A team of researchers from the Duke Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition
and Metabolism Center, including scientists from the departments
of medicine, pharmacology and cancer biology performed tests on
human muscle cells that showed supplementing with Carnitine might
help older people with prediabetes, diabetes, and other disorders
that make glucose (sugar) metabolism difficult.

Carnitine is made in the liver and recycled by the kidney, but in some
cases when this is insufficient, dietary Carnitine from red meat and
other animal foods can compensate for the shortfall.
 
After just eight weeks of supplementation with Carnitine, laboratory
subjects restored their cells' fuel- burning capacity (which was shut
down by a lack of natural carnitine) and improved their glucose
tolerance, a health outcome that indicates a lower risk of diabetes.
These results offer hope for a new therapeutic option for people with
glucose intolerance, older people, people with kidney disease, and
those with type 2 diabetes (also known as adult-onset diabetes).
 
The study is published in the Aug. 21 issue of the Journal of
Biological Chemistry.
 
The Duke researchers began studying Carnitine more closely when
abnormalities in the nutrient emerged from blood chemistry profiles
of obese and old subjects. These chemical profiles report on
hundreds of by-products of cell metabolism called metabolites and
give scientists an opportunity to identify markers of disease states.

Carnitine is a natural compound known for helping fatty acids enter
the mitochondria, the powerhouses of cells, where fatty acids are
"burned" to give cells energy for their various tasks. Carnitine also
helps move excess fuel from cells into the circulating blood, which
then redistributes this energy source to needier organs or to the
kidneys for removal. These processes occur through the formation
of acylcarnitine molecules, energy molecules that can cross
membrane barriers that encase all cells.
 
Researchers at Duke had observed that skeletal muscle of obese
subjects produced high amounts of the acylcarnitines, which requires
free Carnitine. As these molecules started to accumulate, the
availability of free, unprocessed Carnitine decreased. This
imbalance was linked to fuel-burning problems, that is, impairments
in the cells' combustion of both fat and glucose fuel.

"We suspected that persistent increases in acylcarnitines in the
laboratory subjects were causing problems, and we could also see
that the availability of free Carnitine was decreasing with weight gain
and aging, It appeared that carnitine could no longer do its job when
chronic metabolic disruptions were stressing the system. That's when
we designed an experiment to add extra Carnitine to the diet."
 
The work was supported by grants from the National Institutes
of Health, and the American Diabetes Association, and a
John A. Hartford Duke Center for Excellence Award.

It is well known that phytochemicals promote cardiovascular health
and help support the immune system. This study targeted how the phytochemical compounds in both garlic and onion may increase
the bio-accessibility of iron and zinc, two essential minerals.

According to new research data from India, consuming garlic or onion increased the uptake of iron by about 70 percent, and zinc by to 160 percent. The new results are published in the Journal of Agricultural
and Food Chemistry and could offer opportunities to tackle two of the globe's major deficiency concerns.

"Both garlic and onion were evidenced here to have a promoting influence on the bio-accessibility of iron and zinc from food grains," state the research team from the Central Food Technological Research Institute in Mysore, India. "This novel information has the potential application in evolving a food-based strategy to improve the bioavailability of trace minerals and hence contributes to the human health benefit," they added.

Iron deficiency is reported to affect about a third of the global population, with two billion people anemic around the world. In
addition, zinc deficiency affects 30 per cent of the world's population. The bioavailability of both micronutrients is said to be particularly low from plant foods.

In attempt to enhance the uptake of these minerals from plant sources, the Mysore-based researchers used a model of the gastrointestinal
tract to simulate passage through a human gut. Food grains including two cereals - rice and sorghum - and two pulses - chickpea and green gram - were used in their raw and cooked forms, and in the presence
of two levels of garlic (0.25 and 0.5 g per 10 g of grain) and onion
(1.5 and 3 g per 10 g of grain).

Results showed that iron and zinc uptakes from both cooked and
raw cereals were significantly increased in the presence of both
garlic and onion, with increases up to 70 percent recorded. Improvements in the bioaccessibility of zinc were also observed
for both spices, with increases in cereals ranging from 10.4 to
159.4 percent, and in pulses from 9.8 to 49.8 percent.

Commenting on the potential mechanism behind the improvements,
the researchers point to the high sulfur content in garlic and onion: Sulfur-containing amino acids like cysteine have previously been
shown to boost iron and zinc status in lab animals, they said.

"The information generated in this study on the promotive influence
of natural sources of sulfur compounds on mineral bioaccessibility
from food grains is novel and has a promising application in evolving
a food-based strategy for alleviating deficiencies of these minerals in sections of the population," concluded the researchers.

