Chlorine from water and salt during cooking could create toxic molecules

Chlorination of tap water brought a revolution in the prevention of infectious diseases. At the waterworks either chlorine or hypochlorites are added to the water, or for the disinfection chlorine and ammonia is used which react together to create chloramine. Chlorine is highly reactive and disrupts vital organic molecules in cells. Thus they reliably exterminate all germs which got into the water.

The reaction of chlorine with other substances present in the water is a varied range of compounds that are still only partially explored. Their effects on the human body is the big unknown. Chinese scientists published in the scientific journal Water Research the results of analysis of substances formed during cooking of food in the chlorinated water.

Scientists warmed chlorinated water blended with wheat flour and iodized table salt. Iodine from the salt is reacted with chlorine from the water on hypoiodous acid.

 

This in itself isn't cause for concern, but the acid can then react with the food and other organic matter in the tap water to create cooking iodinated disinfection byproducts (I-DBPs) - molecules that are almost completely new to researchers. For the new study, the team identified some molecules and tested their toxicity.
Some of the substances formed during the cooking of food in chlorinated water are apparently harmless. Others however have toxic effects.

"Considering that these molecules could have an adverse effect on our health, we need to study them more to determine exactly what effects they might have," said Dr. Yang Pan, one of the study's authors and Assistant Professor at Nanjing University.
 

The results show that the formation of potentially hazardous substances can significantly reduce the cooking conditions. It is generally recommended to cook at lower temperatures, thus avoiding these effects e.g. cooking by using pressure cookers, and cooking for shorter periods. The risk of potentially toxic substances is lower in the disinfected water with chlorine or hypochlorites in comparison with chloramine disinfection. It depends also on the form in which iodine is added to table salt. There is a lower risk of toxic substances when using salt with the addition of potassium iodate than the salt, wherein iodine is supplemented in the form of potassium iodide.
 

It might help add salt after the meal is cooked or get some good quality home water filter.
 

More information: Yang Pan et al. Identification, toxicity and control of iodinated disinfection byproducts in cooking with simulated chlor(am)inated tap water and iodized table salt, Water Research (2016). DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.10.002

Theobroma cacao and cardiovascular health

Theobroma cacao also called the cocoa tree (4–8 m (13–26 ft) tall) is evergreen tree native to the deep tropical regions of Central and South America. Its seeds, cocoa beans, are used to make cocoa mass, cocoa powder, and chocolate.

 

Cocoa is prepared by grinding the beans into a paste between hot rollers and mixing it with sugar and starch, part of the fat being removed. Chocolate is prepared in much the same way, but the fat is retained. Oil of Theobroma or cacao butter is a yellowish white solid and it is used as an ingredient in cosmetic ointments and in pharmacy for coating pills and preparing suppositories. It has excellent emollient properties and is used to soften and protect chapped hands and lips.

The seeds contain about 2% of theobromine and 40-60% of solid fat.

Theobromine, the alkaloid contained in the beans, resembles caffeine in its action, but its effect on the central nervous system is less powerful. Its action on muscle, the kidneys and the heart is more pronounced. It is used principally for its diuretic effect due to stimulation of the renal epithelium. It is especially useful when there is an accumulation of fluid in the body resulting from cardiac failure, when it is often given with digitalis to relieve dilatation. It is also employed in high blood pressure as it dilates the blood-vessels.

Cocoa is a good source of iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous and zinc.

Cocoa also contain a high level of antioxidants such as procyanidins and flavanoids, specifically catechin, which may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health and antiaging properties. 

Prolonged intake of flavanol-rich cocoa has been linked to cardiovascular health benefits, though this refers to raw cocoa and to a lesser extent, dark chocolate, since flavonoids degrade during cooking and alkalizing processes.  

Short-term benefits in LDL cholesterol levels from dark chocolate consumption have been found.

Cocoa beans, cocoa butter and cocoa powder are traded on two world exchanges: ICE Futures U.S. and NYSE Liffe Futures and Options. The London market is based on West African cocoa and New York on cocoa predominantly from Southeast Asia. Cocoa is the world's smallest soft commodity market.

