Watermelon and Amino Acids

Subscribers to my newsletter just received the latest issue, and part of it was about nitric oxide, arginine, and a new supplement from Neogenis Labs.

This morning I found a new article about food and health. One of the foods mentioned was arginine containing watermelon, something we've mentioned before (see NHN excepts below)-

WATERMELON
The amino acid arginine, abundant in watermelon, might promote weight loss, according to a new study in the Journal of Nutrition. When researchers supplemented the diets of obese mice with arginine over three months, the animals' body fat gains declined by a whopping 64 percent. Adding this amino acid to the diet enhanced fat and glucose oxidation while increasing lean muscle, which burns more calories than fat. Snack on watermelon while it's in season, and enjoy other arginine sources -- such as seafood, nuts and seeds -- year-round.

and from my newsletter -

What’s the BUZZ about Nitric Oxide?
Several months ago I was reading up on an old study that involved a doctor who decided that he would try to see what health benefits he would gain if he took arginine.
This doctor was followed by a fellow physician who, over many years, dutifully monitored his cardiovascular status. The outcome was that year after year the doctor taking arginine had whistle-clean arteries.
Much has been said about using arginine in cases of ED (erectile dysfunction) and to increase growth hormone release.
Exercise is a better and supplement free way to increase growth hormone levels. In exercise and athletics arginine has been found to enhance the production of nitric oxide in the body which may boost stamina during high-intensity exercise. This report was based on a study published in the Journal of Applied Physiology. Findings of the study suggest that the supplement can help athletes to exercise up to 20 percent longer. For quite a few years, performance athletes have favored nitric oxide supplementation.
Arginine helps clear out ammonia build up and is part of what makes creatine, L-glutamate, and L-proline. It can be converted to glucose and glycogen if needed in physiological emergencies.
Citrulline, another natural amino acid, creates arginine in the urea cycle, which then creates Nitric Oxide.
Some practitioners use arginine to help with atherosclerosis. It was just this reason that instigated the study between the two doctors.
Nitric Oxide is important for longevity. It is a molecule produced in the body that helps blood vessels relax and expand. It carries oxygen to the tissues and your cells. Because it is produced when you relax, this may explain why you feel your hands getting warm when you practice relaxation or meditation. This process also helps reduce stress and may lead to a better supply of oxygen because of a more relaxed state and deeper breathing. Lower blood pressure often results from relaxed states.
Dr Matthias Rath is well known for his use of arginine and other amino acids like proline and lysine for cardiovascular health. More from Dr Rath may be found here - Dr Rath Foundation, and his research organization.
Recently, TV’s Dr. Oz suggested it may be useful in reducing hormone-driven fat build up in the belly of menopausal women.
Intermittent claudication, a condition related with muscle pain (ache, cramp, numbness or fatigue) in the calf, occurs during exercise and is usually relieved by short rest periods. It (IC) also may cause night time leg cramps. Nitric oxide and arginine supplements have been used for these conditions.
Wondering if you have low arginine levels? You may have if you show poor wound healing, hair loss, skin rash, constipation, and fatty liver. Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid because its normally synthesized in sufficient amounts by the body. Supplementation is sometimes used for inborn errors of urea synthesis, protein malnutrition, excessive lysine intake, burns, peritoneal dialysis, and rapid growth.
Arginine is generally not suggested for use in people who have suffered a heart attack.
Diet and Lifestyle helps you maintain nitric oxide levels.
I’ve mentioned exercise, but these foods can help too.
According to a report published in Science of Food and Agriculture the best foods to increase nitric oxide are celery, watercress, chervil, lettuce, red beets, spinach and arugula.
Good foods are parsley, leek, kohlrabi, fennel, endive, Chinese cabbage, and celery root.
You can get some nitric oxide from cabbage, dill, turnip, Savoy cabbage, broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, pumpkin, chicory, artichoke, asparagus, broad beans, eggplant, garlic, onion, green beans, mushrooms, peas, peppers, potato, summer squash, sweet potato, tomato, and watermelon.
Aging reduces the availability of nitric oxide. If this is a health concern of yours you may want to change your exercise plan, add some of the above referenced foods to your food plan, or use a supplement like NEO40 from Neogenis Lab.
In discussions I have had with a representative of Neogenis Labs I learned that the NEO40 daily lozenges contain several nitric oxide generating ingredients. Their formula contains vitamin C, vitamin B12, Magnesium, Citrulline, a proprietary blend of Hawthorn and beetroot, and Xylitol.
Because this product also contains sodium nitrite, the company states:
Scientific and medical literature supports that nitrite, under conditions that promote Nitric Oxide formation, is healthy and beneficial. Under conditions that promote nitrosation, there is equivocal evidence that may be associated with some cancers, at very high doses. Interestingly, there have been published reports that show that low concentrations of nitrite that can be found in biological tissues can actually kill cancer cells.
Neo40 Daily was formulated to promote Nitric Oxide formation from nitrite. Neogenis Labs has used natural sources of nitrate and botanicals that have a robust nitrite reductase activity along with the most potent nitrosation inhibitors. This creates a formulation that promotes Nitric Oxide formation without any nitrosation reactions taking place. As with anything, we have to define the context for risk vs. benefit. The formulation of Neo40 Daily has taken into account that context and as a result, the product is extremely safe, effective and the only one of its kind to restore Nitric Oxide homeostasis in humans.
You can get test strips from this company to test for your level of Nitric Oxide.
Whatever choice you make, nitric oxide and its pals seem worthy of considering for your good health.
Make sure you consult with your health care provider of choice to discuss your selection of nutritional supplements or herbs. And remember we are offering this newsletter as an educational resource only.

