Can Zero Calorie Sweeteners Help Keep Blood Sugar in Check?

A stoneware container holding packets of artificial sweetener.If you’re struggling to keep blood sugar in check, or reduce the risk for diabetes, zero-calorie sweeteners may seem like a great idea.

But things aren’t always what they seem.

These sweeteners contain very few or no calories, but have a much higher sweetness intensity than common calorie-containing sweeteners like sugar or high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS).

They are used in several products like desserts, yogurt, candies, baked goods, cereals, puddings, and “diet” drinks like soda and iced tea.

But even though these products don’t contain calories or sugar, they don’t necessarily reduce the risk for chronic health conditions. In fact, there is data to show they may actually boost the risk for diabetes and heart disease.

One large study showed that both sugar-sweetened beverages and zero-calorie sweeteners were associated with an increased risk for type diabetes. One theory is that zero-calorie sweeteners may stimulate appetite and preference for sweets.

Other work shows LCS may lead to weight gain or at least have no effect on weight loss. However, other studies suggest it could play a role in weight loss. Weight and blood sugar levels are closely related.

The human brain responds to sweetness with signals to eat more. So by consuming ultra-sweet products with zero-calorie sweeteners, cravings for sweetness may intensify, leading to increased consumption of extra calories.

It is possible, however, that zero-calorie sweeteners could be a useful tool to satisfy an occasional craving for sweetness, but it’s likely not a good thing to make them a staple in your diet.

Getting a handle on blood sugar is best accomplished by increasing activity and eating a diet that is low in processed food (foods with zero-calorie sweeteners) and sugar and high in whole fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, legumes, and lean protein.

Adopting a healthy diet will take some time – your tastebuds will adjust. You just have to be patient. Cravings should eventually subside, and you’ll be on your way towards lower blood sugar and lower risk for type-2 diabetes,

What Urine Can Show You about Your Health

Female hands between legs in jeans close-up. Diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases concept.You may not look at the urine you’ve just expelled before flushing it away; it’s not something most people really want to examine. But it can give you an idea about what’s happening inside your body.

Pee is your body’s liquid waste. It is mainly made of water, salt, electrolytes, and chemicals called urea and uric acid. It is made by your kidneys when they filter toxins and other things from your blood. Medication, food, illness, and mire can impact how it comes out.

If everything is healthy, the urine should be pale yellow to gold.

The shade can also change. If it has no color, it’s because you’ve been drinking a lot of water or taking a diuretic. Very dark or honey-brown urine could be a sign that you’re dehydrated and need more water. It could also signify liver problems, so if the colour remains after a few days and you’ve rehydrated, you should call a doctor.

Urine could also be pink or red. Some foods like beets, rhubarb, blackberries, or carrots can have this effect. It can also be from medications.

If you have pink or red urine and have not eaten one of the aforementioned foods, call your doctor. The color could be caused by blood in the urine, indicating kidney disease, a urinary tract infection (UTI), prostate issues, or a tumor.

When pee comes out orange, it could have something to do with medications like high-dose vitamin B2, phenazopyridine (for UTI), or antibiotics. It could also indicate dehydration or a problem with your liver. Ask your doctor.

Urine can also appear foamy. If it consistently looks foamy or frothy, regardless of the color, it could be a sign of protein in the urine, which may suggest kidney issues.

Pee can also have smells. It generally doesn’t have a strong smell, but some foods, like asparagus, can give it an odor. If you haven’t eaten asparagus and notice a strong smell before you flush, it could be a sign of UTI, diabetes, or a bladder infection.

So please take a look at your pee before you flush it down. It could let you know you need to take action.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Friendly Driving Tips for Your Next Trip

Elderly man has pain in fingers and hands. Old man with finger pain, bokeh background, outdoorsIf you’re one of the more than 1.3 million Americans living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), you know that this chronic inflammatory condition can affect every area of your life. While there’s no cure for RA, there are ways to manage its symptoms so you can live as normal a life as possible.
One thing that can be tricky for people with RA is driving, especially long distances. But with a few adjustments, you can make driving a breeze even when your RA is acting up. Here are some tips to help you hit the road safely and comfortably:

Adjust Your Seat

Make sure your car is comfortable for you. If your seats are too stiff or if the steering wheel is in the wrong position, it can aggravate your condition and cause joint pain. When you’re behind the wheel, it’s important that you feel comfortable and in control.

