Ulcers « FeelGood Natural Health Food Stores

REGULAR FEATURES:

Subscription

Our strict privacy policy keeps your email address 100% safe & secure.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Super Foods for Women
Rather than being told what not to eat, here are some foods you should regularly include in your diet.
Extra Fat Leads to Extra Health Problems
Diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer are just a few of the health problems associated with obesity.
Getting Gout to Go Away
Gout occurs when uric acid crystals form in one or more joints, but diet and lifestyle factors can help manage this painful condition.
Help for Heartburn
Turn on the TV anytime of day and you’re likely to see one of those ads promoting a particular pill for heartburn relief. It is after all a multi-billion dollar industry and they are counting on your suffering.
Are You Protected Against This Heart-Harming Protein?
There are a number of notorious hallmarks in the fight against heart disease: cholesterol, blood pressure and C-reactive protein levels, to name a few. But while the spotlight has lingered on all of these easy-to-recognize red flags at one time or another, one serious risk factor has fallen to the wayside – and although it’s [...]
Healing Honey
Honey has natural antibacterial and healing properties that have been used for centuries.
Foolproof Support to Stop Gas, Bloating and Digestive Concerns
It’s easy to assume that trouble-free digestion is as simple as filling your diet with the right foods in the right amounts and chewing thoroughly. But what if, no matter what you eat, your gut still seems to be saddled with the same embarrassing problems: gas, indigestion, bloating and nagging discomfort that just won’t go [...]
Go For More Oregano
Oregano, the well known herb that gives pizza its familiar flavor, contains powerful nutritional and health benefits.
Public Smoking Ban Reduces Hospital Admissions
An Arizona public smoking ban has led to a drop in hospital admissions for stroke, asthma, and heart attacks.
Could This Common Bug Cost You Your Life?
It’s hard to believe that Helicobacter pylori wasn’t always a household name. In fact, it was only as recently as 1989 that scientists recognized this bacterium as the real smoking gun behind serious conditions like stomach ulcers, chronic heartburn and gastritis-not stress or spicy foods, as once thought.1-3 The statistics are shocking: As many as [...]
Natural Health Newsletter February 2010 -Free monthly newsletter
e-Newsletter February 2010 In This Issue: -Comparing Apples to Oranges: a fun and quick quiz -Is There a Risk-Free Way to Fight Joint Discomfort? -Green Tea Protects Against Cancer -Six Supernutrients That Can Transform Your Health -Build Muscle with Resistance Training -From Fat to Functional by Rajesh Ragbir, Naturopath at FeelGood Natural Health Clinic in [...]
Spice It Up for Health
Adding herbs and spices not only makes food taste better, it can help improve nutritional benefits too.
Give Foods a Second Try As An Adult
You may have hated a particular food as a kid, such as beets or spinach, but don’t give up on them yet. You can learn to love some of these strong flavored foods.
Digestive Disorders Common and Costly
2 out of 3 people have some kind of digestive disorder, ranging from heartburn to IBS. These ailments cost billions of dollars due to lost time at work and in healthcare costs.
Spice Up Your Health
Herbs and spices provide potent health benefits too.
Immune-Boosting Strategies During a Critical Time of Year
Ayurvedic Spices to Give You Balance
Using Ayurvedic tradition, you can use the right mix of spices to help balance your doshas: vata, pitta and kapha.
Enhancing Peak Male Performance with Scientifically Validated Botanicals
You might be allergic to wheat and not know it
Many Celiacs Go Undiagnosed
Experts estimate that 1 in 133 people have celiac disease, but many do not even know that their suffering is from this increasingly common auto-immune condition.
Obesity May Bankrupt Us
Obesity affects self esteem, health, and is a huge drain on the bank account. Experts estimate it costs us $147 billion a year.
One Common Heart Risk… Many Different Consequences
It’s tempting to think of abnormal blood clots as "matters of the heart"-they do, after all, play a major role in heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure. But if irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, or even fibromyalgia top your list of health concerns instead, you’d still be wise not to turn a blind eye [...]
Canker sores – What they mean and what to do
Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, appear as shallow, light-coloured mouth sores of different sizes and affect one in five North Americans. While no one is certain of any single cause, research does point to a few possibilities. Among them, a genetic predisposition might be the biggest cause, says Michael Martin, PhD, of the [...]
Living Without Gluten
Posted Mar 7, 2009 When Bob Wemple was diagnosed with celiac disease in October 2003, his stomach pains had already led him through a bewildering set of diagnoses, including acid reflux, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome. For Wemple, 67, his diagnosis of celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that prevents people from processing gluten found in [...]
Herbal help for pesky canker sores
Canker sores appear as shallow mouth ulcers of different sizes and affects one in five North Americans. They can be caused by food allergies and hormonal changes, and also can cause severe mouth pain. But these bothersome sores may be relieved by licorice root herbal extract. Genetic predisposition may underlie most cases of recurring canker [...]

Super Foods for Women

Posted May 9, 2013

Times of India

By Mukherjee, Meghna

Feel younger, stay slim and thwart diseases by including these superfoods in your diet. We brought in experts to tell you what you need to eat, to stay fit and healthy. So, sit back and read on as we give you some important tips that work wonders..

Low fat yogurt

High in calcium and protein, low fat yogurt is ideal for women. Nutritionist Pallavi Srivastava says, “Yogurt, being an excellent source of calcium, helps fight osteoporosis. The consumption of yogurt is also said to decrease the risk of breast cancer, reduce irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory digestive tract disorders — all of which are common in women.” It reduces the risk of stomach ulcers and vaginal infections.

Quantity: 1 bowl every day

Fatty fish

Fatty fish are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel help reduce the risk of blood clot formation that might occur due to the use of contraceptive pills. Bariatric surgeon Dr Abhay Agrawal says, “Fatty fish protects against diseases related to the heart, stroke, hypertension, depression, joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis and reproductive problems, and in some cases even from Alzheimer’s disease.”

Omega-3 helps in optimal brain and vision development of the baby in the case of pregnant or lactating mothers. It is known to boost the level of serotonin, which is a feel-good brain chemical that aids in fighting postpartum depression.

Quantity – 2 to 3 servings every week

Beans

Low in fat and cholesterol; and a good source of protein and fiber, beans fight against heart disease and breast cancer. They are ideal for women who are either affected or have chances of getting colon cancer. An excellent source of vegetable protein, they aid women going through menopause.

Quantity: 3 to 4 servings every week

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolates are said to be rich in protective anti-oxidants that help reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. It consists of magnesium, manganese, phosphorous and copper zinc, which are important nutrients for maintaining strong bones. Certain studies also suggest that dark chocolate lowers blood pressure, sharpens thinking and hydrates the skin. It’s the perfect stressbuster when a woman is PMSing, and it tastes sensual without being high in calories.

Quantity: One quarter a day

Papaya

An excellent source of potassium and vitamin C, papaya can offset the potentially harmful effects of sodium on blood pressure. A research by the US Department of Health and Human Services suggests that women are at a higher risk of gallstones than men. So, load up on papaya because it helps combat gallbladder diseases. But pregnant women should refrain from papaya (unripe) since it acts as a contraceptive, which can lead to a miscarriage.

Quantity: 2 slices per day

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a powerful anti-oxidant — lycopene, which helps reduce the chances of being affected with breast cancer. Nutritionist Mansi Belani says, “Tomatoes are also known to protect from the harmful UV rays of the sun. It helps a woman stay younger and slimmer.”

Quantity: 1 tomato every day

Spinach

Spinach is known to be one of the best sources of folate which prevents birth defects, heart disease, colon cancer and dementia. Spinach also helps our skin from getting damaged due to heat, and delays wrinkling, fine lines and roughness of the skin with comes with age.

Quantity: About 2 to 3 servings a week

Berries

Dr Agrawal suggests, “Like wine, berries protect your body with powerful anti-carcinogenic nutrients — anthocyans, which are believed to play a role in cell repair.” High in vitamin C and folic acid, it is essential for women in their child bearing years. Its powerful anti-oxidant not only protects the heart but also the skin against ageing. Cranberries are known to have a positive impact on your vision, and to help reduce the chances of urinary tract infections which are common in women of all age groups.

Quantity: 3 to 4 servings every week

Whole grains

The consumption of whole grain helps combat blood pressure and a slow metabolism. Srivastava says, “Swapping refined grains like white bread and rice with whole wheat bread, rice, brown rice and oats will add more fibre to your diet and give you a feeling of fullness with fewer calories.” Studies suggest that whole grains help the body retain potassium, which helps in maintaining blood pressure.

Quantity: Once a day

Times of India

By Mukherjee, Meghna

Feel younger, stay slim and thwart diseases by including these superfoods in your diet. We brought in experts to tell you what you need to eat, to stay fit and healthy. So, sit back and read on as we give you some important tips that work wonders..

Low fat yogurt

High in calcium and protein, low fat yogurt is ideal for women. Nutritionist Pallavi Srivastava says, "Yogurt, being an excellent source of calcium, helps fight osteoporosis. The consumption of yogurt is also said to decrease the risk of breast cancer, reduce irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory digestive tract disorders -- all of which are common in women." It reduces the risk of stomach ulcers and vaginal infections.

Quantity: 1 bowl every day

Fatty fish

Fatty fish are rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Salmon, sardines, tuna and mackerel help reduce the risk of blood clot formation that might occur due to the use of contraceptive pills. Bariatric surgeon Dr Abhay Agrawal says, "Fatty fish protects against diseases related to the heart, stroke, hypertension, depression, joint pain, rheumatoid arthritis and reproductive problems, and in some cases even from Alzheimer's disease."

Omega-3 helps in optimal brain and vision development of the baby in the case of pregnant or lactating mothers. It is known to boost the level of serotonin, which is a feel-good brain chemical that aids in fighting postpartum depression.

Quantity - 2 to 3 servings every week

Beans

Low in fat and cholesterol; and a good source of protein and fiber, beans fight against heart disease and breast cancer. They are ideal for women who are either affected or have chances of getting colon cancer. An excellent source of vegetable protein, they aid women going through menopause.

Quantity: 3 to 4 servings every week

Dark chocolate

Dark chocolates are said to be rich in protective anti-oxidants that help reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. It consists of magnesium, manganese, phosphorous and copper zinc, which are important nutrients for maintaining strong bones. Certain studies also suggest that dark chocolate lowers blood pressure, sharpens thinking and hydrates the skin. It's the perfect stressbuster when a woman is PMSing, and it tastes sensual without being high in calories.

Quantity: One quarter a day

Papaya

An excellent source of potassium and vitamin C, papaya can offset the potentially harmful effects of sodium on blood pressure. A research by the US Department of Health and Human Services suggests that women are at a higher risk of gallstones than men. So, load up on papaya because it helps combat gallbladder diseases. But pregnant women should refrain from papaya (unripe) since it acts as a contraceptive, which can lead to a miscarriage.

Quantity: 2 slices per day

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a powerful anti-oxidant -- lycopene, which helps reduce the chances of being affected with breast cancer. Nutritionist Mansi Belani says, "Tomatoes are also known to protect from the harmful UV rays of the sun. It helps a woman stay younger and slimmer."

Quantity: 1 tomato every day

Spinach

Spinach is known to be one of the best sources of folate which prevents birth defects, heart disease, colon cancer and dementia. Spinach also helps our skin from getting damaged due to heat, and delays wrinkling, fine lines and roughness of the skin with comes with age.

Quantity: About 2 to 3 servings a week

Berries

Dr Agrawal suggests, "Like wine, berries protect your body with powerful anti-carcinogenic nutrients -- anthocyans, which are believed to play a role in cell repair." High in vitamin C and folic acid, it is essential for women in their child bearing years. Its powerful anti-oxidant not only protects the heart but also the skin against ageing. Cranberries are known to have a positive impact on your vision, and to help reduce the chances of urinary tract infections which are common in women of all age groups.

Quantity: 3 to 4 servings every week

Whole grains

The consumption of whole grain helps combat blood pressure and a slow metabolism. Srivastava says, "Swapping refined grains like white bread and rice with whole wheat bread, rice, brown rice and oats will add more fibre to your diet and give you a feeling of fullness with fewer calories." Studies suggest that whole grains help the body retain potassium, which helps in maintaining blood pressure.

Quantity: Once a day

© 2013 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited

Tags: Arthritis, Body, Calcium, Cancer, Cholesterol, Depression, Fibre, Food, Gain, Gallbladder, Heart, hypertension, Infections, Irritable bowel syndrome, Joint pain, Menopause, Osteoporosis, Pain, PMS, Rheumatoid arthritis, Skin, Stress, Strong bones, Tension, Ulcers, Urinary tract, Vision, Women

Extra Fat Leads to Extra Health Problems

Posted Jan 20, 2013

Extra body fat increases a person’s risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, kidney and liver failure, amputation, blindness, early death and a long list of other problems nobody wants. Research tells us that. But how does it actually happen? The Gazette-Mail asked medical experts to explain, in plain language.

“Start with this fact,” Dr. Sally Swisher said. “If you eat more sugar than you burn with exercise, your body generates fat.”

Swisher is a neurologist and bariatric doctor at Charleston’s Medical Weight Loss and Skin Care Clinic.

The body turns food into glucose, she explained. It’s straightforward, almost mathematical. Your muscle cells use most of the glucose for fuel. If you exercise a lot, your muscles burn up a lot of glucose. If you’re a couch potato, your glucose doesn’t burn up – and the body converts it into fat.

Globs of sunny yellow fat – unused glucose – float through your arteries in your blood to the organ or tissues where they are deposited.

“Picture your arteries coming out of your heart like big rivers,” Swisher said. “The farther they are from the heart, the smaller they get, and the easier it is for fat to clog them up. By the time arteries get to your feet and hands, they’re tiny.”

Fat cells float through these arteries. Along the way, they are deposited on tissue and organs. When fat finds a home in an organ, it can cause problems. If enough fat is deposited, it causes big problems.

That’s an “extremely simplified version of the way it happens,” Swisher said.

Inside the arteries, fat aggravates the walls as it floats along, then inflames them, Swisher said. “Fat cells slip underneath the inflamed lining. That constricts the artery. It used to be called hardening of the arteries.”

If the inner artery wall becomes harder and rougher, the blood has a harder time getting through, and blood clots are more likely to form.

“There is bad fat and good fat,” Swisher said. Exercise generates good fat, known as HDL cholesterol. It lowers all kinds of health risks. Bad fat – called triglycerides and LDL cholesterol – inflames artery walls. “It’s not just innocent baby fat,” Swisher said.

“When we are children, our bodies create the number of fat cells we will have for the rest of our lives, research shows,” she said. “If people have too many fat cells when they reach adulthood, they are more likely to have trouble with weight for the rest of their lives.”

What damage can it cause?

Extra weight can raise a person’s risk of many different kinds of problems:

Heart failure: “A hundred extra pounds makes your heart muscle thicken, just like any muscle working overtime,” Swisher said. “A bigger heart eventually leads to heart failure.”

A heart has to work extra hard to pump blood through a large body. The strain can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Fat can be especially dangerous inside arteries that supply the heart. It interferes with heart function and can set off heart attacks.

Sleep apnea, which is almost always caused by obesity, Swisher said. “Obese people often have fat in the back of their throats. When they lie down, the weight of their chest is on top of them. They don’t have enough oxygen, so they wake up tired, or their spouse hears them struggling to breathe.”

Diabetes: Belly fat has a lot to do with Type 2 diabetes, which used to be called “adult onset” diabetes. Thirty years ago, people under 20 almost never got it. Now it is showing up in obese teenagers and children.

Type 2 diabetes – 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes – can be prevented with exercise and healthy diet.

Parkersburg native Dr. Frank Schwartz, who directs the diabetes/ endocrine program at Ohio University, explains the role fat plays in diabetes:

Glucose (digested sugar) can’t enter the cells to provide fuel without insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin interacts with the glucose and lets it enter the cells, like a key that opens the door to the cell. But fat secretes hormones that can keep the key from working.

When glucose can’t enter the cells, that’s called insulin resistance. The more fat, the more interference. The more interference, the more insulin resistance.

When glucose cannot enter the muscle cells, a person has diabetes. Digested sugar stays in the person’s bloodstream and his or her blood sugar goes up. The body converts much of the sugar into fat.

Type 2 diabetes can start in the body 10 years before a person feels symptoms, research says. If a 30-year-old develops diabetes, it might have started at age 20. When a 15-year-old develops diabetes, it might have started at age 5.

Physical activity counteracts insulin resistance and increases the amount of glucose that can reach the cells. “That’s a major reason why physical activity can prevent diabetes or help make it better,” Swisher said.

Amputation: When little arteries get clogged with fat, circulation is cut off to the body parts farthest from the heart: including feet and hands. They don’t heal well from infection and may get ulcers and gangrene. “That puts you at risk of amputation,” Swisher said.

Kidney failure: “If small arteries leading to the kidneys get clogged, your body tries to overcome it, but after awhile, your kidneys just quit working,” Swisher said. After that, a person needs expensive, time-consuming dialysis – often four hours a day, three days a week, running the entire blood supply through a cleaning machine.

Stroke: Diabetics are more likely to have strokes, caused by constriction of small brain arteries. “That leads to clogging of the carotid arteries, which leads to strokes,” Swisher said. Plaques of inflamed cells and fat build up inside the artery.

“People in their 30s and 40s with high cholesterol who smoke can have a premature stroke,” she said. “If we don’t get a grip on this, it’s a matter of time till teenagers start having heart attacks and strokes.”

Alzheimer’s disease: In 2008, researchers found that obese people are twice as likely to get Alzheimer’s as healthy-weight people are. Healthy-weight people with a “spare tire” are twice as likely to get dementia as healthy-weight people with no spare tire, they found. Nobody knows yet why that happens.

Liver disease: Fat deposited on the liver can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Obesity causes more liver failure than alcoholism does, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cancer: Estrogen is stored in fat, so excess fat creates higher estrogen levels in the blood. “Extra estrogen in the blood also puts you at risk of cancers of the breast and uterus,” Swisher said. The lining of the uterus may also get thicker with excess weight, which can cause cancer.

“Colon cancer is also related to obesity, though nobody knows why,” she said.

Sexual dysfunction: Diabetes causes impotence in men, and very obese young women often don’t ovulate. “They’re infertile and have high insulin levels,” Swisher said. “If they lose weight, they can become fertile again. Doctors joke that pregnancy is a side effect of weight loss.”

Incontinence: “If a woman has 50 or 60 extra pounds, and she rides a bike or just sneezes, the pressure of the belly against the bladder can force urine out,” Swisher said. A woman can undergo surgery to lift the bladder – or she can lose weight, making the surgery unnecessary.

Musculoskeletal problems and arthritis: “If weight-bearing joints carry too much weight: knees, feet and, to a lesser extent, hips, the amount of arthritis accelerates as you get older,” Swisher said. “Overweight people don’t get over it as easily. Rehab is harder.”

Blindness: Diabetes also can cause blindness. Fat clogs the artery leading to the retina, and “that can cause stroke in the eye,” Swisher said. Young overweight girls can also go blind with “false tumor” condition, she said, in which fat creates pressure inside the skull, causing severe headaches. The bulge in the optic nerve may resemble a brain tumor.

“None of these things has to happen,” Swisher said. “That’s the important thing to remember. It’s possible to prevent them all with exercise and diet. It’s within most people’s reach.

“If I were queen of the world,” she said, “the first thing I’d do is take control of school lunches and get kids outside playing every day again.”

KATE LONG | Sunday Gazette-Mail I have patients lift this rubber model of five pounds of fat when theyre disappointed that they only lost five pounds, said Dr. Sally Swisher, neurologist and bariatric doctor at Charleston Medical Weight Loss and Skin Care Clinic. They feel how heavy it is and realize that five pounds is a wonderful thing not to have to carry around anymore.

Reach Kate Long at 304-348-1798 or katelong@wvgazette.com.

This story was written with the help of the Dennis A. Hunt Fund for Health Journalism, administered by the California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships at the USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Extra body fat increases a person's risk of diabetes, heart attack, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, kidney and liver failure, amputation, blindness, early death and a long list of other problems nobody wants. Research tells us that. But how does it actually happen? The Gazette-Mail asked medical experts to explain, in plain language.

"Start with this fact," Dr. Sally Swisher said. "If you eat more sugar than you burn with exercise, your body generates fat."

Swisher is a neurologist and bariatric doctor at Charleston's Medical Weight Loss and Skin Care Clinic.

The body turns food into glucose, she explained. It's straightforward, almost mathematical. Your muscle cells use most of the glucose for fuel. If you exercise a lot, your muscles burn up a lot of glucose. If you're a couch potato, your glucose doesn't burn up - and the body converts it into fat.

Globs of sunny yellow fat - unused glucose - float through your arteries in your blood to the organ or tissues where they are deposited.

"Picture your arteries coming out of your heart like big rivers," Swisher said. "The farther they are from the heart, the smaller they get, and the easier it is for fat to clog them up. By the time arteries get to your feet and hands, they're tiny."

That's an "extremely simplified version of the way it happens," Swisher said.

Inside the arteries, fat aggravates the walls as it floats along, then inflames them, Swisher said. "Fat cells slip underneath the inflamed lining. That constricts the artery. It used to be called hardening of the arteries."

If the inner artery wall becomes harder and rougher, the blood has a harder time getting through, and blood clots are more likely to form.

"There is bad fat and good fat," Swisher said. Exercise generates good fat, known as HDL cholesterol. It lowers all kinds of health risks. Bad fat - called triglycerides and LDL cholesterol - inflames artery walls. "It's not just innocent baby fat," Swisher said.

"When we are children, our bodies create the number of fat cells we will have for the rest of our lives, research shows," she said. "If people have too many fat cells when they reach adulthood, they are more likely to have trouble with weight for the rest of their lives."

What damage can it cause?

Extra weight can raise a person's risk of many different kinds of problems:

Heart failure: "A hundred extra pounds makes your heart muscle thicken, just like any muscle working overtime," Swisher said. "A bigger heart eventually leads to heart failure."

A heart has to work extra hard to pump blood through a large body. The strain can cause a heart attack or stroke.

Fat can be especially dangerous inside arteries that supply the heart. It interferes with heart function and can set off heart attacks.

Sleep apnea, which is almost always caused by obesity, Swisher said. "Obese people often have fat in the back of their throats. When they lie down, the weight of their chest is on top of them. They don't have enough oxygen, so they wake up tired, or their spouse hears them struggling to breathe."

Diabetes: Belly fat has a lot to do with Type 2 diabetes, which used to be called "adult onset" diabetes. Thirty years ago, people under 20 almost never got it. Now it is showing up in obese teenagers and children.

Type 2 diabetes - 90 to 95 percent of all diabetes - can be prevented with exercise and healthy diet.

Parkersburg native Dr. Frank Schwartz, who directs the diabetes/ endocrine program at Ohio University, explains the role fat plays in diabetes:

Glucose (digested sugar) can't enter the cells to provide fuel without insulin, a hormone secreted by the pancreas. Insulin interacts with the glucose and lets it enter the cells, like a key that opens the door to the cell. But fat secretes hormones that can keep the key from working.

When glucose can't enter the cells, that's called insulin resistance. The more fat, the more interference. The more interference, the more insulin resistance.

When glucose cannot enter the muscle cells, a person has diabetes. Digested sugar stays in the person's bloodstream and his or her blood sugar goes up. The body converts much of the sugar into fat.

Physical activity counteracts insulin resistance and increases the amount of glucose that can reach the cells. "That's a major reason why physical activity can prevent diabetes or help make it better," Swisher said.

Amputation: When little arteries get clogged with fat, circulation is cut off to the body parts farthest from the heart: including feet and hands. They don't heal well from infection and may get ulcers and gangrene. "That puts you at risk of amputation," Swisher said.

Kidney failure: "If small arteries leading to the kidneys get clogged, your body tries to overcome it, but after awhile, your kidneys just quit working," Swisher said. After that, a person needs expensive, time-consuming dialysis - often four hours a day, three days a week, running the entire blood supply through a cleaning machine.

Stroke: Diabetics are more likely to have strokes, caused by constriction of small brain arteries. "That leads to clogging of the carotid arteries, which leads to strokes," Swisher said. Plaques of inflamed cells and fat build up inside the artery.

"People in their 30s and 40s with high cholesterol who smoke can have a premature stroke," she said. "If we don't get a grip on this, it's a matter of time till teenagers start having heart attacks and strokes."

Alzheimer's disease: In 2008, researchers found that obese people are twice as likely to get Alzheimer's as healthy-weight people are. Healthy-weight people with a "spare tire" are twice as likely to get dementia as healthy-weight people with no spare tire, they found. Nobody knows yet why that happens.

Liver disease: Fat deposited on the liver can lead to cirrhosis of the liver. Obesity causes more liver failure than alcoholism does, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cancer: Estrogen is stored in fat, so excess fat creates higher estrogen levels in the blood. "Extra estrogen in the blood also puts you at risk of cancers of the breast and uterus," Swisher said. The lining of the uterus may also get thicker with excess weight, which can cause cancer.

"Colon cancer is also related to obesity, though nobody knows why," she said.

Sexual dysfunction: Diabetes causes impotence in men, and very obese young women often don't ovulate. "They're infertile and have high insulin levels," Swisher said. "If they lose weight, they can become fertile again. Doctors joke that pregnancy is a side effect of weight loss."

Incontinence: "If a woman has 50 or 60 extra pounds, and she rides a bike or just sneezes, the pressure of the belly against the bladder can force urine out," Swisher said. A woman can undergo surgery to lift the bladder - or she can lose weight, making the surgery unnecessary.

Musculoskeletal problems and arthritis: "If weight-bearing joints carry too much weight: knees, feet and, to a lesser extent, hips, the amount of arthritis accelerates as you get older," Swisher said. "Overweight people don't get over it as easily. Rehab is harder."

Blindness: Diabetes also can cause blindness. Fat clogs the artery leading to the retina, and "that can cause stroke in the eye," Swisher said. Young overweight girls can also go blind with "false tumor" condition, she said, in which fat creates pressure inside the skull, causing severe headaches. The bulge in the optic nerve may resemble a brain tumor.

"None of these things has to happen," Swisher said. "That's the important thing to remember. It's possible to prevent them all with exercise and diet. It's within most people's reach.

"If I were queen of the world," she said, "the first thing I'd do is take control of school lunches and get kids outside playing every day again."

Reach Kate Long at 304-348-1798 or katelong@wvgazette.com.

This story was written with the help of the Dennis A. Hunt Fund for Health Journalism, administered by the California Endowment Health Journalism Fellowships at the USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Tags: Arthritis, Body, Cancer, Chest, Children, Cholesterol, Circulation, Clean, Cleaning, Diabetes, dysfunction, Food, Gain, Headache, Headaches, Heart, High cholesterol, impotence, kidney, kidney failure, Liver, pregnancy, Skin, Sleep, Ulcers, Weight, Weight loss, Women

Getting Gout to Go Away

Posted March 6, 2012

What you should know

The pain caused by the disease of gout can be relieved with the right treatment, careful nutrition, weight loss and fluids.

Pain occurs when sharp uric acid crystals form in one or more joints. Uric acid is a body waste product that is passed through the kidneys into the urine. Crystals can occur in joints because the body makes too much uric acid or builds up too much uric acid rather than getting rid of it.

Lower joints such as a big toe, ankle or knee are most often affected. Gout is more common among overweight adult men and older women. Gout seems to run in some families.

Discomfort often starts at night. Anything touching the irritated joint – even a sock or sheet – can cause extreme pain. The joint can become swollen and warm.

An acute gout attack might last only a few days. However, without proper treatment, an acute attack can cause permanent joint damage. Permanent joint damage can lead to chronic attacks.

A doctor who specializes in arthritis (rheumatologist) can perform tests to diagnose whether you have gout. Diagnosis can involve testing a sample of joint fluid for crystals and white blood cells. Joints might be X-rayed and blood tests done to check the blood’s uric acid level.

The doctor can recommend the correct dose of a nonsteroidal anti- inflammatory drug (NSAID) to reduce pain and swelling. He or she might also prescribe a painkiller such as codeine and medicine like colchicine to reduce swelling. The swollen joint can also be treated with an injected steroid.

For chronic gout, the doctor might prescribe a medicine to reduce uric acid in the blood, such as allopurinol.

Gout treatment might also require changes in lifestyle.

Sometimes pseudogout is confused with gout or some other form of arthritis. In pseudogout, a type of salt crystal (calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate), not uric acid crystals, forms in the painful, swollen joint.

Many of the same medicines used for treating gout are generally effective for pseudogout. Treatment for both diseases might include removing excess fluid from a joint.

Other health conditions and medications increase the risk of a gout attack or make an attack worse. Patients who are dehydrated or take medicine to remove excess water (diuretics) due to hypertension could be at greater risk. Some other medicines can also increase risks. The chance of gout symptoms tends to be higher for people who are obese or who have diabetes, anemia, blood cancer, kidney disease or an underactive thyroid.

Gout can improve with a healthy diet. Certain eating habits can make gout worse. They include drinking alcohol and eating high-fat and purine-rich foods such as sardines, organ meats and brewers’ yeast. Brewers’ yeast is often used in breads, gravies, casseroles, dips, spreads and soups. Purines are a type of protein found in many foods. Foods that increase acid levels in the body might also increase risks.

At first, uric acid-lowering treatment might cause a joint to become sorer as crystal deposits break up in a joint.

What you should do

Take recommended medicines to reduce inflammation in a joint as soon as you have a gout attack. Ibuprofen (for example, Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (such as Aleve) helps many people.

Get professional help when symptoms occur. Visit your primary care provider to see if you need a rheumatologist.

Get serious about your lifestyle. Avoid things that can trigger attacks. Drink plenty of water to flush uric acid from your body. Avoid alcohol and animal proteins from meats and fatty and purine- rich foods.

Reduce the chances of more attacks by losing weight slowly but surely. Exercise regularly and eat small portions.

Be sure to include complex carbohydrates in your diet. A lack of carbohydrates can lead to ketosis, which can eventually increase the level of uric acid in your blood.

Get professional advice about medicine. Tell your care provider about the medicines and vitamins you are taking. Some, such as aspirin, niacin and diuretics, might be increasing your gout risks. Some anti-inflammatory medicines might be harmful if you have kidney disease or ulcers. Aspirin can also interfere with some uric-acid- lowering medications. Don’t just stop recommended medicines on your own.

Rest an inflamed joint. Use an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.

For more information

Learn about gout at niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/ Gout/default.asp. See acumedico.com/purine.htm for a list of purine-rich foods to avoid.

Better Health: Take Charge! is provided by the Healthy Memphis Common Table: www.healthymemphis.org. This article supports the care and advice of your doctor.

What you should know

The pain caused by the disease of gout can be relieved with the right treatment, careful nutrition, weight loss and fluids.

Lower joints such as a big toe, ankle or knee are most often affected. Gout is more common among overweight adult men and older women. Gout seems to run in some families.

Discomfort often starts at night. Anything touching the irritated joint - even a sock or sheet - can cause extreme pain. The joint can become swollen and warm.

An acute gout attack might last only a few days. However, without proper treatment, an acute attack can cause permanent joint damage. Permanent joint damage can lead to chronic attacks.

For chronic gout, the doctor might prescribe a medicine to reduce uric acid in the blood, such as allopurinol.

Gout treatment might also require changes in lifestyle.

Many of the same medicines used for treating gout are generally effective for pseudogout. Treatment for both diseases might include removing excess fluid from a joint.

