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
Monday, November 29, 2010
Eat Brightly Colored Fruits and Vegetables for Amazing Health
RED: Fruits and vegetables with the color red contain a super anti-oxidant in the carotenoid pigment lycopene. Lycopene is found in tomatoes, red and pink grapefruit, guava, watermelon, papaya, red bell peppers and gogi berries.
Lycopene is absorbed most effectively when it is combined with a fat source. Eating tomato sauces or tomatoes with olive oil is good. The body absorbs the most lycopene when the tomatoes are cooked.
ORANGE: Orange containing fruits and vegetables are rich in the potent anti-oxidant beta-carotene. Beta carotene is found in sweet potatoes, yams, mangoes, carrots, and apricots.
Beta carotene helps prevent night blindness and other eye problems while working to help improve eye function.
GREEN: Dark green fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids lutein and Zeaxanthin. They are also rich in folate, magnesium, copper, B6. Many green vegetables like kale and collard greens contain powerful glucosinolates and methyl cysteine sulfoxides. These super-nutrients help to activate detoxifying enzymes in the liver that play an important role in neutralizing carcinogenic substances.
BLUE/PURPLE These fruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids, phytochemicals, and anti-oxidants. The phytochemical pigment responsible for the dark color is called anthocyanins. Foods that are rich in anthocyanins include blueberries, plums, red cabbage, eggplant, blackberries, raspberries and cranberries.
These super nutrients have an especially powerful ability to minimize cancer-induced DNA damage, stall the growth of pre-malignant cells, accelerate cancer cell death, and reduce inflammatory mediators that initiate cancer cell growth. Berries are one of the richest sources on anthocyanins.
WHITE: The onion family which includes leeks, scallions, onions and garlic all conttain the sulfur containing compound called allicin. This is a powerful anti-microbial that destroys bacteria, viruses and fungi. Allicin is also a powerful anti-inflammatory that many doctors think helps reduce cancer, lower cholesterol and reduce inflammatory damage to the heart.
Mushrooms contain beta-glucan, selenium, vitamin B6, and zinc that are critical for healthy immune functon and the formation of the cellular anti-oxidant glutathione. Cauliflower contains the phytochemicals Indole-3-carbonyl and sulforaphanes whaich are some of nature's most powerful cancer fighters.
Lycopene is absorbed most effectively when it is combined with a fat source. Eating tomato sauces or tomatoes with olive oil is good. The body absorbs the most lycopene when the tomatoes are cooked.
ORANGE: Orange containing fruits and vegetables are rich in the potent anti-oxidant beta-carotene. Beta carotene is found in sweet potatoes, yams, mangoes, carrots, and apricots.
Beta carotene helps prevent night blindness and other eye problems while working to help improve eye function.
GREEN: Dark green fruits and vegetables contain carotenoids lutein and Zeaxanthin. They are also rich in folate, magnesium, copper, B6. Many green vegetables like kale and collard greens contain powerful glucosinolates and methyl cysteine sulfoxides. These super-nutrients help to activate detoxifying enzymes in the liver that play an important role in neutralizing carcinogenic substances.
BLUE/PURPLE These fruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids, phytochemicals, and anti-oxidants. The phytochemical pigment responsible for the dark color is called anthocyanins. Foods that are rich in anthocyanins include blueberries, plums, red cabbage, eggplant, blackberries, raspberries and cranberries.
These super nutrients have an especially powerful ability to minimize cancer-induced DNA damage, stall the growth of pre-malignant cells, accelerate cancer cell death, and reduce inflammatory mediators that initiate cancer cell growth. Berries are one of the richest sources on anthocyanins.
WHITE: The onion family which includes leeks, scallions, onions and garlic all conttain the sulfur containing compound called allicin. This is a powerful anti-microbial that destroys bacteria, viruses and fungi. Allicin is also a powerful anti-inflammatory that many doctors think helps reduce cancer, lower cholesterol and reduce inflammatory damage to the heart.
Mushrooms contain beta-glucan, selenium, vitamin B6, and zinc that are critical for healthy immune functon and the formation of the cellular anti-oxidant glutathione. Cauliflower contains the phytochemicals Indole-3-carbonyl and sulforaphanes whaich are some of nature's most powerful cancer fighters.
Monday, November 22, 2010
How to Cure Colds. Well, Most of Them Anyway
The best way to conquer a cold (or flu) is vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is an amazingly effective antimicrobial agent, producing 200 to 300 different antimicrobial peptides in you body that kill bacteria, viruses and fungi. So optimizing your levels will not only help end a cold virus packing...IT WILL HELP WARD OFF COLD VIRUSES IN THE FIRST PLACE.
The best source of vitamin D3 is direct sun exposure. But for many of us, this just isn't practical during the winter. The next best option to sunlight is taking vitamin D3 supplements. Based on the latest research, many experts now agree you need about 35 IU's of vitamin D3 per pound of body weight. This recommendation also includes children, the elderly and pregnant women.
It is estimated that the average U.S. adult typically has two to four colds each year, while children may have up to 12! One reason for he widespread prevalence may be that vitamin D3 deficiency is incredibly common in the United States, especially during the winter months when cold (and flu) viruses are at their peak.
In the largest and most nationally representative study of its kind to date, involving about 19,000 Americans, people with the lowest vitamin D3 levels reported having SIGNIFICANTLY more recent colds or cases of the flu. The risk was even greater for those with chronic respiratory disorders like asthma.
