Health Information Network

The Different Health Benefits of the Acai and the Blackberry

2008-05-22T07:50:00.002+01:00

Of all the fruits on the planet that you can consume, berries are absolutely some of the best. Not only do berries taste absolutely amazing, but they are also filled to the brim with a myriad of different highly potent phytochemicals. These phytochemicals are responsible for a number of different processes in the body that are all intended to normalize health and to improve on overall health.

Berries also tend to be high in fiber, which are the healthy forms of carbohydrates, and relatively low in sugars which make up the unhealthy forms of carbohydrates, meaning that if you eat berries in moderation as part of a healthy diet, you will not have to worry about mood swings or problems with energy.

The best way to consume berries is in their raw, or their most natural state. This is because when you cook berries or otherwise process them to make them edible, many of the beneficial vitamins, nutrients and other healthy ingredients are lost.

If you have trouble consuming enough of these berries in their healthiest form, the next best thing is to turn to vitamin supplement form. Acai berry supplements and blueberry supplements are both available on the market, and while they are not as perfect as the natural, raw berry in delivering vital nutrients, they do offer an exceptional back up plan.

The Acai Berry -

In alternative health circles, the Acai berry is becoming all the rage. Acai is a unique purple berry that is only currently being found in the rainforests of the Amazon. The Acai berry is a fruit that can be found in some of the larger palm trees that are found in this area. Much like the banana, the Acai berry actually grows in bunches in these trees rather than individually as other berries do.

The Acai berry is quickly developing a strong reputation for being a super food, or wonder food. This is because the Acai berry fruit is a truly versatile fruit that offers a consistently growing list of nutrients and other benefits that improve health and a great deal more. The Acai berry fruit is naturally rich in omega fats, electrolytes, amino acids, proteins, anti oxidants and vitamins A, E and B1. For this reason, and the fact that it offers such a complete balance of health benefits and nutrients, the Acai berry is finding its way into the diets of many people who had not previously heard of it.

The Acai berry is finding its way into meat and fish dishes as a natural flavoring agent, and into drinks, breakfasts, bars and shakes to give a serious boost to the body and the immune system. People in North America are just beginning to understand the benefits of the Acai berry, finding that they feel more energetic and healthier when they incorporate it into their diets.

The media is beginning to pick up on the list of health benefits that this unique berry is offering, as many people are amazed by the story of this berry and how powerful it is despite being so small. It has even been discovered that this berry may be powerful enough to destroy cultured Leukemia cells, so the Acai berry may even have more planned up its sleeve than anyone currently realizes.

The Blueberry -

The blueberry is also associated with a myriad of different health benefits. Many people regard the blueberry as a protectant against urinary tract infections, age related conditions of the health, brain damage caused by strokes, cancer, and much more.

Blueberries may also be capable of breaking down the build up of negative forms of cholesterol, which will prevent the onset of stroke or heart disease, or even death.

Compared to forty other fresh vegetables and fruits, the blueberry was ranked #1 according to the HNRCA, the USDA Human Nutrition Center. This is because blueberries are full of a number of phytochemicals. One such phytochemical is anthocyanins, which is the pigment that is responsible for lending blueberries their vibrant color.

Blueberries also contain Vitamin A and Vitamin C, along with potassium, zinc, calcium, iron and magnesium. Blueberries are high in fiber but low in calories, and what this means is that they are healthy to eat whenever you see fit.

Blueberries make an excellent snack in their raw, fresh form. You can also dice them up and mix them with smoothies or shakes, pancake mix, or just toss a handful into your cereal in the morning. Any time you can incorporate blueberries into your diet, you should, as they really pack a punch when it comes to keeping your body healthy.

Berries are always an exceptional addition to one's diet, as they provide a seemingly endless number of nutrients, vitamins and health benefits.

Two excellent examples of what berries can do for your health are the Acai berry and the Blueberry. Both of these berries are packed with nutrients, phytochemicals, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and a great deal more.

Consuming these berries in their most natural form possible is an excellent way to get the nutrients that you need for optimum health as well as to ward off disease, stress and fatigue.

When berries cannot be consumed in a raw or natural form, then taking supplements is ideal. Blueberry and Acai berry supplements are both available and provide all of the nutrients that these berries are known for offering without sacrificing anything that they offer in the processing and cooking process.

