It’s become so common in our culture to assume we need things - a lot of things. Over-consumption is not only a strain on our bank accounts and environment, it can also be harmful to our health. Whether there’s a warning label or not (usually not), many of the things we buy have associated health risks.

Here are ten toxic products, in no particular order, that you don’t need. And, once you read about them, you probably won’t want them either. Be aware that different homes may have different products that are more toxic than these. This is just a basic list of some of the most commonly purchased products that are almost entirely unnecessary, but pose significant risks.

1. Air fresheners: Most air fresheners mask odors with a synthetic fragrance or numb your sense of smell with chemical anesthetics. But, they do nothing to eliminate the source of the odor. Also, aerosol air fresheners spew out tiny droplets of chemicals that are easily inhaled into the lungs. Instead, ventilate well and choose natural deodorizers, such as zeolite or baking soda, which contain minerals that absorb odors. How to Freshen Indoor Air Naturally includes recipes for other homemade remedies. Plants are also helpful for purifying your indoor air.

2. Drain, oven and toilet bowl cleaners: Yes, three products instead of one, but they all fit under the category of cleaners - and these are the three nastiest. Corrosive or caustic cleaners, such as the lye and acids found in drain cleaners, oven cleaners and acid-based toilet bowl cleaners, are the most dangerous cleaning products because they burn skin, eyes and internal tissue easily.

* To clean extra-greasy ovens, mix together 1 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup of washing soda, then add enough water to make a paste; apply the paste to oven surfaces and let soak overnight. The next morning, lift off soda mixture and grime; and rinse surfaces well.
* Prevent clogged drains by using hair and food traps.
* To de-grease and sweeten sink and tub drains, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda down drain followed by 1 cup vinegar; let bubble for 15 minutes; rinse with hot water. You might have to repeat the whole procedure more than once. This same mixture can be used prior to scrubbing your toilet bowl to deodorize and scour away grime.

3. Canned food: It’s probably shocking to find a food item on a toxic product list, but it’s no mistake. Food cans are lined with an epoxy resin that contains bisphenol-A (BPA). Most experts believe this is our main source of exposure to BPA, which has been linked to hormone disruption, obesity, heart disease, and much more. Eden Foods is currently the only company with BPA-free canned foods (other than the canned tomatoes, which they haven’t found an adequate substitute for given the acidity of the tomatoes). Opt for fresh, frozen, dried or jarred foods.

4. Pesticides: This is a huge category of products, but they deserve inclusion in their entirety because of how extremely toxic they are. They’re made to be. That’s how they kill things. But, solving your pest problem may leave you with another problem - residual poisons that linger on surfaces, contaminate air, and get tracked onto carpet from the bottom of shoes. There are so many non-toxic ways to eliminate pests and weeds - next time you need to get on the offense, check out the recommendations at Beyond Pesticides.

5. Dry-cleaning: Okay, it’s a service and not a product per se, but the chemical used to do it, perchloroethylene, has been linked to cancer as well as nervous system, kidney, liver and reproductive disorders. Even bringing dry-cleaned clothes home is risky. EPA studies have found that people who reported visiting a dry-cleaning shop showed twice as much perc in their breath, on average, as other people. EPA also found that levels of perc remained elevated in a home for as long as one week after placing newly dry-cleaned clothes in a closet. A Consumers Union study found that people who wear freshly dry-cleaned clothes, like a jacket and shirt, every week over a 40-year period, could inhale enough perc “to measurably increase their risk of cancer” - by as much as 150 times what is considered “negligible risk.” Try wet-cleaning, CO2 technology, or even hand-washing.

6. Bottled water: Most people buy bottled water thinking they’re avoiding any contaminants that may be present in their tap water. For the most part, they’re wrong. Bottled water can be just as, or even more, contaminated than tap water. In fact, some bottled water IS tap water - just packaged (in plastic that can leach chemicals into the water) and over-priced. Also, from manufacture to disposal, bottled water creates an enormous amount of pollution - making our water even less drinkable. Do yourself and the world a favor and invest in a reusable stainless steel water bottle and a water filter.

7. Rubber duckies: How does such a cute toy end up on a toxic product list? When it’s made from PVC - the poison plastic. Banned in over 14 countries and the European Union, PVC, also known as vinyl, is still legally sold by U.S. retailers although it threatens environmental and consumer health at every stage of its product life cycle, according to the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice (CHEJ). When it’s in your home, PVC can leach phthalates (linked to hormone disruption) and lead (a potent neurotoxicant) - contaminating air, dust, and eventually you. Go PVC-free by reading packages and avoiding the #3 in the chasing arrows symbol (usually found on the bottom of a product). If a plastic is not labeled, call the manufacturer. Learn more.

