A simple Detoxification Bath can be used anytime someone is feeling ill and toxins need to be released quickly or for just improving overall vitality.  This bath can be done in an ordinary bathtub without the use of any special equipment.  Hot water and certain cleansing ingredients are used to draw toxins to the surface of the skin where they can be released as the water cools.  Here’s a recipe to help detoxify the body.  Fill a bathtub with hot water (as hot as can be withstood) and add:

1 cup Sea Salt
1 cup Epsom Salt
1 cup Baking Soda
1 cup Apple Cider Vinegar (optional)
(Petroleum jelly can be spread over sensitive skin areas)

You may want to limit the initial soaking sessions to 10-15 minutes.  After you feel comfortable, increase the time to longer periods of 20-25 minutes.  Wrapping in a large bathrobe and warm blanket after the bath will allow the sweating to continue.  Excessive sweating can drain minerals and vitamins from the body.  So, drink plenty of pure water and replenish the minerals and vitamins with fresh vegetable juice or a good multi-vitamin mineral formula.  It is best to take this bath when you can relax quietly for a while.

The minerals in the sea salt, Epsom salt, and baking soda can help in the body’s detoxifying process.  If you include the apple cider vinegar (not regular vinegar), it can help relieve joint pains and muscle stress.  For an added touch, you may want to add a few drops of your favorite essential oil for added fragrance.

Removing toxins from the body in this manner may cause some fatigue as the body purges the toxins out.  You can minimize these symptoms by drinking plenty of pure water and scrubbing the skin gently with a cotton washcloth to remove toxins from the skin.  If you are under a doctor’s care for heart disease, high blood pressure, or diabetes, consult your doctor prior to taking a detox bath.  One final note, don’t be alarmed if the water looks murky as the toxins are released into the bath water.

The FDA hasn’t evaluated these statements. This page is presented for educational purposes only. You accept full responsibility for any action you take after reading this post.

Technorati Tags: detox, detoxification bath, poisons, rejuvenate, skin, toxic, toxins

Just by looking at the label of most processed foods you’ll find a list of flavor enhancers, preservatives, and food colorings. Some of which you probably can’t even pronounce. But why do food processors include food additives anyway? They include additives in their products to make them look and taste better and to increase shelf life. After all, when you buy blueberry yogurt, you expect it to look blue and not have a bland color. But what you may not know is that some of the common food additives in everyday products can have long-term harmful consequences on your health.

Here’s a list of twelve food additives that fall into this category.
1. Aspartame - This sweetener is typically found in no sugar diet foods such as diet sodas, low-calorie desserts, gelatins, and drink mixes. Nutrasweet and Equal contain aspartame. Some possible side effects include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, and breathing problems.
2. Acesultame K (potassium) - This artificial sweetener is 200 times sweeter than sugar and is commonly found in baked goods, chewing gum, and gelatin deserts.
3. BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT butylated hydrozyttoluene) - These two preservatives are commonly found in everyday household foods such as cereals, vegetable oils, potato chips, and chewing gum. They have an oxidizing affect, which may damage cells.
4. Food Colorings: Blue 1,2; Green 3; Red 3; Yellow 6 - These food colorings are typically found in foods where color may influence their purchase. Blue 1,2 are found in baked goods, candy, beverages, and even pet food. Green 3 can be found in beverages and candy. Red 3 is usually found in fruit cocktail, candy, and baked goods. Yellow 6 is found in baked goods, gelatin, candy, sausage, and beverages,
5. Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) - MSG is used to enhance the flavor of such items as chips, frozen entrees, salad dressings, and soups. Possible side effects are nausea and headaches.
6. Olestra - This synthetic fat can be found in some brands of potato chips. Possible side effects include diarrhea, gas, and abdominal cramps. Olestra has been shown to inhibit vitamin absorption.
7. Propyl Gallate - This preservative is occasionally found in vegetable oils, meat products, chewing gum, potato sticks, and chicken soup base. It helps reduce spoilage in oils and fats.
8. Potassium Bromate - Used to increase the volume in white flour, bread and rolls and to produce bread with a fine crumb structure. Use of this additive appears to be decreasing.
9. Sodium Chloride - Also know as salt, this popular additive is utilized to improve the flavor of food. Excessive use of salt may cause kidney problems, blood pressure problems, heart attack and stroke.
10. Sodium Nitrate (or Sodium Nitrite) - Used as a preservative in meats and to improve the flavor of hotdogs, ham, lunchmeat, smoked fish, and corn beef. Sodium nitrite stabilizes the red color in cured meat. Without it bacon and hotdogs would look gray. The meat processors justify the use of these additives because they believe they prevent the growth of botulism causing bacteria.
11. Trans Fat - This additive is typically found in food served at fast food restaurants, icing, baked goods, and microwave popcorn. Recently, food processors have started to replace trans fat with healthier substitutes. Foods labeled as “no trans fat” are not allow to have any trans fat, while those labeled as “0g trans fat” may contained up to .5g per serving. Health-conscious shoppers need to check the labels of foods claiming not to have trans fat to ensure there aren’t large amounts of saturated fat present.
12. White Sugar - Sugar and other sweeteners are common ingredients in desserts, cereals, baked goods, crackers, sauces, and many other processed foods. Although they make up 16 percent of the average person’s diet, they are void of helpful nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, or protein. Consumption of sugar and other refined sugars may lead to obesity, tooth decay, and other potentially harmful health conditions.

