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Home
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Short Health Tidbits
By Dr. Reuven Bruner, PhD
Garlic - A culinary mainstay, garlic (Allium sativum)
is also an antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal tonic. To
help prevent or lessen the severity and symptoms of a cold,
eat two cloves of raw garlic at the onset of symptoms.
Chopping or mashing garlic releases the herb's full potential
as its active component, allicin, forms only on contact with
air. To make garlic oil, crush a few cloves into some olive
oil. Let the oil sit for a few days at room temperature, and
then strain. If you use powders, tinctures or other
commercial garlic products, choose those standardized for
allicin content. For a less-intense flavor, put garlic in
applesauce or mix with honey. To avoid garlic mouth, don't
chew it and it won't stay on your breath.
*
According to recent research, sweat has antibacterial
properties. Researchers found that sweat contains plenty of
LL-37, a substance that weakens bacteria. And, when bacteria
becomes weaker, the body's immune system can spend more time
fighting off infections. Another example of Divine Design!
*
While flying, drinking water, as much as one glass every
hour, replenishes the fluids lost from the body due to
cabin's low humidity. Consuming coffee or alcohol does
not.
*
Dandruff - Use a gentle, non-drying shampoo or a tar
shampoo daily or every other day until the dandruff goes
away, then only about twice a week. To restore moisture to
your skin and hair, supplement your diet with black currant
oil or evening primrose oil. These provide an unusual fatty
acid called GLA (gamma-linolenic acid), which promotes the
healthy growth of skin and hair. Try doses of 500 mg twice a
day. After six to eight weeks, when you start to see
improvement, cut the dose in half. Use freshly ground
flaxseeds or fish oils in the form of sardines or salmon.
These excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids should help
with flaking. Visit your dermatologist to be sure that your
dandruff is not from an underlying scalp disease or skin
infection.
*
Osteoarthritis Nutrition - Stiffness, pain and
swelling of joints are common symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Besides regular exercise (low-impact is the best) and
maintaining a healthy weight, consider some nutritional
adaptations to help prevent or lessens symptoms. Eat foods
rich in antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables are good sources,
and may help reduce tissue damage from inflammation. Get
enough omega-3s. Oily fish such as salmon, walnuts, freshly
ground flaxseed or a good omega-3 supplement may help reduce
the inflammation and pain of arthritis. Regularly use ginger
and turmeric for their natural anti-inflammatory
properties.
*
Fruits for Diabetics and Everyone - Fruits provide us
with the best source of vitamins, phytochemicals, and fiber,
all important components of a healthy diet. Although fruits
contain natural sugars, diabetics should not forgo their
benefits, but should choose fruits wisely, based on the
glycemic index (GI), a measure of how fast carbohydrate foods
(including fruit) are converted in the body to blood glucose.
Diabetics should focus on fruits that are low on the GI
(below 55) since these release sugars more slowly into the
blood stream. Some good choices are: An average- sized apple
(GI score: 38); Cherries (22); Grapefruit (25); One average-
sized orange (44); One average-sized pear (38); One plum
(39).
Intermediate-GI fruits include banana (55); cantaloupe (65);
mango (55); papaya (58); and pineapple (66). High-GI fruits
include dried dates (103) and canned fruit cocktail (79).
(c) 2006 Dr. Reuven Bruner. All Rights Reserved.
Contact him at: POB 1903, Jerusalem, 91314, Israel; Tel: (02)
652-7684; Mobile: 052 2865-821; Fax: (02) 652-7227; Email:
FitnessDoctor@Bezeqint.net
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