Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects millions of people all over the world, including more than two million in the US alone. Types of epilepsy, once called the “ailment of royalty” range from mild “Peti-Mal” seizures which are usually a momentary lapse of concentration, to severe or “Grand-Mal” seizures such as the type suffered by Roman Emperor Julius Caesar, in which the sufferer looses all bodily control, including control of urination and defecation.

There have been recent studies made concerning the effect of diet on epilepsy, including following special diets which are low in sugars and other carbohydrates, especially what are known as “junk foods”. While these diets have not been proven to be completely effective to relieve the severity of epileptic seizures or prevent them altogether, studies concerning nutrition and its effects on epilepsy are showing that it is possible to relieve the severity of these seizures by changing one’s nutrition.

Nutritional recommendations for epilepsy suffers include eating and drinking the juice from raw, green leafy vegetables, beets, carrots, and other vegetables with high vitamin content (see our Natural Diet section). Add raw milk and cheese products, raw seeds and nuts, plus soy protein to your diet, plus bio-type sour milk yogurts, especially organic yogurts. Switch to using olive oil instead of other vegetable oils, including taking at least two tablespoons of high quality virgin olive oil a day. Instead of eating large meals three times a day, it’s better to eat several smaller meals and never large amounts of food at night. It’s also recommended not to drink large amounts of liquids at once, especially at meals, as this can bring on seizures.

Certain items such as coffee and tea containing caffeine, refined sugar, alcoholic beverages, fried foods and excessive animal protein should be substantially avoided; as well as using artificial sweeteners, especially Aspartame.

A number of beneficial vitamins and minerals should also be taken by epilepsy sufferers, including Vitamin B complex, Vitamin B-3 (niacin), magnesium, Folic and Pantothenic Acid, calcium and zinc.

It is also very important to engage in a moderate exercise program to improve blood circulation, especially to the brain. And most important, stress must be avoided as much as possible.

Epilepsy sufferers usually take a number of medications which, if taken together with other drugs, such as birth control pills and medications to control conditions such as hypertension and asthma may interact with epilepsy medications. By following the above diet recommendations, it may be possible to reduce the amount of epilepsy medications required as well as the frequency and severity of the seizures.

Source: NaturalNews.com

Literally millions of people in North America, the U.K. and other western countries are taking daily vitamin and mineral supplements, as well as nutritional supplements containing vitamins. This phenomenon is not new, and many large companies producing these products are not only very rich but getting richer by feeding on the “hype” that people are receiving concerning the need for these supplements, which often cost hundreds of dollars per month.

Both family physicians and professional nutritionists are now agreeing that too many vitamin supplements are not only non-effective, but may actually be damaging to a person’s health. In an article that came out in the New York Times a few years ago, prominent research physicians, such as Dr. Annette Dickson, president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition, noted that more than 70% of all Americans take some kind of vitamin supplement which come in many forms; including fortified cereal, bread products, and other types of food. When combined with a ’super fortified’ multi-vitamin product, the result, according to these health experts, can not only accomplish little or nothing towards maintaining good health, but can also be a cause of serious and often fatal health problems.

A few types of vitamins that people appear to be overtaking include Vitamins A, C, and E. Vitamin C, for example, is often recommended to be taken in high daily doses to either prevent or reduce the symptoms of a common cold. What usually happens, according to these doctors, is that the excess vitamin C is simply excreted by the person’s urine. Other vitamins, particularly those such as vitamin A and E, are stored in organs like the liver and can even result in conditions such as heart attacks and strokes.

Many take vitamin D supplements, often found in fortified milk and other dairy products, due to not being outdoors enough to let their bodies synthesize it. It has been pointed out however as people grow older, their skin looses the ability to synthesize this vitamin, and taking supplements containing vitamin D do not help to manufacture it.

While it was once thought that taking large amounts of vitamin supplements helped prevent the risk of cardio-vascular conditions, it is now being found that the opposite often takes place. And older people who take increased doses of vitamins A and D to decrease the risk of osteoporosis, usually prescribed as around 1,500 micrograms per tablet or capsule, are actually taking twice as much as what is actually needed, resulting in an even greater risk of having this condition.

