Organic gardening is an excellent way to grow your trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetables and plants. Many plants, trees, shrubs and vegetables benefit greatly with organic materials. Farmers are now turning to this type of farming due to the bad effects of poisonous insecticides and pesticides.

Organic composting comes from worms, food waste, grass clippings and old leaves. If left alone in some type of tumbler or rotating container it will eventually be consumed by bacteria. You can then use this type of “Compost” to amend your soil for your gardening needs. Humus comes from composted vegetable matter. You can make your own organic compost using a Compost Tumbler. Visit your local greenhouse or plant nursery and ask for such a product.

Mulching is another form of organic gardening. Mulch is added to the top layer of any gardening bed, tree, or plant thus keeping moisture in and suppressing weeds from growing. This helps in eliminating harmful herbicides and or insecticides into the environment. Another added benefit is that mulching will make the root system grow faster and in turn take in more natural ingredients from the earths soils.

Organic fertilizers are cottonseed meal, blood meal, Fish Emulsion, manure and sewage sludge. Many of these type of fertilizers are high or low on the three types of nutrients needed for your plants such as nitrogen, phosphorus, or potash.

Be sure to read labels before purchasing. In my opinion fish emulsion is the best and easiest to apply. You should also be aware that some organic fertilizers may burn the plants.

Manure the fresher the better over time this type of fertilizer will weaken, but do not overuse as it can burn plants. Yea I know it stinks but it works. Farmers now sell organic matter but you can also purchase organic compost at your local garden nursery. Just be sure to ask for “Organic compost” or “Organic Potting Soil”.

Cottonseed oil is the safest but is normally used for acid loving plants.

Blood meal comes from cattle blood after they have been slaughtered. Be careful not to overuse blood meal as it can also burn plants. It is high in nitrogen and good for green foliage.

You can also make your own organic compost. Leaves, tree and shrub cuttings make excellent compost. You will need to purchase a compost bin or tumbler that can help speed up the process. Be sure to add a compost maker material this can also be added to the compost bin for a good organic compost soil.

If you are concerned about the environment then “Organic Gardening” is the way to go or should I say grow.

Paul Guzman is the author of this article. You can checkout his website about southwestern gardening at: Southwestern Garden Tips

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Diindolylmethane is an indole contained in brassicas such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, brussel sprouts and cauliflower. It is a dimer of indole-3-carbinol, which is itself formed by the autolytic degradation of glucosinolate glucobrassicin which is found in brassicas. Both this and the dimeric diindolylmethane are currently being tested for their antioxidant, anticancer and antiatherogenic properties, although this type of research has been mainly made on animals. When the cell walls of brassicas are ruptured, the enzyme myrosinase is released, that breaks down the glucobrassicin.

Because diindolylmethane is oil soluble it is more bioavailable to the body in the presence of vitamin E and other lipophilic substances, and these are normally included in oral supplements. However, back to estrogen and its effects upon human estrogen balance. Estrogen is the name for a group of steroids that function substantially as the female sex hormone. They have many effects on the body, including regulation of the menstrual cycle, breast development and promote the formation of secondary female characteristics such as reduced height and muscle mass.

Estrogen is also present in the male, where it regulates several factors pertaining to the reproductive system. It does not, however, take part in the process that determines sexual desire. If all of these properties are considered it would seem logical to believe that estrogen levels could be used to control weight increase, although claims that it can be use to enhance sexual performance seem ill founded: based more on hope than on science!

What science appears to have found, however, is that estrogen dominance, due to an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone levels in the body, can give rise to increased weight, and even obesity, in women. It can also lead to uterine, ovarian and breast cancers, and cervical dysplasia which, while not cancer, can give rise to cervical cancer if not treated. Estrogen imbalance, therefore, is not good news and something to be avoided if it possibly can. So what can be done to avoid it?

The answer is to find a hormonal balance, and this is where diindolylmethane (DIM) comes in. The substance has been found to have a positive effect on the balance between estrogen and progesterone, although eating broccoli will not be sufficient to do the job properly. Insufficient DIM is released by breaking the cell walls of broccoli through chewing to have much effect on the balance, about a kilo of broccoli a day being needed to have any noticeable effect. It is the diindolylmethane supplements that are able to have the desired effect in restoring the hormone balance and eliminating the undesirable effects of estrogen imbalance.

