This is great info about green tea and it's tie into helping decrease the incidence of Depression. They are so many other benefits of green tea.
Green Tea May Be Beneficial in Reducing Symptoms of Depression.
Date: 1/22/2010
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
Related Monographs: Depression, Green Tea
Depression has been classified as a mood disorder or affective disorder. Mood is defined as a pervasive and sustained emotion that, in the extreme, markedly affects a person's perception of the world and ability to adequately function in society. Mood disorders are among the most common encountered in clinical practice and are divided into depressive disorders and bipolar disorders. There are over 187 million adults in the United States – and about 19 million of these people will experience a depressive episode in any given year, making depression the most common psychiatric disorder encountered in general medical practice. Women are two to three times more likely to experience depression than men.
Depression is a one-two punch that knocks the sufferer out of the ring on a daily basis. Number one, the symptoms themselves make life miserable. Number two, the depressed individual struggles to function and keep up with the life's normal demands. Conventional treatment for depression is aimed both at reducing symptoms and helping the individual regain the ability to function they once enjoyed. Usually the treatment includes psychotherapy and the use of anti-depressant medications.
Green tea is an evergreen shrub that has long been used in much of the world as a popular beverage and a respected medicinal agent. An early Chinese Materia Medica lists green tea as an agent to promote digestion, improve mental faculties, decrease flatulence and regulate body temperature. The earliest known record of consumption is around 2700 B.C. Ceremonies, celebrations, relaxation time and ordinary meals usually consist of tea in most parts of the world, except the United States, where coffee has become the most popular beverage. Unlike black tea (also Camellia sinensis) which is produced by oxidizing the young tea leaves, green tea is produced from steaming fresh leaves at high temperatures, thereby inactivating the oxidizing enzymes and leaving the polyphenol content intact.
Green tea is an antioxidant and is used in promoting cardiovascular health and reducing serum cholesterol levels in laboratory animals and humans. Studies suggest that green tea contains dietary factors that help decrease the development of some infectious diseases and dental caries. Green tea has diuretic, stimulant, astringent, antibacterial, antifungal, anticarcinogenic, thermogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Green tea has also been reported to enhance immunity.
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition investigated the relations between green tea consumption and symptoms of depression. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study involving 1,058 relatively healthy elderly individuals aged 70 and older. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess green tea consumption and the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale was used to evaluate symptoms of depression. Results indicated the more frequent consumption of green tea was associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms. Dr. Niu noted that “A green tea component, the amino acid theanine, which is thought to have a tranquilizing effect on the brain, may explain the "potentially beneficial effect" shown in the current study.”1
1 Niu K, Hozawa A, Kuriyama S, et al. Green tea consumption is associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly. Am J Clin Nutr. Dec2009;90(6):1615-22.
The Benefits of Shaklee"Cinch Energy Tea Mix" : CallDA prohibits Shaklee from making medicinal claims regarding this incredibly valuable product, but if you do your research, you will discover that this is a tea that you will want to drink everyday due to its long list of benefits.
Ingredients of Cinch Energy Tea Mi are as follows:
* Taurine “ an amino acid
* Maltodextrin – a polysaccharide produced from corn starch
* Rooibos Red Tea Extract – an native plant (herb) only found in the Cedarburg mountain region of South Africa … known as "The Miracle Tea" or "Long Life Tea"
* Green Tea Extract – anti-oxidant blend
* Natural Flavors
* White Tea Extract – the least processed form of tea
* Matcha Green Tea Powder – Japan’s highest grade of green tea (the greener than green superfood"
Shaklee refers to it as "Liquid Oomph"
Containing exotic white, red and Matcha green teas
* that make an extraordinary drink
* which is a safe, natural, healthy, and effective alternative for boosting energy
* with only 5 calories per serving
* great in hot or iced water
Red, white, green & Matcha teas are ranked as leading health-giving substances in traditional Chinese medicine
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Interesting ....do the Zero Calorie foolds make you fat?
"Are "zero calorie" foods making you fat?"
That question might seem like a no-brainer. Eating calorie-free foods rather than foods that contain calories has to be helpful in keeping your weight under control. Right?
Maybe not. Let's investigate that question by looking at calorie-free soft drinks. What does the evidence actually show?
Between the years 1987 and 2000 the number of people drinking calorie free soft drinks in this country increased from 70 million to 160 million.
During that same period of time:
- the percentage of adults who were overweight increased from 52% to 66%.
- the percentage of adults who were obese (obese is defined as a BMI greater than 30) increased from 20% to 32%
- the percentage of children who were obese increased from 10% to 17%.
Something clearly isn't working. "Why is that?" you might ask.
The answer is that we are using these calorie-free soft drinks to wash down Big Macs plus fries, Mrs.
Fields' super-size brownies and Starbucks' chocolate chip muffins.
Is that just coincidence or is something else going on here?
