0 Carotenoids in Diet from Fruits and Vegetables May Help Prevent or Delay the Onset of ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, better known as ALS, is a devastating degenerative illness that incapacitates its victims in a manner similar to those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. At present, there is no known cure or effective treatment for the illness, believed to be the result of oxidative stress caused by decades of poor diet, stress, environmental toxins and poor physical conditioning. Researchers have now discovered that increased consumption of foods containing colorful carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene and lutein, may prevent or delay the onset of ALS.

Natural Sources of Fruits and Dark Leafy Vegetables Help Lower Risk of Developing ALS

ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurological disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord known to be responsible for the control of voluntary muscles. As the motor neurons degenerate, the muscles they control gradually weaken and waste away, leading to paralysis. A research team from the Harvard School of Public Health has published the results of their research in the Annals of Neurologythat builds on prior studies showing that carotenoids, the natural compounds that give fruits and vegetables their bright orange, red, or yellow colors, provide critical antioxidant support to help fight this devastating disease.

Scientists evaluated five large studies comprising more than one million participants to develop a basis for evaluation. Researchers reviewed food intake for the group and further broke consumption down to determine carotenoids eaten in the form of fruits and vegetables. Lead study author Dr. Alberto Ascherio noted “Understanding the impact of food consumption on ALS development is important. Our study is one of the largest to date to examine the role of dietary antioxidants in preventing ALS.”

Add Five to Nine Daily Servings of Fruits and Vegetables to Your Natural Food Diet

A total of 1093 cases of ALS were identified across the cohort of subjects. The team found that those with the highest intake of carotenoids from any source had the lowest risk of developing ALS. They also determined that individuals who consumed more carotenoids in their diets were more likely to exercise, have an advanced degree, have higher vitamin C consumption, and take vitamin C and E supplements. Participants with the highest dietary consumption of beta-carotene and lutein, most commonly found in dark green vegetables had a reduced risk of developing ALS.

Interestingly, the researchers found that diets high in lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and vitamin C did not reduce disease incidence, and long-term vitamin C supplement intake was also not associated with lower ALS risk. Dr. Ascherio concluded“Our findings suggest that consuming carotenoid-rich foods may help prevent or delay the onset of ALS.” This study acts to support a large volume of prior works that reinforce the critical importance of a natural food diet consisting largely of fruits and vegetables to thwart diseases ranging from cancer and diabetes to Alzheimer’s disease and ALS.

0 Omega 3 Fatty Acids from Dietary Sources Lower Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease

Omega-3 fats from foods including fish, chicken, nuts and seeds are perentially sequestered after consumption and used for critical functions to maintain optimal brain metabolism and function. These long-chain fats are used to form the highly permeable cell wall membrane of nerve cells, as electrical and chemical transmissions through this barrier are limited when sufficient omega-3 fats are unavailable from blood circulation.

Researchers from the Columbia University Medical Center in New York have published the result of their work demonstrating the close relationship between Omega-3 fats, blood saturation levels of amyloid proteins and risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease in the prestigious journal, Neurology. The study confirms that lower blood levels of a protein related to Alzheimers disease (amyloid-beta plaque) can protect against memory problems, mild cognitive decline and progression to Alzheimer’s disease in many cases.

Increased Omega-3 Fats from Diet Reduces Beta-Amyloid Levels in the Blood up to Thirty Percent

The lead study author, Dr. Nikolaos Scarmeas noted “While its not easy to measure the level of beta-amyloid deposits in the brain in this type of study, it is relatively easy to measure the levels of beta-amyloid in the blood, which to a certain degree, relates to the level in the brain.” The brain normally generates amyloid proteins as a metabolic byproduct that are broken down and cleared in the youthful, healthy brain. The study suggests that Omega-3 fats from dietary sources can aid this process, though the scientists did not specifically note this conclusion.

Researchers looked at 1,219 people that were over the age of 65 and free of dementia. The participants provided information regarding their diet for an average of 1.2 years before their blood was tested for beta-amyloid. The scientists specifically monitored ten nutrients including saturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, mono-unsaturated fatty acid, vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene, vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D.

