Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world! It is produced from the saffron crocus flower (Crocus sativus). It is actually the dried stigmas (which are the insides of a flower that catch pollen) and has a deep auburn colour and sweet flavour. The stigmas can only be picked by hand as machines are not delicate enough. It takes 250,000 stigmas to make just half a kilo of saffron, hence its high price, however you only need a pinch as it is very strong.
The Crocus flower is native to Southwest Asia and some areas of Europe. Though it is often harvested to be used as a spice for cooking or for flavoring tea, it is also known to have many health benefits as an herbal supplement. Saffron has lost some of its popularity as a spice due to more common and affordable herbs and spices, yet it still remains as a herbal supplement because of its many medicinal benefits.
Many people do not know the numerous health benefits that can be gained from using a saffron herbal supplement. The amount of ailments it be used to treat is extensive. Below is a list of some of the more common ailments that an herbal saffron supplement can help with.
Depression
Saffron, when taken correctly, is effective at treating mild to moderate depression. It has been proven to be just as effective as some popular prescription medications for depression that is commonly prescribed by doctors to their patients. For it to be effective, the most important thing is to make certain that you are buying 100% real saffron from a reputable dealer. You also need to make sure that the saffron only consists of the red filaments.
When you receive the saffron, it is best to soak it in either broth, milk or warm water before you cook with it. This will help make it more potent when you add it to any recipe. If you do not want to cook with the saffron, an alternative way to use it to treat your depression would be to add it into a tea or some milk to consume. To make it, just mix at least ten strands of the saffron into your drink with some sweetener of your choice. Mix it well and enjoy. When taken at night, it can also help treat depression that is associated with insomnia.
Asthma
Asthma can be a really frustrating problem for a lot of people. It can make it very difficult to breathe. The reason it makes it hard to breathe is because your lungs become inflamed. When your lungs become inflamed, your airways begin to restrict which causes less air to be able to pass through. Saffron helps to clear your airways making it easier for you to breath.
Sleeping Habits
If you are someone that has trouble sleeping, using a saffron herbal supplement can also help you to avoid those restless or sleepless nights. The best way to use saffron to help you sleep is by mixing it with some milk or tea and your favorite sweetener and then drinking it before bed.
Arteriosclerosis
Arteriosclerosis is a very dangerous condition in which the arteries begin to harden. When your arteries harden they have trouble transporting the amount of oxygen needed to different parts of the body. Because this condition is not easy to detect in early stages, it is vital to take precautions early on.
This is where using saffron as an herbal supplement can help. An herbal saffron supplement can decrease the chances of getting arteriosclerosis. The saffron acts as a stimulant and an antioxidant to help increase the circulation throughout the body.
Cancer
According to research, saffron can also help aid in a person's fight with cancer. Cancer cells grow by building and creating their own blood supply in the body. Saffron is thought to help fight cancer by entering the cancer cells and sending them a signal to commit suicide (known as Apoptosis), thus leading to the cancer dying off. Saffron contains Carotenoids which are thought to cause toxic and deadly reactions to certain cancer cells in the body, such as leukemia cells, sarcoma cells, and cancerous carcinoma cells.
Menstrual Relief
For women who have irregular periods, they can take saffron to help regulate their menstruation. An herbal saffron supplement can help induce menstruation as well as help relieve pain that is associated with periods. Along with period relief, saffron can also help to reduce chronic uterus bleeding.
This section looks at the potential health benefits of vitamin D, from assisting good bone health to possible cancer prevention.
1) Vitamin D for healthy bones
Vitamin D plays a substantial role in the regulation of calcium and maintenance of phosphorus levels in the blood, two factors that are extremely important for maintaining healthy bones. We need vitamin D to absorb calcium in the intestines and to reclaim calcium that would otherwise be excreted through the kidneys.
Vitamin D deficiency in children can cause rickets, a disease characterized by a severely bow-legged appearance triggered by impaired mineralization and softening of the bones.
