Health, Health Facts, Products
Jasmine as calming as Valium
According to scientific research the sweet smell of jasmine is as good as Valium.
According to scientific research the sweet smell of jasmine is as good as Valium and other such barbiturates at calming the nerves and with none of the side effects!
The Smell of jasmine is as calming as Valium
Scientific studies found the jasmine fragrance and its chemical substitute dramatically calmed mice when their cage was filled with the scent, causing them to cease their activity and sit quietly in a corner of the cage. When they breathed in the scent molecules went from the lungs into the blood and were then transmitted to the brain. Brain scans showed the effect of a chemical called GABA (GABA acts like your car’s brakes) on nerve cells was enhanced by the fragrance and helped relieve anxiety, soothe and promote rest.
The researchers said that this can be seen as evidence of a scientific basis for aromatherapy. Jasmine is one of the essential oils widely used in aromatherapy, pioneered by the ancient Greeks and Egyptians and is thought to offer many healing effects. Inhaling jasmine oil molecules is believed to send messages to the limbic system; the region of the brain involved in controlling our emotions, this region also influences the nervous system. Aromatherapy advocates suggest that essential oils may affect numerous biological factors, including breathing, heart rate, stress levels, blood pressure and immune function.
Jasmine oil is often promoted as a natural remedy for anxiety, stress, fatigue, depression, menstrual cramps and symptoms of the menopause. It’s also said to act as a natural aphrodisiac. If you experience anxiousness and or troubled sleep but would rather not use prescription sedatives you should consider jasmine.
The benefits of jasmine can be felt by taking a warm bath or shower with jasmine-scented soaps and oils before bedtime, or by placing a diffuser containing jasmine in your home. An aromatherapy massage using jasmine oil would also be a great way to experience this amazing flower’s calming effects.
Exercise, Health, Health Facts
The Exciting Truth about Ageing
Over the past 10 years scientists have made huge steps in understanding what causes our bodies to age identifying that there are true ‘anti-ageing’ treatments.
What Happens When We Age?
As we age so too do our cells. Most of the cells we have in our bodies today were not there when we were born. New cells form constantly, that’s how our bodies grow. The cells in our body don’t grow in size but grow in number by dividing in two, a process called mitosis. Normally, the two cells that result from mitosis are identical.
In adulthood cells don’t need to divide to enable our bodies grow but they do divide to replace cells that have been damaged or have died.
However, cells can split only a certain number of times. Collagen-producing skin cells, divide about 50 times. Once a cell has reached this point it eventually dies (Apoptosis -the process of programmed cell death).
Another major contributor to ageing is the cell damage caused by environmental factors such as smoking, stress, UV radiation, poor diet, alcohol consumption, chemical exposure etc. These all lead to oxidative stress in the body which in turn causes free radical production within the body. Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron making them unstable and highly reactive and when they collide with other molecules in the body they are able to damage them.
By preventing cell damage you can slow down the aging process by as much as 25% and achieve significant health benefits.
Defy Ageing with Antioxidnats
Antioxidants are chemical substances that donate an electron to the free radical and convert it to a harmless molecule and so protecting cells from the oxidative damage that leads to ageing and disease.
Studies have shown that people who live to be 100 years or older often demonstrate higher blood levels of antioxidants than much younger people.
NatuRem’s Anti-Ageing Antioxidant products include:
Diet, Health
Should We Always Eat Organic
We have compiled a shopper’s guide to pesticides which lists food products that are the most and least likely to contain pesticide residue.
We have put this together using information gathered by PAN UK and it is designed to help you know when to choose organically grown produce, and when non-organic is an acceptable alternative.
Whilst we would all probably prefer to eat organic it can prove to be too expensive for those on tight budgets. However eating five fruit and vegetable servings a day from least contaminated could reduce your exposure to pesticides by almost 90 percent compared to five servings daily from the most contaminated.
Pesticides can create health risks and particularly to children or those with health concerns. Research indicates that they may cause disruptions in the normal functioning of the nervous and endocrine systems, and increase the risk of cancer.
Your Organic Shopping List
Below is a list of food products that are the most likely to contain higher pesticide residues:
- Apples
- Apricots
- Bananas*
- Beans, Edamame
- Celery
- Cereal grains
- Cucumber
- Dried Fruit – currants, raisins, sultanas
- Flour
- Grapefruit*
- Grapes
- Lemons & Limes*
- Mango
- Melon*
- Oily fish
- Oranges*
- Papaya
- Pears
- Potatoes & sweet potatoes
- Raspberries
- Rice
- Salads, baby leaf
- Soft citrus – satsuma’s, clementine’s, mandarins and tangerines*
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
*These fruits are normally peeled before eating meaning a lower level of pesticide consumption. However, a high level of pesticide is used in farming them which in turn results in exposure of workers within the food chain and environmental contamination.
