A Repost From NaturalNews

Avocadoes contain many health benefits

Friday, October 29, 2010 by: Lindsay Chimileski , citizen journalist
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(NaturalNews) Avocados are famed for their healthy fats and delicious taste but most people don't realize they have many medicinal benefits as well. Not only have they been used throughout folk medicine, but they are also currently being researched to unlock even more secrets.

What folk medicine has to say:
Avocados can aid in the treatment of some dermatologic conditions. In folk medicine, raw mashed avocado has been used for the treatment of psoriasis, dermatitis, and eczema. Avocado oils have been used topically to treat wounds, infections and stimulate hair growth. They have a softening and soothing nature and can be used in face masks. They have a high absorption rate into the skin. This allows them to aid in driving other constituents into the skin as well.

Avocados can also help with systemic disharmonies. The seeds, leaves and bark have been used for dysentery and diarrhea. They can also aid in reproductive issues, stimulating menstrual flow and relieving PMS. Plus, they are an aphrodisiac!

What science has to say:
Cholesterol: The monounsaturated fatty acids in avocados can improve total cholesterol. Total cholesterol combines HDL (high-density lipoprotein) and LDL (low-density lipoprotein). HDL is considered "good" cholesterol and is increased by monounsaturated fatty acids, like those found in avocados. In a study from Mexico, the intake of avocado was linked to a significant decrease of serum total cholesterol (17%), LDL-cholesterol (22%) and triglycerides (22%) and to an increase of HDL-cholesterol (11%). This study exemplifies the ideal result in high cholesterol management; not only did the total cholesterol, LDL and triglycerides go down, but the "good" HDL also went up.

Numerous Cancer Fighting Constituents: Avocados are rich in antioxidants, lutein, carotenoids (eaxanthin, alpha-carotene, and beta-carotene), and Vitamin E (tocopherols). A 2005 in vitro study showed avocado extracts containing these carotenoids and tocopherols inhibit the growth of both androgen-dependent (LNCaP) and androgen-independent (PC-3) prostate cancer cell lines. This means they could potentially aid in the prevention or treatment of prostate cancer. Avocados are also a rich source of beta-sitosterol, which is believed to have both cholesterol lowering and anticancer effects.

Osteoarthritis Treatment: Avocados have unsaponifiables, which are also found in soybeans. In vitro, these unsaponifiables can reduce cytokines, prostaglandins and other inflammatory mediators. Inflammation is the body's response to a threat and is a good thing when needed, but hypersensitivities and chronic inflammation can lead to debilitating conditions like arthritis. By stopping the inflammation response, it can improve these symptoms.

So next time you're munching down on guacamole, have an extra scoop!

Reposted From NaturalNews

A Repost From NaturalNews

Evening Primrose Oil Benefits Fertility and Treats Heart Disease and Arthritis

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 by: Melanie Grimes, citizen journalist
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(NaturalNews) Evening Primrose oil is obtained from the flower of the Oenothera biennis plant, a wildflower found across the United States. The plant has been used to treat a variety of illnesses including heart disease, infertility, preeclampsia, arthritis, depression, juvenile hyperactivity, impaired immunity, as well as alcoholism and obesity.

Evening Primrose Contains Gamma Linolenic Acid
The seeds of the evening primrose plant contain gamma linolenic acid, or GLA, which is a fatty acid used by the body for a variety of functions. The evening primrose is one of the few sources of this essential fatty acid. GLA aids the body in reducing inflammation because it stimulates the production of prostaglandins, abbreviated as PFE1. Prostaglandins are messenger molecules that act in a manner similar to hormones, but are produced throughout the body. They were first identified in the prostate gland, hence the name.

Evening Primrose in Native American Healing
Called King's Cure-all by the early inhabitants of North America, the plant has a long history in healing and was used by the Native American healers for a variety of illnesses, including hangovers. They also found the plant useful in treating skin problems as well as digestive complaints and liver toxicity. The plant was found to be especially useful to women and modern science has proven this effectiveness.

