Curcumin, A Weapon Against Chronic Inflammation

Ways chronic inflammation can damage our body:

1.    Memory loss and cognitive decline

2.    Increased cardiovascular risk

3.    Joint pain and loss of mobility

4.    Abnormal growth of healthy cells

5.    Accelerated skin aging and wrinkles

6.    Compromised digestive function

7.    Weight gain and loss of muscle tone

Cutting-edge science is showing that curcumin is one of the most powerful, natural anti-inflammatories ever studied. Curcumin is so effective because it is a potent inhibitor of the body's most powerful inflammation-causing chemical, called Nf-kappa beta. Miraculously, curcumin has been shown in numerous studies to tame joint pain and muscle soreness, protect the brain, support cardiovascular health, bolster immunity and more. If you have a lingering health problem that no doctor can resolve, you may be suffering from chronic inflammation and curcumin may be just the natural solution you've been looking for.

Walnuts for Prostate Health

Eating walnuts daily appears to protect against prostate cancer, at least in mice. A new study from the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio showed that after researchers injected the animals with human prostate cancer cells, tumors started to grow. But of the 19 mice that received a walnut-enriched diet, only three developed tumors compared to 14 of 32 mice whose diets did not include walnuts. What's more, the average size of the prostate tumors that grew in the walnut-fed mice was about one fourth the average size of the tumors that occurred in the mice on the "control" diet that contained no walnuts. The amount of walnuts (pulverized into a fine powder) the mice consumed was equivalent to a human serving of about two ounces or two handfuls a day, reported study senior author Russel Reiter, Ph.D., professor of cellular and structural biology. The study was published in the July 2013 issue of Cancer Investigation.

Almonds for Weigth Control

The latest news on nuts comes from a Purdue University study showing that snacking on 1.5 ounces of almonds daily reduced hunger and didn't lead to weight gain, even though participants continued eating their customary daily diets. The investigators also reported that by eating almonds the study participants boosted their vitamin E levels as well as their intake of healthy monounsaturated fats. The research team recruited 137 adults at increased risk of type 2 diabetes and divided them into five groups: a control group, separate breakfast and lunch groups and morning and afternoon snack groups. All of the groups except the controls ate 1.5 ounces of almonds daily, either with meals or as morning or afternoon snacks. (Those in the control group were told not to eat any nuts or seeds for the duration of the four-week study.) All the participants (with the exception of the controls) reported daylong reductions in hunger and the desire to eat, particularly those in the "snack" groups. No one gained weight. The researchers suggested that this might be due to compensating for nut consumption by unconsciously eating less food at meals or to inefficient absorption of calories from the almonds.

Exercise & Melatonin, A Weapon against Brain Mutation associated with Alzheimer's Disease

A lab study in Barcelona, Spain, shows that a combination of exercise and melatonin may produce a synergistic benefit that defends the brain against mutations associated with Alzheimer's disease. In this lab test on animals, a melatonin and exercise combination was shown to be effective against the harm linked to three different mutations.¹

    "For years we have known that the combination of different anti-aging therapies such as physical exercise, a Mediterranean diet, and not smoking adds years to one's life," says researcher Coral Sanfeliu. "Now it seems that melatonin, the sleep hormone, also has important anti-aging effects."

    The Spanish study demonstrated that melatonin protects brain tissue from oxidative damage and helps defuse impairments linked to amyloid beta peptide, a harmful protein that collects in the brain during the development of Alzheimer's. In addition, the hormone helps maintain the mitochondrial function in brain cells. Mitochondria are the structures responsible for a cell's energy production. Injury to the mitochondria often result in illnesses like Parkinson's disease.

    "Even though many more studies and clinical tests are still required to assess the doses of melatonin which will be effective for a wide range of diseases, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of melatonin mean that its use is highly recommended for diseases which feature oxidative stress and inflammation," says researcher Darío Acuña-Castroviejo.

    Acuña-Castroviejo believes melatonin can be useful for alleviating epilepsy, chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, and even the aging process itself.

Extra Virgin Loive Oil for Muscle Repair

It's rich in a component called oleocanthal that speeds muscle repair. In fact, research shows that consuming about 3½ Tbsp oil throughout the day is the anti-inflammatory equivalent of approximately 10% of the standard ibuprofen dose. Add some to a post-workout salad or on top of mixed steamed vegetables.