Consume Several Servings of Walnuts, Fish and Seeds Daily to Lowers DementiaRisk

The study determined that higher levels of omega-3 fats consumed by eating fish, chicken, nuts and seeds directly correlated to lower blood beta-amyloid levels. Researchers found that consuming one gram of omega-3 per day (equal to approximately half a fillet of salmon per week) was associated with 20 to 30 percent lower blood beta-amyloid levels. Researchers found that most people do not eat enough omega-3 enriched foods to adequately raise blood levels of the essential fat.

Dr. Scarmeas concluded“The more omega-3s one eats, the less the beta amyloid levels are… we were able to relate something that we eat with a very specific mechanism in the body that is very strongly related to Alzheimer’s.” This study did not account for intake of the pre-formed omega-3 fats supplied through fish oil supplements, known to dramatically boost blood saturation of the long-chain fats. Nutrition experts suggest several servings of fish, chicken, nuts and seeds each week (or supplementing with 1,200 to 2,400 mg EPA/DHA daily) to significantly lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

0 BPDown Answers from Barry Shore

I contacted Barry Shore, the creator of the BPDown program to ask him some questions about how to do the program properly and he got back to me today with the answers I needed. Here is my letter and his response below:

 

Hi Barry,

Thanks for your nice e-mail and for shipping my BPDown so quidkly. I do have three questions about the BPDown exercises if you have time to answer them.

1. I find the CD goes along at a pretty fast clip and I have trouble speeding my breathing up that fast to keep up --  would it still be effective if I slowed the breathing part down to fit my personal breathing pattern which is deep and slow (I am a singer) -- or should I speed up and use shallow breaths to keep up with the pace of the CD? Which is most effective in your experience?

2. Ive only been using it in the evening for a few days but find when I measure my blood pressure immediately afterwards it is pretty high -- actually higher than usual. Is this normal? (I had been practicing long slow deep relaxing breathing exercises on my own which always immediately lowers my blood pressure for the moment, but not for any continued length of time, that I noticed -- so this seems odd to me.)

3. I have noticed a good response in my morning numbers -- they appear to be at least 10 points lower on both upper and lower than Ive recently been getting... so Im taking this as a sign that it is working. Is this also normal?

answers from Barry...

 

1. don’t speed up your breathing. natural pace is best.

 

2. best results come after a few hours. prolonged lower blood pressure usually comes after a few weeks.

 

3. low morning numbers is a sign that BPDown is working.

 

good luck

Barry Shore

 

Here is a link to his website if you are interested in his program: http://www.bpdown.us/  (This is completely unsolicited -- Im not getting a thing to share the program with you. In fact, I never do. Anything I share on my blog is completely from my desire to share fully with others who are in need, as I have been, or interested in reading the info for themselves.)

 

I really appreciated his getting back to me with good answers that I can use. I now feel much more confident about what I am doing and will not try to speed up my breathing to match the CD. As Barry says: Natural pace is best.

I needed a timer in order to accomplish that task so I went online to www.download.com from c/net and searched for a free one. Ive used this web site for years to find free and even unfree software. I only recall one time, a long time ago, where my download became a problem, but it was easy to fix. For the most part Ive not had any other problems with their downloads. They have a group of programmers and editors who go over the programs and they also have a rating system so I feel that makes it easier and safer to find and choose what I need. 

I chose the one called "Free Countdown Timer" and set it up for a three-minute interval for doing my BPDown program. It waits until I put a check in the box next to the 3-minute time that I set up and then it simply counts down until it reaches zero. Ive chosen the bird chime as the alarm because it seemed more peaceful to me as I practice my isometric hand exercises and the deep breathing exercises. The program works in four segments of three minutes for a total of 12 minutes spent either squeezing and breathing or breathing to the patterns that Barry has recommended in his instructions.

