Rejuvalife Vitality Institute
Beverly Hills CA

Finding the Motivation to Work Out

How many of you have started a new gym membership, went every other day the first couple weeks, then soon lost motivation and now you’re lucky to make it a few times a month. Finding your motivation is key to staying with an exercise plan, and making it a regular part of your anti-aging lifestyle. Certain simple lifestyle changes, techniques and mindsets can help to keep motivation steadily high.

Use a scale every day – Weigh yourself first thing every morning without heavy clothes, before breakfast, and after using the bathroom.  Studies have shown that people who weigh themselves regularly lose more weight and keep the pounds off more effectively than those who don’t. Being aware of your weight can put you more in tune with the factors that cause it to go up and down, to track your progress on a diet or fitness plan, and to allow you to adjust accordingly as weight fluctuates.

It’s all in the mind – Studies of elite athletes have shown that the ideal ratio of pre-event visualization to physical training is 70-30. That’s seventy percent visualization. Just psyching yourself up while strength training can increase up to 8%. Visualizing doing perfect benchpresses can add about 12% more power than being distracted. Repeating affirmations or mantras during endurance exercises can help increase stamina and performance.

Plan ahead – Chances are, if you are not planning your workouts in advance and scheduling around them, something will come up or you will find an excuse to skip workouts. The morning is the best time to work out. Not only can early morning workouts have beneficial effects on your mental and physical health throughout the day, but people’s days tend to get busier as the day moves on, and they are less likely to be interrupted by things coming up before the start of the work day.

Consistency is Key – “Well, maybe I wont work all week, but I’ll take a really long run on Sunday.” That’s the equivalent of saying “well, maybe I wont brush my teeth all week, but I’ll brush them extra long on Sunday.” Your body will begin to lose conditioning only three days after stopping working out. Adults should work out at least 30 minutes, 5 times per week. There are significant additional health benefits for working out an hour a day, 5 times per week. Recent studies have found that even 15 minutes of exercise a day have incredible health benefits.

With a little help from my friends – Studies have shown that having an exercise partner or group can help you stay with an exercise routine. Not only are you committing to yourself, but you’re making a commitment to someone else, which makes it that much harder to break. You can also help each other track progress, keep things fun, and support and motivate each other. Running with a partner, in a group, or in a public event can increase performance, because of an aspect of social comparison and often competition.

Set your sights – Signing up for a specific event or having a very specific fitness or health goal in mind can dramatically improve your motivation and help you stay on track. If you know you have to be in shape for a marathon in 3 months, you will be able to figure out better how much you need to be running to accomplish the goal. If  your goal is unclear or nebulous, it is hard to track progress and to stay on course.

Do what you love – Working out should not be tedious! If you hate the elliptical machine, it’s going to be hard to committing 2 hours a week to using it. And why would you? There are so many fun, challenging, and unique ways to stay in shape. Whether it’s basketball, kayaking, hiking, skiing, surfing, jumping on a trampoline, martial arts, or even gardening, there are so many activities to choose from that burn major calories and that you can actually look forward to doing. It’s much easier to stay motivated when your workout isn’t a chore you feel you have to do, but something you genuinely enjoy. And if you really don’t like any other physical activity, at least can sex burn 85 calories or more in a half an hour.

The wave of the future – Modern technology has made incredible innovations geared to make exercise more fun, effective, and accessible. You can now where a sensor on your wrist that’s linked to an app that can keep track of your heart rate, calories burned, steps, workouts, and diet, while GPS tracking the distance of your runs. One app even let’s you take a picture of your meal, and it will tell you how many calories and carbs it has. Recent have studies have found that personal mobile exercise management apps improve weight loss. Certain exercise related and physically active video games have been shown to be effective for weight loss and fitness. Investing a little bit in engaging gadgetry and gear can motivate you to put it to use more. After all, you want to get your money’s worth.

