Need Another Reason to Quit Smoking? Great, Smoking May Shrink Your Brain

It’s no secret: Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your health. Well, believe it or not, it’s now considered even worse. New research has discovered that in addition to increasing the risk of a plethora of diseases and cancers, smoking may also physically shrink the brain.

Need a reason to quit smoke? Here's one

If that sounds serious, it is, as brain shrinkage may result in greater risks of Alzheimer’s disease and schizophrenia, among other conditions.

New Research on Smoking’s Affect on the Brain

We have known for years that smoking can negatively affect the brain. From increasing the risk of strokes suffered as the result of clots or burst blood vessels in the brain to the impact that nicotine can have in changing the chemistry of the brain, the fact that smoking leads to poorer brain health is not new knowledge. However, new research from McGill University in Canada and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland has now found that smoking may actually cause a thinning of the cortex, the outer layer of the brain.

Smoking can "fried" your brain

This part of the brain is critical for essential functions, including memory, perception, and language. But as already mentioned, that’s not all. According to the researchers, and existing knowledge on brain function, a thinner cortex has been linked to poor balance, schizophrenia, and even Alzheimer’s disease.

In order to come to these determinations, researchers analyzed the brain scans of over 500 smokers, nonsmokers, and former smokers, who had an average age of 73 years. The study, which was the largest of its kind ever performed, was able to make the conclusion that smoking was indeed linked to a thinning of the cortex. Furthermore, even after quitting smoking, negative impacts may remain for years, including general cognitive decline and memory problems.

Cognitive decline is common among smokers

There is Good News

The good news is that the brain has the ability to at least partially recover over time. In their study, the researchers found that past smokers were able to restore at least some of their cortex, with these restorative abilities seemingly linked to the amount and duration of their smoking habit.

Those who smoked for a shorter period of time, or who smoked less on average, appeared to have better cortex regeneration compared to heavier smokers. However, regardless of the level of an individual’s smoking, quitting is likely to have a positive, restorative effect.

The Best Protection from Smoking-Related Brain Shrinkage? Quit Smoking.

As the lead author of the study, Dr. Sherif Karama, relates, these finding may be powerful enough to convince some people to finally quit smoking. “My mother-in-law had tried to stop smoking for years, and last year when I showed her the results, she stopped the next day,” Dr. Karama said. While that result is ideal and would produce the quickest health improvements, quitting smoking is not that easy for everyone, no matter how badly they may want to quit.

Quit smoke, for your baby's sake

Nevertheless, the results of this study serve as yet another reminder of the health hazards associated with smoking. If you have been trying to quit, are thinking about quitting, or if you know someone who is trying to quit, strongly consider (or share) this study. Perhaps it will be enough to convince some people to search for that extra inner source of determination to get over the hump. Of course, seek out the help of your physician, loved ones, medicinal resources and tools, and other professional resources and support. 

Quitting smoking may be one of the hardest things to accomplish, but if millions of people have done it before, you can too! Your brain will thank you for this.

For more health info and promotions, please follow us on Facebook- Wellness Lab

Download Wellness Lab mobile apps now for more promotions 

If you like this article, you can share this to your friends and families , together we share the health information and the taste of a healthy life!

This Cooking Technique Removes Calories From Rice

Many folks are aware that processed rice lacks the nutritional value of brown rice, yet due to taste preferences, they continue to eat it.

White rice or brown rice?

Scientists have good news for these people, as they have found a new way to cook the food that makes it healthier. The discovery is a big advantage because rice is inexpensive and is a staple of many diets around the world.

The Fiber Factor

One reason that processed rice, otherwise known as “white” rice, is not considered a healthful food is because it contains little fiber. The lack of this important food constituent gives it a high glycemic index, a factor that increases the risk of diabetes and obesity in those who consume it.

Researchers at the American Chemical Society determined that a simple modification in the traditional method of cooking rice dramatically increased its content of resistant starch, a substance that is actually a type of fiber. This benefit can decrease the food’s calories by as much as 50 to 60 percent; therefore, it can cut the risk of obesity.

Too much of white rice raise the risk of diabetes

Why Is Resistant Starch Beneficial?

The starch contained in rice has digestible and indigestible parts. Digestible starch is broken down in the small intestine where it is changed into glucose and taken up into the bloodstream. “After your body converts carbohydrates into glucose, any leftover fuel gets converted into a polysaccharide carbohydrate called glycogen,” James explains. “Your liver and muscles store glycogen for energy and quickly turn it back into glucose as needed. The issue is that the excess glucose that doesn’t get converted to glycogen ends up turning into fat, which can lead to excessive weight or obesity.” Resistant starch is indigestible, so it escapes this process that leads to weight gain.

