Omega 3 and Omega 6 controversy: which one should you consume more?

In the early 1980s, studies showed that the Inuit had low rates of heart disease despite their high-fat diet rich in fish. It turns out the omega 3 fatty acids in the fish may be what protects their hearts, along with other health benefits.

Omega-3, and Omega-6 fatty acids are known as essential "fatty acids" which means they cannot be synthesised in the body and have to be consumed from the diet. 

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids which are characterised by the presence of double bonds three atoms away from the terminal methyl group in the chemical structure. Three types of omega-3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). 

ALA is mainly found in plant oils, while EPA and DHA are mainly found from marine sources. 

There are two main sources of omega 3 fatty acids. Plant-based and Marine-based. 

Marine sources of omega 3 include fish oil,  such as Salmon, Herring, Mackerel, Anchovies, Sardines, Pilchards, Bluefish, Tuna and Halibut. Naturally these contain EPA and DHA.

Plant sources of omega 3 include plant/nut oils such as English walnuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, vegetable oils ( canola, soybean, flaxseed/linseed and olive oil). Naturally, these contain ALA.

Eggs also contain omega 3 up to a certain extent.

Evidence from several studies has suggested that amounts of DHA and EPA in the form of fish or fish oil supplements lowers triglycerides, slows the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques ("hardening of the arteries"), lowers blood pressure slightly, as well as reduces the risk of death, heart attack, dangerous abnormal heart rhythms, and strokes in people with known heart disease. Both EPA and DHA are involved in hormone synthesis, control of immune functions, blood clotting and for cell membrane integrity.

However, high doses may have harmful effects, such as an increased risk of bleeding. Although similar benefits are proposed for alpha-linolenic acid, scientific evidence is less compelling, and beneficial effects may be less pronounced.

Also, some species of fish carry a higher risk of environmental contamination, such as with methylmercury.

It is a good decision to consume Omega 3 fatty acids as it can:

• reduce inflammation
• reduce blood triglyceride levels (increase HDL - beneficial cholesterol)
• reduces the risk of non-fatal heart attacks
• a good source of nutrition for patients with Crohn's disease or for those who need to be tube fed after abdominal surgeries.
• important for healthy pregnancies
• improvements in morning stiffness and joint tenderness.
• reduce hypertension
• act as anticoagulant (prevent blood clotting).

Omega 6 are essential fatty acids because mammalian cells lack omega-3 desaturase and cannot convert omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 6 fatty acids are precursors to lipoxins, eicosanoids, and endocannabinoids. 

The common source of omega-6 fatty acids are vegetable oils such as grape seed oil, evening primrose oil, flax or linseed oil, rapeseed, hemp, cottonseed, soybean, sunflower seed, corn, safflower , sesame, and palm oil. Other sources include whole-wheat bread, nuts and poultry.

The health benefits of Omega 6 include:

• lower risk of cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, stroke, heart attacks).
• reducing cholesterol
• reduces cancer risk
• for eye health especially after eye surgery

However, recent insights suggested whether you should consume Omega-3, or Omega-6 more. The ideal Omega 6: Omega 3 ratio for healthy consumption was suggested to be 1:1. The closer the ratio to 1:1 the healthier it is. Modern diet has included more omega 6 than what it used to be thus further increasing the ratio, the average ratio these days in developed countries is 16:1. 

Excessive consumption of omega 6 was linked with increased cardiovascular disease, cancer, inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This is due to the increased inflammatory processes in the body through increased omega 6 consumption. Therefore, it is important to know the sources of dietary fats in our diet and decrease the omega 6 but increase omega 3 fatty acids for a more balanced omega 6: omega 3 ratio.

References:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-fishoil.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid

http://www.healthcastle.com/omega3.shtml

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/fish-oil/NS_patient-fishoil

Greene, J., Ashburn, S. M., Razzouk, L., & Smith, D. A. (2013). Fish oils, coronary heart disease, and the environment. American journal of public health, 103(9), 1568–1576. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2012.300959

Simopoulos, A. P. (2002). The importance of the ratio of omega-6/omega-3 essential fatty acids. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy, 56(8), 365-379.

Food Pyramids and Healthy Food Plates

Familiar with this term? 

