Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Yerba Mate - The Plant That Can Do It All And Then Some

Not all herbs are created equal. Some are simply used to spice up your meals, while some can effect significant changes in your body. Take the case of yerba mate, or mate for short. This South American plant is packed with beneficial substances, which is why native Guarani Indians used it as an all-around medicine for hundreds of years. Today, this plant enjoys an increasing popularity among health drinkers and it has even reached the same status as coffee and tea.

A member of a class of hollies that is native in countries like Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina, yerba mate can grow up to fifteen meters covered with evergreen leaves. It is basically prepared as a tea beverage; whereby the leaves and young twigs are dried, reduced to shreds, and added with hot water. For some people, toasting the leaves instead of drying them under the sun will give off a distinctive smoky aroma and flavor.

At present, yerba mate is well-known as one of the basic food supplements available online and in health stores. But the rising demand for this plant around the world prompted beverage manufacturers in South America to include it as a major ingredient in bottled or refreshment drinks as well. If you visit places where the plant is indigenous, you will be surprised that bars serving yerba mate brew entirely are more ubiquitous than coffee and tea shops.

Yerba mate's claim to fame is its extensive amounts of antioxidants. The presence of these substances makes this plant effective in preventing or reversing the damages to the body's cells brought about by free radicals or the process of oxidation. Apart from antioxidants, this herb also possesses considerable amounts of minerals like iron and vitamins C, E, and B5. Mate also has plenty of chlorophyll that can help improve the immune system and wash away harmful toxins inside the body.

Drinkers of mate brew and beverages swear that the plant helps them attain higher levels of energy. This effect is not a mystery at all, given the plant's beneficial substances. In fact, Spanish invaders centuries ago brought the plant along to take away their exhaustion in their sea voyages. Early South Americans used mate primarily as an energy drink to relieve tiredness of the mind and body.

Today, as more and more secrets of the plant become known around the world, the list of benefits derived from drinking mate keeps on growing. Some drinkers of yerba mate tea attest that it has cured their sleep problems and even their allergic reactions. As if these advantages are not enough, the herb is also proven to ease away depression and perk up one's brain functions. Amazingly, mate does not have nasty elements like caffeine which is common among other popular plants like coffee and tea.

Interestingly, the biggest appeal that this herb has is its ability to melt away fat and reduce one's weight. Proof of this is the inclusion of mate as a fundamental ingredient in a number of medications designed to combat obesity and excess weight. But you really do not have to try these meds to believe, just take a look at the people in places like Argentina and Paraguay; you will find that there are very few obese people in places where yerba mate is a mainstream drink.

A research done in Denmark discovered that this plant can trigger significant weight loss because it can help in suppressing one's appetite. Together with healthy diet and regular exercise, this plant holds the promise for a healthier weight. You do not have to look far and wide just to get the benefits of this plant. Products like Phenocal contain yerba mate to help you solve your weight problems effectively and safely. Visit http://www.phenocal.com/ for more details.

Janet Martin is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premiere online news magazine http://www.thearticleinsiders.com

Diseases Of The Colon
Colondiseasepro
Bowel Diseases

What is a Colonoscopy?

A procedure most often used to look for early signs of cancer in the colon and rectum is called the "colonoscopy." It is used to look for causes of unexplained changes in bowel habits and/or to evaluate symptoms such as abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and weight loss.

What is the preparation for a colonoscopy?

You will need to follow a liquid diet for 1 to 3 days before the procedure
You will most likely be asked to take a laxative the night before the procedure and in some cases you might be asked to give yourself an enema

The liquid diet should be clear and not contain food colorings. It may include:

Fat-free bouillon or broth
Strained fruit juice
Water
Plain coffee
Plain tea
Diet soda
Gelatin

You will need to inform your doctor of any medical conditions you have or medications you take routinely such as:

Aspirin
Arthritis medications
Blood thinners
Diabetes medication
Vitamins that contain iron

Also inform the medical staff of any medical condition that may need special attention such as:

Heart disease
Lung disease
Or any medical condition that needs special attention

You won't be allowed to drive yourself home after being sedated.

What happens during the procedure?

You will lie on your left side on the examining table
You will be given pain medication and a moderate sedative to keep you comfortable and help you relax during the exam
The doctor and a nurse will monitor vital signs, look for signs of discomfort and make adjustments as needed
The doctor will insert a long, flexible, lighted tube into your rectum and slowly guide it into your colon
You may be asked to change positions at times
Most patients do not remember the procedure afterwards
The doctor can remove most abnormal growths in the colon such as a polyp, which are most usually not cancerous, but could turn to cancer
Removed polyps are sent to a lab for testing
By identifying and removing polyps, a colonoscopy likely prevents most cancers from forming
The doctor can also remove tissue samples to test in the lab for diseases of the colon (biopsy)
You may feel mild cramping during the procedure. Take several slow, deep breaths to alleviate this.

Are there any complications that can occur during a colonoscopy?

Bleeding and puncture of the colon are possible, but uncommon How long does the procedure take?
30 to 60 minutes Side effects after a colonoscopy you should report to your doctor immediately include:
Bloody bowel movements
Dizziness
Weakness

Additional instructions include:

Read your discharge instructions carefully
Medications like blood-thinners may need to be stopped for a short time, especially if a biopsy was performed or polyps removed

When can you expect to recover from a colonoscopy?

Full recovery is expected by the next day

When can you return to normal activities?

The day after a colonoscopy

Source: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professional.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Author: Connie Limon. Visit http://smalldogs2.com/NutritionHealthHub and sign up for a weekly nutrition and health tip. The article collection is available as FREE reprints for your newsletters, websites or blog. For a variety of FREE reprint articles on various topics rarely seen elsewhere visit http://www.camelotarticles.com

Colonoscopy Procedure
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