Monday, February 15, 2010

The Power Of Petai


Did you know ...... ??? After reading THIS, you'll NEVER look at petai in the same way again!

Petai contains three natural sugars -sucrose, fructose and glucose. Combined with fiber, petai gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proved that just two servings of petai provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder petai is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way petai can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

Depression:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND among people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating petai. This is because petai contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS(premenstrual syndrome):
Forget the pills - eat petai. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

Anaemia: (Kurang darah)
High in iron, petai can stimulate the production of haemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anaemia.

Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the petai industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

Brain Power :
200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex) school were helped through their exams this year by eating petai at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

Constipation: (Sembelit)
High in fiber, including petai in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

Hangovers:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a petai milkshake, sweetened with honey. The petai calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.


Heartburn:
Petai has a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating petai for soothing relief.

Morning Sickness :
Snacking on petai between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

Mosquito bites :
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of the petai skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

Nerves:
Petai is high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.

Overweight: (Terlebih berat, obesity)
Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

Ulcers:
Petai is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

Temperature control :
Many other cultures see petai as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In holland, for example, pregnant women eat petai to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) :
Petai can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan.

Smoking: (Sapa kuat merokok, kena makan petai banyak sket dari biasa!)
Petai can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Stress:
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium petai snack.

Strokes:
According to research in 'The New England Journal of Medicine, ' eating petai as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%'.

Warts: (Ketuat, ketumbuhan kecil di badan, muka)
Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of petai and place it on the wart. Carefully hold the petai in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, as you can see, petai really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrates, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A Petai a day keeps the doctor away'.


Thanks to:

PM Dr.Aminuddin AHK Dept.of Physiology
Medical faculty of UKM Kuala Lumpur
Tel:6(03)40405157
fax:6(03)26939687

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Chocolate: Medicine For Your Heart, especially on Valentine's Day

We all know that chocolate is medicine for love, including a broken heart. This article will not follow the psychological properties of chocolate. It is about the actual medical properties of chocolate.

Chocolate has long been associated with passion, romance and love. This association may go all the way back to the Aztecs. They believed chocolate was a source of spiritual wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. Chocolate was widely used as a nuptial aid and was widely served at wedding ceremonies. The Aztecs did not know chocolate as we do today; they consumed the cocoa as a drink. Reports indicate that the Emperor Montezuma consumed large quantities of the drink every day and always fortified himself with a cup before entertaining his harem. The explorer Cortes reported to Carlos I of Spain that chocolate is “… the divine drink which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this precious drink enables a man to walk for a whole day without food.” From the earliest times, chocolate was considered a substance of power and a source of vitality.
 
Chocolate has been a subject of study since the first shipment from Veracruz arrived in Spain in 1585. But modern science has made some interesting findings that may help explain our lust for quality chocolate. Chocolate contains organic substances known as alkaloids. The most important of these substances is theobromine, which works as a stimulant to the kidneys. Stimulants in chocolate also affect the central nervous system, with effects similar to caffeine, which is also present in chocolate. A chocolate bar may contain as much as 200 mg of theobromine but only about 25 mg of caffeine. Another important substance found in chocolate is phenylethylamine, which is part of a group of chemicals known as endorphins. Endorphins have an effect similar to amphetamine and are found naturally in the human body. When endorphins are released into the bloodstream, the mood is lifted and feelings of positive energy are reached. The sensation known as “runners high” is caused by endorphins released during exercise. Phenylethylamine levels in the brain have also been linked to “falling in love”. One more chemical found in chocolate is seratonin. Seratonin is known for its calming properties. The presence of these chemicals may explain the multitude of feelings chocolate evokes.

Debra Waterhouse, author of Why Women Need Chocolate, conducted a survey and found: 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex, and 22% were more likely than men to choose chocolate as a mood elevator. These findings could easily be interpreted as a result of how chocolate makes us feel. I don’t know why more women choose chocolate than men, for I am a man and I love chocolate.