Staying on a fitness plan isn’t always easy, but making your health a priority can help you grit your teeth and workout even when it’s tough. Making these simple lifestyle changes can help you stay on track. Rejuvalife Vitality Institute is here to support your health and wellbeing goals. We offer comprehensive Fitness and Nutrition Plans, Nutritional Supplements, Lifestyle Management, and Medically Supervised Weight Loss.

For Your Health!

The Unexpected Benefits of Exercise

As if being able to fit into your jeans from college isn’t enough of a reason, sufficient exercise can bring a wide variety of serious health benefits. Besides the obvious weight loss, improved muscle and cardiovascular function, as well as increased longevity, exercise brings with it a host of unexpected benefits. In general, those who exercise regularly are actually “biologically younger” than those who do not exercise regularly, therefore, they are at lower risk for age-related disease and physical decline.

A new study suggests a strong link between exercise and eye health. The study suggests that regular exercise can lower the risk of macular degeneration resulting from age by up to 70%. Physical activity reduces inflammation in the blood vessel walls the results from the disease.

Exercise can significantly increase how quickly you fall asleep, and improve the overall quality of your sleep. As your metabolism becomes more efficient, your body is able to make the downgrade from awake to asleep faster. In other words, your body does not to remain active as long to maintain your metabolic balance. Not only that, but exercise allows you to wake up faster and feel more rested, even if you got a little less sleep than normal.

Exercise is also great for your skin. Healthy skin requires sufficient water and oxygen to look and feel it’s best. The heavy breathing and increased heart rate associated with exercise increase your circulation, which carries oxygen throughout the body, including the skin. Increased muscle mass and reduces fatty deposits can also result in tighter, smoother feeling skin, as the skin is literally being pulled more tightly over the muscle.

Sports involving small, fast moving objects like tennis can improve your general ability to focus. In addition to improved concentration, your eyes will actually physically focus faster. A strong link has also been shown between exercise and memory and other cognitive functions. Exercise also significantly improves balance, which can have positive effects in many different areas.

Don’t sweat! People who exercise often tend to sweat less when not working out than those who don’t exercise regularly. The body uses the exercise time to sweat out toxins and excess water. In addition, regular exercisers have lower resting heart rate, which keeps their bodies from heating up and sweating during regular tasks, like climbing stairs.

If taking care of yourself isn’t enough, then do it for your kids. Studies show that parent who have healthy exercise routines and diet are more likely to raise kids with the same habits. Not to mention if you live significantly longer, you will have more time with your loved ones.

So how much do you need to exercise? Adults should do a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes a week of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity. Health benefits increase significantly at 5 hours per week. Adults should also do exercise to strengthen their muscles using all major muscle groups at least 2 days per week.  While it’s less than ideal, recent studies have found significant health benefits from exercising only 15 minutes a day.

Exercise is one of the most important components of an anti-aging lifestyle, along with nutrition, sleep, and stress reduction. In addition to looking and feeling great, exercise provides an incredible amount of health benefits. Rejuvalife Vitality Institute offers comprehensive fitness and nutrition programs, as well as medically supervised weight loss, to support your overall health, beauty, and well-being.

The Health Benefits of Thanksgiving Dinner

Rather than try to convince you to give up all of your favorite dishes this Thanksgiving, (honestly, who would listen?) I’m here to tell you that your Thanksgiving dinner can actually be good for you. Most of the reason people tend to gain weight around the holidays has more to do with eating outrageous portion sizes, rather than the food itself. As long as you exercise a little restraint and maybe don’t go back for those third and fourth helpings, most of the food you will eat this Thanksgiving actually has significant nutritional value and health benefits.

Turkey – Turkey is one of the most nutritious kinds of lean meat you can eat, with even less fat and calories than chicken. If you stick with the white meat and forget the skin, a 3-ounce serving packs 25g of protein, only 3g of fat and less than 1g of saturated fat. Turkey is also an excellent source of the amino acid Arginine, an essential building block for proteins, which also plays a role in cell division, wound healing, immune function, and hormone function. 