For more details on the Acai: Acai Health News
For more details on the Blueberry: Blueberry

Don't buy Spray-Dried Acai or Acai Extract supplements

2008-04-09T14:19:00.001+01:00

Acai berry supplements have become very popular lately with everyone jumping on the Acai bandwagon. Most of them though are using poor Acai to make them though.

read more | digg story

RecipeBank.net: A Superfood: Acai Berry: Recipes, Parties, and More! Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner!

2008-04-07T09:52:00.000+01:00

RecipeBank.net: A Superfood: Acai Berry: Recipes, Parties, and More! Recipes for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner!

So what’s all this fuss about the Acai berry?

2008-03-17T22:23:00.003Z

Well, health fads aside this humble berry from the Amazon seems to have been causing quite a stir over the last months.

What with the coverage on Oprah, reports in the press, I thought that I’d better take a deeper look.

Much of the fanfare about the Acai berry seems to have begun when a certain Dr. Nicholas Perricone featured it in his book "The Perricone Promise". Dr. Perricone is regarded as an expert of the causes of aging, is a certified clinical and research dermatologist, and has published several books on healthier living.

In his book “The Perricone Promise”, Dr Perricone goes on to list the top “Superfoods”.

Now a superfood isn’t what you regard as your favourite snack. A superfood is a food that is packed with a high volume of essential antioxidants, vitamins, minerals etc that help to sustain a healthy body and mind.

Well in his top ten list, guess what is number one? You guessed right, the Acai berry:

“Superfood # 1: Açaí, Nature’s Energy Fruit"

" It may seem odd to start this list of superfoods with one you’ve likely never even heard of. But studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! Açaí is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree. Harvested in the rain forests of Brazil, açaí tastes like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate. Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature’s perfect energy fruit. Açaí is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Although açaí may not be available in your local supermarket, you can find it, often in juice form, in several health food and gourmet stores.”

Well once his book hit the New York Times # 1 Best Sellers list, Acai products appeared seemingly overnight. Everyone wanted an Acai ‘hit’.

So, is Dr. Perricone’s insightfulness valid? Is the Acai worth the number one superfood spot?

After trawling through various obviously disguised sales sites looking for information, I did manage to discover links to some valid scientific research, which seems to support the very high antioxidant value of the Acai. (Research on antioxidants are indicating that they may help to slow down the effects of aging).

When measuring antioxidant values of food, scientists use something called the ‘ORAC’ (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) number. The higher the ORAC number the more antioxidant quality the particular food has. (Other benefits connected to high ORAC values include the opportunity to combat long-term memory loss; slow down the deterioration of learning ability; boost brain cell activity; and prevent oxygen damage in different parts of the body, such as the capillaries (tiny blood vessels).

Checking various sources confirmed that the Acai has indeed the highest ORAC number.

However, while doing my research I discovered that there are startling differences in the potency of Acai depending on how it has been processed before manufacture. It seems that the ‘normal’ way of processing fruits or herbs for manufacturer as a supplement or drink destroys much of the Acai goodness.

There is a different way of preserving the fruit for manufacture which is ‘freeze drying’, but that is used rarely as it greatly adds to the cost of the finished product. (Dr. Perricone himself recommends the freeze dried kind).

What’s the difference? Well, Acai processed normally may have an ORAC score of 1000 per 100 grams. Freeze dried acai has an ORAC score of 34,000 per 100 grams. In fact, the ORAC score is higher in freeze-dried than the fresh fruit.

What does that mean for you? Well the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) recommends a daily ORAC intake of between 3000 and 5000. The average American takes less than 1000 – a desperate shortfall.

So my advice to you would be to make certain that if you want to use Acai, make sure that is the freeze dried kind.

Happy health,

Simon Kirby

Endurance Secrets of the Aztec Warriors and San Hunters Harnessed to Create Energy Boosting Weight Loss Supplement

2005-03-24T11:22:00.000Z

Two native remedies used by South American Aztecs, and South African Bushmen, have been used to make a product that creates energy while acting as an appetite suppressant.

One of the ingredients is already a best seller, Hoodia Gordonii. But the second will probably be unknown to many, unless you live in the south west of Mexico, Chia.

Aztec warriors used Chia as a high energy source on their conquests, while Hoodia Gordonii has been used by the South African Bushmen for generations.

Two ancient native remedies used by the Aztecs of South America, and the San Bushmen of Southern Africa, have for the first time been combined to create a product that claims to create energy while acting as an appetite suppressant.

