And if you haven’t heard about it yet, you need the facts.

Known as metabolic syndrome, it’s actually a cluster of symptoms including high blood pressure and blood sugar, abdominal obesity and abnormal levels of triglycerides and cholesterol.

And once any of the symptoms gets supercharged, it tips you over into heart disease.

Now though, Brazilian researchers believe they have found a potent weapon in the fight against metabolic syndrome — an Amazonian fruit with a mouth-puckering taste that could put a halt to drivers of the condition.

Here’s what they found…

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The secret’s in the phenolic compounds and fiber

The fruit is known as the Jaboticaba berry, which is native to the Brazilian Atlantic Rainforest and is usually thrown away because the tannins in it make it too sour to eat.

However, the fruit is also rich in two things that make it a potential health powerhouse: phenolic compounds and dietary fiber.

So those Brazilian researchers decided to pit the fruit against metabolic syndrome in the bid to save hearts and lives.

And as it turns out, they got more than they ever hoped for.

After dividing 49 patients with metabolic syndrome and obesity into two groups — one where participants took jaboticaba peel powder for five weeks, while the other group took a placebo — there was a clear winner…

“The main benefits of taking the supplement were lower post-prandial glycemia (blood sugar after meals) and less inflammation,” said lead author and professor, Mário Roberto Maróstica Junior.

“Blood sugar typically rises after meals even in healthy people, although it soon returns to normal in these cases. Something that can lower blood sugar levels after meals is interesting because it helps people control this variable over time and live a healthier life.”

It also lessens the risk of developing insulin resistance, considered a driver of metabolic syndrome. When blood sugar spikes often, the pancreas produces too much insulin and the body stops responding to it. Type 2 diabetes isn’t usually far behind.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

Give your Body the Optimal Alkalizing Nutrients you Need for Healthy pH Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

A local source of phenols and fiber

The good news is that you don’t have to travel to the Brazilian rainforest to find a berry that’s packed with phenolic compounds and fiber like the Jaboticaba berry.

In fact, those compounds, including anthocyanins, and their rich levels of fiber is why other berries have a powerful effect on blood sugar and metabolism, including:

• Fermented Aronia Berry — shown to naturally lower the amount of sugar entering your bloodstream after you eat
• Blueberry — shown to provide support against insulin resistance
• Acai berry — shown to help provide free-radical protection and support normal blood sugar levels

Previous studies have shown people who consume the most anthocyanin-rich foods were least likely to have chronic inflammation — which has long been associated with metabolic syndrome and blood sugar problems.

Berries also contain flavones, also a phenolic compound, shown to improve levels of a protein (adiponectin) which helps regulate a number of metabolic processes including glucose levels.

This time of year you can find plenty of berries at your local farmer’s markets — along with plenty of other health-promoting fresh organic fruits and vegetables

Sources:

Jaboticaba peel reduces inflammation and controls blood sugar in people with metabolic syndrome — EurekAlert!

The post The Amazonian fruit ‘prescription’ that tames blood sugar appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But I have friends who’ve complained to me that they’ve really cut back and still have problems keeping their blood pressure closer to where their doctors want to see it.

The truth is, there’s something else that looks remarkably similar to salt, which can secretly sabotage your blood pressure readings in surprising ways.

I’m talking about sugar.

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

Amazing “Can’t be Beet” Superfood Helps Keep Nitric Oxide Levels Up!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Added sugar adds up to high blood pressure

Scientific studies are now linking the consumption of added sugar in the diet to an increased risk of high blood pressure.

They say that not only can sugar affect your blood vessels, but it can also exacerbate health conditions that drive blood pressure problems.

Three blood pressure issues caused by sugar include:

#1 – Narrow blood vessels

One way sugar leads to high blood pressure is by increasing levels of a waste product, called uric acid, in the body. When the level of uric acid goes up, the production of nitric oxide (NO) in your blood vessels goes down. That’s a problem in several ways…

For starters, NO is a compound the body produces that signals blood vessels to relax and allow normal blood flow. Without that signal, blood vessels constrict and blood pressure rises.

It also causes blood vessels in the kidneys to constrict. This sets off a cascade of actions, including the activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), which regulates blood volume and electrolyte balance. This leads to the retention of sodium and water, which increases blood pressure.

You may be aware that uric acid is associated with the painful condition known as gout. But you may not know that people with gout have an increased risk of stroke.

#2 – Reduced insulin sensitivity

Additionally, a diet high in sugar can lead to insulin resistance. In turn, as cells become less sensitive to insulin, the body makes even more of the hormone to keep your blood sugar balanced. This increased insulin accelerates sodium and water retention, in turn raising blood volume and blood pressure.

If that weren’t enough, reduced insulin sensitivity is linked to inflammation, which can lead to high blood pressure by damaging blood vessel linings and causing arterial stiffness.

#3 – Weight gain and metabolic problems

Finally, as we’re all too well aware, eating too much sugar can cause weight gain, especially around the midsection. Sadly, belly fat is a key indicator of metabolic syndrome, increasing the risk of heart disease and high blood pressure.

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Avoiding sugar isn’t so easy

While sugars that occur naturally in whole foods, like fruit, are far less likely to skyrocket your blood pressure, it’s the hidden added sugars that can get you.

The American Heart Association lists these foods as the most common sources of added sugar, so start by avoiding these:

• Regular soft drinks
• Sweetened tea and coffee
• Energy drinks 
• Fruit drinks
• Candy
• Ice cream
• Sweetened yogurts 
• Flavored and/or sweetened milk
• Breakfast cereals and bars

And remember, added sugars hide under many names, including the “ose” ones like high-fructose corn syrup and sucrose, as well as molasses, cane sugar, corn sweetener, raw sugar, syrup, honey or fruit juice concentrates.

Steady support for blood pressure

Who doesn’t have a sweet tooth? I’m a health researcher, but I’ll be the first to raise my hand.

I don’t indulge often, but there are times when it’s just not easy to turn down dessert or pass up the cream and sugar in my coffee. That’s why I have a secret antidote…

Beets.

I realize eating beets regularly is an acquired taste. But beetroot juice is pretty tasty. Drinking it regularly helps my body produce a steady stream of NO, even when I splurge on dessert.

In a 2008 study, drinking 8 ounces of beet juice lowered subjects’ blood pressure by 10mm Hg (a ten-point drop in blood pressure).

This is not surprising, since the dietary nitrate in beets breaks down into NO to signal my blood vessels to do the job they’re meant to do: support oxygenated, nutrient-rich vascular flow to every organ in my body.

Now, yes, beets contain sugar. However, it’s natural sugars, not added sugars. The antioxidants, fiber and nitrates content still make beets a healthy option for sustaining NO production. And concentrated beet powder generally has less sugar per serving than whole beets or beet juice.

Sources:

This Everyday Ingredient Could Be Raising Your Blood Pressure—and It’s Not Salt – Health

The post 3 ways this ingredient raises blood pressure—and it’s not salt appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The main reason it’s top of mind is that at least one-third of all American adults have it.

If you’re one of them, you face an elevated risk of stroke, kidney disease and dementia, just to name a few dangerous conditions it can lead to.

Recently, researchers have uncovered another neurological condition they believe is strongly associated with MetS — one that steals both your body and your mind.

Here’s more about that discovery, and how you can keep MetS from wrecking your life

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Components of MetS linked to Parkinson’s symptoms

In a large-scale study, an international group of researchers has determined that having metabolic syndrome was tied to a greater risk of Parkinson’s disease.

The study followed 467,200 subjects over a period of almost 15 years. In participants with MetS, there were 5.21 new cases of Parkinson’s per 10,000 person-years; in those without MetS, only 4.87 new cases.

While the researchers acknowledge that some of these people may have had a genetic predisposition toward Parkinson’s, they still identify several potential mechanisms by which MetS may lead to Parkinson’s.

First, the individual components of MetS, including hypertension, high blood triglycerides and high blood sugar, may each contribute to insulin resistance, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. All of these, in turn, may lead to changes in neuroinflammation, but insulin resistance especially has a long history of harming the brain.

Second, hypertension and high fat in the blood can lead to white matter lesions in the brain, which may further contribute to the development of Parkinson’s symptoms.

Peak Maximum Endurance^™

Supports Improved Oxygen Levels… Healthy Circulation… and Balanced Hormones for Better Overall Health!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to avoid MetS

It’s clear that MetS is a lot more than just being overweight and having high blood sugar.

But there are clues you can follow even before you measure your waist or take your blood pressure:

• You crave carbs and sweets
• You’re tired and sluggish, no matter how much sleep you get
• You put on weight easily, but have a hard time losing it
• You feel sluggish after eating
• Your blood pressure is rising steadily over time
• Your LDL (“bad”) cholesterol keeps climbing

Anything you can do to keep from developing this syndrome will lower your risk of any number of life-threatening conditions.

So where do you start?

Maintain a healthy weight through your diet and physical activity. You may want to consider a Mediterranean diet or its first cousin, the MIND diet. Both diets have been shown to delay the onset of Parkinson’s and prevent MetS.

Control blood sugar. If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, follow your doctor’s recommendations for managing blood sugar levels.

Manage cholesterol. Maintain healthy cholesterol levels by eating a heart-healthy diet and, if needed, taking cholesterol-lowering medications.

Limit alcohol intake: Excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to metabolic syndrome.

Get regular sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night.

Talk to your doctor. If you have a family history of MetS or any of its components, or if you are at high risk, talk to your doctor about preventive measures.

Sources:

Parkinson’s Risk Rises With Metabolic Syndrome  — Medpage Today

Metabolic Syndrome and Incidence of Parkinson Disease — Neurology

The post The surprisingly common syndrome linked to Parkinson’s appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The argument? Seed oils contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which some experts have suggested may contribute to inflammation — a condition considered a root cause of disease.

In fact, some research has shown these oils increase the risk of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and obesity.

But what if everything we’ve been told about seed oils is wrong?

Peak Krill Oil^™

You probably already know how important omega-3s are to support heart and brain health. But there are five reasons you may be getting yours from a less than adequate source, starting with a powerful antioxidant that delivers DHA into your brain cells… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Linoleic acid and cardiometabolic health

Linoleic acid is the primary omega-6 fatty acid consumed from vegetable oils, particularly seed oils.

“There has been increasing attention on seed oils, with some claiming these oils promote inflammation and raise cardiometabolic risk,” says Dr. Kevin C. Maki, a professor at the Indiana University School of Public Health-Bloomington and chief scientist at Midwest Biomedical Research.

Maki and other investigators analyzed data from almost 1,900 people in an observational cohort study. Their findings were surprising:

• Higher levels of linoleic acid in the blood were consistently associated with lower levels of biomarkers for risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
• Specifically, participants with higher levels of linoleic acid demonstrated lower levels of glucose and insulin as well as HOMA-IR, a biomarker of insulin resistance.
• They also had reduced levels of inflammation biomarkers, including C-reactive protein, glycoprotein acetyls and serum amyloid A.

These results are consistent with those from observational studies that have found a link between higher intake of linoleic acid and lower risk for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes.

The findings of this latest study are believed to be even stronger because of the measurements taken…

“Although other studies have assessed relationships between linoleic acid and cardiometabolic risk factors, our study used objective biomarkers rather than diet records or food frequency questionnaires to assess linoleic acid intake,” Maki says. “We also measured a range of markers of inflammation and indicators of glucose metabolism.”

In summary, instead of fueling disease, linoleic acid may actually help protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

“We saw consistent results across the different biomarkers measured,” Maki says. “People with higher levels of linoleic acid in their blood tended to have a healthier overall risk profile for heart disease and diabetes.”

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Should you eat more, less or seek balance?

The researchers say these results support the need for additional research. But one thing’s for sure: Since omega-6 fatty acids are found in popular vegetable oils like canola oil, sunflower oil, corn oil, and soybean oil, many of us already get a significant amount of them in our diet.

That means you don’t need to focus on getting more. Instead, balance may be what to aim for. Your ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids should be 1:1.

In fact, the experts at Harvard recommend: Eat more omega-3s, not fewer omega-6s. But the American Heart Association reports that intake of omega-3s by US adults is “abysmally low.”

So, even though we’re discussing omega-6 fatty acids here, it’s important to consider the amount of omega-3s in your diet. Omega-3s help balance the possibility of inflammation connected to omega-6.

However, there are still considerations when using seed oils for cooking…

Absolutely avoid partially hydrogenated oil, which is high in trans fats — the worst kind of fat for your health. That means avoiding them in ultra-processed foods, such as baked goods, fried foods and some shortenings, makes good sense.

And, if cooking with seed oils, choose cold-pressed seed oils rather than heat-processed ones. The cold-pressing process does not involve chemical solvents like hexane.

Hexane is used in the chemical extraction of refined or commercial oils. Though exposure in cooking oil is very low, hexane can cause symptoms ranging from mild dizziness to severe, potentially permanent nerve damage.

Best yet, look to whole-food sources of omega-6, like sunflower seeds, walnuts and pumpkin seeds as well.

Editor’s Note: You’re invited to join a tiny handful of Americans who enjoy rare, fresh-pressed olive oil all year long. Take my word for it, there’s a difference in taste, quality and benefit! Try it for $1! Click here to learn more…

Sources:

Myth-busting study shows controversial seed oils reduce inflammation — ScienceDaily

Are seed oils bad for you? A registered dietitian explains the facts — Colorado State University

The post Do seed oils really deserve their bad reputation? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Sadly, if you’re living with even a single one of these cardiometabolic diseases, your risk of death doubles. End up with more than one of them, and your chances of dying are now four to seven times greater — frightening facts that make finding ways to prevent these diseases vital.

Luckily, researchers say that not only have they found a simple way to do just that in a drink many of us enjoy every morning…

They’ve even nailed down exactly how much of it you need to avoid the multiple cardiometabolic disease trap that could spell death…

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Drink coffee to crush cardiometabolic disease

The research, conducted at Suzhou Medical College in China, tracked the cardiometabolic health of over 172,000 participants who consumed varying levels of caffeine daily, compared to an additional 188,000 people who drank coffee or tea.

And the results all came down to a simple fact…

Both coffee and caffeine intake — in general, at all levels — were inversely associated with the risk of new-onset of multiple cardiometabolic diseases.

In other words, getting any amount of caffeine daily, whether from supplements or a tasty cup of joe, lowers the likelihood of metabolic health problems — especially of the multiple varieties.

However, according to the researchers, a moderate level of coffee or caffeine intake is the amount to shoot for if you want the most bang for your buck.

That’s because moderate coffee or caffeine intake resulted in the lowest risk and was inversely associated with almost all developmental stages of cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

The researchers found that compared with non-coffee drinkers or those who consumed less than 100mg caffeine per day, consumers of three coffees or 200-300 mg of caffeine per day had a 48.1 percent or 40.7 percent reduced risk for new-onset cardiometabolic multimorbidity.

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Don’t sabotage your coffee’s health benefits

Of course, not all coffee is created equal when it comes to your health.

For the best metabolic support, be sure to:

• Avoid sugar-laden coffees – While that whipped-cream-topped caramel latte may be tasty, consuming too much sugar is a sure path to metabolic syndrome. It sabotages cholesterol and increases heart risks. If you like your coffee sweet, try a natural, plant-based sweetener, like stevia, instead of sugar.
• Add whole milk or cream – Research is showing that whole-fat dairy is not just good for your heart, it could reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease and death from any cause, even more than consuming reduced-fat dairy.
• Avoid espresso – Drinking just three espressos has been shown to significantly increase serum total cholesterol (a metabolic risk factor), especially in men. It takes six or more cups of coffee made in a French press or filtered coffee to do the same.

So if you want to avoid becoming another metabolic statistic, feel free to enjoy your favorite morning beverage guilt-free!

But remember, your favorite giant mug doesn’t count as one cup if it holds over 6 to 8 ounces. So keep it around 18 to 24 ounces a day.

Sources:

Moderate coffee and caffeine consumption is associated with lower risk of developing multiple cardiometabolic diseases, new study finds – EurekAlert!

The coffee brew method that raises cholesterol most for men – Easy Health Options

The post Coffee: The cardiometabolic disease crusher that lowers heart disease, diabetes and stroke appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

An analysis of 21 years of data presented late last year at the American Heart Association’s Scientific Sessions 2024 paints a grim picture…

The analysis found that there was a significant and consistent increase in deaths from obesity-related ischemic heart disease from 1999 to 2020 in the U.S.

Ischemic heart disease is a condition that occurs when the heart’s blood supply is reduced due to narrowed coronary arteries.

Specifically, the analysis revealed an increase of 243% annually in deaths among men and 131% in women.

The highest rates of deaths from ischemic heart disease related to obesity were among middle-aged men ages 55-64, Black adults and people who live in the Midwestern states and non-metropolitan areas in the U.S.

With numbers like that, and on the climb, let’s talk about why obesity drives heart problems, the type of fat that does the most harm and what to do about it…

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How obesity contributes to heart disease

Three factors make obesity a driving force behind heart disease:

Cholesterol levels. Being obese can cause your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) levels to rise. It also elevates triglyceride levels. Not only that, it actually can lower HDL (“good” cholesterol) levels at the same time.

Blood pressure. A person who is obese requires more blood to supply oxygen and nutrients to their body, which can lead to increased blood pressure. And high blood pressure is a common cause of heart attacks.

Diabetes. Obesity puts you at high risk for developing diabetes. And according to the American Heart Association, at least 68 percent of people aged 65 and older with diabetes also have heart disease.

These conditions are also three of the five markers for Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) — and three is all you need for a diagnosis. Another marker is having a large waist circumference — in other words, visceral belly fat.

How visceral fat fuels heart disease

If you are obese and carry a lot of fat around your midsection, you are pretty much a heart attack waiting to happen.

