You have probably heard some of the news reports about resveratrol. So, you might be wondering what exactly it is. You may have heard of grape seed extract, red grapes, ginkgo biloba, green tea and other plants that are good for your health, as well. But, you might be wondering “why?”. What’s so good about them? Here are the basics.
Resveratrol- What is it?
Without getting too technical, resveratrol is a chemical produced by plants when they are being attacked by bacteria, fungus, UV radiation, insects or other pathogens. All of the plants mentioned above, as well as others contain these chemicals. As a group they are referred to as “phytochemicals”. In the human body, they act as antioxidants, protecting our cells in the same way that they would protect the plant.
Red Grapes Source
Resveratrol is found in the skins of red grapes and sometimes in the seeds, which has been shown to protect against cancer, improve insulin sensitivity, and reduce blood sugar in patients with diabetes. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory, among other things.
Grape Seed Extract and Red Wine Sources
The resveratrol-concentration becomes higher in red wines that are allowed to ferment with the skin intact. Grape seed extract may contain some resveratrol, but its primary components are called proanthocyanidins, a different type of antioxidant, that helps to protect the cells from free radical damage.
Ginkgo biloba contains flavonoids and terpenes, which are unique phytochemicals that promote circulation and improve brain function. Green tea contains polyphenols, specifically catechins, which are phytochemicals that have been shown to protect against heart disease and various types of cancer.
Fruits and Veggie Sources
Fruits, vegetables and botanicals of different colors contain different unique vitamins and antioxidants, which is why you see recommendations suggesting that you “eat a rainbow” every day. Although most of us try to eat right, it is practically impossible to get all of these different nutrients, without supplementation.
Supplements – A Good Source – Choose Carefully
You could buy a number of different supplements, including resveratrol, grape seed extract, ginkgo biloba, green tea and your basic vitamins, such as A, C and E. But, you would spend a lot of money and you probably would not get the greatest benefit. To get the best value for your money, I choose to take a multi-nutritional supplement that contains the basic vitamins and minerals, along with amino acids, phytochemicals, herbal extracts, dietary enzymes and specialty supplements like SAM-e.
Enteric Coating
Manufacturers that provide these supplements should use an enteric coating, to prevent them from being broken down by stomach acid. The coating protects them until they enter the lower intestine where they can pass through the intestinal wall and enter the bloodstream. SAM-e and resveratrol are particularly sensitive to stomach acid. Buying supplements that do not have an enteric coating is a waste of money, because they never get into the bloodstream.
Some of them are too expensive and important to waste. For example, SAM-e is needed for methylation, a cellular activity that allows your body to produce chemicals in the brain and throughout the body. SAM-e levels naturally decrease with age. So, the older you are, the more important that supplement is.
Hopefully, you’ve learned a little here in this article, but there’s always more to learn about resveratrol and other nutrients that protect our body’s cells from the detrimental affects of time. I expand on this in other articles. -Margaret Bell
Larry L. Taylor
http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/what-is-resveratrol-723847.html
Low carb diet devised by Dr. Atkins continues to be probably one of the most accepted low carbohydrate diets in the world today. Low carb, high protein diet attractiveness has helped spark several look-a-like diets who employ the identical principles of high-protein, low-carbohydrate eating diet. These days overweight people have several low carbohydrate diets to select from.
Tests have made known the fact that high protein, low carb diet has lots of beneficial influences as well as create major loss of weight with no necessity to restrict your calorie intake. Many folks who use the Atkins diet have for a long time been reporting this effect. Many medical studies have reported that high protein eating improves triclycerides, lowers blood glucose for diabetics and people with beginning diabetes and boosts helpful cholesterol (HDL). Low carbohydrate regime has been medically proven to improve insulin sensitivity, reduce blood pressure and lower blood insulin levels. When we contrast it against low-fat diets, low-carbohydrate, high-protein dieters also lose a smaller amount of muscle size.
While it is not scientifically proven, there are lots of different positive consequences reported by dieters using high protein, low carb diet invented by Dr. Atkins. Several of these effects are additional energy, lower craving for sugar, better attentiveness, better mood and reduction of depression type of symptoms.
But there are also a few benefits that are specific to the high-protein, low-carbohydrate Atkins diet. If you have tried a low fat diets previously you will like eating all previously forbidden foods that once you could not even think off. Butter, cream and steak are a ordinary element of low carb, high protein diet devised by Dr. Atkins. There is a undeniable satisfaction that goes along with consumption of food that was once forbidden to you. People on low carb, high protein Atkins diet are encouraged to consume as much as they want of meat, oils, cheeses or fats.
