By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN, co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

I’d like to call your attention to a miracle medicine that is probably sitting in the back of your medicine cabinet, long forgotten, gathering dust.

This safe and well-tested medication has been around for literally thousands of years. This simple medication can be considered as one of the greatest contributions to the health of mankind. I am talking about aspirin.

Aspirin, or acetylsalicylic acid, is still one of the most widely used drugs worldwide. Aspirin began as a derivative of willow bark, and was used as both a painkiller and fever reducer by the Egyptians, Sumerians, and other ancient civilizations.

Aspirin has since been used as an anti-inflammatory painkiller, headache reducer, and blood thinning medication. Aspirin also works well on muscle aches, arthritis, toothaches and menstrual cramps.

There is now growing evidence of aspirin’s wide-ranging benefits including fighting cancer, reversing dementia, improving mood, increasing blood flow, and improving metabolic health—to name just a few.

Aspirin is truly a lifesaving, proven, wonder drug with very few side effects.

Let’s dive into some of the amazing, but little-known benefits of this well-known medication.

Heart and Circulatory Support

Aspirin has a longstanding reputation for preventing heart disease. It does this by helping to prevent the blood platelets from clumping to form clots. Clots contribute to the incidence of heart attacks and strokes by blocking blood flow.

Aspirin can also stop a heart attack or stroke as it’s happening by helping to thin the blood and break up a blood clot.

Aspirin is also known as an anti-inflammatory, so its ability to lower inflammation can also be heart protective.

Brain and Nerves

Aspirin’s effects on the brain and nervous system are strikingly potent. Aspirin can be considered a powerful nootropic. Aspirin is especially effective at lowering inflammation in the brain. Inflammation in the brain can cause depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and other mental disorders.

Aspirin not only helps enhance moods and emotional stability, but it reduces stress, generates a feeling of calm, aids in better sleep, and banishes depression—while regulating serotonin and other vital brain chemicals.

And you may find this information truly amazing–Aspirin helps regrow neurons in the hippocampus. The hippocampus is the area of the brain responsible for mood, emotion, and judgement. This neurogenesis shows great promise at preventing and even reversing some forms of dementia, encouraging stroke recovery, and enhancing memory and cognition.

Neurogenesis is one of the key factors in longevity and slowing the aging process in the brain.

Aspirin stimulates the release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, or BDNF. BDNF plays an important role in many physiological and pathological functions of the brain and nervous system. BDNF plays a crucial role in brain circuits and their ability to communicate. Proper functioning of the central nervous system depends on BDNF.

Aspirin’s anti-inflammatory actions also protect the brain, reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Because aspirin has the ability to break up blood clots, aspirin prevents further injury from strokes, aids in stroke recovery, and alleviates post-stroke depression.

Aspirin has long been known as a help for headaches, but it has also shown to be very effective especially in relieving migraines, especially in combination with caffeine. Aspirin can also help with nerve pain anywhere in the body, caused by simple aches and pains, diabetic neuropathy, chemotherapy or other health conditions.

Along with aspirin, these foods are shown to help heal the brain, and reduce the risk if mental diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, MS

Cancer Fighting

One of the more amazing unsung health benefits of aspirin is its ability to consistently reduce the incidence and mortality of various types of cancers. This is likely due in part to its gentle anti-inflammatory properties.

Long-term, low-dose aspirin has been linked to a reduced risk of colorectal cancer by inhibiting certain inflammatory compounds, according to the National Cancer Institute. Aspirin also reduces overall mortality of liver, pancreatic, prostate, lung, colorectal, breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers, according to the Journal of Public Health.

Aspirin, when utilized as an adjuvant treatment, along with other more conventional treatments, reduces metastatic spread and increases survival rates of many cancer patients.

Paired with aspirin, these cancer fighting foods will detoxify your body, strengthen your immune system, repair cells DNA, and kill cancer cells to stop the spreading.

Immune Strengthening

Because aspirin has anti-inflammatory, and immune-balancing benefits, it strengthens immune function. This helps prevent overactive immune responses that cause chronic inflammation, and autoimmune diseases.

Inflammation is also a factor when the body is fighting off viruses, which is part of the immune response. However, an overly reactive immune system can cause more serious illness. Aspirin may help modulate the immune reaction so that it boosts its ability to fight viruses and other pathogens.

Studies suggest aspirin can affect the function of immune cells like macrophages, T cells, and dendritic cells, which are essential for recognizing and fighting infections.

Aspirin is also effective against the growth of some bacteria, like H.pylori which causes ulcers in the stomach, and candida albicans, which can infect the gut, causing a variety of symptoms.

