Lack of vitamin D can lead to diabetes, study finds
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Posted on August 28, 2011 by natural harmonies

(NaturalNews) The array of undiscovered health benefits afforded by high vitamin D intake is vast thanks to several new studies linking deficiency in this important hormone to diabetes.

One study published in the journal Diabetes Care explains that a simple 25 nanomole per liter (nmol/L), or 10 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), increase in blood levels of vitamin D results in a roughly 24 percent reduction in diabetes risk, while another study similarly reveals a correlation between high blood levels of vitamin D and reduced risk of diabetes.

Dr. Ken Sikaris and his colleague Zhong Lu, both of which are pathologists at Melbourne Pathology in Australia, tested the blood levels of 5,200 participants as part of their research. After accounting for more than ten outside risk factors that may affect outcomes, the duo found that participants with the highest blood levels of vitamin D had a significantly reduced risk of developing type-2 diabetes compared to those with the lowest levels.

“It’s hard to underestimate how important this could be,” said Dr. Sikaris concerning the findings, inferring that vitamin D is an essential weapon in the fight against diabetes.

In a related study, physician Anastassios Pittas from Tufts University evaluated 2,039 people with high blood sugar levels as part of her three year study, and found that every 12.5 nmol/L (5 ng/mL) increase in vitamin D levels resulted in an eight percent decreased risk of developing diabetes.

Participants with the highest third of vitamin D levels, above 75 nmol/L (30 ng/mL), were also 38 percent less likely to develop diabetes than those in the lowest third, which averaged 32 nmol/L (13 ng/mL).

“There are indications that vitamin D is of importance in glucose metabolism, and that supplementation with vitamin D may increase both insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity,” writes a report at ClinicalTrials.gov in response to this and other vitamin D research.

The Vitamin D Council maintains that healthy blood levels of vitamin D fall between 125 – 200 nmol/L (50 – 80 ng/mL), which can be achieved through regular sunlight exposure and supplementation with vitamin D3. To learn more, visit:

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org

via Lack of vitamin D can lead to diabetes, study finds.

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Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb
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Posted on August 25, 2011 by natural harmonies

(NaturalNews) Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb, most widely used to aid the mind and body in adapting to stress. It is indigenous to India, used and studied by Ayurvedic practitioners for centuries. Ashwagandha helps its users to remain calm during times of stress whether emotional or physical, as with hard labor or vigorous exercise. Ashwagandha is a powerful soothing tonic, useful to restore vitality and prolong longevity. Its anti-spasmotic effects have been used in the treatment of asthma. Traditionally, ashwagandha is used in pregnancy to relax the uterus to stop miscarriages, also known as spontaneous abortions.

Two Clinical Studies Show Ashwagandha`s Adaptability

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine released a study in 2009 which was performed to determine the efficacy of ashwagandha as an immune booster. Five participants consumed ashwagandha extract twice a day for four days. Blood samples were drawn before and after the study was done, plus once at 24 hours. Across the sampling, there was a significant change in immune cell activity at the end of the four day study. The conclusion of the report was that “more study is warranted.”

In another clinical study, the traditional use of ashwagandha as a “rasayana,” an herb known to promote health, prevent disease, and promote longevity, provided the motivation to determine whether ashwagandha could be used as an alternative to antidepressants and anti-anxiety pharmaceutical drugs. A team of researchers in the Department of Pharmacology at Bandaras Hindu University, led by S.K. Bhattacharya, published their findings in Phytomedicine, in December of 2000. The researchers found that ashwagandha does stabilize mood in both anxiety and depression in rat models.

Herbalists Widely Recommend Ashwagandha for Adrenal Support

The adrenal glands sit on top of the kidneys. They secrete some sex hormones, control blood glucose, and regulate sodium levels in the blood. They also secrete epinephrine and norepinephrine, the stress-reducing hormones.

If the human body is exposed to long term physical or emotional stress, the adrenals can malfunction. This leads to adrenal fatigue or exhaustion. Just a few symptoms of adrenal fatigue include feeling exhausted all the time, only having energy at night, craving sweet or salty foods, feeling overwhelmed and experiencing brain fog, low immune function, low blood pressure and extreme sensitivity to cold.