Critics would say that the benefits of eating chocolate are small when compared to the sugar and fat contained in a chocolate bar. The best chocolate, dark chocolate with high cacao butter content has no added fat, as well as a high percentage of cacao solids and correspondingly less sugar. Although chocolate will never be considered a health food based on its nutritional value, it is still good for you! Good for your heart and soul-anything that helps relieve stress and makes you feel so good must be.

A team of Swiss researchers studied the effects of dark bitter chocolate on the heart. They found it had a favorable effect. They said the anti-oxidants from chocolate can prevent blood veins becoming too small and narrow. If veins are too narrow blood has trouble circulating, which obviously can contribute to many problems.

The researchers studied a group of 20 volunteers who were smokers without manifest health problems. The study subjects were asked to avoid eating any food rich in anti-oxidants, including apples, cabbages and onions. They were each given 40 grams of various kinds of chocolate to eat after the main daily meal.

Two hours after eating the chocolate, they were administered an echo-graph, which measures blood flow.
The echo-graph tests indicated that dark chocolate with a cocoa percent of at least 74% significantly improved blood flow. After eating dark bitter chocolate the risk of blood blockages decreased to half the initial risk.

However, white chocolate did not produce the same results. The researchers attributed this difference to the significantly higher percentage of antioxidants per gram in dark chocolate versus lighter chocolate. Dark chocolate has a higher percentage per gram of ant-oxidant even compared to other foods noted for their anti-oxidant properties, such as green tea, forest fruits (such as blueberries) and red wine.

Chocolate may be attractive from a medical standpoint because of its anti-oxidant properties. But the downside of chocolate is its high calorie content. In addition to good ingredients, it also contains fats and glucose in abundance. Needless to say, it can contribute to weight gain.

A prudent consumer of chocolate adjusts chocolate intake to body weight and the amount of physical exertion done per day. Sedentary chocolate eater must exercise caution and discipline in order to avoid needless weight gain. People who have some sort of exercise routine cut down their risks of weight gain due to chocolate consumption. It’s as easy as that!

Receiving a nicely wrapped box of chocolates causes a sense of anticipation. The pleasure of unwrapping the box, the sensual smell, lifting the soft seductive papers, the look of the smooth dark chocolates. When it finally passes your lips and starts to instantly melt filling your mouth with exquisite pleasure. The taste and smell flood your senses with overwhelming ecstasy. Eating it slowly, taking time to enjoy and savor every bit. What better way to start off an evening of love?

Source:
 http://www.valentinesdaysucks.info/2010/01/chocolate-medicine-for-your-heart_12.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=David_Eisen

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

FOOD COMBINING (Untuk Kesehatan & Kecantikan )

Dengan Food Combining (FC), Anda bisa makan enak sampai kenyang sambil menurunkan berat badan. Tubuh Anda menjadi seimbang dengan tinggi badan, bahkan semakin sehat dan bugar.

Pola makan alami.
Pola makan alami yang menjadi dasar FC sebenarnya sudah lama dikenal manusia. Akarnya diambil dari pola makan orang-orang Esseni (bangsa yang hidup di Palestina sekitar 2000 tahun yang lalu). Namun orang pertama yang mempopulerkan pola makan ini adalah Dr. William Howard Hay, ahli bedah kenamaan pada tahun 1920-an di AS. Makanya, pola makan ini juga dikenal sebagai Hay System Diet.
Dr. Hay sendiri telah membuktikan bagaimana penyakit ginjal kronis, pembengkakan jantung, dan tekanan darah tinggi yang dideritanya selama bertahun-tahun sembuh hanya dalam tiga bulan setelah menjalani pola makan FC. Bahkan seperempat bobot tubuhnya yang hampir mencapai 100 kg juga lenyap bersama penyakit-penyakitnya. Itulah sebabnya ia berkesimpulan bahwa kesehatan dan vitalitas seseorang sangat bergantung pada pola makannya.
Lalu apa bedanya FC dengan pola makan 4 Sehat 5 Sempurna yang mengutamakan keseimbangan gizi? Dasarnya sama. FC tetap mepertahankan pola makan 4 Sehat 5 Sempurna. Hanya saja, FC memperhitungkan siklus pencernaan tubuh manusia, yakni pencernaan-penyerapan-pembuangan, yang ternyata berlainan intensitasnya pada pagi, siang, dan malam. Selain itu, dalam FC juga diperhitungkan sifat asam-basa makanan, sehingga ada kombinasi-kombinasi makanan tertentu yang tidak dianjurkan, karena menghambat kelancaran kerja pencernaan tubuh.