Diet invented by Dr. Atkins is also undemanding to apply if judged against several other high protein, low carbohydrate diets on the market. Naturally there are a few of simple carbohydrate food calculations that you will need to learn, but following that, you are going to be free to have a meal of any kind from the suitable food listing.
Dr. Atkins also underlined the significance of discovering your own individual carb level. Different people have unique amount of carbohydrate acceptance. While some people put on weight with as little as only 90 carbohydrate grams a day, other people can eat up to 120 grams of carbs daily. All through your continuing dieting phase and pre-maintenance period of the low carbohydrate diet, you are going to discover your individual carbohydrate count that will help determine your carbohydrate objective from now on.
The popularity of low carb Dr. Atkins diet can actually make it harder on anyone trying to lose weight. Because there is plenty of tips offered about the high protein Dr. Atkins diet, all of that makes it simple to find resources and help, but can also divert you from your goal. Since the day Atkins diet was introduced there have been numerous Atkins books written and also there are scores of sites on the internet that provide you with tips, information and group support. However nearly everyone you know has heard of diet devised by Dr. Atkins and almost has a outlook about it. You need to be aware that there are many misconceptions out there regarding the nature of the Atkins diet, and you will, no doubt, have to stand up for your newly discovered eating system from time to time.
There are also some of the other downsides to using the low-carbohydrate, high-protein Dr. Atkins diet. You do have to count carbs in your every meal to be confident that you are staying within your own carb range. Furthermore, there is the question of Induction, the most fervently contested phase of the diet devised by Dr. Atkins. Induction can often be hard to get through if you have tried a diet that concentrates on sugar and carbohydrates. Also, a lot of individuals try Induction and incorrectly think that this is the way that the whole diet is going to be. They end up quiting without even starting the real diet by Dr.Atkins.
Now and then although if it does not occur very often, individuals are going to live through a carb crash frequently during the 3rd and up to 5th day of the diet devised by Dr. Atkins. That kind of reaction is a result of their body experiencing the ketosis stage or burning fat for fuel as a replacement for carbohydrates. The effects are short-lived nevertheless lots of people trying to lose weight have quitted on low carbohydrate diets exclusively because of this small happenstance.
Generally, with the several lesser downsides considered, protein high Dr. Atkins diet remains to be one of the most used high protein, low carb diets because of one reason. It works. Many individuals have lost weight with the high protein Dr. Atkins diet and the low carbohydrate, high protein manner of eating.
Dado Baric
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/high-protein-diet-plan-simply-good-for-weight-loss-or-more-122805.html
Looking for a way to lift your mood and treat headaches? To lower your risk of Parkinson’s, diabetes, and colon cancer? One that could even lower your risk of cavities?
It’s not too good to be true: coffee consumption appears to lower the risk for several diseases. And, what’s even more exciting, the more you drink, the greater the health benefits.
I have what might be referred to as a healthy dependence on coffee, particularly in the morning. As a result, I am already aware that coffee is effective for stopping a morning headache and boosting my mood.
And, as the parent of a teen asthmatic, I’ve also seen first hand that coffee is helpful in managing asthma and even controlling attacks when medication is unavailable.
The interesting thing is, new research by Harvard demonstrates that consuming one to three cups of caffeinated coffee daily can reduce diabetes risk by single digits. What’s more, having six cups or more each day slashed men’s risk by 54% and women’s by 30% over those who abstain from coffee.
Granted, that is more than most people normally consume. But it does hold out promise that greater research might what is responsible for such positive effects.
The really interesting thing here is that more and more studies are revealing that coffee, particularly in higher amounts, can have very positive effects on overall health. And while there may be some negatives to excessive drinking of coffee, overall, research shows that coffee is far more beneficial than it is harmful.
For example: recent research indicates that regular coffee drinkers are up to 80% less likely to develop Parkinson’s. What’s more, several of those research programs were able to demonstrate that the more a person drinks, the lower their risk.
Another great example is that at least two cups daily can translate to a 25% reduced risk of colon cancer, an 80% drop in liver cirrhosis risk, and nearly half the risk of gallstones, versus those who do not drink coffee.
So, what’s causing these health benefits?
In all likelihood, it’s the caffeine and the many naturally occurring antioxidants found in coffee beans. Interestingly, the overall potency of many of these anti-oxidants is increased during the roasting process.
