Ben and Tanya's Health, wealth and wisdom blog

Over 130,000 cases of diabetes now linked to soda consumption, HFCS

2010-03-10T12:13:00.001-05:00

NaturalNews) For years, advocates of natural health have been hammering away at the message that soda causes diabetes and obesity. The soda industry, meanwhile, has remained in denial mode, mirroring the ridiculous position of the tobacco industry that "nicotine is not addictive." Soda doesn't cause diabetes, the industry claims, and it's perfectly safe to consume in essentially unlimited quantities.

The Corn Refiners Association has joined the denial with its own spin campaign that seeks to convince people High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) is totally natural and completely harmless. HFCS is, of course, the primary sweetener used in sodas and soft drinks.

Now comes new research presented at the American Heart Association's Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology and Prevention annual conference in San Francisco. This new research reveals that over the last decade, soda consumption has conservatively caused:

• 130,000 new cases of diabetes
• 14,000 new cases of heart disease
• 50,000 more "life years" with heart disease over the last decade

"The finding suggests that any kind of policy that reduces consumption might have a dramatic health benefit," said senior study author Dr. Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo (associate professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco).

Over 130,000 cases of diabetes now linked to soda consumption, HFCS

The key to success is "just do it"

2010-03-06T00:37:00.000-05:00

This video is awesome. Art Williams is a coach who talks about leadership, business and life, summed up in a popular speech called "just do it" I love this speech. Enjoy!

Why pharmaceuticals might be called Weapons of Mass Prescription

2010-03-02T13:27:00.000-05:00

Hello all,

I read this article and thought you would find it interesting.

Why pharmaceuticals might be called Weapons of Mass Prescription

Interesting article in USA Today by Robert Kiyosaki on our school system

2010-02-13T21:24:00.000-05:00

Hello all. I found an intersting article posted in the USA TODAY by multi billionaire Robert Kiyosaki. He talks about our school system. This article is an eye opener! I am currently re reading his latest book, "Conspiracy's of the Rich, the 8 new rules of money" and it is fantastic. I recommend it highly. Here is an excerpt from the article," We need two school systems"

In the summer of 1932, presidential candidate Franklin Delano Roosevelt promised, "I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people."
Today, it is time not for a "New Deal," but a "New Mission."

America's schools need to take a page from the businesses that have been created by entrepreneurs over the past decades. Henry Ford, Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Sergey Brin and Larry Page have all given us the road map, but the path toward entrepreneurship is often the road less traveled America's schools.

The U.S. unemployment rate is currently 9.7% in what many call a "jobless recovery." So what should we do? The problem and the solution can be found in America's educational system and its current mantra: "Go to school and get good grades, so you can get a good high-paying job." In simpler terms that means, "Go to school to become a good employee." But there are too many employees, which is why we have an unemployment problem. Today, kids just out of school aren't finding jobs. At the same time, many of their parents are going back to school for retraining. But they're not finding jobs, either.

The idea of a high-paying job for life is truly an American dream — but no longer a reality. With low-priced labor and lower-priced, higher-performance technology, high-paying American jobs will be disappearing at greater speed as they move overseas.

Read the rest here. http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2010/02/column-we-need-two-school-systems-.html

Blueberries, Concord grapes and other Fruits and Vegetables Helpful for Slowing Memory Decline in Older Adults.

2010-02-01T12:58:00.001-05:00

Here is a great article from the website http://www.knowthecause.com/. I trust this website by Doug Kaufman and believe he is one of the best resources for fighting cancer, disease and cronic health issues.

A number of studies with older humans have reported that eating 5 or more fruits and vegetables daily significantly reduces risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of loss of memory and mental function. Animal studies have reported that consumption of blueberries, red or purple grapes or grape juice, pomegranates and walnuts provide considerable protection against the development of Alzheimer’s. All 4 of these foods are rich in plant produced chemicals called phytochemicals, while walnuts are also fairly high in omega 3 fats.

Some recent studies have reported that daily consumption of either blueberry juice or Concord grape juice can improve mental function in elderly humans. An Ohio studied the effects of consuming either about half a liter (a little more than a pint) of blueberry juice or a non juice containing placebo beverage. The subjects were over 70 years of age (average age 76 years) in good general health but with some memory decline. After 12 weeks, several forms of memory were significantly improved in the 9 subjects receiving the blueberry juice but memory remained unchanged in the 7 subjects given placebo. A similar study reported that consumption of half a liter of Concord grape juice for 12 weeks significantly improved memory in older adults, while those who consumed a placebo beverage had no improvement in memory. Both blueberries and Concord grapes are rich in phytochemicals which may improve and preserve mental function.

While blueberry juice and Concord grape juice are very nutritious, they also contain a fair amount of simple sugars. Eating the whole blueberry or Concord grape fruits would probably also result in memory gains. Eating the whole fruit would probably be better for the Kaufman phase diets since the whole fruits have more fiber and lower concentrations of simple sugars as compared to juices.

This research was conducted by Dr. Krikorian and colleagues at the University of Cincinnati, Ohio. The work is now in press at the British Journal of Nutrition and the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.

A new Study reveals the link between fruit and breast cancer

2010-01-07T12:30:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Enzyme-blocking chemicals in pomegranates may reduce the risk of estrogen-fueled breast cancers, U.S. researchers said on Tuesday.

An acid found in pomegranates appears to block aromatase, an enzyme that converts androgen to estrogen, a hormone that plays a role in the development of breast cancer, the researchers wrote in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.

"We identified some of these chemicals in pomegranates that actually have properties that can suppress aromatase," researcher Shiuan Chen, of the City of Hope cancer research and treatment center in Duarte, California, said in a telephone interview.

Many women who have had breast cancer take medicines called aromatase inhibitors -- such as Pfizer's Aromasin, Novartis' Femara and AstraZeneca Plc's Arimidex -- to keep estrogen from feeding tumors.

