olive oil Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Homemade Lotion with Frankincense, Lavender & Peppermint Oils

AHA Publisher — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 07:00:37 +0000

Dr. Josh Axe, DC, DNM, CN – Did you know that almost anything you put on your skin can seep right through and into your bloodstream? Yes, that includes parabens and other dangerous chemicals in skin products. So while many of you have taken the clean eating movement seriously (and that is fantastic!), many are forgetting about the products that they are slathering on their bodies. Unfortunately, too many of these products are littered with chemicals and preservatives that head right into the bloodstream and travel throughout our bodies, wreaking havoc by causing inflammation and more. But it doesn’t have to be that way with natural skin care, including my homemade lotion for your face and body. Aging is an indication of the time moving forward and while we cannot stop time, we may be able to help reduce the signs of it through our skin. This lotion is easy to make and will soothe the skin while offering a healthy glow soon after the first application. How to Make Homemade Lotion To make this amazing homemade lotion, you can use a double-boiler or a glass heat safe bowl — you can also use a glass measuring cup — that fits inside a pan. Put the benefit-rich olive oil, beeswax and shea butter in the container you have chosen for heating over medium heat and slowly melt while stirring. If you are using a glass container and saucepan, make sure the sauce pan has enough water in it to cover about half the glass bowl. Olive oil has amazing moisturizing characteristics without being too greasy. Olive oil has been used since ancient times and it contains squalene, which is a phenolic compound that is filled with useful anti-aging antioxidants, hydrating qualities and may fight skin cancer. Beeswax is another amazing skin-healing ingredient, and it locks in moisture. Beeswax is filled with softening and emollient rich vitamin A, which can help rebuild damaged skin cells. And being comedogenic, it won’t clog pores — keeping the skin moist and blackhead free. Shea butter adds more richness to this hydrating skin-glowing lotion. With the ability to boost collagen, shea butter is a perfect ingredient to add to this blend. Once these ingredients have melted and are well blended, remove from the heat. After allowing the mixture to cool, add the essential oils. Frankincense is my go-to when it comes to skin. Not only is it an anti-aging and wrinkle-fighting ingredient, it helps heal bacteria-containing blemishes. Lavender partners right up with frankincense to help reduce acne-causing bacteria while providing useful relaxing benefits as well. And let’s not forget about peppermint oil, which travels with me wherever I go. While it can eliminate headaches in seconds by placing a drop on the forehead, it can eliminate aches from sore muscles and rejuvenate the skin. Peppermint essential oil is microbial, providing calming effects to inflamed skin such as a sunburn, eczema and psoriasis. Now you can try it out to see how you want the texture. For a creamier texture, you can use an electric mixer or hand beater for a minute or two. Once all ingredients have been well blended to the desired consistency and has cooled, place in a container. I like to use a glass mason jar, but you can also use a BPA-free plastic bottle with a pump. I like to keep my DIY lotion in the refrigerator during the warmer months to maintain consistency since the coconut oil can melt. You can decide what works best depending on where you live. I hope you enjoy this wonderful chemical-free lotion that is gentle enough to use every day! Homemade Lotion Recipe Here’s a homemade lotion for your hands, body and face. This DIY lotion is easy to make and will soothe the skin while offering a healthy glow soon after the first application. INGREDIENTS ¼ cup olive oil 3 tablespoons coconut oil 1 tablespoons beeswax 1 tablespoon shea butter 10 drops frankincense essential oil 10 drops lavender essential oil 5 drops peppermint essential oil INSTRUCTIONS Place the olive oil, shea butter, coconut oil and beeswax in a glass bowl in a pan with warm water (or you can use a double-boiler). Heat the ingredients, while stirring, until they melt. Continue to stir until well blended. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Add the essential oil. Stir again until well blended. Check the consistency. For a thinner, creamier consistency, use a hand mixer (or electric mixer) for one or two minutes. Place in your favorite container. Dark glass is best for extending shelf life Apply, as needed, to the hands, face and body, avoiding the eyes. To read the original article click here.

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Fewer Migraines From More Fish Oil and Less Vegetable Oil, Study Reveals

