Patatoes are amazing

Fact of Daibetes

Fact of stroke

How to Save a Relationship

You love your boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse, but you feel that person slipping away, or you are fighting constantly. How can you save your relationship?

First Steps:                                                                                         

Relationships go awry because of unhealthy relationship patterns. If you are fighting a lot or are avoiding each other, chances are you and your partner have some ways of behaving and interacting towards each other that are unhealthy relationship patterns learned in childhood.
To administer relationship CPR, there are some steps you can do right away to get things on the right track.

Identify Unhealthy Behaviors

Unproductive behaviors such as blaming, criticism, and attacks disguised as questions, need to be addressed as soon as possible. Dr. John Gottman identifies four behaviors that are sure to derail romantic relationships:

• Criticism - Being critical of your partner indicates you want to change your partner, that you are finding flaws, that you don't accept your partner for the way he is. Criticizing the way your mate thinks, feels, acts, or speaks, is not acceptable behavior, and it certainly will not help your relationship flourish.
• Contempt - The feeling of contempt shows a problem with mutual respect and understanding. Resentment builds up, and it's difficult to be productive in a relationship when resentment and contempt replace more productive tendencies, such as trust and communication. If you are critical of your mate and you think badly about him, chances are, contempt is rolled up in this dynamic.
• Defensiveness - Defensiveness can contribute to excessive fighting in a relationship. Defensiveness can occur if the other partner is overly critical.
• Stonewalling - Relationships heal when people learn to communicate in productive ways. Giving your partner the cold shoulder to teach him a lesson is an act of vengeance, and will only make matters worse. It shows you are holding onto your anger instead of working through it.

To try to heal your relationship, you need to focus on your part only, and not on all the wrongs you feel your partner has done.
If your relationship is not experiencing any explosive fights, you might have drifted apart instead. Sometimes inaction speaks just as loudly as actions and words. You can still look at the things you did as well as the things you didn't do, and it will help, whether you've drifted apart or are constantly fighting.

Work on Your Communication Skills

A lack of communication could be one reason why you feel a rift in the relationship. To improve communication, learn how to listen well. For example:

• Ask specific questions. Instead of asking how your mate's day was, ask "So how did your proposal go?"
• Demonstrate you are listening by maintaining eye contact, asking follow up questions, and making observations.

Focus on Your Actions

It's very easy to blame your mate for your issues in a relationship. Realize that if things are not right in your life, you need to focus on your actions to fix them. To help you get focused on your actions, ask yourself the following:

• If you are fighting with your mate a lot, what are you saying when you fight?
• Do you get so wrapped up in the argument that you lash out and say mean things?
• Are you having trouble taking a step back so you can discuss your differences calmly?

Whether it's not sharing, distancing yourself, or a displaying a lack of trust, there are reasons why you are interacting with your mate in a destructive manner. Issues from childhood can enhance your relationships or interfere with them. In order to understand how to fix your relationship, you need to acknowledge the way you behave.

Next Steps

Once you have focused on yourself and the contributions you are making to the demise of your relationship, start to focus on other aspects that need healing. Closeness, brainstorming with your partner and even acknowledging the rift in your relationship can go a long way towards solving the problems you face.

Focus on Closeness by Communicating

Life and its obligations, such as work and kids, can eat up some or all of your free time, so maintaining closeness can be more challenging. If you are fighting more or just feel emotionally distant from your partner, making an effort to feel close again will help reestablished a derailed relationship.

Acknowledge the Rift

Talking about the fact that you have drifted, whether or not it's from constant fighting, or because of a lack of availability, will help clear the air. You want to approach this in a nonjudgmental, nonaccusatory manner.
For example, you could say, "I just loved falling in love with you. I felt we were so close back then. I would love to feel close to you again." This is much more productive than an accusation such as, "I never get to see you because you care about playing golf more than you care about me."

Brainstorm

You can also communicate what you can do to feel close again. Have a brainstorming session to come up with ideas on how you can reestablish the bond you had.

• Discuss how to find some time together, such as hiring a babysitter so you can have a date once a month.
• Come up with ideas on how to spend your time together. For instance, do you both love backgammon, photography, or painting? Finding common interests will help you feel close.
• Think of new ways to spend time together. Is there a hobby you both want to pursue but never had the time?
• Think of ways you can make time for sex. A healthy sex life means a healthy relationship.

The Final Step

If you feel that your relationship is not making progress, marriage counselors can be very useful for people to mend the rift, but you don't have to be married to see a marriage counselor. You can still see one if you are in a long-term, committed relationship.
You can visit a therapist with your mate any time within this process, and the earlier you visit one, the better it is. Marriage counselors can help you define the aspects of your relationship that are going well and the aspects that are causing problems in the relationship. Counseling can also help couples clarify whether or not they want to work on their relationship.

Dealing With Infidelity

Cheating on your spouse or partner creates an entire set of circumstances. It can bring an immediate end to the relationship and any trust you have established with your partner.

Seek Counseling

If there was ever a right time to seek counseling, after one or both partners cheat, is it. Infidelity often indicates that the relationship already had some problems. In order to heal from infidelity, those issues need to be addressed.

Express Your Feelings

The person who has been cheated on will be hurt, feel betrayed, and distrust her partner. It's important to allow these feelings to be expressed, whether it occurs in a therapist's office or together as a couple.

Learn to Forgive and Trust Again

If a couple is going to survive infidelity, the person who was cheated on will need to learn how to forgive, and the person who cheated will have to earn back the trust of his partner.
One thing that can help this process is for the partner who cheated to ask what it would take for her to trust you again, and then follow up on what is said.

Is the Relationship Salvageable?

It takes effort on the part of both people to save a relationship. As long as both people are committed to working on the relationship together, it's a good sign both partners are committed to the process of healing their relationship together. Unfortunately, if your partner is not willing to work on the relationship with you, the relationship is likely going to end.

Focus On Yourself

If your relationship does end and the other partner doesn't want to work on it, the best action for you to do is to focus on yourself. Make sure you take time to take care of your physical health. Acknowledge and experience your feelings, even if it is difficult. These feelings will abate over time, and you will learn and grow from this experience.

Don't Make It Worse

There are other actions you can take. You may not be able to fix the relationship, but at least you will not be doing something that will make the situation worse, such as trying to force your partner to stay or pleading with him. These behaviors don't fix the problems that exist between you and your partner.

