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Powerful Health Secrets Inside Pomegranates: What Science Says About This Ancient Superfruit

The AHA! Team — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 05:20:27 +0000

Olivia Cook via Natural News – Pomegranates aren’t just a tasty treat – they’re packed with an array of essential nutrients and powerful bioactive compounds that make them a nutritional powerhouse. Essential vitamins Pomegranates are loaded with essential vitamins (C, K, B5, folate), fiber and powerful antioxidants like punicalagin and flavonoids that help protect cells from oxidative damage. Regular consumption of pomegranate juice has been shown to lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol levels and support overall cardiovascular function through compounds like punicalagin and punicic acid. Pomegranates help reduce chronic inflammation, which is linked to diseases like arthritis and diabetes, and strengthen immune defenses thanks to their rich polyphenolic and antioxidant content. Compounds such as ellagic acid and urolithins in pomegranates inhibit cancer cell growth, promote apoptosis (cell death) and may prevent tumor development and spread, particularly breast, colon and prostate cancers. Pomegranate-derived urolithins support brain function, protect against cognitive decline and promote cellular energy and longevity by enhancing mitochondrial health and reducing neuroinflammation. The vibrant ruby-red pomegranates are most commonly associated with their high antioxidant content. Antioxidants are compounds that help protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Recent studies, however, suggest that the health benefits of pomegranates go far beyond antioxidants. Researchers have also delved into clinical trials where participants consumed pomegranate juice or extracts to examine its effects on the body. What they discovered was truly exciting – pomegranates may support heart health, boost brain function, reduce inflammation-related conditions and disorders and more – promoting overall well-being. Pomegranates aren’t just a tasty treat – they’re packed with an array of essential nutrients and powerful bioactive compounds that make them a nutritional powerhouse. Nutrient-rich arils provide a significant amount of nutrition in every bite. Just one cup (174 grams) of arils offers these macronutrients: Fat – 2 grams, an energy source and essential for nutrient absorption and hormone production Fiber – 7 grams, crucial for digestion and gut health Plant protein –3 grams, important for muscle growth and repair Natural sugars – 24 grams, providing a natural energy boost Calories – 144 calories, making it an energizing, low-calorie snack Aside from being low in fat and high in fiber, pomegranates are also packed with essential micronutrients that your body needs, including: Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) – 0.656 mg or 13 percent of the daily value (DV), vital for the production of hormones Vitamin B9 (folate) – 66.2 mg or 17 percent of the DV, crucial for red blood cell formation and healthy cell growth Vitamin C – 30 percent of the recommended daily intake (RDI), a key antioxidant that supports immune function and skin health Vitamin E – 1.044 mg or 7 percent of the DV, protecting your cells from oxidative stress Vitamin K –18.6 micrograms or 18 percent of the DV, essential for proper blood clotting and bone strength Folate (vitamin B9) – 16 percent of the RDI, important for DNA synthesis and cell growth Manganese – 0.208 mg or 9 percent of the DV, plays a role in metabolism and bone formation Potassium – 410 mg or 9 percent of the DV, supporting heart function and muscle contractions Beyond vitamins and minerals, pomegranates contain unique bioactive compounds that offer additional health benefits. These compounds are primarily concentrated in the arils and the pericarp (the thick outer peel). Here are some of the most notable and studied ones: Ellagic acid –This compound is especially concentrated in the pericarp. Ellagic acid has demonstrated anticancer potential by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells. It also acts as an antioxidant – further enhancing pomegranates’ health benefits. Flavonoids – They are known to improve heart health and may even help lower the risk of certain cancers. They protect cells by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Punicalagin – It helps combat oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals, protecting cells from damage and potentially reducing the risk of chronic diseases like diabetes, heart and cardiovascular disease, and cancer. Punicic acid – It helps reduce inflammation, which is a key driver of conditions like heart disease, metabolic diseases and Type 2 diabetes. Urolithins – These are metabolites produced in the gut when ellagitannins are digested. Urolithin A, in particular, is noteworthy for its potential to promote mitophagy – the process by which damaged mitochondria (the energy center of cells) are cleared out. This has been linked to improved muscle health, enhanced endurance and even anti-aging effects, as healthy mitochondria are crucial for energy production and overall vitality. Research suggests that urolithin A may help delay the onset of age-related diseases by promoting cellular health and longevity. Health benefits of pomegranates Modern research has found that the antioxidants in pomegranates can help protect your heart. The anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties of pomegranates may also have promising use in cancer treatment and prevention. Heart health Numerous studies have demonstrated that pomegranate juice can help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels – making it an excellent ally in the fight against heart disease, the leading cause of death worldwide. The cardioprotective effects of pomegranates are primarily attributed to two key compounds: punicalagin and punicic acid. Punicalagin has been shown to have three times the antioxidant activity of green tea and red wine. Punicic acid, a conjugated linoleic acid, also exhibits strong antioxidant properties and is concentrated in the arils A study involving participants with high blood pressure revealed that those who consumed pomegranate juice daily for several weeks experienced significant reductions in their blood pressure levels. This effect is likely due to the juice’s ability to relax blood vessel walls – facilitating smoother blood flow and reducing strain on the heart. Inflammation Chronic inflammation can lead to various health issues, including arthritis, diabetes and even cancer. Pomegranates are rich in anti-inflammatory compounds that can help mitigate these conditions. Pomegranates contain high levels of polyphenolic compounds, including tannins and ellagitannins. These compounds help combat inflammation throughout the body. Clinical trials have shown that individuals with arthritis who consumed pomegranate juice reported decreased joint pain and swelling. Additionally, a recent study found that daily pomegranate juice consumption reduced inflammation markers in individuals with diabetes – suggesting its role in managing inflammation-related diseases. Cancer Emerging research indicates that pomegranates may have potent anticancer properties, particularly against breast, colon and prostate cancers. Key compounds, such as ellagic acid, luteolin and punicalagin, contribute to pomegranate’s ability to inhibit cancer growth. They do so through several mechanisms: Inhibition of cell proliferation. Pomegranate compounds can limit the ability of cancer cells to multiply. Induction of apoptosis. These compounds promote programmed cell death – helping the body eliminate damaged or cancerous cells. Angiogenesis inhibition. Pomegranates may prevent the formation of new blood cells that tumors need to grow. Metastasis prevention. They help reduce the ability of cancer cells to invade surrounding tissues and spread to other parts of the body. A study showed that men with prostate cancer who drank eight ounces of pomegranate juice daily experienced stabilization of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels – an important marker for prostate cancer progression. Immune function Pomegranates are packed with antioxidants and nutrients that can enhance immune function and help ward off illness. The high antioxidant content of pomegranates can help neutralize harmful free radicals, thereby reducing oxidative stress and inflammation that can weaken the immune system. A study examining the effects of pomegranate peel extract on malaria-infected mice demonstrated that the extract improved immune function and reduced inflammation. Mice treated with pomegranate peel extract showed fewer injuries in their spleens – highlighting the fruit’s potential as a protective agent against infections. Brain health Pomegranates also contribute to cognitive health – making them a valuable addition to a brain-healthy diet. The antioxidants in pomegranates may help protect the brain from inflammation and oxidative damage linked to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. When the beneficial bacteria in the gut break down the polyphenols from pomegranates, they produce metabolites called urolithins, which have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Research has shown that urolithins can cross the blood-brain barrier and may help prevent the formation of beta-amyloid plaques – a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Food.news has more about pomegranates and other superfoods. Sources include: Health.com ScienceDirect.com Brighteon.com To read the original article, click here

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The Kaffir Plum: A Hidden Gem of Nutrition & Wellness

