Ward Off Three Health Disasters

Nuts and seeds like cashews, pistachios, and walnuts often get a bad rap for their high fat and calorie content. Yet, they are among the best foods for igniting metabolism and controlling hunger. Even better than that, nuts and seeds can help protect against three major diseases.

Unlike sugary snacks, nuts and seeds do not spike blood sugar or the fat-storing hormone insulin. Why is this important? As insulin surges into the blood, it removes two anti-aging substances - growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor. Worse, excess blood levels of insulin lead to obesity, heart disease, and Type II diabetes. So choosing snacks - like nuts and seeds - that keep your insulin in check can actually help ward off these three health disasters

Strawberries

In the Women's Health Study, researchers examined the relationship between eating strawberries and the risk of cardiovascular disease and CRP. They found that women who ate two or more servings of strawberries per week had a 14 percent lower risk of elevated CRP (3 mg/L or higher) than women who ate none.

Remember, strawberries are one of the crops most contaminated by pesticides, so be sure the ones you eat are organic. Just one cup of fresh or frozen organic strawberries - tossed on a salad, whirled into a smoothie, or enjoyed fresh from the carton - will give you those two inflammation-slashing servings.

A Swiss study that found five of these chemicals in commonly used sunscreens:

Swiss study that found five of these chemicals in commonly used sunscreens:

Octyl-dimethyl-PABA (OD-PABA)

Benzophenone-3 (Bp-3)

Homosalate (HMS)

Octyl-methoxycinnamate (OMC)

4-methyl-benzylidene camphor (4-MBC)

In laboratory testing, each one of these chemicals behaves like estrogen. And when they are combined, they can have a synergistic effect. In other words, two "weak" xenoestrogens can produce a very strong response.

Not only does this disrupt the hormonal system, but these chemicals are known to stimulate tumor growth and the spread of cancer. (Not to mention a decline in male sperm count, early puberty, and feminine characteristics in men.)

And don't think you're safe just because you don't "ingest" these chemicals. Clinical studies show that they easily penetrate the skin and enter the bloodstream.

Whenever possible, you should avoid using chemical sunscreen. Protect yourself from sunburn with clothing and shade. And when it is necessary to use sunscreen, look for a chemical-free product with zinc oxide as the active ingredient. (You can find several brands at health food stores.)

Boost Antioxidants

A recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition evaluated the antioxidant content of foods after they were prepared in several different ways. Based on the results of that study, here's how to get far more free-radical fighting ability out of some of your favorites than they have when they're raw:

Carrots: Steaming boosts antioxidants by 291%; boiling by 129-159%.

Asparagus: Steaming boosts antioxidants by 205%.

Broccoli: Steaming boosts antioxidants by 122-654%.

Green Cabbage: Steaming boosts antioxidants by 448%.

Red Cabbage: Steaming boosts antioxidants by 270%.

Green Pepper: Steaming boosts antioxidants by 467%.

Red Pepper: Steaming boosts antioxidants by 180%.

Tomatoes: Steaming boosts antioxidants by 112-164%.

Spinach: Boiling boosts antioxidants by 84-114%.

Sweet Potatoes: Steaming boosts antioxidants by 413%.

Building energy

Colostrum is the early milk that a mammal produces for a few days after delivering a baby. In cows, it's called bovine colostrum. A study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine reports that bovine colostrum helped male cyclists have more energy during a bout of intense training.

Cecelia Shing, at the University of Queensland in Australia, followed 29 male distance cyclists. Her research team first took baseline measurements of the men's performance on a 40-kilometer time trial. They then randomly assigned the cyclists to drink either a supplement containing 10 grams of bovine colostrum protein or a whey protein supplement every day for eight weeks. During week eight, the men underwent five consecutive days of high-intensity training. There were no clear differences between the two groups during normal training. However, volunteers who used bovine colostrum performed at a higher level, with fewer signs of fatigue, during tests taken after the five-day run of intense training.

There are certain foods that I would consider superfoods in that they have a high concentration of substances useful for well-being and overall health. Colostrum falls into this category. It is rich in immunoglobulins - proteins involved in promoting the immune system and fighting germs. It has other beneficial compounds, too - such as growth factors and nucleosides - that are not found in regular milk.

You can find bovine colostrum in the dairy section of any health food store. It is also available as a supplement in capsule form.