Chen and colleagues studied whether compounds, or phytochemicals, in pomegranates can suppress aromatase and ultimately block cancer growth. They found that 10 natural compounds in the fruit may potentially prevent estrogen-related breast cancer.

Chen said the compounds would not be a replacement for aromatase inhibitors.
"We do not recommend people start taking this as a replacement for the AI's," Chen said. "They (pomegranate compounds) are not as potent as the real drugs so we think that the interest probably is more on the prevention end rather than in a therapeutic purpose."

Other researchers not associated with the study told the journal that the results are promising, and suggested more studies involving animals and humans were needed to confirm the findings.

"It's not clear that these levels could be achieved in animals or in humans because the (compounds) are not well absorbed into blood when provided in the diet," said Gary Stoner of Ohio State University.

Dr. Powel Brown, an oncologist at the University of Texas, said in a statement that future studies should focus on testing pomegranate juice for its effect on estrogen levels, menopausal symptoms, breast density or even as a cancer preventive agent.

More than 400,000 women die from breast cancer globally every year. About 75 percent of breast cancers are estrogen-receptor positive, meaning they are fed by estrogen.

Previous research has shown that pomegranate juice is rich in antioxidants -- vitamins and other substances -- that may help prevent diseases such as cancer, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. (Editing by Xavier Briand)

Window cleaning chemical injected into fast food hamburger meat

2010-01-05T13:22:00.003-05:00

Nice to know. I may think twice about ordering a number 1 special!

(NaturalNews) If you're in the beef business, what do you do with all the extra cow parts and trimmings that have traditionally been sold off for use in pet food? You scrape them together into a pink mass, inject them with a chemical to kill the e.coli, and sell them to fast food restaurants to make into hamburgers.

That's what's been happening all across the USA with beef sold to McDonald's, Burger King, school lunches and other fast food restaurants, according to a New York Times article. The beef is injected with ammonia, a chemical commonly used in glass cleaning and window cleaning products.

This is all fine with the USDA, which endorses the procedure as a way to make the hamburger beef "safe" enough to eat. Ammonia kills e.coli, you see, and the USDA doesn't seem to be concerned with the fact that people are eating ammonia in their hamburgers. Read More....Window cleaning chemical injected into fast food hamburger meat

Cupuacu- "A Pharmacy in a Fruit"

2010-01-04T12:01:00.001-05:00

The Cupuacu Fruit - When foreigners visit the rainforest, native Amazonians will often offer them Cupuacu - the "taste of the Amazon." However, this delicious fruit also happens to be a potent health resource. It contains unique antioxidant phytonutrients called polyphenols. The marvelous discovery about the polyphenols in Cupuacu (theograndins) is that they are totally unique, and have never been seen before. Like Acai, Cupuacu is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, amino acids, and essential fatty acids, and is traditionally known for its nutritive, energizing, and tonic properties.

Aside from its wonderful taste, Cupuacu has some amazing health properties, and scientists are very excited about its potential to deliver a superb boost to human health. Some call it "A Pharmacy In A Fruit." Further analysis of this amazing fruit has revealed that, in addition to the health boosting theograndins (superior antioxidants), it contains at least nine other antioxidants, including the powerful vitamins C and A. This makes the Cupuacu a real "one stop shop" for antioxidant replenishment. It is also rich in Vitamins B1, B2, B3 (Niacin), as well as essential fatty acids and amino acids.

Some of the reported benefits of Cupuaçu include: Increases libido,Boosts immune system, Reduces the signs of aging and promotes younger-looking skin, increases energy and stamina, Increases your body's ability to fight disease and cancer cells, Helps to lower cholesterol levels, Destroys free radicals.

The antioxidants in Cupuaçu are extremely potent and provide outstanding cardiovascular and immune system benefits. This is because antioxidants are essential to help us neutralize free radicals, the compounds that often cause the body to grow wrinkled and develop degenerative disease. Powerful antioxidants are also an excellent way to strengthen your cardiovascular system as they protect artery walls from the damage that can lead to heart disease by destroying the damage free radicals cause.

The marvelous discovery about the polyphenols in Cupuaçu is that they are totally unique, and have never been seen before. This new revelation is causing a stir in scientific circles and has prompted experts to give the new polyphenols in Cupuaçu their own name. These theograndins are excellent antioxidants, and can help you achieve optimum health the natural way. Theograndins found in Cupuaçu were uniquely effective at possibly destroying colon cancer cells, among others.

The fruit also contains essential fatty acids, such as the Omegas 3 and 6. These fatty acids help to reduce 'bad' cholesterol and keep the good cholesterol intact. This mix of antioxidants and essential fatty acids makes it an essential ingredient in the fight to maintain a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.

The Tikuna tribesmen of the Amazon have used Cupuaçu fruit and pulp as a natural source of energy, much like the energy found in caffeine in dark chocolate. Cupuaçu juice has even been used by Shamen to help with abdominal discomfort and midwives to help ease strong labor pains.

The fruit provides a host of healthy benefits for the body, especially for those who live in our stressful, fast paced world. It stimulates the immune system naturally, while increasing both energy and stamina without the nervousness or "jitters" that can be caused by other, synthetic caffeine sources.

What you should know about heart disease

2010-01-02T13:20:00.005-05:00

Over the last year and a half, I have received many, many kind emails from individuals who found this blog helpful. I know from first hand experience that when we get sick, our priority is to search for answers and solutions. Everything else in our life takes a back seat. In the information age, there are millions of sources for information so who do you trust? That is what we wondered. It has been a blessing to share information with everyone and I believe Networking information is critical. With a family history of cancer, it became my mission to help others who are searching for answers. Through a combination of real time experience and information from trusted sources, I have shared as much as possible from the heart and have seen it make a difference. There are alternatives to drugs, medications and other harmful procedures. If our society is overwhelmed with Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Heart Disease, high Blood Pressure, etc, obviously we are NOT doing something right. This epidemic has only occured over the last 50-60 years. We must swing the pendulm the other direction and I believe that starts with knowledge, information and awareness.

