The Health Benefits of Wine / Resveratrol

Interest in wine?s health benefits in the last two decades may have been sparked by a desire to establish a reason for the so called ?French Paradox?? There is a where a lower incidence of heart disease is found in the French. The French have a diet rich in fat and it is rational to think this antagonistic diet would be incompatible with good health. The French are known to eat more beef, cheese and butter than their European neighbors. Several researchers concluded that along with their rich fatty foods they also have a significant intake of red wine when compared to other Europeans and even Westerners. Thus the door was open for many researchers to study the health effects of wine (especially red wine) as a possible solution to this quandary. There is research supported information that moderate red wine consumption (that is one glass for women and one to two for men) can protect you against heart disease, hypertension and cancer. It also has been shown to have a positive effect on cholesterol levels. Of course moderation is key here. This is certainly not an example of where a little is good a whole lot is better. Therefore, the medical community is very cautious to recommend routine use of red wine for obvious reasons.

Some studies in women regarding the consumption of alcohol and risk of breast cancer found an increase of this type of cancer in women who consume at least one drink daily. According to a report by the American Cancer Society in 2004 there was an increase of 30% in the death rate from breast cancer in women who would drink alcohol daily. This confounding information aside consumption of one or two drinks per day is associated with a reduction in risk of approximately 30 to 50 percent in coronary heart disease. Heart disease being the overwhelming number one killer of woman annually makes it the major target. So wine consumption has an overall positive effect on death rates in the female population.

The compounds responsible for the protective powers of wine are a class of compounds called antioxidants. Red wines contain several antioxidants the key isolate being the polyphenol compound called trans-Resveratrol or Res for short. Res is found in other fruit besides grapes including mulberries, raspberries and muscadine grapes (indigenous to the Americas). And in this particular grape Res is reported to be seven times as concentrated. Resveratrol is also encountered in peanuts and other nuts. Researchers at University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and the University of Illinois found that Res has both anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. A paper published by the UNC researchers in 2000 in the journal Cancer Research reports that Res inhibits the activity of a protein called NF-kappa B which attaches to DNA inside human cells. This protein acts like a switch turning certain genes on and off. Cancer cells propagate and continue to survive by means of NF-kappa B and thus under controlled settings researcher introduce Res which turns off this protein and thus causes the death (apoptosis) of cancer cells.

In 1992 Harvard Medical School researchers included moderate alcohol consumption as one of eight ways to reduce coronary heart disease risk. The cardioprotective effect is attributed to the antioxidants found in wine grape skins and seeds. These antioxidants (flavonoids) are found in higher concentration in red as opposed to white wine. As part of the red wine making process grape skins, stems and seeds are kept in contact with the juice for a long period of time imparting not only the ?red??color but also these health-benefiting flavonoids. It should also be noted that certain flavonoids found in oak wood are conveyed, as many red wine spends much time ?aging??in oak barrels.

Coronary heart disease reduction by Res and other antioxidant flavonoids occur in part due to a reduction in the production of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and the increase of the good high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Additionally these agents reduce blood-clotting factors limiting thrombus from causing ?clots??in the coronary arteries. Some of these properties may be attributed to the fact that Res has mild estrogenic properties and estrogens as a class of hormones seem to be cardioprotective.

Still another study indicated that Resveratrol aided in the formation of nerve cells. There are those experts that believe this may be helpful in the treatment of neurological diseases such as Alzheimer?s and Parkinson?s in the near future. There is even one study out there claiming that daily moderate wine consumption will result in weight loss.

Not all wines are created equally. Studies from the University of California at Davis conducted studies on several varietals. They determined that higher concentrations of flavonoids are present in Cabernet Sauvignon, followed by Petit Syrah and Pinot Noir grapes. Merlot and Red Zinfandels have far fewer flavonoids. Whites once again came out short, as the bigger bolder more tannic wines seemed best for high flavonoid yields.

Resveratrol has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries in the form of a plant called Polygonum cuspidatum for the treatment of liver and heart conditions. Why take a bitter herb when you can sip a fine wine?

According to recent statistics, year 2002 wine volume in the United States was approximately 595 million gallons. Up 34 million gallons of annual wine production when compared to 2001 records and the trend continues. California remains the largest wine producing state in the US with 90 percent coming from this state alone.

With wine sales in the United State reaching $21.1 billion in 2002, it has helped push the US to fourth in world wine production and third in consumption. The Greek philosopher Plato is quoted as saying "Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was ever granted by the gods to man." And this may be true beyond his imagination given the stated health benefits. The questions remains, with the increased consumption in recent years, will it have a noticeable impact on the health of Americans? Cheers.

