Women's Health

Controversial New Findings Spark Debate Over Saturated Fats and Heart Health

New research on saturated fats and heart health has set off a controversy in the medical community. Do saturated fats truly cause heart disease? Or are they really not that bad for you?

Medical advice changes almost by the week. One day we hear that margarine is better, the next day margarine is deadly and butter is the way to go. Sugar similarly has transformed from being a healthy dose of energy to a harbinger of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Nowhere is this fast and constant shift of opinion so obvious as it is in the area of saturated fats. We have long accepted that they contribute to heart disease and other deadly illnesses. However, new research suggests that this may not be the case. Could we have been wrong about fatty foods like butter and bacon all along?

Saturated Fats and Heart Health

Found in red meat, full-fat dairy products and a variety of processed foods, saturated fat has long been the scapegoat of the nutritional world. Not only is it dense in calories, which can lead to weight gain, but several studies recognized even decades ago that it can clog blood vessels, contributing to both heart attack and stroke.

However, new research is beginning to suggest that the link between saturated fats and heart health may not be as clear as it once appeared. The controversy began anew in 2015 when a study suggested that while saturated fats are bad for the heart, the food compounds that people replace them with may be just as bad.

Is Saturated Fat Actually Bad for You?

Saturated fat and cholesterol are believed to contribute to cardiovascular disease by “clogging” the vessels that move blood around our bodies, similar to the gradual clogging of plumbing that can occur in our home. Because of significant evidence to support this, doctors have recommended for decades that people eat less saturated fat and keep their blood cholesterol numbers low.

A new study, however, shows no connection whatsoever between saturated fat and heart health. Instead, researchers now believe that simple lifestyle changes such as eating wholesome homemade food, getting adequate exercise and controlling stress are healthier than any kind of dietary deprivation. In fact, certain types of high-fat foods, including those rich in plant oils, actually reduce cardiovascular risk. People who eat saturated fats may actually be increasing their heart disease risk simply by eating too many processed items and not enough healthy fats.

However, this remains a controversial study among many doctors and scientists. Leading cardiologists insist that the authors of the recent study finding no correlation between saturated fats and heart disease are guilty of misleadingly compiling data while ignoring studies that prove their theory wrong. These cardiologists point out that the largest and most well-controlled studies have consistently found a link between saturated fats and heart disease for several decades and counting.

Lifestyle Choices for Whole Body Health

Although there is significant controversy about the role of saturated fat in heart disease, most doctors and experts agree on several lifestyle changes intended to improve cardiovascular health. Eating a plant-based, whole foods diet is one of the best things you can do for your health, as it cuts back on “bad” fats and additives while ensuring that you get enough vitamins and healthy fats. Taking a walk, as the study authors suggested, also is a lifestyle decision that will improve heart health and mental health at the same time. Getting enough sleep—while difficult for many people in the modern world—also is generally agreed to be a great decision for heart health.

Promoting Cardiovascular Health the Natural Way

If you want to give your heart an extra health boost, there are many all-natural nutrients and vitamins that have been proven to minimize the risk of cardiovascular disease and protect your heart. Consider adding one of these supplements to your daily regimen:

omega-3 fatty acids to reduce triglycerides, lower blood pressure and prevent atherosclerosis
folic acid to reduce levels of homocysteine, a natural product of the human body that can contribute to cardiovascular disease
B vitamins, which also reduce levels of homocysteine and contribute to better metabolism in general
calcium, which is essential for cardiac muscle function
magnesium for optimal function of nerves that control the cardiovascular system
coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant that protects heart and blood vessel tissues from oxidative damage
L-carnitine that reduces abnormal heart rhythms and the development of angina
grapeseed extract, which contains flavonoids that have been found to protect the heart and reduce cardiovascular disease

Is butter really that bad for you? New research calls this assumption into question. However, all data indicates that our hearts will be healthier if we eat a less-processed diet, get plenty of fresh air and take supplements that provide ingredients with proven cardiovascular benefits. Leading a healthy and well-balanced lifestyle is key to living a long and happy life.

