Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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Researchers from Drexel University are warning the public to stop washing their chicken because it is ineffective in killing germs and can spread bacteria.
So what is recommended with regards to cleaning your chicken?
The USDA recommends that when handling chicken, consumers should follow the following safety rules:
CLEAN. Wash hands and surfaces often.
SEPARATE. Do not let raw poultry or its juices touch other foods.
COOK. Cook poultry to the safe minimum internal temperature of 165 °F (73.9 °C) as measured with a food thermometer. (Proper cooking will destroy any bacteria present on raw poultry)
CHILL. Refrigerate poultry promptly.

Multivitamin

Try the following supplements as part of a program for healthy aging. They provide important nutrients, prevent inflammation, bolster your immune system, support your liver, and increase your energy levels.

Antioxidants

In addition to the antioxidants you get from food (such as fruits, vegetables, tea, and olive oil) and from your multivitamin, consider a few well-researched natural products that provide additional antioxidant support.

Antioxidants: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10, or Ubiquinone)

Coenzyme Q10 increases oxygen use at the cellular level, improves the function of heart-muscle cells, and boosts the capacity for aerobic exercise. The main problem with it is its bioavailability — how much gets into your system and used. New softgel and emulsified forms are much better than other forms in this respect but still need to be taken with a meal that contains fat. Recommendation: 60 milligrams a day of CoQ10.

Antioxidants: Grape-Seed Extract

Grape-seed extract helps prevent and treat age-related diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cataracts, and macular degeneration. If you’re generally healthy, Dr. Weil suggest 100 milligrams a day.

Antioxidants: Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Alpha-lipoic acid (with or without acetyl-l-carnitine) decreases insulin resistance while augmenting the body’s antioxidant defenses. If you have any degree of metabolic syndrome (low HDL cholesterol, high serum triglycerides, a tendency to gain weight in the abdomen, a tendency toward high blood pressure) or have a personal or family history of obesity or type 2 diabetes, consider taking ALA. Start with 100 milligrams a day; take up to 400 milligrams a day.

Anti-Inflammatory Support

Abnormal inflammation is a common root of many chronic diseases, including autoimmune conditions such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. It can be a component of other diseases such as multiple sclerosis and inflammatory bowel disease. Besides eating an anti-inflammatory diet, you might want to give your body additional support with a few key anti-inflammatory herbs and over-the-counter drugs.

Anti-Inflammatory Support: Ginger and Turmeric

Ginger and turmeric can, of course, be added to food but are most effective taken in supplement form. You can take a starting dose of 1 gram a day of ginger (after a meal) and 1 gram of whole extract of turmeric (rather than a preparation of curcumin, only one of the spice’s active components). Many people find their musculo-skeletal and other ailments disappeared after using ginger, while extract of turmeric may have a preventive effect against Alzheimer’s disease and may also reduce the risk of cancer.

Anti-Inflammatory Support: Aspirin

Aspirin offers many health benefits, including its influence on the same hormones that mediate inflammation — an influence that offers a reduction of cancer risk as well. Aspirin can cause irritation and bleeding of the stomach and lower GI tract, but in general, the health benefits of low-dose aspirin regimens outweigh the risks. Dr. Weil takes two baby aspirins a day, the equivalent of half an adult tablet.

Anti-Inflammatory Support: Other NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)

These include ibuprofen (sold as Motrin and Advil) and other products. Ibuprofen reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease but, like aspirin, can cause GI irritation and bleeding. Dr. Weil recommends its daily use only for those with symptomatic inflammation (such as arthritis) or a significant family history of Alzheimer’s

Immune Support

Our immune systems weaken as we age, making us more susceptible to infections and cancer and slowing our healing responses. And our immune systems are under constant assault from toxins in the environment, both natural and man-made. It’s worth experimenting with natural products that enhance immune function.

Immune Support: Astragalus

Astragalus has a long history in Chinese medicine, where it’s used to ward off colds and flu. Dr. Weil often recommends it to people who “get whatever’s going around,” to cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, to those with immune deficiencies, and to everyone during flu season. Look for standardized extracts in capsules and take them as the label directs.

Immune Support: Mushrooms

These include edible species such as shiitake, maitake, and oyster mushrooms as well as purely medicinal ones like reishi that are too bitter and woody to be used as food. Dr. Weil believes it’s better to take a number of these mushrooms together, since their effects are synergistic. Liquid, powder, and encapsulated forms are available, some providing extracts of seven or more species.