Coffee is a significant source of caffeine, and the evidence is very strong that regular coffee consumption reduces risk of Parkinson’s disease. The cause of that is directly related to caffeine. As a result, Parkinson’s drugs are currently being developed which contain a derivative of caffeine.
Caffeine is also what helps in treating asthma and headaches. For example, a single dose of many popular pain relievers contains up to 120 milligrams of caffeine, the equivalent to two cups of coffee.
Coffee also has large amounts of antioxidants such as chlorogenic acid and tocopherols, and minerals such as magnesium. These compounds have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and glucose metabolism. This increased sensitivity improves one’s response to insulin.
The result is that a cup of decaf is also more effective than a cup of tea in reducing diabetes (though only half as much as those drinking caffeinated coffee).
Finally, research in Europe has shown that the compound trigonelline, which is responsible for coffee’s aroma and bitter taste, demonstrates both antibacterial and anti-adhesive properties. Such properties have a direct effect on dental health, helping to prevent dental cavities from forming.
Of course, coffee isn’t perfect. In some people, that magic “jolt” of caffeine can result in nervousness, hand trembling, and rapid heartbeat. Further, pregnant women, heart patients, and those at risk for osteoporosis may still be advised to limit or avoid coffee.
Nevertheless, the result is that, for people of reasonably normal health, coffee is a reasonably healthy choice and can have health benefits into the future.
Michael Lee-Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/drink-coffee-for-a-healthier-you-76291.html
We’ve all been told (or told someone else) that finishing all your veggies or eating fresh fruit every day is a good way to keep your body healthy and fit. But there are some other surprising foods (drinks too) that we can add to our diet that bring impressive health benefits, and (in moderation, of course) might just help us reach our weight loss goals.
Here are the five, good for your surprises:
1. Tea – 3 cups per day of any type that comes from the leaves of the plant Carnellia sinensis, which includes black, green, white and oolong varieties. There is strong evidence that tea might just reduce your risk of heart disease, and offer other less researched benefits such as protection from cancer and cutting your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Tea appears to have a type of flavonoid from that same family of antioxidants found in fruits, veggies and red wine. To get the most out of your cup of tea, make it strong and steep it a good long time-but if you’re watching your weight, keep an eye on the milk and sugar you add to your cup.
2. Dark Chocolate – a little goes a long way, but just like tea, this delicious treat is believed to have an ample supply of the same flavonoids in red wine, fruits and veggies. Small amounts of dark chocolate have been shown to improve blood vessel flow, and may stabilize blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, thus reducing the risk of diabetes. Choose dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa so you get more of these healthy antioxidants, and fewer calories from the milk and sugars used to make milk or white chocolate.
3. Fatty Fish – two servings per week of fish such as salmon, trout, herring, tuna, sardines or mackerel. These fish are rich in omega – 3 fatty acids, shown to reduce cholesterol, which helps to keep clots from forming and causing heat attacks. The research is so compelling that the American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish on a regular basis. Be sure you choose grilled or broiled recipes as frying removes many of the beneficial substances in the fish and replaces them with calories and saturated fats.
4. Coffee – despite its bad rap, used in moderation, your first cup of morning coffee may have health benefits you haven’t heard about – including stimulating the brain and nervous system as well as lowering your risk of diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, mood disorders and headaches. Coffee has a compound from the antioxidant family and is a good source of magnesium, both are believed to help improve sugar metabolism, help with insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance. And while black coffee is a tasty zero calorie drink, adding cream, sugar, or other toppings adds calories that you might not want.
5. Avocados – even though these fruits are full of fat, most of it is the heart healthy monounsaturated kind that is believed to lower cholesterol. Avocados have carotenoids, vitamin E and potassium, plus fiber to fill you up. Be aware though, that just because the fats are “good” ones, they still add calories if you aren’t careful about portions. Slice them onto salads, add them to a soup or spread them on bread to keep the potion sizes under control while still getting all the taste and health benefits too.
Adding one or more of these surprisingly healthy options is a great way to improve a diet that could use some help, or boost the healthfulness of one that’s already on the right track. Along with regular exercise, eating a balanced and nutritious diet is still one of the best ways to maintain your weight and your health.
