• The intrinsic interconnectedness of health within your body.
• How digestive issues can create diseases in other parts of your body.
• The diseases linked to gut problems.
• The intelligence of your gut.
• Where your immune system is REALLY located.
• New scientific discoveries on gut health (these will SHOCK you)
• Why probiotic balance is critical to health (and why to avoid antibiotics)
• What is a prebiotic? (and why you want them)
• Dangers of lectins and grains
• What is molecular mimicry?
• Foods to avoid.
• Steps to an invincible gut.

• Look over nuts and seeds
• remove stones, brown or yellow and broken nuts or seeds
• Rinse nuts or seeds
• Put each type of seed or nut in individual jars then cover with purified water, leave the lid off and soak for right amount of time (see below). Best to change the water 2 or 3 times while soaking if you can
• Drain, put lid on and store in the fridge
• Use them up in two to three days
• When ready, rinse nuts or seeds
• Store in refrigerator, in sprouting environment or in other suitable container until ready to use
• If not used within 12 hours, seeds should be rinsed every 24 hours and kept in the refrigerator. Best to eat as soon as possible, as freshness is what makes sprouts special!

The study, published in the academic journal Phytomedicine, also suggests this ancient Chinese remedy could play a vital role in protecting the body against cancer.

Led by Dr Ed Okello, the Newcastle team wanted to know if the protective properties of green tea ? which have previously been shown to be present in the undigested, freshly brewed form of the drink ? were still active once the tea had been digested.

Digestion is a vital process which provides our bodies with the nutrients we need to survive. But, says Dr Okello, it also means that just because the food we put into our mouths is generally accepted to contain health-boosting properties, we can't assume these compounds will ever be absorbed by the body.

"What was really exciting about this study was that we found when green tea is digested by enzymes in the gut, the resulting chemicals are actually more effective against key triggers of Alzheimer's development than the undigested form of the tea," explains Dr Okello, based in the School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development at Newcastle University.

"In addition to this, we also found the digested compounds had anti-cancer properties, significantly slowing down the growth of the tumor cells which we were using in our experiments."

As part of the research, the Newcastle team worked in collaboration with Dr Gordon McDougall of the Plant Products and Food Quality Group at the Scottish Crop Research Institute in Dundee, who developed technology which simulates the human digestive system.

It is this which made it possible for the team to analyze the protective properties of the products of digestion.

Two compounds are known to play a significant role in the development of Alzheimer's disease ? hydrogen peroxide and a protein known as beta-amyloid.

Previous studies have shown that compounds known as polyphenols, present in black and green tea, possess neuroprotective properties, binding with the toxic compounds and protecting the brain cells.

When ingested, the polyphenols are broken down to produce a mix of compounds and it was these the Newcastle team tested in their latest research.

"It's one of the reasons why we have to be so careful when we make claims about the health benefits of various foods and supplements," explains Dr Okello.

"There are certain chemicals we know to be beneficial and we can identify foods which are rich in them but what happens during the digestion process is crucial to whether these foods are actually doing us any good."

Carrying out the experiments in the lab using a tumour cell model, they exposed the cells to varying concentrations of the different toxins and the digested green tea compounds.

Dr Okello explained: "The digested chemicals protected the cells, preventing the toxins from destroying the cells.

"We also saw them affecting the cancer cells, significantly slowing down their growth.

"Green tea has been used in Traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and what we have here provides the scientific evidence why it may be effective against some of the key diseases we face today."

The next step is to discover whether the beneficial compounds are produced during digestion after healthy human volunteers consume tea polyphenols. The team has already received funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) to take this forward.

Dr Okello adds: "There are obviously many factors which together have an influence on diseases such as cancer and dementia - a good diet, plenty of exercise and a healthy lifestyle are all important."

ScienceDaily (Jan. 4, 2011) — Clues about how the human gut helps regulate our appetite have come from a most unusual source -- fruit fly faeces. Scientists at the University of Cambridge are using the fruit fly to help understand aspects of human metabolism, including why pregnant women suffer from bloating and constipation, and even the link between a low calorie diet and longevity.

