Tag Archives: Health is Wealth

Gratitude Makes You Wealthy

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“Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want.” —Jim Rohn

Gratitude makes you feel good and there are concrete benefits to being grateful that translate into real-world prosperity and well-being. And, habits that cultivate gratitude benefit everyone.

Pam Grout, author of Thank and Grow Rich: A 30-Day Experiment in Shameless Gratitude and Unabashed Joy says that “Gratitude is causative energy. It plants seeds that grow into unlimited abundance.” She points out that being thankful can increase many different kinds of capital: financial, spiritual, social, creative, even adventure capital!

Gratitude opens the door for good results in every area of life. Not only can gratitude can increase your financial wealth, it increases your well-being spiritually, mentally, socially, and physically. This equates to wealth and makes for a truly rich life!

Successful business owner May McCarthy describes in her book, The Path to Wealth, how her own gratitude practice has led to increased spiritual connection, prosperity, and a well-honed intuition.

A growing body of research suggests that maintaining an attitude of gratitude can improve psychological, emotional and physical well-being.

Adults who frequently feel grateful have more energy, more optimism, more social connections and more happiness than those who do not, according to studies conducted over the past decade, writes Melinda Beck in the Wall Street Journal.

Research over the last several years has shown overwhelming benefits. The Wall Street Journal reports that an attitude of gratitude can help people experience more energy, greater optimism, more social connections, and more happiness.

In Berkeley’s Greater Good Magazine, gratitude researcher Robert Emmons says that those who practice gratitude consistently:

  • are more helpful, generous and compassionate
  • are more forgiving of others
  • experience greater joy and pleasure
  • are more outgoing and less likely to feel lonely or isolated
  • have stronger immune systems
  • experience fewer aches and pains
  • report lower blood pressure and
  • sleep more soundly.

References:

Thank and Grow Rich: 7 Ways Gratitude Makes You Wealthy

 

  1. https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052748704243904575630541486290052

The Greatest Wealth is Health

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“The greatest wealth is health.”

Your physical and mental well-being are arguably the most valuable assets of all.

What Does “Health Is Wealth” Mean?

At its core, “health is wealth” means that your physical and mental well-being is far more important than wealth in the realm of life satisfaction and happiness.

It’s saying, “Yes, money is a great tool. It can solve many basic problems and lead to a fantastic quality of life. But in the absence of good health, it means very little.”

In other words, don’t pursue wealth to the detriment of well-being!

After all, you can’t enjoy the financial fruits of your labor if you’re in constant pain, unable to move, struggling to breathe, going to the hospital every few months, or worrying about your health…or dead.

Only if you’re well can you take full advantage of your wealth. What’s more, staying healthy is also crucial to reaching your full financial potential.

The Financial Importance of Physical and Mental Health

“Health is wealth” reminds us that these two vital components of a happy life are interconnected. Indeed, numerous studies have shown that higher socioeconomic status usually leads to improved health prospects. But the opposite is also true. If your health suffers, then so do your finances. Here’s how:

Being Sick Is Expensive – It doesn’t matter whether you’re suffering from a broken leg or a bad bout of depression. Being sick has costs attached.

For example, you might not be able to work, and you only have so many paid sick days to take (unless you’re self-employed, in which case you might not have any). You may even have to quit your job. Either way, your income suffers, which can lead to a host of additional money problems. You might be unable to save, for instance, and/or forced to take on high-interest debt to cover your outgoings.

Mental illness has close links with financial difficulties, as well. You may have no energy or feel too anxious to work. Or perhaps you enter a manic episode and start making unwise purchases. Whatever the case, debt can follow. Indeed, National Debtline reports that 50% of adults with debt also have mental health problems.

Oh, and what if you die from a preventable illness? All those years of stress and hard work to ascend the corporate ladder, earn a high salary and squirrel away a sizable retirement nest egg could be for nothing.

Being Healthy Is Lucrative – Put yourself in an employer’s shoes. At a job interview, one candidate is smiling, full of energy, and has a CV full of relevant experience. A second candidate seems pale, lethargic, and weary. And the third didn’t come because they had the flu.