Siklus alami tubuh.
Berdasarkan penelitian ekstensif tentang siklus fisiologi, ditemukan bahwa setiap fungsi tubuh memiliki irama aktivitas biologi yang bekerja secara sistematis dalam siklus atau putaran 24 jam tanpa henti. Proses pencernaan sendiri terdiri dari tiga siklus yang didasarkan pada tiga fungsi tubuh, yaitu menyerap (sari-sari makanan), mencerna (zat-zat makanan), dan membuang (sampah-sampah makanan). Meskipun ketiga fungsi tersebut bekerja aktif secara simultan (terus-menerus), setiap delapan jam sehari masing-masing lebih intensif dibandingkan siklus-siklus lainnya.


Pukul 12.00 20.00 : PENCERNAAN
Pukul 20.00 04.00 : PENYERAPAN
Pukul 04.00 12.00 : PEMBUANGAN
 
Siklus pencernaan sangat intensif antara pukul 12.00 (tengah hari) dan pukul 20.00 (8 malam). Pada siklus ini energi tubuh lebih banyak dipusatkan ke fungsi pencernaan. Sepanjang siklus ini merupakan saat yang tepat untuk mengisi lambung dengan makanan padat. Kalau pada siang hari perut tak terisi, Anda akan merasa sangat lapar.
Siklus penyerapan berlangsung sangat intensif antara pukul 20.00 (8 malam) dan pukul 04.00 (dini hari). Sepanjang siklus ini terjadi proses penyerapan sebagian besar zat-zat makanan yang sudah tercerna dan pembagian zat-zat makanan ke seluruh bagian tubuh. Karena itu, tidur terlambat atau makan larut malam dapat mengurangi pasokan energi yang diperlukan untuk proses penyerapan. Hambatan pada salah satu siklus dapat mengacaukan siklus-siklus berikutnya, sehingga Anda akan merasa grogi pada pagi harinya.


Siklus pembuangan sangat intensif terjadi antara pukul 04.00 (tengah hari) dan pukul 12.00 (tengah hari). Pada siklus ini, energi akan lebih banyak dipakai untuk membantu proses pembuangan. Sampah akan lebih banyak dikeluarkan dalam siklus ini. Banyak orang mengeluh tidak mempunyai nafsu makan pada pagi hari, tapi tidak menyadari bahwa ini adalah hal sangat alami. Karena tubuh tengah melalui siklus pembuangan. Tubuh tidak terlalu membutuhkan makanan padat (misalnya nasi dan daging) yang sulit dicerna dalam kurun waktu tersebut, malah bisa mengacaukan proses pembuangan karena kekurangan energi.

