The avocado has shown to benefit circulation, lower cholesterol, and dilate blood vessels. It's true,
avocados are high in fat—one reason they've earned the nickname “butter pear.” But it's primary fat,
monounsaturated oleic acid (also concentrated in olive oil), acts as an antioxidant to block LDL
cholesterol. A 1996 study by researchers at the Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social in Mexico looked at
the health benefits of daily avocado consumption. The 45 subjects who ate avocados every day for just
one week experienced an average of 17 percent drop in total blood cholesterol. Their cholesterol ratio also
changed in a healthy way: Their LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides dropped significantly
while their HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels climbed.
Avocados are also rich in beta-sitosterol, which was shown to reduce cholesterol in 16 human studies.
Beta-sitosterol is a widely prescribed anti-cholesterol drug that interferes with cholesterol absorption, but
has serious side effects. Avocados have four times the amount found in oranges that had previously been
cited as the richest fruit source of beta-sitosterol.
Avocado has also been found to have three times the amount of glutathione than in any other fruit.
Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant shown to block thirty different carcinogens and proliferation of the
AIDS virus in test tube experiments. Studies have revealed a strong correlation between increased
glutathione intake (from food) and decreased risk of oral and pharyngeal cancer.
I have been eating avocado in my daily lunch salad (avoid eating it in the evening) for over 20 years
and found it to be one of the most nutritious foods around.
Mashing an avocado and rubbing it into your hair for five minutes after washing will add luster to your
hair; rinse afterwards. In South Africa, an avocado mask made of mashed avocados, honey, and lime juice
is applied to the face as a moisturizing treatment to counteract the drying effects of the hot sun.
Blueberries And Cranberries Protect Kidneys, Heart, Eyes, Skin
Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are triggered by bacteria, primarily E. coli, adhering to the walls of the
bladder or kidney. Many scientific studies have found that blueberries and cranberries are beneficial in
fighting UTIs by blocking or prohibiting the growth of bacteria. Cranberry juice has traditionally been
known to clear up a bladder infection or urinary tract infection within one to two days. Take two to three
ounces of juice three to four times per day, about ½ hour before meals and just before going to sleep.
Research shows that blueberries contain high concentrations of antioxidant compounds with
medicinally beneficial properties. Blueberry's reported medicinal benefits include preventing urinary tract
infections, stimulating anti-cancer activity, reducing heart disease risk, strengthening collagen, regulating
blood sugar, improving night vision, reducing replication of the HIV virus, and treating diarrhea.
Cranberries are rich in bioflavonoids and natural vitamin C which stimulate the immune system and
ward off infection. Just eating cranberries during the wintertime can prevent colds and the flu. In addition,
cranberries can reduce the occurrence of kidney stones. They can also help dilate the bronchial tubes
during an asthma attack. They are even beneficial for acne sufferers. Cranberries prevent acne-causing
bacteria from entering the skin, so breakouts are less frequent and less severe.
The malic acid contained in cranberries helps soften stones in the bile ducts of the liver, and thus may
be helpful in the preparatory phase of the liver cleanse. It is best to use a pure form of organic, concentrate
which can be diluted at the ratio of one part juice to four parts water.