Shallots are smaller and sweeter than onions, and like garlic it’s bulb divides into multiple sections .It digests better than onion when eaten raw. The bulbs are pulled of the ground and leaves are allowed to dry. The greens above the ground which are known as scallions are used as salads and also for cooking. Shallots are an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, dietary fiber and folic acid. They also contain calcium and iron.There has been lot of research regarding the use of shallots for health conditions. Different results have found that shallots contains two sets of compounds. These are sulfur compounds, such as allyl propyl disulphids and flavonoids, such as quercetin. Flavonoid consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and diabetes because they are anti-cancer, antibacterial, anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory. Shallots are specifically linked to inhibiting human stomach cancer.
Shallots produce an anti-coagulant that thins the blood and exhibits strong anti-platelet activity. This is very good for patients who have symptomatic cardiovascular disease, heart attack and stroke. It aids brain function and protects against Alzheimer’s disease.
Shallots can lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes by preventing the degradation of insulin and increasing metabolism of glucose. Eating shallots daily helps the growth of bone tissue and reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis. Sulfur content in shallots makes skin look younger. Daily intake of a little shallot will benefit in the long run. Shallots can be eaten raw or cooked till they are flexible and tender. More alternative nutrition methods.
Archive for the ‘alternative medicine’ Category
Alternative Medicines Found in Household Foods
Sunday, March 14th, 2010Ayurveda: Alternative Medicine From India
Saturday, March 13th, 2010For the past few decades, the field of medicine has been largely influenced by the medical philosophy of the Western world. The emphasis of Western medicine has been predominately curative, relying on chemical preparations and invasive surgery as means of treatment.
In contrast, Eastern medical and therapeutic philosophy focuses on the more metaphysical side of human illness and treatment. Its practice is hinged on the use of a variety of methods ranging from the use of medicinal plants and herb, massage, acupuncture, aromatherapy, pulse reading, and other alternative healing methods. These methods are now gaining acceptance even in modern societies, in a large measure, due to the increased awareness about the healing arts of China and India. There are volumes of literature on traditional Chinese medicine. But what also deserves wide recognition is the folk remedies and traditional practices in India which are also ancient and effective, at least, according to those who have tried them.
Ayurveda, a healing system native to India, is a centuries-old practice that has recently been given attention by Western science. Like traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda practitioners adhere to a particular medical philosophy that regards illness as an imbalance in the body and influenced by internal and external factors, similar to the Chinese principles of yin and yang. Ayurveda also takes into consideration a patient’s emotions and state of mind alongside the study of infections that make the body sick. It places a high importance on the patient’s sense of taste and diet.
In Ayurveda, it is believed that the healing of a person must take into consideration three elements found in nature: air, water, and fire. Each of these elements has a deep philosophical background. These elements also govern the major functions of the body. Ayurvedic theory rests on the belief that the balance of the three elements is the basis of health. Any imbalance, blockage, or weakening in these elements causes illness. It is the task of the Ayurveda practitioner to determine and restore the patient’s elemental harmony. In other words, an infection or ailment is the result of an imbalance in the patient’s natural internal or elemental harmony. These imbalances can be caused by internal or external factors, and may be aggravated or alleviated by the patient’s emotional state and, in some cases, mental health.
The primary concept of Ayurveda is that the restoration of imbalances in the body requires a very personalized concept. Treatment can involve the use of natural oils, minerals, herbs, metals, and even animal ingredients. Similar to how herbal medications are administered in traditional Chinese medicine, Ayurveda medications are given base formulas that are modified by the physician according to the patient’s needs. This process makes getting a treatment for an infection different from Western medicine, where the formulas are constant and only the dose is altered based on the patient’s metabolism and constitution. As mentioned earlier, diet and taste play a central role in Ayurveda. However, unlike Chinese medicinal doctrine, the taste and quality of the food plays a much larger role in traditional Indian healing arts. Different tastes correspond to different conditions in the body. These tastes are taken into account by an Ayurveda physician before prescribing an appropriate treatment. For example, food with a bitter taste is generally considered to cool the body, dry out moisture, and work to remove toxins. This concept also extends to the herbal and animal ingredients that are used in Ayurveda medication.
Ayurveda also prescribes a particular form of massage known as “Panchakarma” for the treatment of emotional distress. This practice is highly similar to acupuncture except that no needles are used. The strokes, presses, and body manipulations used in Panchakarma supposedly stimulates energy flow throughout the body, a process that is necessary to ensure good health. Problems arise when the energy flow is disrupted, clogged, or stalled. Massage is often prescribed in conjunction with a diet plan and herbal remedies to relieve problems such as sinusitis, conditions associated with stress and anxiety, and other problems that Ayurveda practitioners see as symptoms of emotional disharmony rather than just purely physical ailments.
