• Omega 3-6-9 Fact Sheet: What are the differences among omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fats, and how do they add up for better health?

• Frequently Asked Questions: Answers to questions about Omega-9 Oils, what restaurants are using them, their health benefits, and more!

• Oils Comparison Chart: Not all fats are created equal! Click on the chart to compare the profiles of commonly used oils.

• How do Omega-9 Oils benefit your health?

More information from Healthier Oils.

Post from: Blisstree

Omega 9 Oils: Healthier Oils

Ian M. Paul, M.D., M.Sc., Penn State College of Medicine, Hershey, and team carried out a study on 105 children – they were aged 2-18, and all were suffering from upper respiratory tract infections. They were ill for up to seven days and experienced symptoms during the night. 35 of them were randomly selected to receive a dose of honey, another 33 were given dextromethorphan, while the other 37 were given nothing – those receiving treatment got it 30 minutes before bedtime. Their parents had to fill in a survey assessing their child’s cough and sleep difficulty twice – once for the night before treatment, and then again for the night with treatment.

The researchers found that honey helped children the most by far, followed by dextromethorphan. Honey helped alleviate the following problems – cough frequency, cough severity, the child’s sleep, and the parents’ sleep.

Worth a try, especially considering that the use of dextromethorphan for children’s cough is a treatment which is not supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, nor the American College of Chest Physicians. Honey, on the other hand, is considered to be safe for use for kids at least 1 year old.

Photo Credit: nkzs

Post from: Blisstree

Buckwheat Honey Helps Relieve Cough

In this study, researchers fed one group of mice a diet containing corn oil and another group a diet containing canola oil, then recorded the incidence of breast cancer and changes to breast cancer regulating genes in the offspring. All offspring were fed a diet containing corn oil after weaning.

While both groups of offspring were about the same weight, the total tumor weight, number of glands with tumors and fraction of mice with tumors were higher in those whose mothers who were fed corn oil.

Apparently, this is due to the higher omega-3/omega 6 ratio of canola oil in comparison to corn oil. Omega 3 has been linked to lower cancer risks, while omega 6 polyunsaturated fats, which are high in corn oils, have previously been linked to increased rates of breast cancer.

Me? I’m still sticking to my rice bran oil.

Photo Credit: _e.t

Post from: Blisstree

Canola Oil Help Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer

Hargrove explained that when blood sugar levels are high, a process known as protein glycation occurs in which the sugar bonds with proteins to eventually form what are known as advanced glycation end products, also known as AGE compounds. The acronym is fitting because these compounds activate the immune system, resulting in the inflammation and tissue damage associated with aging and diabetes.

The researchers found a strong and direct correlation between the phenol content of common herbs and spices and their ability to inhibit the formation of AGE compounds. Spices such as cloves and cinnamon had phenol levels that were 30 percent and 18 percent of dry weight, respectively, while herbs such as oregano and sage were eight and six percent phenol by dry weight, respectively. For comparison, blueberries – which are widely touted for their antioxidant capabilities – contain roughly five percent phenol by dry weight.

In one sitting I can easily eat about a hundred grams of blueberries, but I don’t think I use more than a gram of spices and herbs in any one dish. However, I do use herbs and spices quite regularly, especially oregnao, basil, thyme, and rosemary. Any ideas for sage-recipes?

Post from: Blisstree

Herbs and Spices Help Fight Diabetes and Aging

Basil? Apparently, aside from its antibacterial and other health benefits, basil contain volatile oils that has anti-inflammatory properties, which basically act the same way as your over the counter aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen (source). Want more scientific proof? Check out this animal trial published in Fitoterapia.

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Anti-Inflammatory Powers of Basil

I’ve found an article that cites 20 alternatives to ginger for curing sore throat! The options range from something as simple as salted water gargle to herbs I’m not that familiar with, such as Goldenseal root, betony and Hyssop. There are also the more common remedies such as echinacea, chamomile, and honey/lemon juice. The common denominator among these remedies? Most of them have antibacterial properties. Some may be anti-inflammatory, too.

Photo Credit: Ben Cumming via Flickr

Post from: Blisstree

Home Remedies for Sore Throat

And although the studies used relatively high amounts of capsaicin (probably more than even a Thai-food addict can tolerate) to demonstrate this, researchers are looking into the structure of capsaicin as a model to design more potent compounds that might have clinical use such as treating hypothermia.

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Capsaicin in Peppers Can Increase Metabolism and Body Temperatures

In the lab study which also included negative controls, the scientists looked at 18 food-related products including coffee beans, carrot, mango, fermented soya, and food stabilizers such as locust bean gum and konjac gum. All were subjected to in-vitro exposure to various bacteria which were allowed to attach themselves to the test products. The levels of bound bacteria were determined in a microplate-based method specifically developed for this purpose.

The results showed that sesame seed extract and konjac gum had the greatest number of adhered bacteria, leading to the conclusion that they may have a part to play in preventing certain E. coli and Salmonella from latching onto the host.

What in the world is konjac gum?!? Never heard of it before, but apparently konjac a good source of soluble dietary fiber and is used in various food products as gelling agent, thickener, stabilizer, emulsifier and film former.

Post from: Blisstree

Sesame Seed Extract and Konjac Gum May Help Prevent Gut Infections

The two companies are partnering to introduce a breakthrough, zero-calorie, all-natural sweetener from the stevia plant. It’s called PureVia™ and will debut in a new nutritionally enhanced PepsiCo beverage called “SoBe Life,” to be launched in Latin America, starting with Peru. PureVia™ tabletop sweetener will launch in the United States this fall before expanding into drink and food products around the world. PureViaTM will be available initially in three SoBe Life flavor blends: Tropical Pomegranate, Strawberry-Kiwi and Orange-Tangerine.

Looks like they’ve even gotten the marketing campaigns rolling:

Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/pepsicopurevia/34235/

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Stevia Sweetener PureVia and SoBe Life

In the future, ready-to-eat- spinach leaves may be coated with thin, pliable, edible film containing substances such as carvacrol, an antibacterial compound found naturally in oregano.

Photo Credit: thomas pix

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Oregano Antibacterial in Your Spinach