TAP DANCE

Does your water taste like chlorine with the texture of "slime its alive'? In a country were a gallon of water cost more than a gallon of gasoline, is this something else we need to worry about?  Since 75% of our bodies are water, and we are what we eat, what in the world are we?  If the plastic in bottles migrates, why would we drink it?  Some bottled waters are no more than high priced tap water.  Others are nicely packaged river water.  One of the largest producers taps the Detroit River for half the bottled water they provide.  At home, it's  fingers crossed and the luck of the draw. We trust our treatment plants to  deliver safe water to our homes, free of pathogens. Well, free of some, and an allowable amount they've determined is acceptable to absorb of others. One of my greatest challenges has been to find the best way to to adequately protect ourselves from our drinking water.  I've spent countless hours chasing down bold claims made by slick talking hucksters. Disappointed time and again, I was left with more  questions than answers.  In the end, the solution appeared  effortlessly. 

So for the sake of your time I’ll  cut to the chase. The healthiest water you can buy for consumption is “Mountain Valley”. I  recommend it in glass bottles delivered to your door.  It’s the purest drinking water I’ve discovered and contains a bevy of  natural minerals- not the man synthetic stuff.  Natural calcium, magnesium, phosphorous and other trace elements required for optimal health.  A hard water,  it’ s naturally “alkaline” ( straight from the ground, without passing through any machinery) , it boasts a ph greater than 8.0 (water with a ph of 7.0 or greater is classified as alkaline).  The average American diet is highly acidic. Leading authorities urge us to better balance our consumption with higher alkaline foods.  This is just one of the many reasons I drink Mountain Valley water.  I have no connection with the company other than loving their product. I'm not alone.  So did Presidents  Calvin Coolidge,  Bill  Clinton and more. They also enjoy a celebrity following that includes Tom Cruise,  Ashely Judd and a long list of others.  It’s  been chosen as the breakfast of thorough-bread champions, from  Secretariat to Bold Ruler.  Though they had little say in the matter,  their owners did,  and so  do  you.  A natural spring water,  it’s  bottled in a protected area on sight in Hot Springs National Park.  OK,  so one down here.  But this is no  solution for your whole home.  You’d go broke and live a strange life spending most of your day heating up enough bottled water to bathe, shower, and shave with.  If this is your calling, Gods speed, but your ice cubes will be as healthy as your toilet water.



There’s no shortage of big claims of course in "water world".  Most lack the hard data required to  support them. But a happenstance meeting opened my eyes to what I hoped might be the solution.  I met  a guy named Alan, the man who created  it,  who wasn’t all that interested in sensationalizing it.  He was already a successful businessman whose principal interest was helping his wife heal.  More on that later.  But nothing I had found held a candle next to Alan’s "Ultra" Filter.   It’s the only whole home unit I’ve investigated that removes everything from chloramine to chlorine, lead to fluoride, arsenic, virus. bacteria, organic and inorganic chemicals and more.. .without removing healthy minerals. First, a brief look at the problem.


The  EPA and your state have developed “allowable” limits for toxic material to “help” insure your safety.  So the garbage going out differs from the stuff coming in.  Of course the degree of toxicity in “source” water varies by municipality.  According to the  New York Times, (June 2, 1995) :  "More than 1 in 5 Americans unknowingly drink tap water polluted with feces, radiation or other contaminants.  Nearly 1,000 deaths each year and at least 400,000 cases of waterborne illness may be attributed to contaminated water. “  So you might ask , “ Why not just drink filtered sewage”?   Careful what you wish for.  Some of us are already are.  Several municipalities have pilot programs rearing to go,  to provide you with filtered.  So no worries. With any luck,  it could be no more than a sip away for the luckiest of us. You think I'm joking?  Just ask the folks in Wichita Falls, Texas who are now making their( sweetened, it's Texas) iced tea with this stuff. If you find this hard to  believe, click here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/07/22/texas-wastewater- .  The she -she town of  San Diego, not to be out done, know for good  taste may be right behind them.  Never the last to the dance, their filtered sewage is ready to roll. They just need their citizens to approve it. Now If you think you've met great sales people, try selling this one. But for every product theirs a person. Welcome to the poor schmucks club. Their key selling points?  Supporters claim their filtered sewer water is  far more cost effective and cleaner than your current tap water ( some testimonial for what we’ve all been enjoying).   My how the world has changed . What happened to nobody wanting to s--- where they ate?  Can "skinny water" be far behind?


Click here for  a list of contaminants the government says its reducing or hoping to eliminate: http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/upload/mcl-2.pdf . First,  note the incredibly long list of with potential for real destruction if not properly filtered.  If some or all are present in amounts over the allowable limit, it's a veritable cocktail for dis-ease.  While standards are in place seeking to regulate the allowable amount of each, all I can say is God's speed.  One must ask how many,  of the 10 trillion cells in your body which together make up you,  would cast their vote for an allowable limit of poison we’ve decided is OK for them to deal with ( along with acceptable levels of microwaves, mercury, etc. ).  Some of these limits are pretty tough to enforce.  Failed attempts notoriously correspond with abnormally high rates of weird cancers and other dis-ease.  Not that anyone ever claimed that removing fecal waste,  arsenic,  lead, asbestos, rotting organic matter, decaying animal cysts, cyanide, dioxin, diquat, bacteria, virus, radionucletides (such as radium) inorganic chemicals ( such as cyanide)  and organic chemicals ( like chlorobenzene) would be a cake walk.  Let's not forget hormones.

The folks at naturalhealthschool.com  advise us that : "Estrogen and estrogen-like compounds enter water rivers, steams and reservoirs from many sources and remain there even after passing through water treatment plants. About 80% of 139 U.S. rivers are contaminated with trace estrogen compounds. Naturally occurring estrogen compounds come from livestock urine and feces, and from human excretions which also contain contraceptives and hormone replacement medications.” I applaud our governments attempts to protect us.  But are you willing to bet your life on it?