Gout can improve with a healthy diet. Certain eating habits can make gout worse. They include drinking alcohol and eating high-fat and purine-rich foods such as sardines, organ meats and brewers' yeast. Brewers' yeast is often used in breads, gravies, casseroles, dips, spreads and soups. Purines are a type of protein found in many foods. Foods that increase acid levels in the body might also increase risks.

At first, uric acid-lowering treatment might cause a joint to become sorer as crystal deposits break up in a joint.

What you should do

Take recommended medicines to reduce inflammation in a joint as soon as you have a gout attack. Ibuprofen (for example, Advil or Motrin) or naproxen (such as Aleve) helps many people.

Get professional help when symptoms occur. Visit your primary care provider to see if you need a rheumatologist.

Reduce the chances of more attacks by losing weight slowly but surely. Exercise regularly and eat small portions.

Be sure to include complex carbohydrates in your diet. A lack of carbohydrates can lead to ketosis, which can eventually increase the level of uric acid in your blood.

Rest an inflamed joint. Use an ice pack to reduce pain and swelling.

For more information

Learn about gout at niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/ Gout/default.asp. See acumedico.com/purine.htm for a list of purine-rich foods to avoid.

Better Health: Take Charge! is provided by the Healthy Memphis Common Table: www.healthymemphis.org. This article supports the care and advice of your doctor.

Tags: Anemia, Anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Body, Calcium, Cancer, Carbohydrate, Diabetes, Diuretic, Flu, Flus, Food, Gout, hypertension, Information, kidney, KIDNEY DISEASE, Pain, Tension, Ulcers, Vitamins, Weight, Weight loss, Women, Yeast

Help for Heartburn

Turn on the TV anytime of day and you’re likely to see one of those ads promoting a particular pill for heartburn relief. It is after all a multi-billion dollar industry and they are counting on your suffering. Chances are heartburn or acid reflux will likely affect most of us at some time in of our lives. It can be annoying, but it can also have serious health consequences if it is recurrent and left untreated. Diet and lifestyle changes, as well as natural remedies can be very effective in providing relief and can be a vital part of the total treatment program.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

The danger with recurrent reflux or “GERD” (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is that the acid from the stomach can damage esophageal tissue and may eventually lead to cancer. Common risk factors for heartburn include mental stress, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Eating large, fatty meals and lying down after a meal can induce heart burn. Some common medications can cause heartburn like aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain blood pressure drugs. Chocolate, caffeine, spearmint, peppermint and alcohol can relax the muscle at the end of the esophagus, allowing reflux to occur. Undiagnosed celiac disease, food sensitivities, and bacterial or candida (yeast) overgrowth may also be to blame.

In general adopting a healthy lifestyle can be of great help. If you are overweight, lose weight. Avoid large, heavy, high fat meals that make you feel “stuffed”. Instead, eat smaller, lighter meals more frequently. Some people find relief at night by raising the head of their bed or pillow by six inches.

Medications

Over the counter and prescription H2 blockers (Zantac, Pepcid) and proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec) are effective at reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. In acute cases where ulcers are present they may be indicated to allow the tissue of the esophagus to heal. They are not without side effects however, especially with long term use. People find it is extremely hard to get off of these medicines, so they just stay on them for years and years.

Stomach acid is actually very important and necessary-as long as it stays in the stomach. Too little acid from long term acid-suppressing treatment can lead to poor digestion of nutrients, especially vitamin B12. Anyone who has been taking these medications long term should have their vitamin B12 levels checked and replenished if low. Long term use of proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec) is associated with an increased risk of bone fractures. Instead of covering up the symptom of heartburn, ideally one should try to get to the root cause of why it is recurring to avoid these medication side effects from long term use.

Alternatives

There are natural alternatives to drugs that can help alleviate symptoms. One of the most common remedies for occasional heartburn is calcium carbonate which helps to neutralize acid in the stomach. Pure calcium citrate powder is a different form of calcium that dissolves quickly and can help tighten the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. 250 mg of pure calcium citrate powder mixed in water after meals and before bed is commonly recommended.

Several studies have found deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) can help heal ulcers. In head to head studies, DGL was found to be as good or better than Tagamet and Zantac in the treatment and maintenance of gastric ulcers. (Gut. 1985;26:599-602 and Gut. 1982;23:545-551.) It has soothing properties that aid in healing ulcers and may help heal damage in the esophagus caused by heartburn while also easing reflux symptoms. It is important to mix the DGL with saliva to activate it. It can be found in powdered form or in convenient lozenges. DGL does not contain the compound responsible for raising blood pressure that is found in regular licorice. The most common dose is 760 mg DGL about 20 min before meals and bedtime.

Other herbs and supplements that have long been used for easing digestive problems include aloe vera and slippery elm. Gamma-oryzanol, derived from rice bran oil, appears to help control digestion and is especially helpful for chronic heartburn or ulcer sufferers. Digestive enzymes such as bromelain, found in pineapples, may help digestion by breaking down proteins which may ease heartburn and upset stomach.

Melatonin is most well known for helping those with sleeping problems or jet lag, but emerging research suggests it may play an important role in digestive health. Cells in the GI tract secrete 400 times the amount of melatonin that’s secreted in the pineal gland in the brain. A study published in a 2006 issue of the Journal of Pineal Research found 100% regression of GERD symptoms after 40 days in the group taking a supplement of melatonin (6mg), L-tryptophan, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, methionine and betaine. The other group was taking 20 mg of omeprazole (Prilosec) and had a 65.7% regression of symptoms. In a 2010 study published in BMC Gastroenterology researchers stated that melatonin shows promise as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of GERD. They do note that further studies are warranted to determine long term safety with continued use.

Side effects of melatonin can include grogginess. It also stimulates the immune system so those with autoimmune conditions should not use unless under the advice of their healthcare professional.

References:

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/296/24/2947

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2011

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Melatonin for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. July 2008-Vol 14, No. 4.

Turn on the TV anytime of day and you're likely to see one of those ads promoting a particular pill for heartburn relief. It is after all a multi-billion dollar industry and they are counting on your suffering. Chances are heartburn or acid reflux will likely affect most of us at some time in of our lives. It can be annoying, but it can also have serious health consequences if it is recurrent and left untreated. Diet and lifestyle changes, as well as natural remedies can be very effective in providing relief and can be a vital part of the total treatment program.

Diet and Lifestyle Changes

The danger with recurrent reflux or "GERD" (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is that the acid from the stomach can damage esophageal tissue and may eventually lead to cancer. Common risk factors for heartburn include mental stress, obesity, pregnancy, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Eating large, fatty meals and lying down after a meal can induce heart burn. Some common medications can cause heartburn like aspirin, ibuprofen, and certain blood pressure drugs. Chocolate, caffeine, spearmint, peppermint and alcohol can relax the muscle at the end of the esophagus, allowing reflux to occur. Undiagnosed celiac disease, food sensitivities, and bacterial or candida (yeast) overgrowth may also be to blame.

In general adopting a healthy lifestyle can be of great help. If you are overweight, lose weight. Avoid large, heavy, high fat meals that make you feel "stuffed". Instead, eat smaller, lighter meals more frequently. Some people find relief at night by raising the head of their bed or pillow by six inches.

Medications

Over the counter and prescription H2 blockers (Zantac, Pepcid) and proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec) are effective at reducing the amount of acid produced by the stomach. In acute cases where ulcers are present they may be indicated to allow the tissue of the esophagus to heal. They are not without side effects however, especially with long term use. People find it is extremely hard to get off of these medicines, so they just stay on them for years and years.

Stomach acid is actually very important and necessary-as long as it stays in the stomach. Too little acid from long term acid-suppressing treatment can lead to poor digestion of nutrients, especially vitamin B12. Anyone who has been taking these medications long term should have their vitamin B12 levels checked and replenished if low. Long term use of proton pump inhibitors (Nexium, Prilosec) is associated with an increased risk of bone fractures. Instead of covering up the symptom of heartburn, ideally one should try to get to the root cause of why it is recurring to avoid these medication side effects from long term use.

Alternatives

There are natural alternatives to drugs that can help alleviate symptoms. One of the most common remedies for occasional heartburn is calcium carbonate which helps to neutralize acid in the stomach. Pure calcium citrate powder is a different form of calcium that dissolves quickly and can help tighten the lower esophageal sphincter muscle. 250 mg of pure calcium citrate powder mixed in water after meals and before bed is commonly recommended.

Several studies have found deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) can help heal ulcers. In head to head studies, DGL was found to be as good or better than Tagamet and Zantac in the treatment and maintenance of gastric ulcers. (Gut. 1985;26:599-602 and Gut. 1982;23:545-551.) It has soothing properties that aid in healing ulcers and may help heal damage in the esophagus caused by heartburn while also easing reflux symptoms. It is important to mix the DGL with saliva to activate it. It can be found in powdered form or in convenient lozenges. DGL does not contain the compound responsible for raising blood pressure that is found in regular licorice. The most common dose is 760 mg DGL about 20 min before meals and bedtime.

Other herbs and supplements that have long been used for easing digestive problems include aloe vera and slippery elm. Gamma-oryzanol, derived from rice bran oil, appears to help control digestion and is especially helpful for chronic heartburn or ulcer sufferers. Digestive enzymes such as bromelain, found in pineapples, may help digestion by breaking down proteins which may ease heartburn and upset stomach.

Melatonin is most well known for helping those with sleeping problems or jet lag, but emerging research suggests it may play an important role in digestive health. Cells in the GI tract secrete 400 times the amount of melatonin that's secreted in the pineal gland in the brain. A study published in a 2006 issue of the Journal of Pineal Research found 100% regression of GERD symptoms after 40 days in the group taking a supplement of melatonin (6mg), L-tryptophan, vitamin B6, folic acid, vitamin B12, methionine and betaine. The other group was taking 20 mg of omeprazole (Prilosec) and had a 65.7% regression of symptoms. In a 2010 study published in BMC Gastroenterology researchers stated that melatonin shows promise as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of GERD. They do note that further studies are warranted to determine long term safety with continued use.

Side effects of melatonin can include grogginess. It also stimulates the immune system so those with autoimmune conditions should not use unless under the advice of their healthcare professional.

References:

http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/296/24/2947

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2011

Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, Melatonin for the Treatment of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. July 2008-Vol 14, No. 4.

Tags: Bromelain, Calcium, Cancer, Candida, Celiac, Digestion, Flu, Food, Gas, Healing, Heart, Heart burn, Heartburn, Immune, Immune system, Jet Lag, pregnancy, Sleep, smoking, Soothing, Stress, Ulcers, Weight, Yeast

Are You Protected Against This Heart-Harming Protein?

Fibrinogen is a protein that originates in your liver and is responsible for your blood’s ability to clot. Obviously, adequate levels are essential – without fibrinogen, your body wouldn’t be able to heal from even the tiniest wounds. As it turns out, however, an excess can be equally dangerous, holding some disastrous consequences for your health in the long run.1

Research shows that elevated fibrinogen is as strongly linked to heart disease risk as hypertension, inflammation, obesity, smoking, chronic stress and diabetes – causing an increase in both platelet clumping and blood clot formation that can lead to heart attack or stroke.2-4 What’s worse, your fibrinogen levels naturally rise by about 25 mg/dl each decade, no matter how healthy you are – and possibly even higher, if you lead an inactive and sedentary lifestyle – which means that keeping this clotting factor in check is critical no matter where you fall on the heart health spectrum.5

Luckily, this is one struggle in which just a couple of select nutrients can make a truly dramatic difference. Primary among these is nattokinase – a natural enzyme derived from the Japanese fermented soybean dish natto. Nattokinase has the unique ability to break up fibrin, helping to dissolve dangerous clots that form on your vessel walls, and preventing the arterial thickening that accompanies atherosclerosis.6-8 Clinical research shows that supplementing with 1.3 grams of this novel enzyme three times per day can significantly boost fibrinolytic activity in your body for two to eight hours.9

Another key compound in the fight against excess fibrinogen is the antioxidant powerhouse turmeric (Curcuma longa). In one study, researchers found that patients with elevated fibrinogen levels experienced significant drops after supplementing with 20 mg of turmeric extract daily for just 15 days.10 Later research confirmed this clinical benefit – and also demonstrated a marked decrease in artery-clogging lipid peroxidation, which plays an equally vital role in heart disease prevention.11

Together, these two natural compounds – Turmeric Extract and Natto 3X – are both available through Vitamin Research Products and comprise one of the safest and most effective natural clot-busting combinations you’ll find.

You should avoid supplementing with nattokinase if you’re diagnosed with a bleeding disorder (such as hemophilia) or suffer from other bleeding conditions, such as ulcers, recent surgeries or traumas. And if you’re already taking drugs such as Coumadin or Heparin, be sure to talk with your doctor before adding nattokinase or any blood-thinning natural product to your daily regimen.

References:
1. Goodman E, Dolan LM, Morrison JA, Daniels SR. Factor analysis of clustered cardiovascular risks in adolescence: obesity is the predominant correlate of risk among youth. Circulation. 2005 Apr 19;111(15):1970-7.
2. Clays, E. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, September 2005; vol 47: pp 878- 883. News release, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
3. Kannel W. B., Wolf P. A., Castelli W. P., D’Agostino R. B. Fibrinogen and risk of cardiovascular disease. The Framingham Study Vol. Vol. 258 No. 9, September 4, 1987.
4. Heinrich, J. et al. "Fibrinogen and factor VII in the prediction of coronary risk." Arterioscler Thromb 1994, 14:54-59.
5. Hager, K. et al. "Fibrinogen and Aging." Aging (Milano) 1994, 6:133-38.
6. Fujita M, Hong K, Ito Y, et al. Thrombolytic effect of nattokinase on a chemically induced thrombosis model in a rat. Biol Pharm Bull 1995;18:1387-91.
7. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Matsumoto Y, et al. Dietary supplementation of fermented soybean, natto, suppresses intimal thickening and modulates the lysis of mural thrombi after endothelial injury in rat femoral artery. Life Sci 2003;73:1289-98.
8. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Ichise, H, et al. Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening. Nutrition 2003;19:261-4.
9. Urano T, Ihara H, Umemura K, et al. The Profibrinolytic Enzyme Subtilisin NAT Purified from Bacillus subtilis Cleaves and Inactivates Plasminogen ctivator InhibitorType 1. J Biol Chem 2001;276:24690-6.
10, Ramirez-Bosca A, Soler A, Carrion-Guiterrez MA, Mira DP, Zapata JP, Diaz-Alperi J, Bernd A, Almagro EQ, and Miquel J. An hydroalcoholic extract of Curcuma longa lowers the abnormally high falues of human-plasma fibrinogen. Mech Aging Dev. 2000; 114:207-220.
11. Miquel J, Bernd A, Sempere JM, Diaz-Alperi J, Ramirez A. The curcuma antioxidants: pharmacological effects and prospects for future clinical use. A review. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2002 Feb;34(1):37-46.

There are a number of notorious hallmarks in the fight against heart disease: cholesterol, blood pressure and C-reactive protein levels, to name a few. But while the spotlight has lingered on all of these easy-to-recognize red flags at one time or another, one serious risk factor has fallen to the wayside - and although it's not as well known, it's just as deadly.

Fibrinogen is a protein that originates in your liver and is responsible for your blood's ability to clot. Obviously, adequate levels are essential - without fibrinogen, your body wouldn't be able to heal from even the tiniest wounds. As it turns out, however, an excess can be equally dangerous, holding some disastrous consequences for your health in the long run.1

Research shows that elevated fibrinogen is as strongly linked to heart disease risk as hypertension, inflammation, obesity, smoking, chronic stress and diabetes - causing an increase in both platelet clumping and blood clot formation that can lead to heart attack or stroke.2-4 What's worse, your fibrinogen levels naturally rise by about 25 mg/dl each decade, no matter how healthy you are - and possibly even higher, if you lead an inactive and sedentary lifestyle - which means that keeping this clotting factor in check is critical no matter where you fall on the heart health spectrum.5

Luckily, this is one struggle in which just a couple of select nutrients can make a truly dramatic difference. Primary among these is nattokinase - a natural enzyme derived from the Japanese fermented soybean dish natto. Nattokinase has the unique ability to break up fibrin, helping to dissolve dangerous clots that form on your vessel walls, and preventing the arterial thickening that accompanies atherosclerosis.6-8 Clinical research shows that supplementing with 1.3 grams of this novel enzyme three times per day can significantly boost fibrinolytic activity in your body for two to eight hours.9

Another key compound in the fight against excess fibrinogen is the antioxidant powerhouse turmeric (Curcuma longa). In one study, researchers found that patients with elevated fibrinogen levels experienced significant drops after supplementing with 20 mg of turmeric extract daily for just 15 days.10 Later research confirmed this clinical benefit - and also demonstrated a marked decrease in artery-clogging lipid peroxidation, which plays an equally vital role in heart disease prevention.11

Together, these two natural compounds - Turmeric Extract and Natto 3X - are both available through Vitamin Research Products and comprise one of the safest and most effective natural clot-busting combinations you'll find.

You should avoid supplementing with nattokinase if you're diagnosed with a bleeding disorder (such as hemophilia) or suffer from other bleeding conditions, such as ulcers, recent surgeries or traumas. And if you're already taking drugs such as Coumadin or Heparin, be sure to talk with your doctor before adding nattokinase or any blood-thinning natural product to your daily regimen.

References:
1. Goodman E, Dolan LM, Morrison JA, Daniels SR. Factor analysis of clustered cardiovascular risks in adolescence: obesity is the predominant correlate of risk among youth. Circulation. 2005 Apr 19;111(15):1970-7.
2. Clays, E. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, September 2005; vol 47: pp 878- 883. News release, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
3. Kannel W. B., Wolf P. A., Castelli W. P., D'Agostino R. B. Fibrinogen and risk of cardiovascular disease. The Framingham Study Vol. Vol. 258 No. 9, September 4, 1987.
4. Heinrich, J. et al. "Fibrinogen and factor VII in the prediction of coronary risk." Arterioscler Thromb 1994, 14:54-59.
5. Hager, K. et al. "Fibrinogen and Aging." Aging (Milano) 1994, 6:133-38.
6. Fujita M, Hong K, Ito Y, et al. Thrombolytic effect of nattokinase on a chemically induced thrombosis model in a rat. Biol Pharm Bull 1995;18:1387-91.
7. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Matsumoto Y, et al. Dietary supplementation of fermented soybean, natto, suppresses intimal thickening and modulates the lysis of mural thrombi after endothelial injury in rat femoral artery. Life Sci 2003;73:1289-98.
8. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Ichise, H, et al. Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening. Nutrition 2003;19:261-4.
9. Urano T, Ihara H, Umemura K, et al. The Profibrinolytic Enzyme Subtilisin NAT Purified from Bacillus subtilis Cleaves and Inactivates Plasminogen ctivator InhibitorType 1. J Biol Chem 2001;276:24690-6.
10, Ramirez-Bosca A, Soler A, Carrion-Guiterrez MA, Mira DP, Zapata JP, Diaz-Alperi J, Bernd A, Almagro EQ, and Miquel J. An hydroalcoholic extract of Curcuma longa lowers the abnormally high falues of human-plasma fibrinogen. Mech Aging Dev. 2000; 114:207-220.
11. Miquel J, Bernd A, Sempere JM, Diaz-Alperi J, Ramirez A. The curcuma antioxidants: pharmacological effects and prospects for future clinical use. A review. Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2002 Feb;34(1):37-46.

Tags: Antioxidant, Atherosclerosis, Body, Cardiovascular, Cholesterol, Circulation, Diabetes, Gain, Heart, hypertension, Injury, Liver, smoking, Stress, Tension, Ulcers, Wounds

Healing Honey

Posted Feb 7, 2011

Q: What is your take on manuka honey? Someone we know recommends it. — P.K., Buckhead

A: Manuka honey is not a brand of honey; rather, a specific type of honey from New Zealand made from bees that pollinate the flowers of the manuka bush.

The practice of using honey to heal wounds goes back thousands of years to the times of the ancient Egyptians — long before bacteria were known about. Honey has long had a reputation as a folk remedy for infection, but there’s been only a small amount of formal study into its potential benefit until recently. The renewed interest in medicinal honey has come about because of the rapidly growing problem of bacteria becoming resistant to the effects of traditional antibiotics.

Honey has naturally occurring antibacterial and anti-oxidant properties, and it’s able to avoid bacterial resistance. The bacteria-killing properties of honey are the result of low water concentration, a small amount of the oxidant hydrogen peroxide and a fairly acidic pH of 3.2-4.5 (water has a neutral pH of 7.0). These three properties inhibit bacterial growth and kill topically when honey is applied directly to a bacteria-infected area. Manuka honey has far greater potency at killing bacteria than any other type of honey.

Some folks ingest manuka honey for medicinal purposes to treat stomach/duodenal ulcers and bacterial gastro-intestinal infections, but I have great concern about abandoning approved medications in favor of medicinal honey.

Researchers in the Netherlands studying medicinal-grade honey have shown that a 40 percent solution of honey killed all bacteria tested in culture, including the highly drug-resistant MRSA bacteria and vancomycin-resistant E. faecium. The Waikato Honey Research Unit in New Zealand is actively researching manuka honey.

Honey from the grocery store is not medicinal-grade honey and should not be used for wound care.

Medihoney is the first honey-infused dressing approved by the Food and Drug Administration for burns, infected wounds and all phases of wound healing.

Dr. Mitchell Hecht is a physician specializing in internal medicine. Send questions to him at: “Ask Dr. H,” P.O. Box 767787, Roswell, GA30076. Because of the large volume of mail received, personal replies are not possible.

Q: What is your take on manuka honey? Someone we know recommends it. --- P.K., Buckhead

A: Manuka honey is not a brand of honey; rather, a specific type of honey from New Zealand made from bees that pollinate the flowers of the manuka bush.

The practice of using honey to heal wounds goes back thousands of years to the times of the ancient Egyptians --- long before bacteria were known about. Honey has long had a reputation as a folk remedy for infection, but there's been only a small amount of formal study into its potential benefit until recently. The renewed interest in medicinal honey has come about because of the rapidly growing problem of bacteria becoming resistant to the effects of traditional antibiotics.

Honey has naturally occurring antibacterial and anti-oxidant properties, and it's able to avoid bacterial resistance. The bacteria-killing properties of honey are the result of low water concentration, a small amount of the oxidant hydrogen peroxide and a fairly acidic pH of 3.2-4.5 (water has a neutral pH of 7.0). These three properties inhibit bacterial growth and kill topically when honey is applied directly to a bacteria-infected area. Manuka honey has far greater potency at killing bacteria than any other type of honey.

Honey from the grocery store is not medicinal-grade honey and should not be used for wound care.

Medihoney is the first honey-infused dressing approved by the Food and Drug Administration for burns, infected wounds and all phases of wound healing.

Dr. Mitchell Hecht is a physician specializing in internal medicine. Send questions to him at: "Ask Dr. H," P.O. Box 767787, Roswell, GA30076. Because of the large volume of mail received, personal replies are not possible.

Tags: Burns, Concentration, Food, Gas, Healing, Infections, Ulcers, Wound healing, Wounds

Foolproof Support to Stop Gas, Bloating and Digestive Concerns

It’s easy to assume that trouble-free digestion is as simple as filling your diet with the right foods in the right amounts and chewing thoroughly. But what if, no matter what you eat, your gut still seems to be saddled with the same embarrassing problems: gas, indigestion, bloating and nagging discomfort that just won’t go away?

The truth is that there’s a lot more to efficient, trouble-free digestion than healthy eating habits-and what happens in your digestive tract once the food gets there is just as important as proper nutrition.

Processed foods are notoriously depleted in natural, essential nutrients and other beneficial substances-but because it’s difficult to avoid processed foods all the time, furnishing your body with a little extra help in order to complement your food with optimal amounts of nutrients is critical. To maximize your body’s digestive process, consider supplementing daily with VRP’s comprehensive blend of Digestive Enzymes-including amylase, lactase, lipase, cellulase and neutral protease, which aid your body in breaking down starch, milk sugar, fats, plant matter and protein, respectively.1-2

Don’t forget, however, that ensuring proper digestion isn’t your only concern. Reinforcing the strength of your intestinal lining is equally essential-because if your gut’s protective barrier becomes weak, your health will eventually suffer some serious consequences.

This condition is known as "leaky gut"-triggered by persistent irritation in the intestinal lining, which causes a loosening of the tightly sealed spaces between the cells of your intestines. As a consequence, larger molecules-in the form of toxins and incompletely digested food particles-can make their way into your bloodstream, where your immune system will identify them as invaders. This can cause even more damage to your intestinal lining, which will ultimately allow even more rogue intestinal toxins to get into your system and wreak havoc with your health.

The symptoms of "leaky gut" vary depending on the relative strength or weakness of your intestinal lining’s integrity-but a few of the most common symptoms include abdominal pain, anxiety, joint and muscle pain, brain fog, compromised immunity, greater susceptibility to infections and a vast array of digestive symptoms, from constipation and diarrhea to bloating.

Fortunately, you can increase the strength of your digestive system with the right blend of supportive compounds. L-glutamine, for example, can help to reinforce your intestinal structure and nourish the cells in your colon.3-4 Likewise, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) has similar properties to carbenoxolone, a semi-synthetic compound used for combating gastric and duodenal ulcers.5-6

Meanwhile, deficiencies of n-acetyl glucosamine are common in cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can reduce the protective ability of your gut’s mucosal lining.7 That’s why supplementing with this nutrient-along with soothing and supportive botanicals such as marshmallow, berberine, cabbage, slippery elm, phosphatidylcholine and gamma oryzanol-is essential for long-lasting digestive and total-body health.8-16

Look for all of these key ingredients as part of a single daily digestive formula called GI Cell Support, available now from Vitamin Research Products.

References:

1. Omogbenigun FO, Nyachoti CM, Slominski BA. Dietary supplementation with multienzyme preparations improves nutrient utilization and growth performance in weaned pigs. J Anim Sci. 2004 Apr;82(4):1053-61.

2. He M, Yang Y, Bian L, Cui H. [Effect of exogenous lactase on the absorption of lactose and its intolerance symptoms] [Article in Chinese]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1999 Sep 30;28(5):309-11.

3. Sacks GS. Glutamine supplementation in catabolic patients. Ann Pharmacother. 1999;33:348-54.

4. Miller AL. Therapeutic considerations of L-glutamine: a review of the literature. Altern Med Rev. 1999;4:239-48.

5. van Marle J, Aarsen PN, Lind A, van Weeren-Kramer J. Deglycyrrhizinised liquorice (DGL) and the renewal of rat stomach epithelium. Eur J Pharmacol. 1981;72:219-25.

6. Tewari SN, Wilson AK. Deglycyrrhizinated liquorice in duodenal ulcer. Practitioner. 1973;210:820-3.

7. Burton AF, Anderson FH. Decreased incorporation of 14C-glucosamine relative to 3H-N-acetyl glucosamine in the intestinal mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 1983;78:19-22.

8. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.

9. Martindale W. Martindale the Extra Pharmacopoeia. Pharmaceutical Press, 1999.

10. Amin AH, Subbaiah TV, Abbasi KM. Berberine sulfate: antimicrobial activity, bioassay, and mode of action. Can J Microbiol. 1969;15:1067-76.

11. Sun D, Courtney HS, Beachey EH. Berberine sulfate blocks adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes to epithelial cells, fibronectin, and hexadecane. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1988;32:1370-4.

12. van Poppel G, Verhoeven DT, Verhagen H, Goldbohm RA. Brassica vegetables and cancer prevention. Epidemiology and mechanisms. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;472:159-68.

13. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.

14. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

15. Stremmel W, Ehehalt R, Autschbach F, Karner M. Phosphatidylcholine for steroid-refractory chronic ulcerative colitis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Nov 6;147(9):603-10.

16. Seetharamaiah GS, Chandrasekhara N. Effect of oryzanol on cholesterol absorption and biliary and fecal bile acids in rats. Indian J Med Res. 1990;92:471-5.

It's easy to assume that trouble-free digestion is as simple as filling your diet with the right foods in the right amounts and chewing thoroughly. But what if, no matter what you eat, your gut still seems to be saddled with the same embarrassing problems: gas, indigestion, bloating and nagging discomfort that just won't go away?

The truth is that there's a lot more to efficient, trouble-free digestion than healthy eating habits-and what happens in your digestive tract once the food gets there is just as important as proper nutrition.

Processed foods are notoriously depleted in natural, essential nutrients and other beneficial substances-but because it's difficult to avoid processed foods all the time, furnishing your body with a little extra help in order to complement your food with optimal amounts of nutrients is critical. To maximize your body's digestive process, consider supplementing daily with VRP's comprehensive blend of Digestive Enzymes-including amylase, lactase, lipase, cellulase and neutral protease, which aid your body in breaking down starch, milk sugar, fats, plant matter and protein, respectively.1-2

Don't forget, however, that ensuring proper digestion isn't your only concern. Reinforcing the strength of your intestinal lining is equally essential-because if your gut's protective barrier becomes weak, your health will eventually suffer some serious consequences.

This condition is known as "leaky gut"-triggered by persistent irritation in the intestinal lining, which causes a loosening of the tightly sealed spaces between the cells of your intestines. As a consequence, larger molecules-in the form of toxins and incompletely digested food particles-can make their way into your bloodstream, where your immune system will identify them as invaders. This can cause even more damage to your intestinal lining, which will ultimately allow even more rogue intestinal toxins to get into your system and wreak havoc with your health.

The symptoms of "leaky gut" vary depending on the relative strength or weakness of your intestinal lining's integrity-but a few of the most common symptoms include abdominal pain, anxiety, joint and muscle pain, brain fog, compromised immunity, greater susceptibility to infections and a vast array of digestive symptoms, from constipation and diarrhea to bloating.

Fortunately, you can increase the strength of your digestive system with the right blend of supportive compounds. L-glutamine, for example, can help to reinforce your intestinal structure and nourish the cells in your colon.3-4 Likewise, deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) has similar properties to carbenoxolone, a semi-synthetic compound used for combating gastric and duodenal ulcers.5-6

Meanwhile, deficiencies of n-acetyl glucosamine are common in cases of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can reduce the protective ability of your gut's mucosal lining.7 That's why supplementing with this nutrient-along with soothing and supportive botanicals such as marshmallow, berberine, cabbage, slippery elm, phosphatidylcholine and gamma oryzanol-is essential for long-lasting digestive and total-body health.8-16

Look for all of these key ingredients as part of a single daily digestive formula called GI Cell Support, available now from Vitamin Research Products.

References:

1. Omogbenigun FO, Nyachoti CM, Slominski BA. Dietary supplementation with multienzyme preparations improves nutrient utilization and growth performance in weaned pigs. J Anim Sci. 2004 Apr;82(4):1053-61.

2. He M, Yang Y, Bian L, Cui H. [Effect of exogenous lactase on the absorption of lactose and its intolerance symptoms] [Article in Chinese]. Wei Sheng Yan Jiu. 1999 Sep 30;28(5):309-11.

3. Sacks GS. Glutamine supplementation in catabolic patients. Ann Pharmacother. 1999;33:348-54.

4. Miller AL. Therapeutic considerations of L-glutamine: a review of the literature. Altern Med Rev. 1999;4:239-48.

5. van Marle J, Aarsen PN, Lind A, van Weeren-Kramer J. Deglycyrrhizinised liquorice (DGL) and the renewal of rat stomach epithelium. Eur J Pharmacol. 1981;72:219-25.

