Acai Berry
Acai Berry FAQ
What is the acai berry?
The acai berry is a small berry about the size of a grape. It has been considered by many to be the #1 superfood in the world due its extremely high concentration of antioxidants, healthy omega fats and fibers.
What are the origins of the acai berry?
The acai berry comes from the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil.
Is the acai berry a scam?
While there are plenty of worthless acai products out there, the acai berry itself is scientifically proven to be one of natures perfect foods. It’s most certainly not a scam.
Why is the acai berry called the worlds number one superfood?
Besides the perfect amount of fibers, healthy monounsaturated fats, iron and amino acids, the acai berry is absolutely packed with antioxidants (considerably more than other fruits).
Why can’t I get acai berries at my local grocery store?
Although the acai berry has been used by the natives of the rainforest for years (there are even legends about it), it spoils within a day of being harvested. Obviously, this makes it impossible to ship it long distances. However, with the recent research and interest in the acai berry, more and more large companies are figuring out how to process it quickly and ship it to the United States.
Why is the acai berry so good for you?
Antioxidants protect your cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Free radical cellular damage may lead to diseases and even cancer. Fortunately, the acai berry is jam packed with these antioxidants. It’s also packed with a large variety of other essential nutrients.
What are the benefits of consuming the acai berry?
Although results vary from person to person, here are just a few of the reported benefits of consuming the acai berry:
- Reduced pain and soreness
- Better sleep
- Increased energy, vitality, and stamina
- Increased libido
- Improved immune system
- Improved mental focus
Does the acai berry really improve sex drive?
When NBC’s Matt Laurer took a recent trip to the Amazon, he was amused to find that the acai drink he had just finished is commonly referred to as “Amazon Rainforest Viagra”. Not only does the acai berry increase energy and stamina, but it also makes the entire body (including sexual response) function better.
Does the acai berry really decrease the risk of cancer?
A recent University of Florida study found that the acai berry killed cancer cells in lab tests. While this doesn’t prove that the acai berry is the cure for cancer it is, nonetheless, an extremely encouraging beginning, and really demonstrates the healing power of the antioxidants in the berry.
Acai Berry Benefits
Acai isn’t called nature’s perfect food for nothing. Below are just some of the health benefits that research has shown you can get from consuming the acai berry.
Acai Berry Increases Energy & Stamina
Jiu-jitsu fighters and soccer players in Brazil often have a large meal of acai berry pulp before a competition. Why? Aside from being a perfect source of nutrition and carbohydrates, the high levels of antioxidants in the acai berry lead to a drastic increase in energy levels and stamina. Taken on a regular basis, the acai berry strengthens the immune system to the point where the body isn’t constantly fighting off infections and disease. This frees up even more energy for other uses.
Acai Berry Fights Cancer & Disease
Free radicals are nasty little molecules that come from pollutants, pesticides, cigarette smoke, etc. They attack the cells in the body, cause diseases, and can even damage DNA. Antioxidants are the body’s fuel for strengthening cells and fighting off free radicals. As you know by now, the acai berry is jam packed with these powerful antioxidants.
There are some exciting studies regarding the acai berry’s ability to fight cancer.
Acai Berry Fights Obesity
The acai berry’s natural combination of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, amino acids, phytosterols, and amino acids work together to help your body function better, process food easier, and burn fat more efficiently. It’s one of the best things you can put into your body to keep it healthy. Subsequently, when your body is healthy and well-balanced, it will be much easier for you to reach your perfect weight.
Acai Berry Boosts the Immune System
The powerful antioxidants in the acai berry antioxidants in the acai berry, combined with the essential fatty acids, work as an anti-bacterial and anti-viral agent while simultaneously boosting the immune system.
Acai Berry Maintains Good Cholesterol & Fights Heart Disease
The essential fatty acids and antioxidants in the acai berry fight bad cholesterol (LDL) while simultaneously maintaining good cholesterol (HDL) and fighting heart disease. The same fatty acids also aid in the absorbency of necessary vitamins like Vitamin A, E, D, and K.
