The famous vitamin E is renowned for combating aging by keeping joint degeneration at bay and increasing eye and heart health. What is not so well known is that vitamin E can help aging skin to retain its smoothness, moisture and beauty.
The secret to vitamin E’s importance for both internal health and external beauty is similar to that of the other antioxidant vitamins (A and C) — and their ability to undo the “free radical” damage that causes skin to develop lines and lose elasticity and firmness.
Free radicals are damaging molecules that come from a reaction of oxygen inside the body. They come from pollution, smoke, (continue reading) …
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This health news is shared by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the original calcium and magnesium based sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and Joints and More, a natural supplement for joint relief, less aches and pains, and more energy.
The Healthy Colors of Your Diet (from the Human Nutrition Research Center) ….
Posted on: January 1, 2026
By Matthew Picklo
Have you thought about the many colors of our foods? They catch our eye and add so much to the appeal of our meals – particularly fruits and vegetables. Research shows that the colors of our foods may also be related to the health benefits they provide.
The pigments that give plant foods their vibrant colors are of value to the plants themselves, as well as to those who consume them. These colorful fruit and vegetable pigments also serve to attract feeding animals who later help distribute the plants’ seeds.
Plant pigments have long been of interest to food chemists who have studied their contributions to the visual appeal of foods. In recent years, there also has been an explosion of interest in the health potentials of the pigments that are responsible for food colors.
There are several types of pigments in foods. One group is the “anthocyanins”, a term derived from the Greek words for “flower” and “blue”. Anthocyanins are present in many fruits including cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries. They also are found in colored grains such as purple corn, red rice, black rice, purple carrots and blue potatoes.
One of the richest sources of anthocyanins is the chokecherry. Black rice, which has a purple-black bran, also has very high levels of anthocyanins. In ancient China, it was known as “forbidden rice”, as it and was only eaten by the nobility. Anthocyanins appear to protect plant tissues from damage by ultraviolet light. They may also be anti-microbial.
Laboratory studies suggest that the anthocyanins in foods benefit health by reducing inflammation and preventing oxidative damage to cells, a process associated with diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Studies have shown this for anthocyanin-rich fruit juices, and scientists are now asking whether some anthocyanins may be more useful than others, and how they function in the body.
Another group of plant pigments are the carotenoids – a large group of more than 600 compounds that give vegetables and fruits their yellow, orange and red colors. Some familiar sources include tomatoes, carrots, yellow squash and spinach. The most common carotenoids are beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein.
Beta-carotene is related chemically to vitamin A, which is essential for vision and functions in maintaining healthy bones, immune function and may other vital functions. In fact, the body can convert beta-carotene to vitamin A. Spinach, carrots, orange juice and cantaloupe are particularly good sources of beta-carotene.
Lycopene is present in tomatoes, tomato sauce and tomato juice. It is of current interest in cancer research, as studies have associated reduced prostate cancer risk for men with relatively high blood levels of lycopene.
Lutein is accumulated by the key visual area of the retina called the macula where it is thought to protect against potentially damaging effects of light. It is thought that lutein may reduce the risk of macular degeneration, which is a major cause of visual impairment in people aged fifty years and older. Good sources of lutein include green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, and turnips greens. USDA scientists have found that eggs can be an important source of lutein.
Understanding how diet and physical activity can prevent disease and promote health is central to the research mission of the USDA Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center, or GFHNRC. This includes better understanding of the health roles of anthocyanins and carotenoids.
More information to help you make healthful and colorful food choices can be found at MyPyramid.gov.
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Comments from the blog author Nutrition Breakthroughs: When deciding what to eat, seek out brightly colored fruits and vegetables for greater health. Good eating leads to good health for all parts of your body, including your heart and brain, and leads to higher levels of energy during the day and better, deeper sleep at night.
This article is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep remedy for insomnia help Sleep Minerals II. Sleep Minerals II contains highly absorbable forms of magnesium, zinc, and calcium, as well as Vitamin D, all mixed with healthy oils in a softgel form for fast absorption. If you or someone you care about needs to get better, deeper sleep, visit the Sleep Minerals II page on Amazon.
via ars.usda.gov
Teenagers are a special breed, having to face all the challenges of being in an in-between stage of life; not quite a child anymore and not yet an adult. Along with an acceleration of social interests and activities, they also sustain accelerated physical growth and increased nutritional needs.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 90% of teen girls and 70% of teen boys aren’t getting enough calcium. Their bones are growing the fastest during the teen years and they need more calcium than at any other time of life. The calcium deficiency can translate into irritability, nervous tension, hyperactivity, and insomnia.
