Mood:  bright

The immune system is where the rubber meets the road, and if you fail to get it in order, your health goes downhill. Start building your immune system by incorporating these seven things to help get you through the winter without wearing a surgical mask on a daily basis.

Get grounded

Grounding, which is simply putting your skin into direct contact with the surface of the Earth, has a host of benefits with one being to the immune system.

Due to its overall anti-inflammatory effects and ability to regulate cortisol secretion, grounding eliminates two important factors that lower your immunity.

If you can't access the Earth barefoot, consider using grounding technology.

Find a good source of vitamin D

If you live in an area with consistent sunlight, all you need to do is get out in the direct sunlight for 20-30 minutes a day. However, during the winter months, it can become increasingly difficult for people further north to access the sun's rays on a consistent basis.

In this case, take a liquid vitamin D supplement for those months of little-to-no sunshine then check into that sunny holiday and stock up on the beach.

Vitamin D is critical for overall immune function.

Take liposomal vitamin C

Vitamin C is a commonly known immune booster and is a product typically stocked up on with the winter season approaching.

This family favorite has now become even more effective with the introduction of liposomal vitamin C. This formulation utilizes consistent 150mm sized liposomes, which facilitates greater absorption of the vitamin C in the formula.

It's one thing to take immune-boosting supplements, and its often quite another to absorb them. Liposomal vitamin C helps address both factors.

Consume medicinal mushrooms
In recent years, scientists have been studying the benefits of medicinal mushrooms on the immune system and have found the key to be connected to their beta-glucan content.

Beta-glucans have been known by scientists as "biological response modifiers" that bind to the surface of immune cells, which gives them better coordination in their attack.

This compound also activates certain immune cells, such as T-cells, macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells and cytokines interleukin 1 and 2. This helps strengthen the immune response to microbial invaders.

Go hard on the garlic

Garlic has been long known for its potent antibacterial, viral and fungal properties, which strengthens the gastrointestinal and immune systems. Making it a part of your food preparation and incorporating it into a tea with lemon and raw honey will give your immune system some more back up.

Get fermenting

Fermented vegetables are loaded with vitamins, minerals, enzymes and probiotics, which are all significant factors in strengthening your immune system. A well-mineralized and balanced inner ecology will go a long way in keeping you from getting sick this winter.

Get enough rest

An often underestimated factor for boosting your immune system is getting enough rest, and at the premiere times of the day.

Since the majority of your energy goes to repair and rejuvenation during sleep, it is one of the most important things to do correctly. This means getting to bed before 11pm to facilitate deep sleep in the early hours of the morning (when the best repair takes place) and allowing at least 7 to 8 hours of solid, relatively uninterrupted sleep (taking no more than 5 minutes to get back to sleep if you wake up).

Incorporating these seven things this winter will give you enhanced immunity to keep you from becoming a victim of a bacterial or viral infection.

Learn more: naturalnews.com

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Sunday, 27 October 2013 02:33 MEST

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Mood:  chatty

Some people like to sweat, and some people just hate it. Those who sometimes enjoy sweating seek out saunas and intense workouts that will help them “break” a sweat, encouraging the release of toxins and a simultaneous release of stress. Others, on the other hand, try to prevent perspiration at every turn by blasting the air conditioning in their vehicles on beautifully warm days and coating on the chemically produced anti-perspirants. But, sweat-haters may want to take heed—recent research has shown that sweat can help us in more ways than one, actually working to keep us healthy while fighting bacteria and fungi.

Antibiotic in Sweat Found to Fend off Bacteria

According to researchers from across Europe, a protein found on human skin and activated when we sweat is able to kill harmful microbes and even fight those that are resistant to traditional antibiotics.

Known as Dermcidin, the protein becomes active when it encounters slightly acidic and salty environments—sweat being the perfect solution. Once activated, it funnels harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungus through its structure, destroying the cells in “fractions of a second,” according to Medical News Today.

This, the researchers say, could offer the key to more effective antibiotics in the future, if they can develop those that would mimic the structure and action of dermcidin.

