Does Eating Superfoods Help You Live Longer?

If you have never heard of the term “superfood” before, it essentially refers to those foods that are considered to be extremely high in nutrients, vitamins, and other good things that help keep you healthy. See, a lot of foods are considered to be extremely rich in nutrients; plenty of fruits and vegetables are packed full of good nutrients and vitamins, but that does not necessarily make them “superfood.” In order to be a superfood, a food has to do some really amazing stuff for your body. In this post, we are going to look at some superfoods that can help you live longer. 

Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the most commonly known superfoods out there. Plenty of people know of the enormous health benefits of blueberries. For those who do not know, blueberries are chocked full of vitamins and nutrients. For starters, like many other types of fruit, blueberries are loaded with vitamin C, which is necessary for the maintenance of cells. Vitamin C is one of the essential vitamins and you should always be getting vitamin C. It is also full of potassium, which is a mineral that helps keep your heart and cardiovascular system working in tip-top-shape. If that was not enough, blueberries also act as anti-inflammatories. This means that they can help fight inflammation caused by infections or other issues. Finally, blueberries have also been shown to be effective at preventing the onset of heart disease and cancer. Given all the things they can do, it should be no surprise that blueberries are considered a top superfood. 

Coconut oil

Coconut oil, as you can probably tell from the name, is oil that is extracted from coconuts. Although it does not taste great, it is chock full of good things for your body. Coconut oil is full of protein, so if you need that, coconut oil is a great source. Coconut oil also contains medium chain fatty acids, which essentially help your body by preventing the build up of LDL cholesterol (which is the bad cholesterol) and by encouraging the buildup of HDL (which is the good cholesterol.) Because of this, coconut oil can help prevent heart disease and other issues stemming from high cholesterol.

Kale

To start with, kale is full of various kinds of vitamins and nutrients, including vitamin K, calcium, vitamin c, vitamin B6, and a bunch of other nutrients. Kale also helps to keep cholesterol levels low, which in turn helps to prevent issues with the cardiovascular system. It may not taste great, but kale is an amazing super food that can add years onto your life.

These are not the only superfoods that you can take, but they do show just how effective superfoods can be.

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Could Drinking Coffee Make You Live Longer?

Coffee is one of the most consumed beverages in the world. In North America, somewhere in the vicinity of 90% of people start their day with a cup of coffee. All over the world, people drink coffee. Almost everyone knows that coffee is good for giving you a burst of energy. But, what many people do not know is that coffee has enormous health benefits. That’s right, the drink that you have every morning to give you the energy to get to work and to get through the day, is also able to make you live longer. There are several reasons why coffee is able to help you live longer.  

Coffee is full of antioxidants 

Coffee is a huge source of antioxidants. In fact, in some cases, coffee ends up being one of the best sources out there. For a lot of people, coffee ends up being one of the main methods through which they get antioxidants. Antioxidants are things in your body that protect your body from harmful chemicals called “free radicals.” Antioxidants are extremely good for you and have a variety of health benefits. They are associated with lower blood cholesterol levels, improved blood circulation, better resistance to viruses, and a variety of other health benefits. 

Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease

Study after study has shown that increased coffee consumption leads to a lower risk of death due to cardiovascular disease. This is especially important for older people. People over the age of 40 are most at risk of death due to cardiovascular disease so the fact that the consumption of coffee decreases the risk of dying due to cardiovascular disease, means that people in that age range could potentially live longer by consuming more coffee. Coffee has also been shown to be effective in preventing things like diabetes and other kidney issues. 

Increased weight loss

Coffee is also good for helping to reduce weight. We all know that being overweight is bad for your health. Being overweight can lead to blood pressure issues, cholesterol issues, and a bunch of other health issues, all of which can result in years being taken off someone’s life. Well, coffee, specifically the caffeine in the coffee, is what is called a “thermogenic.” Thermogenics are food items that increase your body’s natural metabolic rate. When your body’s natural metabolic rate is increased, your body burns a lot more fat than it normally would.

Coffee Making Machines

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Nutritional Supplements And How They Help Your Health

From ancient times people have been taking nutritional supplements. They started with natural herbs often homegrown which were usually brewed into teas and tonics.

Now they have become more sophisticated and are available in all sorts of pills, capsules, liquids and of course teas of all sorts.

What are nutritional supplements? Nutritional supplements are used to add nutrients to our diets that are missing or not taken in large enough quantities. They are available in pills capsules, liquids and teas. They can be synthetic or from natural sources. They will contain one or more of the following ingredients:

• Vitamins

• Minerals

• Herbs

• Amino acids

• Saccharides

Why do we need nutritional supplements? These supplements are not intended to replace meals but enhance our diets. There are several reasons that we would be taking them:

• Environment: our environment has deteriorated over the years and we are now getting more toxins from the air, the water and even in the foods we eat, than ever before. Our bodies have to work more to protect and rid ourselves of these unwanted substances. Therefore it is wise for us to take nutritional supplements to help our bodies to do this.

• Stress: Stress will cause your body to function less efficiently. This will put your body at risk for a number of things, especially low resistance for disease. Supplements, especially Glyconutrients will help your body's immune system get stronger and also help your body function better.

• Poor eating habits: Due to busy lifestyles, our ways of growing food and green harvests we are not getting the important nutrients our bodies need to keep us in good health. We often do not even stop to eat proper meals. This makes it necessary for us to take supplements to enhance our diets and add important nutrients to our diets.

• Athletic activities: when we take more exercise then normal our bodies need more nourishment. A professional athlete or even someone doing extra workouts needs more nutrition. Dietary supplements would include, Proteins, minerals, vitamins and saccharides (Glyconutrients).

• Part of a weight loss plan: when you go on a diet to lose weight you will be eating less and running the risk of not getting enough of the essential nutrients in your diet that your body needs. Therefore you would often be taking some nutritional supplements. Some of these substances even claim to help you to lose weight.

How do they improve your health? Different supplements will help you in different ways.

