The Scoop on the Drupe

You might call it a cultural craze, since the coconut has been exploding on the scene lately. In fact the two largest soda brands have both recently acquired coconut water brands. Additionally, you can find coconut related products in health food stores and in mainstream retail. It's everywhere! So let's take a look at this fascinating phenomenon called the coconut. Even though the word nut is in coconut, its not a nut or wholly even a fruit for that matter. It's technically called a drupe: it's a fruit with an outer husk or skin, a usually succulent middle layer, and a hard and woody inner shell typically enclosing a single seed.

Other examples of drupes include: stone fruits such as plums, cherries, dates, mangoes, and apricots as well as raspberries and blackberries, which make up of clustered tiny droplets surrounding a central stem. While coconuts may fit neatly under the "drupe" umbrella, there are important differences within the coconut world to consider. While it is true that coconuts are superfoods packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, there's a difference, for instance between young coconuts verses mature coconuts as well as coconut water verses coconut milk. For example young coconuts have more water and soft gel- like coconut meat. While mature coconuts have less water and firmer coconut meat.

Speaking of coconut water, let's clarify that coconut water is the liquid inside the coconut. Coconut milk, however is made from the expressed juice of grated mature coconut meat and water. Going a step further coconut cream is made in a similar way as coconut milk, but contains a higher ratio of coconut to water, thereby making it thicker. You can even buy or make coconut kefir from coconut water or coconut milk. You'll not only get the health benefits of coconut, but since coconut kefir is a lacto- fermented beverage, you'll also get probiotics and enzymes, which help support digestion.

While we're at it let's not forget about coconut oil - known as the world's healthiest oil - from the coconut meat that contains ultra - healthy medium chain fatty acids like lauric acid, myristic acid, caprylic acid, palmitric acid and more. Don't use just any coconut oil, either because coconut oils on the market vary dramatically quality- wise. Low - quality coconut oils are processed by chemical extraction using solvents or are hydrogenated, bleached and deodorized. A high - quality virgin organic coconut oil derived from fresh coconuts with no GMO ingredients. bleaching, deodorizing, refining or hydrogenation is what you want to look for and use.

Two other coconut products gaining in popularity with the health trendsetter crowd are raw coconut cream and raw coconut kefir. Raw coconut cream is created by pressing or "juicing" the meat of the mature coconut. This creates a food loaded with medium- chain fatty acids that are easily absorbed by the body - providing a yummy source of quick energy. An added bonus is that raw coconut cream has the consistency of cream cheese and has a smooth texture - making it an ideal healthy snack or ingredient in a raw desert or smoothie. What's more, raw coconut cream is perfect for those on a raw, vegan diet.

Raw coconut kefir is made from raw coconut water that is naturally fermented with probiotics, but it's dairy - free suitable for vegans and packed with enzymes. Raw coconut kefir also promotes a healthy intestinal environment supporting your body's immune and digestive systems. Likewise, raw coconut kefir supports proper hydration since it is a highly organized ionized water source. With such great taste and a variety of health benefits it's no wonder there's a cultural coconut craze. So, if your going cuckoo for coconuts, now you have the scoop on this amazing drupe!

