As a 'Triple-Flu' Season Rages, Here is What You Must Do Now    
The U.S. isn't experiencing one widespread outbreak of flu; it's dealing with no less than THREE types of flu and flu-like diseases. Should you go ahead and get a flu shot? Find out what can help and what can increase your chances of getting sick. 

Mercury Pollution and Prenatal Exposure 
Millions of children in the European Union are being born with dangerously high levels of mercury. Consumption of contaminated seafood is only one reason why.

Herbal Tea For Your Health

Dr. Michael Cutler | Jan 21, 2013 | Comments 6

Why drink tea? Most of us just drink it to warm and fill us up with as little effort and calories as possible. Yet there are many medicinal reasons to drink tea, too. I’ll begin my tea articles with a look at the health benefits of the standard black and green teas. In an article week, I’ll look at specific illnesses and the various other herbal teas that target them.

Black And Green Tea For Your Health

Tea is an important beverage. Herbal teas are even healthier than coffee, which I wrote about in a previous article. Whether for weight loss, an energy boost, improved mood and sleep or even to fight a winter cold virus, tea does the trick.

Teas are the most commonly consumed beverage in the world, second only to water.

Black And Green Tea

Black and green teas are both made from the shrub Camellia sinensis. The Chinese teas, oolong tea and white tea, also are made from this plant, but with preparation processes that significantly differ.

Black tea, the most oxidized type of tea, has a strong flavor that it maintains for many years. Because of the perceived value of black tea, it has even been compressed into bricks and used as a monetary currency in Mongolia, Tibet and Siberia.

Tea is renowned for its health benefits, and its effects on the body have been examined ever since Camellia sinensis was first used about 4,700 years ago in China. All the data on black and green tea show important health benefits.

Healthy Black Tea

In 2001,ⁱ researchers at Boston University found that among patients with cardiovascular disease, short- and long-term black tea consumption reversed vasomotor (blood vessel action) dysfunction. These scientists concluded that this effect on vessels was a major reason why drinking tea decreases heart attack rates.

A 2009 study reported in the Journal of Hypertensionⁱⁱ showed that black tea consumption improves blood flow and decreases arterial stiffness in healthy subjects. We also know that regular ingestion of black tea over six months results in lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure, according to a 2012 report in Food & Function.ⁱⁱⁱ  These are very important protective cardiovascular effects. Interestingly, a 2006 German study found that adding milk blocks the heart protective effects of tea.^iv

Adding to the heart-healthy effects of black tea is its cholesterol benefits. Theaflavin-3-gallate is an advantageous compound found in black tea that is thought to improve cholesterol metabolism, according to a 2008 report in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry.^v

Vasodilation

Black and green teas contain L-theanine, known to promote nitric oxide (NO) production in the cells of the inner lining of arteries (endothelial cells). Nitric oxide is a well-known vasodilator that increases blood flow for improved skeletal muscle strength and also better cardiovascular health.^vi L-theanine is used medicinally to reduce mental and physical stress and is one of the best remedies for adrenal fatigue. It is also known to improve mental clarity and boost mood in combination with caffeine.

Caffeine has a natural stimulant effect that can be beneficial for many health needs but can be overused and lead to a physical dependency. It is interesting to note that coffee has the highest caffeine content.

The approximate caffeine content per cup of various beverages include: drip coffee 100-150 mg, black tea 30-90 mg, Red Bull 80 mg, Mountain Dew 55 mg, Coca-Cola 45 mg, Pepsi-Cola 37 mg and Snapple Tea 32 mg.

Weight Loss

Weight control may be another benefit of tea consumption. A 2010 report in the European Journal of Nutrition^vii that looked at body weight and tea consumption among 6,472 study participants revealed a clear correlation: Drinking hot tea was inversely associated with obesity and directly associated with beneficial biomarkers of cardiovascular disease risk like increased HDL cholesterol and decreased C-reactive protein in men and women. In 2011, Japanese researchers reported nearly identical findings.^viii They found that black tea consumption significantly reduced the risk of obesity and that it also could be used effectively to help prevent metabolic syndrome (prediabetes).