The AHA! Team — Mon, 07 Apr 2025 05:16:35 +0000

Zoey Sky via Natural News – The Kaffir plum (Harpephyllum caffrum), a lesser-known but nutritionally potent fruit, is a treasure trove of health benefits and culinary potential. The Kaffir plum (Harpephyllum caffrum) is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 15 meters tall and is native to Southern Africa. The fruit is small, oval-shaped and transitions from green to a deep red or purple when ripe, with a glossy, smooth skin. The flesh is juicy, fibrous and has a tart, tangy flavor, often likened to a mix of cranberries, plums and a hint of citrus, making it a versatile ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes like smoothies and chutney. The Kaffir plum tree is indigenous to coastal and inland forests of Southern Africa, including South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Kaffir plums are a nutritional powerhouse, rich in phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals. The fruit is also a good source of vitamin C, which supports healthy immune function and skin health. The Kaffir plum (Harpephyllum caffrum), a lesser-known but nutritionally potent fruit, is a treasure trove of health benefits and culinary potential. Native to Southern Africa, this fruit has been a staple in traditional diets and herbal medicine for centuries. The Kaffir plum is a vibrant, tangy fruit that deserves a spotlight in the world of superfoods. Kaffir plums: A closer look The Kaffir plum, scientifically named Harpephyllum caffrum, is a member of the Anacardiaceae family, which includes other well-known fruits like mangoes and cashews. Its common names reflect its regional significance and characteristics. In South Africa, it is often referred to as “wild plum” or “sour plum,” while in other parts of the continent, it is simply called “African plum.” It thrives in subtropical climates and is often found growing wild in riverine forests. The tree itself is an evergreen, reaching heights of up to 15 meters, and produces clusters of small, oval-shaped fruits that ripen to a deep red or purple hue. The Kaffir plum is a visually striking fruit, with its glossy, smooth skin and vibrant color. When ripe, the fruit transitions from green to a rich red or purple, signaling its readiness for harvest. The flesh is juicy and fibrous, with a tart, tangy flavor that is both refreshing and slightly astringent. The taste is often compared to a combination of cranberries and plums, with a hint of citrus. This unique flavor profile makes it a versatile ingredient in sweet and savory dishes. Historical and cultural significance The name “Kaffir” itself is derived from the Arabic word for “non-believer” and was historically used by European settlers to describe indigenous African people. However, due to its derogatory connotations, the term is increasingly avoided in modern contexts, and the fruit is more commonly referred to by its other names. The Kaffir plum tree is indigenous to the coastal and inland forests of Southern Africa, particularly in countries like South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Nutritional composition and phytonutrients The Kaffir plum is a feast for the palate and an impressive nutritional powerhouse. Rich in phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals, this fruit offers a range of health benefits. (Related: The star of wellness: Exploring the nutritional power of carambola (starfruit).) Among its key phytonutrients are flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and anthocyanins, which are responsible for its vibrant color and antioxidant properties. These compounds help combat oxidative stress, reduce inflammation and protect against chronic diseases. Health benefits and potential therapeutic uses Here are some of the health benefits of Kaffir plums: Rich in vitamin C – The fruit is a good source of vitamin C, which supports immune function and skin health. Supports digestive health – Kaffir plums also contain dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and promotes gut health. Full of essential nutrients – Kaffir plums contain potassium, magnesium and calcium, which are essential minerals that contribute to heart health, bone strength and muscle function. A natural source of dietary fiber – The high fiber content of Kaffir plums can aid in weight management and improve metabolic health. Rich in antioxidants – Research suggests that the antioxidants in Kaffir plums may help prevent or reverse symptoms of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and certain types of cancer. Has anti-inflammatory properties – The anti-inflammatory properties of the fruit may also alleviate symptoms of arthritis and other inflammatory disorders. Culinary applications and recipe ideas The tangy flavor and vibrant color of Kaffir plums make them a versatile ingredient in a variety of dishes. Here are a few recipe ideas that showcase the fruit’s unique qualities: Kaffir plum chutney – A tangy and sweet condiment that pairs well with grilled meats or cheese platters. Sour plum salad dressing – Combine pureed Kaffir plums with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and a bit of honey for a zesty salad dressing. African plum smoothie – Blend Kaffir plums with yogurt, honey and a splash of orange juice for a refreshing and nutritious drink. Wild plum jam – Preserve the fruit’s flavor by making a homemade jam, perfect for spreading on toast or scones. Kaffir plum sorbet – A light and refreshing dessert that highlights the fruit’s natural tartness. The Kaffir plum, with its rich history, vibrant appearance and impressive nutritional profile, is a fruit that deserves greater recognition. Its potential to prevent and reverse various health conditions, coupled with its culinary versatility, makes it a valuable addition to any diet. This story is not medical advice and is not intended to treat or cure any disease. Always consult with a qualified naturopathic physician for personalized advice about your specific health situation or concern. Visit NaturalNews.com, an excellent resource for related articles about health and nutrition. This platform allows you to explore the world of superfoods and uncover their many health benefits. Brighteon.ai is an AI model created by Mike Adams, also known as the Health Ranger. This model is available as a free download to be run locally and is designed to help share and decentralize knowledge. By doing so, it aims to bypass censorship and empower people with knowledge. If you’re looking for an uncensored video free speech website where you can openly discuss nutrition, natural medicine, ingredients and more, go to Brighteon.com. Brighteon.IO and Brighteon.social are two free speech-focused social media platforms where users can openly discuss topics such as health, nutrition, ingredient safety, toxicity and related subjects without fear of censorship. These platforms aim to provide a space for unrestricted dialogue on critical issues. Watch this clip about Organic Tart Cherries, another superfruit that can supercharge your health. Sources include: Brighteon.AI NaturalNews.com Brighteon.com To read the original article, click here

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Are You Hooked on America’s Deadly Diet? Heal Your Body with These Life-Saving Foods

