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Red Wine “Waste” Could Extend Your Lifespan

AHA Publisher — Mon, 28 Nov 2022 08:00:18 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – I enjoy drinking a nice glass of red wine with my grass-fed steak dinner. And the health benefits are an added bonus! But, it turns out the seeds from red grapes have even more health benefits than wine. These seeds – the same ones my brothers, sister, and I used to spit out at each other whenever we ate grapes – contain disease fighters so potent I call them super-antioxidants. In fact, a recent study from the National Institutes of Health backs up what I’ve been telling my patients for years… Grape seed extract’s antioxidant capacity can reduce the inflammatory process at the root of today’s chronic diseases. But, its regenerative benefits go even further… A breakthrough study published in the journal Nature Metabolism recently revealed grape seed extract successfully prolonged the lifespan of old mice by 9%.1 Researchers focused on a phenomenon known as cellular senescence – the process during which your cells lose function as your body ages. Specialized compounds called senolytics destroy these rogue cells, allowing the body to repair the damage. In the breakthrough study, researchers discovered a previously unidentified senolytic derived from a compound in grape seed extract called procyanidin C1, or PCC1. This newly discovered senolytic induces a type of programmed cell death called apoptosis in senescent cells while leaving healthy cells unharmed. In the new study, the mice were exposed to doses of radiation that caused them to develop abnormal features such as significant amounts of gray hair. They also lost muscle mass and suffered damage to their kidneys, livers, and lungs. But once the compound in the grape seed extract was introduced, this damage was reversed. According to the study authors, there’s no reason to believe that this compound can’t do the same for human beings. It’s just one more advantage to add to a growing list of benefits we get from these seeds. To date, they’ve been proven to: Dramatically reduce the risk of prostate cancer2 Improve blood sugar and insulin sensitivity3 Slow brain aging and increase cognitive function4 Boost HDL cholesterol and lower blood pressure5 Restore cardiovascular health6 Fight infections and kill germs7 Make Grape Seed Extract Part of Your Life There are two distinct ways to add the seeds of grapes to your diet. Grapeseed extract comes from the small seeds (and occasionally the skins) of red grapes – the same kind that is pressed to make wine. Grapeseed oil comes from the same seeds – but after the juice is pressed. Supplement With Grape Seed Extract: I recommend taking 250 mg of grape seed extract twice per day. It’s available in capsules, tablets, or in liquid form. Look for products that are standardized to 40 to 80% proanthocyanidin polyphenols. Cook with Grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil is a joy to cook with. It smokes at a much higher temperature than olive oil – which means you can sauté and pan-sear your favorite meats, fish, and vegetables without burning anything. You can also rub fish or chicken with the oil before baking. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: 1. Xu Q, et al. “The flavonoid procyanidin c1 has chemotherapeutic activity and increases lifespan in mice.” Nat Metab. 2021 Dec 6. doi: 10.1038/s42255-021-00491-8. Online ahead of print. 2. “Garavaglia J, et al. “Grape seed oil compounds: biological and chemical actions for health.” Nutr Metab Insights. 2016 Aug 16;9:59-64. 3. Sapwarobol S, et al. “Postprandial blood glucose response to grape seed extract in healthy participants: A pilot study.” Pharmacogn Mag. 2012 Jul-Sep; 8(31): 192–196. 4. Bell L, et al. “Grape seed polyphenol extract and cognitive function in healthy young adults: a randomised, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups acute-on-chronic trial.” Nutr Neurosci. 2020 Jan 16;1-10. 5. Grohmann T, et al. “Efficacy of bilberry and grape seed extract supplement interventions to improve glucose and cholesterol metabolism and blood pressure in different populations-a systematic review of the literature.” Nutrients. 2021 May 17;13(5):1692. 6. Feringa H, et al. “The effect of grape seed extract on cardiovascular risk markers: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. J Am Diet Assoc. 2011. Aug;111(8):1173-81. 7. Su X, Dsouza D. “Grape seed extract for control of human enteric viruses.” Appl Environ Microbiol. 2011 Jun; 77(12): 3982–3987. To read the original article click here.

