The Use Of Barley As A Food

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Barley has been served as a food staple throughout history and amazingly one of the best sources of nutrients on Earth that human body needs from birth untill old age. Research done by Agronomist, a specialist in field-crop production and soil management, shows the use of barley dates back as early as 8,000 B.C. and has been used by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Chinese and Egyptians. Roman gladiators consumed barley as a source of energy and streght while the enslaved Egyptians consumed barley bread as their sole sustenance. Barley was also used as a food staple in the late 16th century in Europe and was frequently mentioned in the Bible as being used by the Hebrews and Egyptians.

John 6:9-14
Feeding of the 5,000 people with 5 barley bread and 2 fish.

In modern times, it was discovered by the Chinese that animals being raised for their organs, and medicine produced superior results when they were fed with barley leaves compared to being fed with dry feed in the 1980's. Doctor Yasuo Hotta, a research professor at the University of California, San Diego, discovered a special fraction in green barley juice which produces an incredible stimulation in restoring cellular DNA.  He discovered that these phytochemicals found in green barley contributed significantly to the reparation of DNA. In his research, he stressed that the substance stimulating DNA repair has been found only in green barley grass in significant amount.

Another Japanese Pharmacologist, Dr. Hagiwara, conducted a series of case studies indicating that green barley juice contained a constituent that increases strength and enhances motor activities in mice, had anti-ulcer properties, anti-infallamatory properties and lowers cholesterol.

In the 1990's, the Diabetes Resource Center Inc, found that the dried juice from organic green barley leaves was a beneficial food for those with type II diabetes.

Green barley contains the following:

• Enzymes. Enzyme is a protein molecule that speeds up chemical reaction in a living organism. It is crucial in maintaining good health as it enhances cell metabolism. It functions as a catalyst to dramatically speed up biochemical reactions that occur in our cells. Enzymes must be present to ensure proper digestion of nutrients, energy production, metabolism and transportation of fluid to cells. They are only activated in water, so staying hydrated is very important for enzymes to work effectively. They exist only in raw or uncooked foods  to help our body breakdown what we eat.
• Superoxide Dismutase (SOD). An anti-aging enzyme. The main function of this powerful antioxidant is to remove toxic substances from our cells. Research shows that SOD can even restore function and repair DNA in older and less active cells.  These properties can help reduce risk of cancer and other serious diseases. 
• P4D1. An enzyme that can stimulate repair of DNA molecule to produce good cells and destroy cancer cells. 
• Peroxidase. It isolates, breaks down and neutralises Try-P1 and P2, carcinogens in grilled meat and fish and, 3-4 Benzene and carcinogen in tobacco. 
• 2'-O-Glycosyisovitexin. A water soluble substance which is more effective antioxidant than Beta Carotene or Vitamin E. Much more effective as an antioxidant than lipid peroxidation caused by ultra violet radiation. 
• Fatty acid oxidase, Cythochrome oxidase, Peroxidase catalase, and Transhydrogenase. These are enzymes that help in decomposition of fats in the body.
• Amino acids. Amino acids are building blocks of protein. 20 of them are present in the body proteins in significant quantity. 18 amino acids are found in barley grass including the 8 essential amino acids that we must get from our diet (the body cannot produce them itself ).
• Chromium. It increases the ability of insulin to bind cells and leads to increase insulin sensitivity of the body tissue. 
• Organic sodium. Helps dissolve calcium deposits in the joints and replenish organic sodium in the lining of the stomach which aids digestion by improving the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
• Chlorophyll. A substance that produces green pigments in plants. It has a powerful detoxifying agent. It repairs cells and stimulates tissue growth.

Green barley leaves are extremely alkaline, so digesting them can help keep the body's alkalinity and acidity ratio balanced as well. Fortunately, barley is one of the best foods you can find on earth and is available as food supplement. 

How To Fix The 8 Signs Of Aging

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Aging occurs when an optimum function of a cell starts to decline. It is associated with the word "old" meaning old age. While people are young, they are active, strong, have supple skin, good vision and a lot more. As people grow old, cells become mature and in time, cells become too old untill it can no longer protect the tissues of the body. Aging is a normal bodily process that occurs within our body. It is irreversible as time goes by.

The foods that we eat, physical activity, mental activity, as well as the environment are directly associated with the health condition of our cells. Aging cannot be prevented, however, in can be delayed in many ways. Due to advancement in science and technology, fighting aging is easier. There are natural and artificial ways. Of course, we will go for the natural.

Aging starts to happen between the ages 25 to 30. That being said, it can happen even earlier when the body is not well taken cared of. Age 30 is most commonly the time when the body's ability to produce antioxidants (substances that protect and repair cells) decreases. So, we expect a lot of signs and symptoms that indicate aging such as, high blood pressure, chest pain, knee pain, wrinkles and others.

In order to protect and maintain our youthfulness, proper body care and more knowledge regarding healthy living is a must.

(1)  Muscle Atrophy

Atrophy is a decrease in size. A very probable cause of muscle atrophy is body deconditioning. When a person doesn't move a lot or has a sedentary lifestyle, blood circulation is poor and then, muscle cells start to decrease in size.

How To Fix

• Exercise regularly
• Use the stairs not the elevator
• Do housekeeping manually whenever posible
• Minimise your stay on the couch
• Walk rather than ride.