Valerie Slaugther
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/good-for-you-surprises-you-can-add-to-your-diet-today-61635.html
Sugar is the primary culprit in the development of hypoglycemia and diabetes. While sugar does provide a temporary boost of energy, eating it too frequently puts tremendous stress on the organs and glands that regulate blood-sugar levels. If you don’t have hypoglycemia or diabetes or if you rarely indulge in sugar, your pancreas can handle occasional sugary treats. But if you frequently eat sugar, your pancreas can become hypersensitive to sugar and overreact, flooding your body with insulin, which causes blood-sugar levels to plummet. This triggers your adrenal glands into action, and they notify your liver to release the glucose that it has stored as emergency fuel, which once again floods your bloodstream with sugar. If this happens too many times, your pancreas can finally give up and stop producing insulin or your cells may become resistant to insulin, and hypoglycemia can slip into diabetes.
Most American women eat about 80 pounds of sugar per year, as well as large amounts of refined carbohydrates such as white flour, which is easily converted into glucose in the body. Even if you don’t add sugar to foods, you can still take in tremendous amounts if your diet contains a lot of prepared foods. Obviously, desserts and sweets are loaded with sugar, but other foods such as salad dressings, pasta sauces, and dry cereals also typically contain large amounts of sugar. Sugar is hidden in foods in many forms and is often used in more than one form in processed foods. To help restore healthy blood-sugar levels, avoid all forms of sugar, including sucrose, glucose, maltose, corn syrup, honey, maple syrup, barley malt, and molasses. Learn to enjoy the unprocessed sweetness of fresh fruits (in moderation) and sweet vegetables such as yams, carrots, and winter squash. Although giving up concentrated sweeteners may be difficult initially, you will find that your cravings for sugar will diminish within a few weeks.
Other foods that interfere with healthy blood-sugar levels include refined carbohydrates such as breads and pastas made from white flour and white rice, all of which are rapidly broken down into simple sugars in the body. Stimulants such as caffeine offer a temporary burst of energy, but stress the adrenal glands and further impair their ability to normalize blood-sugar levels. Alcohol also interferes with blood-sugar stability because it hinders the body’s ability to use glucose and stimulates the release of insulin, which causes blood sugar take a nosedive.
To help maintain steady blood-sugar levels, eat a diet high in fiber, especially soluble fiber, which slows down the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates and prevents rapid increases in blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber keeps the pancreas from secreting too much insulin by enhancing cell sensitivity to insulin and improves the use of glucose by the liver, which prevents blood-sugar levels from remaining too high. Strive for at least 35 grams and preferably 50 grams of fiber each day. Legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables, and fruits are good sources of fiber, and especially good sources of soluble fiber include legumes, oat bran, most vegetables, apples, and pears. Eat carbohydrates in as close to their natural state as possible, because the fiber content helps to slow the absorption of natural sugars that carbohydrates contain-for example, eat an apple instead of drinking apple juice. Psyllium-seed husks, guar gum, and pectin are excellent sources of supplemental soluble fiber. To help balance blood-sugar levels, take one to three teaspoons of a fiber supplement stirred into a glass of water twice daily before meals.
Protein is essential for the proper functioning of the adrenal glands, pancreas, and liver and prevents cravings for high-carbohydrate foods. Because protein does not stimulate the release of insulin as do carbohydrates, it helps to stabilize blood-sugar levels. For maximum blood-sugar stability, eat three to four ounces of protein at lunch and at dinner. Moderate amounts of healthful fats are also essential for helping to maintain healthy blood-sugar levels and for providing a feeling of satiety, which helps to reduce cravings for carbohydrates. Raw nuts and seeds, avocados, olive oil, and flaxseed oil are all good sources of health-enhancing fats.
Eating frequent small meals is a helpful strategy for stabilizing blood-sugar levels. Avoid skipping meals, or going for more than two to three hours without eating. Get into the habit of eating meals at regular times, because your body functions best on a regular schedule. Plan for three meals a day, plus midmorning, midafternoon, and evening snacks. Include a small amount of protein or fat in your snack to help keep blood sugar stable-for example, have an apple with a few almonds, crackers with tofu spread, or carrot sticks with a few walnuts.
Supplements that are especially helpful for balancing blood sugar include chromium, a trace mineral that is essential for the proper functioning of insulin. Take 200 to 600 micrograms of chromium picolinate daily. To help strengthen the adrenal glands, take 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C daily in divided doses and a high potency multivitamin and mineral that provides 50 to 100 milligrams of the B-complex vitamins.
Krishan Bakhru
http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/how-to-control-bloodsugar-levels-naturally-76980.html