Clipped from Natural Health News

Natural Health News: Enjoy Your Holiday, GMO FREE
Jul 01, 2010
Vitamin A - Through its concentration of beta-carotene, Watermelon supplies a rich source of Vitamin A, another cancer fighting anti-oxidant along with Lycopene and Vitamin C. A cup of Watermelon supplies your body with over 10% of its ...
More Foods for Health
Apr 22, 2010
Watermelon Supports male fertility Reduces risk of several cancers: prostate, ovarian, cervical, oral and pharyngeal Protects skin against sunburn. Banana Increases Fat Burning Lowers risk of colorectal and kidney cancer, ...
EWG publishes new food list
Apr 28, 2010
Onions, Avocado, Sweet Corn, Pineapple, Mango, Sweet Peas, Asparagus, Kiwi, Cabbage, Eggplant, Cantaloupe, Watermelon, Grapefruit, Sweet Potato, Honeydew Melon DIRTY DOZEN (BUY ORGANIC) Celery, Peaches, Strawberries, Apples, Blueberries ...
Learn more about antioxidants
Mar 02, 2009
It is found in tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava, papaya, and in rosehips. It is the most powerful quencher of singlet oxygen, 100 times more so than Vitamin E. It is helpful for cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, ...

Nitrates may increase brain blood flow

A New Addition to our Natural Health Family and Upcoming Events

I've just launched a new BLOG in our Natural Notes series and you'll find some summer health related articles posted now.

We'll continue this new Natural Notes venue with a focus on desert living.

Thanks for following us with your subscription to herbalYODA Says!, on Natural Health News, our Natural Notes venue found on the Seattle PI web site, at Green Muze, HealthierTalk, and the myriad of places around the net where others post or link to our work.

You can also follow us at our original domain since 1991, www.leaflady.org, and also at www.simply4health.org, as well as in our print publications, classes, other print publications, and radio interviews.

Upcoming: At the invitation of a client I'm guesting on a fall program about homeopathy for healing (date TBA).

Newsletter Post Script: Food

If you're a current subscriber to our every-other-month newsletter, herbalYODA Says! you would have received the July issue this morning.  Later today our subscribers will get this update.

Food issues must be on most everyone's agenda of concern as several news items directly related to the most recent issue of hYS arrived this morning.

