Drinking Green Tea Prevents Liver Toxicity

Did You Know…that drinking green tea before you supplement with green tea extract may help protect against liver toxicity?

Danica Collins

Nearly 69% of American adults are considered overweight or obese.  And as evidenced by the nearly $1 billion spent on weight loss aids every year, many are turning to supplements for help—such as green tea extract.

Green tea is highly concentrated in catechin polyphenols, natural antioxidants that offer a high level of protection against aging and disease.  Packaging those substances in a pill may seem convenient, but in the last decade a great number of individuals taking high dose green tea supplements have been diagnosed with liver toxicity.

Now, however, researchers at Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences have found a possible safeguard for those wishing to supplement with green tea extract: drinking green tea for a few weeks before supplementation may greatly reduce the risk of liver toxicity.

Possible Protection from Green Tea 

Green tea extracts are highly concentrated in the polyphenol epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG).  EGCG is a demonstrated culprit in liver toxicity when consumed in high doses.  For the Penn State study, researchers separated mice into 2 groups.  Both groups were fed high doses of EGCG for 3 days, equivalent to the dose found in human green tea extract supplements.  However, one group of mice was fed a diet containing low-level ECGC for 2 weeks prior to treatment. After 3 days exposure to high doses of EGCG, researchers checked the mice’s blood levels in order to determine the degree of liver toxicity.

  Mice pretreated with low-level EGCG showed a 75% reduction in liver toxicity compared to the mice that were not pretreated

  This suggests that consuming low-level EGCG a few weeks prior to taking green tea supplements may help protect your liver

Josh Lambert, associate professor of food science, explains: “If you are going to take green tea supplements, drinking green tea for several weeks or months ahead of time may reduce your potential side effects.”

Green Tea for Weight Loss 

Lambert points out that people can drink 10 to 20 cups of green tea a day with no reported liver toxicity. Perhaps that’s because you can’t drink 20 cups of green tea all at once, whereas you can take a green tea supplement with that high of a dose all at once, which could be what’s spurring on liver damage.

According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, drinking 2 to 3 cups of green tea a day delivers 240-320 milligrams of health-promoting polyphenols for both disease protection and weight loss.

Green Tea Research Numerous studies have shown that green tea helps reduce appetite and boost metabolism.   A recent analysis of 11 human trials showed a 3-pound average body weight loss in those who drank green tea.   Even greater benefits were realized when subjects exercised.   A meta-analysis published in Nutricion Hospitalaria in 2014 suggests that drinking green tea can lead to a slight reduction in the percentage of fat mass.   Sharpen mental acuity and focus   All without the side effect of liver toxicity!

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/drinking-green-tea-prevents-liver-toxicity

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Losing Fat from the Pancreas Reverses Type 2 Diabetes

 Nearly 30 million American adults and children have type 2 diabetes, and 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed every year.  

15 December 2015

Underground Health Reporter

Did You Know... 

... that you can reverse type 2 diabetes by losing fat from the pancreas?

     Nearly 30 million American adults and children have type 2 diabetes, and 1.7 million new cases are diagnosed every year.  This preventable disease afflicts 9% of the entire global population.  It's an epidemic, and one that researchers have been diligently trying reverse.

Newcastle University scientists might just have stumbled on a key factor in the diabetes equation.

Type 2 Diabetes: The Basics 

When your body senses the presence of sugar in your bloodstream, let's say after a meal, it releases the hormone insulin from your pancreas.  Insulin goes to work lowering the amount of sugar in your bloodstream, ushering glucose into your liver, fat, and muscle cells. As your blood sugar levels start to drop, your pancreas adjusts its release of insulin accordingly.

     When this refined system breaks down, type 2 diabetes sets in.  Glucose accumulates in your bloodstream instead of being absorbed by your cells.  Your pancreas reacts by producing more insulin to control the glucose, but eventually the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas become worn out and can't produce enough insulin to meet your body's needs.  That's where a type 2 diabetes diagnoses comes in.  Excess weight, lack of activity, and environmental factors are all thought to play a role in the development of type 2 diabetes.

The Pancreas Fat Connection 

Professor Ray Taylor and his team at Newcastle University have discovered a link between fat in the pancreas and diabetes.  Their team showed that by reducing fat levels in the pancreas by just 1 gram, you can reverse type 2 diabetes. 