AHA Publisher — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 07:00:02 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from migraine headaches, you know that the pain can be relentless – persisting for hours and even days. Unfortunately, these disabling headaches are far from rare. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), research from 2018 showed that over 15 percent of all American adults reported having a migraine within the past three months. While Western medicine attempts to address migraines with pharmaceutical drugs – including addictive opioids and toxic NSAID medications – new research published in the medical journal The BMJ shows a simple dietary intervention may reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. To discover how “tweaking” your diet may help tame migraine headaches, read on. Ladies, Beware: Women Suffer Migraine Headaches Twice as Often as Men Do Migraine headaches are usually characterized by throbbing, pulsing pain, limited to only one side of the head. In addition, nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound can occur, along with visual disturbances such as flashes of light and blind spots. Migraines can last anywhere from 4 to 72 hours and can strike at unpredictable intervals. Some patients report rare, isolated attacks, while others suffer multiple headaches a month. Studies show that women are almost twice as likely to experience migraines than men, disproportionately affecting younger women. In fact, one of the benefits of senior citizenship is that the frequency of migraines seems to take a nosedive as we age. According to the CDC, one-fourth of women between 18 and 44 reported a severe headache within three months – a rate that plummets to only 7.6 percent of women aged 75 and over. Older men also fared better than younger, with 12.3 percent of men 18 to 44 reporting headaches, compared to a mere 4 percent in men 75 and older. Still, despite the measure of relief some patients gain in their “golden years,” migraine headaches remain a painful ordeal for many. “Double-Edged Sword” – Balance of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Affects Pain and Inflammation The research investigated the effects of two types of polyunsaturated fatty acids – omega-3s, found in cold-water fish in the form of EPA and DHA – and omega-6s, found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds. Omega-3s are believed to be strongly anti-inflammatory, while omega-6s can be pro-inflammatory. Does this mean that omega-6 fatty acids are “bad?” Not necessarily. After all, a certain amount of inflammation is needed by the body to fight injury and infection. But, dietary intake of the two fats must be balanced, with most natural health experts advising an “omega-3 to omega-6 ratio” of 1:4. Unfortunately, the Standard American Diet (aptly abbreviated as SAD!) tends to be top-heavy with omega-6 oils (thanks to soybean oil in many commercial foods) while potentially low in omega-3s. The effect of this unhealthy way of eating? Systemic chronic inflammation – which not only can trigger migraines but lies at the root of many degenerative diseases. The new study showcases the benefits of properly balancing this pair of essential fatty acids. BIG NEWS: Research Highlights Hope for Migraine Sufferers The study – conducted by researchers from the National Institute on Aging, the National Institutes of Health, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – involved 182 frequent migraine sufferers experiencing 5 to 20 headaches a month. One group of participants received a diet with increased omega-3s (EPA and DHA in the amount of 1.5 grams a day), while a second group received a diet with increased omega-3s along with decreased amounts of linoleic acid (a common omega-6). By comparison, the control group was given a diet that featured a higher ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s. The results helped to confirm what natural health experts have long maintained about the power of proper nutrition to mitigate inflammation. An impressive finding is that the diet higher in omega-3s reduced total daily “headache hours” by up to 40 percent. And, when the diet was higher in omega-3s and lower in omega-6s, the number of “migraine days” in a month were decreased by four – also a significant improvement. In addition, the greatest decrease in severity and frequency occurred with the combination diet. Study leader Christopher Ramsden, MD, noted that this was the first moderate-sized controlled trial showing that targeted changes in the diet can decrease physical pain. The key to the dietary intervention’s success seems to revolve around oxylipins, natural fatty acid-derived compounds that influence pain and inflammation. While omega-3s help produce oxylipins that reduce inflammation and pain, omega-6s appear to create oxylipins that worsen pain and provoke migraines. Experts Concur on the Importance of Anti-Inflammatory Omega-3s Other noted headache experts are “on board” with the study’s findings and acting on them. For example, Rebecca Burch, MD, a physician with the Graham Headache Center at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA., declares, “(The study) results support recommending a high-omega-3 diet to patients in clinical practice.” For a better balance of polyunsaturated fats in your diet, seek to avoid processed seed and vegetable oils that are high in omega-6s (as well as the processed foods that contain them). Instead, olive, palm, and coconut oils – along with grass-fed butter – are a wiser choice. To boost beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, experts advise eating two servings of cold-water fatty fish – such as wild-caught salmon or sardines – a week. Pastured-raised eggs can also help provide omega-3s. Ramping up omega-3s while decreasing omega-6s is an intriguing natural intervention that shows promise in helping to manage painful headaches and bring much-needed relief to migraine sufferers. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com Medscape.com CDC.gov CDC.gov To read the original article click here.

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The Effect of Avocados on Small, Dense, LDL Cholesterol

AHA Publisher — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 07:00:34 +0000

