Wednesday, January 29, 2014

If You Care about Your Health, You Need to Know about the Emerging Science of Epigenetics

If You Care about Your Health, You Need to Know about the Emerging Science of Epigenetics

January 28, 2014
  
Nurses Helping ElderlyIt sheds important new light on diseases such as Alzheimer’s, and on all your diet and lifestyle choices.
We are all born with the genes we inherit from our parents. But how our body expresses the genes we already have isn’t fixed: it can change based on the activities we pursue, the foods we eat, even our emotional state! We are learning more and more about this from the emerging science of epigenetics.
We are even learning that, in some respects, what we are depends on what our grandparents ate or did. And just as the food our grandparents ate can affect us, so will the food we eat affect our grandchildren. This is called transgenerational epigenetic inheritance (TEI).
A Dec. 2013 study conducted at the Emory School of Medicine illustrates how TEI works: mice were trained to avoid the scent of cherry blossoms (the smell was linked with an electric shock). The mice’s offspring and “grandchildren”—with no prior exposure to the scent of cherry blossoms and no training from their parents to avoid it—exhibited a similar aversion to the smell. This and similar experiments mean that our anxiety, fears, and phobias may be shared with at least two generations.
A 2010 study showed that overfed male mouse pups that developed metabolic syndrome passed elements of the disease on to their offspring—even if the offspring weren’t overfed.
Some of the studies showing how the behavior of one generation clearly affects the next generation’s DNA chemistry are in human populations. For example, a mother’s diet during pregnancy can increase her child’s risk of obesity. Findings from a Swedish study spanning three generations suggested that diet can cause epigenetic changes affecting several generations’ risk of heart disease or diabetes.
New research released last week reveals an epigenetic link to Alzheimer’s. This heartbreaking disease may not simply be a factor of age or genetics—it may also be caused both by family history and by your own lifestyle.
Alarmingly, some scientists are beginning to believe that TEI may be responsible for rising rates of anxiety, obesity, diabetes, and other epidemics. For example, a University of Texas experiment hinted that increases in the rates of autism and bipolar disorder could be a result of epigenetic damage stemming from previous generations’ exposure to new chemicals and fertilizers—and that these detrimental effects may be passed on “without any further exposure.”
The message here should not be that our past has locked us into a tragic future. It should instead be to look more closely at the mistakes we are making right now and what they might mean for ourselves and future generations. For example, please see our related article on GMO and epigenetics. With respect to autism, we also need much more research on the overloaded infant vaccine schedule and use of toxic vaccine preservatives and adjuvants, research which governments working closely with vaccine manufacturers are blocking.
In thinking about changes we need to make right now, we should keep one thing in mind: negative epigenetic changes appear to be reversible.
Animal research by Duke University found that B12, folic acid, choline, and betaine supplementation during pregnancy lowered their offspring’s susceptibility to obesity, diabetes, and cancer (are you listening, Dr. Offit?).
Despite media noise to the contrary, epigenetics research suggests that maintaining sufficient nutrient levels will significantly affect your current and future health, including the likelihood that you’ll develop cancer as you age. For example, healthy levels of selenium and vitamin D can reduce the accumulation of epigenetic changes that can drive cancer. One study showed that patients with higher levels of vitamin D and selenium experience fewer epigenetic changes associated with cancer.
Our fitness and emotional well-being can also affect how our genes are expressed.
A Harvard School of Public Health study showed that a sedentary lifestyle can amplify the effects of genetic tendencies towards obesity, while a brisk one-hour daily walk reduced genetic influence towards obesity by half.
In addition to its many other health benefits, meditation can epigenetically influence thousands of genes. In fact, one study found that 2,209 genes were significantly different between long-term practitioners and healthy individuals who didn’t meditate. Meditation can suppress genes responsible for inflammation, and therefore help you physically recover more quickly from stressful situations.
The deeper we delve into the newly hatched field of epigenetics, the more reasons we find to approach health aturally—through lifestyle changes, a wholesome diet free of GMOs and pesticides, the appropriate use of dietary supplements, and the avoidance of chemicals and contaminants. It also means it’s more important than ever before to protect consumer access to the integrative practitioners who can help us lead healthier lives.
Help your genes “express themselves” in a healthful way. Future generations will thank you!

