Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
Photo by Scott Webb on Unsplash New research shows that highly painful kidney stones seem to increase during the summer months. For those who haven’t suffered from kidney stones, this might not be a major concern, but they can develop very suddenly and at any …
Photo by Imani Clovis on Unsplash Research shows that digital breast tomosynthesis, better known as 3-D mammography, has the ability to detect more invasive and possibly more dangerous cancers than a traditional digital mammogram. How does a 3-D Mammography work? 3-D mammography is significantly more …
A new study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City has determined that an extract of the cocoa plant may help to block damage to the nerve pathways seen in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. According to the researchers, this means that cocoa extract might have the ability to prevent symptoms of Alzheimer’s, such as memory loss and cognitive decline.
According to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, degenerative disorder that attacks the brain’s nerve cells (neurons), which results in loss of memory, thinking and language skills, and behavioral changes. Affecting more than a million Americans, this debilitating disease has scientists and researchers in over-drive to find a cure.
The major component of the cocoa plant studied, called lavado, is very high in polyphenols, antioxidants also found in food sources like fruits and vegetables. In the past, research has shown that a high-polyphenol diet could reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s. The research team at Mount Sinai studied lavado along with natural and “dutched” extracts from the cocoa plant. They genetically engineered mice to simulate Alzheimer’s disease in humans, and found that lavado was the most effective in reducing the symptoms. Lavado worked against Alzheimer’s symptoms by limiting the formation of the specific molecules that disturb synaptic structures in the brain which are responsible for memory circuit function.
This study, according to the researchers, suggests that lavado cocoa extract may eventually be used to formulate effective drugs for Alzheimer’s disease, but further studies are needed to more clearly define exactly how the extract works in the brain. The researchers agreed that lavado cocoa extract would definitely be worth providing in dietary supplement form, as it may provide a “safe, inexpensive and easily accessible” way to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. The research team’s findings have been published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s disease.
Chocolate in its natural form (without the additives) includes essential minerals such as magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc, as well as the Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and pantothenic acid. In addition, it has polyphenols similar to those found in wine that offer excellent antioxidant protection. These beneficial antioxidants increase circulation to the brain and heart, improving healthy blood flow. They also help to reduce the blood’s clotting function, potentially decreasing your risk of blood and cardiovascular related health issues. Together, these agents help improve various areas of health such as circulation, energy and mood. Flavonols appear to be the substances in cocoa that are responsible for boosting heart health and keeping blood pressure in the normal range. These substances appear to improve the bioavailability of nitric oxide from the cells that line the inner wall of blood vessels:
Cocoa may increase blood flow to the brain, according to new research published in the Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment journal. The researchers suggest that long-term improvements in brain blood flow could impact cognitive behavior, offering future potential research into a healthy aging brain, increased memory and lowering risk for debilitating events. In a scientific study of healthy, older adults ages 59 to 83, Harvard medical scientists found that study participants who regularly drank a cocoa flavonol-rich beverage had an eight percent increase in brain blood flow after one week, and 10 percent increase after two weeks. In this first-of-its-kind study, the researchers found both short and long-term benefits of cocoa flavonols for brain blood flow, offering future potential for the one in seven older Americans. Scientists speculate that maintaining an increased blood flow to the brain could slow this cognitive decline.
Source: Medical News Today
Photo by Meghan Holmes on Unsplash Injuries are usually a pretty common occurrence for athletes, but you don’t have to be doing backflips on a daily basis to hurt yourself badly. Sprains, muscle pulls, tendonitis, fractures, broken bones, and many other notorious sports injuries can …
Photo by Carolina Heza on Unsplash Let’s face it – it’s normal to get a little stressed and overwhelmed sometimes. But overwhelming anxiety and constant worry can take a major toll on your body and mind. Anxiety currently affects roughly seven million people in the …
Aloe Vera, a well-known soothing herb, can be traced back to ancient cultures. In fact, this plant has played a major role in natural medicine for over 5,000 years! Aloe Vera is part of the lily family, Liliaceae, alongside garlic and onions, two foods also well-known for their great health benefits.
This soothing herb promotes health-boosting effects from the active constituents it provides – vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, polysaccharides, fatty acids, and more. Altogether, Aloe Vera offers around 200 nutritious ingredients! Most of the Aloe Vera leaf is filled with a clear, gel-type material, made up of around 99% water. When it comes to medicinal use, Aloe Vera can be used either on the skin or ingested in supplement form. Its soothing abilities for the skin may be the most well-known of its many benefits, but there are endless others you may not know about!
Vitamins & Minerals
Aloe Vera naturally contains Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Folic Acid, and Choline. It’s also a wonderful source of B-Vitamins, providing Vitamins B1, B2, B3 (Niacin), B6 and even Vitamin B12, which is found in very few plants. The plant also offers a whopping 20 minerals to help you reach optimal health, including Calcium, Zinc, Magnesium, Selenium, Iron, Potassium and Copper.
Digestive Health
This soothing herb is great for your overall digestive health. It’s known to soothe and cleanse the digestive tract, rid the body of unhealthy bacteria, and keep the healthy bacteria well-balanced. It works as an “adaptogen”, which means it enhances your body’s ability to adapt to external changes in the environment and better fight off infections. It levels out all the organs and systems in your body, adapting to these changes in order to provide whatever health benefits you need. For example, whether you are constipated or have diarrhea, Aloe Vera’s adaptogenic properties will help to even out the digestive process and relieve the issue.
Immune Health
The polysaccharides in Aloe Vera offer a fantastic boost for overall immunity; they stimulate the white blood cells, the cells in your immune system responsible for fighting viruses. Aloe Vera also has great antioxidant benefits, which help your body fight “free radicals”. Free radicals are damaging compounds your body creates naturally as a result of aging, or because of unhealthy lifestyle factors like poor diet, smoking, lack of exercise, etc.
Skin Health
Often used in cosmetics and other skincare products, Aloe Vera is widely known for its soothing effects on the skin. Since it is made up of over 99% water, it’s great for hydrating and smoothing your skin. Aloe Vera is also very effective in healing more harmful skin damage, including burns, cuts and wounds. It may also be used topically for bug bites and sunburns – keep this in mind during the summer months! Aloe Vera acts as an analgesic, or soothing agent for burns, cuts, bites and wounds. It also works as an antipruritic (helps prevent itching) and an astringent (allows body tissue to contract to help stop bleeding).
Fights Infections, Detoxifies the Body, and Reduces Inflammation
Aloe Vera’s health-boosting ingredients include a helpful lineup of substances that increase antimicrobial activity to fight off unhealthy bacteria, viruses and fungal infections. Aloe Vera also helps detoxify your system by absorbing toxins in your intestines when it moves through the digestive system, and it aids in inflammation reduction with ingredients like B-sisterole, which helps slow down the body’s inflammatory response.
Source: Top 12 Benefits of Aloe Vera