Eggs May Reduce Risk of Diabetes! So Maybe They Are Not So Bad After All!

   
    A new study has "established that men who consume eggs 4 times per week may have a lower risk for diabetes and lower glucose level. During the study, men who ate 4 eggs per week had a 37% lower risk for type 2 diabetes. Interestingly, this association persisted even after several co-founding factors were taken into account that include consumption of fruits and vegetables, physical activity, body mass and smoking. Eating more eggs 4 per week did not show any additional benefits."
    The article suggests that 'in Finland eating eggs is independent of other negative factors like smoking and increased consumption of meat.Also, the researchers explain "that the other healthful nutrients in eggs may positively effect low-grade inflammation and glucose metabolism which ultimately would lower the risk of type 2 diabetes." From this study, the researchers "propose that the effects of the overall foods are difficult to anticipate on an individual nutrient alone. Today, much more emphasis is put on the health benefits of the whole food and diets."


Eating eggs reduces risk of type 2 diabetes (9 April 2015) by University of Eastern Finland Engredea News & Analysis.
http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13577925

Sulforaphane in Broccolli Protects Against Inflammation in Sunburn!

In a 2011 study, researchers studied the impact of sulphoraphane from broccolli, a Nrf2 activator, on sunburned skin exposed to UVB-sunlight. The researchers found that a single dose of sunlight resulted in skin inflammation in both wild-type and Nrf2-knockout mice at 8 hours and 8 days after exposure. During the study, Nrf2 wild-type mice returned to a more basal level of inflammation compared to the knockout mice at 8 days. With the application of sulphoraphane, the inflammation in wild-type mice returned to basal levels at 8 days while there was no return to basal levels in the knockout mice. In addition, short-term inflammatory biomarkers of Il-1B and Il-6 were elevated in the knockout mice and the number of cells going through the process of cell death from exposure was significantly higher. Taken together, the results of this study shows that sulphoraphane, and Nrf2 activator, protects against inflammation from UVB-sunlight, sunburn, and generally, is photoprotective in skin cells.

Note:
*Green tea, another Nrf2 activator, also protect against inflammation with sunburn. (Jin)
*Just another reason why food is better than supplements.  
*Sulphoraphane is in a variety of cruciferous vegetables including cabbage, cauliflower and kale.


For further reading: Immunogenetics in Autism, MCS and Cancer --- What Has Food Got To Do With It!

Impact of Nrf2 on UVB-induced skin inflammation/photoprotection and photoprotective effect of sulforaphane. Molecular carcinogenesis, Vol. 50, No. 6. (June 2011), pp. 479-486 by Constance L. Saw, Mou-Tuan T. Huang, Yue Liu, et al. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13577789
Protective effect of epigallocatechin gallate on the immune function of dendritic cells after ultraviolet B irradiation Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Vol. 8, No. 3. (2009), pp. 174-180,doi:10.1111/j.1473-2165.2009.00443.x by Song L. Jin, Bing R. Zhou, Dan Luo. http://www.citeulike.org/user/HEIRS/article/5700567

Probiotics Relieve Anxiety in Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!



Studies from the past few years have strengthened the idea that the gut can regulate brain function.  Last year, Rao examined if Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota, a probiotic, could alter mood-related symptoms in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. During the study, patients took the probiotic for two months. The researchers found a significant rise in Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria strains in the gut of patients taking the probiotic verses those taking placebo. In addition, the treated patients reported a significant decrease in anxiety.


A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of a probiotic in emotional symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Gut pathogens, Vol. 1, No. 1. (2009), 6, doi:10.1186/1757-4749-1-6 by A. Venket Rao, Alison C. Bested, Tracey M. Beaulne, et al. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/11854806

Omega 3 Fats are Nrf2 Activators - A Key Ingredient to a Healthy Diet!



It is believed the Western diet wholly or partially contributes to disease. "Sixty-five percent of Americans over 20 years of age are obese. 64 million people suffer from one or more type of cardiovascular disease." (Cordain) Many experts believe that one cause of the American diet's contribution to cardiovascular disease is the imbalance of fats. More specifically, a higher ratio of saturated fat and Omega 6 to omega 3 which are good fats.  Generally, the higher the consumption of omega-3 fats to other fats is correlated to a lower incidence of heart disease. (Dhalla) A recent study has shown that EPA omega 3 polyunsaturated fats protect against oxidative stress which contributes to heart disease. This is achieved by the EPA activating Nrf2 and Ho-1. (Lee)



For further reading:

     A Mediterranean Diet is Better Than Exercise and Can Halve the Risk of Heart Disease!
     The Mediterranean Diet : The Key to Preventing Disease and Life Extension?
     Natural Foods that Activate the Body's Antioxidant Response Against Cellular Stress


Origins and evolution of the Western diet: health implications for the 21st century The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 81, No. 2. (1 February 2005), pp. 341-354 by Loren Cordain, S. Boyd Eaton, Anthony Sebastian, et al. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13571703

Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on the cytoprotection via Nrf2-mediated heme oxygenase-1 in human endothelial cells. Journal of cardiovascular pharmacology (26 March 2015) by Seung Eun E. Lee, Gun-Dong D. Kim, Hana Yang, et al. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13571703

Role of oxidative stress in cardiovascular diseases. Journal of hypertension, Vol. 18, No. 6. (June 2000), pp. 655-673 by N. S. Dhalla, R. M. Temsah, T. Netticadan. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/11296916

A Mediterranean Diet is Better Than Exercise and Can Halve the Risk of Heart Disease!

