Summer is almost here and that means sunshine, beaches, and summer fruit.  In early spring grapefruits usually have their best harvest.  This fruit is tart and tangy with a hint of sweetness and even rivals the ever popular orange for juiciness.  Years ago there was a book titled, “The Grapefruit Diet”, and many articles have been written about the health benefits of this amazing fruit.  So here are the facts about grapefruit.
Grapefruit is rich in vitamin c, which has been shown to support the immune system.  Vitamin C may help by reducing the symptoms of the common cold as well as preventing free radical damage that catalyses the inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.  There is even research that supports consuming fruits high in vitamin c, such as grapefruit is associated with a reduced risk of dying from heart disease, stroke , and cancer.
Lycopene a carotenoid phytonutrient shown to have anti-tumor activity is what gives grapefruit its rich red and pink colors.  According to a study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition eating lycopene rich foods can greatly reduce a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer.  According to the KAME study conducted by Dr. Alan Crozier showed that grapefruit juice was ranked as one of the highest juices in antioxidant activity.  Grapefruits also contain tumor inhibiting enzymes called limonoids.  These enzymes allow the liver to make toxic chemicals more water soluble so that they may be more easily excreted from the body.  Limonoids in animal studies and human cell lab tests have shown to help fight cancers of the mouth, lung, skin, breast, colon, and stomach.
Pectin can also be found in grapefruit which is a soluble fiber and has been shown in animal studies to slow down atherosclerosis.  Both white and red grapefruit can lower the blood levels of LDL cholesterol, and red lowers triglycerides also.  There is a risk with prescription drugs including statins where muscle toxicity may increase.  See your physician before consuming grapefruit if your using any of the statin or like drugs.

One of the most important factors in shedding excess body fat is heavily relied on by the liver.  Everything is passed through the liver including all of the chemicals and toxins that it must clear out.  SInce grapefruit  boosts liver enzymes, this process becomes more efficient and the liver is able to get rid of these toxins quicker.  Grapefruit also shares the same fat burning properties as green tea.

There you have it the skinny on grapefruits, so enjoy some raw or in juice form and toast yourself to good health.

In a perfect world, we’d get enough sleep every night, keep our stress levels to a minimum, and eat a diet so healthy a nutritionist would be proud. But most of us probably don’t live our lives that way, even if we’d like to. When we’re lacking in any of these areas, our body’s systems that work to protect our health by keeping viruses and harmful bacteria at bay can become weakened. This opens the door to illness.

Fortunately, we can do something to bolster our immunity and nourish all the body’s systems that work to keep us from falling ill. Nature’s Way formulated its SystemWell Ultimate Immunity with all of these systems in mind. In addition to the basic nourishment provided by vitamins A, C, and D, and the minerals selenium and zinc, SystemWell includes key herbs, probiotics, and other botanicals that are intended to support specific body systems. The systems supported by this formula and a few of the 28 other key ingredients are described below.

Cellular
Maitake, shiitake, yamabushitake, and reishi mushrooms support the immune system by stimulating certain cells, such as natural killer cells whose job is to “kill” tumor cells or cells infected with viruses.

Circulatory
Garlic is included for its antiviral and immune-stimulating properties. One clinical study found that regular users of garlic suffered from colds less often than the non-garlic group.

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L-glutamine is an amino acid—one of the building blocks of protein molecules—and is found abundantly in the body. In fact, it is the most common amino acid in the body, existing in the lungs, brain, muscles, and gut. Since the body makes L-glutamine on its own from other amino acids, it is considered “non-essential,” meaning that we don’t need to get it directly from foods. However, under certain conditions, supplements may be useful. For example, L-glutamine is the energy source of white blood cells, so it is an important part of a healthy immune system. When the body is under stress or subject to trauma, it may require L-glutamine in larger amounts to facilitate healing. In fact, studies show that L-glutamine supplements may help to speed healing and recovery after surgery. As fuel for the immune system, L-glutamine may also help the body recover from illness or injury. Read the rest of this entry »

While many people turn to aromatherapy for relaxation and stress reduction, it also offers many ways to increase energy and enjoy some instant refreshment. Orange essence and essential oils have long been used to stimulate circulation, open up the respiratory system, and help clear the mind.

If you’re looking for a way to perk up in the middle of a long afternoon, the scent of real oranges may be just what you need for an instant energizer. Orange oil may also help ease the symptoms of depression, providing a mood-balancing alternative to standard therapy and prescription drugs. Read the rest of this entry »

If you seek a natural supplement that can work wonders, look seaward. The benefits of fish oil for coronary health have been widely documented. But fish oil isn’t just for heart health. It can treat or help prevent a variety of conditions, including depression, diabetes, osteoporosis, macular degeneration, attention deficit disorder, stroke, and auto-immune disorders. You can harness the power of fish oil by taking Nature’s Way Fisol or Super Fisol. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re in search of a natural way to boost to your energy level, increase your stamina, or enhance your general sense of well-being, ginseng may be able to help. Of all the natural substances used in traditional Chinese medicine, ginseng is the most highly prized. That’s because it can be used in many forms to treat a wide variety of conditions. In fact, the botanical name for ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, is derived from the Greek word for panacea, or cure-all. The word in Chinese means “wonder of the world.” Read the rest of this entry »

You don’t have to be an aromatherapy aficionado to recognize the scent of lavender. The flower is a common sight in English gardens, and grocery stores carry lavender-scented soaps and lotions. Perhaps you use lavender sachets to keep your clothes smelling fresh. What you might not know is that the flower offers more than just beauty and a sweet scent; it has therapeutic value as well. Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re concerned about vision loss and improving your ocular health, you can improve your chances of keeping your eyes in good condition by eating healthfully and following a supplement regimen. Vision can deteriorate over time, and this may be a result of genetics, environmental toxins, a poor diet, or even side effects of prescription drugs. Some people experience eye problems as a result of sinus infections and seasonal allergies. Taking supplements to support the health of your eyes can be a valuable way to help preserve your vision and ease eye-related conditions. Read the rest of this entry »

There must be something to the fact that elderberry has been used medicinally for centuries. It’s a common ingredient in natural remedies, and the fruit contains vitamins A, B, and C, flavonoids, carotenoids, amino acids, and tannins. It has antibiotic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties, and is most commonly used to ease cold and flu symptoms and shorten patients’ recovery time from while decreasing their respiratory distress. Read the rest of this entry »

Energy drinks and liquid enhancers can help you reach your peak performance during your workout, and many bodybuilders and other athletes make them a regular part of their routines. Energy drinks often include a variety of natural and herbal extracts that can increase circulation, improve blood flow, and can even carry aminfo acids to muscles for recovery. Finding the right set of ingredients to support your health goals is important, but not all supplements are valuable to everyone. Determining which energy drink fits with your goals and lifestyle is important, and taking note of key ingredients will help you see which supplements are best for your body. Read the rest of this entry »