Although scientists say that it's too soon to recommend that people eat grapes to ward off cancer, a new study shows that cancer cells exposed to grapeseed extract died off at a rate of 76 percent within 24 hours.
Previous research has shown grapeseed extract to be effective against skin, bowel, breast, lung, stomach and prostate cancers.
Grapeseed extract is rich in antioxidants. Click here for more information on how to best absorb any grapeseed extract supplements you might be taking.
Be Well!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Friday, January 2, 2009
Start the New Year with a KISS
Happy New Year, everyone! As the confetti is swept up and the champagne glasses put up on the top shelf, most people launch into a flurry of resolutions and body cleansing.
Enthusiasm is a good thing, but try to stay away from elaborate diets or regemines that are complex or difficult to maintain. Many diets and cleansing systems come with restrictive menus, elaborate preparations and several bottles of pills to be consumed at different time throughout the day...
It's hard to change your life, so to honor the effort that you are making, it's best to keep the changes as simple as possible. Like the old acronym says, keep it simple, sister.
The following five simple steps will help you lose weight, feel better and stay healthier throughout 2009:
1. If Your Grandmother wouldn't Cook with it, Don't eat it. If you've already committed to dietary restrictions such as vegetarian or vegan, that's fine. Eat fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and dairy in moderate amounts, and drink plenty of water. Newer food products may be convenient and tasty, but the long-term affects of eating these food products won't be known for another 30 years or so.
2. Exercise. It helps you live longer, live better, and experience less pain while you are alive. It elevates your mood and improves the health of your heart. It helps you sleep better and improves digestion. It may be difficult to get started, but once you do you'll feel fantastic. Find something you like to do, or just something you don't hate.
3. Reduce Stress. Everyone gets stressed from time to time, but the effects of chronic long-term stress on your body can be overwhelming. Stress alters the way that your endocrine system functions, cause depression and even organ dysfunction.
4. Consume Alcohol in Moderation. Oh sure, we all do that, right? But did you realize that moderation is no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men? Consuming more than this on a regular basis can lead to serious health problems.
5. Take It One Day at a Time. Many New Year's Resolutions fail because we give up too quickly. If we resolve not to eat sweets, one indulgence in chocolate cake may be all we need to throw in the towel. But a recent article in Psychology Today suggests that while behavior changes, conflicting beliefs exist in the brain side by side. The new behavior exists beside the old until it finally gains dominance.
The lesson? Don't give up. If you fall off that horse, get right back on. Remember, it takes a while to change your life, but as long as you stick with it, there's nothing you can't do.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
It's hard to change your life, so to honor the effort that you are making, it's best to keep the changes as simple as possible. Like the old acronym says, keep it simple, sister.
The following five simple steps will help you lose weight, feel better and stay healthier throughout 2009:
1. If Your Grandmother wouldn't Cook with it, Don't eat it. If you've already committed to dietary restrictions such as vegetarian or vegan, that's fine. Eat fruits, vegetables, grains, meat and dairy in moderate amounts, and drink plenty of water. Newer food products may be convenient and tasty, but the long-term affects of eating these food products won't be known for another 30 years or so.
2. Exercise. It helps you live longer, live better, and experience less pain while you are alive. It elevates your mood and improves the health of your heart. It helps you sleep better and improves digestion. It may be difficult to get started, but once you do you'll feel fantastic. Find something you like to do, or just something you don't hate.
3. Reduce Stress. Everyone gets stressed from time to time, but the effects of chronic long-term stress on your body can be overwhelming. Stress alters the way that your endocrine system functions, cause depression and even organ dysfunction.
4. Consume Alcohol in Moderation. Oh sure, we all do that, right? But did you realize that moderation is no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men? Consuming more than this on a regular basis can lead to serious health problems.
5. Take It One Day at a Time. Many New Year's Resolutions fail because we give up too quickly. If we resolve not to eat sweets, one indulgence in chocolate cake may be all we need to throw in the towel. But a recent article in Psychology Today suggests that while behavior changes, conflicting beliefs exist in the brain side by side. The new behavior exists beside the old until it finally gains dominance.