8. Couch cushions: No, you needn’t get rid of all your cushions and consign yourself to a future of discomfort. Just avoid cushions, pillows, and anything with foam labeled as meeting California TB 117, as it is likely to contain toxic fire retardants. These chemicals migrate from the foam to dust to people. In animal research, these chemicals are associated with cancer, birth defects, thyroid disruption, reproductive and neurological disorders such as hyperactivity and mental retardation. Don’t worry about increasing your fire risk, data does not show that this standard has resulted in increased fire safety. Look for foam and cushions made with polyester, down, wool, or cotton as they are unlikely to contain toxic fire retardants.

9. Perfume and cologne: Colognes and perfumes may make us more attractive. But mixed in with the colors and scents are a wide variety of unattractive chemicals. Perfumes and fragrances can consist of hundreds of chemicals. Testing of Calvin Klein’s Eternity by an independent lab, commissioned by Environmental Health Network (EHN), revealed that the perfume contained over 800 compounds. Among the chemicals of concern is diethyl phthalate (DEP) that is absorbed through the skin and can accumulate in human fat tissue. Phthalates are suspected carcinogens and hormone disruptors that are increasingly being linked to reproductive disorders.

It’s not so simple to avoid phthalates by switching products because they are rarely listed on product ingredient labels. Phthalates are claimed as a part of trade secret formulas, and are exempt from federal labeling requirements. Find out if products you currently use contain phthalates and find safer ones on Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep Searchable Product Guide website.

10. Oil-based paints and finishes: There are 300 toxic chemicals and 150 carcinogens potentially present in oil-based paint, according to a John Hopkins University study. Still interested in coating your walls and furniture with this gunk? I hope not. Look for water-based options - ideally those that are low- or no-VOC. You could also explore natural finishes like milk paint and vegetable or wax based wood finishes.

You lock your front door to ward off intruders, carry an umbrella when the forecast calls for rain and sock a bit of money into savings each month “just in case.” When it comes to protecting yourself from cancer, there are other easy, everyday things you can do to help reduce your chances of falling into harm’s way.

By following these cancer-fighting commandments, as well as a healthy diet, researchers tell us you can significantly lower your cancer risk today, and every day. Just as beneficial, you’ll replace the fear of putting your health at risk with the sense of power that comes from taking steps to safeguard it.

Break a sweat.

Need motivation to unstick yourself from the sofa? Being sedentary increases levels of circulating estrogen (a risk factor for breast cancer) and insulin, which may cause healthy and unhealthy cells lining the colon to multiply faster, research finds. You don’t need to be a gym rat to claim the benefits of breaking a sweat. Take a cue from Scrubs star Sarah Chalke, who made a concerted effort to live healthfully after losing her aunt to melanoma. “I mix in hikes and long walks to keep my workouts from feeling repetitive,” Chalke says. Jaunts with Lola, her chocolate Lab, also keep Chalke out and about. “She’s the best fitness partner. Even when I feel unmotivated, I know I can’t let her down.” My golden retriever, Jenny, has the same mobilizing effect on me! No furry friend? Pinpoint any heart-pumper that rings your bell, whether swimming, Spinning or just putting one foot in front of the other and pledge to be active for about 30 minutes a day five days a week to lower your cancer risk, as well as your weight.

Watch your drinks.

Raise a glass, by all means—just not every night! Any more than one tipple a day can up your risk of breast cancer, colorectal and oral cancer, according to studies. When you do have a libation, you may want to make it red wine (I love Pinot Noir). The studies suggest that the resveratrol in red vino inhibits the way your body metabolizes estrogen, preventing cancer cells from developing. Cheers!

Kick the sticks.

You know that smoking is like sending an invitation to lung cancer, but puffing can also make you a target for at least a dozen other varieties of the disease. Smoking endangers not only your lungs, but your mouth, nose, sinuses, throat, larynx, esophagus, digestive system, pancreas, kidney, bladder, cervix, colon and even your bone marrow, plus every other organ (just writing that list made me a little out of breath). Need I say more? Butts out!

Cut back on beef.

If you’re like me, sometimes nothing but a juicy burger will do, but new research tells us limiting red meat consumption can lower your cancer risk. The kind of iron contained in it may harm the colon, say researchers, and processed meats such as bacon and hot dogs contain cancer-causing nitrates. Stop at two 8-ounce servings of red meat a week to help stay in the clear. And whether you’re cooking beef, chicken or fish, don’t let it linger too long on the grill. Research suggests charring your food can turn amino acids and other substances in the meat into cancer-causing compounds, so avoid the burnt bits!

Chill out.

While no studies have shown that stress causes cancer, high levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, may prevent a key gene from suppressing tumor growth, a study in the journal Genes, Chromosomes & Cancer found. Anxiety can also make you more likely to turn to other risky behaviors such as drinking and smoking. And new research shows that feeling optimistic and happy can help defend women against breast cancer. One way to get those nothing-can-bring-you-down vibes flowing? Having a dependable way to decompress. (See: Destress in Mere Minutes.) For me, that’s usually going outside to walk, jog or bike in my city’s beautiful parks. To mellow out when you’re angsty, try a few minutes of deep breathing, a hobby that involves repetitive motion such as knitting, or even a quick roll in the hay. Or try one of these creative calmers.

