Image via Wikipedia What is Anti Aging & Longevity?

If you read through books, journals, articles and surf the Internet, you will soon notice that it is very difficult to find a satisfactory definition of aging. It is easy to enumerate the symptoms of aging, which most writers fall back on doing. But what aging is exactly seems to be somewhat elusive.

We are less concerned with what aging is, and more concerned with how we can slow the process. However, here is a brief overview of aging.

We now know that part of the reason we age is because our genes are preprogrammed in such a way that prohibits our cells from regenerating indefinitely. That is, there is a mechanism in our cells which sets a limit on how many times they can divide and regenerate new cells. Due to evolutionary factors, we are literally programmed by our genetic structure to die.

Fortunately, scientists are beginning to understand this process, and it is becoming quite clear that we will be able to eliminate this roadblock to immortality within the next 20 years or so.

Even if our cells were not preprogrammed to die, they would eventually [...]]]>

What is Anti Aging & Longevity?

If you read through books, journals, articles and surf the Internet, you will soon notice that it is very difficult to find a satisfactory definition of aging. It is easy to enumerate the symptoms of aging, which most writers fall back on doing. But what aging is exactly seems to be somewhat elusive.

We are less concerned with what aging is, and more concerned with how we can slow the process. However, here is a brief overview of aging.

We now know that part of the reason we age is because our genes are preprogrammed in such a way that prohibits our cells from regenerating indefinitely. That is, there is a mechanism in our cells which sets a limit on how many times they can divide and regenerate new cells. Due to evolutionary factors, we are literally programmed by our genetic structure to die.

Fortunately, scientists are beginning to understand this process, and it is becoming quite clear that we will be able to eliminate this roadblock to immortality within the next 20 years or so.

Even if our cells were not preprogrammed to die, they would eventually wear out and die. This is because as our cells divide over time, tiny mutations occur in our DNA which accumulate. Eventually, this accumulation of damaged DNA leads to disease. Disease occurs when our cells are no longer able to function as they were originally designed.

We are also learning how to prevent this natural wear and tear to our cells that occurs over time through the use of vitamins, antioxidants, hormones etc. which reduce damage caused by free radicals and molecular cross-linking. Chronic inflammation Is also known to play an important role in this process.

The cells in our body continually die off, and the body must constantly generate new ones. In fact, every seven years, 90% of the cells in our bodies are made new. It is this process of generating new cells wherein lies the main sources of aging, disease and death.

Therefore, while death used to be considered an inevitable consequence of time, we now know that the aging process can be halted and even reversed. Again, we will have all the technology necessary for this within the next 20 years.

Preventing and Treating Aging
for Life Extension

In 993, Dr. Bruce Ames published his findings on antioxidants in the prestigious Proceedings of the National Academy of Science. He discovered that oxidation or free radical damage plays a major role in aging. Fortunately, much of this deterioration can be prevented by supplementing with vitamins and antioxidants and eating antioxidant rich foods. In some cases, it has been discovered that antioxidants can even reverse some of the damage caused by free radicals. In this way we can already partially reverse the aging process.

The true task of everyone living today is to stay alive until the mid-2020′s, when the technology necessary to produce immortality will be achieved.

Life Extension is Possible

In the early 20^th century, the average lifespan was only about 45. Today it is about 80. All this occurred “naturally,” without our consciously trying to produce this result. Nobody really knows why this has occurred, although many people would like to take credit for it. Doctors want to point to better access to health care, pharmaceutical companies want to point to better drugs, food companies want to point to better nutrition, etc.

However, there is little evidence that any of these reasons have made much of an impact. The truth is, we don’t know why this has occurred. What we do know is that by attempting to increase lifespan now, we are finding great success.

Many studies are reporting significant results in increasing, and in some cases, doubling the life span of animals in laboratory experiments. Through caloric restriction, rats have been shown to live disease free lives that are almost doube their “natural” lifespan (however, new evidence suggests that caloric restriction may not be so successful in subjects that are already very lean).

Diseases that do occur are significantly delayed when compared to animals who eat all they want. Human studies are currently being conducted. However, if I were you I would not run out and go on a calorie restricted diet, because new evidence shows that by taking the right antioxidants, we can replicate the results of a calorie restricted diet, even eating as much fatty food as we want. One such antioxidant is called resveratrol.

In other experiments that manipulate the genetic structure of various living organisms, researchers have been able to increase lifespan to a human equivalent of 300 to 500 years!

The life span for humans is increasing as I write this. In the past generation alone, the average life span has been increased more than in any other time in history. We are only at the beginning of this process.

“Vitamin D suppresses tumor growth and promotes differentiation in colorectal cancer in much the same ways it does in breast and prostate cancer. Normal colon cells have higher vitamin D receptor concentrations than abnormal or cancerous colon cells.” - James Dowd and Diane Stafford, The Vitamin D Cure

It is vitally important for your health to get adequate levels of direct sunlight on your skin, an average of about 15 – 30 minutes a day without sunscreen. If you don’t you’ll have natually low levels of vitamin d in your body and your chances of getting cancer will skyrocket.

“The combination of vitamin D and vitamin A slows prostate cancer [...]]]>

You may have heard that the vitamin D health supplement is one of the healthiest vitamins in the world, yet one of the most underutilized as most people do not have sufficient amounts in their body. That’s because the vitamin d health supplement is made when the skin comes into direct contact with sunlight, and we have all been taught by the sunscreen manufacturers that any and all sunlight is harmful to you, which is a lie.

“Vitamin D suppresses tumor growth and promotes differentiation in colorectal cancer in much the same ways it does in breast and prostate cancer. Normal colon cells have higher vitamin D receptor concentrations than abnormal or cancerous colon cells.”
- James Dowd and Diane Stafford, The Vitamin D Cure

It is vitally important for your health to get adequate levels of direct sunlight on your skin, an average of about 15 – 30 minutes a day without sunscreen. If you don’t you’ll have natually low levels of vitamin d in your body and your chances of getting cancer will skyrocket.

