herbalist ben

Rainforest Herbs - Going Back to Understand the Future

2012-03-07T20:25:00.003-08:00

Worldwide demand for effective evidence based herbal medicine is increasing. Many people today are returning to herbal medicine as a result of the greater awareness of health issues, promoted by new government health policies and a growing distrust in conventional synthetic medicines. At Rainforest Herbs we promote products that draw upon traditional health wisdom that is supported by solidscientific evidence. These products are formulated according to theprinciples of modern herbal medicine with standardized herbal extractsto ensure consistency, efficacy and convenience for our customers. Since 1995 we have been at the forefront in pioneering the use of indigenoustropical herbs and we continue to innovate and lead the way as newevidence based discoveries are made.

In recent years attitudes to global health have made an abrupt 180 degree turn as the results of health statistics are becoming known. Obesity, diabetes, hypertension, psychological disorders and other disease of affluence and our modern sedentary society are now the modern plagues that effect humanity. Advances in genetic science are revealing how much of the cause of this goes back to our ancient hunter-gatherer biology that has not caught up with our modern diets and lifestyle, leading to the escalation of chronic disease we see today. While we are living longer, the sharp global increase in sales of pharmaceutical drugs for all these conditions shows the true picture.

The rainforests of Southeast Asia have supplied the western world with herbs, spices and oils for centuries. Malaysia in particular, with its many indigenous groups, offers an invaluable source of knowledge in medicinal plants from the rain forest. The main indigenous medicinal systems of Malaysia are Traditional Malay Medicine, with influences from Java, India and Arabia, and that practiced by the numerous native races in Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah). Of these, many still live according to traditional ways in the jungle, with a few preferring to avoid influences of civilization and continue to lead a semi-nomadic existence deep in the rain forests of Borneo.

These individuals offer us both invaluable ethnobotanical information as well as an anthropological insight into the very issues that are plaguing modern humankind and gives us important clues as to where we have gone wrong, globally and individually. For more than 20 years I have had the great fortune to live and learn amongst several of these indigenous groups and each experience always reminds me that it is we that need to learn from them much more than they need to "modernize" to fit our world.

The herbal knowledge they provide comes from centuries of human experience of trial and error in herbal action, safety and toxicity. Knowledge that helps us in our search for cures for disease and for traditional remedies that support health. We are faced with a race against time, however, as the effects of rapid development of the rain forests is leading to not only global environmental consequences, the irretrievable loss of fauna and flora but also the loss of the ethnobotanical knowledge and traditional ways of life of the indigenous peoples found there. With the passing of each of the elders, the medicine men and women, a mine of valuable knowledge is lost forever.

At Rainforest Herbs we understand the importance of documenting and promoting ethnobotanical research and the cultivation of medicinal herbs in their natural rain forest environment, as well as education in the sustainable collection of raw materials. We firmly believe that to safeguard and maintain the rain forest ecosystem, the needs of the present must be met without compromising the needs of future generations.

In all corners of the globe, people are realizing the immense importance of preserving the complete rain forest ecology and at Rainforest Herbs we believe that by connecting to the holistic power of rain forest medicinal plants, a positive shift in environmental awareness can occur alongside the improvements to our health.

OBESITY AND THE METABOLIC SYNDROME

2011-04-04T22:17:00.000-07:00

The global statistics for obesity and its rise each year are a huge wake-up call for all of us. Obesity has more than doubled since the 1970’s in many countries and continues to expand without any apparent slow down. If the current trend continues then obesity related conditions and risk factors, such as the metabolic syndrome will bring the already overburdened healthcare systems of the world to the breaking point. Malaysia has one of the highest obesity rates in Asia and is rapidly catching up with those countries with some of the highest obesity figures in the world i.e, USA, Mexico, Great Britain and Australia.

The Metabolic syndrome is the name given to a group of risk factors linked to being overweight which increases a person’s chance of having heart disease, diabetes and stroke. The factors are:-

§ Central obesity – an expanded waistline

§ Higher than normal blood pressure

§ Higher than normal fasting blood sugar

§ A lower than normal HDL cholesterol

§ Higher than normal triglycerides

A strong contributing factor is a non-active lifestyle. By definition, a person has metabolic syndrome if they have 3 of the criteria’s stated above including central obesity. Other conditions associated with metabolic syndrome are polycystic ovaries and sleep apnoea.