Glyconutrients: The latest nutritional supplements to come on the market are the saccharides. These are known as Glyconutrients. There are 8 of these essential nutrients:

• Mannose

• Glucose

• Galactose

• Xylose

• Fucose (not fructose)

• N-acetylglucosamine

• N-acetylneuraminic acid

• N-acetylgalactosamine

These nutrients have only lately been researched with a technology known as Glycobiology. These nutrients have been shown to be vital to our health especially regarding our immune system and the ability of the body to heal itself.

Ambrotose: is a supplement made up of these Glyconutrients. Taking these supplements will help you to feel healthier and enjoy your life to the fullest.

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Supplements And Nutrition

A well-balanced diet and affinity for all food groups ensure right amounts of much-needed nutrients. However, not all people are blessed with a liking for vegetables or tolerance for milk. There are also people with allergies to nuts and poultry which are excellent sources of protein and good fat. What if you are one of them? How can you be sure that you get proper nutrition without force-feeding yourself broccolis? This is why supplements and nutrition should work together.

Before taking supplements, it would be wise to seek your doctor's advice. After all, you want to be sure to have the proper supplements and nutrition. The wide variety of supplements include multivitamins, protein supplements, minerals, and specialized supplements. Multivitamins are the most prescribed supplements. Regulated and concentrated amounts of essential vitamins are packed in a tablet or gels. Protein supplements are commonly used by people who want to build more muscle such as athletes. Mineral supplements include calcium for bone growth. Dietary supplements and memory enhancers are commonly classified as specialized supplements.

Supplements and nutrition must be complementary. For example, a person who consumes large amounts of carrots and squash need not take a supplement of Vitamin A. This is because too much of Vitamin A can cause a yellow or orange tinge to the skin. Other overdoses on minerals and vitamins can even disrupt normal hormonal function. After all, even too much of a good thing can be hazardous to health.

Hence, a proper supplements and nutrition scheme must be discussed with the doctor in order to prevent overdoses or taking unnecessary supplements. The US FDA in recognition of the growing market and need for supplements has taken steps to regulate the production, dosage, and sanitation of supplements. This was done to ensure good-quality products. This move is also partly due to the rising number of unprescribed supplement use among consumers. The agency also stressed the importance of informed use among supplement users. It is not enough to know the name of your supplements. You should know what deficiency it corrects and how it works. Studies show that many use different supplements whereas tests done to them indicate only a minimal lack which can be corrected by a single kind. Also, despite the supplement rage, doctors and health experts still stand by natural correction of deficiencies by means of a proper diet. They suggest eating alternative sources of nutrients found in allergy-inducing foods. Hey, real food tastes better than capsules anyway.

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Nutritional Benefits From Protein Sports Supplements

One of the best ways that a person can benefit from a healthy diet and exercise routine is the addition of sports nutrition in the form of extra protein. Protein is found naturally in many of the foods we eat. But a person who exercises often should get one gram of protein per pound of their body weight. This presents a problem in our fast breakfast (or no breakfast) and fast food lunch lifestyles. We don't always get the protein our body needs to benefit from our daily workouts. This needed protein can be acquired safely from sport supplements promoting extra protein. 

Protein nutritional sports drinks and mixes can provide many benefits other than increasing muscle mass and body tone. Proper protein sports supplements can help your body repair damaged cells, such as repairing muscles and bones that may get damaged during a workout. Like carbohydrates, protein can give you energy throughout the day, but unlike carbohydrates, protein offers a lower level of energy that last much longer, keeping the weight off that generally comes from a high carbohydrates diet. Getting the right amount of protein, even through sports nutrition supplements, can help the body make essential amino acids as well. 

One type of protein sports nutritional supplement you may see is one called whey protein. Whey comes from milk and is one of the highest quality forms of protein with a rich amount of amino acids. And unlike other forms of protein (red meat for example) whey offers protein in a low fat and low cholesterol form. Whether you just run every other day or you are a professional athlete, protein sports supplements can help increase your body's energy and strength. Most athletes consume a protein shake of some kind before and immediately after exercise or an event to help repair and rebuild damaged muscles.

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Health, Medicine And Glyconutrition: The Future Isn't What It Used To Be

This is what they call "Hope"?

We've all gotten used to the idea that certain maladies will be around for a while…like until the Second Coming. Maladies such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis…and many more are expected to be around, in epidemic proportions, longer than we think we will be alive…and anyone who tries to tell us otherwise is looked upon with real skepticism. In fact, when anyone tries to tell us "there's hope" for such maladies as, say, diabetes,  we are more likely to believe that the person is trying to sell us something…and usually we are right. 

But, what's even worse is the fact that the "hope" we do receive is usually something like the following: 

Studies show  people at high risk for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay the onset of the disease by losing 5 to 7 percent of their body weight. You can do it by eating healthier and getting 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days a week. In other words: you don't have to knock yourself out to prevent diabetes. The key is: small steps that lead to big rewards. Learn more about your risk for developing type 2 diabetes and the small steps you can take to delay or prevent the disease and live a long, healthy life.

Of course, this is good advice. No denying it. As a medical doctor, I had to dispense advice like this for years, for diabetes and other conditions. Funny, as good as it is, I NEVER saw anyone become ecstatic, do cartwheels or celebrate because they had just received such counsel. Why? BECAUSE WHAT WE REALLY WANT FROM THE MEDICAL WORLD IS A CURE! 

And why not?  It just doesn't seem fair that the only real answer to conditions like diabetes or obesity is the "hope" that we stop eating almost everything we enjoy, sweat till we drop,  "pop" prescription pills 'till we're bloated, and think positive…forever. 

A new future?

So, of course, I was skeptical too when I began to hear the claims associated with glyconutrition.  As a long time medical professional and scientist, I know that "claims" are easily made… And who ever heard of "glyconutrition" anyway?

In 1999, the Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Dr. Gunter Blobel for his work in the science of Glycobiology (the biology of glyconutrition). Out of the last eight Nobel Prizes awarded in medicine, four Nobel Prizes have been awarded for discoveries made in this ONE field. Believe it or not, this field (glyconutrition) affects maladies such as diabetes, cancer and heart disease directly. Why? Because, eight sugars have been isolated for their support of the immune system and cell communication. Additionally, human life cannot be supported without them.

