In 1991, 60 Minutes broadcast a story that dealt with a phenomena we have come to know as the "French Paradox". The story posed an important question. How can it be that coronary heart disease rates among French males is significantly lower than the rate for US males when the French consume much more saturated animal fat than Americans? The French Paradox appears on the surface to contradict everything health professionals have been telling us about the rules of healthy eating.
It's instructive to look at the details of how the French and American diets differ.
According to research data cited in Wikipedia, in 2002 the average French person consumed 108 grams of animal fat, while the average American consumed only 72 grams. The French eat four times as much butter, sixty percent more cheese and nearly three times as much pork as Americans. Overall the consumption of saturated fat is much higher in France. Yet astoundingly according to data from the British Heart Foundation for 1999, death among males 35-74 was 230 per 100,000 in the US, but only 83 per 100,000 in France.
How to explain this? The 60 minutes story attributed the French results to the red wine that is a staple of French diets. Many researchers believe red wine is the magic bullet that explains the mystery. This article endorses that finding, while also acknowledging that other factors in the French diet likely contribute to greater longevity. For example the French are less inclined to snack-on-the-run and are not as keen on fast foods as Americans. The French diet in addition tends to be more varied and the portions smaller on average.
Scientists believe the key to the healthful benefits of red wine lie in the antioxidants, or flavonoids. Flavonoids help to reduce the production of LDL, low density lipoprotein - sometimes referred to as "bad" cholesterol. They also have the effect of increasing HDL, high density lipoprotein, the so-called "good" cholesterol. These combined effects help to prevent blood clots and improve the lipid profile overall.
Some researchers claim that the positives of drinking red wine go beyond cardiovascular benefits. A number of studies have discovered that an antioxidant concentrated in the skin of the grape, resveratrol, may actually help inhibit the growth of cancerous tumors. Research into the properties of resveratrol also indicates that it may be helpful in the formation of nerve cells, and so could potentially be a factor in the treatment of neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.
However since resveratrol occurs in wine at very low levels of concentration, it's unlikely that this antioxidant alone can explain the French Paradox. It appears to be best explained by the combination of elements in wine, including the very important oligomeric polyphenols. Some scientists believe that they offer the greatest protection to human blood vessel cells. Interestingly enough these polyphenols are found in greatest concentration in European red wines from specific areas. Wines made from the Tannat grape, grown in the Gers region of south-west France have some of the highest concentrations.
Aside from these Tannat vintages, which wines confer most health benefits? Based on flavonoid count - Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Petit Syrah rank highest. Although Merlot and Zinfandel have become more popular in recent years, they tend to have fewer flavonoids. White wine is even lower on the scale, and the sweeter the white, the fewer the flavonoids.
Although most medical advice recommends moderate wine consumption, new research appears to indicate the contrary. In a study conducted by the Harvard Medical School and National Institute of Aging, large amounts of red wine extract was fed to mice. Even though the mice were fed a high fat diet, they lived a long and healthy life. Scientists hail the results as "spectacular". The death rate for the mice on the wine extract supplement dropped 31%, as compared to the untreated mice. The treated mice also lived longer than average. Another aspect of the study that surprised researchers, was that the organs of the overweight mice that received the extract looked entirely normal.
Scientists caution that it is too soon to tell how these benefits will carry over into humans and that people shouldn't be tempted to overdo the wine consumption on the basis of these results.
Based on the research over the past few years, there is little doubt that red wine does indeed confer significant health benefits. But as I mentioned above, other factors also come into play. The benefits of red wine will be less apparent if a person has a driven lifestyle high on stress, with junk food as the primary diet. But when the eating habits are conducive to a healthy lifestyle the benefits of red wine rank high.
Here's to everyone's good health!
Source: Helium.com
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Hacking the Human Life Span
Four years ago, Stuart Cracraft became a father at age 45. As his twin daughters grow up, he worries that his body and mind might not be able to keep up.
