Strawberries Increase Antioxidant Levels to Lower Chronic Disease Risks

Strawberries are shown to be a potent source of antioxidants in a body of research published in the journal Food Chemistry. In vivo studies confirm that regular consumption of the flavorful fruit raise antioxidant blood saturation levels.

This can help to lower the risk of chronic diseases ranging from heart disease and cancer to metabolic disorders including diabetes. The study, conducted by Italian and Spanish researchers demonstrated that eating two cups of strawberries daily for two weeks boosted the antioxidant status of red blood cells and improved the body`s immune response reaction to oxidative stress to lower disease risk.

Strawberries Shown to Significantly Increase Disease-Fighting Antioxidants in Blood

European researchers have demonstrated the antioxidant capacity of strawberries on human health using volunteers at the Marche Polytechnic University in Italy. Twelve healthy adults were fed the equivalent of two cups of strawberries over the course of a day for a period of two weeks.

Blood samples were taken after four, eight, twelve and sixteen days and then again after a month. Live blood analysis showed that regular consumption of this super fruit significantly increases the antioxidant capacity of blood plasma as well as the resistance of red blood cells to oxidative haemolysis in a process known as fragmentation.

Lead author and researcher, Dr. Maurizio Battino commented on the initial results “We have shown that some varieties of strawberries make erythrocytes more resistant to oxidative stress. This could be of great significance if you take into account that this phenomenon can lead to serious diseases.”

Strawberries Lower Risk of Developing Heart Disease, Cancer and Dementia

Researchers are continuing to test a variety of strawberry strains and different consumption levels to determine optimal antioxidant levels. They note that strawberries should form part of a healthy, balanced diet and be included as a daily serving of fruits and vegetables necessary to lower disease risk.

Strawberries contain a large concentration of phenolic compounds, such as flavonoids known to exert potent antioxidant properties. Flavonoid consumption triggers an extensive arsenal of antioxidant mechanisms that function at the cellular level to fight free radical production and lower the risk from heart disease, cancer, diabetes and dementia. Antioxidants promote normal cellular function and are either manufactured by the body or consumed through diet in the form of natural foods such as strawberries.

When the blood antioxidant capacity is lowered by stress, physical exertion or normal metabolic function, oxidative stress occurs and the risk of chronic disease increases exponentially. Many forward-thinking scientists posit that oxidative stress is a key factor determining how quickly we age, and foods such as strawberries hold the answer to slow this process and prevent a host of deadly illnesses.

Digestive Enzyme Bromelain is a Powerful Tool in the Fight against Cancer

Bromelain is a natural digestive enzyme extracted from pineapples. The nutrient is rapidly taking its place aside many of the most powerful natural agents in the war on cancer and other chronic conditions that take the lives of millions each year.

Research published in Cancer Letters shows the protease enzyme to exhibit multiple actions including anti-inflammatory and immune cell activation that can deal a powerful blow to cancer development. Include bromelain in your supplemental regimen to benefit from the potent anti-cancer properties now attributed to this amazing pineapple enzyme.

Bromelain is Shown to Dissolve Unneeded Tissue throughout the Body

Similar to super nutrients such as resveratrol, curcumin and green tea extract, bromelain is a potent compound that fights cancer by dissolving unnecessary tissue throughout the body. Bromelain breaks down scar tissue and other debris created from the natural processes of stress and physical wear and tear that develop with normal cellular function. As we age, our body has a reduced capacity to eliminate these garbage byproducts from within our cells and we undergo the process of advanced aging.

 Enzymes such as bromelain are critical to break down proteins used to drive metabolic functions within the body. Processed and overcooked foods have been stripped of the natural enzymes that originally existed, and the pancreas is forced to work beyond its capacity to break down digested proteins. Cancer cells also use a protein shield to cloak themselves and avoid detection from the immune system. Protease enzymes help destroy the protein bond around cancer clusters so the body can destroy developing tumor wall structures and thwart cancer initiation.

Potent Enzyme Uncloaks Protein Sheath Protecting Cancer Cells from Detection

Evidence developed in European clinical trials and published in the journal Integrative Cancer Therapies explains that natural enzymes such as bromelain and papain provide a significant improvement in the outcome of alternative therapies to treat breast and colon cancers. The authors concluded that the enzyme mixture demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious and antitumor/anti-metastatic activity.