This information got my attention. When a single Nobel Prize is won in medicine, everyone is paying attention. When four of them are won in the SAME field, as in this case involving glyconutrition, the medical world is "on fire" with the news. 

As that information made its way through the medical world, other issues made the news too. For decades the American Medical Association, the powerhouse of medical professionals, taught that nutritional supplements were not necessary for good health. But, in June 2002, the AMA admitted that nutritional supplementation was vital to good health and helpful in treating diseases. 

Also, the prestigious MIT published its findings. It wrote that these "sugars" were one of ten technologies it believed would change the world in the next decade. Nutritional supplementation was again vital to the conventional medical world…and at the center of the storm was glyconutrition.

But, what really jolted me professionally was this: Until these discoveries, scientists had NO idea how the cells of your body could tell the antibodies of your body you had an infection and that they had to "get on over here" to deal with it. Until these discoveries, scientists had NO idea how the cells of your body told the rest of your body that they needed nutrition, oxygen, waste elimination, infections healed…and a thousand and one other necessary functions of every cell. Goodness! We in the scientific world hadn't known just exactly HOW even aspirin made its way to that nasty headache of yours. We just knew it worked. So, we prescribed it. 

Sugar?  Say it ain't so, doc!

But, my attention was riveted to the news that scientists like Dr. Gunter Blobel had discovered what it was that let the cells COMMUNICATE with the other systems of the body. And would you believe it?  What he found was amazing. Sugar…SUGAR! (Glyco = Greek for "sugar") No…not table sugar (else diabetics wouldn't be so excited over this new-found help for their diabetes). There are over 200 sugars in nature but, eight of them are VITAL to our good health. In fact, eight of them are the glyconutrition "backbone" for helping the body prevent or heal:

"        auto-immune diseases such as diabetes, psoriasis

"        overactive immune disorders such as allergies and asthma

"        under active immune disorders such as cancer, TB, strep

"        inflammatory disorders such as colitis, ulcers, Fibromyalgia

"        other conditions such as Alzheimer's, infertility, heart disease

Suddenly, the medical world was on fire over glyconutrition. The "anecdotal evidence" concerning glyconutrition is mounting rapidly as people are finding conditions which have long grieved them…to be a thing of the past. For so many, the expectation for the future is not a "long, long, road" fraught with impossible dieting, grueling workouts, thousands of dollars of prescriptions, and the need to dream positively. People are getting relief - from diabetes, heart disease, cancer, allergies, and many others - with glyconutrition…and without prescriptions! (Glyconutrition products are NOT prescription items…they're food.)

Oh yes. I almost forgot. If you go to your doctor and he isn't aware of glyconutrition, don't panic. Your poor doctor CANNOT possibly keep up with all of the signs, symptoms, conditions, and their myriads of treatments, chemical make up and complications associated with thousands of maladies and the millions of prescription antidotes for those maladies. I couldn't as a doctor, and I had several DECADES of experience in the field. "Been there … done that" as they say. 

Incidentally, doctors don't usually find out first what works. They're just too busy being overwhelmed with the medical conditions they face, day to day. They usually find out like everyone else…They read about it or attend some seminar. Often, the marketplace produces antidotes - or research finds the right treatment, as in this case - long before they do. But, I can tell you this. Glyconutrition is helping conditions as diverse as diabetes and Alzheimer's … and a lot of people have hope that these conditions CAN be and are being…overcome…

Suddenly, the future isn't what it used to be…

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Your Obese Child & School Nutrition

Good Nutrition in School Can Help to Fight Childhood Obesity

Perhaps you are trying to help your child lose weight, or you feel he or she may be in danger of becoming overweight or unhealthy because of their eating and exercise habits.

If so, it is important that you consider the impact of your child’s time at school as you think about what you need to change.

As the U.S. government has studied obesity, many of their agencies have produced reports and established guidelines to help parents and school systems understand how to make important changes.

These guidelines are designed to encourage our children to eat healthy foods and get plenty of exercise.

Across the country, schools are beginning to offer more good food choices, and look at their physical education and extracurricular activities to ensure that they encourage good habits.

Of course your involvement and understanding is important if your child is going to get the right support while she or he is in school during the day.

And, you need to ensure that your child understands the importance of CHOOSING the healthy foods and participating in exercise programs, but the first step is to make sure these choices are AVAILABLE to your child.

Working with medical organizations, the USDA published a ‘Prescription for Change’, and ‘Healthy School Nutrition Environments’.

These reports were meant to be used by schools to improve their nutritional program.

Here are some of the recommendations included in those reports.

** The Serving and Dining Environment

** The Federal, State and local government must provide adequate funding for food and eating environs to support healthy eating.

** Dining space will be adequate, pleasant and socially accommodating, and will accommodate all students and staff scheduled to eat at a certain time of day.

** Serving areas will be sufficient to ensure that every student has access to meals with a minimum of waiting time, so that they have plenty of time to eat before their next class.

** The staff and administration of the school, AND the students and parents will analyze the current environment, working together to create a space that matches the needs of all parties.

Nutritional Concerns Regarding Meals and Foods

** Meals should comply with USDA nutritional standards and guidelines, and students should have plenty of food choices, with new foods introduced to keep the menu interesting and healthy.

** Food preparation and preferences should be varied enough to comply with various tastes and ethnic preferences or religious requirements.

** Additional food and drink offered, over and above meals served, e.g. vending machines and packaged ‘snacks’, will represent the 5 major food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid.

**Students must have designated lunch periods, long enough for them to get their food and eat at a healthy pace.

** Lunch periods should be as close to the middle of the day as possible and should allow time for socialization and a relaxed eating pace.

** All decisions made by the school system regarding the type, variety and quantity of food and drink to be sold in the school will be based on nutritional goals and sound guidelines, NOT on the profit the school can make.

Nutrition and Health Focused Curriculum

** Kindergarten through Grade 12 classes should include education and information on healthy eating habits and the types of foods a child should eat to stay healthy and help them grow.

