Beetroot Juice - Natural Wonder To Fight High Blood Pressure?

If you follow health-related issues it's hard to miss the news: beetroot juice is the latest "miracle" food in the fight against high blood pressure. A study conducted by the London School of Medicine has revealed that drinking beetroot juice can significantly lower blood pressure. The effect was noted in healthy volunteers within an hour of consuming the juice. What's more, the reduction in blood pressure was even greater after three to four hours and the effect lasted for up to 24 hours.

Beetroot is high in nitrates, the compounds shown to be responsible for the effect. The nitrates are converted into nitrite by bacteria in saliva. The nitrite is then swallowed with the saliva and exerts a powerful effect on body chemistry that reduces blood pressure. The lowest levels of blood pressure in the subjects coincided with the time of highest nitrite levels in their blood.

With drops in blood pressure of around 10 points systolic and 8 points diastolic compared to the control group, and considering the duration of the effect, these are notable results. But before you beat a path to your local supermarket to stock up on beet juice here are a few points to consider:

First, you probably won't find any. Beetroot juice is not commonly stocked by mainstream supermarkets. It can be found in some healthfood stores and ordered via the Internet, although the prices will put many people off. (Don't confuse the liquid in jars of beetroot with the juice. This is merely pickling brine -yuk! - colored by the beets.)




The volume of juice required was relatively large: 500 milliliters, equivalent to 2 extra-large glasses.


The method of consuming the juice in order to convert the nitrates to beneficial nitrite may also put some people off. At the very least, it's not terribly practical on a regular basis; it requires thoroughly mixing the beetroot juice with saliva and swallowing the mixture. After the initial consumption you need to continue producing saliva and swallowing it over the next few hours (yuk, again!).

NOTE: If you are still keen to follow this procedure do be prepared for a shock on your next visit to the toilet!

The subjects of this study were "healthy volunteers". The results do not necessarily predict those that would be experienced by people with high blood pressure Some types of hypertension are extremely resistant to treatment. Testing needs to be conducted on subjects actually afflicted with the condition in order to be more meaningful.


Blood pressure reductions obtained in this way and averaged over 24 hours are minimal. Even the reduction of 10 over 8 at the time of maximum impact would not make a significant difference to those suffering from serious hypertension, especially in light of the cost and practical considerations.


So beetroot juice is obviously not the natural wonder you might mistake it for from all the news. But there is still a very positive point to it . Beetroot shares its abundance of nitrates with leafy green vegetables such as spinach, celery and lettuce, all noted for their positive effect on blood pressure. Celery in particular, most notably in the root where the compounds are highly concentrated, has gained widespread recognition as a potent food that can lower blood pressure.

The study reinforces the advice that a healthy diet high in nitrate-rich foods is an essential part of an overall strategy for reducing high blood pressure. Foods that are high in nitrates include not only the leafy green vegetables and beets mentioned above but also carrots, cabbage, radishes and most other vegetables. Curiously, cured meats are also high in nitrates and may not be as bad for you as previously thought. In fact, there is evidence that they may even help in survival and recovery from heart attacks.

In response to a great marketing opportunity, you may well see beetroot juice appearing soon at your local supermarket, maybe even labeled with something like "the natural wonder that fights high blood pressure". Don't fall for it. No single food, supplement or herb is a high blood pressure beater on its own. You're better off spending your money on a varied diet of quality, whole food high in leafy green vegetables and other foods containing nitrates... including beetroot.

David O'Hara is a researcher and product developer in the field of natural health and blood pressure control. Click here to find out about a genuinely effective natural way to reduce high blood pressure

Ginger - The Wonder Root

Ever walk along the produce aisle and find yourself staring at the earthy fascination of a ginger root? Oddly shaped, and with a distinctive flavor, this "wonder root" is an excellent dietary addition because it includes varying amounts of magnesium, manganese, potassium, and vitamins B6, C, and E. Besides being loaded with anti-inflammatory properties, ginger root offers a variety of other health benefits. Some studies indicate it is an aid to digestion, is beneficial both to cholesterol levels and blood pressure, helps with arthritis, and even aids nausea. It is quite a versatile root to boot! Ginger can be incorporated into countless recipes and should be included in your regular diet.

Considered a staple in China and India, ginger root has been used for centuries in cooking and for medicinal purposes. It has a thick, tan, knotty, and bulbous appearance and grows somewhat horizontally. In actuality, it is not a root, but rather it is a "rhizome," an underground stem. Harvested year-round, ginger root is available fresh in most grocery stores, usually in the produce section.

