March 17, 2015

Vitamin C Turns Stem Cells Into Heart Cells

The role of vitamin C in the body may be even greater than previously believed. New research has found that vitamin C helps convert mouse embryonic stem cells growing in the laboratory into heart muscle cells. Embryonic stem cells are unspecialized cells that are derived from the very early stages of fetal development. These cells can convert into any type of cell in the body through a process termed differentiation. Researchers hope that the ability to transform these cells into viable heart cells in the laboratory can lead to effective treatments for heart failure—the inability of the heart to pump […]
March 17, 2015

Men Who Eat Soy May Have Lower Lung Cancer Risk

Men who do not smoke and eat a lot of soy may have a lower risk of lung cancer, according to a new study. Soy contains is flavones, which act similarly to the hormone estrogens, and may have anticancer qualities in hormonerelated cancers of the breast and prostate, BBC health reported. Cells in the lung have properties that suggest they may also respond to is flavones. Researchers studied more than 36,000 men and more than 40,000 women, 45 to 74 years old and free of cancer at the start of the study. The researchers followed the women for about 11 years, after […]
March 10, 2015

Foods That Safely Reduce Blood Glucose

As we age, one of our priorities is maintaining optimal glucose levels to avoid heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Fortunately, many Life Extension® members use supplements, hormones, and drugs to improve their insulin sensitivity, which facilitates the more efficient removal of glucose from the blood. Less well-known, however, is the fact that there are certain foods proven to decrease blood sugar levels! Specifically, barley and black beans have been extensively studied for their ability to maintain glycemic control. In this article, you will learn how these two foods have been shown to lower blood sugar and inhibit diabetes and other glycemic-stress-related problems such as cardiovascular disease and obesity. Including these two glucose-lowering foods […]
March 10, 2015

Is Wine Really Healthy?

Scientific opinion has flip-flopped on the issue of alcohol consumption. While various religious groups – some of them known for their health and longevity – prohibit its use, other people are convinced of the benefits of alcohol, especially when it comes to wine. The “French Paradox” has become a cliché in regard to the relative healthiness and low risk of cardiovascular disease experienced by a population that consumes a significant amount of fat but drinks wine in moderation. However, it may be wishful thinking to attribute the health of the French to wine alone, as there are other French lifestyle factors […]
March 3, 2015

The Health Benefits of Citrus

Citrus fruit is a well-established staple of the American diet. Even among those who tend to avoid fruits and vegetables, orange juice is often a favorite. As it turns out, Citrus fruit, aside from being delicious, is a bountiful source of important nutrients.
March 3, 2015

Peanuts Reduce Risk of Death From Heart Disease

A new study has revealed that nuts and peanuts help in reducing risk of death, especially from heart disease. While research has previously linked nut consumption with lower mortality, those studies focused mainly on higher-income, white populations. This study by Vanderbilt University and the Shanghai Cancer Institute was the first to discover that all races; blacks, whites, and Asians alike, could potentially increase heart health by eating nuts and peanuts. This study was based on three large on-going cohort studies. Participants included over 70,000 Americans of African and European descent from the Southern Community Cohort Study (SCCS), who were mostly low-income, and over 130,000 […]
February 24, 2015

Soda May Accelerate Aging

As if the health risks of soda weren’t already enough, a new study shows it may also be linked to accelerated aging. In a study, telomeres, the end caps of DNA strands that serve as a marker for aging, were found to be shortened in people who drink soda. The results were published in the American Journal for Public Health. Soda Aged Cells by About Five Years In previous studies, the length of telomeres has been associated with disease and mortality. Shortened telomeres are linked to cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Researchers surveyed over 5,000 Americans between the ages of 20 to 65 years. They […]
February 24, 2015

The Benefits of Pine Bark Extract

The pine tree is celebrated during the darkness of winter for its seemingly death-defying ability to remain green year-round. Its bark and needles have been used by indigenous people for centuries for nutrition and general wellness. As a matter of fact, an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine has been found to contain compounds that have year-round life-enhancing benefits. Let’s explore them. Pine Bark Extract Contains Disease-Fighting Proanthocyanidins Proanthocyanidins derived from pine bark have been associated with a variety of benefits, including DNA protection, reduction of inflammation, decreased oxidative stress and reduced glycation. Aside from these broad benefits, pine bark […]