In the June 2009 Journal of Food Science, Chinese researchers found that green tea, oolong tea and black tea helped regulate blood sugar. They discovered that black tea was the most effective of these at slowing blood sugar absorption and fighting free radicals. ^ix 

Green Tea For Health

Green tea shares the heart healthy and diabetes-reducing effects of black tea. Green tea is also known to have high concentrations of phytochemicals like polyphenolic compounds (most predominately epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG).

Similar to black tea, green tea consumption helps lower obesity and prevent metabolic syndrome. Remember, metabolic syndrome is the combination of obesity, high blood sugar (prediabetes), insulin resistance, hypertension and abnormal cholesterol levels.^x It is thought that green tea ameliorates this condition with a modulation of dietary fat absorption and metabolism, increased glucose use, decreased new fat formation, enhanced blood vessel responsiveness (like black tea does) and antioxidant effects.

Moreover, researchers have found that green tea has cancer-reducing properties.

The association between high green tea consumption and low cancer rates in Asian countries is more than just coincidence. The chemicals in green tea have been shown to attach to and destroy cancer cells in animal studies. Studies show that these chemicals may stop cancer from forming in the skin, lung, mouth, esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, liver, pancreas and mammary glands.^xi Other studies have shown that green tea’s actions prevent the spread of breast^xii and prostate^xiii cancers in humans.

My favorite teas to drink are green tea and fruit-flavored teas. These are low in calories because I sweeten them with stevia, not table sugar.

In my next article, I’ll talk about the many other health benefits from various herbal teas. I’m looking forward to exploring that topic.

To feeling good for life,

Michael Cutler, M.D.

The #1 Most DEADLY Food... This so-called "health food" is secretly causing weight gain, high blood pressure and more. Are you eating it tonight for dinner?  Video>>

'Thank You Preppers, We're Taking Your Food!' Don't spend $10,000 (or more) on an emergency food supply for your family until you watch this shocking new video... Video>>

The Vitamin That Saves the Brain

Carl Lowe | Jan 21, 2013 | Comments 2

Research into a vitamin taken by bodybuilders and often used to help fight asthma shows that it may significantly support brain health. Scientists now believe this vitamin can lower the chances of schizophrenia while possibly reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The essential nutrient is choline, a member of the B vitamin family that is found in liver, muscle meats, fish, nuts and eggs. In a study at the University of Colorado, researchers found that giving choline to pregnant women in the last two trimesters of pregnancy improved cognitive functioning in their babies. The result: The newborns showed fewer nervous system characteristics that might make them more vulnerable to schizophrenia.

"Genes associated with schizophrenia are common, so prevention has to be applied to the entire population, and it has to be safe,” says researcher Robert Freedman, M.D. “Basic research indicates that choline supplementation during pregnancy facilitates cognitive functioning in offspring. Our finding that it ameliorates some of the pathophysiology associated with risk for schizophrenia now requires longer-term follow-up to assess whether it decreases risk for the later development of illness as well."

When Trees Die, So Do Humans

Carl Lowe | Jan 21, 2013 | Comments 1

In 2002, scientists discovered that a beetle known as the emerald ash borer was killing ash trees in the United States. By 2010, 100 million trees were dead. And so were at least 21,000 Americans who died along with the trees.

When the emerald ash borer comes into a community, city streets lined with ash trees become treeless. Researchers believe that the death of those trees also leads to extra human deaths. The comfort we derive from trees supports our health. Take that away and many of us can’t endure.

An analysis of 18 years of data from 1,296 counties in 15 States, showed that people living in areas infested by the borer suffered from an additional 15,000 deaths from cardiovascular disease and 6,000 more deaths from lower respiratory disease when compared to uninfected areas.

The researchers analyzed demographic, human mortality and forest health data at the county level between 1990 and 2007. The data came from counties in States with at least one confirmed case of the emerald ash borer in 2010.

