It is puzzling to say the least why the natural compound Stevia, should have faced so many restrictions over the years in both America and Europe. Stevia has been used in South America for centuries and even in countries such as Japan.
Some informed people believe that its history has little to do with science and more to do with powerful forces with financial interests in sugar and sweeteners. Be that as it may two events in the USA are about to clear up the whole mess:

canceractive.com/article/stevi

Currently, there’s no evidence linking stevia to cancer when used in normal amounts. Some research suggests it may even have some health benefits. A number of studies stress the need for more research into the potential benefits and risks of stevia.
Stevia leaf and crude stevia extracts should be used with caution, especially if you have a preexisting health condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or take prescription medications. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns about stevia.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/

There are many organizations and individuals who believe that stevia is a helpful alternative to various forms of caloric sugars. Researchers state that more information is needed to fully understand the effect of stevia in humans as cell and animal studies don’t always correlate to the same effects in the human body.
I ask that you mull over these animal studies which indicate stevia is linked with non-beneficial changes.

opas.org.br/stevia-o-substitut

A small cellular study found that stevia metabolites like Reb-A acted as an endocrine disrupting compound. It is of concern as the molecular structure of stevia looks similar to a steroid hormone. In this study, sperm cells were exposed to stevia. Scientists observed adverse changes in progesterone receptor site activity concluding that stevia acts as a potential endocrine disruptor.

blog.paleohacks.com/stevia/

Stevia sweeteners are no-calorie sweeteners that can be used to lower one’s intake of added sugars while still providing satisfaction from enjoying the taste of something sweet. While some types of sweeteners in this category are considered low-calorie (e.g., aspartame) and others are no-calorie (e.g., stevia sweeteners, monk fruit sweeteners and sucralose), collectively they are often referred to as sugar substitutes, high-intensity sweeteners, non-nutritive sweeteners or low-calorie sweeteners.

verywellfit.com/the-benefits-o

Stevia is in the Asteraceae/Compositae plant family. This family includes ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many other plants. In theory, people who are sensitive to ragweed and related plants may also be sensitive to stevia.
There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to take stevia when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/

Why might stevia be bad for you? While it’s generally safe to consume, in some people, it may cause mild side effects, such as bloating, nausea, dizziness, numbness and muscle pain.
Certain products may also contain dextrin or maltodextrin, which can increase blood sugar levels in some.
Blends that contain sugar alcohols may also cause digestive issues in those who are sensitive. Common symptoms can include bloating, gas and diarrhea.

livescience.com/39601-stevia-f

How safe is stevia? For most people, it can be consumed safely with minimal risk of adverse effects on health.
For instance, one study conducted in Paraguay found that consuming stevia daily for three months was well-tolerated and not associated with any negative side effects.
Highly refined and purified steviol glycosides are considered by the FDA to be safe when consumed as sweeteners in food. The FDA has also approved whole-leaf or crude stevia leaf extracts for use in dietary supplements.

sciencedirect.com/topics/bioch

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a sweet and nutrient-rich plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Stevia leaves contain steviol glycosides including stevioside, rebaudioside (A to F), steviolbioside, and isosteviol, which are responsible for the plant's sweet taste, and have commercial value all over the world as a sugar substitute in foods, beverages and medicines. Among the various steviol glycosides, stevioside, rebaudioside A and rebaudioside C are the major metabolites and these compounds are on average 250-300 times sweeter than sucrose. Steviol is the final product of Stevia metabolism.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/277842

If you're trying to limit your calorie intake, but you're having a hard time taming your sweet tooth you may try different types of sugar substitutes. Truvia is a brand name that uses a blend of sweeteners, including the natural sweetener rebiana, which is a derivative of stevia 2. While Truvia and stevia are considered natural sweeteners, there's a possibility they could have side effects such as allergic reaction and upset stomach

