Simple Treatment for Parkinson's Disease, - Dangerous Diet Myth, - Amazing Health Benefits of Apples

 

THE GREATEST MEDICINE OF ALL… IS TEACHING PEOPLE HOW NOT TO NEED IT


Many doctors don't know about this safe, simple treatment for Parkinson's disease
By Marc S. Micozzi, M.D., Ph.D.

Today, roughly one million people in the US. suffer from Parkinson's disease (PD).

If you or a loved one is in this group, you already know that this progressive neurodegenerative illness affects your coordination, mobility, and speech…and can flip your life upside down.

You deserve answers, hope, and lasting solutions. But the mainstream has NOTHING much to offer.

Their "gold standard" drug treatment for PD—levodopa—often stops working after just a few years.

Even worse? According to a recent survey, almost 60 percent of doctors don't know that people suffering from PD can beat back their symptoms by simply enjoying more of my favorite morning beverage (And for people who don't have PD, drinking it can lower their risk of ever getting it!)

So, without further ado, let's get this important research into YOUR hands…

When dopamine signaling goes awry

In a healthy brain, neurons in a darkly pigmented area of the brain called the substantia nigra produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that helps coordinate movement throughout your body.

But when a person develops PD, nerve cells (or neurons) in the substantia nigra die or become damaged and unable to produce sufficient dopamine Therefore, people begin to experience movement-related problems—such as tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and poor balance.

Doctors don't know exactly what causes the neurodegeneration associated with PD. But we do know about something that plays a significant role in increasing your risk…cholesterol-lowering statin drugs! (Yet another reason why I always recommend avoiding these drugs, whenever possible.)

Now, let's dig a little deeper into the promising (but little-known) research I just mentioned…

Coffee improves dopamine signaling and PD symptoms

Since the 1960s, multiple research studies found that people who regularly consume more coffee have a lower risk of ever developing PD.

For example, a 2002 meta-analysis of 20 studies found that people who drink coffee have a 30 percent lower risk of developing PD compared to non-coffee drinkers. And there appears to be a dose-response. In other words, the more coffee you drink, the stronger your protection. In fact, some of the individual studies in that meta-analysis showed up to an 80 percent reduction in risk among those who drink more than four cups of coffee a day.

Plus, among those who do develop the disease, drinking coffee seems to help improve their muscular and neurological symptoms.

Most of the research focuses specifically on caffeine—the best-known active compound found in coffee—and its ability to enhance dopamine signaling in the brain. Some studies even show that the caffeine in coffee specifically improves gait (the single, most-potent predictor of longevity).

In fact, the research on the link between caffeine and PD is so strong, some researchers suggest using blood testing for the presence of caffeine as a "biomarker" for the disease.

Of course, as I always report, coffee contains hundreds of active and beneficial biological compounds…in addition to caffeine. And other studies suggest that caffeine doesn't work alone…but in combination with these other natural compounds to support dopamine signaling in PD patients.

The many health benefits of drinking coffee

Ongoing research since the 1980s shows drinking coffee can protect against many illnesses in addition to PD, including:

Arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat)
Asthma
Cirrhosis of the liver
Colon cancer
Depression
Fatigue
Heart disease
Kidney disease
Migraine
Pain
Type II diabetes

Drinking coffee also works as a great natural approach for dealing with allergies and colds, as caffeine (and related compounds, such as theophylline) acts as a natural bronchodilator and decongestant in the respiratory tract.

Also, some of the strongest research I've seen on the benefits of drinking coffee involves its effects on Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia. In fact, in a recent observational study from the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston, older men and women who regularly consumed any amount of coffee experienced improved brain function. Other studies suggest drinking it lowers AD risk itself. And lab studies suggest caffeine in coffee might even help treat AD. 

Here again, researchers attributed the cognitive benefits to the hundreds of natural constituents found in coffee…in addition to caffeine itself. 

