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[Vatsal]

Tomatoes and Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, there is
now enough data to show that people who consume large
amounts of tomatoes and tomato products have a
significantly decreased risk for prostate, lung, and
stomach cancer. There is some evidence that people who
consume a lot of tomatoes may also have a lower risk
of pancreatic, colorectal, esophageal, oral, breast,
and cervical cancers.

We do not know for sure how or why tomatoes help
against cancers. The consensus seems to be that
lycopenes, bioflavonoids that are closely related to
beta carotene, present in tomatoes are the natural
cancer-fighting agents responsible. Cooking releases
the fat-soluble lycopenes from the fruits' cells. In
fact, cooking tomatoes rather than eating them raw has
been shown to more than double the effectiveness of
the lycopene tomatoes contain. A small amount of added
oil, such as that in pizza or tomato sauce,
intensifies the protective effect.

Numerous other potentially beneficial compounds are
present in tomatoes, and, conceivably, complex
interactions among multiple components may contribute
to the anticancer properties of tomatoes.

Coronary Heart Diseases

Studies have shown that consuming tomatoes and tomato
products containing lycopene reduces the risk of
cardiovascular disease.

The tomato help to dissolve animal fat in foods such
as in butter, cheese, eggs, pork, beef, and many
deep-fried foods, thereby preventing hardening of the
arteries.
Tomato is also useful in reducing high blood pressure,
a major risk factor for coronary heart diseases and
stroke.
Lycopene, present in abundance in red tomatoes, is a
potent antioxidant. Recent research has demonstrated
that lycopene is at least twice as effective as
b-carotene in protecting blood lymphocytes from NO2
radical damage.

Lycopene is found to reduce LDL oxidation more
effectively than beta-carotene. Scientists have found
that a combination of lycopene with vitamin E prevents
LDL oxidation more effectively than each substance
separately.

A clinical study showed that Lithuanians who suffered
a high rate of mortality from coronary heart disease
has a low blood lycopene levels.

In one clinical trial, 6 healthy males were given 60
mg of lycopene daily for a three month period. Their
plasma LDL cholesterol concentration reduced by 14%.
Thus, in addition to protecting LDL from oxidation,
tomato's lycopene also inhibits cholesterol synthesis.


Tomatoes Reduces High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Potassium is very important for the kidneys. Potassium
was found to reduce high blood pressure. One jumbo
tomato (approximately 3 inches in diameter and
weighing about 7 oz.) contains nearly 450 mg. of
potassium.

Eye Irritation

To relieve bloodshot eyes, Chinese doctors suggest
eating 1 or 2 fresh tomatoes first thing in the
morning on an empty stomach. Scientists believe that
the Vitamin C and flavonoids in the tomatoes
strengthen the blood vessels.

Tomato Cleanses and Rejuvenates the skin

Tomato is excellent for cleaning and rejuvenating the
skin. We will give three applications: in a face peel,
as a mask and in a cleansing grain. Later we will show
how it can be used to restore skin damaged by sunburn.


Face Peels

Tomato is excellent for a face peel that loosens the
top layer of dead skin cells and rub them off. It is
good for all types of skins.

Rub tomato slices directly into your clean skin,
concentrating on areas infested with blockheads.
Tomatoes contain vitamin C, which has healing powers,
and an acid that removes dead skin and unplugs pores,
making skin soft and radiant.

Tomato Mask

Slice a ripe tomato as thin as possible. Lie down and
close your eyes. Apply the slices to your face. Wait
10 to 15 minutes. Let the juices seep into your skin.
After the 10 to 15 minutes are up, use a slice to rub
the juices further into the skin. The tomato works as
a face peel, removing all dead, dry skin and leaving
your face soft, glossy, and smooth. Rub off the excess
tomato, leaving the residue on your skin. The mild
natural acidity of the tomato restores the ph balance
of your skin.

Tomato-Almond Meal Grains

For tougher face cleaning applications a more abrasive
and effective mixture may be needed.

Add almond slices into a blender. Pulverize. Add an
equal amount of  mashed ripe tomato. Mix well. Apply
over the area of the skin you want.

This cleansing grain removes rough dead skin cells,
and makes the skin smooth. It is also effective
against blockheads. This will work against even the
most stubborn areas around the nose and chin. It
stimulates circulation and restores the color of
sallow, tired skin.

Remove the mixture with cool water or wipe it off,
leaving a coating of the natural oils and juices.

Caution:

   

This is very abrasive. Use with caution.
   

When skin is sensitive due to too much sun, eruptions,
or abrasions, wait until the problems have gone.
   

Use no more than twice a week, only once if it tend to
irritate.

Healing Sunburn

Proponents say that tomatoes are useful for healing
sunburn. Tomato can be used to transform a painful
sunburn into a modest tan.

Soak peeled tomato slices in buttermilk. Apply them
directly on the skin affected. It will close up the
pores and relieve the pain.

Alternately, make a puree out of thinly peeled
tomatoes. Add a little buttermilk (don't add too much;
it will make the mixture runny.) Spread this mixture
over the sunburned skin. This will give a tan over the
spot where the sunburn used to be!

Restores the Health of the Liver

Tomatoes play a key role in liver health.

Russian doctors prescribe tomatoes in the diets of
factory workers exposed to toxic chemical. Tomatoes
are useful detoxifiers because of the presence of
chlorine and sulphur, two very important detoxifying
trace elements. 100 grams of uncooked tomato contains
51 mg. of chlorine and 11 mg. of sulphur.

Natural chlorine helps to stimulate the liver. It
assists liver in its task as an important filter for
body wastes. Tomato also assists the liver in removing
the toxic waste products from the system.

Sulphur helps to protect the liver from cirrhosis and
other debilitating conditions.

Drinking fresh tomato juice can help to regenerate the
damaged, destroyed or surgically removed liver.

Tomatoes help promote the health and well-being of
liver. "A tomato a day, keeps the liver in good
stay!," according to John Heinerman, noted author and herbalist.