Under the agreement, the companies will add disclosures to Enviga, and any similarly formulated product, to disclaim any weight loss benefits and note that weight loss is only possible through diet and exercise. The companies will also pay $650,000 to the 26 states involved in the settlement. Kentucky will receive approximately $15,800 of this amount. Final settlement documents will soon be tendered to the Franklin Circuit Court for approval….

Read more about the study they did…

The study investigated 31 people consuming Enviga over a period of 3 days. The study claimed that the high caffeine (and caffeine like substance) content in Enviga sped up the metabolism and caused the participants to burn more calories from fat rather than carbohydrates, up to 60-100 extra calories per day. However, it has been extensively researched and proven that pure caffeine as a supplement will have the same effect over that time period, thus rendering the content of Enviga (aside from the caffeine) to be mostly irrelevant to the “negative calorie” claim. Furthermore, research has shown that caffeine sensitivity drops exponentially over time. Like with all stimulatory drugs and agents, the same dose of caffeine is no longer equally effective over time, requiring higher and higher doses in order to provide the same effect. The 100 calories burned per day will drop to 0 in a period of a few weeks, unless dramatically more caffeine is utilized. The net conclusion of these observations is that the extrapolation from a 3 day time period onto a permanent 60-100 calorie weight loss per day is completely unjustified.

Read the entire article below.

Louisville City Hall Examiner: Ky. Attorney General settles claim against Enviga.

Studies involving animal tests have shown that green tea reduces the formation of tumors for cancers of the skin, esophagus, bladder, pancreas, ovary cancer and prostate. The antioxidant activity in green tea has been reported to produce such results. Researchers are also of the belief that polyphenols are essential in destroying cancerous cells and stopping their progression.

Skin Cancer

Scientific research suggests that the main polyphenol in green tea, which is called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and other green tea polyphenols possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. One study has been done on the health benefit of green tea on the skin. The study showed that drinking tea helps prevent the onset and growth of skin tumors.

Esophageal Cancer

Animal studies have also been conducted and they showed that green tea polyphenols help stop the growth of esophageal cancer cells. However, studies done on people have various results regarding the health benefit of green tea. One study showed that green tea consumption is an effective way to be protected from esophageal cancer, specifically among women. But another study showed that drinking green tea increased the risk of developing esophageal cancer. This shows that before green tea can be recommended for esophageal cancer prevention, more research has to be done.

Bladder Cancer

A few studies have been conducted on the health benefit of green tea on the human bladder. Research has been done to determine if there’s a connection between bladder cancer and consumption of green tea. One study revealed that women who drank green tea reduced their probability of developing bladder cancer. The study was followed with another one revealing that patients with bladder cancer, specifically men, who consumed green tea had a significantly improved chance of surviving compared to those who did not drink tea.

Pancreatic Cancer

Research has also been done on the health benefit of green tea on the pancreas. A study found that men and women who drank green tea had lesser chances of developing cancer in the pancreas. However, the study didn’t particularly point out that green tea was exclusively responsible for reducing the risk of pancreatic cancer. Researchers still need further studies before they can start recommending green tea for pancreatic cancer prevention.

Ovarian Cancer

In China, a study was conducted on patients with ovarian cancer. It was observed that women who drank a cup of green tea a day were able to survive longer and lived the longest compared to women who did not drink tea at all.

Prostate Cancer

Green tea extracts have been shown in laboratory studies to prevent the development of prostate cancer cells in test tubes. A large study showed that people who drank green tea with increasing frequency, quantity and duration reduced their risk of developing prostate cancer.

Patricia Hammond is an green tea enthusiast. Get her FREE 7-Day GREEN TEA eCourse at http://www.yourhealthcenter.info/greentea/ or visit her site at http://www.yourhealthcenter.info for more health tips on weight loss, sleeping disorder, and others.

Lately been getting a bit of help in the form of a little-known superjuice called MonaVie. “It’s a miracle drug,” he told Fortune. “I feel great.”

A dark-purple elixir with a cult-like following, MonaVie is an antioxidant-rich concoction whose main ingredient is the Brazilian açai berry (pronounced ah-sigh-ee), long touted among health nuts for its anti-aging ingredients.

Redstone attributes his good health to a Brazilian berry.

