Archive for December, 2009

Blueberries and Antioxidant Activity

Friday December 04, 2009

Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with the aging process. Fresh fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables contain many of these naturally occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E.  Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries.  In addition, blueberries contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants.  Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity.  Using a test called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), researchers have shown that a serving of fresh blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables.  Read a research excerpt on the antioxidant activity of blueberries.

Source: blueberry.org

Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with the aging process. Fresh fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables contain many of these naturally occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E.  Blueberries contain 14 mg of Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries.  In addition, blueberries contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants. Based on data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA), blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity.  Using a test called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), researchers have shown that a serving of fresh blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other fresh fruits and vegetables.  Read a research excerpt on the antioxidant activity of blueberries.

Blueberries and Aging

In a USDA Human Nutrition Research Center laboratory, neuroscientists discovered that feeding blueberries to laboratory rats slowed age-related loss in their mental capacity, a finding that has important implications for humans.

In one study, Jim Joseph, director of the neuroscience laboratory in the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center (HNRC), fed blueberry extractions—the equivalent of a human eating one cup of blueberries a day—to mice and then ran them through a series of motor skills tests.

He found that the blueberry-fed mice performed better than their control group counterparts in motor behavioral learning and memory, and he noticed an increase in exploratory behavior. When he examined their brains, he found a marked decrease in oxidative stress in two regions of the brain and better retention of signal-transmitting neurons compared with the control mice.

The compound that appears responsible for this neuron protection, anthocyanin, also gives blueberries their color and might be the key component of the blueberry’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Blueberries, along with other colorful fruits and vegetables, test high in their ability to subdue free radicals. These free radicals, which can damage cell membranes and DNA through a process known as oxidative stress, are blamed for many of the dysfunctions and diseases associated with aging.

These findings could become increasingly important as the U.S. population ages. It is projected that by 2050, more than 30% of Americans will be over 65 and will have the decreased cognitive and motor function that accompanies advanced age. Joseph is currently testing the effects of blueberries on humans. Preliminary results show that people who ate a cup of blueberries a day have performed 5–6% better on motor skills tests than the control group.  Read research excerpts on blueberries and aging.

Blueberries and Health

Researchers at Rutgers University in New Jersey have identified compounds in blueberries called proanthocyanidins that promote urinary tract health and reduce the risk of infection by preventing bacteria from adhering to the cells that line the walls of the urinary tract.  Read the full health research excerpts

Some benefits of drinking Euforia

Wednesday December 02, 2009

Euforia can be an important component of a healthy lifestyle. The power of Euforia comes from the perfect blending of natural resources, the wisdom of ancient civilizations, and the knowledge of modern science. For centuries, many ancient civilizations have identified Euforia’s ingredients as a potent source for better body, mind and spirit. In fact, Euforia’s 11 principal ingredients have long been considered sources for improving health and wellness, but for your optimal health and well being, a long history is not enough to prove its worthiness. That’s why NuVerus backs up this ancient wisdom with the latest modern science.

Noni Health in Euforia

Tuesday December 01, 2009
Noni Plant

Noni Plant

Noni is known as one of nature’s most amazing fruits. Morinda Citrifolia originated in Southeast Asia and was spread throughout the Pacific islands.  Over two thousand years ago it is believed that the ancient people of French Poly- nesia brought the Noni plant with them as a food and medicine when they colonized the islands of the South Pacific.  Natives of the Pacific used this fruit to sustain life and restore balance.  The Noni tree, and more specifically its fruit, have been scientifically studied for decades.  Some scientific studies suggest that Noni’s plant extracts have anti-fungal, anti-tumor and immune enhancing properties.  It may also be key in preventing arterial plaque formation.

Green tea reduces risk of blood cancers 42%

Tuesday December 01, 2009
Tea Plantation

Tea Plantation

(Natural News) A Japanese green tea study has determined impressive results regarding the reduction of blood and lymph cancers. Tohoku University researchers found a 42 percent reduction for blood cancers and 48 percent reduction for lymph cancers with high green tea consumption.

To arrive at these results, they analyzed the age, gender, lifestyle and health of 40,000 Japanese over a ten-year period. The epidemiological studies (statistical observations over time) of Japan have been bolstered with western clinical application and lab studies that revealed interesting observations.

For example, the Mayo Clinic of Minnesota fed leukemia patients large doses of GTE’s (green tea extracts) and discovered immediate benefits in their patients. However, the doctors consider GTE’s a helpful adjunct to orthodox cancer treatments. They declined the notion of using GTE’s exclusively or in conjunction with other natural cancer treatments.

Researchers in Spain and England isolated the mechanics of green tea’s inhibition of cancer cells. Their research was published back in the March 2005 issue of Cancer Research. They found that ECGC, an extremely abundant catechin in green teas inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR).

Catechins are active polyphenolic antioxidant metabolites in green tea. The DHFR enzymes they inhibit are needed by cancer cells to proliferate. Upon closer scrutiny of green tea ECGC, they determined that its molecular structure closely resembles that of the cancer drug methotrexate used in chemotherapy.

The good news is that the binding properties of ECGC is not as intense as the drug methotrexate. Therefore, the side effects of green tea are minimal. But there is one situation where green tea’s ECGC binding to DHFR can be detrimental: ECGC binding to DHFR can inhibit the folic acid needed by women pregnant in their first trimester. This situation has been shown to increase the risk of her child being born with spina bifida or other fetal neurological disorders.

Because of this, it is recommended that women curb their green tea consumption just prior to pregnancy and during the first trimester.

Source: http://www.naturalnews.com/027432_green_tea_cancer_cancers.html

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