Try Bananas!

Thanks for Brian for sending this. Don't know true any of it is, but it makes me feel better about eating Bananas.

Banana for Breakfast anyone???

This is interesting. After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in the same way again. Bananas contain three natural sugars - sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber. A banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.

DEPRESSION:
According to a recent survey undertaken by MIND amongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.

PMS:
Forget the pills - eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood.

ANEMIA:
High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in cases of anemia.

BLOOD PRESSURE:
This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it perfect to beat blood pressure So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.

BRAIN POWER:
200 students at a Twickenham school ( England ) were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that the potassium-packed fruit can assist learning by making pupils more alert.

CONSTIPATION:
High in fiber, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.

HANGOVERS:
One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system.

HEARTBURN:
Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.

MORNING SICKNESS:
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness.

MOSQUITO BITES:
Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.

NERVES:
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.. Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute of Psychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort food like chocolate and chips. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels by snacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours to keep levels steady.

ULCERS:
The banana is used as the dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chroniclercases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.

TEMPERATURE CONTROL:
Many other cultures see bananas as a 'cooling' fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers. In Thailand , for example, pregnant women eat bananas to ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has FOUR TIMES the protein, TWICE the carbohydrate, THREE TIMES the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and twice the other vitamins and minerals.. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around So maybe its time to change that well-known phrase so that we say, 'A BANANA a day keeps the doctor away!'

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9 Super Foods You Should Be Eating

An article by Renee Haxby reminding us of the healthiest foods to add to our diet.

I speak a lot about the importance of Super foods in my diet and how vital they are to my health and well-being. At 51 years of age, I believe it’s necessary for me to focus on a diet that is rich in antioxidants that help me combat free radical damage and the aging process. I’ve found that since I’ve grown older, I’ve become more aware of all I can do to remain healthy. As we age, certain aspects of our health and vitality diminish, and we must make an even greater effort to take responsibility for our health.

Free radicals are atoms that have lost their electron and are now single and unpaired. Under normal conditions our bodies can fight free radicals, but when antioxidants are unavailable, or free radical production becomes excessive, cell damage will occur. Free radicals accumulate with age and damage becomes cumulative over time. Free radical damage speeds up the internals and visible signs of aging. That’s one good reason for me to consume as many fresh antioxidant rich foods as I can. Here are some of my favorites!

1. Green tea is naturally high in antioxidants. Matcha is ceremonial-grade Japanese tea that is much higher in natural antioxidants, catechins, and chlorophyll, which support overall cleansing and health. When you drink Matcha, you increase alertness and metabolism, improve concentration and relieve stress, and provide protection of cells from oxidative damage. Tea is high in flavonoids, an antioxidant that has been shown to protect cells from certain types of cancer and heart disease.

2. Fresh Eggs are an inexpensive source of high-quality protein and provide the nutrients lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration. There are also sufficient sources of choline, which may enhance memory. I prefer farm-fresh and fertilized eggs from my hen house, but YOU can buy them from your local farmer’s market.

3. Oatmeal is a highly water-soluble grain that fills you up, while it stabilizes blood sugar levels and helps to clear cholesterol from your body. Serve oatmeal with any fruit you prefer. Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and black berries are an excellent choice because they are packed full of antioxidants.

4. Pineapple, Papaya and Grapefruit are high in enzymes that help us digest the foods we eat. Healthy digestion is important for preventing disease and maintaining energy levels. Enzymes assist the body in breaking down foods into blocks of molecules that can be used to fuel the body. These three foods are also very high in other nutrient rich vitamins and minerals that keep us strong and healthy.

5. Cacao beans are one of God's many gifts to human health. Cacao beans are extremely high in flavonoids, especially epicatechin, which benefits the cardiovascular system and seems to fend off cancer. Raw cacao is very high in nutrients and minerals such as; sulfur, zinc, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and Omega 3’s. They’re so high in antioxidants that people have said drinking raw cacao brings on magical health. Neurotransmitter functions are increased and serotonin production stimulates the brain to produce endorphins. Cacao also stimulates the production of Nacylethanolamides that temporarily increase anandamides in the brain, which “make us feel good.”

6. Goji berries, Blue berries, Raspberries, Acai berries, Cranberries, Strawberries, and Cherries are my favorite berries that are super high in antioxidant nutrients. These berries help to prevent many cancers and also fight heart disease, boost the immune system, lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and also reduce blood glucose levels. Berries high in Vitamin A and Beta carotene protects healthy vision and help fight age-related macular degeneration, which leads to blindness. Goji berries have been shown to help doctors treat the onset of Alzheimer’s.

