Lycopene linked to healthier blood vessels

Lycopene linked to healthier blood vessels

Higher levels of lycopene in the blood are associated with lower stiffness in the arteries, says a new study supporting the heart health benefits of the carotenoid.

Women with the highest levels of lycopene also had the lowest levels of oxidized LDL-cholesterol, according to a study with 264 women published in the journal Atherosclerosis.
Oxidation of LDLs is thought to play an important role in the development of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Increasing LDL's resistance to oxidation is thought to possibly delay the progression of the disease.

“Our finding suggests that serum concentrations of lycopene may play a important role in the early stage of atherosclerosis,” wrote the researchers, led by Jong Ho Lee from the Department of Food and Nutrition at Yonsei University in South Korea.

“In addition, a reduced oxidative modification of LDL such as low oxidised LDL concentration and large LDL particle size may be one of the mechanisms by which lycopene could reduce arterial stiffness and the risk of CVD,” they added.

Lycopene is an antioxidant that is present in red- and pink-coloured fruits and vegetables. It has been shown to have heart, blood pressure, prostate, osteoporosis, skin and other benefits in both natural and synthetic forms.

Study details

The Korean researchers recruited women aged between 31 and 75 and took blood samples in order to measure their blood levels of lycopene, as well as other carotenoids. Arterial stiffness was measured using brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).

According to their results, women with the highest average lycopene blood levels (more than 0.0431 millimoles per litre) had the lowest baPWV values, compared to people with the lowest average lycopene blood levels (less that 0.0342 mmol/L).

Furthermore, these women also had lower oxidised LDL levels, as well as larger LDL particles.
Levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation, were also lower in the women with the highest lycopene levels.

“This result is in line with previous reports that lycopene showed superior antioxidant capability or trend of a decreased atherosclerotic risk compared with other antioxidant such as beta-carotene both in vitro and in humans,” said the researchers.

Source: AtherosclerosisPublished online ahead of print, 13 August 2009, doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2009.08.009“Independent inverse relationship between serum lycopene concentration and arterial stiffness”Authors: H.Y. Yoe, O.Y. Kim, H.J. Kim, J.K. Paik, J.Y. Park, J.Y. Kim, S.-H. Lee, J.H. Lee, K.P. Lee, Y. Jang, J.H. Lee

The Super Vitamin C

The Super Vitamin C

There's been a lot of research concerning Vitamin C. Also known as ascorbic acid, this nutrient serves the body in a great variety of ways.

In addition to the long established means of helping maintain health, Vitamin C is proved in helping the body overcome illness and some disease.
What we certainly know about vitamin C is that it is an essential part of the creation of collagen in the body. Collagen is particularly important to the connective tissues of the body and is what the scar of healed wounds is made of. We also know Vitamin C helps keep the gums healthy and the teeth tight. It also promotes healthy cell growth and development, as well as helping the body to use the iron and calcium it takes in. Vitamin C plays an important role in the rebuilding of tissues, helps to keep tiny capillaries functioning properly, and also serves to prevent dangerous blood clots.

From the many scientific studies throughout the years, Vitamin C has come to be associated with many other health benefits. These include such things as helping to fight infection, strengthening the body's immune system, playing a role in the reduction of cholesterol and high blood pressure, and having a part in the prevention of arteriosclerosis. Moreover, Vitamin C has been associated with helping to prevent cataracts, cardiovascular diseases and possibly even certain types of cancer. Research continues into these intriguing areas of study so now definite conclusions are yet available.

A lack of Vitamin C has been known for many years to be the cause of the disease scurvy, which was a plague for pre-nineteenth century sailors. Early signs of scurvy include red bumps around hair follicles, easy bruising, joint pain and a general feeling of weakness and fatigue. As the disease advances, small open sores begin to appear on the body and in the mouth. The teeth loosen and gum tissue bleeds. Other ways in which a deficiency of Vitamin C can affect the health of the body include poor digestion, water retention, frequent colds, and low energy levels.
While the minimum standard of Vitamin C daily intake is 60 micrograms or mg, many nutritionists recommend consuming significantly more than that. The minimum requirement offers protection against the worst symptoms of Vitamin C deficiency, with most of the positive effects coming from intake levels of 200 to 500 mgs daily. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin and therefore passes out of the body with urine. That means it must be replaced daily.

Natural Sources of Vitamin C are oranges and all the citrus fruits.

Tips for Healthy Leg Veins

Tips for Healthy Leg Veins

Experts recommend the following self-care treatments for healthier leg veins.

1- Don't cross your legs when you sit.

2- Take warm, not hot, baths, and end by splashing cold water on the legs.

3- Avoid high heels. Low-heeled shoes work calf muscles more, which is better for veins.

4- Don't wear tight clothes around your calves or groin that can restrict circulation.

5- Take three or four 10- to 15-minute breaks daily to elevate your legs above the level of your heart (for example, by lying down with your legs resting on three or four pillows).

6- Avoid long periods of sitting or standing.

7- Make a point of changing your position, shifting from one leg to the other or walk gently back and forth, frequently to encourage blood flow.

8- Weight control - Shedding excess pounds takes unnecessary pressure off your veins.

9- Exercise. Get your legs moving. Walking is a great way to improve blood circulation in your legs.

What is Visceral Fat?

What is Visceral Fat?

Visceral fat is fat that is deep inside the abdomen, around the organs.

Visceral fat, unfortunately, is nowadays thought to be much more significant for disease risk than subcutaneous fat.

Scientist have linked visceral fat to metabolic diseases like diabetes. For women, a waist size of more than 35 inches signals potential trouble.

What about liposuction to get rid of it? Actually, The New England Journal of Medicine did a study in 2004 about removing the visceral fat in women and they found out even though large amounts were removed it there were no health benefits—no changes in cholesterol, blood pressure or other risk factors for heart disease.

That is why it is crucial to be proactive and do something about it right now before it's too late.

How you get rid of it?

Eating fat-burning foods, which include lean proteins, and fibrous carbohydrates.

Another thing you can do is decrease the saturated fats (butter and high fatty foods)

You also want to take your EFA's (essential fatty acids) this will help in get rid of viseral fat (fish oil and flaxseed oil).

Also, weight training will help your body to build more lean muscle.

Make sure your workouts are fat-burning, don't make the mistake of just going through the motions during your workout, otherwise you will never get rid of the visceral fat.

What about walking?Walking isn't really going to do much to stimulate major fat loss, especially the viseral fat. You need to do interval training, if you are serious about improving your health and looking better.

Too many women just focuse on walking and not even paying attention to the resistance training.

Remember the more lean muscle you have, the leaner you will be.

If your not eating enough to support your lean muscle it will be hard to get rid of the visceral fat as well.

Visceral fat goes way beyond just looking better, commit to becoming healthy now.