Just four companies control 84% of the nation's beef and 70% of its pork, one company controls 40% of our milk supply, another holds patents on 80% of our corn, and just five chains sell 50% of the nation's groceries — and this recent report goes on to suggest this concentration is at the root of problems in the rural economy.

Corporate ownership in the natural food market place has grown exponentially over the last decade
http://www.certifiedorganic.bc.ca/rcbtoa/services/corporate-ownership.html

You can read more about 'plant sterol' hype in food and drugs, much from GMO sources
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2010/07/please-explain-this-to-cargill.html

And how GMO corn just might alter sea life -

http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2010/07/corn-and-dead-zones-in-gulf.html

"Another Look at Livestock's Contributions to Global Climate Change

The Organic Center reports on a paper issued by the World Watch Institute (Livestock and Climate Change: What if the key actors in climate change are cows, pigs, and chickens? by Robert Goodland, and Jeff Anhang) that estimates livestock accounts for over 51% of worldwide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions — a share more than four-times larger than the recent, official estimate (11.8%) of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Although the report's findings are far outside the current mainstream projections, it's written by two experienced analysts working for the World Bank, and they identify eight key differences they have with the FAO projections.

The most significant, which accounts for over one-third of the difference, is something they term "overlooked respiration by livestock." Other factors they identify include overlooked land use changes, undercounting animal numbers, and misclassification of certain emission sources.

The report reinforces the growing consensus that much more work is needed to develop accurate estimates of agricultural sources of GHG emissions, a necessary first step in crafting policies to cost-effectively reduce emissions."
(source: Frontier Natural Products)

Important to consider also is the development of a new campaign against GMO food

NON-GMO CAMPAIGN
Coming in October 2010, the first NON-GMO Month
http://naturalhealthnews.blogspot.com/2010/07/non-gmo-campaign.html

In Europe, all products containing more than 0.9% GMO are labeled by the government. In the U.S. and Canada, on the other hand, government has done nothing to inform consumers about which food and products contain GMOs.

It is estimated that GMOs are now present in more than 75% of the processed foods in the average grocery store.

Many people are concerned about the potential health risks of products made using the relatively new technology of genetic modification.  The Non-GMO Project respects your right to know what’s in the food you’re eating and the products you’re buying.

Where consumers can learn more http://www.nongmoproject.org/consumers/

But some good news is that later this summer I'll be able to offer organic Chia seed in bulk for about $18/pound plus shipping in addition to all the other good organic, bulk items offered in our Natural Store.  CHI Members receive a discount on all their orders.

Stay tuned!

Diabetes Featured

In my newsletter, herbalYODA Says!, the featured topic in the forthcoming issue is Diabetes.

Publishing tomorrow morning at 9 AM, you'll find 10 information packed pages with a great amount of nutritional information about how to improve and prevent diabetes, as well as develop a plan to recover.

To receive this issue of herbalYODA Says! you'll need to subscribe today. Sign up at the bottom of the page, here.

And our next segment on BlogTalkRadio focuses on Food Allergy. Listen Live tomorrow morning at 9 AM.

You can listen LIVE or visit the program archives anytime.

herbalYODA Joins Expert Panel

The Founder and Director of CHI (Creating Health Institute) and The Oake Centre for natural health education joins an expert panel at a national organization. This group will help inform the public about key issues facing the growing natural products field. The principal purpose of this project is to make industry professionals available to journalists who are seeking expert opinions.

Dr. Gayle Eversole is a long time natural health advocate and educator. Growing up in a medical family she developed her interest in natural health care at age 12, and was weaned in the 1950s on Organic Gardening and Prevention magazines.

Since that time Gayle has completed education in psychology (1963), traditional naturopathy (1968), nursing and whole systems design (1969, 74, 75, 77), Oriental Medicine (1972), Mediation and Arbitration (1982, 83) western herbalism (master herbalist - 1985), Ethics and counseling (1991), therapeutic aromatherapy (1998), Ayurveda (2000), homeopathy and flower essence therapy (2002).

