Home

Archive » March, 2009 «

Vegetables Aren’t as Good for You as They Used to Be

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 | Author: admin

vegetables, farming, organic, local, produceAccording to new research, produce in the U.S. not only tastes worse than it did in your grandparents’ days, but also contains fewer nutrients. In fact, the average vegetable found in today’s supermarket is anywhere from 5 percent to 40 percent lower in minerals such as magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc than those harvested just 50 years ago.

Today’s vegetables are larger, but do not contain more nutrients. Jumbo-sized produce actually contains more “dry matter” than anything else, which dilutes mineral concentrations.

An additional problem is the “genetic dilution effect,” in which selective breeding to increase crop yield has led to declines in protein, amino acids, and minerals. Breeders select for high yield, effectively selecting mostly for high carbohydrate content.

And finally, as a result of the growing rise of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, modern crops are being harvested faster than ever before, meaning that produce has less time to absorb nutrients either from synthesis or the soil.

Sources:

Dr. Mercola’s Comments:
I’ve published numerous articles about the superior health benefits of organic and locally-grown fruits and vegetables, and these findings further support what is becoming obvious to even those hiding under rocks.

It’s a sad state of affairs when more than three billion people around the world suffer from malnourishment – including in the U.S. – and yet most ‘improvements’ to increase food production is simply making our food less nourishing, rather than more so.

But more and more people are getting wise to this problem and are inciting change through their shopping habits and pocketbooks.

A 2007 study published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics found that shoppers were willing to pay more for locally grown food, and those shopping at farmers’ markets were willing to spend the most for food grown close to home.

Small local farms are cropping up as a result, and many of them use organic, sustainable farming practices even though they may not have been certified as such.

The top reasons people cite for wanting organic, locally-grown food?

• Better food quality
• Better taste
• Freshness

And no wonder, considering the fact that studies, such as the one above, is finding that conventionally grown produce simply isn’t what it used to be.

Many “health” experts continue to state that there is little difference between organic and conventionally raised produce, but if they review this and other evidence, they will likely have to change their tune.

Organic Foods – a Far More Nutritious Choice

The simplest way back toward health is to focus on whole, organic foods, grown or raised as nature intended. Meaning, it’s grown using sustainable farming practices, and without the use of chemical additives, pesticides and fertilizers.

Food grown in healthier soil, with natural fertilizers and no chemicals, simply has to be more nutritious. It is common knowledge — though knowledge that is greatly suppressed in the United States.

A 2003 study in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, for example, found that organic foods are better for fighting cancer. And in 2005, scientists found that, compared to rats that ate conventional diets, organically fed rats experienced various health benefits. Rats that ate organic or minimally fertilized diets had:

  • Improved immune system status
  • Better sleeping habits
  • Less weight and were slimmer than rats fed other diets
  • Higher vitamin E content in their blood (for organically fed rats)

But perhaps one of the best studies out there on the benefits of organic versus conventionally-grown foods is the 2007 QualityLowInputFood Projecta $25-million study into organic food — the largest of its kind to date.

The researchers grew fruit and vegetables, and raised cattle, on adjacent organic and non-organic sites, and discovered that:

  • Organic fruit and vegetables contain up to 40 percent more antioxidants
  • Organic produce had higher levels of beneficial minerals like iron and zinc
  • Milk from organic herds contained up to 90 percent more antioxidants

The results were so impressive they stated that eating organic foods can even help to increase the nutrient intake of people who don’t eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day.

As illustrated in the two charts below, this four-year, European-Union-funded study also found marked differences between dry matter, mineral, vitamin, protein, and amino acid concentrations between organic and conventional crops.

And, Don’t Forget About the Chemical Toxins!

In addition to simply being depleted of many essential nutrients — for all the reasons mentioned in the article above — conventionally grown food is also typically tainted with a multitude of chemical residues, including chemical fertilizers, insecticides, and herbicides.

These chemical concoctions can cause a wide variety of health problems, including:

  • Neurotoxicity
  • Disruption of your endocrine system
  • Cancer
  • Immune system suppression
  • Male infertility and miscarriages in women

Traditional, Local Farming on the Rise

Unfortunately, whereas organic foods were once truly raised naturally, on small farms with great integrity, big business has now stepped in and tainted many of the principles upon which the organic label was founded. You are, in fact, being ripped off by much of the organic food you are buying, so buyers beware…

However, increasing numbers of people are now reverting back to the ways of our ancestors, choosing to purchase food directly from local farmers – who generally apply organic farming practices — and cooking it using slow, traditional methods.