Your Non-Organic Shopping List:
Below is a list of food products that are the less likely to contain higher pesticide residues and therefore could be less harmful as part of your non-organic shopping list:
- Asparagus
- Avocado
- Baked Beans
- Beans, green
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Corn, baby & on the cob
- Courgettes
- Exotic fruit, passion fruit, pomegranate, persimmon
- Fish, deep water – cod, haddock, plaice
- Honey
- Kiwi fruit
- Leeks
- Marrow
- Milk
- Mushrooms
- Pasta, dried
- Peach
- Peas, fresh & frozen
- Plum
- Shellfish
- Squash
- Star fruit
- Swede
All information above is based on data published by the Pesticide Residues Committee (2000 – 2005) Analysed for the percentage of samples containing pesticides.
[1] Pesticide Action Network UK (PAN UK) is the only UK charity focused on tackling the problems caused by pesticides and promoting safe and sustainable alternatives to pesticides in agriculture, urban areas, homes and gardens.
Diet, Health
New Study Proves the Anti Ageing Benefits of Resveratrol and Red Wine
A study published last month in Nature, the globally renowned interdisciplinary scientific journal, found that resveratrol, a polyphenol abundant in red wine, stimulates an ancient evolutionary anti-stress mechanism that protects human cells against genetic damage and thus may protect the body against age-related diseases.
Resveratrol the wonder ingredient of red wine is shown to be the elixir of life in a study published last month.
A study published last month in Nature, the globally renowned interdisciplinary scientific journal, found that resveratrol, a polyphenol abundant in red wine, stimulates an ancient evolutionary anti-stress mechanism that protects human cells against genetic damage and thus may protect the body against age-related diseases.
Scientists have long disputed the beneficial effects of resveratrol but this study should now dispel the controversy and mystery surrounding its health benefits and how it works. It possibly even provides an explanation of the ‘French Paradox’ a catchphrase used for the paradoxical observation that French people have a relatively low incidence of coronary heart disease whilst also having a relatively high fat diet and happen to be regular, moderate drinkers of red wine, moderation being important as heavy drinking is linked to many degenerative diseases.
“This stress response represents a layer of biology that has been largely overlooked, and resveratrol turns out to activate it at much lower concentrations than those used in prior studies,” Senior investigator Professor Paul Schimmel.
The study found that resveratrol mimics another molecule, tyrosine, a naturally occurring amino acid in the body. Tyrosine is involved in activating an ancient chemical pathway to limit stress and damage to the DNA of cells – this stress and damage would normally result in ageing and disease.
The ancient chemical pathway – Tyrosine normally binds to one of a family of enzymes that are thought to have evolved hundreds of millions of years ago when life existed as simple microbes.
The study suggests that TyrRS, one of these enzymes, becomes activated when resveratrol binds to it. This causes the enzyme to move into the cell nucleus where it helps to protect the DNA of the chromosomes against genetic damage.
When the TyrRS enzyme enters the cell nucleus it activates a number of protective genes including p53, an anti-cancer gene, which suppresses tumours, and the CETP, better known as the longevity genes implicated in extending lifespans and combating age-related illnesses.
“With these findings we have a new, fundamental mechanism for the known beneficial effects of resveratrol. Based on these results, it is conceivable that moderate consumption of red wine (rich in resveratrol) would give a person enough resveratrol to evoke a protective effect via this pathway” said Dr Mathew Sajish – Lead Researcher.
The study suggests that the reason why resveratrol, which is a plant compound, can cause such a positive effect on animals is becauers the TyrRS enzyme is part of an ancient defence system that predates animal and plant kingdoms.
“We believe that TyrRS has evolved to act as a top-level switch or activator of a fundamental cell-protecting mechanism that works in virtually all forms of life,” Said Dr Sajish.
Many studies have now indicated that resveratrol possesses anti-oxidant and anti-cancer properties. Resveratrol can be found in seeds, roots and stalks of vine plants and is particularly abundant in the skin of grapes, possibly as a defence against fungal attack. Red wine typically contains more resveratrol than white wine because during fermentation the grape skins tend to be left on for longer. Peanuts and soy also contain resveratrol.
For more information abotu this study, see www.nature.com
Resveratrol & Weight Loss
Scientific studies show that resveratrol boosts our muscles’ ability to absorb glucose from food, meaning more calories go into muscles and fewer go into fat cells.
