Recent findings published in the American Heart Association Journal stated that there are even more benefits to daily exercise. Veterans Affairs researchers conducted a study on 15,660 participants that is proving that 30 minutes of walking or any type of physical activity a day can lower your risk of death by 50% or more. Although people have always been
aware that exercise is good for you, it has never been researched this in depth and with this many participants to further prove how much everyone needs daily exercise.

This study takes the time to compare the benefits of exercise on white and African American participants because blacks have a higher death rate on average. About 43% of the participants in this study were black. The average age of each participant was 60 years old and they each took place in a treadmill test used to determine their fitness levels. They were then placed in 4 different groups from very low fitness to extremely well fit. This study included an eight year follow up to see who was still alive.

The researchers clearly found that as the fitness levels went up, the risk of mortality went down dramatically for both blacks and whites. In the least fit group, 44% died, moderately fit group 30% died, highly fit 15% died and extremely fit only 8%. As you can see exercise was a big factor in their mortality and was a great benefit to both blacks and whites alike. The researchers conducting this study believe that exercise was that much more beneficial to the black participants as stated above their death rate is much higher than whites on average.

Exercise can be any activity from taking a short bike ride, walking, a leisurely jog, swimming or rollerblading, the list can go on and on. You can take part in hundreds of different activities throughout the year, even during the winter such as skiing to keep yourself exercising regularly. As you get older of course you may not want to be flying down a ski slope but there are many gyms which accommodate for indoor walking and even treadmills to mix things up.

It is amazing how much a simple 30 minute walk can do for your health and your life and all it takes is a little scheduling and some dedication to get into the habit and start enjoying your exercise time. For many people it will start out as a hassle but eventually you will love your daily walks as I do or daily swims, whatever activity you choose will become a part of your daily routine. Simple exercise can affect your physical and mental health in so many ways, there is absolutely no reason not to include it as often as you can in your busy schedule. There are no excuses!

Staying healthy means you have to do so many things today and a simple daily walk should be one of them. Remember folks, you can reduce your risk of developing disease in the future by taking care of yourself today.

When it comes time to go to the Vitamin Shoppe and buy the different vitamins and supplements you need to maintain your health, it can be an overwhelming experience for those who do not know what to look for. I’m going to guide you in the right direction by offering a simple guide to help you know what to buy when you are supplement shopping and how each vitamin works to help you.

Below I have listed the exact supplements and vitamins I purchased from my last trip to the Vitamin Shoppe. These are great essentials to keep in mind and use as a constant base, no matter what other types of supplements you are interested in testing out.

First, the supplement which absolutely must be purchased is QH-Absorb by Jarrow Formulas. This is a mandatory bottle of supplement pills as it is a reduced form of an active antioxidant. These gel capsules are far more effective than the chewable tablets as clinical tests have shown that your Co-Q10 levels increase more than 400% when taking the gel capsules in comparison to the chewable.

QH-Absorb are the latest offering in Co-Q10 supplements which utilizes a reduced form of ubiquinol. This allows you to deliver antioxidants in its native form right to the cells of your body which need it most. Ubiquinol is a naturally occurring nutrient which plays an important role in the production of energy through every cell of the body, particularly concentrated areas like the heart, kidneys, etc. This oil based formula is absolutely essential for maximum absorption.

Next on my supplement shopping list is the powerful organic supplement of Kyolic Formula 104. This is aged garlic extract, which is used to promote healthy cholesterol levels as well as common nerve functions. It literally quenches free radicals which may oxidize LDL and damage your cholesterol and heart tissues. This particular supplement formula contains choline and lecithin as they are both main building blocks for the cell membrane. There have been many studies which showed choline and lecithin both have the ability to help maintain already healthy cholesterol levels. The 300mg of aged garlic supplement in each capsule has been proven not only to help cholesterol levels but to maintain blood pressure and support healthy circulation.

