Healthy Living

Should you go Gluten Free?

2011-10-16T11:41:00.002-04:00

Thanks to the increase in diagnosed celiac and gluten sensitivity cases, and the corresponding uptick in foods marketed to sufferers, gluten-free diets have emerged from obscurity, and now the pendulum has swung completely in the other direction, And with this popularity push, people have latched on to avoiding gluten as a cure-all for many conditions aside from celiac, including migraines, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome. While some have found relief, that doesn’t mean a gluten free diet will work in all cases.

And then there’s the idea that a gluten-free existence is the ticket to speedy weight loss. But, says Mark DeMeo, M.D., director of gastroenterology and nutrition at the Adult Celiac Disease Program at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, “there’s nothing magical about a gluten-free diet that’s going to help you lose weight.” What’s really at work: Gluten-free dining can seriously limit the number of foods you can eat. With fewer choices, you’re a lot less likely to overeat,
but it can backfire too, because gluten-free doesn’t mean fat-free or calorie-free.
Without gluten to bind food together, food manufacturers often use more fat and sugar to make the product more palatable,” says Case. Consider pretzels: A serving of regular pretzels has about 110 calories and just one gram of fat. Swap them for gluten-free pretzels and you could get 140 caloriesand six grams of fat.

Should You Go Gluten-Free?

If you have celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, the answer is easy: Yes, you have to. But if you just want to give the diet a spin, know this: It’s a giant pain in the butt. Giving up gluten may sound as basic as cutting out bread or eating less pasta, but this isn’t just another version of the low-carb craze. Because gluten makes foods thick and tasty, it is added to everything from salad dressing to soy sauce to seasonings.Besides the hassle, you can end up with serious nutritional deficiencies. “Gluten-free doesn’t necessarily equal healthy, especially when people yank vitamin-enriched and wholegrain foods from their diets and replace them with gluten free brownies,” says Case. In fact, research suggests that those who forgo gluten may be more likely to miss out on important nutrients such as iron, B vitamins, and fiber.

Add this secret weapon to your diet for faster weight loss results.

This is where careful meal planning comes in, which may explain why some people feel so good when they go G-free: They’re eating real food instead of ultraprocessed packaged fare. “If you skip the gluten-free goodies and focus on fruits, vegetables, lean protein, dairy, and gluten free grains like amaranth and quinoa, this can be a very healthy way of eating

Blackstrap Molasses

2011-10-04T18:42:00.002-04:00

Recently I was diagnosed with Iron Deficiency and after having some side effects from taking Ferrous Fumurate Capsules this summer- I have been trying to find different foods that will help me with my deficiency. I have discovered several great foods that I can include in my daily intake- I am very impressed on the nutritional value of the blackstrap molasses- not just for iron, but for many other nutrients.

Blackstrap molasses is a healthy sweetener, full of nutritional value, unlike refined white sugar or artificial sweeteners like saccharine. Just two teaspoons contain over 10% of the US Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of calcium, magnesium, copper, manganese, iron, potassium and other valuable minerals and nutrients.

Calcium: Calcium is one of the important minerals required by our body. It is needed for forming and maintaining strong bones and teeth. Two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses meets 11.8% of our daily need for calcium.

Magnesium: It is essential not only for bones and cell energy production, but is also needed for regulating calcium levels. It controls the flow of calcium in nerve cells. Two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses daily provides 7.3% value for magnesium.

Copper: Copper is essential for iron utilization, production of hair and skin pigments known as melanin, free radical elimination, development of bone tissue, controlling good and bad cholesterol and other physiological processes in the body. Your breakfast cereal or tea, sweetened with two teaspoons of blackstrap molasses syrup will provide 14.0% of the daily recommended value for copper.

Manganese: Manganese protects the body against damage from free radicals. It helps in the production of protein and carbohydrates and is important for a healthy nervous system. Just two teaspoons of the syrup will supply 18.0% of the day's needs for manganese.

Iron: Two teaspoons of this syrup will supply you 13.3% of the daily recommended value for iron, replenishing your iron stores. Iron is essential for energy production and metabolism. Blackstrap molasses provides more iron and less calories and is especially useful for growing children and lactating women, as they are more prone to iron deficiency.

Potassium: It is important for the smooth functioning of the muscle and the nervous system. It helps to maintain the body's electrolyte and pH balance. Two teaspoons daily will provide you with 9.7% recommended value of potassium.

In addition to the above, blackstrap molasses is a good source of vitamin B6 and selenium. It has 16 calories, per teaspoon, which is the same as that of sugar.

Curative Powers of Blackstrap Molasses

It has been known to help in curing fibroid, anemia, anxiety, constipation, arthritic pain, heart palpitations, etc. It also helps to turn gray hair back to its original color.

Going back to Coconut Oil

2011-01-13T19:43:00.003-05:00

The health benefits of coconut oil include hair care, skin care, stress relief, maintaining cholesterol levels, weight loss, increased immunity, proper digestion and metabolism and heart diseases. These benefits of coconut oil can be attributed to the presence of lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid, and its properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, soothing, etc.

Hair Care: Coconut oil is one of the best natural nutrition for hair. It helps in healthy growth of hair providing them a shiny complexion. Regular massage of the head with coconut oil ensures that your scalp is free of dandruff, lice, and lice eggs, even if your scalp is dry. Coconut oil is extensively used in the Indian sub-continent for hair care. It is an excellent conditioner and helps in the re-growth of damaged hair. It also provides the essential proteins required for nourishing damaged hair. It is therefore used as hair care oil and used in manufacturing various conditioners, and dandruff relief creams. Coconut oil is normally applied topically for hair care

Skin Care: Coconut oil is excellent massage oil for the skin as well. It acts as an effective moisturizer on all types of skins including dry skin. The benefit of coconut oil on the skin is comparable to that of mineral oil. Further, unlike mineral oil, there is no chance of having any adverse side effects on the skin with the application of coconut oil. Coconut oil therefore is a safe solution for preventing dryness and flaking of skin. It also delays wrinkles, and sagging of skin which normally become prominent with age. Coconut oil also helps in treating various skin problems including psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema and other skin infections. Therefore coconut oil forms the basic ingredient of various body care products such as soaps, lotions, creams, etc., used for skin care

Weight Loss: Coconut oil is very useful in reducing weight. It contains short and medium-chain fatty acids that help in taking off excessive weight. It is also easy to digest and it helps in healthy functioning of the thyroid and enzymes systems. Further, it increases the body metabolism by removing stress on pancreases, thereby burning out more energy and helping obese and overweight people reduce their weight. Hence, people living in tropical coastal areas, who eat coconut oil daily as their primary cooking oil, are normally not fat, obese or overweight.