Michael Greger M.D. FACLM via Nutrition Facts – What are the effects of oatmeal, walnuts, extra virgin olive oil, and avocados on LDL cholesterol size? When a headline reads “Avocados could improve your cholesterol—and more,” the article and others like it are largely talking about substitution experiments, where avocado is added to the diet as a replacement for animal fats. In that case, it’s no wonder cholesterol goes down. Dairy and poultry are the two greatest contributors of cholesterol-raising saturated fat intake, so if you take people eating a standard North American diet including animal fats, they may start out with an LDL cholesterol level up around 95mg/dl. If you add avocado to their diet without doing anything else, their cholesterol does not go down; instead, it may go up to around 105mg/dl. If you add avocado while reducing saturated fat intake, though, cholesterol falls to about 90mg/dl—but that drop isn’t very different from what you’d get by just reducing saturated fat and adding nothing, which was shown to give an LDL under 90mg/dl, as you can see at 0:34 in my video Avocados Lower Small Dense LDL Cholesterol. What if you compared the effects of eating no meat at all with a meat-free diet that included avocado? Researchers took people with sky-high cholesterol levels up around 300mg/dl and switched them to either a relatively low-fat vegetarian diet with about 20 percent of calories from fat or a vegetarian diet with added avocado that took it up about 30 percent of calories from fat, which is a more typical fat content. As you can see at 1:22 in my video, the study participants started out with LDLs through the roof, and, while cutting out meat may have helped, cutting out meat and adding avocado seemed to help even more—and it may help best with the worst type of LDL. As I’ve touched on before, all LDL cholesterol is bad cholesterol. However, large, fluffy LDL may only increase the odds of cardiac events such as heart attacks by 31 percent, whereas small, dense LDL is even worse and increases the odds by 44 percent. If you feed people a lot of oatmeal and oat bran, not only does that cause their LDL to go down overall, but it specifically brings down the small LDL, the worst of the worst. What happens if you add walnuts to a low-fat diet? As you can see at 2:04 in my video, LDL goes down and, at the same time, the size distribution of the LDL shifts to be a little more benign. What if you put people on a plant-based diet with lots of fiber and nuts? As shown as 2:15 in my video, you can get a massive 30 percent drop in LDL, a drop that is comparable to a cholesterol-lowering statin drug. What’s more, this includes a drop in the small, dense LDL, which is the most dangerous. This does not happen with extra-virgin olive oil, however, so it’s not just a monounsaturated fat effect. In the famous PREDIMED study, which you can see at 2:35 in my video, those randomized to the extra nuts group got a significant drop in the smallest, densest LDL, but those randomized to the extra-virgin olive oil group did not. So, there appears to be some special components in nuts that lowers the worst of the worst LDL cholesterol. Do avocados offer similar benefits? We didn’t know until the first randomized controlled feeding trial to look at avocados and LDL size. The researchers removed animal fat from people’s diet and replaced it with either carbohydrates, avocado, or vegetable oils that had a similar fat profile to the avocados. In this way, the avocado group and the vegetable oil group were put on very similar diets, except one had the nutrients unique to avocados and the other did not. What happened? Any time you lower intake of saturated fat, such as replacing animal fat with plant fat (vegetable oil in this case) or carbohydrates, you’re going to bring down LDL. Okay, but does replacing animal fat with the whole plant food avocado make a difference? Yes. That resulted in an even better effect. To see why, the researchers broke the LDL down into large versus small. All three treatments brought down the dangerous large LDL, but the avocado had the additional effect of also bringing down the super dangerous small LDL. That’s where that extra drop came from. You can see a graph depicting these findings at 3:27 in my video. So, it’s not just a matter of replacing animal fat with plant fat. There are additional benefits to the fiber and phytonutrients of whole plant foods like avocados. If there’s something good in avocados, should we just add avocado extracts to meat? Well, incorporating avocado extracts into pork patties evidently reduces the meat’s cholesterol oxidation products that “have been well documented” to be toxic, carcinogenic, and atherosclerotic, but it doesn’t eliminate them. KEY TAKEAWAYS Dairy and poultry are two of the most significant contributors of cholesterol-raising saturated fat in the diet. Simply adding avocado to the diet without also reducing saturated fat intake does not appear to lower cholesterol and, in fact, may cause it to rise. Substitution experiments, where avocado replaces animal fats in the diet, have shown improvements in cholesterol, however, the drop does not appear to differ much from just reducing saturated fat consumption without adding anything else. Comparing the effects of a meat-free diet to a meat-free diet with added avocado, researchers found that eschewing meat while also adding avocado helped even more than merely skipping meat, and it may help more effectively with the worst type of bad LDL cholesterol, small, dense LDL. Oatmeal, oat bran, walnuts, and a plant-based diet rich in fiber and nuts have all been shown to cause LDL to lower overall and the more dangerous, small LDL, specifically, but this was not seen with extra-virgin olive oil, suggesting it is not only a monounsaturated fat effect. Researchers removed animal fat from subjects’ diets and replaced it with either carbohydrates, avocado, or vegetable oils with similar fat profiles to avocados and found that replacing the animal fat with the whole plant food avocado had the best results in reducing LDL. All three treatments lowered large LDL, but avocado had the added effect of also lowering the more dangerous small LDL. To read the original article click here.

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Amazing Science-Backed Benefits of Oleocanthal

AHA Publisher — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 07:00:55 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – We all know that extra virgin olive oil is good for us. But what if most benefits of the Mediterranean Diet and olive oil are from a specific component of the oil? What if most of the olive oils sold in the United States don’t contain it? Does your olive oil measure up? Introducing the benefits of oleocanthal. Here’s what it is, what it does in the human body, and how to get yours today. What Is Oleocanthal? Oleocanthal (OC) is one of many phenols found in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), and it is also known as deacetoxy-ligstroside aglycon. It was first identified as a minor phenolic compound in olives in 1993 (1). The amount of oleocanthal in EVOO varies due to the varieties of olives and different regions in which they are grown. Unfortunately, many commercial EVOO contains negligible or no-detectable OC(2). While all EVOO’s phenols are beneficial, it’s OC that produces amazing results. In fact, the benefits of oleocanthal range from supporting brain health to reducing inflammation to inhibiting the overgrowth of harmful cells. Science-Backed Benefits of Oleocanthal Most of the health benefits of OC are due to its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant actions. Oleocathal’s anti-inflammatory properties were first described in 2005 (3). At that time, scientists believed OC’s anti-inflammatory strength was similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) like ibuprofen (4). In fact, OC provides anti-inflammatory benefits by inhibiting inflammatory enzymes called cyclooxygenase enzymes COX-1 and COX-2 in lab studies. These enzymes are part of the reaction that converts arachidonic acid into inflammatory prostaglandins and thromboxane (5,6). OC’s anti-inflammatory effects are dose-dependent. Amazingly, oleocanthal is as strong, or even stronger, than ibuprofen (5,7,8). A 2005 lab study reported that oleocanthal inhibited 41–57% of COX activity while the same amount of ibuprofen inhibited only 13–18% COX activity (5). And, oleocanthal does even more. Oleocanthal and Brain Health Recent animal studies indicate that OC supports brain health while we age and slows degeneration. How? OC disrupts β-amyloid oligomerization (synthesis) and protects against neurodegeneration (9). What’s more, OC inhibits proteins’ fibrillization, which can occur in degeneration (10, 11). In addition, OC promotes amyloid clearance by inducing gene expression of transport proteins. This is hugely beneficial in supporting brain health (12, 13). Oleocanthal and Healthy Cells The Mediterranean diet and olive oil consumption are specifically linked to better overall health and reduction in cell overgrowth (14, 15). Analyses have found that supplementing high-oleocanthal olive oil results in lower cell-overgrowth prevalence (16) and less-invasive cells (17). In fact, researchers have not found that OC specifically fights harmful cells’ lysosomes, causing cellular toxicity and death both in lab and animal studies as needed (18). Oleocanthal and Heart Health It’s widely accepted that olive oil is great for your heart. Studies results show the benefits of OC include healthy hearts. One study found that consuming oleocanthal for one week increased antiplatelet effects and aggregation in healthy men. This supports heart health and healthy blood flow (19). Another study tested 3 different varying concentrations of OC consumption on healthy men. Each consumed oleocanthal at random for one week. Researchers assessed the effect on platelet function 2 hours after ingestion. Concentrated OC significantly inhibited platelet aggregation, while those consuming olive oil with no oleocanthal did not show the same benefit. Interestingly, the latter oil still had the same total amount of phenols, mainly in the form of free tyrosol (20). Oleocanthal and Joint Health As described above, oleocanthal is a potent COX enzyme inhibitor. This is great news for those with stiff or inflamed joints. Not only does OC disrupt the production of inflammatory prostaglandins, but it also suppresses lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production. These actions inhibit nitric oxide synthase gene expression (21). Nitric oxide is a key facet of joint inflammation. OC is a potent natural compound that can support healthy joints (13). How to Get Enough Oleocanthal It can be difficult to consume oleocanthal and receive the benefits of oleocanthal from modern olive oil. In fact, most commercial varieties don’t contain any detectable amounts. Luckily, you can now get a cost-effective, convenient form of concentrated oleocanthal. Introducing Dr. Colbert’s Oleocanthal Our supplement line has expanded to include this amazing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. Introducing Dr. Colbert’s Oleocanthal (Powerful Antioxidant Concentrated from High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil)! This powerful supplement contains 2250 milligrams of oleocanthal per serving in an easy-to-take form. It’s been formulated specifically to support brain, heart, and whole-body health. Get yours today! Bottom Line Looking to support your brain health? Heart health? Joint-health? Whole-body health? Oleocanthal is an amazing compound ready to do it all. If you don’t have a trusted source of proven high-oleocanthal extra-virgin olive oil, get Dr. Colbert’s Oleocanthal (Powerful Antioxidant Concentrated from High-Phenolic Extra Virgin Olive Oil) today! To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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7 Superfoods to Help You Prevent Sunburn

