Pomelo: 10 Reasons to Enjoy this Fabulous Fruit

More sweet than sour, with juicy meat and pulp, pomelos are grandfathers to grapefruits. This gentle giant of the citrus family is native to Malaysia and Southeast Asia, but has been introduced to many tropical countries as well as California, Florida and Hawaii of the United States. Also called pulmetto, shaddock, French chadec, Malayan limau besar, Bali lemon, and Chinese grapefruit – I discovered the fruit when a client shared her tree’s bounty. The delicious pomelo can enhance a healthy diet. Here are ten reasons why.

1. Taste

Sweet with just a hint of grapefruit-like tang, pomelos are refreshing first thing in the morning or cold from the refrigerator, as a fortifying snack. Its juice can be a tasty addition to sauces, salads, salsas andmarinades. The curious mixture of melon-like sweetness with citrus tang makes pomelo juice a welcome addition to many recipes – add a skinless, seedless wedge to flavor your favorite ice tea.

2. Low Calorie and Low Fat

Pomelos have 0% fat and 72 calories per cup/190 grams – a dieter’s delight! Most everyone has heard of the Grapefruit Diet, which become popular in Hollywood in the 1930s, and saw another resurgence in the 1970s. Both grapefruit and pomelo contain a fat burning enzyme, which theoretically increases the dieter’s success. This fad diet, promoted extremely low calorie intake, and eating grapefruit before every meal.

3. Fiber

While due to its low calorie intake, the Grapefruit Diet is unhealthy, the principle behind eating grapefruits is a sound one. Pomelos, like grapefruits have a fiber content of 8% daily value or DV. The Food and Drug Administration describes DV as percentage of the recommended daily intake for nutrients for adults and children ages 4 and up. Eating such low calorie fiber creates a full feeling in your stomach and you eat less. Eating fiber also keeps your bowels healthy and prevents colon cancer.

4. Vitamin C

Citrus fruit burgeon with vitamin C, and the pomelo is no exception. Pomelo provides 193% DV of Vitamin C. Recent studies have shown Vitamin C strengthens your immune system when it weakens due to stress. And although Vitamin C can not cure the common cold, it can prevent you from developing additional cold complications such as lung infections or pneumonia. Persons with a higher concentration of vitamin C in their blood have a 42% lower risk of developing a stroke. Vitamin C has been shown to aid in macular degeneration, inflamation, cancer and cardiovascular deterioration.

5. Heart Health

Pomelos have 410 mg of potassium per serving, which like Vitamin C plays a role in supporting the heart. There is no DV for potassium but 4700 mg per day is considered adequate. This essential mineral regulates blood pressure levels. Abundant with pectin, pomelo juice is capable of clearing the arterial deposits accumulated in the body, thereby reducing the impurities and benefitting people with hypertension. People on blood thinning, kidney and other medications need to use caution when eating potassium rich foods like pomelos, as it can have a negative impact and serous health complications.

6. Cancer Fighter

The Chinese use the pomelo rind in many dishes. The skin of the fruit is very rich in bioflavonoids. Thisproperty is helpful in reducing pancreatic, intestinal and breast cancer. In fact, it stops cancerous cells from spreading further. Pomelo rind contains rich bioflavonoids that help in fighting against cancer cells. It prevents the spread of breast cancer cells especially by enabling the body to eliminate excess estrogen.

7. Antioxidents

Most notable, pomelos are loaded with antioxidants that are believed to help slow down the aging process and protect against some diseases – including heart disease and cancer – as they help rid the body of free radicals.

8. Anti-aging

Grapefruits and likely pomelos are the only known fruits containing spermadine, which is also found in human sperm. A laboratory-based study found spermidine to protect cells from processes related to aging and cell damage. In the study spermadine increased the lifespan of flies, blood cells, yeast and worms. Spermadine introduced to the blood cells of white mice protected them from particular types of cell damage, but their lifespans were not reported.

8. Anti-aging

Grapefruits and likely pomelos are the only known fruits containing spermadine, which is also found in human sperm. A laboratory-based study found spermidine to protect cells from processes related to aging and cell damage. In the study spermadine increased the lifespan of flies, blood cells, yeast and worms. Spermadine introduced to the blood cells of white mice protected them from particular types of cell damage, but their lifespans were not reported. (See the link below for more information on this study.)

