www.womanthismonth.com 99 July-August 2015 the Home Nutrition Treatment Centre says: “Turmeric, with its unique smell and flavour, contains many essential nutrients such as protein, dietary fibre, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin K and many minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium and zinc. Thus, it is often used to treat many health problems and diseases.” Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory, especially good for arthritis because it contains a large group of antioxidant and anti-viral properties. It is also a natural antiseptic and anti-bacterial, useful in cleansing wounds and burns and to accelerate their healing, she informs us. Turmeric is beneficial to liver health and helps in the removal of toxins from the body. It also helps to reduce weight and burn fat. How? “The elements present in turmeric help stimulate the gall bladder to increase the flow and secretion of bile in the body, which has the biggest role in one’s metabolism. This in turn improves the digestion process and reduces the symptoms of bloating and gas,” answers Du’a. Many studies have shown that antioxidants in turmeric effectively help to reduce insulin resistance which is associated with diabetes and also reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood. Turmeric is known to be great for skin health, due to its vitamin E content. Research has shown that ‘curcumin’, which is the active ingredient in turmeric, can stimulate body cells to carry out the process that causes the self-destruction of cancer cells and prevents more from growing. Remember to flavour Antioxidants in turmeric effectively help to reduce insulin resistance which is associated with diabetes and also reduce the level of cholesterol in the blood your Indian curries and Arabic kebabs with turmeric; your body will thank you for it. POWER PUNCH Enjoyed by the South Americans for centuries, chia seeds have recently made headlines for their fantastic nutritional profile - providing a healthy form of energy, fibre, omega 3, amino acids and many essential vitamins and minerals. Chia may help to reduce cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure, says clinical dietician Rheam Nasr from the Gulf Diabetes Specialist Centre. These fun- to- eat seeds are loaded with soluble fibre (about 11g per ounce!) which is great for digestion and blood sugar levels. “Adding fibre to your diet should be done gradually. Chia seeds soak up lots of fluid so be sure you are drinking enough water to avoid any discomfort,” Rheam advises. Chia seeds are also known to provide essential minerals for bone health, muscle function and tissue repair, most notably calcium, manganese and phosphorus. Jazz up your salads, smoothies, yogurt or morning cereal by simply sprinkling some Chia seeds over. The kids won’t even notice the taste, making them easy to add to pretty much anything. No time to spare? Just soak chia seeds in any dairy or non-dairy milk, watch them swell and form a gel-like texture and enjoy as a snack or a dessert. They are also an excellent source of important omega 3 fatty acids, which have been attributed to lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Omega-3 is an essential fatty acid, not produced by the body. “We need omega 3 fats for regulation of blood pressure, controlling blood clotting and maintaining the health of the brain, eyes and heart. Omega 3 is especially important for women during pregnancy, as it is essential for the development of the unborn baby's brain and vision,” says Rheam.
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