     The study was made up of 27 obese people electing to have gastric bypass surgery to induce weight loss.  Eighteen participants with type 2 diabetes and 9 without were measured for weight, fat levels in the pancreas, and insulin response before the surgery and 8 weeks after.

     Those with diabetes were found to have excess fat in the pancreas, whereas those without diabetes did not.  Eight weeks post surgery, however, the diabetic patients' pancreatic fat levels had reduced by 1.2%!  Those without diabetes still had normal fat levels in the pancreas.

     Professor Taylor explains: "For people with Type 2 diabetes, losing weight allows them to drain excess fat out of the pancreas and allows function to return to normal.  So if you ask how much weight you need to lose to make your diabetes go away, the answer is one gram!  But that gram needs to be fat from the pancreas.  At present the only way we have to achieve this is by calorie restriction by any means—whether by diet or an operation."

     Taylor's previous research in 2011 showed that what you eat can help zap the fat that clogs up your pancreas, thereby enabling insulin secretion to return to normal levels. Of course, everyone's body is unique, and the amount of fat a person's pancreas can tolerate before diabetes sets in varies.  However, without a doubt, eating a balanced diet, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight are the first steps to reversing a type 2 diabetes diagnosis.

     Taylor and team are presenting their findings at the World Diabetes Conference in Vancouver and publishing their research online in Diabetes Care. 

Healthwise

Green Tea and Prostate Cancer - MUST READ

Did You Know... 

... that green tea may help slow the progression of prostate cancer in men? 

Danica Collins

Did You Know... 

... that green tea may help slow the progression of prostate cancer in men?

     In 2015, approximately 220,000 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, which ranks as the second most common cancer in men.  To test the effect of botanicals on prostate cancer, researchers at Moffitt Cancer Center conducted a randomized study to see whether green tea catechins might prevent the progression of prostate cancer in men with premalignant lesions.

The Greatness of Green Tea 

Asian countries have a high population of tea drinkers, and consequently, low death rates from prostate cancer.  Research has shown that when Asian men immigrate to the United States and stop consuming green tea regularly, their risk of prostate cancer shoots up dramatically.

     Lab studies suggests it's the active compounds in green tea—called catechins—that slow cancer cell growth, motility, and invasion, while triggering cancer cell death.  Animal models have also attested to the cancer-protective benefits of green tea catechins, which help to prevent the formation of tumors and stall tumor growth.  Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is the main catechin in green tea, and is credited with the tea's cancer-fighting potential.

Green Tea and Prostate Cancer 

Researchers at the Moffitt Cancer Center studied men with premalignant prostate cancer lesions: specifically, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (HGPIN) or atypical small acinar proliferation (ASAP).

Men with HGPIN have prostate gland cells that exhibit abnormal patterns in the same manner that cancer cells do.

Men with ASAP have a collection of lesions on the prostate that cannot be definitively diagnosed as malignant or benign.

     The men were randomized into 2 groups.  For 1 year, 48 men took a placebo pill twice a day, and 49 men took a 200 mg green tea capsule called Polyphenon E twice a day.  At the end of the year there was no statistical difference in prostate cancer cases diagnosed between the groups, however, prostate cancer development seemed to be significantly suppressed in the group supplementing with Polyphenon E. 

     Men diagnosed with only HPIN at the start of the study had a lower combined rate of ASAP and prostate cancer development when taking green tea capsules.  The catechins in green tea, primarily EGCG, also lowered prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, an indicator of prostate cancer.  There were no reported side effects in men taking the 200 mgs capsules. 

     Another reason to make green tea your beverage of choice! 

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/green-tea-catechins-may-slow-the-progression-of-prostate-cancer

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Wash Your Pre-Washed Greens!

Did You Know…your “Pre-Washed” Greens Often Carry Dangerous Bacteria—but the Solution is Easy, Low- or No-Cost, and Chemical-Free?

Danica Collins

Although the bag says “pre-washed,” or even “triple-washed,” the greens inside may be teeming with bacteria.  According to food safety researchers at the University of California, Riverside, the typical commercial spinach washing process fails to remove up to 90% of bacteria.

The Origins of Foodborne Illness Outbreaks 

The UC Riverside researchers found that the small peaks and valleys on baby spinach leaves prevent commercial disinfectants from completely covering the surface of the leaves.  “In a sense, the leaf is protecting the bacteria and allowing it to spread,” said Nichola Kinsinger, a post-doctoral researcher.