Kyolic Formula 104 offers many great benefits and natural ingredients that have the ability to keep you strong and healthy for many years without experiencing some of the problems high cholesterol, high blood pressure and bad circulation can bring on. All it takes is 2 capsules twice daily and you are taking an active roll in maintaining your cholesterol and blood pressure which are both large factors in many of the diseases and illnesses of today.

The third supplement on my shopping list is a powder form supplement, Perfect Food. If you are looking for a supplement which can provide outstanding nutritional value, this is the supplement for you. Perfect Food is offered in a powder form which allows you to mix in this supplement in any food or drink to enhance the nutritional value of literally anything you eat. One serving of Perfect Food is equivalent to 140g of fresh grass juice. It is an excellent source of vitamin A as well as vitamin C. Many of the ingredients in this powder are created through a Poten-Zyme fermentation process, which makes the ingredients more available to the body when digested.

The benefits and advantages of taking Perfect Food do not stop at the outstanding nutritional value but continue on to supporting healthy carbohydrate metabolism, supports a healthy immune system and supports your digestive health as well. These are great benefits which coincide perfectly with the outstanding nutrition this simple powder can provide for you. There have been many studies which prove that 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables a day are the required servings for Americans today and reports are showing that less than 9% of the population are actually consuming these nutritional servings. This is where Perfect Food powder comes in and helps you compensate for your diet and still get the nutrition you need to stay healthy and strong.

Lastly, I purchased a bottle of Bragg Organic Apple Cider Vinegar. This is a great supplement which can be used on salads, vegetables, fruits and more for some extra flavor. Some of the internal benefits which can be received from enjoying this delicious vinegar include supporting a healthy immune system, helps control your weight, it is rich in enzymes and potassium as well as it helps maintain healthy skin. There are so many unique benefits to this organic vinegar that many people are using it first for the great taste and later for the health benefits which can be found within the compound. You can be sure to find this product at any natural health food store as it is very popular and does add a zesty flavor to any meal!

Now that you have seen the supplements on the list of yours truly, you need to take the time to research the supplements you have been thinking about and make sure they are high-quality formulas. Remember folks, your health is priceless. It is a wise decision to consult a naturopathic professional before purchasing any supplements, especially if you’re taking prescription medicine(s).

I hope my shopping list from above has been a helpful guide to you. Use it to help to you gain or maintain an optimal state of health.

When we read about the latest in health news, it’s generally assumed that it somehow relates to our physical health.  But as important as our physical health is, so too is our mental health.Schizophrenia is a disease most of us don’t pay a lot of attention to. In fact, for many of us, watching the film A Beautiful Mind was the first time we had any idea of what it was or how it impacted those who suffer from it. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that’s characterized by hallucinations, delusions or hallucinations. To the sufferer of schizophrenia, these observances are quite real and the

degree to which the sufferer responds to them varies. That said, the impact of schizophrenia on every day life also varies; some are able to function in every day life despite the disease, while others must receive intensive in-patient treatment from trained professionals.

While the number of Americans that suffer from schizophrenia is low (approximately 2.2 million), a comparison to other common illnesses demonstrates its significant prevalence.  For example, according to the British Columbia Schizophrenia Society, there are two times as many people with schizophrenia as there are with Alzheimer’s disease; five times as many as those with multiple sclerosis; six times as many as those with Type-1 diabetes; and 60 times as many as those with muscular dystrophy. 

Despite its prevalence schizophrenia is a highly treatable disease.  Some analysts are so optimistic by the success rate of those treated that estimates point to 2013 as the year of the cure for schizophrenia.  In the meantime, those with the disease spend their lives taking anti-psychotic medications and therapy—certainly no way to live.  Research out of the Oxygen Research Center in Melbourne, Australia, however, may put schizophrenia sufferers on the fast track to wellness.

The miracle worker appears to be fish oil—a supplement with well-documented health benefits.  The researchers focused on a randomized sample of 81 at-risk suffers of schizophrenia.  After splitting the patients into two groups, the researchers gave one group a placebo and the other group a capsule containing 1.5 grams of fish oil to be taken daily.  One year later, 28 percent of those in the placebo grouped had developed schizophrenia.  The group that supplemented with the fish oil?  Only 5 percent developed the psychosis!

