Blog - Page 2 of 18 - Dan Hammer Health LTD

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.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

How Digestive Enzymes Factor in an Anti Aging Strategy

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/22/2019

With over 100 different enzymes in the body, of which 22 are digestive enzymes, I won’t have the time or the space to discuss each one. But I want to give you an overview on how important enzymes are to your health.

Enzymes are proteins that act like catalysts by binding to an initial substance and converting it into something else. They are needed for every chemical reaction that takes place in your body. No mineral, vitamin or hormone can do any significant work without enzymes.

Because of this, they are critical to your overall health and wellness and play an important role in how you age. That’s why digestive enzymes are need for an effective anti aging strategy.

Think in 3’s!

There are 3 classes of enzymes:

Metabolic – which run our bodies.
Digestive – which digest our food.
Food – which come from raw foods and start food digestion.

There are 3 types of digestive enzymes and they have 3 main jobs:

Proteases are enzymes that digest proteins.
Amylases are enzymes that digest carbohydrates.
Lipases are enzymes that digest fats.

Some say, “You Are What You Eat” but I say, “You Are What You Digest!”

The Digestive Process and How Digestive Enzymes Fit In

Enzymes from raw foods start the digestive process. They help break down complex foods into simple structures. That’s why the chewing process is so important. Read More →

Advanced Glycation End Products Cause You to AGE!

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/15/2019

In the battle to slow the aging process you need to take aim at Advanced Glycation End products commonly referred to in the scientific community as AGEs. This article will help you understand how AGEs are formed , what impact they have on aging, and how they contribute to degenerative diseases. To start we need to focus on proteins and sugar.

Proteins are formed from amino acids and are essential for life. They serve two critical roles.

First, they provide structure for the body. One such structural protein is collagen, which accounts for approximately one third of your body’s total protein. It’s found in skin, muscles, organs and vascular structures. And it provides elasticity and cohesion to these structures.

Second, proteins provide function in the form of enzymes that enable all life-sustaining biochemical reactions to occur within your body.

Sugar is a simple carbohydrate. It provides energy for your cells.

When properly controlled, proteins and sugars can interact without causing any damage to the body.

What are Advanced Glycation End Products?

As you age your structural proteins are damaged by a process known as glycation. This process is an uncontrolled, non-enzymatic reaction between proteins and sugars to significantly alter the structure and function of proteins.

In this process a sugar molecule attaches itself to a protein molecule resulting in the formation of a non-functioning glycated protein called Advanced Glycation End products or AGEs. Research over the last 30 years has implicated AGEs in most of the diseases associated with aging like: Read More →

Topical Peptides For Youthful Skin

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/08/2019

Twenty years ago the idea of topical peptides for youthful skin was just an idea. Fast forward to today and the use of topical peptides for youthful skin is a reality. This article will help you understand what peptides are and how they can be used to reverse the aging of your skin.

There are three main factors that damage your skin. They are:

Sun Exposure
Air Pollution
Advanced Glycation End Products or AGEs

Most people understand how sun exposure and air pollution can potential damage your skin. What is poorly understood are AGEs. These form when glucose attaches itself to protein and fats resulting in a very destructive molecule that ages your body.

I’ll do a separate article on AGEs but understand that the standard American diet creates these Advanced Glycation End Products that cause our skin to age faster than it should.

Topical Peptides for Youthful Skin

Peptides are naturally present in young skin. And as we age these peptides decrease in number.

Peptides are fragments of proteins and are made up of amino acids. When these peptides are combined in certain ways, they make specific proteins that are needed to promote growth, organization, and maintenance of your skin cells.

Over the last 20 years scientists have discovered specific peptides called growth factors. Growth factors work to repair and reverse aging and environmentally damaged skin.

Here’s work they work: Read More →

CoQ10 Benefits Your Skin

Posted by Dan Hammer //

06/01/2019

New research is showing that CoQ10 benefits your skin. In one of my previous articles about CoQ10 I showed how this critical molecule helps with:

Heart Health
Brain Health
Metabolic Function
Kidney Function
Bone Health

Now I want to help you understand how CoQ10 benefits your skin. It all centers on what is called the mitochondrial theory of aging.