Make Efforts Early

The best way to save a relationship is to become proactive. Is the relationship going well? Do you feel close to one another? Are you fighting a lot? Do you communicate well? Even if your relationship is stormy, you can do things to show you are dedicated to learning and growing with the person. Your partner can be a valuable resource for you if you listen well, and you can communicate what you are willing to do to make your relationship work.
For instance, you can say things like, "I'm really sorry I blew up at you like that. I am realizing I don't handle stress very well, and because of the way I was raised, I didn't learn a healthy way of dealing with it. I am learning skills to cope with stress better. Can you forgive me? Know that I am aware of the problem now and I am working to fix it."
If you are having trouble keeping calm, focused, and centered, working on the relationship in a healthy manner, seeking counseling sooner than later will help your relationship go in a healthier direction. The sooner you get into counseling, the better your chances are of your relationship surviving.  (By Kirsten Schuder)

You Can Do simple thing today that Will Make You Happier

You know you are on the right track in life when you become disinterested in looking back, and eager to take the next step.
Think about that for a moment, and ask yourself: What does my happiness feel like?
Over the years, Marc and I have asked you to join us in examining the relationship between happiness and hardship.  Hardship feels easy to define – a season of financial struggle, a time of personal loss, a period of life marked by tragedies – as the source of ongoing frustration in our lives.  But happiness?  What exactly is the emotion we call happiness and why do we crave it so badly?
When trying to define happiness, it’s tempting to adopt the “I’ll know it when I see it” mindset.  I have no doubt that you will – but Marc and I challenge you to dig a bit deeper.  Take just a moment to write down 2–3 specific action steps that you know make you feel happy.
These are what I have written down.  For me, my happiness comes from time spent with my loved ones and on the work I deem important.  Spending quality, uninterrupted time with Marc and our son Mac brings me great joy.  I also find that I am flush with happiness after I’ve conquered a long blog post or read a heartfelt email from a long-time reader.
But here’s the real secret to happiness: what makes me happy may not make you happy.  Perhaps your true happiness comes in the silence of an afternoon of meditation, or maybe you find happiness at the end of a long hike up a mountain.  Where you find joy is not as important as understanding how you find joy.
In some of our recent blog posts, Marc and I have pushed you to define the obstacles in your life – the struggles standing between you and happiness.  Defining our obstacles gives them clarity, and it helps us chart the path to conquering them.  The same holds true for happiness: in defining specific actions that drive our happiness, we learn to build those activities into our daily lives.
When we know how to get to happiness, we can be sure that we make it a regular part of our day.
Take time today to define happiness for yourself.  If you’ve been making a habit of looking to others for what makes YOU happy, it’s time to give that up.  I promise, doing so will make you happier almost instantly.
How do I know this is true?  Well, let me ask you this: Have you ever met a happy person who regularly avoids responsibility, blames and points fingers and makes lots of excuses for their unsatisfying life?  Me either.  Happy people accept responsibility for how their lives unfold.  They believe their own happiness is a byproduct of their own thinking, beliefs, attitudes, character and behavior.
You’ve really got to stop worrying so much about what others think.  I may find happiness in my writing, but that doesn’t mean that you need to be a writer to be happy.  Shut out all the judgmental and well-meaning voices, and listen to yourself only for a while.  And don’t worry if your definition of happiness seems incomplete – embracing happiness is an ongoing process.
If you find yourself needing support in that process of embracing happiness, help is here.  Today, with great excitement, Marc and I are pleased to announce the grand opening of Getting Back to Happy, a comprehensive online course designed to teach you about the scientifically proven factors that impact happiness.  This course provides a detailed, step-by-step plan for improving your confidence, strengthening your approach to relationships, and learning constructive methods for dealing with conflict and adversity as you pursue your most important goals.  We invite you to join the supportive Getting Back to Happy community as you learn to define happiness on your own terms.
We decided to create Getting Back to Happy because we wanted to provide even more value to YOU.  Earlier this year, we reflected on how else we can help our readers delve deeper into the principles of happiness that propel positive change in all our lives.  We searched for a fresh opportunity and found it by sorting through thousands of our blog’s comments and emails.
People like you send us messages every day asking for a more in-depth exploration into the topics we write about on our blog.  We’re able to help some folks with this deeper dive through our one-on-one coaching, but that form of engagement is limited by only so many hours in the day.
We also receive a lot of encouragement to do live weekend seminars about the principles and rituals of happiness.  That idea is very exciting, although with an infant son, we’re not quite ready for it yet.  So, we decided to blend the concept of coaching with the concept of an event into a new, amazing, immersive experience for you.
Getting Back to Happy truly is the go-to resource for anyone serious about taking action to reclaim their happiness and realize their full potential.
We’ve come to appreciate that happiness is much more than just an emotion; it’s a path to growth and fulfillment.  Overcoming daily struggles and life stresses isn’t easy.  Action is necessary to reclaim the happiness you deserve.  Action is required to realize your goals and dreams.  Getting Back to Happy takes all of the proven principles we discuss on our blog and in our book, and provides a clear course of action to change your life.
If you’d like to be among the first to gain access, we want to offer you something special.  As an early access member, when you enroll this week (offer ends on Nov. 8), you will also receive $1,900 in bonuses:

• Audio versions of all course lessons – so you can listen and learn on the go too.  ($400 value)
• One hour of two-on-one Skype, FaceTime or phone coaching with both Marc and me – so we can help you with the course material, or any topic you like ($500 value).
• A full year of personalized email support by Marc and me (not outsourced to someone else) – to make sure you’re getting the daily support you need to create the life you deserve ($1,000 value).

Take advantage of this limited time, early access special HERE.
Honestly, Marc and I are so proud of this course.  We filled it with our best advice – advice gathered from firsthand experience, nearly a decade of studying and writing about the psychology of happiness and success, and through coaching thousands of people just like you.  From proven ways to foster stronger relationships, to actions engineered to help you let go of toxic behaviors, to scientifically proven methods of making progress on your personal and professional goals, the learning modules in this course will inspire and equip you to become your strongest, most effective self.
Getting Back to Happy is perfect for you if you identify with the following:

• Things have changed in my life and I don’t know where to go from here.
• I am committed to positive change, but I feel stuck.
• A relationship I am involved in has become toxic.
• My personal and professional growth has stalled and I want to feel excited about what I’m doing again, and make real, lasting progress.
• I am generally content with my life, but there is more I want to accomplish and I don’t want to become a victim of complacency.

The bottom line is that you CAN get yourself back on track.  Inside Getting Back to Happy, you’ll discover what it takes to get back to a happier, simpler life worth celebrating.  It all comes down to a choice – your choice.  Positive change is possible, if you choose to step forward.
So what choice will you make?

If you choose to take control of your circumstances, then we’d love to welcome you into Getting Back to Happy. (by Marc and Angel Hack Life)

How to hold your Long-Term Relationships… some tips

It is a rather difficult place to be when you have been in a relationship for a long time and
are not sure what you want out of life just yet. I understand the feeling of being unsure
about the next step. When it comes time to decide, make sure you know for certain. I
know many people are okay with on-again/off-again relationships, but for a long-term,
committed relationship, that doesn’t fly. If you end it, end it. There is no going back and
forth. If you want to end a relationship with somebody, you better expect them to move
on, so don’t go getting all upset that he or she didn’t wait for you to come back. If this is
what you are contemplating, there is one of two reasons: you’re either selfish, and
therefore not meant to be in this particular relationship, or you don’t actually want to
break up, which means it is not the relationship that is the problem – it is something else
in your life that is bothering you. To figure out why you are having problems and
eventually reach your ultimatum about the relationship, make sure you do the following:

   1. First of all, make sure you are doing things to better yourself. Do not put anyone
else before yourself. You only have one life, so make sure to live it happily. For
example, I’m studying in Germany for half a year. Yes, this will put much tension
on my relationship, but I have worked hard to go and I decided to put myself first.
If it’s a good relationship, your beau will back your decisions and tell you to go
for your dreams.

