A soda is a beverage that contains carbonated water, some form of sweetening agent usually sugar, and another form of flavoring agent usually caffeine or fruit juice. Sodas are served cold and never warm.

We all know what a soda is and even have our own favorite brand and flavor. From time to time it does no harm to drink one either. But the rate at which the population consumes soda is starting to become a worry.

25% of all drinks in the United States are composed of soda. In the year 2000, 15 billion gallons of soda were sold in the United States. That’s like giving everyone a 12-ounce soda every day. The worst part is kids are the ultimate consumers of soda. For them drinking soda is as normal as drinking water.

Since drinking soda is part of their lives, questions start to materialize in our mind. How will their health be in a few years? Will they encounter problems as they continue to consume soda? Are there any serious side effects to consider?

The following are 10 of these that might make you and your kids think twice before drinking that sweet, delicious, soda.

1. Tooth Decay

Amusingly enough, makers of soda have admitted that drinking their products will lead to tooth decay. They haven’t come out saying that directly, but have hinted of this side effect. So if you’re an avid soda drinker you might want to schedule a visit to the dentist.

2. Calcium Loss and Osteoporosis

Phosphoric acid sucks the calcium out of bones and is a major contributor to osteoporosis. Breaking down the components of a soda will reveal that phosphoric acid is the most active ingredient, a pH of 2.8 to be exact. The more soda you drink every day the more calcium you lose. Without calcium your bones weaken and become vulnerable to a lot of illnesses.

3. Obesity

We have thought that soda since they contain a ton of sugar and calories that they make their drinkers fat. Well it seems we were right after all.

A combined team of Harvard researchers and a British medical team conducted a study proving this true. They discovered that 12 years old children who are regular soda drinkers increased their risk of obesity 1.6 times. The study was done for 2 years.

4. Caffeine Addiction

An interesting reason why the majority of soda drinkers can’t quit is because of the presence of caffeine. Soda drinkers are addicted to the beverage because of the large amounts of caffeine. With caffeine over-consumption a person can become nervous, irritable, and anxious. Physical effects also occur as the person has twitching, headaches, heart palpitations, and insomnia.

5. Kidney Stones

Drinking large amounts of soda can lead to the formation of kidney stones or “pebbles” that are formed in the urethra. The pebbles themselves are solid concretions formed in the kidneys from dissolved urinary minerals like soda. If a kidney stone sounds painful, believe me it is. So if you see blood in your urine it’s time to stop drinking that soda.

6. Financial Loss

This maybe an exaggeration but definitely not one you expect. But let’s do the math here. An average pack of soda, assuming it’s a twelve pack, costs 3 or 4 dollars. Now let’s say you drink 4 times a week, so that twelve pack will last you 3 weeks. That is 56 dollars a year. Now you might say that isn’t so much at all. Well that’s assuming you only drink 4 bottles of soda a week. What if you actually drink more?

7. Bacteria

Well to be fair buying the soda yourself from a reputable store will avoid this. But what if you eat outside and order a soda? You cannot control how or where they get their soda.

Hollins University did a test and discovered 48% of sodas you order from restaurants and fast-food contains bacteria. Coliform bacteria are rod-shaped and commonly found in animal feces. Their mere presence is a sign of unsanitary conditions.

8. Increase In Blood Pressure

Sodas commonly need preservatives and the use of sodium benzoate achieves this. It kills bacteria and fungi when placed under acidic conditions. It is also used as a preservative in medicines and cosmetics. But has harmful side effects such as an increase in blood pressure, skin rashes and can trigger an asthma attack in asthmatic individuals.

9. Dehydration

Sodas are considered diuretic. They leave you dehydrated. They only quench thirst temporarily then leave you even thirstier. This is because of caffeine and sugar that are found in sodas.

Caffeine causes you to urinate more and frequently. Remember when you drink an alcoholic beverage and you have to go every now and then? Well alcohol also contains caffeine. Sugar on the other hand absorbs water. And since your body expels sugar through urine, it expels the water inside you as well leaving you dry, thirsty, and dehydrated.

10. Diabetes

This is a chain effect of obesity caused by drinking soda. Since you are obese you have higher chances of getting more illnesses. One of them is diabetes. In a nutshell diabetes is when your body has a hard time processing sugar.

This doesn’t surprise a lot of doctors because in 1980 there were only 6.6 million diabetic patients. Today there are over 20.8 million diabetic patients. The sweet temptation known as soda had definitely played a major role in this increase.

The key to good health is always moderation. An occasional bottle of liquor will not ruin your health and your life. This holds true to sodas. Having a nice soda now and then will not hurt you. The above side effects will only appear if you drink the sweet substance on a regular basis.

So to all regular drinkers of soda it is never too late to control the habit. Start cutting down in the number of soda you drink everyday and try to switch to a more nutritional beverage like water or fruit juice. And if you feel like reaching out for another soda, ask yourself, is it really worth it?

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The perfect heart-healthy diet addresses heart disease in all its forms.

Risk factors that affect the heart are numerous, including hypertension, inflammation, and high levels of cholesterol. Cutting down on saturated fat may help lower cholesterol levels but this does not address all the other conditions that are heart-unfriendly because you miss out on other dietary chances to further protect your heart. You can also have a diet that can tame hypertension and inflammation but do not slash cholesterol levels.

But don’t lose heart, apart from living a healthy lifestyle, here are 15 foods you should consume, which will eventually help you deal with heart disease from all angles.

Reign in your High Blood Pressure

Hypertension is defined by blood pressure that is 140/90 or higher and is the most common risk factor for heart disease. An elevated blood pressure makes the heart pump blood harder, which creates the domino effect, which starts with damaged artery lining, leading to plaque buildup, and ultimately heart attack or stroke. A healthy blood pressure is 120/80 or lower and can be maintained by eating the following foods regularly.

• Swiss chard is a potassium powerhouse with almost 1,000 mg per cup, cooked, in addition to calcium and magnesium, all vital to hypertension prevention. To keep blood pressure low, 4,000 mg of potassium is needed per day. Low potassium levels causes sodium levels to increase which, in turn, causes fluid build up in cells, also increasing blood pressure. If Swiss chard is too bitter for your taste, there is also the rainbow variety (with yellow, red, or hot pink stalks) that is less bitter.
• Fresh herbs are a healthier substitute for salt. A teaspoon of salt contains nearly 2,400 mg of sodium, which is more than enough to raise blood pressure. In place of salt, you can use chopped fresh herbs; the dried varieties are less flavorful. In addition, herbs are also rich in antioxidants, which help prevent heart disease by protecting the cells against damage. If you are cooking potatoes, the perfect complement is rosemary, parsley for eggs, sage with poultry, and thyme to air-popped popcorn. But if you absolutely have to use salt, use the kosher variety and mix with crushed herbs like oregano, thyme, and lavender.
• Low-fat or nonfat yogurt is perfect for breakfast or a snack. Compared to low-fat milk, yogurt has 50 percent more blood pressure–lowering calcium and potassium. A diet rich in both minerals low in sodium lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressures, especially in people who already have high blood pressure. The closer you can get to the healthy blood pressure level of 120/80, the healthier your heart will be. Low-fat or nonfat milk is the next best option if you don’t like yogurt. Aside from drinking the milk, you can also use it when cooking, especially as water substitute for packaged foods, like instant oatmeal, condensed soup, and hot chocolate.