Research presented at an Endocrine Society conference showed that in the laboratory, resveratrol inhibited production of mature fat cells and hindered fat storage. Another study found that mice fed a high-fat diet with resveratrol weighed almost the same as those served a low fat diet without the supplement. Resveratrol appears to increase the ability to exercise more intensely and more regularly too so it is a great supplement to add to your weight loss regime.
Health, Health Facts, Products
The Important Role of Vitamin B Complex
The 8 essential B vitamins in Vitamin B Complex help support adrenal function, calm and maintain a healthy nervous system, and facilitate key metabolic processes.
The Important Role of Vitamin B Complex
The 8 essential B vitamins in Vitamin B Complex help support adrenal function, calm and maintain a healthy nervous system, and facilitate key metabolic processes. Pregnant women (and women seeking to become pregnant) may benefit from the effects of certain B vitamins on fertility, as well as preventing birth defects in their children such as spina bifida.
A vitamin B complex supplement that contains a full spectrum of B vitamins, including thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9) and cobalamin (B12) These 8 essential B vitamins help to support adrenal function – the main purpose of your adrenal glands is to enable your body to deal with stress, including stress from injury, disease and even stress from work and relationship problems; They also help to calm and maintain a healthy nervous system and to facilitate life sustaining metabolic processes within our cells, keeping our bodies running like well-oiled machines. Whilst many of them work in tandem they each have specific benefits too from promoting healthy hair and skin to preventing migraines and memory loss. Pregnant women or women who are planning to become pregnant could also benefit from the effects of certain B vitamins on fertility, whilst also preventing birth defects such as spina bifida.
You should also do what you can to increase your intake of the B vitamins through the consumption foods that contain B vitamins:
Thiamine (B1)
B1 helps the body make healthy new cells. It also has the ability to protect the immune system and thus is often called an anti-stress vitamin. It is essential for the metabolism of carbohydrates into simple glucose the primary fuel for our bodies cells and provides the energy for growth, nerve function and muscle tone.
It is found in: Whole grains, wheat germ, legumes (beans, lentils), beef and pork, brewer’s yeast, full fat milk, nuts, seeds, oranges, spinach and kale.
Riboflavin (B2)
B2 has antioxidant properties that help fight free radicals (atoms in the body that damage cells) and may prevent early aging and the development of degenerative diseases. It is also important for body growth and red blood cell production, the primary function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen throughout the body.
It is found in: Almonds, wild rice, whole fat dairy (milk, cheese, plain yoghurt), eggs, liver, poultry, fish, dark greens such as brussel sprouts, spinach, asparagus, broccoli, soy beans and buckwheat. Remember to buy milk and yogurt in opaque containers, not clear ones as riboflavin is easily destroyed by exposure to light.
Niacin (B3)
One of the main uses for niacin is to boost good cholesterol (HDL cholesterol). The more HDL you have in your blood the less bad cholesterol (LDL cholesterol) you will have in your blood.
Niacin also helps the body make stress and sex related hormones in the adrenal glands and other parts of the body and can help to improve circulation. It has also been shown to be effective in treating acne when applied topically and ingested. Although vitamin B3 deficiency is rare in developed countries alcoholism has been shown to lower B3 levels.
It is found in: Yeast, chicken breast, tuna and veal, milk, eggs, beans and green vegetables
Pantothenic Acid (B5)
Varying levels of vitamin B5 are found in almost every food group  its name comes from the Greek word pantothen meaning ‘from everywhere’. It breaks down fats and carbohydrates for energy and sis also responsible for the production of stress and sex related hormones, including testosterone. Scientific studies have shown that Vitamin B5 also promotes healthy skin reducing the signs of skin aging.
It is found in: Shiitake & crimini mushrooms, avocados, sweet potato, broccoli, yogurt, eggs, meat and legumes (beans and pulses)
Pyridoxine (B6)
This B vitamin helps the body to use and store energy from carbohydrates and protein and is critical for haemoglobin in the blood. Along with vitamins B12 and B9, Vitamin B6 helps regulate levels of the amino acid homocysteine, high levels of which are a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Pyridoxine is also a major player in sleep patterns and mood as it helps the body produce serotonin, melatonin and norepinephrine, a stress hormone. The European Food Safety Authority has also approved the following claims:
B6 contributes to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue
B6 contributes to normal functioning of the nervous system
B6 contributes to normal red blood cell formation
B6 contributes to the normal function of the immune system
B6 contributes to the regulation of hormonal activity
It is found in: Brewer’s yeast, Legumes, chicken, fish, sunflower seeds, cheese, brown rice and carrots, spinach, peas, potatoes, cheese and eggs.
Biotin (B7)
Known also as the ‘Beauty Vitamin’ as it has been shown in scientific research to contribute towards healthy hair, skin and nails. However, a fact worth noting is that although it is found in many cosmetic products for the skin and hair, it cannot be absorbed through hair or skin.