Acne Improved on Low-Glycemic Diet

By Dr. Ray Sahelian, MD

Foods that produce a high glycemic load - such as sugared drinks, white bread, and white potatoes - cause a quick rise in blood sugar. More complex carbohydrates with fiber, such as unrefined cereals, grains, and beans, have a more gradual effect on blood sugar, and, thus, have a low glycemic index. Eating low-glycemic foods can help stave off obesity and diabetes. It can also help clear up unsightly acne.

Dr. Robyn N. Smith, from the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, evaluated acne symptoms in 43 male patients. The participants - who ranged in age from 15 to 25 - were randomly assigned to a low-glycemic-load diet or a normal diet. After three months, the low-glycemic diet was associated with a significant reduction in acne compared with the normal diet. In addition, the low-glycemic diet produced greater reductions in body weight and body mass and a greater increase in insulin sensitivity.

One reason for the success of the low-glycemic diet is that it limits the increase in insulin levels. Chronically high levels of insulin may lead to blockages in skin pores and extra oil building up under the skin.

Along with sticking to low-glycemic foods, eating lots of fish full of omega-3 EPA and DHA oils is very helpful for people with acne. Even with the best diet, many teenagers will be bothered with pimples. But their skin problem is likely to be less severe when they adopt a healthier diet.

Osteoarthritis Pain

Acetaminophen - the generic name for Tylenol - is an effective way to reduce joint pain from arthritis. But acetaminophen can cause harm to the liver, even at doses of one gram a day. So I do not think it is a good drug to take long term for a chronic condition like osteoarthritis. Instead, consider supplementing with glucosamine sulfate.

Researchers in Madrid, Spain compared the effect of glucosamine sulfate versus acetaminophen on the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis during a six-month course of treatment. Patients were randomly assigned to receive oral glucosamine sulfate (1,500 mg once daily), acetaminophen (3 grams a day), or a placebo. The findings of this study indicate that, in the long run, glucosamine sulfate is at least as effective as acetaminophen for knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

You can find glucosamine supplements in most health food stores. Combining glucosamine with chondroitin and other nutrients or herbs may be more beneficial than taking it by itself. So look for supplements that include CMO, curcumin, or boswellia - all of which play a role in joint health.

Male Sex Hormone May Affect Stock Trades

The hormone that drives male aggression and sexual interest also seems able to boost short term success at finance. But what seems to start out well can turn bad, with elevated testosterone levels over several days possibly leading to irrational risk-taking, according to researchers at the University of Cambridge in England.

Those with higher levels of testosterone in the morning were more likely to make an unusually big profit that day, the researchers found.
Testosterone, best known as the male sex hormone, affects aggression, confidence and risk-taking.

Money and women trigger the same brain area in men, those researchers said.

In hormone research there is the "winner model," based on both human and animal activity, in which competitors have rising testosterone levels. When one wins, his hormone levels increase even more, while they fall in the loser.

That can give the winner an advantage in aggression and risk-taking in the next competition, a positive feedback, he explained. But after a while the effect overreaches and the male begins making stupid decisions.

Cortisol is likely to rise in a market crash and, by increasing risk aversion, to exaggerate the market's downward movement. Testosterone, on the other hand, is likely to rise in a bubble and, by increasing risk taking, to exaggerate the market's upward movement.

And that, may help explain why people caught in bubbles and crashes often find it difficult to make rational choices.

Wal-Mart's $8 Cure for Deadly...

...Blood Clots and Poor Cardiovascular Function


Millions of Americans are choking down blood pressure meds (beta-blockers like Lopressor and Toprol-XL) and aspirin (or the deadly Plavix) to avoid this death sentence. At the same time, they are putting themselves at risk for side effects like lethargy, obesity, heart disease, internal bleeding, and even cancer.

But preventing heart attack and stroke doesn't have to be risky. One safe and inexpensive supplement can keep your blood healthy and control your blood pressure. And you don't need a prescription to get it. Heart attack and stroke can be delayed - and even stopped - naturally, for about $8 a month at Wal-Mart.

Hawthorn. Used for thousands of years, it has proven to be a safe and effective method for ensuring healthy blood and arteries. It destroys potentially deadly blood clots on contact. Hawthorn works by preventing excess platelet aggregation while releasing pressure from the cardiovascular system. Studying these benefits of hawthorn, the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy showed that it could successfully be used to treat heart failure, hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias. And, most exciting, users won't suffer from nasty side effects. As a bonus, they'll protect their wallets from Big Pharma. Plavix costs about $100 a month; hawthorn costs $8.

