Category Archives: Food As Medicine

Rosemary is a relative to the mint family and the name is derived from its Latin origin to mean “dew of the sea.” Rosemary is very common in Mediterranean cuisine and has somewhat of a bitter astringent taste to it. While that is true, it compliments oily foods very nicely. A tisane can be made from the Rosemary leaves and that is also very popular when cooking. Rosemary is not just tasting but it also has many rosemary health benefits as well. 

First, it is burned and then added to a BBQ to flavor various foods. Fun to note is, Sage, unlike many other herbs, has a high nutritional value to it and is rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin B-6, and is more nutritional and flavorsome, in its dried form rather than fresh. Rosemary however should be harvested just as you are going to use it because it truly loses its flavor once dried. Gardner’s swear that if you plant some Rosemary plants in and around your garden, the Rosemary will fend off moths, beetles, and carrot flies. These are just some of the rosemary herb benefits. 

Older Europeans loved Rosemary and believed that it improved memory and also used it as a symbol of remembrance, and it was often tossed into fresh graves before they were buried. Traditionally it has been said that Rosemary, left untrimmed, would grow for thirty-three years where it will reach the height of Christ when he was crucified. Many would also place sprigs of Rosemary underneath their pillows to ward off evil and nightmares. Often the wood that comes from the stems of the Rosemary plant was used to make musical instruments. Remember that people back then liked to utilize every piece of something, so as not to waste, something I make a point of even today. Many wreaths are also made from Rosemary as a symbol of remembrance and while these may not be rosemary health benefits these are surely rosemary herb benefits that are more geared towards tradition. 

Today, Rosemary is still used for many things besides cooking as it is in potpourris, air fresheners, shampoos, and cosmetics. There has also been much scientific evidence that Rosemary works very well as a memory stimulant. Rosemary has also shown some cancer prevention properties in animals as some of the rosemary health benefits. But further, Rosemary has shown a strong relationship in relaxing muscles, and to soothe stomach upsets as well as menstrual cramps. The main thing to remember when using Rosemary for this purpose is that if you use too much it can actually cause a counter effect. So balance is always best.

When made into a tea it is ingested for calming nerves and anxiety and as an antiseptic. Many find Rosemary tea very pleasant to taste as well as rosemary health benefits being through increasing blood flow and circulation. Making the tea from Rosemary is quite simple actually, just pour boiling water over the leaves and steep for 10-15 minutes. A little natural sweetener can be added if you really need to, but you should not add any milk or cream. A few sprigs can be added to oils and vinegar to flavor the products which adds a nice taste to cooking. You can also make your own aromatherapy oils as rosemary herb benefits. 

When used cosmetically it can lighten and tone human hair and when mixed with equal parts of shampoo it has been known to strengthen hair too. It also makes for a nice additive in hot bathwater. Rosemary is commonly used today and grows in popularity, so, if you like the idea of strong hair and skin, good cognition and memory, nice tasting foods as well as nice infused products with many benefits then rosemary should be on your growing list in your garden next year☺

Rosemary has been used in folk medicine for pharmaceuticals, as well as cosmetics as some of the rosemary herb benefits. Therapeutic uses of rosemary health benefits have been seen in the treatment of inflammatory diseases, and have been studied for wound healing, as well as skin cancer and muscoses treatments. 

Rosemary has also been reported to be effective in the preservation of food based on its high antioxidant and antimicrobial health benefits. While these properties are often helpful in food preservation. In several in vitro studies, they have shown a positive impact on the gastrointestinal tract by decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. These are some of the rosemary health benefits as well as the rosemary herb benefits. The molecules found within rosemary are responsible for the implementation of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antitumor activity just to name a few. Rosemary not only smells good but has incredible rosemary herb benefits as well as rosemary health benefits. 

