Uses and properties of Neem Tree

The therapeutic properties of the Neem tree are numerous and have been known since ancient times. Long before Western civilization discovered the analgesic qualities of the willow tree, from which comes the aspirin, herbalists of ancient India had already documented in the earliest Sanskrit writings, the applications of Neem Tree.
Ayurvedic literature is replete with references to the effectiveness of the Neem Tree in the treatment of countless diseases. The "Report of indigenous drugs" of Madras and the Ayurvedic and Unani materia medica attributed to the Neem Tree to cure properties, among other diseases, leprosy, malaria, diabetes, ulcer, hyperglycemia, eczema and other skin diseases.
In the "Yoga of Herbs, David Frawley Vasant and say," The Neem Tree is one of the blood purifying and detoxifying broader in Ayurvedic medicine. Reduce fever and eliminate the toxins involved in most inflammatory diseases of the skin. " Later, describing the properties of Neem Tree as antipyretic, antiparasitic, antiseptic, and bitter tonic (governing body)
For his part, Michael Tierra, in his work adds herbal astringent and anti-inflammatory characteristics of the above description. And says: "The extract of the leaves and bark has powerful bactericidal power and antiviral activity. It is also taken internally to eliminate intestinal parasites.
In an article in Corriere / Scienza states that it is almost a mystery dowries bactericidal and antiviral potential of extracts from leaves and seeds of the Neem Tree, has recently also begun to inquire about the peculiarity of components derived from fruit: some of the specific anti-inflammatory similar to aspirin and other capable of protecting against ulcers and eczema, direct evidence is emerging: the Neem tree oil, obtained from the extraction by pressing the seed, is a strong natural spermicide. In particular Neem extract has an incredibly powerful bactericide and fungicide.
The Neem tree is for the shamans of the countries of Southeast Asia "the street of the village pharmacy."
For internal use, the extract of the Neem tree is indicated against peptic ulcer, hyperglycemia, intestinal parasites, boils and may be helpful to break up lumps. For external use, Neem tree extract is applied on the body to itch all infections, fungus, eczema, psoriasis, etc..
The bark of the Neem tree is fresh, bitter, astringent, acrid and refrigerant. It is useful for oral diseases, cough, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue and intestinal parasites. Heals wounds and is also used to induce vomiting, skin diseases and excessive thirst.
The leaves, according to Ayurveda, help in the treatment of disorders of "Vatika" (neuromuscular pains) are also indicated to remove toxins, purify blood and prevent damage caused by free radicals in the body, neutralizing them. Are also used to treat snake bites and insect stings.
The fruits are bitter, purgative, Anti hemorrhoids. The flowers are used to regulate body heat.They are astringent and expectorant.
Neem is distinguished by its concentration in polysaccharides. Strengthens the immune system. Strengthening the immune response, most often can eliminate pathogens before they cause illness or disease associated feeling.

Despite three daily servings of fruit recommended by dieticians, nutritionists, this was one of the food consume most difficult in both children and adults. The interest has meant that their intake of food industry to design a single milk drink with fruit juice, supplemented with vitamins added and a long list of additives.

The publicity suggests that this drink is considered as a "complete food". It ensures that combines the benefits of milk, referring to proteins and calcium, and vitamins of the fruit. This statement may encourage the consumer to see these products as substitutes for breakfast in case of lack of appetite, hurry or for children who do not like milk or fruit. The reality is that these drinks do not replace, from a nutritional standpoint, traditional breakfast, and composed of a glass of milk and other juice (in addition to cereals, bread or biscuits) because it equals a ration of milk and a fruit, as can be imagined.

Juice Concentrate and little milk
"The juice contains a lot of fruit, milk and vitamins A, C and E and 0% fat. This is the view and assessment that a consumer in an Internet forum about these drinks and that dovetails with other many users in different forums. The comment of another consumer advocates "to buy the juice with milk" to your baby because he will not only milk and juice making.