healthfully.com/518757-side-ef

Streptopelia decaocto
Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication.
The Streptopelia decaocto is the bird that is said to have " wanted to conquer the world". Hence the high degree of adaptability in lowland, hilly or mountainous areas, from villages to the busiest cities. Thanks to the intelligence of adaptation and survival, the Streptopelia decaocto lives around 20 years.
Anyway, with the song " gu-gu-Pike "(an onomatopoeia called in English" koo-koo-kook"), this winged one does nothing but defend its territory and try to attract a pair!
The names in current use, over time, only partially correspond to scientific distinctions between species. The koo-koo-kook is also called Eurasian Turtledove, Turtledove Turtledove or Turkish pigeon.
Its scientific name, Streptopelia decaocto, comes from the Latin words "streptos" (meaning "collar") + "peleia" (meaning "Dove"), and "decaocto" (meaning "eighteen"in Latin).
The number 18 here has its origin in an ancient Greek legend, in which a poor girl was paid for her work, each year, with only 18 coins. She would have prayed to the gods to make known to the whole world the minuscule amount of money that her mistress gave her, and as a result, Zeus would have created the koo-koo-kook, a bird that cries all the time "deca-octo" (gu-gu-Pike).
According to another ancient legend, Decaocto was a servant who was converted into such a turtleneck by the deities because he refused to pay his annual fee consisting of 18 coins.
In a Christian legend, the Streptopelia decaocto is associated with the thirst that engulfed Christ nailed to the cross. A Roman soldier wanted to buy him a bowl of milk that cost 18 Coins, but he only had 17. Because he was unable to quench the Saviour's thirst, he was cursed and turned into a Streptopelia decaocto, the bird that constantly repeats the number eighteen (deca-octo).
You, Streptopelia decaoctos, who came to us, we love you because the whole universe conspired to meet you. We are sorry that the meeting was extremely short, because of the predator who chased you and hurt you. Thank you!

Streptopelia decaocto
Simplicity is the highest form of sophistication.
The Streptopelia decaocto is the bird that is said to have " wanted to conquer the world". Hence the high degree of adaptability in lowland, hilly or mountainous areas, from villages to the busiest cities. Thanks to the intelligence of adaptation and survival, the Streptopelia decaocto lives around 20 years.
Anyway, with the song " gu-gu-Pike "(an onomatopoeia called in English" koo-koo-kook"), this winged one does nothing but defend its territory and try to attract a pair!
The names in current use, over time, only partially correspond to scientific distinctions between species. The koo-koo-kook is also called Eurasian Turtledove, Turtledove Turtledove or Turkish pigeon.
Its scientific name, Streptopelia decaocto, comes from the Latin words "streptos" (meaning "collar") + "peleia" (meaning "Dove"), and "decaocto" (meaning "eighteen"in Latin).
The number 18 here has its origin in an ancient Greek legend, in which a poor girl was paid for her work, each year, with only 18 coins. She would have prayed to the gods to make known to the whole world the minuscule amount of money that her mistress gave her, and as a result, Zeus would have created the koo-koo-kook, a bird that cries all the time "deca-octo" (gu-gu-Pike).
According to another ancient legend, Decaocto was a servant who was converted into such a turtleneck by the deities because he refused to pay his annual fee consisting of 18 coins.
In a Christian legend, the Streptopelia decaocto is associated with the thirst that engulfed Christ nailed to the cross. A Roman soldier wanted to buy him a bowl of milk that cost 18 Coins, but he only had 17. Because he was unable to quench the Saviour's thirst, he was cursed and turned into a Streptopelia decaocto, the bird that constantly repeats the number eighteen (deca-octo).
You, Streptopelia decaoctos, who came to us, we love you because the whole universe conspired to meet you. We are sorry that the meeting was extremely short, because of the predator who chased you and hurt you. Thank you!

Some research papers conclude that stevia consumption can cause cancer due to DNA breakage and chromosome mutations. However, none of those studies are based on human subjects.
According to a study published in Oncotarget in 2018, steviol significantly limited the growth of human gastrointestinal cancer cells.

bekarmic.com/blogs/knowledge-b

The use of steviol glycosides as non-caloric sweeteners has proven to be beneficial for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), obesity, and metabolic syndrome. However, recent data demonstrate that steviol and stevioside might act as glucocorticoid receptor (GR) agonists and thus correlate with adverse effects on metabolism. Herein, we evaluated the impact of steviol, steviol glycosides, and a Greek-derived stevia extract on a number of key steps of GR signaling cascade in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in Jurkat leukemia cells.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/287543

Prostate cancer is the second most harmful disease in men worldwide and the number of cases is increasing. Therefore, new natural agents with anticancer potential should be examined and the response of existing therapeutic drugs must be enhanced. Stevia pilosa and Stevia eupatoria are two species that have been widely used in traditional medicine, but their effectiveness on cancer cells and their interaction with antineoplastic drugs have not been studied. The results indicate that SPME and SEME have an inhibitory effect on the viability and migration of prostate cancer cells and do not interfere with the enzalutamide anticancer effect. The data suggest that Stevia extracts may be a potential source of molecules for cancer treatment.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/321022