Metabolic Health

Poor metabolic health has been discovered as one of the primary causes of inflammation, especially connected to chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and dementia. Having healthy glucose regulation, along with insulin sensitivity is a goal for almost all people.

Aspirin helps to enhance the body’s ability to stabilize blood sugar by enhancing insulin sensitivity. One study with aspirin reported a 25% decrease in fasting glucose, along with a reduction in total cholesterol and C-reactive protein—all risk factors for heart disease, diabetes, and prediabetes.

This same study showed an amazing 50% reduction in triglyceride levels following a high-dose aspirin treatment. Triglyceride levels, a key indicator for heart disease, and other chronic diseases, are a reflection of blood glucose levels.

When too many carbohydrates and sugar are ingested, the body quickly turns that into glucose. The excess glucose is converted to triglycerides by the liver. Aspirin helps to slow that process, keeping blood sugar and triglycerides low.

Longevity

Aspirin should be everyone’s favorite anti-aging medication. As we age, our immune systems become dysregulated, which makes us more likely to have chronic inflammation. Decreasing hormone levels also contribute to increasing inflammation. This often helps to pave the way for diseases like Alzheimer’s, cancer, and heart disease.

Chronic low-grade inflammation or ‘inflammaging,’ is very common with older people. By lowering overall inflammation, the risk of all-cause mortality is significantly decreased. Studies show that anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin slow aging.

Aspirin is also responsible for inducing autophagy, the process that removes damaged cells and their components, improving cellular function and metabolic health. This cellular housecleaning helps stimulate energy production, while preventing structural and functional breakdown of mitochondria in the cells.

Everyone has a reason to live a long and healthy life. Making these small changes can help you not only live as long as possible, but living the longest, healthiest life possible—free of chronic diseases.

Reproductive Health

For women, low-dose aspirin is used to improve blood flow to the uterus which is helpful especially for women undergoing fertility treatments. Aspirin also shows promise in reducing the risk of preeclampsia and loss of pregnancy. And aspirin has been used for a long time to reduce the discomfort of PMS.

For men, aspirin is an aromatase inhibitor, which helps to lower estrogen levels by preventing the unwanted conversion of testosterone to estrogen. Because aspirin helps to thin the blood and encourage better circulation, it is also thought to improve blood flow to the penis to put an end to erectile dysfunction.

Other Health Benefits of Aspirin

• Aspirin helps to prevent oxidative damage and inflammation in blood vessels from polyunsaturated, vegetable seed oils.
• Aspirin helps reduce symptoms of psoriasis, and aids in healing skin wounds, and gum disease.
• Aspirin helps to manage asthma symptoms and prevent Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).
• Aspirin can help prevent microvascular inflammation in the kidneys which protects the kidneys from damage in people with diabetes.
• Aspirin reduces the inflammation associated with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD).
• Aspirin can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration by improving blood flow and reducing inflammation.

Aspirin is an amazing medication with widespread applications across most body systems. Aspirin may be one of the best longevity medications that reduces inflammation, prevents heart disease, lowers cancer risk, and protects the brain’s cognitive function.

Aspirin has few side effects, however, aspirin does pose a slight risk for bleeding in the gut, although some studies show only 8 out of 1000 had this reaction, while the placebo was 5 out of 1000.

Anyone interested in using aspirin long term should consult with their healthcare provider to determine if aspirin is right for them, based on their individual health.

Aspirin and healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce your chances of a heart attack, but If you want to avoid a devastating heart attack, also don’t miss this simple test…

Heart Attack Test: Touch Your Feet Like THIS (for 7 seconds)

Can you really predict a heart attack? 

According to America’s #1 heart nutrition expert, Dr. Sam Walters… this 7-second “feet test” can reveal if your heart is dying.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Just sit on a chair.

2. Touch your right foot.

If THIS happens… then your heart is desperately starving for oxygen (but most people only realize when it’s too late).

References

https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/13/5/789
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30391545/
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10376986/
https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/research/aspirin-cancer-risk?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4838306/
http://content-assets.jci.org/manuscripts/14000/14955/JCI0214955.pdf
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10341252/
https://synapse.patsnap.com/article/the-benefits-of-pure-aspirin-powder?
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41392-022-01251-0#:~:text=Furthermore%2C%20thorough%20research%20on%20the%20pathogenesis%20of,in%20turn%20promote%20healthy%20aging%20and%20longevity
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4116353/
https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/14/11/e084105
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9879/3/1/11
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3751197/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1043661824002676
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7327519/

The post Aspirin – The Forgotten Miracle Longevity Medicine appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.