Yes It's a Food Pyramid...Almost the same as the Egyptian Pyramids except this one is based on food. let's check these images.

http://www.mypyramid.gov/downloads/miniposter.pdf

http://www.pocanticohills.org/nutrition/nutrition.html

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/pyramids.html

Food pyramids can be variable according to countries and food sources. European countries for instance emphasises the usage of wheat while some Asian countries prefer rice, African countries to some extent prefer cassava while some population prefers yams or potatoes. 

Ground Level (Which we should eat the most) - Carbohydrates-which consists of whole grain such as rice, wheat, maize, potatoes and many more. It is preferable that you eat them in its grainy form (whole grain) as this contains the most fibre compared to the processed (so-called) -white grain ones. Furthermore, whole grains contain more minerals and vitamins.

Carbohydrates also provide you with the most energy but it doesn't contain the most energy..so EAT A LOT of carbohydrates to keep you energized throughout the day. There are two types of simple and complex carbohydrates. FAO/WHO recommends that people consume between 45-70% of total energy intake from carbohydrates. But this also depends on the energy requirement and physical activity of the individuals, for instance, an athlete requires more of it than a sedentary individual who works in an office and does minimal exercise. Free sugars (glucose / fructose) also falls under carbohydrates but experts suggests that the intake of free sugars should be under 10% of total energy intake as it increases the risk of getting chronic metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, and dental caries.

More information about Carbohydrate and its requirement will be discussed further in a different post.

Level 2- Vegetable this contributes to the most vitamin intake for our body, especially dark green leafy vegetables and orange/red vegetables..dark green vegetables contains the most nutrients for your body and orange/red contains beta carotene that is required for making vitamin A.

Furthermore vegetables contain cellulose substances that makes it fibrous and good for your digestion. There is no recommendation of how much vegetables should be taken as a percentage of daily calorie intake but some countries recommend individuals to eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily.

Level 3 - Fruits, there are many to choose from and all are delicious, in case you don't like fruits, try to adjust and experiment yourself with a wide range of fruits. There are a myriad choice to choose from, from citrus to seasonal fruit, and maybe you can explore other fruits from other countries..all depends on your budget and you initiative.

Sometimes Level 3 is combined together with Level 2 (vegetables).

Level 4 - Protein: meat, poultry, fish, beans, nuts, milks, eggs, cheese, yogurt, dairy products should be consumed in moderation. Of course, meat, poultry are a good source of protein but as the saying goes too much of something is bad enough, Fish proteins are healthier to eat though, better still use plant-derived proteins which is found mostly in nuts, beans, grains and legumes such as soybeans, chickpeas and different types of beans. Generally, protein should make up about 12-20 percent of total calorie intake. More explanation proteins will be given in a separate post.  

Top most level -  Fats, oils and sweets. fats and oils because it contains a lot of lipid substances that is easily deposited on your skin, buttocks, belly, neck, blood vessel and the outer layer of your heart aka pericardium. You don't want those to be there anyway, don't you?. Fats contain the most energy per gram but it should be used carefully as it has been shown to cause chronic diseases. Total energy intake from fats should be around 30%, daily.

However, things are about to change in several countries and have changed in some. In Australia and Europe for example, the basic level is replaced by fruits and vegetables - emphasising the importance of limiting calorie intake from Carbohydrates. This may well be a challenge to some but could provide beneficial effects in the long run.

https://www.nutritionaustralia.org/national/resource/healthy-living-pyramid

Also several countries have adopted healthy plate diagrams / pictures instead of a pyramid. The argument is that food proportion by using plates is easier to understand than food pyramids. 

Examples are:, My Healthy plate of Singapore, My Healthy Plate of USA, Heathy Plate in Australia,  Eatwell plate in the UK

So it would be interesting to see if food pyramids eventually will be replaced entirely by food plates. Other countries may choose to use the combination of food plates and food pyramids. 

Spirulina for Super Health

Spirulina for Super Health

Without nutritious food, humans wouldn’t have the energy to live.

The body breaks food into molecules called nutrients, which are the

chemical compounds responsible for carrying out thousands of functions

within our cells, including building bones, strengthening immunity to

disease, and healing tissue. For our systems to function properly,

a wide variety of nutrients are needed. The macro-nutrients are

proteins, carbohydrates and fats. The micro-nutrients are vitamins and

minerals. And then of course, there’s water, which makes all chemical

reactions possible.

