Fruit Juice Helps our Hearts; Fights Arterial Plaque Even Better Than Fruit Itself

by Dr. Don Rose

Based on an article by Jon Barron on his Health Blog

--

Have a hankering to hear how to help your heart stay healthy? How about some fruit juice! We always knew it tasted great, but now comes new proof it is good for us, too. Of course, for optimum heart health, fruit juice plus fitness activities plus a fine diet will help even more, but the research study discussed below shows that we now have even more reason to drink grape juice and apple juice instead of sodas. In short, this is grape news for everyone, from California to Apple-ate-ya. Okay, enough puns, just read the story below for all the juicy details. --Don Rose

--

Introduction

Researchers from Universite Montpellier in France recently discovered that grapes and apples may prevent plaque from coating arterial walls when consumed with fatty, high-cholesterol foods. The researchers also found that apple and grape juices have a more powerful anti-plaque effect than the fruits themselves.

Research Study

The study followed several groups of hamsters -- one fed a normal diet, while the others enjoyed high-fat diets plus either fruit, water, or juice. The amount of fruit consumed by the little rodents was the human equivalent of three apples or bunches of grapes a day; the amount of juice was the equivalent of about four glasses. The hamsters in the purple grape juice group fared the best, with the lowest level of atherosclerosis, followed by those eating purple grapes. The apple-juice and apple-eating hamsters scored third and fourth, respectively. All the fruit- and juice-eating hamsters had lower cholesterol, less oxidative stress, and less fat accumulation in their aortas than the hamsters who consumed no fruit or juice.

The researchers assume that the cardiac benefits of fruit probably derive from phenolic compounds -- powerful antioxidants found in grapes and apples. Although grapes and apples contain the same amount of phenols in fruit form, grape juice has two-and-a-half times the amount that apple juice does. Earlier studies have found significant differences in phenol content from one fruit juice to another, with blueberry juice the leader of the pack, and apple, grape, pomegranate juices containing far more than the ever-popular orange, pineapple, and grapefruit juices.

According to the Universite Montpellier research team, the findings suggest that the amount of phenols contained in a food have a direct effect on its antioxidant properties. The results, they write, "provide encouragement that fruit and fruit juices may have a significant clinical and public health relevance."

Fruit vs. Fruit Juices

But that's only part of the story. A primary reason juices outperform fresh fruits in delivering antioxidants has to do with the way juice concentrates the nutrients. You get more bioactive punch for the mouthful from juice because you don't have to eat all that fiber. Also, the body can utilize the nutrients more readily since it doesn't have to separate nutrients from the fiber, minimizing the amount of energy consumed in digestion and freeing up that energy for healing. Thirdly, not all phenols are the same. Some, like EGCG in green tea, resveratrol in grapes, and curcumin in the spice turmeric, stand out. And then, of course, in addition to phenols, fruit juices contain other antioxidants such as Vitamin C, as well as minerals, living enzymes, and an assortment of phytochemicals.

Fresh Juice vs. Commercial Bottled Juice

Before you decide to implement the good news by washing down your beefsteak and fries with a glass of Welch's, here's something to consider. There's a world of difference between commercial bottled juice and freshly made juice. Within minutes of juicing, many of the nutrients and enzymes start to break down, rendering the benefits far less potent. By the time bottled juice gets to your mouth, particularly if it's been processed, it's a shadow of its original self. Also, while fruit juices provide many benefits, they contain a lot of sugar, so many people recommend emphasizing vegetable juices instead. In fact, a good juicer is probably the single best investment you can make in your health.

Juicing

If you don't already own a juicer, look for a machine that's great at extraction, but also easy to use and clean. Some powerful juicers are so difficult to clean that they may end up going unused. Note that you can spend stratospheric amounts on a juicer such as a Norwalk, or pick a perfectly acceptable L'equip for about $130. The Jack LaLanne Power Juicer is another choice (you may have seen its ubiquitous infomercials on TV).