Having recently witnessed his mother's death following a devastating eight-year illness, Cracraft, an IT worker, decided he wanted to try and spare his own daughters such an experience with him.
So he changed his diet, cutting back on sugars and adding plenty of egg protein and fish. He started drinking tea and taking fish-oil supplements and multivitamins. It wasn't exactly a radical regimen, but he was willing to go further.
After three years researching a compound found in red wine called resveratrol, which has been shown to extend life and reduce disease in lab animals, he began taking 50 milligrams a day.
Hope for a fountain of youth may spring eternal, but these days it is surprisingly active among the ranks of highly educated and even scientifically trained professionals -- despite what experts say is a lack of compelling clinical evidence for any particular treatment.
Inventor and artificial intelligence theorist Ray Kurzweil has promoted life extension for years, and revisited the theme in his latest books, Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever and The Singularity Is Near, When Humans Transcend Biology. PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel recently donated $3.5 million to the Methuselah Foundation, the longevity research organization created by Aubrey de Grey, a computer programmer who claims that humans could live for 1,000 years.
Another resveratrol devotee and computer programmer who asked to remain anonymous has gone even further and embraced calorie restriction -- another method unproven in humans that's associated with radical life extension.
"Engineers accept that anyone who understands a system also has the power to change it," he says. "A real engineer refuses to accept bugs in any code, whether his own, his tools, his operating system or his own body."
Resveratrol, which has protected lab animals from heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, seized the public imagination in November when two prominent studies showed that mice taking the compound lived longer and ran farther than mice not taking it. Still, scientists say it's far from certain that it will extend human life.
Waiting for the compound to be tested in humans, however, is not an option at his age, Cracraft says. He expects it will extend human life by about 30 percent, so waiting 10 years could cost him three. Altogether, Cracraft says, "I could get 10 more years."
Dominique Vocat, a 32-year-old IT worker in Basel, Switzerland, is even more optimistic. He figures resveratrol will add a few extra years to his life -- and in the meantime, scientists will develop serious life extension technologies. Then he might live to 200.
"Computer geeks think technology can fix anything," says Steven Austad, a cellular biologist and longevity researcher at the University of Texas. "People in the research community tend to think of mice as small little furry humans with long tails, but they're not. We don't know what it will do."
Clinical studies on resveratrol's human effects are only now beginning. Scientists warn that people taking the compound are conducting an uncontrolled experiment on themselves -- one that could leave them empty-handed or, even worse, make them sick.
History is littered with people who gamble on unproven treatments with unexpected problems.
"Fen-phen and ephedra are classic examples of substances that people thought were useful, and were administered by physicians before proper clinical evaluation," says S. Jay Olshansky, a University of Illinois epidemiologist and longevity expert. "It's the exact same story with human growth hormone: The science came out, wasn't evaluated, and subsequently we discovered problems."
Fen-phen was a popular diet aid until studies showed it could cause sometimes-fatal heart problems and high blood pressure. Ephedra was a popular stimulant until strokes and sudden deaths caused public alarm. The FDA eventually banned it. Human growth hormone -- used off-label to reduce fat and increase energy -- has been linked to diabetes and nerve pain.
Source: Wired.com
Having recently witnessed his mother's death following a devastating eight-year illness, Cracraft, an IT worker, decided he wanted to try and spare his own daughters such an experience with him.
So he changed his diet, cutting back on sugars and adding plenty of egg protein and fish. He started drinking tea and taking fish-oil supplements and multivitamins. It wasn't exactly a radical regimen, but he was willing to go further.
After three years researching a compound found in red wine called resveratrol, which has been shown to extend life and reduce disease in lab animals, he began taking 50 milligrams a day.
"It seems it's more powerful than all the antioxidants put together," Cracraft says. "You get all that in one pill, and it's too good to pass up."
Hope for a fountain of youth may spring eternal, but these days it is surprisingly active among the ranks of highly educated and even scientifically trained professionals -- despite what experts say is a lack of compelling clinical evidence for any particular treatment.
