Herbal Extracts Plus Blog

Super Bowl Sunday is second only to Thanksgiving when it comes to food consumption. Score big points with a healthy menu that's still fun and delicious: Bench the chips—Serve alternatives like light popcorn (no added butter, please), baked crisps and crackers (whole grain) or unsalted nuts. Dump the dip—Hummus, salsa, guacamole and plain yogurt are all great alternatives to sour cream-based dips. Try dipping with raw veggies; they're crisp, delicious and super healthy.  Run a reverse—Instead of using beef in your chili, choose extra-lean turkey or chicken or high protein low-fat soy crumbles.

According to a study conducted by Boston’s Tufts University Human Nutrition Research Center on Ageing and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, evidence of Açai’s potential neuro-protective effects was demonstrated on mouse brain cells, suggesting the berry’s pulp could “combat some of the inflammatory and oxidative mediators of ageing at the cellular level.”  With the appearance of a purple grape and taste of a tropical berry, Açai fruit (pronounced ah-sigh-ee) has been shown to have powerful antioxidant properties with a high level of anthocyanins, the pigments also present in red wine. In other, in vitro studies, Açai extracts, as well as individual Açai flavonoids, have exhibited anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antioxidant and certain neuro-protective properties. In the current study, the researchers pretreated the BV-2 microglial brain cells (a type of immune cell in the brain that protects neurons from oxidative stress and inflammation) with Açai pulp fractions. Under a highly activated state caused by stressors such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which produce inflammatory molecules, which in turn lead to the death of  neurons, the pretreated microglial cells with Açai pulp had significant effect on pro-inflammatory markers. Pretreatment of mouse brain cells with the Açai “significantly attenuated” the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced production of pro-inflammatory molecules. The findings, which were published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, suggest that pretreatment of BV-2 microglial cells with Açai may be protective against LPS-induced reactive nitrogen species, as well as expression of pro-inflammatory mediator proteins.  The scientists concluded that the results suggest consumption of Açai pulp “may contribute to ‘health span’ in ageing, as it is able to combat some of the inflammatory and oxidative mediators of ageing at the cellular level.” However, in order to determine if Açai is able to reverse or allay age-related motor or cognitive deficits, experiments are planned for aged rats, and human studies have also suggested the fruit can increase cellular protection from reactive oxygen species and address joint pain perception.

Sources: Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry and NutraIngredients

Just because it’s freezing cold or snowing outside doesn’t mean you can’t keep moving. Make the most of the great indoors during inclement weather with jumping jacks, leg lifts, sit-ups or an at-home fitness video. Turn on some lively music, and “dance like nobody’s looking.” Encourage your family to think up active games and join in on the fun. Keep on Moving!

Even if two similar people have the same total cholesterol, one may be at greater risk for heart disease than another. Here's what can influence cholesterol: Family - If one of your parents or siblings has high cholesterol or heart disease, you're at risk for having it too. Total cholesterol is determined by combining your HDL (good) cholesterol and your LDL (bad) cholesterol.  Diet - Processed foods and fatty meats are high in saturated fat, a main contributor to high cholesterol. Exercise - It raises your levels of good cholesterol (HDL) and helps your body operate more efficiently. Talk to your doctor about supplementing your diet with natural plant-based nutrients like healthy fiber in Apple Pectin and Psyllium or foods like Garlic and Cayenne and other herbs in Cholesterol Support.

It can be tempting to focus on just one variable when reading labels to decide if a food is healthy, but even calories don't tell all. It’s also important to choose nutrient-dense foods: A high-fiber, vitamin-rich meal will keep you fuller, longer and help you eat less overall. Nutrition labels list how much of each nutrient is in a serving. Use nutritional labels on your next food shopping trip and see whether you're getting the most bang for your bite! Try replacing some of your empty calories with fresh nutrient-dense foods. Think yellow, orange and green, leafy veggies; fruits, berries and nuts, whole grains, legumes and non-fat dairy. Read those labels and choose wisely to reap the benefits.

While prostate cancer isn’t completely avoidable, health experts tell us that some measures may help reduce the risk: Stay active. Daily exercise improves your overall health and helps keep weight in check. There is some evidence that men who exercise regularly have a lower incidence of prostate cancer, compared to those who don’t. Watch your weight. A sobering fact: Men who are obese when diagnosed with prostate cancer are more likely to have advanced cases, which are more difficult to treat, but eating right and exercising can help to keep off excess pounds. Talk with your physician. Discuss your risk factors (older than 65, African American, obesity, family history of prostate cancer) and learn about pros and cons of screening tests. A digital exam and PSA test are ways to identify cases, but cannot tell about aggressiveness of the disease - thus, the importance of a good doctor-patient relationship. Eat right. Avoid high-fat foods and instead focus on choosing a variety of fruits, vegetables (cruciferous veggies, Cabbage, Broccoli are great) and whole grains. One nutrient that is consistently linked to lower risk is lycopene (according to the Mayo Clinic), which can be found in raw or cooked Tomatoes. When talking to your doctor, don’t forget to ask about supplemental nutrients like lycopene, curcumin, cayenne and broccoli, in Prostate Health Support II.

