(NaturalNews) Despite all the claims made by industry-funded hacks that
genetically-modified organisms (GMOs) and other industrial agricultural
methods are necessary for the future of humanity, it is the traditional
growing methods that continue to shine through as the real sustainers of
life. As reported by Gaia Health, Indian rice farmers using
traditional, organic growing methods are achieving yields far higher
than farmers using more modern methods.
In the case of Sumant
Kumar, rice yields have surpassed the national average per hectare
(about 2.5 acres) nearly ten-fold. According to reports, Kumar is
currently yielding about 22.4 tons of rice per hectare, greatly
surpassing that of other rice farms currently outputting roughly 2.3
tons per hectare. His secret? A traditional crop management protocol
known as System of Root Intensification, or SRI.
Farmers adhering
to SRI techniques will typically plant about half the number of seeds
as farmers using more modern methods, and will space them out at
intervals of about 10 inches. They also plant their seeds much younger,
and keep the soil dryer, while paying much closer attention to weed
growth. By hand-removing weeds, SRI farmers are able to allow more water
and nutrients to feed their rice plants, which results in significantly
higher yields.
"Farmers use less seeds, less water and less
chemicals but they get more without having to invest more," says Dr.
Surendra Chaurassa, agriculture minister to the region where Kumar's farm is located, as quoted by The Observer.
"This is revolutionary. I did not believe it to start with, but now I
think it can potentially change the way everyone farms. I would want
every state to promote it. If we get 30 to 40 percent increase in yields, that is more than enough to recommend it."
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Pet Tigers & Lions at Argentina’s Lujan Zoo
Many
of the animals here are former illegal house pets that are given to the
zoo after outgrowing their homes. Image by Zoo De Lujan
The zoo says that, in addition to training, keeping the animals constantly fed helps to maintain calm passivity. Image by Zoo De Lujan Con Las Superguias
Read more: http://www.grindtv.com/outdoor/nature/post/go-cheek-to-whisker-at-argentinas-lujan-zoo/
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Turmeric equals exercise in its ability to prevent aging
(NaturalNews) A chemical that naturally occurs in turmeric root appears
to protect the heart from aging as much as moderate aerobic exercise,
according to a trio of studies conducted by researchers from the University of Tsukuba in Japan.
Turmeric root has been an important component of traditional Asian medicinal systems for hundreds of years. In recent decades, scientific studies have confirmed the potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the trio of turmeric chemicals known as "curcuminoids," which give the root its distinctive yellow-orange color. Although only one of these chemicals is properly known as "curcumin," the name is commonly used to refer to all of them collectively.
The three new studies all compared the effects of exercise and curcumin on heart health and postmenopausal women over an eight-week period. All the studies were randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Curcumin was delivered by means of colloidal nanoparticles.
The second study examined curcumin's effects on the responsiveness of arteries to changes in blood pressure ("arterial compliance"), another key measure of cardiovascular health. In this study, 32 women were randomly assigned to receive either a curcumin supplement or a placebo pill, or to undergo an exercise routine plus either a curcumin or placebo pill. The researchers found no significant improvement in the control group, significant (and equivalent) improvements in both the exercise-only and curcumin-only groups, and the greatest improvement among participants who exercised and also took the supplements.
In the final study, researchers examined the effects of exercise and curcumin on the rate of age-related degeneration of the heart's left ventricle. 45 participants were randomly assigned into one of the same four groups used in the second study.
The researchers once again found that both exercise and curcumin produced significant increases in heart health. In this study; however, curcumin alone did not appear to provide any benefit. Specifically, brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased among participants who exercised, whether or not they took curcumin. In addition, heart-rate-corrected aortic augmentation index (AIx) and aortic SBP both decreased significantly only among participants who both exercised and took curcumin.
"Regular ingestion of curcumin could be a preventive measure against cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women," the authors of the first study wrote. "Furthermore, our results suggest that curcumin may be a potential alternative ... for patients who are unable to exercise."
Curcumin is best absorbed from turmeric root, rather than from supplements.
Sources:
http://www.vitalchoice.com/shop/pc/articlesViewprint.asp?id=1953
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=17666
Turmeric root has been an important component of traditional Asian medicinal systems for hundreds of years. In recent decades, scientific studies have confirmed the potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of the trio of turmeric chemicals known as "curcuminoids," which give the root its distinctive yellow-orange color. Although only one of these chemicals is properly known as "curcumin," the name is commonly used to refer to all of them collectively.