Food additives can be found in many of the processed foods sold today. Unfortunately, manufacturers aren’t required to list the amount of food additives contained in their products. So, it is difficult to compare products to find which ones have the smaller amount of additives. Check the labels to see if they are in the foods you eat. If so, you might consider looking for other items. If you see other additives that concern you, do a search for them on the internet and you likely find a description of the additives along with any possible harmful side effects.

Many of the above additives have been tested in animal studies and have been shown to cause cancer in lab animals. Whether these additives would also cause serious diseases in humans has not been thoroughly researched. But why take a chance with your health. Perhaps, the best strategy is to avoid them all together wherever you can.

The FDA hasn’t evaluated these statements. This page is presented for educational purposes only. You accept full responsibility for any action you take after reading this post.

Technorati Tags: aspartame, dangerous food additives, food additives, food colorings, monosodium glutamate, olestra, potassium bromate, propyl gallate, sodium chloride, sodium nitrate, sodium nitrite, sugar, trans fat

If you ask your friends and family which tips or tricks are likely to help one lose weight, you’ll probably hear a wide variety of different opinions.  Dieting has become so popular in our culture that you’ll likely find several diet books listed in the best sellers on many of the popular bookstore web sites.  Obesity is a real problem for many people in our modern society.  In just the United States, over 58 million people are overweight, with 40 million considered obese.  And, the obesity rate in children is also growing at an alerting rate.

But are there easy and less painful tricks that really help one lose weight?  Take this short quiz and see how your knowledge of diet tricks compares with the expert’s advice on how to get and stay slim!

Answer each statement as true or false.

1. Eating snacks before meals can result in less total food intake?  T or F
2. Eating slowly can help you eat less?  T or F
3. Occasionally starving yourself is a good way to lose weight?  T or F
4. It is possible to lose weight without seeing much change in your weight scale reading?  T or F
5. Dietetic or low sugar foods are lower in calories?  T or F
6. Low-calorie breads are generally lower in calories than regular bread?  T or F
7. The juice from roasted meat should be avoided?  T or F
8. 2% low-fat milk has much less fat than regular milk?  T or F
9. Regular ice cream has many more calories than low fat ice cream?  T or F
10. Lowering your salt intake will help you lose fat faster?  T or F
11. The manner in which food is prepared can have some bearing on reducing calorie intake?  T or F
12. The meal-in-a-can drinks can help one lose weight?  T or F
13. Periodically consuming a large amount of alcohol can cause a fast weight gain?  T or F
14. Smokers have a tendency to gain weight when they stop smoking?  T or F
15. Support groups and clubs can help one lose weight?  T or F
16. The 100-calorie packs help dieters lose weight?  T or F

To see how well you did click on Diet Quiz Answers

Technorati Tags: diet, diet tricks, eat slowly, fat, fitness, low fat, obesity

1. Eating snacks before meals can result in less total food intake? True. Consuming a low-calorie snack 30 minutes before a regular meal can cause one to eat less food. This light snack can cause the brain’s appetite controls to feel somewhat appeased. The best type of pre-meal snack includes such items as a small salad, an orange, or carrots. High fat foods, such as potato chips and cocktail nuts, should be avoided.




2. Eating slowly can help you eat less? True. By consuming the meal slowly and chewing the food thoroughly, the appetite control in the brain (indicating fullness or satisfaction) is usually triggered without consuming a large quantity of food. Consuming food too quickly results in the body feeling hungry and wanting more food. Thus causing one to overeat and gain weight. This is backed up by a study in Japan in which researchers concluded that when people eat quickly they are three times more likely to overeat and thus become overweight.

3. Occasionally starving yourself is a good way to lose weight? False. Starving can initially cause a decrease in bodily weight because the digestive tract is emptied. But this does not necessarily mean that the loss is all fat. Starving can also burn muscle as the body tries to conserve its reserves. So, the potential negative effects of periodic starving can out weigh the benefits.

4. It is possible to lose weight without seeing much change in your weight scale reading? True. It can be discouraging to diet for several weeks and only see a small decrease (or increase) in weight. This phenomenon can occur as the body loses fat and water tends to fill the plumb tissue as the fat disappears. The retained water can offset the weight lost, or perhaps cause a temporary weight increase. This can cause the dieter to assume the diet isn’t working and move on to another diet or give up. The best advice is to be patient and stick with the diet. Eventually the water will be released and the body weight will decrease.

