Experiencing excess fat in the body can have more than just an effect on one’s health, though that is certainly nothing to sneeze at. Being overweight can affect one’s whole way of life, decreasing confidence and hampering a social life. The reason why this is such a common problem for millions of people is that diet and exercise sometimes don’t even work to get rid of stubborn fat deposits, particularly if a person is female. There is now an alternative to lipo that is far safer, less scary, and less expensive that is sweeping the nation.

When diet and exercise are failing a person in their quest to lose weight and inches off of their bodies, many just give up rather than taking the traditional next step in fat removal, which used to be liposuction. This is a procedure that is intimidating to many people, requiring going under the knife in a surgeon’s office, being sedated, and having fat literally sucked out of the body after incisions are made. This can be frightening, which is why so many people have been seeking an alternative to lipo for quite some time now.

The first alternative to lipo came in the form of laser surgery. This doesn’t require any knives, at the very least. In this case, a high powered laser is applied to trouble spots where fat has deposited, typically the thighs, stomach, or buttocks. The laser cuts through the first layer of skin and burns away fat, typically melting it. This was an improvement on liposuction, but far from ideal as it has the possibility of leaving behind unsightly scars and can be a painful process to boot. What is the point in receiving plastic surgery to improve one’s physical appearance if there are scars that still make it embarrassing to go out and flaunt it on the beach?

Finally, the true alternative to lipo has arrived, which comes as a huge relief to all those people who have been seeking a solution to their stubborn fat that won’t budge despite dieting. Women are hardwired to hang onto fat, making stronger means necessary. A new high-powered laser known as the Zerona system has arrived, which rather than burning the fat simply liquefies it in the subcutaneous layer underneath the skin. The fat molecules are then gently and naturally excreted by the body. This is the best solution, because it is painless, doesn’t leave scars, and there is no need to go under the knife.

At Dr. King’s office we take this amazing Zerona Laser and combine it with our state of the art nutrition & hormone balancing computerized program so you can get the best of two worlds.  The latest advanced cosmetic Zerona Laser and our computerized program to key in to any metabolic and hormone issues to put you on the right track for nutrition and diet.  To find out more about our zerona program just go to www.zeronanews.com.

Call today for your free consult with Dr. King and mention zeronanews.com to receive 3 bonus sessions added to any package you choose.

Marie Claire Magazine has stated that a new revolutionary fat decreasing method is now available that is blowing other products and services out of the water. That method is known as the Zerona procedure, and it has been spotted everywhere recently, from women’s magazines to the internet to talk shows. This is for several different reasons. First of all, there is the timely issue of weight loss. With obesity currently an epidemic that is affecting a startling number of people; most adults are in the market for some sort of weight loss solution that fits into their busy schedules.

Whereas other methods may be dangerous, painful, or costly, the Zerona procedure utilizes a low-intensity laser that is completely non-invasive, and much more cost effective than other surgical procedures that would give comparable results. In addition, without the invasive nature of high powered lasers or liposuction, the Zerona laser is much more gentle and painless. It acts on the fat cells that are stored up underneath the skin in dense deposits, liquefying these and letting the body expel them naturally and on its own terms, making this much more gradual yet just as effective as other procedures. There is no recovery time as there is with liposuction that can leave unsightly scars and puffy spots during recovery.

While ideally everyone would make dieting and exercising work for them, unfortunately especially as people age they find that this is just not possible. While weight can be lost and overall health improved, sometimes there are just pockets of fat that won’t go away, no matter what. In this case the only option is to physically remove them, which is what the Zerona procedure does in the softest way that is possible. Doctors have been researching this procedure for years now trying to perfect it, and at last it is ready for the public.

The word is already out about the Zerona procedure, with legions of devoted fans having spread their stories in various media outlets and through general word of mouth to friends and family. It makes sense that it has taken off so quickly, because it is completely different from anything else on the market today. Not only does it work quickly, but it is effective and won’t leave you with unsightly scars. What more could a person want who has struggled with their weight throughout life? Finally there is an answer, and it is one that is bringing smiles to millions of faces.