It's important to make sure there are no fillers - like dextrose (sugar) - in your hawthorn supplement. Make sure any hawthorn you purchase has been confirmed for purity with a Certificate of Analysis (COA). You can request a COA directly from the manufacturer of any supplement - for free.

Ramp Up Your Physical Strength and Vitality

Resveratrol may also turn out to be what spinach was for Popeye. In one study, it turned mice into Mighty Mice, granting them extraordinary strength and stamina. Once fed resveratrol, they ramped up their aerobic capacity, lengthened their running time, and burned more oxygen. Researchers also noticed that resveratrol enhanced their muscles' ability to turn fuel into energy.

Resveratrol taps into your body's natural, life-giving force, unleashing vitality, energy, strength, and stamina. It can literally add years to your life.

The problem is how to get enough of it.

Nearly all the experiments I mentioned used quantities of resveratrol well beyond what you'd be able to get from drinking a lot of wine or eating plums all day. So this is a case where supplements may be a better option. They're inexpensive and safe. You can find them in health food stores or online. I recommend taking about 20 mg per day.

Natural Cancer Fighter

Resveratrol is a major weapon in the battle against cancer - in both men and women.

Someday, doctors may turn to resveratrol instead of drugs or surgery as a first-line defense and treatment for prostate cancer. In mice, it's been shown to reduce prostate cancer risk as much as 87 percent. And in those that had already developed prostate cancer, resveratrol slowed tumor growth by up to 49 percent.

For women, resveratrol may prove just as powerful in the fight against breast cancer. Another study on mice found that it slowed tumor growth and killed off cancer cells and the blood vessels they need to grow.

Resveratrol is truly amazing. It acts just like chemotherapy in mice, but naturally and without any of the horrific side effects. And while it stimulates blood vessel growth to benefit the heart, it kills the blood vessels that feed tumors. When it comes to preventing cancer and heart disease, it's your guardian angel.

Plants use resveratrol to protect themselves from the harmful effects of too much sun. It may be able to do the same thing for humans. Scientists from the University of Wisconsin looked at resveratrol's effects on skin tumor development in mice caused by harmful UVB rays. They used it just like a lotion, applying it to the skin twice weekly for 28 weeks. Not only did it prevent skin cancer; it also slowed tumor growth significantly.

Adding icing to the cake, the same study confirmed resveratrol's power to enhance overall health and vitality: It boosted the immune system, protected the nervous system, and optimized liver, muscle, and fat cell function. It also prevented diabetes and obesity by lowering insulin resistance, the main cause of Type II diabetes.

More Natural Ways to Get Sleep

If you have no trouble staying asleep, but find yourself lying awake for hours before finally drifting off, you may have onset insomnia. Here are two herbs that can help:

Hops - the herb that beer is made from. It can help induce sleep, but is not as good at maintaining sleep throughout the night. Many people find that hops have a sedating effect. A dosage of 300 to 600 mg is one option to try an hour or two before bed.

Valerian - perhaps the best-known sleep-inducing herb. I find that about half of users like it, while the rest don't feel that it does much for them. Try 300 mg one to three hours before bed to see if it works for you.

When trying natural sleep aids, remember that dosage and timing can vary from person to person. Since you can develop a dependence on these supplements, refrain from taking any sleep aids more than three times per week.

A Natural Way to Get Your Zs

Supplements and herbs are safer than sleep drugs. The bad news: They are neither as consistently effective nor as potent as pharmaceuticals. The good news: By combining certain herbs and nutrients, most people see good results.

Good Night Rx is one supplement you might take to help you sleep. It is a combination of 5-HTP, melatonin, GABA, taurine, kava, valerian, hops, chamomile, and several other herbs. I am quite proud of this formula - which took me years of trial and error to develop. And thus far, feedback has been quite positive, with an 80 percent satisfaction rate. (Quite high for an herbal product.) One to three hours before bed, you take one capsule on an empty stomach. When taken with or just after a meal, this supplement will not work as well. So wait at least half an hour after taking Good Night Rx if you plan to have a late night snack.