In 2007, Malaysia’s Ministry of Health supported a study called Metabolic Syndrome Study of Malaysia (MSSM). The MSSM research objective was to study the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the Malaysian population. Early results indicate that in some Malaysian populations, as high as 36.5% of adult male and 50.5% of adult female Malaysian population have metabolic syndrome!

On the 10th April 2010, Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai launched the Malaysian Council for Obesity Prevention (MCOP) as 2 out of every 5 Malaysian adults is either overweight or obese. There are more individuals with weight gain issues living sedentary lifestyles. These lifestyles are brought on by urbanization and economic development that allows us to live less physically demanding daily life and changes in dietary habits, particularly excess sweet foods and drinks and the availability of 24-hour eating outlets.

From a medical perspective, experts have narrowed the increase in metabolic syndrome to 2 factors – insulin resistance and central obesity.

Insulin is a hormone produced by our pancreas. Our body uses insulin to convert glucose into energy at our muscle, fat and liver cells. Insulin resistance happens when our cells become less sensitive to insulin and thus do not use the insulin circulating near it. In response to this, our pancreas senses more glucose in our bloodstream and starts producing even more insulin that creates a cycle that leads to hyperinsulinaemia. Eventually, the pancreas cells wear down as it cannot cope with the demand and no longer produce enough insulin. This leads to type-2 Diabetes. People with insulin resistance have high levels of glucose and insulin in their blood at the same time.

From a nutritional perspective the cause of obesity and type-2 diabetes is linked, being excess consumption of refined sugars, and the wrong fats and oils in our diet, together with lack of exercise. As individuals, we can make everyday choices to change our lifestyle and food habits to reduce our own risk of developing metabolic syndrome and therefore reduce weight-related, lifestyle diseases such as type-2 diabetes and heart disease.

We can start by:-

Greatly reducing our intake of simple and refined carbohydrates, such as white rice, noodles, bread, cakes, sweets, condensed milk etc. By using the glycemic load as a guide, a better understanding on how certain foods affect blood sugar can be found. Complex carbohydrates come from vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and green leafy vegetables, legumes and whole grains i.e. brown rice. Vegetables also contain important nutrients and antioxidant properties that protect pancreatic cellular function from oxidative stress.
Avoid heat damaged processed polyunsaturated vegetable oils in our cooking and replace with unprocessed virgin coconut oil and virgin olive oil.
Exercise of about 30 minutes a day. Exercise and physical activity increases our metabolism and gives us a healthier body.

Click here to download our VCO brochure

Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) has been the main cooking oil throughout the tropics for thousands of years and is lately making a comeback in the food and health industry as a result of increased awareness of its benefits as well as medical doctors recommending it for a range of health problems (see an excerpt of an article here from a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon on VCO). VCO is composed of more than 65% medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). MCTs are smaller molecules therefore easily digested and used by our body to produce energy similar to carbohydrates (but with no effect on insulin) and are found to raise metabolism and the rate at which our bodies burn energy for fuel and thus assist in weight management.

On the other hand, polyunsaturated processed vegetable oils used in our cooking (made from corn, soya, sunflower, safflower, canola etc etc) are primarily composed of long chain triglycerides (LCTs) that require a complex route of digestion. This complex route involves cholesterol to help it move through the blood stream and LCTs are preferentially stored by our body as fat until the time our body needs it e.g. during starvation periods. An article that appeared in the Journal of Nutrition entitled "Effects of Medium-Chain Triglycerides: Potential Agents in the Prevention of Obesity" has found that all scientific evidence supports that MCTs increase energy expenditure, result in faster satiety and facilitate weight control when included in the diet as a replacement for fats containing LCTs (see article here).

Virgin Olive Oil (VOO) is another good alternative to replace processed vegetable oils. However, we need to be aware that VOO is heat sensitive and its nutrients are intact only if used as salad or pasta dressing or cooking with low heat. Thus, Virgin Coconut Oil (which is not heat sensitive) is more suitable for Asian cooking styles such as stir-frying or for simmering.