So why is merely carrying fat around the mid-section so dangerous?

According to Dr. Elizabeth Klodas, cardiologist and EHO contributor, visceral fat is like an organ that is “biochemically active.” That means it’s not just “passive fat.”

It can disrupt the healthy function of various hormones, like insulin, impact metabolism, inflammation and organs… leading to an increased risk of heart disease.

Visceral fat also produces chemicals called cytokines that have negative effects on blood pressure and blood clotting. Visceral fat is directly linked with higher LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

All of this increases the risk for ischemic heart disease.

Peak DIM^™

If you’re having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, feeling sluggish, are unable to regulate your mood, or struggle with your sex drive, you could be experiencing a hormone problem called estrogen dominance. Both men and women experience… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to lose the fat that contributes to heart disease

You won’t be surprised to hear that diet and exercise are necessary to lose visceral fat. However, I do have a simple tip to help you start chipping away at it…

According to researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, start by eating an avocado a day.

Their study followed 105 overweight or obese adults for a full 12 weeks.

Half were asked to eat an avocado at one meal a day, while the other half ate meals with the same number of calories and nearly identical ingredients, just without the avocado.

And the results showed:

• Women who consumed an avocado as part of a daily meal had a reduction in deeper visceral abdominal fat.
• They also experienced a reduction in the ratio of visceral fat to subcutaneous fat, indicating a redistribution of fat away from their organs.

The researchers say that together, these two findings demonstrate the power of avocados to not only reduce visceral fat but also to ward off the diseases it can cause.

However, fat distribution in males did not change. That doesn’t mean the guys are out of luck. Consider the Green Mediterranean diet…

It’s similar to the traditional Mediterranean diet, but ramps up the green factor by requiring three daily components: green tea, walnuts, and a shake made with duckweed (an aquatic green plant high in protein, iron, vitamin B12, and polyphenols).

In one study, this green diet version lowered blood pressure, insulin resistance, and inflammation, and improved the ratio of good to bad cholesterol.

Another found it doubles the belly fat loss of people following the traditional form of the diet. In this particular study 88% of the participants were men.

Don’t forget, exercise is an important part of weight loss but can be hard to jump into for someone who’s obese. Consider consulting a doctor or a weight loss trainer for additional support.

In addition to doing the right things to lose weight, be wary of these 12 habits that pack on dangerous belly fat.

Sources:

Obesity-related heart disease deaths increased in the U.S. over the past two decades — Eureka Alert

Three ways obesity contributes to heart disease — Penn Medicine

Significant gaps between the science of obesity and the care patients receive — heart.org

Avocados change belly fat distribution in women, controlled study finds — Science Daily

The post What makes obesity-related heart disease so deadly appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

By 2040, just 16 years from now, health experts predict that percentage will rise to 55%.

People with MASLD suffer damage from inflammation and tissue scarring, caused by abnormal accumulation of fat.

That leads to heightened risks for diabetes, cancer (both liver and elsewhere), chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease.

Oddly enough, there seems to be a strong connection between sleep quality and higher risk for MASLD — yet another reason to pay attention to your sleep habits.

Here’s what you need to know…

Peak Cardio Platinum^™

Research shows that by age 70, Nitric Oxide production declines by up to 75 percent! But supporting healthy N-O levels isn’t as easy as taking a nitric oxide pill. The body needs nutrients to produce N-O on its own — and that’s why… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What’s sleep got to do with your liver?

Previous research using data based on sleep questionnaires has linked liver disease with poor sleep quality.

However, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that more objective measures than sleep questionnaires be used to prove the existence of a link between sleep disruption and MASLD.

So, when researchers at the University of Basel and Basel’s University Center for Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases set out to learn more about the poor sleep-MASLD connection, they used 24/7 actigraphy.

Between 2019 and 2021, they tracked 46 adults who had either MASLD, MASH (a more severe form of MASLD) or cirrhosis of the liver. Sixteen healthy people served as the control group.

Each wore a sensor on the wrist to track gross motor activity, including light exposure, physical activity and body temperature. They also underwent clinical investigation, interviews, follow-ups and kept a sleep diary.

While there was no difference in the length of sleep between the groups, the actigraph data showed that the people with MASLD woke 55% more often at night. And, they lay awake 113% longer after first falling asleep than the healthy control group.

“We concluded from our data that sleep fragmentation plays a role in the pathogenesis of human MASLD,” says corresponding author Dr. Sofia Schaeffer.

But a question remained…

“Whether MASLD cause sleep disorders or vice versa remains unknown,” she added.

“The underlying mechanism presumably involves genetics, environmental factors, and the activation of immune responses — ultimately driven by obesity and metabolic syndrome.”

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The metabolic dysfunction in MSLD linked to poor sleep

Even though the researchers are still not sure whether sleep disruption leads to liver disease, or vice versa, I have a theory about the driving force…

Of the 46 participants in the study, 80% of those with MSLD had hallmark symptoms of metabolic syndrome (MetS), including:

• Higher levels of triglycerides
• High fasting glucose
• High blood insulin levels
• And lower levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

Additionally, they were all obese. A large waist circumference, often part of obesity, is the 5^th symptom associated with MetS.

And guess what has been linked to increasing the risk of MetS? Irregular or variable sleep patterns.

A larger study funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute found that people with greater variations in their bedtimes and hours they slept had a much higher risk of metabolic conditions — specifically, each of the symptoms for MetS.

That makes the sleep link even stronger and makes is clear that if you don’t have MASH or cirrhosis, start now to avoid MASLD by staying clear of the symptoms of MetS and improving sleep quality.

Start with a good diet you can stick to, but add these five easy hacks to keep MetS at bay.

To sleep like a baby, try implementing the bedtime routine of a toddler. And, if you haven’t tried melatonin, consider it. It can help you sleep and support immune function, one of the factors mentioned by Dr. Schaeffer above.

Sources:

Broken sleep a hallmark sign of living with the most common liver disease, scientists find — Eureka Alert

Significant nocturnal wakefulness after sleep onset in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease — Frontiers in Network Physiology

The post Trouble sleeping? It could lead to liver disease appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

At least one-third of all American adults have metabolic syndrome. You likely have metabolic syndrome if you’re affected by three or more of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal fat (or high waist circumference)
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• High blood triglycerides, which can raise your levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol
• Low HDL, the “good” kind of cholesterol

Now, here’s the thing: Metabolic syndrome is a turning point.

If you can tick off just one or two of the listed conditions above, you have time to turn things around. Even if you have three, it’s not impossible to stop where this is going.

And now there is yet another reason that might incentivize you…

Metabolic syndrome could drastically increase your risk for dementia and at an earlier age…

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Syndrome raises dementia odds by 70%

“Our study found having metabolic syndrome in middle age is a risk factor for young-onset dementia.”

Those are the words of Minwoo Lee, MD, PhD, of Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital in Anyang, South Korea.. Dr. Lee is the author of a large-scale study showing a strong connection between metabolic syndrome and early-onset dementia.

His team used health data from nearly two million people that included waist circumference, blood sugar, triglycerides and cholesterol levels. Of these participants, 25% had metabolic syndrome.

Eight years later, they found that metabolic syndrome was associated with a 24% higher risk of dementia. This included a 12% higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease and a 21% increased risk of vascular dementia.

Also, compared with male participants who “only” had a 15% increased risk, female participants were hit hardest: they had a 34% increased risk of dementia, especially if they were in their 40s.

Further, each of the five components of metabolic syndrome elevated the risk cumulatively…

In other words, people with all five components of metabolic syndrome had a whopping 70% increased risk of dementia.

Push back and lower your dementia risk

If I had to guess at why metabolic syndrome increases risk for dementia, several things come to mind…

• High blood pressure reduces blood flow in the brain, causing brain cells to die off and leave white lesions behind, a sign of dementia in the brain.
• There’s also a well-established link between high blood sugar and dementia. The same enzyme that controls insulin levels also breaks down amyloid plaque. If the enzyme is constantly tied up controlling insulin, amyloid plaque can grow in the brain unchecked.
• And of course, we know that problems with blood sugar control lead to fat storage in the belly, increasing waist circumference.

Peak Blood Flow^™

Supports Healthy Circulation to your Heart, Brain, Lungs, Eyes and Extremities!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

I’d be remiss if I didn’t share that diet is essential in controlling the conditions that make up metabolic syndrome. And there are several good ones to choose from, that you can read about here.

There is also evidence that the timing of when you eat can play a significant role in avoiding metabolic syndrome.

But shortcuts are available and there’s no reason not to take advantage of them, including these:

• Eat oatmeal regularly to beat back all of those conditions that lead to metabolic syndrome.
• Make olive oil your primary fat source to support insulin levels, boost metabolism and suppress appetite.
• Take your vitamin D. Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center found that a deficiency of the sunshine vitamin sets off a chain reaction that leads to metabolic syndrome in mice. They think it probably occurs in people, too. 
• Ditch sugar for stevia. It has pharmacological and therapeutic activity that makes it a natural alternative for treating the disorders associated with metabolic syndrome.
• Become a tea drinker. A review of studies found that hibiscus tea improved several measures of metabolic syndrome.
• Work on improving brain circulation. Loss of healthy blood flow to the brain kickstarts the loss of functional connectivity in the brain. Exercise and blueberries can help.

Sources:

Metabolic Syndrome in Midlife Linked to Higher Dementia Risk — Neuroscience News

Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Young-Onset Dementia — Neurology

The post Preventable metabolic disorder raises dementia risk 70% appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And it wasn’t long ago that a review of 50 studies proved what most of us have known all along… that the tart little berries really do kick UTIs to the curb.

But then there was that research that found dried cranberry powder decreased LDL (bad) cholesterol and improved heart and blood vessel function, brain blood flow and memory.

It turns out that may have just been the tip of the iceberg for what we’re learning cranberries can do for cardiovascular and metabolic health…

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Cranberries bring out the best in your gut

Mounting evidence indicates cranberries have tons of polyphenols and other bioactives known to improve gut health, strengthen the immune system, keep hearts healthy and balance blood sugar.

In a more recent study, researchers in Canada sought to confirm these findings by administering a cranberry extract capsule (the equivalent of ingesting about half a cup of fresh cranberries) to 40 participants in the morning and evening. The researchers collected blood, urine and stool samples at the beginning of the experiment and after four days of consuming the cranberry supplements.

The results reinforced the findings that cranberry extracts appear to improve intestinal microbiota and help prevent cardiometabolic disease — an umbrella term that includes:

• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Insulin resistance
• Diabetes
• and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

But what’s really shocking is beneficial effects were reported after only four days of use.

In addition to their high polyphenol content, cranberries contain high concentrations of oligosaccharides, small fibers believed to contribute to their bioactivity.

The research team showed that the polyphenols and oligosaccharides in cranberry extract boost Bifidobacterium, a bacterium in the gut associated with a reduced risk of cardiometabolic diseases.

“Normally, these bacteria are stimulated by dietary fiber consumption,” says Jacob Lessard-Lord, a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods (INAF). “We observed the same effect with cranberry extract with a dose almost 20 times lower.”

The cranberry extract was also found to stimulate Akkermansia muciniphila, a bacterium that helps reduce inflammation of the intestinal mucosa and strengthen the intestinal barrier. This could help counter the harmful effects of a Western diet, which compromises the intestinal barrier’s integrity and can lead to leaky gut.

Peak Blood Flow^™

Supports Healthy Circulation to your Heart, Brain, Lungs, Eyes and Extremities!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

“Alteration of the intestinal barrier allows the passage of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) derived from the intestinal microbiota, known as metabolic endotoxemia, and is a crucial factor in the onset and progression of inflammation and metabolic diseases,” says Yves Desjardins, research lead and professor at Université Laval.

But when Akkermansia muciniphila bacterium and Bifidobacterium are stimulated, the microbiota regenerates and recreates an anti-inflammatory environment. This strengthens the connections between cells in the intestinal barrier, reinforcing it.

Cranberries + healthy bacteria = less chronic disease

The researchers plan to explore the long-term effects of the cranberry extract. But for now, there seems to be enough evidence supporting the addition of cranberries to your diet.

Unfortunately, it’s almost impossible to eat raw cranberries, given how tart they can be. And a lot of commercially prepared cranberry juice cocktails, cranberry sauces and cranberry fruit snacks are loaded with added sugar. And we know how sugar can ruin a good thing.

If you aren’t a fan of the taste of cranberries, a cranberry extract supplement may be the right choice for you or a dried powder mix (like those used in some studies).

If you want to give your gut an extra boost and protect against cardiometabolic diseases, make sure to eat foods rich in Bifidobacterium, like yogurt and cheese. Akkermansia muciniphila is a little harder to come by, as it’s not really present in foods. However, you can encourage your gut to make more Akkermansia muciniphila by consuming fiber-rich foods and foods high in polyphenols. Luckily, some of these foods have both, including:

• Blueberries
• Raspberries
• Apples
• Black beans
• Chicory root
• Almonds
• And of course cranberries

Sources:

Cranberry extracts could boost microbiota and counter cardiometabolic diseases —  Université Laval

Short term supplementation with cranberry extract modulates gut microbiota in human and displays a bifidogenic effect — NPJ Biofilms and Microbiomes

Cranberries – Cup Measurements — CookItSimply

The post What cranberries can do for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and more appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If your doctor tells you that your cholesterol is high, particularly your LDL  (“bad” cholesterol) and triglycerides — and you do nothing to address it — you could set yourself up for a heart attack or stroke.

The good news is that eating the right foods can significantly lower your cholesterol in as little as three to six months.

And while that may seem like a long time, it’s a drop in the bucket compared with the months and years of healthy life you’ll gain.

There are a lot of diet plans out there to lower cholesterol.

But one of my favorite foods is outdoing them all…

Peak BP Platinum^™

We eat right and exercise to help maintain our blood pressure levels within a normal range. Sometimes it still just isn’t enough. But there are clinically-tested nutritional ingredients that support arterial health to help keep blood pressure levels… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Pecans: The easier route to better cholesterol

The Step 1 Diet is a set of guidelines recommended by the American Heart Association to lower cholesterol and thus the risk of heart disease in otherwise healthy people.

In a 2001 study from the School of Public Health at Loma Linda University in California, subjects eating a pecan-enriched diet lowered their LDL cholesterol by a full 10% beyond those eating a Step 1 Diet.

Another study in 2023 compared consuming pecans to the cholesterol-lowering effects of exercise. Those results showed:

• An average drop of 5% in total cholesterol and between 6% and 9% in LDL among participants who consumed pecans;
• By contrast, a meta-analysis of exercise interventions designed to lower cholesterol reported an average reduction of 1% in total cholesterol and 5% in LDL.

Brand-new research is once again confirming the power of pecans to lower cholesterol…  

In the latest study at Penn State’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, 138 adults with one or more criteria for metabolic syndrome were assigned to one of two groups:

• In one group, participants ate two ounces of pecans per day in place of their regular snacks;
• In the other group, participants did not change their snacking habits.

After 12 weeks, the pecan snackers showed reductions in total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides, compared to the non-pecan snackers.

Noteworthy was that pecan snackers showed a reduced ratio of total cholesterol to HDL cholesterol.

HDL is the “good” cholesterol that carries cholesterol back to the liver for removal from the body. Improving this ratio, along with reducing LDL, further reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Peak Blood Flow^™

Supports Healthy Circulation to your Heart, Brain, Lungs, Eyes and Extremities!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

More benefits of pecans and how to enjoy them

Pecans are my favorite nut — their smooth, buttery flavor is truly unique.

A one-ounce serving of pecans contains 17% of the recommended daily value of copper, a difficult mineral to come by.

And that same one-ounce serving of pecans offers a whopping 63% of your daily dose of manganese. In combination with other minerals, manganese is essential for bone health.

Besides controlling cholesterol, other health benefits you’ll get from eating pecans include:

• better digestion
• reduced inflammation
• improved memory
• clearer skin
• stronger bones

You don’t have to resort to pulling the pecans out of your pecan pie to enjoy this delicious and healthful nut.

One of the most delicious ways to eat pecans is to roast them. It’s easy to do…

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a 350° oven, spread the nuts and toast them for about five minutes. The key here is to watch them carefully since they are easily scorched. When you smell that aromatic pecan smell, they’re probably done.

Pecans add a delicious crunch to cereals, salads and yogurt. And there’s nothing wrong with eating them raw, with berries or dried fruit.

Sources:

Replacing other snacks with pecans may improve cholesterol, diet quality — Eureka Alert

A monounsaturated fatty acid-rich pecan-enriched diet favorably alters the serum lipid profile of healthy men and women — Journal of Nutrition

6 ways this forgotten health nut can improve your health — Easy Health Options

The post The snack swap that takes cholesterol down appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Nights were dark, and days were bright, a cycle conducive to sleep. This natural cycle, known as the circadian rhythm, is a 24-hour internal clock that regulates the sleep-wake cycle and other bodily functions.

Today, things are different. Light bombards every part of our lives at night, from lamps to computers, e-readers and mobile phones. Those devices emit blue light, considered an endocrine disrupter, that impacts the secretion of melatonin (the sleep hormone) and estrogens.

Then, we spend most of our daytime hours indoors, away from the warm, bright sunlight.

This hasn’t been good for our health…

Peak Vision Support^™

Two out of three people suffer with blurred vision, eye fatigue and dry, irritated eyes. Researchers expect the number of people with age-related macular degeneration and cataracts to nearly double by the year 2050. The cause of this decline in our vision is… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Exposure to light at night can raise risks for breast cancer, obesity, type 2 diabetes and depression. It’s even been linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.

