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Q&A - Carotenoids (Part I)

Q: What are the benefits of carotenoids, and are they only found in carrots?

A: Carotenoids are a family of nutrients that are found in many fruits and vegetables such as apricots, carrots, citrus fruits, tomatoes, watermelons, and squashes. They can also be found in dark green vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, kale, and cabbage, but their presence is masked by chlorophyll. The benefits of carotenoids include the following: Lutein and Zeaxanthin are especially important for the macula of the eye because they can help prevent age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Lycopene, found primarily in tomatoes and watermelons, protects prostate tissue. This nutrient works especially well with grape seed extract in reducing the risk of prostate problems. Alpha-carotenoids may protect us from many forms of cancer, according to recent research. There is strong evidence that carotenoids are nutritionally important for normal cell regeneration. So, mind your mother and eat your veggies (organic, of course!)

Q&A - Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Q: My son is emotionally unstable in school. Could his meds for ADHD cause him to cry, and is there a natural treatment for this?

A: I think it is best to discuss his behavior with the doctor who is prescribing his medication. As for the natural remedies, there are several different nutrients that have helped with this. Just last week, a mother told me how her son was on ritalin. She added one fish oil capsule 3 times a day and it seemed to make everything work better. Fish oil has a lot of other benefits as well. It has been helpful as an anti inflammatory, it lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL ( the good stuff), and the list continues.. I think I would try some more natural treatments before the ritalin program. My choice would be 3,000 mgs of fish oil per day. Theanine can increase neuro-transmitters in the brain and promotes muscle relaxation. Phosphatidylserine improves attention, behavior, and learning performance. N-acetylcysteine is a powerful antioxidant that has been successful in helping with neurological disorders. NAC enhances detoxification processes in the body. I would also include taurine and DMAE.

Q&A - Free Radicals (part II)

Q: Last time Stephanie asked about free radicals. For information, check on line at dte@ut.com. I will give you some ways to protect yourself from free radical (FR) damage.

A: Antioxidants play a roll in protecting your body from FR damage. They do this by attaching to a FR where the electron is missing (the missing electron makes this molecule a free radical.) What is an antioxidant? Let's talk about carotenoids. They are a type that come mainly from..you guessed it kids.. fruits and vegetables! When you chew your veggies and fruits, they are mixed with saliva, which contains digestive enzymes. In the stomach, hydrochloric acid further breaks down your food. It then passes into the small intestine, past the gall bladder where bile is excreted that digests the fats. After moving past the pancreas, protease, among other enzymes, are excreted. Then the food is absorbed through the micro villi into the bloodstream. The bloodstream carries it to the tissues, where it protects the body. Until now, the only simple way to verify carotenoids in the tissue was to see someone turn orange from drinking too much carrot juice. Now available is a bio-plutonic scanner, that works by shining a light on your hand to detect carotenoids in your tissue, and give you a score called your Body Defense Index. For a free scan, print this article and bring it into the store on Tues., Mar. 11th, from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM.

Q&A - Free Radicals (part I)

Q: My friend asked me what a free radical was. When I replied a 1970's hippie, he said I should ask you.

A: That might be one answer for a protestor in the 60's and 70's . Today the term applies to a molecule that has lost an electron and is therefore unpaired. This molecule steals an electron from another molecule, causing a chain reaction. Free radicals can damage the DNA content of cells. Free radical damage has been linked to numerous health problems. Here are a few examples: many forms of cancer are due to the damage of DNA by allowing sick cells to reproduce themselves, resulting in abnormal growths. It is believed that high levels contribute to rapid aging, abnormal blood clotting, and the rupture of red blood cells. Crohn's Disease, Gallstones, Pancreatitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Cataracts, Inflammation, Chronic Fatigue, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Alzheimer's Disease are just a few of the many problems associated with free radical damage. Some of the causes of free radical chain reactions are most kinds of sugar, sunlight, Nitrogen Oxides, which are a component of air pollution (from car exhaust and factory emissions), and tobacco smoke. Next time; Ways to prevent free radical damage. Maybe the hippies weren't so bad after all!

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