But why should estrogen imbalance occur? What are the factors that cause this dangerous condition, and if it is so common how did our ancestors manage without today’s science? The answer to the second question lies in that to the first, but before we discuss that don’t go thinking that your ancestors managed through thick and thin. Perhaps yours did, but your life expectancy is significantly greater than that of your parents when they were born. In fact, you don’t have to go too far up your family tree to when you would be doing well if you hit forty! So the argument about your ancestors doesn’t wash.

In fact, an estrogen imbalance can be caused by several factors: a slow estrogen metabolism that leads to an excess of estrogen because it is not broken down quickly enough is common, but far more common is the effect of pollutants such as pesticides, car exhaust fumes, emulsifiers, household cleaners and even some soaps. They contain chemicals known as xenoestrogens that our body believes to be real estrogens. They can stick to estrogen receptors on healthy cells, and can also prevent true estrogen from binding to the cell it should bind to. This results in an increase in free estrogen that cannot bind to the estrogen receptors that it should. Your ancestors did not have these problems with such ‘estrogen mimics’ and so managed just fine.

There is also the fact that estrogen can be broken down in the liver by means of two different routes: one leads to a form of estrogen that metabolizes to provide many benefits, such as strong bones and a reduction in heart disease, while the other has the opposite effect of causing cancers, depression, osteoporosis and problems with your immune system. That is by no means the full list: you don’t want to see that, believe me!

You might think that if estrogen is dominant over progesterone, then taking progesterone would resolve the problem. It would seem to be a good cure. In fact, it is not a good idea since progesterone can be metabolized into yet more estrogen, making the problem even worse. The real answer is to take a supplement containing the substance that solves the problem by changing the estrogen metabolism pathways in the liver: diindolylmethane. More of the so-called “good” estrogen metabolites are formed, and less of the bad. The actual estrogen levels are not changed, but the way in which the excess estrogen causes harm is changed. That way, it doesn’t matter what the imbalance is, the estrogen cannot do ham to your body.

DIM possesses many potential positive benefits when used as a supplement. It can reduce your chances of getting breast, cervical and ovarian cancers, and also acts as a strong antioxidant, and helps to strengthen your immune system. It might help you to lose weight, but more studies are needed before this can be claimed conclusively. However, there is evidence at the moment that it has a weight reducing effect.

Its effect on sexual health is largely unfounded, but the effect of a placebo in this area can be astounding: that indicates how much psychology has to do with sexual performance. Nevertheless, the known and projected benefits of diindolylmethane are so significant that taking a supplement would seem a reasonable thing to do, and although your mom was right about you eating your broccoli, brassicas alone are not a rich enough source for a significant effect.

More information on dim for estrogen balance is available at VitaNet ®, LLC Health Food Store. http://vitanetonline.com/

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According to The National Arthritis Data Workgroup of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases one in seven people in the United States has arthritis and that number is expecting to increase to 60 million people who have it by the year 2020 as the baby boomer population ages. And while not all forms of arthritis are the same or have the same degree of severity, it is important for those who do have it to understand it and how to cope with it.

The word Arthritis comes from the Greek words “artho”, meaning joint, and “itis”, meaning inflammation. It usually affects people who are fifty-five years of age or old but can affect those younger as well. Although there are many different types of arthritis the most common form is known as osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease which could be the result of infection of the joint, age, or trauma to the joint.

With a normal joint cartilage, which is at the end of each bone were it meets another bone, protects the joint and provides smooth movement. Pain in the joint is caused when this cartilage starts to break down and in extreme cases this can lead to the bare bones in the joint touching and rubbing together. In these cases the joint starts to lose its shape and spurs are formed by the thickening the the bone ends.

The most common treatment of arthritis is to take some form of anti-inflammatory drug which helps to keep the inflammation down had also has some painkilling effect as well. The most common of these being drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and ketoprofen. As always though, before taking any medication for relief of arthritis pain it is a good idea to speak with your doctor who can prescribe the best treatment for your needs.