New Breakthroughs Uncover a Promising Link Between Vitamin C and Cancer

Apr 12 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

There are treatments for many types of cancer, but many come with uncomfortable side effects. New studies on vitamin C and cancer suggest that this vitamin may offer hope as a safe and natural adjunct treatment.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the world, killing nine million people per year around the globe. While there are many treatments that can cure or slow the progression of this disease, these can have debilitating side effects such as weight loss, hair loss, nausea, vomiting or even death. Around 40 percent of us will have cancer of some kind before we die, which means that many who are reading this now will one day have to experience some of these unpleasant cancer treatment side effects. However, new research indicates that vitamin C may be a safe, natural way to make traditional cancer treatments more effective and even help fight cancer on its own.

Benefits of Vitamin C

Long ago, sea captains noted that giving sailors limes prevented the development of scurvy and other serious diseases. Today we know that this is due to vitamin C. We also know that this vitamin has a long list of health benefits in addition to preventing scurvy. It is an important cofactor in a variety of crucial biochemical reactions and also acts as an antioxidant. Vitamin C is necessary to form healthy collagen, an ingredient in our skin and bones, as well as to make our stress hormones. Because it is a water-soluble vitamin, it is not toxic at any level. While people who take too much of it may experience some diarrhea, it is impossible to overdose even when taking super-doses. The half-life of the vitamin is simply too short for toxic levels to build up.

More recent research suggests that this vitamin may be important in more than merely preventative roles. It has been found to lower the incidence of death from cardiovascular disease. In large doses given by IV, it may also improve the outcomes of cancer treatment.

Vitamin C and Cancer Cells

Nobel prize winner Linus Pauling long ago hypothesized that vitamin C may be able to benefit those with cancer. New research suggests that he was correct. When cancer patients were given megadoses of this vitamin in addition to taking the prescribed radiation and/or chemotherapy, they had fewer side effects and better outcomes. In fact, patients with glioblastoma, a deadly brain cancer, survived four to six months longer.

This is not the first study to find that there is a therapeutic benefit to taking high doses of vitamin C and cancer treatments at the same time. A previous study found that people who took vitamin C while being treated for ovarian cancer suffered fewer side effects and had less toxicity to their organs. Researchers believe that this is due to several factors. First, because vitamin C is an antioxidant and also part of several key enzymatic reactions, having an ample supply ensures that healthy cells can recover more quickly from side effects of cancer treatment. Second, vitamin C appears to have a negative effect on the mitochondria of cancer cells, shutting down metabolism while creating free radicals that eventually kill the cell. This process specifically targets cancer and cancer stem cells, which can help both in treatment and in slowing the metastasis of this disease.

While more studies will need to be performed in order to understand exactly why vitamin C affects cancer treatment and how much is needed, it currently appears that this vitamin may have real benefits. This brings up the question: Can getting enough vitamin C help to protect against cancer?

Are You Getting Enough Vitamin C?

There is currently no known connection between vitamin C deficiency and higher rates of cancer. However, this topic has yet to be studied extensively. It intuitively makes sense that getting enough of a cancer-fighting antioxidant may help to prevent cancer from developing in the first place. Because getting enough vitamin C is crucial to health in a variety of ways, many doctors recommend that people either take a vitamin supplement or eat plenty of the following foods:

oranges and other citrus fruit
leafy green vegetables such as spinach and kale
chili peppers
bell peppers
cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts
papayas, pineapple, mangoes and other tropical fruits
strawberries

These foods are all delicious parts of a healthy diet, so it is easy to get enough vitamin C to support good health with a little effort.

While modern medicine has brought us many benefits, natural remedies and good nutrition also play an important role in promoting good health. Getting enough vitamin C and other nutrients likely has benefits that we do not even know about yet. Eating a well-rounded diet and taking natural supplements are two of the most important ways that you can stay healthy both now and in the future.