“There’s a natural tendency to see our findings and conclude that, surely, the higher mortality rates are because of some confounding variable, like income or education, and not the loss of trees,” says Geoffrey Donovan, a research forester at the Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station. “But we saw the same pattern repeated over and over in counties with very different demographic makeups.”

7 DIET FOOD RIP-OFFS

Stop buying phony products and start dropping pounds

What if you could lose all the weight you wanted, without shelling out for high-priced "health" foods, and without even breaking a sweat? Sound impossible? Well, it's not. In fact, you can eat what you want, when you want, if you know how to make some simple, smart swaps. And here's another secret you need to know: Many high-priced health foods are more likely to add fat to your body than to strip it away. To see what we mean, check out these 7 Diet Food Rip-Offs. Bonus Tip:Which is better for weight loss: six small meals or three large ones? There are plenty of theories floating around, but which way works best? Find out The Best Eating Frequency for Fat Loss right here.

Meanwhile, in other autism news... 

A recent nationwide study showed that a type of early behavioral intervention called the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM) can make a serious difference for children with autism. 

The 48 children in this study represented a full range of early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) severity. All were between the ages of 18 and 30 months, and were randomly assigned either ESDM intervention or a control intervention for two years. 

Researchers gauged results by measuring brain activity in response to both social (faces) and non-social (toys) stimuli via EEG. 

Results showed that, following ESDM intervention, 73 percent of the children showed increased brain activity when viewing faces as opposed to objects. (This is on par with typically developing children, 71 percent of whom showed the same patterns.) 

Results from the control intervention were starkly different. 

In this group, 64 percent of children with ASD showed greater brain reactions to toys than faces--almost the exact opposite response. (This is in line with what we know about autism. Namely, that the brains of ASD children are more engaged by nonsocial stimuli.) 

But that's not all. Almost none of the ASD children were verbal prior to ESDM intervention, possessing an average IQ of only 65. 

But results after the intervention revealed that average IQs jumped into the 80s...and that all of the children were able to communicate effectively using language. 

This is a pretty remarkable study for so many families who think they may have "lost" their little boy or girl to autism. And it perfectly illustrates why I always encourage parents of children with ASD to get as many early interventions as they can afford. 

Before you give up, know that there are many alternative solutions out there. I wrote about some of them in my book Feed Your Kids Well. And have shared other developments in past Reality Health Checks (you can search on autism on my website www.LogicalHealthAlternatives.com). 

But based on these results, you should absolutely read Early Start Denver Model for Young Children with Autism, by Sally J. Rogers and Geraldine Dawson, as well.

And please spread the word. It could be life-changing for thousands of children and their families. 

Until next time, 
 
Dr. Fred 

Sources: 
"Autism prevalence in the United States with respect to solar UV-B doses: An ecological study." Dermatoendocrinol. 2012:4:4.1-6. 
"Early behavioral intervention is associated with normalized brain activity in young children with autism." J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2012 Nov;51(11):1150-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2012.08.018. 

The most superior cooking oil on Earth!

The food we eat is the foundation of a healthy, vibrant life. And when it comes to cooking healthy meals, there's an ingredient we all use that should be given MUCH more careful consideration...and that's the oil you cook with. The truth is, most people need an oil change!

