Glutathione: The Mother of All Antioxidants

It's the most important molecule you need to stay healthy and prevent disease - yet you've probably never heard of it. It's the secret to prevent aging, cancer, heart disease, dementia and more, and necessary to treat everything from autism to Alzheimer's disease. There are more than 89,000 medical articles about it - but your doctor doesn't know how address the epidemic deficiency of this critical life-giving molecul. 

What is it? I'm talking about the mother of all antioxidants, the master detoxifier and maestro of the immune system: GLUTATHIONE (pronounced "gloota-thigh-own").

The good news is that your body produces its own glutathione. The bad news is that poor diet, pollution, toxins, medications, stress, trauma, aging, infections and radiation all deplete your glutathione.

This leaves you susceptible to unrestrained cell disintegration from oxidative stress, free radicals, infections and cancer. And your liver gets overloaded and damaged, making it unable to do its job of detoxification.

Glutathione deficiency is found in nearly all very ill patients. These include people with chronic fatigue syndrome, heart disease, cancer, chronic infections, autoimmune disease, diabetes, autism, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, arthritis, asthma, kidney problems, liver disease and more.

At first I thought that this was just a coincidental finding, but over the years I have come to realize that our ability to produce and maintain a high level of glutathione is critical to recovery from nearly all chronic illness -- and to preventing disease and maintaining optimal health and performance. The authors of those 76,000 medical articles on glutathione I mentioned earlier have found the same thing!

So in today's blog I want to explain what glutathione is, why it's important and give you 9 tips that will help you optimize your glutathione levels, improve your detoxification system and protect help yourself from chronic illness.

What is Glutathione?

Glutathione is a very simple molecule that is produced naturally all the time in your body. It is a combination of three simple building blocks of protein or Amino Acids - cysteine, glycine and glutamine. 

The secret of its power is the sulfur (SH) chemical groups it contains. Sulfur is a sticky, smelly molecule. It acts like fly paper and all the bad things in the body stick onto it, including free radicals and toxins like mercury and other heavy metals.

Normally glutathione is recycled in the body - except when the toxic load becomes too great. And that explains why we are in such trouble.

In my practice, I test the genes involved in glutathione metabolism. These are the genes involved in producing enzymes that allow the body to create and recycle glutathione in the body. These genes have many names, such as GSTM1, GSTP1 and more. 

These genes impaired in some people for a variety of important reasons. We humans evolved in a time before the 80,000 toxic industrial chemicals found in our environment today were introduced into our world, before electromagnetic radiation was everywhere and before we polluted our skies, lakes, rivers, oceans and teeth with mercury and lead. 

That is why most people survived with the basic version of the genetic detoxification software encoded in our DNA, which is mediocre at ridding the body of toxins. At the time humans evolved we just didn't need more. Who knew we would be poisoning ourselves and eating a processed, nutrient-depleted diet thousands of years later?

Because most of us didn't require additional detoxification software, almost of half of the population now has a limited capacity to get rid of toxins. These people are missing GSTM1 function - one of the most important genes needed in the process of creating and recycling glutathione in the body.

Nearly all my very sick patients are missing this function. The one-third of our population that suffers from chronic disease is missing this essential gene. That includes me. Twenty years ago I became mercury poisoned and suffered from chronic fatigue syndrome due to this very problem. My GSTM1 function was inadequate and I didn't produce enough glutathione as a result. Eventually, my body broke down and I became extremely ill.

This is the same problem I see in so many of my patients. They are missing this critical gene and they descend into disease as a result. Let me explain how this happens.

The Importance of Glutathione in Protecting Against Chronic Illness

Glutathione is critical for one simple reason: It recycles antioxidants. You see, dealing with free radicals is like handing off a hot potato. They get passed around from vitamin C to vitamin E to lipoic acid and then finally to glutathione which cools off the free radicals and recycles other antioxidants. After this happens, the body can "reduce" or regenerate another protective glutathione molecule and we are back in business.

However, problems occur when we are overwhelmed with too much oxidative stress or too many toxins. Then the glutathione becomes depleted and we can no longer protect ourselves against free radicals, infections, or cancer and we can't get rid of toxins. This leads to further sickness and soon we are in the downward spiral of chronic illness.

But that's not all. Glutathione is also critical in helping your immune system do its job of fighting infections and preventing cancer. That's why studies show that it can help in the treatment of AIDS.

Glutathione is also the most critical and integral part of your detoxification system. All the toxins stick onto glutathione, which then carries them into the bile and the stool - and out of your body.

And lastly, it also helps us reach peak mental and physical function. Research has shown that raised glutathione levels decrease muscle damage, reduce recovery time, increase strength and endurance and shift metabolism from fat production to muscle development.

If you are sick or old or are just not in peak shape, you likely have glutathione deficiency. 

In fact, the top British medical journal, the Lancet, found the highest glutathione levels in healthy young people, lower levels in healthy elderly, lower still in sick elderly and the lowest of all in the hospitalized elderly.

Keeping yourself healthy, boosting your performance, preventing disease and aging well depends on keeping your glutathione levels high. I'll say it again. Glutathione is so important because it is responsible for keeping so many of the keys to UltraWellness optimized. 

It is critical for immune function and controlling inflammation. It is the master detoxifier and the body's main antioxidant, protecting our cells and making our energy metabolism run well.

And the good news is that you can do many things to increase this natural and critical molecule in your body. You can eat glutathione-boosting foods. You can exercise. And you can take glutathione-boosting supplements. Let's review more specifics about each.

9 Tips to Optimize your Glutathione Levels

These 9 tips will help you improve your glutathione levels, improve your health, optimize your performance and live a long, healthy life.

Eat Foods that Support Glutathione Production

1. Consume sulfur-rich foods. The main ones in the diet are garlic, onions and the cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, kale, collards, cabbage, cauliflower, watercress, etc.).

2. Try bioactive whey protein. This is great source of cysteine and the amino acid building blocks for glutathione synthesis. As you know, I am not a big fan of dairy. But this is an exception -- with a few warnings. The whey protein MUST be bioactive and made from non-denatured proteins ("denaturing" refers to the breakdown of the normal protein structure). Choose non-pasteurized and non-industrially produced milk that contains no pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics. Immunocal is a prescription bioactive non-denatured whey protein that is even listed in the Physician's Desk Reference.