It helps the body process glucose and therefore may help people with diabetes control high blood glucose levels. Biotin is used for preventing and treating biotin deficiency associated with pregnancy.
It is found in: Barley, liver, kidney, yeast, pork, chicken, fish, potatoes, avocado, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, potatoes, cheese, egg yolks, legumes, nuts and soy.
Folate/Folic Acid (B9)
Folate is the natural form of this vitamin; folic acid is the man-made form. Taking folic acid before and during pregnancy can help prevent birth defects of the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Also taking folic acid whilst breast-feeding will ensure the baby gets the folic acid it needs to stay healthy.
Interestingly the man0made form of vitamin B9 is absorbed better by the body than the natural form.
Studies also suggest folate may help keep depression at bay and prevent memory loss.
It is found in: Dark leafy greens, asparagus, beets, salmon, root vegetables, milk, bulgur wheat and beans, bananas, melons, lemons, yeast, and mushrooms.
Cobalamin (B12)
Vitamin B12 plays a key role in the normal functioning of the brain and nervous system, and for the formation of blood. Vitamin B12 is only found in animal products so non-meat eaters have a higher chance of having a deficiency and it would be useful to supplement with B12
It is found in: Dairy, eggs, meat, fish, poultry, and shellfish.
Naturem’s Vitamin B Complex provides the perfect dosage of all these essential B vitamins
Antioxidant, Exercise, Health
Turmeric Natures Cure All
Turmeric is touted as one of the most effective nutritional supplements in existence and here are the top 9 reasons why!!!
Turmeric comes from the underground stems of the Curcuma longa plant which is a member of the ginger family. Its what gives curry its yellow colour. Its main and most active ingredient is curcumin which is a very powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
It has been used in India for thousands of years as not only a spice but as a medicinal herb too and science is now starting to discover and confirm what the Indians have known for hundreds of years which is that it really does have medicinal benefits.
To date literally hundreds of medical and scientific studies highlight its benefits for our bodies and our brains.
Nine Major Health Benefits of Turmeric
1:Turmeric and Cancer
Turmeric and more specifically its active ingredient curcumin has been shown to protect against and potentially fight cancer.
Early trials have shown some promising results for both preventing and treating cancer.
Research shows that there are low rates of certain types of cancer in countries where people eat curcumin at levels of about 100 to 200 mg a day over a long period of time.
In one cancer prevention trial curcumin was given to patients with pre-cancerous cells and the study indicated that curcumin could stop these pre-cancerous cells becoming cancer.
Numerous scientific studies on cancer have shown that curcumin appears to be able to kill cancer cells and also prevent more from growing. It has the best results on breast, bowel, skin and stomach cancer cells. A scientific study using both curcumin and chemotherapy to treat bowel cancer cells showed that treatments used in tandem killed more cancer cells than using chemotherapy alone.
Another study in mice showed that curcumin stopped the spread of breast cancer cells to other parts of the body.
Whether curcumin can help treat cancer in humans has still to be tested further before definite claims can be made but the evidence so far is extremely positive.
However, there is more conclusive evidence to show that it may help prevent cancer from occurring in the first place.
Fact: Curcumin leads to several changes on a molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer.
2:Turmeric as a Natural Anti-Inflammatory
Short-term inflammation in the body is extremely important as it helps the body fight infection and foreign bodies and also has a role in repairing damage. Without it bacteria could easily take over our bodies and kill us.
When inflammation becomes long-term (chronic), it can become a major problem and can be mistakenly deployed against the bodys own tissues.
Chronic, low-level inflammation is now believed to play a major role in almost every Western disease, including cancer, heart disease, Alzheimers and other degenerative conditions.
Curcumin is an extremely strong anti-inflammatory that fights inflammation at the molecular level and is as effective as many anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drugs without the side effects!
So if it can help fight chronic inflammation without the side effects surely it is of huge potential importance in both preventing and even treating disease.
3:Turmeric the Antioxidant that also Increases our Antioxidant Capacity
Oxidative stress is recognised as one of the causes behind ageing and disease.
Oxidative damage involves free radicals (highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons) reacting with important organic substances, such as fatty acids, proteins or DNA.
Antioxidants protect our bodies from free radicals which is why they are so important to our health.
Guess what! Curcumin also happens to be a very potent antioxidant that neutralises free radicals. Coupled with this it also boosts the activity of the bodys own antioxidant enzyme system so it packs a double punch.
4:Turmeric Improves Brain Function and Lowers the Risk of Brain Disease.
Curcumin has been shown to be able to cross the blood-brain barrier.