One of the ingredients has already proven to be a Worldwide best seller, Hoodia Gordonii. But the second will probably be unknown to many, unless you live in the south west of Mexico, Chia.

Chia (Salvia Hispanica) was cultivated for centuries by the Aztecs of Mexico and the Indians of the Southwest of America, these tiny seeds forming part of their staple diet. In fact they were so highly prized that for a time they were used as currency.

Aztec warriors were said to use Chia to as a high energy 'supplement' on their conquests. The Indians of the south west would eat as little as a teaspoon full when going on a 24 hour forced march.

In fact Chia is still a traditional food of the Tarahumara and Chumash peoples of Chiuahua, in the south western part of Mexico. They roast, crush, and mix the seeds with water to make a Gel, which they call their 'running food'.

Today, Chia seeds are still consumed by small groups of people. Mixed in a lemonade it is made into a refreshing beverage in the Southern USA (California and Arizona) as well as in Mexico, Guatemala and Nicaragua.

It is interesting that 500 years later, modern science has concluded that Pre-Columbian diets were superior to present diets. Forced into obscurity, Chia seeds now offer a new opportunity to improve human nutrition by providing a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and dietary fiber.

For anybody concerned with obesity or over eating, Hoodia Gordonii should on the other hand be well known to them. The Hoodia Gordonii cactus like plant has been used by the South African San Bushmen for generations.

Through experience and folklore the San Bushmen discovered that Hoodia Gordonii was a natural appetite suppressant and thirst quencher, and ideal support during their long and arduous hunting trips.

The medicinal use of Hoodia is also long known by the indigenous populations, who use these plants for treating indigestions and small infections.

The first human clinical trials with Hoodia Gordonii were conducted on an obese group of people who were confined in a special closed unit. All the volunteers could do was read, watch television, and eat. Half were given the Hoodia Gordonii, half a placebo. Fifteen days later, the group taking the Hoodia Gordonii appetite suppressants had reduced their calorie intake by 1000 a day.

Despite having all the food they could want and eat, the volunteers taking Hoodia Gordonii lost weight ... without the hunger pangs and anguish you might normally feel.

Paul Pearson, CEO of Advanced Dietary Formulas who’s leading brand ‘Pure Herbal Extracts’ has brought out this new product, said recently:
“It seemed the ideal marriage. Although Hoodia is known to create energy as well as appetite suppressing qualities, a main challenge facing dieters is a lack of energy which unfortunately contributes to low morale and diet failure.”

“And combining these two herbal ingredients actually seems to boost the effectiveness of either ingredient if otherwise taken separately.”

Asked about the mass of Hoodia based products currently available:

“It’s a shame, or should I say ‘sham’. Many of these products mislead the consumer, use low grade Hoodia or worse, Hoodia sourced from the China or elsewhere (only Hoodia Gordonii from Southern Africa has been shown to be truly effective), don’t offer certification, or trick the people by using fake ‘consumer report sites.”

“One of the biggest challenges we have is to educate people in how to spot the ‘genuine article’, and benefit from what can be quite honestly a fantastic product. ”

This new product hasn’t quite escaped the marketing men, and has been named ‘Chia Fat Blaster Plus’, and has already started bringing positive feedback from customers.

To find out more about Chia Fat Blaster Plus, and for wholesale or retail enquiries, please visit http://www.pureherbalextracts.com/

Hoodia Gets 'Dirty' ~ How to buy only genuine Hoodia products

2005-03-23T12:07:00.000Z

What is promised to be a great treatment for one of the western world’s fastest growing diseases, obesity, is also turning in to a marketing catfight.

For the uninitiated, Hoodia Gordonii was identified by the South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in the 1960’s as a potential appetite suppressant.

Used for generations by Kalahari Bushmen for generations as a way of defeating hunger on long and arduous hunting trips, the CSIR worked with a UK company Phytopharm to identify the active ingredient in Hoodia. This they did, and Phytopharm named this ‘miracle molecule’ P57 (it was their 57th ‘discovery).

With Unilever now in partnership with Phytopharm to commercialise Hoodia, it promises to be a great support in the battle to stick to a healthy eating plan.

Now although P57 is patented, the plant itself can not be, which has led to a deluge of manufacturers of natural herbal supplements all producing Hoodia products, and causing a mass market confusion in it’s wake.