By: Cat Ebeling 
Co-author of the best-sellers:  The Fat Burning Kitchen, The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging & The Diabetes Fix

Avocados have become the darling of the many healthy and weight loss diets, as well as being a staple of the Paleo diet. They are having their ‘moment’ in the spotlight for sure! And for good reason! We all know that they are very healthy for us, low glycemic/low carb and full of super nutrients like healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and serious phytochemicals, but wait—there’s more!

Avocados have been gaining steadily in popularity over the last ten years. In fact, the rate of consumption of avocados has about doubled in the last ten years and demand keeps growing! Mexico and Latin America are some of the biggest suppliers along with California. Did you know that there are actually over a thousand different types of avocados, but here in the United States, we mainly see the popular Hass avocado most of the time. Although the demand has gone up for this buttery fruit, supplies this year are lower, so you may be paying a higher price for your avo—but they are well worth it for your health and your body!

Here’s a few reasons why:

1. Avocados Stabilize Blood Sugar and Fight Metabolic Syndrome

The healthy fats and other nutrition you get from avocados help your body to stabilize blood sugar and insulin, helping fight diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as contributing to fat loss and muscle building. They are low glycemic; therefore no rise in blood sugar and no fat-storing insulin release. The healthy fat content in avocados makes you feel full longer and cuts down on food cravings, so that makes it a perfect food if you are trying to burn fat and lose weight—even though avocados are considered fairly calorically dense. All in all, researchers discovered that avocado consumers were 50 percent less  likely to develop metabolic syndrome than people who don’t normally eat them! The blood sugar stabilizing effect avocados have also helps reduce blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

A study published in Nutrition Journal (January 2013), made up of 17,567 participants, also found that avocado-eaters generally eat a more balanced diet than non-avocado consumers, had significantly higher intakes of vegetables and fruit, and had higher intakes of vitamins, minerals  and other antioxidants. BMI and body weight were significantly LESS in people who eat avocados on a regular basis.  Speaking of high-fat foods that actually HELP you to get leaner, here are 7 fatty foods that fight aging and flatten your stomach (some will surprise you!)

2. Cancer Prevention

The Journal of Nutrition and Cancer recently published the results of a study, showing avocados as a major player in cancer-fighting and study results show phytochemicals as powerful as some chemotherapy! Other research suggests that phytochemicals extracted from avocados help induce cancer cell cycle death, inhibit growth, and induce apoptosis in precancerous and cancer cell lines.

Avocados abundance of monounsaturated fats also help fight cancer by being an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Beta-sitosterol also protects the prostate gland in men, fighting cancer and improving immune functions. And the powerful carotenoids fight skin cancer, as well as aging.

3. Weight Loss—Really!!

While avocados get a bad rap because they are calorically dense and high in fats, they are actually a great weight loss food. Diets lower in carbohydrates actually actually have been shown to help in fat loss, and in reducing hunger because they keep blood sugar and fat-storing insulin in check. Fats are super filling and increase satisfaction that help you eat less overall. And they allow you to go longer between meals without getting hungry. That healthy fat also helps your body absorb more fat-burning vitamins and minerals as well.

A study conducted in 2005, examined the effects of avocados, a rich source of calories coming from monounsaturated fatty acids, as part of an energy-restricted diet on weight loss, serum lipids and vascular function in overweight and obese subjects. They found that consumption of 30 grams a day of fat from avocado within restricted calorie diet didn’t compromise weight loss at all when substituted for 30 grams a day of mixed dietary fats. The diet high in avocado resulted in significant weight loss in addition to other health improvements. Measurements including body mass, body mass index and percentage of body fat decreased significantly in both groups during the study. Only the avocado test group experienced positive changes in fatty acid blood serum levels. So, there are clearly avocado benefits for weight loss!

4. Avocados Contain Amazing Fats

Avocados contain oodles of oleic acid the same type of healthy fat that is in olive oil, which helps—among other things—lower bad cholesterol and fight cancers. Unlike saturated fats or highly processed vegetable oils, avocado oil regulates blood sugar, protects the heart as well as the brain. Avocados contain plenty of oleic acid, the same monounsaturated fat in olive oil, that helps lower cholesterol and is helpful in preventing breast cancer and other cancers.

Avo’s help to block the development of arteriosclerosis (the gunk inside your blood vessels that blocks blood flow) partly because of their blood sugar-lowering effects. Other serious health-protecting ingredients include fiber, beta-sitosterol, magnesium, and potassium, which help to regulate blood pressure and lower LDL cholesterol. This study shows people eating avocados dropped total cholesterol by 17%, LDL’s decreased by 22%, triglycerides by 22%, and healthy HDL rose by 11%. That avo fat is GOOD for you!!

