7 Probiotics that Boost Your Health, Besides Yogurt

Can you name two probiotics other than yogurt? If you can't think of another item that is rich in protein then this post is for you. Probiotic stands for promotion (pro) of life (biotic). We all have tiny organisms living inside us. These organisms, which are also known as microorganisms are so numerous, they actually outnumber the human cells in our body. Probiotics are one such bacteria that is important for us. While bacteria are infamous for causing diseases, probiotics are essential for our body to carry out the gastrointestinal functions smoothly.  

 

What do probiotics do?

Probiotics can be of benefit to a number of health issues. It can ward off infections, improve the immune system, fight obesity and improve women's health. Research has found that probiotics can effectively treat common gastrointestinal problems, in particular, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD). Multiple types of probiotics are found in fermented foods. They have also earned themselves a great reputation in fighting against constipation. 

 

There are instances where probiotic therapy is prescribed to effectively treat Crohn's disease, urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome, bladder concerns, vaginal infections, ulcers, issues related to the colon and eczema in children. So, if you have restricted yourself to plain or flavored yogurt for your daily dose of probiotics, you should look into more options. You will be surprised to know that there are in fact, quite a few. Here are 7 probiotic options you can feast on:

1. Dark Chocolate 

Dark chocolate has a number of sweet health benefits. In addition to being a rich source of antioxidants and fiber, dark chocolate is a great probiotic in itself. When you eat dark chocolate, the good bacteria in the gut eat it and feed on them, so they grow. Eventually, they produce anti-inflammatory compounds. To reap further benefits, you can dip some fruit in dark chocolate.  

 

2. Fermented Cheese

While cheese is a fermented product, not all types of cheese contain probiotics. To be sure you're getting your dose, check the labels for live cultures in the cheese. Cheeses rich in probiotics include cheddar, mozzarella, gouda, Swiss, and cottage cheese. According to the Journal of Applied Microbiology, the good bacteria in these cheeses survive the manufacturing and aging process. 

 

3. Kombucha 

This tea is packed with probiotics. Kombucha is a fermented tea that is loaded with good bacteria and is either a black or green tea that is often referred to as mushroom tea. It is packed with loads of health benefits, predominantly those that ensure a proper functioning of the digestive and immune systems, reduce inflammation and help in weight loss.  

 

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

This is a little tricky. Since apple cider has a variety of uses, it tends to be found in every household. It is therefore easy to get your hands on this probiotic-rich drink. The apple components are great for the gut bacteria. However, you shouldn't consume this directly. It is best diluted with water or added to food. 

 

5. Pickles 

Pickles are low in calories, high in sodium and potassium and are the perfect healthy snack to munch on. Pickled cucumbers are excellent for gut health just be sure to choose sour pickles and not the ones that are doused with vinegar. A solution made of sea salt and water is the perfect environment for good bacteria to grow.

 

6. Kefir

Kefir is a probiotic milk drink that is made by adding kefir grains to milk. It is quite popular in the world of health and tastes great when added to milkshakes and smoothies. It is delicious for ingesting some probiotics. 

 

7. Miso 

Japanese cuisine is rich in fermented source of cancer fighting-probiotics. Miso is a seasoning used in most Japanese dishes. It is rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and probiotics. The next time you visit a restaurant for sushi, order a bowl of miso soup to keep cerebral and myocardial infarctions at bay.

This is only for your information, kindly take the advice of your doctor for medicines, exercises and so on.   

https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com. one can see my crochet creations  
https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com. feel free to view for easy, simple and healthy recipes    
https://kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com. for info on knee replacement

Cancer Vaccine Validated in Mice

The idea of a cancer vaccine is something researchers have been working on for over 50 years, but until recently they were never able to prove exactly how such a vaccine would work.

Now, a team of researchers  has demonstrated that a vaccine can work. Not only that, it could become an extremely effective, non-invasive and cost-effective cancer-fighting tool.

The discovery represents a major breakthrough in the quest for a cancer vaccine, a highly competitive pursuit in which numerous research teams around the world are engaged. Unlike other teams, however, this team looked for a solution in an unusual place: non-coding DNA sequences.