Plaque is a mostly invisible  bacterial loaded film that clings to teeth and gums. Plaque is the soft, sticky layer of bacteria, which is constantly forming on the  teeth. Usually it is invisible to the naked eye, but when a person is not brushing adequately, it can build up to where it appears to be a thick whitish coating on the teeth at the gum line. This bacterial causes irritation of the tissues that support your teeth.  This irritation can lead to inflammations and infection that can destroy your gum and bone tissue.  When plaque is not completely removed it may harden or calcify into a rough deposit called tarter or calculus.  The only way to limit the damage caused by the tartar to your gum tissue is to have your teeth  cleaned regularly at the dental office.

What foods are best avoided to maintain good periodontal health? The top culprit chosen by periodontists was popcorn, because the husks can get caught in between the teeth and gums and cause abscesses.
Oral-disease-causing microbes like:  porphyromonas gingivalis bacterium are associated with chronic and severe adult periodontitis. The problem with calculus is that it harbors plaque. Bacterial plaque, or reaction to it, is what the problem is that causes gum disease.

Impacted food, alcohol, improper use of toothpicks and tobacco products may irritate gum tissue.
The results suggest that persistent alcohol abuse increases periodontitis , gum disease, development by heightening the loss of attachment through recession of gingival margins.

Badly aligned teeth, defective fillings, poorly fitting bridges or partial dentures and harmful habits such as grinding you teeth can cause problems.

Poor diet that causes nutritional deficiency and reduces the body’s ability to fight off infection.
There is increasing evidence that decay and periodontal disease are both contagious diseases. The causative bacteria can be passed from parent to child or from lover to lover by kissing. People who never had a cavity may suddenly have several (or more) because of the person’s new relationships! Practical advice—if your kids or your lover have active decay or gum and bone disease, you BOTH may need treatment, including the use of antibacterial rinses, for the disease to be controlled. This is a major paradigm shift in the treatment of dental disease.

Hormone fluctuations during pregnancy can cause pregnancy gingivitis.
Oral contraceptive, steroid, cancer therapy drugs and anti-epilepsy drugs will affect gum tissue.
Such conditions as diabetes, leukemia, AIDS/HIV..

Periodontal Disease can be spread through family members

Medications that can cause gum disease

Poor oral hygiene habits cause periodontitis. All the body needs is 0.05mm of calculus to allow for the formation of bacterial antigens that cause gum disease.

Low calcium intake is a risk factor for gum disease.

Women aged 20-39 with the lowest calcium intake had a risk of 54% for  periodontal diseases.  Women who took moderate calcium supplements lowered their risk by 27%.

Smoking

Smoking-causes calculus, deep pockets, bone loss, infection and chronic gum disease.  It damages the natural processes that the body uses to fight against gum disease, it reduces saliva levels, restricts blood flow, and damages your immune system.  The nicotine causes significant changes in the blood vessels and the tissue of the mouth are getting attacked by the heat and smoke itself.

Anger…see anger and gum disease.

Stage and ages in life.  Hormonally triggered life stages like puberty, pregnancy and menopause, where estrogen and progesterone levels climb, causing gums to react differently to the bacteria found in plaque.

Dry mouth.

It only takes 0.05mm of bacteria plaque to allow for bacterial antigen formation which is a pretty thin layer and EASY to accumulate in hard to get at areas. Dental plaque as a biofilm, just like in your arteries. Plaque is NOT chemically causative in the PD process, CALCULUS is.

Half of the population may be genetically predisposed to periodontal disease.

It is believed that gum disease may caused by a gene that causes a defect in the Il-1antibody. Periodontal. disease is now proving to be an autoimmune type disease, with bacterial toxins as the trigger. PD, Arthritis,

Cardiovascular Disease, Cerebral Vascular Disease, Diabetes, and a host of many more are all linked by the fact that they are immune disorders dressed up as “other issues” PD was almost totally controlled by 2 genes that controlled inflammation.  It is almost 100% a genetic disease that can be made much worse by smoking. It demonstrates itself in the mouth and  is nothing more then an Immune System Gone Awry. It needs a trigger to start but once started it only takes minimal forces to keep it going. U of Wash, Dr.Roy Page, stated that perio is a genetic disease. If you have the two bad genes that adversely effect the way your body responds to irritation with an exaggerated inflammatory response and smoke you will loose teeth early.

People with PD have a defective immune response to the antigens that the perio pathogens produce. Thus PD as an immune disease that is caused initially by poor home care and bacterial antigens but is propagated by a systemic defect that some have and some don’t. It is a bacterially induced immune response.

