White Tea the Fountain of Youth?

A study from Kingston University in London has found that white tea could help you live a longer life. Antioxidants contained in white tea may help reduce your risk for skin aging, cancer and arthritis. White tea is uncured and unfermented. One study has found that white tea has more cancer-fighting properties than other more processed teas. Other studies show that white tea thins the blood and improves artery function, thereby reducing the risk of stroke. White tea also contains a specific type of antioxidant called Catechins. Catechins actually lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. This helps prevent hardening of the arteries. Researchers have also discovered that people who drink 2 or more cups of tea a day are 50% less likely to die after a heart attack. White tea has been found in some studies to increase bone density. White tea also contains antibacterial and antiviral properties, which improves your immune system function. This helps your body guard against the common cold and flu. It also kills the bacteria that cause tooth decay and plaque. A cup of tea a day could make a difference in your health! photo credit: KnitStorm

Bumming a Cigarette Bums out Your Heart

If you think you’re beating the bad effects of cigarettes because you don’t smoke regularly, but still bum one now and then on a night out—you’re kidding yourself! Every puff you take increases your potential for arterial damage. A University of Georgia study found that sporadic smokers who smoked two cigarettes after two days of not smoking were 36 percent less responsive to blood flow changes than nonsmokers. After four cigarettes the arterial response was even worse. Impaired arterial response is the first step to heart disease. Cigarette smokers also have more build up of fatty deposits in their arteries. In fact, the Surgeon General has declared smoking “the leading preventable cause of disease and deaths in the United States.” Secondhand smoke will cause these same effects, so try to avoid it if possible. Smoking also decreases you HDL (good) cholesterol. And don’t forget—it’s bad for your lungs, too!

photo credit: vramak

Spice it up with Oregano and benefit your health!

Usually we think of Oregano just as a spice that makes our food taste better.  But the herb actually has some health benefits it’s a source of: iron, manganese, dietary fiber, calcium, vitamin C, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin K.  In fact 2 tsp of oregano is just over 20% DV of vitamin K.  Having adequate amounts of vitamin K allows your blood to clot normally and helps protect against osteoporosis.

photo credit: thomas pix

Vitamin A & Hip Fractures

A study in Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA 2002;287:47-54) discusses the risk involved in high levels of Vitamin A.  The study showed that the women with the highest levels of Vitamin A consumption had doubled the risk of hip fractures compared with women who had the lowest intake.  Doctors such as Jeff Novick and Joel Fuhrman suggest avoiding any suppliments containing Vitamin A.  If you are taking a multi-vitamin you may want to rethink it, if it has vitamin A.