If our diets are deficient in any of these vital nutrients, our bodies

can go on living but will not function optimally.

Green superfoods are algaes and cereal grasses - spirulina, chlorella,

kelp, barley grass, wheatgrass and alfalfa - that are super-charged

with nutrients. They’re available in powdered form to be used as

dietary supplements and are packaged both individually and in

combinations. One spoonful per day can give you as much nutrition as

the recommended five daily servings of vegetables.

Chlorella and spirulina for protein

Vegetarians often have trouble incorporating enough protein into their

diets. Animal protein has all of the essential amino acids, but plant

proteins tend to be incomplete, they usually require careful combining

to get all the necessary protein. One extraordinary characteristic of

spirulina and chlorella is their high protein content. Both of these

green superfoods contain all eight essential amino acids.

Green superfoods deliver vitamins

Thirteen chemical substances comprise vitamins: the water-soluble

types are vitamin C plus eight types of B vitamin. The fat-soluble

types are vitamins A, D, E and K. Vitamins abound in green superfoods.

Green superfoods deliver minerals

Minerals are inorganic substances that come from the soil. We absorb

them through food and drink. For good health, we need sufficient

quantities of sixteen minerals-- the macro-minerals: calcium,

phosphorous and magnesium; the trace minerals: chromium, copper,

fluoride, iodine, iron, manganese, molybdenum, selenium, sulfur and

zinc; and the electrolytes: chloride, potassium and sodium.

Spirulina powder has high levels of potassium, making it the ideal

choice for boosting energy. It also contains all the macro-minerals

and six of the trace minerals. Like Spirulina, kelp contains all

of the macro-nutrients (protein, fat and carbohydrate), vitamins B

& C, all of the macro-minerals and several of the trace minerals.

Additionally, it is high in iodine, ensuring health of the thyroid,

adrenal and pituitary glands.

Green superfoods help detox

Periodic internal cleansing is required to counteract the harmful

effects of the Standard American Diet (SAD), which can leave your

system clogged and sluggish. Chlorella and wheatgrass are high in

chlorophyll, which is most useful in the process of detoxification.

It also acts as a deodorant from the inside-out, reducing body odor

and bad breath.

Green superfoods balance pH

Cooked, processed foods, and popular beverages such as tea, coffee,

alcohol and soft drinks, will create acidic conditions in your

bloodstream and tissue. An acidic system is the ideal breeding ground

for mold, bacteria and fungus. Green superfoods create an alkaline

environment, which can help thwart arthritis and heart disease,

regulate blood sugar, reverse digestive problems and improve joint

mobility. Barley grass is especially good as an alkalizing agent.

Green superfoods help control cholesterol

Alfalfa positively affects cholesterol levels. It acts as a magnet

for LDL or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, preventing it from

lingering in the bloodstream. This is due to alfalfa’s high fiber

content and unique chemical make-up. At the same time, it does not

reduce levels of HDL or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is

beneficial.

Other benefits of green superfoods:

- Optimal liver function

- Neutralization of heavy metals and irradiation

- Stimulation of the immune system

- Healthy skin and hair

- Lower blood pressure

- Healthy digestion

- Contain essential fatty acids

Using green superfoods is easy

Enhancing your nutrient intake is as simple as mixing a couple

spoonfuls of chlorella with spirulina powder, or any other green food

to; salad dressings, juices, smoothies, water or soup. You can also

just sprinkle on salads and foods to make the most bountiful meal.

Some special conditions preclude the use of these nutrient-packed

supplements. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and certain prescription

medications are contra-indicators. Always make sure you contact

your physician before consuming superfoods if you have any existing

conditions.

Super health the natural way

Whole foods will always be superior to synthetic vitamins because

their parts work synergistically, delivering compounds that cannot

be reproduced in the artificial setting of a laboratory. Taken in

combination or separately, green superfoods are easily absorbed by

the body and are rich in the nutrients and enzymes needed for super

health.