Further scientific documentation is published in the journal Molecular Carcinogenesis to support the cancer-killing ability of bromelain, independent of other therapies. Cancer is fueled by systemic inflammation and out of control gene activity from the protein complex, NF-KappaB (nuclear factor kappa beta). Bromelain inhibits the activity of NF-KappaB, significantly lowering cellular free radical damage causing cancer cells to undergo normal cell death (apoptosis).

Research continues to uncover the amazing health-promoting benefits of natural enzymes such as bromelain in the fight against inflammatory and immune-deficiency diseases like cancer. You can dramatically lower your risk by supplementing with 50 mg of bromelain extract daily, taken with meals to aid protein digestion and on an empty stomach to uncloak rogue cancer cell development..

Daily Olive Oil Consumption Cuts Stroke Risk by Forty Percent

Critical research released in the industry publication journal Neurology from the American Academy of Neurology provides evidence that regular consumption of olive oil can help lower the risk of stroke. The study examined individuals over the age of 65 that are most vulnerable to the devastating effects of a stroke.

Scientists suggest that olive oil taken as part of a healthy diet can lower the life-altering risks associated with a stroke by 41% in the elderly. Based on this body of work, researchers “suggest that a new set of dietary recommendations should be issued to prevent stroke in people 65 and older."

Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed Olive Oil Consumed Daily Dramatically Lowers Stroke Risk

To conduct the study, researchers examined the medical records of 7,625 aging adults 65 or older from three cities in France. Participants were in generally good health and had no prior history of stroke. Olive oil consumption was determined by use of dietary questionnaire and usage was broken down into three groups: none, moderate and intense based on regular consumption habits. It is significant to note that virtually all olive oil consumed was extra virgin and cold pressed. This type of minimally processed oil has been found to lower the risk of heart disease in prior studies.

Participants were followed for a period of five years and 148 strokes occurred during that time span. After considering dietary, lifestyle and medical history researchers found that those with the highest intake of extra virgin olive oil were 41% less likely to suffer a stroke compared with those with the lowest consumption of the monounsaturated oil. In a secondary arm of this study where plasma fatty acid measurements were available, individuals with the highest oleic acid (olive oil fraction) were found to experience a 73% lower risk of stroke.

Olive Oil Found to Improve Blood Lipid Profile, Lowers Blood Pressure

Researchers noted that olive oil consumption is associated with lowered risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid abnormalities and obesity. They stopped short of suggesting which particular elements of olive oil provide the stroke-protective mechanism. Extra virgin olive oil is known to be a rich source of natural polyphenols from the olive fruit that alters the oxidized, sticky nature of LDL cholesterol that is implicated with plaque build-up in the arteries.

The study author from the University of Bordeaux in France, Dr. Cécilia Samieri commented “Stroke is so common in older people and olive oil would be an inexpensive and easy way to help prevent it.” The study did not specify the amount of olive oil used by those in the `intense` group that experienced the highest degree of protection from stroke. Nutritionists recommend that most people should add 1 to 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil five days a week to reap the powerful health benefits of this monounsaturated oil.

Broccoli and Cruciferous Vegetable Compound Targets Cancer Cells for Destruction

Research details published in the Molecular Nutrition and Food Research journal explains the potent mechanism exhibited by cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and cauliflower to ameliorate developing cancer cells. The active photochemical known as sulforaphane targets prostate and other hormone dependent cancer lines and leaves normal healthy cells unaffected.

Cruciferous vegetables have long been associated with a lowered risk of prostate cancer, but this is the first study to demonstrate the `search and attack` capability of the natural chemical compound. Consuming small amounts of crucifers several times each week can help to significantly lower your risk of developing many types of potentially deadly cancer lines.

Sulforaphane from Broccoli and Crucifers Targets Cancer Cells for Destruction

The study was led by Dr. Emily Ho, associate professor from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Tissue from cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower contain high levels of the powerful natural compound chemically known as glucosinolates. In the body glucosinolates are broken down into sulforaphane that exert protective anti-cancer characteristics.