One way to ensure this is to set your car seat at the right distance from the pedals. If you have to reach too far, you may not be able to react quickly enough in an emergency. Ensuring you’re at the correct distance from the pedals can also ease strain and fatigue on the spine and the small joints in the toes.

Similarly, if you’re too close, you may find yourself constantly banging your knees or knocking into the steering wheel. The best way to find the right position is to experiment until you find a distance that feels comfortable for you. Once you’ve found your perfect spot, be sure to adjust your mirrors so that you have a clear view of the road behind you. With a little bit of effort, you can get your car to fit you perfectly.

Adapt Your Grip

Some people with rheumatoid arthritis may have difficulty gripping the steering wheel. Luckily, there are some things you can do to make gripping the steering wheel easier.

For instance, you can try using a disability hand control or customizing your car’s steering wheel with an adapted grip. You can also invest in a good pair of gloves designed for people with rheumatoid arthritis. By taking these steps, you can help make driving with rheumatoid arthritis a little bit easier and help to reduce any pain.

Take Breaks

People with rheumatoid arthritis may find it difficult to drive when they are experiencing fatigue. Medications used to treat rheumatoid arthritis can cause drowsiness and slowed reaction time, making driving dangerous. It is essential for people with rheumatoid arthritis to plan ahead when making long road trips.

To avoid fatigue, it is advisable to take breaks and stretch often. By being prepared and taking precautions, people with rheumatoid arthritis can safely enjoy the freedom of the open road.

If you are suffering from RA, speaking with a professional is essential if it interferes with your ability to drive. Also, just by following these simple tips, you can rest assured that driving will become easier with arthritis.

Joint and Bone Health

As you age, your joints may require support to help them stay strong, flexible, and healthy. Healthy Joints contains multiple ingredients to help support and improve joint health.

The primary ingredient in Healthy Joints is AprèsFlex®, an extract from Boswellia, which has been found in studies to provide rapid support for joint health and mobility. This unique formula also contains glucosamine and chondroitin, which contain compounds that are some of the building blocks of healthy joints.

Supporting bone health is also essential as you age. Bone Rescue can help to support the maintenance and development of bones thanks to its unique formula, including strontium. Chemically similar to calcium, strontium can provide great support for aging bones. Bone Rescue contains 680 mg of strontium along with additional ingredients to help keep bones strong and healthy.

Are You Forgetting This Essential Element for Bone Health?

Fit Young woman in sportswear doing yoga, fitness exercise on the street. Warming up your muscles before an intense workout in the morning. Sport, Active life, sports training, healthy lifestyle.How are you taking care of your bones to ensure they stay strong, dense, and healthy as you age?

If you’re getting some sunlight each day to get your vitamin D (or supplementing) and eating a calcium-rich diet, you might think you’ve got all your bases covered. But there is one more essential component of building strong, healthy bones.

Maintaining bone strength/health is very important with age. Doing so can help reduce the risk for age-related bone loss and potentially prevent conditions like osteopenia and osteoporosis. Strong bones can also lower your risk for fractures.

Once you’ve got the nutrients to build bone – vitamin D, calcium, and a few others – you’ll want to exercise. Resistance exercise helps to keep bone strong by putting it under stress. The stress caused by exercise can contribute to bone density and potentially lead to the formation of new bone.

Exercise can also help bone by building muscle to remove pressure from the bone, as well as make your body a little more resilient against potential bumps that could lead to breaks. Lastly, muscle can help improve balance and agility to reduce the risk of a potentially harmful fall.

So what kind of exercise works best for bones? Anything that is load-bearing. That means that walking, running, and weight training can all help build bone.