Healthy hot chocolate from cocoa powder

 

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp of cocoa powder (best unroasted)
• 250 ml of milk (cow-, vegetable-, oat-, spelled-, almond-, coconut- or rice- milk)
• 2 pinches of ground mixed spice (allspice, cinnamon, coriander, cloves, anise, nutmeg, fennel, cardamom)
• 1 tbsp of maple syrup

Procedure:

Heat cup of milk and add bitter cocoa, maple syrup and mixed spice

"tbsp" ~ tablespoon

 

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.



Goji berries: anti-disease, anti-cancer, anti-ageing

 

Goji berry or wolfberry is the fruit of Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense.

Goji berries are a sweet-taste, dark-red coloured dried fruit, and mainly comes from north-western area of China. It has been grown and consumed in China for more than 6,000 years.

It is a common practice in Chinese medicine to prescribe it to treat liver, kidney, or eye diseases, along with other herbs. Chinese people also consume goji berries in their day-to-day lives, because they believe this red coloured berry can keep them healthy, young, and energetic.
 

These red berries are alleged to boost the immune system and brain activity, protect against heart disease and cancer, and improve life expectancy.

Goji berries contains many nutrients including

§  18 amino acids including all 8 essential amino acids (essential amino acids makes Goji berries a healthy alternative for meeting your daily protein requirements), - Betaine (produces Choline in the liver, which helps detoxification processes there, calms nervousness, enhances memory, promotes muscle growth, and protects against fatty liver disease, protects DNA, provides methyl groups in the body's energy reactions and can help reduce levels of homocysteine, a prime risk factor in heart disease)

§  Vitamins – A (against skin damage, preserves night- vision, and boosts the immune system), C (29-148 mg/100g dried berries), B1, B2 – Riboflavin (1,3mg/100g dried berries), B3 - Nicotinic acid or Niacin (treat acne-prone skin, helps seal in moisture, smooth out wrinkles, and reduce sun damage), B6, E (prevent premature skin aging)

§  21 trace elements – Iron (9 mg/100g dried berries), Copper, Sodium, potassium (1,132 mg/100g dried berries), Selenium (anti-cancer) (50 μg/100g dried berries), Zinc (2 mg/100g dried berries), Iodine, Manganese, Germanium (anti-cancer), etc.

§  Minerals – Calcium (112mg/100g of dried berries), Magnesium, Phosphorus
 

§  Sesquiterpenoids – Cyperone (benefits the heart and blood pressure, alleviates menstrual discomfort, and has been used in the treatment of cervical cancer), Solavetivone (anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent)
 

§  8 polysaccharides (fortify the immune system) and 6 monosaccharides
 

§  5 unsaturated fatty acids (essential fatty acids), Linoleic acid, Alpha-linolenic acid, Beta-sitosterol (anti-inflammatory, lowers cholesterol and has been used to treat sexual impotence and prostate enlargement) and other Phytosterols. (Essential fatty acids are required for the body's production of hormones and for the smooth functioning of the brain and nervous system)
 

§  Complete spectrum of antioxidant carotenoids (tetraterpenoids, organic pigments) - Beta-carotene (7 mg/100g dried berries), zeaxanthin (protects the retina of the eye not only by absorbing blue light but also as an antioxidant, reduce risk associated with macular degeneration) (2,4-82,4 mg/100g dried berries), Lutein (protects eyes), Physalin (natural compound that is active against all major types of leukemia. It has been shown to increase splenic natural killer cell activity in normal and tumor-bearing mice, with broad-spectrum anti-cancer effect. It has also been used as a treatment for hepatitis B) , Lycopene, Cryptoxanthin and Xanthophyll
 

§  Many phenolic pigments associated with antioxidant properties
 

For all of these reasons, it has become a well-known super fruit in the world.

Side Effects that we need to be aware of

 

 

Goji berries interact with diabetic, blood thinning and blood pressure medications. Due to its anti-coagulant property, goji berry interferes with medications like warfarin and can cause excessive bleeding.

It can cause hypotension or a drop in blood pressure in those taking blood pressure medications and for diabetic patients, it can reduce blood sugar levels and cause spells of fainting and dizziness.

Hence, anyone who suffers from these conditions must not take goji berries.

Atropine is found in differing quantities in goji berries. An excess of atropine can cause side effects like nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, eye discomfort in bright lights, and hallucinations in the elderly.