There are many well known natural high blood pressure treatments that use herbal and homeopathic remedies. Conventional medicines usually treat the symptoms of high blood pressure, but seldom address the underlying causes. Naturopaths recognize that high blood pressure may be a sign or symptom of imbalance in the body and know that the best way to treat it is by a combination of lifestyle changes and natural remedies to remove the causes of the high blood pressure, rather than simply treating the symptoms. We recommend High-Rite, which helps maintain blood pressure within normal range, plus promotes complete cardiovascular health.

Control your Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a lipid present in blood, which is important in building cell walls and making certain hormones. However, too much cholesterol in the blood may cause buildup of fatty deposits in artery walls, blocking blood flow, which raises the risk of heart disease and stroke. Together with other lipids, cholesterol circulate in blood attached to lipoproteins, of which there are two kinds. Low density lipoproteins (LDLs) are also called bad cholesterol because they tend to deposit cholesterol on artery walls. High density lipoproteins (HDLs) are the good cholesterols, which carry cholesterol back to the liver. The following foods can help lower your LDL and raise HDL cholesterol.

• Garlic has a mild cholesterol-lowering effect and keeps LDL buildup in the artery walls. To get the full potential benefits, several cloves of garlic a day should be consumed. When cooking, use garlic as often as you can. It goes well with almost anything, including roast meats, poultry, soups, pasta dishes, and vegetables. A teaspoon of chopped or grated garlic is a perfect addition to low-fat mayo when making sandwich spreads.
• Extra-virgin olive oil is a healthier substitute for saturated fat in your diet. Decreasing your saturated fat (cheese, butter, fatty meats) intake by 1 percent decreases LDL level by 2 percent. Carbohydrates like white bread and low-fat cookies can also replace saturated to reduce LDL levels but it also reduces HDL levels. Extra-virgin olive oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and polyphenols, which are compounds that keep LDL cholesterol from sticking to artery walls. Because it is more expensive than regular oil, you can simply use it with salads, breads, or steamed vegetables, instead of using it for cooking.
• Almonds can lower LDL levels from 13 to 20 percent when eaten everyday at one ounce per. This reduction is comparable to that which can be attained from some medications. Almonds have the most vitamin E among all nuts, an antioxidant that protects cells against damage that often leads to atherosclerosis. In addition, almonds are also a good source of calcium. To bring out the flavor, you can toast almonds in a baking pan at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes.

Research has demonstrated that a combination of natural remedies, regular exercise and dietary changes can make a significant difference to LDL levels and reduce or even eliminate the need for prescription drugs. We recommend Cholesto-Rite, which helps maintain cholesterol levels already within normal range, plus promotes complete cardiovascular health

Slash your High Blood Sugar

Millions of women have glucose levels high enough to make them pre-diabetic or have Type-2 diabetes and most of them are not even aware of it. Especially for women, Type-2 diabetes is a very significant risk factor for heart disease. The nerves and blood vessels that lead to the heart get damaged and this increases the chances of having a heart attack by a factor of four. Adding the following foods to your diet will help you keep your glucose levels in check.

• Barley has high levels beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that is slowly digested in the body and is the least likely of the grains to spike up your blood sugar. Compared to oats, barley has been found to keep glucose levels down better. Barley can be used as a substitute for flour when making muffins and bread. It can also be served with soups, fish, meat, or poultry in place of rice or potatoes.
• Cayenne chili peppers sprinkled on food help prevent spikes in glucose levels after a meal. Capsaicin is the fiery substance in chili that gives it the glucose-busting factor. Eating a burger seasoned with chili and drinking a sugary beverage will result in lower blood sugar levels compared to the same meal but without the added spice.
• Carrots eaten everyday reduces the risk of diabetes in women by as much as 27 percent. These vegetables and other yellow or colorful veggies are high in antioxidants. You can serve these vegetables with a little healthy fat, like olive oil, to enhance your absorption of the antioxidants.

We recommend Insulate-Plus, which helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels within normal range and promotes pancreatic health.

Shed your Excess Weight

Your chances of developing chest pain or having a heart attack are raised by 17 percent when you are packing a few extra pounds. The risk is raised even higher, as much as 49 percent, if you are obese, with a body mass index of 30 or higher. Excess weight also contributes to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, inflammation, diabetes, and other conditions that are related to heart disease. You should incorporate the following foods in your diet to maintain a healthy weight.

• Broccoli, among all other vegetables, has one of the lowest calories. Half a cup of cooked florets has only 27 calories plus 3 grams of fiber, enough to make you fell full. Chopped broccoli absorbs seasonings better when it is cooked.
• Oranges will satisfy your sweet cravings while giving you only 65 calories per fruit. This citrus fruit also contains pectin, a fiber that keeps you full and controls cholesterol. In addition, peeling an orange takes time, helping to increase your satisfaction and control your appetite.
• Lean pork is high in protein. Compared to a high-carb meal, a high-protein meal burns two times more calories. Three ounces of pork tenderloin, one of leanest sources of protein, has only 122 calories, while the same serving of pork top loin has only 147 calories and 5 grams of fat.

If you’re still struggling with your weight problem, you can stop now. We have these fabulous, guaranteed and clinically proven to work natural products for you:

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Fight Inflammation

Build up of plaque on the artery walls causes blood clots to form which, in turn, blocks blood flow, and eventually leads to heart attack. Research has shown that inflammatory compounds trigger plaque eruption. Measuring the levels of C-reactive protein determines the level of inflammation and predicts heart trouble much better than high cholesterol does. The following foods can help you fight inflammation.

• Salmon, compared to other seafood, is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, with three to six times more of these essential nutrients that help ease inflammation than can be found in shrimp, flounder, and Mahi-mahi. To help reduce the fishy taste of salmon, you can poach fillets in white wine, chicken or vegetable stock, lemon zest, and dill or fennel.
• Black beans are one of the few foods with the most magnesium. Inadequate magnesium in the diet may increase CRP levels. One cup of canned beans is enough to provide you with your daily required amount of magnesium, which is 120 to 320 mg per day.
• Dried cherries are rich in the antioxidant anthocyanins that help neutralize the enzymes that cause plaque to break apart. Fresh cherries give the same benefits but the dried products are more versatile and available year-round. Add these berries to your cereal, wild rice, salads, muffin batter, or yogurt for a healthier meal.