Bacteria find a safe haven within the leaves’ grooves, and linger there even after washing.  It can continue to survive…thrive…and even spread to other leaves in a produce facility.  Kinsinger and her fellow researchers believe the grooves in spinach leaves contributed to numerous bacterial outbreaks involving leafy green vegetables.

Earlier research, conducted in the mid-to-late 2000s, linked leafy greens to approximately 20% of all single-commodity foodborne outbreaks.  Produce contamination poses an especially concerning problem for food safety professionals, since produce is so often consumed raw.

Safeguarding Against Foodborne Sickness 

According to the Center for Disease Control, one in six Americans becomes sick as the result of foodborne contaminants.  Sadly, 3,000 of those individuals die from those diseases.  A single E. coli outbreak that began in California in 2006 ultimately spread to 26 states where it infected 199 people and killed 3.

Don’t let labeling mislead you.  In order to safeguard yourself and your loved ones from foodborne illness, experts recommend thoroughly washing all leafy greens before consuming them.  The UC Riverside study looked at spinach specifically, but they say their findings apply to a broader range of foods.  Considering the potential consequences, the old maxim “Better safe than sorry” certainly applies! 

How to Properly Clean Your Greens Celebrity chef and author Alton Brown offered an excellent tip for quickly washing greens on an episode of his television show Good Eats.  Brown suggested filling your sink with water, adding in the greens, and giving them a few good swishes.  Depending on the quantity of greens you’re cleaning, you can perform the same procedure in a large bowl or a salad spinner (which makes drying them quite convenient!). Water alone will remove the majority of bacteria from fresh produce.  If you have the time and inclination, the editors of Cook’s Illustrated carried out a series of tests that showed a solution of 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water removed 98 percent of all bacteria.  After coating the produce with the solution, rinse it off with tap water.  “The cold water will wash the residual flavor from the vinegar, and finishes the cleaning process,” said Jack Bishop, editor at Cook’s Illustrated.

If You Need Another Reason… 

In addition to taking steps to ensure the food you eat is actually clean, you can protect yourself from foodborne illness by keeping your immune system and specifically, the microflora in your gut strong.  When your gut is populated with healthy microflora, these “good” bacteria and yeast fight off the viruses and pathogenic bacteria that could otherwise make you sick.

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/wash-your-pre-washed-greens

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Beets as A Leukemia Natural Treatment

Did You Know… that beet juice is an astonishingly effective treatment for leukemia and other cancers?

Danica Collins

The beautiful crimson color of the beet comes from betacyanins, natural compounds that also happen to be extremely powerful cancer-fighting agents. Beets also contain an amino acid called betaine, packed with anti-cancer properties and unique phytochemicals called betalains.

All of these nutrients are key to the incredible health properties of the beet. Betanin, one of the most researched betalains found in beets, has significant anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and detoxifying effects.

According to The World’s Healthiest Foods (a website run by the not-for-profit George Mateljan Foundation, devoted to fostering a healthier world), recent lab studies found that betanin pigments can impede tumor cell growth in tissues throughout the body, including the . . .

• Stomach
• Nerves
• Lungs
• Breasts
• Prostate
• Testicles

These findings provide a compelling case for further research into the value of betanins and other betalains in preventing and curing cancer.

Because beets contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules, it is statistically likely that they can reduce the risk of many kinds of cancers. With the high antioxidant content, beets are a great leukemia natural treatment. The World’s Healthiest Foods says, “Eventually, we expect to see large-scale human studies that show the [cancer] risk-reducing effect of dietary beet intake.”

So Powerful That 100% of Cancer Patients in one Study Responded Positively!

A solid scientific basis for that work already exists. In the 1950s, a Hungarian cancer therapist named Alexander Ferenczi began putting his patients on a regime of raw or juiced beetroots in addition to their normal diet. He worked exclusively with patients who had already undergone chemotherapy and radiation, and who were primarily in the final (cachexic) stage of cancer. 



All of Ferenczi’s patients responded positively to the addition of beets to their diets. There was a clear, clinical improvement in each and every one of their cancers. The beet treatment proved to be so powerful, in fact, that in some cases patients actually overdosed on beets!

In some cases, the mass injection of nutrients — especially vitamin C — contained in the beets overloaded the patients’ livers.



