Monthly Archives: January 2013

AAP touts reasons to go organic

A clinical report published online in October by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) highlighted the attributes of organic foods and provided guidance to parents as to healthy food choices.

They cited the following contributions of organic foods:

. Lower exposure to pesticides known to cause disease.

. Lower exposure to drug-resistant bacteria.

. Higher beneficial nutrient levels.   

. Lower levels of detrimental substances such as nitrates.                                                                                        

. Yields comparable to those of conventional farming techniques while avoiding environmental pollution and reducing fossil fuel consumption.     

 . Lower pesticide exposure for farm workers

. Lower overall environmental impact than conventional farming.                                                                                                           

They warn that scientific research demonstrates that pregnant women and children are uniquely vulnerable to exposure to pesticides. It would make sense to consider that the rest of us could be affected too. So next time you shop for food weigh organic pricing vs. supermarket offerings. It may be a tad higher, but then what is your health worth and how much will you eventually spend on doctors and medicine when the toxins catch up with your immune system.

-excerpted from Vitamin Retailer, Jan. 2013

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Red wine – resveratrol – anti-cancer aid.

Another good reason to drink red wine!

wineNew info from Cancer Science: Michael Nicholl, an assistant professor of surgical oncology in the Univ. Missouri School of Medicine found that when exposed to resveratrol, tumor cells were more susceptible to radiation treatment and produced better results than when each was used alone.  Previous studies suggested resveratrol helped reduce inflammation and inhibited the final phase of multistage carcinogenesis as well as suppressed cell growth. Now they have found it enhances radiation effectiveness.

 

The thinking is that it increases the activity of perforin and granzyme B, which are necessary to kill the tumor cells. Resveratrol is derived from peanuts, mulberry skins, grape skins and red wine. It has been known to reduce the risk of heart disease and inflammation due to its antioxidant properties. In a recent laboratory study it was shown to inhibit prostate cancer androgens – a group of hormones that play a role in male traits and reproductive activity. It is also believed that resveratrol works as an effective anti-aging ingredient because it is thought to stimulate a gene that helps to slow down the aging process. The most common concern regarding resveratrol side effects is that it has estrogen related properties; as such, if it is taken by women with estrogen sensitivities, it might pose mild health risks. Therefore, such women should consult with their doctor before use. Other side effects of resveratrol involve its blood thinning properties; people taking blood thinning medications should check with their physician before taking this supplement. But generally few people have any problem using this amazing supplement. For more informationhttp://bit.ly/VZaEWn