You’d hire #1, right? It’d be the same if you were choosing someone to get a raise or promotion. And that’s just one example of how being fit and healthy can benefit someone financially. You need energy to work hard, be proactive, contribute to a team, and show up how you need to – qualities often rewarded with higher pay.

And let’s not forget that being healthy almost always means you live longer. As a result, you can (among other things):

  • Earn a salary for longer before retiring
  • Reap the benefits of employment for longer
  • Have more opportunities to climb the career ladder
  • Have longer for the value of your investments to compound

Source:  https://wealthtender.com/insights/health-is-wealth/

Health Benefits of Cinnamon Spice

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Cinnamon has many healthy benefits. Cinnamon is derived from the inner bark of Cinnamomum trees, and is high in cinnamaldehyde, a potent polyphenol antioxidant which has anti-inflammatory effects, reduces risk of heart disease, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure.

There are wo main types: Ceylon cinnamon (also known as “true” cinnamon) and Cassia cinnamon (more common).

Cinnamon also increases sensitivity to the hormone insulin, having a potent anti-diabetic effect. This spice also makes improvements in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and it may have protective effects against cancer.

Cinnamon contains powerful antioxidants, including polyphenols.

Cinnamon is loaded with highly potent polyphenol antioxidants. These antioxidants protect against oxidative damage caused by free radicals. One study found that cinnamon supplementation increased antioxidant levels in the blood and reduced inflammation markers.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties:

Cinnamon’s antioxidants have anti-inflammatory effects. Cinnamon’s anti-inflammatory effects contribute to its health benefits and chronic inflammation can be harmful to the body.

Other Benefits:

Modern studies suggest that cinnamon may have antitumor, analgesic, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, and immune system-boosting effects. While more evidence is needed, cinnamon shows promise in protecting against cancer and cardiovascular disease.

Remember to incorporate cinnamon into your diet through recipes or as a spice to enjoy its potential health benefits!

Sources:  https://microsoftstart.msn.com/en-us/health/ask-professionals/in-expert-answers-on-cinnamon/in-cinnamon

Be Healthier and Live Longer by Eating Less

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Researchers at the Longevity Institute of the Leonard Davis School of Gerontology at the University of Southern California have been able to predict the significant risk reduction and life-extending power of periodically mimicking a fasting diet.

According to their study, published in the scientific journal Nature, the potential health benefits gained from moderate, intermittent near-fasting are quite impressive. By periodically following a fast-mimicking diet, they say, it’s possible to delay the biological or physical aging process and have an extended disease-free period of life.

The fast-mimicking diet is a five-day (per month), plant-based diet low in calories and protein, followed by a normal diet supporting new or more functional cell growth. The fast-mimicking diet for study participants included vegetable-based soups, energy bars and drinks, chip snacks, tea, and a high-level vitamin, mineral, and essential fatty acid supplement.

Study participants included 100 men and women ages 18 to 70 and excluded anyone with major physical health conditions or mental illness.

The researchers found that just three monthly cycles of the fast-mimicking diet reduced biological aging by an average of two and a half years. Study participants also experienced weight loss, total body fat loss, reduced abdominal and liver fat, lower blood pressure, reduced triglycerides and cholesterol, lower fasting glucose levels, and reduced insulin resistance, especially in those with higher rates of these risk factors at the beginning of the study.

While ongoing calorie restriction alone can help reduce weight and control disease risk factors, it’s well-documented how difficult it is for most people to maintain a low- to very low-calorie diet for any significant time. For many, a periodic fast-mimicking plan may provide the same, if not more, risk-reducing benefits while less burdening the individual.

References:

  1. https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/cravings/202403/be-healthier-and-live-longer-by-occasionally-eating-less

Berberine

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Berberine is a bioactive compound found naturally in several plants, including a group of shrubs called Berberis. It has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine and offers impressive benefits for various health concerns.

