7 Basic Things

You Won’t Believe

You’re All Doing Wrong

By: C. Coville, Crystal Beran

April 04, 2011 3,268,922 views

If you’re like us, you might sometimes have a problem with complex tasks, like trying to drive an ambulance and send a text message at the same time. But hey, at least most of us have figured out the simplest things that get us through the day, right?

Except, you know, some of the simple things we’ve done every day of our lives, like …

#7.

Pooping

What could be simpler than taking a good crap? Even babies are good at it. You might be surprised, then, to find out that even those of us who can burp without throwing up get this wrong every single day.

The one who just threw up on the other one’s shoulder is better at pooping.

Chances are the pooping facility nearest you is a sitting toilet, a relatively recent invention that flushed its way into mankind’s heart with the advent of indoor plumbing in the 19th century. Indoor plumbing has turned out pretty well for the most part, but the pooping style that came with it definitely has not. Pooping on a modern sitting toilet is a big part of where hemorrhoids come from, and it can also cause diverticular disease, an age-related condition that pretty much only occurs in parts of the world where sitting toilets are used, and which can lead to a range of pleasantries up to and including colonic obstruction. And things aren’t getting better: The last few decades have seen a rise in popularity of “comfort height” toilets that sit two to four inches higher off the ground than older models and that make our pooping predicament even worse.

Getty
Future toilets will exist just to kill us.

So how the hell are we meant to do it?

Luckily, there’s a relatively simple way to end this poop dilemma. A 2003 study observed 28 people pooping in three positions: sitting on a high toilet, sitting on a lower one and squatting like they were catchers at a baseball game (catcher’s mitt optional, but encouraged). After initially being mistaken for a German porn company, the researchers found that pooping took about a minute less when done squatting and that participants rated the experience as “easier” (God, we hope they were getting paid).

In fact, toilets that require you to squat that way have been the standard for most of human history and are still widely used in the non-Western world.

Getty
And urban centers of the Western world.

According to proctologists, “We were not meant to sit on toilets, we were meant to squat in the field.” When you’re in a sitting or standing position, you’re forming an angle between the where the poop is and where the poop’s gotta come out. There’s even a muscle that’s purpose is to tighten things up when we’re sitting or standing to prevent accidents. Squatting straightens out this angle and removes the chokehold.

Getty
For no reason, here’s an icing pipe.

If the thought of squatting awkwardly on top of your toilet seat isn’t for you, you can produce a similar poop-enhancing angle by resting your feet on a footstool (or anything handy) and leaning the top half of your body forward.

Getty
Demonstrated here.

#6.

Bathing

From a young age, we’re taught that the daily use of a hot shower, copious amounts of soap and a scratchy washcloth are necessary to rid ourselves of dangerous microorganisms and the putrid smell of human skin. And if you aren’t squeaky-clean, you can forget about dating, career advancement and the promise of a future that doesn’t involve dying alone in a den of your own filth.

Getty
That’s what college is for.

As it turns out, showering or bathing daily, while it may make us more socially acceptable, wreaks havoc on something hilariously called the horny layer. Hot water, soap and abrasive surfaces strip off the horny layer, exposing living cells to the elements. And although we’ve just used the words “strip,” “exposing” and “horny” in the same sentence, we assure you that this is not the making of a sexy situation. On the contrary, damaging this protective layer of skin makes us more susceptible to disease.

Via Wikimedia Commons
Sexy disease.

Before recent modern conveniences, people bathed less often, and frequently in the same water. Even nowadays, showering doesn’t kill bacteria or other microorganisms, though it does move them around. A colony of bacteria living on your shower wall might move to your leg; a colony from your leg might move to your head; a colony from your groin might even take up residence on your hands. For this reason, surgeons in many hospitals are not allowed to shower right before operating.

Getty
Not even you, Doctor McPenishands!

Studies have shown that there are no measurable differences in the number of microorganism colonies a person is host to regardless of how frequently that person showers. Of course, using antibacterial soaps can kill microorganisms, though in an effort not to create too many super bacteria, medical experts generally recommend not using these soaps daily.

Getty
“Say what you like, but you have to admit my bones are super shiny!”

So how the hell are we meant to do it?

The most important thing to do to keep the skin healthy is to preserve the horny layer. There’s no magic number of showers each week, though it’s generally agreed that the number would fall somewhat shy of seven. Skipping showers, or, if you’d like a fancy French term, celebrating sans douche days, gives your skin time to repair some of the damage that the last shower caused.

Getty
Any more than a day and there’s no amount of French that’ll get rid of Eau de Sewer.

When you shower, use warm or cool water and a mild soap (if at all), and rehydrate the horny layer by rubbing on some moisturizer afterward. Better yet, convince an attractive friend to help with this. Once you’ve cleaned up, you’ll want to make sure you air dry. Ignore protesting roommates or family members and remind them, as you’re drip-drying at the breakfast table, that they should be grateful you’re showering only a couple of times a week.