Cranberry Sauce – Cranberries are loaded with antioxidants that help fight cell damage and improve cardiovascular function, and are one of the highest ranked foods on the ORAC Antioxidant Scale. They are also a good source of Vitamin C, Dietary Fiber, and the essential mineral Manganese. If you’re making your sauce from scratch, consider replacing the sugar with some nutrient rich honey.

Sweet Potatoes – Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of A and C Vitamins, Beta Carotine, Potassium, and Fiber. Research is showing that sweet potatoes may have cancer fighting properties, and can stabilize blood sugar levels for diabetics. Maybe take it easy on the brown sugar, butter and marshmallows.

Mashed Potatoes – Potatoes have gotten a bad rap as the unhealthy black sheep of the vegetable family. The truth is, the unhealthy aspects of potatoes tend to be the way they’re prepared, in greasy french fries and chips, and baked potatoes loaded with sour cream or butter. Potatoes on their own are actually a very healthy, low calorie, high fiber food with properties that fight cardiovascular disease and cancer. They are also a great source of Vitamin C, B6, copper, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. To make your mash a little healthier, try using chicken broth instead of butter, and skim milk instead of cream.  

Pumpkin Pie – Pumpkin is a low fat, low calorie food that is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc and Potassium. Most of the unhealthy aspects of pumpkin pie come from the heavy whipped cream and the buttery crust. Believe it or not, you can actually make whipped cream using skim milk with a powerful enough blender, and substituting a flour crust for crushed pecans adds significant nutritional benefits and tastes even better.

Be Thankful - During this time, let’s not forget about the actual act of “thanks-giving.”  Studies have shown that gratitude has incredible positive effects on health and well-being.  Research is showing that gratitude is associated with reduced blood pressure, stress, depression, and lower risk of development of eating disorders, phobias, and addictions. Furthermore, gratitude is associated with improved mood, sense of well-being, interpersonal relationships, physical health, weight loss, cardiovascular health, immune function, and longevity.

Breast Cancer Prevention through Diet

In honor of October being National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I want to encourage women to take an active role in living a prevention-oriented lifestyle through diet to reduce their cancer risk.

In 2007, the most recent statistics available, over 200,000 women in the United States were diagnosed with breast cancer, and over 40,000 died from breast cancer. Over recent years, more and more attention has been given towards lifestyle and dietary factors contributing to breast cancer.  Of course, no food or supplement is sufficient to completely prevent or treat breast cancer, and women should receive regular mammograms and consult with their physician, and take other lifestyle measures to improve breast health.

However, certain foods and supplements have been linked to reduced risk of breast cancer. Here are some guidelines for a breast cancer prevention oriented diet and lifestyle.

Don’t Eat Meat! - Red meat consumption is highly correlated with breast cancer. Try to limit or eliminate red meat from your diet, and consider eating vegetarian meals at least a few times per week for a boost of essential vitamins, nutrients and antioxidants.

Green is Gold – Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables such as kale, collared-greens, and brussel sprouts reduce the production of a certain kind of estrogen specifically linked to breast cancer development. These foods are also especially high in fiber, which is essential for waste elimination and removing toxins from the body. Eating a high-fiber diet of at least 30 grams or more can significantly reduce carcinogenic toxins in the body and lower breast cancer risk.

Tea Time – Green and white teas are both especially high in antioxidants, which have a protective effect against cancer. Some studies have shown that green tea can interfere with cancer cell receptors. Coffee has also recently been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer. Read More

 You say tomato… – The lycopene in tomatoes can reduce cancer risk by attacking free radicals, which are associated with cancer development.

 Go Nuts! – The Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols in walnuts have all been shown to have cancer-fighting properties.

Bittersweet News – Contrary to the popular belief that “cancer loves sugar,” sugar in your diet does not cause cancer to develop. Starving your cells of sugar won’t kill or prevent cancer, but can deprive your healthy cells of energy. However, obesity, increased insulin levels and diabetes related to a high-sugar diet are all strong risk factors for cancer. A healthy diet and sufficient exercise will contribute to a healthy body weight and normal insulin levels, and thereby lower your cancer risk.