MyAchingKnees comment:  Yes, fresh berries, better yet organically grown, are great for you but when you buy them in processed food/drink you are wasting your money.  Reminds me of  a lady who tried to get me to buy Goji Juice.  She told me that "people from the Country of Himalaya are living to be over 100 years old because they drink Goji juice."  I said, "first of all the country is Nepal,...the Himalaya's are the Mountain range that transects the country.  Second of all, the natives are not drinking Goji Juice brand,...they are living long because they grow and eat their own foods for the most part, live in a much less toxic environment and lead physical lifestyles....and third of all, a quality Red Wine (not Mad Dog or Old Smiley) has ten times the ORAC rating of Goji and similiar juices, and in fact, dark Grape Juice has a much higher ORAC score."  Anyway, the goodness of any of the Super Foods you eat are dependent upon how you get them:  fresh or processed.    

7. Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, and carotenoids. Spirulina is high in antioxidants and gamma linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid. Studies have suggested that Spirulina actually increases production of antibodies, infection-fighting proteins, and other cells that improve immunity to ward off infection and chronic illnesses. Spirulina is made up of 62% amino acids. Spirulina has also been proven to boost the production of good bacteria, or “probiotics.”

8. Wheat grass increases red blood cell count and lowers blood pressure. It cleanses the blood, organs, and the gastrointestinal tract of waste bi-products. Wheat grass has been known to stimulate the metabolism and the thyroid gland. It acts as a powerful detoxifier of the liver and other body organs, while reducing acidity in the blood. The enzymes and amino acids in Wheat grass can protect the body from harmful carcinogens and toxins in the environment by neutralizing them. Wheat grass is also loaded with Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is remarkably similar to our body’s hemoglobin because it transports oxygen in the blood. There are really too many benefits to list in the use of Wheat grass to treat the human body internally and externally.

9. Nuts and seeds are excellent ways to add healthy proteins and fats to our diets, while acting as powerful immune boosters, too! Some of my favorite nuts to eat by themselves or add to oatmeal are: almonds, cashews, walnuts, and hazelnuts. I add flax, chia, pumpkin, and sunflower seeds to my cereals, too. The healthy oils in nuts and seeds are packed full of Omega 3s, vitamin Bs, magnesium, potassium, copper and iron.

If you were to walk into my kitchen at any time, on any given day, you would find these Superfood sources in abundance! I love to shop for fresh and healthy foods that I consider to be super. To pass my test, you’ve got to be good and I believe these are some of the most simple, inexpensive, nutrient rich foods you can buy.

I genuinely hope that you will find these food choices just as delicious as I do. I want to see you become encouraged and willing to make those first steps towards a happier and healthier lifestyle.

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Toxins in Vitamins, Supplements and Health Foods

The 10 worst toxins hidden in vitamins, supplements and health foods from an article by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger Editor of NaturalNews.com


I'm absolutely shocked at how many people don't investigate what's really in the products they swallow. When something is sold as an herb, vitamin, superfood or supplement, they think it's automatically safe. And while the natural products industry has a truly remarkable safety record -- especially in contrast to the massive number of deaths caused by pharmaceuticals -- it still suffers from a lot of hidden toxins that are routinely used throughout the industry.

I know this because I've been an investigative journalist and activist in the natural health industry for over a decade. Natural News is arguably the most-read natural health news website in the world, reaching millions of readers a month. I've walked the floors of countless trade shows, conducted hundreds of interviews and spent tens of thousands of dollars on laboratory tests to determine what's in these products. On top of that, I'm deep into organic product formulations and certified organic food production, serving as the supervisor of a USDA-certified organic food production and packing facility.

When I look around the natural products industry, I see examples of super honest, high-integrity companies like Nature's Path and Dr. Bronner's. I also see an alarming number of cheats, crooks and charlatans who are only involved in the industry to profit from the explosion of interest in health supplements. In truth, some nutritional products are downright dangerous to your health. My role as a journalist and activist is to help you tell the difference between products that are GOOD for you vs. products that might actually be toxic. Because ultimately, I want you to be healthy, vibrant, intelligent and active. I want you to enjoy life and improve the quality of your life.

Be prepared to be shocked in reading what follows. After reviewing this list, you will probably throw out quite a few products in your refrigerator and pantry. Very few people are willing to tell you the truth revealed here, so some of this may come as a complete shock (see #1 and #2, below).

