New Apple Ingredient Discovery Keeps Muscles Strong!

Natural Component of Apple Peels Found To Help Prevent Muscle Weakening

In search of an effective method to prevent muscle wasting that comes with illness and aging, researchers have located a natural compound that is very promising.

The findings reported in the June issue of Cell Metabolism (a Cell Press publication), identify a natural component of apple peels known as Ursolic Acid as a promising newnutritional therapy for the widespread and debilitating condition that affects nearly everyone at one time or another.

"Muscle wasting is a frequent companion of illness and aging," explained researchers from The University of Iowa, Iowa City. "It prolongs hospitalization, delays recoveries and in some cases prevents people going back home. It isn't well understood and there is no medicine for it."

The research team first looked at what happens to gene activity in muscles under conditions that promote weakening. Those studies turned up 63 genes that change in response to fasting in both people and mice and another 29 that shift their expression in the muscles of both people who are fasting and those with spinal cord injury. Comparison of those gene expression signatures to the signatures of cells treated with more than 1300 bio-active small molecules led them to ursolic acid as a compound with effects that might counteract those of atrophy.

"Ursolic Acid is an interesting natural compound," they said. "It's part of a normal diet as a component of apple peels. They always say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away..."

The researchers next gave Ursolic Acid to fasted laboratory subjects. Those experiments showed that ursolic acid could protect against muscle weakening as predicted. When ursolic acid was added to the food of normal subjects for a period of weeks, their muscles grew. Those effects were traced back to enhanced insulin signaling in muscle and to corrections in the gene signatures linked to atrophy.

The subjects given ursolic acid also became leaner and had lower blood levels of glucose, cholesterol and triglycerides. The findings therefore suggest that ursolic acid may be responsible for some of the overall benefits of healthy eating.

"We know if you eat a balanced diet like mom told us to eat you get this material," the researchers explained "People who eat junk food don't get this." 

It is not yet clear whether the findings will translate to human patients, but the goal now is to "figure out if this can help people." If so, they don't yet know whether Ursolic Acid at levels that might be consumed as part of a normal diet might or might not be enough. 

One way to incorporate the benefits of apples is to include apple fiber into you diet. This can be done easily by just adding a spoonful of apple fiber into a shake or mix it into yogurt or applesauce. The NOW brand is a fairly cheap and good product.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/health/article_12511.shtml

Women and Strokes: Facts, Signs, Symptoms

(NewsUSA) – Imagine that you are out shopping with your mother, and she suddenly gets severe hiccups, shortness of breath or palpitations. Maybe you even notice sudden face and limb pain, nausea, chest pain or general weakness.

     Could it be a stroke? You think that some of these signs don’t fit common stroke symptoms, but you might not know that women can display different symptoms than men. According to the American Stroke Association, five warning signs for both men and women can include:
* numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg — especially on one side of the body
* confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
* trouble seeing in one or both eyes
* trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
* severe headache with no known cause

      However, some of the most common complaints among women without any of the five warning signs can be loss of consciousness or fainting, difficulty breathing, pain, nausea, migraines and seizures.
According to Eva M. Rzucidlo, MD, a vascular surgeon and chair of the Women’s Leadership Committee in the Society for Vascular Surgery, persons also may experience a different stroke warning sign called a transient ischemic attack, which lasts for a few minutes to one hour. A TIA can be similar to other stroke symptoms, but usually disappear within 24 hours.
     Sixty percent of people who have strokes are women. Call 911 if you notice someone having any signs of stroke. Patients can be treated with a clot-buster medication, if used within three hours after first symptoms. Your quick response may help one of the 100,000-plus women under the age of 65 each year who have a stroke and reduce possible long-term disability.
     Ask your vascular surgeon if you would benefit from a noninvasive vascular screening that may identify any blood flow issues or blockages in your arteries. Make sure your blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes numbers are under control. Be active, have a healthy diet, limit alcohol, watch your weight and do not smoke.
      To learn more about your vascular health, visit the Society for Vascular Surgery’s website at www.VascularWeb.org.

What is Glucosamine?

 
     Glucosamine is a natural compound that is found in healthy cartilage. Glucosamine sulfate is a normal constituent of glycoaminoglycans in cartilage matrix and synovial fluid.