One of the worst examples of this is the growing number of so called ‘Hoodia consumer websites’. The emphasis should be on ‘con’ in consumer, as these are mostly run by Hoodia manufacturers themselves, hidden under different identities.
They claim to compare different brands under carefully selected criteria, with their brand of course at the number one position.

With new comparison sites coming out every few weeks, the best advice is simply to discount them, and then make your own mind up about whether you can trust the brand.

Another tactic that is confusing the consumer is the supposed differences in the quality of other brands. The most common is to do with the term ‘extract’. Some companies claim that they sell an extract which is more powerful than non-extract products. (What is an extract? An extract is a concentrated from of a herb, that is derived after the crude herb has been mixed with water, alcohol, or another solvent and distilled or evaporated.).

No one is selling Hoodia Gordonii extract, as it would be violating the patent held by CSIR (which has been leased to Phytopharm, who in turn have leased it to Unilever). Any company claiming to sell a Hoodia extract had better watch their step – apart from misleading consumers, Phytopharm and Unilever are unlikely to ignore such blatant patent theft.

Another common deceit is to claim to be 100% Hoodia while selling at what seems a really great low price. How can they do it? Simple – they’re telling the truth. They’re using the whole of the plant, rather than the ‘heart’ of the plant which contains the active ingredient. As the ‘skin’ of the Hoodia can account for as much as 40% of the weight, your 100% pure may only be 60% pure and not quite the bargain that you imagined.

All the ‘Hoodia wars’ seem to be doing is confusing potential customers, who become less able to take an informed decision about which product is best for them. Here are 4 questions that anyone wanting to buy Hoodia should ask, before parting with any money:

1. Is this genuine Hoodia Gordonii from the Kalahari region of Southern Africa? (Hoodia is now being grown in China, Texas and elsewhere, and there is evidence that the Kalahari soil contributes to the effectiveness of the plant)
2. What part of the plant is used? (Remember, it’s only the core of the plant that has been identified as having the active ingredient).
3. Is it an extract or powder? (The right answer is powder).
4. Is it Hoodia GORDONII? (There are many different types of plants in the Hoodia family – it is the Hoodia Gordonii that has been shown to be the appetite suppressant).

And remember:

• If the price is low, likely the quality of the product will be.
• If it’s number one on some consumer comparison chart, what else are they ‘fixing’?
• If they’re vague about their product and simply bombard you with hype – it’s likely the product can’t stand up on it’s own merit.

Meditate Yourself Healthy & Fitter!

2005-02-14T21:09:00.000Z

For centuries, meditation has proven to be a successful method for clearing unneeded stress from the mind, body and spirit. Once looked upon as a weird, New Age-y practice for hippies and the Beatles, meditation is now a favorite stress-relieving technique of doctors and hospitals around the world. Health benefits include lower blood pressure, healthier arteries, and an overall sense of calm.

Meditation is not a magical path to weight loss, but it can be a way to even out your emotions and curb emotional eating. One tip is to take five deep breaths before every meal; this allows the body to relax so that you can eat less and enjoy more, instead of piling your food in as if you were in a race.

To see if meditation is right for you, here are some simple, basic instructions:

1. Sit straight in a comfortable, quiet place.
2. Close your eyes.
3. Relax your muscles.
4. Pay attention to your slow and natural breathing.
5. If you begin having thoughts that distract you, try and simply notice them and return to your concentrated breathing.
6. Continue for 10 to 20 minutes.
7. Try to practice once or twice daily.

Keep in mind that meditation is all about being present, in the moment, without thought of all the worries around you. It allows you to take those 20 or so minutes and concentrate on breathing in and breathing out. Armed with that calming relaxation, you’ll be less stressed, have a clearer head, and be able to make healthier choices as you bustle through your day.

Plan to be Fit and Healthy!

2005-02-14T21:07:00.000Z

Every year, many of us resolve to lose 10 pounds or stop smoking for the new year. Problem is, we seem to be making the same resolution about 364 days later. The key to ending that vicious cycle and actually making healthier choices is to make a commitment to yourself to change, and to make that commitment stick by implementing a plan.

Because we are often creatures of habit, we tend to make decisions based on what is easiest instead of what is beneficial. For example, no matter how many times we hear, or know from personal experience, how much better we feel with just a little more physical activity in our lives, many of us still opt for the elevator over the stairs. The same goes for food – we may know all the perks of nibbling on some freshly frozen veggies, but put a vending machine in our path and it’s over.

