Doctor Greens Health & Nutrition Blog

Arthritis: like heart disease, diabetes and obesity, Arthritis is often a preventable disease for most people, which normally begins as a result of an unhealthy diet and lifestyle (inactivity, no regular exercise). It is estimated that up to 70 million Americans will develop Arthritis within the next 20 years, so healthier dietary habits and regular moderate exercise can play a very important preventive role.

Arthritis like many degenerative type conditions or diseases, (heart disease, diabetes) also begins for most people as a result of too much inflammation occurring in the body resulting in the wearing down of healthy cartilage in between the joints. Healthy functioning cartilage acts like a cushion in-between bone joints that allows the ends of the bones in joints to smoothly glide over the cartilage which facilitates healthy bending, flexibility and allows pain free movement and exercising of joints in the knees, feet, hip, shoulders etc. Healthy cartilage in-between the vertebrae of the spine also helps allow for more flexibility and more pain free movement involving back, neck and spine mobility.

When inflammation begins to occur within the body, especially as often happens with aging and if a body joint has been over exercised or injured then the body produces harmful cytokines that promote continue inflammation.  There are a number of ways to prevent these cytokines or inflammation markers from occurring.

1. The first obvious way to help prevent joint inflammation and pain is not to do activity which overly exercises a joint and the surrounding muscles and tendons around a joint. This is one reason why regular exercise is so beneficial because it helps a joint to function better as muscles and joints that are regularly strengthened through exercise are less likely to become injured.

2. Also, regularly exercised joints and muscles help accommodate increased circulation and  blood flow, allowing nutrients to better nourish and to be able to help ‘bath’ the cartilage in important nutrients it needs to rebuild itself and to help maintain a soft but yet firm cartilage cushion so that the joints can easily glide over.

3. Eating a healthy diet (and regular moderate exercise), is the best overall combination to prevent degenerative arthritis called, Osteoarthritis (OA) from occurring in the first place.

Too many Americans today eat a diet that is high in added sugar food products and saturated fat that helps accounts for the fact that one out of every three Americans are either overweight or obese. Being overweight and especially being obese puts enormous extra weight and pressure on weight bearing joints and contributes significantly joint and cartilage degradation and  to excess cytokines (inflammation) occurring causing much more rapid joint and cartilage damage.  Eating added Sugar food and drink products (junk food, soda and Energy type drinks) not only promotes inflammation but helps lower  and weakens the body’s immune system response by up to one-half for a period of up to 5 hours. This means that the body then lacks the natural ability for the immune system to help stop inflammation within the body. This dramatically accelerates cartilage destruction, especially over a period of time.

Cutting back or eliminating many red meats containing high amounts of saturated fats and junk food and dairy products with high amounts of saturated fats (ice cream, whole milk and 2% milk) can help eliminate many inflammation contributing saturated fats plus unhealthy weight gaining high caloric intake. Instead reduce saturated fat intake by selecting skim milk or plain low fat yogurt instead of high fat dairy products and eating more healthy types of fish (Wild Alaskan Salmon, Sardines, trout, low mercury tuna) and moderate amounts of white meat of chicken and turkey (not fried). Also, eating those daily 5 to 9 servings of fresh or frozen vegetables and whole fruits not only helps provide wonderful antioxidants and nutrients to support the immune system and reduce inflammation, but they are also low in calories and high in important fiber which helps contribute to a feeling of ‘fullness’ and eating less which makes weight loss (along with regular moderate exercise) much easier.

Nutrients & supplements that have been shown to be joint helpful: and that  ’bath’  the cartilage with healthy nutrients and provide joints and surrounding tissues and tendons with beneficial nutrients to help prevent untimely joint deterioration are:

1. Fish Oil with Omega 3’s. Eating more healthy fish (see above) 3 or more times a week and or taking at least 3 grams of healthy fish oil capsules daily has been shown in repeat studies to help lessen inflammation and contributes to better joint mobility and has heart, mental and circulatory benefits as well.

2. Glucosamine sulfate is a nutrient component of cartilage made from the amino acid glutamine and glucose that has been shown to help provide cartilage with what it needs to help maintain and repair itself and to even help regenerate new cartilage. This is especially true as long as a person has not waited too long or has already had too much damage to the cartilage and joint areas and while there is still cartilage remaining between joints,(so that an individual joint is not already bone on bone),

3. Chondroitin  sulfate is a mucopolysaccharide bound to proteins like collagen and is located in ligaments, tendons and cartilage and helps maintain cartilage to better serve as a ’spongy soft cushion’ for  shock absorption when pressure is applied to the joints. Chondroitin sulfate is a nutrient in many joint formulas that has been shown to work synergistically well with glucosamine sulfate to help rebuild cartilage and to help provide more flexibility and strength to joints and surrounding muscular joint tissues.

However, as a person ages the body generally needs more help fighting inflammation and requires more external nutrients from either diet or supplements as the body with time, usually stops producing or reduces production of some important joint nutrients in sufficient quantity for comfortable joint movement. Signs of Osteoarthritis may begin to appear in the late 20’s and by the time of age 60 up to one-half of American adults begin to experience joint and muscle concerns or discomfort.

4. Hyaluronic acid is another nutrient that should be included in most joint formulas, particularly as a person ages. Hyaluronic acid is required to help produce the synovial fluid in-between joints that that helps moisturize cartilage and helps joints better glide over the cartilage. Think of synovial fluid as oil being provided to a rusty or squeaky hinge that just needs that extra fluid to enable it to close effortlessly and to help the hinge do its work friction free without being worn away.

The body tends to produce less glucosamine, chondroitin and hyaluronic acid as it ages which is why supplementing with these 3 nutrients and other anti-inflammatory nutrients and antioxidants can be increasingly important as a person ages.

