DHA from Fish Oil Lowers Diabetes Risk, Slows Brain Aging

Human genetics have evolved by harnessing the power of a wide variety of nutrients which have been available in our food supply for countless generations. Over the past half century many of these natural nutrients which are so essential to our health have been slowly and systematically removed from the foods we eat.

DHA is a critical Omega-3 fatty acid which our ancestors found primarily in fish which is now severely deficient in our diet, causing a dramatically increased risk from diabetes and dementia. Including this powerful nutrient through targeted supplementation can prevent these conditions and regulate the progressive decline we know as aging.

DHA Inhibits Amyloid Plaque Formation

DHA is an Omega-3 fat which is preferentially used by the body for the formation of cell membranes and is especially important to the formation and function of neurons in the brain. When our body is supplied with sufficient amounts of DHA, the fat is allowed to accumulate in the brain where it increases brain cell survival and down regulates the formation of toxic amyloid beta plaque. This action effectively lowers the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer`s disease.

DHA Can Prevent Cognitive Decline

The results of a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that DHA can protect against brain aging by preventing the typical damage associated with memory decline. DHA is stored by the brain for use during periods of stress and toxic overload to protect brain neurons. This is critical to the formation of memories, higher learning and thought which decline with the onset of dementia. Sufficient blood levels of circulating DHA are necessary to provide reserves which can be used to repair neuronal damage before memory loss becomes evident.

DHA Lowers Systemic Inflammation

Systemic inflammation is one of the key underlying causes of diabetes and DHA has been shown to regulate the metabolic disorder which results from excess body weight. Macrophages are components of our immune system which are essential for fighting invading pathogens, and accumulate in the white adipose tissue in response to weight gain. As more weight is gained macrophage activity increases and inflammation levels rise in the body with potentially devastating effects to our internal organs and vascular system.

DHA Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Prevents Diabetes

DHA has been shown to attach to a receptor on macrophages which are present in our white fat cells and down regulate inflammatory activity to reduce levels of inflammation. Higher levels of inflammation are associated with insulin resistance which is a hallmark of the progression of diabetes. According to research published in the journal Cell, DHA is the evolutionary key to mediate inflammation while safely lowering risk from diseases ranging from diabetes and cancer to cardiovascular disease.

Extensive research has confirmed DHA as the most critical fatty acid to promote cognitive function and lower dangerous levels of inflammation throughout the body. Man has evolved on a diet which is fortified with this essential fat but our modern diet is grossly deficient leading to many common diseases. The best way to ensure sufficient levels circulating in your blood is to supplement daily with a highly concentrated form of DHA to reduce the risk of diabetes and cognitive decline.

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Posted in: Alzheimer's Disease,DHA,Diabetes,Omega-3 Fats

Almonds and Walnuts Prevent Heart Disease and Diabetes

Man has evolved to eat almonds and walnuts in their natural form and extensive research confirms the benefits to our health. It’s no coincidence that the ratio of fats and other essential nutrients are in perfect balance with our own nutritional needs.

Studies confirm that almonds and walnuts promote heart health by regulating blood lipids and help to prevent diabetes by controlling blood glucose and factors which lead to metabolic syndrome. You can boost your health by adding these nuts to your regular diet and reap the many health benefits.

Poor Diet Increases Risk of Heart Attack

Cardiovascular disease is the leading killer of adults and there’s solid evidence that including a handful of nuts to your diet each day can have a significant impact on the health of your heart. The typical diet consists of excessive calories from sugars, refined carbohydrates and hydrogenated fats from fried foods. This type of diet negatively influences blood lipids, causing an uneven balance of LDL and HDL cholesterol. Problems arise when the LDL particles become very small and oxidized as a result of eating too much processed food.

Small LDL particles are known to lead to the formation of foamy plaque which is used by our body to pack the small micro cracks which occur in the delicate inner lining of the coronary arteries. Once the LDL cholesterol becomes oxidized, typically from a diet high in hydrogenated trans fats, the substance becomes sticky and quickly forms into dangerous plaque which can narrow the arteries. This sets the stage for a blockage and can lead to a heart attack.

Eat Nuts Daily for Heart Health

According to a study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, eating nuts on a regular basis can help to change the blood lipid chemistry to reduce the risk from coronary artery disease and death from a heart attack. Nuts are loaded with beneficial monounsaturated and Omega-3 fats which directly control the size of the LDL cholesterol particles as well as oxidation properties which make the particles less cohesive and less likely to form plaque.

It’s important to note that eating nuts is just one powerful tool in your dietary toolbox for fighting heart disease. To dramatically lower your risk of heart disease, you must cut out refined carbohydrates, wheat based foods and eliminate sugar as this type of diet fuels atherogenic blood fats and heart disease. Use nuts as a compliment to your healthy diet.