Besides avoiding stimulants such as caffeine and switching to a low-sugar diet, ashwagandha may be taken to help restore balance to the adrenal glands and the entire body. Herbalists recommend taking between one and three tablespoons of ashwagandha daily. Referring to its taste, ashwagandha is called “the sweat of a horse.” Because of the taste, some herbalists recommend taking ashwagandha with organic apple cider vinegar and others suggest taking it with a glass of raw, unpasteurized milk.

[Editor`s Note: NaturalNews is strongly against the use of all forms of animal testing. We fully support implementation of humane medical experimentation that promotes the health and wellbeing of all living creatures.]

via Ashwagandha is an adaptogenic herb.

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Top five ingredients to avoid in deodorant
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Posted on August 22, 2011 by natural harmonies

(NaturalNews) Deodorant is an essential toiletry that most Americans have in their medicine cabinet today. Many are still unaware of the hidden dangers in the active ingredients of modern day deodorant. They continue to use these potentially hazardous chemicals on their underarms as a way of reducing perspiration and odor.

The primary ingredient used in most antiperspirants is aluminum. Aluminum is a metal, which is used in antiperspirants to help block the sweat from escaping the pores. Aluminum has been linked to breast cancer in women and has also been linked to an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

Several studies have shown a link between increasing antiperspirant use and rising rates of female breast cancer and prostate cancer in men. However, the FDA has not committed to classifying it as a carcinogen. Their position remains one of “wait and see” as more definitive studies are released.

Parabens are a family of synthetic preservatives that are often found in deodorants as well. In fact, parabens are contained in an alarming amount of our body care products. A random sampling of 100 human urine specimens performed by the CDC showed that all 100 contained parabens. This demonstrates the high absorption rate of chemicals we place on our skin.

The largest concern is that the absorption of these chemicals will disrupt our delicate hormonal balance. This can lead to things like early puberty in children and an increased risk of hormonal cancers. Paraben exposure has also been linked to birth defects and organ toxicity.

Propylene glycol is another common ingredient that is used in antiperspirants and deodorants. This is a petroleum based material that is used to soften cosmetic products due to its slick consistency. It is a cheap way to make skin care products more easily applicable to the skin.

The argument that propylene glycol is safe in small amounts has been questioned by consumer safety advocates. In large quantities, studies have shown that it can cause damage to the central nervous system, liver and heart.

This chemical is even found in many of the processed foods we eat today. Logical thought follows that decreasing our exposure to propylene glycol is the prudent thing to do. It is for this reason that using skin care products that are propylene glycol free is becoming popular in health conscious circles.

Phthalates are another class of chemicals that are often used in deodorants and antiperspirants that you may want to avoid. Phthalates are used in cosmetics, synthetic fragrances, plastics, body care products and medical goods. They help to dissolve other ingredients and to create a better consistency.

The problem with phthalates is that they have been linked to a variety of health issues. High phthalate blood and urine levels in women of child bearing age have been linked to a higher risk of birth defects. This suggests that phthalates may disrupt hormone receptors as well as increase the likelihood of cell mutation.

Triclosan is another common ingredient included in commercial deodorants. It is utilized as the odor killing part of antiperspirants for its anti-bacterial properties. It is also commonly used in antibacterial soaps, hand wipes and gels.

Triclosan is actually classified as a pesticide by the FDA. It is also classified as a probable carcinogen by the Environmental Protection Agency. This classification has prompted some companies to remove it from their products. However, it still can be found as an ingredient in some formulas.

via Top five ingredients to avoid in deodorant.

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Diet Soda Can Increase Your Waist Size By Up to 500 Percent | Dr. Joseph Mercola on Natural Health Products and Articles
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Posted on August 21, 2011 by natural harmonies

Because of its high sugar content, soda is known to be one of the unhealthiest beverages you can drink. But if you believe that drinking sugar-free diet soda is better, here’s something for you to think about: a recent study presented at an American Diabetes Association meeting revealed that people who drank two or more diet sodas daily had a 500 percent greater increase in waist size!

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio followed 474 diet soda drinkers for almost a decade and found that their waistlines expanded by 70 percent compared to non-diet soda drinkers. Those who drank two or more diet sodas a day had the biggest waistlines. (Link)

Why Diet Soda Does Not Support Weight Management

In 2005, a team led by study co-author Sharon Fowler found that each can of diet soda you drink in a day increases your obesity risk by 41 percent.