Proof of this trend can be seen in the rise of small farms. After declining for more than a century, the number of U.S. small farms has increased 20 percent in the past six years.

But there is still a long way to go. Organic food represents less than 2 percent of the food economy, and local food makes up well under 1 percent. There is some debate on the issue of which is better: organic or locally-grown. Ideally you’ll want both.

But keep in mind that even if your local farmer is not certified as organic, by speaking with them and establishing a rapport you will truly know how your food is raised and grown. Many small farmers grow their crops according to organic standards, yet are unable to afford the federal certification progress to legally call them so.

But in the end, it’s not really the certification itself – which big food manufacturers can afford – that matters, but whether or not your food has been grown in a manner that is compatible with nature and will sustain your good health.

Category: Better Living, Diet & Nutrition, Health, Herbs, Interesting Stuff | Leave a Comment

SALBA - The New Superfood

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009 | Author: admin

These fresh-baked

BROWNIES…

…contain a secret superfood that leaves broccoli, blueberries, flaxseed, soy
and salmon in the dust!

It’s not the chocolate. Keep reading for great news about your blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol balance, energy, skin, joints, digestion and so much more

A special report from Allan Spreen, MD.

Did our Creator make a PERFECT FOOD?

Stunned researchers now say “YES.” Gram for gram, this amazing discovery packs awesome amounts of Omega 3 fatty acids, plus:

  • 6 times more calcium than whole milk…
  • 15 times more magnesium than broccoli…
  • 3 times more antioxidant power than fresh blueberries…
  • More fiber than flaxseed…
  • More protein than soy…

Imagine a food so perfect that just a tiny bit every morning could transform your entire day. You simply stir a bit into your cereal or yogurt, and presto…

  • Suddenly, you’re surging with energy all day long, and sleeping better at night…
  • You’ve never been more regular, as occasional constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas and cramps simply disappear…
  • Weight-control becomes more manageable, as hunger pangs and cravings vanish, and you feel amazingly satisfied…

Then, as the weeks go by, imagine…

  • Your heart, arteries, blood pressure and even your cholesterol balance are all behaving beautifully…
  • Your joints feel youthful as stiffness fades…
  • Friends say you’re even looking younger and compliment you on your skin…

And what if I told you this miracle can transform all kinds of delicious foods? You can blend it into your breakfast shake, make mouthwatering dinners with it, bake cookies with it, and it makes everything more satisfying! Yes…

IT EVEN MAKES BROWNIES
TASTE MORE DELICIOUS

No, it’s not chocolate. This “perfect food” blows chocolate (and every other contender) out of the water. Yet ironically, it’s been sitting right under our noses for over 500 years — and totally ignored until just recently.

It’s a grain you’ve never heard of, yet the ancient Aztecs prized it more highly than gold. They fed it to their athletes, used it as medicine, even offered it to their gods…

Ancient Aztecs believed it gave them supernatural
ENERGY & POWER…

And maybe it did, in a manner of speaking Spanish conquistadores named it Salvia Hispanica L, promptly forgot about it — and that was that for the next five centuries. Well, so far it’s just a colorful Aztec legend, right? But everything suddenly changed just recently, when scientists finally took an interest in it…

And when modern researchers ran tests,
THEY NEARLY FELL OVER…

They noticed that Salvia Hispanica L. came in two colors — black and white. The black ones proved unremarkable. But the white ones tested off the charts!

So they bred a strain of purely white grains, tested them again, and the results clearly showed they had found a nutritional goldmine. Scientists named this super-grain Salba®. And just for starters, it turns out to be…

This super-grain turns out to be the


“bread of heaven”


FOR YOUR HEART!

Gram for gram, Salba has 8 times more Omega 3 fatty acids than fresh Atlantic salmon…

Let me be clear that I’m not knocking salmon. I love it! Salmon contains different kinds of Omega 3, including high amounts of DHA and EPA — while Salba’s Omega 3 content is mainly in the form of alpha linolenic acid. I believe it’s best to have both forms of Omega 3…

But you can’t bake salmon into
BANANA BREAD…

And whoever heard of salmon cookies! The beauty of Salba is that you can sneak it into any meal, from your breakfast oatmeal, to lunchtime macaroni and cheese, to all kinds of delicious dinners and desserts. (More about this below, including a free recipe.)

