July 22, 2014

How Probiotics Help Improve Blood Pressure

A new study has revealed that eating probiotics regularly might help improve blood pressure. Probiotics are live microorganisms (naturally occurring bacteria in the gut) thought to have beneficial effects; common sources are yogurt or dietary supplements. The researchers found that probiotic consumption lowered systolic blood pressure (the top number) by an average 3.56 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (the lower number) by an average 2.38 mm Hg, compared to adults who didn’t consume probiotics. The positive effects from probiotics on diastolic blood pressure were greatest in people whose blood pressure was equal to or greater than 130/85, […]
July 22, 2014

Prevent Retinal Damage with Coffee

If you love coffee like I do, you wouldn’t think of starting your day without a cup or two of your favorite coffee.  Like me, it helps your brain wake up, helps you think more clearly, and helps you get on your way for the day.  But did you know that drinking coffee regularly has another really important benefit – especially as you get older? As amazing as that sounds, a recent study out of Cornell University proved it to be true. Researchers found that drinking a daily cup of coffee can help prevent vision damage, especially the type that […]
July 8, 2014

Make That Elephant On Your Chest Go Away

Bloating, burping, sour taste in your mouth, and stomach or chest pains, these are some of the frequent complaints that bring patients to my office. If you are one of the approximately 60 million Americans who suffer from heartburn, you’ll know what I’m talking about. The horrible burning sensation in the middle of your chest is Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). It occurs when hydrochloric acid backs up into your esophagus, which is the tube between your mouth and stomach. Don’t ignore your symptoms of GERD. If they last more than two weeks, you should see your doctor. Left untreated, GERD […]
July 1, 2014

Can Curcumin Treat Pancreatic Cancer?

Within the last couple of decades, significant strides have not been made in the field of pancreatic cancer. To date, the best treatment option (if diagnosed early) is a surgery called the Whipple Procedure which was developed in the 1930s. With few treatments on the horizon, it makes sense to seek alternatives. One nutrient which seems promising is curcumin. In an animal study, it significantly decreased the size of pancreatic tumors. Curcumin Reduced the Size of Tumors by 42% Curcumin is extracted from an Indian spice called turmeric. It is one of the most important anti-cancer nutrients studied today. Over 2,000 published studies show […]
July 1, 2014

5 Super Seeds With Amazing Benefits

Here are five super seeds that health experts around the world recommend people should include in their diet. Sprinkle these over your baked dishes and breakfast cereal for a health boost Good things come in small packages. In the world of wellness, super seeds embody this truism like no other food. Packed with essential nutrients and with multiple health benefits, they are nature’s precious gifts to humanity. 1. Chia seeds: Vegetarians miss out on Omega-3 fatty acids since they can’t eat seafood. An easy solution to their dietary dilemma is chia seeds (and flaxseeds), which are a good source of this nutrient. […]
June 10, 2014

Walnuts Boost Ability To Handle Stress

The current issue of the Journal of the American College of Nutrition published the finding of Sheila G. West and her associates at Penn State University of an improved response to stress among those who consumed walnuts and walnut oil. “People who show an exaggerated biological response to stress are at higher risk of heart disease,” explained Dr West, who is an associate professor of biobehavioral health. “We wanted to find out if omega 3-fatty acids from plant sources would blunt cardiovascular responses to stress.” In a crossover study, Dr West’s team gave 22 healthy men and women with elevated cholesterol an […]
June 10, 2014

Quercetin: Good As Resveratrol In Fighting Inflammation

Research described online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that the ability of quercetin to reduce inflammation and insulin resistance in human fat cells is equal to or greater than that of resveratrol, a well-known plant compound that has an anti-inflammatory benefit. Quercetin is a flavonol found in plants including apples, onions, capers, lovage and grapes which have known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Michael K. McIntosh and his colleagues at the University of North Carolina in Greensboro pretreated cultured human adipocytes (fat cells) with quercetin or trans-resveratrol, followed by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), a proinflammatory cytokine that contributes to chronic, low grade […]
June 3, 2014

Build Muscles With Glutamine

One of the most important things we can do for ourselves as we get older is maintain good muscle mass. It not only keeps us looking trim and fit but it helps us do even the simplest daily activities even better.
June 3, 2014

All About Biotin

Biotin is part of the B vitamin family. Like the rest of its members, it plays a key role in the body’s metabolic processes. Mainly known for the benefits it confers to nails, biotin is needed for so much more. Deficiencies may lead to many health problems and can even be deadly. Biotin has also been called vitamin H, which stands for haar and haut – German words for hair and skin – where biotin deficiency often shows itself. Biochemist Dean Burk is credited as being one of the co-discoverers of biotin in the early 1930s. Biotin Deficiencies Happen Although biotin is made in the intestinal […]