Sugar intake and heart health

The American Heart Association has come out with recommendations on daily sugar intake. According to the AHA women should consume no more than six teaspoons (25 grams or 100 calories), while most men should not exceed or nine teaspoons (37.5 grams or 150 calories) of sugar every day. Currently most Americans consume over 22 teaspoons (90 grams or 355 calories) of sugar every day.

Excessive sugar intake not only contributes to obesity but to diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke. Soft drinks and baked goods are key culprits in adding to sugar consumption. Just one can of soda contains 130 calories which exceeds the recommendation for women. In fact there have been many studies which correlate increased consumption of soft drinks with the increase in cases of obesity in the country.

Drastically cutting down on processed sugar consumption and increasing physical activity will show immediate benefits by way of raised energy levels. Herbs such as Gymnema and Bitter Melon are also very beneficial in increasing sugar metabolism. Gymnema in fact even suppresses the desire for sugar and also stimulates the heart.

Ashwagandha anticancer antiaging properties

Ashwagandha a.k.a ashvagandha (Withania somnifera) is a herb known for its ability to relax the mind and body and at the same time improve physical strength and mental clarity. Ashwagandha is also a considered a powerful aphrodisiac.

Now new research shows that Ashwagandha also exhibits anti-cancer and anti-aging properties. At the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology, Japan researchers found that extracts of Ashwagandha (i-Extract) and withanone (i-Factor) inhibited tumors and protected the normal human fibroblasts against toxicity. It increased the in vitro division potential of normal human cells that appeared to be mediated by decreased accumulation of molecular damage, downregulation of the senescence-specific beta-galactosidase activity and the senescence marker protein, p21(WAF-1), protection against oxidative damage, and induction of proteasomal activity.

Thus the phytochemicals of Ashwagandha (i-Extract and withanone) have both anticancer and antiaging activities and point to the molecular link between aging and cancer.

Blood circulation problems | Herbal remedy for poor blood circulation

Poor blood circulation generally tends to affect the middle-aged and the elderly. Stresses that we put on our bodies either through lack of exercise or overexercise and poor diet take their toll in the form of circulatory problems.

The heart, lungs and blood vessels play crucial roles in our blood circulation system. Oxygenated blood is carried from the heart via arteries to the different parts of the body while veins carry the deoxygenated blood back to the heart. This blood is then carried to the lungs where the blood is charged with oxygen and then taken back to the heart to begin the cycle again.

When cholesterol or plaque builds up in arteries, the walls thicken and narrow restricting blood flow. A sedentary lifestyle, poor diet choices, obesity, smoking and drinking also cause problems in blood circulation.

Poor blood circulation can lead to angina, stroke, chest pain, varicose veins in the legs, fatigue, cold feet, swollen feet, memory loss, dementia, impotency and can even prove fatal.

Regular exercise, a nutritious diet along with supplements help promote proper blood circulation. Abana a herbal ayurvedic formulation is very useful in maintaining blood circulation, blood pressure and in protecting the heart. Arjuna is a pure herb that is well known in ayurveda as a cardio-protective and helps maintain proper blood circulation

New species discovered in Himalayas

Many of the herbs and minerals used in Ayurveda are found in the Himalayas - the mountain range that runs along India's northern border. In fact some are found nowhere else in the world. The Himalayas are one of the world's most biodiverse regions and its watersheds have been shown to be biologically richer than the Amazon basin.

In fact 353 new species of plants and animals were discovered in the last decade and it is conjectured that 3000 to 5000 more species can be discovered with systematic studies over the next few years.

According to the World Wildlife Fund, the Himalayan region has 10,000 plant species, 300 mammals, 977 bird species, 176 reptiles and 269 types of freshwater fish. The Bengal tiger is most prolific in the Himalayas and is the only region that has the greater one-horned rhino.

In the last 10 years, 244 new plants, 16 amphibians, 16 reptiles, 14 fish, two birds and two mammals were discovered.

The Eastern Himalayas are also under threat due to climate change, population, pollution, logging, grazing and wildlife trade with 163 endangered species and 14 in critical danger of extinction.

Cholesterol increases Dementia risk

According to the results of a study funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and recently published in the journal "Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders"
factors such as high cholesterol, blood pressure, smoking and diabetes which increase the risk of heart attacks, also increased the risk of dementia in later life.

High levels of cholesterol in mid-life of 240 mg/dL or higher lead to a 66% increase risk of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia and even borderline levels of200 mg/dl and 239 mg/dl increased the risk to 52%. The risk increase was the same regardless of ethnicity.

In another study published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, it was shown that smoking increased the risk of developing dementia by 70%, high blood pressure increased it by 60% and diabetes increased it by 50%.

The above findings re-emphasize the need for adequate exercise and proper diet to reduce not just heart risk factors but dementia as well.

Abana is a herbal ayurvedic formulation from the Himalaya Herbals company that acts as a heart protective by reducing cholesterol levels and maintaining normal blood pressure and blood circulation.

Mentat is another formulation that helps keep the memory sharp, improves mental functions and helps the elderly in overcoming forgetfulness. This ayurvedic remedy has also been shown beneficial in early dementia.

HRT and ovarian cancer | Hormone therapy raises risk

In a recent study published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, it was established that hormone therapy which includes estrogen alone or estrogen plus progestin raises the risk of ovarian cancer. This increase in risk was not dependant on dosage or method of administraion.

Over 900,000 women in Denmark were included in the study which proceeded for 8 years. Over this period there were 3,068 cases of ovarian cancer. Compared to women who had never used hormone therapy, current hormone therapy users had 38% increased risk of ovarian cancer. It was also found that women who were once on hormone therapy but stopped treatment reduced their risk of ovarian cancer. This risk was reduced by 40% after more than 6 years elapsed after stopping treatment.

These findings confirm earlier studies including the famous one by the National Institutes of Health which was stopped midway when high rates of cancer risk were found by continuing HRT.

Ovarian cancer is often not detected until in the very advanced stages and the five year survival rates are 40% making it the most fatal of all gynecological cancers. According to the American Cancer Society 21,550 new cases of ovarian cancer are expected in the U.S. this year.

Alternative therapies are available for relief of menopausal symptoms and women with severe perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms should evaluate their options.

Menosan from Himalaya Herbals is a formulation of herbs and minerals according to ayurvedic principles. It is completely safe and risk-free and provides excellent results in helping to relieve menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, irritability. The herbs in Menosan provide plant derived phytoestrogens that are safe and provide better hormonal balance and hormone utilization.

Under Eye cream from Himalaya Herbals

We are pleased to announce the addition of Himalaya Under Eye Cream. This US patent pending cosmeceutical was recently launched by Himalaya Herbals to to address the problem of under eye dark circles, fine lines and wrinkles through the use of gentle and efficacious herbs.

Dark circles are formed because the skin below our eyes is thin and is not as well endowed with oil glands as the rest of the body. Consequently, as we age, the skin gets dry and wrinkled. Dark circles result when the veins in the lower eye area appear more prominent. Lack of sleep, nutritional deficiency, aging, sun burn can also lead to under eye dark circles.

Clinically tested, Himalaya Under Eye Cream clears under eye circles, pigmentation and blemishes. It also brightens smoothens the areas around your eyes. Results can be seen in 4 weeks.

We are offering Himalaya Under Eye Cream in a pack of 3 tubes for only $32.99 and FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING