Monday 23 January 2017

An Alphabetic Guide To SUPERFOODS - Astragalus

Superfoods are nature's gift, they're vibrant, nutritionally dense foods that offer us tremendous dietary and healing potential.

The Benefits of ASTRAGALUS  

In Chinese Medicine, this is considered to be one of the best tonics for immune health.    

The key benefits are:

Increase in Heart Wellness

The compounds contained within the root, known as saponins, protect and strengthen the heart by preventing blood vessels from sticking together. These cleansing chemicals also keep plaque from forming on artery walls, allowing for proper blood flow. These properties make the root function like fiber for the blood, keeping circulation going and veins clear and open. Astragalus is also rumored to help correct heart arrhythmia and improve overall cardiac functions.

Regulate Blood Pressure

A number of factors contribute to the root's supposed ability to regulate blood pressure. The root of the herb is said to help relieve chest pains and breathlessness. Additionally, the plant deters the retention of salt and water and helps keep clots from forming within veins and arteries. It may even regulate cholesterol levels. Astragalus also promotes vasodilation, the necessary relaxation of the smooth muscles around arterial blood cells. This critical regulatory process is another part of increasing blood flow and relieving high blood pressure.

Studies in Blood Pressure Regulation

The kidneys help regulate blood volume. As such, their impairment is a great factor in the development unnatural blood pressure. Several studies in China found that injections of the extract, when combined with another hypertensive drug, greatly reduced the blood pressure of diabetic patients who had problems with their kidney functions. Another study run in January, 2005, showed that daily administrations of extract helped repair the damaged organ in patients suffering from chronic kidney diseases.

Boost the Immune System

The number one reason people have been going insane over astragalus is because of its abilities to super-charge the immune system. Flavonoids, antioxidant chemicals, are just one of the active chemicals that comprise the root. The polysaccharides found within the root boost the production of white blood cells and increase the activity of T-cells. They even promote production of interferon, a critical chemical for producing essential proteins. The result is that the root greatly increases a person's ability to fight off viral infections and bacterial infection, including cancer and HIV.

Studies in Immune System Effects

Several animal-based studies were conducted to test the effects of astragalus root. One study was conducted where mice were injected with astragalus extract. Scientists found that the injected mice had improved activity of macrophages, their version of white blood cells that fight various infections. Additionally, an experiment was created where several Chinese heart disease and immune deficiency patients were given injections of the herb extract. Surprisingly, the immune system functions of all of the participants improved dramatically.

Reverse the Aging Process

Some early studies suggest that the herb may help stimulate the growth of telomeres. Telomeres are the ends of DNA strands on chromosomes, which protect against deterioration. This means that they help reduce the likelihood of DNA strand shortening that happens as a result of replication. As a person grows older, they lose the ability to create new telomeres as the DNA breaks down. This is important, because it's this damage and shortening from strand replication that promotes growing old. Put simply, astragalus root is theorized to slow, and possibly reverse, the human aging process.

Other Benefits

Astragalus root extract can be used to treat night sweats for women undergoing menopause. It can also treat alzheimer's, as the extract has a proven ability to eliminate the artificial memory gaps. The root can also be used to treat diarrhea and stomach ulcers.

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