“The combination of vitamin D and vitamin A slows prostate cancer cell growth in the lab. Clinical research on activated vitamin D and vitamin D-like molecules in humans shows promise. We know that activated vitamin D alone often slows the growth of prostate tumors, and the different concentrations of vitamin D receptors on cancer cells versus normal prostate cells can help to separate cancer cells from normal cells by growth rates.”
- James Dowd and Diane Stafford, The Vitamin D Cure

Why don’t the US government, mainstream medical community and pharmaceutical companies tell people that vitamin d health supplements can reduce cancer by 77%? Because they make more money when you get sick, quite simpy. So don’t listen to your doctors and take your health into your own hands. Take back the power from the health powers that be that prey and profit from your disease.

“D deficiency that plagues 80 percent of the American population. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with depression, prostate cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis and almost every other degenerative disorder. ‘The elderly, who spend little time in the sun and use sunscreen agents frequently, may be at risk for vitamin d deficiency,’ according to a statement made by the Mayo Clinic.”
- Andreas Moritz, Cancer Is Not A Disease – It’s a Survival Mechanism

Here is a sampling of health information from responsible doctors and researchers in the alternative medical field who care about the truth.

Vitamin D and Breast Cancer

Sunlight triggers the formation of vitamin D in the skin, which can be activated in the liver and kidneys into a hormone with great activity. This activated form of vitamin D causes “cellular differentiation” – essentially the opposite of cancer. The following evidence indicates that vitamin D might have a protective role against breast cancer: Synthetic vitamin D-like molecules have prevented the equivalent of breast cancer in animals. – The Natural Pharmacy: Complete A-Z Reference to Natural Treatments for Common Health Conditions by Alan R. Gaby, M.D., Jonathan V. Wright, M.D., Forrest Batz, Pharm.D. Rick Chester, RPh., N.D., DipLAc. George Constantine, R.Ph., Ph.D. Linnea D. Thompson, Pharm.D., N.D.

“Over 42 percent of Americans suffer from vitamin D deficiency, and 47 percent of pregnant women are severely deficient in this important hormone. Their children tend to have weak bones that break easily, even during their childhood years. Many chronic illnesses are due to vitamin D deficiency, including osteoporosis, cancer, and depression. You cannot stop a vitamin D deficiency by taking supplements. Sunlight is the only real remedy. To make sufficient amounts of vitamin D, dark-skinned people need to spend at least two to three times longer in the sun than do Caucasians.”
- Andreas Moritz, The Liver and Gallbladder Miracle Cleanse: An All-Natural, At-Home Flush to Purify and Rejuvenate Your Body

Two equally effective sources of vitamin D in humans are derived from plant ergosterol, which is converted to ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) by the action of sunlight on the skin. The body uses vitamin D3 for normal immune system function, to control cellular growth, and to absorb calcium from the digestive tract. Vitamin D3 can inhibit the growth of malignant melanoma, breast cancer, leukemia, and mammary tumors in laboratory animals. Vitamin D3 can also inhibit angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels that permit the spread of cancer cells through the body. – Permanent Remissions by Robert Hass, M.S.

“Vitamin D may play an anti-cancer role by slowing cell division. Sunshine is the natural source of vitamin D.”
- Dr. Steve Blake, Vitamins and Minerals Demystified

“Vitamin D is crucial for the immune system and may play a role in cancer prevention as well.”
- Kenneth W Thomas, Ron Gilbert, Gerd Schaller, Side Effects: The Hidden Agenda of the Pharmaceutical Drug Cartel

There’s surprising new evidence that older women who skimp on foods rich in vitamin D are more likely to develop breast cancer, according to Frank Garland, Ph.D., of the Department of Community and Family Medicine at the University of California at San Diego. This may also help explain fish’s anticancer protection, because fatty fish is packed with vitamin D. Specifically, Dr. Garland finds that dietary vitamin D wards off postmenopausal breast cancer in women over fifty, but not in women who get cancer at younger ages. – Food Your Miracle Medicine by Jean Carper

“In 2007, Doctor Cedrick Garland and colleagues, using pooled analyses of available research, estimated that maintaining a vitamin D blood level of 55ng/ml could annually prevent 250,000 deaths worldwide, including 60,000 in the USA.” – Marc Sorenson, Solar Power For Optimal Health

“I even learned that your own body freely generates the best anti-cancer medicine in the world – vitamin D – a nutrient that’s been proven to slash breast cancer risk by an astonishing 50 percent, but only if you get some exposure to natural sunlight or consume vitamin D through fish oils and nutritional supplements.
- Mike Adams, Natural Health Solutions

In animals fed a high fat diet, which normally would produce a higher incidence of colon cancer, supplements of calcium and vitamin D blocked this carcinogenic effect of the diet. Vitamin D inhibits the growth of breast cancer in culture, and also seems to subdue human breast cancer. Cells from human prostate cancer were put into a “…permanent nonproliferative state”, or shut down the cancer process, by the addition of vitamin D. Human cancer cells have been shown to have receptor sites, or stereo specific “parking spaces” for vitamin D. – Beating Cancer with Nutrition by Patrick Quillin

“All African Americans have vitamin D deficiency and they consequently have higher rates of cancer. Slathering on sunscreen is not such a good idea. We’ve gone too far with sunscreen because we’re not getting enough vitamin D. This is a ‘coming public health disaster in the US.’ Everyone should get a half hour of sunshine a day.”
- Stacy Malkan, Not Just a Pretty Face: The Ugly Side of the Beauty Industry

Even though vitamin D is one of the most powerful healing chemicals in your body, your body makes it absolutely free. No prescription required. Diseases and conditions caused by vitamin D deficiency: Osteoporosis is commonly caused by a lack of vitamin D, which impairs calcium absorption. Sufficient vitamin D prevents prostate cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, depression, colon cancer, and schizophrenia. “Rickets” is the name of a bone-wasting disease caused by vitamin D deficiency. – Natural Health Solutions by Mike Adams

“Research shows that vitamin D has a variety of important benefits besides lowering blood sugar. It seems to protect against eighteen different kinds of cancers, has a significant positive impact on the immune system in fighting colds and flus, viruses, and TB, and protects against rickets and osteoporosis.”
- Gabriel Cousens, There Is a Cure for Diabetes: The Tree of Live 21-Day+ Program

We do know that there are a number of different environmental triggers which can cause a migraine headache. These triggers can cause a migraine in people who are genetically prone to migraines, yet not in others.

