The walnut tree can grow to 70 feet or more and may have a span as much as 4 feet round its trunk. The walnut tree has long leaves that can grow as long as two to three feet.

Walnuts are part of the mediterranean diet, well known for its health benefits.

Nutrients found in walnuts

Walnut are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. In fact 30g of walnuts provides the daily needs of omega-3 fatty acids. Walnuts contain a lot of manganese and copper. Also found in smaller quantities are vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, calcium, iron, phosphorus, selenium, potassium and zinc.

Walnut contains ellagic acid, an antioxidant compound that helps supports the immune system and contains several anticancer properties.

Walnuts for constipation

Walnut has a mild laxative effect, it is beneficial in cases of constipation.

Protect the heart

According to several studies, walnuts have amazing cardioprotective benefits. Research shows that polyphenolic compounds found in walnuts, ellagic and gallic acid, possessed significant antioxidant properties. Further study identifies 16 polyphenols with antioxidant activity so protective it is described as remarkable.

Research shows that inclusion of 30 g of walnuts per day in the diet significantly improves the HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol ratios in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Lower blood pressure

Researchers found that omega-3s from nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils such as walnuts and flaxseed had just as much impact on blood pressure as omega-3s from fish.

Walnuts contain relatively high levels of l-arginine, an essential amino acid, they may be of special importance when it comes to hypertension.

Think better with walnuts

The brain is more than 60% fat. For your brain cells to function properly, the brain fat needs to be mostly the omega-3 fats found in walnuts, flaxseed and cold-water fish. For this reason, walnuts are regarded as a brain food; they even have a wrinkled brain-like appearance.

Protect your bones with walnuts

Alpha linolenic acid, the omega-3 fat found in walnuts, promotes bone health by helping prevent excessive bone turnover by providing a lower ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fats in the diet. (Griel et al. 2007)

Add walnuts to your lunch box

Why not have a few walnuts each day with a healthy sandwich for lunch? Walnuts are best eaten raw and unsalted.

References:

Blomhoff R, Carlsen MH, Andersen LF, Jacobs DR Jr. Health benefits of nuts: potential role of antioxidants. Br J Nutr. 2006 Nov;96 Suppl 2:S52-60. PMID:17125534.

Fukuda T, Ito H, Yoshida T. Antioxidative polyphenols from walnuts (Juglans regia L.). Phytochemistry. Aug;63(7):795-801 2003.

Griel AE, Kris-Etherton PM, Hilpert KF, Zhao G, West SG, Corwin RL. An increase in dietary n-3 fatty acids decreases a marker of bone resorption in humans. Nutr J. 2007 Jan 16;6:2. PMID:17227589.

Sabate, J. (1999). Nut consumption, vegetarian diets, ischemic heart disease risk, and all-cause mortality: Evidence from epidemiologic studies. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 70(3S), 500S-503S.

Sabate, J. (1993). Does nut consumption protect against ischaemic heart disease? European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 47(1), S71-S75.

Sabate, J., Fraser, G.E., Burke, K., Knutsen, S.F., Bennett, H., & Lindsted, K.D. 1993. Effects of walnuts on serum lipid levels and blood pressure in normal men. New England Journal of Medicine, 328(9), 603-607.

Tapsell LC, Gillen LG, Patch CS, Batterham M, Owen A, Baré M, Kennedy M. Including Walnuts in a Low-Fat/Modified-Fat Diet Improves HDL Cholesterol-to-Total Cholesterol Ratios in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004.

Agronomists place this ancient cereal grass as being cultivated as early as 7000 BC and was been eaten by Roman gladiators for strength and stamina.

Barley grass contains many of the vitamins, minerals and proteins necessary for the human diet. It contains 18 amino acids, beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamins E, B1, B2, B3 and B6, and B12. There are useful quantities of minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, manganese and zinc. Best of all, this goodness is easily absorbed since barley grass is a plant not a chemically derived supplement.

There are no known side effects attributed to barley grass; actually the side effects of barley grass are fantastic.

Barley grass benefits

The main appeal of barley grass is as a source of easily assimilated nutrients. Take barley grass 30 mnutes or more before a meal for maximum absorption.

Barley grass is a rich source of chlorophyll and live enzymes including the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD).

A Chinese study showed that barley grass was beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Barley grass contain two kinds of fiber–some that dissolves in water (known as beta-glucan) and some that does not dissolve. Both types of barley fiber may help to lower cholesterol.