5. MSM: is a sulfur based compound which cartilage also needs to help fight inflammation and to help prevent cartilage damage. Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM are found in many joint type formulas and these three ingredients may work for many but not people in their 30’s 40’s and maybe even 50’s. However, with time and for younger active athletes and or for adults who want maximum optimal joint health along with healthier looking skin and increased anti-aging antioxidant protection other important joint and muscle nutrients become vital.

Other anti-inflammatory nutrients & antioxidants for healthy joints:

6. Anti-inflammatory nutrients like the herb, Boswellia serrata (or its more anti-inflammatory concentrated nutritional derivative 5 Loxin^R), has been shown in studies to help stop inflammation within the body and thus help prevent cartilage destruction and improve joint function.

7. Turmeric comprised of 95% curcumin extracts have also been shown to be very effective inflammation fighters. When these nutrients are used with the additional antioxidants below they can not only be effective against inflammation but may also be helpful anti-cancer type nutrients that help bolster the body’s immune system as well.

8. Pomegranate &

9. Grape Seed Extracts and
10. Quercetin also help stop inflammation naturally and are also powerful antioxidants that can dramatically help increase cellular strength and elasticity of individual cells.. This becomes especially important for people at any age who do hard physical work and orstrenuous workouts including athletes. Antioxidants are also important for people for who want their muscles, tendons and tissues surrounding joints to function and recover better after being stressed or during vigorous exercise and want to remain more youthfully active so they can age gracefully without joint discomfort and pain.

Additional helpful natural anti-inflammatories are:
11. Bromelain, an enzyme from pineapples and the enzyme
12. Papain from papaya. Bromelain, especially taken in-between meals,  has been shown in double blind clinical studies involving athletes to help promote healing of bruised or torn tissues twice as fast as those injured athletes not taking bromelain. When bromelain and papain are taken with meals they act more as protein digesting enzymes.

13. Vitamin C and
14. Citrus bioflavonoids are also very helpful antioxidant collagen rebuilders of muscle and surrounding joint tissue, including cartilage which is important for anyone concerned with healthy joints, healthy skin and healthy aging.
Last but not least several herbs such as:

15. Ginger,
16. White willow bark, and
17. Nettle leaf are also important herbs which can help naturally battle inflammation. Ginger is also an important digestive herb and can actually help calm upset stomachs and calm the digestive tract.

The good news is that there are some natural Joint and Muscle type formulas on the market that actually have 4 to 6 of the most important first listed 6 beneficial joint and muscle nutrients all in one product.* Even better is that I have found one very effective product for me and for my Joint & Muscle concerns called: Doctor Greens: Joints & Muscles which is a nutritional supplement that contains all 17 of the above nutrients and some additional important joint supporting minerals and vitamins All in One Product.*  I exercise a lot and have been doing so for many years so this one product makes joint & muscle support recovery much faster, removes my discomfort and makes it unnecessary to have to buy and open five to eight different supplement bottles for joint and muscle support concerns.* Also, by having all these excellent nutrients in one bottle I also don’t have to figure how much of each bottle I should take and which can additionally become quite expensive.* You can find economical and convenient Doctor Greens: Joints & Muscles at www.doctorgreens.com * Here’s to Your Best of Health and Start Feeling Better Now.* Sincerely, Hal Decker

*The statements on this product(s) have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product(s) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always read product(s) label fully before taking and get your doctor’s approval before beginning any new nutritional product.

Why Acai berries, Vit. D & Veggies, Fruits & Greens & Antioxidants are Important!

Some Newer Green Drinks  Make Nutrition Easier & Energize Your Budget
Plus they contain more Veggies, Fruits & Greens and even added Acai & Vit. D3

Acai berries from South America is the latest Energy nutritional Super Star.* Acai is a fruit exceptionally high in antioxidant and nutrients, contains essential amino acids and unlike almost all other fruits & veggies has a great essential oil and healthy fat profile,(much like Olive Oil) for healthier skin & cellular health.*(Look for Organic Acai as non-organic acai may be loaded with pesticides & may be processed much less nutritiously)*
Research is showing that natural Vitamin D3 is critically important for proper immune system, brain, heart & vision health and for proper calcium absorption into your bones

In today’s economy and busy eat on the run lifestyle; getting the proper nutrition your body needs to keep up on a daily basis can be difficult?

Organic based Green Drinks to the Rescue:  We all know we should eat our 5 to 9 servings daily of veggies & fruits for Optimal health but up to 90 % of all Americans Do Not Get the Optimal Amount of Daily Nutrients needed  for Good Health

Why Organic based Green drinks can help provide ‘Organic Energy’ & help solve your   food shopping budget, health & eating challenges.*Today, no one can afford to get sick

Superior Green Drinks may provide up to 3 to 4 servings of  Veggie, Fruits & Greens as ORAC antioxidant value rated for less than One Dollar per serving (see #7 below). Some do so for less than 80 cents per serving, Plus you don’t have to worry about spoilage.

1.  Quality Green Drinks for Energy synergy combine 15 or more Organic Based Veggies, Fruits & Greens to help provide superior Immune & Antioxidant Support*

2. During times of Stress your body requires more B-Complex Vitamins for Energy and your body’s immune system also needs more Antioxidants and Vitamin D3*

3. Greens like Barley Grass, Spirulina & Oat Grass have high amounts of B-Complex vitamins plus antioxidants and when they are bottled fresh as Grasses and at cold processed temperatures (less than 106 degree Fahrenheit), they are also Gluten Free. Only the more mature Wheat, Oat and Barley Grains picked when they are more mature contain Gluten.  A Good Greens product will say Gluten Free right on the bottle

4. Look for Quality Greens based powdered mixes that only use Organic based Veggies, Fruits & Greens & say: no chemicals, no pesticides & no added Preservatives

5. Generally you get more Nutritional Value for your Money when you buy Organic Greens based products in Powder form where you add water. Almost all Premixed liquid Greens type products are diluted and not nearly as nutritionally potent as compared to powders. You may get 4 to 20 times more Nutrients per serving when you buy a powder plus artificial preservatives often have to be added to already premixed Greens products

6. Look for powder Greens products that have No added sugar: Cancer, Germs, & Yeast love Sugar. Studies show that consumption of added sugar products may lower the immune system by up to 50% for 4 to 6 hours after eating. Check the Label for No Added Sugar!