Stress-Smokers under stress have deeper pockets than non-anxious smokers Bacterial biofilm triggers periodontal infection, and stress can aggravate the situation. Past studies have demonstrated that people with psychiatric disorders have more periodontal  disease. High stress levels combined with  smoking may lead to more periodontal infection. High-stress levels combined with smoking may lead to more periodontal infection.

It is caused by mixed infection of bacterial + host response to bacterial infection= gum disease. It is the interaction of the host or your immune response with pathogenic bacterial that determines whether gum disease is initiated or whether disease progresses. It is important to recognize certain risk factors make certain people more susceptible to gum disease.

Start cleaning BETWEEN your teeth.  Periodontal disease begins between the teeth.  The area between the teeth are more prone to infection than facial or tongue gum tissue surfaces simply by anatomy.  This tissue is not keratinized like tissue found on the facial and tongue surfaces.  Non-keratinized tissue is more susceptible to breakdown. It is also a very protected area, NOT reached by brushing or rinsing.

Smokers, diabetics and those taking steroids, oral contraceptives and certain cancer drugs are a higher risk for developing periodontitis.

Alcohol is a drying agent and causes sloughing to occur so as it does the remnant cells are “food sources” for the antigen.   Decay requires a carbohydrate rich environment while PD needs protein. So if we have a diet high in protein and we are not exquisitely diligent on home care the remnant of the protein feeds the antigen reaction.

Since the disease starts between the teeth, it makes sense to start cleaning in between the teeth and than brush.  You can clean this area with interdental brushes, picks, floss, sticks, oral irrigation, and automatic flossers.  remember this disease needs to be treated both in the office and at home.

Gum disease is caused from an immune system that has gone off track and is linked to the causes of heart disease, cancer and diabetes via the immune system pathway.

Stress can cause Periodontal Disease- stress is bad for your teeth.

Psychological stress can lead to elevated plaque levels, while physical stress is linked to gingivitis (gum disease). What’s more, caregivers helping people under these physical and emotional stresses are also at increased risk for gum disease.Experts believe chronic stress may lead to a malfunction of some biological functions. Also, those who are struggling with stress and those who care for them often become depressed and slide on oral hygiene, if not giving up on themselves altogether.

Gum disease leads to more than bleeding gums. It can affect the integrity of your teeth and the bone that supports them. If unchecked, gingivitis can lead to loose and missing teeth. When this happens, teeth can often shift. It can be uncomfortable and painful for your bite (not to mention your smile). Brushing at least twice a day and flossing each night are the first step toward protecting yourself from gum disease. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are also crucial. While these steps can help reduce the risk of stress-related periodontal disease, they don’t resolve the key problem – stress! Exercising and eating right can help, and developing a hobby can be a fantastic release. Talking about it can help as well.

Cigarette Smoking and the Periodontal Patient

Adult smokers are approximately three times as likely as non-smokers to have periodontitis. The association between smoking and attachment loss is even stronger when the definition of periodontitis is restricted to the most severely affected subjects. Smokers have a diminished response to periodontal therapy and show approximately half as much improvement in probing depths and clinical attachment levels following non- surgical and various surgical modalities of therapy. Implant failures in smokers are twice those of non-smokers, with a higher failure rate in the maxillary arch . Tobacco-induced alterations in microbial and host factors contribute to these deleterious effects of smoking on the periodontium. In longitudinal studies, the rate of periodontal disease progression is increased in smokers, but decreases to that of a non-smoker following tobacco cessation. Likewise, recent non- smokers respond to periodontal therapy in a manner similar to patients who have never smoked.  Use the five A’s: ask – identify tobacco users; advise – advise them to quit; assess – evaluate the patient’s readiness to quit; assist – offer assistance in cessation; and arrange – follow up on cessation efforts. The addition of pharmacotherapy to behavioral therapy, including nicotine replacement therapy and bupropion, can increase cessation rates. The most popular form of nicotine replacement therapy is the patch, and its use has been shown to double cessation rates compared to behavioral therapy alone. Use of bupropion in combination with nicotine replacement therapy may be particularly helpful for heavy smokers or smokers who have experienced multiple failed attempts at cessation.

Anger may be a risk factor of gum disease!

Stress is associated with poor oral hygiene, increased glucocorticoid secretion that can depress immune function, increased insulin resistance and potentially increased risk of periodontitis. Methods. The authors examined the association between social support, anger expression and periodontitis in 42,523 male.   Subjects who reported having at least one close friend had a 30 percent lower risk of developing periodontitis. Men who participated in religious meetings or services had a 27 percent lower risk of developing periodontitis. Men who reported being angry on a daily basis had a 43 percent higher risk of developing periodontitis compared with men who reported being angry seldom.

Transmission of Porphyromonas gingivalis and FimA Type in Spouse Relationship Recent findings suggest that the genotype of the fimbriae is one of the important factors in infection by P. gingivalis. The objectives of the present study were to investigate the transmission of P. gingivalis between spouses.  Intrafamilial transmission of infectious bacteria was significantly higher in couples. Conclusion: This study suggests that fimA type II,, may be an important factor in the transmission of P. gingivalis between spouses.