     Available evidence from randomized controlled trials supports the use of glucosamine sulfate in the treatment of osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee. It is believed that the sulfate moiety provides clinical benefit in the synovial fluid by strengthening cartilage and aiding glycosaminoglycan synthesis. If this hypothesis is confirmed, it would mean that only the glucosamine sulfate form is effective and non-sulfated glucosamine forms are not effective. Glucosamine is commonly taken in combination with chondroitin, a glycosaminoglycan derived from articular cartilage. Use of complementary therapies, including glucosamine, is common in patients with osteoarthritis, and may allow for reduced doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents.

Click on the banner above or the picture below to try some out.

Deer Antler Velvet & Arthritis?

     Living in Oklahoma, I see deer at times. And, there is even an Exotic Animal Auction close by that has elk and other hoof stock run through. But, I have never heard of treating conditions in people with Deer Antler Velvet until now! Well, here is the article for you along with a link to the product. If you try it out, let me know how it goes!

"The first health care claim of deer velvet antler to be substantiated by scientific evidence, in compliance with US Food and Drug Administration dietary supplement regulations, was announced by the North American Elk Breeders Association (NAEBA) recently. Executive Director Ben Coplan said the determination, made by two consulting firms hired by NAEBA, Nutrinfo of Watertown, Massachusetts and Tradeworks Group, Inc. of Brattleboro, Vermont, is a significant breakthrough for the nation's 1,400 breeders of farm-raised elk.

According to Coplan, the Nutrinfo report states there is a reasonable basis to claim that velvet antler helps relieve the symptoms of arthritis. However, a disease claim may not be used for a dietary supplement in the US; therefore, the acceptable statement for product labels and advertisements of a dietary supplement would be "provides nutritional support for joint structure and function."

"This determination, by two of the leading dietary supplement firms in the world, is "just what the doctor ordered" for the members of our growing agricultural industry," Coplan said.

Many studies have shown most of the carbohydrate in antler is proteoglycan, which is a combination of protein and carbohydrate. The carbohydrate portion is primarily glycosaminoglycan, of which chondroitin sulfate is by far the predominant constituent. One study cited by the Nutrinfo report evaluated the clinical efficacy of chondroitin sulfate in knee osteoarthritis. Treatment with 3 X 400 mg doses per day for 90 days provided significant relief from symptoms as reported by patients. "We intend to research and substantiate other health benefit claims for velvet antler," Coplan said.

"We want to carefully research the potential benefits of velvet antler supplements for supporting the immune system, anti-aging, muscle strength and endurance, and sexual vitality."

Deer velvet antler has been highly regarded in traditional oriental medicine for two thousand years. It is consumed regularly by people of Japan, Taiwan, Korea and Hong Kong as a highly prized medicinal drug to treat blood loss, weakness, and chronic joint pain. Scientific studies in Canada and New Zealand are now verifying the health benefits of this important supplement.

"The scientific-backed health benefit claim will greatly expand marketing opportunities for velvet antler dietary supplements in the United States," Coplan stated.

The FDA in the United States regulates claims for dietary supplements through a process, which is different than for medicinal drugs; it does not "approve" dietary supplements, but allows producers to substantiate structure/function claims through critical review of scientific studies.

In North America, farmers and ranchers raise approximately 110,000 elk, the largest of the deer family. Historically, the velvet antler harvested by North American farmers has been exported to Asian countries. As the natural foods and dietary supplement market has expanded in the U.S., farmers have turned their attention to the domestic market. Association headquarters is in Platte City, Mo.

Copies of the scientific report on velvet antler are available from the NAEBA office.From: North American Elk Breeders Association.

Click on the bottle below to order some.

10 Natural Home Remedies for Constipation

      Constipation is a common disorder that is rampant among the American populace. Estimates have shown that over 3 million people have constipation annually in the United States. As if that were not enough, more than 2 million also suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The causes of constipation are multifaceted. There is also the added issue of poor diet. Many folks are into fast foods and other "instant" foods that do not benefit the gut in very good ways much of the time.
     There are varied methods in the meantime that will result in some form of relief for anyone who has got constipation. For the purpose of this write-up, we’ll focus a lot more on the natural home remedies useful in constipation relief around us. I have not personally tried out all of these methods, so apply them at your own risk.

