Archive for September, 2009
Omega 3 Fatty acids are particularly beneficial to men’s health. Omega-3 Fatty Acids are part of the membrane of every cell in the body; they’re also the building blocks of hormones that govern much of the body’s physiology. A low intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and low circulating levels of DHA, are associated with prostate cancer, BPH or enlarged prostate, and prostatitis. Increasing consumption of Omega-3 Fatty Acids found in fish as well as flax, hemp, pumpkin, and nuts such as walnuts can help reduce the risk associated with low Omega 3 dietary intake.
Although Omega-3 can be obtained from other sources other than fish, fish is still considered the richest and most plentiful source for Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Unfortunately too many Americans just don’t like the taste of the oily, fatty fish – such as mackerel, tuna, sardines, or wild salmon – that are rich in Omega-3’s. Others eat the wrong fish – for example, fish sticks or other white fish – which has a negligible impact on their Omega-3 level and may actually raise their omega-6 levels which is associated with inflammation and other health problems when out of balance with Omega 3’s.
However the good news is, supplements can fill the gap. Fish oil oral supplements have an important role in restoring the desired balance of Omega 3’s in your diet. They are affordable, convenient and lower the risk of heavy metal contamination found in so many of the preferred fish sources.
YOU DON’T NEED A HIGH QUALITY HOME WATER FILTER SYSTEM……………. NOT!
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) tracks major outbreaks of diseases. All though these reports rarely make center page of the main media the CDC reported a case in 1993 in Milwaukee, where 403,000 people were afflicted with cryptosporidium; 1440 people were hospitalized and scores DIED. This occurred due to a faulty filtration system in a water system much more modern then many less sophisticated systems throughout the U.S. such as open water reservoir water supplies like that found in places such as Eldorado County, California.
In an article released by the Sacramento Bee on Nov. 4, 1998 reported on an alarming pollution problem that created a potentially deadly healthy hazard. The report documents through photographs the gross negligence of the drinking water supply management board (EID) with a photograph of a manure pile and horses at water’s edge, along with dead animals and other pollutants draining into one of the reservoirs.
As we rely on government municipalities for our safety it is hardly a perfect system. That is why a high a quality water purifying system is so important. A home water filter systems is the only way you can know that the water you are drinking is pure and safe. Affordable and easy to install water purifiers are a part of true health insurance, or what we call assurance.
In our last Blog we looked at one of the biggest challenges in modern day health, the continued struggle in coping with the toxic environment we have created around us. We pointed out some simple methods to reduce our exposure to harmful byproducts from our industrialized age, helping us to minimize the impact it has on our bodies. However we did not want to over look another very important aspect of this dilemma; helping our bodies deal with elimination of toxins once they have entered the body.
Along with annual or semiannual internal cleanses it has been well documented that daily consumption of Super Green Foods can help eliminate toxins that have been building up in the tissue and organs of the body.
Super Green food is not only high in nutritional value but also contains a significant amount of chlorophyll. Biochemists T. Negishi, and colleagues, on the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama University, Japan, conducted a revealing experiment with chlorophyll on fruit flies. A toxic substance was fed to the fruit flies along with chlorophyll derived from spinach and the green product chlorella. The chlorophyll neutralized the toxin, and the fruit flies survived.
The importance of this is that it has a similar effect on humans. The seven glorious chlorophyll filled Super Green Foods include wheatgrass, barley grass, alfalfa, chlorella, spirulina, blue-green algae (AFA), and green tea, each helping to detoxify and rehabilitate the body on a cellular level. The health benefits of consuming Super Green Foods daily can not be overstated and should not be overlooked for optimal health and prevention.
One of the biggest challenges in modern day health is the continued struggle from the toxic environment we have created around us. It effects the air we breathe the foods we eat and the products our body comes in contact with. Fortunately are bodies in the short term deal well with the continued bombardment of any number of contaminants and toxins we come into contact with everyday. Unfortunately over the long term our bodies start to either become over saturated or organs responsible for eliminating contaminates wear out form over use and just cannot keep up with the demand.
