(1) The Power of Antioxidants: Every time you eat, breathe or move, your body uses fuel created from the food you eat to produce energy. But just as a car using gas to produce energy releases harmful byproducts in the form of exhaust, so does you own body's energy-producting efforts produce dangerous byproducts known as "free radicals."
Free radicals are highly reactive forms of oxygen that are missing an electron. When they come into contact with normal molecules, they try to steal an electron, damaging the healthy cell and its DNA. It's estimated that every cell in your body takes 10,000 oxidative hits to its DNA daily!
Again, in an ideal world, you'd get much of your antioxidant protection from fruits and vegetables, but most Americans don't even eat the recommended 5 servings per day. And remember, many foods are not as nutritious as they used to be. Therefore, to optimize your antioxidant intake, you need to go beyond food and take a daily antioxidant to help buffer yourself from the free radical damage to your body.
When choosing an antioxidant supplement look for a product that contains both bioflavonoids and xanthones. Bioflavonoids work together with vitamin C to form collagen, one of your bodies main structural proteins. Bioflavonoids have also been shown to be helpful in hormone regulation as well as aid in the bodies immune-defense system. Mangosteen, a fruit found in the eastern tropical regions such as Thailand, contains the greatest known supply of xanthones. Thanks to its antioxidant status, mangosteen helps to repair the cell membranes by reducing oxidants, inflammation, and toxicity. Mangosteen research has also shown it helps to support the health of the immune and cardiovascular systems.
Mangosteen contains over 40 xanthones of which only 200 are known to exist in nature.
Mangosteen has been used as an antimicrobial and an anti-inflammatory agent
Xanthones studies have shown effective anti-tumor activity when exposed to cultures of human cancer cells
In 3rd world countries, mangosteen fruit is used to combat diarrhea, malaria, relieve pain, skin rashes, and for treatment of sexually transmitted diseases
Learn more about our antioxidant supplement - Thai-go Mangosteen Juice
(2) The Right Fat is Essential: Essential fatty acids (EFAs) like omega-3 and omega-6 are not produced by your body, yet they are vital to your overall health. EFAs enhance the normal function of the brain, eyes, adrenals glands, as well as the cardiovascular, and reproductive systems. Also, the membranes of the cells throughout the body require essential fatty acids to keep them healthy and elastic.
EFAs are also required for the production of series 1 and 3 prostaglandins, potent anti-inflammatory agents that help regulate blood pressure, the breakdown of fat and cholesterol in the blood, heart rate,, blood clotting, and immune system response. According to the International Journal of Oncology, EFAs help reduce inflammation on the cells lining the intestines and have been shown to help with bowel concerns including irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, and even cancer.
Omega-3 oil has been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce blood viscosity and clotting. Omega-3 fatty acids can substantially lower risk of heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, preventing blood platelets from becoming sticky and lowering blood pressure.
Omega-3 has also been shown to enhance the body's response to insulin. In fact a study found in the New England Journal of Medicine reported that omega-3 oils are the most effective treatment for acute whole-body resistance to insulin.
3) Fiber is Fabulous: For years we've been told to eat more fiber to help support normal bowel function, promote weight loss and lower cholesterol. Countless studies have shown that fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol, reduce total cholesterol, and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. In fact a little known Harvard research study demonstrated that an increase in dietary fiber of 30 grams per day decreases risk of heart disease by as much as 50%. Furthermore, a 20% risk reduction for each 10 gram increase in fiber was shown.
The benefits of soluble fiber goes far beyond cholesterol reduction. Soluble fiber has been shown to stabilize and help regulate the body's use of sugars and to slow the rate at which food is absorbed by the body. So, when the absorbtion rate is slowed there are fewer and less dramatic spikes in glucose levels.
According to The New England Journal of Medicine, fiber also helps to lower the risk of colon cancer, reduces inflammation of the cells lining the arteries, and reduces high blood pressure.
One particular fiber, apple pectin, has been shown to increase the excretion of cholesterol and lipids, and to bind with bile salts to lower fat absorption. Studies also show that pectin may reduce the severity of diabetes. In fact, recent research has shown that adding pectin and guar gum together can reduce glucose and insulin levels following meals in both non-diabetics and non-insulin dependent diabetics.
Another fiber to note is psyllium hulls. The dense fiber source is made up of 70% soluble fiber - more than any other source. That explains why its a popular source of fiber. Numerous studies have demonstrated psylium's ability to lower both total and LDL cholesterol levels. What make this fiber so special is that it also has the ability to cleanse the intestinal walls and also absorb toxins that have adhered to intestinal walls.
3) Fiber is Fabulous: For years we've been told to eat more fiber to help support normal bowel function, promote weight loss and lower cholesterol. Countless studies have shown that fiber can help lower LDL cholesterol, reduce total cholesterol, and raise HDL (good) cholesterol. In fact a little known Harvard research study demonstrated that an increase in dietary fiber of 30 grams per day decreases risk of heart disease by as much as 50%. Furthermore, a 20% risk reduction for each 10 gram increase in fiber was shown.
The benefits of soluble fiber goes far beyond cholesterol reduction. Soluble fiber has been shown to stabilize and help regulate the body's use of sugars and to slow the rate at which food is absorbed by the body. So, when the absorbtion rate is slowed there are fewer and less dramatic spikes in glucose levels.
According to The New England Journal of Medicine, fiber also helps to lower the risk of colon cancer, reduces inflammation of the cells lining the arteries, and reduces high blood pressure.
One particular fiber, apple pectin, has been shown to increase the excretion of cholesterol and lipids, and to bind with bile salts to lower fat absorption. Studies also show that pectin may reduce the severity of diabetes. In fact, recent research has shown that adding pectin and guar gum together can reduce glucose and insulin levels following meals in both non-diabetics and non-insulin dependent diabetics.
Another fiber to note is psyllium hulls. The dense fiber source is made up of 70% soluble fiber - more than any other source. That explains why its a popular source of fiber. Numerous studies have demonstrated psylium's ability to lower both total and LDL cholesterol levels. What make this fiber so special is that it also has the ability to cleanse the intestinal walls and also absorb toxins that have adhered to intestinal walls.