In adults, vitamin D deficiency manifests as osteomalacia or osteoporosis. Osteomalacia results in poor bone density, muscular weakness and often causes small pseudo fractures of the spine, femur and humerus. Osteoporosis is the most common bone disease among post-menopausal women and older men.
2) Reduced risk of flu
Children given 1,200 IU of vitamin D per day for 4 months during the winter reduced their risk of influenza A infection by over 40%.2
3) Reduced risk of diabetes
Several observational studies have shown an inverse relationship between blood concentrations of vitamin D in the body and risk of type 2 diabetes. In type 2 diabetics, insufficient vitamin D levels may have an adverse effect on insulin secretion and glucose tolerance.3 In one particular study, infants who received 2,000 IU/day of vitamin D had an 88% lower risk of developing type 1 diabetes by the age of 32.
4) Healthy infants
Children with normal blood pressure who were given 2,000 IU/day had significantly lower arterial wall stiffness after 16 weeks compared with children who were given only 400 IU/day.
Low vitamin D status has also been associated with a higher risk and severity of atopic childhood diseases and allergic diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis and eczema. Vitamin D may enhance the anti-inflammatory effects of glucocorticoids, making it potentially useful as a supportive therapy for people with steroid-resistant asthma.5,8
5) Healthy pregnancy
Pregnant women who are deficient in vitamin D seem to be at greater risk of developing preeclampsia and needing a cesarean section. Poor vitamin D status is also associated with gestational diabetes mellitus and bacterial vaginosis in pregnant women. It is also important to note that vitamin D levels that were too high during pregnancy were associated with an increase in food allergy of the child during the first two years of life.
6) Cancer prevention
Vitamin D is extremely important for regulating cell growth and for cell-to-cell communication. Some studies have suggested that calcitriol (the hormonally active form of vitamin D) can reduce cancer progression by slowing the growth and development of new blood vessels in cancerous tissue, increasing cancer cell death and by reducing cell proliferation and metastases. Vitamin D has an influence on more than 200 human genes, which can be impaired when D status is suboptimal.3
Vitamin D deficiency has also been associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, autism, Alzheimer's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, asthma severity and swine flu, however more reliable studies are needed before these associations can be proven.
What is vitamin E?
Vitamin E is an antioxidant that occurs naturally in foods such as nuts, seeds, and leafy green vegetables. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin important for many processes in the body.
Vitamin E is used to treat or prevent vitamin E deficiency. People with certain diseases may need extra vitamin E.
Important information
Follow all directions on your medicine label and package. Tell each of your healthcare providers about all your medical conditions, allergies, and all medicines you use.
Warfarin: 12 Things You Didn't Know About This Blood Thinner
Before taking this medicine
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use vitamin E if you have other medical conditions, especially:
anemia (low red blood cells);
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder such as hemophilia;
liver disease;
kidney disease;
any allergies;
an eye disorder called retinitis pigmentosa;
a vitamin K deficiency;
high cholesterol or triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood);
a history of cancer;
a history of stroke or blood clot; or
if you need surgery, or have recently had surgery.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether vitamin E will harm an unborn baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are pregnant.
See also: Pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)
It is not known whether vitamin E passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without a doctor's advice if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Your dose needs may be different during pregnancy or while you are nursing.
How should I take vitamin E?
Use vitamin E products exactly as directed on the label, or as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
Vitamin E works best if you take it with food.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Artificially sweetened liquid medicine may contain phenylalanine. Check the medication label if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
The recommended dietary allowance of vitamin E increases with age. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions. You may also consult the Office of Dietary Supplements of the National Institutes of Health, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Nutrient Database (formerly "Recommended Daily Allowances") listings for more information.
If you need surgery or a medical procedure, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using vitamin E. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include stomach pain, nausea, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, tiredness, blurred vision, or tiredness.
What should I avoid while taking vitamin E?
