Tag Archives: Health

Benefits of Dark Chocolate and It’s Impact on Stem Cells

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Dark chocolate containing 80 percent cacao or higher is packed with nutrients that can strengthen your body’s defense systems and positively affect your overall health.

With the help of over 750,000 stem cells, your body regenerates itself each and every day, states Dr. William Li.

Dark chocolate can mobilize your stem cells to carry out their job to the fullest. At the University of California, San Francisco, researchers found that participants who received a chocolate drink made with cocoa twice a day for thirty days had twice as many stem cells in their circulation as their control group.

Brain and Mental Exercises and Health

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Engaging in brain exercises can help keep your mind sharp and improve cognitive functions and mental health.

Here are some effective brain exercises you can try:

  1. Puzzles: Working on jigsaw puzzles, crosswords, or Sudoku can enhance your problem-solving skills and memory1.
  2. Card Games: Playing card games like solitaire, bridge, or poker can improve memory and thinking skills1.
  3. Learning New Skills: Picking up a new hobby or skill, such as playing a musical instrument or learning a new language, can boost brain function2.
  4. Reading and Vocabulary Building: Reading books and learning new words can stimulate your brain and improve cognitive abilities1.
  5. Physical Exercise: Activities like dancing, yoga, and tai chi not only benefit your body but also enhance brain health by increasing blood flow and reducing stress3.
  6. Meditation: Practicing mindfulness meditation can improve focus, memory, and emotional regulation2.
    Socializing: Engaging in social activities and maintaining strong social connections can help keep your brain active and healthy1.
  7. Playing Games: Board games, video games, and brainteasers can be fun ways to challenge your brain and improve cognitive functions2.

Which of these exercises are you most interested in trying? 1: Healthline 2: Medical News Today 3: AARP

Vitamin D and COVID-19 Research

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A new research study at the University of Chicago Medicine has found that when it comes to COVID-19, having vitamin D levels above those traditionally considered sufficient may lower the risk of infection, especially for Black people.

The study, published March 19 in JAMA Open Network, retrospectively examined the relationship between vitamin D levels and likelihood of testing positive for COVID-19.

While levels of 30 ng/ml or more are usually considered “sufficient,” the authors found that Black individuals who had levels of 30 to 40 ng/ml had a 2.64 times higher risk of testing positive for COVID-19 than people with levels of 40 ng/ml or greater.

Statistically significant associations of vitamin D levels with COVID-19 risk were not found in white people.

The study looked at data from over 3,000 patients at UChicago Medicine who had had their vitamin D levels tested within 14 days before a COVID-19 test.

Source: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/03/210322175028.htm

Gratitude is Powerful

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Gratitude is a powerful emotion and mindset that can have a profound impact on your life.

When you feel grateful, you are acknowledging all the good and blessings in your life. You’re acknowledging all the peace and abundance that surrounds you.

Gratitude opens your heart and mind to receive even more good.

Gratitude is also a mindset and attitude of optimism and positive thinking.

When you are grateful for what you have, you are also showing your unwavering belief and confidence in yourself and your abilities. You are telling yourself that you are worthy of good things  You are telling yourself that you are worthy of peace, happiness and abundance.

Practicing gratitude is one of the best ways to improve your health and increase your overall sense of well-being. It can help you attract more positive experiences and circumstances into your life. It can help you feel happier and more fulfilled with life.

Cayenne Pepper Health Benefits

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Cayenne pepper offers several health benefits for men, thanks to its active ingredient, capsaicin.

Capsaicin is the active component in chili peppers that gives them their characteristic heat. It has a variety of health benefits and uses that include:

  • Pain Relief: Capsaicin is commonly used in topical creams and patches to relieve pain from conditions like arthritis, muscle pain, and nerve pain.
  • Weight Loss: It can boost metabolism and help reduce appetite, which may aid in weight management.
  • Heart Health: Capsaicin has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels and improving blood flow.
  • Digestive Health: It stimulates the digestive tract, increasing the production of digestive enzymes and gastric juices.