Drugs are not the only treatment for arthritis and exercise and diet has been shown to have benefit in the treatment of arthritis. Exercise has been shown to not only reduce the inflammatory associated with arthritis but it can also have the potential of slow the progression of the disease. Keeping active can help maintain or improve the mobility with the joint not to mention the added benefit of keeping yourself in generally good health overall. Again however, it is advised that before starting any exercise program speak with your doctor to help determine your level of fitness and design an exercise routine that suites you and your arthritis.

Living with arthritis does not have to be debilitating experience with no end in sight. In most cases it is manageable with a little effort, knowledge and guidance from your health care professional.

Debi Carser is the designer of special needs clothing and owner of Colia & Co. Her company is dedicated to providing adaptive clothing for women with special needs that is comfortable and contemporary. Clothing that will fit your needs and make you look and feel great.

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Choosing a fountain isn’t always easy. There is a wide range of fountains available, from inexpensive molded plastic fountains to expensive carved stone garden fountains. With such a wide range, it can be difficult to find one to fit your garden and your budget. You’ll want to choose a fountain that enhances your garden and backyard, and will last for many years.

The low-end molded plastic fountains simply will not last for a long time. Plastic fountains are difficult to clean when dirty, and they will crack over time. They are inexpensive options for a garden fountains, but you will find yourself replacing a cheap plastic fountain every few years when they break. A plastic fountain won’t give you a long lasting centerpiece to your garden.

The more expensive carved stone fountains will last a long time, and make a stunning centerpiece to your yard. However, they are expensive, and may not fit your budget. Some also need a lot of maintainence, and they are heavy and hard to move.

A good choice for a garden fountain would be a mid-range fountain. These fountains are often made of poly resin, or a stone and resin mix. They are affordable, and will stand up to the weather very well. These fountains are also much lighter, and easier to handle than stone, while retaining the look and feel of stone.

Be sure to choose a water feature that fits your environment. If you live in a climate with drastic changes in the weather from season to season, you’ll want a fountain that can withstand the weather, or that you can store easily in the winter. Stone fountains are not easy to move, due to their weight, and the changes in weather may cause them to crack.

When you choose your fountain, you’ll also want to consider the pump and the water capacity. Low-end fountains may not hold very much water, or pump very much water. The more expensive fountains will have a stronger pump which can move more water, which will look much better. A fountain that pumps 5 gallons per minute should be sufficient to provide an appealing stream of water. A weaker pump will not pump enough water to provide a visually appealing fountain.

You need to consider where you are going to place your fountain. You’ll need electricity to run the pump, so it should be close enough to an electrical outlet. Fountains equipped with a standard 120v connection can simply be plugged into a standard outlet. Your fountain should also be close enough to a water supply, so you can top it off easily as the water evaporates.

Another consideration as far as location, is the visual impact of the fountain. Do you want to see it from your patio, or do you want it tucked into a remote corner. Sometimes placing a fountain at the end of a garden path, tucked into a remote corner of the garden will help to add to the relaxing effect of the fountain. You may also want to consider placing several small fountains throughout the garden, to provide accents here and there.

The proper fountain, properly placed will help to enhance the tranquility of your backyard, as well as adding a nice visual accent to your garden.

Visit Water Gardens & Fountains for more tips and resources on building and installing your own backyard water feature.

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Xocai Healthy Chocolate is not for sale in stores. It can only be purchased through independent distributors. Many xocai distributors offer the product at retail only for buyers, and try to sell you on the home business opportunity. Although becoming a xocai distributor can be very profitable it is not for everyone. People that just want to buy it for its fantastic health benefits can purchase it for wholesale prices if they follow the instructions below.

Here are the options you have:

1. You can purchase it Xocai at retail and pay top dollar per case. If you are just trying the product for the first time you may want to buy retail and upgrade after you have experienced the fantastic health benefits.

2. You can become a Xocai preferred customer for $10.00 membership fee and save about $13.00 per case off retail. This option makes no sense if you want to use xocai on a regular basis. For $25 more you can use the option below and save big money per case.

3. Xocai Wholesale pricing. The best way to buy Xocai Healthy Chocolate. If you are a regular user (most buyers are or become one) you can buy Xocai Healthy Chocolate at wholesale. These are the lowest prices you can receive and it is just a matter of filling out a form and paying a $35.00 membership fee. You will save up to $30.00 per case.

