What are Polyphenols?
Polyphenol is a generic term for the several thousand plant-based molecules that have antioxidant properties. The health benefits of antioxidants are well known and polyphenols are also helpful for regulating enzyme function and stimulating cell receptors. [1] Polyphenols are divided into four primary groups: phenolic acids, lignans, stilbenes, and flavonoids. [2] Plants with polyphenol activity have played a major role in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. With an anti-inflammatory action, support for the liver, and promoting normal circulatory health, their benefits are plentiful.
6 Benefits of Polyphenol Consumption
Polyphenols are available in a wide variety of unprocessed raw vegetables and fruits. With the explosion of polyphenol research and the extensive discussion in scientific journals, potential therapeutic applications for these compounds have been discovered. Here are just a few of the benefits related to polyphenols.
1. Skin Protection
The consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and antioxidant-rich beverages may protect the skin from UV radiation. Resveratrol, a compound in red wine, has active polyphenic qualities that aid in protecting the skin. Other compounds, like silymarin, genistein, delphinidin, pomegranate fruit extract, grape seed, proanthocyanidins, and green tea polyphenols, may also ward off UV damage. [3]
2. Brain Health
The antioxidant effect of polyphenols offers holistic support for the aging neurological system, possibly combating the early onset of dementia-like symptoms. Polyphenols have been linked with lower risk for Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. Researchers also note that polyphenols offer a holistic approach to neurological health by addressing the complex physiology involved with certain brain disorders. [4]
3. Supports Normal Blood Sugar
Glucose management is an issue for many people in the United States, with about 1 out of every 10 people having type II diabetes or prediabetes. Flavonoids, a group of polyphenols, has displayed beneficial effects for supporting normal blood sugar levels. These flavonoids, typically found in foods like tea and cocoa, appear to enhance insulin secretion, reduce cell death, regulate glucose metabolism, improve insulin sensitivity, reduce oxidative stress, and increase glucose uptake by cells. [5]
4. Nutritional Support for Cancer?
While polyphenols won’t cure cancer, research has explored their potential therapeutic role. Some polyphenols appear to offer protection against carcinogens — cancer-causing substances present in food and the environment. [6] [7] Although coffee raises an eyebrow among some health-conscious consumers, research suggests that the polyphenols in coffee may help to reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. [8]
5. Blood Pressure
Studies indicate flavonoids, like catechins, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids, are important dietary compounds that support normal blood pressure by inhibiting the physiological mechanisms which trigger hypertension. [9]
6. Cardiovascular Health
Polyphenols found in cocoa have been shown to reduce cardiovascular stress through the inhibition of LDL cholesterol, or “bad” cholesterol, oxidation. These compounds also increase the vasodilation of blood vessels to promote circulation. [10] Keep in mind that organic dark chocolate, 72% cacao and above, is where the benefits have been found. In other words, cheap candy is not good for your health.
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10 Shocking Facts about Flame Retardants
Thanks to California law TB 117 from 1975, your comfy recliner better resembles a chemical waste facility than it does a relaxing chair. What do I mean? Well, TB 117 requires the foam in sofas, love seats, recliners, car seats, electronics, and insulation be treated with ultra toxic flame retardants. Although they may prevent your wares from immediately going up in a blaze, they are not without serious consequence to your health.
The Dangers of Flame Retardants
Flame retardants — globally recognized as toxic contaminants — have been associated with reproductive disorders, cancer, immune dysfunction, hormone disruption, suppressed thyroid function, and serious damage to fetal and child brain development. Here are 10 facts you need to know to protect you and your loved ones from these dangerous, pervasive toxins.
1. Your Dust Bunnies Are Toxic
According to Duke University associate professor of environmental chemistry Heather Stapleton, “If you really look at what’s in your dust, particularly for some chemicals, it’s just as concentrated — or more — as what you’d find in sewage sludge.” [1] What she and many other researchers discovered is flame retardants like PBDEs and chlorinated tris escape from the foam and accumulate in dust. Dust bunnies, by their nature, collect greater amounts of these chemicals. The more that around, the greater your exposure. Pets and little ones crawling on the floor may be most susceptible.
2. The 2006 Ban on PBDEs Did Not Make Furniture Safe
Although PBDEs were supposedly banned in 2006, the chemical used to replace them is equally as dangerous. Chemical manufacturers reverted to using chlorinated tris (or TDCPP), a chemical banned from use in children’s pajamas in 1977 because it causes DNA mutations and cancer. Even the newer chemical known as V6 contains tris. Research shows chlorinated tris is more toxic than the pesticide chlorpyrifos, a known neurotoxin. [2] Tris remains as dangerous today as in 1977.