 On top of all the garbage that may be present in “source” water,  many treatment plants have  begun adding chloramine as a cheaper and longer lasting alternative to chlorine alone.  It’s economical,  providing localities with a more  affordable way to disinfect this mess.  Chlorine evaporates in about 24 hours, when water that contains it is exposed to air.  Chlorine is produced by adding ammonia to chlorine.  It was used as a deadly gas in World War 1.  Contrary to popular opinion, it’s not chlorine that’s burning your eyes or giving off a foul odor in your local pool.  It’s chloramine, formed by the  ammonia  in urine and sweat,  which attaches to chlorine molecules and  burns like the dickens. Think about it. Shocking it with high doses of chlorine makes the water appear habitable again. Chloramine also turns natural  blue water lime green. Pretty cool huh? Depending on where you live,  you’re either drinking it or might in short order. It's estimated that 65% of all municipalities have jumped on the chloramine bandwagon. It’s lethal to fish too . Unlike chlorine, aquarium owners can’t let back water filled with the chloramine sit in a bucket for 24 hours before adding it to their aquarium (as many did with chlorinated water), hoping it will evaporate before putting it in their tank.  It won’t. That’s why it’s being used.  Remember,  chloramine lasts far longer ( consider its effect on your pets, farmed  fish, as well as you and your children.). Some of the guys in water world claim you can  eliminate chloramine at home by adding a charcoal water filter to every faucet ( plan on replacing them often).  Few appear to actually do so, but  can eliminate chlorine; but you;d be  throwing the baby out with the bathwater (lose the chlorine, lose the minerals).  Carbon filters are also prone to absorbing mold.  Since your body absorbs far more chlorine or chloramine from a shower (high pressure and rapid absorption through your skin ) than you likely ever will from drinking it,  you’ll need one for each shower head too. Make sure to filter your refrigerator water or  your ice cubes might glow in the dark :) .  Don’t forget your cooking and cleaning water. But alas, after all that time and expense, you won’t even filter out fluoride.  According to experts, that's toxic too.  Just ask the fish that died from swimming in it.  


 ”Reverse Osmosis” filters  also eliminate beneficial minerals like calcium and manganese (most are large enough to be trapped by the RO filtration membrane), though they can eliminate fluoride. But despite claims, few have been shown to make a dent in the amount of chloramine present.  RO filters also cost a good deal to operate while providing a reduced flow of filtered water.  For more information on the pitfalls of reverse osmosis click here:http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Pitfalls-of-Using-Reverse-Osmosis-Equipment-at-Home&id=2086667. 


               
  Enter The" Ultra"- Filter. A Breakthrough in Whole Home Water Filtration

 Enter Alan McDonald,  founder of AMAC Water Product and the most informed guy I’ve met on the subject of water.  A chemist,  Alan founded one of the most successful water distribution business in the state of Texas.  But his real passion is using his smarts to improve his wife’s life,  as previously noted.  Alan’s wife has  battled life threatening food and chemical allergens and sensitivities throughout her life. If he didn’t come up with a solution for the healthiest water available in a whole home unit, his wife’s heath (and his own of course) would remain compromised. 

I met Alan quite by accident.  I had payed a visit to the Mountain Valley distributor in Dallas, Texas. He had just acquired a business from Alan and began describing what appeared to be  the greatest whole home water filtration system of its kind.  Apparently, Alan had recently created the real deal; the  ultimate system ,for his wife,  after years of research. I had been told it did it all,  remarkably capable of removing contaminants while preserving minerals. I was impressed, but doubtful . He later introduced us by email where I began firing away, asked the  tough questions then generally lead me back to the drawing board. Alan answered them with both ease, and evidence.  But the real test be an examination his test results from of a 3rd party lab. I had seen nothing this.  No filter I was aware of  came  remotely close. I immediately ordered my own. Even with proof, I have to try something before suggesting you do.  We couldn't be happier. We bathe,  cook and drink from any tap in our home with complete confidence and regard it one of the most important things we've done preventatively.   Even our plumber, Jim,  was  blown away by the color and feel of our bath tub water, (below left). Editors note: Per Jim, plumbers aren't easily blown away. 

The beige color of Houston water prior to filtration (below), among the worst water I’ve seen, was magically transformed  to a gorgeous pale aqua. Seeing is believing. Now you can see for yourself.

As a chemist, Alan understands what a many of these chemicals are capable of after entering your bloodstream; absorbed  through our skin or inhaled while bathing or showering…and he feels  strongly that they need to  be removed “before” entering your home. 

In AMAC Water Products’ WHFS, all of the water goes through each of seven filters, housed in six filter housings . The first five of the housings are plastic in order to contain costs; the sixth and last housing is stainless steel to filter out any of the chemicals the water may have acquired from the plastic housings upstream).  In brief, here is a listing of the various filters and what each does.



1. First. a sediment filter to remove sand, dirt, sludge, glass, rust and any large particulates

2.  Alan’s Ultra-filter  filters out sub-micron particles and viruses.

3.  A special type of carbon to remove chlorine, chloramine (the disinfectant used in most water treatment facilities today and very difficult to remove), problematic chemicals, heavy metals, pharmaceutical drugs and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

 4-5. Identical filters to #3, these two axial filters provide almost 40 inches of filter media that every drop of water must pass through.
5. A  combo filter (this is a dual filter, the first part of which removes fluoride and the second part of which removes excess ammonia, created by chloramine, and radioactive alpha particles).
6. An additional filter medium that excels at removing VOCs, including herbicides and pesticides and trihalomethanes.

The 6 filter housings are mounted on a very strong, custom stainless steel bracket that is then attached to the outside of your house at the point of entry where the main water supply enters the home. The  water is awesome.  At least to me, my wife Kelly,  and Jim the plumber. We installed ours inside our garage in Arizona (below left). I labeled the top of each (visible if you expand the photo)  but most opt to install theirs outdoors according to Alan.  After our first shower, our skin and hair felt softer ( Alan says he hears this all the time. He also notes that  many skin conditions completely disappear). The long-term health benefits can only be guessed at…but he believes they’re pretty substantial. Ask his wife. 

At a price of only $2495.00 plus installation and a nominal freight charge, we think it’s the bargain of a lifetime.  If you have any questions or would like to order one of of Alan’s Ultra Whole Home Filter systems, just call us at 928.7780070.  We’ll have Alan give you a call. He’s as brilliant as his water and will be glad to assist you.

Coffee Please- Hold(s) the Sugar!

Coffee Please- Hold(s) the Sugar!