Digestion: Internal use of coconut oil occurs primarily as cooking oil. Coconut oil helps in improving the digestive system and thus prevents various stomach and digestion related problems including irritable bowel syndrome. The saturated fats present in coconut oil have anti microbial properties and help in dealing with various bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc., that cause indigestion. Coconut oil also helps in absorption of other nutrients such as vitamins, minerals and amino acids

Immunity: Coconut oil is also good for the immune system. It strengthens the immune system as it contains antimicrobial lipids, lauric acid, capric acid and caprylic acid which have antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. The human body converts lauric acid into monolaurin which is claimed to help in dealing with viruses and bacteria causing diseases such as herpes, influenza, cytomegalovirus, and even HIV. It helps in fighting harmful bacteria such as listeria monocytogenes and heliobacter pylori, and harmful protozoa such as giardia lamblia.

Healing: When applied on infections, it forms a chemical layer which protects the infected body part from external dust, air, fungi, bacteria and virus. Coconut oil is most effective on bruises as it speeds up the healing process by repairing damaged tissues.

Infections: Coconut oil is very effective against a variety of infections due to its antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. According to the Coconut Research Center, coconut oil kills viruses that cause influenza, measles, hepatitis, herpes, SARS, etc. It also kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, etc. Coconut oil is also effective on fungi and yeast that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete's foot, thrush, diaper rash, etc.

RESVERATROL

2010-10-03T10:51:00.002-04:00

Resveratrol is the active ingredient in red wine that helps explain the “French paradox,” namely that the French typically eat a diet quite high in saturated fat, yet suffer a low rate of atherosclerotic heart disease. Resveratrol appears to work as a powerful antioxidant helping quench free radical damage in the body, but also has a unique mechanism of action that may prove to have significant life extension properties. Resveratrol also appears to protect DNA from free radical damage and can play an important role in protecting cells from malignant transformation.
Resveratrol may produce benefits similar to caloric restriction (CR).

The most powerful means of extending life span in animals appears to be through CR. While CR has not been shown to result in life extension in humans, some early studies suggest it may produce this desirable benefit. However, restricting calories by 30 percent or more as is necessary to produce these benefits is very difficult for most people. Therefore, a number of researchers have been looking for CR- mimetics, drugs that produce the benefits of caloric restriction without actually restricting calories. Research has focused on compounds that affect SIRT1, the gene that seems most closely linked with life extension from caloric restriction. Resveratrol appears to have a direct effect on the expression of SIRT1.One of the difficulties with resveratrol is that is easily oxidized and difficult to absorb. Research suggests taking resveratrol with lecithin can enhance absorption.

Although much more work is needed to explore the safety and benefits of the substance, which is sold over the counter as a nutritional supplement, the findings could lead to the long-sought goal of extending the healthy human life span, experts said. Preliminary tests in people are under way. Researchers have been looking for something like this for the last 100,000 years, and maybe it's right around the corner — a molecule that could be taken in a single pill to delay the diseases of aging and keep you healthier as you grow old. The potential impact would be huge.
The findings triggered excitement among scientists who study aging. They hailed the findings as groundbreaking.

DARK CHOCOLATE

2010-08-15T21:43:00.000-04:00

Why is Dark Chocolate Healthy?

Chocolate is made from plants, which means it contains many of the health benefits of dark vegetables. These benefits are from flavonoids, which act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, which can cause damage that leads to heart disease. Dark chocolate contains a large number of antioxidants (nearly 8 times the number found in strawberries). Flavonoids also help relax blood pressure through the production of nitric oxide, and balance certain hormones in the body.

Thank you, dark chocolate, for making us feel good—not guilty—about dessert.
Try a chocolate with 70% or more cocoa. Two tablespoons of dark chocolate chips with fresh berries as a midafternoon snack or after-dinner dessert should give you some of the heart-healthy benefits without busting your calorie budget.

Purchase Organic? Top Foods that you should and Why!

2010-08-10T08:14:00.000-04:00

Info from "Prevention Magazine"

Buy Organic: Peaches
Why they're dirty: Sweet and succulent, peaches can be just as alluring to insects as to people. Farmers may spray peaches every week or two from bloom to harvest—and peach fuzz can trap pesticides, says peach breeder John R. Clark, PhD, a horticulturalist at the University of Arkansas, who peels every one of the thousands of peaches he eats each year.

Buy Organic: Celery
Why it's dirty: Due to peak consumer demand around Thanksgiving and Christmas, 75% of the crop is grown during the fall and winter, when rain and wind promote the growth of bacteria and fungal diseases. And because we eat the entire stalk, it must be sprayed repeatedly to ward off pests. "Nobody likes to find a caterpillar-damaged stalk in their celery bunch," says Stuart Reitz, PhD, a research entomologist with the USDA.

Buy Organic: Strawberries
Why they're dirty: Strawberries are not only sweet and juicy but also delicate and prone to disease, including fungal attacks that can turn them to mush during transit and storage. "With apples and peaches, a lot of spraying is cosmetic to get blemish-free fruits," says Richard Wiles, senior vice president for policy at EWG. "With berries, you're just trying to get them across the finish line into the store before they go bad."

Buy Organic: Apples
Why they're dirty: Sweet-smelling and delicious, apples are susceptible to more than 30 insects and at least 10 diseases. And fungicides and other chemicals are added after picking to prevent tiny blemishes that can accumulate during storage of up to 9months.

Buy Organic: Blueberries
Why they're dirty: Blueberries are new on the Dirty Dozen list—possibly because the USDA began testing them only 3 years ago, after large increases in production. The berries are targets for insects such as blueberry maggots and bagworms.

Buy Organic: Nectarines
Why they're dirty: Nectarines differ from peaches only in the absence of fuzz—a trait that likely arose as a natural mutation of a peach tree—so it's no wonder they're susceptible to many of the same pests, including oriental fruit moths and peach twig borers. Thanks to their waxy skin, they don't retain as many pesticides as peaches. On the other hand, they are more vulnerable to rot and scarring.

Buy Organic: Bell Peppers
Why they're dirty: Unlike cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, sweet bell peppers (which are technically fruits) have no bitter compounds to serve as built-in insect repellents. They even lack the fiery taste of their cousins, the chile peppers. And the creases at their crowns may provide nooks for pesticides to accumulate, says Philip Stansly, PhD, an entomologist at the University of Florida.

Buy Organic: Spinach
Why it's dirty: Spinach is a mere leaf that's crunched by a variety of insects, including grasshoppers. In addition, says Wiles, "spinach tends to pull persistent DDT residues out of the soil and into the leaf." These chemicals remain in the earth decades after they were banned.

Buy Organic: Kale
Why it's dirty: The outer leaves are not removed before sale, so any amount of damage will make it unmarketable. Even natural enemies of the pests that feed on kale can be considered contaminants in harvested produce, so farmers spray for all bugs, including the "good" ones.