Clinical studies prove

Floss for life

Harvard Medical School researchers studied longevity and found one of the most important contributing factors was daily flossing. Because it removes bacteria from the teeth and gums, flossing helps to prevent periodontal disease and gingivitis. Another study found that men with periodontitis had a whopping 72% greater risk of developing coronary disease. Gingivitis was associated with a 42% increased risk for men.

Added sugars, which are sprinkled on and processed into packaged foods and beverages, have become all too common in the American diet, says the American Heart Association. The group argues that sugar bingeing is helping drive the uptick in metabolic changes in the American population, including the exploding obesity rate, and has now recommended an upper limit on daily consumption. Women should consume no more than 100 calories per day of added sugars, and men should not top 150 calories per day. There goes the soda habit: One 12-ounce can contains about 8 teaspoons or about 33 grams of added sugar, which equals approximately 130 calories, notes the AHA. One gram of sugar serves up 4 calories, according to the American Dietetic Association. Too much sugar causes wrinkles.

With math like that, it’s not surprising that the average American rings up an average of 22.2 teaspoons, or 355 calories per day, of added sugars, mostly from sugar-sweetened beverages. But those who shun sweet-tasting drinks are not off the hook. Part of the challenge of avoiding added sugars, argues the AHA, is that they have become far more prevalent over time; the amount of added sugars in Americans’ food options increased 19 percent between 1970 and 2005.

Here are 11 sneaky dietary sources that are surprisingly high in added sugars. The per-serving figures allow you to calculate your own added sugar intake, both in grams and calories, if you use more or less.

1. Fortune cookies. Just one fortune cookie packs about 3.6 grams of added sugar.

2. Flavored booze. Exercise good judgment when you drink: One ounce of crème de menthe has 14 grams of added sugar; 53-proof coffee-flavored liqueur has 16 grams of added sugar per ounce.

3. Baked beans. A one-cup serving of canned baked beans with no salt added will cost you nearly 15 grams of added sugar.

4. Dried, sweetened cranberries. Without the sweetener, this fruit can be incredibly tart. But one serving-a third of a cup-of this treat will hit you with 25 grams of added sugar.

5. Ketchup. A favorite condiment, a single one-cup serving of regular-or low sodium-ketchup racks up nearly 40 grams of added sugar.

6. Cream substitutes. A one-cup serving of a liquid “light” cream substitute packs 22 grams of added sugar, while a one-cup serving of a powdered “light” cream substitute adds a whopping 69 grams.

7. BBQ sauce. A one-cup serving of this summertime favorite adds 9 grams of added sugar onto those ribs and chicken.

8. “Reduced” salad dressings. A one-cup serving of reduced-calorie French dressing heaps 58 grams of added sugar, and a one-cup serving of reduced-fat coleslaw dressing hits a home run with 103 grams of added sugar.

9. Lemonade. A cup of lemonade powder has a massive 200 grams of added sugar. A single serving of the drink has almost 17 grams of added sugar.

10. Flavored popcorn. Think the added sweetener can’t be that bad here? Fat-free-syrup caramel popcorn has 18 grams of added sugar per ounce serving.

11. Granola bars. Often deemed a healthful snack, some are tricky-a 1-ounce serving of a granola bar with oats, fruit, and nuts has 11 grams of added sugar.

One in three breast cancer patients identified in public screening programs may be treated unnecessarily, a new study says. Karsten Jorgensen and Peter Gotzsche of the Nordic Cochrane Centre in Copenhagen analyzed breast cancer trends at least seven years before and after government-run screening programs for breast cancer started in parts of Australia, Britain, Canada, Norway and Sweden.

The research was published Friday in the BMJ, formerly known as the British Medical Journal. Jorgensen and Gotzsche did not cite any funding for their study.

Once screening programs began, more cases of breast cancer were inevitably picked up, the study showed. If a screening program is working, there should also be a drop in the number of advanced cancer cases detected in older women, since their cancers should theoretically have been caught earlier when they were screened.

However, Jorgensen and Gotzsche found the national breast cancer screening systems, which usually test women aged between 50 and 69, simply reported thousands more cases than previously identified.

Overall, Jorgensen and Gotzsche found that one third of the women identified as having breast cancer didn’t actually need to be treated.

Some cancers never cause symptoms or death, and can grow too slowly to ever affect patients. As it is impossible to distinguish between those and deadly cancers, any identified cancer is treated. But the treatments can have harmful side-effects and be psychologically scarring.

“This information needs to get to women so they can make an informed choice,” Jorgensen said. “There is a significant harm in making women cancer patients without good reason.”

Jorgensen said that for years, women were urged to undergo breast cancer screening without them being informed of the risks involved, such as having to endure unnecessary treatment if a cancer was identified, even if it might never threaten their health.