7. Great Greens products will contain many different varieties of Organic based Veggies, Fruits & Greens to help provide a broad spectrum of healthy plant nutrients along with a High Antioxidant or ORAC value per serving rating of at least 2,000 ORAC per serving.* ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity) is a scientific way of measuring Antioxidant capacities of different foods.*⁺

So Go Green: Save Money & Give Your Body what it deserves for Better Health & Energy*

I have discovered a Great Tasting Organic Based Greens Powdered Product called: Organic Energy that contains a broad spectrum of 19 different types of organic based nutritious and delicious Veggies, Fruits & Greens.* It also contains high antioxidant Organic Acai Berry and extra Natural Vitamin D3 added.*  Plus, it only costs about 69 cents per serving, can be taken anytime during the day for a real Energy boost and when you add a half-scoop to water, a shake or a smoothie it tastes delicious.* A quality Greens Drink can also turn an ordinary beverage into a high powered Nutritional Super Star Drink for adults, athletes or a family.* This excellent and healthy product: Organic Energy, fits all of the categories above and can be found at www.doctorgreens.com * Here’s to your Better Health and Start Feeling Better Now.* Sincerely, Hal Decker

+ Reference + Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) is a scientific way of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods.

. * The statements on this product(s) have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

+ Reference + Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity (ORAC) is a scientific way of measuring antioxidant capacities of different foods.

. * The statements on this product(s) have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

        “Up to 80% of All American Adults don’t Get Enough Fiber Daily:*”: American Heart Assoc. Up to 50% of Americans Don’t even get 1/2 of the Fiber Needed Daily, Including Many Teenagers because of Stress Filled & Fast Foods diets.*

Signs of Lack of Fiber & Poor Intestinal Health are:

Low Energy & Fatigue, Poor Digestion & Poor Absorption of Nutrients, Bloating, Flatulence, & Gas, Irregularity, Parasites in Stool, Poor Blood Sugar Metabolism, Always Feeling Hungry, Weight Gain, Unhealthy Skin & Rashes, Hemorrhoids, Bad Breath & Bad Smelling Stools, Difficult & Irregular Bowel Movements, Candida Infections, Heartburn & Frequent Colds.

Getting Enough Fiber Daily Should Come from Your Diet.

Everyone should strive to get at least 25 grams to 35 grams of fiber daily from eating a diet with a wide variety of whole vegetable and fruits, (at least 5 to 7 servings daily). Additional fiber can easily be obtained by including 2 or 3 servings daily of a variety of dishes with whole grain brown rice, lentils and beans along with whole grain cereals and breads. Many different varieties of cooked beans also provide anywhere from 5 to 9 grams of fiber per serving and are filling, nutritious, low in calories and can be seasoned to make delicious side or main dishes.

If you can’t get enough Fiber Daily, look for Fiber products that

Help provide much more than just a Lot of Fiber.  

A great Fiber Supplement should Provide Superior Colon Immune Support*

1.  Some Excellent Fiber Products also contain the Best types of Important Fiber, (like Organic Flax Seed, Psyllium, Oat Bran, Rice Bran & Apple Fiber). Sufficient Fiber helps Detoxify the body & colon, helps regularity and helps prevent decaying toxins from entering your bloodstream because healthy elimination is encouraged at least twice daily.

2. A good Fiber Product also contains a number of healthy ingredients that healp encourage excellent colon health like: Digestive Enzymes, Prebiotics & Probiotics, Intestinal Health Enhancing Herbs and Nutrients like Apple & Citrus Pectin,  L-Glutamine & Marshmallow root, Essential Soothing Oils, Cinnamon for blood sugar support, and Potent Immune Support Nutrients: Turmeric and Resveratrol which research is showing may significantly help support good colon health.

3. A good Fiber Product will also contain nutrients & herbs that are considered by many health experts to be healthful aids for Regularity, Detoxifying & Anti-Parasite support,  nutrients like: Black Walnut leaf, Slippery elm, Citrus Pectin & Billions of healthy support Probiotics cultures along with FOS Prebiotics and Probiotic cultures.

It is also estimated that up to one-half of Americans either have or will have Parasites at least one time in their life.* Parasites are a world wide concern for anyone who eats meals in restaurants, who travels, comes into contact with travelers to foreign countries and eats produce from U.S or foreign countries.* In addition to taking a good Colon immune support product, good hygiene like regular hand washing and good health habits like  covering your mouth when sneezing and avoiding hand contact with the mouth, eyes and nose really helps.

Studies show that Weight Loss Efforts are Enhanced with a Daily High in Fiber Diet and will help to save many calories because Fiber provides a sense of fullness & a desire to eat less. A Good  Fiber  product should provide ¼ to ½ of your Daily amount of beneficial fiber ( 7 to15 grams) in each serving*

For Good Health make sure you are getting at least 25 to 35 grams of fiber daily by attempting to follow a diet high in fiber and by eating 5 to 7 servings of whole vegetables and fruits daily. But for many Americans, who because of a hurried life style or bad eating habits, consider importantly in the meantime a quality high Fiber and good colon immune supporting supplement that helps fill your fiber void until you begin to eat healthier and that will also help to detoxify your body.

