Tuesday, July 5, 2016

The Benefits of Lemon: Eat your way to health

According to the Institute of Health Sciences, lemon (Citrus) is a miraculous product that kills cancer cells. Research tells us lemon is 10,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. Lemons have a pleasant (if sour) taste and are easy to incorporate into the daily diet. How wonderful to enhance your good heath through good eating while eliminating cancer cells! And best of all lemons do not produce the horrific effects of chemotherapy.

Megan Ware RDN LD (October 2015) reports this information comes from one of the largest drug manufacturers in the world. After more than 20 laboratory tests since 1970, the findings revealed lemon (citrus) destroys malignant cells in 12 cancers, including colon, breast, prostate, lung and pancreas. The compounds found in the lemon are 10,000 times better than the product Adriamycin, a typically chemotherapy drug, for slowing the growth of cancer cells. Lemon extract only destroys malignant cancer cells and it does not affect healthy cells, which is a danger inherent to chemotherapy.

Lemon has an anti-microbial effect against bacterial infections and fungi, and is also effective against internal parasites and worms. It also helps regulate high blood pressure and has an anti-depressant effect combating stress and nervous disorders.

Lemons have long been used to maintain the health of sailors. They achieved a healthy claim to fame onboard ships and were used by early explorers to treat scurvy, a then-common disease among the sailors. Scurvy was caused by a vitamin C deficiency from months at sea without any fresh produce. James Lind in 1747 found that lemons and oranges were extremely effective the treatment of scurvy.

The USDA National nutrient database reports one raw lemon, without peel (about 58 grams) provides 17 calories, 0.6 grams of protein, 0.2 grams of fat, 5.4 grams of carbohydrate and yields 51% of daily vitamin C. They provide small amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B-6, pantothenic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, copper and manganese.

The health benefits of lemons for lifestyle-related health conditions include: Lowering stroke risk, Combating cancer, Maintaining a healthy complexion, Preventing asthma, Increasing iron absorption, and Boosting the immune system.

For those with gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) lemons may create an increase in symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation, however individual reactions vary.

The lemon tree is known for its varieties of lemons and limes. Because of their intense sour flavor lemons and limes are seldom eaten as a stand-alone fruit but are popular when used in smaller quantities or in combination with herbs and spices.  Lemons have a wonderful, tangy flavor and add zest to sauces, salad dressings, marinades, drinks and desserts.

Lemon water quenches thirst better than any carbonated drinks and provides us with plenty of vitamins, minerals and vital trace elements. Drinking lemon water, the first thing in the morning quickly rehydrates the tissues and helps push out toxins out of the system.

Benefits to starting the day with a lemon water include:
1. Replacing the body’s hydrating electrolytes.
2. Joint healing by helping reduce both joint and muscle pain.
3. Improved digestion by stimulating the secretion of gastric juice.
4. Improved liver function by increased enzyme production.
5. Liver cleansing by aiding release of toxins.
6. Fight respiratory infections and reduce inflammation.
7. Regulate bowel movement.
8. Aid your metabolism as a powerful antioxidant and also strengthens the immune system.
9. Reduce depression and anxiety symptoms by increasing potassium in your blood.
10. Cleanse blood and arteries.
11. Regulate blood pressure.
12. Alkalizes the body to keep a higher pH level, helping your body fight off diseases.
13. Revitalize your skin
14. Reduce gout pain by reducing the buildup of uric acid.
15. Protect your body through pregnancy helps the bone tissue formation of your unborn baby.
16. Relieve heartburn, Mixing a teaspoon of lemon juice per half glass of water
17. Kidney stone gallstones, pancreatic stones and breaks calcium deposits
18. Lose weight, Lemons pectin fiber aids in the suppression of hunger cravings.
19. Oral health, helps relieve tooth pain and fight gingivitis.
20. Prevent cancer, which cannot thrive in an alkaline environment
         (from Sep 23, 2015, DavidWolfe.com)

American Urological Association studies demonstrate that lemonade or lemon juice can eliminate the occurrence of kidney stones by forming urinary citrate, which prevents the formation of crystals. The Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases reports lemon provides protection against inflammatory polyarthritis and arthritis.

Lemon has a wide variety of uses in the home.  Lemon is an excellent washing agent, because of its ability to remove stains. It repels mosquitoes, and drinking lemon juice with olive oil helps to get rid of gall stones. To improve indigestion and constipation add a few drops of lemon on your food (take care, it does not go well with milk), and it will aid in digestion.

To defeat the effects of dehydration, create your own electrolyte enhancing water, which is also effective for indigestion. The recipe: lemon juice, cold water, soda, salts (common salt or rock salt) and sugar/honey for sweetness, add some mint leaves or crushed fennel seeds for added flavor.

Lemon juice can treat a cold, flu or fever by breaking the fever and increasing perspiration. For dental care, fresh lemon juice is applied on the area of a toothache to get rid of the pain. Massage lemon juice on the gums to stop gum bleeding and eliminate odors that can come from various gum diseases and conditions. A drop of lemon can be added to your normal toothpaste. Or rub your teeth with the lemon pulp after removing the juice. Lemons are highly acidic, if your mouth starts burning, rinse your gums and mouth quickly with water.

The juice applied to the scalp can treats dandruff, hair loss and other problems related to the hair and scalp. The juice applied directly on the hair gives your hair a natural shine. A natural antiseptic medicine lemon can cure problems related to the skin, helps reduce the pain of sun burn, and helps to ease bee sting pain as well. Lemon juice is good for acne, eczema, has as anti-aging properties, and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Drinking lemon juice mixed with water and honey brings a healthy glow to the skin. Lemon juice can help fade the scars, and reduces the burning sensation due to sunburn and minor burns.

Lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey may help reduce body weight. Lemon water may soothe an asthma attack. Cholera and malaria can be treated with lemon juice, because it acts as a blood purifier. Lemon is an aromatic and antiseptic agent and is useful relaxation and muscle strain. Lemon has diuretic properties and can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins from the body.

Lemon juice can dissolve hardened up lumps on the skin, scars, calluses and corns, the soles of feet and the palms of your hands. Lemon’s antibacterial properties fight throat infections. Drinking lemon juice is helps heart problems, because it contains potassium and helps control high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea. Lemon water is calming to the mind and body and reduces feelings of mental stress and depression.

Lemons should be picked at their peak ripeness because they do not ripen or improve in quality after being picked. Lemons should be stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
Adding lemon to your diet is easy and can be a gastronomical joy. Here are a few suggestions:

Lemons are often paired with fish, shrimp, scallops, chicken and in many Mediterranean dishes.
Lemons pair well with savory as well as sweet dishes.
Lemon raspberry zucchini bars
Whole grain angel hair pasta with artichokes and lemon
Mango citrus banana smoothie
Spinach-pesto salad with faro
Lemon raspberry almond muffins
Lean green machine juice





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