    2. Secondly, think about why you are in the relationship in the first place. Reflect.
How did this relationship come about? What have you two gone through in the
past few years? Think about what this person means to you. Is s/he just
somebody you keep around for company? Does it feel like you two are just friends
or good roommates? Think about the relationship and how it makes you feel. If
you are overall unhappy, you need to talk with him/her to figure out where the
problems lie.

   3. Just remember that you cannot “fix” this person. Never expect anyone to change.
If your problem is that your babe is a little too this or that, you need to ask
yourself if you can live with that forever. Can you personally handle it? And when
you’re thinking about this, remember that nobody in this world is perfect. Yes,
there may be someone who is better for you than the person you are currently
with, but there is still going to be something that bothers you about this person
that will not change. It comes down to accepting him/her as is or letting go and
hoping it works out with someone new (remember, if you let go, s/he is gone and
you have to remember the fact that there is no guarantee of you two ever being
together again).

   4. Most importantly, do you love this person? Love is impossible to describe, but
when you are really deeply in love, you know it because you care about this
person, not just about the romance or the company s/he gives you. It stems much
farther than that. Can your love handle the obstacles that life will throw at you?

If you want to stay in the relationship to make your partner happy, you’ve had a really
bumpy road with this person, you cannot handle his/her flaws or you do not actually love
him/her for who they are, then maybe it’s time to end it. On the other hand, if you are
staying with this person because s/he makes you happy, you have pushed through
obstacles together, had an overall happy relationship with this person, accept his/her
flaws and you are honestly deeply in love with him/her, then you can probably make it
work. Nobody can actually tell you what to do about your relationship because you and
your partner are the only ones that are in it and can fully understand it. Listen to your
family and friends’ advice, but remember it all comes down to what YOU want out of life.

    Now if you have decided to make it work, figure out why you were questioning the
relationship in the first place. Think about what your life looks like right now and what
his/her life looks like. If you have a lot happening in your life or your partner has a lot
going on, then maybe your problem is that you are simply stressed! In this case, focus on
the real problems. If it’s school, focus on school; if it’s a problem at work, try to solve
that particular problem. There are times when committed relationships are not the center
of your life. If you are so stressed that you have considered ending your relationship, then
you need to take a step back and de-stress. Focus on your issues, resolve them and then
you can focus on your relationship again. If you are both deeply committed to each other
and both love each other, then you should both understand that other things in life have
to be the focus sometimes and you will get through the hard times. Remember that during
these hard times, you and your partner can lean on each other and lift each other up. Do
not take out your frustration on your partner and try to keep a clear head, so you can once
again feel that love that brought you two together since the very beginning of your long-
term relationship.

Some Questions for Your Next Date

If you had one day left to live, what would you do?

Where would you most like to go on vacation?

What would you do if you won 100,000?

What is your most embarrassing moment?

Who is your favorite movie star (of the opposite sex)?

What do you like best about me?

What one thing would you like to change about me?

Who was the first person you kissed?

What is something you did as a child that your parents don't know about?

Role questions. Examples of this type of question include "how would you feel if I
made more money than you" and "would you be willing to stay home with the kids
while I work?"

What is your favorite color?

What is your favorite season?

What is your favorite restaurant?

What is the craziest dream you've ever had?

What do you think is the dumbest thing you've ever done?

Is there a silly accomplishment you've made that you're secretly really proud of?

If you could trade lives with someone, who would it be?

What's your favorite time of day and why?

Who is your favorite superhero?

Is there a show that you used to watch as a kid that you would love to see come
back?

What's your favorite outdoor activity?

What's your favorite book?

Which magazines do you subscribe to?

What's one thing that almost no one knows about you?

Would you rather go for a hot air balloon ride or bungee jump?

Would you rather give up music or television for a month?

What are three things on your bucket list?

What's your favorite kind of food?

How do you handle it when your family doesn't approve of a decision you've made?

What song can always make you dance, especially when no one's around?

Do you sing in the shower?

What's the strangest thing you've ever eaten?

Do you have any odd quirks?

What did you want to be when you grew up?

If you could choose any career right now, what would it be?

Do you have any hidden talents?

What phone apps are you obsessed with?

If you could pick any character from a TV show and pair them with any character
from a book for a whole new story, who would you put together?

Ask Away
Obviously, certain questions are appropriate for different phases of a relationship. You
wouldn't want to ask someone on the second date to reveal to you what most people don't
know about him, but you may be able to if you've been together for several months. There are
some questions that will be perfect for anything from a casual date to date 455 with your boyfriend however. Use your judgment when it comes to asking questions, and you'll feel as if
you know each other very well in record time. Questions like these - as well as a couple of serious
ones - are good to have in mind on dates because they keep the conversation
lighthearted, keep it moving, and most importantly, they keep it fun.

18 Ways to Avoid Depression Relapse

1st)Staying healthy~
Recovering from depression is a long and difficult journey.
Unfortunately, 50% of people who have one major episode of depression will relapse, and the
likelihood goes up if you’ve had more than one episode, says Eve A. Wood, MD, medical
director of the Eating Disorder Center of Denver and author of 10 Steps to Take Charge of Your
Emotional Life.
Your relapse risk can vary, depending on the severity of your symptoms and family history.
The good news is that there are some steps that may help you avoid depression relapse.

2nd) Don’t take on too much~
While staying busy isn’t a problem, doing too much, too soon could be.
Feeling overwhelmed creates stress, and stress is a risk factor for depression, says Nancy
Irwin, PsyD, author of You-Turn: Changing Direction in Midlife. What’s more, stressful
experiences can make the symptoms of anxiety and depression additionally severe.
“Thwart stress by creating balance and knowing your limits,” Irwin says. “If you are prone to
depression, this is your responsibility—just like brushing your teeth or obeying the speed
limits.”

3rd) Exercise regularly~
One of the best ways to prevent depression? Exercise.
“Exercise appears to be an antidepressant in its own right and may act like an antidote to
stress,” says Gerard Sanacora, MD, PhD, professor of psychiatry at Yale University and director
of the Yale Depression Research Program, in New Haven, Conn.
A 2009 analysis found that exercise lightens depression as well as cognitive behavioral therapy
(CBT) or antidepressants.
A resistance and aerobic combo seems better than aerobic exercise alone. Workouts with a
meditative focus, such as tai chi and yoga, also help, according to a 2008 study.