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References: (upon request to author at jpsaleeby@aol.com)

JP Saleeby, MD is co-director of the Emergency Department at LRMC in Hinesville, GA. He is a strong advocate of nutritional medicine and an oneophile of sort founding the Savannah Wine Club. He holds faculty position at GSU in Statesboro, GA, lecturing graduate nurse practitioners. He also maintains a blog at http://www.docsaleeby.blogspot.com and http://www.members.aol.com/savannahwine. To email use jpsaleeby@aol.com.

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The Advantages of Green Tea

Green tea has been enjoyed by the Chinese and Japanese cultures for thousands of years, yet it has not been until relatively recently that the rest of the world has discovered the joys of green tea. It is considered to be one of the most popular herbal supplements in the world. Green tea offers many nutritional benefits; such as its ability to help loss weight, lower cholesterol, increase immune function, and improve the cardiovascular system. The reason for green tea being so incredibly beneficial lies in the fact that the green tea leaf is rich in healthy antioxidants called catechin polyphenols.

The most powerful of these catechins is EGCG and it accounts for 10% to 50% of the total catechin content of green tea. The EGCG in green tea is beneficial for the heart and circulatory health and support of the body's natural resistance to cancer of the bladder, breast, colon, esophagus, lung, pancreas, prostate, skin and stomach. It is anywhere from 25 to 100 times more potent than vitamins C and E.

Tea made from tea leaves (as opposed to herbal teas) are very good for you, since they are simply water plus phytochemicals (of which catechin polyphenols are a part of) and caffeine, and very little else, unless of course you add sugar or another substance to it before drinking. Green tea contains about half of the amount of caffeine found in black tea and about a quarter of the amount of caffeine that is found in one regular cup of coffee making it a healthy drink you can consume at just about any time of the day.

Both green and black tea are derived from the same plant, yet black tea is fermented and therefore contains more caffeine, and green tea leaves are not fermented. Green tea leaves are also rich in fluorine and help to prevent dental decay by inhibiting the enzyme that causes plaque formation. Another important factor is that people generally consider green tea to cause less nervousness and anxiety than that of black tea, probably due to the lower levels of caffeine.

Overall, it is not hard to see why green tea is so respected; its plentiful beneficial nutrients and other properties are nothing but positive, and can be beneficial to one's health in more than several ways. This article is just the tip of the iceberg of the many great qualities of green tea. You owe it to yourself to learn more about this tasty and healthy drink.

Daniel Lanicek is a health fanatic, weightlifter, and armchair nutritionist. He likes his green tea with jasmine and hint of honey. Learn more about the many benefits of green tea at www.greenteakettle.com.

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List of High Protein Foods

High protein foods are great for packing on extra muscle. To make sure that your diet is filled with muscle-building proteins, it is extremely important to consider which high protein foods you should consume during your daily eating routine. To help you select the best high protein foods for your diet, we?ve compiled a list of some of the most protein-packed foods that you can find in your average grocery store.

You will notice that the list covers a broad variety of high protein foods. This was done intentionally so that you can compare food types and have more options to add to your daily meals.

The list:

(all nutrition estimates are based on standard single servings)

Peanut butter (2 tbsp)
Protein- 8 g
Calories- 188
Fat- 16 g

Raw almonds (19 pieces)
Protein- 7 g
Calories- 180
Fat- 14 g

Almond butter (1 tbsp)
Protein- 2 g
Calories- 101
Fat- 9 g

Skinless chicken breast (1 cup)
Protein- 38 g
Calories- 258
Fat- 10.4

Ground beef (90% lean, 3 oz)
Protein- 23 g
Calories- 182
Fat- 9 g

Ground turkey (3 oz)
Protein- 22 g
Calories- 193
Fat- 11 g

Salmon (half fillet)
Protein- 39 g
Calories- 367
Fat- 22 g

Tuna (canned, 1 cup)
Protein- 39 g
Calories- 179
Fat- 1 g

Deli turkey (1 oz)
Protein- 4 g
Calories- 31
Fat- 1 g

Findings:

High protein foods vary substantially in protein, fat, and calorie content per serving. Some of the best high protein foods have high fat counts; however, it is important to consider that not all fats are bad for you, and some can be very beneficial to your diet- even if weight loss is your top priority. Almonds, for example, are rich in omega three fatty acids but low in saturated fats.

In general, if you are looking for an efficient way to increase your protein count but keep your calorie and fat intakes minimal, than fish and lean meats are an effective option. Canned tuna (hold the mayo) tops the list as the most efficient protein source. Skinless chicken breasts, deli turkey, ground turkey, and lean ground beef are also highly efficient high protein foods.

A.J. Yeakel

Your independent guide to high protein foods and recipes.

CLICK HERE for more helpful information on protein diets, recipes, and more.