In summary, the metabolic syndrome associated with obesity and insulin resistance can be prevented with the right food choices, especially in regards reducing the consumption of refined carbohydrates and vegetable oils (comprised of predominantly LCTs that result in fat storage) and replacing with MCT rich Virgin Coconut Oil. As it all starts with the foods we put in our supermarket shopping trolley, this is where we should be at our most vigilant for our family's health.

For more information on healthy living please visit our website at: http://www.rainforestherbs.com

Herbal Antioxidant Protection from Radiation

2011-04-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

Introduction to antioxidants

An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants stop these chain reactions by removing free radicals and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. Although oxidation reactions are crucial for life, they can also be damaging. Specific plants, herbs and spices contain a variety of important antioxidants of which many are famous in Asian cooking where they play an important role in dietary health.

Insufficient levels of antioxidants or excessive oxidative stress may damage or kill human cells. Oxidative stress is an important factor in many human diseases. We now have a greater understanding of why certain plants are beneficial in supporting human health due to the potent antioxidant compounds they contain that help replenish our bodies own natural antioxidant defences.

Because they have one or more unpaired electrons, free radicals are highly unstable. They scavenge your body to grab or donate electrons, thereby damaging cells, proteins, and DNA (genetic material). It is impossible for us to avoid damage by free radicals as these arise from sources both inside and outside our bodies. Oxidants that develop from processes within our bodies form as a result of normal aerobic respiration, metabolism, and inflammation. Exogenous free radicals form from environmental factors such as excessive sunlight, strenuous exercise, X-rays, smoking and alcohol. Ever increasing environmental pollution generates additional free radical damage and toxicity overwhelming our already overburdened detoxification systems.

Antioxidant compound target different cellular reactions and cells of different organs and these are now believed to play a role in preventing the development of such chronic diseases as cancer, heart disease, stroke, alzheimer's, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, liver disease and cataracts.

Nuclear radiation and free radical damage

The recent concerns about radioactive isotopes being released into the environment as a result of the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant reactor leakage has the potential to emit some of the most dangerous forms of free radical damage from ionizing radiation. Radioactive elements undergo decay and emit high-energy particles energetic enough to ionize atoms by knocking off their electrons. This ionizing radiation can damage DNA molecules directly, by breaking the bonds between atoms, or it can ionize water molecules and form free radicals (our cells are mostly water and ionizing radiation breaks H20 down into harmful free radicals H+ and OH-), which are highly reactive and also disrupt the bonds of surrounding molecules, including DNA. This DNA damage is enough to kill cells or cause them to mutate in ways that may eventually lead to cancer. The DNA damaging effects of radiation is measured in units called sieverts, which take into account the type and amount of radiation, and which parts of the body are exposed, allowing us to compare different kinds of exposures in one scale. In a typical year, a person might receive a total dose of two or three millisieverts from things like ambient radioactivity, plane flights and medical procedures. 100 millisieverts a year is the limit above which cancer risk starts to increase, according to the World Nuclear Association. The greatest danger is for people living in an affected area and winds can carry radioactive isotopes many hundreds of kilometers (as evidenced from the Chernobyl disaster in Europe), which can accumulate in the body, water table and food chain further damaging tissue over time and causing disease and cancer.

Effects of ionizing radiation

Free radical organ damage depends on which free radical is involved, how high concentration, the target of damage and predisposing factors. Ionizing radiation produces the most rapid free radical damage to various organs, and may produce immediate or delayed damage as follows;

