anti-inflammatory compounds Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Novel Lipids in Traditional Herbal Teas Unlock Potential Health Gains

The AHA! Team — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 05:12:59 +0000

Hokkaido University via News-Medical – The lipids in some herbal teas have been identified in detail for the first time, preparing the ground for investigating their contribution to the health benefits of the teas. Herbal teas are enjoyed worldwide, not only for their taste and refreshment but also for a wide range of reputed health benefits. But the potential significance of a category of compounds called lipids in the teas has been relatively unexplored. Researchers at Hokkaido University, led by Associate Professor Siddabasave Gowda and Professor Shu-Ping Hui of the Faculty of Health Sciences, have now identified 341 different molecular species from five categories of lipids in samples of four types of herbal tea. They published their results in the journal Food Chemistry. Lipids are a diverse collection of natural substances that share the property of being insoluble in water. They include all of the fats and oils that are common constituents of many foods, but they have generally not been examined as significant components of teas. The Hokkaido team selected four teas for their initial analysis: dokudami (Houttuynia cordata, fish mint), kumazasa (Sasa veitchii), sugina (Equisetum arvense, common horsetail) and yomogi (Artemisia princeps, Japanese mugwort). “These herbs are native to Japan and have been widely consumed as tea from ancient times due to their medicinal properties,” says Gowda. The medicinal benefits attributed to these and other herbal teas include antioxidant, antiglycation, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-allergic, anticarcinogenic, antithrombotic, vasodilatory, antimutagenic, and anti-aging effects. These herbs are native to Japan and have been widely consumed as tea from ancient times due to their medicinal properties The lipids in the teas were separated and identified by combining two modern analytical techniques called high-performance liquid chromatography and linear ion trap-Orbitrap mass spectrometry. The analysis revealed significant variations in the lipids in the four types of tea, with each type containing some known bioactive lipids. These included a distinct category of lipids called short-chain fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (SFAHFAs), some of which had never previously been found in plants. SFAHFAs detected in tea could be a novel source of short-chain fatty acids, which are essential metabolites for maintaining gut health. “The discovery of these novel SFAHFAs opens new avenues for research,” says Hui, adding that the lipid concentrations found in the teas are at levels that could be expected to have significant nutritional and medical effects in consumers. The lipids discovered also included α-linolenic acid, already known for its anti-inflammatory properties, and arachidonic acid which has been associated with a variety of health benefits. These two compounds are examples of a range of poly-unsaturated fatty acids found in the teas, a category of lipids that are well-known for their nutritional benefits. Our initial study paves the way for further exploration of the role of lipids in herbal teas and their broad implications for human health and nutrition. We now want to expand our research to characterize the lipids in more than 40 types of herbal tea in the near future.” – Associate Professor Siddabasave Gowda, Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University Source: Hokkaido University Journal reference: Nath, L. R. (2024). Dissecting new lipids and their composition in herbal tea using untargeted LC/MS. Food Chemistry. doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.138941. To read the original article click here.

The post Novel Lipids in Traditional Herbal Teas Unlock Potential Health Gains appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Eating Blueberries Benefits Mood and Mobility