Exercise for Your Way to More Glutathione

3. Exercise boosts your glutathione levels and thereby helps boost your immune system, improve detoxification and enhance your body's own antioxidant defenses. Start slow and build up to 30 minutes a day of vigorous aerobic exercise like walking or jogging, or play various sports. Strength training for 20 minutes 3 times a week is also helpful.

Take Glutathione Supporting Supplements

One would think it would be easy just to take glutathione as a pill, but the body digests protein - so you wouldn't get the benefits if you did it this way. However, the production and recycling of glutathione in the body requires many different nutrients and you CAN take these. Here are the main supplements that need to be taken consistently to boost glutathione. Besides taking a multivitamin and fish oil, supporting my glutathione levels with these supplements is the most important thing I do every day for my personal health.

4. N-acetyl-cysteine. This has been used for years to help treat asthma and lung disease and to treat people with life-threatening liver failure from Tylenol overdose. In fact, I first learned about it in medical school while working in the emergency room. It is even given to prevent kidney damage from dyes used during x-ray studies.

5. Alpha lipoic acid. This is a close second to glutathione in importance in our cells and is involved in energy production, blood sugar control, brain health and detoxification. The body usually makes it, but given all the stresses we are under, we often become depleted.

6. Methylation nutrients (folate and vitamins B6 and B12). These are perhaps the most critical to keep the body producing glutathione. Methylation and the production and recycling of glutathione are the two most important biochemical functions in your body. Take folate (especially in the active form of 5 methyltetrahydrofolate), B6 (in active form of P5P) and B12 (in the active form of methylcobalamin). 

7. Selenium. This important mineral helps the body recycle and produce more glutathione.

8. A family of antioxidants including vitamins C and E (in the form of mixed tocopherols), work together to recycle glutathione.

9. Milk thistle (silymarin) has long been used in liver disease and helps boost glutathione levels.

So use these nine tips and see how they work to help you optimzie your glutathione levels. When you do, you will take one more step to lifelong vibrant health.

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Does immune system depend on the connection 
between vitamin C and glucose?

Vitamin C is naturally produced by most living beings, except humans, chimpanzees and guinea pig. For example, dogs and cats body produce vitamin C from food being metabolized into glucose. People should instead consider regular use of vitamin C in foods consumed or risk serious health problems. There is a very close relationship between blood glucose and vitamin C, relationship that is particularly important at the level of immunity and cellular health.

Most plants and animals are able to synthesize vitamin C directly. This is possible through a chain of biochemical transformations depend on the actions of four essential enzymes that convert glucose into vitamin C. In mammals, glucose is extracted from deposits of sugar (glycogen) and the transformation of vitamin C is produced in the liver.

The reason people are unable to synthesize vitamin C alone is because they lack an enzyme critical to the last stage of transformation - L-gunolactona oxidase. Also, people need considerable amounts of vitamin C to build collagen tissue and to improve immunity. When low levels of vitamin C in the body, it reuses vitamin C oxidized deposits. Reoxidativ cycle continues as long as there is enough enzyme glutathione.

In the 70s Dr. John Ely discovered the theory of antagonism glucose-ascorbate. Glucose and vitamin C have a close chemical structure. This theory says that elevated levels of blood glucose and even restrict acts against vitamin C to penetrate into cells to be assimilated. Both glucose and vitamin C are dependent on insulin - hormone secreted by the pancreas - and signals from it to penetrate into cells.

GLUT-1 receptor

There is an important receptor called GLUT-1 (engl. Glucose Transporter 1 - glucose transporter no. 1) which is activated automatically in response to the signal from insulin to glucose and vitamin C access within cells. The high affinity receptor in the GLUT-1, which translates into: the more the amount of glucose in the blood is higher, the less vitamin C is allowed in cells.

White blood cells contain the highest amount of vitamin C (about 20 times the normal amount of a cell) and need up to 50 times more vitamin C to function at normal parameters to ensure processes and oxidative stress Oxidative when common pathogenic substance.

Elevated levels of blood sugar decreases phagocytic ability

When white blood cells - leukocytes - meet pathogens - bacteria and viruses - have to ingest - a process called phagocytosis - to neutralize them. Facogitic index measures how effective is a white blood cell in destroying viruses, bacteria and cancer cells. Increased glucose level decreases this index. In real data, an index of 120 sugar Phagocytic index value decreases by 75%!

Glucose with vitamin C act together in chain formation hexodic monophosphate - HMP - whose outcome is dinucleotide phosphate nicotinamide adenine (NADPH) - a particularly useful coenzyme anabolic processes such as lipid synthesis and nucleic acids - with pentoses (sugars 5 carbon molecules). NADPH white cells need to produce superoxide in order to destroy pathogens. Vitamin C not only in the production of NADPH but also regulates the amount so white blood cells do not produce too much oxidative stress in order to protect the body.

Vitamin C is a chemical activator of this pathway, while glucose acts as an inhibitor. In the same context of chain reactions ribose and deoxyribose HMP occur constitutes the raw material for the production of genetic material RNA / DNA in the newly created white blood cells. When the immune system is attacked, must be able to quickly produce new cells defense white. If blood sugar is too high, the formation of white blood cells is obviously slowed.

In his book "Intelligent Nutrition", doctor Emil Radulescu also speaks of reducing the fighting strength of lymphocytes when our blood sugar is above 100 mg/dl. It says that if a leukocyte normally destroy 14 bacteria, when blood sugar is elevated a leukocyte can only destroy 1 bacteria, thus reducing the ability to fight by 90%.

So given the fact that almost all foods contain sugar trade in various forms, one glass of carbonated juice (10 tablespoons sugar in 250 ml), or two slices of cake, the same amount, can immediately get you unable to defend. And if we consider that this numbing of the immune system takes about 5 hours after the 10 teaspoons of sugar, one can imagine, about how we defend our time and how long we are exposed to hazards. We all wonder why kids today are so sick? Perhaps now we have an answer!