You will be signing up as a Xocai distributor, but you are absolutely under no obligation to ever sell anything ever! You will not be called or harassed to become an active seller and you can purchase anytime. The best way to ensure you always have the product is to go on auto ship.

My family uses 1 case of X Power Cookies and 1 case of Activ every month, so we definitely wanted to go on auto ship to avoid having to order every month. You can turn off the auto ship anytime you want.

There is no reason you should pay retail when there is an option available that could save you $30-60 per month.

My wife’s sister wanted to buy Xocai from us for her family, and my brother wanted some Activ for his high blood pressure. We also have several friends that want Xocai for their family. I simply directed them to WholesaleDarkChocolate.com and they were off.

Keep in mind you are investing in you health and if you want to enjoy the health benefits of Dark Chocolate you need to add it to your daily regimen.

There are numerous studies coming out everyday regarding the health benefits found in the right dark chocolate. Beware of store bought dark chocolate products. Just because they say it is 70% dark chocolate does not mean it isn’t filled with fillers, sugar and dairy products. If you want to find out more about the benefits of dark chocolate just google Dark Chocolate Research and find out more.

Jeffrey Taylor is an Internet Marketing Specialist and work from home dad, and an Executive Distributor For Xocai. If you want buy Xocai Healthy Chocolate at wholesale prices go to Wholesale Dark Chocolate.

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Chrysanthemums are also grown throughout the UK with the predominant producers being along the south coast. Seasonal summer flowers such as asters, gerbera, delphiniums, calla lily and stocks are grown a vast quantities throughout the whole of the UK.

UK florists have an abundant supply of hardy hedgerow foliage to choose from as well as more exotic foliages being grown under glass in the UK.

The UK flowers industry is worth in excess of two billion pounds annually, with the average person spending thirty six pounds each year on cut flowers and indoor plants. However, people in the UK have a long way to go before they can rival the likes of France, where it is common place for flowers to be brought from the local florists on a weekly basis. The supermarkets on the continent are only just beginning to offer cut flowers for sale and it is extremely rare to see flowers for sale at garages!

Historically people in the UK only buy flowers for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays and Valentine’s Day. The use of flower arrangements within the home is becoming increasingly popular in the UK as people are beginning to realise the importance that flowers have on the senses and fewer people are growing flowers themselves in their gardens to cut and display indoors. The popularity of TV home make-over shows has also helped to increase the amount of flower arrangements being ordered from the florists, especially those which specialise in contemporary and modern designs. TV coverage of horticultural shows such as Chelsea has also given impetus to the UK flower industry as a whole.

Although many flowers used by florists are grown within the UK the demand for exotics, tropical flowers and foliage designs means that huge quantities of flowers are imported into the UK each year, with the majority coming from Kenya, Israel and Columbia. All flowers coming from abroad have to adhere to the strict guidelines set down by DEFRA, Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, to ensure that imported flowers and plants meet quality standards and for example, are not carrying disease which are detrimental to native UK flowers and plants.

The majority of traditional florists in the UK obtain their flowers from wholesale markets, returning to their workplaces to sort, store and of course make-up the beautiful designs and arrangements ordered.

Many of the florists in the UK are self employed and while many have taken recognised floristry qualifications, there are cottage UK flower industry style florists becoming increasingly popular by only supplying arrangements and designs using only locally produced seasonal flowers, these by and large do not offer either countrywide or worldwide deliveries.

Flowers direct are UK flower delivery experts, specializing in flowers for all occasions. Funeral flowers, birthday flowers, calla lilys, all for UK flower delivery.

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Planning a party can be fun but stressful too. For instance, surprise parties usually attract a lot of guest so the majority of those invited are likely to show for the occasion. There is no reason why you cannot ask people to share some of the load. There are many tasks involved in planning a surprise party and if something happens to you then what will happen to the party? Recruit friends or family members to help. Assign each one a specific duty. Many of the tasks you need to think about when planning a party include invitations, location, catering or food, gifts, wine, entertainment, party favors, decorations and more. You will also have to setup carpooling if it is a surprise party or people will have to park their cars far down the street. This can still be a problem if they drive a conspicuous vehicle, or there is limited parking available.