The three new studies all compared the effects of exercise and curcumin on heart health and postmenopausal women over an eight-week period. All the studies were randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled. Curcumin was delivered by means of colloidal nanoparticles.
Can turmeric prevent heart disease?
In the first study, researchers assigned 32 women to either take a curcumin supplement, engage in moderate aerobic exercise training, or undergo no intervention at all. The researchers measured participants' vascular endothelial function - the responsiveness of the layer of cells that line the blood vessels, a key indicator of overall cardiovascular health - both at the beginning and end of the study. They found that while there was no improvement in the control group, endothelial function significantly increased in both the exercise and curcumin groups. Most surprisingly, the improvement in the two experimental groups was identical.The second study examined curcumin's effects on the responsiveness of arteries to changes in blood pressure ("arterial compliance"), another key measure of cardiovascular health. In this study, 32 women were randomly assigned to receive either a curcumin supplement or a placebo pill, or to undergo an exercise routine plus either a curcumin or placebo pill. The researchers found no significant improvement in the control group, significant (and equivalent) improvements in both the exercise-only and curcumin-only groups, and the greatest improvement among participants who exercised and also took the supplements.
In the final study, researchers examined the effects of exercise and curcumin on the rate of age-related degeneration of the heart's left ventricle. 45 participants were randomly assigned into one of the same four groups used in the second study.
The researchers once again found that both exercise and curcumin produced significant increases in heart health. In this study; however, curcumin alone did not appear to provide any benefit. Specifically, brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased among participants who exercised, whether or not they took curcumin. In addition, heart-rate-corrected aortic augmentation index (AIx) and aortic SBP both decreased significantly only among participants who both exercised and took curcumin.
"Regular ingestion of curcumin could be a preventive measure against cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women," the authors of the first study wrote. "Furthermore, our results suggest that curcumin may be a potential alternative ... for patients who are unable to exercise."
Curcumin is best absorbed from turmeric root, rather than from supplements.
Sources:
http://www.prohealth.com/library/showarticle.cfm?libid=17666
Friday, March 29, 2013
Why Texas wants its gold back from the feds
“The eyes of Texas are upon you” goes the song, but right now those
eyes seem to be squarely focused on the financial crisis in Cyprus.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is supporting a bill that would return the state’s $1 billion in gold reserves currently stored by the Federal Reserve at a vault in New York to the state.
Texas Gov. Rick Perry is supporting a bill that would return the state’s $1 billion in gold reserves currently stored by the Federal Reserve at a vault in New York to the state.
How to prevent kidney stones with everyday foods
(NaturalNews) Passing them is described by those who have experienced
their terror as one of the worst pains known to man, exceeding even the
pain of childbirth. But kidney stones do not have to be a constant worry
on your mind, especially if you are taking proactive nutritional steps
on a daily basis to dissolve and eliminate any that might be cropping
up. Here are a few helpful tips for preventing kidney stones with
everyday foods and dietary interventions:
1) Drink plenty of clean water. This point simply cannot be overstated, as pure, fluoride-free water truly is the master cleanser when it comes to maintaining clean kidneys that are free of stones and other toxic buildup. Drinking at least four liters of water every day will not only help prevent kidney stones from forming, but also quickly eliminate any small stones that may have already formed. Some health practitioners also recommend drinking distilled water to prevent and flush kidney stones.
"The single most important step for preventing kidney stones is to drink plenty of fluids each day," explains a 2001 issue of Healthwire. "Water is best and most physicians recommend three to four quarts daily. Patients who do no more than increase their fluid intake cut their rate of stone recurrence by 50 percent."
2) Add fresh lemon, lime and apple cider vinegar to daily beverages. Taking this a step further, adding fresh lemon or lime juice, or apple cider vinegar, to your beverages throughout the day will help alkalize your body, effectively blocking the formation of kidney stones. These alkalizing juices will also help quickly dissolve any existing stones that might be present in your kidneys, keeping them clean and stone-free.
"At the first symptom of stone pain, mix 2 oz of organic olive oil with 2 oz of organic lemon juice," writes Dr. Ed Group on his Natural Health & Organic Living Blog about how to eliminate kidney stones naturally. "Drink it straight and follow with a 12 oz glass of purified water. Wait 30 minutes. Then, squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon in 12 ounces of purified water, add 1 tablespoon of organic raw apple cider vinegar and drink. Repeat the lemon juice, water and apple cider vinegar recipe every hour until symptoms improve."
