Chocolate Consumption Lowers Stroke Risk And Heart Disease Incidence By A Third

November 8, 2011

Natural News

By John Phillip

“Some good news for us addicted to chocolate.” –KTRN

Everybody likes chocolate, a fact supported by the annual increase in consumption documented by chocolate manufacturers around the globe. This may be good news for many chocolate consumers, but caution is advised to carefully monitor the quantity consumed and the cocoa content of the product purchased. We now have documented evidence to explain how dark chocolate consumption lowers stroke risk in women and slashes heart disease risk in adults. Researchers publishing the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found high chocolate consumption correlates with a lower risk of stroke in women. Further proof of vascular benefits is documented in the British Medical Journal as scientists explain that chocolate consumption lowers heart disease risk by more than a third.

A number of recent studies have shown that eating chocolate has a positive influence on human health due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This includes reducing blood pressure and improving insulin sensitivity, a primary factor in diabetes development and progression in millions of at-risk children and adults. The World Health Organization predicts that nearly 24 million people will die from heart disease by the year 2030, yet proper diet and lifestyle could significantly lower the mortality rate.

High Levels of Chocolate Consumption Dramatically Lower Heart Disease and Stroke Risks
In an effort to confirm past research efforts that suggest a connection between chocolate consumption and lowered risk of heart disease and stroke, Dr. Oscar Franco and colleagues from the University of Cambridge in England analyzed the results of seven studies involving over 100,000 participants with and without existing heart disease. Researchers compared the group with the highest chocolate consumption against those with the lowest, taking into account differences in study design and quality of reporting.

Click here for the full report from Natural News.

Ginger Reduces Risk For Colon Cancer

October 31, 2011

Natural News

by: John Phillip

Since ancient times, ginger has a long tradition of being very effective in alleviating symptoms of gastrointestinal distress. Modern scientific research has revealed that ginger possesses numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects. The result of a new body of research published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, demonstrates the specific anti-inflammatory action of the spice on the colon. Health-minded individuals will want to include ginger as part of their regular diet or include an organically harvested supplement to dramatically lower inflammatory risk markers for colon cancer.

Dr. Suzanna Zick, a research assistant professor at the University of Michigan Medical School, and her team assembled 30 patient participants to conduct the study. Each was provided with two grams of ginger root supplements per day or a placebo for a period of 28 days. After the test timeframe, researchers measured standard levels of colon inflammation and found statistically significant reductions in most of these markers. They also found trends toward significant reductions in a number of other colon cancer biomarkers.

Ginger Root Supplementation Lowers Inflammatory Markers to Lower Colon Cancer Risk
A critical inflammation marker in the colon is known to be PGE2, a naturally occurring prostaglandin also called dinoprostone. PGE2 is the prostaglandin that ultimately induces fever, and is therefore an important marker researcher’s monitor to determine inflammatory levels in the body. Inflammation has been implicated in prior studies as a precursor to colon cancer, and ginger root supplementation effectively lowers blood levels of the prostaglandin to reduce colon cancer risk.

Dr. Zick is a Naturopathic Doctor developing plant and naturally occurring compounds that specifically promote health without the need for deadly pharmaceutical interventions. She noted on the research findings, “We need to apply the same rigor to the sorts of questions about the effect of ginger root that we apply to other clinical trial research.” Dr. Zick concluded, “Interest in this is only going to increase as people look for ways to prevent cancer that are nontoxic, and improve their quality of life in a cost-effective way.”

Click here for the full report from Natural News.

5 Natural Ways To Boost Immunity For Cold And Flu Season

October 20, 2011

The Huffington Post

By: Jim Nicolai

Health and beauty can have an inner wholeness and balance that offers resilience against the external pressures of your environment. Among other things, this means that you can be exposed to certain infectious agents and not necessarily get sick.

As you go about your daily life, you will come into contact with germs — it can’t be avoided, no matter how hard you try.