9. Medicine

When chewed slowly, the pomelo is said to cure hangovers. In Malasia and Filipines, a lotion made from the pomelo plants leaves is used to alleviate sores and swellings. The Filipinos also use it as a sedative for nerves. The Chinese use the entire plant to make medications that cure coughs, car sickness and indigestion. A paste of pomelo rind and ginger can be applied to joints to ease arthritic pain.1

10. Availability and Storage

Pomelos are available at most Asian or Latin American markets throughout the year. Choose firm, heavy fruits. Blemishes on the skin are okay. Soft, dull-skinned pomelos that leave an imprint when squeezed or those that appear dried-out on the stem should be avoided.Pomelos keep for a week in the refrigerator, or for a few days left at room temperature. Freeze their juice in ice cube trays to keep for longer periods and to add a citrus zest to recipes.

7 Amazing Health Benefits Of Macadamia Nuts

acadamia nuts are considered the world’s finest nuts. Macadamia nuts are small buttery flavoured nuts cultivated from macadamia nut trees that are grown in tropical climates of Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Kenya, New Zealand and South Africa. Although Australia is the largest producer of Macadamia nuts, nuts cultivated in Hawaii are the most acclaimed for their delicious taste. Their delicate flavour and crunchy texture makes them a delight to consume.

There are about seven species of Macadamia nut grown all over the world, but only two are edible and are cultivated in horticultural farms all over the world. These two species are Macadamia integrifolia which produces smooth shelled nuts and Macadamia tetraphylla nuts which produces rough shelled nuts.

Nutritional Value:

Macadamias are a rich source of Vitamin A, iron, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and folates. They also contain moderate amounts of zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium. Macadamia contains antioxidants like polyphenols, Amino acids, flavones and selenium. It is also a good source of carbohydrates like sucrose, fructose, glucose, maltose and some starch based carbohydrates.

Health benefits of Macadamia:

Eating nuts on a regular basis has a positive effect on the health. These sweet, creamy, crunchy, and luxurious nuts are more often than not thought of as high fat indulgence rather than health food. But Macadamia contains a range of nutritious and health promoting nutrients that make them an important part of our daily diet. A balanced diet containing macadamias promotes good health, longevity and a reduction in regenerative diseases.

1. Heart disease:

Macadamia are 100% cholesterol free and are highly beneficial to reduce cholesterol level. These nuts are rich in healthy monounsaturated fats which are said to be cardio protective by reducing cholesterol level and help to clean the arteries. Macadamia also lowers the level of triglycerides, which is a kind of body fat and reduces the risk of coronary disease.

2. Antioxidants:

Another health benefit of macadamia comes from their high flavonoid content. Flavonoids, which are found naturally in these plants help to prevent cells from damage and protects from environmental toxins. These flavonoids convert into antioxidants in our body. These antioxidants search and destroy free radicals and protect our bodies from various diseases and certain types of cancer which includes breast, cervical, lung, prostrate and stomach cancer.

3. For weight loss:

People usually avoid eating macadamia thinking that it is laden with fats and cholesterol. However, the fat in macadamia is monounsaturated fats which promote weight loss. Macadamia nuts are rich in palmitoleic acid, and omega 7 fatty oil that provide building blocks for the enzymes and control the burning of fat and curb the appetite. Palmitoleic acid increases fat metabolism and reduces fat storage. Their fatty acids content makes them an extremely satisfying food and you will need only a handful to feel satisfied.

4. Proteins:

Macadamias contain significant level of protein which is an essential component of our diet and forms muscles and connective tissues in our bodies. Proteins are a part of our blood and act positively on our health. They also help to maintain the health of hair, nails and skin.

5. Dietary fiber:

Macadamias contains around 7% of dietary fiber. Dietary fiber comprises of complex carbohydrates and includes many types of soluble and insoluble fiber. Dietary fiber promotes satiety, provides roughage, aids digestion and assist in reducing constipation and several other disease related to it.