Here are some key Cayenne Pepper benefits:

  1. Improves Blood Circulation: Capsaicin helps dilate blood vessels, promoting better blood flow throughout the body, which is essential for overall cardiovascular health.
  2. Boosts Metabolism: It can increase metabolic rate, aiding in weight management and energy levels.
  3. Reduces Pain and Inflammation: Cayenne pepper has anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate pain from conditions like arthritis.
  4. Supports Digestive Health: It stimulates the digestive tract, increasing the flow of enzyme production and gastric juices, which aids in digestion.
  5. Enhances Immune Function: Rich in vitamins A and C, cayenne pepper can help strengthen the immune system.
  6. Potential Sexual Health Benefits: Improved blood circulation can also benefit sexual health by promoting healthy blood flow, which is crucial for erectile function.

Incorporating cayenne pepper into your diet can be as simple as adding a pinch to your meals or making a spicy tea. Have you tried using cayenne pepper in your cooking before?

 

 

 

Moringa Benefits and Risks

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Moringa, often referred to as the “miracle tree,” offers a wide range of health benefits due to its rich nutritional profile and medicinal properties. Here are some of the key benefits:

Moringa leaves and seeds are rich in glucosinolates, which are linked to the plant’s beneficial effects on prostate health in rodents and which may have anticancer properties.

Test-tube studies have demonstrated that the glucosinolates from the plant’s seeds may inhibit the growth of human prostate cancer cells

It’s also believed that moringa could help prevent benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). This condition typically becomes more common as men age and is characterized by enlargement of the prostate, which can make urination difficult .

In one study, mice received moringa leaf extract before being administered testosterone daily for 4 weeks to induce BPH. The extract was found to significantly reduce prostate weight .

What’s more, the extract also reduced levels of prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced by the prostate gland. High levels of this antigen may be a sign of prostate cancer

Lastly, the study also demonstrated that the plant decreased testosterone levels in the treated mice. In humans, low testosterone levels can reduce sex drive and erectile function, lead to a loss of lean muscle mass, and cause depression.

Researchers have yet to determine whether these same benefits occur in humans.

Source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/moringa-benefits-for-men#1.-May-promote-prostate-health

7 Supplements That Might Actually Help | Readers Digest

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There are seven supplements that can help some people strengthen their bones, improve their sleep, protect their heart, and more.

1. Calcium: Strong Bone Builder. Calcium is the  most abundant mineral in the body, and is primarily stored in your bones. If you don’t get enough in your diet, your body will start taking it from your bones, resulting in a heightened risk of osteoporosis. Calcium also helps your muscles to move effectively, your blood vessels to send blood throughout your body, and your nerves to send messages to control important bodily functions, such as the release of hormones.

2. Collagen: For Skin and Joint Health. Collagen is a protein that helps form connective tissue, including skin, bones, cartilage, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The body makes less of it with age, leading to sagging skin and osteoarthritis, so maintaining adequate levels is important.

3. Fish Oil: For Your Brain and Heart. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids called EPA and DHA, which your body needs to form cell membranes throughout your body—especially in your eyes and brain. They can also reduce triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood linked to heart disease.

4. Magnesium: Healthy Muscles and More. Your body uses this mineral to regulate blood pressure and blood sugar, make proteins, and ensure healthy muscle and nerve function. Low levels of magnesium may contribute to migraine headaches and muscle cramps.
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5. Melatonin: For Better Sleep. Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone that helps regulate your circadian rhythm, the body’s internal clock that tells you when it’s time to go to bed at night or wake up in the morning. Your body releases melatonin as you approach bedtime to make you sleepy, especially if you manage to get plenty of daylight in the morning and avoid too much light at night. When you wake up, your levels of melatonin dip.

6. Vitamin B12: Important for Nerve Health. Vitamin B12, one of eight B vitamins, plays a key role in red blood cell formation and nervous system function. Healthy levels of B12 can prevent vitamin deficiency anemia, which can lead to weakness and fatigue, along with nerve damage, memory problems, depression, and heart palpitations.

7. Vitamin D: Bone, Brain, and Immunity Booster. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, which is key for maintaining bone density. Your body also needs it for healthy neuromuscular and immune function. Getting enough may support brain function and decrease the risk of depression. Low vitamin D has also been linked to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Reference:

  1. Ashley Abramson, 7 Supplements That Might Actually Help You, Readers Digest, August 1, 2024.  https://www.consumerreports.org/health/supplements/supplements-that-might-actually-help-you-a6441144119/

Mermaid or Whale?

