Posted by Dan Hammer //

10/15/2019

One of my clients asked me if there were any natural ingredients for joint pain. This person was concerned about the negative effects of certain pain relieving drugs like:

Acetaminophen or Tylenol – Click here for a review of health concerns.

Ibuprofen or Motrin – Click here for a comparison between ibuprofen and acetaminophen.

And since this person is over the age of 45, they have been dealing with joint pain for awhile.

If you’re like most people over the age of 45, then you are dealing with some level of joint pain. It’s estimated that in the United States about 29% of the adult population has arthritis. And if you’re 65 or older, then it’s about 50% of the population that suffers from arthritis.

For me personally, I experience joint pain in my left knee daily. Some days are worse than others depending on my activities during the previous day. I typically use 600 mg of ibuprofen when the pain gets to be too much. For me it addresses the pain and inflammation.

This made my client’s request for natural ingredients for joint pain timely and personal. And here is what I found. Read More →

6 Key Ingredients for Prostate Health

Posted by Dan Hammer //

10/08/2019

As men age they become susceptible to prostate health challenges like BPH. BPH is benigh prostatic hyperplasia, or in laymen terms, benign prostate enlargement. This is when the prostate that is normally the size of a walnut can grow to be the size of a lemon.

Over 50% of men in their 60s, and as high as 90% of men in their 80s, can suffer from prostate enlargement. Here are the most common symptoms:

Straining to go.
A weak urine stream.
Stops and starts to their urination.
Getting up to go to the bathroom at night.
Feeling like your bladder isn’t emptying.

Over time these symptoms can also lead to bladder infections, kidney stones, kidney damage, and ED or erectile dysfunction since an enlarged prostate can affect sexual health.

Over in Europe many of these symptoms are treated by natural plant extracts. In today’s article I’m going to talk about the 6 key ingredients for prostate health.

6 Key Ingredients For Prostate Health

Before I list these 6 key ingredients for prostate health it’s important to note that there are two factors that contribute to the growth of the prostate. One is estrogen and the other is DHT or dihydrotestosterone.

As men age their testosterone levels decrease allowing their estrogen levels to have a great impact on their overall health.

DHT is needed to stimulate the growth of the prostate. This is important as men reach puberty. Unfortunately, the DHT isn’t turned off as we age. This hormone can then stimulate the prostate to continue to growth.

And this is were the first key natural ingredient comes in. Read More →

Health Benefits of Ketones

Posted by Dan Hammer //

10/01/2019

With so many people now using the Keto Diet to shed unwanted fat, I thought it would be good to discuss the health benefits of ketones.

Ketones are an alternative fuel source produced by your liver from fats and free fatty acids.

For most people glucose, which is largely derived from carbohydrates, is the main energy source for most cells.

However, excess blood glucose can damage the lining of your cardiovascular system leading to a whole host of vascular health issues. One of which is type 2 diabetes.

When you restrict your carbohydrate intake, either through fasting or eliminating carbohydrates from your diet, then your body will retool its energy pathways for ketones, which are produced in your liver. They than circulated through your body for cellular energy.

Here is a brief overview of the health benefits of ketones:

Improved metabolism for brain and muscle tissue
Linked to increased longevity and average lifespan by up to 20%
Reduced blood sugar levels with the potential to reverse type 2 diabetes
Effective weight management especially as it applies to visceral fat
Activate longevity pathways to protect cells from age-related damage and deterioration

Sounds great except for the following challenge:

Most Keto diets are extremely hard to maintain.

And the reason why is two fold: Read More →

Health Benefits of Iron

Posted by Dan Hammer //

09/08/2019

Today I’d like to discuss the health benefits of iron. Most people don’t think about this key mineral. Why? Because most blood tests show that people are usually in the normal range for this vital mineral. But low levels of iron can show up in other ways.

Take myself for example. I supplement my diet with a lot of good quality products. And I usually have spinach every day. Spinach is one of the top foods for getting iron into you diet.

But about a month ago my wife asked me how I slept. I said fine. But she said my legs jerked about every 20 seconds. And it went on for about 2 hours. It kept her up but I didn’t even know I was doing this.

My wife did a Google search and found that this could be a symptom of low iron levels.

She encouraged me to start taking an iron supplement and that’s what I did. While what I share is anecdotal the following occurred:

The leg twitching has stopped.

And I have less fatigue during the day, especially in the evening.

Given this I decided to look into the health benefits of iron and here’s what I found. Read More →

Dangers of Belly Fat

Posted by Dan Hammer //

09/01/2019

Several new research studies now clearly show the dangers of belly fat. Belly fat is not the same as the subcutaneous fat that pads our thighs, buttocks, and upper arms. While this fat might be less than pleasant to look it, it doesn’t present any health issues.

