A balanced digestive tract is essential for optimum health and is responsible for 80 percent of the immune system. When there is not enough good bacteria in the body, unhealthy bacteria begin to proliferate, causing ill health and disease.

The body is loaded with both good and bad bacteria. There are approximately 100 trillion bacteria living inside each human. Ideally, the body should have at least 85% good bacteria for optimal health.

The most ancient way of replenishing good bacteria in the body is through fermented foods. Fermented foods have been eaten in most cultures. Yogurt, sauerkraut, miso, kimchi (fermented cabbage) and kefir are all traditional foods that are naturally dense in healthy bacteria.

Let’s look closer at kefir.

Kefir-as most people know the white, grainy matrix of lipids, yeast, and bacteria- is the secret key to good health. It can be made with water or milk. If you don’t have access to raw organic milk, you are better of using water and kefir starters to avoid any danger.

Kefir is loaded with vitamins, minerals and easily digested protein. It can even be consumed by the lactose intolerant people because the yeast and bacteria provide the enzyme lactase, an enzyme which consumes most of the lactose left after the culturing process.

Taking kefir has no side effects. Because of the active good bacteria and beneficial yeast, they can quickly destroy the destructive elements by quickly propagating. It also strengthens immune system.

Drinking milk kefir nourishes your hair, treats gum diseases and strengthens your bones. Kefir prevents bone diseases such as osteoporosis. So if you're worried about your crackling bones, make sure to try this wonder food and see the difference in a week's span.

Including kefir in your diet prevents acne, psoriasis and even wrinkles.

Another one of the kefir health benefits is its brain-enhancement capability. As natural brain-food, kefir helps you break free from stress. While pumping up your brain, kefir also develops the usual functions of your brain such as reflexes, memory-retention and even your focus. This benefit works hand in hand with the five senses and leads you to be at your best. Kefir also helps cure depression, anxiety, and even the attention-related disorders. So if you want your mind to be in its optimal capability, drink your kefir daily.

To weight-loss seekers, having kefir as part of your diet could make you shave unwanted weight faster. Because kefir has probiotics, it speeds up the your body's metabolism letting your body burn more fats and calories even if you're only spending your normal workout time.

To those who are worried about their heart's health, kefir is also the solution. Kefir clears your blood vessels and regulates your blood pressure. When you drink kefir, you are not only equipping your immune system but also keeping your heart healthy.

Your lungs are not spared from the kefir health benefits. Taking kefir daily prevents respiratory diseases from the most common up to the complicated ones like tuberculosis. It also helps treat asthma and bronchitis.

If you are one of those people who have a busy lifestyle, these kefir health benefits are for you. Kefir is a natural stress-buster. Having cold a cold milk kefir or water kefir drink not only refreshes you but also detoxifies your body. Its natural properties are even better than the benefits boasted by certain kinds of teas. If you are an insomniac, you should also take kefir to assure you of a good night's rest free of worries and anxiety.

Kefir is considered to be the mysterious key to one's good health. Kefir health benefits provide holistic defense for the body. In these modern times, most of us lead busy and stressful lives. There are many ways to live healthy but some are offering complicated ways to stay that way. However, with the simplicity of kefir, the only thing needed is to culture the grains and take it regularly like how you drink your milk or your coffee. It's that simple. Rediscovering this age-old secret helps us adapt to our current lifestyles while assuring us and our loved ones of wellbeing.

Resources:

http://ezinearticles.com/?Kefir-Health-Benefits---The-Complete-Body-Booster&id=3817669
http://www.naturalnews.com/022845.html

There's a little-known medicine that actually grows in the ocean and is harvested by professional divers. It contains extremely potent phytochemicals that have been clinically shown in various research projects around the world to achieve phenomenal health effects: blocking the growth of cancer tumors, regulating blood sugar, nourishing the body's need for ocean minerals, balancing nervous system function and accelerating healing, among other benefits.

