Can Red Wine Really Help You Live Longer?
By Dr. Ray Sahelian
A red wine extract called resveratrol has been shown to help mice live longer. What does that mean for us humans?
First, some background. Resveratrol is a protective compound produced by grapes, berries and other plants in response to environmental stresses. Resveratrol has potent antioxidant activity and also has the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, thus making the blood less likely to clot. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-infective properties. Resveratrol may even by helpful in preventing neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease.
What made resveratrol popular was a November 2006 study published by Harvard University researchers that reported mice lived longer when given a resveratrol supplement. One group of mice ate a normal diet. The second was fed a high-calorie diet and the third had the same high-calorie diet but was given resveratrol supplements. By the time the mice were 114 weeks old, about 60 percent in the high-calorie group had died, compared to about 40 percent in the low-calorie diet group and the group with the high-calorie diet supplemented with resveratrol. The mice taking resveratrol had healthier heart and liver tissue, decreased blood sugar levels, better insulin sensitivity and were more active than the other rodents.
Previous studies had found that resveratrol had a similar longevity benefit on yeast, flies and worms. This was the first evaluation of resveratrol on survival extension in mammals.
Red wine, particularly pinot noir, has a high concentration of resveratrol (about 1.5-3 mg per liter). Much of the resveratrol sold in supplement form is from the herb polygonum cuspidatum. The most common dosage is 10 mg of resveratrol per capsule or tablet.
More research needs to be done to determine the ideal dosage of resveratrol and how it would interact with other supplements or medicines. I plan to take one 10 mg capsule once or twice a week until more research is available. And I also plan to drink one or two ounces of red wine most evenings with dinner.
[Ed. Note: Ray Sahelian, M.D., is a practicing physician and best-selling author. He is a leading authority on natural supplements and nutrition.]
______________________________
Exercise & Fitness:
3 Common Ab Mistakes -- Exposed!
By Craig Ballantyne
Here's my list of the most common mistaken beliefs people hold about abs -- and the truth about getting that six-pack you desire.
Mistake 1. Exercise is more important that nutrition.
Fact: Diet is first and foremost the key factor when trying to get six-pack abs. Plan your nutrition in advance to avoid dietary downfalls. Focus on protein, green vegetables, fiber-rich fruits and zero-calorie drinks such as green tea and water. Avoid all sugar.
Mistake 2. You can "spot reduce" the fat on your abs with crunches.
Fact: No matter how many crunches you do, you won't be able to get rid of your ab fat with crunches alone. You need a good diet and an increase in your calorie burning from strength training and interval training.
When I trained athletes, most of them had six-packs, yet they didn’t do a single crunch in their programs. Instead, the total body movements of their sports and quick, intense workouts helped them shed the fat and build enough muscle to help them achieve the coveted six-pack.
Mistake 3. You must do ab exercises every day.
Fact: You don't need to do direct ab training every day. Instead, train them twice a week and use unconventional exercises such as Mountain Climbers and Stability Ball Jackknives to reduce the stress on your lower back.
[Ed. Note: Craig Ballantyne is an expert consultant for Men's Health magazine.]
______________________________
Natural Remedies:
Treat Heart Disease With Antidepressants? Let’s Get Real
By James LaValle
There is a significant correlation between chronic stress and heart disease. Low serotonin, a side effect of chronic stress, is seen in pre-heart disease conditions.
What does the medical community offer as a potential solution for low serotonin as a contributor to heart disease? A category of antidepressant drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s.)
The problem with SSRI’s is two-fold:
1. They do not increase brain levels of serotonin, but only attempt to get more activity from existing serotonin.
2. The side effects of SSRI’s could themselves contribute to heart disease. Insomnia, weight gain and sexual dysfunction are some of the side effects of SSRI’s. Insomnia and weight gain both can contribute to progression of heart disease.
Survey results have determined that 1 in 2 people are concerned about the level of stress in their lives. Some of the commonly felt effects of chronic stress and/or low seretonin are intense food cravings, mental fog, inability to concentrate, insomnia, headaches, tooth grinding and weight gain.
Reducing life stress can be difficult. A comprehensive approach to stress should not only help increase serotonin, but would also look at correcting other imbalances. The nutritional supplements listed below offer safe symptomatic relief, and can reduce the negative impact of stress on our health.
. Relora® -- an extract from magnolia and phellodendron that balances cortisol and stress hormone output, leading to more relaxed, less anxious responses to stressors. It also reduces stress-related food cravings.
. Theanine -- an amino acid from tea that reduces nervousness, helps calm the mind, improves immunity and has been reported to lower blood pressure.
. Rhodiola -- a well-studied plant extract that dampens the effects of norepinephrine on cardiovascular tissue and helps support adrenal function.
. 5 HTP -- an activated form of tryptophan, the amino acid that converts to serotonin, that shows effectiveness in treating depression and may improve sleep and reduce food cravings.
[Ed. Note: Jim LaValle is an educator, clinician and industry consultant in the field of integrative healthcare. He is a licensed pharmacist, board certified clinical nutritionist and doctor of naturopathic medicine with more than 20 years clinical practice experience in the field of natural therapeutics and functional medicine. Named one of the "50 Most Influential Druggists" by American Druggist for his work in natural medicine, LaValle has authored 13 books, including his latest, Cracking the Metabolic Code.]
__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs [Issue 09-07-07] which offers alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com
A red wine extract called resveratrol has been shown to help mice live longer. What does that mean for us humans?