Now, there’s more bad news for those of us who experience brighter nights and darker days…

Light exposure and death risk

An international team of researchers conducted a study that revealed the crucial relationship of personal light exposure with all-cause and cardiometabolic mortality risk in 89,000 UK Biobank participants between the ages of 40 and 69. The following data was gathered:

• The participants wore light sensors on their wrists to measure exposure.
• Sleep duration and efficiency and midsleep were estimated from motion data.
• Mortality data was captured by the National Health Service across a follow-up period of about eight years. Cardiometabolic death was defined as any cause of death corresponding to diseases of the circulatory system or endocrine and metabolic diseases.

Results showed that light exposure makes a night and day difference in lifespan…

Those who were exposed to high levels of light at night had a 21 to 34 percent increased risk of death.

In comparison, those exposed to high levels of daylight had a 17 to 34 percent reduction in their death risk.

“Exposure to brighter nights and darker days can disrupt our circadian rhythms, a disruption that is known to lead to various health issues including diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, mental health issues and increase the risk of death,” says senior author and sleep expert Sean Cain, a professor at Flinders University in Australia.

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

“These new insights into the potential adverse impact of light have shown us just how important personal light exposure patterns are for your health,” Cain adds.

According to co-senior author Andrew Phillips, a professor at Flinders, light exposure at night disrupts circadian rhythms by shifting the timing and weakening the signal of the body’s central “pacemaker,” which directs circadian rhythms throughout the body.

“Disruption to the body’s circadian rhythms is linked to the development of metabolic syndrome, diabetes and obesity and is also strongly implicated in the development of cardiometabolic diseases including myocardial infarction, stroke and hypertension,” Phillips says.

The study also demonstrated a disrupted circadian rhythm predicted a higher death risk.

“Our findings clearly show that avoiding night light and seeking daylight may promote optimal health and longevity, and this recommendation is easy, accessible and cost-effective,” Phillips says.

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Keeping your circadian clock in sync

According to lead author Dr. Daniel Windred, these findings show the importance of enhancing our circadian rhythms by seeking bright light during the day and maintaining a dark environment across the late night and early morning hours, when the circadian “pacemaker” is most sensitive to light.

“Protection of lighting environments may be especially important in those at risk for both circadian disruption and mortality, such as in intensive care or aged-care settings,” Windred says.

“Across the general population, avoiding night light and seeking daylight may lead to reduction in disease burden, especially cardiometabolic diseases, and may increase longevity,” he adds.

Some tips for reducing your light exposure at night include:

• Invest in blackout curtains for the bedroom. This is especially necessary if you live in an urban environment where streetlights shine into your bedroom window.
• Turn off all light-emitting devices in the bedroom. This includes night lights and alarm clocks.
• Leave your electronics outside the bedroom. Don’t bring your e-reader, mobile phone or computer into the bedroom, especially right before you go to sleep. If you use your phone for your alarm, make sure the screen isn’t lit up when you go to bed.
• Use red-light night lights in the hallway and bathroom. These types of night lights don’t emit blue light, which keeps you awake. They also keep you from turning on bright overhead lights if you need to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

As for daylight exposure, try to spend some time outdoors every day, especially in the winter when the days are short. If you’re too busy to get outside, make sure you’re at least spending time in a room with windows that let in plenty of natural sunlight.

Sources:

Brighter nights and darker days could lead to an early grave — ScienceDaily

Brighter nights and darker days predict higher mortality risk: A prospective analysis of personal light exposure in >88,000 individuals — PNAS

The post The night and day difference light makes on your lifespan appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

As common as BPH is, experts are still somewhat baffled as to precisely what causes the prostate to enlarge. There’s speculation, however, of a connection with a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

DHT stimulates the proliferation of certain cells in the prostate, enlarging the gland. However, dihydrotestosterone levels are the same in men with and without BPH, so it’s still anyone’s guess why some men develop enlarged prostates and others don’t.

As investigators continue to explore possible causes of BPH, they may have hit upon a link between BPH and a pair of conditions becoming more prevalent in aging men….

Peak Prostate Support^™

10 Targeted Nutrients to Support a Healthy Prostate!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Inflammation + metabolic syndrome = enlarged prostate

A team of Polish researchers decided to examine how inflammation and metabolic health contribute to BPH. They analyzed blood samples from 219 men, including 144 with BPH and 75 without, and measured markers related to inflammation and oxidative stress.

Their results showed that men with BPH had significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory molecules such as 12S-HETE and 5-HETE and lower levels of anti-inflammatory substances like lipoxin A4.

This imbalance was even more pronounced in men with both BPH and metabolic syndrome, a group of conditions including obesity, high blood sugar and high cholesterol.

In short, these findings suggest that inflammatory-related molecules in the blood may play a key role in BPH development, especially in men with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic dysfunction and chronic inflammation may also exacerbate the severity of BPH and contribute to its development.

“Our research results suggest that pro-inflammatory mediators and suppressors of inflammation are involved in the development of BPH, but their exact contribution has yet to be investigated,” the authors write in the study paper.

“Furthermore, there is mounting evidence that links the onset of inflammation with the development of prostate diseases, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer,” they add.

The study indicates that monitoring metabolic health could play a role in reducing the risk of prostate enlargement. However, further research is needed and may focus on whether anti-inflammatory treatments or lifestyle changes such as improved diet, weight management and exercise could help slow the progression of BPH or reduce its symptoms​.

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Natural solutions to BPH relief

Some men with BPH don’t have any symptoms. But for many, it can cause problems such as increased urinary frequency and urgency and an inability to completely empty the bladder.

In these cases, doctors often prescribe medications such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors to help shrink the prostate. Unfortunately, those medications can cause their own problems, such as an elevated risk of diabetes.

If you’re experiencing BPH and are at risk for diabetes, you may want to seek natural alternatives to these drugs for relieving your urinary symptoms. One place to start is with your diet. Research shows that a diet rich in whole fruits, vegetables and healthy fats, similar to the Mediterranean diet can improve prostate health and BPH.

Saw palmetto is a natural supplement that has proven effective in promoting prostate health, relieving the excessive need to urinate (particularly at night) and enhancing urinary flow.

Green and black tea have also been linked with improved urinary flow and reduced inflammation in men with lower urinary tract symptoms, such as those found in BPH. Just make sure you don’t drink it too close to bedtime as the caffeine could interfere with sleep.

Lastly, ensure you’re getting plenty of exercise, as that has been shown to lower your risk of BPH and prostate problems.

Sources:

Inflammation and metabolic syndrome linked to benign prostatic hyperplasia — EurekAlert!

The profile of oxidative stress markers (arachidonic and linoleic acid derivatives) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia in relation to metabolic syndrome — Aging

Enlarged Prostate (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) — Yale Medicine

The post Metabolic syndrome’s link to enlarged prostate appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And that’s not even mentioning the number of diets out there. Mediterranean, green Mediterranean, keto, vegan, paleo, DASH… each has benefits and downsides. How am I supposed to choose?

I guess it all depends on what health impact I’m looking for. My goal is to choose a style of eating that minimizes my risk of chronic disease, so any diet that can help with that is one I’m interested in.

That’s why a recent study exploring a new eating style caught my attention. Yes, it’s yet another diet to add to the pile — but this one has some exciting benefits that can happen fast….

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The benefits of the NiMe diet

One thing most healthy diets have in common is their emphasis on avoiding “industrialized” or processed foods that are associated with bad health and early death.

Industrialized diets have contributed to a significant rise in chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes and heart disease in Westernized countries.

An international team of researchers decided to develop a diet based on the eating habits of non-industrialized societies. They focused on members of rural Papua New Guinea communities because they have a specific gut bacteria, L. reuteri, that people from industrialized societies lack.

In the study, participants followed the NiMe (Non-industrialised Microbiome Restore) diet and supplemented L. reuteri.

NiMe has a plant-based focus, primarily comprised of vegetables, legumes and other whole-plant foods. However, it is not vegetarian, as it includes one small serving of animal protein daily: salmon, chicken or pork. NiMe excludes dairy, beef and wheat because they aren’t part of the traditional foods consumed by rural Papua New Guineans.

NiMe was also very low in processed foods, which are high in sugar and saturated fat, and very high in fiber. In fact, fiber content was 22 grams per 1,000 calories, which exceeds current dietary recommendations.

The findings were impressive. In just three weeks, the diet slashed conditions you may recognize as symptoms of metabolic syndrome:

• Promoted weight loss;
• Lowered bad cholesterol by 17 percent;
• Reduced blood sugar by 6 percent;
• Slashed C-reactive protein by 14 percent (a marker of inflammation and heart disease).

These improvements were linked to beneficial changes in the gut microbiome. Specifically, the NiMe diet enhanced the short-term persistence of L. reuteri in the gut and reduced pro-inflammatory bacteria and bacterial genes that degrade the gut’s mucus layer.

Even though participants did not consume fewer calories on the NiMe diet, they still lost weight, and the diet alone led to considerable cardiometabolic benefits.

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

“Industrialization has drastically impacted our gut microbiome, likely increasing the risk of chronic diseases,” says Jens Walter, a professor and leading scientist at University College Cork in Ireland. “To counter this, we developed a diet that mimics traditional, non-industrialized dietary habits and is compatible with our understanding on diet-microbiome interactions.”

In previous research, Walter’s team found that people in rural Papua New Guinea have a much more diverse microbiome rich in bacteria that thrive from dietary fiber and low in levels of pro-inflammatory bacteria linked to a Western diet. The researchers used this information to design the NiMe diet.

Recipes for a better gut microbiome

According to Paul Ross, a professor and director of APC Microbiome Ireland, the study illustrates how the gut microbiome can be targeted through specific diets to improve health and reduce disease risk. “These findings could shape future dietary guidelines and inspire the development of new food products and ingredients, as well as therapeutics, which target the microbiome,” Ross says.

The NiMe diet, with its plant-based focus, is surprisingly simple, and researchers have made recipes available on their Instagram (@nimediet) and Facebook pages. They also plan to make an online cookbook available as well. Most of the recipes use ingredients that are readily found in Western grocery stores.

If you’re looking to boost your gut levels of L. reuteri, consider adding probiotic supplements containing the bacterium to your diet. Combining that with the NiMe diet could be a powerful step towards protecting your body from chronic disease.

The post NiMe: The good gut diet that improves health fast appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s more than 40 percent of Americans afflicted with a condition that carries numerous health risks, including heart disease, “diabesity,” cognitive decline, chronic inflammation and more.

Of course, diet and exercise are the twin pillars of any anti-obesity strategy…

But when it comes to diet, some foods are more effective than others at “melting the fat off” — including one that is a staple in Korean culture…

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Kimchi could fight obesity

In response to the global epidemic of obesity, the World Institute of Kimchi in South Korea has been publishing a series of articles based on studies into the anti-obesity effects of the traditional fermented food, most often made with cabbage.

And its reputation for taking off weight is getting lots of momentum…

• Previous preclinical studies in animal models of obesity revealed a stunning 31.8 percent reduction in body fat among those fed a kimchi diet.
• An extensive analysis of data collected over 13 years from the Korea Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) found kimchi intake was associated with a 15 percent reduction in body mass index (BMI) and a 12 percent decrease in obesity among middle-aged males.

In the most recent study to come out of the World Institute of Kimchi, researchers gathered data on 55 overweight adults including blood biomarkers, gut microbiome makeup and body composition.

They had one group of participants consume three freeze-dried kimchi capsules per meal equivalent to 60 g of kimchi per day for three months, while the control group did not take the kimchi capsules.

After analyzing the changes in body fat composition and other markers, the researchers found:

• The group that consumed kimchi showed a 2.6 percent decrease in body fat — and a reduction in triglycerides.
• The control group exhibited a 4.7 percent increase in body fat — and an increase in triglycerides.

But those weren’t the only compelling improvements…

The participants’ gut microbiome analyses showed increased Akkermansia muciniphila, a species of beneficial gut bacterium known to reduce inflammation and improve markers of metabolic syndrome and obesity through the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs).

In addition, those taking kimchi showed a reduction in the number of Proteobacteria, which are associated with obesity.

In short, this clinical trial indicates that steady consumption of kimchi can alleviate obesity symptoms by positively modifying the gut microbiota.

“The results of a preclinical study and a clinical trial have systematically verified the anti-obesity effects of kimchi, and present scientific evidence that would help to make the excellent properties of kimchi widely known, thereby laying the foundation for the growth of kimchi as a health food well recognized around the world,” says Dr. Hae-Choon Chang, director of the World Institute of Kimchi. 

Peak DIM^™

Helps Support Healthy Hormone Balance for Both Men and Women by Keeping Excess Estrogen in Check!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Adding this pickled wonder to your diet

You can make kimchi at home — just be advised that the process can be a little time-consuming. There are dozens of recipes online, but here’s one to get you started.

If you’re short on time or simply don’t have the space to make and store it, you can buy prepackaged kimchi at Asian grocery stores or even in some supermarkets. For maximum health benefits, look for it freshly prepared in the refrigerated section.

You may wonder exactly what it tastes like — it’s sort of a spicy pickled flavor. You can eat it plain or make it a tasty addition to sandwiches (try a kimchi grilled cheese), burgers or burritos. You can even mix it into a salad to give it a tangy, spicy kick.

But if a spicey pickled cabbage dish just isn’t your thing, you can still support your microbiome and help it produce SCFAs by adding prebiotic inulin fiber from other food sources. Previous research has shown it can help suppress appetite and decrease body weight.

Sources:

New clinical study confirms the anti-obesity effects of kimchi — EurekAlert!

Kimchi intake alleviates obesity-induced neuroinflammation by modulating the gut-brain axis — Food Research International

Fermented kimchi may help combat obesity by regulating gut microbiota — News Medical Life Sciences

The post The ‘pickled’ food that took down weight and triglycerides appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It can raise the odds of several cardiovascular complications including metabolic syndrome (METs), heart attack and stroke — just to name a few.

As if these risks weren’t concerning enough, a new study has added another life-threatening one to that list you should know about…

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

OSA and abdominal aortic aneurysms

Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) occur when a major artery, the aorta, swells and potentially ruptures, causing life-threatening internal bleeding.

Previous research has hinted at a higher prevalence of AAA in patients with OSA. That prompted researchers at the University of Missouri (MU) School of Medicine and NextGen Precision Health to look further…

Using mouse models, they discovered that the intermittent hypoxia (low oxygen levels) caused by OSA increased the susceptibility of mice to develop AAA.

“Chronic intermittent hypoxia by itself is not enough to cause abdominal aortic aneurysms, but for a patient with obstructive sleep apnea who also has additional metabolic problems like obesity, our findings suggest it may help degrade aortic structures and promote aneurysm development,” says study author Luis Martinez-Lemus, a professor at MU.

To put it more simply, the study found that oxygen deficiency increased the risk of weakened cardiovascular tissue in the mice.

In OSA, the throat muscles relax and block the flow of air into the lungs, causing intermittent hypoxia. According to the study, the loss of oxygen triggers certain enzymes called MMPs. This increased enzyme activity can degrade the extracellular matrix, a sort of cell scaffolding network, thus weakening the aorta.

Neekun Sharma, the lead author of the study, notes that patients with AAA don’t notice any symptoms beyond some back and belly pain until the aneurysm bursts. Once that happens, the patient must be brought into surgery immediately to repair the aorta.

“Learning how these aneurysms develop can help us find ways to monitor or slow down their progression, especially for patients who have obstructive sleep apnea,” Sharma says.

Peak Maximum Endurance^™

Supports Improved Oxygen Levels… Healthy Circulation… and Balanced Hormones for Better Overall Health!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

OSA and METs can team up to increase AAA risk

If you suspect you might have OSA, see a doctor as quickly as possible. They can help you determine whether you have a mild, moderate or a severe case of OSA.

In mild OSA, doctors often recommend lifestyle changes to manage the condition. Weight loss is a great place to start, especially since it can also impact metabolic syndrome (METs).

METs is highly prevalent in patients with OSA. Some experts even suggest OSA should be considered an additional manifestation of METs, along with elevated waist circumference (or obesity), blood pressure, blood sugar, triglycerides and low HDL cholesterol.  But not only is there a connection between OSA and METs, there’s also a connection between METs and AAA.

Previous research on human patients shows that the risk for AAA increases with each METs condition, except for elevated blood sugar. But even with that one exception, the highest risk for AAA was found in people who have all 5 components of METs.

A 10 percent loss in body weight can significantly improve OSA for people with excess weight or obesity and have a positive impact on METs as well.

Also consider:

• Regular physical activity
• Giving up or limiting alcohol intake (no more than one drink per day for women and two per day for men)
• Avoiding caffeine before bed
• Quitting smoking
• Sleeping on your side instead of your back
• Trying OTC nasal sprays or breathing strips to improve nighttime breathing

In the case of moderate to severe OSA, the most common treatment is a continuous positive airway pressure machine — the dreaded CPAP. The newest treatment is an upper airway stimulation implant that sends electrical signals to the tongue to keep the upper airway open during sleep.

Dentists can also help with oral appliances that can help maintain an open airway during sleep.

The most important take-home message is not to ignore symptoms of OSA, including daytime sleepiness, waking up during the night to gasp, choke, or urinate, morning headaches, dry mouth or memory problems. You could lose much more than sleep.

Sources:

Obstructive sleep apnea may increase risk of abdominal aortic aneurysms — EurekAlert!

Chronic intermittent hypoxia facilitates the development of angiotensin II-induced abdominal aortic aneurysm in male mice — Journal of Applied Physiology

Obstructive Sleep Apnea — Cleveland Clinic

The post When sleep apnea sets you up for aortic aneurysm appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Turns out exact sleeping times vary from person to person. But for the majority, the best sleep is achieved by going to sleep between 10 p.m. and midnight and waking around 7 a.m. That’s great news for me!