Getty
“Kids, ignore your father while I try to remember why I married him.”

#5.

Breathing

Congratulations: Chances are that if you’re reading this, and you’re not a ghost, you’ve managed to figure out breathing. On the other hand, chances are you’re also doing it wrong.

iStockphoto
You’re also suddenly aware that you’re breathing now.

Take a deep breath right now. We’ll wait. If you’re anything like most people, you raised your shoulders a little and puffed out your chest like a pigeon in heat. You probably don’t see anything wrong with using your chest to breathe, since after all, that’s where your lungs are. What the hell else are you going to use? Your thighs? Well, smartass, it turns out that the muscle you’re supposed to use to breathe, your diaphragm, is under your lungs and closer to your belly.

Via Wikimedia Commons
Shown here as the white mass on the bottom of this X-ray of Tom Cruise (may not actually be Tom Cruise).

When upright, most people are habitual chest breathers: We use a shallow form of respiration that makes use of only the top part of the lungs. In reality, most of the blood vessels that take up oxygen are in the bottom, neglected half. Since so much lung power is going to waste, we get less oxygen, and as a result, we’re all breathing more rapidly than nature intended us to.

Chest breathing also tends to upset the blood’s oxygen/carbon dioxide balance and can lead to headaches, fatigue, anxiety and even panic attacks. According to one expert, you’re also potentially suffering from sweaty palms, difficulty relaxing, heightened pain perception and general fatigue.

Photos.com
Or as most people call it — a “first date.”

So how the hell are we meant to do it?

It turns out that breathing is one area in which babies are much smarter than you. Babies use a deeper type of respiration called abdominal breathing, which strengthens and makes full use of their diaphragms. It’s only as we grow older that we revert to the more inefficient style. Luckily, you can train your body to go back to breathing properly, and over time, you can even breathe abdominally in your sleep.

Photos.com
Not to be confused with snoring, which is just breathing abominably.

To practice it, try to “inflate” your stomach as you breathe in, while keeping your chest relatively still. Then contract your abdominal muscles on the exhale. Not only will this give you more oxygen per breath, it will eventually strengthen the diaphragm. A stronger diaphragm means you get more oxygen with each breath, so your brain won’t need to divert any away from your muscles, meaning that you get tired less easily.

Photos.com
Try this now at work, and observe as people kindly give you more breathing space!

A study on cardiac patients showed that this type of breathing leads to improved exercise performance and decreased shortness of breath, and it’s also been linked to lower blood pressure. This is the reason that so many coaches recommend breathing practice as a shortcut to sports-based superpowers.

Getty
“I’ll have you know this exercise is recommended by my doctor.”

#4.

Sleeping

OK, so maybe you can’t handle pooping, breathing or much else that you’d think would come naturally. But surely just lying in bed every night is OK, right? So why the hell do you keep waking up at 3 a.m.? You lie there, wondering what the hell is wrong with you. Will I oversleep? you wonder. How will I find the time to sit down and poop in the morning?

Getty
“I have to remember to breathe, too. I can’t deal with all this.“

If this happens to you often, you’re not alone. Chances are, if you mention waking up like this to your doctor, it’ll be diagnosed as a “sleep disorder,” and you’ll be given one of the tens of millions of prescriptions for sleeping pills handed out to Americans each year. You’ll pop some Ambien, only to awaken a few hours later beating up a police officer. What on earth went wrong?

Getty
To be fair, you couldn’t have known that wasn’t a real truncheon.

So how the hell are we meant to do it?

In this case, you’re already doing it right. It’s your reaction that’s wrong.

The idea that an uninterrupted eight hours is the only sleep pattern natural to mankind is surprisingly recent. Before someone who wasn’t Thomas Edison invented the light bulb, people in areas with more than eight hours of darkness usually slept in segments: three to five hours of sleep, an hour of wakefulness and then another three to five hour nap. The hour or so of awake time was used for quiet reflection, sex, smoking and pretty much everything except staring at the wall terrified of insomnia. In fact, this small window of consciousness was renowned as the best time for boning, as the tranquility between the first and second sleep was known as being uniquely suited to getting up to mischief with the person lying bored beside you.

Getty
This isn’t compulsory.

In recent times, artificial light has pushed our normal bedtime back later and later, and this segmented sleep has been compressed into a single eight hours. Still, our brains are naturally wired for pre-light-bulb days. In a monthlong experiment, healthy subjects were given a long artificial “night” lasting 14 hours. They quickly reverted to the segmented pattern, waking up for an hour or two of “peaceful wakefulness” between two three to five hour stretches.

Getty
By the end of the experiment, all the women were pregnant.

