Green Tea Affects Genes to Improve Cholesterol Metabolism

Green tea consumption has beenshown to benefit many health issues ranging from help with weight management tocancer prevention and treatment. New research publishedin the British Journal of Nutritionexplains that the natural extract from the Camellia sinensis plant has a powerful effect on cholesterolmetabolism in the human body.

Most forward thinking health professionals now understand that dysfunctionin the LDL cholesterol pathway lays the foundation for cardiovascular healthproblems, cancer and fatty liver disease. Regular green tea consumption is nowshown to improve healthy LDL cholesterol function, enabling the fatty moleculeto efficiently usher excess cholesterol from the body and improve risk factors formany chronic disease conditions.

Green Tea Alters Gene Expression Lower LDL Cholesterol Levels

In one of the first studies ofits type, researchers performed DNA microarray analysis to examine the effectof the active compound found in greentea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Scientists specificallytargeted the catechin to determine their effect on cholesterol metabolism inHepG2 hepatocytes. They determined that the expression levels of several genesrelated to cholesterol metabolism, including the LDL receptor, were changed byEGCG treatment.

EGCG was found to boost thefunction of the LDL receptor on liver cells. Researchers commented“This is very important as properfunction of the LDL receptor enables your liver to “capture” circulating LDLand recycle it.”  In this study,green tea is shown to alter gene expression toward healthy LDL cholesterolmetabolism by improving receptor acceptance by the liver. The liver displays animproved capacity to capture and filter LDL cholesterol for removal from thebody.

Green Tea Improves Biomarkers to Lower Heart Disease, Cancer andDementia Risks

In addition to the finding that greentea alters LDL cholesterol metabolism, ECGC was found to inhibit genes toreduce the production of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB). ApoB formation is required toinitially form LDL molecules in the blood. Excess production of ApoB is asignificant marker for chronic illnesses ranging from cardiovascular diseaseand heart attack to increased risk of cancer and dementia.

Green tea and the active compoundEGCG are quickly ascending to nutritional “superstar” status. The Chinese haveextolled its virtues for countless generations. Researchers now document theprowess of this nutrient by scientifically validating the direct impact exertedon our genetic structure to affect healthy cholesterol function and removalfrom the body. The healthy benefits of green tea are realized by drinkingseveral fresh brewed cups of organically harvested leaves each day orsupplementing with 250 to 500 mg of EGCG extract.

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Posted in: Alzheimer's Disease,Cancer,Green Tea,Heart Disease

Higher Vitamin D Blood Levels Help Prevent Colon Cancer

Just in case you needed moreproof that low blood levels of vitamin D represent a significant healthconcern, researchers publishingin the European Journal of ClinicalNutrition demonstrate that small increases in the sunshine vitamin can addprecious years to your life. For nearly a decade scientific evidence has beenmounting to show that the vast majorities of adults (and many children) aregrossly deficient in circulating blood levels of vitamin D.

Further proof is documented inthe PLoS One journal to show theprecise cellular mechanism that helps vitamin D dramatically lower the risk ofcolon cancer. The bottom line is simple: check your vitamin D blood saturationwith an inexpensive test and make the necessary adjustments to live a healthierand longer life.

Doubling Average Vitamin D Levels Could Cut World Death Rate by TwentyPercent

Using epidemiologic studies, Dr.W.B. Grant of the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center in SanFrancisco found that doubling the serum blood concentration of vitamin D couldincrease average life expectancy by two years. Dr. Grant and his teamidentified the major diseases that responded to increased levels of vitaminD. They then compared mortality rates to six identified regions around thecountry, and contrasted serum blood levels of the sunshine vitamin with diseaseoccurrence.

After compiling all the data, theresearchers found that conditions and diseases responsive to vitamin D thataccount for over half of the world's mortality include cancer, cardiovasculardisease, diabetes, tuberculosis, respiratory diseases and infections. It wasdetermined that doubling the circulating level of vitamin D would lower themortality rates of diseases that are sensitive to vitamin D by approximately 20percent. Dr. Grant concluded“several ways to raise serum vitamin Dinclude food fortification, supplementation and increased ultraviolet Bexposure.”

Vitamin D Directly Correlated With Decreased Colon Cancer Risk

Researchers have known for sometime that low vitamin D levels are associated with a significant increase incolon cancer cases, but have not understood the specific mechanism responsible.Now, scientists have discovered how a lack of vitamin D promotes DNA damage andcolon cancer risk. Specifically, low vitamin D status instigates thedevelopment and progression of this devastating form of cancer.

Researchers have focused on aprotein in intestinal epithelial cells called beta-catechin that normally helpsepithelial cells bond together with other cells to form a protective barrierbetween the contents in your gut and the physical structure of your digestivetract. They found that when vitaminD is lacking, DNA synthesis is disrupted and beta-catechin builds up incells, dramatically increasing the risk of colon cancer initiation.