6. Bone health:

Phosphorus in macadamia plays a variety of roles including bone and teeth mineralization, metabolism, absorption and transportation of nutrients. Calcium also helps in the formation of teeth and bones. Manganese in macadamia helps the body to deposit new bone tissue, so that the skeleton stays strong as you age. Omega 3 prevents osteoporosis and reduces the severity of arthritis.

7. Promotes brain health:

Macadamia promotes health of the nervous system. Copper in macadamia helps to make neurotransmitters, the chemicals which our brain cell uses to send chemical signals.

16 Unhealthy Ways to Lose Weight

All the overweight people around the globe have a common goal, that is, to lose weight. A healthy diet and a good workout plan is the best way to meet your goal. While many people follow a strict diet plan and hit the gym, others look for short cuts to shed those obstinate pounds fast. The latter category makes a very unhealthy choice for themselves which may lead to serious health conditions such as gallstones, liver damage, gout and loss of energy. One thing that many people fail to understand is that once they have reduced weight and return back to their normal routine, they will regain those pounds. Listed below are a few unhealthy ways of losing weight that one should avoid at all costs.

1. Smoking

Smoking suppresses hunger and that is the reason many smokers miss meals. This is very dangerous and can lead to serious health problems like cancer.

2. Purging

Purging is a serious eating disorder, whereby the person trying to lose weight throws up purposely tocontrol their weight. Purging can cause bulimia or anorexia, which are life-threatening conditions.

3. Fad Diets

Fad diets restrict you from eating special combinations of foods or certain types of foods, without any scientific basis. No doubt, you lose weight by having these diets, but just for short-term. As a matter of fact, fad diets steal away nutritious stuffs from your meal, making you feel languorous. Usually, people who consume fad diets end up putting on more weight than they lost.

4. Laxatives

Laxatives such as tea, pills and powder suppositories are of no use at all. They make the digestive system weak, which leads to complications of the abdomen.

5. Skipping Meals

This is the worst way of losing weight. In reality, when you skip a meal, your metabolism slows down which has a reverse effect on your weight. Therefore, instead of losing weight, you will add on more weight.

6. Extreme Workouts

An extra 20 minutes of cardio is not going to help you lose weight over night. Do not push your body beyond its limits. Stick to a simple and effective workout regime that will help you burn calories steadily.

7. Drugs

Many people believe that smoking weed is a good way of losing weight. In fact, people who smoke weed tend to put on weight, as they eat more junk food when they are high.

8. Tapeworms

In the olden days, people would eat all the stuff they wanted and at the end of the meal, they would swallow tapeworm pills. They believed that the worms would eat all their calories and keep them slim and trim.

9. Sleep Diet

People who smoke weed or marijuana follow this diet. They get so high that they end up sleeping for a whole day. In this way, they skip meals but this is very harmful, as one consumes only drug and nothing else.

10. Baby Food Diet

Hollywood celebrities are big fans of this diet. They consume jars of Gerber, in place of 2 meals a day. They have boiled vegetables with chicken for dinner.

11. Soup Diet

Drinking soup for every meal is very unhealthy. While it may help reduce some weight, it will not provide your body with adequate nutrients that are required to sustain through the day.

12. Low-Calorie Diet

Your body needs some calories to keep you energized and healthy. Avoiding all kinds of food, which have high calorie content, is extremely perilous. One should do it only under medical supervision.

13. Sweat Suits and Saunas

Many people believe that by spending 20 to 30 minutes in a sauna everyday can help reduce weight. The only weight you will lose is water weight and this can lead to serious problems like dehydration.

14. Excessive Carbohydrate Restriction

Carbohydrates ensure proper functioning of thyroid. Complete removal of carbohydrates from your meal will slow down the metabolism and inhibit thyroid activity, resulting in weight gain.

15. Too Much Fasting

Many people observe fast very often with an intention to lose weight. Though fasting helps cellular cleanup, but overdoing it leads to loss of fertility, anxiety, sleeplessness and hormonal imbalance.

16. Appetite Suppressing Pills

Appetite suppressing pills make you an addict and results in chest pain, dry mouth, and high blood pressure. So, consult your doctor before using them.