A more natural approach for the prevention of blood clots includes the use of herbal and homeopathic remedies. These remedies contain gentle, natural ingredients, and promote balance in all body systems. We recommend these:

• Aqua-Rite – helps maintain fluid balance in the body to discourage water retention
• Circu-Live – supports healthy circulation naturally

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Hollywood celebrities are the modern demigods of our time. They have this inexplicable influence over people and practically anything albeit a statement or a product they are endorsing. We praise, idolize and try to be like them in many ways. These “stars” are the moving perfection and art altogether and much as we enjoy seeing their talents, we also relish on the juicy gossip and the drama behind their glamor.

An actor’s health condition always makes it to the tabloid headline. Among the top health issues attached to the Hollywood lifestyle includes either excessive eating or not eating anything at all. What most of you are not aware of is that there is one hardly noticed health condition that most of our celebs are battling with.

In its simplest form, Diabetes is a medical disorder affecting blood sugar levels in which there is no control of blood sugar.

Nick Jonas

Jonas Brothers is one of the hottest bands in town with hit songs like “Love Bug” and “When You Look Me in the Eyes”. So in 2007, many fans and concerned audience became worried for the band’s singer member Nick Jonas when he went public about his Type 1 diabetes. Jonas was first diagnosed with the juvenile diabetes when his sugar levels went over 700 – normal blood sugars are from 70 to 120. From then on, he learned to manage his Type 1 diabetes.

Halle Berry

From being a Bond Girl, a mutant with the power to control Storm and lastly as the alluring Catwoman are just among the top billing films that boosted Halle Berry’s sure fame to success. But this didn’t exempt her from being a diabetic type 2. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, patients with type 2 diabetes can survive even without insulin.

Randy Jackson

African Americans are more likely than caucasians to develop diabetes. So in 2001, American Idol judge Randy Jackson was no longer surprised to learn that he had Type 2 diabetes especially when it also runs in his family. Back then, Jackson was obese until he got a gastric bypass which in effect lost him 100 pounds. From then on, he started living a healthy lifestyle by improving his diet and included walking on a treadmill and practicing yoga, a staple of his life.

Salma Hayek

Sultry Latina actress Salma Hayek has a family history of diabetes, which later manifested during her pregnancy with daughter Valentina. This type of diabetes is called Gestational Diabetes which occurs during pregnancy. Almost all women are screened for gestational diabetes when they are 24-28 weeks pregnant. Gestational diabetes normally goes away after pregnancy, however it raises the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes or the possibility of getting gestational diabetes on the next pregnancy.

Patti ‘Divabetic’ LaBelle

Singer Patti LaBelle is truly one Divabetic who was diagnosed with diabetes after she passed out on stage, has encouraged awareness for the disease through her healthy cookbooks.

She is currently the spokesperson for American Diabetes Association.

Jay Cutler

In 2008, after losing 35 pounds and feeling weak, former Denver Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. But his dependency with insulin didn’t keep Cutler from living his regular life.

He now wears an insulin pump to monitor his blood sugar, and has labeled his condition “manageable.”

Anne ‘Queen of the Damned’ Rice

Gothic novelist Anne Rice first learned about her diabetes in 1998, when it almost took her life with a blood sugar reading of about 800 causing blood clot and a diabetic coma.

Rice has Type 1 diabetes and have come terms with it and managed to live with the disease like other thousands of diabetics.

Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was six years old.

The Poison lead singer managed to take care of his diabetes while living the life of a rock star.

On a daily basis, Michaels takes four insulin injection and eight blood tests each day to maintain and survive the disease.

Mike Huckabee

From being a governor in Arkansas to running for presidency – Mike Huckabee continues to break barriers when he reversed his Type 2 diabetes by improving his diet and becoming a runner. All efforts paid off when Huckabee shed off a whopping 110 pounds. Now he is no longer obese and has continued to promote a healthy lifestyle with the book he wrote about his transformation and how healthy diet during childhood creates crucial impact.

Larry ‘King of Talk’ King

CNN talk show host Larry King is very optimist when talking about his Type 2 diabetes and how he has controlled the disease. Diabetes makes heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other serious health problems more likely. Back then, King was a heavy smoker which resulted to five bypass heart surgery in 1987. But the king of talk managed to turn the table around and started taking care of his body and was able to quit smoking.

Mary Tyler Moore

Award winning Broadway and film actress Mary Tyler Moore was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after she was hospitalized for having a miscarriage at the age of 30. A routine blood test conducted at the hospital confirmed her disease with a blood sugar level of 750, and right away she was put on insulin medication. Since then, Moor has been active in promoting diabetes research and now serves as the International Chairman of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Elliott Yamin

The fifth season of American Idol introduced us to the standout singer Elliott Yamin who later landed the third place in competition. This Type 1 diabetic was in denial of his disease and confessed how he was angry and embarrassed about his diabetes. Over time, Yamin has matured into a role model for young adults and has encouraged diabetes patients to stay positive and not let the disease take over your life.

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Vitamin D, also known as Sunshine Vitamin, sure is enjoying the spotlight for all the positive impact it creates to a human body.

An immunity booster, hormone regulator, healthy brain, metabolism, diabetes prevention, cancer prevention and cardiovascular health – these are just a few of the title roles credited to vitamin D.

In addition, we also owe our strong footing to vitamin D that helps maintain our bones healthy by stimulating bone cells to make new bone while enhancing the application of calcium. Apart from that, significant amount of vitamin D extends human life with an additional five years.

Vitamin D 101

There is no such thing as getting too much vitamin D3 from the sun.

Exposing your skin to the sunlight produces vitamin D3.

Your kidneys are the main organ that converts vitamin D to its biologically active form before it could actually perform its one too many admirable functions in the body. Inside our body are vitamin D organ receptors that act as a receiving device capable of binding both the active and inactive forms of our sunshine vitamins. Cells lining in your lungs and digestive tract can activate vitamin D to help fight infection.

Vitamin D can be assumed to be fundamentally important in survival because great variety of tissues and types of cells use vitamin D. In recognition to that, the body has made provisions to store vitamin D in your liver and the lining of the digestive tract, acting as a savings account which may come in handy during times of need such as long winter months.

Believe it or not, our skin has a built in sunscreen already so it is a total nonsense for the majority of the population to think that routine sun exposure is a major health risk.

Vitamin D Supplemental Measures

Americans are known to have low vitamin D levels, which is why the recommended daily intake escalated to 2000 IU to bring it to a normal level. As opposed to the government’s recommendation daily intake of 400 IU to 600 IU, this amount of supplement cannot bring the vitamin D levels of an overweight child and new born to a normal level.

During winter months, younger men on the other hand require at least 700 IU to 800 IU of vitamin D per day solely to maintain optimal bone health.

