Lingzhi A Miracle Herb For Peak Health

The secret of success is knowing how to deal with your body to maintain peak health condition. The dictum Health is Wealth hold more truth in the modern context than ever before.
While medical science has progressed what one could ever imagine, in treating disorders and disease, the real challenge lies in prevention. Modern medicine has succeeded in treating major disease it has not found a perfect system for prevention of dreaded diseases like cancer and HIV.
The answer lies in looking to a system which is natural sustainable and adaptable for all conditions and all body systems.
This has now led to extensive research in Herbs as the primary preventive source and healthy herbal and organic food products now take the lead in preventive systems.
The king of Herbs as it is known in China and Celestial Herb in Japan is Ganoderma. It is also known as Lingzhi in China and Reishi in Japan.
Lingzhi is now widely researched across the globe by many universities and research institutions and sterling work has been done by China and Japan.
Revered for thousands of years and shrouded in mystery, Lingzhi however was difficult to grow. After much research in 1970 a breakthrough was achieved in commercial cultivation. Still it remains rare and cultivated in few countries like China, Japan, Malaysia and Korea to name a few.
DXN a company from Malaysia remains in the forefront of bringing the benefits of the Lingzhi to the common man. More details at http://globalhealthnetwork.tripod.com
The Magic Effects of Ganoderma
Research is still going on and scientists have discovered 252 active components beneficial and essential to the human body. It is an adaptogen which brings immense benefits to human body without any side effect.
Analysis and experiments done by various universities and pharmaceutical manufacturers have attested to its being a hemocatharsis, detoxificant,diuretic, liver protector, intestine regulator, cardiotonic, blood pressure adjuster, a cold tonic, expectorant, a tranquilizer and inhibits tumour and cancerous growth.
What is the Healing Principle of Ganoderma
Many clinical trials and experiments by doctors, especially Dr. Shigeru Yuji’s experiments has established the reasons Ganoderma is effective because of its basic functions

• Lowers cholesterol in the blood and the amount of free fat
• Reduces blood sugar levels and helps pancreatic functions
• Lowers blood lipids and stabilizes red cell membrane
• Improves the function of the cortex of the adrenal glands to maintain endocrine balance
• Elevates the natural healing ability of the body, allows the body to establish strong immune system
• Prevents tissue cell degeneration
• Prevents senility, maintaining a youthful constitution
• Lowers the side effects of antihypertensive drugs
• Prevents organ degenetation
• Prevents allergy caused by antigens, because it inhibits the histamine release by mastcells
• Relieves pain caused by cancer

While plenty of medical terminology is used to describe various effects on the body, we have avoided such references as the article is not meant as a medical prescription but mainly for use by the common man as an effective health giving food supplement.
Main Health Giving Components
While the Linghzhi mushrooms are said to contain 252 active medicinal compounds, the two main components are:

1. Germanium: Germanium can promote blood circulation, can increase oxygen absorbing capability of the body and keep sufficient oxygen in the body, improve metabolism and prevent functional degeneration. Based on research germanium is the major component of Lingzhi. The germanium contained in Lingzhi is 4-6 times more than ginseng.
2. Poly-saccharides: The poly saccharides can increase antibody count which strengthens immunity. Poly saccharides are the most active health enhancing ingredient for the body.

No wonder the Lingzhi mushrooms are called the ‘Celestial Herb’ by the Japanese for its health giving properties. Modern science and cultivation methods have made this difficult to grow herb available for the past decade or two for everyone to derive the benefits.
While there are thousands of research papers available on the medicinal aspects of the Lingzhi this article primarily is to highlight the health giving aspects of this wonderful herbal remedy for ills of the modern living like stress, pollution and imbalances in food habits.

Powerful Anti-Aging Secrets!

Many people have searched the world over looking for the fountain of youth. We all long for eternal beauty, free of wrinkles or the sagging of age. To answer this yearning, the market has been bombarded with creams and serums boasting the secrets of anti aging. Anti aging has become a market in itself and we have answered the call, purchasing our fill or at least the fill of our pocketbooks! However, perhaps the answer does not lie in a miracle lotion or cream, but in the life we live before we reach our advanced years.
Do not misunderstand, I am not suggesting we will forever be free from wrinkles if we live properly – at some point our skin will sag and we will show our age. Instead, I am suggesting our society is always looking for the quick fixes. To lose weight, we look for a miracle pill instead of eating right and exercising. On the same note, instead of eating properly and caring for ourselves, we look for the easy way out – something to rub on our faces to remove the evidence of the life we have chosen to live, or even worse, surgery to cut away and stretch out the skin we have chosen to disregard for so long.
On the other hand, why don’t we accept the creases that line our faces as trophies we have earned with the years we have endured on this Earth? Why is the exploration in search of anti aging so much more popular than the search for self-acceptance?
At the end of the day, when our eyes close for the final time, will it matter how many wrinkles line our faces, how tight our stomach muscles are, or the amount of gray in our hair? Will the pursuit of anti aging be a factor when age ceases to exist? Of course not. Perhaps we should spend our lives pursuing something that may actually proceeds us in death, instead of that which fades with lost memories.

