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<channel>
	<title>Al Sears, MD Natural Remedies &#187; Dr. Al Sears</title>
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	<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com</link>
	<description></description>
	<lastBuildDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:21:53 +0000</lastBuildDate>
	
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		<item>
		<title>Two Things You Need to Be Beautiful</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/two-things-you-need-to-be-beautiful/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/two-things-you-need-to-be-beautiful/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:56:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Anti-Aging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CoQ-Tone]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CoQ10]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hyaluronic acid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[skin care]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[younger skin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2757</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Your skin needs two things to be beautiful:

   1. Water, and...
   2. Good nutrition

But there’s a problem. As you age, your skin loses the ability to hold water and take in nutrients. That leads to dry, sagging skin.

Here’s the good news:

You simply need an effective way to keep water in your cells and get more of the nutrients you need.

Here at my clinic, I use a rejuvenating formula that restores youthful skin, without the chemicals that pollute your skin.

Here’s how it works: ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>Your  skin needs two things to be beautiful:</p>
<ol>
<li> Water, and&#8230;</li>
<li> Good nutrition </li>
</ol>
<p>But  there’s a problem. As you age, your skin loses the ability to hold water and  take in nutrients. That leads to dry, sagging skin.</p>
<p>Here’s  the good news:</p>
<p>You  simply need an effective way to keep water in your cells and get more of the  nutrients you need.</p>
<p>Here  at my clinic, I use a rejuvenating formula that restores youthful skin, without  the chemicals that pollute your skin.</p>
<p>Here’s  how it works:</p>
<p><strong>Step 1 is protecting your skin from the sun, pollution, free  radicals, and the destructive effects of aging. </strong></p>
<p>When  you were younger, it was much easier. Your skin had a natural resilience that  kept you looking your best.</p>
<p>There  are nutrients in your skin that protect cells from damage. One of the best is  CoQ10. Turns out it’s not just good for heart health. You can use CoQ10 on your  skin for a beautiful complexion.</p>
<p>CoQ10  helps your face look younger by restoring youthful energy levels inside the  cell, and protecting against future damage.</p>
<p>In  one study titled, “The Importance of CoQ10 for Anti-Aging Skin Care,” researchers  showed how CoQ10 keeps older cells functioning more like younger cells. Their  discovery was published in the medical journal <em>Biofactors</em>.1</p>
<p>Having  younger cells means you look younger. But when your face isn’t protected, you  start looking old before your time.</p>
<p>The  sun, pollution, a poor diet, and other toxins in your environment attack your  face in the form of “oxidative stress,” or “free radical attack.” Free radicals  are electrons that break away and attack healthy cells.</p>
<p>And  here’s the thing…</p>
<p>Free  radicals hit each cell in your face 10,000 times a day. Now multiply that by  the billions of cells in your face, and you can imagine what you’re up against.</p>
<p>Apply  CoQ10, and the cells in your skin stay younger longer.</p>
<p>Cell  line studies support it. A team of researchers in Japan found CoQ10 protected  skin cells from death caused by oxidative stress.<sub>2</sub></p>
<p>That  means you have an effective way to look more vibrant and prevent future damage.  It all boils down to giving your face the nutrients it needs to stay looking  young.</p>
<p>But  there’s more to CoQ10… it helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, too.</p>
<p>Another  team of scientists discovered CoQ10 decreases the appearance of wrinkle depth.  So, instead of deep grooves in your face, CoQ10 helps make those wrinkles  appear shallow and less noticeable.<sub>3</sub></p>
<p><strong>Step 2 for younger, more beautiful skin is</strong><em><strong> water.</strong></em></p>
<p>When  your skin cells have enough water, they hold their shape. That means your skin  feels taut and elastic.</p>
<p>The  key is water… or more importantly, the nutrient that helps <strong><em>attract and retain water.</em></strong></p>
<p>I’m  talking about <em>hyaluronic  acid (HA)</em>.</p>
<p>Found  in every tissue of your body, HA can hold 1,000 times its own weight in water.  In your face, HA is essential. You find it in the gel-like matrix just below  the surface of your skin. It surrounds the collagen fibers that give your face  its shape.</p>
<p>When  you’re young, levels of HA are high. And all the extra water gives your face  that clean, firm shape.</p>
<p>But,  like CoQ10 and other nutrients, levels of HA start to drop off as you get older.  And the loss of HA makes your skin appear dry and wrinkly&#8230; even saggy and  droopy.</p>
<p>HA  puts back the water you lose with age.<sub>4</sub> And that helps restore  the tight, elastic shape you remember from your college days.</p>
<p>When  you retain enough moisture and give your skin the nutrients it needs, <strong><em>college-age skin returns. </em></strong></p>
<p>I’ve  prepared a special formula to do exactly that for you. I’ve managed to put both  CoQ10 and HA into a toner you apply directly to your face daily.</p>
<p>Simply  wash your face and apply <strong><em>CoQ-Tone</em></strong> with a cotton ball or pad. That’s it.</p>
<p>You’ll  start to see –<em> and feel</em> – the difference right away.</p>
<p>Unlike  other toners, <strong><em>CoQ-Tone</em></strong> won’t dry your skin. It never feels greasy or oily, and it’s safe enough to use  on very sensitive skin. It’s so gentle you can use it after you’ve had a  facial, peel, or microdermabrasion.</p>
<p>Every  morning, you’ll notice:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Better, brighter complexion </li>
<li>The appearance of more even color and better tone </li>
<li>No irritation or burning </li>
<li>Soothing, moisturizing quality with a smooth surface feel </li>
<li>Reduction in the appearance of blemishes </li>
<li>Smaller, tighter pores </li>
<li>Tight, elastic skin </li>
</ul>
<p>And  you’ll look great.</p>
<p>Water  and good nutrition means <em>younger,  more beautiful appearing skin.</em></p>
<p>Until  now <strong><em>CoQ-Tone</em></strong> was only available to my patients.</p>
<p>I  want you to feel this for yourself.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=132773&amp;AdID=485201">Click here and get your <strong><em>CoQ-Tone</em></strong> right NOW.</a></p>
<p>To  Your Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al Sears, MD</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Prahl S, et al.  “Importance of CoQ10 for Anti-Aging Skin Care.” Biofactors.  2008;32(1-4):245:55.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Muta-Takada K, et al. “CoQ10 Protects Against Oxidative Stress-Induced Cell  Death.” Biofactors. 2009. Sep-Oct;35(5):435-41.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Hoppe U, et al. “CoQ10, A Cutaneous Antioxidant and Energizer.” Biofactors.  1999;9(2-4):371-8.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Price RD, Berry MG, Navsaria HA. “Hyaluronic Acid: The Scientific and  Clinical Evidence.” J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg. 2007 Apr 25. </span></li>
</ol>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>A Teaspoon for a Lifetime</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/iodine-deficiency-a-teaspoon-for-a-lifetime/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/iodine-deficiency-a-teaspoon-for-a-lifetime/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:23:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chronic fatigue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[iodine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supplement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[thyroid]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2754</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Remember the red stuff your mom put on cuts and scrapes?

It contained iodine, a mineral that kills germs. But iodine is more than just an antiseptic you put on your skin. It’s a trace element essential for life. A teaspoon is all you need in a lifetime, but most people in the U.S. are deficient.

The tragedy is that many doctors don’t recognize iodine’s role in disease. You may suffer from chronic fatigue and hear “there’s no cure.” Your cholesterol or blood pressure is too high, and nothing short of drugs brings it down. Or the doctor tells you the cysts in your breasts or ovaries lead to cancer.

You may have one of these things as a result of a simple iodine deficiency. ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>Remember  the red stuff your mom put on cuts and scrapes?</p>
<p>It  contained iodine, a mineral that kills germs. But iodine is more than just an  antiseptic you put on your skin. It’s a trace element <em>essential for life</em>. A  teaspoon is all you need in a lifetime, but most people in the U.S. are  deficient.</p>
<p>The  tragedy is that many doctors don’t recognize iodine’s role in disease. You may  suffer from chronic fatigue and hear “there’s no cure.” Your cholesterol or  blood pressure is too high, and nothing short of drugs brings it down. Or the  doctor tells you the cysts in your breasts or ovaries lead to cancer.</p>
<p>You  may have one of these things as a result of a simple iodine deficiency.</p>
<p>Almost  2 billion people in the world don’t get enough, and over 50 million people have  brain damage caused by iodine deficiency. It’s the most preventable kind of  brain damage in infants and children, yet 36.5% of school age children are  deficient.<sub>1,2</sub></p>
<p>Brain  damage also affects adults. Even a small deficiency can lower your I.Q. by 15  points.<sub>3</sub> It may be the deciding factor whether you can get a job and keep  it.</p>
<p>Our  ancestors didn’t have this problem. In ancient times, the water and soil were  rich with minerals. Plants absorbed the iodine. Animals ate the plants. Man  hunted, fished, and gathered the animals and plants.</p>
<p>But  today, our modern day diet consists of foods grown by commercial farming  corporations on depleted soil. Our water is polluted. We suffer the  consequences.</p>
<p>We  have to find a way to mimic the environment of our ancestors and find good  sources of iodine.</p>
<p>Iodine  helps prevent oxidative stress that leads to chronic diseases such as  atherosclerosis, diabetes, or arthritis.<sub>4</sub> It’s also critical for  thyroid function. When your thyroid doesn’t work well, you can develop heart  disease. Your cholesterol goes up, and you can have a heart attack.</p>
<p>You  also need it for metabolism – to convert your food to energy. If you don’t have  enough iodine to keep your thyroid healthy, you get sluggish and store fat on  your body. You may also develop symptoms like fatigue, depression, and weight  gain.</p>
<p>That’s not all. When you’re short on iodine, a lot of other things can go  wrong:<sub>5,6</sub></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li><strong>Breasts:</strong> A lot of iodine is concentrated in breast       tissue. When you don’t have enough, you can develop fibrocystic breast       disease. Up to 93% of American women have it. This is when your breasts       become very painful and have nodules and cysts in them. The longer you       have this disease, the higher potential for breast cancer. </li>
<li><strong>Skin:</strong> 20% of iodine is stored in the skin. Most       in the sweat glands. If you don’t have enough iodine, you get dry skin. </li>
<li><strong>Digestion:</strong> Iodine is concentrated in the stomach.       When you don’t have enough, you develop a condition that feels like you       have too much stomach acid. But it’s just the opposite… you don’t have       enough. If it goes on long enough, it can develop into stomach cancer. </li>
<li><strong>Eyes:</strong> Tear glands in your eyes contain large       amounts of iodine. Lack of iodine can cause dry eyes. </li>
<li><strong>Mouth:</strong> Salivary glands in your mouth contain       large amounts of iodine. Lack of iodine can cause dry mouth. </li>
<li><strong>Ovaries:</strong> Iodine is concentrated in the ovaries.       Women who lack iodine develop cysts. The greater deficiency, the more       cysts. It can also lead to a disease called polycystic ovarian disease. </li>
</ul>
<p>You  can avoid these problems if you pay attention to your intake of iodine. The  current suggested daily dose of 0.15 mg per day of iodine is too low. It  doesn’t take into account all the organs of the body that need it to stay  healthy. I suggest 12.5 mg up to 50 mg of iodine per day from natural sources  to support better health. Here is a list of foods that contain iodine:</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="86%" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<h3><strong>Food</strong></h3>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<h3><strong>Serving</strong></h3>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<h3><strong>Iodine (mcg)</strong></h3>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Salt (iodized)</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>1 gram</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>77</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Cod</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>3 ounces</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>99</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Shrimp</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>3 ounces</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>35</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Fish sticks</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>2 fish sticks</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>35</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Tuna, canned in oil</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>3 ounces (1/2 can)</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>17</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Milk (cow&#8217;s)</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>1 cup (8 fluid ounces)</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>56</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Egg, boiled</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>1 large</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>12</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Navy beans, cooked</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>1/2 cup</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>32</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Potato with peel, baked</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>1 medium</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>60</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Turkey breast, baked</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>3 ounces</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>34</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="38%" valign="top">
<p><strong>Seaweed</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="35%" valign="top">
<p>1/4 ounce, dried</p>
</td>
<td width="27%" valign="top">
<p>May be greater than</p>
<p>4,500 mcg (4.5 mg)</p>
<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>If  you find you need more support, check to see if your daily supplement contains  iodine. If it doesn’t, take a trip to your local vitamin shop and ask for an  iodine supplement or kelp.</p>
<p>It’s  always best to talk to your doctor first. If you have symptoms of iodine  deficiency, your doctor can take a simple test to determine your level.</p>
<p>To Your Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al  Sears, MD</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Andersson M, Takkouche B, Egli I, Allen HE, de Benoist B. “Current global  iodine status and progress over the last decade towards the elimination of  iodine deficiency.” Bull World Health Organ. 2005;83(7):518-525. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">World Health Organization. “Eliminating Iodine Deficiency Disorders.” <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.who.int/features/qa/17/en/">http://www.who.int/features/qa/17/en/</a></span> (Accessed 02 2010). </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ibid. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Winkler, R, Griebenow, S, Wonisch W. “Effect of iodide on total antioxidant  status of human serum.” Cell Biochem Funct. 2000;18:143-6. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Abraham, Guy. “Iodine, the Universal Nutrient.” <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=1781">http://www.vrp.com/articles.aspx?ProdID=1781</a>.  (Accessed 02 2010).</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Abraham, Guy. “The Concept of Orthoiodosupplementation and Its Clinical  Implications” <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-06/IOD_06.htm">http://www.optimox.com/pics/Iodine/IOD-06/IOD_06.htm</a>.  (Accessed 02 2010). </span></li>
</ol>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>What You Need First After Exercising</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/protein-after-exercise/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/protein-after-exercise/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 09 Mar 2010 14:21:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[exercise]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PACE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PACE Refuel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protein]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ribose]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2739</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Do you dread those everyday aches and pains so much that it keeps you from exercising in the first place?

You don’t have to let those aches and pains stop you anymore.

It’s possible to eliminate muscle aches and stiffness immediately after working out. And you can help rebuild your muscles at the same time.