4th) Work on a positive attitude~
Is your glass half empty? It can help to try to have a more positive attitude.
In fact, certain depression treatments, such as CBT, can help you develop a more upbeat
outlook—although this treatment doesn’t work for everyone.
“Not all respond to CBT interventions,” says Dr. Wood. “The underlying philosophy of CBT is
that the thoughts are what cause the distress and if you change the thoughts you can change
the depression, but that’s true for only a subset of people.”

5th) Take care of your health~
Now is the time to focus on both your mental and physical health, because the mind-body
connection plays a role in depression and relapse.
“The more we take care of ourselves, the less vulnerable we might become to depression, as
well as to a recurrence,” says Dr. Wood.
Depression is associated with a greater risk of heart disease and diabetes.
“There’s very good evidence that people with depression have higher rates of medical illnesses
than people without depression, and the more medical illnesses you have, the more likely you
are to have depression and to relapse,” explains Dr. Sanacora.

6th) Put off big decisions~
You may feel like a new person, but it's not the time to make major changes—even ones that
you think will make you happier.
“Both good and bad ‘big decisions’ are stressful," says Susan L. Marusak, MD, research
physician and clinical faculty at the Mood Disorder Research Program at UCLA Medical Center
and a private practitioner, in Santa Monica, Calif. "I often advise patients to wait, if they can,
until they are feeling stable and euthymic before making a major life-changing decision.”
Irwin recommends putting off big decisions until you're at least a six on a happiness scale of
one to ten (where zero is misery and ten is elation).

7th) Stop blaming yourself~
If you’re prone to depression, you may mentally berate yourself for missteps, either real or
imagined.
But a constant barrage of “I should have done this differently” or “If only I would have done
that” is counterproductive, and could send you spiraling downward into depression.
You need to learn to accept what you can’t change and focus on changing what you can, says
Dr. Sanacora, who recommends seeing a therapist with expertise in techniques like cognitive
behavioral therapy to help change your thought patterns.

8th) Watch your diet~
Diet and exercise go hand in hand when it comes to maintaining mental and physical well-
being.
“A low-fat diet, rich in fish, especially omega-3s, and folic acid can be helpful for mood. And
avoiding alcohol and minimizing caffeine use is also helpful,” says Dr. Marusak.
A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in veggies, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and fish, is linked to a
lower risk of developing depression, according to a 2009 study in the Archives of General
Psychiatry.

9th) Don’t stop treatment~
Doctors recommend taking medication for six to nine months after symptoms lift and you start
to feel stable, says Dr. Marusak.
The decision to end therapy or medication should be made with your doctor's help. “Some
drugs, if you go off them, may not work for you again when you go back on them—(there’s no)
guarantee that if it worked once, it will work next time,” says Dr. Sanacora.
For some people, the best way to prevent a relapse is to continue treatment.

10th) Volunteer~
Reaching out to others may help you too.
One 2005 study in the Journal of Health and Social Behavior found that volunteering had a
beneficial effect on depression among older adults, and preliminary findings conducted at the
Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, London, suggest a “strong link” between volunteering
and recovery from mental health problems, with about 85% of participants reporting positive
outcomes after volunteering.
“Usually when we can get out of ourselves in some way, we can feel a lot better,” says Dr.
Wood.

11th) Avoid alcohol and drugs~
Steer clear of alcohol and especially illegal drugs, which can interfere with depression
medications and alter your mood—and not in a good way.
“Alcohol is a depressant, and many street drugs deplete serotonin and dopamine, which are
important neurotransmitters in relation to mood,” says Dr. Marusak. “We usually recommend
patients abstain from alcohol, even socially.”
Irwin says that you can be setting yourself up for a relapse if you take unprescribed drugs.
“Alcohol gives depressives ‘permission’ to slip into that abyss, because it underscores or
verifies your negative mood state,” she says.

12th) Manage stress~
Chronic stress can actually cause physical changes in the brain, which can affect moods and
emotions.
In fact, a number of studies have led researchers to suspect that stress produces changes in
the brain similar to those caused by depression.
“Stress might have a large effect on some of the brain regions that control emotion and
memory,” says Dr. Sanacora. "If it is chronic and uncontrollable, stress might actually cause
physical damage to the brain."
Develop stress-busting strategies, such as exercise, yoga, pilates, meditation, acupuncture,
hypnosis, talk therapy, or turning to friends and family for support.

13th) Have an attitude of gratitude~
Although it sounds simplistic, research suggests that for many, gratitude is a road to greater
happiness.
In fact, a 2005 study published in the journal American Psychologist found that people who
performed daily gratitude exercises, such as making a list of three good things in their life, had
lower levels of depression.

14th) Join a support group~
“Support groups are particularly helpful, because there will be people there who have learned
how to manage their depression and can provide excellent advice,” says Anne Sheffield, author
of Depression Fallout: The Impact of Depression on Couples and What You Can Do to Preserve
the Bond.
To find one near you, check out the National Alliance on Mental Illness or the Depression and
Bipolar Support Alliance.
“Being with people who share your problem forces you to realize that you’re not alone and
that others have battled the same problems and can help you find solutions,” says Sheffield.

15th) Reconnect~
Depression can make you feel alone, so it’s important to reconnect with friends and family.
“We know that for all aspects of wellness, community has a healing and protective effect,”
says Dr. Wood.
In fact, a 2009 study published in The American Journal of Psychiatry found that people 65 and
older with a history of depression were at greatest risk of developing major depression if they
believed they had poor social support.

16th) Build your self-esteem~
While self-esteem isn’t something you can grow overnight—learning to accept yourself takes
time—there are things you can do if you’ve lost that loving feeling.
For example, make sure you spend time doing things you enjoy, and try to surround yourself
with people whom you like and make you feel good about yourself.

17th) Talk to people you trust
Many people don’t want to talk about depression because they think they should be able to
handle it on their own, or don’t want to burden others.
But confiding in close friends, a spouse, or family member can give you the social support you
need to stay on the path to recovery.
“Health, purpose, and love are your weapons against depression,” says Irwin. Just remember,
your friends or spouse aren’t licensed therapists and may not know how to help you, warns
Sheffield. So if you start having depression symptoms again, you should reach out to your
doctor or therapist as well.

18th) Get your rest~
It's important to get sufficient rest as you recover, since sleep helps regulate moods and is
necessary for both mental and physical health.
Insomniacs are almost 10 times as likely to have depression compared to their well-rested
counterparts, according to a 2005 study in the journal Sleep .
“Sleep is a cornerstone of health, like food,” says Irwin. “If it goes unattended, the body and
mind cannot function properly. Regulating sleep can really help prevent depression and
relapse.”