Rejuvalife is here to support you in living a disease-prevention and anti-aging lifestyle, to create the radiant health and vitality you have always wanted!

Your coffee habit might be saving your life

“Can I please get a venti decaf, sugar-free hazelnut, non-fat, no foam, no whip, extra hot caramel macchiato with five pumps of sugar-free hazelnut syrup?” There’s no denying it. Coffee has become part of the American Culture and the American Diet.

Whether you’re a fan of our coffee culture or not, coffee is here to stay, supported by the fact that the average American drank 26 gallons of coffee in 2009. While this may sound like a lot, recent research has shown astonishing disease fighting and health improving properties of daily coffee consumption, especially in higher doses. People in the U.S. get the majority of their antioxidant intake from coffee. A typical serving of coffee contains more antioxidants than an average serving of blueberries. The properties of the special antioxidants and polyphenols found in coffee, along with the effects of the caffeine itself, may play a major part in prevention and ultimately treatment of a number of degenerative diseases.

One of the most recent findings to gain attention is coffee’s incredible association with lower skin cancer risk. A study of nearly 94,000 women found that daily coffee drinkers had an almost 11 percent lower risk of non-melanoma skin cancer, and that women who drank six or more cups daily had a 30 percent reduction in risk. In addition to actually being able to absorb UV rays, caffeine inhibits a chemical pathway responsible for repairing DNA damage in cells caused by UV radiation. While this repair process may sound like a good thing, the problem is that sometimes these cells don’t repair properly and can go on to become cancer cells. By inhibiting this process and letting these cells die, the  risk of them becoming cancerous is eliminated. Caffeine inhibits a similar process in breast cancer development, by promoting cell death of damaged, potentially malignant cells in the breast.

In addition to several other types of cancer, research has linked high, daily coffee consumption to reduced risk of Heart Attack, Heart Disease, Stroke, Dementia including Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s, Type 2 Diabetes, Liver Cirrhosis, and Asthma. Some studies have found that coffee actually improves social skills, and reduces symptoms of depression and rate of suicide.

Ok, so coffee fights cancer and heart disease, but is it really worth the bad breath? Contrary to the implications of the common phrase “coffee breath,” a study from the International Society for Breath Odor Research in Germany (yes, this is a real thing) showed that certain compounds in coffee may ultimately reduce bad breath by eliminating bacteria responsible for halitosis.

The verdict is in. Coffee has tremendous health benefits when included in your daily nutrition, as part of your anti-aging lifestyle. But not all coffee drinks are created equally. A 6 oz. cup of black coffee has about 7 calories. Add a bit of half  & half or creamer and you’re looking at about 50 calories. Every teaspoon of sugar you add from there is about 23 calories more. Do your body a favor and stay away from any of those fancy, sugar filled coffee concoctions. A 16 oz. Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino has 370 calories, 15 grams of fat, and 54 grams of sugar. A 16 oz. McDonalds Frappe, which makes the Starbucks Frappuccino look like a diet drink in comparison, contains a whopping 560 calories, 24 grams of fat, and 70 grams of sugar. That’s the same amount of sugar as 17 and a half of the sugar packets you might use to sweeten your regular coffee! Sugary, artificial coffee drinks have so much sugar that the harmful effects of consuming the sugar on a regular basis far outweigh the health benefits of whatever trace amount of actual coffee they may contain. Caffeine also increases metabolism and energy available for exercise which aids in weight loss, as long as you minimize added milk and sugar, and steer clear of the muffins, bagels, and donuts that often go with it.

Drink up!

Go Fish! – The Amazing Anti-Aging Benefits of Omega-3

Patients ask all the time which supplement is most important for an anti-aging lifestyle and disease prevention. Of course, every person’s body is different, and each person should consult with a physician regarding their nutrition and supplement choices, but Omega-3 essential fatty acids in particular stand out for incredible anti-aging and disease fighting properties.