FAKTA SEDERHANA
Dari beberapa fakta alamiah berikut inilah disusun prinsip-prinsip dasar FC.
1. Tubuh mempunya siklus-siklus pencernaan, penyerapan, dan pembuangan yang berbeda intensitasnya.
2. Ada makanan yang boleh dikombinasikan dan dimakan bersama, ada pula yang tidak serasi untuk dikombinasikan.
3. Setiap makanan butuh waktu pencernaan berbeda. Hanya dengan memanfaatkan prinsip-prinsip ini, kerja pencernaan tubuh sudah bisa dijaga agar tetap dalam kondisi maksimal.
Sebetulnya faktanya begitu sederhana. Jika fungsi pencernaan bekerja maksimal, dengan sendirinya penyerapan zat gizi akan berjalan lancar, dan pembuangan racun tubuh pun tidak terhambat. Hasilnya, pastilah tidak bisa lain adalah tubuh yang sehat.
Keseimbangan asam-basa Selain kandungan gizi, FC juga memperhatikan sifat asam-basa makanan. Dalam pelajaran kimia dasar di sekolah pun kita diajari bahwa larutan asam (acid) dinetralkan oleh larutan basa (alkali). Demikian pula dalam hal makanan. Ada makanan yang membentuk basa. Jika asam bertemu asam, keseimbangan asam-basa dalam tubuh akan kacau. Keadaan tubuh menjadi terlalu asam. Salah satu gejala yang dirasakan adalah perut kembung, dan diare. Padahal, keseimbangan asam-basa ini perlu dijaga agar fungsi pencernaan berjalan normal. Keseimbangan asam-basa tubuh inilah yang diabaikan selama ini.
Banyak orang, bahkan para ahli gizi sekalipun, masih berasumsi bahwa kecukupan gizi setiap orang hanya bisa terpenuhi apabila mengkonsumsi makanan 4 Sehat dalam waktu bersamaan. Perhatikan bagaimana nasi dan daging selalu dijadikan primadona, sementara sayuran dan buah-buahan hanya dijadikan pengiring (yang bahkan sering tidak termakan karena sudah telanjur kekenyangan). Baik nasi dan daging termasuk makanan pembentuk asam. Bisa dibayangkan betapa kacaunya pencernaan tubuh jika dimakan bersamaan.
Keadaan ideal yang diinginkan adalah apabila keseimbangan asam-basa jaringan tubuh dan darah manusia (kecuali lambung) berada pada pH 7,35 7,45 atau netral cenderung basa. Keseimbangan ini bisa dijaga dengan cara mengkonsumsi lebih banyak makanan buah, sebagian besar sayur-mayur, dan rempah-rempah, karena merupakan makanan pembentuk basa.
Selain itu, secara alamiah tubuh mencerna setiap makanan dengan cara yang berbeda dan setiap makanan juga membutuhkan enzim pencernaan yang berbeda pula. Protein sendiri memerlukan proses pencernaan yang cukup lama, sekitar 4 jam, pati 3 jam, sayur-sayuran 2 jam, dan buah-buahan hanya antara 10 dan 45 menit. Sedangkan lemak atau makanan tinggi lemak butuh waktu cerna paling lama, sekitar 6-8 jam. Karena itu setelah makan makanan tertentu, sebaiknya tunggu dulu sebelum memasukkan makanan jenis lain.

MAKANAN PEMBENTUK ASAM :
Serealia/padi-padian ~ Umbi-umbian seperti singkong, ubi jalar, talas, kentang (kecuali kentang rebus yang dimakan bersama kulitnya) ~ Protein hewani ~ Lemak dan minyak ~ Susu (kecuali susu segar yang baru diperah) ~ Tomat yang dimasak ~ Kacang tanah ~ Makanan beragi ~ Cuka sintetis seperti cuka meja ~ Gula pasir ~ Polong-polongan seperti kacang hijau, kacang merah, kedelai ~ Alkohol