Tapping is a powerful tool for improving your life…

Tapping, also known as Emotional
Freedom Techniques, is a powerful tool
for improving your life on multiple
levels: mental, emotional, and physical.
It has been proven to effectively address
a range of issues. It’s also one of the
easiest and fastest practices to learn. You
can learn it in minutes, do it anywhere
and on virtually any issue, and often
experience immediate results.
Based on the principles of both ancient
acupressure and modern psychology, tapping
concentrates on specific meridian endpoints while
focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations.
Combined with spoken word, tapping helps calm the
nervous system to restore the balance of energy in the
body and rewire the brain to respond in healthy ways.
If altering the limiting pathways in your brain or
changing your biology isn’t enough of a motivation to
get you to tap, consider the negative effects of frequent
stress responses on your health. If not cleared through
tapping or another technique, the emotions connected to
disturbing events, experiences, or thoughts will
continue to trigger the stress response in you, perhaps
many times a day.

What’s Bothering You Most?
I find that the easiest way to start tapping is to focus on
what I call the MPI, or Most Pressing Issue. We all have
one; it’s the issue, problem, or challenge that dominates
our mental and emotional space in the present. If I
asked you, “What’s bothering you most right now?”
What would be your answer? What are you most
stressed or worried about?
It is important to be as specific as you can. Tapping on a
more general issue can certainly improve your mood
and make you feel better. But adding details that create
specificity—particulars that pinpoint an experience,
such as when it happened, who was involved, what you
felt in your body, etc.—draws the focus more clearly to
that particular issue. As a result, you’ll have a better
ability to rewire the brain’s response to it.
If you ever get stuck on the exact language, just focus
on the feeling. Or visualize a picture of what happened
(or is happening) and then describe it. Do whatever it
takes to get a clear memory or feeling, and that will do
the job.

Craft Your Setup Statement
Craft what’s called the “setup statement.” This brings
forward the energy of the MPI that you’re going to be
working on. Once you know your setup statement, you
can start tapping.
The basic setup statement goes like this:
Even though [fill in the blank with your MPI], I deeply
and completely accept myself.
So you might say, “Even though my back hurts, I deeply
and completely accept myself.”

Accepting Ourselves with the Problem
Along with the concern about focusing on the
“negative,” some people don’t feel comfortable with
saying they accept themselves in light of the problem
they’re tapping on. The problem simply seems too big,
important, or intolerable to allow for self-acceptance.
If you find you really, truly can’t make that statement—
it’s rare, but it happens—that’s OK. You can skip it and
just keep tapping on the issue without the setup
statement and then try again later. But for most of us,
it’s very important to say it, even if it feels hard.
When we accept ourselves as we are, we aren’t
“settling” or “keeping the problem in place.” We’re
showing love and compassion for ourselves—for our
feelings, our situation, and our history.

Choosing a Reminder Phrase
The reminder phrase is short—just a couple of words
that bring to mind your MPI. You will speak this phrase
out loud at each of the eight points in the sequence.
Examples of reminder phrases might be:
This fear I’m feeling…
This sadness…
This frustration…
This back pain…
You’re repeating the reminder phrase out loud to
remind yourself of the issue at each point. This
reminder phrase serves to keep your focus on the MPI
so you don’t get distracted.

Tapping through the Points
Once you have your reminder phrase, you are ready to
start tapping through the eight points of the EFT
sequence. These points are:
Eyebrow
Side of eye
Under eye
Under nose
Chin
Collarbone
Under arm
Top of head
Check In
You’ve now completed a round of tapping! First things
first: Take a deep breath. Feel your body and notice
what’s happening for you. Ask yourself: Did the issue
shift? What thoughts came up for me while tapping?
How do I feel on the 0-to-10 scale now?

Experience Tapping Now
My favorite part of the tapping process
remains its simplicity, how easy it is for
anyone to learn, put into practice, and
benefit from. Get started with these
eight simple steps.
1. Choose your “Most Pressing
Issue” (MPI) and devise a reminder phrase.
2. Rate the intensity of your MPI on a scale of 0–10,
(What level of distress does it bring up for you? A 10
would be the most distress you can imagine; a 0 rating
would mean you don’t feel any distress at all.)
3. Craft a setup statement. (Even though [fill in the blank
with your MPI], I deeply and completely accept myself.)
4. Tap on the karate chop point while repeating your
setup statement three times.
5. Tap through the eight points in the EFT sequence
while saying your reminder phrase out loud. Tap five to
seven times at each point.
Once you have finished tapping the eight points in the
sequence, take a deep breath.
Again rate the intensity of your issue using the 0-to-10
scale to check your progress.
Repeat as necessary to get the relief you desire.

How to Make Thin Hair Look Thicker

The first thing one should do if their hair is thinning or falling out is to find out what’s going
on. There are many reasons for people to lose their hair, quite a few of which are fixable.
One of the most common reasons for thinning hair is a thyroid malfunction , so have the
thyroid checked and find out if it’s overly active, or not active enough. Be sure the doctor
doesn’t downplay these concerns when they think you are “within the range of normal.” That’s
just a statistical average, and a lot of people have hypothyroidism symptoms even though
there are supposedly “within normal range.”
Do some research, ask around, and make the effort to find a doctor who is not just doing the
cookie cutter diagnosis but is willing to experiment and help remedy any deficiency.
There are other health issues that can lead to hair loss, so be on the lookout for any other
symptoms that may help the doctor diagnose properly.

On to some tips to make hair look thicker:

If hair is thin at the crown but still thick in front, try bangs to create a fuller look. To go a step
further, take a slice of hair underneath the bangs and color it two shades darker than the rest
of the hair color, says hairstylist Sam Villa, education artistic director for Redken. When
bringing the top layer of fringe down over it, the bangs will look thicker because of the deeper
color underneath.
Ask your stylist to cut the underlayer of the hair half an inch shorter than the top layer. This
will add fullness. Never let anyone use a razor, though, because that can create frayed ends
that make the hair look wispier. To give heft to fine or thin hair, keep ends blunt.
“Peroxide doubles the thickness of each strand,” says colorist Michael Canale of Canale Salon
in Beverly Hills. “It swells the hair shaft, which makes your hair look and feel fuller.” Another
reason for highlights: When hair color has dimension (a mix of shades), it creates the illusion
of density. Also, keep in mind that hair color should match the color near the scalp as closely
as possible if camouflaging a wide part.

Keep hair above shoulder length . “Once it hits the tops of your shoulders, your hair breaks up
and looks thinner,” says hairstylist Nick Stenson, artistic director of Matrix. If it’s shorter, it
will appear thicker. In the same note, try for some luscious curls for instant volume.

Try a protein hair treatment , the best ingredient to use is egg. Take one or two eggs,
depending on length of hair, and beat them well. Apply to wet hair and leave in for five to ten
minutes. Wash hair in lukewarm water with shampoo – this treatment can be done three to
four times a week. Add the gel from one or two leaves of aloe vera once a week for an extra
boost.

Mousse gives roots a boost and creates volume without stickiness. Avoid creams and heavy
gels, which weigh hair down. (Spray gels can effectively add some height, when used in
moderation.) Work the mousse in to damp hair and comb through so all of the strands are
coated
Don’t subject the hair to more wear and tear than necessary—let it air-dry 80 percent, then use
a round brush to lift the roots and smooth the ends. Don’t part the hair like you normally
would do before blow-drying, says hairstylist Stacy Ho of Cutler Salon in New York City. “It
will wind up flat along the part, which is exactly where you want some height.” Instead, part
the hair on the opposite side. When done blow-drying, flip it back and there’ll be some
gorgeous volume.