But belly fat is different. Sometimes called visceral fat, this is the fat that accumulates beneath the abdominal wall and around your abdominal organs. It is metabolically active. And it acts like an endocrine organ secreting hormones and other chemicals that are now clearly linked to a wide range of health issues.

One such “hormone” is retinol-binding protein 4 or RBP4, which contributes to insulin resistance that can lead to Type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Belly fat also secretes these harmful substances:

Angiotensinogen – Which raises blood pressure.

Resistin – Which leads to high blood sugar levels.

Adiponectin – Which slows the metabolization of lipids and glucose.

Interleukin 6 – Which is associated with inflammation of arteries and heart attacks.

All contributing to a series of health issues called Metabolic Syndrome.

Currently, the adult obesity rate in America now exceeds 35% in seven states, 30% in 29 states, and 25% in 48 states. When you add overweight statistics to the mix, approximately 67% of America is now overweight or obese.

This means that for every 100 people you meet today, almost 70 of them will be either overweight or obese.

And if you want to know if you are a candidate for the dangers of belly fat, then get out a soft tape to measure your girth. The easiest way to measure this is find your belly button and take your measurement.

For women if your measurement is 35 inches or more, then you are carrying potentially dangerous belly fat. For men the measurement is 40 inches or more. Read More →

6 Key Ingredients That Optimize Nitric Oxide Production

Posted by Dan Hammer //

08/22/2019

There are 6 key ingredients that can help you optimize nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is key to your vascular health as it helps you enjoy the following benefits:

Improved Blood Flow By Relaxing the Smooth Muscle of the Vascular Wall

Reduce Your Risk for Strokes and Heart Attacks by Keeping Blood Platelet Cells From Sticking Together

Helps to Initiate Repair Mechanisms to Heal Damage to Your Vascular System

All of these benefits are important to your cardiovascular health. Which means learning how to optimize nitric oxide production also helps you harness these benefits for improved health.

To help you learn which 6 ingredients are key to nitric oxide production, I’ve recorded a video that will walk you through this process. Enjoy!

And for those who prefer to read the information, I’ve summarized it below the video.

Endothelial Health Equals Cardiovascular Health!

Posted by Dan Hammer //

08/15/2019

When was the last time anyone ever asked you about your endothelial health?

NEVER!

It’s estimated that there are approximately 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the adult body. These blood vessels include arteries, veins, and capillaries. They’re all protected by a microscopic inner lining of endothelial cells. What is commonly called the endothelium.

It’s important to note that these cells line the entire circulatory system. From the inside of your heart all the way down to your smallest capillary. When added up, the volume of these endothelial cells would cover the surface area of 4 to 8 tennis courts depending upon the size of the individual.

That’s amazing since the endothelium is only one cell thick and can’t be seen by the human eye.

Once discovered, the endothelium was classified as an inert membrane whose primary function was to keep the blood in the circulatory system and out of the body’s tissues and organs.

Research over the last 25 years has shown that your endothelium is an active, multi-functional tissue that plays a vital role in metabolic, immunologic, and cardiovascular health.

Or is your endothelium an organ? Read More →

Heart Health and Walnuts

Posted by Dan Hammer //

08/08/2019

Who would have thought there could be a connection between heart health and walnuts. Yet recent research shows that not only is there a strong connection between heart health and walnuts but that this connection also benefits the endothelium, which lines and regulates your cardiovascular system.

If you’ve been following my articles you know that I’m a firm believer in endothelial health and function for improved cardiovascular health. Now organizations like WebMD and Life Extension are highlighting the benefits of heart health and walnuts. Here are excerpts from recent publications from these two outstanding organizations.

What WebMD Says About Walnuts and Heart Health!

“Walnuts are the No. 1 nut for heart health, says a researcher who presented his findings Sunday at the American Chemical Society annual meeting. That’s because walnuts were found to have more antioxidants – and better-quality antioxidants – than other popular nuts tested, says Joe Vinson, PhD, a researcher at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.”

According to Dr. Vinson, “Twenty-eight grams of walnuts (an ounce) have more antioxidants than the sum of what the average person gets from fruits and vegetables.”

According to Dr. David Katz, director of the Yale University Prevention Research Center, “Studies show that walnuts improve cardiac risk factors and enhance blood flow.”

Click here to read the complete WebMD article entitled “Walnut May be Top Nut for Heart Health”

What Life Extension Says About Heart Health and Walnuts!

In the August issue of Life Extension, William Faloon discusses the health impact of walnuts in his editorial entitled “FDA Says Walnuts Are Illegal Drugs!” Specific to walnuts and heart health, William Faloon had this to say:

“The March 4, 1993, issue of the New England Journal of Medicine published the first clinical study showing significant reductions in dangerous LDL and improvement in the lipoprotein profile in response to moderate consumption of walnuts. Later studies revealed that walnuts improve endothelial function in ways that are independent of cholesterol reduction.