Now that you understand the concerns and recommendations of the USDA and the national medical organizations, go to a school board meeting and talk to the board members about what they are doing to comply with these guidelines.

If you don’t know what your child’s eating environment and food choices are, visit the school and find out. Get involved with the PTA or PTO in your school system and get to work!

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Fight Cancer With These 10 Foods

More than a third of all cancers could be prevented by changes in diet and exercise. One of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk is lose excess weight - and one of the best ways to lose weight is through a filling, fiber-rich diet including plenty of fruits and vegetables. 

But that's not the reason why the National Cancer Institute recently approved the dietary guidance: "Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and other chronic diseases." These foods are packed with antioxidants and other compounds that protect your DNA and fight free radical damage. 

Since these substances work synergistically, it's best to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables rather than relying on one particular produce item to serve as a magic bullet against disease. That said, recent studies have uncovered specific benefits in the following foods that would recommend making them a part of any healthy diet.

1. Tomatoes: Lycopene, also found in watermelon and pink grapefruit, has been linked to lower risk of prostate, ovarian and cervical cancer. It also targets the free radical that is implicated in lung and digestive cancers. 

2. Broccoli sprouts: One forkful triggers a cascade of antioxidant activity that lasts for days. 

3. Berries: Blueberries, cranberries, cherries, raspberries, strawberries, grapes - all rich in anthocyanins that repair and protect DNA.

4. Soybeans: Isoflavones such as genistein may help prevent and treat prostate cancer and may reduce breast cancer risk.

5. Tea: Both black and green contain powerful compounds shown in countless studies to lower the risk of several types of cancer. 

6. Pumpkin: This unsung super-food is a super-rich source of both beta-carotene and alpha-carotene, two hard-working carotenoids that combat lung and ovarian cancer. 

7. Spinach: Popeye's favorite may help ward off cancers of the liver, ovaries, colon and prostate. The active antioxidant lutein is also found in kale and other leafy greens.

8. Garlic: Allium veggies (which also include onions and scallions) work to get your body's own antioxidant defense systems in gear. This process provides protective benefits against stomach, esophageal and breast cancers. 

9. Pineapple: The enzyme bromelain may inhibit the growth of malignant cells in both lung and breast cancer, while the phenolic compounds also provide a protective benefit. 

10. Apples: Can one a day help keep cancer at bay? Studies show quercetin may reduce the risk of lung cancer and impede growth of prostate cancer cells. Other antioxidants together with pectin help halt colon and liver cancer cell replication.

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Why Fiber Is Key For Dieting

In this article I will reveal some little known facts about the fibers and the beneficial effect they have over your body.

First of all let me explain what fiber is…                                     

Fiber is an indigestible part of all plant foods. It is found in fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. Your digestive system cannot stomach fiber, so it is excreted undigested. Well, you may think you don’t need fiber, because it’s excreted undigested, but that’s not true.

Let's imagine the following picture:

You overeat at least once or twice a week, more often at weekends, and your regular menu doesn't include much fiber. Well, this might be your lifestyle; however you should consider that it may cause you lots of health problems like:

- indigestion

- discomfort stomach aches 

- gases in the digestive tract 

- constipation 

- hemorrhoids 

- you got tired faster 

- can't concentrate on what you're doing 

I mean you become less productive at work and more irritable at home. Besides all this, you gain weight and that’s the moment when you realize you have a problem.

In order to solve a problem, you should first find the reason for it. In this case it’s the lowered intake of fiber-rich foods and respectively - the higher intake of foods containing no fiber (like meat). The average amount of fiber intake is about 25-30 grams per day. Unfortunately most people's regular diets include less than 10-15 grams daily. 

You should start consuming more fiber-rich foods:

- all bran cereal 

- beans 

- peas 

- spinach 

- sweet corn  

- whole meal brown bread 

- red cabbage 

- carrots 

- baked potato with skin 

- apples, bananas, oranges and all fruits                                                        

There are two types of fiber - soluble and insoluble. If you start eating more food rich in fiber, you’ll be amazed by its beneficial effects over your body, health and way of life. 

Soluble fiber forms glue like gel in the intestinal tract. The gel softens stools (no more constipation) and improves your digestion (no more indigestion).

Fiber slows down stomach emptying and you feel fuller longer. This effect helps you eat less, your body burns additional calories to digest fiber and you can lose weight.

Insoluble fiber is an excellent natural laxative, because of its abilities to hold onto water and to push waste faster along the intestines - this way fiber decreases the risk of colon cancer. 

In conclusion I'd like to tell you that you won't be sorry if you start eating more fiber-rich foods. Like many other people I used to take not enough fiber, and I suffered stomach aches. Then I started to eat more fruits and fiber-rich foods in my daily menu. I must admit that it really worked for me, and now fiber-rich food is the most important nutritious part of my regular diet.

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Elements Of Good Nutrition

With the amount of information that exists about good nutrition, you would think it was a big mystery. The truth of the matter is, there is no mystery involved in getting the proper nutrients that your body needs. Why should you care about getting the proper nutrients? Many people are under the misconception that eating healthy is for the young because they are growing. Tissue and cells are constantly being renewed in both children and adults. The failure for these elements to repair themselves can result in diseases of lifelong misery or worse, death. To lower your risk of developing a disease, you simply need to follow three simple steps of good nutrition.  

Proper Hydration

Plain and simple, your body needs water. Being properly hydrated will benefit you from head to toe. Water keeps your cells hydrated and flowing throughout your body. It doesn't take long to witness the benefits of drinking sufficient water. Just a week of being hydrated and your skin will have a new glow. If you need to lose weight, water can help you achieve your goal. In many instances, people misinterpret thirst for hunger. Unless it's been a few hours since you have eaten, have a glass of water the next time you have hunger pains.

There are numerous guidelines for how much water to drink. Consuming eight glasses of water each day is the most popular guideline. People have different needs. A better indication of how hydrated you are is your urine. When you are properly hydrated your urine is almost clear. There is the possibility of water intoxication so you don't want your urine to be completely colorless.