6. Tewari SN, Wilson AK. Deglycyrrhizinated liquorice in duodenal ulcer. Practitioner. 1973;210:820-3.

7. Burton AF, Anderson FH. Decreased incorporation of 14C-glucosamine relative to 3H-N-acetyl glucosamine in the intestinal mucosa of patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 1983;78:19-22.

8. Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.

9. Martindale W. Martindale the Extra Pharmacopoeia. Pharmaceutical Press, 1999.

10. Amin AH, Subbaiah TV, Abbasi KM. Berberine sulfate: antimicrobial activity, bioassay, and mode of action. Can J Microbiol. 1969;15:1067-76.

11. Sun D, Courtney HS, Beachey EH. Berberine sulfate blocks adherence of Streptococcus pyogenes to epithelial cells, fibronectin, and hexadecane. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 1988;32:1370-4.

12. van Poppel G, Verhoeven DT, Verhagen H, Goldbohm RA. Brassica vegetables and cancer prevention. Epidemiology and mechanisms. Adv Exp Med Biol. 1999;472:159-68.

13. The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.

14. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

15. Stremmel W, Ehehalt R, Autschbach F, Karner M. Phosphatidylcholine for steroid-refractory chronic ulcerative colitis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Nov 6;147(9):603-10.

16. Seetharamaiah GS, Chandrasekhara N. Effect of oryzanol on cholesterol absorption and biliary and fecal bile acids in rats. Indian J Med Res. 1990;92:471-5.

Tags: Anxiety, Bloating, Body, Cancer, Cholesterol, Constipation, diarrhea, Digestion, Food, Gas, Immune, Immune system, Indigestion, Infections, Pain, Soothing, Strength, Ulcers

Go For More Oregano

Posted Aug 18, 2010

THE best ways to use herbs for their health benefits.

OREGANO LITERALLY translated as ‘joy of the mountain’ in ancient Greek, oregano contains the active ingredient rosamarinic acid, which has strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties. One study found the herb effective against Helicobacter pylori, the stomach bacteria that causes ulcers.

Oregano is also used to soothe sore throats, headaches and coughs. HOW TO USE IT: Sprinkle dried oregano on to pizzas and other dishes. Oregano oil — diluted at least 50 per cent with olive oil — can be applied to the skin for it’s antibacterial and anti-fungal qualities to ward off conditions such as MRSA and ringworm.

Date: Feb 23, 2010

THE best ways to use herbs for their health benefits.

OREGANO LITERALLY translated as 'joy of the mountain' in ancient Greek, oregano contains the active ingredient rosamarinic acid, which has strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties. One study found the herb effective against Helicobacter pylori, the stomach bacteria that causes ulcers.

Oregano is also used to soothe sore throats, headaches and coughs. HOW TO USE IT: Sprinkle dried oregano on to pizzas and other dishes. Oregano oil -- diluted at least 50 per cent with olive oil -- can be applied to the skin for it's antibacterial and anti-fungal qualities to ward off conditions such as MRSA and ringworm.

Date: Feb 23, 2010

Tags: Antioxidant, Cough, Gain, Headache, Headaches, Skin, Ulcers

Public Smoking Ban Reduces Hospital Admissions

Posted May 26, 2010

Arizona hospital admissions for stroke, asthma, heart attacks and angina fell more than 10 percent in the year after a statewide smoking ban took effect, a new study says.

While there have been studies on the economic impact of the ban on smoking in public places, including bars and restaurants, the researchers believe the study on hospital admissions is the first to look at the health ramifications of Arizona’s smoking law.

For their report, University of Arizona psychology department researchers Patricia M. Herman and Michele E. Walsh analyzed admission data from Arizona’s 87 hospitals between January 2004 and May 2008 for Arizona residents only.

Their findings are published in a peer-reviewed article in this month’s issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

The new study shows evidence of a direct relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and asthma and cardiovascular disease.

Herman and Walsh found that in the 13 months after the law took effect in May 2007, admissions for asthma dropped by 22 percent; heart-attack admissions by 13 percent; admissions for unstable angina by 33 percent and admissions for acute stroke by 14 percent.

For strokes, angina and heart attack, the researchers used data from adult admissions only, but they included babies and children in their analysis of the asthma data, Herman said. The study looked at hospital admissions, not emergency room visits, she stressed.

The cost savings of those reduced hospital admissions was nearly $17 million, the researchers estimate.

“Within the context of the growing body of consistent evidence from studies in other states and regions, the results of this study support the case for substantial health benefits from Arizona’s comprehensive statewide smoking ban in areas with no previous bans,” the study says. “If one considers the fact that only about 40 percent of the U.S. population is presently covered by a comprehensive smoke-free law, and the need for effective and cost-saving options in health care, comprehensive smoking bans should be considered by any governmental agency, employer or other organization seeking to advocate or implement policies that improve health and reduce health-care costs.”

Herman said the Arizona study, which was funded by the Arizona Department of Health Services’ Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease, had results similar to health studies conducted in other jurisdictions with smoking bans.

“There’s a lot of evidence out there,” said Herman, who is also a licensed naturopathic physician. “One of the things I found fascinating, that piqued my interest, was that I think people recognize the long-term effects of smoking, but not the short-term effects. The cardiovascular effects are profound.”

As a check on their results, the researchers looked at admission data for four diagnoses that aren’t related to secondhand smoke — appendicitis, kidney stones, acute cholecystitis and ulcers. The researchers said they found no statistically significant changes in admissions for those conditions before and after the ban took effect.

Contact reporter Stephanie Innes at sinnes@azstarnet.com or 573-4134.

Date: May 20, 2010

To see more of The Arizona Daily Star, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.azstarnet.com.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Arizona hospital admissions for stroke, asthma, heart attacks and angina fell more than 10 percent in the year after a statewide smoking ban took effect, a new study says.

For their report, University of Arizona psychology department researchers Patricia M. Herman and Michele E. Walsh analyzed admission data from Arizona's 87 hospitals between January 2004 and May 2008 for Arizona residents only.

Their findings are published in a peer-reviewed article in this month's issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

The new study shows evidence of a direct relationship between exposure to secondhand smoke and asthma and cardiovascular disease.

The cost savings of those reduced hospital admissions was nearly $17 million, the researchers estimate.

"Within the context of the growing body of consistent evidence from studies in other states and regions, the results of this study support the case for substantial health benefits from Arizona's comprehensive statewide smoking ban in areas with no previous bans," the study says. "If one considers the fact that only about 40 percent of the U.S. population is presently covered by a comprehensive smoke-free law, and the need for effective and cost-saving options in health care, comprehensive smoking bans should be considered by any governmental agency, employer or other organization seeking to advocate or implement policies that improve health and reduce health-care costs."

Herman said the Arizona study, which was funded by the Arizona Department of Health Services' Bureau of Tobacco and Chronic Disease, had results similar to health studies conducted in other jurisdictions with smoking bans.

"There's a lot of evidence out there," said Herman, who is also a licensed naturopathic physician. "One of the things I found fascinating, that piqued my interest, was that I think people recognize the long-term effects of smoking, but not the short-term effects. The cardiovascular effects are profound."

As a check on their results, the researchers looked at admission data for four diagnoses that aren't related to secondhand smoke -- appendicitis, kidney stones, acute cholecystitis and ulcers. The researchers said they found no statistically significant changes in admissions for those conditions before and after the ban took effect.

Contact reporter Stephanie Innes at sinnes@azstarnet.com or 573-4134.

Date: May 20, 2010

To see more of The Arizona Daily Star, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.azstarnet.com.

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Tags: Asthma, Babies, Body, Cardiovascular, Children, Cystitis, Heart, Information, kidney, smoking, Stress, Ulcers

Could This Common Bug Cost You Your Life?

It’s hard to believe that Helicobacter pylori wasn’t always a household name. In fact, it was only as recently as 1989 that scientists recognized this bacterium as the real smoking gun behind serious conditions like stomach ulcers, chronic heartburn and gastritis-not stress or spicy foods, as once thought.1-3

The statistics are shocking: As many as half of all Americans over the age of 50 will be infected with this gut-eroding pathogen. And it’s a potentially lethal epidemic, too-H. pylori is known to significantly raise your risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis and even several forms of cancer (most notably stomach cancer) in the long run.4-6

To make matters worse, H. pylori is anything but an easy target: its unique shape and constitution protects it from being destroyed by your stomach acid and immune cells, and conventional "cures" call for an aggressive combination of several drugs- including H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics. And unfortunately for the growing number of patients suffering with antibiotic-resistant strains, the risk of re-infection looms large.7

All things considered, eradicating H. pylori for good might sound like a complicated-and expensive-endeavor. So you might be surprised to learn that powerful, safe and simple protection from this ulcer- and heartburn-causing bacterium is possible…thanks to an ancient stomach-soothing secret called mastic.

Modern clinical research shows that this natural gum is highly effective for heartburn and gastric and duodenal ulcers-and that oral doses as small as one gram per day deliver relief in 80 percent of patients within just two weeks.8-9 The result-total repair of ulcerated mucosal tissues and vital protection from ongoing damage.10

Published research also shows that this natural compound is a powerful antibacterial agent: in vitro testing against seven different types of H. pylori revealed that mastic effectively kills 99.9 percent of the damaging bacteria-including three drug-resistant strains-even at very low concentrations of this plant-derived gum.11

Luckily, mastic gum is available now as a daily supplement through Vitamin Research Products. Look for it paired with deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) as part of a cutting-edge combination called CeaseFire - for strong natural heartburn and ulcer protection in a chewable, cinnamon-flavored wafer.

References:

1.Fukuda Y, Tomita T, Hori K, Tamura K, Shimoyama T, Nishigami T. The history of Helicobacter pylori. Rinsho Byori 2001 Feb;49(2):109-15.
2.Xia HH, Yu Wong BC, Talley NJ, Lam SK. Helicobacter pylori infection – current treatment practice. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2001 Feb;2(2):253-66.
3.Peterson WL, Ciociola AA, Sykes DL, et al. Ranitidine bismuth citrate plus clarithromycin is effective for healing duodenal ulcers, eradicating H. pylori and reducing ulcer recurrence. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1996;10:251-61.
4.Pakodi F, Abdel-Salam OM, Debreceni A, Mozsik G. Helicobacter pylori. One bacterium and a broad spectrum of human disease! An overview. J Physical Paris 2000 Mar-Apr;94(2):139-52.
5.Uemura N., Okamoto S., Yamamoto S., Matsumura N., Yamaguchi S., Yamakido M., Taniyama K., Sasaki N., Schlemper R. J. Helicobacter pylori Infection and the Development of Gastric Cancer. N Engl J Med 2001; 345:784-789, Sep 13, 2001.
6.Fox JG and Wang TC. Helicobacter pylori – Not a good bug after all. N Engl J Med 2001; 345:829-32.
7.M.R. Fattahi, M. Saberi-Firoozi, A.R. Saadat, S. Massarrat. Helicobacter pylori re-infection and recurrence rates of duodenal ulcer following treatment with three different anti-H. pylori regimens: A two-year follow-up study. Irn J Med Sci 1999; 24(3&4):82-86.
8.Huwez FU, Al-Habbal MJ. Mastic in treatment of benign gastric ulcers. Gastroenterol Jpn 1986;21:273-274.
9.Al-Habbal MJ, Al-Habbal Z, Huwez FU. A double-blind controlled clinical trial of mastic and placebo in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. J Clin Exp Pharm Physiol 1984;11:541-4.
10.Al-Said MS, Ageel AM, Parmar NS, Tariq M. Evaluation of mastic, a crude drug obtained from Pistacia lentiscus for gastric and duodenal anti-ulcer activity. J Ethnopharmacol 1986;15:271-278.
11.Huwez FU, Thirlwell D. Mastic Gum Kills Helicobacter pylori. N Engl J Med 1998; 339:1946, Dec 24, 1998.

It's hard to believe that Helicobacter pylori wasn't always a household name. In fact, it was only as recently as 1989 that scientists recognized this bacterium as the real smoking gun behind serious conditions like stomach ulcers, chronic heartburn and gastritis-not stress or spicy foods, as once thought.1-3

The statistics are shocking: As many as half of all Americans over the age of 50 will be infected with this gut-eroding pathogen. And it's a potentially lethal epidemic, too-H. pylori is known to significantly raise your risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis and even several forms of cancer (most notably stomach cancer) in the long run.4-6

To make matters worse, H. pylori is anything but an easy target: its unique shape and constitution protects it from being destroyed by your stomach acid and immune cells, and conventional "cures" call for an aggressive combination of several drugs- including H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics. And unfortunately for the growing number of patients suffering with antibiotic-resistant strains, the risk of re-infection looms large.7

All things considered, eradicating H. pylori for good might sound like a complicated-and expensive-endeavor. So you might be surprised to learn that powerful, safe and simple protection from this ulcer- and heartburn-causing bacterium is possible...thanks to an ancient stomach-soothing secret called mastic.

Modern clinical research shows that this natural gum is highly effective for heartburn and gastric and duodenal ulcers-and that oral doses as small as one gram per day deliver relief in 80 percent of patients within just two weeks.8-9 The result-total repair of ulcerated mucosal tissues and vital protection from ongoing damage.10

Published research also shows that this natural compound is a powerful antibacterial agent: in vitro testing against seven different types of H. pylori revealed that mastic effectively kills 99.9 percent of the damaging bacteria-including three drug-resistant strains-even at very low concentrations of this plant-derived gum.11

Luckily, mastic gum is available now as a daily supplement through Vitamin Research Products. Look for it paired with deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) as part of a cutting-edge combination called CeaseFire - for strong natural heartburn and ulcer protection in a chewable, cinnamon-flavored wafer.

References:

1.Fukuda Y, Tomita T, Hori K, Tamura K, Shimoyama T, Nishigami T. The history of Helicobacter pylori. Rinsho Byori 2001 Feb;49(2):109-15.
2.Xia HH, Yu Wong BC, Talley NJ, Lam SK. Helicobacter pylori infection - current treatment practice. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2001 Feb;2(2):253-66.
3.Peterson WL, Ciociola AA, Sykes DL, et al. Ranitidine bismuth citrate plus clarithromycin is effective for healing duodenal ulcers, eradicating H. pylori and reducing ulcer recurrence. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1996;10:251-61.
4.Pakodi F, Abdel-Salam OM, Debreceni A, Mozsik G. Helicobacter pylori. One bacterium and a broad spectrum of human disease! An overview. J Physical Paris 2000 Mar-Apr;94(2):139-52.
5.Uemura N., Okamoto S., Yamamoto S., Matsumura N., Yamaguchi S., Yamakido M., Taniyama K., Sasaki N., Schlemper R. J. Helicobacter pylori Infection and the Development of Gastric Cancer. N Engl J Med 2001; 345:784-789, Sep 13, 2001.
6.Fox JG and Wang TC. Helicobacter pylori - Not a good bug after all. N Engl J Med 2001; 345:829-32.
7.M.R. Fattahi, M. Saberi-Firoozi, A.R. Saadat, S. Massarrat. Helicobacter pylori re-infection and recurrence rates of duodenal ulcer following treatment with three different anti-H. pylori regimens: A two-year follow-up study. Irn J Med Sci 1999; 24(3&4):82-86.
8.Huwez FU, Al-Habbal MJ. Mastic in treatment of benign gastric ulcers. Gastroenterol Jpn 1986;21:273-274.
9.Al-Habbal MJ, Al-Habbal Z, Huwez FU. A double-blind controlled clinical trial of mastic and placebo in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. J Clin Exp Pharm Physiol 1984;11:541-4.
10.Al-Said MS, Ageel AM, Parmar NS, Tariq M. Evaluation of mastic, a crude drug obtained from Pistacia lentiscus for gastric and duodenal anti-ulcer activity. J Ethnopharmacol 1986;15:271-278.
11.Huwez FU, Thirlwell D. Mastic Gum Kills Helicobacter pylori. N Engl J Med 1998; 339:1946, Dec 24, 1998.

Tags: Atherosclerosis, Cancer, Concentration, Food, Gain, Gas, Healing, Heart, Heartburn, Immune, Liver, smoking, Soothing, Stress, Ulcers

Natural Health Newsletter February 2010 -Free monthly newsletter

e-Newsletter February 2010

In This Issue:

-Comparing Apples to Oranges: a fun and quick quiz

-Is There a Risk-Free Way to Fight Joint Discomfort?

-Green Tea Protects Against Cancer

-Six Supernutrients That Can Transform Your Health

-Build Muscle with Resistance Training

-From Fat to Functional by Rajesh Ragbir, Naturopath at FeelGood Natural Health Clinic in Oshawa

-Ladies, Is Your Mate Making You Fat?

-Could This Common Bug Cost You Your Life?

-Spaghetti Squash for a Low Cal Pasta Dish

_____________________________________

Comparing Apples to Oranges: a fun and quick quiz

Who says you can’t compare apples and oranges? We’re doing it in today’s quiz, analyzing the nutrients in each fruit (a 3-inch diameter apple and a 2 7/8-inch orange). Play along.

1. Oranges contain how many more calories than apples?

a) 4
b) 24
c) 44

2. How much more of the recommended daily percentage of vitamin C does an orange contain?

a) 78 percent more
b) 8 percent more
c) 128 percent more

3. Which fruit contains more fiber?

a) apple
b) orange
c) same amount

4. Both apples and oranges pale in comparison with bananas (422 milligrams) for potassium, but which fruit contains a higher level?

a) apple
b) orange

5. How much more water is present in an orange compared with an apple?

a) 13 grams
b) 53 grams
c) 103 grams

ANSWERS: 1: a; 2: c; 3: c (3 grams of fiber); 4: b (orange, 232 mg; apple, 134 mg); 5: a

Source: www.nutritiondata.com

Date: Dec 20, 2010

If you’re one of the 46.9 million Americans struggling with joint discomfort due to arthritis, you know that mainstream solutions for pain relief might work but they also come with a hefty load of potentially serious risks. So if you’re wondering whether there are any natural ways to deal with your pain without risking your life in the process you’re not alone.

The good news, however, is that there are several safe and effective nutrients available that will help reduce discomfort and improve mobility.

DL-phenylalanine is both an amino acid precursor of L-tyrosine, plus the D-form inhibits the breakdown of enkephalins, which are key neurotransmitters in the endogenous analgesia system (EAS)-your body’s internal pain-blocking center. Given this unique ability, it’s no surprise that clinical research on chronic pain patients shows that positive response rates double with DL-phenylalanine supplementation.1

Cooling inflammation is another key aspect-and for that, you won’t find a stronger natural ally than turmeric (Curcuma longa). This antioxidant powerhouse inhibits key inflammatory enzymes-including cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) and the inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS)-on the molecular level.2-3 Animal studies have shown that turmeric can inhibit joint inflammation and the erosion of bone in models of rheumatoid arthritis-while preliminary research also reveals that it may offer crucial protection against other inflammation-related disorders, including psoriasis, high cholesterol, and inflammatory bowel disease.4-5

Boswellia serrata is another effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic herb, with a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. Like turmeric, clinical trials show that its applications are wide-ranging, from gastrointestinal support to lung and joint health.6 In fact, one placebo-controlled study showed that patients with osteoarthritis of the knee all reported significant improvements in pain, swelling, flexibility and walking distance after just eight weeks of Boswellia supplementation.7

Finally, there’s nattokinase-a proteolytic enzyme derived from the Japanese superfood natto.8 Not only can enzyme therapy with nattokinase inhibit the inflammatory cascade and speed up healing time, this enzyme also has a direct influence on key receptors linked to chronic pain.9 What’s more, nattokinase demonstrates potent fibrinolytic activity, too. Animal studies show that it can prevent and reverse damage (including clot formation and blood vessel wall thickening) resulting from inflammation and injury within the cardiovascular system.10-12

The bottom line: When it comes to natural, risk-free relief, you have several powerful options to choose from. And you can find them all in a single formula called Back in Action - available now through Vitamin Research Products.

References:

1. Walsh NE, Ramamurthy S, Schoenfeld L, et al. Analgesic effectiveness of D-phenylalanine in chronic pain patients. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1986 Jul;67(7):436-439.

2. Menon VP, Sudheer AR. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:105-125.

3. Rao CV. Regulation of COX and LOX by curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:213-26.

4. Funk JL, Frye JB, Oyarzo JN, et al. Efficacy and mechanism of action of turmeric supplements in the treatment of experimental arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Nov;54(11):3452-3464.

5. Hsu CH, Cheng AL. Clinical studies with curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:471-480.

6. Ammon HP. Boswellic acids (components of frankincense) as the active principle in treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases [in German]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):373-378.

7. Kimmatkar N, Thawani V, Hingorani L, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee–a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7.

8. Sumi H, Hamada H, Tsushima H, et al. A novel fibrinolytic enzyme (nattokinase) in the vegetable cheese natto; a typical and popular soybean food in the Japanese diet. Experientia. 1987;43:1110-1111. 56-67.

9. Klein G, Kullich W. Reducing pain by oral enzyme therapy in rheumatic diseases. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1999;149(21-22):577-580.

10. Urano T, Ihara H, Umemura K, et al. The profibrinolytic enzyme subtilisin NAT purified from Bacillus subtilis Cleaves and inactivates plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1. J Biol Chem. 2001 Jul 6;276(27):24690-24696.

11. Fujita M, Hong K, Ito Y, et al. Thrombolytic effect of nattokinase on a chemically induced thrombosis model in rat. Biol Pharm Bull. 1995 Oct;18(10):1387-1391.

12. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Ichise H, et al. Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening. Nutrition. 2003 Mar;19(3):261-264.

A study published recently in Taiwan showed that drinking green tea is effective in preventing cancer caused by smoking.

Lin Yi-hsin, a student from the Graduate School of Public Hygiene at Taiwan’s Chung Shan Medical University, said many studies have shown that drinking green tea is effective in preventing cancer, but her study focused on green tea’s effectiveness in preventing cancer caused by smoking.

Lin recruited 500 people, including 170 lung cancer patients, for her study.

“I analyzed their lifestyles and habits of smoking, eating and drinking tea,” she told a news conference at her university in Taichung, central Taiwan.

The study found that those who do not drink green tea are five times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who do. And those who do not drink green tea but smoke have 13 times the risk of getting the disease compared with people who drink at least one cup of green tea each day.

This is because tea polyphenols are an antioxidant which can inhibit the formation of lung cancer cells, she said.

Professor Wong Jui-hung, who supervised Lin’s research, said: “This study has shown that drinking green tea can check the growth of insulin-like growth factor, which is a hormone that stimulates the growth of cancerous cells.

“Lung cancer is common in Taiwan but rare in Japan because the Japanese like to drink green tea,” he said at the news conference.

Imagine sustained energy…a flawless memory…perfect vision and hearing…and the physical endurance of someone half your age-all as you reach fifty, sixty, seventy and beyond.

This may sound like an unreachable fantasy. But there’s no rule that says your health has to fall apart once you reach middle age-especially not when a carefully chosen combination of the right phytonutrients can provide you with comprehensive protection against all of the most common pitfalls of aging …and add years of vitality onto your life in the process.

Take turmeric, for example: This is the spice that gives curry its kick-but it’s also a clinically proven antioxidant powerhouse. Turmeric-and more specifically its primary constituent curcumin-has been tested with great success against of number of inflammation-related conditions, including psoriasis, chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel and eye diseases plus rheumatoid arthritis.1

Green tea is another powerful life-extending nutrient-rich in a number of health-promoting polyphenols, including the powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Extensive research shows that, among other benefits, green tea can help to balance blood sugar and insulin levels, fight inflammation, protect against stroke-related brain damage and increase cognitive function plus help to prevent atherosclerosis resulting from elevated LDL cholesterol.2-8

Grape seed extract is a good source of a class of phytochemicals called proanthocyanidins and has emerged as another key anti-aging staple. Studies show that this antioxidant compound can support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce plaque-causing lipid peroxidation, inhibit clot-forming platelet aggregation and reduce inflammation.9-11 Other notable benefits of grape seed supplementation include accelerating wound healing and supporting skin health.12-13

As the most popular staple of the “French paradox”-that is, the phenomenon of low rates of coronary artery disease paired with a diet rich in saturated fat-there seems to be no limit to the health benefits of red wine…especially where your heart is concerned. Not only is it packed with both polyphenols and stilbenes-powerful antioxidants that can raise “good” cholesterol and protect against artery damage— it’s also rich in the anti-aging compound resveratrol. Research shows that resveratrol can mimic the beneficial effects of caloric restriction-including improved heart function and bone density, better motor function, delayed cataracts and longer lifespan-without strict dieting.14-19

Your liver is your body’s filter, responsible for pushing out damaging toxins on a daily basis-so keeping this organ in perfect shape is another crucial aspect of longevity. Luckily, numerous clinical trials offer compelling modern-day support for the historical use of milk thistle-and more specifically, its main constituent silymarin-for this very purpose. Research shows that daily silymarin supplementation can improve recovery time dramatically in patients with acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other forms of liver disease – while additional studies indicate that it can help to maintain healthy blood sugar and offer critical protection against damaging UV radiation.20-23

Finally, the last few decades have seen the ancient herb Ginkgo biloba emerge as a superstar in the supplement world-most notably for its clinically proven benefits to nerve and cognitive health. Extensive research shows that it can increase blood flow to the brain, reduce memory deficit in Alzheimer’s patients and boost vision.24-25

The bottom line: Each of these six botanicals is a vital addition to any longevity-boosting supplement regimen-and that’s why Vitamin Research Products has combined them all into a single daily formula called Extension Phytonutrient.

References:

1. Hsu CH, Cheng AL. Clinical studies with curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:471-480.

2. Tsuneki H, Ishizuka M, Terasawa M, Wu JB, Sasaoka T, Kimura I. Effect of green tea on blood glucose levels and serum proteomic patterns in diabetic (db/db) mice and on glucose metabolism in healthy humans. BMC Pharmacol, 2004 Aug 26;4(1):18.

3. Lee H, Bae JH, Lee SR. Protective effect of green tea polyphenol EGCG against neuronal damage and brain edema after unilateral cerebral ischemia in gerbils. J Neurosci Res, 2004 Sep 15;77(6):892-900.

4. Kim HK, Kim M, Kim S, Kim M, Chung JH. Effects of green tea polyphenol on cognitive and acetylcholinesterase activities. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2004 Sep;68(9):1977-9.

5. Hussain T, Gupta S, Adhami VM, Mukhtar H. Green tea constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate selectively inhibits COX-2 without affecting COX-1 expression in human prostate carcinoma cells. Int J Cancer, 2004 Sep 28 [Epub ahead of print].

6. Pezzato E, Sartor L, Dell’aica I, Dittadi R, Gion M, Belluco C, Lise M, Garbisa S. Prostate carcinoma and green tea: PSA-triggered basement membrane degradation and MMP-2 activation are inhibited by (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate.Int J Cancer, 2004 Dec 10;112(5):787-92.

7. Zhang M, Lee AH, Binns CW, Xie X. Green tea consumption enhances survival of epithelial ovarian cancer. Int J Cancer, 2004 Nov 10;112(3):465.

8. Ouyang P, Peng WL, Lai WY, Xu AL. [Green tea polyphenols inhibit low-density lipoprotein-induced proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells] [Article in Chinese]. Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao, 2004 Sep;24(9):975-9.

9. Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman B, Tissa Kappagoda C. Mechanism of the endothelium-dependent relaxation evoked by a grape seed extract. Clin Sci (Lond). 2008 Feb;114(4):331-7.

10. Freedman JE, Parker C, Li L, et al. Select flavonoids and whole juice from purple grapes inhibit platelet function and enhance nitric oxide release. Circulation. 2001;103:2792-8.

11. Shafiee M, Carbonneau MA, Urban N, Descomps B, Leger CL. Grape and grape seed extract capacities at protecting LDL against oxidation generated by Cu2+, AAPH or SIN-1 and at decreasing superoxide THP-1 cell production. A comparison to other extracts or compounds. Free Radic Res. 2003 May;37(5):573-84.

12. Katiyar SK. Dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins inhibit photocarcinogenesis through prevention of UV-induced suppression of immune responses via induction of interleukin-12 in mice. Presented at the 233rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society, Chicago, March 25, 2007. Abstract: AGFD 011.

13. Hughes-Formella B, Wunderlich O, Williams R. Anti-inflammatory and skin-hydrating properties of a dietary supplement and topical formulations containing oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2007;20(1):43-9. Epub 2006 Oct 11.

14. Baur JA, Pearson KJ, Price NL, et al. Resveratrol improves health and survival of mice on a high-calorie diet. Nature. 2006 Nov 16;444(7117):337-342.

15. Lagouge M, Argmann C, Gerhart-Hines Z, et al. Resveratrol improves mitochondrial function and protects against metabolic disease by activating SIRT1 and PGC-1alpha. Cell. 2006 Dec 15;127(6):1109-1122.

16. Pfluger PT, Herranz D, Velasco-Miguel S, Serrano M, Tschöp MH. Sirt1 protects against high-fat diet-induced metabolic damage. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2008;105(28):9793-9798.

17. Sun C, Zhang F, Ge X, et al. SIRT1 improves insulin sensitivity under insulin-resistant conditions by repressing PTP1B. Cell Metab 2007;6:307-319.

18. Pearson KJ, Baur JA, Lewis KN, et al. Resveratrol delays age-related deterioration and mimics transcriptional aspects of dietary restriction without extending life span. Cell Metab. 2008 Aug;8(2):157-168.

19. Barger JL, Kayo T, Vann JM, et al. A low dose of dietary resveratrol partially mimics caloric restriction and retards aging parameters in mice. PLoS ONE. 2008 Jun 4;3(6):e2264.

20. El-Kamary SS, Shardell MD, Abdel-Hamid M, Ismail S, El-Ateek M, Metwally M, Mikhail N, Hashem M, Mousa A, Aboul-Fotouh A, El-Kassas M, Esmat G, Strickland GT. A randomized controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of silymarin on symptoms, signs and biomarkers of acute hepatitis. Phytomedicine. 2009 May;16(5):391-400.

21. Huseini HF, Larijani B, Heshmat R, Fakhrzadeh H, Radjabipour B, Toliat T, Raza M. The efficacy of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) in the treatment of type II diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research. Published online ahead of print on October 30, 2006.

22. Meeran SM, Katiyar S, Elmets CA, Katiyar SK. Silymarin inhibits UV radiation-induced immunosuppression through augmentation of interleukin-12 in mice. Mol Cancer Ther. 2006 Jul;5(7):1660-8.

23. Svobodova A, Zdarilova A, Maliskova J, Mikulkova H, Walterova D, Vostalova J. Attenuation of UVA-induced damage to human keratinocytes by silymarin. J Dermatol Sci. 2007 Apr;46(1):21-30. Epub 2007 Feb 7.

24. B. Hofferberth. The Efficacy of EGb 761 (Ginkgo biloba extract) in Patients with Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type, A double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on Different Levels of Investigation. Human Psychopharmacol 1994, vol. 9, 215-222.

25. Wu ZM, Yin XX, Ji L, Gao YY, Pan YM, Lu Q, Wang JY. Ginkgo biloba extract prevents against apoptosis induced by high glucose in human lens epithelial cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2008 Sep;29(9):1042-50.

For many, those three words are the beginning, middle and end on the path to fitness. It’s a good start, to be sure, but it’s not the whole story.

Jose Flores of TrueFit Training and Dwayne Fowler of the Kerrville Family Sports Center recommend resistance training as the third pillar to a healthy, productive fitness regimen.

Resistance training is more than “pumping iron” – it’s anything that puts stress on the muscles in your body. It comes in hundreds of forms, making the options of where and how to begin more overwhelming than the workouts themselves.