Avoid taking other vitamins, mineral supplements, or nutritional products without your doctor's advice.
If you also take orlistat (alli, Xenical), do not take it within 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take vitamin E.
Protein is one of the three nutrients found in food that the body requires in large amounts. Along with carbohydrates and fat, protein is essential for the human body.
Proteins are made of small compounds called amino acids. There are hundreds of amino acids that exist in nature, but the human body only utilizes 22 of them.
The human body can produce all but nine of the amino acids that it needs. These nine are called essential amino acids and must be consumed through food.
All foods contain differing combinations of amino acids, making a balanced diet essential. In general, animal proteins like meat, dairy, and eggs contain all the essential amino acids.
Plant-based proteins from foods like beans, grains, nuts, and soy are rich in some amino acids but may be lacking in others. This lack underlines the need for a well-balanced diet with variety.
What does protein do?
Protein is the major building block of the human body. Its main job is to build and maintain tissue.
Food sources containing protein.
Many foods are high in protein, including several that are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Periods of growth, such as infancy, childhood, and pregnancy, require more protein for this growth to occur. Protein needs are also increased for the following people:
People who have undergone surgery
Active people who are consistently breaking down muscle during exercise
The total amount of protein that is consumed in a day is not nearly as important as how protein intake is spread out over the day.
Many people will consume a small amount of protein at breakfast, a moderate amount at lunch, and a large amount at dinner.
A typical day's eating might involve 10 grams of protein or less at breakfast (cereal), 25 grams at lunch (sandwich), 5 grams for a snack (granola bar), and 40 grams at dinner (chicken or beef).
However, the body can only absorb and use a certain amount protein at one time. The body uses what it can and then what is left over becomes waste. So, it is better for people to spread 60 grams of protein over three or four meals of 15-20 grams each instead of having 60 grams of protein in one meal.
How much protein is needed each day?
There is a certain amount of protein people can aim for to make sure they are they get the most protein use, muscle generation, and recovery every time they eat. This amount depends on the person's body size and how active they are.
Blocks of tofu.
Half a block of tofu contains 18 grams of protein.
A 6-foot, 250-pound man who strength trains five times a week can absorb and utilize more protein than a 5-foot female who does not exercise much. Studies to date have suggested a 20-30 gram per meal protein goal, but more research is needed.
The Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for protein is 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. The RDA is the minimum amount of protein needed for meeting nutritional requirements, not the maximum.
Endurance athletes need 1.2 to 1.4 grams per kilogram of body weight. Strength training or power athletes require 1.2 to 1.7 grams per kilogram of body weight. The more physically active a person is, the more protein that they will need to consume.
Some research has recommended as much as 2 grams per kilogram of body weight to prevent muscle loss in athletes who want to lose weight and have reduced the amount of calories they consume.
Amount of protein in common food sources
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the following amounts of protein can be found in common sources of food:
Food Amount Grams of protein
Chicken 3 ounces 20
Ground beef 3 ounces 21
Milk 1 cup 9
Egg 1 6
Black beans ¾ cup 11.43
Peanut butter 2 tablespoons 8
Tofu ½ block 18Risks and precautions for consuming protein
Most studies support an intake of up to 2 grams per kilogram of body weight without any negative or adverse effects (including kidney damage). Consuming more than 2.5 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight can increase the risk of the following:
Dehydration
Fatigue
Taking in too many calories
Passing out higher levels of the nutrient calcium in the urine
Eating more than 200 to 400 grams of protein per day can exceed the liver's ability to convert excess nitrogen to a waste product called urea. This can lead to nausea, diarrhea, and other adverse side effects.
