Drinking green tea could help in the fight against HIV, research suggests

rinking green tea could help in the fight against HIV, research suggests.

Scientists found a component called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) prevents HIV from binding to immune system cells by getting there first.

Once EGCG has bound to immune system cells there is no room for HIV to take hold in its usual fashion.

However, experts said the joint UK and US work, which appears in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, was at a very preliminary stage.

Researcher Professor Mike Williamson, of the University of Sheffield, said: "Our research shows that drinking green tea could reduce the risk of becoming infected by HIV, and could also slow down the spread of HIV.

"It is not a cure, and nor is it a safe way to avoid infection, however, we suggest that it should be used in combination with conventional medicines to improve quality of life for those infected.

"Future research is also currently under way in order to determine how much effect can be expected from different amounts of tea."

More work needed

Keith Alcorn, senior editor of the Aidsmap web service, said tests on animals would be needed before any conclusions could be safely drawn on the potential protective effect of drinking green tea.

"This study only looks at the ability of a chemical in green tea to block HIV binding to human CD4 immune cells in the test tube.

"Many substances shown to prevent HIV infection

in the test tube turn out to have little or no effect in real life, so I think there's a long way to go before anyone should rely on green tea to protect against HIV infection."

Lisa Power, head of policy at the HIV charity, Terrence Higgins Trust said: "Condoms keep HIV at bay. Anything that boosts your immune system is beneficial for people with HIV, but green tea can't be a substitute for proper medication and prevention techniques."

Green tea has been linked to a positive effect on a wide range of conditions, including heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's

source : www.articlesbase.com

Pure Vanilla Extract and Flavorings Reduce Fat

Vanilla extract is an ingredient every chef should have in the kitchen. There are dozens of recipes that call for vanilla flavoring, and if you want to do a recipe right, pure vanilla extract is the only choice. Those bottles on the supermarket shelves may all look the same, but real vanilla extract is made from only real vanilla beans (the best ones are called Madagascar Bourbon), while vanilla flavoring simulates their taste through chemicals.

During World War II, teenage girls used pure vanilla extract as a perfume, dabbing a little on their pulse points because of its delicate but lasting aroma. If you tried to do this with artificial vanilla flavoring, the only scent you’d get would be alcohol.

If you want to make your own vanilla extract, an easy vanilla extract recipe is as follows: pour two cups of grain alcohol (if it’s not available, vodka can be substituted) into a mason jar. Take six vanilla beans (not dried ones from the supermarket; you’ll need to order them from a gourmet or fragrance supply house) and cut them in half lengthwise. Put them in the jar, cover the jar and put them in the closet where they’re out of the light. (This is just like making sun tea except for the sun part.) Leave them alone for several days and then taste them periodically. The longer you leave them in, the stronger the extract will be. When you’re happy with the taste, strain the beans out and pour the vanilla extract into smaller containers with lids. You can give them as gifts or keep them for your own use.

If you’re used to the sweet taste of store-bought vanilla extract, you can add a little sugar to the mixture, but it’s really not necessary as most recipes using vanilla extract will also have sugar in them. Alternately, you can buy an already prepared product like Rawleigh’s vanilla, butter and nut flavoring, and get the added benefit of superior butter and nut flavoring in addition to the delicious taste of those Madagascar Bourbon vanilla beans. This is a good way to cut down on calories in recipes like pecan pie where adding too much butter and nuts adds too much to your waist line. Real vanilla extract gives you plenty of flavor while reducing fat.

Source :
Dustinkerry

Keys to the Best Exercise to Reduce Fat

We can all go to the gym and workout. For many of us the goal is to exercise to reduce fat. In order to accomplish this, there are key factors in your exercise performing that are necessary to get the most out of your exercise in order to achieve fat loss results in the shortest time possible. Here are keys to remember:

1.) Work at an intensity that will get your heart rate elevated. Doing this creates the need for energy. One of the fuel sources to provide that energy is fat. As the energy is being used, calories are being burned and ultimately fat loss occurs.

2.) Perform your exercises using proper form and techniques. This will ensure that all of the correct muscles are being used, you get the most effectiveness from the exercise, and that you don’t get hurt.

3.) Exercise self control when it comes to eating. Food for so many of us is the biggest issue when it comes to weight loss and fat reduction. But it is necessary to limit your food intake not only in quantity but quality as well in order to achieve fat loss goals.

4.) Exercise self discipline in completing an exercise routine. It is so easy when that alarm goes off so early in the morning to hit the snooze button and roll over and go back to sleep for another hour. After all that hour is the time you had set aside to go workout. As hard as it may be initially, when the alarm sounds get up and get moving. Consistency is a necessity in exercise to reduce fat.

5.) Incorporate a combination of cardio and résistance training into your exercise routine. Cardio work helps burn calories and reduce fat almost immediately. Resistance training provides payoffs down the road. Adding muscle helps increase metabolism which causes more calories to burn even at rest. (Not to mention the shift in body make-up from fat to muscle simply give the appearance of weight loss.) Put these keys of “exercise to reduce fat” into practice and you’ll see your weight loss and fat reduction goals conquered in no time.

Source :www.articlesbase.com

Author : Jo Chris