Your body will never waste a calorie. Each calorie is either burned for energy or stored for later use. Calories come in three forms, which are the macromolecules of human nutrition: fat, protein and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are interesting. The basic building block of all carbohydrates, whether simple or complex, is a single sugar molecule called glucose. This means that all carbohydrates, from whole grains to table sugar, will eventually break down into a single glucose molecule. Glucose is the main energy source for all cells, including your heart, brain and muscles. But here’s where it gets interesting: Sugar, if it’s not burned […]
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 […]
Everyone ages eventually. But you can overcome many of these troubling symptoms If you know how. In Dr. Joseph Mercola’s latest book, Effortless Healing: 9 Simple Ways to Sidestep Illness, Shed Excess Weight, and Help Your Body Fix Itself, he gives you his top proven tools for fighting the effects of somatopause (the decline of your body’s hormone production as you age), including controlling your weight, getting rid of stubborn fat deposits, and slowing down the effects of aging so you can look and feel your best. If you’re currently challenged with a chronic health issue or excess weight, know that you’re […]
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.
If you’re like me, you love your coffee. It gets you going in the morning, picks you up from a late afternoon slump and gives you that all needed early evening boost at the gym later. But, along with the rejuvenating effect of coffee, as a dermatologist, there’s an even more important reason I love coffee… Your Daily Joe Could Help Prevent This Deadly Cancer If you’re a coffee drinker, you probably don’t need another reason to keep drinking it. But, in the last few years, health researchers have reported many good reasons to drink coffee. They include: Antioxidant power. You may […]
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 […]
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 […]
It’s often alleged that Colorado sees 300 days of sunshine every year. While some will nitpick that number, we all know there is a splendid amount of sunshine in our beloved Centennial State. But there’s a steep price to pay for all of that sunshine, including skin cancer and skin aging. The UVA and UVB rays are to blame, as they can cause the formation of free radicals, a term used to describe damaged cells that can be problematic. “Sun is good,” said Judy Spindler, a nutrition health coach at Natural Grocers. “We need it for hormones and to feel well, but it […]
It is always important to make sure my older patients are getting enough calcium and Vitamin D to protect against bone loss and osteoporosis. Post-menopausal women are at highest risk for osteoporosis. Recently, though, researchers out of Florida State University have added another nutrient which helps prevents bone loss even better. Let me tell you about it and how you can add it to your bone loss prevention regimen… New Supplement Adds Collagen to Calcium to Fight Bone Loss Calcium and Vitamin D are well known for working together to prevent bone loss. But, as good as they are, the […]
Even if you eat a healthy diet, you may not be absorbing vital fat-soluble nutrients and amino acids needed for optimal health. That’s because with age, we experience a decline in the enzymes our bodies produce to break down foods into absorbable nutrients.