here are some of the evidence-based benefits of orange juice: - Orange Juice Improves "Good" Cholesterol: While it is debatable that lowering so-called "LDL" cholesterol is nearly as good for heart health as statin drug manufacturers would like for us to believe, raising "HDL" cholesterol does seem to have real health benefits. This is, however, quite hard to do with diet and nutrition, and impossible through medication. Other than taking high-dose fish oil, few things have been studied to be effective. Except, that is, orange juice.  A 2000 study found that the consumption of 750 mL of orange juice a day, over a 4 weeks, improved blood lipid profiles by decreasing the LDL-HDL cholesterol ratio by 16% in patients with elevated cholesterol. - Orange Juice Boosts Bone Health: A 2006 animal study in male rats found that orange juice positively influenced antioxidant status and bone strength. - Orange Juice (mixed with Blackcurrant Juice) Reduces Inflammation: A 2009 study in patients with peripheral artery disease found that orange and blackcurrant juice reduced C-reactive protein (11%)  and fibrinogen levels (3%), two concrete measures of systemic inflammation. A 2010 study found that Orange juice neutralizes the proinflammatory effect of a high-fat, high-carbohydrate meal and prevents endotoxin induced toxicity. - Orange Juice Boosts Weight Loss: A 2011 study found that children who regularly drank orange juice consumed an average of 523 calories a day more than children who did not drink orange juice regularly. Yet surprisingly, there was no difference in the weight levels between the orange juice consumers and the non-orange juice consumers. - Orange Juice May Dissolve Kidney Stones: A 2006 study found that orange juice consumption was associated with lower calculated calcium oxalate supersaturation and lower calculated undissociated uric acid, two indices of lowered urinary calcium stone formation. - Orange Juice Extract Suppresses Prostate Proliferation: Despite the fructose content, a 2006 study found a standardized extract of red orange juice inhibited the proliferation of human prostate cells in vitro.

#1 HEART DISEASE The reason we are in this mess is that some studies in the 1950s suggested that saturated fats raised LDL cholesterol, and LDL causes heart disease. However, the cholesterol in heart disease plaques first has to be OXIDIZED to be taken up by the arteries... something diet-heart hypothesis proponents totally overlooked. And it is linoleic acid (from seed oils) that causes the LDL particles to oxidize. After being oxidized, immune cells take it up and form plaques in the arteries. #2 CANCER I think that we can pin a large part of the increase in cancer on vegetable oils. Genetic mutations get the blame, but what is causing them? It looks like the PUFA breakdown products are one of the biggest culprits. In fact, these researchers argue that it is impossible to induce cancer without vegetable oils. #3 ALZHEIMERS In neurodegenerative diseases, studies find increased levels of HNE in brain plaques. Similar to heart disease and cancer, these PUFA byproducts are accumulating in the brain tissue, causing plaques and damaging metabolic function. Studies on mice show that canola oil reduces memory and cognitive function and leads to plaques implicated in Alzheimer's. This study shows that the prostaglandins -- byproducts of PUFAs -- are the main driver of brain aging Blocking them rejuvenates the brain and restores cognition. #4 Reduce sex hormones Fertility and testosterone are tanking, and I believe PUFAs are one of the main causes. They are about as bad as it gets for hormonal production and sexual function. They inhibit the binding of androgens to their receptors... and they also inhibit 5-AR reductase, which converts testosterone to the more potent DHT (DHT is beneficial, unlike what the mainstream wants you to believe). According to this study below, "these vegetable oils may be the strongest endocrine-disrupting substances in today's environment." #5 Obesity Seed oils are associated with obesity through similar mechanisms. HNE is found in obesity and induces fat storage. Seed oils also break down into the endocannabinoids, which acts similar to the effects of THC on our appetites....seed oils give you the munchies. In this study, 3 groups of rats were fed the same amount of calories. The one eating safflower oil gained 15% more fat than the beef fat group

Foods Foods like these one have the most vitamin D: cod liver oil, Herring, oyster, salmon, mackerel, lard, sardine, raw milk, butter, beef liver and eggs. Suntanning Booths Suntanning booths have the extra advantage of giving you an attractive tan. The question is, are they healthy? The two potential problems are burning and skin aging. While it's true that sun exposure has been associated with melanoma, a particularly virulent type of skin cancer, there is evidence that it may not be true: - Most cases of melanoma do not occur on skin that's often exposed to sunlight. About 75% of cases are found in unexposed locations, such as the bottom of the foot. - Melanoma decreases with more sun exposure. - Research from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has shown that the use of sunscreens does not decrease the incidence of melanoma. Supplements The fact that our bodies are designed to obtain D3 from sunlight is indicative of its being the best option, with sunlamps the second choice because they closely mimic the sun's UVA and UVB rays. However, in today's world, that's not practical for many, possibly most, of us. That leaves supplementation as the remaining option. The good news is that supplementation has been shown to effectively increase serum blood levels of D3. The downside is that it's possible to overdose on D3 this way. (When sunning or using lamps, it's impossible to overdo D3, because excess is destroyed on the skin by the sun's rays.) In truth, this is extremely unlikely. You'd have a hard time finding a doctor who has ever seen a case of Vitamin D toxicity. Nonetheless, you should be aware of the potential and have your blood levels tested to assure they don't go over 100 ng/ml. The question is, of course, how much should you take? This is where having your blood tested, as described in Sunlight--Required Nutrient, Not a Health Risk, comes in. Be aware that, as a fat-soluble hormone, D3 is stored by the body, not excreted when in excess, as with Vitamin C. Therefore, you can approach the problem of inadequate serum levels by taking high doses, and then leveling off until you find a good maintenance dose.