So, the takeaway lessons from Ferenczi’s work are that:

Beets are a more effective cancer treatment when begun early. In fact, the regular consumption of beets might be most effective as a preventative treatment.

To avoid overwhelming your body’s waste disposal system, start with small quantities of beetroot and gradually increase. If you start to feel unwell, reduce your consumption.

Beets Fight Leukemia, Tumors, and Advanced Inoperable Cancers

The results of a later study of “red beet therapy” — the consumption of approximately 2 lbs of raw, mashed beets daily — corroborate Ferenczi’s findings and suggest that beets can help your body fight against leukemia and tumors.

While eating mass quantities of mashed beets may not be the most appealing option, it may be possible to get similar results in a more digestible format. In one clinical trial, 22 patients with advanced inoperable cancers were given 10 oz. of beet juice daily for 3 to 4 months.

All but one of those patients showed marked improvements in health. Surely that’s enough to make anyone regard beets in a whole new light.

It seems clear that beets are indeed a mighty health resource. They are high in folate — a compound necessary for bone health — and not only have they been shown to be a potent anti-cancer treatment, but they also detoxify the liver, kidneys, gallbladder, blood and lymph. Beets are also helpful for relieving constipation.

How to Get the Best Benefit from Beets

Beet juice is such a strong substance that it should not be consumed on its own. Rather, mix it into another milder juice such as carrot, cucumber or apple. Dana Herbert, a natural health blogger, offers this advice to those interested in making beet juice from scratch:

“When juicing beets, alternate between pieces of beets and pieces of carrots, otherwise the beet pulp tends to build up on the sides of the spinning extraction basket and causes the juicer to vibrate.”

Dana also recommends chilling the juice for 2-3 hours prior to consumption.

The health-promoting pigments in beets can stain your skin, so it might be best to wear gloves while preparing them. If your hands do get stained, try lemon juice as a quick and nicely scented way to clean them!

Heat diminishes the concentration of phytochemicals in beets, so if you choose to cook them, World’s Healthiest Foods recommends steaming them lightly for 15 minutes, which will maximize their nutrition and flavor.

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/beets-as-a-leukemia-natural-treatment

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Coffee May Help Reduce Your Risk for Liver Cancer

Liver cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and one of the trickiest to diagnose.  Symptoms often remain hidden until it is too late.
Danica Collins

Did You Know…that coffee may help reduce your risk for liver cancer?

Liver cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, and one of the trickiest to diagnose.  Symptoms often remain hidden until it is too late.  In 2012, 745,000 people worldwide died from liver cancer, and many of these deaths could have been avoided.

Obesity and high alcohol consumption greatly increase one’s likelihood of developing liver cancer, but it appears that an everyday habit already enjoyed by many people around the world may help slash your liver cancer risk by as much as 14%.

How Coffee Can Help 

According to the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF), just 1 cup of coffee each day can cut your risk for liver cancer by 14%.  This update is part of an ongoing WCRF initiative called the Continuous Update Project, which analyzes global research on the effects diet, nutrition, physical activity, and weight have on cancer risk and survival.

This latest update was based on 34 scientific studies made up of approximately 8 million men and women, 24,500 of which had liver cancer.  Analysts discovered that coffee seems to exhibit a protective influence on some of the damage caused by high alcohol intake.  The authors of the study explain:

“Both coffee and coffee extracts have also been shown to reduce the expression of genes involved in inflammation, and the effects appear to be most pronounced in the liver.”

Coffee was also shown to neutralize aflatoxins, which are toxins that arise from molds in certain foods that are not properly stored.  These aflatoxins aren’t just found in alcohol, but also in cereal, spices, peanuts, pistachios, Brazil nuts, chilies, black pepper, and dried fruit and figs.  Coffee demonstrated a protective effect against all!

The WCRF also noted that drinking 3 or more glasses of alcohol a day greatly increases your risk of developing liver cancer.  They recommend that men drink no more than 2 alcoholic beverages a day, and women drink no more than 1.

How Much Is Too Much?

While this update is good news for coffee drinkers, those who drink 4 or more cups of coffee per day still need to beware.  The Mayo Clinic sets safe coffee consumption at no more than 400 mg of caffeine per day.  Four or more cups of coffee ushers in a host of health problems, including…

• Insomnia
• Elevated heart rate
• Raised blood pressure
• Stomach upset and disturbed digestion
• Muscle tremors
• Nervousness and restlessness

These caffeine reactions can then cause a domino effect of health conditions throughout the body.  One way to resist going overboard on the coffee is to switch it up with some tea before you reach for your third cup.  That way you also get the antioxidant-rich benefits of tea in addition to the liver-protective properties in your cup of Joe!