10 Tips to Stop Sugar Addiction ~

Sugar is one of the biggest hurdles to achieving the body you want. Studies show that sugar
is the most craved food by humans from birth. Have you ever wondered why sugar craving
occur in the first place? Sugar contains carbohydrates which stimulate the release of feel-
good hormone serotonin so we crave it.

There are ways of getting rid of these cravings, some are mentioned below.

1. Introduce healthy fat
Healthy dietary fat is important to combat sugar addiction. If we lack healthy fats in our diet
our bodies crave more carbohydrates and sugar is the best source of it. This leads to more
cravings for sugar and added sugar intake. These monounsaturated fats help balance our
biochemistry resulting in less desire to eat sugary foods.
2. Eat three regular meals
Eating regular meals high in essential nutrients is important if you want to give up sugar. Your
diet should contain nutrients like dietary fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids along with
other vitamins and minerals. Fiber is known to reduce sugar cravings. A regular supply of
essential nutrients will help you maintain healthy blood sugar levels which help control
cravings.
3. Avoid simple carbohydrates
There are some foods that while not a direct source of sugar but turn into sugar once they
enter our bodies. Foods that are simple carbohydrates include white bread, white pasta, and
sodas should be avoided until the addiction is under control.
4. Avoid emotional eating
We often eat more sugar when we are emotional. Try to stay away from food when you are
overly happy or sad. Sugar makes our brain release serotonin so when we are sad we crave
sugar more.
5. Eat enough good food
Another tip to avoid sugar addiction is to eat enough food so that you don’t have room for
sugar. Munching healthy whole foods like vegetables and lean protein will fill your stomach
and derail the sugar cravings.
6. Keep sugar out of your house
Foods such as white and brown sugar, corn syrup, maple syrup, and cookies should not be
kept in the house if you have sugar cravings. When sugar is not there you will not bother
going out to buy it every time.
7. Be patient
Stopping anything takes time to go away completely. Patience is key. Don’t think that it will
happen in a week or two.
8. Exercise regularly
Regular exercise is helpful in fighting sugar cravings. Regular physical activity keeps blood
sugar balanced and helps you combat cravings.
9. Don’t look at food
Studies show that when people look at food items online or in newspapers they tend to eat
more of those products. When you are online or reading the newspaper try not to visit
websites that show food products because looking at them will make you crave them more.
10. Avoid just one approach
When we are giving up something the body desires we often think having just one won’t hurt.
Get rid of this approach and understand that you are dealing with an addiction. The ‘just one’
leads to another. Try to eradicate it completely and strengthen your willpower.

30 Tips for wait loss…

Treat Acne & Other Skin Conditions With Banana Peels!

Adult acne is a nasty thing. Just when you thought you’d put those awkward teenage years
behind you, you wake up one morning in your mid to late twenties, and there it is: a
ginormous, inflamed, middle school-esque pimple staring back at you from your forehead…or
your nose…or your chin… Or all of the above – ewww…
Whether you’ve done your time with teenage acne or not, seeing it again during your adult
years is not fun – and I’m speaking from personal experience! I’ve tried everything, from pills,
to creams, to Proactiv-type products. Nothing worked, at least not for long. Fortunately for
me, the problem fixed itself on its own and I now only battle the random breakout here and
there.
The steps are very simple:

Take a small piece of banana peel and rub it on the affected area for a few minutes until
the inside of the peel turns brown.

As it dries, your skin will absorb the vitamins and nutrients in the peel. I leave it on for
about 30 mins. and then wash it off with warm water. At night, I just leave it on
overnight, then wash off in the morning.

Do this 3 times a day, and in a few days, you’ll notice results!

Even if you don’t have actual pimples on your skin, this trick can also help reduce acne scars
from old breakouts. That’s where I come in: I used this on some old scars around my chin and
jaw line and really noticed results within a couple days!
I’m not brave enough to share before/after pictures for the world to see, but the original
poster graciously did this for us in her follow-up post. Just seeing those pictures was reason
enough for me to try it and to send the link to my cousin!
If you’re looking to do away with commercial products and harsh chemicals on your skin, I
urge you to give this a try. It’s totally worth a shot: what’s the worst that can happen – you
get some banana on your face for a couple days? Totally worth the risk.

So Why Does This Work?
Banana peels are chock-full of antioxidants, including lutein, which may help protect the skin
against sun damage. They also contain esterified fatty acids , which have actually been
isolated and incorporated into a patented lotion (Exorex lotion) used to treat eczema and
psoriasis!

Some extra notes and other uses~
Banana peels can also be used to treat warts as well! Just tape a piece of the peel to
cover the wart, leave on overnight, and remove in the morning. Continue with nightly
treatments until wart is gone.
To stop the itch from bug bites and poison ivy , rub banana peels on the affected area –
no more itching!
Banana peels may also help with hemorrhoids because of the sugar content, which helps
them shrink.
Reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by rubbing banana peels on your skin,
which helps to tighten and tone the skin.
Psoriasis sufferers may also find relief by rubbing banana peels on the affected areas,
and may see results within a few days or weeks.
Banana peels contain lots of potassium , and the antioxidant, lutein.
Use ripe banana peels , to ensure the best results! And make sure they’re fresh; you
don’t want to use an old peel that’s been lying on the counter for a few hours. (So yes,
you may have to recruit some scheduled banana eaters for you ;)

How To Save the Banana Peels
There’s been lots of questions and ideas regarding how to save the peel to use it for
subsequent treatments, so you’re not eating several bananas per day. And a reader (Hi Alison!)
was kind enough to share her technique, which works great:
ive fine tuned my technique to cutting a portion of the skin from the banana at a time- just
a shallow incision around a section big enough to do my face with, then peel off and use.
That way it all stays in tact and 1 banana can go 1 or 2 days depending on size. The fruit
gets exposed to the air but still good in a smoothie at the end on the day!
Do you have any great tips or remedies to help clear up acne or scarring? What about other
uses for banana peels? Please share your ideas in the comments!
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Pomegranate Reverses Atherosclerosis and Slows the Progression of Prostate Cancer…