There should be no doubtremaining that one of the most critical foundations to vibrant health ismaintaining proper vitamin D blood saturation levels. Prevention is worth apound of cure, so have your family physician run the simple and inexpensive 25(OH)D blood test (alternatively, mail-in home testing is now a viable option),and be certain your level runs between 50 and 70 ng/mL to add years to yourlife and dramatically lower colon cancer and chronic disease risk.

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Posted in: Cancer,Vitamin D

Resveratrol and Vitamin D Team Together to Increase Metabolism and Prevent Obesity

Resveratrol has been on thenutritional radar of researchers because of its proven ability to mimic some ofthe life-extending characteristics provided by calorie restriction as seen inanimals and humans alike. Scientists publishing in the journalMolecular Nutrition and Food Researchdraw a solid link between resveratrol, vitamin D and other phytonutrients asagents that may lend a helping hand in the life-threatening battle againstoverweight and obesity.

Researchers document the newlydiscovered effect of the nature-derived nutrient on lipid metabolism, anddemonstrate that supplementation along with the sunshine vitamin and quercetinsynergistically decreases the formation of new fat cells in the body. Thisfinding is significant because it may provide a critical metabolic aid tochildren and adults that suffer the health-damaging effects of obesity everyday. Further evidence exists to hail the trio in the genesis of osteoblasts inbone marrow that may offer a new therapy for osteoporosis that affects themobility of millions of aging adults.

Resveratrol and Vitamin D Combine to Regulate Genes that Control Body Weight

Scientists studying metabolismin aging adults have found that stem cells differentiate in favor of adipocytes(fat cells) and to the exclusion of osteoblasts (cells necessary for theformation of new bone). This means that as we age, our body has evolved tostore fat as an aid to our survival. As metabolism slows, we continue to eatthe same number of calories that helps to fill the newly acquired adipocytes. Whilebuilding and maintaining bone structure may sound like a good idea to us, it isnot pre-programmed into our genetic matrix.

Development of new fat cells hasevolved as a protective mechanism, although the vast majority of older adultsreally don`t need this genetic advantage. Researchers found that supplementedresveratrol, vitaminD and quercetin work together to regulate our genes and down regulate theproduction of fat cells while boosting the production of osteoblasts. Naturallyit is important to practice caloric restriction as we age. Many aging adultswill be able to utilize this phytonutrient trio to prevent excess weight gainand the debilitating effects of osteoporosis.

Natural Nutrients Help Weight Management Efforts Along with HealthyDiet

In addition to the welldocumented anti-cancer and longevity benefits previously ascribed tosupplemented resveratrol, health-minded individuals will want to include resveratroland other phytonutrients as an aid in the fight against abdominal fataccumulation. Researchers concluded“It should be noted that combiningresveratrol with other phytochemicals may provide an extraordinary potentialfor preventing obesity and osteoporosis. These phytochemical synergies may makepossible novel safe, potent and efficacious therapies.” Be sure to include resveratrol (25to 50 mg per day) in your dietary arsenal to assist weight loss, boostmetabolism and prevent bone loss.

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Posted in: Resveratrol,Vitamin D,Weight Management

Omega-3 Fat, DHA Boosts Brain Metabolism to Lower Alzheimer’s Disease Risk

Several recently publishedarticles highlight the critical importance of Omega-3 fats from fatty fishconsumption and fish oil supplements. Scientists publishing in the journalStroke demonstrate that the activeDHA Omega-3 fat component helps brain cells to better withstand the stress loadplaced on the aging brain to lower the risk of a life-altering stroke by asmuch as a quarter.

Researchers from the Rhode IslandHospital`s Alzheimer`s Disease and Memory Disorders Center have found that DHAfrom supplements alter the critical brain chemistry and structure to preventcognitive decline and abnormal brain aging. A wealth of scientific evidence ismounting to document the importance of Omega-3 fats to assist metabolicdisorders that lead to dementia, stroke and chronic disease.

DHA, Omega-3 Fat Lowers Brain Inflammation to Improve CognitiveFunction

Inflammation of the vital nervesand critical structures of the brain is a precursor to stress that can play animportant role in the development of a life-altering stroke. Researcherspublish the result of their work designed to determine if Omega-3 fatty acidsfrom fish oil, specifically the long-chain DHAcomponent would be sufficient to reduce neural inflammation and lower risk froma stroke.

To conduct the study, mice werebroken into three groups. The first group was supplemented with a DHA-enricheddiet, the second group consumed a DHA-depleted diet and the final mice were feda control diet. After a period of three months, scientists found that only thegroup with the DHA-enriched diet experienced lower levels of neuroinflammationand had 25% less tissue injury following an induced stroke. They also notedthat long-term supplementation resulted in a healthy buildup of DHA fat inbrain tissue resulting in an enhanced Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acid ratio.