Doctors and patients have long debated the merits of prostate cancer screening out of similar concerns that it overdiagnoses patients. A study in the Netherlands found that as many as two out of every five men whose prostate cancer was caught through a screening test had tumors too slow-growing to ever be a threat.

“Mammography is one of medicine’s ‘close calls,’ … where different people in the same situation might reasonably make different choices,” wrote H. Gilbert Welch of VA Outcomes Group and the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Research, in an accompanying editorial in the BMJ. “Mammography undoubtedly helps some women but hurts others.”

Experts said overtreatment occurs wherever there is widespread cancer screening, including the U.S.

Britain’s national health system recently ditched its pamphlet inviting women to get screened for breast cancer, after critics complained it did not explain the overtreatment problem.

Laura Bell of Cancer Research UK said Britain’s breast cancer screening program was partly responsible for the country’s reduced breast cancer cases.

“We still urge women to go for screening when invited,” she said, though she acknowledged it was crucial for women to be informed of the potential benefits and harms of screening.

If you get your health guidance from the mainstream media, you’d think the healthiest way to live is to guzzle red wine and drown everything in olive oil.

That’s basically what they’ve told us in recent years. First, it was the “French paradox”–the fact that the French, who generally eat lots of cheese, cream, and butter; drink lots of wine; and smoke like chimneys, are healthier than Americans. Scientists told us it was all in the wine—specifically, in the anthocyanins—the antioxidant flavinoids that gives red grapes their deep color.

Then it was the “Mediterranean diet,” the traditional way of eating in the regions of Italy and Spain, where olive oil is a staple. We learned that olive oil is a good source of essential fatty acids that are processed right out of many Americanized foods.

I’m not discounting the benefits of either of these phyto-chemicals. In fact, in a minute I’ll explain exactly why both are so important to good health. I just question the sources recommended in the headlines. There’s got to be a better way to get these valuable nutrients than guzzling wine and drowning in oil.

As it turns out, there is. I learned about it from HSI panelist Jon Barron. He told me about a single SuperFood from the Amazon, Acai, that, fresh from the tree, can provide over 30 times the amount of anthocyanins as red wine and all the beneficial fatty acids of olive oil in one delicious, all-natural package. And this is just the beginning of Acai’s health benefits. It’s virtually impossible to over-do this food—which is certainly not the case with red wine or olive oil.

With Acai you get the healing power of many phytonutrients in one delicious package. There’s no disputing the health benefits of anthocyanins and essential fatty acids. Both have proven to be powerful nutritional tools in the quest for good health.

Research has shown that plant pigments like anthocyanins are potent antioxidants.

The cardiovascular benefits are the most well known; studies show that anthocyanins can help prevent blood clots, improve blood circulation, relax blood vessels, and prevent arthrosclerosis. But scientists have also uncovered a whole host of other powerful effects from anthocyanins, including antiviral and antiallergenic properties. Some research even suggests that anthocyanins can prevent cancer, by blocking carcinogenesis on a molecular level and encouraging tumor cell death.

Essential fatty acids have proven just as powerful. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 acid, and linoleic acid, a polyunsaturated omega-6 acid, help lower LDL, and maintain healthy HDL levels. They also increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins like vitamins A, E, D, and K, which are essential to good health. Research has even suggested that oleic acid may prevent against cancer and hypertension.

Olive oil may be the best known sources of these nutrients, but it is certainly not the only one. It’s the pigment in red grapes that gives wine its anthocyanins—and that same pigment can also be found in other red and purple fruits and vegetables, such as blueberries, red cabbage, and purple sweet potatoes. Oleic acid is also present in pecans and seed oils, and linoleic acid is found in peanuts.

However, Acai is one food that delivers it all—plus other healthy nutrients like fiber, phytosterols, and vitamins C and E. For centuries, it’s been a staple for people in Brazil, yet virtually unknown to anyone outside the region—until now.

Discover the health secret of generations of Amazonian Indians.

Acai (pronounced ah-sigh-ee), and is the fruit of a palm tree that grows in the rainforests of the Amazon—a tree Brazilians call “The Tree of Life.” About 90 percent of the small, round fruit is its hard, inedible pit—but that’s OK, because it’s the outside skin that holds the treasure. That dark purple skin of the Acai Berry is what contains the anthocyanins.

The natives puree the acai skins, creating a treat that can be served warm as a sauce over fruit or grains or frozen like a sorbet. They’ve been eating acai for centuries, passing down recipes from generation to generation. (The native people have also passed down the story of how acai was discovered.) Because acai fruit itself is perishable, its popularity never spread beyond the region.

SuperFood fights heart disease, cancer, prostate enlargement, and more.

