Discover SOUL full story

Athletes and Warriors! When it comes to total health it is evident that there is no one magic pill, diet, exercise machine or program or gadget if you are serious about living a healthy lifestyle for a lifetime. I have dedicated US Sports Online Strength and Conditioning to educating, inspiring and helping you achieve the type of life that will pay dividends for years to come. With that in mind, whenever I discover a product like SOUL described here, I must share it with you. Imagine living pain free for life! With you healthy lifestyle, meal plan, exercise and stress reduction techniques, SOUL has been a proven game-changer. I can tell you first hand after over 2 decades of American football and previously accepting that pain was going to be a part of my life forever; I can now say for the first time in a long time that I am pain free and it opens the door for me to get stronger and feel better as I approach 60, than I was when I was in my 20's! As always do your own research and decide if this product is right for you. I can't wait to hear your story of triumph over pain though! :) -Nate PURE WELLNESS. SOUL IS A DELICIOUS SEED-BASED BLEND, PACKED WITH ANTIOXIDANTS, ANTI-AGING, AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY BENEFITS. FIRST SUPPLEMENT OF ITS KIND With the creation of Soul, a new health category was introduced: seed-based nutrition. Along with the creation of this new category, combinations of health benefits became available that were never conceived before. Our seed-based supplements are potent, natural sources of nutrition that don’t include the potentially harmful or useless fillers that are found in pills, capsules, extracts, oils, etc. INGREDIENTS Soul features the synergistic blend of the black cumin, black raspberry, and chardonnay grape seed. These seeds’ health benefits have been studied extensively and have been found to be so effective that their compounds are used as natural medicines in Europe. Click here to learn more and try SOUL Reach 6 Million New Customers Every Week With US Sports Marketing. Home Of The All-Biz Advertising Specials. Effective, Affordable Sports Marketing With Your Positive Bottom Line The Top Priority Let's Boost Your Business Today! http://bit.ly/USSportsMarketing US Sports Online Strength and Conditioning Powered By RAIN's SOUL!

Be A Fit Human!

