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 →

Healthy Life Expectancy – Do You Want to Add 12 to 14 Years to Your Life?

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/15/2019

Do you know what your healthy life expectancy is? Do you know you can actually estimate this?

Today I’m going to help you answer these two questions.

Research clearly shows there are 5 keys to your life expectancy. These 5 keys are listed below.

They have the potential to add 12 to 14 years to your life!

However, before you look at these 5 keys I’d like to encourage you to use an online tool for estimating the potential years you have left. It’s called the Healthy Life Expectancy Calculator. It was developed by the Goldenson Center at the University of Connecticut.

This calculator will take you less than 1 minute to complete, and will give you some valuable feedback on what you can do to increase your life expectancy.

Click Here for the Healthy Life Expectancy Calculator.

My Healthy Life Expectancy Results Using This Calculator

I used this tool to see what my life expectancy is. Here are my results: Read More →

6 Key Health Benefits of Blueberries

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/08/2019

The health benefits of blueberries are numerous but for this article we are going to concentrate on just six of them.

Blueberries are native to North America. With approximately 30 different species, blueberries have become an important and plentiful tool for preventing free radical damage, one of the leading causes of aging and degenerative diseases.

Because of its high ORAC value and nutritional density, I use frozen blueberries as one of my ingredients in my morning protein shake.

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

Improves heart health

Provides cancer protection

Helps prevent damage to collagen

Improves cognitive function

Protects against macular degeneration and cataracts

Improves elimination

That’s an impressive list of health benefits all designed to keep you young and healthy as you age.

Health Benefits of Blueberries

Because of the high antioxidant properties of blueberries they are quickly becoming the North American version of the Brazilian Acai berry. Researchers at Tufts University recently analyzed 60 different fruits and vegetables. Blueberries rated the highest in their capacity to prevent free radical damage.

Blueberries belong to the heath family that includes the cranberry and bilberry, so some of the health benefits of blueberries are also found in these fruits.

Heart Health

There is a great deal of talk about the protective benefits of wine for cardiovascular health. A recent study in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry compared white wine, red wine and blueberry wine for their ability to deliver the cardio-protective benefits of anthocyanins, a powerful class of antioxidants. Using a moderate drink (about 4 ounces) as their testing sample, white wine delivered .47 mmol of this free radical absorbing antioxidant. Red wine delivered 2.04 mmol. And blueberry wine (made from high bush blueberries) delivered 2.42 mmol.

This would make sense since the darker the pigmentation of the fruit the greater its antioxidant capacity.

Cancer Protection

Blueberries seem to provide protection against both colon and ovarian cancer. In laboratory studies published by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, the phenolic compounds extracted from blueberries were able to inhibit colon cancer cell proliferation. As well as induce apoptosis or programmed cell death.

The famous Nurses Health Study, which followed 66,940 women, revealed that those who have a diet rich in the flavoinoid kaempferol had a 40% reduction in the risk for ovarian cancer. Blueberries, non herbal tea, onions, curly kale, leeks, broccoli and spinach are all good sources of kaempferol.

Prevent Collagen Damage

Blueberries are ideal in helping to prevent damage to your collagen. Collagen is your body’s main protein making up 25 – 35% of your total protein content. It is the main component of fascia, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone and skin. It strengthens blood vessels and is present in the eye.

The powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins help to neutralize free radical damage to the collagen matrix of cells and tissues. Because the blue-red pigments of blueberries are rich in anthocyanins they help provide protection against cataracts, varicose veins, arteriosclerosis, premature aging of the skin, heart disease, and cancer.

Cognitive Function

Researchers have found that blueberries help to protect the brain of aging animals from oxidative stress. This significantly improves both their learning capacity and motor skills. Although animal studies do not always correlate with humans, at least you can share you blueberries with your favorite pet and one of you will remember were you left your keys.

Eye Health

A study of 110,000 men and women, published in the Archives of Ophthalmology, indicates that eating 3 or more servings of fruit per day may lower the risk of macular degeneration by 36% when compared to those who consumed less than 1.5 servings of fruit per day. Bilberry, the British cousin to the blueberry, has long been shown to improve nighttime visual acuity.

Improves Elimination

The health benefits of blueberries also extend to elimination. Blueberries are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber. The insoluble fiber will add bulk to the stools. The soluble fiber will absorb bile helping the body to naturally lower its cholesterol levels.

Blueberries contain tannins which act as astringents in the digestive system to reduce inflammation. Blueberries also contain the same compounds found in cranberries. These compounds help to prevent or eliminate urinary tract infections by reducing the ability of E. coli to adhere to the mucosal lining of the urethra and bladder.

Conclusion for the Health Benefits of Blueberries

As you can see blueberries have tremendous health benefits. They are rich in vitamins A, C, E and beta-carotene. They are an excellent source of potassium, manganese, and magnesium. They are high in fiber and low in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. And they provide a wide variation of protective antioxidants to help prevent degenerative diseases.

The only negative to blueberries is that they are a source of oxalates. Oxalates should not be eaten in high concentration as they can crystallize to cause kidney and gallbladder problems. However, with a high ORAC value, a small amount can be consumed on a daily basis to provide you with the antioxidants needed to protect you from free radical damage.