Consumption of Omega-3 Fats Protects the Brain to Lower Damage from aStroke

Lead author on the study, Dr.Jasna Kriz concluded“This is the first convincingdemonstration of the powerful anti-inflammatory effect of DHA Docosahexaenoic acid Essential Omega 3 fatty acid integral tothe health of all cell membranes, nerve and brain function. Theconsumption of omega-3s creates an anti-inflammatory and neuroprotectiveenvironment in the brain that mitigates damage following a stroke.”

Additional evidence of theimportance of Omega-3 fats from fish consumption or supplementation is providedby researchers from Rhode Island Hospital. A study was designed using 819senior participants broken into three groups, those with normal cognition, mildcognitive impairment, and Alzheimer`s Disease. 117 individuals were taking fishoil supplements during the three year course of the study. Taking fish oilsupplements was associated with less brain shrinkage and improved cognitivefunction during the study period.

The lead author, Dr. Lori Daielloconcludes, “In the imaging analyses forthe entire study population, we found a significant positive associationbetween fish oil supplement use and average brain volumes in two critical areasutilized in memory and thinking.” DHA is preferentially conserved for theconstruction of neural structures and should be an essential part of yourregular menu (from fatty fish) or as a molecularly distilled and purifiedsupplement (500 mg to 1 gram per day) to lower stroke risk and preventcognitive decline.

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

A Daily Serving of Walnuts Cuts Breast Cancer Risk

Researchers from MarshallUniversity in West Virginia report in the journalNutrition and Cancer that smallamounts of walnuts eaten daily can significantly lower the risk of breastcancer in women. Walnuts are a naturally great tasting source of healthyOmega-3 fats, minerals, vitamins and protein that have long been associatedwith good health.

Interestingly, it is not only thepotent dose of Omega-3 fats that are responsible for the risk reduction, but asynergistic effect between multiple nutrients provided by the nut. Scientistsnow confirm that eating two ounces of this super food each day cansignificantly lower your risk of developing this insidious killer disease.

Regular Walnut Consumption Slows Breast Cancer Tumor Progression

The study was conducted usingmice that are genetically predisposed to develop breastcancer tumors.  Lead researcher, Dr.Elaine Hardman set out to determine the effect of a typical diet and awalnut-enhanced diet through an entire lifespan. Scientists examined dietarynutrition supplied by the mother through conception and weaning and then byeating walnuts directly. Mice are frequently used for this type of researchbecause they follow similar patterns of breast cancer carcinogenesis whencompared to humans.

Dr. Hardman found that the groupwhose diet included walnuts from conception to late life developed breastcancer at less than half the rate of the group consuming a typical diet. Inaddition, the number of tumors and their sizes were significantly smaller. Ofthe results, she commented“These reductions are particularlyimportant when you consider that the mice were genetically programmed todevelop cancer at a high rate... we were able to reduce the risk for cancereven in the presence of a preexisting genetic mutation.”

Walnuts Provide a Perfect Blend of Essential Nutrients

Researchers noted that they wereunable to determine if the cancer prevention benefits were the result ofdeletions or additions to the diet. Adding healthy Omega fats from walnutsdisplaced unhealthy fats and balanced Omega-3 to Omega-6 ratios to lowersystemic inflammation and oxidized LDL cholesterol levels that result in cancerdevelopment. Other studies including walnuts have shown that there are multiplehealth benefits achieved from the unique blend of fats, vitamins (especiallyvitamin E) and minerals in the flavorful nut.

The result of this studycontinues to add to the wealth of scientific evidence that natural nutrientsprovided by an array of `super foods` significantly contribute to our health.Dr. Hardman concluded“Food is important medicine in our diet…the results of this study indicate that increased consumption of walnuts couldbe part of a healthy diet and reduce risk for cancer in future generations.”It`s easy to add two ounces of walnuts (about 14 halves) to your daily diet toprevent breast cancer and a host of other chronic diseases.

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Posted in: Breast Cancer,Omega-3 Fats,Walnuts

Milk Thistle Protects the Liver, Heart and Brain

The liver is one of the mostcritical organs essential to human health. It serves more than 300 functions inthe body to detoxify against chemical and environmental intrusions, andpromotes metabolic function as well. Silymarin is commonly known as milkthistle and new science is emerging to validate the healing potential of thispowerful plant.

Publishing in the journalHepatitis Monthly, researchers providesolid evidence that natural milk thistle extracts can halt and even reverse theeffects of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an affliction affecting asmuch as a third of the adult population. Supplementation with milk thistle willdramatically lower the risks associated with fatty liver disease,atherosclerosis and cognitive dysfunction.