AHA Publisher — Tue, 20 Apr 2021 07:00:55 +0000

Lori Johnson via CBN News – The coronavirus pandemic is still consuming most media coverage about health and wellness these days. But underneath all the concerns about this deadly virus, there’s a deeper issue – a majority of the fatalities and serious cases of the disease involve patients with significant underlying health problems. Medical issues like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity were already a serious health risk for millions of Americans, but the COVID-19 outbreak only makes matters worse. Even before the pandemic, scientists were pointing out that the Standard American Diet (SAD) causes even more deaths than smoking. This diet largely consists of ultra-processed foods loaded with chemicals, added sugars, and industrial oils. A growing number of doctors and other health experts recommend replacing the SAD diet with one that’s full of whole, plant-based foods. Whole foods are ones that are as close to their original state as possible, and plant-based foods, as the name suggests, are those that grew out of the ground. A Grandmother’s Testimony As a young boy, Michael Greger saw how food can be medicine. When doctors couldn’t treat his 65-year-old grandmother’s heart disease, they sent her home to die. However, at that time she started eating a plant-based diet, reversed her heart disease, and lived to the ripe old age of 96! Astounded by what he saw in his grandmother’s life, Michael decided to help others achieve the same results. Now as a physician, Dr. Greger offers free nutrition advice, including hundreds of healthy recipes on his non-profit website, nutritionfacts.org. Dr. Greger points to an increasing number of scientific studies showing a plant-based diet proves to be the healthiest of all diets for people like his grandmother who deal with heart problems. “Not only can heart disease be prevented and arrested with a plant-based diet,” he told CBN News, “It’s the only diet ever proven to reverse heart disease in the majority of patients, opening up arteries without drugs, without surgery.” Every Small Change Can Make a Difference Every 37 seconds someone in America dies from heart disease. Cardiologists like Dr. Deepak Talreja urge their patients to switch to a whole-food, plant-based diet before it’s too late. For some patients, particularly those who’ve been eating processed foods for many years, they’re encouraged to do the best they can. “We try to push people towards as optimal a diet as they can really stick with,” Dr. Talreja told CBN News. In short, he tells them to eat as many plants and as few animals as possible. He also recommends eating foods as close to their natural state as possible. For example, instead of highly processed breakfast cereal, Dr. Talreja recommends whole-grain oatmeal. He says every small change can make a difference. “Some people are very committed and they’ll fall into a program where they do 100 percent the right thing,” he explained, “Some people can’t do that, but if they can do the right thing 70 or 80 percent of the time that moves them closer to where they’re either going to get more committed or at least get some benefits from that diet.” Prevents Other Causes of Death Heart disease is just one of many chronic diseases a plant-based diet has been shown to prevent or reverse. The list includes other leading causes of death including cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Case in point: Loma Linda, California, is the American city with the highest percentage of centenarians per capita. It’s also home to the highest concentration of Seventh Day Adventists, a denomination which advocates a plant-based diet. Dr. Larry Beeson, a researcher at the Loma Linda School of Public Health, analyzed over 50 years of studies done by himself and others. “Adventists have approximately the same proportion of people who die of cancer, heart disease or stroke,” he told CBN News, “But the age that they get diagnosed is much later.” Beeson said within the Seventh Day Adventist community, people follow various plant-based diets, but noted the ones who ate more plants and fewer animal products lived longer, healthier lives in general. Different Plant-Based Diets Here are the four major plant-based diets. 1. Vegan: 100% plant food. No animal products whatsoever 2. Vegetarian: Mostly plants but some eggs and dairy foods 3. Pescatarian: Mostly plants but some eggs, dairy and seafood 4. Flexitarian: Mostly plants but some eggs, dairy, seafood, poultry, and meat For the last 15 years, dietician Julieanna Hever has been teaching people how to switch to a more plant-based diet, which she says can reverse Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure, and more. “It reduces obesity and extra weight,” she said. “It reduces medication requirements. I love to say decreasing your medication results are normal. My clients get off their medications.” In her cookbook, The Healthspan Solution, she offers recipes and tips for newcomers to this lifestyle, adding there’s a bit of a learning curve. “I liken it to learning a new language,” she said, “Anything, when you’re transitioning to something major, like the way you’ve eaten your whole life, you just have to learn a few new words, a few new ingredients, tie them together in sentences and paragraphs and some recipes and then if you keep doing it over and over again you become fluent.” ALSO recommended by Lorie Johnson: The How Not To Die Cookbook. Hooked for Life Dr. Greger says if he can get his patients to try a plant-based diet for three weeks, they’re usually hooked for life. “They’re going to sleep so much better, their digestion’s better, their periods {are} less painful, they have more energy,” he said, “In fact, some people say ‘Oh, I felt fine, Doc,’ but then they didn’t realize they had chronic indigestion. They just thought it was normal to feel like this after a meal. But no, you don’t know how good you’re going to feel until you give it a try.” Dr. Greger tells his patients to consume the following plant-based foods each day: 3 Servings of Beans (such as hummus, lentils or tofu) 1 Serving of Berries 3 Servings of Other Fruit 1 Serving of Cruciferous Vegetables (such as broccoli, cauliflower or Brussels sprouts) 2 Servings of Greens (such as kale, romaine or collards) 2 Servings of Other Vegetables (such as mushrooms) 1 Tablespoon of Ground Flaxseed 1 Serving of Nuts 1/4 Teaspoon of Turmeric 3 Servings of Whole Grains (such as 100% whole grain bread, oatmeal or pasta) To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

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Tips for Beating Cancer: Activate Your Body’s 5 Health Defense Systems

AHA Publisher — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 08:40:49 +0000

William W. Li, MD via Dr. Axe – Tips for beating cancer should always include dietary components, but all too often, this part of cancer treatment is ignored. We turned to William Li, MD, world-renowned doctor and author of the New York Times bestseller Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself to learn more about his thoughts on using food to activate our bodies’ innate healing abilities. Q: Could you share a list of the top surprising foods linked to cancer? A: There’s a laundry list of foods that increase risk for cancer, and these include some disturbingly common foods such as processed meat, which is classified as a carcinogen by the World Health Organization, and grilled meats. Grilling meat produces polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). These are carcinogens that form when oils from the meat drip into the flame and smoke. The rising smoke deposits the carcinogens right on the meat. High grilling temperatures also convert amino acids and proteins in meat into toxic heterocyclic amines (HCA). And if you don’t carefully clean the grill surface and leave the black char, the next time you put food on the grill, you are coating it with carcinogens. Q: We often hear that the body “wants to be well” and has an incredible capacity to heal itself. Why, do you think, don’t more oncologists talk about food choices when a person is diagnosed with cancer? A: The body is hardwired with health defense systems that work to help us resist diseases, including cancer, from the time we are born to our last breath. These health defenses, which I describe in my book Eat to Beat Disease, are: • Angiogenesis • Our regenerative system • Our microbiome • DNA protection • Our immune system These systems help our body heal itself. However, when they are weakened or damaged, cancer can develop. Oncologists aren’t trained to look at health defenses — they are trained to diagnose and treat the cancers that have evaded them. The treatments involve surgery, drugs and radiation — food is not part of their traditional toolbox. And all doctors have little to no education or training when it comes to nutrition. All of this is changing because oncologists are beginning to recognize the impact of food in cancer treatment. For example, a study by oncologists of 826 patients with Stage III colon cancer undergoing treatment found that those who ate two servings of tree nuts each week had a 57 percent improvement in survival. Another oncology study of 249 patients with various cancers who were being treated with immunotherapies found that those who did not respond were lacking a healthy bacterium in the gut microbiome called Akkermansia. The only way to grow Akkermansia is by consuming foods like pomegranate, cranberries and mangoes. This is emerging evidence that food can collaborate with medicine to improve cancer treatment. Oncologists are starting to pay attention. Q: If someone is newly diagnosed with cancer, what are the most important foods to start working into the diet right away? A: Everyone is different, and it’s important to individualize diet based on a person’s needs. For example, someone with diabetes tolerates foods differently from someone with celiac disease. But, there are some general principles for using food as medicine, especially when it comes to cancer. We know cancers grow blood vessels to feed themselves, so it’s important to eat foods that can starve cancer by cutting off these bad blood vessels. These are called antiangiogenic foods, which include: soy, tomatoes, green tea, oily fish, berries and brassica vegetables. We also know that cancers are especially dangerous because they contain cancer stem cells, which can keep cancers coming back after treatment. New research shows that cancer stem cell-killing foods exist, including purple potatoes, green tea, coffee and walnuts. We know a strong immune system can help wipe out cancer cells. Immune-boosting foods include: broccoli sprouts, blueberries and chili peppers. Eating prebiotic foods that contain fiber, like mushrooms and beans, can feed healthy gut bacteria, which helps lower inflammation and improve immunity. Other microbiome-boosting foods include fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut and yogurt. Knowing your health defenses, and which foods boost them, is key for using diet to fight cancer. But remember, food is not a cure, so diet is an important part of the toolbox along with modern treatments, like immunotherapy or antiangiogenic therapy. Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add? A: There are some foods that people should really think twice about consuming, because they disrupt the health defenses that help you avoid cancer. These are: processed meat, sugar sweetened beverages, artificial sweeteners, and ultra-processed foods. These foods are everywhere, and part of the typical American diet, but consuming them regularly should be considered a risk. Your health defenses can be boosted or lowered by different foods. Choose the ones that boost your health. William W. Li, MD, is an internationally renowned physician, scientist and author of the New York Times bestseller Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself. His groundbreaking work has led to the development of more than 30 new medical treatments and impacts care for more than 70 diseases including cancer, diabetes, blindness, heart disease and obesity. His TED Talk — Can We Eat to Starve Cancer — has garnered more than 11 million views. Dr. Li has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, CNBC and the Dr. Oz Show, and he has been featured in USA Today, Time Magazine, The Atlantic and O Magazine. He is president and medical director of the Angiogenesis Foundation. More information can be found at: www.drwilliamli.com and on social media @drwilliamli To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Axe click here.