Here’s how berberine works and some of its potential health benefits:

Blood Sugar Regulation:

  • Berberine has been shown to significantly lower blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes.
  • It works by:Decreasing insulin resistance, making insulin more effective.
    Increasing glycolysis (breaking down sugars inside cells).
  • Reducing sugar production in the liver.
  • Slowing carbohydrate breakdown in the gut.
  • Increasing beneficial gut bacteria.
  • In a study, taking 1 gram of berberine per day lowered fasting blood sugar by 20%and improved long-term blood sugar regulation.

Weight Loss:

Berberine may aid weight loss by affecting metabolism and energy levels.

It activates an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which plays a key role in regulating metabolism.

Additionally, berberine influences other molecules inside cells and may impact gene expression, potentially protecting against chronic health conditions.

Heart Health:

Berberine has been associated with improved levels of blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides).
It may be as effective as certain oral diabetes drugs in managing blood sugar.

Other Potential Benefits:

Berberine might aid in the treatment of conditions such as depression and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Research suggests it could have benefits for cancer, inflammation, and more.

In summary, berberine is a powerful supplement with a wide range of potential health benefits. However, as with any supplement, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using it.

Chronic Diseases Greatest Threat to Life Expectancy

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Chronic diseases are the greatest threat to life expectancy and public health, killing far more Americans between 35 and 64 every year.  ~ Washington Post

While opioids and gun violence in the U.S. have rightly seized the media and public’s attention, heart disease and cancer remained, even at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the leading causes of death for people 35 to 64, according to a Washington Post analysis of mortality data.

And many other conditions  have become more common, including diabetes and liver disease. These chronic ailments are the primary reason American life expectancy has been poor compared with other Westen nations.

The pandemic amplified a racial gap in life expectancy that had been narrowing in recent decades. In 2021, life expectancy for Native Americans was 65 years; for Black Americans, 71; for White Americans, 76; for Hispanic Americans, 78; and for Asian Americans 84.

Life expectancy is a wide-angle snapshot of average death rates for people in different places or age groups. The life expectancy metric is a reasonably good measure of a nation’s overall health. And America’s is not very good.

In essence, the U.S. healthcare system geared toward disease and illness treatment rather than prevention. Health care is “the only business that doesn’t reward for quality care. All we reward for is volume. Do more, and you’re going to get more money,” Michael Imburgia, a Louisville cardiologist said.

The rate of obesity deaths for adults 35 to 64 doubled from 1979 to 2000, then doubled again from 2000 to 2019. In 2005, a special reportin the New England Journal of Medicine warned that the rise of obesity would eventually halt and reverse historical trends in life expectancy. That warning generated little reaction.

Obesity is one reason progress against heart disease, after accelerating between 1980 and 2000, has slowed, experts say. Obesity is poised to overtake tobacco as the No. 1 preventable cause of cancer, according to Otis Brawley, an oncologist and epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University.

References:

  1. https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/interactive/2023/american-life-expectancy-dropping/

Nitric Oxide Sources

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Nitric oxide is a molecule that is very important to the way the body works, including how the blood flows, how the immune system works, and how the brain works.

Adding nitric oxide to your diet may help your health in a number of ways, such as lowering your blood pressure, improving your blood flow and exercise performance, and reducing inflammation.

Foods that are naturally high in nitric oxide or help the body produce more nitric oxide include:

  • Beets: Beets are a rich source of nitrates, which the body converts into nitric oxide. They also contain antioxidants and other nutrients that can support overall health.
  • Spinach: Spinach is another excellent source of nitrates and contains various other nutrients, including vitamins and minerals.
  • Berries: Many berries, including blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, contain antioxidants and other compounds that may support nitric oxide production.
  • Pomegranate: Pomegranate is high in antioxidants and has been shown to support nitric oxide production in the body.

MCT Oil

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MCT oil is a supplement from coconut and the molecules are smaller than those in most of the fats you eat, absorbed into the bloodstream quickly leading to higher energy level and more.

MCT Oil (Medium Chain Triglycerides) Benefits:

  • Promotes the growth of healthy gut bacteria, which strengthens the intestinal barrier.
  • Anti-Inflammatory
  • This oil can promote fat loss by increasing your metabolism, reducing body fat
  • Powerfully reduces appetite

Adding it to your morning cup of coffee, in your salad dressing, smoothies, and other non-cooked foods (it has a low smoke point, so avoid using MCT oil where heat is involved). Do not cook with it. Drizzle it over proteins and vegetables.