Better still, Salba is richer in this special form of Omega 3 fatty acids than any other whole food I’ve ever evaluated. That’s heavenly news for your heart!

After all, even the American Heart Association agrees that Omega 3 fatty acids can help…

  • Promote healthy heart functions…
  • Maintain healthy cholesterol levels…
  • Keep your blood pressure right where it’s supposed to be…
  • Support a healthy cardiovascular system…

And the news gets even better, because Salba’s way more than a super-source of Omega 3. For example…

Your heart and arteries need
SCADS OF MAGNESIUM…

And lots of us don’t get enough in our diets. Broccoli’s a fine source of magnesium, but do you eat it every day? Of course not! Happily, though, gram for gram…

SALBA HAS 15 TIMES MORE
magnesium than fresh broccoli

Intrigued? We’re just getting warmed up. Let’s move a few inches down from your heart and see what Salba does for your gut…

What’s griping your gut?


SALBA SOLVES IT ALL

Eases occasional constipation, diarrhea, bloating, cramps, gas and more!

Whenever I told my patients, “Get more fiber,” they used to protest, “But Dr. Spreen, fiber gives me the trots!” Does that ring a bell? You can’t win!

You take something for your constipation, and wind up with diarrhea. Then your exhausted colon shuts down, and you’re constipated again. It’s a vicious cycle…

But Salba has an uncanny power to solve both miseries at once. Plus, it could help to reduce bloating, gas, cramps and even hunger pangs in the bargain. How? The reason is simple…

You see, Salba isn’t just the richest whole-food source of fiber that I’ve ever examined. Each tiny granule is packed with two types of fiber, in ideal balance.

Colon-calmer #1. Salba’s insoluble fiber gently “scrubs” debris and toxins from your colon walls, banishing buildup and blockage. No more constipation.

Colon-calmer #2. Salba’s soluble fiber soaks up water, so stools don’t get too loose. No more diarrhea.


Not too firm, not too loose! Best of all, when you’ve got both kinds of fiber working in perfect balance, your bowels move along like a perfectly scheduled train — right on time. Reader after reader writes, “I can’t remember when I was this regular.” Now it’s true that other foods may also contain both kinds of fiber. But…

Salba works 3 ways better

1. Salba quickly absorbs 12 times its weight in water. That’s phenomenal. More than twice as much as flaxseed. This is a key reason why Salba is so incredibly soothing. Just like a wet sponge glides across a counter, Salba helps your food glide calmly and cleanly through your digestive tract.

2. Over 35% of Salba is fiber, considerably higher than wheat bran or flaxseed. You’d need to eat 1 - cups of bran to get the fiber in just a few ounces of Salba.

3. Salba doesn’t taste like sawdust! Its flavor is neutral, so it just “disappears” when you stir it into your favorite breakfast food or shake.

Plus, of course, those other foods won’t give you Salba’s incredible energy boost…

SalbaConstipation cleared! No matter what I ate or took, I had constipation… [now] I have never felt better.” -S. Winston, Houston, Texas

Loose stools stopped! “I have loose stools [but] Salba has helped firm them up!” -Mark H., Nevada

Bloating banished! “Can’t remember the last time I was this regular. I don’t feel bloated and irritable anymore!” R. Finnely, Buffalo, New York

It’s been a Godsend for MY ENERGY!”
Danielle G.

No more fatigue or jitters! Salba powers you up as smoothly as a Rolls Royce engine…

Ancient Aztecs called it their “running food.” Legend has it that just a spoonful of Salvia Hispanica L. was enough to power an Aztec runner through a grueling, 24-hour forced march…

The NorthStar Nutritionals’ free eletter - Guide to Good Health - is your guide to great health! Providing innovative and high-quality formulations based on today’s most important health discoveries, from a team of experienced and knowledgeable experts. Sign-up today to get the latest in natural health, industry news and cutting edge discoveries.
Plus, you’ll also qualify for special, reader-only sales and offers!
Just enter your email address below and we’ll send each week’s edition right to your inbox.

We respect your privacy!
We know how important your privacy is to you so we guarantee that we will NEVER sell your e-mail address. Please also note, you can remove yourself from our list at any time. We supply a link at the bottom of each e-mail to manage your subscription to NSN’s Guide to Good Health e-letter. We also provide you with a mailing address, phone number and e-mail address to contact us if you have any problems.


