You would want to open the book and read part of it to get a better idea about what is going on, right?

Well, judging a book by its cover is what happens when you look at LDL (bad) cholesterol levels and decide that this is the only – or even the best indicator of heart disease.

Worse yet, you are told you MUST lower your LDL cholesterol level.

#1 Naturally produced by the body, cholesterol is needed for a variety of functions.-1

Your body uses cholesterol to make testosterone and other essential hormones and is one of the best health and youth enhancing strategies for aging men and women. -2

As you age your body naturally starts to lose its ability to produce as much testosterone and you start to lose energy, strength, sexual desire and sexual capacity.-2

#2 Because the fact is cholesterol alone is not THE indicator of heart disease. Cholesterol which has been oxidized is the problem. Oxidation of cholesterol is the more specific problem which would enable the cholesterol to become “sticky” and start to form plaque in the walls of the arteries.-3

We have all seen an apple cut open and watch as it turns brown – this is oxidation. Your body will oxidize on the inside unless steps are taken to help prevent this.

One can keep oxidation of cholesterol in check by incorporating plenty of anti-oxidants in your consumption of food and supplements.-1, 3

A few of the most powerful anti-oxidants are:

• CoenzymeQ10
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C

Low cost, safe and proven food sources high in omega 3’s and the right fats to help keep your cholesterol levels in balance-1, 3

• Garlic
• Ginger
• Olive oil
• Olives
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Flaxseed
• Eggplant
• Okra
• Eggs
• Fresh fruit

These are better, safe, proven and natural ways to prevent cholesterol from becoming a problem.

A diet heavy in grains and processed foods will actually raise your blood cholesterol levels more than foods which contain cholesterol.

A diet low in cholesterol will do you little if anything health wise -4

Focusing on raising your HDL cholesterol levels because as you raise your good cholesterol it decreases the concern about your LDL levels of cholesterol and gives you a better total cholesterol profile. -5

Some of the best ways to improve your “Good” or HDL cholesterol is through:

• Exercise.
• Vitamin D
• Niacin
• Moderate alcohol consumption is associated with raising HDL cholesterol levels – 6

There is a big difference between the cholesterol your Body produces and dietary cholesterol from the food you eat.

#3 Two factors which are of greater concern and are better indicators of heart disease are -3

1. A measure of inflammation in the blood stream called C-reactive protein

2. An amino acid produced by the body called homocysteine.

High levels of C-reactive protein and high levels of homocysteine are better leading indicators and also contribute to the formation of plaque in the blood vessels leading to heart disease -3

As reported in the July, 2003 issue of JAMA, a study was conducted which showed that a diet high in plant sterols, fiber and almonds was clearly the better way to reduce cholesterol and heart disease over statin drugs.-8

And finally …

Policosanol – An organic plant alcohol from sugar cane is one of the best natural ways to reduce bad cholesterol levels-7

Naturally, as you realize the power of these proven ways to prevent cholesterol from becoming a problem, you will find yourself taking action.

References

1- Dr. Al Sears Health Confidential for Men – “The biggest drug and the biggest lie” august 4th, 2003.

2- Dr. Al Sears Health Confidential for Men – “Ignore the hype focus on cholesterol that matters” April 4, 2004

3- Hyman, Mark M.D., Liponis, Mark M.D., Ultra-Prevention, The 6-Week Plan that will Make you healthy for life, New York, Scribner, 2003

4- Dr. Al Sears Health Confidential for Men – “Teaching Nutrition?” March 15, 2004

5- Framingham Heart Study conducted on healthy people in the 1950s. cholesterol misleading as only one of 240 factors in heart disease. http://www.researchprotection.org/infomail/03/07/11.html

6- Castiglioni A and Neuman WR. “HDL Cholesterol: What Is Its True Clinical Significance?” Emergency Medicine, January 2003:pp 30-42.

7- Policosanol safe alternative just one of many. http://www.life-enhancement.com/article_template.asp?ID=663 New study finds that this sugar-cane extract safely lowers cholesterol levels. By Aaron W. Jensen, Ph.D. References PR Newswire, March 5, 2002. White Plains, NY. Omar MA, Wilson JP. FDA adverse event reports on statin -associated rhabdomyolysis. Ann Pharmacother 2002 Feb;36(2):288-95. Gouni-Berthold I, Berthold HK. Policosanol: clinical pharmacology and therapeutic significance of a new lipid-lowering agent. Am Heart J 2002;143:356-65. Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive summary of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). J Am Med Assoc 2001;285:2486-97.