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Top 10 Everyday High-Antioxidant Foods

AHA Publisher — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 07:00:13 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Free radicals bombard your body, from your head to your toes every day. But, there’s good news: You can eat high-antioxidant foods to increase your blood levels of antioxidants, and support your body’s production of glutathione to fight back. Every day, your body is bombarded. Whether you like it or not, engage in exercise or are sedentary, stay indoors or head out, free radicals are at work in your body. Against your body. We all encounter oxidative damage from free radicals on the cellular level. It damages cells, oxidizes cholesterol so that it forms plaques, and encourages disease. Luckily, our bodies have a way to deal with it. When you consume high-antioxidant foods and those that support your body’s own antioxidant synthesis, your body can fight back. It’s incredibly important that you do it. But what foods should you consume? High-antioxidants foods mostly come from plants. Here are 10 of the best. And best of all, they are readily available, and most of them are relatively inexpensive. Top 10 Everyday High-Antioxidant Foods 1. Coffee You can start your day off with a cup full of antioxidants. How? Just start with coffee. According to the FRAP assay (which is a well-accepted measurement of antioxidant content), coffee contains 2.7 mmol/per 100 grams (or just 3.5 ounces of liquid coffee) (1). If you drink a more regular 10-12 ounces, you’re getting whopping 8.1 mmol of antioxidants. The main healthful component of coffee is a polyphenol chemical called Chlorogenic Acid (CGA). Chlorogenic acid is highly antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Experts believe that CGA may be beneficial as an anti-diabetic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-obesity agent (2). Not a bad way to start the day, and doesn’t break the bank (especially when made at home). 2. Berries This one likely comes as no surprise: Berries are very high in antioxidants. In fact, their vibrant colors are dead-giveaway of their antioxidant concentrations. Different berries have different levels of antioxidants, but all are great for it. Levels include (3): Blueberries have up to 9.2 mmol of antioxidants per 3.5 ounces Strawberries have 2.1mmol of antioxidants per 3.5 ounces Raspberries have 4 mmol of antioxidants per 3.5 ounces Cranberries are also very high in antioxidants, and a very inexpensive source if you buy during the Holidays and freeze for use during the year Many studies also back up the health benefits of berries. For example, both lab and animal studies suggest that blueberries’ antioxidants may delay the decline in brain function that tends to happen with age (4). Blueberries have also been shown to reduce blood pressure in human studies (5). Raspberries are specifically known to lower risks of cancer and heart disease. In fact, a lab study showed that antioxidants and other components in raspberries killed 90% of the stomach, colon, and breast cancer cells in the sample (6). And, a study review concluded that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of black raspberries may slow down and suppress the effects of a variety of cancers (7). It’s for this reason that blueberries are used as ingredients in the Keto Zone Shakes! This allows Keto Zone eaters to consume berries and enjoy their health benefits. In addition, Divine Health Red Supremefood contains high-antioxidant berries. Not only are they delicious, they truly benefit health and fight disease. 3. Avocados Okay, these aren’t exactly inexpensive. However, avocados do double duty when it comes to antioxidants. First, they contain a spectacular array of carotenoids including: • beta-carotene • alpha-carotene • lutein • neochrome • neoxanthin • chrysanthemaxanthin • beta-cryptoxanthin • zeaxanthin What’s more, the fats in avocado actually increase the carotenoid absorption from other vegetables, by as much as 15 times (8)! Carotenoids directly support eye health and brain health (9). And, they are highly anti-inflammatory. Next, avocados are the best fruit source of vitamin E, an essential vitamin that protects against many diseases and helps maintains overall health. Specifically, vitamin E is an antioxidant that supports brain, cardiovascular, and respiratory health. Lastly, avocados are a good source of glutathione. This super-antioxidant is produced by our own cells and sometimes found in foods. It promotes cellular health, anti-aging, and overall good metabolism and cellular cleansing. 4. Green Tea Green tea is known for its health benefits. It contains 1.5 mmol antioxidants per 100 gm (per 3.5 ounces prepared). Green tea’s antioxidants and other healthful components have been shown to impact the body by: 1. Reducing cholesterol plaques, free LDL cholesterol, and high blood pressure. 2. Inhibiting the growth of cancer cells in lab studies. High consumption of the drink has been associated with a 90% reduced risk of breast cancer in women. 3. Repairing and protecting cells, especially in the brain. In fact, in mice induced with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease, it helped to protect brain cells from dying, as well as ‘rescuing’ already damaged neurons in the brain, a phenomenon called neurorescue or neurorestoration. 4. Providing antibacterial properties that promote oral health. 5. Exhibiting protective effects on eye cels for up to 20 hours after consumption. This has led many experts to believe it may have a role in reducing diseases of the eye and glaucoma. 6. Helping our bodies oxidize and burn fat. Multiple studies have shown an increase in metabolic rates, weight loss, decreased waistline and fat loss with consistent green tea ingestion. 5. Beets and Red Cabbage Beets are chock-full of antioxidants. They contain phytochemical antioxidants called betanins. Betanins are the primary nutrient responsible for that beautiful red hue. Betanins contribute to three main disease-fighting actions (10, 11). Betanins: • Fight free radicals and oxidative • Reduce Inflammation • Support the detoxification of the cells • Like red cabbage and other superfoods, beets also support the production and work of glutathione, a powerful antioxidant our cells make to fight damaging substances. 6. Spices: Cinnamon, Ginger, Cloves, Turmeric, Chili, Garlic Most spices are highly antioxidant. In fact, in a review of FRAP scores of spices and herbs, 27 single products were in the range 100 to 465 mmol/100 grams (1)! This means that ounce to ounce, they are some of the concentrated sources of antioxidants available. But of course, you don’t likely eat the same volume of cinnamon as you do fruits, vegetables and drinks. But even so, a small amount of spice goes a long way towards fighting free radicals and oxidative stress. To add more antioxidants from spices, try adding ginger, cloves, turmeric, garlic, and cinnamon to your diet. And this time of year, add our delicious pumpkin spice mix! A little spice goes a long way, and pound for pound, deliver a lot for their cost. 7. Orange Foods: Butternut Squash, Carrots and Sweet Potatoes With most orange vegetables, it’s all about the carotenoid. Butternut squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes provide carotene antioxidants including alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants will work together to fight free radicals, reduce the risk of cancer, promote heart health and reduce plaque formations, and preserve eye health (12). You’ll seldom find a cheaper high-antioxidant food than a carrot. 8. Pecans Although pecans are expensive, they are a great splurge especially for Autumn recipes and the upcoming Holidays. Pecans are a nutritious nut, high in antioxidants. In fact, they contain 10.6 mmol of antioxidants per 3.5 ounces (100 grams) (1), which is higher than Kale (whoa) and most other nuts. They have been shown to effectively raise blood antioxidant levels (13). And best of all, these antioxidants work to provide tangible health benefits. They reduced oxidized blood LDL, which reduces artery plaques (14). Looking for ways to add pecans to your diet? Try these Keto Zone Pecan Tartlets. 9. Spirulina We need antioxidant and anti-inflammatory foods since our bodies are constantly bombarded with free radicals, oxidative damage, and inflammation each day. Luckily, spirulina fits the bill. Spirulina contains an active component called phycocyanin, which is an antioxidant that fights free radicals and decreases inflammatory signaling molecules in the body (15). Spirulina is convincingly great for you. The hardest part is taking it in a form that’s easy and tastes good. Try Divine Health’s Fermented Green Supremefood. 10. Cacao and Dark Chocolate If you like adding raw cacao to recipes or eating high-cacao dark chocolate, you’re consuming high-antioxidant foods disguised as dessert already. Believe it or not, cacao has more than 300 different antioxidant chemical compounds and more than 20 times the antioxidant power of blueberries. And while other foods’ antioxidants diminish with time, cacao has demonstrated stability in samples over 75 years old (16)! What’s more, based on the FRAP analysis, dark chocolate (high-cacao such as 70%+) has up to 15 mmol of antioxidants per 3.5 ounces (100 grams). Again, this is more blueberries and raspberries. Cacao provides many other health benefits as well, including stress reduction, reduced blood pressure, brain health, and more. If you want to learn about cacao’s effect on the body, check out these top 10 benefits. Bottom Line Free radicals bombard your body, from your head to your toes every day. But, there’s good news: You can eat high-antioxidant foods to increase your blood levels of antioxidants, and support your body’s production of glutathione to fight back. When you eat brightly colored plants, spices, and beverages such as coffee and tea, you consume antioxidants. These antioxidants will work in your body to fight oxidative stress, reduced oxidized cholesterol, and improve overall health. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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What Is Adrenal Fatigue? 3 Steps to Overcome Naturally