To answer that question we might want to consider a recent study that looked at the effect of soft drink consumption on obesity and the health consequences associated with obesity.
That study followed 6039 participants in the Framingham Heart study for four years (Dhingra et al, Circulation,
116: 480-488, 2007). All of the participants were free of metabolic syndrome, a medical condition associated with obesity that greatly increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease, at the beginning of the study.
As they had expected the scientists found that those subjects who consumed one or more sugar-containing soft drinks a day were 48% more likely to develop obesity and metabolic syndrome than subjects who consumed water or other natural beverages that were low in sugar.
But the scientists were astounded to find that subjects who consumed one or more diet soft drinks a day were just as likely to develop obesity and metabolic syndrome as subjects who consumed regular soft drinks!
This could not be explained by differences in their diet or exercise levels. Simple put the food choices of the all three groups were equally bad and they exercised to about the same extent - which wasn't very much.
The authors were at a loss to explain their results.
- Some experts think that the effects are all psychological. The theory is that we think we are being virtuous by drinking zero calorie soft drinks, so we give ourselves permission to eat more high fat, high calorie foods.
- Other experts think that the effects are chemical.
The theory is that the high sweetness of both diet and regular soft drinks causes the brain to release chemicals that make us crave other sweet foods - so we eat more.
Even though the mechanism of the effect is unclear, the results are crystal clear. The authors of the study concluded "In middle-aged adults, soft-drink consumption [both diet and regular] is associated with a higher prevalence of obesity and increased incidence of multiple metabolic risk factors [for diabetes and heart disease]".
So the next time you reach for that "zero calorie" soft drink or the packets of "zero calorie" sweeteners to add to your coffee or tea, just be aware that there is no evidence that they are useful in helping you control your weight.
And there is some evidence that they may even be making your weight control problems worse by encouraging you to eat high calorie foods to go along with them.
That question might seem like a no-brainer. Eating calorie-free foods rather than foods that contain calories has to be helpful in keeping your weight under control. Right?
Maybe not. Let's investigate that question by looking at calorie-free soft drinks. What does the evidence actually show?
Between the years 1987 and 2000 the number of people drinking calorie free soft drinks in this country increased from 70 million to 160 million.
During that same period of time:
- the percentage of adults who were overweight increased from 52% to 66%.
- the percentage of adults who were obese (obese is defined as a BMI greater than 30) increased from 20% to 32%
- the percentage of children who were obese increased from 10% to 17%.
Something clearly isn't working. "Why is that?" you might ask.
The answer is that we are using these calorie-free soft drinks to wash down Big Macs plus fries, Mrs.
Fields' super-size brownies and Starbucks' chocolate chip muffins.
Is that just coincidence or is something else going on here?
To answer that question we might want to consider a recent study that looked at the effect of soft drink consumption on obesity and the health consequences associated with obesity.
That study followed 6039 participants in the Framingham Heart study for four years (Dhingra et al, Circulation,
116: 480-488, 2007). All of the participants were free of metabolic syndrome, a medical condition associated with obesity that greatly increases the risk of diabetes and heart disease, at the beginning of the study.
As they had expected the scientists found that those subjects who consumed one or more sugar-containing soft drinks a day were 48% more likely to develop obesity and metabolic syndrome than subjects who consumed water or other natural beverages that were low in sugar.
But the scientists were astounded to find that subjects who consumed one or more diet soft drinks a day were just as likely to develop obesity and metabolic syndrome as subjects who consumed regular soft drinks!
This could not be explained by differences in their diet or exercise levels. Simple put the food choices of the all three groups were equally bad and they exercised to about the same extent - which wasn't very much.
The authors were at a loss to explain their results.
- Some experts think that the effects are all psychological. The theory is that we think we are being virtuous by drinking zero calorie soft drinks, so we give ourselves permission to eat more high fat, high calorie foods.
- Other experts think that the effects are chemical.
The theory is that the high sweetness of both diet and regular soft drinks causes the brain to release chemicals that make us crave other sweet foods - so we eat more.
Even though the mechanism of the effect is unclear, the results are crystal clear. The authors of the study concluded "In middle-aged adults, soft-drink consumption [both diet and regular] is associated with a higher prevalence of obesity and increased incidence of multiple metabolic risk factors [for diabetes and heart disease]".
So the next time you reach for that "zero calorie" soft drink or the packets of "zero calorie" sweeteners to add to your coffee or tea, just be aware that there is no evidence that they are useful in helping you control your weight.
And there is some evidence that they may even be making your weight control problems worse by encouraging you to eat high calorie foods to go along with them.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Consumer group urges bisphenol A and phthalate phase out
Building awareness in worldwide consumer groups to the dangers of bisphenol A and phthalates. Good news is that Shaklee products are free of these harmful chemicals. Stay Healthy Everyone.