Last year, I posted a few articles on Heart Disease. I found an excellent video on the subject and is worth watching. Education and knowledge is important but applying this knowledge is critical. My hope is that this information helps everyone evaluate their own lifestyle habits and make some changes that WILL save them pain later. I know some people that think it wont happen to them. Maybe they are young and invincible. Maybe they are unaware. Maybe they just don't care. In any case, I have seen loved ones go thru pain and suffering. It doesn't have to be that way. We will all pass away but the question is how that happens. Laying in a hospital hooked up to tubes, having to endure Chemotherapy and Radiation, is not my idea of fun. Unfortunately, that is the staple of our Health Program today. If we want to live a long healthy life, it is up to us. I preach prevention and prevention begins by learning and understanding.

New Years Resolutions

2009-12-31T10:18:00.001-05:00

Is it just me, or did this year fly by fast? It seems like life is a recorded TV show and we hit the fast forward button to bypass all the commercials. I clearly recall what many of us were discussing last year which was the subject of New Years resolutions. I've made a few in my life but for many, it seems to be a yearly tradition to make resolutions to lose weight, eat healthier, get out of debt, work harder, exercise more, eat better, drink less alcohol, quit smoking, Improve their finances, save money, Improve their career, get a better job, Improve their education, improve grades, learn something new (such as a foreign language or music), get more organized, reduce stress, be less grumpy, manage time, be more independent, volunteer to help others, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. As we live and grow older, we should all strive to get better, make changes for the better, improve our health, finances and relationships. Why do most of those never happen?

Why do some start out with good intentions and then give up? In short, like most things in life, if you don't know why you are seeking to accomplish these goals, then the how part doesnt matter. All of those resolutions require guts, courage and commitment, to follow through on and accomplish. In some cases, it requires time because as creatures of habit, it is difficult to change bad habits engrained in us. We can't change our destination overnight but we can change our direction overnight. The most important thing is to define what it is you want, understand why you are doing it and then commit to doing it.

Here is one great example. Within the context of my blog's title, Health, Wealth, Wisdom, I believe we should all strive to acheive better health. We are fighting an uphill battle everyday. Our soceity is overwhelmed with easy access to fast food, pharmecutical drugs, pollution, fast paced careers, chemicals, stimulants, etc. It is extremely difficult to eat well and maintain opptimum health. Its been said that 20% of what you eat keeps you alive and 80% keeps your doctor alive. So what can we do?

My first suggestion is to read. There is an abundance of ignorance on health, what we are eating and what the true causes of cancer, disease and illnesses are. Some simply dont know what they dont know. One of my missions with this BLOG, is to help inform, educate and inspire everyone to take a look at their habits before it is too late. Life is too short as it is- Why do many have a mission to make it even shorter? It may be ignorance or for some, they simply don't care until they get sick. Then, traditionally, they go to the doctor and find that they don't have many options. As I have witnessed first hand with family members who were terminally ill or sick, the minute you are diagnosed, life changes forever and your priorities change. Nothing else matters. That's not the way i want to go out. The key is that most things that happen to us and our loved ones are preventable.

Here's an option- preventative maintenance. Make the New Years resolution to make some changes that may save your life, may help you live life with more energy, vitality and vigor. For many, small changes can make a huge difference. The key again is to know why you are doing what you are doing. Regrets are avoidable. Excuses should be your reasons. If you make any kind of resolution, the way to keep it is to visualize your goals or resolutions, write them down, have someone hold you accountable and commit to them. If not, it is easy to go back to the way it was. The results you have, whether it be in your health, finances or relationships, are based on your thoughts and actions to this point. It is easier said than done but everyone has the ability to do whatever they set their mind to. It takes a new way of thinking, commitment and discipline to accomplish anything worthwhile. It can be done and the results are worth the effort. Happy New Year!

A new Super fruit to be excited about...

2009-12-13T21:47:00.001-05:00

A new superfruit called the Maqui berry has peaked the interest of many in the wellness industry. Here's a quick glimpse of where the Maqui berry comes from as well as some of it's potential benefits.

In distant Patagonia located in Southern Chile, there is s a deeply purpled berry like no other berry before. It thrives in a harsh climate where few would survive. Power packed with anthocyanins and polyphenols... powerful antioxidants protect this berry from UV sun radiation, disease, and biological enemies. This sacred berry has been used by the native Mapuche warrior to give them their legendary strength and stamina.

The Top 20 Maqui Berry Benefits

-The Maqui Berry Benefits Us By Having Very High Levels Of Polyphenols And Anthocyanins
-Maqui Berry Benefits Our Bodies By Supporting Healthy Aging
-The Maqui Berry Benefits And Helps Protects Cells From Oxidative Stress
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Our Bodies By Neutralizing Free Radicals
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Cardiovascular Health
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Us With Being An Excellent Source Of Vitamin C, Iron & Potassium
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Our Daily Energy Levels
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Our Immune System By Providing Strong
-Levels Of Antioxidants
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Our Skin And Promotes A More Healthy,
-Youthful Appearance
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Our Weight By Contributing To Healthy Weight Loss
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Our Body By Helping To Flush Out Toxins & Chemicals
-The High Antioxidant Value In The Maqui Berry Benefits Overall Wellness By Protecting The Body Against Disease & Infection
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Us Through Many Positive Anti-Imflammatory Properties
-The Maqui Berry Benefits The Natural Metabolism Of Our Body
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Us By Supporting Healthy, Natural Strength & Stamina
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Our Heart By Protecting Against Heart Disease
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Our Blood Vessels By Protecting Against Oxidative Damage
-The Maqui Berry Benefits The Treatment Of Ailments Such As Sore Throat, Diarrhea, Ulcers, Fever, Tumors, Diabetes, And Many Others
-The Maqui Berry Benefits The Bones And Joints Of The Body
-The Maqui Berry Benefits Overall Health And Positive Mood

More details to follow on this superfruit. Wow, Wouldnt it be amazing if the Maqui berry could somehow be combined with the ever popular Acai Berry ( Freeze dried)? That would be an awesome combination to help the immune system fight the never ending bombardment of viruses, flus, and dangerous diseases.

