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Alcohol
Alcohol is formed by the fermentation of sugar. It
is also known as ethanol or ethyl alcohol, and is readily absorbed from
the stomach and intestines into the blood. The liver converts alcohol to
acetaldehyde.
Alcohol consumption inhibits the enzyme delta-6-desaturase, which
is required for the conversion of essential fatty acids into
gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Cases of
arthritis in heavy drinkers have responded to supplementation with GLA
and EPA. Alcohol also interferes with the metabolism of folic acid and methionine. The risk of breast cancer increases in women who consume three or more drinks a day.
Alcohol consumption depletes B vitamins, and probably also
antioxidants, since these are required to quench the free radical
activity stimulated by the liver's alcohol detoxification processes.
Alcoholic drinks may contain a number of contaminants such as benzopyrene and nitrosamines, which can promote cancers.
Alder buckthorn
Herb
A herb used as a bowel stimulating laxative. It is
considered to be less habit-forming and irritating than many other
laxative herbs such as senna.
Availability:
Available in the Arkopharma range of products, and from medical
herbalists, but may be hard to find in health food shops.
Alfalfa (also
see Sprouted seeds)
Superfood
Alfalfa is also known as lucerne. It is a common
forage plant fed to animals. Alfalfa products are available in the form
of a tea, or as tablets or capsules of the dried plant. In Russia and
China the leaves are served as a vegetable. Alfalfa seeds are often used
for home sprouting, and produce highly nutritious fine, thread-like
sprouts used in salads and as a sandwich filling. One tablespoon of
alfalfa seeds can produce about 2 lb of sprouts.
Various health claims have been made for alfalfa products,
particularly that they can help arthritis and prevent the absorption of
cholesterol. However, there are many more effective natural products for
these purposes. The best use for alfalfa is probably the consumption of
sprouts for their phytoestrogen (plant oestrogen) content.
Phytoestrogens are thought to have a balancing effect on female
hormones: reducing an excess of oestrogen by competing for absorption
sites in the body, and making up for a deficiency by providing
substitutes with similar effects. Alfalfa sprouts are also rich in many
nutrients.
The consumption of exceptionally large quantities of alfalfa
seeds or sprouts on a regular basis is not advised since this has been
associated with blood abnormalities and an aggravation of autoimmune
diseases, particularly systemic lupus erythematosus. As with all foods
moderation is advised.
Availability:
Widely available from health food shops.
Adapted from the Nutritional Health Bible by Linda Lazarides Download the whole database |
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