So why do we still wake up even when we’ve been up until midnight watching Deadliest Warrior marathons? Well, some people tend to revert to this natural sleep cycle despite all the artificial light, especially during dark winter months. Fortunately, having this sort of technology-resistant superbrain doesn’t necessarily spell disaster. According to experts, if you stay calm and allow yourself to fall back to sleep naturally rather than lying there wondering why you’re awake, you usually won’t see any negative effects the next day.

Getty
Unless you leave the TV on while you sleep.

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

Drink beer & lose weight!

I’ve been warning you away from some pretty awful diets lately – eating schemes loaded with everything from Twinkies to jelly beans.

So let me give you the lowdown on one crazy diet that might actually work: The Beer Diet!

Before I tap the keg on this one, let me get to one crucial little detail right up front: This isn’t a license to drink to excess each night, or skip out on the real food your body needs.

But if you want to have a couple of brews each night, go ahead – they won’t interfere with your weight-loss goals, and a new study shows they might even help shrink your belly.

Spanish researchers examined 1,249 men and women aged 57 or older, and found that daily beer drinkers were much less likely to suffer from diabetes or high blood pressure.

So far so good… but it gets even better, because this study also cuts the beer belly myth right open. The researchers say the beer drinkers had lower levels of body fat, were unlikely to gain weight, and some of them even lost it during the study period.

They say the secret isn’t the beer alone… but the things that usually accompany it.
Think chorizos instead of chips.

This study took place in Spain, after all – and the researchers say their volunteers ate a typical Mediterranean diet.

Now, I’m not a big fan of the trendy diet, but I will say this for it – while it’s low in the red meat your body needs, it’s also relatively low in carbs, especially sugar, and that means they’re on the right track.

And a couple of cold ones each night helps take the diet to the next level, because beer is bubbling over with amino acids and loaded with essential minerals including potassium, magnesium, manganese, zinc, and copper.

It’s also rich in the dietary silicon that’s great for your bones, and some studies have even linked it to a lower risk of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.

Beer does contain a few carbs – but with benefits like that, they’re well worth the tradeoff.

Joining the brew crew,

William Campbell Douglass II, M.D.

Received & published by Henry Sapiecha

JUST LIKE MAGIC! Your food is PESTICIDE FREE!

HEALTH WARNING:

Soap and water will NOT remove poisonous pesticides from your produce. You can do something far more effective.

Just mix lemon juice, salt and cold water,

This simple rinse creates a diluted form of hydrochloric acid, removing sprays without scrubbing!

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

Many clinical studies have proven that nuts are rich sources of numerous nutrients that provide a lot of health benefits for the body.  According to the results of a past study conducted by researchers from Harvard University published at the Longevity journal, women were found to be 35% less likely to develop a heart attack if they consumed 142g of nuts a week, compared to those women who only consumed less than 28g a month.

Nuts contain a lot of fiber, protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. It all comes down to making the right choice as to what nuts will you be eating. Fortunately, there are a plethora of nuts that you can choose from. I am listing down my top choices of 8 nutritious nuts in order to help you attain better health.

Some of these healthy nuts are as follows:

• Almonds

Almonds are rich in Vitamin E, healthy monounsaturated fat, and antioxidants. Some people may think that almonds are too fatty for the body; however, studies have shown that it can actually help lower blood cholesterol levels. A new study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition last June 2010 stated that almonds can significantly help in reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and heart diseases. Almonds can also aid in weight loss, help prevent osteoporosis and also regulates high blood pressure levels.

• Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts are seeds of enormous trees called Bertholletia excelsa that grows in many parts of the world. These nuts are quite similar to macadamia nuts, but with more concentration of monounsaturated fats. Brazil nuts are rich in selenium that acts as a powerful antioxidant which may help in reducing the risk of cancer and heart diseases. It is also considered as a protein-packed snack and it contains all the necessary amino acids needed by the body. Magnesium and zinc that are found in Brazil nuts can help promote proper nerve and muscle function and strengthens the immune system. A recent study conducted at the University of Illinois reported that Brazil nuts may have the possibility of contributing to the prevention of breast cancer.

• Cashews

One of the most important benefits of cashew nuts is that it contains a lesser amount of fat. The fatty acids are made up of oleic acid, which is known to promote cardiovascular health and helps those people with cases of diabetes. Moreover, cashew nuts are rich in copper which produces an important hair and skin pigment called melanin. It also enhances the malleability of blood vessels. According to a new study, cashew nuts were found to reduce the risk of developing gallbladder stones. It also contains nutrients that aid in fighting carcinogens and heart diseases.

• Cedar Nuts

In native Siberia, cedar nuts are considered to be treasures. They contain 70% of the amino acids that the body needs. The antioxidant it contains can also aid in slowing down the aging process. Rich amounts of Vitamin A, B, D and tocopherols (E group vitamins) can be found in cedar nuts. It also contains a particular kind of Vitamin P that helps in keeping the arterial walls free from inflammation and plaque that may cause diseases such as atherosclerosis. More importantly, it reduces the amount of LDL cholesterol in the body.

