Archive for April 2015
Health Studies: Cranberries Boost Immunity, Oral Health, Bladder Health, More
Posted on: April 21, 2015
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 and pain relief products made by Nutrition Breakthroughs.
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/blog/2015/04/02/infographic-cranberries-boost-immunity-oral-health-bladder-health-more/
Wouldn’t it be great if there were a natural plant-based sweetener with zero calories that actually improved our health? Many people would prefer to avoid eating lots of white sugar as it affects everything from weight, to teeth, to immunity, to the health of our organs.
Although in the world of sugar substitutes, many of the options available are artificial sweetners made in the laboratory such as Equal (aspartame), Splenda (sucralose) and SweetNLow (saccharin – which is a coal tar derivative).
A recent study published in a medical journal that writes about metabolism reported that diet soda drinkers suffer with the same health problems as those who opt for regular sugared soda, including weight gain, type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke.
At the same time that studies are discovering more and more health problems from consuming artificial sweeteners, one natural option – the Stevia plant – is collecting positive research outcomes for its benefits. It’s a South American plant from the same family that includes chrysanthemums and sunflowers. Honey is also natural, but it contains very concentrated sugars that can cause cells to store fat.
Stevioside is the natural extract from stevia leaves that gives it its sweetness. Stevia extract can taste 200 to 300 times sweeter than sugar, with one teaspoon equaling a whole cup of sugar. Very small amounts go a long way. Stevia is not absorbed well into the stomach, and when it passes through the body, there is no accumulation of it.
The cells of the pancreas receive a healing effect from stevia. A study in the journal “Metabolism” found that stevioside reduced blood sugar levels after meals in type 2 diabetic patients. Regarding high blood pressure, one study in a British medical journal gave participants with high blood pressure stevia capsules for a year. The researchers concluded it is a well tolerated and an effective alternative therapy.
In a test tube study from “Antiviral Research” stevia was shown to be an effective antiviral substance that worked as a blockade to prevent a virus from attaching to other cells. Stevia also inhibits the growth of oral bacteria, making it a good ingredient for mouthwashes, toothpastes and bleeding gums.
Stevia is available as fresh or dried leaves, as a powdered extract or as drops. Its health benefits are best realized when the whole plant is used to make the extract. Truvia (made by Coca-Cola) and PureVia (made by PepsiCo) contain only portions of the active ingredients, not the entire plant. So look for stevia or stevioside amounts when purchasing this natural sweetener.
This news is brought to you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, providing natural health articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Learn more about the natural sleep aids and natural joint and pain relief products made by Nutrition Breakthroughs.
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/blog/2015/03/09/stevia-studies-0-calorie-natural-sweetener-helps-diabetes-immunity-blood-pressure/
Rice bran oil is a heart-healthy oil that is used in cooking, salad oil and nutritional supplements. It is extracted from the outer bran coats of rice. It is a rich source of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids that help fight disease and promote good health.
Research studies have found that rice bran oil reduces blood pressure and cholesterol, remedies menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, strengthens the immune system and protects the retina of the eye. Rice bran oil is rich in two types of natural vitamin E and also high in Oryzanol (a word that sounds like “Original”), which is a powerful antioxidant only found in rice bran oil. Antioxidants protect our tissues from deterioration and help to slow the aging process.
One example of rice bran oil benefiting heart health is a study done by a team of cardiovascular scientists in Japan. The 60-day study was conducted with 300 men and women and found that a combination of rice bran oil and sesame oil reduced blood pressure by 14 points and lowered cholesterol by 26%. The oil consisted of 80% rice bran oil and 20% sesame oil.
Menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats and insomnia can plague women who are at pre-menopause or menopause. In a study of menopausal women, researchers gave the participants the active component of rice bran oil in supplement form. After four to six weeks, 90% of the women had some form of relief, with 40% claiming “excellent” improvement. The women also experienced significantly reduced cholesterol levels.
