The modern way to avoid stroke and other circulatory ailments.. by diet..
8-)
One of the key's to a healthy diet may be the consumption of good quantities of proanthocyanidins, anthocyanidins, (bioflavonoids, isoflavones, polyphenols etc.
So where are these found?
Ans: unsweetened dark chocolate (cocoa), tea, citrus fruits, blueberries, soy, maritime pine bark, grapeseeds, onions, apples, oranges, blueberries, dark/bright or purple coloured fruit, and vegetables -- and nuts, especially walnuts and pecans. --are just loaded.
It has been found that certain natives in South America who eat a lot of cocoa have low heart disease and cancer rates.
en.wikipedia.org
"The most common antioxidants currently used are vitamin C and vitamin E; however, studies show that proanthocyanidins antioxidant capabilities are 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more potent than vitamin E. An important supplement, the proanthocyanidins found in pine bark and grape seed extract work directly to help strengthen all the blood vessels and improve the delivery of oxygen to the cells. Doctor recommended as anti-oxidants, they have become increasingly more important as our environment deteriorates through the introduction of toxins from pollution. Proanthocyanidins also have an affinity for cell membranes, providing nutritional support to reduce capillary permeability and fragility. Although bioflavonoids are widespread in nature, the powerful proanthocyanidin compound is most abundant and available from the bark of the maritime pine and in grape seeds, or pips."
It is clear from the above that bioflavonoids, and flavones affect the capillaries more than C and E. These are known as "Vitamin P" in the 1950's for their effect on Permeability of the vascular system. This was known to prevent scurvy and explains why the indian remedy of cedar bark tea cured Champlain's men of scurvy in early Canada. It was the plenteous proanthocyanidin content of the cedar bark that healed the explorers' blood vessels. (35 men had died of scurvy over the winter. The disease was unrecognized by the French at the time.) The effect of bioflavonoids was found in Hungary in 1936 by Szent-Gyorgy, who received the Nobel prize for this discovery. Similarly it has been found that it was the bioflavonoid content in the limes that protected the English sailors of the 17th century, not the vitamin C, which in this fruit is very low, (28 mgs per lemon/lime) but bioflavonoids. In fact the limes of the English navy were lemons.
It appears that modern nutrition had since forgotten the benefits of Vitamin P in the latter parts of the modern age. The colouring substances of citrus fruit were once touted, and later downgraded when it was "found" that they were not vitamins. In other words it appeared that the absence of these vital substances would not cause a specific deficiency!! In fact this could not be farther from the truth when you look statistically at the very long term effects of chronic flavonoid deficiency and the coincidences of such slow-developing diseases such as heart disease and cancer.
vitanetonline.com
health.iafrica.com
It is now apparent that the word vitamin is a misused term and can be discarded from nutritional lexicon. More substances are vital to our bodies than just these major amines, the absolute dearth of which can cause such serious diseases. More subtle and perhaps just as important may be the long term low level protection provided by the myriad 'bioflavonoid' class substances such as sterols (found in celery), and polyphenols (found in tea and oranges) which were until recently considered unimportant or possibly even harmful.
For instance: It has been found in recent experiments that eating just 8 ounces of celery per day can reduce blood pressure by 15% in just 3 weeks!!
The lowest heart disease rate in the world by a wide margin is found not in Okinawa Japan, but in Crete. The Cretan diet is high in fish, squid, walnuts, purslane and home-grown vegetables. The vegetables are grown in rocky soil, thus are high in minerals. The Cretans also eat grape leaves and olive leaves. These have been found recently to reduce cancer.
en.wikipedia.org
mediterraneandiet.gr
heraklion.gr
"The Cretan Formula"
* Use olive oil as the principal fat, replacing other fats and oils.
* Drink a moderate consumption of wine, normally with meals; about one to two glasses per day for men and one glass per day for women.
* Eat fresh fruit as a typical daily dessert; limit sweets with a significant amount of sugar and saturated fat.
* Incorporate an abundance of food from plant sources, including fruits and vegetables, breads and grains, beans, nuts, and seeds.
* Eat minimally processed and seasonally fresh and locally grown foods.
* Total dietary fat should range from less than 25 percent to over 35 percent of energy, with saturated fat no more than 7 to 8 percent of total calories.
* Eat low to moderate amounts of cheese and yogurt daily.
* Consume low to moderate amounts of fish and poultry weekly; and limit eggs from zero to four servings per week.
* Only eat red meat a few times or just one time per month.
>:o
* Proanthocyanidins reduce histamine production naturally, and are used in the treatment of allergies.
* Proanthocyanidins help improve circulation by strengthening capillary walls. This is especially important for people with compromised circulatory systems, such as stroke victims, diabetics, arthritics, smokers, oral contraceptive users and people with general cardiovascular insufficiencies.
* Proanthocyanidins inhibit the body’s enzymes that break down collagen. Proanthocyanidins help collagen repair and rebuild correctly which can reverse damage done over the years by injury and free radical attack. The breakdown of collagen is what causes our skin to lose its elasticity which in turn causes wrinkles. Proanthocyanidins help keep skin elastic, smooth and wrinkle-free. Proanthocyanidins are also taken as an oral cosmetic to help in the prevention of wrinkles.