#1) Maltodextrin (from GM corn)

Let's start out with the big one first: If you pick up a natural product and the ingredients list says "maltodextrin," chances are very high that the maltodextrin in the product is derived from Monsanto's GM corn.

Virtually all the maltodextrin used throughout the natural products industry is genetically modified. Products that are certified USDA organic, however, are not using GMO maltodextrin.

The non-GMO, non-corn replacement for maltodextrin derived from GM corn is tapioca maltodextrin, and you'll find tapioca starch / maltodextrin in many certified organic, non-GMO products. Corn maltodextrin should be avoided unless it's certified USDA organic. Look for tapioca maltodextrin instead (or no maltodextrin at all).

#2) Vitamin C / acorbic acid (from GM corn)

Here's another whopper that's sure to open some eyes: Nearly all the "vitamin C" sold in vitamins across America right now is derived from GMO corn.

This means that many of the supplements sold at Whole Foods, the vitamins sold on Amazon.com, the pills at your local pharmacy, and especially the products at the grocery store are (nearly) all routinely made with genetically modified vitamin C. It's typically called "ascorbic acid," and nearly 100% of the ascorbic acid used in the natural products industry is derived from GMOs.

Sourcing non-GMO vitamin C requires you to go outside the United States. There is no existing supply chain of certified organic, non-GMO ascorbic acid available anywhere in America (at least not to my knowledge). You can't even run batches of non-GMO ascorbic acid production in the USA because all the facilities are contaminated with residues of GM corn.

Rest assured that all those cheap "vitamin C" pills sold at retail are derived from genetically modified corn.

#3) Hexane-extracted soy and rice proteins

Nearly 100% of the "natural" soy proteins sold in the USA are extracted in China using a hexane extraction method.

CLARIFICATION (updated): The primary manufacturer and distributor of brown rice protein in the USA, which imports brown rice protein processed in China, insists that hexane has never been used in the extraction of their product, not in the conventional brown rice protein nor their organic brown rice protein.

Their brown rice protein is a "hexane-free, non-GMO, Prop 65 compliant, Gamma Oryzanol-rich whole grain Oryzatein powder" and the manufacturer is Axiom. They supply a lot of the brown rice protein to numerous sources in the USA, and this is the best brown rice protein product available today, partially because it is NOT hexane extracted.

There is brown rice protein that's hexane extracted in China, however, but that's not carried by Axiom. So if you're buying anything with brown rice protein, make sure it's sourced from Axiom and not from another source that uses hexane. I also encourage you to eat only certified organic brown rice protein, not conventional brown rice protein.

Anything from China, by the way, should be double checked for metals content just to make sure it's all clean. This is true across the board for all food products from China, not just brown rice protein. We have consistently found nutritional products from China to be contaminated with worrisome levels of metals, which is why I personally won't put my brand name on anything from China other than a few exceptions that are well-tested such as goji berries (grown in the Himalayas). The Axiom company says their brown rice protein tests completely clean, but until I run those tests myself, I can't say for sure whether I concur with the claims.

What the industry really needs right now is a U.S. manufacturer of brown rice protein, for which a multi-million dollar market already exists. If Axiom would find a certified organic U.S. grower for its brown rice protein, the company would receive a huge endorsement from Natural News and probably find a whole new wave of demand from consumers who want U.S. grown products. Texas, by the way, produces a lot of organic brown rice. Surely there must be a way to extract the protein in America and not have to go all the way to China to find this.

On the issue of soy protein, no one disputes the fact that it's routinely extracted with hexane. Here's a list of many of the protein bar brands currently using soy protein:

Hexane is a highly explosive chemical. It is not only extremely hazardous to the environment, there may also be trace amounts of hexane left remaining in the resulting protein products. My understanding is that hexane extraction is not allowed in certified organic proteins, so if you have a choice, go for certified organic instead of just "natural" (which means nothing anyway).

Hexane extraction, by the way, is also used in the manufacture of textured vegetable protein (TVP).

#4) High levels of Aluminum in detox products

Natural News helped expose high aluminum levels (over 1200ppm) in a popular detox liquid, causing the main U.S. distributor to issue a "recall" notice and provide over $1 million in refunds to customers.

The manufacturer of this product, Adya Clarity, intentionally and knowingly deceived consumers by mislabeling the product and not mentioning the 1200ppm of aluminum it contained. The FDA seized some of the products and ran its own lab tests, confirming the high aluminum level as well as identifying multiple labeling violations.

