Eggs, A Weapon against Metabolic Syndrom

Several new studies have been published recently showing the multiple benefits of eating this all-natural protein for breakfast. Eggs are affordable sources of high quality protein that helps reduce the risk factors for metabolic syndrome, which can lead to type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome is often called pre-diabetes.

A large waistline is one of the several risk factors included in metabolic syndrome. A gut hanging over your belt indicates fat is growing around vital organs. Weight management is essential in preventing type 2 diabetes.

Dr. Barbara Gower from the University of Alabama showed that a high protein diet with 40% carbohydrates -- compared with a “normal” 55% carbohydrate diet -- allowed overweight adults to lose dangerous visceral fat.

Dr. Gower also made a point to note that the 40% carb diet was higher in fat—indicating the presence of healthy fats is good for healthy people. Plus, the diet promoted insulin sensitivity, another key factor in preventing diabetes. (3)

A recent study from Metabolism agreed: whole eggs improved the types of fat in the blood and insulin sensitivity better than egg-substitutes. (4)

Hibiscus, A Weapon against High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure is one of the most common—but deadly—medical conditions in America. Fortunately, it’s also one of the easiest to treat. Well, naturally anyway.

Like this vibrantly colored flower from the topics… Cultures around the world use it to keep blood pressure in check. Most of the time, it’s blended into herbal teas. So you may not even know you’re drinking it.

Known for its tart, almost sour taste, this ruby-colored flower can lower your systolic (top number) blood pressure almost 20 points in just 4 weeks—without side effects.

Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants like anthocyanin. That’s where it gets its beautiful bright color. But it’s also what makes it so effective at lowering your blood pressure.

Not only does it dramatically lower your top blood pressure number, hibiscus tea reduces your bottom (diastolic) number too. A study showed you can lower it by 50 percent. And it only took a month.

In fact, the tea is just as effective as conventional blood pressure medications.

A study conducted in Mexico showed that drinking one serving of hibiscus tea before breakfast was just as effective as taking captopril—a popular blood pressure drug—twice a day. Both reduced systolic blood pressure by 15 points. And like the other studies, results were seen quickly.

Water, A Weapon against Chronic Pain

Water is the most critical. It is a fact that most people are dehydrated. Not to the extent that is found when lost in the desert; rather, just to the point where the body’s systems simply don’t function as well as they could. This lack of optimum function might seem unnoticeable for some, but for others it kicks over the dominoes that lead to a variety of chronic pain issues.

When we don’t have enough water, any number of things can happen: Thirsty muscles will not heal as quickly after exercise. Oxygen delivery is compromised in the blood. Toxins that cause inflammation and wreak havoc on the liver and kidneys (our critical filters) can’t be purged. Chemicals needed in balancing hormone activity don’t get to where they need to go.

All these things spell pain in one form or another. And don’t forget the impact of foods and beverages that dehydrate us further- processed foods and sugary soft drinks, alcohol and fried foods…all these things serve to increase pain and dehydrate us further.

Butterbur, A weapon against Migraines

Look at some natural treatments for migraines that may help sufferers who prefer not to take strong prescription medications.

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is one natural treatment that may be especially beneficial for migraine sufferers. Butterbur is native to Europe, northern Africa and southwestern Asia, and has been used for centuries to help alleviate headaches, back pain, and hay fever. Research suggests its actions - reducing inflammation and spasms in blood-vessel walls - may ameliorate migraine without causing the side effects associated with prescription medications. A study published in Neurology, Dec. 28, 2004, reported that after four months, people taking 75 mg of butterbur had 48 percent fewer migraine attacks per month - similar to the effects of prescription migraine drugs. Be very careful about the butterbur you purchase - only use butterbur extracts that are guaranteed to be free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The adult dosage ranges from 50-100 mg twice daily, and should be taken with meals.

Other natural alternatives include dietary measures, such as identifying and avoiding foods that trigger your headaches, as well as taking prescription strength doses of vitamin B2 to reduce the frequency and duration of migraines. Daily magnesium supplementation can be helpful as well. Be sure to talk with your physician about the risks and benefits of any therapy.

Tart Cherries For Fast Recovery & Stop Inflammation

Over 111 million prescriptions are issued yearly for anti-inflammatory drugs. These meds have been shown to wreak havoc on your digestive system, while causing damage to your heart, your liver, and your kidneys.

But the anthocyanins and phenols found in tart cherries have been shown to provide STRONGER protection against muscle injury and damage than these dangerous drugs. In other words, this tiny fruit has been proven BETTER than things like Ibuprofen for reducing inflammation and muscle soreness.

In fact, over 74 published studies indicate tart cherries deliver a high level of protection against cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and can even fight against Alzheimer’s. Many of them also validate tart cherries and tart cherry beverages speed up recovery time from exercise and reduce inflammatory markers significantly.

But there’s MORE...tart cherries also contain a hefty dose of naturally occurring melatonin (improves sleep) and they have one of the highest anti-oxidant scores of all fruits and they score amazingly low on the glycemic index (~20). So they’re one the best fruits to eat for fat loss.

So by eating a hefty dose of tart cherries (or organic, flash pasteurized tart cherry juice) you can help your body recover faster, reduce joint pain through the anti-inflammatory response, sleep better, and fight inflammation to "flush out" more trapped fat from your body.