Like I said before, there are other similar hi-tech devices for sale but they cost between $300 and $400 dollars each and only cover one aspect of the techniques for lowering blood pressure. They incorporate either the breathing or the isometric hand exercises but not both. The BPDown program at $49 with free shipping, is a steal in comparison. 

 

What you are paying for with your $49 is Barrys experience and instructions on how to do it. You could get the "squeezy" balls nearly anywhere, but they might not be the right density. Barry provides the tension that is precisely needed for the program to work. 

 

The CD is plain and simple. It immediately gives you the pace you need to do the exercises, too. If you are a shallow breather it may be perfect for you, but, if you are a slow breather like I am it is useful as a guide to show you how to do the program properly. Barry has taken all the "guess work" out and hands over to you a complete, inexpensive program, that he created and uses himself to keep his own blood pressure at the numbers our doctors love.

Of course, I am still at the beginning stages but I am doing it diligently. So far a few morning numbers have been an improvement but I still get some of my same normal numbers too. I am hoping that by the time my next doctors appointment rolls around on the 28th of June that I will be seeing good results with better BP numbers and my doctor wont have to try to force me to take some BP lowering medication that I really dont want to take.

Ive been trying to lose weight for a long time now with only what I call minor success so Ive needed to find some other way to deal with the blood pressure issue while I continue on the path of trying to lose weight.

Ive been thinking about how to improve my eating program so I begin to lose weight again. Im exercising regularly.  Im eating the right things most of the time. I only have cheat meals about once a week, which is proper, but Im not losing. It has occurred to me that I have not tried the opposite of a cheat meal which would be a fasting meal and Im wondering how that might work. I recall reading that some people incorporate weekly fasting into their program. I think Im going to be doing a little reading about that and see what I come up with.

On to better health...

Hope you are well!

Be back soon,

Marcia

0 Dietary Fiber May Reduce Risk Of Death From Heart Disease

Research from Japan this month finds that dietary fiber from fruit and cereals/grains, but not from vegetables, reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease:

Dietary Fiber Intake Is Associated with Reduced Risk of Mortality from Cardiovascular Disease among Japanese Men and Women, The Journal of Nutrition, August 2010

The study which involved over 58,000 men and women was prospective with a 14-year follow-up.

Both soluble and insoluble fiber provided benefit, but insoluble reduced risk more than soluble. Fruit fiber reduced risk more than cereal/grain fiber.

The findings are in good company:

"The inverse associations of fruit and cereal fiber intakes, but not vegetable fiber intake, with mortality from [coronary heart disease] in the present study were consistent with findings from previous studies: the Womens Health study, Nurse Health study, Cardiovascular Health Study, and the pooled analysis of 10 American and European cohort studies."

Possible mechanisms:

• Fiber, especially soluble, may improve lipid profile via cholesterol lowering.
  
• Fiber may lower blood pressure
  
• Fiber may reduce abdominal obesity
  
• Fiber may improve insulin sensitivity
  
• Fiber may inhibit a postprandial rise in glucose and triglycerides
  
• Fiber, especially insoluble, may improve fibrinolytic activity (reduce blood clotting)

Those in the highest fiber intake group consumed about 14 grams/day, about double what those in the lowest intake group consumed. The authors state this may have been underestimated and that the actual mean (not maximum) fiber intake was about 15 grams/day.

The hazard ratio, in the highest vs. lowest quintile, for insoluble fiber:

• For men: 0.48
  
• For women: 0.49

Insoluble fiber cut their risk of death from coronary heart disease in half.

The American Heart Association recommends adults consume about 25 grams of fiber a day from foods rather than supplements.

These finding dont bode well for low-carb, low-cereal-fiber Atkins-like diets.
________

0 Vitamins from Food is Best Vitamins

Even if only in small amounts, vitamins and minerals each have specific functions and are included in the main nutrients the body needs.

Vitamins are organic molecules that our bodies need to process a normal metabolism and growth. This vitamin can not be produced by body and must be met from outside through food.