Our immune system protects and defends us from disease in all its forms. It is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. The main cells involved are white blood cells called “leukocytes” which create antibodies that neutralize toxins and infections. From the journal of Phytotherapy Research (phyto refers to plants) comes a study showing that rice bran oil evokes a significant increase in antibodies that greatly enhance immune activity.
Rice bran oil can help calcium to be absorbed better into the body. In a review article from “Progress in Lipid Research” (a lipid is a natural fat or oil), the authors write that healthy oils increase mineral utilization by enhancing the effects of vitamin D – a vitamin that works alongside calcium and magnesium. As a result, oils such as rice bran oil can help calcium to be deposited into bone and improve bone strength.
This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II. This sleep remedy features calcium, magnesium and vitamin D, all mixed with rice bran oil in a highly absorbable softgel.
Kimberly B. of Troy, Michigan gives her review and says: “I have been taking Sleep Minerals II for about a month now. I have tried everything out there and this supplement is amazing. I have suffered with insomnia for 2 1/2 years. I have also had restless leg syndrome my entire life and this is the first relief I’ve ever had…gone for a month now.”
For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit this info page.
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/blog/2015/02/23/studies-find-rice-bran-oil-benefits-menopause-cholesterol-immunity-more/
A new study from a University in Taiwan has found that a daily glass of tomato juice slims the waist and reduces body fat and weight
Who would’ve known that the red coloring matter in tomatoes is one of the most powerful natural medicines in existence? The red color comes from a healthy plant chemical called lycopene. Lycopene is what makes the tomato a super-food — one that goes far beyond just providing something tasty to eat.
Lycopene has been shown in studies from the Journal of Nutrition to help protect against heart disease, lower cholesterol, and reduce inflammation for a stronger immune system. Interestingly, a new study has shown that the same traits of tomato juice that can cause these internal health improvements can also enhance one’s appearance by inducing a lower body weight and a thinner waistline.
There are unlimited health benefits from eating all kinds of vegetables and fruits including preventing diabetes, lowering the risk of all types of cancers, strengthening the heart, balancing hormones, smoothing the skin and increasing energy. They are nature’s finest natural remedies.
Lycopene gives the red color to watermelons, pink grapefruits and tomatoes. Spinach, corn and avocado contain the yellow and green shades supplied by lutein which supports good eye health. Grapes and blueberries contain the blue and purple pigments known to benefit everything from memory to arthritis.
The new study on tomato juice comes from the China Medical University in Taiwan. Researchers found that a daily glass of tomato juice taken by women for two months resulted in significantly decreased body fat and body weight, as well as a smaller waist circumference and lower cholesterol. The subjects continued with their normal diet and exercise and made no changes other than drinking one nine ounce glass of tomato juice each day.
The women were divided into two groups: Those that had a reduction in body fat from the tomato juice and those that didn’t. One point that was highlighted by the study is that regardless of whether there was a loss of body fat, the tomato juice still induced a reduction in waist circumference, lowered cholesterol levels, reduced inflammation, and increased lycopene levels in each person. Adding a simple glass of tomato juice daily can do wonders for one’s health.
This health news is provided by http://NutritionBreakthroughs.com. Since 2001 Nutrition Breakthroughs has provided natural health articles and effective natural remedies. Their mission is to provide nutritional supplements that get results and help people to avoid drugs and their side effects.
Since 2009, their natural sleep remedy Sleep Minerals II has been keeping that promise by soothing even the worst insomnia with absorbable calcium and magnesium. It helps everyone from teenagers, to seniors, to women with menopause symptoms to get a good night’s sleep.
For more information on Sleep Minerals II visit this web site.
Article source: http://www.nutritionbreakthroughs.com/blog/2015/02/08/nutrition-breakthroughs-tomato-juice-reduces-waist-size-body-fat/
News on Natural Remedies, Good Sleep and Good Health 