I came across this article and it hit me like a ton and a half of bricks. We in the fitness biz are often working to find a practical bridge to why anyone at any age would want to be fit. How about this idea? Simply a better life! -Nate  Nicholas Tan Fitness is the essence of a man. Fitness is the ability of a person to do his normal everyday tasks with full alertness and vigor without worrying about fatigue afterward and with extra energy in reserve which can be useful when emergencies arise or during leisure and recreation. Overall fitness must be the primary goal every man must try to achieve. In fitness, no one is ever too young or too old for improvement. One's fitness can be improved by engaging in aerobic exercises and through strength training. There are three components of overall fitness that every man must focus on working out in order to be in healthy, tip-top shape. These are cardiovascular work, strength training and of course, these should be coupled with a healthy diet.Staying strong by building muscles. Man's fitness regimen should include a work out routine which aims to build the muscles. Aging causes a decrease in muscle mass of five to seven pounds (2-3.2 kgs) of muscle for every ten years in one's adult life given that he lives an inactive lifestyle. Truly, the saying "use it or lose it" is very applicable to the muscles. Fortunately, there is a good solution to this. Loss of muscle mass can be replaced by engaging in strength training.Improvement of Man's fitness by cardiovascular work out. Flexibility exercises, strength training and cardiovascular work out surely help boost a man's fitness and all these should be part of a man's work out scheme. But of all these, cardiovascular work is the most necessary. Exercises under cardiovascular work conditions and develops the cardiovascular system and also works out large muscle groups. So if a man does not have much time for working out, devoting whatever free time he might have to aerobic exercises would do him fine. He might have to pass out on developing those biceps but so long as cardiovascular work out exercises are done, then the blood pressure, heart and cholesterol levels will be fine to keep you staying happy and healthy.The essence of nutrition to man's fitness. It is best as well as well recommended to eat whole and natural foods frequently than do it on large amounts in one to three sittings. Always keep variety in mind when doing the shopping. This will ensure that one is getting most if not all of the nutrients and minerals needed by the body to keep fit and healthy. Always keep the three important macronutrients in the diet; these are fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Prioritize proteins though over carbohydrates but never exclude any one of the three on some fad diet. Some tips in keeping a man's fitness level high, efficient and safe:1.) Drink plenty of water all through out the day, especially when working out.2.) Do exercises properly using the correct techniques, whether it's weight lifting or aerobic exercises. Always read and understand, and follow of course, the instructions outlined by the personal trainer.3.) Make sure the is always a spotter when lifting weights.4.) Challenge the muscles, but make sure that it's kept safe.5.) Stretch, warm-up prior to working out and cool-down gradually after sessions.6.) Check the equipment for safety before using them.7.) It is better to do less than overdo the whole thing. Over-training will exhaust enthusiasm and kill performance. US Sports Strength and Conditioning Powered By: Discover The Awesome Healing Power Of SOUL! Get Paid To Play Live Online Sports Games Free! The Fat Burning Workout! Burn The Fat and Build Muscle. The Workout Program Everyone Is Talking About. Athletes! Improve Your Strength, Speed, Agility, and Reaction With The #1 Online Strength Coach Do you care about your BRAIN? EHT Supplement for the Brain, Discovered and Patented at Princeton University Endorsed By Professional Athletes! The World's Best High School, College, and Pro Athlete's Highlight Reels and Training Videos. The 91 Exercises Every Athlete Should Know! Add 10 Inches Or More To Your Vertical Leap-The Jump Manual StrengthCoach.com BodyByBoyle OnlineShapeShifter Yoga Discount Sports Supplements US Sports Recruiting Assistance. Athletes! All Registered Athletes Will Have Their Huddl Or other Highlight Video Reel Priority Posted on Our Athlete Highlight Video Reel Center! We have Thousands Of College Coaches and Recruiters Visiting Our Network Daily. Get More Exposure With US Sports Recruiting Assistance! For just a one time fee of $25 we guarantee your highlight reel will be seen by over 5000 coaches, recruiters, and administrators. We will promote your highlight reels with all updates until you are signed to your desired college or pro team! Check out the US Sports Elite Athlete Highlight Reel Center: Sign up for US Sports Recruiting Assistance here.

Discover The Life-Changing Power Of SOUL!

As a former football player and now your strength and conditioning coach, those years on the gridiron used to take a toll on my body that showed many years later in the form of aching joints, minor injuries and stiffness. Even though thanks be to God I have been continuing my strength and conditioning program for years now. SOUL has changed the game by attacking the very source of most disease, ailment and many other maladies. You are about to feel better, perform better, and live better due to this life-changing discovery. Click here to check it out. -Nate Athlete/Coach Resources... Get Paid To Play Live Online Sports Games Free! The Fat Burning Workout! Burn The Fat and Build Muscle. The Workout Program Everyone Is Talking About. Athletes! Improve Your Strength, Speed, Agility, and Reaction With The #1 Online Strength Coach Do you care about your BRAIN? EHT Supplement for the Brain, Discovered and Patented at Princeton University Endorsed By Professional Athletes! The World's Best High School, College, and Pro Athlete's Highlight Reels and Training Videos. The 91 Exercises Every Athlete Should Know! Add 10 Inches Or More To Your Vertical Leap-The Jump Manual StrengthCoach.com BodyByBoyle OnlineShapeShifter Yoga Discount Sports Supplements US Sports Recruiting Assistance. Athletes! All Registered Athletes Will Have Their Huddl Or other Highlight Video Reel Priority Posted on Our Athlete Highlight Video Reel Center! We have Thousands Of College Coaches and Recruiters Visiting Our Network Daily. Get More Exposure With US Sports Recruiting Assistance! For just a one time fee of $25 we guarantee your highlight reel will be seen by over 5000 coaches, recruiters, and administrators. We will promote your highlight reels with all updates until you are signed to your desired college or pro team! Check out the US Sports Elite Athlete Highlight Reel Center: Sign up for US Sports Recruiting Assistance here.

