Nutridom Health Information Blog

Korean Red Ginseng Korean ginseng is also known as Panax, Chinese or Asian ginseng. It is the root of the plant that has been used for years in Asian cultures to help correct or prevent any disruption to the balance of the body and its functions. Korean red ginseng is panax ginseng that has been steamed and then dried out, where the steaming process appears to change some of the bioactive compounds and mimic some of the processes of activation that happen in the human gut. This can make their actions more reliable across individuals than fresh or white panax which is only air dried. Siberian Ginseng Siberian ginseng, also known by its scientific name of Eleutherococcus senticosus, is shrub, 2-7m high that is native to Russias far east. Siberian ginseng was spread to the west by the way of soviet athletes, who were using it to help improve their athletic performance. Its common name is misleading as it is not actually a part of the ginseng or panax family. The roots were di...

Do you sometimes hold yourself back from eating garlic from the fear that it will stink up your mouth? The fact that garlic gives you various health benefits along with that distinct smell to your breath is nothing new. It has been used by many cultures for thousands of years as a medicinal herb, and continued research reiterates how good it is for you. Here is a list of four important health benefits of garlic: 1. Reduces blood pressure. Allicin, a compound created when fresh garlic is crushed or chewed, relaxes blood vessels. When the vessels are able to stretch and contract well the strain on the heart and the arteries are reduced, resulting in lower blood pressure and risk of heart attack and stroke. 2. Helps reduce LDL (bad) and increase HDL (good) cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is commonly referred to as “bad” cholesterol as having high level of this can cause plaques to build up in the arteries. HDL which is considered as “Good”, on the other h...

MORINGA, also known as “drumstick tree,” is a fast growing tree native to the Himalayan mountains in northwestern India that grows well in dry land and in the soils of poor quality, and is drought tolerant. Due to its superior cultivating quality and nutrient-rich edible parts, the moringa is researched and actively cultivated by several NGOs for the purpose of reducing poverty and malnutrition in developing countries. -Moringa Empowers! Moringa is sometimes touted as a superfood . It contains 90 nutrients, 46 antioxidants and 36 anti-inflammatory substances that gives it the nickname, ' the most nutritious plant known to men .' In a gram to gram comparison, moringa leaves contain: 2x the vitamin A of carrots 14x the calcium of milk 4x the potassium of bananas 2x the protein of yogurt 7x the vitamin C of oranges 9x the iron of spinach 4x the fibre of oats This powerful nutrient profile makes Moringa a power booste r...

Which do you start your morning with, coffee or tea? (or maybe it's caffeinated protein shake?) Either is a vital part of the lives of many, and most of us living in this busy world needs a little caffeine push to start off the morning right, especially if we aren't too enthused about the idea of regular exercise.  No, I am not about to initiate the centuries-old debate about whether one should go for the 'magic leaf' or the 'magic fruit.' Let's talk about a vital counterpart of caffeine that we tend to forget about: Theanine.  Theanine  is a substance that we most commonly ingest by drinking tea, is what gives tea it's distinct taste. It has been shown to increase of the neurotransmitters Dopamin , which is responsible for the feeling of gratification and joy , and Serotonin , which affects the feeling of calm and relaxation . It is therefore considered an effective help in alleviating stress and anxiety. Several ...

Stinging nettle originates as a native shrub in colder regions of Europe and Asia and is now found worldwide. Young stinging nettle leaves are eaten as a cooked vegetable. In traditional medicines, its root and aerial parts have been used for many centuries. Its name comes from its leaves and stems that release irritating chemicals when they contact your skin. Containing more than fifty different chemical constituents, stinging nettle is rich in albumin, calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, C, D and B complexes. Traditionally, stinging nettle is used as a preventative medicine for hair loss and urination problems related to an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH). Extracts of nettle root treat enlarged prostate glands by inhibiting production of the hormone DHT, which is responsible for hair loss. People in Northern China and Mongolia use stinging nettle as a spices in daily life, and they have the lowest percentage of male baldness in the world. In ...

Milk thistle, or silybum marianum, is the most well-researched plant for liver health. It has been used for over 2,000 years as a natural treatment for liver problems including cirrhosis, jaundice, hepatitis and gallbladder disorders. Physicians in America at the turn of 20th century used a tincture of milk thistle for liver and kidney disorders and  gallstones. What are the Benefits? Liver Health: There are over 300 research studies on milk thistle use and benefits that back up its proven value in liver health today, many of which were carried out in Europe. Milk thistle is one of the herbs approved by the Commission E for its beneficial effects on liver-related diseases such as toxic liver damage, inflammatory liver disease, and cirrhosis . An active component of milk thistle, silymarin, is both an a nti-inflammatory and antioxidant , and milk thistle stabilizes the liver cell membrane and stimulates protein synthesis while accelerating the process of regeneration i...

Coenzyme Q 10 (CoQ 10) is a natural antioxidant synthesized in body cells. It is naturally present only in small amounts in a wide variety of foods, and comes in two forms: ubiquinol, the active antioxidant form, and ubiquinone, the oxidized form, which the body has to convert to ubiquinol. Both types are available in supplements and deliver pretty much the same therapeutic effects: antioxidant, heart protective and migraine prophylactic.  The beneficial effects of CoQ 10 are focused on its vital role in oxygen utilization and energy production, particularly in heart and skeletal muscle cells. A typical North American diet includes approximately 10 mg of CoQ 10 daily, thus taking CoQ 10 supplements is recommended to meet the daily value. Although CoQ 10 can be synthesized in the body, deficiency occurs due to disease, low dietary intake, or CoQ overuse. Symptoms of deficiency include high blood pressure, chest pain and, in severe cases, heart failure.  Benefits of CoQ 10 ...