CoQ10 and Mitochondrial Theory of Aging

Within every cell are mitochondria. Mitochondria are the batteries or power generators. They convert the stored energy of the nutrients you consume into an energy form that your cells can use to perform their function.

This energy source is called adenosine triphosphate or ATP.

As we age our mitochondria are damaged. The three main causes are oxidative stress, toxins, and inflections. This damage then reduces the energy production of the mitochondria.

Our mitochondria become less efficient in processing our food resulting in less ATP. This results in less energy for the cell to carry out its normal functions. And here is where CoQ10 can help. Read More →

The Alkaline Water Debate – My Views

Posted by Dan Hammer //

05/22/2019

For a long time there has been a growing debate over the benefits of alkaline water. Recently I’ve had several of my clients ask me my opinion about using alkaline water to help improve their overall health.

My short answer to them is “No I’m not a fan of alkaline water as there are better ways to to improve your body’s pH levels.”

And my short answer usually ends in a longer discussion about this topic.

Now before we discuss this, I want everyone to know that I’m a big fan of an alkaline diet. Choosing foods that help you stay on the alkaline side of the pH scale is extremely important to your overall health. And I believe will lessen your risk for all forms of diseases.

I’ve written two extensive blog posts on this issue. Click on the titles to link to the articles:

The Acid Alkaline Balance – Part 1

The Acid Alkaline Balance – Part 2

But when is comes to alkaline water I do not agree that this is the best way to help your body stay on the alkaline side of the pH equation.

Alkaline Water – Natural Alkaline Spring Water versus Ionized Water

Normal tap water usually has a pH of 7. This is considered neutral. Less than 7 and it becomes acidic. Greater than 7 and it becomes alkaline.

Most bottled water that is marketed as alkaline water usually has a pH range between 8 and 10.

On average your blood’s pH is approximately 7.365, which is slightly alkaline.

There are two driving force for alkaline water:

To help improve your blood chemistry.
Most diseases cannot survive in an alkaline environment.

Which would make it seem like this type of water would be a good thing.

But here’s the problem.

The pH scale is not arithmetic but logarithmic. Logarithmic means that the values separating each unit are not of equal value along the scale but increases in proportion to their distance from a pH of 7.

For example, a pH reading of 8 is 10 times more alkaline than 7, but a pH of 9 is not 20 times more alkaline but 100 times more alkaline. If you’re catching on, then a pH reading of 10 is 1000 times more alkaline than a pH of 7.

Given this fact, what would seem like a small change in the acid alkaline balance and be no big deal is, in reality, a big deal to your body.

And here is the danger of machines that are used to create ionized water. People tend to go to the extremes.

If alkaline water at a pH of 8 is good for me, then why not at a pH of 10. Wouldn’t that be better for me.

And the answer is “NO!”

I have no problems with alkaline water that has a pH of 8 especially if this alkaline water is from natural sourcing that has key minerals in it.

In this case you’re only slightly alkaline and it can be a benefit, especially if you’re choosing foods that help your body maintain the alkaline side of the equation.

But here are the dangers of when the pH hits 10.

Alkaline Water – Dangers of pH 10

If you’re drinking water that has a pH of 10 then you’re drinking something that is 1000 times more alkaline. This creates two concerns.

Concern #1 – It can deactivate the activity of pepsin. Pepsin is one of the main digestive enzymes that you need to breakdown the proteins you eat. It also helps with nutrient absorption, protection against allergies, and helps to limit yeast overgrowth.

When low it can contribute to indigestion, GERD, acid reflux, heartburn, and potentially pancreatitis. Some of the symptoms associated with low levels of pepsin are abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and nutritional deficiencies in B12 and Iron.

Concern #2 – It may also interfere with the acidity of your stomach acids. This is especially true for older adults. Your stomach acids are key for helping you breakdown proteins. As well as killing off bacteria and pathogens to keep your body healthy.

The pH of your stomach acids can range from 1.5 to 3.5. On the pH scale this range is huge. If your stomach pH is at 1.5, then alkaline water at a pH of 10 would most likely not have much impact.