Since then, the news about acai has been steadily spreading—and the evidence of nutritional and health benefits just keep piling up. Consider this: a 100-gram serving of acai contains only 90 calories, just two grams of fat and no cholesterol. Plus, it delivers 3.5 grams of dietary fiber, something we could all use more of in our diets. Improved processing of the fresh fruit is making it possible to preserve more of the fruit’s healthful attributes. Currently, the acai puree provides more anthocyanins than red wine and acai has antioxidant concentrations that well outweigh blueberries.

Subsequent research has shown that in addition to the anthocyanins and essential fatty acids, acai also contains a healthy dose of plant sterols, another class of phyto-chemicals that have been shown to reduce cholesterol, protect the immune system, and relieve prostate enlargement. In fact, it turns out acai is in the same family as saw palmetto, a common herbal treatment for prostate enlargement. And researchers at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro have discovered that acai extract can be used to fight infection, like the parasitic infection schistosomosis which affects 10 million Brazilians each year and the common bacterial infection staphylococcus aureus.

It seems there’s no end to the Acai miracle fruit’s health benefits.

Several population studies conducted in China centered on garlic consumption and cancer risk. In one study, investigators found that frequent consumption of garlic and various types of onions and chives was associated with reduced risk of esophageal and stomach cancers, with greater risk reductions seen for higher levels of consumption. Similarly, in another study, the consumption of allium vegetables, especially garlic and onions, was linked to a reduced risk of stomach cancer. In a third study, greater intake of allium vegetables (more than 10 g per day vs. less than 2.2 g per day), particularly garlic and scallions, was associated with an approximately 50 percent reduction in prostate cancer risk.

Evidence also suggests that increased garlic consumption may reduce pancreatic cancer risk. A study conducted in the San Francisco Bay area found that pancreatic cancer risk was 54 percent lower in people who ate larger amounts of garlic compared with those who ate lower amounts.

In addition, a study in France found that increased garlic consumption was associated with a statistically significant reduction in breast cancer risk. After considering total calorie intake and other established risk factors, breast cancer risk was reduced in those consuming greater amounts of fiber, garlic, and onions.

HOW MUCH GARLIC TO TAKE?

How much garlic may be useful for cancer prevention?

1. The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, does not recommend any dietary supplement for the prevention of cancer, but recognizes garlic as one of several vegetables with potential anticancer properties. Because Furthermore, the active compounds present in garlic may lose their effectiveness with time, handling, and processing.
2. The World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for general health promotion for adults is a daily dose of 2 to 5 g of fresh garlic (approximately one clove), 0.4 to 1.2 g of dried garlic powder, 2 to 5 mg of garlic oil, 300 to 1,000 mg of garlic extract, or other formulations that are equal to 2 to 5 mg of allicin.

A Swiss study shows what past research has also concluded — that women are more likely than men to develop lung cancer as a result of smoking.

After studying 683 lung cancer patients over five years, the study showed that women were more likely to develop a adenocarcinoma, a common form of the disease. They were also apt to be diagnosed earlier and smoke fewer cigarettes than their male counterparts.

“Our findings suggest that women may have an increased susceptibility to tobacco carcinogens,” the lead researcher assessed.

American scientists have previously maintained that women are more likely to have a gene that promotes lung cancer growth.

This new research was presented over the weekend at a cancer conference in Switzerland. Co-chair of the event, Dr Enriqueta Felip, agreed that there is increasing evidence that women are more likely to suffer the long-term effects of smoking.

“In the early 1900s lung cancer was reported to be rare in women. But since the 1960s it has progressively reached epidemic proportions, becoming the leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United States,” she said.

She also said an area of concern is that women are probably more aware of other cancers, such as breast cancer.

I think it would be easy to look at this kind of scientific research, as well as bans on public smoking and increasing taxes on cigarettes, and cry out that it is unfair and all a big infringement. But really, I think it is all more information to add to the file labeled “Why women need to be taking better care of their bodies.”

Whether it is equitable or easy or not, these are all just more reasons for women to find a way to be done smoking. For good.

The largest study of its kind finds that older Americans who eat large amounts of red meat and processed meats face a greater risk of death from heart disease and cancer. The federal study of more than half a million men and women bolsters prior evidence of the health risks of diets laden with red meat like hamburger and processed meats like hot dogs, bacon and cold cuts.

Calling the increased risk modest, lead author Rashmi Sinha of the National Cancer Institute said the findings support the advice of several health groups to limit red and processed meat intake to decrease cancer risk.

The findings appear in Monday’s Archives of Internal Medicine.

Over 10 years, eating the equivalent of a quarter-pound hamburger daily gave men in the study a 22 percent higher risk of dying of cancer and a 27 percent higher risk of dying of heart disease. That’s compared to those who ate the least red meat, just 5 ounces per week.

Women who ate large amounts of red meat had a 20 percent higher risk of dying of cancer and a 50 percent higher risk of dying of heart disease than women who ate less.

For processed meats, the increased risks for large quantities were slightly lower overall than for red meat. The researchers compared deaths in the people with the highest intakes to deaths in people with the lowest to calculate the increased risk.