Diet soda contains the artificial sweetener aspartame, which may contain zero calories but can’t fool your body and brain. When your body detects that you’re consuming something sweet, it expects that it contains calories. Since artificial sweeteners don’t provide calories, they can cause distortions in your biochemistry that may result in weight gain, Dr. Joseph Mercola explains.

Your brain knows the difference between sugar and an artificial sweetener, which tends to increase activity in your brain’s pleasure center even though it provides lower actual satisfaction. This causes your body to crave more artificial sweeteners – as well as real sugar – because your brain is not satisfied at the cellular level by the sugar imposter.

Diet Soda and Cardiovascular Disease

Another study presented earlier this year at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2011 suggested that diet soda can increase your risk of stroke.

Researchers from the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and Columbia University followed more than 1,000 volunteers for over nine years. About 900 of the participants said they did not consume any diet soda, while about 160 drank one or more diet sodas daily. (Link)

At the end of the study, the researchers noted that diet soda consumption and salt intake increased the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other deadly vascular conditions.

How to Quit Your Soda Habit

Eliminating your diet soda consumption is easier said than done – artificial sweeteners are addicting and have “positive reinforcing effects,” according to Dr. Martin Paulus, one of the authors of a study that compared the taste pathways of sugar and artificial sweeteners.  “Humans will work for it, like for other foods, alcohol, and even drugs of abuse. Whenever you have that, there is a potential that a subgroup of people … will have a chance of getting addicted,” he says.

Your soda cravings may have an underlying emotional component. Dr. Mercola recommends the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), particularly Turbo Tapping, an EFT tool that allows you to resolve emotional aspects of an addictive problem in a short period of time.

After you have addressed your diet soda addiction, you can use the natural sweetener stevia, which is 300 times sweeter than sugar, has zero calories, and does not cause a spike in your blood sugar levels. Dr. Mercola uses liquid stevia that comes in flavors like English Toffee and French Vanilla, which can be added to seltzer water to produce a healthy soda alternative.

via Diet Soda Can Increase Your Waist Size By Up to 500 Percent | Dr. Joseph Mercola on Natural Health Products and Articles.

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Enzymes Special Report
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Posted on August 21, 2011 by natural harmonies

By Dr. Mercola

You’ve probably heard of enzymes, and you probably already know they are important for your digestion. But you may not be aware of just how necessary enzymes are to every cell in your body—not just for digestion but for ALL your physiological processes.

Enzymes are composed of amino acids and are secreted by your body to help catalyze functions that would normally not occur at physiological temperatures. They literally make magic happen and are absolutely vital to your life.

More than 3,000 different enzymes have been identified, and some experts believe there may be another 50,000 we have yet to discover. Each enzyme has a different function—like 3,000 specialized keys cut to fit 3,000 different locks. In this analogy, the locks are biochemical reactions.

Enzymes drive biological processes necessary for your body to build raw materials, circulate nutrients, eliminate unwanted chemicals, and the myriad of other biochemical processes that go on without your even thinking about it.

For starters, here are just some of the activities in your body requiring enzymes:

Energy production

Absorption of oxygen

Fighting infections and healing wounds

Reducing inflammation

Getting nutrients into your cells

Carrying away toxic wastes

Breaking down fats in your blood, regulating cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Dissolving blood clots

Proper hormone regulation

Slowing the aging process

And small amounts of enzymes can affect profound changes! Enzymes are the catalysts that cause many essential biochemical reactions to happen—but they are not “used up” IN the reaction. They merely assist—meaning, they accelerate reactions—sometimes to a mind-boggling several million reactions per second!

Enzymes lower the amount of energy needed for a reaction to occur. Without them, some reactions simply would not function in your body.

But enzymes don’t work alone.

Enzymes rely on other elements to accomplish their tasks, such as certain vitamins and minerals. These elements are called “coenzymes.”

You are probably already familiar with one of these—coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 is found in the mitochondria (power centers) of your cells where it is involved in making ATP, every cell’s principal energy source. Another example is magnesium, which participates in over 300 enzyme reactions.

Article continues below:

via Enzymes Special Report.

