[shel]

OK! Got some nice cauliflower yestaerday, so t'nite is Turmeric Thursday.

Although I always try to get the best quality food and spice I can, I didn't know what to look for in this instance. The turmeric I have seems to be more yellow than orange - but I'll go ahead and use it anyway. I only got a very small amount. I may have to find a better source.

Thanks!

shel

Originally Posted by Luc_H

1Tsp+ per cup sounds right. (about half of brown sugar)
Turmeric will smell musky/flowery when heated. Very appealing.

Turmeric quality: Shel I know you always buy good stuff but the way to tell if your turmeric is of good quality is the colour: It should be more orange then yellow. Dry, it should smell like cement dust.

Turmeric is a rhizome like a ginger root. I have seem fresh turmeric roots in a local Asian store here but haven't tried it.

Luc H.

[shel]

Thanks Doc ...

I like the Fiji water although there are a few other brands that I also use. It's nice to have a few different brands around as they often have slightly different tastes. I do stick with pure spring or mointain water, though, not the overly-processed tap water that one sometimes finds. I recall reading the ingredient list on a bottle of Costco water - YECH! I wouldn't drink that stuff. Likewise "sports" or "fitness" water. I can't believe the cr@p that's sold in the markets these days. Flavores sugar water - my gawd!

As for the dose of the glucosamine/chomdroiten: is more better? Or is there a point where more is just a waste of money?

shel

Originally Posted by deltadoc

I can't recommend a dosage or regime. I use GNC Triflex, 1500/1200 combination of glucosamine/chondrointin and something else I can't remember.

At first, I noticed a remarkable change after a bout 2 months. Then after about a year of it, I had my wife try it. Her back problems went away too, after about 2 months. However, she now has osteoopenia, a precursor to osteoporosis which is a loss of calcium in her hips and lower back. Not related to arthritis. I've read a bout a liquid sold only over the internet, that uses pharmaceutical grade glucosamine. The trouble with anything sold in a health food store is that it isn't monitored or approved by the FDA. Therefore you have little guarantee of there being contained within the pills what the label says.

But I do know that if I don't drink enough water each day, I'll suddenly wake up one morning stiff as a board in my joints and muscles.

We've been drinking Fiji water. It tastes so good, better than any other. Supposedly has lots of minerals and is very pure. We like it. Fun to drink water that tastes so good!

doc

[deltadoc]

Originally Posted by shel

Thanks Doc ...

I recall reading the ingredient list on a bottle of Costco water - YECH! I wouldn't drink that stuff. Likewise "sports" or "fitness" water. I can't believe the cr@p that's sold in the markets these days. Flavores sugar water - my gawd!

As for the dose of the glucosamine/chomdroiten: is more better? Or is there a point where more is just a waste of money?

shel

There's one brand of bottled water where the water is bottled in NY and MN and the source is LA!! Since when is LA a source of water unless you watch "THe worlds' dirtiest jobs" and see the guy rummaging around in the LA sewers and holding up a cup full saying "FDA says this is safe to drink!" and then quickly shakes his head and says "Not for me" and dumps it back in the sanitation tank.

Trouble with saying how much glucosamine/chon to take is not knowing how much (if any) is in the health food store brand you buy!

doc

doc

[bubbamom]

Sorry to hear about your RA, Shel. Both my dad and husband had it and while they never discovered a "miracle cure", they both benefited, to varrying extents from lemon juice (juice of 1/2 freshly squeezed lemon) daily for dad, and 6 oz of unsweetened cherry juice for my husband. I, on the other hand, find some relief from taking Glucosamine with chondroitin (750 mg Gluco... and 600 mg Chond...). It isn't a miracle cure either, but I've been taking it now for about 2 years and sure can tell when I stop taking it for a few days. I also drink Willard Water every day which helps in the absorption and digestion of foods. Here's the link, you might find it interesting The Real Willard Water from Nutrition Coalition, Inc.

[shel]

I don't think there is a miracle cure, just better ways of eating and taking care of one's self. Willard Water sounds interesting, although it's not something I'd run out toget, much preferring the simplicity of good, wholesome spring water, of which there are quite a few good local choices. I'm always skeptical of water with additives - just my nature. Lemon juice in my water is always a nice treat. Glucosamine/Chondroiten is on the list along with some more wild salmon oil for my next shopping expedition, as is an exploration of one of the local spice shops.