Ingredients for Healthy Vision Help You See Clearly into the Golden Years

Mar 29 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Most people view changes in vision as inevitable parts of aging. However, there are natural ingredients for healthy vision that may be able to protect against, slow or even reverse certain age-related vision problems.

We depend on our vision for a variety of tasks and may even take it for granted. From driving to shopping to enjoying artwork, our eyes are in many ways the unsung heroes of modern life. However, many people do not take steps to protect their vision and eyesight until it is too late. If you are interested in maintaining your vision for a lifetime, there are a few ingredients for healthy vision that should be a part of your diet or supplement regimen. It is possible to enjoy good eyesight over a long and healthy life with the right nutrition and preventative care.

Natural Building Blocks and Ingredients for Good Vision

Exactly what nutrients and vitamins help to sustain good vision? Several research studies have given us a solid idea about which natural ingredients work best. Macular degeneration is one of the major causes of vision loss associated with aging. Over years and decades, most people develop yellow deposits in their maculae, that are called drusen. We know from several studies that antioxidant vitamins can protect against much of the damage from macular degeneration by preventing these deposits of drusen. These antioxidants include vitamins such as vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene, zinc and copper. In fact, when these vitamins are taken together, they have been found to reduce rates of macular degeneration by around 25 percent, in addition to their other health benefits.

Resveratrol, an antioxidant naturally found in red wine and red grapes, also appears to help preserve vision by helping to protect against macular degeneration. However, this compound attacks the problem in a different manner—by working to prevent the abnormal growth of blood vessels that often accompanies macular degeneration. When cells in the eye begin to degenerate, the body compensates by forming new blood vessels to supply nutrients. However, these vessels themselves end up blocking vision. Resveratrol and other antioxidants appear to stop the new blood vessels from forming as quickly, reducing long-term damage to vision. As a benefit, antioxidants are also good for heart health and have a wide range of other health benefits as well.

Supplements for Eye Health and Good Vision

In addition to antioxidants, there are a wide range of supplements that can be taken to promote good vision for a lifetime. The combination of lutein and zeaxanthin also appears to protect against age-related damage to eyes. Because both lutein and zeaxanthin compounds filter out wavelengths of light that are most damaging to eyes, they can help to protect against the development of cataracts in addition to reducing the risk of macular degeneration. For this reason, they have long been included in supplements intended to support good eye health.

Lycopene and bilberry are two other supplements that have been found to prevent damage to eyes and preserve healthy vision. Lycopene, a compound naturally found in tomatoes and tomato products, has antioxidant benefits that can prevent aging in eyes. Bilberry is a more recent discovery. This small fruit, also known as the Chinese blueberry, has been found in studies to improve visual acuity and even night vision, two types of vision that often deteriorate as we age. It also may protect vision in people with glaucoma.

This is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, Take Care of Your Vision

Why all this focus on vision? Most people wish to keep clear eyesight as long as we can. In addition, March is Workplace Eye Wellness Month, a time to focus on preventing eye damage and preserving good vision. In addition to taking ingredients for healthy vision listed above to help protect against age-related damage, there are several things you can do to preserve your vision in the workplace and beyond. These include:

Visit your eye doctor annually for a dilated eye exam to identify and treat early vision changes.
Change lighting on computers and other devices to reduce glare. Glare filters also can be helpful.
Place screens 20 to 26 inches away from the eyes, the distance that generally reduces strain.
Take 20-second breaks to look at an object 20 feet away after every 20 minutes of reading. This is called the 20-20-20 rule.
Use correct eye protection gear as required by the standards of your profession.

By following these recommendations, you can help prevent the damage that a lifetime of work and artificial lighting can do to the delicate tissues of your eyes. We depend on our eyes not just for work, but for leisure as well. Vision is too important to take for granted.

These ingredients for healthy vision and eye preserving tips should help you to keep your eyesight as clear as possible for decades to come. While some age-related damage cannot be avoided, we can do many things to slow or stop the sands of time.