8- Jenkins D. et al., Effects of a dietary portfolio of cholesterol- lowering foods vs Lovastatin on serum lipids and c-reactive protein. JAMA 2003; 290: 502-510

9- – Health Sciences Institute – Jenny Thompson – Article “Broken Ground” 3/11/2004

Lee Cummings has been helping people solve problems and feel better with proven nutrition for over 4 years. Lee publishes the montly LC Nutrition newsletter. For a Fr^ee Report – mailto:report@lc-nutrition.com Discover proven nutrition information visit: http://www.LC-Nutrition.com
Leeman@LC-Nutrition.com

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Antioxidants . . . The Nutrients Boost The Immune System and Have Powerful Anti-Cancer Activity . . .

Health and nutrition experts have increasingly come to recognize the value of taking a synergistic blend of potent antioxidants, the cancer-fighting, health-promoting nutrients that help boost the immune system naturally. Heres a summary of major antioxidants that should be considered for daily intake . . .

Researchers analyzed data from the Beta-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial (CARET). They focused on blood samples from 278 subjects with prostate cancer and 483 matched subjects without cancer. They analyzed blood levels of several carotenoids, including lutein vitamin A and vitamin E (alpha and gamma tocopherols), then identified correlations between those levels and the risk of lung and prostate cancer.

Results: In the overall population, the highest intakes of lutein, zeaxanthin and alpha-tocopherol were associated with a significantly lower risk

of lung cancer. Women with the highest blood levels of lutein, zeaxanth in and beta-cryptoxanthin had the lowest risk of developing lung cancer.

The risk reduction associated with these nutrients was 69% for lutein zeaxanthin. Men with the highest blood levels of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) were 41% less likely to develop prostate cancer.

Firstly, for a good, all-around antioxidant boost, everyone can benefit from daily vitamin C, vitamin E, and Selenium.

Vitamin C

What It Does:

May protect against GI (gastro-intestinal) cancers, cataracts, and heart disease; reduces severity of colds. Optimizes vitamin E utilization.

Best Food Sources:

Fruits and vegetables (eg., strawberries, citrus fruits, broccoli, dark leafy green, red peppers).

Suggested Dose:

500 to 1,000 mg. (or more) a day. Best taken with meals.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E comes in two forms: tocoperols (the most common form of the vitamin) and tocotrienols. Take a vitamin E supplement to assure youre getting optimum tocopherol levels. Less is known about the tocotrienols; research is ongoing.

What It Does:

Tocopherols may protect against heart disease, stroke, Alzheimers, and certain cancers; they may also enhance immunity. Tocotrienols may

fight heart disease and breast cancer; may also protect skin against the suns UV rays.

Best Food Sources:

Tocopherols: Nuts and vegetable oils have a small amount. Tocotrienols: Rice bran. Supplements are beneficial to supply a therapeutic dose of these vital vitamin compounds.

Suggested Dose
Tocopherols: 400 to 800 IU of natural vitamin E a day, preferably as mixe d tocopherols; best taken with meals.

Selenium

What It Does:

Protects against cancer, heart disease, cataracts, and macular degeneration. Assists other antioxidants to function at optimum levels.

Best Food Sources:

Brazil nuts, grains, vegetables (selenium content varies depending on the

soil produce is grown in.)

Suggested Dose:

100 to 200 mcg. a day; avoid higher daily doses, which may be toxic. Take with meals to help boost absorption.

Coenzyme Q10

What It Does:

May fight cancer and heart disease; strengthens gums; protects nerves; helps generate energy, naturally.

Where Its Found and Specific Food Sources:

Present in all cells of the body, especially in the heart. Also found in

nuts and oils, but supplementation is required to get a therapeutic dose.

Suggested Dose:

At least 30 mg. a day. CoQ10 is particularly important for anyone who has heart disease. In addition, anyone taking cholesterol-lowering statin drugs, such as Mevacor (lovastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin), or Zocor (simvastatin) should take CoQ10 because these drugs deplete the bodys store of Coenzyme.

Alpha-Lipolc Acid

What It Does:

May protect against heart disease, cataracts, stroke, cancer, and diabetes-related nerve damage. May also help boost critical glutathione levels.

Best Food Sources:

Found in tiny amounts in some foods (eg., spinach, beef, potatoes).

Suggested Dose

100 mg. a day with food. For people with diabetes, 200 mg. three times aday.

These Additional Antioxidants May Also Be Beneficial To Your Health.

Other antioxidants that may be worth including in your antioxidant mix depending on your individual health concerns are carotenoids, ginkgo biloba, and proanthocyanidins. Glutathione, an amino-acid like antioxidant, is very important for immunity and proper liver function . Taking these additional antioxidants boosts your bodys natural production of valuable glutathione.