To fully understand how much supplemental vitamin D is necessary to maintain the normal range, take note of deficiency indicators and from there it’ll be easier to identify the right amount that your body requires.

D Indicator #1: Immune System

Cathelicidin is a product of immune cells and vitamin D that kills bacteria and in some ways may be compared to a vacuum machine.

A vacuum machine is designed to clean and wipe off unnecessary dusts. But if it lacks a power source, the cleaning won’t take place and will leave a filthy surrounding.

In the case of the immune system, vitamin D is the power source that must be present so that cathelicidin can perform its bodily duties.

Recurring skin problems are symptoms of vitamin D deficiency, triggered by increased infection. Infections are caused by bacteria. Bacteria are suppose to be destroyed by the immune system if there is an abundance supply of vitamin D.

D Indicator #2: Autoimmune Problems

Vitamin D, aside from boosting underperformance has a pacifying effect on excessive and improper hyperactive behavior of the immune cells. Additional wonders of vitamin D are that it improves arthritis, autoimmune type I diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease.

D Indicator #3: The Big “C”

One among the amazing roles of vitamin D is to tell the genes what to do in relation to cell growth and division.

Cancer problems imply that cell division has gotten out of control in an improper behavior. As mentioned earlier, vitamin D pacifies the immune cells whenever they start going ballistic. Vitamin D acts as the peacemaker regulating cell growth and differentiation to maintain it in a healthy condition.

D Indicator #4: Diabetes and Obesity

Struggle in losing weight or with the health of your pancreas is an indication that extra vitamin D is necessary.

Overweight people are encouraged to bask under the sun because vitamin D is helpful for the healthy metabolism of blood sugar and fat. Go for a run under the sun. Apart from the vitamin D you are getting, you are also burning calories with the exercise you are doing.

People living further the equator make a good candidate for type 1 diabetes, which is a dramatic result of vitamin D deficiency.

D Indicator #5: The Central Pump

Vitamin D prevents heart failure and improves the blood flow because it assists the heart from the stressful pumping and swelling in size. That’s why vitamin D is also labeled as “The Heart Tranquilizer”.

D Indicator #6: Brain Health

Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy causes brain abnormalities similar to those seen in patients with schizophrenia. Since vitamin D is relative to gene transcription in the evolving nervous system, a deficiency is bound to cause some kind of problems.

Go Out And Get Your Dose Of Vitamin D!

Vitamin D has all the right to its throne for the countless health benefits it provides our body. So beneficial, that we should start loading up with these sunshine vitamins to help improve our immune system.

As part of a healthy lifestyle, go out in the sun and get as much sunshine as you can get. This is one of the best feats of vitamin D; it is conveniently available to everyone anytime and anywhere.

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Do you often feel tired at the middle of the day and find yourself craving for sweets to keep your energy level up? Despite getting adequate sleep, do you feel listless, moody or irritable? Do you pant and gasp for air after going through your usual routine or just finishing up your everyday chores? More importantly, have you had your weight and blood sugar checked recently?

If you are experiencing tiredness bordering on fatigue, having unusual craving for sweets to keep you going and losing your breathe even at the slightest and lightest of activities, then more often than not you are sure to be overweight and out of shape. A more nagging concern would be the condition that is directly associated with your being overweight – having a higher-than-normal blood sugar level. It is definitely time for you to get yourself checked.

When you go see your doctor, go ahead and ask about PreCrea, the dietary supplement whose weight-loss and diabetes prevention benefits are increasingly becoming known all throughout the United States.

PreCrea reduces weight and blood sugar levels

PreCrea is the latest all-natural, herbal dietary supplement that has gone through extensive research and testing to benefit people suffering from high blood sugar levels and other pre-diabetes symptoms.

The ingredients of PreCrea are especially formulated to complement the weight-loss efforts of pre-diabetic individuals. One of these ingredients is Gymnema Sylvestre, which promotes actual weight loss by decreasing a person’s craving for sugar-laden treats and sweets. Another ingredient, Salacia Reticulata, on the other hand blocks the breakdown of starchy foods to sugary substances that is quickly absorbed by the blood, giving that feeling of having a temporary sugar-rush. Combined, these two key ingredients speed up weight loss and stave off the dangers of developing diabetes.

PreCrea taken twice daily, or depending on the recommendation of your physician, coupled with a low calorie diet and regular moderate exercise, greatly reduces the probability of developing diabetes from pre-diabetic symptoms. What’s more, weight loss of 20 to 30 lbs is evident in the next 6 to 8 months of continued use.

How you can make PreCrea work for you

PreCrea is available through www.predisease.com. If you got your physician’s go ahead to use PreCrea, you can get an enrollment form from him which will contain his identification number. When you have placed your order, a 3-month supply will immediately be shipped to your chosen shipping address, and to guarantee that your PreCrea regimen is not interrupted, you will also promptly receive your next 3 months set even before your current supply has been used up. Aside from the medication cost of $42.95 per month’s supply, be prepared to shell out $14.95 for the shipping and handling costs of each 3 months set. Products are usually delivered within 5 business days via USPS.

If at anytime you should wish to cancel your order, you only need to contact their customer service and request for the cancellation. However, let me point out that PreCrea comes with a 100% money-back guarantee assuring you that you can take their word that PreCrea is all that they say it is. What would be a sweeter deal than that (no pun intended)?

Order online now and see yourself to fitness and more importantly, good health by keeping weight and diabetes at bay.

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Chocolate has long been touted to be an aphrodisiac, as well as an offering to the Gods.  Now there is new evidence that actually validates the role that chocolate plays.

Theobroma cacao, the botanical name of chocolate literally means ‘food for the gods’, but humans can enjoy it as well.  Humans enjoy chocolate in all its forms, and the good news for chocoholics is that it actually has modern health benefits and can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Here’s a short Q and A to get you to know chocolate more:

What is the history of chocolate?

Chocolate has been around for centuries already, starting with the Mayans who used cocoa beans as money, to the Aztecs who discovered that they could make a delicious drink from the bean by roasting it, grounding it, and adding water and sweeteners to it.  The first chocolate drink was made by the Aztecs in 1519.  The chocolate bar was born sometime in the 18^th century and it was first made by mixing chocolate with milk.

Can chocolates, regardless of their kind, give you health benefits?

Not all chocolate is the same, stay away from candies that have caramel, marshmallow, or the creamy, artery-clogging stuff; opt for solid dark chocolate.

Why is dark chocolate the best option over white and milk chocolate?

A phytochemical known as flavanoid is found in cocoa beans.  White or milk chocolate contains lesser cocoa than dark chocolate.  The higher the cocoa content, the more flavanoids you get.

What does dark chocolate do to your health?

Eating dark chocolate in combination with a balanced diet can help your heart, maintain good blood pressure, reduce blood cholesterol levels, and increase blood flow to your brain.  It can also help improve levels of blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, hence, making diabetes a far off risk.