Some people (like my husband) need to go to sleep earlier, while a few are natural “night owls” that can go to sleep past midnight as long as they can sleep a little later in the morning. But these folks are in the minority.

Most of us have a circadian rhythm (our internal body clock) that fits the 10 p.m.-to-midnight scenario. And research shows when we ignore that pull to go to sleep, we pay the price — even more so if we’re overweight….

Peak BP Platinum^™

We eat right and exercise to help maintain our blood pressure levels within a normal range. Sometimes it still just isn’t enough. But there are clinically-tested nutritional ingredients that support arterial health to help keep blood pressure levels… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Circadian rhythm and your cardiometabolic health

Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) researchers recruited 30 people to study the consequences of disrupting the body’s internal biological clock in overweight people.

Participants were split evenly between men and women, and all had a body mass index (BMI) above 25, which put them in an overweight or obese category, though they were generally healthy.

Saliva samples were collected every 30 minutes until late into the night at a sleep lab to determine what time their bodies started naturally producing the sleep hormone melatonin.

After that, they went home and logged their sleep habits over the next seven days.

The investigators assessed the time difference between melatonin onset and average sleep timing. The participants were then divided into two groups based on that data: those who had a narrow window, with a short duration between melatonin onset and sleep — and those with a wide window, with a longer duration between melatonin onset and sleep.

A narrow window suggests that a person is staying awake too late for their internal body clock and is linked with poorer health outcomes.

In fact, a range of potentially harmful health measures in the group with the narrow window, including key differences between men and women. were confirmed:

• Men in the narrow window group had higher levels of belly fat and fatty triglycerides in the blood, as well as higher overall metabolic syndrome risk scores, than the men who slept better.
• Women in the narrow window group had higher overall body fat percentage, glucose and resting heart rates.

Peak Maximum Endurance^™

At middle age, you start feeling changes in your body you may chalk up to aging: energy levels hit rock bottom, weight soars, muscles become soft, skin becomes wrinkled and slack and desire tanks. You may feel past your prime — but science says that’s wrong! MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The importance of good sleep habits

Senior author Dr. Andrew McHill, a professor at OHSU, says it was “somewhat surprising” to see these differences. “It’s not one size fits all, as we sometimes think in academic medicine,” McHill adds.

“This study builds support for the importance of good sleep habits,” says lead author Dr. Brooke Shafer, a postdoctoral researcher at OHSU. “Sleep practices, like going to bed when you’re tired or setting aside your screen at night, can help to promote good overall health.”

Shafer notes the growing public health threat of obesity and cardiometabolic disease. “Our research shows that disruptions in the body’s internal biological clock could contribute to negative health consequences for people who may already be vulnerable due to weight,” she says.

Here’s the bottom line: for healthy sleep, you should stick as closely to your body clock as possible (especially if you’re overweight). And that means not varying your sleep schedule: no staying up late and sleeping in on weekends. If you have to, set an alarm so you wake at the same time every day. You can even set a reminder to go to bed at a set time.

If you need help falling asleep, try the bedtime routine of a toddler and these other sleep-inducing tips.

Sources:

Good sleep habits important for overweight adults, OHSU study suggests — EurekAlert!

Circadian alignment, cardiometabolic disease, and sex specific differences in adults with overweight/obesity — The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism

The Best Time to Sleep According to Science — SnoreMD

The post Ignore your body clock at peril, especially if overweight appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Rather than being caused by alcohol consumption, it’s thought that NAFLD is caused by metabolic syndrome, and thus is associated with obesity and diabetes.

NAFLD can deteriorate quickly to an irreversible and often fatal stage known as NASH or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

NASH cannot be reversed. But a new study holds out hope for a possible treatment, one that’s as close as your vitamin cabinet.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The amino acid that keeps fat from being processed

An international team of researchers recently confirmed an already known mechanism behind NASH.

But even more importantly, they’ve shown that a common vitamin might be the key to short-circuiting that mechanism.

It was already known that the amino acid homocysteine played a role in the progression of NASH.

Now we know exactly what that role is.

As homocysteine levels increase in the diseased liver, this amino acid attaches to a protein called syntaxin 17.

Syntaxin 17’s job is to perform autophagy, or the transporting and digesting of fats. Homocysteine prevents syntaxin 17 from performing this function, which contributes to the development and progression of NASH.

In pre-clinical trials (studies conducted with animals, not humans), the research team found that vitamin B-12 supplements could increase levels of syntaxin 17, restore its ability to perform autophagy, and reverse some of the liver inflammation caused by NASH.

“Our findings are both exciting and important because they suggest that a relatively inexpensive therapy, vitamin B12 and folic acid, could be used to prevent and/or delay the progression of NASH,” says Dr. Brijesh Singh of Duke-NUS Medical School, co-author of the study.

Detecting and treating NAFLD just got easier

The importance of this research doesn’t stop with the possibility of treating and preventing NASH.

In addition, it could provide a way to detect what is now often an “invisible” disease.

When symptoms are present, someone with NAFLD will experience abdominal swelling and jaundice. But just as often, there are no telltale symptoms at all, and the disease progresses silently until it becomes NASH.

But now, Dr. Singh notes, a simple test for levels of homocysteine in the blood and the liver could serve as a biomarker for the presence and/or severity of NASH.

And until a treatment is readily available, this simple act of detection can save lives.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

Give your Body the Optimal Alkalizing Nutrients you Need for Healthy pH Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to care for your liver

For now, NAFLD is preventable. And the way to prevent it is to avoid metabolic syndrome.

In addition to keeping your vitamin B12 levels up (which can be an issue for seniors), take a hard look at what and how you eat so that you can maintain a healthy weight and blood sugar range.

Research has confirmed that a regular exercise program is of direct benefit to your liver, over and above its effect on your weight.

Time-restricted eating, which lets you change when you eat instead of what you eat, has also been proven to work.

However, it’s important to note that even lean people can experience a health-destroying buildup of fat in their livers.

To provide your liver a little extra TLC, consider supplements that support your body’s largest and most hardworking organ, like N-Acetyl Cysteine, milk thistle, turmeric and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Taking these steps to prevent metabolic syndrome will have benefits beyond protecting your liver. It will help you live a longer, more vigorous and healthy life.

Sources:

B vitamins can potentially be used to treat advanced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: Duke-NUS — Eureka Alert

Vitamin B12 and folate decrease inflammation and fibrosis in NASH by preventing Syntaxin 17 homocysteinylation — Journal of Hepatology

Definition & Facts of NAFLD & NASH — National Institutes of Health

The post A key vitamin for digesting fat and avoiding liver disease appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I’m not a big meat eater, but I know I’d find it hard to walk away from yogurt, eggs and cheese.

But if I could do it for a few months and add a few years to my life on the other end? Now THAT’S something I’d consider.

A recent study tells me that this is entirely possible, with just a few changes to my diet for a short period of time…

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

A vegan diet reduced biological age

Stanford University School of Medicine researchers have been able to show just how quickly a change of diet can slow aging… and who doesn’t want that?

They worked with 21 pairs of identical twins, assigning one twin in each pair to a vegan diet, while the other ate an omnivore diet — which includes both plant and animal-based foods.

Over just eight weeks, the twins on the vegan diet showed improvements in epigenetic markers associated with aging.

Think of these markers like clocks hidden in your genes: you might be forty years old (your chronological age), but the way your body “reads” your genes can affect your health risks and make your body younger than its years.

In fact, less biological aging was observed in the heart and liver, as well as in tissues making up the hormonal, inflammatory and metabolic systems.

That means these twins, if they encounter heart trouble, blood sugar problems, liver or metabolic disorders — it should be at a much later age than the twins who followed a regular diet.

The researchers concluded that “a short-term vegan diet is positively associated with epigenetic age benefits and reduced calorie intake”, and suggest it has potential for personalized nutrition strategies for healthy aging.

Peak Longevity Platinum^™

Promotes Cellular Energy, Supports Heart & Brain Functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Worth it for 8 weeks

A study I reported on last year only confirms these results…

In that study, which involved twins as well, the twins who followed the vegan diet ended up with significantly lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels, insulin and body weight — all of which are associated with improved cardiovascular health.

That being said, some downsides have been reported that can be typical of long-term vegan dieting including…

• Trouble gaining lean muscle
• Low intake of protein and vitamin B12
• Risks for other deficiencies include: Vitamin D, zinc, choline, and omega-3 fatty acids
• And lower satisfaction with diet choice

That makes the idea of an 8-week vegan diet all that much easier to handle…

U.S. News and World Report, which rates diets every year, offers a complete beginner’s guide to the vegan diet.

Of course, the easiest place to start is simply avoiding anything that comes from an animal — which includes dairy and eggs.

You should be filling up mainly on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Some of the best choices are:

• Brown rice
• Oatmeal
• Sweet potatoes and potatoes
• Corn
• Whole wheat pasta
• Dried apricots, prunes and figs
• Berries
• Pears
• Apples
• Cauliflower
• Kale
• Spinach
• Brussels sprouts
• Zucchini

There are lots of dairy-substitute options available as well, including:

• Soy milk
• Almond milk
• Coconut milk
• Yogurt made with one of the above

A word of caution: many processed vegan foods are just as unhealthy as regular ultra-processed foods, so that’s a pitfall to be avoided.

After an 8-week stint on the vegan diet if you’d like to add back the animal products but continue on a healthier path, eschewing red and processed meats for fish and chicken and keeping dairy down to a couple of servings a day, while eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains, will get you closer to the Mediterranean diet — a diet that can take down weight, blood pressure and blood sugar but rates much higher on the satisfaction scale.

Sources:

Making One Diet Change For 8 Weeks Could Turn Back The Clock on Aging — Science Alert

Unveiling the epigenetic impact of vegan vs. omnivorous diets on aging: insights from the Twins Nutrition Study (TwiNS) — BMC Medicine

DNA Methylation: Can Your Diet Reduce Your Risk of Disease? — Healthline

Vegan Diet Can Improve Heart Health in Just 8 Weeks, Study Reveals — Science Alert

Cardiometabolic Effects of Omnivorous vs Vegan Diets in Identical TwinsA Randomized Clinical Trial — JAMA Network Open

This Daily Meal Plan Could Help Us Sustain 10 Billion People by Mid-Century — Science Alert

Vegan Food List: Over 100 Healthy Options For Your Next Grocery Haul — Trifecta

The post The 8-week diet proven to slow aging appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Yet, for many of us, the idea of cutting these foods out of our diets completely and eating healthy seven days a week is just too big of a challenge to tackle.

But, what if you could enjoy them on occasion and still remain healthy, stave off liver disease and even avoid diabetes?

Well according to scientists, there’s a way…

And, it all starts with a simple cooking oil you probably already have in your kitchen pantry right now…

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Ancient oil protects against fatty foods

You see, the problem with those high-fat foods stems from their tendency to cause your liver to accumulate more fat cells, including triglycerides (the same thing your doctor is looking at when he checks your cholesterol), and pump more of them into your bloodstream.

When these triglycerides build up bad things happen, and you can end up with what’s known as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, or NAFLD, a build-up of extra fat in your liver cells that’s not caused by alcohol.

And, while it’s normal for your liver to contain some fat, if more than 5 percent to 10 percent of your liver’s weight is fat, then you have a fatty liver.

NAFLD tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes or high cholesterol. Even rapid weight loss and poor eating habits can cause NAFLD.

However, some people develop NAFLD even if they don’t have any risk factors. In fact, the disease affects up to 25 percent of people in the U.S.

Symptoms of a fatty liver include fatigue, weakness, weight loss, loss of appetite, nausea, abdominal pain, spider-like blood vessels, yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice), itching, fluid build-up and swelling of the legs and stomach and confusion.

You may even have fatty liver disease and not know it, since some people never have symptoms. But, once you have it, NAFLD can cause your liver to swell and lead to scarring, called cirrhosis.

Peak BP Platinum^™

Clinically-Tested Nutritients that Support Arterial Health and Blood Pressure!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The Mediterranean answer to a fatty liver

You don’t have to end up with a swollen, sluggish liver just because you occasionally enjoy high-fat foods — as long as you incorporate olive oil into your daily diet.

You see, scientists decided to test the power of extra-virgin olive oil to combat or even reverse the effects of a high-fat diet, and the results were impressive.

The researchers found that hydroxytyrosol, a polyphenol found in extra-virgin olive oil, which is known to have antioxidant properties, actually protects your liver.

Adding hydroxytyrosol to a high-fat diet, reversed the effects of poor eating, and reduced the signs of fatty liver disease, as well as the negative effects seen in other organs, like the heart and brain.

And as a bonus, the hydroxytyrosol even prevented insulin resistance, the first step toward diabetes.

This could be the reason why research has shown that the traditional Mediterranean diet, including olive oil, reduces the risk of heart disease and the “bad” cholesterol that can build up deposits in your arteries.

In fact, a meta-analysis of more than 1.5 million healthy adults demonstrated that following a Mediterranean diet was associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular mortality, as well as overall mortality.

Now, this doesn’t mean you should give up eating healthy. If you occasionally crave those high-fat foods that you know aren’t good for you, make sure you’re getting a regular daily dose of extra-virgin olive oil — at least one to three tablespoons — to combat the effects of a high-fat diet the Mediterranean way.

Editor’s Note: You’re invited to join a tiny handful of Americans who enjoy rare, fresh-pressed olive oil all year long. Take my word for it, there’s a difference in taste, quality and benefit! Click here to learn more…

Sources:

NAFLD Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease — American Liver Foundation
Olive oil consumption and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease — World Journal of Gastroenterology
Diet could REVERSE negative effects of high-fat food — and CURE liver disease — Daily Express
Mediterranean diet: A heart-healthy eating plan — Mayo Clinic

The post Olive oil: The easy antidote for a high-fat diet appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

This means that in just one year, 805,000 people will have a heart attack, with 605,000 of those being first-time heart attacks and the other 200,000 being repeat heart attacks.

It’s no wonder then that heart disease — the root cause behind heart attacks — is the leading cause of death in our country.

And it’s a clear warning that if you want to live a longer life, knowing whether or not you’re at risk for a heart attack is a must. That’s one reason regular checkups are important.

But understanding your heart risks may have just gotten simpler…

Swedish scientists have created a 14-question at-home test that takes 5 to 8 minutes — and they say it can identify up to two-thirds of people who could be in the sights of a heart attack.

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Detailed questions plus advanced algorithm

The researchers based their study on data from 25,000 people aged 50–64 who underwent computed tomography, which can measure a person’s degree of atherosclerosis — the buildup of plaque on artery walls that can cause them to narrow and block critical blood flow.

When this happens it deprives your heart of oxygen-rich blood and can lead to a heart attack. It can also increase risk of stroke.

By comparing the images of the participants’ hearts with questionnaires they completed, the researchers were able to narrow in on which factors had the closest links with the degree of atherosclerosis, including:

• Age
• Gender
• Weight
• Waist circumference
• Smoking (If you smoke, work on quitting now)
• High blood pressure
• High blood fats (cholesterol)
• Diabetes
• Family history of cardiovascular disease

From there, answers are fed into a special algorithm, which the scientists say can detect 65% of individuals at the highest risk of cardiovascular disease.

“A heart attack often comes out of the blue,” he says. “Many of those who suffer heart attacks are apparently healthy and asymptomatic, but have fatty deposits in the coronary arteries, known as atherosclerosis,” said lead researcher, Professor Göran Bergström.

“The results show that our home test is as accurate as a clinic examination using blood tests and blood pressure measurements. If we can make the test widely available within healthcare, it can save lives and prevent suffering by helping us to identify those who are at high risk of heart attack or who are currently undertreated.”

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Gauging and reducing your heart attack risk

Their test may not be available yet, but there’s an online test you can take right now to see where your risk falls when it comes to metabolic syndrome.

You may notice that several of the health concerns on their list — waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar — make up the cluster of conditions that define metabolic syndrome, a surefire precursor to heart attack or stroke.

But test or no test, consider metabolic syndrome as the one thing to avoid or reverse. There are a few ways to do that…

• Exercise: A study found that even light exercise can counteract the heightened heart disease risk caused by metabolic syndrome. If you can exercise a little harder, the lower your risk can go. Exercise can lower your risk even with a family history of heart problems.
• Diet: The good news is you have choices. Harvard has identified 4 eating patterns that can lower heart disease risk.
• Ditch ultraprocessed foods: They’re tied to metabolic syndrome. Nuff said.
• Support your arteries with vitamin K2: Emerging evidence from animal and clinical studies has associated low K2 levels with calcification and an elevated risk of heart problems.
• Take advantage of Mediterranean spices: If free radicals overwhelm the body, oxidative stress leads to diseases, like type 2 diabetes. A handful of spices were found to greatly improve glycemic index.

Sources:

Home test reveals the risk of heart attack in five minutes – EurekAlert!

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2022 Update – American Heart Association

Heart Disease Facts – CDC

The post The at-home test that determines heart attack risk in minutes appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Then, when I entered high school, he took a new job — one that required him to work nights.

Suddenly, he began to gain weight.

While he tried to eat healthy and still focused on getting exercise during the day, his weight continued to go up. He said it seemed that no matter what he did, the pounds were easy to put on and impossible to take off.

Eventually, he was even diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

In his mind, the issue all started with his move to working the night shift.

And as it turns out — he was right.

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Shift work leads to chronic metabolic conditions

A study from scientists at Washington State University and the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory has found the link that proves that flipping your biological clock on its head by working nights and sleeping days is a recipe for disaster.