And my desk is stacked with letters attesting

SALBA’S ENERGY BOOST IS NO MYTH

“120% more productive! I could barely get out of bed, until Salba!” -Jared L., Arizona

“Energy without nervousness and more stamina. I am 71 years old — now I’m able to stay up longer at night and sleep so well!” –Danielle G.

“I no longer need naps and that is really great for a 75 year old! I have more energy to go shopping, out to lunches with friends!” –Janet W., Arizona

And this is jitter-free energy. Not the kind you get from caffeine-drenched drinks that leave you to crash and burn.

ZERO CAFFEINE
And no “caffeine crash”

As a doctor, I’m outraged that so many so-called energy drinks and foods are just “caffeine in a costume.” They give you the jitters, then keep you awake all night — and you wind up more exhausted than ever.

But Salba energizes you honestly, by restocking your nutrition banks, and helping to maintain healthy blood sugar levels. You’ll have the stamina of the energizer bunny, then drop off to sleep, relaxed!


HOW CAN THIS BE? I believe it’s because Salba is such a complete superfood. It provides at least three “energizers” that your tired-out body has been missing:

ENERGIZER #1. Over 30 different nutrients in their whole food form. Every tiny grain of Salba is like a “neutron star” of nutrients that your body desperately needs. And any doctor will tell you that it’s always best to get your nutrients in the form of food.

ENERGIZER #2. Super-rich fiber. All the fiber in Salba slows down your digestion, giving your nutrients an even better chance of getting absorbed. It also evens out your absorption of carbohydrates, so your cells get a slow, smooth supply of fuel.

Yet even though it pumps you up so powerfully, Salba actually makes you less hungry…

ENERGIZER #3 Muscle up! With nature’s PERFECT PROTEIN FOOD. Vegetarian or not, your muscles need plenty of protein to stay strong and toned. Salba is not only richer in protein than soy — its protein is more complete. Unlike soy, Salba’s protein contains all the essential amino acids that your body needs to build muscle. And it’s not processed with chemicals, as so many soy products are. That’s why I call Salba the perfect protein source. You get all the protein benefit of eating red meat, without the risk.

World’s healthiest way to


HALT HUNGER PANGS

Just a smidgen of Salba with any meal makes slimming down a snap!

Ask your doctor. Nobody needs dangerous weight loss aids, but everybody needs plenty of soluble fiber with meals. Why? Because soluble fiber expands in your stomach and intestine, making you feel comfortably full for hours.

And Salba is the superstar of soluble fiber foods! It absorbs 12 times its volume in water, making even small-portion meals feel like a feast.

Readers agree that it really works! For example, Devonne D. writes that, when she simply adds a bit of Salba to her morning cereal, “I’m not as hungry as normal! I feel fuller and can hold off longer.” You’ll be amazed at how satisfied you feel, and you’ll get an extra bonus…

Say “so long” to maddening


MIDNIGHT MUNCHIES

Your hunger is never completely satisfied until your “nutrient banks” are full. And, as Salba travels through your stomach and intestines, it gradually delivers a rich payload of over 30 different nutrients — all night long.

Plus, it’s so quick and easy to add Salba’s goodness to nearly any dish or meal…

The safe, natural way to promote healthy BLOOD SUGAR

Yes, Salba excels at this too. That’s because high-fiber foods also slow your digestion. And when that happens, your intestines are slower to absorb carbohydrates. As a result, simply adding Salba to your favorite dishes can help lower the “glycemic load” of the entire meal. That’s super news for loved ones watching their blood sugar!

And it’s so low in calories. Twelve grams of Salba contain just 46 calories and ZERO sugars.

My blood glucose levels would always spike after meals.
“With Salba, they remain more constant.” -J. Ross, Indiana

More stable in the morning!
“Salba keeps my blood sugar more stable throughout the morning. I went on vacation without my Salba and couldn’t wait to start back on it!” -Sacha M., Ohio

More stable at night!
“Before Salba, my blood (Insert small pic of Salba here on the right) sugar fluctuated up and down. I found that after taking Salba, my blood sugar is more stable, especially at night.” -C. Campbell, Ontario

So easy and fun to cook with,


IT’S ALMOST SINFUL!

Salba turns all kinds of “guilty pleasures” into stealth superfoods –
even these mouthwatering brownies!