Inventor and artificial intelligence theorist Ray Kurzweil has promoted life extension for years, and revisited the theme in his latest books, Fantastic Voyage: Live Long Enough to Live Forever and The Singularity Is Near, When Humans Transcend Biology. PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel recently donated $3.5 million to the Methuselah Foundation, the longevity research organization created by Aubrey de Grey, a computer programmer who claims that humans could live for 1,000 years.
Another resveratrol devotee and computer programmer who asked to remain anonymous has gone even further and embraced calorie restriction -- another method unproven in humans that's associated with radical life extension.
"Engineers accept that anyone who understands a system also has the power to change it," he says. "A real engineer refuses to accept bugs in any code, whether his own, his tools, his operating system or his own body."
Resveratrol, which has protected lab animals from heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, seized the public imagination in November when two prominent studies showed that mice taking the compound lived longer and ran farther than mice not taking it. Still, scientists say it's far from certain that it will extend human life.
Waiting for the compound to be tested in humans, however, is not an option at his age, Cracraft says. He expects it will extend human life by about 30 percent, so waiting 10 years could cost him three. Altogether, Cracraft says, "I could get 10 more years."
Dominique Vocat, a 32-year-old IT worker in Basel, Switzerland, is even more optimistic. He figures resveratrol will add a few extra years to his life -- and in the meantime, scientists will develop serious life extension technologies. Then he might live to 200.
"Computer geeks think technology can fix anything," says Steven Austad, a cellular biologist and longevity researcher at the University of Texas. "People in the research community tend to think of mice as small little furry humans with long tails, but they're not. We don't know what it will do."
Clinical studies on resveratrol's human effects are only now beginning. Scientists warn that people taking the compound are conducting an uncontrolled experiment on themselves -- one that could leave them empty-handed or, even worse, make them sick.
History is littered with people who gamble on unproven treatments with unexpected problems.
"Fen-phen and ephedra are classic examples of substances that people thought were useful, and were administered by physicians before proper clinical evaluation," says S. Jay Olshansky, a University of Illinois epidemiologist and longevity expert. "It's the exact same story with human growth hormone: The science came out, wasn't evaluated, and subsequently we discovered problems."
Fen-phen was a popular diet aid until studies showed it could cause sometimes-fatal heart problems and high blood pressure. Ephedra was a popular stimulant until strokes and sudden deaths caused public alarm. The FDA eventually banned it. Human growth hormone -- used off-label to reduce fat and increase energy -- has been linked to diabetes and nerve pain.
Source: Wired.com
New Zealand Wine Drinkers Benefit From Lower Blood Pressure
The world’s healthiest wines that protect against heart disease are achieving improvements in blood pressure for NZ consumers consistent with the research and without any lifestyle changes.
A typical testimonial, from Betty of Lower Hutt, reads – “My blood pressure had been around 160 over 80 and I never can get it down below 150. But without any changes to lifestyle, except having the daily glass of Madiran wines, it was measured last week at the hospital as 126 over 60. My doctor will fall off his chair.
The GROUNDBREAKING research by Professor Roger Corder has established that;
This is the REAL French Paradox.
Customers of the heart healthy Madiran wines from online wine retailer www.lifestylewines.co.nz are reporting blood pressure improvements consistent with Prof Corder’s research.
Consumers’ experiences and their testimonials support the research that after 2 weeks of just one glass per day, their high blood pressure has noticeably reduced. This is a very compelling health strategy for the over 40 age group, to both prevent and take action against cardiovascular disease. Dr Serge Renaud, who first proposed the French Paradox, supports the research and conclusions of Prof Corder.