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30621719/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34651071/ 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32455585/ 

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Benefits of eating an apple a day

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There’s no easier way to add a dose of nutrition to your day than by crunching on a tasty apple. Apple’s benefits for the body are vast, and you probably first experienced its delightful flavor as a baby, when apple sauce introduced you to real food. And now, whether it’s a Granny Smith, a McIntosh, or a Red Delicious, you think of apples as old friends. Grown throughout the world, apples are high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re fat-free, cholesterol-free, and low in sodium. In short, eating apples is a smart part of a healthy lifestyle.

6 ways apples benefits for body

Regulates your day. You don’t have to worry about staying regular anymore. Whether your problem is visiting the bathroom too often or not often enough, apples benefits for body.

A British researcher, Dr. D.P Burkitt, believes one of the easiest ways to prevent all sorts of illnesses, is to avoid constipation. He calls the diseases caused by chronic constipation “pressure diseases.” Appendicitis, diverticular diseases, hemorrhoids, Hiatal hernias, and even varicose veins can all be caused by straining to pass small, hard stools.

Just one apple with its skin contains 4 to 5 grams of fiber – the most important nutrient in keeping your bowels working like a well-oiled machine. Keeping yourself regular without relying on harmful laxatives could be as easy as replacing that afternoon snack of potato chips or cookies with a crisp, delicious apple. And think of the calories you’ll save. The average apple has about 80 calories while a serving of chips weighs in at 150 calories and you’ll get about 200 from just a few cookies, which creates apples benefits for health with reduced caloric intake. 

But that’s not all apples can do. They’re also good for diarrhoea, thanks to an ingredient called pectin. This carbohydrate has a congealing effect in your intestines that helps firm things up and return you to normal. Apple sauce is actually the best apple product for diarrhea since it’s made without the high.-fibre skin. But watch out for extra sugar. Some brands of apple sauce dump a truckload of sweeteners into otherwise healthy food, and too much-refined sugar could make your diarrhea worse.

Keeps your body young. By now you know antioxidants can protect you from many of the diseases that seem to be a part of aging. In fact, so many people are taking supplements for antioxidant protection that it’s become a multibillion-dollar industry. But the evidence is mounting that whole foods can do more for you than pills which benefits apples for health as an alternative to supplements alone. 

When scientists compared a 1,500-milligram vitamin C supplement to one small apple, the results were astounding – the antioxidant values were equal. That means a fresh apple has more than 15 times the antioxidant power of the recommended daily dose of vitamin C. And that’s just for starters. The researchers also found an ordinary apple was able to stop the growth of colon and liver cancer cells in test tubes. Unpeeled apples were especially effective. The question you need to ask yourself is: Why waste money on flavorless supplements when you can get better antioxidant firepower from a sweet, crunchy fruit?

Cuts your risk of heart disease. Sometimes it’s hard to remember which food is good for which part of your body. The next time you pick up an apple, examine it carefully. It’s shaped a bit like a heart – and that should help you remember apples are good for your heart.

It’s the magnesium and potassium in apples that help regulate your blood pressure and keep your heart beating steadily, and it’s the flavonoid quercetin, a naturally occurring antioxidant, that protects your artery walls from damage and keeps your blood flowing smoothly.

In fact, adding flavonoid-rich foods like apples to your diet has been scientifically confirmed to lower your risk of heart disease. There’s proof of this in a study of Japanese women who ate foods high in quercetin. They were less likely to get coronary heart disease than other women and they had lower levels of total and LDL, or bad, cholesterol.

Strikes at the heart of strokes. Apples are even a smart choice for helping avoid strokes. Scientists aren’t sure which ingredient in this multi-talented fruit to credit, but the connection is clear – people who regularly eat apples are less likely to have strokes than people who don’t, so we see apples benefits for health.

Protects your joints. In areas of the world where fruits and vegetables make up a large part of the diet, very few people get arthritis. Compare this to modernised countries where fruits and vegetables have been replaced with fast, processed food and you’ll find up to 70 percent of the population suffers from some form of arthritis. Just a coincidence? Not according to nutrition experts. They link this trend in part to boron, a trace mineral many plants, including apples, absorb from the soil.

