You Are What You Eat - Benefits of Superfoods

Do you know that "an apple a day can keep the doctor away"? Well that's what this famous saying indicates. Now maybe it won't keep the doctor away completely but it sure has some tremendous health benefits. It's considered by Dr. Steven Pratt, MD to be a "superfood." A "superfood" is a whole food. And whole foods are foods that are unprocessed or are minimally processed in such a way that none of the nutritional characteristics have been intentionally modified. For example, canned foods are processed.

Not only have apples been proven to be potent weapons against cancer, heart disease, asthma, and type 2 diabetes but other fruits and vegetables have some remarkable health benefits as well. For instance, strawberries and raspberries contain a compound called ellagic acid. One of the best cancer fighters Mother Nature ever created. When eating these fruits this compound enters the bloodstream to help vanquish cancer cells on contact.

Did you know that just by eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast or eating pears you can regulate your cholesterol? They can help keep your LDL (bad) cholesterol below 130 and HDL (good) cholesterol above 65. There are a host of other fruits and vegetables and many other foods that can be attributed to assisting in developing a healthy body.

Here's some other "Superfoods" that can improve your health and even boost your immune system to a healthy level:

* Avocados are believed to help lower cholesterol and they are rich in magnesium (an essential nutrient for healthy bones)

* Beans such as pinto beans, black beans and lentils are another series of foods to lower cholesterol, combat heart disease, stabilize blood sugar, reduce obesity, relieve constipation and lessen the risk of cancer.

* Blueberries are a small but mighty nutritional force. They combine more powerful antioxidants than any other fruit or vegetables. Although they have many health benefits, the one thing they are known for most is the ability to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.

* Broccoli is a great cancer fighter and very beneficial in many other ways as well.

* Dark chocolate is a real surprise to most as being a healthy food. I'm glad its regarded as healthy to eat because I love the taste of it. It's a source of phytonutrients which act as an antioxidant that helps protect our DNA and inhibits the growth of unwanted blood vessels. Make sure you buy the right kind of dark chocolate, one that isn't as processed and has a high cacao content.

* Garlic is a great food for fighting cancer.

* Honey is beneficial in maintaining optimal blood-sugar levels.

* Kiwi is an antioxidant all-star. It offers an unusual array of health-promoting substances. One very important thing it does is it promotes heart health by helping to lower triglycerides levels and reducing platelet hyperactivity.

Other superfoods that weren't mentioned above but also display health promoting properties are - oranges, pomegranates, pumpkins, wild salmon, soy, spinach, tea, tomatoes, turkey (skinless breast), walnuts, and low-fat or nonfat yogurt. These, along with many other healthy foods, have been described as "Miracle Medicines".

While I don't consider myself a medical authority, I sure have become very well-informed about nutrition and healthy eating habits in the last four years. After my wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, I made a vow that same day after a heated discussion with her oncologist that I would find healthier, alternative methods for treating her cancer.

Today, both my wife and I are more vigilant and cautious about the food we eat. I'm doing a lot of research on the Internet. In addition, I subscribe to several newsletters offered by doctors and believers about alternative health issues.

So let me end by suggesting that you also become more informed about you and your family's health. If your doctor practices conventional medicine and is prescribing prescription drugs, scrutinize his decisions. Have a serious talk with him about nutrition and preventative care. If you don't get the answers you want, get a second opinion, preferably from a naturopathic doctor. And always remember "you are what you eat".

About the author Sonny Julius is a retired senior citizen and is a strong advocate of alternative medicine. After his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer he made a vow to become more knowledgeable about treating her cancer with alternative methods instead of the conventional way. At this time her cancer is in remission. Both Sonny and his wife are now wiser about health issues than ever before. Visit his new health web site now for valuable information on all kinds of health issues.

The Best Breakfast: Eating oatmeal reduces cholesterol, and much more

Eating a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast every morning could be about the healthiest start to the day you can have, a new study has discovered. The whole-grain cereal can reduce cholesterol levels, and lower the risk of raised blood pressure, weight gain and type II diabetes.
The health benefits of oatmeal have been recognised by America’s drug regulator, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which has allowed manufacturer to put health claims on packaging since 1997.

But in the 10 years since then, every study has confirmed the benefits, and now researchers believe oatmeal’s abilities as a cholesterol-lowering agent are even stronger than earlier research suggested.

Leading the latest review is Dr James W Anderson, professor of medicine and clinical nutrition at Kentucky University’s College of Medicine. He says: “Whole-grain products like oatmeal are among some of the best foods one can eat to improve cholesterol levels, in addition to other lifestyle choices.”

Each study he reviewed concluded that total cholesterol levels are lowered by eating oats, and that LDL (low-density lipoprotein, or ‘bad’ cholesterol) is reduced without reducing levels of HDL (high-density, lipoprotein, or ‘good’ cholesterol).

Separate reviews have also discovered that eating oatmeal can reduce your chances of getting high blood pressure, type II diabetes and gaining weight. Oatmeal also contains simple unique compounds that may protect against premature hardening of the arteries, or atherosclerosis.

Dr Anderson says: “Lifestyle choices such as diet should be the first-line therapy for most patients with moderate cholesterol risk, given the expense, safety concerns and intolerance related to cholesterol-lowering drugs.”