Barley grass’ high mineral content helps alkalinize the body and promotes an ideal pH, it contains the buffer minerals sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium which help the body manage its pH. Buffer minerals neutralize acidic materials and can help people maintain a healthy balance between acidity and alkalinity. Our cells cannot adequately function if the pH is not in a narrow range. Most processed foods along with red meat, coffee and pretty much everything in the typical American diet acidify the pH of the body. Barley grass can help rectify this situation, but obviously overall diet is very important.

Research has shown that when barley grass juice is added to injured cells, the cells’ DNA repairs itself rapidly. This may contribute to preventing the changes that often lead to cancer and rapid aging.

There are un-substantiated claims that barley grass is effective for the following conditions: skin diseases, hepatitis, asthma, anemia, diabetes, arthritis, obesity and even cancer.

Sources of barley grass

Barley grass can be made fresh, but for most people it is convenient to purchase barley grass powder. No doubt the quality of commercial barley grass will vary. Mr Cabbage Head does not recommend specifc products, but suggests avoiding those products where the grass is simply cut, dried and powered. Those products where the barley grass is juiced, cooled and evaporated in an oxygen free environment would be worth investigation.

References:

Hagiwara Y. Green Barley Essence. Keats Publishing Inc 1985.

Kanauchi O, Iwanaga T, Mitsuyama K. 2001. Germinated barley foodstuff feeding. A novel neutraceutical therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis. Digestion. 2001; 63 Suppl 1: 60-7.

Seibold, R. Cereal Grass, Nature’s Greatest Health Gift. New Canaan.Keats Publishing Inc 1991.

YuYM, Chang WC, Chang CT, Hseih CL, Tsai CE. Effects of young barley leaf extract and antioxidative vitamins on LDL oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metabolism. 2002;28(2):107-114.

The aloe vera plant has long, spiked leaves, which are thick-skinned and contain a clear gel-like substance. It is used today in cosmetics, skin creams, burn gels and sun screen creams. The juice of the aloe vera plant may be consumed internally and is rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

Below are sites that I have found personally helpful.

Contact Mr Cabbage Head:

Used in Japan for years, spirulina is a microalgae grown in alkaline, warm-water lakes. Spirulina’s green colour is due to its chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll acts as an antioxidant and may have medicinal benefits against cancer. Spirulina is also rich in phycocyanin, a pigment with anti-cancer properties.

Studies show the anti-cancer properties of spirulina.

Beta carotene is one of the most effective substances for deactivating free radicals, which damage cells, leading to cancer. Spirulina is the richest beta carotene food known, having over ten times more beta carotene than any other food, including carrots. Studies show that vitamin A and beta carotene inhibit the development of various cancers and tumors. Beta carotene (and not the preformed Vitamin A from animal sources) correlated with lower cancer rates.

A 1987 Israeli study demonstrated natural beta carotene is more effective than synthetic beta carotene. Natural beta carotene is better assimilated by the body because it contains the 9-cis carotenoid isomer which is lacking in synthetic carotene molecules. This means that beta carotene in algae and vegetables has a greater antioxidant power than synthetic beta carotene.

An Indian study found that spirulina inhibits the growth of oral tumors: “We evaluated the chemopreventive activity of Spirulina fusiformis (SF) (1 g/day for 12 mos) in reversing oral leukoplakia in pan tobacco chewers in Kerala, India. Complete regression of lesions was observed in 20 of 44 (45%) of subjects supplemented with SF, as opposed to 3 of 43 (7%) in the placebo arm.”

The Harvard University School of Dental Medicine reduced oral cancer cells with spirulina extracts. A beta carotene solution applied to cancerous tumours in mouths of hamsters reduced the number and size of tumours or caused them to disappear. When a beta carotene extract was fed to 20 hamsters pre-treated to develop mouth cancer, none developed the disease. Tissue samples contained an immune stimulating substance believed to have destroyed cancer cells before they could multiply.

Spirulina as a supplement

A traditional food source in parts of Africa and Mexico, spirulina is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and protein, GLA (essential fatty acid) and one of the few vegetable sources of vitamin B12. AS well as its potential anti-cancer properties, spirulina is a good supplement with many benefits.

References:

Amotz, B.A. Presentation to Polysaccharides from microalgae workshop. Duke University, 1987.

Balch, P.A. and Balch, J.F. Prescription For Nutritional Healing.