AHA Publisher — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 08:00:39 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – The consumption of berries can enhance “beneficial signaling in the brain.” Plant foods are our primary source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, but some plant foods may be better than others. As I’ve explored before, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed us that one cup of blueberries a day can improve cognition among older adults, and the same happens in children after just a single meal with blueberries, though two cups of berries may work better than one. As I discuss in my video Benefits of Blueberries for Mood and Mobility, that single hit of berries may also improve mood. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, young subjects were asked a series of questions, such as Are you very slightly or not at all, a little, moderately, quite a bit, or extremely interested? Excited? Strong? Ashamed? And so on. As you can see in the graph below and at 0:55 in my video, before and after drinking the placebo, there was no significant change in young adult participants aged 18 through 21. But, two hours after consuming about two cups of blueberries, their positive mood scores improved significantly. They felt more enthusiastic, alert, inspired, and attentive. The same results were found in seven- to ten-year-old children. Benefits achieved not with some dangerous new mood-enhancing drug or Ritalin, but blueberries—and after just a single meal. Now, blueberries can’t do everything. Although a cup of berries certainly appears to improve brain function, no improvements in walking (gait) or balance were observed. What if you tried two cups of blueberries a day?Might six weeks of two cups of frozen blueberries a day affect the functional mobility in adults over age 60? Study participants were randomized to prepackaged blueberries or prepackaged carrot juice as a control, and researchers measured tasks, including one where “two bright yellow ropes on the floor outlined the narrow path, and participants were instructed to walk within the roped path.” The blueberries beat out the carrot juice control, and significant improvements suggest “blueberry supplementation may provide an effective countermeasure to age-related declines in functional mobility…” In retrospect, the researchers thought perhaps the control should have been “a true placebo (e.g., cucumber powder) without antioxidant properties,” since the carrots themselves may have offered some benefit, too. Had they used a different control, the blueberry results may have been even more impressive. “Overall, this study demonstrates the need for greater exploration of blueberry supplementation as a nonpharmacologic countermeasure to the public health issue of age-related declines in functional mobility and independence.” Or, to use the punnier version, “dietary interventions with polyphenol-rich [phytonutrient-rich] foods, such as blueberries, present a potentially fruitfulstrategy for combating some of the deleterious effects of age-related neurodegeneration.” (Emphasis added.) Isn’t science grand! I love that these studies were conducted. The video I referred to is Flashback Friday: Benefits of Blueberries for the Brain. Key Takeaways Plant foods are our primary source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Blueberries can not only improve cognition, but also our mood. One daily cup of blueberries improved cognition in older adults, and one to two cups a day did the same in children. Two hours after consuming about two cups of blueberries, young adults and younger children experienced improved positive moods, such as feeling more enthusiastic, inspired, alert, and attentive. Researchers investigated the effects of six weeks of two cups of frozen blueberries a day in adults over 60 and found they had significant improvements in functional mobility, such as walking on a roped-off, narrow path. Dietary interventions with phytonutrient-rich foods like blueberries may be effective for countering some age-related effects on functional mobility, independence, and neurodegeneration. To read the original article click here.

The post Eating Blueberries Benefits Mood and Mobility appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

