NutraYoung - Healthy Living Learning Center http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living Tips for Healthy Living Wed, 03 Feb 2010 21:13:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 en ‘Discover’ names seaweed research among top 100 stories http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/super-antioxidant/discover-names-seaweed-research-among-top-100-stories/ http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/super-antioxidant/discover-names-seaweed-research-among-top-100-stories/#comments Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:46:49 +0000 admin http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/?p=231 In a list that covers everything from an anti-malaria gene to bulletproof paper, Discover magazine has compiled its top 100 stories of 2008. Included in the list is an article about findings published with the help of the University of Delaware’s George Luther and UD alumnus Timothy Waite.

“Seaweed creates its own sunscreen,” which came in at No. 94, details research that determined why brown kelp (Laminaria) produces iodine. When the seaweed is stressed, it flushes large quantities of iodide as a powerful antioxidant out of its cells. The iodide combines with highly reactive oxygen in the water and air to produce molecular iodine, which humans often use as an antiseptic.

The findings reveal the element iodine’s biological role as an inorganic antioxidant — the first to be described in a living system.

The research, published May 2008 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the scientific journal of the National Academy of Sciences in the U.S., was led by Frithjof Kupper from the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS). Luther, the Maxwell P. and Mildred H. Harrington Professor of Oceanography, and Waite were part of the research team.

Luther’s lab conducted a series of chemical analyses, including one confirming that iodide was actually being released into the water, in his lab at the UD College of Marine and Earth Studies in Lewes.

With Luther’s help, the scientists determined that brown kelp passively takes in iodide from seawater and releases it when needed to protect itself from exposure to threats like ozone when the tide is low. It’s that simplicity that Luther said likely helped influence the story’s pick as one of the year’s best.

“Here’s an organism that takes the iodide in and dumps it when it needs it,” he said. “It’s such a simple way to do business.”

This research was partially funded by the National Science Foundation and Sea Grant, which is administered through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Other agencies from the United States and around the world that helped fund the project included the Natural Environment Research Council; the National Institutes of Health; the Center for Environmental Bioinorganic Chemistry; the National Science Foundation Environmental Molecular Science Institute; the SAMS Core Strategic Program; the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft; and the French national program Toxicologie Nucleaire Environnementale.

Source: http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2009/jan/discover012109.html

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]]> http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/super-antioxidant/discover-names-seaweed-research-among-top-100-stories/feed/ NIH Awards $16.6 Million to UC San Diego Researcher for New Epigenome Center http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/life-extension/nih-awards-166-million-to-uc-san-diego-researcher-for-new-epigenome-center/ http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/life-extension/nih-awards-166-million-to-uc-san-diego-researcher-for-new-epigenome-center/#comments Sat, 17 Jan 2009 02:51:42 +0000 felsyeh http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/?p=223 Bing Ren, Ph.D., associate professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and head of the Laboratory of Gene Regulation at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, was recently selected as one of four grant recipients in the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Roadmap’s Epigenomics Program, an initiative developed to study stable genetic modifications that affect and alter the behavior of genes across the human genome.

The five-year, $16.6 million grant will support The San Diego Epigenome Center at the Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research at UC San Diego, one of four centers in the country called Reference Epigenome Mapping Centers (REMC) as part of an overall five-year, $190 million NIH program.  Ren’s grant will support interdisciplinary work to comprehensively map elements of the human epigenome, which Ren describes as “like an added dimension to the DNA string.”

“The human epigenome is the next frontier of genomic research,” said Ren.  “Just as the Human Genome Project provided a picture of the sequence of genomes, our work will help create a map of the processes that impact gene regulation – what turns genes on and off – in order to improve our understanding of what drives human development and disease.”

The epigenome plays a pivotal role in cellular differentiation, tissue formation and aging by regulating the transcriptional potential of the genome, specifying when and where genes are activated or expressed.  Epigenetic processes, such as modifications to DNA-associated proteins called histones, control genetic activity by changing the three-dimensional structure of chromosomes. Diet and exposure to environmental chemicals throughout all stages of human development, among other factors, can cause such epigenetic changes that may turn on or turn off certain genes.

Source: UCSD Health http://health.ucsd.edu/news/2009/1-13-epigenome-grant.htm


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]]> http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/life-extension/nih-awards-166-million-to-uc-san-diego-researcher-for-new-epigenome-center/feed/ Stress Herbs and Your Health http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/stress-management/stress-herbs-and-your-health/ http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/stress-management/stress-herbs-and-your-health/#comments Sat, 03 Jan 2009 22:30:21 +0000 felsyeh http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/?p=198 How do you manage your stress? Dealing with work demands and family-related or personal issues can cause an immense amount of stress on an individual. In response to stressors, our bodies naturally go into “fight-or-flight” mode¬¬¬¬—our muscles tense up for action, our nerves fire rapidly and become over-stimulated, and our adrenal glands pump out increased amounts of hormones. While this can be beneficial during immediate emergency situations, prolonged stress events can gradually drain the body of its resources, causing it to break down and fail to carry out normal cellular processes. Recent studies show that ongoing long-term stress has a direct negative impact on weakening the body’s immune system. Everyday stress may lead to many serious psychological and physical health problems like anxiety, depression, exhaustion, high blood pressure and heart disease.
While maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise can relieve some work-inflicted or personal stress, there also are many herbs for stress that can help your body cope with external pressures and reduce their negative effects on your body. Lack of sleep, inability to concentrate, body aches, and poor digestion are all symptoms that can be easily alleviated by taking herbs for stress. There are a variety of herbal remedies for stress available in all forms. For example, chamomile is a calming agent found in teas or lotions, which reduces insomnia and boosts immunity to resist infection during periods of stress. Valerian root is an herb for stress usually in capsule form, which has been found to promote relaxation and induce restful sleep. Valerian root also eliminates headaches caused by nervous tension and alleviates muscle tension, especially during premenstrual cycles.

