As the latest studies show, those who had the highest intake of animal-based omega-3 fats had a 60 PERCENT LOWER RISK OF ADVANCED AMD (AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION)COMPARED TO THOSE WHO CONSUMED THE LEAST. A 2009 study also found that those with the highest consumption of omega-3 fats were 30 percent less likely to progress to the advanced form of the disease over a 12 year period.
Adding further support for omega-3 fats, another 2009 study showed that participants with diets high in omega-3 fats, along with vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, lutein and zeaxanthin, had a lower risk of AMD as well.
The best sources of omega-3 oil are fish oil and krill oil. Fish oil is the cheapest, but krill oil is the best.
You want to make sure you are getting plenty of lutein and zeaxanthin, two nurients found in eggs, spinach, and other leafy green vegetables. People who eat lots of vegetables and fruits have a 43 percent risk reduction of age-related macular degeneration.
Age related macular degeneration is the leading cause of blindness for people over the age of 50. Worldwide 60 million people suffer from AMD, including close to 2 million in the United States alone. Another 7.3 million Americans are currently at significant risk of losing their vision from AMD.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Natural Approach to a Healthy Thyroid
Most people know that an under active thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause weight gain and fatigue. But did you know that it can also trigger high cholesterol and triglycerides along with a host of other , less obvious symptoms? These include constipation, dry skin, hair loss, slow heartbeat, cold hands and feet, slow wound healing, depression, memory disturbances, and difficulty concentrating. Hypothyroidism can also contribute to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and osteoporosis.
This condition is more common than you might suspect. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), about 1 in 8 women ages 35 to 65 has low thyroid function, and 1 in 5 females over 65 are affected. (Although men are not immune to hypothyroidism, its incidence is about seven times greater in women.) If you're a woman over the age of 50, you may think fatigue, mood swings, and forgetfulness are the consequences of menopause. But many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism mimic those of the "change of life". As a result, this condition frequently goes undiagnosed in this subgroup of women.
The AACE estimates that half of the 13 million Americans who have thyroid disorders don't know it. Therefore, the routine blood tests should include screening for thyroid activity. The gold standard for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is the thyrotropin test, a highly sensitive test that measures blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This pituitary hormone acts like an on/off switch, regulating the production and secretion of thyroid hormones. When thyroid function is low, levels of TSH are abnormally high. Other tests measure free or total T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine), which are hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
Thyroid replacement therapy usually returns thyroid activity to normal. The best selling brand is Synthroid, which is a synthetic hormone that contains only T4 (thyroxine). In a study published by The New England Journal of Medicine, natural thyroid replacement which contains both T4 and T3,
produced far superior results. The answer is simple, if you want to restore your thyroid to it's proper working order, then take natural thyroid hormones, not synthetic ones.
This condition is more common than you might suspect. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE), about 1 in 8 women ages 35 to 65 has low thyroid function, and 1 in 5 females over 65 are affected. (Although men are not immune to hypothyroidism, its incidence is about seven times greater in women.) If you're a woman over the age of 50, you may think fatigue, mood swings, and forgetfulness are the consequences of menopause. But many of the symptoms of hypothyroidism mimic those of the "change of life". As a result, this condition frequently goes undiagnosed in this subgroup of women.
The AACE estimates that half of the 13 million Americans who have thyroid disorders don't know it. Therefore, the routine blood tests should include screening for thyroid activity. The gold standard for the diagnosis of hypothyroidism is the thyrotropin test, a highly sensitive test that measures blood levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). This pituitary hormone acts like an on/off switch, regulating the production and secretion of thyroid hormones. When thyroid function is low, levels of TSH are abnormally high. Other tests measure free or total T4 (thyroxine) and T3 (triiodothyronine), which are hormones produced by the thyroid gland.
Thyroid replacement therapy usually returns thyroid activity to normal. The best selling brand is Synthroid, which is a synthetic hormone that contains only T4 (thyroxine). In a study published by The New England Journal of Medicine, natural thyroid replacement which contains both T4 and T3,
produced far superior results. The answer is simple, if you want to restore your thyroid to it's proper working order, then take natural thyroid hormones, not synthetic ones.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Important Tip on Increasing your Lifespan
Professor Cynthia Kenyon, whom many experts believe should win the Nobel Prize for her research into aging, has discovered that carbohydrates directly affect the genes that govern youthfulness and longevity.
She found that turning down the gene that controls insulin in turn switches on another gene which acts like an elixir of life.
The Daily Mail reports that discovering the first gene has prompted the professor to dramatically alter her own diet, cutting right back on carbohydrates. That's because carbs make your body produce more insulin (to mop up the extra blood sugar carbs produce) so the vital second gene, the elixir one, won't get turned on.