Essential fatty acids are vital for normal metabolism, but cannot be synthesized by the human body. Because of this, people need to have a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and/or take supplements to maintain healthy levels in the body. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, sturgeon, and anchovies, and are also found in seaweed, flax seeds, soybeans and tofu, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, and canola oil. Certain other foods like eggs and yogurt are also now being fortified with Omega-3 fatty acids.

A large body of research supports the incredible benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids for promoting heart health. A diet rich in Omega-3s has been shown to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, and heart failure. Omega-3s have a positive effect on regulating the heart’s electrical activity, muscle tone, and plaque stabilization, and also act as a blood anticoagulant. Omega-3s reduce blood pressure, lower “bad” cholesterol levels, increase metabolism, and aid weight loss, all associated with heart health and disease prevention. Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to an astonishing number of other health benefits.

Other potential health benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids include:

• Reduces risk of stroke and certain cancers
• Reduces cellular inflammation
• Lubricates  the skin, arteries, veins and intestines
• Slows development of Alzheimer’s and other cognitive problems
• Reduces joint pain and arthritis symptoms
• Increases energy levels and concentration
• Improves sleep quality

The American Heart Association recommends including two meals of fish every week for optimal heart health, however, the American diet is typically lacking in sources of Omega-3s, so it is highly recommended that people take a daily supplement for optimal health and disease prevention. Rejuvalife offers a premium concentrated Fish Oil supplement, the purest and most effective source of Omega-3 fatty acids. We also offer a complete line of the highest quality Vitamins and Supplements, selected personally by Dr. Berger for the highest efficacy and purest ingredients, to support your anti-aging lifestyle and overall health. Any supplement you purchase can also be added to your Loyalty Punches for our Filler Frenzy Program, and contribute toward receiving your $300 gift card or free syringe of Juvederm Ultra, Restylane or Radiesse.  See offer for complete details.

The Risks of Mid-Section Fat (Besides the Muffintop)

Let’s be honest. Most of us would love to lose an extra inch or two around our midsections. How nice it would be to fit into those jeans from college without having to suck in, or show off a slim, sexy body at the beach. But there may be an even more compelling reason to get rid of that stubborn belly fat once and for all. Research is now showing that fat specifically around the midsection or waist is a major risk factor for Type II Diabetes, Heart Disease, Hypertension, Stroke, some forms of cancer, and even Dementia. We all know that obesity can dramatically increases risk factors for these diseases and more, but excess belly fat may also be a warning sign for mildly overweight people, or even people of an otherwise healthy physique and appropriate weight.

Studies have shown that excess midsection fat is strongly associated with greater resistance to insulin.  In insulin resistant people, muscle, fat and liver cells do not use the insulin effectively, so the pancreas tries to compensate by producing more insulin. If the pancreas cannot keep up with the body’s need for insulin, excess levels of glucose will build up, leading to Diabetes. Insulin resistant people also have excessively high levels of insulin in their bloodstream, which leads to inflammation. Inflammation itself has recently gained attention as a direct cause of a staggering number of diseases and health conditions.

The obvious contributor to excess stomach fat is poor lifestyle choices. A diet consisting of high fat, high sugar, processed and otherwise nutritionally lacking food, combined with a lack of exercise, and excessive drinking will all help you pack on those pounds.

Research is supporting the idea that greater life stress may be the other major contributor to excess stomach fat. In particular, chronic stress that is associated with hopelessness, helplessness, or a feeling of defeat is associated with excess production of the stress hormone cortisol. When you have chronically high cortisol levels, the body craves carbohydrates and fats, and the extra calories tend to head right for the midsection. A recent study has also show that lean women in particular may be more prone to develop stomach fat in response to stress.

Another major factor for retaining midsection fat is change in hormonal balance, due to aging or as a result of other conditions. For women, changes in estrogen levels have a particularly strong impact on retaining stomach fat. As estrogen levels change with age, fat goes to the abdominals instead of to the hips and thighs, where it was previously needed for reproductive support.