If you eat like most people, you’ll get about 1 to 2 milligrams (mg) of boron a day, mostly from non-citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, and nuts. Experts believe; however, you need anywhere from 3 to 10 mg a day to affect your risk of arthritis. To boost your boron intake to this level, you’d have to eat more than nine apples a day.

This is probably an unreasonable amount for most people, and wouldn’t be advised…but don’t despair. Pair an apple with other boron-rich foods like a few tablespoons of peanut butter and a large handful of raisins, and you’ll not only have a delicious afternoon snack, but you’ll make your joint-saving quota of boron at the same time.

Helps you breathe deeply. Your lungs are assaulted every day by cigarette smoke ( even other peoples) , air pollution, pollen, and other air-borne nasties.

On top of that perhaps you suffer from asthma, emphysema, or similar lung condition. If all you want to do is take a deep breath, then grab an apple. Apples benefits for health are expansive. 

A five-year study of more than 2,500 men from Wales found those who ate five or more apples per week were able to fill their lungs with more air than men who didn’t eat apples. 

Incredible!

Experts believe you might be getting some special protection from the antioxidant quercetin. Unfortunately, eating apples can’t reverse a lung condition you already have, but you just might add a new line of defense against further damage.

Pantry pointers. Buy apples that are unbruised, firm, and have good colour. Take them out of their plastic bag and store them in your refrigerator – loose in the produce bin or in a paper bag is best. And since they will absorb odours, keep them away from strong-smelling foods like garlic and onions.

Apple Cider Vinegar. A fermented form of apples in vinegar, known as apple cider vinegar has been shown to have positive antimicrobial benefits. In a recent study, it was shown that ½ ACV had the strongest impact against Candida in the system, 1/25 dilution ACV also helped eradicate other microbes such as S. Aureus and 1/50 ACV dilutions were required for eradication of E-Coli cultures. These resulted in downregulation of inflammatory cytokines within the system which hinders the immune system. ACV has been proven in clinical studies to have antimicrobial benefits which can be incredibly helpful to the immune system. 

Apples benefits for the body and apples benefits for health are endless through various applications. Using apples to help the body heal and get well is often a great idea along with various other fruits and vegetables.

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A common question that is brought up in our monthly visits to the doctor is “How to support our immune system in being more effective?”  

And this is a legitimately great question, especially now with so much concern over communicable diseases. 

The immune system is a system, and because of that, we indeed have to be very careful how we treat and nurture it. 

Not that it doesn’t do a great job on its own, but there are quite a few intricacies that can definitely help it in being more effective, as well as support. Let’s explore one that I partake in every day by exploring the benefits of apple a day.  

Science hasn’t yet determined whether the benefits of an apple a day can help you enhance your immune system…

Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t know a couple of tips on how to improve it through proper lifestyle choices. As we know and have learned our immune system is primarily housed in our digestive tract. This means that what we eat, and how we digest, and assimilate nutrients will be key to our overall health and wellbeing, especially with our immune system. 

Researchers are exploring the effects of diet, age, exercise, and psychological stress on the immune system of both men and animals. And although the benefits of eating an apple a day are not widely explored, we do know that eating fruits, vegetables, and a high fiber diet is key to keeping our bodies well. 

So let’s see what they have to say about boosting your first line of defense against germs and viruses, starting with the most important first, shall we? 

Your Lifestyle Choices

We all know what a healthy lifestyle looks like, but we often forget to follow the simple rules that could help us preserve our immunity.

Every part and system of the body| functions better when we protect it from outside factors, especially those that are a part of our lifestyle choices.

Things like drinking alcohol, smoking, and getting stressed out are often the gateway to different turbulence in the body. Without a healthy lifestyle, we often will not be able to maintain a healthy body. 

Many of these habits, unlike the benefits of apple a day, can affect your way of life, eating habits, exercise regimens, and others.

The results of an unhealthy lifestyle especially for a long period of time most commonly being becoming overweight, lowered brain activity, heart, and lung complications, not getting enough sleep, and many others. 

Many drug store products such as supplements offer a supposed boost in strengthening immunity, but that may not always be good. Remember a supplement is designed to supplement a healthy diet and not replace one. 