Sure you need to wash your hands and cough into your sleeve, but what are some ways to shore up immunity during this time when infections of all kinds seem to rear their ugly head?

Here are five tips for entering the cold and flu season to keep your body resilient during this time:

Optimize Vitamin D Levels
This hormone (it’s not actually a vitamin) has receptor sites in every area of the body including the immune system and respiratory tissue. Studies have linked vitamin D as necessary for the production of antimicrobial proteins from immune cells in response to infection.
Low levels of vitamin D in the blood are linked with increased incidence of upper respiratory infection. Adults should keep optimum levels by taking at least 2000 IU daily. Get your levels checked if you think you are low.

Learn About Immune Boosting Tonics
I like medicinal mushrooms like shiitake, maitake, reishi and cordyceps. You can take extracts of these in liquid or capsule form. My other favorite is a Chinese root called Astragalus, used to prevent illness and strengthen immunity once you do get sick. You can buy the root and make it into a tea or soup; otherwise, buy extracts in liquid or capsule form and take as directed.

Fight Viruses With Elderberry Extract
The fruit of the elderberry shrub (Sambucus nigra) has a long history of being used for colds and flu. It has been supported scientifically with studies from Israel showing that taking a liquid extract of elderberry reduced the duration of flu symptoms as compared to placebo over a period of a week’s time. Its antiviral properties seem to come from the flavonoids that give elderberry its purple color.

Breathe Deeply
Do this correctly by using the muscles of your abdomen and the ones between your ribs (intercostals) to squeeze more air out of your lungs as you exhale. By moving more air out, you bring more air in. Allowing your breath to be fuller, deeper and more even helps you to optimize immunity and access spontaneous healing in your body.

Live Well
This has to do with proper lifestyle measures that we know we should be doing, but sometimes find difficult to manage. Make a concerted effort to get proper rest, eat and drink well, move your body and manage stress.
I recommend trying to get between at least seven to nine hours of sleep per night. You’ll know how much your body needs based on how refreshed you feel when you wake up in the morning. Eat an anti-inflammatory diet filled with fruits and vegetables of a variety of colors. Try to get some exercise every day even if it’s just 30 minutes of walking, and learn how to breathe well.

Click here for the full report from The Huffington Post

Which is the Healthiest Tea?

October 18, 2011

DrAxe.com

By: Dr. Axe

According to a 2009 study at Kingston University, white tea was found to have high anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-collagenase, and anti-elastase properties. This could potentially reduce the risks of developing rheumatoid arthritis, some cancers, heart disease and slow the enzymatic break-down of elastin and collagen, traits which accompany aging. If that isn’t good reason to drink a couple a cups of white tea a day I don’t know what would be.

White tea originates from China from the Camellia Sinensis plant. Its buds and leaves are allowed to wither in the sun during the plants growth. They are harvested prematurely and the delicate buds and leaves are processed to prevent oxidation. They say this preserves the distinct flavor of this aromatic tea. Camellia Sinensis plant is abundant with what is called polyphenols, a phytonutrient which is responsible for the tea’s health benefits.

Improved Cardiovascular Function
White tea has a substance known as Catechins, a group of antioxidants that have been shown to reduce cholesterol, decrease blood pressure, repair vein tissue, and improve overall cardiovascular function.

Immune System Booster
Studies have shown that animals that were given white tea were more resistant to the bacteria Salmonella. Furthermore, the antioxidants that is abundant in white tea helps to booster the immune system in animals and humans. And there’s more good news: A study conducted by the Pace University in 1984 revealed that white tea may in fact slow down viruses and the growth of bacteria, reducing the incidence of staphylococcus and streptococcus infections, pneumonia, fungus growth, and even dental plaque.