Flaxseed is one of the most important oilseed crops for industrial as well as food, feed, and fiber purposes. Almost every part of the flaxseed plant is utilized commercially, either directly or after processing. The stem yields good quality fiber having high strength and durability. The seed provides oil rich in omega-3, digestible proteins, and lignans. In addition to being one of the richest sources of α-linolenic acid oil and lignans, flaxseed is an essential source of high quality protein and soluble fiber and has considerable potential as a source of phenolic compounds. Flaxseed is emerging as an important functional food ingredient because of its rich contents of α-linolenic acid (ALA), lignans, and fiber. Lignans appear to be anti-carcinogenic compounds. The omega-3s and lignan phytoestrogens of flaxseed are in focus for their benefits for a wide range of health conditions and may possess chemo-protective properties in animals and humans. This paper presents a review of literature on the nutritional composition of flaxseed, its health benefits, and disease-prevention qualities, utilization of flaxseed for food, feed, and fiber, and processing of flaxseed.
Turmeric is a perennial plant of the ginger family, native to southwest India. Turmeric is commonly consumed in powder form and used as a spice.
To make turmeric powder, the leaves of the plant are boiled for 30-45 minutes, dried in ovens and then ground into a deep orange-yellow powder. Turmeric powder is a common spice used in Indian and Pakistani cuisine. It is a major component of curry and can also be used for dyeing cloth.
There are three naturally occurring phytochemicals in turmeric: curcumin, demethoxycurcumin and bisdemothoxycurcumin, together referred to as curcuminoids.
This MNT Knowledge Center feature is part of a collection of articles on the health benefits of popular foods. It provides a nutritional breakdown of turmeric and an in-depth look at its possible health benefits, how to incorporate more turmeric into your diet and any potential health risks of consuming turmeric.
Contents of this article:
Nutritional breakdown of turmeric, possible health benefits
Further health benefits, how to incorporate more turmeric into your diet, possible risks
Nutritional breakdown of turmericTurmeric root and powder.
According to the USDA National Nutrient Database, one tablespoon of turmeric powder contains 29 calories, 0.9 grams of protein, 0.3 grams of fat and 6.3 grams of carbohydrates (including 2 grams of fiber and 0.3 grams of sugar).1
That same 1 tablespoon serving provides 26% of your daily manganese needs, 16% of iron, 5% of potassium and 3% of vitamin C.
Turmeric has traditionally been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory conditions, skin diseases, wounds, digestive ailments and liver conditions.
Possible benefits of consuming turmeric
Curcumin is the active substance in turmeric believed to be the source of its many health benefits. Curcumin is also responsible for turmeric's distinctly earthy, slightly bitter and peppery flavor.
Digestion
Curcumin may help improve digestion by stimulating the gallbladder to produce bile. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that turmeric reduced bloating and gas in people suffering from indigestion. The German Commission E, a group that determines which herbs can safely be prescribed in Germany, has approved the use of turmeric for digestive problems.2
Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin, is one of 8 B vitamins. All B vitamins help the body convert food (carbohydrates) into fuel (glucose), which is used to produce energy. These B vitamins, often referred to as B complex vitamins, also help the body use fats and protein. B complex vitamins are needed for healthy skin, hair, eyes, and liver. They also help the nervous system function properly.
All B vitamins are water soluble, meaning that the body does not store them.
Vitamin B12 is an especially important vitamin for maintaining healthy nerve cells, and it helps in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material. Vitamin B12 works closely with vitamin B9, also called folate or folic acid, to help make red blood cells and to help iron work better in the body. Folate and B12 work together to produce S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe), a compound involved in immune function and mood.
Vitamins B12, B6, and B9 work together to control blood levels of the amino acid homocysteine. High levels of homocysteine are associated with heart disease. However, researchers are not sure whether homocysteine is a cause of heart disease or just a marker that indicates someone may have heart disease.
It is rare for young people to be deficient in vitamin B12, but it is not uncommon for older people to be mildly deficient. This may be because their diets are not as healthy, or because they have less stomach acid, which the body needs to absorb B12. Low levels of B12 can cause a range of symptoms including:
Fatigue
Shortness of breath
Diarrhea
Nervousness
Numbness
Tingling sensation in the fingers and toes
Severe deficiency of B12 causes nerve damage.
