As science delves more into the natural goodness of plants and plant based foods, we are finding out more about the health giving properties of common fruits and vegetables and other holistic interventions.
Recent studies suggest that eating more apples and blueberries could naturally lower diabetes risk. Educators and medical professionals are finding that holistic interventions like yoga beneficial for children with special needs or disabilities.
Apples and blueberries to lower diabetes risk
A new American study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that fruit such as apples, pears and blueberries could help to lower diabetes risk.
It is the natural compounds called falvonoids present in these fruit that could have this beneficial impact say researchers from the Harvard School of Public health.
This adds to the knowledge we already have about the natural benefits of falvonoids; with another study showing that they are good for reducing hypertension risk as well.
In the study, eating blueberries was seen to correlate to a 23% lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Similarly those who ate five or more apples a week also were seen to lower their risk by 23%.
According to experts, fruit sugars can raise blood sugar levels, but it is the pectin and the fiber that is contained in fruit that could have the diabetes related benefits.
This seems to be another reason for all of us to consume the whole fruit rather than drink fruit juices to get complete benefits.
Yoga for special needs children
Yoga for the Special Child is an international program that can help a child with disabilities or special needs become more able and self reliant to a greater degree.
For someone like Louise Feeney who has an 18-year-old daughter with cerebral palsy, yoga has made a significant and very welcome difference to her daughter.
It has made improvements in the life of her daughter Erin by improving her trunk control, her stamina and even her breathing and digestion. Erin also experiences less pain in her arms and legs.
According to Karen Fakroddin, a Yoga practitioner for the Special Child, yoga can help special needs children to focus, to accept their limitations and work through them. Children with special needs enjoy being in a non-competitive but social environment.
According to another mother whose child with neuromuscular disorder, yoga can help to level the playing field for special needs children.