Brain: Nerve cells and brain blood vessels can die, leading to seizures.
Eyes: Radiation exposure increases the risk of cataracts.
Thyroid: The thyroid is very sensitive to the effects of Radioactive iodine (I-131) (in fact, I-131′s affinity for the thyroid is used therapeutically to specifically attract radiation to the thyroid in order to treat thyroid cancer and overactive thyroid). When a healthy thyroid is exposed to I-131, it can lead to decreased thyroid function and, over time, thyroid cancer.
Lungs: When you breathe in invisible nuclear fallout particles, it can lead to lung cancer.
Heart: High doses of radiation can damage the cells in the blood vessels that feed the heart, reducing cardiac function.
Digestive tract: Sensitive cells in the intestinal lining can be damaged, leading to loss of appetite, nausea, bloody vomiting, and bloody diarrhea.
Reproductive organs: Rapidly dividing cells (eggs and sperm) in the ovaries and testes can die, leading to sterility.
Skin: Rapidly dividing skin cells can be damaged, leading to skin lesions and burn.
Lymphatic organs: Rapidly dividing lymphatic cells die and damaged bone marrow may have trouble replenishing these immune-boosting cells, increasing the risk of infection.
Other effects and symptoms of excessive free radical damage from radiation exposure includes: tumor growth / cancer, hemorrhages under the skin, bleeding from the nose, gums or mouth, anemia (low red blood cell count), hair loss, weakness and fatigue, fainting, dehydration and inflammation of tissues (swelling, redness or tenderness).
Large radiation doses destroys millions of cells and tissues of the body and as such can lead to impairment of any organ function and / or death from organ failure.

Antioxidant protection from free radical damage

The therapeutic benefit of many medicinal plants is a direct result of their antioxidant properties on specific organs and bodily tissues. As such, herbals provide important protection from free radical damage and ionizing radiation. To assist detoxification from high doses of free radicals or radioactive isotopes then an understanding of plant antioxidants and their individual effects is very helpful in selecting the formulations that provide optimal antioxidant components to restore health.

The first step is always to remove oneself from the source of excessive free radicals or area of ionizing radiation exposure and to avoid consuming contaminated foodstuff or drinking contaminated water. Eat a diet high in uncontaminated fresh fruits and vegetables. Studies in Japan have shown a therapeutic effect from consuming a diet high in brown rice, miso soup, vegetables, onions and garlic and abundant seaweed, while also consuming plenty of antioxidant rich green tea. Any diet high in protective nutrients, enzymes and antioxidants will provide higher cellular protection.

Many antioxidant herbs have been studied for their effects as radioprotective agents (able to protect humans from ionizing radiation). In nature, plants have evolved an array of phytochemicals to protect them from the ionizing radiation from the sun and to survive in harsh environments. Tropical herbs and spices in particular have evolved as a response to the intense ultraviolet radiation around the equatorial regions. These herbs have been at the forefront of research into radioprotection as a result of their unique antioxidant effects. They hold immense promise to save human lives in the wake of the rise in global environmental pollution and the potential exposure to nuclear radiation, such as from the recent reactor accident in Fukushima, Japan.

RAINFOREST HERBS ANTIOXIDANT FORMULATIONS

HEMPEDU BUMI PLUS contains a combination of antioxidant-rich herbal extracts: Andrographis paniculata, Curcuma longa and Phyllanthus niruri / amarus.

Andrographis contains a group of active ingredients known as andrographolides that have been shown to have powerful free-radical scavenging properties together with some of the most well researched anticancer, liver protective and immunostimulant properties known in herbal medicine^(40–82). Andrographis is now being widely researched for its anti-cancer and anti tumor effects in cancers of the liver, lymphatics, prostate, lungs, colon, leukemia and breast. As a systemic antioxidant that also markedly improves white blood cell immunity and liver detoxification, Andrographis is uniquely suited to protect human health in the face of ionizing radiation.

Cucuma longa contains the active ingredient known as Curcumin, responsible for the yellow colour in curry and which is one of the most popular antioxidant plant supplements worldwide. Together with its effects on improving antioxidant status in various diseases it has also been studied for its radioprotective effects on decreasing the damaging effects of radiation ^(83-91).

Phyllanthus niruri / amarus it well researched for its liver protective and antiviral effects and is widely used for viral hepatitis infection. It contains ellagitannins that have potent antioxidant and superoxide radical scavenging ability and enhance glutathione. Recent research is also focusing on the plants anticancer and radioprotective effects ^(131-147).

