Counting Down Most of us know by now that antioxidants can help keep the
number of free radicals in your body in check. But does that mean
a handful of supplements a day will do all the work of keeping you
healthy? I'm afraid not. Dietary antioxidants are still thought to be superior
to supplementing. A new study -- using new technology -- has
measured the antioxidant values of over 100 foods. Researchers
were able to calculate not just total antioxidant capacity, but also
the food's potential health benefit based on how they are absorbed
and utilized by the body. The result? A great guideline for menu planning…plus a few
surprises. For example, if I asked you what foods were highest in
antioxidants you might say carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, apples…All
good guesses, and more or less correct. But artichokes? Pinto and kidney beans? How about wild berries?
Pecans? Cinnamon? The list is not exactly what you might have
expected. To check it out in its entirety, click on the following link: http://my.webmd.com/content/article/89/100138.htm?action=related_link The bottom line of this and other studies like it is usually the same:
eat more fruits and veggies. But some scientists and researchers
want to take it even further and find new ways to learn about and
compare the antioxidant content in all sorts of foods. They believe
there is a need to make testing for antioxidant values more uniform
and consistent -- allowing each of us to make the best, most
healthful, and informed decisions about what we eat. I agree. So I was glad to hear that the best and brightest scientific
minds gathered earlier this summer to discuss this issue at the First
International Congress on Antioxidant Methods. The anticipated
publication date for their agreements and findings are due out next
month -- and of course, we'll keep you posted. Of course, one little thing I couldn't help but notice…the attendee
list: The National Institutes of Health, the USDA, the American
Oil Chemists' Society, the Association of Analytical Communities,
as well as a host of universities and food-related organizations. A
good start. But I'm hoping that when the follow-up conference
rolls around next year, we'll see a little more representation of the
natural foods and natural medicine communities as well. In the meantime, check out the link above to view the entire list of
the top 20 antioxidant-rich foods and start incorporating more of
them into your family's meals. While science continues exploring
and investigating to answer what we don't know, we can benefit
from what we DO know starting today. *********************************************
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Setting a tea time Q: I've heard that the most recent recommendations on cholesterol
is to have a level under 100. That scares me -- I'm pretty close to
that, and don't want to be committed to a lifetime of statins. I'm
trying everything I can, including lots of diet and exercise changes.
I understand that green tea can lower cholesterol. I'm a coffee guy
myself, but if it will help, I'm game. Can you confirm if this is
true? JVW: Green tea does appear to have some cholesterol-lowering
benefit. In fact, another study confirming this finding came out just
last month. As you may already know, cholesterol is manufactured
in the liver. It appears that green tea increases the amount of a
specific liver protein that in turn binds to LDL cholesterol and rids
it from the body. But it's important to remember that just like one magic pill won't
do the trick, one cup of green tea a day isn't enough, either. Most
studies have found that it takes at least three to four cups of green
tea per day for significant health benefits. *****************************************
Black-Listed Cancer Treatment Could Save Your Life! The key to stopping many cancers has been around for over 30
years. Yet it has been banned by the very agency designed to
protect your health—the FDA. A German research scientist discovered a natural formula that
could prevent and even cure cancer. Her findings, which were
barred from the medical journals, are now finally available
in an updated English translation. Learn more about this incredible black-listed formula visit: http://www.youreletters.com/t/50520/2873601/645061/0/
(if you can't open here use the HTML links listed below) *******************************************
What is…abdominal aortic aneurysm? A reader who was recently diagnosed with arteriosclerosis found
this on the list of possible complications associated with her
condition, so she wrote in asking us to explain what, exactly, it
entails. Anything with the word aneurysm in it is likely to be scary.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is an abnormal ballooning of the
abdominal portion of the aorta, which is the major artery from the
heart. The exact cause is unknown, but 80 percent of cases are
found in people with atherosclerosis and/or hypertension.
Infection, congenital weakening of the connective tissue of the
artery wall, or in rare cases, trauma, can lead to this condition. These aneurysms can develop slowly over many years, and can
often be detected and treated well before they rupture -- although a
rupture is a serious, life-threatening complication. If you know you
are in a high risk category for this problem, be sure to monitor the
health of your aorta -- all the way through your body, not just near
your heart – and watch out for any signs of this development. Yours in good health,
Amanda Ross
Managing Editor
Nutrition & Healing Sources:
Wu X, Beecher GR, et al. "Lipophilic and hydrophilic antioxidant
capacities of common foods in the United States." J Agric Food
Chem 2004; 52(12): 4,026-4,037 "Antioxidant controversy: Scientists seek measurement standards,"
EurekAlert -- press release (www.eurekalert.org), 6/30/04 Kuhn DJ, Burns AC, et al. "Direct inhibition of the ubiquitin-
proteosome pathway by ester bond-containing green tea
polyphenols is associated with increased expression of sterol
regulatory element-binding protein 2 and LDL receptor." Biochem
Biophys Acta 2004; 1,682(1-3): 1-10 | 
