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Wednesday, 29 April 2015

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.

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Tuesday, 28 April 2015

3 Secrets to Shielding Your Brain from Memory Loss

If you expect to live into your 80s and beyond, which I dare say most of us do, there’s an important statistic you need to be aware of…

According to the National Institute on Aging, by the time you reach your 80s, you have a 50% chance of suffering from significant cognitive decline. That’s right, the odds that you’ll literally lose your mind by the time you’re in your 80s are no better than the toss of a coin!
Cognitive decline
It’s sad but true — there is no cure for age-related cognitive decline, and experts say that the problem is becoming increasingly widespread. But that doesn't mean you have to be a “sitting duck,” just waiting to become another victim.

While the cause of this sharp rise in age-related cognitive decline is not fully understood, one thing is for sure — if you want to keep your mind and memory intact as you age, you can’t risk a passive “it won’t be me” mentality.
There may not be a cure for cognitive decline, this doesn't mean you’re helpless. Just a few simple steps can help stack the odds in your favor for an active brain and healthy memory throughout your life.
The Sad Truth: If You Wait for Treatment…
It’s Too Late
If concern about losing your cognitive abilities prompts you to ask your doctor about prevention strategies, you probably won’t be happy with the answer you get. You’ll most likely be told that there’s little you can do and no need to worry. But according to NIH’s National Institute on Aging, the sad truth is that current drugs are only marginally effective at treating brain decay and have many side effects. So why aren't doctors focusing their attention on prevention?
Memory loss
Brain decay is terrifying — from losing your memories and being unable to recognize familiar faces… to losing the ability to take care of yourself. My advice to you, whether you’re 45 or 75, is to start protecting your mind now, before you become just another sad statistic.

The 3 Secrets to Life-Long Brain Health

What I’ve learned is that amazing new research is proving that specific nutrients, along with a healthy diet and lifestyle, may be the secret remedy long overlooked by traditional medicine. The science shows that these nutrients have an undeniable positive impact on brain health.
Old people suffered from Cognitive decline
Based on my research, the following three nutrients are the “best of the best” and what I believe to be the overlooked “secrets” to preventing cognitive decline.

1. This Antioxidant Is the Brain’s Fountain of Youth
Your brain depends on the powerful antioxidant CoQ10 to keep it healthy. This makes sense since CoQ10 is a primary player in your body’s energy production processes, and your brain has incredibly high demands for cellular energy.

Research shows that a deficit of CoQ10 severely compromises brain function, leading to sluggish thinking and memory impairment. Yet, far too many people are deficient in CoQ10, especially seniors. That’s because as you get older, your body produces less and less CoQ10.

However, when you do have adequate levels, your mind and memory thrive! According to a UCSD study, proper levels of CoQ10 can slow brain deterioration by 44%. Furthermore, studies show that people with high levels of CoQ10 have sharper mental acuity, better motor abilities and more mental energy. CoQ10 also benefits your heart and overall energy levels.

It’s important to take the right kind of CoQ10, since many supplements out there are junk. I’ll cover this in more detail in my “buyer’s guide” below.

2. The Omega-3 That Your Brain Craves
One particular omega-3 called DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is absolutely critical to optimal brain function. As you age, your brain’s ability to absorb DHA declines and your levels can drop significantly. This literally starves your mind, compromising both brain function and memory retention.

The results of scientific studies on the brain protecting effects of DHA are incredibly compelling. For example one study showed a 60% decrease in cognitive decline in those who had a regular intake of DHA. Additionally, research has shown that those suffering from cognitive decline have dramatically lower levels of DHA in their brains.
Omega-3 rich fish oil
Overall, if you really dig into the research, it’s basically irrefutable that DHA can speed up brain wave activity, help to create more synapses in the brain and preserve healthy memory function.

Sadly, too many people have critically low levels of DHA, especially people over the age of 65. However, I recommend you take only a specific type of DHA to make sure you’re not doing more harm than good — more on that later.