Fluctuations in estrogen levels appear to cause migraines headaches in some women who have known predisposition to them.  Women sometimes report migraine headaches immediately before or during their periods, when there is a large decrease in the amount of estrogen circulating in the blood. Other women have shown an increase in the number of migraine headaches during pregnancy or menopause, which again would point to a hormonal imbalance.

Given this information, women who suffer from migraine headaches should consider supplementing with hormones such as pregnenolone and progesterone, which are estrogen precursors and are known to help women with certain problems related to hormonal [...]]]>

Researchers do not know the exact cause of typical migraine headaches, and it is almost certain that there are multiple causes, some genetic and some environmental. Some theories discussed irritation or injury to the trigeminal nerve; imbalances in important brain chemicals and neurotransmitters such as serotonin; or an imbalance in certain minerals such as magnesium.

We do know that there are a number of different environmental triggers which can cause a migraine headache. These triggers can cause a migraine in people who are genetically prone to migraines, yet not in others.

Fluctuations in estrogen levels appear to cause migraines headaches in some women who have known predisposition to them.  Women sometimes report migraine headaches immediately before or during their periods, when there is a large decrease in the amount of estrogen circulating in the blood. Other women have shown an increase in the number of migraine headaches during pregnancy or menopause, which again would point to a hormonal imbalance.

Given this information, women who suffer from migraine headaches should consider supplementing with hormones such as pregnenolone and progesterone, which are estrogen precursors and are known to help women with certain problems related to hormonal imbalances such as PMS.

Both men and women have found that some foods trigger a migraine headache, including alcohol (especially beer and red wine), aged cheeses, chocolate, aspartame and caffeine. On the other hand, while some foods seem to trigger migraine headaches, others have found that skipping meals or fasting will also trigger a migraine headache, which obviously may have a cause related to a drop in blood sugar. So a diet with an eye towards one’s glycemic index may be indicated. In other words, be cognizant of the sugar content of the particular foods in your diet, which may be triggering an abnormal insulin response. This would also have implications for diabetes.

Other causes of migraine headaches involve stress from sensory stimulation such as the bright florescent lights found in many office settings, sun glare and loud noise from things such as music concerts or construction sites. Other people find that potent smells, even pleasant scents such as perfume, can cais a migraine headache. This may point to a certain oversensitivity in the autonomic nervous system.  Migraine headaches have also reportedly been cause by too much or too little sleep. This makes sense, as sleep is a time when many chemicals in the body and brain are produced and brought into balance.

Changes in the weather or barometric pressure can trigger a migraine for some individuals, as this can lead to changes in blood pressure and pressure on certain nerves. Certain medications can also aggravate the condition. Sometimes physical exertion, including sexual activity, can trigger a migraine headache, again possibly related to sudden changes in blood pressure and chemical changes in the body.

As we can see from these aforementioned examples, there seems to be a link between migraine headaches and blood pressure due to abnormal changes in the vascular system. Improvements in imaging technology now allow scientists to better view the brain during a migraine headache.  This has lead to important discoveries. During a regular headache, the vasculature or blood vessels of the brain often constrict or get smaller.  However, during a migraine headache the vasculature gets larger or dilated.  This dilation of the blood vessels, leading to a sudden drop in blood pressure, causes the release of chemicals that cause inflammation, pain and further enlargement of the arteries. In other words, it appears that for people who suffer from migraine headaches, blood vessels, particularly those in the brain, appear to react differently from those in other people.

Migraine headaches can cause the sympathetic nervous system to respond with normal symptoms of illness, such as nausea, diarrhea and vomiting.  It can also delay emptying of the small intestines which affects food absorption and a decrease in blood circulation, which leads to cold hands and feet and increases the sensitivity to light and sound.

Recent research has discovered that people afflicted with migraine headaches have a greater risk of magnesium deficiency in the body.  Restoring magnesium levels has allowed many people to lead more normal lives with fewer migraine headaches of lesser intensity.  Magnesium is an important mineral responsible for hundreds of vital functions in the body, so a deficiency can lead to a wide range of seemingly unrelated conditions such as anxiety, depression, migraines, heart palpitations, temporomandibular joint syndrome, muscle cramps, noise and chemical sensitivity.

The vast majority, or 90% of all migraine sufferers, report that their headaches result in a significant inability to function on a regular basis and complete their daily living tasks. As many as 50% of migraine sufferers also say that school or work productivity was impaired by at least 50%. So this is a very serious medical condition that often disrupts and even destroys people’s lives.

Even though the exact causes of migraine headaches have yet to be discovered, researchers have helped migraine sufferers identify triggers and substantive treatments that help decrease disability due to pain and discomfort, or in some cases prevent the migraine from occuring altogether.  There are also certain medications which help to prevent the development of new migraine headaches as well as nutritional and exercise protocols which help both the treatment and the prevention, which we will cover in another article.

Migraine sufferers no longer have to lie in a dark room for days steeped in suffering and depression, hoping for their headaches to disappear.  With  preventative management as well as healthy lifestyle and dietary changes, along with advice from a medical expert trained in the treatment of migraine headaches, many individuals continue to lead normal and highly productive lives.

Image via Wikipedia

Researchers of one study found that “CoQ10 is an anti-aging substance under normal physiological conditions.” This was under testing in mice using doses that would be the human equivalent of 500 mg to 1700 mg per day. Although their research suggested that 1700 mg per day may induce cognitive impairment, these researchers admitted that, “it would be fair to comment that the upper safe limit of 1200 mg per day recommended by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is lower than the estimated 1700 mg per day that would lead to cognitive impairment in humans.” In other words, use in moderation like everything else.

