Modern Science Shows Ancient Secrets Of Chai Tea

Chai tea has been a staple in India for thousands of years, and today it is enjoyed throughout the world as an uplifting and health-promoting beverage. But what is it that makes chai such an excellent wellness tonic? A powerful blend of tea, herbs and spices, chai has been cherished for centuries in the East as a soothing way to preserve health and increase peace of mind. But the more we learn about the ingredients in chai, the more benefits we discover. Chai improves digestion, enhances the immune system, fights inflammation and has antioxidant properties. It has also been suggested that chai has antibacterial and anti-cancer effects.

Chai can be made using various recipes. Usually, the blends are specific to the region where it is consumed. Essentially, however, there are a number of standard ingredients, including black tea, ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, fennel, clove and black pepper. When looking at chai’s health benefits, it’s important to examine each ingredient in turn. Though they act synergistically to increase each other’s benefits, the separate ingredients offer impressive health benefits on their own.

Black Tea

It’s no secret that tea is full of antioxidants. However, the antioxidants in tea may provide more far-reaching protection than we previously suspected. For example, black tea may support a healthy HDL (good) cholesterol ratio, helping to maintain desirable cardiovascular health. In addition, some research has shown black tea has antiviral and anti-cancer properties. A 2012 study published in Pharmacognosy Research ^[1]shows that black tea exerts beneficial anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating actions.

Ginger

An important root used in Eastern medicine, ginger aids digestion, improves circulation, boosts the immune system and reduces inflammation, which can be especially helpful for people suffering from arthritis. It offers antioxidant support, and some research has also shown that ginger can help fight cancer cells. In 2011, a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition ^[2] showed that whole ginger extract inhibited the growth and progression of prostate cancer cells in vitro and in vivo.

Cardamom

Found in virtually every Tibetan medicine formula, cardamom aids digestion and supports the immune system. In addition, it helps detoxify the body and improve circulation, and it may also fight respiratory allergies. A 2012 study in the Journal of Pharmacy Research ^[3]demonstrated the antioxidant, immune-modulating and antimicrobial effects of cardamom extract.

Cinnamon

Keeping with the theme, cinnamon has wonderful digestive properties and may also help balance blood sugar. In addition, research has shown that cinnamon has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antioxidant effects.

Fennel

A great source of antioxidants, fennel provides vitamin C, potassium and fiber. Fennel also has demonstrated some anti-cancer effects.

Clove

Clove helps digestion, has analgesic (pain-relieving) properties and may help alleviate ulcer pain. In addition, clove has antibacterial action.

Black Pepper

New research shows that black pepper may have an effect on our metabolism. A 2012 study ^[4]demonstrated black pepper’s direct influence on fat storage, suggesting that it may be useful to prevent fat accumulation. Black pepper also offers antibacterial and antioxidant support and aids digestion.

If you want to obtain similar health benefits but aren’t crazy about chai tea, I also recommend acomprehensive digestive formula to help boost digestive function, increase nutrient absorption, support immunity and improve overall health. This targeted formula contains a number of herbs and spices also found in chai, such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and black pepper. In addition, it contains a small amount of enzymes, along with minerals such as zinc to support digestion and immunity. The formula helps to warm and energize digestion, alleviate occasional discomfort, and promote digestive, immune and overall health.

Given these and other benefits, chai’s popularity is no mystery. Some people in the East assert that their daily cup of chai tea is what keeps them healthy and strong throughout the years. As more people discover what Eastern practitioners have known for centuries — that chai calms the mind, improves digestion and provides numerous health advantages — this ancient beverage will continue to gain popularity around the world for its delicious flavor and vital health benefits.

Don't Just Ease Bladder Problems – Shut Them Down FOR GOOD!

When bladder problems strike, several herbs can help ease your suffering. But wouldn't it be better to keep urinary tract trouble from coming back and stop it for good? That's the idea behind a remarkable new breakthrough called Floranol UT.  Floranol UT is a super-concentrated extract made from an ancient secret. And that extract is proven in clinical trials to promote a 77% drop in bladder and UT trouble.  If you've ever wished the pain, frustration and embarrassment of bladder or urinary tract problems would just go away, read on.

Your Waistline Fat Is Trying To Waste You

Research into what goes on inside the fat we carry around on or bellies is not reassuring. Scientists are reporting new evidence that the fat tissue in those spare tires and lower belly pooches are not passive passengers in life’s journey. Instead, they represent active tissue that sends chemical signals to other parts of the body. Those signals may be increasing your risk of heart attack, cancer and other diseases.