Muscle Injuries in Athletes Could Be Caused by Low Vitamin D

Mar 23 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Many people take vitamin D to encourage strong, healthy bones. New research on vitamin D and muscle function suggests that it may be a major contributor to building and maintaining healthy muscles as well.

Vitamin D is an important cofactor in metabolism, bone building and more. However, many people in northern latitudes suffer from a deficiency of this important nutrient. While vitamin D is present in a variety of foods, sunlight is needed to convert this to an active form of the vitamin.

What are some of the consequences of low vitamin D? Fatigue and sleepiness have both been linked to vitamin D deficiency. In addition, decreasing bone strength is more common in people who are low on this vitamin. According to new research on vitamin D and muscle injury, it may also be crucial in promoting muscle strength, healing and resilience as well.

Vitamin D and Muscle Strength

Vitamin D has long been suspected to play a role in building healthy muscle. Several studies have found a link between vitamin D and higher muscle mass. However, correlation is not always causation. In other words, researchers had no way of determining whether vitamin D helps to build muscle or if a third factor were at play. Vitamin D plays a role in a variety of biochemical reactions. It is also crucial in building strong bones and teeth. It reduces depression and keeps energy levels high. Because it is such a “multi-purpose” nutrient, it is difficult to tell when a deficiency is directly causing a physical problem. However, new research definitively points to low vitamin D as a direct cause of increased muscle injury.

Low Vitamin D in College Athletes

We tend to think of athletes as people who get plenty of time in the sunshine. However, over half of all college athletes have low vitamin D. A new study suggests that these athletes, who are otherwise in prime health, are more at risk of muscle injury as a result. Researchers looked at the rates of muscle injuries such as sprains and hernias in a population of college athletes. They also measured vitamin D levels in the blood of these young people. The resulting pattern was clear: Athletes with low vitamin D were more likely to experience an injury and especially more likely to have an injury that reduced their ability to play their chosen sport.

What does this mean for people who are not high-performance athletes? You may be having trouble building muscle mass or suffering more soreness than usual because of not getting enough of this important vitamin. Even in people who had no other health effects, the lack of vitamin D manifested itself in a higher rate of muscle injuries. Taking vitamin D may be as important to building strong muscles as eating enough protein.

Active and Inactive Vitamin D

This is not the only study to link vitamin D levels and muscle function. However, not all kinds of vitamin D are equal in their effects on human health. Vitamin D exists in several forms in the human body. Inactive and active vitamin D are two of these forms. Vitamin D that is ingested from foods must be activated in a complex system involving sunlight on bare skin, but also the kidneys and the liver. However, active vitamin D3 can be taken in supplements, thus bypassing this convoluted activation system.

People who have high levels of lean muscle mass have been found to have higher blood levels of active vitamin D. Active vitamin D is also linked to greater muscle strength. On the other hand, high levels of inactive vitamin D seem to be linked to higher levels of body fat. Many people who think they are getting enough vitamin D in their diet may need a supplement to increase levels of the active form.

Getting More Vitamin D in Your Diet

Vitamin D is only present in a small number of foods, and many of these are foods that most people do not routinely eat in large amounts. These include fatty fish oils and eggs. In addition, activating this dietary vitamin D requires an extensive process and ample exposure to sunlight. In an age of sunscreen, many people are deficient in active vitamin D, even if they actually enjoy cod liver oil. To ensure that there is always enough of the active form, an increasing number of people are taking a supplement with active vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Doctors once recommended doing this to increase energy and bone strength, but we now know that a great deal more is at risk.

Getting enough vitamins and nutrients is crucial to leading a long and healthy life, but research on vitamin D and muscle suggests that it is much more important than previously thought. If you are trying to gain more muscle but struggling, low levels of active vitamin D may be partially responsible. Consider taking a comprehensive supplement that contains vitamin D today to maintain the energy and strength that you need to enjoy optimal health.

Red Wine Compound Resveratrol May Protect Lungs and Respiratory Health

Mar 15 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Many people struggle with respiratory concerns as they age. New research on resveratrol lung benefits suggests that this compound found in red wine may help protect the lungs against premature aging and disease.