Adya Clarity is just one of many so-called "detox" products containing alarming levels of aluminum and other metals. Ingesting these in order to "detox" your body may be harmful to your health. This experience also proves you can't always trust health products sold through online webinars, where manufacturers can ignore labeling laws and fabricate false claims. Buyer beware when it comes to metals in detox products that claim seemingly magical results.

#5) Lead and arsenic in herbs from China

China is the most polluted nation on the planet (by far), yet many fruits, vegetables and herbs are grown in China and exported to North America for use in natural products.

High levels of lead and arsenic are routinely found in various food, supplement and herbal products from China. I'm not concerned about 1ppm or lower, by the way, of heavy metals like lead and mercury. Even aluminum isn't necessarily a problem when found organically grown inside foods that test at higher levels such as 150ppm. But when lead, arsenic, mercury and cadmium get to high saturation levels (or are present in inorganic forms), it makes the products potentially a source of heavy metals poisoning for consumers.

Astonishingly, many of the small and medium-sized companies that import and retail products from China conduct no metals testing whatsoever. I know this as a fact because I've talked to people doing this.

For the record, everything packed under my own brand name (Health Ranger Select) and sold at the Natural News Store is independently tested by us to ensure full product safety and regulatory compliance.

#6) Inorganic minerals in cheap vitamins

Would you eat iron filings and call it nutrition? The majority of people don't know that most of the cheap vitamins sold today are made with iron filings. "Scrap metal," almost.

The calcium found in cheap vitamins is often just ground-up seashells, and magnesium is often sold as cheap magnesium oxide which may be completely useless to your body's cells. If you're buying mineral supplements, you may be wasting your money unless the minerals are in the right form: Magnesium orotate or malate, for example.

When it comes to mineral supplements, you'll often find trace levels of scary things like barium and lead in liquid supplements, but these are typically at such low levels (ppb) that they are no real concern. But the No. 1 best source for all minerals is, not surprisingly, fresh plants. If you really want to boost your minerals, feed 'em to sprouts or garden plants, then eat or juice those plants. Your body wants "organic" minerals from plants, not inorganic minerals from rocks.

#7) Carrageenan?

The Cornucopia Institute, a highly-effective food activism group that we've long supported, recently published a warning about carrageenan in foods. Cornucopia says carrageenan is linked to "gastrointestinal inflammation, including higher rates of colon cancer, in laboratory animals."

It goes on to report:

Given its effect on gastrointestinal inflammation, Cornucopia urges anyone suffering from gastrointestinal symptoms (irritable bowel syndrome/IBS, spastic colon, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic diarrhea, etc.) to consider completely eliminating carrageenan from the diet to determine if carrageenan was a factor in causing the symptoms.

Personally, I have never had any problem with carrageenan, and given that it's derived from seaweed, I also didn't mind the source. I actually consume quite a lot of carrageenan in Blue Diamond almond milk, which I drink when I'm too busy to make my own raw almond milk. And I've never had a problem with it whatsoever. So from my personal experience, I don't see carrageenan as a worrisome ingredient, but I do understand that some people experience it differently, and it may be troublesome for people whose digestive systems are more sensitive than my own.

For the record, I definitely don't consider carrageenan to be anywhere near as worrisome as, say, aspartame, GMOs or MSG.

#8) Acrylamides

Acrylamides are cancer-causing chemicals produced during the cooking of carbohydrates. Fried snack chips, for example, contain acrylamides. They don't have to be listed on labels because they are technically not "ingredients." They are chemicals produced during cooking or frying. Consuming acrylamides increases kidney cancer risk by 59 percent.

The FDA has published an extensive reference guide on acrylamide levels in foods, revealing that french fries have the highest levels of all. But they are also present in prune juice and even breakfast cereals.

A bag of organic snack chips can have just as many acrylamides as a bag of conventional snack chips. This is why fried snack chips should be eaten only sparingly, or never at all. I'm guilty of eating some of these chips myself from time to time, but I limit the quantity and make sure I'm taking chlorella or other superfoods at the same time to counteract the acrylamides.

Interestingly, it turns out that vitamin C blocks acrylamides from causing damage to your body. But if your vitamin C is from a GMO source (see above), you may want to rethink that strategy. Natural citrus juice, rose hips or even camu camu berry powder is a much better choice of natural, full-spectrum vitamin C.

If you eat fried foods of any kind, make sure you ingest a lot of vitamin C, astaxanthin and chlorella before and after your meal or snack.

#9) Hidden MSG / yeast extract

Hidden MSG is a huge issue across the natural products industry. Pick up almost any veggie burger, and you'll find it's made with yeast extract, a hidden form of MSG (monosodium glutamate).