Researchers have found 20 new hormones and other substances not previously known to be secreted into the blood by human fat cells and verification that fat secretes dozens of hormones and other chemical messengers.

The latest research emphasizes the importance of decreasing body fat.

While it used to be thought that fat cells were inert storage depots for surplus calories, studies have established that fat cells secrete certain hormones and other substances. Among those hormones is leptin, which controls appetite, and adiponectin, which makes the body more sensitive to insulin and controls blood sugar levels. However, little is known about most of the proteins produced by the billions of fat cells in the adult body.

Scientists have identified 80 different proteins produced by the fat cells. These include six new proteins and 20 proteins that have not been previously detected in human fat cells. The findings could pave the way for a better understanding of the role that hormone-secreting fat cells play in heart disease, diabetes and other diseases.

Two Ways To Lower Your Chances Of Getting Sick

If you want to know your chances of catching a cold or flu this winter, two factors play a major role in determining your immunity to viruses.

Research at Maastricht University, in the Netherlands, shows that if you can get more sleep and reduce your stress at work, you may significantly increase your chances of staying well.

The study reveals that employees in highly demanding jobs suffer from colds 20 percent more often than employees in less demanding positions. Also, job insecurity — for example, as a result of reorganizations — leads to an increase in flu and gastroenteritis. Employees working shifts have a higher chance of developing infections than daytime employees. The risk is greatest among those who work in a three-shift system.

The research also demonstrates that fatigue, and in particular burnout, increases the risk of infections. Employees with burnout complaints suffered from gastroenteritis almost twice as often as employees without burnout.

12 FISH TO NEVER EAT

Think twice before ordering these sordid seafood dishes

Yes fish, no fish, red fish, blue fish? Okay, Dr. Seuss puns aside, seafood has had a good reputation up to this point. But it seems that our oceans have become so depleted of wild fish stocks, and so polluted with industrial contaminants, that what you once thought was sustainable now isn't. "Good fish" lists change yearly, and now staples like imported shrimp and salmon are called into question. Are you in danger of eating the worst seafood? Find out with 12 Fish to Never Eat, courtesy of Prevention. Bonus Tip: When it comes to snacks, if it isn't good for you, it isn't good for your kids. So what's the right way to snack? Find out with 10 Healthy Kids' Snacks You'll Love, Too, courtesy of Prevention.

Avoid this Food if You Want to Avoid Alzheimer’s

New research has found yet another link to what we eat and Alzheimer’s disease.

Researchers from the Mayo Clinic tracked people between the ages of 70 and 89.

After four years, they found that the group of people showing signs of mild cognitive impairment had a higher intake of one particular type of common food. In fact, the people who got the majority of their calories from this food had a much higher risk of developing dementia. Four times to be exact.

The results even shocked the researchers…

Lead researcher Dr. Rosebud Roberts said, “I thought the big problem would be eating too little protein.”

But it wasn’t.

So what raised the risk of dementia? 

Pygeum And Prostate Health

If you are looking for a natural supplement that supports and promotes prostate health, then cast your eyes on South Africa and an herbal remedy called pygeum. This remedy has ancient roots and has long been valued for an ability to manage bladder disorders, but recent scientific studies have shown it also has potential for prostate health. Here are some reasons why you may want to consider pygeum to nurture your prostate.

What Is Pygeum?

Pygeum supplements are made from the bark of thePrunus africanum tree, although both the tree and the extract are often referred to simply as pygeum. The active ingredients in the extract include phytosterols, the most common of which is beta-sitosterol. Other components in pygeum include triterpenes and compounds called ferulic acids.

You may recognize beta-sitosterol as another natural supplement that is beneficial for the prostate. It is found in stinging nettle and saw palmetto, two other herbal remedies shown to support prostate health. Phytosterols have an ability to inhibit the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the hormone that plays a major role in the development of an enlarged prostate (also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH) and in hair loss. ^[1]

Although pygeum has been studied for a variety of ailments, it has demonstrated the most promise for management of an enlarged prostate.

Pygeum And Enlarged Prostate

An enlarged prostate is a common condition caused by the noncancerous growth of the prostate gland as men age. Enlargement of the prostate can constrict the urethra, the tube that transports urine out of the body. Therefore, men who have an enlarged prostate often, but not always, experience urinary tract symptoms such as urinary urgency, painful urination, dribbling, the need to urinate often during the night and urinary frequency.