About the Author

Tom is co-owner of NutritionGeeks.com (Minnesota’s #1 NOW Foods

retailer), is a retired power lifter, and has been working in the

nutrition industry since 1997. He has a true passion for creatively

helping others to learn about health and nutrition, which enhances

their lives and well-being. He lives on the prairie in West Central

Minnesota, and spends his leisure time coaching youth wrestling,

working with his horses, and being play toy #1 for his 3 boys; TJ,

Grady, and Brock.

Benefits of Blueberries

Blueberries are the fruits of a shrub that belong to the heath family, which includes the cranberry and bilberry as well as the azalea, mountain laurel and rhododendron.

Blueberries grow in clusters and range in size from that of a small pea to a marble. They are deep in color, ranging from blue to maroon to purple-black, and feature a white-gray waxy "bloom" that covers the surface serving as a protective coat. The skin surrounds a semi-transparent flesh that encases tiny seeds.

There are many health benefits of blueberries, among them are :

1. Immune System Enhancer : Blue Berries, being very rich in anti oxidants like Anthocyanin, vitamin C, B complex, vitamin E, vitamin A, copper (a very effective immune builder and anti-bacterial), selenium, zinc, iron (promotes immunity by raising haemoglobin and oxygen concentration in blood) etc. boost up your immune system and prevent infections.
Enhanced immune system means you are more resistant to infectious diseases particularly colds and flu.

2. An excellent source of antioxidant : Antioxidant are molecules that can neutralize harmful free radicals that can eventually cause cancer. Blueberries are well stocked with Vitamin C and Anthocyanin. In fact, blueberries ranked no 1 in terms of antioxidant contents among fruits. Antioxidants also can reduce the risk for cataracts, dementia, glaucoma, alzheimers, and many other diseases.

3. Reduced risk of Heart Disease: The nutrients in blueberries along with their low fat and low sugar all work together to help people reduce their tyglycerides and cholesterol and in turn low their risk for a heart attack.

4. Brain Health: The anthocyanin, the selenium, the vitamins A, B-complex, C and E, the zinc, sodium, potassium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, manganese etc., among others, can prevent and heal neurotic disorders by preventing degeneration and death of neurons, brain-cells and also by restoring health of the central nervous system. This fruit is highly recommended to those affected by nervous-related diseases.

5. Eye Health: As people get older their visions tends to get worse and worse. Blueberries, with their high concentration of anthocyanosides have been shown to help slow this deteriation of vision.

6. Digestive Health: lueberries are high in sodium, copper, fructose, and acids that all help improve digestion. They are also high in fiber which helps to prevent constipation.

7. Low in sugar: Blueberries however are really low in sugar in comparison to other fruits. A cup of blueberries has roughly 80 calories and they are very low on the glycemic index. As a result blueberries are a better choice than many other fruits.

Tips & Facts:

1. Remember, the deeper the color of the Blue Berries, the more they are rich in anti oxidants and other medicinal values.

2. Choose blueberries that are firm and have a lively, uniform hue colored with a whitish bloom. Shake the container, noticing whether the berries have the tendency to move freely; if they do not, this may indicate that they are soft and damaged or moldy. Avoid berries that appear dull in color or are soft and watery in texture. They should be free from moisture since the presence of water will cause the berries to decay. When purchasing frozen berries, shake the bag gently to ensure that the berries move freely and are not clumped together, which may suggest that they have been thawed and refrozen.

3. They keep you fresh, active, fit, sharp, close to nature and in a good mood, as they are very good anti depressants.

Source:

http://www.womenfitness.net/blueberries.htm
http://www.losethattyre.co.uk/the-major-health-benefits-of-eating-blueberries-regularly/

Eating Fruit

It's long but very informative.

We all think eating fruits means just buying fruits, cutting it and just popping it into our mouths. It's not as easy as you think. It's important to know how and when to eat.

What is the correct way of eating fruits?

IT MEANS NOT EATING FRUITS AFTER YOUR MEALS! * FRUITS SHOULD BE EATEN ON ANEMPTY STOMACH.

If you eat fruit like that, it will play a major role to detoxify your system, supplying you with a great deal of energy for weight loss and other life activities.

FRUIT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT FOOD. Let's say you eat two slices of bread and then a slice of fruit. The slice of fruit is ready to go straight through the stomach into the intestines, but it is prevented from doing so.