3. One of the Most Powerful Brain Protectors Ever
Here are 2 factoids about the nation of India. The first one you’ll probably find only moderately interesting, and perhaps not too surprising. However, the second one might wow you.
Fact 1:The nation of India has the highest consumption rate of the spice turmeric in the word. Turmeric is the primary spice used in curries. 
Fact 2:India has one of the lowest rates of cognitive decline in the world, with a death rate that is 8 times lower than that of the U.S.
What’s the connection between these two facts? The answer can be found in a powerful antioxidant called curcumin, which is a component of the curry spice turmeric. In fact, research shows that curcumin has profound protective benefits for the brain.
Curcumin rich in Tumeric
One study shows that curcumin turns on a key gene signal involved with nerve protection, which boosts antioxidant enzymes in the brain and helps to prevent neurodegeneration. Other research has shown that curcumin not only has positive benefits on memory, but also acts as a potent anti-inflammatory. However, it’s important to take a standardized extract of curcumin to make sure you’re getting therapeutic amounts of the active ingredient.

So How Do You Put These 3 Secrets to Good Use?
I want to remind you that by the time you reach 80, you have a 50% chance of suffering from cognitive decline.

That’s why I firmly believe that CoQ10, DHA and curcumin are the best tools available to you for brain protection, along with healthy eating, exercise and keeping your mind active. However, readers ask me all the time how they can put these secrets to good use on a practical basis.

It’s important to understand that you can’t just take any supplement. If you’re not careful, you could end up wasting your time and money, and more importantly, missing out on the opportunity to prevent something terrible from happening.
Suggested daily dosages

Here are some quick tips for you: 
  • CoQ10: Many CoQ10 supplements contain “fake” CoQ10 synthesized from tobacco leaves of all things. Look for the words “trans-form” on the label to make sure it’s natural CoQ10. Don’t take less than 100 mg per day. 
  • DHA: Lots of DHA supplements have too little DHA to be beneficial. 100 mg is a good amount. I prefer plant-based DHA, so I don’t have to worry about any marine pollutants like mercury. 
  • Curcumin: The “good stuff” in curcumin is called curcuminoids. And too many supplements have too little of it. Look for a supplement that provides about 200 mg per day and is standardized to 95% total curcuminiods.
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5 Reasons to Kick Plastic Containers Out of Your Life

Plastic has its role in modern society. It’s an essential part of our cars, computers, mobile phones, children’s toys – and practically most everything we use on a day-to-day basis. But there’s one place where plastic has worn out its welcome – and that’s as a container for the food we eat and the water we drink.

The bottom line is that plastic is made from toxic materials. It’s a known fact that these toxins can leach into whatever they come into contact with. And it’s a known fact that when the compounds that make up plastic are ingested, they damage your body on a cellular level and cause health problems.
Plastic in our daily life
The pundits will say that the human body can easily handle the “small” amounts (which the government insultingly likes to call “acceptably safe levels”) of toxins that are ingested from plastic. But I find this excuse to be one of the world’s biggest cop-outs. If the human body wasn't designed to ingest plastic, then no amount is good.

Here are 5 reasons why you should avoid plastic containers:

Toxic Compounds in Plastic can Make You Really Sick.
It’s typical to suffer from a variety of health problems as you age. But is this just “part of getting older”? Or is this perhaps the result of a toxic overload in the body? It’s common knowledge that illness and disorders such as cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, heart disease, vision impairment and many others health problems are all on the rise. Could this be in some way associated with the increasing amount of plastic in our lives? Plastic food and beverage containers became popular fairly recently (in the 1970s) and have become ubiquitous in our lives since then. More and more research is proving that toxic compounds found in plastic cause health problems ranging from cancer to infertility.
Don't use plastic as your drinking bottle
There’s no Such Thing as a Safe Plastic.
Plastics that contain the super toxic compound bisphenol A (BPA) have been in the news a lot lately. And for this reason, consumers have been duped into thinking that if a product is “BPA-free” it’s perfectly safe. But this is a lie. Lots of companies have caught on to the fact that they can sell more of a product if it’s labeled as “BPA-free.” But guess what? It may be BPA-free, but in its place, these companies are using BPS, a close cousin of BPA that may be equally as toxic! The bottom line is – you can’t 100% trust that any plastic doesn't contain compounds that are toxic to your body.
Toys made from plastic claims to be BPA Free and safe, do they?
Plastics can Cause Fertility and Reproductive Problems.
The ability to produce a healthy child is a wondrous miracle and an amazing event in one’s life. But toxic compounds found in plastic could be making this difficult, if not impossible, for millions of people. What was once speculation is now becoming fact as more and more research is proving that this is a very real problem. For example, almost all plastics contain toxic chemicals that have a negative effect on immunity and hormone regulation, both of which directly affect fertility. Specifically, BPA has been found to make it more difficult for women to conceive and to cause increased risk of miscarriages. New research is also showing that toxins found in plastic can cause birth defects and developmental problems in children.
Another problem cause by plastic pollution - Infertility
Chemicals in Plastic can Make You Fat.
There are lots of reasons why nearly two-thirds of American adults are either overweight or obese. But one of them may be the vast amounts of plastics our food and beverages come in contact with. After all, America is the world’s largest consumer of disposable plastic containers. Interesting new research published in Environmental Health Perspectives explains that a chemical widely used in plastics, called bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (BADGE), may actually cause stem cells to become fat cells. According to one of the study’s authors, “Exposure to these kinds of chemicals can reprogram your metabolism and make it more likely for you to store calories instead of passing them through.” Have you found that losing weight is next to impossible, despite eating less and exercising more? Perhaps it’s chemicals in plastics that make losing weight harder than it needs to be.
Chemicals in Plastic can make me become Fat?
Plastics are Just Terrible for Our Planet.
Whether you are a hardcore environmentalist or if being “green” is low on your list of priorities, the fact of the matter is that you live on planet Earth, and so will your children and your children’s children. We all have a responsibility to keep the planet has livable as possible. Firstly, plastics are in most cases made from petrochemicals through an energy intensive process that itself creates lots of pollution and toxic discharge. The fact is, every plastic container you use is making the planet less habitable. Also, most plastic in the world is not recycled and usually ends up in landfills, where it degrades very slowly. According to Wikipedia, “Since the 1950s, one billion tons of plastic have been discarded and may persist for hundreds or even thousands of years.”
Tons of non-biodegradable plastic in wasteland
What Are Your Best Solutions?
Like I said earlier, plastics are a nearly unavoidable part of our everyday lives. But there is a big difference between the plastic on your computer and the plastic that may come into contact with your lunch. You don’t eat your computer. The best solution, which is affordable, convenient and really safe is glass and certain types of metal. Here are some great solutions I've found.
  • Break-proof glass water bottles: This glass water bottle has a rubber coating that prevents breakage. It makes water taste amazing! I take mine everywhere I go and it helps me avoid using plastic water bottles.
  • Stainless steel straws: My kids don’t use plastic straws anymore, and instead use these stainless steel straws.
  • Stainless steel containers: Dump your plastic Tupperware and instead go for stainless steel containers. Glass containers are great too, but most of them still have plastic lids.
  • Glass water coolers: If you have a water cooler at your home or office, more and more companies are offering glass containers instead of plastic ones.
  • Alternative to non-stick cookware: The coating on your non-stick cookware may be a type of plastic. Instead choose ceramic cookware or enameled cast iron.


Sneaky Sources of BPA
Even if you remove all plastic from your food and water supply, there are still some sneaky ways that highly toxic BPA can find its way into your life. Here are the most common:
  • Cash register receipts: This usually shocks most people. But if you handle a receipt with your hands, then eat your food with your hands, BPA is getting in your system. Avoid receipts or wash your hands immediately after touching one.
  • The lining of most canned foods.
  • Some baby bottles and pacifiers
  • Many toys and other children’s products
  • Some aluminum water bottles (stainless steel is generally safe)
  • Canned soda and beer

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The Dark Side of Coffee

Are you tired all the time? Incredibly, most of the patients I see complain of persistent, ongoing fatigue. Sometimes lack of sleep is a factor, but in almost all cases, there is another, often overlooked factor at play.
Coffee is good or bad?
If you rely on coffee or other caffeinated beverages, sugary foods or medication to provide you with the energy you need to make it through the day, please keep reading. I’m going to explain why you’re so tired all the time, and how you can fix the problem and restore your natural energy levels safely and quickly
Feeling tired without a cup of coffee?
Research shows that an astounding 80% of Americans use caffeinated beverages every morning for an energy boost. The fact is, we have become accustomed to consuming huge amounts of caffeine to keep pace with our busy lifestyles and stressful schedules.