Others at risk for B12 deficiency include:
Vegans and vegetarians who do not eat dairy or eggs, since vitamin B12 is found only in animal products
People with problems absorbing nutrients due to Crohn disease, pancreatic disease, weight loss surgery, or medications
People who are infected with Helicobacter pylori, an organism in the intestines that can cause an ulcer. H. pylori damages stomach cells that make intrinsic factor, a substance the body needs to absorb B12
People with an eating disorder
People with HIV
People with diabetes
The elderly
Folic acid (vitamin B9), especially when taken in high doses, can mask the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency. The danger is that without symptoms, someone with a vitamin B12 deficiency may not know it, and could run the risk of developing nerve damage. You should talk to your doctor first if you plan to take more than 800 mcg of folic acid, to make sure you do not have a B12 deficiency.
Vitamin B12 is used for:
Pernicious anemia
Pernicious anemia is a type of anemia that happens when stomach cells are not able to make intrinsic factor. Without intrinsic factor, your body cannot absorb vitamin B12. Symptoms include:
Weakness
Pale skin
Diarrhea
Weight loss
Fever
Numbness or tingling sensation in the hands and feet
Loss of balance
Confusion, memory loss, and moodiness
Vitamin B12 supplements in high doses, either given as injections or orally, are prescribed to treat pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia can be a dangerous condition and should always be treated by a doctor.
Heart disease
Many studies suggest that people with high levels of the amino acid homocysteine are almost two times more likely to develop coronary artery disease and 2.5 times more likely to have a stroke than those with normal levels. B complex vitamins, especially vitamins B9, B6, and B12, help lower homocysteine levels. However, researchers do not know whether high homocysteine levels actually cause heart disease.
People who are concerned about heart disease should try to get enough B vitamins from healthy foods. However, in some cases doctors recommend taking B vitamins to lower homocysteine levels. If you are worried about heart disease, ask your doctor whether taking a B vitamin supplement would be right for you.
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
One large study found that women who took 1,000 mcg of vitamin B12, along with 2500 mcg of folic acid and 500 mg of vitamin B6 daily, reduced the risk of developing AMD, an eye disease that can cause loss of vision.
Fatigue
Fatigue is one of the symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency. One small study suggested that some people who were not deficient in B12 might gain more energy from B12 shots. However, more research is needed. One preliminary study indicated that people with chronic fatigue syndrome might benefit from B12 injections. More research is needed.
Breast cancer
Although there is no evidence that vitamin B12 alone reduces the risk of breast cancer, population studies have shown that women who get more folate in their diet have lower risk of breast cancer. Vitamin B12 works with folate in the body, so it may help reduce breast cancer risk. Another preliminary study suggested that postmenopausal women who had the lowest amounts of B12 in their diet had an increased risk for breast cancer.
Male infertility
Studies suggest that vitamin B12 supplements may improve sperm counts and sperm's ability to swim. More research is needed.
Dietary Sources
Vitamin B12 is found only in animal foods. Good dietary sources include:
Fish
Shellfish
Dairy products
Organ meats, particularly liver and kidney
Eggs
Beef
Pork
Available Forms
Vitamin B12 can be found in multivitamins (including children's chewable and liquid drops), B complex vitamins, and individual supplements. Vitamin B12 is available in intranasal forms (administered through the nose), as well as oral tablets, capsules, soft gels, and lozenges. Vitamin B12 is also sold under the names cobalamin and cyanocobalamin.
How to Take It
If your diet includes meat, fish or shellfish, milk, and other dairy products, you should be able to meet the recommended daily requirements without taking a vitamin B12 supplement. Vegetarians who do not eat any animal products should take a vitamin B12 supplement with water, preferably after eating. Elderly people may need larger amounts of vitamin B12 than younger people because the body's ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the diet declines with age.
If you are considering taking a B12 supplement, ask your health care provider to help you determine the right dose for you.