Beyond diet and exercise, there are safe, natural adjuncts for managing blood glucose levels. We've identified seven substances that are scientifically validated as among the best drug-free therapies for blood sugar problems. From ensuring that you get adequate amounts of critical vitamins and minerals to strategic calorie restriction, these approaches can elevate your wellness while helping to keep your glucose in check. 1. Vitamin D Vitamin D, also called calciferol, is vital for everything from building strong bones and muscles to helping the immune system fight off illness, among other crucial functions. Maintaining adequate vitamin D is essential if you are at risk of diabetes. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to insulin resistance, a key factor that marks the progression from prediabetes to an official Type 2 diagnosis. A 2019 study reported that vitamin D deficiency was found in 70% of Type 2 diabetic patients, and that individuals with severe vitamin D deficiency were 39 times more likely to have a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes. Studies further show that correcting this deficiency through strategic supplementation results in improve glucose tolerance and beta-cell function, a marker of improved insulin secretion. Overall glycemic outcomes were measured in two separate meta-analyses published in 2018, one of which reviewed 28 controlled clinical trials involving nearly 4,000 adults who were prediabetic, overweight, or obese. Results showed that vitamin D supplementation significantly improved glycemic measures and insulin sensitivity. The other 2018 meta-analysis reviewed 37 studies and found that boosting vitamin D through strategic supplementation led to significant improvement in fasting blood glucose and improved insulin resistance in Type 2 diabetics. Vitamin D can be a safe part of a preventative strategy and may even help reduce inflammation associated with diabetes. 2. Magnesium Another nutrient that plays a key role in glucose metabolism is magnesium (Mg). Required by the pancreas for insulin production, being deficient in Mg is associated with increased risks for many diseases, including Type 2 diabetes. Conversely, higher dietary magnesium intake is associated with lower diabetes rates in some studies.

Pine Bark Extract (Pycnogenol) A 2012 study involving 112 women found pine bark extract (PBE) to be safe and effective in significantly improving skin color and reducing pigmentation of age spots in patients with mild to moderate photoaging. The women were randomized to either a 12-week open-label trial of 100 mg PBE supplementation once daily or a parallel-group trial of 40 mg PBE supplementation once daily. The researchers reported, "A significant decrease in clinical grading of skin photoaging scores was observed in both time courses of 100 mg daily and 40 mg daily PBE supplementation regimens." Aloe Vera Gel A 2009 study of 30 healthy female subjects over the age of 45 who received 2 oral doses (low-dose: 1,200 mg/d; high-dose: 3,600 mg/d) of aloe vera gel for 90 days showed remarkable results. The researchers measured clinical signs and biochemical changes of aging skin before and after supplementation and found that "After aloe gel intake, the facial wrinkles improved significantly (p<0.05) in both groups, and facial elasticity improved in the lower-dose group." They concluded: "Aloe gel significantly improves wrinkles and elasticity in photoaged human skin." Smoking Cessation A 2010 study evaluated the skin benefits of smoking cessation in a sample of 64 Italian women who smoked and were followed over 9 months by a team of dermatologists, psychologists, and nutritionists. Each participant was given a clinical score to measure several criteria for skin health and appearance. Participants' skin was assessed based on the presence of lines, vascular and pigmentation status, elasticity, brightness, and texture. These measurements were then used to determine the skin's biological age. At the beginning of the study, the average biological age of participants was 9 years older than their chronologic age. Amazingly, after 9 months of smoking cessation, the average reduction in the patient's skin's biological age was 13 years. The health and quality of our skin reflect what's going on inside. No magic supplement will reverse the age-accelerating effects of a poor diet, a chronically stress-producing lifestyle, chemical exposures, etc. The point of the studies above is that simple nutritional interventions, e.g., a teaspoon of aloe vera, a concentrated antioxidant source, and the cessation of a daily chemical exposure, will support truly regenerative processes within the body that operate all the time and are best supported by organically produced, lovingly prepared food.