Do you suffer from ulcers? If so, it’s time to get off the meds and make a Cranberry Yogurt Smoothie.

A recent study published in Nutrition found that regular consumption of cranberry juice and/or a probiotic strain called Lactobacillus johnsonii helps to kill H. pylori (the bacterium that causes ulcers).

Researchers found that both the probiotic and the cranberry juice were individually effective at reducing H. pylori, but when combined they reduced the occurrence of ulcers by 22.9 percent!

While you can certainly get the benefits from supplements, why not make a delicious ulcer-fighting smoothie instead? Blend 1 tsp. of organic cranberry powder, half a cup of organic plain yogurt (make sure it has L. johnsonii cultures), 2 ice cubes, 2 Tbsp. of water, and a quarter tsp. of stevia for a tasty way to drink your ulcers away.

[Ed. Note: For more advice on the best foods to eat - and those you should avoid - as well as how you can apply the latest health breakthroughs to your own life, sign up for ETR's natural health newsletter. Get your free roadmap to feeling better and living longer right here.

Who says dessert can't be healthy? Nutrition expert Kelley Herring's brand-new recipe e-book, Guilt-Free Desserts, reveals 40 easy-to-make, mouthwateringly delicious, 100% healthy dessert recipes you can make at home. Order today, and you'll receive the e-book Healthy Holiday Hors d'Oeuvres for free.]

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Winston recently lost his brother to cancer. When a dear friend failed to call him afterward, Winston was hurt. “Why didn’t Alison call?” he wondered. “She must not care.”

Maybe Alison felt uncomfortable… Maybe she didn’t know what to say… Maybe she wanted to give Winston a few days to compose himself. But whatever she was thinking, not calling as soon as she heard about his brother’s death was a mistake.

When people lose someone close to them, they don’t need silence. They need to feel that other people care – that they are not alone.

If you don’t know what to say, tell them that you don’t know what to say. If you feel awkward, tell them that you feel awkward. But no matter what you do, or how you convey your condolences, make sure you acknowledge their loss instead of avoiding it.

Saying something as simple as “I’m so sorry for your loss” will give your friend the sympathy he needs.

[Ed. Note: What's most important to you during times of loss? How would you like your friends and loved ones to show you they care? Let us know in the comments section right here.]

Whether it’s simple forgetfulness or the all-out scourge of Alzheimer’s, the loss of mental acuity as we age ruins quality of life. To the surprise of most, studies show that this decline can be slowed or even prevented with the energizing combo of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and acetyl-L-carnitine (ALCAR). 

In addition to boosting ATP within the brain, ALCAR increases neurotransmitters like acetylcholine while protecting neurons from oxidative stress. This makes the ALA/ALCAR combo a potent weapon against Alzheimer’s induced memory loss. In fact, I’d choose it over the commonly used medications, which are known technically as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEs).

Little is known about what causes Alzheimer’s, but all sufferers appear to have low levels of acetylcholine. Using AChEs, the drug industry attempts to increase this essential brain chemical by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine within the brain. Theoretically, this would enhance or preserve memory. But if there is little or no acetylcholine to preserve, the drugs are useless. Perhaps that is why they have only marginal benefits – benefits that do not outweigh their immense risks.

Believe it or not, AChEs are synthetic copycats of naturally occurring poisons and venoms! Their use is rationalized by the “a lot kills, a little cures” mentality. But evidence doesn’t support this. Research consistently shows users to suffer short-term side effects, including diarrhea, anorexia, vomiting, and tremors. Long-term side effects include kidney damage and even cancer.

Where these drugs fail, the energizing ALA/ALCAR combo succeeds.

Once ingested, both ALA and ALCAR pass the blood-brain barrier to nourish brain cells, thereby helping them manufacture more acetylcholine – to preserve and restore life’s most precious memories as we age.

Pure forms of ALA and ALCAR can be purchased from Wal-Mart for about $15 per month. About 200 mg of ALA with 2 to 3 grams of ALCAR daily have proven wildly effective.

[Ed. Note: Alzheimer's is a legitimate concern. But if you take a few simple measures, you can protect your health and live a longer, more satisfying life.

Most people are confused about whether those prescription drugs or supplements they're taking are REALLY good for their health. Author and organic chemist Shane Ellison can help you clear up your confusion with his Foundational Health Education program. Learn more here.]

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I have some bad news for you. According to scientists at New York’s Presbyterian Medical Center at Columbia University, folks who succeed in losing weight tend to wind up suffering from a lower than expected metabolic rate. This means that if you lose weight, you will burn fewer calories each day than someone of the same weight who was never overweight.

Seems unfair, doesn’t it?

The researchers studied three groups: subjects who had lost 10 percent of their bodyweight and kept it off for up to one year, subjects who just recently lost 10 percent of their bodyweight, and a control group.