AHA Publisher — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 07:00:05 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DMN, CNS – Did you know that chronic stress can affect your body’s ability to recuperate from physical, mental or emotional stress? This is likely why most people have dealt with adrenal fatigue at some point in their lives. Many proponents of this condition estimate that almost every person can experience adrenal fatigue, also known as hypoadrenia, to some degree at a particularly stressful point in his or her life. Because the adrenals influence many parts of the body, symptoms of adrenal fatigue can mimic a number of disorders and isn’t always easily recognizable. Adrenal fatigue symptoms, like brain fog, moodiness and trouble sleeping, can be indicative of many disorders and are often overlooked by doctors. But more and more people are starting to realize that a combination of these health issues often indicate the onset of adrenal fatigue. If you have adrenal fatigue, it can have significant effects on your overall health. Luckily, you can improve this common issue naturally by focusing on your nutrient-intake and lifestyle choices. What Is Adrenal Fatigue? A relatively new term, “adrenal fatigue” was proposed as a new condition in 1998 by Dr. James L. Wilson, a naturopath and chiropractor. His assumption was that an overstimulation of the adrenal glands (or “adrenals”) by long-term stress could lead to an inconsistent level of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the bloodstream. In addition to this overload or improper stress hormone levels, people with adrenal fatigue often don’t have enough DHEA, the “parent hormone” responsible for the creation of many necessary hormones in the body. Dr. Wilson describes the unique progression of adrenal fatigue throughout the day as follows: • you wake up and are unable to function without a significant amount of caffeine • you finally feel a boost of energy during the early part of the day • then your energy levels crash around 2 p.m., rise around 6 p.m., fall again around 9 p.m. • your energy finally peaks again at 11 p.m. Is adrenal fatigue real? The major issue with recognizing or diagnosing adrenal fatigue is the inability to distinguish its symptoms and patterns from other disorders. The parameters for this condition are nonspecific which, unfortunately, has led to a great controversy around this topic, even though the very nature of cortisol and bodily hormones is that their effects are far-reaching. A diagnosis for this condition is difficult because stress hormone levels typically fall in what conventional medicine would call “inside the normal range,” although the symptoms are clear to those suffering from the condition. People who believe that adrenal fatigue isn’t a real health concern often state that consistent levels of chronic stress have no effect on the adrenals and the only true endocrine disorders are those caused by other diseases and direct damage to the adrenal glands. However, many practitioners of natural medicine know, from experience in a healthcare practice and supporting scientific evidence, that hypoadrenia is very real and associated with a number of complications. In addition, adrenal fatigue treatment is relatively non-invasive and is beneficial to your health, no matter the diagnosis. Of course, you should be under the care of a qualified medical professional, such as a functional medicine doctor, you trust and see them about any symptoms you experience (of any disease) so that they can determine appropriate treatment. What Are Your Adrenal Glands? Your adrenal glands (adrenals) are two thumb-sized organs that sit above your kidneys and are part of the endocrine system. Also known as the suprarenal glands, they’re involved in producing over 50 hormones that drive almost every bodily function, many of which are essential for life. The adrenal glands work closely with the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland in a system known as the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis). Adrenal glands play a huge role in stress response. Here’s how it works: • Your brain registers a threat, whether emotional, mental or physical. • The adrenal medulla releases cortisol and adrenaline hormones to help you react to the threat (the fight-or-flight response), rushing blood to your brain, heart and muscles. • The adrenal cortex then releases corticosteroids to dampen processes like digestion, immune system response and other functions not necessary for immediate survival. Your adrenal glands are also responsible for balancing hormones. Comparisons When discussing problems with adrenal function, it’s important to understand that adrenal fatigue is not the same thing as adrenal insufficiency, Addison’s disease or Cushing’s syndrome/Cushing’s disease. Here’s a quick breakdown of these conditions and how they are different than adrenal fatigue: Adrenal Insufficiency and Addison’s Disease • Symptoms found in adrenal insufficiency that are not found in adrenal fatigue include major digestive issues, weight loss, low blood sugar, headache and sweating. • Primary adrenal insufficiency is what is known as Addison’s disease and occurs when the adrenal glands are damaged by some type of trauma and can’t produce enough cortisol or aldosterone. • Secondary adrenal insufficiency (which is more common) occurs when the pituitary gland stops producing adenocorticotropin (ACTH). ACTH is what stimulates the adrenal glands to produce cortisol. • What differentiates this condition from adrenal fatigue? More often than not, adrenal fatigue is modeled by an overabundance of stress hormone levels, often at the “wrong” times, while adrenal insufficiency is a consistent inability to produce cortisol. • The largest difference between them is that people with adrenal fatigue usually have cortisol levels that fall in “normal” levels but not “optimal,” while adrenal insufficiency patients have cortisol levels consistently outside the normal range. Cushing’s Syndrome/Disease • Cushing’s disease is an extremely rare disease that involves the overproduction of cortisol, outside the normal levels, that most often affects women between 25–40. • This condition is sometimes the result of tumors and in other cases, there is no known cause. Cushing’s can be reversed and is defined as a “curable” condition by the National Institute of Health. • Unique symptoms of Cushing’s syndrome (called Cushing’s disease when caused by a pituitary tumor) include abdominal/facial weight gain, male impotence, failure to menstruate, increased risk of miscarriage, high blood sugar and high blood pressure. Causes Adrenal fatigue is a condition where your body and adrenal glands can’t keep up with the tremendous amount of daily stress many people experience. Sometimes misunderstood as an autoimmune disorder, adrenal fatigue can mimic some precursors to other common illnesses and disease. Wellness doctors and practitioners believe that an episode of acute stress or prolonged (especially for over a year), ongoing stress can cause adrenal glands to become overloaded and ineffective, then improperly release cortisol. They believe that hypoadrenia can be caused by: • Stressful experiences like death of loved one, divorce or surgery • Exposure to environmental toxins and pollution • Prolonged stress due to financial hardship, bad relationships or work environment, and other conditions that entail feelings of helplessness • Negative thinking and emotional trauma • Lack of sleep • Poor diet (including crash diets and inconsistent nutrition) and lack of exercise • Pain • Food sensitivities • Adverse events in childhood • Surgery • Reliance on stimulants like caffeine or energy drinks • Rheumatoid arthritis • Diabetes/impaired glucose levels Can stress cause extreme fatigue? Yes, it absolutely can. One study found that students undergoing chronic, long-term stress when prepping for medical exams at the end of their educational careers impaired the students’ cortisol awakening response. By limiting this surge in cortisol that naturally occurs every morning when you wake up to help you feel alert, stress inhibits your ability to wake up fully, no matter how much sleep you get. Another study, released in 2005, found that students diagnosed with chronic fatigue syndrome had “alterations in adrenal function,” particularly in females, suggesting that their adrenal glands were no longer receiving a normal amount of stimulation. Depression may also play a role in the development or effects of adrenal fatigue. Research shows that after a major depressive episode, cortisol responses do not easily readjust to normal levels and might be somewhat responsible for a recurrence of depression. And there’s research suggesting that hypothalamic dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease. Researchers are evaluating why dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is common in multiple sclerosis, but it’s believed to be linked to abnormal cortisol secretion. Symptoms What happens when the adrenal glands stop producing hormones efficiently? Every bodily function is affected, and as adrenal hormone levels ebb and flow abnormally, even the normal “get-up-and-go” you get from them disappears. Studies indicate that adrenal fatigue symptoms include: • Autoimmune conditions • Chronic fatigue (always feeling tired) • Brain fog • Hair loss • Hormone imbalance • Weakened stress response • Insulin resistance • Lightheadedness • Decreased sex drive/libido • Moodiness and irritability • Depression • Muscle or bone loss • Skin ailments • Sleep disturbances/sleep apnea • Weight gain • Sweet and salty food cravings • Loss of appetite As you can see, there are a number of symptoms that might be related to other underlying disorders, including some very common women’s health issues. Fortunately, the ways to combat these issues are very similar and will benefit your overall health. If you’ve experienced any of these adrenal fatigue side effects, take heart, for there are now many natural ways to treat and support your adrenal system. Diagnosis Many people go for some time without consulting their general physician or endocrinologist about some of the symptoms of adrenal fatigue. This is one major reason why diagnosis of this condition is uncommon. However, experiencing high cortisol symptoms over a long period of time can really take a toll. In addition, some symptoms can be indicative of more serious conditions. It’s probably time to visit the endocrinologist if: • You experience one or a combination of adrenal fatigue symptoms for an extended period of time • Your symptoms have begun interfering with normal life relationships and/or activities, such as work, family time or school • Dietary and lifestyle judgments have not significantly improved your symptoms • Your sleeping patterns have shifted into insomnia and/or you are no longer able to get restful sleep, no matter how long you’re in bed • You experience hyperpigmentation, or patches of darker skin on your body • You are a woman who has ceased menstruating • You experience dizziness and/or overall weakness for multiple consecutive days with no explainable cause (such as flu, concussion or excessive exercise) • You are unsure of how or unable to study adrenal fatigue supplements to safely take them, or unsure of how to structure an adrenal fatigue diet Adrenal Fatigue Tests Tests for adrenal fatigue are, unfortunately, another source of confusion for many. You should know ahead of time that these tests must be done by someone who understands the nature of adrenal fatigue and that tests for adrenal fatigue are rarely definitive. The most common of these tests include testing bodily fluid for cortisol. Blood tests are almost never helpful in this regard, but a 24-hour salivary panel may help your doctor recognize abnormal cortisol patterns, including a lack or overload of stress response. Many doctors also test thyroid function in conjunction with cortisol levels because of the way these hormonal systems are interconnected. Other tests that may be used to help diagnose or confirm adrenal fatigue include: • ACTH Challenge • TSH test (thyroid stimulating hormone) • Free T3 (FT3) • Total Thyroxine (TT4) • Cortisol/DHEA ratio • 17-HP/Cortisol ratio • Neurotransmitter testing There are also two safe home tests you can try, which include: • The Iris Contraction Test: The theory behind this test is that the iris will not be able to properly contract when exposed to light in people with weakened adrenal function. The test involves sitting in a dark room and shining a flashlight briefly across the eyes repeatedly. If you have adrenal fatigue, it’s possible that the eye contraction will last no more than two minutes and the eyes will dilate even when still exposed to direct light. • Postural Low Blood Pressure Test: In healthy individuals,...