“Please review the amazing body of evidence supported by real research below. I don't recommend "excessive" coffee drinking (more than 3 cups daily), regardless of the benefits. When considering the merit of any study focusing on one issue- don't ignore the adverse impact of those that focus on another. In this regard, consider the effect of excessive caffeine, and an accompanying rise in blood pressure, along with a subsequent spike of adrenalin. My take: Moderate consumption of coffee has been show to be "most" beneficial for the average person. From decreased rates of Parkinson's,  Alzheimer's,  diabetes, cancer, heart disease, dementia, and more, the data below is compelling. But approximately 65% of all coffee drinkers ad sugar, artificial sugar, creamer or preservative laden artificial creamer. Decaf coffee appears to provide the same benefits as caffeinated for a number of conditions.  But caffeinated coffee gets the nod as a neuroprotector; improving cognition and reducing the rate of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. A large study of 29,000 people demonstrated it's power to decrease the risk of Parkinson's Disease by a whopping 47%.  My preference- Organic coffee, decaffeinated with water (not with formaldehyde). If not available, choose organic, caffeinated coffee, available at most health food stores. To reap far more gain, without the pain- consider supplementing with new 'Green Coffee Extract.' It's produced through an innovative process that retains twice the amount of coffee's powerful polyphenol chlorogenic acid, a compound severely diminished during the roasting process." - Randy


 Discovering Coffee's Unique Health Benefits

By Michael Downey

Every morning, many of us sip our coffee with no real thought given to the beans behind the brew. But coffee beans are extra-ordinarily complex fruits containing over 1,0001,2 compounds - only a handful of which have ever been individually investigated by scientists. Not only is coffee packed with antioxidants,3 but it is the greatest source of antioxidants in the American diet.3,4
The average American coffee drinker consumes about 3.1 cups of coffee a day,5 but extensive research has found that higher volumes - as much as 4 to 12 cups daily - can help prevent most major killers, including cardiovascular disease,6-8 cancer,9-11 diabetes,12-14 liver disease,15-17 and Alzheimer's disease.18-20
For instance, in case-controlled human studies, compared to coffee abstainers, those who drank the most coffee cut their risks of breast cancer by 57% and diabetes by 67%.10,21
In this article, you will learn about recent research into the benefits of coffee consumption, what's missing from most commercial coffee beans, and what people should do who are overly sensitive to coffee beverages.

Diabetes Management

Health authorities expressed alarm over the mushrooming epidemic status of diabetes after a July, 2011, study in Lancet shocked even experts with its estimate of 347 million diabetics worldwide.22 Then, the International Diabetes Federation presented evidence on September 13, 2011, that the real total is closer to 366 million.23
Scientific studies have found that regular coffee consumption (with its chlorogenic acid content) lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by up to 67%.21 This appears to result from reduced levels of blood glucose, increased insulin sensitivity, and decreased storage of both fat and carbohydrate.
In one of a number of studies, a 2009 meta-analysis in the Annals of Internal Medicine combined data on over 450,000 people and found that every additional cup per day of caffeinated or decaffeinated coffee lowered the risk of diabetes by 5 to 10%.12
Many epidemiological studies show that the risk of diabetes drops directly according to the amount of coffee consumed. For instance, scientists found that overall risk is reduced by:

• 1. 13% with one cup a day,24
• 2. 47% with 4 cups a day,24
  
• 3. 67% with 12 cups a day.21

Scientists are beginning to learn how chlorogenic acid, a potent constituent of both raw and brewed coffee, can be directly tied to an anti-diabetic effect. Investigation has shown it substantially interferes with glucose synthesis and release in the body.25 It appears to accomplish this by inhibiting the pathway of glucose-6-phosphatase, a glucose-regulating enzyme, which in turn results in a reduction of sugar levels in the blood.26
Chlorogenic acid also lessens the hyperglycemic peak associated with carbohydrate ingestion.26 This results in a downturn in insulin activity, and a reduced accumulation of adipose (fat-storing) tissue.
Unidentified compounds in coffee, as well as caffeine itself, may be boosting the preventive effect of chlorogenic acid against diabetes. Preliminary studies suggest that these chemicals may lower carbohydrate storage by 35%27 and improve insulin sensitivity.28
Coffee was previously found to inhibit iron absorption.29 Later, in 2004, scientists found a direct link between reduced storage of iron in the body and a lower risk of diabetes type 2, independent of other risk factors.30

Cancer Risk Reduction

Early studies are reporting an association between higher coffee consumption and a reduced risk of various cancers.
For instance, at a time when prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among American men (after lung cancer),31 a promising study appeared in the June 8, 2011, issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. The research team reported that men who drank over 6 cups of coffee a day had an 18% lower risk of prostate cancer - and a 40% lower risk of aggressive or lethal prostate cancer.9 This effect was noted for decaffeinated as well as caffeinated coffee - indicating that compounds other than caffeine are responsible for this preventive effect. Constituents in coffee seem to improve insulin levels and sensitivity,32 hypothesized to play a role in prostate cancer progression.33
With breast cancer ranked as the second leading cause of cancer death among American women (after lung cancer),34 potentially good news arrived recently in the form of a study finding that coffee consumption may help prevent a specific form of this disease. The May 14, 2011, issue of Breast Cancer Research reported that postmenopausal women who consumed 5 cups of coffee daily exhibited a 57% decrease in their risk of developing ER-negative (non-hormone-responsive) breast cancer, a form of cancer that is especially difficult to treat.10 This builds on an earlier study in which 2 or more cups of coffee per day was shown to delay the onset of breast cancer in women with a certain genetic type.35 Chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, phytoestrogens, and caffeine - all found in coffee - are suspected of playing a major role.35
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the US overall (when the statistics for both sexes are combined).36 While colonoscopy screening is a useful tool for detecting cancers or pre-cancerous polyps, researchers have long hoped to find ways to prevent these cancers in the first place. The good news is that a large meta-analysis has reviewed the combined data from 24 previous studies and found an overall 30% lower incidence of colorectal cancer among those categorized as heavy coffee drinkers.37 This confirms the findings from several earlier studies.38-41
There is a 15% chance that patients who are diagnosed with an oral or pharyngeal cancer will be found to have another cancer somewhere in the same area of the body such as the larynx (voice box), esophagus, or lung.42 But early research suggests the promise of preventing these types of cancers from occurring. A case control study found that individuals who consumed more than three cups of coffee daily had a 40% lower risk of oral, pharyngeal, and esophageal cancers, compared to those who drank one cup of coffee or less each day.43 A second study made the same strong connection.44
For several decades, liver cancer has been on the rise among Americans.45 Liver cancer has become a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide,45 due to higher rates in some other parts of the world. In recent years, however, studies have been accumulating that suggest a substantially reduced risk of this disease among coffee drinkers. In a 2005 study, for example, just one cup a day was associated with a 42% lower risk of liver cancer.46 A number of studies have reported similar conclusions.47-52

Coffee's Unique Health Benefits

Coffee is the greatest source of antioxidants in the American diet.3,4 And the good news is that sound scientific studies have found that the common fears about excess coffee consumption are invalid, and higher intake means bigger benefits. An impressive number of studies have shown a strong association between higher consumption of coffee and a significantly reduced risk of most chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and others. With over 1,000 phytochemicals, coffee's unparalleled antioxidant punch no doubt plays a role in its protection against disease. But a multitude of direct biological actions on the body are suspected, such as an improvement in intracellular signaling,95,96 which may help prevent cancer, diabetes and more. Drinking just one cup of coffee a day - caffeinated or decaffeinated - can decrease the risk of developing diabetes by 13%.24 But at 12 cups a day, the risk of getting diabetes is slashed by 67%.21 Far from being a risky habit, coffee has now been shown to provide powerful protection against an epidemic of diabetes and a rising tide of other age-related diseases. It's an all-natural and inexpensive elixir - to go!