A Healthier Method of Cooking Rice

James describes the new method, which is a simple modification involving two extra steps. After you boil the water but before you put in the raw rice, add coconut oil to the pot. The amount of oil should be equal to approximately 3 percent of the weight of the rice you are preparing. For example, if you are cooking 1 cup of rice, add 2 teaspoons of coconut oil. When the rice is done, let it cool in the refrigerator 12 hours before you eat it. The combination of the cooling step and the addition of the oil imparts the beneficial change, which is not affected when the rice is reheated.

Just add in the coconut oil and it just turns

How Does This Method Work?

During cooking, the oil enters the starch and alters its structure, making it resistant to the effects of digestive enzymes. Consequently, less calories are absorbed. “The cooling is essential because amylose, the soluble part of the starch, leaves the granules during gelatinization,” says James. “Cooling for 12 hours will lead to formation of hydrogen bonds between the amylose molecules outside the rice grains which also turns it into a resistant starch.” In effect, the digestible starches are converted into resistant ones that take more time to digest.

Next on the researchers’ agenda is to test which varieties of rice get the best results. They also will evaluate other oils to see if they produce the same benefit. Despite the improvement this method gives white rice, it is this author’s opinion that brown rice and black rice remain more nutritious options.

For more health info and promotions, please follow us on Facebook- Wellness Lab

Download Wellness Lab mobile apps now for more promotions 

If you like this article, you can share this to your friends and families , together we share the health information and the taste of a healthy life!

Is This the Solution to Your Low Energy and Brainpower?

If you’re suffering from “mystery symptoms” like low energy, brain fog, moodiness, difficulty sleeping or just a vague feeling of malaise, chances are you’re suffering from a vitamin deficiency that affects 1 in 2 older adults. Yet tragically, doctors rarely detect this deficiency until it manifests as a severe neurological disorder, dementia, mental illness, chronic fatigue, cardiovascular disease, cancer…or worse! What’s more, doctors typically misdiagnose the symptoms of this deficiency and then prescribe drugs that do nothing to address the problem, but instead have plenty of side effects that only make you feel worse!

Vitamin B12 Rich foods

What I’m talking about here is vitamin B12 deficiency, and if you've experienced any of the symptoms I described above, it’s imperative that you take action NOW to get your B12 levels up to a healthy level — before irreversible damage occurs. The good news is that B12 deficiency can be remedied easily, quickly and inexpensively. But don’t run out and grab the first bottle of B12 you see — it’s crucial that you take the right kind of B12. There’s a shocking secret about what most B12 supplements are made from that you need to know about.

Are YOU Vitamin B12 Deficient?

The older you are, the higher your risk is for B12 deficiency, but younger people aren’t exempt from harm. In a shocking recent Tufts University study, researchers found that nearly 1 in 4 people over age 26 are at least borderline deficient in B12 and may already be experiencing symptoms as a result.

Here are some of the most common signs of B12 deficiency: 

• Low energy and weakness 
• Memory problems 
• Confusion or “fuzziness” 
• Irritability and mood swings 
• Persistent sleep problems 
• Dizziness or lightheadedness 
• Digestive problems 
• Weak immunity 
• Hearing and vision loss 
• Tingling in the extremities 

Why Your Body Needs B12

Your body depends on vitamin B12 for energy production. It’s crucial to the metabolic process that converts carbohydrates and fats into energy — this is why it’s often called the “energy vitamin.” B12 is also one of the building blocks your body uses to produce DNA, so it’s crucial for healthy cell growth and repair. B12 keeps your immune system functioning optimally, regulates mood and sleep cycles, and mitigates the harmful effects of the toxic stress hormone homocysteine, making it a vital player in maintaining heart health and more. But new research is showing that B12’s most vital function of all may be protecting your brain and entire nervous system by keeping your nerves communicating in an optimal manner.

How B12 Protects Your Brain

Did you know that if you live to be 80, your chances of suffering from severe loss of cognitive function are 1 in 2? Not coincidentally, roughly the same number of older adults is deficient in B12! Emerging research is showing that age-related cognitive decline and memory loss are linked to a process in the body that involves a decrease in brain mass. That’s right, your brain actually shrinks as you age!

A recent landmark study showed that B12 supplementation slows the accelerated rate of brain shrinkage and declining cognitive function in older individuals. Another study showed that older people with higher levels of B12 in their blood had bigger, healthier brains and scored higher on cognitive tests than those with lower levels.