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Recently, in a large city in France, a poster featuring a young, thin, and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym.It read: “This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?”

A middle-aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman pictured on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym. She had a whale of a lot to say:

“To Whom It May Concern,

Whales are always surrounded by friends: dolphins, sea lions, and curious humans. They have an active sex life, get pregnant, and have adorable baby whales. They enjoy stuffing themselves with shrimp, playing and swimming in the sea, and visiting wonderful places like Patagonia, the Bering Sea, and the coral reefs of Polynesia.

Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. ?They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans.They are loved, protected, and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don’t exist.If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of psychoanalysts due to their identity crisis. Fish or human would prove quite a quandary for even the most skilled of therapists.

They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them, not to mention how could they have sex? Just look at them … where is IT? Therefore, they don’t have kids either. Not to mention, who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

P.S. We are in an age when the media attempts to convince us that only skinny people are beautiful. I prefer to enjoy ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver, and good chocolate with my friends. With time, we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren’t heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated, and happy.”
—-Copied from Brian Horne page—-

Berberine

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Berberine is a bioactive compound found naturally in several plants, including a group of shrubs called Berberis. It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and offers impressive benefits for various health concerns.

Here’s how berberine works and some of its potential health benefits:

Blood Sugar Regulation:

  • Berberine has been shown to significantly lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
  • It works by:Decreasing insulin resistance, making insulin more effective.
    Increasing glycolysis (breaking down sugars inside cells).
  • Reducing sugar production in the liver.
  • Slowing carbohydrate breakdown in the gut.
  • Increasing beneficial gut bacteria.
  • In a study, taking 1 gram of berberine per day lowered fasting blood sugar by 20%and improved long-term blood sugar regulation.

Weight Loss:

Berberine may aid weight loss by affecting metabolism and energy levels.

It activates an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a key role in regulating metabolism.

Additionally, berberine influences other molecules inside cells and may impact gene expression, potentially protecting against chronic health conditions.

Heart Health:

Berberine has been associated with improved levels of blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).
It may be as effective as certain oral diabetes drugs in managing blood sugar.

Other Potential Benefits:

Berberine might aid in the treatment of conditions such as depression and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Research suggests it could have benefits for cancer, inflammation, and more.

In summary, berberine is a powerful supplement with a wide range of potential health benefits. However, as with any supplement, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using it.

Chronic Diseases Greatest Threat to Life Expectancy

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Chronic diseases are the greatest threat to life expectancy and public health, killing far more Americans between 35 and 64 every year.  ~ Washington Post

While opioids and gun violence in the U.S. have rightly seized the media and public’s attention, heart disease and cancer remained, even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the leading causes of death for people 35 to 64, according to a Washington Post analysis of mortality data.

And many other conditions  have become more common, including diabetes and liver disease. These chronic ailments are the primary reason American life expectancy has been poor compared with other Westen nations.

The pandemic amplified a racial gap in life expectancy that had been narrowing in recent decades. In 2021, life expectancy for Native Americans was 65 years; for Black Americans, 71; for White Americans, 76; for Hispanic Americans, 78; and for Asian Americans 84.

Life expectancy is a wide-angle snapshot of average death rates for people in different places or age groups. The life expectancy metric is a reasonably good measure of a nation’s overall health. And America’s is not very good.

In essence, the U.S. healthcare system geared toward disease and illness treatment rather than prevention. Health care is “the only business that doesn’t reward for quality care. All we reward for is volume. Do more, and you’re going to get more money,” Michael Imburgia, a Louisville cardiologist said.

The rate of obesity deaths for adults 35 to 64 doubled from 1979 to 2000, then doubled again from 2000 to 2019. In 2005, a special reportin the New England Journal of Medicine warned that the rise of obesity would eventually halt and reverse historical trends in life expectancy. That warning generated little reaction.

Obesity is one reason progress against heart disease, after accelerating between 1980 and 2000, has slowed, experts say. Obesity is poised to overtake tobacco as the No. 1 preventable cause of cancer, according to Otis Brawley, an oncologist and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University.

References:

  1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2023/american-life-expectancy-dropping/