Sep/100
Grapes Nutritional Value
Welcome to the world of antioxidants. All your health problems will be addressed by the nutritional value of various grapes like acai berry, Oregon grapes, Muscadine grapes and Concord grapes. According to medical research acai berries contain various properties like antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and cardiovascular beneficial properties. acai berries are more than 200% anti-oxidant than any other fruit and vegetable known. A university of Florida study in 2006 showed that the antioxidant property of acai berries destroyed cultured human cancer cells. Additional studies revealed that it triggers a self-destruct response in up to 86% of tested leukemia cells.
In addition to growing in your garden, concord grapes vines are beautiful ornamental and valuable plants.
Acai berries provide a good source of Vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C and Vitamin E. It also contain good amount of fiber that help promotes healthy digestive system and reduce the risks of developing some types of cancer. In Brazil, acai berries are used to treat digestive disorder and some skin condition. Essential fatty acids; such as omega 3, 6 and 9; are also found which contribute to low incidence of cardiovascular disease for people who consume acai berries as part of their diet. very important nutritional component it contains is the dietary fiber. Every 100 grams of freeze dried powder contains 14 grams of dietary fiber. Does not possess excellent nutritional value only, it is a scrumptious tasting fruit as well. It has both berry and chocolate flavor.
Journal of Medicinal Foods has published a medical report that claims that the natural human breast cells were protected from DNA damage by the natural compounds present in the Concord Grape juice. The good news is that, drinking Concord grape juice can be good for the heart too. Only red wine has been proven to be capable of this feat. And so, when alcohol consumption and breast cancer are the two related head aches for some women, drinking grape juice made from Concord grapes can help their heart and also protect their breasts from cancer. The human DNA is kept intact when they are subjected to an attack by carcinogenic chemicals, by the antioxidants present in concord grapes. Now with heart ailments and breast cancer addressed too simultaneously.
Muscadine grape vines are largely immune to fungus, nematodes and bacteria and insects rarely cause any damage. Resveratrol from muscadine grapes is widely believed to cure prostate cancer. Resveratrol has many healing properties and Muscadine grapes, where it is found in abundance, were used in the laboratory tests. These grapes have been scientifically proven by laboratory tests that they contain excellent polyphenols that are the basic requirement of the human body for the general well being. Reseveratrol is one such plyphenol that has been proven by clinical trials to fight prostate cancer by the National Cancer Institute. For a long time people had argued about the benefit of drinking wine made from Muscadine Grapes. The antioxidant properties of the muscadine grapes have now come to the fore. It is perhaps the best fruit made available to humans for protection against a dozen ailments.
Sep/100
What Does Zinc Have to Do With BPH, Cancer and Other Prostate Disease?
Did you know that more than 60% of male Americans have a deficiency of zinc? Male semen has 100 times more zinc than the blood! Here is another the fact: You might have read somewhere that DHT (dihydrotestosterone) causes the prostate to grow.
WAIT! Maybe I am getting ahead of myself, let’s start again.
The prostate gland is highly unusual because it undergoes an increase in size at several stages during most of a man’s life. The first growth phase is completed before or at birth, when the average prostate weighs about 1.5 grams. The second growth phase occurs early during puberty, when the weight of the prostate gland increases to around 11 grams. The third growth phase occurs during the mid-20s, when the weight of the prostate gland increases to approximately 18 grams. There is another apparent growth phase that begins when a man is in his 50s. Size varies depending on the males health. By the time a man is in his 70s, the prostate gland has reached a maximum weight of 31 grams.
Although the prostate gland grows during much of a man’s life, urinary flow problems Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) and/or cancer usually appears only after the age of 50 as a consequence of the final growth phase.
The medical researchers don’t really know yet why the prostate gland enlarges during multiple growth spurts. However, there are two theories that attempt to explain this pheomenon. Both theories believe hormonal changes over time are responsible.
(1) Changes in the normal balance of sex hormones. With advancing age, the amount of the male hormone testosterone The primary male reproductive hormone. Made in the testes, it is responsible for the growth and maturation of the primary male reproductive organs and the development of characteristics such as a low-pitched voice, the male’s unique distribution of body hair, the relative lack of fat below the skin, and bigger bone structure. , decreases relative to the amount of circulating estrogen
A female hormone that is also normally found in small quantities in a man’s bloodstream., the main female reproductive hormone which also circulates in the male.
There is some evidence to suggest that this relative increase in circulating estrogen may strengthen the effect of the testosterone derivative DHT, which promotes cell growth in the prostate gland and is formed when testosterone is acted upon by a specific enzyme. As a consequence of estrogen and DHT acting together, cell growth and glandular enlargement are promoted.