Exercise Can Ward Off Gallstones

 

Study Offers More Reason to Get Fit

(MSNBC News Services, )  Exercise isn't just good for the heart your gallbladder will thank you, too. Women who exercise two to three hours a week cut their risk of excruciatingly painful gallstones by nearly one-third compared with women who don't exercise at all, according to a study at the Harvard School of Public Health.

THE USUAL treatment for painful gallstones is removal of the gallbladder, and about 500,000 Americans, two-thirds of them women, have their gallbladders taken out each year. The operations and hospitalization cost more than $5 billion a year, and the problem is the most common and costly digestive disease requiring hospitalization, according to the National Institutes of Health.

An earlier study by the same group looked only at men, even though women are twice as likely to develop gallstones. This study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, confirmed the earlier findings.

STUDY DETAILS

The researchers, led by Dr. Michael F. Leitzmann, looked at 60,290 women who were ages 40 to 65 in 1986 and had no history of gallstone disease. The women filled in surveys every two years about their activity. Overall, women who exercised about 30 minutes a day cut their risk of gallbladder surgery by 31 percent.

Obesity increases the risk of gallstones, as does rapid weight loss. But even after the researchers took obesity and recent weight changes into account, the exercisers were still 20 percent less likely to undergo gallbladder surgery.

POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS

The researchers theorize that exercise may reduce the cholesterol content of bile, the digestive juice stored in the gallbladder. That could reduce the number of gallstones, since 80 percent of the gallstones in this country are solid cholesterol. Also, people who exercise have more active large intestines and better levels of blood sugar and insulin, all of which may reduce the risk of gallstones.

Women who sit for 41 to 60 hours a week  that's most women with desk jobs were found to be 42 percent more likely to need their gallbladders removed than those who spend six hours or less sitting down. At more than 60 hours a week, the risk skyrockets: A woman is 132 times as likely to need gall bladder surgery as someone who spends most of her waking hours on her feet.

I think many diseases that are problems for us in the United States are lifestyle-oriented, said Dr. Joe Hines, a professor at UCLA Medical School. I think this is another study which points out the importance of Americans being more physically active.

Dr. Rudra Rai, a professor of gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins University, said the results aren't surprising, but the study was the first he has seen to sort the effects of exercise out from a vast array of other factors, such as weight, age, hormone replacement therapy, diabetes, smoking, alcohol and caffeine.

 Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Personal Trainers: Train More Clients, Make More, Have More Freedom