1. Drink water regularly. At least 6 glasses of water a day would be very great and therapeutic. Large amounts of water aids quick digestion and enables easier bowel movement.
2. Adding roasted black gram powder to chapatti made of wheat including the husks too can enhance constipation relief.
3. Molasses which have high calorie content are also very good. Beware though as it has a strong taste and you’ll want to add fruit juice or milk to it when taking it. All you really need is two tablespoonfuls of blackstrap molasses just before sleeping at night.
4. Take half a cup of cabbage juice twice a day. This is very effective in treating and curing constipation.
5. If you have access to mango, take one in the morning right after brushing before breakfast, and one at night after dinner. Mangoes are very effective bowel movers. There is a sure guarantee that you’ll have to “go” at least twice before nightfall.
6. Create a mixture of Spiegel seeds and warm milk. This is done by dipping the Spiegel seeds (5-10g) in warm milk (200g). To this, mixture, add sugar and you have for yourself a highly effective treatment method.
7. If you are suffering from chronic constipation, take a drink of figs dipped in water in the morning. If taken in copious amounts, you’ll definitely find yourself reaching for the next available toilet.
8. If you want instant relief from constipation, drink water that has been kept in a copper container and has been left overnight. It acts as a superb constipation relief.
9. Get half a glass of water and mix one-quarter (¼) of Epsom salts with it for fast constipation relief.
10. Also try pouring a whole sachet of Andrew’s Liver Salt in a glass of water and gulp down immediately. This will also produce a fast constipation relief.

 

How to Cure Bad Breath in Just 3 Days

For the full report - Click here

40 years ago, government scientists at theNational Institutes of Health made a simple, but very significant discovery: About 90% of all bad breath cases have a single cause, and, for people in this group, a specific combination of common ingredients can entirely eliminate the problem 96 times out of 100!

That single discovery, almost forgotten until now, has been updated with more recent research, and now forms the basis of a safe, but ultra-powerful method that not only eliminates the root-cause of your bad breath, but also gives you strong, health gums and a shining white smile for the rest of your life... even if everything else has failed.

You can read all about this special technique in The Bad Breath Report, a simple and straight-forward special report, in which you will also discover...

• The single cause of virtually ALL cases of bad breath, and what you can do to control it, no matter how serious your problem, or how long you've had it. You need never be self-conscious, or embarrassed, about your breath again. (See page 6)
• 5 simple things you can do today that can rid you of bad breath, even before you try the treatment! At the very least, this will slash your problem in half! (See pages 8-13)
• Brushing and flossing your teeth is good for you, but it will NOT improve your bad breath... find out why. 
• How to get rid of that ugly white coating on your tongue... without scraping! (Also find out why scraping your tongue will NOT get rid of the white coating... even if you scrape until it bleeds!) (See page 18)
• A scientifically-proven way to eliminate mouth ulcers and canker sores for good... even if you have been plagued by them for as long as you can remember!
• Why you should NEVER use commercially-available toothpaste! Recent scientific studies prove that most of them contain harsh chemicals that cause huge damage inside your mouth. (See pages 25-26)
• Why a commonly used (and ultra-expensive) halitosis treatment that is recommended by so-called "experts" not only makes your bad breath even worse than before, but also screws up your overall health too! (See page 14)
• The one critical secret to wiping out your bad breath forever... that nobody else tells you about. (See page 28)

Click here for the FULL BAD BREATH REPORT!

Suffering From Joint Pain?

Joint pain can be caused by any number of things. It can be the result of an injury or overuse of the joint. If your joint pain is caused by arthritis, you will need to begin your search for an effective way to treat it. But, in order to do that, you need to know the symptoms of arthritis. All forms of arthritis share the common symptoms of severe pain, loss of range of motion, and a diminished quality of life. What you will find is that this painful, life altering condition can be found in any individual at any time of their lives. But, there are joint pain treatments that can be effective. 

The first thing to do when you have joint pain is to go to a doctor. Symptoms of arthritis include severe pain in the joints and other factors as mentioned above. If your pain is accompanied with fever, the advice of a doctor is urgent because this specific type of arthritis can be deadly. Arthritis can be brought on by any number of things including overuse of the joint, sports, injury, and degeneration of the joints through time. In any case, it is important to relay to your doctor when it was first noticed, any related injuries you may have had, and what types of activities you perform on a regular basis. Your doctor will determine if the pain is arthritis through x-rays and blood tests. Once the doctor knows which type you have, treatments can begin. 

For instance, the joint pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis is a function of the immune system destroying the cartilage in the joints affected. Cartilage is what keeps the bones from grinding against each other. As your immune system eats away at your joint cartilage, pain is brought on by the formation of nerve endings in the affected area. Eventually, the pain is so sever that mobility in those joints is virtually impossible. 