Mathew B, Sankaranarayanan R, Nair PP, Varghese C, Somanathan T, Amma BP, Amma NS, Nair MK. Evaluation of chemoprevention of oral cancer with spirulina fusiformis. Nutrition and Cancer 1995; 24(2):197-202.

Menkes, et al. Serum beta carotene, vitamins A and E, selenium, and the risk of lung cancer. N.E. Journal of Medicine, Nov. 1986, p. 1250.

Pitchford P. Healing with Whole Foods.

Schwartz, J., Scklar, G., Suda, D. Inhibition of experimental oral carcinogenesis by topical beta carotene. Harvard School of Dental Med. Carcinogenesis, May 1986, 7(5) 711-715.

Shekelle,R.B.etal. DietaryVitaminA and risk of cancer in Western Electric study. Lancet,1981,8257:1185-1189.

Molasses is made from sugar cane. Juice is extracted from crushed sugar cane and boiled. This causes sugar to crystallise so it can be extracted. The left over syrup is molasses, which is high in minerals and vitamins. This process is performed three times; the syrup from the third boiling is called blackstrap molasses. Blackstrap molasses has the lowest sugar content and the highest nutrient content. Sulphur is sometimes added to molasses as a preservative; look for un-sulphured blackstrap molasses.

Blackstrap molasses contains vitamins and minerals

Blackstrap molasses contains large amounts of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese and potassium. Blackstrap molasses still contains some sugar, but is much healthier than pure sugar. Two teaspoons will give you 10-20 percent of your daily requirement of these minerals as well as 5 percent of your daily vitamin B6 needs.

Using blackstrap molasses

Blackstrap molasses has a sweet, but strong flavour. Some people use blackstrap molasses in place of sugar in tea or other hot beverages. Blackstrap molasses may be used in baking in place of sugar with varying degrees of success. This probably works best in simple baked food such as cookies.

If you want to take blackstrap molasses as a supplement, but don’t like the taste, simply take a teaspoon twice a day and wash it down with water.

Note that molasses is often fed to livestock as a mineral supplement.

Blackstrap molasses cures

Blackstrap molasses has been said to cure or help with many conditions such as constipation, diabetes, amenia, anxiety, acne, fibroid tumours, insomnia, arthritic pain, high blood pressure, heart palpitations and symptoms of menopause. Some people have reported grey hair returning to the original colour.

Some of these folk remedies are unproven, so do your own research and consult your medical practitioner. As a sweetener that is much healthier than sugar, consider adding blackstrap molasses to your diet in moderation.

References:

Scott, C. Crude Black Molasses: a natural “Health -food”. 1948

Wikipedia

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats in human nutrition and cannot be manufactured by the body, and must be consumed in the diet. The two main biologically active omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), are found in fish oil. There is also alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which is found in vegetable oils.

Omega-3 fatty acids reduce mortality

Swiss researchers published results of clinical trials in the April 2005 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine showing decreased risk of mortality using omega-3 fish oil. The trials also included statin drugs. The results combine 10,000 clinical trials from 1965 to 2003 which included 275,000 subjects.

In the trials statin drugs reduced overall mortality by 13 percent. Statin drugs advocated by conventional medicine to reduce cholesterol have side effects such as muscle pain, muscle loss, memory loss, liver failure, and fatigue. Omega-3 fatty acids reduced overall mortality by 23 percent.

Cholesterol

There are two types of cholesterol. LDL cholesterol is bad cholesterol that can lead to heart disease. HDL cholesterol is the good cholesterol. Low HDL cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease.

Not only do omega-3 fatty acids reduce the bad LDL cholesterol, they also increase the good HDL cholesterol.

Sources of omega-3 fatty acids

Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids include flaxseed, walnuts, and soybean oil. Cold-water fish such as salmon, mackerel, herring, and sardines have high concentrations of omega-3 fatty acids. To maintain the heart-healthy benefits of fish, bake or grill it. If dietary intake is insufficient, take fish oil capsules.

Other factors

Many other contribute to cholesterol levels and overall health. Maintain a normal body weight, avoid smoking and eat healthy food.

References:

Studer M, Briel M, Leimenstoll B, Glass T, Bucher H. Effect of Different Antilipidemic Agents and Diets on Mortality: A Systemic Review. Archives of Internal Medicine 2005 April 11; 165(7):725-30.