3) Eat foods that are naturally high in calcium. This point may run contrary to your existing line of thinking as far as kidney stones are concerned, but natural calcium is actually beneficial for preventing kidney stones. According to a recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, dietary calcium actually binds with calcium oxalate, the substance that makes up most kidney stones, and crystallizes and flushes it from the body before it has a chance to form into stones.
Because of this, many experts recommend eating more foods that are naturally high in calcium to prevent kidney stones. Based on actual calcium absorption rates, the best foods in this category include leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, nuts and seeds, and raw, grass-fed milk and butter. As a side note, studies have found the exclusively vegetarian diets are linked to higher rates of kidney stones, so be sure to include saturated fats from coconut or palm oils to help balance your fat intake if you do not eat meat products.
4) Supplement with magnesium citrate, B vitamins every day. One of the first things that hospital ERs administer to patients admitted for kidney stone pain is magnesium citrate, a natural mineral substance that counteracts the oxalate minerals in many foods. For maximum kidney stone prevention, be sure to eat plenty of magnesium-rich foods every day -- these include avocados, broccoli, raw cacao, beans, bananas, and lentils -- and take a high-quality magnesium citrate supplement like Natural Vitality's Natural Magnesium Calm. Also, it is recommended to supplement with a whole food-based B vitamin complex supplement like MegaFood's Balanced B Complex every day to prevent kidney stone formation.
5) Stop drinking soda pop. One of the worst foods you can consume for kidney stones is soda pop beverages, which greatly acidify the body due to their high phosphoric acid content. There is a lot of misinformation out there about soda and its effect on kidney stones -- a 2010 study actually purported that diet soda can help prevent kidney stones (http://www.naturalnews.com/028814_diet_soda_kidney_stones.html) -- but the truth of the matter is that regular consumption of soda pop is a direct contributor to kidney stones.
6) Stick to a 'low oxalate' diet. Though most of the previous recommendations will help naturally counteract the effects of oxalates in your body, you can also eliminate high oxalate foods from your diet if you have a propensity for kidney stones. Such foods include black tea, grains, and certain nuts and vegetables. You can learn more about a "low oxalate" diet by visiting:
http://www.upmc.com
1) Drink plenty of clean water. This point simply cannot be overstated, as pure, fluoride-free water truly is the master cleanser when it comes to maintaining clean kidneys that are free of stones and other toxic buildup. Drinking at least four liters of water every day will not only help prevent kidney stones from forming, but also quickly eliminate any small stones that may have already formed. Some health practitioners also recommend drinking distilled water to prevent and flush kidney stones.
"The single most important step for preventing kidney stones is to drink plenty of fluids each day," explains a 2001 issue of Healthwire. "Water is best and most physicians recommend three to four quarts daily. Patients who do no more than increase their fluid intake cut their rate of stone recurrence by 50 percent."
2) Add fresh lemon, lime and apple cider vinegar to daily beverages. Taking this a step further, adding fresh lemon or lime juice, or apple cider vinegar, to your beverages throughout the day will help alkalize your body, effectively blocking the formation of kidney stones. These alkalizing juices will also help quickly dissolve any existing stones that might be present in your kidneys, keeping them clean and stone-free.
"At the first symptom of stone pain, mix 2 oz of organic olive oil with 2 oz of organic lemon juice," writes Dr. Ed Group on his Natural Health & Organic Living Blog about how to eliminate kidney stones naturally. "Drink it straight and follow with a 12 oz glass of purified water. Wait 30 minutes. Then, squeeze the juice of 1/2 lemon in 12 ounces of purified water, add 1 tablespoon of organic raw apple cider vinegar and drink. Repeat the lemon juice, water and apple cider vinegar recipe every hour until symptoms improve."
3) Eat foods that are naturally high in calcium. This point may run contrary to your existing line of thinking as far as kidney stones are concerned, but natural calcium is actually beneficial for preventing kidney stones. According to a recent study published in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, dietary calcium actually binds with calcium oxalate, the substance that makes up most kidney stones, and crystallizes and flushes it from the body before it has a chance to form into stones.
Because of this, many experts recommend eating more foods that are naturally high in calcium to prevent kidney stones. Based on actual calcium absorption rates, the best foods in this category include leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, nuts and seeds, and raw, grass-fed milk and butter. As a side note, studies have found the exclusively vegetarian diets are linked to higher rates of kidney stones, so be sure to include saturated fats from coconut or palm oils to help balance your fat intake if you do not eat meat products.