Cancer Prevention
Amazingly, white tea has been shown to work as well as prescription drugs in providing the body with antioxidants and preventing many types of cancer, such as colon, prostate, and stomach cancers. Flavonoids, a group of antioxidants present in this tea reduce the growth of cancer cells, and help new ones to grow!
It would seem a good idea to drink this tea often throughout the day. Not a tea-lover? Well, how about adding a teaspoon of raw honey and a squeeze of a lemon or lime to your tea for an added zest?

Reduce Blood Pressure
Chances are that you or someone you know personally has high blood pressure. Well, the good news is studies have proven that white tea can actually thin the blood and drastically improve artery function. Drinking white tea several times a day on a consistent basis can actually lower the pressure of your blood and protect the body against one of its common health enemies, stroke. This only works when you drink the tea every day, a couple of times a day. Bring it to work with you and share the health benefits with your coworkers.

Stronger Bones and Teeth, and Healthier Skin
Numerous studies have shown that regular drinkers of white tea had greater bone density than non drinkers of white tea. If you suffer from arthritis or osteoporosis, better grab yourself some white tea and have a couple of cups a day. White tea has small amounts of fluoride which help to keep the teeth and gums healthy too.

This remarkable tea has also been shown to fight free radicals from sun, stress and poor diet, and reverse some of the signs of aging. According to a study by Kingston University in London, it seems that white tea may be an interesting option for reducing and preventing wrinkles. Out of 21 different compounds tested, white tea was found to contain by far the highest concentration of antioxidants.

Is there anything this tea doesn’t help improve? Well, let’s see here, white tea may also reduce blood sugar and lessen the symptoms of diabetes. This astounding tea has shown to reduce stress and yet increase energy levels. Now who doesn’t want to have more energy throughout the day?

How to Brew White Tea
Boiling hot water can diminish the distinct flavor as well as deplete the nutrients of the tea. Experts all agree that water for white tea should be no hotter than 170-185 degrees Fahrenheit (76 to 85 degrees Celsius). For best results bring the water to a roaring boil and then let sit for a couple of minutes and then pour onto the tea leaves. This should be done for all types of teas.

Because white tea leaves are not as dense and compact as other teas you should use at least two teaspoons of white tea leaves for every cup (8 ounces) of water. The longer you brew the tea for the stronger the flavor and the more nutritional value you will be receiving. Some people recommend steeping the tea for up to 15 minutes.

White tea sounds like the king of teas and the health benefits are awesome! But with any natural health remedy or healing product out there they always work best when we do other things to take care of our body. White tea works well in conjunction with other ways to keep healthy and fit.

For an example: someone who eats a poor diet, is overweight, and leads a sedentary lifestyle will not see the health benefits from white tea as well as someone who already eats a well balanced diet, and who regularly exercises. The fact of the matter is, you have to take care of your body by doing everything you can to protect it from disease and illness.

Provide your body with clean whole foods, pure water, adequate amounts of exercise, and sufficient amounts of sunshine, and lead a stress free lifestyle as much as possible. You are your body’s best friend when it comes to health so treat it well and you will enjoy your life that much more. And of course, incorporating white tea into your diet would be a wonderful idea. Here’s to your health!

Click here for the full report from DrAxe.com

Grape Seed Extract Emerges As Anti-Cancer Powerhouse

October 3rd, 2011

Natural News

By: Ethan Evers

The therapeutic potential of grape seed extract (GSE) as anti-oxidant, anti-hypertensive and anti-inflammatory is so well established that this natural supplement is now being used in seven on-going clinical trials, only one of which is on cancer (of the breast). But the spotlight may soon shift to GSE’s anti-cancer potential as recent landmark studies on human patients have just uncovered remarkable protective effects of GSE against three major cancers: squamous cell carcinoma and prostate and hematologic malignancies. Even more remarkable is that this breakthrough in the science of natural medicine was not due to the foresight of medical practitioners who designed the trials, but to the patients who took GSE, on their volition, as a nutritional supplement to support general health.