Read more: naturalsociety.com

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Saturday, 19 October 2013 02:10 MEST

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Mood:  cheeky

So you've received a letter inviting you for screening - for bowel cancer, perhaps, or breast cancer - or your doctor says he needs to check you for the early signs of dementia.

But will these actually help you, or could they end up doing more harm than good?

For while screening can be life-saving, it can also cause anxiety, false positives and lead to tests and treatments - with side-effects - you might never have needed.

All screening programmes - even those approved by the UK National Screening Committee (the official body that assesses which screening is worth offering) - are a mixture of pros and cons.

The problem I find, as a GP, is that the official literature about these programmes highlights potential gains far more than possible downsides.

This is a highly contentious subject. Certain screening programmes, such as breast screening, cause enormous rifts in the medical community, with some doctors saying that it doesn't work and proponents vehemently disagreeing.

So where does that leave you, the patient? First, you need to be clear what screening is. Screening tests are done only where there are no symptoms of disease.   

So if you have a worrying lump or abnormal bleeding, you need to go to your GP for appropriate diagnostic tests.

Unfortunately, every so often I hear about someone who knows she has a lump, for instance, but has waited patiently for a breast screening appointment (all women aged between 50 and 73 are invited for a routine three-yearly mammogram).

This isn't the right kind of appointment. What these women need is not just the mammogram they will get with the screening, but usually an ultrasound and biopsy.

It's also important to understand that not all the tests the NHS is offering have been validated by the UK National Screening Committee.

These experts look at the evidence for screening - just because it sounds sensible to test for diseases before you know you have them, often, when the research is done, the screening just doesn't work.

Read more: dailymail.co.uk

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Wednesday, 25 September 2013 12:12 MEST

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Mood:  bright

Filmed LIVE at the Longevity Now® Conference 2012

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Saturday, 27 July 2013 01:46 MEST

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Mood:  happy

To be sure, exercising outdoors during the winter months in many parts of the country is not easy. Snow, sleet and rain, combined with lower winter temperatures, make it difficult if not impossible to work out in a natural environment, but if you can, you should because it's much better for you in the long run if you do.

"While the allure of the gym - climate-controlled, convenient and predictable - is obvious, especially in winter, emerging science suggests there are benefits to exercising outdoors that can't be replicated on a treadmill, a recumbent bicycle or a track," says The New York Times' Health Blog.

Running outside is much better for your fitness levels. For one thing, you don't run the same inside, on a treadmill, as you do outside, on the ground. Your stride is different, your speed tends to be different (which is to say you tend to run more slowly on a treadmill) so your calorie burn and overall endurance levels take a hit.

When you run outdoors, you flex your ankles differently - you have to, because the contour of the terrain is varied, whereas on a treadmill, if you don't increase the angle, it's the same. Also, when running outside, you can often find yourself running downhill, "a movement that isn't easily done on a treadmill and that stresses muscles differently than running on flat or uphill terrain," the Times said.

And again, studies by the National Institutes of Health found that when running on a treadmill, you expend less energy to go the same distance than if you were running outside. (Tip: If you have to run indoors on a treadmill, bump up the incline to one percent; the NIH says that level more closely resembles running outside).

Cycling outdoors is also more of a workout. Riding a cycling machine in a gym, even if you crank up the resistance, is just not the same as riding a real bike along a real trail that has its ups and downs, for many of the same reasons running outside is better than running on a treadmill, experts say.

According to the NIH, while "the difference between road and laboratory cycling speeds was found to be minimal for small individuals...larger riders would appear to benefit from the fixed resistance in the laboratory compared with the progressively increasing drag due to increased body size that would be experienced in the field."

The larger your body mass, the more wind resistance and, of course, the tougher the ride (which is a good thing if you're trying to achieve fitness and endurance).

You just feel better when you're exercising outdoors. Researchers have shown that those who work out in nature not only achieve better results physically but a) tend to stick with their workout regimen longer; and b) have much better mental fitness and endurance as well.

Volunteers for a number of recent exercise studies were asked to go for two walks for the same amount of time or distance; one inside on a treadmill and the other outside. "In virtually all of the studies," the Times reported, "the volunteers reported enjoying the outside activity more and, on subsequent psychological tests, scored significantly higher on measures of vitality, enthusiasm, pleasure and self-esteem and lower on tension, depression and fatigue after they walked outside."