People whose diets contained more white meat like chicken and fish had lower risks of death.

The researchers surveyed more than 545,000 people, ages 50 to 71 years old, on their eating habits, then followed them for 10 years. There were more than 70,000 deaths during that time.

Study subjects were recruited from AARP members, a group that’s healthier than other similarly aged Americans. That means the findings may not apply to all groups, Sinha said. The study relied on people’s memory of what they ate, which can be faulty.

In the analysis, the researchers took into account other risk factors such as smoking, family history of cancer and high body mass index.

In an accompanying editorial, Barry Popkin, director of the Interdisciplinary Obesity Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, wrote that reducing meat intake would have benefits beyond improved health.

Livestock increase greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming, he wrote, and nations should reevaluate farm subsidies that distort prices and encourage meat-based diets.

“We’ve promoted a diet that has added excessively to global warming,” Popkin said in an interview.

Successfully shifting away from red meat can be as easy as increasing fruits and vegetables in the diet, said Elisabetta Politi of the Duke Diet and Fitness Center in Durham, N.C.

“I’m not saying everybody should turn into vegetarians,” Politi said. “Meat should be a supporting actor on the plate, not the main character.”

The National Pork Board and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association questioned the findings.

Dietitian Ceci Snyder said in a statement for the pork board that the study “attempts to indict all red meat consumption by looking at extremes in meat consumption, as opposed to what most Americans eat.”

Lean meat as part of a balanced diet can prevent chronic disease, along with exercise and avoiding smoking, said Shalene McNeill, dietitian for the beef group.

It just seems too good to be true. Study after research study consistently promoting the endless benefits of exercise. Couch potatoes everywhere are waiting for the other shoe to drop, telling us that all of those scientists were wrong and we should remain as sedentary as possible.

Yet four additional studies released recently each give the same prescription for improving some aspect of your health: exercise.

They add to recent evidence that regular workouts can improve old brains, raise kids’ academic performance and give a brain boost to everyone in between.

Better bones

One study illustrates the effect of exercise on preventing or limiting osteoporosis, which affects more than 200 million people worldwide. Researchers at the University of Missouri found that while both resistance training (lifting weights) and high impact exercise (running) both help build needed bone mineral density (BMD), running is the better choice.

“Exercise programs to increase bone strength should be designed using what is known about how bones respond to exercise,” said Pam Hinton, associate professor and lead author. “Only the skeletal sites that experience increased stress from exercise will become stronger. High-impact, dynamic, multi-directional activities result in greater gains in bone strength.”

The study was published in the February issue of the Journal of Strength Conditioning.

Less pain

In a related study, exercise seemed to be one of the few successful remedies for those that suffer from low-back pain. In the February issue of the Spine Journal, University of Washington physicians summarized 20 different clinical trials that promoted different solutions to alleviating pain.

“Strong and consistent evidence finds many popular prevention methods to fail while exercise has a significant impact, both in terms of preventing symptoms and reducing back pain-related work loss,” said Dr. Stanley J. Bigos, professor emeritus of orthopaedic surgery and environmental health. “Passive interventions such as lumbar belts and shoe inserts do not appear to work.”

Better eye health

Also, vigorous exercise has now been linked with significantly reduced onset of cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. In the study, detailed in Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, researchers reviewed the eye health of 41,000 runners over seven years and found that both men and women had significantly lower rates of these two diseases than the general public.

Men who logged more than 5.7 miles per day had a 35 percent lower risk than those that ran less than 1.4 miles per day. While the correlation is strong, the reason is not clear.

“We know some of the physiological benefits of exercise, and we know about the physiological background of these diseases, so we need to better understand where there’s an overlap,” said Paul Williams, an epidemiologist in the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Life Sciences Division.

Cancer prevention

Each year in the U.S., more 100,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer. To see what effect exercise has on lowering this rate, researchers at Washington University and Harvard University combined to review 52 studies over the last 25 years which linked exercise and the incidence of cancer. Overall, they found that those that exercised the most (5-6 hours of brisk walking per week) were 24 percent less likely to develop the disease than those that exercised the least (less than 30 minutes per week).

“The beneficial effect of exercise holds across all sorts of activities,” said lead study author Kathleen Y. Wolin, Sc.D. of Washington University. “And it holds for both men and women. There is an ever-growing body of evidence that the behavior choices we make affect our cancer risk. Physical activity is at the top of the list of ways that you can reduce your risk of colon cancer.”

So, are there any studies out there that link exercise with a negative outcome?

In a recent study published in the journal Obesity, Dolores Albarracín, professor of psychology at the University of Illinois, did find that people who are shown posters with messages like “join a gym” or “take a walk” actually ate more after viewing these messages than those that saw messages like “make friends.”

“Viewers of the exercise messages ate significantly more (than their peers, who viewed other types of messages),” Albarracín said. “They ate one-third more when exposed to the exercise ads.”