On the other hand, exercises like swimming or cycling are good for your heart but do virtually nothing to build bone strength.

Resistance training is likely the best way to build strong bones, so trying to perform movements like assisted squats and calf raises can be highly beneficial to bones in the lower body.

You can use the walls in your home or a chair to perform assisted squats. To use the wall, stand with your back flat against it and your feet about a foot in front of you. Keeping your back against the wall, bend your knees, so your back slides down. Ensure knees do not extend beyond your toes, so adjust your feet as needed.

You can also use a sturdy chair with armrests to grip to perform the same movement. Remember to use your legs to lift you out of it instead of pushing up with your arms.

Healthy Artery Action Plan

Red blood cells in vein. 3d illustrationSo you’ve probably heard of “clogged” arteries and how they can boost your risk for a heart attack or stroke.]

But how do you get them? And can you unclog them?

Some people can visualize a clogged artery whenever they see a cheeseburger and French fries. For a long time, high fat and cholesterol foods were believed to contribute to the plaque on the sides of arterial walls, making it harder for blood to flow through.

Arteries are vessels that carry blood from the heart throughout your body. If plaque makes the vessel smaller and more rigid, the heart has to work a lot harder to get blood through.

This is what puts you at risk.

Arterial plaques develop when “bad” LDL cholesterol sticks to the side of arteries. This cholesterol can be genetic in some cases, but in most it is lifestyle-related. High sugar and processed foods are the biggest contributors to arterial plaques, while a sedentary lifestyle can also play a role.

It’s not clear if existing arterial plaque can be removed without surgery. But you can may be able to prevent the formation of future plaques by adopting a healthier lifestyle.

Here is a healthy artery action plan:

Eat a Heart-Healthy Diet: Just like years of bad eating can damage your body, good eating can help it heal. A heart-healthy diet features good healthy fats, and fiber, and is low in sugar and processed foods.

Good fats come from food like nuts, avocado, olives, olive oil, and fish. Limiting the amount of saturated fats, from butter and fatty meat, is also recommended.

Eating fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains can help boost fiber intake.

Move More: Exercise can also help get blood flowing and prevent potential cardiac issues. If you’re not currently physically active, start slow with a walk once or twice per week. Slowly build up to at least 30 minutes of exercise five times per week.

Lose Weight: If you start eating better and moving more, weight loss will likely follow. Extra weight increases LDL, which can boost the risk of plaque buildup.

Stop Smoking And Limit Drinking: Quitting smoking will instantly allow your health to begin rebounding. It may help raise “good” HDL, which helps clear LDL from arterial walls.

Too much alcohol can also contribute to plaque buildup, so limit alcohol to one or two standard-sized drinks per day.

Study Found Link between Inflammatory Diet, Depression, and Risk of Frailty

fast food, junk-food and unhealthy eating concept - close up of fast food snacks and coca cola drink on wooden tableA recent study suggests that there may be a link between an inflammatory diet, depression, and an increased risk of frailty.

According to the study, adults who ate a pro-inflammatory diet were more likely to experience depressive symptoms and were also at a higher risk of becoming frail later in life. If you’re looking for ways to improve your mood and maintain your health, it may be time to change your diet.

Frailty affects 10 – 15% of older adults in the U.S. and often co-occurs with other conditions such as depression. Previous studies have suggested that an inflammatory diet is a major contributor to frailty development, but this is the first try to understand the impact of depression on dietary inflammation and frailty. An inflammatory diet includes artificial trans fats (like partially hydrogenated oil), refined carbohydrates, and saturated fats.

The study published in The Journal of Gerontology: Series A found the link between depression, diet, and the development of frailty. It analyzed data from the Framingham Heart Study Offspring cohort and included 1,701 non-frail participants. All were required to report their diet and depressive symptoms over 11 years.

Researchers found an association between an inflammatory diet and an increased risk of frailty among those with depressive symptoms. They believe that people with depressive symptoms typically show higher levels of inflammation, which can accelerate the development of frailty.

