Super Blueberries

Blueberries may prevent colon cancer.

Researchers at Rutgers University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture conducted a joint study on animals, and found that a compound in blueberries called pterostilbene reduced pre-cancerous lesions and inhibited genes involved in inflammation. "This study underscores the need to include more berries in the diet, especially blueberries," said study leader Bandaru Reddy, Ph.D. The study was performed on 18 rats in which colon cancer had been induced in a manner similar to human colon cancer development. All of the animals were placed on a balanced diet, with half of the animals' diets supplemented with pterostilbene. After eight weeks, the rats fed pterostilbene had 57 percent fewer pre-cancerous colon lesions compared to the control group. The researchers also noted that pterostilbene inhibited certain genes involved in inflammation, considered a colon cancer risk factor. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. It has been linked to a high intake of saturated fats and calories common in Western diets. Pterostilbene may be able to reverse this process, possibly by lowering lipids, Reddy said. Reddy cited a recent study by co-author Agnes Rimando of the Department of Agriculture. Rimando demonstrated that blueberries, particularly their skins, can lower cholesterol when fed to animals. Some thirty different species of blueberries are native to North America. The berries are rich in anthocyanins, widely recognized for their antioxidant qualities. Blueberries are also a good source of ellagic acid, which blocks metabolic pathways that can lead to cancer.

Dr. Zach's Comments:

• Blueberries truly are one of God's great superfoods. Note that there are 30 different varieties of Blueberries in North America. Therefore, it's quite easy to find fresh local berries when in season.


• Eating foods grown locally has a tremendous effect on your health, not to mention the environment. Local foods are subject to the same environmental conditions that you are, and therefore could be very helpful in maintaining health and avoiding disease.


• And remember, eating blueberries to cure or even prevent colon cancer is not the point. The point is: if you eat a diet full of foods that are as close to their natural state as possible, your body will be truly healthy, and a healthy body doesn't get cancer.
• Here's a great smoothie recipe that my daughter loves:

Blueberry Peanut Butter Smoothie

1 Cup milk or rice milk

1 scoop protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)

1 tablespoon flax oil

1 scoop Fresh and Natural "Greens n Things" (superfood)

1/4 Cup peanut butter

1 Cup frozen Blueberries (fresh also works)

3/4 Cup Ice (use more ice if the blueberries are fresh)

begin mixing milk on lowest speed and and dry ingredients to prevent caking on side of blender canister. Stop blender and add peanut butter, flax oil, blueberries and ice. Blend on high until consistent. Enjoy!

Serves 2

Getting The Athletic Edge

Achieving Excellence Through Chiropractic Care

What do Barry Bonds, Tiger Woods, Andy Roddick, and Lance Armstrong have in common? They are incredibly accomplished athletes that have used chiropractic care as a key ingredient to their success. The fact is that more professional athletes use chiropractic than ever before. Even more revealing is the increased use of regular chiropractic care for entire professional teams. The magazine Chiropractic Economics reported that over 95% of teams in the NFL use chiropractors as a regular part of player care. Some professional athletes pay personal chiropractors to give treatment before, during, or after a game. Barry Bonds, one of the best all time baseball players, has a personal chiropractor who travels to games. Bonds has incorporated chiropractic into his lifestyle. He reportedly said, "I think it should be mandatory to see a chiropractor and massage therapist." Professional athletes get three main benefits with chiropractic care. They are to prevent injury, manage injury, and to enhance physical performance. Perhaps the most exciting thing about chiropractic is the performance enhancing abilities it provides athletes. A study in 1991 in the Journal of Chiropractic Research and Clinical Investigation revealed that chiropractic care can increase athletic performance by as much as 16.7%. Another study in the Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research in 1997 revealed that chiropractic care increases an athletes capillary count. This means increased blood flow and more oxygen to the body. Both professional and amateur athletes look into chiropractic and how it can help them perform to their potential.

Dr. Zach's Comments:

• Article Highlights: 1) The 1991 study showing chiropractic care increases athletic performance by as much as 16.7% and the 1997 study showing it increases capillary blood flow.


• Increasing performance by 16.7% is a huge edge for any competitive athlete at any level. Maybe that's why 95% of NFL teams use chiropractic care. If you are a competing at any level, chiropractic is a very simple and proven effective way to increase performance.


• Why? Because Chiropractic IS NOT ABOUT CORRECTION, IT'S ABOUT CONNECTION. Your body is designed to be vibrantly healthy, and it will be as long as you give it what it needs (sufficient nutrients, water, rest, and activity) and avoid the things that cause dysfunction (toxins, drugs, sedentary lifestyle, AND Interference to your nervous system). Your nervous system is what controls and coordinated every activity and function of your body. What causes interference to your nervous system? Vertebral Subluxation (spinal misalignments). Who is the only Health Professional trained to correct Vertebral Subluxation. Chiropractors. It's no wonder that so many elite athletes are putting chiropractors on their "team". Are you?

More Bad News For Diet Drinkers

Study: Diet soda linked to heart risks

BOSTON (AP) — People who drank more than one diet soda each day developed the same risks for heart disease as those who downed sugary regular soda, a large but inconclusive study found.
The results surprised the researchers who expected to see a difference between regular and diet soda drinkers. It could be, they suggest, that even no-calorie sweet drinks increase the craving for more sweets, and that people who indulge in sodas probably have less healthy diets overall.
The study's senior author, Dr. Vasan Ramachandran, emphasized the findings don't show diet sodas are a cause of increased heart disease risks. But he said they show a surprising link that must be studied.
The research comes from a massive, multi-generational heart study following residents of Framingham, Mass., a town about 25 miles west of Boston. The new study of 9,000 observations of middle-aged men and women was published Monday online in the journal Circulation.
The researchers found those who drank more than one soda per day — diet or regular — had an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, compared to those who drank less than one soda. Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of symptoms that increase the risk for heart disease including large waistlines and higher levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood fats called triglycerides.
At the start of the study, those who reported drinking more than one soft drink a day had a 48% increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome compared to those who drank less soda.
Of participants who initially showed no signs of metabolic syndrome, those who drank more than one soda per day were at 44% higher risk of developing it four years later, they reported.

Dr. Zach's Comments:

• It should be pretty obvious by now that there is no such thing as healthy soda. And those who thought diet soda was "healthier", well, think again.


• Sodas with artificial sweeteners come with their own baggage such as a increased risk of cancer and possible insulin resistance.


• What your body needs is water. Give your body what it needs.


• This may be the first time you've heard of metabolic syndrome, but it won't be the last. The high stress American lifestyle is actually creating its own disease. A disease that can destroy your ability to maintain you health by shutting down your bodies self regulating pathways and leading you instead down a path of medications and artificial "health". This disease (metabolic syndrome) is fortunately reversible however... if you take the necessary steps to regain your health through adequate nutrition, exercise, avoidance of toxins, and a clear nervous system.