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3 Healthiest Foods for Long Life, Stronger Joints and Better Sleep

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healthy fatsThis natural health news is written by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of Joints and More and Sleep Minerals

Greetings to you,

In the quest for greater health and the prevention of disease, people are looking more and more to the quality of the foods they eat and are seeking the healthiest foods. Fast food, fried food, sweets, and foods made with genetically modified organisms (GMOs) are being replaced with healthier options.

Research studies are showing that food is more than mere nutrition to fill the stomach – it can ward off specific illnesses and lengthen one’s life.

Almonds

The first of the three healthiest foods is the delicious almond. A recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that eating 1.5 ounces of lightly salted, dry-roasted almonds each day (about 35 almonds) reduces overall hunger, does not affect body weight, and helps people to meet their ideal daily intake of Vitamin E.

Another study that was published on consuming nuts appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine. It showed that people who eat nuts live longer than those who don’t. The study included 76,464 women and 42,498 men and found that the more times per week nuts were eaten, the greater the reduction in risk of death. As a note, those who ate more nuts had 29% less deaths from heart disease.

Wild-Caught Salmon

Wild-caught salmon is one of the healthiest foods on earth. Oily fish such as salmon, sardines and mackerel were shown in a Swedish study to prevent the development of arthritis. The women in the study who ate just one serving of oily fish per week cut their risk of getting arthritis by an amazing 52%.

Fish and fish oils have both been shown to be a good arthritis remedy. One study from the Oxford University found that children who took fish oil supplements experienced better sleep at night, with fewer awakenings and nearly an hour more of sleep each night.

Regarding the use of fish oil for the health of the heart and arteries, a study was done at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York. Researchers there found that a diet rich in fish oils can prevent the accumulation of fat in the aorta, the main artery leaving the heart. The beneficial actions of fish oil that block cholesterol buildup in the arteries were found even when high amounts of fat were eaten.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains a potent rainbow of vitamins, minerals and plant nutrients. It is a cruciferous vegetable, meaning that it’s in the cabbage family. One key ingredient of broccoli known as “sulforaphane” has been shown to have anti-cancer benefits. The International Journal of Cancer presented a study of men diagnosed with prostate cancer. Those that consumed cruciferous vegetables had a statistically significant 59% decreased risk of prostate cancer progression.

Broccoli also contains a nutrient called indoles that can balance hormones by blocking excess estrogen in the body. This is important for women at the time of menopause when the level of progesterone drops to almost zero, while there is still estrogen present. An imbalance of hormones can contribute to menopause symptoms such as insomnia, hot flashes, irritability, night sweats, leg cramps, and mental depression.  Eating some raw broccoli a few times a week can help reduce the symptoms.

Broccoli should be eaten raw or lightly steamed in order to retain its higher levels of sulforaphane and provide the most health benefits. A study from the Netherlands showed that consumption of raw broccoli results in faster absorption and higher peak blood levels of sulforaphane compared to cooked broccoli.

This natural health news on the healthiest foods is written for you by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a provider of natural health articles and effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition Breakthroughs makes the original calcium and magnesium based natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II, as well as Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails, and more energy.

Sleep Foods: Almonds Contain Melatonin and Magnesium for Better Sleep

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sleep foodsIn the quest for a good, restful night’s sleep with less tossing and turning, people are reaching out to learn more about natural sleep aids and sleep-inducing foods.

At the top of many sleep foods lists are almonds – a healthy food that’s high in two of the best-known sleep substances – magnesium and melatonin.

Melatonin is a hormone that’s produced by a gland located in the center of the brain. At night or in the dark, this gland naturally releases melatonin to regulate the sleep cycle. A recent study appeared in the journal Nutrients called Dietary Sources of Melatonin.

The researchers in this study say that in the realm of plant foods, nuts contain the highest amount of melatonin.  Almonds, walnuts and pistachios have good amounts of it.  The study goes on to say it’s a proven fact that melatonin concentration in human blood can significantly increase after a person eats some melatonin-containing food.

Almonds are a special nut as they contain the highest magnesium levels. One ounce of almonds, which is about a handful or 23 nuts, contains 80 milligrams of magnesium.  This is 20% of the suggested daily value of 400 milligrams.