All of the subjects were studied for 24 hours straight to determine how many calories they burned. Results showed that both weight-loss groups burned fewer calories during the 24 hours than the control group, even though they were matched by weight and gender.

This decrease in calorie burning is just one of the many reasons you will find it easier to regain weight after you lose weight.

So what can you do?

You must do everything you can to boost your metabolism. I highly recommend to all of my clients that they use interval training or high-intensity cardio rather than low-intensity cardio, and that they also engage in high-intensity resistance training three times per week. By performing high-intensity exercise, you will put up the greatest fight against your handicapped metabolism.

[Ed. Note: Don't give up. You CAN get the body you want. And the experts at Total Health Breakthroughs are ready to help. They'll share fitness tips, healthy eating recommendations, delicious recipes, and much more - all for free. Learn more here.

And for an exercise regimen that can help you build muscle and burn fat, try fitness expert Craig Ballantyne's Turbulence Training program.]

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Was it anthrax poisoning? Or lymphoma?

Those were the two possible diagnoses WebMD spat out when a sick friend of mine typed her symptoms into the site’s database.

Luckily, she had an appointment with a live doctor the next day.

The doctor diagnosed her with a severe case of strep throat or tonsillitis. Not nearly as life-threatening as anthrax poisoning or lymphoma, and completely treatable.

At least three-quarters of all Internet users do health research online, according to a recent article in The New York Times. And one in nine high-speed-connection users do health research on a given day.

Problem is, sites like WebMD offer the potential for misdiagnosis.

Some medical conditions have similar symptoms – and wildly different treatments. Confuse strep throat and the benign scratchy throat you get with a cold, and you could end up with rheumatic fever. On the other hand, a misdiagnosis could cause you to panic needlessly. (And who wouldn’t freak out just a little at the thought of having anthrax poisoning?)

We’ve written in ETR about “cyberchondriacs” – chronic worriers who self-diagnose online. Yet with 75 percent of Internet users visiting these sites, it is important to keep in mind some guidelines for using them responsibly.

Dr. James LaValle, founder of the LaValle Metabolic Institute, has this advice for ETR readers:

“While online searching to figure out what illness you may have can help you to better understand a condition or symptoms that you are experiencing, there is no substitute for getting checked out by your physician in person. Many times people come into our Institute worried that they have a dreaded illness based on their Web searching, and honestly the majority of the time they have come up with the absolute worse case scenario. So gain access to reputable information, and consult your healthcare provider before you go into a full-blown panic.”

[Ed. Note: Dr. James B. LaValle, RPh, ND, CCN, is a nationally recognized expert on natural therapies. In fact, in 1998 he was named one of the "50 Most Influential Druggists" by American Druggist for his work in natural medicine. Learn how his understanding of natural medicine and the human body can change your health - and your life.] 

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Sugar isn’t always what you think it is. These days, most of it has been replaced with an impostor.

Known as high-fructose corn syrup (HFCS), this synthetic sweetener masquerades as being natural and healthy. But a chemical reaction discovered in 1914 by the French chemist Louis Camille Maillard proves otherwise. Every time you consume the corn syrup, it acts as wrinkle fertilizer, courtesy of “glycation” – the process by which sugars like HFCS bind to amino acids in the bloodstream and become Advanced Glycation End (AGE) products. This class of toxins has been linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, diabetes, vascular and kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s.

Hardly natural, HFCS is made in a lab. Corn syrup is chemically altered in such a way that it becomes “high-fructose” corn syrup.” This leads to a much higher rate of AGE production than occurs with plain old sugar. As sure as night follows day, AGE products bind to collagen, causing it to get twisted and tangled. This shows up as age spots, wrinkles, and everything else that makes skin look old and crumbly.

So steer clear of HFCS. Instead, opt for stevia or erythritol.

[Ed. Note: With tricky substances like HFCS lurking everywhere you turn, it can be hard to stay healthy. But if you take a few simple measures, you can protect your health and live a longer, more satisfying life.

Health expert Shane Ellison simplifies complex health issues while revealing the supplements and lifestyle habits that can help you beat today's pandemic killers. Want to learn how to overcome obesity, heart disease, and even cancer? Discover the latest natural cures? Read more here.]

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I was surprised to see Charlie Byrne, Associate Publisher of Early to Rise, emerge from the lunch room with a large chocolate bar.

Charlie runs marathons and is in the peak of health. I’d never seen him touch junk food before. Even when someone brings in a box of doughnuts or tempting homemade brownies, he politely says no. So what gives?

I had to ask. “Taking a break from healthy food today, Charlie?”

“Actually, no” he replied. What he told me next warmed my chocolate-loving heart. “I’m eating this chocolate to lower my blood pressure.”.