* Proanthocyanidins serve to protect against environmental toxins, such as radiation, pesticides, pollution, heavy metals, etc. The production of free radicals is increased because of today's environment. Tobacco smoke, alcohol, solvents, chemicals and more cause free radicals to form. Since proanthocyanidins eliminate free radicals, they help us fight the toxic effects of our environment.
* Proanthocyanidins act as a natural, internal sunscreen. The Sun's ultraviolet rays destroy up to 50 percent of our skin cells. Proanthocyanidins reduce this amount to approximately 15 percent. Inhibiting the daily effects the Sun's rays have on our skin is our best defense against the aging of our skin.
* Proanthocyanidins cross the blood-brain barrier to protect the blood vessels in the brain.
Unlike most other nutritional supplements, the beneficial effects of proanthocyanidins cross the blood-brain barrier. This enables proanthocyanidins to fight free radicals in the vessels of the brain that in turn will help them remain healthy. This can result in increased mental acuity, a decreased potential for stroke, and possibly in fighting senility.
BIOFLAVONOIDS:
Where can they be found?
The main source of bioflavonoids is the citrus fruits - lemons, grapefruits, oranges, and to a lesser extent, limes. Apricots, cherries, grapes (grape seed extract), black currants, plums, blueberries, blackberries, pears and papayas are other fruit sources. They are generally contained in the edible pulp of the fruit rather than in the strained juices. Green pepper, broccoli, red cabbage, parsley, onions, legumes and tomatoes are some good vegetable sources of bioflavonoids. They can also be found in tea (especially green teas), cocoa, red wine and pine bark extract.
What exactly do they do?
# The bioflavonoids are helpful in the absorption of vitamin C and protect the multifunctional vitamin C molecule from destruction, thereby improving and prolonging its functioning. They are therefore indirectly, and possibly directly, involved in maintaining the health of collagen. Collagen holds all the tissues of the body together - it is a major component of bone, teeth and scar tissue formed during wound healing and bone fractures.
# The collagen repair and anti-inflammatory action of bioflavonoids may also help joint and connective tissue problems like tendonitis, arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, injury, fibromyalgia and gout.
# Their main known function is to increase the strength of the capillaries. In fact, the letter P, for permeability factor, was initially given to this group of nutrients because of their role in improving the capillary lining's permeability and integrity - that is, the passage of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nutrients through capillary walls. The capillaries link the arteries to the veins - they deliver oxygen and nutrients to the organs, tissues, and cells and then pick up carbon dioxide and wastes and carry them through the veins and back to the heart. By their support of the capillaries, bioflavonoids help to prevent haemorrhage and rupture of these tiny vessels, which could lead to easy bruising.
# A high bioflavonoid intake has also been linked to a lower risk of heart attack, although further investigation in this area is warranted.
Possible clinical uses
The main use of the bioflavonoids would be to provide synergy in the utilisation of vitamin C - they therefore contribute to many vitamin C applications, for example, the treatment of colds and flu's. Bioflavonoids themselves are often supplemented for problems where improved capillary strength is needed, such as bleeding gums, easy bruising and duodenal bleeding ulcers, which may be worsened by weak capillaries. There is also evidence that in conditions such as haemorrhoids, varicose veins, spontaneous abortions, excessive menstrual bleeding and chronic nosebleeds, the bioflavonoids may be helpful in maintaining capillary health and reducing bleeding. They have also been used in asthma, allergies, bursitis and arthritis, eye problems secondary to diabetes and as protection from the harmful effects of radiation.
After all that, though, we must bear in mind that there is not much scientific evidence to support these clinical uses of bioflavonoids. Though they were touted very highly for a while, further research must be done to substantiate these claims.
Are there any known signs of deficiency or toxicity?
The bioflavonoids are easily absorbed from the intestinal tract, however, there is no known toxicity. Excesses will be stored to a limited extent in the body, though most of the excess will be eliminated in the urine and sweat.
Deficiency is also fairly unlikely, although, as with vitamin C, an increased tendency to bruise or bleed may be a symptom. In addition, the protection that vitamin C gives against inflammatory problems, as in arthritis, may be lost when the bioflavonoids are not contained in sufficient amounts in the diet or if it is not supplemented. Bioflavonoids are very safe and are thought not to interact with any drugs.
How much should we be having?
The body can't produce bioflavonoids, therefore they need to be obtained through our diets. There is no RDA (recommended dietary allowance) for the bioflavonoids, perhaps because they usually occur naturally with vitamin C. A normal, healthy diet usually provides all the bioflavonoids we need.
Conclusion
Because of the role of bioflavonoids as antioxidants, multi-coloured salads and a varied diet of fresh fruits and vegetables are highly recommended to stay youthful and healthy. In essence, bioflavonoids are nature's paintbrush for colourful, tasty nutrition. |