The growth of new cells in the brain, neurogenesis, is enhanced under the influence of a specific protein called BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor)
Common brain disorders such as Alzheimers and depression have been linked to decreased levels of this brain growth hormone.
Curcumin can increase brain levels of BDNF and by doing this could be effective at delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and degenerative age-related decreases in brain function.
It is also a possibility that it could help improve memory and make you more intelligent. This all seems to add up knowing its effects on BDNF levels.
Interestingly – one key feature of Alzheimers disease is a build-up of protein tangles called amyloid plaques, studies have shown that curcumin can help clear these plaques.
Curcumin has been shown to be as effective as Prozac in treating depression.
One controlled trial 60 patients were put into 3 randomised groups. One of the groups took Prozac, one took a gram of curcumin and the third took both, daily. The results after a 6 weeks period showed that there were similar improvements in the 2 groups that took curcumin and Prozac separately but the group that took both saw the most improvement. Showing that curcumin could be and effective antidepressant.
As discussed above depression is also linked to reduced levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and a shrinking of the hippocampus – curcumin boosts these BNDF levels so has the potential to reverse some of these changes.
5:Turmeric Lowers Your Risk of Heart Disease
Heart disease is the biggest killer in the world.
It has been studied for many decades and researchers have learned a lot about why it happens.
When it comes to heart disease probably the main benefit of curcumin is its ability to improve the function of the endothelium (the lining of the blood vessels)
Endothelial dysfunction is a major contributor to heart disease and is when the endothelium is unable to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting and various other factors.
Studies show that curcumin leads to improvements in endothelial function, some suggesting that it may be as effective as exercise. The fact that curcumin also reduces inflammation and oxidation is also important in the prevention of heart disease.
6:Turmeric aids Weight Loss
Picking up on the point above that suggests that taking turmeric could be as effective as exercise; studies have shown that it increases the flow of bile in the stomach which in turn helps to break down fat. So taking turmeric before or just after each meal can help your body break down the fat that can cause you to gain weight.
Another way turmeric aids in weight loss is it helps to control sugar levels by fighting insulin resistance. This keeps you from retaining extra fat and lowers your chances of developing diabetes. However, If you already have diabetes it helps you control your glucose levels.
7:Turmeric and Diabetes
The formation of fatty deposits in the arteries is a risk for patients with type 2 diabetes a recent patient study found that supplementing with turmeric can prevent this. Over a series of six months the study revealed the involvement of turmeric extract, curcumin, does stop the fatty deposits forming on the inner surfaces of the arteries and obstructing the blood flow. Researchers also found that Turmeric could prevent diabetes from developing. The research showed that people with diabetes who took a curcumin supplement dramatically lowered their glucose level and insulin resistance.
8:Arthritis and Turmeric
There are various types of arthritis and most involve some sort of inflammation in the joints so again as a proven potent anti-inflammatory it is not surprising that would help with arthritis.
Many studies have examined the effects of curcumin on arthritis and noted improvements in symptoms. In one study of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was shown to be even more effective than an anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical drug.
9:Anti-Ageing Benefits of Turmeric
So if curcumin can really help prevent heart disease, cancer and Alzheimers surely it has have obvious benefits for longevity.
It is for this reason that turmeric has become very popular as an anti-ageing supplement.
A Few Additional & Important Suggestions
Most of the studies on this herb are using dosages that usually exceeding 1 gram per day meaning it would be very difficult to reach these levels just using the turmeric spice in your foods.
So, if you want to experience the full effects, then you would be wise to take a daily supplement
Black pepper enhances bioavailability of Turmeric. Curcumin has low levels of bioavailability. Most of the curcumin that is ingested gets metabolized before it can get absorbed. There are studies to test if when taking curcumin with black pepper could improve the bioavailability of the former. These studies have been conducted on humans and animals. One of these studies found that when 2g of curcumin was ingested, absorption levels were very low. However, when 20mg piperine (black pepper) was added to the curcumin the bioavailability increased by 2000%.
So always swallow a few whole peppercorns along your turmeric supplement, in order to enhance absorption.
Turmeric is also fat soluble, so it may be a good idea to take it with a fatty meal or with good quality omega 3 oil supplement Recent studies have identified that phospholipid omega 3 can increase bioavailability of curcumin by up to 27 times .
Diet, Exercise, Health
Hydrolysed Collagen Extends your Sporting Life
There has been a huge amount of research into the health benefits of using collagen supplements and it has had a long history of use in the beauty industry, however recently there has been much more focus on its potential benefits for athletes and sports people.
Collagen is a protein supplement which contains a large range of micronutrients so it figures that it would deliver nutritional benefits for sporting individuals.
