Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Something That Finally Works!
I lowered my total cholesterol without prescription drugs!
Woo-hoooo! My checkup today showed my cholesterol dropped from 225 to 175 since last March. I had tried a lot of different things, along with my usual low-fat diet. But my previous doctor told me his patients had good results with Red Rice Yeast. My flax seed regimen didn't drop it so I decided to try it.
As a natural statin, it has good data from researchers to do the very thing it did for me: lower cholesterol. The best part is that the capsules are fairly cheap ($8.39 per 120 caps) and NO side effects whatsoever.
The interesting thing is that the expensive statin medications have a warning not to take the Red Yeast Rice at the same time, as it can lower your blood pressure too much. That convinced me that it had some powerful, natural effects if it potentiates the prescribed drugs.
I claim this as a victory for my aging blood vessels, and also a victory against the big Pharma companies and doctors who want to put everyone on these drugs. Check out the side effects with them and it will scare you to death.
I am now ordering Omega 3 fish oil caps to push the HDL ratio into better territory and will report my results 6 months from now.
To your health....
Bob
Woo-hoooo! My checkup today showed my cholesterol dropped from 225 to 175 since last March. I had tried a lot of different things, along with my usual low-fat diet. But my previous doctor told me his patients had good results with Red Rice Yeast. My flax seed regimen didn't drop it so I decided to try it.
As a natural statin, it has good data from researchers to do the very thing it did for me: lower cholesterol. The best part is that the capsules are fairly cheap ($8.39 per 120 caps) and NO side effects whatsoever.
The interesting thing is that the expensive statin medications have a warning not to take the Red Yeast Rice at the same time, as it can lower your blood pressure too much. That convinced me that it had some powerful, natural effects if it potentiates the prescribed drugs.
I claim this as a victory for my aging blood vessels, and also a victory against the big Pharma companies and doctors who want to put everyone on these drugs. Check out the side effects with them and it will scare you to death.
I am now ordering Omega 3 fish oil caps to push the HDL ratio into better territory and will report my results 6 months from now.
To your health....
Bob
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
HOP ONTO THE HOPS BANDWAGON
The hops plant has some remarkable properties!
As a home-brewer and hop plant grower, I found the latest news regarding this plant to be simply amazing. The health benefits of the hop plant have been known for centuries since the early Romans used it.
Researchers at Oregon State University first discovered the cancer-related properties of this flavonoid compound called xanthohumol about 10 years ago.
"Xanthohumol is one of the more significant compounds for cancer chemoprevention that we have studied," said Fred Stevens, a researcher with OSU's Linus Pauling Institute and an assistant professor of medicinal chemistry in the College of Pharmacy. "The published literature and research on its properties are just exploding at this point, and there's a great deal of interest."
In the 1990s, researchers at OSU, including Stevens and toxicologist Don Buhler, began to look at the compound from another perspective - its anti-cancer properties. It showed toxicity to human breast, colon and ovarian cancer cells, and most recently has shown some activity against prostate cancer in OSU studies.
As a home-brewer and hop plant grower, I found the latest news regarding this plant to be simply amazing. The health benefits of the hop plant have been known for centuries since the early Romans used it.
Researchers at Oregon State University first discovered the cancer-related properties of this flavonoid compound called xanthohumol about 10 years ago.
"Xanthohumol is one of the more significant compounds for cancer chemoprevention that we have studied," said Fred Stevens, a researcher with OSU's Linus Pauling Institute and an assistant professor of medicinal chemistry in the College of Pharmacy. "The published literature and research on its properties are just exploding at this point, and there's a great deal of interest."
In the 1990s, researchers at OSU, including Stevens and toxicologist Don Buhler, began to look at the compound from another perspective - its anti-cancer properties. It showed toxicity to human breast, colon and ovarian cancer cells, and most recently has shown some activity against prostate cancer in OSU studies.
It's possible, scientists say, that hops might be produced or genetically engineered to have higher levels of xanthohumol, specifically to take advantage of its anti-cancer properties. Some beers already have higher levels of these compounds than others. The lager and pilsner beers commonly sold in domestic U.S. brews have fairly low levels of these compounds, but some porter, stout and ale brews have much higher levels.
Ideally, researchers say, cancer chemoprevention is targeted at the early stages of cancer development and prevented by long-term exposure to non-toxic nutrients, food supplements or drugs that prevent the formation of cancers. With its broad spectrum activity, presence in food products, and ability to inhibit cancer at low concentrations, xanthohumol might be a good candidate for that list, experts say.
Xanthohumol also appears to have a role as a fairly powerful antioxidant - even more than vitamin E. And it has shown the ability to reduce the oxidation of LDL, or bad cholesterol.