Carotenoids
What They Do:
May lower your risk of certain cancers, heart disease, cataracts, and macular degeneration.

Best Food Sources:

Orange and red fruits and vegetables; dark green vegetables.

Suggested Dose:

If diet is lacking in fruits and vegetables: Take mixed carotenoids supplying 25,000 IU of vitamin A activity a day.

Ginkgo Biloba

What It Does:

Improves circulation; may fight heart disease, Alzheimers, impotence.

Where Its Found:

Extracted from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree.

Suggested Dose

30 to 60 mg., of extract (equivalent 250 mg. – 500 mg. of whole herb) once or twice a day, with or without food.

Proanthocyanidins (Grape Seed Extract / Pine Bark Extract / Berry, Fruit Extracts)

What It Does:

Boosts bodys production of vitamins C and E and glutathione.

Where Its Found:

Extracted from grape seeds, berry extracts or pine bark (such as Pycnogenol).

Suggested Dose

30 to 200 mg. a day.

SOURCES / REFERENCES:

The Doctors Complete Guide To Vitamins and Minerals

/ Eades, M.D.

The Nutrition Desk Reference / Garrison, Jr., M.A., R.Ph. & Somer, M.A., R.D.

Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, 2003;2003:518-526.
Roger Jirves is an authorized dealer of the Vitamin Power line natural nutrition-science products. Antioxidant Vitamins, Minerals and other Anti-Aging Nutrients . . .

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Even today, the importance of vitamin B is cultivating new roles in the world of beauty. Dermatologist Leslie Baumann, MD forecasts topical vitamin B and its multiple derivatives as key ingredients in future anti-aging products. For example, one derivative of the B vitamin niacin, nicotinamide, has been shown to improve the ability of the epidermis, the upper-most layer of the skin, to retain moisture. One study reports that topical nicotinamide, when applied to the skin for six days reveals softer, smoother skin with less dryness and flakiness, and a reduction of fine lines. Even more promising is its anti-cancer influences. For instance, when applied to mouse skin, topical nicotinamide produced a 70 percent decrease in ultraviolet-induced skin cancer.

Niacinamide, another byproduct of vitamin B, serves as an effective skin-lightening agent. In one clinical investigation, patients with hyperpigmentation applied a moisturizer containing five percent niacinamide. Four weeks later, computer analysis of the hyperpigmentation and skin color revealed a decrease in hyperpigmentation along with an increase in skin lightness. Topical niacinamide also exhibits anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it a potential treatment for acne, rosacea and any blistering-type disease.

Dermatologist Zoe Diana Draelos, MD, clinical associate professor of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, N.C. is confident that praise for the therapeutic effects of niacinamide will continue to rise. Dr. Draelos hails, “Already, topical 4% niacinamide has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of papular and pustular acne in a 4% gel, as well as the improvement of skin cancer and its anti-tumor characteristics”.

Dr. Baumann cautions that the many versions of one vitamin can be confusing and recommends speaking with your dermatologist to ensure you are selecting the right vitamin product for your skin care needs.

While it’s comforting to place a host of cosmetic aspirations in the latest beauty craze, Mother Nature’s wisdom will never lead you astray. If you can’t wait to get the benefits of B vitamins in your beauty cream, just go to your local market and help yourself to some chicken, tuna, potatoes, spinach, asparagus, black beans and watermelon. These are just of few of the foods providing bountiful servings of vitamin B. Remember, these scores of medical insights and promises started with a nutritional deficiency.

Naweko San-Joyz writes health and beauty articles from her home in San Diego. She recently published “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne”. To challenge and verify her research, San-Joyz trains for figure competitions.

http://www.noixia.com

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H E A L T H

It is said that the first thing a man does when he wakes in the morning is to look out of the window to see how the weather has changed overnight, and the first thing a women does on waking is to look in the mirror to see what the night has done to her face. Enough said … but if your look in the mirror is followed by ‘Oh, my God … I could do with a face-lift, etc. etc.’ (don’t worry, we’ve all been there) before you start layering on more make-up and deciding to embark yet again on another diet/exercise regime (which will probably have been forgotten anyway by the weekend), let’s stop wishing, and start by trying to make the best of what we have got.

We may not be able to recapture the healthy glow of youth, but we may be able to inject a little sparkle by giving as much thought to the inside of our bodies as we do to the outside. Just think of what would happen to a house if it were not built on firm foundations. Also how would our cars run if we filled them up with the wrong fuel? Similarly, how can we expect our bodies to function smoothly if we just worry about the paintwork and not concentrate on the engine? So analyse what you are putting into your body. Is it mainly ‘comfort/grab-a-snack – I’m in a hurry’ food, eg buns, crisps, chocolates etc., or is it nourishing food with all the vitamins and minerals the body requires to operate efficiently?