Adelle Davis was the first nutritionist to base her recommendations on scientific research studies. She says: “If these hyperactive kids were recognized as victims of malnutrition and given, instead of drugs, a completely adequate diet, especially high in calcium, magnesium, and vitamins B6 and D; the majority might soon be as relaxed as sacks of cotton, their minds far more alert, their energies restored to normal. I have seen it happen many, many times.”
To shed some light on teenage sleeping habits, a study was published in an issue of the Journal of Adolescent Health, Researchers found that two-thirds of teenage high school students are sleeping less than they need to, when they actually need 9.5 hours of sleep. Danice Eaton, author of the study and a research scientist in Atlanta said, “….Research (on teens) has shown that a lack of sleep can increase depression, negative physical health, headaches, poor school performance, school absenteeism and drowsy driving.”
There is a correlation between electronics use and insomnia in teens. A study from the Journal of Pediatrics published a survey of Philadelphia-area teens. It was found that two-thirds had a television in their bedroom, one third had a computer, 90% had their own cell phone and 79% had a personal music device. “These technological devices activate the mind. It’s like having a stressful work conversation just before getting into bed,” said Dr. Jonathan Pletcher, at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Pletcher doesn’t recommend sleep medication for teens, saying that, “The risks for this age group far outweigh the benefits.” He recommends shutting down the computer, TV, and cell phone well before bedtime and doing some relaxing and calming activities before bed.
Due to a deficiency of crucial minerals at the teenage time of life, calcium and magnesium supplements can be an effective sleep remedy. One natural insomnia remedy that’s gaining in popularity for all ages is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs.
Sleep Minerals II contains highly absorbable forms of the best minerals for sleep and relaxation: Calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D. The ingredients are delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making them more easily assimilated than capsules or tablets and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
One mother of a teenage son who was suffering with insomnia, was grateful to find Sleep Minerals II. She says: “Our son began to have trouble sleeping about a year and a half ago. He was up until 2:00 a.m., and then he got up at 5:00. This continued for quite a while. He was miserable and so were we. He’s an athlete and a student and we just couldn’t live like this.”
“We had spent hundreds of dollars on testing and supplements with a naturopath and it just didn’t work. I searched on the Internet and found Sleep Minerals II. I thought to myself, ‘I’ll give it a try, there’s nothing harmful in it’. Well, from the get-go it helped Mitchell sleep better. He’s been using it as a sleep remedy for some time now. He is sleeping well and is so happy and healthy. He’s a normal teenager again. I just can’t say enough about what this product has done for us.”
Besides supplementing with key minerals, there are additional tips to help teens sleep better. Here is a summary from the Mayo Clinic and National Sleep Foundation:
* Consuming caffeine close to bedtime can interfere with one’s sleep, so avoid coffee, tea, soda pop and chocolate late in the afternoon. Nicotine and alcohol will also interfere with sleep.
* Limit stimulating activities and the use of electronics right before bedtime.
* Reduce extracurricular activities. Sometimes teens are overextended and participate in too many after-school activities, too late into the evening.
* Practice relaxing and calming activities before going to bed. For example, do gentle stretches, take a warm bath, or read a pleasant book.
* Make the bedroom a sleep haven. Keep it cool, quiet and dark. If needed, get eyeshades, earplugs, and blackout curtains. Let in the bright light in the morning to signal the body to wake up.
* Get regular exercise during the day, but not closer than 3 hours before bedtime.
* Establish a regular bedtime and wake-time schedule and stick to it, coming as close to it as possible on the weekends. A consistent sleep schedule makes it easier to fall asleep.
Let’s help our teens get the sleep and nutrition they need!
For more information on Sleep Minerals II, visit here.
Health Studies: Cranberries Boost Immunity, Oral Health, Bladder Health, More
Posted on: December 27, 2025
Best known for their juice, sauce and dried versions for snacking, cranberries are little red fruit gems that are high in vitamins C and E. They have been shown in research studies to boost immunity, fight oral bacteria, prevent and treat urinary tract infections, and improve heart and skin health.
Cranberries benefit oral health by preventing bacteria from binding to the teeth, according to Researchers at the Eastman Department of Dentistry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. The research team found evidence that cranberry juice disrupts the formation of the building block of plaque, and certain properties in the juice disarm the bacteria that cause tooth decay.
Similarly, cranberries help prevent bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls, thus fighting off infections of the bladder. One research study with women who had a history of recurring bladder infections, found that daily treatment with cranberry concentrate capsules (400 mg. twice per day for three months) significantly reduced the recurrence of urinary tract infections.
Drinking cranberry juice is helpful, but it’s important to select a natural cranberry juice that is unsweetened or sweetened from fruit sources, rather a cranberry juice cocktail sweetened with white sugar. It should be diluted with water in order to lessen the natural acidity in the juice.