Evening Primrose and Fertility
Evening Primrose oil increases fertility because of its effect on mucous production in the cervix. The increased mucous aids fertilization. The oil is also used to reduce the risk of preeclampsia and eclampsia, two conditions that threaten pregnancies. Preeclampsia is marked by high blood pressure during pregnancy and can lead to serious complications for both mother and child.

Evening Primrose's Effect on Cholesterol and Heart Health
High cholesterol levels can be reduced by consuming evening primrose oil. The oil has even been shown to reduce high blood pressure. The mechanism appears to be the action of the prostaglandins (PGE1) on preventing blood clotting and arterial spasming.

Evening Primrose for Weight Loss
Evening Primrose oil has also been used to stimulate fat burning in weight loss regimes, as it encourages the fatty tissue to burn calories.

Evening Primrose and Skin Conditions
Evening primrose oil has been used to treat eczema and dry dermatitis. It is added to many creams and formulas for this purpose. Studies have shown its effectiveness in treating a variety of non-inflammatory types of dermatitis as well as psoriasis and acne.

Evening Primrose Benefits Arthritis
Research has shown that evening primrose oil may be helpful in treating symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The method of action appears to be the reduction of inflammation produced by the prostaglandins.

Side Effects of Evening Primrose Oil
The oil has few side effects, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, but can cause stomach upsets or headaches. Pregnant women are not advised to take evening primrose oil, along with those on blood thinning or epileptic medication.

Reposted From NaturalNews

A Repost From NaturalNews

Omega-3 Fat DHA: Harness the Power and Slash Risk of Diabetes and Brain Aging

Wednesday, October 27, 2010 by: John Phillip, citizen journalist
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(NaturalNews) Human genetics have evolved by harnessing the power of a wide variety of nutrients which have been available in our food supply for countless generations. Over the past half century many of these natural nutrients which are so essential to our health have been slowly and systematically removed from the foods we eat. DHA is a critical Omega-3 fatty acid which our ancestors found primarily in fish and is now severely deficient in our diet, causing a dramatically increased risk from diabetes and dementia. Including this powerful nutrient through targeted supplementation can prevent these conditions and regulate the progressive decline we know as aging.

DHA Inhibits Amyloid Plaque Formation
DHA is an Omega-3 fat which is preferentially used by the body for the formation of cell membranes and is especially important to the formation and function of neurons in the brain. When our body is supplied with sufficient amounts of DHA, the fat is allowed to accumulate in the brain where it increases brain cell survival and down regulates the formation of toxic amyloid beta plaque. This action effectively lowers the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer`s disease.

DHA Can Prevent Cognitive Decline
The results of a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry found that DHA can protect against brain aging by preventing the typical damage associated with memory decline. DHA is stored by the brain for use during periods of stress and toxic overload to protect brain neurons. This is critical to the formation of memories, higher learning and thought which decline with the onset of dementia. Sufficient blood levels of circulating DHA are necessary to provide reserves which can be used to repair neuronal damage before memory loss becomes evident.

DHA Lowers Systemic Inflammation
Systemic inflammation is one of the key underlying causes of diabetes and DHA has been shown to regulate the metabolic disorder which results from excess body weight. Macrophages are components of our immune system which are essential for fighting invading pathogens and accumulate in the white adipose tissue in response to weight gain. As more weight is gained macrophage activity increases, and inflammation levels rise in the body with potentially devastating effects to our internal organs and vascular system.

DHA Improves Insulin Sensitivity, Prevents Diabetes
DHA has been shown to attach to a receptor on macrophages which are present in our white fat cells and down regulate inflammatory activity to reduce levels of inflammation. Higher levels of inflammation are associated with insulin resistance which is a hallmark of the progression of diabetes. According to research published in the journal Cell, DHA is the evolutionary key to mediate inflammation while safely lowering risk from diseases ranging from diabetes and cancer to cardiovascular disease.

Extensive research has confirmed DHA as the most critical fatty acid to promote cognitive function and lower dangerous levels of inflammation throughout the body. Man has evolved on a diet which is fortified with this essential fat but our modern diet is grossly deficient leading to many common diseases. The best way to ensure sufficient levels circulating in your blood is to supplement daily with a highly concentrated form of DHA; this will reduce the risk of diabetes and cognitive decline.