But if you are an older adult whose stomach pH is around 3.5, then consuming water with a pH of 10 has a significant impact in causing your stomach’s pH to increase. This increase then interferes with your stomach’s ability to digest your food properly. When this undigested food goes into your small intestine, you get less nutrient absorption.

Alkaline Water – Final Thoughts

Drinking slightly alkaline water can be a good way to hydrate your body and provide you with some health benefits. If you decide to do this, then choose mineral water that is naturally alkaline because it contains needed minerals.

You can also make your own alkaline water by adding lemon to your water.

And if you’re drinking alkaline water to help cleanse your blood, then I would suggest adding Liquid Chlorophyll to regular tap water. One tablespoon per 16 ounces is a good ratio. This is a natural way to improve your blood chemistry while at the same time hydrating your body with needed water.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

3 Key Strategies for Effective Weight Loss

Posted by Dan Hammer //

05/15/2019

In my Yahoo News Feed there was a feature on Michael Watson, an 18 year old high school senior who has lost 115 pounds. Micheal’s story was also picked up by Good Morning America.

I would like to feature Micheal, and what he had to say, to highlight 3 key strategies for effective weight loss.

Effective Weight Loss Strategy #1 – Exercise

Most people think they have to go to the gym and work out on a stair climber or treadmill to help them lose weight. Or pay a personal trainer to motivate them to exercise hard enough to burn the needed calories. Here’s a quote from the Yahoo article on what Michael did:

“Watson, now a high school senior in Canton, Ohio, started by walking to and from school every day, more than 40 minutes round trip.”

For Michael it was a simple walking program. And he did it in segments. Once in the morning and once after school.

At the start of his Junior year in high school, Michael decided to walk to school instead of riding the bus. He did this 5 days per week. Rain or shine.

He didn’t jog to school. He didn’t run to school. He just walked to school.

A simple walking program that almost anyone can do.

By making the commitment to walk, Michael began his journey towards effective weight loss, which brings us to the next strategy.

Effective Weight Loss Strategy #2 – Progress Over Time

Michael didn’t lose 115 pounds in a couple of months. Michael lost the weight over time. He started in his Sophomore year and continue his efforts through his senior year. I like this quote from the Yahoo article:

“I’d see that I was 290 [pounds] and say, ‘Let’s get to 280, come on Michael, you got this,”

Michael didn’t set his goal at 115 pounds. He set small goals that helped him make progress over time.

As he reached the smaller goals that he set for himself, this built up his confidence. He saw and felt improvements to his looks and overall health. Which helped him set his next goal. And continued his progress over time.

But the key strategy that Michael implemented, that I believe made the greatest difference, is the next one.

Effective Weight Loss Strategy #3 – Diet

Michael changed his diet. Not a restrictive diet.

Instead he change the foods he ate each day. Here’s a quote from the Yahoo article:

“Watson also changed his diet, working with his dad to learn how to count calories and then forgoing his normal fast food meals for salads, oatmeal and soup.”

Michael switch his diet from fast food meals to plant based nutrition. And he acknowledges that it was hard at first. But became easier has he consumed more plant based food sources.

Michael discovered “The New Secret to Weight Loss!”

It’s powerful because what Michael did was change his microbiome or gut health.

He stopped feeding the microbes of his small intestine with the food they love: carbohydrates, animal protein, and vegetable oils. These microbes produce toxins and cause you to store fat.

As Michael switched to plant based food sources he began to change his microbiome. The new microbes flourished and provided him with more energy and didn’t store his food as fat.

Michael also found it easier to maintain this diet because the cravings went away. Instead his microbiome wanted the plant based nutritional sources.

He discovered that if you change the gut you change the outcome!

If you don’t know the new secret to weight loss, then I would suggest watching the following video I produced to help people discover what Michael discovered:

Your Microbiome Significantly Impacts Your Weight!

The video is below. It’s short and to the point. Take the time to watch it today.

Now that you understand the new secret to weight loss, you just need to implement the 3 key strategies that Michael did. If you do, then your chances of experiencing improved health will significantly increase.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

Are Dark Cola Drinks Bad For You?

Posted by Dan Hammer //

05/08/2019

It’s a simple question: Are Dark Cola Drinks Bad For You?