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Okra - a super food with cancer-fighting powers

29 April 2015 email

Did You Know... 

... that a Southern soul food is actually a super food with cancer-fighting powers?

     The fact that certain foods can help prevent and fight cancer is becoming indisputable.  Now, we can add another vegetable to the list of those that ward away cancer—okra.

     Recent research reveals that okra holds potent cancer fighting potential, especially for prostate, melanoma, and breast cancers.

Okra Kills 72% of Breast Cancer Cells 

In 2012, researchers discovered a new type of lectin in okra that possessed anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.  In 2014, researchers found that this same lectin killed 72% of breast cancer cells in vitro and inhibited the growth of breast cancer cells by 63%.

     The study, published in Biotechnology Letters, is one of the first to illustrate okra's anti-cancer properties.

Okra Slows the Spread of Melanoma by 75% 

An animal study showed that another component of okra—called peptin, which is found under the skin of the pods—is made up of never—before—seen compounds that researchers theorize may help inhibit highly metastatic mouse melanoma cells.

     This peptin suppressed cancer cell proliferation by 75% just 48 hours after mice were treated.  And it increased cancer cell destruction 23-fold.

Okra Reduces the Likelihood of Developing Prostate Cancer by 40% 

A study made up of 3,800 men and published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention showed that over the course of 10 years the Southern diet—consisting of okra, grits, cornbread, beans, rice, and sweet potatoes—reduced the risk of prostate cancer by as much as 40%.

     Interestingly, the Southern diet, which also tends to be heavy in red meat and bacon, both of which are implicated in increased cancer risk, was more protective than a diet high in fruits and vegetables.  Of course, more studies need to be conducted in order to determine if it was indeed the okra that imparted the most protective benefit.

A Nutritional Powerhouse      Beyond its cancer fighting properties, okra is also just plain good for your whole body.  Maybe that's why it's long been a traditional Southern soul food.      This no fat, no cholesterol vegetable...  Is high in dietary fiber  Contains 20% of the recommended daily intake for vitamin C  Contains 10% of the suggested intake for vitamin B6 and folic acid  Is rich in vitamin A, calcium, iron, potassium, protein and magnesium  Contains just 1 gram of sugar and 4 grams of carbohydrates, making it a perfect food for diabetics and all of us who are aware of the importance of regulating blood sugar

Add Some Okra to Your Diet 

Okra, which tastes a bit like eggplant, can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, fried, or roasted.  A wide variety of fun recipe ideas are available online.

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/

Methionine Restriction: An Anti-Cancer Diet

Danica Collins

Healthwise

Did You Know…that restricting your intake of this essential amino acid can starve cancer cells and increase your lifespan?

Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.  They provide structure to our cells, assist in wound healing and tissue repair, help store and transport nutrients, and impact virtually all of our bodily functions.  There is one amino acid, however, that may be doing more harm than good when it is consumed in abundance.  Methionine, one of the eight essential amino acids, has been shown to play an active part in cancer cell proliferation and malignant tumor growth.  Methionine restriction may be the key to stopping cancer in its tracks and adding many more healthy years to your life!

Starve Cancer Cells with a Low Methionine Diet 

A little over 40 years ago scientists discovered that cancers, including breast, colon, ovary, prostate, and skin cancers, depend on methionine to survive.  When cells grown in a petri dish were deprived of methionine, normal, healthy cells thrived, while cancer cells died, leading researchers to surmise that cancer cells need methionine to persist.

Testing this theory on fresh tumors removed from cancer patients yielded the same results—many cancers that don’t respond well to traditional chemotherapy seem to have a biochemical defect that renders them methionine dependent.  Researchers from Bayor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas showed that methionine restriction offers promise as a treatment for advanced cancers of the prostate, lung, and gastrointestinal tract.

Eat a Low Methionine Diet You can easily lower your intake of methionine by choosing the right foods.  It appears that plant-based diets are the most supportive, as animal-based foods such as chicken and fish contain the highest levels of methionine.  Milk, red meat, and eggs fare a bit better, with fruits, nuts, veggies, legumes, and grains the lowest in methionine.  A vegan diet, however, is not entirely protective, as certain nuts and beans are deceptively high in methionine. Avoid Brazil nuts, soy beans, and wheat germ, and opt for lentils and almonds instead.