Ubiquinone, another name for coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) comes from the word “ubiquitous,” meaning “everywhere” – a fitting name since it is found in and essential to every cell of the human body. Unfortunately, levels of CoQ10 produced by the body decrease with age by as much as 70%, and with the development of certain diseases such as Parkinson’s , asthma, and heart disease. Scientists have been studying CoQ10 for many years, and it is now one of the most popular health supplements in the world due to [...]]]>

Researchers of one study found that “CoQ10 is an anti-aging substance under normal physiological conditions.” This was under testing in mice using doses that would be the human equivalent of 500 mg to 1700 mg per day. Although their research suggested that 1700 mg per day may induce cognitive impairment, these researchers admitted that, “it would be fair to comment that the upper safe limit of 1200 mg per day recommended by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) is lower than the estimated 1700 mg per day that would lead to cognitive impairment in humans.” In other words, use in moderation like everything else.

Ubiquinone, another name for coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) comes from the word “ubiquitous,” meaning “everywhere” – a fitting name since it is found in and essential to every cell of the human body. Unfortunately, levels of CoQ10 produced by the body decrease with age by as much as 70%, and with the development of certain diseases such as Parkinson’s , asthma, and heart disease. Scientists have been studying CoQ10 for many years, and it is now one of the most popular health supplements in the world due to the discovery of it’s amazing health benefits. Another study found CoQ10 to be a promising treatment for Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Super Antioxidant for Energy Nutrition

The Japanese began studying CoQ10 in the 1960s to treat heart disease. Since then, it has been widely used in Japan, Israel and Europe, and is becoming very popular in the United States. The best evidence for the benefits of supplemental CoQ10 are its ability to reduce symptoms of congestive heart failure. CoQ10 is also useful in managing high blood pressure, easy angina, and warding off coronary artery disease, and it speeds recovery time after coronary artery bypass surgery. Trials have shown that taking CoQ10 after having a stroke helps alleviate symptoms and prevents the recurrence of future strokes. Other studies suggest that CoQ10 is useful taken prior to elective heart surgery.

Fight Disease

Most heart patients are deficient in CoQ10, and supplementing with CoQ10 has dramatically improved heart function and improved heart disease symptoms according to certain studies. Research suggests that CoQ10 me be beneficial for almost any heart condition, such as angina, arrhythmia, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and cardiotoxicity associated with some cancer chemotherapy drugs.

One important study suggests that CoQ10, taken in combination with Acetyl-n-carnitine and omega-3 fatty acids may be useful in the treatment of macular degeneration. Another study found that CoQ10 prevents migraine headaches. CoQ10 is sometimes recommended to treat male infertility because it increases sperm count and sperm movement. Many naturopathic doctors recommend taking CoQ10 for treating breast cancer, and preliminary studies show that this enzyme has a beneficial effect against prostate tumors.

Other studies show that CoQ10 is effective in tempering symptoms of fibromyalgia and gum disease. Research suggests that CoQ10 is also useful in treating Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, bronchitis, and emphysema. This is truly one of the super supplements.

Still more research suggests that CoQ10 helps strengthen immune system and improve exercise endurance. CoQ10 appears to also protect against the side effects of certain prescription medications including certain psychiatric drugs, blood pressure lowering medications, and Statin cholesterol-lowering drugs. These medications deplete the body’s store of CoQ10, which is one reason they should be avoided.

Experts believe that CoQ10 works by improving the production of energy in cells, especially cells that require significant amounts of energy, such those located in the heart and brain. About 95% of the energy in your cells is produced from structures called mitochondria. CoQ10 facilitates the transformation of fats and sugars into energy. It is this ability to increase energy at the cellular level that lies at the heart of CoQ10′s amazing healing and health inducing powers. CoQ10 is also a powerful antioxidant, meaning that it can reduce the effects of free radical molecules that damage cells in the body. CoQ10 has also shown to energize brain cells and increase mental alertness, and may even reverse brain degeneration. This would make it a front line therapy in the fight against brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.

Many studies have shown that CoQ10, when taken in conjunction with standard prescription medications such as drugs for high blood pressure, may allow a reduction in the dosage of prescription medications and even their elimination. This is very exciting news. It is becoming clear that many conditions now treated with prescription medications can be better treated with natural health supplements, and CoQ10 is one of the best. Alternative health specialists have been saying this for decades, and the evidence is beginning to prove us correct.

A good supplemental dose of CoQ10 lies in the range of 100-200 mg per day for general maintenance. If you are treating serious illness, or you want to slow your aging process, in conjunction with an anti-aging regime your dosage may be considerably higher. 500 mg to 1000 mg per day is a target range for treating various diseases and for anti aging. There have been some reports that doses higher than 200 mg per day may induce side effects such as nausea, heartburn, diarrhea, abdominal pain and dizziness in some people. However, there is no reason for a healthy adult to take more than 200 mg a day for general health. If you want to treat a disease or are interested in anti-aging, There are things you can do to reduce the side effects. For example, it is often reported that side effects are reduced when supplements are taken with food. Also, start with a smaller dose, and gradually increase the amount so your body has a chance to adapt to the supplement.

In order for CoQ10 to be used by the body, It must first be broken down in the body to its active metabolite called ubiquinol. Therefore, the best way to take CoQ10 is in the ubiquinol form. This is very important, as it allows for much higher blood levels of CoQ10 while taking smaller amounts. Studies show that the ubiquinol form of CoQ10 can increase blood levels up to eight times more than the standard form. By taking CoQ10 in the ubiquinol form, side effects can be greatly reduced. This is great news for those who were unable to tolerate CoQ10 due to its side effects.

CoQ10 may be one of the top 10 super supplements in the world.

scientists – and millions of people around the world – discover what Mike Adams calls “the most impressive medicinal herb invented by nature.” But of course, aloe vera has an ancient and time honored history of healing powers as well.

It’s many medical properties were first described over 2000 years ago. In ancient Egypt, Aloe vera was used to embalm mummies. Cleopatra used aloe vera to make her skin more beautiful. Today, aloe vera is one of the most widely used natural ingredients in skincare products, and for good reason. Many people grow aloe vera plants in their home to take advantage of this miracle of nature.

