7 Super Spices
Sickly Americans This just in: Americans are sicker than ever Percent of people (ages 45-64) with at least 2chronic health conditions Percentof people over age 65 with at least 2 chronic health conditions 2000 2010 16% of women; 15% of men 35% ofwomen; 39% of men 21% ofwomen; 20% of men 42% of women; 49% of men 5-6% increase! 7-10% increase! Most common chronic diseases: high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer
Did You Know? Common spices that have been part of our diets for centuries can be as powerful as prescription medications?
#1: Oregano Not just for Pizza! Its health effects include: Antibacterial Antiviral Antifungal Anti-inflammatory Kills cancer cells In a recent study, oregano showed 100% inhibition against prostate cancer cells
Oregano oil Oils are up to 100 times more concentrated than herbal extracts Uses for oregano oil Rid your body of parasites Treat a cold, flu or other viral infection Topically on warts or fungal infections Protect against food poisoning or other bacterial infections In a comparison test with 3 common antibiotics - streptomycin, penicillin and vancomycin oregano oil killed bacteria just as effectively as the drugs Advantage: no concerns about creating antibiotic resistance!
#2: Cinnamon One of the oldest and most well-known spices in the world mentioned several times in the Bible Powerful antioxidant one of the most potent antioxidant spices Stops the growth of fungi and bacteria Cinnamon oil has been shown to be very effective at killing the bacteria in the mouth that causes dental cavities
Cinnamon and Diabetes In a recent study of people with type 2 diabetes consuming between 1 and 6 grams of cinnamon daily, blood sugar levels were reduced by 24% One study compared the effects of cinnamon supplementation or a placebo in people with Type 2 diabetes After 12 weeks of use, the cinnamon group s average blood sugar levels went down 4%, while the placebo groups experienced a small increase in blood sugar levels A study also found that people who ate cinnamon with a high glycemic index food had a smaller increase in blood sugar levels after their meal How does it work? Makes cells more responsive to insulin (decreases insulin resistance) Side effect: also lowers blood pressure
#3: Ginger Its health effects include: Anti-inflammatory Antifungal Stimulates circulation Heartburn relief Reduces nausea & vomiting during pregnancy A recent study found that a small dose of ginger was as effective as Dramamine in reducing nausea and vomiting in pregnant women with fewer side effects!
Ginger for Motion Sickness Several studies have found ginger as effective as Dramamine for preventing motion sickness In a study of cruise ship passengers who had motion sickness, ginger was as effective as Dramamine with much fewer side effects (13% of the ginger group had side effects vsover 40% of the Dramamine group Common side effects of Dramamine: drowsiness, dry mouth and nose, thick mucous in nose and mouth In children with motion sickness, 100% of kids had good results when taking ginger before a long car ride, while only 30% of the kids taking Dramamine had good results
#4: Rosemary The herb of remembrance Activates a signaling pathway that protects the brain from free radicals Alzheimer s disease and other dementias are associated with high levels of free radical damage Unique characteristic: does not activate unless free radical damage occurs much less potential for side effects Also useful in aromatherapy one study found that smelling rosemary helped improve mood and mental function in Alzheimer s patients
Other Uses for Rosemary Increases blood circulation (applied topically) Improves hair growth by up to 44% when oil is applied to the scalp Also prevents dandruff Prevents toxins from forming in meat while cooking it
#5: Thyme Long history of traditional use for respiratory problems: cough, congestion and bronchitis Thyme oil used since the 1500s as an antiseptic and mouthwash Modern research has found that thyme Protects brain cells from the effects of aging Increases the amount of good fat DHA that is able to penetrate brain and heart cells Is a powerful antioxidant
Other uses for Thyme Kills bacteria that causes acne (thyme has a greater antibacterial effect than standard concentrations of benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in most anti-acne creams or washes) Studies show that thyme oil is equally or more effective than commercial mosquito repellent In experimental studies, thyme oil mixed with water holding mosquito larvae killed them before they hatched
#6: Garlic Food and medicine for thousands of years Natural broad-spectrum antibiotic Bacteria do not develop resistance to garlic Antiviral Antifungal Anti-cancer Antioxidant Strengthens the immune system and protects the heart
Garlic Garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting the Campylobacter bacterium, one of the most common causes of intestinal illness. Worked better than using 100 times more erythromycin and ciprofloxacin, and in less time!
Other reasons to use Garlic To lower blood pressure To prevent or treat a cold or flu A study during cold season found that people taking garlic had fewer colds, and when they did get sick they recovered faster, than people who didn t use garlic To keep your heart healthy Garlic helps keep arteries flexible and prevent plaque buildup In a study of people who had experienced a heart attack, garlic use significantly cut their risk of a second heart attack (compared with a placebo group) and in those who did have another heart attack, cut the risk of dying by 50%
Fresh vsaged Garlic Fresh garlic contains a beneficial compound NOT found in aged garlic Allicin Allicinis formed when garlic is crushed gives garlic its garlicy smell In aged garlic, this reaction has already occurred, and the allicin has decomposed to other compounds Many experts recommend fresh garlic extract for the best benefits for heart health and cancer prevention
#7: Curcumin Super antioxidant Anti-inflammatory Antiviral and antibacterial Stops cancer cell formation and spread Treats depression Prevents or even reverses Alzheimer s disease In an experimental model of AD, reduced beta amyloid plaque formation by 30% No side effects
This Just In New Study on Curcumin published in the journal Diabetes Care (July issue) Looked at curcumin use by people with prediabetes Participants took 1500 mg of curcuminoidsfrom standard 95% curcumin daily for 9 months 16% of people in the control group went on to develop full blown Type 2 diabetes ZERO people in the curcumin developed diabetes The researchers noted that curcumin seemed to improve the function of the cells in the pancreas which release insulin
Other reasons to use Curcumin Prevent or treat cancer (of any kind) Arthritis and Joint Pain Autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis Skin problems Digestive disorders irritable or inflammatory bowel Depression or Alzheimer s disease