Many will also discover that a good Fiber colon cleanse product will also help clear and detoxify your colon of months or even years of harmful bacteria and colon debris that will help make you feel and look years younger.  Often with the use of a good fiber cleanse product, a person may easily lose 3 to 10 pounds of excess waste material that has accumulated in the colon within just the first week or two weeks of use.

A Great All Around Fiber and Colon Immune support product I have discovered is Cleansing Fiber Plus. It is Good Tasting & Mixes Easily in water and provides between 7 to 15 grams of fiber per dosage, depending upon if you take a full serving or ½ serving. Because of superior ingredients Cleansing Fiber Plus helps provides  bulk, regularity & soothing natural colon immune support. I have also discovered that Cleansing Fiber Plus provides an Incomparable Nutritional Value Per Serving as compared with other ‘plain fiber type’ products. Cleansing Fiber Plus also contains natural plant flavors, No Added or Artificial Sugar and can be learned more about at www.doctorgreens.com   Start Feeling Better Now and get more daily fiber into your diet.  Here’s to your best of health, Hal Decker

New research indicates that the nutrient Quercetin, a major antioxidant and bioflavonoid which is found primarily in Apples, Onions, buckwheat, red wine, berries and in many teas has important anti-aging benefits. Quercetin is a vital health nutrient that can improve our health, increase longevity and help add immeasurably to a more energetic and healthier life.

It really is true that an apple or two a day can help keep the Doctor away as apples are one of our best sources of quercetin, especially organically grown apples.

Quercetin has many health and physically benefiting properties including:

1.   Quercetin helps fight inflammation and decrease cellular damage

2.   Quercetin by fighting inflammation also helps to decrease swelling and pain caused by cellular inflammation

3.   Fighting inflammation also helps prevent circulatory damage in blood vessels which is beneficial for heart, mental & overall body health

4.   Helps prevent fatigue by helping to decrease damage caused by heavy exercise and the toxic body byproducts heavy exercise produces.

5.   Helps significantly increase endurance as shown in studies comparing athletes who increased their intake of quercetin verses those who did not.

6.   Is an important antioxidant that helps battle & prevents cellular damage

7.   Believed to have important anti-cancer properties as studies indicate

8.   Shown to have important anti-viral and immune support benefits

9.   Quercetin, as a powerful antioxidant also has important liver protection  
 benefits

10. Is anti-allergenic by helping to prevent & inhibit histamine being released

11. For Energy, Quercetin, stays in the body for long hours (up to 16 hours)   
       as an antioxidant in the body compared to 3 to 5 hours for caffeine

Quercetin is also one of the best nutrients for anyone who exercises, who has joint pain and or is concerned about stressing their joints and muscles from regular exercise and everyday activities. This can include routine exercise such as biking, running or walking, or gardening, playing sports or activities with children and family. In studies, Quercetin helps muscles and joints recover faster from inflammation from any type of exercise or activity. Alleviating inflammation, pain and swelling also helps a person get better sleep which supports faster muscle recovery and helps a person to function much better during the day.

Important recent research has shown that Quercetin may also have important anti-cancer and cancer preventive benefits and may help reduce the risk for breast and prostate cancer, intestinal and colon cancer and other types of cancer.

Quercetin also helps improve better blood circulation by helping blood vessels to dilate (expand for better blood flow) and helps the body produce more nitrous oxide which enables better dilation. Increasing your Quercetin intake may help you prevent cardiovascular disease. Quercetin is also associated with less blood platelet aggregation, thus helping blood to flow better with less chance of a blood clot forming.

Quercetin has few if any side effects and a report from the Sloan Kettering Cancer Institute helped reinforce this by saying: “No adverse effects have been reported with single oral doses up to 4 grams.”

To help get the many Anti-aging, health, antioxidant, and better exercise endurance and recovery advantages of Quercetin, increase your use of Quercetin rich foods as mentioned above, especially apples and onions.

Also, consider the use of quality enhanced Quercetin supplements that help increase better joint and muscle recovery as well as increase endurance and alertness.  One excellent formula is Doctor Greens Joints & Muscles with Quercetin and many other important nutrients and antioxidants that can help contribute to better joint and muscle support and as a faster recovery aid from physical exercise. Doctor Greens Joints & Muscles formula is available at www.doctorgreens.com  Here’s to your Best of Health and for a longer, healthier and more active life. Start Feeling Better Now! Sincerely, Hal Decker

Originally, I was going to write on a different topic but the other day I was outside of a store and someone turned to me while smoking, drinking a soft drink and complaining about how bad the economy was and how he wished he had more money. While I empathized with his plight because these are ‘challenging’ and stressful times I felt like saying: “You know you could probably save about $100 a month right now by not smoking plus have more money for healthier groceries.” Had I known him better I might have added that smoking has other negative effects because the last thing a person needs is to get ill when job hunting and then lack the energy and wellness to do what is necessary or helpful because you are ill. Studies show that smokers are 2 to 4 times more likely to get ill than the nonsmoking public and that percentage of getting sick increases for smokers as a person ages.

Unfortunately, about 24 percent of all men and 21 percent of all women smoke, which means that more than one out of every five adults still smoke. Tragically about 22 percent of all high school students smoke, and about one of every 12 middle school students smoke. The one bright spot is that 15 years ago more than one out of every four adults smoked, so the health hazard effects of the anti-smoking campaigns and the high cost of tobacco products are gradually becoming effective. Additionally, more people are being made aware of the health hazards of living around smokers and who are subject to the carcinogenic effects of second-hand smoke.

The CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) estimate that adult male smokers lost an average of 13.2 years of life and female smokers lost 14.5 years of life because of smoking.

1. Cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30 percent of all cancer deaths.

2. Approximately 87 percent of lung cancer deaths are attributed to smoking.

3. Cancers account for only about half of the deaths related to smoking. Smoking is a major cause of heart disease, aneurysms, bronchitis, emphysema, and stroke. It contributes to the severity of pneumonia and asthma.