Although scientists have known for some time that there are as many as 500 million nerve cells in our gut, the sheer complexity that this presents means that little is known about the different types of nerve cell and their functions.

Now, researchers led by Dr Irene Miguel-Aliaga, with funding from the Wellcome Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, have used the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, to investigate the function of these intestinal neurons. The fly has simpler versions of our nervous and digestive systems, which lend it to genetic manipulation. Their findings are published in the journal Cell Metabolism.

"We reasoned that what comes out of the gut may be able to tell us about what is going on inside," explains Dr Miguel-Aliaga. "So, we devised a method to extract information about several metabolic features from the flies' faecal deposits -- which are actually rather pretty and don't smell bad. Then we turned specific neurons on and off and examined what came out."

Dr Miguel-Aliaga and colleagues found that these intestinal neurons have very important and specialised functions, such as regulating appetite or adjusting intestinal water balance during reproduction.

Female flies in their reproductive stage get constipated -- their gut emptying rate is reduced even though they are eating more food; at the same time, they retain more water and the contents of their intestines become more concentrated. The researchers showed that these intestinal changes are triggered by the sex peptide, a hormone that males inject into the female during copulation, which activates of a small group of gut neurons. This shares the same function as the sex hormones found in humans, such as progesterone, oxytocin and oestrogen.

"Humans and fruit flies reproduce in very different ways, yet the associated symptoms of constipation and bloating and their cause -- a reproductive hormone -- are the same," explains Dr Miguel-Aliaga. "This suggests that this mechanism has been conserved through evolution. These intestinal changes may provide a benefit at a time of high nutritional demand by maximizing nutrient absorption."

The research also provides tantalising clues about the link between calorie intake and longevity. Intestinal changes which help maximize nutrient absorption would likely be active all the time, as they would provide a selective advantage when food is scarce. However, in flies -- and possibly in humans -- this may come at a cost: a shorter lifespan.

It has been known for some time that when female flies mate and receive the sex peptide, this shortens their lifespan; however, this is not caused entirely by their increased food intake or because they are laying many eggs, the two most obvious effects of this sex peptide. The explanation, argue the researchers, may lie in the intestinal changes triggered by the sex peptide that lead to constipation and water retention.

"A mechanism that maximises nutrient absorption by slowing the passage of food through the intestine is fine when food is scarce or during reproduction," says Dr Miguel-Aliaga, "but when we are eating a normal diet, constipation may lead to the build up of waste products produced during internal metabolism. Similarly, it could lead to changes in the composition of the gut bacteria, which are essential to regulating metabolism.

"Our research suggests that in addition to paying attention to what we eat, which has been the focus of longevity research, we may also have to consider what our body does with the food and what goes on in our guts."

Journal Reference:

1. Paola Cognigni, Andrew P. Bailey, Irene Miguel-Aliaga. Enteric Neurons and Systemic Signals Couple Nutritional and Reproductive Status with Intestinal Homeostasis. Cell Metabolism, 2011; 13 (1): 92-104 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2010.12.010^[3]

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of ScienceDaily or its staff.

The air is getting colder, and you can see pale, dry leaves covering up the gardens and roads – autumn has set in and with it the whole atmosphere has turned a bit gloomy. However, autumn also offers a treat for your taste buds as a vast variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables fill up the stores. Moreover, a bit of food indulgence is just what you need to beat the autumn blues and pep up your spirits.

Treat yourself to the deep, dark colored vegetables and juicy fruits rich in nutrients and phytochemicals that will not only delight your senses but will also build your immunity and prepare you for the cold season.

Here’s a list of some of the best Autumn Comfort Foods –

• Apples – Apples contain flavonoids, which are one of the most powerful antioxidants available in food form. From lowering the risk of health diseases to preventing cancer, apples have many health benefits. There are two reasons why they are good choice, especially in the autumn season – first they have strong anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties that will fight off the common infections and allergies that crop up in the autumn season; and secondly, they are excellent for your skin and can help your look and feel younger. Have them with your morning breakfast, or as a mid-day snack, and you can really keep the doctor away!