Daily recommendations for dietary vitamin B12 are listed below.
Pediatric
Newborns to 6 months: 0.4 mcg (adequate intake)
Infants 6 months to 1 year: 0.5 mcg (adequate intake)
Children 1 to 3 years: 0.9 mcg (RDA)
Children 4 to 8 years: 1.2 mcg (RDA)
Children 9 to 13 years: 1.8 mcg (RDA)
Teens 14 to 18 years: 2.4 mcg (RDA)
Adult
19 years and older: 2.4 mcg (RDA)*
Pregnant women: 2.6 mcg (RDA)
Breastfeeding women: 2.8 mcg (RDA)
*Because 10 to 30% of older people may not absorb B12 from food very well, people over 50 should meet their daily requirement through either foods fortified with vitamin B12 or a supplement containing B12.
Precautions
Because of the potential for side effects and interactions with medications, you should take dietary supplements only under the supervision of a knowledgeable health care provider.
Vitamin B12 is considered safe and nontoxic, however taking any one of the B vitamins for a long period of time can result in an imbalance of other important B vitamins. For this reason, you may want to take a B complex vitamin that includes all B vitamins. Taking folic acid at high doses can hide a vitamin B12 deficiency. So these vitamins are often taken together. Talk to your doctor before taking more than 800 mcg of folic acid.
People with abnormal levels of red blood cells, or abnormalities in their red blood cells, should work with a doctor to determine whether B12 is appropriate for them. In some instances, B12 can be beneficial. But it can be harmful with other health conditions. For instance, B12 supplements can cause serious damage to the optic nerve in people with Leber's disease (a disease of the eye). Again, be sure to work with your doctor.
Possible Interactions
If you are currently being treated with any of the following medications, you should not use vitamin B12 supplements without first talking to your health care provider.
Medications that reduce levels of B12 in the body include:
Anti-seizure medications -- including phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline)
Chemotherapy medications -- particularly methotrexate
Colchicine -- used to treat gout
Bile acid sequestrants -- used to lower cholesterol; include colestipol (Colestid), cholestyramine (Questran), and colsevelam (Welchol)
H2 blockers -- used to reduce stomach acid; include cimetidine (Tagamet), famotidine (Pepcid AC), ranitidine (Zantac)
Metformin (Glucophage) -- medication taken for diabetes
Proton pump inhibitors -- used to reduce stomach acid; include esomeprazole (Nexium), lansprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), rabeprazole (Aciphex)
Antibiotics, Tetracycline: Vitamin B12 should not be taken at the same time as
Saffron means "yellow" in Arabic because when used in cooking, it confers a yellow tint to foods. Harvesting saffron requires intensive labor; an estimated 75,000 flowers are need to produce just 1 lb. of saffron, according to the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. As a result, it may have the highest market value of all herbs in the world. Unfortunately, saffron's purity is often compromised. Marigolds and other herbs are often added illegally to lower production costs. Be sure to buy saffron from a reputable source. Saffron contains medicinal substances such as vitamin B 2; crocin, a yellow flavonoid; picrocrocin, a bitter glycoside, and safranal, a volatile, aromatic compound. A physician should always be consulted prior to using saffron for medicinal purposes.
Treats Depression
The NYU Langone Medical Center notes that saffron might offer benefits for those suffering from depression. According to the website, saffron has comparable efficacy to fluoxetine for depression, but reports that conclusive studies are still needed to make a firm conclusion. Saffron may be beneficial when long-term treatments are needed to alleviate depression because there are no known side effects associated with taking the herb medicinally.
Supports Eyesight
A study conducted by Professor Silvia Bisti at ARC Centre of Excellence in Vision Science and University of L’Aquila in Italy, found that saffron may slow or prevent age-related vision loss and treat macular degeneration. Saffron is an anti-oxidant, but it appears to have additional qualities that particularly affect vision. The researchers found that saffron may alter genes responsible for the fatty acid content vision cell membranes, which impacts the strength and resilience of eye tissue.