The real reason you don't feel well

Sick and don't know why? This could be the reason     Does the term "healthy" come to mind when you see the words wheat, barley and rye? When eaten as whole grains, they do provide health benefits for most folks who eat them. But not for everyone. In fact, ditching these products may be one of the best steps you can take for good health. Keep reading to find out why. . . Continued below. . . You're being conned!     Your doctor told you to kiss bread goodbye...but your cramping and gas didn't stop. The truth? There are so many OTHER foods containing lectins that could be upsetting your digestive health! An amazing blend of nutrients can promote your gut's health and allow you to splurge on the foods you love on occasion. Click here to learn more.     Whole grain wheat, barley and rye can be good sources of complex carbohydrates, as well as some key vitamins and minerals. And according to the Mayo Clinic1 — they may even help lower your risk of heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers.     Now that's the good news for the majority of folks who eat them. Unfortunately, some people have difficulty digesting the protein called gluten found in these grains.     But the damage goes far beyond digestive upset. Gluten intolerance is associated with a wide range of "mystery" medical problems that have stumped the victims — and their doctors.     The sad truth for many people with gluten intolerance is that they run a greater risk of developing intestinal cancer! Gluten, gluten everywhere…     You might have never thought about it, but many of your favorite foods could be made from grains that contain gluten. I'm talking about tasty items such as warm, delicious breads and cookies… mouth-watering pizza… and even a tall, frosty mug of beer!     If you find yourself belching often and being troubled by frequent bouts of stomach-rumbling gas—your gut could be sending you a warning.     Your digestive troubles could be a sign that you suffer from gluten intolerance. The worst form of gluten intolerance is celiac disease, an inherited autoimmune condition that affects nearly 3 million American children and adults. It's a very serious illness. What's more, experts think it could affect far more than 3 million.     The Celiac Disease Foundation2 said people with celiac disease have a permanent intolerance to foods containing gluten. This protein does two harmful things: It prevents your body from properly absorbing nutrients, and It causes inflammation and damage to the small intestine. A 72% higher risk of dying     Left untreated, the complications from celiac disease can be fatal. A study of more than 30,000 patients reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association featured data gathered from 1969 until 2008. Patients either had: 1) celiac disease, 2) intestinal inflammation but not full-blown celiac disease or 3) gluten sensitivity.     Researchers found that subjects with full-blown celiac disease had a 39% higher risk of dying. The risk was a whopping 72% for those with intestinal inflammation, and 35% for those with gluten sensitivity!     Research now shows many other chronic health conditions are triggered by gluten sensitivity and intolerance. And most of the time, doctors don't know that gluten sensitivity is the culprit. Here's why gluten keeps some doctors scratching their heads…     Dr. Thomas O'Bryan is a board-certified clinical nutritionist who's studied many of the underlying causes of metabolic disorders and chronic disease. In the DVD Unlocking the Mystery of Wheat and Gluten Sensitivity, Dr. O'Bryan quoted a 1996 report from the American Celiac Society that showed the majority of celiac patients visited five or more doctors before their condition was diagnosed properly!     In short, the vast majority of people with wheat sensitivity and/or celiac are undiagnosed. They're sick and don't know why — and neither does their doctor.     Why all the mystery? One reason is there are no signs or symptoms typical for all people with celiac disease. Some people experience abdominal pain, bloating and intermittent diarrhea—and others may have no symptoms at all.     What's more, celiac disease can mimic symptoms of other conditions, such as anemia, Chron's disease, irritable bowel syndrome and gastric ulcers.     It doesn't stop with the GI tract. Dr. O'Bryan said gluten intolerance may cause inflammation throughout the body, which can trigger a variety of health problems including: Autoimmune disorders (lupus, thyroid disease, etc.) Attention Deficit Disorder Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Depression and anxiety attacks Epilepsy Multiple Sclerosis Migraines Rheumatoid arthritis Schizophrenia And a host of other illnesses!     Worse still, research shows a person with undiagnosed celiac disease has an increased chance of developing cancer or lymphomas of the small intestine.     The odds have soared that you or someone you know may need to remove gluten from their diet. In fact, Dr. Joseph Murray, M.D., a Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, called celiac disease a "public health issue."3     One study compared blood tests of 10,000 people from fifty years ago with tests on 10,000 people today. Researchers found a 400 percent increase in full-blown celiac disease!     So what can you do to protect yourself from the health problems associated with celiac disease? You MUST take this important step     The first way to address gluten intolerance is to avoid all foods that contain gluten. And remember, this involves more than just avoiding grains.     One of our valued sponsors, True Health, offers a supplement that reduces the symptoms of gluten intolerance. I guess you can even have bread or a piece of cake once in a while if you take these supplements, and you won't feel distress. It sounds like it's worth looking into -- click here if you want to know more.     But let me stress that this is just a BandAid solution. If you're gluten-intolerant, you need to give up all foods that contain gluten. Period. And if you've got celiac disease — not just run-of-the-mill gluten intolerance -- you can NEVER have anything with gluten in it, supplement or no supplement. Celiac disease is dangerous. Read this BEFORE you lick another envelope or stamp!     The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases said gluten is also hiding in products such as lip balms, medicines, and even in the glue on some envelopes and postage stamps!     Don't toss all your stationery just yet. Most envelopes made in the U.S. use glue made from corn-based products. And U.S. postage stamps use sticky adhesives that don't require a lick.     But be on the watch for the sneaky buzz words that really could be wrecking your gluten-free diet such as: Emulsifier Flavoring Hydrolyzed Stabilizer Starch     If you're wondering whether you have gluten intolerance, your doctor can run tests to diagnose your condition. Once you know whether you have problems with gluten—you can develop an action plan for healthier eating.     So does following a gluten-free diet mean all your food will be boring and taste like cardboard? Hardly! I'm on a no-wheat diet and I've found delicious breads and crackers that are made without wheat (my personal favorite is a millet-flax bread).     Many grains and starches such as buckwheat, corn, flax, millet, rice and tapioca can still be part of a gluten-free eating plan. And so can beans, eggs, nuts, fresh meats, fruits and vegetables.     What's more, many specialty food stores offer tasty products that are clearly labeled as gluten-free. This can take some of the hassle out of your trips to the grocery store!     Sueson Vess, consultant, food coach and author of gluten-free cookbooks, offers several suggestions on how to cook delicious meals that won't tie your stomach in knots—or put your life at risk! You might consider checking out her website at www.specialeats.com.     People with celiac disease who make the effort to eat a gluten-free diet often reduce their symptoms and experience fewer complications from the disease. Surely the sacrifices you might make will pale in comparison to the years of healthy living you may gain!