The significance of this finding is buttressed by the fact that the 81 at-risk suffers were all between the ages of 15 to 25—the age range where most people develop the disease. 

Though researchers say that the success rate of fish oil may have been due to the fact that warning signs were in the early stages—a key aspect to the successful treatment of schizophrenia—it’s a finding that bodes well for future research.  In fact, similar studies are scheduled to be performed in nine other Oxygen Research Centers across the globe. 

Millions of families watch their loved ones suffer from this devastating disease, largely helpless.  Findings like these, at the very least, provide some hope for a future cure—perhaps before 2013.

	Whether you like broccoli or not, there are many recent studies, one in particular by researchers at the University of Connecticut that state eating broccoli can actual improve your heart’s health. A recent study was done on rats regarding broccoli and its health benefits in relation to the heart and the results were quite encouraging. The scientists brewed the broccoli into a
liquid extract and fed it to the rats, on top of their daily diet for one month. In comparison they fed another batch of rats plain water in addition to their daily diet and watched the results of the heart after just one month.

After 30 days of feeding the rats broccoli extract and extra water on top of their regular rat chow diets the scientists analyzed their heart health. Some of the tests which were experienced were quite similar to a heart attack as they deprived the heart of oxygen. The tests results showed that the rats that had taken the broccoli extract over the water had three major heart benefits compared to the other group of rats. They experienced a better pumping ability, less heart damage during the oxygen deprivation test and higher levels of heart health chemicals during the oxygen deprivation tests. These are three very large benefits from a simple broccoli extract for only 30 days.

Broccoli’s key nutrients include selenium and sulforaphane, which has been studied in the past and may also have benefits in regards to cancer treatments and prevention as well. Broccoli is a simple vegetable, which provides many different benefits when eaten on a regular basis. The only one most people are familiar with is its fiber content but its advantages do not end here. With studies like this showing the effects of broccoli can have on your heart, many people can prevent heart diseases and attacks in their future simply by integrating broccoli into their diets on a regular basis.

Avoid overcooking broccoli as this can destroy its beneficial nutrient content. Another important tip to remember is that most vegetables should be consumed fully. Broccoli holds the most potent cancer-fighting properties of all the cruciferous vegetables so therefore it should be consumed on a daily basis if possible and should also be a part of any prevention method used to protect against disease.

With natural remedies and solutions such as a simple vegetable many people are able to reduce their risk of developing any future heart problems when they are younger simply by including broccoli as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. With so many different health benefits from one vegetable it is easy to see why so many people are choosing the natural remedies and prevention methods for their heart health.

Throughout the past decade there have been numerous reports done proving and stating that oatmeal and whole oat products as a whole provide heart healthy benefits. The FDA approved this statement that oatmeal and whole oat products did in fact have heart healthy benefits in 1997. Since this date, there have been no more official statements from the FDA pertaining to oatmeal now that many more studies have found more and more benefits to coincide with the heart healthy benefits approved in 1997.

New reports are showing that oatmeal may do more for you than simply lower your LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. The new research of today has been constantly re-confirming the reports of the past and the lower cholesterol levels oatmeal and whole oat products can produce for people today, but they are also introducing new health benefits such as:

• Anti-Inflammatory properties
• Lower high blood pressure
• Prevent Diabetes Type 2
• Easier weight loss

These benefits do in fact coincide with the lower cholesterol levels and can help you create a healthier heart and body by simply eating what is good for you. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two large problems in the USA today and problems which could have been easily prevented by including more oatmeal and whole oat products into your diet as a preventative action.

It is important to understand that you must use real oatmeal and whole oat products, instant oatmeal will not provide the results you are looking for. Instant oatmeal is loaded with preservatives and refined sugars which are in fact quite bad for you. Although the natural oatmeal may not taste as delicious as the instant oatmeal, there are many natural ways to spice up your oatmeal to make it more enjoyable for frequent eating. You can try adding some agave nectar (natural sweetener) with a tablespoon of lecithin granules, a handful of your favorite berries and some almond milk and you have turned plain old oatmeal into a delicious but more importantly healthy treat for any time of the day.