Just how miraculous is this potent plant? Here is list of some of what this plant can do.

Halts the growth of cancer tumors.

Lowers high cholesterol.

Repairs “sludge blood” and reverses “sticky blood”.

Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.

Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.

Protects the body from oxidative stress.

Prevents kidney stones and protects [...]]]> Awareness of the powerful healing properties of aloe vera is increasing rapidly as

scientists – and millions of people around the world – discover what Mike Adams calls “the most impressive medicinal herb invented by nature.” But of course, aloe vera has an ancient and time honored history of healing powers as well.

It’s many medical properties were first described over 2000 years ago. In ancient Egypt, Aloe vera was used to embalm mummies. Cleopatra used aloe vera to make her skin more beautiful. Today, aloe vera is one of the most widely used natural ingredients in skincare products, and for good reason. Many people grow aloe vera plants in their home to take advantage of this miracle of nature.

Just how miraculous is this potent plant? Here is list of some of what this plant can do.

• Halts the growth of cancer tumors.

• Lowers high cholesterol.

• Repairs “sludge blood” and reverses “sticky blood”.

• Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.

• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.

• Protects the body from oxidative stress.

• Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.

• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.

• Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn’s disease and other digestive disorders.

• Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.

• Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients.

• Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns.

• Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete.

• Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.

• Ends constipation.

• Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.

• Prevents and treats candida infections.

• Protects the kidneys from disease.
  – www.naturalhealth.com

It’s easy to see why people are getting excited about this special plant, including mainstream medicine.

The clear gel from the leaves of the aloe vera plant can be used to treat cuts, infections, rashes, burns, wounds, and other skin conditions. Some studies have shown that it also can be useful in the treatment of skin rashes, psoriasis, and genital herpes. Rubbed into the joints, Aloe vera eases inflammation and reduces arthritic pain.This also works when taken internally.

Taken orally, aloe latex is a potent laxative. In fact, it is so powerful that it is not generally recommended anymore for this purpose, especially if you suffer from a serious health condition. It can also help with diarrhea and ulcerative colitis by reducing inflammation internally in the bowels and intestines. In fact, aloe vera juice promotes colonic irrigation, the process of removing waste products from the digestive system. This includes all the toxic residue and bacteria from junk food and pollution from the environment.

Aloe vera is particularly effective in the digestive tract. When waste products coat and clog the lining of the intestines it prevents nutrients from getting absorbed into your blood. By keeping your colon and intestines clean, your body can more easily break down and digest your food, giving you greater nutrition with less fat because food is more efficiently processed. By regulating the production of stomach acid, you can prevent problems such as ulcers, acid indigestion, celiac disease and IBS or irritable bowel syndrome.

Animal and human studies have shown that aloe juice helps in regulating blood sugar levels for diabetes. Diabetics who took aloe vera for three months exhibited a substantial decrease in normal blood sugar levels. They also had lower cholesterol levels and slight improvement in total cholesterol levels. A significant number of clinical studies have been published that substantiate aloe vera’s healing effect on diabetes.

Aloe vera and blueberries lower cholesterol levels so effectively that they should be used in place of Statin drugs, which have horrible side effects and deplete stores of CoQ10 in your body. Aloe vera, on the other hand, is so safe you can eat it. And you should.

Wikipedia reports that, “Aloe vera extracts may be useful in the treatment of diabetes and elevated blood lipids in humans. These positive effects are thought to be due to the presence of compounds such as polysaccharides, mannans, anthraquinones and lectins.” In addition, the plant has special compounds which include anthraquinone, acetylated mannans, polymannans, lectins, anthraquinones, anthrones and anthraquinone C-glycosides.

Whey is a great source of protein and has a high biological value (BV).

A high BV means that the amino acid ratio in the formula is bioavailable and excellent for building muscle and that a large percentage of the protein consumed is in a form readily absorbed and utilized by the body. In addition, numerous studies from reputable scientific journals have shown that whey protein and colostrum have immune-system enhancing benefits as well.

Whey is a dairy protein that is a by-product of the cheese making process. Before it is processed, whey contains large amounts of fat and lactose (milk sugar), not exactly what you want to ingest to build lean muscle mass. That’s why it is filtered and processed: to remove most of the lactose and fat. If you’ve ever heard of microfiltration or “ion exchange,” you’ll know they are methods of separating the fat and lactose from the protein in order to purify it for fitness purposes.

The end result is a more concentrated protein for sports performance and muscle-building – either concentrate or isolate. Whey protein isolate and whey protein powder concentrate are two alternatives on the [...]]]>

Whey Protein

Whey is a great source of protein and has a high biological value (BV).

A high BV means that the amino acid ratio in the formula is bioavailable and excellent for building muscle and that a large percentage of the protein consumed is in a form readily absorbed and utilized by the body. In addition, numerous studies from reputable scientific journals have shown that whey protein and colostrum have immune-system enhancing benefits as well.

Whey is a dairy protein that is a by-product of the cheese making process. Before it is processed, whey contains large amounts of fat and lactose (milk sugar), not exactly what you want to ingest to build lean muscle mass. That’s why it is filtered and processed: to remove most of the lactose and fat. If you’ve ever heard of microfiltration or “ion exchange,” you’ll know they are methods of separating the fat and lactose from the protein in order to purify it for fitness purposes.

The end result is a more concentrated protein for sports performance and muscle-building – either concentrate or isolate. Whey protein isolate and whey protein powder concentrate are two alternatives on the market to be considered when seeking a quality protein supplement for your diet and exercise regime. This decision is what confronts many weight lifters and fitness buffs when glancing at the shelves with all the varieties of protein powder available in the health food market.

Which whey protein should you be using; concentrate or isolate? Here are a few facts to help you make an informed decision.

The most important chemical difference between the two is that Isolate is processed to a more refined state so that even the fat and lactose are removed. This more involved system of purification results in a higher concentration of protein in the end product because the isolate form is free of anything that doesn’t contribute directly to muscle enhancement.