Energizing Enzymes For Our Health

Most of us have heard of enzymes, but if you need a refresher, here's an Enzymes 101" of sorts. There are three main types of enzymes: metabolic enzymes, digestive enzymes, and food enzymes. Metabolic enzymes are instrumantal in heart, brain, lung, and kidney function, and literally hundreds of metabolic enzymes keep the body running along. They're in our cells, internal organs, blood and even our bones. Digestive enzymes are secreted by the salvary glands, stomach, pancreas, and small intestine. They break down large food molecules into amaller units that can be absorbed by the blood and into cells. This is essential because that's how our bodies get nourished from the macronutrients: proteins, fats and carbs. In fact, the enzyme protease works to digest proteins, lipase woaks to digest fats, while amylase works to digest carbs. Digestive enzymes spped up the digestive process and without digestive enzymes, food molecules would break down fat to slowly to be absorbed. Food enzymes are found naturally in raw uncooked foods and help digest those foods so their nutrients can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Food enzymes, like digestive enzymes, help to digest food so that it can absorbed properly by the body. Food enzymes can be destroyed, however, when heated above temps of 118 degrees Fahrenheit. We usually lack enzymes from food because we cook them to death. without those raw enzymes, our digestive systems work harder to digest food. In fact, cooked foods can take up to 2 to 3 times longer to pass through the digestive system than raw foods do. Eating enzyme - dead food also taxes your pancreas and other organs from the wear and tear they undergo digesting mostly cooked foods. Additionally the more stress put on these organs, the less time they have to rebuild cells and tissues or keep the immune system strong. Overcooked foods aren't the only reason we come up short on enzymes, though. Eating processed or fast foods, being run down or under stress, living in an overly hot or cold climate, the aging process, pregnancy, being a frequent flyer, or even sweating can diminish enzyme stores. In turn your health can take a hit because overall health is tied to digestive health and good digestion relies on the right enzymes in the right amounts - at the right place and time. Luckily eating raw, cultured or sprouted foods can help keep your enzyme levels energized.

5 WAYS TO BURN CALORIES BETTER

When your mayabolism is in peak condition you feel energized and burn calories effciently. To help get your engine going follow these five easy tips. 1. EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST: Research says eating breakfast is the best way to start your metabolism, but most of us still skip it or we grab a muffin on the go. The best breakfast is to have a mix of protein (eggs or tofu), carbs (whole grain toast, cereal, or oatmeal), and healthy fats (olive oil or nuts). 2. LISTEN TO HUNGER CUES: if your stomach is growling for food feed it. Just as important, stop eating when you're full. "If you overeat, your body stores the extra calories as fat,"and if you don,t eat enough food then your body lowers its metabolism in oreder to conserve energy. 3. STAY HYDRATED: Your liver flushes out toxins and converts fat to energy, and it needs water to function properly. It is important to make sure that you drink enough fluids so that your urine is pale yellow, water is a good choice as is eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, but tea or juice will also hydrate you as well. Just make sure that whatever you drink that it is not loaded with excess sugar try to drink fluids that are low in sugar. 4. TAKE PROBIOTICS: A recent study published in Molecular Systems Biology found that good bacteria which is available in yogurt or kefer (eat one to three servings daily) or probiotic supplements (follow dosage instructions on the packet) - can help you improve digestion and metabolism and promote weight loss. Probiotics also help the body to balance metabolism properly in the body so that you can maintain optimal health and wellness in the body. 5. SPICE IT UP: Studies suggest that capsaicin, found in chill peppers, may increase metabolic rate for 30 minutes by raising the body's temperature. For serving suggestions add 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne or paprika to a meal a few times a day.

Ten Key Causative Factors in Cancer Development

More than many other age related diseases cancer results from the cumalitive effect of years of discrete, small scale assualts on the body. Oxidation, inflamation, stress, infection, and other physiological insults take thier toll, inflicting lethal damage over time that sets abnormal cell proliferation in motion.