Many doctors, however, are still convinced that taking multiple vitamins is essential to maintaining good health. These include Dr. Joann e. Manson, Chief of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Woman’s Hospital in Boston, Mass. Dr. Manson said, however, that taking these vitamins are only recommended if a person has severe diet deficiencies and must augment their diets by taking supplements.

But doctors and nutritionists alike agree that proper nutrition, including eating healthier diets, may reduce or even eliminate the need to take vitamin supplements. This is especially true for people whose diets are high in so called “junk foods”. There is no ‘magic bullet’ to cure an unhealthy diet, most health professionals agree.

Photo: Culinary Herb Guide

One of the true benefits of spring is the abundance of fresh herbs. While many herbs such as Basil, Oregano, Parsley and Thyme are available at your favorite grocer or whole foods store, many herbs can be found growing wild, or even in your neighborhood. There is simply nothing more lovely as a food taste enhancer than freshly picked herbs. Basil gives a special taste addition to a variety of foods, ranging from spaghetti and other pasta, to salads, meat dishes, and soups. Along with basil, oregano is a “must have” herb for Italian cookery; and fresh oregano is much more taste enhancing than the dried variety.

Herbs such as Rosemary and Sage are actually perennial plants which can often be found in the wild as well as in private and municipal gardens. Both of these zesty herbs go well will numerous dishes, including potatoes, sweet potatoes, chicken and fish. Chives and Mustard (either domestic or wild) are also common in the spring and add zest and flavor to numerous dishes. Though not actually an herb, Garlic (a cousin to the onion) is a must for cooking and is also grown in organic gardens to help keep insect pests away. Garlic Chives are chive-like perennial plants that resemble chives but also have a special garlic-like flavor. They are often grown in organic gardens for reasons similar to garlic.

Herbs which have a special use include varieties of Mint, Fennel, and Dill. Mint is common in many gardens and besides its use in teas and other beverages has many uses as a flavor enhancer for meat dishes, especially lamb. Fennel is both an herb and a succulent vegetable whose flowering tops are used for flavor enhancers for food and sweets, especially licorice. Fennel’s bulb-like stalks resemble celery and can be cooked into many delicious vegetable and meat dishes. Dill is a common pickling herb as well as a taste enhancer in breads such as rye bread.

People who live near wooded or marshy areas can find many of these herbs growing wild during the spring and summer months. By picking them wild and consuming them immediately, you gain the benefit of using truly organic herbs. The alternative to picking them wild is growing them in you own organic garden, which can even be on your apartment balcony if you are a city dweller. Plant and garden nurseries provide special trough-like planters for growing herbs as well as special soil and other needed materials. You can also buy fresh organic herbs at whole food centers and other similar establishments, including public markets.

Spring cleaning often means having to use harsh, toxic cleaning compounds that are not only damaging to our environment but physically hazardous as well. As a result of more attention being given to organic and environmentally friendly household products, more and more people are preferring to use cleaning compound that are made without toxic chemicals. Nowadays, a growing number of these products are available and are not only being offered in whole foods and organic products stores, but in well known supermarket chains as well, including Krogers, Safeway, and even WalMart Super Stores.

For cleaning dishes, companies like Clean Environment Company are offering products such as ones which do not contain any petroleum based or carcinogen type chemicals and are completely bio-degradable. These products are made for both automatic dishwashers as well as for hand dishwashing, and are chlorine and phosphate free. They are designed to not only get the cleaning job done, but will not contaminate our ecological and water systems once they are flushed down the drain.

For the laundry, phosphate free liquid and powdered detergents are available that not only thoroughly clean your laundry but will not “suds up” in streams and lakes afterwards. Some of the ingredients in these detergents are linear alkyl sulfonate and alcohol ethoxylate (completely bio-degradable) and natural, citric acid based compounds. Since ordinary laundry detergents have been claimed to be leading contributor to environmental pollution, natural “bio-compounds” are much more friendly to our environment

For floor, furniture and appliance cleaning, environmental friendly cleaning products are available to take care of virtually any kind of cleaning job, including removal of lime scale and grease. Even oven cleaners are available which do not contain petroleum distillates, ammonia, or formaldehyde. All of these products, including ones like oven cleaners for “heavy” cleaning jobs are bio-degradable and do not contain previously mentioned toxic compounds

When throwing away trash, special “bio bags” are available which are biodegradable and won’t contaminate landfills and garbage dumps (that’s done enough already with ordinary polyethylene plastic bags). Pet owners should consider using environmentally friendly pet shampoos and litter bags.

