The Top 10 Health Breakthroughs of 2008

This year marks a major turning point in the theoryspace race to the moon, the new health frontier is
of wellness and the prevention of disease. Thenow the genomes of the trillions of foreign cells that
drug-based paradigm of Western medicine iscomprise your digestive tract.
crumbling under the weight of its own massive fraud.A treasure trove of information has already been
New technology is proving how nutrients interact atuncovered. Many of these foreign cells are vital to
the fundamental gene level to promote health andhealth and have both a friendly and unfriendly role
prevent disease. The discoveries are occurring at adepending on which of their genes are turned on. A
breakneck pace - these are exciting times.case in point is H.pylori and Candida albicans, both of
In the face of an obesity epidemic and the earlywhich are considered unfriendly and both of which
onset of the diseases of aging in even youngare normal inhabitants of your digestive tract and
Americans, there shines a bright ray of hope. It isneed to be in a friendly condition for optimal digestive
there for anyone who chooses to inform themselveshealth and the prevention of digestive disease. In
and then take effective actions to betterfact, your personal "foreign cell signature" directly
themselves. The aging clock can be slowed - and ininfluences your own immune tissue to form along the
many cases reversed. It is the dawn of a new era.lining of your digestive tract. It also plays a large role
The following is a list of the Top 10 healthin how much inflammation you experience elsewhere
breakthroughs of 2008. I know there are many otherin your body - including your joints and back. Friendly
possible candidates for this Top 10 list. This is myflora is vital to maintaining a state of balance that
version of the highlights that made 2008 special.promotes health.
#10 - The Mayo Clinic Places One Foot in the Door ofDecades of damage from the overuse of antibiotics,
the Real Worldhigh sugar diets, junk food, chemicals in the diet,
Miracles never cease and it appears that the Mayopesticides in the diet, genetically modified toxic food,
Clinic is trying to enter the 21st century with at leastand excess alcohol can finally be seen for the
a finger on the nutritional pulse of reality. In May theydisease-producers they really are. It will be a long
put out a press release stating that "Thousands oftime before your doctor gives you any meaningful
research studies have documented how the oilsadvice on this subject, since their profession has
known as omega-3 fatty acids can benefit thehelped create an epidemic of poor digestive health
cardiovascular system, particularly among peoplethat in the light of this emerging science is proving to
diagnosed with coronary artery disease...The mostbe a major contributing factor to multiple diseases -
compelling evidence for the cardiovascular benefitnot just digestive-related problems.
provided by omega-3 fatty acids comes from three#4 - The Changing World of Fat, Cholesterol, and
large controlled trials of 32,000 participantsHeart Disease
randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acidThose basing health decisions on cholesterol numbers
supplements containing DHA and EPA....These trialsand concepts of good and bad cholesterol have been
showed reductions in cardiovascular events of 19left in the Stone-Age dust. HDL, or "good"
percent to 45 percent. Overall, these findings suggestcholesterol, can have its proteins oxidized and easily
that intake of omega-3 fatty acids, whether frombecome "bad" just like LDL. Cholesterol itself turns
dietary sources or fish oil supplements, should beout to be a vital player in the structure of nerve
increased, especially in those with or at risk forreceptors, and its levels are reduced when taking
coronary artery disease."medication to lower numbers of LDL. Cholesterol
The breakthrough is not that fish oils prevent andfitness, like muscle fitness, is the new concept of
treat heart disease; we've known that for years. Thecholesterol health that supports true cardiovascular
breakthrough is that thehealth.
vitamin-and-alternative-health-hating Mayo Clinic isA huge breakthrough occurred this year when it was
telling the world to take fish oil supplements todemonstrated for the first time that fat accumulating
prevent heart disease. That signifies the initial stagesaround the outside of arteries was the key signal of
of a paradigm shift of magnitude.impending cardiovascular disease. This fat, which
#9 - Bone Health Is One Key to Longevitybuilds up in direct proportion to your waistline
Bones can no longer be thought of only in terms ofexpanding, was previously thought to be part of the
fracture risk and osteoporosis. Bones are constantlystructure of arteries and not play a functional role.