The Dark Side of Caffeine
Although caffeine (along with sugar and stimulants like medication for Attention Deficit Disorder) can help boost energy temporarily, it does so at a significant expense. For example, research from Duke Medical School found that the average daily caffeine consumption of many Americans may raise heart attack and stroke risk by up to 20-30%, due to caffeine’s effects in raising blood pressure and increasing blood flow.
Feeling tired always
Additionally, and importantly in the case of those struggling with fatigue, caffeine pushes the body to release more stress hormones, which can leave you feeling burned out and fatigued in the short and long term.

The Hidden Cause of Energy Burnout, Weight Gain and Health Problems
Two small glands near your kidneys, called the adrenal glands, play a large role in producing energy and helping the body to manage stress. Caffeine, sugar and stimulant medications have a significant impact on these glands and drive them to release more of the body’s primary stress hormones, including epinephrine, norepinephrine and cortisol.
Coffee lover just can't stop drinking
Chronic elevations in cortisol levels can lower your immunity, disrupt your sleep, make you anxious, lower your energy, accelerate the aging process, affect your fertility, kill your sex drive, cause food cravings and increase your weight even if you manage to resist the cravings.

Even worse, when the adrenal glands have been artificially pushed by caffeine and stimulants for too long, they can become exhausted. The ability of the gland to produce even adequate levels of cortisol becomes compromised, and that’s when you may start to experience fatigue, brain fog, decreased ability to handle stress, poor immunity or auto-immune conditions, low body temperature and a general feeling of burnout. This state, called adrenal fatigue, has become epidemic in our society due to hectic lifestyles, poor nutrition and the over-consumption of stimulants like coffee, sugar and certain medications.

If you are among the majority with adrenal fatigue, what can you do? First, you’ll want to get more sleep if at all possible and reduce or eliminate your consumption of sugar, caffeine and stimulant medications (working with your doctor). Second, you’ll want to support your adrenals to coax them back to full vitality.
High sugar content in coffee
Unfortunately, modern medicine does not offer us many solutions to being burned out and tired. Anti-anxiety drugs or antidepressants may be suggested if your mood is starting to suffer. Or stimulant medications, which only make the matter worse, are recommended if the fatigue is persistent. Of course, none of these pharmaceutical interventions address the issue of stressed adrenal glands or help to restore balance to the output of adrenal-related stress hormones.

Is There a Natural Solution for Increased Energy and Vitality? 
Luckily, nature has provided us with tools that can improve our energy levels by supporting our natural stress response and boosting our body’s natural energy production without depleting us. As a holistic physician and pioneer in the natural health industry, I have spent years studying and researching nature’s pharmacopeia to bring you a safe, effective and healthy way to boost your energy.
Some study connects between coffee and stress
It’s important to understand that certain nutrients in the B vitamin family are closely linked to supporting the body’s response to stress and assisting the adrenal system in increasing energy and stamina. Vitamins B12, B6 and B5 in particular play critical roles in energy production and have all been shown to enhance adrenal function and cortisol balance during times of stress. Vitamin B12 also facilitates a biochemical reaction in the body necessary for the production of energy while vitamin B6 is vital to over 100 enzymes that catalyze energy producing reactions in the body. Vitamin B5 is part of a co-enzyme complex that is required by the body in order to make energy from food.

Many people are deficient in these vitamins and notice considerable increases in their energy level once they begin taking them in supplemental form. I always recommend B vitamins to my patients with adrenal fatigue, as well as vitamin C and calcium, which are also helpful when someone has been dealing with prolonged stress.
Craving for another cup of coffee? Think twice!
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Monday, 27 April 2015

Good News for Morning Coffee Cravers

Say Good Morning to Better Health!
Your cup of coffee just got a whole lot more health cred. Three new studies point to our a.m. brew as a way to ward off disease. Grab a cup and sip in the latest health benefits of coffee.


Coffee Cuts Cancer Risk
Researchers from Imperial College London found that women who drank three cups of coffee daily had an 19 percent lower risk of developing endometrial cancer compared to those who drank less than one cup a day. It isn't clear how coffee has this effect but one theory is that coffee reduces estrogen levels and another is that the oxidants in coffee may help slow or prevent cell damage that tends to allow cancer cells to proliferate.
Reduce Cancer Risk?