In terms of extraction, some people like the twin magnetic gear system used in juicers like the Green Star. But the Green Star has a big footprint on the counter and takes a bit of effort to clean -- although it's not as difficult as the Norwalk. Some say it is best for fasts, or when juicing heavily for several days in a row -- just clean it at the end of each day. If you're doing a lot of juicing during any given day, the Green Star is the way to go.

If you're new to juicing, consider the L'equip Mini Model 110.5 pulp ejector juicer. It may not have the best extraction method, but it does a decent job. Also, relative to most high-end juicers, it's quick to use and clean. With this Model, it's not that hard to make a quick glass of fresh squeezed juice -- the main thing many folks want from a juicer.

Closing Thoughts

Juicing is a great way to improve one’s health, but it is not recommended to make your juice and then eat junk food to round out your meals like the hamsters did. Although juice may moderate some of the harmful effects of high-fat, high-glycemic diets, it provides far more benefit when used as part of a healthy diet routine. In fact, there are many advocates of juice fasting because it gives the body a chance to detoxify and rebuild.

Also, while the information above shows that a good way to keep “heart healthy” is to drink more fruit juices, one never knows when one’s heart might malfunction, for any number of reasons. It can happen to anyone, at any age, even if you’ve lowered your risk for heart problems via good diet and exercise. If you sense the onset of a heart attack or irregular rhythms, call 911. If you are not near a phone, cannot get to a phone or cannot punch in the numbers, you can still get immediate help if you are a member of Life Alert; simply press your Life Alert help button to get in touch with live dispatchers within seconds, 24/7. They can send medical assistance to you, which will arrive in a matter of minutes. Life Alert members who are not home can also use a special one-button 911 cell phone (an optional Life Alert feature). If you don’t currently have Life Alert, see below for links to information on this valuable service.

---

The article above is covered by a Creative Commons License. The information provided is, to the best of our knowledge, reliable and accurate. However, while Life Alert always strives to provide true, precise and consistent information, we cannot guarantee 100 percent accuracy. Readers are encouraged to review the original article, and use any resource links provided to gather more information before drawing conclusions and making decisions.

Dr. Don Rose writes books, papers and articles on computers, the Internet, AI, science and technology, and issues related to seniors.

For more information about Life Alert and its many services for seniors and younger adults nationwide, please visit the following websites:
http://www.lifealert.com
http://www.seniorprotection.com
http://www.911seniors.com

FREE ASTHMA SCREENINGS DURING MAY 2008 AT 250 LOCATIONS IN THE U.S.

A press release from HealthDay News states that May is the month to get a handle on asthma, a common breathing disease. If you have asthma, or think you might, free asthma screenings are scheduled to be held at 250 locations across the United States as part of National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology sponsors the annual event; for 2008 the emphasis is on helping those already diagnosed with asthma to get it under control as best they can.

In recent months, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) put out new guidelines highlighting the importance of asthma control, including daily monitoring and proper medication use to treat symptoms and prevent severe attacks from occurring. This came in light of research showing that many people with asthma are suffering more than they need to from the disease. Allergist John Winder, chairman of the Nationwide Asthma Screening Program, said "government guidelines emphasize that undiagnosed or inadequately treated asthma worsens the severity of the disease" while "the screening program gives patients who are still having breathing problems a chance to meet with an allergist, discuss their symptoms and learn how to feel better."

More than 22 million Americans, including 6.5 million children, have asthma -- a chronic inflammation of the airways in the lungs. Asthma attacks, which claim nearly 4,000 lives a year, are often triggered by allergens -- these include pollen, dust, animal dander, certain drugs and food additives -- lung infections, or even physical exertion. While the disease's exact cause remains unknown, many treatments are available to keep it in check.

"An asthma 'attack' isn't the only sign of trouble. A cough that bothers you at night, shortness of breath, colds that go to your chest -- these can all be symptoms of asthma. But few people recognize them or that they are a sign of under-treated disease," Winder said. "No one with asthma should have to suffer. Anyone who is experiencing breathing problems or making compromises to live with their condition should attend a free screening and find out how to take control."

