All About Ginger

by Sharon Stajda

Asian societies have always prized ginger for its health properties. And consider it one of natures best has root for its wonderful always healing powers. Not only do they use ginger in curative medicines, but add it to many of their recipes.

Through out history famous world figures such as Henry the VIII revered the benefits of ginger. Believing ginger aided in preventing one from getting to the plague. This uses of ginger has not been substantiate, but it is very apparent that through out history ginger has been used for its powerful medicinal properties.

It is well thought that ginger, the pungent, aromatic spice, is a root? But actually it is an underground stem, from a tropical herb plant Zingiber officinale. This herb is primarily grown in India, Jamaica. It is also grown in China, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Australia. It grows best in tropical lowland and forests, requiring hot, humid, shady conditions, with a fertile loam that will provide a good amount of nutrients. Ginger has no season, but grows through out the year, as long as the weather conditions are stable.

The uses for ginger are many. You will not only find it ground and bottled in the spice section at the grocery store, but in the fresh produce department in its natural stem form. It is also widely used for it oil in spicy colognes, and soaps. One of it more recognizable uses, Ginger Ale. Ginger Ale is one of the oldest and well known soft drinks. Most of us will have memories of Ginger Ale being given to us as children, for an upset stomach.

A study on motion sickness done by ("The American Phytotherapy Research Laboratory") located in Salt Lake City. Results showed that ginger was compared to Dramamine, for relieving motion sickness. It was proven ginger had a significant benefit in their experiment with a controlled study. One group taking Dramamine the other ginger, the group that took the ginger withstood a spin test for 6 minutes, while the Dramamine group became nauseous within 4 1/2 minutes. So next time you fly, opt for Ginger Ale, if you have a problem with motion sickness or that unsettled stomach.

The proprieties in Ginger have shown to aid in lowering blood cholesterol. It is also is effective in thinning blood, which aid in dissolving blood clots (Study Conducted by Cornell University Medical College). Other curative benefits include: relieves menstrual cramps, decreases headache discomforts, helps to regulate blood sugar, anti-inflammatory and an antioxidant, which aid to strengthen the immune system. Ginger is also high in both calcium and iron, so in turn helps with strong bones, and decreases adverse discomforts of arthritis. It is claimed that Ginger increases blood flow to the extremities, so helps with cold feet, and hands.
How much is too much? To get the benefits of Ginger, it is recommended to include 2-4 grams daily in your diet. There are many ways to get the required beneficial dose. From ginger snap cookies, to Chinese food, and let's not forget Ginger ale. You can also eat raw or blanched Ginger or brew it up in tea. The tea is great to aid in relieving menstrual cramps, and headache. To use topically, oil of ginger can be rubbed into sore joint to provide pain relief. Ginger capsule can be purchased at your health food store, if you prefer to take Ginger in pill form. Ginger is not recommended for children under 2 years of age.

The American Herbal Products Association gives fresh ginger root safety rating of 1. This rate indicates that it is a safe to the general public with a wide dosage range. Side effects if taken in excessive doses may cause mild heartburn. It is recommended to consult with your doctor before using any Spice or herb.

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Diet and Excercise for a Mesothelioma Patient

By Marc Murray

It is easy for someone who is diagnosed with mesothelioma to lose interest in proper diet and exercise because how can they stay healthy when they already have cancer? The answer is simple. There are diets and fitness plans designed for cancer patients that you can follow to stay healthy. Nutrition and exercise are important in helping your body fight the cancer, increase your sense of well-being, and heighten your energy levels. This is important especially during treatments of chemotherapy or radiation therapy because they can significantly decrease your appetite and drive to do much of anything.

The proper nutrition is important in keeping your body strong to give it the energy it needs to battle the cancer and get through your treatments. It is recommended that a cancer patient eat five or more servings of fruit and vegetables every day. Try to eat whole grains instead of processed grains, and poultry or fish instead of fatty red meats. A good diet includes lean meat, fish, and low-fat dairy products. This will provide ample protein that your body needs to help repair itself. Your body also needs fats to give you the energy you need during your therapy treatments. It is also very important that you drink water in order to replenish the body and keep hydrated.

Sometimes it is difficult to eat if you have lost your appetite, or are experiencing side effects of nausea and vomiting. It is best if you try to eat very healthy when you are hungry so that your body gets the nutrients it needs. Eat smaller meals more often during the day so that you are constantly being nourished. Also, try to eat before your chemotherapy or radiation treatments because often nausea occurs after these treatments, stopping your appetite.

Eating healthy will help increase your energy so that you can begin to exercise. Exercise improves muscle strength, reduce fatigue, and even can improve your emotional state. It is recommended that you exercise moderately three to five times a week for 20 to 30 minutes. However, if you are very fatigued, light exercise is recommended such as walking. During times of surgery or fatigue due to mesothelioma, modifications to your fitness plan can be made to adjust to your present condition.

Without eating healthy and exercising, a cancer patient often experiences weight loss, physical weakness, and even depression. This is why it is so important to keep a healthy diet and maintain fitness so you don’t have to feel this way. Help keep yourself strong in the face of mesothelioma. Consult your doctor to create a health and fitness plan that caters to your own personal needs.

MAACenter.org - Provides mesothelioma information, resources, legal issues, and how to find a mesothelioma attorney. Mesothelioma Cancer Nutrition

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