Boost Your Body’s Defenses with Beets

By Kelley Herring

Every day, your liver processes and disarms hundreds, if not thousands, of toxic compounds that make their way into your body. While many of these toxins are unavoidable (like those found in the air due to pollution), many others are a direct result of our own bad choices - in diet, alcohol consumption, and the use of chemical substances.

The liver has a big job in neutralizing these harmful compounds. But the good news is that certain foods - like crimson-hued beets - can make your liver’s load a little lighter.

A recent study published in the journal Carcinogenesis found that beet fiber increases the activity of two important antioxidant enzymes in the liver, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase. Because the liver is the body’s primary detoxification center, free radicals are generated when toxic substances are broken down and eliminated. Glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase serve as an antioxidant defense system, acting as bodyguards for liver cells.

The earthy flavor and unique texture of beets makes them a standout in many dishes. Try roasting them and slicing them over fresh organic mesclun. You can also chop and saute beets with greens, or puree baked beets and pears for a sweet and delicious side dish. Your liver will love you for it.

---

It’s Fun to Know: The Redevelopment of Biosphere 2

Not many luxury residential developments begin life as large-scale scientific experiments, but that’s the situation at the former Biosphere 2. From 1991 to 1993, this sealed, self-sustaining environment outside of Tucson, AZ housed eight "biospherians." Their job was to study how humans might live on future space colonies. The experiment collapsed when its food crops failed and oxygen levels plunged to dangerously low levels.

The structure was relegated to minor research and educational work. But recently, real estate developers bought the property and announced plans to build luxury homes and a resort hotel in and around the dome.

(Source: Discover Magazine)

---

Word to the Wise: Laconic

Something that’s "laconic" (luh-KON-ik) is brief and pithy. The word is derived from the Greek for "of or relating to a Laconian or Spartan" (hence, "terse").

Example (as used by Bernard Stamler in The New York Times): "Readers’ reports range from the laconic to the verbose."

__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise [Issue #2194, 11-08-07], the Internet's most popular health, wealth, and success e-zine. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.earlytorise.com/.

__________________________________________________

For all your Real Estate interests look at The New Real Estate Source here.