Acai Berry has received much publicity as a weight loss supplement but there is much more to this little super-berry than that. Acai Berry is high in essential fatty acids, high in fibre and has a very high ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbency Capacity) rating, a rating applied by scientists to measure the anti-oxidant levels in food and chemicals. The sum result of all of this is that acai berry supplements are literally bursting with healthy goodness.So what does all of this get you? Well for a start, the essential fatty acids in the berry are highly efficient in cholesterol control, reducing LDL levels while increasing HDL cholesterol. The fibre content mentioned means that Acai can be used as a digestive aid, supporting your bowels in processing foods. Meanwhile the high ORAC value gives the berry potent anti-oxidant status, cleansing your body of toxins and supporting its ability to fight off free radicals. You will also benefit from a boost to your immune system, ensuring your body is fit enough to fight off and prevent illness, disease and infection.As we mentioned before the Acai Berry is mainly known as a weight loss aid.  This is because of the potent combination of amino acids, carbohydrates and fibre that is present. This nutrition combo promotes a healthy metabolism within the body whilst acting as an effective appetite suppressant. Weight loss using acai has been confirmed by many of the reviews you will see of this product, whilst celebrity endorsements have added fuel to this fire. There is no doubt that the mere hype surrounding Acai Berry will raise doubt in peoples mind. There is little doubt though that no matter what your expectations of this berry, you will get plenty back in terms of health benefits.

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If you have even just a passing interest in health supplements then you will no doubt have come across Acai Berry, a new phenomenon in health and weight loss circles. Acai Berry has received celebrity acclaim from no less than Brad Pitt and Oprah, resulting in soaring popularity that is snowballing. So what exactly is Acai Berry?Acai Berries are small purple fruits found in Acai Palm trees in the Amazon rain forests of Brazil. Acai has long since been harvested by natives as a natural food source, revered for its rich nutrients and potent health qualities. Until recently Acai was little heard of in the Western world but has fast been acknowledged by experts as being the number 1 super-food on the market.The main problem encountered in globalising Acai Berry is the speed at which it ‘spoils’, lasting little more than 24 hours from harvesting. This has been overcome by the use of freeze drying, a technique which helps retain all of the potency and nutrition of the berry. It is this freeze dried form of Acai Berry which has enabled the formulation of the Acai Berry supplements and powders you see in stores today. In our next post we will discuss further the health benefits provided by acai berry.

Technorati Tags: acai,acai berry,supplements,super food,superfood

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One of the negative aspects of the improved lifestyle we enjoy in the modern world is the extra exposure we all have to different toxins and chemicals. Whether we’re walking our dogs, at work or eating a meal we are constantly absorbing toxins – through our skin, through the air that we breath, or through food and drink we consume. By means of detox and colon cleanse you can help your body to deal with the excess waste.

Over a short period of time we have begun to ask our bodies to perform an awful lot of work in processing these new toxins. Through time excess waste accumulates in the body, building up in fat cells, tissues, blood and organs etc. This build up in toxins can lead to illness and, in the case of the colon, poor digestion, fatigue and vulnerability to infection.

Colon Cleansing is an excellent form of body detox that can help relieve bloating and boost your immune system. It is especially important for meat eaters living on a ‘western diet’. This is because diets high in meat content leaves the colon open to putrefying foods for prolonged periods of time. A good colon cleanser can regularly flush your system clean, allowing your body to work as it was intended. The health benefits of regular flushing are numerous but remember; if you suffer from an existing medical condition or are on medication the please do check with your doctor before undertaking any colon cleansing program.

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Good news for all premiership goalkeepers – a recent study has indicated that people with fast reactions are likely to live longer than those less rapid. In fact, with evidence suggesting that those with slow reactions were 2.6 times more likely to suffer a premature death, the only risk factor that is greater to your health is smoking.

The findings point to a relationship between reaction times and intelligence – the faster you are the more intelligent you are so it would seem. This then leads to those with higher intelligence enjoying healthier lifestyles including better diets and more exercise.

To the layman it may seem a bit of a dubious chain of evidence. Though as I have the reactions of a drunken slug I would say that.

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A recent study in the US has reported that running regularly can prevent aging. It stands to reason that those people who exercise will be healthier than those who don’t, but this new report gives significant evidence supporting just how crucial exercise for the elderly is. If like me the mere mention of the word ‘running’ leads to profuse sweating and nervousness fear not – although the report focusses on running any aerobic exercise would be relevant.

The study carried out by Stanford University Medical Center followed the progress of 500 elderly runners over a period of 20 years, comparing it to the progress of a similar group of non runners. All of the participants of each group were in their 50s at the start of the study.

So what exactly does the report tell us?

Well in a nutshell that those who run regularly live a longer and healthier life than those who do not, with elderly runners having a 50% less chance of dying prematurely.

This was confirmed by the fact that after 19 years of study 34% of the non runners had actually died compared to just 15% of the runners. Furthermore it was found that the onset of disability occured 16 years earlier in the non-runners.

So what does this mean?

“Exercise can help older people to stay mobile and independent, ensure a healthy heart, keep weight and stress levels under control, and promote better sleep” says  Gordon Lishman, the General Director of Age Concern.
He continues; “while younger people are barraged with encouragement to lead healthier lifestyles, the health needs of older people are often overlooked.”

Basically the message is that the more aerobic exercise you get, the better your chances of keeping your health as you age.

If you have not exercised for a long time the thought of doing so could be daunting. Try not to worry. There are loads of ways to exercise besides running, many of which are often provided by local council run leisure centers which cater specific exercise classes for the elderly. If running doesn’t appeal then maybe swimming or water aerobics will. Even a brisk walk for half an hour each day could make all the difference. And if you really want to be hip with the grand kids then check out the wii fit – that’ll get your heart rate up.

TIP – if you do get a wii fit buy yourself a trampette (mini trampoline) as well. It’s a great tool to enhance the running exercises and it will save your poor joints too!

Whatever your choice of exercise just make sure that you make it a routine part of your life style and hopefully it will be a long time before you really feel the benefits.

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First the good news – apparently a chemical derived from red wine could help to keep the heart young and healthy. The bad news is this does not work merely through drinking red wine unless … you drink gallons of the stuff – which obviously we don’t recommend. Do as we say not as we do

University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers found that resveratrol appeared to halt age-related changes in the function of heart genes. Seemingly this has the same effect as eating on a low-calorie diet.

However it seems that we have not yet**  found a way for humans to keep resveratrol in our systems withut the foresaid drinking load of wine so this will just have to be one for the future.

Of further interest you may want to check out our article on coronary heart disease.

** Actually since we wrote this blog post we have found a way – check out our Resveratrol Capsules supplement!

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