For beginners, start with 1 tsp.(4 grams) and scale up to 1 tbsp. (15 grams) per day.

Bulletproof Coffee

✔️ Brew a cup of high-quality coffee
✔️ Add 1-2 tablespoons of grass-fed butter
✔️ Mix in 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil
✔️ Blend until frothy and creamy

Benefits:
✔️ Boosts mental clarity and focus
✔️ Sustained energy without the crash
✔️ Helps with weight management
✔️ Enhances cognitive performance

Quality matters! Use top-notch ingredients for maximum nutrients and effects.

Lifestyle Changes to Diet, Sleep, and Exercise—Paired with interventions Like Relaxation Exercises Could Reverse the Aging Process

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A group of mature women lowered their biological age by an average of 5 years in just 8 weeks by lifestyle change consisting of exercise, healthy diet and adequate sleep. 

In the United States, dix in ten adults have at least one chronic disease and four in ten adults have two or more [1]. These diseases are a major cause of morbidity and mortality and they put a significant burden on the U.S. healthcare system as well as the society at large [2].

Aging has been identified as a common driver of chronic diseases and an important target for extending Americans’ healthspan [3]. Life expectancy for Americans has increased dramatically, although not all of the years gained are healthy. It has been estimated that if we improve Americans’ collective healthspan by just one year the calculated savings are worth $38 trillion dollars, and if by 10 years those savings jump to $367 trillion dollars [4].

Biological age clocks, based on DNA methylation marks, have become important surrogate markers to assess the effectiveness of interventions at reducing biological age, with the expectation that biological age reductions will compress morbidity and extend mortality [5, 6].

Lifestyle changes to diet, sleep, and exercise—paired with interventions like relaxation exercises and supplements—could reverse the aging process, according to new research.

Six women between the ages of 46 and 65 underwent an eight-week program that included alterations to diet, sleep, and exercise. They were also given relaxation guidance, probiotic and phytonutrient supplements, and nutritional coaching.

Blood tests showed a reduction in biological age of up to 11 years in five of the six women, with the average participant experiencing a 4.6-year decrease, according to the study, published in March in the journal Aging.

References:

  1. About chronic disease. Center for Disease Control. 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/about/index.htm.
  2. Woolf SH, Schoomaker H. Life Expectancy and Mortality Rates in the United States, 1959-2017. JAMA. 2019; 322:1996–2016. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2019.16932[PubMed]
  3. Kennedy BK, Berger SL, Brunet A, Campisi J, Cuervo AM, Epel ES, Franceschi C, Lithgow GJ, Morimoto RI, Pessin JE, Rando TA, Richardson A, Schadt EE, et al. Geroscience: linking aging to chronic disease. Cell. 2014; 159:709–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2014.10.039[PubMed]
  4. Scott AJ, Ellison M, Sinclair DA. The economic value of targeting aging. Nat Aging. 2021; 1:616–23. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43587-021-00080-0
  5. Bergsma T, Rogaeva E. DNA Methylation Clocks and Their Predictive Capacity for Aging Phenotypes and Healthspan. Neurosci Insights. 2020; 15:2633105520942221. https://doi.org/10.1177/2633105520942221[PubMed]
  6. Belsky DW, Caspi A, Corcoran DL, Sugden K, Poulton R, Arseneault L, Baccarelli A, Chamarti K, Gao X, Hannon E, Harrington HL, Houts R, Kothari M, et al. DunedinPACE, a DNA methylation biomarker of the pace of aging. Elife. 2022; 11:e73420. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.73420 [PubMed]
  7. https://fortune.com/well/2023/05/17/how-to-lower-biological-age-lifestyle-changes-diet-exercise-relaxation-probiotics/
  8. https://www.aging-us.com/article/204602/text

13 Habits Linked to a Long Life

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13 Habits Linked to a Long Life (Backed by Science) from Healthline.com

Eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly may increase your life expectancy. Other factors, like overeating and drinking more than a moderate level of alcohol, may reduce your risk of certain diseases.