Improves Memory
Saffron contains compounds called crocetin and crocin that may improve memory and cognitive processing, These properties may be a useful for treating degenerative brain disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in the "Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics" in 2010. Memory and cognitive decline are common disorders in the elderly population, and saffron is a relatively mild treatment that may be effective.
Treats Cancer
Saffron may fight cancerous tumor growth according to website Drugs.com. The action of the herb is not known, however, saffron may prevent tumors from spreading while leaving the healthy cells unaffected. Saffron may also be effective used concurrently with some conventional cancer treatments, while leaving the medication's effects unadulterated.
Many people may take drinking water for granted, but keeping hydrated can have a huge impact on overall health. Despite how crucial it is that people drink enough water, a significant amount of people may be failing to drink recommended levels of fluids each day.
Woman drinking water.
The Institute of Medicine recommend that men achieve a daily fluid intake of around 3 liters and that women take in 2.2 liters.
Around of 70% of the body is comprised of water, and around of 71% of the planet's surface is covered by water. Perhaps it is the ubiquitous nature of water that means that drinking enough of it each day is not at the top of many people's lists of healthy priorities?
One part of the body that relies on adequate water intake is the kidneys. The kidneys are organs that might not get as much attention as the heart or lungs, but they are responsible for many functions that help keep the body as healthy as possible.
But what happens to the kidneys when we do not drink enough water? And what can be done to improve our levels of hydration? On World Kidney Day, we take a look at the role of drinking enough water for two of the most important organs in the body.
Why do we need to drink water?
Water is needed by all the cells and organs in the body in order for them to function properly. It is also used to lubricate the joints, protect the spinal cord and other sensitive tissues, regulate body temperature and assist the passage of food through the intestines.
Although some of the water required by the body is obtained through foods with a high water content - soups, tomatoes, oranges - the majority is gained through drinking water and other beverages.
During normal everyday functioning, water is lost by the body, and this needs to be replaced. It is noticeable that we lose water through activities such as sweating and urination, but water is even lost when breathing.
Drinking water, be it from the tap or a bottle, is the best source of fluid for the body. Beverages such as milk and juices are also decent sources of water, but beverages containing alcohol and caffeine, such as soft drinks, coffee and beer, are less than ideal due to having diuretic properties, meaning that they cause the body to release water.
How much water should you drink?
The recommended amount of water that should be drunk per day varies from person to person depending on factors such as how active they are and how much they sweat. There is no universally agreed upon threshold of water consumption that must be reached, but there is a general level of consensus as to what a healthy amount is.
According to the Institute of Medicine (IOM), an adequate intake for men is approximately 13 cups (3 liters) a day. For women, an adequate intake is around 9 cups (2.2 liters).
Many people may have heard the phrase, "Drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day," which works out at around 1.9 liters and is close to the IOM's recommendation for women. Drinking "8 by 8" is an easy-to-remember amount that can put people on the right track in terms of water consumption.
Water also helps dissolve minerals and nutrients so that they are more accessible to the body, as well as helping transport waste products out of the body. It is these two functions that make water so vital to the kidneys.
What do the kidneys do?
The kidneys are two small fist-sized organs that are shaped like beans. They are located in the middle of the back, on either side of the spine and situated just below the rib cage.
Despite their importance, the kidneys can sometimes receive less attention than other organs in the body. "The role of the kidneys is often underrated when we think about our health," state Kidney Health Australia.
Cross-section of the kidneys.
The role of the kidneys in keeping the body healthy may be underrated in relation to the heart and the lungs.
"In fact, the kidneys play an important role in the daily workings of our body. They are so important to health that nature gave us two kidneys to cover the possibility that one might be lost to an injury. They are so important that with no kidney function, death occurs within a few days."
A crucial function of the kidneys is to remove waste products and excess fluid from the body via urine. The kidneys also regulate the levels of salt, potassium and acid in the body and produce hormones that influence the performance of other organs.