The screenings will be overseen by allergists (who are asthma specialists), in coordination with local doctors and allied health professionals. During a screening, participants will answer several questions about their breathing issues, take a lung function test that involves blowing into a tube, and meet with an allergist to determine whether a more thorough exam and diagnosis is needed. The program has screened more than 108,000 people over the years, and more than half of those were referred for further diagnosis.

A list of free asthma screening locations and dates, online versions of the breathing questionnaires, and more information on treating and controlling asthma are on the ACAAI Web site at www.acaai.org. Also, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute has more information about controlling and treating asthma.

Attribution: -- Kevin McKeever.
SOURCE: American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, news release, May 1, 2008.

CHOCOLATE UNWRAPPED: THE SWEET TREAT IS NOT SO BAD AFTER ALL (AND MAYBE EVEN GOOD FOR YOU)

A 2003 book by Rowan Jacobsen entitled "Chocolate Unwrapped: The Surprising Health Benefitsof America's Favorite Passion" discusses how chocolate, a treat many were taught causes a host of bad things to happen to our bodies (namely our fat cells and teeth) , may actually be beneficial to our health. Here are highlights of the book description, from its Amazon webpage:

...recent studies [have] revealed ...that [c]hocolate protects you from heart disease... improves cholesterol levels... [and] may even help prevent some cancers. ...Evidence is piling up that chocolate has a list of health benefits few foods can match. We’re all familiar with antioxidants, the compounds found in fruits, vegetables, red wine, and tea that prevent heart disease, cancer, and premature aging. What we don’t hear is that chocolate has the highest concentration of antioxidants of any food on the planet — ten times that of spinach, five times that of blueberries, and four times that of green tea.

Chocolate Unwrapped explains the science behind chocolate’s health benefits, then goes on to dispel the myths swirling around chocolate. Chocolate does not cause acne, allergies, migraines, or hyperactivity. Chocolate has much less caffeine than most people think. And tannins in chocolate actually help prevent cavities, making chocolate better for teeth than other sweets. Though there is no proof for chocolate’s reputation as an aphrodisiac ... chocolate has clear effects on the brain and mood. Chocolate contains anandamide, a substance that activates the same receptors in the brain as marijuana, as well as other chemicals that causes feelings of excitement and well-being, explaining the natural craving many people feel for it.

Chocolate Unwrapped not only explains the positive physical and psychological effects of chocolate, but goes on to explore the colorful history, botany, and chemistry of chocolate, so you’ll understand what to look for and what to avoid. A recipe section provides a multitude of healthy ways to eat chocolate, from flourless chocolate cake to Mexican mole, and a comprehensive list of resources tells you where to find the best-quality chocolates in the world.

Here are a few expert comments from the book's inside flap:

"I do recommend a piece of good-quality dark chocolate as a healthy snack . . . it is a source of polyphenols, the same type of antioxidants found in red wine, and the fat it contains is stearic acid, which doesn’t affect cholesterol levels. The latest good news for chocolate lovers comes from a study indicating that flavonoids in chocolate are good for your heart. These compounds reduce the stickiness of platelets, cells that play an important role in blood clotting. By eating a 1.5-ounce milk chocolate bar, you get the same amount of these protective compounds as in a 5-ounce glass of Cabernet Sauvignon." Andrew Weil, M.D.