But, again, there are treatments that can help or reverse the damage and pain. Your doctor can lead your treatment and some things you might expect could include surgery, pain medication, physical therapy, and even loss of use of the joint. But, there are other forms of medication as well. In fact, one of the most beneficial medications is a simple natural food supplement that is not even medicine at all. It is a natural treatment that is called collagen type II. When taken, this product can stop the pain by stopping the immune system’s battle against your joints. It can then help to repair damage. In some cases, patients saw results within days, in others it took up to a few months. There are no known side effects of this treatment. 

No matter what your joint pain is caused from or how you will treat it, the most important thing to remember is that you can find treatment. You can find it in a number of ways, which gives everyone a solution to try. Joint pain can effectively change and ruin your life if you let it. Or, you can fight back and regain your body’s well being. 

Worst Menopause Symptoms May Start in Brain

Study challenges old notion that menopause starts in the ovaries. Some of the most unpleasant symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and night sweats, have long been believed to originate in the ovaries. 


But new research challenges that assumption, and instead suggests that menopausal symptoms, at least in part, may begin in the brain. 


That's because the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland stop reacting normally to estrogen in some women, suggesting they may have developed a reduced sensitivity to estrogen, researchers at the New Jersey Medical School report in the Dec. 22/29 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. 


"This is an important new concept: Menopause doesn't just originate in the ovary, but also in the brain," said Laura Goldsmith, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health at the New Jersey Medical School of the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. 


These findings may lead the way to further research that will ultimately help doctors predict the type of menopausal transition a woman might have, and help to design non-estrogen medications that could help reduce symptoms that women experience as they enter this phase of life, said Dr. Gerson Weiss, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology and women's health at the New Jersey Medical School. 


Menopause refers to the time when menstruation stops. A woman is not considered menopausal until she has not had a period for 12 consecutive months, according to the North American Menopausal Society. The time before menopause, which is often rife with symptoms due to hormonal fluctuations, is called perimenopause. During perimenopause, common symptoms include hot flashes, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, mood swings and irregular periods. 


This study stemmed from research done for the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN), which was funded by the National Institutes of Health, that examined women's' health as they approached menopause. 


The SWAN study included more than 3,300 women between the ages of 42 and 52 at the start of the study. A subset group of 840 women provided daily urine samples, which were tested for hormone levels. The samples were collected daily for one full menstrual cycle or 50 days, whichever came first. 


From that group, the researchers learned that 160 did not ovulate. After further analyzing the hormone levels from the non-ovulating women, the researchers discovered that these women fell into three distinct groups. 


The first group had an increase in their levels of estrogen, and then had an appropriate surge of luteinizing hormone (LH) that should have triggered ovulation, but didn't. According to Weiss, this lack of response indicated a problem originating in the ovary. 


In the second group, estrogen levels peaked, but there was no correlating surge in LH, which Weiss said should be triggered by the hypothalamus and pituitary gland responding to higher estrogen levels. 


The third group had similar estrogen levels early in their cycles, but didn't have an increase in estrogen later as the first and second groups did. LH levels didn't surge, but were higher for most of the cycle than they were in the other groups. 


According to Weiss, this is "clear evidence that the brain is not responding to hormones," suggesting the second and third groups showed different kinds of decreased sensitivity to estrogen in the brain. 


The women in the third group were also the ones most likely to report symptoms, such as hot flashes and night sweats. 


Goldsmith said the researchers hope to continue studying these women. She said they'd especially like to learn how the timing of menopause correlates with their findings. For example, the researchers would like to see if the women in the third group were, perhaps, further along in the menopausal process. 


"It appears that what's going on in menopause isn't only ovarian," said Dr. Steven Goldstein, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at New York University School of Medicine. "We thought the pituitary responded to lower levels of estrogen, but there may be a lack of sensitivity to estrogen in the hypothalamus and pituitary." 


What's important for women to know, said Goldsmith, is that there are "real biochemical changes occurring during menopause." Researchers are beginning to understand how those changes start to occur, which is the first step in trying to come up with more effective treatments. 