Breathing Exercises are an ideal way to relieve stress; they’re fast, simple, free and can be performed by almost anyone…anywhere... any time. Here’s How: 1.Sit or stand in a relaxed position. 2. Slowly inhale through your nose (counting to five in your head). 3. Exhale slowly from your mouth (counting to eight in your head). Repeat several times. That’s it!  Tips: As you breathe, let your abdomen expand outward, rather than raising your shoulders. This is a more relaxed and natural way to breathe and helps your lungs fill themselves more fully with fresh air, releasing more “old” air. You can do this just a few times to release tension, or for several minutes as a form of meditation. Difficulty: Easy. Time Required: You decide!

Tips for avoiding dry, itchy skin:  Avoid long baths or showers (water washes away the natural oils) • Don’t use bath oils (they leave a residue that contributes to itching), and bubble bath products may contain alcohol, perfumes or menthol - all potential irritants • Keep water lukewarm (hot may dry the skin) • Use soap (sparingly) and without deodorants, antiseptics and perfume (can be irritants) • Don’t scrub (no rough washcloths or loofahs), and use a soft towel to blot or pat yourself dry • Use a moisturizer after your bath or shower • Don’t scratch (irritates skin further) • Use sunscreen daily on sun-exposed skin (sun dries skin) • Wear cotton next to your skin or synthetics you know are not irritating (wool is often an itch-promoter), and don’t wear itchy clothing or use an itchy blanket • Use mild, unscented laundry detergent and only recommended amount (try rinsing an extra time). Fabric softeners can be irritating, especially those used in the dryer, which don’t rinse out • Avoid extremes of heat and cold (both can be drying), and maintain a comfortable humidity level in your surroundings (30 to 50 percent and use humidifier if necessary) • Keep thermostat as low as is comfortable in the winter (68° to 72° F); skin will be better off in warm clothing.

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Rhode Island indicated that extracts from Red Raspberry (Extract) (RRE) may protect cartilage in joints and influence the severity of arthritis. The Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus) fruit contains bioactive polyphenols including anthocyanins and ellagitannins with reported anti-inflammatory properties. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, arthritis is the leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting some twenty-one million adults, and the number is predicted to rise to sixty seven million adults by the year 2030. Using animal models, the scientists investigated the effects of the Red Raspberry Extract on the development of arthritis following an injection to induce the joint disease. Results from these tests showed that doses of the extracts were associated with a “lower incidence and severity of arthritis, compared to control animals. The study findings, demonstrated that a polyphenol-enriched Raspberry extract was associated with a decrease in the rate of cartilage degradation in a cell study, while data from rats indicated a lower incidence and severity of arthritis. Commenting on the potential mechanism, the scientists proposed that the polyphenols in the extract exert anti-inflammatory effects, and the study provides insights into the fruit’s anti-inflammatory effects, adding to the growing body of biological data on polyphenolic-enriched berry extracts. However, future human clinical studies will be required to establish whether regular consumption of Red Raspberry fruit may have beneficial effects on joint health, and the new study, if reproducible in additional studies - and human studies in particular - could also see Red Raspberry extracts added to the list of potential natural products for joint health. Writing in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the scientists concluded, “At the higher dose, animals treated with RRE had a lower incidence and severity of arthritis compared to control animals. Also, histological analyses revealed significant inhibition of inflammation, pannus formation, cartilage damage and bone resorption”…and... “suggests that Red Raspberry polyphenols may afford cartilage protection and/or modulate the onset and severity of arthritis.”

Sources:  Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry and NutraIngredients

We’ve heard that glutathione is a powerful antioxidant, protecting the body by defending it against unstable molecules called free radicals—troublemakers that are linked to the effects of ageing and may lead to serious disease. However, because glutathione is manufactured inside cells, it is difficult to increase levels directly through glutathione supplements. Nutritional experts suggest supplementing instead with amino acids, cystine, glycine and glutamate, the precursors of this important antioxidant; and consuming foods high in sulphur-containing amino acids can also help boost levels of glutathione. Garlic, Onion, Broccoli, Avocado, Spinach and Asparagus, as well as Green Tea, berries and other substances with polyphenols can all aid glutathione production in the body. When fresh is not available, try supplements from Herbal Extracts Plus.