Source: Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry
Published online
"Higher Bioaccessibility of Iron and Zinc from Food Grains in the Presence of Garlic and Onion"

Adrenal stress also known as adrenal fatigue has become a common health condition in today's society. The purpose of the adrenal glands is to assist the body in managing stress. Due to the fact we live in a fast-paced demanding society, our adrenal glands are constantly being taxed. The adrenal glands affect the functioning of every tissue, organ, and gland in the body which is why it is critical to support them so they will function efficiently.

Weak adrenal glands can create a wide range of health symptoms, most of which can mimic other health conditions making it difficult to diagnose. In fact adrenal stress is unrecognized by most conventional doctors.

Common signs and symptoms of weak adrenals may include the following:

•Difficulty waking up and getting out of bed in the morning, often times even after a good night sleep.
•Needing coffee or caffeine containing beverages to keep you going.
•Craving sugar foods, or salty foods.
•Lack of energy and stamina.
•Decreased sex drive.
•Decreased ability to handle any form of stress- less tolerance.
•Prone to frequent sickness, especially upper respiratory problems coupled with lengthy recovery times.
•Digestion problems.
•Dizziness (Vertigo) especially upon standing.
•Mild depression, lack of enthusiasm.
•Decreased ability to make simple decisions.
•Abnormal blood sugar issues, typically in the form of Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
•Difficulty focusing, fuzzy headedness, diminished memory.
•Women may have severe PMS symptoms.
•Low blood pressure.
•Difficulty sleeping.

*Weight gain and inability to lose weight

I personally believe everyone including children have adrenal fatigue to some extent, especially since weak adrenals can be hereditary. The good news is health can be restored to these vital glands.  The key is to eat a nourishing diet that contains all of the food groups. Unrefined carbohydrates are especially important to provide energy especially to the brain. Adequate animal protein intake will help to build the body and stabilize blood sugar levels. Equally as important is the consumption of essential fatty acids, which will help manufacture the adrenal hormones the body is lacking.

In addition to a healthy diet there are other supplements that are helpful in restoring balance, these include: b complex vitamins, magnesium, zinc, vitamin c and antioxidants, amino acids and herbs such as: licorice, rhodiola, ashwaghanda, and ginseng. There are a variety of  herbal formulas and holistic health supplements available on our website that are effective in treating adrenal fatigue.

One of the most common health questions I am asked is regarding constipation.  My answer is always the same: you need to change your diet! The main cause of constipation is a poor diet that contains large amounts of processed foods lacking in vital nutrients, foods high in sugar, white flour and foods lacking adequate fiber content.  Dairy products can also be very constipating in certain individual's systems. Other causes of constipation include lack of exercise, lack of adequate water intake, poor digestion (often from not properly chewing your food), lack of muscular tone in the bowel, and not attending to the calls of nature in a timely fashion. Food should pass through the digestive system and be eliminated without delay. If fecal matter stays in the colon too long, the peristaltic action of the bowel will become sluggish. Eventually muscle tone in the bowel will be become weakened due to excess fecal matter, and the colon can become distorted. When fecal matter stays in the bowel for too long, it begins to putrefy and toxic waste builds up in the body. This leads to a majority of health problems.The number of bowel movements per day will vary from person to person. It can be normal for some people to have a bowel movement once a day, while others will have two to three bowel movements daily. The bowel should be moved at least once a day for everyone. One of the best ways to rid yourself of constipation and rebuild your colon is through bowel cleansing. There are several great products that I recommend on my website. These products are the most effective when taken with a healthy diet that is rich in leafy green vegetables and wholesome foods.  I also recommend eating a salad prior to lunch and dinner. The enzymes from the raw vegetables will assist with digestion and at the same time provide fiber.

Energy Drinks have become the latest trend. All age groups are consuming them to achieve a quick energy surge.  Most people are dependent on caffeine for energy. They start their day with coffee or even soda.  Our adrenals have become so depleted and our bodies lack proper nutrients that most people are constantly exhausted. How do they remedy this? Grab an energy drink, right? Wrong!

While many people think it is only a drink, what exactly is in those drinks that give you an energy boost? For starters they are loaded with sugar which being in liquid form goes directly into the blood stream and spikes insulin levels. This can eventually lead to a blood sugar imbalance and a prediabetic condition. When insulin levels are high it can trigger cravings for carbohydrate rich foods. Excess insulin in the blood stream will also lead to weight gain.  High amounts of caffeine in these energy drinks can be detrimental to the nervous system and lead to sleeping problems. One of the most common questions I get is for advice on natural remedies for insomnia or restless sleep. The first piece of advice I give is to omit all caffeine from your diet.