The acai berry also contains phytosterols, a group of plant phytochemicals that reduce cholesterol absorption in the intestines. Studies show that these plant compounds can reduce cholesterol in humans by up to 15%
Acai Berry Improves Vision
British pilots in World War II reportedly ate large amounts of bilberry jam before dangerous missions as they swore it drastically improved their night vision. Billberry is also popular in Japan where it is used to relieve eye strain from excessive staring at computer monitors. Modern scientists have tracked these results down to a rare type of antioxidant in the bilberry called “anthocyanins”. Not surprisingly, these antioxidants are also found in the acai berry.
On a somewhat related note, other antioxidants in the acai berry fight various eye related diseases like glaucoma and macular degeneration.
Acai Berry Helps With Digestion
The acai berry contains enzymes and other vital nutrients that aid in the digestion process. A functioning digestive system will not be plagued with acid reflux and other ailments. Acai also contains a healthy amount of fiber which helps your digestive tract process food.
Acai Berry Promotes a More Peaceful Sleep
Your ability to sleep can be frequently affected by stressed muscles. Acai contains amino acids that relax your muscles and allow for a more restful sleep. It also contains Vitamin B which helps to regulate the dopamine and serotonin (both neurotransmitters that impact sleep) production in the brain.
Information provided by www.AcaiBerryStudies.com
EGGS AND HEALTH
BENEFITS OF EGGS
Crack Wise
Think eggs are unhealthy? The yolk’s on you
Pity the poor egg: It gets cracked, scrambled, and whipped–not to mention unfairly maligned as the villain of the breakfast world. That’s because there’s a misguided belief that the cholesterol in eggs (found in the yolk) raises the cholesterol levels in your body and puts your ticker at risk. But good news, frittata fans: Research supporting the health bennies of eggs is piling up. And several studies–including a recent one in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that found no link in healthy people between eggs and either heart attack or stroke–have debunked the bad-egg myth. Four reasons eggs rock:
They may reduce your risk of cancer
Whole eggs are one of the best sources of the nutrient choline (one large egg has about 30 percent of your RDA). A study published this year found that women with a high intake of choline were 24 percent less likely to get breast cancer. Note: Choline is found mostly in the yolk, so feel free to ditch the egg-white omelets.
Eggs keep your peepers peeping
Yolks are also high in lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that have been shown to ward off macular degeneration–so you’ll still be able to eyeball hotties from afar when you’re 80.
An omelet a day can shrink your waist
Louisiana State University system researchers found that obese people who ate a two-egg breakfast at least five times a week lost 65 percent more weight and had more energy than women who breakfasted on bagels. “Eggs are more satisfying than carbs, making you feel full longer,” says Kristine Clark, Ph.D., R.D., assistant professor of nutrition at Penn State.
Your abs eat them up
These little orbs contain a certain sequence of amino acids that makes egg protein easy for your body to absorb. Which means a hard-boiled grade-A is an ideal muscle-repair food after a butt-busting workout.
Which eggs are best?
All eggs contain the same basic good stuff, and the large ones pack only 72 calories each, so you really can’t go wrong. But depending on your eating habits, special eggs may be worth the extra cash.
Labels to look for
Organic These eggs were laid by chickens that aren’t fed nasty slaughterhouse byproducts, antibiotics, or certain additives.
Pasteurized Using raw eggs? Look for this word on the label. It means the eggs have been placed in warm water to kill bacteria.
Omega-3 Enhanced If you rarely eat fish, buy these to snag more of the heart-healthy fatty acids.
Labels to skip
Cage Free, Free Range, and Pasture Raised don’t guarantee happy chickens.
Article from Women’s Health Magazine
Drinking Water to Maintain Good Health
Understanding the health Benefit of Water
Water and illness/vomiting/diarrhea: Vomiting and diarrhea are signs of dehydration. Drinking more water will keep the body hydrated during this illness, and also prevent that vomiting and diarrhea that goes along with it. It is suggested that someone with these symptoms, most likely from the flu or another virus, to drink 2-3 quarts of water per day.
Water and physical activity: The more active someone is, the more they will perspire. When you exercise, your body builds up heat, and sweat brings your body temperature back to normal. As sweat evaporates from your skin, your body cools. But, through the cooling process, can lose four cups of water every hour during exercise. As a result, more water is lost. Drinking more fluids will combat that water loss by replenishing the body. Whether this activity is during a workout or during work, keep drinking.