What you have to do is immediately put back things you use up during exercise. This means carbohydrates and proteins...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear  Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>Do  you dread those everyday aches and pains so much that it keeps you from  exercising in the first place?</p>
<p>You don’t have to let those aches and pains stop you anymore.</p>
<p>It’s possible to eliminate muscle aches and stiffness immediately after working  out. And you can help rebuild your muscles at the same time.</p>
<p>What you have to do is immediately put back things you use up during exercise.  This means carbohydrates and proteins.</p>
<p>The  carbohydrate you burn in muscle is ribose. Ribose is a sugar that you use to  make ATP – the major source of energy for your muscle cells. The amount of  ribose regulates the production of ATP. It speeds up energy recovery in your  skeletal muscle, which helps you work out longer, build muscle faster, and have  energy to do more.</p>
<p>But  it can do a lot more. Ribose can also help treat heart disease, congestive  heart failure, and fibromyalgia. It also helps with several types of muscular  dystrophy and other neuromuscular diseases.</p>
<p>Ribose is the “secret” weapon the world’s top athletes use to combat muscle  fatigue and dramatically boost their recovery time.</p>
<p>I  say “secret” because few people know about it. Ribose is not available by  prescription, so there is little money to be made from it. So there has been a  predictable lack of “excitement” about it from the mainstream medical  community, including most doctors.</p>
<p>The  real truth is that boosting your ribose and protein will help rebuild your  muscles after a strenuous workout and help you avoid the aches, pains, and  stiffness you may often feel later.</p>
<p>It’s  very important for you to replenish these sugars as soon as possible after  working out.</p>
<p>But  you can’t find ribose in any of the “energy” drinks or “recovery” drinks out  there. That’s why I developed PACE Refuel.</p>
<p>PACE Refuel is packed with protein and ribose. It’s the perfect complement to  my PACE workout program.</p>
<p>All you need to do is mix one scoop with 4 oz. of water and drink immediately  after your workout to feel your body refuel. Your muscle aches and stiffness  will soon be a thing of the past.</p>
<p>Even if you’re just coming back from an after-dinner walk, PACE Refuel  stimulates new muscle growth and helps ease the aches and pains of your daily  routine.</p>
<p>I  want you to try this for yourself. I’ve seen it help my patients, and I think  it can help you too.</p>
<p>To  get your own personal bottle, <strong><a href="http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=95874&amp;AdID=484517" target="_blank">click here now</a></strong>.</p>
<p>To Your  Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al  Sears, MD</p>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Waiting to Exhale</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/yoga-breathing-waiting-to-exhale/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/yoga-breathing-waiting-to-exhale/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:19:35 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Fitness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[breathing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inflammation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lungs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[PACE]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[yoga]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2731</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ On my last trip to India, I met a yoga teacher at the center where I stayed. Every morning we’d wake before dawn. As we watched the sunrise over the mountain, he taught me how to breathe.

Yoga breathing balances your parasympathetic nervous system. This is your “rest and digest” system. It’s what makes you relax and recuperate. These days, we’re so over-stimulated, we’re always in a state of “fight or flight” (your sympathetic nervous system). Too much stimulation leads to an over dominance of sympathetic tone.

Breathing can change that...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>On  my last trip to India, I met a yoga teacher at the center where I stayed. Every  morning we’d wake before dawn. As we watched the sunrise over the mountain, he  taught me how to breathe.</p>
<p>Yoga  breathing balances your parasympathetic nervous system. This is your “rest and  digest” system. It’s what makes you relax and recuperate. These days, we’re so  over-stimulated, we’re always in a state of “fight or flight” (your sympathetic  nervous system). Too much stimulation leads to an over dominance of sympathetic  tone.</p>
<p>Breathing can change that.</p>
<p>Recently, I read a comparison between beginning yoga students and expert  students. The expert yoga students had up to five times less inflammation than  the beginners.<sub>1</sub></p>
<p>Inflammation is triggered when the lining of your blood vessels is irritated or  injured. It’s a major cause of chronic disease. You get inflammation from  day-to-day stress. You also get it from a typical American diet. Junk food,  fast food, processed food, and non-organic, hormone-injected, commercially  farmed food stress you out from the inside.</p>
<p>My yoga experience taught me you don’t have to twist yourself into a pretzel.  And that you can gain the benefits of yoga breathing even while doing pushups,  jumping jacks, and any form of intense exertion.</p>
<p>When you control your breathing, it builds your lungs. When you exhale, it  calms your mind and helps stress go away.</p>
<p>I designed my fitness program to do the same.</p>
<p>PACE concentrates on how to control your breath. It intensifies your lung power  while it gets you in shape. When you’re conscious of your breathing, it  relieves stress just like yoga does. You get the same inflammation-fighting  power.</p>
<p>It’s a little-known fact that your lungs determine whether you live or die.  Doctors involved in the Framingham Heart Study discovered that lung health  predicts how long a person will live – even before they develop a serious  disease.<sub>2,3</sub></p>
<p>While you’re doing any high-intensity exercise or activity, take control of  your breath. When you inhale, do it fully. Fill your lungs. Then exhale fully.  Then, as your breath gets faster and shallower, focus your awareness on it.  Feel it bringing vital life to your body. Feel your lungs become stronger.</p>
<p>Once you stop your activity, you may even break into a pant. Be aware of it.  Allow it to happen. Then at the first possible moment, control your breathing  and bring it back to deep breaths, in and out. Fill your lungs fully, and empty  them until there’s no more air.</p>
<p>This is the same technique as yoga.</p>
<p>But you don’t need to exercise in order to benefit. Here’s a breathing exercise  you can do right now, wherever you are.</p>
<p><strong>Step 1:</strong> Begin by exhaling completely. Force out every drop.</p>
<p><strong>Step 2:</strong> Inhale deeply for at least a slow count of 4. Fill your lungs until you can’t  inhale any more.</p>
<p><strong>Step 3:</strong> Hold your breath for at least a slow count of 7. Anticipating the exhalation  like this creates a calming and rebalancing effect.</p>
<p><strong>Step 4: </strong>Now  exhale for at least a slow count of 8. Empty your lungs fully, then force out  any remaining air. This is the part we usually forget, but it’s the most  crucial. As you exhale, you will feel yourself relax.</p>
<p>Do this 5 to 10 times, and you’ll be amazed how it drops your pulse rate,  lowers your blood pressure, and calms your mind.</p>
<p>To  Your Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al Sears, MD</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kiecolt-Glaser, J. ,  Christian, L. , Preston H., et al. “Stress, Inflammation, and Yoga Practice”  Psychosom Med 2010, doi:10.1097/PSY.0b013e3181cb9377 Published online before  print January 11, 2010</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Miller, JA.”Making Old Age Measure Up.” Aging. Vol. 2, Art. 12. Boca Raton,  FL.: Social Issues Resource Series, Inc., 1981</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Shunemann, H., Dorn, J., et al. “Pulmonary Function Is a Long-term Predictor  of Mortality in the General Population” Chest. 2000.;118(3);656-664. </span></li>
</ol>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Did You See This in TIME?</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/did-you-see-this-in-time/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/did-you-see-this-in-time/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:20:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Anti-Aging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DNA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[DVD]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Nobel Prize]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[TA-65]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telomeres]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Time]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2723</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Did you see the recent cover of TIME magazine?

In a special issue on aging, TIME featured the Nobel Prize winning breakthrough on telomere research.

In the article, Scientists Get Closer to Understanding Why We Age, they confirmed that telomeres “are the closest we may come to identifying a biological clock – and our best bet for learning how to stop or turn back that clock.”1

If you’re a regular reader, you’ll know telomeres are the part of your chromosome that gets smaller as you age. When the telomere runs out, cell division stops, and life comes to an end.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>Did  you see the recent cover of <em>TIME</em> magazine?</p>
<p>In  a special issue on aging, <em>TIME</em> featured the Nobel Prize winning breakthrough on telomere research.</p>
<p>In  the article, <strong><em>Scientists  Get Closer to Understanding Why We Age</em></strong>, they confirmed that  telomeres <em>“are the closest  we may come to identifying a biological clock – and our best bet for learning  how to stop or turn back that clock.”</em><sub>1</sub></p>
<p>If  you’re a regular reader, you’ll know telomeres are the part of your chromosome  that gets smaller as you age. When the telomere runs out, cell division stops,  and life comes to an end.</p>
<p>But  here’s the deal: There are simple ways to stop the loss of the telomere. You  don’t have to wait for a new drug to benefit from this breakthrough.</p>
<p>During  my conference on the telomere and aging, I revealed these simple steps you can  take to ensure a long “health span” and fight off chronic diseases like cancer.</p>
<p>You  can find out more below…</p>
<ol>
<li> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Harrel E. “Scientists  Get Closer to Understanding Why We Age,” <em>TIME</em>,  Feb 15, 2010. </span></li>
</ol>
<hr />
<p>There’s  a hidden switch in every cell of your body. It controls how long you live&#8230;  and when you die.</p>
<p>It  has the power to extend life – maybe indefinitely.</p>
<p>Most  doctors have never heard of it.</p>
<p>A  group of scientists stumbled upon it just 10 years ago. They watched in awe as  generation after generation of cells multiplied… without aging.</p>
<p>As  one top researcher put it in a Harvard report,<em> “With this switch turned on, these cells become  ‘immortalized.’”</em><sub>1</sub></p>
<p>Until  very recently, we didn’t know how to activate it. Today we do.</p>
<p>We’ve  uncovered the very mechanism by which you age. And we’ve found a simple  compound that flips that switch.</p>
<p>For  the first time ever, you can affect that process.</p>
<p>You’ll  be in the front row as my team of leading anti-aging experts and I walk you  through the process in my brand-new DVD.</p>
<p>It’s  called TA-65. Simply put, it’s the greatest breakthrough in the history of  anti-aging medicine.</p>
<p>Recently,  a select group flew in    across the country to hear about the new TA-65  science.</p>
<p>At  $500 a ticket, it was a pretty exclusive event. That’s why I hired a video  production crew to film it. We wanted to make this something you could  experience at home.</p>
<p>When  you play the DVD, you’ll have the secrets behind TA-65’s rejuvenating power.  And I’ll show you 6 simple steps to activate your anti-aging gene – right away.</p>
<p>You’ll  also hear    people whose immortality gene is already “switched on.”</p>
<p>In  fact, my colleagues and I are personally undergoing this historic anti-aging  treatment ourselves. We’ll share with you the changes they’ve seen in a matter  of months,    sharper vision to enhanced mental powers.</p>
<p>You’ll  hear about people like Bob Hayes. At 82 he regularly runs 50-mile races – and  bests competitors half his age.</p>
<p>Or  Helen Klein. She just broke the world record for marathoners aged 85-90 – by  over an hour.</p>
<p>TA-65’s  power lies in a genetic structure called the telomere. It’s the mechanism that  controls aging. It’s also the key to total health.</p>
<p>What  are your telomeres? They’re protective tips that cap the ends of your DNA.</p>
<p>Each  time your cells divide, your telomeres get shorter. When your telomeres run  down, cell division stops and your life ends.</p>
<p>For  the first time in history, we can influence – and even slow – this process.</p>
<p>The  secret lies in an enzyme called telomerase. Telomerase makes your telomeres  longer. That means your cells actually get younger as time goes by.</p>
<p>Simply  put, telomerase turns back the hands of time. It’s in every cell of your body,  but it’s turned off. TA-65 switches it back on.</p>
<p>It’s  not just your lifespan we’re talking about here. Telomeres are dramatic  indicators of your overall health.</p>
<p>Here’s  some of the evidence:</p>
<ul>
<li> <strong>Aging/Los Angeles  Times:</strong><sub>2</sub></li>
</ul>
<p>Your risk of heart attack increases the faster your telomeres break down.  Scientists looked at people in perfect health… who later died of  heart  disease. They found the death rate due to heart attack was three times higher for  men whose telomeres got short the fastest. The death rate for women was 2.3  times higher. (2009)</p>
<ul>
<li> <strong>Journals of  Gerontology:</strong><sub>3</sub></li>
</ul>
<p>100-year-olds in good health had “significantly longer” telomeres than those  with health problems. (2008)</p>
<ul>
<li> <strong>American Heart  Association:</strong><sub>4</sub></li>
</ul>
<p>People with shorter telomeres in their immune cells had twice the risk of death    heart failure as patients with the longest telomeres. The study, published  in one of its key journals, looked at over 750 people with heart disease. The  highest-risk group had telomeres half the length of the lowest-risk group.  (2008)</p>
<ul>
<li> <strong>Psychosomatic  Medicine:</strong><sub>5</sub></li>
</ul>
<p>Women with shorter telomeres are more likely to be overweight and  insulin-resistant. (2008)</p>
<ul>
<li> <strong>American Association  for Cancer Research:</strong><sub>6</sub></li>
</ul>
<p>One of its flagship journals published a potential link between telomere length  and colon cancer. (2006)</p>
<ul>
<li> <strong>Proceedings of the  National Academy of Sciences:</strong><sub>7</sub></li>
</ul>
<p>People with short telomeres are more likely to suffer weaker immune  systems and greater heart disease risk. (2004)</p>
<p>And  the prestigious journal <em>Lancet </em>backed up my 6 steps to switch on your immortality gene.<sub>8</sub></p>
<p>It  came    a study led by Dr. Dean Ornish. He found that the same lifestyle  changes you’ll find in my TA-65 DVD can boost your telomerase levels by 29  percent.</p>
<p>You  can see just how important your “immortality gene” is to your life and health.  You really can “switch it on.”</p>
<p>Find  out what you can do to start “growing younger” right in your own home.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=89261&amp;AdID=483607" target="_blank"><strong>I recommend you pick up your copy today.</strong></a></p>
<p>To  Your Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1028" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al Sears, MD</p>
<hr size="2" />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reekie, Yvonna. “Telomeres Affected by Genetic and Nongenetic Factors.”  Research Brief. fr. Focus Online: News    Harvard Medical, Dental, and Public  Health Schools.” June 20, 2008. <a href="http://www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=5216&amp;Section=AGING">www.lef.org/news/LefDailyNews.htm?NewsID=5216&amp;Section=AGING</a></span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Fr. unpublished report in Aging. E Epel and E Blackburn. As reported to  Cathryn Delude in “Genetic clues to predicting life span: Inside chromosomes  are telomeres that age as we age, and may serve as indicators of how long we&#8217;ll  live.” Los Angeles Times. March 2, 2009. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Delara et al. “Association of Longer Telomeres With Better Health in  Centenarians.” The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and  Medical Sciences. 208. 63:809-812. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Farzaneh-Fal et al. “Prognostic Value of Leukocyte Telomere Length in  Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease: Data    the Heart and Soul  Study.” Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis &amp; Vascular Biology. 2008.  28(7):1379-1384.</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Kiefer et al. “Dietary restraint and telomere length in pre- and  postmenopausal women.” Psychosomatic Medicine. 2008. 70(8):845-9. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Sullivan et al. “Telomere Length in the Colon Declines with Age: a Relation  to Colorectal Cancer?” Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers &amp; Prevention. 2006.  15:573-577.</span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Epel et al. “Accelerated telomere shortening in response to life stress.”  Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 2004. 101(49):17312-5. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ornish et al. “Increased telomerase activity and comprehensive lifestyle  changes: a pilot study.” The Lancet Oncology. 2008. 9(11):1048-1057. </span></li>
</ol>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>How I Get My Energy</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/how-i-get-my-energy-boost/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/how-i-get-my-energy-boost/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 14:52:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Accel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[CoQ10]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ubiquinol]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2720</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Today I want to tell you about something I use to get my energy.