Uniquely and utterly compelling about Procyanidins and the heart healthy red wines is -
The British Heart Foundation - quoted Nov 07
Prof Pearson, associate director of the BHF, said in regards to healthy red wines "Maybe it's time we revised our policy,", "I think that perhaps we are being too cautious. We've always been reluctant to promote alcohol because of the obvious risks of over-drinking, but I think there's enough evidence now for us to have a re-think".
Source: "Scoop"
A typical testimonial, from Betty of Lower Hutt, reads – “My blood pressure had been around 160 over 80 and I never can get it down below 150. But without any changes to lifestyle, except having the daily glass of Madiran wines, it was measured last week at the hospital as 126 over 60. My doctor will fall off his chair.
The GROUNDBREAKING research by Professor Roger Corder has established that;
- Procyanidin antioxidant polyphenols lower blood pressure
- Procyanidins reduce the risk of clot formation and blockage of the arteries
- Procyanidins decrease atherosclerosis by reducing oxidation of bad LDL-cholesterol
- French Madiran wines have the highest levels of procyanidins
- The Appellation Madiran and other traditionally made wines from SW France have up to 10 times more procyanidin content than “new-world” anytime drinking red wines. Few wines have these high concentrations of procyanidins. Other foods rich in procyanidins are dark chocolate, walnuts, cranberries, certain apple varieties and pomegranates.
This is the REAL French Paradox.
Customers of the heart healthy Madiran wines from online wine retailer www.lifestylewines.co.nz are reporting blood pressure improvements consistent with Prof Corder’s research.
Consumers’ experiences and their testimonials support the research that after 2 weeks of just one glass per day, their high blood pressure has noticeably reduced. This is a very compelling health strategy for the over 40 age group, to both prevent and take action against cardiovascular disease. Dr Serge Renaud, who first proposed the French Paradox, supports the research and conclusions of Prof Corder.
Uniquely and utterly compelling about Procyanidins and the heart healthy red wines is -
- Epidemiological studies reveal populations that consume high dose procyanidin foods in their regular daily diet have the greatest longevity
- Official French census data shows the local population in this region has double the French national average of men over 90 years
- In this region they do NOT have the Mediterranean diet, it is quite unhealthy in many regards
- Corder’s research conducted on cultured human tissue – not other animals
- Procyanidins in these wines is a cardiovascular healthy compound in very high naturally occurring doses – the wines are part of a natural diet. Conversely many unnaturally high-dose supplements are not proven as safe for humans over long periods of consumption.
- The Lifestylewines.co.nz range of traditionally made French red wines are tested to be sure they have the highest concentrations of procyanidins. They are up to 10 times more cardiovascular health potent than the average new-world (soft, sweet, easy drinking) style red wines
- Other research has stated that these polyphenols in red wine also protect against the dangers of strokes, diabetes, dementia and certain cancers
The British Heart Foundation - quoted Nov 07
Prof Pearson, associate director of the BHF, said in regards to healthy red wines "Maybe it's time we revised our policy,", "I think that perhaps we are being too cautious. We've always been reluctant to promote alcohol because of the obvious risks of over-drinking, but I think there's enough evidence now for us to have a re-think".
Source: "Scoop"
Lose Weight and Feel Younger
Women can drop pounds and turn back the clock with Good Housekeeping's smart eating guidelines. The secret to the weight-zapping, youth-boosting diet: swapping empty-calorie dishes loaded with unhealthy fats (which accelerate the aging process by triggering chronic, body-wide inflammation) for nutrition-dense, antioxidant-rich alternatives.
Here's what you need to know:
Choose produce
Berries are antioxidant-rich, meaning they combat free radicals (molecules linked to chronic inflammation, the possible root of most chronic diseases). Berries' beauty bonus: They're chock-full of vitamin C, another potent antioxidant that may help keep your complexion looking smooth.
To keep your vision sharp, set your sights on spinach and other dark leafy greens. These veggies are prime sources of lutein and zea-xan -- thin, plant pigments that protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.