Depending on who you read you will get answers ranging from “No” to “Yes” to “Not in moderation!”

I’ll tell you upfront that I am not a fan of dark cola drinks. I personally believe that all dark cola drinks are a contributing factor to the health crisis in America. A health crisis that has seen a significant increase in diabetes and overweight/obesity issues.

And the reason for my belief has to do with the ingredients found in dark cola drinks.

As you can see by the image for this article I’m going to use a can of Coke to represent dark cola drinks. Here is the list as they appear on the can:

Water
High Fructose Corn Syrup
Caramel Color
Phosphoric Acid
Natural Flavors
Caffeine

Ingredients are listed in the order of greatest volume or greatest percentage of that ingredient in relationship to the overall product. Water is a good thing. Since it’s listed first that means it is in greatest volume. We’ll talk about water and its importance at the end of this article. For now, let’s focus on the next ingredient.

High Fructose Corn Syrup in Dark Cola Drinks

The process for making high fructose corn syrup (HFCS) out of corn was developed in the 1970s. It is a complicated chemical and enzymatic process that converts corn starch into HFCS.

HFCS has a final concentration of about 55% fructose and 45% glucose with the exact same sweetness and taste as sucrose.

Since consumers see the word “Fructose” on the dark cola can they associate it with fruit and assume that it’s healthier than sugar.

Dr. Meira Field and a team of investigators from the USDA decided to find out if this assumption was true. They fed rats a high amount of sucrose, which is composed of glucose and fructose. These rats developed multiple health problems especially when they were deficient in certain nutrients such as copper.

The big question was whether the health problems were caused by the glucose component or the fructose component.

They repeated their study with two new groups of rats. One group received high amounts of glucose and the other group received high amounts of fructose. The glucose group was unaffected.

The fructose group had severe, life threatening results!

The male rats developed anemia, high cholesterol and heart hypertrophy. Additionally, the male rats had delayed testicular development. The female rats were not as severely affected, but they were unable to produce live young. From this research, Dr. Field made the following statement:

“The medical profession thinks fructose is better for diabetics than sugar, but every cell in the body can metabolize glucose. However, all fructose must be metabolized in the liver. The livers of the rats on the high fructose diet looked like the livers of alcoholics, plugged with fat and cirrhotic.”

One additional note on the High Fructose Corn Syrup in dark cola drinks. As you can see by the nutrition facts there are 39 grams of sugar per 12 ounces of Coke. One teaspoon of sugar is equal to 4 grams. This means that there are almost 10 teaspoons of sugar per a 12 ounce can of Coke.

Would you knowingly put 10 teaspoons of sugar in anything that you eat or drink?

Caramel Color in Dark Cola Drinks

The process for making caramel color is pretty straight forward. It is obtained by heating sugar until a brown color and characteristic flavor develops. Sounds pretty safe.

However, according the the Center for Science in the Public Interest, caramel color is a potential carcinogen. This ingredient is actually regulated in the State of California. California does not allow more than 4 micrograms of this ingredient to be included in any product sold in their state.

Dark cola drinks have less then 4 mcg per serving. But if you’re drinking more than one serving per day, then you increase the cancer risk tied to this ingredient.

Phosphoric Acid in Dark Cola Drinks

This ingredient is used because it creates an acidic medium which enhances the absorption of carbon dioxide to give your dark cola drink more fizz. Fizz in your cola drink might be nice but what affect does phosphoric acid have on your body.

To start we need to look at the pH level of Coke caused by the phosphoric acid.

Coca-Cola is considered a “Super Acidifying Food” with a pH of 2.53

To understand this we need talk about pH. The pH scale measures the degree of acidity or alkalinity of a substance and ranges from 0 to 14:

0 is complete acid
0 to 6.99 is acidic
7 is neutral or the perfect balance between acid and alkaline
7.01 to 13.99 is alkaline
14 is complete alkaline

The lower on the scale below 7 the more acidic something is and the higher on the scale above 7 the more alkaline something is.

The pH scale is not arithmetical but logarithmic.

Logarithmic means that the values separating each unit are not of equal value along the scale but increases in proportion to their distance from a pH of 7.