Lower Your Cholesterol Level - The Difference Between Good Cholesterol and Bad Cholesterol

We all nowadays know the importance of trying to reduce cholesterol and many of us actively take steps to achieve a lower cholesterol level in our blood. I am frequently asked the question: "what is the difference between good cholesterol and bad cholesterol?"
So what is HDL cholesterol? (the good cholesterol) and what is ldl cholesterol? (the bad cholesterol). Read on and find out. Cholesterol circulates in our blood attached to a protein called a lipoprotein. There are two basic types of lipoprotein. High density lipoprotein (HDL) or low density lipoprotein (LDL). HDL is usually labeled as "good cholesterol" because the molecule is mostly protein and does not carry a high quantity of free fat along with it.
LDL on the other hand is a molecule that only has a small amount of protein and for the most part is made of of freely available and very easily dissolved cholesterol fat. LDL is often referred to as "bad cholesterol."
If you have a lot of good cholesterol or HDL in your system then your heart will be quite well protected from the effects of fat. If you have a lot of LDL - or bad cholesterol - then you will be at greater risk of heart attack or stroke. This information has now been shown to be correct in countless medical studies throughout the world.
If you are having a cholesterol check or cholesterol blood test then your doctor will look at your blood test result and check the level of the Total Cholesterol count. He or she will then examine the count for the level of the good cholesterol or HDL. The ratio of the total cholesterol divided by the HDL level is thought to be a reflection of the "true cholesterol level" in your blood and as such is a good predictor of future heart attack or stroke problems.
For example - a total cholesterol count of 6.0 and an HDL count of 1.5 will give a ratio of 4.0. This is a healthy level and will usually indicate good cardiovascular health. A total count of 6.0 and an HDL count of 0.5 will give a ratio of 12.0: very bad news indeed from the point of view of stroke and heart attack risk.
(Note - these are UK values for typical results - US values will be different but the ratios will be the same: the UK and the US use different units to measure cholesterol levels.)
If you have a high cholesterol then get focused and take steps to change your lifestyle now. If you don't know what your cholesterol level is then make plans to speak to your doctor about whether you need it checked or not.

Flush Fat With These 4 Detox Drinks

When people gain fat, they don't get more fat cells, but the existing fat cells get bigger. This can happen because of hormonal imbalances, lack of exercise and foods that can make your body store fat instead of flushing it.
Fat cells can store "excess energy," like excess nutrients from overeating. They can even store toxic compounds, like organochlorines, from pesticides along with other chemicals, which are not easily broken down by your body.
If you want to lose fat, or the fatty look, you must do two things. First you must shrink the fat cells. The second is to keep your lymphatic system in good working order.
Your lymphatic system is a type of circulatory system. It transports white blood cells through your body while transporting waste to organs of detoxification or elimination.
Your lymphatic system must work efficiently so that toxins leave your body, not just change locations. These are some of the beverages that can help.
Grapefruit Juice - Fresh squeezed grapefruit juice is one of the best cleanser's for your lymphatic system. Grapefruits contain high amounts of Vitamin C, which helps your body naturally detoxify.
In addition, grapefruits are high in phytonutrients called limonoids - in particular limonin. Limonin is a compound that helps promote the formation of glutathione-S-transferase, a detoxifying enzyme. This enzyme causes the liver to render toxins to be easily excreted from the body. These compounds are also work as powerful antioxidants.
Grapefruit juice can increase the activity of liver enzymes. In fact, it helps with Phase I and Phase II detoxification. This is important since some foods only help the body with Phase I detoxification. If unbalanced and left incomplete, these half-neutralized toxins can be more hazardous to your body.
Grapefruit juice will help your liver detoxify and clear harmful carcinogens from your body. Not only is this a healthy preventive measure, but when your liver is working the way it should, it is more efficient at burning fat - a job it may put on hold if it is over burdened.
Cranberry Juice - Pure cranberry juice is a natural fat flushing drink. It must be 100% pure cranberry juice without anything added. (Check the label, you might be surprised.)
Cranberry juice contains high levels of organic acids. When taken on a regular basis, these help the body dissolve fatty deposits.
Cranberry juice has been found in research to inhibit certain strains of bacteria from sticking to red blood cells or mouth cells which can cause them to linger in the body. In addition, it helps block a certain bacteria from sticking to cells causing urinary tract infections. This raises the body's ability to flush the bacteria out of the system more easily.
Green tea - Green tea is one of the most famous fat flushing drinks. Like cranberry juice, green tea is extremely high in antioxidants. It has been known to help many dieters lose belly fat more quickly when taken 2-3 times a day. In 1997, researchers found that a component of green tea, an antioxidant called EGCG, is very powerful at limiting the negative side effects of a fatty diet and even smoking.
The Lemon Flush - Make this drink with spring water, juice from ¼ lemon, 1 Table spoon of grade B maple syrup and a dash of cayenne pepper. Make the water as hot as you can drink it and add the ingredients. Sip this drink 1-6 times per day to help flush fat and other toxins from your body.
Grade B Maple Syrup is loaded with vitamins and minerals to help maintain blood sugar during a fast or diet. Lemon juice helps break up hardened material in the joints and muscles, helps clear the kidneys and dissolves toxins and congestion all throughout your body and lymphatic system. Some herbalists claim that cayenne pepper is the most powerful herb in the world. It helps your intestines move out waste, speeds up metabolism, helps build heart tissue, and has been used to treat diseases of the circulatory system.
Consuming certain beverages can help your body perform the two jobs of fat loss more efficiently. These drinks can help your body remove waste from the fat cells and keep your lymphatic system clear and ready to transport toxins out of your system. They can help turn any weight loss program into a fat flush program.