When we eat and drink, nutrients and minerals enter the bloodstream in order to be transported around the body and used for energy, growth, maintenance or repair. The blood also passes through the kidneys where it is filtered, and any waste products and excess nutrients and water are removed and sent to the bladder for expulsion.
Every day, the kidneys filter around 200 quarts of fluid. Of these, approximately 2 quarts are removed from the body in the form of urine, and 198 are recovered by the bloodstream.
If the kidneys do not function properly through kidney disease, waste products and excess fluid can build up inside the body. Untreated, chronic kidney disease can lead to kidney failure, whereby the organs stop working, and either dialysis or kidney transplantation is required.
Water is important for the workings of the kidneys, not only for helping to initially dissolve the nutrients, but for ensuring that waste products, bacteria and proteins do not build up in the kidneys and the bladder. These can lead to dangerous infections and painful kidney stones.
How does not drinking enough affect the kidneys?
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common type of infection in the body and account for around 8.1 million visits to health care providers in the US every year. If infections spread to the upper urinary tract, including the kidneys, permanent damage can be caused. Sudden kidney infections (acute) can be life-threatening, particularly if septicemia occurs.
Drinking plenty of water is one of the simplest ways to reduce the risk of developing a UTI and is also advised for people that have developed an infection.
The presence of kidney stones can complicate UTIs as they can compromise how the kidneys work. Complicated UTIs tend to require longer periods of antibiotics to treat them, typically lasting between 7 and 14 days.
The leading cause of kidney stones is a lack of water, and they are commonly reported in people that have been found not drinking the recommended daily amount of water. As well as complicating UTIs, research has suggested that kidney stones also increase the risk of chronic kidney disease developing.
In November 2014, the American College of Physicians issued new guidelines for people who have previously developed kidney stones, stating that increasing fluid intake to enable 2 liters of urination a day could decrease the risk of stone recurrence by at least half with no side effects.
Dehydration - using and losing more water than the body takes in - can also lead to an imbalance in the body's electrolytes. Electrolytes, such as potassium, phosphate and sodium, help carry electrical signals between cells. The levels of electrolytes in the body are kept stable by properly functioning kidneys.
When the kidneys are unable to maintain a balance in the levels of electrolytes, these electrical signals become mixed up, which can lead to seizures, involving involuntary muscle movements and loss of consciousness.
In severe cases, dehydration can also lead to kidney failure, a potentially life-threatening outcome. Possible complications of chronic kidney failure include anemia, damage to the central nervous system, heart failure and a compromised immune system.
There are a considerable number of health problems that can occur simply through not drinking enough water, and yet researchers have found that a significant number of Americans may be failing to obtain the recommended levels of fluid intake every day.
Does the US not drink enough water?
A study carried out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2013 analyzed data from the National Cancer Institute's 2007 Food Attitudes and Behaviors Survey, in order to assess the characteristics of people who have a low intake of drinking water.
People were more likely to drink less than 4 cups of drinking water daily if they consumed 1 cup or less of fruits or vegetables a day. The study indicates that among this sample, a large number of people may well have not been drinking the suggested 8 cups of fluid a day.
Although the study only measured the intake of drinking water and fluid can be gained from other beverages, water is the ideal source of fluid due to it being readily available, calorie-free, caffeine-free and alcohol-free.
The fact that 7% of respondents reported drinking no water at all daily, and that respondents who drank low volumes of water were associated with low levels of fruit and vegetable consumption, would suggest there is a certain number of people who are risking their health by not getting enough fluid.
Even if the respondents reporting low levels of water intake were obtaining enough fluid, it is likely that they would be obtaining it from sources that could potentially compromise their health in other ways.
"The biologic requirement for water may be met with plain water or via foods and other beverages," write the study authors. "Results from previous epidemiologic studies indicate that water intake may be inversely related to volume of calorically sweetened beverages and other fluid intake."