Reposted From NaturalNews

A Repost From NaturalNews

Tea consumption slows cognitive decline in older adults

Monday, October 25, 2010 by: David Gutierrez, staff writer

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(NaturalNews) Older adults who drink tea regularly experience significantly less cognitive decline than adults of the same age who do not drink tea, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California-Los Angeles and the University of Washington and presented at the Alzheimer's Association's International Conference on Alzheimer's Disease 2010.

"In recent years, a body of scientific evidence has shown that regular tea drinking may have an important role in health and wellness," says Douglas Balentine of the Lipton Institute of Tea, which funded the study. "This new study provides further support that regular tea drinking may be an important actionable change a consumer can make as part of a healthy lifestyle."

The researchers followed more 4,800 U.S. residents over the age of 64 for up to 14 years, regularly assessing tea consumption and coffee consumption using food frequency questionnaires and assessing cognitive performance with the Mini-Mental State Examination. After adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, education, medical history and smoking status, the researchers found that tea drinking was associated with 17 to 37 percent less cognitive decline over time.

Compared with participants who never drank tea, those who drank tea only five to 10 times per year experienced 17 percent less cognitive decline. Cognitive decline was 26 percent lower in those who drank tea five or more times per week, 32 percent lower in those who drank it one to three times per month, and 37 percent lower in those who drank it one to four times per week. Coffee consumption, in contrast, had no effect on cognitive decline except among those who drank it five or more times per week; in this group, cognitive decline was decreased by 20 percent.

A full 25 percent of participants reported drinking tea daily, while 43 percent drank coffee every day.

"This study suggests a potential neuroprotective effect of tea consumption against cognitive decline," lead researcher Lenore Arab said. "This neuroprotective effect of tea is unlikely related to caffeine since coffee, which has two to three times more caffeine than tea, did not have the same effect."

Reposted From NaturalNews

A Repost From NaturalNews

Coenzyme Q10 Boosts Energy, Promotes Heart Health and Assists Weight Loss

Tuesday, October 26, 2010 by: John Phillip, citizen journalist
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(NaturalNews) Coenzyme Q10 is an amazing chemical cofactor which is required by every cell in the body to produce the energy we need to live. It`s been shown to increase the level of energy to all muscles and is especially important to cardiac function as it increases energy production at an optimal rate. Coenzyme Q10 provides the necessary energy to fuel our immune system, as it mounts an attack against invading pathogens and improves the release of fat from storage by improving oxygen utilization. Our production of CoQ10 decreases as we age so it`s necessary to supplement with the correct form of this enzyme to achieve the important health benefits.

Boost Energy and Improve Heart Health
The primary unit of energy used by the mitochondria of our cells is known as ATP, and Coenzyme Q10 is the only chemical facilitator which can be used by the body to make this critical fuel. A shortage of this coenzyme means our muscles don`t function efficiently and the aging process is accelerated. Coenzyme Q10 is also a powerful antioxidant which has been shown to influence arterial elasticity.

The results of a study published in the journal Nutrition and Metabolism show that combining Coenzyme Q10 with other powerful antioxidants including Vitamins C, E and selenium significantly improved an array of cardiovascular risk factors including arterial function, blood pressure, blood sugar and protective HDL cholesterol. Billions of dollars are spent annually on pharmaceuticals which are largely ineffective at improving cardio biomarkers and have the potential to wreak havoc throughout the body.

Provides Critical Energy for Strong Immune System Function
Our immune system requires considerable energy to combat potentially lethal pathogens and rogue cancer cells. Coenzyme Q10 has been found to help boost our immune system when an invader is detected. The coenzyme works at the cellular level by providing critical support for our natural killer cells which are the first line of defense in detecting and removing viral and bacterial invaders.

Coenzyme Q10 has also been shown to lower levels of damaging systemic inflammation by down regulating the secretion of chemicals (NF-kappaB) which lower our immune response. Researchers have shown that increasing blood levels of the coenzyme can raise antibody response by 57% which improves the time it takes for our immune system to respond to an invader.