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Is the Microbiome About to Change Medicine for Good?

AHA Publisher — Mon, 21 Oct 2019 07:00:21 +0000

Abigail Klein Leichman via Israel21c – Israeli microbiome research will help in predicting, diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions and diseases. Your body is composed of about 10 million human cells. It’s also home to about 100 trillion tiny microbes, mainly bacteria, that wield astonishing power over your health. Many influences, from genetics, to diet and stress, contribute to the makeup of your microbiome — the collective community of microbes as personal as a fingerprint. Understanding, manipulating and balancing the microbiome could play an increasing role in preventing and curing diseases. In 2018, about 2,400 clinical trials tested therapies based on microbiome science. Israel is one of the countries experiencing rapid growth in microbiome research and entrepreneurship. “In terms of discovery and publication rate, Israelis are at the global forefront,” says Dr. Eran Elinav, an international pioneer of microbiome research. Head of the Weizmann Institute of Science’s Host-Microbiome Interaction Research Group, Elinav and Weizmann colleague Prof. Eran Segal made headlines in November 2015 with results of the first phase of their groundbreaking Personalized Nutrition Project. The main takeaway message: Because of that very individualized gut microbiome, the same foods affect each person’s blood-sugar levels differently. Several large studies, including at the Mayo Clinic, later validated the Israeli findings. “This was a big paradigm shift,” Elinav tells ISRAEL21c. “Diet advice used to be based on quantifying or grading food to determine which is good and which is not. We showed that rather than scoring food we should score people because people react uniquely.” Their labs developed algorithms to quantify the gut microbiome and apply machine learning to predict what food spikes blood sugar for each individual. “We are now engaged in ongoing trials utilizing the personalized nutrition approach with people with pre-diabetes to see if we can slow or reverse the tendency of this huge population to develop diabetes,” Elinav says. “The study is in Israel, but it’s become interesting to the global scientific community.” Papers published by Elinav and Segal’s teams also reveal that artificial sweeteners impact gut microbes in a way that drives obesity; gut microbes may directly affect the course of the fatal neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); and probiotics are not one-size-fits-all. “We have a group of 40 researchers looking at the effect of the microbiome on many different diseases,” says Elinav. His lab participated in a recently published groundbreaking study with Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center researchers showing that a new treatment approach, vaginal microbiome transplantation, is effective against chronic bacterial vaginosis. Microbes and Mothers The maternal (or pregnancy) microbiome is an area of increasing interest: How do the microbiomes in the birth canal, gut and breastmilk affect mother and baby pre- and postpartum? Are infants delivered via C-section missing beneficial immunity effects of the vaginal microbiome? This is one focus of Omry Koren, head of the Microbiome Research Lab at Bar-Ilan University’s medical school in Safed. He’ll be the keynote speaker at the international microbiome research conference on pregnancy, birth and infancy, October 31 in Milan. Koren’s lab discovered that the pregnancy hormone progesterone regulates the mother’s gut microbiome to help the fetus develop. In a recently published study in Gut, Koren explains why pregnancy for women with IBD is not only safe but even potentially beneficial: the hormonal effects steadily improve the diversity of the mother’s gut microbiome until it reaches a normal level. “We are now trying to understand if we can use the microbiome to predict pregnancy complications and treat them, and how these complications affect the newborn,” Koren tells ISRAEL21c. His lab also explores how bacteria and behavior influence one another. Perhaps, Koren explains, changing the balance of gut microbes could treat brain disorders such as depression. Koren’s lab is involved in clinical trials on fecal transplantation, a method used to restore the bacterial balance in a patient’s gut using stool from healthy donors. One such study, in collaboration with Sheba Medical Center, is investigating whether this method may help cancer patients who currently do not respond to immunotherapy. Another collaboration with Sheba is examining the role of the microbiome in graft vs. host disease, where transplanted bone marrow attacks the recipient. Fecal transplants potentially could restore the microbiome and immune system. Koren believes microbiome research will affect predicting, diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions and diseases. Illustrating the prominence of Israeli scientists in this field, Koren organized a Microbiome Israel Workshop at Bar-Ilan last year. To his surprise, more than 300 people came to hear the 15 presenters and he was asked to make it an annual event. The next workshop is scheduled for December 12, featuring experts from Bar-Ilan, Weizmann, Hebrew University, Ariel University, Tel Aviv University, Ben-Gurion University, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Assaf Harofe Medical Center and Migal-Galilee Research Institute. Related: Boost Gut Microbiome Health to Boost Mental Health + Tips to Improve Digestion ‘The Most Important Way to Prevent Disease, Including Cancer’: A Dose of Good Bacteria a Day Keeps the Doctor Away DayTwo: Food as Medicine Israeli microbiome research is feeding the startup engine. Elinav and Segal’s research forms the basis for two Israeli companies: DayTwo of Tel Aviv and San Francisco, and BiomX of Ness Ziona. DayTwo uses microbiome analysis to personalize nutrition for optimal health. CEO Lihi Segal (no relation to Eran) tells ISRAEL21c that tens of thousands of clients in Israel and America use DayTwo’s home test kit and app to choose, log, and track foods that best balance their blood sugar. “Our scoring system rates thousands of different foods and food combinations based on your biometrics, gut microbiome analysis, lifestyle factors and health questionnaire,” says Segal. “Our algorithm continues to develop and validate itself based on user data, which means that the scoring system has become even more precise over time.” In the competitive landscape of personalized nutrition programs, diabetes management and gut microbiome testing, only DayTwo combines all three. Segal describes DayTwo as “an actionable solution, based on cutting-edge science, which allows users to enjoy a food-as-medicine approach to balancing blood-sugar levels and, ultimately, to battle chronic metabolic disease without relying on drugs.” Among DayTwo’s users and investors is Israeli basketball star Omri Casspi. Having raised $48 million, DayTwo is mining its microbiome sequencing database to research solutions for irritable bowel syndrome/disease (IBS/IBD) and intestinal cancers. “Research tells us that the microbiome plays a role in a myriad of conditions including obesity, diabetes, malnutrition, asthma, allergies, inflammation, Crohn’s and colitis, IBS, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s, autism, C. Diff [a bacterium that causes diarrhea and colitis], colon cancer, lactose intolerance, and more,” says Segal. Digital health advances are making it easier to test individuals’ gut microbiome and provide personalized patient experiences, she points out. “Currently, the role of the microbiome in treating disease is primarily used in fields such as functional medicine and not necessarily part of the standard of care. As the science evolves, with more evidence supporting the microbiome as a key indicator in health and disease, we believe that it will become a pivotal component in diagnosing and treating disease.” BiomX: A Hammer in Search of Nails BiomX focuses on phage therapy using natural and synthetic bacteriophages — viruses that infect and destroy bacteria. This approach is based on Weizmann Institute and Massachusetts Institute of Technology research