Ray of hope

Dear Reader, The shocking rise in the number of children diagnosed with autism in this country is abig concern of mine. I treat many children with this condition--usually quite successfully--through diet and nutritional supplementation. And I've seen many diagnoses reversed, and children removed from the spectrum, even when parents were told there was no hope for them. Today, I'd like to share the results of a couple of new studies on this urgent topic. First up, recent research shows that children and teens living in states with higher levels of ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure are less likely to develop autism than children living in states with lower levels of UVB exposure. And not just a little less likely, either. This study found that children who enjoy higher solar UVB exposure in the summer or autumn months receive autism diagnoses at half the rate of their low-UVB counterparts. Summer and autumn are really the only times of year when our bodies can actively make adequate vitamin D through exposure to the sun. Oh, and that sun exposure has to be without sunscreen. Just 20 minutes per day is enough--but that is 20 minutes per day during which most of your body must be exposed. That's pretty much the only way we can get enough of this critical vitamin, other than through supplementation. Yes, vitamin D is in a few foods. But taking vitamin D in pill form is probably the only way most of us will be able to maintain levels significant enough to help ward off disease--especially in the winter. How far north you live is a good indication of typical vitamin D production in the winter months. In fact, there is now an autism map, which appeared in the Los Angeles Times in December 2011. This map showed that 2010 autism rates were highest in the Northeast and on the West Coast and lowest in the Southern and Plains states. (Not unlike current cancer trends.) And according to this latest study, the risk appears to be especially high for black Northerners. Compared to white Americans, autism rates were 40 percent higher among African Americans living in states with the lowest UVB exposure. And their vitamin D levels were roughly 40 percent lower, too. Of course, we already know that it's more difficult for African Americans to get adequate vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. But this study exposes a remarkable difference, which comes at a great deal of risk to this ethnic group. It also underscores the vital importance of vitamin D supplementation for anyonetrying to conceive. This study doesn't prove a link between infant vitamin D status and autism. But the study authors think that these trends are enough to suggest that D deficiency during pregnancy may be a key risk factor. So if you or someone you know is attempting to get pregnant, it appears that 40 ng/mL is the magic number. Get your levels tested. And if you're not already supplementing with D3--at least 2,000 IU per day--start now.

South African Secret is sure to baffle doctors with its new approach to whole-body health!

Imagine this--a new whole-body secret could make your favorite multivitamin outdated ...and push it out of your cabinet. Dr. Marc Micozzi is placing a rare secret from one of the world's only untapped health goldmines right into your hands. This secret brings you the whole body power of adaptogens. This very special type of herb helps to keep your body in perfect balance--literally helping your body adapt and cope with any and all everyday stresses. Adaptogens support your body's immune system and stress response, to keep you feeling and functioning your best. Even better--Dr. Micozzi has found what he considers to be one of the most powerful adaptogens available. Discover the power of the rare Sutherlandia frutescens. See how you can feel your best today.

Why Do these Two Popular Drinks Act as Magnets for Depression 
They're immensely popular so chances are pretty good you drink them. But both of them - despite their evident differences - may be magnets for depression... though by dissimilar means. The question is: Have you fallen prey to this brain-changing mistake? 

Fighting Microbes with Microbes 
Microorganisms may hold the key to optimizing your immune system, fighting off disease and nourishing health, both in your gut and in the soil.

10 AMAZING BREAKFAST CASSEROLES

Master the art of the morning meal

If you do brunch—and let's be real, very few us don't—you know there's nothing like the promise of a hot, hearty breakfast to get yourself out of bed in the morning. And thanks toPrevention, these 10 Amazing Breakfast Casseroles (both savory and sweet) fit the bill. Even better: these recipes add protein and fiber, and cut down on the fat, sodium, and sugar, so you don't overeat before noon. The result: You'll start the day with something hearty and satisfying, feel fuller longer, and can lose some pounds, too.

Top Foods For Immune Health

Dr. Isaac Eliaz | Jan 18, 2013 | Comments 2

We all know the saying: “You are what you eat.” And with flu season ramping up, a healthy diet matters more than ever. Here’s a list of 10 natural foods to supercharge immunity and boost overall health and wellness in the process.