Steviol glycosides are currently being used as natural sweeteners by the food industry and Stevia rebaudiana has long been used as a sweet plant in South America for patients suffering from diabetes. In this study, a Stevia rebaudiana ethanolic extract (SREE) was prepared, analysed and tested for antioxidant activity in terms of free radical scavenging properties and antiproliferative effects in cervix (HeLa), pancreatic (MiaPaCa-2) and colonic (HCT116) cancer cells. The antiproliferative mechanism was confirmed by testing the effects on cyclin D1-CDK4.
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/270718

Hydroponics offers a viable solution for obtaining plant products that are rich in micronutrients and ultramicronutrients, such as selenium. Selenium plays a crucial role in strengthening the body's immune defense and acts as a potent antioxidant. Low levels of selenium have been associated with an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and cancer. Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (SrB), a relatively new crop in plant cultivation, was the focus of the present study. SrB has numerous medicinal and prophylactic properties, and its leaves are rich in macro- and microelements, vitamins, and diterpene glycosides.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/375227

Stevia is unaffected by stomach acid, pancreatic enzymes and the process of digestion. It travels essentially “untouched” by the digestive process until it reaches the large intestine. There it “reacts” with the gut flora. It is then absorbed in the colon and travels to the liver. It is then bound to glucuronic acid via the glucuronidation pathway and eventually excreted through the urine. The glucuronidation pathway is a major liver pathway that detoxifies drugs, pollutants, estrogen, and steroids, etc.

portalsalud.com/cuales-son-los

Bladder cancer (BC) is a global health issue that lacks effective treatment strategies. Growing evidence suggests that various natural products possess anti-tumour effects. This study aims to identify a novel agent that can be used in the treatment of BC.
Collectively, our data suggest that stevioside can be a potential agent for the treatment of BC.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/358205

Trees
A forest does not grow on trees.
Throughout history, trees have been considered sacred and honored, due to their association with the celestial realms, being considered as gateways to other dimensions.
Trees embody the maximum "from top to bottom" . Their deeply rooted roots in the soil and leaves looking skyward are mediators between dark soil and bright sky. This represents Crann Bethadh, the" Tree of life " in Celtic mythology. Also, the roots of trees can feel the acoustic vibrations of water in the soil. They can do this even if there is no moisture in the soil. This means that trees are sensitive to sounds.
Trees teach us to stay on earth even when we ascend to greatness.
In fact, they provide us with clean air, shade, food, as well as habitats essential to the world's wildlife. Their power manifests itself as the air we breathe. Trees teach us a lot about life; they remind us to be grateful, making us realize that the things that really matter are those that are right in front of us. No matter who you are, a tree will give you shade and respite whenever you need it.
Trees have souls and are inhabited by spirits trying to communicate with us.
Tree species, like humans and animals, exhibit different attitudes and "personalities". Some trees, such as beech trees, are bullies, willows are lonely and unshakable. Oaks act as a family and generally trees act as tribes and protect themselves in their own way. What is fascinating is that healthy trees can support their "babies" or weaker members of the "community" by providing them with the necessary nutrients.
Building a network means having communication channels, which is actually a kind of language, the language of trees. Underground, there is the world of infinite biological pathways that connect trees to each other and allow them to communicate.
The forest behaves as if it were a single organism. It can be said that it is a great intelligence.
The ancient people who lived near the forests were aware of this, therefore there are often references to the "whisper" or songs of trees.
About 170,000 pencils can be made from a normal-sized tree. A single tree can produce 118 kilograms of oxygen in a year, enough for a family of 4 people. A single tree can absorb in a year all the carbon that a car emits over a distance of 8,500 miles.
Selected trees thank you for recognizing our positive attitude and accepting us as a part of your surroundings. Through interaction with you I have learned much of your wisdom, including from .the spirits that dwell within you.
Thank you that you exist and do not hold grudges for the sufferings you have had over time. We thank you for the fresh gifts you offer us and we ask you to be with us and almost everywhere, to take our confessions to all worlds together with your confessions, because each family tree of each and every one of us, produced some lemons, olives, a few nuts, a few apples, etc. Thank you and forgive us for everything!