The Milk Diet: Lose weight, but increase your cancer risk

People impressed by the milk-only diet adopted by one obese man, who shed 70kg (11 stone) in a year, may want to think twice before they try it. Taxi driver Adrian Webb weighed 280kg (44 stone) when he was approved for a special diet, which involved drinking 3 litres (5 pints) of milk every day, and no solids.
“I used food as an emotional crutch, but I have a totally different mindset now,” he has told newspapers.

But the diet also dramatically increases the chances of developing colorectal cancer. A new study, based on 65 years of follow-up, has discovered that a diet rich in dairy products almost triples the chances of developing the cancer. The risk remained the same, even if the dairy-rich diet was supplemented by fruit and vegetables.

FDA Ignores Consumer Opposition & Approves Cloned Food

WASHINGTON, DC - The Food and Drug Administration's decision to allow the sale of meat and milk from cloned animals leaves consumers at risk and releases another questionable technology into the food supply.

"The agency announced today that it has finalized its risk assessment on eating meat and milk from cloned animals, the final step before a voluntary moratorium on selling these products is lifted. FDA's draft risk assessment relied on only a handful of studies conducted by the cloning industry and included little long-term evidence. Even the agency's own science board released a report last month stating that FDA has a 'lack of expertise in risk/benefit assessment.'

"While more complete research is needed on this technology, there is still an underlying objection from consumers based on ethical and animal welfare concerns. More than 150,000 people submitted comments to FDA earlier this year opposing animal food cloning. But despite widespread public disapproval, FDA is not planning to require labeling of products from cloned animals, keeping already wary consumers in the dark.

"In addition to disregarding public concerns, FDA is also blatantly disregarding directions from Congress. Just last month, the Senate passed the farm bill and the entire Congress passed the omnibus appropriations bill. Both included provisions urging FDA to do more studies on cloning before final approval is given. But rather than listening to Congress and acting in the public interest, the federal agency is caving into industry pressure.

"The recent announcement by the cloning industry about a voluntary registry of cloned food animals does nothing to address the very real safety questions and ethical concerns that remain about this technology. Rather than weak proposals about how to track this latest controversial food technology, we need an honest assessment of whether it should be used at all. Until this happens, cloned animals or their offspring should not be allowed to enter the food supply."

Food & Water Watch is a nonprofit consumer rights organization that challenges the corporate control and abuse of our food and water resources.

Malaria: Vitamin A and zinc can keep it at bay

If you’re about to head off for a region where malaria is a problem, start taking vitamin A and zinc supplements now. Researchers have discovered that the supplements are very effective at warding off the disease – reducing the risk by a third – and without the nasty side effects of anti-malarial drugs.
While this is welcome news to the tourist, it’s even better for the people who live in the regions of the world where malaria is endemic. In sub-Saharan Africa, it kills a million children every year.

Researchers discovered the protective powers of the two supplements while they were researching malaria in young children in Burkina Faso. Half the children were given a placebo while the rest were given the supplements. Within six months the rate of malaria among the supplemented children had fallen by 34 per cent. It even helped children who had already developed the disease. Those who were given supplements became more resistant and suffered fewer fever attacks.

Most of the children were malnourished, and researchers believe the supplements may have boosted their natural immune systems.

However, researchers warn about over-dosing on the supplements. In excess, vitamin A can be toxic, says Dr Ron Behrens from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical medicine, and can cause brain swelling. Zinc can affect the body’s ability to process minerals such as copper and selenium.

Brain Gym: Do the computer games help ward off dementia?

Can we keep our cognitive abilities sharp by playing computer games such as the Nintendo Brain Age, Mindweavers’s MindFit or the Brain Fitness Program from Posit? The manufacturers are convinced we can, and have carried out several studies to try and prove the point.
In one study of 465 people aged over 65 years, the Brain Fit Program – mainly available in the US – helped the participants improve their auditory memory over an eight to 10 week period.

In a separate study of 121 elderly volunteers, the Mindfit game seemed to generally help cognitive abilities after 24 sessions compared to a standard computer game.

Both these studies are unpublished, and doctors who specialise in dementia are not convinced. Instead, they see mental decline as multi-factorial, with exercise, good health and an interest in life as being important ways of keeping it at bay.

The X-Factor: Could vitamin E be the key to a long and healthy life?

Vitamin E could be the ‘X factor’ in determining how long and well we live. People with low levels of the nutrient decline more rapidly, researchers have found.
In a study of 698 men and women aged over 65, those with low serum levels of vitamin E showed a decline in physical abilities over a three-year period compared with those with higher levels.

It was the only vitamin that seemed to make a difference to physical decline. Lower levels of folate, vitamin D, iron or the B vitamins didn’t affect physical ability.

Researchers believe that the vitamin, an antioxidant, prevents damage to our DNA, muscles and neurones.

Vitamin E is found in nuts, seeds, and corn and olive oil.

Weight Training: It keeps those mice healthy

you want to burn body fat and keep diabetes at bay, weight training down at the gym could be as effective as endurance exercises such as long-distance running and jogging.
But before you renew your membership to the local gym, we have to stress that this is certainly true – for mice.

Researchers decided to test the theory on genetically-modified mice. They discovered that muscle groups that are designed for heavy lifting also help control whole-body metabolism.

It’s not clear why they didn’t test human subjects. Perhaps they had just received a large consignment of cheese.