Eating Healthy

In addition to being hydrated, you need to eat a variety of foods. Forget fad diets that restrict certain foods. The key to healthy eating is to eat in moderation and variety. Your food choices should include a large percentage from complex carbohydrates, which is sufficient for energy. You should also consume several servings of fruits, vegetables, grains, and dairy every day. You should limit your servings of protein and fats to two or three servings each day. By including all of these food groups in your diet, you are less likely to be hungry or have cravings for sweets and other non-nutritional foods.

Vitamin Supplementation

As long as you live in a country where food is plentiful and produced safely, you should have no problem obtaining the amount of vitamins and minerals your body needs. However, food allergies, dislikes, and illness may prevent you from eating certain foods. Some people, for example, are lactose intolerant and cannot consume dairy products. In these instances, supplementation should become a part of a plan for healthy nutrition. You don't need a prescription to purchase vitamins, but it is a good idea to discuss your particular needs with your medical doctor. Consuming excessive amounts of some vitamins can cause toxicity and unpleasant side effects.

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Eating To Ease Arthritis Pain

Do aches and pains have you out of joint? Concerns culminating in the withdrawal of several selective Cox-2 inhibitors, like Vioxx, have many arthritis sufferers turning to the supplement aisle in search of relief. 

Could diet and exercise provide more reliable solutions? Here's a roundup of recent research into those foods that help support healthy joints: 

* Pineapple: Bromelain is an enzyme that can help ease joint pain and relieve muscle soreness. Scientists at the Dole Nutrition Institute found that fresh or frozen pineapple has as much, if not more, bromelain activity than supplements. Pineapples also provide an excellent source of vitamin C, which helps promote collagen formation and improve iron absorption, and manganese, which supports metabolism and bone density. 

* Cherries: a top source of anthocyanins that reduce inflammation and may protect against gout (an inflammatory form of arthritis). One study found that cherry consumption lowered blood levels of uric acid, which can accumulate in joints, causing pain. 

* Broccoli: Cruciferous veggies such as broccoli contain sulforaphane, which triggers the body's own antioxidant defenses. New research suggests this process may help block effects of Cox-2 enzymes on inflammation. Broccoli sprouts are one of the most potent sources of these compounds, which you'll also find in cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts. 

* Red bell peppers: Just one contains more than 470 percent of your daily vitamin C needs (yellow peppers contain 450 percent and green peppers contain 190 percent). According to a Boston University study, people getting under 150 milligrams daily of vitamin C had faster cartilage breakdown. Other top sources of vitamin C are citrus fruit, pineapple, kiwi, cantaloupe, papaya, strawberries, tomatoes, kale, collard greens and sweet potatoes. 

* Black cod: Move over, salmon! Black cod has even higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which may help rheumatoid arthritis by reducing inflammation. Flounder, halibut and sardines also contain this healthy fat, as do flaxseed oil, pecans, walnuts, tofu and leafy green vegetables. 

* Button mushrooms: an unexpected source of vitamin D, adequate levels of which decrease vulnerability to arthritis pain. Sunshine enables your body to produce vitamin D; other sources include oysters, sardines and fortified nonfat dairy. 

* Kale: one of the healthier sources of calcium, which helps hold the line against osteoarthritis by slowing bone loss. Be adventurous - try collard greens, arugula, soy and beans in addition to some of the better-known calcium sources. 

* Tea: Green and black tea contain flavonoids, antioxidant compounds that may block the production of prostaglandins, which cause inflammation and pain. 

While the foods cited above have compounds with targeted joint health benefits, Harvard research found a more general link between high fruit and vegetable consumption and lower risk of rheumatoid arthritis. 

What to limit? Red meat. British researchers found that too much red meat increased the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. Those who ate the most red meat were twice as likely to develop the condition than those who limited their intake to less than 1 ounce per day. 

Eating less meat and more fruit and vegetables also helps maintain a healthy weight - an important facet of managing joint pain. If you're among the majority of Americans who are either obese or overweight, slimming down can significantly slow progression of joint degeneration and ease pain. In fact, you can reduce knee stress by 40 to 80 pounds with a mere 10-pound weight loss.

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Eating The Right Way

When you think about weight loss, what do you think of first? Which aspects of weight loss are important, which are essential, and which ones can you take or leave? You be the judge. 

Once you begin to move beyond basic background information, you begin to realize that there's more to weight loss than you may have first thought.  

It probably comes to you as naturally as breathing—the art of eating. However, you might never have been taught to eat well. This is critically important because, unless you learn to eat well, you may never master the art of dieting. In our society, certain inappropriate eating habits have become routine. By attacking these habits, you can increase the likelihood that you will actually lose weight.

To begin with, it is important that you learn to eat slowly. At first, this might be quite a challenge. We have been conditioned to live in a fast food world. We rush meals in order to have time to run to soccer practice, to a piano recital, or to school and work. We think that rushing saves us time—but such a routine can easily backfire, leaving us with unwanted pounds.

Studies have shown that at least 10 minutes is required before the brain receives the message that the stomach is full. This means that you could be eating long after you are actually satiated. Your meal—whether it’s in the morning, afternoon, or evening—should last at least ten minutes. Train yourself to lengthen your meal by engaging in conversation, resting your fork between courses, chewing slowly, and drinking plenty of water between courses. You should also wait at least ten minutes after your main meal before deciding if you need dessert. Within that period of time, you may discover that you weren’t really hungry after all.

Another trick is to place serving dishes on the counter and leave them there. As a result, you’ll actually have to get up out of your seat in order to get more food. You may decide that it’s not worth the bother. Or you may find that you discover that you need no more food between courses. Also, do not eat directly from an ice cream carton, tortilla chip bag, or cracker box. Otherwise, you could find yourself easily overeating.

You should always eat at the table. This prevents you from trying to engage in multitasking, such as surfing the ‘Net, watching television, or flipping through magazines while you eat. At the table, you’ll be forced to concentrate on how much food you are putting into your mouth. If you eat anywhere else, you may lose track of how much food you’re consuming.

Abandon the idea that you must clean your plate. It is simply not true. Research has shown that more than half of adults insist on cleaning their plates, even when they are already full. This means that you are overeating simply out of politeness. Such a habit only serves to add unwanted pounds. Instead of cleaning your plate, try eating only that portion of food that makes you feel full. You’ll be healthier and happier that way.