You can use this yourself to get energized without caffeine, herbs, or sugar.

This energy boost helps me focus and stay alert… and I don’t get tired as much.

I give it to my patients when they want more energy.

They say they "jump out of bed" in the morning instead of feeling stiff and cranky. They call it their best source of energy. And they stock up on it just in case we run out...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear  Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>Today  I want to tell you about something I use to get my energy.</p>
<p>You  can use this yourself to get energized without caffeine, herbs, or sugar.</p>
<p><strong>This  energy boost helps me focus and stay alert… and I don’t get tired as much.</strong></p>
<p>I  give it to my patients when they want more energy.</p>
<p>They  say they &#8220;jump out of bed&#8221; in the morning instead of feeling stiff and cranky.  They call it their best source of energy. And they stock up on it just in case  we run out.</p>
<p>If  you need more zip in your day, or you feel like you’re dragging yourself around  all the time, this energy formula I call Accel can put more energy into your  life.</p>
<p>Instead  of flooding your body with caffeine or other stimulants, this formula allows  each cell in your body to make its own energy.</p>
<p><strong>When  you multiply this energy boost by 50 to 75 trillion – the number of cells in  your body – you get a lift <em>you  can actually feel</em>. </strong></p>
<p>Your  heart vigorously pumps blood and delivers oxygen… your brain fires on all  cylinders… and your muscles have energy to burn. This orchestrated flow of  energy gives you the feeling of youth and vitality.</p>
<p>You  get the feeling, <strong><em>&#8220;I  can do this!&#8221;</em></strong></p>
<p>It’s  safe, reliable, and there’s proof the energy is real…</p>
<p>The  researcher who developed one of the ingredients in my formula – Dr. Mae from  Japan – sent me this unpublished study showing how it works in animal models:</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/ubiquinolgraph2.jpg" alt="Ubiquinol Energy Boost" width="393" height="315" /></p>
<p>You  can see the mice taking Accel lasted 150 seconds longer on the treadmill. This  translates into a huge boost of performance power. The mice on Accel had more  energy and were able to keep going for much longer.<sub>1</sub></p>
<p>Mice  don’t lie. They don’t know they’re being tested, so there’s no placebo effect.</p>
<p>Accel  clearly helped them fight fatigue.</p>
<p>Now  remember, this is an animal study. But does it do the same thing for people?</p>
<p>Well…  just take a look at this study:</p>
<p>When  professional cross-country skiers took a weaker form, every aspect of their  physical performance improved dramatically. The results, published in the  journal <em>Molecular Aspects  of Medicine</em>, showed a remarkable 94% of the skiers who took it felt  their endurance, performance time, and recovery time were all much improved.<sub>2</sub></p>
<p>And  here’s the thing…</p>
<p>These  skiers were taking a much weaker form of the energizing ingredient in Accel.  They were taking a form of CoQ10 called <em>ubiquinone</em>.  Accel has a &#8220;trumped up&#8221; form called <em>ubiquinol</em>.  It’s proven to be more absorbable and stay in your blood longer.</p>
<p><strong>That’s  why it gives you such an energy boost. </strong></p>
<p>This  is something you can actually feel.</p>
<p>When  a group of people taking Accel were asked to describe how they feel, their  &#8220;vitality score&#8221; jumped off the charts.<sub>3</sub></p>
<p>Your <em>vitality score</em> is a way researchers can track how good you feel.</p>
<p>Take  a look at this graph:</p>
<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>
<p><img src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/chart2.jpg" alt="" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="270" height="362" align="left" /></p>
<p>As  you can see, taking Accel more than doubled their &#8220;feel good factor.&#8221;</p>
<p>Here’s  what happened: Men and women living in a nursing home took the energy  ingredient in Accel for 9 months. They were all between the ages of 69 and 87.</p>
<p>After  taking Accel for 9 months – the results were amazing:</p>
<p><strong>Their vitality scores went up by over 100%.</strong></p>
<p>When  you read the studies and hear the stories from my patients, you can easily get  a sense of how powerful this fatigue fighter really is… and it couldn’t be  easier to get.</p>
<p>All  you have to do is take Accel.</p>
<p>My  patients come to my clinic with remarkable stories.</p>
<p>Here’s  what Patty from Vermont told me:</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Once I started Accel, I felt incredibly better; my mind was sharp  throughout the day, and my energy was boundless. Thank you, Dr. Sears!&#8221;</em></p>
<p>Klaus  from California feels the energy from Accel. Here’s what he said:</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Accel gives me the energy of a person much younger than me. I run  two miles several times a week and feel just great all around. I am 71 years  old and in excellent health!&#8221;</em></p>
<p>This  is something I want you to know about.</p>
<p>You  have options. You don’t have to drag yourself around and feel tired all the  time. You can put that pep in your step without getting burned out on coffee or  sugar rushes.</p>
<p>Accel  is the one thing I take everyday without fail.</p>
<p><em>I want you to have this for yourself.</em></p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=95874&amp;AdID=482954" target="_blank">Join me now and feel more energy too…</a></strong></p>
<p>To Your Good  Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1026" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al  Sears, MD</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Kaneka Nutrients L.P.  Unpublished Study, 2008.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ylikoski T, et al. “The effect of CoQ10 on the exercise performance of  cross-country skiers.” <em>Mol  Aspects Med</em>. 1997;18 Suppl:S283-90.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Kaneka Nutrients L.P. Unpublished Study, 2008. </span></li>
</ol>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>New York City Takes On Salt</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/new-york-city-takes-on-salt/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/new-york-city-takes-on-salt/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:02:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[heart attack]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[high blood pressure]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[low-salt diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[New York Times]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salt]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/new-york-city-takes-on-salt/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Did you see the January 10th New York Times report about salt?

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently named it his next "Public Enemy #1."

His health department already banned trans-fats in restaurants. And forced calorie counts to be listed on menus. Now they're taking on salt.

The real question they should be asking is not "Should you eat salt or not?" It's "What kind of salt should you eat?"]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>The Real Issue… and Why You Need to Know About  It </strong></p>
<p>Did you see the January 10th <em>New  York Times</em> report about salt?</p>
<p>New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently named it his next &#8220;Public  Enemy #1.&#8221;</p>
<p>His health department already banned trans-fats in restaurants.  And forced calorie counts to be listed on menus. Now they&#8217;re taking on salt.<sub>2</sub></p>
<p>The real question they should be asking is not &#8220;Should you eat salt or not?&#8221;  It&#8217;s &#8220;What <em>kind</em> of salt should you eat?&#8221;</p>
<h3>Good News for Salt Lovers</h3>
<p>You need salt to live, and to continue living. No doubt about it…</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>A human embryo develops in salty amniotic       fluid. </li>
<li>Your body consists of three distinct fluid       systems, all salty – blood plasma, lymphatic fluid, and extracellular       fluid. </li>
<li>Salt carries nutrients across cell       membranes into your cells. </li>
<li>Salt keeps calcium and other minerals       soluble in your blood. </li>
<li>Salt helps regulate muscle contractions. </li>
<li>The mainstay of fluid replacement therapy       for treatment of dehydration – or as an IV therapy to prevent hypovolemic       shock due to blood loss – is a saline solution of 0.9% sodium chloride. </li>
<li>Salt helps regulate blood pressure and       fluid volume. </li>
<li>In hot temperatures, salt regulates your       fluid balance. </li>
<li>It helps stimulate your nerves by       increasing conductivity in nerve cells… for communication and information       processing. </li>
</ul>
<p>You can&#8217;t live without salt in your body.</p>
<p>You&#8217;re unable to digest food without it. Your heart needs it to  function. So do your adrenals. Your liver and kidneys cannot work without salt.</p>
<p>You sweat salt. Your tears are salty. Your blood is salty.</p>
<p>So I trust you&#8217;ll look past conventional medicine&#8217;s blindness in  pressing for low-salt diets.</p>
<h3>Is Low-Salt Really Better?</h3>
<p>The idea that salt consumption causes high blood pressure in the  first place is a relatively recent belief… based, in fact, on questionable  conclusions  a handful of studies.</p>
<p>Repeated studies failed to show a major causal link between salt  intake and high blood pressure. In fact, some research <em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">points in the opposite direction.</span></em><sub>3</sub></p>
<p>A huge government study on thousands of people concluded that  minerals – especially potassium and magnesium – are better at lowering blood  pressure than salt.<sub>4</sub></p>
<p>Even the CDC&#8217;s own data over the space of 30 years showed that  adequate mineral intake acts to keep your blood pressure low.<sub>5</sub></p>
<p>A low-salt diet supposedly reduces your risk of heart attacks and  strokes. But where&#8217;s the evidence? I&#8217;ve seen compelling evidence that shows you <strong><em>increase</em></strong> your risk of a heart attack on a <em>low</em>-salt  diet.<sub>6</sub></p>
<p>Why an increase?</p>
<p>Because low-salt diets can create or worsen nutritional  deficiencies. And you know you need vitamins and minerals for good heart  health.</p>
<p>So I take conventional medicine&#8217;s low-salt advice with a grain of  salt… and suggest you do, too. This should come as good news if you enjoy salty  foods.</p>
<p>But yet, it&#8217;s worth considering what type of salt is best for your  health.</p>
<h3>Choose &#8220;Living&#8221; Salt for Life</h3>
<p>Regular table salt is a highly processed product that&#8217;s devoid of  nutrients and minerals – like most other processed foods.</p>
<p>Due to extensive processing, which either destroys nutrients with  high temperatures or strips them out, it lacks the nutrients found naturally in  unrefined salts such as sea salt.</p>
<p>I advise switching to natural sea salt as your replacement for  &#8220;traditional&#8221; table salt.</p>
<p>Think of unrefined salt as a whole, living food, because it is. It  provides up to 82 vital trace minerals that promote your best possible life  function and cellular health.</p>
<p>Even in tiny amounts, these minerals rally to regulate your body&#8217;s  systems. They restock your electrolytes and balance your acid/alkaline levels.</p>
<h3><strong>Say Good-Bye to Traditional Table Salt</strong></h3>
<p>Your best way to replace processed table salt with unrefined sea  salt is to eat whole organic vegetables, fruits, and meats you cook yourself…  then add your own sea salt to taste.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s a list of high-sodium prepared foods, with lower sodium  alternatives to substitute. Choose these options… and add your own healthy  replacement for processed table salt.</p>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="181" valign="top">
<h3><strong>Sources of Added    Salt</strong></h3>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<h3><strong>Substitute    Instead </strong></h3>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Canned / frozen vegetables</p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Fresh vegetables</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Soups</p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Homemade soup</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Ready-to-eat cereals</p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Shredded wheat, puffed rice, oatmeal, low-sodium cereals</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Celery salt, garlic salt</p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Caraway seeds, pepper, garlic, parsley, sesame,    thyme, lemon, other spices</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Salad Dressings</p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Homemade dressings</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Steak sauces, sauces,</p>
<p>Prepared mustard, catsup</p>
<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Lemon, spices</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Crackers, potato chips,</p>
<p>Corn chips</p>
<p><br class="spacer_" /></p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Salt-free matzah, crackers,</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Club soda</p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Seltzer water, juices</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Bacon, ham,    salami</p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Nitrite-free sandwich meats</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td valign="top">
<p>Fast food</p>
</td>
<td width="193" valign="top">
<p>Salad, sandwiches</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>You can purchase sea salt in health-food stores and many  mainstream grocery stores.</p>
<p><strong>Still  Worried About High Blood Pressure?</strong></p>
<p>Since studies show poor outcomes for people low in minerals, here  are some ways to increase your dietary intake of the most critical ones.</p>
<p><strong>Magnesium </strong>–  Helpful for healthy heart function and normal blood pressure. Dark green leafy  veggies like spinach are rich in magnesium because chlorophyll molecules  contain magnesium. Beans, peas, nuts, seeds, and seafood also provide  magnesium. You should strive to eat enough magnesium-rich foods to get  500-1,000 mg of magnesium daily.</p>
<p><strong>Potassium </strong>–  Maintains normal fluid and electrolyte balance, and promotes normal muscle  function. Helps optimize blood pressure levels.<sub>7</sub></p>
<p>Foods rich in potassium include orange-colored fruits and veggies  like apricots, cantaloupe, oranges, nectarines, peaches, sweet potatoes, and  butternut and acorn squash. Other foods rich in potassium are black and kidney  beans, spinach, Swiss chard, artichokes, bananas, kiwi, fish, meat, poultry,  and milk. You should strive to get your potassium  a healthy diet.</p>
<p><strong>Calcium </strong>–  Populations with low calcium intake have higher blood pressure. But it&#8217;s not  been proven that popping extra calcium supplements will automatically lower  your blood pressure.</p>
<hr size="2" />
<ol>
<li>&#8220;Citing Hazard, New York Says Hold the Salt,&#8221; The New York  Times, 01/10/10.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.ukessays.com/essays/chemistry/saline-fluids.php">http://www.ukessays.com/essays/chemistry/saline-fluids.php</a></li>
<li>&#8220;Salt Your Way to Health,&#8221; Brownstein, David, M.D., <a href="http://www.celticseasalt.com">www.celticseasalt.com</a> (Reprinted   the Winter 2006 issue of A Grain of Salt.</li>
<li> Ibid.</li>
<li> Ibid.</li>
<li>Ibid.</li>
<li> &#8220;Lower Your Blood Pressure with Potassium-Rich Foods,&#8221; The Vancouver Sun,  02/11/10. </li>
</ol>
]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
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		<title>The Truth About &#8220;Vitamin Sunshine&#8221;</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/the-truth-about-vitamin-sunshine/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/the-truth-about-vitamin-sunshine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:23:59 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sunlight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sunscreen]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sunshine vitamin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vitamin D]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2712</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[You can lower your risk of 17 types of cancer by 77%, just by taking a simple nutrient:

Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin."

Even if you take vitamins, you’re probably not getting enough D. In fact, in one study I read, when over 1,200 people were randomly screened, more than 87% had a vitamin D deficiency.