Almonds and Walnuts Help Prevent Diabetes

The continual blood sugar spikes seen in many people after eating are a sign of metabolic dysfunction which leads to diabetes. A diet high in sugar and processed carbs drives this condition which can lead to devastating complications including blindness, kidney failure and neuropathy. A study published in The Journal of Nutrition demonstrates that eating almonds before a meal helps to decrease the wild blood sugar swings from a high carb meal. This helps to lower the risk of developing diabetes and can even assist in the treatment of the disorder when used as part of a healthy diet.

Almonds and walnuts are nutritional super foods which have been shown to provide essential health benefits. These natural foods help regulate blood lipids and glucose to lower the risk of heart disease and help to prevent diabetes. In addition to eliminating sugar, wheat and processed carbs from your diet, try adding a handful of these nuts to your menu each day for optimal health benefits.

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Posted in: Diabetes,Heart Disease,Nuts

Green Tea and Fish Oil Promote Health and Assist Weight Loss

Green tea and the Omega-3 fatty acid DHA combine to provide a powerful natural shield against certain forms of cancer, heart disease, stroke and dementia while assisting weight loss and maintenance. Both of these nutrients directly target gene sequences which have been shown to lower disease risk while increasing base metabolism to burn more calories.

Include green tea and DHA in your nutritional arsenal to prevent a wide array of potentially lethal illnesses and reach your ideal weight loss goal.

Harness the Power of Green Tea Against Cancer

The active antioxidant compound in green and white tea is Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which has been shown to exert significant anti-cancer properties by fighting development and proliferation of rogue cells. EGCG works by switching off the genes responsible for cancer initiation while influencing natural cell death to prevent replication. Chemical components of green tea further help to cut off the blood supply cancer cells need to grow while lowering levels of dangerous systemic inflammation known to promote cancer as well as many other diseases.

Green Tea Boosts Metabolism

The results of a study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition provide evidence that EGCG increases fat oxidation by 33% through accelerated metabolism. Green tea has also been shown to inhibit fat cell formation and improve excretion of fat from abdominal adipose tissue. This study found that fat was burned at a higher rate for 2 hours after eating and deceased rapidly after that point. The study authors recommend drinking green tea or supplementing with EGCG prior to eating for maximum benefit.

The researchers also noted that higher intake of green tea or EGCG does not necessarily translate into increased levels of fat oxidation. Fresh brew your own green tea or use low dose EGCG supplements (300 mg or less) to receive the full fat metabolism effect.

DHA Provides Support for the Heart and Brain

DHA is one of two Omega-3 fats found in fish and distilled fish oil. DHA has been shown to lower levels of inflammation, provide a thinning effect to blood platelets to prevent clotting and reduce dangerous triglycerides in the blood. These benefits all contribute to the heart health benefits of DHA as research demonstrates that supplementation can cut the risk of sudden death from a heart attack by one-third.

DHA is the preferred fat used in brain cell neurons as well as most other cells in the body. Its unique properties allow for oxygen and nutrients to easily pass through the cell wall. When this vital fat is deficient, other fats must be used which create a stiffer cell membrane leading to cellular death and disease.

DHA Prevents Fat Accumulation

DHA works by influencing genes which control blood sugar, insulin secretion and fat accumulation. This Omega-3 fat targets the bioactive white adipose cells and affects how triglycerides in the blood are either burned for fuel or allowed to be stored as fat. The results of a study published in the International Journal of Obesity demonstrate the addition of DHA and Omega-3 fats increased weight loss in a group of overweight men by 28% compared to those who didn`t supplement.

It’s no surprise that natural nutrients and supplements act to promote health and assist weight loss. Green tea and DHA fats are prime examples of an intricate mechanism evolved over generations which our body uses to support our health. Incorporate these powerful nutrients into your lifestyle for improved quality of life and longevity.

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Posted in: DHA,Fish Oil,Green Tea,weight loss

Diet and Lifestyle Determine Mid-Life Weight and Disease Risk

(Article first published as Evolved Dietary Changes Lead to Weight Gain and Chronic Disease on Technorati.)

Our diet has changed radically over the past century and has become a significant cause of disease and illness as animal based foods account for a quarter of our calories. Processed foods which didn’t exist 100 years ago make up more than 60% of our present diet while naturally healthy vegetables and fruits provide less than 5% of our daily energy.

The food we eat influences our genes and is the leading cause of the rampant rise in heart disease, cancer, diabetes, dementia and obesity seen today. It’s possible to prevent and even reverse the damage from a poor dietary lifestyle by eating naturally high nutrient density foods.