• Macadamia Nuts

Macadamia nuts are seeds from the Australian trees called Macadamia ternifolia. Taking an average macadamia nut can add 18 calories to your diet. It would surprise you to know that macadamia nuts contain no cholesterol at all despite the fact that it contains high levels of monounsaturated fatty acids, almost amounting to 86%, which aids in reducing blood cholesterol levels according to many studies. A study conducted at the Hawaii University reported that subjects who added macadamia nuts to their diet for one month were seen to have lower cholesterol levels. Therefore, researchers have recommended including macadamia nuts in one’s diet.

• Pistachios Nuts

Pistachio nuts are also called green almonds. . According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), it is packed with fiber, vitamins and nutrients, and also contains more anti-oxidants than green tea. Pistachios are also rich sources of protein and fat, but mostly “good” unsaturated fats. Eating two handfuls of pistachios can even reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by lowering LDL cholesterols.  This data is according to the research paper, The Cardiovascular Health Benefits of Pistachios written by researcher Sarah Gebauer from Pennsylvania State University last June 2007.

• Pecans

According to the USDA, pecans are good alternatives for protein in people who are on a plant based diet. These nuts are great sources of proteins and carbohydrates, which are energy producing nutrients, and it also contains no cholesterol. Pecans also contain concentrated amounts of sterol, known to lower levels of cholesterol. They are also good sources of heart healthy unsaturated fats according to the American Heart Association (AHA) and the US Dietary Guidelines. Pecans also give antioxidant protection to many diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer. Researchers from the New Mexico University State and Loma Linda University in California have proven that, when pecans are added to the daily diet, it can reduce risk of heart disease. It can also help in preventing breast cancer and in promoting weight control.

• Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts provide many benefits if included in a well-balanced diet. These nuts have many health benefits that aid in protection against diseases. Hazelnuts are known for their Vitamin E components that are essential in developing the muscles, especially that of the heart – one of the most important organs in the body. Other benefits include reducing risk factors that may lead to the development of cancer, and these nuts can also serve as a form of protection from anemia, a disorder of the blood. Another major benefit of hazelnuts is that they increase the production of red blood cells that aid in transporting oxygen to all parts of the body. This is because hazelnuts are rich in folic acids that are needed by both babies and adults. Like other nuts, they also contain good amounts of protein necessary for the production of muscle tissues.

Each individual nut present immeasurable amount of nutrients that are good for the body. However, it is recommended to take precautions when eating nuts. It is a given that people with allergy to nuts should not take them. It is also recommended to stick to the raw, unsalted type since all nutrients are still present.

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

Heart Tonic in the Produce section of your supermarket or greengrocer

Have you noticed the shift in colors at the produce aisle? Tawny-skinned cantaloupes have given way to dark-red pomegranates, which are at their peak now. Don’t save these apple-shaped fruits for festive centerpieces. There’s a substance (punicic acid) in their juicy seeds that is reputed to send triglycerides — dangerous fats in your blood vessels — packing.

True, even during a holiday blowout you’re not likely to eat the seeds of 24 pomegranates twice a day, which is roughly what it would take to match the pomegranate oil supplements that produced these benefits in one new study. But the more you munch, the better, since they also are reported to help fight infection, cool inflammation, keep your skin firm and springy, and dive-bomb cancer cells. So once the centerpiece has done its job, crack open your pomegranates and sprinkle those glossy, ruby-colored seeds on salads, mix them into yogurt, and add them to breakfast cereal  or oatmeal.

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

Understanding Thrombosis

Deep vein thrombosis is a common chronic health condition extensively present amongst adults. The condition is caused by the clotting of blood in the veins causing an obstruction in the blood flowing through the circulatory system. Whenever a vein experiences injury, fibrin and platelets forms a clotting in the blood to prevent further blood loss. But blood clot can also form under certain conditions. An obstruction in the blood passages of more than 25 percent of the artery walls affects the oxygen supply of the tissues resulting to a complication called embolism.

Thrombosis can be highly hereditary. A condition called hypercoagulability is a genetic deficiency wherein the blood has heightened tendencies to clot. The condition can also be caused by the quality of the walls of the blood vessels and the disturbance of blood flow due to an injured vessel causing blood stagnation; this may be brought about by sitting for a long period of time, for example.

Cases of thrombosis can be classified depending on where the condition is located. Deep vein thrombosis happens when the blood clots within the deep veins. This normally happens in the leg’s femoral veins. Superficial symptoms include reddening, swelling and chronic pain on the affected area. A study aimed at finding an effective means of alleviating the symptoms of deep vein thrombosis finds exercise as a potential supplementation to pharmaceutical intervention.