Enlarged Prostate Alternative Medicine
Saturday, March 13th, 2010Enlarged prostate is a painful condition that affects many men over the age of 40. The prostate is very small, slightly larger than a peanut. As the prostate becomes larger, more pressure is placed on the bladder, which could eventually end in urinary retention. There are numerous theories as to what causes the prostate to grow, mostly dealing with the testosterone chemical in a man’s body.
If you are diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, the doctor will go over several treatment options. If your condition is not severe, then prescription medications can be very effective. He or she will prescribe one type of medicine to start shrinking the prostate, and a second medicine to relax the muscles and take the pain away.
In some circumstances, the prostate is so enlarged that the doctor has no option but surgery. There are also two types of surgical procedures involved with this condition. One procedure is when the doctor scrapes some of the tissue away from the prostate in order to take the pressure off of the bladder. The second, and the most preferred, procedure involves making several small cuts around the prostate.
If you would prefer to try an alternative medical treatment, there are two that have been found to be the most effective. While this may sound out of the ordinary, pumpkin seeds have several healing properties which have been found to be very effective in men suffering with an enlarged prostate.
Pumpkin seeds have a fatty oil that acts as a natural diuretic and helps to improve the flow of urine. In turn, this helps to counteract the effect of the enlarged prostate gland on the urethra. Pumpkin seeds also contain high levels of zinc, approximately eight milligrams of zinc. Many doctors will recommend their patients to take sixty milligrams per day of zinc, due to the fact that it has proven to reduce the size of the enlarged gland. Another benefit of pumpkin seeds is that they have a high count of amino acids, such as alanine, glycerin, and glutei acid.
Saw palmetto is another alternative. Saw palmetto is a small palm tree with seeds that were an important part of the Seminole Indians’ diet. You can purchase it in capsules at most stores. It helps turn the testosterone in the man’s body into dihyrotestosterone, which is the same effect that many medicines would have. The largest benefit is that it increases urine flow without having the issue of frequent urination.
There are many opinions of saw palmetto as to whether or not it is effective. However, all of the studies that have been produced have shown a large benefit from using saw palmetto. A study was conducted in Germany with more than three thousand men, and saw palmetto brought to greatest results. There are many alternative medical treatments, but the two mentioned above have had the most benefits. Make sure that you consult with your doctor prior to trying any form of medical treatment in order to determine which method is the safest and most effective for your condition.
Doctor Joins Comprehensive Alternative Medicine Center
Saturday, March 13th, 2010LifeWorks Wellness Center announces the addition of Dr. Dean Silver, a board certified specialist in internal medicine and cardiology who will be a new doctor on the LifeWorks medical team. Adding Dr. Silver’s expertise in many different alternative and complementary modalities, including anti-aging medicine, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and natural hormone replacement, helps LifeWorks remain one of the most advanced, cutting-edge alternative health care clinics in the country. Clearwater, FL August 2, 2004 — LifeWorks Wellness Center announces the addition of Dr. Dean Silver, a board certified specialist in internal medicine and cardiology who will be a new doctor on the LifeWorks medical team. Adding Dr. Silver’s expertise in many different alternative and complementary modalities, including anti-aging medicine, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and natural hormone replacement, helps LifeWorks remain one of the most advanced, cutting-edge alternative health care clinics in the country. Patients arrive from all over the country to benefit from LifeWorks’ comprehensive set of powerful diagnostic tools and therapies. The comprehensive grouping of therapies removes the hassle patients often have of running around from clinic to clinic, or of being referred or sent from one place to another, sometimes with contradictory philosophies and advice. At LifeWorks, patients are able to received integrated care in one place. The fundamental strategy for treating illness at LifeWorks is to correct all body systems that are not functioning or which are performing poorly. As the body’s systems are all brought into optimal condition, the body can naturally heal itself. Dr. Silver oversees all the different modalities/therapies and coordinates them effectively for optimal treatment. One of the many diagnostic tools available at LifeWorks is “Genetic Testing.” This diagnostic examines your DNA to see if any poor health genes have the possibility of expressing themselves later on, perhaps leading to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or some other illness. Then using specific physiological, biochemical, and environmental treatments and strategies, Dr. Silver helps patients avoid the illness. Dr. Silver is particularly interested in taking on tough cases, and those “unsolvable” health problems that patients have been unable to remedy elsewhere. His many successes in this area have made him highly regarded in both conventional and alternative medical fields. After earning his doctorate in medicine from the Temple University School of Medicine, Dr. Silver completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Albert Einstein Medical Center. He also completed a fellowship in cardiology at the Deborah Heart and Lung Center. Dr. Silver has received further training in Anti-Aging and Nutritional Medicine, Complementary Cancer Therapy and Insulin Potentiation Therapy, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Detoxification, Chelation Therapy, Hormone Balance, Thermographic Imaging, and much more.