Showing posts with label chronic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chronic. Show all posts
C3G From Grapes and Berries Lower Cancer and Chronic Disease Risks
Friday, May 2, 2014
Grapes, blueberries and black currants provide a potent source of C3G anthocyanins. Extensive scientific research is uncovering the specific mechanism that this nutrient exerts on our genes as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent. C3G is shown to protect against many deadly age-related conditions including cancer, heart disease and metabolic syndrome.
C3G From Grapes Protects DNA Genetic Strands to Prevent Cancer
A high intake of fruits and vegetables is associated with a reduced incidence of cancer, largely due to polyphenols in the anthocyanin family including C3G. The result of a study published in Nutrition and Cancer provides insight into the powerful protective mechanism exhibited by anthocyanins toward developing cancer cells. C3G was shown to inhibit the action of special oncogenes (genes that lead to cancer formation), known to be the first stage in tumor genesis.
Further research identifies the link between C3G and suppression of the master inflammatory switch called NF-kB. Inflammation is a leading cause for cancer initiation and this functional compound has been shown to sacrifice itself as it inhibits the effect of NF-kB to prevent the formation of many tumor types.
C3G From Berries Fights Free Radicals to Avert Heart Disease
Results from the European EPIC study show that eating at least 8 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day can lower the risk of all-cause mortality by 22%. Anthocyanins such as C3G are one example of essential nutritional compounds found in natural foods that have been identified with a specific action shown to lower the risk of chronic disease. Health conscious individuals will want to ensure they eat at least 10 daily servings of vegetables and fruits (especially berries highly concentrated in C3G) to ward off many of the common diseases associated with aging.
Chronic Stress Promotes Protein Brain Tangles and Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by an initial loss of short term memory and the ability to form rational and permanent thoughts. Protein tangles known as tau aggregates strangle neural synapses, blocking the vital flow of neurotransmitter and electrical signals necessary to form memories and personality. Once considered a disease of the aging, this form of dementia is increasing at a startling rate in younger individuals, largely due to a processed and ined food diet, environmental factors and long-term chronic stress.
Researchers from the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have published the result of a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, explaining the mechanism behind continual exposure to stressors so common in our rapid-paced lifestyle, and the unnatural accumulation of insoluble tau protein aggregates in brain tissue. They explain that neurofibrillary tangles are one of the physical hallmark signs of Alzheimer’s disease, and have been shown to contribute to disease progression in people under chronic stress conditions during the course of past studies.
Chronic Stress is Positively Linked to Physical Brain Changes Leading to Alzheimer’s Dementia
The study team, using a mouse-based model, noted “we found that repeated episodes of emotional stress, which has been demonstrated to be comparable to what humans might experience in ordinary life, resulted in the phosphorylation and altered solubility of tau proteins in neurons… these events are critical in the development of NFT pathology in Alzheimers disease.” Researchers determined that the effect was most pronounced in the hippocampus of the brain, an area linked to the formation, organization and storage of memories.
The study team, using a mouse-based model, noted “we found that repeated episodes of emotional stress, which has been demonstrated to be comparable to what humans might experience in ordinary life, resulted in the phosphorylation and altered solubility of tau proteins in neurons… these events are critical in the development of NFT pathology in Alzheimers disease.” Researchers determined that the effect was most pronounced in the hippocampus of the brain, an area linked to the formation, organization and storage of memories.
The scientists are quick to note that the type of stress that is associated with the development of tangles in the brain is not acute stress, defined as a single, passing episode. They determined that chronic, long term stress that never ceases is far more threatening to the brain and promotes tau protein aggregates to accumulate. Acute stress is actually considered useful for brain plasticity and helps to facilitate learning.
Engage in Stress Reduction Techniques to Reduce Stress and Disease Risk
Chronic stress continually stimulates and activates stress pathways in the brain that lead to pathological alteration of stress circuitry in the brain. The researchers describe chronic stress as too much of a good thing gone bad. Lead study author, Dr. Robert Rissman commented on their findings “As people age, perhaps their neuronal circuits do too, becoming less robust and perhaps less capable of completely rebounding from the effects of stress.”
Chronic stress continually stimulates and activates stress pathways in the brain that lead to pathological alteration of stress circuitry in the brain. The researchers describe chronic stress as too much of a good thing gone bad. Lead study author, Dr. Robert Rissman commented on their findings “As people age, perhaps their neuronal circuits do too, becoming less robust and perhaps less capable of completely rebounding from the effects of stress.”
Certainly we cannot entirely eliminate stress from our daily lives, and the results of this study conclude that small amounts of acute stress are important to maintain brain plasticity and for the formation of new memories. The problem arises when the level of stress never abates, and our brain is unable to recover from the massive amount of new stimuli we experience from chronic stress. Reduce your stress level to a minimum, as this will provide yet another crucial lifestyle modification that can help prevent chronic illness and ward off Alzheimer’s disease.
Eating Tree Nuts Lowers Chronic Disease Risks and Assists Successful Weight Loss
Monday, March 24, 2014
Consumption of nuts has been largely maligned by mainstream health professionals and the media for decades due to the high calorie and fat content. As we enter an era of enlightened understanding about the role of dietary fats and macronutrients in the promotion or degradation of health and weight management, forward-thinking scientists and practitioners rely on extensive research demonstrating the importance of healthy fats in their natural state to prevent heart disease, cancerand neurodegenerative conditions.
Researchers publishing the result of their work in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition have found that eating tree nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamias, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios and walnuts) was associated with higher levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (good HDL cholesterol) and lower levels of C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation which can lead to a variety of chronic diseases including heart disease.
Tree Nuts Shown to Lower Chronic Disease Risk and Helps Prevent Obesity
Lead study author, Dr. Carol O’Neil from the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center also observed“One of the more interesting findings was the fact that tree nut consumers had lower body weight, as well as lower body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference compared to non-consumers.” The scientists determined that those consuming tree nuts as part of their regular diet averaged slightly over 4 pounds lower body weight or nearly one inch smaller waist circumference.
The study centered on a cohort of 13,292 men and women participating in the 1999-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Tree nut consumers were defined as those individuals consuming more than one-quarter ounce each day as determined from 24-hour recall data and questionnaires.
Eat a Handful of Tree Nuts Each Day to Lower Chronic Disease Risk
Tree nut consumption was associated with a five percent lower incidence of metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors known to increase the risk for coronary artery disease, stroke and type II diabetes. Researchers further noted that the nut-consuming group exhibited a lower prevalence of abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high fasting glucose (blood sugar) levels and low high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels.
Tree nuts consist of largely monounsaturated fats that are known to promote heart health, and have been shown to be of critical importance for optimal brain function. Dr. O’Neil concluded“Tree nuts should be an integral part of a healthy diet and encouraged by health professionals.” Nutritionists recommend eating 1 ½ ounces each day of raw, unheated, non-salted tree nuts to lower chronic disease risk and assist weight management goals.
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