A Diet of Processed Foods Leads to Illness

We need both calories and nutrients to survive. Modern food manufacturing techniques have removed most of the nutrition from the processed foods which represent such a significant portion of our calories. Vitamins, minerals and a host of essential nutrients provide the fuel we need to neutralize free radicals, facilitate DNA repair, counteract carcinogens and provide an effective immune response. After decades of nutrient deficiency our natural reserves are depleted and the stage is set for the onset of chronic disease often leading to a shortened lifespan.

Children Develop a Taste for Junk Food Early in Life

Many children are fed a diet of processed junk food from an early age and they quickly develop a taste for salty, sugared and fried foods. The instinct to eat vegetables, fruits and meats in their natural form is erased as their taste buds become satiated with a refined diet impregnated with artificially manufactured chemicals which are more pleasing to the taste.

An analysis reported in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association indicates that 800 of 2200 calories consumed by a typical child each day are attributable to solid fats and added sugar. These macronutrients are commonly known as `empty calories` as they provide scant nutrients and contribute to the growing childhood obesity problem. Children who acquire the taste for junk food early are much more likely to develop weight problems in later life and suffer from early onset chronic illness.

A Natural Food Diet Reverses Disease Progression

The vast majority of children and adults eat less than a quarter of the fruits and vegetables they need to provide minimal protection against disease. Include a minimum of five and optimally ten or more servings each day of fresh vegetables and leafy greens, berries, nuts, seeds, lean protein sources and protective monounsaturated fats. Prepare foods raw or minimally cooked and avoid overheating as this quickly removes nutrients. The human body has an amazing capacity to repair and reverse the effects of a poor diet. Health conscious people view natural foods as medicine which leads to a long and healthy life.

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Posted in: Child Obesity,Diet and Nutrition,Junk Food,weight loss

Curcumin is a Powerful Anti-Cancer Agent

(Article first published as This Indian Spice Packs a Powerful Anti-Cancer Punch on Technorati.)

Known as a staple in the Indian diet, curry and its powerful polyphenol derivative curcumin have rapidly gained attention as a potent antioxidant compound that is used to prevent and treat many forms of cancer. Curcumin is taking its rightful place among a small handful of agents that fight cancer at the genetic level by inhibiting ten critical initiation steps necessary for development and progression of the disease.

The spice can no longer be considered an herbal remedy as it has demonstrated efficacy in more than 240 peer reviewed research studies over the past year alone. Scientists continue to provide conclusive evidence that indicates all health-minded adults should include curcumin as part of their regular diet.

Curcumin Influences Gene Expression That Leads to Cancer

Cancer is known to develop through ten independent causative factors including DNA damage, chronic inflammation, cellular signaling dysfunction, abnormal cell death and metastasis. As if designed by nature to provide a protective shield against each of the factors known to promote cancer, curcumin has been shown to inhibit and halt the expression of genes that allow cancer cells to multiply.

Publishing in the AAPS Journal, researchers found that curcumin is an inexpensive natural compound that fights cancer at its root cause by derailing the initiation phase of ten different pathways used by the disease to multiply and spread throughout the body. Curcumin has also been shown to interfere with the production of advanced glycation end products that promote the accumulation of dangerous inflammatory byproducts that lead to cancerous mutations.

Curcumin Shown to Trigger Natural Cell Death to Prevent Cancer

The FEBS Journal reports that curcumin is particularly effective in targeting hormone-dependent forms of the disease such as breast cancer. The study found that curcumin is able to induce apoptosis (normal programmed cell death) in the most resistant breast cancer cells that lack estrogen receptors. The spice targets only cancerous cells causing them to self-destruct by destroying the mitochondria that power the rapidly growing tumor tissue.

Curcumin is a potent agent in the fight against colon cancer, an insidious form of the disease that ranks second among cancer deaths taking the lives of more than 50,000 Americans each year. The Journal of Interferon and Cytokine Research provides evidence that curcumin slows the progression from colon polyp to cancerous growth by damping the pro-inflammatory cytokine called NF-kB. This action halts the development of cancer cells before they can become detectable tumors.

An extensive library of research underscores the importance of curcumin as an anti-cancer agent. As the second leading cause of death, cancer will affect 1 in 3 women and half of all men during their lifetime. Any natural compound that can help to lower these statistics should be embraced by traditional and alternative medical institutions alike. Nutritionists recommend supplementing with 250 to 400 mg of curcumin twice daily with meals to provide optimal cancer protection.

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Posted in: Cancer,Curcumin

Coffee Consumption Lowers Stroke Risk by 25 Percent

(Article first published as Coffee Consumption Lowers Stroke Risk by 25 Percent on Technorati.)