Weight Lifting Combats the Effects of Aging

When it comes to fitness, investing in a set of weights might pay dividends just as big as a pair of walking or running shoes, researchers say. Indeed, research has shown that weight training (often called resistance training) can slow and even reverse the declines in strength, bone density and muscle mass that accompany aging.
The American College of Sports Medicine's fitness guidelines now recommend weight training for people over 50 in addition to aerobic activity and stretching. Muscle fibers shrink in number and in size as you grow older. They also become less responsive to messages from the central nervous system. Together, these factors contribute to decreases in strength, balance and coordination.
"Generally, sedentary people lose about 10 percent of their lean muscle mass for each decade after age 30," says Edward R. Laskowski, M.D., a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist and co-director of the Sports Medicine Center at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
"If you don't do anything to replace that, you're losing muscle and increasing fat," says Dr. Laskowski. "But, if you do strength training, you don't lose as much. It's like having a V-8 engine instead of a 4-cylinder. You have a bigger engine to burn more calories because it takes calories to keep that engine running."
Aerobic exercises like running, walking and bicycling strengthen your heart  also a muscle  by forcing it to adapt in a positive way. Similarly, weight training, done properly, challenges other muscles, forcing them to adapt to the stress and become stronger, according to Dr. Laskowski. Resistance training does more than just build muscle. It also can stimulate and strengthen bones  good news for those concerned about osteoporosis. Weight training also can help older people maintain their independence by keeping them strong enough to do routine tasks.
A University of Alabama at Birmingham study found that older women who lifted weights regularly during the study were able to carry bags of groceries with 36 percent less effort and to get up from their chairs with 40 percent less stress on their leg muscles than prior to the training. The 14 women in the study ranged in age from 60 to 77 and worked out for an hour, three times a week, for 16 weeks.
"No matter what your age, you can combat lean muscle loss by weight training," says Dr. Laskowski.
Copyright 1999, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

The Crunchy, Go-Anywhere Cancer-Fighting Snack

Simply eating a lot of walnuts may inhibit prostate cancer growth or stop it outright.

That was the finding of Paul Davis, UC Davis Cancer Center researcher. He proved the impact of walnuts by studying mice genetically programmed to develop prostate cancer.¹ The results were startling. Details follow this word about one of the fine books we publish. . .

Continued below. . .