Buy Organic: Cherries
Why they're dirty: Because cherries are a naked fruit—without peel or protection—they're vulnerable to pests such as the western cherry fruit fly. If just one of its maggots is found in a shipment, the entire load of fruit must be dumped, according to quarantine regulations, so growers spray out of fear of losing their crops.

Buy Organic: Potatoes
Why they're dirty: New to the list, America's number one vegetable is sprayed 5 or more times throughout the growing season to protect against various pests—and to ensure a crop of uniform shape and size for fast-food outlets and potato chip producers. After harvesting, another round of spraying occurs in the packing shed to ward off molds and sprouting

Buy Organic: Imported Grapes
Why they're dirty: During their long transit from the southern hemisphere, imported grapes are susceptible to Botrytis cinerea rot, which causes the fruits to split and leak. To prevent that, farmers spray aggressively with fungicides. (Domestic table grapes do not need the same spraying because most are grown in the dry desert climate of Southern California, where botrytis does not thrive.)

Achieve Health Eating and Weight Loss

2009-01-18T13:12:00.001-05:00

http://caloriecount.about.com/

NATURAL REMEDIES "Are they for You"

2009-01-18T13:02:00.000-05:00

Natural remedies consist of certain substances or extracts closely derived from nature that may have some medicinal or therapeutic effect. Unlike drugs that mainly consist of 1 or 2 foreign (possibly toxic) components of a certain substance, natural remedies represent all the components of a single substance found in nature so you are benefiting purely from what nature has to offer instead of a man-made substitute full of side effects. Drugs have a very overpowering and even toxic effect on the body that can suppress one's immune system and lead to other dangers and side effects. Natural remedies, on the other hand, work alongside the body's immune system to help stimulate a healthy response or healing effect. Natural Remedies DO have positive effects for people. Whether or not they will work for a particular individual is hard to say. As with drugs, not everyone will respond in the same manner with natural remedies. Physiologically, some people's bodies may reject or "pass" on the benefits of a natural remedy. Much of this has to do with body chemistry and the body's protein receptors. By staying persistent and using natural remedies on a continuous basis, you greatly increase your chances of success and achieving certain health benefits along with a greatly reduced risk for side effects. You should always seek help from your local Pharmacist or a Physician of Natural Medicine.

CELERY SEED

2008-11-06T22:38:00.000-05:00

Celery Seed is an excellent diuretic that promotes the flow of urine through the kidneys and increases uric acid excretions, helping to clear toxins from the system. This is especially good for gout, where excess uric acid crystals collect in the joints. Its diuretic action may also relieve bladder disorders, cystitis and other kidney problems including stones and gravel. Early herbalists used it as a cleansing tonic after the stagnation of winter, and herbalists in France today use the extract to relieve retention of urine. Celery Seed may support a healthy heart. Its diuretic properties help to rid the body of excess water through increased urine flow, including the release of fluid surrounding the heart, which helps to reduce the heart's workload.
Celery Seed is considered beneficial for easing the discomfort and degeneration of the body joints frequently associated with age. Its anti-inflammatory properties also appear to help those who suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gout and neuralgia, and its diuretic qualities help flush impurities (including uric acid and other toxins) from the kidneys, which frequently cause these ailments. Although Celery is said to be a stimulant (particularly in kidney function), it is also known as a sedative that will calm stressed nerves and promote restfulness and sleep.
Celery Seed is thought to have a calming effect on the digestive system, enhancing appetite, relieving gas and indigestion. Celery Seed is a popular folk remedy for promoting the onset of menstruation.

Getting Enough Vitamin D in the Winter Months

2008-11-06T22:22:00.000-05:00

As evidence of the health benefits of Vitamin D continues to grow, running out and catching a few rays of sunshine has never felt healthier. However, here in the northern hemisphere the days of sunshine are fast diminishing and it’s time for Canadians to start looking elsewhere for their daily vitamin D fix. In the past, vitamin D was known to reduce the risks of osteoporosis, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes. Now there’s strong data to suggest it’s a formidable weapon in the fight against cancer. Avoiding overload, how much vitamin D is too much is debatable. You don't want to overdo it, because too much vitamin D in the body can cause vomiting, raise blood levels of calcium causing confusion, and cause heart rhythm abnormalities. Health Canada warns exceeding the recommended limit could lead to an overdose that can cause kidney stones as well as damage to the heart, lungs and blood vessels. Health Canada advises against more than 2,000 IU a day. But remember, six months from now (we hope), getting vitamin D from sources such as foods and lamps won't be a worry. We’ll be able to reap the sun’s benefits by simply going for a walk in the sunshine. One thing that won’t help you get your daily dose of vitamin D is standing outside in the winter time, you can’t make vitamin D in your skin in the winter time. A study involving Edmonton residents, for six months of the year, they were unable to make vitamin D in their skin. Stand naked outside from the time the sun rises until it sets, freeze every appendage on your body and you will not make vitamin D."

Ginger Root

2008-11-06T22:17:00.000-05:00

Ginger root is a natural cure-all. It can ease numerous conditions including; muscle pain, queasiness and cold symptoms. New research has also shown it to be rich in antioxidants, which help soothe inflammation from migraines, menstrual cramps and arthritis. "It's a natural alternative to over-the-counter painkillers because it doesn't irritate the digestive-tract wall like ibuprofen and ASA do. Ginger can help relieve queasiness from motion sickness to morning sickness to hangovers. Ginger can help sedate the digestive tract and stimulate stomach acid production to aid with digestion. Ginger can help soothe arthritis, joint pain, general muscle soreness, menstrual cramps and migraines. The immune-boosting properties of ginger make it ideal for prevention and treatment

How to handle the cravings?

2008-05-21T18:22:00.000-04:00

Many of the new diets restrict (or completely forbid) consumption of whole groups of foods. More often than not, those "illegal" items are exactly those that used to be our favourites, so it should not be surprising if we sometimes commit the one or another nutritional crime. If it is chocolate that you cannot live without, then it is still better to break this one law, than to give up on rules altogether. Namely, total deprivation of the past favourite foods is a common reason for giving up on dietary goals. Temptations are a part of our lives, and usually it is the illegal things that seem most desirable. In case of foods, very few of them should be given a lifelong sentence. Instead, just give them house arrest at night, and let them out when the sun is shining and you are ready to work off your guilt. And if you are going to commit a food crime, choose the one that you can get away with. For example, one jumbo scone has the same number of calories (700) as a bowl of oatmeal with peaches, plus a bowl of cornflakes with banana, plus an English muffin with jam, plus two pieces of toast with marmalade, plus two dishes of fruit. In other words, if there are two illegal food items you desire, then take the less illegal one. Or two of them, as long as their combination is still less illegal than the alternative. Basically, it is always advisable to try to avoid the nutritional electric chair. Try to find new favourite foods. And if the old ones are still irresistible, then throw in some exercise and you will still be able to have an occasional piece of chocolate.