One study published by the American Heart Association journal Circulation on April 6, 2004, showed a 64% improvement in a measurement of endothelial function when walnuts were substituted for other fats in a Mediterranean diet.

As most Life Extension members are aware, the underlying cause of atherosclerosis is progressive endothelial dysfunction. Walnuts contain a variety of nutrients including arginine, polyphenols, and omega-3s that support the inner arterial lining and guard against abnormal platelet aggregation. These favorable biological effects explain why walnut consumption confers protection against coronary artery disease.

The US National Library of Medicine database contains no fewer than 35 peer-reviewed published papers supporting a claim that ingesting walnuts improves vascular health and may reduce heart attack risk.”

For the complete editorial by William Faloon from the August 2011 issue of Life Extension please click here.

Walnuts – An Ideal Snack!

Given the above information it makes sense to use walnuts as a heart healthy snack. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture an ounce of walnuts contains 185 calories, 4 grams of protein, nearly 2 grams of fiber, and 18 grams of “heart-healthy” fat.

The most popular snack in America is potato chips. According to the Fat Secret website one ounce of potato chips contains 155 calories, 1.86 grams of protein, 1.2 grams of fiber, and 10.6 grams of fat.

Comparing the two snacks, walnuts are going to give you twice as much protein, almost twice as much fiber, and healthy fats that benefit cardiovascular health. Plus the extra protein and fiber will help to hold your appetite over a longer period of time. This will result in better energy and less hunger going into your next meal.

I also want to thank Life Extension for confirming what I’ve been talking about for a very long period of time.

According to William Faloon of Life Extension, “the underlying cause of atherosclerosis is progressive endothelial dysfunction.”

Atherosclerosis is the development of plaque formations in the interior of the vascular system leading to a narrowing of the vascular pathway. This can reduce blood flow and increase the potential for blood clots to form. It’s one of the major contributing factors for cardiovascular disease.

Implementing a nutrition program that nourishes and supports a healthy endothelium is critically important to your overall health and wellness. Your nutritional program needs to increase your endothelium’s ability to properly produce nitric oxide – the master signaling molecule of your entire cardiovascular system.

As the saying goes “an apple a day will keep the doctor away”. Well, maybe “an ounce of walnuts a day will keep the cardiovascular surgeon away!” Don’t minimize the value of walnuts and heart health. They could help reduce your risk for the number one killer of men and women worldwide, which is cardiovascular disease.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

5 Real Health Benefits of Cherries

Posted by Dan Hammer //

08/01/2019

There is a summertime fruit that is both abundant and has real health benefits. That fruit is cherries. Especially Bing cherries from Michigan.

I’ve always enjoyed the taste of cherries. And when my daughter brought some home from the grocery store, I was reminded on how much I enjoy their taste.

So much that I’m now making them a daily part of my diet.

Because of this I decided to do some research on the health benefits of cherries. And while I wasn’t surprised, I was definitely pleased at how nutritious this fruit is.

I’ve been eating cherries each day as an afternoon snack.

Instead of reaching for a bag of potato chips I’m filling a cup with Bing cherries. Here is the overall nutritional value for one cup:

97 Calories

2 grams of Protein

25 grams of Carbohydrates

3 grams of Fiber

18% of my daily need for Vitamin C

10% of my daily need for Potassium

5% of my daily need for Copper

5% of my daily need for Manganese

And while this nutritional profile is good, what’s even better are the polyphenols and antioxidants that make the health benefits of cherries real. Read More →

Reduce Chronic Inflammation by Targeting NF-kB

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/22/2019

One of the keys to preventing diseases is to reduce chronic inflammation. The healing process always involves some level of inflammation. And once the healing has been completed the inflammation goes away.

However, in today’s modern world there are foods and ingredients that are consumed daily that trigger chronic inflammation. This is a low-grade form of inflammation that continues to inflame cells and causes them to age prematurely.

This chronic inflammation also causes abnormal genetic responses that contribute to age-related disorders. In the last two years scientists have uncovered a key factor in chronic inflammation. It is a gene-regulating protein complex called:

Nuclear Factor kappa B or NF-kB

This NF-kB has been shown to be a primary initiator of inflammation. And inhibiting NF-kB can be used to reduce chronic inflammation. But before we talk about how to inhibit this gene-regulating protein, let’s look a list of age-related diseases that improve when NF-kB is kept in check:

Cancer Development
Heart Muscle Alterations
Poor Wound Healing
Arthritis
Asthma
Brain Cell Degradation
Insulin Resistance

A Brief Overview on Chronic Inflammation

To understand how to reduce chronic inflammation one needs to understand the inflammation process. Here is a brief overview: Read More →