#1 Action to Support Sinus Health Before Allergy Season

AHA Publisher — Wed, 16 Feb 2022 08:49:44 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Allergy season is coming. Are your sinuses ready? They’ve likely been battling colds and viruses for months, and now Spring is on the horizon. What’s the #1 action you can take to improve sinus health? There are many things you can do. However, most of them serve as a band-aid more than targeting the root of the problem. Today, we have a real tool that supports full body health while targeting sinus health. In addition to the #1 action, here are nine other healthy tips, why allergies and sinus issues are so challenging, and what you can expect for a holistic approach that supports body health, sinus health, and home health. Why Sinuses Suffer According to the CDC, more than 50 million Americans now suffer from allergies and sinus issues each year (1). Most sinus issues first begin due to a cold, congestion, or allergen. Sinusitis, or inflammation of the sinus cavities, often results as mucus blocks the sinuses and vessels become dilated due to inflammation. If these problems continue to fester, the risk of sinus infections increases. Common sinus issues include sinus blockages, deviated nasal septum, narrow sinuses, and sinus allergies (2). While it can be daunting to face cold & flu season, then an increase in pollen in the spring, there are steps you can take to overcome sinus issues and improve sinus health. #1 Action to Improve Sinus Health As a first defense, start supplementing with nutrients that specifically support sinus health. These supplements include vitamins, amino acids, anti-inflammatory compounds and more. You can find all of them in Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Sinus Formula, which delivers an all-in-one supplement for sinus health. It’s vital to consistently get these nutrients into your system, ahead of allergy season – so start now! More Practices to Improve Sinus Health & Allergy Symptoms YOUR DIET 1. ADD PROBIOTICS EACH DAY Probiotics and Fermented Foods can also reduce whole-body inflammation to support sinus health. How? Amazingly, the health of your digestive system affects sinus health. In fact, one study of 173 people who suffer from seasonal allergies found that taking a daily probiotic with lactobacillus strains significantly improved their “quality of life” scores from baseline to peak pollen compared to a placebo group (3). It is hypothesized that probiotics can improve the quality of life of seasonal allergy sufferers by increasing the percentage of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and improving allergen tolerance. 2. EAT AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET AND AVOID PROCESSED INFLAMMATORY FOODS Whole-body health also influences sinus health. Your diet directly affects inflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory reactions in the body. To increase anti-inflammatory actions, which support sinus health, eat anti-inflammatory foods. These include: Fatty fish and seafoods Colorful vegetables Ginger and Turmeric Seeds like chia seeds, flaxseeds, and hemp heart seeds Omega-3 Supplements such as Dr. Colbert’s Wild Alaskan Salmon Omega-3 Supplements On the other hand, it’s crucial to avoid highly inflammatory processed foods. Avoid foods and drinks high in sugar, refined grains, and cheap oils such as soybean oil. Studies have shown that those with seasonal allergic reactions and asthmatic allergies actually have higher underlying inflammation even when they are not showing symptoms (4). Therefore, many experts believe reducing overall inflammation may improve asthmatic and allergic conditions. You can find a full plan in Dr. Colbert’s Beyond Keto Zone® Book. 3. TRY A DAILY DOSE OF RAW CIDER VINEGAR There are 2 ways raw apple cider vinegar can support sinus health: In lab tests, scientists have found that the bacteria in raw vinegar can actually improve immune factors and protect from an allergic reaction (5). Apple cider vinegar is a natural decongestant, and it causes your sinuses to drain when you drink it. While the relief is temporary, it is effective and reduces the risk of clogged sinuses becoming infected. What’s more, unlike medication decongestants, you are not at risk of rebound congestion, which can occur with long-term use of decongestants and results in worsening symptoms. How should you take it? ALWAYS dilute apple cider vinegar. Taken straight, it can damage your esophagus. Instead, mix 1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar, 4 oz. water, 1/2 tsp ginger, ½ tsp cinnamon, and stevia to taste. Take 2-3 times per day during allergy season. AT THE SITE: IN THE SINUSES 4. TRY ALL-NATURAL SINUS SPRAYS At most stores and pharmacies, you can find nasal sprays with simple ingredients like baking soda, salt, xylitol, and purified water. These sprays flush out your nasal passages. When used a few times per day they can ease allergy symptoms, especially if you begin using it proactively before strong symptoms begin. KEEP YOUR HOUSE CLEAN 5. LEAVE SHOES OUTSIDE OR TUCKED AWAY Shoes have a way of trapping pollen on them and then depositing it all over your floor surfaces if worn inside. Instead, remove them at the door and leave them out. 6. CLOSE WINDOWS & DOORS DURING HIGH POLLEN Especially if you live in an area with high pollen counts, keep windows and doors closed. Pollen blows around most in the Spring, and typically in the early hours of the day. Keep windows and doors closed to avoid pollen blowing inside. Instead, use an air conditioner or cooler if it is too warm. Make sure to change the old filters as they will most likely be full of dust, pollen, and mold. Installing an air purifier with a HEPA filter will also help to remove allergens from the interiors. 7. KEEP YOUR FLOORS, FANS, FILTERS, & COUNTERS AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE Dust mites also cause many allergy symptoms. Dusting regularly, vacuuming and using a HEPA filter, and washing floors and surfaces regularly can help reduce seasonal allergies and symptoms. SKIN & BODY CARE 8. TAKE A SHOWER & CHANGE CLOTHES AFTER BEING OUTDOORS Clothes and hair are pollen magnets, so take them off and rinse as soon as possible! Instead of dragging the pollen inside and sitting it in, shower and change. 9. GET RID OF POLLEN BEFORE CLIMBING INTO BED Consider showering before bed, changing pillowcases daily, and sheets regularly. If you go to bed with pollen in your hair, it can stay on your pillowcase for days. Then, you’re essentially sleeping in pollen! Keep these soft surfaces as clear of pollen as possible to get a good night sleep and wake up feeling better rather than worse. Bottom Line Cold and flu season is almost over, but we have to face allergy season next. Are you prepared? Try Dr. Colbert’s Healthy Sinus Formula and use our tips to support sinus health and feel your best this spring! To read the original article click here.