THE DANGER OF FAD DIETS****

2008-05-21T18:21:00.000-04:00

The "Energy Balance Equation" is the only universally accepted and proven theory whose simple message is that weight loss can only be achieved if less calories are consumed than burned. On the contrary, alternative diet solutions tend to pick a macronutrient that they classify as bad and then consequently discourage consumption of all foods rich in this nutrient. Low-fat diets, for example, limit consumption of meats, whereas low-carb diets limit consumption of potatoes and rice, among others. In exchange, low-carb diets allow boundless consumption of all other fat-rich products, claiming that the absence of carbs still results in weight loss regardless of the consumed quantities. This claim is partially true, but only in the first stage of dieting and only because of the side effects associated with this approach. When the body doesn't get enough carbohydrates, it starts to reduce the glycogen reserves in the liver. The body then starts to extract glycogen from muscle tissue, thus breaking it down and depleting water from the muscles at the same time. In the initial stages of the diet, the first seven to nine pounds a person loses are water, presenting a real danger of dehydration and mineral deficiencies. Regardless of the question of such diets' meaningfulness, you should never place weight loss above your health. Instead, make sure that your diet features varied menus and that it encourages eating fruit, vegetables and lean protein (reduced-fat dairy products, fish, chicken, and lean cuts of beef and pork) and whole and natural foods.

THE FATS THAT MAKE YOU LEAN

2008-05-21T18:20:00.000-04:00

Ever since their discovery in the 70s, the omega-3 polyunsaturated fats have been the focus of many studies and clinical trials. They turned out to be essential to life and good health, and their role in protection against disease and treatment of illnesses is well-known. But what most of us donâ€™t know is that they can contribute to weight loss as well. Exercise is one of the best ways of speeding up your metabolism. However, it also causes muscle inflammation, and this again (apart from increasing the risk of heart-disease) slows down your burn rate. Interestingly, one of the best medicines known to man against inflammation is â€“ you guessed it, the omega-3s. So, instead of ditching exercising, just take a bite or two of fish, nuts, seeds, flaxseed, and fish oils, and you will have done something good for your waist and your health. And if you are not a seafood fan, you can also try eggs rich in omega-3s.

How to keep your metabolism from shutting down

2008-05-21T18:19:00.000-04:00

Cutting too many calories puts your body in a state of alarm, in which it pushes to conserve calories rather than burn them. You start feeling cold and tired, and the lack of energy forces your body to break down muscle tissue to fuel its vital operations. This is bad in more than just one sense, since the amount of muscle tissue is directly related to metabolism, the rate at which you burn calories. You do need to slash calories to lose weight, but you should not go too far. As a general rule, do not cut more than 500 calories, because then you start experiencing two effects that are not helpful in dieting at all. First, your body decreases the fire in the oven from steaming hot to a mild simmer. And second, it starts breaking down muscle tissue, which in return reduces the burn rate even further. There are two ways of dealing with this problem. The first and simple one is to make sure that the calories you cut do not come from protein. Digestion of protein triggers new fires in your stomach, and those calories will not leave a lasting impression on the weight scale. The slightly tougher way to step up the metabolism is to step up your exercise. Exercise increases your energy output, calling on stored calories for extra fuel. Recent studies show that not only does exercise increase metabolism during a workout, but it also causes your metabolism to stay increased for a period of time after exercising, allowing you to burn more calories.

Foods That Lower Your Blood Pressure !!

2008-04-28T13:41:00.000-04:00

Skim milk provides calcium and vitamin D, two nutrients that work as a team to help reduce blood pressure by about 3 to 10 percent. Although this doesn’t sound like much, it could add up to about 15 percent reduction in risk for cardiovascular disease.
Spinach, unsalted sunflower seeds, beans (black, white, navy, lima, pinto, kidney) Spinach, unsalted sunflower seeds and beans are all loaded with magnesium, a key ingredient for lowering and maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. These foods also provide lots of potassium, a primary nutrient in the fight against high blood pressure (see below).
Baked white potato, banana, soybeans These three foods provide ample potassium. Your blood levels of potassium and sodium are inextricably linked. When potassium is low, the body retains sodium (and too much sodium raises blood pressure). When potassium is high, the body gets rid of sodium. Eating potassium-rich foods is important for maintaining a healthy balance of both minerals and, by extension, for keeping blood pressure low.
Dark chocolate Hooray for dark chocolate! Eating about 30 calories a day — that’s less than half an ounce of dark chocolate — was associated with a lowering of blood pressure without weight gain or other adverse effects, according to a study in the July 4, 2007, issue of JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association).

Lower Your Cholesterol with Foods

2008-04-28T13:31:00.000-04:00

Whole grains and oats - a five-year Insulin Resistance Athersclerosis Study showed that people whose diets contain the most whole grains “had the thinnest carotid artery walls and showed the slowest progression in artery wall thickness.”
Blueberries - a compound in blueberries (pterostilbene) may help lower cholesterol as effectively as commercial drugs with fewer side effects.
Pistachios, Walnuts, and Almonds - a Penn State study showed that eating pistachios significantly lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. Research published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology showed eating walnuts after a high-fat meal might protect your heart. Omega-3 fats and antioxidants in nuts work to reverse the arterial damage caused by saturated fats.
Avocados, Olives, and Olive oil - 26 of the 30 grams of fat in an avocado are heart-healthy, unsaturated fats that can increase your levels of HDL cholesterol. The good fats in avocados, olives, and olive oil protect against heart disease and diabetes. Check out the Mediterranean Diet.
Flaxseed oil - flaxseed oil can lower blood pressure in men with high cholesterol. In a three-month study of 59 middle-aged men, those who took daily flaxseed oil supplements (with eight grams of the omega-3 fats, alpha-linoleic acid) experienced significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
100% cranberry-grape juice - antioxidants in grape juice slow down LDL cholesterol oxidation, and cranberry juice raises HDL or “good” cholesterol.
Fish and Fish oil - a study from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology found that people with type 2 diabetes who consumed high doses of fish oil over nine weeks lowered the size and concentration of several lipoprotein subclasses (cholesterol) in their bodies.
Yogurt with live active cultures (probiotics) - Vicki Koenig, MS, RD, CDN said “several studies have shown that the probiotics Lactobacillus Acidophilus and Lactobacillus Reuteri actually help lower cholesterol. They work by preventing the reabsorption of cholesterol back in to the blood stream.”
Pomegranate juice - a National Academy of Sciences study showed that pomegranate juice reduces cholesterol plaque buildup and increases nitric oxide production (nitric oxide helps reduce arterial plaque).