It will not be long before the FDA will be extending their definition of the benefits of oatmeal as more and more studies are continually being released about the additional benefits of oatmeal products. This is a great and natural way to remain healthy and with so many different ways to spice up your oatmeal in the morning, afternoon or evening you can eat a different type of oatmeal everyday. Remember that you will receive none of the health benefits with the instant oatmeal as it contains nothing of the natural nutrients the real oatmeal has. Start integrating oatmeal into your daily diet and see the benefits in your life.

Study:  Whole Grain Foods Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels for Hours

Go down any aisle at your local grocery store, and you’re likely to see a bevy of food choices that are now whole grain.  While it would be better if these food choices were also organic, I suppose beggars can’t be choosy.  That said, this trend toward whole grain is indeed encouraging.

Though you likely know that whole grain foods are healthier than their refined contemporaries, you may not know why they’re healthier. 

The list is long, so I’ll give you three good reasons:

• Whole grains contain fiber, which help keep to keep you “regular,” they reduce cholesterol levels and contribute to weight loss, as foods high in fiber are filling.
• Whole grains contain essential complex carbohydrates that provide your body with the energy it needs.  Simple carbohydrates, while they too provide the body with energy, burn quickly, thus leaving you without the energy you need to exercise, think, or work at your level best.
• Whole grains contain quality essential vitamins and minerals.  These include minerals like magnesium, which gives our bones the ability to remain strong and maintain their structure; and vitamins like niacin and riboflavin, which help our bodies convert nutrients into energy.

Again, this is a partial list, so permit me to headline one more reason to eat whole grain that you may not know about.

A study conducted by researchers from Lund University in Sweden has found that eating whole grains—particularly those low on the glycemic index—can help stabilize blood sugar levels for up to 10 hours.  This provides more evidence regarding the importance of eating a quality breakfast.   

Now, the idea of regulating blood sugar levels for 10 hours or more might not seem like a big deal, nor may it seem like it’s much of a persuader to eat more whole grains.  But trust me:  it is a big deal. 

There are lots of foods out there that spike blood sugar levels, foods like pretzels, instant rice, the majority of cold cereals and red skin potatoes.  Whenever blood sugar levels are fluctuating with abandon—either spiked or very low—the body reacts in an adverse way.  Dizziness, headaches, “the shakes,” rapid heart rate, even seizures are common reactions to imbalanced blood sugar levels.  And these are just the short-term side effects.  Some of the potential long-term side effects include an increased chance of acquiring type II diabetes; weight gain, as people often look to food to alleviate the short-term symptoms their experiencing (and their food choices are typically the wrong ones); low HDL cholesterol levels (the “good” kind); even increasing signs of aging, according to a study conducted by researchers from UCLA.

The importance of maintaining blood sugar levels are real.  Familiarize yourself with the glycemic index and begin consuming those foods that have low scores.  Doing so will not only make you feel better, but make you think better, as the researchers from Lund University can attest.

A recent study by a research team from the University of Oregon has brought a lot of truth to the surface regarding the truth about unfavorable drug studies. Their research shows that when drugs are tested and receive negative results, either the study is not published at all or it is re-written to sound as if the drug was successful. This is an astonishing truth that could be hurting many patients as well as doctors using these reports to give their prognosis.

Almost 1/3 of anti-depressant drug studies were not published do to their unfavorable test results, as nearly all revealed they did not work as some studies claim they have. This type of selective publication can really hurt the public which are relying on these anti-depressant drugs to help them through their depression struggle. Unfortunately, this type of secretive testing has been going on for many years as no one wants to reveal the unsuccessful results of their drugs they would much rather re-write their study to sound more favorable than it actually is.