1. Chicken soup: Studies show that chicken soup, even store-bought, can reduce symptoms of cold and flu, and support the function of immune cells. Add fresh vegetables and herbs for extra nutrients.
2. Broccoli: Cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, are potent sources of powerful immune supporting nutrients such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, trace minerals zinc and selenium, and others to bolster immunity and support overall health.
3. Green tea: ECGC (Epigallocatechin gallate) and L-Theanine are two powerful compounds found in green tea that support immunity and protect long-term health. L-Theanine in particular supports the immune system’s fight against foreign invaders, while ECGC protect cells against damage and offers numerous additional health benefits.
4. Mushrooms: Culinary medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake and maitake are high in beta glucans, vitamin D and other powerful compounds that help support immune cells, promote healthy digestion and maintain numerous other areas of health.
5. Chia seeds: These tiny seeds are nutritional powerhouses, high in antioxidants, nutrients and protein. They also contain a healthy balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and they support glucose metabolism. Chia seeds offer a significant boost to vital energy. Because of their extremely high nutritional content, they support numerous aspects of immunity and overall health.
6. Garlic: Used medicinally for millennia, garlic is rich in powerful beneficial components, including allacin, a sulfur containing compound that helps fight foreign invaders. Garlic offers potent antimicrobial and immune support. It benefits cardiovascular health as well.
7. Yogurt, kiefer and kim chee: These cultured foods are high in probiotics (beneficial bacteria) that maintain immunity in the gastrointestinal tract and support digestive and overall health.
8. Sweet potatoes: Approximately ½ cup of sweet potatoes provides up to 40 percent of the recommended daily allowance for vitamin A, in the form of beta carotene. Vitamin A, an important immune-supporting nutrient, helps protect mucus membranes while maintaining immune response in these sensitive tissues.
9. Pumpkin seeds: These seeds contain approximately 10 mg of zinc per 100 grams of seeds. Zinc is a trace mineral that provides critical support to immune cells.
10. Burdock root:  This hearty root is high in a compound called inulin that helps to promote strong immunity, balance blood sugar and support organs and tissues. Commonly prepared in soups, salads or as a tea.

Immune-Boosting Supplements

Along with immune-boosting foods, there are a number of botanical and nutritional supplements that safely and effectively offer natural immune support. When combined with a healthy diet, proper stress relief and regular exercise, natural immune solutions can elevate your vitality give you the upper hand against this year’s aggressive viruses. Here are some top recommendations:

Medicinal mushroom formulas: Offer targeted immune solutions for both acute and long-term support. Additional beta glucans in mushroom formulas further support immunity and overall health. Many species of medicinal mushrooms have long been revered around the world for their remarkable healing benefits.

Modified Citrus Pectin: Derived from citrus peels, this form of pectin has been shown to provide support for the immune system and to safely remove heavy metals from the body. It is also the only natural agent capable of blocking the harmful effects of elevated galectin-3 levels in the body, thereby protecting against cancer, heart disease and other chronic conditions.

The Healthy Difference

As this year’s cold and flu season escalates, what you eat might mean the difference between staying healthy or staying home. With targeted immune-enhancing foods, supplements and lifestyle habits, you can elevate your vitality and immunity and avoid this year’s viral epidemics. So remember to eat well, reduce stress, move your body and supplement with all-natural ingredients that reflect the principles of good nutrition.

If Your Fingers Wrinkle In the Tub, Blame Your Nervous System

Carl Lowe | Jan 18, 2013 | Comments 0

Stay in the bathtub long enough and your fingers will wrinkle. That’s no accident. Your autonomic nervous system actually makes it happen. And there may be a good reason for the body to do this.

Researchers now think that our wet fingers become wrinkled so we can grip wet objects more firmly. Since the same wrinkling effect takes place in the toes, these scientists believe, this ability evolved to let our ancestors pick things up (with both hands and feet) in a wet environment.

Studies show that the wrinkles make us 12 percent quicker at picking up wet objects than we would be without the water-induced skinfolds.

Energy Drinks Get You Going: To The Emergency Room

Carl Lowe | Jan 18, 2013 | Comments 0

The food industry has done it again, inventing a whole new category of “food” that helps to trash our health: energy drinks. Overdosing on these concoctions and combining them with alcohol can lead to irregular heartbeat, heart attacks, headaches, rising anxiety and insomnia.

According to a government survey, people going to emergency rooms because of the after-effects of energy drinks doubled between 2007 and 2011, up from about 7,000 visits to more than 14,000. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration also notes that most of these patients are young adults or teenagers.