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How to have better hair and a healthier body with a little-known source of silica
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Posted on August 20, 2011 by natural harmonies

(NaturalNews) Recently someone in my community asked how to get rid of pesky critters. A neighbor who own a garden center said that they use Diatomaceous Earth. Well – that seemed to me to be a golden opportunity to reveal my little secret to the world – that I have been eating Diatomaceous Earth for about a year now.

D.E. has many beneficial effects, but it is the anti-aging effect that I have seen most pronounced as a change in myself. Rather remarkably, since I have been eating D.E., I have stopped needing to bleach myhair. It has gone from a mousy mostly grey to a luscious blond/brown (my pre-65 year old haircolor). I am really happy about this change – as it is saving me tons of money ($300 a pop for tin-foil bleaching). Even my hairdresser is surprised at the change, and keeps telling me how nice the color of my hair is. However, the good news for my hair dresser is that my hair is now growing wildly faster, and so I am able to keep her happy by needing more frequent haircuts.

Diatomaceous Earth is a fossilized deposit of microscopic shells created by one-celled plants called Diatoms. These plants inhabit all the waters of the earth, and serve as the basic food for aquatic life, just as grass is the basic food for land animals. This mineral-based compound contains silicon, magnesium, calcium, sodium, iron and other trace minerals that the body needs to stay healthy. All Diatomaceous Earth is 84% Silicon Dioxide (Silica).

Here is the science behind my peculiar habit of eating this stuff:

Diatomaceous Earth is the hands-down best source of the mineral silica. In 1939, Nobel Prize Doctor Butenant showed the importance of silica for life itself. It may be true that silica is the most important trace element in humanhealth. Silica plays an important role in many body functions. The human body holds approximately seven grams of silica, a quantity far exceeding the figures for other important minerals. Years ago, the silica found in our foodstuffs was adequate for our needs. But with today’s hybrids and depleted soils, only about 1/3 of the silica needed is supplied in our food.?

Diatomaceous Earth looks like a cylinder full of holes–kind of like Rice Chex Cereal. This cylinder has a very strong negative charge while pathogens have a positive charge. As these millions of cylinders move through thestomachand digestive tract, they attract and absorb fungi, protozoa, viruses, endotoxins, pesticides and drug residues, E-Coli, and heavy metals. These are trapped inside the cylinder and passed out of the body. In addition, any larger parasites that happen to be in the stomach or digestive tract are “cut up” and killed by the sharp edges of the diatomaceous earth. All of these activities result in a much healthier body with less sickness.?

Detoxification Benefits:

The spa that I own, La Casa Day Spa (http://www.Lacasaspa.com) in Manhattan, emphasizes therapies thatdetoxthe body. Last month, we wrote our 50,000th receipt. That’s 50,000 detox treatments we have done in 18 years, a lion’s share of those being colonics. We want allpeopleto continue to have colonics because colonics give a thorough cleansing of thecolon. But we also want people to know how to continue colon cleansing athome. D.E. is the perfect home remedy.

Diatomaceous Earth is?very?hard. On the hardness scale where diamonds are a 9, Diatomaceous Earth is a 7. This hardness is important because as those millions of tiny hard and sharp diatomaceous earth cylinders pass through the small and large intestines, they “scrub” the walls. After only a few months of taking Diatomaceous Earth, the intestine wall is no longer coated with mucus and molds but has become clean. The advantages of this are several:

-regularizes bowel movements (this is the most frequently mentioned benefit about D.E.)
-creates a healthier colon environment (a cleaner colon helps to keep away polyps, cancers,
andulcers)
-gives increasedenergyand less need for sleep (with a cleaner colon, food and nutrients are
better absorbed into thebloodstream)
-reducesinflammationof the intestinal tract (can prevent or clear up diarrhea and, rather
intelligently, also cures the opposite condition of constipation)
-helps to normalize hemorrhoidal tissues
-alleviates lower back pain that is caused by a too-full colon

But thehealth benefitsof D.E. only begin with colondetoxification. Other benefits of Diatomaceous Earth can be organized around threeprinciples: over-all health; anti-aging;weight loss.