That’s why there needs to be a plan.

Outline the Plan: For some, this is the easiest part – for others, it’s a daunting task. Depending on how organized you are, your plan will either be very detailed or just hit on the major points. The main thing is to WRITE IT DOWN! This commits it to paper, and it gives you a base point to touch on when you need some encouragement. Here’s an example:

Lose Weight
A. Ways to Eat Healthier
1. Limit fast food
2. Eat more fruits & veggies
3. Drink more water
B. Ways to be More Fit
1. Join a gym
2. Take the stairs
3. Yoga

See, your plan can be as simple or as complex as you need it to be, as long as it’s realistic.

Know Yourself: You have to know your strengths and weaknesses. If you adore French fries, don’t cut the completely out of your life – limit them to a once a week treat. If you know, however, that eating one brownie will trigger a binge, don’t make brownies. Everything you put in to your body is your choice, so understand the things that are important to you, the things that set you off, and the things you’re really good at.

Forgive Yourself: Whatever your goal, whatever your plan, you will most likely slip up at some point. Don’t let this derail you. Too many times, one cigarette leads to “Well, I smoked – I’m starting again.” Your habit, or your weight, or whatever your trying to change, did not grow in one day – it won’t go away in one either, and one setback is not the end.

Healthy Choices When Taking Diet Supplements

2005-02-13T11:44:00.000Z

Hoodia Gordonii is an appetite suppressant; this means, of course, that it significantly reduces your desire to eat. Does this mean that to lose weight, you should not eat, or that you should eat very little?

No!

Studies have shown that Hoodia Gordonii can reduce the appetite by 2000 calories a day. The “average” person’s calorie intake per day is 2000 calories. Of course, most people who are gaining weight consistently are also consistently eating over that daily allotment. With Hoodia Gordonii, it’s almost like starting with a clean slate; with those 2000 calories worth of food a day suppressed, you’re free to make healthier choices, because you’ll be eating out of necessity, not hunger.

One of the worst things you can do while trying to lose weight is to eat when hungry – that’s just an open invitation to making bad choices. By taking Hoodia Gordonii, your appetite is suppressed, but you CANNOT go without eating to lose weight. Starving yourself, in fact, slows down the weight loss process; when your body isn’t getting enough food, your metabolism slows down, thus slowing down weight loss (and leaving you with all kinds of health problems).

The best way to stay healthy and successfully lose weight is to combine smart food choices, physical activity, and a positive attitude. Smart food choices start with knowing that you don’t have to eliminate any type of food completely. Our bodies need all kinds of food to function; that includes fats, proteins and carbohydrates. Every day, we need some need dietary fat, like that found naturally in fish, oil, nuts and seeds. Protein is an important building block of bones, muscles, cartilage, skin and blood, and is found in poultry, beans, fish, and whole grains. Then, the dreaded carbs – which really shouldn’t be dreaded at all. Complex carbohydrates such as wheat bread and bran cereals, legumes and vegetables, help us to think more clearly and give us more energy. Also, snacking is your friend, as long as you eat healthy snacks – several small “meals” in a day will rev up your metabolism.

What is Hoodia Gordonii?

2005-02-13T11:38:00.000Z

In a society where the newest diet fad is always coming along, claiming to be the only solution to an ever-increasing obesity epidemic, it’s often hard to distinguish the good from the unhealthy – or from the stuff that just doesn’t work. That’s why Hoodia Gordonii is such a new concept – it’s been proven to work as an appetite suppressant, it’s completely natural, and it has absolutely no side effects.

But what is Hoodia Gordonii?

Grown mainly in the Kalahari Desert region of South Africa, Hoodia Gordonii is an all-natural appetite suppressant, derived from a cactus-like plant with prickly spikes. Scientists have been researching the Hoodia plant for almost a decade, and have found it to be completely free of harmful side effects. The way it works is simple -- a previously unknown molecule, dubbed P57 by Britain’s leading pharmaceutical researcher, imitates the effect glucose has on nerve cells in the brain. Basically, it fools the brain into thinking it’s full when it’s not. Results of British clinical trials show a reduction in appetite of up to 2000 calories a day.