Body organs / systems protected: This product is designed to offer optimal antioxidant protection for the whole body, with emphasis on the liver, white blood cells, gastro-intestinal system and cardiovascular system. For more information please click here.

SELASIH PLUS contains one of the most well researched herbs for protecting from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation; Ocimum sanctum, also known as Asian Holly Basil. Numerous studies have revealed that it contains potent antioxidant flavonoids, orientin and vicenin that protect the white blood cells, chromosomes and bone marrow from radiation poisoning. Protective antioxidant effects were also seen in animal studies after high-dose 131 iodine exposure with increased survival time, prevention of lipid peroxidation and enhanced glutathione ^(22-35).

Body organs / systems protected: Whole body, thyroid, bone marrow / white blood cells, red blood cells.

PEGAGA PLUS contains Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) that contains potent triterpenoids; asiaticoside, centellic acid and madecassic acid. Centella has been extremely well researched for the past 50 years for its effects on enhancing cellular healing, micro-circulation and brain function. Recent studies have shown Centella asiatica provides radioprotection to DNA and membranes against radiation exposure, as well as prevents radiation-induced decline in antioxidant enzyme levels and the prevention of radiation induced weight loss and taste aversion ^(6-12). This formulation also includes Andrographis and Orthosiphon (see references).

Body organs / systems protected: Skin, blood vessels, brain and nervous system, lungs, digestive system. For more information please click here.

MISAI KUCING PLUS contains a combination of potent antioxidant herbs, namely; Orthosiphon stamineus / aristatus, Zingiber officinale, Centella asiatica and Curcuma longa.

Also known as Java Tea, the antioxidant properties of Orthosiphon and its polyphenol fractions have been well research in Malaysia in reducing oxidative stress by inhibiting the formation of lipid peroxidation, as well as their use as a cytoprotective against free radical induced cell death ^(92-103).

Zingiber officinale (Ginger) contains the active ingredient gingerol, well-known for its anti-nausea and anti-inflammatory effects. Recent research is focusing on its antioxidant mechanisms whereby it shows strong potential as an anti-cancer and radioprotective agent to ameliorate symptoms of radiation exposure, such as taste aversion, learning difficulties and digestive disturbances and vomiting ^(113-116).

Curcuma and Centella (see references) further protect from radiation induced gastrointestinal and bone marrow cellular deaths and assist to reduce the symptoms of radiation sickness.

Body organs / systems protected: Radiation sickness, digestive disturbances; nausea, vomiting, skeletal system and bone marrow. For more information please click here.

TONGKAT ALI PLUS contains Eurycoma longifolia, Tinospora cordifolia, Centella asiatica and Glycerrhiza glabra.

Eurycoma longifolia (Tongkat Ali) has been well researched for its effects on promoting testosterone and sperm count and is used as a fertility agent for men. Eurycoma contains eurycomanone and this has been shown to have anticancer properties via enhancing p53 tumor suppressing protein and directly causing apoptosis of a range of human cancer cells.

Tinospora cordifolia has been widely studied for its radioprotective effects against radiation. It has been found to increase survival time and protect blood and immune cells from damage. Administered before irradiation significantly ameliorated radiation induced elevation in lipid peroxidation and decline in glutathione concentration in testes. These observations indicate the radioprotective potential of Tinospora cordifolia root extract on testicular constituents against gamma irradiation in mice ^(13-21).

The radioprotective effect of the root extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra on lipid peroxidation and white blood cell status has been studied and the extract was found to protect microsomal membranes (as evident from reduction in lipid peroxidation) DNA, as well as to protect white blood cells (enhancing the recovery of leukocyte count and the blastogenic response).

Body organs / systems protected: Testes / male reproductive, white blood cells, prevents weakness & fatigue. For more information please click here.

SENDUDUK PLUS

Melastoma malabathricum (Senduduk) has been shown to have marked anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects and contains high amounts of antioxidants, specifically flavanoids; quercetin, quercitrin and kaempferol. These flavanoids are also responsible for improving energy and relieving fatigue ^(104-112).