AHA Publisher — Thu, 27 May 2021 07:00:47 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Slathering your body with a goopy white chemical concoction may not be the only way to protect your skin from the damaging effects of a sunburn. It turns out that what you eat can have a dramatic effect on your tendency to burn. God didn’t make mistakes when creating human beings. We are not meant to be as vulnerable to the sun as we currently think we are. In fact, the sun is a life giving force that supplies the body with essential nutrients such as vitamin D. But if this true, how did we get to be so afraid of the sun? Catalyst vs. Cause Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in the course of a lifetime. It is estimated that between 40 to 50 percent of Americans who live to age 65 will develop a carcinogenic skin tumor. That is scary! Skin cancer is a serious issue that is certainly associated with overexposure to the sun in many cases. However, people also often develop skin cancers in areas rarely – if ever – exposed to the sun, such as the armpit or the groin. This means that sunburn is not the root cause of skin cancer, but instead more like a catalyst for its formation. It is true that a life of excessive sun exposure and sun damage will likely make your body more susceptible to skin cancer, but this is much more likely if your body is already in a weakened and vulnerable state due to poor diet and lifestyle choices. In other words, the sun isn’t the cause of skin cancer, but a toxic and inflamed body is. Sunburn = Skin Inflammation The redness, burning sensation, and eventual blistering associated with a severe sunburn are part of the body’s natural inflammatory response to excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation exposure. Sunburn is basically the body’s warning sign that it has reached its limit of UV exposure. What’s interesting however, is that a healthy body – regardless of skin pigmentation – can handle much more UV radiation before triggering the inflammatory response that leads to sunburn. The Science A study conducted by German researchers found that foods high in antioxidant compounds dramatically affect how the skin reacts to sun exposure. The researchers gave half the participants of the study antioxidant-rich tomatoes and olive oil. The other half of participants ate the same diet except without the tomatoes and olive oil. At the conclusion of the 10 week study, the participants who consumed the tomatoes (1/4 cup daily) and the olive oil (2 tsp daily), experienced a whopping 35% less reddening than the control group! That’s a significant result. This is likely due to the anti-inflammatory and free-radical scavenging effect of the antioxidants found in tomatoes and olive oil. 7 Superfoods to Prevent Sunburn Now that we know how food can affect the skin’s ability to handle sun exposure, here are 7 powerful superfoods to protect your skin from the inside-out: Green Tea – Green tea is rich in antioxidants called catechins that are protective against UV damage Spirulina & Chlorella – Both of these nutritious species of edible algae contain a powerful carotenoid called Astaxanthin. This antioxidant is about 550 times stronger than Vitamin E, making it a great defense against UV damage to the skin and eyes Broccoli – Broccoli is loaded with an antioxidant called sulforaphane which provides powerful protection against UV radiation Pomegranate – Pomegranate is famous for it’s various antioxidant polyphenol compounds that can help protect the skin from oxidative damage. Blueberries – These delicious little berries are antioxidant powerhouses and help move the lymph allowing the body to detox and repair more readily Acerola Cherry – This superfood is loaded with vitamin C and phycocyanins which are considered to be the plants naturally occurring sunscreen. Krill Oil – The omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA found in fish and krill oil are essential to a healthy inflammatory response in the body. They also allow the cells of the body to more easily harvest the electrons from the sun leading to less tendency for sunburn Eat With the Seasons Do you notice a pattern in these foods? Most are foods that are at peak ripeness during the warmer months, or typically grow in tropical equatorial areas that receive massive amounts on sun exposure. Is this coincidence? Or God’s infinite intelligence at work? We have been provided the foods we need to thrive in the environment which we inhabit. Go to your local farmer’s market and try to find fresh antioxidant rich fruits and vegetables to naturally protect your skin from the sun. You can also get you antioxidants from the high quality fruit and vegetable extracts in Divine Health’s premium nutritional supplements. The antioxidant rich greens mentioned above can be found in Dr. Colbert’s Fermented Green Supremefood formula. For the benefits of the polyphenols in fruits and berries, try Dr Colbert’s Organic Red Supremefood. If you don’t want to eat a bunch of sardines everyday, you can try Dr. Colbert’s Living Krill Oil. References https://elissagoodman.com/healthy-tips/eat-to-avoid-sunburn/ https://www.sunislife.com/healthy-eating-prevents-sunburn/ http://www.thrive-style.com/2014/03/8-foods-prevent-sunburn/ http://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/ask-the-experts/is-sun-exposure-the-only-cause-of-skin-cancer To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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Extra Virgin Olive Oil Boosts Cognitive Function, New Trial