TYhanks!

shel

Originally Posted by bubbamom

Sorry to hear about your RA, Shel. Both my dad and husband had it and while they never discovered a "miracle cure", they both benefited, to varrying extents from lemon juice (juice of 1/2 freshly squeezed lemon) daily for dad, and 6 oz of unsweetened cherry juice for my husband. I, on the other hand, find some relief from taking Glucosamine with chondroitin (750 mg Gluco... and 600 mg Chond...). It isn't a miracle cure either, but I've been taking it now for about 2 years and sure can tell when I stop taking it for a few days. I also drink Willard Water every day which helps in the absorption and digestion of foods. Here's the link, you might find it interesting The Real Willard Water from Nutrition Coalition, Inc.

[Luc_H]

As I am reading this thread I noticed something interesting.

The colour you are looking for in superior Turmeric powder is the orangy colour of your avatar Shel (the orange cat)
happy spice hunting!
Luc H.

[shel]

Hi,

the turmeric that I have is about that color. Unfortunately, I only have a small (1.2-oz) pkg, so a larger pkg would be nice. Although I got my pkg free, it usually cost about $3.00 from this particular company - surely there are better deals out there.

Worlds Healthiest Foods has a nice page on turmeric which has been very helpful. WHFoods: Turmeric

shel

Originally Posted by Luc_H

As I am reading this thread I noticed something interesting.

The colour you are looking for in superior Turmeric powder is the orangy colour of your avatar Shel (the orange cat)
happy spice hunting!
Luc H.

[bubbamom]

to refresh my memory, I just checked my book "New Choices in Natural Healing" book. For RA, in the food therapy category, and I'm quoting: "Many studies have shown that a vegetarian diet is very beneficial in helping to lessen or evcen eliminate arthritis pain...when we take patients off animal food sources, in many cases their arthritis will go into complete remission. This applies particularly to dairy as well as to meats."

in the juice terrapy category they seem to recommend a partial relief from drinking two glasses of black cherry juice twice day (each glass containing 4 oz of the juice diluted with 4 oz of water). Also that people with RA should include in their daily diets, juices high in bete-carotene (think parsley, broccoli and spinach) and copper. They also have found effective a glass or two of pineapple juice because its the only known source of the enzyme bromelain which has strong anti-inflamatory properties. They recommend AVOIDING citris fruits and vegetables from the nightshade family (potatoes tomatoes, peppers and eggplant). Apparently citris seems to promote swelling and nightshades contain psyllium alkaloids which cause probles for some people.

You asked about the amount of glucosamine w/ chondroitin to take. The daily value has not been established because, I believe, it is a non-regulated by the FDA, supplement. As I said, I take 750mg of Gluc with 600mg of Chon. The label calles it "triple strength" and suggests that as a supplement to take two tablets. I take one a day. If the DV has not been established then the manufacturer recommending how many tablets to take seems a bit self-serving, doesn't it?

[shel]

Thanks for all that information, Bubbamom.

I tend to lean towards a vegetarian diet anyway, rarely eatig red meat. I'll also be cutting back on some poultry items as well I doubt thsat I'll eliminate these items completely, but I can easily go weeks, or months, without feeling the need for red meat. I don't eat much dairy, either, and have long ago discovered that I feel better when I don't eat dairy, or just eat a minumum amount. I've already pretty much stopped buying cheese except for whan I want it in a specific dish, so therre's no more nibbling on cheese here - or very little of it.

I dislike commercial fruit juices, and cannot recall when I last purchased any. Eating the fresh, porganic seasonal fruit is a much more satisfying alternative, plus it offers greater fiber and other nutritional benefits. Of course, that means I can't always have my cherries, but other fruits are available year round, and there are always some frozen options available as well, like frozen pineapple chunks, wild blueberries, some cherries, and many other options. I used to make my own fruit and vegetable juice, and may do so again if I decide replace my old, broken down juicers.