These beverages have their role refreshing and moisturizing
In these cases relate to specific brands, but after reviewing the list of ingredients and labeling Nutrition of the best known, it is found that the composition is almost similar. Just change the amount ingredients, while the order in which they are distinguished in taste, aroma and texture. In the labeling, the first ingredient listed is the most abundant, while the rest decreases successively until end.

The confusion of many consumers about the composition of these products only be explained by detail. In general, beverages are packed in cartons with a capacity of 330 milliliters and format similar to traditional fruit juice. The average composition of these drinks: fruit juice based concentrates and little milk.

The amount of the first is variable. Ranges from 7% to 41% of a mixture of concentrated juices (the Most multifruit). This means that the contribution of juice per container varies quite a few brands other, since only 23 ml to 135 ml containers containing more concentrated juice.
Regarding the milk, the amount is small. The most outstanding content with 30% skimmed milk, equivalent to 100 ml per tetrabrick (half a cup), add the amounts below 10%, which translates into 33 ml of milk per pack. In most added sugars are detected, which are the Highlights and nutrients that give the energy value to the product, as well as vitamins and minerals added. All are very similar in content to a multitude of additives stabilizers, dyes, acidulants and aromas, and some are necessary to achieve mixing milk with juices, many of them citrus fruits.

These drinks do their job are refreshing, hydrating and very appealing and comfortable, but not equivalent from a nutritional point of view a glass of milk and a serving of fruit. Although its caloric intake is moderate, stands the simple sugar content, particularly when they are added.

Distinguishing tastes
Most of these drinks is characterized by a blend of juice from concentrate. Apple, orange, grape and peach puree, apple, pineapple, lemon and mango, or with more exotic fruits like passion fruit, mango, guava or papaya, if they carry the adjective "tropical fruit". However, one brand, the juice base and keeps repeating the marked difference flavoring additives (papaya, passion fruit and guanabana, or pineapple and coconut).

The manufacturers add vitamins and fiber to the nutrients provided naturally by the fruit cool but indefinite mixture of flavors, especially for children, has a negative influence on the taste education. Does not identify specific flavors of each fruit, which blend in so little proportion of juice, it follows from the tag itself (orange, carrots, pineapple, passion fruit, mango, guava, apricots and papayas).

FRUIT JUICE AND OBESITY

The consumption of sweetened beverages has increased exponentially in recent decades and has coincided with an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity in Western countries. These drinks contribute largely to the contribution of energy and sugars of the population, both children of adults.
Sometimes both are taken as snacks, lunches and snacks, although not a suitable habit.

There is ample evidence linking overweight and consumption of sweetened beverages between meals, as to discourage their consumption in the context of a healthy diet.
While the focus of attention in relation to obesity focuses on the consumption of soft drinks, other beverages
sweets with added sugars, such as some fruit juices are also associated with overweight. This is warned the latest review on the subject conducted by the Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston (USA), which concludes that "sugar-sweetened beverages, particularly the refreshing, provide little nutritional benefit, increase the weight and probably the risk diabetes, fractures and dental caries.

These are the paradoxes of food psychology.

In 20 years, a portion of soda in the United States has increased from 261 grams
This fact is reflected in a study published last October in the Journal of Consumer Research.Research shows that the tendency to choose less healthy dish is accentuated when the culinary offerings are more appropriate forms are added to consumer health. According to its authors, the sight of salads, fruit or juice reduces the guilt qualified for purchasing any junk food dish.
Given the findings of the authors of the analysis suggest that some of the efforts to control and improve nutrition among the population could be counterproductive. Therefore invited to discuss in detail the impact of changes in dietary behavior. In any case, the goal remains to make society aware of that fast food affects the development of obesity by the high energy density, the large portion sizes and low cost product that invites you to eat it often. An effect that has not diminished despite the inclusion of menus, apparently more balanced.

Healthy Choices, only apparently

Salads, fresh fruit salads, fruit juices and light drinks are the stars among the growing number of alternative balanced diet of fast food. However, his appearance healthy blend into extra ingredients are added, accompanying sauces and creams that make up the intention of eating a healthy dish.