Yeast extract is unbelievably prevalent in the food industry because it looks nicer on the label than "MSG." Most people are trained to avoid MSG, but yeast extract slips by, so food manufacturers put it into canned soups, dip mixes, snack chips, microwave dinners and especially in vegetarian products, many of which are so loaded with chemicals and additives that I won't dare touch them. Just because a food says "vegetarian" doesn't mean it's healthy.

Hidden MSG is also labeled as "autolyzed yeast extract" or "torula yeast" or even "hydrolyzed vegetable protein."

#10) Fluoride in green tea

Green tea is famous for being contaminated with high levels of fluoride. This is frustrating, because green tea is phenomenally good for your health. It has been proven to lower "bad" cholesterol levels, and it may even help prevent cancer and neurological disorders. It's probably one of the healthiest beverages you can ever drink.

The tea plant that produces green tea just happens to uptake a huge amount of fluoride from the soils. So when there's fluoride present in those soils, the green tea will have a surprisingly high concentration, sometimes as much as 25ppm.

An interesting article on this issue is found at Toxipedia.org:  While this fluoride in green tea might not be a health hazard all by itself, the governments of the world seem insistent on pumping even more synthetic, chemical fluoride into the water supplies, thereby creating a high risk for fluorosis. Adding green tea to the fluoride consumption you might experience from tap water is a recipe for disaster: brittle bones, discoloration of teeth and even cancer.

The final "dirty little secret" of the natural products industry

Finally, there's one more secret you need to know about. Most importers, packers, vendors and retailers of natural products foolishly trust the lab results provided by the manufacturers and exporters!

So a typical U.S. company that sells, for example, pomegranate powder on the internet may never conduct their own tests for lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic and aluminum. They will simply take the lab tests provided by the manufacturer and consider those to be absolute fact!

This is extraordinarily foolish. Growers and exporters routinely lie about their lab tests in order to pull the wool over the eyes of importers, formulators and retailers. The lab tests are easily faked or simply bought off in their home country. Contaminated products can be easily sold and exported because the FDA doesn't routinely check imported raw materials for heavy metals contamination.

On the good news side, I do know for a fact that all the higher-end retailers such as Natural News, Mercola, Gary Null, etc., all routinely test their raw materials for contaminants. I'm pretty sure Gaia herbs (www.GaiaHerbs.com) routinely tests all their batches, and I know that VitaCost, before it changed hands a few years ago, was running their own lab to test raw materials on-site (for their in-house formulations). But I also know of smaller retailers who absolutely do not test anything and are far more interested in moving boxes than knowing what's really in them. I also know that some operations are claiming to sell "organic" products even though they do not have any kind of organic certification, and that's an irresponsible practice that should be rectified. (Look for the USDA organic logo when you buy "organic" products. If they don't have the logo, they aren't really organic.)

So once again, buyer beware. You need to be asking for lab test results on anything from China, and it's good to ask for them on just about everything else as well. For our part, Natural News Store is already in the process of building a mechanism where we can post lab results for all the batches we import, pack and retail. We reject anything with high levels of metals, which is why it took us so many months to secure a really clean source of chlorella.

MyAchingKnees comments: This is what I always say "Let the buyer beware".  I would also be aware of supplement providers who conduct their own "in-house" testing without an outside certification from the USP or FDA.  Kind of reminds me of the "self regulating" banking industry, or better yet, letting politicians conduct their own ethics investigations.


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Anti-Oxidants and Your Health

A friend of mine sent me this article, or partial article, supposedly written by a herbalist named Wendy Wilson. I say "supposedly" since I do not know her not can I verify this article. But the words will speak for themselves.  The bolded print below are what I wanted to highlight.

HEALTH, by Herbalist – Wendy Wilson

THE STRONG ANTIOXIDANTS

I am continuing my series on how we can protect ourselves from the killer viruses and bacteria with our own immune system. Each day that goes by the scientific minds are discovering that what the ancients knew regarding living healthy. Our ancient ancestors may not have known what free radicals were but they knew which plants made them feel better and stronger against disease. They had no idea that the plants and herbs they were eating were rich in antioxidants. The term antioxidant is just what it means; “against oxidation.” Foods with chemical antioxidants will inhibit destruction to living tissue caused by oxidation. What chemicals give antioxidants their power? Is it enzymes, vitamins or minerals? If you answered enzymes and vitamins, you are correct. Your antioxidants are very important in developing a strong immune system defense against killer super bugs.