Take B12 to SUPERCHARGE Your Days

As I mentioned, B12 helps your body produce energy by metabolizing carbs and fats in the food you eat. The effects of replenishing your B12 stores on your energy levels can be dramatic. Most people report significant increases in energy, stamina, motivation and ability to focus within days of beginning to take B12.

B12 is also needed for the production of the important neurotransmitter serotonin, which regulates mood, sleep and appetite. A study from the National Institute of Aging found women with low B12 levels were more than twice as likely to develop depression as women with normal B12 status. Many people find that taking B12 helps them to get the deep, rejuvenating sleep they need at night, so they wake up feeling refreshed.

How B12 Can Save Your Heart, Bones, Eyes and Ears

Another major benefit of having enough B12 in your body is reduced levels of the toxic stress hormone homocysteine. Not only does lowering homocysteine levels make you feel less stressed, studies have shown that it also confers protection for your heart, bones, vision and hearing. Homocysteine is known to damage to the inside of blood vessels and arteries, making elevated homocysteine levels a serious risk factor for heart disease.

Homocysteine weakens bones by interfering with collagen cross-linking, the molecular “stitching” that makes bones strong and flexible. In one study, people with low B12 levels had lower-than-average bone mineral density. B12 also helps to build stronger bones by aiding osteoblasts, the cells that build bone.

Additionally, B12’s homocysteine-lowering effects help it protect your eyes and ears. Harvard researchers found at least a 34% decreased risk of vision loss and improved retinal blood vessel function for women aged 40 and older who supplemented with B12. And one study found that low blood levels of vitamin B12 were linked to a higher risk of hearing loss in women in their 60s. Researchers think that homocysteine may damage the delicate cells that transmit sound waves in the inner ear.

Why Are So Many People B12 Deficient?

The reason that the vast majority of people end up B12 deficient has nothing to do with their B12 intake, but rather, their ability to absorb B12 from food. As you get older, the lining of your stomach gradually loses its ability to produce hydrochloric acid, which you need to absorb B12 from food. The use of certain drugs can also lower your stomach acid secretion, further hampering B12 absorption. This is why with B12 supplements, a sublingual (under-the-tongue) delivery system is absolutely essential. This ensures the B12 goes directly into your bloodstream, bypassing your digestive tract.

WARNING: Some B12 Supplements Contain Cyanide

The form of B12 that you’ll find in most B12 products — even the B12 injections your doctor may administer — is cyanocobalamin. And here’s the shocker. Can you guess how this form of B12 gets its name? Cyanocobalamin is comprised of a cyanide molecule attached to a cobalamin (B12) molecule. Cyanide is a toxic poison that the body cannot metabolize, and over time, it can accumulate in brain tissues with disastrous results.

For reasons I’ll never fully understand, way too many B12 supplements on the market today are made with this virtually worthless form of B12. My guess is that these companies are just out to save money at the expense of your health, which is truly a shame.

What you want to take is a supplement made with the methylcobalamin form of B12, which research has shown to be the safest and most effective. Currently, most experts recommend taking a minimum of 1,000 mcg a day of sublingual methylcobalamin. Higher dosages of up to 15,000 mcg per day are sometimes required to bring levels back up to an optimal level and to restore energy, mental function and mood balance. B12 has no known drug interactions and has never shown any adverse or toxic effects in humans, even when given in very large doses.

For more health info and promotions, please follow us on Facebook- Wellness Lab

Download Wellness Lab mobile apps now for more promotions 

If you like this article, you can share this to your friends and families , together we share the health information and the taste of a healthy life!

The Pain Relief Solution Your Doctor May Not Know About

Do you have stiff joints, sore muscles or general aches and pains that just never seem to go away? I know from personal experience just how frustrating dealing with this kind of pain can be, which is why I want to share with you the solution that helped me. 



Back Pain?

Unfortunately, many doctors address pain with band-aid solutions like painkillers or steroids. What your doctor may never tell you is that there could be an underlying cause for your aches and pains, for which there is a natural remedy that is both safe and permanent
.

Pain everywhere

The current mainstream medical mentality on treating joint pain has spurred a multibillion-dollar industry for Big Pharma. However, their painkilling drugs are far from an ideal solution. Studies show that long-term use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin, ibuprofen and Celebrex, actually weakens joints. And the prescription painkiller, Vioxx, claimed as many as 55,000 lives before being banned. It makes me wonder, is the next Vioxx lurking out there?