Magnesium has the ability to promote sleep and this is thought to be linked to its actions in lessening inflammation in the body.  In a study from the University of Medical Sciences in Iran, research was done with 46 adults who were experiencing insomnia. Taking two magnesium tablets twice a day resulted in significant increases in sleep duration and reduced cortisol levels in the body.  Cortisol is a stress hormone made by the adrenal glands that can keep people awake.

A study on almonds as a sleep food for animals was reported in the Journal of Natural Medicine.  A water-based extract of almonds was used in the study.  With the almond extract, the scientists observed a significant prolongation of total sleeping time as well as significant increases in the deepest levels of sleep. The results suggest that a water-based extract of almond has significant sedative effects, which may support its therapeutic use for insomnia.

To increase magnesium in one’s diet, almonds can be eaten as a snack before bedtime and may also be used in any recipe that calls for walnuts, pecans or other nuts.  Some ideas are to include them in granola mixtures, baked goods, fruit salads, vegetables and yogurt.  Soaking raw almonds in a bowl of water overnight and drying them in the oven at low heat is known to increase their nutritional value and help with digestion, however this isn’t necessary in order to enjoy their benefits.

One magnesium-based supplement shown to be effective for insomnia is Sleep Minerals II from Nutrition Breakthroughs.  This formula contains highly absorbable forms of magnesium and calcium, which are the best minerals for sleeplessness and insomnia, as well as for menopause insomnia, teenage insomnia, heart health, restless legs syndrome and bone strength.

Sleep Minerals II also includes vitamin D and zinc and is delivered in a softgel form with healthy carrier oils, making it more quickly absorbable than tablets or capsules and providing a deeper, longer-lasting sleep.

Tammy M. of Meridian, Idaho says: “I was plagued with insomnia for five years and desperate for a breakthrough. Nothing has helped me more than Sleep Minerals II – I’m so sold on them I could go door to door promoting them.  I’m 60 years old and have never slept so soundly.”

Richard P. of Parkville, Maryland says: “The Sleep Minerals are making quite a difference.  I was regularly waking up at around 3:00 a.m. and after a few days use my sleep improved quite a lot. I wake up once a night to go to the bathroom, but the great thing is, I then fall back asleep and sleep several more hours.  This has been a great improvement.”

A healthy plan for good sleep is to make good use of magnesium-rich foods such as almonds and also include an effective magnesium and calcium supplement for natural relief of sleeplessness.

This health news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, a publisher of nutrition articles and supplier of effective natural remedies since 2001. Nutrition breakthroughs makes Sleep Minerals II, the effective natural sleep aid with calcium, magnesium, zinc and vitamin D, and also Joints and More, the natural solution for joint relief, aches and pains, stronger hair and nails and more energy.

Study Shows Snacking on Almonds Reduce Hunger and Adds Vitamin E

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almonds reduces hungerA recent study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition has found that eating 1.5 ounces of lightly salted, dry-roasted almonds each day (about 35 almonds) reduce overall hunger, does not affect body weight, and helped the participants to meet their ideal daily intake of Vitamin E.

With the majority of Americans eating more and more snacks, it’s a great thing to find a snack that doesn’t result in weight gain and that also provides nutritional benefits.

The test divided the 137 people into five groups: One group ate no nuts or seeds, another group ate almonds with breakfast, another ate them with lunch, the next group ate them alone as a mid-morning snack, and the last group ate them as a mid-afternoon snack.

An interesting aspect of the study is that the participants were people with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.  Eating almonds lowered their blood sugar levels after meals, especially for the in between meal “snack” groups.  When consumed as snacks, the almonds reduce hunger even at regular meals.

Richard Mattes, PhD, professor of nutrition science at Purdue University and the lead researcher of the study says: “This research suggests that almonds may be a good snack option, especially for those concerned about weight.”  The study shows that almonds can increase healthy fat and Vitamin E intake, while avoiding weight gain, despite the increase in calories from eating them.

This news is provided by Nutrition Breakthroughs, maker of the effective natural sleep aid Sleep Minerals II.