Natural Choices — Health Food, Organic Produce, Gluten Free, Vitamins, Supplements — Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana

Archive for February, 2011

Combating diabetes through the abilities of blueberry polyphenols first gained popularity over 80 years ago. It came into view in 1927 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), which is mainstream medicine’s upheld basis of knowledge in the medical world. The article, when it first came into print, showed that one particular blueberry extract was found to effectively reduce blood sugar levels. The evidence was so compelling one doctor called it the only compound known to almost cure diabetes.

Up to date data is proving that blueberry polyphenols can effectively battle key factors which further lead to the deadly metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome manifests with the co-occurrence of insulin resistance, hypertension, abdominal obesity, and abnormal blood lipid profiles, which increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Blueberries can boost insulin sensitivity, lower LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and improve leptin sensitivity, which is associated with reduced appetite and body weight.

There is also evidence of blueberry polyphenols halting the progress of the disease in humans who are already diabetic. And there is now detailed evidence of the potential of blueberry extract to combat multiple forms of cancer- for which metabolic syndrome sufferers are at a greater risk than the general population.

The next article in this series will cover more specific studies that confirm what has been stated above.

To learn more on this subject contact Carolyn at Natural Choices for Healthful Living.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is considered to be a key marker of aging by scientists today. In one instance, researchers found that 50% more mitochondrial damage in human brain cells in subjects over age 70 when compared to middle-aged subjects. Due to the evidence found, mitochondrial dysfunction and death are linked conclusively to the development of virtually all of the killer diseases of aging, such as Alzheimer’s, Type-2 Diabetes,  and heart failure.

It has been found that mitochondrial dysfunction can be reversed. Studies documenting the supplementation of COQ10 show that degenerative diseases can be thwarted by boosting mitochondrial health and bioenergetic, or energy-producing, capacity.

The latest advances in mitochondrial bioenergetics is the coenzyme pyrroloquinoline quinone or PQQ. Its critical role across a wide range of biological functions is gradually emerging. Like COQ10, it is a micronutrient whose antioxidant capacity provides extraordinary defense against mitochondrial decay.  In recent studies, it has been shown to not only provide defense mechanisms against mitochondrial decay, but also to stimulate growth of new, fresh mitochondria.

To learn more about the benefits of the coenzyme PQQ, contact Carolyn at Natural Choices for Healthful Living.