The post #1 Action to Support Sinus Health Before Allergy Season appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Gluten-Free Toaster Pastry with Sugar Pumpkin Filling

AHA Publisher — Tue, 18 Jan 2022 08:00:28 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – Pop-Tarts (a processed toaster pastry product) are one of the most popular processed foods. It makes sense: They’re ready in a flash and so tasty! But have you looked at the ingredients list? For such a small product, Pop-Tarts have a massive list of unsavory ingredients. The fantastic thing about this toaster pastry recipe is it’s fairly simple to make on your own — and you can add it my list of amazing pumpkin recipes. While the instructions here might seem a bit long, they’re not super-involved. Best of all, once you get the hang of these and discover the wonder of gluten-free flours, you can have this toaster pastry snack ready for any occasion, chock-full of healthy ingredients. Key Ingredients Speaking of healthy ingredients, here are the main players in this gluten-free toaster pastry recipe: Allspice: You may be wondering: What is allspice? While many think it’s a blend of spices, it’s actually just one spice that comes from the ground berries of a Jamaican plant. Full of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds, it’s a healthy spice that adds flavor while keeping sugar levels and calories in check. Grass-fed butter: Butter is a staple in baking, and these toaster pastries are no exception. As always, make sure you use grass-fed butter to get the highest-quality choice of this healthy fat. Coconut sugar: As a substitute to unhealthy, refined sugar, coconut sugar adds sweetness while keeping this recipe Paleo-friendly. Paleo flour: Speaking of Paleo-friendly, you can’t make a pastry without flour, and this recipe uses gluten-free flour so it’s safe for any diet. Try my Paleo flour blend, or use gluten-free flours like coconut, sprouted corn, oat, rice, almond or tapioca flour, among others. Sugar pumpkin: A smaller variety of pumpkin, sugar pumpkin makes for a great option for baking and provides the same pumpkin benefits you’re familiar with, such as providing a host of vitamins and antioxidants to support heart, gut and immune health. Roll up your sleeves, and let’s get these pop tarts happening! How to Make a Toaster Pastry Start by prepping the pumpkin, also known as the toaster pastry filling. Turn the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit, and grease up a baking sheet. Wash and remove the stem from your sugar pumpkin. Slice that bad boy up vertically, and remove the seeds. Don’t toss them, though! Roast them for an on-the-go healthy snack later. Place the de-seeded pumpkin halves on the waiting sheet, and bake for about 45 minutes or until you can stick a fork into the pumpkin with no trouble. Because time is valuable, while the yummy pumpkin filling is roasting, we’re going to prep the dough. Start by whisking flour, coconut sugar and salt in a bowl. With a fork or pastry blender, start cutting in the butter until the entire mixture is crumbly. Add in the ice water, just a tablespoon at a time, until the dough is formed. Divvy up the dough in half, and roll each half into a ball. Wrap each in plastic wrap, and let it cool in the fridge for 15 minutes. Time’s up! Remove and unwrap one ball of dough, smoothing out any cracks along the sides. Then, on a smooth surface that’s been dusted with flour, like a kitchen counter, roll the ball of dough into a 9-by-12-inch rectangle, with dough about 1/8 inch thick. That’s right, these homemade toaster pastries are really starting to take shape! If you’re picky about the edges, use a paring knife to get these looking clean, and give them a more “authentic” toaster pastry look. Cut the rectangle into three equal pieces, and then cut those into three pieces, leaving you with nine rectangles. Next, line a baking sheet with parchment paper, and place the rectangles on the baking sheet, refrigerating while you prep the rest of the dough. Remove that second ball of dough that’s been hanging out in the fridge, and repeat the process. One of the balls will be the bottom of the toaster pastries, while the other will make up the top. Once you’ve cut and made all your rectangles, let both sets hang in the refrigerator. It’s