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Why You Should Drink More Water


Why You Should Drink More Water

Jan. 9, 2014  

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You can live without food for about a month, but only without water for a week. We, as humans, are mostly made up of the stuff, and it’s very important we drink plenty of it. That said, you may not enjoy water and find it a bit of a challenge to drink enough—a challenge you should overcome this weekend.

First things first, you need to know how much water you need on a daily basis. Some say eight glasses, others say a little more and a little less. When we asked a doctor who took a closer look at necessary hydration, we found the numbers depended on sex. Men need about 3 liters (13 cups) and women need 2.2 (9 cups). If you exercise or spend a lot of time in the sun, you’ll need more. You don’t want to over-hydrate, as that can cause serious problems, but if you keep it around 13 or 9 (depending on your gender) you’ll be good to go. It helps to know the signs of dehydration, too, so you can listen to your body to know when you’ll need more.

The benefits of drinking water have been much discussed in the media. Water helps keep you hydrated, which is important because every single cell in your body needs it in order to absorb nutrients and expel waste products. But what are some of the less well known benefits of drinking water?

Miracle Liquid
Even though it is flavorless and colorless on its own, water dissolves more substances than any other liquid. It carries chemicals, minerals and nutrients with it everywhere it travels.

Regulates Body Temperature

Everyone knows that if you’re overheated, it’s important to drink water but did you know that it’s even more important to drink it when your body is freezing? The risk of dehydration is actually higher in cold weather because your body is working harder to stay warm. Water regulates your body temperature while hydrating it.

You’ll Breathe Better

Water it keeps the tissues in your body moist. This protects you vital organs, most especially your lungs because they must maintain a healthy level of moisture. Some recent studies have even shown a connection between drinking more water and seeing relief from the affects of asthma.

You’re Made to Do It

Nearly 70% of an adult’s body is made up of water. It only makes sense that the more you fill your body with it, the better it will run.

Fill it Up

A healthy person can drink about three gallons — or 48 cups — of water each day so clearly the 8-12 cups you’re told to drink a day are a drop in the bucket compared to what your body could hold.

Detox Your Body

There are plenty of toxins floating around your body. Help flush them out without the need of some fancy detox diet by simply drinking more water. You’re in for added benefits when you mix in some lemon.

Blood Sugar Levels

Your blood sugar levels play a huge role in your diet and overall health. Help get them under control by drinking more water and eating more hydrating foods like fresh fruits instead of sugar-filled carbs.

Fight a Cold

Next time you feel a cold coming on, hydrate as much as possible. It will help get your body on the mend faster and may even cause the symptoms to pass over you entirely. A good tip is to drink water until your urine is clear!

Faster Weight Loss

A recent study done by the American Chemical Society showed that adults who drank two 8-ounce glasses of water before breakfast, lunch, and dinner ended up eating 75 to 90 fewer calories during each meal.

Get Things Running Smoothly

In addition to all of the negative things that come with a lack of proper hydration, constipation may be another horrible side effect. Consume enough water to keep things flowing smoothly.

Boosts Mood

Did you know that mild dehydration is associated with feelings of anger and depression?

Ultimate Brain Power

Having trouble planning or focusing on things? Dehydration could be the blame because long periods of dehydration could be linked to impaired brain functions.

Say Goodbye to Headaches

If you find yourself getting a lot of headaches, dehydration may be to blame. People who don’t consume enough water are more likely to suffer from cramps and other aches as well.

Reduce Blemishes

In addition to glowing, smooth complexion, consuming more water can actually reduce acne because it stops the bacteria from forming internally.

Fight Disease

Water helps protect cells and enhancing overall health. Proper hydration has been linked to the prevention of everything from cancer to emotional disorders.

Healthy Muscles

By keeping the body properly hydrated, you will keep your joints and muscles lubricated. This will help prevent little injuries like sprains or common running injuries.

Stay Energized

Your body is more likely to be fatigued because when you are dehydrated, your organs have to work harder to pump oxygenated blood. So skip the coffee and get some water instead!

Glowing Skin

Looking for the fountain of youth? Well, it may actually come in the form of drinking water. Your skin will look radiant and youthful if you help yourself to more water each day.

Proper Digestion

You will be able to beat that tired feeling you sometimes get after eating a meal because your body will be able to digest the food properly.
 
Water can be consumed by drinking low caffeine Green Teas
 
Important - DO A LOT OF DEEP BREATHING !!!