"A Mediterranean diet is 'better than exercise' and can halve the risk of heart disease."

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2979508/A-Mediterranean-diet-better-exercise-halve-risk-heart-disease.html#ixzz3WRlfV8kL
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The Mediterranean Diet : The Key to Preventing Disease and Life Extension?

  



    You might ask so what is so great about the Mediterranean diet? Unlike some, it is more of a lifestyle way of eating instead of just a diet. The Mediterranean diet is characterized by "high consumption of vegetables high in flavonoid content, one of the most important sources of antioxidants in the human diet." (Matalas) "This dietary pattern is characterized by the abundant consumption of olive oil, high consumption of plant foods (fruits, vegetables, pulses, cereals, nuts and seeds); frequent and moderate intake of wine (mainly with meals); moderate consumption of fish, seafood, yogurt, cheese, poultry and eggs; and low consumption of red meat, processed meat products and seeds. " (Casas) It is one of the best diets to raise the Nrf2 which is proposed to be "lifespan and healthspan extending." (Pall) The typical Western diet is lacking in the nutrients that raise the Nrf2. The Mediterranean diet reduces inflammatory markers...the kind that are present in a lot of diseases. For instance, several studies show that it reduces oxidative stress and lowers levels of MCP-1, an inflammatory cytokine.
    So what is MCP-1 or monocyte chemotactic protein? In his overview of the protein, Satish Deshmane describes 'how MCP-1 or CCL2 is produced parallel to the production of oxidative stress or the production of cytokines or growth factors. It can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory depending on what cell receptors are available. MCP-1 is a strong attractant of monocytes and regulates the infiltration of memory T cells, lymphocytes and natural killer cells. It is produced in a variety of different cell types including epithelial, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. Several studies have shown that MCP-1 is an important factor in several diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, atherosclerosis, obesity and diabetes. It is also believed to be responsible for the widespread pain that may occur with health conditions such as fibromyalgia. (Ang) In experiments, ccl2-/- cells show abnormalities in monocyte recruitment and cytokine expression. It has been found that drugs and chemicals like quercetin, a phytonutrient that is present in significant amounts in foods that are part of the Mediterranean diet,  can block the inflammatory cytokine Tnf-a induced expression of MCP-1.'


For further reading: Natural Foods that Activate the Body's Antioxidant Response Against Cellular Stress



The immune protective effect of the Mediterranean diet against chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases. Endocrine, metabolic & immune disorders drug targets, Vol. 14, No. 4. (2014), pp. 245-254 by Rosa Casas, Emilio Sacanella, Ramon Estruch. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13570548
Mediterranean Diet: Constituents and Health Promotion (23 January 2001) edited by Antonia-Leda Matalas, Antonis Zampelas, Vassilis Stavrinos, page 118.
Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1): an overview. Journal of interferon & cytokine research : the official journal of the International Society for Interferon and Cytokine Research, Vol. 29, No. 6. (June 2009), pp. 313-326, doi:10.1089/jir.2008.0027 by Satish L. Deshmane, Sergey Kremlev, Shohreh Amini, Bassel E. Sawaya. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/7529418
Nrf2, a master regulator of detoxification and also antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other cytoprotective mechanisms, is raised by health promoting factors. Sheng li xue bao : [Acta physiologica Sinica], Vol. 67, No. 1. (25 February 2015), pp. 1-18 by Martin L. Pall, Stephen Levine
MCP-1 and IL-8 as pain biomarkers in fibromyalgia: a pilot study. Pain medicine (Malden, Mass.), Vol. 12, No. 8. (August 2011), pp. 1154-1161 by Dennis C. Ang, Michele N. Moore, Janna Hilligoss, Rebeka Tabbey. http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13571668

TLR4 Activity in the Gut Contributes to Symptoms in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome!

"Interactions between gut microorganisms and host immune function have been shown to contribute to aberrant inflammation in CFS/ME patients. Commensal and/or pathogen-associated molecular patterns detected by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed on intestinal epithelial cells appear to trigger inflammatory signaling cascade leading to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration."

The Role of Toll-like Receptors in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalgic Encephalomyelitis: A New Promising Therapeutic Approach? CNS & neurological disorders drug targets (25 March 2015) by M. E. Gambuzza, F. M. Salmeri, L. Soraci, et al.  http://www.citeulike.org/user/kimberlykramer2015/article/13568646


For further reading:
Infection/Endotoxin in Chronic Fatigue, Fibromyalgia and Multiple Chemical Sensitivity.