Lead author Courtney L Millar, Ph.D. said “This study found that depressive symptoms may exacerbate the development of frailty in response to consuming an inflammatory diet. This suggests that consuming a diet rich in anti-inflammatory compounds (e.g., fiber and plant-based compounds called flavonoids) may help prevent the development of frailty.”

“Our exploratory data also suggests that when middle-aged and older adults consume a pro-inflammatory diet, they are more likely to newly develop depressive symptoms and frailty at the same time rather than develop either condition alone.”

This study adds mounting evidence showing a relationship between dietary inflammation, depression, and frailty. For adults with depression, it may be essential for them to increase their intake of vegetables and fruits that are high in fiber,
flavonoids, as well as other dietary antioxidants. Previous studies have suggested that consuming a Mediterranean-style diet may prevent the development of frailty.

Brain Health

Many factors can take a toll on brain function, including mental health. As this study outlines, depression will not only take a toll on the ability of the brain to function at peak potential, but it can also raise the risk of other conditions such as frailty.

The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and brain health through 9 essential ingredients. These include ginkgo biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. This unique formula helps to boost circulation, fight free radicals, and provide nutritional support to assist with brain health.

Hearing from You Could Be Just What Somebody Needs Right Now

Portrait Of Shocked Mature Woman Talking On Smartphone Grabbing Head In Amazement And Surprise, Free Copy Space. Surprised Concerned Senior Lady Hearing Unexpected News, Sitting At Desk With LaptopThroughout your life, you’ve likely lost contact with former friends. Not that anything bad happened, just that as life moved on and became busier, you lost touch.

But guess what? That person would likely love to hear from you. And it could also offer some big health benefits for both of you.

New research shows that texting or emailing friends you haven’t seen in a while will likely be highly appreciated, especially if it comes as a surprise. The research also found that people vastly underestimate how much it means to someone when a message is sent.

So, if you’ve ever thought about contacting an old friend or acquaintance but hesitated, it’s probably a good idea to send that message. After all, what’s the risk?

On the other hand, the pay-off could be great. It can not only make the person you’ve contacted feel great, but it can lead to some great experiences.

For example, my aunt, who lives in Australia, recently reached out to an old friend she’d known in Vancouver. They’d grown up together, but as life evolved, they lost touch. Now they are planning to connect and spend some time together later this year.

Researchers mentioned one potential caveat to the benefits of contacting former casual friends: it may only have benefits if the two of you simply lost touch. If the relationship ended due to some falling out, the person might not enjoy seeing your message.

Hearing from people from your past can help you rekindle some old memories, share some laughs, and perhaps expand your social circle. Listening to and talking to people is also associated with a host of health benefits.

To enjoy them, all it may take is a message that says, “I was just thinking about you. How is it going?”

Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease May Lead to a Higher Risk of Dementia

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD the doctor is holding the sign.If you are one of the many adults in the United States who has the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), there’s a higher chance you’ll develop dementia down the road.

A study published in Neurology found that people with a buildup of fat cells in the liver caused by NAFLD were more likely to develop dementia than those without the disease. If you have NAFLD, it’s important to be aware of this increased risk and take steps to protect your brain health. Talk to your doctor about ways to lower your risk for dementia, including following a healthy diet and exercising regularly.

According to the World Health Organization, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a major public health problem that affects up to 25% of people worldwide. NAFLD is the most common chronic form of liver disease and is often asymptomatic, meaning that many people don’t know they have it.

The leading cause of NAFLD is an excess of fat in the liver. This can be due to various factors, including obesity, insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and diabetes. In a small percentage of people, NAFLD can lead to liver inflammation or damage.

While NAFLD is not currently curable, some treatments can help improve symptoms and prevent disease progression. With early diagnosis and treatment, many people with NAFLD can live long and healthy lives.

For the study, researchers analyzed 30 years of national Swedish patient registry records to find 2,898 people 65 and older who were diagnosed with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. An additional 28,357 people without the disease were also identified and matched for age, sex, and city of residence at the age of diagnosis.