"Nitric oxide plays such an important role in the maintenance of healthy blood pressure and, in turn, cardiovascular health. If our research results continue to support a link between consumption of flavanol-rich cocoa and nitric oxide synthesis, there could be significant implications for public health." Norman Hollenberg, M.D., Ph.D., Harvard Medical School

"Chocolate contains large amounts of the same beneficial plant chemicals that now have burnished the reputation of tea. In fact, just one ounce of chocolate has about as much of these plant chemicals as a cup of brewed black tea. One large, ongoing study of the benefits of exercise found that men who eat chocolate in moderation live longer than those who eat none." University of California-Berkeley Wellness Letter

"We already know that increased consumption of fruits and vegetables results in an increase of antioxidants in our blood. We believe chocolate consumption may have the same effect. We forget that chocolate is derived from cocoa beans—the fruit of the cacao tree—a fruit that is a rich source of these potentially beneficial substances." Penny Kris-Etherton, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University

"Eating chocolate can have significant influences on mood, generally leading to an increase in pleasant feelings and a reduction in tension." Peter Rogers, Ph.D., Institute of Food Research

MINUTE CLINIC: HEALTH TESTING WITHOUT APPOINTMENTS NOW TOURING ACROSS 24 STATES

Minute Clinic is being offered in two dozen states across the country. Some services require a fee, some are covered by insurance, and some are free of charge (the Minute Clinic website says they are doing FREE cholesterol screenings in Los Angeles until April 20, 2008). More site highlights:

We’re doing what we can to make healthcare a little easier for people with a lot going on. Our board-certified practitioners are trained to diagnose and treat common family illnesses, such as strep throat, bronchitis and ear, eye and sinus infections.
--No appointment necessary
--Open 7 days a week
--Most insurance accepted
--Click here to find a clinic near you.

Check out their website for more info on locations, dates and hours: http://minuteclinic.com

FOREGO FOOD, HELP HEART HEALTH?: A FAST A MONTH MAY HELP YOUR TICKER

The following intriguing link and summary from a post on Digg.com:

Study: Monthly fasting may help heart
news.yahoo.com — A study in Utah... found that people who skipped meals once a month were about 40 percent less likely to be diagnosed with clogged arteries than those who did not regularly fast.

Senior Health Costs Could Rise 25 Percent by 2030

By Fred White

(an article reprinted from ThomasNet.com Industrial Market Trends, a comprehensive, daily industrial blog)

In 2006, almost 500 million people worldwide were 65 and older, and by 2030, that total is projected to increase to one billion. The world's workforce depends on this population. If older adults take the advice provided by the health care provider community, and motivate themselves, they can achieve two goals: live healthier and perhaps longer, and reduce health care costs.

By 2030, the number of Americans aged 65 and older will more than double to 71 million, equaling about 20 percent of the U.S. population, noted the report. Of course, older Americans will not be the only aged around the globe. “We are aging — not just as individuals or communities but as a world. In 2006, almost 500 million people worldwide were 65 and older,” according to a report entitled Why Population Aging Matters: A Global Perspective, which was presented earlier this month at the State Summit on Global Aging presented. By 2030, that total is projected to increase to one billion — one in every eight of the earth’s inhabitants. Significantly, the most rapid increases in the 65+ population are occurring in developing countries, “which will see a jump of 140 percent by 2030,” reports Senior Journal.

The health of the age group coming up behind the 65+ people may also be questionable.

Beth Soldo, a University of Pennsylvania sociologist, and her colleagues studied data from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study and found that people in “their early to mid-50s were reporting more health problems than people that age had described previously,” writes Gary Rotstein at The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This deserves to be taken with some skepticism, however, because “the federal data are not correlated with any actual health evaluations.” A health care provider would refer to these “evaluations” as scientifically valid observations.

One possibility for the higher reporting of poor health may result from more stress and obesity. Or baby boomers may have higher definition of what constitutes good health. Also, more awareness of effective treatments and medications may lead people to feel less inclined to report their health as good.

Kenneth Manton, research professor at Duke University, said he “sees no basis for such fears and nothing in Soldo’s study to change his mind,” the article quotes Manton as having said.

Older Americans can minimize this cost, though, if improving and preserving older adults’ health is more actively addressed, according to an updated report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Merck Co. Foundation. The CDC report presents information and recommendations to help older Americans live not just longer but better lives.