In honor of Jim Rohn- Life is worth living if.....

2009-12-10T13:09:00.000-05:00

In honor of Jim Rohn's passing on December 5th, 2009, i wanted to post a little piece of wisdom from his work titled, "Life is worth living if......" Mr Rohn was an American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker. His work has been influential in launching or furthering the careers of many others in the personal development industry, including Anthony Robbins, Mark Victor Hansen, Brian Tracy and Jack Canfield.

1) First, life is worthwhile if you LEARN. What you don't know WILL hurt you. You have to have learning to exist, let alone succeed.

Life is worthwhile if you learn from your own experiences, negative and positive. We learn to do it right by first sometimes doing it wrong. We call that a positive negative. We also learn from other people's experiences, both positive and negative.

I've always said it is too bad failures don't give seminars. We don't want to pay them so they don't tour around giving seminars. But the information would be very valuable – how someone who had it all, messed it up. Learning from other people's experiences and mistakes.

We learn by what we see - pay attention. By what we hear – be a good listener. Now I do suggest being a selective listener, don't just let anybody dump into your mental factory. We learn from what we read. Learn from every source. Learn from lectures, learn from songs, learn from sermons, learn from conversations with people who care. Keep learning.

2) Life is worthwhile if you TRY. You can't just learn; you now have to try something to see if you can do it. Try to make a difference, try to make some progress, try to learn a new skill, try to learn a new sport. Life is worthwhile if you try. It doesn't mean you can do everything but there are a lot of things you can do, if you just try. Try your best. Give it every effort. Why not go all out?

3) Life is worthwhile if you STAY. You have to stay from spring until harvest. If you have signed up for the day or for the game or for the project - see it through. Sometimes calamity comes and then it is worth wrapping it up. And that's the end, but just don't end in the middle. Maybe on the next project you pass, but on this one, if you signed up, see it through.

4) Life is worthwhile if you CARE. If you care at all you will get some results, if you care enough you can get incredible results. Care enough to make a difference. Care enough to turn somebody around. Care enough to start a new enterprise. Care enough to change it all. Care enough to be the highest producer. Care enough to set some records. Care enough to win.

Four powerful little words: learn, try, stay and care. What difference can you make in your life today by putting these four words to work?

What you should know about your Immune System

2009-12-08T13:07:00.001-05:00

With all the reported cases of Swine Flu, H1N1 Virus, and other illnesses, I want to share some information on our Immune System. I am not a fan of drugs, antibiotics, or vaccinations and with good reason. More importantly, I believe preventative maintenance is the key. If our health is our number one priority, which it should be, then there are some important things to know. I've posted a great video here on the immune system, and how antioxidants affect the body. Also, Below, I highlighten some facts and some suggestions to help boost your immune system.

The Immune System: The Body's Defense Department

The function of the human immune system is to defend the body against invaders. Microbes (germs or microorganisms), cancer cells, and transplanted tissues or organs are all interpreted by a healthy immune system as non-self against which the body must be defended. Although the immune system is extremely complex, its basic strategy is simple: to recognize the enemy, mobilize forces, and attack. Without a properly functioning defense mechanism, our bodies would be virtually overrun by various bacteria, viruses, cancers and other pathogens in hours to days and we will cease to exist

The immune system is not responsive to drugs for healing. Antibiotics used to fight infections actually depress the immune system when used long-term. Disorders in the immune system can result in disease. Immunodeficiency diseases occur when the immune system is less active than normal, resulting in recurring and life-threatening infections. In contrast, autoimmune diseases result from a hyperactive immune system attacking normal tissues as if they were foreign organisms. Natural nutritive forces, like healing foods and herbal medicines can and do support the immune system. By rebuilding immunity, health is naturally restored and disease disappears

Most of us take our immune system for granted until we're sick. Because our bodies have an amazing ability to adapt and get by, chronic illness rarely happens overnight unless some unusual event pushes you over the edge—the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back. Instead, it happens over time and we don’t feel sick until it’s too late. Once your body is overwhelmed and falls into this downward spiral, it usually takes enormous efforts to begin to “spiral up.”

Because being sick is so common in our society, many people "perceive" they are healthy even though they get occasional colds, flu, headaches, fatigue, arthritis and allergies. But the facts are, chronic pain or sickness is not "normal" or you could be unhealthy even without experiencing any symptoms at all.

The good news is that you can prevent sickness and enjoy optimum health if you provide your body with the right tools. By providing your body with proper nutrition and eliminating the toxins in your body that harm your health, it can virtually heal, repair, regenerate, and restore optimal health without the use of expensive or harmful drugs. For more information, please feel free to contact me or spend some time on my health blog. http://www.gethealthwealthwisdom.com/ God bless.

How to prevent cancer with superfoods

2009-12-08T11:35:00.001-05:00

Hi all. I came across a good article today and wanted to share it with you. There has been such an overwhelming amount of scientific studies over the last several years on the coorelation between what we eat and cancer. After studying cancer for years and having first hand knowledge of what cancer patients go thru, it has been my mission to pass information on to anyone seeking answers. In my opinion, it's ashame that it takes a good dose of reality for some to make changes in their life style, often after its too late. Even small changes can make a huge difference, not only in preventing cancer, but it how we feel everyday. Who doesn't want to feel good everyday?

Despite our busy life style and easy access to fast food, processed food and chemically altered food, we CAN make some changes that will have a huge impact on our quality of life, now and later. Remember this; Most people who are sick were once healthy! It is what we do over time that hurts us. My sister passed away at 47 from cancer. My brother was diagnosed with colon cancer at 55. My Dad passed away from cancer at a young age. Bottom line, ignorance is expensive. They didn't know what they didn't know. Get educated now, not when it is too late. If you get some new information, it will change how you process things and how you do things. That can make all the difference in the world. Here is a quick article from from Caring.com

Can SUPERFRUITS help prevent cancer? The short answer to this question is—drum roll, please—yes. They really do. While studies are ongoing, and in many cases experts still don't know exactly how these superfoods work, there's strong evidence that certain fruits and vegetables rich in plant-based nutrients can both prevent tumors from starting and halt their growth. Here, the top foods to work into the family diet if you'd like to cut cancer risk or help those with cancer recover. And who wouldn't?