AHA Publisher — Wed, 18 Nov 2020 08:00:32 +0000

Joy Jensen via NaturalHealth365 – The Mediterranean diet has long been considered a heart-healthy diet, which consists of legumes, fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and healthy fats, including olive oil. And it turns out that olive oil could be key in the health benefits it offers. A recent trial found that consuming extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) boosts cognitive function, making a case for using long-term intervention with the oil to boost brain health and performance. What was surprising was how supplementing with EVOO stacked up against following the Mediterranean diet alone. Surprising Brain Function Results Delivered by Using EVOO According to researchers, whose work was published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease in October 2020, they wanted to learn more about the effects of Greek High Phenolic Early Harvest (HP-EH) extra virgin olive oil as compared to moderate phenolic EVOO and simply following the Mediterranean diet in individuals dealing with mild cognitive impairment. Scientists took three groups of people with mild cognitive impairment, gave one group the HP-EH extra virgin olive oil daily, another group the moderate phenolic EVOO daily, and the third group followed instructions for the Mediterranean diet. At the end of the trial, they found that the group with the best performance was the group that was giving the HP-EH extra virgin olive oil each day. They had improved cognitive performance in nearly every area that was tested, leading researchers to conclude that long-term intervention with EVOO offers significant improvements in overall cognitive function. Additional Health Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil Beyond boosting brain health and improving cognitive function, EVOO offers many other health benefits that make it worth adding to your diet or even taking as a supplement. Studies show that regular consumption of EVOO helps reduce triglyceride levels, an important step for preventing heart disease. It’s also been found to help prevent blood clots and strokes, supporting healthy cholesterol levels that can keep platelets from sticking together and causing clots. The monounsaturated fats found in the oil are anti-inflammatory as well, reducing inflammation and boosting the health of cardiovascular tissues, which helps lower the risk of heart disease. Researchers have also discovered that EVOO has antimicrobial effects against the bacteria that cause peptic ulcers, while other studies show that regular olive oil consumption results in stronger bones and reduced risk of fractures. Previous studies also found that EVOO protects the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation, which may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. What’s the best way to get the benefits of extra virgin olive oil? Experts usually recommend getting between one to four tablespoons daily. You can use it on salads, drizzle it on veggies when you roast or sauté them, or use it when whipping up your favorite dips, spreads, pesto, or hummus. Just make sure you purchase extra virgin olive oil that’s been cold-pressed to ensure the valuable fatty acids, polyphenols, and nutrients aren’t destroyed during processing. Editor’s note: You may be interested in this article, “The Top 5 olive oils to protect your heart” – which includes my favorite brand. And, no, I do not have any financial incentive to give you this information. Sources for this article include: EuropePMC.org, LifeExtension.com, NaturalHealth365.com, NaturalHealth365.com, NaturalHealth365.com To read the original article click here. For more articles from NaturalHealth365 click here.

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14 Everyday Foods That Support Detox, Cleansing & Healthy Immune Function