Three preventable behaviors — smoking, poor diet and physical inactivity — were the root causes of almost 35 percent of U.S. deaths in 2000. These behaviors represent risk factors that often lead to society’s leading chronic killers: heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes. The report indicates that if people can live healthier and go to regular screenings, they can reduce the risk for many chronic diseases and help lower heath care costs.

The challenge is to better apply (i.e., more broadly) what we already know about helping to ensure that added years are healthy years, according to the report.

A closer look at some resources for helping older adults reduce the risk factors can help us all. For many people, physical inactivity may be the hardest challenge. The CDC provides quite a bit of resourceful information to generate motivation and become active.

If older adults take the advice provided by the health care provider community, and motivate themselves, they can achieve two goals: live healthier and perhaps longer, and reduce health care costs.

NOTE: Stay with us when we report the latest developments in the medical device industry and health care in this week’s IMT e-newsletter.

# # #

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 1.0 Generic license. You are free to Share — to copy, distribute and transmit the work under the following conditions: Attribution - You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author or licensor (but not in any way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work); No Derivative Works - You may not alter, transform, or build upon this work. For any reuse or distribution, you must make clear to others the license terms of this work. The best way to do this is with a link to this web page. Any of the above conditions can be waived if you get permission from the copyright holder. Nothing in this license impairs or restricts the author's moral rights.

POTENTIAL CANCER CURE: STIMULATING BODY'S IMMUNE SYSTEM TO KILL CANCER CELLS

A Digg.com post mentions yet another "damn interesting" article - A Cancer Cure Most Doctors Won't Tell You About - from the website http://www.damninteresting.com/ :

During the early 1900's, Dr. William Coley re-discovered a cancer treatment that was surprisingly effective. By infecting tumors with common bacteria, Coley learned the body could be triggered to kill off cancerous tumors. Conventional modern medicine rarely employs Coley ’s technique today for 1 reason: they still don't understand how it works.

Of course, there is (at least) one caveat: the doctors using this technique must make sure the bacterial infection does not turn out to be worse of a problem than the original cancer. But the general idea of using a foreign entity (bacteria) to trigger the body's natural defense mechanisms (fever, white blood cells' destroying foreign pathogens, etc.) does seem to make sense, especially when every other "normal" treatment has been tried without success.

REMEMBER FIRST 3 LETTERS OF "STROKE" TO HELP RECOGNIZE WARNING SIGNS

"STR" can serve as your shorthand to recognize the warning signs of a STRoke.

If someone seems to be acting in an unusual manner or says they do not feel right, try this:

S: ask the individual to SMILE.
T: ask the person to TALK (and speak a simple sentence, coherently).
R: ask him or her to RAISE both arms.

If the person has trouble with ANY of these tasks, call 911 immediately (or, if they have Life Alert, press the person's help button on their pendant). When connected to an operator/dispatcher, describe the symptoms.

NEW INDICATOR OF STROKE: CROOKED TONGUE

Ask the individual to "stick out" his or her tongue. IF THE TONGUE IS CROOKED - if it goes to one side or the other - that is also an indication of a possible stroke.

Spread this information widely, to help others recognize the signs of stroke onset.

HEALTH-TECH GADGETS on MARTHASTEWART.COM

Here is a link to the page that talks about four devices that can benefit seniors' health (Life Alert, GPS-enabled sneakers, a mouse with built-in heart monitor, and Glow Caps that signal when one forgets to take one's pills):

http://www.marthastewart.com/portal/site/mslo/menuitem.3a0656639de62ad593598e10d373a0a0/?vgnextoid=34cff941122a7110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&vgnextfmt=default&rsc=ts_Homepage_Homepage
The webpage linked to above gives descriptions of the products (in the case of Life Alert, their device is part of a home protection service), and gives the basics of how they work.

Also note: the TV segment on which this webpage is based (which featured the 4 products) was schedule to air yesterday, Jan. 23, 2008, on "The Martha Stewart Show." Check their website soon for video of that segment (at the webpage listed above).

