June 7, 2023

Wrong Vegetable Oil Increases Heart Attack Risk

Heart attack rates peaked in the United States in 1968. In this era, it was not unusual for a man under age 60 to die from sudden cardiac arrest.  A debate raged in the 1960s as to which dietary factors were responsible for the epidemic of coronary artery blockage. One side claimed saturated fat to be a factor because it raised blood cholesterol. They pointed to studies showing that vegetable fat sources such as corn would therefore reduce heart attack risk. These vegetable sources of oil contain high amounts of omega-6 fats. Excessive consumption of omega-6s can create chronic inflammatory reactions. […]
May 23, 2023

8 Ways To Make Foods Better For You

  Beyond the nutritional value of meals, scientists are working to uncover how certain foods should be eaten, what they should be combined with and how they are best absorbed. Discover these eight amazing tweaks to make good-for-you foods even better. 1. Making curry? Add black pepper Turmeric, the spice that gives curry powder its distinctive yellow color, is being studied for its ability to halt the production of cancer cells. Turmeric contains the potent antioxidant curcumin, the active ingredient with anti-cancer potential. Curcumin is not well absorbed by the body, but a sprinkle of black pepper can enhance curcumin […]
May 11, 2023

The Cancer-Fighting Impact of Black Tea

Preclinical data show that black tea theaflavins block cancer development and progression. Human studies are urgently needed to evaluate these findings in the clinical setting. It has been observed that people with higher intake of black tea have reduced rates of cancers.1 That may be due to a compound found in black tea called theaflavins. In cell culture and animal models, theaflavins have demonstrated anti-cancer effects, working in multiple ways to slow the spread and progression of many types of cancer.1-5 One group of scientists has dubbed black tea “the future panacea for cancer.”2 Systemic Effects of Theaflavins When green tea leaves are fermented to make black tea, compounds called theaflavins are formed.6 These black […]
April 25, 2023

Can Breathing Exercise Slash Blood Pressure?

Could working out five minutes a day, without lifting a single weight or jogging a single step, reduce your heart attack risk, help you think more clearly and boost your sports performance? Preliminary evidence suggests yes. Now, a Rael-Science post says with a new grant from the National Institute on Aging, CU Boulder researchers have launched a clinical trial to learn more about the ultra-time-efficient exercise known as Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST). “It’s basically strength-training for the muscles you breathe in with,” explains Daniel Craighead, a postdoctoral researcher in the Integrative Physiology department. “It’s something you can do quickly in your […]
February 28, 2023

Eating Walnuts May Extend Your Life

Harvard scientists recently found that 60-year-olds who ate five weekly servings of walnuts had a 1.3-year increase in lifespan. Walnuts may protect against diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Walnuts provide an array of health benefits. New evidence suggests that regular walnut consumption may contribute to a longer life.1 In a landmark study using data collected over 20 years, scientists with Harvard University discovered a link between eating more walnuts and a lower overall risk of death among older adults. This observational study found that 60-year-old Americans who ate five or more servings of walnuts per week lived roughly 1.3 years longer than those who never ate walnuts.1  They also had a 14% lower risk of death from any cause and a […]
February 2, 2023

How To Feel Better Faster During Colds & Flu

Human studies show that elderberry, zinc, and vitamin C, taken in the early stages of a cold or flu, can activate the body’s immune functions and shorten the duration. Colds and flu can make anyone miserable. They pose a particular risk to older adults, who have reduced immune responses.1,2 Human studies show that three nutrients, taken in the early stages of a cold or flu, can activate immune functions to change the course of the illness.3-6 These nutrients can reduce duration and severity, making people feel better faster and decreasing the danger to older adults. Protection Against Colds and Flu Over one billion colds occur in the U.S. each year,7 typically lasting about seven days.8 Up to 20% of Americans contract the flu each […]
January 25, 2023

Feeling Down? It May Not Be Just The Winter Blues…

If you are feeling blue, fatigued or having trouble remembering things and you think it’s just winter doldrums – think  again. It is just possible you might not be getting enough vitamin B12, and you have a deficiency that can cause serious problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The many body systems affected by vitamin B12 deficiency underscore the vitamin’s importance in their proper functioning. “The deficiency of the vitamin appears to mimic symptoms of seriously degenerative diseases, and often is not diagnosed ,” said Sally Pacholok, a registered nurse who was diagnosed with a B12 […]
January 20, 2023

The Forgotten Longevity Benefits of Taurine

The Japanese have a life expectancy that is among the highest in the world. In fact, , Japan’s famous “Island of Longevity,” likely has the world’s highest percentage of people over 100 years old. Undoubtedly, there are many factors that play into the life spans of the longest-living populations, but evidence shows that they all have one thing in common: high dietary intake of an amino acid called taurine. The connection between taurine and a long life is so strong that researchers have dubbed taurine, “The nutritional factor for the longevity of the Japanese.” Taurine promotes cardiovascular health, insulin sensitivity, electrolyte balance, […]
December 16, 2022

Your Healthy Holiday Survival Guide

It’s the holiday season. We’re pretty sure that many of you are going to party a little bit, and no, we’re not going to try to discourage it.  During this time of year, many of us break from our routines somewhat, drink a little (more) alcohol, eat a lot of food, and even forget to exercise. But please don’t be too hard on yourself; it happens to almost all of us. It’s okay to indulge a little and have some fun especially if it’s only a “once-a-year” occasion. However, it can’t hurt to take some precautions and practice a little moderation as well. If […]