In addition Gayle is a Reiki master and teacher, deeply involved in the study and use of American indigenous herbalism, and a certified Voice BioAnalysis practitioner. She holds many other professional certifications.

Eversole's organization is a 501c3 tax exempt organization which has provided community and college based education; corporate wellness programs; consultation to health care professionals and the supplement industry; to business, organizations, and elected officials (municipal, state and federal); established three community based natural health libraries, and a veteran's resource program. And she develops and manufactures targeted nutritional and herbal supplements.

Gayle is a highly respected educator, speaker, author and writer who is often sought by the media and natural health venues for interviews and her expertise.

She has been associated with Keep Hope Alive, PFPC, the American Herbalist's Guild (AHG), Safe Harbor Project, The Flower Essence Society, Idaho Coalition for Natural Health and works closely with The Silver Valley Community Resource Center (www.silvervalleyaction.com).

Eversole's organization is based in the Pacific NW, yet the programs and services reach around the world.

Currently she working on natural product production of her unique xtreme sports supplement - ADVENTURX - several other supplements and herbal remedies. Gayle publishes a BLOG, Natural Health News (2004), and two web sites: leaflady.org (1991) and simply4health.org (2006). She has published numerous books and articles as well as her Healthy Handouts series and contributed to numerous books and articles on natural health. Her column, Health Matters, has been featured in mainstream media since 1991, and she has written Natural Notes on Health since 2002. Eversole also publishes two subscription newsletters, herbalYODA Says! and the Diabetes E-list.

Gayle is the proud parent of two daughters and wishes to acknowledge her Choctaw heritage and deep connection with indigenous communities everywhere.

Common Things You Can Do to Stay Healthy Naturally

The first of 2009's issues of herbalYODA Says! is projected for publishing on 26 January, the day of the New Moon and also celebration of the new Year of the Ox. This will be a rather in-depth issue, as we are changing to an every-other-month publishing schedule. You may subscribe here.

The topic is "The Importance of Detoxification for Health".

This information was submitted by a reader and it offers some basic considerations that may be helpful for you.

Common Things You Can Do to Stay Healthy Naturally

This post was contributed by Kelly Kilpatrick.
She invites your feedback at kellykilpatrick24 at gmail dot com

More and more, people are trying to detoxify their lives—and for good reason. Our world has become a very sick place as a result of our constant need to innovate and make things better without thinking about the long term impacts. The same thing can be said about out bodies. Many people have spent years harming themselves only to realize that they must work harder than ever before to undo some of the damage they have caused for themselves.

Here are some common things you can do to get healthy and stay healthy naturally:

• Avoid medications – Though this may sound like terrible advice to some, there are many things out there that are just not benefiting your health whatsoever. This is especially true of over-the-counter medications, in which people seem to try and take charge of their bodies natural defenses. OTC medications can have lasting effects on the body, ultimately leaving it vulnerable down the road.

• Use supplements – Many American adults are severely malnourished and have absolutely no clue that their bodies could be working at much more optimal levels. Supplementing your diet with the proper vitamins and nutrients specific to your needs will help turn your body and its process around and increase your overall performance in the process.

• Sensible diet – Don’t fool yourself into thinking that if everyone has poor eating habits, then you should too. This is a flawed way of thinking that will only hurt you down the road. Start by switching to as many organic foods as possible, eliminating harmful chemicals from your diet. Try to consume more fresh, raw vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fruits, and nuts. Drink plenty of purified water to help eliminate toxins and keep the body hydrates.

• Stay active – Even during the colder months of the year, you need to stay active to some degree. Go for a brisk walk, find a shopping mall to walk around in, or join a gym. You can even do simple calisthenics from the comfort of your living room. Staying active will help your metabolism and overall outlook as well.

• Explore alternative treatments – If you haven’t been feeling well for some time and your physician hasn’t really been able to help you out, you may want to consider trying alternative medicine. Many people reap the benefits of alternative and holistic medicine each day, so why not give it a chance? There are many different methods you can try, from therapeutic massage to aromatherapy. Take your pick; you may just like what happens!