Research confirms that an insulin-like growth factor is intricately linked to various diseases, and that RAISED INSULIN LEVELS, TRIGGERED BY HIGH CARBOHYDRATE CONSUMPTION, COULD BE WHAT CONNECTS MANY OF OUR MAJOR DISEASES SUCH AS CANCER, HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES.
Insulin is in fact a MAJOR accelerant of the aging process, and also affects many bodily processes, all of which impact your longevity.
For example, insulin:
Alters the expression of numerous hormones
Stimulates your sympathetic nervous system
Promotes vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels)
Professor Kenyon found that carbohydrates directly affect two key genes in your body that govern longevity and youthfulness. This work has revolutionized our understanding of ageing, explains Jeff Holly, professor of Clinical sciences at Bristol University. Ten years ago we thought ageing was probably the result of a slow decay, a sort of rusting, but Professor Kenyon has shown that it's not about wear and tear, but instead it is controlled by genes.
THE SOLUTION TO LIVING LONGER: LIMIT YOUR INTAKE OF CARBS, PRIMARILY IN THE FORM OF FRUCTOSE AND GRAINS!
She found that turning down the gene that controls insulin in turn switches on another gene which acts like an elixir of life.
The Daily Mail reports that discovering the first gene has prompted the professor to dramatically alter her own diet, cutting right back on carbohydrates. That's because carbs make your body produce more insulin (to mop up the extra blood sugar carbs produce) so the vital second gene, the elixir one, won't get turned on.
Research confirms that an insulin-like growth factor is intricately linked to various diseases, and that RAISED INSULIN LEVELS, TRIGGERED BY HIGH CARBOHYDRATE CONSUMPTION, COULD BE WHAT CONNECTS MANY OF OUR MAJOR DISEASES SUCH AS CANCER, HEART DISEASE AND DIABETES.
Insulin is in fact a MAJOR accelerant of the aging process, and also affects many bodily processes, all of which impact your longevity.
For example, insulin:
Alters the expression of numerous hormones
Stimulates your sympathetic nervous system
Promotes vasoconstriction (narrowing of the blood vessels)
Professor Kenyon found that carbohydrates directly affect two key genes in your body that govern longevity and youthfulness. This work has revolutionized our understanding of ageing, explains Jeff Holly, professor of Clinical sciences at Bristol University. Ten years ago we thought ageing was probably the result of a slow decay, a sort of rusting, but Professor Kenyon has shown that it's not about wear and tear, but instead it is controlled by genes.
THE SOLUTION TO LIVING LONGER: LIMIT YOUR INTAKE OF CARBS, PRIMARILY IN THE FORM OF FRUCTOSE AND GRAINS!
Major Tip to Increase How Long You Live
Professor Cynthia Kenyon, whom many experts believe should win the Nobel Prize for her research into aging, has discovered that carbohydrates directly affect the genes that govern youthfulness and longevity.
She found that turning down the gene that controls insulin in turn switches on another gene which acts like an elixir of life.
The Daily Mail reports that discovering the first gene has prompted the professor to dramatically alter her own diet, cutting right back on carbohydrates. That's because carbs make your body produce more insulin (to mop up the extra blood sugar carbs produce) so the vital second gene, the elixir one, won't get turned on.
Research confirms that a insulin-like growth factor is intricately linked to various diseases, and that RAISED INSULIN LEVELS, TRIGGERED BY HIGH CARBOHYDRATE CONSUMPTION, COULD BE WHAT CONNECTS MANY OF OUR BIG KILLERS, SUCH AS HEART DISEASE, CANCER, AND DIABETES.
Insulin is in fact a MAJOR accelerant of the aging process, and also affects many bodily processes, all of which can impact your longevity.
For example, insulin:
Alters the expression of numerous hormones
Stimulates your sympathetic nervous system
Promotes vasoconstriction
She found that turning down the gene that controls insulin in turn switches on another gene which acts like an elixir of life.
The Daily Mail reports that discovering the first gene has prompted the professor to dramatically alter her own diet, cutting right back on carbohydrates. That's because carbs make your body produce more insulin (to mop up the extra blood sugar carbs produce) so the vital second gene, the elixir one, won't get turned on.
Research confirms that a insulin-like growth factor is intricately linked to various diseases, and that RAISED INSULIN LEVELS, TRIGGERED BY HIGH CARBOHYDRATE CONSUMPTION, COULD BE WHAT CONNECTS MANY OF OUR BIG KILLERS, SUCH AS HEART DISEASE, CANCER, AND DIABETES.
Insulin is in fact a MAJOR accelerant of the aging process, and also affects many bodily processes, all of which can impact your longevity.
For example, insulin:
Alters the expression of numerous hormones
Stimulates your sympathetic nervous system
Promotes vasoconstriction
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)