Coffee May Keep Your Arteries Clear
According to a study published in the journal Heart, drinking 3 to 5 cups of coffee a day may keep the arteries free of calcium deposits, which could lead to hardening of the arteries and stroke. We should note that this study didn't show a cause and effect relationship between coffee and less calcium, only a strong association.
Keep Your arteries clear

Coffee Reduces Multiple Sclerosis Risk
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. Researchers at John Hopkins University found that the caffeine in coffee may have neuroprotective properties that suppress the formation of the cells that are associated with MS. They came to this conclusion when they found that women who abstained from coffee for a year were 1.5 times more likely to develop MS than women who consumed at least four cups a day during that time.
Reduce the risk of MS?
We love good news in the morning. Are you pouring another cup yet?

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The Myth of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Fish oils come from fatty fish, also known as oily fish, specifically the tissue of fatty fish, such as trout, mackerel, tuna, herring, sardines, and salmon.

Fish oils are of interest to nutritionists and health care professionals because of two main ingredients: DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) - both types of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega 3 fatty acids
The fillets of oily fish contain up to 30% oil; this figure may vary. White fish, on the other hand, only contain high concentrations of oil in the liver, and have much less oil. Apart from omega-3 fatty acids, oily fish are also good sources of vitamins A and D. Whitefish also contain these nutrients, but at much lower concentrations.

Health experts commonly tell people that oily fish have more health benefits than white fish. However, their recommendations have never been compellingly proven scientifically in large population studies.

Many health authorities around the world advise people to consume either plenty of oily fish or to take supplements, because of their supposed health benefits. Studies over the last ten years have produced mixed results regarding the benefits of the dietary intake of fish oils.

What are Omega-3 fatty acids?
Omega-3 fatty acids are types of fat commonly found in plant and marine life oils. There are two types which are plentiful in fatty fish:
  • Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an Omega-3 fatty acid that is found in fatty fish. When we talk about omega-3 fatty acids in fish, we are usually referring to EPA. EPA is a precursor to prostaglandin-3, a platelet aggregation inhibitor, thromboxane-2 and leukotriene-5. Fish do not produce EPA, they obtain it from the algae they eat. 
  • DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is a main component of the human retina (in the eye), sperm, and cerebral cortex (in the brain). 40% of all the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the brain consist of DHA. DHA makes up 60% of the PUFAs in the retina. Half of the neuron's plasma membrane weight is composed of DHA. Breast milk is rich in DHA. 
How true are the fish oil health claims?
Over the last ten years, there have been dozens of studies on fish oils and omega-3 oils. Some have backed up these claims, while others have not.
Salmon
Fish oils are said to have several health benefits if they are included in a human diet, including:
Fish oils are said to help people with multiple sclerosis (MS)
However, a study carried out by researchers from University Hospital in Bergen, Norway, in April 2012 found that omega-3 fatty acids do not help people with MS.
Prostate cancer
Fish oils reduce men's risk of developing prostate cancer if they follow a low-fat diet, one study found, while another linked omega-3 levels to a higher risk of aggressive prostate cancer.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that omega fish oils raise prostate cancer risk. The authors, from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center reported that high fish oil intake raises the risk of high-grade prostate cancer by 71% and all prostate cancers by 43%.
Fish oils reduce men's risk of developing prostate cancer
Post-natal (post-partum) Depression
Fish oils protect from post-partum depression - Dr. Michelle Price Judge, of the University of Connecticut School of Nursing, said after carrying out a study in 2011 "DHA consumption during pregnancy at levels that are reasonably attained from foods has the potential to decrease symptoms of postpartum depression."
 Protect from post-partum depression
Mental Health Benefits
Fish oils help young people with behavioral problems, especially those with ADHD.
Memory Benefits
Working memory can improve in healthy young adults if they increase their Omega-3 fatty acids intake, researchers reported in the journal PLOS One (October 2012 issue).

