A single injection containing methylene blue could make the difference when it comes to lower back pain. The study that took place in China showed the treatment is effective in 90% of cases; 19% of patients no longer experienced pain and 72% having slight pain that required no medication.

Methylene blue is believed to play a key role in the production of nitric oxide which reduces inflammation and also to have a beneficial effect on nerves around scar tissue. The injection could revolutionize the treatment of lower back pain and make spinal surgery for back pain obsolete.

‘The clinical trial indicates that the injection of methylene blue into the painful disc is a safe, effective and minimally invasive method for the treatment of intractable and incapacitating disc-related lower back pain,’ say the researchers.

An extract from dried papaya slows the growth of cancer cells in laboratory, shows a recent study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.

So far the tests were performed only in laboratories and it’s unknown if the papaya extract has the same effect in humans. However the extract appears not to harm normal cells, which could have led to side effects, and it might open the way for new treatments.

“Based on what I have seen and heard in a clinical setting, nobody who takes this extract experiences demonstrable toxicity; it seems like you could take it for a long time — as long as it is effective,” said researcher Dr. Nam Dang from the University of Florida.

The papaya extract affects the regulation of the body’s immune system and the researchers report that it slowed the growth of ten types of cancer cell cultures, including breast cancer, liver cancer, pancreas cancer, lung cancer and cervix cancer.

Canola oil is rich in the antioxidant alphacopherol, which prevents the formation of free radicals that can lead to cardiovascular diseases and other chronic conditions. One tablespoon of canola oil contains 16% of the daily value of alphacopherol.

Eggs contain lutein, a powerful antioxidant which protects the eyes from cataracts and muscular degeneration. Although they contain only a low concentration of lutein compared to spinach, it’s absorbed three times more effectively, making eggs an efficient and easy way to get more lutein.

Natural sweeteners like honey, brown sugar, molasses and maple syrup contain significant levels of antioxidants. Also the darker type of honey has higher polyphenol counts than other types of honey.

Organic milk provides almost 50% more antioxidants than normal milk and it’s also a rich source of lutein, vitamin E and beta –carotene.  Also the butter and cheese from grass-fed cows provide more antioxidants than the conventional varieties.

Popcorn contains 4 times more pholyphenols than the average amount found in fruits.

Whole-grain pasta has 3 times more antioxidants then other types of pasta and the concentration of antioxidants in it is comparable to the one found in vegetables and fruits. Whole grains, as many studies have shown, reduce the risk of heart diseases and the polyphenols content reduces cholesterol and has a positive effect on blood pressure.

Yogurt provides in just one cup of low-fat yogurt 25% of the daily recommended amount of riboflavin which has a critical role in promoting antioxidant activity. In the absence of riboflavin, the antioxidant glutathione is unable to destroy the free radicals leading to an increased risk of cancer, heart disease and other chronic conditions.  Riboflavin must be replenished daily because it remains in the body only a few hours.

Bilberries – reduce inflammation and fight oxidation problems which are related to memory problems.

Chocolate – reduces the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, kidney diseases and dementia.

Fish – rich source of omega-3 fatty acids which helps prevent cholesterol problems and protects against abnormal heart rhythm.

Olive oil – contains powerful antioxidants (polyphenols) which prevent age-related diseases.

Peanuts – rich source of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals needed by the body to stay young.

Wine –drank in moderation protects against heart disease, diabetes and age-related memory loss.

Yogurt – rich in calcium which slows osteoporosis and good bacteria (probiotics) who maintain a healthy intestinal tract and reduce the effects of intestinal diseases associated with aging.

In a recent study, researchers from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore concluded that healthy people who donate a kidney are not risking premature death afterwards.

The study tracked around 80000 American who donated one of their kidneys, over a 12 year period, and compared their fate with a matched group of 9000 non-donors.  According to the researchers: “Surgical mortality did not change during the 15-year period (between 1994 and 2009), despite differences in surgical practice and donor selection”.

The death rate among kidney donors matched or was lower than the death rate of non-donors, although in the first 90 days after surgery there was a slightly higher mortality for kidney donors. Also, statistically, women donors had lower mortality rates than male donors.

“We have shown that live kidney donation is safe and free from significant long-term excess mortality,” said dr. Dorry Segev of the Johsn Hopkins School of Medicine.

Mackerel is a slim fish, with a delightful taste, which provides important health benefits for the whole family. Specialists believe a mackerel diet is 1500 time more effective in preventing heart attacks than drug treatment.

Mackerel is recommended for diabetics because of its mineral and caloric content which thins the blood, helping the blood flow.  100g of mackerel contains 230 calories, 20g cholesterol, 3000mg omega-3 fatty acids and 250mg omega-6 fatty acids, essential for heart’s health.

Mackerel also contains vitamin A, C, D, E, K, B6 and B12. It’s rich in magnesium and selenium and provides significant benefits in the treatment of certain types of cancer. The content of vitamin K eliminates the risk of blood clots, the deposition of cholesterol and lowers blood pressure.