Personal Comments

Taking into consideration the foregoing facts in the material above and if we think that glucose does not really lack in our diets today, we must ask the question...how much vitamin C is in our daily food? And to this question, we must answer considering that Vitamin C is sensitive to high temperatures (cooking will destroy, heating) and is soluble in water, (you have to ingest every day).

Source: http://www.newswithviews.com/Howenstine/james52.htm

http://viataverdeviu.ro/sistemul-imunitar-depinde-de-legatura-dintre-vitamina-c-si-glucoza/

Reversing Diabetes Type II, Glucose-Ascorbate Antagonism, and their Impact on Reversing Heart Disease

Medical doctors often call to ask, "If Linus Pauling was correct that a chronic vitamin C deficiency causes cardiovascular disease, why then do patients respond so well after we put them on Omega-3 fish oils?" There was no definitive answer to this question until I read and understood the writing of Mr. Thomas Smith (HealingMatters.com). Mr. Smith was a Type II diabetic who cured himself in three months. 

All Nutrients Enter Cells Through Cell Membranes.

Thomas Smith wrote that his cure was the result of his personal independent research of the history and science of diabetes. Smith began reviewing the scientific literature after conventional medicine failed him. His investigations led him to the conclusion that man-made, highly processed trans fatty acids (e.g. hydrogenated oils) are the root cause of the most common form of diabetes. Smith cites research showing that these toxins in the diet disturb cellular membranes. Cells begin to have trouble absorbing nutrients, particularly the sugar glucose, which remain in the blood. The most noticeable symptoms of this condition are elevated blood and urine sugar levels. Patients are diagnosed Non-Insulin Dependent (Type II) diabetes. (Note: The disease condition is sometimes called Syndrome X. Conventional medicine claims that the cause is unknown and medical doctors do not accept Smith’s etiology.) 

Even more astonishing, Smith asserts that the damage to cell membrane caused by a poor diet can be repaired and the diabetic syndrome cured. He recommends eliminating all processed fats and oils. The protocol calls for supplementing high-dose Omega-3 fatty acids. As blood sugar levels begin to decline, healthful natural fats and oils are slowly added to the diet. 

Smith writes that after he adopted this protocol his blood sugar dropped from 385 mg/dl to 85 mg/dl in 103 days. He claims that such reversals are possible in Type II diabetics because the body is continuously repairing cell membranes by using the fats and oils available in the diet. However, he says that the speed of recovery is related to the length of the illness (i.e., the number of damaged cell membranes). Some Type II diabetics may require up to one year for dramatic reductions in blood sugar. 

Vitamin C Competes with Glucose For Insulin Pumps

Diabetics are probably not absorbing other nutrients from the blood as well. Vitamin C is structurally similar to glucose and the vitamin has a short half-life in the blood stream. It should concern medical professionals that vitamin C and glucose molecules share the same insulin-mediated tunneling mechanism into cells through the membrane. 

In the 1970s, Emeritus Professor John T. A. Ely, University of Washington, proposed his Glucose-Ascorbate Antagonism (GAA) theory that predicts high glucose levels hinder vitamin C entry into cells. Animals which make their own vitamin C use dietary glucose as the raw material and the ascorbate and glucose molecules are similar. The similarity extends past molecular structure to the way they are attracted to, and enter, cells. Both molecules require help from the pancreatic hormone insulin before they can penetrate cell membranes using special "pumps." The name for the process that propels glucose and Vitamin C (the reduced form) through cell membranes is Insulin-mediated uptake. 

Ely studied the insulin-mediated uptake of glucose and vitamin C using white blood cells. White blood cells have more insulin pumps and they may contain 20 times the amount of vitamin C as ordinary cells. Dr. Ely explains that both glucose and vitamin C molecules compete, but all things are not equal. The evolutionary "fight-or-flight" response favors glucose entry into cells at the expense of vitamin C. Because of this antagonism between sugar and Vitamin C, Ely recommends a low-carbohydrate, low-processed sugar diet. 

Professor Ely told this author that he had advised Linus Pauling of the GAA theory and its prediction that Vitamin C would be less effective fighting colds in those who did not restrict their sugar intake. Recently, Ely and associates conducted a study on the common cold to test the GAA theory. Sugar and refined carbohydrates were restricted in the subjects. According to Dr. Ely, the remarkable (soon to be published) results showed an overwhelming preventive and curative property of vitamin C against the common cold in subjects with reduced sugar intake. (Presumably these subjects did not suffer the cellular membrane malfunction commonly diagnosed as Diabetes Type II). 

The Diabetic Double Whammy

Combining these ideas, we postulate that cells that can’t absorb glucose are not absorbing vitamin C either. As blood glucose levels rise, the GAA theory predicts that vitamin C uptake is greatly diminished throughout the body, even in cells with undamaged insulin pumps. Our conjecture is that the serious health consequences of prolonged Type II diabetes, e.g. blindness, wounds that won't heal, limb amputation, etc., are the result of the lack of vitamin C inside cells.

We may now more intelligently answer the question as to why heart patients do well on high-dose Omega-3 oil supplementation. Healthful omega-3 fatty acids, such as those found in flax seed and fish oils, promote healthy cell membranes allowing more nutrients to pass into cells. Theoretically, there would be more benefit from Omega-3 supplementation after the primary cause of membrane damage, trans fatty acids, are eliminated from the diet. As cell membranes become permeable, sugar molecules leave the blood stream lowering blood sugar, making vitamin C more bioavailable. Finally, we postulate that the cellular membrane problem hindering the uptake of glucose in diabetics also hinders their cells from obtaining vitamin C. 

Heart patients, whose condition improves on Omega-3 oils, will improve even more as they eliminate processed foods, and follow Linus Pauling’s recommendation to increase their vitamin C dosage to individual bowel tolerance. 

Source: http://www.internetwks.com/owen/gaa.html 

Top 10 list - Foods for Diabetics

If you've been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, your doctor has probably already advised you to limit simple sugars in your diet, avoid highly processed carbs and perhaps even increase your intake of whole grains, leafy greens and vegetables. 

These are your first steps toward better health. But, what if there were foods that had very targeted effects on blood sugar and type 2 diabetes? Here are 10 foods that lower blood sugar, support pancreatic health and may lessen your need for insulin. 