4. Tobacco has damaging effects on women’s reproductive health. It causes  reduced fertility and a higher risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight in infants. Smoking has been linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

5. Smoking has been linked to other health problems, including cataracts, bone thinning, hip fractures, and peptic ulcers.

6. More than 4,000 individual compounds have been identified in tobacco and tobacco smoke. Among those are more than 60 compounds that are known carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).

The U.S Surgeon General’s office has concluded that cigarettes and other forms of tobacco (cigars, chewing tobacco) are addictive.

Nicotine is the drug in tobacco that causes addiction. The pharmacologic and behavioral processes that determine tobacco addiction are similar to those that determine addiction to drugs such as heroin and cocaine, according to the American Cancer Society.

Positive Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking

The U.S. Surgeon General office has outlined the benefits of smoking cessation:

Stopping Smoking has major and immediate health benefits for men and women of all ages. Benefits apply to persons with and without smoking-related disease.

1.   Former smokers live longer than continuing smokers. For example, persons who quit smoking before age 50 have one-half the risk of dying in the next 15 years compared with continuing smokers.

2.   Smoking cessation decreases the risk of lung cancer and other cancers, heart attack, stroke, and chronic lung disease.

3.   Women who stop smoking before pregnancy or during the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy reduce their risk of having a low-birth weight baby to that of women who never smoked.

4.   The risk of lung cancer & other cancers can be reduced by quitting smoking.

5.   “People who stop smoking at younger ages experience the greatest health benefits from quitting. Those who quit in their 30s may avoid most of the risk due to tobacco use. However, even smokers who quit after age 50 substantially reduce their risk of dying early. The argument that it is too late to quit smoking because the damage is already done is not true.” Source: The American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org.

Within as little as two to three months of stopping smoking

1.   Walking, endurance, and exercise becomes easier

2.   Up to a 30 percent increase in lung function may be noticed

3. Circulation improves throughout the body, aches and pains can disappear, and even those with poor sexual functioning often notice an improvement

4. Your chances of developing lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, cancers of the mouth, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, liver, and cancers of all types diminish with each month that you continue not to smoke.

Need One More Reason to Stop Smoking? Recent studies show that smokers are up to four times more likely to develop age-related macular degeneration (AMD), leading to blindness. It is particularly important to note that people exposed to smoking (second-hand smoke) such as family members, friends, and co-workers are also up to twice as likely to develop AMD.

Improving your diet, lifestyle, getting regular exercise, and the use of excellent nutritional supplementation, including veggies & greens can even further increase your chances for a longer, healthier & more fulfilled life.

Additional Help for Smokers: In addition to eating healthier, high quality nutritional supplements and multivitamins help and in particular the B-complexes, antioxidants & Omega 3’s can really help the body and mind to recover faster from the damage caused by cigarettes. Many community relief agencies, medical help centers and online information sources are available to help smokers quit. For an excellent source of Organic Energy and wholesome nutritional supplements go to www.doctorgreens.com   Start Feeling Better Now and Here’s to your best of health, Hal Decker

Bromelain is a wonderful natural digestive enzyme from pineapples especially helpful in helping to digest all types of food protein eaten, especially meat.  However, bromelain when taken in-between meals is almost a miraculous healer and anti-inflammatory ingredient for swollen, inflamed and painful tissues.  When bromelain and other proteolytic (protein) type enzymes and digestive enzymes in general are consumed with meals, the intestinal tract uses these enzymes more as digestive enzymes to help the body better digest food.

When bromelain and other types of proteolytic enzymes such as papain (from papayas), or Nattokinase (from fermented soy) are taken apart from meals and more on an empty stomach then these digestive enzymes, particularly bromelain, are able to circulate more in the blood stream helping to locate and resolve excess inflammation  within in the body. When enzymes such as Nattokinase are able to circulate within the body, research is showing that Nattokinase is particularly effective in dissolving clots, fibrinogen and cholesterol and plaque deposits.

Research studies have been done on boxers to measure the healing effects of bromelain supplements when boxers suffered cuts, bruises, sprains, muscle and tissue trauma after either sparring or boxing events. Researchers discovered that boxers who took quality bromelain supplements HEALED TWICE AS FAST as compared to boxers who did not take bromelain.

Bromelain helps the body to heal faster and lessen swelling and inflammation which helps to lessen pain as well.  When body tissues are swollen from inflammation and pain then these swollen cells and tissues exert more pressure on surrounding nerves which can dramatically affect and heightened the agonizing discomfort of pain. Bromelain can be very effective for those with arthritis and who are seeking faster recovery from sport or everyday injuries and or to recover faster from hard daily exercise.

Bromelain has been discovered to be helpful and beneficial for the following:

1. Allergies: helps lessen histamine production. Histamine promotes allergic reactions, (also helpful for asthma and respiratory related illness.)

2. Bromelain is also helpful and preventive for those suffering from sinusitis due in part to its anti-inflammatory effect.

3. Bromelain is a natural blood thinner that an Integrative doctor may often suggest in place of synthetic drug thinners, (along with a healthy diet, moderate exercise and more Omega 3’s from fish oil).

4.  As an effective anti-inflammatory, pain and for swelling reduction as effective if not more effective than NSAID’s and other anti-inflammatory drugs but Bromelain is much safer without the harmful side effects of many anti-inflammatory synthetic drugs.

5. As a natural protein digestive enzyme, when taken with meals.

6. Bromelain when applied topically can help the skin recover from            

    frostbite and promotes healing from burns.

7. Bromelain can also help mitigate post-operative swelling in childbirth and many other trauma related surgeries.

8. Helps support the immune system, has anti-tumor dissolving properties, especially helping to dissolve the often ‘hard shell’ exterior that many tumors develop that make it difficult for the body’s immune system to penetrate and destroy existing cancer cells within the tumor.