Study on the Benefits of Exercise on Deep Vein Thrombosis

A group of researchers from Canada conducted a study involving a group of thrombosis patients. They evaluated the effects of performing long-term leg exercises to the symptoms of the health condition. The researchers designed a specialized training program lasting for six months dedicated at improving leg flexibility and strength and overall fitness and they found that the program improves symptoms of deep vein thrombosis and its chronic complications. It has also been found to improve the symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome. The study was published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

A professor of medicine from the Division of Internal Medicine and Center for Clinical Epidemiology at McGill University, Dr Susan Kahn, said that given the divergence in treatment plans for managing the symptoms of post-thrombotic syndrome, the pilot study, aimed at determining the effectiveness of exercise training to treat post-thrombosis, establishes a new approach on more effective ways of fighting the condition. The researchers, led by Dr Kahn, gathered a group of 95 thrombosis patients. The authors said that findings of the small trial procedures will need further confirmation and that conducting a larger study is recommended. A variable was that most of the patients were young active and well-educated; results may differ on different demographics. Despite the preliminary quality of their findings, the researchers concluded that exercise training designed at improving leg flexibility and strength can help alleviate the pains of post-thrombotic syndromes.

Natural Methods of Preventing Thrombosis

The body has its natural means of repairing and maintaining itself. When the vascular system experiences damage like a cut or any incision that causes blood to flow out of the blood vessels, structures dedicated at preventing blood loss works to clot the blood. But not all blood clotting is healthy to the body. Serious health problems like stroke are caused by the undesirable clotting of the blood that leads to obstructed blood flow. The condition results to the insufficient oxygen supply to the tissues and, as a result, thrombosis develops. Research has found different reasons for a person to develop thrombosis.

Smoking has never been good to the body. The different toxins and other chemicals in tobacco have been found to cause different diseases. Cancer and pulmonary diseases are on top of the list. Smoking also reduces the body’s natural ability to protect itself against diseases by weakening the immune system. A common condition that results to the development of thrombosis is hypercoagulability. This happens when the blood easily coagulates with minimal or no reason to do so. Smoking results to myocardial infraction which is associated with hypercoagulation. Though primarily genetic, the condition can be developed by unhealthy practices like smoking and prolonged immobility and bed rest.

The common pharmaceutical treatments for thrombosis include aspirin, coumadin, heparin and ticlopidines. These medications are formulated to either prevent the coagulation of blood or to dissolve blood clots that obstruct healthy blood flow. But these medications have side effects. They can slowly impair the body’s natural ability to initiate and maintain blood clots even in situations where it is highly needed to prevent blood loss.

Lowering one’s cholesterol levels is one of the best natural ways of preventing the onset and development of thrombosis. Cholesterol is known to be one of the fatty acids that can form in the wall of the arteries and thwart blood flow. Other common health conditions associated with high cholesterol levels are mostly cardiovascular in nature. In the treatment of specific types of thrombosis, medications that work to lower cholesterol levels and remove any cholesterol plaques from the walls of blood vessels are also used. But it is also important to remember that the use of pharmaceutical agents can bring about unwanted side effects – adverse reactions that may be life-threatening. So when looking for a treatment regimen, it is emphasized that one choose what is healthy, effective, and safe.

The natural food ingredients that have been found to have high potential in preventing thrombosis are aged garlic, gingko biloba, nutrients like niacin, vitamin E, vitamin K, and other anti-inflammatory compounds. Aged garlic has been used to serve as a strong food supplement to promote the health of the cardiovascular system. Garlic increases the synthesis of a chemical messenger called nitric oxide that inhibits the clotting of the blood. A study on the food ingredient found that consuming one clove of fresh garlic in a day for a period of 26 weeks can result to approximately 20 percent reduction of serum cholesterol.

Benefits of Frequent Exercise

There are numerous health benefits of exercise – and this starts with the decision to get up from the couch and resolve to avoid a sedentary lifestyle. It is not necessary to go to the gym or burden over hours of heavy weights in order to achieve a healthy body. A simple walk in the park for a few minutes in most days of the year will give you the effects necessary in order to improve and maintain body functions.

• Exercise exerts its effect on a person’s mood. It can serve as an effective means of alleviating stress and releasing body tension.
• Different reliable studies around the world had also established the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle in order to lower the risk of developing chronic and degenerative diseases.
• Frequent exercising, together with a balanced diet, is the most effective means of reducing and managing body weight.

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

BLUEBERRIES AND THE HEALTH ISSUE

A recent study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry revealed that animals whose diet were enhanced with 8 percent wild blueberries encountered lesser blood vessel constrictions as compared to animals who were given a controlled diet.

The research study was undertaken by a team of researchers from the University of Louisville, Northwestern University and the University of Maine.  They said that the distinctive goal and approach of their study was to look at the dietary effect of consuming wild blueberries – not the isolated bioactive compounds – on the tone of the blood vessels of adult rats that are spontaneously hypertensive.