Salads
The supply of fast food establishments including salads, but also suggests genuine align with their sauces and dressings, making salad lightly on a dish very energetic. The inclusion of cheese, bacon, fried chicken strips, fried bread cubes (croutons) or nachos is a marked increase in calories and fat dish. A salad of lettuce, corn, cherry tomatoes and cucumber per serving contains about 55 calories (without dressing) if you add yoghurt vinaigrette, add about 90 calories. The same salad with crispy chicken strips is 5 times more calories (260 calories) than the original, while the one made with strips of grilled chicken (instead of battered and deep fried) records an intermediate energy intake (145 calories ).

Desserts
In many fast food restaurants offer fruit pieces (salad or skewer) or yogurt, but if accompanied with caramel syrup or chocolate fondue, add-ons available for the client to serve the amount you want, nutritional value is unchanged. If you opt for sweet desserts like brownies, profiteroles, truffles, cakes, biscuits, pancakes and ice cream, energy value is higher. And if you combine several proposals the outcome is still worse. Of those already providing 355 calories a serving of chocolate brownie, passing the 411 if you carry a portion of ice cream. If vanilla ice cream provides 257 calories, chocolate syrup added, is increased by 61 calories a dessert already very caloric.

The light drinks
The difference in calories between a small soda (300 ml, 126-156 calories) and large (500 ml, 210-260 calories) is considerable. The advantage of soft drinks is that the value light energy is zero, regardless of size. However, the continued consumption of soft drinks is not healthy: the cola containing phosphoric acid in excess, cause bone demineralizing effect, the acidity and high sugar content soft drinks, including juices, deteriorate the enamel and promote decay; the fizzy drinks are associated with episodes of aerophagia, accumulation of gas in the stomach and intestine, making it difficult to digest, and if they contain caffeine, can be exciting and stress the anxiety and insomnia.

The portion sizes

It is usual image of a customer who orders a hamburger and the waiter asks if you want another size larger for just 1 euro more. Saying yes is an extra intake of 200-400 calories, plus the rest of the menu, can be up to 1,500 calories, more than half the recommended energy intake for an adult in a day.
In the United States within 20 years, a portion of a soda has increased 260.78 grams, 50 grams burgers, salty snacks 23 grams, and chips, 120 grams. It was the late 80′s when a well known restaurant chain sold, first in the U.S. and years later in Spain, the size "super size" for soft drinks and chips. This excessive size has invaded all segments of the food industry and has come to our country. At present, the global expert nutritionist Lisa Young warns that a popcorn bucket is big enough to feed a whole row of people in the cinema. Even more surprisingly, the cup holders of American cars are manufactured with superior size to hold the beverage giant one or two liters. The current medium-size equivalent to a few decades ago, but the client does not pay much more for this increase. However, overeating is takes its toll, not money, but in consumer health.

There is evidence that the greater the portion offered, the more you eat
Numerous studies show that the greater the availability to purchase food and the greater the portion, the more they eat, and not always aware of this behavior. A person generally does not feel much compunction about eating a cupcake kind muffin on the way home or work, but think twice before eating five slices of bread to the equivalent. Another clear example of mindless eating is food that is made in a buffet setting, breakfast, lunch and dinner are consumed in these places are far from the amount of food, as usual, eat at home.

Calories, to the letter, have a deterrent?
In 2006 the Department of Health of New York issued a document requiring chain restaurants to include a clear and concise the calories of every dish on their menus. Two years later he launched a revised version as a more of this department in its commitment to reduce obesity rates in the city.
Health authorities justify this proposal with the results of studies supporting the usefulness of this measure. According to its promoters, helps to raise awareness about what you eat and causes them to consume 15% less calories. However, the authors of the report published in the Journal of Consumer Research are not so clear. They assert that the greater the propensity of people to underestimate the energy content of main dishes and side dishes at restaurants that offers healthy report for establishments that do not make that allusion.