Ten-year breast cancer survivor was told: "You'll be dead in a year" (Pssst!! That was 10 years ago!) Doctors didn't give Wiltrude much hope when they diagnosed her with cancer in the year 2000. Wiltrude, a German psychologist, never thought cancer would happen to her. But it did. And it came as a big shock. One doctor told her, "You'll be dead in a year." Late stage breast cancer is virtually incurable using conventional treatments. Even M.D.s admit it. They talk about "buying you more time." (Don't count on it. The evidence shows you're better off doing nothing than chemo.) When Wiltrude told her doctor she was going to try alternative treatments, he said, "You are committing suicide with what you're doing." But she was determined to find a way to beat her cancer. Thanks to the wonders of the Internet, this European woman came across a book by my good friend Bill Henderson, one of the smartest and wisest people I know when it comes to cancer treatment. She tried Bill's top, number one recommendation — a gentle treatment you can do at home for just $5.15 a day. What's more, the cost goes down to $3.50 after six weeks because you just need a maintenance dose. And it even tastes good. Not only has Wiltrude passed the five-year cancer survival mark, she's survived for ten years. We just interviewed her recently for this publication. The radiologist who tests her every year told her, "You're the only one with this kind of result." You can find out about Bills proven cancer treatment plan in a free video presentation — click here to watch it now. When I ask him about some of the treatments that top alternative doctors use, Bill sort of shrugs and says, "They're fine, but why bother? My treatment works, you can do it yourself, and it costs practically nothing." He's coached thousands of cancer patients with all different types and stages of cancer. Most of the people who follow the detailed, specific plan in this Special Report get over their cancer and live for years. "Almost any kind of cancer is reversible," says Bill. "I never give up on anyone." Click here and watch the free video presentation about Bill's amazing cancer protocol.

In Davis's experiment, the mice eating the human equivalent of 2.4 ounces of whole walnuts daily for 18 weeks had significantly smaller and slower growing prostate tumors than did the control group eating equivalent fats from other sources.

The whole walnut diet slashed prostate cancer growth by 30-40%.²

The study also established that walnuts affected multiple genes which control tumor growth. And walnuts aren't the only nut with healthy benefit. . .

Nuts may be that rare thing — something that's
fun to eat AND good for you

Portable, long shelf life, nutritious, no preparation needed.

One of the most convenient and nutritious snack foods available. Yet nuts get a bad rap for being "too high-fat".

But placing all the focus on their high fat level is missing the big picture. Nuts can be an important part of a low-carb diet. And after many years of hearing the arguments fly back and forth, and doing some experimenting on myself, I've decided carbs are the main enemy, not fats.

It was the cancer connection that was the last straw for me. Refined carbohydrates have a clear role in promoting cancer — not to mention diabetes and heart disease. And nuts are a great way of getting off carbs.

Nuts are a rich storehouse of omega-3 fatty acids and flavonoid antioxidants (carotenes, quercetin, resveratrol, and lutein) — with the added benefit of fighting inflammation. Nuts reduce your risk of:

• Various cancers
• High blood pressure, coronary artery disease
• Strokes
• Arthritis
• Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and depression.

Nuts have mineral power too, manganese, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium.

Manganese helps you produce the enzyme superoxide dismutase, a powerful free radical scavenger. Potassium helps control heart rate and blood pressure. And your body needs copper and iron to produce red blood cells.

What's more, nuts are a good source of B-complex vitamins, critical for energy and well-being.

Lastly, they provide high levels of vitamin E — a powerful lipid-soluble free radical scavenger.

Despite the warnings about the "high fat" content of nuts, I couldn't find evidence showing that eating nuts causes weight gain. In fact, replacing pastas and breads with a handful of nuts may control insulin resistance and help you lose weight.

Nuts are rich in this known cancer-fighter

Selenium shows great promise as a cancer preventive. Many studies show it's an effective tool against breast, esophageal, stomach, prostate, liver and bladder cancers. And it's an especially strong free radical scavenger that works synergistically with vitamins C, E and beta-carotene.

A 1996 study by Dr. Larry Clark showed a staggering 42% cancer rate reduction in those who took 200 micrograms of selenium daily for seven years, versus the placebo group. And in the selenium group, death rates were half that of the placebo group. Best results were for prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers.

Jean Carper, in Miracle Cures, called Dr. Clark's findings an "unprecedented cancer intervention study" that "bumped up the respectability of using supplements against cancer several notches."

