Tomatoes!

Cherry RED Tomatoes - Mmm good for you!

Scientists are suggesting that tomato lovers may be more likely to reduce the risk of serious disease. Lycopene, an anti oxidant which gives tomatoes their lovely rich red color, helps remove free radicals from the body. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules and have been implicated in cancer and other serious diseases.

Professor Michael Avirim of the Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel who is testing lycopene in clinical trials says, ' In its natural form, lycopene is an excellent anti oxidant that helps to prevent formation of oxidized LDL, the 'bad' cholesterol in blood, which contributes to the build up of plaque that narrows, stiffens and constricts arteries and can lead to heart attacks. When this natural extract was added to cancer cell cultures, the lycopene inhibited their growth. Lycopene is the most potent nutritional antioxidant found to date.

Another study compared men who had had a heart attack with the same number of healthy men and found that those with high levels of lycopene appeared to reduce their risk of heart diseases by 50%. The study’s coordinator, Lenore Kohlmeier, professor of nutrition and epidemiology at the university of North Carolina, said, 'Based on our findings, and other research, lycopene can be an excellent antioxidant, we recommend that people eat tomato based cooked foods.'

Several recent studies have shown that a diet rich in tomatoes and tomato products is strongly linked to a reduced risk of certain cancers. In a six year study of 48,000 male professionals, Dr Edward Giovannucci and colleagues at Harvard Medical School found that consuming tomatoes and tomato based products between five to seven serving a week was associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer of 21% to 34%.

Another study published in the International Journal of Cancer said that lycopene appears to protect against cancer of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, colon and rectum. Researchers at the University of Illinois report that women with the highest lycopene levels had a five fold lower risk of developing precancerous signs of cervical cancer than women with lowest lycopene levels.

The human body does not produce lycopene alone and therefore relies on a consumption of tomatoes and tomato based products for this anti oxidant. Nutritionists and other health professionals have long advocated the cancer preventative benefits of a diet high in fruits and vegetables.

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Lycopene: Just The Facts

• Research by Dr. Joseph Levy and colleagues from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel, may have identified the unique mechanism through which lycopene protects against cancer which is by activating cancer-preventive phase II enzymes.

• Lycopene is an open-chain unsaturated carotenoid that imparts red color to tomatoes.

• Lycopene is a proven anti-oxidant that may lower the risk of certain diseases including cancer and heart disease.

• In the body, lycopene is deposited in the liver, lungs, prostate gland, colon and skin. Its concentration in body tissues tends to be higher than all other carotenoids.

• Epidemiological studies have shown that high intake of lycopene-containing vegetables is inversely associated with the incidence of certain types of cancer. For example, habitual intake of tomato products has been found to decrease the risk of cancer of the digestive tract among Italians.

• In one six-year study by Harvard Medical School and Harvard School of Public Health, the diets of more than 47,000 men were studied. Of 46 fruits and vegetables evaluated, only the tomato products (which contain large quantities of lycopene) showed a measurable relationship to reduce prostate cancer risk. As consumption of tomato products increased, levels of lycopene in the blood increased, and the risk for prostate cancer decreased. The study also showed that the heat processing of tomatoes and tomato products increases Lycopene bioavailability.

• Ongoing research suggests that lycopene can reduce the risk of macular degenerative disease, serum lipid oxidation and cancers of the lung, bladder, cervix and skin.

Our Hook Up With Health Wholefood Farmacy’s Vichyssoise V-6 Creamy Tomato Soup is quick and easy taking only a minute to prepare. Handcrafted using the finest whole food ingredients, our V-6 Tomato Soup is made from Tomatoes, Brown Rice, Soy Beans, Oats, Onions, Dill Weed & Sea Salt. If you haven’t tasted it, you don’t know what you’re missing.

Another fantastic tomato product is our AmpliPhi. This simple to use product mixes with hot water. After three minutes minutes this delicious great tasting organic 'farina' satisfies you and also helps to revitalize your circulatory system.

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Alzheimer's Risk Lowered by Mediterranean Diet in Study

Findings from a new study show how food choices, particularly a Mediterranean Diet, reduce the risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. The results are published in the April 2006 issue of Annals of Neurology, a journal published by John Wiley & Sons and show that Americans who ate a Mediterranean diet - lots of fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, some fish and alcohol, and little dairy and meat - had a reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease as they aged.

