It’s one of the worst diseases you can develop — as it poses a real threat to your health and practically every vital organ in your body.

The 2007–08 National Health Survey estimated that 818,200 Australians (4.0%) have it and that number is growing daily!.

I’m talking about diabetes.

As you probably already know, diabetes is a gateway to a whole world of trouble — including heart disease, blindness, poor circulation, and kidney failure.

Basically, diabetes develops when your body can no longer control high levels of sugar in your bloodstream.

Of course, the best thing you can do for your own health is to PREVENT diabetes in the first place.

Diet and exercise are crucial. It’s the first level of defense in keeping your sugar and insulin levels in check.

But you should also use at least one (or all three!) of these safe, all-natural, sugar-busting “superstars” –

1. Gymnema Sylvestre. This plant comes from India. It’s been used by  Ayurvedic healers for over 2,000 years! Studies have shown it can greatly lower your over blood sugar over the long term. You can find it at your local health food store.

2.Cinnamon.You would probably never guess that cinnammon lowers your blood sugar, right? But it’s powerful sugar-busting properties were discovered by accident. Researchers were studying the effects of common foods on blood sugar levels. When subjects ate apple pie, their blood sugar actually lowered! The scientists were baffled and looked into it more. They finally narrowed apple pie’s sugar-lowering effects to the cinnammon. Try sprinkling cinammon on oatmeal or on apples for a tasty treat.

3. Fenugreek. This seed is native to the Mediterranean region, along with India and China. It helps stimulate the release of insulin in your body, which helps lower your overall blood sugar levels. This is one you’ll have to find at a health food store as well.

No question, diabetes can mess up your health big time. But eat right, workout, and take one or more of the all-natural “superstars” I’ve told you about here, and you’ll be golden!

Memory loss is all-too often associated with old age.

And unfortunately, with good reason.

As most people get older, they become more forgetful. And in serious cases, they can develop dementia and Alzheimer’s (scary stuff, to be sure).

The good news is there are plenty of things you can do to prevent severe memory loss — and in the process develop lots of “Brain” power that will keep your memory razor-sharp, well into your “Golden Years.”

1. Walk! According to a study presented at the annual meeting of the Alzheimer’s Australia, it turns out that walking could slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and help protect the brain against it.

“We found that walking 8 kilometres per week protects the brain structure over 10 years in people with Alzheimer’s and MCI, especially in areas of the brain’s key memory and learning centres,” said Cyrus Raji, one of the study’s researchers.

This is because walking helps increase brain volume — a vital sign that the brain is healthy.

Lower brain volume means more brain cells are dying.So start parking far away… take the stairs… take “Fido” for a walk… do whatever you got to do to start walking more!

2. Eat Lots of Fat! I know, this sounds crazy. But I don’t mean “bad” fat, like the kind you find in fried foods and cookies and donuts. Instead eat “healthy” fats, like from walnuts, almonds, avocados, eggs yolks, etc. These contain omega 3s which help reduce inflammation and keep your brain healthy and happy (did you know that 70% of that brain of yours is pure, unadultered fat? That’s why eating healthy fat is crucial).

3. Take your vitamins. Make sure you get some B12, folic acid and vitamin D. They’ve been shown to help preserve and improve your memory.

4. Challenge your mind. Learn, learn, learn! The more challenging the activity, the better, as it increases your briain volume. So do crossword puzzles, learn new words, a new language, ballroom dance, any thing to keep that mind learning and growing.

Follow these tips and you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to keep your mind sharp and alert. No more worrying if you’ll remember where you left the keys, even if you’re 90!

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We all have stress to one degree or another.

Work, finances, health, relationships, you name it.

Stress is everywhere in our modern society.

Learning how to manage, however,  can mean a healthier, longer life. You see it’s not the thing that makes you stressed, it’s your opinion of it. One of my favourite sayings is “You don’t have to feel bad about it”.

Mainstream medicine is finally making the connection between your emotions and your health.