AHA Publisher — Mon, 14 Sep 2020 07:00:39 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Want to support your immune function, liver health, and detox throughout your body? Yes, of course. Each day we live, our bodies are bombarded with toxins, free radicals, and compounds that can damage cells and tissues. They accumulate from our own biochemical processes, substances in our foods, air, and water, and toxins like metals in the environment. Fortunately, you can help your body get rid of them. You can use fasting and everyday foods that support detox, cleansing, and healthy immune function. Our bodies are incredible and have organs and systems that do their best to rid toxins each day. But even they can get bogged down in our modern lifestyles. They could use some help. Here are 15 everyday foods that support detox, cleansing, and healthy immune function. 14 Everyday Foods That Support Detox, Cleansing, & Healthy Immune Function 1. GREENS AND CHLOROPHYLL Remember grade school biology? We learned about the parts of the plant, and how plants make their own food with sunlight, soil, and water. And, we learned how plants convert carbon dioxide and water, using sunlight, into oxygen and glucose using chlorophyll. Chlorophyll is an extremely powerful compound. And, it can work wonders in the human body as well. In fact, chlorophyll and greens in general contain substances that support blood health, oxygenation, and energy levels. It works similarly to hemoglobin in the body, except it carries magnesium instead of iron (1). More, chlorophyll specifically supports digestive health, immune health, and liver health. It has a strong alkalizing effect on the body and improves urine pH, which further supports healthy liver function and removal of toxins like metals, pesticides, and more. You can get chlorophyll from many of the everyday greens you eat, including alfalfa, kale, and more. However, it’s easier to obtain high amounts of chlorophyll from powdered greens that contain foods like spirulina and wheatgrass, especially if they have been fermented. Fermentation makes the nutrients in foods like spirulina and wheatgrass even more bioavailable in the body and can deliver high amounts of nutrients and chlorophyll to the blood (2, 3). Divine Health Fermented Green Supremefood is a great low-carb source of fermented spirulina, wheatgrass, and more (10 USDA Organic greens and 4 grasses). It’s easy to add it to your daily routine for your daily chlorophyll needs! 2. HIGH ANTIOXIDANTS FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Antioxidants are also vital compounds in foods that support your immune system and detoxification of cells. Antioxidants fight free radicals that damage all cells and systems, including the immune system, reducing inflammation, and support cellular detoxification. For example, two high-antioxidants superfoods found in Divine Health’s Organic Red Supremefood that support the immune system in this way are beets and berries (4). What’s more, most vibrantly, rich-colored fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants. Other good food choices include lemon juice, raw cacao, and greens. 3. ANTI-INFLAMMATORY SPICES I.E. GINGER AND TURMERIC Looking for strong anti-inflammatory foods that support healthy immune function? Ginger and Turmeric are potent spices with anti-inflammatory components. In fact, the main compound in turmeric, curcumin, supports joint health, anti-inflammatory mechanisms, and more. What’s more, ginger has similar functions. It can promote whole-body health, immune health, and pain relief with its strong antioxidants. Why is reducing inflammation important to support your immune system? Inflammation directly affects the immune system by changing the course of hormones and impacting the immune response (5). 4. NATURAL PREBIOTICS, PROBIOTICS, AND FIBER One very important step to support your immune system is to support your gut. The cells in the digestive tract and the healthy bacteria that live there are vital to the immune system and nourishment of the whole body. There are many ways to get probiotics, or healthy bacteria, in low-carbs foods. In addition, prebiotics are important to the process because they “feed” the healthy bacteria in probiotic foods and the healthy bacteria that already live in the gut. When prebiotics and probiotics are consumed together, the prebiotics display protective effects and significantly improve the vitality and delivery of the probiotics to the gut (6). You can find prebiotics and probiotics in both Organic Green and Red Supremefood. In addition, fibers like inulin are protective prebiotic foods sources with many health benefits and support optimal liver function according to the National Liver Foundation (7). By adding healthy bacteria and prebiotics to your diet, you can support your immune system (8). 5. FISH OILS AND OMEGA-3 SOURCES Like anti-inflammatory spices, omega-3 fats from fish and seafood are foods that support your immune system. In fact, they are some of the most potent compounds to reduce inflammatory hormone production. It’s vital to have a good ratio of dietary omega-3 fats compared to omega-6 fats. Both are needed for human health, but modern diets are far too high in omega-6 foods (mostly due to processed foods), and too low in omega-3s from fish and seafood, seeds, nuts, and more. Great choices for omega3 fats are salmon, halibut, and tuna. 6. MCT OIL POWDER While they work differently than omega3 fats, the medium-chain triglycerides in MCT Oil Powder also promote anti-inflammation. In fact, studies have shown that MCT oil directly reduces C-reactive protein (a marker for inflammation) (8). When you reduce inflammation, you allow your immune system to function better, and contribute to cleansing the body and keeping it strong. 7. EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL Oleocanthal is a special compound found in abundance high-quality Greek olive oils. In fact, it contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and many nutrients that support heart health. Oleocanthal is so strong it promotes anti-inflammatory action in similar strength to some medications, like ibuprofen (9). Additionally, it provides both antibacterial and anti-viral action (10), further supporting immune function and detox. 8. AVOCADOS Avocados are another anti-inflammatory food that supports your immune system. It has fats called phytosterols. They are known to combat the inflammation associated with arthritis. Avocados also contain polyhydroxylated fatty alcohols (PFAs), which are also potent anti-inflammatories. Lastly, avocado’s oleic acid supports digestive tract health to directly boost the immune system. 9. COLLAGEN AND BONE BROTH If you’ve been told to eat chicken noodle soup when you’re sick, it’s mostly for the bone broth. The collagen in bone broth and hydrolyzed collagen powder supports the immune system and detox by: Providing amino acids and proteins Support the cells in the digestive tract Reducing inflammation 10. GARLIC AND ONIONS Garlic is a wonderful food to support your immune system and detox. Garlic’s compounds are anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and supports cellular detox. Studies show that garlic may be effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (11) and strong viruses. Additionally, onions support your immune system with antioxidants, anti-bacterial and anti-cancer compounds. 11. BLACK PEPPER, CINNAMON, AND CLOVES Setting in your spice cupboard are incredibly strong foods that support your immune system (in addition to turmeric and ginger). These include: Black peppercorns support your immune system with potent antioxidants like piperine and anti-inflammatory compounds. Cinnamon is not only known for being anti-inflammatory, but its cinnamaldehyde can also fight infections directly. It inhibits Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, and Helicobacter pylori. What’s more, it supports the fight against tooth decay while encouraging the immune response to infection. Cloves, like cinnamon, are a spice that supports immune health, fights bacteria, and fights free radicals. 12. CAULIFLOWER AND BROCCOLI Cauliflower and broccoli are amazing vegetables. In addition to antioxidants that fight oxidative stress, their nutrients specifically support cellular detoxification to keep cells healthy and thriving. This includes both Phase 1 and Phase 2 cellular detoxification. 13. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR Organic apple cider vinegar is an ingredient in many folk medicine cures. It is known to fight both bacterial and viral infections, yeasts, and more. Importantly, you should never drink it straight. Always dilute to just 1-2 tablespoons per 8 ounces liquid to protect your esophagus while supporting immune health, liver health, and alkalization of the body. 14. WATER, GREEN TEA, AND BLACK TEA Green and black tea are packed full of antioxidants that support the body’s fight against free radicals and bacteria while supporting the immune system. In fact, their specific nutrients start working against microbes in the mouth. And water? Not only is it necessary for life, but it’s also necessary for the immune system. Each day, you can support your liver, kidneys, digestion, and the entire body by staying well-hydrated. Bottom Line You don’t have to search far and wide to eat foods that detox, cleansing, and healthy immune function. Many everyday foods can do the job. We also offer amazing products that make it easy to add the right foods and ingredients to your daily routine. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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Dr. Colbert’s Favorite Immune Boosting Dinner Recipe