Blueberries - Blueberries are not only yummy; they are packed with flavonoids and antioxidants. Their high fiber content and high levels of vitamin C and E make them the ideal blood-sugar-stabilizing food. You can enjoy blueberries fresh or frozen year round. Use them in fruit smoothies, on top of whole-grain cereal or even just plain. Blueberries are naturally sweet and need no condiments of any kind. You can even enjoy their benefits cooked in whole-grain pancakes or muffins. A study published in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, "Cooking Does Not Decrease the Hydrophilic Antioxidant Capacity of Wild Blueberries," showed that, whether blueberries where baked, steamed or even microwaved, their antioxidant activity was not reduced. 

Garbanzo beans - Sometimes called chick peas, garbanzo beans are high in fiber and low in fat. Garbanzo beans are also high in protein and can replace animal proteins in your diet -- such as red meat, milk and cheese - which are high in saturated fat. You can cook garbanzo beans at home or use them canned; just be sure to choose the low-salt variety. Garbanzo beans are great when chilled and added to a green salad. They can also be used in soups, as a meat substitute in spaghetti and chili, or pureed and mixed with olive oil to make hummus.

Apples - Apples are high in fiber, antioxidants and vitamin C. Apples are easy to add to your diet. They can be served up as apple sauce or sliced into a Cobb salad. Apples are easy to add to a brown-bag lunch, as well. Just wash one and drop it in. If you don't like the mild flavor of Red Delicious apples, try some of the newer varieties. Fuji and Gala apples have a wonderful, tangy, straight-from-the-tree flavor. 

Broccoli - Broccoli is high in fiber and a good natural source of chromium. Both fiber and chromium have been proven to be beneficial in treating diabetes. Broccoli can be lightly steamed and served with a touch of olive oil and sea salt. It can also be added to salads and sandwiches. 

Avocados - Most of us know that avocados are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats which can lower cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of stroke and heart disease. A 2008 study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has also shown that unsaturated vegetable fats can significantly reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You can add avocados to your diet as guacamole, diced in a salad or sliced onto a sandwich. Buy avocados that are firm and dark green, then let them ripen until they turn nearly black and develop their signature rich, nutty flavor.

Asparagus - One serving of asparagus has only 5 grams of carbohydrates and a mere 20 calories yet is high in fiber, antioxidants and folate. It also has glutathione, which has been shown to lower blood sugar and increase insulin production. 

Almonds - Almonds are packed with protein, fiber and polyunsaturated fats. All of these are the ideal components of a healthy diet. Almonds have been shown to stabilize blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. The good fats in theses nuts slow digestion, stave off hunger and delay pancreatic fatigue. You can enjoy roasted almonds as a snack. They can also be added to salads and are good when thinly sliced and sprinkled over many Asian dishes. 

Kale - Kale, according to The World's Healthiest Foods, is rich in fiber and in vitamins E, C and A, all of which have been shown to help stabilize blood glucose levels. While some people enjoy kale raw in salads, for the biggest nutritional punch and ideal flavor, steam it lightly for five minutes and then let it rest five minutes before serving. Don't add butter or salt, or you're negating many of kale's health benefits.

Cranberries - Many people think of these as a seasonal dish, but cranberries should be part of your year-round diet. They are high in phytonutrients such as anthocyanin which can help lower blood glucose levels. 

Oats - Oats are high in soluble fiber. A diet high in fiber can, according to a document published by the Harvard School of Medicine, prevent constipation, lower cholesterol and control blood sugar levels. Because the fiber in foods is digested differently than other carbohydrates, it does not require insulin and passes through the digestive track intact. This has the benefit of helping you feel full without altering your blood sugar levels.

Source: www.naturalnews.com

What Common Foods May Kill 

Multi-Drug Resistant Cancers?

The GreenMedInfo database has assembled more than 60 articles and studies regarding what food substances can help kill cancers, including those that are resistant to treatment with drugs.

Curcumin (the primary polyphenol within turmeric) was by far the #1 food, with 27 studies attesting to its efficacy. Paprika came in at #2 with 6 studies. Other food substances that were shown to have an effect include:

• Carotenoids
• Lycopene
• Sulforaphane
• Flavonoids
• Zeaxanthin

Cancer is, by and large, a man-made disease, the result of veering too far away from the healthy lifestyles of our ancient ancestors. Avoiding health-sustaining diets and activities, while embracing a highly unnatural lifestyle and continually dousing your insides and outsides with excess chemicals is what causes many cancers to develop, which is why what you eat is so important to avoiding this top killer.

Just as it's widely known that certain foods -- such as fructose and processed meats - contribute to cancer, other foods can help prevent it and still others may actually kill cancerous cells, including those that are resistant to drug treatment.

The Problem with Multi-Drug Resistant Cancer

You've probably heard about the problems with drug-resistant bacteria like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). MRSA is much more dangerous than ordinary Staphylococcus aureus because it has become resistant to the broad-spectrum antibiotics commonly used to treat it, such as methicillin, oxacillin, penicillin and amoxicillin.

Just as bacteria can become resistant to antibiotics, cancer can become resistant to the drugs used to treat it, namely chemotherapy drugs. As stated in the journal Nature Biotechnology:

"Multidrug resistance, the principal mechanism by which many cancers develop resistance to chemotherapy drugs, is a major factor in the failure of many forms of chemotherapy. It affects patients with a variety of blood cancers and solid tumors, including breast, ovarian, lung, and lower gastrointestinal tract cancers.
Tumors usually consist of mixed populations of malignant cells, some of which are drug-sensitive while others are drug-resistant. Chemotherapy kills drug-sensitive cells, but leaves behind a higher proportion of drug-resistant cells. As the tumor begins to grow again, chemotherapy may fail because the remaining tumor cells are now resistant."

Using chemotherapy to target all cancers is somewhat of a shot in the dark, and is rarely the best option for cancer treatment anyway, as it usually typically doesn't cure cancer or extend life -- and it rarely improves quality of life. But adding to its downfalls is the fact that many cancers are now developing resistance to it, which makes its usefulness even more questionable.