Let me repeat. Alzheimer's disease may be reduced by a healthier food choices!!!

The authors report states a "Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet was associated with significantly lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease." For each additional point to Mediterranean diet scores (indicating increased adherence to the diet), Alzheimer's risk dropped by 9 to 10 percent compared with the subjects in the least adherent group that adhered to a Mediterranean diet the least. Subjects in the middle compliance range had 15 to 21 percent lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, and those in the highest group had a 39 to 40 percent lower risk, suggesting a significant response effect.

Let me repeat, the healthiet eaters had a 39 to 40 percent lower risk of getting Alzheimer's disease. Let me ask you, what category of food eaters do you want to be in?

The report concludes "That higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with a reduction in risk for Alzheimer's disease." In addition, they state the beneficial effects of the Mediterranean diet for non-neurological conditions have been previously shown to be generalized to different populations, and that the current study provided the opportunity to examine the effect of this diet for a neurological disease in a multi-ethnic community in the U.S. {end of article}.

Pretty stunning results isn't it?

So let me ask you - what are your eating habits like? Are you getting 5 servings of fruits and veggies everyday? If not Hook Up With Health and the Wholefood Farmacy products.

Here's how we can help.

Our whole food products such as Phi Plus are packed with healthy organic ingredients - 72 in all - including fruits (dates, raisins, raspberries, apples, figs, and dried plums) and vegetables (Green Peas, carrots, beet powder, and Kindey Beans) plus a wonderful variety seeds, nuts, grains, and spices. Phi Plus requires no refrigeration, is tremendously easy to transport (no large containers needed), requires no utensils, and tastes great. It can be eaten as a snack or even a meal replacement.

Fruitalicious and Fruitalicious Plus are great tasting, delicious, organic dried fruits that can be eaten right from any small snack-size container or plastic bag. No refrigeration necessary (great for road trips, seminars, and other activities that keep you on the go).

Veggielicious and Veggielicious Spice are two yummy ways to eat your vegetables. This blended pack of bite-size, organic veggies contains potatoes, carrots, tomotoes, corn, peas and more. Great way to get your vegetables, are delicious to snack on, and again, very simple to carry.

One of our family favorites is Cornucopia, a delicious crunchy corn and maize snack that is out of this world. Two other corn products are available at www.hookupwithhealth.wholefoodfarmacy.com.

Whether you're in your car, at work or at home Wholefood Farmacy products are a convenient and easy way to eat your fruits and vegetables.

Hook Up with Health by keeping Wholefood Farmacy products on hand for snacking or for a mean replacement. Help “bridge the gap" between your health and disease by eating right.

Remember, once you get started making the right food choices and bringing the right foods into your home the rest of your family will follow suit. Your whole family will benefit from your choice of health and wellness through food, such as a Mediterrean Diet.

Visit www.hookupwithhealth.wholefoodfarmacy.com for product information. Nutritional facts available for every food product.

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GOLD - A 5000 Year Old Medicine

Many of you may know GOLD prices shot up to $700 an ounce recently but did you know over 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians ingested gold for mental, bodily and spiritual purification? The ancients believed that gold in the body worked by stimulating the life force and raising the level of vibration on all levels.

The earliest records of the use of gold for medicinal and healing purposes come from Alexandria, Egypt. The Alchemists of Alexandria developed an "elixir" made of liquid gold. They believed that gold was a mystical metal that represented the perfection of matter, and that its presence in the body would enliven, rejuvenate, and cure a multitude of diseases as well as restore youth and perfect health.

As many as 4,500 years ago, the Egyptians used gold in dentistry. Remarkable examples of its early use have been found by modern archaeologists. Still in favor today as an ideal material for dental work, approximately 13 tons of gold are used each year for crowns, bridges, inlays and dentures. Gold is ideal for these purposes because it is non-toxic, can be shaped easily, and never wears, corrodes or tarnishes.

Historically, medicinal gold has had a reputation as a "nervine," a therapy for nervous disorders. A review of the historical literature shows gold in use during the 19^th century for conditions including depression, epilepsy, migraine, and glandular problems including amenorrhea and impotence. The most notable use of gold was in a treatment for alcoholism developed by Leslie E. Keeley, .D.

