How Oxidative Stress May Help Prolong Life

How Oxidative Stress May Help Prolong Life:

"...study suggests why humans may actually be able to prolong the aging process by regularly exposing our bodies to minimal amounts of oxidants."....

This finding may explain recent studies suggesting that eating less may, in fact, raise ROS levels – and, in doing so, provide protection from acute doses of oxidants. This is counter to the hypothesis that caloric restriction extends lifespan in some species because it reduces ROS produced as a by-product of the energy regenerated by mitochondria.

'It may be that adaption to oxidative stress is the main factor responsible for the lifespan-expanding effects of caloric restriction,' said Ideker.

On my FinanceProfessorblog I have a category of papers called I^3. It stands for Important, Informative, and Interesting. This one would definitely fit! Really makes us think about what we know on many levels. READ THE ARTICLE!

Crossposted on RandomTopics2 and ParkandShop.

Cinnamon's benefits and risks

A while ago I saw an article on endurance athletes and using cinnamon (I can not find the exact article now). Before adding it to my smoothies I wanted to check it out some. The findings convinced me of the benefits and I learned too much of a good thing can be bad.

Figured I would share some of the evidence.

Life Enhancement:: Cinnamon Reduces Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Levels:

" The researchers measured the patients’ blood glucose and lipid levels (under fasting conditions) at the beginning of the study, and again at 20 days, 40 days (the end of the treatment), and 60 days (i.e., after a 20-day “washout” period following the cessation of treatment).

The results were dramatic: all three cinnamon doses had a strong impact on blood glucose levels—and on blood lipid levels as well, as we will see shortly. By contrast, the placebo had no significant effect on either measure. The glucose levels were reduced by 18–29% following 40 days of treatment. Whereas the highest dose (6 g/day) produced the most rapid response, the lowest dose (1 g/day) produced the most sustained response, i.e., a continued reduction in glucose levels even at the 60-day point; the reduction observed was 16"

And from a 2006 article from About.com.

"Richard A. Anderson, Ph.D., CNS, of the the Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center (BHNRC), is one of the original researchers in the Pakistan study. The BHNRC is under the United States Department of Agricuture (USDA). From results of his continued study of the components of cinnamon and their effect on blood glucose and cholesterol, he states,

"We have also shown that the active components of cinnamon are found in the water-soluble portion of cinnamon and are not present in cinnamon oil, which is largely fat-soluble. In addition to ground cinnamon consumed directly, one can also make a cinnamon tea and let the solids settle to the bottom or use cinnamon sticks, which make for a nice clear tea. Cinnamon can also be added to orange juice, oatmeal, coffee before brewing, salads, meats etc. The active components are not destroyed by heat."

Based on these studies, it seems that cinnamon may lower blood glucose, triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in people with Type 2 diabetes. The fact that studies so far have involved a small amount of people and have not yet explored the long term benefits of cinnamon, would lead to the conclusion that there may not be enough evidence gathered yet, to support cinnamon as a major player against Type 2. But adding more cinnamon to already healthy lifestyle changes probably wouldn't hurt either."

From Science Daily (Aug 2008):

"Hargrove explained that when blood sugar levels are high, a process known as protein glycation occurs in which the sugar bonds with proteins to eventually form what are known as advanced glycation end products, also known as AGE compounds. The acronym is fitting because these compounds activate the immune system, resulting in the inflammation and tissue damage associated with aging and diabetes.

The researchers found a strong and direct correlation between the phenol content of common herbs and spices and their ability to inhibit the formation of AGE compounds. Spices such as cloves and cinnamon had phenol levels that were 30 percent and 18 percent of dry weight, respectively, while herbs such as oregano and sage were eight and six percent phenol by dry weight, respectively. For comparison, blueberries – which are widely touted for their antioxidant capabilities – contain roughly five percent phenol by dry weight."

and later in the same article:

"...researchers tested for the ability to block AGE compounds in a test tube, but animal studies conducted on the health benefits of spices lend support to their argument. Cinnamon and cinnamon extracts, for example, have been shown to lower blood sugar in mice. Interestingly, cinnamon lowers blood sugar by acting on several different levels, Hargrove said. It slows the emptying of the stomach to reduce sharp rises in blood sugar following meals and improves the effectiveness, or sensitivity, of insulin. It also enhances antioxidant defenses."

And from the International Journal of Exercise Conference Abstracts the finding that it may help reduce post workout inflammation.Conclusion:

"The experimental proprietary blend showed some positive anti-inflammatory effects as illustrated by a significantly (p<0.05) lower inflammatory response in IL1rα and IL 6 by 2hr post damage. It is concluded that fenugreek, cinnamon, and curcumin have potential anti-inflammatory properties and that they significantly reduced the onset of inflammation in response to muscle damage.