If you hate to cook, you’ll love Salba. Just stir crushed Salba into your favorite hot or cold cereal, and you’re done. Or you can whip it up with your morning shake, add it to fruit-flavored yogurt, or sprinkle it onto salads. No cooking skills of any kind are required…

But if you love to cook,
YOU’LL ADORE SALBA…

Because it’s the world’s most versatile superfood by a country mile. You can bake it into breads, brownies, cookies and other desserts…mix it into burgers, casseroles, stir fries or other main courses…sneak it into dozens of your favorite dishes and make them all suddenly healthier.

  • It’s the perfect fat replacement. Salba makes foods more moist and delicious, because it absorbs 12 times its weight in water. Plus, of course, Salba replaces less-healthy fats with heart-healthy Omega 3 fatty acids.
  • An ideal thickener for soups, stocks and gravies, because it absorbs so much water.
  • Awesome addition to vegetarian dishes, because it’s so rich in protein. And remember, this is complete protein, with all the essential amino acids you need.
  • No gritty texture. When you crush Salba in a blender or coffee grinder, it virtually disappears into the recipe.
  • No woody aftertaste. Unlike flaxseed, Salba has a neutral flavor, so it can be seamlessly added to recipes.

And I’m going to prove it by sending you a
FREE! SALBA RECIPE COLLECTION

It’s yours FREE TO KEEP with your RISK-FREE order of a six-month supply. Get ready to swoon for the soul-satisfying pleasures of Salba Streusel Banana Nut Bread…Crunchy Salba Berry Crumb Tart…Salba Chicken Parmesan…Salba Lasagna with Meat Sauce…and more! Then prepare to grin again when you look in the mirror and see…

FREE RECIPE!
Salba Fudge Nut Brownies

Salba makes yummy treats like these taste even more moist and decadent. Set out a plateful and poof — they’ll be gone!

Ingredients

1 lb semi-sweet chocolate morsels
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup butter
4 medium eggs
1 cup hazelnuts
5 T. Salba (crushed in coffee grinder or blender)
¼ tsp salt
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions

In a heavy saucepan, melt chocolate chips and butter. Add sugar, Salba and salt, and stir until dissolved. Cool for 10 minutes. Stir in beaten eggs, vanilla extract, flour and nuts.

Pour into a greased, 15 x 10 x 1 baking pan. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes, or until a tooth pick inserted near the corners comes out with moist crumbs. Let sit to cool. Makes 2 ½ dozen brownies.

“Salba gave me back


MY YOUTH!” -Heath B., Kansas

From your skin, to your joints and more — you’ll see and feel the Salba difference!

When I first started Salba, I was skeptical,” says Heath B. from Kansas. “But I have to honestly say that Salba gave me back my youth!”

Heath is just one of many older readers who tell me they look and feel transformed, thanks to Salba. And researchers say this makes great sense, because…

Each tiny Salba granule delivers
3 AGE-DEFYING MIRACLES

#1. Fights free-radical damage. Aging happens when damaged cells duplicate. But antioxidants neutralize free radicals that cause this damage. And, ounce for ounce, Salba contains 3 times more antioxidant capacity than fresh blueberries.

#2. Flushes out age-accelerating toxins. Toxins that accumulate in your colon can also attack your body. But Salba’s super-rich payload of fiber moves those toxins out of your system, pronto.

#3. Helps build healthy new cells. Your cell walls crave Omega 3 fatty acids — and if they don’t get them, they’ll use unhealthy fats as a substitute. Salba hands your cells the Omega 3 building-blocks they need.

Are you starting to see how many healthy tricks Salba has up its sleeve? It’s the one superfood that blows away all the others. When you look at the nutritional score sheet, it’s not even close…

SUPER FOR SKIN

Two weeks after starting Salba, look in the mirror and see what it’s doing for you! So many readers agree…

Salba has helped me maintain healthy skin!
Also helped my son maintain healthy skin, especially during the Spring and Fall seasons.” -Roy B., Indiana

Looking great!
“Since 5 days after taking Salba, my husband has been looking great! We are very impressed.” -Janice H., Texas

Salba makes flaxseed and soy


SEEM LIKE SAWDUST…

Just look at how easily it
blows away other superfoods!

Now let’s examine how Salba stacks up against other widely-praised health foods. It’s not even close. As you’ll see, Salba is so nutritionally dense, it’s almost like…

A MEAL IN A SPOON!

Of course, I’m not saying “stop eating.” Salba works best when you add it to favorite foods or beverages. But I am saying that just a bit goes an incredibly long way.