Gold has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases for more than 75 years, but until now, the way that gold worked has remained a mystery. Harvard Medical School researchers report in the February 27^th, 2006 issue of Nature Chemical Biology that gold, platinum, and other classes of medicinal metals work by stripping bacteria and virus particles from the grasp of a key immune system protein. "We were searching for a new drug to treat autoimmune diseases," says Brian DeDecker, PhD, “but instead we discovered a biochemical mechanism that may help explain how an old drug works."

Once again, modern science has confirmed what the ancients seem to have known all along – that gold is indeed a very precious metal. At HookUpWithHealth.WholeFoodFarmacy.com, we are proud to offer two exclusive products which offer an easy and delicious way to bring this ancient wisdom into your life today.

Joule is a combination of Spring Water, Aloe Vera, Cinnamon Oil, and pure, 24 Karat medicinal gold. Aloe is known as the "potted physician" because of its naturally occurring potassium, niacin, calcium, iron, magnesium, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin and 8 of the 10 essential amino acids. Joule is the perfect "nightcap" for people seeking a good night’s sleep through a great tasting oblation of medicinal gold and plant nutrition.

Heart Of Gold contains only heart healthy fats from 5 plant oils, blended to perfection and compounded with pure 24 karat medicinal gold. Fat soluble vitamins like A, D, E, & K are worthless without fat. Good fats are gifts of nature for life. Add salt, herbs, or spices to Heart Of Gold and use it as a sop for whole grain breads, make your own salad dressings, or drizzle it on raw or steamed veggies. Feel the peace, joy and restful sleep that a delicious gold sop invokes.

GO FOR THE GOLD at www.hookupwithhealth.wholefoodfarmacy.com.

Popeye's Favorite

Am I dating myself when I mention Popeye? Probably, but those in my generation know exactly what food he ate to give him super human strength. Yes, Spinach.

I happen to love spinach. One of my favorite ways to enjoy spinach is simply steamed over rice. I spice it up a little with crushed red pepper and Mmmm it makes a tasty lunch that's quick and easy to prepare.

Spinch has numerous health benefits. Read on for more information.

Lutein and Zeaxanthin are antioxidants in the carotenoid family. They are found in high levels in spinach and they concentrate in the part of the retina where macular degeneration occurs. Once there, they protect the retina from damage caused by sunlight. Harvard researchers reported that people eating the most Lutein and Zeaxanthin had a 57 percent decreased risk of macular degeneration, compared with people eating the least.

At least 13 different flavonoid compounds in spinach have been identified by researchers. These compounds function as antioxidants and as anti-cancer agents. The anti-cancer action of these nutrients has been sufficiently impressive to prompt researchers to create specialized spinach extracts that could be used in controlled studies. These spinach extracts have been shown to slow down cell division in stomach cancer cells, and in studies on mice, to reduce skin cancers. A study on adult women living in New England in the late 1980s also showed intake of spinach to be inversely related to incidence of breast cancer.

Another carotenoid found in spinach and other green leafy vegetables fights human prostate cancer two different ways, according to research published in the September 2004 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. The carotenoid, called neoxanthin, not only induces prostate cancer cells to self-destruct, but is converted in the intestines into additional compounds, called neochromes, which put prostate cancer cells into a state of stasis, thus preventing their replication.

Spinach can be consumed cooked or raw. Baby spinach leaves are especially good in salads with bleu cheese, walnuts, red onions, and a vinaigrette dressing made with Heart Of Gold. Spinach cooks very quickly, and doesn’t need added water. Just place it in a pan, cover, and simmer for two to four minutes until it wilts; spinach is also excellent when steamed, or it can be sautéed in olive oil with garlic for three or four minutes. Spinach is a good addition to stews and to soups that contain beans, pasta, or potatoes, or to any kind of curry dish.

Don’t have the time to go shopping or to do the cooking, but still want to eat your greens? Farmacy Greens has got you covered! These delicious and highly nutritious, highly assimilable greens are great anytime and can be purchased at www.hookupwithhealth.wholefoodfarmacy.com.

Enjoy Farmacy Greens with water or juice. We suggest that if you use juice to use ½ water and ½ juice. White grape juice or apple juice would be the best choices. Also, for optimum results, allow greens to sit in liquid for several minutes before drinking. Ingredients such as Spinach, Spirulina, Chlorella, Dulse, Kelp, Beet Root, Barley Grass and more go to make this gloriously green beverage a must for the health minded.

Hook up with spinach or Farmacy Greens for great health benefits.

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