Not all is good however and there could be downsides of too much. From People's Pharmacy:

"Some cinnamon (Chinese or cassia cinnamon) is contaminated with a natural compound called coumarin. In excess, this can harm the liver of sensitive individuals. Coumarin may also interact with blood thinners like Coumadin (warfarin) to increase the risk of bleeding.

In the end I decided that I would use cinnamon in many of my smoothies, but I must confess at least a part of the reason is that it just tastes so good!

A good article from WebMD

A very good article, well worth reading!


Best Anti-Aging Foods:

"These six food groups hold the 'power' to help you lose weight and turn back the clock. Don't miss our easy seven-day meal plan and delicious anti-aging snacks!

...Piling your plate with fruits and vegetables is a no-brainer when it comes to weight loss — they're low in calories, high in nutrients, and filling — but the latest studies show that certain on....There's buzz about blueberries, for instance, for their memory-boosting potential. But berries of all hues are antioxidant-rich, reports Navindra P. Seeram, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Rhode Island College of Pharmacy...."

and later

"Eating at least 1/4 cup every day led to a 60 percent lower risk of gum disease and a 50 percent lower risk of tooth loss in a Japanese study published in the Journal of Periodontology. The effect is thought to be linked to the probiotics in yogurt, but not in most other dairy."

and later:

"A 2008 review of these diet-friendly foods — which include whole wheat, oats, and brown rice, and the bread, cereal, and other edibles made from them — concluded that a meal plan loaded with whole grains helps you stay slim, thanks, in part, to fiber's role in appetite control. Their low rankings on the glycemic index (a system that rates the effect of different carbohydrates on blood sugar levels) may also play a role.

A raft of research has also shown that whole grains offer protection against diabetes, heart disease, stroke, colon cancer, high blood pressure, and gum disease."

Read the whole article! Definitely worth it!

Recipes for Health - Strawberry Smoothie - NYTimes.com

Recipes for Health - Strawberry Smoothie - NYTimes.com:

"This series offers recipes with an eye towards empowering you to cook healthy meals every day. Produce, seasonal and locally grown when possible, and a well-stocked pantry are the linchpins of a good diet, and accordingly, each week’s recipes will revolve around a particular type of produce or a pantry item. This is food that is vibrant and light, full of nutrients but by no means ascetic, fun to cook and a pleasure to eat"

SSRN-Environmental Factors that Unknowingly Increase a Consumer's Food Intake and Consumption Volume by Brian Wansink

More on what as a finance professor familiar with behavioral finance and behavioral economics would call behavioral eating. The short version is that people's caloric consumption and overall food choices are not always rational. Indeed that are influenced by things such as size of plate and other factors that never enter into a "classical" or "rational" or "econ" decision.

SSRN-Environmental Factors that Unknowingly Increase a Consumer's Food Intake and Consumption Volume by Brian Wansink:

"Package size, plate shape, lighting, socializing, and variety are only a few of the environmental factors that can influence the consumption volume of food far more than most people realize. Although such environmental factors appear unrelated, they generally influence consumption volume by inhibiting consumption monitoring and by suggesting alternative consumption norms. For researchers, this review shows that redirecting our focus to the 'whys' or the psychological mechanisms behind consumption will raise the profile and impact of our research."

BPA, Chemical Used To Make Plastics, Found To Leach From Polycarbonate Drinking Bottles Into Humans

This is not good news.

BPA, Chemical Used To Make Plastics, Found To Leach From Polycarbonate Drinking Bottles Into Humans:

"A new study from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) researchers found that participants who drank for a week from polycarbonate bottles -- the popular, hard-plastic drinking bottles and baby bottles -- showed a two-thirds increase in their urine of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA). Exposure to BPA, used in the manufacture of polycarbonate and other plastics, has been shown to interfere with reproductive development in animals and has been linked with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in humans."

and later

""We found that drinking cold liquids from polycarbonate bottles for just one week increased urinary BPA levels by more than two-thirds. If you heat those bottles, as is the case with baby bottles, we would expect the levels to be considerably higher. This would be of concern since infants may be particularly susceptible to BPA's endocrine-disrupting potential," said Karin B. Michels, associate professor of epidemiology at HSPH and Harvard Medical School and senior author of the study."

