Category Archives: Nutrition

I Wonder How We Got So Heavy

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Overweight and obesity is growing at an alarming rate all over the planet, especially in developed countries such as the United States. In October 2002, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that thirty one percent of US adults were considered obese in the year 2000 compared to only 14.4% in 1980. And while re’re on the subject, in 2000 it was reported that around 15 percent of children and teens were overweight in 2000 – 3 times worse that what was reported in 1980.

So, What’s the Difference between Overweight and Obese

The most frequently used definition for the difference between being overweight or obese may perhaps not make very much sense to the majority of folks. Obesity is having a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30. Overweight is having a BMI of 25–29.9. So, what is BMI exactly?

BMI is a measure of body fat based on your height and weight. It is worked out by dividing body weight in kilograms by your height in meters squared. (Yes, something I’m sure we do every day) Let’s try this to make it a little easier, go to this online BMI calculator:

In 2001, the U.S. Surgeon General warned that the weight we are carrying aound might soon kill more US residents than smoking. Understand this: With all of the breakthroughs we have made in hygiene, nutrition and controlling diseases, our generation is the first in the history of the USA to have a lesser life expectancy than their parents. We are murdering ourselves and our kids with the habits that have made us so fat.

What’s caused this fat trend?

What has led to such significant and extensive increases in obesity?
Experts say that rising rates of obesity among children and adults may be attributed to a mix of these things:

    Viewing Television
    Sitting at a computer
    Driving long distances (for example, commuting)
    Working long hours at sedentary jobs
    Conveniences which lower physical activity (think “drive-through” coffee shops)
    Lack of usable playgrounds for youngsters
    Elevated consumption of pop and other “market place-driven” factors that promote overeating, like:
    Larger portion sizes in restaurants
    Increased sizes of individual food items (such as soft drinks, candy bars, bagels)
    Too Many vending machines
    Increased number of junk food choices
    Pervasive promoting of high-calorie foods
    Marketing approaches that encourage ordering bigger serving sizes
    Emotional overeating, prompted by increased stress
    Yo-Yo dieting
    Greater acceptance of obesity in specific ethnic groups

Although many complex cultural and lifestyle factors lead to the weight problems trend, in most situations, the calculation is fundamental:

Too much food + too little exercise = Too Much Weight

The obesity epidemic is just one of the many health problems we face with aging, but unlike many other problems you might face in your life, this one is entirely within your control.

Do Something!

About Network Antioxidants

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Antioxidants are our body’s major protection against the injury triggered by free radicals which contribute to many chronic inflammatory and degenerative ailments. Oxy radicals are the root cause of premature aging. Among all the antioxidants, a group of five are identified as Network Antioxidants. This group of both water and fat soluble antioxidants work together to help your cells and do the job together to support each other.

When an antioxidant contributes an electron to restore a free radical, it actually becomes one, but a benign one without the potential to perpetuate the chain reaction. Unfortunately, when they are oxidized, they’re also not able to function effectively. But, what is special about the network antioxidants is that are able to help to regenerate each other and carry on the cycle of searching out and correcting free radicals.

Even though they perform together, the network antioxidants fulfill diverse tasks. The fat soluble ones, specifically Vitamin E and CoQ-10 protect the fatty cell membrane and the cell mitochondria, and the water soluble antioxidants, Vitamin C and Glutathione protect the center of the cell. ALA – Alpha Lipoic Acid is unique in that it is both fat and water soluble.

Vitamin C is the link which bridges the fat soluble and water soluble antioxidants in the network and is largely responsible for recharging Vitamin E when it becomes oxidized.

Vitamin E is closely aligned with heart attack prevention, because it’s the only antioxidant that can reach fatty parts of the cell that are not accessible to the rest of the network. It’s really not a single compound but is instead a family of fat soluble alcohols.

CoEnzymeQ-10 or CoQ-10 is found in each your cells, where it is concentrated in the mitochondria, the component of your cell that generates energy. Mitochondria are vulnerable to free radical damage which has been evidenced as a decline of energy as we age. Additionally, CoQ-10 works in the regeneration of Vitamins C, E and Glutathione

Glutathione, popularly regarded as the Body’s Master antioxidant is continually circulating through your cells, repairing your immune cells and cleaning cellular waste from your body. It supports the rejuvenation of all of the remaining network antioxidants. Raising your glutathione levels helps protect you from several inflammatory conditions, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue syndrome, asthma and others.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is unique among the Network Antioxidants in that it is both fat and water soluable and can support both the fatty membrane and water based interior of the cells. It is also uniquely capable of repairing itself and notably can regenerate the other network antioxidants including glutathione. It helps to stop muscle damage during strenuous workouts.

Like glutathione and CoEnzyme Q-10, ALA is produced by your body, but the production capacity decreases appreciably as we age.

A Spotlight on Vitamin C and Your Health

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Every person has heard of vitamin C (a.k.a. ascorbic acid (AA) also known as dehydroascorbic DHAA in its oxidized state). In fact, vitamin C is virtually a catch all name for any compounds that exhibit the same biologic activity as AA. It’s importance was originally recognized in 1747 when James Lind observed that men could be cured of scurvy if offered oranges and lemons. It was a lifesaving breakthrough for sailors. The expression “Limey” caught on fairly quickly as a nickname for the sailors in His Majesty’s Royal Navy.