5. Dietetic or low sugar foods are lower in calories? False. “Dietetic” or foods with low-sugar content are not necessarily lower in calorie totals. It is best to compare labels to see which product has a lower calorie content.

6. Low-calorie breads are generally lower in calories than regular bread? False. While it is true that some bread may be slightly lower in calories, one must compare labels to see which one truly has fewer calories. Some bread products may say they have “fewer per slice”, but that may be because the slices are thinner.

7. The juice from roasted meat should be avoided? False. The juice from roasted meat can provide good nutrition when used in stews and soups, provided the fat is skimmed off when the liquid cools.

8. 2% low-fat milk has much less fat than regular milk? False.  “Two-percent” low fat mild usually has a little more than half the fat of regular fat which has three to five percent fat. So, in an eight-ounce glass, regular milk in most brands contain around 150 calories and two-percent around 120 calories. Not much of a difference.

9. Regular ice cream has many more calories than low fat ice cream? False. Comparing a serving of a typical vanilla ice cream to low-fat ice cream reveals only a small difference in calories, 120 calories (vanilla) versus 100 calories (low-fat). Consuming an additional ounce of the low-fat ice cream would make it equal in calories to the vanilla ice cream. Now, if you compare some of the extra creamy or rich varieties you’ll find they typically contain over 250 calories per serving which is a more significant difference.

10. Lowering your salt intake will help you lose fat faster? False. Although it is important to watch one’s sodium intake, for the dieter, salt affects only fluid retention in the body. But consuming less salt during the initial dieting period can help to diminish the extra water retained. This may help minimize the discouraging impression that no weight is being lost.

11. The manner in which food is prepared can have some bearing on reducing calorie intake? True. Utilizing cooking methods that minimizes or eliminates the use of oil, butter, or shortening are better for people who watch calories. Baking, boiling, and steaming are much better cooking methods than frying or sautéing. Stick-proof cookware can also be used to minimize the use of oils and butter.

12. The meal-in-a-can drinks can help one lose weight? True. While the meal-in-a-can liquid diets provide a quick solution for someone looking for a nutritionally, complete meal, they do have some drawbacks. Namely, 1) the calories they provide are typically low for the large or active person, 2) they do little to help a person change their eating habits and thus maintain their weight after the loss is achieved, 3) they are hard to stay with, and 4) they lack bulk, which can cause a slow down in bowel movements if continue for more than a short period.

13. Periodically consuming a large amount of alcohol can cause a fast weight gain? False. The body treats calories form alcohol just any other calorie. From a calorie standpoint, it is better to consume several drinks at one time than have a drink of alcohol every day. But this is in no way a recommendation as periodic heavy drinking can cause permanent damage to other body organs.

14. Smokers have a tendency to gain weight when they stop smoking? False. It is possible for a withdrawing smoker to gain some weight, typically five to seven pounds, but this weight can be lost with conscious effort. On the other hand, the negative impact of smoking to the bodily organs can be equivalent to carrying an extra 100 pounds.

15. Support groups and clubs can help one lose weight? True.  But is best to consult with your doctor before starting any diet or exercise program. Your age and the condition of your health may require that you maintain a certain level of calories every day or that you limit the intensity of your exercise. The major advantage of group sessions is to help you stay motivated to lose weight and provide some accountability for sticking with your weight loss goals. But weight scales and mirrors are much cheaper.

16. The 100-calorie packs help dieters lose weight? False.  A recent study at Arizona State University concluded that chronic dieters tended to consume more calories when foods and packages are smaller. They generally perceived these packaged snacks as diet foods and that perception caused them to overeat.

Technorati Tags: calorie intake, diet, fat, ice cream, lose weight, low fat, low-calorie, obesity, salt intake, support groups

Traditionally, tea consumption originated in China around 5,000 years ago.  In traditional medicine, green tea has been used in China, Japan, Thailand, and India for a wide variety of ailments from helping wounds heal to regulating body temperature, blood sugar and promoting digestion.  Green tea is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant that has undergone minimal oxidation to preserve its quality.  The green teas available today can vary widely due to growing conditions, harvest methods, and processing methods.  The better quality green teas have a greenish color.  Green teas that are dark or brownish in color may indicate that oxidation has occurred.

Over the last twenty years, there have been many scientific and medical studies conducted on green tea to determine if it did indeed offer any health benefits.  The results of these studies suggest that regular ingestion of green tea might help lower risks for certain health conditions and aid in weight loss management.

