Superfoods Could Help Keep You Healthy

A new generation of new superfoods that tackle heart disease and diabetes could be developed following research into a protein that helps keep cells in our bodies healthy.

Researchers at the University of Warwick found that the protein, called Nrf2, continually moves in and out of the nuclei of human cells to sense the cell's health and vitality.

When Nrf2 is exposed to threats to the cell's health it oscillates faster and activates an increase in the cell's defence mechanism, including raising the levels of antioxidant.

The researchers, from the University's Warwick Medical School, successfully increased the speed of Nrf2's movement by artificially introducing health beneficial substances – potential components of new superfoods.
The beneficial substances comprise broccoli-derived sulforaphane and quercetin, which is found in high-levels in onions.

The team used these insights to develop new food supplements, which are currently being trialled to decrease risk of developing diabetes and heart disease.

Published by Antioxidants and Redox Signalling, the research investigated the ways in which compounds in fruit and vegetables keep humans healthy.

The research team are the first to record the continual movement cycle of Nrf2, which sees the protein oscillate in and out of the cell nucleus once every 129 minutes. When stimulated by a health beneficial vegetable-derived substance Nrf2's cycle sped up to 80 minutes.

Lead researcher Professor Paul Thornalley says, "The way Nrf2 works is very similar to sensors in electronic devices that rely on continual reassessment of their surroundings to provide an appropriate response".

Discussing the health benefits of the research Professor Thornalley argues:

"The health benefit of Nrf2 oscillating at a fast speed is that surveillance of cell health is increased when most needed, that is, when cells are under threat. By understanding how this process works and increasing Nrf2's speed without putting cells under threat, new strategies for design of healthier foods and improved drugs can be devised. Current designs may have selected substances with suboptimal if not poor health benefits in some cases."

Commenting on the research, Professor Andreu Palou, coordinator of the EU-funded BIOCLAIMS research programme said "A main nutritional challenge in Europe is to substantiate the beneficial effects of foods that are advertised to the consumers. The approach of the group of Prof Thornalley is opening a fascinating new window."

What all this means to the consumer is that Standard Process is a company that is continuously working to give us all real food supplements that offer real health benefits for a long-lasting, productive life.  That is why I have switched over to Standard Process and MediHerb...especially for those suffering from chronic health problems.

fixdhealthcare.com

This Year's Flu and A Very Worthy Cause

According to the CDC, this year's flu shots will, at best, be only effective in about 30% of the cases...for those who are interested in an  effective method of dealing with what appears to be a very nasty flu season, I suggest prevention.

There are a few formulations that are extremely helpful in avoiding the flu, if taken as soon as the first signs of flu appear.  These are readily available for anyone who is interested.  For those with previously compromised immune systems, there are specialized formulations also available.

For those of you looking for a hostess gift or just a yummy Christmas gift, may I suggest you look at the following website?    http://www.bakingmemories4kids.com/purchase-cookies/

This organization uses 100% of the proceeds from these cookies to send a significantly ill child on a family vacation to Florida for a week.  I saw this on a morning show, today, and feel that this is a wonderful way to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

fixdhealthcare.com

Living a High Energy, Vital Lifestyle

You can live your life with energy and vitality. Unfortunately, our fast-paced, modern life-style promotes stress causing us to choose efficiency and convenience; sacrificing our health. The fact is Americans simply do not eat the right things in the right amounts. Studies show most of us do not get enough of the nutrients our bodies need for peak efficiency - especially those found in low trans fat, high-soluble fiber diets with the recommended amount of fruits, vegetables and omega-3 fatty acids.


Don't be put off by the claims and studies stating that supplementation is unnecessary as we can get everything our bodies need through a healthy, wholesome diet. We couldn't agree more. If you're eating a diet that includes the recommended 2-3 servings of organic fruits and 6-8 servings of organic vegetables daily (remembering to include 20 gm. of soluble fiber)  and wild caught fatty fish three times per week, along with a regimen of exercise, you may not need to add a high-quality, whole food vitamin or supplement to your diet.


If, on the other hand, what you eat is not always what you need, a natural, organic whole food supplement can help you repair/maintain a healthy, active life. Additionally, men and women over 40 have special concerns and needs.


A sensible regimen of natural vitamins and supplements may begin to fill the voids that start opening due to our stressful lives and enable you to maintain a vibrant edge and enjoy life to its fullest.