Regarding white sugar, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that when healthy volunteers consumed a large amount of refined sugar, their immune system‘s white blood cells had an impaired ability to destroy bacteria for at least five hours.
Other ways to get more cranberries into the diet is to enjoy them in trail mixes, add frozen cranberries to smoothies, throw a few into a muffin recipe, or use dried cranberries in a salad or vegetable side dish. Cranberry powder supplements are available and may provide the most benefits.
This news is brought to you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, provider of natural health articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Learn more about the natural sleep aids and natural joint support products made by Nutrition Breakthroughs.
A bright smile, white teeth and healthy gums are something everyone would like to enjoy. Gingivitis is a very common form of inflammatory gum disease caused by bacteria in the mouth.
It causes gums to become red, swollen and bleed easily during brushing or flossing. If left untreated, gingivitis can lead to an even more severe form of gum disease called periodontitis, which also may harm the bones underneath the gums.
Symptoms of periodontitis include bad breath, toothache, loose teeth, receding gums or tooth loss. According to the study called “Prevalence of Periodontitis in Adults”, almost half of all American adults have mild, moderate or severe periodontal disease. For those who are 65 or older, the percentage increases to 70%.
Researchers have previously discovered that people who consume low amounts of calcium and vitamin D can develop bone loss and osteoporosis. Scientists at the Saint Louis University Center for Advanced Dental Education reasoned that because vitamin D also has antimicrobial effects and can remedy the inflammatory response, it would be reasonable to pursue a study to determine whether calcium and vitamin D may have a positive effect on periodontal disease.
The study included 51 people who were receiving periodontal maintenance therapy. 23 were taking vitamin D and calcium during the study and 28 did not. All of the participants had at least two areas in their mouth that had loss of gum tissue and reduced support around the teeth.
At the end of the study, those taking the vitamin D and calcium had fewer bleeding sites, less attachment loss, and smaller open spaces between the teeth and gums. The researchers concluded there was a good trend for improved health of the gums, teeth, and bones in the mouth with the use of these nutritional supplements.
Studies have also proven that calcium can prevent osteoporosis, reduce high blood pressure, relax the nerves and muscles, prevent colon cancer and kidney stones, and act as an effective remedy for insomnia and sleeplessness.
In one study called “The Nutritional Relationships of Magnesium”, the author notes that the type of insomnia associated with a calcium deficiency is one that causes difficulty with falling asleep. On the other hand, the classical sign of magnesium deficiency is insomnia characterized by falling asleep easily, but awakening frequently throughout the night, and with individuals finding themselves tired even after several hours of sleep.
It’s important to note that a balanced calcium magnesium ratio is important to overall health, and these two minerals should be taken together for best results (in a two to one ratio with twice as much calcium and magnesium). The original research on this recommended ratio appeared in 1935 in the Journal of Physiological Reviews.
William Sears, M.D. writes: “Calcium helps the brain use the amino acid tryptophan to manufacture the sleep-inducing substance melatonin. This explains why dairy products, which contain both tryptophan and calcium, are some of the top sleep-inducing foods.”
Jobee Knight, a nutritional researcher and founder of Nutrition Breakthroughs in Glendale California, is someone who fought her own battle against sleeplessness and insomnia. She decided to put her background to use by searching out effective natural insomnia remedies for relaxation and deeper sleep.
The result was Sleep Minerals II, a natural sleep remedy that contains highly absorbable forms of calcium and magnesium, combined with vitamin D and zinc. These are the most effective minerals for sleeplessness as well as for menopause insomnia, heart health, restless leg syndrome and bone strength. The ingredients are formulated in a softgel with healthy oils, making them more quickly absorbable than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Tammy M. of Meridian, Idaho says: “I was plagued with insomnia for five years and desperate for a breakthrough. Nothing has helped me more than the Sleep Minerals. I’m so sold on them I could go door to door promoting them. I’m 60 years old and have never slept so soundly.”
Calcium and vitamin D are two of the key cornerstones of good health. They play many roles in the body and both should be included in the diet.
This natural health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a publisher of nutrition articles and a supplier of effective natural remedies since 2002. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the original calcium, magnesium and vitamin D based natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.
Glycemic index: 6 facts to know 🙌 — The 3H:health,happiness,healing Blog
Posted on: December 24, 2025
Why do we need to know about the glycemic index of food? The answer is simple. Whatever food we eat, we should know how fast the food is digested and absorbed into our body and how fast it raises our blood sugar level. (continue reading) …..