It was found that after five years of follow-up, 145 people (5%) with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were diagnosed with dementia compared to 1,291 people (4.6%) without liver disease.

Cardiovascular risk factors, including high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes, were accounted for. Researchers found that compared to people without liver disease, people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease had a 38% higher rate of dementia overall.

When researchers specifically looked at vascular dementia caused by inadequate blood flow to the brain, people with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease had a 44% higher rate than people without liver disease. People with liver disease and heart disease had a 50% greater chance of dementia, and those with liver disease and stroke had a 2.5 times greater risk. Researchers did not find a higher rate of Alzheimer’s disease.

These results highlight the possible need for targeted treatment of liver disease and co-occurring cardiovascular disease to help reduce the risk of dementia.

Healthy Liver and Brain Function

As one of the most important organs in the human body, the liver works 24 hours a day to produce and process many of the chemicals the body requires. It processes over 500 functions, including hormone production, bile secretion, and converting sugars into glycogen.

Liver Rescue is a formula designed to support and maximize the performance of a healthy liver through its 7 ingredients. These powerful ingredients can help fight free radicals, improve bile production, remove toxins, and give your liver the support it deserves.

While some degree of cognitive decline is nearly inevitable as you age, this study shows how other factors can take a toll on the ability of the brain to function at peak potential. This can affect memory, concentration, and overall brain function.

The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and memory through 9 ingredients that help to support, nourish, and maximize brain health. These include ginkgo Biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. The formulation of these ingredients is an excellent way to help fight free radicals, boost circulation, and provide nutritional support to assist with cognitive function.

Socializing May Be Instrumental to Healthy Aging

Businesswoman smiling during a meeting in office. Cheerful female professional looking at male colleague and smiling.If you want to feel like you matter as you get older and your career is in the rear-view mirror, you might want to start finding ways to increase socialization.

New research is showing that positive connections with other adults are associated with a greater sense of purposefulness in older adults. So get out and talk with people who make you feel good.

Researchers defined having a sense of purpose as the extent to which a person feels that they have personally meaningful goals and directions guiding them in life. Something that sadly can leave a person once they retire from their career.

The study did show that socialization was meaningful to both retired and working people, but it was more pronounced among retired folks.

It was a rather small and simple study involving 100 adults with an average age of 71. They were asked three simple questions throughout the day for 15 days, with this concluding question each evening:

On a scale of one to five, how much do you think your life had purpose today?

At the end of the trial, they found that the more positive social interactions a person had during the day, the better and more purposeful they felt in the evening.

These findings echo previous research that has associated a higher sense of purpose with longer, healthier, and happier lives and lower risks for health conditions like heart disease and dementia.

Trying to surround yourself with positive people who you share interests with is a great way to feel fulfilled. Try expanding your social circle by getting involved with groups of people who share your interests.

You can also try talking to more people when you get out and about!

Finding ways to boost enjoyment and socialization may help improve mood and help you age in a more healthful way.

Should You Be Worried about Memory Lapses?

Senior adult woman looking at an old photo of her husband.You’ve learned a lot of things in your life. Far too many to remember. So, cut yourself some slack when something slips your mind, especially if it’s not particularly important to you.

And try not to worry. It’s likely not related to some underlying brain disease like Alzheimer’s or dementia.

Just like you’re not as physically strong as you once were, your brain power also slows down with age. Your ability to learn, focus, and solve problems isn’t gone, just changing.

That’s why it might take a little longer to remember something, divide your attention between multiple activities, and so on. It can affect your ability to focus, which can cause you to feel distracted more easily.

It’s also possible that age has brought on a little more difficulty with hearing, particularly in noisy or busy environments. That can also lead to trouble with concentration.

Most people may notice it creeping in during their 50s or 60s, which can be frustrating and even scary. But these memory and thinking problems do not mean there is serious trouble.

In fact, much of what seems to be memory loss may be the result of your brain working at a slower speed.

None of that will impact your executive function, ability to reason, or form coherent judgments or arguments.

