Thursday, August 14, 2008

Fight Immune-Based Cancers With Blackberries

Blueberries have been lauded for their antioxidant ability and cancer-fighting effects. But another berry may offer protection against some of the deadliest forms of cancer.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh evaluated the effect of a compound extracted from blackberries called cyanidin-3-rutinoside (C-3-R) on cultured human leukemia cells. The C-3-R was tested on several cell lines of human leukemia, and the test was repeated using cell cultures of lymphoma, another immune-based cancer. The scientists found that when applied at low doses, C-3-R killed half the cancer cells within 18 hours of treatment. When applied at higher doses, the blackberry extract killed all cancer cells present within 18 hours.

According to cancer expert and researcher Gary Stoner, 1.5 to 2 cups of fresh berries may be the ideal dose for staving off certain types of cancer. So whether you choose marionberries (the "Cabernet of blackberries"), traditional evergreen blackberries, or big and bold boysenberries, you'll get a burst of summer-fresh flavor... and a bushel of cancer protection to boot.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Cocoa: Packed With Cancer Fighters

By Kelley Herring

Are you a chocolate lover? Good news! Cornell food scientists recently found that cocoa is teeming with antioxidants that help prevent cancer.

In fact, according to their recent research published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, cocoa has nearly twice the antioxidants of red wine and up to three times the amount found in green tea.

But there is a caveat. You'll do more harm than good if you start chowing down on sugar-laden chocolate. You're best bet to benefit from the bean is to use organic, unsweetened, non-alkalized cocoa.

Stir it into coffee, whirl it into berry smoothies, or try delicious chocolate desserts made with the all-natural "Super Sweetener of the Future": erythritol.

Friday, August 1, 2008

The Best Way to Strengthen Your Body

Lack of strength is the number one reason for falls in the elderly, so strengthening your body is essential as you get older. Now research proves that you can gain strength and muscle at any age.

Danish scientists studied 36 patients between the ages of 60 and 86 after they'd had a single hip-replacement surgery. The subjects did three resistance-training workouts per week for 12 weeks, and increased their muscle strength by over 29 percent at both fast and slow speeds of movement. Plus, they increased the size of their slow- and fast-muscle fibers by 17 percent and 37 percent respectively.

In addition, the subjects were able to boost their stair-walking power by 35 percent. The researchers found that this was related to the increase in their fast-muscle fibers. They also found that traditional rehabilitation methods had no functional or strength benefits.

In order to work your fast-muscle fibers, you need to do challenging strength-training workouts. Using light weights that you can lift for 20 to 30 reps will not boost your fast-twitch muscle fiber strength or your power.

So, no matter what your age, make plans to meet with a personal trainer who knows how to get you stronger by using basic exercises like step-ups, squats, rows, and push-ups. Avoid any trainer who wants you to train with light weights for "toning," as that will have no long-term effect on your health or performance.