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Some Medical Experts Say Vitamin D Deficiency Can Increase Dangers from COVID-19

AHA Publisher — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 08:00:11 +0000

Andrea Morris via CBN News – Vitamin D is known for its essential role in human health but now medical experts are studying the ways it can help slow the spread of COVID-19. Multiple studies have been conducted to examine the vitamin D level in COVID-19 patients and the impact it has on disease severity. Vitamin D level is markedly low in severe COVID-19 patients One study in the journal Nature states, “The fatality rate was high in vitamin D deficient (21% vs 3.1%). Vitamin D level is markedly low in severe COVID-19 patients. Inflammatory response is high in vitamin D deficient COVID-19 patients. This all translates into increased mortality in vitamin D deficient COVID-19 patients.” Researchers in Roma, Texas administered vitamin D tests to city employees and discovered that 95 percent of adults working there had extremely low levels of vitamin D, KRGV-News reports. “Because they are dangerously low, they place everyone around them at higher risk of catching COVID-19 from them,” said Roma family Dr. Raymond Mussett. “This is something we can correct for literally pennies a day with a supplement you can buy at the grocery store or on the internet.” “We recommend 30,000 units per day of vitamin D3 for 14 days” “Everyone 15-years-old and above and all children who are one hundred pounds or greater – we recommend 30,000 units per day of vitamin D3 for 14 days,” Dr. Mussett added. Be sure to consult your own physician before taking high dosages of any supplement. According to KRGV, the lowest vitamin D levels are typically found in Hispanics, African-Americans, and people with underlying medical conditions. Last September, a Boston University doctor said an ample amount of vitamin D can reduce the risk of contracting coronavirus by 54 percent. The Boston Herald reported that Dr. Michael Holick, professor of medicine, physiology, and biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine, and his colleagues studied blood samples from more than 190,000 Americans in all 50 states. The findings revealed that those with low levels of vitamin D had a 54 percent higher risk of testing positive for COVID versus those with sufficient levels of vitamin D in their blood. “People have been looking for the magic drug or waiting for the vaccine and not looking for something this simple,” explained Dr. Holick. “The higher your vitamin D status, lower was your risk.” And Holick reiterated that vitamin D-deficiency can be corrected with sunshine and supplemental pills. Medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are closely linked to low vitamin D levels “It’s considered to be, by many, the nutrient of the decade,” Holick added. “Vitamin D definitely improves your overall immunity to fight infections.” Medical conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and obesity are closely linked to low vitamin D levels, said Dr. Hans Konrad Biesalski, a professor at the University of Hohenheim who has assessed vitamin D and COVID-19. “It looks like patients with a poor vitamin D status may have more severe COVID-19,” he told Healthline. Dr. Holick organized an additional study where he found that COVID-19 patients with suitable vitamin D levels had a 51.5 percent lower risk of dying from the disease, along with a substantially reduced risk for complications. “COVID-19 patients with suitable vitamin D levels had a 51.5 percent lower risk of dying from the disease” “Very low vitamin D status has lots of negative consequences and this could be the case for COVID-19, but that’s not the same as saying that routine vitamin D supplementation will prevent severe infection,” Holick told Healthline. To read the original article click here.