Blueberries, açai berries, raspberries, and cranberries

The rich, dark colors of blueberries, Brazilian açai berries, raspberries and cranberries come from phytochemicals that protect against numerous types of cancer. Most recently, researchers at the University of Florida found that the active ingredient in açai berries destroyed cancer cells when tested in cell cultures. And blueberries and muscadine grapes contain compounds that recent research shows cause cancer cells in the liver to self-destruct. In studies particularly important to women, cranberries have recently been discovered to be an important weapon in the fight against deadly ovarian cancer. Studies reported at the annual meeting of the American Chemical Society found that ovarian cancer cells that were becoming resistant to platinum chemotherapy—the standard of care for ovarian cancer—became six times more sensitive when exposed to a compound in cranberries.

WHAT IF THEY ARE WRONG?

2009-11-29T10:24:00.001-05:00

Article by Doug Kaufmann from Know the Cause.. Doug has a tv show and a website that is awesome. I have recommended his show and website to many individuals searching for help. He has a free newsletter I also recommend highly. Here is one of his latest articles:

As many of you know, this has become my battle cry! What if mammography causes breast cancer? What if the Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test isn't prostate specific? What if Amoxicillin, an antibiotic given to millions of children, causes hyperactivity? In this issue of KNOW THIS, we'll explore why, according to medical researchers, cancer is common and fungal infections are rare.

Albert Einstein College of Medicine researchers have now identified how one deadly fungus, Cryptococcus neoformans, hides from the immune system, enabling it to grow, unabated throughout the infected person's body. What begins as a tiny encapsulated spore, consisting of an outer membrane made up of a sort of sugar (polysaccharide), now attracts more and more of this sugar from somewhere inside the body, leading the once tiny single spore to become too large for the scavenger white blood cells (macrophages) to gobble them up and digest them! Eventually, this mass of cells strangles off normal human physiology and the patient dies.

Lead researcher Dr. Arturo Casadevall says that the mechanism for capsule growth wasn't known until now. Of course, they have yet to identify where the other polysaccharides are coming from but, as you continue reading, you will see how, yet again, an exciting science has been touched upon. Could this discovery actually be a relevant cancer discovery? I think it is! I suspect that millions of other Cryptococcus neoformans cells are already inside our bodies and want nothing more than some bonding-time with their spore family members! Read on click Here

Colon Cancer Hits home

2009-11-25T09:44:00.004-05:00

Unexpected and shocking news from your doctor can turn your world upside down. Some think it could never happen to them or that they are pretty healthy and dont have to worry about eating Mc Donalds everyday. The statistics show that 1 out of 2 men will get cancer and 1 out of 3 women will get cancer. Ignorance and a lack of the correct information from the correct sources is very dangerous.

Within the last year, a family member and a good friend, were diagnosed with Colon cancer. The crazy thing is, with early detection, colon cancer is preventable and beatable. IT is critical to get checked early. The KEY is preventative maintenance and early detection. The standard age to have a colonoscopy done is 50 years old. I believe that having one done at 40 yrs old is wise.

It is important to understand some basics of colon cancer and how to keep your colon functioning. Keeping your colon clean provides a number of health benefits, the main ones being: A lowered risk of developing colorectal cancer, the second or third leading type of cancer in most industrialized countries, A lowered risk of experiencing irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation, and chronic diarrhea, A lowered risk of developing hemorrhoids, Less objectionable gas production,More efficient absorption of water and minerals, A feeling of lightness, comfort, and well-being in your abdominal region.

After food passes through your stomach and small intestine, the remaining material, mostly waste products in liquid form, move on to the first part of your large intestine -- your colon. Your colon is approximately 6 feet long and serves primarily to dehydrate liquid waste material. In order to understand how to keep your colorectal region clean and healthy, let's go over a few key details on how your large intestine works.

Movement of Waste Material

After you eat a substantial meal, your stomach expands enough to trigger a reflex that causes a contractile wave (called a peristaltic wave) to travel through your small intestine and push any liquid waste material (chyme) that is sitting in the last part of your small intestine into your large intestine.

Movement of waste material through your colon is facilitated by something called "haustral churning". Your colon is divided along its length into small pouches called haustra. When a haustrum is filled with substantial waste material, its muscular walls contract and push the waste material into the next haustrum. The contractile reflex that allows haustral churning is regulated by a division of your autonomic nervous system.

On average, your colon experiences anywhere from about 3 to 12 moderate waves of contractions every minute. After every substantial meal, your colon experiences a much larger contractile wave, called "mass peristalsis". Mass peristalsis serves to push waste materials from your transverse colon all the way to your rectum. In most people, mass peristalsis occurs about three times a day.

When your rectal pouch is distended with enough feces to trigger a contractile reflex, your feces are pushed out through your anus. When you consciously contract your abdominal wall, your diaphragm moves downward and helps open up muscles that line your anal sphincter. If you choose not to release stools when you experience an urge to do so, your reflex contractions may stop, in which case you likely won't have a significant bowel movement until the next mass peristalsis occurs.

Natural Ways to Keep Your Colorectal Region Clean and Healthy

Chronic constipation is the single greatest cause of having an unclean and unhealthy colorectal region because over time, constipation causes your bowel walls to face excessive pressure -- pressure that is created by you straining to go and by your colon walls creating stronger contractions to help eliminate hard stools. Excessive pressure on your colon walls can cause little pouches called diverticuli to form. Sometimes, small bits of waste material can get lodged in diverticuli.