You might be a person who is predisposed to high cholesterol, or maybe your diet could use a shape-up. Here are a few key points on cholesterol that I try to focus on:
LDL or “bad” cholesterol deposits itself on the walls of your arteries, forming plaques that make them hard and narrow. HDL or “good” cholesterol removes excess LDL in your blood and brings it to your liver for disposal. The more HDL you consume, the less LDL you’ll have in your blood.
You may need medication to help reduce your cholesterol, but eating a heart-healthy diet and getting exercise are very important.
Everyone should have their cholesterol checked-it doesn’t matter if you are young/old, female/male, or thin/overweight.

CherryJuice

2008-02-27T09:59:00.000-05:00

Tart Cherry Juice Concentrate is reducing the pain of arthritis, gout and headaches all over the country। The red pigments in cherries contain anthocyanins. Anthocyanins are found in aspirins and prescription drugs used to reduce inflammation in joints. People have said that within two weeks they have noticed a significant difference. It may not be a cure but it does help to relieve the pain. Cherry juice is said to relieve the pain of arthritis or gout and it has been suggested that cherry juice is good for kidney stones, gallbladder ailments and even tooth decay.
If you or a loved one suffers from the excruciating pain of gout, here’s the most effective folk remedy we know…It dates back to the 1950s, to a Texan named Ludwig W। Blau, Ph.D., who was so crippled by a gouty big toe; he was forced to use a wheelchair. Dr. Blau reported in a Texas medical journal that a diet including six cherries a day soon had him up and walking. He added that his physician tried the cherry diet on 12 patients and had equally spectacular results. Scientists still aren’t sure why the 6 cherry cure works so well, but work it does! Black cherry juice reportedly has the same effect says Dr. Steve Schumacher. “Of all the remedies I have ever used for people with various health problems, this has been a hit with everyone”.
The evidence is cascading in from the finest medical schools, research labs, and health centres in America and around the world। Cancer, the most terrifying scourge of our age can be prevented, halted and even reversed by the powerful natural medicines Mother Nature has put in our foods.Take cherries, for example. If preventing cancer anywhere in your body is your goal, life really is a bowl of cherries. They’re bursting with a compound doctors are hailing as perhaps the most exciting breakthrough medical science has yet found for curing cancer. Cherries are rich in perillyl alcohol, which belongs to a family of compounds shown in studies to block the formation of a variety of cancers, including those of the breasts, lungs, stomach, liver, and skin.Cherries also contain a compound called quercetin. According to one leading doctor, “quercetin is one of the most potent anti-cancer agents ever discovered.” Eating it is like unleashing an entire army of James Bond-type agents who are adept at neutralizing cancer-causing agents on sight. Quercetin is so strong against cancer, it also acts like a bodyguard in shielding your DNA against cancerous attack and even cuts off supplies of enzymes that tumors need to grow.Best of all, this life-saving compound is just one of scores of cancer-fighting agents so effective in preventing, halting, and even reversing cancer, they could be called “Mother Natures all-natural chemotherapy agents” and unlike man-made cancer fighting agents, these compounds are abundant in many of your favorite foods, in just the right amounts you need, and are 100% good for you with 0% side effects.
Eat just 20 cherries, and laboratory studies show you’ll be getting 6g of cholesterol-controlling fiber, plus a whopping 524mg. of potassium a mineral that doctors say can prevent and even treat high blood pressure.
“20 cherries also provide 25mg. of anthocyanins, powerful chemicals that protect artery walls from the damage that leads to plaque buildup and heart disease.” Says food science and human nutrition researcher Muraleedharan Nair Ph.D. “In fact the latest research shows that eating 20 cherries daily could cut your risk of heart attack by 30%.”
Anthocyanins are more than just heart protectors. Recent studies show they’re also anti-inflammatory pain relievers 10 times stronger than ibprofen. If you’re plagued with chronic pain of arthritis, headaches, or even gout the pros say a bowl of cherries could ease your pain without all the side effects. “They help shut down the enzymes that cause tissue inflammation in the first place.” says Nair. Recent studies at the University of Texas have shown that tart cherries also contain Melatonin, a compound produced by the pineal gland that induces sleepiness at night and alertness during the day.

TOP TEN LIFE EXTENDING FOODS

2008-02-13T16:41:00.001-05:00

Tomatoes. Tomatoes contain large amounts of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Lycopene helps reduce the chances of several cancers—most notably prostate cancer—and is also associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis. It may even help prevent skin aging. One of the quirky things about tomatoes is that the amount of lycopene they have actually increases when you cook and crush them, so tomato paste and sauce are more powerful than fresh tomatoes.
Olive oil. Olive oil is high in monounsaturated fat, which can help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. It also has high antioxidant levels, a beneficial effect on cholesterol levels, and an anti-inflammatory effect. No wonder the Mediterranean diet is so healthy! Choose cold-pressed, extra virgin olive oil for maximum benefit—but don't go overboard. Remember, one tablespoon has 120 calories (13 grams of fat!).
Red grapes. Like tomatoes and olive oil, grapes, grape juice, and red wine also contain antioxidants. Drinking a moderate amount of red wine—one or two drinks a day—has been shown to increase longevity. Resveratrol, a substance in the skin of red grapes that's been shown to help slow the growth of cancer. Be careful, however, because drinking too much can shorten your life instead!
Nuts. Nuts have fat, but like olive oil it's the "good" fat—monounsaturated. Eating 5 ounces a week has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease. They're also a good source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants.
Whole grains. Whole grains, especially sprouted whole grains, contain a lot of fiber, as well as antioxidants. They help protect against cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and contribute to maintaining a healthy weight. So skip the Wonder Bread, and cut a slice of a multigrain loaf instead.
Salmon and other fatty fish. There can't be enough said about the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, and salmon is rich in them. They help prevent cancer, reduce inflammation, coronary heart disease, and other health problems. In most cases wild-caught fish are healthier than farm-raised fish.
Blueberries. Blueberries have one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants. They help prevent urinary tract infections, lower cholesterol, and help slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. All the other berries are great too, plus they taste practically like candy!
Garlic. Garlic has been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years, used for everything from treating the common cold to serving as an antiseptic. It can help regulate blood sugar and has anti-cancer properties.
Spinach. Loads of antioxidants make spinach a strong weapon against aging. It also has high levels of folic acid, which helps fight cancer, heart disease, and mental disorders.
Tea. Used medicinally for thousands of years, tea contains a large amount of antioxidants. It may boost your metabolism, help prevent diabetes, lift your immune system and mental alertness, and lower stress hormone levels.
Article Complements of Beach Body Inc.