The good news is there are several things we can do to help our bodies cope with this dilemma. The simplest approach is to first minimize your exposure to harmful byproducts of our industrialized age. You can do this by eating as organically as possible avoiding artificial ingredients and hydrogenated oils. Avoid airborne contaminates such as second hand smoke, drink filtered water and use a high quality Air Purifier system for your home. This will not only help you stay healthier, with the body devoting less time detoxing it will have more time to keep you energized and feeling great.
Growing up, I couldn’t help but internalize the importance of a “balanced breakfast.” Cold cereal commercials were always advertising the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Still, I went to school on an empty stomach because I just couldn’t muster up an appetite before noon. My studies suffered considerably, and the trend continued until I finally took action.
I read about the importance of getting one’s metabolism going early in the day, and that the best way to do it was to eat a small breakfast. Protein bars were simple and convenient enough to eat on the go, and I suddenly found myself more energized and alert in the mornings. I know you can’t believe everything you see on TV, but I wish I would have paid more attention to those commercials as a kid.
New research from China adds to a small but growing body of evidence suggesting that getting more omega-3 fats and less omega-6s may reduce your cancer risk. Vanderbilt researchers analyzed data on 73,242 Chinese women in the Shanghai Women’s Health Study. They found that women with the highest ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s were nearly twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer as those with the lowest ratio.
What is the answer? Reduce dietary intake of omega 6 which is found in greatest amounts in foods such as poultry dark meat and organ meats, and also comes from eggs. Research suggests that Omega 6 an essential fatty acid, more specifically arachidonic acid may promote inflammation that’s associated with cancer.
Getting more Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, halibut and other marine life such as algae and krill, also certain plants and nut oils has been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers. In addition omega-3 fatty acids also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. There is a wide variety of Omega 3 supplements available that can be taken as a convenient and great alternative to assure you are getting enough Omega 3 in your daily diet. This also reduces the risk of consuming mercury and other heavy metals associated with eating to much of fish. So make sure you purchase supplements that are certified mercury free.
Great news for all you Snacker’s out there and Veggie Naysayers, according to a new University of Scranton research study: Whole-grain cereals and Whole-grain snacks also contain surprisingly high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, rivaling such well-known antioxidant sources as fruits and vegetables.
Now I am not implying that this is a cue not to eat healthy just an opportunity to be OK with a good healthy whole-grain snack such as a whole-grain protein bar to get you through to the next wholesome meal. They are convenient, affordable and can help you avoid the pit falls of the fast food restaurant fix when on the go. Whole-grain protein bars are the fast food that won’t slow you down. Look for naturally sweetened snack bar choices with no hydrogenated oil or artificial ingredients, they are not only better for you, dollar for dollar they are a better bargain. So munch away guilt free.
In the most comprehensive study released to date on mercury contamination in the nation’s streams, underscored how widespread mercury pollution has become. The U.S. Geological study released on Wednesday found toxic substance in every fish tested at nearly 300 streams across the country. The alarming findings not only effect wildlife but the levels of mercury in the water and sediments can also show up in our drinking water system as well.
Although we reside in a country with one of the finest water treatment processes in the world it is still not perfect, and in some regions less than optimal. Even though are water is treated for contaminates with chlorine which is said to be safe in low exposure it is still a very toxic chemical. Also once the water leaves the plant it is destine to pickup a variety of contaminates before it arrives for use in drinking and bathing.
Fear not a simple remedy is to pick up a high quality water purifying filter for your home. Affordable and easy to install it is a safe bet to offset the increasing levels of contaminates being found in our water system. And if you are away from home you can now get a water bottle that will filter the water as you drink it from the bottle. I think that is pretty cool and convenient, not to mention minimizing the continuing impact on the environment from disposable plastic water bottles.