Want to practice methionine restriction?  Remember, methionine is an essential amino acid that we need for protein building, so don’t go overboard.  Animal studies have shown that without methionine the body is susceptible to fatty liver disease, anemia, and drastic and life-threatening weight loss. 

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http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/methionine-restriction-an-anti-cancer-diet

An Easy Way to Prevent Liver Disease

12 August 2014

Danica Collins

Healthwise

Did You Know…liver disease can affect anyone, and you may not realize it until it’s too late?

While you’re busy living your life, your liver turns the food and drinks you consume into usable energy and removes toxins and poisons from your blood.  If all goes well, there’s little reason for you to turn your attention to this organ.  But sometimes, with no discernable symptoms, extra fat builds up in your liver.  Unchecked, this can lead to serious problems, and eventually, liver failure.

You can take preventative measures now.  New research coming out of Spain offers an easy and affordable way to do just that.

Not a Drinker?  Liver Disease Could Still Affect You 

The medical term for a build-up of fat in the liver is steatosis.  This is the first stage of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a serious health problem that affects millions worldwide.  NAFLD progresses similarly to liver disease caused by extreme alcohol abuse, but as the name indicates, it is not caused by excessive alcohol consumption.

Although research shows a correspondence between obesity, diabetes, and NAFLD, as well as high cholesterol… high triglycerides… rapid weight loss… and an unhealthy diet, the cause of the disease has not yet been pinpointed.

Protect Your Liver! Experts estimate that one-third of Americans have NAFLD.  Among those with diabetes and those who are obese, prevalence can be as high as 70%.

Watch Out for These Subtle Symptoms 

Most people with NAFLD feel fine. So fine, in fact, that the condition is what’s known as a ”silent disease.”  There are often no noticeable symptoms, but keep an eye out for the following:

• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Itching
• Disorientation

When left untreated, the disease can lead to cirrhosis, at which point permanent liver damage and scarring prevents the organ from ever functioning properly again.  In severe cases, a person may even develop liver cancer, and eventually, liver failure.

What You Can Do TODAY to Prevent Liver Damage 

According to a study recently published in the journal PLOS ONE, consuming probiotics can decrease the accumulation of fat in the liver.  A reporter from Science Daily described the study as an important step forward in the fight against NAFLD.

Spanish scientists from the “Nutrition Biochemistry: Therapeutic Applications” group and the José Mataix Institute for Nutrition and Food Technology at the University of Grenada conducted a month-long study with rats to determine whether or not probiotics could treat NAFLD.  They found that the accumulation of fat in the livers of rats given probiotics was significantly lower than the accumulation of fat in the livers of rats given a placebo.

As you may know, probiotics are a type of bacteria shown to improve your overall health and immunity.  These beneficial bacteria are available in a variety of forms, from capsules… pills… and powders to foods like yogurt… kombucha… kefir… and more.  To obtain the most benefits from probiotics, experts recommend taking a supplement and adding more foods containing probiotics to your diet.

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Pomegranate Seed Extract for Your Anti-Aging and Anti-Cancer Needs

11 August 2014

Danica Collins

Healthwise 

Did You Know…that pomegranate seed extract helps regenerate and repair skin, as well as fights cancer?

The bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds of the pomegranate (Punica Granatum) have a long history of use as a medicine, particularly in the Middle East, India, and China.  The Chinese and South Africans use it to treat inflammation, rheumatism, irregular uterine bleeding and hemorrhaging, and abdominal pain.

In Unani medicine (a traditional practice of medicine in south-Asian countries and the Middle East), pomegranate is prescribed as a food supplement to treat diabetes.  Due to its potent antimicrobial properties, pomegranate has even been used to treat intestinal worms.

Now, research is revealing the extract’s promising antioxidant and anti-cancer potential.

Say “No” to Aging with Antioxidants 

Without enough antioxidants, your body can’t fight off free radical damage, and becomes vulnerable to aging and disease. Pomegranate delivers a powerhouse helping of antioxidants when consumed internally as well as applied topically. Pomegranate’s antioxidant activity is fueled by ellagitannin compounds (punicalagins and punicalins being the standouts). It’s also packed with vitamin C—40% of the recommended daily value, in fact! These antioxidants, along with gallic acid and catechin, help accelerate wound healing, as well as repair sun-damaged, aging skin.