What chemo does do, however, is expose your body to toxins that kill all cells that multiply and divide rapidly. This includes not only cancer cells, but also other rapidly multiplying and dividing cells, such as bone marrow, reproductive system cells and hair follicles.

These are powerful drugs that present an assault on your system -- one that your body must then overcome along with the cancer. An alternative form of treatment (or at the very least a complementary one) that is showing great promise is the potential to use food as your "drug" to naturally ward off and even treat diseases like cancer.

Can Food be Your Medicine?

GreenMedInfo has compiled research on 66 natural substances in food that have shown promise in treating multi-drug resistant cancer. These foods may not work for ALL cancers, so you have to be careful and also work with a knowledgeable health care practitioner who is experienced in treating cancer. Unfortunately, many are still in denial about the power each individual wields over their own health, and that preventing disease and even treating disease can be as simple as modifying your diet and lifestyle -- essentially, altering the environment of your body, to provide the best, most health-promoting growth medium possible for all your cells.

Part of the explanation for why food can have such a powerful influence on serious diseases such as cancer is due to its influence on a biological process called angiogenesis -- the process your body uses to build blood vessels. Cancerous cells, like all other cells in your body, cannot thrive without the oxygen and nutrients supplied by your capillaries.

Excessive angiogenesis (too many blood vessels) promote diseases such as cancer.

Most of us actually carry around microscopic cancer cell clusters in our bodies all the time. The reason why we all don't develop cancer is because as long as your body has the ability to balance angiogenesis properly, it will prevent blood vessels from forming to feed these microscopic tumors. Trouble will only arise if, and when, the cancer cells manage to get their own blood supply, at which point they can transform from harmless to deadly.

As our ancestors intuitively understood, nature has laced a large number of foods and herbs with naturally occurring inhibitors of angiogenesis, rendering them natural "anti-cancer medicines." Simply by consuming these anti-angiogenetic foods you can naturally boost your body's defense system and prevent blood vessels from forming and feeding the microscopic tumors that exist in your body at any given time.

Food can also be used therapeutically to target and treat specific cancers, such as the work of Dr. Nick Gonzalez, who uses three protocols -- diet, supplements and enzymes, and detoxification -- to treat cancer.

Curcumin: #1 Cancer Fighter

A number of different foods have shown anti-cancer effects, but many researchers consider the curcumin in turmeric to have the greatest potential in combating cancer -- and this is also the food that has the most supporting evidence on GreenMedInfo.

Curcumin currently has the most evidence-based literature supporting its use against cancer than any other nutrient. Interestingly this also includes the metabolite of curcumin and its derivatives, which are also anti-cancerous. Best of all, curcumin appears to be safe in the treatment of nearly all cancers, including multi-drug resistant cancers.

Much of curcumin's power seems to lie in its ability to modulate genetic activity and expression -- both by destroying cancer cells, and by promoting healthy cell function. It also promotes anti-angiogenesis, as discussed above. Researchers have also found that curcumin can affect more than 100 different pathways once it gets into the cell. More specifically, curcumin has been found to:

Inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells	Decrease inflammation
Inhibit the transformation of cells from normal to tumor	Inhibit the synthesis of a protein thought to be instrumental in tumor formation
Help your body destroy mutated cancer cells so they cannot spread throughout your body	Help prevent the development of additional blood supply necessary for cancer cell growth (angiogenesis)

For instance, a study in Biochemical Pharmacology found that:

"Curcumin I is the most effective MDR [multi-drug resistance] modulator among curcuminoids, and may be used in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic drugs to reverse MDR in cancer cells."

Separate research highlighting curcumin's effectiveness against multi-drug resistant cancer include:

• A study in Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology found curcumin may be useful in the reversal of multi-drug resistance in pancreatic cancer chemotherapy.
• Research in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications revealed curcumin promotes programmed cell death in multi-drug resistant human lung cancer cells.

CAUTION

An important point and one you need to understand. Just because an herb is natural does not mean it will help. Some herbs and natural approaches can actually worsen cancer so you have to be very careful. Fortunately, curcumin is one of the only ones that appears to be universally useful. But if you want to use another herb you are strongly cautioned to seek an expert in these therapies. I have interviewed Donnie Yance, Dr. LaValley, Dr. Gonzalez, and Dr. Burzynski. These are examples of experts who could help walk you through the process of understanding which natural agents would be best for you.

What Other Foods Show Cancer-Fighting Potential?

Also high on GreenMedInfo's list of natural substances that may help fight mutli-drug resistant cancer were:

Carotenoids

Carotenoids are the compounds in your foods that give them that vibrant cornucopia of color, from green vegetables to red beets, to the spectacular yellows and oranges of your bell peppers.

There are more than 700 naturally occurring carotenoids, but most people are familiar with only a few. Many carotenoids are easily obtainable through a healthy diet rich in fresh organic produce, however one exception is astaxanthin, a little-known carotenoid believed to be the most potent antioxidant nature has to offer. Astaxanthin is difficult to get from dietary sources alone, but is worth learning more about due to its beneficial effects on human health.

Lycopene, another antioxidant carotenoid, gives tomatoes their red color, and works by fighting damaging free radicals in your body. It has also shown cancer-fighting potential, particularly for prostate cancer.

Sulforaphane and Indole-3-Carbinol

A compound found in broccoli and other cruciferous veggies, sulforaphane selectively targets cancer stem cells, and by doing so, it effectively prevents the cancer from spreading and/or recurring. This is something current chemotherapies cannot do, but food can!

Another component of broccoli and cruciferous veggies, indole-3-carbinol, halts the cell cycle in breast cancer cells without actually killing the cells. The cell cycle is a rigidly prescribed series of steps a cell must go through before it can divide in two, involving the duplication of the cell's contents and a final split.

If you can alter specific components of the cell cycle, you can stop the growth of cancer cells without killing normal cells. Indole-3-carbinol interferes with the cell cycle in a way that turns off a gene for an enzyme important in the cell's growth cycle.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are natural chemicals found in plants, fruits and vegetables. They're actually the largest group of several thousand compounds belonging to the antioxidant-rich polyphenol family.