When buying a bromelain supplement look for high quality and concentrated effective Bromelain designated in at least 2,000 GDU’s (gelatin dissolving units), generally with at least 500 mg of Bromelain per serving. Bromelain for effective healing purpose is often suggested to be taken 3 to 4 times daily in at least 500 mg. dosages. Higher dosages in double the amount for 3 to 5 days may also be recommended. A very small percentage of people who are allergic to pineapple may also be allergic to Bromelain so it is wise to first check with a qualified medical  professional before taking Bromelain if you have any health concerns, are on blood thinner(s) or taking medication(s).

Some excellent muscle and joint supplements, heart and circulatory support formulas that contain high quality Bromelain as well as other important antioxidants and nutrients may be found at www.doctorgreens.com   Look for Doctor Greens Joints & Muscles formula and their Circulatory Support formula and multi-vitamins. Many sports and exercise enthusiasts as well as those suffering from joint and muscle discomfort have reported outstanding natural anti-inflammatory results from the use of these products. Always first read and follow product label instructions before use.  Here’s to your best of health for a longer and healthier life. Start Feeling Better Now. Sincerely, Hal Decker

Heart Healthy Nattokinase; Living 110 Plus Healthy Years is Possible

Many of you have not heard of the very heart healthy and circulatory l natural ingredient called Nattokinase. Nattokinase is derived from fermented soy and was first researched in Japan over 15 years ago. However, the incredible life extending benefits that Nattokinase offers for your Heart and Your Life are just now being discovered by many Americans. 

Nattokinase has the ability to actually help dissolve and remove fibrinogen, cholesterol and plaque deposits from the arteries and blood vessels of the body.  What’s so fantastic about Nattokinase is

that it is natural and does not have any adverse side effects. It also serves as a natural blood thinner and discourages the formation of plaque deposits and so called “sticky” blood cells clumping together that can cause unwanted and dangerous blood clots within blood vessels and major arteries.  The only possible concern might be for those who are already on blood thinners, since taking Nattokinase, in such instances could cause a person’s blood to become too thin. 

Therefore, if a person is on medications, blood thinner(s) or suspects poor circulatory health then their physician should be first consulted before taking nattokinase.  If already on blood thinning drugs, these same possible precautions also applies toward taking a few other of natures healthy blood thinning ingredients like the natural plant enzyme: Bromelain (from pineapples) and Omega 3 fish oils from cold deep water fish, like salmon, sardines and trout.

The great health news is that if you take nattokinase and other of nature’s gifts for good heart health and better circulation, along with eating a healthy diet and moderate daily exercise, you may never have to take the often harmful side effect producing drugs that doctors and pharmaceutical companies may recommend.

Note: Beneficial natural plant derived enzymes like Nattokinase and Bromelain usually work better to help dissolve, fibrinogen, cholesterol and plaque deposits when taken in-between meals. Taking these excellent natural enzyme ingredients with meals often mean that they are used by the body to help digest protein from the meals we eat, rather than being allowed to circulate in the bloodstream to help dissolve unwanted and blood restricting harmful clots and plaque deposits when taken in-between meals.

Remember, for most people it took many years to develop high blood pressure either from an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise and or an unhealthy life style so allow yourself a little time to start seeing the results of properly taking healthy natural circulatory nutrients like nattokinase. Results of lower blood pressure and lower cholesterol may usually be seen and felt within 60 to 90 days of taking, The benefits of nattokinase may either allow you, with your doctor’s approval, to wean off of some or all medications being taking or help prevent you from even ever requiring such medications as you energetically and gracefully age. I have seen some people able to lower their blood pressure from 145 over 95 to 120 over 80 within 90 days, just by adding Nattokinase and other healthy circulatory nutrients to their body, along with eating a healthier diet and regular moderate exercise.

Since one out of every three Americans has high blood pressure and most American adults know that one of every two Americans will die of heart disease.  Nattokinase is a great ingredient to be aware of and to add to your arsenal of effective and beneficial healthful circulatory nutrients.  As always, if you have  health or heart concerns always make sure to first consult with a doctor before taking any nutritional or pharmaceutical product, but that having been said, eating healthier, getting regular exercise, living a healthy lifestyle and adding nattokinase may be a great way for you to help start taking more personal responsibility for your better heart and circulatory health.  

A great place to discover more about heart healthy Nattokinase along with other healthful natural circulatory nutrients like: bromelain, hawthorn berry, pomegranate, green tea and grape seed extracts, resveratrol, cayenne and l-carnitine and also which are all available in one formula called:  Circulatory Support and may be found at www.DoctorGreens.com   Here’s to you best of Health. Sincerely, Hal Decker

Live Longer by Avoiding Glycation End Products (AGE). Avoid added sugar products whenever possible because when you eat added sugar products, present in most commercially processed and prepared foods, the added sugar combines with proteins to produce AGE cellular sticky masses much like glue throughout your body, brain and between individual cells which rapidly slows your body’s ability to be able to perform at its optimum level. AGE not only causes rapid degenerative aging but also causes the electrical impulses and synapse in your brain and nervous system to no longer be able to process complex and quickly needed neural and nerve signals required for normal mental and physical reactions. AGE also promotes inflammation, promotes aging skin by inhibiting proper collagen and skin revitalization and accelerates degenerative aging and immune deficiencies including Alzheimer’s, heart disease, diabetes, macular degeneration and cancer among many diseases and illnesses linked to growing old. Just avoiding sugar added products can prevent many of these degenerative illnesses and add decades of healthy vital years to your brain and to your life.

Take Vitamin K to help promote better health, less osteoporosis, to prevent hardening of the arteries and heart disease.