When you ask for help with the party you are throwing then everyone will have a sense of ownership. Plan a meeting with the other hosts to discuss the preparation and to split up responsibilities. Food is usually something that is shared because catering can be quite expensive. If only one person plans on cooking for an entire group of people then this can be difficult too. The best way to share the efforts with food is to make a decision which person will bring what dish to the party. Circulate a sign up list that will indicate what everyone can bring. This way, you’ll know if something needs to be purchased separately.

When you throw a party location will be your number one decision. Location is important so deciding where to host the event can be a cumbersome thing to decide. Your home or the home of the person you are throwing the party for may not be big enough, but someone who is invited may have the perfect place. Ask those on your guest list if they can recommend a good location. Perhaps the clubhouse of one of the guest’s apartment complex, or a local town hall might be available. Factors such as parking, restroom facilities, and lighting may need to be addressed when selecting the place to host a party. If children will be there you will have to determine if the location is safe and can accommodate kids. With a little questioning, phone calls and input from all of the host you’ll discover the perfect place for a party. Then if you have to rent a place then the host can split the costs of the rental. You might even think about charging the guest with a cover charge or ask for donations to cover the cost of the rental if it is too expensive. If your party guest know the charge is going to pay for the location most won’t mind the small fee. In addition, the more people you invite, the less each person will have to pay. However, you should remember that more people also mean more food, favors and decorations.

The best way to have a large party is to plan it with multiple people. To avoid arguing with each other then you should have an initial meeting so everyone can agree what their roles and responsibilities will be. This way, no one will step on any toes during the planning process. Don’t be afraid to find creative ways to come up with money to pay for the costs of the party and to ask for everyone, even guests to share with the cost.

Donna Gorenflo, party planner offers expert advice and suggestions on baby shower favors, decorations, gift giving and hostess ideas for baby showers, birthdays and more. Donna has owned and operated a successful online store since 2001. To find more great party favors, party ideas and gifts suited for every budget and to make your party memorable visit www.BamaBabiesAndBirthdays.com

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Many people believe that organic gardening offers many health benefits and that organically grown food is much better for the human body than food grown with pesticides and chemicals. With such health concerns in place, it only makes sense to grow your fruits and vegetables organically in your very own organic home garden.

If you would like to learn how to have your own organic garden but are unsure of where to start, you are in luck. I have compiled a few easy organic gardening tips for you to follow to get you started off on the right foot.

Collect Your Own Rainwater

This seems like a weird thing to do, but it is actually one of the best tips for organic gardening. For this procedure you will need to purchase a couple barrels from your local hardware store. These barrels will be used to collect rainwater. By collecting rainwater you are conserving water resources instead of wasting it. Some organic gardening growers hook up elaborate system of piping and hose to their rain collection barrels and the system then waters the organic garden automatically. You can probably find a variety of instructions for these types of systems by searching Google. If you don want to get that elaborate you can easily use a small bucket to scoop the water from the barrels or better yet, get a barrel with a spout on it, to water your organic garden by hand.

All Natural Fertilizer

Fertilizer is the place where most organic gardening growers go wrong. You must choose your fertilizer carefully. Many brands of fertilizer produced today contain some type of chemical. Be sure to read the label for the list of ingredients. True organic gardening must use an all natural fertilizer. Even if it says All Natural on the bag, make sure you read the label for the ingredients.

Another source of great natural fertilizer for organic gardening can come from using compost. Compost will help improve the structure of your soil and at the same time help increase the soils water retaining abilities. The best part about using compost for organic gardening is that it is free if you have your own compost pile or box. If not, you can always start one by beginning to collect grass clipping, leaves, etc.

Mulch for Organic Gardening

A simple yet often overlooked tip for organic gardening is to use mulch. By using organic material to mulch around your flower beds and trees you will conserve water, add humus and nutrients, and discourage weeds. This is one of the easiest organic gardening tips there is. Just be certain to locate a suitable natural organic mulch to do the job. You should be able to find one at your local home store or at a large nursery.