In fact, you may get around some of these problems by making notes, speaking to people in controlled environments where you can clearly hear and focus on them, and repeating pertinent facts during a conversation. Getting better sleep may also be a huge help.

So, if you’ve noticed your memory isn’t what it used to be, it is likely just a part of normal aging with some likely fixes. Don’t worry too much about it!

People with Symptoms of Depression Can Lead to the Onset of Stroke: Study

Shot of a woman comforting her distraught husband at homeDepression is a serious mental health condition that can lead to several health problems, including stroke. A new study has found that adults who exhibit symptoms of depression are at an increased risk of having a stroke.

If you are concerned about your mental health or are experiencing symptoms of depression, it is important to get help from a qualified professional. Stroke can be a debilitating and life-threatening illness, so it is essential to take steps to protect your health.

The study published in Neurology examined 10,797 adults with an average age of 65 who had no history of stroke at the start of the study. All participants were followed for 12 years. During the follow-up time, 425 people had a stroke. They were matched with 4,249 participants who did not have a stroke but were similar in gender, age, ethnic or racial identity, and other health conditions.

All participants were required to take a survey every two years asking if they had experienced symptoms of depression in the past week. These symptoms included feeling sad, feeling lonely, restless sleep, or if everything felt like an effort. The more symptoms the participants had, the higher their scores.

Researchers found that people with a stroke and those without had roughly identical scores six years before a stroke. However, about two years before the stroke, the scores of people who had a stroke started increasing. Following a stroke, depressive symptoms also increased for this group and were found to stay high for ten years after a stroke. In comparison, those who did not have a stroke remained roughly the same throughout the study.

“Depression is not only a post-stroke issue, but also a pre-stroke phenomenon,” said study author Maria Blöchl, PhD. “Whether these pre-stroke changes can be used to predict who will have a stroke is unclear. Exactly why depressive symptoms occur pre-stroke needs to be investigated in future research. Also, the study underscores why doctors need to monitor for symptoms of long-term depression in people who have had strokes.”

Brain Health

Brain health can be affected by depression and other factors, so it is vital to take steps to help it function at its peak potential. If depression, stress or other environmental factors are left untreated, it can lead to cognition problems which can affect memory, concentration, and overall brain function.

However, The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and memory through 9 ingredients that help to support, nourish, and maximize brain health. These include ginkgo biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. This unique formula helps boost circulation, fight free radicals, and provide nutritional support to assist with brain function, helping with mental health.

That Saltshaker Could Shave Years off Your Life

Flower of salt from Guerande - France in a ceramic grey bowl with wooden spoon on a black slate background. Traditional french natural sea salt of high quality close up.Do you reach for the saltshaker the minute you sit down for a meal? You could be seasoning your way to a shorter life if you do.

Instead, try sitting down and tasting your food. If it isn’t lacking flavor, don’t add any. Maybe reach for herbs, spices, or a little lemon juice if it is.

Results from a recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that salt lovers will generally lose about two years from their life expectancy at 50 compared to those who never add it.

Processed and prepared foods are typically the bad guys when it comes to salt intake, but this study suggests table salt can also play a role in health. Although avoiding sodium in processed and prepared foods can be tricky, leaving the salt shaker on the table is entirely within your control.

Health experts have long advised limiting sodium in the diet, largely as a way to help control blood pressure. High sodium intake can lead to higher blood pressure. This new study, however, is the first to examine how sodium may impact longevity.

The study included more than 501,000 adults participating in the UK Biobank Study. When they were recruited between 2006 and 2010, they answered questions about diet and lifestyle habits.

More than 18,000 participants died prematurely, which researchers defined as age 75, over nine years.

When they assessed each person’s life expectancy, they found the risk of early death was 28 percent higher among those who said they always used salt at the table than those who said they never did.

Of course, there could be other differences between the two groups. People who do not eat a lot of salt may have healthier habits, for example.

However, the researchers accounted for many lifestyle differences and overall health.

Among men, salt shaved off about two years. Women lost about 1.5 from high salt intake.