Green Tea Studies
A study published in the March 2008 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on research conducted at The University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.  In this placebo-controlled study, researchers investigated the effects of acute ingestion of green tea extract on glucose tolerance and fat oxidation during moderately intense exercise in young men.  In the first of two studies, twelve healthy men performed a 30-minute cycling exercise at 60% of maximal oxygen consumption before and after taking a green tea extract supplement.  In the second study, eleven healthy young men took an oral-glucose-tolerance test before and after taking a green tea extract supplement.  In both studies, the consumption of the green tea extract showed more favorable results compared to those taking a placebo.  The average improvement in fat oxidation was 17% and the insulin sensitivity was 13% higher after ingesting the green tea extract.  These studies clearly showed that green tea extract can increase the amount of fat burned while engaging in moderately intense workouts.  Moreover, researchers noted that the contribution of fat oxidation to total energy expenditure during exercise was significantly higher when the extract was ingested.  Further, the green tea extract helped boost the metabolism of fat by increasing the availability of fat as a fuel.

Summary
Green tea from quality leaves can have a positive impact on one’s health when ingested on a regular basis.  In recent studies, it has been shown to aid in promoting fat oxidation in humans at rest, helps decrease obesity, and improves insulin sensitivity in mice.  Other studies have demonstrated the green tea can help to lower the risks of certain degenerative diseases and help with weight loss.

Technorati Tags: camellia sinensis, fat oxidation, glucose, green tea, metabolism, tea, weight loss

Where Did We Park The Car?

Are you one of the 76% of adults over 30 that experiences memory lapses and forgetfulness? Do you have trouble locating your keys or remembering where you parked your car at the mall? Do you find it hard to remember the names of people you just met? As we grow older, these and other memory lapses can make us feel we are losing our mental edge. Our busy lifestyles and just the simple aging of our bodies can cause our ability to remember to begin to deteriorate. Small bits of information like names, special dates or specific events become harder to recall. Have you ever felt embarrassed when you forgot an important anniversary or a birthday? We all have occasions when we can’t find our car keys or we forget to pick up something on a trip to the store. This occasional memory loss is normal and not likely to lead to a permanent memory loss if we continue to maintain a proper diet, maintain proper nutritional support, and exercise our brain.


One of the primary reasons people experience memory loss is that their brain doesn’t get a sufficient supply of nutrients. This is usually due to poor circulation. Our blood feeds and nourishes every cell within our body. When the cells and neurotransmitters in the brain don’t receive sufficient oxygen and nutrients from the blood, memory loss can result. When cholesterol and triglycerides cause the blood to thicken, the vital nutrients in the blood have a harder time reaching the brain. If this situation is not improved, the brain can become malnourished. Further, the brain depends on neurotransmitters to function properly. The neurotransmitters, which act as chemical messengers for the brain, are made from the nutrients supplied by the blood. So, if the brain doesn’t have enough neurotransmitters or sufficient nutrients to create more, then memory loss can occur.

Another factor that can affect memory is the exposure of the brain to toxic elements. The brain is very sensitive and exposure to free radicals, pollutants, pesticides, alcohol, tobacco, artificial sweeteners, dental mercury, and drug abuse can cause further damage to the brain and memory retention.

Fortunately, there are nutrients available that can help improve the flow of blood to the brain and enhance the work of the neurotransmitters, thereby increasing the oxygen and nutrients available to the brain cells. Further, some of these nutrients can help the body rid itself of free radicals and dangerous toxins before they can cause extensive damage. Some of these powerful nutrients are: Alpha Lipoic Acid, Bacopin, Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, Huperzine A, and Phosphatidylserine.

Health Benefits
Today, memory loss is more of a concern than ever before. According to USA Today, “New scientific studies confirm what midlifers already know: Their memories are slipping”. Here’s a quick summary of the benefits provided by the nutrients mentioned above:


• Alpha Lipoic Acid works as an antioxidant to help neutralize free radical damage. Since Alpha Lipoic Acid is both fat and water soluble, it can work both inside and outside the cell to prevent free radials from damaging the cells.
• Bacopin is helpful for increasing the speed of learning and improving the perception of the sense organs.
• Ginkgo Biloba is one of the most popular alternative remedies for improving memory and concentration. It improves blood circulation to the brain, arms, and legs. According to Bottom Line Health, “Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to improve memory in Alzheimer’s patients, as well as otherwise healthy people”. Ginkgo also exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Gotu Kola is helpful for revitalizing the nerves and brain cells, fortifying the immune system, and strengthening the adrenals. It appears helpful for promoting healthy skin, purifying the blood, and improving circulation throughout the body by strengthening the veins and capillaries.
• Huperzine A is a pure extract from a Chinese herb used for centuries to improve memory and mental acuity. Huperzine A helps protect acetylchorine from destructive enzymes. Acetylchorine is a brain chemical that is essential for maintaining memory. In addition, researchers have found that Huperzine A is helpful for reversing memory loss.
• Phosphatidylserine is helpful for improving concentration, short-term memory, mood, learning, and reflexes according to the results from several clinical studies. It also appears to help increase the production of acetylchorine, the brain’s messenger of memory.