Glycemic index: 6 facts to know 🙌 — The 3H:health,happiness,healing
This article from 3H:health.happiness.healing is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, as well as the chart to the left. The chart originally appeared on Nutrition Breakthroughs as it gives a good guide to the best carbs for keeping our blood sugar levels healthy
Magnesium Deficiency in Older Adults May Contribute to Insomnia, Osteoporosis and Diabetes
Posted on: December 24, 2025
A recent Gallup Poll survey reported that magnesium consumption decreases as we age, with 79% of adults 55 and over reportedly eating below the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) of magnesium.
In addition, a National Institutes of Health (NIH) fact sheet says that older adults are at increased risk of magnesium deficiency due to their decreased ability to absorb the mineral. The diseases to which the elderly are vulnerable, and some of the drugs used in therapy, also contribute to magnesium loss.
“A potential magnesium deficiency is a matter of concern for many individuals of all ages, but for the elderly, it could be particularly serious,” said Richard Rivlin, M.D., Chief of the Nutrition Division at New York Hospital, Cornell Medical Center.
“The prevalence of heart disease, diabetes and even leg cramps increases dramatically among older persons, and these are all health conditions in which magnesium deficiency has been found,” Rivlin said.
Diabetes
Researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health evaluated the dietary intake of specific nutrients for more than 85,000 women and more than 42,000 men, in data supplied over 18 years for the women and over 12 years for the men. They found that the men and women whose diets included the largest amounts of magnesium were the least likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Most of the participants in the study consumed magnesium through foods, such as whole grains, nuts and green leafy vegetables.
Osteoporosis
A lack of magnesium is also associated with osteoporosis. Bone health is supported by many factors, most notably calcium and vitamin D. However, some evidence suggests that magnesium deficiency may be an additional risk factor for postmenopausal osteoporosis. This may be due to the fact that magnesium deficiency alters calcium metabolism and the hormones that regulate calcium. In one study of older adults from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, a greater magnesium intake maintained bone mineral density to a higher degree than a lower intake.
Insomnia Remedy
A recent National Sleep Foundation poll found that a majority of older adults (67%) report having frequent sleep problems. This translates to 37 million older adults in the U.S. having some form of insomnia. Particularly for older people, a possible underlying nutritional cause of insomnia may be a deficiency of certain minerals. James F. Balch, M.D., author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing, writes: “A lack of the nutrients calcium and magnesium will cause you to wake up after a few hours and not be able to return to sleep.”
Types of Magnesium
Some forms of magnesium are more digestible than others – an important factor because our digestive enzymes and our ability to absorb nutrients lessen with age. Magnesium citrate is a unique form of magnesium in which the magnesium is bonded with citric acid to make it more absorbable.
Supplements with Magnesium
The combination of minerals included in a supplement and the presence of vitamin cofactors (such as calcium and vitamin D) are key. Formulas should contain a 2 to 1 ratio of calcium to magnesium. The original research on this recommended ratio appeared in 1935 in the Journal of Physiological Reviews. In addition, softgels made with carrier oils allow the minerals to be better absorbed than tablets or capsules.
One formula that has these qualities and is gaining in popularity is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs. Sleep Minerals II contains highly absorbable forms of the best minerals for sleep and relaxation: Calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D. The ingredients are delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.
Wendy R. of Honolulu, Hawaii says: “My friends know that I’ve had insomnia for a very long time. Surprisingly, I received the Sleep Minerals II and took it and I actually slept. This thing really works. I wanted to say, its funny, but people know I have insomnia and once in a while a co-worker will ask me how I slept. In the past, if I ever got a good nights sleep I’d say “I slept like a baby”, but that’s the wrong analogy. Those little guys get up every two hours. I am actually beginning to sleep like an adult — a much-rested adult.”
Richard Rivlin, M.D. summed up the Gallup Poll survey results by saying: “It is clear that consumers are largely unaware of the role of magnesium — a nutrient that is essential for the function of other minerals like calcium, as well as the normal operation of the heart and muscles.”
For more information, visit the Sleep Minerals II page.
This makes a lot of sense and is a great contribution to overall circulation and health. I always feel better when I do some leg lifts.
This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.
Celebrate National Nutrition Month with the Power of California Walnuts – PeopleTalky Blog
Posted on: December 23, 2025
Even though National Nutrition Month has come and gone, the health power of walnuts will go on forever. From enhancing heart and brain health, to helping with sleep, walnuts have quite a list of benefits.
This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.
A healthy body is the vessel for a purposeful life – Thinkbigwithbokonia Blog
Posted on: December 23, 2025
This is a very positive, upbeat and spiritual article with examples of how your body can support your soulful dreams.
This health news is shared with you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, and the natural solution for joint relief, allergies, pain relief and increased energy, Joints and More.
News on Natural Remedies, Good Sleep and Good Health 