What's Missing from Conventional Coffee

Not all coffee provides the same powerful protection against chronic disease. Polyphenol availability varies with how long the beans are roasted and the roasting method itself. Roasting method: All roasting destroys some polyphenols, the most important being chlorogenic acid. However, in a new patented roasting process, the coffee beans are soaked and drained prior to being roasted.106 Later, after roasting, the beans are deposited back into the same liquid in which they were originally pre-soaked, in a process designed to return substantial polyphenol content to the beans. Chlorogenic Acid Content of Conventional Roasted (Arabica) Coffee Compared to “Polyphenol-Retaining” Roasted Coffee Conventional Coffee 92 mg/cup Polyphenol-Retaining Coffee 172 mg/cup 186% more chlorogenic acid Conventional Decaffeinated Coffee 52 mg/cup Polyphenol-Retaining Decaffeinated Coffee 132 mg/cup 254% more chlorogenic acid Tolerance: Some individuals find drinking coffee late in the day interferes with sleep; or they have religious or other reasons to avoid caffeine. No problem. Decaffeinated coffee has a similar rich antioxidant potency as the caffeinated variety. Life Extension ® offers two new coffees - (caffeinated and decaffeinated) - exclusively roasted using this patented polyphenol-retaining process. Studies clearly show the health benefits of coffee increase directly with the number of cups consumed per day. These patented "polyphenol-retaining" coffees provide far greater concentrations of the beneficial compounds found in coffee. As many as 4 to 12 cups a day of conventional coffee greatly reduce the risk of most major diseases, including cardiovascular disease,6-8 cancer,9-11 diabetes,12-14 liver disease,15-17 and Alzheimer's disease.18-20 These new "polyphenol-retaining" coffees may provide equal benefits with only half the number of cups consumed.

Cardiovascular Disease

As the leading cause of death, cardiovascular disease (CVD) kills over one third more Americans than cancer.53
You may have heard the common misconception that coffee raises blood pressure and increases the risk of CVD. However, scientific studies show that coffee's compounds lower blood pressure over the long term,54 decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease,55-57 and may reduce the risk of stroke.58
Drinking coffee can raise blood pressure briefly, right after consumption.59-61 But its compounds have a longer-term benefit: daily coffee consumption decreases blood pressure readings after just 8 weeks, believed to be a result of the beneficial action of chlorogenic acids on the arteries.62
Longer-term, drinking coffee cuts the risk of death from cardiovascular disease. A 15-year study of over 41,000 women found that the risk of death from cardiovascular disease was 24% lower among those consuming 1 to 3 cups of coffee daily,6 which was confirmed by other studies on men and women.63,64
Preventing cardiovascular disease at the cellular level, just one cup of coffee inhibited platelet aggregation within one hour, regardless of its caffeine content.65
More good news: studies found that regular coffee consumption improved inflammation and HDL ("good") cholesterol,66 and decreased coronary calcification.67

Liver Disease

Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis cause 35,000 deaths per year in the United States. Cirrhosis is the ninth leading cause of death in America, responsible for 1.2% of all US deaths.68 However, scientists have found that the risk of liver cirrhosis, and of dying from this disease, can be greatly reduced by coffee consumption.
Those drinking 4 cups of coffee daily exhibited a full 84% lower risk of cirrhosis, according to a study in the Annals of Epidemiology.69 This is consistent with an earlier 8-year study of over 120,000 people that found that each cup of coffee daily lowered the risk of dying from cirrhosis by 23%.70
Also, patients with hepatitis B or C have been shown to be less likely to develop nonalcoholic cirrhosis if they are also coffee drinkers.71

Cognitive Decline

Alzheimer's disease becomes increasingly prevalent with aging, striking more than 40% of those over 84.72 Promising studies are finding that greater daily consumption of caffeinated coffee cuts the risk of both Alzheimer's18,73 and dementia74 later in life.
Scientists have discovered that long-term coffee intake exhibits a dose-dependent association with improved cognitive function and memory,75,76 and it protects primary neuronal cells.77
In fact, one mouse study has far-reaching implications for humans. Researchers found that moderate caffeine intake - equivalent to human consumption of 5 cups of coffee daily - began to reverse Alzheimer's damage in just 5 weeks.20
Although the mechanism by which coffee lowers the risk of cognitive decline is not known, a 2009 study on mice found that caffeine decreases levels, in both the blood and the brain, of amyloid-beta, a substance involved in the development of Alzheimer's.78 Later, a 2010 review of previous mouse studies found that caffeine - the equivalent of 5 cups of coffee daily in humans - decreases levels of beta- and gamma- secretase, proteins used in amyloid-beta production in the first place.20
Then, in 2011, scientists concluded that coffee may be the best source of the caffeine shown to protect against cognitive decline. The reason is that another unknown component in coffee appears to synergize with the caffeine to increase blood levels of a factor (granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, or GCSF) associated with improved cognitive function in Alzheimer's.79
Caffeinated coffee has also been associated with protection against Parkinson's disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's.80 A study of 29,000 individuals found that one to four cups daily decreased the risk of Parkinson's by 47% and 5 or more cups decreased the risk by 60%.81 Increasing granulocyte colony-stimulating factor using drugs like Neupogen® is demonstrating efficacy in animal models of established Parkinson's disease.82-85 Several other studies confirmed an inverse dose-dependent relationship - the greater the number of daily cups of caffeinated coffee, the lower the risk of Parkinson's disease.86-88

DNA Damage

DNA damage is characterized as a physical abnormality within the genetic makeup of a cell, such as a break in a DNA strand. It usually occurs to greater extent within cells that frequently divide. DNA damage can lead to genetic mutations that cause cancer.89 And when DNA damage occurs within cells that divide less frequently, it can promote aging.89
It's difficult to avoid the many causes of DNA injury. Oxidizing agents produced by normal metabolic processes promote this type of damage. Also, DNA defects can be triggered by numerous external agents such as ultraviolet light, radiation, chemotherapy, industrial chemicals, and certain environmental chemicals such as polycyclic hydrocarbons, found in smoke.
Scientists have discovered a surprisingly simple way to help decrease DNA damage. Studies show that higher coffee consumption decreases levels of oxidative DNA damage,90,91 which in turn inhibits both cancer and aging.
A 2011 study confirmed coffee's DNA-related effect on cancer risk. The researchers found that regular coffee drinkers enjoyed a 13% decreased risk of cancers generally, and those who consumed high levels of coffee enjoyed an 18% decreased risk. Additionally, they enjoyed specific protection against prostate, breast, colorectal, pharyngeal, esophageal, hepatocellular, pancreatic, bladder, and endometrial cancers.92

How Do Coffee Compounds Work?