SOURCES: Gerson Weiss, M.D., professor and chairman, obstetrics and gynecology and women's health; Laura Goldsmith, Ph.D., professor, obstetrics and gynecology, New Jersey Medical School, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Newark; Steven Goldstein, M.D., professor , obstetrics and gynecology, and obstetrician/gynecologist, New York University School of Medicine and Medical Center, New York City; Dec. 22/29, 2004, Journal of the American Medical Association 

Are You a Candidate For Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Are you a candidate for irritable bowel syndrome? Do you have abdominal pain  or cramping? Do you have constipation? Diarrhea? How about vomiting, or fever or  headache? How about bloating and water retention? Irritable bowel syndrome is  not pleasant for anyone who has it, and many many Americans do suffer from it,  in fact more every year. Many of these turn to Bowtrol Colon Cleanser for  relief.


Why do they turn to Bowtrol Colon Cleanser? The answer to that is easy. Bowtrol Colon Cleanser is all natural and has  many successful users. Their track record is outstanding. Bowtrol Colon Cleanser  in league with a healthy lifestyle that should include moderate exercise and  sensible eating habits can help keep the colon cleansed. Two to three good,  regular and healthy bowel movements a day are essential to good colon health.  Bowtrol Colon Cleanser helps with this. So does good eating. Most Americans eat  way too much fast food. Too much sugar, too much fat. Not enough vegetables and  fruit. Not enough healthy grains or legumes. Legumes are beans of all types –  green beans, black beans, lima beans, butter beans, brown beans, navy beans,  pinto beans, and on and on. Also peanuts are legumes. These are great sources of  fiber for better colon cleanliness and better colon health. A one-two punch of  better eating habits and Bowtrol Colon Cleanser can make a world of difference  in most people. Good colon health and cleanliness can be the difference between  a pain free day and a day full of abdominal cramping. It can also be the  difference between feeling good and feeling constipated, or bloated or headachy.  And remember that good colon health means no diarrhea, an experience few people  enjoy.


The reason for good colon health and cleanliness leading to health elsewhere  in the body is simple really. The colon is a very large and very complex organ.  It contains more nerves than any other organ, except of course for the brain and  the spinal column, known as the central nervous system. All other organs in the  body are connected to the colon, and all organs in the body work together. If  the colon has problems, these problems spread to other organs and you will feel  symptoms of spastic colon, irritable bowel syndrome or another ailment. It only  makes good health sense to do what you can to keep your colon cleansed and  healthy to keep the rest of your body functioning properly. Bowtrol Colon  Cleanser is a great place to start.

Prostate Cancer Prevention

Knowledge is your best weapon for good prostate health and avoiding prostate  cancer. Some lifestyles, eating habits, and dietary supplements are thought to  lead to lower levels of prostate cancer, as well as other cancers. Nobody can  guarantee prostate cancer prevention through behavior, diet, treatment, or  medicine, but there things you can do to improve your odds. 


There is some evidence that links exercise to better prostate health.  Exercise improves overall physical and mental health, so most medical  professionals recommend at least a half an hour of exercise per week. Some  studies indicate that regular exercise increases oxygen flow to the soft tissues  of the body and helps to control glucose levels in the bloodstream. High levels  of glucose may help fuel prostate cancer cells.


A healthy prostate diet is worth considering. High-fat and low-fiber diets  and obesity seem to contribute to a higher risk of prostate cancer, Researchers  theorize that high levels of body fat can stimulate the production of male  hormones which encourage prostate cell production. Some researchers believe that  cancerous prostate cells can feed on fat, especially fats found in red meat and  dairy products. Omega 3 fatty acid, found in fish, soy, and flaxseed is known as  the “heart-healthy” fats. Omega-3 fatty acids help decease fats found in the  body. Countries whose diets are based on fish proteins rather than red meat have  much lower rates of prostate cancer. Soy products can decease how cancerous  cells move to other parts of the body. Soy products include tofu, soymilk, soy  creamers, soy yogurts, soy ice creams, and tofu burgers and sausages often  stocked in grocery stores today. Silken tofu or soy powder can be added to baked  goods or drinks to receive the benefits of soy. Red grapes, grape juice, green  teas, and red wine contain anti-oxidants that can neutralize cancer-causing  agents within the body. Lycopene found in tomatoes, and beta-carotene may be  beneficial in helping to protect the body from the risk of prostate cancer.  Eating a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables may help boost the body’s cancer  fighting abilities and over-all health. 


Prostate Health Supplements such as vitamin E and selenium have been linked  to a drastically decreased risk of prostate cancer. Studies of vitamin E and  selenium seem to benefit those who were deficient in either, or who were  ex-smokers. Studies have also linked a daily regimen of aspirin or ibuprofen to  lower risks of prostate cancer. As always, talk to your doctor before starting  any prolonged use of supplements or aspirin.