If you’re interested in Zerona Laser or putting a Lifestyle change together with Zerona then Dr. King is the answer she is the doctor who wrote and developed many of the original Zerona Laser protocols and has been training doctors since day 1 on how to use the Zerona Laser. So work with the best meet Dr. King at www.zeronanews.com and team up with the most amazing approach on the market today.

Call today for you free consultation and mention zeronanews.com to get 3 bonus Zerona Session added to any package you choose. (626) 799-0557

Zerona Research Article:

http://www.mycosmeticprocedures.com/downloads/zerona-laser_in_surgery_and_medicine.pdf

Many people with thyroid disease have trouble getting well. The majority of hypothyroid disease is actually an autoimmune disease called Hashimoto thyroiditis. As an autoimmune disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis attacks the cells of the thyroid, slowly destroying its ability to function. Unfortunately, even when the disease is diagnosed correctly, the common treatment is just to replace the diminished thyroid hormone, usually with an oral tablet or pill of the thyroid hormone thyroxine (T4 or levothyroxine), a synthetic analog.

According to conventional medical practice, most patients with hypothyroidism will need to be on T4 treatment for the rest of their lives.The problem with only giving hormone replacement, is it does nothing to stop the progression of the true disease; it only masks some of the symptoms. So initially your thyroid tests come back normal. Meanwhile your immune system is still attacking your thyroid. Eventually your symptoms may get worse and more thyroid hormone may be prescribed. So while you are increasing your levels of thyroid hormones, making your levels of thyroid look normal on the lab results, you are still getting worse.

This may come as a shock. It did to me.  Autoimmune thyroid problems can present as hyperthyroid or hypothyroid. It may be marked by an inability to regulate our response to thyroid medications.

Next: Symptoms and causes of thyroid problems

Symptoms common to hypothyroidism are:

• Enlarged thyroid (or goiter)
• Trouble swallowing
• Intolerance to cold
• Mild weight gain
• Fatigue
• Constipation
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Heavy and irregular menses
• Infertility
• Difficulty concentrating or thinking

So how should it be treated? Autoimmune diseases are multi-factorial in their causes. That means that further tests must be done to properly evaluate the real underlying source of the disease. Some of the most common factors are:

• Wheat (gluten) sensitivities or celiac disease
• Sudden changes in the hormone estrogen that may occur after pregnancy, abortions or menopause
• Heavy metal toxicity
• Vitamin D deficiency

Adrenal Fatigue, overload, or long term chronic stress

The important FACT is that without a more complete assessment of a complex situation, proper treatment is more than unlikely. And despite most usually reliable sites such as the mayoclinic.com, there is mention that the problem is autoimmune, but it’s treatment as such is not addressed.

How can you find out if this is a problem for you? First you can discuss this with your doctor or endocrinologist. This is not a hidden secret, ask them about testing for autoantibodies. Most endocrinologists perform these tests regularly. The two major ones tested are Thyroid Antithyroglobulin Ab and Thyroid Peroxidase Ab. People with Hashimoto’s disease have these antibodies in increased amounts, but people whose hypothyroidism is caused by other conditions do not. You can also find a source for testing thyroid autoantibodies by visiting Save on Labs.

Autoimmune diseases are not simple to treat and they require a sophisticated understanding of biochemistry and nutrition. But with proper diagnosis, the path to healing becomes more clearly defined.  Through a combination of the proper diet, nutrition, and biochemistry you can live an amazing balanced life.

www.advancedhealthconcepts.net for more information on our health & nutrition programs.

Many people are eating healthy foods and taking supplements but if you aren’t taking steps to detox your house you may be surprised what you’re being exposed to.  Here are 20 tips to get started:

No shoes in the house (as most household dirt, pesticides and lead come in on your shoes). Go barefoot or wear slippers. Place floor mats vertically by your entryways to wipe your shoes. This way more dirt and residue from your shoes stays outside on the mat
Keep the air clean. Keep your windows and doors open as much as possible to ventilate. Use green plants as natural air detoxifiers. Remove odors with baking soda.