Source: healthremedy.com

OCD can be Deadlier than you Thought

As a preteen, you may have started realizing yourself to be a potential candidate for OCD when you checked the door’s lock at least thrice before leaving home or imagined there was more dirt on a pen you shared with your classmate than on a toilet seat. Such is how OCD generally manifests, but sometimes, it can turn you into the most detested enemy you can ever have.

At its worst, you may literally begin to obsess over a pile of dust on your desk at the workplace that you saw two times in three years; you might begin to start hallucinating with the passage of time so much that the only resolve your parents would have is to get you therapy. This surprisingly common medical condition that starts with quirks may indicate a more serious problem. Right when you put it off as general OCD, it would actually be more than that.

Schizophrenia

Despite of OCD being a very common condition that is popularly assumed to not cause any damage except for irritable quirks, its diagnosis in all the reported cases is said to be linked to higher rates of schizophrenic spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. Children of parents suffering from OCD are at a greater risk of developing the said conditions, states a new study that was published in JAMA psychiatry. The researchers added that there is a need for more researches to identzify risk factors that are common to OCD, schizophrenic spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.

Eating Disorders

13 percent of people with OCD develop an eating disorder such as bulimia nervosa and anorexia nervosa that share the same characteristics with OCD. Experts have also examined the similarities. It is in such a scenario important to speak to a mental health professional, who is experienced with both the disorders.

Depression

A study that was published in the Journal of Affective Disorders discovered that major depressive disorder was likely to be 10 times more common in OCD patients than those who did not have OCD. The symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, loss of interest in everyday activities and changes in weight as well as appetite.

Some people may find that their OCD symptoms get worse when they experience depressive episodes. The occurrence of OCD along with depression can have negative effects on the treatment. A study that was published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry had found that those people who only had OCD were likely to have a better outlook post treatment compared with those people who had both OCD and depression.

Substance Abuse

OCD is one of the anxiety disorders that go hand in hand with substance abuse. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, 20 percent of people with an anxiety disorder tend to also have substance or alcohol abuse disorder. A person who has excessive drug or alcohol abuse may take to them to self-medicate, but this can actually worsen the symptoms of OCD.

OCD can be treated with medications, cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychotherapy, but it is important to know the warning signs as well as ways to get help to get the right treatment.

11 Proven Health Benefits of Garlic

“Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.”

Those are famous words from the ancient Greek physician Hippocrates, often called the father of Western medicine.

He actually used to prescribe garlic to treat a variety of medical conditions.

Well… modern science has recently confirmed many of these beneficial health effects.

Here are 11 health benefits of garlic that are supported by human research studies.

1. Garlic Contains a Compound Called Allicin, Which Has Potent Medicinal Properties

Garlic is a plant in the Allium (onion) family.

It is closely related to onions, shallots and leeks.

It grows in many parts of the world and is a popular ingredient in cooking due to its strong smell and delicious taste.

However, throughout ancient history, the main use of garlic was for its health and medicinal properties (1).

Its use was well documented by all the major civilizations… including the Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks, Romans and the Chinese (2).

This is what garlic looks like:

The entire “head” is called a garlic bulb, while each segment is called a clove. There are about 10-20 cloves in a single bulb, give or take.

We now know that most of the health effects are caused by one of the sulfur compounds formed when a garlic clove is chopped, crushed or chewed.

This compound is known as allicin, and is also responsible for the distinct garlic smell.

Allicin enters the body from the digestive tract and travels all over the body, where it exerts its potent biological effects (which we’ll get to in a bit

Bottom Line: Garlic is a plant in the onion family, grown for its cooking properties and health effects. It is high in a sulfur compound called Allicin, which is believed to bring most of the health benefits.

2. Garlic Is Highly Nutritious, But Has Very Few Calories

Calorie for calorie, garlic is incredibly nutritious.

A 1 ounce (28 grams) serving of garlic contains (3):

• Manganese: 23% of the RDA.
• Vitamin B6: 17% of the RDA.
• Vitamin C: 15% of the RDA.
• Selenium: 6% of the RDA.
• Fiber: 1 gram.
• Decent amounts of Calcium, Copper, Potassium, Phosphorus, Iron and Vitamin B1.

Garlic also contains trace amounts of various other nutrients. In fact, it contains a little bit of almost everything we need.