There are literally dozens of different drug tests and reports that are either not published due to their results or were re-written to show positive results through a complicated and wordy report meant to convey different results than were actually achieved. For anyone thinking of taking an anti-depressant or looking for a way to recover from their depression you may want to consider looking into more natural remedies that are both safe and successful. Why risk taking a drug that may not even work and may cause unwanted side effects when you cannot trust the drug reports available today? This is a sad truth about Western Medicine that is now on the surface causing many patients to not only question their doctors but the medications they have been trusting for years.

For anyone suffering from depression there are many natural remedies which can be trusted and used without fear of side effects. There are many different types of herbal remedies available to help you get through your depression and the number one herb is St. John’s Wort. This is an herb extract that has been proven to be more effective than anti-depressant medications such as Prozax, Poxil and more. St. John’s Wort is not only more effective but also has fewer side effects which are two great factors to make anyone switch from their prescribed medication to a more natural resolution.

If you are looking to relieve your depression symptoms but not interested in taking drugs there are many more alternative therapies such as massage, aromatherapy, yoga and meditation, which are proven to help not only with depression symptoms but with many different issues in life. Alternative health remedies are becoming far more popular and people are beginning to see how natural remedies may be that much more effective than prescription medications and from this study they can be more trusted as well!

Vitamin D deficiency has most commonly been associated with symptoms such as osteoporosis, osteomalacia, mineralization of the bone and more. Today, studies have been released that are now stating a deficiency of Vitamin D levels can actually cause different types of cardiovascular diseases. The more Vitamin D in your system the less you have to worry about these diseases listed above as Vitamin D is your best protection against cardiovascular problems in the future.

Boston researchers conducted a research project on their findings from the Framingham Offspring study. The volunteers of this study were analyzed from 1996-2001 with 4 times a year medical exams to keep updated on their health before and during the study. The average age of the participants was 59 years old and 55% of them were women. The average follow-up period was 5.4 years and during this time 120 participants had their first cardiovascular event.

The results of this study showed that participants with low levels of Vitamin D were 1.62 more likely to experience cardiovascular diseases than those with higher levels of Vitamin D. This study actually showed that no other factors such as age, gender or diabetes modified the association between low Vitamin D and cardiovascular diseases. This shows you that there is very little doubt that the lower Vitamin D participants will experience cardiovascular problems in the future.

This makes it that much more important to make sure you are getting enough Vitamin D in your body to protect yourself from such life threatening diseases and the best source of Vitamin D is sunlight. You can also receive a solid amount of Vitamin D through cod liver oil or supplements but these are not nearly as effective as the sunlight. Hopefully, this study will make people realize that more sunlight is necessary in order to avoid cardiovascular diseases that Vitamin D deficiency can cause when it reaches extreme lows.

Although UVB sunlight is known for causing sunburns it is also the number one source which helps create Vitamin D production in the skin. UVB light triggers a modification of a cholesterol molecule located in the membrane of skin cells. The vitamin D created is then ejected from the membrane into the circulation system, where it travels to the liver. This is the cycle which literally can save you from cardiovascular diseases in the future.

Next time you go to the beach skip the sunscreen (which is loaded with synthetic cancer-causing compounds) and be sure to intake a high amount of antioxidants instead, which is your safest option to stay protected against sunburn and skin cancer. With that said, enjoy the sunlight as it can save your life in the long run!

Can you think of a food that’s fun to eat?  For me, its pomegranates.  I know that sounds strange—something being fun to eat—but eating pomegranates are an enjoyable endeavor. Here’s the truth:  I love to eat, and the longer it takes for me to eat something, the better.  And as anyone who has spent time plucking out the dozens of juicy seeds from the pomegranate’s delectable interior will tell you, a pomegranate takes time to eat.  In short, its an endeavor.

But the pomegranate is more than just a fun fruit that takes a bit to eat—it’s a potential life saver.  That may sound like an overstatement, but it’s true.  According to several studies, the arils (i.e. the seeds) from pomegranates are an effective deterrent to prostate cancer, one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in America today.