Some people say they notice the sleep-inducing effects are even better the second or third night of use. But please note that dosage and timing can vary significantly among different people.

Medicine for Sleep

Natural supplements can help protect you from a wide range of health issues. But keep in mind that high doses of some herbs and supplements can make you feel alert at bedtime and cause shallow sleep. Fortunately, there are other supplements that will help you get your well-needed shuteye.

Which herbs and nutrients are effective for sleep? Below are three of the most commonly used supplements.

5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan: This nutrient converts into serotonin, which is involved in relaxation. At night, serotonin is converted in the pineal gland to melatonin, the sleep hormone. 5-HTP is not consistent in its sleep effects, but sometimes a smaller amount than the usual 50 mg capsule can be effective. Take it on an empty stomach about an hour or two before bedtime. The capsule is easy to open, so you can use half or two-thirds of the contents. Larger amounts can cause nightmares.

Melatonin: A sleep hormone made by the pineal gland at night, melatonin is perhaps the most consistently effective natural supplement for sleep. However, at least a third of people who try it may not find it helpful. The dosage varies between a quarter of a milligram to 3 mg. Higher dosages can cause nightmares and morning grogginess. I suggest using a third or half of a mg at first, taken one to three hours before bedtime on an empty stomach. The sustained release form is a good option.

Tryptophan: This amino acid converts into 5-HTP, which then converts into serotonin and then into melatonin. Try taking 500 mg one to three hours before bedtime on an empty stomach. At least half of users notice a good sleep-inducing effect from tryptophan.

So which of these three supplements is best? It's a matter of personal preference. It is difficult to predict which one will be best for you until you try them all. Even then, use your supplement of choice at most three nights a week. Tolerance and dependence may develop if used nightly. And please note that dosage and timing can vary significantly among different people.

Cancer Fighters

Inside your kitchen cabinet there are probably dozens of spices and herbs you should be using more liberally... and more often.

Rosemary is one of them.

Recent research published in Oncology Reports found that rosemary has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to protect cells from oxidative damage. What's more, this piney spice showed strong cancer-fighting activity against leukemia and breast cancer cell lines.

Because rosemary is so effective at inhibiting oxidation, you may already have started to see it listed as a natural preservative (Vitiva) in some of your favorite foods. In the meantime, add this "herb of remembrance" to marinades, salad dressings, and teas to boost their flavor and antioxidant value.

Lycopene

It seems to me that Americans consume far more tomatoes (and tomato-based products) than other fruits and vegetables.

In other words, we may be consuming enough lycopene in our diet without needing a supplement.

On the downside, we may not be getting enough of the healthy substances found in all those other fruits and vegetables.

Amino Acids

This simple dietary addition can boost lean body mass. And having increased muscle has all sorts of benefits. For example, it can:

ward off diabetes
boost immunity
maximize energy
accelerate metabolism (saving you from developing unsightly belly fat)
prevent osteoporosis

The absolute best source of amino acids is whey isolate. As long as it doesn't contain adulterants like sugar and artificial flavors, anyone at any age can benefit from its muscle-building effects.

Researchers from the School of Biomedical Sciences reviewed all previous studies done with elderly people who suffered from the muscle-wasting disease sarcopenia and then supplemented with whey isolate. By taking about 45 grams of whey isolate per day, these people were able to drastically increase their muscle mass and strength and reverse the disease.

Try stevia drinks

My fluid intake increased dramatically since I started adding lime-flavored stevia drink packets to a quart of water. I love the taste, so I can easily drink an additional quart of water a day. Plus, it is calorie-free. I have served this drink to my friends and guests and almost everyone likes it.

Add a packet to a quart of water, then refrigerate it or add ice. Kids are likely to enjoy it so much that it will reduce their dependence on sodas and sugared beverages. If you substitute this calorie-free drink for sugared sodas, you may actually consume a few hundred less calories a day.

This stevia drink is available in some health food stores, and you can find a reliable source at PhysicianFormulas.com.

Chisel Your Back

STATIC HANG

Grab the bar with an overhand grip and hang with your arms straight. Once you can hang for 60 seconds, wrap a towel around the bar.

The thickness makes your finger and forearm muscles stretch. Work at this until you can hang for 60 seconds.