MAKANAN PEMBENTUK BASA :
Buah matang (walaupun ada rasa asam) ~ Sayuran, termasuk taoge (kecuali tomat yang dimasak) serta sayuran umbi seperti wortel, bit, lobak, radis ~ Kentang rebus yang dimakan bersama kulitnya ~ Plain yoghurt ~ Kacang-kacangan kecuali kacang tanah (seperti kenari, almon, walnut, brazil nut, pecan, pistachio) ~ Madu alam
Tip menjalankan pola makan Food Combining
1. Makan buah, satu macam maupun beberapa, tidak dicampur dengan makanan jenis lain. Berilah tenggang waktu 10 15 menit sebelum mengkonsumsi makanan lain.
2. Makanlah buah atau minum jus buah sedikit-sedikit agar tidak mengakibatkan lonjakan kadar gula darah secara mendadak.
3. Ganti camilan Anda dengan buah. Boleh saja mengudap buah sepanjang hari, asal sekitar setengah jam sebelum makan, stop makan buah.
4. Makanan tinggi protein dan tinggi pati sebaiknya tidak dimakan bersama-sama, tetapi masing-masing dikombinasikan dengan sayuran. Misalnya daging plus sayur, atau nasi plus sayur. Hindari daging plus nasi, apalagi dengan porsi sama banyak.
5. Jika siang hari sudah makan menu tinggi protein, misalnya kombinasi daging-sayur, malam hari mesti ganti dengan menu pati-sayur. Boleh saja bertukar waktu. Artinya, menu pati-sayur di siang hari, malam hari menu protein-sayur.
6. Sebaiknya tidak mengkonsumsi lebih dari satu macam protein hewani pada saat yang sama. Satu jenis protein hewani sehari sudah mencukupi kebutuhan asam-asam amino. Sedangkan protein nabati boleh lebih dari satu macam, karena kandungan asam amino makanan nabati umumnya kurang lengkap. Makanan pati beberapa macam boleh dimakan bersama-sama. Misalnya nasi plus perkedel jagung.
7. Masaklah makanan secukupnya, dengan menggunakan bahan makanan yang sesegar dan seutuh mungkin, bukan bahan olahan, instan, atau awetan. Makanan yang berkali-kali dipanaskan akan musnah khasiat gizinya.
8. Gunakan lemak dan minyak seperlunya saja.
9. Makanlah seberagam mungkin, baik jenis maupun cara pengolahannya. Selain menghindari bosan, juga agar tubuh tidak kelebihan dosis suatu zat gizi tertentu.
10. Ikuti FC secara bertahap, agar tubuh dapat menyesuaikan diri dengan nyaman. Anda juga tidak perlu terlalu kaku menerapkan FC. Misalkan Anda lalai (makan asal-asalan) di siang hari, bisa ditebus makan yang benar sesuai FC nanti malam. Yang penting, kebiasaan menyantap berbagai makanan secara bersamaan tidak menjadi rutinitas.

CONTOH MENU FOOD COMBINING PAGI

1-2 gelas air masak hangat + sedikit air jeruk nipis и pembentuk basa
1-2 gelas jus buah segar (jeruk, pepaya, nanas, melon, dll) и pembentuk basa
1 porsi buah segar jika masih lapar (pepaya, mangga, apel, dll) и pembentuk basa

KUDAPAN PAGI
1-2 gelas jus buah segar (jeruk, pepaya, nanas, melon, dll) и pembentuk basa
1 porsi buah segar jika masih lapar (pepaya, mangga, apel, dll) и pembentuk basa

MAKAN SIANG
1 porsi ayam panggang kecap asin (maks. Ѕ ekor ayam kampung) и pembentuk asam
1 porsi setup aneka sayuran (wortel & buncis) и pembentuk basa
1 gelas jus sayuran mentah (wortel, mentimun, bit, seledri, dll) и pembentuk basa

KUDAPAN SORE
1 gelas jus buah segar atau 1 buah pisang atau 1 gelas susu kedelai и pembentuk basa
1-2 potong kue kecil atau jajan pasar (asal tidak terlalu sering) и pembentuk asam

MAKAN MALAM
1 porsi nasi beras merah и pembentuk asam
1 porsi balado terong и pembentuk basa
1porsi perkedel tahu jamur panggang и pembentuk basa
1 porsi sayur kukus bumbu urap и pembentuk basa
1 gelas jus sayuran mentah и pembentuk basa

SEBELUM TIDUR
1 gelas sayuran

Informasi ini disampaikan oleh :
MIRACAL CENTER  
Cara Mudah, Praktis dan Aman
Menyediakan air minum beralkali (basa)
untuk mengimbangi kelebihan asam tubuh.
Tanpa harus repot-repot menjalankan Diet.