Many foods contain selenium. But the bioavailable amount is heavily dependent on how selenium-rich the soil is. Soils rich in volcanic ash or in sediment deposited by sea water boast a higher selenium content than do other types of soil.

In the long run, your cancer risk may be determined by selenium levels where you live (assuming you eat locally grown food and don't take a selenium supplement). One theory for why cancer rates are so high in Linxian, China, dubbed "the world capital of cancer", is that the soil is woefully deficient in selenium and zinc.

It's been suggested that one reason American men are five times more likely to die from prostate cancer than Japanese men is that in general, "the Asian diet contains four times the amount of selenium as the average American diet."

What does selenium do? It activates an enzyme called glutathione peroxidase, which scavenges free radicals. Test tube studies show this enzyme inhibits tumor growth and regulates the natural life span of cells — ensuring they die when they're supposed to, instead of turning "immortal".

What else does selenium do?

• Converts hydrogen peroxide to water (preventing lipid peroxidation)
• Acts as an immune stimulant
• Produces antibodies
• Maintains a healthy heart and liver

Dr. Andrew Weil suggests this simple way to bump up your selenium levels,

Eat Brazil nuts!

Just one shelled Brazil nut — grown in central Brazil's selenium rich soil — gives you 120 micrograms of this mineral, getting you more than half way to your daily target of 200 micrograms.³

A staple in the Brazilian diet, these nuts — though high in fat and calories — actually reduce LDL cholesterol (the bad stuff), raise HDL (good cholesterol), and prevent cardiovascular disease and stroke. They're high in vitamin E, the B-vitamins, and minerals. Remember, selenium is more powerful when combined with vitamin E.

Selenium is especially important for those with prostate cancer.⁴

Like many nuts, Brazil nuts can cause allergic reactions in sensitive people, such as itchy mouth, wheezing, tight throat, hives, and even severe anaphylactic reaction. If you experience any symptoms after eating nuts, this issue's health tip is not for you. Consider taking a selenium supplement instead.

Excessive selenium levels may create toxicity. But since most people are deficient, that's a small concern.

What other specific kinds of nuts offer big health benefits? Check these out. Maybe you'll find a new excuse to eat your favorites.

Double the antioxidants of other nuts

You might want to eat a handful of walnuts every day to get the benefit of their potent antioxidant effects.

They deliver a near perfect balance of vitamins, minerals, and fiber — and also boast healthful oleic acid and omega-3 fats which lower deadly artery-clogging LDL cholesterol. Making walnuts part of your daily diet can help ward off cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Dr. Joseph Vinson compared walnuts to nine other nut species high in antioxidants — and found walnut's antioxidants were 2 to 15 times more powerful than vitamin E, doing more for your health than peanuts, almonds, pecans or pistachios.

His analysis also found that eating walnuts in their raw and natural form provides higher nutrient levels, because heating and roasting degrade its antioxidants.

Walnut's other benefits?

• Lower LDL and higher HDL⁵
• Rich source of vitamin E — a powerful lipid soluble free radical scavenger⁶
• Packed with B-complex, magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, copper, selenium⁷
• Contain melatonin, ellagic acid, vitamin E, carotenoids, and poly-phenolic compounds⁸
• Fights cancer, inflammation, aging, heart attacks, stroke and neurological disease⁹

Walnuts may be particularly helpful for breast¹⁰ and prostate¹¹ cancers. As mentioned at the beginning of this article, a diet rich in walnuts resulted in a 30 to 40 percent reduction in prostate cancer growth in mice.

And then there's:

The raw nut that's not really raw

Almonds have long been a symbol for wellness and health.

Like other nuts, they offer healthy levels of fats, vitamins, minerals, phyto-nutrients, vitamin E, B-complex vitamins, selenium, and other antioxidants. They're also gluten free and part of a Mediterranean diet.