Shyam Prabhakaran, M.D., head of cerebrovascular disease and neurocritical care at Rush University Medical Center confirms this in a recent article stating “Now we’re realising how interwoven emotions and [diseases] are.”

In some ways, I think we all know stress is bad. What’s surprising though, is just how bad.

For example did you know stress raises your blood pressure and makes your blood stickier?

This makes for a perfect recipe for a blood clot which can lead to a stroke.

And consider this:

A recent National Institute On Aging study found that people who were aggressive and angry most of the time had thicker carotid arteries than those who were more calm and easygoing.

If severe enough, a thickened carotid artery may clot and block blood-flow to the brain.

So the lesson to be learned?

Relax. Eliminate as much stress as you can in your life.

Here are a 4 great ways to do that:

1. Take up a meditative practice. Yoga is a great choice. You’ll work on your flexibility and strength – all while relaxing! Other choices include Tai Chi, traditional meditation or visualisation, something I do myself for 30 mins a day.

2. Breathe. Believe it or not, deep breathing is a great stress reliever you can use at any time. Simply take a deep breath in through your nose. Hold your breath for a count of 3 and then slowly exhale through the mouth. Do this at least 5 times next time you start feeling anxious or worried.

3. Exercise. Working out is a proven stress-reliever. As you work out, your body releases endorphins, those “feel good” hormones that will brighten up your day and let you toss your worries aside.

4. Put things in perspective. Sometimes all you need to relieve a little stress is to realise that the problems or situation may not be as bad as you think. Socrates wrote to this very point, expressing that “if all our misfortunes were laid in one common heap, where each had to take an equal portion, most would be content to take their own.”

Constant stress seems like the norm in today’s world. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you have food, clothing and shelter then do you really have anything to stress about or do you have a few undesireable circumstances.

Take some time out to relax … reduce your worry … and enjoy life a little more each day.

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Holiday season is almost here!

That means lots of goodies and LOADS of temptation…

But here’s the good news…

Today I’ve lined up a cool little Jedi “mind trick” you can use to hopefully eat a little less this holiday season.

Your waisitline will thank you!

There’s no doubt about it…

Your body and your mind are directly linked.

What you think about has a clear effect on your health and vice versa.

In fact, I’ve just come across a fascinating study that shows how strong this mind-body connection is.

Researchers at Yale University decided to see how your thoughts affect your body’s response to food.

The study, published in the online journal Health Psychology, focused on ghrelin levels in the body.

So we’re on the same page, ghrelin is also known as the “hunger” hormone. It sends a signal to your brain that makes you want to eat.

If your body’s ghrelin levels are high, you’ll tend to overeat… even if you are already feeling full.

Likewise, low ghrelin levels are associated with feelings of satiety and not needing to eat more. .

One more thing – ghrelin levels typically increase before meals and decrease after eating.

Back to the study…

The researchers recruited volunteers and divided them into two groups:

Group 1 – received a milkshake that they were told was a 620-calorie “indulgent” shake.

Group 2 – received a milkshake that they were told was a 140-calorie “sensible” shake.

In reality, both groups got the same exact shake, which came in at 380 calories.

So what happened?

After drinking the shake, both groups had their ghrelin levels measured.

The group that thought they were having the nice, fatty-shake had a dramatic and steep decline in their ghrelin levels.

The group that thought they were being healthy had a neutral ghrelin response.

“This study shows that mindset can affect feelings of physical satiety. The brain was tricked into either feeling full or feeling unsatisfied. That feeling depended on what people believed they were consuming, rather than what they actually were consuming,” said Alia J.Crum, the study’s lead author.

“What was most interesting,” Crum added, “is that the results were somewhat counterintuitive. Consuming the shake thinking it was ‘indulgent’ was healthier than thinking it was ‘sensible.’ It led to a sharper reduction in ghrelin.”

Pretty crazy, right!?

The mere perception of what you’re eating has a direct effect on your body.

How’s that for “food for thought?”

So next time you embark on a diet, try to see if you can get yourself to change the perception of what you’re eating… and then see how it makes you feel.

