Echinacea 'Can prevent a cold'

We often read of the good results people have had by using Echinacea when they first feel a cold coming on and the press has also caught on to the idea.

There certainly there is plenty of truth in the claim that it can prevent a cold as Echinacea has long been hailed as an immune booster, especially in people who have low immune function. As we all know, when the cold virus is around some people are highly susceptible to its attack, whilst others seem to sail through with no effects at all. These are the people who have well-functioning immune systems that can fight off the effects of the virus.

Professor Ron Cutler of the University of East London says “Echinacea may reduce the duration of illness and decreases the severity of cough, headache and nasal congestion”

This is all encouraging news. However, Echinacea has its down sides too, and one must be aware of these before dashing out and buying a years’ supply in the hopes of preventing colds. Firstly, taking this herb on a regular basis is not recommended as the benefits may only be effective for a week or two. Instead, stop taking Echinacea for a week or two before taking it again, in order to benefit fully from it’s immune boosting effects.

More importantly, there is concern over the use of Echinacea in patients with HIV and AIDS. Although AIDS is associated with wide-spread depression of the immune system and Echinacea can dramatically improve immune function in people with low immune status, there is concern, because Echinacea can increase levels of tumour-necrosis-factor (TNF). This compound can stimulate replication of the HIV as well. At this time it appears wise for HIV-infected individuals to avoid Echinacea until there is more reliable research.

Image source=TeaLand.com
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Vegetarians from Mars - is the uproar focusing on health?

Some of the UK's best-selling chocolate bars, such as Mars and Twix, will no longer be suitable for vegetarians.

This was the announcement from the manufacturer of these chocolate bars, MasterFoods recently.

The Vegetarian Society said the company's move was "incomprehensible", and they are 'Extremely disappointed'

Within a week, 6,000 disappointed consumers set the manufacturers rushing into an about-turn with apologies for upsetting their buyers. Now there are lots of happy vegetarians and a very happy manufacturer, who has probably found sales have increased. Win-win for everyone?

Once the fuss dies down, who will ask the question ‘If vegetarians claim to be health conscious, why are they eating this product in the first place?’ Could it have something to do with wonky sugar levels and sugar cravings?

After all, in a diet that includes animal proteins, our bodies do not crave fat as much as a vegetarian diet. BUT the funny thing is that though a vegetarian may be craving fat as a result, his body can’t tell his brain what the cause of craving is, and because he or she is feeling like a pick me up, the first thing they may reach for is a chocolate bar! This will give them an immediate ‘lift’ and so incorrectly the brain tells the body – this is what you need when you get that craving

And so the vegetarian becomes a diabetic. Well, not quite as simply as that, but the principle is what counts. And another thing – chocolate bars are stacked with transfats – completely the wrong kind of fat for our bodies, which cause inflammation and heart disease. Imagine that – a diabetic vegetarian suffering from atherosclerosis! And all because of a drug induced dependency on a chocolate bar...

At least there will be no more Mars bar ads for children…

Image source= www.bbc.co.uk

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