There are just too many cells with a concrete job to respond to so many microbes and viruses in so many ways. 

So ultimately, it would probably be best to stick to a healthy lifestyle first, before you think about using any proclaimed “magical” supplements for your immune system. Remember there is no magic, only what you do consistently deliberately over a long period of time. 

This brings up another question here.

Does Age Matter?

Age matters a lot when it comes to your body and its immune system, yes! Not sure if the benefits of eating an apple a day help over the years as you age, but surely the additional fiber cannot hurt you. Many scientists agree that with age comes a decrease in cell production and that is mainly because with time (and habits) a certain set of degenerative processes set in. This is called oxidative stress, which is why eating lots of antioxidants such as berries is so helpful. 

For example, the decrease in T cells (a type of white blood cell) is most probably caused by thymus atrophy. 

Other scientists suggest that the less efficient bone marrow is a significant cause because it decreases the production of stem cells. 

Another age-related threat is malnutrition, which is why understanding proper nutrition is key. It is important to eat adequate macronutrients of proteins, fats, as well as carbohydrates. Proteins are especially important. 

The so-called “micronutrient malnutrition” is what happens when our bodies can’t possibly receive the needed amount of nutrients to function correctly.

This is usually the case with people in their late 60 but can happen at any age, especially with the advent of crash dieting. Eating a consistent lifestyle diet is key to ensuring adequate nutrients. 

Nevertheless, there is chronological age (years that pass) and biological age (how those years pass).

That is to say, a healthy lifestyle is a must in the context of looking and being younger than you actually are! I would suggest the benefits of apple a day may not be an anti-aging tool, but it most certainly can help with the antioxidant, antiproliferative, and cell signaling effects. 

Diets, Vitamins, And What Not

Many people have it in their heads that skipping on your vegetables and substituting them with multivitamins is a good idea. 

Well… It’s not. 

The immune system is tightly dependent on food intake: the right foods, the right amount, and diversity to ensure getting adequate nutrition. 

Taking a handful of vitamins to boost your iodine, zinc, or Vitamins A to E is just shoving down supplements that your body cannot process the way it can from food, given that the food is of good quality. Especially since the world of supplementation is like the wild wild west. You never know what you are getting, and if the nutrients listed on the bottle are healthy for you. 

Not only pills but herbs too aren’t a sure success story for the strength of our immunity. Herbs are medicine, so it is important to take only what you need when otherwise you could be doing more harm than good. 

Yes, they can help a bit, but not in the magical way we rely on when drinking our herbal teas. I still stand by the benefits of eating an apple a day as the body will not be offended when you take in food into the system. 

Take-Home Message

At this point, we all know that eating an apple a day won’t keep the doctor away, although it is your way of doing YOUR part in your healthcare. If you do not heal your lifestyle, there is little a doctor can do for you. A doctor is just a guide or a teacher for you. 

Nowadays, it seems like there are too many other factors to account for to maintain good health and prevent disease. Every person is an individual and unique. There is never a size fit approach for someone’s healthcare. It is deeply individualized, which is why we take over 350 data points on each individual case. This is so we can identify the root cause of the person’s health complaint efficiently as well as guide them through the process of healing. Our job as a doctor is to educate and teach people what they need to do to get well. 

However, if you take some time each morning or evening to enjoy the benefits of eating an apple a day with breakfast or dinner, you can be sure that your body is getting at least one of its daily requirements. 

Rest assured, though, the word “apple” here is just a metaphor – It goes to show that what you eat MATTERS! Eat trash and you will get the trash. Eat healthy foods and indeed that is what you will gain. 

Be mindful of what foods you put (and don’t) in your body and keep in mind that this is what will, to a big extent, determine your overall health. There is scientific evidence that a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables can help aid health as well as protect against chronic diseases. Apples are among the most frequently consumed fruit, are available all year round in most climates, and are a rich source of polyphenols and fiber. 

Fuel your body right, and it will thank you!

References

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26016654/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22332082/

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