Experts have discovered that pomegranate increases the longevity of fibroblasts (cells responsible for collagen and elastin production).  Collagen and elastin work together to give strength and support to your skin.  A Medical College of Virginia study showed that the oil from pomegranate seed extract helps boost collagen production, thereby thickening both the outer and inner layers of the skin. 

Other studies suggest that pomegranate seed extract may demonstrate a prohibitive influence on some forms of skin cancer.  Snacking on pomegranate seeds is one way to benefit, but if you’re interested in the skin-saving benefits, seek out pomegranate seed extract oil in stand-alone form, or as an added ingredient in your skin care products.

Show No Mercy to Cancer Cells 

An anti-inflammatory compound in pomegranate and pomegranate seed extract called punicic acid has been shown not only to reduce the inflammation that causes joint pain and arthritis, but also to fight cancer.  A 2002 study published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment showed that pomegranate seed extract suppressed the growth of estrogen-dependent cancer cells in culture.  It also inhibited the ability of cancer cells to cross barriers and spread, and even increased apoptosis (cancer cell self-destruction).

A 2010 study in the International Journal of Oncology confirmed pomegranate’s influence on cancer cells, showing that cancer cell cultures treated with punicic acid experienced apoptosis at rates 91% higher than untreated cancer cells.  Research has shown that pomegranate seed extract effects prostate cancer in the same manner.  Pomegranate seed extract, along with pomegranate flower extract and pomegranate juice, has also shown promise in the treatment of colon cancer and leukemia.

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Further Related Reading:

• Pomegranate Benefits The Elixir of Youth Hidden in an…
• Pomegranates Provide Natural Arthritis Relief
• Pomegranate for Arthritis Pain

Go to Healthwise for more articles

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Barley: The Plain Grain Superfood

Healthwise


Did You Know…

this “plain grain” superfood helps the body heal itself?

When you think of superfoods, chances are barley is not at the top of your list.  But it may be time to change that!

While barley may not have the flash and sparkle of other, trendier superfoods, it contains a natural balance of nutrients that make it the ideal food for helping the body heal and renew itself.

Barley facilitates the optimal function of organ and tissue systems, thanks to nutrients such as…

• Amino acids

• Fiber

• Selenium

• B-complex vitamins

• Potassium

• Calcium

When It Comes to Detoxing, Defense Really IS the Best Offense When three of the minerals found in barley—zinc, copper, and manganese—combine, they form a very potent enzyme known as superoxide dismutase (SOD).  SOD is one of the body’s built-in anti-oxidant defense responders.  It protects your health and wellbeing by reducing internal inflammation.  Thanks to the high levels of antioxidants it contains, it can neutralize free radicals, thereby preventing damage to cell membranes.  When environmental hazards such as smoke… radiation… poisons… or chemicals damage your cells, SOD works to repair them.

Boosting SOD Levels: A Challenge With Huge Benefits 

Atherosclerosis (hardening and narrowing of the arteries)
Stroke
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Further Related Reading:

• Superoxide Dismutase Benefits One of the Most Important…

• Chaga Mushroom Unique Complex Prevents Cancer Development

• Fact or Myth: Can a Tasty Weed Reverse Heart Disease?

Barley is also a rich source of tocols (a type of antioxidant) and beta-glucan soluble fiber, which is especially beneficial for diabetics.  Best of all, barley is 93-95% digestible, so all the healing nutrients it contains can be easily absorbed.

For years, scientists have sought a way to boost levels of SOD.  But attempts to do so proved unsuccessful—the harsh acids and enzymes in the digestive tract deactivate oral doses of pure SOD.  According to a report in Life Extension magazine, coupling the enzyme with a protective protein (like those found in barley and other grains) allows it to be “delivered intact to the intestines and absorbed into the bloodstream, thus effectively enhancing the body’s own primary defense system.”

Once this mighty antioxidant reaches the bloodstream, it immediately begins detoxifying dangerous substances.  SOD decreases your oxidative stress load, which helps prevent diseases such as…

Arthritis

 According to Life Extension, SOD-boosting supplements “offer the most powerful free radical solution available today.”

Can Barley Cause Cancer to Disappear? 