Type I Collagen peptides such as those in GBR Nutritions Liquid Collagen, form the primary building blocks and the principal protein for skin, hair, nails, bones, tendons, joints, and cartilage. They provide mechanical stability, elasticity and strength to connective tissues-bones, tendons and ligaments
Musculoskeletal injuries often come hand in hand with sport or occupations which involve regular physical activity and collagen in its hydrolysed form performs a key role in all 3 stages of the healing process – inflammation, regeneration and remodelling. This makes it a perfect element of a sports recovery regime. In addition to this it also contains the perfect combination of peptides and amino acids for protein synthesis (one of the most fundamental biological processes by which individual cells build their specific proteins) and muscle repair. Scientists are now suggesting that hydrolysed collagen is a valuable protein to take before and after exercise. If muscles, joints and ligaments have the nourishment to fully recover, they will rebuild more efficiently and also have the ability to be much stronger meaning there is also a huge potential for the prevention and treatment of sports injuries.
A recent 24 week study evaluated the effects of hydrolysed collagen on activity-related joint pain in athletes who had no evidence of joint disease. One hundred and forty-seven subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: 73 received 25 ml of a liquid formulation that contained 10g of hydrolysed collagen and 74 received a placebo, over a period of 24 weeks. The results showed that the athletes taking the hydrolysed collagen showed reduced parameters such as pain that had a negative impact on their athletic performance.
Collagen is naturally rich in the two amino acids glycine and arginine which are directly involved in the production of creatine in the body, creatine helps to supply energy to all cells in the body, primarily muscle, therefore offering additional benefits for those involved in regular exercise by helping to improve athletic performance. Arginine also supports the production of growth hormone – one of the key players in muscle recovery and growth. In addition it directly generates the chemical nitric oxide which causes blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow to exercising muscles, maximising both performance and recovery as more oxygen and nutrients become available whilst also removing metabolic wastes more efficiently.
See the Pub Med study results here:
Diet, Health Facts, Matcha Green Tea
3 Big Reasons to Drink OMGTEA Matcha
OMGTEA is not only delicious to drink it is both energising and relaxing at the same time
OMGTEA is not only delicious to drink (see our OMGTEA recipe book) it’s both energising and relaxing at the same time and happens to be amazingly high in antioxidants.
Here’s just 3 of the many great reasons to switch to OMGTEA’s Matcha green tea for better health.
1. Amazing Antioxidant
Antioxidants protect your body from free radical damage which can lead to many serious diseases like cancer, dementia and heart disease. In addition to this they also have an important role to play in detoxifying your body helping to maintain your immune system and they also protect your eyes and skin from free radical ageing
(although the sun is critical to the production of vitamin D it is also a major source of free radicals) Green tea is already recognised as a great source of antioxidants but powdered Matcha green tea is much more powerful. In fact, Matcha has one of the highest antioxidant ORAC ratings of any food or drink ever measured.
A foods ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity score measures its antioxidant concentration and ability to extinguish free radicals. OMGTEA’s Matcha has an average ORAC rating of 1573 TE/g which is even higher than the much hyped Gojoberries at 253 TE/g. The most important of the many antioxidants in Matcha is Epigallocatechin gallate, more commonly called EGCg and hight quality Matcha like OMGTEA has an incredible 137 times more EGCg than regular green tea. Scientific studies have shown EGCG protects against cancer and other are related diseases such as dementia and cardiovascular disease. Matcha has also been
demonstrated to both reduce the levels of unhealthy LDL cholesterol while simultaneously raising helpful HDL cholesterol whilst also regulating blood sugar levels. Matcha also contains many other important catechins and also flavonoids and all of these work in synergy within your body to help provide the many health benefits of
Matcha green tea.
2. Heavenly L-Theanine
All teas from the Camellia Sinensis plant, from which Matcha is cultivated, contain some caffeine. A half teaspoon serving has around 35 mg of caffeine, well under half the caffeine of an average cup of coffee which has between 80 – 120 mg. However, there are two main reasons why the caffeine in Matcha provides a much more balanced and relaxing energy than the rush of a cup of coffee often followed by the jitters.
1) The high levels of catechins (extremely healthy antioxidants) found in the
powdered leaves of the young green tea plant bind with the caffeine molecule in
Matcha to slow down its release into your bloodstream. This leads to a much gentler
and more sustained release of caffeine that is much less likely to raise cortisol levels
and lead to jitters or anxiety.
2) A unique amino acid called L-Theanine which is found primarily in the tea plant is
massively increased in Matcha versus regular tea due to the shading of the young
green tea leaves approximately 4 weeks before harvesting them. This also gives
Matcha its naturally sweet and almost creamy green tea flavour.