Studies conducted by American specialists have shown that a mackerel diet regulates the hormone level and favors the capillaries elasticity. Having one for lunch increases the intake of calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and zinc needed for a healthy body.  Also mackerel improves the immune system, regulates metabolism and if consumed regularly can get rid of migraines and improve memory and brain activity.

Selection, preparation and storage of mackerel are very important in order to preserve its nutritional values. Choose only fresh fish with clean gills, moist skin, and shiny scales. If you want to store the mackerel remove it from the packet, wash it well under cold water, put it on a shallow pan filled with crushed ice and store it in the coldest part of the freezer.

Because the mackerel contains methyl mercury it should be avoided by pregnant women and nursing mothers. Also pregnant women should not consume mackerel regularly because it poses a risk to the mother and it harms the child’s developing nervous system.

The study was performed by researchers at General Teaching Hospital Korneuburg, led by Markus Lipovac, and involved 109 postmenopausal women over 40 years of age. The women were divided in two groups and for 90 days one group received supplements containing 80mg of red clover isoflavones and the other received a placebo pill.

At the end of the study, the depression symptoms were reduced by 78 percent in women who were given red clover isoflavones supplements compared to those who received the placebo, measured on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). On the Self Zung Depression Rating Scale (SDS) the depression symptoms were reduced by 80 percent.

But the benefits of red clover isoflavones are not limited only to reducing depression symptoms. “Equally red clover isoflavones protected human cortical neurons against glutamate toxicity and oxidative stress, which could have been the result of their antioxidant and estrogenic actions,” said Markus.

Protects blood vessels

While all olive oils contain healthy monounsaturated fat like Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids, only the extra virgin oil range is rich in polyphenols and vitamin E.  Polyphenols are substances with a highly antioxidant effect, which prevent diseases like diabetes, obesity and cancer. One of this polyphenols , named  DHPEA-EDA, acts especially upon blood vessels, protecting them from the “bad” (LLD) cholesterol and prevents heart attack and stokes.

Extends life

Olive oil facilitates the biliary system activity. It is recommended the administering of one tablespoon with a mixture of olive oil, honey and lemon juice (all in equal parts) before main meals. Moreover consuming 100 ml olive oil per weak diminishes the risk of eye diseases thy may lead to blindness once you get older. Olive oil together with fruits, vegetables, fish, walnuts and seeds (Mediterranean diets specific) prevents depression, anxiety and increases life expentancy

5 advises for olive oil

1. Always chose olive oil bottled in dark glass recipients which protect it from light negative effects.
2. Always keep the bottles in a dark and cool place. Keeping the bottle well shut prevents rancidity.
3. Stay away from olive oil with no smell or color.
4. Use extra virgin olive oils, obtained in cold press.
5. Regarding cooking, specialists differ in opinions. The general rule is to never let it burn  since like all other oils it becomes toxic. to keep all its benefits it is better to consume it raw.

Stay Healthy!

Nutrition is essential for our health and like eating habits that have a negative impact on our metabolism; there are dangerous cooking habits of which not all people are aware.

Poor hygiene is one of the most dangerous cooking habits, so washing your hands, utensils and ingredients used for cooking is absolutely necessary whether your are cooking at home or outdoors where you don’t have the same conditions as in your kitchen.

Another dangerous cooking habit it’s the use of knives, spoons, forks or other cooking utensils made of aluminum because aluminum has an important role when it comes to the development of Alzheimer’s. Also avoid canned drinks or foods and don’t store food in aluminum utensil for a long period.

If you use to warm food in the microwave use only containers designed for this type of oven because other materials could suffer changes at high temperature and alter food’s chemical composition. Also warming up food rapidly favors the conversion of fats in the food in components dangerous for your health. Some fats can become dangerous if heated or cooked at high temperatures.

Food grilled on open-flame increases the risk of developing cancer if it’s burnt, so don’t place it too close to the flame. If it’s charred don’t eat it.

If you want to live a healthy, long life take note of the dangerous cooking habits exposed above and keep in mind that all the problems derived from them are not immediate. They are long term problems.

Until now it was believed that calcium and vitamin D supplements lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, but a recent study shows that supporting evidence is thin.

The study involved 1191 post-menopausal women, half of which were given calcium and vitamin D supplements and half took identical looking placebos. Scientist from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY, found no differences between the two groups in the cholesterol levels after a five year period of supplementation.

Dr. Swapnil Rajpathak, lead author of the study, pointed out that the study has its limitation because the participants were all older woman and since the calcium and vitamin D were taken simultaneously they couldn’t tease out the supplements independent effects.  Also it is difficult to say how younger women or men may respond to the same supplements.

“High intake of calcium and vitamin D may be useful for other health-related outcomes,” said Rajpathak, so don’t throw out your vitamins just yet.