AHA Publisher — Sat, 16 May 2020 07:00:17 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – There’s never been a better time to focus on immune boosting dinners and meals. Today, we have an easy one that most people can make with simple ingredients on-hand. It includes foods with nutrients that boost the immune system via specific nutritive components, cellular detoxification, and proteins. Here’s a great immune boosting dinner, perfect for a time when we want the best immune systems to fight the COVID-19 outbreak. Start this recipe about 1 1/2 hours before dinnertime (or you can do all the prep work way ahead of time). Most of the work is during the first 30 minutes…then, sit back relax and wait for a delicious immune boosting dinner. Dr. Colbert’s Favorite Immune Boosting Dinner Ingredients 4 4-to-6-ounce chicken thighs (organic, local, and/or free-range if possible) 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup lemon juice (fresh preferably) 6 cloves garlic 1 onion garlic powder (optional) 1 lemon (make sure to wash) salt pepper 1 head cauliflower extra virgin olive oil Instructions Place chicken thighs in large baggie or bowl. Cover with 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper (okay to use ground pepper if needed). Allow to set in refrigerator and marinate at least 30 minutes and up to 24 hours. Preheat oven to 400 deg F. Slice onion into thin slices, each about 1/4-inch. Crush garlic cloves and chop into thin slices. Slice lemon into thin slices, about 1/4-inch each. Chop entire cauliflower into 1-inch pieces, discarding stem and leaves. Prepare 1 large or 2 smaller sheet pans (cookie sheets) with oil or parchment paper (or silicone liners). Place 1/2 of the chicken thighs in a single layer in the middle of each pan. Place onion slices and cauliflower around the chicken. Place chopped garlic and lemon slices on top of chicken. If you’d like extra garlic-flavor, sprinkle garlic powder over everything. Sprinkle all food with additional fresh ground pepper and salt to taste. If you like baked whole black peppercorns, add a few (see why below). Drizzle cauliflower and onion with additional extra virgin olive oil. Place pans in the oven. If possible, place side by side on the same rack. If they are too large, place on 2 racks and off-set slightly (so they are not directly above and under other). If using 1 pan or 2 on the same rack, bake for 40 minutes total, turning chicken and stirring vegetables after 20 minutes. If on different racks, bake for 50 minutes total, turning chicken, stirring vegetables, and rotating pans on the different racks after 25 minutes. Remove from oven and enjoy immediately. Drizzle with additional olive oil if desired. Nutrition Info: 313 calories, 23 grams fat, 6 grams net carbs (9 grams carbohydrates, 3 grams fiber), 13 grams protein Immune Boosting Dinner Nutrients Why make this dinner for an immune boost? Every single ingredient in it has the potential to boost your immune system and help your body fight viruses. And what’s more, you may just find that “sheet pan dinners” are so easy and delicious they cut down dinnertime stress. Your reduction of cortisol is another immune booster! Here are the details of this sheet pan favorite: Chicken: The protein from chicken can be used by the body to support hormone balance, repair cells and boost the immune system. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Especially if it’s an olive oil high in oleocanthal (such as Dr. Colbert’s Keto Zone Harvest Greek Extra Virgin Olive Oil), it provides amazing health benefits from your head to your heart to your immune system. Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory nutrients, anti-cancer compounds, supports heart health, and reduces inflammation. In fact, oleocanthal is strongly anti-inflammatory and works similarly to medications, like ibuprofen (1). What’s more, its components also exhibit antibacterial and anti-viral action (2). Lemon Juice: Lemons and lemon juice is high in vitamin C and other strong antioxidants. These boost the immune system directly. What’s more, it contains anti-bacterial compounds that can reduce putrefactive bacteria in both the intestines and the mouth. Garlic: Garlic is a virus-fighting machine, and you can get a double-dose with fresh garlic and high-quality garlic powder. Garlic is known to be a very effective immune booster, killing bacterias and viruses while supporting cellular detox. In fact, some lab studies have found garlic to be effective against antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria (3) and difficult-to-fight viruses. Onions: Like garlic, onions boost the immune system with anti-bacterial components, anti-cancer compounds and strong antioxidants. Fresh Ground Black Pepper: Perhaps one of the most under-rated health foods in your cupboard, black peppercorns contains potent antioxidants and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Both support the immune system. What’s more, its components including piperine improve curcumin absorption and have strong anti-cancer effects on many different types of cancer cells (4). Cauliflower: Cauliflower is an amazing vegetable. While it may seem bland, it’s nutrients specifically support cellular detoxification to keep cells healthy and thriving. Its phytochemicals enable both Phase 1 and Phase 2 cellular detoxification. Furthermore, its glucosinolates group, including glucobrassicin, glucoraphanin, and gluconasturtiin support and help boost immune function. Bottom Line It doesn’t take fancy ingredients to boost your immune system. Oftentimes, simple, common, real-food ingredients make the most delicious and healthy dinners. Try Dr. Colbert’s Favorite Immune Boosting Dinner. It will likely become one of your favorites now and for years to come. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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Should You Start Drinking Olive Oil Every Day?

