Weight loss diets and cholesterol

Low in carbohydrates and high in protein diets, promoted for weight loss can be dangerous, according to a recent study in Israel and revealed in a Science Daily article.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/

The work done on mice showed a significant increase in atherosclerosis, namely the existence of plaques in the arteries inner wall and a reduced ability of the body to form new vessels in an area deprived of blood flow, called neoangiogenesis, as happens after a heart attack or stroke in other body muscles.

Another case that may be important for new blood vessels formation is when blood flow is diminished by the presence of plaques. Intermittent claudication is a clear example.

The researchers propose that one reason for that type of diet increases heart risks is that a system called "vascular progenitor cells, that normally acts to cope with vascular injuries, is lessened with diets low in carbohydrates and high in protein.

I bring this discussion because I think one of the best ways to combat obesity and overweight is a rational use of medicinal plants, which may act at different key points to help to control this problem.

What about a cup of coffee

To the traditional effects on the nervous system, mind concentration and alertness increase, another set of benefits should be added, some of which are not yet fully proved, but they are reversing a range of views on the potential damage of this traditional drink.

Moderate consumption has significant benefits, but it must be remembered that the addition of sugar or creams is independent of their properties and can cause other problems.

Coffee has a vasodilator effect on brain blood vessels, which could reduce the risk of vascular accidents and can relieve headaches.

Its antioxidant properties can be related to the prevention of several types of tumors.

Chlorogenic acid and trigonelline, two chemical components of coffee, reduce insulin resistance, thereby produce a decrease in blood glucose levels and helps to reduce the risk of some tumors associated with insulin resistance.

There is a positive effect on lung functioning through bronchial dilation, important in allergies and asthma, activity that apparently occurs mostly in nonsmokers.

There are more works that demonstrate the positive relationship between coffee consumption and Parkinson's disease reduction. Some substances contained in coffee slow nerve cells degeneration. Could not be found, by contrast, a relationship between coffee consumption and brain activity in old age, which will prevent senile dementia.

Another positive effect is the lower incidence of cardiovascular disease in moderate coffee drinkers, always referring to people with normal blood pressure. The action of coffee on hypertension has not been fully elucidated, although there are works that demonstrate a positive effect of achieving control.

There is an important finding related to liver degeneration by alcohol consumption. Coffee consumption slows the formation of abnormal fibrous tissue, which may result in tumor tissue. A metabolite of caffeine inhibits the synthesis of a connective tissue growth factor .

There is no clear evidence of the influence of coffee consumption on and uric acid, gout and osteoporosis.

Microalgae as chemicals producers for functional foods

Sometimes I wish to be able to choose the research lines in institutions that work with functional foods.

The small amount of research done on the potential of microscopic algae as a source of substances to be incorporated in new functional foods are demonstrating the enormous potential of these marine plant organisms and should be giving rise to a whole new line of work.

The draw on the rich biodiversity of these algae and the possibility to transform them into controlled biorreactors as factories of secondary metabolites, usually produced to defend themselves from adverse or extreme conditions, seems that these microscopic beings are shouting, COME FOR US, WE CAN HELP YOU.

The beneficial effects of some of these metabolites are already known and surely there are clues about what factors cause the microalgae to produce them in larger quantities.

The huge bioreactors that today produce fish food throughout the cultivation of these microscopic algae can also be used to produce chemical compounds to be added to common foods in order to transform them into functional foods.

Broccoli and tomatoes enriched with bioactive chemicals

A line of work that I fully agree with.

Feeding Tomato and Broccoli Powders Enriched with Bioactives Improves Bioactivity Markers in Rats

Ann G. Liu, Sonja E. Volker, Elizabeth H. Jeffery and John W. Erdman, Jr.

Division of Nutritional Sciences and Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, 905 South Goodwin Avenue, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801

J. Agric. Food Chem., Article ASAP Publication Date (Web): August 3, 2009

Abstract

Many studies have evaluated the cancer -preventive potential of individual bioactives from tomatoes and broccoli, but few have examined them within the context of a whole food.

Male Copenhagen rats were fed diets containing 10% standard tomato powder, tomato enriched with lycopene or total carotenoids, standard broccoli floret, broccoli sprouts, or broccoli enriched with indole glucosinolates or selenium for 7 days. All broccoli diets increased the activity of colon quinone reductase (NQO1). Indole glucosinolate-enriched broccoli and selenium-enriched broccoli increased hepatic NQO1 and cytochrome P450 1A activity.

These results demonstrate that the bioactive content of vegetables affects both tissue content of bioactives and activity of detoxification enzymes. Enhancing bioactive content of tomatoes and broccoli may enhance efficacy in the prevention of prostate cancer.

If I had knew it

I came across a daily news page announcing a scientific discovery, drinking wine reduces the chances of having Barret's esophagus.

At this time of wellness for all who support natural life and a healthy diet, where exercise helps prevent many ailments and each of the edible plants prevents this or that, also fermented drinks are beneficial for health, these news on wine appear as too much of the same.

As I said in other posts, I am one of the patients recovered from Barret's esophagus condition, following an adequate medical treatment. I repeat the title, if I had knew it, instead of controlling heartburn with a silly and tasteless gelatin capsule, I could have followed a good treatment, either at breakfast or at mid morning, with a good glass of wine, for instance one of our uruguaian prized Tannats.

Medicinal dessert

As a medicinal dessert, no doubt, fruits. Fruits contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbohydrates, plus special chemical compounds, flavonoids, saponins, phenols, carotenoids, isocyanates, with many medicinal properties.

Let me begin with some fruits and in the coming days I will complete the full list.

Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). The blueberry fruit contains amino acids and tannins that improve microcirculation, increase capillary resistance and decrease capillary permeability, very important properties for the eyes, ears and skin, as well as very beneficial for hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

Another series of blueberry compounds possess a significant amount of properties, astringent, antifungal, antidiarrheal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antitumor, antithrombotic.

Apple (Malus domestica). The active components, pectin, amino acids, organic acids, carbohydrates, catechins, quercetin, sorbitol, minerals. The mere fact of writing a list of properties indicates the importance of apple for health. I have described some of their properties already.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away.

Lowering cholesterol, analgesic, antiflu, antidiabetic, antiarthritic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antiulcer, empowers the immune system, protects blood vessels, antacid, digestive, laxative, diuretic, blood cleanser, hypotensive, sedative, and several other also important actions..

Orange (Citrus auriantum). Oranges fiber content, vitamins and minerals make them an exceptional food. Among most notable effects, its ability to reduce cardiac arrhythmias, their antiviral properties, and hypotensive activities of declining levels of colesterol blood. It is also a digestive plant.

Flavonoids, fruit acids, pectin, alkaloids, sugars, essences and more.

Recent findings are establishing a relationship between some orange chemical compounds and the prevention of several cancers, including lung cancer.