Carrots May Be A Cancer Fighter

CHINA —A recent study conducted at the Zhejiang University in China and published in theEuropean Journal of Nutrition found that consuming carrots could help reduce the risk of developing cancer, especially prostate cancer.

The study analyzed the findings of 10 smaller studies conducted in different parts of the world that studied the cancer-fighting properties in carrots. The studies compared two groups; one group consumed carrots three to five times per week, and the other group consumed them less than once per week.

The team found that the content of carotenoids found in carrots, which is the chemical that gives their bright orange color was found to be a powerful cancer-fighter. The researchers noted that carotenoids help prevent cancer because they reduce cell damage from oxidative stress, which has been shown to cause cancer.

In addition to carrots, the researchers found the following foods to also have cancer-fighting abilities:

·         All fruits and vegetables are plentiful in nutrients and are thought to have several cancer-fighting properties as well as other health benefits.

·         Fatty fish (salmon, tuna) contains high levels of omega-3 fatty acids, which have been proven to reduce the risk of cancer.

·         Green tea has also been shown to specifically lower the risk of prostate cancer.

If you are interested in preventing cancer, you might want to consider adding carrots and other cancer-fighting foods to your daily diet.

Have a great day. 

Frontal Lobe And Exercise?

NEW ZEALAND—A recent study conducted at the University of Otago and published in the journal Psychophysiology found that regular exercise could improve brain function.

The study included 52 participants, all of them were asked to complete a range of cognitive tests, while the researchers measured their oxygen flow in to their frontal lobe of the brain. They were also asked how frequently they exercised.

The team found that those who exercised regularly had significant improvement in their blood supply to the brain and cognitive function. It is noted that regular exercise is considered at least 20 minutes of physical activity (walking, running, swimming, biking), 5 days per week.

According to lead investigator, Dr. Liana Machado:

“This provides compelling evidence that regular exercise, at least 5 days per week, is a way to sharpen our cognitive ability- challenging the assumption that living a sedentary lifestyle leads to problems only later in life."

If you are interested in improving your brain function, you might want to consider adding physical activity to your daily routine.

Have a great day. 

Moderate Consumption Of Alcohol

BOSTON—A recent study conducted at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and published inEuropean Heart Journal found that moderate alcohol consumption could help prevent heart failure.

Heart failure affects 23 million people throughout the world, which is characterized by the heart being less able to pump the blood around the body and can be caused from the following factors:

·         High blood pressure

·         Heart muscle disease

·         High blood sugar

The study analyzed 14,629 participants who were recruited in 1989; they were followed for 24-25 years. Interviews were conducted every 3 years, they were asked about their drinking habits. The researchers divided the participants up based on how often they drank.

The team found that the lowest rate of heart failure was among the group of participants who consumed up to 7 drinks per week (about 1 drink per day). Specifically, the researchers found that men who consumed up to seven drinks had a 20 percent lower risk of developing heart failure, and women had about a 16 percent lowered risk.

It is noted that one drink is considered a beverage containing 14 g of alcohol, which is a small glass of wine, just over a half pint of beer or less than one shot of liquor.

According to co-author, Dr. Scott Solomon:

“These findings suggest that drinking alcohol in moderation does not contribute to an increased risk of heart failure and may even be protective."

If you are interested in preventing heart failure, you might want to consider adding one drink of alcohol to your daily diet.

Have a great day. 

Is Cow's milk Really Healthy?

A lot of people drink milk every day to get their share of calcium. And I'll tell you the same thing I tell them…

If you're a baby cow, milk is the best stuff on earth. But if you're a human, you'd be much better off without it.

You see, every mammal's milk is specifically designed for its young. So unless you want the massive girth and weight of a cow, I don't suggest you drink the milk that's designed to make them that way.

Worse yet, the inclusion of growth hormones and antibiotics make cow's milk an even less appealing choice for humans.

Milk cows are loaded up with antibiotics that cause the spread of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. And they're pumped full of synthetic hormones (rBGH) to increase milk production. This hormone is just one amino acid away from human growth hormone.

Plus, dairy farmers normally feed cattle a genetically modified diet, which is passed on to you when you drink cow's milk.

Now here's the thing. Even if you drink organic milk, I still don't recommend it.

The USDA's dietary guidelines recommend we all drink two to three cups of milk a day. But I don't believe these recommendations are based on any scientific research that says milk is good for us. Research doesn't even show that it supports bone health, let alone any other health benefit.

Instead, the USDA's recommendations are more likely based on the fact that milk is fortified with vitamins A and D.

Now you can fortify milk with whatever you want. But the fact is we humans were never meant to consume milk from cattle. And while you might find it surprising, the animal protein found in milk may actually deplete the amount of calcium in your body…

If you've been drinking milk to shore up your bone health, it may be time to think again. Because there's something we've known for years… and nobody is telling you about.

Consuming cow milk may actually weaken your bones!

You're probably thinking I've gone off the deep end here. But it's the absolute truth.