With that in mind, here are five items to consider if looking into a weight lifting or resistance program.

1. Benefits

From bulking up to slimming down, resistance training offers advantages for all age groups. As part of a healthy diet and moderate cardio, a workout program can give your body a new dimension of fitness.

“It’s going to be a catalyst for everything else, because it’s going to add lean muscle mass,” Fowler said. “It raises your metabolism, so it takes more calories just to sustain you, and you’ll lose more weight quicker. You’ll burn more calories even while you’re sleeping.”

Fowler noted that it’s common for people to say they’ll only start lifting weights when they’ve shed some of those unwanted pounds. Considering the all-around benefits of resistance training, Fowler considers that to be a major mistake.

“It’s going to help you in everything,” Fowler said. “If you’re older, it’s going to prevent injuries carrying in the groceries and taking out the trash. There’s so many benefits to it.”

2. Do what you like

The number one reason people start then quit a workout program is they become bored with it. To give yourself the best chance of meeting your goals, find something you like to do, then stick with it.

“If I tell you to eat broccoli at every meal and you hate broccoli, you’re setting yourself up to fail,” Fowler said.

When you’ve found something that motivates you, add exercises from there. Flores equates the process to building callouses – keep at it, keep building.

“In evolution, we go a little bit at a time,” Flores said. “We change through time by maintaining the same thing and changing a little bit here and there.”

3. Stay consistent

It’s not uncommon for those new to a weight lifting program to get burned out quickly. It’s a mistake that can be counteracted with a steady plan and a basic approach.

“You’ve got to remember that it’s a life-long deal,” Fowler said. “If you burn out in a month and you’re not doing it anymore, you’re going to suffer.”

And, as Flores notes, a successful fitness plan usually is complemented by a strong routine. The more structure in your workout timing, the more likley you are to continue it.

4. Taking the first step

Getting into weight lifting or any sort of resistance program is overwhelming. There are hundreds of options, thousands of bits of information and a million opinions on each.

The safest first step is to contact a trainer. Many gyms even give out a free training session upon sign up or at least offer them to members at a discounted rate. A trainer can give you the necessary tools and direction to improve your workout and your health, as well as helping to avoid injury.

As Flores said: “I charge $225 for four sessions. How much does it cost you to do one exercise wrong?”

Far more damaging than not exercising is exercising incorrectly and putting your body at risk. Both Flores and Fowler, who see plenty of clients after they’ve already injured themselves, stress meeting with someone who can work with you to meet your fitness goals.

5. Keep it simple

The last piece of advice is the most important. Avoid the fad chasing and latest gadgets that promise “easy results,” and stick with the basics.

“Simple sit-ups, simple push-ups and simple pull-ups make somebody fit,” Flores said. “There’s nothing to it. It really is that simple. What happens is sometimes people dismiss the simplest things.”

More basic than the workouts, and more important, according to Flores, is an emphasis on other aspects that a well-rounded resistance routine can reinforce and improve.

“Strength is the last area you should be focusing on,” Flores said. “Form, movement, flexibility, balance and coordination. If you don’t have those, strength is nothing.”

Date: Jan 22, 2010

To see more of the Kerrville Daily Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dailytimes.com/.

Back to top
_______________________________________

From Fat to Functional by Rajesh Ragbir, Naturopath at FeelGood Clinic in Oshawa

Despite what the current fad says, fats are essential to the functioning of the human body. Each cell is encased in a membrane and this membrane is composed of two layers of a fatty substance. This serves a dual purpose, namely to keep water from moving freely across it and to keep the membrane flexible. Think of the cell as a watery soup encased in an oily bubble.

Fat cells are amazing in that they can grow to enormous sizes to accommodate all that extra food that we eat. So when we eat low fat foods and believe that we are going to reduce the size of our gut or lose weight, meanwhile we are over eating carbohydrates and protein, we are actually feeding the fat cell to grow. Low fat foods from that perspective, is a delusion. It is also why liposuction without a lifestyle change to reduce caloric intake often fails over the long term.

Carbohydrates and proteins will be broken down and stored as fat as long as there is no immediate need for it by the body. The body is very conservative in that sense, it will store anything that is unused, as long as it can convert it to a form that can be stored. There is a very interesting body of research on the effects of a calorie restricted diet on long term health, and again, it goes beyond just weight loss and fitting into a bikini, dress, or that high school tuxedo when you are 40.

The reason that the body stores excess energy as fat is that, firstly it holds more energy than protein or carbohydrates and is the lightest of the three. So the body stores a high energy molecule that weighs less than other forms; that contributes to the maneuverability of the animal and its ability to resist famine. Fat also is a great insulator, which is why people who have more fatty tissue tend to be able to resist the cold more easily and can have trouble in the warmer climes.

Fats are removed from the body via bile. So liver function as well as gut function needs to be optimized in order that fat excretion is efficient and effective. So yes, a liver and intestinal cleanse will help you to be healthier, but it is not as simplistic as the ads make it sound. Doing those cleanses will not allow you to “flush the fat”, at least not in the way that they insinuate. You will lose stored fat from your body by eating less, eating differently and exercising more, there is no secret.

In the coming weeks, I will continue along this series on fats and oils, from the common to the essential. I will also focus on weight loss, cleanses and cholesterol, that oft maligned beast that is central to our daily functioning. Fish oil and the omega fatty acids will also be discussed. Stay tuned as this tel (hindi for oil, pronounced “tail”) unfolds.

By Nicholas Bakalar,The New York Times

It is widely known that women tend to gain weight after giving birth, but now a large study has found evidence that even among childless women, those who live with a mate put on more pounds than those who live without one.

The differences, the scientists found, were stark.

After adjusting for other variables, the 10-year weight gain for an average 140-pound woman was 20 pounds if she had a baby and a partner, 15 if she had a partner but no baby, and only 11 pounds if she was childless with no partner. The number of women with a baby but no partner was too small to draw statistically significant conclusions.

There is no reason to believe that having a partner causes metabolic changes, so the weight gain among childless women with partners was almost surely caused by altered behavior. Moreover, there was a steady weight gain among all women over the 10 years of the study.

This does not explain the still larger weight gain in women who became pregnant. The lead author, Annette Dobson, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Queensland in Australia, suggested that physiological changes might be at work.

The study covered more than 6,000 Australian women over a 10- year period ending in 2006.

At the start, the women ranged in age from 18 to 23. Each woman periodically completed a survey with more than 300 questions about weight and height, age, level of education, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, medications used and a wide range of other health and health care issues.

By the end of the study, published in the January issue of t he American Journal of Preventive Medicine , more than half the women had college degrees, about three-quarters had partners and half had at least one baby. Almost all of the weight gain happened with the first baby; subsequent births had little effect.

Also by the end of the study period, there were fewer smokers and risky drinkers than at the beginning, more women who exercised less and a larger proportion without paid employment.

But even after adjusting for all of these factors and more, the differences in weight gain among women with and without babies, and among women with and without partners, remained.

Despite the study’s limitations – weight was self-reported, for example, and the sample size diminished over time because people dropped out – other experts found the results valuable. “It’s interesting and brings out some important points,” said Maureen Murtaugh, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Utah who has published widely on weight gain in women. Perhaps, she suggested, a more active social life may help explain why women with partners gain more weight.

“Think of going to a restaurant,” Murtaugh said. “They serve a 6- foot man the same amount as they serve me, even though I’m 5 feet 5 inches and 60 pounds lighter.”

The study included only women, but the researchers cited one earlier study that showed an increase in obesity among men who had fathered children, adding further evidence that social and behavioral factors are part of the explanation.

Dobson said the finding of weight gain among all the women, with families or without, was troubling. “This is a general health concern,” she said. “Getting married or moving in with a partner and having a baby are events that trigger even further weight gain.

“From a prevention point of view, one can look at these as particular times when women need to be especially careful.”

woman with no partner and no child woman with partner and no child woman with partner and child

To make matters worse, H. pylori is anything but an easy target: its unique shape and constitution protects it from being destroyed by your stomach acid and immune cells, and conventional “cures” call for an aggressive combination of several drugs- including H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics. And unfortunately for the growing number of patients suffering with antibiotic-resistant strains, the risk of re-infection looms large.7

References:

I love spaghetti squash. I have to admit a good part of its appeal is that it turns into strands. Every time, I somehow think that when I the fork to the squash, it will turn into mush or chunks or something. And every time, there’s a whole, nice pile of strings. Why this phenomenon continues to impress me, I can’t say. But it does.

No, spaghetti squash is not really like pasta, as much as diet books would try to convince you it is. But it is really tasty – not as sweet as some other winter squashes, which I get tired of, but sweeter than its summer cousins.

I like it with Asian spices and with stews. In this recipe, Moroccan spices complement the squash’s many strands. If you want to make a one-dish meal, try spicing and searing tofu. Tasters on the Epicurious Web site also suggest toasted almonds and raisins – golden ones would be my preference.

Enjoy.

Spaghetti Squash with Moroccan Spices

1 (31/2-4-pound) spaghetti squash

1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1/2 teaspoon ground coriander

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

3/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Directions: Pierce squash (about an inch deep) all over with a small sharp knife to prevent bursting. Cook in an 800-watt microwave oven on high power (100 percent) for 6 to 7 minutes. Turn squash over and microwave until squash feels slightly soft when pressed, 8 to 10 minutes more. Cool squash for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over moderately high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute. Stir in spices and salt and remove from heat.

Carefully halve squash lengthwise (it will give off steam) and remove and discard seeds. Working over a bowl, scrape squash flesh with a fork, loosening and separating strands as you remove it from skin. Toss with spiced butter and cilantro.

Note: Alternatively, you can bake the squash in a preheated 350-degree oven for 1 to 11/4 hours.

Source: Gourmet February 2002 via epicurious.com

Date: Nov 11, 2009

To see more of the Daily Camera, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thedailycamera.com./

e-Newsletter February 2010

In This Issue: -Comparing Apples to Oranges: a fun and quick quiz -Is There a Risk-Free Way to Fight Joint Discomfort? -Green Tea Protects Against Cancer -Six Supernutrients That Can Transform Your Health -Build Muscle with Resistance Training -From Fat to Functional by Rajesh Ragbir, Naturopath at FeelGood Natural Health Clinic in Oshawa -Ladies, Is Your Mate Making You Fat? -Could This Common Bug Cost You Your Life? -Spaghetti Squash for a Low Cal Pasta Dish _____________________________________ Comparing Apples to Oranges: a fun and quick quiz Who says you can't compare apples and oranges? We're doing it in today's quiz, analyzing the nutrients in each fruit (a 3-inch diameter apple and a 2 7/8-inch orange). Play along. 1. Oranges contain how many more calories than apples? a) 4 b) 24 c) 44 2. How much more of the recommended daily percentage of vitamin C does an orange contain? a) 78 percent more b) 8 percent more c) 128 percent more 3. Which fruit contains more fiber? a) apple b) orange c) same amount 4. Both apples and oranges pale in comparison with bananas (422 milligrams) for potassium, but which fruit contains a higher level? a) apple b) orange 5. How much more water is present in an orange compared with an apple? a) 13 grams b) 53 grams c) 103 grams ANSWERS: 1: a; 2: c; 3: c (3 grams of fiber); 4: b (orange, 232 mg; apple, 134 mg); 5: a Source: www.nutritiondata.com Date: Dec 20, 2010 Back to top ____________________________________________ Is There a Risk-Free Way to Fight Joint Discomfort? If you're one of the 46.9 million Americans struggling with joint discomfort due to arthritis, you know that mainstream solutions for pain relief might work but they also come with a hefty load of potentially serious risks. So if you're wondering whether there are any natural ways to deal with your pain without risking your life in the process you're not alone. The good news, however, is that there are several safe and effective nutrients available that will help reduce discomfort and improve mobility. DL-phenylalanine is both an amino acid precursor of L-tyrosine, plus the D-form inhibits the breakdown of enkephalins, which are key neurotransmitters in the endogenous analgesia system (EAS)-your body's internal pain-blocking center. Given this unique ability, it's no surprise that clinical research on chronic pain patients shows that positive response rates double with DL-phenylalanine supplementation.1 Cooling inflammation is another key aspect-and for that, you won't find a stronger natural ally than turmeric (Curcuma longa). This antioxidant powerhouse inhibits key inflammatory enzymes-including cyclooxygenase (COX), lipoxygenase (LOX) and the inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS)-on the molecular level.2-3 Animal studies have shown that turmeric can inhibit joint inflammation and the erosion of bone in models of rheumatoid arthritis-while preliminary research also reveals that it may offer crucial protection against other inflammation-related disorders, including psoriasis, high cholesterol, and inflammatory bowel disease.4-5 Boswellia serrata is another effective anti-inflammatory and analgesic herb, with a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine. Like turmeric, clinical trials show that its applications are wide-ranging, from gastrointestinal support to lung and joint health.6 In fact, one placebo-controlled study showed that patients with osteoarthritis of the knee all reported significant improvements in pain, swelling, flexibility and walking distance after just eight weeks of Boswellia supplementation.7 Finally, there's nattokinase-a proteolytic enzyme derived from the Japanese superfood natto.8 Not only can enzyme therapy with nattokinase inhibit the inflammatory cascade and speed up healing time, this enzyme also has a direct influence on key receptors linked to chronic pain.9 What's more, nattokinase demonstrates potent fibrinolytic activity, too. Animal studies show that it can prevent and reverse damage (including clot formation and blood vessel wall thickening) resulting from inflammation and injury within the cardiovascular system.10-12 The bottom line: When it comes to natural, risk-free relief, you have several powerful options to choose from. And you can find them all in a single formula called Back in Action - available now through Vitamin Research Products. References: 1. Walsh NE, Ramamurthy S, Schoenfeld L, et al. Analgesic effectiveness of D-phenylalanine in chronic pain patients. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1986 Jul;67(7):436-439. 2. Menon VP, Sudheer AR. Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:105-125. 3. Rao CV. Regulation of COX and LOX by curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:213-26. 4. Funk JL, Frye JB, Oyarzo JN, et al. Efficacy and mechanism of action of turmeric supplements in the treatment of experimental arthritis. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Nov;54(11):3452-3464. 5. Hsu CH, Cheng AL. Clinical studies with curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:471-480. 6. Ammon HP. Boswellic acids (components of frankincense) as the active principle in treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases [in German]. Wien Med Wochenschr. 2002;152(15-16):373-378. 7. Kimmatkar N, Thawani V, Hingorani L, et al. Efficacy and tolerability of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7. 8. Sumi H, Hamada H, Tsushima H, et al. A novel fibrinolytic enzyme (nattokinase) in the vegetable cheese natto; a typical and popular soybean food in the Japanese diet. Experientia. 1987;43:1110-1111. 56-67. 9. Klein G, Kullich W. Reducing pain by oral enzyme therapy in rheumatic diseases. Wien Med Wochenschr. 1999;149(21-22):577-580. 10. Urano T, Ihara H, Umemura K, et al. The profibrinolytic enzyme subtilisin NAT purified from Bacillus subtilis Cleaves and inactivates plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1. J Biol Chem. 2001 Jul 6;276(27):24690-24696. 11. Fujita M, Hong K, Ito Y, et al. Thrombolytic effect of nattokinase on a chemically induced thrombosis model in rat. Biol Pharm Bull. 1995 Oct;18(10):1387-1391. 12. Suzuki Y, Kondo K, Ichise H, et al. Dietary supplementation with fermented soybeans suppresses intimal thickening. Nutrition. 2003 Mar;19(3):261-264. Back to top __________________________________________ Green Tea Protects Against Cancer A study published recently in Taiwan showed that drinking green tea is effective in preventing cancer caused by smoking. Lin Yi-hsin, a student from the Graduate School of Public Hygiene at Taiwan's Chung Shan Medical University, said many studies have shown that drinking green tea is effective in preventing cancer, but her study focused on green tea's effectiveness in preventing cancer caused by smoking. Lin recruited 500 people, including 170 lung cancer patients, for her study. "I analyzed their lifestyles and habits of smoking, eating and drinking tea," she told a news conference at her university in Taichung, central Taiwan. The study found that those who do not drink green tea are five times more likely to develop lung cancer than those who do. And those who do not drink green tea but smoke have 13 times the risk of getting the disease compared with people who drink at least one cup of green tea each day. This is because tea polyphenols are an antioxidant which can inhibit the formation of lung cancer cells, she said. Professor Wong Jui-hung, who supervised Lin's research, said: "This study has shown that drinking green tea can check the growth of insulin-like growth factor, which is a hormone that stimulates the growth of cancerous cells. "Lung cancer is common in Taiwan but rare in Japan because the Japanese like to drink green tea," he said at the news conference. Back to top ____________________________________________ Six Supernutrients That Can Transform Your Health Imagine sustained energy...a flawless memory...perfect vision and hearing...and the physical endurance of someone half your age-all as you reach fifty, sixty, seventy and beyond. This may sound like an unreachable fantasy. But there's no rule that says your health has to fall apart once you reach middle age-especially not when a carefully chosen combination of the right phytonutrients can provide you with comprehensive protection against all of the most common pitfalls of aging ...and add years of vitality onto your life in the process. Take turmeric, for example: This is the spice that gives curry its kick-but it's also a clinically proven antioxidant powerhouse. Turmeric-and more specifically its primary constituent curcumin-has been tested with great success against of number of inflammation-related conditions, including psoriasis, chronic pancreatitis, inflammatory bowel and eye diseases plus rheumatoid arthritis.1 Green tea is another powerful life-extending nutrient-rich in a number of health-promoting polyphenols, including the powerful antioxidant epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Extensive research shows that, among other benefits, green tea can help to balance blood sugar and insulin levels, fight inflammation, protect against stroke-related brain damage and increase cognitive function plus help to prevent atherosclerosis resulting from elevated LDL cholesterol.2-8 Grape seed extract is a good source of a class of phytochemicals called proanthocyanidins and has emerged as another key anti-aging staple. Studies show that this antioxidant compound can support healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, reduce plaque-causing lipid peroxidation, inhibit clot-forming platelet aggregation and reduce inflammation.9-11 Other notable benefits of grape seed supplementation include accelerating wound healing and supporting skin health.12-13 As the most popular staple of the "French paradox"-that is, the phenomenon of low rates of coronary artery disease paired with a diet rich in saturated fat-there seems to be no limit to the health benefits of red wine...especially where your heart is concerned. Not only is it packed with both polyphenols and stilbenes-powerful antioxidants that can raise "good" cholesterol and protect against artery damage--- it's also rich in the anti-aging compound resveratrol. Research shows that resveratrol can mimic the beneficial effects of caloric restriction-including improved heart function and bone density, better motor function, delayed cataracts and longer lifespan-without strict dieting.14-19 Your liver is your body's filter, responsible for pushing out damaging toxins on a daily basis-so keeping this organ in perfect shape is another crucial aspect of longevity. Luckily, numerous clinical trials offer compelling modern-day support for the historical use of milk thistle-and more specifically, its main constituent silymarin-for this very purpose. Research shows that daily silymarin supplementation can improve recovery time dramatically in patients with acute hepatitis, cirrhosis, and other forms of liver disease - while additional studies indicate that it can help to maintain healthy blood sugar and offer critical protection against damaging UV radiation.20-23 Finally, the last few decades have seen the ancient herb Ginkgo biloba emerge as a superstar in the supplement world-most notably for its clinically proven benefits to nerve and cognitive health. Extensive research shows that it can increase blood flow to the brain, reduce memory deficit in Alzheimer's patients and boost vision.24-25 The bottom line: Each of these six botanicals is a vital addition to any longevity-boosting supplement regimen-and that's why Vitamin Research Products has combined them all into a single daily formula called Extension Phytonutrient. References: 1. Hsu CH, Cheng AL. Clinical studies with curcumin. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:471-480. 2. Tsuneki H, Ishizuka M, Terasawa M, Wu JB, Sasaoka T, Kimura I. Effect of green tea on blood glucose levels and serum proteomic patterns in diabetic (db/db) mice and on glucose metabolism in healthy humans. BMC Pharmacol, 2004 Aug 26;4(1):18. 3. Lee H, Bae JH, Lee SR. Protective effect of green tea polyphenol EGCG against neuronal damage and brain edema after unilateral cerebral ischemia in gerbils. J Neurosci Res, 2004 Sep 15;77(6):892-900. 4. Kim HK, Kim M, Kim S, Kim M, Chung JH. Effects of green tea polyphenol on cognitive and acetylcholinesterase activities. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem, 2004 Sep;68(9):1977-9. 5. Hussain T, Gupta S, Adhami VM, Mukhtar H. Green tea constituent epigallocatechin-3-gallate selectively inhibits COX-2 without affecting COX-1 expression in human prostate carcinoma cells. Int J Cancer, 2004 Sep 28 [Epub ahead of print]. 6. Pezzato E, Sartor L, Dell'aica I, Dittadi R, Gion M, Belluco C, Lise M, Garbisa S. Prostate carcinoma and green tea: PSA-triggered basement membrane degradation and MMP-2 activation are inhibited by (-)epigallocatechin-3-gallate.Int J Cancer, 2004 Dec 10;112(5):787-92. 7. Zhang M, Lee AH, Binns CW, Xie X. Green tea consumption enhances survival of epithelial ovarian cancer. Int J Cancer, 2004 Nov 10;112(3):465. 8. Ouyang P, Peng WL, Lai WY, Xu AL. [Green tea polyphenols inhibit low-density lipoprotein-induced proliferation of rat vascular smooth muscle cells] [Article in Chinese]. Di Yi Jun Yi Da Xue Xue Bao, 2004 Sep;24(9):975-9. 9. Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman B, Tissa Kappagoda C. Mechanism of the endothelium-dependent relaxation evoked by a grape seed extract. Clin Sci (Lond). 2008 Feb;114(4):331-7. 10. Freedman JE, Parker C, Li L, et al. Select flavonoids and whole juice from purple grapes inhibit platelet function and enhance nitric oxide release. Circulation. 2001;103:2792-8. 11. Shafiee M, Carbonneau MA, Urban N, Descomps B, Leger CL. Grape and grape seed extract capacities at protecting LDL against oxidation generated by Cu2+, AAPH or SIN-1 and at decreasing superoxide THP-1 cell production. A comparison to other extracts or compounds. Free Radic Res. 2003 May;37(5):573-84. 12. Katiyar SK. Dietary grape seed proanthocyanidins inhibit photocarcinogenesis through prevention of UV-induced suppression of immune responses via induction of interleukin-12 in mice. Presented at the 233rd national meeting of the American Chemical Society, Chicago, March 25, 2007. Abstract: AGFD 011. 13. Hughes-Formella B, Wunderlich O, Williams R. Anti-inflammatory and skin-hydrating properties of a dietary supplement and topical formulations containing oligomeric proanthocyanidins. Skin Pharmacol Physiol. 2007;20(1):43-9. Epub 2006 Oct 11. 14. Baur JA, Pearson KJ, Price NL, et al. Resveratrol improves health and survival of mice on a high-calorie diet. Nature. 2006 Nov 16;444(7117):337-342. 15. Lagouge M, Argmann C, Gerhart-Hines Z, et al. Resveratrol improves mitochondrial function and protects against metabolic disease by activating SIRT1 and PGC-1alpha. Cell. 2006 Dec 15;127(6):1109-1122. 16. Pfluger PT, Herranz D, Velasco-Miguel S, Serrano M, Tschöp MH. Sirt1 protects against high-fat diet-induced metabolic damage. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2008;105(28):9793-9798. 17. Sun C, Zhang F, Ge X, et al. SIRT1 improves insulin sensitivity under insulin-resistant conditions by repressing PTP1B. Cell Metab 2007;6:307-319. 18. Pearson KJ, Baur JA, Lewis KN, et al. Resveratrol delays age-related deterioration and mimics transcriptional aspects of dietary restriction without extending life span. Cell Metab. 2008 Aug;8(2):157-168. 19. Barger JL, Kayo T, Vann JM, et al. A low dose of dietary resveratrol partially mimics caloric restriction and retards aging parameters in mice. PLoS ONE. 2008 Jun 4;3(6):e2264. 20. El-Kamary SS, Shardell MD, Abdel-Hamid M, Ismail S, El-Ateek M, Metwally M, Mikhail N, Hashem M, Mousa A, Aboul-Fotouh A, El-Kassas M, Esmat G, Strickland GT. A randomized controlled trial to assess the safety and efficacy of silymarin on symptoms, signs and biomarkers of acute hepatitis. Phytomedicine. 2009 May;16(5):391-400. 21. Huseini HF, Larijani B, Heshmat R, Fakhrzadeh H, Radjabipour B, Toliat T, Raza M. The efficacy of Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn. (silymarin) in the treatment of type II diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial. Phytotherapy Research. Published online ahead of print on October 30, 2006. 22. Meeran SM, Katiyar S, Elmets CA, Katiyar SK. Silymarin inhibits UV radiation-induced immunosuppression through augmentation of interleukin-12 in mice. Mol Cancer Ther. 2006 Jul;5(7):1660-8. 23. Svobodova A, Zdarilova A, Maliskova J, Mikulkova H, Walterova D, Vostalova J. Attenuation of UVA-induced damage to human keratinocytes by silymarin. J Dermatol Sci. 2007 Apr;46(1):21-30. Epub 2007 Feb 7. 24. B. Hofferberth. The Efficacy of EGb 761 (Ginkgo biloba extract) in Patients with Senile Dementia of the Alzheimer Type, A double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study on Different Levels of Investigation. Human Psychopharmacol 1994, vol. 9, 215-222. 25. Wu ZM, Yin XX, Ji L, Gao YY, Pan YM, Lu Q, Wang JY. Ginkgo biloba extract prevents against apoptosis induced by high glucose in human lens epithelial cells. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2008 Sep;29(9):1042-50. Back to top ___________________________________________ Build Muscle with Resistance Training For many, those three words are the beginning, middle and end on the path to fitness. It's a good start, to be sure, but it's not the whole story. Jose Flores of TrueFit Training and Dwayne Fowler of the Kerrville Family Sports Center recommend resistance training as the third pillar to a healthy, productive fitness regimen. Resistance training is more than "pumping iron" - it's anything that puts stress on the muscles in your body. It comes in hundreds of forms, making the options of where and how to begin more overwhelming than the workouts themselves. With that in mind, here are five items to consider if looking into a weight lifting or resistance program. 1. Benefits From bulking up to slimming down, resistance training offers advantages for all age groups. As part of a healthy diet and moderate cardio, a workout program can give your body a new dimension of fitness. "It's going to be a catalyst for everything else, because it's going to add lean muscle mass," Fowler said. "It raises your metabolism, so it takes more calories just to sustain you, and you'll lose more weight quicker. You'll burn more calories even while you're sleeping." Fowler noted that it's common for people to say they'll only start lifting weights when they've shed some of those unwanted pounds. Considering the all-around benefits of resistance training, Fowler considers that to be a major mistake. "It's going to help you in everything," Fowler said. "If you're older, it's going to prevent injuries carrying in the groceries and taking out the trash. There's so many benefits to it." 2. Do what you like The number one reason people start then quit a workout program is they become bored with it. To give yourself the best chance of meeting your goals, find something you like to do, then stick with it. "If I tell you to eat broccoli at every meal and you hate broccoli, you're setting yourself up to fail," Fowler said. When you've found something that motivates you, add exercises from there. Flores equates the process to building callouses - keep at it, keep building. "In evolution, we go a little bit at a time," Flores said. "We change through time by maintaining the same thing and changing a little bit here and there." 3. Stay consistent It's not uncommon for those new to a weight lifting program to get burned out quickly. It's a mistake that can be counteracted with a steady plan and a basic approach. "You've got to remember that it's a life-long deal," Fowler said. "If you burn out in a month and you're not doing it anymore, you're going to suffer." And, as Flores notes, a successful fitness plan usually is complemented by a strong routine. The more structure in your workout timing, the more likley you are to continue it. 4. Taking the first step Getting into weight lifting or any sort of resistance program is overwhelming. There are hundreds of options, thousands of bits of information and a million opinions on each. The safest first step is to contact a trainer. Many gyms even give out a free training session upon sign up or at least offer them to members at a discounted rate. A trainer can give you the necessary tools and direction to improve your workout and your health, as well as helping to avoid injury. As Flores said: "I charge $225 for four sessions. How much does it cost you to do one exercise wrong?" Far more damaging than not exercising is exercising incorrectly and putting your body at risk. Both Flores and Fowler, who see plenty of clients after they've already injured themselves, stress meeting with someone who can work with you to meet your fitness goals. 5. Keep it simple The last piece of advice is the most important. Avoid the fad chasing and latest gadgets that promise "easy results," and stick with the basics. "Simple sit-ups, simple push-ups and simple pull-ups make somebody fit," Flores said. "There's nothing to it. It really is that simple. What happens is sometimes people dismiss the simplest things." More basic than the workouts, and more important, according to Flores, is an emphasis on other aspects that a well-rounded resistance routine can reinforce and improve. "Strength is the last area you should be focusing on," Flores said. "Form, movement, flexibility, balance and coordination. If you don't have those, strength is nothing." Date: Jan 22, 2010 To see more of the Kerrville Daily Times or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.dailytimes.com/. Copyright 2010, Kerrville Daily Times, Texas Back to top _______________________________________ From Fat to Functional by Rajesh Ragbir, Naturopath at FeelGood Clinic in Oshawa Despite what the current fad says, fats are essential to the functioning of the human body. Each cell is encased in a membrane and this membrane is composed of two layers of a fatty substance. This serves a dual purpose, namely to keep water from moving freely across it and to keep the membrane flexible. Think of the cell as a watery soup encased in an oily bubble. Fat cells are amazing in that they can grow to enormous sizes to accommodate all that extra food that we eat. So when we eat low fat foods and believe that we are going to reduce the size of our gut or lose weight, meanwhile we are over eating carbohydrates and protein, we are actually feeding the fat cell to grow. Low fat foods from that perspective, is a delusion. It is also why liposuction without a lifestyle change to reduce caloric intake often fails over the long term. Carbohydrates and proteins will be broken down and stored as fat as long as there is no immediate need for it by the body. The body is very conservative in that sense, it will store anything that is unused, as long as it can convert it to a form that can be stored. There is a very interesting body of research on the effects of a calorie restricted diet on long term health, and again, it goes beyond just weight loss and fitting into a bikini, dress, or that high school tuxedo when you are 40. The reason that the body stores excess energy as fat is that, firstly it holds more energy than protein or carbohydrates and is the lightest of the three. So the body stores a high energy molecule that weighs less than other forms; that contributes to the maneuverability of the animal and its ability to resist famine. Fat also is a great insulator, which is why people who have more fatty tissue tend to be able to resist the cold more easily and can have trouble in the warmer climes. Fats are removed from the body via bile. So liver function as well as gut function needs to be optimized in order that fat excretion is efficient and effective. So yes, a liver and intestinal cleanse will help you to be healthier, but it is not as simplistic as the ads make it sound. Doing those cleanses will not allow you to "flush the fat", at least not in the way that they insinuate. You will lose stored fat from your body by eating less, eating differently and exercising more, there is no secret. In the coming weeks, I will continue along this series on fats and oils, from the common to the essential. I will also focus on weight loss, cleanses and cholesterol, that oft maligned beast that is central to our daily functioning. Fish oil and the omega fatty acids will also be discussed. Stay tuned as this tel (hindi for oil, pronounced "tail") unfolds. Back to top ____________________________________________ Ladies, Is Your Mate Making You Fat? By Nicholas Bakalar,The New York Times It is widely known that women tend to gain weight after giving birth, but now a large study has found evidence that even among childless women, those who live with a mate put on more pounds than those who live without one. The differences, the scientists found, were stark. After adjusting for other variables, the 10-year weight gain for an average 140-pound woman was 20 pounds if she had a baby and a partner, 15 if she had a partner but no baby, and only 11 pounds if she was childless with no partner. The number of women with a baby but no partner was too small to draw statistically significant conclusions. There is no reason to believe that having a partner causes metabolic changes, so the weight gain among childless women with partners was almost surely caused by altered behavior. Moreover, there was a steady weight gain among all women over the 10 years of the study. This does not explain the still larger weight gain in women who became pregnant. The lead author, Annette Dobson, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Queensland in Australia, suggested that physiological changes might be at work. The study covered more than 6,000 Australian women over a 10- year period ending in 2006. At the start, the women ranged in age from 18 to 23. Each woman periodically completed a survey with more than 300 questions about weight and height, age, level of education, physical activity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, medications used and a wide range of other health and health care issues. By the end of the study, published in the January issue of t he American Journal of Preventive Medicine , more than half the women had college degrees, about three-quarters had partners and half had at least one baby. Almost all of the weight gain happened with the first baby; subsequent births had little effect. Also by the end of the study period, there were fewer smokers and risky drinkers than at the beginning, more women who exercised less and a larger proportion without paid employment. But even after adjusting for all of these factors and more, the differences in weight gain among women with and without babies, and among women with and without partners, remained. Despite the study's limitations - weight was self-reported, for example, and the sample size diminished over time because people dropped out - other experts found the results valuable. "It's interesting and brings out some important points," said Maureen Murtaugh, an associate professor of epidemiology at the University of Utah who has published widely on weight gain in women. Perhaps, she suggested, a more active social life may help explain why women with partners gain more weight. "Think of going to a restaurant," Murtaugh said. "They serve a 6- foot man the same amount as they serve me, even though I'm 5 feet 5 inches and 60 pounds lighter." The study included only women, but the researchers cited one earlier study that showed an increase in obesity among men who had fathered children, adding further evidence that social and behavioral factors are part of the explanation. Dobson said the finding of weight gain among all the women, with families or without, was troubling. "This is a general health concern," she said. "Getting married or moving in with a partner and having a baby are events that trigger even further weight gain. "From a prevention point of view, one can look at these as particular times when women need to be especially careful." woman with no partner and no child woman with partner and no child woman with partner and child Back to top ____________________________________________ Could This Common Bug Cost You Your Life? It's hard to believe that Helicobacter pylori wasn't always a household name. In fact, it was only as recently as 1989 that scientists recognized this bacterium as the real smoking gun behind serious conditions like stomach ulcers, chronic heartburn and gastritis-not stress or spicy foods, as once thought.1-3 The statistics are shocking: As many as half of all Americans over the age of 50 will be infected with this gut-eroding pathogen. And it's a potentially lethal epidemic, too-H. pylori is known to significantly raise your risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis and even several forms of cancer (most notably stomach cancer) in the long run.4-6 To make matters worse, H. pylori is anything but an easy target: its unique shape and constitution protects it from being destroyed by your stomach acid and immune cells, and conventional "cures" call for an aggressive combination of several drugs- including H2 blockers, proton pump inhibitors and antibiotics. And unfortunately for the growing number of patients suffering with antibiotic-resistant strains, the risk of re-infection looms large.7 All things considered, eradicating H. pylori for good might sound like a complicated-and expensive-endeavor. So you might be surprised to learn that powerful, safe and simple protection from this ulcer- and heartburn-causing bacterium is possible...thanks to an ancient stomach-soothing secret called mastic. Modern clinical research shows that this natural gum is highly effective for heartburn and gastric and duodenal ulcers-and that oral doses as small as one gram per day deliver relief in 80 percent of patients within just two weeks.8-9 The result-total repair of ulcerated mucosal tissues and vital protection from ongoing damage.10 Published research also shows that this natural compound is a powerful antibacterial agent: in vitro testing against seven different types of H. pylori revealed that mastic effectively kills 99.9 percent of the damaging bacteria-including three drug-resistant strains-even at very low concentrations of this plant-derived gum.11 Luckily, mastic gum is available now as a daily supplement through Vitamin Research Products. Look for it paired with deglycyrrhizinated licorice (DGL) as part of a cutting-edge combination called CeaseFire - for strong natural heartburn and ulcer protection in a chewable, cinnamon-flavored wafer. References: 1.Fukuda Y, Tomita T, Hori K, Tamura K, Shimoyama T, Nishigami T. The history of Helicobacter pylori. Rinsho Byori 2001 Feb;49(2):109-15. 2.Xia HH, Yu Wong BC, Talley NJ, Lam SK. Helicobacter pylori infection - current treatment practice. Expert Opin Pharmacother 2001 Feb;2(2):253-66. 3.Peterson WL, Ciociola AA, Sykes DL, et al. Ranitidine bismuth citrate plus clarithromycin is effective for healing duodenal ulcers, eradicating H. pylori and reducing ulcer recurrence. Aliment Pharmacol Ther 1996;10:251-61. 4.Pakodi F, Abdel-Salam OM, Debreceni A, Mozsik G. Helicobacter pylori. One bacterium and a broad spectrum of human disease! An overview. J Physical Paris 2000 Mar-Apr;94(2):139-52. 5.Uemura N., Okamoto S., Yamamoto S., Matsumura N., Yamaguchi S., Yamakido M., Taniyama K., Sasaki N., Schlemper R. J. Helicobacter pylori Infection and the Development of Gastric Cancer. N Engl J Med 2001; 345:784-789, Sep 13, 2001. 6.Fox JG and Wang TC. Helicobacter pylori - Not a good bug after all. N Engl J Med 2001; 345:829-32. 7.M.R. Fattahi, M. Saberi-Firoozi, A.R. Saadat, S. Massarrat. Helicobacter pylori re-infection and recurrence rates of duodenal ulcer following treatment with three different anti-H. pylori regimens: A two-year follow-up study. Irn J Med Sci 1999; 24(3&4):82-86. 8.Huwez FU, Al-Habbal MJ. Mastic in treatment of benign gastric ulcers. Gastroenterol Jpn 1986;21:273-274. 9.Al-Habbal MJ, Al-Habbal Z, Huwez FU. A double-blind controlled clinical trial of mastic and placebo in the treatment of duodenal ulcer. J Clin Exp Pharm Physiol 1984;11:541-4. 10.Al-Said MS, Ageel AM, Parmar NS, Tariq M. Evaluation of mastic, a crude drug obtained from Pistacia lentiscus for gastric and duodenal anti-ulcer activity. J Ethnopharmacol 1986;15:271-278. 11.Huwez FU, Thirlwell D. Mastic Gum Kills Helicobacter pylori. N Engl J Med 1998; 339:1946, Dec 24, 1998. Back to top ____________________________________________ Spaghetti Squash for a Low Cal Pasta Dish I love spaghetti squash. I have to admit a good part of its appeal is that it turns into strands. Every time, I somehow think that when I the fork to the squash, it will turn into mush or chunks or something. And every time, there's a whole, nice pile of strings. Why this phenomenon continues to impress me, I can't say. But it does. No, spaghetti squash is not really like pasta, as much as diet books would try to convince you it is. But it is really tasty - not as sweet as some other winter squashes, which I get tired of, but sweeter than its summer cousins. I like it with Asian spices and with stews. In this recipe, Moroccan spices complement the squash's many strands. If you want to make a one-dish meal, try spicing and searing tofu. Tasters on the Epicurious Web site also suggest toasted almonds and raisins - golden ones would be my preference. Enjoy. Spaghetti Squash with Moroccan Spices 1 (31/2-4-pound) spaghetti squash 1/2 stick (4 tablespoons) unsalted butter, cut into pieces 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/8 teaspoon cayenne 3/4 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro Directions: Pierce squash (about an inch deep) all over with a small sharp knife to prevent bursting. Cook in an 800-watt microwave oven on high power (100 percent) for 6 to 7 minutes. Turn squash over and microwave until squash feels slightly soft when pressed, 8 to 10 minutes more. Cool squash for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, melt butter in a small heavy saucepan over moderately high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until golden, about 1 minute. Stir in spices and salt and remove from heat. Carefully halve squash lengthwise (it will give off steam) and remove and discard seeds. Working over a bowl, scrape squash flesh with a fork, loosening and separating strands as you remove it from skin. Toss with spiced butter and cilantro. Note: Alternatively, you can bake the squash in a preheated 350-degree oven for 1 to 11/4 hours. Source: Gourmet February 2002 via epicurious.com Date: Nov 11, 2009 To see more of the Daily Camera, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.thedailycamera.com./ Copyright 2009, Daily Camera, Boulder, Colo. Back to top ____________________________________________