In other words, isolate contains more protein with less fat and lactose per serving. Depending upon the particular brand, whey isolate usually contains between 90-94% protein while whey concentrate has a protein ratio of 70-85% depending upon the brand.

This may be very important depending upon what level of bodybuilding you are at and what kind of bodybuilder you are. What are your goals? For professional level bodybuilders, smaller levels of fat are crucial to maintain competition quality muscle definition, and also when whey is utilized for the goal of losing weight. For the average weightlifter who doesn’t need to lose weight and just wants to add a little muscle, this is not important at all. Many bodybuilders want to gain weight.

A decrease in lactose levels will also help those people who are lactose intolerant, meaning they cannot digest the lactose (sugar) in milk and get sick as a result. If you have some lactose intolerance, isolate will reduce the stomach bloating that can occur when drinking protein shakes made with dairy products. However, there are a few disadvantages to consuming whey protein shake isolate also.

Because of the extra manufacturing involved in processing the higher purity protein in whey isolate, whey isolate powder is more expensive – which adds up when you have to take it on a regular basis. And just because isolate is a little more pure, it doesn’t necessarily mean whey isolate is “better” or will produce greater muscle growth. That depends mostly on how much you work out and how good your exercise routine is. Whey protein concentrate is still an excellent source of protein that can build serious muscle. And it has other advantages too.

If Dr. Oz touts it on the Opera Winfrey show, you’d better believe something’s shaking. And Mike over at naturalnews.com calls it, “The Miracle Nutrient for Cancer, cholesterol and Longevity.” He also offers the fascinating fact that “The Chinese medicine herb hu zhang is also loaded with resveratrol.”

Resveratrol is of a class of polyphenols called phytoalexins, which is from the Greek word “alexi” or “protect.”

Very rarely has a natural substance ever been discovered that actually extends our youthful life span and allows us to live significantly longer. Resveratrol is a wonderful gift from nature (and for the ladies, helps keep skin smooth and free of wrinkles).

As reported by a National Institute on Aging/Harvard Medical School joint study, it was found that resveratrol enhances the anti-aging systems in the body, duplicating the anti aging health effects of calorie-restricted diets, as well as improves our general quality of life.

Researchers in Denmark examined 25,000 people to discover what drinking alcohol does to longevity, and found that wine drinkers lowered their [...]]]>

Resveratrol is one of the most remarkable scientific discoveries of the last 10 years for your healh and wellness.

If Dr. Oz touts it on the Opera Winfrey show, you’d better believe something’s shaking. And Mike over at naturalnews.com calls it, “The Miracle Nutrient for Cancer, cholesterol and Longevity.” He also offers the fascinating fact that “The Chinese medicine herb hu zhang is also loaded with resveratrol.”

Resveratrol is of a class of polyphenols called phytoalexins, which is from the Greek word “alexi” or “protect.”

Anti-Aging and Longevity:
Life Extension

Very rarely has a natural substance ever been discovered that actually extends our youthful life span and allows us to live significantly longer. Resveratrol is a wonderful gift from nature (and for the ladies, helps keep skin smooth and free of wrinkles).

As reported by a National Institute on Aging/Harvard Medical School joint study, it was found that resveratrol enhances the anti-aging systems in the body, duplicating the anti aging health effects of calorie-restricted diets, as well as improves our general quality of life.

Researchers in Denmark examined 25,000 people to discover what drinking alcohol does to longevity, and found that wine drinkers lowered their total risk of mortality for any reason by about 40% (of course these people were drinking 2 – 4 glasses a day with meals, not abusing alcohol, which is terribly destructive to your liver).

But the beautiful thing is, you don’t have to restrict your diet (caloric intake), and you can even eat fatty foods like french fries and cheeseburgers. Additional scientific experiments have discovered that resveratrol extends the overall length of life in laboratory animals. In a growing number of studies, scientists who give a resveratrol supplement every day to mice help them live 20% longer! This is truly astounding!

And for those women who want to be slim, the mice in one study who were on controlled, high calorie diets and given resveratrol had 30% less overall body mass than the other mice. That means possibly a little less muscle and mostly less body fat.

It also increases the health of mice on a high fat diet. Mice that were fed high fat diets had the same body composition and lipid profiles of healthy, lean mice on low-fat diets!. As long as you take your resveratrol supplement every day, you won’t suffer the consequences of a high fat diet. You’ll even live longer.

Genuine life-extension now exists in pills. And Resveratrol is only one of several true life-extension supplements. Watch for my upcoming book.  Melatonin, for example, is another supplement that has been shown to increase the lifespan of animals by about 30%. Interested in Melatonin? Check out my article on melatonin here.

Natural, Healthy Foods

Resveratrol is mostly found in high amounts in the skins of red grapes, but also in raspberries, mulberries, blueberries, cranberries, and it wouldn’t be a complete party without the red wine (make from red grapes). It also exists in peanuts, certain pine trees and knotweed.

It is produced by the grapes as a defense mechanism against injury, and acts similarly to an antibiotic which protects the fruit from predatory viruses and bacteria which would prevent the fruit from ripening too early and spoiling.

Remember, resveratrol is only one of the best extracts from grapes. Grapes contain hundreds of other compounds, some called polyphenols, many of which are also beneficial and have yet to even be studied. So look for supplements that contain the whole grape, and don’t always focus too narrowly on one supplement, even if it is as powerful as resveratrol.

Remember, nature and supplements work in synergy. It’s the combined effects of hundreds or even thousands of different compounds from foods, herbs, etc that produce the incredible longevity and anti-aging effects we like to write about. The greater variety of sources for your food and antioxidants the better.

Ok, if you have to ask, the primary strains of grapes are vitis vinifera, vitis rotundifolia and vitis labrusca. And in case you were wondering, “Resveratrol is also present in the roots of a number of species of the polygonum genus (polygonaceae family), such as polygonum cuspidatum and polygonum multiflorum.” Some people just don’t know when to quit.

French people have a notoriously high-fat diet, with lots of creamy pasta dishes loaded with delicious calories. Yet they have little heart disease or problems with being overweight. Why? Resveratrol.

