The Health Benefits Of Buckwheat Honey

A number of years ago we ran an apple farm in Northfield, Massachusetts. To prepare and enrich the soil for future plantings we would grow a cover crop of buckwheat, a tall plant with a beautiful white flower. As apple growers we had several hives of bees for effective fruit pollination and the bees loved the buckwheat flower transforming its nectar into a beautifully dark and rich honey. Our children loved the buckwheat flower season because they came to love delicious taste of the buckwheat honey. What we as parents discovered was that a teaspoon of buckwheat honey seemed to greatly help whenever the children had sore throats or coughs. This proved to be especially true if they took the honey at bedtime for they always seemed to sleep a little better. Throughout their childhood we always made sure to put away enough buckwheat honey from the hives to get through a winter of respiratory ailments.

This was a long time ago and I had forgotten about this aspect of buckwheat honey until I recently read about a study that had been done in 2007 and published in the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. This study found that children who received a small dose of buckwheat honey before bedtime slept better and coughed less than those who received either a common over-the-counter suppressant or nothing at all. Dr. Ian Paul, a researcher at Penn State College of Medicine indicated This is the first time honey has been actually proven as a treatment.

The research study involved 105 children between ages 2 and 18 in their randomized, partially double-blind study. Parents would answer questions about their childs sleep and symptoms after the first night during which there was no treatment. On the second night the children were given honey flavored cough syrup, honey, or nothing at all. It was clear that the children who received the honey slept better with fewer symptoms. Dr. Paul also noted that honey is generally less expensive than over-the-counter medications with none of the side effects like dizziness or sleepiness. Dr. Paul indicated that the type of honey plays a role in the treatment. Darker honeys have more antioxidants that lighter honeys and we wanted the best chance to see improvements.

Intrigued by this information I searched further and found that The Journal of Pediatrics in May of 2008 gave their assessment of this study. In this well-designed and valid study, Paul et al were able to show that honey was significantly superior to no treatment for improvement in cough severity (47.3% reduction vs 24.7%) and an overall symptom score (53.7% reduction vs 33.4%). The findings of this study suggest that honey is better than no treatment for reducing cough frequency and improving combined symptom scores. Paul Doering, co-director of the Drug Information and Pharmacy Resource Center at the University of Florida has weighed in on the subject. I believe recommending honey as a cough medicine has merits. It provides a safe option to using chemical based options, he said, adding that honey is part of a trend of recommending more commonplace traditional remedies for ailments.

It should be noted that the Dr. Paul study gave no honey to children under 2 yrs. of age and the newest research seems to support that practice.

Allay Fears Of Comparing Health Insurance

Experts keep telling us compare different health insurance policies if you are interested in getting cheap health insurance in Australia. But at the first look all of them seem the same so what exactly do you need to compare, how to filter and sort so that you choose the right health insurance policy. Today we shall try to allay a few of these questions and few other fears you may have that prevent you from comparing health insurances.

Marketing tactics

Most of us feel that this so-called comparison is just a marketing tactic for data mining. Essentially the company wants to collect your contact details so that they can have their sales team call you and pester you into taking one of their policies. Well this isnt entirely true; most comparison sites wont even ask you for any contact details. But yes they will ask for some important information like your age and type of cover you need amongst a few other questions. This will help them show you the relevant policies available and the premium payable for the same. You can then filter it and sort it anyway you like.

User-friendly application

Most of the sites do the filtering and sorting for you. Once you have keyed in the information it will take you to the results page where most or almost all of the policies suitable for you are listed. You can then eliminate or filter them according to your specific needs.

For instance select the level of cover based on your personal requirements, if you are looking for comprehensive then choose comprehensive as your level of cover
Similarly if you are looking for health funds, choose that option and you will get a list of health funds to compare
The monthly budget slider will help you indicate the amount of premium you can afford or are willing to pay
If you are looking to cover specific treatments, tick those you want to cover in the hospital cover and extra cover menu

Each time you adjust the filter options results will get updated automatically till you have selected all options that you think are relevant. With this filter application it is easier to compare policies.
Making comparisons

Check for the Canstar rating (your best bet to get cheap health insurance in Australia that provides best value for the money). Check pricing information if it covers treatments you were searching cover for, also remember to check exclusions.