A number of studies have indicated that pygeum has properties that can help relieve symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

A few of the findings and reports on pygeum and BPH:

• A total of 263 men who had an enlarged prostate were given either 50 mg of pygeum extract or placebo twice daily for 60 days. At the end of the study, the men who had taken pygeum extract had a “marked clinical improvement” in urinary tract symptoms. In fact, there was a 66 percent improvement in urinary symptoms in the pygeum group compared with 31 percent in the placebo group. ^[2]

• A meta-analysis involving 18 trials evaluated a total of 1,562 men who had an enlarged prostate. Overall, the reviewers concluded that compared with placebo, pygeum offered men a “moderately large improvement” in urinary tract symptoms. In fact, men who took pygeum were more than twice as likely to experience an improvement than men in placebo groups. ^[3]

• In a comparison of pygeum with saw palmetto, another herbal remedy shown to be helpful in supporting prostate health and coping with an enlarged prostate, investigators reported on two studies: In one, 70 men with an enlarged prostate were given either 320 mg of saw palmetto for 30 days or 100 mg of pygeum plus 320 mg of saw palmetto for 30 days. In both studies, men experienced an improvement of about 50 percent in frequent urination and painful urination. ^[4]

• In a review article in American Family Physician, the author noted that “limited evidence shows that the herbal agents saw palmetto extract, rye grass pollen extract, and pygeum relieve symptoms” of an enlarged prostate. ^[5]

Pygeum, Prostate Cancer And Prostatitis

Although studies concerning pygeum, prostate cancer and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) are limited at this time, a few have suggested the herbal remedy has some potential in the fight against these two prostate conditions. For example, scientists isolated a substance called atraric acid from pygeum bark and discovered that, at least in the lab, it showed potential against prostate cancer cells. ^[6]

Another positive study reported a year later by the same researchers found that another compound isolated from pygeum, called NBBS (N-butylbenzenesulfonamide) “may serve as a novel chemical platform for treatment of prostatitis, BPH and PCa [prostate cancer]).” ^[7]

Taking Pygeum Supplements

If you are considering pygeum supplements, there are two options. One is to take the herbal remedy alone. The other is to take a supplement that contains pygeum along with other natural remedies for prostate health. In either case, the suggested dose of pygeum (standardized to contain 13 percent total sterols) is 75 to 200 mg daily as a single dose or divided into two equal doses. Possible side effects of pygeum include abdominal pain, loss of appetite and nausea.

The World's Quickest Solution for Ending Prostate and Urinary Misery

UCLA and VA Research Reveals:

The NEW Key to Calming Your Troubled Prostate That Will Usher In a Revolution in Healthy Support

Until recently, scientists had NO IDEA this phytonutrient family locked inside an ancient superfood had anyimpact on prostate health whatsoever.

Were they in for a surprise.

Now they believe these powerful compounds represent a revolution in prostate support, a huge stepbeyond beta sitosterol, saw palmetto and other phytosterols alone.

This "next generation" prostate breakthrough is REVEALED HERE in this FREE Online Prostate Report. Men across the country are calling it the best prostate solution ever…

GO HERE if you want to have fast prostate relief … restful, uninterrupted sleep … no more constant "urges to go" … enhanced virility … and optimal prostate support for life.

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Using Your Computer This Way May Wreck Your Mental Health

Carl Lowe | Dec 06, 2012 | Comments 5

Many of us like to multitask, performing more than one activity at the same time. But research shows that your multitasking habits may be ruining your mental health.

A study at Michigan State University finds that using multiple forms of media at the same time, like playing a computer game while watching TV, is linked to symptoms of anxiety and depression.

“We don’t know whether the media multitasking is causing symptoms of depression and social anxiety, or if it’s that people who are depressed and anxious are turning to media multitasking as a form of distraction from their problems,” says researcher Mark Becker.

While overall media use among American youth has increased 20 percent in the past decade, the amount of time spent multitasking with media spiked 120 percent during that period, Becker observes.

Got A Hangover: This Makes It Worse

Hangovers are painful. Headache, nausea and fatigue can be tortuous on a morning after you’ve had too much to drink. Some drinkers suffer more than others. And researchers now think that one common habit can make your hangover more painful.

The bad habit is smoking cigarettes. Researchers at the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies at Brown University in Providence, R.I. found you’re more likely to suffer hangover symptoms after a heavy drinking episode if you smoked more heavily on the day you drank.

