Berries prevent and reverse chronic disease

Berries such as blueberries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries black and red currants are rich in disease-fighting phytonutrients that can prevent and even reverse serious diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stomach ulcers - and help lower cholesterol levels.

These phytonutrients, which give colour and flavour to the berries, are extremely powerful compounds for optimum health. They are far more effective than any pharmaceutical in terms of providing healthy benefits without the dangerous side effects that are frequently associated with prescription drugs.

Compared to other fruit sources, berries offer the highest content of antioxidants and phytonutrients for promoting heath and preventing disease. They are also rich in many vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium and zinc - minerals that are frequently deficient. Berries can be an extremely powerful disease-fighting part of your daily diet.

Of all the berries, blueberries are the most powerful in terms of antioxidant content: they are high in flavonoids and are known to help protect against cancer, urinary tract infections and cataracts. They are also known to protect against brain damage from strokes and heart disease.

Raspberries are known for their ability to fight cancer thanks to their phytonutrient content and abundant supply of vitamins and minerals.

Cranberries are best known for preventing urinary tract infections, but they have also been shown to prevent breast cancer and reduce stomach ulcers. Cranberries can also help decrease LDL cholesterol levels.

Strawberries are high in antioxidants and vitamin C. They are known to guard against heart disease and provide a number of vitamins and minerals that support overall human health.

The key is to eat these berries in their raw, whole fruit form rather than as processed berries or fruit drinks made from berries.

Nature provides everything that the body needs in order to be healthy and prevent chronic disease - not only berries - but also vegetables like broccoli, garlic, ginger, carrots, cabbage and onions.

Note: no single food or supplement should ever be thought of a cure but rather as part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle. For more health information see the Food For Thought web site.

See also the article: 'Phytonutrients cause cancer cells to die'

Phytonutrients cause cancer cells to die

Just when you thought you'd learned everything there is to know about anti-oxidants, you may have started reading reports about phytonutrients. These are certain organic components of plants which scientists have isolated as being beneficial to human health in a different way from traditional anti-oxidants.

Phytonutrients have proven to be beneficial in many ways. They may even alter estrogen metabolism, cause cancer cells to die (apoptosis), repair DNA damage, and detoxify carcinogens by working with bodily enzymes.

Of all the phytonutrients, we probably know the most about carotenoids, the red, orange and yellow pigments found in fruits and vegetables. They can battle against certain cancers and even heart disease. Alpha- and beta- carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and lutein, are found in carrots, leafy green and yellow vegetables, and citrus or pulpy fruits. Another cartenoid, lycopene, is found in tomatoes. There have been several studies suggesting that these compounds are among the most beneficial components of fruits and vegetables.

Polyphenols, found in strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, teas, and soybeans, appear to combat allergies, inflammation, free radicals, hepatotoxins, platelet aggregation, microbes, ulcers, viruses and tumours. Flavonoids protect the vascular system and strengthen the tiny capillaries that carry oxygen and essential nutrients to all cells.

Research into phytonutrients is expanding rapidly because it appears that they offer a measurable amount of protection against cancer and other diseases.


Note: no single food or supplement should ever be thought of a cure but rather as part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle. For more health information see the Food For Thought web site.

See also the article 'Fish oils on prescription'

Fish oils on prescription

ROME — Every patient in the cardiac care unit at the San Filippo Neri Hospital who survives a heart attack goes home with a prescription for purified fish oil, or omega-3 fatty acids.

“It is clearly recommended in international guidelines,” said Dr. Massimo Santini, the hospital’s chief of cardiology, who added that it would be considered tantamount to malpractice in Italy to omit the drug.

In a large number of studies, prescription fish oil has been shown to improve survival after heart attacks and to reduce fatal heart rhythms. Yet patients in Britain and the US are not being prescribed purified fish oil, even though there is strong research supporting its beneficial properties.

Heart specialists have expressed concern over the UK and US's failure to prescribe fish oil to heart patients. They point out that that drugs are being recommended to patients instead of fish oil.


Note: no single food or supplement should ever be thought of a cure but rather as part of an overall healthy diet and lifestyle. For more health information see the Food For Thought web site.