Garlic is also rich in selenium, cancer-fighting mineral, and in sulfur, which supports detoxification process. Several studies have shown that carcinogenic chemicals are detoxified more efficiently throughout body when garlic is added to mix. It also helps control production of free radicals, which have been strongly implicated as a cause of cancer.

Can Garlic Prevent "Senior Moments?"

One interesting study in journal Experimental Gerontology described effects of garlic extract on learning and memory impairment in aging mice. Mice specially bred to age more rapidly than their normal counterparts were used.

About half of mice were fed a 2 percent garlic diet for eight to nine months. It was found that garlic-supplemented mice better retained their ability to learn and remember than their counterparts who didn't consume garlic. I believe that everyone can benefit from adding garlic to their diets. Cook with it whenever you can. Fresh and powdered are both beneficial. I also recommend you take supplemental garlic. The aged garlic extracts, containing at least 0.6 percent allium, have been most thoroughly studied.

Margie – “The Arthritis Lady” http://www.yoursuccesslinks.com

REFERENCES:

Abramovitz D, et al, "Allicin-induced decrease in formation of fatty streaks (atherosclerosis) in mice fed a cholesterol-rich diet," Coronary Artery Diseases, 1999 Oct;10(7):515-9. Ankri S, Mirelman D, "Antimicrobial properties of allicin from garlic," Microbes and Infection, 1999 Feb;1(2):125-129. Challier B, Perarnau JM, Viel JF, "Garlic, onion, and cereal fibre as protective factors for breast cancer: a French case-control study," European Journal of Epidemiology, 1998 Dec;14(8):737-47. Ide N, Lau BH,"Aged garlic extract attenuates intracellular oxidative stress," Phytomedicine, 1999 May;6(2):125-31. Koscielny J, et al, "The antiatherosclerotic effect of Allium sativum," Atherosclerosis, 1999 May;144(1):237-49. Kumar M, Berwal JS, "Sensitivity of food pathogens to garlic (Allium sativum)," Journal of Applied Microbiology, 1998 Feb;84(2):213-5. Munday R, Munday CM, "Low doses of diallyl disulfide, a compound derived from garlic, increase tissue activities of quinone reductase and glutathione transferase in gastrointestinal tract of rat," Nutrition and Cancer, 1999;34(1):42-8. Mishiyama N, Moriguchi T, Saito H, "Beneficial effects of aged garlic extract on learning and memory impairment in senescence-accelerated mouse," Experimental Gerontology, 1997;32:149-60. Polasa K, Krishnaswamy K, "Reduction of urinary mutagen excretion in rats fed garlic," Cancer Letters, 1997;114:185-6. Siegers CP, et al, "The effects of garlic preparations against human tumor cell proliferation," Phytomedicine, 1999 Mar;6(1):7-11. Singh A, Shukla Y, "Antitumor activity of diallyl sulfide in two-stage mouse skin model of carcinogenesis," Biomedical and Environmental Science, 1998 Sep; 11(3):258-63. Sivam GP, et al, "Helicobacter pylori--in vitro susceptibility to garlic (Allium sativum) extract," Nutrition and Cancer, 1997;27:118-21. Steinmetz KA, et al, "Vegetables, fruit, and colon cancer in Iowa women's health study," American Journal of Epidemiology, 1994;139:1-5. Takezaki T, et al, "Comparative study of lifestyles of residents in high and low risk areas for gastric cancer risk in Jiangsu Province, China; with special reference to allium vegetables," Journal of Epidemiology, 1999 Nov;9(5):297-305. Venugopal P, Venogopal T, "Antidermatophytic activity of garlic (Allium sativum) in vitro," International Journal of Dermatology, 1995;34(4):278-9. Weber ND, et al, "In vitro virucidal effects of Allium sativum (garlic) extract and compounds," Planta Med, 1992 Oct;58(5):417-23. Yoshida S, et al, "Antifungal activity of ajoene derived from garlic," Applied Environmental Microbiology, 1987 Mar;53(3):615-

With this, there are some believed that Tai Chi Chuan was created by 1st generation of Chen clan - Chen Bo who was an expert in martial arts, and Chen Bo was influenced by Zhang Sanfeng’s concept. However, there are no clear records to prove this theory.

It was argued that Tai Chi Chuan had been passed down from generation to generation in Chen family. Only until time of Chen Wangting (approx. 1600-1680 AD), art was systemized during his old age.

He researched on Huangting Jin which provided him with guidance on breathing techniques, combining ideas found in The Book of 12 Fist Motions by Qi Jiguang, and ideas of yin and yang. And he injected these ideas into his family's Tai Chi Chuan to systemize it into 5 sets of Tai Chi Chuan forms and 1 set of Cannon Fist.

He had also arranged Tai Chi Sabre, Tai Chi Spear and various sets of weapons yielding forms. In same time, he created Tai Chi Push Hand and Tai Chi Sticking Spear. This was an incredible work which allowed Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan to further develop into a complete martial art system. It was even more complete than its original Tai Chi exercise.

This can be said to be origin of Chen Style Tai Chi Chuan, which also means that, origin of all forms of Tai Chi Chuan!

Through generations, Tai Chi Chuan had been passed on and been modified. This resulted in various styles and sects. For example, through teaching and guidance from Chen Changxin, Yang Luchan, nicknamed “The Invincible Yang”, created Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan. Then, when Yang Luchan passed his skills to Wu Quanyou, Wu created Wu Style Tai Chi Chuan. Chen Qingping who learned from Chen Youben created Zhao Style Tai Chi Chuan. Wu Yuxiang who learned from Yang Luchan and Chen Qingping created Wu (different Chinese character from earlier Wu) Style Tai Chi Chuan.

Following that, Li Yishe created Li Style; from Li, Hao Weizhen created Hao Style; and from Hao, Sun Lutang created Sun Style. There are possibly more than what I can list!

Sorry if I sound rude, but I need to put those researched information to public so that we can appreciate art better when we understand its historical development and core principles behind Tai Chi Chuan.

I don't mean doubt existence of Zhang Sanfeng. I started learning meditation at age of 10 and in scriptures that I based my meditation on, Zhang Sanfeng's name had been mentioned many, many times. His techniques and ideology influenced my initial meditation practices. I actually respect this great master of past and had once believe in legend, though historical evidents of his existence were not very clear!

What I want to share here is solid sources of historical records that can be proven to be reliable, until present dates. Researches have still been carried out, though many agreed that Chen Wangting should get credit in putting Tai Chi Chuan into a systematic sets of martial and healing arts, which in another word, Chen Wangting is known to have created Tai Chi Chuan system we had at present days! Who knows if any further researches may uncover other records or sources that may prove whatever current theories otherwise!

May Energy of Tai Chi be with you!

Written by, C. Guan Soo http://www.TaichiForYourHealth.com