Eat substantial meals; don't nibble on small amounts throughout the day. Each time you eat a substantial meal, you stimulate stretch receptors in your stomach that are responsible for triggering normal and mass peristaltic waves throughout your small and large intestines, ensuring regular movement of waste material through your colon and rectum. Also, eating substantial meals allows significant "chunks" of waste materials to travel together through your colon, turn into well formed stools, and get eliminated from your body in an efficient manner.

Don't suppress the desire to go. If you regularly suppress the urge to have a bowel movement, waste materials spend more time than is optimal in your colon, causing excessive dehydration of waste materials and formation of hard stools.

Ensure adequate intake of water and/or water-rich food. Water helps to move waste materials along, and is absorbed throughout the entire length of your colon. Insufficient water intake can cause stools to form far before waste materials reach your rectal pouch, which can cause constipation. This doesn't necessarily mean that you need to drink several glasses of water per day. If you eat plenty of water-rich plant foods, then you can rely on your sense of thirst to dictate how much water to drink.
Eat fiber-rich foods regularly. Fiber adds bulk to the boluses of waste material that travel through your large intestine, and this bulk is essential to your colon's ability to turn waste materials into well formed stools. A diet that is rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains ensures high fiber intake.

Ensure adequate vitamin D status. Adequate vitamin D status significantly lowers your risk of developing all types of cancer, including colorectal cancer. When you aren't able to get regular exposure to sunlight, look to ensure adequate vitamin D status by eating healthy foods that contain vitamin D, such as wild salmon and a high quality cod liver oil.

Ensure adequate vitamin A status. Glands that line the mucosal lining of your colon are responsible for releasing mucous that is needed to lubricate your feces; vitamin A is needed to maintain the health of these specialized cells that release mucous. It's best to ensure adequate vitamin A status by eating healthy foods that contain vitamin A.

Ensure adequate intake of healthy fats. All of your cells, including those of your large intestine and nervous system, require a constant influx of undamaged fatty acids and cholesterol to remain fully functional. If you don't ensure adequate intake of healthy fats, your nervous system and the smooth muscles that surround your digestive passageway -- both of which are responsible for creating peristaltic waves throughout your digestive tract -- may deteriorate in function.

Also, intake of healthy fats is necessary for optimal absorption of fat-soluble vitamin A, which, as mentioned above, is critical to building and maintaining the mucosal lining of your colon. Healthy foods that are rich in healthy fats include: avocados, organic eggs, olives, extra-virgin olive oil, coconut oil, coconuts, raw nuts, raw seeds, and cold-water fish.

Build and maintain large colonies of friendly bacteria in your digestive tract. Large populations of friendly bacteria can keep your digestive tract clean and healthy by promoting optimal digestion, thereby preventing build-up of toxic waste materials. Bacteria also take up space and resources, thereby helping to prevent infection by harmful bacteria, fungi, and parasites. The easiest way to build and maintain healthy colonies of friendly bacteria in your digestive tract is to take a high quality probiotic.

Work at feeling emotionally balanced. Stress can interfere with your ability to clean your colon through its effect on your enteric nervous system. Most people who have come to me over the years with a chronic colon-related health issue have had significant emotional stress in their lives. If you have a challenge with colon and rectal health, I encourage you to take a careful look at ways that you can more effectively manage emotional stress in your life.

Here's the bottom line on this topic: Your body is well designed to keep your colon and rectal regions clean and healthy. If you follow the steps outlined above, you can rest assured knowing that your lifestyle choices are minimizing your risk of having colon-related health issues.

Source: www.naturalnews.com

What you should know about Diabetes

2009-11-22T09:58:00.001-05:00

Here are some interesting facts from Food Matters.com and Dr Ron Rosedale MD:

Diabetes was not long ago primarily a 'disease' affecting a small portion of the mature population. Yet today, it is becoming commonplace with all ages of adults and we are now seeing an alarming epidemic of diabetes in increasingly younger children.

In the US, 20.8 million people (7.85% of the population) have type II diabetes and another 50 million have pre-diabetes. More than half are not even aware that they have this condition that can rob them of some of the most enjoyable years of their life, if left unchecked.

Type II diabetes is very much a 'disease' we have given ourselves through diet. While this may not be what many like to hear - it should ring as very good news indeed to anyone with diabetes concerns and the desire to reverse it naturally. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, said 'Let Food Be Thy Medicine, and Medicine Be Thy Food'.

Diabetes Is Not A Disease Of Blood Sugar! By Ron Rosedale, MD

As I have stated previously, and one concept that I would like to make well-known to save thousands and perhaps millions of lives as soon as possible, is that diabetes is not a disease of blood sugar, but a disease of insulin and perhaps more importantly leptin signaling, and until that concept becomes well-known in the medical community, articles like the one published in this issue will fortunately continue to be published revealing the inadequacy of current conventional medical treatment for chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease, and the falsity of their advice about nutrition.

Typically treatment concentrates on fixing a symptom, in this case elevated blood sugar, rather than the underlying disease. Symptoms are generally the way that nature has taught our bodies to deal with a disease. For instance, a runny nose is a symptom designed to cleanse the nose and sinuses of viruses and bacteria when one has a "cold." Taking a decongestant just inhibits our own body's mechanism for dealing with that infection and will therefore prolong it.

Similarly, treatments which concentrate merely on lowering blood sugar for diabetes while raising insulin levels can actually worsen rather than remedy the actual problem of metabolic miscommunication. It just trades one evil for another.

Elevated insulin levels are highly associated and even causative of: heart disease, peripheral vascular disease,
stroke, high blood pressure, cancer, obesity and many other so-called diseases.

Since most treatments for (type 2, insulin resistant) diabetes utilize drugs which raise insulin or actual insulin injections itself, the tragic result is that the typical, conventional medical treatment for diabetes contributes to the manifest side effects and the shortened lifespan that diabetics experience.