Do not keep food in plain view during the day. If the cookie jar is open or the pretzel bag is out on the table, you’ll have a tremendous urge to eat, even if you are not hungry. After a meal, put your food away in the refrigerator, inside your cupboard, or in the Lazy Susan. This way, you’ll actually have to do some work to get at food before you consume it.

If you happen to overeat, don’t spend a great deal of time sulking. Accept your mistake and move on. If you’ve veered off course, take corrective action and forget about it. Otherwise, you could find yourself eating out of frustration, or going off your diet entirely. It’s better to sabotage a single meal than a lifetime’s worth of meals.  

You may be self-conscious at first as you attempt to change your eating habits. Realize that your bad habits did not start overnight, so it will take some time to correct them. While it may seem an arduous task initially, it is well worth the effort. You’ll quickly find that your new eating habits have helped you to lose unwanted weight. Granted, such techniques as hiding your food and eating more slowly will not in themselves cause you to lose weight, but they will help you to curb your overeating over the long run. And you’ll be a better person for it.  

Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action.

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Eating The Australian Way

Australians are often divided into the haves, and the have-nots. But they're not always talking about money. These days, it's often the haves (too much body fat), versus the have-nots (not overweight). 

We can't seem to make up our minds whether to eat at McDonald's, KFC, Pizza Hut, Krispy Kreme, Starbucks, and All-You-Can-Eat fast food restaurants, or whether to grab a protein snack, a freshly-squeezed fruit juice with wheatgrass and go straight to the gym. 

Women's Magazines have the same problem. A sample magazine from this month featured diet and exercise routines from three TV personalities and movie stars. Yet the back section of the magazine featured recipes such as luscious mocha fudge cake. 

The incidence of obesity in Australia rose dramatically in the 90s - 80% for women. And over 20% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese. Our eating habits are often unbalanced. 

Yet a trip to the local beach shows a large number of exceedingly fit bodies, often accompanied by personal trainers. Perhaps the rebellion has begun. 

Australian authors are now responsible for several internationally-known health and fitness books, such as the Sandra Cabot's Liver Cleansing Diet, the CSIRO Well-Being Diet, and Jennie Brand-Miller's New Glucose Revolution. 

So let's assume you've decided to improve your health and fitness, upped your intake of raw fruit and veggies (for Liver Cleansing), are monitoring your intake of white breads and potatoes (for Glucose Revolution), and planning a BBQ based around lean meat for dinner tonight (CSIRO diet). 

A November 2005 announcement from Jennie Brand-Miller is good news for the traditional Ocker image of throwing a shrimp on the barbie, while drinking a cold beer. 

Apparently moderate alcohol intake has been related to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. The new study looked at the impact of beer, white wine and gin on a carbohydrate-based meal. The result was that the alcoholic drinks, in particular the white wine, helped to lower the glucose and insulin response after the meal. 

So if someone criticizes you for that pre-dinner drink this summer, just say that you're making an effort to avoid diabetes. They may just buy you another drink for being so thoughtful. 

Cheers.

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Eating Out Wisely

Many people I know love eating out at different cafes and restaurants. They love trying out new places almost as much as they love returning to their old favorite spots. They love trying new menu items and discovering new ways to eat the foods they enjoy the most. Eating out can be both a wonderful and very dangerous thing.

In America we are blessed to have restaurants dotting the streets of many streets in towns and cities of all sizes. We are rarely at a loss for places to eat out. One of the greatest things about eating out is that it saves time that many busy people do not have to waste. After spending long hours at our workplaces, few people have the time or energy to return home and cook a gourmet meal. Eating out seems to be a great solution at the end of a long, tiring day.

Eating out can also be great because we can try a wide variety of foods and drinks that we don't have the ability to make ourselves. No one loves eating the same basic foods over and over again, so eating out can be a good way to give our taste buds something new.

However, if we are not careful, eating out can also be dangerous for a couple of big reasons. First, we must use caution in eating out for the sake of our health. Most restaurants and cafes offer huge portions of items that are unhealthy to eat and drink. Eating out often means filling up on appetizers, a main course, a few high calorie beverages, and a dessert to finish off the evening. Think about how many calories you can consume during a meal like this. I am not, of course, saying that we should never enjoy eating out. I am, however, saying that we need to be careful, for our health's sake, about eating out too frequently. We must be careful to watch our choices when we are eating out. Choose healthier items or commit to only eating half of the meal you choose. There are ways of eating out healthily, it just takes conscious effort.

Another huge reason to be careful about eating out too often is your pocketbook and budget. It is no secret that eating out costs more, on average, than cooking meals in your own home. It is easy to accumulate large bills, especially at nicer places. So be careful that you stick to a budget when you make plans for eating out.

Beware. Eating out can be one of the greatest pleasures or one of the most dangerous things. Enjoy it, but do it with caution.

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Eating Greens

Eating a lot of greens can have many health benefits to you. You may not know all the good things that greens can do for you, so read on.

A substance that is found in all plants is Chlorophyll. What it does is it acts as a blood detoxifier, which helps increase circulation to all your organs. It does this by dilating blood vessels and it is also a natural deodorant because it helps reduce offensive body orders. Wow, 2 in one can’t beat that. 

Super green foods come from young cereal grasses like wheat, barley, rye, alfalfa, oats, kelp, chlorella and many others as well. These have a whole lot of nutrients in them; they even have more nutrients than spinach, eggs, broccoli, chicken in calcium, iron, protein and all of the other categories as well. So it would be better for you to opt for super greens.

Did you know that super green foods are the only vegetables that can help animals maintain their weight, strength and good health even if it is consumed alone? Super greens can help boost your immune system. They are powerful antioxidants that can help you grow and have many other health benefits as well. Bottom line is super greens are one of the greatest things you can do to your body. They do so much for our bodies, so we don’t have to worry much about being healthy. 