The health benefits of L-Theanine are so significant it has become a popular
supplement, but the best way by far to get L-Theanine into your diet is by drinking a
cup of natural Matcha green tea.
In scientific studies L-Theanine has been shown to stimulate alpha brain wave production. Maintaining alpha brain waves leads to a relaxed state of mental clarity and calm alertness which is often associated with meditation. It was the Zen Buddhist Monks who introduced Matcha into Japanese culture 800 years ago as it helped them meditate for longer. L-Theanine also directly counteracts any overstimulation of cortisol or adrenaline by caffeine. This in turn leads to a long lasting sustained energy and the ability to concentrate better and without the rush and crash of strong coffee or energy drinks. Additional research has found that L-Theanine can also help to lower high blood pressure, enhance memory and cognitive abilities and has a protective effect on the brain and can even help improve the quality of your sleep.
3. Cleansing Chlorophyll
The shading of the tea leaves for Matcha for several weeks before harvesting not only significantly increases L-Theanine levels but also chlorophyll concentration. Chlorophyll is an amazing nutrient with multiple health benefits. It is highly alkaline and known to help balance pH levels in your blood. It is a powerful detoxifier with anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass is the main reason why it is considered so healthy. Matcha is much nicer to drink though and also a good source of blood cleansing chlorophyll. Recent studies have indicated it is much more easily absorbed by the body than wheatgrass particularly when taken with a little lemon or lime juice.
OMGTEA Benefits in Summary
• With its calming L-Theanine and caffeine regulating catechins OMGTEA provides a much more balanced and stable energy than coffee, energy drinks or even regular black tea. OMGTEA drinkers regularly report an increase in mental alertness with the ability to concentrate harder and for longer and a greater sense of well-being. This is due to the high levels L-Theanine.
• OMGTEA has an exceptional level of antioxidants such as EGCg and other catechins and flavonoids. With an ORAC rating of 1573 Matcha ranks considerably higher than even Gojiberries.
• The high concentration of chlorophyll found in good quality Matcha work to alkalise and detoxify the blood. Research shows that acidic blood which is overloaded with toxins puts the body at risk of disease. By cleansing the blood and increasing its pH level the body has a better chance to get more oxygen and nutrients to cells to help with healing.
Choosing a Good Matcha Green Tea
Here’s a few important things to look for.
1) Always buy a certified organic product. – if you’re buying a product for its health benefits which it seems counterproductive to be ingesting herbicides, pesticides or other potentially damaging chemicals used in the production of non-organic products. A good Matcha green tea should be certified organic and come from Japan where the organic certification is of a stricter standard than in the USA or China. Japanese Matcha is considered the best anyway and not just for its superior taste, its also due to the traditional methods used in Japanese Matcha production
2) The better the Matcha quality the finer and greener the powder will be. High quality powder will give you a creamy taste and will smoother than the low quality versions. Lower grade Matcha will be more coarse, bitter and possibly gritty whilst drinking – trust us this is not a great experience. This lower quality interest and look means the nutritional value is much diminished too. After a lot of research OMGTEA found an amazing source of Matcha from tea farmers in Nishio. We chose this Japanese grown and produced organic Matcha green tea because it tastes much richer and almost creamy compared to regular green tea. OMGTEA is guaranteed to be completely pure and additive free and contain no detectable levels of pesticides, fungicides or herbicides. Good quality Matcha comes in various levels of quality which is why we offer 3 different grades, if you’d like to try the highest quality OMGTEA Matcha green tea then try our Super Premium grade.
Making Your OMGTEA
To make a traditional OMGTEA Matcha tea have a look at our video.
Matcha is so versatile and to prove it we have written an OMGTEA e-book of 18 Matcha drink recipes you can download here (insert link), from Matcha mules to Matcha mojitos, to Matcha lattes. So sip up and enjoy the many health benefits of Matcha, particularly OMGTEA’s!!!
Diet, Health
The Shoppers Guide To Pesticides in Produce
The 2015 Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™, has just been released by the EWG ( The Environmental Working Group). A guide to the most and least pesticide contaminated fruit and vegetables. Although EWG are based in America where there the allowed level of pesticides is often higher it is still a good reference point for us here in the UK to help us make better choices on what produce is better to buy organic and what produce is ok to buy non-organic.
Buying all organic can prove very expensive so my mission is to try to buy organic as much as my budget allows and I am particularly careful with the fruits and vegetables my children will eat most like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, strawberries, apples & carrots.
Pesticides are used in conventional farming to grow vegetables and fruits and it has been proven that they can damage our health and are linked to conditions such as headaches, cancer and endocrine disruption. Washing and or peeling does not always remove pesticides. However, pesticide levels typically diminish when food is cooked.