Researchers said that their data gives clear proof that the 8-week dietary inclusion of 8 percent wild blueberry in adult rats with spontaneous hypertension showing endothelial dysfunction has resulted in an important moderation of the increased vascular tone of the aorta.

It was proposed that the blueberries acted through the nitric oxide pathway.  Nitric oxide is a powerful chemical compound that dilates or relaxes the blood vessel thereby helping in the reduction of high blood pressure. Blueberries have long been popular because of its antioxidant properties which assist in preventing damage brought about by free radicals.

Study details

The team of researchers, led by Dorothy Klimis-Zacas from the University of Maine, supplied spontaneously hypertensive rats with wild blueberry or control diet for a period of 8 weeks.  The Wild Blueberry Association of North America (WBANA) provided the blueberries as a composite, and were then made to undergo freeze-drying and then powdered by FutureCeuticals of Illinois.

Following the 8-week intervention, the spontaneously hypertensive rats were exposed to a vasoconstrictor compound, l-phenylephrine, without or with l-NG-monomethyl arginine, another compound recognized to hinder an enzyme known as NO synthase (NOS), which is responsible for enhancing the transmission of impulses from one nerve cell to another.  It also helps in enhancing the functions of the immune system, and in dilating or relaxing blood vessels.

Results have shown that the vasoconstriction effects brought about by l-phenylephrine were reduced in the group whose diet was supplemented with wild blueberries, causing reduced vascular tone in basal conditions.  The said effect is credited to the Nitric Oxide pathway.  The researchers concluded that the result of their study documents the capability of wild blueberries to alter the pathways of vessel control and improve the tone of the blood vessels in adult rats that are spontaneously hypertensive with endothelial dysfunction.

The Health Benefits of Blueberries

Blueberries are said to be nature’s only true blue food.  These are excellent sources of antioxidants such as anthocyanins, flavonoids, tannins and phenolic acids.  Blueberries have grown so popular over the years with more and more studies conducted regarding the positive health benefits one may derive from eating these fruits.  With the publication of scientific evidence supporting the health claims of blueberries and its antioxidant properties, consumers are raring to get their own dose of wellness.  The fruit is said to be effective in reducing high cholesterol levels and it also aids in the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease as well as some forms of cancer.

Some of the health benefits of eating blueberries include:

1. Antioxidant Properties

Blueberries are very rich in antioxidants.  Aside from the already mentioned ones, blueberries also contain zinc, selenium, copper, vitamins A, B, C and E, and iron.  These enhance the function of the immune system and helps prevent infection.  A strong immune system would mean a healthier you.

2. Fights off Free Radicals

Blueberries, through its component called anthocyanin, help neutralize free radicals that are present in the body.  Free radicals cause damage to cells, brings diseases and is responsible for premature aging. Anthocyanins are pigments that give blueberries its blue tint. The vitamin C that is present in blueberries also plays a major role in the fight against free radicals.

3. Belly Fat reduction

A study from the Cardiovascular Center of the University of Michigan suggests that blueberry consumption aids in reducing belly fat – one of the risk factors of heart disease and metabolic syndrome.  The researchers used rats as test subjects where a powder enriched with blueberry was mixed with the rats’ food.  After a 90-day period, the rats whose diets were supplemented with blueberry enriched power had lesser abdominal fat, and lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

4. Prevents Urinary Tract Infection

Blueberries contain compounds which stops the growth of bacteria, such as b-coli, in the linings of the urinary tract walls, washing off the bacteria from the tract.  The fruit also exhibits antibiotic properties which also stops bacterial growth so that urinary tract infection is prevented.

5. Promotes Healthy Vision

Clinical studies have shown that anthocyanides that are present in blueberry extract help slow down, or prevent, the loss of vision caused by aging such as hypermetropia, myopia, cataract and macular degeneration. Other blueberry components such as vitamins A, C and E, phosphorus, zinc, flavonoids and carotenoids are also very helpful and important for healthy eyes.

A report published in the Archives of Ophthalmology suggests that consuming 3 or more blueberry servings each day may reduce a person’s risk for the development of age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) by 36 percent compared to those who eat less than one and a half servings per day.

How to Increase Blueberry Consumption

There are many different ways with which you can increase your intake of blueberries, especially now that you are fully aware of its health benefits.  Here are some simple tips on how you could do just that:

• Blueberries for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner? Yes!

Slow cooked oatmeal topped with fresh blueberries is one of my favorites. For lunch, add blueberries to your salad.  At dinner, you can even have a side of blueberries!  This way, you’ll have blueberry ready to fight the battle with free radicals all day long.

For dessert, there are simply a wide array of options – be creative but in a healthy way. Skip the blueberry pastries and pies, which are loaded with artificial ingredients and refined sugars and try adding a handful of blueberries in your yogurt instead. That will do the trick.

• Drink it up!