1. DNA damage: Numerous biomolecular assualts strike at the "bluepoint" that cells need to order to replicate themselves accurately. DNA damage is often referred to as the "intiator" in cancer development - the first step in the onset of most cancers.
2. Excessive or chronic inflamation: Inflamation processees trigger the release of a host of disruptive cytokines (cell- signaling molicules) that affect virtually all cellular functions. Inflamation is commonly referred to as a cancer "promoter" for this reason.
3. Disruption of cell signalling pathways: Normal communication within and between the cells assures proper regulation of thier healthy function. These pathways are easily disrupted by adverse events such as inflamatiuon.
4. Alterations in the cellelar reproductive cycle: Cells undergo a four stage process as they prepare to replicate themselves. The cell cycle itself is controlled by signaling pathways that can be altered or disrupted at each of these stages.
5.Abnormal regultation of apotosis: Apotosis is the process of naturally " pre - programed" cell death that prevents overgrowth of tissue. When apotosis fails, cells may undergo uncontrolled reproduction.
6.Altered survival pathways: The flip side of unregulated apotosis: survival of to many healthy cells, paradoxically, can endanger the host by permitting a career to take hold by increasing the odds of mutation and profiferation.
7. Excessive cellular profileration: Certain hormones and other stimuli can directly trigger cells to reproduce without safe limits, especially when the preceding regulatory mechanisms have failed.
8. Aggressive invasion of healthy tissue: This is accomplished by excessive production of enzymes and adhesion molecules that "dissolve" tissue and allow the tumor to literally take root. The word "cancer" itself is derived from the crab - like appearance of fully - developed malignancies, which extend ten drills in all directions into healthy tissue.
9. Rapid angiogenesis: Tumors require growth of new blood vessels for nourishment. They are endowed with capacity to spontaneously generate new blood vessels just like healthy tissue. Angiogenesis in cancer tissue is a primary means by which tumors grow.
10. Metastasis: This is the migration of cancerous cells to regions of the body beyond the locus of the primary tumor. Metastasis are the distinguishing features of most malignant cancers, and the typically herald the onset of end stage disease because they disrupt otherwise healthy tissues.

Why Sugar Isn't So Sweet

We can likely cut the risk of developing cardiovascular disease by cutting down on the added sugars used in many processed and prepared meals, suggests a study in the journal of the American Medical Association, based on National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. The food industry often defines such added sugars as sweeteners - foods that provide energy, but have few micro nutrients or phytochemicalls - which is why consumers who are aware of this read food labels before they decide what they want to buy.
In recent decades total sugar consumption in the United States has increased substantially resulting in higher risk for cardiovascular disease due to associated lower levels of HDL (high density lipoprotein), good cholesterol and higher levels of triglycerides. Today the average U.S. daily consumption of added sugars averages 3.2 ounces, or about 18 teaspoons which represents 15.8 percent of total adult caloric intake. This is a substantial increase from the late 1970,s, when added sugars contributed only 10.6 percent of the calories consumed by adults. This study is the first to examine the direct link between sugar consumption and its impact on cholesterol and heart disease.

Brain Boosting Beet Juice

When it comes to brain boosting nutrition, blueberries now have some series competittion. For the first time, researchers have shown that drinking beet juice can increase blood flow to the brain in older adults a finding that could hold potential for combating the progression of dementia.
There have been several very high profile studies showing that drinking beet juice can lower blood pressure, but we also wanted to show that drinking beet juice also increases perfusion, or blood flow to the brain says Daniel Kim Shapiro director of Wake Forrest University's Translational Science Center's initiatives for fostering Independence in aging. There are areas of the brain that become poorly perfused as we age and that's believed to be associated with dementia and poor cognition.
Beet juice, the researchers explain, contains high concentrations of nitrates. When we eat nitrate rich foods such as beets, celery, cabbage, and spinach, good bacteria in the mouth turn nitrates, which help open up blood vessels in the body, increasing blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

HOW TO SURVIVE A HEART ATTACK WHEN ALONE

Since many people are alone when they suffer a heart attack, without help, the person whose heart is beating improperly and who begins to feel faint, has only about 10 seconds left before losing consciousness. However, these victims can help themselves by coughing repeatedly and vigorously. A deep breath should be taken before each cough, deep and prolonged, as when producing sputum from deep inside the chest. A breath and a cough must be repeated about every two seconds without let up until help arrives, or until the heart is felt to be beating normally again. Deep breaths get oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. The squeezing pressure on the heart also helps it regain normal rhythm. This allows the heart attack victim to get to a hospital.