Many moons ago, a colleague of mine, who had a connection with a pharmaceutical company, said the idea had been muted within the company that as the elderly often start the day with a cup of tea and digestive biscuit, then a good way of ensuring that they receive all the necessary vitamins and minerals was to add them to the digestive biscuit It seemed a great idea, but when you think of how we absentmindedly dip into a packet of biscuits, then we would probably overdose on vitamins. Although we need vitamins we can also have too much of a good thing. It is worth remembering that whereas the body will expel too much of say Vitamin C, the body will store Vitamins A & D and an overload of these vitamins can have a detrimental effect. So leave it to the experts to get the balance right. It is better to start the day (together with your nourishing breakfast) with a good multi-vitamin and mineral tablet. The tablet container will show the RDA (which stands for the ‘recommended daily allowance’), and it will also show how the tablet equates with this.

A good multi-vitamin and mineral supplement is the Holland & Barrett’s

Formula for the 50 PLUS called ABC PLUS SENIOR (on half-price offer at the present time).

Another supplement I would recommend for those of us whose memory is not what it used to be is ‘Ginkgo Biloba’. (Also on half-price offer at the moment). This has been in use for years on the continent as an aid to improving the circulation. It is said that it not only improves the supply of blood to the head and subsequently improves the memory (so hopefully we’ll remember where we put the bottle of tablets) but it also improves the blood supply to the extremities, which is great if you suffer from cold hands and feet. Ginkgo, by the way, comes from the Ginkgo tree, which is one of the oldest trees known to man. You can therefore appreciate how vital it is that we do not allow plants to become extinct.

Remember the old wives’ tale that ‘fish is good for the brain’? (When I hear this saying, my mind always goes back to a lecturer jokingly saying that his mother was determined that he would do well and always made him eat fish before an examination, and, of course, to her delight he did do well). Well, now it has been proved that Omega 3 (pure fish oils) not only benefits the brain but the whole body. It is high in essential fatty acids, which help to maintain a healthy heart and circulation.

Another very good supplement is Selenium. This was naturally present in the earth and in our vegetables years ago, but sadly has become depleted over the years with intensive farming and chemicals. So we can put back this missing ingredient. I certainly felt a difference on taking this as a supplement.

Now, if you are prone to numerous infections, coughs, colds, etc., then your immune system needs a boost. In addition to the usual Vitamin C, a couple of good supplements for this are Zinc and Echinacea. It’s a good idea to take Echinacea well before the ‘flu time’ is upon us in order to get it into the system.

We have always known the importance of making sure that we have enough calcium in order to maintain bone strength, but it is only in the past few years that Glucosamine has come to the fore as an aid to the joints. Glucosamine is believed to stimulate cartilage growth and prevent it wearing down and hopefully reducing the subsequent pain. I have a friend who swears this has helped her painful joints. Chondroitin is often added to the Glucosamine as this helps to attract fluid into the cartilage Healthy Direct (www.healthydirect.co.uk) has a special offer on this powerful combination of Glucosamine, Chondroitin and Vitamin C. They also operate a free postage and packing with prompt delivery service, which is great if you have difficulty in getting to the shops.

Notice that throughout I have been using the word ’supplement’ as no tablets are going to replace a healthy diet. I remember being told by a doctor when I was in my twenties that the way towards a healthy life was to eat a small amount of a wide variety of foods and that way the body would obtain the necessary vitamins and nourishment. Whilst I agree with the ‘variety’ advice, I am not sure with the present day treatment and overlong storage of foodstuffs (particularly fruit and vegetables) whether there are many vitamins left by the time they reach the table. It came as a shock to hear at one lecture that when they tested an orange for its Vitamin C content, the results came back as a surprising ‘nil’. Still to end on a happy note, the fibre content was there, and we must eat plenty of FRESH fruit and vegetables not only for the vitamins but also for the fibre and enzymes necessary for the digestive process to function properly. But more on that – together with a breakdown of all the essential vitamins and my favourite subject – FOOD – (I’ll try not to think about or mention chocolate cake)

IT’S … ‘HOLD-BACK-THE-YEARS’ FOOD …… next time

Looking forward to chatting to you again and also looking forward to hearing from you …

Jon Wickham is the owner of Mabels…Maintaining Bygone Times, containing numerous articles thoughtfully researched mainly for the older person. You may access these articles by visiting http://www.mabels.org.uk/ – You will learn about the best tips to improve your health, fitness, finances, safety as well as information on nostalgic topics, places to visit & leisure & lifestyle.