For these and other segments related to health and/or seniors, visit www.marthastewart.com .

Six Ways to Exorcise Exercise Excuses

Press Release -- Courtesy of PRWEB.com

Introduction by Dr. Don Rose

--

Life Alert is known nationwide for providing personal protection in case of falls, home intrusion, medical emergencies or other dangerous scenarios, sending help fast in order to prevent injury or even death. But, as Exercise Physiologist and Fitness Consultant Joey Atlas points out, fitness and weight loss excuses can (eventually) kill you as well. One can conclude from Atlas’s views that we need to provide our bodies with a kind of “fitness protection” by exercising regularly and maintaining optimal weight. While fear of fitness and weight loss failure are major contributors to obesity around the world, Atlas provides a message of hope, encouraging the use of simple home workouts that can help fight fat and improve poor fitness levels. –Don Rose

--

Ponte Vedra Beach, FL (PRWEB) November 7, 2006 — According to official figures from a 2006 report compiled by The Trust for America’s Health, the adult obesity rate rose from 15 percent in 1980 to 32 percent in 2004. Combine that with the number of Americans who are overweight but not obese, and the figure stands at 64 percent. And the childhood obesity rate more than tripled between 1980 and 2004, from 5 percent to 17 percent.

“I don’t have enough time for exercise.” “I’m too out of shape to workout.” “I don’t know what to do.” “I’m too afraid to ask the fitness instructors.” “The gym is too crowded.” “The health club members are rude.” “I don’t have the willpower.” These are some of the top excuses revealed by a 2004 survey conducted by the American Council on Exercise of San Diego.

“For the general population, excuses are just excuses. They are not valid reasons for poor levels of fitness and health. That being said, I can understand why so many people use these excuses. They just don’t know any better,” said Exercise Physiologist and Fitness Consultant Joey Atlas. “There is so much fitness and weight loss information out there. It’s hard for people to make sense out of it and see how or if it applies to them,” according to Atlas.

Atlas offers these six tips to put an end to your fitness excuses:

1) Develop this mindset: Fitness is not a leisure pursuit. It’s an obligation and a means for you to protect the gift of life you have been given.
2) Create a simple home gym with a little bit of space and a floor mat for core exercises.
3) Learn compound leg exercises, such as the touch-down, that do not require fitness equipment.
4) Perform daily flexibility and stretching exercises for increasing energy and injury prevention.
5) Use the floor mat for abdominal exercises and thigh exercises that provide a smart foundation for a more advanced fitness program.
6) Incorporate butt exercises and stomach exercises that do not require weights or exercise machines.

“There is so much that can be done with little or no fitness equipment. There is no need to be a member of a health club to be in great shape and healthy,” says Atlas. “I have some of my best workouts on the local playground. A ten-minute ab workout, a quick leg exercise series, a simple core workout and eight minutes of stretching for flexibility will give you a good sweat in less than thirty minutes.”

Atlas offers five free exercises, with photos and instructions via his main website, www.JoeyAtlas.com.

—

Joey Atlas, M.S. - Exercise Physiology, is a fitness consumer advocate, professional trainer and fitness writer. He has been in the fitness industry since the late 80’s. Atlas is a contributing writer for OnFitness Magazine. Joey Atlas Fitness Resources provides fitness consulting services and products to individuals, families and companies all over the world.

The information provided is, to the best of our knowledge, reliable and accurate. However, while The Rose Review always strives to provide true, precise and consistent information, we cannot guarantee 100 percent accuracy. Readers are encouraged to gather more information before drawing conclusions and making decisions.

Dr. Don Rose writes books, papers and articles on many topics, including computers, the Internet, artificial intelligence, science and technology, and issues related to seniors.

Article Sponsor: Life Alert. More information about its emergency response services and other benefits for seniors nationwide is available at http://www.lifealert.com, http://www.seniorprotection.com and http://www.911seniors.com.