There are really no downsides to organic gardening. It is simply a matter of you putting in the time and consideration to make the switch from regular gardening to organic gardening. Not only will you be producing more healthy and nutritious plants and food but you will also be doing your part for the environment by not using chemicals or pesticides that do damage to it. Everything is going Green these days, so you might as well jump on the band wagon and help save the environment and a simple way to start is through organic gardening.

I hope these tips have helped you understand a little more about organic gardening. If you are interested in learning more about organic gardening, gardening tools, gardening products or just gardening in general please visit us at http://www.gardening-reviews.com

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In fact, by the time you finish reading this story, you’re already going to be feeling better. So let’s get started.

How to Get Your Ex Back (If You Want To)

Okay, the first thing we need to discuss is the possibility of “reversing” the break up.

By that I mean actually getting your ex back. Now before you say this is impossible, let me assure you that it most certainly is not. In fact, in probably 90% of cases it’s actually easier to just go ahead and win your ex back than it is to suffer through the pain and trauma of a break up.

Now, getting your ex back isn’t hard. But does require you to go through some very specific steps to make it happen.

Since this is an article about ways to deal with a break up, I’m not going to go into detail about this here. But what you can do, and what you really must do, is to go ahead and check out the links down at the end of this story.

Those sites are absolutely essential if you hold out any hope of saving your relationship. You owe it to yourself to at least check them out, so be sure and do that, okay?

4 Tips for Getting Over a Break Up

Okay, now that we’ve covered that, let’s get into some steps you can take to start feeling better fast.

1. Don’t dwell.

When you have broken up with someone, you’ll find that the breakup is frequently all that you can think about. You’ll find that you want to talk about, and that you want to stew over it, and it can be hard doing anything that is associated with your ex without thinking about the bad feelings from the breakup.

Remember that in the long run, this will turn you into someone who can’t stop dwelling on a past relationship! Gather up your willpower and make sure that you find something else to think about.

2. Stay friends

Sure, you’re willing to pay lip service to the idea of staying friends, but are you willing to go the distance? If your ex is a good person, chances are, you are going to want them in your life no matter how far you’ve come from being a couple.

Make time for them, expect them to make time for you. Be respectful of new relationships, and try to speak with them as a friend, rather than as someone who is manipulating them towards a specific end goal.

3. Keep yourself presentable

If you have recently gone through a bad breakup, you’ll find that there are plenty of reasons why you might want to let your appearance go. You may feel that no one will appreciate it, or that there’s no point.

In many ways, this can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you don’t take the time to make sure that you are presentable, no one will be willing to get close enough to see what an awesome person you are.

4. Don’t give up

Remember, it’s a very, very doable thing to get your ex back. In fact, there’s a good chance that this is much more likely than you think, so make sure that you check out the sites below. They’ll help you put things right!

This site has been known to save relationships many people thought could never be saved: How to Get Over a Break Up After that, head over to this How to Get Over a Break Up article. Then, you should also see this How to Get Over a Break Up round up, which has a ton of great stuff.

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It’s called spirulina and it is one of the most incredible foods our planet has to offer. Spirulina is a blue-green algae. Spirulina usually grows in waters of lakes naturally alkaline localized in arid zones.

Spirulina has unparalleled health benefits (explained later) and is an incredibly sustainable food source. For instance, according the journal Human Nature, spirulina presents a fast reproduction rate, dividing itself three times a day! Therefore, an area exclusively aimed at spirulina growth may produce 125 times more protein if compared to an area of the same size aimed at growing corn and 70 times more protein if compared to the breeding of cattle.

Furthermore, the spirulina presents some advantages in relation to other algae and seaweeds such as presenting no problems with digestion and no toxicity to humans. This can’t be said for other seaweeds such as Chlorella.

Spirulina – the omega-3 food choice for vegans!

Now let’s get to the good stuff. If you’re a vegan and looking for an alternative to fish then spirulina is what you want. This is because algaes, like spirulina, are athe original source of omega-3 fatty acids. Algaes are what small, bottom-feeding fish consume. These fish are then eaten by larger ones, and then eventually by humans. Cold water fish, which are well-known for their omega-3 fatty acids, owe their “omega-3 fame” to the consumption algaes such as spirulina, even if indirectly.