My patients do their best to get in the sun and take supplements. But when they come to my clinic, their levels of vitamin D are still too low.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>You can lower your risk of 17 types of cancer by 77%, just by  taking a simple nutrient:</p>
<p><strong>Vitamin D, the &#8220;sunshine vitamin.&#8221;</strong><img src="http://alsearsmd.com/img/youngmansun.jpg" alt="" hspace="5" vspace="5" width="228" height="132" align="right" /></p>
<p>Even if you take vitamins, you’re probably not getting enough D. In fact, in  one study I read, when over 1,200 people were randomly screened, more than 87%  had a vitamin D deficiency.<sub>1</sub></p>
<p>My patients do their best to get in the sun and take supplements. But when they  come to my clinic, their levels of vitamin D are still too low.</p>
<p>There are things that lower – even deplete – your vitamin D levels. And the 400  units of vitamin D our government recommends are simply not enough to do the  job right. Once it gets into your bloodstream, it’s spread too thin to give  your cells what they need.</p>
<p>Vitamin D is used by every cell in your body. It keeps cells healthy and  functioning at their best, and it’s critical for your immune system. If you  don’t have enough, some cells may end up damaged and diseased. To prevent  cancer, your levels of vitamin D must be much higher.</p>
<p>Go without vitamin D long enough, and it can be the last mistake you make. One  study followed 13,000 people for more than 12 years. They found out that too  little vitamin D was an independent risk factor for death.<sub>2</sub></p>
<h3>Nature’s Healthy Option</h3>
<p>Our ancestors lived naked in the sun for millions of years.</p>
<p>But over time, we started to migrate north where there was less sun. We put on  clothes, built houses, drove cars, and got jobs. We spent more time indoors…  and when we did go out, we wore sunscreen.</p>
<p>All of these lifestyle changes reduced the levels of vitamin D in our bodies.</p>
<p>Suddenly, diseases of civilization began to occur. The same diseases <em>prevented</em> by vitamin D.  We were forced to shift our focus from fighting wild animals to fighting a  health disaster created by our man-made environment.</p>
<p>The &#8220;minimum daily requirement&#8221; of vitamin D is based on preventing a childhood  disease called rickets. So you’d think our youth would be protected. Yet when 380  infants and 6,000 children were tested:<sub>3,4</sub></p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>12% of infants were deficient. </li>
<li>40% of infants had less than optimal levels       – and one-third already showed signs of bone loss! </li>
<li>9% of children, or 7.6 million were       deficient. </li>
<li>61% of children, or 50.8 million, had less       than optimal levels. </li>
</ul>
<p>Adults also believe they only need the minimum requirement. But if  you raise the level of vitamin D, you can prevent cancers, fractures, type 1  diabetes, and many autoimmune disorders:<sub>5,6,7,8</sub></p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://alsearsmd.com/img/vitamindchart_web.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="272" /></p>
<p>Let’s look at cancer for a moment. In a separate study, a group of  healthy women took either a placebo, calcium alone, or vitamin D with calcium.  In four year’s time, most of the placebo group developed cancer. But 77% of the  women who took vitamin D with calcium were cancer free.<sub>9</sub></p>
<p>You can choose to be sick or healthy simply by increasing your vitamin D.</p>
<h3>The Damage Starts Here</h3>
<p>Even if you have the best intentions, there are a dozen obstacles  to getting enough vitamin D:</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" width="200" align="right">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td scope="col">
<h3>Consider this:<sub>10</sub></h3>
<p>•    Cloud cover reduces vitamin D exposure by 50%.</p>
<p>• Pollution can reduce vitamin D exposure by 60%.</p>
<p>• Glass doesn’t allow vitamin D to penetrate.</p>
<p>• Sunscreen doesn’t allow vitamin D to penetrate.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<ol>
<li>We wear clothing.</li>
<li> We wear sunscreen. </li>
<li>We don’t migrate with the sun. </li>
<li>We don’t live near the equator.</li>
<li>We work inside during the day. </li>
<li> We drive cars that block the sun.</li>
<li> We may have excess body fat that doesn’t absorb as well. </li>
<li>We may be older in years with less ability to absorb as well. </li>
<li> We may have dark skin pigmentation that doesn’t absorb as well.</li>
<li>We develop food allergies and intolerances that prevent absorption.</li>
<li>We adhere to diets such as strict vegetarianism that prevent absorption. </li>
<li>We take certain drugs, antibiotics, or corticosteroids that prevent  absorption. </li>
</ol>
<p>The next time you go in for a physical, ask your doctor to check  your level of vitamin D. It’s a simple, inexpensive test that provides valuable  information.</p>
<h3>Boost D to Beat Disease</h3>
<p>I recommend you aim for a minimum of 2,000 I.U. of vitamin D a  day. If you get your level tested and it’s low, take between 5,000 and 10,000  I.U. a day from a variety of sources.</p>
<p>Try and go outside and expose your body to sunlight every day. As little as 10  minutes in the midday sun produces 10,000 units of vitamin D. You feel  instantly better.</p>
<p>Add sources of vitamin D to your diet. Below is a list of foods that contain  vitamin D. Or take a daily supplement. Cod liver oil is one of the best natural  sources. Plus, it offers a bonus. It contains vitamin A, plenty of omega-3s,  and is convenient to take.</p>
<div>
<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="323">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="195"><strong>Source</strong></td>
<td width="64">
<p><strong>Amount</strong></p>
</td>
<td width="64">
<p><strong>Units</strong></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Cod Liver Oil</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>1 Tbsp.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>1360</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Herring</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>3 Oz.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>1383</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Catfish</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>3 Oz.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>425</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Salmon, cooked</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>3.5 Oz.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>360</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Mackerel, cooked</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>3.5 Oz.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>345</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Sardines, canned in oil, drained</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>1.75 Oz.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>250</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Tuna, canned in oil</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>3 Oz.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>200</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Eel, cooked</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>3.5 Oz.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>200</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Pork spare ribs</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>3 Oz.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>88</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Beef liver, pan fried</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>3 Oz.</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>42</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="195" valign="bottom">
<p>Egg, whole</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>1</p>
</td>
<td width="64" valign="bottom">
<p>25</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<ol>
<li> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Ray MM, Long AN, et al. &#8220;Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in  an Urban General Internal Medicine Academic Practice,&#8221; 2009 Southern Regional  Meeting Abstracts Session: SSGIM Research Abstract Session C.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Melamed ML, Michos ED, Post W, Astor B &#8220;25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and the  risk of mortality in the general population.&#8221; <em>Arch Intern Med</em>. 2008 Aug  11;168(15):1629-37.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Gordon, CM, et al. &#8220;Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Healthy Infants  and Toddlers.&#8221; <em>Arch  Pediatr Adolesc Med</em>. 2008;162(6):505-512.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Kumar, J, et al. &#8220;Prevalence and Associations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D  Deficiency in US Children: NHANES 2001–2004.&#8221; <em>Pediatrics</em> 2009.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Lappe JM, et al. &#8220;Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk:  results of a randomized trial.&#8221; <em>Am  J Clin Nutr</em>. 2007;85:1586-91.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Garland CF, et al. &#8220;Vitamin D and prevention of breast cancer: pooled  analysis.&#8221;<em> J Steroid.  Biochem Mol Biol</em>. 2007;103;708-11.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Hypponen E, et al. &#8220;Intake of Vitamin D and risk of type 1 diabetes: a  birth-cohort study.&#8221; <em>Lancet</em></span> 2001;358:1500-3.</li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Bischolff-Ferrari HA, et al. &#8220;Fracture prevention with vitamin D  supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.&#8221; <em>JAMA</em>. 2005;293:2257-64.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Lappe JM., et al. &#8220;Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk:  results of a randomized trial.&#8221; <em>Am  J Clin Nutr</em>. 2007 Jun;85(6):1586-91.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> &#8220;Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D&#8221; <a href="http://www.ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp">http://www.ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp</a>.  Accessed Jan 2010. </span></li>
</ol>
]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Atkins Without Beef&#8230;What&#8217;s Next?</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/atkins-without-beef-whats-next/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/atkins-without-beef-whats-next/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:04:24 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Atkins diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[beef]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eco-friendly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[grass-fed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vegetarian]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2706</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Have you heard about this “Eco-Atkins Diet” that a bunch of researchers dreamed up to please vegetarians?

Dr. Atkins must be rolling over in his grave.

These veggie-wackos want a diet that offers “Atkins without animal fat.” They call it, “Eco-Atkins.”

Holy cow!

The Atkins Diet is all about eating animal protein. So how do you eat a high-protein diet without animal fat? Turns out we’re supposed to bulk up on soy burgers and wake up to the smell of vegetarian bacon – whatever that is! ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Have you heard about this “Eco-Atkins Diet” that a bunch of  researchers dreamed up to please vegetarians?</p>
<p>Dr. Atkins must be rolling over in his grave.</p>
<p>These veggie-wackos want a diet that offers “Atkins without animal fat.” They  call it, “Eco-Atkins.”</p>
<p>Holy cow!</p>
<p>The Atkins Diet is<em> all  about</em> eating animal protein. So how do you eat a high-protein diet  without animal fat? Turns out we’re supposed to bulk up on soy burgers and wake  up to the smell of vegetarian bacon – whatever that is!</p>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" width="200" align="right">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td scope="col">
<h3><strong>Beef Is the Best Source of These Essential Nutrients:</strong></h3>
<p><strong>Protein:</strong> Meat    is a complete protein. Vegetables are not. Vegetarians have to combine foods    to make a complete protein. They’re also lower in protein content than meat    sources. For instance, 3 ounces of beef contain 50 grams of protein compared    to 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, which contains 16 grams.</p>
<p><strong>B12:</strong> Animal products are the primary source of B12. This is a serious problem for    vegetarians, especially vegans. Lack of B12 causes anemia and can cause nerve    damage leading to irreversible conditions like blindness.<sub>5,6</sub></p>
<p><strong>Iron:</strong> Vegetarians not only get less iron, the type of iron from a vegetarian diet is    different. The type of iron from a vegetarian diet is absorbed 70% less than    a meat diet.<sub>7</sub> This is especially dangerous to children and pregnant women.    Children develop behavior problems and delays in their development. Pregnant    women deliver pre term.<sub>8,9</sub></p>
<p><strong>Zinc:</strong> Beef is the number one source for zinc, and all animal products are good    sources. Vegetarians not only get less zinc to begin with, they absorb up to    35% less of it.<sub>10</sub> A zinc deficiency affects your immunity, and can stunt your    growth and the way your brain functions.</p>
<p><strong>CLA:</strong> Almost 98% of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) comes from meat. CLA has been    shown to reduce the risk of cancer.<sub>11</sub> It    also helps with fat loss.</p>
<p><strong>CoQ10:</strong> Beef is the best source of Coenzyme Q10. There is next to none in fruits and    vegetables. CoQ10 is in every cell of our body. It creates energy. CoQ10    improves heart function and diabetes, and helps prevent autoimmune disease.<sub>12</sub></p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Don’t be deceived. This crazy veggie-plan is in no way  eco-friendly, sustainable, or healthier. The diet is based on multiple  allergens such as soy, gluten, and dairy. They use processed foods like veggie  bacon, deli slices, and breakfast links.</p>
<p>What’s worse:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Up to 30 times the maximum level allowed       for a toxic chemical called melamine has been found in soy products.       Melamine is a hazardous air pollutant that affects the brain. It’s banned       from organic food, yet it’s finding its way into soy.<sub>1</sub> </li>
<li>Commercial soy farmers in South America are       taking over and driving peasant farmers off their land.<sub>2</sub> </li>
<li>Soy is grown on stripped and deforested       lands in the Amazon rainforest.<sub>3</sub> </li>
<li>Inferior and contaminated soy is quietly       being imported from China.<sub>4</sub> </li>
</ul>
<p>This concept is disconnected from our past, and it screams of  ignorance.</p>
<p>For millions of years, our ancestors were part of an ecological system that had  a perfect balance in nature. They relied on fresh-caught meat and food gathered  from the ground, bushes, and trees. Their diet was high-protein, high-fat, and  low-carbohydrate. Diseases of modern day were non-existent.</p>
<p>Vegetarians want to replace this with processed, low-fat starch  products that can ruin your health.</p>
<h3>Where’s the Beef?</h3>
<p>The study they’ve based their conclusions on has nothing to do  with Atkins’ diet plan. Atkins’ diet is based on beef. In the study, one group  ate a vegetarian diet, and the other a vegan diet. The diets are hard to follow  for most people, and the products aren’t readily available. But what’s more  important, vital nutrients are missing.</p>
<p>Meat eaters are more likely than vegetarians to get 100% of the protein, iron,  zinc, and B vitamins they need.</p>
<p>This veggie Atkins imitator is a far cry from the natural and  healthy diet handed down through millions of years of evolution. Eco-Atkins  goes against our own biology and history.</p>
<h3>Ancient Is Eco-Friendly</h3>
<p>Step back in time with me for a moment…</p>
<p>A stone-age diet is similar to the original Atkins plan. Primitive man hunted  animals that fed on wild grasses. Meat was pure, fresh, and full of nutrients.  They supplemented with fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. They drank fresh  water. Very little was based on grains, gluten, or soy. Their diet certainly  was not based on processed, pre-packaged veggie links.</p>
<p>Our bodies were designed to digest meat, yet vegetarians still think it’s bad  for you. They don’t understand that eating grass-fed beef is healthy, low-fat,  and contains essential nutrients they’re missing from their diet. Our  ancestors’ diet allowed prehistoric man to have a stored energy source for  times of famine. Today, it gives us a great backup fuel system for our bodies.</p>
<p>By eating like our ancestors, we naturally lower our intake of  carbohydrates. With fewer carbohydrates, our bodies switch to using fat as  fuel. We are fully satisfied <em>and</em> lose body fat. Our blood sugar levels out. Our LDL and HDL cholesterol levels  improve, along with triglycerides.</p>
<p>There’s more…</p>
<p>Natural sources of animal  protein:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Have higher nutritional value. Grass-fed       beef is low-fat with fewer calories than grain-fed. It also has more       omega-3s, B vitamins, CoQ10, zinc, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. </li>
<li>Avoid common allergic triggers such as       milk, soy, egg, and wheat. </li>
<li>Offer important nutrients that fuel the       brain and stabilize mood. </li>
<li>Satisfy the appetite. They keep hunger away       longer, making dieting easier. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<table border="1" cellpadding="0">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="524" scope="col">
<h3>Benefits of Grass-Fed Beef</h3>
<p><strong>1. Less overall fat and calories:</strong> A    six-ounce grass-fed loin has 92 fewer calories than grain-fed. This saves an    average American 16,642 calories each year.<sub>13</sub></p>
<p><strong>2. More Omega-3:</strong> Grass-fed beef has 2 to 10 times more omega-3s than grain-fed beef and a    healthy ratio as little as 1:1.<sub>14</sub> Grain-fed beef is as much as 14:1.<sub>15</sub></p>
<p><strong>3. More CLA:</strong> Grass-fed beef has 2 to 5 times more CLA than grain-fed. CLA supports immune    and cardiovascular growth and lean muscle mass.<sub>16</sub></p>
<p><strong>4. More Vitamin E:</strong> Grass-fed beef contains 3 to 6 times more vitamin E than grain-fed beef.<sub>17</sub></p>
<p><strong>5. More Carotenoids:</strong> Grass-fed beef has up to 4 times more beta-carotene than grain-fed beef.<sub>18</sub> Carotenoids promote eye and macular health.</p>
<p><strong>6. More B Vitamins,    CoQ10, and Zinc: </strong>Grass-fed beef has more B vitamins, CoQ10,    and zinc than grain-fed beef.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>Dr. Atkins was a visionary. He taught people to eat like our  primitive ancestors. But there is one area where he went wrong…</p>
<p>You’ve got to watch out for trans-fat and eliminate it from your  diet. Trans-fat comes from partially hydrogenated oils. You find it in  processed and fast foods. Trans-fat raises bad cholesterol (LDL) while lowering  good cholesterol (HDL).</p>
<p>You also need to watch the ratio of omega-3 to omega-6. We get too few 3’s and  too many 6’s. When you cut down on processed and fast foods, you decrease 6’s.  Another way is by switching to grass-fed beef.</p>
<p>A high-protein, low-carb diet is good for you, as long as you’re getting the  right fats.</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://alsearsmd.com/img/foodpyramid4.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="359" /></p>
<p>Here’s how to get back to the basics:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Make protein the main course of every meal.       Base your diet on grass-fed beef, buffalo, wild game, and eggs. For       variety, add an occasional wild-caught, coldwater fish. </li>
<li>Eat quality, low-glycemic carbohydrates.       Stick to above-ground vegetables, fruits, and berries. </li>
<li>Eat quality fat and increase omega-3’s.       Throw in a handful of nuts, avocados, and some healthful oils. </li>
<li>Avoid packaged and processed foods. </li>
</ul>
<hr size="2" />
<ol>
<li> <span style="font-size: x-small;">“Behind the Bean: The Heroes and Charlatans of the Natural and  Organic Soy Foods Industry,” <a href="http://www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/OrganicSoyReport/behindthebean_color_final.pdf">http://www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/OrganicSoyReport/behindthebean_color_final.pdf</a> (p. 18) Accessed 02 2010. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> “Paraguay may limit soy farming in land reform,” Interview 12 Sep 2008  16:59:39 GMT: Reuters. By Mariel Cristaldo.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> “Behind the Bean: The Heroes and Charlatans of the Natural and Organic Soy  Foods Industry,” <a href="http://www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/OrganicSoyReport/behindthebean_color_final.pdf">http://www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/OrganicSoyReport/behindthebean_color_final.pdf</a> (p. 18) Accessed 02 2010.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> “Behind the Bean: The Heroes and Charlatans of the Natural and Organic Soy  Foods Industry,” <a href="http://www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/OrganicSoyReport/behindthebean_color_final.pdf">http://www.cornucopia.org/soysurvey/OrganicSoyReport/behindthebean_color_final.pdf</a> (p. 18) Accessed 02 2010.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Institute of Medicine, Food and Nutrition Board. Standing Committee on the  Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes. Dietary Reference Intakes  for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic  Acid, Biotin, and Choline. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, 1998.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Milea, D. “Blindness in a strict vegan.” N. Engl. J. Med. 342: 897- 898;  2000. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hunt, J.R.; Roughead, Z.K. “Nonheme-iron absorption, fecal ferritin  excretion, and blood indexes of iron status in women consuming controlled  lactoovovegetarian diets for 8 weeks.” Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 69: 944-952; 1999.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Lozoff, B.; Jimenez, E.; Hagen, J.; Mollen, E.; Wolf, A.W. “Poorer behavioral  and developmental outcome more than 10 years after treatment for iron  deficiency in infancy.” Pediatrics 105: e51; 2000.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Allen, L.H. “Anemia and iron deficiency: effects on pregnancy outcome.” Am.  J. Clin. Nutr. 71(suppl): 1280s-1284s; 2000.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hunt, J.R.; Matthys, L.A.; Johnson, L.K. “Zinc absorption, mineral balance,  and blood lipids in women consuming controlled lactoovovegetarian and  omnivorous diets for 8 weeks.” Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 67: 421- 430; 1998.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Kelley NS, Hubbard NE, Erickson KL. (2007). “Conjugated linoleic acid  isomers and cancer.” J Nutr (UC Davis, Ca, USA) 137 (12): 2599-607.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Linus Pauling Institute. “Micronutrient Information Center.” Accessed 02  2010.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Robinson, J. Pasture Perfect: The Far Reaching Benefits of Choosing Meat,  Eggs, and Dairy Products From Grass-Fed Animals. Vashon Island Press. 2004.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Rule D.C. (2002). “Comparison of muscle fatty acid profiles and cholesterol  concentrations of bison, beef cattle, elk, and chicken.” Journal of Animal  Science, 80: 1202-1211.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> “Scientific Research.” <a href="http://www.eatwild.com">http://www.eatwild.com</a>.  Accessed 02 2010.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Dhiman, T.R., G.R. Anand, L.D. Satter, and M.W. Pariza. (1999). “Conjugated  Linolenic Acid Content of Milk from Cows Fed Different Diets.” J Dairy Sci. 82,  (10): 2146-56.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Smith, G.C. “Dietary Supplementation of Vitamin E to Cattle to Improve  Shelf-Life and Case-Life for Domestic and International Markets.” Colorado  State University Department of Animal Sciences. <a href="http://www.dsm.com/en_US/downloads/dnpus/PNW_02_1.pdf">www.dsm.com/en_US/downloads/dnpus/PNW_02_1.pdf</a>.  Accessed 02 2010.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Prache, S., A. Priolo, et al. (2003). “Persistence of carotenoid pigments in  the blood of concentrate-finished grazing sheep: its significance for the  traceability of grass-feeding.” J Anim Sci 81(2): 360-7. </span></li>
</ol>
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		<title>Secret African Seed Makes Slimming Soup</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/secret-african-seed-makes-slimming-soup/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/secret-african-seed-makes-slimming-soup/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:26:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Weight Loss]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Africa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[irvingia gabonensis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Primal Lean]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2698</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Deep in the jungles of West Africa, there are places where obesity is completely unknown.

