Avocados are native to Central and South America have been cultivated since approximately 8,000 B.C. By the mid-1800s, they had been introduced to Asia and Jamaica, but they did not arrive in the United States until the early 20th century. California and Florida produce most of the avocados grown in the USA with other commercial producers existing in Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.

Guacamole is a popular way to enjoy avocados and this delicious food contain other ingredients besides avocados that offer some surprising health benefits.

Continue reading: “The Health Benefits of Avocados”

Energy drinks claim to provide people with increased energy levels that will keep them active and alert. Energy drinks are sold in grocery stores, convenience stores, bars, clubs, and in some areas, even schools. Are energy drinks safe to drink? Most natural health professionals say no.

Do You Know What’s In Energy Drinks?

Most energy drinks contain at least as much caffeine as a standard eight-ounce cup of coffee, a 12oz. soda contains 18-48mg of caffeine. In addition to large doses of caffeine, energy drinks contain excessive amounts of sugar and legal herbal stimulants.

Children in school do not need to be consuming any type of beverage that contains stimulants, particularly those combined with sugar. Despite manufacturer claims to the contrary, high school kids, and adults who are under 30 years of age are susceptible to the marketing of energy drinks.

Continue reading: “The Health Dangers of Energy Drinks”

Authors of a new study have concluded that males with a low level of Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, are more likely to suffer a heart attack.

There are a variety of clinical studies showing that the death rates attributed to cardiovascular diseases grow during winter months. Conversely, the opposite was found at lower altitudes. This background pattern was expressed in the author’s article, published in the June 9 edition of the journal, Archives of Internal Medicine.

In conjunction with a team from the Department of Epidemiology at Harvard School of Public Health, Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Sc.D., analyzed medical records and blood samples of 454 men, aged 40-75, all of whom have suffered from fatal heart diseases or had previously suffered non-fatal heart attacks.

Continue reading: “Is There A Link Between Vitamin D Deficiency & Heart Attacks?”

Raw Honey is Tasty and Healthy!

Honey has been used for centuries for its healing properties and sweet flavor. Honey is much sweeter than table sugar and is better for you.

When possible, it’s best to buy locally grown, organic, raw honey. This will be produced by bees in or near the environment you live. Consuming foods from the area you live is beneficial as they contain the immune stimulating properties needed for your body to adapt to its environment.

Continue reading: “The Health Benefits of Locally-Grown Raw Honey”

It’s just as concerning as it sounds. Scientists have introduced into plants and animals, new, scientifically manipulated or chosen, genetic material, to advance and suppress traits as they see fit. The products are genetically modified foods.

From as early as the 70’s, scientists have been genetically manipulating crops. Scientists used these soil bugs along with other gene-implantation technologies to develop numerous new types of crops.

These crops are steadily increasing in our and other countries as well. Some countries are not so completely receptive. The genetic materials are selected to promote resistance to pesticides, herbicides and insecticides; higher nutrient levels; larger produce; and tolerance to extreme weather conditions.

Many of the genetically modified foods you can find on your grocers’ shelves, today, because they don’t have to be labeled in the United States. These include: cottonseed oil, soybeans, cocoa beans, canola and corn. Scientists have even created plants that produce plastics and pharmaceutical compounds, not for human consumption. Feed grade corn is approved only for livestock food.

Continue reading: “Genetically Modified Foods: Why You Should Avoid Them”