Tags: Anti-aging, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, Babies, Body, Building, Cancer, Carbohydrate, Cardiovascular, Cataracts, Children, Cholesterol, Circulation, Clean, Cleanse, Cold, Concentration, Deficit, Diabetes, Endurance, Energy, Fitness, Flu, Flus, Food, Gain, Gas, Healing, Heart, Heartburn, High cholesterol, Immune, Information, Injuries, Injury, Liver, Memory, Pain, prostate, psoriasis, Relaxation, Rheumatoid arthritis, Skin, Sleep, Slimming, smokers, smoking, Soothing, Strength, Stress, Tension, Ulcers, Vision, Weight, Weight gain, Weight lifting, Weight loss, Women, Wound healing

Spice It Up for Health

Posted Jan 29, 2010

Most food news seems to come in the form of warnings: Something you love to eat or drink lands on the growing list of things to avoid.

So it’s a pleasant surprise to learn that certain herbs and spices, things that give food much of its character, offer impressive health benefits. The revised food pyramid, which promotes the Mediterranean diet, puts herbs and spices prominently in the “eat most” category, along with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, legumes and seeds.

Here are the best herbs and spices:

Red peppers

The hotter the chile peppers the more antioxidants they deliver.

Capsaicin is the ingredient that delivers the heat, and cayenne has more than all the other red peppers, though milder pepper spices such as chili powder and paprika are also good sources of antioxidants.

Studies also show that when people add red pepper to food they eat fewer calories during the meal, and even the next one. Capsaicin helps people feel full. New studies also suggest that red peppers (even mild, sweet ones) boost metabolism and increase calorie-burning

Yellow curry

Turmeric is the deep-hued spice found in yellow curry powder that, in addition to providing color and flavor, is a source of antioxidants on a par with strawberries, raspberries and cherries. A teaspoon of curry powder, which is a blend of turmeric and other spices, has as many antioxidants as a half-cup of red grapes.

New studies suggest that curcumin, the bright yellow compound in turmeric, may help inhibit cancer cells, reduce inflammation and safeguard the brain, and protect against Alzheimer’s disease.

Rosemary

As the cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking, the aromatic rosemary is welcome in most food categories: vegetables, meats, marinades and bakery. That it’s also high in antioxidants is good news for cooks who are already using it frequently.

Oregano

A teaspoon of dried oregano has as many antioxidants as three ounces of almonds or 1/2 cup of chopped asparagus.

Studies are focusing on its antimicrobial properties that help prevent the growth of bacteria and parasites, with one study focusing on the effects of oregano on the bacteria associated with ulcers.

Thyme

A teaspoon of thyme contains about the same amount of antioxidants as a carrot or 1/2 cup of chopped tomato. It also contains a variety of beneficial compounds called flavonoids that increase the herb’s antioxidant capacity and may offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

Throughout history, thyme has been used to help treat chest and respiratory problems. New research suggests that thymol and other volatile oils in thyme may be responsible for a range of health benefits, including maintaining cognitive function and promoting heart health.

Cinnamon

An ancient spice that comes from the inner bark of tropical trees, cinnamon has one of the highest antioxidant levels of any spice, and more than many foods. One teaspoon of cinnamon has as many antioxidants as a cup of pomegranate juice or 1/2 cup of blueberries.

Cinnamon also contains compounds called polyphenols, which act like insulin and may help regulate blood sugar levels, good news for diabetics.

Ginger

A tropical spice that’s a favorite in holiday baking, ginger also has as many antioxidants as a cup of spinach.

In addition to its soothing smell, it has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for all kinds of conditions, especially upset stomachs. An anti-inflammatory called gingerol, one of its active ingredients, may work like certain anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin and ibuprofen by inhibiting an enzyme that causes inflammation.

Research suggests ginger also may offer pain relief for everything from arthritis to nausea and migraines.

For more information, visit www.spicesforhealth.com.

Mediterranean Spiced Artichoke Bake

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon oregano leaves

1/2 rosemary leaves, finely crushed

1/2 thyme leaves, crushed

1 package (8 ounces) frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, coarsely chopped

3 ounces Neufchatel cheese (1/3 less fat than cream cheese), softened

1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons sliced green onion (optional)

2 tablespoons chopped tomato (optional)

Mix garlic powder, oregano, rosemary and thyme in a small bowl. Set aside.

Place artichoke hearts in food process; cover. Process until finely chopped. Add cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan and herb mixture; cover. Process until well mixed.

Spread mixture evenly in 9-inch pie plate. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven until mixture is heated through and edges are golden brown.

Sprinkle with green onion and tomato if desired. Serve with pita wedges or crackers.

Makes 8 servings.

Recipe from McCormick & Co.

Date: Dec 4, 2009

To see more of The Wisconsin State Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com.

Most food news seems to come in the form of warnings: Something you love to eat or drink lands on the growing list of things to avoid.

So it's a pleasant surprise to learn that certain herbs and spices, things that give food much of its character, offer impressive health benefits. The revised food pyramid, which promotes the Mediterranean diet, puts herbs and spices prominently in the "eat most" category, along with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, olive oil, beans, nuts, legumes and seeds.

Here are the best herbs and spices:

Red peppers

The hotter the chile peppers the more antioxidants they deliver.

Yellow curry

New studies suggest that curcumin, the bright yellow compound in turmeric, may help inhibit cancer cells, reduce inflammation and safeguard the brain, and protect against Alzheimer's disease.

Rosemary

As the cornerstone of Mediterranean cooking, the aromatic rosemary is welcome in most food categories: vegetables, meats, marinades and bakery. That it's also high in antioxidants is good news for cooks who are already using it frequently.

Oregano

A teaspoon of dried oregano has as many antioxidants as three ounces of almonds or 1/2 cup of chopped asparagus.

Studies are focusing on its antimicrobial properties that help prevent the growth of bacteria and parasites, with one study focusing on the effects of oregano on the bacteria associated with ulcers.

Thyme

A teaspoon of thyme contains about the same amount of antioxidants as a carrot or 1/2 cup of chopped tomato. It also contains a variety of beneficial compounds called flavonoids that increase the herb's antioxidant capacity and may offer anti-inflammatory benefits.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon also contains compounds called polyphenols, which act like insulin and may help regulate blood sugar levels, good news for diabetics.

Ginger

A tropical spice that's a favorite in holiday baking, ginger also has as many antioxidants as a cup of spinach.

Research suggests ginger also may offer pain relief for everything from arthritis to nausea and migraines.

For more information, visit www.spicesforhealth.com.

Mediterranean Spiced Artichoke Bake

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon oregano leaves

1/2 rosemary leaves, finely crushed

1/2 thyme leaves, crushed

1 package (8 ounces) frozen artichoke hearts, thawed, coarsely chopped

3 ounces Neufchatel cheese (1/3 less fat than cream cheese), softened

1/3 cup reduced fat mayonnaise

1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons sliced green onion (optional)

2 tablespoons chopped tomato (optional)

Mix garlic powder, oregano, rosemary and thyme in a small bowl. Set aside.

Place artichoke hearts in food process; cover. Process until finely chopped. Add cream cheese, mayonnaise, Parmesan and herb mixture; cover. Process until well mixed.

Spread mixture evenly in 9-inch pie plate. Bake in preheated 350 degree oven until mixture is heated through and edges are golden brown.

Sprinkle with green onion and tomato if desired. Serve with pita wedges or crackers.

Makes 8 servings.

Recipe from McCormick & Co.

Date: Dec 4, 2009

To see more of The Wisconsin State Journal, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.wisconsinstatejournal.com.

Copyright © 2009, The Wisconsin State Journal

Tags: Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Arthritis, Cancer, Chest, Cooking, Food, Gain, Heart, Information, Liver, Migraine, Nausea, Pain, Parasites, Respiratory problems, Soothing, Ulcers

Give Foods a Second Try As An Adult

Posted Dec 24, 2009

As a child, Kristine Hinrichs of Milwaukee routinely choked down boiled cabbage so she would be allowed to leave the dinner table. It wasn’t until Hinrichs grew up and left home that she made a startling discovery: Cabbage was nutritious – and could also be delicious.

It’s not easy giving certain foods a second chance. But if you’re looking to add some nutritional powerhouses to your diet, as Hinrichs was, food experts say it might be worth revisiting dishes you’ve despised. “Our taste sensations, interpretation and appreciation can change over time,” said Dr. Donald Hensrud, a Mayo Clinic weight management specialist. “There’s also some conditioning that goes on; we learn to like certain foods, and we get used to them over time.”

You may also have an aversion to foods that weren’t prepared right or, like cabbage, have a sulfurous odor. But it’s possible that “if you don’t get that smell, you find something like broccoli more pleasant,” said Marci Pelchat of the Monell Center, a Philadelphia-based taste and smell research institute.

Hensrud doesn’t recommend forcing anything down. But he does think most of us underestimate our ability to change. Unless you’re a supertaster – someone born with a heightened sense of taste – consider experimenting with the following polarizing foods.

Sardines:

Turnoffs: Strong, fishy taste. Tiny bones. Can be packed in tomato sauce. Reputation as a frugality food.

Turn-ons: High in vitamin D and loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, which protect your heart and brain. Lots of protein, calcium and selenium. Low on the marine food chain so toxins such as mercury don’t accumulate. Inexpensive. Portable when canned.

How to eat them: Avoid sardines packed in vegetable oil, which is high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Try “a squeeze of lemon, toasted red chile, extra virgin olive oil and mixed green herbs over garlicky al dente whole wheat fettuccine,” LaPuma said. Or buy the kind dressed up with mustard or pesto.

Cabbage:

Turnoffs: When overcooked, produces the smell of rotten eggs. Too much cabbage may make you gassy.

Turn-ons: One cup of shredded, boiled cabbage has just 33 calories but has 4 filling grams of fiber. Loaded with phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals. May reduce your risk of cancer and has a protective effect on the brain. Fermented cabbage (sauerkraut and kimchi) is a non-dairy source of probiotics, or bacteria that have a health benefit. The lactic acid in sauerkraut may help you absorb iron.

How to eat it: Can be steamed, fried, boiled, braised or baked. Use it in corned beef and cabbage, soups and stews, and cold dishes such as coleslaw, said registered dietitian Dave Grotto, a spokesman for the American Dietetic Association. Cut fresh cabbage and sprinkle with lemon.

Tomatoes:

Turnoffs: Contain a slimy, jellylike substance around the seeds; thin skin, grainy pulp and seeds. Sweetness and acidity can vary, depending on the variety and how early they were picked. (The longer a tomato matures on the vine, the higher the sugar content is.)

Turn-ons: Lycopene-rich (red) tomatoes can help reduce your risk for heart disease and certain cancers, including pancreatic and prostate, said LaPuma. Cooked tomatoes – including canned tomatoes and paste, juice, tomato soup and ketchup – contain up to eight times more available lycopene than raw tomatoes. Excellent source of vitamins A, C and K, and a good source of potassium, fiber and other phytonutrients.

How to eat them: Eating tomatoes with fat helps the body absorb their lycopene. The whole tomato has the greatest health benefits, so get the tomato paste products with peels, said LaPuma. Organic ketchup contains three times more lycopene than non-organic ketchup, said LaPuma. Use ketchup with burgers to help offset the carcinogenic compounds created when meat is charred.

Broccoli:

Turnoffs: Sulfureous smell. Famously disliked by President George H.W. Bush.

Turn-ons: An abundance of antioxidants makes broccoli one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat. Aside from its anti-cancer properties such as sulforaphane, broccoli is a nutritional powerhouse that contains vitamins A, C and K, as well as folate and fiber. Has antibacterial properties that kill Helicobacter pylori, bacteria that cause ulcers and play a role in stomach cancer.

How to eat it: Use it in dips, casseroles, soups, lasagna, stir fry and salads, suggested chef Dana Jacobi, author of 10 best-selling cookbooks. Or try it on a crudite platter, on pizza, tossed with pasta, pureed as a side dish, added to frittatas and quiche. “Chop up leftover cooked broccoli and add it to chili, sloppy joes, soups and other dishes when you reheat them,” she wrote in “The 12 Best Foods.”

Beets:

Turnoffs: Earthy flavor, slippery texture, can turn urine a startling pink color (a phenomenon called beeturia). Dissed by President Barack Obama and excluded from the White House garden.

Turn-ons: An excellent liver tonic and blood purifier. Beets have both betaine and folate, which work to reduce homocystein, a naturally occurring amino acid that can be harmful to blood vessels, said nutrition expert Jonny Bowden in his book “The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth.” High in potassium, which is also important for heart health. Contains the most sugar of any vegetable, yet is low in calories.

How to eat them: Baked, broiled, steamed or shredded raw and added to salads. Borscht is a traditional Russian beet soup. The leaves have even more nutritional value than the roots.

Brussels sprouts:

Turnoffs: Resemble tiny cabbages. Parents or grandparents cooked them into oblivion. Sulfur content gives them an unappetizing odor.

Turn-ons: Has a higher concentration of glucosinolates, a type of compound believed to have cancer-fighting properties, than any other plants in the cruciferous vegetable family. An excellent source of vitamins C and K and a very good source of folate, vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and vitamin B6 and B1, said Dr. John LaPuma, a chef and the medical director for the Santa Barbara Institute for Medical Nutrition and Healthy Weight.

How to eat them: Trim the sprouts, then toss with olive oil, salt and crushed garlic. Roast in a 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes until tender. Use as little water as possible when boiling.

Date: Dec 20, 2009

As a child, Kristine Hinrichs of Milwaukee routinely choked down boiled cabbage so she would be allowed to leave the dinner table. It wasn't until Hinrichs grew up and left home that she made a startling discovery: Cabbage was nutritious - and could also be delicious.

It's not easy giving certain foods a second chance. But if you're looking to add some nutritional powerhouses to your diet, as Hinrichs was, food experts say it might be worth revisiting dishes you've despised. "Our taste sensations, interpretation and appreciation can change over time," said Dr. Donald Hensrud, a Mayo Clinic weight management specialist. "There's also some conditioning that goes on; we learn to like certain foods, and we get used to them over time."

You may also have an aversion to foods that weren't prepared right or, like cabbage, have a sulfurous odor. But it's possible that "if you don't get that smell, you find something like broccoli more pleasant," said Marci Pelchat of the Monell Center, a Philadelphia-based taste and smell research institute.

Hensrud doesn't recommend forcing anything down. But he does think most of us underestimate our ability to change. Unless you're a supertaster - someone born with a heightened sense of taste - consider experimenting with the following polarizing foods.

Sardines:

Turnoffs: Strong, fishy taste. Tiny bones. Can be packed in tomato sauce. Reputation as a frugality food.

How to eat them: Avoid sardines packed in vegetable oil, which is high in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Try "a squeeze of lemon, toasted red chile, extra virgin olive oil and mixed green herbs over garlicky al dente whole wheat fettuccine," LaPuma said. Or buy the kind dressed up with mustard or pesto.

Cabbage:

Turnoffs: When overcooked, produces the smell of rotten eggs. Too much cabbage may make you gassy.

Tomatoes:

Turn-ons: Lycopene-rich (red) tomatoes can help reduce your risk for heart disease and certain cancers, including pancreatic and prostate, said LaPuma. Cooked tomatoes - including canned tomatoes and paste, juice, tomato soup and ketchup - contain up to eight times more available lycopene than raw tomatoes. Excellent source of vitamins A, C and K, and a good source of potassium, fiber and other phytonutrients.

Broccoli:

Turnoffs: Sulfureous smell. Famously disliked by President George H.W. Bush.

How to eat it: Use it in dips, casseroles, soups, lasagna, stir fry and salads, suggested chef Dana Jacobi, author of 10 best-selling cookbooks. Or try it on a crudite platter, on pizza, tossed with pasta, pureed as a side dish, added to frittatas and quiche. "Chop up leftover cooked broccoli and add it to chili, sloppy joes, soups and other dishes when you reheat them," she wrote in "The 12 Best Foods."

Beets:

Turnoffs: Earthy flavor, slippery texture, can turn urine a startling pink color (a phenomenon called beeturia). Dissed by President Barack Obama and excluded from the White House garden.

Turn-ons: An excellent liver tonic and blood purifier. Beets have both betaine and folate, which work to reduce homocystein, a naturally occurring amino acid that can be harmful to blood vessels, said nutrition expert Jonny Bowden in his book "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth." High in potassium, which is also important for heart health. Contains the most sugar of any vegetable, yet is low in calories.

How to eat them: Baked, broiled, steamed or shredded raw and added to salads. Borscht is a traditional Russian beet soup. The leaves have even more nutritional value than the roots.

Brussels sprouts:

Turnoffs: Resemble tiny cabbages. Parents or grandparents cooked them into oblivion. Sulfur content gives them an unappetizing odor.

How to eat them: Trim the sprouts, then toss with olive oil, salt and crushed garlic. Roast in a 400 degree oven for about 30 minutes until tender. Use as little water as possible when boiling.

Date: Dec 20, 2009

Tags: Antioxidant, Body, Calcium, Cancer, Cold, Concentration, Food, Gas, Heart, Liver, Minerals, prostate, Skin, sprouts, Ulcers, Vitamins, Weight

Digestive Disorders Common and Costly

Posted Nov 6, 2009

Each year, approximately 20 million people are affected by digestive disorders in Canada. Digestive disorders result in over 18 million sick days, account for 10 per cent of all hospitalizations and cost the Canadian economy $18 billion annually through direct health care costs and lost productivity. However, due to the perceived embarrassment associated with digestive symptoms, there is a lack of understanding of the enormous impact digestive disorders have on Canadians and a profound unwillingness to shed more light on the subject.

In order to break the silence surrounding digestive disorders, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation is presenting the results of its National Digestive Disorders Prevalence & Impact Study Report, Establishing Digestive Health as a National Priority, at the first ever Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan Visioning Meeting. The Visioning Meeting brings together government officials, association heads, national foundations and leading physicians from across Canada to discuss the future of digestive health in Canada.

“The recent prevalence and impact study clearly shows the escalating costs and reduced quality of life associated with digestive disorders,” states Dr. Richard Fedorak, President of the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, and Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta. “The study, combined with the Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan Visioning Meeting, are the first steps in breaking down the barriers of silence. We need to deliver solutions to the millions of Canadians who are affected so they can take control of their digestive health with confidence and optimism. By doing so, we can reduce the cost and impact digestive diseases have on the Canadian health care system, our economy and those who are suffering.”

“Currently, there are chronic disease strategies in place to address cancer prevention, diabetes, heart health and arthritis; but none for digestive health,” states Dr. Alan Barkun, Meeting Chair, Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan and Chairholder of the DG Kinnear Chair in Gastroenterology at McGill University. “The work being done at the Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan Visioning Meeting will go a long way towards helping create a strategy that will one day improve the lives of all Canadians suffering from digestive disorders.”

The enormous impacts digestive disorders have on Canadian lives, the economy and the health care system are grossly underestimated because government bodies, physicians and the public are uncomfortable openly discussing the symptoms associated with digestive disorders. As a result, there is often a delay in diagnosis, a greater socioeconomic impact and a lack of funding directed towards public education and research for digestive health.

“I personally experienced the tragic impacts digestive diseases can have, not only on patients, but also on their loved ones when my brother Mike died from esophageal cancer,” states Brian Savage, former Montreal Canadien and advocate for the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. “I urge all Canadians who are affected by digestive disorders to speak openly about their illnesses and symptoms to help change the perception of digestive health in Canada for those who will be diagnosed in the future.”

The Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan will create a comprehensive, integrated approach so Canadians at all levels can work to reduce the impact of digestive disorders. The purpose of the Visioning Meeting is two fold – to start recruiting the coalition that will work together to develop the strategy and to help collect a broad base of issues from all the key stakeholders. Then the coalition will work on developing new solutions as well as integrating with other health initiatives already underway. Attendees will share ideas on critical topics including prevention, education, delivery of services and the digestive health crisis affecting aboriginal Canadians and our aging population through a series of group working sessions.

About the Prevalence & Impact Study

The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation Digestive Disorders Prevalence & Impact Study Report highlights the substantial socioeconomic burden that digestive disorders have on Canadian business, healthcare and individuals. All major areas of digestive disorders were examined in the study including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), celiac disease, liver disease and colon cancer.

Some of the results found in the study include:

– Next to lung cancer, digestive cancers kill more Canadians than any other cancer types

– 8 million Canadians suffer from lower gastrointestinal symptoms with

an average of five million Canadians experiencing heartburn and/or acid regurgitation at least once each week

– Canada has one of the highest rates of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in the world with over five million Canadians affected

– Canada has the highest reported prevalence and incidence rates of IBD in the world with over 200,000 Canadians living with the disease

– One in every 10 Canadians will develop a stomach ulcer at some point in their lifetime

– In 2008, it was estimated that over 200,000 Canadians are living with IBD

– In First Nation communities, approximately 75 per cent of the people are infected with H. pylori. H. pylori infection is considered to be a carcinogen by the World Health Organization as it is associated with the development of stomach cancer

– In western countries, rates of celiac disease have nearly doubled in the last 25 years

– Approximately 270,000 Canadians were infected with hepatitis B last year

A full version of the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation National Digestive Disorders Prevalence & Impact Study Report is available for review at www.CDHF.ca.

About the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation

Over 20 million Canadians suffer from digestive disorders every year. The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation believes this is unnecessary and unacceptable. We reduce suffering and improve quality of life by empowering Canadians with trusted, up to date, science-based information about digestive health and disease.

As the Foundation of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, we work directly with leading physicians, scientists, and other health care professionals to help Canadians understand and take control of their digestive health with confidence and optimism. Through education and research, we strive to:

– REDUCE the incidence and prevalence of digestive disorders

– IMPROVE understanding of digestive health issues

– SUPPORT those suffering from digestive disorders

– ENHANCE quality of life for those living with digestive disorders

Look at the person on your left; now look at the person on your right. Of the three of you, two are likely to have a digestive disorder, according to information revealed today by the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation.

Each year, approximately 20 million people are affected by digestive disorders in Canada. Digestive disorders result in over 18 million sick days, account for 10 per cent of all hospitalizations and cost the Canadian economy $18 billion annually through direct health care costs and lost productivity. However, due to the perceived embarrassment associated with digestive symptoms, there is a lack of understanding of the enormous impact digestive disorders have on Canadians and a profound unwillingness to shed more light on the subject.

In order to break the silence surrounding digestive disorders, the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation is presenting the results of its National Digestive Disorders Prevalence & Impact Study Report, Establishing Digestive Health as a National Priority, at the first ever Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan Visioning Meeting. The Visioning Meeting brings together government officials, association heads, national foundations and leading physicians from across Canada to discuss the future of digestive health in Canada.