What amount of chocolate is healthy?

Eat chocolate in moderation because aside from the flavanoids, dark chocolate also contains fat, sugar, and calories.  Too much chocolate can increase your weight.  An ounce is enough to satisfy your craving and give you the health benefits you want without giving you a belly – eat it slowly.

Why do some chocolate brands flaunt their cocoa content on their labels?

More cocoa means more flavanoids.  Dark chocolate contains 70% cocoa, milk chocolate, 50%, and cheap chocolate, only 7%.

What are the calorie contents of the different kinds of chocolates?

Most candies today contain cocoa solids, sugar, and fats, and for milk chocolate, milk.  Below is a specific calorie list for the various kinds of chocolate that we use:

• Pure Cocoa Powder (2 tablespoons): 40 calories, 1 gram of fat, 0 grams saturated fat
• Unsweetened baking chocolate (1 ounce): 140 calories, 14 grams of fat, 9 grams of saturated fat
• Semisweet or milk chocolate (1 ounce): 135 calories, 8.5 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat
• Dark Chocolate (1 ounce): 142 calories, 10 grams of fat, and 6 grams of saturated fat

What are the major differences between the various kinds of chocolates?

The quality of the chocolate boils down to how it is made.  Ground, roasted, and graded cocoa beans are used to make chocolate liquor which also contains cocoa butter.

• Unsweetened baking chocolate is simply solidified and pressed chocolate liquor
• Cocoa powder is dried cocoa butter extracted from chocolate liquor
• Dark chocolate contains chocolate liquor, sugar, cocoa butter, and sometimes, vanilla
• Mild chocolate is simply dark chocolate with milk or milk powder
• White chocolate has no chocolate liquor, only cocoa butter, milk or milk powder, and vanilla

Chocolate candy is usually processed with emulsifiers to give it a smooth texture and mouth feel; the expensive ones are processed longer.

Can chocolates really stimulate sexual desire like an aphrodisiac?

Without their knowing that chocolate contained the chemicals phenylethylamine and serotonin, the Aztecs already considered chocolate a royal aphrodisiac and the Mayans associated it with their fertility god.  The two chemicals mentioned are mood boosters and mild sexual stimulants; these can make you feel good or even euphoric.  Despite the mild effects of chocolate on sexual stimulation, it’s actually the sensuality of it melting in your mouth that acts more as a sexual stimulus.

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Instant Eyelids Lift with Eye Secrets – No More Sagging Eyes!

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After many attempts to uncover the reason behind sagging eyelids, researchers finally found out that the expansion of fatty tissues in the eye socket is the culprit.

The study was the first to investigate eyelid aging by looking at the anatomy of multiple subjects. Also, this was the first time that a high-power magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to examine facial aging. Forty subjects (17 males and 23 females) aged 12 to 80 years underwent MRI. Radiological images revealed that lower eyelid tissue increased with age, and that fat accumulation was mainly responsible for this size increase.

The American Society for Aesthetics Plastic Surgery reported that there were more than 11.7 million cosmetic surgical and nonsurgical operations performed in the United States in 2007. The number of surgical operations, including eyelid surgery, increased by 8 percent between 2006 and 2007. Notable among these procedures is eyelid surgery, ranking third in the list of most popular cosmetic operations.

Blepharoplasty is the term used to refer to the surgical lifting of sagging tissues in the eyelid for cosmetic purposes. This operation often results to a more youthful appearance. The patient may also look less tired and sad.

Is Fat the Only Cause of Sagging Eyelid?

It’s quite unfortunate that cosmetic surgery is preferred by many despite the availability of natural therapies capable of reversing the signs of skin aging, particularly sagging eyelids.

Under-eye bags are commonly caused by:

• Lack of sleep
• Thyroid dysfunction
• Fatigue
• Too much exercise
• Allergies
• Smoking
• Exposure to toxic substances
• Fluid retention

Oxidative stress is one of the major causes of sagging skin. Oxidative stress is often the result of eating unhealthy or processed foods, which increase cell damaging substances called free radicals. The most obvious effect of this type of cellular damage is manifested in the face in the form of wrinkles, bulky eye bags, and dull and sagging skin.

Oxidative stress and premature skin aging are correlated with high intake of sugary diets. A study published in the “European Journal of Clinical Investigation” shows that people with metabolic disorders are more vulnerable to oxidative stress than those who are not at risk to develop diabetes.

The diabetic figures of the US are quite alarming, 26% of the adult population over the age of 20 are predisposed to diabetes, so are the 35% of seniors aged 60 and above. Not to mention the 8% of the general population who already have diabetes. Like diabetics, obese people also have greater exposure to oxidative stress as compared with their healthy counterparts.

Eating natural foods is the best way to slow down the pace of skin aging. Start reversing the signs of skin aging by replacing unhealthy diet with antioxidant-rich raw foods. This proactive approach is also highly recommended for youths who want to prevent premature aging.

Maintaining Youthful Glow With Vegetable Juicing

With long-term compliance to vegetarian diet, even a 75-year-old man can look as young as a typical 40-year-old. Vegetable juicing is particularly effective in preventing wrinkles despite old age.

Avoiding heat in food preparation will save a lot of nutrients that would otherwise be destroyed by cooking. One-third of an ideal diet should comprise raw foods. So if you don’t have a juicer, you are missing a valuable means to healthy eating. Consider the following health benefits of juicing:

• Full absorption of the essential nutrients from vegetables. As we become accustomed to less-than-optimal diet, the food processing ability of our digestive system weakens. An impaired digestive system limits the ability of the body to absorb all the nutrients from vegetables. With juicing, the digestive system has less workload to handle since the nutrients are somehow “pre-digested.”
• Efficient and optimal consumption of vegetables – Vegetables are easier to consume if they are in juice form rather than in solid form. Just imagine how eating 50 pounds of vegetables becomes less burdensome if all of them are processed into juice. If you are one of those people who want to shift to vegetarian diet but have no appetite for vegetables, juicing is definitely the best solution.
• Diversity in vegetable diet. Many people stick to the same vegetable salads every day. Such lack of diversity in diet increases the risk of developing food allergy. Juicing allows you to combine a wide range of vegetables into a more palatable product.

Choose vegetables that fit your nutritional type. Ideally, you should limit your vegetable selections to organic crops to avoid pesticides and other agrochemical substances that cause oxidative stress. If organic vegetables are not accessible, at least wash vegetables thoroughly.

That healthy diet aids in skin rejuvenation is backed by scientific proofs.  A study published in the “Journal of the American College of Nutrition” supported this claim.

The study, which involved dark and fair skinned subjects, confirmed the positive correlation between wholesome, low-sugar diet and skin aging. Australians and Swedish who ate less confections and more raw foods were less likely to have wrinkles.