Flavonoids are further broken down into subclasses that you have likely heard of such as anthocyanins, flavonols, flavones, flavanones and flavanols. These terms, along with flavonoid and polyphenols (also called phytochemicals), are often used interchangeably in the literature, but they're broken into these different groups because they have varying chemical structures.

While all flavonoids are antioxidants, some have stronger antioxidant properties than others, depending on their chemical structure. Flavonoids are present in most all vegetables, including onions, broccoli and greens, as well as fruits such as apples, grapes and berries.

The Future of Cancer Treatment: Targeting Your Individual Genome

If you're looking for a diet that can help you lower your chances of developing cancer, follow the steps in my nutrition plan and work your way up to the advanced level. This is an excellent strategy for cancer prevention as well as reaching high levels of health in all areas.

However, for cancer treatment you may be better served by following a diet that is customized for your genome. This is the future of cancer treatment, and you can learn more about it in my recent interview with Dr. Stanislaw Burzynski and his son, Dr. Gregory Burzynski. They employ novel gene-target therapies in the treatment of cancer, which includes studying the patient's entire cancerous genome, analyzing some 24,000 genes in each cancer patient, in order to identify the abnormal genes.

Once identified, medications and complementary strategies such as diet and supplements are selected to treat these corrupted genes.

This can be important, as some supplements and foods -- although generally accepted as beneficial -- can make some cancers worse. But with gene-targeted therapy, genetic analysis is used to customize every aspect of the treatment. This customization also includes your diet, because as Dr. Burzynski says, "Diet is after all a combination of chemicals," meaning nutrients. For more information, please listen to the interview in its entirety, and also see my list of top strategies for cancer prevention to round out your knowledge.

Source: www.greenmedinfo.com

5 Reasons Your Heart Will Thank You if 

You Eat Sauerkraut

Most people know that garlic, beans, and whole grains offer many heart health benefits. But there’s a surprising food that ranks right up there with those heart-healthy foods: sauerkraut. There are five ways that this overlooked superfood can boost your heart health.

Research in the medical journal Food and Function found that unpasteurized sauerkraut contained a potent probiotic known as wild lactobacillus plantarum FC225, to which many of sauerkraut’s heart-healing abilities could be attributed. Upon investigation, the scientists conducting the study found that the probiotic-rich sauerkraut helped in the following ways:

• reduced cholesterol levels
• reduced triglyceride levels
• significantly increased levels of two powerful antioxidants known as superoxide disumutase (SOD) and glutathione
• decreased the degradation of fats in the body (a process known as lipid peroxidation)

Antioxidants like SOD and glutathione eliminate harmful free radicals–charged molecules that damage tissues and cells in the body, including the heart and blood vessels.

When cabbage or other ingredients are turned into sauerkraut through the brining and fermentation process, the numbers and varieties of beneficial microbes significantly increases. Additionally, many of the nutrients found in the cabbage or other vegetables become more absorbable to the body. The process also allows the food to last much longer than it would without fermentation.

Unfortunately most of the sauerkraut sold in grocery stores has been pasteurized thereby killing all of the beneficial microbes in the process and offering little nutritional value. More stores are starting to offer non-pasteurized sauerkraut, which are usually kept in the refrigerator section. Be sure that the product you select contains “live cultures” as indicated on the label otherwise it is unlikely that it contains any probiotics at all. Some of the brands that indicate that their products contain live cultures include: Noona’s, Pickled Planet and Wild Brine.

Of course, the best way to ensure your sauerkraut is full of active microbes is to make your own. While you may have heard that it is a difficult process, it is actually quite easy. Once you’ve made your first batch of sauerkraut you’ll find it simple to do it again. It is easy to create different flavor combinations simply by adding different ingredients. Apple cabbage is excellent. Garlic and chili are also great additions to cabbage for a delicious spicy sauerkraut. The options really are endless.

If you’re not a fan of the traditional-tasting store-bought sauerkraut, there are many other commercial alternatives with unique and delicious flavor combinations, such as curry cauliflower, beet and red cabbage, seaweed and ginger, to name a few.

Source: www.care2.com

The Probiotic Promise: Simple Steps to Heal Your Body from the Inside Out

You've heard how beneficial probiotics are for gut health; new research presented in The Probiotic Promise reveals that they can do much more! Probiotics can also improve a host of other conditions, from allergies to arthritis, depression to obesity - they have even been shown to inhibit cancer and antibiotic-resistant superbugs. 

Now Dr. Michelle Schoffro Cook shares this groundbreaking research, demonstrating the link between gastrointestinal health and overall well-being. She offers concrete ways for you to use this extraordinary information, explaining how to use probiotics to address a range of medical issues.

Source: www.drmichellecook.com

10 Signs You Have Candida Overgrowth & 

What To Do About It

You might be wondering, What on earth is candida? Candida is a fungus, which is a form of yeast, and a very small amount of it lives in your mouth and intestines. Its job is to aid with digestion and nutrient absorption but, when overproduced, candida breaks down the wall of the intestine and penetrates the bloodstream, releasing toxic byproducts into your body and causing leaky gut. This can lead to many different health problems, ranging from digestive issues to depression.

How do you get candida overgrowth?

The healthy bacteria in your gut typically keep your candida levels in check. However, several factors can cause the candida population to get out of hand: 

• Eating a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sugar (which feed the yeast)
• Consuming a lot of alcohol 
• Taking oral contraceptives 
• Living a high-stress lifestyle
• Taking a round of antibiotics that killed too many of those friendly bacteria

Here are 10 common candida symptoms

1. Skin and nail fungal infections (such as athlete’s foot or toenail fungus) 
2. Feeling tired and worn down or suffering from chronic fatigue or fibromyalgia
3. Digestive issues such as bloating, constipation, or diarrhea
4. Autoimmune disease such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Ulcerative colitis, Lupus, Psoriasis, Scleroderma or Multiple sclerosis
5. Difficulty concentrating, poor memory, lack of focus, ADD, ADHD and brain fog
6. Skin issues such as eczema, psoriasis, hives, and rashes
7. Irritability, mood swings, anxiety, or depression
8. Vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, rectal itching or vaginal itching
9. Severe seasonal allergies or itchy ears
10. Strong sugar and refined carbohydrate cravings

How do you test for Candida overgrowth?