Milk Thistle is a Powerful Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidant Agent

NAFLD is a significant healthconcern that is growing at an unprecedented rate due to the obesity anddiabetes epidemic currently gripping most western societies. The condition iscaused in part by excess accumulation of fats (triglycerides) in the cellularmatrix of the liverthat result in suboptimal function of the organ. Left unchecked, the diseasecan result in cell injury and damage, inflammation and ultimately to cirrhosisas the liver becomes less able to perform the multitude of tasks essential tolife.

Researchers found that the plant extract has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and becomes concentrated in hepatic tissue soon after ingestion. They found that silymarin promotes liver tissue regeneration by supporting multiple critical metabolic functions including lower oxidized LDL cholesterol levels, regulation of membrane permeability and stability and preventing the deposition of collagen fibers, leading to cirrhosis. In addition, milk thistle inhibits the absorption of many toxins, effectively preventing them from entering circulation through the bloodstream.

Silymarin from Milk Thistle Fight Arterial Hardening and Cancer

Silymarin is known to be apowerful cellular antioxidant with specific properties that can prevent excessoxidation of LDL cholesterol. Oxidized LDL cholesterol particles are sticky andbecome lodged in the delicate endothelial layer of coronary artery vessels wherethey combine with other blood-borne compounds to form plaque. Natural milkthistle extracts (570 mg per day) have proven effective to lower risk factors thatpromote arterial hardening.

Milk thistle has been used as achemopreventive agent in the fight against certain cancer lines, most notablymetastatic cancers of the prostate. Silymarininterferes with cancer growth and immortality, and exhibits anti-inflammatoryand anti-metastatic activity (preventscancer spread). Extracts of milk thistle have also been used as an agent in thewar against numerous malignancies including those of the liver, colon and skin.

Our body is continually underassault from a barrage of more than 70,000 chemicals and 900 drugs known toinduce liver damage. Milk thistle supplementation provides an effective tool toprotect and heal our primary filtration organ, the liver. Silymarin is alsoproving to be an important tool that can naturally lower cancer risk, whileproviding critical support for the heart and prostate.

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Posted in: Cancer,Heart Disease,Milk Thistle

Chocolate and Cocoa Compounds Lower Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke

Researchers from the Universityof Cambridge in England have finally published solid evidence to demonstratethe consumption of chocolate is associated with improved heart and vascular health.Writing in the prestigious BMJ(British Medical Journal), Dr.Oscar Franco and his team determined several factors including diet, exercise, bodyweight control and lifestyle changes could help reduce the risk of heartdisease, a condition expected to claim the lives of nearly 24 million peopleworldwide by the year 2030.

The study authors found that theantioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of cocoa from chocolate consumptioncould reduce heart disease risk by one-third and could also reduce the risk ofsudden death from a heart attack and stroke incidence.

Cocoa from Dark Chocolate Improves Cardiac Risk Markers

The study included an analysisof seven detailed research bodies that included more than 114,000 participants.All studies independently pointed to the conclusion that different levels ofchocolate consumption were associated with a substantial reduction in the riskof cardio-metabolic disorders. Researchers found that the flavonoids passed tochocolate from the cocoa bean have a positive impact on health and were foundto regulate insulin sensitivity and maintain blood pressure in the normalrange.

Researchers ranked chocolateconsumption among participants in the seven studies from highest to lowest todetermine the effect of the cocoa flavanols on human health risk factors. Fiveof the seven studies showed that eating the highest amount of chocolate significantlyreduced the number of cardiac events. In particular they found those who atethe most chocolate had a 37% lower risk of having a cardiovascular incidentcompared to those who ate the least.

Chocolate Consumption Lowers Risk of Stroke by Nearly Thirty Percent

When assessing other riskfactors, the study authors found that the highest chocolate consumers had a 29%lower incidence of stroke compared to the lowest chocolate eaters.Interestingly the researchers found that high levels of chocolate consumptionspecifically lowered the risk of a cardiac or stroke event but did not impactheart failure, another very serious form of heartdisease and death. The studies examined did not differentiate between milkand dark chocolate, and included chocolate desserts, biscuits, chocolate barsand drinks. Prior research has indicated maximum benefit from eating dark,bitter chocolate with a high cocoa content.

The authors did provide a word ofcaution regarding excess consumption of chocolate particularly becausecommercially available chocolate is very caloric and eating too much of itcould in itself lead to weight gain, risk of diabetes and heart disease. They concluded, “Based on observational evidence, levels ofchocolate consumption seem to be associated with a substantial reduction in therisk of cardio-metabolic disorders.” Individuals looking to take advantageof the health benefits of chocolate may want to use a cacao bean extract supplement(25 to 50 mg per day) to reap the cardiovascular and stroke risk reductionbenefits.

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Posted in: Cocoa,Heart Disease,Stroke