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Forget French fries and fatty hamburgers. If you want to look beautiful and feel young and healthy, you’ll eat a generous variety of super foods that have been proven to work wonders on the human body.

For a list of vitamin rich foods see: http://www.1-minute-beauty-diva.com/ArticlesVitaminsandBeauty.html

Whether you’re on a low fat diet, low carb diet, or no diet, adding these super foods to your plate should become as second nature to you as putting your lipstick on in the morning.

Healthy Skin – Eat: blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, currants, purple grapes, pumpkin, carrots, butternut squash, sweet potatoes

Healthy Eyes – Eat: broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, mustard greens, turnip greens

Strong Bones – Eat: yogurt, kefir, soy, tofu, Drink: skim milk

Reduce Stress – Eat: beans (navy, pinto, red, black, etc.), green beans, sugar snap peas, green peas, chick peas

Boost Immune System – Eat: turkey, skinless chicken breast, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, spinach, Drink: black or green tea

Sun Protection for Skin – tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit

For more information on beauty and health visit: http://www.1-minute-beauty-diva.com/ArticlesVitaminsandBeauty.html

Copyright 2004

Donna Monday writes beauty related articles for http://www.1-minute-beauty-diva.com.

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Your body is being constantly attacked by very harmful substances known as free radicals or oxygen radicals. Free radicals can destroy your cells, tissues and organs.

Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that are naturally formed inside our bodies by the process of oxidation. They are normal by products of everyday functions like digestion and physical activity. Free radicals also come from outside sources, such as smoking, environmental pollution, and synthetic chemicals that are added to our water and food.

We are also all exposed daily to polluted air, ingest oxidized or partially rancid foods, and oxidizing radiations from the sun and various electrical appliances.

Free radicals lack one electron making them chemically unstable. To stabilize themselves, they attack any other substance within reach and steel an electron from it. This process creates a new free radical, which repeats the process, producing a “domino effect.” When this reaction is uncontrolled, it can generate millions of free radicals within seconds.

Fortunately our bodies come equipped with a free radical fighting mechanism. It consists of specialized enzymes that have a “spare” electron that they can give away without turning into free radicals. In order to protect us, the enzymes need help from certain substances known as antioxidants.

The antioxidant value of any food or supplement can be determined by it’s ORAC rating. ORAC means Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. According to the University of Michigan, Comprehensive Cancer Center, the measurement of ORAC is a way to measure how many oxygen radicals a specific food can absorb. The more oxygen radicals a food can absorb, the higher its ORAC score. The higher its score… the more that food or supplement will help you fight diseases like cancer and heart disease.

Most experts agree that we should consume 5,000 ORAC units per day to effectively fight free radicals in the body. Sadly, most of us average around 1,200 units per day. Not nearly enough to protect us from the common diseases of aging.

One of the best sources of antioxidants are berries and fruits. Most of us would have a very hard time eating the large amounts necessary to reach 5,000 ORAC units per day. For this reason, high ORAC supplements have been created. They contain berry and fruit extracts with a known ORAC rating. These supplements are inexpensive and provide many health benefits to your entire body and brain. Many people use these supplements as part of an anti-aging program. Keeping your cells from being destroyed goes a long way to staying healthy and young.

Brad Bahr is the author of many health related articles and websites. He has been testing and reviewing health supplements for many years. You can find more interesting health related articles at his website: http://www.findustuff.com

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For Scientists the largest concern is what causes Alzheimer’s and how can it be eradicated. For possible victims and their families it is how do we prevent the dreaded affliction or stop it in its tracks once it is diagnosed.

Scientists are in agreement and have narrowed down the contributing factor causing Alzheimer’s disease. Most researchers agree that Beta-amyloid is one of the agents thought to cause damage to the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. The research is attempting to find a deterrent and is recognizing antioxidants to be significant in protecting at risk patients.

According to the Harvard Medical Center, continuing research and studies are being conducted with some positive results. Even though some studies by the French point to wine as a protectant, the results are considerably controversial. The component in the wine that was indicated to be responsible for the protectant agent is still somewhat ambiguous.

Recent studies, including the study on wine, point to antioxidants for Alzheimer and Dementia risk reduction.

In an Italian study conducted by A. Russo, et.al., it was found that black grape skin extract protected cells in a test tube from oxidative damage and DNA fragmentation when exposed to beta-amyloid. An even more recent study by E. Savaskan, et.al, examined the red wine ingredient resveratrol, and found it to be neuroprotective against beta-amyloid oxidative stress, again supporting an antioxidant mechanism.