The term “seaweed” is actually a blanket word for any variety of algae formed in the sea. Algae comes in red, green, or brown and is harvested for a number of commercial uses. Besides being an additive in some products such as toothpaste, paint, or cosmetics, seaweed is also being developed as a weight-loss tool, fertilizer, as a potential biofuel, and more uses are being found.

Seaweed has been found to be a large source of iodine, an element that is necessary for the health and maintenance of the thyroid gland and when left untreated, can lead to discomfort and possibly a goiter. The strength and elasticity found in strips of this sea-faring organism is sometimes used to dress wounds and has also been documented as used in molds for dental work. Seaweed has been used in many studies hoping to find cures or lessening agents within it against diseases like tuberculosis, annoying ailments such as arthritis or tapeworms, even the common influenza has been tested with seaweed.

However, most of the studies in recent years that have been done regarding the effects of seaweed, are against cancer. Hoping to find the ability to shrink tumors with algae, many researchers have devoted years to observing the patterns and data surrounding this important compound.

A 2005 study conducted at the Georgia Institute of Technology found a small strain of red algae off the coast of Fiji called Callophycus serratus, that looks promising for a new, natural cure for cancer. With ten new natural compounds from the strain to work with, researchers found that some of the compounds were born antibacterial fighters and have held up in the lab against known diseases that resist antibiotics. It was said that the natural germ-killers were made by the seaweed to ward off predators and disease. Another compound was able to kill tumor cells in the lab by being able to turn on the suicide switch in the individual cells, which scientists call a head start to a new possible line of anticancer drugs.

“We can cure cancer with a shotgun, so curing cancer is not the problem…. Curing cancer without harming patients is a whole different thing that's very difficult to figure out. Many compounds have been found to have a negative effect on cancer cells, but almost none of them have gone to market because of adverse side effects that make them unusable.”

A new study by the National Cancer Institute has revealed that a seaweed extract called carrageenan can prevent human papillomavirus (HPV) -- a sexually transmitted disease linked to cervical cancer -- from entering human cells.

Researchers found that carrageenan -- derived from red algae -- strongly inhibits HPV from attaching to human cells, which prevents it from entering and infecting the cells. "We were floored by how much better it worked than anything else we have tested," said researcher John Schiller of the National Cancer Institute.

Another study indicates that women whose diets are rich in seaweed are much less likely to develop breast cancer, and that's probably one reason why Asian women have a lower overall cancer rate than women in the West.

Brown seaweed extract has 72 trace minerals, anti-cancer properties and much more! It can be used as part of a powerful detoxification program to help cleanse the liver, kidneys and intestinal tract.
Here's some great benefits of brown seaweed: it helps to get rid of excess body fat; helps to eliminate radiation poisoning from the body; enhances longevity of the Japanese people, who probably eat more seaweed than any other culture in the world.

Sources:
http://www.naturalnews.com/024400.html

Great article about 6 most important superfoods for age-defying beauty. Everyone should be eating them!

1. Goji Berries

Goji berries, Hollywood's hottest new food, are one of the most nutritionally dense foods on earth and house a staggering concentration of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytochemicals and essential fatty acids. With such an awesome constitution it is not surprising they are reputed anti-aging marvels. Originating in Tibet and greatly favored in traditional medicine these dried berries have many noted health benefits including boosting immunity, lowering cholesterol, enhancing vision, fighting cancer cells, relieving depression and aiding weight loss.

Goji berries contain 500 times more vitamin C than oranges by weight and more beta-carotene than carrots making them a superb source of vitamin A. Together with vitamin E and essential fatty acids, these berries are ideal for any anti-aging and beauty regime. They also contain polysaccharides, one of which has been found to stimulate the secretion of the rejuvenating human growth hormone by the pituitary gland, as well as B vitamins, 21 minerals and 18 amino acids.

The most well documented case of longevity is that of Li Qing Yuen, who lived to the age of 252. Born in 1678, he is said to have married 14 times with 11 generations of posterity before his death in 1930. Li Qing Yuen reportedly consumed goji berries daily.