Despite coffee's powerful antioxidant punch, the mechanism for coffee's protection against a host of diseases may involve a lot more than a fierce battle between antioxidants and free radicals. Scientists are beginning to discover that coffee's phytochemistry also exerts direct biological actions on the body, which may underpin a web of indirect, protective effects against diseases from diabetes to cancer.93,94
Early studies suggest that the polyphenols in coffee (both caffeinated and decaffeinated) may modify key enzymes that improve intracellular signaling,95,96 the communication system that facilitates cellular actions such as tissue repair, immunity, and homeostasis. Poor cell signaling may be a factor in cancer, diabetes, and more. (A subsequent study suggested in 2008 that this cellular signaling effect could also explain coffee's inhibition of blood platelet aggregation and cardiovascular risk.97)
Then, in 2009, a study found that by modulating specific cell signaling pathways (known as ERK1/2 and JNK), the various polyphenols in coffee - especially chlorogenic acid - help prevent the degeneration of those human cells that are rich in lipids.98 Brain cells are lipid-rich and this may explain coffee's neuroprotective effect against cognitive decline and diseases of the brain.
Similarly, one study suggested that polyphenols - for which coffee is the prime dietary source - may affect cellular response and sensitivity by interacting with nuclear receptors.99 Receptors are molecules that pick up intracellular signals, determining whether a cell gets the right instructions to divide, die, or release molecules - thus regulating body functions to fight disease.
A 2006 review of animal and human studies found that coffee compounds raise levels of detoxifying enzymes that protect against DNA damage and - likely as a direct result - reduce the susceptibility of lymphocytes (white blood cells involved in immune response) to damage from reactive oxygen species (ROS).100 This may partly explain how coffee lowers the incidence of DNA damage and related diseases such as cancer.
One 2009 study on humans found that 3 cups of coffee daily for 3 weeks increased the number and metabolic activity of beneficial bacteria called bifidobacteria.101 These intestinal bacteria may explain one mechanism for coffee's benefits: bacteria can boost immunity, lower blood pressure, and increase mineral absorption.
In 2010, researchers discovered that the phenolics in 4-8 cups of coffee daily have the direct action of dampening inflammatory activity.66 Chronic low-level inflammation has been associated with diseases ranging from cancer to diabetes, as well as aging.
A 2011 randomized, controlled trial found that consumption of (caffeinated or decaffeinated) coffee produces specific improvements in the function of the liver and of adipocytes (fat-storing cells), both associated with a healthy metabolism. This provides further insight into the possible mechanisms behind coffee's benefits, because disrupted metabolic activity is a biological risk factor for a number of chronic diseases (including type 2 diabetes).102
In addition to the numerous other antioxidants in coffee, a 2011 study confirmed that caffeine itself is a potent scavenger of oxygenated free radicals.103 Caffeine was found in another 2011 study to work synergistically with other coffee antioxidants.104 However, caffeine may also work along direct cellular pathways unrelated to its antioxidant action.
Scientists determined in 2011 that caffeine protects the integrity of the blood-brain barrier - which suggests that caffeine may reduce the risk of some diseases by limiting the transport of blood-borne pathogens, drugs, cells, and other substances into the brain, where they might affect brain synapses. The team also found that caffeine defends against the specific blood-brain barrier dysfunction linked to Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.105

A Multitude of Benefits

Those who drink the most coffee have a substantially reduced risk of developing diabetes, cancer, liver disease, cognitive decline, and DNA damage. But the health benefits of coffee's complex phytochemistry don't end there: Decaffeinated and caffeinated coffee lowered the risk of kidney stones in women by 9 and 10%, respectively.107 Caffeinated coffee reduced the incidence of gallstones and gall bladder disease in both men and women.108,109 Scientists found that coffee boosted regular weight loss by 8 pounds and promoted body fat metabolism.91,110,111 Sometimes-inconsistent findings have generally linked coffee drinking with reduced all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality.6,112-115 For athletes, caffeine reduced muscle pain, increased energy (ergogenic aid), and enhanced endurance.116-119 One study found caffeine, taken 2 hours before exercise, prevented exercise-induced asthma.120 Confirming earlier research, a 2011 study on over 50,000 women found that 4 cups of coffee daily lowered the risk of depression by 20%, compared to coffee abstainers.121 Antibacterials in coffee were found to inhibit plaque formation and prevent dental decay.122 Whether caffeinated or decaffeinated, coffee consumption prevents constipation 123,124 and - despite the myth that coffee dehydrates the body - contributes to the body's fluid requirements.125-127 Caffeine is believed to boost by 40% the effectiveness of pain relievers against headaches. Caffeine also helps the body absorb headache medications more quickly.128 A large, as-yet-unpublished study presented October 24, 2011, found that men and women with the highest coffee consumption have a 13% and 18% lower risk, respectively, for basal cell carcinoma (a type of skin cancer).129

Summary

Although many people assume they should limit their coffee intake, a wealth of scientific research suggests that its wide-ranging health benefits increase with the amount consumed.
Numerous studies show that higher daily coffee consumption results in a lower risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, and a host of other chronic diseases, including obesity.
There are a number of phytochemicals, the most predominate being chlorogenic acid, that provide coffee's disease-protecting punch. Of interest is the additional ability of coffee polyphenols to exert direct biological actions on cells. For instance, daily coffee intake may modify key enzymes that improve intracellular signaling,95,96 which can protect against diabetes, cancer, and many other diseases.
The benefit is dose-related. Drinking just one cup of coffee a day - caffeinated or decaffeinated - can decrease the risk of developing diabetes by 13%.24 But 12 cups a day slashes the risk of developing diabetes by 67%.21
While traditional medicine fights an impossible battle against a tidal wave of diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, and other age-related diseases, extensive research suggests that coffee - far from being a guilty pleasure that should be limited - is an all-natural and inexpensive elixir. With the availability of new "polyphenol-retaining" coffees, moderate coffee drinkers can now obtain the myriad benefits that were once reserved only for so-called "heavy" coffee users.
There remain, however, a significant percentage of people who are sensitive to caffeine's stimulating effects on the central nervous system, or find they encounter heartburn and other digestive problems in response to ingesting even a cup of coffee. The new polyphenol-retaining coffee bean beverages are less likely to induce gastric upset.
For those who don't want to drink any coffee, there are now standardized chlorogenic acid supplements available that provide the high potencies of beneficial coffee compounds with only tiny amounts of caffeine.