New research indicates the importance of getting more natural based Vitamin K into your body, especially K2 in the MK-7 form

Getting more Vitamin K into your system has recently been shown to be one of the most important nutrients required to help your body age optimally and may well allow your body to live up to 10 to 20 or more years longer than without getting enough vitamin k. Vitamin K is not only essential to help your blood clot but to also help prevent bone loss and helping to prevent calcium that is leached from the bones settling and calcifying the arteries (hardening of the arteries) and heart valves.

The ongoing Framingham Nurse study of over 72,000 women over a ten year period and a similar Framingham heart study of 888 elderly men over a seven year period discovered that women in the lowest 1/5^th percentile with the lowest amount of Vitamin K intake had a 30% higher risk for hip fractures than women with higher amounts of daily Vitamin K intake and men in the highest one-quarter percentage with the highest amount of Vit. K intake had a 65% lower risk of hip fracture than those in the lowest one-quarter percentile of daily Vitamin K intake.  Source: Life Extension Magazine., Jan 2009 pg 65.

Taking the right types of Vitamin K through supplementation can actually help reverse calcification of the arteries and heart valves by helping to keep more calcium within bones. Reducing the amount of calcium circulating in the blood stream can not only help prevent osteoporosis but can also be lifesaving by increasing  healthy blood flow and reduced calcium hardening of the arteries which helps maintain better elasticity of blood vessels and this helps encourage better circulation of blood to all parts of the body.

There are several types of Vitamin K. Vitamin K1 is found in vegetables such as leafy green vegetables, Vitamin K2 is also found in egg yolks, cheese and fermented soybeans which the Japanese call, natto. A new type of Vit K2 discovered is  called the MK-7 form of Vitamin K2 and can stay in the blood stream up to seven or eight times longer than Vitamin K1.  Taking a mixture of Vitamin K1 along with Vitamin K in the form of Vitamin MK-7 and also taking Vitamin K2 in the MK-4 form may provide significant overall benefits from the synergy of all 3 types of Vitamin K.

Unfortunately, mostly out of ignorance of recent research regarding the importance of Vitamin K, many doctors today advise patients taking Warfarin (Coumadin) to not take additional Vitamin K because of concern that taking additional Vit K may restrict blood flow by encouraging unwarranted blood clotting. Such alarm is usually no cause for concern when taking moderate amounts of Vit. K2 and by advisedly working with a doctor familiar both with anticoagulants, (blood thinners) and Vitamin K and who monitor routine blood coagulation with periodic quarterly or semi-annual blood tests. Furthermore, long term studies are indicating that not getting enough vitamin K not only causes brittle bones but also helps contribute to the dangerous calcification of  all important heart valves.

If the above was not enough exciting news about the benefits of Vitamin K, Vitamin K is also showing anti-cancer prevention benefits by discouraging inflammation and encouraging apoptosis of cancer cells, (deadly cancer cells dying a normal death and being replaced by healthy cells). In addition, Vitamin K supplementation helps to improve better insulin usage in men with type II diabetes but longer term studies need to be done to see if this same improved insulin benefit apply to women.

I have found a great source of nutritional supplements that deliver great nutrition with low calories, yet are high in important vitamins, (including vitamin K), minerals, Greens and absorbable protein may be found at www.doctorgreens.com  To your best of health, Sincerely, Hal Decker

How to Live to be 110 Years or More:  Two Life Extending Secrets

21st Century Exciting Scientific Discoveries to Get You Another 10 to 30 years of Healthy Living.

1. Reducing the amount of Calories you consume daily for your lifestyle and body type is one proven way to add an additional 30% of living to your life. Both animal and human studies have shown that people who eat a healthy balanced diet of the proper nutrients as discussed in this book but who are still able to manage to cut their caloric intake by 20% to 25% put less wear and tear on their body. Most importantly for longevity, restriction in caloric intake helps increase your telomeres ability present in your cellular DNA structure to be able to increase the number of times that your cells are able to reproduce. However, for many people dramatically reducing calories is not a practical method nor even a desired method of living because the amount of sacrifice that is seen as required is not practical or worth it. In fact, most people say that if they feel as if they will always feel hungry and can’t reasonably and moderately enjoy the food they like when they reasonably want it then they would just as soon live a shorter life. This is why the longevity extension benefits of resveratrol (discussed shortly below), is so appealing.

Want to cut your risk of premature death by one-half?

The less fat carried in your belly, the longer you will live. New studies of over 360,000 Europeans in 9 countries show that for every 2” of additional fat in your waist circumference measurement that you carry around in your stomach area, (the visceral fat surrounding liver/intestinal area), that you increase your risk of premature death by up to 17%. For most men, a dangerous level of fat is a waist larger than 40 inches and for women 34”. “Excess belly fat doubles your risk of premature death (heart disease, hypertension stroke and cancer.)”  Parade Magazine, Jan. 2009, pg 8. Sensibly reducing unhealthy excess caloric intake along with a regular daily exercise program can do wonders for your health and longevity expectations.

Longevity alternatives to accomplish the same longevity goals that reduced caloric benefit offers but without the sacrifice.

I particularly practice the next life extending suggestion as adding extra resveratrol to your diet is both easy, relatively inexpensive and can also help extend your life for up to 30% of healthy extra years. Note: I even give resveratrol daily to our dog and most people, because he is so active and frisky, can’t believe he’s 12 years old.

The Incredible Longevity Secret of Resveratrol!