Use fresh flowers or bowls of herbs like rosemary and sage to add a pleasant fragrance to rooms.

Have your air ducts and vents cleaned with nontoxic cleaners. Get a portable air cleaner/purifier, especially for the bedrooms.

Switch from the standard household cleaning products to cleaner and greener ones. These don’t damage your health or the environment’s as much and work as well as the mass marketed ones. You can also use basic ingredients you have around the house, for instance, vinegar in place of bleach, baking soda to scrub your tiles and hydrogen peroxide to remove stains. According to Annie Bond, the author of “Better Basics For The Home,” she can clean anything with water and these five basic ingredients: Baking Soda, Washing Soda, Distilled White Vinegar, Vegetable based liquid Soap eg Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint Soap and Tea Tree oil.

Replace your skin care and personal products with less toxic and chemical free options. Deodorant, toothpaste, cosmetics, hair products, nail polish and perfumes are often loaded with toxins. Learn how to identify them and avoid them.

Use plastics wisely (as some contain Bisphenol A (BPA), which is linked to cancer and Phtalates, which are linked to endocrine and developmental problems). Avoid plastic food packaging (when you can). Don’t wrap food in plastic. Don’t microwave food in plastic containers. Choose baby bottles made from glass or BPA-free plastic. Avoid vinyl teethers for your baby. Stay away from children’s toys marked with a “3″ or “PVC.” Avoid plastic shower curtains. Avoid non stick pans, pots, bakeware and utensils (as Teflon contains perfluorinated chemicals (PFC’s) which have been linked to cancer and developmental problems).

Keep house dust to a minimum (as more dust means more toxins). Mop all surfaces at least once a week. Use a vacuum cleaner (with a HEPA filter, preferably) for your carpets. HEPA-filter vacuums capture the widest range of particles and get rid of allergens.

Avoid excess moisture (as it encourages the growth of mold and mildew). Check areas for moisture accumulation or leaks (particularly basements). Regularly clean surfaces where mold usually grows – around showers and tubs and beneath sinks.

Get a shower filter (as many of the contaminants in tap water become gases at room temperature). A shower filter can help keep these toxins from becoming airborne.

Get a water filter (as more than 700 chemicals have been identified in drinking water). Filtering your tap water is better than drinking bottled water.Avoid stain-guarded clothing, furniture and carpets (due to the presence of PFC’s). Wrinkle free and permanent press fabrics used for clothing and bedding commonly contain formaldehyde – use untreated fabrics where possible.

Be conscious of toxins in carpeting, especially in products made from synthetic materials. Use natural fiber wool & cotton rugs. If possible, replace your wall-to-wall carpeting with hardwood floors, all natural linoleum or ceramic tiles. Use nontoxic glues, adhesives, stains or sealers for installation.

Seal (with a non toxic sealer) or replace particleboard walls, floors or cabinets (which often contain formaldehyde, which can emit irritating and unhealthy fumes for decades). Avoid plywood, fiberglass, fiberboard and paneling.

Avoid harmful pet-care products and avoid toxic pest control (including traditional termite exterminators).
Replace toxic lawn and garden pesticides and herbicides with less harmful natural ones. Tell the dry cleaner not to use the plastic wrap or remove it as soon as possible (as the plastic traps the dry cleaning chemicals on clothes and in your closet). Let your dry cleaning air out (preferably outside) before storing it. Use “wet cleaning” if you are lucky enough to have it in your area.
Use low VOC, low odor latex (water based) paint. Open all windows to ventilate properly when painting indoors.
Have your house checked for carbon monoxide leaks, (most commonly found in leaking gas stoves, gas fireplaces, furnaces and chimneys and gas water heaters).
Check Radon levels in poorly ventilated basements that have cracked walls and or floors. Radon is an odorless gas that forms as uranium in rocks and soil breaks down. Radon is linked to lung cancer.
We can reduce our risk of chronic illness by limiting our exposure to these toxins but don’t let this become an obsession which can cause so much stress that it creates more of a negative impact on your health than the toxins themselves.