At least five additional studies also show an inverse association between lower respiratory tract infections and vitamin D3 levels. But the research is very clear, the HIGHER your vitamin D3 level, the lower your risk of contracting colds, flu and other respiratory tract infections.
It is not surprising, then, that the average American gets so many colds each year, as current guidelines for optimal intake and normal vitamin D3 levels are far too low-and since most people do not get adequate sun exposure on a daily basis (which is what produces vitamin D3 in your skin) many are deficient .
The best source of vitamin D3 is direct sun exposure. But for many of us, this just isn't practical during the winter. The next best option to sunlight is taking vitamin D3 supplements. Based on the latest research, many experts now agree you need about 35 IU's of vitamin D3 per pound of body weight. This recommendation also includes children, the elderly and pregnant women.
It is estimated that the average U.S. adult typically has two to four colds each year, while children may have up to 12! One reason for he widespread prevalence may be that vitamin D3 deficiency is incredibly common in the United States, especially during the winter months when cold (and flu) viruses are at their peak.
In the largest and most nationally representative study of its kind to date, involving about 19,000 Americans, people with the lowest vitamin D3 levels reported having SIGNIFICANTLY more recent colds or cases of the flu. The risk was even greater for those with chronic respiratory disorders like asthma.
At least five additional studies also show an inverse association between lower respiratory tract infections and vitamin D3 levels. But the research is very clear, the HIGHER your vitamin D3 level, the lower your risk of contracting colds, flu and other respiratory tract infections.
It is not surprising, then, that the average American gets so many colds each year, as current guidelines for optimal intake and normal vitamin D3 levels are far too low-and since most people do not get adequate sun exposure on a daily basis (which is what produces vitamin D3 in your skin) many are deficient .
Thursday, November 11, 2010
The Amazing Egg
Years ago when I was living on five acres in Idaho with my parents we raised most of the things we ate. This included a milk cow for milk, butter and cheese. We raised a steer each year for meat and chickens for eggs. Each morning we had two eggs for breakfast.
We started reading in the newspapers that the doctors were saying that eggs were contributing to heart disease. I stopped eating eggs. I did not eat eggs for forty years.
Now the LATEST RESEARACH says that eggs are very good for you. They improve your eyes, they help clean the cholesterol buildup out of your arteries. The protein in eggs is low cost and the best that you can buy.
Eggs contain generous amounts of calcium, iron phosphorus, zinc, thiamin, B6,panthothenic acid. They also include all the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
Maybe you have heard that eating eggs will skyrocket my cholesterol through the roof. When you eat a food that contains a high amount of dietary cholesterol such as eggs, your body down regulates it's production of cholesterol to balance things out.
On the other hand, if you don't eat enough cholesterol, your body simply produces more since cholesterol has dozens of important vital function in the body.
There have been plenty of studies lately that indicate that eating whole eggs actually raises your GOOD HDL cholesterol to a higher degree than bad LDL, thereby improving your overall cholesterol ratio and blood chemistry.
A University of Connecticut study showed that a group of men in the study that ate 3 eggs per day for 12 weeks while on a reduced carb, higher fat diet increased their HDL good cholesterol by 20 per cent, while their LDL bad cholesterol stayed the same.
Eggs contain the antioxidant lutein as well as other antioxidants which can help protect you for inflammation within your body.
Eggs contain vitamin K. Vitamin K among other things, takes the calcium in the blood and the soft tissues and puts it in the bones where it belongs. The result is that the arteries are free from calcium buildup and your bones are stronger!
Lastly. A recent study that compared groups of people that ate eggs breakfasts vs groups of people that ate cereal or bagel-based breakfasts. The results of the study showed that the eggs eaters lost or maintained a healthier bodyweight, while the cereal/bagel eaters gained weight.
We started reading in the newspapers that the doctors were saying that eggs were contributing to heart disease. I stopped eating eggs. I did not eat eggs for forty years.
Now the LATEST RESEARACH says that eggs are very good for you. They improve your eyes, they help clean the cholesterol buildup out of your arteries. The protein in eggs is low cost and the best that you can buy.
Eggs contain generous amounts of calcium, iron phosphorus, zinc, thiamin, B6,panthothenic acid. They also include all the fat soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
Maybe you have heard that eating eggs will skyrocket my cholesterol through the roof. When you eat a food that contains a high amount of dietary cholesterol such as eggs, your body down regulates it's production of cholesterol to balance things out.
On the other hand, if you don't eat enough cholesterol, your body simply produces more since cholesterol has dozens of important vital function in the body.
There have been plenty of studies lately that indicate that eating whole eggs actually raises your GOOD HDL cholesterol to a higher degree than bad LDL, thereby improving your overall cholesterol ratio and blood chemistry.
A University of Connecticut study showed that a group of men in the study that ate 3 eggs per day for 12 weeks while on a reduced carb, higher fat diet increased their HDL good cholesterol by 20 per cent, while their LDL bad cholesterol stayed the same.
Eggs contain the antioxidant lutein as well as other antioxidants which can help protect you for inflammation within your body.
Eggs contain vitamin K. Vitamin K among other things, takes the calcium in the blood and the soft tissues and puts it in the bones where it belongs. The result is that the arteries are free from calcium buildup and your bones are stronger!
Lastly. A recent study that compared groups of people that ate eggs breakfasts vs groups of people that ate cereal or bagel-based breakfasts. The results of the study showed that the eggs eaters lost or maintained a healthier bodyweight, while the cereal/bagel eaters gained weight.
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