Labisia pumila (Kacip Fatima) is one of the most well known herbs used in Malaysia for indications related to female health and as a tonic after childbirth. It contains phytoestrogenic compounds that have been confirmed in animal models for polycystic ovary disease and post-menopausal osteoporosis. It has been shown to have anti-stress potential and increased response in swimming endurance. A recent study has shown an antioxidant effect against UVB irradiation when applied externally.

Curcuma longa (Turmeric) contains various active constituents, including essential oils and Curcumin with a wide range of pharmacological activities. Curcuma longa has been used extensively in Malaysian and Indonesian herbal medicine for female health and its antioxidant, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects are widely responsible for its beneficial effects in female health. Current research is focusing on its anti-cancer compounds and for protection from radiation.

Zingiber officinale (Ginger) is familiar as a culinary herb and as a remedy for nausea and indigestion. Its potent anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and analgesic properties make it a common in Asian herbal medicine. Its active ingredient, gingerol is a potent antioxidant and has been well studied for its protective effects against radiation and has been shown to improve survival and reduce the digestive symptoms and taste aversion after radiation exposure. Studies on breast and ovarian cancer have shown a protective effect.

Body organs / systems protected: Ovaries, white blood cells, prevents weakness & fatigue. For more information please click here.

REFERENCES: For the full reference list for this article and for more information please click here

My Malaysian rain forest

2011-02-22T22:29:00.000-08:00

As a medical herbalist specializing in herbs of tropical Asia, I witness daily the health benefits (aside from the obvious food benefits) that the plant kingdom of this region provides us humans. My hobby is to take regular walks into the Malaysian rain forest with its enormous biodiversity of plants species of which only a minute percentage have yet been explored for their therapeutic, medicinal, culinary, aromatic and aesthetic potential. Malaysia has the fourth most biodiversity rich country in the world behind only the much larger countries of China, India and Indonesia. Here we have an almost unlimited opportunity for new useful plant discoveries if this invaluable resource is preserved and researched wisely. Unfortunately, regulations and implementation of virgin forest protection is still lacking and threaten the survival of many unique species of plants and animals.

Our daily lives are filled with contact with products originating from the rain forest. Whether it is the tropical fruits we just ate or the vegetables we had for lunch, as well as the spices used in cooking them, we may be unaware that these are all originated from tropical rain forest plants. Other common products we use that have originated from the world’s rain forests include rubber and palm oil and how would our day be without the daily enjoyment we get from coffee, cocoa and sugar?


The Spice Islands, Ribero 1529

Many modern prescription pharmaceutical drugs have also been developed from the rain forest plants and scientists today consider the rain forests to be one of the last remaining frontiers for new drug discovery. In modern herbal medicine we take for granted the enormous therapeutic benefits from the spices and pungent roots that originate from the tropics. The curry herb Turmeric is one of the most potent antioxidants in the plant kingdom and together with its pungent cousin, Ginger, they belong to the Zingiberaceae family of plants of which Southeast Asia has more varieties than anywhere else on the planet. The spices such as Cinnamon, Cloves, Nutmeg, Pepper, Cardamom etc were responsible for the creation of the spice routes in the ancient world and fierce global competition for monopoly that led to wars and vast riches for those who controlled the source of the spices (the Bill Gates of the old world!). Both the Amazon and Southeast Asian rain forest have also contributed new herbs into the modern herbalists arsenal such as the male hormonal "ginseng-like" tonics; Maca, Tongkat Ali and Butea superba.

To better appreciate this fragile rain forest environment and the complex diversity of plant life it supports it helps to picture the distinct layers on which all rain forest life depend and the high rainfall and humidity that allows for life to flourish. The balance of the sensitive ecosystem begins at the forest roof at a height of around 240 feet (that's as high as a 20 story building) where the forest canopy basks in almost constant sunlight and provides a cooling shade from the tropical sun while acting as an umbrella, protecting the lower levels from heavy tropical rainfall. The lower canopy is the richest layer in terms of animal and plant life and most of the mammals that live here are nocturnal.