(2)  Poor Vision

It can be lack of Vitamin A or overexposure to bright objects like computers and rays of the suns.

How To Fix

• Use sunglasses or eyeglasses
• Avoid staring or staying at bright areas
• Take Vitamin A supplement
• Don't look at computers for too long
• Don't stay too close when watching TV
• See a doctor for eye chek-up

(3)  High Blood Pressure

It can be hereditary or acquired. High blood pressure or hypertension occurs when there is too much pressure of the blood exerted against the blood vessel wall. One common cause is decreased blood vessel diameter resulting from accumulation of plaques or fatty deposits inside the blood vessels. 

How To Fix

• Exercise regularly
• Avoid fatty foods
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables
• Manage stress
• Eat fish rich in omega 3
• Lose weight
• Consult the doctor

(4)  Wrinkles

This is one significant sign of aging. Overexposure to sun, lack of vitamins and minerals causes wrinkles as well as when your body's ability to manufacture antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10 and glutathione decreases.

How To Fix

• Avoid sun exposure
• Avoid radiation exposure
• Drink enough water
• Eat nutritious foods
• Take multivitamin supplements
• Take coenzyme Q10 and glutathione supplements
• Use anti-wrinkle face cream
• See a dermatologist

(5)  Knee Pain

It can be hereditary or acquired. The knee is one of the most commonly affected joint in arthritis. Because the knee is a large joint, most of the body weight is directed to it. So, most overweight people are prone to arthritis of the knee.

How To Fix

• Take pain reliever
• Reduce weight
• Therapy or rehabilitation
• Avoid prohibited foods

(6)  Poor Posture

2 common causes of poor posture are weakness and lack of bone calcium. It occurs mostly in women. 

How To Fix

• Take calcium supplement
• Exercise to strengthen your muscles and bones
• Maintain proper posture when sitting and standing
• Maintain proper posture when working

(7)  Poor Memory

Can be due to poor nutrition, lack of mental exercises, and sedentary lifestyle. 

How To Fix

• Read
• Learn new things
• Exercise to increase blood flow to the brain
• Take memory enhancing supplements
• Play challenging computer games.

(8)  Weakness

Weakness occurs when there is inactivity or prolonged rest. Without physical activity, the body gets deconditioned resulting to lack of energy. 

How To Fix

• Keep moving
• Exercise
• Participate in any activities such as sports
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Avoid prolonged bed rest. 

7 Common Mistakes When You Want To Lose Weight

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Being conscious about my body weight, I don't eat too much, I exercise and eat right. I do that for 10 long years and untill now, still able to maintain my ideal body weight in proportion to my height.

They say, "it's more difficult to to lose weight than to gain". Certainly, yes. One reason is, everyone loves to eat except the kids who would rather play than eat. I have a chubby friend who says, "eating is pleasure". Well, that's the quote of the chubby ones. Probably true, probably not for the dieters.

If your weight loss program is not giving you any remarkable positive results, you start to blame the program as being inefficient and then you try another program. Actually, it is you who should be blamed. You're are probably not doing it right. See below the common mistakes.

1. To much sugar. Watch out your carbohydrate intake. Without intense excercise or heavy activities, carbohydrate intake should be put to a minimum. When carbohydrates are digested, they turn into sugar for energy. Sugar is the source of energy. When excess sugar stays in your body, it becomes fat. Don't indulge in sweets and carbs because they accumulate over time.
2. Wrong exercise. There are 2 basic types of exercise: aerobic and non-aerobic. Aerobic exercise is a long duration excercise, to burn fat, strengthen heart and lungs. Time duration should be about 30 minutes to 50 minutes. Experts say that fat starts to burn after 30 of excercise. In addition to that, aerobics is more about endurance. So, the longer you do it, the more fats you burn. Non-erobic exercise is a short duration excercise. The main goal here is to increase muscle size rather burn fat. This is commonly used by body builders
3. You don't move a lot. People often think that dieting alone may help them reduce some pounds. They diet and watch TV all the time or sit on the couch and play with their tablets. Lack of excercise is the main culprit of gaining weight. Move more to burn more. As simple as that.
4. You don't eat breakfast. There is a wrong notion that when you skip a meal, you also skip the the calories. The truth is, when your body is hungry specially in the morning, your brain automatically detects you are in starvation state. When that happens, your body conserves energy (it's why you feel weak) and when you eat lunch, you feel so hungry & you tend to double the amount of what you eat.
5. You eat even when not hungry. Basically, if your not hungry, there are still enough energy in your body. It's like fueling your car while still full with gasoline. So, you have to wait untill you're hungry or it's right time to eat.
6. You eat in fastfood restaurant. Most commonly, fastfood chains serve foods high in fat and fried with fat. You rarely see fruits and vegetables. It's actually wrong to eat in these places. Busy people are more likely to eat outside rather than cooking their own food. Look for a restaurant that offers good food.
7. You don't make a Plan. Most people wanting to loss weight usually fail because they don't manage and plan goals. Planning is crucial as serves as your guide and a reminder to have consistent strategy for an effective weight loss program. Scheduling your excercise routines keeps you organised and adapt to all your daily activities.