Combat the jitters by monitoring your intake 

Of course, drinking any caffeinated beverage can disrupt sleep or cause a case of the "jitters" in some people. And the amount of caffeine that causes these problems varies greatly from one person to the next. It can also change dramatically during the course of your lifetime. 

So, pay close attention to whether and when drinking coffee seems to influence your ability to sleep or contributes to agitation or anxiety. You can easily adjust your intake and timing during the day. Also, never combine coffee with any type of so-called "energy drink." I advise staying away from "energy drinks" entirely.

I find most people do quite well with drinking three to four cups of coffee a day—which is just the right amount to confer all the impressive health benefits listed here today. 

In the end, drinking coffee appears to be a safe, enjoyable, and effective way to protect yourself against PD and other health problems as you get older, too.

So, go ahead and enjoy another steaming cup o' joe today. Your brain will thank you tomorrow! 

Just make sure to skip the artificial sweeteners. And if you prefer to add some cream, go ahead and use some full-fat milk. 


The dangerous diet myth that's increasing your fatal stroke risk

For decades, mainstream medicine has force-fed Americans the unfounded myth that full-fat dairy is bad for you, which really couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, according to a new study, eating full-fat dairy might actually save your life! Let's take a closer look at the real science…

Solid studies from the 1970s found that people who eat full-fat dairy like butter have 50 percent fewer heart attacks compared to those who eat margarine. And other studies found those who eat full-fat dairy have a much lower risk of obesity and Type II diabetes.

But the government-industrial-medical complex buried those findings. They told us to avoid saturated fats found in full-fat dairy. They even resorted to scare tactics, calling a diet high in saturated fat a "heart attack on a plate."

As a result, many well-intentioned Americans cut out whole milk, cheese, and yogurt in an attempt to follow this bad advice. And now, we realize how much this misstep has contributed to the epidemic of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and Type II diabetes facing the country.

Full-fat dairy supports cardiovascular health

For the new study, researchers gathered dietary information on 3,000 adults, ages 65 and older, over a 22-year period.

But they didn't gather the information using the self-reported dietary assessments typical of government research (which rely on the participant's memory and are rarely, if ever, entirely accurate).

Instead, the researchers measured blood levels of three different fatty acids found in full-fat dairy products in 1992, 1998, and 2005. By using this kind of objective data, the study's results are much more reliable.

Turns out, people with higher fatty acid levels (associated with higher consumption of full-fat dairy products) had a whopping 42 percent lower risk of dying from stroke.

I was glad to see the study was published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the only major medical journal that really seems to understand human diet and nutrition.

The dangerous consequences of low-fat recommendations

Despite this growing wealth of evidence, the 2015 – 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, published by a federal advisory committee, still recommend eating fat-free or low-fat dairy, including cheese, milk, yogurt, and fortified soy drinks. (Another question for them: Why is any soy product still finding its way onto a recommended list?)

It's a real shame, considering these low-fat products don't contain the essential fatty acids needed for heart and brain health. Not to mention all of their added sugars, which also contribute to poor cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Indeed, a lack of fatty acids may also explain why men and women who eat low-fat dairy run a much higher risk of developing Parkinson's disease.

Dairy products are also excellent sources of other essential nutrients —such as potassium and calcium. And as I've warned before, you should always get your calcium from food sources instead of supplements, unless you use the Standard Process brand, which uses Calcium Lactate, the same form of calcium found in plants. Most common calcium supplements use inferior forms of calcium that are hard to digest and cause health issues in your body. Two of my favorite calcium lactate supplements from Standard Process are Calcium Lactate and Min-Tran. Both have the perfect balance of calcium and magnesium, which should always be used together. Min-Tran has organic minerals added and is the product I use. 

At the end of the new report, the researchers stated, "Our findings not only support, but also significantly strengthen, the growing body of evidence which suggests that dairy fat, contrary to popular belief, does not increase risk of heart disease or death in older adults."

