Sugar Can Make You Dumb

It’s no secret that sugar can wreck all sorts of havoc on your body. If you frequently reach for the cookie jar or guzzle down a can of pop, then you greatly increase your risk for weight gain, diabetes and even cancer. This has all been backed up by years of research. However, up until now, very little study has been done on the effects of sugar on the brain.

A new research suggests that frequently giving in to your sweet tooth may actually “make you dumb”. However, this can be counteracted by a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The study was done in UCLA and consisted of lab rats that spent six weeks eating foods that were either rich in omega-3s, deficient in omega-3s, or foods high in fructose corn syrup.

The rats were then placed in a maze. The ones that had a high omega-3 diet outperformed the others in navigating their way to the end. The mice with a high sugar diet performed the worst.

The findings also showed that the mice that lacked omega-3s exhibited a decline in synaptic activity, which is vital for memory and processing new information.

The study, however, was done with artificially manufactured sugar. Naturally occurring fructose like those found in fruits or cane sugar is actually high in antioxidants and beneficial for your body. It’s the processed sweeteners that you have to be on the watch out for.

While fish and other foods high in omega-3s may be able to nullify the effects of fructose, the best course of action is to drastically cut down on sugar intake.

This study gives you another reason to eat artificially sweetened foods in moderation. If you want to keep your brain sharp, then you need to slap your own hand the next time you decide to reach for that extra helping of pie.

Did Michael Jackson’s Diet Kill Him

Although Michael Jackson’s autopsy reports have not been fully disclosed, what is becoming very evident is that the King of Pop may have literally “popped off” by gross abuse of his body due to a constant use of dangerous prescription drugs, as well as adhering to a diet of too many sugars (i.e. sweets) and not enough elemental nutrients. Pathological reports that have been made public (either directly or indirectly), indicate that Jackson’s stomach contained undigested medications; and that traces of various medications in his bloodstream and body tissues indicate a history of various drugs that the pop star had taken to get relief from almost constant pain, as well as to be able to sleep (he suffered chronic insomnia).

Michael Jackason DeadThis need for medications became so intense that his nurse, Cheryl Lee (who was with him when he died) said he had literally begged her to acquire for him a powerful anesthesia-like sedative called Diprivan that is normally only available in hospitals. This combination of physical self-abuse is what most likely caused the 50 year old pop star to suffer the embolism that killed him. Regarding the loss of bone mass, the reports also indicate that he suffered several broken ribs due to attempts made to apply cardio pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at both his residence and later at the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead at 2:34 pm PDT.

Jackson’s history of health self-abuse goes back a long way though, and his love for a variety of sweets were also a factor, although the sugar in them is probably what helped to give him the energy he needed to perform like he did; which not only involved all kinds of singing routines, but dance acts as well.

Had Jackson heeded advice from nutritionists and natural food experts (instead of all the medical “experts” he constantly consulted) he might still be alive to day – and much healthier than he was at time of death. By simply absorbing more vitamin D (available from sunlight) his bone mineral situation would have been significantly improved. He also would have benefited from a diet of whole grains and plants, as well as by ingesting Omega 3 rich foods, especially fish. Whole grain granola, especially containing buckwheat, royal jelly and bee pollen, and nuts such as raw almonds and walnuts would have helped to give him the energy he constantly needed and had to “supplement” with large intakes of sweets. Of course, turning his Neverland ranch into a virtual ice cream parlor and candy shop for the large number of children who visited him there didn’t help, as Jackson indulged in these items along with his guests. And by drinking natural juices instead of carbonated soft drinks, he would have subjected his body (and his liver) to much less caffeine, aspartame, and other harmful ingredients found in them.

All this is now purely speculation, but it could be words for the wise to other entertainers who might be headed in the same direction. Medication abuse has also recently taken the lives of other celebrities, including actor Heath Ledger, and model Anna Nicole Smith, whose lives might also have been saved with some sound nutritional advice; and by shopping at whole foods stores, instead of eating junk foods. The bottom line is: being rich and famous is worthless if you don’t maintain good health –it’s better than wealth!