The lesson? Don't give up. If you fall off that horse, get right back on. Remember, it takes a while to change your life, but as long as you stick with it, there's nothing you can't do.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Alcohol and Atrial Fibrillation in Middle-Aged Women
Happy Holidays! The celebratory season is upon us, filled with social events and pressures that often lead to indulgence in food and drink.
How much is too much? What is a moderate amount of alcohol? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines moderate drinking as no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men.
This number might seem absurd to many social drinkers, but a recent study found that adding just one more drink a day caused heart problems in some women. CNN's Dr. Gupta explains in this video:
Alcohol and Atrial Fibrillation
So be good to yourself this holiday season! Enjoy yourself. Partake in every pleasure. Just don't overdo.
How much is too much? What is a moderate amount of alcohol? The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services defines moderate drinking as no more than one drink a day for women and no more than two drinks a day for men.
This number might seem absurd to many social drinkers, but a recent study found that adding just one more drink a day caused heart problems in some women. CNN's Dr. Gupta explains in this video:
Alcohol and Atrial Fibrillation
So be good to yourself this holiday season! Enjoy yourself. Partake in every pleasure. Just don't overdo.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Indigo Inhibits Psoriasis
Once again, Chinese herbal medicine beats Western pharmaceuticals in a clinical trial.
WebMD reported today that an ointment made of Indigo Naturalis, also known as "Qing Dai," performed better than corticosteroids to reduce or eliminate chronic plaque psoriasis. Patients in the study reported dramatic improvement over the 12 week time frame - 31 out of 42 patients reported that their bilateral plaques either cleared or nearly cleared.
Patients in the study were chosen because their psoriasis was unresponsive to standard Western drug therapy. Researchers said the Indigo treatment was non-toxic and without side effects, but that the ointment did stain the participants' skin and clothing.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/18/health/webmd/main4613580.shtml
WebMD reported today that an ointment made of Indigo Naturalis, also known as "Qing Dai," performed better than corticosteroids to reduce or eliminate chronic plaque psoriasis. Patients in the study reported dramatic improvement over the 12 week time frame - 31 out of 42 patients reported that their bilateral plaques either cleared or nearly cleared.
Patients in the study were chosen because their psoriasis was unresponsive to standard Western drug therapy. Researchers said the Indigo treatment was non-toxic and without side effects, but that the ointment did stain the participants' skin and clothing.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/11/18/health/webmd/main4613580.shtml
Saturday, November 8, 2008
Alzheimer's Disease and Essential Fatty Acids
Recent research suggests that diet may have a significant impact on the development of Alzheimer's disease, especially essential fatty acids. Omega-6 fatty acids, which are found in red meat, cereals, eggs, and vegetable oils, were found to increase levels of arachidonic acid, a fatty acid that researchers linked to memory loss and confused behavior.
During the study, when researchers lowered levels of arachidonic acid in the brain, the cognitive functions of the mice improved. This research creates hope for new drug development, as well as controlling symptoms with nutrition.
In another, related study, researchers discovered that Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease when added to the diet. Omega-3's also decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke. Early this year, UCLA researchers isolated the specific mechanism that allows these substances to break down plaques that build up on the brain.
If you want to maintain your cognitive function, the choice is simple. Put down the potato chips. Reach for the sushi. Mmmm. Sushi...
During the study, when researchers lowered levels of arachidonic acid in the brain, the cognitive functions of the mice improved. This research creates hope for new drug development, as well as controlling symptoms with nutrition.
In another, related study, researchers discovered that Omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease when added to the diet. Omega-3's also decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke. Early this year, UCLA researchers isolated the specific mechanism that allows these substances to break down plaques that build up on the brain.
If you want to maintain your cognitive function, the choice is simple. Put down the potato chips. Reach for the sushi. Mmmm. Sushi...
Friday, November 7, 2008
Extra Sleep Lowers Heart Attack Risk
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Heart organ is more than just the heart muscles - it includes the brain and the blood vessels that nourish both organs.
Viewing the heart in this holistic sense, it makes perfect sense that Swedish researchers discovered that extra sleep lowers the risk of heart attacks.
The study was based on data collected after both the "Spring Forward" and "Fall Back" clock adjustments for daylight savings time. Researchers discovered a five percent increase in heart attacks the first week after losing an hour of sleep in the spring, as compared to a five percent decrease after gaining an hour of sleep in the fall.