Scientific Studies
In a double blind, placebo controlled study reported in a 1991 issue of Current Medical Research Opinion, the effectiveness of using ginkgo biloba for improving memory and cognitive function was examined. For this study, thirty-one patients over the age of 50 years were randomly selected to receive either 40 mg. of ginkgo biloba or a placebo three times a day, for twenty-four weeks. Patients were evaluated at twelve and twenty-four weeks using several psychometric tests (knowledge, abilities, and attitude). Researchers concluded that ginkgo provided significant benefits for improving cognitive function (thinking, reasoning, and remembering).

An article in a 1997 issue of Journal of American Medical Association reported on the results of a one-year study to evaluate the benefits of using Ginkgo biloba on patients with dementia. For this placebo-controlled, double blind, randomized trial, 309 patients received either daily doses of 120 mg of ginkgo biloba or a placebo. Researchers found that ginkgo was safe and provided significant improvement in cognitive function, daily living, and social performance for patients with dementia.

In a double blind, placebo controlled study published in Neurology, 149 patients with age-related memory impairment participated in a twelve week study. Patients were divided into two groups, with one group receiving daily doses of 300 mg. of phosphatidylserine and the other group receiving a placebo. The group receiving phosphatidylserine experienced greater improvement than the placebo group in learning and memory performance tests. Researchers found that patients with relatively low scores at the beginning of the study showed greater improvement with phosphatidylserine. They concluded that phosphatidylserine appears to be a viable tool for improving memory loss in age-related cases.

In a double blind, placebo controlled study published in a 1992 issue of European Neuropsychopharmacology, 494 patients (between 65 and 93 years of age) with moderate to severe cognitive decline participated in a six month study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. The first group received 300 mg. of phosphatidylserine daily and the second group received a placebo. Patients were evaluated at the beginning of the study, at three months, and at the end of the study. Researchers observed statistically significant improvements in behavioral and cognitive measurements in the phosphatidylserine group compared to the placebo group.

In an article published in a 1985 Chinese medical journal, 103 subjects with memory impairment participated in a double blind, randomized clinical trial. Fifty of the patients received 200 mcg of Huperzine A and 53 received a placebo, twice a day for 8 weeks. At the end of the study, 29 (58 per cent) of the patients in the Huperzine A group experienced significant improvements in the memory, thinking, and behavioral functions. Only 19 of the patients in the placebo group showed any improvement in these areas. No adverse side effects were observed. The researchers concluded that Huperzine A was a promising option for addressing memory impairment problems.

References:
Crook TH, Tinklenberg YJ, et al. “Effects of phosphatidylserine in age-associated memory impairment.” Neurology (41 pg. 644-649): American Medical Association: Illinois; 1991.
Engel RR, Satzger W, Grunther W, et al. “Double-blind, crossover study of phosphatidylserine versus placebo in patients with early dementia of the Alzheimer’s type.” European Neuropsychopharmacology (2, pg. 149-155): Elsevier: The Netherlands; 1992.
Le Bars PL. “ A placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized trial of an extract of ginkgo biloba for dementia.” Journal of American Medical Association (278, pg. 1327-1332): American Medical Association: Illinois; 1997.
Rai GS, Shovlin C, Wesnes KA. “A double-blind, placebo controlled study of Ginkgo biloba extract (tanakan) in elderly outpatients with mild to moderate memory impairment.” Current Medical Research Opinion (12, pg. 350-355): LibraPharm: New Jersey; 1991.
Xu SS, et al. “Efficacy of tablet huperzine-A on memory, cognition, and behavior in Alzheimer’s disease.” Chung Kuo Yao Li Hsueh Pao (16, pg. 391–395): China; 1995.

Resources:
Bagchi Debasis, Barilla Jean, Bagchi D. “Huperzine A: Boost Your Brain Power.” Keats Publishing: Connecticut; 1999.
Conkling Winifred. “Secrets of Ginkgo.” St. Martin’s Paperback: New York; 1999.
Kidd Paris M. “Phosphatidylserine.” Keats Publishing: Connecticut; 1998.

Technorati Tags: Alpha Lipoic Acid, Bacopin, forgetfulness, Ginkgo Biloba, Gotu Kola, Huperzine A, memory loss, Phosphatidylserine

People around the world have used pine bark remedies to treat various health problems from coughs to wounds for quite some time.  Pine bark extract comes from the bark of the European coastal pine, pinus maritime.  The rough bark of this particular pine tree contains a rich source of flavonoids.  Recent research suggests that many of the compounds found in pine bark such as oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes (OPCs) act as a powerful antioxidant in the human body.  These OPCs are among the most potent antioxidants existing today and they seem to help cells defend against the damages of free radicals.

Free radicals, or oxidants, are unstable molecules with an unpaired (free) electron.  Free radicals result when your body is exposed to air pollution, stress, chemicals, radiation, or cigarette smoke.  They can even result when food is converted to energy.  Unfortunately, these free radicals can build up and over time start attacking normal cells and tissues.  When the body has adequate antioxidants, it can defend against these destructive predators.  Antioxidants provide the extra electron to neutralize the damaging effect of free radicals.  By keeping these oxidants under control, the body is better able to fight off diseases and to recover from injuries.