In April of 2012, doctors diagnosed then—78-year-old Allan Taylor with advanced cancer of the colon and small intestine.  His doctors told Taylor there was no way to treat the cancer, but he refused to surrender to the disease.  “I was determined to stay positive and decided to find my own cure,” Taylor told the Sunday Mirror.  Online research led him to make significant dietary shifts and add supplements—including barley—to his daily routine.

Four months later, he received a letter from his hospital informing him “the abnormality is no longer visible.”  In other words, his latest scans showed no trace of cancer.  In his interview with the Mirror, Taylor stated that he believes barley was “particularly crucial” to his remarkable recovery.

Healthwise

http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/barley-the-plain-grain-superfood

This Mushroom Extract Stops Cancer Growth

Originally posted here on Healthwise on 27 February 2012

How This Mushroom Extract Stops
the Growth of Cancer

Did You Know...

                          ... that a mushroom used initially in traditional Chinese medicine as a tonic is now being seriously studied as a cancer treatment?


     Derivatives of Coriolus versicolor (Yun Zhi), a time-honored mushroom that has been used in Asian medicine for centuries, have shown increasing promise as integrative cancer treatments.  Clinical trials suggest that these derived substances, known for their strong antioxidant properties, can increase the survival rates and lengthen the remission times of individuals suffering from certain types of cancers.

     While very little is known about the effects of the raw mushroom itself on cancer, scientific evidence is unveiling much about the beneficial nature of two substances extracted from the mushroom:  polysaccharide K (PSK) and polysaccharide-peptide (PSP).  Don't let the long names confuse you; polysaccharides are carbohydrates composed of long chains of sugar molecules that help store energy and provide structural support to the walls of plant and bacterial cells.

A Top-Selling Anti-Cancer Drug in Japan

PSK has received the most attention as an anti-cancer fighting agent.  Approved as an anti-cancer drug in the 1980s by the Japanese government, this mushroom extract is already a top-selling anti-cancer drug in Japan, where it is used in conjunction with chemotherapy, surgery and radiation therapy.


     Researchers at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center examined 2 dozen human clinical trials that analyzed the effects of PSK on cancer patients, particularly those suffering from cancer of the esophagus, stomach, colon and breast.

     Comprehensive results showed that most patients benefited:  When administered with other treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation, PSK increased the amount of time that patients were free of disease, and also increased survival rates.  Smaller studies indicate that PSK may not be as effective against leukemia and liver cancer.

     Animal studies testing PSK confirm the results of human clinical trials.  PSK has been shown to slow the growth and spread of cancer cells ... boost the immune systems of cancer victims ... and reduce the extreme side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Extract Stalls the Growth of Lung Cancer, Sarcoma and Brain Tumors

The Coriolus versicolor extract PSP is a more recent discovery that has not been as extensively studied as PSK.  Preliminary Chinese studies conducted on cell cultures or animals suggest that PSP may defend against the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, but human clinical trials are needed to back up such results.

     A small human clinical trial reviewing the effects of PSP on lung cancer patients showed that those taking PSP sustained health longer than those undergoing standard treatment without PSP.  Animal studies also suggest that PSP might stall the growth of lung cancer and sarcoma and enhance the effectiveness of radiation therapy in treating brain tumors.

     Extracts of Coriolus versicolor have been used to boost the immune system and treat many other ailments such as...
   
 Herpes
 Chronic fatigue syndrome
 Hepatitis
 Lung disorders
 Ringworm
 Skin infections, including impetigo
 Urinary tract infections
 Digestive tract infections
 Poor appetite
 
You can find extracts of Coriolus versicolor in capsule, extract or tea form online, in health food stores and in herbal medicine shops.  Healthcare practitioners recommend 1 to 9 grams daily, depending on the type and severity of your condition.  Side effects are mild and rare but can include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea.  More rare complications are darkening of the fingernails and low blood cell counts.  Check with your healthcare provider before beginning any healthcare regimen.  

Email received on 27 February 2012
from Think-Outside-the-Book     Publishing, LLC

Other articles also on Healthwise:

• This Mushroom Extract Stops Cancer Growth
• The Health Benefits of Mushroom Consumption
• Could Mushrooms Aid in the Treatment of Cancer?
• Yunzhi mushroom may be beneficial in fight against...
• Turkey Tail Mushroom Proven to Fight Breast Cancer...