The high levels of selenium in goji berries could have an adverse effect on fetuses. Selenium causes birth defects, lowers sperm count and increases the chances of production of abnormal sperm. Hence, pregnant women or even those who are planning a pregnancy must avoid goji berries, although in small amounts they will not inflict harm to the child.

 

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.

Chamomile - soothe a cold, cough and digestion
 

 

 

Matricaria chamomilla (Matricaria recutita), commonly known as chamomile is an annual plant of the composite family Asteraceae. Plant grows to a height of 15–60 cm (6-24inches).

Chamomile is one of the oldest, most widely used and well documented medicinal plants in the world and has been recommended for a variety of healing applications.

One of the active ingredients of its essential oil is the terpene bisabolol. Other active ingredients include farnesene, chamazulene, flavonoids (including apigenin, quercetin, patuletin and luteolin) and coumarin.

Traditional use of chamomile

Chamomile has been used for centuries as an anti - inflammatory, antioxidant, mild astringent and healing medicine. It is used to treat wounds, ulcers, eczema, gout, skin irritations, bruises, burns, canker sores, neuralgia, sciatica, rheumatic pain, hemorrhoids, mastitis and other ailments.

 

Scientific evaluation of chamomile

Anti-inflammatory and antiphlogistic properties , anticancer aktivity (skin, prostate, breast and ovarian cancer), common cold symptoms (acute viral nasopharyngitis) - inhaling steam with chamomile extract, cardiovascular conditions - regular use of flavonoids consumed in food may reduce the risk of death from coronary heart disease, colic/diarrhea conditions, atopic eczema, gastrointestinal conditions, hemorrhoids, health promotion – consumption of chamomile tea boosts the immune system and helps fight infections associated with colds, inflammatory conditions, mucositis, osteoporosis, sleep aid/sedation, anxiety and seizure, diabetes, sore throat/hoarseness, vaginitis - vaginal inflammation, wound healing, quality of life in cancer patients- essential oils used in aromatherapy, Anticoagulant effect – Coumarin compounds in chamomile such as herniarin and umbelliferone may have blood-thinning properties. Therefore Warfarin and Chamomile should not be taken together (fyki Warfarin interaction with Matricaria chamomilla). The amounts in chamomile tea are small and safe for beverage use in normal, healthy people.

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.

Toadstool – Amanita muscaria (Fly agaric)

 One of the most iconic fungi, fly agaric, with its red cap and white spots, is renowned for its toxicity and hallucinogenic properties.

Since medieval times, fly agaric has also reportedly been used to attract and kill flies, and the ibotenic acid it contains is indeed a weak insecticide.

Toxicity of fly agaric

Fly agaric is psychoactive and hallucinogenic, containing the alkaloids muscimol, ibotenic acid (prodrug - a biologically inactive compound that can be metabolized in the body to produce a drug muscimol) and muscazone, which react with neurotransmitter receptors in the central nervous system. These cause psychotropic poisoning which may be severe in some cases although deaths are very rare. The symptoms occur in 10-30 min.

It also contains small amounts of muscarine, the first toxin to be isolated from a mushroom, and first isolated from this species.

The symptoms of muscarinic poisoning occur in about 2 hours.

• nausea
• blurred vision
• sweating (cold sweat)
• pallor
• considerable salivation
• lacrimation
• abnormal heart rhythm
• abdominal pain
• diarrhea and vomiting
• severe asthmatic-type breathing
• noticeably constricted pupils (up to the size of a pinhead)
• weakness to tremor, eyelids, tongue
• tonic-clonic seizures in full consciousness

 These symptoms can be treated by using antidote atropine.

Atropine is found in the deadly nightshade plant (Atropa belladona). It is called the belladonna because of the effects on the pupils - dilated pupils were thought to be more attractive. 

Chia seeds reduce modern heart disease risk
 

  

Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant Salvia Hispanica, which is related to the mint. Chia is an annual herb growing up to 1,75 metres (5,7 feet) tall, with white or purple flowers. This plant grows natively in South America. The seeds were highly valued for their medicinal properties and nutritional value. In fact, they were even used as currency.

Aztec warriors ate chia seeds to give them high energy and endurance.  They said just 1 spoonful of chia could sustain them for 24 hours.  Chia means “strength” in the Mayan language, and they were known as “runners food” because runners and warriors would use them as fuel while running long distances or during battle.