Cereal And Milk Is The New Sports Supplement

More from ScienceDaily:

Cereal And Milk Is The New Sports Supplement:

"A bowl of whole-grain cereal is as good as a sports drink for recovery after exercise. New research has shown that the readily available and relatively inexpensive breakfast food is as effective as popular, carbohydrate-based 'sports drinks.....

and later:

"Cereal and non-fat milk are a less expensive option than sports drinks. The milk provides a source of easily digestible and high quality protein, which can promote protein synthesis and training adaptations, making this an attractive recovery option for those who refuel at home".

The researchers concluded that, for amateur athletes and moderately physically active individuals who are trying to keep in shape, popping into the kitchen for a quick bowl of whole-grain cereal with a splash of skimmed milk may be a smarter move than investing in a high-priced sports drink.'"

Turmeric Extract Suppresses Fat Tissue Growth In Rodent Models

Turmeric Extract Suppresses Fat Tissue Growth In Rodent Models:

"Curcumin, the major polyphenol found in turmeric, appears to reduce weight gain in mice and suppress the growth of fat tissue in mice and cell models. Researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University (USDA HNRCA) studied mice fed high fat diets supplemented with curcumin and cell cultures incubated with curcumin....

Meydani continued, "It is important to note, we don't know whether these results can be replicated in humans because, to our knowledge, no studies have been done."

Turmeric is known for providing flavor to curry. One of its components is curcumin, a type of phytochemical known as a polyphenol. Research findings suggest that phytochemicals, which are the chemicals found in plants, appear to help prevent disease. As the bioactive component of turmeric, curcumin is readily absorbed for use by the body."

For more see the Wikipedia page on Turmeric.

YouTube - Food for Thought: Behavioral Economics and What You Eat

YouTube - Food for Thought: Behavioral Economics and What You Eat:

Interesting stuff! Ties much of what I do in my financeprofessor job and with the stores. Rare that I can use the same video for both blogs! LOL Good stuff!

Tea and Health - Stash Tea Company

Stash Tea has a good page of scientific research related to teas. Definitely worth a look! (and a drink!)

Tea and Health - Stash Tea Company:

"There has been much research lately that explores the potential health benefits of drinking tea daily. Researchers are finding that all teas -- white, green, oolong and black teas from the Camellia sinensis plant -- may aid in achieving a long and healthy life.

Tea contains flavonoids, which are compounds that have antioxidant properties. Antioxidants work to neutralize free radicals, which can damage the body and contribute to chronic diseases. White and green teas (the least processed) contain the most antioxidant properties, followed by Oolong and then Black teas."

Vitamins Found to Curb Exercise Benefits - NYTimes.com

There have been so many negative vitamin studies of late. I have basically cut them out.

Vitamins Found to Curb Exercise Benefits - NYTimes.com:

"If you exercise to promote health, you shouldn’t take large amounts of antioxidants,” Dr. Ristow said. A second message of the study, he said, “is that antioxidants in general cause certain effects that inhibit otherwise positive effects of exercise, dieting and other interventions.” The findings appear in this week’s issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences."

Osteoporosis and Diet: Recipes for Strong Bones

Osteoporosis and Diet: Recipes for Strong Bones:

"....you want a diet with a steady supply of bone-building nutrients. The delicious dishes that follow offer a bevy of calcium and vitamin D, which form the foundation of a diet for a sturdy skeleton, as well as other nutrients critical for bone health, including protein."

American Restaurants Serving Meals Packed With Salt | SmartAboutHealth.Net

Yet another reason to eat at home!

American Restaurants Serving Meals Packed With Salt | SmartAboutHealth.Net:

"It is the overall tendancy to eat foods that you would not normally make at home when going out to a restaurant, because many people feel that eating at a restaurant is a treat worth taking full advantage of.

In some cases eating a meal at a restaurant, can provide you with 4 times the daily recommended serving of sodium, depending of course on what you get."

White Tea: Solution To Obesity Epidemic?

White Tea: Solution To Obesity Epidemic?:

"Possible anti-obesity effects of white tea have been demonstrated in a series of experiments on human fat cells (adipocytes). Researchers have now shown that an extract of the herbal brew effectively inhibits the generation of new adipocytes and stimulates fat mobilization from mature fat cells.

Marc Winnefeld led a team of researchers from Beiersdorf AG, Germany, who studied the biological effects of an extract of white tea – the least processed version of the tea plant Camellia sinensis. He said, "....We've shown that white tea may be an ideal natural source of slimming substances"."

Thanks to StashTea for pointing this one out!

Local History

The Olean Times Herald is running a short series of articles on local history. Here is he first about Allegany

From the Olean Times Herald

"If a person walking in downtown Allegany today was suddenly thrown back to the same location 100 years ago, he or she would likely recognize the buildings, street and community.