The natives don't get fat.

A professor doing population studies discovered this curious fact. After watching this group and comparing them to others, he found something unique about their diet:

The locals use a paste derived from the seed of a "bush mango" to thicken their soups.

This professor, an expert in nutritional biochemistry at the university in nearby Cameroon, created an extract of this seed and ran his own tests.

After 10 weeks, the people taking this extract dropped an average of 28 pounds and shed 6 inches around their waist...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>Take a look at this&#8230;</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“I’m 50-years-old and started taking Primal Lean about six    months ago. I’ve lost a total of 75 pounds and I’m now a size 2. A SIZE 2!!!    I have never been a size 2 ever, probably not even as a child. Thrilled is an    understatement. It has brought my marriage back to life. I am noticed    everywhere I go. I have so much energy and am so sincerely happy I cannot    begin to tell you. The ability to try on anything and be happy with the way    it fits and looks is amazing.</em></p>
<p><em>“Dr. Sears, you have given me something I could never accomplish    on my own. The smallest I could ever get was a size 8, which seems huge    compared to the size I am wearing now. THANK YOU!!!!”</em></p>
</blockquote>
<p>This  came to me by email from T.P., a gym owner and personal trainer in Cortland,  NY, who’s been taking my fat-burning formula.</p>
<p>I  get emails like this every week. Thousands have already tried it. And once they  see results, no one wants to stop.   You  can find out more below&#8230;</p>
<hr size="2" />
<p>Deep  in the jungles of West Africa, there are places where obesity is completely  unknown.</p>
<p><em>The natives don&#8217;t get fat. </em></p>
<p>A  professor doing population studies discovered this curious fact. After watching  this group and comparing them to others, he found something unique about their  diet:</p>
<p>The  locals use a paste derived from the seed of a &#8220;bush mango&#8221; to thicken their  soups.</p>
<p>This  professor, an expert in nutritional biochemistry at the university in nearby  Cameroon, created an extract of this seed and ran his own tests.</p>
<p>After  10 weeks, the people taking this extract dropped an average of 28 pounds and  shed 6 inches around their waist.</p>
<p>The  results were published in the online journal <em>Lipids  in Health and Disease</em>.<sub>1</sub></p>
<p>FOX  News picked up the story from Reuters when the study hit the media.<sub>2</sub></p>
<p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">You can use this very same natural extract to burn pounds of  unwanted fat</span>.*</p>
<p><em><strong>It may be the most potent weight-reduction herb ever tested.</strong></em>*</p>
<p>When  I first read this study, I immediately had the extract shipped to my clinic.</p>
<p>Of  course, this was only one study. I needed more evidence. I wanted to see it in  action. So I followed up with more research at my own Wellness Research  Foundation.</p>
<p>My  patients and volunteers were stunned. After four weeks into the program we  started getting remarkable results: Penny McLean, who works in my office,  dropped two dress sizes without doing anything, except taking this West African  herb.*</p>
<p>Word  spread fast, and the other women in my office started taking it. Soon I started  hearing things like, <em>&#8220;My  pants are too big&#8230;&#8221;</em> and <em>&#8220;I  got into a pair of jeans I haven&#8217;t worn in years&#8230;&#8221;</em>*</p>
<p>I  tried it myself, and it worked. My belly started slimming down. It felt tight.  And I really didn&#8217;t change much. I simply ate a healthy diet and exercised as I  always had. <em>But what a  difference!</em></p>
<p>That&#8217;s  when I knew we were on to something big.</p>
<p>At  the next meeting with my Foundation staff, we sat around the conference table  and discussed how to advise our patients about this new breakthrough.</p>
<p>Then  I put the question to them:</p>
<p><em>&#8220;How can we make this even better?&#8221;</em></p>
<p>Our  senior researcher put his hand on a stack of files and pushed them toward the  center of the table.</p>
<p><em>&#8220;Undaria pinnatifida.&#8221;</em></p>
<p>The  seaweed extract my colleague was referring to safely and easily reduces your  appetite.</p>
<p>It  made immediate sense to everyone.</p>
<p>In  my opinion, the combination of the two, which I call <strong>Primal Lean</strong>, may be  the most effective weight-reduction formula ever tested.*</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s  how it works&#8230;</p>
<p>The  first part of my formula is an all-natural herb that grows deep in the forests  of West Africa. And it resets your body to the point where you <em>naturally and easily</em> resist the production of new fat cells – just like you did when you were in  college.*</p>
<p>Remember  those days? When you could eat anything you wanted&#8230; and nothing made you fat.  There&#8217;s a reason why. Your body had the right balance of certain factors that  control the size and production of fat cells.*</p>
<p>It&#8217;s  easy when you&#8217;re young. But as you age, things get thrown off balance.  Especially when the food you eat is processed and full of additives and  chemicals. This interferes with the signals that move between the cells in your  body.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s  why it&#8217;s hard to shed weight as you age&#8230; even when you try your best to eat  right and exercise.</p>
<p>This  herb improves those signals and resets your body&#8217;s delicate machinery. When it  regains its balance, your body has the ability to more effectively control fat  production – just like it did when you were younger.*</p>
<p>Staying  lean and trim as you age is not easy. You can eat right and exercise and still  end up with a &#8220;spare tire&#8221; around your belly. It doesn&#8217;t seem fair.</p>
<p>But  if you know why this is happening, you can do something about it. (And get a  firm, slim body that lasts for decades to come.)*</p>
<p>The  West African herb – called <em>irvingia  gabonensis</em> – makes it easier.</p>
<p>How  does it work?</p>
<p>Your  body has a &#8220;signal network&#8221; that controls your fat cells.</p>
<p>If  this communication system breaks down, your fat cells get bigger and bigger&#8230;  and you get more and more of them.</p>
<p>As  you age, that&#8217;s exactly what happens.</p>
<p><strong>Fat Signal #1: Using Fat for Energy – </strong><em><strong>Naturally</strong></em></p>
<p>When  things are running smoothly, your fat cells produce<em> leptin</em>. This messenger sends out two  signals: One, it tells your brain you&#8217;re full. That shuts down your hunger.  Two, it tells the fat inside your cells to break down into a kind of fat that  can be burned as energy.</p>
<p>When  these signals are working, you don&#8217;t get hungry as often, and your body can use  fat as a source of fuel. That means fat gets burned naturally.</p>
<p>But  when too many fat cells build up, a protein called CRP sticks to the leptin and  prevents it from delivering its message to your brain. <em>Signal lost.</em></p>
<p>This  is called <em>leptin  resistance</em>. The bottom line is you&#8217;ll always feel hungry, and the  fat inside your cells will stay there forever.</p>
<p>When  this happens, it triggers a series of other signal problems.</p>
<p><strong>Fat Signal #2: Controlling Sensitivity to the &#8220;Fat Hormone&#8221;</strong></p>
<p>Another  messenger – <em>adiponectin</em> – controls your sensitivity to insulin. As one of my readers, you know insulin  tells your body how much fat to make. When you have lots of adiponectin, your  body is better able to respond to insulin. Your waist is small, your heart is  healthy, and your arteries are clear.</p>
<p>But  as you age, your levels of this critical fat signal drop&#8230; then you&#8217;re more  likely to get bigger, fatter, and have a higher risk of heart trouble.</p>
<p><strong>Fat Signal #3: The Bad Guy&#8230; Turning Blood Sugar Into Fat</strong></p>
<p>The  3rd messenger is actually a bad guy you want to get rid of&#8230; it&#8217;s called<em> glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase</em>.  This enzyme turns blood sugar into fat. Not what you want.</p>
<p>The  magic behind <strong>Primal  Lean</strong> is its ability to help restore your body&#8217;s signal network.  After a few weeks, the leptin signal to your brain is stronger, adiponectin  levels rise, and the bad guy – the fat making enzyme – gets cut off.*</p>
<p>Problem  solved.</p>
<p>You  see, as you age, these signals get thrown off. No matter how much you exercise  or how well you eat, you will always be vulnerable to age-related fat gain.</p>
<p>Unless,  of course, you have what I consider the &#8220;secret weapon&#8221; that restores youthful  balance.</p>
<p>In  this case, balance means having a communication network that&#8217;s firing on all  cylinders. When it does, it&#8217;s a beautiful thing to see. This takes a period of  weeks, but it works. It may be the most effortless way to drop pounds ever  tested.</p>
<p>Before  the study, the group taking the herb in <strong>Primal  Lean</strong> averaged 215 pounds. After the study, they averaged 187  pounds – <strong><em>for a net  loss of 28 pounds.</em></strong>*</p>
<p>The  control group started at 212 pounds and went to 211 pounds. They lost an  average of one pound, which means that almost <em>nothing happened</em>.</p>
<p>But  there&#8217;s more to this than melting fat.*</p>
<p>Remember&#8230;  This bombshell study first appeared in the journal<em> Lipids in Health and Disease</em>. &#8220;Lipids&#8221;  means &#8220;fatty acids,&#8221; like cholesterol. The editors of this journal were more  interested in the remarkable way this herb normalizes blood fats.</p>
<p>Recognize  any of these names?</p>
<p>Total  cholesterol&#8230; HDL&#8230; LDL&#8230; blood glucose&#8230; C-reactive protein&#8230;</p>
<p>These  are some of the terms you&#8217;ll find on your blood tests when you go to a doctor.  Like the &#8220;fat signals&#8221; that normalized your body&#8217;s natural fat burning, the  study suggests this West African herb has the power to maintain health in other  parts of your body too.*</p>
<p>Imagine  going to the doctor and seeing &#8220;within normal range&#8221; on many of your blood  tests. It turns out this extract has a remarkable effect on a range of heart  health indicators. The good stuff went up, and the bad stuff went down. Like  clockwork. Everything resets itself.</p>
<p>This  kind of herb is called an <em>adaptogen</em>.  An adaptogen is a natural substance that helps your body adapt to stress and  exerts a normalizing effect on bodily processes. Ginseng is a good example.</p>
<p>But  this potent weight-reduction herb is more powerful. It&#8217;s more than just a tonic  you take for increased energy. It has very specific talents. It ramps up your  body&#8217;s ability to melt fat and supports healthy levels of blood fat.*</p>
<p>That  makes it a monumental find.</p>
<p>If  you take this herb by itself, I bet you&#8217;ll get great results.*</p>
<p><strong>But There&#8217;s a Way to Make It  Even Better&#8230; </strong></p>
<p>I  didn&#8217;t just take an herb and put it in a bottle. I made it my own.</p>
<p>I  have something better.</p>
<p>Ironically,  I found out about this new herb while my staff was working on another fat  buster called <em>fucoxanthin</em> (pronounced: foo-coh-ZAN-thin).</p>
<p>This  is a seaweed extract with potential fat-burning properties. Fucoxanthin was  discovered by Japanese researchers quite by accident.*</p>
<p>When  a group of Japanese marine biologists fed their study animals with fucoxanthin,  something remarkable happened&#8230; a microscopic protein – called UCP1 – suddenly  became active.</p>
<p>This  protein turns up your metabolic furnace and lets your cells use fat for energy  – <em>not during exercise, but  while you&#8217;re resting.</em>*</p>
<p>This  nutritious and very safe seaweed extract actually flips your metabolic switch  and &#8220;turns on&#8221; your body&#8217;s fat-burning machinery.*</p>
<p>I&#8217;m  very excited about the test results. Many are animal tests, but there are some  very exciting human tests too. All suggest fucoxanthin is a powerful fat  buster.*</p>
<p>The  Japanese researchers were startled by the results. So they went to work. In a  series of experiments, they gave two groups of mice the same diet, but one  group supplemented with fucoxanthin.</p>
<p>In  the fat tissue of the mice that supplemented with fucoxanthin, the researchers  found high levels of the fat-burning protein UCP1. As a result, those mice lost  a significant amount of fat. In the control group, there was no difference.<sub>3</sub></p>
<p>The  same researchers later discovered that fucoxanthin even prevented potential fat  cells in mice from &#8220;growing up&#8221; and becoming mature fat cells.<sub>4</sub>*</p>
<p>Not  only does fucoxanthin help you melt fat you already have&#8230; it may help prevent  the formation of future fat cells. It could stop fat dead in its tracks.</p>
<p>Clinical  studies show fucoxanthin is safe and effective for people too. The trials were  finished last year, and the studies have been submitted for publication. From  what I&#8217;ve seen, they look impressive.</p>
<p>In  the test group, people taking fucoxanthin lost an average of 15 pounds in four  months. The people in the control group lost just three pounds. Those are good  numbers.<sub>5</sub></p>
<p><strong>I&#8217;m Very Excited About Primal  Lean</strong></p>
<p><strong>Primal Lean</strong> is setting records in my  office. It&#8217;s safe and effective. And everyone who tries it wants to stay on it.</p>
<p>Just  keep in mind&#8230; it takes 8 to 10 weeks before you feel the whole effect. Sure,  you may feel something before that. I have patients who do.</p>
<p>But  in the spirit of full disclosure, I want you to understand that it takes a  couple of months to really kick in.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s  a reason for that&#8230;</p>
<p><strong>Primal Lean</strong> is a natural supplement that  resets and helps rebalance key systems in your body. It takes time for these  systems to return to normal.*</p>
<p>But  like I said, if you look back and consider all the years you&#8217;ve been trying  diets that didn&#8217;t work, exercise plans that didn&#8217;t work, and every new idea  that came along&#8230; 10 weeks feels like nothing!</p>
<p><strong>I Want You to Feel This for  Yourself&#8230;</strong></p>
<p>I  sent you this special invitation so you could experience first hand the amazing  results <strong>Primal Lean</strong> can offer – <strong><em>without  risk or regret.</em></strong></p>
<p>Take  my 10-week <strong>Primal Lean</strong> challenge. Lose all the fat you want. If it disappoints you, I&#8217;ll pick up the  tab. I&#8217;ll pay for the whole thing.</p>
<p>As  my loyal reader, I&#8217;ve chosen you to be the one of the first to get my new  formula&#8230; and your results are guaranteed.</p>
<p>The  look of joy, relief, and satisfaction on the faces of my patients is a powerful  motivator.</p>
<p>I  want the same for you.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=95874&amp;AdID=484739">Click here now to accept my invitation.</a></strong></p>
<p>To Your  Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1027" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al  Sears, MD</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oben JE, et al. Irvingia gabonensis significantly reduces body weight  and improves metabolic parameters in overweight humans. <em>Lipids in Health and Disease.</em> 2009, 8:7</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Reuters. Exotic Fruit Extract May Shed Pounds, Lower Cholesterol. March 24,  2009. FOXNews.com</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Maeda H, et al. Fucoxanthin shows antiobesity effect through UCP1 expression  in white adipose tissues. <em>Biochem  Biophys Res Commun</em>. 2005 Jul 1;332(2):392-7.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Sugawara T, et al. Antiangiogenic activity of fucoxanthin.<em> J Agric Food Chem.</em> 2006  Dec 27;54(26):9805-10.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ramazanov, Z. Effect of fucoxanthin on energy expenditure in obese women: a  double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Submitted for  publication 2008.</span></li>
</ol>
<p><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>* These statements have not been evaluated by  the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose,  treat, cure, or prevent any disease.</strong></span></p>
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		<title>Miracle Fatty Acid Adds Years to Your Life</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/miracle-fatty-acid-adds-years-to-your-life/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/miracle-fatty-acid-adds-years-to-your-life/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 24 Feb 2010 14:37:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Anti-Aging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[aging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[diet]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nuts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[omega-3s]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[telomeres]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2695</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Omega-3s may determine how long you'll live – and it's not just because they're good for your heart.