Although these products cost more than ordinary cleaning products (between 20 – 50%) the fact that using them helps our environment is reason enough to “go green” when doing household cleaning chores.

Costco’s, one of the worlds’ largest and must successful discount shopping chains, is also one of the most friendly from an environmental standpoint. Besides offering a wide variety of goods, including many whole food items, the chain does not give either paper or plastic shopping bags to sack groceries. Customers have to bring these themselves. There are two philosophies behind the company’s central management’s decision to do away with the ubiquitous shopping bags that people in other stores still use for not only their purchases, but at home as garbage and lunch bags, utility bags, and a world of other uses. Besides saving the chain a tremendous lot of money (grocery bags can cost one store an average of $30,000 per year) the chain is also proud of its overall contribution to protecting the environment.

Although mainly located in the U.S.A. and Canada, Costco also has 31 stores in Mexico, 19 in the U.K., 8 in Japan, 6 in South Korea, and 5 in Taiwan. People who shop in one the company’s wholesale stores have to either bring re-usable shopping bags with them or use cardboard boxes that contained goods sold in the store and are placed near the exits for customer use. The company also passes good buys on to their customers, including their own “house brand”, Kirkland Signature, which is seen on items ranging from food products to automobile batteries and tires. People wanting to shop at Costco purchase an annual membership for around $100 which they more than make up by the discounts they receive on their purchases during the year.

It is currently estimated that the 562 world-wide locations save more than $16 million dollars per year in bag costs and literally thousands of tons of plastic and paper waste. Other large shopping clubs, such as Sam’s Club (owned by WalMart) also supply less shopping bags or none at all. Re-usable bags are available for sale, however.

The problem of shopping bags, made from petroleum based polyester material, has been a major concern of environmentalists for years. These bags not only clutter up garbage dumps, but are discarded at beaches, forest recreation areas and reservoirs. It takes as long as a hundred years for one of these bags to disintegrate and the pollution they cause when disposed in garbage dumps eventually reach ground water aqua systems.

By eliminating these bags at check out counters, stores like Costco’s not only save money but help considerably in protecting the ecology of our planet.

World food prices appear to be on the rise, almost to the point where people the world over are beginning to see for themselves the consequences of global warming. With populations booming in most Asian countries, particularly heavily populated ones like China, Japan, India and Indonesia, find that these rising food prices are affecting one of the worlds’ most basic yet stable food commodities - rice.

The old saying that bread (largely made from wheat and similar grains) is “the staff of life” no longer appears to be the case, as rice, Asia’s most commonly eaten food, is gaining in popularity. This fact is not really surprising as some of Asia’s most heavily populated countries depend heavily on the starchy grain which contains not only a good percentage of needed carbohydrates but essential vitamins as well. Rice has been a food staple in China and other Asian countries for thousands of years; and out of the world’s 6.5 billion inhabitants, rice is a vital food grain for at least 3 billion human beings.

Rice is relatively easy to grow and can be cultivated in marshy or swampy regions where other food grains are scarce. An average grain of brown rice (rice which still has the rice germ and bran hull) contains 78% carbohydrates, Vitamins B and E, proteins, and minerals such as potassium. Although people living in North America and Europe tend to eat the bleached white rice, which has less food value, more and more people are opting out for whole grain rice, found in better quality supermarkets and whole food stores. A 200 gram serving of cooked, brown rice contains 282 calories, 1.6 gm of dietary fiber, 1 mg of iron, 220 mg of magnesium, 198 mg of potassium, 0.3 mg of vitamin B1, 0.4 mg of vitamin B2, and 1.4 mg of zinc.