Eat enough protein
Starting in your 40s, muscle mass begins to decline by up to 1 percent a year. That drop slows metabolism, which makes the pounds pile on more easily. To hang on to your metabolism-boosting muscle -- and keep you feeling full after meals (another protein plus) -- experts recommend eating plenty of skinless chicken and turkey breast, lean beef and pork, eggs, beans and seafood.
And don't forget protein-rich dairy: Minerals (primarily calcium, phosphorus and potassium) in fat-free milk and yogurt as well as low-fat cheeses help to keep blood pressure healthy and bones strong.
Try omega-3-rich fish
Fatty acids in seafood help quench the flames of chronic inflammation and may also improve your mood and attitude. The omega-3s in fatty fish like salmon and tuna have the most potent anti-inflammatory effects. But it's smart to consume omega-3s from plant sources, like walnuts and flaxseed, too -- especially if you're not fond of fish.
Select whole grains
A meal plan loaded with whole grains helps you stay slim, thanks, in part, to fiber's role in appetite control. Their low rankings on the glycemic index (a system that rates the effect of different carbohydrates on blood sugar levels) may also play a role.
Whole grains also offer protection against diabetes, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, high blood pressure and gum disease. These benefits are tied to the array of vitamins, minerals, plant chemicals and, again, fiber that work together to promote health.
Exercise
A recent study found that running, in particular, promotes a long, independent life. Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine followed a group of runners and non-runners for 21 years and found that elderly runners put off age-related disabilities for 16 years beyond their non-running counterparts. Runners also lived longer and were less likely to die from heart disease, stroke, cancer and neurological conditions.
While this study examined running, 30 minutes of more moderate aerobic activity, five days a week, will keep you healthy, according to recently released guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Sports Medicine.
Drink red wine
The ruby beverage's resveratrol is a potent antioxidant, inflammation damper and artery protector. Limit yourself to one five-ounce glass a day; more could be harmful.
On another matter
You can't always predict cashmere quality by just looks. Here are tips to make better buys, from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute textiles expert Kathleen Huddy: Check for two-ply yarn. One-ply is weaker and will pill easily. Place your hand behind one layer of the fabric, and hold it up to the light. If you can see the color of your skin, the material is too thin. Turn it inside out and check if the armholes, collars, cuffs and waist ribbing are knit into the body of the sweater. If they're just sewn on, they may tear at the seams.
The scoop on supplements
Here's what Good Housekeeping says women need to know about taking supplements. Following is a breakdown of particular supplements, the recommended daily dosage and explanation
Multivitamin Standard formula with 800 to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D. Recommended when you're cutting calories, but avoid multis with iron. Excess amounts of this mineral may be harmful.
Calcium 500 mg. If you're getting about 850 mg of dairy through food, you can make up the difference with a 500-mg supplement.
Omega 3s 1,000 mg of EPA plus DHA. Take if you don't eat fatty fish twice a week or if you have heart disease.
Source: Roanoke.com
Here's what you need to know:
Choose produce
Berries are antioxidant-rich, meaning they combat free radicals (molecules linked to chronic inflammation, the possible root of most chronic diseases). Berries' beauty bonus: They're chock-full of vitamin C, another potent antioxidant that may help keep your complexion looking smooth.
To keep your vision sharp, set your sights on spinach and other dark leafy greens. These veggies are prime sources of lutein and zea-xan -- thin, plant pigments that protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet light.
Eat enough protein
Starting in your 40s, muscle mass begins to decline by up to 1 percent a year. That drop slows metabolism, which makes the pounds pile on more easily. To hang on to your metabolism-boosting muscle -- and keep you feeling full after meals (another protein plus) -- experts recommend eating plenty of skinless chicken and turkey breast, lean beef and pork, eggs, beans and seafood.
And don't forget protein-rich dairy: Minerals (primarily calcium, phosphorus and potassium) in fat-free milk and yogurt as well as low-fat cheeses help to keep blood pressure healthy and bones strong.