There are many food supplement and vitamins. There is a liquid, tablet, or capsule. Practicality reason make many people to consume these supplements.

Nevertheless, natural vitamin, from fruits and vegetables will be better.

Better fruits or vegetables because it also contained vitamins and minerals, fiber, fluids, and other important fitokemikal.

Vitamin supplements, especially if high doses could increase risk of excess body vitamins. It could be our body is actually just a specific vitamin deficiency. If we take complex of supplements, we will also get vitamins that may not be needed we body.

Water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin B and C, also can not be stored in large quantities in body. Excess of this vitamin will be issued via urine.

0 3 Easy Steps Away from Flu

3 Easy Steps Away from Flu | When the seasons change, the symptoms of flu is a disease that often occurs, especially if the immune system begins to weaken. As quoted from Healthmeup, here are 3 Easy Steps Away from flu, so you stay healthy and fit in all seasons.

3 Easy Steps Away from Flu

1. Do not sneeze at hands
When will sneeze, most people immediately shut the mouth with both hands. This is actually wrong? When you sneeze, it is not likely the bacteria will settle in hand and unknowingly be spreading germs if you then go back to touch your nose and mouth, or even someone else. If you do not prepare a tissue or the like, in a pinch you can sneeze into your elbow.


2. Inadequate water consumption
Water is not just relieving thirst, but also able to shift toxins and germs in your body. When you begin to feel weakened immune system, soon to consume enough water.

3. Healthy food
The best way to fight the flu is by eating foods that contain lots of vitamins A, B, C, and vitamin E. meet your daily intake of vegetables and fresh fruits. Researchers say that the phytochemicals contained in vegetables also helps your body fight the cold and keep you fit. In addition, use healthy cooking methods that able to retain nutrients in food that you consume.

0 Grapes Skin Protector from UV Rays

Wine, Skin Protector from UV Rays - Probably not many of us who know in depth the benefits of grapes. Besides the sweet taste, the fruit is known for containing many polyphenolic compounds and resveratol are active in a variety of body metabolism.

However, recently researchers at the University of Barcelona and the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) found one more benefit of the grapes. They claim, certain compounds present in wine may protect the skin from radiation exposure to the suns harmful UV rays.

The study found that the substances contained in wine can reduce the level of cell damage on the skin from sun radiation can cause skin cancer. As is known, exposed to UV rays will turn the skin or reactive oxygen species (ROS) which cause oxidation of macromolecules on DNA and lipids. So, will ultimately enable the reaction of certain enzymes that cause cell death.

The researchers observed that certain polyphenolic substances, extracted from grapes, may inhibit the formation of ROS epidermal cells that have been exposed to long wave (UVA) and medium wave (UVB). Based on these studies, investigators eventually concluded that the polyphenol compounds can help protect the skin from the suns ultraviolet rays.

According to researchers, a number of skin care cosmetic products already make use of wine as a base material of manufacture, but they do not fully understand how processing. The researchers hope these findings will continue to be developed so the future efficacy of the grapes can be more utilized.

0 Protect Skin from Disease Attack

Prevent Skin from Disease Threat - The number of skin cancer sufferer are increase over the word, This case is diagnosed about 2 million every year, most of this is caused by sunshine.

Its can we admire that we are usually not pay attention to our skin, often forget to care our skin, whereas this is important thing. The three layers that make up the skin, has a power that really incredible. That, of course, if the skin is healthy. Yes, leather is very strong for being able to wrap around the body without exception.

The outer portion of skin, is a layer of the epidermis, contains three kinds of cells. Keratinocytes to form a sensitive layer so easily aroused when touched. This layer is quite resistant, especially on the palms and feet. Not surprisingly, this section will feel just a little amused when touched.

Melanocytes, plays a role in the process led to a brown color when the skin is exposed to the sun. Meanwhile, Langerhans cells capture undesirable microorganisms such as viruses and bacteria.