Omega 3 Oils for Prostate Cancer

For all men with enlarged prostate glands, and especially those with early stages of prostate cancer, there may now be a treatment available that is relatively inexpensive and completely painless. In addition this same treatment will protect you against cardio vascular diseases as well. And to make it even more worthwhile, this product can be purchased in bulk sizes and can be found in a number of retail and discount stores, ranging from pharmacies to mega-super markets like Wall Mart or Costco. And if you haven’t guessed the name of this product yet, it’s none other than Omega 3 oil, found in both certain “fatty” fish as well as flax seeds and other plants, including olives.

Omega 3 oils contain some essential fatty acids that appear to be wonderful in not only preventing prostate cancer but even treating existing cases. For those people who dislike fish or are on special vegan vegetarian diets, Omega 3 amounts are even higher amounts of Omega 3 oil than fish. The idea of treating prostate conditions by Omega 3 oils has come partially from research made on men from Asian countries like Japan who eat large quantities of fatty fish ( tuna in particular) and have much lower percentages of both heart disease and prostate cancer than those from western countries. Fish receive the omega 3 fatty acids either directly from easting seaweed or from eating fish that eat the seaweed (i.e. the food chain). Men living in western countries have a disproportionate imbalance between Omega 6 fatty acids, which cause heart disease and cancer, and Omega 3 ones, which actually inhibit these diseases.

Women also benefit greatly from diets high in Omega 3 which not only lower risks of heart disease but breast cancer as well.

Omega 3 fatty acids contain folic acid (vitamin B-9) and lycopene, that bright red pigment found in tomatoes and other red fruit, such as bell peppers. Lycopene has been found to be excellent in the prevention of prostate cancer.

When looking for Omega 3 food supplements, be sure to check to see whether the processing involved in manufacturing is cold processed and not heat processed. Heat processing destroys much of the nutritional value of the oil. If you like fish, however, eating fatty fish like salmon, tuna, or mackerel may be your best source of Omega 3. People preferring more natural and organic food product sources can find excellent amounts of Omega 3 oil in flaxseed oil, extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil, and avocados.

The Importance of Fatty Fish, Omega 3 and Fish Oil


Ever wonder why people who consume large quantities of fish, especially tuna and other fatty fish, generally have less heart attacks and strokes that other people? The secret lies in the proven fact that fish, particularly ‘fatty’ fish like tuna, mackerels, and sardines, contain essential fatty acids, popularly known as Omega 3 fatty acids. Known by their scientific names of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) fatty acids, Omega 3, which is also found in lesser quantities in tofu and other soy products, plus canola , walnut and flax seed oils, helps to reduce the levels of saturated fats in the bloodstream and helps prevent the buildup of arterial ‘plaque’; one of the major causes of heart attacks and strokes.

Japanese and other fish eating populations have been shown to have not only increased longevity, but a much lower rate of cardiovascular disease than people who consume less fish and large quantities of red meat and dairy products. In examining an average Japanese family’s weekly diet, it can be seen that a large amount of fist products, particularly tuna and other fatty fish are consumed, against a very small amount of meat and dairy products. As beef and other ‘red’ meats are very expensive in Japan, fish is the most economical choice to receive needed meat proteins. Of course, there is only one major drawback to high ocean fish consumption, that being the amounts of mercury and other metals often present in fish taken from waters polluted by industrial wastes.

Despite the possibility of these metals being found in ocean fish, it is recommended that people should consume sufficient quantities of fatty fish at least twice a week. Quantities of vegetable products which also contain quantities of Omega 3 fatty acids, especially walnuts, flax seeds, and canola oils, can be taken as well. Persons who have a diagnosed problem of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension and high blood pressure, should take additional amounts of Omega 3, available in gelatin capsule form. This also goes for those who have an aversion towards eating fish, or due to a non availability of quantities of fatty fish, should take Omega 3 capsules as well. General dosage of Omega 3 in capsule form is at least two 500 mg capsules per day; taken during or after meals.

In addition to helping to reduce the likelihood of heart attacks and other related diseases, Omega 3 fatty acids have been found beneficial in helping to relieve instances of lower back pain, often caused by degeneration of the discs which are found between spinal joints and act as “shock absorbers” for the spine. This also holds true to neck pain as well; and Omega 3 fatty acids are being seen as being even more effective then certain types of paid medications.

It doesn’t take much convincing to show that using a natural approach to maintaining good health just make good sense.