Speaking of Barley greens, here's the result of a scientific study;

"The data summarized in current review point out that major mechanism and more than 30 functional ingredients of barley grass exert potent preventive exceed 20 chronic diseases. The result reveals coevolution between preventive chronic diseases and young barley grass for functional foods of human beings. We can suggest that chronic diseases of human beings are associated with six major dietary structures: (i) fruits/vegetables, (ii) young grass/barley grass, (iii) carnivorous, (iv) cereal crops (rice, wheat, millet, beans, barley, and corn), (v) polished rice or wheat flour, and (vi) white rice or wheat flour + grass powder. The modern diet of polished rice and wheat flour is the key for the outbreak of chronic diseases in human beings, but white rice (wheat flour) + barley grass powder is the healthiest major dietary guidelines for modern humans. Although functional ingredients of barley grass for preventing and treating chronic diseases seem a complicated task, the barley grass powder is the best functional foods of cell nutrition and detoxification in marketable nutritional and health products all over the world, which is associated with coevolution for the similar center of origin (Africa, especially Ethiopia) between human beings and barley, because a health product can prevent and cure more than 20 chronic diseases which has not been reported, which may still open new venues for therapeutic interventions. Regular consumption of barley has 8000 years history, which may become a successful and safe strategy to treat chronic disease conditions. These data support that barley grass powder is rich in GABA, flavonoids, SOD, K-Ca, vitamins, and tryptophan, which are known to play a pivotal role in many chronic diseases.

This review provides important information and effective strategies that will guide future research and production of functional foods, especially GABA, flavonoids, SOD, K-Ca, vitamins, and tryptophan for prevention and treatment of chronic diseases...

...Further researches are indispensable to resolve lots of problems, such as a better understanding of the interconnection between other 20 functional ingredients and preventing chronic diseases in clinical trials as well as ecological contribution. Further studies are necessary to unravel major pathological mechanism of coevolution between preventive chronic diseases and young barley grass for functional foods of human beings. This review may be used as a starting point for novel nutraceuticals, functional foods, or complementary and alternative drugs to maintain or improve the chronic diseases in barley grass." - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5904770/

Let me add more data. In barley, the content of bound phenolic compound is found to be the highest followed by conjugated and free forms of polyphenols. These polyphenols include benzoic and cinnamic acid derivatives, flavones, proanthocyanidins, flavanones, flavonols, phenolic amino compounds and quinines.

Here's one for men. Barley with coffee may dissolve the oxidized fat plaque blockages that cause erectile dysfunction.

"Metabolic syndrome is a strong risk factor for atherosclerosis-associated CVD and T2DM. Obesity due to excess energy intake strongly enhances the metabolic syndrome—concomitant obesity is the major driver of the syndrome. However, coffee polyphenols can reverse the metabolic risk factors of metabolic syndrome. Coffee polyphenols inhibit atherosclerosis-related CVD and T2DM, respectively. Coffee has many health-promoting properties, and chlorogenic acid appears to protect against metabolic syndrome through its antioxidant activity. The antioxidative effects of coffee components may be a basic feature of prevention." -https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5836016/

Also another good thing is that there is no harm in eating super green foods, they give us so many nutrients and are the most natural way of getting everything your body needs to function and be healthy. So go out there and start eating more greens, after all you want to be healthy right? Don’t forget to tell everyone you know about the benefits of greens as well so they can make that same decision as well.

Research Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/barley-grass

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29849880/

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Eating For Life

Eating is an essential part of life. We cannot sustain life for long without eating, so it is important that we take the time to learn how to eat well in order to have the best life possible. Our views of eating and the eating practices we adopt will affect our lives and our health in significant ways in the months and years ahead. Eating well can literally change everything.

Eating can be both a blessing and a curse. Many people struggle with eating because they cannot keep it in balance. They end up eating too little or too much and do not live healthy lives because of it. We all know the dangers of eating too little. Probably everyone has at least one friend that struggles with an eating disorder of some kind. That friend just cannot seem to get a grip on their eating patterns and they are unhealthy because of it. They think about or talk about food almost constantly.

Other people struggle with eating too much. Eating more food than we need to live is something that the majority of people, at least in the West, struggle with. Eating is associated with most kinds of social activities and events and therefore people learn to eat for reasons other than to satisfy hunger or prolong their health. Eating becomes a way to experience pleasure or to numb the pains of life.

The bottom line is that whether people struggle with eating too little or with indulging on food too much, they are not using food in ways that are healthy and life-promoting. Eating, while it is definitely meant to bring people pleasure and satisfaction, is primarily to be a means of sustaining a healthy life. Our problems begin anytime eating is neglected or indulged in beyond what is necessary.

Take a look at your eating patterns. You may be surprised to see that you have established unhealthy eating habits over the years. Perhaps your schedule for each day is centered around when you can have meals or a snack. If so, there is a high chance that food has become a bit too high of a priority. Anytime that your thoughts are consumed with food, whether with restraining yourself from it or with consuming more of it, you are thinking of eating and of food in unhealthy ways.

Giving eating a rightful place in our lives without allowing it to become consuming is the key. Make an effort to keep your perspective about eating balanced and healthy. Your life will be better and longer because of it.

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Cayenne Pepper Could Help Stomach Ulcers

If you suffer from a peptic or duodenal ulcer, the last thing you might consider taking is hot Cayenne Pepper. This goes against everything you've ever heard about what aggravates an ulcer. The facts are that most "spicy" foods do just the opposite. Capsicum can reduce pain which serves as a local anesthetic to ulcerated tissue in the stomach and can even help to control bleeding in the stomach.

Some individuals may be bothered by eating "Red Pepper" or spicy foods. These foods do not cause the formation of gastric ulcers in normal people. An interesting note is that people suffering from ulcers usually avoid Cayenne Pepper, in fact those people may actually benefit from its therapeutic action.

Taking Capsicum may significantly reduce the risk of ever developing a peptic ulcer. A Chinese study published in 1995 stated, "Our data supports the hypothesis that the chili used has a protective effect against peptic ulcer disease."