Vitamin C is the most important and readily available water soluable antioxidant within the human body. The fact that it is water soluable means that it can neutralize free radicals before they reach the cellular membrane layer. The relationship between Ascorbic Acid and glutathione– the body’s master antioxidant is unique. Vitamin C reduces glutathione back to its active form. Once reduced, glutathione will revitalize vitamin C from its DHAA or oxidized state. The symbioitic relationship explains why Vitamin C is an ingredient in Cellgevity, available from Whole Earth Health

Vitamin C is vital for the creation of collagen. It is also needed in the development of noropinephrine and serotonin. Ascorbic Acid may possibly also have some anti-clotting and blood flow advancement components by triggering the release within the body of Nitric Oxide, which is the most likely reason that Vitamin C is also a key ingredient in the supplement Pro-Argi9-Plus. (Call 1 866 993 6243 for more info)

Vitamin C is stored in both the tissues and blood in our bodies. The adrenal and pituitary glands, and lens of the eye include the highest concentrations of vitamin C inside of your body. Vitamin C is one of the thirteen essential vitamins. The term “essential” is often confused. An essential vitamin is not necessarily more important than another vitamin, rather it’s one that must come from our food since we are unable to manufacture it within the body.

Heart Disease and the Cholesterol Connection

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Cholesterol is a wax-like and fatty substance produced in the liver. Cholesterol is observed in selected foods like red meat, saturated and unsaturated fats, oils, butter, cheese etc.

Cholesterol is essential to keep the body working, but too much of the ‘bad’ cholesterol known as LDL can cause more harm than good. The presence of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body, may lead to formation of plaque in the arteries, preventing free flow of blood to the heart.

The presence of bad cholesterol or LDL (Low density Lipoprotein) increases the risk of heart attack or heart failures due to blockage of arteries. The arteries are blocked due to formation of plaque in the body. The intake of fatty foods; butter, cheese, oils, raises bad cholesterol and is largely responsible for the accumulation of excessive fat in the arteries.

HDL (High density Lipoprotein) cholesterol is also known as the good cholesterol since HDL cholesterol drives away the bad cholesterol. HDL protects you from heart disease. Elevated levels of HDL may be as important for the heart as low levels of LDL since each contributes to a lowered risk of heart disease.

Triglycerides are yet another kind of fat that travels in the bloodstream. High triglyceride levels may be due to hypothyroidism, diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease or might occur as a result of large intakes of fats, butter, cheese and alcohol.

The ideal way to reduce bad cholesterol is to do it naturally by opting for compound carbohydrates like barley, oats, lentils, wheat, and dried peas in your diet and staying away from simple and refined carbohydrates like sugar, pastries and sweets.

Consume more soluble fiber like fruits, greens and oats, which will significantly boost HDL or good cholesterol levels. The top foods in this category include almonds, apples, apricots, carrots and cabbages – all of which are rich in fiber.

Keep away from smoking and tobacco. Go for a regular walk for at least 45 minutes every single day. In addition, performing yoga and meditation will have twin advantages of quieting both the body and the mind. If you can do these things your bad cholesterol can be decreased in a natural way.

The best bet towards controlling high cholesterol is change in your life style and eating habits.

Tell Me About the Food ACAI

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Bowl of Acai berries

Acai is a Portuguese name for a kind of palm tree that is indigenous to Central and South America. It commonly grows in Brazil and Peru, in swampy areas and floodplains. Scientifically the plant is referred to as Euterpe oleracea. The Portuguese name means a plant that cries or expels water. Currently, acai has become very well-known especially for its fruit; which is small, round and black-purple in color. Acai fruit is used by the indigenous populations in the Brazilian amazon region as food. It is also served as a pulp and a beverage.

Globally, the curiosity in acai has been mainly based on it’s anti-oxidant qualities and of course the use as a weight loss option. The nutritional content of the fruit is composed of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, dietary fiber, nutritional vitamins and low sugar value. In the market, acai is sold as a supporting the immune system of people eating it. It has flavanoids that are responsible for countering conditions such as heart disorders. Extracts of acai are believed to have an effect against peroxyl, peroxynitrite and hydroxyl radicals. Scientists have shown a link between damage caused by free radicals and chronic sicknesses such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, cataracts and Alzheimer’s disease among others.

The dense nutritional value of the fruit is also shown to suppress appetite, hence its use as a weight loss option. Acai increases the libido, reduces inflammation and is believed to boost stamina and energy as well as delay some of the signs of growing old

Vitamin C Antioxidant Superfoods – Try Acerola

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Acerola

Vitamin C may improve the body’s defense mechanisms and develop collagen structure. In addition, it facilitates the respiratory process. Vitamin C is recognized as a common yet effective antioxidant.

