Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Garlic, For Boosting Testosterone Level



Low in testosterone? Try eating more garlic. Japanese studies found that garlic boosts testosterone when combined with a high-protein diet for a month. The chemical diallyl disulfide stimulates the body to release a hormone that spurs the production of testosterone.


Monday, April 28, 2014

Blueberries, A Weapon to lower the risk for Parkinson's Disease



We already know that blueberries are good for your brain. They are full of polyphenols that fight oxidative stress. Now a new study reveals why blueberries may be one of your strongest allies when it comes to preventing Parkinson's disease.
For years, doctors believed Parkinson's was a disease of chance. Some people developed it, others didn't. But the latest research suggests the alpha-synuclein (AS) gene has something to do it. This gene releases dopamine which controls voluntary and involuntary movement. People with Parkinson's have low levels. Which is exactly why Canadian researchers took a closer look at AS.
They put the AS gene into fruit flies. Soon after, their retinas degenerated. Their lifespans got shorter. But giving them blueberry extract improved their eyesight. More important, it made them live up to 15% longer. And it's not only fruit flies who can reap the benefits...
People with more of the AS gene are extra vulnerable to oxidative stress. It also makes antioxidants have to work harder to fight free radicals. This is a deadly combination when it comes to developing Parkinson's disease. Blueberries fight these harmful effects.
A Harvard Medical School study followed 50,000 men for more than 20 years. Researchers found that men who ate the most blueberries lowered their risk for Parkinson's disease by 40 percent. But even just a small helping offers protection. The men who ate just one serving of blueberries a week reduced their risk by 25%. And it may all be because of one compound.
Blueberries are rich in anthocyanin. This antioxidant helps lower your blood pressure and fight heart disease. It's also what gives blueberries their ability to prevent oxidative stress and scavenge free radicals.
Adding organic blueberries to your diet is easy. They go great in a salad or a smoothie. You'll also be able to find pure blueberry extract in health stores and online.
But blueberry extract isn't the only supplement that can save your brain. Here's another you'll want to know about... Especially if you or someone you love is worried about protecting your precious mind and memories.

Friday, April 25, 2014

Red Wine to slow and moderate Blood Sugar after a Meal



Another benefit of red wine in some studies show that red wine consumed with a meal can slow and moderate the blood sugar response you get from that meal.  This is yet another benefit to keeping your hormones balanced, lowering insulin levels, controlling appetite, and staying lean!
As you can see, there's plenty of reasons raise a glass of red wine at your meals and toast to your health and happiness!  After all, I've seen several stories on the news where they ask a centenarian how they're so healthy over the age of 100, and one of the answers they seem to frequently give is that they have one glass of red wine per day.

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

Aquatic Exercise, A Weapon to beat Pain & Stiffness of Arthritis



The best way to beat the pain and stiffness of arthritis is to get regular exercise. It's one of the most important things you can do to support healthy joints.
Now I know it can sometimes be difficult to remain active when you're in pain. So here's a neat trick…
Try aquatic exercise. All you need is access to a swimming pool, lake or ocean. The water keeps you buoyant, which reduces the impact on your joints. So you can jog in place, perform jumping jacks or just swim without putting any wear and tear on your joints.
This low-impact type of exercise is easy to do, and it can significantly relieve the aches and pains associated with arthritis. Better yet, it's a lot of fun!

Monday, April 21, 2014

Red Wine, A Weapon to Reduced Inflammation



A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that red wine drinkers  decreased systolic and diastolic blood pressure, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and CRP (C-reactive protein).  CRP is a measure of overall inflammation in your body, so it's great to see an association between red wine and reduced inflammation.
The interesting part of the study is that red wine was compared against equivalent servings of gin (equivalent alcohol serving) and none of the benefits mentioned above were seen in the group consuming the gin.  This means the benefits were probably related to the polyphenols and resveratrol in red wine and not necessarily the alcohol content itself, although there is likely a synergistic effect of the alcohol and other compounds in red wine since the group receiving de-alcoholized red wine got less of a blood pressure benefit.
You can choose Cabernet, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Shiraz or any other dry red wine to get all of these powerful health benefits of the unique polyphenols and resveratrol.
Note that white wine also has some health benefits but not nearly as powerful as red wine due to the lower antioxidant levels.