It is customary for the French to drink a glass or two of red wine with their meals. The healthy chemicals in the grapes used to make the red wine – one of the best being resveratrol - protects them from the harmful effects of the fat in their diet. And it will protect you too.

Acai juice is a increasingly popular diet and nutritional health supplement and has acquired its outstanding reputation because of its healing and astounding nutritional qualities. For example, the ORAC rating of acai berry – which means how much antioxidant power it has – is an astonishing 167, while blueberries are a 44 and apples only a 14, by comparison.

Although limited scientific research has been done because they are natural foods and cannot be patented by pharmaceutical companies, thousands of people have given testimonial to their nutritional powers. As another example, in preleminary scientific studies (in culture, not on humans), acai berry destroyed cancer cells 86% of the time. This will probably prove to have similar benefits in human experiments.

All of these natural fruit berries – goji, noni and acai berry- have a long history of healing and [...]]]> Goji, blueberries, strawberries and Noni are all very popular berries, but what if you discovered that there was another berry that may be much more powerful in its health and wellness properties? What if it could help prevent disease – including cancer – improve energy, help you lose weight, aid in digestion and digestive problems, and increase mental concentration?

Acai juice is a increasingly popular diet and nutritional health supplement and has acquired its outstanding reputation because of its healing and astounding nutritional qualities. For example, the ORAC rating of acai berry – which means how much antioxidant power it has – is an astonishing 167, while blueberries are a 44 and apples only a 14, by comparison.

Although limited scientific research has been done because they are natural foods and cannot be patented by pharmaceutical companies, thousands of people have given testimonial to their nutritional powers. As another example, in preleminary scientific studies (in culture, not on humans), acai berry destroyed cancer cells 86% of the time. This will probably prove to have similar benefits in human experiments.

All of these natural fruit berries – goji, noni and acai berry- have a long history of healing and nutritional use in their native homelands going back hundreds or even thousands of years, despite having only recently been discovered by those of us in the west. Acai berry grows on the acai palm trees in the amazon rain forest of brazil, Peru, and some regions of Central America, where it is a large and integral part of their diet. These natural juices have been packaged and now being imported for both the diet and natural health nutrition conscious consumer.

Acai berry is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which have become so popular now in products like fish oil. These fatty acids, particularly the omega-3 (DHA and EPA), help increase your metabolism. The faster your metabolism, the faster your body burns fat, so a higher, more active metabolism helps you to lose weight naturally, without even exercising, and achieve superior results with your weight loss diets faster than just dieting alone through calorie restriction.

So by providing omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, the acai berry brings you all the benefits of these highly nutritional and healing fats, the incredible benefits of which I will discuss in another article. But it is easy to see why acai berry is now used in many weight loss diet pills.

In addition, natural fiber in acai berry improves digestion, in part because it contains important digestive enzymes that help you break down food for absorption into your system. Too many people, particularly in the West, but increasingly in the East as we export our McDonalds and Kentucky Fried Chickens around the world, eat too much overly-processed junk food containing very high levels of hydrogenated oils. These oils are considered the most unhealthy kind of fats in our diet. Hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils contain high levels of very unhealthy trans fat.

These harmful trans fats and partially hydrogenated oils raise our levels of “bad” cholesterol and lower the “good” cholesterol in our bodies. Trans fats are usually found in what we typically think of as junk food: french fries, microwave popcorn, and most commercial brands (inorganic) of cookies, potato chips, doritos, peanut butter, crackers – most foods fried or manufactured with these damaging oils.

Avoid foods made with hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils. Your body cannot easily digest foods processed with trans fats, which are typically high in carbohydrates but low in fiber, and these trans fats cause damage to your blood vessels. Improperly digested food builds up in your intestines which your body can’t eliminate effectively, so a lot of it gets absorbed into your body and you gain more weight. Fiber helps prevent the absorption of calories into your bloodstream from your intestines.

The trans fats in the partially hydrogenated oils causes plaque to build up in your blood vessels, which leads to strokes and heart attacks. Also, improperly digested foods become compacted in your colon, causing blockage, and poisons from the undigested, rotting foods leak back into your body, causing many diseases.

One way it does this is to boost and balance neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for mood and energy – for example, serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine is integrally linked to feeling energetic, and one of the only ways ever discovered to extend lifespan is by maintaining youthful levels by protecting dopamine cells in the brain. More about that in another article.

Scientific studies have shown that people who take pharmaceutical anti-depressants for long periods of time are 7 times more likely to develop cancer than those who don’t. This should be a major concern for people people who are taking pharmaceutical antidepressants on a long-term basis.

SAM-e is not only great at reducing depression and elevating your mood, but is also one of the best health supplements you can take for your joints - building and protecting the soft tissue, cartilage, tendons, etc. that allow you to move easily and fluidly, [...]]]> SAM-e. What if I told you there was an all-natural health supplement on the market – like a vitamin – that in scientific studies has proven to be more  effective at treating and alleviating depression than the best pharmaceutical antidepressants on the market, without the harmful side-effects?

One way it does this is to boost and balance neurotransmitters in the brain that are responsible for mood and energy – for example, serotonin and dopamine. Dopamine is integrally linked to feeling energetic, and one of the only ways ever discovered to extend lifespan is by maintaining youthful levels by protecting dopamine cells in the brain. More about that in another article.

Scientific studies have shown that people who take pharmaceutical anti-depressants for long periods of time are 7 times more likely to develop cancer than those who don’t. This should be a major concern for people people who are taking pharmaceutical antidepressants on a long-term basis.

SAM-e is not only great at reducing depression and elevating your mood, but is also one of the best health supplements you can take for your joints - building and protecting the soft tissue, cartilage, tendons, etc. that allow you to move easily and fluidly, without pain, while reducing the inflammation that leads to and aggravates joint conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc.

SAM-e is also one of the most powerful nutrients ever discovered by science that aids and protects the liver against aging and disease – keeping it in a youthful state. It has been shown to reverse liver damage and disease in those suffering from ailments such as cirrhosis of the liver, often brought on by alcohol abuse.