AHA Publisher — Thu, 30 Jan 2020 08:00:21 +0000

Dr. Don Colbert – Drinking olive oil every day offers many health benefits both in theory and in practice. Drink it straight, or add a drizzle to foods. From brain health to digestive health, drinking olive oil every day is great for your body. In the United States, the thought of drinking olive oil every day sounds a bit foreign. And honestly, it is. But in many Mediterranean societies, drinking olive oil is customary, and has been practiced for centuries. For those in the Keto Zone, extra virgin olive oil is a great choice. Here are the health benefits in general, and what science says about drinking olive oil every day. Extra Virgin Olive Oil Is a Great Keto Zone Fat Fortunately for Keto Zoners, olive oil is a “pure fat.” It is a incredibly healthy option to increase fat percentage intake towards 75% of calories from fat. Olive oil has a composition of 14% saturated fat and 11% polyunsaturated fat. Within the polyunsaturated fats, olive oil boosts omega-3s, omega-6s, and primarily, omega-9s (1). The omega-9s are the nutrition stars of olive oil. They make up ~73% of the total fat content, and provide most of the benefits of drinking olive oil. In fact, they are know to raise beneficial HDL while lowering potentially harmful LDL. They incorporate into cellular membranes and mitochondria to improve cellular health. Specific Benefits of Extra Virgin Olive Oil If you’re interested in drinking olive oil every day, there are many benefits of olive oil supported by research. They include: • Antioxidants Galore: Olive oil contains vitamin E, vitamin K, and hydroxytyrosol (HT). Hydroxytyrosol is a nutrient with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (2). • Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Bacterial: Chronic inflammation is at the root of many modern chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, obesity and more. Olive oil contains an antioxidant called oleocanthal, which is strongly anti-inflammatory. In fact, it works similarly to anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen (3). • Heart Protector: To support heart health, olive oil reduces inflammation and cholesterol oxidation in artery walls (4). It can can also lower blood pressure and reduce the need for hypertension medications by up to 48% (5). What’s more, studies have found that those who consume olive oil have a significantly lower risk of stroke than those who don’t (6). • Anti-Aging: The most prominent fat in olive oil, oleic acid, is strongly anti-aging. What’s more, vitamin E, olive oil’s polyphenols, and vitamin K all support youthful cells, strong bones, improved gene expression and more (7). • Brain Health: Olive oil may help remove Alzheimer-associated plaques from the brain, beta-amyloid plaques (8). In addition, studies have found that olive oil may improve cognition (9). Specific Studies of Drinking Olive Oil Every Day As shown above, we are confident that olive oil offer many nutrition and health benefits. But is there any extra benefit to using it beyond cooking with it and adding it to other foods? Should you actually start drinking olive oil every day? What Do Studies Say? Less Heart Disease One study of almost 7500 people found that those who drank 1/4 cup of olive oil each day had a 30% lower risk of heart disease compared to those on a low-fat diet (10). Better Digestion and Constipation Slow digestion and constipation is an issue for many adults. And often, constipation becomes a bigger problem as we age. In fact, 34% of adults over the age of 60 suffer from it (11). Drinking olive oil every day may help. In fact, just drinking 1 teaspoon olive oil per day can result in softened stools and constipation relief, as shown in studies (12). Olive oil is as effective as effective as mineral oil at relieving constipation (13). Another study of 414 people over the age of 50 found that 97.7% of those with more than 3 bowel movements per week had high intakes of olive oil or drank it straight (14). Weight and Heart Health A study of overweight women were assigned 2 types of breakfasts for one year. One group ate a breakfast supplemented with soybean oil. The other group drank olive oil with breakfast. Otherwise, the breakfasts were identical. After one year, the olive oil group hah higher HDL cholesterol, lower inflammatory markers, improved blood pressure and lower body weight (15). Fractures and Osteoporosis When Mediterranean populations, who consume or drink extra-virgin olive oil each day are studied, it’s noted that they have a reduced risk of fractures and osteoporosis (16). Cholesterol Improvements Studies have found that consumption of extra-virgin olive oil reduces the oxidized LDL cholesterol (17 ) and increases HDL. It is believed that the presence of mostly phenols in the oil are responsible for this effect. Options for Drinking Olive Oil Every Day To add extra virgin olive oil to you diet each, you have many options. First, start with the best extra virgin olive oil available: Keto Zone Harvest Greek Olive Oil. It is 100% pure organic extra virgin olive oil that is cold-pressed and unrefined. It is grown in Crete, Greece, and contains very high levels of polyphenol olive oil. To drink/add 2-4 tablespoons each day: 1. Try drinking it straight each morning. 2. If you don’t want to drink it, drizzle it onto vegetables each day. 3. Add Keto Zone Olive Oil to a shake or smoothie each day. 4. Make Keto Zone Pesto and add olive oil to your individual serving. 5. Drizzle it onto a serving of Keto Zone Soup. Bottom Line Drinking olive oil every day offers many health benefits both in theory and in practice. Drink it straight, or add a drizzle to foods. From brain health to digestive health, drinking olive oil every day is great for your body. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Dr. Colbert click here.

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