Seven Relationship Talk Guidelines – Questions to Ask a Partner before Doing the Deed

When things are getting hot and heavy, the last thing either partner wants to do is sit down and have a serious conversation about their intimate contact lives: past, present, and future. However, assuming the tryst isn’t a complete spur-of-the-moment deed that is sure to be one-night-stand situation, it is important to have “the relationship talk” well in advance, lest one end up with a life-long reminder of this moment of passion in the form of a partner-transmitted infection or unwanted pregnancy. For the record, even if both partners are in favor of a single night hook-up, this is no reason not to use protection – and perhaps even more reason to do so, as such wild spirits may be more likely to have a history of sensual risk-taking, which statistically increases their chance of infection of some type. It is above all important to stay healthy; after all a healthy male organ is important for a healthy reproductive life.

Are they a virgin? A potential partner may seem experienced, but it is better to ask if they are experienced than to assume they are; after all, taking someone’s v-card is a whole different ballgame. A female losing her virginity may experience pain, and even bleeding, so a man will certainly want to know if such a thing is a possibility.

How many other partners have there been? Not only is it wise to know how many partners have been there before, it is a good idea to know how many partners a person has had since their last partner-transmitted infection screen. Remember, when a couple decides to have relations, they are not just sleeping with each other; they are sleeping with every person that partner has been with, and the people their partners were with, and so on and so forth. If any number of those people had an infection, it could have been passed along from person to person.

When was their last health screen? Where they tested for immunodeficient virus? An active person who is having intimate contact with multiple partners should be screened every 6 months at a minimum – more frequently if they have reason to believe they were exposed (i.e. intimate contact with partner who was infected, protection that broke, etc.).

Have they ever tested positive for an infection? Was it treated? This doesn’t necessarily have to be a deal breaker if a partner was positive, but it is his or her responsibility to inform all new partners if they have had an infection so they can make an informed decision about whether they want to proceed or not. In the cases of something like herpes, it is also important to know when their last outbreak was and how the infection is being treated or controlled.

There is protection, right? This one is a no-brainer. It is important to establish that safe intimate contact is important prior to starting a physical relationship, so the standard is set from the beginning.

What about hormonal birth control? Men starting a relationship with a woman should ask her if she is on a type of hormonal birth control. Latex barriers, of course, the first line of defense, but it is good to know if there is a backup in place.

What intimate activities are okay? What is off limits? Finally, the fun part! It is good to know what activities the partner prefers or enjoys so the intimate experience is comfortable for both partners. Likewise, if something is a big no-no, it should be put on the table at the beginning so there isn’t an awkward moment later on in the bedroom.

Keeping the male organ healthy

In addition to using protection and consistently getting screens to keep the male organ healthy, a man can take it one step further by using a male organ health formula (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) on a daily basis that is packed with vitamins and other nutrients to keep the skin soft and smooth and reduce the risk of surface abrasions and other injuries. A quality male organ crme can also improve the sensitivity and appearance of the manhood – something that can benefit all men.

Visit www.man1health.com for more information about treating common male organ health problems, including soreness, redness and loss of male organ sensation. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men’s health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous online web sites.

The Mystery Of Chia Seeds Health Benefits For Athletes

Chia seeds and barefoot running are connected in an unusual way.

Firstly, both of these have got health benefits that were identified and taken advantage of by original peoples in ancient times and in the present day.

What’s more, the two may be linked. Barefoot runners just about everywhere count on chia seeds’ health benefits to give them the energy, stamina, and vitality they need.

Author and barefoot runner Christopher McDougall examines this topic in his book Born to Run.

According to McDougall, people of the Tarahumara tribe enhance their capacity to run by consuming chia seeds consistently.

Did you ever think to yourself, “I’m positive I’d be a great athlete if I only had better shoes?”

It’s hard to keep thinking that when you know about the Tarahumara.

The home of the Tarahumara tribe is Copper Canyons, a remote area deep in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. These tribal people are able to run incredible distances without exhibiting symptoms of low energy or overtiredness.

And they do it without training agendas, running coaches, elaborate running shoes, heart monitors, or any of the gadgets that runners in industrialized countries take for granted.