Imagine the possibilities… indulgent chicken salads… hearty protein shakes… and exquisite veggies.

The sky’s the limit on this one!

Well, that’s all for today. Keep up those good eating and exercise habits… and make sure to use this neat little Jedi “mind trick” this holiday season.

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Only a few short days until Summer is officially here.

And with a change in season usually comes a change in your lifestyle… whether it’s spending more time indoors, being a lot busier with work and family, or simply just getting into a different routine.

In today’s article, there’s something I think you need to add IMMEDIATELY to your daily routine, no matter what changes might be taking place. It just may save your life…

No muscle in your body works harder than you heart. That’s why you should always strive to take good care of it!

What’s the best way to do that?

Well, I’m sure you’ve already had it pounded into your head that working out and eating right are the first two major steps to protecting your ‘ticker.’

No surprise there, right?

But here’s something you probably haven’t heard:

A simple essential mineral can practically “bulletproof” your heart against disaster (and disease).

I’m talking about magnesium. This little mineral does SO much for your body. And now research shows it can do WONDERS for your heart.

So what exactly can this commonly overlooked mineral do for you?

A study in the American Heart Journal found that magnesium is incredibly effective at slashing the risk of sudden cardiac death.

In fact, the researchers found that folks with high amounts of magnesium circulating in their bloodstream are 41 percent less likely to die of a sudden heart disaster. [1]

But that’s not all…

A study published in the Journal of Hypertension links low magnesium levels to the development of heart disease (the formation of plaque on the inner lining of your arterial walls). [2]

On the other hand, if you get plenty of magnesium, you’re in luck.

The University of Virginia School of Medicine studied over 7,000 men for 30 years. After the long study, researchers concluded that the intake of dietary magnesium is associated with a significantly reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

In fact, the men in the study that had the lower intake of magnesium had a 50-100 percent GREATER chance of developing heart disease than those with higher intakes.[3]

Bottom line? Get your magnesium!

The USDA reports that 68 percent of Americans don’t get enough – and that’s just for the basic Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for magnesium.

Even the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) states that “…many people may not have enough body stores of magnesium because dietary intake may not be high enough. Having enough body stores of magnesium may be protective against disorders such as cardiovascular disease and immune dysfunction.”

Magnesium is not only important to protect your heart – it’s involved in over 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It helps maintain normal muscle and nerve function, keeps bones strong, and even keeps your heart rhythm steady.

Magnesium supplements are so commonplace, you can probably find it at your local grocery store.

Start off with 200mg a day. Taking too much may have a laxative effect. Other than that, there are no reported dangers according to the National Institutes of Health. [4]

You can also get your daily quota of magnesium by eating plenty of legumes (beans) and dark, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale.

So make sure to get your daily magnesium “fix” to give your heart the best protection it deserves.

And by the way … if you’re serious about taking your overall health and fitness to the next level, why not take advantage of your FREE Fitness Consultation? (an $87 value)

During this consult, you’ll receive detailed information on how to get fit and trim that’s tailored to YOUR body.

There’s no obligation and it’s totally and completely free. To sign up, click here

References:

[1] Peacock JM. Serum magnesium and risk of sudden cardiac death in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study. American Heart Journal. 2010;160: 464-470.

[2] Adrian M. A long-term moderate magnesium-deficient diet aggravates cardiovascular risks associated with aging and increases mortality in rats. Journal of Hypertension. 2008;26:44-52.

[3] Abbott, RD, et.al. American Journal of Cardiology, Sep 2003; 92 (6):665-9.

[4]http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/magnesium/#en7

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Today I want to talk about something that doesn’t get enough attention from most folks- your brain!

What’s the point in having the rest of your body in great shape if you’re brain isn’t running up to par?

Take the advice in today’s article to heart – and start implementing it as soon as you can. Your brain deserves it!.

You probably already know that exercise and proper diet keeps your body “young.”

But did you know you can also keep your mind young (quite literally)?

