Month: September 2020

Turmeric for pain and inflammation

Joseph Nolberts

Who hasn’t heard of turmeric by now? Turmeric has been used, primarily in South Asia as a part of Ayurvedic medicine, for almost 4,000 years. When it comes to proven medicinal purposes, the golden spice may be best for treating pain — specifically pain associated with inflammation.

Several studies have found that curcumin is responsible for turmeric’s “wow” factor. In one study, people with arthritis pain noted that their pain levels were more reduced after taking 500 milligrams (mg) of curcumin than 50 mg of diclofenac sodium, an anti-inflammatory drug.

Other studiesTrusted Source back up this pain relief claim as well, noting that turmeric extract was as effective as ibuprofen for treating painTrusted Source in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Don’t go grinding turmeric — which stains heavily! — for immediate relief though. The amount of curcumin in turmeric is at most 3 percent, meaning you’re better off taking curcumin supplements for relief.

That’s not to say a soothing turmeric latte won’t help. It’s suggested that 2 to 5 grams (g) of the spice may still provide some benefits. Just be sure you add black pepper to boost the absorption.

Drink a cup per day

Turmeric is about the long game. Consuming 1/2 to 1 1/2 tsp. of turmeric per day should start providing noticeable benefits after four to eight weeks.

The Green Link

Poll: A third of young people want more climate education at school in UK

Joseph Nolberts

UK survey of 7-17 year-olds also highlights concern their views are not listened to by policymakers on climate change and environmental issues

Almost a third of young people want sustainability and climate change to be covered in more detail at school, a UK survey of 7-17 year olds has found.

The poll, which was carried out by Censuswide on behalf of Zurich Insurance, also shows enthusiasm among young people for significant policy changes to prevent further damage to the climate.

Half of the young people polled supported restrictions on non-recyclable plastics, while 24 percent believed businesses should be taxed in accordance with their carbon emissions, and more than a fifth said they would support a tax on ‘fast fashion’, the survey results show.

Pubished today, the findings underline the high levels of concern among younger generations about climate change and a desire for further government intervention to avoid environmental catastrophe, yet one-in-four of those surveyed did not feel young peoples’ voices were being heard by policymakers on green issues.

Meanwhile, in a separate Opinium survey – which was also commissioned by the insurer – more than a third of 18-24 year-old Britons said they felt that efforts to tackle climate change had been neglected during the pandemic, with as much as 70 per cent supporting the extension of some Covid-19 lockdown measures to help combat climate change.

Laura McAlpine, head of sustainability at Zurich Insurance, said the survey results showed young Britons wanted the recovery from Covid-19 to support climate and environmental aciton.

“Climate change presents a threat to our way of life – and one that is no less real as we navigate through the Covid-19 pandemic,” she said. “While it’s important that we do all we can to help a safe return to normality, it’s clear that for most Brits, we must do this in a way that helps protect the environment.”

“As insurers we take our role very seriously, she added. “We have an opportunity to help drive a sustainable Covid-19 recovery, to improve global resilience by building back better, supporting our customers and our communities.”

Canadians choose Cuba as a safe post- covid destination, highlights minister

Joseph Nolberts

Havana – The Canadian members of the Travelzoo travel website selected Cuba as the Caribbean destination they would most like to visit in the next two years, reported Juan Carlos García, Cuban Minister of Tourism.

In his official Twitter account, the minister affirmed that this election responds to the security offered by the destination, the hygiene protocols adopted in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and travel offers.

The information in the electronic newspaper, aimed primarily at tourism professionals, states that, through a recent survey, Travelzoo defined as key to returning travelers to the Caribbean the ability of destinations in that region to provide timely and accurate information on travel restrictions.

The cleaning and disinfection protocols implemented, the safety of visitors, a low or decreasing number of positive cases to COVID-19 and the availability of flights were other factors highlighted by the respondents when choosing the tourist destination.

For Canadians, Cuba tops the list, followed by the Dominican Republic, Turks and Caicos Islands, Bahamas, and Barbados, in that order. A week ago, the Cuban tourist center Jardines del Rey received the first post- pandemic flight from Canada.

Travelzoo, a travel platform that accumulates more than 30 million members worldwide, considers that tourism in the region could be ready to provide its services after travel restrictions and closures of establishments due to the pandemic. (ACN)