giving birth to new cells and these cells play vital rolesNew scientific tools have shown that it accumulates
in metabolism and immunity. For example, when bonein excess, recruits inflammatory immune cells to live in
cells get inflamed not only does this promote excessits newly expanded neighborhood, and they generate
bone loss it directly causes fat cells to multiply ininflammation into the arteries that knocks out friendly
white adipose tissue - which clearly explains whynitric oxide causing blood pressure to rise and
women gain weight after menopause as well as thesimultaneously generates massive free radical
key to stopping the problem.damage that injures LDL and HDL cholesterol and
The highlight study of the year was a detailed genesets the plaquing process in motion.
analysis performed on one of the world's healthiestThis is made worse if blood levels of triglycerides
older men (he was 113 at the time, recently passingstay high during the day - which is caused by eating
away at 114). Researchers expected to find geneticmeals that are too large, snacking between meals,
advantages enabling him to live a long life. Much toand not exercising.
their surprise, he didn't have any "better genes" at all#3 - How Much BDNF is In Your Bank Account?
- he had better bones! And the reason he had betterBrain Derived Neurotropic Factor (BDNF) may well be
bones was because he ate a diet containing freshthe molecule of the year. BDNF is key to keeping
fruit and vegetables (bone anti-inflammatoryyour nerve cells alive and stimulating the growth of
nutrients) and stayed very active (stimulating bonenew nerve cells. Since your nerve cells are important
health).for regulating everything else, keeping them in top
Needless to say, the disastrous bone drugs were notworking condition not only means that your mind will
part of his plan.stay sharp it means you are likely to live longer and
#8 - Grape Seed Extracts Stop Alzheimer's Plaquehealthier.
This year's research showed that "normal" brain agingThis year scientists proved the immense value of
is quite an abnormal process; with the loss of mentalhaving adequate BDNF for virtually any issue of nerve
capability, intelligence, and memory directly relating toand brain related health. If your supplies run low then
how many plaque-like brain tangles occur. At the faryou cannot tolerate stress properly, you are more
end of the spectrum is Alzheimer's disease - alikely to be or become depressed, your brain is prone
problem with brain plaque overwhelming healthy brainto excess inflammation, and you are set on a path of
function. However, there are a thousand shades ofdecline. Conversely, having adequate BDNF helps you
grey on the way to this problem, and each step inkeep up with the demands in your life. It means that
the wrong direction is marked by ever-increasingyou have the potential to keep your mind and nerves
levels of brain plaque.in good working condition.
Red grape seed extracts showed that they couldFor example, when you have adequate BDNF then
stop brain plaque from forming. The new researchold memories don't bother you or come back to
showed that brain cells must first be punched in thehaunt you at the most inopportune times. Having
nose by some form of stress, get inflamed, and thenadequate BDNF may be a key, along with being a
begin to express certain genes that promote plaquegood person, to maintaining healthy relationships.
formation. Red grape seed extracts simply stop thisThis year scientists demonstrated that fish oil,
process from occurring. Not only that, they areblueberries, curcumin, and pantethine all help boost
powerful protection for the lining of your arteries -the production of BDNF.
helping to stop plaque formation there as well.#2 - Run for Your Life
#7 - Vitamin D for Anything and EverythingRunning is now proven to be the single activity with
A major question during 2008 was: "Is there anythingthe most bang for the longevity buck. Early in the
that vitamin D does not help?" Vitamin D's role inyear papers emphasized the importance of running in
bone metabolism is well known. Its role as a hormonehuman evolution. It was also found that running is the
is less well known but very important. As abest exercise to boost levels of BDNF. It was proven
bewildering array of breaking science now shows,that running can rejuvenate your heart and even
vitamin D is a gene-regulating super nutrient. It is vitalbrisk walking can effectively lower your blood
for efficient immune function, prevention ofpressure.