THE THEORY

In the 1950’s Dr. Denham Harman was the first to seriously link accumulative free radical damage to disease and premature aging. A nutrient problem America has faced is the government’s recommended daily allowance (RDA). One of the problems is that this system divides people into two nutrient categories; those below fifty-years-ofage and those above fifty. Do you think someone who is ninety would require the same nutrition of a fifty-one-year-old? Dr. Art Ulene has stated that there are scientific studies linking free radicals to a decline in immune system function. The elderly may not be eating well and their immune system is not getting old; it just isn’t getting the nutrients it needs to protect them. There is no doubt that antioxidant nutrition can enhance the human immune function and super charge it.

A CHEMICAL FIGHT

There are several ways to wage war. Our bodies encounter foreign matter every day. The job of our immune system is to neutralize any foreign invaders that are threats to our wellbeing and dispose of them. When our bodies do not get the nutrition it needs through vitamins and enzymes it is unable to stop the chain reaction of what are called free radicals. This is a transfer of electrons or hydrogen to an oxidizing agent. All this can occur in your cells and can damage or kill the cell. Your antioxidant nutrition in foods and herbs will terminate the replication of free radicals, which science declares as the cause and consequence of disease.

THE PETRO GUYS

Antioxidants are so powerful as a natural preservative that gasoline manufacturers will add antioxidants to gasoline to prevent the formation of gums, which clog engines. Likewise, we don’t want to gum up our bodies and make us targets to heart disease, neurological disease, autoimmune disease, cancer, cataracts, macular degeneration and so on.

THE MAJOR HITTERS

In the 1990’s researchers discovered that the most potent antioxidants as a human preservative were vitamins A, C and E. Biochemistry was revolutionized by the discovery of the influence these vitamins had on living organisms. The industrial world will use antioxidants to preserve their products; gas, tires or unsaturated fats. That’s great, but you want to use antioxidants to preserve YOU and to rebuild or boost your immune system to stay healthy.

MyAchingKnees comments:  Vitamins A, C and E are the most potent anti-oxidants?   Maybe not, or more correctly depending upon what degenerative disease your body is fighting.  A, C and E are of course very important, so are all the other vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants....Resveratrol and Grape Seed extract among them,.....but we need all the nutrients in doses far exceeding the 70 year old RDA, so these nutrients can work synergystically (someone told me that means efficienctly and together!) to provide our bodies the best chance of fighting degenerative disease and sickness.   

HOW MANY ANTIOXIDANTS?

How many antioxidants you have in your system depends on your lifestyle. Antioxidants are classified into two categories; the water-soluble antioxidants found in your blood and the lipid-soluble antioxidants designed to protect your cell membranes. Your body can make antioxidants but needs the right nutrition to do it. Foods and herbs with selenium and zinc will help the body built your antioxidant reserves. How? These minerals will help the body to utilize your antioxidant enzymes.

SELENIUM AND ZINC FOODS

You can tap into the foods that assist the body to make antioxidants with foods containing selenium and zinc such as; cashews, kidney beans, salmon, haddock, wheat germ, miso, beef, turkey, pumpkin seeds, pecans, pinto beans, walnuts, eggs, peanuts, oatmeal, almonds and anchovies.

FOOD

The general foods which will contain more antioxidants are; fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, lentils and even chocolate. I love chocolate! Green tea and vegetables with dark green, yellow and orange pigments will have the most antioxidant nutrition.

ANCIENT HERBS

Way before microscopes and labs were created there were the ancient healers such as Pliny and Elder who wrote about the healing power of plants. Today we know these plants are supercharged with antioxidants and we can tap into them just like the people of ancient Rome. Herbs such as Milk Thistle, Ginkgo, Ginseng, Red Raspberry, Cayenne, Echinacea root, astragalus root, garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish and many others.

STUDIED THE MOST

It is interesting that modern science has focused on milk thistle and ginkgo herbs regarding antioxidants. Ginkgo is said to be the world’s oldest tree species. Science has studied these herbs for years trying to unlock God’s secrets.

IMPORTANT FOR IMMUNE SYSTEM

Fat and oxidized fat is deadly to the organs of the human body, especially theliver. Researchers and Dr. William Lee have stated that using Milk Thistle herb is a proactive way to help prevent fat and poisonous substances from hurting your liver.

Scientific studies have shown Milk Thistle to be effective in detoxifying the liver. So far the essential chemical nutrient identified in Milk Thistle to accomplish this is the antioxidant called silybum marianum (a.k.a. silymarian). Milk Thistle is originally indigenous to the Mediterranean region but is now cultivated all over the world. The early Europeans would also use the seeds of the Milk Thistle plant as a coffee substitute.