The second layer, the dermis, collagen must be grateful to the filling. Collagen is what makes skin elastic and strong. The third layer called the hypodermis (subcutaneous). This layer of fat. Its mission provides cushion when the leather goods are stressed by anything and protects the body from temperature or the temperature around it.

Below any thing that we can do to Care our skin

10 tips to protect skin
In 1986, a large pharmaceutical company in France has launched a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of melanoma and its prevention efforts. The campaign titled "Enjoy the Sun, Beware of Burns" suggests 10 things important.

1. Be careful at certain times (at 12.00 to 16.00). This is the hottest time and is very aggressive ultraviolet rays irradiating the skin.

2. Protect your skin with clothing. This is the best way.

3. When exposed skin, get ready to use protective cream or sunscreen. Use repeatedly, but not in the long term.

4. Use suitable clothing to protect skin.

5. If you want to sunbathe, have a towel, cream, umbrellas, sunglasses, etc.

6. Be careful though not felt, the danger is you exposed to sunlight but do not feel, either because there is sand, water, snow, or the reflection of cold air. All of it can not protect you from ultraviolet rays.

7. Sunbathing or sun bathing is not the only risk factor. When gardening or exercising, you need to be cautious with ultraviolet light exposure.

8. Avoid the child from exposure to sunlight despite the patron.

9. Do not forget, the sun is burning while still a child, causing the emergence of melanoma in adulthood.

10. Most importantly, do all these tips!

0 Food Protector Skin from the Sun

Food Protector Skin from the Sun | Sunlight is a threat to the beauty of the skin. That is why, we need to do prevention. In addition to sunscreen, in fact we can also protect the skin from the inside by intake foods that contain SPF protection from UV rays.

Foods that would be a natural sunscreen is especially the foods that contain some type of antioxidant components. Plants produce antioxidants in their networks to protect their cells damaged by heat, light, air, humidity and time.

When we consume foods that are sources of antioxidants, natural content will also provide protection to the body cells, including skin cells.

These are foods that are recommended to protect skin from UVA and UVB:

1. Paprika. Red, yellow or orange color that comes from paprika is natural pigments called carotenoids. This antioxidant is converted into vitamin A in the body that will protect the skin cells to inhibit damage to the layer of fat around the skin cells.

2. Pumpkin. Yellow color of the fruit came from the carotenoid content. Eating pumpkin is highly recommended for those who often are in the sun.

3. Red tomatoes. Natural antioxidant lycopene gives the red color in tomatoes are ripe. Antioxidants are also known for its ability to protect the prostate gland. Just as antioxidants in plants, lycopene also protects the skin from sunburn.

4. Watermelon. Just like tomatoes, watermelon also got a red color from the pigment lycopene. Enjoy a watermelon in the summer not only nourish the body but also protects the skin.

5. Green tea. What does not owned by green tea for health? Ranging from protecting the heart, cancer, weight loss, to protect skin cells from exposure to UV A and UV B. The secret, components of an antioxidant called polyphenol catechins.

6. Cocoa. The content of flavonoids in cocoa have been known to protect the heart, helps reduce the risk of stroke and blood pressure. Flavonoids are also known well to the skin. Choose dark chocolate that higher flavonoid content.

7. Blueberry and purple. Berries are rich purple pigment called anthocyanin. Besides it feels good, berries also contain a natural SPF and useful to prevent many chronic diseases.

8. Turmeric. Saffron or turmeric has a striking yellow color from curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory, immune boosters, and protect the skin.

Food Protector Skin from the Sun, really important for eating some fruit aday. dont forget for read other important fruit benefits kiwi benefit for health

0 How to Avoid Child From Obesity

How to Avoid Child From Obesity - Today many families who find it difficult to maintain a normal weight and healthy children. The best way is to get children to eat healthy foods and beverages.

To get children a healthy diet should be exemplified from the parents and the whole family. With examples from all the families, the children will be more receptive to the habit. Besides the food should be presented with an attractive appearance tastes of children, because children are usually very fond of food that looks attractive or sweet foods, for example: as advertised in various media.