Research from around the globe confirms that pomegranate is one of nature’s most
concentrated sources of antioxidants.1-3 Extraordinary new findings indicate that compounds
in pomegranate can do what scientists previously thought to be virtually impossible—namely,
reverse the process of atherosclerosis .
These studies indicate that pomegranate confers unprecedented cardiovascular protection by
restoring endothelial health, lowering blood pressure, and protecting low-density lipoprotein
(LDL) from damaging oxidation. Pomegranate also appears to fight several of the most
common forms of cancer, slowing the progression of prostate cancer and suppressing the
growth of colon, breast, and lung cancer cells. Pomegranate even appears to shield against
unsightly signs of aging by supporting the health of the skin’s underlying matrix.
The good news for consumers is that pomegranate’s remarkable health benefits can now be
obtained in the form of affordable, highly concentrated extracts.
Pomegranate Enhances Nitric Oxide, Improves Endothelial Function
Pomegranate protects cardiovascular health by augmenting nitric oxide, which supports the
functioning of endothelial cells that line the arterial walls. Nitric oxide signals vascular
smooth muscle to relax, thereby increasing blood flow through arteries and veins. Nitric oxide
reduces injury to the vessel walls, which also helps prevent the development of
atherosclerosis.4
Scientists have known for some time that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) can reduce
the expression of nitric oxide synthase, the enzyme that produces nitric oxide. Recently, they
discovered that pomegranate juice enhances the bioactivity of nitric oxide synthase in
endothelial cells.5 Furthermore, pomegranate’s antioxidant properties protect nitric oxide from
oxidative destruction, thus augmenting its biological actions.6,7
An Italian study examined the role of pomegranate juice in nitric oxide synthase activity in
artery sections that had already developed atherosclerosis.8 In these segments, blood forcing
its way around atherosclerotic plaque buildup exerts significant stress on arterial walls. This
stress reduces nitric oxide synthase expression and sets the stage for the formation of yet
more plaque.
The researchers selected mice with a genetic predisposition to developing atherosclerosis.
They put the mice on a high-fat diet, let arterial disease develop for six months, and then
added pomegranate juice to the experimental group’s drinking water for 24 weeks. The placebo
group was given plain drinking water.8
Pomegranate juice not only increased the expression of nitric oxide synthase in both healthy
and atherosclerotic blood vessels, but increased it the most in blood vessels with the most
plaque buildup, as shown below.8
Increase in Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression by Pomegranate
Low-prone atherosclerotic areas +26.1%
High-prone atherosclerotic areas +46.7% Healthy blood vessel areas +3.3%
Pomegranate’s ability to increase nitric oxide synthase resulted in a significant reduction in
atherosclerotic lesions:8
Reduction in Atherosclerotic Lesions by Pomegranate
Low-prone atherosclerotic areas -20.2%
High-prone atherosclerotic areas -19.3%
Healthy blood vessel areas -25.6%
In other words, in healthy parts of the blood vessels, pomegranate juice reduced lesion volume
by nearly 26%, while in areas with much more plaque, pomegranate reduced the volume of
lesions by approximately 20%.8 Pomegranate’s ability to enhance nitric oxide synthase and
protect nitric oxide from destruction may facilitate longer-lasting concentrations of nitric
oxide in endothelial cells, thus enhancing endothelial function and conferring profound
cardiovascular protection.
Reversing Plaque Buildup and Lowering Heart Disease Risk
For years, scientists have believed that while antioxidants and other nutrients can slow
additional atherosclerotic plaque buildup, they do little to reverse the process once plaque has
already formed on the arterial walls. Now, a remarkable study from Israel indicates that
pomegranate can actually reduce existing plaque formations in the arteries.
Nineteen patients from the Vascular Surgery Clinic in Haifa, Israel, were selected to participate
in this three-year trial.9 All were non-smokers between the ages of 65 and 75, with
asymptomatic severe carotid artery narrowing (stenosis) ranging from 70% to 90%. In other
words, their arteries were so occluded by plaque buildup that only 10-30% of the original
artery volume was available to permit blood flow. Ten of the 19 patients consumed 50 mL (1.7
ounces) of pomegranate juice daily, while the other nine received a placebo beverage. Both
groups had similar blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose levels at baseline, and continued
their ongoing drug regimens. Dietary and lifestyle practices were kept constant during the
study.
Despite the patients’ advanced atherosclerosis, ingesting pomegranate juice produced
statistically significant reductions in the thickness of their carotid artery walls, which is
correlated with decreased risk for heart attack and stroke. After only three months, the average
thickness declined by 13%, and after 12 months, the thickness dropped 35% compared to
baseline. During this same 12-month period, the average carotid artery thickness of the
placebo group increased by 9%.
This study also measured various other parameters of cardiovascular health. One year of
pomegranate supplementation reduced the peak systolic velocity of the blood in the carotid
arteries, while systolic blood pressure itself dropped by 21%. Systolic blood pressure refers to
the maximum arterial pressure when the heart beats. Pomegranate intake appears to clear so
many obstructions in the carotid arteries that the blood encounters less resistance, enabling
the heart to pump at a reduced pressure. Less pressure through a wider “pipe” results in less
speed, or velocity.9
Pomegranate consumption did not change blood levels of glucose, LDL, or high-density
lipoprotein (HDL). Standard markers of heart, kidney, and liver function, as well as
homocysteine and blood cell counts, also remained unchanged.9 However, the Israeli
researchers noted a number of improvements in blood markers that help to explain why
pomegranate so effectively supports cardiovascular health.
For example, total antioxidant status in the blood was increased by 130% after 12 months of
pomegranate use, while serum lipid peroxidation was reduced by 59%. Also contributing to the
improvements was an 83% increase in serum paraoxonase-1, an enzyme that can reduce
harmful lipid peroxides in arterial cells and in lipoproteins in coronary and carotid
lesions.9-11 In addition, one year of pomegranate use more than doubled the time it took for
the initiation of LDL oxidation, from 30 minutes to 65 minutes. Since LDL must be oxidized
before it can adhere to the arterial wall, delays in oxidation and increasing levels of
antioxidants in the blood keep new plaque from building up, while paraoxonase-1 may help
break up existing plaque, leading to overall reductions in plaque formation over time.9
While all these one-year improvements are remarkable, some of the parameters continued to
show improvement until the end of the three-year study. For example, there was a further 16%
reduction in lipid peroxidation at 36 months. It appears, however, that continued use of
pomegranate is required to sustain these enhancements. One month after stopping
supplementation, the study participants saw their average total antioxidant status drop by
35%, while their serum paraoxonase-1 activity declined by 18%.9 As a result, pomegranate
should be incorporated in a long-term program for enhancing cardiovascular health and
longevity.
Another Israeli study confirmed that pomegranate reduces both systolic blood pressure and
serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity.12 After only two weeks, 50 mL of
pomegranate juice daily lowered systolic pressure by 5%, while producing a 36% drop in ACE
activity. Since a reduction in ACE activity has been shown to help prevent atherosclerosis
independent of its effects on blood pressure, the researchers noted that pomegranate juice
appears to offer broad-spectrum protection against cardiovascular disease.
Pomegranate: What You Need to Know
Pomegranate is now recognized as a powerful source of phytonutrients that can help prevent
and reverse cardiovascular disease, avert cancer, and promote healthy skin.
Pomegranate contains high levels of punicalagins, which are powerful antioxidants used to
standardize the potency of pomegranate juice and extracts.
Pomegranate increases the synthesis of nitric oxide, a key factor required for healthy
endothelial function of the inner arteries. Pomegranate’s antioxidant effects protect nitric oxide
from oxidative degradation.
New human studies offer dramatic evidence that consuming pomegranate can help reduce
coronary plaque buildup and thus reverse existing atherosclerosis. Pomegranate further
benefits cardiovascular health by inhibiting LDL oxidation, reducing blood pressure, and
quenching oxidative stress.
Laboratory studies show that pomegranate slows the proliferation of prostate cancer cells and
increases cancer cell death. In men treated for prostate cancer, pomegranate dramatically
slows PSA doubling time, significantly delaying disease progression. Pomegranate may also
help reduce the risk of colon, lung, and breast cancers.
Topically applied pomegranate extract helps protect the skin from damaging ultraviolet
radiation, reduces inflammation, speeds wound healing, and promotes healthy, youthful-
looking skin.
Pomegranate’s numerous health-promoting benefits can now be obtained in the form of highly
concentrated liquid and powdered extracts.

