How Common Spices Can Protect Against Heart Disease and the Ravages of Aging

Herbs and spices are rich in antioxidants, and they are also potent inhibitors of tissue damage and inflammation caused by high levels of blood sugar.

When researchers tested extracts from 24 common herbs and spices, they found a direct correlation between antioxidant phenol content and the ability of the extracts to block the formation of compounds that contribute to damage caused by diabetes and aging.

Spices such as cloves and cinnamon have phenol levels that are 30 percent and 18 percent of dry weight, respectively, while herbs such as oregano and sage are 8 and 6 percent phenol by dry weight. Blueberries, which are widely touted for their antioxidant capabilities, contain roughly 5 percent phenol by dry weight.

This study, published in the current issue of the Journal of Medicinal Foods, found a strong and direct correlation between the phenol content of common herbs and spices and their ability to inhibit glycation and the formation of AGE compounds, making them potent preventers of heart disease and premature aging.

The top 10 most potent herbs and spices are:
Cloves (ground)
Cinnamon (ground)
Jamaican allspice (ground)
Apple pie spice (mixture)
Oregano (ground)
Pumpkin pie spice (mixture)
Marjoram
Sage
Thyme
Gourmet Italian spice

This is not the first time scientists have declared culinary herbs and spices as potent anti-diabetic alternatives. As a matter of fact, cinnamon was found to increase glucose metabolism 20-fold, in one such study! Interestingly, cinnamon lowers your blood sugar by acting on several different levels. It slows the emptying of your stomach to reduce sharp rises in blood sugar following meals, and improves the effectiveness, or sensitivity, of insulin. It also enhances your antioxidant defenses.

Researchers have even gone so far as to say cinnamon could play the role of an insulin substitute in the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Sources:
Journal of Medicinal Foods June 2008; 11(2):275-81

How to heal a cold sore

Lysine, a protein, has proven helpful in healing and preventing cold sores. Lysine does this by replacing some of the arginine in the cells, thus reducing or preventing the cells ability to create clones of the virus. Basically, if the herpes virus gets to the surface and cannot find enough arginine in the cells, it often retreats. Many people eat high lysine foods prior to or during a cold sore event, and avoid high arginine foods.

1. Begin by taking 1,000 milligrams to 3,000 milligrams of lysine in capsule supplements during an outbreak.

2. High lysine foods to eat are most meats and dairy products. Cheese, milk and yogurt are excellent.

3. High arginine foods to avoid would be nuts, seeds, grains, and chocolate.

4. The cold sore virus needs a warm, moist environment. Applying ice as soon as you feel that first tingle or itch will greatly reduce or delay the cold sore.

5. The herpes virus prefers an acid environment. When in tip-top health, your pH balance should be around 7.4, which is slightly alkaline. When it drops below 7 on the pH scale, then your system is turning acid. Any stress, flu, colds, or too much sun will cause your body to move toward the acid side of normal. Avoid eating acid foods, such as tomatoes, citrus, carbonated soda or anything with vinegar if it will touch the cold sore area.

6. Clean the wound with alcohol or hydrogen peroxide

Broccoli Reverses Diabetes Damage

Eating broccoli could reverse the damage that diabetes inflicts on heart blood vessels. The key is most likely a compound in the vegetable called sulforaphane.Sulforaphane encourages production of enzymes that protect the blood vessels, and reduces the number of molecules that cause cell damage -- known as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) -- by up to 73 percent.People with diabetes are up to five times more likely to develop cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks and strokes -- both of which are linked to damaged blood vessels.

Sources:
Diabetes August 4, 2008
BBC News August 5, 2008

The One Vitamin That is Vital for Your Heart

A lack of vitamin D, a nutrient that is generated primarily through exposure to sunlight, helps boost the risk of heart attacks and strokes.Experts estimate that up to half of adults and 30 percent of children and teenagers in the United States are vitamin D-deficient. There is a wide array of studies linking increased cardiovascular risk with vitamin D deficiency. For example, recent data from the long-running Framingham Heart Study indicated that someone with vitamin D levels below 15 nanograms per milliliter of blood is twice as likely to suffer a heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular problem within two years compared to those with higher levels.
Vitamin D is well known as the "sunshine vitamin" because human skin makes the nutrient upon exposure to sunlight.

Sources:
U.S. News & World Report December 1, 2008
Journal of the American College of Cardiology December 9, 2008; 52:1949-1956