2. Health & Longevity Tip number 2. Get more Resveratrol (from red grapes) into your body. Recent animal research has documented the advantages of supplementing daily with Resveratrol a nutrient derived from red grapes and red wine as well as from the plant, Japanese knotwood. Human clinical studies are also underway validating resveratrol as a substance that can help increase telomeres being able to divide by up to 30% or more which means that along, with living a healthy lifestyle, each person reading this book has the ability of living up to 30% or more extra years by just taking resveratrol supplements daily and by eating and living a healthy lifestyle. A great source of both Resveratrol and arterial health supporting Pomegranate is a product called PomResGo at www.doctorgreens.com

Note: an interesting scientific observation regarding resveratrol is that in animal studies, some researchers and the media press have on occasion misleadingly reported no resveratrol longevity benefits when resveratrol was given to young rats approximately age 3 months to 1 years. However, when resveratrol was given to older rats one to two years old then for this older rat population an up to 30% increase in longevity was observed and these older rats far out lived those same age older rats not given resveratrol and were healthier as well.

Thus, it is likely to be proved that resveratrol (in subsequent ongoing human studies) for longevity enhancing purposes, is particularly far more beneficial when resveratrol supplementation is begun at a more advanced human age, by age of 30 and at any age beyond that rather than age 18. Moreover as discussed earlier, nutritional science is showing there are many other beneficial cellular and immune system benefits of resveratrol and resveratrol type antioxidants like pomegranates,  grape seed extract and red grapes, green tea, vegetables, greens and fruits etc…regardless of age.      

For Further Answers to Questions and for more products containing both Resveratrol and Pomegranate contact Hal Decker, weekly Health Radio show host of: “Start Feeling Better Now” at www.doctorgreens.com or email:  hal@doctorgreens.com

6 Ways to Extend your Life 10, 20 or 50 Energetic & Healthy Years!
Positive steps you can do now to help increase your Longevity

Increasing your Telomere’s ability to reproduce: Every positive aspect of healthy living, (healthy diet, regular exercise, healthy lifestyle etc), can help extend your genetic ability to live longer. Your strands of DNA that help make up your chromosomes contain a genetic sequence at their end called telomeres that help determine how long and for how many times your cells can divide and reproduce. The less healthy of a lifestyle you live, the shorter genetically your telomeres are able to allow your cells to be able to reproduce. It is now scientifically determined that telomeres under optimal health conditions were created to allow your body to replicate, thrive and live up to 125 plus years if your body is optimally maintained.

Nutritional and research science has discovered many positive ways to increase your Longevity, Health and Energy Levels so you can add 10, 20 and 50 years or more to your life now. Some of these methods are:

1. Eating healthy and wisely is the foundation for a long life. This includes:

A. Reduce the amount of calories you intake, especially harmful calories
containing, added sugar and simple carbohydrates, avoid saturated
fats and trans fats and most processed and commercially prepared
foods. Note: athletes and those with physically demanding jobs may be
general exceptions to reducing caloric intake.

B. Reduce the amount of red meat you eat and eat more high quality
protein like fish, Greens and vegetable protein. Add more vegetarian
based meals to your daily meal planning for easier digestion and a
stronger immune system. For most people animal type meat protein
should be contained in no more than approximately one meal daily.

C. Eat your 5 to 9 daily servings of veggies and fruits for additional important
nutrients, antioxidants and fiber.

D. Increase the amount of daily fiber and high quality complex carbs that
whole grains, veggies and fruits provide.

E. Increase the amount of high quality fats and oils like Omega 3’s (fish
oil, flax, chia seeds) and olive oil. Buy fish from unpolluted and mercury
safe sources like wild Alaskan salmon where Omega 3’s are also much
higher than most farm raised and grain fed fish sources.

F. Whenever possible try to eat organically grown veggies, fruits and
whole grain produce, range free grown meat products and egg and
dairy type products (yogurt) to get more nutrients per serving for your
food dollar. (Note: many Americans are lactose intolerant so caution
should be exercised regarding eating dairy). Eating organic will also
help you to avoid toxic chemicals, pesticides, nitrates, hormones and
antibiotics drugs often used in most commercially grown or raised
produce and meats.

G. Add one or two daily servings of Organic and Wholesome Green
Drinks to your daily nutritional requirements to help supplement
the natural food nutrients that most Americans are missing daily. Green
drinks will also help keep the body in a more slightly Alkaline state that
is required for optimal health. Many quality Green drinks & multivitamins
will also contain beneficial probiotics & natural digestive enzymes.
A good source for Green Drinks is: www.doctorgreens.com

2. Get regular daily exercise of 30 minutes or more at least 3 to 4 times weekly
(Even 10 to 20 minutes of daily exercise is very beneficial compared to none).

3. Take Nutritional Supplements Daily because with today’s lifestyles almost everyone is not able to eat every day the way they should. New nutritional research shows that for some vitamins and minerals it is often impossible or impractical to get the amounts required from diet alone for optimal health and longevity. Remember, most vitamins and minerals only stay in your body for 5 to 12 hours so take your vitamins twice daily. You don’t eat just once a day so take your vitamins twice a day to keep replenishing your cells with the nutrients they need to rebuild and to keep your immune system strong.

4. Learn how to avoid stress and how to deal with it when present. Prayer, meditation, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, nourishing your body properly, giving to others to help take your focus off of yourself, deep breathing, positive thinking and a positive problem solving attitude toward life’s challenges and a sense of humor all help.

5. Get enough rest and sleep daily. Getting 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep is the best way to support optimal health, optimism and longevity. Studies show you get more done and accomplished it better with adequate sleep. New research also shows that those who get less than 7 to 8 hours of sleep nightly tend to be more overweight.

6. Leading and practicing a healthy lifestyle. This includes maintaining a positive outlook toward life, yourself and others, making healthy and wise decisions in your daily and personal life toward worship and meditation and avoiding the harmful and deadly sins of drugs, smoking, and only moderate alcoholic intake (one drink a day, where appropriate)

The above 6 steps to living a more energetic, healthier and longer life are from Hal Decker, Start Feeling Better Now, talk show host & author of the soon to be released book called: “Start Feeling Better Now” Contact Hal at: www.doctorgreens.com