Better recognition of antigens
In 2000 and 2005, a number of studies were able to show that immune-defence cells (T lymphocytes) are capable of recognizing and penetrating cancer cells in order to attack them. “The longer the tumour is infiltrated by the lymphocytes, the longer the patient’s survival,” explained  a principal investigator. “In patients whose tumours are under greatest attack by T lymphocytes, a drug developed 12 years ago that stimulates their immune system is capable of fighting 25 per cent of cancer cases,” the Dr. said.

T lymphocytes recognize tumours by the presence of foreign antigens – or peptides – on the surface of cells. However, even if these antigens are recognized by the immune system, they do not sufficiently stimulate it for the lymphocytes to target and destroy them. As such, the search for a vaccine has focused on identifying tumour-specific antigens in order to allow the immune system to attack them more effectively. Since these antigens are the result of defective genes, various research teams have tracked the culprits to the portion of DNA known to encode antigens and proteins. But they have not been successful.

“This portion of DNA makes up only 2 per cent of the human genome,” researcher explained. “DNA sequences known to be “non-coding” may have been “silenced” by the methylation of DNA that affects gene expression. It is here, in this non-coding DNA, which is estimated to account for 98 per cent of the DNA of our cells, that our work is focused.”

An effective test vaccine
Using mice injected with various types of cancer cells, the team was able to identify numerous antigens deriving from the non-coding portion of DNA, several of which were both specific to cancer cells and common to different types of cancer. This allowed the team to develop a vaccine based on leukemia cells containing some of the identified antigens, which was administered to the mice. The results were highly encouraging.

“Each antigen we tested eliminated 10 to 100 per cent of the leukemia,” said the researcher, adding that “some of the antigens protected the mouse for its entire life, despite the reinjection of new leukemia cells. This suggests a long-lasting effect.”

Hope for several types of cancer
The same antigens were subsequently identified in leukemia cells in humans. Researcher describes his team’s findings as extremely promising and as opening up the possibility for the development of vaccines to treat leukemia and lung cancer in humans.

The team focused on these two specific types of cancer because they are at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of the number of mutations at their source. The fact that the vaccine has proven effective to treat leukemia, which is caused by a small number of mutations, holds promise for the efficacy of this therapy in fighting all other types of cancer as well.

“We wouldn’t have to reinvent the vaccine for every form of cancer,” he noted. At the same time, one of the obstacles in developing a vaccine for humans is that our genetic diversity is much greater than that of mice, he added. Nonetheless, he believes that clinical trials with humans could start within the next two to three years.

Developing therapeutic cancer vaccines targeting the antigens identified by the  team would be a cost-effective way to save lives, while at the same time greatly simplifying treatment of this terrible disease, notably by limiting the many side effects of chemotherapy.

An important factor leading to the  discovery is the institute’s multidisciplinary approach to research, which combines genomics, bioinformatics and proteomics, he concluded.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO  VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                           https://gseasyrecipes.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                             FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG-                                                                                                                             https:// kneereplacement-stickclub.blogspot.com/                                                                                       FOR CROCHET DESIGNS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 https://gscrochetdesigns.blogspot.com

Health Benefits Of Amaranth

Amaranth is a leafy green vegetable rich in iron. Its edible seeds are protein-rich and gluten free. It helps lower bad cholesterol (LDL), improves the immune system and regulates the digestive system. It promotes metabolic efficiency and helps you feel active.

THIS IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION, ALWAYS CONSULT YOU PHYSICIAN BEFORE HAVING ANY PARTICULAR FOOD/ MEDICATION/EXERCISE/OTHER REMEDIES.






PS- THOSE INTERESTED IN RECIPES ARE FREE TO VIEW MY BLOG-
HTTP:GSEASYRECIPES.BLOGSPOT.COM      

FOR INFO ABOUT KNEE REPLACEMENT, YOU CAN VIEW MY BLOG

HTTP://KNEE REPLACEMENT-STICK CLUB.BLOGSPOT.COM/

FOR CROCHET DESIGNS- http://My Crochet Creations.blogspot.com/