If you work out in natural surroundings, you'll stick with it longer. Several studies have shown that part of the reason why you become more fit if you exercise outside is because shunning the confines of a temperature-and-environment-controlled gym will make you stick with working out longer, and that you will want to exercise more often.

"It's still a lot of speculation at this point, but if you're having trouble sticking to an exercise routine it might be worthwhile to move those activities outdoors," writes Thorin Klososki at the health blog LifeHacker.com.

Learn more: naturalnews.com

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Wednesday, 17 July 2013 01:22 MEST

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Mood:  special

Ever marvel over friends, family members or colleagues who never seem to get sick? They breeze through flu epidemics, office stomach bugs and colds totally unscathed. It truly makes you wonder: Is there a secret to outstanding health in the middle of the coughing, sneezing and miserably ill masses? Absolutely. But you may be surprised as to the reasons.

Seven compelling healthy habits

In the general scheme of life, there really isn't a magic bullet to great health, although there are certain habits that resilient individuals tend to adopt. Some may be familiar, others a bit more unexpected.

Quality rest

Robust people normally do not burn the midnight oil. Good sleep each night is the foundation for keeping the immune system in top form. Going to bed before 10 p.m. and eliminating exposure to light (especially from computer screens) encourages melatonin production -- fostering sound and rejuvenating rest.

A nutrient-dense diet

Not surprisingly, those who avoid sickness almost always consume high quality food, rich in vitamin C and zinc. In the same way, limited sugar intake is also common. Since refined sugar suppresses the immune system, avoiding it makes sense. People who have strong health generally do not live off frappuccinos or candy bars. In return, they are rewarded with exceptional vitality.

Massage, yoga and acupressure

Stress is the bane of health which silently destroys the immune system. Studies have shown that people who frequently get sick are often the most stressed. Health savvy individuals realize that maintain well-being, stress needs to be managed. Massage is a good option. It lowers blood pressure and anxiety -- effectively reducing tension and stress. Likewise for yoga. Acupressure is another technique known to boost immune response. One point on the body is particularly important -- the thymus. This gland plays a crucial role in the functioning of the immune and lymphatic systems. To stimulate, gently tap the sternum with your index finger 50 times in the morning and evening.

Cold baths

While most of us cringe at the thought of a cold bath, especially in the heart of winter, research confirms that an icy dip significantly boosts the activity of white blood cells -- thereby destroying invading bacteria, viruses and harmful pathogens. Cold showers help to support this defensive process as well. Those who are the most resilient to illness also have a tendency to use cold water to invigorate the system.

A positive attitude

Never underestimate the power of a sunny outlook. A study at the University of Kentucky found that participants who have an optimistic attitude demonstrated heightened cell-mediated immunity. When optimism dropped, so did immune response. As it turns out, the most hardy people also have a tendency to look at the bright side of life. If you need an infusion of positivity, a gratitude journal is a good place to start. Further tips on how to cultivate a grateful orientation can be found here.

Really, there is no need to succumb to all the nasty bugs this season. Armed with these seven habits, you too can be exceedingly robust, resilient and the envy of all those who are sniffling and sneezing away.

Learn more: naturalnews.com

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Sunday, 30 June 2013 01:42 MEST

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Mood:  energetic

Neurotics are often told they will worry themselves into an early grave, but they may have the last laugh after all after scientists found the character trait could be good for your health.

Researchers made the surprising discovery while conducting research into how personality traits may influence underlying biology and predict harmful conditions.

Neuroticism is usually marked by being moody, nervous, and a worrier, and has been linked to hostility, depression, and excessive drinking and smoking.

Researchers had therefore assumed that neurotics would display the highest levels of a biomarker for inflammation and chronic disease, but they were surprised to find they displayed the lowest levels.

Study leader Dr Nicholas Turiano, from the University of Rochester Medical Center, said the result suggested there are a large number of people who are both neurotic and conscientious.

He said: 'These people are likely to weigh the consequences of their actions, and therefore their level of neuroticism coupled with conscientiousness probably stops them from engaging in risky behaviors.'