A study following nearly 35,000 Swedish women for a period of 10 years provides evidence that one to two cups of coffee a day can lower the incidence of deadly stroke by nearly 25%. Publishing in the American Heart Association journal Stroke, researchers found the women aged 49 to 83 experienced significantly lower stroke risk when consuming the equivalent of two cups of java each day. Coffee consumed without cream and sweeteners is shown to reduce damaging systemic inflammation, lower oxidative stress and improve insulin sensitivity.

Two Cups of Coffee Each Day Found to Dramatically Lower Stroke Risk

Researchers from the Division of Nutritional Epidemiology at the Karolinska Institute`s National Institute of Environmental Medicine examined the diet and lifestyle of the female study participants using standardized questionnaires to assess and cross reference disease development over the decade-long period. The women experienced 1,750 stroke events over the 10-year cycle. They found that participants consuming one to two cups of coffee each day were 22 to 25% less likely to suffer from any type of stroke compared to those women drinking none or less than a cup.

Although the study did not examine if there was a different risk association between decaffeinated and regular forms of coffee, the authors did note that decaffeinated coffee consumption is uncommon in Sweden where the study was conducted. The exact mechanism responsible for the stroke risk reduction was not identified. Scientists detected lower measurements of inflammation and oxidative stress in the coffee drinking group that are known to reduce risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease and believed to provide the stroke-lowering effect.

Coffee Shown to Lower Inflammation and Cellular Oxidative Stress

The lead researcher, Dr. Susanna Larsson remarked "Some women have avoided consuming coffee because they have thought it is unhealthy," she added. "In fact, increasing evidence indicates that moderate coffee consumption may decrease the risk of some diseases such as diabetes, liver cancer and possibly stroke." Prior research has demonstrated a positive correlation between coffee consumption in male smokers, and this study was conducted to demonstrate that coffee provides health benefits to women as well.

Coffee has been maligned in the past, largely based on its high caffeine concentration and association as a high calorie pick me up fashioned at many high-end restaurants and coffee shops. After a strenuous review of the data from this study, the authors concluded "Given that coffee is one of the most popular beverages consumed worldwide, even small health effects of substances in coffee may have large public health consequences." Most people will want to drink one to two cups of black coffee daily to dramatically lower the risk from a devastating stroke.

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Posted in: Coffee,Stroke

Blueberries Lower Blood Pressure and Risk of Heart Disease

(Article first published as A Handful of Berries Each Day Lowers Blood Pressure and Risk of Heart Disease on Technorati.)

Bioactive compounds found in the full spectrum of berries, and especially blueberries are shown to lower blood pressure and prevent hypertension, according to a study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The results provide fresh proof that this great tasting source of beneficial phytonutrients can lower the risk associated with a heart attack.

“Our findings are exciting and suggest that an achievable dietary intake of anthocyanins may contribute to the prevention of hypertension,” said lead author Professor Aedin Cassidy of the Department of Nutrition at the University of East Anglia's Medical School. Approximately one-quarter of all adults worldwide and as many as one in three Americans suffer from hypertension, a leading cause of heart disease and death from a heart attack.

Anthocyanins in Berries Reduce Risk of Hypertension

The team of scientists followed nearly 200,000 men and women over a period of 14 years and assessed their intake of flavonoids from a variety of natural foods including apples, orange juice, blueberries, red wine, and strawberries. They found that the group consuming the highest amount of anthocyanins (found mainly in blueberries and strawberries in the US) were 8% less likely to develop hypertension over the period of the study.

A more in-depth analysis showed that consumption of blueberries in particular conveyed the highest degree of protection against developing high blood pressure with a 10% lower incidence for those eating the fruit once a week. Dr. Cassidy noted "Our findings are exciting and suggest that an achievable dietary intake of anthocyanins may contribute to the prevention of hypertension". Hypertension is a leading risk factor for heart attack, and this finding could translate to a significant reduction in the number of people suffering a cardiovascular event.

A Daily Dose of Berries Can Prevent Heart Disease, Stroke and Dementia

Nutrition researchers will now begin to identify the different sources of anthocyanins as well as the ideal dose necessary to prevent hypertension. Most berry varieties are packed with flavonoids and anthocyanins that have been shown to lower the risk of chronic illness from heart disease, stroke, diabetes and premature brain aging.

Extensive scientific studies now exist showing how berry consumption, and especially blueberries help to prevent diseases of the brain that result in cognitive decline and dementia. The special compounds that give berries their deep purple and reddish colors are able to cross into the brain where they exert a powerful effect to thwart functional decline.

We now have evidence that berry consumption can prevent hypertension and lower heart attack risk. Until exact standards are developed, nutrition experts advise eating one-half to a full cup of berries several times a week to protect the heart and the brain.

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Posted in: Berries,Blood Pressure,Heart Disease