I have evaluated all the products that I carry to verify they have; NO: Sugar, Yeast, gluten, Sodium, artificial coloring or favors or ingredients of animal products.

fixdhealthcare.com

Beware if you Use This Dryer Product

The results from a long-term study have just been released...dryer sheets as well as commonly used plastics (including containers that many use in microwaves) contain a particular group of chemicals (phthalates) that have been linked to lower IQs in children whose mothers were exposed to them while pregnant.

The researchers noted that when comparing children of the same age (7 years old), the children that were exposed as fetuses, showed a significantly lowered IQ than those that weren't exposed to higher than "allowable" or "recommended"
levels. 

Whether or not this is scientifically "provable," it should give anyone who uses dryer sheets, plastic containers in microwaves, plastic toys, water bottles, cosmetics and vinyl flooring (to name the most commonly used items), reason to pause, at the very least.  I have written many blogs about the subject of the deleterious affects that chemical exposure can cause.  Please, consider not using conventional cosmetics and body care products or plastic water bottles and dryer sheets.  There are some pretty tricky alternatives to chemical fabric softeners and detergents that we use that cost next to nothing, won't hurt our environment and won't hurt us or our children.

This is just another example of the unintended consequences that we can reap from technology and inventions that we don't take the time to study and carefully consider.

fixdhealthcare.com

A new Method of Lyme's Transmission

There have been a number of studies recently released that indicate that Lyme's can be transmitted like an STD.  High levels of the spirochetes have been found in vaginal secretions.  The use of a condom is suggested for anyone with Lyme's who is having active sex.

A medical doctor out of Boston who has been studying and treating patients with Lyme's has found that after the second or third course of antibiotic therapy, the Lyme's reactivates and many patients contract arthritis.  This is irrespective of the type of antibiotics that the patient is taking.

Antibiotic therapy for Lyme's has not been effective for many, many people.  Some who have been taking antibiotics for years still feel horrible and can  experience explosive diarrhea, changes in cognition, exhaustion, fibromyalgia-like symptoms, chronic arthritis, depression, anxiety and sleep problems, among other symptoms.

There are alternatives to traditional therapy, using specific formulations, which have been shown to be highly effective for those suffering from Lyme's.  There is hope for those with this condition.

fixdhealthcre.com

Well, It Didn't Take as Long as We Thought

A few weeks ago, I attended an extremely informative seminar about the condition, Dysbiosis.  I wrote a number of blogs about this widespread problem
which is associated with autoimmune diseases as well as other GI tract conditions.  The lecturer stated that the up-and-coming medical "cure" for dysbiosis and its associated problems would be fecal transplants....instead of treating the causes of the dysbiosis.

I just, now, received an e-mail from a medical doctor touting the "latest" in gut-related illnesses and diseases: FMT=  fecal microbiota transplants.  Wow, that was sooner than any of us thought.  The lecturer thought these transplants would be happening within the year.

Fecal Transplants------------------ Dysbiosis Protocol.... which to choose?

My guess is that we'll soon be seeing ads from the "it which must not be named" industry after it develops meds and protocols for the FMT procedures. 

fixdhealthcare.com

Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

Constipation is a subject that still seems to be taboo in our society.  Since topics of conversation that are deemed 'unacceptable' are generational, I guess discussion about what and how we eliminate are forbidden since we were all in diapers.  The problem is that if our doctors don't know that a patient is having problems in this area, we can't help reverse a potentially very serious imbalance.

Let's look at this condition and see what is really happening.

Chronic= All/Most of the Time
Idiopathic=  Unknown Cause
Constipation=  Difficult & Infrequent Elimination

When being encouraged to take medications for something that is, admittedly, ambiguous in origin, we run the risk of not only not addressing the underlying cause but also making things worse.

Constipation is a symptom/effect that indicates a chronically imbalanced gastrointestinal system, caused by dysbiosis...a topic that we have talked about before.  The body is crying out that it isn't digesting or assimilating food and that there are inflammatory problems going on that need immediate attention.

Please, don't ignore or downplay constipation, especially if it is chronic.  Probiotics won't help more than symptomatically.  If they are needed on a daily basis to help alleviate symptoms, it is a further indication that there needs to be serious intervention with specific protocol and dietary changes.

<ref:fixdhealthcare.com>