Over-All Health Benefits:
-helps repair and maintain vital lung tissues and protects them from pollution
-lowers high blood pressure
-lowers high cholesterol
-addresses osteoporosis?& joint problems
-acts as a cough decreasing agent; tones the upper respiratory tract (nose, pharynx, larynx)
and reduces swelling because of its positive action on the lymphatic system
-helps to prevent many unwanted side-effects of menopause?
-helps to prevent kidney stones
-heals infections of the urinary tract; is a natural diuretic which can increase excretion of
urine by 30 percent, thus flushing the water-excreting system and restoring normal
function to these vital organs
-effective with female discharge, abscesses and ulcers in the genital area and cervix, as well
as mastitis (especially for breast feeding mothers).
-acts as a supportive treatment for inflammation of the middle ear (effective in reducing
swelling of the lymph nodes in the throat)
-has anti-inflammatory disinfecting, absorbing and odor binding effects
-normalizes circulation and regulates high blood pressure(hypertension)
-decreases vertigo, headache, tinnitus (buzzing of the ears) and insomnia
-promotes synthesis of elastase inhibitor by the pancreas, thus helping to normalize diabetes
-strengthens blood vessels
-helps to prevent Tuberculosis.
-improves the elasticity of the joints; helps rheumatism
-stimulates metabolism for higher energy levels

Weight Loss:

One of thebenefitsof silica is that it helps to destroy bad fats. Taken in the morning, it helps to curb appetite throughout the day.

Anti-Aging:

Hair (90 micrograms per gram) needs almost as much silica as bone (100 micrograms per gram). Eating D.E., with its rich supply of silica, should be part of any ongoing hair revitalization program. Silica helps to prevent baldness, stimulates healthier hair growth and assures beautiful shine, luster andstrength.

D.E. serves as nature’s internal cosmetic for skin, nails andteethas well as hair.?Collagen underneath theskinenhances elasticity and beauty. Collagen is largely made up of silica. As we age, tissue degeneration?accelerates because our connective tissue begins to lose the ability to retain moisture. Silica helps to slow down the degenerative/moisture-losing process ofagingconnective tissue.?
Silica also protects our teeth and gums. By hardening the enamel, silica prevents cavities and preserves teeth. Silica also helps to prevent bleeding gums, gum atrophy, and recession.

Finally, silica can help avoid or alleviate Alzheimer’s by preventing the body from absorbing aluminum.

About the author:
Jane G. Goldberg, Ph.D. is a psychoanalyst and author of 7 books, including the acclaimed, The Dark Side of Love. As well, she is the owner of La Casa Day Spa in NYC , now celebrating its 18th year anniversary. In her specialization of working with cancer patients, Dr. Goldberg has integrated her psychoanalytic work with the field of holistic health. She has worked with many cancer patients who, through commitment to sound principles of health as well as an interest in the exploration of their mental, emotional and psychic states, have defied the statistical odds and consider themselves “cured.”

Dr. Goldberg is also the Founder and Director of Brainercize, a system of interactive integrativebrainexercise classes designed to maximize brain functioning.

Learn more:http://www.naturalnews.com/033367_silica_diatomaceous_earth.html#ixzz1VZerUeY0

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How to curb junk food cravings naturally
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Posted on August 19, 2011 by natural harmonies

(NaturalNews) Binge eating of sugary or fatty junk foods brought on by periods of emotional stress or otherwise may be remedied by consuming saturated fat, finds new research. The reason that many are drawn to junk foods in the first place is a nutritional deficiency. Cravings for chocolate may indicate a magnesium deficiency, for example. Similarly, your body may desire saturated fat during your craving for junk food.

The study is one of the first to show that when it comes to food affecting your emotions, taste isn`t everything. Instead, it is “even more rooted in our biology,” says Giovanni Cizza, M.D., an obesity and neuroendocrinology researcher at the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, in Bethesda, Maryland, who was not involved in the research. In fact, saturated fat may affect the brain by triggering the release of hormones. The connection between the brain and the gut has been well established in the past, with studies indicating that gut health may actually be directly linked to mental health and stability. Poor gut health has been found to be a major factor in the development of depression and even bipolar disorder.

Published in the August issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, they studied 12 volunteers, who were considered healthy and of normal weight. Researchers infused one of two “meal” options into the stomachs of the volunteers: a solution of saturated fatty acids or a saline control solution. After giving the volunteers their meals, researchers played sad classical music and showed them images of faces with sad expressions — two techniques that have been proven to be effective in inducing sadness in the past. Afterwards, mood surveys indicated that volunteers, who had ingested the saturated fatty acid solution, found the sad music to be far less depressing than those, who were given the saline control solution.