As you know, the liver is one of the most important organs in your body because it is responsible for cleansing toxins from your blood, produces critical enzymes, breaks down and converts important nutrients and hormones, and a host of other vital functions.

Another important benefit of sam-e is the role it plays in the formation of the myelin sheath, the protective coating surrounding nerve cells, which increases the fluidity of the membranes in brain cells and improves the functioning of brain receptors. That means your brain communicates more effectively across neurons and synapses and operates more efficiently.     

Sam-e is short for s-adenosylmethionine, a substance that exists naturally in animals, humans and plants, and is involved in many important biochemical processes in the body, but it is difficult to get adequate amounts from your diet alone. Your body has to produce most of it on its own.

And of course, as we age, our bodies naturally produce less and less, so supplementation – especially in old age – is necessary for everyone (but don’t wait until you are too old). You can begin supplementing small doses over the age of 30, but for most people over the age of 40 is perhaps more reasonable. Sam-e is not cheap, and most people will produce reasonably adequate amounts up until age 40 anyway. But of course, if you are fighting various diseases (or are an anti-aging fanatic), higher doses of sam-e may be desired.

One of the best qualities of sam-e is the almost total lack of side-effects in virtually everyone who takes it. Irresponsible and excessive use – taking too large doses – may induce anxiety, headaches, heart palpitations, restlessness and insomnia in very rare cases. If you should ever feel nausea when taking sam-e, it can be reduced by taking the pills with food. Should you ever experience any negative side-effects, lower your dose until they disappear, or stop taking it completely and consult an anti-aging health expert.

Also, people suffering from manic-depressive disorders have been advised by some not to take sam-e because it may cause manic episodes. But the scientific literature has not yet really supported this. All in all, these side-effects are very rare when sam-e is used appropriately and in proper doses. Some people claim that sam-e can raise homocystine levels, thereby increasing risk of heart disease. However, there is no evidence for this in the scientific literature.

Now we have all heard how terrible cholesterol is for health, right? Anything with cholesterol is bad and must be avoided? But if the most important adrenal hormone in your entire body – and the most potent memory enhancer known to science – is produced from cholesterol, how could cholesterol be so bad for you?

The answer is that cholesterol in itself is not bad, but the sources you get it from in your food or supplements are very important. There are good and bad sources of cholesterol. For example, natural butter is much healthier than synthetic margarine. And don’t eat foods cooked with unhealthy trans-fats, like companies such as McDonalds and KFC, etc. did for years even after the scientific evidence was overwhelming that they should stop because it was causing heart and other diseases.

Pregnenolone has been shown to have very few [...]]]> Pregnenolone is called the “mother hormone” or “the brain hormone” because it is converted from cholesterol by the body in the mitochondria of the cell and is the primary hormone of the Adrenal gland. That means that all other adrenal hormones – from dhea to testosterone to estrogen, mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids – are produced from Pregnenolone.

Now we have all heard how terrible cholesterol is for health, right? Anything with cholesterol is bad and must be avoided? But if the most important adrenal hormone in your entire body – and the most potent memory enhancer known to science – is produced from cholesterol, how could cholesterol be so bad for you?

The answer is that cholesterol in itself is not bad, but the sources you get it from in your food or supplements are very important. There are good and bad sources of cholesterol. For example, natural butter is much healthier than synthetic margarine. And don’t eat foods cooked with unhealthy trans-fats, like companies such as McDonalds and KFC, etc. did for years even after the scientific evidence was overwhelming that they should stop because it was causing heart and other diseases.

Pregnenolone has been shown to have very few side-effects, and is one of the safest supplements in the medical literature. “Despite its powerful metabolites, pregnenolone is acknowledged to be without significant side effects, with minimal or no anabolic, estrogenic or androgenic activity.”

However, one word of warning. It is thought that about 5% of people who take pregnenolone are prone to developing skin rashes. These are not dangerous, but if you should develop a skin rash, try reducing your dose or discontinue altogether. The rash will go away as soon as you stop taking pregnenolone.

Pregnenolone is a hormone, which are powerful substances, so it should always be taken carefully and in moderation. Again, listen to your body. Most women age 30-45 respond well to 5-10mg a day. Women age 45-60 do well on 10-25mg daily.

Men can take more since they have naturally higher levels of certain adrenal hormones like dhea, which is made directly from prenenolone. So men age 30-45 can take 10-25mg a day while men 45 and above do well on 25-50mg a day, and for someone who is really aged or fighting a disease, 100mg or more are sometimes advised.

Pregnenolone is primarily found in and active in the brain. It is incredibly good for your brain, and is considered the most potent memory enhancer ever discovered, some say by a factor of 100. That means it is 100 times more powerful at enhancing your memory than anything else ever found. It also naturally increases mental alertness.

Its not surprising that pregnenolone has been proven effective at preventing and treating dementia and alzheimer’s disease, as well as other nerve disorders as it has been proven effective at enhancing and protecting nerve cell growth. It can enhance your overall mood and feelings of motivation and improve sleep. Melatonin is the sleep hormone and will be discussed another article.

There is growing evidence that pregnenolone helps to strengthen the immune system also

Pregnenolone has been shown to stimulate the growth of dendrites in the brain, which are the branch-like strings that grow out of the neurons and make connections with other neurons. That means pregnenolone makes your brain more powerful, better connected, and smarter, because your brain can work more efficiently. It has alo shown effective at lessening anxiety.

Because estrogen is made almost directly from pregnenolone, estrogen-deficient women often are low in pregnenolone, as are people who are depressed and lacking energy. Studies in the military have shown that soldiers have more stamina, can stay awake longer and function better, and deal with stress better when supplementing with pregnenolone.

In fact, pregnenolone is a very powerful anti-infammatory. 50 or so years ago, before the pharmaceutical companies began peddling their prescription poisons to an unsuspecting public, pregnenolone was widely prescribed by doctors to treat arthritis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It is very effective against rheumatoid arthritis, and has been shown to reduce pain and swelling. This should slow, halt, or even reverse some symptoms of the disease.