And finally, no amount of environmental toxins are as important as emotional toxicity. You can do all the above, but if your house is full of anger, resentment, jealousy, unhappiness and a lack of love, compassion and forgiveness, the house will remain toxic.  All my best for continued great health and for those of you who are looking to do a health assessment on the inside and get your body on the road to amazing health and wellness check out www.advancedhealthconcepts.net or call today for a free consult to see what Dr. King can do for you.

Almost everyone has frustrating “senior moments” when a name is on the tip of our tongue or we forget to drop by the grocery store for a loaf of bread. But 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, says the Alzheimer’s Association, and the numbers of people suffering from the mind-robbing disease are expected to climb as the U.S. population ages.

The key to keeping your mind sharp is keeping your body healthy, and simple nutritional choices you make now can lower your chances of developing Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia in the future. Here are top 10 foods that can help save your memory.

1. Chocolate

Norwegian researchers showed that the flavonoids in cocoa may help protect against dementia by increasing blood flow to the brain. Flavonoids are antioxidants that help cells, including brain cells, to quickly repair themselves. For the best benefits, buy chocolate with a high cocoa content of 70 percent or more.

2. Fish

Omega-3 oils found in cold-water fish such as salmon contain fatty acids essential for a healthy brain and also for fighting depression. A study from Louisiana State University showed that eating fish helps protect the brain from problems associated with Alzheimer’s disease, and a study from Australia’s Aberdeen University found that fish oil slows the aging process while helping the brain work faster. Many experts suggest eating two portions of fish each week and taking a 1,000 mg fish oil (make sure that the EPA +DHA add up to 1000 mg and that it’s pharmaceutical grade for purity) supplement three times a day.

3. Olive oil

Oleocanthal, a compound that occurs naturally in extra-virgin organic olive oil, can alter the structure of toxic proteins in the brain that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. A study by researchers at Northwestern University and the Monell Chemical Senses Center found that the change inhibits the ability of toxic proteins called ADDLs to damage nerves in the brain.

4. Coffee

Drinking three to five cups of coffee daily during middle age can lower your chances of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease by 65 percent, according to a Finnish study. According to Newsmax wellness expert Vera Tweed, the caffeine in coffee prevents deterioration of memory and overall memory function in aging brains and protects against developing Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.  Be careful with this if you suffer from Adrenal dysfunction or Heart issues remember with any of these suggestions it is always best to discuss with your nutrition or wellness expert for your body.

5. Garlic

Chinese researchers discovered that a sulfur compound in garlic called S-allyl cystein (SAC) helps prevent degeneration in the frontal lobes of the brain. Other studies have found that memory retention improves after eating garlic, and Eleanor Roosevelt gave eating three cloves of garlic daily credit for her great memory.

6. Wine

Researchers at Spain’s University of Valencia found that moderate alcohol consumption (a maximum of two drinks daily for men and one drink for women) may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s. They interviewed 246 healthy people and the relatives of 176 Alzheimer’s patients of the same age and gender mix about their health and lifestyle factors. They discovered that light to moderate drinking had a protective effect against Alzheimer’s disease, especially among women who were nonsmokers.  Remember that drinking too much wine can also lead to weight gain and pre-dispose certain cancers so we’ve taken all the benefits of wine into a great supplement called resveratrol we carry it by Xymogen as Resveratin (equivalent of drinking about 200 glasses of red wine–very potent stuff).

7. Clams

The Oxford Project to Investigate Memory and Learning (OPTIMA) found that seniors with low vitamin B-12 levels quadrupled their risk of developing Alzheimer’s. A 100 gram serving of clams provides 1,648 percent of the RDA. Other rich sources include oysters, mussels, shrimp, and scallops. (To avoid the toxicity issues from too much shellfish sublingual B12 is a great alternative).