Redstone says he’s never felt better. “I know I look a lot younger than I am,” he says. “I feel like I’m 40 years old.”

via Sumner Redstone’s anti-aging secret – Aug. 24, 2007.

An interesting article appeared today in Globeandmail.com which pointed out some interesting things that I’d like to share with you.

in January, 2007, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission received a $25-million settlement from the makers of four prominent weight-loss supplements – Xenadrine EFX, CortiSlim, TrimSpa and One-A-Day Weight Smart – for false advertising. Like many products, these supplements made claims of effectiveness without supporting research.

What’s more, some supplements have side effects that can be downright dangerous.

——-

And the part about Green tea.

Despite the flood of green tea supplements on store shelves, the evidence is sparse that it can melt the pounds away. In one study, green tea increased fat burning and metabolism in 10 healthy men who were lean or mildly overweight. But the study was not designed to assess weight loss.

Preliminary research did suggest that a specific green tea extract could help reduce weight in overweight people. However, recent studies concluded that taking a green tea extract does nothing to reduce body weight or maintain weight loss.

The article concluded:

The bottom line: The most effective way to lose weight is the old-fashioned way – by making sustainable changes to your eating and exercise habits. Even if a weight-loss supplement did help you take off a few pounds, you would have to continue taking them to keep the weight off. And that may not be practical – or safe.

Read the entire article below.

globeandmail.com: You won’t lose weight by popping pills.

So this article appeared in the LA times health blog today and is about how green tea provides a boost to weight loss if you exercise.  It also suggest green tea may help decrease the risk of breast cancer.

If reducing that abdominal paunch is part of your goals for the year, consider adding green tea to your diet. Several studies have hinted that green tea provides a boost to exercise-induced weight loss. Another study, published in the February issue of the Journal of Nutrition, supports that link and shows that tummy fat may be the first to go.

The study evaluated 132 obese adults. All consumed a diet that was consistent in daily calories and participated in 180 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise. They also drank a daily beverage containing 39 milligrams of caffeine, but one group consumed green tea with 625 milligrams of catechins, an antioxidant that is the main component of green tea. After 12 weeks, the participants drinking the green tea had greater loss, 4.4 pounds compared with just over 2 pounds in the control group. The green-tea group also had larger declines in total abdominal fat, subcutaneous abdominal fat and triglycerides.

How green tea works its magic is not completely understood, but scientists believe it speeds the rate at which fat is broken down in the body. It may also help the body’s sensitivity to insulin, lowering the risk of diabetes. The study was conducted by researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University as well as research centers in Florida and Japan.

Another study on green tea, also featured in this issue of the Journal of Nutrition, shows that drinking plentiful amounts of the beverage over many years may have a subtle influence in decreasing the risk of breast cancer. The study examined almost 7,000 women, ages 20 to 74, in China. The women were evaluated for breast cancer incidence and consumption of green tea. Compared with nondrinkers, women who drank green tea had a slightly decreased risk of breast cancer. The benefit was strongest for women who drank the most green tea over longer periods of time.

– Shari Roan

Photo credit: Eric Boyd / Los Angeles Times Read more below

Green tea plus exercise speeds the loss of tummy fat | Booster Shots | Los Angeles Times.

Antioxidant Properties

Most of us have heard of the positive effects red wine can have on a fatty diet and its healthful benefits on heart disease. High amounts of catechins polyphenols, particularly EGCG, are present in green tea. And EGCG has twice as much resveratrol as red wine, making it a powerful weapon towards lowering cholesterol, inhibiting blood clots and negating the effects of a fatty diet.

EGCG is also used to treat diabetes and is reported to have glucose-lowering effects. In addition glucose can cause a person to feel hunger and by controlling insulin levels, you control appetite. Try drinking a mug of green tea at the first hunger pain and you are well on your way to managing your appetite.

Thermogenesis

Thermogenesis literally means heat generation. Green tea increases thermogenesis in the body, becoming a potent appetite suppressant and increasing fat oxidation, helping the body to use fat as an energy source. This means the body is preferentially burning fat over protein.

Green tea also raises the body’s metabolism, increasing the rate at which calories are burned. In a recent study, the combination of green tea and caffeine burned more calories than those given a placebo.

