Walk or Run Away from Colds

 

       

      Past studies have consistently shown that one of the quickest and most effective ways to boost immunity is to move your body.  Underscoring the potent germ-fighting power of exercise - a new study found that the most fit individuals get less frequent colds and when they do get them, they are milder and don't last as long.  In this evaluation of over 1,000 adults, those who reported they exercised five or more days a week had up to 46 percent less colds than the sedentary subjects.  When the human body engages in moderate to vigorous physical activity, scientists observe an immediate activation of the immune system that results in greater numbers and more robust activity in circulating germ-fighting cells. For my best advice on all the other ways you can give the boot to colds and flu click here.  (1)

 

 

Berry Good News

    

   Thanks to a new lab study, the disease-busting credentials of the diminutive, yet all powerful blueberry just got bigger.  Scientist fed a group of mice genetically prone to develop premature heart disease standard rat chow spiked with blueberry powder and a second group the same diet without the blueberry powder.  After 20 weeks, the mice fed the blueberry-spiked diet had 58 percent less plaque build-up in their aortic arteries.  This study is the first to show direct evidence that blueberries can slow the growth of arterial plaque (the ultimate cause of heart attacks and most strokes).  The dose used was the human equivalent of ½ cup of fresh blueberries daily.  (3)

 

    In a second lab report, black raspberries wowed cancer researchers with their colon-cancer fighting potential.  The researchers fed a group of mice genetically prone to develop colon cancer a Western-style (high risk) diet for 12 weeks.  Half of the mice had their unhealthy diet supplemented with black raspberry powder while the other half didn't. The mice that consumed the berry-enhanced high risk rat chow were 50 percent less likely to develop colon cancer relative to the other group.  The scientists attributed black raspberry's cancer protection to the super-potent anti-inflammatory compounds it houses.  Keep in mind that inflammation is involved in the development of practically all chronic diseases.  (4)

 

    Thankfully all types of berries pack a whopping anti-inflammatory punch. Make it a habit to eat berries daily.

 

Check out these additional anti-inflammatory dietary strategies.

Join me on SC ETV Radio the first Tuesday of each month from 12:00 to 1:00 PM EST for my live "Ask the Expert" interactive broadcast on Clemson University's public radio program Your Day (also live webstreamed world-wide and podcast at http://yourday.clemson.edu).  Click here to visit the archives.  A special thank you to Integrated Health (iH3) and Whole Foods Market for sponsoring my radio broadcasts!