As with any appetite suppressant or weight loss plan, however, it is important to understand not just how it works, but how it works in YOUR LIFE. You can suppress your appetite all you want, but you still have to eat healthy, nourishing food to keep your body going. There’s also exercise; even if you currently have no exercise time scheduled into your day, it’s easy to make time for some sort of physical activity, even if you do it sitting at your desk at work. Of course, your mind also plays a role – knowing you can be successful is step number one to losing the weight you want to lose and being the healthy new you.

Find out more about Hoodia here: http://hoodiagordoniidietpills.co.uk

Blueberries - All Round Health Protection!

2005-02-12T21:07:00.000Z

There has been a longstanding belief in natural medicine that there are certain foods that provide more than just dietary value, and are believed to have disease-fighting and healing properties. One of these foods that has been studied and proven to be, among other things, a tasty way to fill up on antioxidants, is the blueberry.

Blueberries have been shown to be good for:

Decreasing your risk of cancer.
Preventing heart disease and stroke by reducing the build up of so-called "bad" cholesterol.
Guarding against Alzheimer's and other neurological diseases
Combating aging and reversing short term memory loss
Relieving arthritis inflammation
Fighting infection and strengthening the immune system
Promoting urinary tract health
Optimizing vision health and reversing the causes of blindness

Probably the most nutrient-laden part of the blueberry is its skin. The dye released from the pigments in the skin of the blueberry, called anthocyanin is the source of the powerful antioxidants used by the body to fight off everything from cancer to heart disease. But, before we go on, what are antioxidants?

Antioxidants, by definition, are “any of various substances (as beta-carotene, vitamin C, and alpha-tocopherol) that inhibit oxidation or reactions promoted by oxygen and peroxides and that include many held to protect the living body from the deleterious effects of free radicals.” What this means is that antioxidants, like those found in blueberries, fight off toxic forms of oxygen. These destructive elements have been linked to at least 60 chronic diseases, as well as to aging itself. Oxygen “free radicals,” which can attack DNA, can also cause DNA to mutate; this mutation is often a starting point for cancer.

A daily serving (1 cup) of blueberries provides:

* 80 Calories with 21g Carbohydrate, 1g Protein, and 0g Fat
* 25% of your day's supply of vitamin C
* 14% of your day's supply of fiber
* 2% of your day's supply of folic acid
* 5486 ORAC Value*

The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity—or “ORAC Value”—of foods is a measurement of the Antioxidant levels. The higher the ORAC Value a food has, the higher the Antioxidants count. It’s believed that foods high in these much-needed vitamins provide the body with a great amount of protection. Blueberries have some of the highest Antioxidant levels with an ORAC Value of 5486.

The exciting news is that YOU can play a part in fighting off the ravages of these unhealthy toxins! Loading up on high antioxidant foods, like blueberries, can significantly lower the effects of these free radicals. By supplying your cells with antioxidant food compounds, you can thwart the progress of unhealthy oxygen molecules and even repair some of their damage.

A recent study involving rats has also shown blueberries to be helpful in slowing down or stopping memory loss and improving short-term memory. In the study, one group of rats was fed a diet high in blueberry content, while the other group was fed a diet of regular rat food. After 48 hours of exposure to unconcentrated oxygen, the regular food group of rats lost responsiveness in the neurotransmitters associated with short-term memory, while the blueberry group experienced no change. Blueberries are being proven to hold off some of the decline in short term memory loss associated with aging by increasing the ability of brain cells to transmit messages.

Antioxidantal prowess, however, is not the blueberry’s only claim to fame. Blueberries can also play a pivotal role in the prevention of vision loss. Anthocyanosides, compounds found in blueberry extract, have been found in studies to decrease loss of sight. Research at Rutgers University in New Jersey has discovered a compound in blueberries that has been shown to increase urinary tract health and reduce the risk of infection. It works by preventing bacteria from adhering to the cells that line the walls of the urinary tract.

So, now you know that there are loads of health benefits to be gathered from blueberries. The trick is knowing what kind of blueberries to eat, and in what form.

The best type of blueberries are Bilberries – these blueberries pack a double whollop of pigment in their flesh and their skin. If you can find them, wild blueberries are also recommended, as they contain less water. Don’t ever discount frozen blueberries, however; frozen or wild, all blueberries contain those sought after antioxidants.