Read more: dailymail.co.uk

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Thursday, 20 June 2013 01:38 MEST

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Mood:  d'oh

The collective psyche of American society is long overdue for a major paradigm shift in its understanding of fats, inflammation, cholesterol, and the true cause of most chronic illnesses. Even many physicians, who should know better, still argue that cholesterol is evil and that sticking to a low-fat diet is good for health. But the fact of the matter is that avoiding fats is toxic to your health, and consuming the many food additives that commonly replace them - these include synthetic trans fats, refined sugars, and processed grains - are a primary cause of disease-causing inflammation.

It all makes sense if you just stop and consider the native role cholesterol plays in protecting arteries against lesions and other damage. Rather than being the cause of plaque buildup in the circulatory system, cholesterol is actually the healing agent the body sends to sites that have been damaged by inflammation. In other words, if you have too much cholesterol buildup in your arteries, your real problem is too much inflammation rather than too much cholesterol, and a whole different mitigatory approach is required to address the problem.

"It's the inflammation in the vessels that starts the lesion," says Dr. Beverly Teter, a lipid biochemist from the University of Maryland who has been researching fats and their affect on the human body for many years, as quoted by CBN.com. "The body then sends the cholesterol like a scab to cover over it to protect the blood system and the vessel wall from further damage."

This runs completely contrary to the prevailing medical dogma, which still maintains that saturated fat and cholesterol are silent killers that can lead to heart disease, diabetes and other forms of chronic illness. As a result, millions of Americans have been duped into avoiding these necessary nutrients to their own demise, while they instead gorge on unhealthy vegetable oils, trans fats, sugars, grains, and phony low-fat junk foods.

"When choosing which fats to eat, pick the ones that are high in omega-3 fats and also choose natural saturated fats," advises Lorie Johnson from CBN.com. "On the other hand, stay away from the fats that lead to inflammation, such as trans fats and omega-6 fats," she adds, noting that most of the oils used in processed food are unhealthy vegetable oils posing as "nutritious."

Saturated fat and cholesterol necessary for proper cellular function, brain health

What few people today realize is that their bodies actually require both saturated fat and cholesterol for proper metabolism, brain health, hormone balance and cellular homeostasis. Without these two important nutritional components, a cascade of health problems can ensue, including debilitating brain conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. This is especially true for people who take toxic statin drugs to artificially lower their cholesterol levels.

"People with high cholesterol live the longest," says Dr. Uffe Ravnskov, M.D., Ph.D. "Consider the finding of Dr. Harlan Krumholz of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at Yale University, who reported in 1994 that old people with low cholesterol died twice as often from a heart attack as did old people with high cholesterol."

Learn more: naturalnews.com

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Friday, 17 May 2013 01:17 MEST

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Mood:  d'oh

Recent information on the role of the pineal organ in humans suggests that any agent that affects pineal function could affect human health in a variety of ways, including effects on sexual maturation, calcium metabolism, parathyroid function, postmenopausal osteoporosis, cancer, and psychiatric disease.

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Monday, 13 May 2013 01:05 MEST

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Mood:  d'oh

Unhealthy habits which increase heart disease risk could also be affecting brain function in people as young as 35, a study suggests.

Dutch researchers examined almost 3,800 people aged 35 to 82, testing memory, planning and reasoning.

High cholesterol and heavy smoking were linked to poorer performance in the tests across all ages.

The Alzheimer's Society said it showed what was bad for the heart was also "bad for the head".

Writing in the journal Stroke, the researchers from the University Medical Centre in Groningen said there was already evidence that decline in brain function could be seen by the age of 45.
Risk factors

To check if signs could be detected even earlier, the team assessed participants' mental abilities - cognitive function - using a comprehensive test.

They also looked at risk factors for heart problems - including smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes and being overweight.

This enabled them to compile a "risk profile" for each participant.

Those with the most serious risk for heart problems fared around 50% worse on the cognitive tests than those with the lowest-risk profile - across the age range.

Read More - BBC

Posted by mindpotion Network at 00:01 MEST

Updated: Saturday, 11 May 2013 01:06 MEST

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