Detoxification

Protection from toxins begins with minimizing your exposure to them — drinking purified water, eating lower on the food chain and pesticide-free food when possible, not ingesting toxic substances, not smoking, and not living near hazardous sites such as toxic-waste dumps. You also can help support the liver, the organ responsible for processing toxins.

Detoxification: Milk Thistle

Milk thistle is an herbal remedy with an excellent reputation for protecting and enhancing liver function. Anyone who drinks alcohol heavily, who takes drugs or medications that can harm the liver, who has abnormal liver function for any reason, or who works with solvents or has a history of toxic exposures should take milk thistle. Look for extracts standardized to 70 percent to 80 percent silymarin, and take two capsules twice a day or as the label directs.

Energy Support

A common complaint among older people is waning energy. Tonic herbs and mushrooms are especially helpful in addressing this issue. Experiment with these favorites to find out which ones work best for you, trying each one daily for two months. If you like the effects, you can stay on these herbs indefinitely, perhaps giving yourself occasional breaks — say, two or three weeks off every four months.

Energy Support: Asian Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)

Asian ginseng is esteemed as a sexual energizer for men. American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) is valued for its stress-protective properties. Buy products standardized for ginsenoside content, follow dosage recommendations, and don’t expect to notice results until after six to eight weeks of regular use.

Energy Support: Eleuthero Ginseng

Formerly called Siberian ginseng, eleuthero ginseng has a long history of use by athletes, military personnel, and cosmonauts of the former Soviet Union due to its energy-enhancing properties. Buy products standardized for eleutheroside content, follow dosage recommendations, and wait six to eight weeks to evaluate the effect.

Energy Support: Arctic Root

Arctic root, or rhodiola, can enhance endurance, reduce harmful effects of stress, and improve mood and memory. It may increase sexual energy as well. Buy products standardized to 3 percent rosavins and 1 percent salidroside, and follow dosage recommendations.

Energy Support: Cordyceps

Cordyceps is a mushroom long used in China as an energizing tonic for people debilitated by age, illness, or injury. Here, you’ll find extracts of cordyceps in either liquid or capsule form.

 Here’s an easy A-Z guide that can help get you started:

Artichokes contain antioxidant plant compounds which are used to treat liver disorders because they stimulate bile flow. Bile helps the body to digest fats, and efficient bile flow clears the system of potentially inflammatory substances contained in fatty foods.

Avocado provides heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids and glutathione, a compound that blocks the absorption of certain fats by the intestines that cause oxidative.

Beets contain plant pigments (Betalains) which are powerful anti-inflammatory and fungicidal properties. Betalains promote cell structure, repair and regeneration, especially in the liver..

Broccoli is known for its powerful antioxidant properties. A diet rich in cruciferous veggies reduces the risk of certain cancers.

Collard greens increase bile acid binding, which makes it easier for bile to bind to large lipid molecules and pull them apart.

Dandelion root acts as a diuretic by increasing urine production.

Dill and fennel are plants rich in vitamins and anti-inflammatory chemicals.

Green tea is rich in antioxidants. The caffeine in green tea also gives this energizing drink a diuretic effect, which helps to alleviate bloating.

Lemons are rich in antioxidant Vitamin C.

Milk thistle promotes liver detoxification.

Onion and garlic contain flavonoids that stimulate the production of glutathione, one of the liver’s strongest antioxidants.

Wheat grass contains vitamins such as A, B, C and E and the minerals calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron. It also contains chlorophyll, which helps stimulate red blood cell production.

Yogurt that contains probiotics, which supplies healthy bacteria that fortify the GI tract’s natural flora, aiding digestion and boosting the body’s natural immunity.

Is Junk In The Trunk Still Healthy?

According to experts, the type of fat found in the thighs and backside may actually help reduce disease, as opposed to the dangerous and life-threatening effects of abdominal fat.

The review also suggests a mechanism for conveying those benefits. According to the experts, the next step is to figure out how our bodies decide where to store fat, say, in the stomach versus the butt.

Don’t take this news the wrong way though. This is only true to a certain degree as obesity increases your chances of developing chronic health conditions. This is because, per studies, researchers found that not all fat is created equal.

Butt Fat vs.