74% Risk Reduction of Skin Cancer (SCC)
A recent study, just published in June 2011, was carried out in northern California on 830 participants to test the effects of general supplement use on the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma (the second most common skin cancer). The supplements in use included vitamins A, C, D, E, multivitamins and GSE. Only the users of GSE experienced a significant reduction in risk (P = 0.031) of squamous cell carcinoma–by an astounding 74%. Multivitamin users experienced 29% reduced risk, but this was only borderline statistically significant.

62% Risk Reduction of Prostate Cancer
A much larger study conducted in Washington State tracked 35,239 male participants starting in the year 2000 in the VITamins and Lifestyle (VITAL) cohort. Participants, aged 50-76 years, answered detailed questionnaires about specialty supplement use for the 10 years prior to the start of the study. Prostate cancer risk was assessed after a median follow-up time of 6.1 years. The results showed GSE to be the stand-alone winner. Men, who used an individual grape seed extract supplement with “high average use” over 10 years, experienced a significant 62% risk reduction of prostate cancer compared to non-users, while average users of GSE supplements experienced a 41% risk reduction. None of the other supplements observed in this study (CoQ10, fish oil, garlic pills, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, glucosamine, chondroitin or saw palmetto) were seen to offer protection against prostate cancer. Note, however, that green tea was not one of the supplements considered. This study was published in May 2011.

43% Risk Reduction of Hematologic Cancers
The same VITAL cohort as used for the prostate cancer study was also used to assess risk of hematologic cancers (involving blood, bone marrow or lymph nodes). The population was expanded to include women, for a total of 66,227 participants. Those who had ever used grape seed supplements saw a 43% risk reduction for hematologic cancers. This was only matched by those with a “high use” of garlic, who saw a 47% reduction of risk. No other supplements offered significant protection. This study was published in August 2011.

In addition to the above cancers, GSE has already demonstrated cytotoxicity to breast cancer, colon cancer, glioblastoma, and NSC lung cancer cells in laboratory studies. But the three study results on human populations given above provide a dramatic leap forward for the science backing GSE as an anti-cancer supplement. It is astounding, then, that none of the studies received much media attention. That will likely require full-blown clinical trials, which will almost certainly be kicked-off as a result of these studies, but will take years to complete. Until then, the latest findings on GSE make a compelling case for its consideration in any program or supplement regimen meant to reduce cancer risk.

Click here for the full report from Natural News

Lower Blood Pressure and Improve Health Naturally With Celery

May 31st, 2011

Natural News

By: Fleur Hopston

Celery contains a high level of calcium, magnesium, potassium and active compounds called phthalides, which have been found to lower blood pressure and promote a healthy circulatory system. Celery is best eaten raw and the juice is especially useful for overall good health. Celery leaves, seeds and roots can all be eaten. The seeds are particularly rich in iron and vitamins and have anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties.

According to a recent study published in Cancer Prevention Research, the compound called apigenin found in celery can stop certain breast cancer tumor cells from multiplying and growing.

In Ayurvedic remedies, celery seed is commonly used as a diuretic, since fluid retention aggravates high blood pressure and other problems such as gout, arthritis, pre-menstrual syndrome and congestive heart conditions. It is also said to help in recovering from the common cold, coughs, sinus congestion, respiratory infections, bronchitis, and laryngitis.

Caution: Celery seed may cause minor discomfort in some people, and anyone suffering with a stomach upset or diarrhea after ingesting the seeds should discontinue its use. Pregnant women should not take celery seed without seeing a medical professional because of its strong diuretic properties.

More uses for celery

Celery may help in the treatment of arthritis and rheumatic disorders. In Japan, rheumatic patients are sometimes put on a celery-only diet until their condition improves.

Celery stimulates the thyroid and pituitary glands.

It is said to clear uric acid from painful joints.

Preparing Celery

Eat raw, whole celery to reduce high blood pressure and to act as a tonic for the liver.