Salt can be easily replaced with other spices and seasonings. Eating more foods that don’t typically require salt can also be worthwhile – things like fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts.

Consumption of Dark Chocolate Has Positive Effects on Brain Functions: Study

Dark chocolate in a metal scoop and on a tableNew research suggests that consuming dark chocolate has positive effects on brain functions. The study, which was conducted by a team of international researchers, found that eating dark chocolate improved the blood flow and function of the brain.

Additionally, the study participants who consumed dark chocolate displayed lower stress and anxiety levels. These findings could have important implications for those looking to improve their cognitive function and overall wellbeing. So, if you’re looking for a delicious way to boost your brainpower, be sure to indulge in some dark chocolate.

Nutritionists normally discourage chocolate because it is high in calories, fat, and sugar. However, cocoa, chocolate’s primary ingredient, has been found to have numerous qualities that could benefit both body and mind.

A new study by three researchers from the Isfahan University of Medical Science in Iran investigated the impact of different dark chocolate dietary patterns on specific regions of the brain. The findings, published in Nutritional Neuroscience, suggest that dark chocolate consumption may have beneficial effects on the brain of people suffering from chronic stress.

“The current study investigated the impact of different DC dietary patterns on synaptic potency and plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 area, as well as food intake and body weight in rats under chronic isolation stress,” the researchers wrote in their paper.

Chronic stress has previously been shown to cause brain dysfunction, but this new study suggests that the consumption of dark chocolate may positively affect these brain functions.

Pure cocoa is a powerful source of antioxidants, substances that can prevent or reduce the amount of cell damage caused by free radicals. In addition to being highly nutritious, cocoa has been found to help regulate blood pressure and prevent cognitive decline.

Despite these naturally healthy benefits, chocolate bars in the stores rarely contain cocoa alone. They often include oils, sugar, butter, and other unhealthy ingredients. To get the most benefits from cocoa, look for dark chocolate comprised of a high percentage of cocoa.

Reducing the Risk

Although the results of this study show how dark chocolate can help with brain function, it should be included as only one part of a healthy lifestyle to help reduce the risk of cognitive decline.

Some degree of cognitive decline is inevitable as you age, but there are also numerous factors that can take a toll on the ability of the brain to function at peak potential. This can affect memory, concentration, and overall brain function.

The Smart Pill can help to enhance cognitive function and memory through 9 ingredients that help to support, nourish, and maximize brain health. These include ginkgo Biloba, huperzine A, bacopa extract, rosemary extract, and a B vitamin complex. This unique formula helps to boost circulation, fight free radicals, and provide nutritional support to assist with cognitive

Healthy Living May Protect You from Prostate Troubles

November Prostate Cancer Awareness month, Man in blue shirt with hand holding Blue Ribbon for supporting people living and illness. Healthcare, International men, Father and World cancer day conceptGenetics can certainly play a role in a man’s risk for prostate illness, but a new study suggests that much of that harm can be limited by a healthy lifestyle.

Researchers found that a man’s story is not written out for him by his family history and that he has the power to reduce the damage an unhealthy prostate may cause. The study found that those who lived healthily were far less likely to be killed by prostate disease.

“Healthy” means exercising regularly, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and often electing fish instead of processed meat.

According to the findings published in European Urology, men who adopted healthy living had a 1.6 percent risk of dying from prostate-related illness, compared to a 5.3 percent risk for their counterparts with unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Interestingly, the researchers found that lifestyle did not seem to impact the overall risk for developing the disease but rather how aggressive and risky the disease became.

One of the researchers suggested that an unhealthy lifestyle may fuel the fire for those genetically inclined to have prostate issues.

The most critical factor the researchers identified was exercise.

Prostate health problems are quite common among men. One in eight is diagnosed with a disease, but it is often very slow to develop and may never progress to the point where it is life-threatening. Only about 1 in 41 people will be killed by the condition.

Regardless of your genetic predisposition, you can do things that will reduce the risk of prostate-related illness. Getting exercise, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can help with overall health and limit the likelihood of severe prostate trouble.

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