5. Healthy Babies—Before and After Birth

One medium avocado has about a quarter of your required daily amount of folate, or folic acid, a B vitamin that plays an essential role in making new cells by helping to produce healthy DNA and RNA. Folate is required for pregnant women, and helps lower the risk birth defects in babies, as well as being important for heart health.

And avocados are the perfect baby food as well! They are firm enough to be picked up by tiny fingers, but easily mashable and edible—even for someone with no teeth! What’s more, we now know they are chock full of healthy nutrition, healthy fats and massive phytochemicals. And their mild taste is something babies love, making avo’s a great baby superfood!

6. Eye Health

Avocados have lots of carotenoids and lutein, antioxidants that are both valuable for healthy eyes. It also contains zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, plus significant quantities of vitamin E. The oleic acid in avo’s helps the body absorb those precious carotenoids and convert to vitamin A, as well as being able to access the antioxidants in other foods as well. Carotenoid benefits include lowering inflammation, promoting healthy growth and development, and boosting immunity, among others.

7. Healthy Inside and Healthy Outside—Skin and Hair

Avocados’ load of phtytochemicals and antioxidants fight damage from the sun and the environment by reducing inflammation and DNA damage. People who eat diets rich in antioxidants as well as healthy fats have healthier, less wrinkly skin than people who eat the Standard American Diet (SAD). In addition, the healthy carotenoids in colorful veggies, including avocados add a rich, healthy golden glow to your skin.  And, because of the rich oils and vitamins in avocados, you can mash one up and use it as moisturizing, calming facial mask as well!

Avocados massive supply of phytonutrients including their polyphenols and flavenoids also help fight osteoarthritis, and other inflammatory degenerative diseases.

Avocados growing popularity has created a serious worldwide craving for this buttery orb, so countries like Mexico and many other South American countries have been gearing up their production. However, avocados—especially American Hass avocados use more water than the South American varieties, so California avocados may be in short supply this year. Rising demand and avocado prices are actually fueling illegal deforestation in some parts of the world, and drug and mafia cartels are at work to control the supply of this popular food. High demand and lowered supply may mean your favorite avo prices could rise. Careful handling, a watchful eye that they don’t get overripe and knowing how to store your leftover avocado will help to prevent wasting these lovelies.

What About That Pit?

A study by Pennsylvania State University revealed that avocado pits, or seeds, have been used medicinally for generations. Avocado pits in South American have been used as a treatment for inflammation, diabetes and hypertension. This mostly unused element of the fruit contains phenolic compounds, which are known to prevent cancer, cardiovascular disease and other degenerative illnesses. But beware, some food experts warn against eating the pits thinking that it may cause intestinal discomfort or other health issues. More research is needed at this point on the detriments or benefits of eating the seeds of avocados.

Ideas to Use

There are literally zillions of great avocado recipes out there—I prefer the quick and easy ones. My favorite breakfast is to spread some ripe avocado on gluten free (sourdough) toast, add a slice of natural ham, and a free range egg cooked in grass fed butter. Divine! Great low carb, high nutrient breakfast to fuel your day! I also like them right out of the shell with some Sriracha sauce sprinkled on, with tuna in the hollow.

Here’s an amazing Paleo breakfast of an easy-baked avocado egg recipe from my friends at PaleoHacks.  Or try this yummy chocolate avocado recipe for dessert from my co-author Mike Geary. Mmm, mmm good!

Avocado Oil: Much Healthier for You Than Canola, Olive, And Sunflower Oil

You can instantly tell if the cooking oil in your kitchen is toxic by looking at its smoke point…

The smoke point is the temperature at which an oil starts to break down and form compounds that can be extremely damaging to your health. When it comes to cooking, you want to choose an oil with a high smoke point.

Avocado oil has a high smoke point of 520ºF, which supports a long and healthy life.

It’s a smooth, buttery dark green oil that’s naturally produced in Mexico. This is one of the only cooking oils in the world that isn’t diluted with “cancer oil.”

So, if you never want to poison your salads, meats, and pasta with your cooking oil again…

Click here to discover one of the only natural and poison-free cooking oils in the world.

Over 5,623 Americans swear this dark green cooking oil is the tastiest and healthiest oil around!

References
https://draxe.com/avocado-benefits/

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/01/17/avocado-benefits.aspx

The post Seven More Reasons to Love Avocados That You Didn’t Already Know appeared first on thenutritionwatchdog.com.