Grated, raw celery can be used as a poultice for swollen glands.

Celery juice or an infusion of celery seeds may be drunk to alleviate conditions such as sciatica.

A glass of celery juice taken before a meal is said to act as a natural appetite suppressant for those wanting to lose weight. Chewing celery seeds after a meal helps digestion.

Celery root is said to be an aphrodisiac.

Although best eaten raw for optimum health benefits, celery is also useful and tasty added to soups, stews and a variety of other cooked dishes. Experiment with combinations of celery and/or onions, green peppers, garlic, chili powder, tomatoes, parsley, barley, carrots and coriander for a hearty soup.

Try celery as a cooked, sauteed vegetable. Celery prepared in this way will retain most of the potassium, and it stays crunchy. Celery is high in sodium, making it unnecessary to add salt when this vegetable is part of a dish.

Click here for the full report from Natural News

Improper Use Of Popular Painkillers On The Rise

May 3, 2011

CBS News

Only 41 percent of the people questioned in a new study said they read the labels of medications they take.

That lack of knowledge about popular pain relievers — and ignorance, in particular, of acetaminophen being in more than 600 over-the-counter and prescription medicines, could be a key reason acetaminophen overdose has become the leading cause of acute liver failure in the U.S., researchers say.

The study showed only 31 percent of participants knew Tylenol contained acetaminophen; 47 percent knew Motrin contained ibuprofen; 19 percent knew Aleve contained naproxen sodium; and 19 percent knew Advil contained ibuprofen. Some 75 percent did know Bayer contained aspirin.

The researchers are suggesting a solution: a universal icon for labels of medications containing acetaminophen to alert users to its presence.

“It’s incredibly alarming,” said Michael Wolf, an associate professor of medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and senior author of the study published today in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

Click here for the full report from CBS News.

The Kevin Trudeau Show: 4-29-11

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Skip the Doctor – Use ‘Grandma’s Home Remedies’ for These 7 Ailments

April 22nd, 2011

Mercola.com

By: Dr. Mercola

When you look at the science, it turns out your grandmother wasn’t so far off on some of those home remedies she used to talk about. For example, it’s really true that olives can help stave off motion sickness – but only if you eat them when the first symptoms appear. That’s because olives contain tannin, which works to eliminate the saliva that triggers nausea.

It’s also absolutely true that oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties, and that a finely ground paste of it can help soothe eczema. The neutralizing powers of yogurt and other probiotics also can help get rid of bad breath.

Gargle salt water for a sore throat, take a spoonful of sugar for hiccups, and chew on a pencil for a headache – they all have a scientific reason why they work.

And, although there are no studies to back up putting Vapor Rub on toenail fungus, enough people have reported success with the remedy to warrant giving it a try.

Dr. Mercola’s Comments:

Healing practices of yore; natural remedies that were passed from one generation from another, lost a lot of footing with the advent of modern medicine that has a pill for every possible ailment. But does that mean grandma, and all the women before her, were all wrong?

Of course not.

In fact, many of the ailments you experience can be addressed using very simple, natural means. Yahoo Health offers up seven different folklore remedies for common problems. Below I will review my own recommendations for these ailments.

Motion Sickness

Olives may be of some help here, but ginger is far better. It’s traditionally used to treat nausea, but also seems to work quite well against motion sickness. To make a tea, simply slice off a small amount of fresh ginger and steep it in hot water for 30 seconds up to several minutes. Ginger is very potent, so taste it at regular intervals of about 30 seconds – it can get very strong fast!

Alternatively, for a quicker but less elegant solution, just take a half teaspoon of the fresh ginger and finely dice it with a knife and swallow it whole. It has worked every time I have had the need for it. It probably is the most consistently effective herbal food that I have seen work nearly every time.

In addition to ginger, the University of Maryland Medical Center also suggests using peppermint and black horehound, which is actually a traditional remedy for motion sickness.