The report also characterizes our thirst for these beverages “a rising public health problem.” Previously, Australian researcher Amy Peacock had concludedthat energy drinks mixed with alcohol  can lead to “side-effects related to over-stimulation, including heart palpitations, increased speech speed, sleeping difficulties, agitation and tremors, jolt and crash episodes, and irritability and tension.”

Donuts decay in your stomach

If this isn't incentive to kick the sugar habit forever, I don't know what is... A group of researchers from the University of Illinois recently discovered that, while sugar might melt in your mouth, it actually rots in your stomach. That means every time you swallow that pastry...that donut...that cupcake...the sugar sits in your stomach and ever-so-slowly decays. And if you think about it, that's just how it feels when you eat the stuff. Like a lump in the bottom of your stomach. Sure, you get the momentary sugar-and-fat rush. But then there's the lump. The good news is, it doesn't take long to ditch sugar from your diet for good--once you put your mind to it!

Help maintain healthy BLOOD SUGAR with this 475-year old remedy

After centuries spent in obscurity, this ancient remedy has finally made a comeback... Somehow it remained a secret for generations. But once it was rediscovered, researchers went to work quickly exploring its many potential benefits. And it certainly didn't disappoint. But while everyone has focused on the latest herbal darlings, unfortunately, this healing elixir has been left by the wayside...given little of the attention it deserves...until now. You see, it turns out that what could be one of the biggest secrets to helping maintain healthy blood sugar already within the normal range has been growing on the Legendary Tree of Life for centuries. And thanks to the groundbreaking work of one of today's pre-eminent authorities on obesity and blood sugar, you can now put it to work for you

An eye-opening look out my office window

Dear Reader, I'm sitting in my office 19 stories above Lexington Avenue in New York City. I can see all the way down to the street. I can see the Empire State Building, the Chrysler Building, and even all the way downtown to the Freedom Tower (or as I still like to call it, The World Trade Center). And yet, I can't see a single store where I could get something healthy and nutritious to eat. Hang on, let me just go see how many there are... Okay, I count 10 stores that I can see, plus I know there are another five on my side of the street. And not a single one offers anything of any nutritional value. Pathetic right? Yet, if you're trying to live a healthy lifestyle and/or lose weight, the fact is, you have to make changes. And the first one is that you have to give up some level of convenience when it comes to food. It's not impossible to find healthy food in restaurants, but it is more difficult, and usually requires some special requests and modifications to the items you see on the menu. I'm here to tell you--don't be afraid to do this! It's common practice nowadays, and most places are happy to accommodate you. And, if they're not, why would you want to eat there anyway? After all, isn't the customer always right? And this advice doesn't just apply to eating out. When you make dinner plans with friends, explain that you're doing your best to stick to a healthy diet, and ask if you can pick the restaurant--and choose somewhere you know you can find (or special order) something nutritious. When you accept an invitation to dine at a friend's house, go ahead and ask what's being served...and offer to bring a side dish. (And make sure it's healthy! You don't have to advertise this fact, but you'll have some peace of mind knowing that you can eat it--plus, you're doing all the other guests a favor too!) And if the main course isn't something you feel comfortable eating, just explain your situation to the host or hostess and ask if they would mind if you brought a grilled chicken breast with you. Good friends will understand, and be glad to support you. And that's really what I'm getting at here... The road to good health can't be paved alone. Don't be afraid to be vulnerable and ask for help. Others can't support you if they don't know what to do. If you let people know what you need, you'll be surprised at how much easier it is to achieve your goals.

The NEXT GENERATION of nutritional support

Imagine if you could... Squash those "killer carb cravings" Put that long-missing bounce back in your step Erase those 3 o'clock energy slumps And feel better, healthier, and more vibrant than you have in years-- without swallowing a single pill. Now you can--thanks to one ingenious M.D.! Find out how his breakthrough pill-free multivitamin formula can give you complete support--now AND for the future...