There’s nothing more refreshing than sitting down to a cup of fresh blueberry tea, or a delightful smoothie made from blueberry. You may even do it at home.  Take out your blender and go make that smoothie all by yourself.

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

Low-Fat Fried Food?

Food Chemist Develops Protein-Based

Batter for Healthier Frying

January 1, 2006 — Deep-fried fish could get healthier with a new protein-based batter extracted from the muscle of discarded fish parts. When coated onto the fish it forms a barrier, locking in taste and moisture while blocking out fat.

GLOUCESTER, Mass.–Low-fat, fried food sounds like a contradiction, but those types of products may soon be popping up at your local grocer.

Fish sticks slathered in oil and deep-fried are tasty, but the after-effects can take a toll on your waistline. The love affair with food usually ends when it’s time to weigh in. Now, a new discovery may tip the scales in your favor when it comes to eating some of your favorite fried foods.

Stephen Kelleher, a food chemist at Proteus Industries in Gloucester, Mass., says, “People like fried food, but there’s a lot of bad things associated with fried food.” Understanding the bittersweet fondness for fried cuisine, Kelleher invented a way to cook low-fat, fried food.

The protein solution is extracted from fish muscle. When coated onto the fish it forms a barrier, locking in taste and moisture, but blocking out fat and carbohydrates. “These protein molecules after we treat them and extract them the way we do, they form these very, very, micro-thin films that — when they are sprayed onto the surface — become this invisible, impenetrable, film that forms on the surface,” Kelleher says.

The protein molecules go through a treatment process. Water and other ingredients are filtered then added to the batter. Kelleher says the finished product has 25-percent to 75-percent less fat. Plus the added protein cuts down the carbohydrates by 15 percent.

When put to the test, comparing traditional fried batter to the special protein coating, both food tasters agreed there was nothing fishy about the low-fat, fried meal.

The process is FDA approved and can be used to fry low-fat chicken, too. They are also testing the application on other foods, like potato chips.

BROCOLLI MARVEL FOOD FOR DISEASE CONTROL

Reality can be painful. For one, there are certain instances wherein a single disease can prevent people from leading independent and quality lives. While this is already terrible news in itself, things can get worse. Sometimes, scientists would break the news that such a disease is not only debilitating and painful, the harrowing condition does not have a definitive cure as of the present.

A good example is osteoarthritis, one of the most common arthritis and age-related disorders that debilitate its victims worldwide. Statistics show that in UK and in America, it is the leading disorder that causes disability as evident in its extensive repercussions on the millions of people that suffer from the disease.

However, reality also presents endless possibilities — one of which is hope through effective treatment. A new landmark project in the UK, which significantly exhibits that hopeful possibility, is launched. Funded by the Diet and Health Research Industry and Arthritis Research UK, the new project will delve into the possibility of warding off and slowing the onset of osteoarthritis through a powerful compound of broccoli.

Landmark project: Protective effects of broccoli against Osteoarthritis

For those who suffer from the disease, and at the same time, are avid fans of incorporating broccoli into their diet– possible good news awaits.

Researchers from the University of East Anglia will conduct a 3-year pioneering project that will probe the possible preventive and protective effects of broccoli against osteoarthritis. Initial research conducted at the same university has already shown that a broccoli compound, sulforaphane, blocks the enzymes that cause the debilitating disease; and the new project aims to further flesh out how beneficial broccoli is, or can be.

The bioactive compound can be acquired through consuming cruciferous vegetables, with broccoli as a notably rich resource. Broccoli consumption enables the blood to contain high levels of sulforaphane. However, whether the bioactive compound substantially and effectively gets into, or affects the joints in ample amounts or not remains unclear. The project will include investigations in relation to this.

During the 3-year study, the team of researchers from UEA will also examine other compounds that can be incorporated into one’s daily diet, in relation to how these can contribute to the fight against and prevention of osteoarthritis. The dietary compounds will include diallyl disulphide, which is acquired through high levels of garlic consumption, and which possibly slows down cartilage destruction.

A pioneering research

Former studies have already shown the potent healthy benefits of broccoli against cancer and other severe health conditions, but the new project is reportedly the first of its kind—through concentrating on the health of joints.

It will also initiate patient trials, which will enable the study to yield more accurate human-related results and assessments. Furthermore, the findings will likely provide a basis for developing new broccoli-related methods in osteoarthritis treatment and prevention.

The project offers benefits not only to the victims of disease, but also on a societal level. According to the study’s lead researcher, Professor Ian Clark: Because of UK’s aging population, it is crucial to formulate effective strategies that fight against age-related health conditions. He furthered that such measures will enhance the victims’ quality of life while simultaneously cutting down on society’s economic concerns.

The healthy benefits of broccoli

There are several cruciferous vegetables that are regularly consumed, but among these, broccoli reportedly proves to be the most concentrated or richest source of vitamin C—a key antioxidant. It also provides high amounts of flavonoids and carotenoids, vitamin E, minerals, fiber, omega-3 fatty acids, and several other healthy components that aid in preventing the development of severe conditions.