"The recent prevalence and impact study clearly shows the escalating costs and reduced quality of life associated with digestive disorders," states Dr. Richard Fedorak, President of the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation, and Professor, Division of Gastroenterology, University of Alberta. "The study, combined with the Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan Visioning Meeting, are the first steps in breaking down the barriers of silence. We need to deliver solutions to the millions of Canadians who are affected so they can take control of their digestive health with confidence and optimism. By doing so, we can reduce the cost and impact digestive diseases have on the Canadian health care system, our economy and those who are suffering."

"Currently, there are chronic disease strategies in place to address cancer prevention, diabetes, heart health and arthritis; but none for digestive health," states Dr. Alan Barkun, Meeting Chair, Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan and Chairholder of the DG Kinnear Chair in Gastroenterology at McGill University. "The work being done at the Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan Visioning Meeting will go a long way towards helping create a strategy that will one day improve the lives of all Canadians suffering from digestive disorders."

The enormous impacts digestive disorders have on Canadian lives, the economy and the health care system are grossly underestimated because government bodies, physicians and the public are uncomfortable openly discussing the symptoms associated with digestive disorders. As a result, there is often a delay in diagnosis, a greater socioeconomic impact and a lack of funding directed towards public education and research for digestive health.

"I personally experienced the tragic impacts digestive diseases can have, not only on patients, but also on their loved ones when my brother Mike died from esophageal cancer," states Brian Savage, former Montreal Canadien and advocate for the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation. "I urge all Canadians who are affected by digestive disorders to speak openly about their illnesses and symptoms to help change the perception of digestive health in Canada for those who will be diagnosed in the future."

The Canadian Digestive Health Strategy and Action Plan will create a comprehensive, integrated approach so Canadians at all levels can work to reduce the impact of digestive disorders. The purpose of the Visioning Meeting is two fold - to start recruiting the coalition that will work together to develop the strategy and to help collect a broad base of issues from all the key stakeholders. Then the coalition will work on developing new solutions as well as integrating with other health initiatives already underway. Attendees will share ideas on critical topics including prevention, education, delivery of services and the digestive health crisis affecting aboriginal Canadians and our aging population through a series of group working sessions.

About the Prevalence & Impact Study

Some of the results found in the study include:

- Next to lung cancer, digestive cancers kill more Canadians than any other cancer types

- 8 million Canadians suffer from lower gastrointestinal symptoms with

an average of five million Canadians experiencing heartburn and/or acid regurgitation at least once each week

- Canada has one of the highest rates of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) in the world with over five million Canadians affected

- Canada has the highest reported prevalence and incidence rates of IBD in the world with over 200,000 Canadians living with the disease

- One in every 10 Canadians will develop a stomach ulcer at some point in their lifetime

- In 2008, it was estimated that over 200,000 Canadians are living with IBD

- In First Nation communities, approximately 75 per cent of the people are infected with H. pylori. H. pylori infection is considered to be a carcinogen by the World Health Organization as it is associated with the development of stomach cancer

- In western countries, rates of celiac disease have nearly doubled in the last 25 years

- Approximately 270,000 Canadians were infected with hepatitis B last year

A full version of the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation National Digestive Disorders Prevalence & Impact Study Report is available for review at www.CDHF.ca.

About the Canadian Digestive Health Foundation

Over 20 million Canadians suffer from digestive disorders every year. The Canadian Digestive Health Foundation believes this is unnecessary and unacceptable. We reduce suffering and improve quality of life by empowering Canadians with trusted, up to date, science-based information about digestive health and disease.

As the Foundation of the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology, we work directly with leading physicians, scientists, and other health care professionals to help Canadians understand and take control of their digestive health with confidence and optimism. Through education and research, we strive to:

- REDUCE the incidence and prevalence of digestive disorders

- IMPROVE understanding of digestive health issues

- SUPPORT those suffering from digestive disorders

- ENHANCE quality of life for those living with digestive disorders

Copyright © 2009 CNW Group. All rights reserved.

Tags: Arthritis, Cancer, Celiac, Diabetes, Flu, Gas, Hair, Heart, Heartburn, IBS, Information, Irritable bowel syndrome, Liver, Ulcers, Vision

Spice Up Your Health

Posted October 24, 2009

It turns out that a pinch of red pepper or dash of curry powder not only turns up the heat to boost flavors in dishes, but it also can add a helping of health benefits, too.

Nutrition research supports new reasons to season dishes with herbs and spices, including cinnamon, ginger, oregano, red pepper and yellow curry powder. Blueberries, pomegranates and other deeply colored fruits may be famous for their high anti-oxidant content; but it turns out that some spices rank really high, too.

One teaspoon of cinnamon has the disease fighting anti-oxidant power of a full cup of pomegranate juice or half cup of blueberries. The specific kind of anti-oxidant compounds found in cinnamon called polyphenols have been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels and fight inflammation, which can increase the risk for heart disease and diabetes.

Feel even better about the cinnamon sprinkled on your oatmeal? But don’t try to use this spicy news to help justify downing one of those huge cinnamon buns at the mall. Controlling total fat and calories in your diet still reigns supreme as the most important rule in good nutrition. With that in mind, it’s interesting to note that spices might come to the rescue there, too.

Red chile pepper gets heat from a powerful antioxidant compound called capsaicin. Spicing up your meal with red pepper flakes or hot chile sauces may also help increase satiety so you eat less. Other studies found red peppers, even milder sweet red peppers, boost your metabolism so you burn a few more calories. Other studies suggest that some seasonings such as cayenne pepper, chili powder and paprika may help curb hunger pangs and boost the metabolism, making it a bit easier to stick to a weight control diet.

Executive chef Piero Premoli of Pricci restaurant in Atlanta adds a touch of heat to vegetables, seafood, pasta dishes and risotto, and jokes, “I put it on my cereal in the morning!” For Pricci’s menu this month featuring recipes from Sicily, Premoli prepares swordfish with a glaze of Sicilian Marsala wine with pickled calabrese red peppers, white balsamic vinegar, olive oil and garlic. “This dish is a classic mix of hot and sweet. The cuisine of Sicily is known for its use of chiles, heat and spices,” Premoli said.

Ginger has long been used as a natural remedy to soothe an upset stomach. Now research focusing on one of its active ingredients, gingerol, suggests it may work like anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or ibuprofen. Is your mouth burning from the wasabi served with sushi? Pick up that piece of fresh ginger on the plate.

Oregano has the highest anti-oxidant levels of the dried herbs because of its rosmarinic acid content. Used heavily in Mediterranean cuisines, oregano has antimicrobial powers that can help fight bacterial growth and may help inhibit the bacteria associated with ulcers.

Yellow curry powder is a blend of turmeric and other spices. Curcumin, the bright yellow pigment in turmeric, helps fight heart disease and may boost brain health, possibly protecting against Alzheimer’s disease. You may associate curry primarily with Indian or Thai cuisine, but Premoli shares the secret to his sauce for Pricci’s seafood with linguine: “I add a hint of cumin-based red curry, something I learned from a chef in Liguria.”

More spice, less fat, sugar and salt

Of course, one of the best ways that spices can contribute to the enjoyment of a healthy diet is by taking the place of other seasonings that are high in fat, sugar or salt. Herbs and spices are classified as calorie-free and salt-free.

So the oregano in Greek and Italian dishes, cinnamon in the recipes of Morocco, chiles in Mexican cuisine and turmeric in the curries of India and Thailand not only enhance the fragrance and flavor of foods, but they also play a significant role in the overall nutrition of meals.

What’s a spice? A spice may be the bud (clove), bark (cinnamon), rhizome (ginger), berry (peppercorn), aromatic seed (cumin) or flower stigma (saffron) of a plant.

What’s an herb? An herb is generally defined as the leaf of a plant (rosemary, oregano, thyme, coriander) in cooking, but any other part of the plant, often dried, can be a spice.

Carolyn O’Neil is a registered dietitian and co-author of “The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!” E-mail her at carolyn@carolynoneil.com.

Date: Oct 22, 2009

It turns out that a pinch of red pepper or dash of curry powder not only turns up the heat to boost flavors in dishes, but it also can add a helping of health benefits, too.

Feel even better about the cinnamon sprinkled on your oatmeal? But don't try to use this spicy news to help justify downing one of those huge cinnamon buns at the mall. Controlling total fat and calories in your diet still reigns supreme as the most important rule in good nutrition. With that in mind, it's interesting to note that spices might come to the rescue there, too.

Executive chef Piero Premoli of Pricci restaurant in Atlanta adds a touch of heat to vegetables, seafood, pasta dishes and risotto, and jokes, "I put it on my cereal in the morning!" For Pricci's menu this month featuring recipes from Sicily, Premoli prepares swordfish with a glaze of Sicilian Marsala wine with pickled calabrese red peppers, white balsamic vinegar, olive oil and garlic. "This dish is a classic mix of hot and sweet. The cuisine of Sicily is known for its use of chiles, heat and spices," Premoli said.

Yellow curry powder is a blend of turmeric and other spices. Curcumin, the bright yellow pigment in turmeric, helps fight heart disease and may boost brain health, possibly protecting against Alzheimer's disease. You may associate curry primarily with Indian or Thai cuisine, but Premoli shares the secret to his sauce for Pricci's seafood with linguine: "I add a hint of cumin-based red curry, something I learned from a chef in Liguria."

More spice, less fat, sugar and salt

What's a spice? A spice may be the bud (clove), bark (cinnamon), rhizome (ginger), berry (peppercorn), aromatic seed (cumin) or flower stigma (saffron) of a plant.

What's an herb? An herb is generally defined as the leaf of a plant (rosemary, oregano, thyme, coriander) in cooking, but any other part of the plant, often dried, can be a spice.

Carolyn O'Neil is a registered dietitian and co-author of "The Dish on Eating Healthy and Being Fabulous!" E-mail her at carolyn@carolynoneil.com.

Date: Oct 22, 2009

Tags: Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Cooking, Diabetes, Food, Gain, Heart, Ulcers, Weight

Immune-Boosting Strategies During a Critical Time of Year

By Chris D. Meletis, ND

The cold and flu season we are facing this year will likely be unlike any other we have experienced in this lifetime. As September begins and children return to school and university classes, the threat of contracting a virus increases.

Children bring home from school more than just homework, since schools act as "amplifying sites" for the spread of infectious diseases, outbreaks, and pandemics.1 In one trial conducted between November 1, 2001 and April 30, 2002, researchers studied 3,771 children less than 14 years of age with no chronic medical conditions who presented with respiratory tract infections.2 Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected for the isolation of influenza viruses and viral RNA detection. Information was also collected concerning respiratory illnesses and related morbidities among the study children and their household contacts. Influenza virus was demonstrated in 352 cases. One of the findings of the study was that in comparison with the influenza negative children, those who were influenza positive were more often attending day care centers or schools. Furthermore, their parents and siblings had more respiratory illnesses, received more antipyretics and antibiotics, needed more medical visits, missed more work or school days, and needed help at home to care for the ill children for a longer period of time.

Immune-Support Strategies

When children return to school it is an ideal time to begin a proactive immune support program. This will lay the foundation for optimal wellness throughout the winter months. The following natural strategies are often used in clinical practice to support immune health at this time of year, in preparation for when our immune systems are particularly challenged.

Mushrooms and Immunity

A special formula (known as ImmuneAssist 24/7) combines six mushrooms hybridized to bring out the most potent aspects of their immune enhancement properties. This allows the mushrooms to possess greater potential than any other mushrooms grown elsewhere today, including wild crafted varieties. This new formula has emerged as one of the most important ways to support immunity.

The mushrooms contained in the formula possess a high degree of immune-modulating activity thanks to polysaccharides known as 1-3 beta glucans. It is these 1-3 beta glucans that are mandatory for proper immune system function.

The mushrooms Agaricus blazei, Cordyceps sinensis, Grifola frondosa, Ganoderma lucidum, Coriolus versicolor and Lentinula edodes enhance nonspecific immunity, improve the secretion of IGA, and increase the function of monocytes-macrophages and the activity of natural killer cells. These mushrooms also are able to increase immunological balance and stability and increase the ratio of the Th/Ts immune cells.3

Researchers have investigated the role that mushrooms can play in modulating immunity. In one in vitro study of Grifola frondosa (maitake mushroom) extract, researchers stimulated a macrophage cell line from mice with extracts from Grifola frondosa then noted the effects on the growth of influenza A virus in canine kidney cells. The results indicated that Grifola frondosa reduced virus yields and increased the production of TNF-alpha, an antiviral cytokine. The researchers concluded that components of Grifola frondosa might induce the production of certain factors, including TNF-alpha, which are responsible for the inhibition of viral growth in vitro.4 Grifola frondosa also has been found to regulate the immune system in humans.5

Other studies have looked at the antiviral activity of Cordyceps sinensis, one of the most valued Chinese medicinal mushrooms. In 25 patients with chronic hepatitis B, 3 months of using Cordyceps resulted in an improvement in immunity as indicated by the fact that CD4 and CD4/CD8 ratio increased significantly compared with the controls.6

Animal studies also have shown that Cordyceps can regulate cellular immunity, enhance production of spleen lymphocytes and increase production of IL-2 from splenocytes. IL-2 (interleukin-2) is a cytokine, a protein released by white blood cells, which plays an important role in immunity by enhancing natural killer cell function and the production of T cells.7

Ganoderma lucidum extract, known as Reishi mushroom, was found to increase the immune responses of patients with advanced stage cancer and to significantly increase the mean natural killer cell activity compared to baseline along with improving other aspects of immunity.8

Another mushroom, Coriolus versicolor, restored immune responses to normal levels in tumor-bearing animals with suppressed or enhanced immune responses. In these animals, the killer T cell activity was augmented by intraperitoneal or oral administration of Coriolus versicolor.9

Lentinula edodes (Shitake), another well-documented immune modulator, has been found to stimulate immunomodulating cytokines in vitro10 and to enhance the ability of macrophages to phagocytize (or "eat") foreign invaders in rodents.11

Purified EGCG

Combining the mushrooms mentioned above with EGCG, the polyphenol compound found in green tea, is potentially the most important aspect of the ImmuneAssist 24/7 formula.12-13 A number of studies have investigated EGCG's activity against various strains of the flu. In one published report, two catechins from green tea, EGCG and ECG, were found to be potent inhibitors of influenza virus replication in cells and this effect was observed in all influenza virus subtypes tested, including A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B virus. EGCG and ECG also suppressed viral RNA synthesis in the cells.14

An earlier in vitro study tested EGCG in cells infected with adenovirus, which is responsible for 5-10 percent of upper respiratory infections in children, as well as many infections in adults. Adding EGCG to the medium of infected cells reduced virus yield by two orders of magnitude.15

According to the researchers, "We conclude that the anti-adenoviral activity of EGCG manifests itself through several mechanisms, both outside and inside the cell, but at effective drug concentrations well above that reported in the serum of green tea drinkers."

A purified form of EGCG is used within the formula ImmuneAssist 24/7. The EGCG is suspended in a time-released matrix so that it doesn't break down in stomach acid, allowing much more of this virus-blocking compound into the blood stream than can be obtained by drinking green tea.

Silver Liquid

Mild Silver Protein (MSP) has been used since the 19th century as an anti-microbial agent, with a wide range of bactericidal, fungicidal and virucidal properties. Silver has been used to speed wound healing, purify water and preserve beverages.16 Silver was one of the mainstays of medical practice in Europe and America during the period from 1900 until the beginning of the modern antibiotic era, which began in the 1940s.

Historically, various forms of silver were used in literally hundreds of ailments, including pneumonia, tuberculosis and pleurisy,17 gonorrhea and syphilis,18 wounds, leg ulcers, pustular eczema, impetigo and boils.18 It has been used in acute meningitis and epidemic cerebro-spinal meningitis,17 Mediterranean fever, erysipelas, cystitis, typhus, typhoid fever, and tonsillitis,17 dacryocystitis, corneal ulcers, conjunctivitis and blepharitis,19 and various forms of septicemia, including puerperal fever, peritonitis and post-abortion septicemia.17, 20

Silver is unique among antimicrobial agents in its broad spectrum of action. It has been claimed to kill some 650 different disease organisms21 including 95 percent of 72 strains of herpes virus.22 Recently, it has been reported that intravenous mild silver protein caused a dramatic reduction in viral load of three patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV+).23

Silver can be used by adults to keep their defenses strong and to establish a proactive shield against viral attacks.

Vitamin D3

The activated form of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D, a steroid hormone, has been shown to have profound effects on human immunity. Vitamin D acts as an immune system modulator, preventing excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines and enhancing the activity of macrophages as they destroy viral invaders. In addition, vitamin D dramatically stimulates the expression of potent antimicrobial peptides that exist in natural killer cells, and in cells lining the respiratory tract where they play a major role in protecting the lung from infection. Vitamin D also reduces the incidence of respiratory infections in children.24

In addition to 5,000 and 1,000 IU vitamin D3 capsules, a liquid form of Vitamin D3, an ideal option for children, is available here.

EpiCor and EpiCor Junior

The yeast fermentation product known as EpiCor is an immune modulator and powerful antioxidant that causes a four-fold increase in the activity of natural killer cells, which play an important part in immune health. EpiCor was found to enhance the immune system and significantly reduce cold and flu symptoms.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, researchers studied 116 people recently vaccinated against the flu. Subjects received either daily supplements of EpiCor (500 mg) or a placebo. The scientists collected data on the subjects at the study's start and after six and 12 weeks.

The researchers found that the subjects given EpiCor experienced significantly fewer cold and flu symptoms and significantly shorter duration of symptoms, compared to subjects taking the placebo. Among the 116 study participants, those who did have symptoms experienced a reduction in the duration of symptoms by 14 percent after taking EpiCor. The overall occurrence of cold and flu symptoms was reduced by 21 percent in the EpiCor group.25

The above study and a large body of evidence that shows EpiCor can enhance immunity, indicates EpiCor for adults and EpiCor Junior for children are viable options to enhance health.

Fast Response

Despite our best efforts to fend off a viral attack, our defenses sometimes are weakened and illness results. Specific plant-derived compounds have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for two thousand years to enhance immune health and are meant to be taken by adults at the first onset of illness. Concentrated extracts of Forsythia suspense fruit, Lonicera japonicus flower, Platycodon grandiflorum root, Mentha arvensis, Lophatherum gracile stem and leaf, Glycyrrhizae uralensis root, Schizonepeta tennifolia herb, Glycine max seed, Arctium lappa fruit and Phragmites communis rhizome (found in Fast Response formula) all have properties that can profoundly maximize immune health.

In immunized mice, Glycyrrhizae uralensis increased the production of splenocytes, white blood cells found within the spleen that are important in immunity, and increased antibody production.26 Platycodon grandiflorum, another immune stimulating herb, activates macrophages, which engulf and digest viruses and other pathogens, a process known as phagocytosis. However, unlike many other immune stimulating botanicals, platycodon activates B cells rather than T cells.27

Phragmites communis, in animal studies, reduces atrophy of the thymus and spleen both of which are critical to the body's immune system.28 A new compound isolated from Forsythia in 2002 was shown to inhibit the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the most commonly identified cause of lower respiratory tract infections in young children. In the elderly, the virus can mimic a long and severe common cold.29

Platycodon grandiflorum, Arctigenin (a component of Arctium lappa) and Mentha arvensis have equally important effects on the respiratory tract. Platycodon grandiflorum is known to clear the lungs and reduce phlegm production.30 Arctigenin markedly improved lung health in mice with pneumonia caused by influenza virus infection. Arctigenin also prolonged the survival time of mice infected with flu virus.31 Mentha arvensis, an extract derived from mint, inhibits histamine release from mast cells in vitro.32

Fast Response also includes vitamin A and zinc, two nutrients important in building immunity.

Conclusion

When children return to school, immunity enhancement should return to the top of everyone's priority list. Bolstering the immune system now can set the stage for a healthier winter. ImmuneAssist 24/7, Silver Liquid, Vitamin D3, EpiCor and EpiCor Junior are all excellent ways to strengthen the immune system while Fast Response should be kept on hand for immediate action if the immune system fails.

References

1. Stebbins S, Downs JS, Vukotich CJ Jr. Using nonpharmaceutical interventions to prevent influenza transmission in elementary school children: parent and teacher perspectives. J Public Health Manag Pract. 2009 Mar-Apr;15(2):112-7.

2. Principi N, Esposito S, Marchisio P, Gasparini R, Crovari P. Socioeconomic impact of influenza on healthy children and their families. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2003 Oct;22(10 Suppl):S207-10.

3. Ruwei W, Yiyuan X, Peijun J, Xing W, Holliday JC. Immune-Assist brand Dietary Supplement as an Adjunct for Chemo and Radiation Therapy in Cancer Treatment. Unpublished Study.

4. Obi N, Hayashi K, Miyahara T, Shimada Y, Terasawa K, Watanabe M, Takeyama M, Obi R, Ochiai H. Inhibitory Effect of TNF-alpha Produced by Macrophages Stimulated with Grifola frondosa Extract (ME) on the Growth of Influenza A/Aichi/2/68 Virus in MDCK Cells. Am J Chin Med. 2008;36(6):1171-83.

5. Deng G, Lin H, Seidman A, Fornier M, D'Andrea G, Wesa K, Yeung S, Cunningham-Rundles S, Vickers AJ, Cassileth B. A phase I/II trial of a polysaccharide extract from Grifola frondosa (Maitake mushroom) in breast cancer patients: immunological effects. J Cancer Res Clin Oncol. 2009 Mar 1. Published Online Ahead of Print.

6. Gong HY, Wang KQ, Tang SG. [Effects of cordyceps sinensis on T lymphocyte subsets and hepatofibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B]. [Article in Chinese] Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao. 2000 Jun 28;25(3):248-50.

7. Cheng Q. [Effect of cordyceps sinensis on cellular immunity in rats with chronic renal insufficiency]. [Article in Chinese] Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 1992 Jan;72(1):27-9, 63.

8. Gao Y, Zhou S, Jiang W, Huang M, Dai X. Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patients. Immunol Invest. 2003 Aug;32(3):201-15.

9. Tsukagoshi S, Hashimoto Y, Fujii G, Kobayashi H, Nomoto K, Orita K. Krestin (PSK). Cancer Treat Rev. 1984 Jun;11(2):131-55.

10. Liu M, Li J, Kong F, Lin J, Gao Y. Induction of immunomodulating cytokines by a new polysaccharide-peptide complex from culture mycelia of Lentinus edodes. Immunopharmacology. 1998 Nov;40(3):187-98.

11. Zheng R, Jie S, Hanchuan D, Moucheng W. Characterization and immunomodulating activities of polysaccharide from Lentinus edodes. Int Immunopharmacol. 2005 May;5(5):811-20.

12. Nance CL, Siwak EB, Shearer WT. Preclinical development of the green tea catechin, epigallocatechin gallate, as an HIV-1 therapy. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009 Feb;123(2):459-65.

13. Xu J, Wang J, Deng F, Hu Z, Wang H. Green tea extract and its major component epigallocatechin gallate inhibits hepatitis B virus in vitro. Antiviral Res. 2008 Jun;78(3):242-9.

14. Song JM, Lee KH, Seong BL. Antiviral effect of catechins in green tea on influenza virus. Antiviral Res. 2005 Nov;68(2):66-74.

15. Weber JM, Ruzindana-Umunyana A, Imbeault L, Sircar S. Inhibition of adenovirus infection and adenain by green tea catechins. Antiviral Res. 2003 Apr;58(2):167-73.

16. Bechhold H. Colloids in Biology and Medicine, New York. D. van Nostrand, 1919, pp. 364-76.

17. Duhamel B Electric Metal Colloids and Their Therapeutical Applications Lancet 1912; 29-30.

18. Searle A. The Use of Colloids in Health and Disease, London: Constable & Co., 1920, pp 67-111.

19. Legge Roe A. Collosol Argentum and its Opthalmic Uses. Br. Med. J. Jan.16, 1915. 104.

20. Brown G. Colloidal Silver in Sepsis. Am. J. Obstetrics. 1916, Jan-June, 136-141.

21. Powell J. Our Mightiest Germ Fighter, Sci Digest. 1978, Mar., 57-60.

22. Chang TW, Weinstein L. Prevention of Herpes Keratoconjunctivitis in Rabbits by Silver Sulfadiazine, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother, 1975;8: 677-78.

23. Dean W, Mitchell M, Whizar Lugo V, South J. Reduction of Viral Load in AIDS Patients with Intravenous Mild Silver Protein--Three Case Reports. Clinical Practice of Alternative Medicine. Spring, 2001.

24. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E. Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Sep 7;1-12 [Epub ahead of print].

25. Moyad MA, Robinson LE, Zawada ET, Jr, Kittelsrud JM, Chen DG, Reeves SG, Weaver SE. Effects of a Modified Yeast Supplement on Cold/Flu Symptoms. Urologic Nursing. February 2008;28(1): 50-55.

26. Sun HX, Pan HJ. Immunological adjuvant effect of Glycyrrhiza uralensis saponins on the immune responses to ovalbumin in mice. Vaccine. 2006 Mar 10;24(11):1914-20.

27. Han SB, Park SH, Lee KH, Lee CW, Lee SH, Kim HC, Kim YS, Lee HS, Kim HM. Polysaccharide isolated from the radix of Platycodon grandiflorum selectively activates B cells and macrophages but not T cells. Int Immunopharmacol. 2001 Oct;1(11):1969-78.

28. Miao MS, Gu LY, Fang XY, Miao YY. [Effect of Phragmites communis polysaccharide on the aged-model mice]. [Article in Chinese] Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2004 Jul;29(7):673-5.

29. Zhang GG, Song SJ, Ren J, Xu SX. A new compound from Forsythia (Thunb.) Vahl with antiviral effect on RSV. J Herb Pharmacother. 2002;2(3):35-40.

30. Guo L, Zhang C, Li L, Xiao YQ. [Advances in studies on Platycodon grandiflorum] [Article in Chinese]. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2007 Feb;32(3):181-6.

31. Yang Z, Liu N, Huang B, Wang Y, Hu Y, Zhu Y. [Effect of anti-influenza virus of Arctigenin in vivo] [Article in Chinese]. Zhong Yao Cai. 2005 Nov;28(11):1012-4.

32. Shin TY. Inhibition of immunologic and nonimmunologic stimulation-mediated anaphylactic reactions by the aqueous extract of Mentha arvensis. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2003 May;25(2):273-83.

Tags: Antioxidant, Body, Building, Cancer, Children, Cold, Concentration, Cystitis, eczema, Fever, Flu, Gain, Gas, Healing, Herpes, Immune, Immune system, Infections, Information, kidney, Lungs, Respiratory infections, Strength, Ulcers, Viruses, Wound healing, Wounds, Yeast

Ayurvedic Spices to Give You Balance

Posted Sept 28, 2009

Ayurveda is a form of holistic medicine that originated in India. “It comes from really ancient practices in India,” Wight said of Ayurvedic tradition. “They basically have cures for everything. They consider diet to be very, very important.”

She said she learned Ayurvedic principles growing up in Singapore and described one of the tradition’s core beliefs, that the body is composed of three elements, called “doshas,” that need to be kept in harmony for maximum vitality.

The doshas are vata, pitta and kapha, which Wight said roughly translate to air, heat and water.

“This is like our body constitution,” Kavitha said. “Each one of us has all three and sometimes one is dominant in us. That affects our energy levels. All these three different doshas, you’re meant to consume spices that would balance them out.”

But she also warned, “All the things I’m mentioning cannot cure. It’s more for maintaining than for curing, for prevention.”

In that context, we asked Wight to share a few tips on using spices to make nourishing Indian curries.

FENUGREEK AND GINGER

“Fenugreek is really bitter. It helps with diabetes because too much sweetness in the body means you have to use flavors that will counter sweetness.

“So fenugreek is certainly one of them. Ginger is the other one.

A lot of people do not like (to see) ginger in their curry. So what do you do? How do you blend it in? You grind it. What does it help with? Congestion, mild fever, common cold, too much acidity in your body.

“It can even help with ulcers, and that’s why we also have something known as masala tea. In masala tea we actually add ginger. And usually masala tea is consumed after a meal so that it settles your stomach.”

CUMIN

“The other thing that would help to settle one’s stomach is cumin. Now cumin is a really, really good spice to help with things like bronchitis. If you have problems with digestion, cumin is one good way to help. You can let it sit in hot water, boil it, let it sit a while and drink it.

“You can make a soup out of cumin, and we usually call this dish rasam. It’s a mixture of cumin with garlic and tomatoes. And the way you actually use your garlic is you take off the skin and you pound the garlic and mix it with cumin. Chop the tomatoes and crush it all together.”

CLOVES AND CINNAMON

“If your body is cold all the time that means that you have too much vata in your body — too much air, that’s causing that imbalance. How would you counter that? You would use warming spices, such as cinnamon and clove.

“Cardamom and cinnamon would help with warming your body, even ginger. But clove is a really, really warming spice.”

CARDAMOM

“Cardamom helps with digestion and really helps with metabolism. Cardamom is another … spice that you can use to sweeten. My rice pudding is based on pure sweetness from dates, and then I use cardamom — absolutely zero sugar.”

TURMERIC

“Bursitis is a kind of arthritis. That would mean that the area of injury is inflamed. How would we counter that? We would use turmeric. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory spice, so you would add that in your cooking to counter that illness or injury, and it would make a difference.”

LENTILS

“Whenever you go to an Indian restaurant, one of the main curries they will usually have on the buffet table is some form of lentil curry. And that is because it is known to balance out all your doshas.

“In a lentil curry you would have spices like fennel, fenugreek, coriander. Cardamom you can add, but I usually don’t, and pepper. Pepper gives you a bit of that spicy flavor. These are meant to balance all of your doshas. Plus lentil itself — the mung beans — are meant to be very cooling. Mix all these, and you cook it into one curry, and that is meant to be really balancing for one’s system.”

Ernest A. Jasmin: 253-274-7389

ernest.jasmin@thenewstribune.com

Spinach Parupu

Serves four

1 cup moong dhal/split pea soaked in water for 2 hours (can be replaced with any type of lentils depending on preference)

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 cup chopped onion

2-3 green chilis, sliced (or more to taste)

2 cups chopped spinach

2 medium russet potatoes, diced

1 medium carrot, chopped

1 teaspoon vegetable or canola oil

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1-2 teaspoons red chili powder (optional) or cayenne pepper

1-2 teaspoons turmeric

2-3 teaspoons ground coriander

1-2 tablespoons ground fennel

Salt to taste

In a pot over medium fire, add moong dhal, add 21/2 cups of water, garlic, onion, green chilis and oil. Cover with lid just halfway and allow to cook for approximately 20 minutes.

When mixture comes to a slow boil, add potatoes, turmeric, fennel, pepper, chili powder or cayenne pepper, coriander and let it cook for another 20-25 minutes.

Use a fork to see if potatoes are cooked, then add carrots and cook for 10 minutes

Add spinach and let cook over low fire for 10 minutes.

Serve over a plate of plain, white basmati rice or rice of your choice with any type of pickle, such as mango, lime, etc.

This meal is high in protein and calcium.

Source: Subrina Kavitha Wight

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Ayurveda is a form of holistic medicine that originated in India. "It comes from really ancient practices in India," Wight said of Ayurvedic tradition. "They basically have cures for everything. They consider diet to be very, very important."

She said she learned Ayurvedic principles growing up in Singapore and described one of the tradition's core beliefs, that the body is composed of three elements, called "doshas," that need to be kept in harmony for maximum vitality.

The doshas are vata, pitta and kapha, which Wight said roughly translate to air, heat and water.

"This is like our body constitution," Kavitha said. "Each one of us has all three and sometimes one is dominant in us. That affects our energy levels. All these three different doshas, you're meant to consume spices that would balance them out."