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6 Ways To Save Over 30% On Health Insurance

We might splurge on comforts and luxuries but when it comes to investing some money on health insurance, we tend to think twice and put it on hold. It?s very important for you to spare some time and make sure your family is properly covered in health insurance. Having a surprise health problem can literally cost you a fortune if you don?t have health insurance and you also get much lower quality of medical care without health insurance.

Here are 6 tips to help you save up to 30% and to make sure you get the most fitting plan:

Choose By Location

Choose the right insurance plan by browsing and doing some research on your State?s insurance website as insurance plans and prices vary widely by state. A good site will list companies available in your area, prices for both individual and family plans, and any lower-cost options your state offers if you meet certain income requirements.

Write out your priorities

If you have a favorite doctor, make sure to choose an insurance company that covers their service. Start to narrow things down by your needs, whether that means low premiums, customer service or the doctor you?re already seeing.

Don't be afraid to use a broker

It?s wise to approach an insurance broker, he can do the running around for you to help you find a well-suited insurance company, help shop for the best rates, and explain the ins and outs of your plan. It is, however, essential to check the reputation and credentials of the broker.

Ask for a "free look"

A test-drive of your insurance plan is called a free look, and it basically means that you can get your money back if you're not satisfied within a set period of time. Restrictions vary by company and plan, but you could have anywhere from one to six weeks to ask for a refund ??probably in writing.

Consider a Health Savings Account

If you are seeing the doctor just twice a year then HSA is a great option. It goes hand-in-hand with an insurance policy that has a high deductible but low premiums. The money you save on premiums each month can be deposited into the HSA pre-tax, where it grows tax-deferred. You then use it to pay for any unexpected medical expenses. Once you turn 65, you can withdraw any money you didn't use and spend it on anything you want, including funding your retirement.

Negotiate

We will end up paying more from services that aren't covered to doctor and hospital co-pays to costs for prescriptions. Keep your costs low by shopping around and asking for generics whenever available. Don't be afraid to negotiate with your doctor if you're paying out of pocket. You might get a discount.

Unlike what many think, it is still very possible to get low cost health insurance in the United States. Especially now with the internet, you can get multiple quotes from many companies right away ??this helps you negotiate and get lower prices.

John Wiley is an expert in getting low cost online health insurance quotes even if you have pre-existing medical conditions. Please visit http://www.InsuranceDX.com for more information and to apply immediately for a great health insurance plan in your area.

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Cure Vertigo - The Best Way To Cure Vertigo

Vertigo is more often than not a very annoying disease, but if left untreated, it may lead to other major complications. Vertigo is a condition where you feel dizzy when moving up or down. You feel as if you are falling through a high roof when actually you are just standing in some corner of a room. Note that all types of dizziness needn't necessarily be vertigo, though the opposite is always true: that is, all cases of vertigo consist of dizziness. In this article, I will tell you how to cure vertigo fast.

How do you know if you have vertigo? It is very simple. Do you feel dizzy and visualize hallucinatory images when moving up or down or turning in bed? Vertigo sufferers not only feel dizzy, they also suffer from hallucinations. They feel like they are moving in circles and so are the objects that surround them. Sometimes you get a feeling as if you are falling from a space. Good news is that vertigo doesn't last long: usually no more than thirty to sixty seconds. And the symptoms may last for no more than a few months. However, when it does appear, it becomes very difficult to take control of your body.

Vertigo is caused because of ear infection. A typical ear infection called Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo (BPPV) is what causes vertigo. Some believe that a respiratory tract infection is what causes vertigo. However, if anytime in life you have been hit by a severe blow to your head, you may suffer from vertigo. The best way to get rid of vertigo is to avoid extreme positions that cause it. Vertigo can also be caused by labyrinths.

As for treatment, there is no scientifically proven method of curing vertigo. Doctors advise medication based on the condition of the patient. The doctor should evaluate your health completely before prescribing medicines for you. It is possible that certain medicines you are taking are responsible for your vertigo and simply stopping the intake of those medicines may help cure vertigo. From time to time, doctors also prescribe physical therapies for patients. One such example of physical therapy used to cure vertigo is vestibular rehabilitation therapy. The job of this therapy is to restore the vestibular system. Once the vestibular system is restored, you get rid of all the dizziness and hallucination. Vestibular rehabilitation therapy is done by performing certain exercises which helps the brain adapt to the new changes in the ear and compensate the cause of vertigo. Home remedies can also be used to cure vertigo. If you are not sure, ask your doctors what kind of home remedies you can use to cure vertigo.

Discover 2 Home Remedies To Cure Vertigo Fast For more information on how to cure vertigo fast, visit us at:
http://vertigo.besthelptips.com/cure-vertigo-2.php
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