How Coffee Protects Against a Spectrum of Diseases

Over 1,000 compounds make up coffee's complex phytochemistry. Their documented protection against diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, and a host of other chronic diseases may be due to an intricate web of chemically induced actions along various biological pathways. Suspected mechanisms include: 1. Combined antioxidant action. 2. Lowered storage of glucose. 3. Improved insulin sensitivity. 4. Mobilization of glycogen in muscles. 5. Stimulated muscular oxidation of fat. 6. Reduced inflammatory enzyme activity. 7. Higher levels of detoxifying enzymes. 8. Improved intracellular signaling. 9. Increased sensitivity of cells' receptors. 10. Changes in genetic expression. 11. Prebiotic stimulation of beneficial bacteria. 12. Protection against the death of neuron cells. 13. Chelation of metals such as iron. 14. Metabolic improvements to adipocyte and liver function. 15. Prevention of blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. 16. Lower levels of amyloid-beta plaque. 17. Suppression of enzymes that produce amyloid-beta plaque.

Contents Copyright © 1995-2011 Life Extension®. All rights reserved. These statements hve not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended as a substitute for advise from your physician or other health care professional or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescrition of ny medication or oher treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professsional before starting any diet, exrecize or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem, You should not stop taking any medication without first consulting your physician.

Enhanced Longetivity-Reducing the Risks of High Cortisol.

 By Jan Whiticomb


Scientists have found that rhodiola possesses the power to restore malfunctioning biological systems, a key factor in reducing the detrimental effects of aging. In testing multiple organisms, rhodiola was found to enhance healthy responses to negative environmental stressors that include oxidative stress, acute and chronic heat shocks, and toxic chemical exposure.15

In the laboratory, rhodiola was found to protect human cells from premature aging when they were exposed to oxidative stress. Again, scientists used the compound derived from rhodiola called salidroside.16 Salidroside further preserves aging skin cells’ ability to reproduce, thereby creating healthier, more vital skin. One group of scientists found that the salidroside in rhodiola dramatically diminishes pathologic symptoms of aging in laboratory mice by preventing accumulation of inflammatory advanced glycation end products (AGEs).17

Further bolstering rhodiola’s anti-aging credentials is a recent study showing that rhodiola extract helps slow the aging process while extending life span.18 During this study, scientists administered rhodiola extract in the diet to a group of fruit flies. A control group did not receive the dietary rhodiola. The rhodiola-supplemented fruit flies demonstrated a 10% longer life span, compared with control subjects. When examined more closely, it was clear that the rhodiola-supplemented animals displayed decelerated aging, compared with subjects that did not receive the herb.19

Of important note, rhodiola’s anti-aging and longevity-promoting effects appeared to be independent of any special diet.19 This is of vital importance because it suggests that rhodiola provides longevity benefits through a mechanism separate from caloric restriction, which, as Life Extension readers know, is the best-documented method to increase life span to date.20
The possibility that rhodiola could act through a novel mechanism to forestall aging and lengthen life span is remarkable news for the anti-aging community.

Bolstering Heart Health

Heart disease remains the number one killer, and doctors report that many cardiac events are stress induced.21,22
Stress, whether physical or emotional, puts extra strain on the heart and other muscles. Numerous studies suggest that rhodiola exerts several protective benefits for the heart.23
A probable link between the administration of Rhodiola rosea extract and prevention of arrhythmia (potentially dangerous abnormal heart rhythms) was discovered in a recent study.24 The study involved test animals receiving Rhodiola rosea each day for 8 straight days. They were then subjected to an agent known to disrupt heart rhythm. Pre-treatment with rhodiola protected the animals against experimentally induced arrhythmia and electrical instability of the heart. The animals who received rhodiola were less vulnerable to heart damage caused by experimentally induced myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Another animal study highlights further potential cardioprotective benefits of rhodiola. In an animal model of coronary artery disease, rhodiola helped decrease the heart muscle’s oxygen consumption while increasing oxygen supply to the myocardium, helping to ensure that the heart muscle has enough oxygen required for optimal function.25
This evidence, combined with earlier animal studies suggesting rhodiola’s ability to reduce cardiac stress-related damage,23 supports the need for further in-depth studies of rhodiola’s cardiovascular benefits in humans.


SYSTEM-WIDE AGE REVERSAL

Reduces Stress
Lowers levels of cortisol.7
Restores normal physiological response to stress. 64
Fights stress-induced despair. 64 

Restores brain cells in areas damaged by stress-induced depression. 45,46
Protects the Heart
Prevents stress- and ischemia-induced heart muscle damage65-67
Increases heart muscle cell tolerance to ischemia68
Prevents stress- and heart attack-induced arrhythmias26,69-72
Reduces size of heart muscle infarction (tissue death)62-64,68
Promotes new cardiac blood vessel growth after heart attack66,73-75

Protects the Liver
Prevents toxin- and oxidative stress-induced liver cell damage.26-29

Reduces serum markers of liver dysfunction76
Restores depleted liver stores of natural antioxidants26

Prevents Cancer
Inhibits proliferation of human leukemia cells77
Inhibits growth, induces death of human cancer cells78-81
Reduces new blood vessel formation (angiogenesis) in tumors82
Protects Against Radiation
Increases survival following otherwise lethal total-body irradiation83
Reduces radiation-induced lipid oxidation83
Scavenges radiation-induced free radicals83
Prevents anemia from red blood cell membrane damage83

Modulates the Immune System
Anti-inflammatory effects in settings of excessive inflammation30,41
Stimulates appropriate immune responses.84,85

Boosts immune response to vaccines.33

Antiviral effects against hepatitis C, influenza, and Coxsackie virus (cause of viral myocarditis).34-36
Antibacterial effects against Staph aureus and tuberculosis.37,38

Combines with other adaptogens to boost suppressed immune function following chemotherapy.86