Several studies have investigated the health benefits of ginger. The advantages range from decreased joint inflammation and arthritis to help with nausea, athlete's foot, heart disease, lowered cholesterol, and better circulation. Ever get bloated? Ginger may be the answer. Many people take the strange-looking stem in some form to help with their digestion. Ginger has also been shown to be anti-viral, making it a great support for your immune system during periods of increased risk of common colds and flu. It helps to reduce muscle spasms, and some women take ginger for menstrual cramping. Ginger is also an aid in managing fevers, bronchitis, respiratory symptoms, and headaches. Feel dizzy during a ride on an airplane or while traveling on a cruise? The characteristics of ginger have even been shown to help people with motion sickness.

In our practice, we have seen the most success when ginger is used to assist with digestive, bowel, and gastrointestinal issues, stomach cramping, and arthritis of the fingers. For many of our pregnant patients ginger has provided relief from their symptoms of nausea. Some individuals choose ginger in place of pain relievers. Ginger also benefits healing in cases of skin wounds, aiding in the decrease of pus and infected areas. Note that ginger is contraindicated for people with gallstones and gastric/peptic ulcers and should not be used by them. During a recent symposium hosted by the American Association of Cancer Research, a particular study demonstrated that ginger suppressed cancer cells and cleansed the body of toxins. Although more research is needed, the documented curative effects of ginger are welcome news.

Ginger can be taken in whole, liquid, or powder form. If the wonder root does not appeal to your taste buds, try taking it in capsules, which are available in most health food or nutritional stores. The dosage for adults is typically 25 to 100 milligrams (or 1.5 to 3 milliliters of liquid) daily, although for digestive issues it may be helpful to increase the dosage. Use of ginger root in its natural state is preferred, and it is particularly beneficial and tasty when steeped in hot water with green or white tea. See the recipe at the end of this article for a pleasant concoction known as "Oooss Juice."

Ginger has many uses beyond medicinal and is versatile in the kitchen. Several cultures include it in making wine, and it is an ingredient in various candies, teas, curry, sushi, and some French liquors. In the US, ginger is probably most popularly known as the basis for ginger ale, gingerbread men cookies, cakes (gingerbread), jellies, jams, and other delicious confections and flavorings. Consider adding ginger to your favorite stir-fry recipe, dressings, salads, and even barbecue sauce.

As already described, ginger is a multipurpose and extraordinary herb! Its numerous health-promoting and symptom-fighting components make it desirable and appreciated. Whether the issues are digestive or fighting inflammation and bloating, ginger can contribute to the good health of people at any age.

One of my favorite ginger-based "brews" is Oooss Juice, for which the recipe follows:

Oooss Juice

- Use a high-quality, heat-retaining, stainless steel 2- to 4-gallon pot.

- Boil 1 gallon of water; add ½ pound of sliced ginger; lightly boil for 5 minutes, and turn the burner off.

- Add 2 to 6 organic green tea bags, steep for 30 to 60 minutes, and remove.

- After 4 to 12 hours, strain out the ginger, place the juice in a glass container, and cool in the refrigerator. Drink cold or hot.

Ginger, the wonder root, is an ingredient in many interesting recipes, adds a pungent and exotic flavor to foods and beverages, and offers notable health benefits to those who add it to their diet.

Owner and educator Dr. Chad Laurence is in private family practice at CORRECTIVE CHIROPRACTIC in Hockessin, Delaware. After earning his doctorate from Life University of Chiropractic in Marietta, Georgia, Dr. Laurence began practicing chiropractic in 2000. Before his chiropractic studies, Dr. Laurence received a BS degree in Microbiology from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Laurence is a Distinguished Fellow of the CBP technique. Presently, fewer than 400 doctors worldwide are certified in Clinical Biomechanics of Posture. Research results published in peer-reviewed scientific and medical journals support Clinical Biomechanics of Posture more than any other chiropractic technique. With a focus on structural spinal correction, nutrition, education, and specific training, Dr. Laurence is able to relieve symptoms for individuals suffering with physical problems, including neck and low back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, arthritis, and intestinal difficulties. His approach is also particularly successful at helping children with chronic ear infections, asthma, allergies, ADD/ADHD, bed-wetting issues, and childhood immune system disorders. Dr. Laurence is an experienced presenter who has been invited to speak in a variety of venues. For more information about Dr. Laurence or Chiropractic Biophysics/Clinical Biomechanics of Posture (CBP), 302.234.1115. Additional details are also available on the practice website: http://correctivechiro.net/

Ginger - The Divine Wonder Cure

The Wonderful treaure of Healing Herbs from India, Ayurveda, esteems Ginger as the most valuable herb with excellent medicinal properties. Ginger (Zingiber officinale) known as Gingembre in French, Ingwer in German Zanzabil in Arabic & Persian texts and fresh variety as known as Ardhrakam in Sanskrit or Adrakh in common Indian texts, is cultivated in many parts of India on a large scale in the warm moist regions, chiefly in Madras, Cochin & Travancore and to a somewhat less extent in Bengal & Punjab. The dried rhizomes of ginger are known as Shunthi or Maha-oushdham in Sanskrit and Sonth in Hindi texts. Possessing excellent medicinal values, Ginger & Dried Ginger powder have been regarded as a Wonder Cure in all Ayurvedic texts. The scraped and dried rhizomes as well as the green ones are used in many Ayurvedic remedies.