Yes, as ETR’s health experts have said time and again, it’s true – eating chocolate has many health benefits. It can help prevent cancer, lower your risk of heart disease, and improve brain function.

Of course you should always use moderation. And some kinds of chocolate are better than others. For instance, dark chocolate is better for you than milk or white chocolate because it is high in antioxidants. Plus, as Charlie explained, many dark chocolate bars contain very little sugar. And, he told me, “The really dark chocolate bars are so strong, you only need a small bite to get your ‘chocolate fix.’”

A recent article in Consumer Reports can point you to the healthiest chocolate options around. Judging each “contestant” based on flavor and amount of polyphenols (the antioxidant found in dark chocolate), they gave Cacao Reserve Extra Dark with Cacao Nibs (by Hershey) the highest rating, while Lindt’s Excellence Extra Fine Dark (Charlie’s pick) and Chocolove’s Organic Dark also received high marks.

But, according to the article, CocoaVia’s Original, Ghirardelli’s Intense Dark Twilight Delight, and Newman’s Own Organics Sweet Dark chocolate aren’t worth breaking your diet over.

[Ed. Note: Even your favorite foods - like chocolate - can be good for you. To find out which foods are healthy and which ones you should avoid, as well as to get all the latest breakthroughs in the health industry, sign up for ETR's cutting-edge, bi-weekly newsletter. It's free, and the information and advice it contains could literally save your life.]

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You probably know that guarding your health means sugar and artificial sweeteners are out. But thanks to safe, all-natural sweeteners – including erythritol, stevia, and agave nectar you can satisfy your sweet tooth without sabotaging your health.

And today, I have another one for you to try. Coconut sugar.

Made from the evaporated sap of the coconut flower, coconut sugar tastes much like brown sugar. But unlike sugar’s 60-65 score on the glycemic index, coconut sugar ranks a low 35. What’s more, coconut sugar is denser in minerals, including potassium and magnesium.

Because coconut sugar does, in fact, contain “sugars,” the best way to use it is in combination with erythritol or stevia. It produces a wonderful caramel-like flavor that you can add to healthy home-baked goodies.

[Ed. Note: Sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, Splenda, aspartame... So many sweeteners are bad for you, it's nice to know you can still appease your sweet tooth with healthy alternatives. Nutrition expert Kelley Herring has created a delicious chocolate cake that's entirely sugar-free. Get your slice here.

For more advice on the best foods to eat - and those you should avoid - as well as how you can apply the latest health breakthroughs to your own life, sign up for ETR's natural health newsletter. Get your free roadmap to feeling better and living longer right here.]

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I’m no health saint. Every now and then I do something really dumb. It’s rare, but I’ve been known to drink too much wine or beer and even indulge in the occasional cigar. All of these are toxic. As a rogue chemist-turned-consumer-health-advocate, I’m not proud of imbibing. However, it’s my choice. And that’s the point. Exposing yourself to toxins should be a choice. But modern day society rarely allows this.

Many people are unknowingly poisoning themselves with man-made industrial toxins. The gender-bender known as triclosan is one example – and it makes my toxic indulgences seem as harmless as apple juice.

Triclosan is used in a nauseating array of household products, including toothpastes, soaps, and lotions. Synthesized over 30 years ago, it was once thought to be a safe and effective antibiotic. But results from a recent UC Davis study have sounded the triclosan alarm.

Researchers discovered that it accumulates in the body – even when applied topically – to eventually disrupt hormone activity. The study found that triclosan throws our thyroid and sex hormones out of whack, potentially leading to obesity, infertility, cancer, and age acceleration. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that 75 percent of people from a random sample were positive for triclosan.

There appear to be laws that protect us from such toxic exposure, but appearances can be deceiving. In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act. It requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine safe levels of toxins in drinking water and over-the-counter products like toothpastes and soaps. These levels are called Maximum Contaminant Level Goals (MCLG). None of them are enforceable. That’s why the gender-bending triclosan was recently approved for use in over 140 household products despite its real and present danger!

The best way to avoid this and many other toxins is to choose organic. Natural soaps and the safe antibiotic zinc oxide work as well as triclosan at beating infection. And neither of them can accidentally poison you.

[Ed. Note: With tricky substances like triclosan lurking everywhere you turn, it’s not easy to stay healthy. But if you take a few simple measures, you can protect your health and live a longer, more satisfying life.

Health expert Shane Ellison simplifies the complex, and teaches you how the right supplements and lifestyle habits can help you beat today’s pandemic killers. Learn how to overcome obesity, heart disease, and even cancer – and discover the latest natural cures – with Shane’s Foundational Health Education program.