Heart ailments

The high content of fiber found in broccoli, along with beta-carotene and omega-3 fatty acids, significantly aid in reducing bad cholesterols. As such, these have potent contributions in heart health and function through its regulatory effects on blood pressure.

Cancer

There are several studies that have already established the strong links between cancer development and its risk factors such as chronic inflammation, insufficient detoxification, and oxidative stress.

Given these factors, a wide range of cancer types can be prevented through broccoli. Its antioxidant, pro-detoxification, and anti-inflammatory effects enhance its potent capacity for preventing and reducing risk of developing cancer. Risks are most notably reduced for the following types–  prostate cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, and ovarian cancer. These findings show the excellent remedies that broccoli can provide in battling both fatal and debilitating diseases.

Stomach problems

Broccoli’s rich fiber content also enables it to treat a wide array of stomach disorders. Fiber’s key favourable effects include constipation treatment, water retention, and bowel formation. Other favourable contents of broccoli include magnesium and vitamins, which facilitate proper food digestion and enhance the body’s capacity of absorbing and optimizing food nutrients. It also provides anti-acidity benefits.

Detoxification enhancement

Detoxification is vital to eliminating toxins and dangerous substances that put cells at risk, and fortunately, broccoli is capable of altering certain activities in an effort to strengthen and regulate the 2-step detoxification process. Made from broccoli’s glucosinolate contents, isothiocyanates are active modifiers that can hamper the production of enzymes in the first phase; it can also modify enzyme activities in the second phase. Reportedly, optimal concentrations and combinations of glucosinolates are best acquired through broccolis among other sources.

Other sources of arthritis relief

All-natural approaches are potent measures for arthritis relief. As seen in the benefits of broccoli: One effective and fun, natural remedy is eating foods that are rich in anti-inflammatory and overall anti-arthritis compounds.

Copper

Copper has the capacity for pain and swelling reduction in relation to rheumatoid arthritis, another commonly debilitating arthritis disorder. The favourable effects result from the mineral’s anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory roles. It also enhances the activity of a particular enzyme called lysyl oxidase, which is necessary for collagen and elastin cross-linking— substances that provide and enhance elasticity, strength and structure in joints. A good source of this beneficial mineral can be found in sesame seeds.

Ginger

Gingerols found in ginger are potently active in their anti-inflammatory effects. These contents, through regular ginger consumption, strongly show why pain is reduced in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis patients. Based on the findings of two clinical studies, 75% of patients with arthritis experienced a significant reduction in arthritis-related swelling and pain. Simultaneously, all participants that suffer from muscular discomfort yielded improvements in pain reduction and mobility through regular consumption of ginger.

Cinnamon

Findings from a study conducted at Copenhagen University reportedly revealed that the combination of honey and cinnamon powder led to substantial arthritis pain reduction. Links point to the anti-inflammatory components of cinnamon, which aid in reducing muscle and joint stiffness. As such, the combination of honey and cinnamon powder is one of the potent measures for arthritis relief.

Salmon

Salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids— healthy and multi-beneficial polyunsaturated fats that have very potent anti-inflammatory effects. The benefits are made possible through omega-3 fatty acids’ role in hampering cytokine and enzyme production, which are substances that severely affect the cartilage. Simultaneously, these beneficial fatty acids enhance both the immune and circulatory system of the body.

Spinach

Spinach enjoys a noble reputation of combating heart ailments and a wide range of cancer types. In addition to this, its nutrients are also capable of decreasing inflammatory activities that cause and worsen joint health and arthritis symptoms. Such beneficial nutrients contained in spinach include vitamin C, vitamin K, and beta-carotene.

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha

True Health™ Tip

Boost Your Health With A Super Smoothie

One of the most delicious super foods that provides amazing health benefits is a smoothie made with fresh and frozen fruit, raw nuts, rice milk, ice and one or two of your favorite vegetables thrown in. Why can this be considered a super food? Because these smoothies can provide all the fiber, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy oils and phytochemicals your body should have during the day. Plus, you can get half or more of your daily fruit and vegetable servings in a single meal.

Try a combination of three fresh and one frozen fruit from the following scrumptious choices…

• Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
• Apples
• Oranges
• Mango slices
• Pineapple chunks (fresh)
• Craisins
• Dates
• Pears
• Peaches
• Bananas

Now you could add in half of an avocado for more healthy fat and protein… almonds or macadamia nuts… red pepper for a nice fresh twist… or a handful of fresh spinach leaves to provide you with plenty of chlorophyll. And if you want to add a little extra flavor, put a little stevia natural sweetener into the blender along with your other all-natural ingredients. What a tasty way to do something great for your health

Sourced & published by Henry Sapiecha