This is coming with 42 calories, with 1.8 grams of protein and 9 grams of carbs.

Bottom Line: Garlic is low in calories and very rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6 and Manganese. It also contains trace amounts of various other nutrients.

3. Garlic Can Combat Sickness, Including the Common Cold

Garlic supplementation is known to boost the function of the immune system.

One large 12-week study found that a daily garlic supplement reduced the number of colds by 63% compared with placebo (4).

The average length of cold symptoms was also reduced by 70%, from 5 days in placebo to just 1.5 days in the garlic group.

Another study found that a high dose of garlic extract (2.56 grams per day) can reduce the number of days sick with cold or flu by 61% (5).

If you often get colds, then adding garlic to your diet could be incredibly helpful.

Bottom Line: Garlic supplementation helps to prevent and reduce the severity of common illnesses like the flu and common cold.

4. The Active Compounds in Garlic Can Reduce Blood Pressure

Cardiovascular diseases like heart attacks and strokes are the world’s biggest killers.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most important drivers of these diseases.

Human studies have found garlic supplementation to have a significant impact on reducing blood pressure in people with high blood pressure (6, 7, 8).

In one study, aged garlic extract at doses of 600-1,500 mg was just as effective as the drug Atenolol at reducing blood pressure over a 24 week period (9).

Supplement doses must be fairly high to have these desired effects. The amount of allicin needed is equivalent to about four cloves of garlic per day.

Bottom Line: High doses of garlic appear to improve blood pressure of those with known high blood pressure (hypertension). In some instances, supplementation can be as effective as regular medications.

5. Garlic Improves Cholesterol Levels, Which May Lower The Risk of Heart Disease

Garlic can lower Total and LDL cholesterol.

For those with high cholesterol, garlic supplementation appears to reduce total and/or LDL cholesterol by about 10-15% (10, 11, 12).

Looking at LDL (the “bad”) and HDL (the “good”) cholesterol specifically, garlic appears to lower LDL but has no reliable effect on HDL (6, 7, 13, 14, 15).

Garlic does not appear to lower triglyceride levels, another known risk factor for heart disease (10, 12).

Bottom Line: Garlic supplementation seems to reduce total and LDL cholesterol, particularly in those who have high cholesterol. HDL cholesterol and triglycerides do not seem to be affected.

6. Garlic Contains Antioxidants That May Help Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Oxidative damage from free radicals contributes to the ageing process.

Garlic contains antioxidants that support the body’s protective mechanisms against oxidative damage (16) .

High doses of garlic supplementation have been shown to increase antioxidant enzymes in humans (5, 17), as well as significantly reduce oxidative stress in those with high blood pressure (6).

The combined effects on reducing cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as the antioxidant properties, may help prevent common brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and dementia (17, 18).

Bottom Line: Garlic contains antioxidants that protect against cell damage and ageing. It may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

7. Garlic May Help You Live Longer

Effects on longevity are basically impossible to prove in humans.

But given the beneficial effects on important risk factors like blood pressure, it makes sense that garlic could help you live longer.

The fact that it can fight infectious disease is also an important factor, because these are common causes of death, especially in the elderly or people with dysfunctional immune systems.

How to Use Olive Oil for Hair Growth

You ask us for a powerhouse when it comes to hair care, and we say olive oil. Keeping a bottle of olive oil handy not just in your kitchen, but your bathroom can help your tresses look thicker, stronger, longer and shinier. Yes, the rich, moisturizing oil can be used as a conditioner, a hot oil treatment, or as a finishing product.

As one ages, the structure of the hair undergoes a slow change, thereby making it weaker and resulting in hair loss and greying.  Hair loss can be caused by a lot of reasons- genetic or hereditary reasons, but often it can be caused by pollution, misuse of hair care products, frequent colouring, poor diet, and certain medications or over processing of the hair. These causes of hair loss can sometimes be reversed. Resorting to the use olive oil for hair growth is perhaps the best option.