Their study used volunteers who were put on simulated night or day shift schedules for three days. Then, after their last shift, each person was asked to stay awake for 24 hours under constant conditions of lighting, temperature, posture and food intake in order to accurately measure their internal biological rhythms.

That measurement was done via blood samples that allowed the researchers to take a deep dive into how shift work affects proteins that are found in the cells of the immune system.

And the results clearly showed why night shift workers are so much more likely to suffer from obesity, diabetes and other chronic metabolic conditions than people who work during the day.

The scientists found that when you work at night, there is nearly a complete reversal in glucose rhythms, which has a significant negative impact on blood glucose regulation.

Additionally, they discovered that processes involved in insulin production and sensitivity, which normally work together to keep glucose levels within a healthy range, were no longer synchronized in night-shift participants.

The researchers say this effect can initially be a healthy response since it’s caused by the regulation of insulin trying to undo the glucose changes triggered by the night shift schedule. However, in the long run, it puts diabetes on the table.

 “What we showed is that we can really see a difference in molecular patterns between volunteers with normal schedules and those with schedules that are misaligned with their biological clock,” said Jason McDermott, a computational scientist and researcher.

The damage is almost immediate

If those results alone weren’t scary enough, the researchers have one more warning for night shift workers everywhere.

The changes seen in the study that can lead to metabolic damage are almost immediate.

In fact, the study shows that these disrupted rhythms related to blood glucose regulation, energy metabolism and inflammation can be seen in as little as three days.

This means that in as little as three days, night shift work can put you on the road to developing a chronic metabolic condition.

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Reducing the risks of shift work

So if you’re stuck doing shift work, is there a way to fight back against these metabolic risks?

Luckily, there are a few options provided by past research.

These include:

• Upping your vitamin D levels – It’s been shown that higher levels of the sunshine vitamin, which could be in short supply in your body if you work at night, are associated with lower numbers on your scale. So be sure to get out in the bright morning sun when you can and take a quality D3 supplement.
• Adding in vitamin E – If you’re already living with obesity or another metabolic syndrome, you could be vitamin E deficient, preventing vitamin D from working its weight loss magic.
• Protecting your vitamin E – Vitamin C has been shown to guard vitamin E against lipid peroxidation. This prevents an antioxidant cascade that leads to inflammation, obesity and metabolic syndrome.
• Switching to stevia – Research has shown that the natural sweetener, stevia, is a natural alternative for treating obesity, hypertension and elevated levels of blood sugar and lipids, all disorders associated with metabolic syndrome. Just be sure to buy 100 percent stevia not mixed with erythritol, as some may be.

Additionally, I recommend checking out the recommendations of my colleague, Joyce Hollman, on how to shift the heart disease, diabetes and stroke risk of shift work to avoid serious health issues.

Sources:

Study shows how night shift work can raise risk of diabetes, obesity — EurekAlert!

The post Why night shift leads to weight gain and diabetes appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I used to be that person who’d wait and wait and wait for a slow elevator to make it to the ground floor before I’d walk a single flight of stairs.

Not anymore…

In the long run, it may take me longer to climb three flights than hitch a ride, but once I learned how quickly I could increase my longevity by improving just about all of the factors that team up for metabolic syndrome, everything changed…

Peak Maximum Endurance^™

At middle age, you start feeling changes in your body you may chalk up to aging: energy levels hit rock bottom, weight soars, muscles become soft, skin becomes wrinkled and slack and desire tanks. You may feel past your prime — but science says that’s wrong! MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Stair climbing can help you live longer

A few years ago, I wrote about how stair climbing blows all your “exercise excuses” out of the water:

• Stairs are already installed in many homes, or outside, ready and waiting.
• You don’t need any special workout gear.
• You don’t need to go outside in the heat, cold or rain.
• You can even work this exercise routine into your busy daily schedule.

Now, a large-scale meta-analysis (review of past research) has confirmed everything I said back then — and then some.

British researchers looked at study data from about 480,000 participants, ranging in age from mid-30s to mid-80s, about half of whom were women.  

They analyzed participants’ risk of heart disease based on factors that included blood pressure, cholesterol, smoking history, and family and genetic risk factors. Participants also reported on their lifestyle and exercise habits, including stair climbing, via questionnaire.

Over the course of 12 years, those who reported climbing stairs regularly had about a 39 percent lower likelihood of death from heart disease, compared to those who didn’t take the stairs. They also had a lower risk of heart attacks and strokes.

And, it’s important to note that people who stopped climbing stairs during this time saw their risk of heart disease rise — a reminder that consistency is crucial if you’re going to benefit from exercise.

How much stair climbing is enough? Two studies in the meta-analysis pointed to the ideal number of flights a day: one found that climbing six to ten flights a day was linked to a reduced risk of premature death; the other found that climbing more than five flights a day lowered the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20 percent.

Peak CoQSol10 CF^™

Gives Your Cells the Energy They Need for Optimal Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Stair climbing’s benefits happen fast

The last thing you should know is that the benefits of stair climbing can kick in pretty quickly. A recent review found that your cardiometabolic risk can improve in as little as four to eight weeks.

This same study found that stair climbing can improve body composition, blood pressure, and insulin sensitivity — all factors that if left to progress can result in metabolic syndrome.

Climbing stairs is classified as “moderate physical activity,” right along with playing tennis or badminton, walking at 4 miles per hour, or biking at 10 miles per hour.

But a really cool thing about stair climbing is that it’s a mix of aerobic exercise and resistance training — and that means it can build muscle.

According to Dr. Carlin Long, a cardiologist at the University of California, San Francisco, “You are building up those leg muscles by having to pull your weight up to the next stair.” 

This is a key benefit given that only 24 percent of adults in the U.S. meet the recommended targets for both aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise.

So why not get started now? Put on some music and start climbing!

Sources:

Elevator or stairs? Your choice could boost longevity, study finds —  NPR/Maine Public

Stair climbing and mortality: a prospective cohort study from the UK Biobank — Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle

Daily stair climbing, disease susceptibility, and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A prospective cohort study —  Atherosclerosis

Stair-climbing interventions on cardio-metabolic outcomes in adults: A scoping review —  Journal of Taibah University Medical Sciences

The post The fast health benefits of taking the stairs appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

It can eventually lead to falls, infection and even amputation, and has a lifetime prevalence of more than 50 percent in people with diabetes.

A half a billion people globally have diabetes, which means at least 250 million people are suffering from DSPN.

And according to a recent study, many of them don’t even know, or know that they may have a syndrome that quadruples their risk for DSPN…

Peak Krill Oil^™

Supports Heart Health, Immunity and Moods, Naturally!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Lack of diagnosis of neuropathy

“More than one-third of people with neuropathy experience sharp, prickling or shock-like pain, which increases their rates of depression and decreases quality of life,” says study author Dr. Melissa Elafros of the University of Michigan. “People with neuropathy also have an increased risk of earlier death, even when you take into account other conditions they have, so identifying and treating people with or at risk for neuropathy is essential.”

The study included 169 people from an outpatient internal medicine clinic serving mainly Medicaid patients in Flint, Michigan. The average age of the participants was 58, and 69 percent were Black. One-half of the participants had diabetes, and a total of 67 percent had metabolic syndrome.

The participants were tested for DSPN, and information about other health conditions was also collected.

According to the results:

• A total of 73 percent of the participants had neuropathy — and 75 percent of them had not been previously diagnosed, so were unaware they had the condition.
• Of those diagnosed with neuropathy, a whopping 74 percent had metabolic syndrome.
• Almost 60 percent of those with neuropathy were experiencing pain.
• Only 54 percent of those who did not have neuropathy had metabolic syndrome.

After adjusting for other factors that could affect neuropathy risk, the researchers found people with metabolic syndrome were more than four times more likely to have neuropathy than those who didn’t have the syndrome.

“The amount of people with neuropathy in this study, particularly undiagnosed neuropathy, was extraordinarily high with almost three-fourths of the study population,” Elafros says. “This highlights the urgent need for interventions that improve diagnosis and management of this condition, as well as the need for managing risk factors that can lead to this condition.”

Peak D3^™

When you step out into the sunlight, your body begins the process of making vitamin D. But getting the ideal amount can be difficult because some of us can’t effectively absorb it. That’s just one of many reasons the vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What to do about neuropathy

The treatment plan for peripheral neuropathy is usually to treat the condition that’s causing it, like diabetes. Your doctor may also prescribe pain medication if needed.

The results of this study also show the great impact metabolic syndrome has on neuropathy, and that managing these risk factors should be paramount.

Metabolic syndrome is defined as having excess belly fat plus two or more of the following risk factors:

• High blood pressure
• Higher than normal triglycerides
• High blood sugar
• Low HDL cholesterol (the “good” type)

A Mediterranean diet, rich in olive oil and fatty fish, has been shown to reverse the risk factors for metabolic syndrome.

And research indicates that fish oil may reduce neuropathic pain and can help lower high blood pressure and cholesterol and reduce insulin resistance.

There are also some natural ways to manage the pain caused by peripheral neuropathy, such as magnesium supplements. Magnesium decreases nerve pain by calming the neurotransmitter NMDA.

Finally, if you’re experiencing pain from diabetic neuropathy, you may want to add a vitamin D supplement to your daily regimen. Studies show people with painful diabetic neuropathy tend to have lower vitamin D levels than those without neuropathy, or whose neuropathy is painless.

If possible, get regular exercise. It can help relieve pain by releasing endorphins and reducing inflammation.

Click here for natural pain relievers and what the science says about them.

Sources:

Neuropathy very common, underdiagnosed — ScienceDaily

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Distal Symmetric Polyneuropathy Among Predominantly Non-Hispanic Black, Low-Income Patients — Neurology

Pathogenesis of Distal Symmetrical Polyneuropathy in Diabetes — Life

The post The syndrome that quadruples the risk of diabetic neuropathy appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

And that’s true…

After all, studies have shown that fat cells actually release hormones that fuel the growth of breast cancer. 

And they’ve determined that losing weight helps take the aggression out of breast cancer cells.

However, after doctors took a deep dive into data from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) randomized trial, it’s become clear that obesity alone does not drive breast cancer risk or the risk of death from the cancer.

In fact, the researchers say that there are actually four factors that work together to determine whether or not a breast cancer prognosis is poor, as well as mortality risk — and weight is only one of them.

The cancer dangers of metabolic syndrome

In addition to obesity, those factors include:

• High blood pressure
• Abnormal cholesterol
• Elevated blood sugar

And together, they make up a condition known as metabolic syndrome.

It’s a cluster of symptoms that have already been shown to boost your risk of heart-related problems and raise your kidney cancer risk by five times.

And now, it appears that the syndrome might just be behind a dangerous rise in breast cancer statistics.

A score of three or more signals danger

The study that discovered this link appeared in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.

The analysis included 63,330 postmenopausal who were part of the WHI. All the women began the study with normal mammograms and zero history of breast cancer before being followed for an average of approximately 23 years.

At the beginning of the research, doctors assigned each woman a metabolic syndrome (MetS) score of 0-4 based on how many of the metabolic issues, such as high blood pressure or blood sugar issues they experienced.

And sure enough, more was definitely not better when it came to metabolic scoring, whether obesity was part of the picture or not.

The research showed that a higher MetS score (3–4), regardless of obesity, was associated with more poor-prognosis, estrogen receptor (ER)-positive, progesterone receptor (PR)-negative breast cancers. And those higher scores also came with a 44 percent higher risk of breast cancer mortality.

On the other hand, obesity, regardless of MetS score, was associated with more good-prognosis, ER-positive, and PR-positive cancers — except if the obesity was considered severe.

If a postmenopausal woman was about 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and weighing greater than 218 pounds, the risk of breast cancer mortality was higher.

In other words, MetS beats weight when it comes to increasing breast cancer and breast cancer mortality risks.

Screening for metabolic syndrome

The good news is that understanding your risk of breast cancer due to MetS is easy.

In fact , as study lead author Rowan T. Chlebowski, MD, PhD points out, “Determination of MetS scores in the clinic requires only three questions regarding cholesterol, diabetes, and hypertension history as well as waist circumference and blood pressure measurements, which are commonly determined during routine visits.”

There are even three simple diagnostics you can do at home to help determine whether you have the syndrome.

And there’s even more to feel good about since negative metabolic factors are completely treatable and even reversible with lifestyle factors…

A few easy tips for fighting MetS include:

• Boosting vitamin D – The sunshine vitamin helps your body make defensins, an internal antibiotic that keeps bad bacteria in your gut in check. And when your gut is healthy, metabolic syndrome has a hard time getting a foothold in your body.
• Sipping away metabolic problems – Green tea is full of an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that has anti-inflammatory effects, protecting the heart and brain, promoting weight loss, and controlling blood pressure.
• Doing a diet DASH – The DASH diet has been shown to dramatically lower diabetes risk, reduce cholesterol and blood pressure and help with weight loss — the four factors that makeup MetS.
• Exercise – Previous research has shown that if fat cells are releasing cancer-causing hormones into your body, your first priority should be to get rid of some of those fat cells, and exercise works when it comes to fighting breast cancer. Here are 5 scientifically backed ways it offers protection. And more research has shown that exercise is the single best habit for a breast cancer-free future.

Remember, to reduce breast cancer risk, it takes more than weight loss. Focus on all four of the MetS factors — including blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and obesity — for better overall health, breast health and cancer prevention.

Sources:

How do obesity and metabolic syndrome affect women’s risks of breast cancer and cancer-related death? — EurekAlert!

The post 4 factors that weigh heavy on breast cancer risk and death appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

One example is how closely our body’s metabolic system, which processes food into energy and maintains our blood sugar levels, works with our kidneys and our heart.

If something goes wrong with one of these three, it often leads to problems with the others.

In fact, diabetes, heart disease and kidney disease overlap so much that last year the American Heart Association coined the term cardiovascular–kidney–metabolic (CKM) syndrome to describe people with two or more of these diseases.

But CKM syndrome also applies to people who are at risk for just one of these diseases.

Are you one of those people?

Peak Organic Fermented Beets^™

It may not be a household word, but nitric oxide has been recognized in over 130,000 published scientific papers as a vital signaling molecule that keeps blood vessels healthy so they can perform as the body needs. But as you age, your cells produce less and… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What is CKM syndrome?

Only 15 percent of Americans meet the criteria for the advanced stages of CKM syndrome (they’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease).

However, an alarming 90 percent of American adults already show signs of one of these conditions.

CKM syndrome is a vicious cycle that usually begins with insulin resistance.

As blood sugar levels rise, blood vessels stiffen, making the heart work harder to help blood cells and nutrients squeeze through tight, inflexible vessels.

The increasing blood pressure that results is like kerosene on a fire. It triggers inflammation throughout the body.

This inflammation, combined with insulin resistance, drives up levels of triglycerides and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, which contribute to plaque buildup in blood vessels. Eventually, the plaque can rupture and cause a heart attack or stroke.

Next stop: kidney damage

When blood sugar, blood pressure and triglycerides are elevated, blood flow to the kidneys is reduced, which causes scarring to the cells that filter the blood.

When your kidneys don’t filter blood as well as they should, an imbalance of fluid, hormones, acids and salts builds up in the body.

This further drives inflammation, which makes it even more difficult for the body to keep blood sugar in check.

And so the cycle continues.

Peak Chelation+ Resveratrol^™

Helps flush harmful toxins from your body that interfere with vital functions!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Be proactive: lower your risks now

Any of the following could be signs of developing kidney disease:

• high blood pressure
• puffiness around the eyes
• swelling of feet and hands
• blood in the urine
• painful or difficult urination
• more frequent urination, especially at night
• feeling cold all the time

As with most things, nutrition is key to preventing insulin resistance and keeping your body from entering this vicious cycle.

One study found that, particularly for women,15 millimoles per liter (mmol) of antioxidants per day should be your goal to achieve the maximum benefit of lowering your diabetes risk by over 25 percent.

Here are some ways to do that:

• Drink about 3 cups of pomegranate juice
• Drink about 2.5 cups of coffee
• Drink about 4 cups of green tea
• Eat about 8 ounces of sunflower seeds
• Eat about 25 ounces of strawberries
• Eat about 22 ounces of prunes
• Eat about 6 ounces of pecans

When you add those kinds of foods to your diet, you are also on your way to meeting one of the six ways to keep kidney disease from striking — all of which overlap with healthy practices that also promote heart health.

Be sure to eat thiamine-rich foods — because the vitamin has been found to slow, protect, and reverse kidney damage in the early stages. Avoid processed foods at all costs.

Sources:

Diabetes Often Leads to Heart and Kidney Disease, Too — NY Times

Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association — Circulation

Prevalence of Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Syndrome Stages in US Adults, 2011-2020 — JAMA Network

Diabetes – A Major Risk Factor for Kidney Disease — National Kidney Foundation

The post A vicious cycle: diabetes, heart and kidney disease appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Almost five percent of American adults will be diagnosed with bipolar disorder at some time in their lives — that’s one in every 100 people. You, a friend or a family member may be one of them. Slightly fewer will be diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Mood swings, delusions, agitation, anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, insomnia, reckless behavior, and other symptoms tear through patients’ lives like a tornado, destroying relationships, ruining careers and in some cases, taking lives.

Most people with these conditions need antipsychotic medication to keep their lives on track. But the side effects can be unhealthy, and distressing enough that many patients stop taking their medication.

Now, there’s research pointing to a promising way to help them…

Peak Vision Support^™

Two out of three people suffer with blurred vision, eye fatigue and dry, irritated eyes. Researchers expect the number of people with age-related macular degeneration and cataracts to nearly double by the year 2050. The cause of this decline in our vision is… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Metabolic psychiatry: eating for brain health

As a medical student, Dr. Shebani Sethi worked in an obesity clinic. There, she saw a patient with treatment-resistant schizophrenia whose auditory hallucinations were reduced while on a ketogenic diet.