It isn’t simply because you smoked more when you drank more.

“At the same number of drinks, people who smoke more that day are more likely to have a hangover and have more intense hangovers,” says researcher Damaris J. Rohsenow.

There are already plenty of reasons to avoid both smoking and heavy drinking. But Rohsenow says these findings suggest that if smokers are going to indulge in heavy alcohol use, it’s wise to at least cut down on cigarettes.

11 FOODS THAT MAKE YOU SMARTER

Sharpen your mind with healthy, brain-boosting ingredients

Better memory, test scores, and mood are all just a forkful away—if you pack your plate right, that is. Natural compounds in certain foods can act as brain-protecting bodyguards, clearing your body of cancer-promoting free radicals, pesticides, and plasticizers, all while nurturing neurotransmitter health and chasing away depression. Use this list to fill your cart with 11 Foods That Make You Smarter. Bonus Tip: Some sodas and sports drinks contain a flame retardant that may cause skin lesions and memory loss. If that's not reason enough to quit sipping, then check out the rest of the Surprising Reasons to Give Up Soda, courtesy of Rodale News.

Are You Making This Mistake That's Contributing to 60,000 Deaths a Year? 
Over a third of Americans erroneously believe this myth and may persuade their doctors to make this tragic mistake -- a mistake that may be pushing the world towards one of the greatest health threats ever. Find out the steps you can take today to fight this deadly trend and protect your health. 

How Drug Company Money is Undermining Science 
Your health care decisions are frequently based on science that has been bought and paid for by the drug industry.

Dear Reader, In a groundbreaking new study, every single cell of an extremely aggressive cancer was destroyed because of bees... Sound weird? Simply click here to hear more about this breakthrough. --Paul Amos Associate Director, HSI P.S. If you or a loved one suffers from cancer, this could be huge! So don't put this off, click here now to learn more.

5 FAT-FIGHTING SECRETS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Shrink your waistline using the best tips from abroad

Thirty-six percent of Americans are overweight. But in France, where they invented french fries, the obesity rate is less than half of what it is in the home of the brave. And in Italy—land of the calzone and the meatball—the obesity rate is just 20 percent. Spain's rate is just 23 percent, despite the fact that they're all sitting down to multi-course dinners at 11 pm. So what are we doing wrong? Or, more important: What are they doing right? Discover the answer with these 5 Fat-Fighting Secrets from Around the World. Bonus Tip: Eating breakfast—especially one of eggs—is incontrovertibly linked to weight loss. But who has time? You do, with these do-ahead Protein-Packed Breakfast Bites.

The Calorie Myth that is Making You Fat!

Mainstream medicine strikes out again. “They” tell you that you’re fat because you eat too much. But the truth is, it really is possible to eat more... without packing on fat! No pills. No side effects. No gimmicks. CLICK HERE to find out more.

Look Younger with This Anti-Aging Plant

Want to look younger? Of course you do. We all do. And you can… for practically free. 

Even better, you can do it without useless creams that contain harsh chemicals. 

Research has found that a certain plant compound can prevent wrinkles and keep you looking young. 

It’s safe and natural. Best of all… you can grow this plant right at home. So really, it will barely cost you a thing.

Korean scientists tested this compound – in gel form – on 30 women. The women were all over the age of 45. Scientists measured the women’s wrinkles and elasticity. Then they gave one group 1,200 mg per day. The other half received 3,600 mg a day. The women continued using the supplement for 90 days. Once again, researchers measured the women’s wrinkles. 

The results were astounding. Every single woman, including the ones in the small dose group, saw dramatic differences in their skin. Women had an improvement in facial elasticity as well as an increase in collagen production in just three months. 

And it didn’t take much of the gel to make a difference. 1,200 mg is equal to only one-quarter of a teaspoon.

The scientists published their finding in the Annals of Dermatology. 

What is this “new” fountain of youth?

Urgent Caution Advised for This New Technology (Not Cell Phones This Time)    
They're all the rage in certain circles. Yet they collect intimately personal data about you, are linked to autism and other serious health issues, and support a failed system. Why you should be very wary... 

Too Little Sleep May Fuel Insulin Resistance 
If you're skimping on sleep, you could be altering one of the most important biological processes there is: the way your body manages insulin.