Traditional medicine appears certainly not to, especially with diabetes. For two millennia diabetes has been considered to be a disease of sugar. Despite centuries of scientific progress including the discovery of insulin and more recently leptin, that has not changed. It appears that medicine has made little to no progress with that myth. Furthermore, the actual purpose of insulin is widely, if not uniformly, mistaken even among the medical community.

The Main Purpose Of Insulin Is Not To Lower Blood Sugar.

It may surprise you, as well as your doctor, that insulin's main role is not to control blood sugar. The control of blood sugar is mostly in an upward direction, not a downward direction. A few types of tissues and cells in our body such as red blood cells require glucose for energy (the rest can and even desires to burn fat or byproducts of fat metabolism called ketones). Thus it is important to always have a little bit of glucose dissolved in our blood.
The trick throughout most of our ancestral history was to keep sugar in our blood from falling too low since there was not that much sugar to be had. Most starches and grains that would turn into sugar are mostly indigestible unless cooked. You might even strain your jaw trying to eat an uncooked potato.

The major source of sugar was fruit, and that was mostly available only seasonally, and even then we had to work and exercise to obtain it, burning the sugar and preventing it from spiking very high. The hormones cortisone, epinephrine, norepinephrine, glucagon, and growth hormone make sure that we always have some glucose available to the tissues that need it.

High Blood Sugar Was A Rarity.

However when our blood sugar did become elevated it was a sign that we had more energy available than we could currently burn and thus it would be a good idea to store the extra. "Waste not, want not." Food was not always available; feast or famine was the rule. When blood sugar becomes elevated it is a signal for insulin to be released to direct the extra energy into storage.

A small amount is stored as a starch called glycogen in our body, but the majority is stored as our main energy supply -- fat. Thus, in this regard insulin's major role is not to lower sugar, but to take the extra energy when available and store it for future times of need. Insulin lowers glucose as a side effect of directing the extra into storage.

Insulin's purpose may go far beyond even that. Insulin is being researched very heavily by scientists who study the biology of aging. It has been found that when insulin is kept low either through diet or via genetic manipulation animals live much longer and the rate of aging is significantly reduced. This appears true in many different species of animals from single cell yeast, to worms, to flies, and appears likely to be true also in primates.

Apparently, low insulin is a signal that energy is scarce and animals need to focus their energy needs on maintaining and repairing themselves so that they can outlive the famine to be able to reproduce at a future, more opportune time. Insulin's purpose has gone from controlling blood sugar, to directing energy stores, and now to actually regulating the rate of aging including the major symptoms of aging -- diabetes, heart disease, obesity, osteoporosis, dementia, and even cancer.

All Chronic Disease Is Due To Miscommunication Of Messages Between And Within Cells.

As stated in a prior newsletter, all chronic disease is due to miscommunication of messages between and within cells. Certainly diabetes is a disease of insulin miscommunication, and recognizing insulin's true purpose certainly goes much deeper to the roots of diabetes and other chronic diseases. Yet we can go even deeper.

Insulin May Not Even Be The Most Important Hormone In Diabetes Or Other Chronic Diseases Of Aging.
That honor likely goes to leptin. It appears that the hormone leptin is largely responsible for the accuracy of insulin signaling and whether one becomes insulin resistant or not. Leptin, a relatively recently discovered hormone produced by fat, tells the body and brain how much energy it has, whether it needs more (saying "be hungry"), whether it should get rid of some (and stop being hungry) and importantly what to do with the energy it has (reproduce, upregulate cellular repair, or not).

Recent compelling research reveals that the two most important organs that will determine whether one becomes (type 2, insulin resistant) diabetic or not are the liver and the brain and it is their ability to listen to leptin that will determine this.

Leptin largely influences, if not controls, the manifest functions of the hypothalamus in the brain, including:
Reproduction, Thyroid function, Adrenal function and the Sympathetic nervous system.
Fat, and leptin, strongly influences chronic inflammation and therefore diseases associated with this including heart disease, Alzheimer's, and diabetes. It appears now that rather than your brain being in control of your body, fat, by way of leptin, is really in the driver's seat.

The Enemy Is Not Only Foreign To The Medical Community; It Appears To Not Even Be Recognized.
It is no wonder that (type 2) diabetes has not been conquered. By some estimates, diabetes has increased over 700% in the last 50 years. This reveals two very important facts.

Diabetes cannot be primarily a genetic disease, since the prior statistic has taken place within the same generation and presumably essentially the same genetics. Something that we have been doing is obviously wrong and needs to be changed. That something is diet.

It is difficult, or perhaps even impossible, to actually prove that something is true. However, it is not difficult to prove that something is false. Americans have been following (at least partially), for the last 50 years, the nutritional recommendations of a high complex carbohydrate, low saturated fat diet from the: American Dietetic Association, American Heart Association, and the American Diabetes Association That, in itself, is an oxymoron since most of those "complex" carbohydrates, such as potatoes, rice, cereals, pasta, and breads rapidly turn to sugar and the excess sugar (glucose) rapidly turns into long-chain saturated fatty acids (palmitic acid; "palm oil"). Concomitant with that recommendation the incidence of diabetes and obesity has skyrocketed and has become one of the worst worldwide epidemics the world has ever seen.

Eating a high "complex" carbohydrate, low saturated fat diet for health and longevity has been shown, and perhaps even "proven," to be wrong. Minimal common sense would say to try something else.
Diabetes Is A Disease Of Nutrition, And It Is The Science Of Nutrition That Must Treat It. Science is telling us that we must eat a diet that maximizes the accuracy of insulin and leptin signaling allowing cells, you, to better listen to their life-giving messages. (The need for those hormones to have to "yell" to be heard is reduced and the levels of insulin and leptin are therefore lowered.)

That would be the eating plan emphasizing good fats and reduced nonfiber carbohydrates/starches as outlined in my book "The Rosedale Diet" and Dr. Mercola's "Total Health Program". Doing so will greatly improve and even reverse type 2 "insulin resistant" diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, many other chronic diseases of aging, and even aging itself, as many of my patients who have been able to totally eliminate the use of their drugs, including insulin, can attest.