Trees
A forest does not grow on trees.
Throughout history, trees have been considered sacred and honored, due to their association with the celestial realms, being considered as gateways to other dimensions.
Trees embody the maximum "from top to bottom" . Their deeply rooted roots in the soil and leaves looking skyward are mediators between dark soil and bright sky. This represents Crann Bethadh, the" Tree of life " in Celtic mythology. Also, the roots of trees can feel the acoustic vibrations of water in the soil. They can do this even if there is no moisture in the soil. This means that trees are sensitive to sounds.
Trees teach us to stay on earth even when we ascend to greatness.
In fact, they provide us with clean air, shade, food, as well as habitats essential to the world's wildlife. Their power manifests itself as the air we breathe. Trees teach us a lot about life; they remind us to be grateful, making us realize that the things that really matter are those that are right in front of us. No matter who you are, a tree will give you shade and respite whenever you need it.
Trees have souls and are inhabited by spirits trying to communicate with us.
Tree species, like humans and animals, exhibit different attitudes and "personalities". Some trees, such as beech trees, are bullies, willows are lonely and unshakable. Oaks act as a family and generally trees act as tribes and protect themselves in their own way. What is fascinating is that healthy trees can support their "babies" or weaker members of the "community" by providing them with the necessary nutrients.
Building a network means having communication channels, which is actually a kind of language, the language of trees. Underground, there is the world of infinite biological pathways that connect trees to each other and allow them to communicate.
The forest behaves as if it were a single organism. It can be said that it is a great intelligence.
The ancient people who lived near the forests were aware of this, therefore there are often references to the "whisper" or songs of trees.
About 170,000 pencils can be made from a normal-sized tree. A single tree can produce 118 kilograms of oxygen in a year, enough for a family of 4 people. A single tree can absorb in a year all the carbon that a car emits over a distance of 8,500 miles.
Selected trees thank you for recognizing our positive attitude and accepting us as a part of your surroundings. Through interaction with you I have learned much of your wisdom, including from .the spirits that dwell within you.
Thank you that you exist and do not hold grudges for the sufferings you have had over time. We thank you for the fresh gifts you offer us and we ask you to be with us and almost everywhere, to take our confessions to all worlds together with your confessions, because each family tree of each and every one of us, produced some lemons, olives, a few nuts, a few apples, etc. Thank you and forgive us for everything!

More than 60 naturally occurring steviol glycosides in the Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni plant share a similar molecular structure with an aglycone steviol backbone conjugated with β- and α-glycosidic bonds to different sugar moieties. These glycosides are naturally produced in different quantities within the stevia leaf. Certain minor glycosides with superior sensory attributes, such as Reb D and Reb M, are found less than 0.1% in traditional stevia leaves. New technologies can now produce better tasting steviol glycosides by using enzymatic conversion of stevioside and Reb A, which are abundant in stevia leaf. Several regulatory authorities recently evaluated steviol glycosides produced by enzymatic conversion of stevia leaf extract and approved them safe for human consumption. Steviol glycosides undergo microbial hydrolysis in the colon to generate steviol, which is absorbed and metabolized into steviol glucuronide, and excreted primarily via human's urine. Previous studies have shown the hydrolysis of highly purified individual steviol glycosides extracted from stevia leaf are converted to steviol in the presence of colonic microbiota of adults. Since colonic microbiota of children may be different from adults, this study investigates the metabolic fate in the colonic microbiota of adults and children of the minor steviol glycosides produced by extraction and enzymatic conversion of major steviol glycosides from stevia leaf. Several in vitro incubation tests were conducted in human fecal homogenates collected from adult and pediatric populations with steviol glycoside test samples comprised of a complex stevia leaf extract, a blend of minor glycosides isolated from stevia extract and two mixtures of steviol glycosides produced by enzymatic conversion of Reb A to larger molecules by attaching glucose units via β- or α-glycosidic bonds. Results from these studies clearly demonstrate steviol glycosides produced by extraction from stevia leaf, or enzymatic conversion of stevia leaf extract, share the same metabolic fate in the human gut microbiota from adults and children. Considering a common metabolite structure and a shared metabolic fate in all ages, safety data for individual steviol glycosides can be used to support safety of all steviol glycosides produced by extraction and enzymatic conversion of stevia leaf extract.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/327455

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is a valuable plant whose products are increasingly used in medicine, pharmacy and the food industry. This necessitates the use of biotechnological approaches for its mass propagation. Establishing optimal conditions for in vitro cultivation is essential for obtaining high biomass and secondary metabolites production. A large number of articles considering the role of plant growth regulators and other additives in the culture medium in the growth and development of Stevia are available in the literature. However, there are no summarized data about the use of nanoparticles in Stevia tissue cultures. Therefore, this review also includes the research conducted so far on the effect of nanoparticles on Stevia micropropagation. Furthermore, the influence of different elicitors on secondary metabolite production and antioxidant activity of in vitro-cultivated Stevia plants have been discussed. By referring to the collected literature, we concluded that biotechnological approaches applied to S. rebaudiana cultivation might improve the agronomic traits of plants and steviol glycosides production.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/366162