Water and warm/hot conditions: As people are exposed to warmer conditions, their body temperatures will rise as a reaction to cool the body, resulting in more perspiration. This can happen whether they are being active or not. Without proper fluid intake, this change in climate could leave people having the uncomfortable effects of dehydration. That is not something someone on a vacation wants to experience! Carry around a water bottle while in warmer conditions. Also, warmer conditions could be in a workplace. If that is the case, always make sure that you are paying a visit to the water cooler, or have a water bottle at your workstation.
Water and Metabolism: Water, also known as the body’s solvent, regulates all bodily functions including the activities of circulating and dissolving. Every enzymatic and chemical reaction of the body occurs in the presence of water. Water also transports hormones, nutrients, oxygen and antibodies through the blood stream and lymphatic system. In addition, our bodies’ proteins and enzymes are more efficient in solutions of lower viscosity (i.e., diluted), thus making drinking water a must.
Water and Digestion: Digestion of solid foods has to happen in the presence of large amounts of water so that proper digestion occurs. Water and muscle tone Desired muscle tone can be maintained through adequate water intake. Water not only helps the muscle achieve a better contraction, but it also prevents the sagging of skin that sometimes follows weight loss. Finally, water maintains clear, young and healthy skin.
Water and waste: During weight loss, the body has much more waste to expel in the form of metabolized fat. Since water helps digestion and rids the body of waste, it only makes sense that more water is better.
Water and Constipation: When the body doesn’t get enough water, it takes what it needs from internal sources. The colon is a primary internal source. When this happens, constipation usually follows. Normal function commonly returns along with proper hydration.
Water and Body Temperature: Water helps us maintain our body temperature through perspiration. Perspiration dissipates excess heat and cools our bodies. Without water, this delicate balancing act of the body is disrupted.
Water and the kidneys: Our kidneys remove wastes like uric acid, urea, and lactic acid to name a few — all of which are dissolved in water. When there aren’t adequate amounts of water, these wastes aren’t removed effectively and kidney damage may result.
Water and Joints: Cartilage tissues between the vertebrae of the spine and at the end of long bones retain a lot of water. Cartilage needs water for the purpose of lubricating the body’s joints during movement. When the cartilage is well hydrated, the two opposing surfaces glide freely and minimize damage to the joint caused by friction. Conversely, dehydrated cartilage increases friction forces to the joints, resulting in joint deterioration and pain.
Water and Muscles: Muscles are primarily composed of water. Therefore, it’s only logical to drink lots of water if you want to have more muscle mass. Furthermore, water removes wastes from and transports nutrients to the muscle cells, decreasing recovery time. Water also ensures that a proper muscle contraction can be achieved so that the working muscle is properly exhausted. Finally, bodybuilders tend to ingest a lot of calories, supplements and proteins, really taxing their kidneys in the process. Water takes some of the strain off the kidneys.
Water and the Brain: 85% of brain tissue is water. The brain is about 1/50th of the body’s total weight and it uses about 1/20th of the body’s blood supply. Dehydration causes energy generation in the brain to decrease. In fact, studies have linked depression and chronic fatigue syndrome with dehydration.
Water and Migraines/Headaches: Dehydration is a major factor in causing headaches and migraines. In times of “heat stress” migraines are often signs of dehydration. To further complicate the matter, dehydration brings on stress and stress brings on dehydration.
Kidney Stones
Athletes can suffer from calcium kidney stones do to the increase use of different types of supplement use. The possibilities of dehydration do to stressed physical activities could also be a factor. Athletes that take sports drinks or power drinks should be concerned of what is in the particular drink they consume.
It should be stressed that nutritional considerations are very important in preventing the recurrence of kidney stones. Athletes should be vigilant in complying with a proper diet.
Below are some considerations and recommendations for reducing the risk for calcium kidney stones:
· Increased fluid intake (water)
· Increase potassium intake (reduces uric acid)
· Decrease in sodium intake (sodium increases calcium in urine)
· Reducing protein intake (meat protein is high in uric acid, and calcium)
· Avoid dark sodas ( cola reduces citrate in urine, phosphoric acid)
· Avoid coffee and teas (caffeine issues)
· Avoid high caffeine items
· Decrease daily stress
Lemon juice raises the citrate levels in urine this could possible protect against calcium kidney stones. Mix 0ne cup of lemon juice concentrate with 8-10 glasses of water per day. This has been a positive treatment for some patients that have suffered from repeat kidney stones. Orange juice unfortunately raises oxalate levels, which is not recommended. Cranberry and apple juice are also not recommended. Cranberry juice is known for preventing urinary tract infections. Grapefruit juice is known to increase the risk for forming stones. Wine has been considered a protector against kidney stones. Binge drinking can increase uric acid and the risk for kidney stones.