For example, a 1994 study found that when people over the age of 20 drank milk, they had more hip fractures in their older years.

And what about the 1997 results from the 12-year Harvard Nurses' Health Study?

The researchers found no evidence that higher intakes of milk reduced the chance of bone fractures. In fact, the womein who drank two or more glasses a day of milk had a greater risk of hip fracture than those who drank a glass or less each week. Plus, in 2003 a combined effort between the Brigham Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School revealed that drinking milk didn't lower the risk of hip fracture.

Sadly enough, that's not even the bad news!

Further research finds women with the highest intakes of lactose (about what you would get from three cups of milk each day) have a higher risk of ovarian cancer compared to women with the lowest intakes. And it's just as bad for men.

In a Harvard study of male health professionals, men who drank two or more glasses of milk a day were almost twice more likely to develop advanced prostate cancer than those who didn't drink milk at all.

The link was so strong the study authors stated "Per capita milk consumption correlated more highly with national rates of prostate cancer mortality than other foods rich in animal fats and cholesterol."

I could go on and on, but I think you get the point.

We've known – for quite a long time now – that drinking cow's milk does nothing for bone health.  And it may even be dangerous to us humans.So what should you drink instead?

To be cont'd.

Have a great day. 

DO Not Avoid Good Fats (2)

Choose butter over margarine. 

For years, low-calorie margarines have been the "big thing." But, if you're still eating margarine, it may be time to rethink your options.

Part of the concept behind the push for margarine was to replace saturated fats with healthier omega-6 vegetable fats. But this is a problem, because eating too many omega-6 fatty acids promotes inflammation. This, of course, is an underlying cause of heart disease.

So, it's no surprise that we're now discovering people who eat the most omega-6 fatty acids have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and death.

Many margarines also contain trans fats. These fats are deadly. They create high levels of inflammation, increase bad LDL cholesterol levels, and cause healthy HDL levels to drop. They're also associated with a harmful increase in small, dense LDL particles, which can slip through the lining of your blood vessels and cause plaque to build up.

So, even though it's a little higher in calories, you're much better off sticking with real butter. And, by real butter, I mean the good stuff – organic butter from grass-fed cows. This is the healthiest form of butter you can buy.

(By the way… even though butter is better than margarine, olive oil is best of all. It lowers blood pressure, reduces plaque build-up in the arteries, and lowers your risk of heart attack. It even helps balance blood sugar levels.)

Your best bet? Ditch margarine altogether, use butter in moderation, and add liberal amounts of olive oil whenever you have the chance.

Here are some other delicious foods you might be unnecessarily depriving yourself of because of your fear of fat…

Chocolate. Over the years there has been a lot of great news about cocoa and cocoa-rich dark chocolate. The flavonols in this tasty treat protect against stroke and heart disease, improve blood sugar, lower LDL cholesterol, and raise HDL. It also increases blood flow to your brain for a boost in brainpower.

Avocadoes. Eating just half of an avocado with lunch can reduce your desire to eat by about 40% over the next three to five hours. At the same time, avocadoes can help reduce inflammation, reduce triglycerides, and help balance your cholesterol profile.

And, don't forget about the power of extra virgin olive oil, wild-caught omega-3-rich fish, and the occasional cut of grass-fed beef. 

Have a great day.

DO Not Avoid Good Fats

One of the worst pieces of advice you can fall for is that all fatty foods are bad for you and will pack on the pounds.

This creates a situation where you end up eating healthy-sounding low-fat foods that really aren't so healthy. And, at the same time, you avoid foods higher in fat that might actually be much better alternatives.

Here's what you really need to know…

A lot of healthy-sounding foods have replaced fats with substances that kick insulin – which is basically your "fat" hormone – into high gear. This causes your body to store fat.

At the same time, many of these foods are laden with allergens, sugars, sodium, bad fats and ingredients that not only affect your weight, but also create an inflammatory response in your body.

Let me suggest to you a few of the delicious fatty foods you might be missing out on, and why they may be better for you than their lower-fat counterpart…

Why eggs are better than whole-grain cereals.

 Most whole-grain cereals on the market today contain gluten. Many people are sensitive to this protein, and it could be what's causing your bone and joint pain. Gluten can leave you feeling fatigued, with a bad case of brain fog. Headaches, muscle cramps, rashes and depression have also been linked to gluten intolerance.

Additionally, even some of the healthiest-sounding cereals can include GMO corn products, a hefty dose of added sugar, and more sodium than you would imagine.

It may surprise you to learn that a two- or three-egg omelet is a much healthier choice for breakfast, even though it might contain more fat and calories. In the past, everyone was convinced eggs would clog your arteries, give you a heart attack, or lead to a stroke. But the evidence shows just the opposite.

We now know the nutrients in eggs may actually be protective. They not only lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, they also raise good (HDL) cholesterol levels. In fact, people who eat more eggs have about a 25% lower risk of suffering a hemorrhagic stroke. This is the type of stroke when a blood vessel bursts inside the brain.