Blood test 

You'll want to check your levels for IgG, IgA, and IgM candida anti-bodies. These can be checked through most any lab. High levels indicate an overgrowth of candida. I find in my clinic that these can often be negative even when the stool or urine test is positive.

Stool testing 

I find this to be the most accurate test available. This will check for candida in your colon or lower intestines. The lab can usually determine the species of yeast as well as which treatment will be affective. (Note: be sure that your doctor orders a comprehensive stool test rather than the standard stool test.) 

Urine Organix Dysbiosis Test 

This test detects a waste product of Candida yeast overgrowth known as D-Arabinitol. An elevated test means an overgrowth of candida. This test will determine if there is candida in your upper gut or small intestines.

How do you treat candida overgrowth?

Effectively treating candida involves stopping the yeast overgrowth, restoring the friendly bacteria that usually keep them in check, and healing your gut so that candida can no longer enter your bloodstream.

Getting rid of the candida overgrowth primarily requires a change in diet to a low carbohydrate diet. Sugar is what feeds yeast, so eliminating sugar in all of its simple forms like candy, desserts, alcohol and flours. 

And reducing to only one cup a day of the more complex carbohydrates such as grains, beans, fruit, bread, pasta, and potatoes will prevent the Candida from growing and eventually cause it to die.  I would recommend eliminating all fermented foods as well. 

Using diet alone could take three to six months before the candida is back under control. Because of this I use an anti fungal medication such as Diflucan or Nyastatin for a month or longer with my patients. If you are self-treating you can take a supplement of caprylic acid. Caprylic Acid comes from coconut oil and basically "pokes holes" in the yeast cell wall, causing it to die.  

You may read that some people recommend herbs such as oil of oregano. Oil of oregano can be very effective, but it can also kill good bacteria so I don't recommend it. The anti-fungal medications and caprylic acid are very specific to yeast and will not harm your good bacteria.

It's a must to restore the healthy bacteria that typically keep your candida population under control, you should take probiotics on a regular basis. Taking anywhere from 25 to 100 billion units of probiotics should help to reduce the Candida levels and restore your levels of good bacteria.  Finally, healing your gut by eliminating inflammatory foods that can harm your GI tract and introducing foods that aid in digestion and nutrient absorption, will prevent candida from working its way through your body, and will dramatically improve your overall health.

If you would like to find out for sure if you have candida overgrowth, consider seeing a functional medicine doctor who is trained in detecting and treating candida.

Source: www.mindbodygreen.com

Kaempferol Explained

WHAT IS KAEMPFEROL?

Kaempferol is one of the many flavonols that can be found in plant based foods and is part of the phytonutrient family (a group of chemical compounds which occur naturally in plants and have numerous health benefits but are not considered essential nutrients).  It is an antioxidant (a substance which protects the body’s cells from oxygen related damage) and has strong links with cancer prevention.  In this article I will be discussing kaempferol in greater detail.

WHEN WAS KAEMPFEROL DISCOVERED?

Kaempferol was discovered in 1938 by the Hungarian biochemist Albert Szent-Györgyi as part of the flavonoid family.  He initially referred to the flavonoids as vitamin P but it was later discovered that they are not essential to human health and therefore not technically vitamins.

HOW DOES YOUR BODY USE KAEMPFEROL?

As discussed above, kaempferol is most famous for its cancer fighting properties.  However, it has many other roles in the human body.  The list below outlines the main functions of kaempferol in humans:
- Acting as an antioxidant and protecting your body from damaging free radicals (harmful by-products of oxygen based reactions).
– Acting as an antidepressant.
– Acting as a phytoestrogen (a compound which regulates estrogen levels in the body and can help prevent cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis (reduced bone mineral density) and negative menopausal symptoms).
– Enhancing metabolism (by promoting the production of the metabolism boosting hormone triiodothyronine (also known as T3)).
– Preventing arteriosclerosis (hardening and loss of elasticity within the arteries).
– Preventing a number of different cancers (including breast cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer).
– Preventing heart disease.

HOW MUCH KAEMPFEROL DO YOU NEED?

Since kaempferol is not considered an essential nutrient, no official recommended daily allowance (RDA) has been established.  However, certain studies suggest that consuming between 10 milligrams (mg) and 12mg of this phytonutrient per day is enough to unlock the health benefits of kaempferol.

WHICH FOODS CONTAIN KAEMPFEROL?

Kaempferol can be sourced from a wide variety of fruits and vegetables with spinach and turnip greens both being excellent sources.  High levels can also be found in black tea.  The table below outlines some of the top kaempferol foods:

FOOD	MILLIGRAMS (MG) OF KAEMPFEROL PER 100 GRAMS (G)
Apples	0.02
Black Tea (brewed with tap water)	1.31
Blueberries	1.81
Onions	0.62
Oranges	0.01
Turnip Greens	11.87
Red Wine	0.24
Spinach	7.64

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GETTING TOO MUCH KAEMPFEROL?

There is very limited research available on the effects of consuming extremely high levels of kaempferol.  However, some of the possible symptoms of kaempferol overdose include:
- Allergic reactions.
– Interference with other medications and supplements.

KAEMPFEROL SUMMARY

Whilst there is still much more research to be done into the health benefits of kaempferol, the initial findings are very promising.  This phytonutrient can fight cancer, heart disease and depression whilst also boosting metabolism.  Additionally, it can be found in a large selection of fruits, vegetables and the popular hot beverage tea.  So get the kettle on, snack on some fruit and start enjoying the benefits of kaempferol today.

Source: www.freefitnesstips.co.uk

7 Essential Strategies To Fight Chronic Disease

Heads up: the statistics are grim. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, type 2 diabetes in America has tripled since the 1980s, and researchers estimate one in three Americans will have diabetes by midcentury. More than one-third of American adults are obese. 

Sadly, these numbers continue to increase and experts predict things will only become worse.

I've developed a term to describe this epidemic. "Diabesity" describes the continuum of health problems ranging from mild insulin resistance and overweight to obesity and diabetes, which contributes to most heart disease, cancer, and premature death in the world.

Tragically, these conditions are 100% preventable and reversible with some simple, effective nutrition and lifestyle modifications. 