Ginger contains an oleo-resin Gingerine and an essential oil Gingerol and acts internally as an aromatic, carminative, stimulant to the gastro-intestinal tract, stomachic, sialagogue & digestive. Ginger also acts as a local stimulant and rubefacient when applied externally. According to Ayurveda, dried varieties of Ginger are ushna-veeryam (hot potency), Laghu-snigdha-gunam (mild & oily), katu-rasam (acrid taste), madhur-vipakam (sweet after effect) and fresh varieties ushna-veeryam, guru-ruksha-teekshan-gunam (heavy, dry & pungent property), katu-vipakam (acrid after effect), and is valuable as a suppressant & remedy for vitiated Kapha (phlegm) & Vatta (air) disorders. Ginger stimulates nerves, heart & circulatory system, and is useful in all Vatta disorders and in hepato-splenomegaly & other liver disorders, bilious disorders, jaundice, oedema, abdominal disorders, flatulence, loss of appetite, constipation, and as a liver regulator, digestive, restorative, and also as an anti-inflammatory agent. Ayurveda considers Ginger as a pungent herb par excellence, as it does not have the concentrated irritant pungency of chillies, which can sometimes be too strong, yet it is irritant enough to challenge the muscles & blood vessels & wake them up. It also challenges the internal organs, particularly the digestive system, where ginger is said to awaken the agni, or metabolic fire. Symptoms of low agni include poor digestion, poor absorption, poor circulation, wind, constipation, poor resistance, a tendency to cold & influenza, congestion, body odours & obesity (all latter because there is insufficient fire to balance the water). All of these problems are precisely those which ginger treats.

An ancient recipe of potentiated Ginger, peeled & dried under shade, is finely powdered and later on macerated with fresh Ginger juice and processed similarly for seven consecutive days, and dried under optimum conditions, ground and filtered through muslin cloth to make it fibre free. The magical effects of this recipe in all common ailments like Coughs, Colds, Dyspepsia, Flatulence, Vomitings, Stomachaches & Spasms, Constipation, Bowels unattended by fever, Indigestion, Sore-throat, Asthma, Hoarseness & Loss of Voice, Diarrhoea, Nausea, Loss of Appetite, Piles, Chronic Rheumatism & Arthritis, Headache, Toothache, Fainting, Senselessness and what not, ideally regarded GINGER as a WONDER CURE. Being aromatic & pleasantly pungent, Ginger can be used regularly for the prophylactic management of or as an insurance for all of the mentioned ailments. Ginger, in its ancient references, has been called as Maha-aushidhi (a Great Medicine) and used as a carminative and anti-fermenting medicine. Ginger is esteemed for its flavour, pungency, aroma and medicinal value. Even Greek Physicians, like Galen, Aviceena, Pomose etc. have been using Ginger, in various forms, to rectify the imbalancement of morbid functions of body, treatment of paralysis caused by phlegmatic imbalancement, treatment of gout and gouty arthritis and even as an aphrodisiac. The calorific value of Ginger has been rated 67. Also useful for taste & appetite as a food-seasoning spice for all kinds of foods and can be added to Tea.

The use of Ginger as a regular spice reduces the risk of indigestion, flatulence, dyspepsia, hyperacidity etc. caused due to heavy intake of non-vegetarian and fried fatty foods. Ginger strained after boiling with water, and by adding fresh lemon juice and a pinch of rock salt can also be used as an appetite stimulant, if taken just before meals. This recipe cleans the tongue, throat, increases the appetite and produces an agreeable sensation. Ginger, mixed with honey and hot water, can also be used as an excellent remedy for non-specific coughs & colds. Ginger boiled in water with fennel seeds and mixed with honey is an excellent diaphoretic mixture which increases sweating to reduce fever in influenza. It also acts as an expectorant in bronchitis, asthma, whooping cough and phthisis. Ginger in paste form with little water can also be applied locally as a pain-reliever in headache & toothache. Half teaspoonful of Ginger with honey and half-boiled egg, given once daily at night for a month, tones up the sex stimulating centres and helps to cure impotency, premature ejaculation and spermatorrhoea. The similar recipe of Ginger added with boiled milk, also helps to cure female-frigidity.

In a nutshell, wonderful multipurpose recipes can also be self-created with Ginger for a wonderful cure of any ailment. For regular use, the Vedic texts suggest a dose of 1/2 to 2 grams of dried Ginger powder with honey two to three times daily. Imagine the majority of Ayurvedic remedies contain ginger in one or other form as an effective portion of the complex herbal formulations. Quoting the Divine Wonder Curing properties of Ginger, it is even said that Ginger alone can make even the illiterate person as a successful physician.