A study cited in Dr. Mindell's book "Goji: The Himalayan Health Secret", observed that 67 percent of elderly people that were given a daily dose of the berries for 3 weeks experienced dramatic immune system enhancement and a significant improvement in spirit and optimism.

2. Aloe Vera

Forget botox, Aloe vera increases collagen production 100% naturally for a youthful, wrinkle-free complexion and plump, beautiful skin. The ultimate botox alternative!

The inner gel of the aloe vera leaf contains around 200 active compounds with over 75 nutrients. These include 20 minerals, 18 amino acids and 12 vitamins (even vitamin B12, one of the very few plant sources of this vitamin). Aloe vera also has anti-microbial properties fighting fungi and bacteria and houses anti-inflammatory plant steroids and enzymes. Aloe vera is known to aid digestion and elimination, boost the immune system, and be highly effective at healing, moisturizing and rejuvinating the skin, naturally stimulating the production of collagen.

Aloe vera is best eaten fresh when possible (you can order large aloe vera leaves which last a few weeks refrigerated). Scrape out the inside gel, avoiding the outside of the leaf which is a strong laxative, and blend with fruit for the ultimate beautifying smoothie. Aloe vera has a mild flavor though a slight bitter edge, hence is best combined with fruit.

3. Avocados

Avocados are smoothing and softening for the skin and easily absorbed; compared with almond, corn, olive, and soybean oils, avocado oil has the highest skin penetration rate.

Avocado also contains vitamin E (excellent for the skin), antioxidant carotenoids and the master antioxidant glutathione that is exceptionally powerful and has anti-carcinogenic potential. High levels of glutathione are found in the liver where the elimination of toxic materials takes place.

Glutathione is effective against pollutants such as cigarette smoke and exhaust fumes as well as ultra-violet radiation. Research is currently exploring the potential benefits of glutathione for numerous conditions including cancer, heart disease, memory loss, arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, eczema, liver disorders, heavy metal poisoning and AIDS.

4. Chlorella

The nucleic acids RNA and DNA in Chlorella (one of the highest known sources of such) direct cellular growth and repair and enable our bodies to utilize nutrients more effectively, eliminate toxins and avoid disease. The production of nucleic acids in the body declines progressively as we age, which is no doubt why their intake is recommended. Paul Pitchford in "Healing With Whole Foods" writes that insufficient nucleic acid causes premature aging as well as weakened immunity, Research at the Medical College of Kanazawa in Japan found that mice that were fed chlorella had a 30 percent increase in life span. Replenishing RNA and DNA can be key to overall health, immunity and longevity.

In addition to nucleic acids, chlorella is jam-packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, enzymes and amino acids, making it an incredibly rejuvenating and health-promoting superfood. Spirulina is a virtuous equivalent.

5. Bee pollen

When it comes to young and beautiful skin, bee pollen has outstanding gifts. Swedish dermatologist Dr. Lars-Erik Essen uses bee pollen to successfully treat acne and other skin conditions and observes its beautifying and anti-aging effects. He reports that bee pollen seems to prevent premature aging of the cells and stimulates growth of new skin tissue. It offers effective protection against dehydration and injects new life into dry cells. It smoothes away wrinkles and stimulates a life-giving blood supply to all skin cells. He believes its skin rejuvenation properties are due to its high concentration of nucleic acids RNA and DNA, as well as its natural antibiotic action. Bee pollen has a host of other health-promoting benefits that include fighting infections, lowering cholesterol, strengthening the blood, Boosting the immune system, increasing physical strength and stamina, aiding longevity and enhancing libido! It has been called a ‘prefect food’ because it is so nutritionally complete.

6. Coconut oil

Coconut oil speeds up your metabolism and can actually help you loose weight. It is also incredibly beautifying and moisturizing for the skin and has antioxidant properties which protect against free-radical damage, keeping the skin youthful and healthy. Taken internally or externally coconut oil is a great ally for any beauty skin care regime. It also contains lauric acid, an anti-microbial fatty acid that kills bacteria, viruses and fungi.

Found at http://healthconsultive.com/nutrition/6-superfoods-for-age-defying-beauty-2.html