Source: Oregon State University
I just harvested my small crop of Cascade hops the other day and am drying them out. My plan is to make some hop tea for consumption during the upcoming winter. In addition to the beneficial effects on certain types of cancer, the powerful antioxidants might help alleviate winter colds.
Friday, June 23, 2006
CELL PHONES AND LIGHTENING!
Don't even hold one during a thunderstorm...
A 15 year old girl in England was using her cell phone during a storm, was struck by lightening, and is now in a wheelchair due to her injuries.
Three fatal cases were reported in China, Malaysia and South Korea. All were using a cell phone during a storm.
It's a rare phenomenon, but can be fatal. Perhaps it's listed as "rare" as other deaths/injuries may have happened but the medical reports didn't link them with the phone usage.
The very interesting aspect of this is what actually causes the injury/death while using the cell phone. When someone is struck by lightening, many times the electric charge is passed over them (called "flashover") without too much of a problem. However, IF the person is holding a metal object, the metal interferes with the flashover, preventing it from exiting the body harmlessly. That's when severe injuries or death can occur.
Please advise family and friends of this important safety item. It could save their lives.
A 15 year old girl in England was using her cell phone during a storm, was struck by lightening, and is now in a wheelchair due to her injuries.
Three fatal cases were reported in China, Malaysia and South Korea. All were using a cell phone during a storm.
It's a rare phenomenon, but can be fatal. Perhaps it's listed as "rare" as other deaths/injuries may have happened but the medical reports didn't link them with the phone usage.
The very interesting aspect of this is what actually causes the injury/death while using the cell phone. When someone is struck by lightening, many times the electric charge is passed over them (called "flashover") without too much of a problem. However, IF the person is holding a metal object, the metal interferes with the flashover, preventing it from exiting the body harmlessly. That's when severe injuries or death can occur.
Please advise family and friends of this important safety item. It could save their lives.
Sunday, June 18, 2006
ANOTHER TEA THAT IS HEALTHIER?
First I've heard of this...
"Wu Long" tea. It's billed as the "World's Most Powerful Fat Burner". I don't want to turn this into a commercial, as I have absolutely no connection to anyone who sells this. But I found it interesting and thought you might, too.
An excerpt from a Wu Long site states:
Here's the deal. Legitimate scientific research, published in the world's leading academic journals, is now showing that an extraordinarily rare tea produced at Mt. Wu Yi Shan in China's Fujian Province may carry remarkable slimming and health benefits... so much so that Chinese scientists are calling it, "The world's most powerful fat burner."
Their claims?
*** UPDATE ON THIS:
Wu Long is just another name version of "Oolong", the one usually served in Chinese restaurants. It still is very good for you, as are most teas, but I would NOT believe the claims made above. I also will NOT pay the price they charge for something that is NOT exclusively distributed by them. It's not.
"Wu Long" tea. It's billed as the "World's Most Powerful Fat Burner". I don't want to turn this into a commercial, as I have absolutely no connection to anyone who sells this. But I found it interesting and thought you might, too.
An excerpt from a Wu Long site states:
Here's the deal. Legitimate scientific research, published in the world's leading academic journals, is now showing that an extraordinarily rare tea produced at Mt. Wu Yi Shan in China's Fujian Province may carry remarkable slimming and health benefits... so much so that Chinese scientists are calling it, "The world's most powerful fat burner."
Their claims?
- Burns 2.5 times more calories than authentic green tea
- Reduces the fattening effects of carbs
- Clarifies skin; gives your face a clear, healthy glow
- Reverses signs of aging
- Promotes strong, healthy teeth
- Strengthens your immune system
- Enhances mind-body wellness
*** UPDATE ON THIS:
Wu Long is just another name version of "Oolong", the one usually served in Chinese restaurants. It still is very good for you, as are most teas, but I would NOT believe the claims made above. I also will NOT pay the price they charge for something that is NOT exclusively distributed by them. It's not.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
HIGH PROTEIN DIETS
No, not the Atkins type...
What we're talking about here is a higher protein diet that also includes a healthy percentage of carbs, unlike the low carb/no carb diet fads from yesterday.
So, why should you increase your intake of healthy, lean protein? An article on WebMD states that recent research is finding that when the protein percentage is increased, the appetite is decreased. They are not sure of the physiological mechanism, but theorize that the extra protein signals the brain to produce less of the appetite-stimulating hormone.
The recommended intake is 10%-35% of your body weight. The upper range is somewhat difficult to achieve without protein supplements and dietary modifications. I personally use a whey protein powder in a shake with flaxseed after my weight training. It gives me 30-40 grams of protein just in the shake.
Caution: you should NOT increase your protein intake IF you have underlying kidney disease. I remember the old admonition against large amounts of protein: "you'll shut down your kidneys!". That's been disproved if you have healthy kidneys to begin with.