Vital Organ Function and Enhanced Immunity

As the major detoxifier for the body, the liver processes countless amounts of toxins and removes them from our body. Rhodiola species support natural antioxidant systems in the liver and protect liver cells from damage by toxins and oxidative stress.26-29 As adaptogens, rhodiola species also carefully modulate the immune system, increasing its response to real threats of infection or malignancy, while preventing excessive inflammation.30-32 A species of rhodiola was found to modulate the immune system to promote a healthy response to certain vaccinations.33 Rhodiola potently inhibits tissue inflammatory responses to irritating drugs, preventing skin redness, swelling, and pain following exposure to the antifungal drug nystatin.30
Rhodiola species possess direct antiviral and antibacterial activities, which may reduce the risk of serious infections.34-38 For example, Rhodiola rosea inhibits the enzymes that flu viruses use to attach to and invade the cells of the respiratory tract, reducing your chances of catching the flu following an exposure.35

Combating Brain Aging

The neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases occurs as a result of inflammation in the nervous system coupled with the accumulation of harmful, pro-oxidant proteins that trigger even more inflammation and ultimately brain cell destruction. Constituents from rhodiola species such as salidroside display powerful antioxidant properties that prevent oxidative, pro-inflammatory effects as well as the formation of these proteins and the subsequent inflammatory cascade.39-43 Fewer brain cells die from oxidative stress.40,44
Nerve cells in the memory centers of the brain resist age-related damage and produce more beneficial neurotransmitters after treatment with rhodiola.45,46
Both short- and long-term memory enhancements have been demonstrated with rhodiola.47-49 Mental performance and acuity under experimentally induced adverse conditions, such as test-taking or sleep deprivation, are also significantly improved.7-9,11
Rhodiola species help aging humans fall asleep faster, longer, and with improved quality of rest.50,51 In one study of men with sleep disturbances, rhodiola increased the amount of time spent in healthful REM sleep, reduced total wakeful time during the night, and markedly increased the “efficiency” of sleep sessions.51 Greater blood oxygenation during sleep was also observed—a key longevity factor.

What is an Adaptogen?

The concept of “adaptogens” is thousands of years old and is an important feature of ancient medical systems in the mountains of Asia and in northern Europe.87 The modern term was coined in 1947 by a Russian scientist who defined an “adaptogen” as an agent that allows an organism to counteract and resist a variety of stressors.88 In 2001, noted nutrition scientist Gregory S. Kelly updated and strengthened criteria for defining an adaptogen, requiring that any one adaptogen:88

    •    Produce an increase in power of resistance against multiple stressors, including physical, chemical, or biological agents
    •    Normalize physiology, helping the body maintain youthful function, regardless of the cause of stress
    •    Normalize bodily functions beyond what is required to gain resistance to stress naturally.

Adaptogens exert a normalizing effect,87 allowing organisms to increase healthy functions that are impaired by stress, and to decrease unhealthy responses that are triggered by stress, without any risk of “overshooting” and creating an unbalanced response. Scientists use the term “homeostasis” to describe your body’s ability to maintain physiological function within certain parameters, including temperature, respiratory rate, and blood chemistry within tightly controlled limits. In mainstream language, then, adaptogens simply enhance the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis and fight age-inducing stress.5

Physical Performance
Physical activity and moderate exercise have multiple health benefits, but they also induce injury from oxidative stress, muscle cell damage, and inflammation. There is an important role, therefore, for adaptogens such as rhodiola in mitigating exercise-induced stress. Russian athletes have been known to use adaptogens to promote endurance and improve performance.

Rhodiola increased antioxidant blood levels and minimized oxidative stress-induced muscle damage in trained athletes for up to 24 hours after strenuous activity.52,53 One study showed an increase in the time to exhaustion during exercise, with significant increases in oxygen delivery to muscle tissues during the workout as well.54
Rhodiola species have been used for centuries by villagers living high in the Himalayas to enhance their resistance to the effects of oxygen deprivation and to boost their endurance for strenuous tasks.55 Those effects prove equally beneficial at more moderate altitudes. During exercise, rhodiola helps people work out longer, increasing their oxygen uptake and decreasing muscle damage.53,54 Long-term supplementation boosts energy storage capacity and blood oxygen level prior to exercise, further enhancing exercise capacity and endurance.55
Rhodiola species protect internal organs from the low oxygen levels found at higher altitudes and that also occur during heart attacks and strokes.56,57 A 2011 study revealed something of even greater significance: rhodiola prevents a phenomenon known as vascular remodeling in lung tissue at high altitudes.58

NOT ALL RHODIOLA IS THE SAME

The authentic Rhodiola rosea species validated in clinical research is wildcrafted from the forests of the Altai Mountains of Siberia. The raw materials are harvested after a minimum of four years of growth, according to the World Health Organization Guidelines of Good Agricultural Practices. This practice of sustainable stewardship preserves the natural resources of rhodiola’s native habitat.
Some rhodiola extracts are standardized to salidroside content only. Salidroside content is not specific to the Rhodiola genus only and is not the only beneficial constituent of rhodiola. Highly beneficial Rhodiola rosea extracts contain a ratio of rosavin and salidroside phytochemicals similar to that which is found in the authentic plant itself.
Vascular remodeling describes the thickening of pulmonary blood vessels that contributes to increased blood pressure in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary hypertension.59 Chronic exposure to high altitude is just one cause of this condition, which leads rapidly to congestive heart failure.60,61 More common causes of pulmonary hypertension include cardiovascular disease, obesity, and obstructive sleep apnea.59,62 Rhodiola’s ability to prevent vascular remodeling, then, may represent an important and sorely needed new approach to managing a major cause of death and disability in older adults.63

Summary
Rhodiola is a cortisol suppressing herb that is becoming an increasingly popular dietary intervention in the United States.
It is one of a handful of known adaptogens—plant-based compounds known to support long, healthy life span in part by exerting system-wide protective and restorative effects.
Rhodiola has been shown to favorably modulate the stress response, restore vital organ function, and boost immunity. It is a low-cost nutrient that combats cognitive dysfunction, minimizing depression and anxiety, while enhancing muscle performance, endurance, and circulatory health.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension® Health Advisor at 
1-866-864-3027.
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Walk the Talk- The Fountain of Youth Revealed?

Are you like most of us? Do you care about everything in your life, except your life? A recent survey suggests many of us do. The findings illustrate our preference for short term, rather than larger, longer term rewards. 76% of the respondents said they'd work an additional hour a day for a year to receive a 50% increase in pay. But 23% of those same respondents said they wouldn't wake up an hour earlier to go to the gym, even if their life depended on it. A growing body of research suggests that it does. Study after study supports the fact that regular exercise can extend our life span (and income), an additional 7 years or more. Do the math and you'll discover, that the real dollars are on the side of prevention. And all you need do is walk.