Omega-3s may now have a profound effect on anti-aging by slowing down the shortening of telomeres.

What are telomeres? They're protective tips that cap the ends of your DNA. Each time your cells divide, your telomeres get shorter. When your telomeres run down, cell division stops, and your life ends.

While this may sound like a clip from a science fiction movie, it's real. And it's about to change the world of medicine. Everything you've been told about aging is about to be transformed by this new science.

You may not have heard about this new breakthrough yet. That doesn't surprise me.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>Omega-3s  may determine how long you&#8217;ll live – and it&#8217;s not just because they&#8217;re good for  your heart.</p>
<p>Omega-3s  may now have a profound effect on anti-aging by slowing down the shortening of  telomeres.</p>
<p>What are telomeres? They&#8217;re protective tips that cap the ends of your DNA. Each  time your cells divide, your telomeres get shorter. When your telomeres run  down, cell division stops, and your life ends.</p>
<p>While this may sound like a clip from a science fiction movie, it&#8217;s real. And  it&#8217;s about to change the world of medicine. Everything you&#8217;ve been told about  aging is about to be transformed by this new science.</p>
<p>You  may not have heard about this new breakthrough yet. That doesn&#8217;t surprise me.</p>
<p>Organized forces in the mainstream media and established medical community  don&#8217;t want you to know about this. Even though the Nobel Prize was awarded last  year for telomere research, the importance of this life-changing discovery has  been ignored.</p>
<p>In fact, they say anti-aging is impossible.</p>
<p>But the truth is it&#8217;s now possible to slow down the shortening of your  telomeres. I just read about it in a study in the <em>Journal of the American Medical Association</em> (JAMA), which confirmed the connection with Omega-3s.<sub>1</sub></p>
<p>Just  because you may not be hearing about this on the evening news, don&#8217;t let that  stop you from taking advantage of this important scientific breakthrough.</p>
<p>You already know the many benefits of Omega-3s. Now it&#8217;s possible for you to  add years to your life, simply by doing something you already believe in. It  doesn&#8217;t get much better than that.</p>
<p><strong>Here are three steps  you can take to bulk-up on Omega-3s right now:</strong></p>
<p><strong>Step 1: Eat fresh fish three or four times a week.</strong> I  recommend coldwater, high-fat variety fish like:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Albacore tuna </li>
<li>Mackerel </li>
<li>Salmon </li>
<li>Sardines </li>
<li>Lake trout </li>
<li>Swordfish </li>
<li>Herring </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 2: Eat more raw nuts and seeds. </strong>For  many years, nuts have gotten a bad rap for being high in fat. But in reality,  nuts are a great source of Omega-3 and other life-enhancing nutrients. Here are  some of my favorites:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Flaxseeds and flaxseed oil </li>
<li>Soybeans and soybean oil </li>
<li>Walnuts </li>
<li>Brazil nuts </li>
<li>Almonds </li>
<li>Hemp seeds </li>
<li>Pumpkin seeds </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Step 3: Take 3 to 5 grams of Omega-3 fish oil a day.</strong> I  recommend my formulation of Peruvian fish oil that packs <em>two to three times</em> the  Omega-3s you find in leading brands, and five times more Omega-3s than a can of  tuna – without the mercury. These oils can help you:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Strengthen your heart and blood vessels </li>
<li>Maintain blood pressure levels that are already within the       normal range </li>
<li>Help support joint and muscle health </li>
<li>Keep your triglycerides (blood fat) in the safe range </li>
<li>Sustain healthy HDL (good cholesterol) levels </li>
<li>Boost your memory and brainpower </li>
<li>Protect your blood vessels and nerves </li>
</ul>
<p>To  Your Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al Sears, MD</p>
<ol>
<li> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Ramin Farzaneh-Far,  MD; Jue Lin, PhD; Elissa S. Epel, PhD; William S. Harris, PhD; Elizabeth H.  Blackburn, PhD;Mary A. Whooley, MD. “Association of Marine Omega-3 Fatty Acid  Levels With Telomeric Aging in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease.”JAMA.  2010;303(3):250-257, January 20, 2010. </span></li>
</ol>
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		<title>Will Vitamins Become Prescription Only?</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/will-vitamins-become-prescription-only/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/will-vitamins-become-prescription-only/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 14:01:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Nutrition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FDA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[prescription]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[supplements]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vitamins]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2690</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Your right to make choices about your own body is being challenged.

I seldom, if ever, discuss politics with you. But this in one occasion when something needs to be said.

There's a new bill in Congress.

If it passes, the FDA will have the right to permanently take away any vitamin or natural supplement it chooses. And once it's gone, your access disappears... forever...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>Your  right to make choices about your own body is being challenged.</p>
<p>I  seldom, if ever, discuss politics with you. But this in one occasion when  something needs to be said.</p>
<p>There&#8217;s  a new bill in Congress.</p>
<p>If  it passes, the FDA will have the right to permanently take away any vitamin or  natural supplement it chooses. And once it&#8217;s gone, your access disappears&#8230; <em>forever</em>.</p>
<p>Imagine  CoQ10 becoming illegal? Or if you could only take CoQ10 with a doctor&#8217;s  prescription at 100 times the cost?</p>
<p>You  have the right to choose what you put in your own body. And that includes  natural medicine and nutritional supplements.</p>
<p>As  the philosopher John Stuart Mill said, <em>&#8220;Over  himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign.&#8221;</em><sub>1</sub></p>
<p>This  is where I stand.</p>
<p>But  the bill before Congress intends to lessen, and perhaps take away, your right  to have control over your body and mind.</p>
<p>This  new &#8220;safety&#8221; bill would empower the FDA to permanently ban any nutritional  supplement it considers &#8220;adulterated&#8221; or &#8220;misbranded.&#8221;</p>
<p>On  the surface it sounds reasonable, but in practice, it means the FDA can make a  list of accepted vitamins and ban all the rest. Europeans already live under  such a law. It&#8217;s so restrictive; most people in Europe buy their vitamins here  in the U.S.</p>
<p>Part  of the problem is the way the bill is written. The language is open-ended and  subject to broad interpretation.</p>
<p>Even  if a vitamin company makes a mistake with their paperwork, or the FDA <em>claims</em> they made a  mistake with their paperwork, they can take that product off the market  forever. Even if that product has a clean track record.</p>
<p>Also  at risk is the dose of a vitamin or nutrient. That means the FDA could say, for  example, <em>&#8220;Vitamin C is  only safe at a dose of 10mg.&#8221;</em></p>
<p>But  here&#8217;s the deal: If your vitamin C only has 10mg per tablet, you&#8217;d have to take  an entire bottle to get a one-day supply. That&#8217;s another strategy the FDA could  use to kill off a vitamin or nutrient.</p>
<p>This  bill is dangerous: Both to your health and to your rights as an individual.</p>
<p>I  urge you to <strong><a href="https://secure3.convio.net/aahf/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&amp;page=UserAction&amp;id=510" target="_blank">click HERE and send a message to your Senator.</a></strong></p>
<p>The  Alliance for Natural Health has prepared the letter for you. All you have to do  is fill in your name and address and click &#8220;send.&#8221;</p>
<p>Your  voice counts.</p>
<p>Please  take a moment to stand up and be counted.</p>
<p>To  Your Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al Sears, MD</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Mill, JS. On Liberty.  1859. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1978, p. 9. </span></li>
</ol>
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		<title>Flip the Switch, Open the Floodgates</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/increase-blood-flow-open-the-floodgates/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/increase-blood-flow-open-the-floodgates/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:18:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Men's Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[L-arginine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Natural T]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nitric oxide]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[potency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tribulus terrestris]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2686</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ Blood flow.

That’s what you need for your best physical performance.

You need to "open the floodgates."

It’s that simple.

If you were here in my clinic, I’d tell you the same thing.

And you can easily boost blood flow to the right area. You can do it whenever you want. All you have to do is "open the floodgates."

I’m going to tell you about a natural secret that "opens the floodgates."

Why should you want to be able to open these floodgates?