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]]> http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/stress-management/stress-herbs-and-your-health/feed/ How to Reduce Stress - Diet, Exercise, and Herbs for Stress http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/stress-management/how-to-reduce-stress-diet-exercise-and-herbs-for-stress/ http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/stress-management/how-to-reduce-stress-diet-exercise-and-herbs-for-stress/#comments Tue, 11 Nov 2008 08:13:16 +0000 felsyeh http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/?p=177 The demands and pace of modern day life can lead to stress and anxiety. On a regular basis, we are dealing with the stresses of work, commute, family, bills, and other responsibilities. Stress is often overlooked but it is important to minimize stress and find relief because it can be harmful to your health and quality of life. Stress can lead to heart issues, headaches, high blood pressure, digestion issues, depression, and other strains to the body. Fortunately, there are simple ways that you can reduce stress by activities such as exercising, eating healthy, and taking herbs for relaxation.

Here are some tips on how you can reduce stress in your life and make some steps towards improving your well-being.

1. Try to dedicate some time to meditation. Find some quiet time during your day to clear your mind and breathe. Just 10 minutes is all you need to take out of your busy day. Find a quiet place in your home to sit still, close your eyes, and concentrate on only your breath. You may find your mind wandering back to all the stressful aspects of life but with time, you will learn to focus your mind to the present moment.

2. Take herbs for stress and relaxation. There are many natural options available to help provide stress relief. Some herbs and supplements include Seditol, St. John’s Wort, Valerian, Passion Flower, Scull Cap, Hops, Chamomile, and Gingko. These herbs have shown to promote tranquility and mood stability.

3. Get the recommended 7-9 hours of Sleep. The body needs rest in order to endure the day’s activities and to be alert. Sleep will also strengthen your immune system to prevent illness.

4. Eat healthy foods and avoid overeating. Eat foods that strengthen your body and provide energy throughout your day. Try to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your meals as well as whole grains. Stress can often time lead to overeating without realizing it. Make an effort to cook meals and avoid eating unhealthy fast foods.

5. Get exercise on a regular basis. Getting exercise can reduce stress by relieving tension in your muscles as well as releasing endorphins that give you energy and leave you feeling energetic. Practicing Yoga can provide exercise as well as a means of meditation and reflection.

6. Prioritize how you spend your time. Stress can be due to a hectic schedule and feeling overwhelmed. Be more deliberate in how you spend your time and make some tough decisions to eliminate some tasks if necessary. Maintaining a calendar or checklist can help keep you more organized and in control.

7. Talk to a therapist. If there are serious causes of stress in your life, try talking to a professional who can provide advice and some objective perspective. A therapist can also recommended further actions for you to take to relieve stress.

Take the steps that you work for you in reducing stress and promoting relaxation. There may be some activities that are more or less effective for you. It is recommended that you consult with a professional before adopting a new diet or take supplements.

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]]> http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/stress-management/how-to-reduce-stress-diet-exercise-and-herbs-for-stress/feed/ List of Easy Sources of Super Antioxidants http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/super-antioxidant/list-of-easy-sources-of-super-antioxidants/ http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/super-antioxidant/list-of-easy-sources-of-super-antioxidants/#comments Mon, 03 Nov 2008 04:25:38 +0000 felsyeh http://www.nutrayoung.com/healthy-living/?p=160 Here is a list of easy meal and snack ideas to ensure that you are getting your super antioxidants:

Breakfast: Incorporate blueberries into your meal. You can add them to your cereal, yogurt, or cottage cheese to get your antioxidant boost or you can have them in your bagel or muffin. If you’re in a hurry, you can always pack some fresh or dried blueberries to go. Another quick and easy option is to have a prepackaged blueberry cereal bar.

Lunch: Have an antioxidant rich salad. Having a salad with leafy greens such as spinach will deliver antioxidants but you can mix in additional vegetables, fruit, and nuts for more. Possible vegetables to add include tomato, carrots, squash, corn, and broccoli. For fruit, try mango, peaches, mandarin oranges, or melon. Top it off with some walnuts or flax seed and you’ve got an antioxidant hearty meal.

Snacks: Treat yourself to something sweet. Fortunately for your palate, eating foods with antioxidants does not mean sacrificing taste or favorite sweets. Peanut butter is a good source of Vitamin E which acts as an antioxidant. Have peanut butter as a dip for carrots or bell pepper or spread it on a piece of whole grain bread. Feel free to have a cup of tea or coffee during your break but beware of your sugar intake.

Dinner: Serve fish with a side of vegetables. Grill some tuna with a side of kale, broccoli, or brussel sprouts. Start with some whole grain bread or a baked yam. You can even toast to your health with a glass of red wine.

Dessert: Break off a piece of dark chocolate. Try for the higher percentage cacao in order to limit the percentage sugar in the chocolate bar. You can get your chocolate fix and antioxidants at the same time with this dessert option.

Vitamins and Supplements: You have the option to take supplements as your source of nutrients. There is a numerous selection of supplements now available to ensure you get your antioxidants. Some options include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, CoQ10, and Alpha Lipoic Acid.

As you can see, being healthy and getting your antioxidant intake does not mean starting a boring diet. Super antioxidants can be found in many of your favorite foods and are commonly found in your grocery store.

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