The understory extends from the forest floor up to about 80 feet. Leaves are often long and pointed, the ends of which form 'drip tips' allowing excess water to run off quickly. Little sunlight filters into the understory which makes it dark and humid. With intense competition for nutrients, understory plants have evolved to take advantage of every available space, from herbs, shrubs and trees to creepers and climbers. Where the only climatic changes between the seasons are from “hot” to “wet," plants take advantage of this environment for rapid growth. It is here where the majority of our medicinal herbs grow, in that area that is teeming with life of all kinds, insects, mammals, birds and so on. The variety of plant life all contribute to the characteristic leaf litter bed, which together with tree roots holds the thin layer of organic matter in place, so as not to be washed away in the tropical downpours. This nutrient-filled soil is only around around 4 inches deep with red clay or sandy soil beneath it. It is in this rich compost leaf litter bed that the decomposition and renewal process occurs that allows for the rapid flow cycle of nutrients through the whole system.

The living things in each of these levels (canopy, understory and leaf litter bed) are interdependent for their existence. If you take out a single player, such as the majestic rain forest tree's with their massive buttressed roots then a cascade effect destroys the entire balance with the washing away of the organic leaf litter bed as evidenced in the brown rivers visible in all unprotected over-logged rain forests. Without organic nutrients the exposed clay soil cannot support the understory plants and the loss of species is permanent. In time, the secondary forest that arises will have considerably less biodiversity than the pristine forest that been essentially unchanged for millions of years. Species of fauna and flora become extinct forever when each hectare of rain forest is destroyed for its land and timber.

Sustainable use of the rain forest means that to safeguard and maintain the rain forest ecosystem, the needs of the present must be met without compromising the needs of future generations. Considering the wealth of products that humanity has derived from the rain forests of the world, it becomes increasingly evident that the tropical rain forests of Malaysia are an irreplaceable treasure house of immense importance to all humanity. While the rain forest provides us with the necessary requirements for our life, the balance must be met whereby profits are not at the expense of the environment. Let us step up our education of the importance of pristine rain forest preservation and the intrinsic value it contains.

“In the end,
we will conserve only what we love,
we will love only what we understand,

we will understand only what we are taught.”

What our body needs (part 2)

2011-02-21T20:56:00.000-08:00

The road to improving health is made up of many small steps in the right direction. Unfortunately knowing right from wrong is a very difficult matter considering the amount of information and "must have" products we are bombarded with constantly. Broadly speaking our diets got us into the health mess we are in and thus we need to start with our diets first.

Changing your diet starts with changing your shopping habits and what you put in your shopping trolley. Begin right away to add more vegetables than you normally would, especially the greens and colourful varieties. To get the living enzymes in raw veges think of ways to make enjoyable salads for the family. Some of the most alkaline enzyme rich veges are sprouts. You can see how enzyme rich they are by the speed at which they go brown if left out for long! Add the healthy zing to your salads with virgin olive oil, lemon juice and apple cider vinegar.

A major culprit in modern diets is store bought soft drinks and packaged juices. This single habit is a major deviation from what our bodies have evolved to handle. The solution is to make your own fresh juices. Creativity in selecting fruits and vegetables that your family enjoys is the key. Even for kids, once they start accepting fresh juices they will not be able to get enough of their favorites. One way to get them interested is to take them to the Fresh Juice Bar in your local mall and let them choose!

Of equal consequence in influencing the decline in health in modern society is the excessive use of processed vegetable oils. So pervasive has been the marketing of this relatively new invention of food scientists that few are aware of what they are putting in their family's body every day. Our ancient ancestors obtained their essential fatty acids in the right balance from the wild plants, animals and fish they consumed. For the past several thousand years that men and women have settled into communities and regularly cooked then the need for improving the flavor of food meant that animal fats and milk fats were the main source of fats used in cooking. This further inspired them to develop basic methods to extract virgin oils from certain fruits and seeds, such as olives or sesame and coconuts in Asia.