Rejuvalife is here to help support the total health and wellbeing of our patients, and assist them in acheiving their health, weight loss and aesthetic goals. We offer comprehensive fitness and nutrition programs to promote overall healthy lifestyle, as well as medically supervised weight loss programs. Rejuvalife is on the cutting edge of non-surgical advanced liposuction procedures, to remove excess body fat in the abdominals and other problem areas directly. We also offer Hormone Replacement Therapy to return your hormonal levels to their optimal concentration and fight the effects of aging.

The healthy benefits of “KEEN-wah”

Quinoa, pronounced “kEEn-wah” is an amino acid-rich (protein) seed that has a fluffy, creamy, slightly crunchy texture and a somewhat nutty flavor when cooked. You can find Quinoa throughout the year at most local health food stores or Whole Foods.

Quinoa is an excellent source of protein, and unlike other grains, is not missing the amino acid lysine, so the protein is more complete (a trait it shares with other “non-true” grains such as buckwheat and amaranth). Quinoa offers more iron than other grains and contains high levels of potassium and riboflavin, as well as other B vitamins: B6, niacin, and thiamin. It is also a good source of magnesium, zinc, copper, and manganese, and folic acid.  For those who can’t eat gluten, you’ll be happy to hear it is gluten-free.  Don’t forget that maintaining a healthy diet increases your ability to stay healthy and feel young.

Although you may think of quinoa as a grain, it is actually the seed of a plant that is actually related to beets, chard and spinach.

Here is a tasty quinoa recipe perfect for spring!

Quinoa Salad Recipe with Yellow Grape Tomatoes, Kalamata Olives, Basil and Mint

Make this tabbouleh inspired quinoa early in the day, allowing the Mediterranean flavors deepen as it chills.

You’ll need:

1 clove of garlic, peeled
2 1/2 to 3 cups cooked quinoa
A handful of sweet grape tomatoes- yellow is low acid, and delicious
1 carrot, grated
4 scallions, sliced (white and light green sections)
1/4 cup Kalamata olives, whole or pitted and chopped
1/3 cup slivered nuts- pecans, almonds or walnuts
Sea salt and pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Juice of 1-2 lemons or limes, depending upon size
Rub the clove of raw garlic inside a glass or ceramic salad bowl.

While the cooked quinoa is still a bit warm (but not steaming hot) scoop it into a bowl and fluff with a fork.

Halve or quarter the yellow tomatoes and add them to the bowl. Add in the grated carrot, sliced scallions, Kalamata olives, and slivered nuts. Toss lightly to combine.

Season with sea salt and ground pepper. Add the chopped fresh herbs. Drizzle the salad with extra virgin olive oil- enough to moisten. Toss to distribute. Squeeze a lemon or a lime all over the salad and toss.

Give it a taste and adjust the seasonings if needed. When the seasoning tastes right, cover and chill until serving (at least one hour, but a few is even better).

Before serving, taste again and readjust seasonings if you need to.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away!

Why should we eat at least an apple a day? Not only because it is so refreshing and delicious, but also because it is laden with vitamins and nutrients that preserve our health and help our body

fight and prevent multiple disorders and diseases.
There are people that give away the skin of the apple, eating only the flesh, but this is a wrong thing to do, as specialists claim that the yellow, green or red skin is definitely the most nutritious.

4 milligrams of quercetin are usually found in an apple’s skin and this is the major curative substance in these fruits. Quercetin is a very strong antioxidant of the flavonoids group that, besides apples, is also present in onions, wine, teas, raspberries, red grapes, oranges, lemons, cherries, green vegetables, blue-green algae and many other foods. It does not only protect against free radicals that oxidize the cells, but also block carcinogen agents in the environment, slows the development and spreading of cancer cells in our body etc.

By inhibiting the producing and releasing of histamine and other allergic or inflammatory agents, quercetin is one of the main anti-inflammatory substances in the body, preventing and curing even very severe allergies or inflammations.