The most popular types of rice are long grain, Persian style, Basmati (popular in countries like India) and round, which is the basis for most Sushi recipes. Recent world weather fluctuations has resulted in severe damage to many Asian rice crops which is causing chromic to severe rice shortages in countries where inhabitants depend heavily on successful annual rice crops to ward off starvation. Rice shortages in Asian countries are also finding their way their way to Western countries, where rice has also become an important part of many peoples daily diet due to its easy digestibility and nutritional benefits.

Much emphasis has recently been placed on foods having a high GI or Glycemix Index. Foods with high GI indexes put weight on people faster and are high in glucose. White rice has a high GI or Glycemic Index and is therefore less healthier than brown varieties which have a much lower GI index.

Blueberries are more than just a wonderful tasting fruit. They help improve our memory and delay the effects of aging. The beneficial properties of the berries of this plant, known by it’s Latin term of Cyanococcus vaccininum, has been evident for centuries. The plant has many varieties, and is found in both North America and Europe.

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants which help deter aging. They are an excellent source of flavonoids which have positive attributes to keep the brain from losing its memory function, even in old age. Scientific studies of the effects of flavonoids on the brain have found that they help brain cells by enhancing existing neuronal or brain cell connections. Parts of the brain dealing with learning and memory are especially benefited by eating blueberries. Blueberries are also said to help improve eyesight, which was related by British air force pilots during the Second World War, who ate blueberry pie or jam prior to going on flying missions.

Prominent neurologists have found that the high level of flavonoids found in blueberries are very helpful to older people and helps slow down memory loss and even more pronounced memory loss conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. While all blueberries are high in antioxidants and flavonoids, wild blueberries or bilberries as they are often called in Europe, have even higher levels of these anti-aging and memory retentive compounds.

Besides the benefits previously noted, blueberries have also been found to be good in treating various forms of cancers as ingredients such as anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols and tannins are effective in keeping cancer cells from developing. The berries are also effective in preventing strokes in both humans and animals. Other healthful ingredients in blueberries include vitamins C and E, dietary fiber, and the mineral manganese.

Because of their healthful benefits, blueberries are very popular in organic and whole foods stores, where their healthful ingredients are very much appreciated.

So, next time you decide to make some pancakes or muffins for breakfast, consider adding some fresh or frozen blueberries to the batter, as well as using a spread made from blueberry jam. The benefits received will be more than just good taste.

With all the recent attention being given to the topic of global warming, very little attention is being given to something that in the long run may be even more serious to plant and animal life on Planet Earth. And that warning is the exact opposite of global cooling.

Global cooling? With the earth’s arctic (and Antarctic) ice caps, glaciers, and snow caps on mountain ranges melting at an unbelievably fast pace, who would even consider an adverse phenomenon as global cooling? It now appears that a growing number of scientific researchers are saying just that; with theories and data to back up their beliefs that the present, largely man-made global climate changes will soon begin to reverse themselves and result in much colder winters, shorter spring and summer growing seasons, and even a possible ice age.

Although higher temperatures have recently in many parts of the world, even much lower winter temperatures are coming to light in many countries such as China, South Africa, Greece, Argentina, and many parts of the USA, including southern states like Texas. For the past few years now, severe winter storms have hit many parts of the U.S.A., some of which have caused many deaths and widespread property damage. These storms often referred to as “blue northerns”, have arrived as early as mid October, and as later as March or even April! Many parts of Europe have also been hit with similar storms with heavy snow falling in London in early April. China recently experienced winter ice and snow storms so severe that more than two thirds of this nation of 1.3 billion people was brought to a virtual standstill.

It doesn’t take much of a global cooling trend to cause these types of weather changes to occur. Meteorologists and other scientists studying global climate changes say that a very small drop in world temperature of between 0.60 – 0.80 Celsius (4-6 degrees Fahrenheit) is enough to greatly affect world weather patterns. What causes this to happen, is a combination of many factors, including increases in sunspots and other changes in our only source of extraterrestrial heat, the sun. Volcanic activity, forest fires, and other phenomenon, including great increases of dust and other particles in the atmosphere, lessen the effectiveness of the sun’s warming rays.

Whether these changes will result in another ice age or “mini ice age” (as occurred about 400 years ago) is still not completely certain. But recent sci-fi thriller movies, including one entitled “The Day After Tomorrow” are based on these theories that this kind of severe climate reversal could very well happen. In the so called “mini-ice age” of the 1,600’s, the harbor around the New World Dutch colony of New Amsterdam (New York) was frozen over, and wolves were common in the streets of Paris.