6 RULES FOR RAISING HEALTHY CHILDREN

Set your kids up for a lifetime of wholesome eating

According to media industry estimates, advertisers spend $900 million every year on television shows aimed at children under 12. And more than two-thirds of that advertising is for food products: fast-food meals with action figures and dolls; sugary cereals with cartoon spokespeople; "juice" drinks that have about as much to do with actual fruit as Swedish Fish have to do with mackerel. And their message—that junk food equals instant happiness—is one that sticks with a child for all of his life. So how do you fight back? Start with these 6 Rules for Raising Healthy Kids. Bonus Tip: Add lean protein like egg whites or low-fat yogurt to your breakfast and it will keep you satisfied longer than if you ate it at other times of the day. Get more tricks to eat less with these 7 Healthy Ways to Suppress Your Appetite.

Tune Up Your Relationships

Given the ever growing demands of our daily lives, it becomes very easy to overlook the “care and feeding” of our intimate, family and long-term relationships. Relationships have been shown to have a significant impact on our health, happiness and longevity; taking care of them and keeping up on their maintenance are essential.

Taking the time to have a “tune-up” for your important relationships is worth the effort. Here are some simple but important interpersonal behaviors that will help tune up your relationships and add to the fulfillment and satisfaction you desire from them:

Conflict resolution: Conflict in relationships is inevitable, but the ways we handle and respond to it are not. Some of us try to avoid dealing with conflict, while others want to immediately resolve things head-on.

Instead of trying to avoid conflict, it can be constructive to objectively write down our thoughts and feelings. We can share them with the other person in a way that expresses how we feel and in a style that makes us comfortable, possibly in a letter, greeting card or email.

For those of us who tackle conflict head-on, it can be helpful to take a step back and discern if this issue is something that must be resolved immediately or whether  we can give ourselves time to process what has occurred, allowing us to see the conflict from the other person’s perspective.

Respecting the others person’s experience of the conflict: Respecting your partner’s or friend’s experience of a particular conflict doesn’t mean you “go along to get along” or that you should not express your own experience or feelings about it. It does mean that you respect and consider the other individual’s unique experience of what has occurred and that he wants to be seen, heard and valued just as much as you do.

By being open to accepting what the other person is feeling and what he has experienced, you send the message that you sincerely care about his feelings. And, while you may not agree with those feelings, you bring integrity to the relationship that allows the other person to be who he is and express feelings in a safe and non-hostile environment.

Learn New Communication Skills
Lack of effective communication is a leading cause of divorce and the breakdown of relationships between parents and children, as well as between employers and employees. There is no doubt that communication in all types of relationships can make or break them, but changing how we relate to one another is easier said than done. This difficulty stems from inherited or past communication patterns that can quickly lead to hurt feelings or emotional disconnection.

What’s more, most people don’t have the knowledge, skills or the time to invest in changing how they behave. Learn new skills to enhance your relationships and watch them flourish! For a free download on how to improve your communication skills visit www.changingbehavior.org.

Would You Rather Be Right Or Be Loved?

An important question to ask when we dealing with conflict in a significant relationship is: Would you rather be right or be loved? This simple litmus test can help reveal a balance and a win-win situation for both the parties in a conflict. It also allows us to reflect on what is important in both our life and in our relationships.

The "Postage Stamp" cancer answer doctors won't tell you

When your country is home to a medical treasure that defies modern science, saves lives and beats back one of cancer's deadliest threats... You honor it. South Africa may have one of the most effective natural weapons against cancer the world has ever known. It's so revered in South Africa, they even put it on their national postage stamp. But why are our doctors ignoring it? When it's been shown to work against the deadly threat that leads to 1/3 of all cancer deaths? It's even been shown to halt the spread of breast cancer and leukemia cells by as much as 50%! Don't make the same mistake your doctor is making! Discover the "Postage Stamp" cancer answer doctors won't tell you!

Ease Your Pain With Sleep

Sometimes, the simplest health solutions are the best. If you suffer from chronic pain, researchshows that simply getting more sleep can tone down your sensitivity.

“Our results suggest the importance of adequate sleep in various chronic pain conditions or in preparation for elective surgical procedures,” says researcher Timothy Roehrs, Ph.D. “We were surprised by the magnitude of the reduction in pain sensitivity, when compared to the reduction produced by taking codeine.”

When study participants slept about two hours more per night, their pain sensitivity dropped by about 25 percent. The researchers report that the magnitude of benefit is greater than the effect found in a previous study of 60 mg of codeine.