In the meantime the whole meal rots and ferments and turns to acid. The minute the fruit comes into contact with the food in the stomach and digestive juices, the entire mass of food begins to spoil....

So please eat your fruits on an empty stomach or before your meals! You have heard people complaining  every time I eat watermelon I burp, when I eat durian my stomach bloats up, when I eat a banana I feel like running to the toilet, etc actually all this will not arise if you eat the fruit on an empty stomach. The fruit mixes with the putrefying other food and produces gas and hence you will bloat!

Graying hair, balding, nervous outburst, and dark circles under the eyes all these will NOT happen if you take fruits on an empty stomach.

There is no such thing as some fruits, like orange and lemon are acidic, because all fruits become alkaline in our body, according to Dr. Herbert Shelton who did research on this matter. If you have mastered the correct way of eating fruits, you have the Secret of beauty, longevity, health, energy, happiness and normal weight.

When you need to drink fruit juice - drink only fresh fruit juice, NOT from the cans. Don't even drink juice that has been heated up. Don't eat cooked fruits because you don't get the nutrients at all. You only get to taste. Cooking destroys all the vitamins.

But eating a whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. If you should drink the juice, drink it mouthful by mouthful slowly, because you must let it mix with your saliva before swallowing it. You can go on a 3-day fruit fast to cleanse your body. Just eat fruits and drink fruit juice throughout the 3 days and you will be surprised when your friends tell you how radiant you look!

KIWI: Tiny but mighty. This is a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E & fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.

APPLE: An apple a day keeps the doctor away? Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants, flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C thereby helping to lower the risks of colon cancer, heart attack stroke.

STRAWBERRY: Protective Fruit. Strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits & protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.

ORANGE : Sweetest medicine. Taking 2-4 oranges a day may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent & dissolve kidney stones as well as lessens the risk of colon cancer.

WATERMELON: Coolest thirst quencher. Composed of 92% water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. They are also a key source of lycopene the cancer fighting oxidant. Other nutrients found in watermelon are vitamin C & Potassium.

GUAVA & PAPAYA: Top awards for vitamin C.. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content.. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene; this is good for your eyes.

Drinking Cold water after a meal = Cancer! Can u believe this?? For those who like to drink cold water, this article is applicable to you. It is nice to have a cup of cold drink after a meal. However, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff that you have just consumed. It will slow down the digestion. Once this 'sludge' reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer. It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.

(Forwarded from the Internet)

Alcohol Pros and Cons?

Good nutrition can help to improve your health and prevent diseases. The nutrients that your body needs are carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. Some people feel that alcohol is another necessity in their diet, while others feel that any amount is toxic and needs to be avoided.

The key to determining whether you need alcohol is to understand what alcohol is and how it is processed in your body. Calories provide energy for our bodies to function. We get calories from carbohydrates, protein, fat, and alcohol. For each gram, you get a set number of calories.

One Gram Calories
Carbohydrates 4
Protein 4
Fat 9
Alcohol 7

The vitamin, mineral, and water content add to the nutritional value for each of these energy sources but do not provide any calories. A food is considered to be a source of "empty calories" when there are no other nutrients present besides the nutrient that provide the calories. Alcohol is considered to be a source of empty calories because it provides only negligible amounts of vitamins and minerals. Due to the fact that alcohol often replaces nutrient-rich food and directly interferes with the body's absorption, storage, and use of nutrients, it has also been called the "antinutrient nutrient."

Alcohol can also be classified as a drug. Under this category, it is the most widely used drug in the world. Approximately 10 to 15 million Americans are alcoholics or problem drinkers, and more than 100,000 deaths each year are attributed to alcohol consumption. The majority of the population consumes alcohol moderately or occasionally. The potential to become addicted to alcohol is a serious problem that warrants limitations on its consumption.

Function

# Alcohol increases the risk of various health conditions, such as heart and liver disease. Alcohol works directly on the central nervous system, impairing brain function. Over time, excessive alcohol consumption can destroy brain cells, resulting in various degrees of brain damage.

Effects

# Alcohol affects the way people behave. For instance, some people become more violent. This can lead to an increase in crime. People experience a decrease in mental alertness when drinking alcohol and may make poor decisions. Alcohol dulls the senses and alters one's perception of situations and surroundings. Alcohol also affects memory.