The "body of evidence" that dairy fats don't increase cardiovascular disease risk has been there and "growing" from the beginning. So all in all, the popular belief that full-fat dairy is bad came entirely from faulty science.

So eat full-fat dairy for the full-fat path to a healthier heart


Transform your health in five key ways…with apples?!

At this time of year, there’s nothing better than biting into a fresh, crisp apple for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up.

Of course, until more recent generations, you couldn’t enjoy always fresh apples outside the fall season (unless you had a root cellar). Meaning you probably had to settle for some canned apples, apple cider, or apple sauce.

Thankfully, nowadays, you can find many different varieties of fresh apples—including Fuji, Gala, Honey Crisp, and Red or Golden Delicious—year-round at the market.

And that’s a good thing, considering this tasty fruit can transform your health in FIVE key ways…

The five amazing health benefits of apples

Without a doubt, apples are one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. They’re high in both pectin and fiber, which help with digestion and support the “good” probiotic bacteria in your gut. They’re also loaded with polyphenols (powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds).

Plus, research shows that eating foods with pectin and polyphenols helps prevent cancer (especially colon and breast cancer), cardiovascular disease, Type II diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and cognitive impairment.

Here are five additional major health benefits of eating apples…

1.) Regular, healthy bathroom habits. Apples are high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, which adds bulk to your stool. (I remember an old laxative commercial that compared the bulk in its product to a certain number of apples. But the truth is, you’re much better off just eating the apples.)

Apples also contain healthy probiotic bacteria to support your gastrointestinal (GI) microbiome. In fact, researchers in Austria recently compared the probiotic bacteria found in organic versus conventionally grown apples.

They found that both varieties contain about the same amount of probiotic bacteria. But organic apples have a more balanced, diverse, and evenly distributed population of probiotic bacteria compared to conventionally grown apples. Which, ultimately, is much better for your gut.

As an added bonus, the researchers discovered that the probiotic bacteria in organic apples improves their taste. And finally, the organic apples didn’t contain E. coli or any other known bacterial pathogens, whereas the conventional apples did.

Of course, I always recommend opting for organic apples simply because farmers can’t legally spray any type of organic produce with harmful pesticides.

2.) Balanced blood sugar - Apples have metabolic benefits that help regulate blood sugar and reduce the risk of Type II diabetes. In fact, the phytonutrients in apples prevent spikes in blood sugar in three ways…

First, they inhibit enzymes involved in the breakdown of complex carbohydrates into simple sugars. Second, they stimulate the pancreas to produce insulin. Third, they reduce the absorption of sugars into the bloodstream.

3.) Reduction of stroke risk. In one notable study involving more than 9,000 men and women, researchers found that those who ate the most apples over a 28-year period had a lower risk of suffering a stroke caused by blood clots.

4.) More energy throughout the day. Apples can serve as a good source for natural energy. In fact, the vitamin C and phenols counter the effects of oxidative stress, and the malic acid content is good for muscle energy and function. Apples also help satisfy your hunger throughout the day.

5.) A clean, fresh mouth. Eating apples naturally cleans the teeth and helps control food odors and bad breath. It also promotes saliva production, which is good for oral health and digestion.

More reasons to choose organic varieties

Each year the Environmental Working Group puts together a “Dirty Dozen” list of the fruits and vegetables most-contaminated by pesticides.

Sadly, apples top the list year after year. And the chemical pesticides used on conventionally grown apples can and do accumulate in your body. As a result, they can poison your tissues and metabolism. These chemical pesticides also kill the naturally occurring probiotic bacteria on the apple…and harm probiotic bacteria in your gut.

So, when selecting your apples at the market or orchard, remember to pick organic varieties, free of chemical pesticides.

In addition, make sure to eat the skin of the apple as well, which has a higher nutrient concentration than the flesh.

Until next time, stay healthy and happy

JD Roma



The information on this blog is provided for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical care, and medical advice and services are not being offered. If you have, or suspect you have, a health problem you should consult your physician (preferably a Naturopath).