The antioxidant characteristics associated with acerola make it a perfect component in natural skin care products to battle cellular aging and its signs. Also, the acerola plant had been verified to enhance the de-oxidizing activity associated with soy as well as alfalfa components, behaving synergistically. This can be advantageous in the prevention heart disease.

There’s a possible advantage in making use of acerola as an outstanding source of vitamin C, because in addition to the ascorbic acid there are a number of other beneficial nutritional vitamins present in the berry.

What does the plant look like? Well, this particular small plant or shrub has five petaled blossoms that can be anywhere from brilliant red to pink. Acerola fruit is a cherry-like berry that incorporates many tiny seeds. Fully ripened, fresh fruits tend to be light and good tasting. They’re made up of about eighty percent liquid. The berries degrade swiftly however after they’re been picked.

A bushy plant as much as twenty feet, Acerola’s usually develop several multi-trunked clumps. Trees and shrubs without pollination may set seedless berries. Blossoms usually appear after intervals of rain as well as irrigation so flowering can happen just about any time of year (depending upon regional rain fall as well as temperatures patterns), and may actually go on all year.

Because the fruit rapidy loses quality after harvesting, you won’t see acerola in your local grocery store, which is unfortunate considering the benefits of this powerul antioxidant food. But you can gain the benefits of acerola in AIO- Premium Cellular Health, a nutritional supplement available from Whole Earth Health

Enjoy The Many Health Benefits of Red Wine

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Resveratrol can be referred to as substance which is naturally created by many plants as part of the organic defenses–to safeguard them from the outcomes linked with overcrowding, extreme weather and attacks from bugs and disease. Resveratrol exhibits a powerful antioxidant action within animals and for these benefits, Resveratrol is included in AIO- a nutritional supplement drink.

Several tests demonstrating the health advantages of reasonable dark- red wine consumption started the study on the benefits of resveratrol about ten years back. Red wine is different from white wines in that it’s fermented using the grape skins (which contain resveratrol). After fermentation the resveratrol is also in the completed red wine. Red wine also makes better gravy- perhaps not a key health issue, but certainly something worth noting. :-))

Current research on animals demonstrates resveratrol can significantly increase expected life, boost stamina, and imitate the medical advantages of a calorie limited eating plan. Also, resveratrol is an effective antioxidant that can help lessen inflammation and heart disease. In a nutshell, resveratrol is very valuable!

Reseratrol is a natural anti-diabetic compound and helps maintain glucose levels and increase insulin sensitivity. It could help reduce dependencies on medications for some people.

Many research studies have found it to increase testosterone production. For athletes this a natural and healthy aid to gain muscle. By raising the body’s own production of testosterone, muscle strength, mass, and recovery from physical exercise is improved.

Resveratrol can be used in pill form and has a seventy percent assimilation rate. This is much higher than many other supplemented nutritional vitamins and minerals. Studies have found that when taken with meals the total absorption is improved. It is suggested to take 250 mg of Resveratrol, three times a day.

AIO with AC-11 and Amla Fruit

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The Indian Gooseberry

Amla fruit, better known as the Indian Gooseberry is a bitter, sour, astringent and stringy fruit.  It grows on a tree capable reaching a height of eighteen meters with far reaching branches and a twisted trunk. Given what it tastes like, it’s very difficult to understand why anyone would eat it, but amla is actually quite special.

In initial research, the Phyllanthus emblica – that’s the scientific name for Alma fruit – has demonstrated both antiviral and anti-microbial properties.  There is more evidence from research that extracts of amla fruit can initiate apoptosis (programmed cell death) in some bone cells which are directly connected with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

As recently as 2011, a research study found that treatment using the Phyllanthus emblica lowered the severity of acute pancreatitis and also created  unassisted restoration and regeneration of the pancreas right after a severe occurance. 
In another study, recently conducts with diabetic rats, an amla fruit extract produced a substantial reduction of the blood glucose and triglyceridemic measurements and at the same time it improved liver function by normalizing the performance of a liver-specific enzyme.

Amla is additionally being examined as an anti-cancer agent and a few test preparations produced using various components of the tree – including the fruit- have demonstrated some potential against laboratory models for inflammation, diabetes, some types of age related renal (kidney) disease and some cancers.  It has been proven to prevent cataracts in diabetic sufferers. In a Japanese study amla fruit extracts prevented the creation of cancerous cells, specifically cells from the womb, skin and stomach.

Amla fruit has been demonstrated to lower blood cholesterol levels in men. In India, where the Amla fruit naturally grows, it’s used by all-natural healers to manage premature hair loss. A potent antioxidant, Amla has a high density of tannins.

Along with its other recognized anti inflammatory properties, The Indian Gooseberry has been found as effective treatment for hay fever and can reduce joint inflammation. And if this list of attributes isn’t impressive enough this little fruit can also help people with stress and contributes to better sleep, and an overall relaxation of the muscles.

Amla with it’s possible anti-cancer properties is just one of several antioxidant rich fruits used to make Aio Premium Cellular Health, a nutritional supplement available fromWhole Earth Health. 

If you are looking for antioxidant foods with a wide range of potential health benefits including possible cancer fighting properties, the Indian Gooseberry deserves your attention.