autoimmune problems, healthy metabolism, properThe highlight of the year was the result of a 20-year
thyroid function, prevention of type I and type IIstudy on running over the age of 50. It found that
diabetes, prevention of heart disease, cancerthose who ran cut their risk of premature death in
prevention, and improved nervous system health andhalf! No drug can do that.
mood.It also found that runners had less cardiovascular
The sunshine vitamin is indeed a wonder nutrient. Thedisease, fewer cancer deaths, less cognitive decline,
American Cancer Society sits around with major mudand better immunity - and their joints were in good
on its face, doing everything in its power to preventcondition. Running turns on gene signals associated
people from getting vitamin D - a problem madewith health - it's that simple. The choice is yours.
worse in the winter months when none is available#1 - Thyroid Health is for Everyone
for most of the U.S. And as usual, our bumblingA startling array of thyroid-related studies have
government won't let all Americans know that theyshown that even a slightly off thyroid sends you
need 1200 IU to 2000 IU of vitamin D per day,down a path of poor health. While thyroid issues are
especially in the winter, to help prevent major healthoften associated with obesity, thyroid problems
problems.affect normal weight and underweight people as well.
#6 - Resveratrol Turns Back the ClockOne of the important points to grasp about the
An explosion in resveratrol science hit the frontemerging science is that these are not thyroid
pages of the news around the world, as Big Pharmaproblems that can be treated with medication - as
spent millions trying to make resveratrol drugs. Thethere is usually adequate thyroid hormone. This
Big Pharma spending is interesting for several reasons:information is about thyroid stressors such as
1) Just imagine how much we could learn if ourcommon pollution like PCBs, perchlorate in the food
government would spend money studying all majorsupply, excess food consumption, and general
nutrients in widespread use.emotional stress - to name of few.
2) The resveratrol nutrient that is already on theThis year scientific studies showed a sluggish thyroid
market will end up working better than any drugsystem was directly related to increased mortality,
made.fatal heart disease, disturbed heart rhythms, elevated
Resveratrol activates a gene called SIRT1, which hasblood pressure, elevated cholesterol, lack of
a profound disease prevention and anti-aging effect.coordination, risk of breast cancer, mood problems,
SIRT1 is normally activated by calorie restriction inglaucoma, and Alzheimer's risk.
times of famine. However, in today's world of excessYou may wonder why so many issues can be
food consumption it will be a major tool to preventassociated with a type of thyroid problem that
and treat the coming obesity epidemic and all itsdoctors don't even see as a problem. The answer is
health complications.that your thyroid system sets the metabolic pace of
It is already clear that the supplement works bestyour body, like the drummer in a band sets the
when you are on a good diet, as too much foodtempo. If that tempo is too sluggish then everything
simply turns off SIRT1. Its value during a diet is thatelse works less well, which means wear and tear
it helps your muscles work better on fewer caloriesaccumulates at a faster rate.
so that you can actually loose weight while feelingYou can fix sluggish thyroid problems by eating a
great.cleaner diet, regular exercise, and using nutrients that
Even if you aren't overweight, the other main point isfacilitate healthy thyroid function - especially by
that resveratrol will help you live longer - a fact bornenhancing the conversion of T4 to T3 and by
out by the lifespan in various regions of France thatproviding adequate thyroid-related antioxidants.
have the highest content of resveratrol in their redThe take home message from this year's thyroid
wine.news is that you should do everything possible to
#5 - The Digestive Genome Marks the New Frontierkeep your entire thyroid system working at an
of Healthoptimal level of health. There is no comfort to be
The mapping of the human genome was afound in being "good for your age." The only thing
monumental accomplishment that has yieldedthat really matters is optimal function - which is the
unexpected information. As scientists began tofoundation for your future health.
unravel the mysteries of how the human genome isThe era of true anti-aging nutrition is upon us. There
controlled, they quickly found that many of theare no quick fixes - but there is a path to follow that
signals controlling health were coming from theis now backed by considerable science. Hop on -
foreign contents within your digestive tract. Like theenjoy quality of health - for a very long time.