What these studies point to is, red wine may have an effect that could provide some protection against Alzheimer’s disease, but indication says it is the antioxidant factor that is the hero. This is consistent with the fact that other antioxidants, most notably vitamin E, are being studied with great interest as potential protective agents against Alzheimer’s disease. According to Dr. Steve Seiner, of Harvard Medical School, “While the results of these studies do not necessarily suggest that people should drink wine in order to lower their risk of Alzheimer’s disease, they do support the potential role of antioxidant treatment in preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s disease.

In another study by Robert P. Friedland, MD chief of the neurogeriatrics laboratory at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, “If antioxidants prove to protect against Alzheimer’s disease, it is probably because they reduce what is called ‘oxidative stress’ in cells.” He went on to say that his team believes free radicals are the culprit of oxidative stress in cells caused by the inappropriate consumption of some foods such as those in high fat content. In this study Friedland is recommending a “to-do” list for those who want to improve their chances of maintaining a healthy brain. He suggests:

• Eat a diet high in antioxidants
• Eat fish
• Take vitamin E
• Take B vitamins
• Take folic acid
• Be mentally and physically active throughout life
• Avoid head injuries

When addressing the reduction of free radicals it is essential to recognize the importance of Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC’s) as the most powerful antioxidant known in scientific studies. OPC’s are products commonly derived from a combination of grape seed extract, red wine extract and/or pine bark extract. They are very powerful bioflavanoids used as a natural food supplement ready to be absorbed into the body and begin to attack the free radicals.

OPC’s are safe and have been used for over 20 years throughout Europe. Extensive studies and laboratory testing reveal no evidence for human toxicity, allergic reactions, birth defects, or carcinogenicity. OPC’s work synergistically with other antioxidant vitamins, regenerating the antioxidant properties of vitamin C and vitamin E.

However, Bill Thies, PhD, vice president of medical and scientific affairs for the Alzheimer’s Association says although Friedmand’s recommendations are probably useful and that he agrees with all of them, he wants to “be very clear that the association is not making any recommendations about ways to prevent Alzheimer’s. Thies is, however, involved in reading and learning about all studies concerning Alzheimer’s Disease.

A study conducted in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Dr. Monique Breteler with the Eras UM Medical Center, found the antioxidants beta-carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E appear to be equally protective as a reducing factor in the fight against Alzheimer’s. Her results of the 5,000 volunteers over the past 14 years, confirmed some earlier studies that point to antioxidants as a way to lower risk of dementia. She also said the protective effect of antioxidants was “more pronounced among smokers and among those who are carriers of the Alzheimer’s gene.”

It was also pointed out that diets rich in antioxidants are helpful, but in order to consume the necessary requirements, a person would have to triple, or more, their current consumption, which Breteler says, is most unlikely. Recommendations for proper amounts of ingestion are through antioxidant supplements including OPC’s, vitamin E and vitamin C.

Editor of the OPC Antioxidant Reference Guide. http://www.opc.cc
editor@opc.cc

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This very second, your physical body is mysteriously functioning internally exactly the way human bodies functioned 10,000 years ago. Because our bodies today are the same as in the past, it is critical to eat, drink, and live the same as in years past – centuries past. But modern societies are adopting one of the most unnatural lifestyles known to mankind. Cancer rates and cardiovascular disease in the United States alone are among the highest in the world as a result of technology interfering with our food supply and living environments.

SO WHY DETOX?

Have you ever washed greasy dishes without hot water or dish soap? The dishes don’t get clean, do they? When toxic metals and chemical food additives get inside your body, it takes a strong “cleanser” to scrub your body clean from the inside out. The combination of vitamins and minerals through detoxification work in this fashion to remove toxins from your body tissues and body organs, from your water stores, fat deposits, and within your bloodstream. Natural cleansing is critical to remove body toxins, and protects from re-depositing them somewhere else in the body.

Toxins such as lead, mercury, and the side effects of aspartame’s by-products of formic acid and formaldehyde, block nutrients from getting into normal body cells in the same fashion a lead shield blocks radiation during an x-ray.

If toxins are present within your body, oxygen and the body’s “food supply” cannot get inside your cells to supply needed nutrients, nor can the cells’ waste products get out. Diseases, such as cancer, now have an environment in which to form. When these body toxins are removed, your body can then restore a healthy balance.

IDENTIFY, REMOVE, AND RESTORE

The basic philosophy behind any effective detox program is to identify, remove, and restore.

Identify what toxins are at the root of your health problems.

Identify = hair analysis

Remove the toxins by cleansing your body.

Remove = detoxification

Restore lost nutrients.