Along with polyphenol antioxidants ( lutein, lycopene, carotene, anthocyanin), flavonoids are also known as phytonutrients, as they enhance the good functioning of the immune system, fighting directly against and removing bacteria and viruses from the environment and the body.

The apples also contain two types of fibers, the insoluble fiber and the soluble one, both very beneficial for our health.

The insoluble fiber is known as roughage or dietary fiber, as it cannot be digested by the enzymes in our bodies and helps us lose weight by giving the sensation of having a full stomach, of having eaten enough. Also found in the skin of the apple, the insoluble fiber is a great remedy against constipation because it helps digestion and prevents other related disorders like irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis disease that may lead to colon cancer, appendicitis, hemorrhoids, hiatus hernia, gallstones etc.

The soluble fibers in the apples have opposite effects as compared to the insoluble ones, as they are very helpful in treating diarrhea. These fibers are gel-like natural substances that help reduce cholesterol and therefore prevent the risk of heart and vascular diseases.

One of the most known and beneficial soluble fibers in apples is pectin. Besides lowering cholesterol levels in the blood, pectin is a natural anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent.

Eating apples is also beneficial for eyes and visual ability, preventing and curing cataracts, for lung function and respiratory disorders like asthma or bronchitis, for prostates and almost any type pf cancer.
Reported Health Benefits of Apple :
Apple is a rich source of flavonoid and polyphenols both are powerful antioxidant.
Study shown that by eating 100g of apple can give an antioxidant effect that equal to taking about 1,500mg of vitamin C.
Apple contain a large amount of minerals and vitamins that can strengthen the blood.
Apple contain malic acid and tartaric acid, that can help prevent disturbances of the liver and digestion.
Apple cider vinegar when used as beverage can help to prevent the formation of kidney stone.
The skin of Apple contain pectin that can help remove toxic substances from the system by supplying galacturonic acid. Pectin helps prevent protein matter in the intestine from spoiling.
Eating an apple daily can lower cholesterol and reduce skin diseases.
Apples have been recommended for : Obesity, Headache, Arthritis, Bronchial asthma, Inflammation of the bladder, Gonorrhea, Anemia, Tuberculosis, Neuritis, Insomnia, Catarrh, Gallbladder stones, Worms, Halithosis, Pyorrhea
Nutritive Values : Per 100 grams
Vitamin A : 900 I.U.
Vitamin B : Thiamine .07 mg.;
Vitamin C : 5 mg.
Vitamin G : Amount uncertain
Calcium : 6 mg.
Iron : 3 mg.
Phosphorus : 10 mg.
Potassium : 130 mg.
Carbohydrates : 14.9 gm.
Calories : 58
Apples could protect against Alzheimer’s, Parkinsonism, Cornell studies find
A group of chemicals in apples could protect the brain from the type of damage that triggers such neurodegenerative diseases as Alzheimer’s and Parkinsonism, according to two new studies from Cornell University food scientists. The studies show that the chemical quercetin, a so-called phytonutrient, appears to be largely responsible for protecting rat brain cells when assaulted by oxidative stress in laboratory tests.
Phytonutrients, such as phenolic acids and flavanoids, protect the apple against bacteria, viruses and fungi and provide the fruit’s anti-oxidant and anti-cancer benefits.
Quercetin is a major flavanoid in apples. Antioxidants help prevent cancer by mopping up cell-damaging free radicals and inhibiting the production of reactive substances that could damage normal cells.

So eat an apple a day, it’s good for you!

Smart Supplements for a better memory

It is becoming increasingly popular to take supplements containing herbs and vitamins for better memory and longer life.

Not only are well known traditional remedies for specific aging problems being used, but there is a lot of investigation and research being carried out in Asia and Europe on the natural and herbal remedies of yesteryear.

There have been several new remedies suggested over recent years for short and longer term loss of memory, and most of these are also recommended to improve intelligence and mental capability. The so-called ‘smart pill’ ginkgo biloba is a case in point, and this plant is under constant investigation with regard to its effect on Alzheimer’s sufferers.