Protection from Alzheimer's disease
Claims were made for many years that regular fish oil consumption would help prevent people from developing Alzheimer's disease. However, a major study in 2010 found that fish oils and a placebo were no different in Alzheimer's prevention.
Protection from Alzheimer's disease
In contrast, a study published in Neurology in 2007 reported that a diet in fish, omega-3 oils, fruit and veggies reduces dementia and Alzheimer's risk.

Protecting from Vision Loss
Adequate dietary consumption of DHA protects people from age-related vision loss, Canadian researchers reported in the journal Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science.

Benefits for the Fetus
Omega-3 consumption boosts fetal cognitive and motor development - scientists from L'Université Laval Laval found that omega-3 consumption by the mother during her last three months of pregnancy improved her baby's sensory, cognitive and motor development.

How can vegans make sure their omega-3 fatty acid intake is sufficient?
Without proper planning, vegans and vegetarians have a much higher risk of being omega-3 deficient than humans who eat animal-sourced proteins.

A vegan consumes no animal-sourced protein at all, not even honey, while a vegetarian may include eggs and dairy in their diet. The risk of not consuming enough omega-3 fatty acids is higher for vegans than vegetarians if they do not plan their diets well. Which foods are rich in omega-3 fatty acids
Leafy Dark Green Vegetables rich in Vitamin D
The following foods are rich in omega-3 fatty acids:
  • Oily fish - anchovies, herring, sardines, salmon, trout, and mackerel. 
  • Flax Seed
  • Hempseed 
  • Perilla oil 
  • Spirulina 
  • Walnuts 
  • Eggs (especially the ones that have "high in omega-3 written on the shell) 
  • Chia seeds 
  • Raddish seeds, sprouted raw 
  • Fresh basil 
  • Leafy dark green vegetables, such as spinach 
  • Dried tarragon
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Sunday, 26 April 2015

6 Reasons Why You Should Sleeping Naked

Pack away the flannel pajamas: A handful of studies and surveys show sleeping naked could actually be good for you.

Six reasons why you should consider it: 

You may like your partner more: 
A 2014 survey of Brits by Cotton USA (which promotes cotton products that likely include both pajamas and sheets) found that 57 percent of those who slept nude reported being happy in their relationship.
Improve your relationship
That was 9 percentage points more than PJ wearers, followed by 43 percent of nightie wearers. Onesie wearers—they apparently exist—brought up the rear at 38 percent, per the Daily Mail. 

It could help prevent diabetes: 
It's a bit of a stretch, but here's the logic: Adults have small amounts of brown fat (aka "good fat") in their bodies, and a 2014 study looked at how bedroom temperature affected the fat.

The four-month study was small: just five males who slept in rooms heated to 66-, 75-, or 81-degrees. After four weeks spent at the coldest temp, the men had almost twice as much brown fat, and their insulin sensitivity was better, which a researcher says could lower their diabetes risk. 
Prevent diabetes?
Four weeks at 81 degrees undid all the benefits. Though the New York Times points out the test subjects slept in hospital scrubs, going naked could help prevent overheating. 

It's better for your lady health:
Cosmopolitan cites advice from Dr. Jennifer Landa, who points out that an overly warm environment could spur too much yeast or bacteria to grow in the vaginal area. By passing on PJs, you'll have a better chance of giving air access to the region, preventing infections. 
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It's how our ancestors did it: 
If you're a Paleo-dieter who eats like a caveman, why not sleep like one, too? Neurologist Rachel Salas with the Johns Hopkins Center for Sleep in 2013 told the Wall Street Journal that "back in the cave days," people slept naked.

It was, in part, a means of protection from predators, and that feeling of safety could be imparted by sleeping similarly in modern day. 

It could be better for the immune system: 
Mic reports that when skin-on-skin contact occurs, our adrenal glands get a message: lighten up on the production of the stress hormone cortisol.
Better Immune response?
As one doctor explains, "Cortisol suppresses the immune response." Skin-to-skin contact also increases levels of oxytocin, which can have positive effects on blood pressure and healing, says Salas. 

Body temp affects sleep: 
A 2004 study found that for sleep to "initiate normally," core body temp matters.
Cold temperature boost your sleeping efficiency
Per a researcher, "Studies of sleep onset insomniacs show that they consistently have a warmer core body temperature immediately before initiating sleep, when compared with normal healthy adults."

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