Restore = nutritional supplements

Like pealing the layers off an onion, as each layer is removed through detoxification, the underlying layers reveal what’s really behind disease symptoms. The deeper you go toward removing the ‘core’ of the problem, healing becomes long-term reality.

TEN STEPS TO DETOXIFICATION

Begin with detoxing your body of all residual chemical toxins and see if any adverse health symptoms remain. Try these steps for yourself, and within 30 days your symptoms should improve if not completely disappear.

The Ten Steps:

1. Remove all chemicals from your diet.
2. Learn to ‘read’ your body. Begin recording any health changes.
3. Get a hair analysis.
4. Be happy with yourself.
5. Detoxify.
6. Restore depleted nutrients.
7. Exercise and get plenty of rest.
8. Eat 75% raw foods at every meal.
9. Drink water, water, water.
10. Get control of your life.

Do not overlook the fact that healing from disease and illness takes faith, personal strength, and perseverance. Curing illness and degenerative diseases with a mind-body approach might be considered old-fashioned and ineffective when compared to today’s high tech prescriptions, but it’s essential that human beings remember that the roots of disease and their cures are as old-fashioned as the body itself, and healing begins with SELF.

WHAT IS A HAIR ANALYSIS?

A hair analysis determines exactly what chemicals are inside of you, including radiation. Generic medical lab tests don’t identify deep tissue toxins nor nutrient depletions the same way a hair analysis does.

The protein in hair fiber holds the composition of the body tissues for a permanent period. By analyzing your hair fiber composition, you can tell what toxins have accumulated in the body tissues and what vitamins and minerals are depleted or too abundant causing imbalances in body function. By detoxifying unnatural chemicals and by replacing specific vitamins individual to your needs, proper health can be restored using nutrition. The human hair analysis points out these levels, making the hair analysis the BEST tool out there.

The link below provides a sample hair analysis report of a twenty-year-old male toxic in mercury. Andy has been a vegetarian all of his life, and ate canned tuna most every day. His over-all toxins were low and his nutrients were fairly balanced, but his mercury level was dangerously high which, in turn, depleted his lithium stores. Lithium is a critical element that supports emotional and hormonal development. Thinking he was on a ‘healthy’ diet, Andy would never have known the potential health dangers within his tissues and bloodstream without having a hair analysis performed. He is relieved to know he prevented future health problems, and now knows how to adjust his diet and supplement program to achieve optimum health.

Andy’s Hair Analysis: http://www.hairanalysisprogram.com/sample-hair-analysis.php

Good nutrition works.

• Take the time to determine at which point you may have gotten off track nutritionally and what ‘poisons’ you have been exposed to.
• Detox your body of all environmental and food chemicals you have been exposed to throughout your lifetime.
• Restore depleted nutrients through proper supplements and whole foods.

Toxins are at the root of most diseases, and once they are removed, health and well being return. An effective detoxification plan removes the source of disease symptoms, such as aspartame or radiation poisoning, detoxifies toxic residue from the body, and replaces specific nutrients to regain a state of wellness. Detoxing the body removes toxins from chemicals quickly and can actually remove most chemical toxins from your body tissues and body organs, from your water stores, and from fat stores within your bloodstream, along with assisting in the elimination of those toxins via the bowels and pores of the body.

For more information about Dr. Hull’s Detox Program, visit the link below:

http://www.detoxprogram.net/

Dr. Hull is a Licensed Certified Nutritionist, certified fitness professional, and author of the best selling book, Sweet Poison. She currently holds a Doctorate in Nutrition, a Master’s Degree in Environmental Science, is an international geographer and geologist, a former university professor, firefighter and Hazardous Waste Specialist and Emergency Responder.

Dr. Hull writes a monthly newsletter covering a wide range of important health topics including Government Safety Alerts, Q and A’s, and more! To sign up for her newsletter or to view past articles visit the link below:
http://www.sweetpoison.com/newsletter/

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Iron is a co-enzyme in the anabolism of catecholamines. That means it is essential for the creation of certain neurotransmitters. It helps to regulate the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine, which probably accounts for the association of iron deficiency with neurological problems. It makes sense that supplementing ADHD children, who have some level of iron deficiency, might have some effect on their ADHD. However, what makes sense in theory, does not always work in practice. Unfortunately, there have been very few studies done testing the effects of iron supplementation on ADHD.

One study, done in Israel, evaluated 14 ADHD boys for the effect of short-term iron administration on behavior. Each boy received iron daily for 30 days. Both parents and teachers assessed the behavior of the children. The parents found significant improvement in the behavior of the children. However, the teachers noticed no improvement.