The human brain consumes 25% of glucose and oxygen needed by the body
Hence to investigate the role of certain nutrients and plants such as Gingko biloba or ginseng on brain function at the growing desire to keep the intellect, memory, concentration and learning ability, or despite, the age. Seen the need for glucose as a preferred nutrient neurons (specialized cells of the brain), phospholipids and some antioxidants (vitamins and polyphenols) are the most studied dietary components to optimize performance and cognitive brain. This follows from the large number of patents by these compounds used in functional products that purpose. Science continues to monitor the neural response to other substances such as choline, complex vitamins (folic acid, B6, B12), omega-3 (DHA), gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and other more innovative as acetyl-L-carnitine or alpha-lipoic acid. The investigation has just begun.
But not only interested in enhancing brain function and cognitive processes that diminish with age, mild memory disturbances, care, slow implementation and solution of problems associated with normal aging or as a result of the stressful pace of life and that hamper the functioning in many activities. An important line of research is directed at examining the impact of further nutrient-deficiency-in infant brain development.

Specific nutrition from pregnancy

The most critical stages in the formation of the human brain takes place during the last trimester of pregnancy and continues until two years after birth. The adequate intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids of long chain (LCPUFA), particularly omega-3 fatty acids is decisive in this period for the creation of nerve tissue and the generation and transmission of information across neurons that henceforth , a greater impact on learning ability and concentration.
The adequate intake of foods rich in these nutrients (fatty fish, nuts, seed oils) by the mother will support the proper nutrition of breastfed baby. Later the child must be fed with these foods to achieve that end. Supplements of omega-3 (or of other micronutrients such as iodine, folic acid, vitamin B12) may be useful in specific moments of the lives of women, including pregnancy and lactation, and to improve infant brain development when born.

More and less healthy diet supplements

A diet high in fat, low in fiber and low in fruits and vegetables is not appropriate to ensure the good health of the brain. The latest scientific findings linking the Mediterranean diet with better cognitive function, neural and cognitive decline slowed, and a lower risk of suffering Alzheimer’s adults.
Cereals and pulses, food reference in this diet, serve as energy substrate (glucose) to the human brain, despite its small size (from 2% to 3% of body weight) consumes 20% -25% ofoxygen and glucose needed by the body to function normally. Besides these elementary substances, is shown the role of other nutrients in the maintenance of everyday cognitive functions like memory, concentration and quick thinking.
The intake of olive oil (monounsaturated fatty acids), oily fish and nuts (polyunsaturated omega 3 and omega 6) and moderate consumption of meat (vitamin B12), acting together as protective mechanisms. The daily habit of eating fresh fruits, vegetables and a handful of nuts provides natural vitamins B1, B6 and B9, and antioxidants (vitamins E, A and C), whose deficiency is associated with a decline in capacity cognitive.
Taken together, the support of a proper diet keeps blood glucose levels necessary for learning and memory processes, ensures neurotrophin levels (a type of proteins that promote survival of neurons) and the development and maintenance of the system nervous cell reduces inflammation and oxidative damage and cares for the state of cerebral blood vessels that enable the delivery of essential nutrients and energy to the brain. In short, a good diet provides an environment that supports the cognitive processes and decreases the likelihood of developing dementia associated with neurodegenerative or vascular origin because it facilitates effective transmission of neuronal signals.
Aware that the diet takes preventive value and helps to slow or prevent the deterioration of cognitive abilities associated with age, the question arises: is enough good food? The combination of a balanced diet rich in micronutrients and antioxidants and anti-inflammatory substances, along with specific supplements, can act synergistically, so that new possibilities of intervention for cognitive impairment. But there are many unresolved issues: what are the most appropriate compounds and how they work? What time is indicated intake? Have you identified contraindications to its use?

There are no magic formulas

Environmental factors and lifestyle affect retention and cognitive functions: quality of diet, regular exercise, healthy social relationships and early mental stimulation and maintained with age.These are all indicators of improved brain plasticity: increasing the role of neurons, their connections are stabilized, it promotes the birth of new neurons and assists in their development and maturation. Therefore, the special contribution of a single nutrient is unlikely to have an impact as to compensate for a diet of low nutritional quality: There are no magic.Moreover, for the use of certain supplements to be effective in improving the nutrition and brain health should be addressed in early stages and not during adult life of the individual.