NOTE: Ah-ha, DHT seems to get out of control and may be the cause of BPH. Every wonder exactly what DHT is? Well here you go. DHT is a biologically active metabolite of the hormone testosterone, formed primarily in the prostate gland, testes, hair follicles, and adrenal glands by the enzyme 5a-reductase by means of reducing the 4,5 double-bond. DHT belongs to the class of compounds called androgens, also commonly called androgenic hormones or testoids. Androgens are part of the biology of gender by stimulating and controlling the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics. DHT is 3 times more potent than testosterone; testosterone is 5-10 times more potent than adrenal androgens.
(2) Now here is the 2nd theory about DHT. Prostate gland development requires the conversion of testosterone into DHT. In the presence of a specific enzyme called 5-alpha reductase. As aging occurs, the amount of DHT in the prostate gland remains high, even through the circulating testosterone level drops.
Some evidence supports the idea that this high level of prostate DHT may by itself promote cell growth and lead to enlargement.
Now after that introduction we come to zinc. The role of zinc in a wide range of cellular processes, including cell division (ah – that means getting larger – right?) and proliferation, immune function, and defense against free radicals, has been well established. Zinc is the most abundant trace element in cells, and increasing evidence emphasizes zinc’s important role in both genetic stability and function.
Zinc deficiency can lead to immune dysfunction and impairments in growth, cognitive function, and hormonal function. Over 2 billion people worldwide may have a zinc deficiency, you don’t need to be one of them.
Research has established a link between zinc deficiency and cancer is now established by human, animal, and cell culture studies. We also know that zinc status is compromised in cancer patients compared to healthy people.
Zinc also appears to play an important role in maintaining prostate health. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men, and most elderly men have some abnormal prostate cells. BPH may or may not be a precursor to prostate cancer. The normal human prostate ccumulates the highest level of zinc of any soft tissue in the body, but we don’t know why. However, cancerous prostates have much less zinc than normal rostates, and several studies have implicated impaired zinc status in the development and progression of prostate malignancy. There is also some evidence that ncreased dietary zinc is associated with a decrease in the incidence of prostate cancer.
Zinc supplementation strategies may not only aid in the prevention of ancer, but could also play an important role in limiting its malignancy. As an antioxidant and a component of many DNA repair proteins, zinc plays an important role in protecting DNA from damage. The current tolerable upper intake level for zinc is 40 mg/day, established by the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Thus, it is possible that the subjects in the epidemiological study could have been in the toxic range of zinc intake. As with most therapeutics, higher doses do not always equate with an increase in
efficacy.
Just as a final note, zinc has some positive side effects such as: effective in shortening cold symptoms, reduce the severity of cold sores, increase energy levels, treat ADHD in children, fighting hair loss and managing conditions such as hypoglycemia and diabetes.The negative side effect of zine could include: A decrease your copper, iron and magnesium levels, reduce your body’s immune function, and reduce your HDL (good cholesterol) level. Additional rare side effects could include: stomach upset, heartburn and nausea, fever, sore throat, mouth sores, weakness and fatigue.
There is some hope in clinical trials. Irving Bush, M.D., professor of urology at the University of Health Sciences/Chicago Medical School, senior consultant at the Center for Study of Genitourinary Diseases in West Dundee, Illinois, and former chairman of the Food and Drug Administration panels on gastroenterology, urology and dialysis, did a small study of the use of zinc in treating BPH. The men in the study took 150 milligrams of inc sulfate every day for two months, followed by 50 to 100 milligrams a day as a maintenance dose. Dr. Bush found that 14 of the 19 men experienced shrinkage of the prostate.
Aug/100
What Causes Darkness of the Skin?
Skin darkness is caused by the compound melanin. There are several things that can cause increased production of melanin including sun exposure. Here you will learn about melanin and what stimulates its production. Then we will learn about How to Lighten Dark Skin.
**What is Melanin?
Melanin is a pigment or color. In humans, it is responsible for the color of the skin and hair. It is found in other parts of the body as well, including some glands and portions of the eyes, brain and inner ear.
Melanocytes are specialized cells responsible for melanin production. The skin’s melanocytes are found in the bottom layer of the skin’s epidermis, which is known as the stratum basal.
Most humans have between 1000 and 2000 melanocytes per square millimeter or stratum basal, constitution between 5 and 10% of the cells in that layer. The difference in skin-color seen in different races is not due to the number of melanocytes, but to the type of melanin produced and the presence of an enzyme called tyrosinase. A lack of tyrosinase results in the very pale skin-color present in albinos.