EWG’s report highlights that even though leafy greens including Kale and collard greens such as broccoli and also chilli peppers are not listed in The Dirty Dozen, they have been found to have trace levels of highly hazardous pesticides. So if you eat them often, buy them organic.
Key findings:
• 99% of apple, 98% of peach, and 97% of nectarine samples tested positive for at least one pesticide residue.
• Potatoes have more pesticides by weight than any other produce.
• One single grape sample and a sweet bell pepper sample contained 15 pesticides.
• Single sample of cherry tomatoes, nectarines, peaches, imported snap peas and strawberries showed 13 different pesticides.
The Dirty Dozen™ 2015
1. Apples
2. Celery,
3. Cherry tomatoes,
4. Cucumbers
5. Grapes
6. Nectarines
7. Peaches
8. Potatoes
9. Sugar snap peas
10. Spinach
11. Strawberries
12. Sweet bell peppers
Plus kale, collard greens, spring greens and hot peppers due to the trace levels of highly hazardous pesticides found.
The Clean Fifteen™2015
1. Asparagus
2. Avocados
3. Cabbage
4. Cantaloupe
5. Cauliflower
6. Eggplant
7. Grapefruit,
8. Kiwis
9. Mangos
10. Onions
11. Papayas
12. Pineapples
13. Sweet corn
14. Frozen sweet peas
15. Sweet potatoes
Read the full report here
Antioxidant, Health
How to Ease PMS the Natural Way
PMS impacts many women every month and has a debilitating effect on some. This article gives a background on PMS, signs and symptoms and natural products that relieve these symptoms.
PMS is a series of emotional symptoms that may or may not be accompanied by physical symptoms which are related to women’s menstrual cycle. About 85% of women of child-bearing age report having had emotional and or physical symptoms related to ovulation and are very often severe enough to interfere with some aspects of their lives. Specific symptoms vary from one woman to another but each individual woman’s pattern of symptoms is predictable, in such that they occur consistently during the ten days before the menstrual period and disappear either just before or just after the start of their periods.
Up to 10% of women suffer very significantly with PMS.
Many emotional symptoms have been associated with PMS but the most common are irritability, tension and dysphoria (unhappiness) others include; anxiety, stress, insomnia, mood swings, fatigue and a general increased emotional sensitivity. Physical symptoms include most commonly breast tenderness, bloating and abdominal cramps, cyclical acne, constipation, weight gain and muscle and joint pain.
The exact symptoms of each individual and their intensity varies (often from month to month too) and most only experience a few of the common symptoms and are relatively predictable. To give an example one woman could be tense and irritable for 3 to 4 days before her period starts and this will happen with small variations each cycle so one month she may be more or less tense thans the previous month.
The symptoms individual women experience will not vary significantly from cycle to cycle, such as depression one month, anxiety the next and then anger in the following month.
As mentioned above each woman who suffers with PMS will have her own pattern of symptoms. So one woman’s PMS might cause her to be depressed and tearful whilst another might be anxious and tense, another woman might find that she is easily irritated by things wouldn’t usually bother her. Typically the symptoms are present at some stage during the ten days before menstruation and should not be present for at least one week before ovulation. During an average 28 day cycle, ovulation is usually expected to take place between cycle days 13-15.
The following supplements can be of help in relieving the symptoms of PMS:
Calcium & Magnesium – Recent studies have demonstrated that, when used for three months, supplemental calcium can help reduce the severity of PMS symptoms. Magnesium. Magnesium deficiency has been associated with PMS. Supplemental magnesium may help alleviate some of the emotional symptoms, fluid retention and breast tenderness.
Buy Calcium & Magnesium here in the NatuRem Shop
Vitamin B complex (8 essential B vitamins ) – This is a good first step for anxiety relief. B vitamins are essential for stress management, energy production and neurotransmitter balance. Also Vitamin B6 which is in the B Complex plays a substantial role in regulating periods and dealing with irregular blood flows. B6 assists with many other pms symptoms such as fluid retention, irritableness, cravings especially for sugar and fatigue. B6 is also known to help with the breast pain associated with pms.
Buy Vitamin B Complex here in the NatuRem Shop
Evening primrose oil – Pre-menstrual Syndrome & Menopause: EPO can help to reduce breast discomfort and swollen abdomen, as well as helping to reducing irritability and depression.
Buy Evening Promrose Oill with Vitamin E here in the NatuRem Shop
Turmeric – Turmeric has beneficial antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Research and integrative medicine experts suggest that nutrients in turmeric could help relieve PMS symptoms in a number of gentle, hormone-balancing ways