Five exercises to boost colon health

(NaturalNews) Staying fit and active is obviously important for overall health, but few people know that exercise can decrease the risk of colon cancer. Exercise creates an overall more efficient gastrointestinal system that has an enhanced amount of circulation and blood flow, allowing the colon to perform at an optimal level. Thanks to busy schedules and the hectic pace of modern life, not everyone can hit the gym five times a week. However, simply increasing the overall physical activity performed over the course of the day can drastically improve colon health. This can mean anything from taking the stairs instead of the elevator, to parking in the last row at the grocery store and walking across the lot. No matter how busy a person is, there is always room for some extra exercise. To maintain the best colon health possible, the following five exercises have been recommended as great ways to strengthen the colon and surrounding abdominal muscles and to increase the efficiency of the organ and the other elements of the digestive system. 1. Walking, jogging, or running. These are three exercises that are similar and require no equipment at all; simply getting up and moving can improve blood flow throughout the intestinal tract and enhance the efficiency of the digestive system as a whole. Walking is the most mild of these exercises and can be safe and effective if a relatively quick pace is maintained. Jogging, on the other hand, can be hard on the knees and other joints of the body. To minimize the amount of damage that jogging causes, it is recommended that joggers stick to the softest terrain possible. Dirt or grass works best, but if given the choice between asphalt and concrete, choose asphalt. Running is also effective, but is best maintained by individuals that are already in good shape. 2. Sit ups and crunches. These abdominal exercises strengthen core muscles, improving the body’s ability to push toxins and waste out of the digestive system quickly. This is key to improving the health of the colon; as the longer these substances take to get through the system, the more likely they are to cause health issues. 3. Yoga. Not only is yoga a great way to wind down and relieve stress, but it also strengthens the abdominal muscles and increases their flexibility. Some particularly colon-friendly poses are: crow yoga pose, headstand, inverted staff pose, cobra yoga pose, and hero pose. 4. Jumping rope. Though the specific benefits that this exercise provides to the colon are, as of yet, undefined, jumping rope has been proven to increase the heart rate and blood flow, which enhances the overall efficiency of the body’s many systems. Additionally, it is believed that jumping rope cleans the organs, something from which the colon and the rest of the intestinal tract benefit greatly. 5. Trampoline exercise. Called “rebounding” by some, jumping on a trampoline can increase the strength of core muscles, enhance peristaltic movement in the body, and increase the effectiveness of the major organs, one of which being the colon. Not only are trampoline exercises good for the colon, but they are also fun and can provide an exciting change of pace in an otherwise mundane exercise routine. Sources http://www.ehow.com/list_7285410_exercises-colon-health.html http://www.colon-cleanse-information.com/exercise-routine.html http://www.wheatgrasscan.com/blog/entry/5 http://www.oxypowder.com/colon-cleansing-exercises.html About the author Lenette Nakauchi is a vibration exercise and detox expert who is passionate about demonstrating to others how to get lean and fit in a fun, healthy, sustainable way. Learn more about vibration exercise and how it’s used for fitness, therapy, and weight loss at http://www.thenoblerexk1.com. Learn more about her detox and cleansing product at http://www.3daycleanse.com.

New study says plant-based foods help prevent cancer

(NaturalNews) Researchers from the University of Minnesota Hormel Institute now admit that plant-based foods are highly beneficial in helping to prevent cancer, particularly among those who have the highest risk of developing the disease. Published in the journal Nature Reviews Cancer , their study says that plant phytochemicals — which include powerful nutrients and antioxidants like selenium, resveratrol, beta-carotene, and lycopene, — are a viable option in cancer prevention. “Although successful for a limited number of cancer types, the efficiency of (conventional) cancer therapies, especially for later stages, remains poor,” said Dr. Zigang Dong, one of the study authors and director of The Hormel Institute. “We would like to use target therapies for prevention of human cancer. We have identified many protein targets that can be used to develop more effective cancer preventive agents.” And while Dong and his team in their study speak specifically of extracting plant phytochemicals and turning them into patented pharmaceutical drugs, these phytochemicals in their natural form are perfectly capable of providing anti-cancer benefits without having to be modified. Myricetin, a phytochemical in green onions that the researchers identified, was also previously identified in a 2007 study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology as a powerful anti-cancer nutrient. Three different types of flavanols, including myricetin, together exhibited anti-cancer benefits in the study (http://www.naturalnews.com/022364_pancreatic_cancer_onions.html). Resveratrol, a phytochemical antioxidant compound found in grapes, has also been shown to prevent and fight cancer, as well as protect against heart disease, deter the negative effects of aging, improve vision, and prevent diabetes, among many other things (http://www.naturalnews.com/resveratrol.html). Other anti-cancer plant phytochemicals include allicin in garlic, anthocyanidins in cranberries and blueberries, sulforaphane in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, and anti-aromatase compounds in mushrooms. Sources for this story include: http://www.austindailyherald.com/2011/02/24/hormel-institute-researchers-believe-plants-may-help-prevent-cancer/

Boost your athletic performance with this proven amino acid

(NaturalNews) Getting that extra push in the gym or out on the sports field might be as simple as supplementing with an important, nitric oxide-producing amino acid. In a recent study out of the University of Exeter (UE), researchers discovered that L-arginine, one of the 20 most common natural amino acids, helps increase exercise capacity by 20 percent and race times by up to two percent. Nitric oxide (NO) is an important substance produced by the body that regulates blood flow, fights harmful pathogens and assists in cell communication. NO also helps to improve the efficiency of food and nutrient delivery into muscle tissue, which is why high levels of it help athletes perform better. When L-arginine is processed by the body, it converts into NO, resulting in improved athletic performance. The amino acid is also a precursor to metabolites in the body like collagen, connective tissues, enzymes and hormones. “The research found that when the dietary supplement (L-arginine) was used there was a striking increase in performance by altering the use of oxygen during exercise,” explained Professor Andrew Jones from UE’s School of Sport and Health Sciences. “This is important for endurance athletes as we would expect the supplement to bring a one-to-two percent improvement in race times. While this may seem small, this is a very meaningful improvement — particularly at elite levels where small gains can be the difference between winning and losing.” When tested on a group of healthy males, L-arginine not only improved performance levels, but it helped to lower blood pressure and reduce the amount of oxygen needed during exercise. L-arginine is naturally found in protein-rich foods like nuts and meat. Chickpeas and coconuts, for instance, are rich in L-arginine. L-arginine supplements are also available, including powders that can easily be added to protein or meal-replacement smoothies. Sources for this story include: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2010-08/uoe-spa082610.php