Among the wrinkle-fighting foods identified by the study were olive oil, green leafy vegetables, and nuts. Researchers also found out that, age and smoking aside, diet still played a role in wrinkling. Smoother skin was common among those who exceeded the recommended intake of essential nutrients.

Foods with high levels of antioxidants are particularly effective in protecting the skin from aging. Foods high in vitamins A, C and E fight oxidative stress and thus prevent skin aging. Olive oil and other foods high in monounsaturated fats also prevent oxidative damage in the same way.

Other anti-aging tips

Ironically, sagging eyelid due to fluid retention can be aggravated by dehydration. Drinking sufficient amount of water helps reduce the bulkiness of eye bags.

Potatoes are actually more effective than cucumbers in treating puffy bags. The skin lightening effect of potato is attributed to catecholase. This substance is also found in some cosmetic products. While resting,  treat each of your eye bag with a slice of potato for about 20 minutes. This will help lessen  the swelling and lighten under-eye circles.

Exercising regularly is another way to maintain youthful and bright skin. But beware that too much exercise can cause wrinkles.

Having a sufficient rest and addressing emotional stresses are also necessary for maintaining or regaining youthful skin. Avoid insomnia by addressing emotional problems.

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We often think that what we eat is enough to keep us living a healthy lifestyle. What we don’t know is that many adults lack seven essential nutrients, from calcium to fiber. Other people may be missing even more. We often resort to supplements to remedy this, but food can actually be the best solution to this problem.

Calcium:  A nutrient needed for muscle and bone development and more

It is wrong to think that as we grow up, we don’t need calcium anymore. It is true that developing bones need calcium, but it doesn’t stop there because maintaining a strong skeleton for life also requires calcium. Calcium also has a very important role in normalizing heart rhythms, blood clotting and muscular functions. Successful weight control and lower blood pressure can both be linked to adequate calcium intake.

Here are your daily calcium needs according to age:

• 1,000 milligrams – 19-50 year olds
• 1,200 milligrams – 51 years and up

Most people need only to include three servings of dairy food items a day in their balanced diet to meet their calcium requirements. Since calcium is best absorbed in the presence of lactose and natural milk sugar, then it is wise to try to get calcium from dairy foods.

Here are foods that provide 300 milligrams of calcium per serving:

• Milk/Yogurt (8 ounces)
• Calcium enriched orange juice (8 ounces)
• Hard cheese (1.5 ounces)
• Fortified soy beverage (8 ounces)

Other than just calcium, dairy foods and soy also contain magnesium while orange juice supplies you with potassium.

Fiber:  Total Health Requirement

Regular bowel movements owe their regularity to fiber which also prevents other intestinal problems including an intestinal inflammation known as diverticular disease. Fiber is also good in promoting overall health. It also prevents the development of chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer, and type 2 diabetes; and because it is filling and low in calories, it can help in weight management.

Fiber requirements are based on the required calorie intake. This is the reason why men and women have different fiber needs and why the requirement decreases with age.

• 38 grams – Men, 19-50 years old
• 30 grams – Men, 51 years and up
• 25 grams – Women, 19-50 years old
• 21 grams – Women, 51 years and up

The reason why people don’t get enough beneficial fiber in their diets is the lack of plant foods as well as whole grains.

Here are means of boosting your fiber intake:

• Choose whole grain crackers, vegetables or popcorn over cookies, candy and chips.
• Opt for breads that contain whole grains and cereals. Whole wheat pasta, other whole grains like quinoa, millet, barley, cracked wheat, and wild rice are also good sources of fiber.
• Check the nutrition facts and choose breads with more than three grams of fiber per slice as well as cereals with five or more grams of fiber per serving.
• Bean-based soups such as lentil or black bean are good meal starters. To fiber-boost other recipes, also add canned, rinsed chick peas to salads, soups, egg, and pasta dishes.
• Make fruits, vegetables and whole grains a part of every meal.

Other than just fiber, fresh and lightly processed fruits, vegetables, and beans are also a good source of potassium, while beans are also rich in magnesium.

Magnesium:  Immunity booster, Bone Nutrient and more

Many physiological functions require magnesium to work properly. Bone strength, nerve integrity, muscle normalcy, heart function, and peak immunity are all dependent on magnesium.

Your daily requirements for magnesium are as follows:

• 400 milligrams – Men, 19-30 years old
• 420 milligrams – Men, 31 years and up
• 310 milligrams – Women, 19-30 years old
• 320 milligrams – Women, 31 years and up

Your can satisfy your magnesium requirements through the following:

• Magnesium can be found in whole grains, quinoa, and bulgur
• Pumpkin seeds are also magnesium rich
• Top your cereal or low-fat frozen yogurt with slivered almonds
• Substitute your protein from meat with legumes like black beans, white beans or soy a few times each week.
• Have three servings of low fat dairy foods each day.

Other than just magnesium, quinoa and cracked wheat contain helpful fiber. Almonds are also very rich in vitamin E and calcium. Milk is also a viable source of calcium.

Vitamin E:  Your Free Radical Destroyer

There is a misconception that we should stay away from fat; this misconception often keeps us from getting the vitamin E that we need. This vitamin, which is found in fatty foods like nuts, seeds, and oils, is a very good antioxidant. It works by destroying free radicals which are unstable oxygen molecules that result from normal metabolism and other things like exposure to air pollution, cigarette smoke, and strong UV rays.

The desire to loose weight keeps people from eating healthy high-fat foods, and hence, keeps people away from vitamin E. Vitamin E can be very easy to acquire – an ounce of sunflower seeds supplies most (2/3) of an adults daily need for the vitamin, or an ounce of almonds provides for half of this need.

Being a complex nutrient, there are 8 kinds of vitamin E, alpha-tocopherol vitamin E (AT) being the most useful of these types. Anybody above the age of 19 requires 15 milligrams of AT every day.

Here are ways to get the Vitamin E that you need:

• Make sunflower seeds and almonds a part of your snack pack or you may also add these to salads, steamed vegetables, and cooked whole grains.
• Indulge in a nut-butter spread over some whole grain bread.
• When cooking, replace your corn or vegetable oil with sunflower or safflower oil.
• Make a rich delicious smoothie with low fat milk, honey, and an ounce of toasted, slivered almonds, all incorporated together in a blender.
• Go for vitamin E fortified, ready to eat, whole grain cereals.

Vitamin E is not the only nutrient that you can get from the above foods, whole grains also supply fiber, sunflower seeds contain magnesium and fiber, and milk is a rich source of calcium.

Vitamin C:  Vital Immune System Booster

Although vitamin C is not solely responsible for a healthy immune system, it is known to help the body combat germs and prevent cancer. It has to be noted, however, that cancer prevention through a proper diet focuses on consuming various types of food items containing different nutrients and not only vitamin C. What we already know about vitamin C tells us that this nutrient is vital for healthy connective tissue because it is important in the production of collagen which is a component of muscles, skin, and bones. Vitamin C can also help prevent cellular damage because like vitamin E, it is also an antioxidant.