For example, a pH reading of 6 is 10 times more acidic than 7, but a pH of 5 is not 20 times more acidic but 100 times more acidic.

If you’re catching on, then a pH reading of 4 is 1000 times more acidic than a pH of 7.

Given this fact, what would seem like a small change in pH and be no big deal is, in reality, a big deal to your body.

Although some organs and organ fluids (like the gastric region) have a higher or lower pH than what is normal for the body, your body functions best when the pH of the internal biochemical environment (blood, lymph and intracellular fluids) is between 7.365 and 7.390.

If you understand the pH scale above, then you can see that the body likes to keep itself slightly alkaline and in a very narrow range. Anything outside this range causes stress on the body. The farther outside this range, then the stress on the body goes up exponentially.

Since Coke has a pH of 2.53 it is almost 100,000 times more acidic than a pH of 7.

This has a huge impact on your system. Your body will use its alkaline minerals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium to neutralize the acid to return your internal biochemical environment back to normal.

Compounding this acidic problem, your body also maintains a balanced concentration of phosphorus, calcium, and potassium in the bloodstream. This provides the right combination for building new bones and maintaining old ones. The shock of incoming phosphorus with zero calcium causes the calcium levels in the blood to decline. This triggers your body to dissolve calcium from the bones to restore this balance.

This reaction, continued over time, can be a contributing factor for osteoporosis.

Natural Flavors in Dark Cola Drinks

Technically, natural flavors are chemicals or a set of chemicals extracted from a natural substance, usually a plant or animal, without any chemical modifications. Cola companies are not required to disclose what those chemicals are or the procedure that they use to create the “Natural Flavors.”

Caffeine in Dark Cola Drinks

This ingredient has the ability to stimulate mental alertness, overcome fatigue, and enhance endurance. Sounds great!

But, it’s an addictive chemical that comes with a cost to your body.

As a stimulant it can be accompanied by constriction of the cerebral arteries, rapid heartbeat, and high blood pressure. Caffeine also causes the release of adrenaline which increases blood sugar. The pancreas reacts by secreting insulin to stabilize your blood sugar by driving the sugar into the cells for oxidation and energy production. However, excess blood sugar in the cells will be stored as fat.

People who consistently consume cola drinks high in sugar with caffeine constantly create an unbalanced cycling process. This puts undue stress on both the adrenal glands and the pancreas. Over time this has an impact on their ability to function properly resulting in arthritis and diabetes.

Water in Dark Cola Drinks

This is the number one ingredient in all cola drinks. Thus, you might think that this is a good thing.

Given the consumption of soda in the United States, it’s interesting that experts estimate that 75% of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. WHY?

Because most of the contents of a dark cola drink must be processed by the liver! All chemicals, artificial sweeteners, and most sugars especially fructose need to be metabolized by the liver. Most of the water in the dark cola drink goes to help the liver detoxify the body. This means that very little of the water actually ends up in the cells to help them function properly.

GMOs in Dark Cola Drinks

For the first time in looking at the ingredient list for Coke I noticed that they disclose the use of GMO for sourcing their ingredients. Most likely the corn used for the creation of High Fructose Corn Syrup.

There is a big debate on the use of GMO sources and how they effect the health of people. This by itself is a long topic of discussion. If you want to know more about the use of GMO in Coke, then please click here for a statement by the company regarding its use.

Now, I’m not saying that the cola industry is the primary cause of all health issues.

What I am saying is that many of the ingredients in dark cola drinks can be a contributing factor to a wide range of health concerns.

I find it interesting that as soda consumption has increased, along with an increase in processed foods that contain many of the same ingredients, there has been a correlating increase in obesity and metabolic health issues.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer

Taurine and Brain Health

Posted by Dan Hammer //

05/01/2019

Recently I stumbled across an article that talked about taurine and brain health, especially as it applies to protecting brain cells from further destruction after a stroke.

As many film buffs know, two famous people in the movie industry recently died from a stroke. One was the actor Luke Perry. The other is the director John Singleton. Luke Perry was 52. John Singleton was 51.

Could they have benefited from taurine?

I don’t know.