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Low Carb Ginger Lime Fizz (Non-Alcoholic) Recipe

AHA Publisher — Sat, 08 Aug 2020 07:00:58 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – It’s still hot out, and there’s still plenty of time for refreshing summer drinks. If you’re looking for a new healthful and flavorful one, try out Keto Ginger Lime Fizz. Here’s how to make it, and why you should. Keto Ginger Lime Fizz Ingredients 2 limes 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder, or 1 teaspoon fresh minced ginger low-carb Stevia-Based Ginger Ale Ice Optional: Instant Ketones Limeade Flavor Instructions Fill a glass with ice. Juice one lime, and pour into a small bowl or cup. Add ginger to juice and mix well. Pour lime juice and ginger mix into the glass with ice. Pour 6-8 ounces low-carb stevia ginger ale over ice, stir to mix with ginger and lime juice. If you’d like to add instant ketones to enter the Keto Zone faster, reduce symptoms of keto flu, or simply add electrolytes and ketones to your body, stir in Instant Ketones. Garnish with lime slices and enjoy! Nutrition info (per recipe): 6 calories, 0 grams fat, 1 gram net carbs (1 gram carbs, 0 grams fiber), 0 grams protein Why Drink Keto Zone Ginger Fizz? First, limes and lime juice offer many health benefits. It can improve skin, help fight inflammation, exhibits anti-cancer effects, may boost the immune system, and supports healthy blood sugars. That’s a great start. Next, ginger is a potent medicinal food. Here’s what a little ginger can do in your body. Health Benefits of Ginger 1. Ginger Helps Fight Nausea For centuries, ginger has been used as a nausea remedy. It’s very effective. In fact, some studies have shown it works s well as some prescription medications (1, 2). Ginger can be used for nausea due to medications, pregnancy, motion sickness, and more Note: If you are pregnant, speak with your doctor before using large amounts of ginger. 2. Anti-Cancer Properties Ginger contains large amounts of 6-gingerol and 6-paradol, two strong nutrients that may fight cancer cells. Lab studies have shown that these ginger-derived compounds may have inhibitory effects on various types of cancer cells (3, 4). Gingerol is also highly anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, in addition to anti-tumor. The current studies are promising for ginger against cancer cells; however, more research is needed to confirm how it can be used, and its effectiveness in humans. 3. Gingerol Supports Fight Against Infections Gingerols also have anti-fungal, anti-viral, and anti-bacterial properties. Ginger may even prevent bacterial growth and provide anti-bacterial activity against multi-drug clinical pathogens (5). As more and more people become resistant to some antibiotics, ginger may have an important position in aiding the fight against harmful microbes. 4. Supports Heart Health Ginger also supports heart health. It promotes healthy cholesterol levels. One 45-day double-blind controlled clinical trial study on 45 patients with high cholesterol found ginger had a significant lipid-lowering effect compared with placebo (6). Another animal study found ginger extract lowered LDL cholesterol in a similar way to a statin drug. 5. Potent Anti-Inflammatory Agents Every day, our bodies are under attack from free radicals and inflammation. As they build, they can become a chronic issue that leads to systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and accelerated aging of our cells. Unless you fight back with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agents. Animal studies have found that ginger’s bioactive compounds and antioxidants may inhibit inflammatory brain responses. One study from 2012 published in Evidence Based Complement Alternative Medicine studied the effects of ginger extract on 60 middle-aged women. The researchers found the ginger enhanced working memory, reaction time, and attention, commonly reported problems in this population, without any reported side effects (7). 6. Relief for Muscle and Joint Aches The anti-inflammatory health benefits of ginger go even further! If you suffer from joint or muscle pain, ginger could help. Further, it can be used for muscle-induced pain and menstrual pain. One study of 150 women students took one gram of ginger powder per day for the first 3 days of their menstrual cycles. Ginger was found to be as effective as ibuprofen in relieving this menstrual pain. 7. 1-2 Superfood Punch with Turmeric Ginger, and its close counterpart turmeric, are both from the Zingiberaceae family. Like ginger, turmeric has many medicinal properties that make it popular in alternative medicine. When combined, their effects can increase. Both support reduced pain in joints and muscles. Both are healthy for the digestive system and support brain health. Together, they are truly a 1-2 superfood punch. Bottom Line Ginger is a true superfood that goes beyond macronutrient to deliver amazing health benefits. Try it today in our Keto Ginger Lime Fizz. Enjoy the refreshment and the benefits from your head to your toes. To read the original article click here.

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