Your vitamin C daily requirements are as follows:

• 90 milligrams – Men, 19 years old and up
• 75 milligrams – Women, 19 years old and up

Vitamin C cannot be stored by the body, neither can it be produced naturally in your body, hence, it is essential that it is taken in every day. Here are some vitamin C rich foods that you may include in your diet:

• sweet red pepper (raw) – ½ cup = 142 milligrams
• medium kiwi – 70 milligrams
• orange juice – 6 ounces – 61-93 milligrams
• strawberries (raw) – ½ cup = 49 milligrams
• cantaloupe (medium) – ¼ of the whole = 47 milligrams
• broccoli (cooked) – ¼ cup = 51 milligrams

Other than just vitamin C, these foods also provide potassium and fiber. Carotenoids can also be found in sweet red pepper and cantaloupe. Vitamin C consumption also helps in the absorption of iron from plant foods and iron-fortified grains.

Vitamin A and Carotenoids:  Bright-eye nutrients

Normal vision, gene expression, tissue growth, and proper immune function are physiological processes requiring vitamin A. This vitamin has two kinds; retinol which is readily used by the body, and carotenoids, which are raw materials that the body converts into vitamin A. Retinol is a normal part of the American diet, unlike carotenoids which are consumed at low levels.

There is no daily requirement for carotenoids; however, it is wise to have foods rich in this nutrient in your every day diet. We can easily tell which food produce contain carotenoids, these are the ones that have bright colors, like the following:

• carrots
• sweet potato
• pumpkin
• spinach
• cantaloupe
• sweet pepper
• broccoli

These same food items are also rich in fiber and potassium; spinach contains vitamin C and E, and broccoli contains vitamin C.

Potassium:  For Healthy Nerves and Muscles

Every single cell in our body contains potassium. Muscles require potassium to contract normally, and so do nerves, for normal impulse transmission, and fluid balance in general. This nutrient is required for energy production and also helps in promoting strong bones. High blood pressure that comes with age can be avoided with ample potassium intake. All of us above 19 years of age require 4,700 milligrams of potassium every day.

It is wise to consult your doctor if you already suffer from high blood pressure because some medications taken for this condition function as diuretics and causes the body to lose potassium, hence, increasing your potassium needs.

Below are foods that are packed with potassium for your daily needs:

• white beans (canned) – 1 cup = 1,189 milligrams
• spinach (cooked) – 1 cup = 839 milligrams
• sweet potato (cooked) – medium sized = 694 milligrams
• fat-free yogurt – 1 cup = 579 milligrams
• orange juice – 1 cup = 496 milligrams
• broccoli (cooked) = 1 cup = 457 milligrams
• cantaloupe – 1 cup = 431 milligrams

Other nutrients that may be supplied by these foods are magnesium and fiber from beans, fiber and carotenoids from sweet potato, broccoli, and cantaloupe, and calcium from yogurt.

Who are those who would need more nutrients than normally required?

Pregnancy increases the nutrient requirements of women, so those in the childbearing age should stock up on two important nutrients to prepare themselves for motherhood.

Folic Acid

Folic acid which is the synthetic form of the B vitamin, folate, helps protect the baby against neural tube defects and also cleft lip or palate during the first trimester. Women should try their very best to acquire the required 400 micrograms of folic acid every day, whether from food supplements or food items that are rich in folate. Since this nutrient is involved in cell production and the prevention of certain types of anemia, folate is just as important for the remaining trimesters of the pregnancy. Even when folic acid is easily absorbed by the body compared to the naturally occurring folate, consumption of folate rich foods is still advisable.

Here are some foods fortified with folic acid:

• ready-to-eat breakfast cereals – 1 ounce = 100-400 micrograms folic acid
• enriched spaghetti (cooked) – 1 cup = 80 micrograms folic acid
• enriched bread – 2 slices = 34 micrograms folic acid

Here also are some folate-rich foods:

• lentils (cooked) – 1 cup = 358 micrograms folate
• spinach (cooked) – 1 cup = 263 micrograms folate
• broccoli (cooked) – 1 cup = 168 micrograms folate
• orange juice – 1 cup = 110 micrograms folate

Iron

Iron is vital in the transportation of oxygen to the cells and tissues of the body. Before pregnancy, women should consume adequate iron, and even during pregnancy, because iron is depleted at this stage and may cause iron-deficiency anemia in mothers.

Heme-iron, the highly absorbable form of the nutrient found in animal foods should be consumed by pregnant women in ample amounts. They should also consider having iron-rich plant foods and iron-fortified foods in their diet. This, however, should be accompanied with Vitamin C because this nutrient helps in the absorption of heme-iron. For women ages 19-50, they should consume about 18 milligrams of iron daily, while pregnant women should get 27 milligrams a day.

Here are some sources of heme-iron:

• beef (cooked) – 3 ounces = 3 milligrams
• turkey (cooked) – 3 ounces = 2 milligrams
• light chicken meat (cooked) – 3 ounces = 1 milligram

Sources of non-heme iron:

• whole grain total cereal – ¾ cup = 22 milligrams
• fortified instant oatmeal – 1 cup = 10 milligrams
• soybeans (cooked) – 1 cup = 8 milligrams
• kidney beans (boiled) – 1 cup = 5 milligrams

Vitamin D

As we grow old, our nutrient needs also vary. Like people with a dark complexion and those who are not exposed to sunlight that much, older adults may lack Vitamin D. This vitamin is quite unique in that its production is initiated by the skin’s normal response to sunlight, hence, those who avoid the sun may not have enough vitamin D in their bodies. Those who have higher melanin levels in their skin are also prone to vitamin D deficiency because their dark complexion acts as a natural sunscreen. In the same manner, older adults are unable to normally produce vitamin D and are most likely deficient of this nutrient.

Age is very important in this case because vitamin D needs increase to twice the requirement after the age of 51. At this age, one needs to have 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day which is equal to four glasses of milk. After the 70th year, we need to consume 600 IU of vitamin D per day.

The problem gets even worse because most foods are not good sources of vitamin D. A possible solution to this problem is to consume foods that are fortified with the nutrient like milk, breakfast cereals, and food supplements. These items, working hand in hand, may give you the vitamin D that your body requires.

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Why dental care? The answers are varied: the allure of a perfect set of pearly whites or, on the other hand, the fear of caries and gum problems that invariably lead to the dentist’s chair.

Well, there are additional reasons to support regimented oral care – gum problems are linked to an increased risk for heart and lung diseases, diabetes and, in pregnant women, a greater tendency for babies to be delivered pre-term and with low-birth weight.