Because when you do, the result is immediate potency...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear  Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p><em><strong>Blood flow.</strong></em></p>
<p>That’s  what you need for your best physical performance.</p>
<p>You  need to &#8220;open the floodgates.&#8221;</p>
<p>It’s  that simple.</p>
<p>If  you were here in my clinic, I’d tell you the same thing.</p>
<p>And  you can easily boost blood flow to the right area. You can do it whenever you  want. All you have to do is &#8220;open the floodgates.&#8221;</p>
<p>I’m  going to tell you about a natural secret that &#8220;opens the floodgates.&#8221;</p>
<p>Why  should you want to be able to open these floodgates?</p>
<p>Because  when you do, the result is immediate <span style="text-decoration: underline;">potency</span>.</p>
<p>Potency  is more than just getting it up when you’re in the mood.</p>
<p>Potency  is a combination of strength and desire. It’s a feeling of extraordinary  potential, like having your foot on the accelerator of a turbo-charged sports  car.</p>
<p>Potency  is power on demand.</p>
<p>Potency  is all about <strong><em>blood  flow.</em></strong> That means getting oxygen-rich blood to every part of  your body at a moment’s notice. It’s easy for young people, because their veins  and arteries easily expand to handle the extra flow.</p>
<p>As  you get older, your veins and arteries tend to get narrower and stiffer. But  you can keep your blood flowing at any age.</p>
<p>You  just have to know how to &#8220;flip the switch&#8221; so those floodgates open up.</p>
<p>Nature’s  secret to big blood flow is nitric oxide, (N.O.). It’s the switch from the  lining of your blood vessels that makes them open up.</p>
<p>Blood  vessels are elastic-like balloons. With the right signal, they can expand  rapidly. When they’re open full throttle, they can move tremendous amounts of  blood.</p>
<p>As  you get older, your supply of N.O. drops off. Your body just doesn’t make as  much as it used to. That makes it much harder for your arteries to expand. But  if you turn on N.O., blood can get to the place where it counts.</p>
<p>That  means plenty of action. <em>And  a lot more fun.</em></p>
<p>So  far so good. But here is where most doctors have made a mistake.</p>
<p>They  don’t realize your body has a built-in defense mechanism that will sabotage  every effort you make to keep those floodgates open.</p>
<p>If  you give your body outside help, you’ll get decent short-term results. But the  effects will start to wear off. And after a few months you’re right back where  you started.</p>
<p>Think  of it as the &#8220;coffee effect.&#8221; The first time you had coffee, it was probably  very stimulating.</p>
<p>But  as time goes on, you need more and more to get the same effect. Your body stops  reacting to it. This is called <em>down  regulation. </em>When you give yourself an outside stimulant, your body  will &#8220;turn down&#8221; your sensitivity as a way of protecting itself.</p>
<p>It’s  the same thing when you take a pill that opens the floodgates and gives you  great blood flow. Short-term results are usually good. But you lose the effect  over time.</p>
<p>When  guys come to my clinic, we take care of this problem.</p>
<p>Here’s  what I do: I give them two, specially designed formulas. They take the first  one for a month. Then they take the second one for a month.</p>
<p>Here’s  how they work…</p>
<p>Part  one is called <strong><em>Natural  T: Red.</em></strong></p>
<p>The  key here is <strong><em>blood  flow.</em></strong></p>
<p>The  first step to more N.O. (and huge blood flow) is a simple nutrient called <em>l-arginine</em>. This  building block is a precursor to nitric oxide. That means your body uses it to  create N.O.</p>
<p>L-arginine  is the most reliable, fast-acting tool for improving blood flow.</p>
<p>The  doctors who discovered how nitric oxide works were jointly awarded the 1998  Nobel Prize in Medicine. These award-winning scientists found l-arginine is  your body’s chief source for creating nitric oxide. Remember, N.O. opens the  floodgates.</p>
<p>Current  studies suggest the use of l-arginine to ensure the level of nitric oxide is  high enough to keep blood flowing to the penis. One study showed a whopping 80%  percent improvement in function for men who took just 2.8 grams of l-arginine  for two weeks.1</p>
<p>Another  study showed that more than 1/3 of the men who took 5 grams of l-arginine  reported a significant improvement in erectile function.2</p>
<p>This  stuff is amazing. But there’s something you should know. L-arginine by itself  will only give you a temporary boost. To get the kind of help that lasts, I  added something special. Something most doctors and fitness gurus don’t know  about.</p>
<p><strong>Here’s the secret to getting a </strong><em><strong>supercharged </strong></em><strong>N.O. boost:</strong></p>
<p>Basic  l-arginine is effective, but it has drawbacks. It creates N.O. and sends out  the &#8220;expand&#8221; signal to your blood vessels. But it lasts for maybe an hour after  you take it. <em>Then it  disappears from your system.</em></p>
<p>That  defeats the purpose. You can’t get your potency back when your N.O. boost is  temporary. You need something that gives you a lasting boost throughout the  day.</p>
<p>To  fix the problem, I added a special form of l-arginine to my Red formula. It’s  called <em>arginine  alpha-ketoglutarate</em> (A-AKG). This gives you a &#8220;time release&#8221;  effect. Instead of getting a quick boost and then fading fast, you get a  sustained N.O. release that lasts the whole day.</p>
<p>A-AKG  is far superior to anything else you’ll find out there. It’s time-release  extends the power of the standard l-arginine and gives you the power to strike  when the urge hits.</p>
<p>When  you blend the two together, they are more powerful.</p>
<p>My  Red formula is only step one.</p>
<p>The  real secret is alternating between the two. By moving between the Red and Black  formulas, I believe your body won’t build up a resistance or hit a plateau.</p>
<p>After  you take the Red formula, you’ll switch to Black.</p>
<p>During  my travels I’ve looked for and gathered what I believe are some of the most  potent male performance herbs on the planet.</p>
<p>My  trips to India, Peru, Jamaica, and Brazil were full of revelations and treks  through the forest. I met with healers and medicine men. (Some medicine women,  too.) They showed me their most powerful natural herbs.</p>
<p>I’m  working to bring these herbs back to the U.S. Many of them are completely  unknown to the Western world. There’s so much to tell you about… For now, I  want to share some stories about the herbs in my Black formula.</p>
<p><strong>Tribulus terrestris</strong> (puncture vine) has been used  in India and Eastern Europe since ancient times. Its legendary status is  well-deserved.</p>
<p>Tribulus  is a non-hormonal herb… but is thought to have hormonal effects. It has the  safety of an herb, and in animal studies it appears to raise levels of sex  hormones including testosterone and LH. In a study on chimps published just  last year, <strong><em>it  ramped up testosterone by over 50%.</em></strong>3</p>
<p>There is preliminary evidence it does the same thing for men. One group of  researchers found it lifted levels of testosterone in a small group of healthy  men by 30% after only five days.4</p>
<p>Another  key herb in my Black formula is <strong>Epimedium  grandiflorum</strong> (horny goat weed). There is preliminary evidence  it blocks a man’s worst enemy: <em>PDE5</em>.  This enzyme – which is more and more common as you age – reduces your body’s  ability to make nitric oxide (N.O.).</p>
<p>As  you already know, N.O. is critical for getting it up. PDE5 is the bad guy that  blocks it… In fact, PDE5 is one of the main reasons older guys are not as hard.</p>
<p><strong>Muira puama</strong> (potency wood) is a famous  aphrodisiac that grows in the Amazon basin in Brazil. During my trip, I spoke  to traditional healers about its legendary powers. It’s been used to help men  for hundreds – if not thousands – of years.</p>
<p>The  UCLA School of Medicine has investigated this potent herb, and the British Herbal  pharmacopoeia lists it as a means of getting help in the bedroom.</p>
<p>One  published journal study suggests muira puama <strong><em>helped over 50% of men</em></strong> with this  problem.5</p>
<p>While  these herbs have centuries of traditional use behind them, there’s a <em>modern</em> plague zapping  men’s strength and manhood. And it’s not happening in the remote Amazon  jungles… it’s happening right here on Main Street, USA.</p>
<p>By  alternating between Red and Black, you stay ahead of the game.</p>
<p>After  years of research, my <strong>Natural  T</strong> formula is finally ready. And I’ve seen what it can do.</p>
<p>That’s  why I’m so excited for you to have your own experience.</p>
<p>Try <strong>Natural T</strong> today.</p>
<p>You’ll  get help with better blood flow, more energy, and more enthusiasm.</p>
<p>You  can alternate between my Red and Black formulas as long as you like. You’ll  always respond, because you cycle between the two.</p>
<p>If  it doesn’t work for you, or if you don’t feel like it lived up to your  expectations, just ask for my no-hassle refund. You’ll get all your money back  with <strong><em>no questions  asked.</em></strong></p>
<p>When  you recharge your body and give it the right building blocks, anything is  possible.</p>
<p><strong>Natural T</strong> sidesteps all the problems you may have  experienced with other formulas.</p>
<p>You  don’t have to come to my clinic to get the help I give my patients.</p>
<p>It’s  here for you right now.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=95874&amp;AdID=481288" target="_blank">Just click HERE…</a></strong></p>
<p>To Your  Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al  Sears, MD</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Zorgniotti, AW, Lizza EF. “Effect of large doses of the nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine, on erectile dysfunction,” Int J Impot Res 1994; 6(1): 33-35.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Chen J, et al. “Effect of oral administration of high-dose nitric oxide donor L-arginine in men with organic erectile dysfunction: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study,” BJU Int 1999; 83(3): 269-273.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Kalamegam Gauthaman and Adaikan P. Ganesan. “The hormonal effects of Tribulus terrestris&#8230;” Phytomedicine. 2008. 15(1–2):44-54.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Wright J. Muscle and Fitness. 1996. September:140-142, 224.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Waynberg J. “Yohimbine vs. muira puama in the treatment of sexual dysfunction.” Am J Nat Med. 1994;1:8-9.</span></li>
</ol>
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		<title>A Quarter and a Glass of Water</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/prevent-heart-attack-with-a-quarter-and-a-glass-of-water/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/prevent-heart-attack-with-a-quarter-and-a-glass-of-water/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:23:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Heart Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[heart attack]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stroke]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The Doctor's Heart Cure]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2681</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A Quarter and a Glass of Water Saved Ed’s Life. Could it Save Yours Too?  The first time I met Ed he told me his story…It could be very important for you…