Sweet foods are high in sugar, which can cause children in obese. A child is considered obese if his weight was 20 percent exceeded healthy weight.

Obesity can be caused by eating more calories than needed for growth and also because the physical activity of children who are too little.

Causes of obesity in children

1. Heredity
When one or both parents obese, then their children also tend to be obese.

2. Physical activity is less
If children spend much time in front of the television, games, or computer can lead to unused calories converted to fat

3. Overeating
In families whose family members no history of obesity, obesity is generally caused due to excess eating.

Avoiding obesity in children

1. Provide a healthy diet in children
The diet includes foods that are healthy nutritious and balanced diet, including eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Be sure to calculate the calorie intake, according to the age of the child.

2. Limit sugary drinks no more than one serving per day.
Encourage children to drink more water, so that children do not consume too many sugary drinks.

3. Make a habit of a healthy diet for the family.
Eating together at the dinner table with a menu of healthy food can get children to eat healthy foods. Surely a healthy diet is also valid for all family members in order to be a good example for children.

4. Do not send children to eat when not hungry or to spend all the foods that are already on the plate. Allow the child to eat slowly and stop eating when they begin to feel full. Do not be forced to spend the food already taken the child to the plate that he used.

5. If you want to give gifts to children, offer a reward other than food.
If giving gifts to children with food may make the child too oriented towards food. So it is best if you will give gifts to children should not be food.

6. Limit fast food.
At fast food is usually high in calories. Therefore, when children often eat fast food, can cause obesity.

__read other health news Characteristics of healthy breast

0 Stay Away From The Animals During Pregnancy

If you are pregnant, there are some precautions to take . Cause all animal pathogens and diseases that can disturb your baby and maybe your unborn babies.It does not matter what type of animal (sea) that you have, here are some tips to live for animals or pets are to be applied, especially if you are pregnant:* To reduce the best practices of hygiene measurements to the possibility of infection.
 * Do not leave your pet in contact with the surface of the food, or where washing or storage.* Do not kiss your pets or allow them to "kiss" face.* Clean cages and pet products in your sink. If you are to clean a bathroom, and then disinfected.Below you will learn more about the risks associated with animals or to learn certain pets, and what precautions you should take for each.

Dog* Make sure that your dog. Vaccinations up to date* Make sure your dog Keenan.* Make sure your dog not to jump on your stomach if you are pregnant.* Do not touch the dog poo.


Cat* Toxoplasmosis is the most common infection that can occur. Do you have contact with the parasite in cat feces.* Cats can shrink after eating infected mice, there is a good reason, just inside cat. You can also be infected before birth, when the cat was injured.* You can make your cat by a veterinarian to determine if it is exposed to the bacteria tested.* Toxoplasmosis infection can cause miscarriages and birth defects such as blindness.* You do not need to get rid of your cat. You can still appreciate and enjoy your cat. Make sure someone else to clean the birth of your pet cat.* When using the litter box clean, you have to wear gloves to avoid contact with feces. Then wash the gloves (or for) and clean your hands thoroughly afterwards.* Toxoplasmosis can also be transmitted through the ground, you should wear gloves when gardening. So, make sure you wash your hands thoroughly approach after you finish gardening.* It is recommended to take the children outside to the sandbox cover to ensure your other cats, you can not use it outside the sandbox.

Chicken* A bird can pass infections such as Salmonella and other pathogens.* Ask someone to clean the cage.4th Pigs, hamsters and other rodents* These animals can be infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCMV), and breeding or pet. Common house mice virus itself* It is a threat to pregnant women because it can cause miscarriage and birth defects.To reduce the risk, it is better to stay away from rodents - or wild animals. This is because the virus can pass through feces, urine, saliva, and nesting animals.* If you have pets, make sure the cage. Also included is completely independent of your house where you spend.

In short, you have to use common sense in the treatment of animals during pregnancy. Some animals, such as amphibians and reptiles at risk. Make wise choices today, you can ensure that. Your chances of a healthy baby growth