I prefer eggs from pastured chickens from farmer's markets or from "whole-food type markets." If you're still concerned about oxidized cholesterol, then don't break the yolk exposing it to air before cooking… and don't scramble it. 

Instead, have it over easy/medium, soft-boiled, poached, hard-boiled, etc.

A nutty alternative to those high-protein snack bars.

 I admit. It's really easy to grab a protein bar for a snack. Some of them are even labeled as "meal replacement" bars. And they market themselves as healthy, low-calorie food options.

In reality, most of them are nothing more than a glorified candy bar. Many of them are made with granola, which is often contaminated with gluten. And, almost all of them are loaded with sugar, corn syrup, sodium and artificial ingredients. These ingredients not only expand your waistline, they also fan the flames of inflammation.

If you need a high-protein snack, you're much better off enjoying about half of a cup of nuts. Sure, nuts are high in fat and calories. But surprisingly, people who eat nuts have a lower body mass index and smaller waists. They have a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer… and they live longer, too.

Nuts with the highest protein content include almonds, pistachios, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts.

To be cont'd. 

Have a great day. 

Eat Daily: Healthy Tree Nuts

CAMBRIDGE , MASSACHUSETTS —A recent study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health and published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that eating tree nuts could decrease your risk of death related to chronic illness.

The study analyzed two large studies, which included 76,464 participants that were conducted between 1980 and 2010. All of the participants filled out detailed food questionnaires every two to four years, and were asked to estimate how often they consumed nuts in a serving size (one ounce).

The team found that those who ate one full serving of nuts (one ounce) every day significantly minimized their risk of chronic disease. Specifically, they found that those who consumed nuts 5-6 times per week had a 15 percent reduction in mortality and those who consumed nuts 7 or more times per week had a 20 percent reduction in mortality from chronic diseases (cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes).

The researchers noted that tree nuts include walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, and pistachios).

If you are interested in reducing your risk of death from chronic disease, you might want to consider adding tree nuts to your daily diet.

Have a great day. 

Avoid The Risk Of Early Death

UNITED KINGDOM—A recent study conducted at the University of Cambridge and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that being physically active could reduce your risk of early death.

The study analyzed a group of 334,000 participants who took part in a large study that looked at the link between cancer, diet, exercise, and BMI (body mass index).

The team found that compared to obesity, death was twice as likely to be caused from lack of exercise. The researchers noted that just a modest increase in physical activity could make a difference; doing exercise to burn just 90-110 calories per day, which is equivalent to 20 minutes of brisk walking, was enough to reduce their risk of death by 16-30%.

According to the study author, Professor Ekelund:

"Just a small amount of physical activity each day could have substantial health benefits for people who are physically inactive."

If you are interested in reducing your risk of early death, you might want to consider adding just 20 minutes of physical activity to your daily routine.

Enjoy your day.

Fruits And Vegetables Are Very Beneficial

LONDON —A recent study conducted at the University College in London and published in theJournal of Epidemiology & Community Health found that consuming fruits and vegetables could increase your lifespan.

The study included 65,226 participants; they were given food questionnaires regarding the type of food they consumed on a daily basis. The researchers followed them for 12 years.

The team found that those who consumed more fruit and vegetables were less likely to die at any age. Specifically they found that eating seven or more portions reduces risk of death from cancer and heart disease by 25 percent.

According to lead study author, Dr. Oyinlola Oyebode:

“We all know that eating fruit and vegetables is healthy, but the size of the effect is staggering… the clear message here is that the more fruit and vegetables you eat, the less likely you are to die at any age. Vegetables have a larger effect than fruit, but fruit still makes a real difference.”

If you are interested in increasing your lifespan, you might want to consider adding fruits and vegetables to your daily diet.

Have a great day. 

The Brain Benefits Of Olive Oil

ST. LOUIS , MISSOURI —A recent study conducted at St. Louis University School of Medicine found that olive oil helps promote brain health.

Olive oil is rich in antioxidants, which is the body’s best natural defense against free radicals. Free radicals have been associated not only with memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease, but also cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.

The study analyzed mice, it is noted that their bodily functions are very similar to humans. The researchers gave them either extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, or butter and then the mice were given two tests: a T-maze test and an object recognition test.

The team found that the mice that received the olive oil performed better in both tests compared to the mice that did not consume olive oil. The researchers concluded that extra virgin olive oil helped improve learning and memory abilities associated with aging, as well as minimizing the risk for Alzheimer’s disease. These positive benefits are due to the antioxidants found in the olive oil that help reverse the damage done in the brain by free radicals.

According to the researchers, even though olive oil is a healthy fat it should still be consumed in moderation. The recommended amount is 1-2 tablespoons per sitting.

If you are interested in improving or minimizing your risk for Alzheimer’s disease, you might want to consider adding olive oil to your diet.

Enjoy your day.