Botanica West

• How Often Do You Buy Organic? (Poll)

  A recent Q&A discussed organic and conventional farming: Which Is Better – Conventional or Organic Farming? Check out the article and let us know how often you buy organic food!

  How often do you buy organically produced foods?

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• How Do You Make Tea? (Poll)

  Read the article and then vote below: Is hot tea healthier than iced tea?

  Hot or cold: How do you make tea?
• Vegetarian Diet and Digestive Disease

  New evidence from Britain suggests that vegetarians are one-third less likely to develop diverticular disease than are meat eaters. This disorder, affects the colon and has been associated with diets that are low in fiber. Symptoms include painful abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence, constipation and diarrhea. A research team from the University of Oxford looked at more than 47,000 British adults participating in a European study of cancer and nutrition; more than 15,000 of them reported that they were vegetarians. After more than 11 years of follow up and adjusting for such factors as alcohol consumption, smoking and body mass index (BMI), the investigators found that the rate of diverticular disease among the vegetarians was one-third lower than that of other study participants. They also found that those whose consumption of dietary fiber was about 25 grams a day were at lower risk of being hospitalized or dying from diverticular disease than study participants who consumed less than 14 grams of fiber daily. Diverticular disease may also worsen into a condition known as diverticulitis. The findings were published online on July 19th on the British Medical Journal’s website.

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Originally posted 2011-09-24 17:30:56. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• High Fiber Foods and Your Heart

  Eating lots of fiber when you’re young – or middle-aged – could cut your lifetime risk for cardiovascular disease. A study from Northwestern University’s medical school shows that consuming 25 grams of fiber daily – whole foods, not supplements, drinks or fiber bars are best – can result in a statistically significant lower lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease. The investigators examined data from a nationally representative sample of about 11,000 adults. Taking into consideration diet, blood pressure, total cholesterol, smoking status and history of diabetes, the researchers predicted lifetime risk for cardiovascular diseases. They found that adults between the ages of 20 and 59 who had the highest fiber intake had a significantly reduced lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease compared to those whose fiber intake was lowest. Fiber might exert its influence on cardiovascular health through its known beneficial effects on weight control, cholesterol and blood pressure. A related study from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston and the VA Boston Healthcare System showed that eating breakfast cereal – especially whole grain cereal – daily can decrease the risk of high blood pressure by 20 percent.

  Whole grains are a great source of fiber. Learn how to cook them!

• How Much Do You Use Your Cell Phone? (Poll)

  Here’s a recent Q&A on my site about the World Health Organization’s recent findings that cell phones can cause brain cancer. I think it makes sense to implement precautions I’ve recommended in the past, such as using landlines and headsets when available.

  Are you concerned? How often do you use your cellular phone or device?

  How Frequently Do You Use a Cell Phone?online survey

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Originally posted 2011-06-11 17:39:12. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Overeating in Your Sleep?

  Night eating syndrome (NES) is a combination diagnosis of a sleeping disorder and an eating disorder. It is characterized by eating a variety of things – from the usual pantry items to less people-friendly fare such as cat food and cigarettes – while asleep, often with no recollection of these nocturnal binges. While most reported cases of NES have occurred among women, men can have NES as well. If you or a loved one has experienced NES, do not lock the kitchen or the refrigerator to discourage the binges, as you may end up eating something from another room that is toxic or dangerous. Instead, I recommend seeking treatment at a sleep disorders center for NES.

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Originally posted 2011-03-06 17:30:08. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

• Achieving Emotional Well-Being

  It’s natural to have emotional ups and downs. What’s not natural – yet all too common in the modern world – is to feel persistently sad or anxious for no obvious reason.

  My new website, SpontaneousHappiness.com, helps members find and sustain the emotional balance that’s needed to navigate and enjoy life in this complex, fast-paced world. In just eight weeks you will:

  • Learn how ancient therapies – including specialized forms of meditation – can bring peace and serenity.

  • Discover foods and supplements that can improve emotional stability.

  • Explore the role of exercise in boosting mood.

  • Feel better physically. The practices that help you achieve emotional well-being are also good for your body!

  Weekly checklists, personalized tips, in-depth articles, and videos provide a variety of ways to keep you engaged and encouraged. In addition, we have tools to track your mood, breathing, physical fitness and other aspects of your personal journey through the plan.

  Visit today to learn more about Spontaneous Happiness – I think you will find it a useful tool for achieving balance in the hectic world we live in today.

• Modern Contributors to Depression (Video)

  Life has changed dramatically in the last 50 years — and many of those changes have helped to fuel the modern depression epidemic. From the way we eat to the way we interact with others, find out what Dr. Weil has to say about contributors to depression.

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