As with any produce purchase, there are some guidelines to follow when you “pick blueberries.” If you’re shopping for fresh blueberries, look for the ones that are dry, plump, firm, and pretty much free from stems or leaves. Also, color is very important and indicates maturity; dark purplish blue to bluish black indicate ripeness, while more reddish blueberries are not mature, but can be used when cooking. Make sure the blueberry containers are free of juice stains; stains are an indication that your fruit may be crushed. If you’re more in the market for frozen berries, remember that, as you feel their bag, they should feel loose, not clumped together.

In 1989, The Foundation for Innovation in Medicine created the term “neutraceutical.” A neutraceutical is defined as “any substance that may be considered a food or part of a food that provides health benefits, including the prevention or treatment of disease.” Blueberries, which have lots off healthy perks like antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, can be seen as a neutraceutical. Though not a miracle food, throwing a cup of blueberries in with some yogurt and making a blueberry smoothie is an easy and great tasting way to make yourself an active participant in the future of your own health.

Find out more here: http://blueberrysupplements.co.uk

Obesity, Weight Loss, and Hoodia Gordonii

2005-02-12T20:57:00.000Z

Obesity has now been recognized as a serious, chronic disease - a disease that affects more people than any other, a disease that can cause serious medical conditions and early death. But if you are overweight or obese - and in the UK only one in three adults isn't - you will know that the negative effects are often more subtle, beginning with social ostracism including lesser chances to find friends or a partner, and more difficulties to climb up the career ladder.
In theory we all know what it requires to lose weight - eat less and have more exercise - but in practice this is not as easy as it sounds. Why else are two thirds of us still struggling with the problem?

This is where Hoodia comes into the picture. By Hoodia I mean extracts from the African cactus-like plant Hoodia Gordonii. For thousands of years the local people in the Kalahari desert have known that they will feel little hunger on their hunting trips, if they chew the inner parts of this plant. Researchers from Government institutes as well as leading international pharmaceutical companies have investigated this claim, and found that Hoodia indeed contains an active ingredient which they named P-57, and which directly influences a part in your brain called hypothalamus to suppress the feeling of hunger.

Ah, diet pills, I hear you say, and based on what has been on the market so far, you are right to be sceptical. However, unlike anything you might have tried before, Hoodia is scientifically proven to be effective in suppressing the feeling of hunger, and it has no known side effects, meaning it is neither stimulating nor addictive. This is important since we all know that it is comparatively easy to loose weight. Keeping it down in the long term is the tough part, but Hoodia can help you with both.

The American Obesity Association, one of the worlds most authoritative sources for information on obesity, lists drug therapy as an effective treatment option to manage weight, and their web site at http://www.obesity.org/ says: "Drug therapy appears to assist in the adherence to dietary therapy (low-fat, low-calorie diet), and may improve maintenance of weight loss."

Unlike anything that has been on the market before, Hoodia is not only an empty promise. Hoodia can help you to loose weight, and to keep it down in the long term. Hoodia delivers!

For the purists, www.hoodiagordoniidietpills.co.uk
For those who are happy to get a modern mix on Hoodia, www.hoodiacactusdietpills.co.uk

Key Elements to Losing Weight Successsfully

2005-02-12T17:05:00.000Z

If you're trying to lose weight, one of the key elements to success is remembering the following phrase:

Food is good!

Oftentimes, dieters are tempted to starve themselves, hoping that less food intake will result in less weight around their bellies (or thighs … or hips …).

In reality, the opposite is true - starving one's self slows down the metabolism, which in turn slows down weight loss, as the body tries to "save itself" by holding on to its weight.

Not eating enough, or only eating one kind of food, such as grapefruit, also decreases your nutritional intake and leaves you unhealthy.

Food is your friend. One of the hardest things about changing your eating lifestyle is breaking out of your food routine. Dieters tend to eat "healthy" foods while dieting, and then they revert back to their "normal" menu once they reach their goal, creating the familiar up and down roller coaster. The trick is to use the "free" calories you get from Hoodia Gordonii - it suppresses up to 2000 calories a day - and experiment with food.

Even if you've never been a vegetable fan, almost everyone can find a combination of fresh vegetables to make a favorite salad; you can even throw in fruit slices, like apples or oranges, to liven it up! Or look for healthy recipes in magazines or on the Internet. Aubergine Parmagiana with low-fat parmigana is JUST AS GOOD if you cook it right.

The point is, there are hundreds of foods that most people have never tried, foods full of great taste and nutritional value. By breaking out of the "food rut," a whole new rainbow of edible excitement can kick start a healthy new lifestyle.

More healthy eating articles here