Take care,

shel

[Luc_H]

Originally Posted by bubbamom

They also have found effective a glass or two of pineapple juice because its the only known source of the enzyme bromelain which has strong anti-inflamatory properties. They recommend AVOIDING citris fruits and vegetables from the nightshade family (potatoes tomatoes, peppers and eggplant). Apparently citris seems to promote swelling and nightshades contain psyllium alkaloids which cause probles for some people.

some confusion here (other then typos):
bromelain is deactivated in pasteurized commercial juices. The only way to get bromelain is from fresh pineapples. Bromelain is an enzyme that digest proteins. It has been found that injecting bromelain directly in inflamed joints alleviates inflammation. That is not the case when eating it since the enzyme (being a protein) will be destroyed by stomach acids then digested by gut enzymes.

Psyllium is a grain plant and also used to describe a dietary fiber as in psyllium seed husk (found in me_ta_mu_cil). It is not an alkaloid nor found in the nightshade family of plants.

here is nice reference for nightshade or Solanaceae from wikipedia:
Solanaceae - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The most important species of this family for the global diet is the potato or Solanum tuberosum, whose carbohydrate-rich tubers have been a staple food in many times and places, and which is one of the most grown crops today. In many genera, the fruits are the desirable item, for example, tomatoes, tomatillos, eggplants, uchuva, and peppers.

While very popular, some people experience sensitivity or allergy-like symptoms in response to nightshade plants. (may explain general inflammation)

Luc H.

[deltadoc]

Originally Posted by Luc_H

The most important species of this family for the global diet is the potato or Solanum tuberosum, whose carbohydrate-rich tubers have been a staple food in many times and places, and which is one of the most grown crops today.
Luc H.
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Interestingly enough, the carbohydrate content of potatoes has now been clinically shown to produce a much greater glucose challenge to the body than pure white sugar!

So, diabetics are starting to be informed that eating potatoes may not be generally good for them in terms of trying to generate enough insulin to deal with the challenge.

doc

[bubbamom]

Thanks Luc_H for pointing out my typos - - must have had fat fingers when I prepared my response to Shel.

Re the psyllium, not being an expert myself, I relied on the source I quoted (per Eve Campanelli, PhD). As regards to the pineapple juice, I should have made clear that this book recommends fresh juice. Dr. Campanelli also notes that "Fresh is always best, but even...from concentrate seems to benefit arthritis". I know Shel is a "juicer" from way back as we in previous posts discussed juicers.

Re diabetics and carbs, yes, as I understand it, our systems can't break down carbs and need to convert them first to sugars and then they get broken down in our digestion process.

Many years ago I heard an actress speaking about her guaranteed weight loss plan which she described to the talk show host as eliminating "white" foods from her diet; foods such as white bread, potatoes, pasta, sugar, ice cream, etc. Hmmmmm

[shel]

Originally Posted by Luc_H

some confusion here (other then typos):
bromelain is deactivated in pasteurized commercial juices. The only way to get bromelain is from fresh pineapples.

What about frozen pineapple pieces? Freshe pineapple that has been frozen ...

shel

[Luc_H]

Originally Posted by shel

What about frozen pineapple pieces? Freshe pineapple that has been frozen ...

shel

Hard to tell if frozen pineapples are always fresh because browning enzymes can sometimes work in freezing temps. That is why it is always recommended to blanch veggies before freezing at home to deactivate the enzymes. The manufacturer is not obliged to divulge if blanching was performed.

if you want to know if the frozen pineapple is still <active> you can test it at home! make jello (gelatine dessert) of any flavour add diced thawed frozen pineapples and refrigerate. If the jello never sets overnight then the protein eating enzymes (like bromelain) are active in the pineapple and can be considered fresh. If the jello never sets is because the enzyme digested the gelatin, a protein.

Luc H.

[shel]

Originally Posted by Luc_H

if you want to know if the frozen pineapple is still <active> you can test it at home! make jello (gelatine dessert) of any flavour add diced thawed frozen pineapples and refrigerate. If the jello never sets overnight then the protein eating enzymes (like bromelain) are active in the pineapple and can be considered fresh. If the jello never sets is because the enzyme digested the gelatin, a protein.

Luc H.

Oooo = a kitchen science experiment. Love it! Gotta try that some day. I'll use lime Jell-o as the color is disgusting enough to let me pretend I'm a mad scientist . hehehehehahahah!

kind regards,

Igor