Benefits of eating Yogurt

I would like to share the goodness of eating yogurt in our daily meals.

What are yogurts?

Yogurts come from milk. Yogurt is milk that are cultured with active cultures such as Lactobacillus and H.pylori. It contains good bacteria that protects our body from harmful bacterias that causes disease. Yogurt contains probiotic which are good bacteria that balances the organism in our intestines and directly protects our digestive and immune system.

Yogurt has a high quantity of calcium and Vitamin D which is important to build strong bones. It also contains active cultures that helps with 'gastrointestinal' problems. It helps to prevent colon cancer, gastric problems and bowel disease. One can also take yogurt in other liquid forms such as Nestle Lemon Lime, Peach, Lychee and Strawberry Yogurt drink. One should look out for low fat or fat free or reduced fat or 99% fat free yogurts. One should also check the quantity of sugar as well as type of live cultures. Do not buy those with high fructose syrup or trans fat.

It also helps those who are lactose intolerant or are allergic to dairy products. Yogurt may be an alternative food for these people. Yogurt contains lactose and digestive enzymes that have been cultured to protect the digestive system.

Yogurt also helps to fight urinary tract infection(UTI. This candida or yeast infection normally causeS itchiness and if left untreated can lead to bigger problems. One of the easiest remedy is to take yogurt drinks and eat yogurts which contain active cultures. Some of the popular brands are nestle and dutch lady. A diabetic patient is prone to have frequent vaginal infections. It has been documented that diabetic patients who ate yogurts with active cultures have seen significant changes in their pH level ie their pH level has dropped from 7.0 to 4.0.

Daily consumption of yogurt also fights cholesterol in our body. In recent studies it has been documented that eating yogurt helps to lower bad cholesterol(LDL) and its raises good cholesterol (HDL).

In the book "Annals of Nutrition & Metabolism) by Fabian E, an experiment was carried our against women who consumed probiotic yogurt and pure yogurt(without being cultured). The observation was that women who consumed the probiotice yogurt had significant level of good cholesterol(HDL) being raised and the amount of bad cholesterol(LDL)being decreased successfully. Those women who consumed pure yogurt also was reported that their level of LDL cholesterol has been decreased however their HDL cholesterol did not go up.

How to protect our immune system?

I would like to share my knowledge on how to protect our immune system.One of the ways is of course exercising, eating healthy balanced meals, drinking 8 glasses of water.Now that it something you may hear from every day.But how many of us have thought about other beneficial things which is around us.

Holy basil also known as 'Tulasi in tamil', or 'Selasih in Malay' is healing plant.It is held in very high esteem in Ayurveda, the Indian Science of traditional healing. In actual fact, next to the lotus plant,this is the second most sacred herb of the Vedas(the ancient holy books) . It is often known as the herbs with many cures.

It is a very auspicious plant for indians. You can find this plant is planted in every traditional indian house. This herb has been researched and its benefits have been documented. Som of its benefits are that its efficacy as an immuno-stimulant, expectorant, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic,stress adaptogen and mild blood purifier.

This 'tulasi' herb enhances the body's resistence to infections, reduces fevers and works as preventative measure during times of stress and convalescence.
The herb is believed to have the power to strengthen the immune system by stimulating white blood cells which will then fight agents of disease. Tulasi can help the body fight off the effects of viral, bacteria, algae and fungal infections.

It has been proven that this herb has been tested on mice and rats and the results was that it protects against stress-induced ulcers.

In specific dose, tulasi can reduce fevers and inflammation.We can also find tulasi oil sold at the pharmacy which helps to cure bacterial and fungal infections.

The tulasi leaf is edible and can be eaten raw.The traditional indians practise the habit of consuming this tulasi daily to protect their immune system. One can also make juice from the herb.The tulasi juice is very helpful for those having cough and sore throats.The juice can also be externally applied on wounds.