All it takes are some reverse direction in ocean currents, and other changes as previously mentioned to cause the earth to turn colder and create a dire danger to human life that all of Man’s technological advances will not be able to counter-act.

Source: naturalnewswire.com
The Organic Center, based in Denver Colorado, released in March, 2008, a special report of its findings in which it was estimated that a much as 97% of the dangers from pesticides would be eliminated if America’s 8 million acres of land used for growing farm produce would be converted to organic farming.

Dr. Charles Benbrook, Chief research scientist for the Center, summarized in the report that the fundamental way to stop the dangers to food caused by pesticides is to “choose the organic option”. To back up this claim, comparison examples were made between farm produce grown organically to that grown by conventional methods, which included use of pesticides. According to Dr. Benbrook’s findings, American families are exposed to as much as 13 kinds of pesticide residues daily. Some of the larger amounts are found in spinach (9 residues), raisons (11 residues), peaches ( 5 or more residues) and bell peppers (as much as 12 residues).

To add to these findings, it was also noted in the report that other agricultural products, including dairy and meat products, were found to contain multiple pesticide residue. This is perfectly understandable, as the fodder fed to dairy and meat producing cattle comes largely from hay and alfalfa that had been sprayed with pesticides.

In regards to the production of fruits and vegetables, it was pointed out that only 3 per cent of agricultural land is utilized for growing these kinds of produce, with the remainder used for growing cereal grains and similar crops.

Dr. Benbrook added that although it will take years to changed current farming methods to growing crops by organic methods, at least 10 per cent of all crops are currently being grown by organic methods. As more and more consumers begin purchasing organic produce, the risks from pesticides will be reduced as well. The Organic Center included a list of conventionally grown fruits and vegetables that have the highest pesticide risk index. Some of these include: cranberries (178) bell peppers (132) and green beans (330). Imported produce has even higher pesticide indexes with “summer fruits” such as pears, grapes, peaches, and nectarines having indexes of 266 to 282, and vegetables like lettuce and cucumbers having indexes of between 316 and 326. Bell peppers, apparently “havens” pesticide residues, had indexes of over 700!

Taking these findings into consideration, it’s easy to see why it is worthwhile to purchase only organically grown produce.

Choline is an organic compound that was first discovered in 1864. It is classified as being part of the B-vitamin group and is found mostly in eggs, soy products, and cooked meats. Although this compound is considered as very important to maintaining good health, very few people are familiar with it. It is found in cell membranes and is considered as vital for maintaining healthy human cell growth. Scientific studies have concluded that choline intake in humans should be between 425 and 550 milligrams per day. As eggs are one of the commonest and least expensive sources of choline, eating one egg per day supplies a good portion of an average person’s need.

Choline is especially vital in women. Recent studies conducted by laboratories of the U.S. National Institute of Health have found that by consuming adequate amounts of choline daily, women have less chance of having breast cancer. Carried out among 3,000 adult women, the studies found that by consuming at least 450 milligrams of choline daily, women had 25% less chance of developing breast cancer than those who consumed lesser amounts. The studies concluded that choline is a very important nutrient for all persons, no matter what age or sex. Women of child bearing age need adequate amounts of this nutrient; especially pregnant women. One egg has around 125 mg of choline, or about a quarter of normal daily requirement. High amounts of choline are also found in liver, soy beans, cauliflower, and wheat germ (found in health and natural foods stores).

In addition to being effective against breast cancer, choline is also good for maintaining memory functions and against heart disease.

Choline can have an unpleasant side affect, however, as many people are not able to cope with high levels of choline in their bodies; which results in a disorder known as trimethylaminuria or “fish odor syndrome” in which their bodies begin to emit a strong, unpleasant order that smells like fish. People suffering form this condition are advised to consume less foods high in choline, especially liver (all kinds) and other organ meats.

Despite this problem, the benefits of this essential nutrient far outweigh any possible detriments, and people are advised to make sure they consume adequate amounts of choline in their daily diets.