0 Green Tea Affects Genes to Improve Cholesterol Metabolism

Green tea consumption has been shown to benefit many health issues ranging from help with weight management to cancer prevention and treatment. New research publishedin the British Journal of Nutritionexplains that the natural extract from the Camellia sinensis plant has a powerful effect on cholesterol metabolism in the human body.

Most forward thinking health professionals now understand that dysfunction in the LDL cholesterol pathway lays the foundation for cardiovascular health problems, cancer and fatty liver disease. Regular green tea consumption is now shown to improve healthy LDL cholesterol function, enabling the fatty molecule to efficiently usher excess cholesterol from the body and improve risk factors for many chronic disease conditions.

Green Tea Alters Gene Expression Lower LDL Cholesterol Levels

In one of the first studies of its type, researchers performed DNA microarray analysis to examine the effect of the active compound found in green tea called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Scientists specifically targeted the catechin to determine their effect on cholesterol metabolism in HepG2 hepatocytes. They determined that the expression levels of several genes related to cholesterol metabolism, including the LDL receptor, were changed by EGCG treatment.

EGCG was found to boost the function of the LDL receptor on liver cells. Researchers commented“This is very important as proper function of the LDL receptor enables your liver to “capture” circulating LDL and recycle it.”  In this study, green tea is shown to alter gene expression toward healthy LDL cholesterol metabolism by improving receptor acceptance by the liver. The liver displays an improved capacity to capture and filter LDL cholesterol for removal from the body.

Green Tea Improves Biomarkers to Lower Heart Disease, Cancer and Dementia Risks

In addition to the finding that green tea alters LDL cholesterol metabolism, ECGC was found to inhibit genes to reduce the production of Apolipoprotein B (ApoB). ApoB formation is required to initially form LDL molecules in the blood. Excess production of ApoB is a significant marker for chronic illnesses ranging from cardiovascular disease and heart attack to increased risk of cancer and dementia.

Green tea and the active compound EGCG are quickly ascending to nutritional “superstar” status. The Chinese have extolled its virtues for countless generations. Researchers now document the prowess of this nutrient by scientifically validating the direct impact exerted on our genetic structure to affect healthy cholesterol function and removal from the body. The healthy benefits of green tea are realized by drinking several fresh brewed cups of organically harvested leaves each day or supplementing with 250 to 500 mg of EGCG extract.

0 Ways in Which Food Affects Your Mood

Everything you put in your mouth has an effect on your body whether good or bad. If you want to keep your mood up and feel happy, there are many things you need to know about what foods to eat. This article explores some of those foods and what they can do for your mood.

What you eat does affect your happiness! Food is what fuels everything about your body and what you eat controls your body from head to toe! Food is directly linked to three areas of brain function that create our ability to be happy! The first is the capacity to think, focus, plan, and remember or what is called "foods for thought." The second is the regulation of our emotions or foods for good mood. The third is the ability to control anxiety and the power to push through to a deadline, etc; foods for brain energy. Yes, what you eat does control all these parts of your life. Here are some ways you can control these areas.

*Cut back on eating processed foods. Most processed foods are loaded with sugar. Too much sugar contributes to shrinkage of key brain areas involved in the regulation of our moods.

*Eat more whole-grains, vegetables, and fruits. Plant foods contain minerals and phytonutrients that are scientifically known as the "Essential Elements of Happiness." These consist of vitamins A, B12, D, E, Folate, iodine, magnesium, calcium, iron, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. These are substances the brain needs to function optimally.

*Opt for grass-fed meats whenever possible. Grass fed meat typically has more omega-3s. Omega-3s promote formation of new brain connections.

*Eat a variety of whole foods. Branch out and eat healthy foods you may not particularly enjoy or are not used to. Keep variety in your diet so you dont "burn out" on the healthy foods you do eat. Remember this; the greater range of whole foods you eat, the broader the range of brain-boosting nutrients your diet will contain to help your brain keep you happy! And after all, we all want to be happy!!

Did you ever think anything as simple as an egg could be a key to your happiness? If not, you should! Scientists tell us the If you wanted to create the perfect brain food, you would find most of what you need in the egg. Here is a list of these "happiness" compounds found in the egg:

*Vitamin B12 - This vitamin is crucial for the nerve cells so being deficient in vitamin B12 causes irritability, depression, and cognitive decline!

*Folate - Needed to keep the brains neurotransmitter factories operating properly.

*Iodine - Iodine is essential for proper thyroid functioning. This is important because a underactive thyroid causes lethargy, depression, and weight gain. And weight gain also has an effect on happiness or lack there of, for sure!

*Vitamin D - When your supply of vitamin D gets low, chances for depression, dementia, PMS all increase and who wants to let that happen!

The above list is only a partial nutritional list of the egg, but it is the main nutrition in the egg that does play a role in your happiness! There are many other foods that also contribute. I will post another article in a day or so discussing those foods.

Stay Happy!

Article by : Linda Carol Wilson

Article Source : Ways in Which Food Affects Your Mood