So where do you find the right antioxidants?  Pine bark extract, olive polyphenols, RosaEx, Coenzyme Q10, vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E certainly seem to help fend off the damage done by free radicals.

Pine Bark Health Benefits
In France, both the pine bark extract and OPCs have undergone extensive testing for safety and effectiveness.  They have been shown to protect cells from free radical damage and increase the effectiveness of other antioxidants including vitamins A, C, and E and the mineral selenium.  Studies have shown that the antioxidant power of OPCs is much stronger than vitamin C and vitamin E.  Pine bark extract is one of the few antioxidants capable of crossing the blood-brain barrier to protect brain cells. Further, researchers have found that pine bark extract provides support for heart, circulation, and brain systems.

Scientific Studies
In an in vitro research study, reported in the January 2006 issue of International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research, lab rats were divided into four groups. The purpose of this study was to measure the potential antioxidant benefits of consuming procyanidin-rich pine bark and grape seed extracts.  For eight weeks, two groups of rats were fed either a pine bark extract or grape seed extract (500 mg/kg of body weight).  Procyanidin extracts were not included in the diet of the other two groups.  Analysis of the blood at the end of the study concluded that total antioxidant capacity was significantly higher for the two groups receiving the pine bark and grape seed extracts.  Also, during the study, blood was analyzed two hours after consumption of the procyanidin extracts and the researchers found that the ferric-reducing antioxidant power values were higher in extract groups (indicating the presence of antioxidants) compared to the control groups.

The October 2002 issue of Lipids reported on the results of a study aimed to determine the effect of supplementing with a patented extract of maritime pine bark.  Twenty-five healthy people took 150 mg per day of pine bark extract for six weeks.  Blood samples were collect at the beginning, at three weeks, at six weeks, and at ten weeks after the start of the study.  The six-week blood samples showed a significant increase in polyphenol levels, which returned to normal in the ten-week samples.  A significant increase in oxygen radical absorbance capacity was recorded during the supplementation period validating the antioxidant effect of the extracts.  Fifteen of the subjects recorded a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL cholesterol levels.

References:
Busserolles J., Gueux E., Balasinska B., Piriou Y., Rock E., Rayssiguier Y., Mazur A. “In vivo antioxidant activity of procyanidin-rich extracts from grape seed and pine (Pinus maritima) bark in rats.” International Journal of Vitamin and Nutrition Research: Switzerland; January 2006.
Devaraj Sridevi, Vega-López Sonia, Kaul Nalini, Schönlau Frank, Rohdewald Peter, Jialal Ishwarlal. “Supplementation with a Pine Bark Extract Rich in Polyphenols Increases Plasma Antioxidant Capacity and Alters the Plasma Lipoprotein Profile.” Lipids: AOCS Press; October 2002.

Resources:
Dupler Douglas. “Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine: Pine bark extract.” Thomson Gale; December 2004.
Kilham Chris. “OPC: The Miracle Antioxidant.” McGraw-Hill: Ohio; January 1998.
D’Raye Tonita. “The Great Grape and Fine Pine, OPC Antioxidant Extracts.” Awieca Inc.; April 15, 2001.

The FDA hasn’t evaluated these statements. This page is presented for educational purposes only. You accept full responsibility for any action you take after reading this post.

Technorati Tags: antioxidant, coenzyme Q10, olive polyphenols, pine bark, vitamin c, vitamin e

A poll conducted in 2005 by ABC News, USA Today, and Stanford University Medical Center revealed that about half of Americans experience chronic or recurrent pain.

Almost every adult experiences some form of pain from time to time.  Generally, chronic pain is defined as pain that lasts more than three months and recurrent pain is pain the comes and goes.  Acute pain is pain that is short-term or injury related.  The people surveyed categorized their pain as follows: acute – 44 per cent, recurrent – 34 per cent, and chronic – 19 per cent.

Almost half of those surveyed didn’t know what caused their pain.  When asked about the impact their pain had daily activities, 43 per cent indicated it affected their mood and 39 per cent indicated it hindered their sleep.

The surveyors also queried polltakers on the remedies they sought to ease their pain.  Over half (63 per cent) indicated they had consulted a health professional about their pain.  Of those, only 59 per cent felt they had received any significant reduction in their pain as a result of the visit.  Another interesting aspect that came out was the methods that people used to relieve their pain.  Here’s a list of the top pain relief methods used: over-the-counter drugs – 84 percent, home remedies – 81 per cent, prescription drugs – 60 per cent, bed rest – 58 per cent, prayer – 58 per cent, chiropractic – 28 per cent, and massage – 28 per cent.  For the people that used prescription drugs, 19 per cent indicated they took them every day.  For over-the-counter drugs, 33 per cent used them daily or at least once a week.