**Differences in Melanin Level
Differences in melanin production are responsible for the slight differences in skin-color seen in people of the same race. That brings us to the causes of increased melanin production.
**Sun Exposure Cause
Sun exposure is the most common cause. Overexposure for long periods of time can lead to skin roughness, as well. The skin roughness is not specifically due to melanin, but to changes in cellular DNA caused by free radical activity and to the drying effect of the sun.
UVB rays of sunlight can cause direct or indirect damage of the melanocytes’ DNA. Direct DNA damage results in a tan. Indirect DNA damage can lead to cancer of the melanocytes, which is known as melanoma.
Other causes of increased melanin production include hormonal activity and exposure to toxins. Excessive intake of beta-carotene can cause a skin darkness that appears to be an orange-colored tan. Vitamin D and B-5 can enhance the tanning process and are sometimes used as naturally tanning
aids.
**Freckles and Skin Spots
Age spots and freckles are ultimately caused by clumps of melanin. Most of the clumping is due to sun exposure. Free radicals damaging the melanocytes’ DNA are believed to be involved.
Rough patches sometimes appear as people age. In some cases the rough patches look a little darker than the surrounding epidermis.
Heavily pigmented patches of varying shapes and sizes may be due to increased hormonal activity due to pregnancy. This is sometimes referred to as the “mask of pregnancy”. Hormonal changes that occur during menopause are associated with an increased incidence of age spots, although excessive sun exposure is likely involved as well.
**Uneven Skin Tone
Generalized unevenness of pigmentation is commonly found in older people. While melanin is involved in these changes, another factor is involved.
The outermost layers of the epidermis are constantly replaced throughout a person’s life. Mother cells also found in the stratum basal are responsible for this replacement process.
The new cells produced are referred to as keratinocytes. If melanin production has been stimulated, the keratinocytes will be darker in color. If not, they will be lighter in color.
Age, irregular sun exposure and decreased production of new keratinocytes combine to create uneven pigmentation and skin darkness. Now that you know about the causes, you correct the problem. That is the subject of my next article.
Aug/100
Aging Skin Care
Since there are more elderly people living in the world than never before this Aging Skin Care is a topic of interest to many people. Wrinkles on the skin are the visible sign of age. This topic is important to people who want to protect from or slowdown the rate of wrinkle formation. When proteins that are responsible for elasticity of the skin get damaged wrinkles get formed. This protein is known as elastin .
Naturally proteins are subject to damage from UV radiation and free radicals and elastin being one of the proteins can’t be an exceptional. A free radical is a word to refer to oxygen molecule that has been split and therefore highly active destroying DNA of cells they come into contact with. This DNA damage can cause skin cancer while damage to the proteins cause the formation of wrinkles. To absorb these free radicals before they reach the skin, antioxidants can be applied on the skin in form of cream. Therefore aging skin care that use antioxidants is suitable.
Taking vitamins C and E, and a compound Alpha Hydroxyl Acid (AHA) will help in slowing down the commencement of wrinkles. Fruit, berries and dark vegetables are rich in antioxidants and it is advisable to take a lot of them as part of aging skin care.
Quitting smoking and avoiding exposure to sun will help to take care of your skin. The sun produces UV radiation that split the oxygen on your skin to radicals while smoke soaks your body in a set of free radicals. Before you stay on the sun make sure you apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the UV radiation. These will help maintain your skin young. For those who have wrinkles use of moisturizers will make them better though the wrinkles will not be eliminated completely.
Aug/100
Resveratrol Improves Longevity & Slows Heart Disease & Free Radical Damage
Resveratrol is an amazing new discovery that enormously extends life expectancy. A study in Burgundy France found the longevity of residents was 46% longer, in spite of a diet that consumed fats and other proven poor foods. It is believed that the resveratrol in the red wine grape skins, especially abundant in Burgundy, was the reason.
There is flurry of current research that is investigating why this phenomenon is occurring. There appears to be two main reasons that explain why resveratrol is so effective in extending longevity.
The first is the stimulation of the longevity gene, SIRT1. The second relates to oxidative damage that is harmful to your body’s cells.
Robb and others in their research of biochemistry and biophysics find there is a 14 fold increase in the activity of SOD2. Why this is significant is because SOD2 greatly reduces inflammatory free radical activity in the body’s biochemistry. Oxidative damage is reduced because the free electrons are not allowed to cause as much free radical damage with the accompaning inflammation.
Hereditary, genetic diseases excluded, all other degenerative diseases are caused by inflammation. Cancer, heart disease, arthritis, kidney, fibromyalgia, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s are the major ones most people are familiar with.
