians who eliminate all animal sources from their diet (also known as vegans) may benefit from taking a vitamin B12 supplement. Vitamin B12 is bound to the protein in food. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach releases B12 from proteins in foods during digestion. Hydroxocobalamin is a man-made form of vitamin B12. Vitamin B12’s main functions are in the formation of red blood cells and the maintenence of a healthy nervous system. Prolonged B12 deficiency can lead to nerve degeneration and irreversible neurological damage. People with vitamin B12 deficiency show irregular destruction of the myelin sheaths, which eventually causes paralysis and death.Vitamin B12 levels decrease with age and various measures of cognitive impairment are associated with reduced B12 status. Vitamin B12 deficiencies occur when the body is unable to properly use the vitamin.

Benefits of Vitamin B12

1. Vitamin B12 are critical to the health of the nervous system and to a process that clears homocysteine from the blood.

2. Vitamin B12 is found naturally in food sources (principally animal products) in protein-bound forms.

3. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be a factor in a variety of different health conditions and disorders.

4. Vitamin B12 may help restrain pre-cancerous lung conditions in smokers.

5. Patients with Alzheimer’s show low levels of Vitamin B12.

6.3 Vitamin B 12 and folate are required for the synthesis of S-adenosylmethionine, a methyl group donor essential for the metabolism of neurotransmitters.

7. Vitamin B12 deficiency can be a factor in a variety of different health conditions and disorders.

8. Vitamin B12 has been suggested to help defend against hypersensitivity to sulfites.

In recent years, studies have demonstrated that a spice used for many centuries in traditional Indian medicine could in fact be helpful to cure cancer. Researchers have discovered that one of the ingredients of Indian saffron, named curcumin, was able, in the laboratory, to treat the cells of skin and breast cancer, among others. Clinical studies involving the use of curcumin have in fact been launched and presently, scientists from the University of Texas’ Department of Medicine have discovered that curcumin blocks the activity of a gastrointestinal hormone that is involved in the development of colorectal cancer (second most deadly cancer).

The work of Professor B. Mark Evers and his collaborators was published in one of the latest issues of Clinical Cancer Research, and it demonstrates that gastrointestinal hormone, neurotensine, which is generated in response to fat consumption, contributes to the production of IL-8, an inflammatory protein that accelerates the growth and dissemination of a variety of human cancer cells including colorectal and pancreatic tumour cells. According to the main author, the fact that this action can be completely stopped by this natural product, curcumin, is totally remarkable. The authors, including an associate researcher, Dr. Xiaofu Wang, studied the effects of curcumin. The effect of neurotensine depends on a biochemical signal inside the cells. Experiments have shown that circumin decreases these signals, thereby reducing the production of IL-8.

Experiments also showed that neurotensine increases cell migration, thereby most probably decreasing the colorectal cancer cells’ capacity metastasize to other part of the body. Also according to the authors, the results suggest that circumin may be helpful in the treatment of colorectal cancer whose cells respond to the gastrointestinal hormone. Close to one third of colorectal cancer cells have neurotensine receptors. The concept resembles what happens in breast and prostate cancer where the primary treatment involves blocking hormones.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to provide health advice and is for general information only. Always seek the insights of a qualified health professional before embarking on any health program.