4) Supplement with magnesium citrate, B vitamins every day. One of the first things that hospital ERs administer to patients admitted for kidney stone pain is magnesium citrate, a natural mineral substance that counteracts the oxalate minerals in many foods. For maximum kidney stone prevention, be sure to eat plenty of magnesium-rich foods every day -- these include avocados, broccoli, raw cacao, beans, bananas, and lentils -- and take a high-quality magnesium citrate supplement like Natural Vitality's Natural Magnesium Calm. Also, it is recommended to supplement with a whole food-based B vitamin complex supplement like MegaFood's Balanced B Complex every day to prevent kidney stone formation.
5) Stop drinking soda pop. One of the worst foods you can consume for kidney stones is soda pop beverages, which greatly acidify the body due to their high phosphoric acid content. There is a lot of misinformation out there about soda and its effect on kidney stones -- a 2010 study actually purported that diet soda can help prevent kidney stones (http://www.naturalnews.com/028814_diet_soda_kidney_stones.html) -- but the truth of the matter is that regular consumption of soda pop is a direct contributor to kidney stones.
6) Stick to a 'low oxalate' diet. Though most of the previous recommendations will help naturally counteract the effects of oxalates in your body, you can also eliminate high oxalate foods from your diet if you have a propensity for kidney stones. Such foods include black tea, grains, and certain nuts and vegetables. You can learn more about a "low oxalate" diet by visiting:
http://www.upmc.com
Thursday, March 28, 2013
‘Vertical forest’ skyscrapers coming to Milan
An artist rendering of the finished skyscrapers. (Photo: Courtesy of Boeri Studio)
A plan for one of the apartments. (Courtesy of Boeri Studio)Yahoo!
News spoke with Boeri Studio, the architectural firm behind the
buildings' design. Construction on the residential skyscrapers began in
2008 and is set to be complete sometime this year when people can move
in. But people aren't the only residents. Also moving in: a heckuva lot
of trees, plants, and shrubs.
The two buildings (26 stories and
18 stories) will be quite literally covered in green: 480 big and
medium-size trees, 250 small trees, and roughly 11,000 groundcover
plants, according to the firm. It's the equivalent of a hectare (almost
2.5 acres) of forest on the sides of the buildings, the firm says.
Obama betrays America yet again by signing the 'Monsanto Protection Act' into law
(NaturalNews) President Barack Obama campaigned on promises to end
secret prisons, decriminalize marijuana, balance the budget, honor the
Second Amendment and make health care affordable. But what really
unfolded was an explosion in the national debt (now $16 trillion and
climbing), the signing of the NDAA, a claimed new power to kill any American at any time,
even on U.S. soil, the use of military drones to murder American
children overseas, a full-on assault against the Bill of Rights, a doubling of health insurance rates and the destruction of the U.S. economy.
But that's not all.
Now Obama has signed the "Monsanto Protection Act" into law, stabbing America in the heart yet again and proving that no matter how convincing politicians appear on the campaign trail, they are still sociopathic liars in the end.
The Monsanto Protection Act, part of the HR 933 continuing resolution, allows Monsanto to override U.S. federal courts on the issue of planting experimental genetically engineered crops all across the country. Even if those experimental crops are found to be extremely dangerous or to cause a runaway crop plague, the U.S. government now has no judicial power to stop them from being planted and harvested.
As ibtimes.com reports, the bill "effectively bars federal courts from being able to halt the sale or planting of GMO or GE crops and seeds, no matter what health consequences from the consumption of these products may come to light in the future."
But that's not all.
Now Obama has signed the "Monsanto Protection Act" into law, stabbing America in the heart yet again and proving that no matter how convincing politicians appear on the campaign trail, they are still sociopathic liars in the end.
The Monsanto Protection Act, part of the HR 933 continuing resolution, allows Monsanto to override U.S. federal courts on the issue of planting experimental genetically engineered crops all across the country. Even if those experimental crops are found to be extremely dangerous or to cause a runaway crop plague, the U.S. government now has no judicial power to stop them from being planted and harvested.
As ibtimes.com reports, the bill "effectively bars federal courts from being able to halt the sale or planting of GMO or GE crops and seeds, no matter what health consequences from the consumption of these products may come to light in the future."
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