Respiratory concerns are some of the most serious causes of death on the globe, killing around three million people a year and affecting many times more. These include common health problems such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. These conditions are especially common and more serious in children and the elderly. While there are treatments that can reduce symptoms, there are currently no cures for most serious lung problems. However, several recent studies on resveratrol lung benefits suggest that a simple natural remedy may be able to help many.

What Is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol has recently become popular due to its many reported health benefits. Naturally produced in the skins of grapes as well as being present in peanuts and pistachios, this antioxidant is the result of plants’ exposure to stressors such as drought, ultraviolet light and fungal infections. Besides protecting plants from external stressors, it appears to act as an antioxidant in the human body as well. Recent studies have found that resveratrol may have cardiovascular benefits, help maintain healthy cell growth and function and even promote healthy aging. According to new studies, it may also promote healthy aging in the lungs and help to protect against respiratory concerns.

Lungs and the Aging Process

We may not notice deterioration in our respiratory tracts the way we notice new wrinkles or a change in vision, but our lungs indeed change as we age. Our alveoli become enlarged and less elastic, making them less able to exchange gases. In addition, the tissues that make up the lungs deteriorate and lose functionality over time. As lungs lose the ability to breathe effectively, cells become inflamed, which causes even more damage. The result is a gradual loss of function and the eventual onset of diseases such as COPD and emphysema.

Age-related lung concerns take a huge toll on people who suffer from them and on the nation as a whole. They can make it difficult for people to work, exercise or even to perform simple tasks such as walking to the mailbox. These are very expensive conditions, with COPD alone costing $36 million a year just in health costs. Preventing or even slowing the progression of lung concerns can lead to higher quality of life, fewer deaths and nationwide economic savings.

Resveratrol Lung Benefits

How can a simple grape extract help promote healthy respiratory aging and protect against certain lung concerns? The antioxidant effects of resveratrol are believed to be one of its major benefits. In one study, when mice were given inhaled resveratrol, they saw less of the alveolar changes that underlie aging in the lungs. They experienced less lung cell damage, fewer DNA mutations and better lung function. These resveratrol lung benefits were measurable after just three months of the treatment.

In addition, resveratrol appears to promote healthy cellular inflammatory processes and have an effect on inflammation that causes the progression of respiratory illnesses such as COPD. When COPD patients are given resveratrol, they show lower cytokine levels in their lung fluids. This is significant because cytokines released by lung macrophages produce much of the inflammation associated with respiratory disease. People also had a more than 50 percent reduction in other known mediators of inflammation.

Resveratrol, Curcumin and Lung Cancer

Do resveratrol lung benefits extend to deadly diseases such as lung cancer? A recent study suggests that this plant antioxidant may at least be beneficial—likely by promoting healthy DNA—which is sometimes responsible for the uncontrolled growth of unhealthy cells. This effect is especially strong when resveratrol is combined with curcumin, a compound found in spices such as cumin. These two natural remedies appear to act synergistically, with far more benefit when used together than when either is used alone.

Natural Remedies for Lifelong Health

While pharmaceuticals will always be necessary for many people with respiratory concerns, these studies suggest that others may be able to derive some relief with natural remedies such as resveratrol. In fact, resveratrol is believed to be responsible for many of the purported health benefits of red wine, which contains high levels of this antioxidant. In many ways, natural remedies can be superior when it comes to keeping people healthy. As the old saying goes, “Prevention is the best cure.”

There is still a great deal of research to be done on resveratrol lung benefits. However, these studies add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that this plant compound may have a positive effect on whole-body health by promoting healthy cellular inflammatory processes and protecting against tissue damage. A glass of wine, handful of grapes or resveratrol supplement just may bring you one step closer to healthy aging.

New Research Indicates Omega-3 for Asthma Could Help You Breathe Easier

Feb 17 by Ewcopywriting Leave a Comment

Are you one of the millions of people who struggle with respiratory concerns? New research on omega-3 for asthma suggests this natural remedy may make a huge difference.