The healing powers of fruits, like pomegranates, reside in antioxidants.  As you may know, antioxidants help prevent the spread of free radicals in the body.  Though the formation of free radicals in the body is a natural process—many free radicals are necessary to live and breathe—the overabundance of free radicals in the body can lead to premature aging and may be involved in the development of heart disease, various cancers, Parkinson’s disease and a number of other health-related issues.  Antioxidants stem free radicals from unleashing their (often) destructive side effects.

The most recent evidence comes from a study conducted by a team of researchers from UCLA and published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry.  Using rats with prostate cancer as their specimens, the researchers found that the antioxidants in pomegranates accumulated in their prostates.  These antioxidants are called ellagitannins.  After observing two groups of rats—one with prostate cancer and ellagitannins in their prostates, the other group grafted with prostate cancer cells and without ellagitannins in their prostates—they found that the rats that consumed pomegranates exhibited a slow tumor growth rate in comparison to those rats that did not consume pomegranates.  This finding only substantiated what had already been determined by a number of studies—that pomegranates are an effective prevention to cancer cell growth.

But as promising a sign as this and many other studies are in treating cancer, researchers say it’s too early to presume pomegranates will be used as an actual medical treatment for cancer.  But if the body of evidence is any indication of what lies ahead, pomegranates may be the missing ingredient.

In the meantime, the key is to try and implement what’s likely been a missing ingredient into your diet.  One simple, easy and quick way is by using the juicer.  Have you tried pomegranate juice?  It’s a delicious alternative to some of the more traditional fruit juices you see in the store, many of which are loaded with added sugar.  Studies indicate that pomegranate juice helps slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, treats urinary tract infections and shields the nervous system from degeneration.

There are also lots of recipes that are using pomegranates as the main ingredient.  Any “pomegranate recipes” search online will yield a wealth of pomegranate recipes for main dishes, salads, and soups. 

The time has come to branch out and find out why pomegranates are a fantastically fun fruit for your taste buds as well as your well-being.

I recently read about an exciting finding that has my hopes up for my elder years! Although science hasn’t found a way to turn back time (yet), this latest scientific discovery in the world of natural health tells how certain compounds found in various vegetables can help prevent macular degeneration—a common eye problem that tends to arise as people age.

Published in the journal Archives of Ophthalmology, the study says that the compounds lutein and zeaxanthin may prove as preventable antidotes to age-related macular degeneration (ARMD)!

Researchers studied the dietary habits of 4,500+ participants between the ages of 60 and 80 over a six year period. They did this to see what, if any, correlation there was between their diets and the onset of ARMD. Stunningly, the researchers found that the seniors who consumed the highest amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin had a 35 percent lower progression rate of age-related macular degeneration than those who consumed the smallest amounts of lutein and zeaxanthin. The researchers also examined the effects of beta-carotene and vitamins C and E on ARMD, but no dice; only lutein and zeaxanthin correlated to the rate of age-related macular degeneration.

Macular degeneration occurs when the center of the eyeball—called the macula—thins and atrophies, usually due to the wear and tear that accompanies the aging process. When this happens, a loss of vision results. Common symptoms include being unable to see fine details, blurry vision and an inability to discern between different colors. According to the American Academy of Opthamology, ARMD is the leading cause of vision loss for those over the age of 50, and its prevalence only increases with age (35 percent increased risk between the ages of 75 to 85).

The aforementioned preventive compounds to ARMD—zeaxanthin and lutein—are carotenoids, which, among other things, give fruits and vegetables their color. And guess what? They’re found in the very same foods you refused to eat when you were young, despite your mom’s insistence—like brussel sprouts, broccoli, spinach and zucchini.

If you still refuse to eat these vegetables, there are a number of other sources to go to. These include, corn, collard greens, romaine lettuce, eggs, peas, squash, kale and turnip greens. They’re also found in a number of fruits, such as grapes, kiwis, and oranges. But if you’re looking for the food source with the highest amount of lutein, corn is the winner (60 percent of total carotenoids found is lutein).

Currently, over a million people in the country suffer from age-related macular degeneration. Perhaps by eating more of these fruits and vegetables it will help bring that number down.