The simple, garden-variety lemon is very much understated. Lemons are very common and we see them everywhere. We use them to make lemonade, mix them into our drinks to add a little zing, they remove hard stains, are an all-around deodorizer and air freshener and we use them in our cooking as both an ingredient and garnish. Maybe we should stop and take another look at this yellow wonder because it may change what you think of it. When the world gives you lemons, there’s a whole lot more (more…)

Lets start with a commonly asked question: is a cucumber a fruit or a vegetable? Technically it is a fruit because it contains the seeds to reproduce, but typically cucumbers are grouped with veggies due to their use. The fruit is commonly harvested while still green, and eaten as a vegetable, whether raw, cooked, or made into pickled cucumbers.

Although less nutritious than most fruit and vegetables, the fresh cucumber is still a very good source of the vitamin C and the mineral molybdenum. It is also a good source of vitamin A, potassium, (more…)

If you avoid all foods that contain cholesterol, will your high cholesterol return to normal?

It’s not that simple. Your blood cholesterol level is influenced far more by how many calories and how much saturated and partially hydrogenated fat you eat, than by how much cholesterol is in your food. Cholesterol is found only in foods from animals, such as meat, fish, chicken, dairy products and eggs. It is (more…)

Olive oil has gained a reputation as something of a health food in recent years. A large body of research shows that eating olive oil can improve your cholesterol level and lower your risk of heart disease. Two studies suggest another health reason to eat olive oil — it may protect against breast cancer.

Women living in countries bordering the Mediterranean, particularly Greece, Spain and Italy, are only about half as likely to die of breast cancer as women in Northern Europe and the United States. (more…)

If the amount of money consumers spend on hair care products annually is any indication, most people are concerned about the appearance of their hair and strive to attain beautiful, healthy and stylish locks. In fact, most will go to any lengths to achieve their desired look. From professional salon treatments to over-the-counter serums, hair care is a big business.

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The kiwi originated in China and was known as the Chinese gooseberry until New Zealand fruit growers renamed it for their national bird and began exporting it. Today, kiwi fruit is also a commercial crop in California.

Kiwi is bursting with vitamin C. One kiwi has 120 percent of the RDA for this disease-protective vitamin, says Dr. Barry Sears in his book The Top 100 Zone Foods. Besides helping to boost your immune system, vitamin C is an antioxidant that can protect your arteries from the damaging effects of (more…)

Red clover has long been used as a blood purifier. It improves circulation, promotes the production of mucous and urine, and stimulates the secretion of bile. The ordinary red flowers of the clover plant contain isoflavones, which can treat a variety of ailments.

Red clover is used for symptoms of menopause, osteoporosis, high cholesterol, cardiovascular blood flow, and diabetes. Because the risk of many diseases is increased with the onset of menopause in women, red (more…)

Running is not only an enjoyable activity but has some serious health benefits for those who take it up. Running builds muscle, strengthens bone and is an excellent all over body workout. This article explores the health benefits of running in a little more detail.

1. Reduced Risk of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a weakness in the bone structure leading to bones becoming more hollow or porous (hence (more…)

The herb we know as oregano is a native of northern Europe, where it grows freely. In addition, oregano has been cultivated for centuries, and the herb can now be found throughout the world. Oregano is prized not only for its strong flavor and pleasant aroma, but for its health benefits as well.

Oregano is known to have strong antibacterial properties, perhaps as a result of the volatile oils the herb (more…)

Reflexology is one of the most popular and unique forms of alternative healing available today. The term reflexology refers to the application of pressure, movement and stretching to the feet and hands. These pressure points on the extremities in turn effect the corresponding parts of the body. To reflexologists, the feet and hands are a mirror of the body, and these professionals can use their knowledge to break down patterns of stress and pain throughout the body.

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