8. Apples

We’ve all heard that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” and researchers at Cornell University found that apples contain a powerful ingredient that helps protect the brain from damage and even fights Alzheimer’s. The key ingredient appears to be the antioxidant quercetin. “On the basis of serving size, fresh apples have some of the highest levels of quercetin when compared to other fruits and vegetables and may be among the best food choices for fighting Alzheimer’s,” study leader Chang Y. Lee said in a statement. “People should eat more apples, especially fresh ones.”

9. Spinach

Tufts University researchers showed that spinach slowed and even reversed memory loss in rats. The benefit may be due, at least in part, to its high content of folic acid. Only half a cup of cooked spinach contains two-thirds of the RDA of folic acid. All greens are good for memory, and the darker the green, the better. Aim for at least a cup every day.

10. Grape juice

A study at Vanderbilt University found that people who drank grape juice more than three times a week lowered their risk of developing Alzheimer’s by 76 percent, and research by the University of Cincinnati demonstrated that drinking 100 percent purple grape juice can reduce or even reverse memory loss.

In a study led by Cincinnati researcher Dr. Robert Krikorian, 12 men and women between the ages of 75 and 80 were divided into two groups. All had been diagnosed with early memory loss. One group drank about two glasses of 100 percent Concord grape juice daily for 12 weeks while the other group drank a placebo matched for calories.  Just an added note we get this same great benefit from Resveratrol without all the added sugar.

The participants were given memory tests, such as memorizing lists and placing items in a specific order, at regular intervals during the three months. “While there were no significant differences between the groups at baseline, following treatment, those drinking Concord grape juice demonstrated significant improvement in list learning,” Krikorian said in a statement. “In addition, trends suggested improved short-term retention and spatial (nonverbal) memory.”

Remember how you eat plays a significant role in your memory, how you feel and how you’ll age over time. Supplements, nutrients and proper nutrition also play a huge role in prevention as well as keeping your body in proper balance. To have your body analyzed, put on the road to proper nutrition, eating, and healthy lifestyle talk with Dr. King today.  We have a comprehensive 2 hour session where we look at your entire lifestyle and put together the right foods, supplements, nutrients and natural remedies for your body type, your family history, your current state of health and your goals for life.  Start today with an amazing path to live life to the fullest.

www.advancedhealthconcepts.net for more information

Here are 9 great things Chiropractic Adjustments do for the body…

For more information on balancing your body nutritionally talk with Dr. King 626-799-0557 or www.drstephanieking.com for more information.

As you lie on the table under crisp, fresh sheets, hushed music draws you into the moment. The smell of sweet aromatherapy fills the air and you hear the gentle sound of massage oil being warmed in your therapist’s hands. The pains of age, the throbbing from your overstressed muscles, the sheer need to be touched — all cry out for therapeutic hands to start their work. Once the session gets underway, the problems of the world fade into an oblivious 60 minutes of relief and all you can comprehend right now is not wanting it to end.

But what if that hour of massage did more for you than just take the pressures of the day away? What if that gentle, therapeutic massage helped you combat cancer? What if bodywork helped you recover from a strained hamstring in half the time? What if your sleep, digestion and mood all improved with massage and bodywork? What if these weren’t just “what ifs”?

Evidence is showing that the more massage you can allow yourself, the better you’ll feel. Here’s why.

Massage as a healing tool has been around for thousands of years in many cultures. Touching is a natural human reaction to pain and stress, and for conveying compassion and support. Think of the last time you bumped your head or had a sore calf. What did you do? Rubbed it, right? The same was true of our earliest ancestors. Healers throughout time and throughout the world have instinctually and independently developed a wide range of therapeutic techniques using touch. Many are still in use today, and with good reason. We now have scientific proof of the benefits of massage - benefits ranging from treating chronic diseases and injuries to alleviating the growing tensions of our modern lifestyles.