He was a roofer. He was leaving a job site, climbed into his truck and turned the ignition. But as he was pulling out of the parking lot, his vision suddenly went blurry. “It’s like I just forgot how to drive. Then it got to where I couldn’t feel the right side of my body.” He clenched the steering wheel, but couldn’t move...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h2><strong>A Quarter and a Glass of Water Saved Ed’s Life.</strong><strong>Could it Save Yours Too?</strong></h2>
<p>Dear Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>The first time I met Ed he told me  his story…It could be very important for you…</p>
<p>He was a roofer. He was leaving a  job site, climbed into his truck and turned the ignition. But as he was pulling  out of the parking lot, his vision suddenly went blurry. “It’s like I just  forgot how to drive. Then it got to where I couldn’t feel the right side of my  body.” He clenched the steering wheel, but couldn’t move.</p>
<p>His crew panicked as they saw his  truck roll off the road and into a ditch. The next thing Ed remembered he was  waking up in the hospital and seeing his wife’s grief-stricken face. He wanted  to talk to her…“I could think of what I wanted to say but I just couldn’t get  the words to come out.”</p>
<p>After his stroke, Ed told me he saw  every specialist but no one could explain why it had happened. He didn’t drink  or smoke and had none of the traditional risk factors. He was strong and  muscular from a lifetime of working as a roofer, and was only 48 years old. His  doctors insisted on the cholesterol lowering drug, Lipitor even though Ed’s  cholesterol was only 150.</p>
<p>And this is the point of Ed’s story  that I wanted you to know. <strong>Prescription  drugs won’t save you from a stroke.</strong> But you can slash your risk  to almost zero with just a few inexpensive supplements available at your  grocery store. Ed didn’t come to see me until another stroke hit. The second  one left him bedridden and out of a job.</p>
<p>His doctors put him through a  battery of tests at some of the best hospitals in the country. But after 6  months, Ed had no answers. The specialists at John’s Hopkins concluded he would  never work again. They told him he could never climb a ladder. Worse still,  they told him that he had an 80% chance of having a third stroke, which they  said would likely kill him.</p>
<p>Feeling desperate from the weight of  his death sentence and the loss of his livelihood, Ed went outside his HMO and  came to me.</p>
<p>I measured his risk of stroke with a  simple blood test. When his lab results came back, the answer was immediately  obvious: He had high levels of an acid that builds up when your antioxidant  systems start to fail – the biggest single risk factor for stroke. It was the  highest I had ever seen.</p>
<p>I gave Ed a combination of safe and  inexpensive supplements to counteract the acid. Ten years later, Ed is healthy  and still working. And he never had that third stroke.</p>
<p>Many heart attack victims don’t see  it coming either. The same acid that gave Ed two strokes gave Dave a heart  attack at the age of 54. When he came to me for help, I found high levels,  which I expected. But I also discovered low levels of a critical heart nutrient  that most doctors completely overlook.</p>
<p>After 6 months of taking this  nutrient twice a day he had no trace of heart disease and his blood pressure  dropped to a normal 120 over 80. And he’s not the only one.</p>
<p>I’ve helped thousands of my patients  overcome their fear of heart attack and stroke. By eliminating their risk, they  sleep better at night. And if you have a family history, the anxiety can be  intense – especially as you get older.</p>
<h2><strong>Prevent Heart Attack: Dodge  the Heart Attack Causing Hormone</strong></h2>
<ul>
<li>There’s  another very effective predictor of heart disease. When inflammation, injury or  infection appears, your liver releases a marker. By measuring it, I can tell  how likely you are to develop heart disease. </li>
</ul>
<p>The <em>New England Journal of Medicine</em> found that  men with high levels of this marker were twice as likely to suffer a stroke and  3 times as likely to have a heart attack.1  They also discovered this marker shows up in the blood 6 to 8 years before the  event happens. That means it gives you an advance warning. You can take action  to prevent them long before they strike.</p>
<ul>
<li> Your body  produces a particular hormone to help you regulate blood sugar. When levels get  too high, you start to gain weight and your body makes dangerous changes that  appear in your blood. Triglycerides (blood fat) start to rise and your HDL  (good cholesterol) starts to fall. Both your blood pressure and your risk of  heart disease go through the roof. </li>
</ul>
<p>Patients at my clinic are always  surprised to discover the extra fat around their belly has put them in the  danger zone. And most have no idea that a hormone is the real cause. But a few  simple changes in diet fix the problem. There’s no sacrifice involved either.  In fact many of my recommendations for heart health include steak, eggs and a  glass of wine.</p>
<ul>
<li> It may  surprise you to learn that cholesterol is a very poor indicator of heart  disease. In spite of the drug ads you see on TV and in magazines telling you to  push your cholesterol lower and lower, traditional cholesterol scores tell you  very little about your real risk. </li>
</ul>
<p>Many people with high cholesterol  never develop heart problems and at least half of the people who have heart  attacks have “normal” levels of cholesterol (below 200). But there’s an  effective new test that gives you the real story about your cholesterol.</p>
<p>Traditional cholesterol tests pick  up only 45% of cholesterol problems. The new one identifies about 90% of them.  What’s more, the new test can determine whether your cholesterol is actually  dangerous or if it is present in your bloodstream but harmless in terms of triggering  a heart attack.</p>
<h2><strong>Prevent Heart Attack: Get  the Exercise Your Heart Really Needs</strong></h2>
<p>Even more surprising than finding  out cholesterol doesn’t cause heart disease is discovering that traditional  exercise ramps up your risk of heart attack.</p>
<p>Aerobics, jogging and marathons have  led you in the wrong direction. This type of long-duration activity puts stress  on your heart that actually makes it shrink. When faced with long bouts of  exertion, your body will “downsize” your heart and lungs to economize its use  of energy. This keeps your heart going at high output for long periods.</p>
<p>But your body wasn’t designed for  long-duration activity. Your ancient ancestors never ran for hours on end.  Their activity was more like short bursts of intense exertion followed by rest  – the kind used during hunting or escaping from dangerous animals.</p>
<p>When you stress your heart for long  periods and force it to shrink, you lose vital reserve capacity. This is the  extra pumping power your heart reserves for when it really needs it. If someone  is chasing you and you need to get away fast, your heart will draw on that  reserve capacity to pump more blood quickly and get more oxygen to your  muscles. This gives you the power to get out of trouble.</p>
<p>The same applies for traumatic  experiences that are emotional. If you find out that a loved one has suddenly  died, the shock of hearing the bad news creates a demand for more oxygen, just  like when you’re trying to escape danger.</p>
<p>Losing your reserve capacity means  having a heart attack when a stressful situation arises. Every year,  well-conditioned long-distance runners suffer sudden cardiac death. And  distance runners have much higher rates of sudden cardiac death than all other  athletes.</p>
<p>But you can prevent heart attacks  and build up your heart’s reserve capacity by training your body in a whole new  way. I developed a program over 15 years ago that bulletproofs your heart in  less than 10 minutes.</p>
<p>I use it with my patients and get  results in a matter of weeks. It strengthens their heart, normalizes their  blood pressure and melts pounds of unwanted fat. In several cases I’ve had  patients drop over 70 pounds of body fat in 12 weeks. It’s easy to learn and  requires no special equipment or gym memberships.</p>
<h2><strong>Prevent Heart Attack: My  Patients Beat these Killers Everyday… Why Not You?</strong></h2>
<p>Ed and Dave are just two out of  thousands that have kicked heart attack and stroke to the curb. Just ask my  secretary… The medical records of my past success stories take up two rooms at  a warehouse down the street from my clinic.</p>
<p>Here are just a few from my files:</p>
<ul>
<li> In 1994,  Emily from Houston, Texas came to see me after 5 strokes left her wheelchair  bound and barely able to speak. Her doctors told her to “get her affairs in  order,” and prepare for the end. But after 3 months of taking the supplements I  told you about, she was talking like her old self. </li>
</ul>
<p>Today she’s walking on her own and  hasn’t had another stroke. That’s almost 14 years and counting… (Stroke victims  never have “permanent” damage. If it doesn’t kill you, healing starts almost  immediately.)</p>
<ul>
<li> In 2001, Mike  walked into my clinic with advanced heart disease. He was on half a dozen  prescription medications and over a hundred pounds over weight. Aside from  being obese, his blood pressure was off the charts. </li>
</ul>
<p>The same “heart nutrient” that  helped Dave brought Mike back from an early grave. Combined with a 10-minute  routine of heart-healthy exercise, Mike lost that excess weight in about 15  months. He says he “feels like his old self.” And his cardiologist confirms  he’s heart disease free.</p>
<ul>
<li> Just a few  years ago, Larry told me he was scared senseless. Both his father and  grandfather died of heart attacks shortly after retirement. At 66, Larry was  afraid his time was drawing near. </li>
</ul>
<p>His fears were justified. After his  blood tests came back I knew he was at risk. But with a few simple supplements  and changes in diet, those risk factors disappeared in a matter of 12 weeks.  Today, Larry is a lot more relaxed. He enjoys golf and time with his family  without the anxiety of thinking he could go at any moment.</p>
<h2><strong>Prevent Heart Attack: Cross  Heart Attack and Stroke Off Your List of Things to Worry About…</strong></h2>
<p>You can beat these killers and put  the worry out of your mind for good. Even if you have a family history, I can  help you. These methods are safe, proven and effective. Ed prevented his third  stroke with just a few simple supplements available at your local grocery  store. In <em><strong>The Doctor’s  Heart Cure</strong></em>, I show you exactly which ones and how much to take.</p>
<p>These strategies work regardless of  your current condition or medical history. I’ll give you all the details behind  the techniques I mentioned in this letter and more.</p>
<p>You’ll find out how to stop heart  attacks and strokes in a way that’s easy to understand and simple to follow.  You’ll learn how to determine your own risk and put together a program that  fits your own needs.</p>
<p>Now that you know it’s possible,  I’ll show you how to get started right away. And I personally guarantee it will  work for you. If it doesn’t, just let me know. You’ll get back every penny.  Even your shipping and handling will be refunded.</p>
<p>To help you put the threat of heart  attack and stroke behind you, I want you to have 3 more powerful resources. And  they won’t cost you a single cent. Eva – my services director – put them into a  special <em>Doctor’s Heart  Cure Package</em> that’s full of FREE bonuses.</p>
<h2><strong>Attention  Women: Emergency Room Doctors May Not Recognize Your  Heart Attack Symptoms Until It’s Too Late…</strong></h2>
<p>You may think heart disease is just  a man’s problem. But every year, more women die from heart disease than men.  It’s the biggest killer of women in American history. And it’s deadlier in  women too. Over 40% of women die within a year of their first heart attack  versus only 24% for men.</p>
<p>Even most doctors underestimate this  risk women face. To help you understand why and exactly what to do, I’m giving  you a copy of <em><strong>The  Doctor’s Heart Cure for Women</strong></em>.</p>
<p>You’ll discover:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>The 3 unique risk factors women have, but don’t know about. </li>
<li>Why traditional “cardio” accelerates a loss of aging unique       to women. </li>
<li>The big blunder treating women with heart disease and how to       avoid them. </li>
<li>Why women are more likely to be deficient in important fats       and nutrients because of flawed diet advice. </li>
<li>Why emergency rooms fail to diagnose a heart attack in women.       (Women experience completely different heart attack symptoms.) </li>
<li><em>And more…</em></li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>I  Use 10 Powerful Supplements that Reverse Disease in My Patients –  Today, I’ll Tell You what They Are and How to Use  Them…</strong></h2>
<p>Supplements are one of the keys to  preventing heart attack and stroke. There are 10 powerhouse herbs, minerals and  nutrients I recommend most often to my patients. They’re easy to find and won’t  cost you a fortune.</p>
<p>In my <em><strong>Top 10 Life-Saving Supplements</strong></em>, you’ll  find out what they are, how to take them and where to get them. I’ll give you  simple, easy-to-follow advice showing you exactly why these super-charged  ingredients target and protect the most vulnerable areas of your body and mind.</p>
<p>Here’s a sample of what you’ll find:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Just 55 micrograms of this mineral protects you from the 4       deadliest forms of cancer. </li>
<li>This “miracle” nutrient has the power to reverse heart       disease and prevent heart attacks. </li>
<li>This potent herb can boost a man’s testosterone level by 30%       in just 5 days. (It was used by Eastern European athletes to enhance their       performance during the Olympics – decades before it was “discovered” by       the West.) </li>
</ul>
<h2><strong>Prevent Heart Attack: Throw  Away Your Jogging Shoes and Beat Heart Disease in Just  Minutes a Day</strong></h2>
<p>As another added bonus, you’ll get  my <em><strong>Real Heart Strength</strong></em> audio download. You’ll hear me in my own words tell you step-by-step, how to  avoid the dangers of traditional exercise and how you can prevent and reverse  heart disease in just minutes a day.</p>
<p>In this revealing audio program  you’ll learn:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>What you <em>must</em> do to prevent a heart attack </li>
<li>How to super-charge your heart and lungs </li>
<li>How you can strengthen your immune system as you age </li>
<li>How to get the heart of a well-trained athlete in just 10       minutes a day </li>
</ul>
<h1 style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.on2url.com/app/adtrack.asp?MerchantID=89261&amp;AdID=481196" target="_blank"><strong>Order NOW! </strong></a></h1>
<h3><strong>Let  Me Put an End to Your Worry… For Good!</strong></h3>
<p>Don’t leave yourself vulnerable to  the lightning fast and deadly strike of a heart attack or stroke. <em><strong>The Doctor’s Heart Cure</strong></em> lowers your risk to zero. By taking action now, you’ll put your mind at ease by  eliminating the two most common killers of our time.</p>
<p><img src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/heart-cure-book.gif" alt="" width="136" height="205" align="right" />When you order <em><strong>The  Doctor’s Heart Cure Package</strong></em>, you’ll get a hard copy of <em><strong>The Doctor’s Heart Cure</strong></em> sent right to your door. Your other FREE reports, <em><strong>The Doctor’s Heart Cure for Women</strong></em>,  my <em><strong>Top 10 Life-Saving  Supplements</strong></em> and my <em><strong>Real  Heart Strength</strong></em> audio download will be e-mailed  to you immediately.</p>
<p>You get everything for just $24.00.  If you need a refund, not a problem. All your FREE bonuses are yours to keep  with my compliments. That way, we take all the risk.</p>
<p>Getting started is easy. Just click  the link below.</p>
<p>To Your Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" border="0" alt="" width="160" height="43" /></p>
<p>Al Sears, MD</p>
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<hr />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ridker PM et al. Inflammation, aspirin and the risk of cardiovascular disease in apparently healthy men. <em>New England Journal of Medicine</em>. 1997 April 3; 336(14):973-9. </span></li>
</ol>
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		<title>Life Is Like a Box of Chocolates</title>
		<link>http://www.alsearsmd.com/chocolate-flavonoids/</link>
		<comments>http://www.alsearsmd.com/chocolate-flavonoids/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:06:55 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Dr. Al Sears</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Brain Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[antioxidants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chocolate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[flavonoids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inflammation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stroke]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.alsearsmd.com/?p=2673</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[ If you ate chocolate on Valentine’s Day, I have some news for you. You don’t have to feel guilty.

In fact, I have evidence that you may have cut your risk from dying of a stroke nearly in half.

Two studies give us great news about chocolate.

The first study found that people who ate one serving of chocolate per week were 22% less likely to have a stroke.1

The second study found that people who ate 50 grams of chocolate once a week were 46% less likely to die following a stroke than those who didn’t eat chocolate.2

About 80% of strokes occur when there isn’t enough blood getting to the brain.3 Your brain is starved of oxygen and nutrients and begins to die immediately...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Dear Health Conscious Reader,</p>
<p>If  you ate chocolate on Valentine’s Day, I have some news for you. You don’t have  to feel guilty.</p>
<p>In  fact, I have evidence that you may have cut your risk from dying of a stroke  nearly in half.</p>
<p>Two  studies give us great news about chocolate.</p>
<p>The  first study found that people who ate one serving of chocolate per week were  22% less likely to have a stroke.<sub>1</sub></p>
<p>The  second study found that people who ate 50 grams of chocolate once a week were  46% less likely to die following a stroke than those who didn’t eat chocolate.<sub>2</sub></p>
<p>About  80% of strokes occur when there isn’t enough blood getting to the brain.<sub>3</sub> Your  brain is starved of oxygen and nutrients and begins to die immediately.</p>
<p>Chocolate  helps to counteract that in two ways. It’s rich in antioxidants and helps to  increase circulation.</p>
<p>You  may get a rush of pleasure when you bite into a piece of chocolate. But  chocolate gives you more than instant gratification. Chocolate is filled with  antioxidants called flavonoids. Flavonoids protect the body.</p>
<p>Flavonoids  fight silent inflammation, which is the leading cause of chronic diseases such  as cancer, heart disease, stroke, dementia, and many others.<sub>4</sub></p>
<p>You  can find flavonoids in vegetables, tea, and red wine, but cocoa has more  flavonoids.<sub>5</sub> In fact, dark chocolate contains up to four times the  antioxidants found in tea.<sub>6</sub></p>
<p>But  that’s not all this Valentine’s Day treat can do.</p>
<p>The  flavonol-rich cocoa in chocolate is also a vasodilator.<sub>7</sub> It  widens blood vessels so circulation is improved. This brings an increased blood  flow to the brain. It helps to lower blood pressure and improve heart function.  Vasodilators like the cocoa in chocolate also help to increase circulation to  sexual organs so they’re ready to respond when you are.</p>
<p>No  wonder the scientific name for cocoa translates to “food of the gods.”</p>
<p>When  you’re looking for a good source of chocolate, keep this in mind:</p>
<ul type="disc">
<li>Look for chocolate that contains 70% or more cocoa. This is       the ingredient that contains health benefits. </li>
<li>Check how much sugar is added to the chocolate you choose.       Keep it as low as possible. But choose sugar over artificial sweeteners or       chocolate labeled “sugar free.” </li>
<li>Beware of other chemicals in the chocolate. Choose a brand       that has pure ingredients and no chemical additives. </li>
<li>Make chocolate your special treat of choice once a week. </li>
<li>You can find good quality chocolate at a health-food store.       More and more it’s finding its way into grocery and drug stores. Read the       label to be sure of the quality and content. </li>
</ul>
<p>To  Your Good Health,</p>
<p><img id="_x0000_i1025" longdesc="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" src="http://www.alsearsmd.com/img/sig.JPG" alt="" width="144" height="48" /></p>
<p>Al Sears, MD</p>
<ol>
<li> <span style="font-size: x-small;">“Can Chocolate Lower  Your Risk of Stroke?” <em>American  Academy of Neurology</em>. <a href="http://www.aan.com">www.aan.com</a>.  Accessed 02 2010.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Ibid. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">“Causes of Strokes.” <a href="http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stroke/DS00150/DSECTION=causes">http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/stroke/DS00150/DSECTION=causes</a>. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">Wang, J.F., Schramm, D. D., et al. “A Dose-Response Effect from Chocolate  Consumption on Plasma Epicatechin and Oxidative Damage,” <em>Journal of Nutrition</em>.  2000;130:2115S-2119S.</span></li>
<li> <span style="font-size: x-small;"> Ki Won Lee, KW., Kim, YJ., et al. “Cocoa Has More Phenolic Phytochemicals and  a Higher Antioxidant Capacity than Teas and Red Wine” J. Agric.     <em>Food Chem</em>. 2003;  51(25):7292–7295. </span> </li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;">I.Arts, P.Hollman, D.Kromhout “Chocolate as a source of tea flavonoids,” The  Lancet. 354; (9177): 488-488. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: x-small;"> Fisher, N., Hughes, M., et al. “Flavanol-rich cocoa induces  nitric-oxide-dependent vasodilation in healthy humans,” <em>Journal of Hypertension</em>:  2003. 21; (12):2281-2286.</span></li>
</ol>
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