• Cranberries – Cranberries are delicious, juicy and absolutely healthy fruit widely available in the autumn season. They are low in calories and are packed with Anthocyanins, heart-healthy antioxidants. Cranberries also play an important role in treating gum diseases, mouth ad stomach ulcers, urinary tract infections and various forms of cancer. You can find fresh cranberries from September through December, but most of it is used for cranberry sauce and juices.

• Pumpkin – Pumpkins are surely another important autumn comfort food, for they are loaded with antioxidants, beta-carotene, Vitamin C and Folate. Even the seeds are packed with nutrition and are a rich source of Zinc and Omega 3 fatty acids. The air gets quite dry in autumn, which can affect your skin and make it look dull and chapped. Making pumpkin a part of your diet, can keep your skin moisturized, supple and free from infections.

• Garlic – Garlic truly is nature’s own medicine. It contains Allicin, a chemical that is highly effective against viruses, fungi and bacteria. Internal consumption of garlic can reduce the LDL cholesterol levels in the blood and prevent cancer. As for the autumn blues, eating garlic can significantly improve your mood too.

• Ginger – Ginger has a lot of inherent heat, which is what makes it an ideal autumn comfort food. Whether you prefer ginger tea, or ginger pickle or just plain julienned ginger with honey, the benefits of this root are many. It can heal cough, cold and throat congestion, soothe your stomach and provide relief from digestive problems, fight nausea and even work wonders in driving away the allergies. As per recent researches, ginger works as a natural anti-inflammatory agent and is quite good for musculoskeletal ailments.

• Parsnips – Parsnip is a root vegetable that belong to the family of carrots. They are a rich source of Fibre, Vitamin C, Iron and Calcium. These are abundant in colder areas, and are mainly a winter vegetable. You can either eat them raw, for their sweet and delicate flavor or you can steam and cook them with different vegetables.

• Kale – Kale is a deep, green leafy vegetable mostly available in the autumn season. Kale works as an immunity booster (a must in autumn), clears lung congestion, wards off the allergies and infections. It is particularly beneficial for stomach and liver infections. Kale is rich in iron, beta carotene, calcium, potassium and Vitamin C, and is a must include in your list of autumn comfort foods.

• Sweet potato – Apart from the fact that sweet potatoes are widely available in autumn and taste great, they are also a storehouse of health benefits. These yummy delights contain high amounts of beta-carotene (vitamin A) and Vitamin C, so you can easily ward off cold and other infections. Sweet potatoes are a great food choice for diabetics, as they are low glycemic food. The high amount of dietary fiber present in sweet potato promotes a healthy digestive tract and relieves constipation. For best flavor, eat these hot.

• Cinnamon - It's one of the oldest known spices, and a perfect choice for autumn. Cinnamon is often used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicines for treating cold, cough, nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, diabetes and many other physical ailments. It can soothe your senses and keep your body warm and comfortable in the cold season. Cinnamon is also believed to improve energy and vitality, and is especially useful for people who have warm upper bodies but cold feet. You can sprinkle cinnamon powder over salads and side-dishes, mix it with juices or drink it with tea.

• Pepper – Another group of herbs, which are good for your taste buds as well as your health, are different forms of pepper. Adding pepper to your food can help you in various ways – it improves digestion, reduces flatulence, treats gastrointestinal disorders, kills bacteria and viruses, clears chest congestion, treats cough and cold, and so on. It is also a rich source of antioxidants. Whichever form of pepper you prefer – cayenne, black or white, they are all a wonderful and healthy addition to your recipes especially during autumn.

Autumn marks the beginning of the cold season, which is why a lot of people suffer from bouts of cold and cough and different types of allergies. Your skin will also feel extremely dry and lifeless, and will be more prone to bacterial and fungal infections.

Different autumn foods mentioned above are warming in nature, and work toward warding off the common infections and allergies associated with this season. These fruits, vegetables and spices will boost your immune system and keep you warm and comfortable, so you are prepared for the cold days.