In 1997, Dr. Norman J. Marcus, director of the New York Pain Treatment Program authored a report in which he stated that pain had reached epidemic proportions in America.  In this report, Science News Report issued by the American Medical Association, Dr Marcus states, “ten of millions of Americans suffer from some form of pain each year, taking substantial toll on their productivity in the workplace and their ability to take care of their responsibilities at home.”

Billions of dollars are spent each year of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.  Drugs don’t cure disease.  They simply mask symptoms instead of addressing the underlying cause of the pain.  When you get a headache, it is not because you have an aspirin deficiency.  Many of the drugs prescribed today have serious side effects.  For example, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are typically used to relieve osteoarthritis pain, but they also tend to deteriorate joint tissue.  Some drugs may have value for treating injuries and acute illness, but they are still biochemical outsiders to the body and tend to deplete nutrients, such as vitamins and minerals.

In non-injury cases, pain usually indicates that one of more of the body’s systems is out of balance.  Identifying the cause(s) for the imbalance and correcting it with proper nutrition (including natural supplements), exercise, rest, or lifestyle changes can provide a better long-term solution.  One such supplement that can play an important role in helping bring the body back into balance is Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM).

MSM Health Benefits
What is MSM? MSM is an organic compound containing 34 per cent sulfur that occurs naturally in vegetables, fruits, grains, and milk.  Sulfur is the third most abundant mineral in the human body.  Concentrations are highest during infancy and decrease with age.

Sulfur is used in the production of proteins, including those needed for forming muscles, hair, and skin.  It is found in teeth, bones, and collagen (which makes up connective tissues).  MSM appears to be helpful for pain relief, inflammation, and supporting joint health.  MSM also exhibits antioxidant properties.  Research has shown MSM to have no side effects when taken as directed.

Dr. Stanley Jacob states in his book, “The Miracle of MSM”, that based on clinical experience MSM has been shown to be an effective pain reliever in about 70 per cent of the cases.

Scientific Studies
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 2004, reported in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, examines the effectiveness of using MSM on patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee.  Subjects in this twelve-week study received either 3,000 mg. of MSM twice daily or a placebo.  Pain and mobility measurements were evaluated using standard clinical efficacy scales.  The MSM group had significant decreases in pain and improvements in their ability to perform daily tasks compared to the placebo group.  Researchers also observed significant reduction in factors associated with cardiovascular problems.  During the study, no notable adverse side effects were observed.

In a 2002 issue of the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine the results of a trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of MSM was reported.  For this study, fifty subjects with seasonal allergic rhinitis received 2600 mg of MSM daily for 30 days.  By the seventh day, subjects experienced improvement in upper and lower respiratory symptoms and by the fourteenth day their energy levels increased significantly.  At the end of the study, researchers found that allergy symptoms were reduced and energy levels were improved.

An unpublished, double blind study, documented in the book “MSM: The Definitive Guide”, evaluated the effectiveness of MSM for degenerative arthritis.  In this study, subjects were divided into two groups.  The first group received a daily dose of 750 mg and the second group a placebo for six weeks.  After the study, researchers observed an 80 per cent improvement in the MSM group.  The improvement placebo group was 20 per cent.

The 2002 issue of Alternative Medicine Review reported on the results of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial to determine the effects of MSM on muscle strains and other athletic injuries.  For this study, Dr. Ronald Lawrence divided twenty-four subjects with sustained acute muscle injuries into two groups.  Each group received routine chiropractic manipulation, muscle stimulation, and ultrasound treatments.  The first group received daily doses of MSM and the second group a placebo.  Subjects continued on the treatment routine until all symptoms were resolved.  Subjects in the MSM group experienced a 58.3 per cent reduction in symptoms and the placebo group a 33.3 per cent reduction.  Dr. Lawrence noted that subjects in the MSM group recovered after 3.25 (on average) chiropractic treatments.  Subjects in the placebo group needed 5.25 (on average) chiropractic treatments.

Anecdotal evidence appears to suggest that daily doses of 2000 mg of MSM may keep mosquitoes from biting humans.

References:
Barrager E, Veltmann JR Jr, Schauss AG, Schiller RN. “A multicentered, open-label trial on the safety and efficacy of methylsulfonylmethane in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.” Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (8, pg. 167-173): Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.: New York; 2002.
Jacob SW, Appleton J. “MSM: The Definitive Guide, A Comprehensive Review of the Science and Therapeutics of Methylsulfonylmethane.”  Freedom Press: California; 2003.
Jacob SW, Lawrence R, Zucker M. “The Miracle of MSM.” Berkley Books: New York; 1999.
Parcell Stephen. “Sulfur in Human Nutrition and Applications in Medicine.” Alternate Medicine Review (7-1, pg. 22-44): Thorne Research, Inc.: Massachusetts; 2002.
Kim LS, Axelrod LJ, Howard P, Buratovich N, Waters RF. “Efficacy of methylsulfonyl-methane (MSM) in osteoarthritis pain of the knee: a pilot clinical trial.”  Osteoarthritis and Cartilage (14, pg. 286–94): Southwest College Research Institute: Arizona; 2006.