Consumer group urges bisphenol A and phthalate phase out
Consumer group urges bisphenol A and phthalate phase out
Monday, December 14, 2009
Top 10 Overrated Health Foods of 2009 - Diet & Weight Loss - Health.com
Some interesting information about some foods we like.
Top 10 Overrated Health Foods of 2009 - Diet & Weight Loss - Health.com
Top 10 Overrated Health Foods of 2009 - Diet & Weight Loss - Health.com
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
The Absolute Greatest Guide to Green Gifts for Kids | Healthy Child Healthy World
Some great green gifts for your kids or others this holiday season.
The Absolute Greatest Guide to Green Gifts for Kids | Healthy Child Healthy World
Posted using ShareThis
The Absolute Greatest Guide to Green Gifts for Kids | Healthy Child Healthy World
Posted using ShareThis
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Toxic chemicals in school cleaners | MNN - Mother Nature Network
Let's get toxic cleaners out of our kids schools.
Great info and resources here.
Toxic chemicals in school cleaners | MNN - Mother Nature Network
Great info and resources here.
Toxic chemicals in school cleaners | MNN - Mother Nature Network
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
A study that we never heard about.
This is an email I received from a friend Dr. Steven Chaney, PhD. Interesting stuff. Points towards taking vitamins as a really good insurance policy.
This is the last of my emails in a series about clinical studies that I learned about from a recent seminar by Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg from Tufts University.
I call this one "The Study You Never Heard About".
The negative studies always seem to make the headlines, but somehow we don't seem to hear about the positive ones.
This study was called "The Vitamins and Lifestyle Study" (Pocobelli et al, American Journal of Epidemiology, 170: 472-483, 2009).
The study surveyed 77,719 residents of Washington State, aged 50 to 76, for supplement usage and lifestyle differences.
With respect to supplement usage the study participants were separated into those who took multivitamins at least 6-7 times/week, those who took at least 215 mg of vitamin E/day, those who took at least 322 mg of vitamin C/day and those who took no supplements at all.
The groups were further stratified so that there were no lifestyle differences between the supplement and non-supplement groups.
The study then compared the supplement and non- supplement groups with respect to both cardiovascular mortality and total mortality over a 10-year period.
The results were not surprising to those of us who have been closely following this kind of research.
The multivitamin users had a 16% reduction in risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to those who were not using any supplements at all.
The people who took at least 215 mg of vitamin E/day had a 28% decrease in cardiovascular mortality and an 11% decrease in total mortality compared to the non- supplement users.
And the people who took at least 322 mg of vitamin C/day had a 25% decrease in cardiovascular mortality and 9% decrease in total mortality compared to non- supplement users.
Although this study focused on single supplements rather than the multiple supplements, the results are fully consistent with the results of the Landmark study of Shaklee supplement users.
The Landmark study showed that long term supplement users were healthier. This study shows that long term supplement use decreases the risk of dying.
Together these studies show that long term supplement use leads to a longer AND healthier life.
You would think that something this simple that everyone could do to decrease their risk of disease and death would be big news.
But somehow this study never made it to your local newspaper or Internet news service.
Do you suppose that's because only bad news sells?
This is the last of my emails in a series about clinical studies that I learned about from a recent seminar by Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg from Tufts University.
I call this one "The Study You Never Heard About".
The negative studies always seem to make the headlines, but somehow we don't seem to hear about the positive ones.
This study was called "The Vitamins and Lifestyle Study" (Pocobelli et al, American Journal of Epidemiology, 170: 472-483, 2009).
The study surveyed 77,719 residents of Washington State, aged 50 to 76, for supplement usage and lifestyle differences.
With respect to supplement usage the study participants were separated into those who took multivitamins at least 6-7 times/week, those who took at least 215 mg of vitamin E/day, those who took at least 322 mg of vitamin C/day and those who took no supplements at all.
The groups were further stratified so that there were no lifestyle differences between the supplement and non-supplement groups.
The study then compared the supplement and non- supplement groups with respect to both cardiovascular mortality and total mortality over a 10-year period.
The results were not surprising to those of us who have been closely following this kind of research.
The multivitamin users had a 16% reduction in risk of cardiovascular mortality compared to those who were not using any supplements at all.
The people who took at least 215 mg of vitamin E/day had a 28% decrease in cardiovascular mortality and an 11% decrease in total mortality compared to the non- supplement users.
And the people who took at least 322 mg of vitamin C/day had a 25% decrease in cardiovascular mortality and 9% decrease in total mortality compared to non- supplement users.
Although this study focused on single supplements rather than the multiple supplements, the results are fully consistent with the results of the Landmark study of Shaklee supplement users.
The Landmark study showed that long term supplement users were healthier. This study shows that long term supplement use decreases the risk of dying.
Together these studies show that long term supplement use leads to a longer AND healthier life.
You would think that something this simple that everyone could do to decrease their risk of disease and death would be big news.
But somehow this study never made it to your local newspaper or Internet news service.
Do you suppose that's because only bad news sells?
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