Up until this stage the balance of essential fatty acids was quite satisfactorily maintained and the oils were of a basic unprocessed nature. The Twentieth Century saw the advent of the edible oil industry and since that time we have been sold one lie after another to get us to depend on modern processed oils and abandon those oils used by our ancestors for thousands of years. Those modern societies that bought into this completely are now the cultures with the most chronic ill health, while those that resisted have statistically less incidence. While the truth about the dangers of trans fats, margarine and shortening made from hydrogenated vegetable oils is slowly leaking out to the public, few know that this is only the tip of the iceberg. In another few years the truth will also emerge on the need to greatly reduce the consumption of our regular polyunsaturated Omega 6 vegetable oils.

Many of us fall into the trap of wanting to right the dietary wrongs of a lifetime by speeding up the process. So we fall prey to the latest health gimmick or magic pill that we think can do the job for us. The simple truth is that if we do not add healthy changes to our diet then whatever supplements we take will be ineffective and may well set us back in our health goals. It's a much better investment to spend on fresh fruits and vegetables and virgin unprocessed oils than on some pricey dietary supplement. There are no short cuts when it comes to our bodies own requirements and the simple truth is that we can find many easy to implement solutions by looking not so far back to those traditional diets of our great grandparents time and the ingredients they used before big business dictated what we should use. In particular pay attention to the fresh foods, herbs, spices, oils and salads they used as these are the dietary components most lacking in our current time.

Finding the balance between modern existence and what our body needs (Part 1)

2011-02-21T00:26:00.000-08:00

Our human body functions according to its ancient genetic programming and most humans in our modern world are faced with untold stresses that our bodies have not yet evolved to cope with and most likely never will. The recent onslaught of industrialization has come about at a speed that has far outrun the process of natural selection and adaptation to the environment. These stresses on our bodies alter our fundamental chemical balance and this has been remedied with a society hooked on pharmaceutical dependency, which only serves to create additional toxicity and accelerate the downward health spiral.

Achieving balance is the key in our fast changing world. There is no returning to the hunter and gatherer lifestyles of our ancestors and nor is a diet of purely organic and raw foods practical for most of us. However, there are simple steps we can take based on an understanding of where we have come from, genetically speaking, and in keeping with our modern existence, diet and lifestyles. Philosophically we could call this "returning to the present" as we balance going back in time while embracing the present circumstances we find ourselves. Here we look first at those bodily requirements that are most thrown out of balance by our modern lives:

1. Enzymes. The secretive little chemicals present in our foods that break down what we eat into its composite parts, while most importantly reducing the demands on our bodies own digestive enzymes. Unfortunately our love for cooking foods destroys most of these and our cooked & processed food diet creates an enzyme exhaustion and accelerates the aging process. Think of our remote ancestors eating much of their foods raw for hundreds of thousands of years and compare to our modern diet.

2. The acid / alkaline balance of the blood. While our body works hard to maintain our acid / alkali balance in the face of our predominantly acidic modern diets it does so at a cost to our bodies mineral reserves and if let unchecked will result in disease and bone loss as we age. Excess processed foods, dairy, sugar and meat create excess acidity and mineral rich fruits and vegetables promote alkalinity.

3. Exercise or lack of it. Our primitive ancestors rarely stopped moving except to sleep or to prepare to die. We move so little our bodies think we too are preparing to die and by midlife starts releasing chemicals to help us on our way.

4. Lots and lots of plants. A wide assortment of herbs, fruits and vegetable plants were the staple diet of most primitive cultures and provided the many phytonutrients essential to survival in the form of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fatty acids and countless other essential plant compounds. Today refined carbohydrates from sugars and grains have become the new dietary staple that are seriously lacking in these essential nutrients. Processed food fortified with basic synthetic vitamins can never replace our bodies requirements for these complex plant compounds.

Other important bodily requirements that have been thrown out of balance entirely are sleep, breathing, sunlight and fasting. There are many more and the beauty is that for each of these only slight adjustment needs to be made to bring about more balance. Most traditional cultures have already evolved culinary habits and lifestyles that have been more in harmony with our genetic physical needs i.e. the diets of Mediterranean cultures as an example. Everywhere you travel around the world you can see this ancient wisdom at work. The problem is that big business and the supermarket culture has confused us to the point that we don't know what to eat anymore. Add to this the pharmaceutical and food processing industries and we have become a very sick confused culture as a whole.