Here are some more incredible nutritional characteristics of spirulina. For starters, spirulina is the probably the highest vegetarian protein source consisting of 60-70% protein! It is also rich in chlorophyll and carotenoids, vitamins (vitamin A, especially) and tons of important minerals from deep in the seabed. An important note (especially for vegetarians and vegans) is that spirulina is a terrific source of vitamin B12 and iron.

Iron is the most common mineral deficiency in the world. Since spirulina contains high iron concentrations its bioavailability has been tested in comparison to ferrous sulfate which is the typical iron supplement. One such comparison was revealed in the journal Nutrition Research, spirulina fed rats absorbed 60% more iron than rats fed the iron supplement!

So next time someone asks you where you’re getting your protein, iron, or B12 from just tell them you’re eating an incredible blue-green powder called spirulina.

Aside from human breast milk and evening primrose oil, spirulina is the only food source rich in gamma linoleic acid (GLA). The GLA content comprises 25% of the total polyunsaturated fatty acid content of spirulina, a number that is much higher than the GLA content of evening primrose oil (only 7%)!

The Importance of GLA

GLA is essential fatty acid that has numerous benefits to the body. Along with omega-3 fatty acids, GLA has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Both are excellent skin fatty acids for preventing and treating eczema, psoriasis, wrinkles, rashes and more. Research has confirmed that GLA has positive effects in breast cancer treatment; they enhance lubrication in those with Sjogren’s syndrome; help relieve PMS symptoms, breast pain, skin conditions (including eczema and psoriasis, and wrinkles), and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder in children; improve cardiovascular health, mental health; and much more!

A British study published in 2000 observed women who had locally advanced and metastatic breast cancer (when cancer cells spread elsewhere in the body). They found that women with breast cancer who were taking Tamoxifen (a drug that blocks estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer) and received GLA demonstrated faster clinical response than those taking Tamoxifen alone. Study participants received 3 grams of GLA. The researchers concluded that GLA was a useful adjunct to primary Tamoxifen treatment with no serious side effects: “… this study suggests high-dose oral GLA to be a valuable new agent in the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer.”

Spirulina’s Effects on Blood Lipids and Cholesterol

Numerous studies on rats have shown that spirulina has powerful effects on blood lipids and cholesterol. Almost all these studies show a reduction in LDL (bad) cholesterol, triglycerides, and fat deposits in the arteries upon consuming spirulina.

A human study investigating the cholesterol-lowering effect of spirulina published in Nutrition Reports International looked at 30 male volunteers who had mild hyperlipidemia and mild hypertension. They were divided into two groups. Group A subjects were given spirulina at 4.2 g/day and group B subjects the same amount of spirulina for 4 weeks and, then were observed for the next 4 weeks without spirulina.

The results showed a statistically significant reduction of LDL-cholesterol in Group A subjects after 8 weeks. The LDL-cholesterol also fell significantly in Group B subjects after 4 weeks of spirulina consumption, but thereafter increased to its baseline value after administration of spirulina was discontinued.

Anti-Cancer and Anti-Radioactive Properties of Spirulina

Several animal studies have shown that spirulina inhibits tumor and protects the body from cancer propagation.

There are also unpublished reports from scientists and doctors about the radioprotective effect of spirulina in experiments conducted on child victims of the Chernobyl radiation. In a study involving 49 children, 3-7 years old, in Beryozovka, administration of spirulina for 45 days resulted in an increase in T-cell suppressors and beneficial hormones. In addition, the radioactivity of the urine decreased in 83% of the children!

These are just some of the powerful benefits and healing powers possessed by spirulina. So whether or not you supplement with fish oil, I would highly recommend spirulina as an addition to your diet for lifelong health, strength, and vigor!

References:

Furst PT. Spirulina – a nutricious alga, once a staple of Aztec diet, could feed many of the world hungry people. Human Nature 1978;3:60.

Nakaya N, Honma Y, Goto Y (1988) Cholesterol lowering effect of Spirulina Nutr. Rep. Int. 37: 1329-1337.

Johnson P, Shubert LE (1986) Availability of iron to rats from Spirulina, a blue-green alga. Nutr. Res. 6: 85-94.

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