The fact that Allegany buildings and storefronts have remained much the same as they were over a century ago has added charm to the town that was founded in April of 1831 after breaking off from the town of Great Valley."

As the late Paul Harvey would say, I am going to tell you a bit more than I know next. Look for a history of Allegany project coming up soon in conjunction with our store. Stay tuned!

Fiber and weight loss?

I did not know this:

Team Beachbody:

"...a recent study has shown that eating whole fruit could be the main dietary difference between obese and overweight individuals. At the University of Southern California, researchers showed that the main difference between 52 normal-weight adults and 52 overweight and obese adults was the amount of fiber in their diets, which mainly came from fruit.

In the study, the normal-weight group consumed an average of 33 percent more fiber and 43 percent more carbohydrates than their overweight counterparts. This suggests that fiber, much more than following a low-carb or low-fat diet, is the key for weight control."

While I could not find this study exactly, here are some other studies that tie fiber intake to weight.

Dietary Fats Trigger Long-term Memory Formation

Dietary Fats Trigger Long-term Memory Formation:

"Piomelli's previous studies identified how oleic acids from fats are transformed into a compound called oleoylethanolamide (OEA) in the upper region of the small intestine. OEA sends hunger-curbing messages to the brain to increase feelings of fullness. In elevated levels, OEA can reduce appetite, produce weight loss and lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Piomelli and McGaugh discovered that OEA also causes memory consolidation, the process by which superficial, short-term memories are transformed into meaningful, long-term ones."

Why is this the case is also fascinating:

"OEA is part of the molecular glue that makes memories stick," Piomelli said. "By helping mammals remember where and when they have eaten a fatty meal, OEA's memory-enhancing activity seems to have been an important evolutionary tool for early humans and other mammals.""

Interesting! Three fast takes: 1. I definitely agree that some fat in a meal makes you feel full faster. And 2. it might explain why many have pleasant memories of eating out. If more fat, you may remember it more. and 3. might eating some (good fat) improve memory for tests etc?

Tea Drinkers Reap Blood Pressure Benefits

A dated study but still good news none-the-less. Was spurred to look for this given an ongoing study trying to see if certain African teas can be used to combat type 2 diabetes.

Tea Drinkers Reap Blood Pressure Benefits:

"Those who drank at least a half-cup of moderate strength green or oolong tea per day for a year had a 46% lower risk of developing hypertension than those who didn't drink tea. Among those who drank more than two and a half cups of tea per day, the risk of high blood pressure was reduced by 65%."

(quote is from page 2)

INterestingly Hibiscus tea also seems to work according to a new study.
Tea time!

Cigarette Smoke May Rob Children Of Needed Antioxidants

I am totally and utterly baffled how anyone can still smoke with so much evidence that it kills, but if you must, please do not do it near your children!

Cigarette Smoke May Rob Children Of Needed Antioxidants:

"A University of Rochester Medical Center study looked at the levels of antioxidants versus the amount of smoke exposure in more than 2,000 6 and 18 years old in the 2003-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The study, which was presented at the Pediatric Academic Society Meeting in Baltimore, shows that secondhand smoke exposure is associated with lower levels of antioxidants in children."

The Island Where People Live Longer : NPR

The Island Where People Live Longer : NPR:

"'If they go to church, if they go to their friends' house — it always occasions a small walk. But that ends up burning much more calories than going to a gym for 20 minutes a day.'

'They also have a diet that's very interesting,' Buettner continues. 'It's very high in olive oil; it's very high in fruits and vegetables.' It's also very high in greens; about 150 kinds of veggies grow wild on the island....Icarians drink herbal teas every day, morning and night, Buettner says. This seems to be one of their secrets to longer living."

Palm Oil Not A Healthy Substitute For Trans Fats

We better keep reading the labels!

Palm Oil Not A Healthy Substitute For Trans Fats: (from ScienceDaily)

"Authors of an Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-supported study have addressed the question of whether palm oil, whose functional characteristics are similar to trans fats, would be a good substitute for partially hydrogenated fat....

The findings suggest that consuming either of the diets enriched with equivalent high amounts of palm oil or partially hydrogenated soybean oil would result in similar unfavorable levels of LDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (a protein, attached to fat particles, that carries bad cholesterol throughout the bloodstream). ....The results suggest that palm oil would not be a good substitute for trans fats by the food industry, the authors wrote.."

This is not a total surprise and some (for instance SmartBalance) are already labeling their products with "No Palm Kernel Oil" and address the issue of using any Paol Oil here.

NOTE Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil are two different things.