SUPPRESSED IMMUNITY

If you have used prescription drugs for heart conditions, infections, arthritis, blood pressure and other chronic disease; then you will also have a suppressed immune system. Your antioxidant foods and herbs can help revitalize the immune system function. It is estimated that between 75% and 85% of Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables for antioxidant protection. A good example of what free radicals can do to your cells is to cut an apple and expose it to oxygen and watch it turn brown and rot. What most folks don’t think about is that although free radicals are a byproduct of our lifestyle, they are also a product of exposure to chemicals, dust, mold, excessive sunlight, water and air pollution. So, your diet and immune support herbs will play a very important role in protecting you from free radicals and the killer viruses and bacteria.

MyAchingKnees comments:  The apple test is a really good test.  Dissolve your daily nutritional supplement in a bowl of water then add a sliced apple.  If your apple turns brown within 12 hours or so (probably less) then you make want to re-think what you are spending money on.   

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The Truth About 8 Common Diet Strategies

This is a pretty decent article,...anything that causes you to think and explore is, but I have some issues with some of the things in this article.  1 - Weight Loss?  Two words - Diet and Exercise.  Of course you have to eat the right foods...think low glycemic and limit or eliminate any high glycemic foods.  2 - One reason diets fail is that you do not provide you body with the nutrients it needs to have a healthy immune system let alone function properly....yes, you can be starving yourself and at the same time losing weight, but who wants to be skinny AND sick? 

The Surprising Truth About 8 Common Diet Strategies, by Good Housekeeping on Healthy Living

Who has the time to keep up with weight-loss research? It's so technical...and confusing...and often contradictory! And yet if you don't know what's going on in the world of calorie counting, you may not be seeing the pounds drop off as fast as you think they should. In one European diet-and-exercise study, for example, participants who were given detailed explanations of the research itself were more likely to improve (exercise more or eat better or both) than a less clued-in group. Fortunately, we have dug into the latest research. And as we did, we noted that a surprising number of dieting tactics accepted as gospel have recently been shown to be dead wrong. Knowing which still hold up and which are big (fat) lies can mean the difference between winning and losing at weight loss. Here's the lowdown.

1. To lose a pound, you must cut 3,500 calories

FALSE: This much-quoted equation doesn't account for the slowdown that happens to your metabolism as you drop pounds, explain researchers at the National Institutes of Health. "As a result, it drastically overestimates how quickly people will lose weight," says senior investigator Kevin D. Hall, Ph.D. That's why his team has created a new, computerized model that accurately predicts just how long you'll have to say non to french fries. It takes into consideration not only the drop in calorie burn as you get slimmer, but also your current weight, your age, how much you're eating now, and other variables.

Let's say you're a 46-year-old woman who weighs 170 pounds. According to the traditional formula, if you cut 500 calories a day, you would drop a pound a week (500 ˜ 7 days = 3,500 calories, or 1 pound) - and lose 26 pounds in six months. But the new math shows that the weight loss is more likely to be 19.5 pounds.

Make this work for you: The weight-loss gods may be cruel, but knowing what to expect can keep you from getting discouraged - and from backsliding - when the scale seems stuck. To try the new Body Weight Simulator, go to bwsimulator.niddk.nih.gov. Especially cool: You can vary predictions of how much you might lose and how long it will take by changing what you plug in for your calorie intake and exercise level.

2. Three squares a day works as well as a "many mini meals" plan

TRUE: Dieters who stick to breakfast, lunch, and dinner are often no hungrier than those who opt to have frequent small meals and snacks throughout the day, a new University of Missouri study found. Actually, if you're a dieter who doesn't want to have to be extra careful about portion control, eating three squares might be a better strategy. "Often people misinterpret the size of a 'mini meal' and end up taking in far more calories than they realize," says lead author Heather J. Leidy, Ph.D. "Also, more meals means more exposure to food, which creates more opportunities for overeating."

Make this work for you: Whether you want to be a traditionalist or a conscientious "mini meal" strategist, the most important thing is not to go too low: Dieters who dine only once or twice a day tend to get ravenous - and we all know where that leads.

3. A history of yo-yo dieting wrecks your chances of future weight-loss success

FALSE: This idea gained traction back in the 1980s, when studies on rats found that those forced to yo-yo with their diets actually became more efficient at gaining weight. Humans, however, are luckier: In new research from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, a history of losing, then gaining, then losing wasn't linked to any negative effects on metabolism. Even severe yo-yo dieters - women who reported losing 20 or more pounds on three or more occasions - were able to follow a new diet and exercise program just as successfully as non-swingers.

