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NEWSBITES
NEWS * BITES BY VERA TWEED
New Viruses: What You Need to Know for a Healthy Future
Until recently, infectious diseases had disappeared from the list of today’s major health threats, but the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus has demonstrated a troubling fact: Harmful new viruses, for which we have never built up immunity, can emerge and quickly spread.
Social distancing, quarantines, frequent hand washing, and disinfectants are all essential to help stop such a spread. But there’s another, equally vital component to staying well: a healthy immune system.
A stronger immune system means infection is less likely—and if you do get sick, symptoms should be milder, and recovery easier. While there’s no magic herbal cure or nutritional bullet for COVID-19, here are some things you can do to bolster your immune system in the face of a viral outbreak. Go easy on sugar. A study of more than 73,000 Americans, published in the Annals of Epidemiology, found that low consumption of sugar seems to protect against respiratory infections. Instead of sugary foods and drinks, eat plenty of whole foods, especially a variety of in-season vegetables and fruits, and take a multivitamin for insurance. Take vitamin D: More than a dozen studies have found that low levels of vitamin D correlate with higher odds of both viral and bacterial infections of the respiratory tract, according to a review of research published in BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal). Getting vitamin D levels tested, and supplementing accordingly, is your best bet.
Take supplements that enhance
resistance. Studies have found that Epicor and Wellmune, two different patented derivatives of baker’s yeast, enhance resistance to viral infections. Each works differently, so they can be taken together for a synergistic effect. Other resistance-enhancing supplements include andrographis, larch, mushrooms, and olive leaf extract.
WHERE TO LEARN MORE
Visit betternutrition.com to download a free copy of our latest eBook, Natural Immunity. +
did you know ... A study of twins at the University of Washington in Seattle found that a chronic lack of sleep can shut down the immune system.
BioSil® gives you everything you want in a collagen generator and nothing you don’t. With BioSil, you regain lost collagen, add new collagen, and protect your existing collagen. Plus, you increase vital elastin and keratin. † All through your body’s natural pathways! And isn’t it nice to know that BioSil is clinically proven and produced under today’s strict ethically-minded standards? For you, it all adds up to beauty with a conscience. Clinically Proven Results Reduces fine lines and wrinkles †
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©2020 Bio Minerals NV. Manufactured by Bio Minerals NV, Belgium. BioSil is a registered trademark of Bio Minerals NV. † This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Wickett R.R., Kossmann E., Barel A., et al. (2007). Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on hair tensile strength and morphology in women with fine hair. Arch Dermatol Res, 299: 499-505. Barel A., Calomme M., Timchenko A., et al. (2005). Effect of oral intake of choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid on skin, nails and hair in women with photodamaged skin. Arch Dermatol Res, 297: 147-153. Results may vary. For healthy and beautiful hair, skin, and nails
FISH COLLAGEN
HELPS HEAL SUN DAMAGE
Researchers in Thailand tested a collagen supplement in postmenopausal women to see if it improved skin elasticity. In a group of 36 women, half took 5 grams daily of a fish collagen supplement for 4 weeks, while the other half took a placebo, and tests were done on sun-damaged cheeks and underarm skin that had not been exposed to sun. At the end of the trial, elasticity in sun-damaged cheeks improved by 10 percent and the improvement lasted for 4 weeks after the women stopped taking the supplement, but there was no difference in the underarm skin. The study was published in The Journal of Dermatological Treatment.
America’s TOP 10 Seafood Choices
On average, Americans eat about 16 lbs. of seafood per year, according to the National Fisheries Institute—and 86 percent of it comes from these top 10 varieties:
❶ Shrimp ❷ Salmon ❸ Tuna ❹ Tilapia
❺ Alaska Pollock ❻ Pangasius
(a big Asian catfish)
❼ Cod ❽ Catfish ❾ Crab ❿ Clams
Sardines, mackerel, and herring aren’t as popular, but are often recommended by health experts because they’re rich in healthy omega-3 fats and low in mercury.
Playing ping-pong improves symptoms of Parkinson’s, according to a Japanese study of 12 people suffering from the disease for an average of 7 years. After playing the game once a week for three months, subjects experienced significant improvements in speech, handwriting, and a variety of daily activities including dressing, getting out of bed, and walking. Each session included stretching, instruction from a ping-pong professional, and playing the game. The findings were presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 72nd Annual Meeting in Toronto.
In healthy people, ping-pong has been shown to improve hand-eye coordination, sharpen reflexes, and stimulate the brain.
PING-PONG Helps Parkinson’s Patients
1 Week of Fast Food = Bigger Appetite
Australian researchers have found a big reason why so many people can’t stop eating fast food. A study that was published in Royal Society Open Science tracked a total of 110 college students who were healthy, lean, and normally ate a diet of whole foods. During the study, half the students maintained their normal diet, while the other half switched to fast food.
After just one week, the researchers found that the fast-food diet led to changes in a brain area that influences appetite, which made it harder to control appetite and led to overeating. Fortunately, after the fast-food eaters went back to their normal, healthier diets, their brains and appetites returned to normal.
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