Try omega-3-rich fish
Fatty acids in seafood help quench the flames of chronic inflammation and may also improve your mood and attitude. The omega-3s in fatty fish like salmon and tuna have the most potent anti-inflammatory effects. But it's smart to consume omega-3s from plant sources, like walnuts and flaxseed, too -- especially if you're not fond of fish.
Select whole grains
A meal plan loaded with whole grains helps you stay slim, thanks, in part, to fiber's role in appetite control. Their low rankings on the glycemic index (a system that rates the effect of different carbohydrates on blood sugar levels) may also play a role.
Whole grains also offer protection against diabetes, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, high blood pressure and gum disease. These benefits are tied to the array of vitamins, minerals, plant chemicals and, again, fiber that work together to promote health.
Exercise
A recent study found that running, in particular, promotes a long, independent life. Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine followed a group of runners and non-runners for 21 years and found that elderly runners put off age-related disabilities for 16 years beyond their non-running counterparts. Runners also lived longer and were less likely to die from heart disease, stroke, cancer and neurological conditions.
While this study examined running, 30 minutes of more moderate aerobic activity, five days a week, will keep you healthy, according to recently released guidelines from the American Heart Association and American College of Sports Medicine.
Drink red wine
The ruby beverage's resveratrol is a potent antioxidant, inflammation damper and artery protector. Limit yourself to one five-ounce glass a day; more could be harmful.
On another matter
You can't always predict cashmere quality by just looks. Here are tips to make better buys, from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute textiles expert Kathleen Huddy: Check for two-ply yarn. One-ply is weaker and will pill easily. Place your hand behind one layer of the fabric, and hold it up to the light. If you can see the color of your skin, the material is too thin. Turn it inside out and check if the armholes, collars, cuffs and waist ribbing are knit into the body of the sweater. If they're just sewn on, they may tear at the seams.
The scoop on supplements
Here's what Good Housekeeping says women need to know about taking supplements. Following is a breakdown of particular supplements, the recommended daily dosage and explanation
Multivitamin Standard formula with 800 to 1,000 IUs of vitamin D. Recommended when you're cutting calories, but avoid multis with iron. Excess amounts of this mineral may be harmful.
Calcium 500 mg. If you're getting about 850 mg of dairy through food, you can make up the difference with a 500-mg supplement.
Omega 3s 1,000 mg of EPA plus DHA. Take if you don't eat fatty fish twice a week or if you have heart disease.
Source: Roanoke.com
Best-of-the-Best Heart Healthy Foods: R is for Red Wine
Several years ago, a group of researchers from around the world set out to find which among a select group of known heart-healthy foods was actually the healthiest. The answer: red wine.
They found that drinking five ounces of red wine in and of itself has the ability to reduce the risk of heart disease by 32 percent. The other foods and their contribution to saving heart health:
Garlic: 1-to-2 cloves a day – 25%
Chocolate: 3.5 oz. a day – 21%
Fruits and vegetables: 14 ounces a day – 21%
Fish: 4 oz. a day – 14%
Almonds: 2.5 ounces a day – 12.5%
A few years ago, I interviewed R. Curtis Ellison, M.D., one of America’s leading heart researchers and the person who coined the phrase “The French Paradox.” It was his observation that red wine was the reason the French have a low rate of heart disease even though they eat a diet rich in butter, cream and cheese.
He told me that moderate drinking – and this holds true for alcohol in all its consumable forms – has been found to promote a healthy heart in a variety of ways, but its most dramatic effect is its influence on the levels of cholesterol in the blood. It helps lower bad LDL cholesterol, but more importantly it markedly increases the levels of heart-protecting HDL cholesterol.
Studies have found that moderate drinkers are much less likely to form arterial clots that lead to a heart attack or stroke than heavy drinkers or people who don’t drink at all. And, if clots form, they are more likely to dissolve rapidly in moderate drinkers. Though these findings hold true for all alcohol, the most significant benefits come from drinking wine.