Another 1995 study found that Capsicum can even protect the stomach lining from aspirin induced ulcers. Aspirin can cause stomach ulceration in certain individuals or if taken with too little water or juice. Researchers have concluded after experimenting with human volunteers that the capsaicin content of capsicum has a definite gastro - protective effect on the mucous membranes of the stomach. Eighteen healthy volunteers with normal gastrointestinal mucosa took chili and water followed by 600 mg of aspirin and water. The study was conducted over a period of four weeks. Endoscopy results showed that taking 20 grams of chili before the aspirin definitely demonstrated a protective action on the stomach lining. Capsicum has the ability to rebuild stomach tissue.

Capsicum has the ability to bring blood to regions of tissue at a faster rate and boosts the assimilation of foods that are consumed with it. Several clinical studies support this phenomenon. It has been thought that Capsicum stimulate the release of substances which increase secretions in the stomach and intestines plus can increase an abundance of blood to the stomach and intestines. In fact, Capsicum can increases the flow of digestive secretions from the salivary, gastric and intestinal glands.

References:

1 J. Y. Kang, et al. "The effect of chili ingestion of gastrointestinal mucosal proliferation and azoxymethane-induced cancer in the rat." Journal of Gastroenterology-Hepatol. Mar-Apr. 1992: 7 (2): 194-98.

2 K. G. Yeoh, et al. "Chile protects against aspirin-induced gastroduodenal mucosal injury in humans." Dig-Dis-Sci. Mar. 1995: 40 (3): 580-83.

3 Ibid.

4 Ibid.

5 L. Limo Wongse, et al. "Effect of capsaicin on gastric acid secretion and mucosal blood flow in the rat." Journal of Nutrition. 1979: 109, 773-77. See also T. Kolatat

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Can Nutrition Help Slow Down The Aging Process?

We all age. That fact is inevitable.  But a lot of the negative changes that take place in our bodies are not. As we age, we become more susceptible to such things as heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and arthritis. However, medical research has shown that proper nutrition can slow down and even prevent many of these ailments.

It is estimated that nearly one half of all health problems in the elderly are directly related to poor nutrition. The elderly are by and large some of the most poorly nourished people. Some reasons for this are as you age your sense of taste and smell decreases, it is harder to chew, and you just don’t feel hungry.

In some cases, financial reasons may affect the food choices made and it may be harder to get out and shop for food due to various physical factors. On top of this, as you get older your body may not be able to absorb some of the nutrition from food as well as it could when you were younger. In some cases a good multivitamin (preferably in liquid form) could help offset this. Your doctor can help you find one that’s right for you.

Here are a few things that you can do to plan for better nutrition in your diet and a healthier life as you get older:

Plan out regular meals for each day and try to include vegetables in at least 2 of them every day. If you must snack, use fruits and vegetables rather than junk food like potato chips and candy.

If you have problems chewing meat, try going with things like fish and ground meats. Also try to eat more soups as they can have plenty of nutrition in them and they are great choices if you are on a budget.

Make meals more interesting by inviting a friend to lunch or dinner once in a while. Sometimes it can get boring to always eat alone and having someone over can entice you to get more creative with meals than you might when eating alone.

One thing you can do to ensure that you’ll be getting better nutrition is to make each plate colorful. Different color vegetables for example generally contain different nutrients so the idea here is, mix it up.

Growing old may be inevitable but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow old gracefully and healthier and with a steady diet of proper nutrition, you can maintain better health well into your golden years.

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Carbohydrates And The Glycemic Index

You may have heard about the glycemic index and wondered what it is all about. The glycemic index is a ranking of carbohydrates based on their immediate effect on blood glucose (blood sugar) levels. It compares foods gram for gram of carbohydrate. Carbohydrates that breakdown quickly during digestion have the highest glycemic indexes. The blood glucose response is fast and high. Carbohydrates that break down slowly, releasing glucose gradually into the bloodstream, have low glycemic indexes.

Foods with a high glycemic index convert into sugar very quickly, with negative physical effects. Foods with a low glycemic index turn into sugar gradually, helping maintain your body's chemical balance. In general, foods with a low index are preferable.

Glycemic Load measures the amount of sugar a food actually releases in the body. Foods with a low glycemic load usually have a low glycemic index, yet still have a low glycemic load. Other foods have both a high index and a high load. You should avoid high load foods as a regular part of your meal plan.

When you choose carbohydrate foods, check both their glycemic index and glycemic load. Detailed tables with this information are widely available. Use the chart below to get started.

High Glycemic Index

-  Fruits and Vegetables

    * Corn

    * Cranberry juice

    * Orange juice*

    * Raisin 

- Starches

    * Bagel

    * Bread (white)

    * Refined cereal

    * Granola

    * Muffin

    * Pasta

    * Potato

    * Pretzel

    * Rice

    * Tortilla (flour)

Medium Glycemic Index

Fruits and Vegetables              Starches

Apricot*                                    French Fries

Grape*                                     Oatmeal

Pineapple*                               Pita Bread

Watermelon                             Waffle

Low Glycemic Index

Fruits and Vegetables

    * Apple*

    * Asparagus*

    * Broccoli*

    * Brussels sprout*

    * Cauliflower*

    * Celery*

    * Cherry*

    * Cucumber*

    * Grapefruit*

    * Green Bean*

    * Green pepper*

    * Kiwi*

    * Lettuce*

    * Onion*

    * Orange*

    * Peach*

    * Plum*

    * Spinach*

    * Strawberry*

    * Tomato*

    * Zucchini*

    * * Low glycemic load foods.

Simply eating more fruits and vegetables is not the answer - they must be the right fruits and vegetables. Starchy vegetables such as peas or lentils (200 to 250 calories per cup) are healthy, but they contain more calories than you may want. If you need to eat more to satisfy your hunger, add low glycemic load vegetables. For example, spinach and asparagus are better choices than higher calorie corn and peas. A cup of spinach topped with 1/2 cup of tomato sauce has only about 90 calories, but it gives you nutrients from two color groups.

Why Not Brown and Beige?

When considering which foods to enjoy sparingly, also use color as a guideline. Many brown and beige carbohydrates, like pasta, beans and potatoes, while healthy, also tend to be high in calories.

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