They also recommend that you gradually increase the percentage over the course of a week to allow your body to adjust.
Furthermore, splitting your meals into 4 to 5 per day instead of the standard 3 helps control weight gain by moderating your blood sugar levels. It also prevents the hunger pangs between the standard meals.
What about the carbs? The recommended amount is roughly 50% of your daily caloric intake, and also targeting "smart carbs" -- whole grains, complex carbs, fruits, veggies, along with healthy fats such as nuts, olives, avocados, oils and fish.
Key to all of the above is to be involved in an active exercise program while modifying your diet.
What we're talking about here is a higher protein diet that also includes a healthy percentage of carbs, unlike the low carb/no carb diet fads from yesterday.
So, why should you increase your intake of healthy, lean protein? An article on WebMD states that recent research is finding that when the protein percentage is increased, the appetite is decreased. They are not sure of the physiological mechanism, but theorize that the extra protein signals the brain to produce less of the appetite-stimulating hormone.
The recommended intake is 10%-35% of your body weight. The upper range is somewhat difficult to achieve without protein supplements and dietary modifications. I personally use a whey protein powder in a shake with flaxseed after my weight training. It gives me 30-40 grams of protein just in the shake.
Caution: you should NOT increase your protein intake IF you have underlying kidney disease. I remember the old admonition against large amounts of protein: "you'll shut down your kidneys!". That's been disproved if you have healthy kidneys to begin with.
They also recommend that you gradually increase the percentage over the course of a week to allow your body to adjust.
Furthermore, splitting your meals into 4 to 5 per day instead of the standard 3 helps control weight gain by moderating your blood sugar levels. It also prevents the hunger pangs between the standard meals.
What about the carbs? The recommended amount is roughly 50% of your daily caloric intake, and also targeting "smart carbs" -- whole grains, complex carbs, fruits, veggies, along with healthy fats such as nuts, olives, avocados, oils and fish.
Key to all of the above is to be involved in an active exercise program while modifying your diet.
Wednesday, June 14, 2006
COFFEE WITH A BEER CHASER?
More good news for coffee drinkers...
Yet another study mentions the beneficial effects of coffee drinking. A study in California that involved 125,000 people showed that the more coffee they drank, the less liver damage they sustained. It found that one cup of Joe dropped the risk of cirrhosis by 20%, and each additional cup also dropped it by 20% each.
It would be interesting to see a study of those who drink only Irish Coffee! I remember when coffee was said to be harmful, back in the early 1980s I think. Coffee sales plummetted and people switched to tea and other things. Since then, research has shown that coffee has beneficial effects for people with Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and now cirrhosis.
I'll have another cup, please...
Yet another study mentions the beneficial effects of coffee drinking. A study in California that involved 125,000 people showed that the more coffee they drank, the less liver damage they sustained. It found that one cup of Joe dropped the risk of cirrhosis by 20%, and each additional cup also dropped it by 20% each.
It would be interesting to see a study of those who drink only Irish Coffee! I remember when coffee was said to be harmful, back in the early 1980s I think. Coffee sales plummetted and people switched to tea and other things. Since then, research has shown that coffee has beneficial effects for people with Parkinsons, Alzheimers, and now cirrhosis.
I'll have another cup, please...
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
ANOTHER CONTRADICTION
Taking B-Complex vitamins failed to prevent heart attacks and strokes in high risk patients...
Like a lot of other people, my wife and I have been taking B-Complex vitamins to lower our blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that has been implicated in heart attacks and strokes when present in high levels.
But wait! There's more! The study, as described in the online version of the New England Journal of Medicine (12 Mar 06), was conducted on patients that had already suffered an acute heart attack. So the conclusion was that taking various B vitamins (folic acid, B6 and B12) in combination didn't prevent a second heart attack. They went even further to state that the trend towards increased risk appears to be when taking them in combination.
So what does this mean for those of us that: a) have never had a heart attack, and b) are not in the high risk category? It doesn't address that aspect, as the study only included people who have had an acute heart attack.
I guess I'll continue taking them...
Like a lot of other people, my wife and I have been taking B-Complex vitamins to lower our blood levels of homocysteine, an amino acid that has been implicated in heart attacks and strokes when present in high levels.
But wait! There's more! The study, as described in the online version of the New England Journal of Medicine (12 Mar 06), was conducted on patients that had already suffered an acute heart attack. So the conclusion was that taking various B vitamins (folic acid, B6 and B12) in combination didn't prevent a second heart attack. They went even further to state that the trend towards increased risk appears to be when taking them in combination.
So what does this mean for those of us that: a) have never had a heart attack, and b) are not in the high risk category? It doesn't address that aspect, as the study only included people who have had an acute heart attack.
I guess I'll continue taking them...