Because, unlike fruit, vegetables or fish, which are mostly air and water — each tiny grain of Salba is densely packed with literally trillions of miracle molecules. For example, just a few ounces of Salba provides…

  • 20 grams of Omega 3 fatty acids. You’d need nearly 1 3/4 pounds of salmon to get that much Omega 3. (Keep eating your salmon! It provides a different, important form of these fatty acids — but I know you won’t eat it every day, so get your Salba too!)
  • 21 grams of complete vegetable protein. You could eat a whole bag of soy and still not get that much complete protein — because Salba provides all the essential amino acids that human tissues need.
  • 35 grams of fiber. You’d have to consume 1 - cups of bran cereal to get that much fiber.
  • 770 mg of calcium. You’d have to drink 2 ½ cups of whole milk to get that much. And, unlike milk, Salba contains no lactose.
  • 380 mg of magnesium. You’d need to eat 10 stalks of broccoli (over 3 pounds) to get that much magnesium.
  • 560 mg vitamin C. You’d have to eat 4 whole oranges to obtain that much vitamin C.
  • Plus over 24 other nutrients, vitamins and minerals, including potassium (660 mg), folate (82.2 mcg) and so much more…

Even the world’s best supplements
CAN’T MATCH SALBA

Because only Salba delivers all these goodies in whole food form. So they’re better absorbed, and each nutrient works with the others like a team.

Why flaxseed users are
SWITCHING TO SALBA

Not only does Salba deliver far more fiber and Omega 3 fatty acid content. Salba doesn’t have the gritty texture and strong flavor of flaxseed. Readers say it’s got everything they like about flaxseed, with none of the drawbacks.

  • “I was taking flaxseed daily. Salba has made it so much easier to ingest the fiber I need!” -Melvin P.
  • “I like the taste of it, or shall I say ‘no taste of it’ versus flaxseed and it provides more nutritional value!” -Dwight C.

FAMED DOCTORS LOVE SALBA…

And so will yours, GUARANTEED!

That’s right, NorthStar Nutritionals guarantees your doctor will love what Salba is doing for you — or you’ll get a prompt, no-questions-asked, 100% refund. Why so confident? Because…

Salba has been clinically tested by an internationally recognized team of research scientists, led by Dr. Vladimir Vuksan, Associate Professor at THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO…

And these studies include a brand-new clinical trial that confirms tremendous potential for Salba! So, it’s no wonder that some of my most influential colleagues are calling Salba…

“The food find of the century”
- Alan Inglis, MD, America’s Country Doctor

In fact, so many doctors are praising Salba to the skies that we confidently guarantee yours will too — or you can ask for all your money back. See below for full details of our SALBA SUPER GUARANTEE, then be sure to…

Category: Blog, Diet & Nutrition, Green Living, Health, Herbs, Interesting Stuff | Leave a Comment

What Your Gray Hair Says about You…

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 | Author: admin

Gray hair, according to new findings, is caused by a massive build up of hydrogen peroxide due to wear and tear on hair follicles. The peroxide winds up blocking the normal synthesis of melanin, your hair’s natural pigment.

All hair cells make a tiny bit of hydrogen peroxide, but as you age, the amount increases. Essentially, you bleach our hair pigment from within, and your hair turns gray and then white.

Researchers made this discovery by examining cell cultures of human hair follicles. They found that the build up of hydrogen peroxide was caused by a reduction of an enzyme that breaks up hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

They also discovered that hair follicles could not repair the damage caused by the hydrogen peroxide because of low levels of the enzymes MSR A and B, which normally serve this function. The high levels of hydrogen peroxide and low levels of these enzymes also disrupt the formation of tyrosinase, another enzyme that leads to the production of melanin in hair follicles.
Sources:

The New York Times March 9, 2009

Dr. Mercola’s Comments:

Whether we admit it or not, the color of your hair seems to communicate something about yourself to the world.

Now researchers are finally starting to unravel what your color says about what’s going on inside your body, which might lead to new strategies for prevention or reversal of the hair graying process.

Why Your Hair Turns Gray

Illustration by Diane Burk, from "Better hair There have been a number of studies into what causes the graying of your hair as you age. As you likely know, your hair grows from follicles in your skin. These follicles are pit-like structures that contain layers of cells that perform different functions. At the base of the follicle is the hair bulb, from which your actual hair grows.

The color of your hair is determined by a protein called melanin. There are two kinds of melanin: eumelanin colors your hair brown to black, and pheomelanin turns it yellow-blond to red. The levels of each of these two kinds of melanin will determine the color and shade of your hair.