KAVA KAVA

The number of different herbs and plants, and the type of chemicals they contain, is massive, including various nutrients, antioxidants, hormones, enzymes and amino acids. The list of herbs under investigation is almost unlimited, though you have to be careful with some of them. Kava kava, for instance, helps stress and anxiety, and has been shown to have a positive effect in suppressing the growth of cancer cells.

For other reasons, however, it is banned for sale in parts of Europe, including England, though the reasons for this are currently under review. It is commonly used throughout the Pacific for its soporific effect, but can cause skin and other problems if overused. Where it can be purchased, however, its use is thought to prevent the onset of some cancers including leukemia.

GINKGO BILOBA

The real mind boosting herbs and supplements are those that claim to boost the memory, cure memory loss and treat Alzheimer’s disease. The queen of them all is probably ginkgo biloba, studies on which have provided evidence that it can be beneficial in improving the brain and memory function in early stage Alzheimer’s, and in age-related cognitive decline (ARCD). It is also believed to help in cases of certain types of glaucoma. These benefits might be due to the effect is has of increasing the circulation of the blood to the brain.

Ginkgo is also a powerful antioxidant that can protect the central nervous system from the effects of aging, and protect the cardiovascular system through the destruction of free radicals in the blood. Free radicals can be responsible for mental deterioration and dementia in the elderly. Gingko biloba contains a number of different active antioxidants and chemicals that improve blood circulation to the brain.

COENZYME Q10

It is not only the ancient remedies that are being found to have a scientific reason for their effectiveness in treating specific conditions, and Coenzyme Q10 is one of the relatively newer additions to nature’s arsenal. This substance is contained in every cell in the body, and it has been found to provide protection to the brain from Parkinson’s disease and other conditions that cause degeneration of the brain cells. This can help to improve memory, and reduce the effects of aging, though it does not relieve any existing Parkinson’s symptoms.

Studies into the effects of Coenzyme Q10 are still under way, and it has been shown to be a strong antioxidant. It is also believed to reduce high blood pressure though this is still under review, and studies into the potential uses of the supplement are continuing.

BILBERRY

Although used extensively over the ages for a large number of ailments, bilberry is generally regarded by experts as being another strong antioxidant. In fact most supplements that have an anti-aging effect appear to be antioxidants. This is because aging is closely associated with the presence of free radicals in the blood, and even the traditional antioxidants vitamins C and E can have an anti-aging effect on the body.

Bilberry has been used for the treatment of arteriosclerosis and various eye conditions such as macular degeneration and cataracts, and is commonly available. It contains flavonoids that can reduce the risk of blood clots, and hence of strokes and heart attacks. Although many of the medicinal properties claimed have yet to proved, bilberry is widely used as an herbal supplement.

PUMPKIN

Pumpkin is also high in antioxidants, and it is considered by the Chinese to stimulate the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The effect of increased insulin levels is to reduce the sugar levels in the blood, and reduce oxidation damage to certain cells in the body. It is being regarded as a possible natural treatment for diabetes that should reduce sugar imbalances and therefore have an anti-aging effect.

DHA

DHA is dicosahexaenoic acid, otherwise known as DHA, and is found predominantly in fish oils. Trials are currently under way with this material on humans in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease where it appears to reduce the formation of plaques in the brain. DHA used be found in cattle and eggs, but this has reduced considerably due to cattle being taken off grass some time before slaughter and there is less DHA in factory eggs.

The synthetic supplement is synthesized from beet though is more expensive than the marine source. This supplement is also effective in those that suffer from heart disease.

There are many other natural supplements that have an anti-aging effect or that improve the memory. Most work by means of their antioxidant content, and there are new studies being carried out continually throughout the world. China is a rich source of such remedies, and as that country opens up more will be known about the scientific basis behind their pharmaceutical applications.

There is little doubt that the use of herbs and vitamins for better memory and longer life has a strong scientific basis, and that we still have a great deal to learn about the remedies used before the introduction of mass produced pharmaceuticals.