OCTOBER 6, 2025 JICAMA
Jicama — pronounced hic-kah-muh in English and hee-kah-muh in Spanish is the odd-looking love child of a giant water chestnut and a potato — with the crispness of an apple.
Jicama has a mild, slightly sweet, and refreshing taste. Its crisp, juicy texture pairs well with savory and sweet dishes, making it a versatile ingredient in salads, slaws, and snacks. Though unremarkable in appearance, this vegetable offers a unique taste, a stellar nutritional profile, and several potential health benefits that make it worth trying. The jicama plant’s leaves, seeds, and flowers are toxic and are not edible. Only the roots of the plant are sold in grocery stores and markets.
This plant has gastrointestinal benefits. In animal studies (our view on animals in medical research is here), jicama has shown potential in modifying gut microbiota by increasing beneficial strains like Lactobacillus reuteri and inhibiting pathogens like Mucispirillum sp. There are benefits in diabetes It does have a sweet taste. jicama boasts a low glycemic load. The fiber in jicama not only slows down digestion but also aids in weight loss, primarily by increasing satiety
As a cardiologist I am extremely interested in its cardiac potential of reducing blood pressure. In a 2016 study, healthy adults who consumed 500 ml of jicama juice reduced their risk of developing blood clots compared to a control group who drank guava juice and water. Jicama juice produces nitric oxide in the body, an important compound that helps arteries relax, reduces blood pressure, and reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
so Try It You might like it
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 29 , 2025 HOBBIES AND YOUR HEALTH
More than 10 years ago I started a blogcalled.www.stitchyourwaytoahealthyheart.blogspot.com . On Fridays it was hobby day I suggested different hobbies to readers. I did that because my hobby was needlepoint. Of the hobbies I suggested I began to do about 90 % of them myself. I did this as I felt hobbies boost self esteem It does more than that
A 2023 study of 700,000 U.S. veterans presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Nutrition found eight lifestyle habits that could add 24 years to your life, even if you adopt them in your 40s, 50s, and 60s. You likely won't be surprised by the recommendations: exercise, eat well, don't binge-drink alcohol, sleep well, don't smoke, stay free of opioid addiction, keep stress down, and maintain a vibrant social life. But there's even more you can do to live well longer: Incorporate hobbies into your routine to maintain vital brain and body health
Some of these hobbies were walking, learning a new sport, learning a new language, quilting or photography, new courses in education, juggling , dancing, video games, and mindfulness. I advicate that the hobbies be non educational and nion sports. I concentrated on crafting hobbies as pottery, knitting quilling card making, puzzles, needlepoint —of course, models, Legos, wood working, calligraphy, and even beekeeping.
I do agree with the quilting and photography from their list There is a clinical trial, which is evaluating whether lifestyle interventions that address multiple risk factors can forestall cognitive decline. "It's exercise plus diet plus cognitive stimulation plus social engagement."
Doing a creative hobby can boost self-esteem especially if you never did that hobby or thought you were no good at that hobby. It is a way to start to address andger and resentment. This hobby can start to address forgiveness.
Find a hobby that stirs your soul
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 22, 2025 MEDICINAL PLANTS OF THE BIBLE
Before antibiotics, before pharmaceutical companies, before modern medicine, people survived and thrived using what nature provided. The Bible mentions over 120 plants, many specifically for healing purposes. There are many herbal books in my personal library One of favorites is Medicinal Plants of the Bible by James Duke. I had the pleasure of meeting James earlier in y botanical medicine career.
You would be amazed at he passages in the bible that mention plats and their uses. Throughout scripture, hyssop appears as the ultimate purifying plant. Moses commanded its use in Passover rituals (Exodus 12:22), and David pleaded, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean” (Psalm 51:7). Even at Christ’s death, a sponge soaked in vinegar was offered on a hyssop branch. Hyssop a natural antiseptic that can help treat respiratory infections, digestive issues, and skin conditions.
There are many other plants Frankincense served ancient physicians as a healing balm for wounds and arthritis. This precious resin from Boswellia trees was essentially their anti-inflammatory drug. Frankincense contains boswellic acids that powerfully suppress inflammatory pathways in your body. Clinical studies show Boswellia extracts can reduce arthritis pain, improve joint function, and help manage inflammatory bowel conditions with minimal side effects.
And the list can go on and on I would get this book for your library
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 DEHYDRATION
Hydration is crucial to maintaining optimal health, yet it’s often overlooked until your body signals distress. Dehydration occurs when you use or lose more fluid than you take in, and your body doesn’t have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions
Do not let yourself get dehydrated . If you have increased thrust you are dehydrated. When your body begins to run low on fluids, one of the first signs is an increased sense of thirst. This mechanism is your body’s direct response to decreasing fluid levels, signaling you to drink more water. As dehydration progresses, this thirst can become more persistent and intense, often accompanied by a dry feeling in the throat
Another sign of dehydration is dry mouth A dry mouth is another early warning sign of dehydration. When you’re not drinking enough, your body conserves water by reducing saliva production, which can lead to the uncomfortable feeling of a dry mouth.
