Steps TwoWards Health

Approximately 5 percent of the spice turmeric is an active compound called curcumin, and about 5 percent of black pepper by weight is a compound called piperine. Curcumin is responsible for the yellow color of turmeric and piperine for the pepper’s pungent flavor of pepper. It’s also a potent inhibitor of drug metabolism. One of the ways our liver gets rid of foreign substances is by making them water-soluble so they can be excreted more easily, but this black pepper molecule inhibits that process.

It doesn’t take much either. If you give people a bunch of turmeric curcumin, within an hour, you can see a little bump in the level in their bloodstream. The reason we don’t see more is that our liver is actively trying to get rid of it. But what if you suppress that process by taking just a quarter teaspoon’s worth of black pepper? With the same amount of curcumin consumed, the bioavailability shoots up by nearly 2,000 percent. (See the graph at 2:00 in https://bit.ly/3PwktLJ.) Even just a little pinch of pepper—1/20th of a teaspoon—can significantly boost levels.

Another way to boost the absorption of curcumin is to consume it as the whole food (fresh or dried turmeric root) or as powdered turmeric. The natural oils in turmeric root and turmeric powder can enhance the bioavailability of curcumin seven- to eight-fold. Additionally, when eaten with a source of fat, curcumin can be directly absorbed into the bloodstream through the lymphatic system, thereby in part partially bypassing the liver.

Watch the video “Boosting the Bioavailability of Curcumin” at http://bit.ly/2sPqV6O to learn more.

Paper Straws: Are they good for you and better for the environment??
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are synthetic "forever chemicals" used to make the paper water-resistant.

PFAS (Forever Chemicals): Detected in roughly 90% of tested paper straw brands. The most common compound found is PFOA, along with other short- and long-chain PFAS that resist moisture but linger in the human body and environment.
Glues and Binders: Adhesives are required to keep paper layers shaped as a tube. These can break down or release non-volatile compounds into beverages.
Dyes and Bleaches: Colored stripes and patterns on festive straws introduce extra chemical residues that may transfer on contact with liquids.

https://www.sciencealert.com/a-common-vitamin-could-help-protect-your-lungs-from-air-pollution

A Common Vitamin Could Help Protect Your Lungs From Air Pollution Large doses of vitamin C may provide our lungs with a degree of protection from the harmful effects of fine particles in the air. Referred to as PM2.5, in reference to their micrometer-wide particle size, these pollutants have been linked to issues such as asthma and lung cancer.

Foods to keep you hydrated and cool during the summer heat🌞

A few foods to keep things moving😊

Fresh ginger root is easy to add to foods or have as a tea for many benefits.

Prebiotics are non-digestible food components (a specific type of fiber) that feed beneficial gut bacteria, promoting better gut health, improved digestion, and enhanced immunity.
They increase beneficial gut flora, reduce inflammation, boost nutrient absorption, and may support weight management and cardiovascular health.

Natural Prebiotic Food Sources:
Prebiotics are found in many high-fiber, plant-based foods, including:
Vegetables: Garlic, onions, asparagus, chicory root, leeks.
Fruits: Bananas (especially slightly green ones), apples.
Grains: Oats, barley.