1 ounce (28 grams ,2 tablespoons) serving of chia seeds contains :

·         Fiber - 11 grams

·         Protein - 4 grams - A high protein intake reduces appetite and has been shown to reduce obsessive thoughts about food

·         Essential fatty - 9 grams (Omega-3, Omega-6)

·         Calcium - 18% of the RDA

·         Manganese - 30% of the RDA

·         Magnesium - 30% of the RDA

·         Phosphorus - 27% of the RDA

·         Zinc, Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Potassium, Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) and Vitamin B2

·         101 calories

·         Flavonols and phenolic compounds- f.e. Myricetin, Quercetin, Kaempferol   (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and antithrombotic activities). Antioxidants fight the production of free radicals, which can damage molecules in cells and contribute to ageing and diseases like cancer.

A common dosage recommendation is 20 grams (about 1.5 tablespoons) of chia seeds, twice per day.

 *RDA = Recommended Daily Intake

 Chia seeds benefits:

·         Skin and aging  - Antioxidants speed up the skin’s repair systems, and prevent further damage. Taking chia seeds can prevent premature skin aging due to inflammation free radical damage.

·         Digestive health and weight loss – Fiber is essential for your body’s ability to balance insulin , promote bowel regularity and healthy stool, helps people feel more full quicker because it absorbs a considerable amount of water and immediately expands in the stomach when eaten.

·         Heart health - Chia seeds’ ability to reverse inflammation, lower TG and cholesterol levels, which in turn results in low blood pressure and heart-related diseases. Omega 3 fatty acid is cardioprotective and hepatoprotective by redistributing lipid away from visceral fat and liver

·         Cure diabetes - prevent metabolic disorders like dyslipidemia (excessive fat in the blood) and insulin resistance

·         Protection against arthritis -  (Calcium)

·         Fight breast and cervical cancer  - (Omega 3)

·         Dental health - (Calcium, phosphorus, Vitamin A and zinc)

·         Boost energy and metabolism

·         Autoimmune disease 

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only

or orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your

doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The

author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website

and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are

made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have

read the aim and the restrictions of the site.

  

Eye Q – Brain enhancement and much more

 

Eye Q products are a great way to help insure your daily intake of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. This specific combination of Omega -3 EPA and DHA together with Omega-6 GLA ensures a synergistic and balanced formulation to support the body's individual needs. These essential fatty acids play a role in almost every cell of our body including the brain. 

Ingredients: 

·         Fish Oil (omega-3)

·         Eicsapentaenoic Acid (EPA)

·         Docosahexaaenoic Acid (DHA)

·         Evening Primrose Oil (omega-6)

·         Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)

·         Natural Vitamin E 

It can help in a wide range of conditions:
 

·         Support brain function
·         Attention deficit disorder
·        Hyperactivity in children and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
·         Impulsiveness
·         Delays in speech development
·         Difficulties in reading and writing
·         Skin disorders - eczema, psoriasis, acne
·         Rheumatoid arthritis
·         Weak bones (osteoporosis)
·         Raynaud’s syndrome
·         Multiple sclerosis
·         Sjogren’s syndrome
·         Cancer
·         High cholesterol
·         Heart disease
·         Movement disorder in children called dyspraxia
·         Leg pain due to blocked blood vessels (intermittent claudication)
·         Alcoholism
·         Alzheimer’s disease
·         Schizophrenia
·         Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS)
·         Asthma
·         Nerve damage related to diabetes
·         Itching disorder called neurodermatitis
·         Obesity and weight loss
·         Whooping cough
·        Gastrointestinal disorders - ulcerative colitis,  irritable bowel syndrome,  peptic ulcer disease
·         Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
·         Endometriosis
·         Symptoms of menopause
·         Breast pain 

Highly refined oil is suitable for long-term daily use without risk of accumulation of harmful substances.

Enjoy your daily dose in the morning, otherwise your brain will not switch off till morning!

Warning: Health information and the names of the drugs mentioned in the article are only for orientation in the field of self-medication and does not replace communication with your doctor. Before taking any medication, read the leaflet or ask your pharmacist or doctor. The author is not responsible for misinterpretation of the information contained on the website and is not responsible for any damages incurred subsequent procedures or conduct that are made based on the content of these pages. By entering this blog you confirm that you have read the aim and the restrictions of the site.