MRI scans taken during the study confirmed the findings; participants, who had consumed the fatty solution, exhibited less activity in parts of the brain that are involved in sadness. The researchers were excited to find that saturated fats helped to curb negative emotions, and the real world implications were quite hopeful as well. Those struggling with straining emotional times, who are often driven to consume health-damaging junk foods, can help ward off these cravings through extra consumption of saturated fat.

Great sources of saturated fat include: coconut oil, organic raw certified butter, organic ground beef, dark chocolate (70% or more cacao content), salmon, and organic eggs.

via How to curb junk food cravings naturally.

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Physical activity and lifestyle changes cut Alzheimer`s dementia risk in half
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Posted on August 19, 2011 by natural harmonies

(NaturalNews) Would you be willing to make six simple lifestyle changes if you knew you could lower your risk of developing Alzheimer`s disease by 50%? Researchers publishing the result of a study in the journal Lancet Neurology found that the exploding incidence of this horrific form of dementia is due in large part to lifestyle changes involving diet, physical activity and education. Alzheimer`s disease incidence is expected to triple over the next forty years, meaning that millions of new cases could be prevented by modifying controllable lifestyle risks. Scientists listed the six most important factors that can be modified in an effort to significantly lower Alzheimer`s disease risk.

Researchers analyzed dozens of Alzheimer`s studies from around the world that examined hundreds of thousands of participants to determine why this insidious disease is growing at an unprecedented rate. Dr. Deborah Barnes, lead scientist performing the review, concluded that there are six significant and modifiable risk factors that contribute to the development and progression of the disease. Her team listed the factors in descending order of magnitude: low education, smoking, physical inactivity, depression, mid-life hypertension, diabetes and mid-life obesity.

As a group, these risk factors account for 54% of the diagnosed cases of Alzheimer`s disease in the United States, accounting for 2.9 million individuals. Dr. Barnes commented on the findings, “What`s exciting is that this suggests that some very simple lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and quitting smoking, could have a tremendous impact on preventing Alzheimer`s and other dementias in the United States and worldwide.” The team will now work to determine if the relationship between each identified risk factor is casual or specifically attributable to disease development.

Further research into contributing factors that increase risk for developing Alzheimer`s dementia are published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. Scientists compared physical activity duration and intensity with the development of cognitive impairment known to be a precursor to the memory-robbing illness. As participants` energy expenditure increased, the rate of cognitive decline decreased. The amount of exercise equivalent to a brisk, 30-minute walk every day was associated with lower risk of cognitive impairment.

Alzheimer`s disease cases have multiplied exponentially over the past 50 years, leading health-minded practitioners and followers to ask for an explanation. Our lifestyle has changed dramatically during this time period, and diet, physical activity and diseases of excess have hindered the forward progress of our cognitive health. Adopting a natural diet low in sugar and refined carbohydrates combined with regular and moderate physical activity can slash many risk factors associated with Alzheimer`s dementia.

via Physical activity and lifestyle changes cut Alzheimer`s dementia risk in half.

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Recover from prostate cancer by changing your diet
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Posted on August 18, 2011 by natural harmonies

(NaturalNews) Prostate Cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting men in the United States over the age 50. According to the American Cancer Society, 32,050 men in the United States die from the disease each year. But, prostate cancer doesn`t have to be fatal. More and more people are turning to dietary and lifestyle changes to heal their bodies naturally and beat this disease.

Henry Stein was a typical 64-year-old man, who ate the Standard American Diet (SAD), and didn`t think he was particularly at risk for prostate cancer. During a routine checkup, his urologist suggested a biopsy, and it was determined that Henry had prostate cancer and a Gleason Score (a grading system that measures prostate cancer severity) of 8, a number that indicated the cancer was “fast-growing”. This was very bad news for a guy that thought he was invincible.

Stein`s urologist explained all the treatment options, which included surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and chemical castration drugs. The side effects of radiation pellets were incontinence, bowel damage and the possibility that the radiation could cause new cancer. Needless to say, these side effects of the cure sounded worse than the disease! So did the fact that arthroscopic surgery (a new technique using robotic instruments) could be fatal due to a fat embolism or other complication.