3. Baby Products Are Loaded with Flame Retardants
You know why you’ve never heard of a “Foam tree”? It’s because foam, despite being soft, is not natural, it’s the product of mixing chemicals together. Subsequently, it comes as no surprise that car seats, changing pads, and other foam baby products are loaded with chemicals, including flame retardants. [3] Tris and a new chemical known as V6 (which contains tris) make up about 4.6% of the mass of the foam in baby products. [4] All the same health dangers apply which is why the best way to protect your little ones is to use and expose them to as few foam products as possible.
4. Children Are Most Vulnerable
Tests have shown that children typically have three times as much fire retardants in their blood as their mothers. The reason for this is believed to be the fact that children play on the floor where dust and carpeting collect fire retardants as the previously mentioned dust bunnies. This may explain the ever-increasing number of children suffering from hormonal and metabolic imbalances.
5. Flame Retardants Affect Unborn Babies
Pregnant women need to be especially aware of exposure to flame retardants. Research has shown that PBDEs have no problems crossing the placenta and can transfer harmful effects from mother to fetus. PBDEs have been found in the fetal blood of women exposed to products that have been treated with flame retardants. [5] Observations of children with higher levels of PBDEs in their blood revealed greater incidences of hyperactivity and decreased learning and memory.
6. They Cause Male Infertility
Regular exposure to organophosphate flame retardants alter a man’s hormone levels, leading to poor semen quality and decreased sperm count. [6] Read more
9 Health Benefits of a Vegetarian Diet
Adopting a vegetarian diet can be a fantastic entry into experiencing better health. A vegetarian diet is associated with a higher consumption of fiber, folic acid, vitamins C and E, magnesium, unsaturated fat, and countless phytochemicals. This often results in vegetarians having lower cholesterol, being thinner, having lower blood pressure, and reduced risk of heart disease. Let’s explore some of the other benefits of adopting a vegetarian (or vegan) lifestyle.
1. May Improve Mood
Arachidonic acid is a substance that usually comes from dietary animal sources and, no surprise, vegetarian diets are not high in arachidonic acid. This can be beneficial, as research has shown a link between arachidonic acid and mood disturbances. Researchers at Benedictine University performed a study to investigate the impact of restricting animal products and mood and confirmed that mood improvements do happen when eating meat, fish, and poultry are restricted. [1]
Additionally, Croatia’s Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health conducted mental health surveys amongst vegetarians and found them to have lower levels of neuroticism. [2]
2. May Improve Symptoms of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes skin redness and irritation and can be debilitating for those who suffer from it. However, according to research published by Brazil’s Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, a vegetarian diet may positively improve symptoms. [3]
3. May Reduce Incidence of Diabetes
According to Loma Linda University School of Public Health, vegetarian diets are associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of diabetes. [4] Information published by George Washington University School of Medicine has also confirmed that vegetarian diets offer an important benefit for the management of diabetes and can even reduce the likelihood of development by one half. [5] Read more
Vitamin E kills off cancer cells and prevents their reproduction, study finds
Even with all the progress that has been made in cancer detection and treatment in the last few decades, there is still a long way to go. Even with all the money that gets poured into cancer research, this disease remains the fourth leading cause of death in the United States – and numbers are similar for many other countries around the world. And a big part of the problem is that the majority of cancer therapies still revolve around some combination of surgery, chemo or radiation therapy. All of these treatments carry risks – and all have unwanted side effects. That is why so many researchers are putting their time into coming up with more natural ways to treat cancer. And one surprising candidate that has emerged from all of this is vitamin E, which is more popularly known for its ability to nourish the skin.
Vitamin E and cancer
What has many people in the cancer research community talking about are several recently published studies that appear to the have found a link between high levels of vitamin E in the body and a decreased chance of breast cancer. Since this form of cancer remains of vital concern to women in particular, these studies have garnered a lot of attention.
How does it work?
While these studies were conducted separately, scientists participating in them drew some similar conclusions about the role that vitamin E plays in preventing cancer development. It appears that vitamin E is able to interfere with the special cells which actually nourish the cancerous tumor and help it to grow. This interference means that the tumor is not able to grow – or more importantly, not able to spread to other parts of the body. It also was apparently able to induce higher rates of cancer cell death – but without harming surrounding tissues. Read more