Add to its thermogenesis benefits, green tea also has energy-boosting properties, which makes it a perfect breakfast tea or mid-afternoon pick me up.

Other Healthful Benefits

There are many other conditions in which green tea is reputed to be helpful:

• Killing cancer cells, while leaving healthy cells untouched
• Treating Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lowering LDL cholesterol
• Preventing thrombosis which causes heart attacks and strokes
• Addressing cardiovascular disease by inhibiting abnormal formation of blood clots
• Preventing infection
• Improving impaired immune function
• Stopping certain neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s)
• Treating multiple sclerosis
• Preventing tooth decay by killing the bacteria that causes dental plaque

When you compare the heath benefits of green tea with the harmful effects of regular and diet soda, coffee and other damaging drinks, it is easy to see why green tea has a long and successful history of benefiting the drinker.

Adding Green Tea to Your Diet

Green tea has become so popular that it can be found in mainstream grocery stores as well as gas stations and convenience stores. There are many flavors and varieties of green teas so you will be sure to find a combination of flavors you’ll enjoy.

Consider also adding green tea water to some cooked foods. Adding tea to a pot of boiling pasta will affect the flavor in a fresh new way. Toss that same pasta with pine nuts, pesto and a dash of olive oil and you have a healthful dish with many antioxidant properties. Challenge yourself to find new and exciting ways to add green tea to your diet.

Author: Diana Walker

Are cravings for sugar, salt, junk food, sodas, and coffee running your life? For over 20 years, Diana Walker, the Cravings Coach, has assisted people like you in using natural, safe options for creating vibrant health. Receive Diana’s free Cravings Coach TIPS at http://www.thecravingscoach.com/blog

The 19 Fruits In Mona Vie

Acai Berry
Pomegranate
Bilberry
Passion Fruit
Wolfberry
Blueberry
Kiwi
Cranberry
Capuacu
Prune
Nashi
Aronia
Camu Camu
Acerola
Banana
Pear
Lychee
White Grape
Purple Grape

This article appeared on MSNBC local news site on Jan 14th 2009 and talks about one company scamming people out of their money over the Acai Berry Supplement Scam.

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The acai berry has been hailed as a cure-all, capable of fighting cancer and promoting weight loss. But the Better Business Bureau is advising consumers to stay away from one South Florida supplier.

Boca Raton-based SFL Nutrition makes grand claims about the acai berry supplement it markets on the Internet.

“They’re alleging that it’s curing cancer and that it’ll prevent cancer,” Better Business Bureau spokesman Mike Galvin said. “It’s alleging that you’ll have a high-energy level and weight loss. All these things are not documented with any type of research whatsoever.”

But it’s not those claims that earned the company an F grade with the Better Business Bureau. Most of the 2,000-plus unanswered complaints against SFL Nutrition accuse the company of cheating customers.

“They’re indicating that it’s a free trial for 14 days,” Galvin said. “But on their Web site, they ask that you provide the credit card number, and once they receive the credit card number, they start sending you the supplies.”

One customer wrote on the Better Business Bureau Web site of having to cancel a credit card instead of waiting eight hours on hold to get hundreds of dollars refunded.

“In today’s world, in these desperate times, people will not tolerate that and they try to get their money back and there’s no response whatsoever,” Galvin said.

WPBF News 25’s Brian Albert called SFL Nutrition and got no response. No one answered the door at the company’s Boca Raton address either.

“My partner tells me he thinks they may have moved out,” Debbie Wexler, co-owner of the Two Fat Cookies bakery next door, said.

Wexler said she’s been hounded on the telephone and in person by angry SFL Nutrition customers.

“People have been calling looking for the company at this address and people are telling me that they’re being overcharged on their credit cards for merchandise that they did not order,” Wexler said.

The Better Business Bureau claims that another company in the same business park is part of the alleged scheme.

GlobalNet Pharmacies deflected questions about its sister company, even though it shares the same owner as SFL Nutrition. Now, the Better Business Bureau is warning consumers to stay away from both companies.

“Consumer beware: If it looks too good and sounds too good to be true, it normally is,” Galvin said.

Read the entire article below.

Better Business Bureau Warns Of Acai Berry Supplement Scam – News- msnbc.com.