“I decided that there HAD to be other choices,” says Stein. “After all, I was only 64 and planned to live into my 100`s to see my Grandchildren`s Children! The standard amount of time to live was only was 5 years past treatment!”

With the help of his loving wife, Henry began to research alternative cancer cures. He started on the internet and poured over all the material he could get his hands on.

“No matter what your diagnosis or status, you have to start with RESEARCH. Don`t let anyone do it for you, as this is a journey, not a destination! The amount and quality of alternative cancer cure information available is truly staggering!”

He found several common threads in all the sites he examined. All advice pointed to a change in diet- the elimination of meat and dairy products, the addition of whole, raw and organic foods, and the switch to an alkaline stomach environment, which is created by eating mostly fruits and vegetables.

“When they say, “Change your lifestyle” and “Change your diet” they really mean “CHANGE!” Stein explains. “Like in obliterate all previously held beliefs, food choices, desires and favorite fast foods.”

After 64 years of being a meat-eater, Stein gave up the Standard American Diet to become a vegan. He also installed a water filtration system to alkalize his water supply and started doing yoga, something he never envisioned his body could achieve.

“I was the only guy in yoga class,” he laughs, “but now there is another guy in the class; if he shows up again!”

After only a few months of his new vegan diet, his PSA score (number that grades the cancer`s severity) was down to 4.7. A few more months on his new diet and lifestyle and his score went down further to 3.5, which is considered a number within the “normal” range. Not only that, his cholesterol went from 170 down to 138. Henry Stein is on his way to recovery without ever having to suffer the unbearable side effects that result from surgery, chemo or radiation.

“The future is indeterminate for us all; but for me it`s looking pretty good right now!” says Stein.

via Recover from prostate cancer by changing your diet.

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Juicing provides an answer to the health problems of the world
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Posted on August 18, 2011 by natural harmonies

(NaturalNews) There’s a certain logic to the science of drugs in that the active ingredient is often derived from plants. But there the logic ends, begging the question: Why don’t we just eat the plants?

Obviously there are many reasons why not: in some cases they may be unpalatable, often out of season, or grown on the other side of the world. Or you would have to eat a mountain of them to get the nutrients at the levels required.

Our doctors write a quick fix prescription of drugs that deal only with the symptom, rarely discussing diet as the perfect solution. Meanwhile we get sicker and sicker.

There’s a groundswell of opinion that diseases including cancer, diabetes and arthritis, and possibly forms of dementia too, can be healed or at the very least be prevented by diet. Many governments know this and make a token effort by recommending five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.

But the healing requires firstly the absence of junk, processed and sugar-laden foods and secondly an abundance of raw fruit and vegetables. Far more than five a day.

The problem of quantity is further compounded by the poor condition of the soil in which nature’s bounty is grown, thanks to intensive farming and the extensive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Scientists Dr David Thomas and David E Marsh have conducted extensive research that shows massive loss of minerals such as selenium, magnesium, iron, copper and zinc among others, often in the region of 50% or more.

Modern food technology, hooked on the “convenience” mantra, systematically processes out yet more nutrients and adds flavoring, preservatives and unnatural coloring to yet further destroy our food. Half the world populates burger bars and fast food outlets and eats itself towards obesity and an early grave.

With the media giving so much coverage and airtime to the problems of obesity, cancer and mental health, there may well be a revolution in the offing.

Juicing. And instead of five make that 10 per day to combat disease and provide cell energy for a fuller, happier and more productive life. This is a far more efficient way of ensuring delivery of the maximum nutrients. Or, as botanist and herbalist Richo Cech puts it: “A large volume of greens can be reduced into a single tempting glassful of concentrated fresh nutrition and taken with relative ease, without a whole lot of chewing!”

Author Cherie Calbom, otherwise known as “The Juice Lady” in her native US, reports giant strides in waking people up to the power of juicing for health and changing their diet to healthy whole foods.

“There is huge bias in the media against anything natural for health and healing because we’re a pharmaceutical-driven society. But people are catching on that this model does not support vibrant health, or even getting well. Changes can be judged by the ever-increasing popularity of organic produce and whole foods.”

Juice book sales are up and sales of juicers are growing daily, proving that people are becoming aware that they need to do things differently to stay healthy.

via Juicing provides an answer to the health problems of the world.

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