XTEND-15sec-NEWSt
27th August 2003
Please click on the summary link of interest:
Green Tea Blocks Important Cancer Molecule... n1
According to the Chemical Research in Toxicology 2003;16:865-872, US researchers have found that chemicals present in green tea can block the activity of a molecule that plays a key role in the development of cancer. Scientists have known for some time that green tea is a rich supply of cancer-fighting antioxidants and thus may help to prevent cancer, however this new research suggests that green tea's ability to fight cancer may be far more potent.
Professor Thomas Gasiewicz of the University of Rochester and colleagues found that two chemicals in green tea inhibit the activity of a molecule known as the aryl hydrocarbon (AH) receptor. Carcinogens such as tobacco smoke and dioxins interfere with the functioning of the AH receptor and can cause it to activate a number of potentially harmful genes.
Study results showed that the two chemicals - which are similar to the flavonoids found in broccoli, grapes, and red wine - shut down the AH receptor in cancerous mice cells. Early results suggest that the chemicals have the same ability in human cancer cells.
Warren Matthews comments: No surprise here as green tea is well documented as an effective antioxidant and anti-cancer agent. But, the potency of green tea supplements can vary greatly dependent upon their 'catechin' component. Some supplements are as low as 30%. We only use 80% in our Total Balance. However, green tea is only part of the equation when it comes to anti cancer. There are natural substances even more potent than green tea when it comes to fighting cancer. We include these in the 'immunity blend' as part of Total Balance. I will address the properties of these in more detail in a later newsletter.
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No-Grain Diet Clears Up Acne For Good...n2
In an article written by Dr Joseph Mercola and Rachael Droege they claim that acne can be cleared up by a diet largely devoid of grains. To read the full article click here.
Warren Matthews comments: I can't really comment on this because I don't know if this is the answer as I have no first hand knowledge of it. Much of what Dr Mercola says makes sense and so could this, which is why I wanted to share it with you in case you or your children have a stubborn acne problem.
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World's Oldest Person Discovered in Chechnyan3
The Guardian newspaper in the UK reports that a woman aged at least 124 years old has been found in the war-torn republic of Chechnya. Zabani Khachukayeva's passport states that she is 124 years old, however doctors believe that she may be even older. Apart from having impaired hearing, she is in relatively good health and says that she still feels energetic.
Khachukayeva has outlived her eldest son, who died in 2001, and has 24 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren. Until Ms Khachukayeva was found, the title of the world's oldest living person was held by 113 year old Japanese silkworm breeder Yukichi Chuganji.
Warren Matthews comments: There you go…it is possible to live to 120 years of age free from disease and still retain all your faculties! Ever wondered how these people who live a long time in good health usually come from poor parts of the world and do not have the benefit of the so called 'health' system that we have in the western world? Maybe they can thank the lack of exposure to modern pharmaceutical drugs for their long life? What do you think?
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Important notice: All material provided within XTEND-15sec-NEWS is for informational and educational purposes only, and is not to be construed as medical advice or instruction. No action should be taken solely on the contents of this publication. Consult your physician or a qualified health professional on any matters regarding your health and wellbeing or on any opinions expressed within this newsletter. The information provided in this newsletter is believed to be accurate based on the best judgment of the editor but the reader is responsible for consulting with their own health professional on any matters raised within.
By Dr. Joseph Mercolaf1
with Rachael Droege (Full Article)
Acne affects about 85 percent of the population at some time in their life and is the most common skin disease treated by dermatologists. Most teens get the type of acne called acne vulgaris, which can appear on the face, neck, shoulders, back and chest.
Most doctors and dermatologists say that acne is not related to diet, but I can confidently tell you that there is indeed a link--and a strong one at that. In my own practice, most patients' acne clears up when they follow the no-grain diet described in my nutrition plan and further explained in my new book. As I struggled with acne for the first 40 years of my life, I wish I had known this information when I was younger. However, since I have come to understand the influence of grains on health, acne has been a non-issue for me.
Why is a no-grain diet beneficial for acne?
Eating refined carbohydrates and sugar leads to a surge of insulin and an insulin-like growth factor called IGF-1 in your body. This can lead to an excess of male hormones, which cause pores in the skin to secrete sebum, a greasy substance that attracts acne-promoting bacteria. Additionally, IGF-1 causes skin cells known as keratinocytes to multiply, a process that is associated with acne.
Some say acne is a disease of Western civilization because studies have found that the condition is virtually nonexistent in non-westernized societies, where refined carbohydrates and sugar are rarely eaten. For instance, in one study that looked at acne cases in islanders of Papua New Guinea and hunter-gatherers of Paraguay, no acne cases were found in either group. The findings, which are in-line with many other studies, make a strong case for the significant role of environmental factors, such as diet, in acne.
Limiting grains is an integral step toward optimizing your health. The more we study the influence of grains, and their secondary consequences on insulin, the more we will find that their pervasive influences touch nearly every aspect of our health.
A Healthy Diet Can't be "Sold"
So you may be wondering why doctors typically say diet does not influence acne. Well, doctors cannot sell you a healthy diet, and they are under strong influence by the drug companies to prescribe expensive and sometimes harmful topical acne creams and antibiotics. No one is going to get rich from recommending a healthy diet to heal acne, except maybe you when you start saving money that you were spending on acne medications.
Further, many dermatologists prescribe long-term antibiotic treatments for acne. This can be especially problematic since every time you take an antibiotic, you kill beneficial bacteria along with the problematic bacteria. This can lead to many secondary conditions, such as yeast overgrowth.
The Emotions Factor
Anyone who has experienced an outbreak of acne knows that it can take a significant psychological toll. Many people feel embarrassed by acne, and the embarrassment can keep them from socializing and feeling confident.
On the other hand, recent studies have found a link that suggests stress can actually aggravate acne. One study involving college students found that the students' acne flared when they felt stressed from examinations.
Well, stress has the ability to make just about every disease we encounter worse, and this includes acne. This is why it is so important to deal with your stress before it becomes overwhelming. There are a variety of ways that you can do this, like yoga, meditation or making sure you get enough quality sleep, so it is important that you find a method that works best for you.
My favorite tool for relieving stress is the Emotional Freedom Technique, which involves tapping your body's energy meridians and voicing positive affirmations to clear emotional blocks, thus restoring your mind and body's balance. You can review my free 25-page report to learn how it's done.
Just remember that acne likely results from a combination of dietary and emotional factors. Addressing both sides of the equation will give you the most beneficial results.
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