Based on prior research to indicate that crucifers and sulforaphane specifically kill cancer cells, researchers designed a trial study using mouse models to demonstrate that sulforaphane selectively targets hormone dependent cancers such as breast and prostate. Dr. Ho commented “It is well documented that sulforaphane can target cancer cells through multiple chemopreventive mechanisms” and  continued “Here we show for the first time that sulforaphane selectively targets benign hyperplasia cells and cancerous prostate cells while leaving the normal prostate cells unaffected.”

Natural Food Inhibits Enzymes Necessary for Cancer Development

The study demonstrated that sulforaphane is an inhibitor of histone deacetylase, or HDAC enzymes. HDAC enzymes are theorized to develop in the body as a result of metabolic inefficiency resulting from systemic inflammation and low antioxidant status. HDAC enzymes provide fuel to the cancer initiation and progression processes when they occur in excess and their action runs unabated. HDAC inhibition is currently an important research area targeted by Big Pharma and synthesized drugs that can be addressed with natural nutrients from food and lifestyle modifications.

Scientists clearly demonstrated the specific mechanism to explain how sulforaphane targets breast and prostate cancer cells. Many existing studies show that nutrients present in cruciferous vegetables can halt all cancer cell lines by inhibiting the fuel necessary for the cells to multiply out of control. Researchers concluded the data collected “provide(s) further support for the relevance of sulforaphane as a dietary HDAC inhibitor and chemopreventive agent.” Nutritional experts recommend several three to four ounce servings of lightly steamed crucifers each week to prevent cancer development.

Cut Dietary Carbohydrates to Reduce Body Fat and Disease Risk

Many health-conscious individuals understand that the key to optimal health and well-maintained body weight is achieved by adherence to a reduced carbohydrate diet. Extensive scientific evidence now exists to show that elimination of refined carbs, wheat products and sugar help the body to properly regulate abdominal fat stores and significantly lower chronic disease risks to extend lifespan.

The result of a study provided to the Endocrine Society conference in Boston explains that even a modest reduction in carbohydrate-rich foods promotes the loss of deep belly fat and can reduce the risk of developing Type II diabetes, stroke and coronary artery disease.

Low Carbohydrate Diet Lowers Abdominal Fat Stores

The study included 69 overweight but otherwise healthy men and women. Participants were broken into two groups and were fed either a calorie-controlled low-fat (higher carbohydrate) diet or a low-carb (higher fat) diet, each for an eight week period. The diet for the initial eight-week period consisted of a normal weight-maintenance intervention, while the second interval lowered the calories consumed by 1,000 calories per day.

Researchers measured the participants deep abdominal fat at the beginning and end of each dietary phase using computed tomography (CT) and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Based on the result of these tests, researchers were able to determine that participants consuming the carbohydrate-restricted diet had 11% less deep abdominal fat than the group eating the standard diet.

Interestingly, researchers found that ethnic diversity plays an important role as white participants lost more belly fat than those of other racial backgrounds. The scientists believe this is due to the higher fat concentrations seen in whites, and they benefit most from the loss of abdominal fat.

Reduced Calorie, Low-Carb Diet Significantly Lowers Chronic Disease Risks

Due to the reduction of calories in the second eight week phase of the study, both groups lost weight. Those following the carb-restricted diet lost 4% more total abdominal fat than the group fed the lower fat, higher carbohydrate diet. Principal study author Dr. Barbara Gower commented on the results, “For individuals willing to go on a weight-loss diet, a modest reduction in carbohydrate-containing foods may help them preferentially lose fat, rather than lean tissue.”

This study provides support for a wealth of other research showing that the low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet prescribed by physicians and dieticians over the past several decades is a crucial contributing factor to the overweight and obesity epidemic. This type of diet directly contributes to the proliferation of illnesses including diabetes, stroke and cardiovascular disease.

Excess visceral body fat dramatically raises the risk of these diseases that are linked to the excessive consumption of carbohydrate rich foods. Participants in the abdominal fat reduction arm of this study consumed 43% of calories from carbohydrates. Carbohydrate food sources included low glycemic offerings such as leafy greens and many types of vegetables and excluded breads, pasta and sweets known to promote overweight, obesity and chronic disease.