December 2, 2014

Superfoods: Bell Peppers

While the bell pepper takes a back seat to chili peppers in the research spotlight due to its limited amount of the compound capsaicin, this versatile vegetable shouldn’t be overlooked as it possesses an overwhelming abundance of powerful nutrients. With over 30 carotenoids, including lycopene, alpha-carotene, cryptoxanthin, beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin and rich in flavonoids like luteolin, hesperidin, and quercetin, bell peppers are antioxidant powerhouses. The combination of their antioxidant potency, along with their high levels of folate, vitamin A, dietary fiber, vitamin E, and vitamin B6 make bell peppers one of the most effective weapons against cancer, cardiovascular disease, eye disorders, and diabetes. Bell Peppers Tale Bell peppers (Capsicum annuum) are part of the Solanaceae family and have been […]
December 2, 2014

Don’t Eat Overcooked Meat

Any meat (including fish) cooked at high temperatures creates dangerous carcinogens. Scientists looked at men whose diets included high intake of red meat cooked at high temperatures, pan-fried, or well-done. Their findings published in 2012 showed specific gene expression changes that predisposed these men to advanced prostate cancer. These kinds of studies show that one can exert a degree of control over their cell regulatory genes by avoiding overcooked meats. Aggressive malignancies are those that rapidly propagate, infiltrate and metastasize. A 2011 study evaluated almost 1,000 men and found that higher consumption of any ground beef or processed meats was associated with an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Men who ate […]
November 25, 2014

4 Must-Have Supplements

Enhancing your diet with nutritional supplements will get you closer to optimal health then diet and exercise alone. Now as a reader of this blog, there’s a good chance that you already agree. But why, exactly, is this the case? Because the food we eat, even if fresh and organic, does not have the same nutritional value as it used to. Simply put, the American soil is sick and is producing nutrient poor food. Supplement With an Ideally Dosed Multivitamin The very first and most essential supplement is an ideally dosed daily multivitamin. I once asked a friend of mine if […]
November 18, 2014

Superfoods: Cherries

Powerful Pain Relief, Cancer Defense, and Neuroprotection Growing concerns about the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks of common pain-relieving drugs are leading many health-conscious adults to avidly seek safe, effective ways of beating inflammation and pain. Exciting evidence suggests that delicious tart cherries offer powerful pain relief and may also safeguard against cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. Whether consumed fresh, frozen, or in canned or juiced forms, tart cherries are rich in nutritive compounds and powerful flavonoids. Flavonoids—colorful compounds found in many fruits and vegetables—are attracting growing attention for their antioxidative activity, free-radical scavenging capacity, and anticancer effects. A special class of […]
November 18, 2014

Low Calorie Diet Slows Down Aging Process

A new research has found that having a diet low in calories can reduce the aging process. The study conducted by the researchers at the Neuroscientists at NYU Langone Medical Center on female mice, has shown that calorie-reduced diets stop the normal rise and fall in activity levels of close to 900 different genes linked to aging and memory formation in the brain. Senior study investigator Stephen D. Ginsberg, said that their study showed how calorie restriction practically arrests gene expression levels involved in the aging phenotype-how some genes determine the behavior of mice, people, and other mammals as they get old. Ginsberg […]
November 11, 2014

What Are The Health Benefits of Cabbage?

Cabbage, which is often lumped into the same category as lettuce because of their similar appearance, is actually a part of the cruciferous vegetable family. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, kale and broccoli are notorious for being chock-full of beneficial nutrients. If you are trying to improve your diet, cruciferous vegetables should be at the very top of your grocery list. Cabbage can vary in color from green to red and purple, and the leaves can be smooth or crinkled. With less than 20 calories per half cup cooked, it is a vegetable worth making room on your plate for. This MNT Knowledge […]
November 11, 2014

Natural Relief from Heartburn!

If you have ever wondered why you see so many TV commercials for heartburn medications such as Prilosec®, Tagamet®, and Tums®, it is because a startling 40% of the adult population suffers from a condition known medically as gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). For some people, heartburn causes minor discomfort after eating, while others experience pain so intense that they rush to an emergency room fearing a heart attack. A common misconception is that heartburn is caused only by excess stomach acid that regurgitates back up into the esophagus. What few doctors realize is that when the sphincter muscle at the […]
November 4, 2014

Time To Celebrate Celery

Although celery is often a complimentary addition to soups and dishes, its substantial health protection makes it a star player in any meal. Each stalk of celery, along with its seeds and leaves, contains vitamin K, folate, vitamin A, potassium, vitamin C, and molybdenum.
November 4, 2014

Acute Asthma Attacks Linked To Vitamin D Deficiency

An article that appeared in the journal Allergy on October 3, 2014 revealed an association between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of asthma exacerbations. The study included 307,900 men and women whose serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured between 2008 and 2012. Among them, 21,237 had been diagnosed with asthma. Asthma exacerbations were considered to have occurred among subjects who were prescribed oral corticosteroids, who received more than five prescriptions for short acting beta agonists, or who had more than four asthma-related physician visits. Although vitamin D levels were similar between asthmatics and nonasthmatics, vitamin D deficiency in the asthmatic population was associated […]