Asthma is a common disease, affecting around one of out every 12 people. Overall, asthma costs the United States alone around $56 billion a year in medical costs, lost work productivity and other expenses. While modern medicine offers a variety of treatments for this and other inflammatory respiratory conditions, there are few ways to actually prevent it. However, new research on omega-3 for asthma suggests that in addition to the myriad of other health benefits this fatty acid provides, taking in sufficient amounts could be effective as a treatment for this devastating health concern.

What Causes Asthma?

People with asthma have chronic inflammation and narrowing of their airways that interferes with their breathing on a daily basis. In addition, this inflammation and narrowing can lead to asthma attacks, which is when the muscles that make up airways narrow and can even prevent breathing. People with asthma also tend to have mucus build up in airways from the inflammation, which can further compromise breathing. Over time, the airway inflammation can lead to permanent damage to the airways and chronic obstruction.

Modern medicine offers a variety of treatments that can reduce and slow the damage caused by asthma. Beta-agonists such as albuterol can immediately open airways that are constricted by tight muscles. Steroids such as cortisol and prednisone are also used because they reduce inflammation. However, many people still suffer—and sometimes die—from asthma every year, even in developed countries with excellent medical care. Many people have begun trying alternative remedies in addition to traditional medicines as a way to breathe a little easier.

Asthma and the Circadian Rhythm

Research on the circadian rhythm of asthma has offered a great deal of promise for people looking to overcome this condition. Our respiratory tracts have a distinctive circadian rhythm. People who have a dysregulated circadian rhythm, such as those with insomnia, are more likely to develop asthma. In addition, they are more likely to have severe asthma instead of a milder form. While most people think of asthma as a childhood disease, these findings indicate that adults who do not sleep well are also at risk.

How can sleep affect asthma? First, sleep affects the immune system. People who do not get enough high-quality sleep are likely to suffer from dysfunction of the immune system, which can lead to an autoimmune attack on airways. Second, our respiratory systems, and thus conditions affecting these systems, follow a circadian rhythm. Timing daily medications to coincide with the times when asthma sufferers are most at risk for an attack may be beneficial.

Omega-3 for Asthma: A New Treatment Option

There are several natural supplements that also may be beneficial for people who suffer from asthma and other respiratory concerns. Omega-3 fatty acids are currently the supplements with the most evidence backing them. Research on omega-3 for asthma suggests that these fatty acids have a regulatory effect on B cells, the type of immune cell that governs IgE reactions such as asthma attacks. People who are suffering from regular asthma attacks may see the frequency and severity lessened if they get more omega-3 fatty acids, either from diet or from a supplement.

Women who are pregnant may even be able to lower the chances of their offspring having asthma by taking one of these supplements. A recent study found that women who took 2.4 mg of omega-3 fatty acids in their third trimester of pregnancy were almost a third less likely to have babies who grew up to have asthma. Supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids when pregnant may not only remove the burden of chronic disease from many children, but also remove a large burden from our economy in which asthma and other respiratory conditions are an expensive problem.

Getting Enough Omega-3s in Your Diet

This new research on using omega-3 for asthma is promising, but still in the preliminary stages. However, there are plenty of reasons to ensure that you ingest plenty of these fatty acids. They are available not just in supplements but in a variety of foods including:

pasture-raised or grass-fed meats
free-range poultry and their eggs
fresh soy foods such as edamame
wild rice
walnuts and walnut oil
flaxseeds and flaxseed oil
certain legumes such as black beans and kidney beans
fatty fish such as bluefin tuna and salmon

Because the Western diet tends to be low in or even completely devoid of these foods, many experts suggest taking an omega-3 supplement to ensure that you get all the benefits of these nutrient-rich oils.

If you have not been getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, there has never been a better time to start. New research on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids for asthma as well as a variety of other health disorders suggests that everyone should be getting plenty of these oils in their daily diet.