The Amazing Whole Food "SALBA"

2008-02-04T19:46:00.000-05:00

Salba® is the only evidence based, registered variety of ancient plant species belonging to the mint family known as Salvia Hispanica. Its botanical name is Salvia hispanica L.The brilliant Aztecs used these powerful seeds to sustain them on long and arduous hunting and trading expeditions and in battle. Runners would relay messages throughout their immense kingdom relying on it for their only source of nourishment.Salba® is a cultivar of Salvia hispanica L. that has been used in the diets of humans for hundreds of years. The remarkably advanced Aztec nation cultivated Salvia hispanica L. which they called chian, as one of their nutritional foundations. They referred to this as “Running Food” because it provided extraordinary energy and power. Chian was to the Aztecs what Ginseng is to the Orient: the nutritional secret for restoring vigor and prolonging life.Today, Salba®, Nature’s Perfect Whole Food, is recognized as a super-food with many clinically proven health benefits. Salba® provides essential nutrients, including essential fatty acids (omega-3) and an abundance of both soluble and insoluble dietary fiber. In addition, it is an exceptionally rich source of vitamins, minerals and high quality vegetable protein.

When the Conquistadors under the command of Hernando Cortez arrived in Mexico on November 8, 1519, they sought to establish their own rule by subjugating and plundering the legendary nation of the Aztecs. Cortez quickly realized that the grain chian was at the very core of the Aztec nutritional foundation. It was an integral part of the rich and mysterious ceremonial pageants that were vital to their religious and spiritual culture. In essence, it became a symbol of life itself. The Aztecs believed it gave them mystical, almost supernatural energy and power. During the Conquistadors relentless campaign of terror and oppression, Cortez was convinced that if he could destroy this unique plant, he would win the empire and become master of all he surveyed. Acre upon acre was then set ablaze and a brutal battle of wills had begun, a battle that would eventually bring the Aztecs to their knees, leaving the magnificent “Kingdom of Gold” in ruins.After the Spanish conquest of Mexico, Salvia seeds were probably introduced to Spain around 1521. It was famed botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) who gave chian the botanical name Salvia hispanica L. By this time these seeds were growing wild in Spain and were mistakenly classified as a species native to that country. The Latin word for Spain is hispanica.Now, after almost 500 years, Salvia Hispanica has emerged once again – reborn as Salba®.

Salba® has been investigated at the Risk Factor Modification Center, St.Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada, by * Dr. Vladimir Vuksan, Associate Professor of Endocrinology and Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, in randomized, acute and long-term studies. In the acute study, Salba® reduced after-meal blood glucose and plasma insulin levels, compared to control. In a long term trial (12 weeks), Salba® reduced blood pressure, the major cardiovascular risk factor in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes. In the same study, Salba® proved to be effective with respect to reduction in inflammation and coagulation factors. These unexpected clinical results indicate the great health potential of Salba® as a functional food, to be used as a novel agent in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.

The Big Debate on Calcium

2008-01-17T09:55:00.000-05:00

The average adult’s weight is made up of about two per cent calcium. Most of this is found in the skeleton and teeth; the rest is stored in the tissues or blood. Calcium is vital for healthy teeth and bones.

Calcium plays a role in:

Strengthening bones and teeth
Regulating muscle functioning, such as contraction and relaxation
Regulating heart functioning
Blood clotting
Transmission of nervous system messages
Enzyme function.functioning of nerves and muscle tissue.

If the body notices that not enough calcium is circulating in the blood, it will use hormones to reduce the amount put out by the kidneys in the urine. If not enough calcium is absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract, calcium will be taken from the bones. If your dietary intake of calcium is constantly low, your body will eventually remove so much calcium from the skeleton that your bones will become weak and brittle.It is much better to get calcium from foods (which also provide other nutrients) than from calcium supplements. If you have difficulty eating enough foods rich in calcium, you might consider a calcium supplement, especially if you are at risk of developing osteoporosis. It’s a good idea to discuss this with your health care professional. If you do take calcium supplements, make sure you don’t take more than the amount recommended on the bottle (usually 600–1,500mg per day). Too much calcium may cause gastrointestinal upsets, such as bloating and constipation. Many Calcium supplements are made of limestone and are not naturally produced. When chosing a calcium supplement always check for quality of product, ask your Nutrition Specialist in your local health food store. In my opinion some of the better Calcium Supplements on the market now that are of veryhigh quality are from companies like Flora, New Roots, New Chapters, Progressive. (click on links to side that will bring you to these companies websites.)

"VIBE for LIFE"

2007-11-23T12:42:00.000-05:00

VIBE is a premiere, liquid natural health product able to provide daily nutritional support for healthy living. It can also be a significant part of nutritional programs for those with unique nutritional needs. Synergized together, its four health blends represent an impactful solution for individuals looking to manage and successfully help address their health needs.
To receive the natural goodness and maximum benefit from a natural health product, the manner in which nutrients are sourced, prepared and preserved is critically important.
Eniva’s VIBE is delivered to you the way NATURE intended... fresh with naturally sourced ingredients and processes that promote the benefits and potency of nutrients. This nourishing natural health product is brought to you with Eniva’s Commitment of Freshness in every bottle.VIBE provides critical and essential nutrients and co-factors needed for the body to thrive, it does so in a nutrient delivery system that makes sense - LIQUID. VIBE provides outstanding daily nutritional support through its advanced aqueous technology. VIBE combines MULTIPLE SPECIALIZED nutrients in sufficient quantity, proper balance and scientific ratios. Plus, VIBE provides ADDITIONAL beneficial nutrients to address your body's complex needs.
The end result is a premiere natural health product able to address nutritional needs. Not only does VIBE deliver all of this, but it comes in a great tasting liquid for easy consumption and absorption. For more clinical and ordering information on this outstanding Nutraceutical, please click on link at side of Blog.

"GOTCHA on the MATCHA"

2007-11-07T13:18:00.000-05:00

Matcha is powdered green tea grown in the shade like gyokuro and which is traditionally used in the Japanese tea ceremony. Matcha is made by whisking powdered green tea with a chasen, or bamboo whisk, into a frothy warm beverage. Matcha is made from new tea leaves that have been carefully grown under diffused sunlight for 20-30 days before they are harvested, steamed and dried.

Green tea is loaded with the compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCg), a powerful anti-oxidant which offers many health benefits. Green tea is a drink made from the steamed and dried leaves of the Camellia sinesis plant, a shrub native to Asia. In China and Japan, green tea is a hot drink usually served in a small ceramic cup. Two studies in China, where green tea is a common part of their diet, resulted in promising findings.

Green tea is steamed, baked, or pan heated to prevent oxidation and thus the leaves remain green. Green tea is a beverage which is slowly becoming popular in the Western world because of its medical and weight loss properties. Research into the health-promoting properties of green tea is also yielding information that may lead to new treatments for skin diseases and wounds.