 

Behavior is shaped by its consequences. Change the consequences, and you'll change the behavior. That's why it takes a train wreck to derail most self -defeating behavior. Behavior that we already know is hazardous to our health. Which explains why the number of those that must endure open heart surgery, stroke or cancer, before getting religion, eating bird food, and walking the talk is downright scary. In the end, as the survey results suggest, most of us would prefer that extra hour of sleep.Take me for example.  've never looked forward to my hike up the mountain. But I'm always pleased I did so  on the way down. As Nike suggests I do, I "just do it";  and you can too.

In 1971 Finland declared war on heart disease, after their citizens petitioned officials to help them reduce the world’s highest rates of this stuff. The impact of a sedentary lifestyle, and a diet rich in fatty meat, high fat dairy products (formerly subsidized by the Finish government), and sausage, (with scarce amounts of green food), combined with heavy smoking to produce a reckless formula for disaster. The small Finnish region of North Kareli, with a population of only 180,000, recorded a whopping 1,000 heart attacks annually. Of those, 40 percent proved deadly, and half struck men under the age of 65.

Public sentiment eventually succeeded in pressuring packaged goods makers to substantially reduce the salt content in foods. Eventually, the government abandoned subsidies for high fat food, allowing healthier foods to more fairly compete on a level playing field. The passing of new Finnish legislation in 1980, known as the Sports Act, provided incentives to municipalities to go on an unprecedented building spree, erecting sports arenas throughout the country. Today, most towns in Finland boast one or more of these colossal centers available for public use; making Finland the veritable land of track and field. Their Ministry of Education subsidizes up to 25 percent of the construction of swimming centers alone. From Nordic-style tracks to ice skating rinks, the nation is a shining example of the power of education, when coupled with legislation, directed toward healthier living.

According to researchers Gormann and Hedley, writing for Living Well Magazine: “... by the early 2000s, the number of deaths of working-age Finnish men from coronary heart disease had plummeted 75 percent. In North Karelia, the number was even better—82 percent—and life expectancy for every man went up 7 years.”

Throughout the world research continues to show that the leading cause of death is inactivity. When seen in this light, heart disease may be seen to be no more than an effect. Researchers from the University of Hong Kong and Department of Public Health, using linear regression to isolate the impact of inactivity alone on CHD, found that a lack of regular exercise resulted in a higher mortality rate than cigarette smoking!

Despite the evidence, a mere 6 percent of Americans get 30 minutes of exercise per day; helping to explain the growing rates of obesity, diabetes, cancer and more. Simply put, a lack of physical fitness weakens our bodies immune response. In a world where an increasing array of pollutants, carcinogens, and pathogens, along with an unprecedented amount of social stress, combine to make every cell in our body fight for their lives each day. Collectively, this clobbers our immune system, tipping the scale toward dis-ease. But It's easy to ad days to your life, and life to your days. Consider these findings:

Alzheimer's: Dr. Cyrus Raji, PhD, a radiologist at the University of Pittsburgh, in an interview with WEBMD Health News, says walking only 3/4 of a mile a day, or about 6 miles a week is associated with a 50% reduction in Alzheimer's risk over 13 years, in cognitively normal adults.

Breast Cancer:
Effects 1 in 8 woman.Most diagnosed cancer in woman.Study: Physical Activity and Survival After Breast Cancer Objective: To determine if women with breast cancer decrease their risk of death from breast cancer by walking; compared to more sedentary women.
Subjects: 2,987 woman diagnosed with breast cancers stages 1-3. Analysis of data, from the Nurses Health Study.
Findings: Death rates reduced by 54% for subjects walking 3-5 hours weekly. 19% reduction - walking 1-3 hours weekly. 42% reduced rate-5-7 hours weekly. 29% reduction - over 7 hours weekly. All at moderate pace.
Publication: JAMA. The Journal of the American Medical Association, May, 2005


Cancer:
6 million deaths annually, worldwide.
Cancer death rates fell 21.0% among men and 12.3% among women during 1991 to 2006.”

Study: 6 Effects of Walking on Mortality among Nonsmoking Retired Men.
Objective: To determine the impact on death rates of cancer from low impact exercise.
Subjects: 760 non-smoking retired men, 60 years of age and older (enrolled in the Honolulu Heart Program).
Study Duration: 12 years.
Findings: Risk for all cancers slashed 50% for men walking 2 miles daily.
Publication: New England Journal of Medicine, January,1998.


Heart Disease:

Cardiovascular disease kills twice as many woman each year as all forms of cancer.
Man or woman, heart disease will kill 1 in 4.

Study: 8 Effects of walking on coronary heart disease in elderly men.
Subjects: 2,678 physically capable elderly men aged 71 to 93 years.
Objective: Effect of weekly walking on death rate from heart disease.
Findings: 50% decrease in death rate from CHD death for men walking 1.5 miles a day versus those walking 0.25 miles daily or less.
Publication: Circulation. July,1999

Stroke:
The only difference between a heart attack and a stroke is the location it occurs.
In the U.S alone, one person is stricken every 45 seconds
1 person dies from a stroke every 3.1 minutes

Study: Physical Activity and the risk of stroke in woman.
Subjects: 72,488 female nurses ages 40 to 65 years who did not have diagnosed cardiovascular disease or cancer at baseline
Objective: To measure the impact of moderate walking on the death rate of all cancers by BMI (body mass index) in the clinically obese.
Findings: Brisk walking but moderate intensity (a stride) and distance walked, when compared to casual walking, reduced the risk of ischemic stroke by as much as 30%. Intensive walking did not.
Publication: JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association). June, 2000

Obesity:
The average person achieves the weight lost equivalent to 1 M & M by walking the length of a football field.
So what? Do so regularly and you’ll change your metabolic set point. You’ll even burn more as you sleep.
Study: 11 Overweight, Obesity, and Mortality from Cancer in a Prospectively Studied Cohort of U.S. Adults
Measure: Body Mass Index (BMI)
Subjects: 900,000 men and women
Findings: Obesity increases cancer risk by 52%
Publication: New England Journal of Medicine, April, 2003

Dis-ease already exists in most of us. Perhaps it hasn't been discovered yet, as it continues on its path before its chronic enough to be diagnosed. But you can indeed stay ahead of the bell curve, at no cost to you.

Just WALK!