Burn More Fat and Assist Weight Loss Efforts
Coenzyme Q10 provides needed energy to improve the effectiveness of exercise as it increases oxygen utilization and fat metabolism. By improving the efficiency of how raw energy components are converted into ATP, coenzyme Q10 stimulates metabolic rate and controls how quickly fat is released from our white adipose tissue. Researchers have found that combining Coenzyme Q10 with regular aerobic exercise significantly increases fat release compared with just exercise alone.

The importance of Coenzyme Q10 to human health has been confirmed by a large number of scientifically validated studies. Benefits include improved cardiovascular and immune system health from the nutrient's ability to lower inflammation, increase antioxidant status and assist metabolic function. Most adults need to supplement with 100 mg each day to improve health and dramatically lower disease risk.

Reposted From NaturalNews

A Repost From NaturalNews

Traditional Chinese medicine sweeps South America

Sunday, October 24, 2010 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer
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(NaturalNews) Ancient Chinese medicine practices are gaining much attention and growing in popularity in the South American nation of Brazil. According to a recent report in China Daily, acupuncture in particular is fast becoming a new favorite in the country after President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said it cured his shoulder arthritis.

A delegation of physicians assembled in Brazil back in 2006 to teach the ways in which Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) helps treat various skin problems, menopause symptoms, insomnia, anxiety, dementia, joint pain, rheumatism, diabetes, and many other illnesses. The program showed so much promise that the committee is planing a TCM follow-up forum on health and beauty in 2011.

"We try to resolve external problems by curing the body internally," Chen Juan, vice secretary general of the committee, is quoted as saying. "Some skin problems can be tackled through herbal treatments while others may require the use of traditional techniques such as acupuncture, Chinese massage, cupping, and skin scraping."

Brazil has a long history of using its own traditional remedies for treating illness, so it makes sense that the nation is widely accepting of alternative treatments. According to the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, Brazil has roughly 10,000 physicians who specialize in acupuncture and Chinese massage, 3,000 of which are in Sao Paulo. And more than half a million Brazilians come to Sao Paulo each year to seek out TCM treatments.

Not everyone in Brazil is open to TCM concepts, though. Some still see the practice as opposing modern scientific methods, as does much of the Western world. But because many people have experienced incredible success from TCM treatments, it is gaining respect around the world, including in Australia where an act was recently passed to allow TCM practitioners to be officially licensed as doctors.

Reposted From NaturalNews

A Repost From NaturalNews

Carrots and cruciferous vegetables prevent breast cancer

Saturday, October 23, 2010 by: Jonathan Benson, staff writer
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(NaturalNews) It is safe to assume that most people are aware of breast cancer's existence, but many lack practical knowledge about how to go about preventing it through nutrition. However, a new study out of Boston University adds to the growing body of literature about the anti-cancer properties of vegetables, particularly cruciferous ones like carrots, collard greens, cabbage and broccoli.

As part of the ongoing Black Women's Health Study, the recent research was particularly focused on foods that help lower the risk of estrogen receptor-negative (ER-negative) breast cancer, a type of breast cancer common among African-American women. But what they found was that many vegetables fight all forms of breast cancer, and even cancer in general.

The team tracked more than 50,000 African-American women for 12 years. Roughly 1,300 of these women developed breast cancer during that time, and 35 percent of those cancers were the ER-negative type. But those that ate at least two servings of vegetables a day were 43 percent less likely to develop ER-negative breast cancer than women who ate less than four servings of vegetables per week.

Additionally, women who ate three or more servings of just carrots a week were 17 percent less likely to develop breast cancer than women who ate carrots less that once a month. And cruciferous vegetables in general exhibited anti-cancer effects for all forms of cancer.

There are many practical ways by which women can help avoid getting breast cancer. Instead of celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NaturalNews would rather turn it into Breast Cancer Prevention Month by informing readers about the foods and herbs they can eat right now to stay healthy and avoid the disease.

Reposted From NaturalNews