suggesting phage “cocktails” could target specific harmful bacteria without disturbing other residents of the microbiome as antibiotics do. Phages were discovered 100 years ago but fell out of favor as a therapy once antibiotics were invented. Thanks to research by the Weizmann’s Rotem Sorek and others, it is now understood how bacteria defend themselves and how phage therapy can get around that defense system. BiomX is working on its first product, to treat acne, in collaboration with an international cosmetics company. The next indication will be IBD followed by orphan liver disease and oncology. “We’re holding a hammer and looking for the nails,” CEO Jonathan Solomon tells ISRAEL21c. “Not every disease can be explained by a specific type of bacteria. But we will find more, and we will have the precision tools to go after them.” BiomX currently is developing diagnostic biomarkers to predict who will best respond to one of investor Johnson & Johnson’s key drugs for IBD. This is made possible in part by “fantastic computational tools” invented by Segal and further developed by RondinX, an Israeli company BiomX acquired in 2017. “One day, you could have your microbiome analyzed from a small stool sample to find out what drug will work best for you, or the doctor could prescribe phages to manage IBD and control the inflammatory response,” saysBiomX chief business officer Assaf Oron. “The jury is still out on how well these therapies work,” he adds. “But we believe phage therapy for certain indications will become standard in the future.” My Biotics MyBiotics in Rehovot has developed a unique platform to grow beneficial bacteria, singly or in clusters, to compete with disease-promoting microbes in a patient’s gut and restore a healthy microbiome balance. “We grow them in a way that protects the bacteria and allows them to colonize the gut in a better way than any probiotics,” says CEO and cofounder Didi Daboush. The company is close to commercializing two initial products. The first will create a white powder from human donor feces to replace fecal transplantation with a safer, more controlled process. This will go to human clinical trials in 2020. The second product is probiotics for nonclinical use such as food additives. MyBiotics has several collaborations with food and pharma companies to bring this to market. The company works with academic institutes in Israel and abroad, and its staff of 15 also includes experts from Israel and abroad. A recently completed $8 million investment round with Israeli and Japanese participation takes the total raised since the company’s 2014 inception to $9 million. To read the original article click here. For more articles by Israel21c click here.

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How Smoking in 1959 Is Like Eating in 2019: How Could There Be Such a Disconnect Between the Science and Medical Practice?

AHA Publisher — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 07:00:16 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – Eating the Standard American Diet today is like being a smoker in the 1950s. Just as smoking was rampant back then, think about what we’re feeding even hospital patients to this day. “Most deaths in the United States are preventable and related to nutrition.” According to the most rigorous analysis of risk factors ever published, the Global Burden of Disease study, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, our diet is both the number-one cause of death and the number-one cause of disability in the United States, having bumped smoking tobacco down to number two. Smoking now kills about a half million Americans every year, whereas our diet kills thousands more. If most death and disability is preventable and related to nutrition, then, certainly, nutrition is the number-one subject taught in medical school and the number-one topic your doctor talks with you about, right? How can there be such a disconnect between the science and the practice of medicine? Let’s do a thought experiment. Imagine you’re a smoker in the 1950s. The average per-capita cigarette consumption was about 4,000 cigarettes a year. Think about that. In the 1950s, the average American smoked half a pack a day. My video How Smoking in 1959 Is Like Eating in 2019 shows a series of 1950s tobacco ads featuring media stars, famous athletes, and even Santa Claus telling you to smoke. The message was clear: If you wanted to keep fit and stay slender, you made sure to smoke. Magazine ads also encouraged you to eat hot dogs to keep yourself trim, as well as lots of sugar to stay both slim and trim. One ad even claimed that sugar was less fattening than apples. Apples! Though one internal tobacco industry memo stated, “Apples connote goodness and freshness and we see many possibilities for our youth-oriented cigarette with this flavor.” They wanted to make apple-flavored cigarettes for kids. Shameless! As those 1950s ads tell us, in addition to staying “fit,” staying “slender,” and “guard[ing] against throat-scratch”, “for digestion’s sake,” you could smoke. “No curative power is claimed for Philip Morris,” read one ad, “but—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Heeding that advice, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so you’d better smoke. Like eating, smoking was a family affair. Marlboro ads featured babies with comment bubbles saying, “Gee, Mommy, you sure enjoy your Marlboro,” “You’re darn tootin my dad smokes Marlboro…he knows a good thing,” and “Just one question, Mom…can you afford not to smoke Marlboro?” In another ad from the 1950s featuring a stereotypically nuclear family, the dad is given cartons of cigarettes from his doting children—one boy and one girl, of course—and even the dog has a carton as his doting wife looks on. “Blow in her face and she’ll follow you anywhere” was one tobacco company’s tagline, and “No woman ever says no to Winchester” was another. After all, cigarettes are “so round, so firm, so fully packed.” After all, John Wayne smoked them…until he got lung cancer and died. Back then, even the Flintstones were smoking, and so were the doctors. This is not to say there wasn’t controversy within the medical profession. Yes, some ads showed doctors smoking Camels, but, in others, physicians preferred Lucky Strikes, so there was some disagreement. Indeed, “eminent doctors…on high and impartial medical authority…call for Philip Morris.” Even “leading nose and throat specialists” couldn’t agree which cigarette is better for your throat. Probably best to stick to the science, and, touts another ad, “more scientists…smoke Kent…” This should not be rocket science—but even the rocket scientists had their favorite Viceroys for the “man who thinks for himself.” Can you guess why the American Medical Association (AMA) “went on record as withholding endorsement of the Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking and Health, which documented the important role of cigarettes in…lung cancer”? A “gift from the tobacco companies” of ten million dollars may have had a little something to do with that. But why weren’t more individual doctors speaking out? There were a few gallant souls ahead of their time writing in to medical journals, as there are today, standing up against industries killing millions, but why not more? Maybe it’s because “the majority of physicians themselves smoke[d] cigarettes,” just like the majority of physicians today continue to eat foods that contribute to our epidemics of dietary diseases. What was the AMA’s rallying cry back then? Everything “in moderation.” The AMA said “[e]xtensive scientific studies have proved that smoking in moderation” is okay. Eating the Standard American Diet today is like being a smoker in the 1950s. Just as smoking was rampant back then, think about what we’re feeding even hospital patients to this day. We don’t have to wait until society catches up with the science. Sometimes it takes a whole generation for things to change in medicine. The old guard of smoking physicians and medical school professors die off, and a new generation takes its place—but how many people need to die in the interim? In health, Michael Greger, M.D. This article has been modified. To read the original article click here. For more articles by Dr. Greger click here.