Sugar is the toxic drug that feeds this epidemic. Every American eats about 152 pounds of sugar and 146 pounds of flour (which turns to sugar) every year. That's about a pound of sugar every day.

Food is medicine. When you remove disease-producing food and add the right food, healing occurs quickly. These seven strategies can help prevent, treat, or reverse diabesity and help you regain health without drugs and surgery. 

1. Remove sugar.

Empty calories from quickly absorbed sugar, liquid sugar calories, and refined carbohydrates — which all convert to sugar — create high insulin levels, eventually leading to insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Chronically high insulin levels contribute to inflammation, high blood pressure, poor sex drive, increased cancer risk, and depression.

The number one thing you can do to reduce your risk for type 2 diabetes and obesity or reversing its impact? No contest: Eliminate or dramatically reduce sugar in all its many disguises. 

2. Add whole, unprocessed foods.

Whole, unprocessed real foods balance your blood sugar, reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, and improve your liver detoxification to prevent or reverse insulin resistance and diabetes. Stock up on colorful fruits and vegetables, plenty of omega-3 fats, coconut butter and olive oil, legumes, nuts, and seeds.

3. Implement the right nutrients.

Supplements make your cells more insulin-sensitive and more effective at metabolizing sugar and fat. Combined with the right diet and lifestyle modifications, these nutrients can help you balance blood sugar and reverse or prevent diabetes. At the very minimum, I recommend:

• A high-quality multivitamin and mineral
• One to two grams of omega-3 fatty acids
• 1,000 — 2,000 IUs of vitamin D3
• 300 — 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid twice daily
• 200 — 600 mcg of chromium polynicotinate
• 5 grams of PGX, a unique type of fiber that controls appetite and blood sugar before each meal with eight ounces of water

4. Exercise.

While even a 30-minute walk can help, vigorous becomes the key to help balance blood sugar and lower insulin levels. Get your heart rate up to 70% to 80% of its maximum capacity for 60 minutes, up to six times a week. Step it up a few notches with high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and strength training. Studies show HIIT can benefit type 2 diabetes and obesity. Best of all, you can do it in just minutes a day. 

5. Sleep well.

Insufficient sleep or poor sleep damages your metabolism, spikes sugar and carb cravings, makes you eat more, and increases your risk for numerous diseases including Type 2 diabetes. One study among healthy subjects found even a partial night's poor sleep could induce insulin resistance. Prioritize sleep so you get eight hours of solid, uninterrupted shut-eye every night. Create a sleep ritual that includes herbal therapies, creating total darkness and quiet, and relaxing.. 

6. Control stress.

Chronic stress spikes insulin, cortisol, and inflammatory compounds called cytokines. This hormonal havoc drives the relentless metabolic dysfunction that leads to weight gain, insulin resistance, and eventually type 2 diabetes. Managing stress becomes a critical component of obesity and diabetes management. You can't eliminate stress, but you can learn to control it. Meditation, deep breathing exercises, yoga, massage, laughing, and dancing are among the best ways to manage stress and reverse type 2 diabetes. 

7. Measure.

Research shows that people who track their results lose twice as much weight and do twice as well. Begin by getting a journal to track your progress. What should you track? In addition to what you eat, you'll want to get a baseline of all measurements: your weight, weight, waist size, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure (optional). Many patients become inspired when they see their results on paper.

Source: www.mindbodygreen.com

Foods that Create and Eliminate Mucus 

Anyone has mucus in the body and to a point it has a very useful role. But when mucus secretion occurs as a reaction of the body to certain foods or elements of the environment, problems begin to occur particularly for the respiratory system.

Foods that create mucus:

• Dairy – Dairy products like milk, sour cream, yogurt, cheese, and ice cream are the primary source of mucus caused by food. Thick irritating phlegm is produced in your throat by these types of foods. It might also make the existing mucus thicker and harder. Use caution if you have milk allergies as milk is not easily digested.

• Animal Products – Foods derived from animals like meat, poultry, and eggs can cause problems with mucus. These foods can cause a buildup of mucus in your throat as they are high in protein. You may want to avoid pork and red meat, having fish and poultry once or twice a week should be alright. It might be a good idea to opt for organic products when selecting meats as these will help control mucus.

• Fats and oils – Fats and oils derived from animals should be avoided. Lard, butter, and omega-6 fatty acids are included in this list. Flax, sunflower, corn, and olive oil are much better options.

• Nuts and Grains – The problem is usually with oily nuts, there should not be any problem if you are having dry roasted nuts. Mucus can be caused by processed wheat flour, products like bread, pasta, and processed cereal should be decreased while consumption of barley, corn, millet, and quinoa should be increased.

• Beverages – One does not consider beverages when they think of mucus. However, a few common drinks like black tea, coffee, chocolate drinks, milkshakes, alcohol, and sugary soft drinks can cause mucus build up.

Foods to eliminate mucus:

• Fruits and Vegetables – Fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants, nutrients that strengthen our body’s ability to fight infections and disease. Foods like watercress, garlic, onions, pickles, and lemons help reduce mucus production. Foods like cabbage, potatoes, and bananas might increase mucus production. Berries, leafy greens, broccoli, tomatoes, citrus fruits, and bell peppers are particularly rich in antioxidants.

• Olive Oil – Unsaturated heart-healthy fat can be obtained by use of olive oil. Olive oil produces effects which often reduce bronchitis symptoms. Try to swap saturated fat sources in your diet like butter and margarine with olive oil if you are already prone to mucus. Consumption of olive oil with nutritious foods like leafy green salads and whole grain is even more useful.

• Warm Fluids – Warm fluids is one soothing dietary option. Sipping fluids throughout the day helps the body to flush toxins and promote hydration which helps you to heal faster. Tea, broth, and chicken soup can help loosen mucus and are effective at reducing throat pain.

• Fatty fish – Consumption of fish such as tuna, salmon, lake trout, sardines, herring, and flounder might help reduce inflammation as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids which are healthy fats.Omega-3 fats also help to boost immunity. For best results, replace rich protein sources such as red meat, high fat cheese. and whole milk with healthier options like baked, grilled, or broiled fish.

Source: www.positivemed.com