Following those guidelines will let you -- and your genes -- "be the best that you can be." Quick Fact: Estimated Diabetes Costs in United States (2007) Direct medical costs: $116 billion- After adjusting for population age and sex differences, average medical expenditures among people with diagnosed diabetes were 2.3 times higher than what expenditures would be in the absence of diabetes. Indirect costs: $58 billion - disability, work loss, prema

Açaí and diabetes - how do they go together? While diabetics are taught to approach excessive fruit intake cautiously - with fruit juices being nearly avoided all together, for generally high sugar levels - it seems counter-intuitive that açaí is having a very positive impact on the lives of many diabetics. Açaí is actually a low-gylcemic complete food that has been found to have a stabilizing effect on insulin and blood sugar levels.

Leadership and Liberty- Our world needs leadership now more than ever

2009-11-20T22:55:00.005-05:00

Hello all,

Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady, top leaders in the business world, have written many books together over the last few years. Launching a Leadership Revolution, a New York Times best seller, has been wildly successful. Since everything rises and falls on leadership, this amazing book has helped individuals and groups learn the principles of leaderhip, soemthing that sorely needed in our world today.

Their latest book "Leadership and Liberty" is unbelievable! Here is a video clip of Orrin and Chris discussing this awesome book and why they wrote it. I highly recommend this book since it is one of my favorites.

Dr Blaylock talks about nutrition, behavior, aspartame and MSG

2009-11-20T20:21:00.000-05:00

Comsume these 3 purple items for your good health health

2009-11-09T16:23:00.000-05:00

Concord grapes, blueberries, red wine: They all get that deep, rich color from polyphenols—compounds that reduce heart disease risk and may also protect against Alzheimer’s disease, according to the new research. Polyphenols help keep blood vessels and arteries flexible and healthy. "What’s good for your coronary arteries is also good for your brain’s blood vessels," says Robert Krikorian, PhD, director of the Cognitive Disorders Center at the University of Cincinnati.

Preliminary animal studies suggest that adding dark grapes to your diet may improve brain function. What’s more, in a recent human study, researchers found that eating 1 or more cups of blueberries every day may improve communication between brain cells, enhancing your memory.

Inspiring Quotes for success

2009-11-07T18:50:00.000-05:00

Here are some inspiring quotes I came across from Steven Covey. I wanted to share them with here. Have a great day!

Stephen Covey Quote # 1: "Live out your imagination, not your history."

There is no limit to who you can be and what you can achieve if you put your mind into it. Unfortunately, many people are too afraid to step out of their comfort zone.

If your family has always been in the pizza business, for example, you would find it almost impossible to try doing something else. But that is what Covey is trying to get you to understand.

You don't have to achieve what your parents have achieved. You have the entire world before you to take on. Explore and discover.

Stephen Covey Quote # 2: "There are three constants in life... Change, choice and principles."

Everyone knows that change is constant. But people seem to forget that choice and principles are, too!
And contrary to popular belief, we all have a choice. We choose to live, to die, to betray, to support, etc. Even in a situation where we seem to have no choice, we always have a choice. And this choice is always backed up by our principles.

Stephen Covey Quote # 3: "Motivation is a fire from within. If someone else tries to light that fire under you, chances are it will burn very briefly."

You can't just rely on other people's pep talk alone. If you really want to bring forth 100% of your potential, you're going to have to call out the motivation from within yourself.

Ask yourself what you want to do and why you want to do it. You'll find that doing things for yourself, rather than for others, can fuel you to do the things you never even imagined you could.

Know the Cause - Hosted by Doug Kaufmann

2009-11-06T15:54:00.003-05:00

http://www.knowthecause.com/ is a great site for health information. Doug Kaufman has a TV show that has been extremely helpful to us.

Majority of Americans not Meeting Recommendations for Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

2009-11-06T09:22:00.000-05:00

Interesting article published by Healthy News service on October 17, 2009

No U.S. state is meeting national objectives for consumption of fruits and vegetables, according to the first report to provide state–by–state data about fruit and vegetable consumption and policies that may help Americans eat more fruits and vegetables.

“State Indicator Report on Fruits and Vegetables, 2009”was released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Healthy People 2010 objectives aim for at least 75 percent of Americans to eat the recommended two or more daily servings of fruit, and for at least 50 percent of Americans to eat the recommended three or more servings of vegetables daily. However, CDC surveys indicate that only 33 percent of adults meet the recommendation for fruit consumption and 27 percent get the recommended servings of vegetables. The statistics are even worse for high school students – 32 percent report eating at least two servings of fruit daily and 13 percent say they eat at least three servings of vegetables each day.

“A diet high in fruits and vegetables is important for optimal child growth, maintaining a healthy weight, and prevention of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, all of which currently contribute to health care costs in the United States,” said Dr. William H. Dietz, director of CDC′s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. “This report will help states determine what is taking place in their communities and schools and come up with ways to encourage people to eat more fruits and vegetables.”

Ironically, even though our society consumes less than the recommended amount of fruit, I question the integrity of the fruit that IS consumed. When fruit is pulled off the tree before ripening, then gassed, and bombarded with harmful chemicals, one should wonder how healthy the fruit really is? It stands to reason that fruit today is nothing like it used to be when your Mom had her own garden. Cancer and disease is rampant and has been linked to lack of fruit and vegetables in our daily diet. How do you get quality fruit every day conveniently without breaking the bank? We live in a pharmaceutical fast food culture and it all comes down to education. If we chose to ignore the studies and statistics thinking that it doesnt apply to you, keep in mind that 1 out of 2 men are going to get cancer. As well, 1 out of 3 women are going to get cancer. Alarming but true. Its never too late to make some positive changes that can positively impact you and your family's health in a major way.

Food Inc presents a documentary on the truth about the food we eat.

2009-11-03T12:56:00.001-05:00

Store Wars.. This is funny!

2009-11-02T06:30:00.003-05:00