For many years, scientists have used phytonutrients with antioxidant properties, such as
curcumin and green tea, to help fight cancer. New evidence suggests that pomegranate may be
similarly effective in countering cancer’s growth and spread.
For example, University of Wisconsin researchers investigated pomegranate’s benefits against
several types of aggressive prostate cancer cells. A laboratory study found that pomegranate
extract inhibits human prostate cancer cell growth while increasing programmed cancer cell
death (apoptosis). Pomegranate increases the expression of a protein that promotes cancer
cell death, while decreasing the expression of a protein that inhibits the demise of cancer
cells.13
A study in mice by the same researchers found that oral consumption of pomegranate extract
inhibits prostate cancer cell growth while markedly decreasing serum levels of prostate-
specific antigen (PSA). Rising levels of PSA are associated with the progression and
recurrence of prostate cancer. The researchers concluded that pomegranate consumption might
similarly help prevent prostate cancer or slow its progression in humans, thus prolonging
survival and quality of life for patients.13
A study at the University of California at Los Angeles found similar benefits of pomegranate
consumption.14 When eight ounces of pomegranate juice was given each day to prostate
cancer patients, the average PSA doubling time rose from 15 months at baseline to 54 months
in more than 80% of the study subjects. Since a longer PSA doubling time signifies slower
disease progression, this 3.6-fold increase in doubling time is a dramatically positive result.
Laboratory analysis of the patients’ pre- and post-treatment serum showed a 12% decrease in
cell proliferation and a 17% increase in cancer cell death, demonstrating pomegranate’s
cancer-fighting effects.
Pomegranate may also help to fight colon cancer. Pomegranate supplementation reduced the
number and size of experimentally induced colon tumors in animal subjects.15 In the
laboratory, pomegranate juice inhibited the proliferation and increased programmed cell death
(apoptosis) of human colon cancer cells.16,17 Pomegranate juice may exert some of its effects
by suppressing the activity of nuclear factor-kappa beta (NF-kB), a significant contributor to
cancer and age-related disease.16 The expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an
inflammatory enzyme associated with colon cancer risk, was also dramatically reduced by
pomegranate.16
Pomegranate similarly shows promise in averting deadly lung cancer. In the laboratory,
pomegranate inhibited the growth and replication of human lung cancer cells. Additionally,
administering pomegranate extract to animals implanted with human lung cancer cells
suppressed tumor growth. Scientists believe that pomegranate may fight lung cancer through
its inhibitory effects on NF-kB.18
Breast cancer may also respond to pomegranate’s anti-cancer effects. In the laboratory,
pomegranate extracts inhibited human breast cancer cells’ ability to proliferate and spread to
other areas (metastasize) and induced programmed cell death. Pomegranate displayed efficacy
against both estrogen-dependent and estrogen-independent breast cancer cells.19
Pomegranate thus holds promise in fighting several of the most common cancers threatening
aging adults today.
Pomegranate Supports the Skin’s Underlying Structure
Topical application of pomegranate has been shown to promote skin health via several
mechanisms. For example, by suppressing lipid peroxidation in the skin, pomegranate helps
shield against damage induced by ultraviolet light.20 In animal studies, pomegranate seed and
fruit extracts significantly reduced the incidence and number of skin tumors in the animals
after an experimental cancer-provoking challenge.21,22 Pomegranate inhibits two inflammatory
enzymes, cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase, which may help protect the skin against the age-
accelerating effects of inflammation.23 Pomegranate extract also protected human skin cells
against the increase in NF-kB induced by ultraviolet-A light, suggesting a role for
pomegranate in preventing skin cancer.24
Other studies have demonstrated that pomegranate helps reverse visible signs of aging by
promoting a moderate thickening of the skin’s outer layer, known as the epidermis.25
Pomegranate fruit extract also provides nutritional support for fibroblast cells in the skin’s
dermis, which lies below the epidermis; fibroblasts produce collagen and elastin, the critical
structural fibers that provide the skin with support and flexibility. Pomegranate extract also
increased dermal cell proliferation and collagen synthesis at the same time.25
In addition, pomegranate’s phenolic compounds effectively promote wound healing. Indian
researchers noted that a topical pomegranate cream produced an average 35% reduction in the
number of days required for complete recovery from an excision wound.26
Pomegranate extract thus helps protect the skin against the threats of ultraviolet light and
inflammation, while supporting its underlying structure and helping to restore its youthful
appearance and function.
Conclusion
Pomegranate is fast becoming one of today’s most talked-about nutrients. With emerging
evidence indicating that it works via several mechanisms to remove plaque from human
arteries, retard cancer growth, and promote more youthful-looking skin, pomegranate may
soon be regarded as an essential nutrient. Its concentrated blend of powerful phytonutrients
appears to confer profound protection against atherosclerosis, cancer, and other degenerative
conditions. Health-conscious adults seeking to optimize their defense against these and other
lethal diseases of aging should consider making pomegranate a part of their daily anti-aging
regimen.
References
1. Aviram M, Dornfeld L, Rosenblat M, et al. Pomegranate juice consumption reduces oxidative
stress, atherogenic modifications to LDL, and platelet aggregation: studies in humans and in
atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 May;71(5):1062-76.
2. Gil MI, Tomas-Barberan FA, Hess-Pierce B, Holcroft DM, Kader AA. Antioxidant activity of
pomegranate juice and its relationship with phenolic composition and processing. J Agric
Food Chem. 2000 Oct;48(10):4581-9.
3. Singh RP, Chidambara Murthy KN, Jayaprakasha GK. Studies on the antioxidant activity of
pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel and seed extracts using in vitro models. J Agric Food
Chem. 2002 Jan 2;50(1):81-6.
4. Ignarro LJ, Cirino G, Casini A, Napoli C. Nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the vascular
system: an overview. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 1999 Dec;34(6):879-86.
5. de Nigris F, Williams-Ignarro S, Botti C, Sica V, Ignarro LJ, Napoli C. Pomegranate juice
reduces oxidized low-density lipoprotein downregulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase
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