These herbs can be taken as:

• Dried extracts in the form of capsules, powders, or teas
• Liquid extracts or tinctures

To make a tea using dried herb, put about one teaspoon of the herb into a tea strainer and place it in a cup of hot water. Avoid adding sugar. If you absolutely need some sweetness, try a couple of drops of liquid stevia instead.

Another excellent method that you can do whenever and wherever motion sickness strikes, is the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT). It balances your subtle energy system and calms your motion sensors, and this will calm your symptoms of motion sickness and allow you to finally enjoy the pleasures of travel.

Bad Breath

The devil is in the details when it comes to the recommendation to use yoghurt to combat bad breath, because most of the yoghurt you find today is loaded with sugar and made from pasteurized milk. You do NOT want to use these commercially available yoghurts as they are more likely to do more harm than good.

Only use traditionally fermented yoghurt, such as kefir made from raw milk with no added sugar. Another alternative is to consume traditionally fermented foods (such as natto or tempeh), or take a high quality probiotic like Complete Probiotics.

How is it that these types of foods and bacteria can help against bad breath?

Because halitosis, or bad breath, is typically caused by systemic diseases, gastrointestinal and/or upper respiratory tract disorders, and microbial metabolism from your tongue, saliva or dental plaque – all of which are indicators of systemic unbalance, which can be remedied with probiotics in the form of an oral supplement or fermented foods.

In addition to reseeding the beneficial bacteria in your gut, I highly recommend limiting the primary fertilizer for the bacteria that cause bad breath, namely SUGAR and grains that rapidly break down to sugar. That automatically means cutting down on processed foods (which are high in both grains and sugars/high fructose corn syrup), as they cause bad odor-causing bacteria to grow out of control.

Beware that mouthwashes are only effective against bad breath caused by intraoral factors. Gargling and swishing can’t help you much if your problem stems from an imbalance of bacteria in your intestinal tract, for example.

Click here for the full report from Mercola.com

Maple Syrup Compounds Help Fight Diabetes, Cancer

April 6th, 2011

Natural News

By: Jonathan Benson

Put down the corn syrup-laden Aunt Jemima and reach for some 100 percent pure maple syrup. New research recently presented at the 241st annual meeting of the American Chemical Society in Anaheim, Calif., highlights the amazing health benefits of maple syrup, including its ability to help treat diabetes and prevent the onset of cancer.

Navindra Seeram and her colleagues from the University of Rhode Island last year discovered that maple syrup contains 20 unique health-promoting compounds, 13 of which have never before been identified in maple syrup. And according to a release from United Press International, five of the compounds identified have never been previously identified in nature at all.

“I continue to say that nature is the best chemist, and that maple syrup is becoming a champion food when it comes to the number and variety of beneficial compounds found it in,” said Seeram in a statement. “It’s important to note that in our laboratory research we found that several of these compounds possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which have been shown to fight cancer, diabetes and bacterial illnesses.”

Maple syrup is already known for being rich in vitamins and minerals, but now it has become clear that the natural sweetener is loaded with a host of powerful, disease-fighting antioxidants. And among maple syrup’s various health-promoting compounds is a newly-identified one the team named Quebecol, which is a compound uniquely created when Maple tree sap is boiled and turned into syrup.

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“Quebecol has a unique chemical structure or skeleton never before identified in nature,” Seeram said. “There is beneficial and interesting chemistry going on when the boiling process occurs. I believe the heat forms this unique compound.”

In its current work, the team also found that certain antioxidant phenolic compounds in maple syrup inhibit carbohydrate hydrolyzing enzymes associated with the onset of type-2 diabetes. So while maple syrup may typically be considered a sugary threat to diabetes, the new research seems to indicate otherwise.

Seeram’s work, which was funded by the Federation of Quebec Maple Syrup Producers, is set to be published in the Journal of Functional Foods.

Click here for the full report from Natural News

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