You can learn a lot about what’s good for your body – and what isn’t – by reading medical literature. But you have to be careful. Take, for instance, two recent studies that gave negative press to some very beneficial vitamins. The way these study results were reported can give the impression that we don’t need vitamins B12, B6, and folate. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Here’s the real story…

Both studies found that a cocktail of B12, B6, and folate lower homocysteine (a byproduct of an amino acid found in the blood). But, surprisingly, they didn’t find that this translated into less risk of mortality or cardiovascular events.

In fact, several previous studies have shown that homocysteine is a marker for increased risk of heart disease and stroke. And homocysteine levels go up when the body doesn’t have enough B vitamins. Also, low levels of folate have been associated with increased cardiovascular risk.

Folate affects a lot more than heart health. It regulates DNA in cells, which is important for healthy cell division. For mothers-to-be, adequate folate is needed to prevent neural tube defects in developing fetuses, miscarriages, and Down’s syndrome. It is particularly effective in preventing colon and breast cancer. And it has been found to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by more than 50 percent. It also reduces high blood pressure, as well as the risk of stroke.

What I find most disturbing about these two recent studies is that because both found a slight increased cancer risk in patients taking folate and B vitamin supplements, researchers are now questioning their safety. And because of the way this has been reported, people are now afraid of these essential nutrients. Meanwhile, the increase was so small it was not even considered statistically significant. Plus, the overwhelming majority of studies on folate have found it to be cancer protective.

What should you do? Let science continue to sort out the confusion. In the meantime, make sure you get adequate folate to protect your health – and not only in your daily multivitamin. Folate is found in leafy green vegetables, oranges, broccoli, asparagus, peas, and some beans.

There is one caveat, however. About 20 percent of the population has a gene mutation that prevents them from getting the benefit of the folate in their food or the usual form found in multivitamins. It is a good idea to get tested by your doctor for this mutation. If you have it, you need to take folate in its activated form: 5 methyl tetra hydro folate (5 MTHF).

[Ed. Note: Sometimes it can be overwhelming to try to sort through the massive amounts of information coming out about your health. Let ETR's health experts make it easy for you. You can get advice from fitness and nutrition experts - and their interpretations of the latest breakthroughs - in ETR's free natural health e-letter. Sign up today.

It truly is possible to improve your health just by making a few simple changes to your diet and lifestyle. James B. LaValle, RPh, ND, CCN - founder of the LaValle Metabolic Institute and a nationally recognized expert on natural therapies - can give you easy-to-understand directions for living the healthy life you've always wanted. Learn how to feel better and live longer right here.]

Everyone has cancer. Johns Hopkins recently reminded us of this fact while studying how most of us beat cancer’s deadly outcome: the immune system. When it identifies a cancerous cell, it attacks and eliminates it from the body. But every now and then, this system gets hoodwinked by rogue cancer cells.

Rogue cancer cells have the ability to become invisible and, therefore, overcome our immune-system defenses. This superpower of theirs helps them invade other regions of the body. Internally, we become a playground for cancerous infection and disease. Slow death ensues.

To beat rogue cancer cells, you need to eliminate their ability to become invisible to your immune system. What keeps cancer cells out of sight? Trophoblast cells. You can expose cancer for what it is by boosting your pancreatic enzymes. Pancreatic enzymes eliminate trophoblast cells and thus reveal to your “immunity radar” any underlying cancer cells for eventual eradication.

Several natural medicines that attack trophoblast cells have been identified. The most effective are flavonoids found in broccoli, whey isolate, B-17 from the apricot seed, and curcumin.

Considering their aggressive attack on invisible cancer cells, boosting pancreatic enzymes should be a daily habit for anyone who wants to ward off the everyday occurrence of cancer.

[Ed. Note: Cancer is a legitimate concern. But if you take a few simple measures, you can protect your health and live a longer, more satisfying life.

Most people are confused about what it means to be healthy... or whether those prescription drugs or supplements are REALLY good for their health. Author and organic chemist Shane Ellison can help you clear up the confusion with his Foundational Health Education program. Learn more here.]

Everyone knows that tobacco can cause cancer. But what you might not know is that it may soon play a role in keeping cancer in check.

Scientists are using tobacco plants to grow an experimental vaccine for a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma. Based on initial trials, the plant-based vaccine appears to be safe for humans. Whether or not it will trigger patients’ immune systems to attack their tumors, however, remains to be seen.

(Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

When you get stuck in a royal mess – and we all do sometimes – here’s how to get out of it looking squeaky clean and grinning like a Cheshire cat…

Got a speeding ticket and afraid your insurance premiums are about to skyrocket?  Don’t sweat it.  I’ll show you the smartest way to legally beat the ticket – without hiring an expensive lawyer to plead your case.

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Listen:  No matter which of life’s frustrations come your way, there are clever ways to easily get out of most of them.  I’m even willing to share them all with you – FREE!  Click here to learn why.