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‘The Most Important Way to Prevent Disease, Including Cancer’: A Dose of Good Bacteria a Day Keeps the Doctor Away

AHA Publisher — Mon, 30 Sep 2019 07:00:19 +0000

Lorie Johnson via CBN Health News – The walls of a healthy gut are semi-permeable. They are made up of tiny holes like a fine mesh strainer. These tiny holes allow vital nutrients to flow from the gut into the bloodstream and ultimately other parts of our body. Today’s leading health experts recommend putting lots of good bacteria in our gut in the form of probiotic foods like yogurt and kimchi. They also advise consuming pre-biotic fiber, like vegetables to help keep the bacteria thriving. Finally, they warn against taking antibiotics and eating processed foods, which can reduce the good bacteria in our intestines. A growing number of doctors tell their patients by following this plan, they can prevent our scariest diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s as well as our everyday aches and pains like bloating and diarrhea. Bacteria: The Master Key to Our Cells Medical researchers spend countless hours and dollars discovering all kinds of secrets to a longer, better life. Dr. Raphael Kellman is among an increasingly large group of physicians who say the microbiome stands at the top of this list. “The most important message that has come from science in the last decade, even less, maybe seven years, the most important message from all of the scientific research is this: the microbiome is essential and key to our health,” he told CBN News. In his book The Microbiome Breakthrough, Dr. Kellman explains why he feels everyone should do what they can to increase the amount and type of living bacteria in our gut. “In my opinion, it’s the most important way to prevent disease including cancer,” he said. Dr. Heidi Nelson, a Mayo Clinic microbiome researcher, agrees. She told CBN News the tiny ecosystem in our intestines demands balance. “If you have a buildup of certain bad nutrients, let’s take for example hydrogen sulfide, we know that some bacteria produce hydrogen sulfide and others remove it and use it,” she said, “But if you have too much hydrogen sulfide that could, in some people, be the cause of the break of DNA that starts the chain reaction of colon cancer from developing.” Getting the right mix of bacteria in our gut also reduces one of the greatest causes of cardiovascular problems: inflammation. “And that can cause high blood pressure that can affect the vessels in the body and that’s all related to heart disease,” Dr. Kellman said. A healthy gut can also prevent bloating, gas and diarrhea. These problems make everyday life miserable for far too many people who don’t realize they could end their suffering by improving their gut health. Autoimmune Diseases Tied to a “Leaky Gut” Dr. Kellman says the benefits can also help autoimmune disorders like Rheumatoid Arthritis. Another autoimmune disease affecting millions is Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, which often goes undiagnosed. Symptoms of Hashimoto’s include fatigue and weight gain. Dr. Kellman says autoimmune diseases are often caused an extremely unhealthy gut condition called “leaky gut.” The walls of a healthy gut are semi-permeable. They are made up of tiny holes like a fine mesh strainer. These tiny holes allow vital nutrients to flow from the gut into the bloodstream and ultimately other parts of our body. However, damage to the gut from certain medications, foods, stress and more cause the tiny holes to enlarge. These larger holes allow big proteins and other particles to escape the gut and into the body that shouldn’t. Because the large particles shouldn’t be outside the gut, the immune system recognizes them as foreign and attacks them, causing damaging inflammation. Sometimes the immune system even attacks healthy tissue, like the thyroid, if the tissue resembles the large particles that escaped the gut. The good news is a “leaky gut” can be repaired. In fact, Dr. Kellman teaches his patients at New York City’s Kellman Center how to do this, practicing a sub-specialty he calls Microbiome Medicine. “The microbiome is a key player in healing Chron’s Disease and Colitis, Irritable Bowel Syndrome,” he said. Proof: Microbiome Affects Our Weight Approximately one-third of all Americans are obese, a health condition that leads to many other diseases such as diabetes, cancer and more. Obesity is so dangerous it’s now the second leading preventable cause of death behind smoking. Health experts say poor gut health often leads to obesity. Dr. Vincent Pedre teaches his patients to lose weight and keep it off by achieving and maintaining the proper mix of bacteria in the gut. “When your gut is healthy it’s much easier for your body to maintain a healthy weight,” he told CBN News. In a landmark study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis researchers took identical human twins with the same DNA, although one was obese and the other was thin. They put gut bacteria from each twin into germ-free mice. The animals that received the obese twin’s gut bacteria became obese, while the mice that received the thin twin’s gut bacteria remained thin, even though all the mice at the same food. In his book, Happy Gut, Dr. Pedre explains since 80-percent of the immune system is located in the gut, a healthy one can prevent everything from infections to rashes. “Which could appear like eczema on your skin, hives, allergies, asthma, even migraines are connected to poor gut health,” he said. Brain Function Linked to Gut Health Even though our brain and gut are far apart, one of the key functions of health is preventing problems with the way we think and feel, everything from depression to Alzheimer’s. Dr. David Perlmutter, author of the New York Times bestseller Brain Maker explains how an internal super-highway called the gut-brain axis carries neurotransmitters, vitamins and other essential information from the gut to the brain, mitigating or in many cases, preventing our most troublesome neurological problems such as depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders as well as Alzheimer’s disease, ADHD, Parkinson’s, even autism. “A recent study that appeared in a well-respected, peer-reviewed medical journal actually looked at giving children with autism a fecal transplant, transplanting into them healthy gut bacteria. It was a small study, only 20 participants, but the results were really quite dramatic,” he told CBN News. Thousands of years ago, Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, famously said, “All disease begins in the gut.” Today’s health experts agree, adding the opposite is also true: all disease can be prevented in the gut. To read the original article click here. For more articles from CBN News click here.

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