Plants
Our living beings, you may have left our eyes, but you have never left our hearts.
The second largest kingdom, after the animal, is represented by plants. The distinctive feature of plants is obtaining energy from sunlight, through the process called photosynthesis. Most plants have wide flat surfaces - the leaves, at the level of which this process is carried out. Just as there are many groups of animals, from simple worms to complicated mammals, so the groups of plants are also numerous and varied.
Mainly plants are divided into two broad categories – simple plants without flowers, and flowering plants.
Plants never seem to be active. But inside the millions of microscopic cells that form the body of a plant, thousands of chemical transformations take place, forming part of the body's vital processes. Like the body of an animal, the body of a plant has specialized areas to perform certain functions. Roots take from the soil water, mineral salts and other substances necessary for life. The rigid stem supports parts of the plant on the surface of the soil, away from animals on the ground that might eat them, and above other plants so that the leaves capture more light.
The leaves of plants are a kind of small factories that produce food with the help of light. They have a wide surface, to capture as much light as possible, and contain inside a green substance called chlorophyll, which absorbs the energy provided by sunlight. Chlorophyll uses energy to achieve a chemical reaction. Water, absorbed from the soil, and carbon dioxide, received from the air, unite and form glucose, which contains a large amount of energy stored in chemical form. Glucose is then used as a" fuel " for the plant's vital processes. The whole phenomenon is called photosynthesis-a word that means"to produce with the help of light".
The carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis is taken from the air. It penetrates the leaf through small holes located on its lower face, called the stomata. In addition to organic substances, photosynthesis also results in oxygen, which is eliminated in the air.
Living beings need oxygen to live. Plants contribute to maintaining a sufficient amount of oxygen in the air.
We were only able to offer you a small space and positioned on the north-west side of the building, even if it was against our wishes. However, we lived together for a shorter or longer period of time. Thank you for this and for all you have offered. We hope that many wounds can be healed with these words: Forgive us!
Life is eternal, and love is immortal, and death is but a horizon; and a horizon is nothing but the limit of our sight. - Rossiter W. Raymond

Aquariums
Fish, these aquatic beings, with diverse shapes and colors, constitute a vital component of our ecosystem, but also an invaluable source of inspiration for culture, art and spirituality.
Whether you are an aquarist enthusiast, an avid diver or simply a nature lover, discovering the world of Fish offers you the prospect of a journey into a special universe.
It was worth diving into their world and exploring the secrets of this underwater life.
Aquarium fish are popular animals that can be found in many homes around the world. They are attractive, relaxing animals and can be easily cared for.
There is a wide variety of aquarium fish species available, each with its specific needs. Some species are more suitable for beginners, while others require more experience and care.
Before purchasing an aquarium, we considered how large it will be and what species of fish will be kept in it. It is also important to consider the environmental conditions for each species of fish.
Some fish need warm water, while others need cold water. Also, some fish need a lot of light, while others need darkness or shadow areas in the aquarium.
Caring for aquarium fish includes changing water regularly, cleaning the aquarium and feeding the fish.
Aquarium fish are wonderful animals that can bring a sense of tranquility and relaxation to any home. With proper care, they can be joyful and active for years.
The fish species that we had and went one by one for various reasons are: anci, zebra (Danio rerio), silver cory, otto, pompom goldfish, balantiocheilos melanopterus or white shark, dwarf catfish, platydoras costatus, neon tetra, poecilia sphenops, tetra, hoplo, gurami, guppy, betta splendens etc.
An aquarium is filled with fish of all varieties, because they are considered lucky talismans when they are pets.
Thank you and we are sorry that you left us regardless of the causes!

Memories that time does not erase
The sun, the moon, the wind, the stars will always be around, recalling the love they shared and the peace they finally found after leaving the torment.
We've been begging for birds
And he gave us each
One feather at a time.
One tall eagle,
A red one from the bird of paradise,
One green from hummingbirds,
One yellow one from pigeons,
Blue one from nymphs
A chatty one from the parakeets,
One singer from singing parrots,
The cowardly one from the ostrich
Oh, what wings we made!
We took them to heart
And we started flying.
High Eagle Flight,
Red flight of paradise bird,
Green flight of hummingbirds,
Yellow pigeon flight,
Blue flight of nymph,
Chatty flight of the parakeet,
Flight singer parrot singer,
Cowardly flight of ostrich
Oh, I flew!
Perhaps they are not stars, but rather openings in heaven where the love of the lost pours out and shines upon us to make us know that they are happy. Our hearts cry asking for your forgiveness!

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