filling time! By this point, your pumpkin should be roasted. Slide it out of the oven, but don’t turn turn it off just yet. Instead, lower the temperature to 350 F. Let the pumpkin cool before doing your thing, as it will be hot! Using a spoon, scoop out the pumpkin “meat,” and toss out the rinds. Then it’s time to bust out the food processor. Combine the pumpkin filling, butter, coconut sugar, vanilla and all those yummy spices, and pulse till they’re mixed. Once that’s ready, grab the waiting toaster pastry rectangles from the fridge. With a tablespoon, scoop a heap of the pumpkin mixture onto each bottom dough rectangle, leaving about a 1/4-inch border. Next, place the second rectangles on top of each toaster pastry, and seal the edges down with a fork. Poke three teeny holes on each top to let air escape while these cook. Finally, bake the toaster pastries for 45 minutes or until they’re golden brown. Let them cool for 20 minutes before sprinkling each with coconut sugar and serving! They might more labor-intensive than those store-bought processed food versions, but these toaster pastries are so much healthier — you can actually feel good about serving them to your family! Once you get comfortable making them, you could also play around with the filling ingredients. Enjoy! Gluten-Free Toaster Pastry with Sugar Pumpkin Filling Pop-Tarts are popular processed foods, but they’re really unhealthy. Instead, make your own toaster pastry with healthy ingredients! INGREDIENTS 1 sugar pumpkin 4 tablespoons grass-fed butter, sliced into 1/2 tablespoon pieces 3/4 cup coconut sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon allspice 1/4 teaspoon chili powder 2 cups Paleo flour 1 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt 2/3 cup Nutiva shortening 7–8 tablespoons ice water INSTRUCTIONS Heat the oven to 375 F. Grease a 9 x 12-inch baking sheet with avocado oil. Wash and remove the stem from the sugar pumpkin. Slice the pumpkin vertically and remove the seeds. Place the pumpkin halves face down on the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes or until the pumpkin is easily pierced with a fork. Prepare the dough while the pumpkin is roasting. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, coconut sugar and salt. Using a fork or pastry blender, cut in the shortening until the mixture becomes crumbly. Stir in ice water one tablespoon at a time until dough is formed. Divide the dough evenly in half, forming each half into a ball. Wrap both halves in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Remove and unwrap one ball of dough. Smooth out any cracks along the sides of the dough. On a smooth surface dusted with flour, roll the dough into a 9 x 12-inch rectangle. The dough should be about 1/8 inch thick. Use a paring knife to trim and create clean edges. Cut the rectangle vertically into 3 equal pieces, then cut those pieces horizontally into three equal pieces, creating 9 rectangles (you can use a ruler to help guide you). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the rectangles on the baking sheet. Cover and refrigerate while you work with the rest of the dough. Remove the other ball of dough and repeat the process above. One set of rectangles will be the bottoms of the pop-tarts; the other set will be the tops. Refrigerate both sets of rectangles while you prepare the pumpkin filling. Remove the pumpkin from the oven and lower the heat to 350 F. Allow the pumpkin to cool before handling it. It will be hot! Use a spoon to scoop the pumpkin meat out of the rind. Discard the rind. In a food processor, combine the pumpkin meat, butter, coconut sugar, vanilla and spices and pulse on high until mixed. Remove the pastry rectangles from the refrigerator. Using a tablespoon, spoon a heaping tablespoon of the pumpkin mixture onto each bottom rectangle, leaving a 1/4-inch border. Place the pop-tart tops on top and seal the edges with a fork. Poke 3 rows of 3 tiny holes in the tops to allow air to escape. Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the tarts from the pan and allow them to cool for 20 minutes. Sprinkle with coconut sugar and serve. To read the original article click here.

The post Gluten-Free Toaster Pastry with Sugar Pumpkin Filling appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.