So she dug into the existing research. There wasn’t much about the diet’s effect on schizophrenia, except for some decades-old case reports.

But she did find plenty of literature on the success of using the keto diet to treat epileptic seizures — and she made a connection…

“The ketogenic diet has been proven to be effective for treatment-resistant epileptic seizures by reducing the excitability of neurons in the brain,” Dr. Sethi said. “We thought it would be worth exploring this treatment in psychiatric conditions.”

Now a board-certified doctor in both obesity and psychiatry, Dr. Sethi has coined the term metabolic psychiatry, a new field that approaches mental health from an energy conversion perspective.

In a four-month trial, her team followed 21 adults who were diagnosed with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, who were taking antipsychotic meds and who had a metabolic disorder such as obesity or insulin resistance.

The participants were instructed to follow a ketogenic diet. Only about ten percent of their calories came from carbs, with 30% from protein and 60% from fat.

Dr. Sethi shared keto-friendly meal ideas with the participants. They were also given keto cookbooks and access to a health coach.

Keto improved physical AND mental health

The results of this four-month trial speak for themselves, both in terms of physical and mental health:

• Before the trial 29% of participants had three of the five conditions that define metabolic syndrome: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high fasting glucose levels.
• After four months on the ketogenic diet, none of the participants had metabolic syndrome.
• On average, the participants improved 31% on a psychiatrist rating of mental illness known as the clinical global impressions scale, with three-quarters of the group showing clinically meaningful improvement.
• Overall, the participants also reported better sleep and greater life satisfaction.

“The participants reported improvements in their energy, sleep, mood and quality of life,” Dr. Sethi said. “They feel healthier and more hopeful.”

The researchers hypothesize that just as a ketogenic diet improves the rest of the body’s metabolism, it also improves the brain’s metabolism.

“Anything that improves metabolic health in general is probably going to improve brain health anyway,” Dr. Sethi said. “But the ketogenic diet can provide ketones as an alternative fuel to glucose for a brain with energy dysfunction.”

Ketones are chemicals that the liver produces when it breaks down fat for energy instead of carbs.

These findings confirm past research showing that a ketogenic diet can reduce brain inflammation.

Want to go ketogenic?

The keto diet is very restrictive, so it’s not for everyone. If you’re being treated for a mental illness and want to try it, be sure to talk to your doctor and never go off any medication without consulting them.

If you’re someone purely interested in following the diet to improve your metabolic health, you may want to ease into it. In that case, there’s an alternative diet that offers similar benefits, but with more flexibility.

It’s called the satiating diet and includes foods that are proven to reduce hunger, increase metabolism, balance blood sugar and provide other health benefits.

Sources:

Pilot study shows ketogenic diet improves severe mental illness — Science Daily

Ketogenic Diet Intervention on Metabolic and Psychiatric Health in Bipolar and Schizophrenia: A Pilot Trial — Psychiatry Research

The post Keto: From metabolic disorders to mental health appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That means that approximately 28.3 million adults in the United States currently smoke.

And while many of them may want to kick the habit, for some the worry about weight gain keeps them reaching for those cigarette packs.

However, according to in the scientific journal Addiction, choosing to continue to smoking to avoid packing on a few extra pounds, might be rather ironic.

That’s because research shows smokers have already packed on those pounds — deep within their bellies.

Peak Longevity Platinum^™

Every cell in the body depends on mitochondria for energy. Together, cells and mitochondria are building blocks for life and health. But mitochondria wear out with age, which leaves cells unable to create the energy they need to function properly… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Cigarettes and deep-down fat

So how was the link between cigarettes and visceral fat discovered?

That took researchers from the University of Copenhagen who combed through genetic studies of a whopping 1.2 million people who started smoking, over 450,000 lifetime smokers and the body fat distributions of over 600,000 people.

If you think that sounds intense, it was!

First, the team used previous genetic studies to identify which genes are linked to smoking habits and body fat distribution.

Next, they took a deep dive to determine whether people with genes associated with smoking tend to have different body fat distributions.

Finally, they ruled out all other influencing factors like alcohol consumption to ensure that any connections they found between smoking and body fat distribution were clear.

And it all came down to this conclusion: “This study found that starting to smoke and smoking over a lifetime might cause an increase in belly fat, as seen by measurements of waist-to-hip ratio. In a further analysis, we also found that the type of fat that increases is more likely the visceral fat, rather than the fat just under the skin.”

The dangers of visceral fat

Visceral fat is the deep fat that wraps around your organs that you may not be able to see — but can have significant negative effects on your health.

In fact, you can have a flat stomach and still have unhealthy amounts of visceral fat, which raises your risk of serious illness, including metabolic syndrome, heart disease, diabetes, stroke and dementia.

Visceral fat has even been shown to fuel cancer growth by releasing a protein called fibroblast growth factor-2 in your body that causes non-cancerous cells to become cancerous.

It’s even possible that this could explain some of the connections between smoking itself and cancer.

Peak DIM^™

If you’re having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, feeling sluggish, are unable to regulate your mood, or struggle with your sex drive, you could be experiencing a hormone problem called estrogen dominance. Both men and women experience… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Kick the habit and blast the belly fat

So if you’ve been putting off quitting smoking because you’re worried you might gain weight, now’s the time to put that worry to bed and start thinking about how to get rid of the more dangerous type of fat buildup smoking causes.

Consider putting these six proven ways to quit smoking to work for you.

And partner up to give yourself a six-times higher chance of success.

Finally, to start blasting the deep visceral fat that smoking has left behind take pyrroloquinoline quinone, or PQQ, an antioxidant powerhouse that’s been shown to reduce both total body fat and visceral fat volume.

And try the Green Mediterranean Diet — a version of the original that’s been found to be twice as effective on visceral fat.

Sources:

Current Cigarette Smoking Among Adults in the United States – CDC

The irony of smoking to stay thin: smoking increases belly fat – EurekAlert!

The post Smoking’s link to dangerous belly fat appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

You likely have metabolic syndrome if you’re affected by three or more of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal fat
• High blood pressure
• High blood sugar
• High blood triglycerides, which can raise your levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol
• Low HDL, the “good” kind of cholesterol

Now most of us know that metabolic syndrome is sort of a stern warning to get your “house” in order before heart problems could develop.

But one thing most of us don’t know is that it can increase our risks for certain cancers.

For instance, having metabolic syndrome raises your breast cancer risk by 17 percent. You’re also more likely to get liver or colon cancer if you have metabolic syndrome.

And the worse your metabolic syndrome gets, the higher your risk…

Metabolic syndrome progression and cancer risk

A team of researchers in China recruited 44,115 adults in China with an average age of 49 and divided them into four different groups based on metabolic syndrome scores maintained over four years: low, moderate-low, moderate-high and elevated-increasing.

Compared with participants with a low-stable trajectory pattern in metabolic syndrome scores, those with an elevated-increasing trajectory pattern saw their cancer risks skyrocket:

• 1.3 times higher risk of any cancer
• 1.6 times higher risk of liver cancer
• 2.1 times higher risk of breast cancer
• 2.5 times higher risk of colorectal cancer
• 3.3 times higher risk of endometrial cancer
• 4.5 times higher risk of kidney cancer

Even when compared with the combined low-stable, moderate-low and moderate-high pattern groups, the elevated-increasing trajectory pattern group had higher risks of developing all cancer types.

In addition, participants with persistently high metabolic syndrome scores and chronic inflammation had the highest risks of developing breast, endometrial, colon and liver cancers.

By contrast, high risk of kidney cancer was mostly observed among participants with persistently high metabolic scores but without chronic inflammation.

People with metabolic syndrome tend to have higher levels of inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) compared to those without metabolic syndrome. This chronic low-grade inflammation could contribute to the development of various cancers. Incorporating CRP assessment for patients with metabolic syndrome could help identify additional individuals at high risk of developing cancer, allowing for targeted early diagnosis and prevention.

“This research suggests that proactive and continuous management of metabolic syndrome may serve as an essential strategy in preventing cancer,” says senior author Dr. Han-Ping Shi of Capital Medical University in Beijing.

“Our study can guide future research into the biological mechanisms linking metabolic syndrome to cancer, potentially resulting in targeted treatments or preventive strategies,” Shi says. “Formal evaluation of these interventions will be needed to determine if they are able to modulate cancer risk.” 

Key ways to lower your risks for both dangers

This study adds to the pile of reasons for managing your metabolic health. And there are a few key ways to start…

A study published in 2020 that began decades earlier found that light physical exercise protected people with metabolic syndrome. Over 20 years, participants were less likely to develop cardiovascular disease — as well as other diseases linked to metabolic syndrome, and that could certainly include cancer.

But if you want to ramp it up, try aerobics combined with strength training — an exercise combo found to help ward off at least 6 types of cancers including kidney cancer.

In addition to exercise, follow a healthy diet higher in whole foods, like the DASH diet, and avoid ultra-processed foods. Ultra-processed foods not only have an outrageous association with all-cause mortality, but with several types of cancers and, you guessed it, metabolic syndrome.

Also, get enough vitamin D. Insufficient vitamin D levels may raise your risk of metabolic syndrome by 18 percent.

Other nutrients that can help protect against metabolic syndrome include vitamin C, resveratrol and flavonoids like anthocyanins. Eating five to 10 servings of fruit a day, particularly citrus fruits and purple fruits like grapes and plums, can help boost your levels of these nutrients.

Lastly, consider drinking hibiscus tea. In a review of studies involving the use of hibiscus in treating metabolic syndrome in animals and people, researchers found it often improved a number of metabolic syndrome measures. 

Sources:

Does worsening metabolic syndrome increase the risk of developing cancer? — EurekAlert!

The association of metabolic syndrome scores trajectory patterns with risk of all cancer types — Cancer

What is Metabolic Syndrome? — National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

The post The ‘cluster condition’ that raises kidney cancer risk almost 5 times appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

But when the cells in our intestine are slow to repair or don’t fix themselves completely, the result is an “open door” through which harmful microbes and toxins enter the bloodstream, causing a range of metabolic diseases and conditions from diabetes and thyroid disorders to irritable bowel and chronic fatigue syndromes.

This “open door” is better known as leaky gut syndrome.

If you’re a post-menopausal woman, you’re even more vulnerable to leaky gut than men your age. Why?

It comes down to hormones and why, when we lose them, we not only gain weight but also gain a higher risk for metabolic diseases…

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Menopause changes women’s gut microbiome

The gut microbiome refers to all the microbes in your intestines, which act as another “organ” crucial for your health.

A new study has shown that the gut microbiome interacts with the loss of female sex hormones that occurs after menopause. This hormone loss exacerbates metabolic diseases, including weight gain and type 2 diabetes, fat in the liver and the expression of genes linked with inflammation.

As early as 2005, researchers began looking into how the microbiome could contribute to obesity, which is associated with metabolic conditions. At the time, however, most research was done on males.

Using models of mice with and without ovaries, first author Tzu-Wen L. Cross, a professor of nutrition science and the director of the Gnotobiotic Animal Facility at Purdue University, shared that “This is the first time it has been shown that the response of microbiome to the loss of ovarian hormone production can increase metabolic dysfunction.”

“The mice that were recipients of the gut microbiome of ovariectomized mice gained more weight and fat mass, and they had greater expression of genes in the liver associated with inflammation, obesity, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and atherosclerosis compared with those in the control group,” says Dr. Kelly Swanson, corresponding author of the study.

They also found that the mice without ovaries and those fed the high-fat diet had lower levels of these proteins in the liver and colon. This suggested their gut barriers were more permeable, compromised by either their diet or the absence of female hormones.

In other words, the gut microbiome of mice without ovaries, which hormonally resembles that of post-menopausal women, was much more vulnerable to the metabolic diseases impacted by leaky gut.

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to protect your gut

Unfortunately, there’s not much we can change about losing our female hormones.

But a previous study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition in 2021 saw a polyphenol-rich diet improve intestinal permeability in older people — which may be the first step in the right direction.

Polyphenols are natural antioxidants found in a variety of foods. In the gut, they increase helpful bacteria, reduce harmful bacteria, and prevent the inflammation behind heart disease and other chronic metabolic conditions.

The study showed that including up to three daily portions of apple, cocoa, dark chocolate, green tea, cranberries, oranges or pomegranate juice — all polyphenol-rich foods — improved intestinal permeability by making specific changes in the microbiota.

When fecal and plasma samples were analyzed, there was a positive correlation between the polyphenol foods and an increase in cell metabolism products that improved gut health. There was also a decrease in the kind that caused intestinal permeability.

The next step would be to steer clear of a high-fat diet since it also correlated with intestinal permeability in the recent mouse study.

Sources:

Metabolic diseases may be driven by gut microbiome, loss of ovarian hormones — Science Daily

Gut microbiome responds to alteration in female sex hormone status and exacerbates metabolic dysfunction — Gut Microbes

The post The ‘other change’ behind menopausal weight gain and disease risk appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

There’s SO much research proving that these foods cause cancer and heart disease and that they fuel metabolic syndrome, obesity and diabetes.

But despite the evidence, many of us still haven’t changed our eating habits.

In fact, 60 to 90 percent of the standard American diet consists of these highly processed foods.

Their growing link to disease means it’s time to get serious about what we eat…

Digging for the truth about ultra-processed foods

A meta-analysis is a statistical procedure that integrates the results of several independent studies. It aims to come up with even more precise results that can then be applied to real-life decisions.

An international group of researchers recently conducted a review of 45 meta-analyses that showed a connection between ultra-processed foods and adverse health outcomes.

In other words, their study drilled down even deeper and found even more reasons to stop eating these “fake foods.”

What did they find?

An outrageous association between not only ultra-processed foods and all causes of mortality — but between these foods and 30 health conditions, including:

• Breast cancer
• Colorectal cancer
• Pancreatic cancer
• Adverse sleep outcomes
• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Hypertension
• Crohn’s disease
• Obesity
• Metabolic syndrome
• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)
• Hyperglycemia

They reported a 50% increased risk of deaths related to cardiovascular disease, a 12% higher risk of type 2 diabetes, and a 48% to 53% higher risk of anxiety and mental disorders.

The researchers believe their findings suggest that ultra-processed foods could be harmful to numerous body systems, highlighting the need for urgent action to reduce our consumption.

Peak D3^™

When you step out into the sunlight, your body begins the process of making vitamin D. But getting the ideal amount can be difficult because some of us can’t effectively absorb it. That’s just one of many reasons the vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How to avoid ultra-processed foods

First, it’s important to understand exactly which foods fall into this category.

The United Nations uses the NOVA food classification system, which divides foods into four groups:

• Unprocessed or minimally processed – dried, freeze-dried roasted or boiled food in its original state
• Processed culinary ingredients – for example, sugar from sugar cane, salt from sea water or maple syrup from trees
• Processed foods – canned fruit in sugar, salt-added canned vegetables or smoked meats
• Ultra–processed foods – foods that go through so much processing that they bear little resemblance to real food. They usually have unrecognizable ingredients on their labels and include foods like cereals, chicken nuggets, frozen pizza, soda, chips, sweet or salty snacks, packaged baked goods, microwaveable frozen meals and instant soups and sauces.

If you’re an ultra-processed food “junkie,” here are 7 ways to develop changes to your diet that will last.

1. Start slowly. If you eat a lot of highly processed foods, try substituting one or two things per day. Fruit for chips. Carrots and dip for cookies. Go for small wins.

2. Drink more water. This is important for so many reasons! Not only will it fill you up and make you less likely to eat snacks, it will keep you hydrated and start flushing some of the toxins from your system.
3. Choose whole grains. Instead of white rice, try brown. Whole wheat bread is a hearty, tasty substitute for white.
4. Limit or avoid processed meats. In 2015, the World Health Organization’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified processed meat as a definite carcinogen. These include bacon, sandwich meat, hot dogs and sausage.
5. Try homemade. Granola, salad dressing, even potato chips made in your own kitchen are often more delicious than those loaded with chemicals.
6. If you can’t pronounce it, don’t eat it. This one is pretty simple. If you don’t know what an ingredient is, it’s not something you should be eating.
7. Plan ahead. When you start your clean eating effort, you may find you’re still reaching for tasty, unhealthy snacks, especially when you’re in a hurry.
   Take a weekend or a day to stock up on healthy quick snacks: cut veggies and hummus, fruit, yogurt, homemade chips or granola.

An easy way to hit most of these marks is to choose a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean diet. There are a few variations of the diet, depending on other health goals. For instance, the Green Mediterranean has been found not only to reduce disease risk but double fat loss.

Sources:

Ultra-processed foods linked to heart disease, cancer, and 30 other health conditions — Medical News Today

Ultra-processed food exposure and adverse health outcomes: umbrella review of epidemiological meta-analyses — BMJ

Meta-analysis in medical research — Hippokratia

The post The diet linked to cancer, heart disease and 30 other conditions appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

• A reduced risk of Afib and heart failure
• Lowered cholesterol and heart disease prevention
• Longer lifespan
• Decreased cancer risk
• Stronger brain waves
• Higher levels of the happiness hormone, serotonin

With all of these benefits, what could possibly hold anyone back?

The fear of weight gain.

Sadly, despite the proven health benefits of this food, 87% of Americans avoid it because they believe it leads to weight gain.

The truth? They’re wrong.

According to research from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a handful could actually help you slim down…

Peak DIM^™

If you’re having trouble maintaining a healthy weight, feeling sluggish, are unable to regulate your mood, or struggle with your sex drive, you could be experiencing a hormone problem called estrogen dominance. Both men and women experience… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Improving body composition and health

The research team recruited 84 adults who had at least one metabolic syndrome risk factor. These could be high blood pressure, high blood glucose, excess body fat around the waist or abnormal blood cholesterol levels.

