Papaya

Papaya is one of the top five fruits in the world for health. Papaya is joined by fellow fruits, guava, watermelon, kiwi and grapefruit as the healthiest fruits to eat. The main reasons ripe papayas are so healthy, according to nutrition writer Jane Black, is the amount of vitamin C. Papaya contains enough vitamin C to meet the RDA for three days! There is also a substantial amount of Beta-carotene and vitamin E. C, E and Beta-carotene are powerful anti-oxidants that fight cell damage in the body. Intake of these super three have been linked to a decreased risk of cancer, heart disease and age related ailments. Papaya is best known for its digestive properties. Unripe green papayas contain high levels of papian. Papian is a digestive enzyme that mimics the action of the natural gastric digestive juices of the stomach. Papian aids in the digestion of food. The papian also can be used as an itch remedy for mosquito bites. Rub a papaya over the bug bite and the papian will breakdown the insect bite protiens, nullifying the itch. It doesn't work if you have an insect venom allergy and should not be tried according to Whole Living Body & Soul magazine. Papaya can be used in yogurt smoothies and taste great in a stir fry. Papaya Enzymes can be purchased in the health food store and are a great digestive aid when taken after a meal.

Thought for the Week: "You do not merely want to be considered just the best of the best. You want to be considered the only ones who do what you do."-------- Jerry Garcia of the "Grateful Dead"

Chiropractic Thought for the Week: "Symptoms are natures warning signal, our burglar alarm so to speak. They are there to tell us that something is wrong in the body, but with todays penchant for a pain free existence the use of pain killing drugs is in vogue. This quest for for pain relief has led to a masking of symptoms that leads to a further advancement of malfunction and pathology in the body." ---- Fred Barge,DC