One final note regarding the anthocyanins found in blueberries. According to a study from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, anthocyanins from berries are almost undetectable in canned foods, bread, cereals and baby foods because of how they are processed. This means that if you want to enjoy all the health benefits of blueberries, then fresh and frozen berries are best.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

5 Key Health Benefits of Bell Peppers

Posted by Dan Hammer //

07/01/2019

The health benefits of bell peppers have taken a back seat to other nutritionally dense foods. Yet when you examine the health benefits of bell peppers I think you’ll see how this fruit is an ideal companion to your food plate.

Yes, I labeled the bell pepper a fruit.

Most think of it as a vegetable but in reality it is a fruit. In fact, one of the health benefits of bell peppers is that they contain twice the amount of vitamin C found in an average orange. Which brings us to its first health benefit.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties

As I’ve shared in other articles, inflammation is the root cause of almost all diseases. And eating foods that help protect you from inflammation is a key factor in preventing all types of diseases.

Vitamin C is a key nutrient in helping to prevent inflammation. In a study published in the American Journal of Nutrition they showed that men who consumed a diet that had a higher intake of vitamin C had lower levels of C-reactive protein. C-reactive protein is an inflammatory marker. The greater your levels of this marker, the greater the level of inflammation in your vascular system.

Inflammation of the vascular system leads to plaque formation, which leads to atherosclerosis. This then leads to an increased risk for strokes and heart attacks.

One of the other benefits of vitamin C is that it’s a plasminogen activator. This is a protein that your body naturally produces to dissolve clots inside the arteries.

This means that vitamin C does double duty in both protecting you from inflammation but also helping to protect you from unwanted blood clots.

And as I stated earlier, bell peppers contain twice the amount of vitamin C found in the average orange.

Cancer Prevention

It is estimated by the World Health Organization that 80% of all cancers are tied to food and lifestyle choices. The health benefits of bell peppers are tied to key nutritional components. Here’s a list of the nutritional facts for one cup of this fruit:

Nutrients	Amount	DV%
Vitamin C	190 mg	317.00%
Vitamin A	4666 IU	93.00%
Vitamin B6	0.4 mg	22.00%
Folate	68.5 mcg	17.00%
Vitamin E	2.4 mg	12.00%
Potassium	3.14 mg	9.00%
Vitamin K	7.3 mcg	9.00%
Manganese	0.2 mg	8.00%
Niacin	1.5 mg	7.00%
Dietary Fiber	3.1 g	13.00%

There are several studies that show how key nutrients in bells peppers also posses strong anti-cancer benefits. Especially as it applies to prostate, breast, and lung cancer.

Two of these nutrients are lycopene and vitamin E. In a Dutch study done on mice with human prostate cancer, those that were feed both lycopene and vitamin E experienced a 73% reduction on tumor growth. It’s important to note that when these two nutrients were give separately there was no effect of tumor size. This means that it is the synergistic combination of these two nutrients that are key to the potential health benefits of bell peppers.

Another key ingredient in bell peppers is called apigenin. For women who use hormone replacement therapy, there is an increased risk for breast cancer. Apigenin seams to help reduce this increased risk for breast cancer.

As it applies to lung cancer, there is a French study of 519,000 people that showed a strong correlation between vitamin B6 and lung cancer risk. For those with the highest plasma levels of vitamin B6 there was a 56% reduction in the risk for lung cancer.

Cardiovascular Benefits

Most of the medical community targets LDL cholesterol as bad for you. Unfortunately this is not the complete picture. What is bad for you is oxidized LDL cholesterol.

Oxidized LDL cholesterol is now clearly associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. And the reason why is oxidized LDL cholesterol leads to plaque formation, which leads to atherosclerosis.

Contained in bell peppers are quercetin and luteolin. In a Japanese study of ten flavonoids, they found that luteolin ranked first and quercetin ranked fourth in their ability to inhibit LDL oxidation.

Folate is also a key ingredient in reducing the risk for heart attacks. In the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease Risk Factor Study of 1,980 men, they found that those with the highest folate intake were 55% less likely to have a heart attack when compared to those with minimal intake of this nutrient.

Diabetes Protection

According to the journal Diabetes Care, those that consume less than 20 grams of dietary fiber per day had a significant increase in type 2 diabetes. As you can see from the table above one cup of bell peppers has 3.1 grams of dietary fiber. By itself this is not enough but when combined with other good dietary fiber sources, it can be a significant help in diabetes protection.

Especially when you factor in the antioxidants vitamin E and cryptoxanthin, which are both found in bell peppers. In a Finland study of 4,000 people those that had a diet rich in vitamin E had a 31% decreased risk for type 2 diabetes. And for those whose diet was rich in cryptoxanthin at was a 42% lower risk for this disease.

Eye Health

There are two key carotenoids that have been associated with protection from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. They are lutein and zeaxanthin. Both of these nutrients are found in bell pepper.

The British Journal of Nutrition published a study of 1,600 men and women. This study showed that those who had a higher intake of both lutein and zeaxanthin had a lower risk for cataracts.

And in a study done at the University of Sydney, when these two dietary nutrients were combined there was a 65% reduction in age-related macular degeneration.

Conclusion for the Health Benefits of Bell Peppers

Bell peppers are a key food that can be added to your food plate. They come in several colors from green to red to orange. They contain a power combination of vitamins, carotenoids, antioxidants, and fiber that can be a power tool in reducing your risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and inflammation. As well as helping to protect your eyes.