Omega-3
the omega-3 ácidosgrasos are a type of essential polyunsaturated fat. Our body needs this component to work properly. The main functions of linolenic acid (omega-3) are the following:
the formation of cell membranes. The formation of hormones. The proper functioning of the immune system. The correct formation of the retina. The functioning of neurons and chemical transmissions.
The main source of omega-3 is oily fish such as anchovies, salmon, sardines, herring, tuna, mackerel, horse mackerel, butterfish, trout, but also seafood like crabs, shrimp, mussels, oysters and so on. There are plant sources of omega-3 especially vegetable oils, nuts and dried fruits.
Other plants that provide these essential fats are purslane, lettuce, soybeans, spinach, strawberries, cucumbers, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and pineapples. In countries where people eat much fatty fish, for example in Japan, has shown a very low rate of eg heart attacks and the people of this nation, has a circulatory disease rate lower.
The inclusion of foods or supplements rich in this component lowers cholesterol, prevents blood clots in the arteries by preventing platelet aggregation and blood pressure decreases slightly. The fatty acids omega-3 also has anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects as well as positive effects for the skin and the developing fetus during pregnancy.
In addition, the intake of these acids can help maintain mental balance and prevent depression or improve or assist in the treatment of diseases such as schizophrenia. Enriched milk, cheese and all sorts of foods with omega-3, but it is not necessary to take supplements when consumed at least twice a week usually oily fish and seafood, and throughout the week fruits, vegetables and oil olive. However, in one form or another, it is necessary that our diet includes omega-3 fatty acids, unable to be synthesized by the human body.
Tea Anticancer and Anticoagulant
tea in its many varieties is the most consumed beverage in the world. In recent years are coming to light of research demonstrating the benefits of taking this popular tea, so associated with the ceremonial culture of the United Kingdom when it took control of its trade from the colonization of Asia.
Because of its power anticoagulant tea intake has long proven to be very beneficial to combating cardiovascular disease, but recently a group of scientists has discovered that these effects can be offset if it is taken mixed with milk.
Experts, who have published their findings in the journal “European Heart Journal, studied the reaction to the beverage of sixteen healthy women who have reached menopause.
Endothelial Dilatation
Women tested for drink, as appropriate, a pint of black tea, black tea with a ten per cent skimmed milk or boiled water just as a placebo in place of the infusion.
Researchers from Charité, University Medicine Berlin, in each case measured endothelial-mediated dilation flow, which calculates the variation of the diameter of blood vessels in response to increased blood flow. In healthy arteries, blood vessels are able to relax if the blood flow increases.
Black tea consumption “increased significantly” endothelial-mediated dilation flow compared with drinking water, “as if taken with milk completely softens the effects of tea,” researchers said in their report, those conclude that milk “counteracts the beneficial effects of tea on vascular function.”
For scientists, this may be due to the caseins; proteins in milk could reduce the concentration of catechins, a flavonoid present in tea that is believed to help protect the cardiovascular system.
Bladder Cancer
Another article published in July 2006 on the web NUTRAingredients.com reveals a population study conducted in China suggests that consumption of at least a cup of tea daily may reduce the risk of bladder cancer by about 40% cases.
The researchers, led by Ann Hsing, the National Cancer Institute of the United States, assessed the demographic, health and diet of 627 persons with biliary tract cancer, 1,037 with gallstones and 959 randomly selected healthy.
The study was conducted in the city of Shanghai, where in recent years the incidence of this cancer has increased dramatically.
As a result of the investigation, the researchers found that women tea drinkers had a lower risk of gallbladder cancer (44%), biliary tract cancer (35%) and gallstones (27%), while the men showed a significant association between tea consumption and risk of these diseases.
However, according Hsing and colleagues, results in the case of men could have been affected by the high rate of smokers who had between them.
The mechanism by which tea exerts such benefits is still unclear, but scientists say, “could be due to anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties of tea polyphenols, especially EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), one of the containing plant extracts.
Another option is that due to the effect of EGCG on the biosynthesis of estrogen and other hormonal processes, which would explain the observed differences between men and women.