                            

         

                                                               

Benefits of Olive Oil for Hair: Removes Dandruff

Dandruff comes from a scalp which is dry, and flaky. Lemon helps loosen the dandruff while olive oil moisturizes the new, exfoliated layer of skin. To get rid of that scurf, mix equal amounts of olive oil, lemon juice and water. Massage into damp scalp, leave on for 20 minutes, rinse and shampoo. This dandruff-fighting treatment should be used anytime in alternative weeks. Too much acidity from lemon could cause your hair to grey prematurely.

Benefits of Olive Oil for Hair: Treats Split Ends

Winters make your hair prone to breakage, splitting, and frizzy flyaways giving your sleek haircut a messy and unkempt look. This is a time when you can use olive oil for hair that is smooth, has weight and moisture and is problem-free. Just smooth a little olive oil on your fingers and run them through your hair after you've styled it to give your ends and flyaways the kiss off.

Olive Oil for Hair Strength and Shine

You are in love with your regular conditioner which means you are in love with all the chemicals in it too. Olive oil could easily substitute it for bringing moisture back to your hair and make it look shiny. It is free of chemicals, rich in vitamin A, E, and antioxidants. It works by protecting the keratin in hair and sealing the moisture in. It is also believed to remove sebum buildup which blocks the new follicles and hinders hair growth.

                                          

                                                           

Manage Your Hair Better with Olive Oil

If your hair looks lifeless, doesn’t hold a curl, and is hard to style, it probably is undernourished. Find resort in a hot oil treatment which features olive oil for hair that is easy to manage and style. Coating you hair in half a cup of olive oil, leaving it for 30 minutes, and then shampooing it off can return the much needed moisture to your hair. 

Use Olive Oil for Extra Smooth Hair

All those brittle ends and frizzy curls make your hair feel like steel wool. Don’t worry, olive oil can help soften your hair, making it more malleable. A natural, deep conditioning treatment of olive oil each week can replace the extra silicone ingredients used in conditioners that give your hair a false feeling of softness of for a few hours.

How to Use Olive Oil for Hair Growth

A hormone called DTH (dihydrotestosterone) is the culprit in many cases of hair loss, as it causes the hair follicle shaft to narrow. Olive oil actually stops this from happening, which means you can hold onto your hair for longer.

Benefits of olive oil for hair growth also go a long way in keeping promoting good health for your scalp, fighting fungi and bacteria, and improving the blood circulation. When your blood circulation becomes better, your hair follicles get stimulated, producing hair strands that are thicker and healthier.

It is actually amazing to see how olive oil and hair growth have become synonymous with it working alone excellently to prevent or slow hair loss.

Experts have proven that regular use of the olive oil helps to restore the shine in your hair. To ensure visible results, learning the right application method is equally imperative.

                                                                                                                                                                    

How to Apply Olive Oil to Promote Hair Growth

To use olive oil for hair growth, take 20 to 30 ml in a bowl and add approximately 10 ml of coconut oil to it.

• Warm this mixture in a microwave, while ensuring not to overheat it. The oil should be warm enough to touch without scalding the fingers.
• Part your hair in sections and apply the warm oil gently with your fingertips to the scalp. Continue this procedure, moving from section to section till the whole scalp has been covered.
• Take some more oil on your palm and gently apply the oil from root to tips while holding each section individually.  This will condition the entire strand of hair and prevent breakage and split ends.
• Soak a towel in hot water and squeeze out the extra water.  The temperature of the towel should not be uncomfortably hot.
• Wrap this towel around your hair and leave it on for around twenty minutes.  This will not only steam your scalp for better absorption of oil, but will also enhance the blood circulation in the entire scalp.
• During summers, wearing a shower cap after oiling your hair and leaving it on for thirty minutes would provide sufficient warmth to the scalp.
• Wash your hair with a gentle shampoo. You can also use a baby shampoo as it is considered to be very mild. Repeat this procedure once or twice a week over a couple of months to witness best results.

Some herbs and spices also enhance the effect of olive oil. A teaspoonful of fenugreek seeds when added to olive oil and heated gently makes a powerful concoction that prevents dandruff and promotes hair growth.

Please understand that even though olive oil can work wonders for your hair, you must complement the olive oil treatments for hair with other lifestyle changes for even better results. Enriching your diet with good foods, such as almonds, seafood and Greek yogurt, can help your hair become healthier.