Every participant was then asked to eat a snack of one ounce of mixed, unsalted tree nuts (including pistachios) or one ounce of a carbohydrate snack (like unsalted pretzels or graham crackers) twice per day for 16 weeks.

And there’s no doubt that while the nuts were higher in both calorie content and dietary fats, participants who went a little nutty won big…

The results showed that nut-eaters:

• Reduced their risk of metabolic syndrome: 67 percent for women and 42 percent for men.
• Did not gain any weight — and women saw their waistlines shrink too!
• Experienced a lowered risk of disease factors: men reduced blood insulin levels; women’s risks for diabetes and heart disease went down.
• Were able to use fat for energy more efficiently compared to a carbohydrate snack.

In other words, eating nuts leads to better health, better energy burn and better body composition!

That’s a triple-stack of benefits I’ll take any day — especially since it builds on previous research that says no matter how many calories are found in nuts, your body can only absorb part of them.

Peak Vitality^™

Peak Vitality^™ helps support and strengthen adrenal gland function for improved energy, hormone balance, mood and focus!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Snacking on better health

So the next time you reach for a snack, make sure it includes a handful of nuts to grab all the good without the weight gain worry.

Some of the best nuts to add to your diet include:

• Brazil nuts
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Pistachios
• Cashews
• Macadamia

The key is to stick with raw or dry-roasted nuts, to avoid unhealthy oils, sugary coatings or high levels of salt.

Now, sit back, enjoy a snack and start taking advantage of all the wonderful things nuts have to offer.

Sources:

Daily intake of tree nuts, including pistachios, does not lead to weight gain, body fat gain, or changes in energy intake in Millennials — EurekAlert!

The post The high-calorie snack that burns fat and slims bodies appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

The connection between these two diseases has been demonstrated time and again…

What’s not as widely-known is the connection between diabetes and cancer. Even if you just have pre-diabetes, an elevated blood sugar condition that precedes type 2 diabetes, you’re 15 percent more likely to develop breast, lung, colorectal, uterine and prostate cancers.

The question is… why are these diseases so interconnected? Well, research shows it may all come down to insulin resistance…

Insulin resistance and your brain

If you’re one of the millions of Americans with prediabetes or diabetes, you’re probably well aware of how insulin resistance affects your blood sugar. It prevents your cells from getting the insulin they need to absorb excess glucose in your bloodstream, causing your blood sugar to spike. But there’s another repercussion of insulin resistance you may not be aware of…

Insulin is also critical to the parts of your brain responsible for learning and memory, which means a problem with insulin could lead to bigger problems with your brain health down the road.

When researchers at Tel Aviv University, for example, monitored the health of 500 people for over 20 years — they found that people with the highest levels of insulin resistance were more likely to develop cognitive impairment and more likely to see their cognitive abilities decline quickly.

And tests at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis explain why Alzheimer’s is becoming known as type 3 diabetes…

They demonstrated that when levels of glucose in the blood climb, it can accelerate the development of amyloid beta in the brain. Amyloid beta is the type of plaque that disrupts memory and drives the destructive processes of Alzheimer’s.

Dr. Isaac Eliaz, EHO medical contributor explains it this way… “Progressive insulin dysfunction and related metabolic and inflammatory problems in the brain have been observed in patients with various stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Essentially, insulin dysfunction in the brain starves neurons of energy — and fuels other features of dementia such as brain cell death, DNA damage, inflammation, harmful genetic signaling and the formation of plaques in the brain, characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease.”

Insulin resistance and cancer

A colleague I worked with just a couple of years ago, Carl Lowe, wrote about the diabetes-cancer connection, and he cited compelling evidence from a meta-analysis — a type of research where evidence is gathered from multiple studies on the same subject.

In total, 16 studies were incorporated into this particular analysis, and examined this blood sugar/cancer phenomenon around the world, including countries such as Asia, the United States, Europe and Africa.

And for all of these people, the findings were definitive… elevated blood sugar can lead to cancer.

The scientists pointed out that the increase in cancer in people with pre-diabetes may be caused by the fact that having continual high blood sugar leads to a state of what’s called “chronic oxidative stress” in the body.

That means that a harmful substance known as free radicals accumulates and causes damage to cells and cell membranes. In addition, elevated blood sugar can lead to an excess level of advanced glycated end products — these are toxic substances known to cause cancer (and premature aging).

But ultimately the scariest thing about this phenomenon is that in the U.S. alone, 98 million adults are believed to have prediabetes. In 2010 that number was closer to 79 million. Is it a coincidence that early-onset cancer rates have increased significantly?

How to keep from being one of them

If you’re diabetic, ask yourself if your doctor has ever had a conversation with you about your increased risks for Alzheimer’s and cancer. If you’re not diabetic, ask yourself if you doctor has ever spoken to you about insulin or insulin resistance… or at the very least, blood sugar spikes.

Odds are the answer to both of these questions is a resounding “no.” I know I use this term a lot, but the mainstream doctors — the ones who stick to the old ways — are missing the boat here. They only factor insulin into disease when it’s obvious — diabetes. But thanks to people who think outside of the box, and the research that’s coming to light, we now know the damage of insulin resistance goes much further.

In fact, many integrative physicians believe not only does insulin resistance lead to disease, but that getting a grip on this one health issue can keep your body disease-free.

Dr. Ron Rosedale, one such doctor, pioneered research into the insulin factor, disclosing some eye-opening information about centenarians in the early 80s. These studies were searching for the variable (or variables) that could be acknowledged as the key reason that some of these extreme seniors were not just living to 100 but had been able to maintain reasonably good health into their advanced age.

What was discovered was that these folks had very little in common with one another — but for one thing: the centenarians in the studies had insulin levels that were balanced and under control.

We go a step further in our book, The Insulin Factor, to say that conventional medicine’s narrow view of insulin is the biggest medical mistake ever — because pigeonholing this master hormone into one disease (diabetes) puts your overall health at greater risk and could shorten your life span.

Now, there are many steps you can take to drastically improve your insulin resistance so you can have balanced levels. The most obvious, for starters, is changing your diet. Merely cutting out high-glycemic foods, like grains, can slow or stop erratic spikes in blood sugar that prep you for full-blown insulin resistance.

The paleo diet, which I follow, eschews grains and starchy vegetables that can cause the blood sugar imbalances that lead to insulin resistance.

Sources: “Insulin resistance may lead to faster cognitive decline.” ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com. Retrieved March 24, 2017.

The post What do blood sugar, Alzheimer’s and cancer have in common? appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That means your body responds the same way whether you’re facing a charging dog or a spilled cup of coffee on your clothes as you’re leaving the house.

One is potentially dangerous; the other is not. But your body doesn’t know the difference.

But whatever the threat, your body releases hormones like adrenaline and cortisol to prepare it for fight or flight.

For some people, however, the line gets blurred. The body begins operating in a constant state of stress where fight-or-flight hormones are always firing.

That in turn can lead to health problems like anxiety and depression, digestive dysfunction, headaches, muscle tension and pain, cardiovascular and sleep problems, weight gain and issues with memory and focus.

Sobering news for those of us who deal with chronic stress. But when researchers at Ohio State University decided to examine stress’s role in a cluster of conditions that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, they did find a silver lining…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

How stress inflames metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is influenced by lifestyle and genetics, among other factors. This syndrome includes conditions like excess belly fat, high blood pressure, low HDL (or good) cholesterol and high levels of fasting blood glucose and triglycerides.

People are diagnosed with metabolic syndrome when they have at least three of these five conditions. But another contributing “symptom” may soon be added to the list…

Previous research has shown that inflammation is the common pathway of many diseases and disorders. But few studies have specifically examined the involvement of inflammation in stress’s connection to metabolic syndrome.

Ohio State researchers set out to do that using data from a sample of 648 individuals with an average age of 52 who participated in a national survey.

“We were specifically examining people in midlife — a time that is critical to determine those who will experience accelerated aging,” says senior author Jasmeet Hayes, a psychology professor at Ohio State. “Stress is an important contributor to several negative health outcomes as we age.”

The respondents’ perceived stress levels were analyzed alongside their blood biomarkers for inflammation and physical exam results indicating metabolic syndrome risk factors.

“There’s not much research that has looked at all three variables at one time,” says first author Savana Jurgens.

The researchers calculated inflammation composite scores using blood biomarkers including C-reactive protein and found not only does stress have a relationship with metabolic syndrome — but inflammation explained 61.5 percent of that connection.

“There is a small effect of perceived stress on metabolic syndrome, but inflammation explained a large proportion of that,” Jurgens says.

These findings added to mounting evidence that stress and its connection to inflammation can have a huge impact on health.

“People think of stress as mental health, that it’s all psychological. It is not,” Hayes says. “There are real physical effects to having chronic stress.”

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Managing stress to lower risks

So what is the silver lining?

If stress can raise your risk of metabolic syndrome, lowering stress levels can reduce that risk.

“Everybody experiences stress,” Hayes says. “And stress management is one modifiable factor that’s cost-effective as well as something people can do in their daily lives without having to get medical professionals involved.”

There are many ways to decrease feelings of stress, but there’s one that also helps re-balance the chronic stress flight-or-fight response and decrease the risk of heart events that come with metabolic syndrome. It helps by improving “heart rate variability.”

Your body’s heart rate changes as a normal response to being in “fight-or-flight” or “rest and repair” mode. If you have a high heart rate variability, it shows that your heart can adapt to these changes. If your heart rate can’t adapt to changes between “fight-or-flight” and “rest and repair,” it could trigger inflammation.

The secret? Calming music can increase heart rate variability, lower the potential for inflammation and a heart event, decrease anxiety and increase positive feelings.

Sources:

Stress, via inflammation, is linked to metabolic syndrome — EurekAlert!

Inflammatory biomarkers link perceived stress with metabolic dysregulation — Brain, Behavior & Immunity – Health

Chronic stress puts your health at risk — Mayo Clinic

The post The symptom that pushes metabolic syndrome over the edge appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Supposedly, there’s evidence backing each one of these plans. And for some diets, like the Mediterranean diet, that’s true. However, for others (like carnivore), a lot of that “evidence” is anecdotal at best.

In the case of one illness, however, it looks like hard science may be coming down on the side of plants. For the first time ever, there’s proof that plant-based diets, like veganism and vegetarian diets, can improve two key markers of health for people looking to avoid metabolic diseases, like diabetes — but there’s one caveat…

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Why plant-based eating works — except when it doesn’t

It’s estimated that at least 75 percent of type 2 diabetes cases could be avoided by adopting a better diet. A team of international researchers decided to explore the benefits of a plant-based diet in lowering diabetes risk using data from the UK Biobank, a cohort study of participants who were ages 40 to 69 at the start of the study.

Of the 113,097 study participants 2,628 developed type 2 diabetes over 12 years of follow-up. After analyzing associations between healthy and unhealthy plant-based diets and type 2 diabetes risk, they investigated which cardiometabolic risk factors explained the connections.

The results were impressive. Participants eating the healthiest plant-based diet — one with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and whole-grain products — reduced their risk of diabetes by 24 percent. That risk reduction even held for those with a genetic predisposition and other risk factors such as obesity, advanced age or a lack of physical activity that can really stack the odds.

However, there’s one big caveat…

Those who ate an unhealthy plant-based diet that included sweets, refined grains and sugary drinks had a 37 percent higher increased risk of diabetes — proving that you can’t just shun meat and dairy and call it healthy.

This isn’t the first study to indicate that a healthy plant-based diet, done right, can reduce diabetes risk. But it is the first to note that the antidiabetic effect of a healthy plant-based diet go well beyond lower body fat and waist circumference to key biomarkers of metabolic processes…

• It confirmed that normal values for triglycerides, blood sugar, inflammatory parameters and insulin-like growth factor are linked with a reduced risk of diabetes ;
• And also that it benefits the health of two key organs: the liver and kidneys.

The liver and kidneys play an important role in diabetes prevention. “Our research has now shown that a healthy plant-based diet can improve liver and kidney function and thus reduce the risk of diabetes,” says Tilman Kühn, a professor at MedUni Vienna and the University of Vienna, who led the study in close collaboration with researchers from Queen’s University Belfast.

He added, “Our study is the first to identify biomarkers of central metabolic processes and organ functions as mediators of the health effects of a plant-based diet.”

Peak Golden Oil^™

The golden-colored oil of the Nigella sativa plant contains compounds essential for a healthy immune system. That explains why it was documented in the oldest medical writings. But we don’t just rely on history to prove the therapeutic benefit of… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The right way to go plant-based

One thing that’s clear from this study: A truly healthy plant-based only develops its protective effects if ultra-processed and highly sugary foods are reduced.

This backs up previous research that eating more healthy plant-based foods is the ticket. The researchers specifically named high consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, tea and coffee as being the best at reducing diabetes risk and improving kidney and liver function.

Purple produce, especially, has a reputation for pushing back at blood sugar problems. Fruits and vegetables with these color pigments contain anthocyanins, a group of polyphenol antioxidants that have been found to reduce the risk of diabetes by affecting energy metabolism.

Berries are my favorite way to get a burst of purple. One reason is that researchers have shown munching on berries can help you consume significantly less food throughout the day.

Don’t forget the risk of developing a B12 deficiency on a vegetarian diet. Be sure to supplement.

Sources:

1. Healthy plant-based diet reduces diabetes risk by 24 per cent — EurekAlert!

2. A healthful plant-based diet is associated with lower type 2 diabetes risk via improved metabolic state and organ function: A prospective cohort study — Diabetes & Metabolism

The post The diet that takes diabetes down, except when it doesn’t appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Well, there’s a new health syndrome in town that you need to know about.

The American Heart Association predicts that a third of all adults in the United States are at risk of developing this syndrome, which they say can negatively affect almost every major organ in the body.

The syndrome involves an “overlap” of four major diseases we already know about.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Peak Organic Alkalizing Greens^™

At birth your body’s pH is balanced. But starting immediately acid waste builds up and starts to shift your pH level from healthy alkaline to unhealthy acid. If your body is too acidic it provides the right terrain for germs to thrive. To add insult to injury… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What is CKM syndrome?

CKM syndrome, or cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, acknowledges the shared risk factors for cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, Type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

You may already know that Type 2 diabetes and obesity are part of a cluster of conditions that make up metabolic syndrome.

According to the AHA, one in three U.S. adults has three or more of these risk factors, and combining metabolic syndrome with kidney disease can be deadly.

These conditions not only overlap, but one can cause another, and so on. They also increase the risk for heart-related problems including stroke, heart attack and heart failure.

In fact, for people with chronic kidney disease, the most frequent cause of death is cardiovascular disease.

CKM affects nearly every major organ in the body, including the heart, brain, kidneys and liver.

Its biggest impact is on the cardiovascular system. It affects heart muscle function, the rate of fatty buildup in the arteries and electrical impulses in the heart.

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The stages of CKM syndrome

In its recently released Presidential Advisory, the AHA outlines four progressive stages of CKM.

Determining where someone stands in this hierarchy can help determine their level of risk for CKM and what actions to take.

One thing you should know, though: this isn’t just for “older folks.” The AHA recommends that screening for signs of CKM should begin as early as age 30.

• Stage 0. You have no risk factors. The goal at this stage is preventing CKM syndrome by achieving and maintaining ideal health based on the American Heart Association’s Life’s Essential 8 recommendations. Eat a heart-healthy diet and be active for at least 30 minutes per day.
• Stage 1: There are early warning signs of CKM. You may have excess body fat, especially belly fat (visceral fat). You may also have prediabetes. To prevent moving to Stage 2, follow the prevention recommendations for Stage 0 and lose at least 5% of your body weight.
• Stage 2: You’re starting to show risks of CKM, including kidney disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. You probably have developed kidney disease. To keep from getting to Stage 3, get your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar checked by a doctor yearly, and follow your doctor’s instructions to keep kidney disease from getting worse.
• Stage 3: You’re starting to see heart and blood vessel problems. Prevention is the same, but don’t be fooled; while you may not have clear symptoms of heart disease, your blood vessels are starting to feel the strain.
• Stage 4: You now have clear signs and symptoms of cardiovascular disease. You may have had a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure. In stage 4a, your kidneys haven’t failed… yet. In stage 4b, you’re looking at kidney failure.

The four diseases included in CKM syndrome are not new. What’s new is that the AHA has officially grouped them into a condition of their own. This can help inform doctors on how to treat patients with these conditions.

If you have any of these conditions and start following these recommendations today, you might never have to experience any part of CKM syndrome. And if you do, you’ll have some clear guidance on how to keep living and even reversing these conditions.

Sources:

Third of all adults across US at risk of developing major new heart syndrome — MSN.com

Heart disease risk, prevention and management redefined — American Heart Association

What you need to know about CKM syndrome — American Kidney Fund

Cardiovascular-Kidney-Metabolic Health: A Presidential Advisory From the American Heart Association — Circulation

The post Kidney disease and cluster conditions lead to dangerous heart syndrome appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

Enjoyable, maybe.

But healthy? Not with the alcohol content, for sure.

However, the truth is that the bitter agent used to flavor beer — called hops — has been shown to offer some serious health benefits.

In fact, studies show that hops can help blast fat, boost heart health, fight the fat in fatty liver disease and even provide relief from menopausal symptoms.

Now researchers say hops could have the power to beat back a condition that destroys the health of over one-third of Americans…

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Hops’ secret power over metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of conditions including abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, low levels of “good” cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides.

If you can put a checkmark by two conditions on that list, you’re doctor may have already told you that you have metabolic syndrome — and that you face a higher risk of cognitive decline, ischemic stroke, heart trouble and blood sugar problems.

