Week of: Monday July 27, 2020
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IN THE NEWS: Oregano and rosemary lower blood sugar and prevent diabetes by: Karen Sanders, staff writer | July 19, 2020 (NaturalHealth365) Diabetes, which currently affects more than 10 percent of the American population, is increasing at an unprecedented rate. In fact, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “diabetes or prediabetes affects over 100 million people in the U.S.” An alarming statistic, to say the least! New research: Rosemary and oregano work just like prescription drugs – yet safer. In a study conducted by researchers from the American Chemical Society and published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, rosemary and oregano were found to inhibit an enzyme, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, that promotes the secretion of insulin. Protein tyrosine phosphatase – which plays a role in insulin signaling – has led researchers to conclude that the herbs could be useful in preventing and treating diabetes. If you don’t have access to fresh rosemary and oregano, no worries – although, of course, it is always preferable to use fresh, organic herbs whenever possible, the dried “supermarket” version is just as effective when it comes to lowering blood sugar. The researchers tested the effects of both greenhouse-grown and commercial dried extracts. Not surprisingly, they found that the greenhouse version of the herbs had higher levels of beneficial polyphenols and flavonoids. However, the commercial dried extracts functioned just as well to lower blood sugar. Courtesy of their high levels of phytochemicals, both rosemary and oregano are potent inflammation fighters. This pair of herbs is particularly rich in gallic acid, with some samples containing as much 430 micrograms per milligram of dried weight. In another study published in 2014 in International Journal of Inflammation, gallic acid not only had a beneficial effect on mice with laboratory-induced sepsis, it completely reversed lipid peroxidation – the damaging degradation of fats. According to several studies conducted at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, several enhanced proprietary rosemary and spearmint extracts improved the cognitive performance of animals with age-related cognitive decline. The research team expressed hope that the herbs could be used to reduce cognitive problems occurring in the early stages of dementia. Diabetes.org Sciencedaily.com ACS.org Phytochemicals.info
WELLNESS:Foods That Boost the Immune System Feeding your body certain foods may help keep your immune system strong. If you’re looking for ways to prevent colds, the flu, and other infections, your first step should be a visit to your local grocery store. Plan your meals to include these powerful immune system boosters. Citrus fruits Most people turn straight to vitamin C after they’ve caught a cold. That’s because it helps build up your immune system. Vitamin C is thought to increase the production of white blood cells, which are key to fighting infections Red bell peppers If you think citrus fruits have the most vitamin C of any fruit or vegetable, think again. Ounce for ounce, red bell peppers contain almost 3 times as much vitamin C as a Florida orange. They’re also a rich source of beta carotene. Broccoli is supercharged with vitamins and minerals. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, as well as fiber and many other antioxidants, broccoli is one of the healthiest vegetables you can put on your plate. Garlic is found in almost every cuisine in the world. It adds a little zing to food and it’s a must-have for your health. Early civilizations recognized its value in fighting infections. Garlic may also slow down hardening of the arteries, and there’s weak evidence that it helps lower blood pressure. Garlic’s immune-boosting properties seem to come from a heavy concentration of sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin. Ginger is another ingredient many turn to after getting sick. Ginger may help decrease inflammation, which can help reduce a sore throat and inflammatory illnesses. Ginger may help with nausea as well. Spinach made our list not just because it’s rich in vitamin C — it’s also packed with numerous antioxidants and beta carotene, which may both increase the infection-fighting ability of our immune systems. Yogurt Look for yogurts that have the phrase “live and active cultures” printed on the label, like Greek yogurt. These cultures may stimulate your immune system to help fight diseases. Try to get plain yogurts rather than the kind that are flavored and loaded with sugar.
CONDITION OF THE WEEK: Depression With the restrictions with this pandemic, issues with depression have been increasing. There are things that you can do to improve your moods which include chiropractic adjustments, electrotherapy, exercise, focused relaxation and nutritional therapy. Patients who receive regular chiropractic care notice a greater sense of well-being. That's due to a cascade of chemicals released from the brain through adjustments. The FDA has approved neural stimulation devices a few years ago that use low dose electrical stimulation at certain frequencies to improve depression, anxiety and sleep disorders, pulse magnetic therapy has also been shown to be effective. Focused relaxation along with music or nature sounds can also be effective as well as exercise that increases endorphins and other chemicals that can help with depression. Nutrients like L-tryptophan and L- tyrosine can help in the regulation of serotonin and dopamine to improve depression in many patients. If you suffer from anxiety, depression or sleep disorders give us a call.
FUNNY BONE: 'Marriage is a relationship in which one person is always right, and the other is usually the husband.' When our lawn mower broke and wouldn't run, my wife kept hinting to me that I should get it fixed. Somehow I always had something else to take care of first: the truck, the car, email, fishing, always something more important to me. Finally she thought of a clever way to make her point. When I arrived home one day, I found her seated in the tall grass, busily snipping away with a tiny pair of sewing scissors. I watched silently for a short time and then went into the house. I was gone only a few minutes. When I came out again I handed her a toothbrush. 'When you finish cutting the grass,' I said, 'you might as well sweep the driveway.' The doctors say I will walk again, but I will always have a limp.@@ My wife sat down on the couch next to me as I was flipping channels. She asked, 'What's on TV?' I said, 'Dust.' And then the fight started.....@@ I asked my wife, 'Where do you want to go for our anniversary?' It warmed my heart to see her face melt in sweet appreciation. 'Somewhere I haven't been in a long time.' she said. So I suggested, 'How about the kitchen?' And that's when the fight started....@@ I took my wife to a restaurant. The waiter, for some reason, took my order first. 'I'll have the rump steak, medium rare, please.' She said, 'Aren't you worried about the mad cow?' 'Nah, she can order for herself.' And then the fight started...