Burn Calories

Researchers found that the subjects' metabolism was elevated for over 36 hours after their exercise. In other words, they burned more calories and more fat for an entire day and a half after doing the circuit. That's an incredible metabolism boost!

So if you want to burn fat around the clock - while you work and while you rest - include total-body resistance-training workouts in your fat-loss plan.

Build Strength and Fitness

Push-ups are a terrific way to build upper-body strength and endurance. They're also a symbol of fitness and vigor. (Ask anyone who watched 71-year-old Jack Palance drop to the floor and do his now-famous one-handed push-up routine during his Oscar acceptance speech.) Push-ups engage multiple muscle groups, including the chest, the triceps, and the shoulders. Plus, they require abdominal strength for stability. And you can do them anywhere.

Push-ups are particularly valuable for older people. As science reporter Tara Parker Pope says, "The ability to do them more than once and with proper form is an important indicator of the capacity to withstand the rigors of aging."

Here's how to do a push-up using proper form:

Keeping your back straight, put your palms flat on the floor a little wider than your chest. Bend your elbows to lower your shoulders and upper body till your nose is almost touching the floor. Then straighten your elbows to raise back up. Be sure to keep your neck in line with your body. (A good illustration of how to do push-ups can be found at ABC-of-Fitness.com.) Women - who have about one-fifth less muscle than men to begin with - can start with their knees bent and build up to the harder version.

If you really want to test yourself, the Army's standards are the way to go. Passing the test for the military requires at least 24 repetitions for a 37- to 41-year-old man, and six for a woman in the same age group. Want to be better than average? Go for 34 if you're a guy and 13 (or more) if you're a woman.

Acid

Exclusive breakthrough reveals -- dangerously high acid levels in your body may be the hidden cause behind many health problems.

Balancing your pH could bring the health miracle you've been praying for.

For optimal health, your body needs at least 72 trace minerals every day to protect you from the ravages of high acidity. the foods you eat only give you about EIGHT of them!

What is ribose?

Ribose is actually a sugar. It's the base sugar for both DNA and RNA,
and the building block for adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the cell's energy
currency. Because ribose is a 5 carbon sugar (not a 6 carbon sugar) it doesn't
add to your glycemic load or raise blood sugar levels. What it does do is
help put tissue in better physiological condition during and following stress.
Ribose improves recovery time after intense exercise. It also helps keep your
muscles "fed" with energy, giving you stamina during a workout. The result is
a better workout, with fewer sore muscles.

Dr. Jacob Teitlebaum, MD, author of From Fatigued to Fantastic, recommends
taking D-ribose (a powdered form) and starting out with a higher dose to increase
the concentration on the cellular level. For the first three weeks I used ribose,
I took five grams three times daily, then reduced to twice daily.
(I use Jarrow Formulas.)

The benefits of ribose don't stop on the slopes (or in the gym). This amazing
cell fuel has been shown to help increase energy levels in patients with fibromyalgia,
chronic fatigue syndrome, and heart problems as well.

The Era of Cheap Food Is Over

Over the past eight years, the price of food worldwide has increased 75%; the price of wheat has gone up a dramatic 200%.

And the rate of inflation is accelerating. In a recent report, the United Nations predicted that food prices are likely to remain high for a decade.

Here are some facts ...

As of December, 37 countries faced food crises, and 20 had imposed some sort of food-price controls.


The prices of the world's three main grains - rice, wheat and corn - have all more than doubled in the past year.


Part of rising food prices is due to rising fuel prices - as the Saudis raise the price of oil they sell us, we're going to be raising the price of wheat we sell them.

Energy Enhancement

If you need a little pick-me-up to get through the afternoon, you might consider drinking noni juice. It comes from the fruit of the Indian mulberry of the South Pacific Islands of Tahiti and, more recently, from Hawaii.

Noni juice is said to enhance energy and well-being - and now that claim has been backed up by modern research.

Researchers in China gave aged mice Tahitian noni juice. They then compared them in a swim test with young mice and with aged mice that did not drink the juice. The noni-drinking mice were able to swim longer and had more endurance than their non-juice-drinking counterparts. In fact, their performance was similar to that of the young mice. The researchers concluded: "These results confirm the reported use of noni juice to combat fatigue, improve endurance, and increase overall physical performance."

If you can't find the juice, you can get your energy boost from noni supplements. One advantage of the capsules is that they don't have the calories in the form of fructose that noni juice has.