Free radical damage causes oxidative damage which translates into inflammation and cellular DNA damage, producing degenerative diseases.
“We know that most degenerative diseases are limited to free radical damage.”…James Balch, M.D. In 1954 Dr. Denham Harmon said this: “A single common process, modifiable by genetic and environmental factors, was responsible for ageing and death of all living things.” This is more true today because of the increased insults to your body and its genetic code. Disease is produced by damaged DNA and inflammation.
There is a proliferation of toxic chemicals and substances that attack the mitochondria and the nucleus, impacting the DNA of every cell in your body, altering the genetic code, causing aging and pre-mature death. Cancer is a prime example of this.
Nearly everyone knows the term “carcinogen” is associated with cancer. What this means is that certain substances, chemicals… can cause alteration of healthy cells which turn into cancer cells. In simple terms, the mitochondria and genetic code of the cells get “messed up”. This spawns a misfit, rogue cancer cell. If enough of these cancer cells proliferate and multiply, tumor cells develop. (anti-oxidants are helpful in preventing this)
The best way to combat disease is with a healthy body that has a strong immune system. Insults due to free radical damage and DNA degradation are stopped by prevention. Resveratrol appears to be a supplement that enhances your immune system and thus extends life expectancy.
In addition this can be accomplished by a healthy diet of good supplements, vitamins and especially raw, fresh vegetables and fruit. These all contain anti-oxidants that reduce the cellular damage and DNA injury. Prevention of pollution from air and water are also important.
Your body handles toxins each day, eliminating chemicals and foreign substances. Unfortunately our modern environment sometimes overwhelms your body with huge amounts of a substance that is carcinogenic…cancer causing.
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), we are exposed to 80,000 toxic chemicals. Virtually all people tested today for residual toxic chemicals have them.
In a recent study, researchers tested families for 107 man-made toxins. Every single person, whether young or old, was found to have toxic contamination.
In another study involving 2,400 people, monitored by the CDC, 148 foreign chemicals were found in the blood and urine of those tested.
These products cause inflammation and sometimes even genetic aberrations that cause cancer and other degenerative diseases.
Prevention is the key to health. At the very least reduce exposure to impure water and air. Do not allow toxic chemical to be inhaled or come in contact with your skin. Toxic chemicals tend to have a cumulative effect.
Diet is a huge factor. Anti oxidants from raw foods, vitamins and supplements counteract the oxidative damage to mitochondrial DNA. Good anti oxidants are vitamins A, C, and E, lycopene and CoQ-10 enzyme in the ubiquinol form. Now resveratrol appears to be the biggest asset of them all.
Reduction or elimination of packaged and prepared foods as well as excesses of sugar, fried foods and artificial (foreign substances) also help prevent disease.
Aug/100
Reverse Sun Damage and Skin Aging
Exposure to UV light can accelerate these changes and make you appear older than you are. Ultraviolet radiation results in oxidation, ionisation and genetic changes to cellular components including DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid). Sun damaged skin also becomes less flexible and more easily bruised. It also has profound effects on the skin immune system. Skin changes caused by the sun are called photoaging. Ageing is accelerated in those areas exposed to sunlight (ultraviolet radiation), a process known as photoaging. Photoageing is due to a combination of short wavelength (UVB) injury to the outside layers of the skin (epidermis) and long wavelength (UVA) to the middle layers (dermis).
Sun exposure that is fierce enough to cause a burn can also damage the DNA of skin cells. This damage sometimes leads to skin cancer. People with darker skin pigment are less likely to burn because of the protective action of the melanocytes, which produce ciliary body. However, even those with darker skin types can burn with repeated exposures to UV light. Apply sunscreen liberally 30 minutes before going outdoors so that your skin has time to distract the sunscreen. Then reapply according to the directions on the label — usually about every hour. Smoking increases facial lines and wrinkles, delays skin healing and is bad for you. Exercise is good for the skin as well as for your general health.
More care of ageing skin is apply sunscreen liberally 30 minutes before going outdoors so that your skin has time to absorb the sunscreen. Wear protective clothing. Cover your skin with clothing, such as long-sleeved ( part of a piece of clothing that covers the arm ) shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats. Also, keep in mind that certain clothing styles and fiber offer better providing protection from the sun than do others. Avoid the sun during high-intensity hours. The sun’s rays are most damaging from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Reduce the time you spend outdoors during these hours. All people, regardless of age, should take the necessary steps to protect their skin. Cosmetics are a safe way to temporarily lubricate your skin and conceal blemishes and imperfections.