Thanks to McDougall’s book, the Tarahumara have gained celebrity as super-athletes.

But their athletic superpowers are not fully innate, nor are they out of reach for regular folks like you and me. The Tarahumara consume chia seeds, a fantastic superfood that you can conveniently enjoy in the comfort of your home.

You can consume chia seeds raw, bake with them, or stir them into soups and stews. There’s pretty much nothing you can’t add chia to. Its neutral, mild flavor means you don’t even notice it most of the time.

Why is chia so marvelous for runners and other athletes? Here are just a few of the chia seeds’ health benefits:

Omega 3 (ALA)

Chia contains the highest levels of omega 3 of any plant-based food. Omega 3 is specially crucial for a strong heart, and can decrease cholesterol. Chia seeds yield 25-30% extractable oil, mainly ?-linolenic acid (ALA).

Dietary Fiber

Chia is made up of 36% fiber. Taking soluble fiber can decrease cholesterol in the body. The dietary fiber in chia is mostly soluble with high molecular weight.

Antioxidants

Chia contains high levels of antioxidants. A diet rich in antioxidants helps to neutralise free radicals in the body, which supports heart health.

Protein

Chia seeds contain about 20% protein.

Gluten-Free

Chia seeds contain no gluten, so they’re a great choice for people with gluten allergies.

Chia has many more health benefits, but these are the main ones. You can have an understanding of why runners and other athletes could like to ingest chia! In ancient times, Mayans and Aztecs could run extensive distances through mountainous landscape with only a few spoonfuls of chia as provisions.

Try consuming chia next time you go for a run or do any exercise. You will be impressed at the amount of energy and vitality you have!

Amazing Health Benefits Of Chlorella

Chlorella is a single-celled, blue-green algae noted for its nutrient-richness, its ability to support detoxification and its role as a complete food. It is in fact one of the worlds greatest superfoods, making available much of the nutrition we require to maintain good health. Its broad spectrum of protein, carbohydrate and vitamin content makes it a highly useful supplement for people following a vegetarian or vegan diet. Chlorella is also a popular aid to detoxification and the subsequent maintenance of an optimised system.

Rainforest Foods Chlorella is a variant known as Chlorella vulgaris. It has several major virtues, notably its ability to assist detoxification of the body. It appears to bind to the toxic chemicals we absorb through eating, drinking and respiration, ushering them away through excretion. Conversely, it seems able to recognise nutrients valuable to the system and leave them in place.

Within the cell wall is Chlorella growth factor (CGF), a powerful immune system stimulator that aids the bodys natural defences against viruses and cancer and helps damaged tissue heal. CGF is primarily composed of nucleic acid derivatives such as RNA and DNA, which help govern cell growth, reproduction and repair.

In addition to assisting toxin removal, Chlorella carries a multitude of valuable nutrients into the body. It delivers vitamins A, C, E and the vitamin K complex. It also provides most of the B vitamins, including folic acid. This latter is well known as a desirable supplement for pregnant women as it supports healthy foetal development. Chlorella is a useful source of slow-release proteins, as well as essential minerals such as iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous and chlorophyl.

The role of Chlorella as a digestion aid is less celebrated, but no less important. Thanks to the presence of enzymes such as pepsin and chlorophyllase it fosters healthy gut flora to optimize the digestion of food and removal of waste. This ability to promote healthy food processing while providing valuable food elements boosts the immune system in its own right. As an optimiser of the human system, Chlorella has few peers.

Health benefits of Chlorella

It helps optimise the gastro-intestinal system, protecting against and aiding recovery from ulcers, colitis, Chrohns disease and diverticulosis
It boosts the immune system, and promotes the bodys production of infection-preventing interferons
It aids cholesterol control
It helps optimise heart function
It helps normalise blood sugar
It aids the maintenance of healthy muscle and bone structure

Chlorella has a tough cell wall. This helps with detoxification, binding a variety of toxins to it and helping the body eliminate them. However, the cell wall also acts as a barrier, reducing the amount of nutrients within the cell that are available to the body. In Rainforest Foods chlorella the cell wall is broken using a high impact jet spraying process that maintains the nutritional integrity of the cell contents. This means that the nutrients within the cell are both accessible and undamaged.