Make this work for you: Yo-yoers are often women who try one crash diet after another. So take encouragement from this study and look for a plan that focuses on healthy lifestyle changes that lead to slow and steady weight loss.

4. Exercise does not burn off pounds

TRUE: It's hard to believe, but in a study of 411 women, those who worked out for over one, two, or three hours a week for six months didn't lose significantly more weight than those who'd devoted themselves to Sudoku or other sedentary pursuits. You'd think this finding was a fluke, but a recent review of 15 studies came to the same conclusion: Moderate workouts don't lead to weight loss, possibly because they make us hungrier. But there's also a biological explanation: As with weight loss, one of the ways your body adapts to an increase in exercise is to lower your resting metabolic rate about 7%, so you actually end up burning fewer calories - anywhere from 50 to 75 fewer per day, the review found.

Make this work for you: While exercise doesn't burn off the bulge, "it does boost your PFF: Pants Fit Factor," says Diana M. Thomas, Ph.D., of Montclair State University in New Jersey. "It helps reduce your waist and gives you a firmer, leaner-looking shape overall." What's more, a dwindling waistline is a key indicator that you're losing belly fat - the dangerous fat type that's linked to health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

5. It's best to set challenging weight-loss goals

TRUE: Weight-loss experts have long counseled that if dieters set high - that is, unrealistic - targets, they'll quickly get discouraged and give up. Better, the pros have advised, to think small. But in a recent study of 447 overweight adults, Dutch researchers found that the more weight loss the participants strived for, the more effort they made - and the more weight they reported losing after two months. One theory as to why being ambitious might help you shed more pounds: It has a psychologically energizing effect, pumping up your commitment and drive.

Make this work for you: When mapping out a pounds-off plan, go for the gold - or strive to lose 14% of your current weight. That's the target (on average) that motivated the higher-reaching dieters in the Dutch study. For a 165-pound woman, that works out to about a 23-pound loss.

6. Milk drinkers lose more weight

FALSE: Wipe that mustache off your face: When Harvard researchers analyzed 29 studies on the topic, they found that while dairy may help dieters in the short term, ultimately it's not a winning (i.e, losing) strategy. In fact, in most of the studies that had lasted a year or longer and that didn't restrict calories, adults who chugged extra glasses of the white stuff (or ate more dairy) actually gained more weight than participants who didn't.

Make this work for you: To satisfy your dairy cravings, sub in yogurt: The Harvard team noted that a recent large study did find yogurt intake helped with weight in the long term.

7. Tracking carbs is the best way to keep pounds off

FALSE: A balanced plan topped the usual technique of counting carbohydrates or fat grams in a study of adults who had recently lost a significant amount of weight. The least successful of the plans was the one that counted fat grams: It caused the biggest slowdown in metabolism, leading dieters to burn an average of 423 fewer calories a day. The carb-counting plan was problematic because it caused an increase in cortisol and C-reactive protein levels - factors that may elevate your risk of cardiovascular disease. In contrast, the balanced plan caused a less extreme drop in metabolism (under 300 calories a day) and didn't trigger any heart-harming consequences.

Make this work for you: The study's balanced plan included lots of whole grains, fresh vegetables, legumes, fruits, nuts, healthy fats like olive oil, and lean fish and meats; it excluded heavily processed foods like white bread and instant rice. Known as "low-glycemic," this type of diet is based on regulating the body's blood sugar and hormone levels. It may also be the easiest diet to stick to in the long term because it doesn't restrict entire classes of food, notes lead study author Cara B. Ebbeling, Ph.D., of Boston Children's Hospital. For info, go to childrenshospital.org (search "low-glycemic diet" for shopping lists and other tips).

8. You have to watch what you eat - forever

TRUE: Previously, experts believed if you restrained eating for too long, it would backfire and lead to bingeing, notes weight-loss researcher Fiona Johnson, Ph.D., of University College London. "But the constant bombardment of food temptations has led to a situation where self-control is essential."

Make this work for you: Psychologists specializing in dieting issues don't advocate outlawing a long list of favorite foods. Instead, they suggest "flexible restraint" - passing on sundaes or fries on most days, but occasionally allowing yourself those treats. To monitor how well you're balancing restraint with indulgence, step on your scale at least once a week. Regular weigh-ins will alert you to the need to rein in before a big, hard-to-shake weight gain settles in.

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Just for Laughs

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