Apple a day keeps heart stroke away
Pakistan Times Health Desk

AN apple a day keeps heart attack away, as this fruit rich in pectin, a soluble fiber which is effective in lowering cholesterol levels, nutritional scientists said.

Apples work in any form, from raw to juice, to maintain good cardiovascular health. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, found that apples act as antioxidants against the damaging portion of cholesterol in the blood stream.

Researchers suggest that people who eat fatty foods should wash down this food with apple juice rather than the usual drink. Researchers have found that apples are the richest of fruits in pectin with the Jonagold variety of apple leading other varieties.

A diet of low fiber, high fat, and animal protein appears to be the leading cause of death in many people. It has been established that a diet rich in pectin can protect against these diseases.

Japan has found in their lavatories that apple pectin can decrease colon cancer.

Apple fiber helps maintain intestinal balance by cleansing the intestinal tract with its soluble and insoluble fibers. Pectin apple fiber increases the acidity in the large intestines. Apple pectin in any form is advocated for diabetics and those suffering from ulcer, colitis, and for regulating the blood pressure.

Researchers advise that children should be taught to eat apples or drink apple juice and to keep this habit on through life. Too many people ignore good nutrition until they get old.

Establish good diet habits early and keep them throughout life and that means eat plenty of apples and drink apple juice.

Scientists say apples are a real health food that helps the human body.

Meanwhile, people who take daily doses of Vitamin C can boost their immune system, potentially protecting themselves from viruses and colds, according to a study.

Vitamin C is a nutrient that has been demonstrated to have a substantial impact on human health. Researchers originally proposed that large doses of Vitamin C could decrease the incidence and the severity of the common cold.

To determine whether vitamin C can alter the function of the immune system and provide increased protection from viral infection, scientists studied the white blood cells of 12 patients before and after each patient took one gram of vitamin C daily for two weeks. Researchers then analyzed the immune cell types present in the blood as well as the ability of these cells to make antiviral compounds.

The number of NK cells in the peripheral blood increased after two weeks of supplementation with Vitamin C. While the number of T cells remained the same, they were more activated following vitamin C supplementation. The T cells also produced significantly more interferon-gama and less interleukin-4 and interleukin-10 after two weeks of supplementation with vitamin C.●