As you might expect, they're protective against coronary disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's, and more.¹²

Almonds' high levels of folic acid are believed to help lower homocysteine levels, cutting your risk of arterial buildup. One study showed that just 3 ounces per day lowered cholesterol by 14%.¹³

Their high fiber improves digestive function, reduces constipation, and lowers colorectal cancer risk.

Almonds help control your blood sugar levels, too, making this snack beneficial for diabetics, the insulin resistant, and the overweight. Plus, munching on a few almonds after work may make you less inclined to overeat at dinnertime.

As with any food, once you heat it, you denature the proteins and make it less bioavailable. But unfortunately, the U.S. government has taken that risk to a whole new level.

Warning — U.S. 'raw' almonds are NOT raw!

In 2001 and 2004, there were small salmonella outbreaks associated with just two specific almond growers. The U.S. Department of Agriculture seized the excuse to mandate pasteurization of U.S. almonds. They make no exceptions for organic almonds, especially after organic almond growers opposed to pasteurization lost a lawsuit on this issue in 2009. All domestically grown almonds must be pasteurized, post 2007.

Not to worry, though. Richard Waycott, CEO of the Almond Growers of California reassures us that they no longer use heat or radiation to pasteurize.

Instead they use propylene oxide!

Per Wikipedia, propylene oxide was once used as a racing fuel, but that practice is now prohibited under the National Hot Rod Association rules for safety reasons. (Ironic, isn't it?) It was used in glow fuel for model aircraft and surface vehicles, typically as an additive in small percentages of around 2% to the typical methanol, nitromethane, and oil mix. And, it's also used in thermobaric weapons.

Warnings from the EPA's Hazard Summary sheet on propylene oxide:

• Short-term exposure causes eye and respiratory tract irritation.
• Skin contact, even diluted, causes irritation and necrosis in humans.
• Depresses the central nervous system (CNS) in humans.
• Causes tumors near the site of administration in rodents.
• Classified as a probable human carcinogen (Class 2B) by the EPA.

But yet, it's 'safe' for fumigating your almonds?

I can't recommend organically grown almonds.

You might be able to get true organic almonds by taking advantage of a loophole or two. You'd need to buy from a retailer or mail order supplier who sells imported almonds, or who buys from a farmer in amounts less than 100 pounds. Of course, this suggests that salmonella was never really the issue — but that's another whole story.

The rest of the nuts

In the space I've got, I can't go into detail on every conceivable nut. But certainly pecans and cashews rank high in popularity and deserve a mention here.

They both possess many of the qualities of other nuts.

Cashews contain small amounts of Zeaxanthin, a flavonoid antioxidant that can be absorbed into your eyes, and may be protective against age related macular degeneration. Cashews also contain healthy levels of selenium.

Pecans contain ellagic acid, which inhibits the DNA binding of certain carcinogens, protecting you from cancer.¹⁴ And they're a rich source of vitamin E.

Lastly, there's the peanut, which isn't actually a nut at all, but a legume. Peanuts boast many of the same nutrients as true nuts, including antioxidants. They protect from cancer (particularly stomach cancer), heart disease, degenerative nerve diseases, Alzheimer's, and more.

However, besides being a common and sometimes serious allergen, peanuts are susceptible to fungal (read: mold) infection from aflatoxin — a very powerful and dangerous toxin known to cause cancer and liver cirrhosis. Roasting helps reduce its toxic load, but other nuts may give you more health benefits with less risk.

The bottom line on nuts

Provided you don't have nut allergies, they provide many health-protective benefits not easily achievable by replacement with other foods. I eat raw nuts, not roasted and salted, and I buy organic whenever possible.

Interesting question: Are pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers actually used much in growing nuts? It doesn't seem to me that nuts would be subject to pests since they're protected by a shell. And they're grown on a tree, so why would a grower need herbicides? A lot of smart people read this newsletter, so maybe someone out there can answer this question. If my guess is right, it may not matter much if you eat nuts that aren't organic.

Nuts are a great option for wholesome gifts during the holidays and any time — much better than candy and cookies. And you do a great favor to diabetics and the insulin resistant to provide nuts at parties and family get-togethers.