Nutrition. Vitamins. You.
If you’re interested in a superior pre-workout routine, you need to turn to beets! Beets are a powerful superfood that offer support for nitric oxide and lactic acid build up.
One of the most underestimated factors in our overall wellness is sleep. But foods and nutrients can really support a restful night of sleep?
tart cherry
Invite Health Podcast, Episode hosted by Jerry Hickey. Ph
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The National Institute on Aging recommends following a healthy diet, staying physically active, being mentally active, socializing, and looking after your health in general, like controlling your blood pressure and blood sugar, for you to maintain cognitive health and memory functions well into old age. Tart cherries have recently entered that mix. They really should be part of a healthful diet.
Some research on the benefits of tart cherry
The journal Food and Function published a very recent study from various departments and schools at the University of Delaware. They wanted to test the effects of tart cherry on brain health and memory functions in adults between the ages 65 to 80. They had normal cognitive function. They did not have memory loss. The researchers gave the subjects Montmorency tart cherry twice a day for 12 weeks. Then, they tested subjective memory and objective cognitive performances and they found a difference. They found a difference from baseline results, before they were given the tart cherry, and the end of the study. By the end of the study, the people in their 60s, 70s and 80s were more content and more calm and also did better on memory scores and on memory function tests, as well as performing better on learning tasks, retaining memory, working memory and visual sustained attention. Across the board, there were many improvements with the tart cherry. After 12 weeks, the University of Delaware found better memory, better contentment and more calmness in their subjects. They also responded more quickly to information. They had a 23% reduction in errors in episodic visual memory, a 3% improvement in visual sustained attention and an 18% reduction in errors during spatial memory working tasks, which includes doing math and things like that. These are really good results.†
Can You Catch Alzheimer’s Disease, Part 1 – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 227. Listen Now >>
The tart cherry is loaded with flavonoids called anthocyanins that are good for circulation. They’re very powerful antioxidants, which is interesting because antioxidant levels in the eyes and brain decline with age and anthocyanins are very good for both your eyes and brain.†
If you look at the data on tart cherries in general, there are studies out of Texas A&M where they gave their NCAA athletes the skins of Montmorency tart cherries, called CherryPUREⓇ, and they performed better physically, recovered faster and had fewer injuries. There’s a number of studies that they published.†
There are other studies about tart cherry helping to improve blood flow, blood pressure and nighttime sleep. You’re taking tart cherry in the daytime for brain power, but at night, you’re sleeping better. There’s several studies on that, too. In fact, we’ve done a podcast episode on tart cherry and other nutrients that can help you sleep better at night.†
How Tocotrienols Supports Brain Health – InVite Health Podcast, Episode 207. Listen Now >>
Tune into the full podcast episode for more studies about the positive impacts of tart cherry.
More about tart cherry
Tart cherry is very safe. If you mix tart cherry in with real cocoa or red beets, these combinations help boost circulation in the brain. You can also take tart cherry with resveratrol. Those are good couplings to restore circulation to your aging brain. If you’re over the age of 50, I would recommend that because, if you keep the circulation going, you lose fewer memory cells.†
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Cherries are a very healthy food choice. Above all other cherries, when it comes to proven health benefits, is the Montmorency tart cherry.
Right now, everyone is having a difficult time accessing particular foods, especially immune-boosting fruits and vegetables. Superfoods are a great alternative to provide your body the vitamins, minerals and overall nutrients it needs to work optimally.
Superior non-GMO heart health dietary supplements are important for your overall heart wellness. Following a healthy lifestyle, including a healthy diet and regular exercise routine, can make a major difference in cardiovascular health. Here are the top four heart health products recommended by Chief Scientific Officer and Pharmacist, Jerry Hickey, Ph.
Aged Garlic
Aged Garlic, Allium Sativum, is an herb used in ancient medicine, a healthy vegetable, and a potent superfood that has been used traditionally for its vast health benefits. When garlic is aged, some of its health-preserving constituents are augmented, making it more powerful for the immune system without the odor, stomach upset, or gassiness. The aging process converts unstable “allicin” to even more powerful properties. Aged garlic is odorless and richer in health-promoting compounds than fresh garlic or other forms of garlic preparations, more effective in supporting heart health, and more beneficial in protecting the body than other garlic forms.†
One study says Aged Garlic Extract can decrease plaque buildup in the heart. Read more here >>
CoQ10 (Ubiquinol)
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an important energy-releasing nutrient produced naturally in the human body. Traditional CoQ10 (Ubiquinone) may be difficult to absorb, because they must be reduced by the body into their active form before enabling energy production and offering nutritional support. When NADH – a very important nutrient needed to create energy – it helps recycle Ubiquinol to support muscle function and energy.†
In its active form, Ubiquinol allows the calories from food to be absorbed and utilized as energy supporting most of the body’s energy needs. However, many individuals, especially the elderly, have trouble metabolizing traditional CoQ10 into the active Ubiquinol form. A superior CoQ10 Ubiquinol supplement is easily absorbed, allowing the body to produce cellular energy to reap the benefits much more quickly. Research shows that boosting CoQ10 levels supports brain health, heart health, oral health, kidneys, and hearing. It also helps boost muscle function and performance while decreasing fatigue and providing antioxidant protection.†
Beetroot
Beets are a source of many heart health constituents including natural nitrates, reddish-yellow water soluble pigments known as betalains, carotenoids, Trimethylglycine (an important betaine) and fiber; beets are excellent for heart and circulatory health and physical performance.†
Beetroot helps support healthy blood pressure and cardiovascular-circulatory health for many reasons. The reddish-brownish betalains are powerful antioxidants that protect the walls of arteries. Trimethylglycine detoxifies homocysteine; elevated homocysteine is implicated in clogged arteries. The natural nitrates convert to nitric oxide which is responsible for healthy blood flow for heart and circulatory system health and for support during physical activities.†
Tart cherry is a source of purplish-red anthocyanin-pigments that support circulatory and heart health and protect muscle tissue during physical activity. Tart cherry may also help support healthy uric acid levels already within a normal range. Texas A&M recently completed two sports nutrition based human clinical studies focusing on recovery from intense resistance and endurance training. Original CherryPURE®, used in the Texas A&M studies at a dose of 480mg, is a carrier free, freeze-dried powder produced from the skins of Montmorency Tart Cherries.†
Sterols
Plant sterols are healthy fatty components that provide nutritional support for people with cholesterol levels already within normal range and borderline cholesterol. Plant sterols have great benefits for cholesterol support. Research has shown a direct link between consuming plant sterols and lower levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, in the body.†
Oat ß-glucans are a fiber from oat bran that have the ability to bind to cholesterol that is present in foods we consume, thereby escorting some cholesterol out of the body before it can be absorbed. Red Yeast Rice is natural substance extracted from rice that has been fermented with a type of yeast called Monascus purpureus. Red yeast rice naturally has a list of nutrients for borderline cholesterol levels. These include monacolin K, sterols, isoflavones, and good fats called mono-unsaturates. The Proanthocyanidins in Cranberry Fruit Extract may help support circulatory health. Sterols Plus Hx® Powder supplies four herbs that may support cardiovascular health.†