September 30, 2014

Are You Suffering from Fructose Poisoning?

The processed food industry wants you to believe that fructose is a natural, healthy sugar derived from natural plant sources. The science shows something vastly different. In reality, fructose is a harmful toxin that is a key factor in the development of metabolic syndrome in America today. Excessive fructose consumption is responsible for a: 39% increase in abdominal obesity in men. 9% increase in insulin resistance. 11% increased risk of hypertension in men. It also increases your risk of abnormal lipid profiles and inflammation. In fact, the highest consumers of sugar-sweetened beverages have a 20% increased risk of cardiovascular disease! The sweetener industry spends tens of millions of […]
September 30, 2014

Oily Fish and Blueberries Aid Memory

Scientists have for the first time discovered what effect multiple, rather than just single, foods with anti-inflammatory effects have on healthy individuals. The results of a diet study show that bad cholesterol was reduced by 33 per cent, blood lipids by 14 per cent, blood pressure by 8 per cent and a risk marker for blood clots by 26 per cent. A marker of inflammation in the body was also greatly reduced, while memory and cognitive function were improved. “The results have exceeded our expectations! I would like to claim that there has been no previous study with similar effects […]
September 23, 2014

Manganese: The Multifaceted Mineral

Manganese is an essential mineral needed in trace amounts by the human body. It’s involved in the production of energy, bone development, and the synthesis of collagen and protein. The mineral forms part of the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD), an enzyme produced in the body that protects against oxidative stress and is necessary for life. Manganese Deficiencies May Cause Osteoporosis In addition to its vital role in the body’s antioxidant defense, manganese helps protect bones and joints. In the January 2012 issue of Frontiers of Bioscience, it was suggested that manganese deficiency, rather than calcium deficiency, could be the primary cause […]
September 16, 2014

The Secret Behind Açaí

Each day, every cell in the human body must withstand an estimated 10,000 individual assaults from externally introducedreactive oxygen species (ROS) or free radicals. The progressive, system-wide destruction wrought by this continuous biochemical onslaught has been thoroughly documented in the scientific literature. In the older cells of aging animals, to take one example, researchers have found that one out of every three proteins is rendered dysfunctional by unchecked free radical damage. In the search for optimal defense against free radicals, scientists have focused intensely on berry extracts. A growing body of scientific evidence shows that berry polyphenols’ antioxidant capacity powerfully targets numerous degenerative diseases, from cancer and atherosclerosis […]
September 16, 2014

All About Chromium

Chromium is a mineral whose name derives from the Greek word chroma, meaning colored, referring to the red compounds the mineral is found in. The intense red color that defines rubies is, in fact, due to their chromium content. While the dangers of hexavalent chromium became widely known with the film Erin Brockovich, the version found in food (trivalent chromium) is safe and healthy. Trace amounts of chromium are helpful in maintaining normal blood sugar levels in diabetics and people who have hypoglycemia. Chromium Prolongs Life Chromium’s effect on glucose might be a reason for its ability to extend life. Using diabetic rats, […]
September 9, 2014

Higher Potassium Intake: Lower Risk of Stroke

The finding of a reduced risk of stroke and premature mortality among women with a higher intake of potassium was reported in an article published on September 4, 2014 in the AHA journal Stroke. “Previous studies have shown that potassium consumption may lower blood pressure,” commented senior author Sylvia Wassertheil-Smoller, PhD, of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York. But whether potassium intake could prevent stroke or death wasn’t clear.” The current investigation utilized data from 90,137 postmenopausal women who had no history of stroke upon enrollment in the Women’s Health Initiative Observational Study. Dietary questionnaire responses were analyzed for potassium […]
September 9, 2014

Can’t Lose That Ugly Belly Fat? Put Your Ears To Work

I recently attended an integrative medicine conference.  For those of you who don’t know what integrative medicine is, it’s “integrating” traditional medicine with alternative medicine practices to get the best of both worlds as treatment for your patients. At the conference, I met many interesting healthcare professionals. One of them was a naturopathic doctor from California who specialized in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  In his practice, he used a combination of herbs that have been used by Chinese doctors for centuries in the treatment of various health problems. But, this doctor also was a licensed acupuncturist and made use of the […]
August 26, 2014

The Real Spice of Life

The modest ginger root, curcumin, is demonstrating in the lab exactly why traditional healers have used it for thousands of years. Curcumin, an ancient spice in the ginger family, also known as turmeric root, is gaining plenty of attention for its positive impact on a number of ailments. It is shining as an antioxidant, for example, as well as for its beneficial effects in prohibiting tumors, for its anti-inflammatory properties, and even for its ability to retard some of the progress of the virus that causes AIDS. This sounds like a lot of claims for a seemingly unpretentious kitchen spice. But, […]
August 19, 2014

You Get Food Poisoning More Often Than You Think

With my busy schedule I often find myself eating out more than I should. The convenience is great but the risks could be plentiful. It all comes down to the lack of control. When we are cooking in our own kitchen it’s easy to cautious about food preparation and handling. But in restaurants this process is usually in the hands of someone we don’t know. It’s not uncommon for people to experience food poisoning several times in their lives. The symptoms include stomach cramps, diarrhea and vomiting. You’ll also feel weak and may even run a fever. It lasts a […]