From a Western medical perspective,sleep has a beneficial affect on the heart by lowering blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, clotting and other factors that strain the heart and vascular system.
Go on, take that nap! It's good for your heart.
Viewing the heart in this holistic sense, it makes perfect sense that Swedish researchers discovered that extra sleep lowers the risk of heart attacks.
The study was based on data collected after both the "Spring Forward" and "Fall Back" clock adjustments for daylight savings time. Researchers discovered a five percent increase in heart attacks the first week after losing an hour of sleep in the spring, as compared to a five percent decrease after gaining an hour of sleep in the fall.
From a Western medical perspective,sleep has a beneficial affect on the heart by lowering blood pressure, blood sugar, inflammation, clotting and other factors that strain the heart and vascular system.
Go on, take that nap! It's good for your heart.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Licorice Fights Viral, Inflammatory Conditions
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, most herbal remedies contain between three and 15 herbs, each performing a specific function. Most of these remedies contain a small dose of licorice, an herb with many of medicinal properties.
In Traditional Chinese formulas, licorice is used as a harmonizer, which means that a small dose is included in the formula to improve the effectiveness of the formula as a whole.
Perhaps this use is due to licorice's healing effect on the stomach. Recent studies suggest that licorice performs as well as anti-ulcer medications in relieving pain and preventing ulcers from recurring. When licorice root liquid extract was used to treat 100 patients with stomach ulcers, 90 percent improved. An Irish study attributed this to licorice's stimulation of mucous glands in the stomach.
Licorice also prevents inflammation throughout the body. First, glycyrrhizin, which gives licorice its sweet flavor, is an anti-inflammatory agent that works on the lungs, the bowels and the skin. In addition, licorice increases the amount of time that cortisol circulates throughout the body, an adrenal hormone that also has anti-inflammatory effects.
Licorice is also a powerful anti-viral herb. Studies have shown that intravenous licorice can prevent replication of the HIV virus, other studies show that it prevents encephalitis, hepatitis A and B, SARS, and herpes.
I know that it sounds fantastic, but licorice must be used with CAUTION. Individuals who have high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart, liver or kidney problems SHOULD NOT take licorice. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding SHOULD NOT take licorice.
Licorice interacts with some drugs, including birth control pills, digoxin, aspirin, insulin, ACE inhibitors, and more. If you are taking prescription medication, consult your doctor before taking medicinal dosages of licorice.
Oh, and don't take it continuously for longer than four to six weeks.
The best part about licorice - it's delicious! Enjoy the sweet taste in good health.
In Traditional Chinese formulas, licorice is used as a harmonizer, which means that a small dose is included in the formula to improve the effectiveness of the formula as a whole.
Perhaps this use is due to licorice's healing effect on the stomach. Recent studies suggest that licorice performs as well as anti-ulcer medications in relieving pain and preventing ulcers from recurring. When licorice root liquid extract was used to treat 100 patients with stomach ulcers, 90 percent improved. An Irish study attributed this to licorice's stimulation of mucous glands in the stomach.
Licorice also prevents inflammation throughout the body. First, glycyrrhizin, which gives licorice its sweet flavor, is an anti-inflammatory agent that works on the lungs, the bowels and the skin. In addition, licorice increases the amount of time that cortisol circulates throughout the body, an adrenal hormone that also has anti-inflammatory effects.
Licorice is also a powerful anti-viral herb. Studies have shown that intravenous licorice can prevent replication of the HIV virus, other studies show that it prevents encephalitis, hepatitis A and B, SARS, and herpes.
I know that it sounds fantastic, but licorice must be used with CAUTION. Individuals who have high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes or heart, liver or kidney problems SHOULD NOT take licorice. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding SHOULD NOT take licorice.
Licorice interacts with some drugs, including birth control pills, digoxin, aspirin, insulin, ACE inhibitors, and more. If you are taking prescription medication, consult your doctor before taking medicinal dosages of licorice.
Oh, and don't take it continuously for longer than four to six weeks.
The best part about licorice - it's delicious! Enjoy the sweet taste in good health.
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