But I recently did an article on taurine and its ability to eliminate certain types of heart arrhythmia. So it’s worth looking at the research on taurine and brain health to see if this conditional amino acid can be helpful in age-related cognitive concerns.

Taurine and Brain Health – The Basics

Taurine is an amino acid. Your body needs 20 different amino acids to maintain optimal health. And while all 20 are important, only nine of them are classified as essential. They are:

Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, Methionine, Phenylalanine, Threonine, Tryptophan, and Valine.

These are classified as essential because your body can’t make them. They must come from your diet.

Taurine is not an essential amino acid because your body can make its own. But only in small amounts.

If your diet is rich in meat, fish, and dairy, then you most likely get enough of this amino acid to meet normal needs. However, as we age our taurine levels decline, especially its concentration in the brain.

Taurine helps your mitochondria, the “power plants” of every cell, function optimally in their production of cellular energy. It’s most abundant in your muscles, heart, eyes, and brain. Which would make sense since these organs need a great deal of energy to function properly.

Taurine and Brain Health – The Specifics

Taurine is a key amino acid in helping to protect, maintain, and optimize brain health. Let me first give you an overview and then we’ll specifically highlight 3 key elements of taurine and brain health:

Taurine helps to stimulate new brain cell growth.
Taurine helps to protect against a condition called excitotoxicity, which is harmful overactivity in the brain.
Taurine minimizes brain damage caused by head injuries and strokes.
Taurine protects your brain cells against environmental toxins like lead and organic pesticides.
Taurine helps maintain normal mitochondrial function within the brain to help sustain energy levels.
Taurine synergistically works with other neurotransmitters to help form memories and aid in retaining information.
Taurine helps to reduce brain inflammation especially in key brain health concerns like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.
Taurine helps to protect against damage caused by beta amyloid protein, which is a major contributing factor in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

That’s an impressive list of health benefits to the brain. And I would like to focus on three key items from the above list.

Taurine and Brain Health – Neurogenesis

For a long time it was assumed that once a person was fully grown they stopped producing new brain cells. That is no longer true.

Recent research shows that adults at any age have the capacity to create new brain cells. This process is called neurogenesis. And it’s a key element in preserving a healthy brain as you age.

Multiple animal and cellular studies on the use of taurine have demonstrated how this amino acid helps to activate brain stem cells, stimulate new brain cell production, and then is key in supporting their survival.

Taurine and Brain Health – Alzheimer’s Disease

One of the major contributing factors to Alzheimer’s disease is the toxic effects of beta-amyloid formation and the resulting inflammation associated with it.

In a resent study published in Neuropharmacology, taurine was shown to protect rat brain cells from the toxicity associated with beta-amyloid production. It seems that taurine can directly bind to the beta-amyloid protein to reduce its impact on cognitive function.

Additionally, taurine helped to protect brain function, reduce brain inflammation, protect against oxidative stress, and boost neurotransmission all leading to improved cognitive function.

Taurine and Brain Health – Diminishing Stroke Impact

Every year more that 795,000 people in the United States have a stroke. For those that do not die, the vast majority of them live the rest of their lives disabled, which impacts them and their loved ones.

Most of these strokes are due to an ischemic stroke were blood flow is reduced or blocked to a part of the brain because of a blood clot.

In animal models of ischemic stroke conditions, supplementing with taurine deceased the volume of brain damage by about 55% compared to animals that didn’t receive treatment.

Taurine’s ability to reduce oxidative stress and improve energy production were helpful in reducing the damage. As well as aiding in the healing process.

And the use of taurine also reduced brain swelling.

As I shared earlier you can get the amino acid taurine from your diet. However, if you’re like most Americans your diet is heavy in carbohydrate intake and low in protein consumption.

This means that supplementation can be a good option for increasing your intake of this amino acid. It is low cost and most good capsule formations will have 1,000 mg per serving.

One note of caution. Taurine is usually added to most energy drinks. I would highly recommend that you not use energy drinks to get your daily intake of taurine because the anhydrous caffeine and sugar used in these drinks create more health problems than benefits.

For additional information on taurine and brain health, please click here.

Blessing Lives Through Nitric Oxide Therapy!

Dan Hammer