In a second study, 33 iron-deficient, but otherwise normal, children were given an iron supplement. The children became less hyperactive. This study suggests that iron deficiency may cause hyperactive behavior in some children and that hyperactive behavior is reversible when the deficiency is treated.

A third study tested the affects of iron supplementation on a group of teen-aged high school girls who were determined to be iron deficient. At the end of the 8-week study, the researchers found that girls who received iron supplementation performed better on verbal learning and memory tests than those who did not.

This is about all the evidence we have. It’s not a lot and it’s not very impressive. None of the studies were double-blind studies, which means we cannot really rely on them all that much.

If this were the only consideration, I would say you should definitely try to treat your child for iron deficiency. The reason is that hyperactive children are more likely to be iron deficient than other children. Also, there is a possibility that your child has a higher than average iron requirement. That means that he might test normal on all the iron blood tests and still be iron deficient because he requires more than the average amount of iron.

So why not just give your child iron supplements and see what happens? Because iron functions in the body like a two edged sword.

Iron exists in the body in two chemical forms. There is the ferrous form, where the iron atom will bond to two electrons and the ferric form where the atom will bond to three electrons. Iron can go back and forth between these two forms. This is the property of iron that allows it to play a role in carrying oxygen as part of hemoglobin. However, it also makes iron an active player in oxidation-reduction reactions. What that means is that iron has the ability to act like a free radical and cause significant damage to tissues. Whenever iron is not bound to hemoglobin or to some other carrier protein, it travels around the body as free iron and can cause damage anywhere it goes. To further exacerbate the problem, excess iron is not eliminated well by the body. Most of the iron in the body gets recycled. Therefore, not only is excess iron toxic, but also once you have excess iron in your body, it is going to stick around for a long time. High amounts of iron have been ! found in the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. It is very likely that excess iron can aggravate, if not cause, other neurological problems as well.

With that in mind we have to approach iron supplementation with caution. My feeling is that if your child turns out to be one of the 8-13% that is deficient in iron, it is worth giving iron supplements. I doubt that it will help much with his ADHD, but it should help with his general health. This advice applies to your non-ADHD children, also.

How should you test iron deficiency? The hemoglobin and hematocrit counts that come as part of the standard complete blood count (CBC) are good for diagnosing anemia. They do not really give you accurate information about the body’s iron status. The best test for iron status is the serum ferritin test, which measures how much iron is stored in your body. It will be low if you are deficient and high if you are overloaded.

If you find your child has an iron deficiency problem, there are several approaches to treat it. Probably the safest is by giving him more iron-containing foods. You can serve him red meat several times a week. Liver is an excellent source, if you can get him to eat it. You can enhance dietary absorption by supplementing with vitamin A (about 10,000 IU) and vitamin C (about 500mg) with the meals.

The most likely the reason that your child is deficient is because he is a poor eater; so, dietary intervention may not be practical. A second and far inferior source of iron is through supplements. The primary difficulty of iron supplements is that they do not get into the body. Fortifying foods with iron in general does not work. Many foods bind iron and, as a result, the iron is excreted rather than absorbed. The best form of supplemental iron is Ferrochel. Ferrochel is an amino acid chelated iron, which is highly bio-available and is not affected by foods that bind iron.

Most iron supplements have a ten percent absorption rate. That means if you take 10 mg of the supplement, your body absorbs 1 mg. Ferrochel is different. Ferrochel has a 75% absorption rate. That means 1.5 mg of Ferrochel provides more iron to your body than 10 mg of other supplements.

That is an interesting fact, but it is not why I am recommending it. The more important property of Ferrochel is that since it is already amino acid bound, it does not become free iron in the body. That means it does not have the dangers and side effects of other iron supplements. The FDA has given Ferrochel the designation of GRAS, (generally regarded as safe). No other iron supplement has this designation.

The take home message is that iron deficiency may be the cause of hyperactivity in some children. It is worth your while to have your child tested. If for some reason you suspect your child is iron deficient, the best approach is to increase your child’s iron intake through his diet. If that doesn’t work and you need to use supplements, the best supplemental iron is Ferrochel.

Anthony Kane, MD
ADD ADHD Advances
http://addadhdadvances.com

Anthony Kane, MD is a physician, an international lecturer, and director of special education. He is the author of a book, numerous articles, and a number of online programs dealing with ADHD (addadhdadvances.com/childyoulove.html) treatment, ODD, parenting issues (addadhdadvances.com/betterbehavior.html), and education. You may visit his website at http://addadhdadvances.com. To sign up for the free ADD ADHD Advances online journal send a blank email to: subscribe@addadhdadvances.com?subject=subscribeartcity
akane@addadhdadvances.com

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