The Fruit of the Vine
What wine contains and hard liquor lacks are polyphenols, special nutrients found in plant foods. Wine contains more than 500 active substances, but two polyphenols in particular have been the focus of scientific study: resveratrol and saponins.
Scientists believe that these substances (and possibly others) work in synergy to alter blood chemistry in ways that help lower cholesterol and prevent other processes that lead to hardening of the arteries.
The plant of note is the grape vine and the wine of choice is red, because it is abundantly richer in polyphenols than white. Heart-protecting polyphenols are concentrated in the skin and seeds, which are used in making red wine but are removed to make white wine.
Not only does red wine contain more polyphenols, but scientists believe that the fermenting process that turns the grapes into red wine concentrates and expands the action of the nutrients. As a result, the polyphenol content of red wine has been found to be as much as 10 times greater than it is in white. You can, however, get benefits from white wine, but just not as many.
One Glass a Day
The operative word for all alcohol consumption is moderation. For women that means one five-ounce glass of wine every day or at least five days a week. For men, moderation is considered two glasses.
This does not mean you can save it up and have all your drinks over one or two nights. The beneficial effects, according to Dr. Ellison, may last only 24 to 36 hours after the wine is consumed.
The second caveat is that wine is not considered a healthy benefit for people who cannot drink or should not drink for other health reasons.
Source: Examiner.com
They found that drinking five ounces of red wine in and of itself has the ability to reduce the risk of heart disease by 32 percent. The other foods and their contribution to saving heart health:
Garlic: 1-to-2 cloves a day – 25%
Chocolate: 3.5 oz. a day – 21%
Fruits and vegetables: 14 ounces a day – 21%
Fish: 4 oz. a day – 14%
Almonds: 2.5 ounces a day – 12.5%
A few years ago, I interviewed R. Curtis Ellison, M.D., one of America’s leading heart researchers and the person who coined the phrase “The French Paradox.” It was his observation that red wine was the reason the French have a low rate of heart disease even though they eat a diet rich in butter, cream and cheese.
He told me that moderate drinking – and this holds true for alcohol in all its consumable forms – has been found to promote a healthy heart in a variety of ways, but its most dramatic effect is its influence on the levels of cholesterol in the blood. It helps lower bad LDL cholesterol, but more importantly it markedly increases the levels of heart-protecting HDL cholesterol.
Studies have found that moderate drinkers are much less likely to form arterial clots that lead to a heart attack or stroke than heavy drinkers or people who don’t drink at all. And, if clots form, they are more likely to dissolve rapidly in moderate drinkers. Though these findings hold true for all alcohol, the most significant benefits come from drinking wine.
The Fruit of the Vine
What wine contains and hard liquor lacks are polyphenols, special nutrients found in plant foods. Wine contains more than 500 active substances, but two polyphenols in particular have been the focus of scientific study: resveratrol and saponins.
Scientists believe that these substances (and possibly others) work in synergy to alter blood chemistry in ways that help lower cholesterol and prevent other processes that lead to hardening of the arteries.
The plant of note is the grape vine and the wine of choice is red, because it is abundantly richer in polyphenols than white. Heart-protecting polyphenols are concentrated in the skin and seeds, which are used in making red wine but are removed to make white wine.
Not only does red wine contain more polyphenols, but scientists believe that the fermenting process that turns the grapes into red wine concentrates and expands the action of the nutrients. As a result, the polyphenol content of red wine has been found to be as much as 10 times greater than it is in white. You can, however, get benefits from white wine, but just not as many.
One Glass a Day
The operative word for all alcohol consumption is moderation. For women that means one five-ounce glass of wine every day or at least five days a week. For men, moderation is considered two glasses.
This does not mean you can save it up and have all your drinks over one or two nights. The beneficial effects, according to Dr. Ellison, may last only 24 to 36 hours after the wine is consumed.