What you eat and drink can be the key to decreasing the risk for kidney stones. There are other types of kidney stones besides calcium types. Best recommendations are to get advisement from your physician and to do self research to gain knowledge on this subject. The phrase “researching kidney stones” through a general web search will lead to some good information and some conflicting information.
Swimming Makes you Strong
Swimming is an exercise that burns a lot of calories, increases your cardiovascular fitness, improves your muscular endurance and strength, does not impact the joints, and is considered a low impact exercise.
FREESTYLE TECHNIQUE
1. Hand Entry Slice your hand into the water right about at your goggle line, and drive it forward. Many swimmers attempt to get as much “air time” as possible by reaching the hand out before entering into the water, but it is actually more efficient to go through the water with your hand as you rotate from one side to the other.
2. Head Position Keep looking straight down when swimming freestyle. It’s important to keep your head down with only a small part of the back of your head out of the water. Also, as you rotate through the water, try not to move your head with the rest of your body rotation.
3. Pull In freestyle, your hands should pull all the way back past your hips. The last part of the stroke before recovery (arms coming out of the water) should be an acceleration behind you, and not up out of the water.
4. Kick Try minimizing your kick as you train for swimming. Most people will kick extra hard to make up for lack of balance in the water. Minimizing your kick will allow you to improve your balance, as well as conserve energy.
5. Training Intensity The best way to measure your training intensity is to count your heart rate immediately after each swim. You can estimate your heart rate by counting your pulse rate for six seconds immediately after each swim. Add a zero to this count, and you will have your approximate exercise heart rate per minute.
6. Master’s Swimming Move to a slower lane to work on stroke improvement. If you belong to a masters team, don’t feel that you always need to keep up with your lanemates at every workout. Masters teams typically have many people with many different swimming goals. It’s important to do your own thing! Remember that technique comes before all else and if this means swallowing a little pride to make improvements, just think of how much faster you will be for this in the long run.
7. Habit: Keep your arm from crossing over One of the most common bad habits I see in swimmers is the arm crossing over to the opposite side on the pull. Breathing on your left side results in your right arm crossing over, breathing on your left side results in your right arm crossing. Often times this happens when one goes to breath, but sometimes it’s caused just from over-rotating. To avoid this, make sure your head isn’t moving with the rest of your body, and try to pull more in a straight line (still bending the elbow) and ending the pull on the same side you started (i.e. right hand slices into the water, pulls back and hand ends up near right hip).
8. Keep the Feel If swimming is your toughest sport, it is important to “keep the feel” for the water, and get in the water at least every other day (no, showers and baths don’t count!) This way, your body maintains its kinesthetic awareness of being balanced in water.
9. Work Those Lungs Mix in some hypoxic training sets into your workouts. For example, do a set of 4×100′s breathing every 3-5-7-9 strokes by 25, with 15 seconds rest in between each 100. Your lungs will thank you for it towards the end of the swim part of your race!
10. Work Your Weakness In the sport of triathlon, most coaches agree that you should spend the most time working on your weakest of the three sports. For many of you this will be swimming! Within swimming, the same concept applies. Spend the most time working on the weakest part of your stroke. If balancing on your side is an issue, do some kicking drills on your side. If moving your head is a problem, focus on head position most of the time.
Author: Kevin Koskella
FITNESS, STRENGTH, HEALTH
Plyometrics
Speed and strength are integral components of fitness found in varying degrees in virtually all athletic movements. Simply put the combination of speed and strength is power. For many years, coaches and athletes have sought to improve power in order to enhance performance. Throughout this century and no doubt long before, jumping, bounding and hopping exercises have been used in various ways to enhance athletic performance. In recent years, this distinct method of training for power or explosiveness has been termed plyometrics. Whatever the origins of the word the term is used to describe the method of training that seeks to enhance the explosive reaction of the individual through powerful muscular contractions because of rapid eccentric contractions.