But she also warned, "All the things I'm mentioning cannot cure. It's more for maintaining than for curing, for prevention."

In that context, we asked Wight to share a few tips on using spices to make nourishing Indian curries.

FENUGREEK AND GINGER

"Fenugreek is really bitter. It helps with diabetes because too much sweetness in the body means you have to use flavors that will counter sweetness.

"So fenugreek is certainly one of them. Ginger is the other one.

"It can even help with ulcers, and that's why we also have something known as masala tea. In masala tea we actually add ginger. And usually masala tea is consumed after a meal so that it settles your stomach."

CUMIN

"The other thing that would help to settle one's stomach is cumin. Now cumin is a really, really good spice to help with things like bronchitis. If you have problems with digestion, cumin is one good way to help. You can let it sit in hot water, boil it, let it sit a while and drink it.

"You can make a soup out of cumin, and we usually call this dish rasam. It's a mixture of cumin with garlic and tomatoes. And the way you actually use your garlic is you take off the skin and you pound the garlic and mix it with cumin. Chop the tomatoes and crush it all together."

CLOVES AND CINNAMON

"If your body is cold all the time that means that you have too much vata in your body -- too much air, that's causing that imbalance. How would you counter that? You would use warming spices, such as cinnamon and clove.

"Cardamom and cinnamon would help with warming your body, even ginger. But clove is a really, really warming spice."

CARDAMOM

"Cardamom helps with digestion and really helps with metabolism. Cardamom is another ... spice that you can use to sweeten. My rice pudding is based on pure sweetness from dates, and then I use cardamom -- absolutely zero sugar."

TURMERIC

"Bursitis is a kind of arthritis. That would mean that the area of injury is inflamed. How would we counter that? We would use turmeric. Turmeric is an anti-inflammatory spice, so you would add that in your cooking to counter that illness or injury, and it would make a difference."

LENTILS

"Whenever you go to an Indian restaurant, one of the main curries they will usually have on the buffet table is some form of lentil curry. And that is because it is known to balance out all your doshas.

"In a lentil curry you would have spices like fennel, fenugreek, coriander. Cardamom you can add, but I usually don't, and pepper. Pepper gives you a bit of that spicy flavor. These are meant to balance all of your doshas. Plus lentil itself -- the mung beans -- are meant to be very cooling. Mix all these, and you cook it into one curry, and that is meant to be really balancing for one's system."

Ernest A. Jasmin: 253-274-7389

ernest.jasmin@thenewstribune.com

Spinach Parupu

Serves four

1 cup moong dhal/split pea soaked in water for 2 hours (can be replaced with any type of lentils depending on preference)

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 cup chopped onion

2-3 green chilis, sliced (or more to taste)

2 cups chopped spinach

2 medium russet potatoes, diced

1 medium carrot, chopped

1 teaspoon vegetable or canola oil

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1-2 teaspoons red chili powder (optional) or cayenne pepper

1-2 teaspoons turmeric

2-3 teaspoons ground coriander

1-2 tablespoons ground fennel

Salt to taste

In a pot over medium fire, add moong dhal, add 21/2 cups of water, garlic, onion, green chilis and oil. Cover with lid just halfway and allow to cook for approximately 20 minutes.

When mixture comes to a slow boil, add potatoes, turmeric, fennel, pepper, chili powder or cayenne pepper, coriander and let it cook for another 20-25 minutes.

Use a fork to see if potatoes are cooked, then add carrots and cook for 10 minutes

Add spinach and let cook over low fire for 10 minutes.

Serve over a plate of plain, white basmati rice or rice of your choice with any type of pickle, such as mango, lime, etc.

This meal is high in protein and calcium.

Source: Subrina Kavitha Wight

Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.

Tags: Anti-inflammatory, Arthritis, Body, Bronchitis, Bursitis, Calcium, Cold, Cooking, Diabetes, Digestion, Energy, Fever, Information, Injury, Skin, Ulcers

Enhancing Peak Male Performance with Scientifically Validated Botanicals

By Chris D. Meletis, ND

We live in challenging times where chronic stress, environmental pollutants and a myriad of other burdens are eroding away health, wellness and sexuality. As the result of the accumulation of burdens that come with modern existence, an alarming 1 in 4 men at the age of 30 now have measurable low testosterone levels. This makes it difficult to survive, let alone thrive, when the very hormone that helps support inner health is fleeting.

Overt symptoms of low testosterone are believed to affect 50 percent of men with measurable low levels. Yet the slow erosion of wellness and zeal for life that occurs with low testosterone may be so gradual, that human perception is insufficient to note the change during the short term.

It is well known that testosterone levels decline with the passage of time, and the average man passively accepting the aging process may expect deterioration of performance. Without taking a proactive stance, men undergo such changes as a slow decrease in sex drive, diminished erectile strength, sleep disturbance, depressed mood, or lethargy.

In this article, I will discuss two mile markers of male wellness: libido and erectile performance.

Enhancing Male Performance

Erectile dysfunction affects 50 percent of men ages 40-70 in the United States and is considered an important public health problem by the National Institutes of Health. Clinically, I work with many men in their late twenties and early 30s that present to my office with decreased erectile performance or overt inability at times to perform. An even greater number of men report a "take it or leave it" approach when it comes to libido. These changes are symptoms of deeper health needs and serve as a barometer of ones wellness status.

Libido and pelvic responsiveness in both the male and female share many of the same biochemical pathways. Thus, much of what follows possesses relevance for both sexes.

Before I discuss the ways that both men and women can improve their libido and enhance intimacy performance, it's important to acknowledge that maintaining healthy cardiovascular, neurological and mental wellness is also important for peak performance.

Natural Libido-Enhancing Strategies

A number of natural ingredients have been shown to affect the pathways involved in enhancing libido and improving sexual performance. Epimedium brevicornum, Tribulus terrestris, Panax ginseng, Ashwaghanda, grape seed extract, Eurycoma longifolia, pomegranate and green tea extracts (all found in the new e formula) have a synergistic role to play in helping men operate at peak performance.

Epimedium brevicornum

Epimedium brevicornum has been widely used for impotence, infertility, osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, amnesia, and senile functional diseases.1 One of the mechanisms of action is that it supports nitric oxide levels, which are essential for arousal and erectile tissue engorgement. Nitric oxide (NO) is formed from the conversion of L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which exists in three isoforms: neuronal (nNOS), endothelial (eNOS), and inducible (iNOS). nNOS is expressed in penile neurons innervating the corpus cavernosum (CC), and eNOS has been identified primarily in both cavernosal smooth muscle of penileand clitoral tissue. Researchers have concluded that and extract of Epimedium relaxes the CC smooth muscle through multitargets in NO/cGMP/PDE 5 pathway and helps address erectile dysfunction.2 Epimedium can prove very helpful as part of a male wellness protocol, relative to enhanced sexual performance.

Tribulus terrestris

Tribulus terrestris is another botanical commonly used to enhance libido. After conducting a study of Tribulus terrestris in rodents, researchers concluded, "Tribulus terrestris extract appears to possess aphrodisiac activity probably due to androgen increasing property of Tribulus terrestris."3 Similar findings were found in another study on primates, where researchers noted that Tribulus increased testosterone in the animals, and another later study on rodents, leading researchers to conclude, "The increase in intracavernous pressure which confirms the proerectile aphrodisiac property of Tribulus terrestris could possibly be the result of an increase in androgen and subsequent release of nitric oxide from the nerve endings innervating the corpus cavernosum."4-5 Tribulus also is known to decrease levels of prolactin in women, which is important since increased prolactin is associated with reduced libido.6

Panax

Panax ginseng has long been known to help support the adrenal glands and thus help cope with stress, important because stress is known to affect sexual performance. In addition Panax ginseng also helps increase circulation as well as nitric oxide production.7 The ginsenosides contained in ginseng have been shown to cause a dose-dependent relaxation of the corpus cavernosal smooth muscle in rabbits by increasing nitric oxide release.8-9 In a human study, 90 patients were divided into three groups and given Panax ginseng, a placebo, or the antidepressant drug trazodone orally. In the Panax ginseng group a significant improvement in erectile parameters such as penile rigidity, girth, duration of erection, improved libido, and patient satisfaction were reported. The overall therapeutic efficacy for erectile dysfunction was 60 percent for the Panax ginseng group but only 30 percent for the trazodone and placebo groups.10

A more recent, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study confirmed these results. Forty-five men diagnosed with ED received either 900 mg Panax ginseng or placebo three times per day for eight weeks. The first eight weeks of treatment were followed by a two-week washout period, after which the patients switched groups-those who had initially received the placebo received ginseng and those who initially received ginseng received the placebo for an additional eight weeks. Researchers measured the efficacy of treatment through changes observed in indexes of erectile function, including the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Mean scores on the IIEF for Panax ginseng were significantly higher than for placebo after eight weeks of each treatment. In addition, penile tip rigidity was significantly better after eight weeks of Panax ginseng compared to placebo.11

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

In clinical practice, Ashwagandha is an effective tool to support adrenal health. Stressed patients routinely report noticing an increased sense of well being with its use. An intriguing rat study evaluated the combined effects of Withania somnifera and Panax ginseng extracts. The two extracts were compared for their ability to attenuate some deleterious impact of chronic stress (CS). Both botanicals were able to decrease the number and severity of CS-induced ulcers, reverse CS-induced inhibition of male sexual behavior, and inhibit the adverse effects of CS on retention of learned tasks. Both botanicals also reversed CS-induced immunosuppression, but only the Withania extract increased peritoneal macrophage activity in the rats.12 This latter observation emphasizes the importance that can be gained by blending synergistic botanicals.

Grape Seed Extract

Maintaining the 60,000 miles of blood vessels and overall integrity of the circulatory system is essential. It is this long-term, broader thinking that helps preventively protect the body from needing to depend on what can be termed "reactionary" medicine. Several epidemiological studies suggest that the regular consumption of foods and beverages rich in flavonoids is associated with a reduction in the risk of several pathological conditions ranging from hypertension to coronary heart disease, stroke and dementia. Grape seed is one of the major polyphenols shown to have some of these effects in humans.13

Grape seed extract is emerging as a nutrient that has profound effects on nitric oxide production. Studies investigating grape seed's ability to support healthy blood pressure levels have determined its mechanism of action is partly due to its ability to raise nitric oxide levels. As noted earlier, nitric oxide is essential for arousal and erectile tissue engorgement.14-15

Eurycoma longifolia

Eurycoma longifolia, often called Long Jack, has a long history of use as a performance enhancing substance. In one study, extracts from E. longifolia Jack were orally administered to rats twice daily for 10 days. Testosterone was used as a positive control. Results showed that E. longifolia Jack produced a dose-dependent increase in sexual performance of the treated animals. The authors reported, "The present study therefore gives further evidence of the folk use of E. longifolia as an aphrodisiac."16

Pomegranate Extract

A study using a rabbit model of arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) measured the effect of pomegranate juice (PJ) concentrate on intracavernous blood flow and penile erection. The researchers found eight weeks administration of PJ concentrate daily significantly increased intracavernous blood flow and smooth muscle relaxation.17 These findings are preliminary, yet the results are promising.

As with many botanicals, there is not merely one potential clinical application. For instance, studies have shown that pomegranate can block the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, a process controlled by the aromatase enzyme. Pomegranate inhibited aromatase activity by 60â "80 percent thus helping protect estrogen sensitive tissues including prostate and breast tissue.18

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract is another nutrient important for male health. In vitro and animal studies have shown that green tea is a natural aromatase inhibitor that modulates estrogen synthesis.19-20 This effect can play a role in libido enhancement and overall male health.

Antioxidant Protection

One of the additional ways that ED begins to manifest is from the accumulation of unquenched oxidative products in erectile tissue.21 Antioxidant therapy is important for overall wellness and can prove useful prophylactic tool for preventing smooth muscle dysfunction and fibrosis in ED. Many of the ingredients mentioned above, including grape seed and pomegranate, also act as potent antioxidants.

New e

In addition to incorporating all the ingredients mentioned above, the new Androprime Formula also contains Bioperine a proprietary black pepper extract. Bioperine was incorporated into e to augment the effectiveness of the individual constituent herbs and the overall synergy of the formula.

Conclusion

It is clear that ultimate sexual functioning depends on a strong and well-nourished body that provides the ability to attain or maintain an erection. Epimedium brevicornum, Tribulus terrestris, Panax ginseng, Ashwaghanda, grape seed extract, Eurycoma longifolia, and pomegranate extract along with Bioperine (all found in the new e) can provide synergistic support for optimal male performance.

Editor's Note: Dr. Meletis is author of the book Better Sex Naturally, published by HarperCollins and co-author of His Change of Life, published by Greenwood Publishing.

References

1. Li HB, Chen F. Separation and purification of epimedin A, B, C, and icariin from the medicinal herb Epimedium brevicornum maxim by dual-mode HSCCC. J Chromatogr Sci. 2009; 47(5):337-40.

2. Chiu JH, Chen KK, Chien TM, Chiou WF, Chen CC, Wang JY, Lui WY, Wu CW Epimedium brevicornum Maxim extract relaxes rabbit corpus cavernosum through multitargets on nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling pathway. Int J Impot Res. 2006 Jul-Aug;18(4):335-42.

3. Gauthaman K, Adaikan PG, Prasad RN. Aphrodisiac properties of Tribulus Terrestris extract (Protodioscin) in normal and castrated rats. Life Sci. 2002 Aug 9;71(12):1385-96.

4. Gauthaman K, Ganesan AP, Prasad RN. Sexual effects of puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) extract (protodioscin): an evaluation using a rat model. J Altern Complement Med.. 2003 Apr;9(2):257-65.

5. Gauthaman K, Ganesan AP. The hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris and its role in the management of male erectile dysfunction-an evaluation using primates, rabbit and rat. Phytomedicine. 2008 Jan;15(1-2):44-54.

6. Dean W. The Neuroendocrine Theory of Aging Chapter 5. The Female Reproductive Homeostat. Vitamin Research News. December 1, 2005; 19(11).

7. Chen X, et al. Extracts of Ginkgo bilobaand ginsenoside exert cerebral vasodilation via a nitric oxide pathway. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 1997;24:958â "959.

8. Choi YD, Xin ZC, Choi HK. Effect of Korean red ginseng on the rabbit corpus cavernosal smooth muscle. Int J Impot Res. 1998;10:37-43.

9. Kim HJ, Woo DS, Lee G, Kim JJ. The relaxation effects of ginseng saponin in rabbit corporal smooth muscle: is it a nitric oxide donor? Br J Urol. 1998;82:744-748.

10. Choi HK, Seong DH, Rha KH. Clinical efficacy of Korean red ginseng for erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res. 1995;7:181-186.

11. Hong B, Ji YH, Hong JH, et al. A double-blind crossover study evaluating the efficacy of Korean red ginseng in patients with erectile dysfunction: a preliminary report. J Urol. 2002;168:2070-2073.

12. Bhattarcharya SK, Muruganandam AV. Adaptogenic activity of Withania somnifera: an experimental study using a rat model of chronic stress. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2003;75:547-53.

13. Ghosh D, Scheepens A. Vascular action of polyphenols. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2009 Mar;53(3):322-31.

14. Edirisinghe I, Burton-Freeman B, Tissa Kappagoda C. Mechanism of the endothelium-dependent relaxation evoked by a grape seed extract. Clin Sci (Lond). 2008 Feb;114(4):331-7.

15. Zhang TX, Niu CQ, Hu JM, Liu H, Jing HE. Vasorelaxational effects of procyanidins on rabbit aorta in vitro and decreasing arterial blood pressure in vivo. Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2008 Jul;33(14):1720-3.

16. Ang HH, Cheang HS, Yusof AP. Effects of Eurycoma longifolia Jack (Tongkat Ali) on the initiation of sexual performance of inexperienced castrated male rats. Exp Anim. 2000 Jan;49(1):35-8.

17. Azadzoi K, Schulman R, Aviram M, Siroky M. Oxidative Stress in Arteriogenic Erectile Dysfunction: Prophylatic Role of Antioxidants The Journal of Urology, 2005(174) 1:386-393.

18. Kim ND, Mehta R, Yu W, et al. Chemopreventive and adjuvant therapeutic potential of pomegranate (Punica granatum) for human breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res Treat. Feb 2002;71(3):203-217.

19. Monteiro R, Azevedo I, Calhau C. Modulation of aromatase activity by diet polyphenolic compounds. J Agric Food Chem. 2006 May 17;54(10):3535-40.

20. Satoh K, Sakamoto Y, Ogata A, Nagai F, Mikuriya H, Numazawa M, Yamada K, Aoki N. Inhibition of aromatase activity by green tea extract catechins and their endocrinological effects of oral administration in rats. Food Chem Toxicol. 2002 Jul;40(7):925-33.

21. Azadzoi KM, Schulman RN, Aviram M, Siroky MB. Oxidative stress in arteriogenic erectile dysfunction: prophylactic role of antioxidants. J Urol 2005;174:386-393.

Tags: Antidepressant, Antioxidant, Body, Cancer, Cardiovascular, Circulation, dysfunction, erectile, Food, Gain, Heart, hypertension, impotence, Mood, Osteoporosis, prostate, Relaxation, Sex drive, Sexual function, Sleep, Strength, Stress, Tension, Ulcers, Women

You might be allergic to wheat and not know it

Celiac Disease on the Rise?

Celiac disease, an immune system reaction to gluten in the diet, is more than four times more common today than it was 50 years ago, U.S. researchers say.

Dr. Joseph Murray of Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., also found that subjects who did not know they had celiac disease were nearly four times more likely than celiac-free subjects to have died during the 45 years of follow-up.

"Celiac disease has become much more common in the last 50 years, and we don't know why," Murray said in a statement. "It now affects about one in a hundred people."

In patients with celiac disease, the presence of the protein gluten from wheat, barley or rye triggers an immune system attack, damaging the villi in the small intestine. Villi are fingerlike projections that increase the intestine's surface area for nutrient absorption, Murray said.

The researchers tested blood samples gathered at Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming between 1948 and 1954 for the antibody that people with celiac disease produce in reaction to gluten. The study, published in the journal Gastroenterology, found young people today are 4.5 times more likely to have celiac disease than young people were in the 1950s.

"Something has changed in our environment to make it much more common," Murray said. "Until recently, the standard approach to finding celiac disease has been to wait for people to complain of symptoms and to come to the doctor for investigation."

Celiac article #2:
Many Celiacs Go Undiagnosed

For people newly diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine, the world can seem upside down.

Whole-wheat bread, granola, bran cereal -- staples of a healthy diet -- suddenly are poisonous, capable of causing malnutrition, neurological problems, infertility, even cancer down the road. For those with severe cases, ingestion of the tiniest morsel of wheat or gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, can trigger severe abdominal pains and diarrhea.

Though rare, celiac disease is dramatically on the rise, according to the results of a newly released study by scientists at the Mayo Clinic.

The widely accepted statistic is that one in 133 people has celiac disease, or about 1 percent of the population, but the more alarming statistic is that the majority of people who have celiac don't know it.

Henry J. Binder, a professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, calls celiac an "iceberg" disease.

"Individuals who have been diagnosed because they have symptoms would be the small tip of the iceberg," he said.

Those without the classic digestive symptoms, or with no symptoms at all, represent the bulk of the iceberg that remains underwater.

"There's the potential for a very large number of individuals having celiac disease," he said.

Celiac disease is four times more common now than it was 50 years ago, according to a major study by Joseph Murray and other doctors at the Mayo Clinic, published in this month's issue of the journal, Gastroenterology.

The study compared blood samples collected from 9,133 adults between 1948 and 1954 at the Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming to blood samples taken more recently from 12,768 people in Olmsted County, Minn. The samples were tested for antibodies commonly present when a person has celiac disease and has been eating gluten-containing food. In addition to a rise in the disease, researchers discovered that people whose blood tested positive for celiac disease in the 1950s, but didn't know they had celiac, were four times more likely to die sooner.

The findings raise new questions about whether the general population should be screened for the disease, or if doctors should continue to screen only people who have risk factors for developing the disease -- people with a family member who has celiac or people with autoimmune disorders, like type 1 diabetes and thyroid disease. Other symptoms besides the classic digestive ones that could indicate celiac are anemia, vitamin deficiency, infertility, weight loss and bone disorders.

With the sharp rise in the prevalence of celiac disease comes a parallel increase in awareness of the disorder and options for gluten-free living. Celiac disease is easily treated by completely eliminating gluten-containing foods from a person's diet. A person diagnosed several decades ago had a more difficult time finding gluten-free items at local supermarkets and health-food stores.

Bill Jacobs, president of the Greater New Haven Celiac Group, a support network for people with the disease, got his diagnosis in 1982. He was 32.

After going through myriad tests and getting a misdiagnosis of stomach ulcers along the way, Jacobs' gastroenterologist discovered the cause of stomach woes -- celiac disease.

"I never heard of it in my life," said Jacobs, who lives in Cheshire and has been glutenfree since his diagnosis.

At first, Jacobs spent hours in the grocery store reading labels and looking for foods safe for him to eat.

"The problem was when I got the gluten-free list, it was like going on a scavenger hunt in the store," he recalled.

But in the several decades since his diagnosis, the world has become an increasingly celiacfriendly place. So when Jacobs' daughter, Keri Jacobs, was diagnosed several years ago at age 13, the transition to gluten-free living was smoother.

"The fact that my dad has it and I see how he has to eat makes it easier," said Keri, now 17 and newly graduated from Cheshire High School.

Keri Jacobs is a classic example of someone who had no symptoms of celiac disease but was screened for it because of her dad.

Her blood work was "off the charts," according to her dad, and a biopsy of her small intestine revealed extensive damage.

Camaraderie is a big thing for people with celiac disease because the condition can be isolating. When Keri and Bill Jacobs discovered Ernie's Pizzeria on Whalley Avenue, where you can special-order a gluten-free pizza, the experience was emotional.

"It was really nice to be able to go out and have pizza with my family," Keri said.

The need for a celiac network to help newly diagnosed people is what led Jane Trevett to cofound the Greater New Haven Celiac Group with friend and fellow celiac sufferer Beverly Chevalier more than a decade ago.

When the Greater New Haven Celiac Group first met in 1996, there were 15 people. Now the group has 275 members and is growing.

Over the years, Trevett has seen an increase in the quantity but also the quality of gluten-free food.

"When I first started eating gluten-free food, my husband wouldn't go near it. Now when I make a brownie mix, I can't keep him away," she said.

Health-food markets such of Edge of the Woods in New Haven and Thyme & Season in Hamden offer extensive gluten-free options. Local restaurants like Ernie's Pizzeria and Claire's Corner Copia on Chapel Street have gluten-free menu items. Even some bakeries like Dee's One Smart Cookie in Glastonbury have tuned into the need.

Hamden-based gluten-free foodie Jennifer Rafferty keeps a blog, www.glutenfreeinspired. com, where she offers local restaurant and product reviews and musings from a gluten-free perspective. Her blog gets about 60 visits per day on average.

Schools and universities are starting to respond to the growing demand for gluten-free options as well.

Robert Landolphi, culinary operations manager at the University of Connecticut, helped create a comprehensive gluten-free plan for students there.

What started as small changes to the menu evolved into the development of a substantial gluten-free program for students and staff members who have celiac.

For Mexican dishes, Landolphi uses corn instead of flour tortillas.

Celiac article #3:
Is This Hidden Allergy Hijacking Your Good Health?

The only thing worse than knowing you have celiac disease is not knowing that you have it-and just one look at the trademark signs of this devastating disorder provides ample evidence of that. Yet research suggests that as many as 97 percent of celiac sufferers will remain undiagnosed... and if you've been watching your health spiral out of control with no apparent cause to speak of, then you may just be one of them.1

Celiac disease (CD) is a genetic disorder characterized by an extreme allergic reaction to wheat-and more specifically, the protein gluten and its subfraction gliadin-in your digestive tract. When you have CD, even the smallest amount of gluten in your diet can trigger an immune assault on the lining of your small intestine, giving way to chronic bowel inflammation-and all of the numerous (and potentially deadly) complications that come with it.2-3

Diarrhea, constipation, weight problems, and the poor absorption of critical nutrients-including iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, B vitamins, and essential fatty acids, to name a few-are just the beginning. In time, CD can affect just about every system in your body. Diabetes, osteoporosis, and abdominal cancer are all linked to celiac disease... and believe it or not, clinical depression is one of the best indications that you're suffering from an undiagnosed case of this very dangerous condition.4

Making matters worse is the frustrating fact that wheat gluten is everywhere. Sure, there are the usual suspects-like bread, pasta, and cereal. But you'll also find wheat flour as filler in cold cuts, a thickening agent in sauces, a binding agent in many pharmaceuticals-even dusted on frozen vegetables.5

When it comes to celiac disease, there's no question that knowing your enemy is half the battle-and that positively identifying your condition is absolutely critical. Because while removing all of these gluten sources from your diet may sound like an impossible task, it's also a necessary one if you suffer from CD.6

So how can you be sure that wheat is the culprit behind your bad health? Well, an intestinal biopsy is considered the gold standard in testing-but if you're looking for a less invasive option, there are simple blood tests available, too. In fact, VRP offers one inexpensive option that doesn't even require a trip to your doctor for reliably accurate results.7

The Celiac Antibody Profile is an easy-to-perform finger-prick blood spot test, complete with all of the necessary materials for both collection and free shipping to a screening laboratory. The results of your test will be delivered within 10 to 14 days of receipt, alerting you of your body's individual gluten sensitivity profile-and allowing you to start tackling this dangerous hidden health threat with the certainty you deserve.

References:

1. Celiac Disease Statistics Jefferson Adams Published 6/26/06; Celiac Disease facts and figures, University of Chicago Celiac Center.

2. James Braly MD. Food Allergy Relief. 2000.

3. James Braly MD & Patrick Holford. Hidden Food Allergies. Basic Health Publications, Inc. 2006

4. James Braly MD & Patrick Holford. Hidden Food Allergies. Basic Health Publications, Inc. 2006; Canadian Celiac Association "Celiac Disease" Dr. Mohsin Rashid.

5. Dr James Braly's Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution 1992; Canadian Celiac Association "Celiac Disease" Dr. Mohsin Rashid.

6. Canadian Celiac Association "Celiac Disease" Dr. Mohsin Rashid; James Braly MD & Ron Hoggan MA. Dangerous Grains. Avery. 2002.

7. James Braly MD & Patrick Holford. Hidden Food Allergies. Basic Health Publications, Inc. 2006; James Braly MD. Food Allergy Relief. James Braly MD 2000.

Tags: Allergies, Anemia, Body, Calcium, Cancer, Celiac, Chest, Cold, Constipation, Cuts, Depression, Diabetes, diarrhea, Food, Food allergies, Gas, gluten, Immune, Immune system, Liver, Nutrient absorption, Osteoporosis, Pain, Ulcers, Vitamins, Weight, Weight loss

Many Celiacs Go Undiagnosed

Posted Aug 23, 2009

For people newly diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine, the world can seem upside down.

Whole-wheat bread, granola, bran cereal — staples of a healthy diet — suddenly are poisonous, capable of causing malnutrition, neurological problems, infertility, even cancer down the road. For those with severe cases, ingestion of the tiniest morsel of wheat or gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, can trigger severe abdominal pains and diarrhea.

Though rare, celiac disease is dramatically on the rise, according to the results of a newly released study by scientists at the Mayo Clinic.

The widely accepted statistic is that one in 133 people has celiac disease, or about 1 percent of the population, but the more alarming statistic is that the majority of people who have celiac don’t know it.

Henry J. Binder, a professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, calls celiac an “iceberg” disease.

“Individuals who have been diagnosed because they have symptoms would be the small tip of the iceberg,” he said.

Those without the classic digestive symptoms, or with no symptoms at all, represent the bulk of the iceberg that remains underwater.

“There’s the potential for a very large number of individuals having celiac disease,” he said.

Celiac disease is four times more common now than it was 50 years ago, according to a major study by Joseph Murray and other doctors at the Mayo Clinic, published in this month’s issue of the journal, Gastroenterology.

The study compared blood samples collected from 9,133 adults between 1948 and 1954 at the Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming to blood samples taken more recently from 12,768 people in Olmsted County, Minn. The samples were tested for antibodies commonly present when a person has celiac disease and has been eating gluten-containing food. In addition to a rise in the disease, researchers discovered that people whose blood tested positive for celiac disease in the 1950s, but didn’t know they had celiac, were four times more likely to die sooner.

The findings raise new questions about whether the general population should be screened for the disease, or if doctors should continue to screen only people who have risk factors for developing the disease — people with a family member who has celiac or people with autoimmune disorders, like type 1 diabetes and thyroid disease. Other symptoms besides the classic digestive ones that could indicate celiac are anemia, vitamin deficiency, infertility, weight loss and bone disorders.

With the sharp rise in the prevalence of celiac disease comes a parallel increase in awareness of the disorder and options for gluten-free living. Celiac disease is easily treated by completely eliminating gluten-containing foods from a person’s diet. A person diagnosed several decades ago had a more difficult time finding gluten-free items at local supermarkets and health-food stores.

Bill Jacobs, president of the Greater New Haven Celiac Group, a support network for people with the disease, got his diagnosis in 1982. He was 32.

After going through myriad tests and getting a misdiagnosis of stomach ulcers along the way, Jacobs’ gastroenterologist discovered the cause of stomach woes — celiac disease.

“I never heard of it in my life,” said Jacobs, who lives in Cheshire and has been glutenfree since his diagnosis.

At first, Jacobs spent hours in the grocery store reading labels and looking for foods safe for him to eat.

“The problem was when I got the gluten-free list, it was like going on a scavenger hunt in the store,” he recalled.

But in the several decades since his diagnosis, the world has become an increasingly celiacfriendly place. So when Jacobs’ daughter, Keri Jacobs, was diagnosed several years ago at age 13, the transition to gluten-free living was smoother.

“The fact that my dad has it and I see how he has to eat makes it easier,” said Keri, now 17 and newly graduated from Cheshire High School.

Keri Jacobs is a classic example of someone who had no symptoms of celiac disease but was screened for it because of her dad.

Her blood work was “off the charts,” according to her dad, and a biopsy of her small intestine revealed extensive damage.

Camaraderie is a big thing for people with celiac disease because the condition can be isolating. When Keri and Bill Jacobs discovered Ernie’s Pizzeria on Whalley Avenue, where you can special-order a gluten-free pizza, the experience was emotional.

“It was really nice to be able to go out and have pizza with my family,” Keri said.

The need for a celiac network to help newly diagnosed people is what led Jane Trevett to cofound the Greater New Haven Celiac Group with friend and fellow celiac sufferer Beverly Chevalier more than a decade ago.

When the Greater New Haven Celiac Group first met in 1996, there were 15 people. Now the group has 275 members and is growing.

Over the years, Trevett has seen an increase in the quantity but also the quality of gluten-free food.

“When I first started eating gluten-free food, my husband wouldn’t go near it. Now when I make a brownie mix, I can’t keep him away,” she said.

Health-food markets such of Edge of the Woods in New Haven and Thyme & Season in Hamden offer extensive gluten-free options. Local restaurants like Ernie’s Pizzeria and Claire’s Corner Copia on Chapel Street have gluten-free menu items. Even some bakeries like Dee’s One Smart Cookie in Glastonbury have tuned into the need.

Hamden-based gluten-free foodie Jennifer Rafferty keeps a blog, www.glutenfreeinspired. com, where she offers local restaurant and product reviews and musings from a gluten-free perspective. Her blog gets about 60 visits per day on average.