When you drink matcha you consume the leaves, unlike other green teas. For this reason matcha contains, by volume, higher concentrations of catechins and vitamins.
There are 2 types of matcha- koicha and usucha. These are chanoyu (Japanese Tea Ceremony) terms and literally translate as "thick" and "thin" tea.
Usucha comes from the leaves of tea plants that are less than 30 years old. Koicha comes from the first harvest of plants that are a minimum of 30 years old.
In tea ceremony koicha is brewed with less water than usucha. Koicha has a naturally mellower and sweeter taste and the tea is made thicker for that reason..

In my opinion, there is nothing like starting your day off with a warm wisked serving of Matcha. Matcha will give you energy and also increase your metabolism. In the least Matcha is supplying you with many of the Antioxidants you need each day.

"ANTIOXIDANTS" Prevent Free Radical Damage.....

2007-10-24T22:03:00.000-04:00

Our body's cells are constantly in competition with substances called free radicals. Free radicals can cause untold damage to your body, harming just about everything inside your body. Some free radicals are made inside the body, while others are caused by the food we ingest and the air we breathe.

To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system of antioxidants. Antioxidants are elements that scavenge free radicals and terminate the damage they cause to the body's cells. They also turn the free radicals into waste by-products, resulting in their elimination from the body. Because antioxidants prevent cellular damage, considered to be the conduit for cancer, aging, and other diseases and conditions, they are vital to our body's good health. Antioxidants also have the amazing ability to repair previous damage to cells.
We extract antioxidants from food. Fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods deliver hundreds of antioxidants to our bodies. The most common vitamin antioxidants come from vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Since the body cannot manufacture these vitamins, they must be supplied from our diet and/or supplements.

*BETA-CAROTENE is a precursor to vitamin A (the body turns precursors into vitamin A). Because the body converts the beta-carotene into vitamin A, there is no set requirement of its dosage. Beta-carotene is found in many foods that are orange in color such as carrots, cantaloupe, squash, pumpkin, mangos, and sweet potatoes. Green leafy vegetables, broccoli, liver, spinach, tomatoes, and whole grains are also rich in beta-carotene. (Vitamin A has no antioxidant properties and can be toxic if taken in excessive doses.)

*VITAMIN C is a very powerful antioxidant that strengthens the immune system and neutralizes free radicals, reducing the risk for several types of cancer. It helps make the collagen needed for healthy bones and blood vessels, and it controls infections. The best food sources for vitamin C are citrus fruits or juices, peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, and spinach. Many breakfast cereals are also fortified with vitamin C.

*VITAMIN E, another powerful antioxidant, protects your cells against the effects of free radicals that can damage cells and contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer. Vitamin E has also been shown to play a role in immune function and DNA repair. Good sources of vitamin E are vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and fortified cereals.

As research into the role of antioxidants continues, the message will become much clearer.

"Magnesium Facts"

2007-10-24T10:35:00.000-04:00

Magnesium is a mineral important for muscle contractions, a healthy nervous system, immune system and strong bones. It is involved in hundreds of enzyme reactions in the body.Excessive intake of magnesium from food does not happen; however, if intake of magnesium supplements is high over time, then muscle weakness, diarrhea, abdominal cramping, risk of kidney failure, and irregular heartbeat may occur.What happens when Magnesium intake is too low? Deficiencies are rare in healthy adults, but may be seen in individuals with gastro-intestinal malabsorptive conditions, burns, surgery, renal disease, hyperthyroidism, and alcoholism. Symptoms can include fatigue, irritability, decreased appetite, confusion, rapid heartbeat, and numbness. Magnesium occurs abundantly in foods. Good sources include seeds, nuts, legumes, dark green vegetables, soy products, and whole grains. Magnesium is one of the body's major electrolytes, essential for metabolism, and an aid to the growth of bone as well as nerve and muscle health. Researchers now believe magnesium is responsible for the health of the heart, blood pressure, circulation, and overall relaxation including muscle relaxation. Professional athletes or anyone who engages in heavy physical labor must keep magnesium levels up, as the mineral facilitates oxygen delivery to working muscle tissue.

"Stress" Vitamin B Supplements

2007-10-21T10:01:00.000-04:00

A mixture of eight different nutrients makes up the B-complex vitamin. Our bodies need these nutrients daily. The nutrients are Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Pantothenic Acid, Pyridoxine, Cyanocobalamin, Biotin and Folic Acid. Some beliefs are that these nutrients share a common bond, but the truth is that some of these vitamins have a unique and separate function for your body. Since each on is does a different function for the body it is important to look at them separately.

B1 - Thiamin works to help with healthy nerves, improve mood, improve heartburn and strengthens the heart. It is also essential for the carbohydrate metabolism of your body. Food sources of B1 are whole grains, seeds, pork, legumes and nuts.

B2 - Riboflavin is for red blood cell formation. It also helps with fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism. Riboflavin also helps to improve the skin and preventing cataracts. Food sources of B2 are Avocados, beef, dairy products, eggs, fish, fortified breads & cereals, liver, and mushrooms.

B3 - Niacin is to help lowering cholesterol and it helps depression, insomnia and arthritis. Food sources of B3 are eggs, enriched grain products dairy products, and high protein food such as beef, chicken, fish & nuts.

B5 - Pantothenic Acid works on our Central Nervous System. It also assist in energy production and helps fight chronic fatigue. This also fights migraines, allergies and heartburn. Food sources for Pantothenic Acid are fish, legumes, organ meats, poultry, whole grains, and yogurt.

B6 - Pyridooxine is needed for every function of the body but it plays a major role in forming red blood cells. It also is used to relieve PMS and asthma attacks. Food sources for Pyridooxine are Avocados, bananas, chickpeas, fish, potatoes, poultry, and meat.

B12 - Cyanocobalamin is to help your body prevent pernicious anemia which is caused by a B12 deficiency. Food sources for Cyanocobalamin are cheese, eggs, fish, meat, organ meats, oysters, sardines, and yeast.

Biotin is important for nail and hair growth and health. Food sources for Biotin are barley, cauliflower, legumes, liver, nuts, oatmeal, rice, soy, and whole wheat.

Folic Acid is a great necessity during pregnancy to protect against birth defects. It also stabilizes homocysteine levels. Food levels for Folic Acid are beans, green vegetables, orange juice, and whole grains.

If you are not eating enough of these foods in your daily diet it is very important that you supplement everyday with a B-12 capsule. B-12 is very important to our normal nerve growth and development by maintaining the fatty sheaths that cover and protect nerve endings. It also is very important for our memory and learning. The folic acid in B-12 lowers the possibilities of neural tube defects during pregnancy. Now you can see why it is called a complex B-12 vitamin. The complexity of this vitamin makes it vital to our body everyday.