The cells in your hair follicles that create melanin are called melanocytes. When your hair turns gray, the melanocytes have stopped creating melanin.

This recent study found that the increased production and build up of hydrogen peroxide in your hair follicles as you age blocks this natural synthesis of melanin, and hence you start going gray.

But although they’ve seemingly been able to pinpoint the enzymes responsible for this chain of events, they have not necessarily discovered the real underlying cause.

Heredity likely plays a part, as some studies have shown. The New York Times article states that whites tend to gray the earliest, often as early as in their mid-30s, followed by Asians and then Africans. About half of all people over the age of 50 are at least 50 percent gray.

But other research may be on to something to explain the process of why you go gray as well.

Work done by scientists from the Harvard Medical School and the Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan has revealed that stem cells may be a major player involved in the process, which I’ll discuss a little later.

WARNING — Trying to Maintain Your Hair Color with Dyes May Damage Your Health

There’s no doubt gray hair is an issue of some importance to many people, judging by the popularity of hair dyes on the market. However, many of these products contain an astounding array of potentially toxic chemicals. (The FDA does not regulate hair dye ingredients, whether they’re synthetic or natural.)

For example, The Environmental Working Group found that 69 percent of hair-dye products tested for their Skin Deep database may pose cancer risks!

Some are worse than others.

For example, between the two leading men’s hair color brands, Grecian Formula has a max hazard score, whereas Just For Men scored slightly lower, falling in the moderate hazard range. For more information about some of the hazardous ingredients in hair dyes, and their potential ramifications to your health, please review this previous article.

Many are now starting to dye their hair in their teens, but if your son or daughter is thinking about switching color, it may be wise to consider some of the potential long term risks.

One 1994 National Cancer Institute report states dark dyes used over long periods of time appear to raise your risk of cancers such as non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma and multiple myeloma. And a 2001 International Journal of Cancer study found that people who use permanent hair dye are twice as likely to develop bladder cancer as those who keep their hair au natural.

There are ways to limit your exposure of course, while still giving your hair some added pizzazz. Many professional salons now work with formulas that are ammonia-free, herbal-based, low-PPD, and dyes that are lead-, toluene- and coal tar-free.

Refraining from all-over dye jobs and getting highlights or lowlights instead is also safer, as the dye is not placed in contact with your scalp.

Or, you could just accept what nature has given you, which would be the safest option, at least for the time being.

Is Stem Cell Stimulation Therapy the New Answer to Avoid Gray Hair?

I believe adult stem cell therapy maybe the wave of the future as there seems to be no limit to their applications, whether it be something as complex as regrowing organs or using them for the more mundane purpose of keeping a full head of healthy hair in its original color.

If you’re not familiar with the basic tenets of this fascinating field of science and medicine, this link to the National Institutes of Health provides great basic information about stem cells.

As it turns out, melanocytes — those special cells that make melanin — come from stem cells. Halfway up your hair follicle, above the bulb, there is a pocket that houses melanocyte stem cells. These stem cells turn into melanocytes when old melanocytes die off.

However, as you get older, your stem cells diminish in quality and quantity. Likewise, the stem cells in your hair follicles decrease over time, and eventually no new melanocytes are produced and hence melanin synthesis stops, and your hair turns gray.

So the idea is that by stimulating  the stem cells with special polypeptide signals you may be able to reverse this process and keep both your hair color, and your hair. I’m actually beta testing one of these polypeptide signal topical therapies right now, and my hair is slowly starting to come back in, so it’s pretty exciting stuff and most of the gray is disappearing. I look forward to giving you further updates on that product later on.

Interestingly enough, there is some evidence from recent animal studies indicating that physical exercise can reverse the age-related decline in the production of neural stem cells by restoring a brain chemical that promotes the production and maturation of new stem cells. Yet another reason to start or stick to a regular exercise routine!

Category: Better Living, Diet & Nutrition, Health, Interesting Stuff, Men's Health, Western Medicine, Women's Health | Leave a Comment

Protected: The Fundamentals of Acupuncture Point Location

Sunday, March 08th, 2009 | Author: admin

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Category: Practitioners | Enter your password to view comments

Protected: A Discussion on Wang Shu He Pulse Classic - Part One

Sunday, March 08th, 2009 | Author: admin

This post is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

Category: Practitioners | Enter your password to view comments