The good news: It’s reversible. Both the Mediterranean diet and aerobic interval training can beat it back to full remission. But that’s not always so easy, and luckily researchers have continued to look for less intensive ways to dial back the risk of metabolic syndrome.

That’s where hops come in…

Since hops have been shown to have an effect against some of those issues, researchers at Oregon State University, decided to pit one compound in hops that has shown promise in previous research — tetrahydroxanthohumol or TXN — against a mouse model of metabolic syndrome to see what it could do.

TXN is a powerful flavonoid in the family of polyphenol plant compounds. Other kinds of flavonoids are found in foods like berries, vegetables, chocolate and tea.

So what power does TXN have over metabolic syndrome?

It dramatically reduces the population of Oscillibacter in the gut microbiome (just one more hidden way the gut affects health in a major way). And Oscillibacter is an unhealthy bacteria that not only promotes inflammation in fatty tissue — it’s also a driver of metabolic syndrome.

When TXN blocks Oscillibacter, it significantly improves glucose metabolism. That means a lower risk of insulin resistance as well as weight gain that often goes hand in hand with metabolic syndrome. It also guards against its negative effects on the heart and brain.

Peak Golden Oil^™

Support for Inflammation and Optimal Immune Balance!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Leveling up your flavonoid protection

Clearly, the compound found in beer can provide some powerful health benefits — but I would never recommend throwing back a couple of beers every day to keep metabolic syndrome at bay, even to reduce the two-fold increase for stroke.

However, hops are also a key ingredient in non-alcoholic beer and should pass on the same health benefits — without the downside of alcohol. Hops is also available in supplement form.

And those other sources of flavonoids I mentioned earlier have some clout when it comes to metabolic syndrome.

TXN may be unique to hops, but other classes of flavonoids support metabolic and cardiovascular health, vascular function and glycemic control.

Berries are my favorite source of one particularly powerful group of flavonoids known as anthocyanins. Take the Aronia berry. It’s brimming with enzymes that slow the absorption of sugar in the bloodstream after eating. That makes it especially valuable in the battle against metabolic syndrome.

Sources:

Compound derived from hops reduces abundance of gut microbe associated with metabolic syndrome — EurekAlert!

Metabolic Syndrome — Mayo Clinic

The healthy hops habit that blasts fat — Easy Health Options

One more reason to use hops for menopause relief — Easy Health Options

8+ ways an ingredient in beer can boost your health and fight cancer — Easy Health Options

Hops compound may fight fatty liver — Easy Health Options

The post How beer can beat back a common stroke syndrome appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

I always feel a little guilty when I snack outside of mealtimes. But I’m far from alone. According to one survey, nearly 3 in 4 Americans report snacking at least once a day, most frequently in the afternoon.

Snacking in and of itself isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Unfortunately, we don’t always choose the healthiest options as the day goes on. The same survey found people’s snacking choices tend to get less healthy later in the day, with 40 percent of people who snack in the evening picking savory or salty snacks and 38 percent opting for candy, chocolate or other sweet treats.

But if we eat healthy most of the time, having an occasional indulgent snack should be fine, right?

Not so fast…

Peak Vitality^™

Your adrenal glands support essential functions from metabolism to stress response. But when they become fatigued, problems with sleep quality, unwanted weight gain, moodiness, energy levels and more can take your vitality for a dive. Nutrients called “adaptogens” help restore balance and improve… MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Unhealthy snacking can tank otherwise healthy eating habits

Researchers in the U.K. analyzed the snacking habits of 854 people from the ZOE PREDICT study.

Not surprisingly, results found that 95 percent of those in the study snacked. Their average daily intake was 2.28 snacks a day, and snacking contributed 24 percent of their daily energy intake.

But the quality of those snacks made a bigger difference than anyone probably expected to see…

People who frequently ate high-quality snacks like nuts and fresh fruit were more likely to have a healthy weight compared not only to those who snacked on unhealthy foods — but also to those who didn’t snack at all. Healthy snacks also resulted in better metabolic health and reduced hunger.

However, 26 percent of participants reported eating healthy main meals and poor-quality snacks like highly processed foods and sugary treats. These unhealthy snacks left people feeling hungry and were linked with…

• higher BMI;
• greater visceral fat mass;
• and higher post-meal triglycerides.

All these markers are associated with metabolic diseases such as stroke, cardiovascular disease and obesity.

The most popular snacks were cookies, fruit, nuts and seeds, cheese and butter, cakes and pies and granola or cereal bars. Cakes and pies contributed the most to calorie intake, followed by breakfast cereals, ice cream and frozen dairy desserts, donuts and pastries, candy, cookies and brownies and nuts and seeds.

Also, snacking after 9 p.m. was deemed to have the absolute worst effects. Cheating this late in the evening was connected with poorer blood markers compared with all other snacking times. Those who snacked at this time also tended to eat energy-dense foods high in fat and sugar.

“This study contributes to the existing literature that food quality is the driving factor in positive health outcomes from food,” says Dr. Kate Bermingham from King’s College London and senior scientist at ZOE. “Making sure we eat a balanced diet of fruit, vegetables, protein and legumes is the best way to improve your health.”

Peak Krill Oil^™

Supports Heart Health, Immunity and Moods, Naturally!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

What to snack on, and when

Bottom line: if you’re going to be a snacker, it’s best to reach for something healthy.

For instance, instead of a packet of potato chips, take a handful of crunchy almonds, which studies show can reduce weight, lower cholesterol and slash heart disease risk by 32 percent.

If you’re craving a late-night bowl of ice cream, swap it out for a small bowl of cottage cheese instead. I know it sounds weird, but cottage cheese before bedtime can increase your metabolic rate and improve muscle recovery.

A handful of berries can put you back in control of your cravings — and they are great atop cottage cheese.

Another good way to keep your snacking options healthy is to snack earlier in the day when you’re more likely to make good choices. According to the survey I mentioned earlier, 52 percent of respondents reported having at least one snack in the morning, with a majority (43 percent) of those morning snackers choosing to eat fruit instead of pastries or other less-healthy options.

Sources:

1. A quarter of people are undoing the benefits of healthy meals by unhealthy snacking — EurekAlert!

2. 2022 Food and Health Survey Spotlight: Snacking — Food Insight

The post Snacks that come with a license to cheat appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

That’s why it’s so important to be aware of the risks we all face when it comes to blood clots — from the obvious, like being over 60 years old or smoking, to the sneakier risks like irritable bowel syndrome, cancer treatment or the stagnant blood that leads to clotting when you sit for long periods binge watching your favorite shows.

These are risks shared by both men and women alike. However, for women, there are specific factors that can dramatically increase chances of experiencing a dangerous blood clot — and you need to be aware of them…

Peak Thyroid Support^™

Specially Formulated with Essential Nutrients to Support Healthy Thyroid Function!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The intersection of genes, hormones and health

That’s because according to researchers from Queen Mary University of London, a woman’s risk of suffering a dangerous, or even fatal, blood clot can increase significantly due to any combination of three common factors:

• A gene mutation
• Hormone therapy (including birth control use and hormones given during menopause)
• Medical conditions

So let’s break down the problems you need to be on the lookout for to protect yourself from blood clots…

The researchers discovered that women with a Factor V Leiden (FVL) gene mutation are at significantly higher risk of blood clots.

According to the Mayo Clinic, FVL is a mutation of one of the clotting factors in the blood that raises the risk of developing abnormal clots, most commonly in the legs or lungs.

A woman who inherits FVL from just one parent will have a five percent chance of developing an abnormal blood clot by age 65. However, if they received a faulty gene from both parents, the chances of developing a clot are much higher.

And here’s where things get worse…

For a woman who not only carries the FVL mutation but is also taking estrogen or living with another health condition — including obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and kidney disease — the risks they face are even more pronounced.

Peak Blood Flow^™

Supports Healthy Circulation to your Heart, Brain, Lungs, Eyes and Extremities!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

A blood clot risk up to eight times greater

The Queen Mary researchers were able to show that women with the FVL gene mutation, who had been prescribed estrogen, had more than double the risk of blood clotting compared to women without this mutation.

And frighteningly, they found that almost 20 percent of women who carry the FVL mutation, were prescribed estrogen and had two of the medical conditions above suffered a blood clot.

This was a substantial increase in risk from FVL, since only 5 percent of women without the mutation who took estrogen and had two of those medication conditions suffered a clotting event.

But hold onto your hat because as the conditions add up, so do the risks…

The study also found that when the number of medical conditions a woman had went to three, her blood clot risk was five times greater. And when the number of medical conditions rose to four, her blood clot risk was a whopping eight times greater!

Reducing a woman’s blood clot risks

So how do you know if you’re at a higher risk of blood clotting?

According to Professor Sir Mark Caulfield, from Queen Mary University of London, “Genetic testing of the FVL gene mutation could give a clearer sense of someone’s personalized risk of this potentially fatal complication if they were prescribed estrogen.”

Beyond testing for the FVL mutation, it’s also important to practice healthy habits at home.

These include:

• Avoiding a sedentary lifestyle and staying active
• Quitting smoking
• Managing your blood pressure

You should also familiarize yourself with the four symptoms of a blood clot that should never be ignored so that you know when to seek help.

A few extra steps you could take include:

• Follow a healthy diet. Even though diet has not been found to protect against stroke (which results from a clot), following a healthy diet could lower clot risk by helping to avoid the metabolic syndrome-related conditions that can make the FVL mutation especially dangerous.
• If you take estrogen, talk to your doctor about the impact of continuing or discontinuing the therapy based on your health status.
• Some foods may be helpful. Natto is a popular Japanese dish made from fermented soybeans that promotes normal blood flow. 

Sources:

Women given new insight into blood clot risk – EurekAlert!

Factor V Leiden – Mayo Clinic

The post 3 factors that dramatically increase women’s blood clot risk appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If you’re an older man, this scenario may be all too familiar. You’re experiencing what’s known as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) such as weak stream and frequent nighttime urination, or nocturia.

LUTS is usually associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a condition in which the prostate becomes enlarged and makes it difficult to urinate or completely empty the bladder. However, age-related bladder changes, metabolic syndrome and vascular disease also can contribute to LUTS.

Moderate to severe LUTS has been linked to an increased risk of death in previous studies. But it was unclear whether improving these symptoms had any impact on that higher death risk — until now….

Peak Prostate Support^™

Men are less attentive to their health than they should be. Here are signs to be aware of:
    • Uncomfortable urgency
    • Weak urine stream
    • Burning sensation in your groin
    • MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

The danger of lower urinary tract symptoms

Researchers analyzed data on 3,046 men aged 50 or older with moderate to severe LUTS from the Medical Treatment of Prostate Symptoms trial. The participants were randomly assigned to receive active treatment with LUTS medications or an inactive placebo. Medications used in the study were the alpha-1 blocker doxazosin, the 5-alpha reductase inhibitor finasteride or a combination of the two.

During the two-year follow-up period, the researchers used the AUA Symptom Score to rate the impact of LUTS symptoms on a scale of 0 to 35. Follow-up data were used to determine the connection between reduction in urinary symptoms and death risk after an average of six years.

Results showed that for each one-point reduction in symptom score, the risk for death decreased by 4 percent. The more symptoms were reduced, the greater the reduction in death risk, with a 10-point reduction in LUTS symptoms correlating with a 35 percent decrease in death risk.

While the men assigned to all three active treatment groups showed significant reductions in mortality risk, the placebo group did not.

The researchers note that urinary symptoms are typically regarded as a “benign condition” that’s only treated when it becomes a problem for the patient.

“The findings suggest that we may need to view urinary symptoms differently, possibly with an emphasis on earlier treatment,” says lead author Dr. Blayne Welk of Western University and Lawson Health Research Institute in Canada.

The researchers stress that the study cannot determine a causal relationship between improved LUTS symptoms and subsequent death risk and that further study is needed. They also observe that the study did not evaluate the impact of other treatment options, including newer types of selective alpha blockers.

Peak Maximum Endurance^™

Supports Improved Oxygen Levels… Healthy Circulation… and Balanced Hormones for Better Overall Health!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Natural ways to keep your prostate healthy

If you decide to ask your doctor about medication for LUTS or BPH, you should know that studies have linked 5-alpha reductase inhibitors like finasteride with an elevated risk of diabetes. Your doctor will want to consider your health history before choosing that path.

There are other medications but they too have side effects to be weighed. For those reasons, some men choose a natural approach.

For instance, diet can influence prostate health. Some foods should be avoided, while other foods may help shrink the prostate.  Research shows that a diet rich in whole fruits, vegetables and healthy fats (sounds like the Mediterranean diet!) can improve prostate health and BPH.

Several supplements have a reputation for relieving LUTS as well, most notably saw palmetto. Studies have confirmed the effectiveness of saw palmetto in promoting prostate health, relieving the excessive need to urinate (especially at night) and enhancing urinary flow. Others include pygeum, stinging nettle and beta-sitosterol.

Consider drinking green and black tea regularly (but avoid drinking anything close to bedtime). A study conducted by researchers at Winthrop University Hospital in Garden City, New York, evaluated the impact of green and black tea on a small group of men (46) with LUTS. The men who had taken the tea mixture showed an improvement in LUTS (including improved urinary flow and reduced inflammation) and quality of life in as little as six weeks when compared with placebo.

And last but not least, regular exercise is also important for keeping your prostate healthy. The more active you are, the lower your risk of BPH or prostate problems.

Sources:                                                                                                        For older men, treating urinary symptoms may lead to lower mortality risk — EurekAlert!

The Reduction of Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Is Associated With a Decreased Risk of Death — The Journal of Urology

The post Ignoring these bathroom symptoms can cut your life short appeared first on Easy Health Options®.

If so, you probably already know that while the syndrome is a cluster of risk factors, it’s not really a disease.

Not so scary then, right?

Wrong!

In fact, according to Swedish researchers, metabolic syndrome could have you on the fast track to a heart attack.

And the only way to know the danger you’re headed is to count your warning signs…

Peak Organic Superfruits^™

Blend of anthocyanin-rich, organic fermented fruits — including Aronia, Acia, Blueberry, Pomegranate and Plum — that can help clobber insulin resistance, and keep you healthy. MORE⟩⟩

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Feeling fine is no protection

 “Many people in their 40s and 50s have a bit of fat around the middle and marginally elevated blood pressure, cholesterol or glucose but feel generally well, are unaware of the risks and do not seek medical advice,” said study author Dr. Lena Lönnberg .

“This scenario, called metabolic syndrome, is a growing problem in Western populations where people are unknowingly storing up problems for later in life. This is a huge missed opportunity to intervene before heart attacks and strokes that could have been avoided occur.”

So the researchers set out to quantify the link between completely asymptomatic metabolic syndrome in midlife and heart disease and death up to three decades later.

All in all, the team followed over 34,000 people in their 40s and 50s at the time the study began. Every person went through the usual suspects of weighing, measuring, blood pressure and blood work, as well as questionnaires regarding lifestyle factors and disease history.

The researchers then classified who had metabolic syndrome based on whether or not they had three or more of the following signs:

1. Waist circumference of 40.2 inches or above for men and 34.6 inches or above for women
2. Total cholesterol 6.1 mmol/l or above
3.  130 mmHg or higher systolic blood pressure and/or 85 mm Hg or higher diastolic blood pressure
4. Fasting plasma glucose 5.6 mmol/l or higher

Then they matched each person living with metabolic syndrome with a healthy control subject to see who fared better over the next few decades.

And the results were clear…

Living with metabolic syndrome presents a real and present danger to your life, even if you feel perfectly healthy.

Heart attack, stroke and earlier death

The results showed that compared to the control group, people with asymptomatic metabolic syndrome:

• Had a 30 percent higher risk of death during the average 27-year follow-up period;
• Had a 35 percent increased chance of heart attack and stroke;
• And suffered heart attacks an average of 2.3 years earlier.

According to the researchers, blood pressure was the riskiest component, especially for women in their 40s.

When asked what advice she would give based on this research, Dr. Lönnberg concluded: “The results underline the importance of early detection of risk factors through health screening programs so that preventive actions can be taken to prevent heart attack, stroke and premature death. As a general rule of thumb, even if you feel well, check your blood pressure every year, avoid smoking, keep an eye on your waist circumference and last, but definitely not least, be physically active every day.” 

Peak D3^™

Gives You the Vitamin D3 You Can’t Get From Sunshine Alone!

Buy Now!

⟨www.PeakNatural.com⟩

«SPONSORED»

Beating back metabolic syndrome

In addition to Dr. Lönnberg’s recommendations, studies have given us a few more promising ways to defeat metabolic syndrome.

These include:

• Switching up your sweetener – Stevia not only helps you avoid the dangers of sugar, but it has pharmacological and therapeutic activity that makes it an excellent natural alternative for treating disorders associated with metabolic syndrome.
• Time-restricted eating – Intermittent fasting, such as eating only in a 10-hour window, has been shown to reverse metabolic syndrome in mice.
• Eating blueberries –Research at the University of East Anglia shows that eating a cup of blueberries per day can help you master your metabolic syndrome and significantly reduce your heart disease risk.
• Taming with tea – Hibiscus tea is known to improve several biomarkers of metabolic syndrome and can be a tasty way to improve your health daily.
• Avoid a vitamin D deficiency – Researchers from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Sichuan University in China found that vitamin D deficiency sets off a chain reaction that leads to metabolic syndrome in mice. And they think it probably occurs in people too. Here’s what happens…

Sources:

Cluster of slightly unhealthy traits linked with earlier heart attack and stroke – EurekAlert!

The post 3+ signs you’re headed for an early heart attack appeared first on Easy Health Options®.