Having a massage does more than just relax your body and mind - there are specific physiological and psychological changes which occur, even more so when massage is utilized as a preventative, frequent therapy and not simply mere luxury. Massage not only feels good, but it can cure what ails you. 


The Consequences of Stress
Experts estimate that 80 percent to 90 percent of disease is stress-related. Massage and bodywork is there to combat that frightening number by helping us remember what it means to relax. The physical changes massage brings to your body can have a positive effect in many areas of your life. Besides increasing relaxation and decreasing anxiety, massage lowers your blood pressure, increases circulation, improves recovery from injury, helps you to sleep better and can increase your concentration. It reduces fatigue and gives you more energy to handle stressful situations. 

Massage is a perfect elixir for good health, but it can also provide an integration of body and mind. By producing a meditative state or heightened awareness of living in the present moment, massage can provide emotional and spiritual balance, bringing with it true relaxation and peace.

Touch Research Institute (TRI) at the University of Miami, is known massage research. Together, they and other researchers have done outstanding work proving the value of massage. While their studies have shown we can benefit from massage even in small doses (15 minutes of chair massage or a half-hour table session), Hernandez-Reif says they know from their research that receiving bodywork 2-3 times a week is highly beneficial. And if we lived in a fantasy world, Hernandez-Reif has the answer. “I feel a daily massage is optimal.”

It’s undoubtedly a wonderful thing when your therapist begins unwinding those stress-tightened muscles, and your day’s troubles begin to fade away. But it’s the cherry on top to know this “medicine” only gets better with frequency.


What You Already Know: The Benefits of Massage
In an age of technical and, at times, impersonal medicine, massage offers a drug-free, non-invasive and humanistic approach based on the body’s natural ability to heal itself. So what exactly are the benefits to receiving regular massage and/or bodywork treatments?

- Increases circulation, allowing the body to pump more oxygen and nutrients into tissues and vital organs. 

- Stimulates the flow of lymph, the body’s natural defense system, against toxic invaders. For example, in breast cancer patients, massage has been shown to increase the cells that fight cancer. 

- Increased circulation of blood and lymph systems improves the condition of the body’s largest organ - the skin. 

- Relaxes and softens injured and overused muscles

- Reduces spasms and cramping

- Increases joint flexibility. 

- Reduces recovery time, helps prepare for strenuous workouts and eliminates subsequent pains of the athlete at any level.

- Releases endorphins - the body’s natural painkiller - and is being used in chronic illness, injury and recovery from surgery to control and relieve pain. 

- Reduces post-surgery adhesions and edema and can be used to reduce and realign scar tissue after healing has occurred. 

- Improves range-of-motion and decreases discomfort for patients with low back pain.

- Relieves pain for migraine sufferers and decreases the need for medication.

- Provides exercise and stretching for atrophied muscles and reduces shortening of the muscles for those with restricted range of motion.

- Assists with shorter labor for expectant mothers, as well as less need for medication, less depression and anxiety, and shorter hospital stays.

For those of you looking to benefit from therapeutic massage look no further then our office.  We have all the benefits right here in increments of 20, 30, 40, 60 and 90 minute to fit all of your needs and budget.

Check out our Massage Services Page or call our office today at 626-799-0557.

Chiropractic during pregnancy is an important part of prenatal care. Unfortunately, not enough women know of the benefits of chiropractic care both for themselves and their unborn baby. A woman’s body undergoes an amazing amount of changes during pregnancy. As her baby grows her musculoskeletal system must adjust accordingly to accommodate the growing uterus and prepare for delivery. Chiropractic care helps her body to stay aligned as these changes occur and also helps to keep the nervous system functioning at its optimal level.