Dr. Ray Williams, an expert in periodontology and dentistry at the University of North Carolina’s school of dentistry, says “An initial study of 20,749 subjects showed that subjects with periodontitis had a 24% increased risk of coronary heart disease relative to those had minimal periodontal disease.”

The connection comes from open, bleeding wounds that emerge because of gum conditions like gingivitis and periodontitis. Bacteria from the mouth can enter the bloodstream and reach distant organs. This results in inflammation, which is never good news.

Gum Disease

Gingivitis

• An early form of gum disease caused by the build up of plaque and tartar around the teeth.
• If not removed, plaque (a sticky film that can harbor over 400 species of bacteria) irritates the gums, leaving them red, swollen and tender.
• Over time, the condition results in bleeding and receding gums, a build up of pus in gums, loose teeth, bad breath, bad taste and changes in teeth positioning.
• May also be caused by over vigorous brushing and flossing.
• May not have symptoms in its early stages.

Periodontitis

• A more severe form of gum inflammation that causes bone loss around the tooth. Is usually a progression of untreated gingivitis.
• Causes progressive bone loss around teeth, looseness and eventual tooth loss.

Inflammation is a major cause of plaque formation in blood vessels and leads to arteriosclerosis – the thickening and hardening of artery walls. The vessels are narrowed, causing hypertension and a subsequent host of heart conditions.

Inflammation is also believed to damage the pancreas, the organ responsible for the production of insulin which maintains sugar levels in the blood. Irreversible impairment of insulin production is, of course, the prelude to diabetes.

“Once this happens, it may trigger type 2 diabetes, even in healthy individuals with no other risk factors for diabetes,” says Dr. Williams.

In a vicious cycle, diabetics, particularly those with fluctuating sugar levels, are at greater risk of developing gum disease.

Other contributing factors in gum disease include tobacco use, family history and poor immunity.

Dental Care And Pregnancy

The most important patients at the moment are expectant mothers. Hormonal changes that change blood flow places them and their children at greater risk once bacteria enters the bloodstream.

Dr. Williams explains that current medical practices emphasize immediate treatment upon detection, because gum disease is linked to a significant risk for delivering pre-term and low-birth weight babies.

The message to mums-to-be: schedule regular dental check-ups with your dentist to maintain gum health throughout your pregnancy.

The frequency of check-ups varies according to the individual’s health – some women require only two check-ups during the course of nine months, while others should visit the dentist as often as every two months.

For the normal individual, dental check-ups are usually recommended twice a year.

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The medical profession has recognized the healthful and nutritive properties of wine for thousands of years. Hippocrates recommended specific wines to purge fever, disinfect and dress wounds, as a diuretic or nutritional supplement. As part of a normal diet, wine provides the body with energy, aids digestion, and contains small amounts of minerals and vitamins. It can also stimulate the appetite. In addition, wine can restore nutritional balance, relieve tension, sedate and act as a mild euphoric agent.

The French Paradox

The ‘French Paradox’ is the popular thinking of wine as a medicine rather than toxin. Typically, the diet of people in southern France includes a very high proportion of cheese, butter, eggs, organ meats and other fatty and cholesterol-laden foods. This diet would seem to promote heart disease, but the rate there is much lower than in America. Thus, the French Paradox.

In essence, the ‘French Paradox’ is the observation that although the French don’t eat a particularly healthy diet, they have a much lower rate of heart disease than people of other nations. This startling fact is said to be due to the relatively high consumption by the French of wine, which in some way acts to protect them from heart disease. Of course, this is just a correlation for which there is no direct proof. But it does fit well with the results from large-scale population studies on drinking and mortality.

There is still quite a bit of controversy surrounding the French Paradox. However, the idea is now so firmly entrenched in the public’s mind, and so intuitively attractive a hypothesis, that it looks likely to stay.

The Beneficial Effects Of Wine

Alcohol has a number of health benefits. Moderate consumption of red wine on a regular basis may be a preventative factor against coronary disease and some cancers.

The chemical components thought to be responsible for this are catechins (or flavanoids). Catechins are believed to function as anti­oxidants, preventing free-radicals from doing cellular damage.

Grapes and wine also have two compounds called resveratrol and quercetin. Studies have shown these to boost the immune system, block cancer formation, and possibly protect against heart disease and even prolong life.

A study published in the 2004 year-end edition of the American Journal of Physiology said that resveratrol also inhibits formation of a protein that produces a condition called cardio fibrosis, which reduces the heart’s pumping efficiency when it is needed most in times of stress.

More evidence suggests that wine dilates small blood vessels and helps prevent angina and clotting. The alcohol in wine additionally helps balance cholesterol levels.

In recent years, new evidence of the beneficial effects of alcohol on other medical conditions has emerged.

Antioxidants

The antioxidant hypothesis is immensely attractive and intuitive, and has received much publicity. It explains the biochemistry of bad molecules called free radicals. These cause oxidative damage to low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), making them more likely to damage artery walls. It is this atherosclerotic damage that increases the risk of heart attacks. Red wine contains compounds called polyphenols, which have antioxidant properties.

Blood Lipid Fractions

This is believed to be the most likely mechanism explaining alcohol’s positive effect on cardiovascular disease. There are two types of cholesterol: LDL and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). LDL is the lipid that, when oxidized, plays a role in atherosclerosis, which leads to heart disease. Alcohol itself, rather than any particular component of it, has been shown to raise the levels of good cholesterol (HDL). Exactly how alcohol has this effect is not known.

Digestive Prophylaxis

A study published in January 2003 in the American Journal of Gastrointestinal showed that moderate, regular consumption of wine or beer decreases the risk of peptic ulcers and may help rid the body of the bacteria suspected of causing them.

Diabetes

The Harvard School of Public Health conducted a 14 year trial called the Nurses Health Study, which required participants to complete a questionnaire every two years detailing lifestyle choices and diagnoses of any medical condition.

The subjects were divided into three levels of alcohol consumption. The study found that women who drank regularly and moderately (one or two drinks per day, or a total of 15-30 gm of alcohol) had a 58 percent lower likelihood of developing diabetes.

Other studies point to multiple benefits of regular and moderate wine drinking, including lower risk of stroke, colorectal tumors, skin and other cancers, senile dementia, and even the common cold, as well as reduced scarring from radiation therapy.

Nutrition

The nutritional content of wine is minimal. There is no fat, cholesterol or dietary fiber in wine. The official recommendation in the 1995 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (4th edition), published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, is “Advice for today: if you drink alcoholic beverages, do so in moderation, with meals, and when consumption does not put you or others at risk.”

There is evidence that a regular, moderate intake of alcohol can have health benefits. On the other hand, wine is not a cure-all. The vast majority of healthy people may enjoy wine regularly and moderately as a pleasure that supports and prolongs a gracious life.

These findings are not a reason to take up drinking if you currently abstain, but they do represent a reason to cut back if you imbibe heavily.

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