First, some background. Resveratrol is a protective compound produced by grapes, berries and other plants in response to environmental stresses. Resveratrol has potent antioxidant activity and also has the ability to inhibit platelet aggregation, thus making the blood less likely to clot. In addition, it has anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor and anti-infective properties. Resveratrol may even by helpful in preventing neuronal damage in Alzheimer's disease.
What made resveratrol popular was a November 2006 study published by Harvard University researchers that reported mice lived longer when given a resveratrol supplement. One group of mice ate a normal diet. The second was fed a high-calorie diet and the third had the same high-calorie diet but was given resveratrol supplements. By the time the mice were 114 weeks old, about 60 percent in the high-calorie group had died, compared to about 40 percent in the low-calorie diet group and the group with the high-calorie diet supplemented with resveratrol. The mice taking resveratrol had healthier heart and liver tissue, decreased blood sugar levels, better insulin sensitivity and were more active than the other rodents.
Previous studies had found that resveratrol had a similar longevity benefit on yeast, flies and worms. This was the first evaluation of resveratrol on survival extension in mammals.
Red wine, particularly pinot noir, has a high concentration of resveratrol (about 1.5-3 mg per liter). Much of the resveratrol sold in supplement form is from the herb polygonum cuspidatum. The most common dosage is 10 mg of resveratrol per capsule or tablet.
More research needs to be done to determine the ideal dosage of resveratrol and how it would interact with other supplements or medicines. I plan to take one 10 mg capsule once or twice a week until more research is available. And I also plan to drink one or two ounces of red wine most evenings with dinner.
[Ed. Note: Ray Sahelian, M.D., is a practicing physician and best-selling author. He is a leading authority on natural supplements and nutrition.]
______________________________
Exercise & Fitness:
3 Common Ab Mistakes -- Exposed!
By Craig Ballantyne
Here's my list of the most common mistaken beliefs people hold about abs -- and the truth about getting that six-pack you desire.
Mistake 1. Exercise is more important that nutrition.
Fact: Diet is first and foremost the key factor when trying to get six-pack abs. Plan your nutrition in advance to avoid dietary downfalls. Focus on protein, green vegetables, fiber-rich fruits and zero-calorie drinks such as green tea and water. Avoid all sugar.
Mistake 2. You can "spot reduce" the fat on your abs with crunches.
Fact: No matter how many crunches you do, you won't be able to get rid of your ab fat with crunches alone. You need a good diet and an increase in your calorie burning from strength training and interval training.
When I trained athletes, most of them had six-packs, yet they didn’t do a single crunch in their programs. Instead, the total body movements of their sports and quick, intense workouts helped them shed the fat and build enough muscle to help them achieve the coveted six-pack.
Mistake 3. You must do ab exercises every day.
Fact: You don't need to do direct ab training every day. Instead, train them twice a week and use unconventional exercises such as Mountain Climbers and Stability Ball Jackknives to reduce the stress on your lower back.
[Ed. Note: Craig Ballantyne is an expert consultant for Men's Health magazine.]
______________________________
Natural Remedies:
Treat Heart Disease With Antidepressants? Let’s Get Real
By James LaValle
There is a significant correlation between chronic stress and heart disease. Low serotonin, a side effect of chronic stress, is seen in pre-heart disease conditions.
What does the medical community offer as a potential solution for low serotonin as a contributor to heart disease? A category of antidepressant drugs, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s.)
The problem with SSRI’s is two-fold:
1. They do not increase brain levels of serotonin, but only attempt to get more activity from existing serotonin.
2. The side effects of SSRI’s could themselves contribute to heart disease. Insomnia, weight gain and sexual dysfunction are some of the side effects of SSRI’s. Insomnia and weight gain both can contribute to progression of heart disease.
Survey results have determined that 1 in 2 people are concerned about the level of stress in their lives. Some of the commonly felt effects of chronic stress and/or low seretonin are intense food cravings, mental fog, inability to concentrate, insomnia, headaches, tooth grinding and weight gain.
Reducing life stress can be difficult. A comprehensive approach to stress should not only help increase serotonin, but would also look at correcting other imbalances. The nutritional supplements listed below offer safe symptomatic relief, and can reduce the negative impact of stress on our health.
. Relora® -- an extract from magnolia and phellodendron that balances cortisol and stress hormone output, leading to more relaxed, less anxious responses to stressors. It also reduces stress-related food cravings.
. Theanine -- an amino acid from tea that reduces nervousness, helps calm the mind, improves immunity and has been reported to lower blood pressure.
. Rhodiola -- a well-studied plant extract that dampens the effects of norepinephrine on cardiovascular tissue and helps support adrenal function.
. 5 HTP -- an activated form of tryptophan, the amino acid that converts to serotonin, that shows effectiveness in treating depression and may improve sleep and reduce food cravings.
[Ed. Note: Jim LaValle is an educator, clinician and industry consultant in the field of integrative healthcare. He is a licensed pharmacist, board certified clinical nutritionist and doctor of naturopathic medicine with more than 20 years clinical practice experience in the field of natural therapeutics and functional medicine. Named one of the "50 Most Influential Druggists" by American Druggist for his work in natural medicine, LaValle has authored 13 books, including his latest, Cracking the Metabolic Code.]
__________________________________________________
These articles appear courtesy of Early to Rise’s Total Health Breakthroughs [Issue 09-07-07] which offers alternative solutions for mind, body and soul. For a complimentary subscription, visit http://www.totalhealthbreakthroughs.com
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