The Traditional Route Didn't Work So Well for Me

A few years ago I started to experience significant, unexplained joint and muscle pain. I went the traditional route first, seeing one doctor after another, but every test came back negative. Two years went by with very little progress, and I knew that surgeries, steroids and painkillers were not the long-term solution I was seeking. What none of my doctors knew was that I was suffering from low-grade body-wide inflammation – an affliction that causes body-wide symptoms such as pain and stiffness.

Glucosamine?

Glucosamine Worked Great…But It Wasn't Enough

During this time I was taking a high quality glucosamine and chondroitin supplement, which is an extensively studied combination proven to be effective for natural joint health support. It worked pretty well, however, it just wasn't getting the job done. That’s when I decided to “hit the books” to learn what other natural solutions were out there that could help.

Looked at Virtually Every Natural Option for Pain Relief

Determined to find a solution, I read volumes on natural healing and nearly every research paper ever published on joint and muscle pain. I learned that the underlying cause of these issues is often bodywide inflammation. Many people unknowingly suffer from “invisible” widespread inflammation. But I've learned that by putting an end to this inflammation, while at the same time taking nutrients to fortify your joints, you can end pain and discomfort and begin healing your body from the inside out.

It’s Not Just Cartilage That Protects Your Joints

Glucosamine and chondroitin are known to work together to protect and rebuild cartilage, but it turns out that this is only half the battle. Surrounding your cartilage is a thick gel-like substance called synovial fluid, which acts as a lubricant, shock absorber and nutrient carrier. A major component of this fluid is hyaluronic acid (also known as HA). Your ability to produce HA declines with age and compromises the synovial fluid. Research shows that supplementing with HA can actually replenish synovial fluid, leading to enhanced cushioning and protection for your joints.

Run out of Cartilage?

3 Letters That Rid Your Body Of Inflammation

My research helped me to discover the role that a compound called methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, plays in keeping inflammation at bay. MSM is a natural form of sulfur, which is an essential building block for joints and cartilage. Most of us lack MSM because it’s been processed out of many foods. Amazingly, MSM provides powerful relief from swelling, inflammation and pain by allowing harmful substances that have accumulated in the tissues to flow out and healing nutrients to flow in. Additionally, studies have shown that MSM works with glucosamine to protect and rebuild cartilage.

Spice of Life

As I continued to read about natural ways to reduce inflammation, I learned about the amazing benefits of curcumin, a component of the spice, turmeric, which is commonly used in curries. Research shows that curcumin inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory substances in the body. One exciting study found that those taking curcumin showed:

• A 58 percent decrease in overall reported pain and stiffness
• A 16-fold decline in C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation
• A 63 percent reduction in the use of OTC drugs such as ibuprofen
• A 300 percent improvement in emotional well being

A Little Ginger Goes a Long Way

Ginger has many of the same benefits as curcumin, however it affects the body in ways that complement curcumin’s benefits. In two different clinical studies that I reviewed, physicians found that 75% of patients with joint pain and 100% of patients with muscle pain experienced significant relief from pain and swelling after taking ginger!

Nature’s Gift for Easing Joint Pain

New research suggests that an age-old herbal remedy, called boswellia, may be nature’s “gift” to joint pain sufferers. Boswellia has emerged as a powerful pain and inflammation fighter capable of providing significant and rapid relief. In a gold standard research study conducted at UC Davis, boswellia was shown to ease knee pain and stiffness within just seven days. And in another study just completed this year, researchers found that boswellia inhibits the production of key inflammatory molecules, which helps to prevent the breakdown of cartilage.

What Do Pineapples Have to Do with Joint Pain?

Pineapples have been used for centuries to reduce inflammation and pain. It turns out that an enzyme found in pineapples, called bromelain, is capable of reducing pain, inflammation and healing time. Amazingly, some studies show that bromelain can reduce knee pain as effectively as over-the-counter pain medications.

The Cherry on Top of the Joint Pain Solution

One of the most exciting things I learned in my research was that tart cherries provide amazing healing and pain relief benefits. Tart cherries contain unique anti-inflammatory compounds that specifically target muscle tissue. According to researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, “Tart cherry juice may be a safer way to treat muscle pain and inflammation than over-the-counter pain relievers.” Another amazing study suggests that eating even a small amount of tart cherries helps to significantly improve muscle recovery after exercise.

For more health info and promotions, please follow us on Facebook- Wellness Lab

Download Wellness Lab mobile apps now for more promotions 

If you like this article, you can share this to your friends and families , together we share the health information and the taste of a healthy life!