Resources:
Monograph. “Methylsulfonylmethane.” Alternative Medicine Review (8, pg 438-441) Throne Research, Inc.: Massachusetts; 2003.

The FDA hasn’t evaluated these statements. This page is presented for educational purposes only. You accept full responsibility for any action you take after reading this post.

Technorati Tags: anti-inflammatory drugs, methylsulfonylmethane, msm, msm health benefits, pain, sulfur

The immune system is a complex group of mechanisms that guard against infection by identifying and destroying pathogens (the bad guys).  A healthy immune system is able to distinguish pathogens from the normal cells and tissues.  This process of identifying and destroying pathogens is complicated as the pathogens are continuously evolving and trying to invade the cells in different forms.

Factors that influence how well your immune system functions are:  the quality and quantity of the food, water, and air you consume, the stress you experience, the amount of sleep and exercise you get each day, use of prescription and over-the cover drugs, use of stimulants (caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol, etc.), and what you take to support the immune system.

Fresh, wholesome fruits and vegetable and foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids can have a positive impact on the immune system.  Consuming an adequate supply of pure water helps the body remove toxins and other wastes.  Chronic stress tends to weaken the immune system resulting in more frequent infections, illnesses, and other health problems.  Getting adequate sleep (7-9 hours) helps replenish the immune system.  Insufficient sleep can make the body more susceptible to disease and cause greater stress (further weakening the body’s immunity).  Moderate exercise helps immune cells circulate through the body faster, which aids in destroying pathogens.  Long-term use of drugs and stimulants tend to weaken the immune system resulting in additional health problems.  In traditional medicine systems, there are herbs (such as echinacea, astragalus, yellow dock, ginseng, reishi, elderberry, cordyceps, and rhodiola) that appear to stimulate and sustain the immune system.
Echinacea (also known as the purple coneflower) is a wildflower native to North America and was traditionally used by Native Americans as a remedy for snakebites and as a general antiseptic for infections.  It was first introduced into US medical practice in the late 1800s and was used to treat a variety of kidney and urinary tract infections, chronic bacterial infections, and syphilis.

The three species of Echinacea that are used for medicinal purposes are: Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea Purpurea, and Echinacea Pallida.  Active constituents in Echinacea include alkylamides/polyacetylenes, caffeic derivatives (primarily echinocoside), flavonoids, and polysaccharides.  All these constituents appear to work together to provide echinacea’s immune-stimulating effect.

Echinacea Health Benefits
Keeping one’s immune system performing in the best possible manner should be of paramount importance to everyone, since it controls our ability to maintain a healthy body.  Sadly, too many people don’t understand the important role the immune system plays in their health and what they need to do to ensure that it functions properly.  Food, lifestyle, and how we take care of our body play an important role in determining how well the immune system functions.  Echinacea appears to stimulate the production of white blood cells, which helps to strengthen the immune system.

Scientific Studies
An article published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics shares the results of a double blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of Echinacea for reducing the severity and duration of symptoms of a naturally occurring common cold.  For this trial, 282 subjects with a history of two or more colds per year were asked to participant.  The subjects were between the ages of eighteen and sixty-five years and were in good health.  The subjects were randomly given either echinacea or a placebo and were told to take the preparation at the start of the first cold symptoms.  On the first day, they consume ten doses and then four doses per day for the next seven days.  The subjects recorded the severity of their symptoms each day, with medical evaluations on the third and eight mornings.  A total of 128 subjects (fifty-nine on echinacea and sixty-nine on placebo) experienced a cold during the study.  The daily symptom scores for the echinacea group were 23.1 per cent lower than the placebo group.  Researchers observed that the echinacea group responded better than the other group.  Researchers concluded from the results that early intervention with echinacea helped reduce the severity of symptoms for those suffering from upper respiratory tract infections.

References:
Goel V., Lovlin R., Barton R., Lyon M.R., Bauer R., Lee T.D., Basu T.K. “Efficacy of a standardized echinacea preparation (Echinilin) for the treatment of the common cold: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.” Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics (29-1, pg 75-83): Blackwell Publishing: Massachusetts; 2004.

Resources:
Monograph – “Echinacea.” Alternative Medicine Review (6-4, pg 411-414): Thorne Research, Inc.: Idaho; 2001.
Mowrey, Daniel. “Echinacea.” Keats Publishing: Illinois: 1999.

The FDA hasn’t evaluated these statements. This page is presented for educational purposes only. You accept full responsibility for any action you take after reading this post.

Technorati Tags: angustifolia, coneflower, echinacea, echinacea benefits, immune system booster, pallida, purpurea, species, stress

Despite the fact that the average American knows the importance of calcium, many get less than the Recommended Daily Allowance for calcium in their daily