Wild Natural Alaskan Sockeye Salmon
“Only one food has the reputation from time immemorial of being a “brain food”. That food is fish…you should plan to eat a seafood meal seven days a week–and salmon at least five times a week.”-Nicholas Perricone, M.D., “The Perricone Prescription.”
Few single foods can bring as many health contributions to your diet in significant quantities as wild Alaskan salmon. Wild salmon is an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids which are necessary for optimum maternal and infant health.
Main benefits from wild salmon:
*Omega 3 fatty acids
*High Quality Protein
*Essential Amino Acids
*Vitamin A
*Vitamin D
*Vitamin B6
*Vitamin B
*Vitamin E
*Appreciable amounts of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus
All these benefits combine to make wild Alaskan sockeye salmon the natural choice for anyone concerned with their own or their family’s health.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
*Protect heart health
*Reduce risk of sudden death from heart disease
*Reduce risk of stroke
*Reduce chance of heart disease in Type 2 Diabetes
*Essential in infant brain and eye development during pregnancy and infancy
*Improve blood lipid patterns
*Improve blood vessel function
*Improve symptoms of immune and inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Chrone’s disease and some skin conditions
*Reduce the risk of some mental disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression
The protective role of fish against heart disease and cancer may be attributed to the type of oil found in certain species of coldwater fish, especially Alaska salmon. These fish oils, referred to as “Omega-3”, are polyunsaturated. Their chemical structure and metabolic function are quite different from the polyunsaturated oils found in vegetable oils, known as “Omega-6”.
The type of dietary fat (monounsaturated, saturated, or polyunsaturated) we consume alters the production of a group of biological compounds known as eicosanoids(prostaglandins, thromboxanes, and leukotrienes). These eicosanoids have biological influences on blood pressure, blood clotting, inflammation, immune function, and coronary spasms. In the case of Omega-3 oils, a series of eicosanoids are produced, which may result in a decreased risk of heart disease, inflammatory processes, and certain cancers.
Omega-3 oils also exert additional protective effects against coronary heart disease by:
• decreasing blood lipids (cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins or LDL, and triglycerides)
• decreasing blood clotting factors in the vascular system
• increasing relaxation in larger arteries and other blood vessels
• decreasing inflammatory processes in blood vessels
Additional studies have provided exciting news about the benefits of Omega-3 oils for individuals with arthritis, psoriasis, ulcerative colitis, lupus erythematosus, asthma, and certain cancers. Research studies have consistently shown that Omega-3 fatty acids delay tumor appearance, and decrease the growth, size, and number of tumors.
A recent study at the University of Washington has confirmed that eating a modest amount of salmon (one salmon meal per week) can reduce the risk of primary cardiac arrest. Cardiac arrest claims the lives of 250,000 Americans each year. Fresh, fresh-frozen, or canned Alaska sockeye salmon provides the highest amount of Omega-3 fatty acids of any fish — 2.7 grams per 100 gram portion.
Other studies, such as the Zupthen Study, a 20-year investigation of a Dutch population, confirmed similar benefits. The risk of coronary heart disease decreased (as much as 2.5 times) with increasing fish consumption. This suggests that moderate amounts (one to two servings per week) of fish are of value in the prevention of coronary heart disease, when compared with no fish intake.
The type of dietary fat we consume is very important. It has been well documented that saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease. The amount of saturated fat in both high-oil fish and lean fish is minimal. Fish, and other seafood, also offers lean, high-quality protein, as well as many other important vitamins and minerals.
Vitamin E:
*Powerful antioxidant
*Lowers the risk of heart disease
*Prevents the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins
*Reduces the buildup of plaque in coronary arteries
Salmon is also a good source of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants, which also include Vitamin C and beta carotene, act at the molecular level to deactivate free radicals. Free radicals can damage basic genetic material, and cell walls and structures, to eventually lead to cancer and heart disease. Vitamin E lowers the risk of heart disease by preventing the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), thus reducing the buildup of plaque in coronary arteries. Other research has found that Vitamin E plays a protective role against cancer and the formation of cataracts, and may possibly boost the immune system in the elderly.
Information found at wildforsalmon.com
Make sure the Salmon you eat is wild and from Alaska.
Information on why you should not eat Farmed or Ocean Raised Salmon go to www.deliciousorganics.com/Controversies/wildvsfarmfish.htm
