Chlorophyll in Leafy Greens (Barley) Help Prevent Cancer

The dietary advice to eat your greens in nothing new. Most people have mothers who reminded them to eat their vegetables since childhood. The dietary advice is not new, but researchers have discovered another reason to eat salads and leafy greens. LLNL researchers Graham Bench and Ken Tuteltaub found that small doses of chlorophyll, found in green leafy vegetables, could help to neutralize certain cancer causing toxins in the system.

Researchers found the giving a person a small dose of chlorophyll (Chia) or chlorophyllin (CHL) could reverse the effects of aflatoxin poisoning that could cause cancer. Chlorophyll is found in green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli and kale.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, LLNL, researchers Graham Bench and Ken Turteltaub, found that the chlorophyll found in leafy green vegetables could reverse the effects of antitoxin poisoning. Aflatoxis is a potent carcinogenic mycotoxin associated with the growth of mold, Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus.

Foods that often contain this toxin include corn, corn products, cottonseed, peanuts, peanuts products, tree nuts and mild. The researchers, working with colleagues from Oregon State University and Cephalon Inc, found the greens have potential to be chemo preventive, meaning that they can help to prevent cancer.

Cancer causing elements in the environment, environmental carcinogens, are believed to contribute to a majority of human cancers. These carcinogens related to lifestyle factors are ofter related to lifestyle factors, including tobacco use and diet. Notable examples are the carcinogens related to tobacco use and smoking, cooking meats at high temperatures and fungal food contaminants called aflatoxins.

“The Chla and CHL treatment each significantly reduced aflatoxin absorption and bioavailability,” Graham Bench stated in a press release from LLNL.

“What makes this study unique among prevention trials is, that we were able to administer a microdose of radio-labeled aflatoxin to assess the actions of the carcinogen directly in people. There was no extrapolation from animal models which often are wrong,” Ken Turteltaub stated in a press release from LLNL.

The research, which is co-funded by the National Institutes of Health’s National Resource for Biomedical Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, appeared in the December issue of the journal, Cancer Prevention Research

source: huliq.com

7 health tips for the deskbound

If you're spending long days hunched over a desk or computer, you're not alone. Here are seven ways to integrate healthier habits into a tough work day.

1. Grandma was right.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, just as our mothers told us. Eat a healthy one before you start work, ideally within one hour of waking. This fuels your body and brain for a healthier metabolism and stable blood sugar, which means steadier focus and less fatigue. Plus, eating a balanced breakfast sets you up to have fewer cravings and eat less the rest of the day.

But lose the cereal! Many people consider cereal a healthy breakfast, probably thanks to decades of advertising, but it is not. It is essentially a large dose of refined carbohydrates, and milk only compounds the problem. (The endocrinologist I trained with used milk, rather than orange juice, to quickly raise diabetics' blood sugar when they were low.)

A balanced meal is a combination of proteins, carbs and a little healthy fat, and should keep you satisfied and focused for about 4-6 hours.

2. Trade java for green tea.

When blood sugar drops and the midmorning (or afternoon) blahs set in, many of us reach for coffee, often laden with corn syrup-based flavors, sugar or artificial sweeteners.

Instead, trade your coffee for green tea. Green tea has caffeine, although less than coffee, but it is metabolized more slowly and gently. That means you won't have the initial jolt to your blood sugar, or the drop after. (That's a good thing!) And you will get a nice dose of beneficial nutrients, including antioxidants and polyphenols.

Researchers have found that two to three cups of green tea a day can have potent immune-boosting benefits. While coffee takes a toll on skin, green tea is showing promise as protection against aging from UV radiation.

3. Dump the sweeteners.

As for those sweeteners, whether you're having them in your coffee, tea, soda or snacks, they are draining your energy and your health.

Trade them in for xylitol or stevia, natural sweeteners with no or few calories. Xylitol is actually good for you, and it tastes and looks just like sugar. Trade sodas — diet or regular — for water or club soda. If you are used to highly sweetened beverages, give your palate time to adapt; it will.

4. Pack a snack.

Just say no to the doughnuts, cookies, candies and other junk food that tends to show up anywhere people congregate. Instead, buy some small reusable containers or snack bags, and pack them with nuts. A portion is a small handful, or about two dozen almonds, for instance. It's perfect: a little protein, some carbs and some healthy fat. Avoid trail mixes if you're watching your weight: dried fruit is loaded with sugars. Add one of our wonderful local apples. Come prepared, and you will be so much less likely to give in to temptation.

5. Master the stairs.

Does your office have stairs? Can you take a three-minute break? One of the best forms of exercise is burst training. (Of course, check first with your health-care professional before beginning any exercise program.)

Run up the stairs as fast as you can for no more than 60 seconds. If you can't do a full minute at first, do 20 seconds, wait 20 seconds, then sprint for 20 seconds again, and work yourself up to a full minute. Don't do more than a minute at a time; it's actually less effective. Alternative: Many of my clients keep an X-iser portable stepper machine under their desk. It's small, makes no noise, won't make you sweaty and many people can share one (some NFL, NBA and MLB teams do).

6. Change your focus.

Eyes are muscles, too, and keeping the same focal length for hours strains them, as well as your neck and shoulders. Take a break at least once an hour to look farther away, ideally, at some of our beautiful Hudson Valley scenery.

7. S-t-r-e-t-c-h!

Here's a good one. Stand up. Interlace your fingers, then turn your palms away and stretch your arms in front of you, stretching your shoulders and back. Keeping the same hold, cup the base of your skull with your palms, and press your elbows backwards, opening your chest. Now clasp your hands behind you, and bend forward at the hips, bringing your head toward your knees. Bring your arms up gently, as far as you can. Hold for a few deep breaths, bringing fresh oxygenated blood to your brain.

OK, time to go back to work now! I hope you feel restored, rejuvenated and ready to continue your day.

source: recordonline.com