Feeling tired can be a sign of dehydration Feeling unusually tired or lethargic can be a sign of dehydration, affecting both your physical and cognitive functions. Dehydration decreases blood volume, making your heart work harder to pump oxygen and nutrients through the bloodstream. This extra effort can lead to feelings of fatigue as your body struggles to perform regular activities
If you are not urinating a lot - be weary of dehydration. Also, If you skin is dry be aware Skin health is directly influenced by your hydration levels. When you’re dehydrated, your skin can appear dry, flaky, and dull. The loss of elasticity, often tested through a simple skin pinch test, is a telltale sign of dehydration.
You need to be aware of these warning signs., This can be any time of the year but most especially in the summer when the temperatures are warmer
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 9, 2025 INFLAMMATORY HERBS
Chronic inflammation isn’t just stiffness or fatigue. It’s a hidden fire that never goes out. Unlike normal inflammation that heals cuts or fights infections, this one burns on for years, quietly damaging your tissues and organs. This chronic inflammation can lead to diabetes, arthritis , cancer and heart disease. Heart disease is the #1 killer of Americans Half of the deaths worldwide are connected to chronic inflammation
There are many herbs that can be utilized for inflammation The first herb is used as a spice in your kitchen Curcumin, turmeric’s key compound, attacks inflammation at the molecular level. Scientists compare it to anti-inflammatory drugs, minus the dangerous side effects.
The second herb is also found iun your kuitchen. Sharp, spicy, and relentless against pain—ginger’s compound gingerol blocks the same enzymes as painkillers, but without wrecking your stomach lining. Studies show it eases arthritis, muscle soreness, even autoimmune flare-ups For constant aches, brain fog, or gut unrest, ginger is nature’s safe suppressant
Then there is the plants from the Lily Family. Yes in your kitchen also—Allium.—Garlic . The source of garlic’s anti-inflammatory power. They cut cytokines, the messengers behind pain, swelling, and disease. Studies show garlic lowers CRP and TNF-α, the same markers driving heart disease and autoimmune flare.Add crushed garlic to meals and you’re not just seasoning. The reason you needed fresh cut garlic is because when crushed the allium is released from the herb. By using garlic you are stopping inflammation before it cripples your blood vessels and organs.
Green tea and Cinnamon are other kitchen herbs that I utilize for inflammation. One herb that some people forget is Boswellia Known as Indian frankincense, Boswellia has fought inflammation for centuries. Science now confirms why: boswellic acids block the 5-LOX and COX enzymes that drive arthritis, IBD, and autoimmune disease. Studies show it can rival NSAIDs—without the stomach-bleeding risks. If your joints grind or your gut rebels, Boswellia may be the missing weapon to ease pain and reclaim mobility.
Managing iunflammation is niot a one herb job. It involves other supplements as well as a change in your dietary lifestyle You also need to discuss social and stress issues. You must discuss addictions—those energy thieves as coffee, sugar, smoking as well as family drama, iphones, and social media. All of these addictions can promote inflammation. Then there is your anger and resentment
So you can see inflammation involves many modalities of healing Get started today
SEPTEMBER 8, 2025 RESVERATROL
There are many supplements one individual cam take. I take a good multi in a powdered form, AG 1 , coenzyme Q 10, omega 3, lion’s mane and bacopa. The coenzyme Q 10 is essential for brain and heart health. It is a great antioxidant. There are many One is Resveratrol Resveratrol is a compound that occurs naturally in the skin of red grapes. It’s a natural way to assist the relaxation of blood vessels to promote circulatory efficiency.
Inflammatory Reduction
Metabolic Support
Blood Pressure Balance
Anti aging effects
There are many published studies on the benefits of resveratrol. You should add this anti oxidant to your vitamin regimen
Until tomorrow…
SEPTEMBER 4, 2025
Seed oils are at the center of one of today’s fiercest food fights. While some call them toxic and blame them for everything from inflammation to obesity, others see them as affordable and heart-healthy alternatives to animal fats. So who’s right This is a tough question
Seed oils are refined and processed oils made from the seeds of plants. All seed oils are vegetable oils, but not all vegetable oils are seed oils. Olive, avocado, palm, and coconut oils are examples of vegetable oils that come from fruits, not seeds.
Seed oils are widely used in cooking and in processed and fast foods. The seed oils most commonly used for these purposes are canola (also known as rapeseed), corn, cottonseed, grapeseed, soybean, sunflower, rice bran, and peanut oils Other seed oils, used in smaller quantities for flavor or their potential health benefits, include flaxseed, black seed, pomegranate seed, walnut, and sesame oils
o, what are the health risks of consuming seed oils? Critics make three main claims:
High in Omega-6 Fatty Acids — Seed oils are rich in omega-6 fats, which can promote inflammation when consumed in excess, especially in relation to omega-3 intake.
Harmful Processing Methods — The RBD process, involving high heat, chemical solvents, and deodorization, may degrade the oil and produce harmful byproducts. Cooking with these oils at high temperatures can potentially make them even more damaging.
Linked to Chronic Disease — Some believe that regular consumption of seed oils contributes to conditions like heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
There is so much researcg on seed oils and their bad effects. There is the other side that states some are beneficial You must do the reading and make your own conclusion from the data
Until tomorrow…