Many pregnant women experience low back pain, hip pain, and pubic symphysis. These discomforts are the result of the stresses put on the body by the rapid growth of the baby and the changes the body must undergo to accommodate those adjustments. As her belly gets bigger, the woman’s center of gravity changes. The growth is so quick that it is often difficult for the low back and pelvis to adjust to this change. This causes stress in those areas, resulting in misalignments which then causes pain and dysfunction. If a woman’s low back and pelvis was out of alignment before her pregnancy it is even harder for her back and pelvis to adjust. When the pelvis is subluxated (misaligned) it affects the uterus and the position of the growing baby.

The uterus is connected to the pelvis by ligaments: the broad ligament, the uterosacral ligaments, and the round ligaments. Like a hot air balloon tethered to the ground, these ligaments work to keep the uterus in the proper place in the pelvis and allow support as the uterus grows to accommodate the growing baby. If the pelvis is subluxated, these ligaments can become torqued. When the ligaments are affected, they directly affect the position of the uterus which can result in the baby not being in an optimal position. This type of situation may result in a breech baby or a transverse (sideways) baby.

The goal of the chiropractor is to correct the subluxations in the pelvis to help balance the uterus and allow the baby to get into a better position. Chiropractic adjustments for a pregnant woman are specific, gentle, and safe.

Besides increasing a pregnant woman’s comfort level, an aligned pelvis can result in a quicker, safer, and easier birth. When a baby is in breech or transverse position a cesarean section is almost always performed. Because they are so common many people forget that a c-section is a major abdominal surgery and can be risky. Helping the baby to get into a proper head-down position by balancing the pelvis and ligaments helps to avoid c-sections due to baby positioning. Other variations in baby position such as a tilted head or a “sunny side up” baby (face up during delivery) can also be caused by pelvic imbalance and may result in a more difficult, painful, and longer labor and delivery.

At our office besides Chiropractic care we also specialize in Prenatal and Postnatal Massage which offers many benefits as well to the Mom as well as the developing infant.

For more information, you can contact our office at 626-799-0557 or check out our Chiropractic and Massage Page at www.advancedhealthconcepts.info

1.  Catechins found in blueberries activate fat-burning genes in abdominal fat cells to assist with weight loss, and belly fat loss in particular.  According to research at Tufts University, regularly ingesting catechins increases abdominal fat loss by 77 percent and double total weight loss.

2.  They contain a group of natural phytonutrients (plant nutrient) called proanthocyanidins which have a unique ability to protect both the watery and fatty parts of the brain against damage from some environmental toxins.

3.  Blueberries are one of the richest sources of proanthocyanidins.  These phytonutrients decrease free radicals levels that are linked to aging (yes wrinkling!) and disease.

4.  In animal studies, those given an extract of blueberries had less motor skill decline and performed better on memory tests than animals not given the blueberries.  Researchers conclude that compounds in blueberries may reverse some age-related memory loss and motor skill decline.

5.  Blueberries are packed with vitamins C, E, riboflavin, niacin, and folate.

6.  They are a rich source of the phytonutrients ellagic acid.  Ellagic acid has proven anticancer and genetic-material-protection capabilities.  It also encourages a healthy rate of apoptosis—how the body seeks out and destroys harmful or damaged cells, like cancer cells.

7.  Because they contain plentiful amounts of the phytonutrient quercetin, they may reduce the likelihood and severity of allergies.

8.  Blueberries contain minerals like iron, magnesium, manganese, and potassium.

9.  Blueberries contain salicylic acid—the natural version of aspirin.  Salicylic acid is known to thin the blood and reduce pain.

10.  Blueberries are excellent anti-inflammatory agents.  They increase the amounts of compounds called heat-shock proteins that decrease as people age.  When heat shock proteins decrease the result is inflammation and damage, particularly in the brain.  Research shows that by eating blueberries regularly, inflammation lessens.

11.  They increase the production of feel-good dopamine.  Dopamine is a natural neurotransmitter (brain messenger) that tends to be low in Parkinson’s.

12.  They just taste great.  Ok, this is no surprise but it’s a great reason to eat blueberries anyway.