Reference

1. http://www.medicinenet.com/alcohol_and_nutrition/article.htm

2. Read more: What Are the Dangers of Alcohol? | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4569634_what-dangers-alcohol.html#ixzz19w2Rdgt4

Benefits of Aloe Vera Juice

Aloe vera, also known as the true or medicinal aloe, is a species of succulent plant that probably originated in the southern half of the Arabian peninsula, Northern Africa, the Canary islands and Cape Verde. Aloe vera grows in arid climates and is widely distributed in Africa, India and other arid areas. The species is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine.

Aloe vera contains many beneficial ingredients. Aloe vera contains all the vitamins, except Vitamin D, that people need on a daily basis. It also contains enzymes, minerals, anti-microbial, amino acids and sugars that are all beneficial to the human body. All of these ingredients in aloe vera are why it is used to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, cleanse and sooth the body.

Aloe vera is one of the only known natural vegetarian sources of Vitamin B12, and it contains many minerals vital to the growth process and healthy function of all the body's systems. It also known to contain antioxidants that can neutralize harmful free radicals in the body.

Aloe vera juice is made from aloe vera gel. It is one of the aloe vera products that can be taken internally so a person can get the internal benefits of aloe vera. Although there have not been many studies involving how beneficial aloe vera juice can be, many people have experienced the benefits and aloe vera juice is now quite popular.

The three main categories of research include anti-inflammatory, anti- bacterial, and anti-viral actions of Aloe vera. The juice is said to soothe digestive tract irritations such as colitis, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. Aloe's ability to encourage the release of pepsin (a gastric juice enzyme necessary for digestion) when the stomach is full is a possible reason for its ulcer-healing effects (Journal of the American Osteopathic Society, 1963, vol.62).

Aloe vera juice is known to help to detoxify the body and cleanse the colon. The detoxification properties of the juice also work to detoxify the blood stream. It is also said that aloe vera juice could benefit a person with intestinal or stomach problems. It should aid in the healing of ulcers and help the digestive tract to work smoothly. It is also said that aloe vera juice can improve circulation. The aloe helps dilate the capillaries and aid in cell growth. Aloe vera juice also has many benefits that aloe vera gel does. It acts as a antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal agent, preventing illness. The overall effect of taking aloe vera juice regularly can be a feeling of energy and health. Probably due to the increase in absorption of nutrients and enhanced intestinal health.

Aloe vera juice is said to be one of the finest body cleansers, cleaning morbid matter from the stomach, liver, kidneys, spleen, bladder, and is considered the finest, known colon cleanser. Studies have shown that it is healing and soothing in the relief of indigestion, stomach distress and ulcers. People claim relief from arthritis, bladder and kidney infections; leg cramps, constipation, hemorrhoids, insomnia, and for vaginitis, it is said to be an excellent vaginal douche. An excellent internal tonic for energy and well being Aloe juice may add greatly to the strength of the food fed, digestive tract, skin, and overall good health and happiness.

It is also used to ease heartburn, ulcers, diverticular disorders, and other types of digestive upset. It is used as an anti-inflammatory and may be taken internally as a remedy for certain digestive complaints. European folk medicine calls for using Aloe vera juice to relieve heartburn and ulcers. Preliminary research has shown promising results. Clinical trials in Japan indicate that certain compounds in Aloe vera reduce the secretion of stomach juices and the formation of lesions.

Precautions:

Aloe vera is non-toxic, with no known side effects, provided the aloin has been removed by processing. Taking Aloe vera that contains aloin in excess amounts has been associated with various side effects.

If you are using oral corticosteroids, such as beclomethasone, methylprednisolone, or prednisone, it is important not to overuse or misuse Aloe vera juice. A potassium deficiency can develop, and you may experience toxic effects from the medication.

Although it is removed, in practice Aloe vera juice may sometimes still contain tiny quantities of the laxative compound found in aloe latex. Should you begin to have cramps or diarrhea do not ingest any more of the juice.

Reference:

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-aloe-vera.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aloe_vera

http://www.aloe-vera-studies.org/aloe-vera-benefits.php