In fact, I’ve just come across a study that suggests you can reverse your brain’s age… by up to 5.5 years!

The study, published in the prestigious British medical journal The Lancet, set out to find if folic acid could affect mental performance.[1]

Dutch researchers took 818 participants aged 50 – 70 and split them into two groups.

One group received 800 mcg of folic acid daily for three years

The second group received a placebo.

At the start of the study, all of the participants were given a battery of memory tests to measure cognitive performance.

So what happened?

The group that took folic acid showed a HUGE improvement on the standardised memory tests given at the end of the study. In fact, they did so well that they knocked 5 1/2 years off their ages when it came to their test performance.

And that was the AVERAGE. Some folks erased even more years on their mental “age.”

Bottom line: If you want to keep your memory sharp, seriously consider supplementing with 800 mcg of folic acid daily.

You can find it at most grocery and health food stores.

In the end, keeping your brain healthy should be just as important as keeping the rest of your body in tip top shape.

This is especially true if you’re nearing your 50s.

It’s estimated that anywhere from 50-75 percent of Australian’s over 50 complain of mild memory problems.

And as the baby boomer generation continues to age, it’s expected that around 1.7 million will develop life-threatening mental decline (diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s).

So do everything you can to keep both your body AND mind in great shape.

As for brain health, in addition to taking folic acid, you can start walking regularly. A study in The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences suggests that walking just 40 minutes, 3 times a week can expand the size of your hippocampus – an area of the brain that’s heavily responsible for your memory.[2]

And, start drinking more green tea. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that the polyphenols in green tea can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease by stopping the formation of beta-amyloid proteins (one of the toxic proteins believed to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s.)[3]

Follow the tips I’ve given you here today, and you’ll be on the path to having a sharp memory and a healthy brain for years to come!

And by the way … if you’re serious about taking your overall health and fitness to the next level like Chris , why not take advantage of your FREE Fitness Consultation? (an $87 value)

During this consult, you’ll receive detailed information on how to get fit and trim that’s tailored to YOUR body.

There’s no obligation and it’s totally and completely free. To sign up, click here

References:

[1] Durga, Jane, et al.”Effect of 3-year folic acid supplementation on cognitive function in older adults in the FACIT trial: a randomised, double blind, controlled trial”The Lancet, Vol.369, Issue 9557, Pg.208 – 216, Jan. 2007

[2] Erickson, Kirk, et al.”Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory” PNAS, Jan. 31, 2011

[3] Green tea (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits beta-amyloid-induced cognitive dysfunction through modification of secretase activity via inhibition of ERK and NF-kappaB pathways in mice.Lee JW, Lee YK, Ban JO, Ha TY, Yun YP, Han SB, Oh KW, Hong JT. J Nutr. 2009 Oct;139(10):1987-93. Epub 2009 Aug 5.

Your mental health is just as important as your physical health. In fact, as you’ll see, the two go hand in hand.

Because of that, and the importance a healthy brain has on your quality of life, today I am going to share with you 3 ways to reverse the affects of aging on your brain so you can enjoy life into your 80′s, 90′s and beyond!

Also, I’ve got a super tasty recipe for you today that I’m sure you’ll like if you have a sweet tooth. We always try to eliminate as much sugar as we can, but we all get cravings from time to time!

How To Reverse The Affects of Aging On Your Brain

Here’s a few tips on how to keep your brain sharp into your 80′s and beyond…

#1. Exercise – Surprise, surprise! A recent study published in a Neurology journal found that people who exercise or get active at least once a week have a longer lasting memory.

#2. Be Friendly – If you live with someone, or do volunteer work, you improve your memory by almost 25%! Presumably because you keep the mind stimulated, by meeting and speaking to other people.

#3. Do Puzzles – Those newspaper puzzles like Sudoku and crosswords improve your memory, brain speed and vocabulary too! Plus they’re fun and a great way to pass time productively if you commute to work by public transport.

Your brain is very much like your body, if you look after it, you’ll receive years of healthy, happy living. Start today!