Stomach Fat

According to reports, stomach fat is considered more metabolically active than lower body fat. While that may sound good, as this fat breaks down easily, the result is a release of substances called cytokines, which have been linked to cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance and diabetes. In fact, research on mice reported in 2008 revealed that belly fat boosts inflammation and is linked with hardening of the arteries—known to increase the risk of heart attacks.

But scientists think lower body fat, like that around the hips and thighs, produces beneficial hormones that protect against these diseases, though more research is needed to firm up this expectation.

In addition, this lower body fat also traps fatty acids. While this long-term storage can make it tricky to slim down your butt and thighs, it’s healthier for you if some fat stays put.

The most compelling evidence for the link comes from population studies showing the more fat individuals have in the hind area, the less likely they are to develop diabetes and heart disease later in life. Other evidence includes instances of Cushing’s syndrome, in which patients lose their hip and thigh fat while gaining stomach fat. These patients are known to have an increased risk for diabetes and heart disease.

The Role Of Genes And Gender

Scientists aren’t sure how the body decides where to store fat, but it’s partially genetic. That genetic force can be seen in the gender differences in how fat gets stored, with women having much more of the healthy, lower-body fat than men. And females have a much lower risk for heart disease, Manolopoulos said.

A healthy diet and exercise can help balance your hormones and restore sanity during menopause.

Foods that Flush Estrogen

  For a lot of women, estrogen dominance is the culprit behind many of the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. Eating the right combination of foods will actually flush excess estrogen from your body.

Cruciferous vegetables, citrus fruits, insoluble fiber, and lignans are four food groups which work with your body to naturally flush and decrease excess estrogen levels. Spinach, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage, for example, contain a phytonutrient called indole-3-carbinaol (I3C), which has been shown to act as a catalyst to remove excess estrogen from the body.

Oranges, grapefruit, and tangerines contain a substance called d-Limonene, which promotes the detoxification of estrogen.  Oatmeal, oat bran, pears, and strawberries actually bind to estrogen receptors in your body, which reduces estrogen activity on a cellular level.  Flaxseed and sesame seeds also have an estrogen binding activity in the body as well.

Exercise is a No-Brainer

  Exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress and help balance your stress hormones, lift your spirits, and elevate your mood.

If you exercise outside, the exposure to sunlight also helps to reset your body’s circadian rhythms, which in turn, affects sleep cycles, healthy hormone release, and other important body functions.

For many women, a vigorous walk for a minimum of 30-minutes per day is all you need to feel more positive, energized, and able to sleep well in the evening.  Will exercise fix all of your perimenopause symptoms?  No, it will not.  But, it will help you cope better and bring some measure of relief.

It’s a scientifically-proven fact that the darker the food, the higher the antioxidant level.

Antioxidants have the ability to clean up free radicals and keep you looking younger, longer. Purple foods are known for having amazing health benefits and healing powers.

Here are 5 reasons to eat more purple foods:

  1. Purple foods kill cancer. The resveratrol found in purple grapes, cranberries, blueberries, bilberries, and, of course, red wine and grape juice can inhibit the spread of colorectal cancer in animal studies. Other promising studies also show that resveratrol can induce cancer cell death in cases of prostate, breast, skin, liver, lung and blood cancers. The curcumin in turmeric seems to boost its anti-cancer activity so have a glass of pinot noir (the type of wine highest in resveratrol) next time you have curry.

  2. Purple foods are ulcer-fighters. A study found that anthocyanins from blackberries reduced stomach ulcer formation in rats. Researchers believe this is because the antioxidants in blackberries prevent oxidation and boost the activity of other important antioxidants, such as glutathione, that are naturally present in the body.

  3. Purple foods are good for your liver. Black rice, which has more anthocyanins per gram than blueberries, is a delicious antioxidant grain that has been found to reduce damage to the liver incurred by excessive alcohol intake.

  4. Purple foods are good for the heart. Black currants can lower “bad” LDL cholesterol by up to 13 percent while raising “good” HDL cholesterol. Black currants and bilberries have more anthocyanins than blueberries. Wild raw berries have higher antioxidant content than fresh raw berries or frozen varieties.

5. Purple foods prevent urinary tract infections. Vegetables such as purple cauliflower, purple carrots and purple cabbage contain the same plant pigment, anthocyanin, that is responsible for the UTI-fighting power of cranberries. Lab studies show that anthocyanin compounds fight H. pylori, the bacteria that promotes stomach ulcers and urinary tract infections.