How Can Fat Be Essential?

Did you know that some fats are essential to the body? Yes, there are some fats that our body cannot produce which means that we must get them from our food. Perhaps you’ve heard of omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. These are both considered essential and must be supplied by the foods we eat.

What do they do? Well, the omega-3 fatty acid, for example is used for the production of healthy cell membranes and for the production of a class of hormones called prostaglandins. You know how aspirin and acetominophen are anti-inflammatories? So are the prostaglandins that our bodies produce from omega-3 fatty acids.

Now, we need the omega-3’s and the omega-6’s to be in the proper combination to be most effective to us. Empirical evidence shows that the proper ratio is about 4:1 between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. What do you suppose our average diet gives us? About a 20:1 and up to a 40:1 ratio; not even close to the optimal ratio.

Why is the balance so out of whack? Well, our normal diets are rich in omega-6 fatty acids. We get them from meats, dairy products, and processed foods. We eat a lot of those foods on average. We get omega-3 fatty acids from certain vegetable oils such as flaxseed, canola, and soybean. And we get omega-3 fatty acids from cold-water fish such as mackerel, sardines, salmon, and tuna.

Eat more fish! You’ve heard that said before, and now you know why.

Especially the salmon. It is especially rich in the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon , or any of the other omega-3 rich fish (but what tastes better than good salmon?) should be consumed at least once a week.

In order to get the omega-6 vs. omega-3 ratio in order, decrease your consumption of the saturated fat from meats and dairy products and increase your consumption of fish such as salmon.

Do you know how else you will benefit from increased consumption of omega-3 fatty acids? Your cholesterol level will improve. You see, the essential omega-3 fatty acids have the ability to help decrease your total cholesterol and your LDL cholesterol level. The LDL cholesterol is the so-called bad cholesterol. So you will improve your cholesterol levels by adding a better balance of omega-3 fatty acids to your diet.

Not surprisingly, the omega-3 fatty acids can be heart healthy. Several diseases show improvement when patients increase their intake of these essential fats. Check out Dr. Ray Strand’s important book for citings of clinical studies of omega-3. The book is titled, “What Your Doctor Doesn’t Know About Nutritional Medicine May Be Killing You.” It’s a wonderful book and should be a standard reference volume in your nutrition library.

Eat well, take appropriate supplements, and stay healthy.

Macrobiotics: Diet and Lifestyle for Long-term Health

A frequent misunderstanding about macrobiotics is that it
is a diet sick people use - cancer patients especially - in
order to heal. While it is true that a macrobiotic
approach has helped a great many people get well,
macrobiotics is much more than a mere diet, and it is for
everyone. Whether you're recovering from illness or simply
interested in having greater vitality, macrobiotics is a
wholistic, natural system for good health and long life.

"Let food by thy medicine, and medicine thy food," is a
saying from the ancient Greek philosopher Hippocrates, who
also coined the term "macrobiotics." In Greek, "makro"
means long or large, and "bio" means life. A macrobiotic
approach to good health begins with food and cooking,
extending to include lifestyle and exercise. Daily walks,
a grateful state of mind, and meditation for centering
oneself are among the practices of the system. Its purpose
is to create a state of health that supports rather than
prevents a full and vibrant life.

Since Hippocrates coined the term, we know that the
principles of macrobiotics have been around a long time.
They're the same concepts that you'll find in any modern
day nutrition or fitness class: high fiber, low fat, plenty
of vegetables and grains, limited meat. Going beyond these
basics, macrobiotics also includes healing foods such as
sea vegetables and ginger root.

To bring balance to one's physical and emotional condition
through utilizing food is the macrobiotic focus. Foods
that have nutritional and energetic balance - yin and yang -
are used: legumes, beans, whole grains, and vegetables
dominate. Red meat, dairy, refined sugar, and coffee are
examples of foods without balance and they are eliminated.
For flavor, variety, and seasonal virtue, some oils, nuts,
and fruits are used in small amounts. The variety adds
interest and also increases the nutrient range. The end
result is food both wholesome and delicious.

It is critically important that the food tastes good
because food is sensual, and if it doesn't appeal to our
senses, we won't eat it in the long run. It might take a
bit of time to develop the taste for macrobiotic cuisine
because it is light and elegant in its simplicity.