Schools and universities are starting to respond to the growing demand for gluten-free options as well.

Robert Landolphi, culinary operations manager at the University of Connecticut, helped create a comprehensive gluten-free plan for students there.

What started as small changes to the menu evolved into the development of a substantial gluten-free program for students and staff members who have celiac.

For Mexican dishes, Landolphi uses corn instead of flour tortillas.

The kitchen switched to a gluten-free soy sauce for its stir-fries and offers gluten-free cold cuts and gluten free bread for sandwiches. There’s even a gluten-free toaster available to students to ensure no cross-contamination.

“I think we’re doing a pretty good job,” Landolphi said.

The university now offers gluten-free options for every meal at every cafeteria on campus.

And the number of students and faculty members needing glutenfree meals has grown too, from a handful in 2000 to more than 60 now.

Landolphi, whose wife has celiac disease, has even written a cookbook called Gluten Free Everyday.

And there’s more good news for people with celiac disease. Binder noted that scientists are hard at work trying to develop a pill people can take that will make it safe to eat gluten-containing food.

Even without a miracle pill, gluten-free living is getting easier and easier, says Trevett. And she knows, having had the disease for four decades.

“I have gluten-free pizza in my freezer,” she said. “Did I ever think this would be possible? Forget it.”

Date: July 27, 2009

To see more of New Haven Register, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nhregister.com.

For people newly diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine, the world can seem upside down.

Whole-wheat bread, granola, bran cereal -- staples of a healthy diet -- suddenly are poisonous, capable of causing malnutrition, neurological problems, infertility, even cancer down the road. For those with severe cases, ingestion of the tiniest morsel of wheat or gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye and barley, can trigger severe abdominal pains and diarrhea.

Though rare, celiac disease is dramatically on the rise, according to the results of a newly released study by scientists at the Mayo Clinic.

Henry J. Binder, a professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine, calls celiac an "iceberg" disease.

"Individuals who have been diagnosed because they have symptoms would be the small tip of the iceberg," he said.

Those without the classic digestive symptoms, or with no symptoms at all, represent the bulk of the iceberg that remains underwater.

"There's the potential for a very large number of individuals having celiac disease," he said.

Celiac disease is four times more common now than it was 50 years ago, according to a major study by Joseph Murray and other doctors at the Mayo Clinic, published in this month's issue of the journal, Gastroenterology.

The study compared blood samples collected from 9,133 adults between 1948 and 1954 at the Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming to blood samples taken more recently from 12,768 people in Olmsted County, Minn. The samples were tested for antibodies commonly present when a person has celiac disease and has been eating gluten-containing food. In addition to a rise in the disease, researchers discovered that people whose blood tested positive for celiac disease in the 1950s, but didn't know they had celiac, were four times more likely to die sooner.

The findings raise new questions about whether the general population should be screened for the disease, or if doctors should continue to screen only people who have risk factors for developing the disease -- people with a family member who has celiac or people with autoimmune disorders, like type 1 diabetes and thyroid disease. Other symptoms besides the classic digestive ones that could indicate celiac are anemia, vitamin deficiency, infertility, weight loss and bone disorders.

With the sharp rise in the prevalence of celiac disease comes a parallel increase in awareness of the disorder and options for gluten-free living. Celiac disease is easily treated by completely eliminating gluten-containing foods from a person's diet. A person diagnosed several decades ago had a more difficult time finding gluten-free items at local supermarkets and health-food stores.

Bill Jacobs, president of the Greater New Haven Celiac Group, a support network for people with the disease, got his diagnosis in 1982. He was 32.

After going through myriad tests and getting a misdiagnosis of stomach ulcers along the way, Jacobs' gastroenterologist discovered the cause of stomach woes -- celiac disease.

"I never heard of it in my life," said Jacobs, who lives in Cheshire and has been glutenfree since his diagnosis.

At first, Jacobs spent hours in the grocery store reading labels and looking for foods safe for him to eat.

"The problem was when I got the gluten-free list, it was like going on a scavenger hunt in the store," he recalled.

But in the several decades since his diagnosis, the world has become an increasingly celiacfriendly place. So when Jacobs' daughter, Keri Jacobs, was diagnosed several years ago at age 13, the transition to gluten-free living was smoother.

"The fact that my dad has it and I see how he has to eat makes it easier," said Keri, now 17 and newly graduated from Cheshire High School.

Keri Jacobs is a classic example of someone who had no symptoms of celiac disease but was screened for it because of her dad.

Her blood work was "off the charts," according to her dad, and a biopsy of her small intestine revealed extensive damage.

Camaraderie is a big thing for people with celiac disease because the condition can be isolating. When Keri and Bill Jacobs discovered Ernie's Pizzeria on Whalley Avenue, where you can special-order a gluten-free pizza, the experience was emotional.

"It was really nice to be able to go out and have pizza with my family," Keri said.

When the Greater New Haven Celiac Group first met in 1996, there were 15 people. Now the group has 275 members and is growing.

Over the years, Trevett has seen an increase in the quantity but also the quality of gluten-free food.

"When I first started eating gluten-free food, my husband wouldn't go near it. Now when I make a brownie mix, I can't keep him away," she said.

Health-food markets such of Edge of the Woods in New Haven and Thyme & Season in Hamden offer extensive gluten-free options. Local restaurants like Ernie's Pizzeria and Claire's Corner Copia on Chapel Street have gluten-free menu items. Even some bakeries like Dee's One Smart Cookie in Glastonbury have tuned into the need.

Schools and universities are starting to respond to the growing demand for gluten-free options as well.

Robert Landolphi, culinary operations manager at the University of Connecticut, helped create a comprehensive gluten-free plan for students there.

What started as small changes to the menu evolved into the development of a substantial gluten-free program for students and staff members who have celiac.

For Mexican dishes, Landolphi uses corn instead of flour tortillas.

The kitchen switched to a gluten-free soy sauce for its stir-fries and offers gluten-free cold cuts and gluten free bread for sandwiches. There's even a gluten-free toaster available to students to ensure no cross-contamination.

"I think we're doing a pretty good job," Landolphi said.

The university now offers gluten-free options for every meal at every cafeteria on campus.

And the number of students and faculty members needing glutenfree meals has grown too, from a handful in 2000 to more than 60 now.

Landolphi, whose wife has celiac disease, has even written a cookbook called Gluten Free Everyday.

And there's more good news for people with celiac disease. Binder noted that scientists are hard at work trying to develop a pill people can take that will make it safe to eat gluten-containing food.

Even without a miracle pill, gluten-free living is getting easier and easier, says Trevett. And she knows, having had the disease for four decades.

"I have gluten-free pizza in my freezer," she said. "Did I ever think this would be possible? Forget it."

Date: July 27, 2009

To see more of New Haven Register, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.nhregister.com.

Tags: Anemia, Cancer, Celiac, Cold, Cuts, Diabetes, diarrhea, Food, Gas, gluten, gluten free, Immune, Pain, Ulcers, Weight, Weight loss

Obesity May Bankrupt Us

Posted July 28, 2009

WASHINGTON – Obesity is not just dangerous, it is expensive. New research shows medical spending in the United States averages $1,400 more a year for an obese person than for someone who is normal weight.

Overall obesity-related health spending reaches $147 billion, double what it was nearly a decade ago, says the study published Monday by the journal Health Affairs.

The higher expense reflects the costs of treating diabetes, heart disease and other ailments far more common for the overweight, concluded the study by government scientists and the nonprofit research group RTI International.

RTI health economist Eric Finkelstein offers a blunt message for lawmakers trying to revamp the health care system: “Unless you address obesity, you’re never going to address rising health care costs.”

Obesity-related conditions now account for 9.1 percent of all medical spending, up from 6.5 percent in 1998, the study concluded.

Health economists have long warned that obesity is a driving force behind the rise in health spending. For example, diabetes costs the U.S. $190 billion a year to treat, and excess weight is the single biggest risk factor for developing diabetes. Moreover, obese diabetics are the hardest to treat, with higher rates of foot ulcers and amputations, among other things.

The new study’s look at per-capita spending may offer a shock to the wallets of people who have not yet heeded straight health warnings.

“Health care costs are dramatically higher for people who are obese and it doesn’t have to be that way,” said Jeff Levi of the nonprofit Trust for America’s Health, who wasn’t involved in the new research.

“We have ways of changing behavior and changing those health outcomes so that we don’t have to deal with the medical consequences of obesity,” added Levi, who advocates community-based programs that promote physical activity and better nutrition.

About a third of adult Americans are obese, and the obesity rate rose 37 percent between 1998 and 2006, the years covered by Monday’s study.

Prescription drugs for obesity-related illnesses account for much of the rise in spending. Medicare spends about $600 more per year on prescriptions for an obese beneficiary than a normal-weight one, the study found.

Date: July 28, 2009

On the Net:

Health Affairs: http://www.healthaffairs.org

RTI International: http://www.rti.org <

WASHINGTON - Obesity is not just dangerous, it is expensive. New research shows medical spending in the United States averages $1,400 more a year for an obese person than for someone who is normal weight.

Overall obesity-related health spending reaches $147 billion, double what it was nearly a decade ago, says the study published Monday by the journal Health Affairs.

RTI health economist Eric Finkelstein offers a blunt message for lawmakers trying to revamp the health care system: "Unless you address obesity, you're never going to address rising health care costs."

Obesity-related conditions now account for 9.1 percent of all medical spending, up from 6.5 percent in 1998, the study concluded.

The new study's look at per-capita spending may offer a shock to the wallets of people who have not yet heeded straight health warnings.

"Health care costs are dramatically higher for people who are obese and it doesn't have to be that way," said Jeff Levi of the nonprofit Trust for America's Health, who wasn't involved in the new research.

"We have ways of changing behavior and changing those health outcomes so that we don't have to deal with the medical consequences of obesity," added Levi, who advocates community-based programs that promote physical activity and better nutrition.

About a third of adult Americans are obese, and the obesity rate rose 37 percent between 1998 and 2006, the years covered by Monday's study.

Date: July 28, 2009

On the Net:

Health Affairs: http://www.healthaffairs.org

RTI International: http://www.rti.org <

Tags: Diabetes, Heart, Ulcers, Weight

One Common Heart Risk… Many Different Consequences

It’s tempting to think of abnormal blood clots as "matters of the heart"-they do, after all, play a major role in heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

But if irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, or even fibromyalgia top your list of health concerns instead, you’d still be wise not to turn a blind eye to your blood-because as it turns out, hypercoagulation might be responsible for more than just heart trouble… a lot more.

Consider Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis-two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A study has shown that patients with both disorders have abnormal coagulation and reduced ability to break down the clotting protein fibrin. Both of these blood viscosity-related factors have a direct influence on the severity of these disorders-while also increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the same patients, at a much earlier age.1-2

Migraine sufferers also demonstrate more rapid platelet aggregation and more active fibrinogen receptors-two major signs of hypercoagulation.3 And this same tendency has been seen in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients, suggesting that it may play a role in the development of these disorders, too.4 Finally, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, and even hemorrhoids have all been strongly linked to increased fibrinogen levels-along with diabetic ulcers and retinopathy, too.

In short: healthy blood clotting is critical for many more reasons. Fortunately, a single, natural enzyme is all you need to maintain a healthy viscosity of the blood.

Derived from fermented soy, nattokinase is four times more powerful than plasmin (a natural anti-coagulant produced within your body) when it comes to dissolving blood clots-making it the most potent anti-clotting agent available.12-13 Its numerous benefits are well documented in both animal and human studies: For example, rats fed nattokinase experienced fewer clots following arterial injury.14 And a human study has shown that travelers given nattokinase receive significant protection against DVT and edema during long flights, in contrast to untreated subjects.15

Its natural clot-busting abilities also make nattokinase a powerful solution for blood pressure control, with placebo-controlled trials showing significant drops in systolic and diastolic readings among hypertensive patients in as little as eight weeks.16 And more surprising research suggests that it may be helpful at halting other developments as well-this time, offering protection for your aging brain.

New research shows that this enzyme also has the ability to cleave and degrade the amyloid protein deposits that characterize Alzheimer’s disease.17 That makes nattokinase one of the only known compounds with this crucial ability -reinforcing its role as a powerful natural substance that can play an important role in a number of factors involved in your longevity and lasting health.

It's tempting to think of abnormal blood clots as "matters of the heart"-they do, after all, play a major role in heart disease, stroke, and high blood pressure.

But if irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), migraines, or even fibromyalgia top your list of health concerns instead, you'd still be wise not to turn a blind eye to your blood-because as it turns out, hypercoagulation might be responsible for more than just heart trouble... a lot more.

Consider Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis-two major forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). A study has shown that patients with both disorders have abnormal coagulation and reduced ability to break down the clotting protein fibrin. Both of these blood viscosity-related factors have a direct influence on the severity of these disorders-while also increasing the risk of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in the same patients, at a much earlier age.1-2

Migraine sufferers also demonstrate more rapid platelet aggregation and more active fibrinogen receptors-two major signs of hypercoagulation.3 And this same tendency has been seen in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue patients, suggesting that it may play a role in the development of these disorders, too.4 Finally, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), varicose veins, and even hemorrhoids have all been strongly linked to increased fibrinogen levels-along with diabetic ulcers and retinopathy, too.

In short: healthy blood clotting is critical for many more reasons. Fortunately, a single, natural enzyme is all you need to maintain a healthy viscosity of the blood.

Derived from fermented soy, nattokinase is four times more powerful than plasmin (a natural anti-coagulant produced within your body) when it comes to dissolving blood clots-making it the most potent anti-clotting agent available.12-13 Its numerous benefits are well documented in both animal and human studies: For example, rats fed nattokinase experienced fewer clots following arterial injury.14 And a human study has shown that travelers given nattokinase receive significant protection against DVT and edema during long flights, in contrast to untreated subjects.15

Its natural clot-busting abilities also make nattokinase a powerful solution for blood pressure control, with placebo-controlled trials showing significant drops in systolic and diastolic readings among hypertensive patients in as little as eight weeks.16 And more surprising research suggests that it may be helpful at halting other developments as well-this time, offering protection for your aging brain.

New research shows that this enzyme also has the ability to cleave and degrade the amyloid protein deposits that characterize Alzheimer's disease.17 That makes nattokinase one of the only known compounds with this crucial ability -reinforcing its role as a powerful natural substance that can play an important role in a number of factors involved in your longevity and lasting health.

Tags: Body, Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, Flu, Gain, Heart, high blood pressure, IBS, Injury, Irritable bowel syndrome, Migraine, Ulcers

Canker sores – What they mean and what to do

Certain foods, such as citrus fruits, can make painful canker sores worse.

"When both parents have a history of canker sores, the likelihood of their children developing them can be as high as 90%," he says. Other research points to food allergies and hormonal changes, such as chronic stress, anxiety and the menstrual cycle.

Recent research provides a few other clues on what may be behind canker sores and what to do about them.

B12 is key

A team of physicians at Ben-Gurion University say that a nightly dose of vitamin B12 is a simple, effective and low-risk therapy to prevent canker sores. They tested 58 randomly selected patients with recurrent canker sores who received either 1,000 mcg of B12 by mouth at bedtime or a placebo, and were tested monthly for six months. Almost three quarters of the patients taking B12 and only a third of the control group achieved remission at the end of the study. The treated patients expressed greater comfort, reported less pain, fewer ulcers, and shorter outbreaks during the six months while among the control group the average pain level decreased during the first half of the period but increased during the second half.

Herbal help

Other researchers examined the effects of licorice extract applied via an adhesive patch for treatment of canker sores versus no treatment. After seven days of treatment, ulcer size in the group who took the licorice was significantly lower, while ulcer size in the no-treatment group had increased 13%.

Licorice, typically in the form of DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is also widely used as a treatment for gastric ulcers. DGL lozenges are available in health food stores and may be an alternative to adhesive patches. Dr Michael Martin adds that "in addition to speeding healing of the canker sores, the licorice extract helped to reduce pain after just three days of treatment."

Nutrition clues

An earlier study points to other nutrient deficiencies that may contribute to canker sores. Japanese researchers compared food intake among patients with recurrent canker sores and control patients. They found a significantly positive correlation with lower intake of calcium, iron, vitamin B1 and vitamin C among canker sore sufferers. They concluded that "not only iron and vitamin B1 might be deficient in these patients but also calcium and vitamin C."

Sources: General Dentistry, Mar/Apr 2008; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Feb 10, 2009; Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2001 Jan;91(1):45-9

Canker sores, also known as aphthous ulcers, appear as shallow, light-coloured mouth sores of different sizes and affect one in five North Americans. While no one is certain of any single cause, research does point to a few possibilities. Among them, a genetic predisposition might be the biggest cause, says Michael Martin, PhD, of the Department of Oral Medicine at the University of Washington.

Certain foods, such as citrus fruits, can make painful canker sores worse.

"When both parents have a history of canker sores, the likelihood of their children developing them can be as high as 90%," he says. Other research points to food allergies and hormonal changes, such as chronic stress, anxiety and the menstrual cycle.

Recent research provides a few other clues on what may be behind canker sores and what to do about them.

B12 is key

A team of physicians at Ben-Gurion University say that a nightly dose of vitamin B12 is a simple, effective and low-risk therapy to prevent canker sores. They tested 58 randomly selected patients with recurrent canker sores who received either 1,000 mcg of B12 by mouth at bedtime or a placebo, and were tested monthly for six months. Almost three quarters of the patients taking B12 and only a third of the control group achieved remission at the end of the study. The treated patients expressed greater comfort, reported less pain, fewer ulcers, and shorter outbreaks during the six months while among the control group the average pain level decreased during the first half of the period but increased during the second half.

Herbal help

Other researchers examined the effects of licorice extract applied via an adhesive patch for treatment of canker sores versus no treatment. After seven days of treatment, ulcer size in the group who took the licorice was significantly lower, while ulcer size in the no-treatment group had increased 13%.

Licorice, typically in the form of DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is also widely used as a treatment for gastric ulcers. DGL lozenges are available in health food stores and may be an alternative to adhesive patches. Dr Michael Martin adds that "in addition to speeding healing of the canker sores, the licorice extract helped to reduce pain after just three days of treatment."

Nutrition clues

An earlier study points to other nutrient deficiencies that may contribute to canker sores. Japanese researchers compared food intake among patients with recurrent canker sores and control patients. They found a significantly positive correlation with lower intake of calcium, iron, vitamin B1 and vitamin C among canker sore sufferers. They concluded that "not only iron and vitamin B1 might be deficient in these patients but also calcium and vitamin C."

Sources: General Dentistry, Mar/Apr 2008; Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Feb 10, 2009; Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod. 2001 Jan;91(1):45-9

Tags: Allergies, Anxiety, Calcium, Children, Food, Food allergies, Gas, Healing, Pain, Stress, Ulcers

Living Without Gluten

Posted Mar 7, 2009

When Bob Wemple was diagnosed with celiac disease in October 2003, his stomach pains had already led him through a bewildering set of diagnoses, including acid reflux, ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome.

For Wemple, 67, his diagnosis of celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that prevents people from processing gluten found in wheat, rye and barley, nearly came too late.

One month after his diagnosis, he rushed to the doctor with excruciating stomach pain. Within hours he learned he had B-Cell non- Hodgkin’s lymphoma — a cancer more common in people with celiac disease — and embarked on a three-month chemotherapy regimen along with a lifelong change in what he can eat.

A lot has changed since Wemple was hit with dueling diagnoses of gluten intolerance and cancer. Once estimated at one in every 1,000 people, a 2003 study found that one in 133 people have celiac disease, according to pediatric gastroenterologist Alessio Fasano, director of the Center for Celiac Research at the University of Maryland.

As awareness grows about celiac disease and more people are tested and diagnosed, a wider array of gluten-free products is available in restaurants and supermarkets.

Many people who don’t have celiac disease have also started gluten-free diets, citing improvement in symptoms like fatigue, migraines and autism.

Wheat at your own risk

Individuals with celiac disease cannot digest toxic components of the gluten protein found in wheat (which includes durum, graham, kamut, semolina and spelt), barley and rye. The condition can cause inflammation and serious intestinal damage, according to gastroenterologist Peter Green, director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University.

People with celiac disease are often unable to absorb nutrients, leading to malnutrition, anemia and osteoporosis. Their overall cancer risk is also twice as high as people who don’t have the disease, according to Green.

Diagnosing the disease is difficult because of the variety of symptoms, including constipation, diarrhea, bloating, dry skin, weight loss and back pain. It is also associated with the skin rash dermatitis herpetiformis, Green says.

Many physicians still believe celiac disease is uncommon and relatively insignificant and don’t routinely test for it, Green says. “It is a medical education disorder.”

For people with celiac disease, there is no magic pill — the only treatment is to stay away from gluten. The lack of medication options may help to explain why many people in the United States have been misdiagnosed, says Green.

In the U.S., 1 percent of people may have celiac disease but only 1 percent of them have been diagnosed, he says. Elsewhere, the number of people diagnosed climbs much higher.

Increasing awareness

As awareness grows about celiac disease, going glutenfree has grown easier, Wemple says. Many local supermarkets have glutenfree sections. Restaurants like Olive Garden and P.F. Chang’s and Paisano’s Italian Restaurant in Albuquerque have glutenfree options.

Since 2004, the Food and Drug Administration has required manufacturers to list eight common allergens, including wheat. But people with celiac disease must still read labels to make sure gluten doesn’t sneak its way into products, says Albuquerque dietitian Colleen Seeley. People with gluten intolerance must stay away from wheatbased additives used as thickening agents, which wind up in everything from salad dressing and instant coffee to lipstick.

When Seeley works with people diagnosed with celiac disease, she helps them organize meals and walks them through the supermarket to find safe products.

“If people adhere to the glutenfree diet they can live well,” she says. “Their daily intake needs to be kept simple and fresh — meats, fish, poultry, most dairy products fruit, vegetables, rice, potatoes, gluten-free flours and grains.”

Going gluten-free

Even without a celiac disease diagnosis, many people are simply staying away from gluten.

People with “gluten sensitivity” include those with celiac disease and wheat allergies, as well as those who experience symptoms after eating gluten but don’t have celiac disease, Fasano says.

Many parents of autistic children have also started their children on diets free of gluten and casein, a protein found in milk, to alleviate autism symptoms. Gastrointestinal problems like diarrhea and constipation are common in children with autism, says dietitian Elisabeth Ceysens of the Center for Development and Disability at the University of New Mexico.

Although there is no clinical evidence for cutting gluten, some parents note improved autism symptoms and fewer stomach problems, she says. Ceysens doesn’t recommend eliminating gluten but if parents start the diet, which can be costly and difficult to stick to, she tries to help them through it.

“Parents are really trying whatever they can, which is understandable,” she says.

Fasano cautions against adopting a gluten-free diet without first seeking medical help.

“Do you want to find out if you have celiac disease? Then you need to eat gluten and have the biopsy,” Green says.

‘It’s forever’

On a recent Saturday afternoon, members of Albuquerque’s Gluten Intolerance Support Group set out one gluten-free dish after another — sweet potato and apple casserole, spinach quiche, fruit salad, cheese and rice crackers, brownies and banana bread, to name a few. After they eat, the group talks gluten. Some members hold up new products, like gluten-free protein bars, or describe their own tricks for avoiding gluten.

Isabelle Fish, 83, who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1987, says it wasn’t always this way.

“At the time, doctors sent you to a health food store, and you thought, what do I do now?” Fish says.

Jan Siegrist was diagnosed with celiac disease six years ago. “This is wonderful because this is a potluck where we know we can eat,” she says, gesturing to the food.

At home, her daughter Johanna Jimenez makes bread from tapioca flour. If Jimenez craves something with gluten, she eats it on a separate paper plate and throws it in the garbage. There are varying degrees of sensitivity to gluten but cross-contamination is a risk for many people with celiac disease, Siegrist says.

Wemple recalls the time he ate a caramel apple without realizing flour had been added. Within hours, he was doubled over in pain.

“You don’t cheat,” Siegrist says. “It’s a lifestyle change and it’s forever.”

Resources

For information on celiac disease or to attend a support group, contact Marilyn Johnson at 299-5283 or Bob Wemple at 298-2048 with the Albuquerque Gluten Intolerance Support Group or see:

csaceliacs.org

celiac.nih.gov

celiac.org

gluten.net

glutenfreerestaurants.org

lifewithoutgluten.com

Hidden perils

According to 2006 guidelines published by the American Dietetic Association, the following processed foods may sometimes contain gluten: bouillon cubes, brown rice syrup, potato chips, candy, cold cuts, hot dogs, communion wafers, french fries, gravy, imitation fish, matzo, rice mixes, sauces, seasoned tortilla chips, sauces, self-basting turkey, soy sauce, vegetables in sauce.

Feb 25, 2009

For Wemple, 67, his diagnosis of celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that prevents people from processing gluten found in wheat, rye and barley, nearly came too late.

One month after his diagnosis, he rushed to the doctor with excruciating stomach pain. Within hours he learned he had B-Cell non- Hodgkin's lymphoma -- a cancer more common in people with celiac disease -- and embarked on a three-month chemotherapy regimen along with a lifelong change in what he can eat.

As awareness grows about celiac disease and more people are tested and diagnosed, a wider array of gluten-free products is available in restaurants and supermarkets.

Many people who don't have celiac disease have also started gluten-free diets, citing improvement in symptoms like fatigue, migraines and autism.

Wheat at your own risk

Many physicians still believe celiac disease is uncommon and relatively insignificant and don't routinely test for it, Green says. "It is a medical education disorder."

For people with celiac disease, there is no magic pill -- the only treatment is to stay away from gluten. The lack of medication options may help to explain why many people in the United States have been misdiagnosed, says Green.

In the U.S., 1 percent of people may have celiac disease but only 1 percent of them have been diagnosed, he says. Elsewhere, the number of people diagnosed climbs much higher.

Increasing awareness

As awareness grows about celiac disease, going glutenfree has grown easier, Wemple says. Many local supermarkets have glutenfree sections. Restaurants like Olive Garden and P.F. Chang's and Paisano's Italian Restaurant in Albuquerque have glutenfree options.

Since 2004, the Food and Drug Administration has required manufacturers to list eight common allergens, including wheat. But people with celiac disease must still read labels to make sure gluten doesn't sneak its way into products, says Albuquerque dietitian Colleen Seeley. People with gluten intolerance must stay away from wheatbased additives used as thickening agents, which wind up in everything from salad dressing and instant coffee to lipstick.

When Seeley works with people diagnosed with celiac disease, she helps them organize meals and walks them through the supermarket to find safe products.

"If people adhere to the glutenfree diet they can live well," she says. "Their daily intake needs to be kept simple and fresh -- meats, fish, poultry, most dairy products fruit, vegetables, rice, potatoes, gluten-free flours and grains."

Going gluten-free

Even without a celiac disease diagnosis, many people are simply staying away from gluten.

People with "gluten sensitivity" include those with celiac disease and wheat allergies, as well as those who experience symptoms after eating gluten but don't have celiac disease, Fasano says.

Although there is no clinical evidence for cutting gluten, some parents note improved autism symptoms and fewer stomach problems, she says. Ceysens doesn't recommend eliminating gluten but if parents start the diet, which can be costly and difficult to stick to, she tries to help them through it.

"Parents are really trying whatever they can, which is understandable," she says.

Fasano cautions against adopting a gluten-free diet without first seeking medical help.

"Do you want to find out if you have celiac disease? Then you need to eat gluten and have the biopsy," Green says.

'It's forever'

On a recent Saturday afternoon, members of Albuquerque's Gluten Intolerance Support Group set out one gluten-free dish after another -- sweet potato and apple casserole, spinach quiche, fruit salad, cheese and rice crackers, brownies and banana bread, to name a few. After they eat, the group talks gluten. Some members hold up new products, like gluten-free protein bars, or describe their own tricks for avoiding gluten.

Isabelle Fish, 83, who was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1987, says it wasn't always this way.

"At the time, doctors sent you to a health food store, and you thought, what do I do now?" Fish says.

Jan Siegrist was diagnosed with celiac disease six years ago. "This is wonderful because this is a potluck where we know we can eat," she says, gesturing to the food.

Wemple recalls the time he ate a caramel apple without realizing flour had been added. Within hours, he was doubled over in pain.

"You don't cheat," Siegrist says. "It's a lifestyle change and it's forever."

Resources

For information on celiac disease or to attend a support group, contact Marilyn Johnson at 299-5283 or Bob Wemple at 298-2048 with the Albuquerque Gluten Intolerance Support Group or see:

csaceliacs.org

celiac.nih.gov

celiac.org

gluten.net

glutenfreerestaurants.org

lifewithoutgluten.com

Hidden perils

Feb 25, 2009

Tags: Allergies, Anemia, Autism, Autistic, Bloating, Cancer, Celiac, Children, Cold, Constipation, Cuts, diarrhea, Dry skin, Fatigue, Flu, Food, Gain, Gas, gluten, Immune, Information, Migraine, Osteoporosis, Pain, Skin, Ulcers, Weight, Weight loss

Herbal help for pesky canker sores

Genetic predisposition may underlie most cases of recurring canker sores.

Researchers examined the effects of licorice extract applied via an adhesive patch for treatment of canker sores versus no treatment. After seven days of treatment, ulcer size in the group who took the licorice was significantly lower, while ulcer size in the no-treatment group had increased 13%.

Among the causes of canker sores, a genetic predisposition might be the biggest cause, says Michael Martin, PhD, lead author of the study. "When both parents have a history of canker sores, the likelihood of their children developing them can be as high as 90%," he says.

The most serious side effect of canker sores is sharp pain in the mouth, which can interfere with an individual’s quality of life. Dr. Martin revealed that "in addition to speeding healing of the canker sores, the [licorice] helped to reduce pain after just three days of treatment."

Eric Shapira, DDS, MAGD, an Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson, adds: "Increasing vitamins and other herbs, such as vitamin C and zinc , can help treat canker sores because they help to regenerate tissue cells."

Source: General Dentistry, Mar/Apr 2008

Canker sores appear as shallow mouth ulcers of different sizes and affects one in five North Americans. They can be caused by food allergies and hormonal changes, and also can cause severe mouth pain. But these bothersome sores may be relieved by licorice root herbal extract.

Genetic predisposition may underlie most cases of recurring canker sores.

Researchers examined the effects of licorice extract applied via an adhesive patch for treatment of canker sores versus no treatment. After seven days of treatment, ulcer size in the group who took the licorice was significantly lower, while ulcer size in the no-treatment group had increased 13%.

Licorice, typically in the form of DGL (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) is also widely used as a treatment for gastric ulcers. DGL lozenges are available in health food stores and may be an alternative to adhesive patches.

Among the causes of canker sores, a genetic predisposition might be the biggest cause, says Michael Martin, PhD, lead author of the study. "When both parents have a history of canker sores, the likelihood of their children developing them can be as high as 90%," he says.

The most serious side effect of canker sores is sharp pain in the mouth, which can interfere with an individual's quality of life. Dr. Martin revealed that "in addition to speeding healing of the canker sores, the [licorice] helped to reduce pain after just three days of treatment."

Eric Shapira, DDS, MAGD, an Academy of General Dentistry spokesperson, adds: "Increasing vitamins and other herbs, such as vitamin C and zinc , can help treat canker sores because they help to regenerate tissue cells."

Source: General Dentistry, Mar/Apr 2008

Tags: Allergies, Children, Food, Food allergies, Gas, Healing, Pain, Ulcers, Vitamins


Cheque

ULCERS