One of the pros (or cons, depending on your side of the fence on the issue) of green tea is its caffeine content. The tea contains about have the caffeine as a regular cup of coffee. There are several schools of thought on caffeine’s effect on the body. It’s definitely a stimulant, and some choose to avoid it for that reason. Some dieters say going decaf helps them curb their sweet tooth. Others say the little caffeine boost helps rev them up for their workout.

Another unsubstantiated perk of this beverage is its ability to delay and sometimes alleviate the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. Most such diseases involve the build up of a certain kind of plaque in the brain, which restricts blood flow and leads to the nerve damage that is characteristic of such illnesses. In a study published in the Journal of Neuroscience, the antioxidant EGCG has been shown to positively affect the amount of harmful beta-amyloid protein plaque in lab mice. The animals that were treated with a daily injection of EGCG exhibited a whopping 54 percent less of the harmful plaque than the animals that weren’t treated.

If green tea is what it takes to stave off such dreadful diseases, why isn’t everyone drinking it? Simple, it’s just not enough. Other antioxidants found in the tea water down the effect of RGCG. In order to reproduce the same effect in humans that the lab mice experienced, the dose would have to be about 1,500 or 1,600 milligrams a day. The large amount has been tested on humans and found to be safe.

Advocates of green tea also say it contains thermogenetic qualities that speed up metabolism and help with weight loss. To get the maximum health benefits of green tea, you’d need to drink the concentrated form of RGCG, which can also be found in vegetables. People who make a point to consume foods that contain RGCG keep themselves detoxified. Doing so reduces their chances of developing cancer and other diseases.

Be aware that the health hype of green tea has aided its commercialism. Beverage brands have been quick to jump on the bandwagon and offer a plethora of variations on the theme. Just because it says “green tea” on the label doesn’t mean it has all the nutritional benefits you’ve heard about. After processing, it might not even be good for you at all. Always read the nutritional information on the back of the label and be sure of what you’re consuming.

Kelly Hunter operates http://www.green-tea-benefits-center.com and writes about the Benefits Of Green Tea.

During the oxidation process, free radicals, which are highly reactive byproducts, are produced. When other molecules interact with these free radicals they themselves get turned into free radicals and their normal functioning gets disrupted. Eventually this could lead to massive tissue damage and cell destruction. It could even lead to the incidence of degenerative diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, artherosclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and heart disease.

Fortunately for us the human body is naturally equipped with defenses that work to prevent the harmful effects of these free radical compounds. Antioxidants are chemical substances that are naturally present in vegetables as well as fruit. These antioxidants hunt down free radicals and act on them. This causes the free radicals to get neutralized and stops their rampage and the damage they do to the body’s healthy cells, thus preventing or decreasing the incidence of disease.

Antioxidant Effects of Plants

Camellia sinensis is one of many plants that are known to contain a high level of disease-fighting antioxidants. This plant is sometimes also called the tea plant. Chinese households have been serving tea as a healthy beverage for hundreds of years in order to promote general well being and good health. Green tea in particular is very popular because of the many remarkable health benefits it provides.

Green tea is very popular in Japan, India. Thailand and China where people have been drinking it for years. Green tea has been used as one of the ingredients in many traditional Indian as well as Chinese medicines. Green tea is used in medicine as a:
* Stimulant
* Astringent- it helps wounds to heal and also controls bleeding
* Diuretic- promotes urine excretion
* Agent that improves health of the heart.

The benefits derived from green tea are believed to be largely due to the polycatechins that are present in it. These polycatechins have very powerful and highly effective antioxidant effects. Other than polycatechins there are many other ingredients present that contribute to the antioxidant properties of green tea.

The Antioxidant Properties of Green Tea

The antioxidant properties and effects of green tea are due to the presence of powerful polyphenolic antioxidants, also known as catechins. The other substances that give green tea its antioxidant properties include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A and tannin. Green tea also has powerful neuro-protective, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial and cardio-protective properties. Epigallocatechin gallate, which is an especially bioactive catechin, has been identified by many scientists as particularly important because its antioxidant effects have been linked to cancer prevention.

To read more about the benefits of green tea and its antioxidising properties visit us here at http://antioxidants.yourinfoguides.com