PHYTOPLANKTON "The Miracle Food"

2007-10-21T09:37:00.000-04:00

Firstly we need to know were energy comes from. Where does energy come from? To answer these questions we need to begin with the ultimate source of energy - The Sun. We harness the sun's energy through direct contact and diet. Plants absorb the sun's energy through photosynthesis and are later consumed by animals and humans, thus conveying the sun's energy.

Phytoplankton could be the most important superfood available to harness solar energy and deliver essential nutrients. All cells work the same way and have the same energy needs, whether that cell works the brain or shapes our little toes, they have different outputs and functions but they basically work the same way.They all require energy! Consequently, our cells depend in all respects from the energy derived from our Sun. Its energy is diffused throughout our planet, fueling life at all levels.

"Cell communication" is how our 100 trillion cells coordinate their metabolism. They do this through a system of "messages". They form a vast network of communication. The psycho-Neuro-Immune-Endocrine system of cell communication to coordinate metabolism is now considered to be the cornerstone of Health. Cell communication takes place mainly in the outer cell membrane. Naturally, the cell membrane becomes an extremely important part of cell communication and function. Cells are totally dependant on the environment in our bodies. Said environment is created by our lifestyles. A compromised cell membrane cannot produce energy effectively. Simply put, all cell function will be compromised allowing a greater chance of disease.The high density of nutrients found in marine phytoplankton are vital for cell detoxification and maintaining the human cell membrane in structure and function. The micronutrients and electrolytes in phytoplankton are exactly what our cell membranes need to carry out their metabolism. Not surprisingly,the composition of human plasma is similar to that of seawater.

WHAT IS PHYTOPLANKTON?

Marine microbes remain elusive and mysterious, even though they are the most abundant life form in the ocean, form the base of the marine food web, and drive energy and nutrient cycling.
Scientists at NASA theorize that billions of years ago, these microorganisms marked the beginning of life on earth. Our oceans are adrift with these microscopic, single celled plants that use energy from the sun and nutrients extracted from surrounding water to make their own carbohydrates through a set of chemical reactions called photosynthesis.

Concentrated Marine Phytoplankton,is a complete whole food containing a combination of rich nutrients, amino acids, rare trace minerals and vitamins. It provides everything our bodies require to keep cells healthy, vital and strong. The high density of nutrients found in Phytoplankton maintains human cell membranes in structure and function. This is vital for cell detoxification and for the overall metabolism of human cells. It is a renewable and sustainable source that helps restore, strengthen and balance our entire system. It has many elements that many of us now lack, including carotenoids, chlorophyll, enzymes and cellular material not found in this combination in other "super green" foods. This is the only known product to take natural marine phytoplankton communities containing a complete suite of marine trace elements in proportion to those found naturally in human plasma.

The mineral elements and electrolytes in phytoplankton are almost tailor-made for the human body. Our bodies need these elements to perform as nature intended. Left to its own devices, the human body has a marvelous system called homeostasis which keeps all systems in balance. Take away any critical component and the body experiences malfunctions that cause less than optimal performance which, in turn, may lead to disease. In fact, the causes of diseases have been simplified to very specific mechanisms, all of which center on cell membrane function and structure. Inflammation, Oxidation, Toxicity and Mitochondrial dysfunction keep cell membranes from doing their job effectively. Phytoplankton has the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory micronutrients needed to fuel metabolism and detoxification.

The Earth's atmosphere and its topsoil were formed by microorganisms inhabiting our oceans, wherefrom all life originated. These microorganisms are commonly known as "algae" or "plankton" derived from a Greek root meaning "wanderer" or "floating life" because plankton are tiny open-water plants. Besides producing enough micronutrients and minerals to form our topsoil, these unique tiny organisms are rich and nutritious enough to feed huge mammals, such as whales. Blue whales, bowhead whales, baleen whales, grey whales, humpbacks and right whales all eat plankton. These mammals live between 80-150 years and stay healthy, strong and sexually active throughout their lives.

Recently after discovering a commercial available Phytoplankton, I started taking this supplement. I have been sleeping through the night, I have much more energy, I have low craving for Carbohydrates and I have also lost 8 pounds. This Natural Food Supplement is worth looking into.

OMEGA 3 or EFAs "The Link In Staying Healthy"

2007-10-19T14:30:00.000-04:00

If you are suffering with cardiovascular diseases, skin problems, allergies or mental disorders, chances are that the culprit is lack of omega 3 EFAs or Essential fatty acids.

Omega 3 or EFAs are a family of polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are good fats and are as crucial for human life as minerals and vitamins. However, omega 3/EFAs cannot be synthesized by our body directly and we need to obtain them from our diets.

Omega 3 efas consist of Eicosapentaenoic acid, Docosahexaenoic acid and Alpha-linolenic acids. ALA acids need to be converted or broken down into DHA and EPA to be absorbed by our body's cell membranes. Since our body does not produce omega 3 EFAs, it is important that they be supplemented through our diet.

There is a gross imbalance of omega 6 and omega 3 in our diets. Our omega 3 to omega 6 ratio should be 3:1 ideally, but it is the opposite for most Westerners who survive mainly on processed food.

Scientists believe that lack of omega 3 fatty acids is the main cause behind most of the Western degenerative diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disorders, depression, arthritis and skin allergies.

To correct this imbalance, you first need to know the various dietary sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. The richest source of omega 3 fats are cold water fishes such as salmon, sardines, tuna, mackerel and Hoki. Other seafood such as scallops, shrimps and crabs are also a good source of omega 3 efas. Plant-based sources include green leafy vegetables such as spinach, tofu, soybeans, walnuts, hemp seeds, flaxseed oil, canola oil and sunflower oil.

Hoki fish found in the Southern oceans of New Zealand is especially rich in DHA and EPA. Fish oil extracted from Hoki fish is known to have 40% more DHA than other fish oils.
Coming from the pristine waters of New Zealand, fish oil extracted from Hoki fish is relatively free of toxins such as mercury, metals. However, manufacturers of this product use molecular distillation to remove all traces of toxins.

Why do I need Omega 3 efas?

Omega 3 fatty acids form an integral part of our cell membranes. The Human brain is 8% fats by weight. DHA is the main building block of brain cells and EPA enables communication between nerve cells and brain.

Regular consumption of omega 3 fatty acids can increase your I.Q, help you concentrate better, treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and increase your memory. Eating a diet rich in omega 3 lowers the triglycerides and increases the HDL or good cholesterol level in blood. This prevents against a variety of coronary heart diseases. Omega 3 efas also helps in better blood circulation and inhibits clotting of platelets or blockage of arteries.
Skin allergies and disorders such as eczema and psoriasis can be treated completely with the help of fish oils. They also increase the metabolism rate in the body and help obese people loose weight easily.Thus, for a healthy heart and brain, you need to make omega 3 EFAs a part of your daily diet. Just make sure you purchase only Pharmaceutical brand, molecularly distilled omega 3 supplements.