Other natural alternatives to energy drinks include starting your day with a balanced breakfast, eat small frequent meals or snacks throughout the day, and make sure you are eating foods from all the basic food groups: protein, unrefined carbohydrates, and healthy fats. This will help balance your blood sugar levels and provide your body with proper nutrients. Other suggestions include daily exercise and making sure you are getting an adequate amount of sleep each night. 

Some suggested supplements to help boost energy levels include b vitamins, bee pollen, and herbs such as gingko biloba and ginseng. If you make these changes and you still experience fatigue every day you may have a weakened thyroid and may need to support the thyroid with specific supplements.

I was scanning over the produce  at my local  Whole Foods market when I came across a sign for “Sweet Limes”. I had never heard of sweet limes before so I decided to take some home and try them.  After all one of my highlights of going to the market is to come home with something new and unusual to try.
Looking at a sweet lime it resembles a round lemon, my expectation was to bite into one and experience a tart tangy flavor. To my surprise it was extremely sweet!  This atypical fruit was really peaking my curiosity so I began some research of this fruit of unknown origin.
Sweet limes are native to India, Vietnam, Egypt, and on the Mediterranean coast. Sweet limes become yellow when ripe in fact the yellower the fruit the more sweet they are. Sweet limes have a unique flavor because they don’t contain citric acid: sour limes contain both a higher sugar level and citric acid which contributes to its tart taste.  Like other citrus fruits, sweet limes are high in vitamin c and fiber.  Health benefits from consuming sweet limes include: assisting with weight loss, lowering fevers, aiding in excessive thirst, helping detoxify the body, aiding in stomach ailments including nausea and vomiting. Some cancer patients receiving chemotherapy have reported less nausea when drinking sweet lime juice.
Sweet lime juice is commonly used in the  ayuervedic diet. Sweet limes can be sliced and eaten, placed in water for an exotic flavor, and  the zest and juice make a nice accompaniment on fish or poultry.
I encourage you to become adventurous and when you come across a sweet lime give it a try and experience this atypical fruit.

My family and I spent a wonderful weekend exploring sugar shacks across the state of NH.  As you drive through the White Mountains and western NH you will see puffs of smoke emerging from the chimneys of the rustic sugar houses. Here in NH from mid Feb. through mid-April is maple sugaring time. This is the time of year when  mother nature is just waking up and giving us her first gift from nature.

Turning sap into pure maple syrup is quite an interesting process. As the frozen sap in the maple tree thaws, it begins to move and build up pressure within the tree. When the internal pressure reaches a certain point, sap will flow from any fresh wound in the tree. Freezing nights and warm sunny days create the pressure needed for a good sap harvest.
 
In late February, New Hampshire maple producers tap their sugar maples by drilling a small hole in the trunk and inserting a spout. A bucket or plastic tubing is fastened to the spout and the crystal clear sap drips from the tree. It is then collected and transported to the sugar house where it is boiled down in an evaporator over a blazing hot fire. As the steam rises from the evaporator pans, the sap becomes more concentrated until it finally reaches the proper density to be classified as syrup. It is then drawn from the evaporator, filtered, graded and bottled. It takes approximately forty gallons of sap to make one gallon of pure maple syrup. You will not find  Aunt Jemima out here at the sugar houses.

If you have not experienced the taste of real pure maple syrup it is quite different than processed syrup.  Most processed syrup contains little to no pure maple syrup at all.
Maple syrup comes in different grades, there is grade A nd B. Grade A comes in light, medium, and dark. The grade A light is made from the first sap that comes out of the trees, next the medium grade  A , then grade A dark, and finally grade B. Grade B contains the most nutrients. This is the maple syrup suggested for the “Master cleanse diet” or the “lemonade diet”.

There are many health benefits and vitamins found in pure maple syrup.  It contains calcium, niacin, biotin, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, thiamin, copper, and vitamins B2, B5 and B6. It also contains high amounts of zinc and manganese which both help to strengthen the immune system.
Pure Maple syrup also makes an excellent choice for a sweetener, and has fewer calories and more minerals than honey. It is a versatile product that can be used in many recipes.  I also like the idea of supporting the small businesses that produce this magnificent gift from nature.

