Posts Tagged ‘garlic’

Garlic
Garlic contains chemical compounds that are antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and even anticarcinogenic.  Studies have also shown that it can help lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke.  Fresh garlic is best, as these beneficial nutrients are lost within one hour of smashing the cloves.  Add fresh garlic to your daily diet instead of supplements for this reason.

Mushrooms
Mushrooms are loaded with nutrients and minerals like vitamins B, C, and D, calcium, protein, and fiber.  The nutrients found especially in the Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake varieties are well known for their ability to activate and enhance the immune system.

Berries
Raspberries and blueberries in specific are extremely high in antioxidants that help boost your immune function by fighting off free radicals that can contribute to a number of health concerns.  Blueberries in particular can also keep bacteria from bonding to cells in the urinary tract, and therefore help prevent infection.

Broccoli
Broccoli is full of immune boosting nutrients including vitamin C, fiber, and even beta carotene which is good for the eyes as well as the immune system.  It also contains chemical compounds that have been shown to stop growth of cancer cells.

• Magnesium

Magnesium deficiencies can lead to numerous health conditions, but did you know that high blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, was one of them? Magnesium helps balance calcium in your system by dilating the muscles in arteries that calcium causes to contract. If magnesium levels are too low, the muscles in the artery walls stay constricted and cause more pressure on the blood flowing through them. Not many foods other than fish are very high in magnesium, so a supplement or fish oil capsules are a good alternative to help keep balance as well as provide other helpful nutrients like vitamin d and omega 3 fatty acids.

• Potassium

The body’s cells need a balance of minerals like calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium in order to function. Most people ingest more sodium through salt and carbonated drinks than they do potassium, and this can cause an imbalance between the two. When sodium levels are too high, the kidneys may struggle to dispose of it, and in some cases vascular systems near them will close off in order to raise blood pressure, which will in turn push the kidneys to dump the excess waste products your body doesn’t need or want. Potassium supplements are available to help keep balance, but you can also get plenty from fruits and green vegetables, and even some fish like tuna or halibut.

• Garlic

Garlic contains an organic compound called allicin, which has been shown to affect lipids in the bloodstream. This can reduce cholesterol, and its damaging effects to the walls of your blood vessels. Supplements are available if you’re concerned about odor issues from whole garlic, although you get the maximum benefits of it when taken whole. Two to three cloves per day are recommended for treating hypertension.

• Fats

Everyone knows how bad saturated and trans fats are, but are you aware of the positive benefits of those good fats that exist? Polyunsaturated fats can help improve the levels of the good forms of cholesterol in your system, and also help keep blood pressure down. These are found mostly in plants like corn, soy, safflower and sunflower, whereas unhealthy saturated fats are mostly found in meats and dairy products.