The second caveat is that wine is not considered a healthy benefit for people who cannot drink or should not drink for other health reasons.
Source: Examiner.com
Good News For Resveratrol And Prostate Cancer Prevention
You may have heard recently about resveratrol and prostate cancer prevention in the media, as it is being tipped as a major force for the future in the fight against cancer.
This amazing nutrient is found in nature, with high concentrations in Japanese Knotweed, red grape skins, blueberries and peanuts. This is why resveratrol prostate cancer studies have found that red wine is a good source if taken in enough quantities, as the grape skins are fermented longer.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have announced the results of a study in which mice that were fed resveratrol were 87% less likely to develop the most deadly form of prostate cancer (compared with mice not fed with it).
This is good news for resveratrol and prostate cancer prevention and furthermore these studies showed that of the mice that did then get prostate cancer, they were 48% less likely to suffer from a serious tumour.
It has been proven to fight cancer in all three stages: initiation, promotion and progression, which is quite a big deal seeing as though we are only just getting to grips with this nutrient.
The main reason for this is that it is a very powerful antioxidant, which is proven not only to fight cancer but also reverse the aging process. In fact, it is being hailed as one of the most exciting substances ever found to aid the extension of life and slow aging.
So it is not only the resveratrol and prostate cancer link which is cause all the excitement but many others too such as helping with Alzheimer's and diabetes.
All this is especially great news for men, that we can potentially fight off this increasingly common disease.
So apart from consuming copious amounts of red wine, how can we get the benefits of resveratrol?
Today, the most effective way is in the form of a combined health supplement, but make sure they only use natural synergetic ingredients, with at least 20mg of natural 50% trans-resveratrol, which is the most active type.
For example, resveratrol combines well with green tea extract among others, and it is this beneficial interaction or synergy that greatly amplifies its power to fight cancer, and many other diseases.
In closing I hope that this info on resveratrol and prostate cancer has highlighted what this amazing nutrient can do, especially when taken in a multi health supplement.
Perhaps in the future, as we become more and more aware, we could help to eradicate this deadly disease by taking preventative steps, rather than looking for a cure.
Source: Articlesbase.com
This amazing nutrient is found in nature, with high concentrations in Japanese Knotweed, red grape skins, blueberries and peanuts. This is why resveratrol prostate cancer studies have found that red wine is a good source if taken in enough quantities, as the grape skins are fermented longer.
Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have announced the results of a study in which mice that were fed resveratrol were 87% less likely to develop the most deadly form of prostate cancer (compared with mice not fed with it).
This is good news for resveratrol and prostate cancer prevention and furthermore these studies showed that of the mice that did then get prostate cancer, they were 48% less likely to suffer from a serious tumour.
It has been proven to fight cancer in all three stages: initiation, promotion and progression, which is quite a big deal seeing as though we are only just getting to grips with this nutrient.
The main reason for this is that it is a very powerful antioxidant, which is proven not only to fight cancer but also reverse the aging process. In fact, it is being hailed as one of the most exciting substances ever found to aid the extension of life and slow aging.
So it is not only the resveratrol and prostate cancer link which is cause all the excitement but many others too such as helping with Alzheimer's and diabetes.
All this is especially great news for men, that we can potentially fight off this increasingly common disease.
So apart from consuming copious amounts of red wine, how can we get the benefits of resveratrol?
Today, the most effective way is in the form of a combined health supplement, but make sure they only use natural synergetic ingredients, with at least 20mg of natural 50% trans-resveratrol, which is the most active type.
For example, resveratrol combines well with green tea extract among others, and it is this beneficial interaction or synergy that greatly amplifies its power to fight cancer, and many other diseases.
In closing I hope that this info on resveratrol and prostate cancer has highlighted what this amazing nutrient can do, especially when taken in a multi health supplement.
Perhaps in the future, as we become more and more aware, we could help to eradicate this deadly disease by taking preventative steps, rather than looking for a cure.
Source: Articlesbase.com
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