I am not a fan of reality shows but last night I tuned into the premiere of Jamie Oliver's "Food Revolution", since this show offered a topic that I am passionate about. I applaud Jamie Oliver for promoting healthy eating in particular trying to reform school lunches. Have you recently looked at a school lunch menu? While schools "try" to promote healthy eating choices the food is heavily processed and aims at getting children to eat what is on their plate. If you saw the show it was no surprise that when offered two lunch choices: pizza or chicken and brown rice, majority of the children chose the pizza. Most adults would choose the pizza over the chicken as well.  "You are what you eat", as the adage goes.  If you primarily eat procesed foods that are full of preservatives, hidden sugars, and additives you will get addicted to that type of food.   If you switch to a diet that is mostly based on whole foods and organic you will cleanse your body and then crave those foods. I actually have a difficult time eating in most restaurants because I can taste the preservatives in most of the foods even the chemicals on the nonorganic produce. 

 I really hope Jamie has some success with his campaign and can start a reform for the school lunch program and help educate parents about what should be going into their child's body. Providing your child with a balanced diet with real food, (food made from nature) will help them develop a taste for it. The best you can do is to set a good example, children learn from experience, if they see you eating healthy they will to. The habits young children develop will stay with them for life.  Sometimes you need to get creative with getting children to eat healthy. Involving children in menu planning and in cooking, will often entice them to take more of an interest in eating healthy.  Spark their interest by each week sampling a different fruit, vegetable or protein. Or plant a garden and allow them to grow their own wonderful gifts from nature. 

Health Benefits of Chocolate 

With Valentine’s day fast approaching many of you may be considering giving chocolates to your loved ones.  Did you know chocolate not only tastes great but has many health benefits. Chocolate helps the immune system, reduces the risk of some cancers,  promotes a healthy cardiovascular system and best of all boosts our spirit.  The only catch is you need to eat  organic dark chocolate to truly experience the  many health benefits.
Dark chocolate is full of nutrients such  as iron, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, chromium as well as the vitamins A, B1, C, D, and E. Dark chocolate is the highest natural source of magnesium, which protects against hypertension, heart disease and helps to regulate blood sugar levels. 
Eating chocolate can reduce stress and creates a feeling  euphoria. Consuming chocolate releases the neurotransmitter phenylethylamine, which is a mild mood elevator. Phenylethylamine occurs naturally in our brain when we feel love or joy.  Chocolate also boosts serotonin levels, which act as our brain's natural antidepressant. 
Dark chocolate contains more flavonoids than any other food — including green tea, black tea, red wine, and blueberries. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help fight free radical damage and help boost the immune system.  Flavonoids can also keep our cardiovascular system clean and blood flowing freely through our arteries.
Indulging in chocolate can be a truly heavenly experience.  It is preferable to buy organic dark chocolate that is low in sugar. This rich form of chocolate will satisfy your cravings for sweet foods and also provide you with many health benefits as well.
 

Healthy Benefits of Coconut

I could easily live on a desert island living on coconuts.  I love the taste of the sweet meat , the luscious water and creamy milk that coconut produces.  Coconuts in fact may be considered the “perfect” food. It is   high in nutritional value, containing vitamins, minerals and vital nutrients. Coconut is easily digested making it a good source of nutrition for those with compromised health, and it also is a good food source for babies. Coconuts are high in protein,  healthy fats and in the following nutrients: manganese, iron, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.  Let’s take a look at the nutritional benefits of all the components of a coconut.

When you first crack a coconut the first thing you will notice is a clear liquid that comes out, this is the water of a coconut.  Coconut water has the perfect balance of electrolytes, making it far better than any sports drink. It is perfectly ph balanced, thus balancing your own body’s ph. Coconut water can be purchased in most health food stores and makes a great choice to rehydrate your body after a workout. The water also helps the kidneys and bladder maintain proper functioning.

The next part of the coconut is the meat. This delectable meat is rich in  lauric acid, which is a fatty acid  found in breast milk. Lauric acid is known to contain antiviral and antibacterial properties which is  extremely beneficial in fighting off infection. It is the lauric acid in breast milk that helps protect infants from being infected by viruses and bacteria.  In addition coconut meat also supports brain health,  by balancing neurotransmitters and assists in hormone production.  Eating coconut can help fight gas, constipation, ulcers, and other digestive and stomach ailments. Coconut also supports thyroid function because it naturally contains iodine. Coconut meat can be made into coconut milk by steeping the meat in hot water, this makes coconut milk equally as nutritious as eating the meat.

Virgin Coconut oil is also made from the meat of the coconut.  There is a lot of misinformation presented that coconut oil is harmful for you and leads to weight gain. It is only unhealthy when you consume processed coconut oil that contains trans fat. Just like all food, eating coconut oil in its whole pure state provides you with  health benefits.   Apart from being good for the skin and hair, coconut oil has been found to be beneficial for: lowering cholesterol levels, regulating blood pressure levels, assisting metabolism, burning fat, stabilizing blood sugar levels, improving digestion, and strengthening bone density.