Back to School Nutrition: Nature's One-a-day for Health – Your Health Detective

We’ve all heard the old clichés about apples:

An apple a day keeps the doctor away
You’re the apple of my eye
That tradition is as American as mom and apple pie
Anyone can count the seeds in an apple, but only God can count the number of apples in a seed.” – Robert H. Schuller
“It is remarkable how closely the history of the Apple-tree is connected with that of man.” – Henry David Thoreau, Wild Apples
“Pessimism is as American as apple pie – frozen apple pie with a slice of processed cheese.” – George Will

Now, allow me to share with you the scientific reasons why “an apple a day” is one of the best investments you can make for your health and that of your family. That said, I’m not referring to applesauce that’s already been cooked and depleted of its enzymes, or an apple that’s been peeled, I’m referring to a raw apple in any form you choose to consume it.

Historical Perspective

Apples are low in calories, a good source of fiber, vitamin C, antioxidant compounds such as Quercetin, epicatechin, and procyanidin B₂.

Apples are all crisp, white-fleshed fruits with red, yellow or green skin. They have been eaten since as far back as 6500 B.C. and anthropologists have discovered fossil remains showing that apples were gathered and stored 5,000 years ago and most likely cultivated during the Neolithic times. The apple tree originated in Asia and belongs to the Malus domestica species of the rose family Rosaceae.

Health Benefits

Apples…

· Reduce cholesterol: The pectin in apples lowers LDL cholesterol. By just eating 2 apples a day, you can reduce your cholesterol level by up to 10% – pectin binds with cholesterol and fats before the body absorbs them and thus they are then eliminated via the intestines. The polyphenols extracted from apples are also shown to significantly lower cholesterol. Quercetin found in apples prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol.

· Reduces risk of Cancer: The flavonoids in quercetin present in apple prevents oxygen molecules from damaging individual cells – capable of preventing cell changes that can lead to cancer. Due to the high amount of flavonoids in apples, those who eat more apples can lower their chances of lung cancer by up to 50% according to a study of 10,000 people. According to studies done on rats, apples can also reduce the risk of breast cancer by 17 percent and colon cancer by 43 percent. The reduction in the colon cancer risk is attributed to the pectin in apples (acting as fiber) which helps regulate bowel movements and maintain a healthy digestive tract.

· Reduce the risk of heart disease: The phytonutrients in apples act as antioxidants to keep our heart healthy. Flavonoids, besides providing antioxidant protection, prevent inflammation, prevent too many blood platelets from clumping together, and help regulate blood pressure. Both of these blood issues are associated with arteriosclerosis, stroke and heart ailments.

· Diabetes Management: The pectin in apples supplies galacturonic acid to the body which lowers the body’s need for insulin and may help in the management of diabetes. A 2005 study found that women who eat at least one apple a day are 28 percent less likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who don’t eat apples. Also, apples are a low GI food so you don’t get that sugar high and then crash.

· Dental health: The natural acidic properties of apples help to keep the teeth clean and your breath smelling better. When you eat apples, the fiber in it cleanses the teeth, while the antiviral properties of the fruit keep bacteria and virus away. Chewing an apple also stimulates the production of saliva in your mouth, which helps in reducing tooth decay by lowering the levels of bacteria.

· Stronger Bones: Apple contains a flavonoid called phloridzin which protects post-menopausal women from osteoporosis and also increases bone density. Apples also contain Boron which strengthens bones.

· Aids Digestion: Apples being rich in fiber help digestion – apple skin is considered roughage and a great remedy for constipation.

· Aids weight loss: Apples are a low caloric density food which means they have a high concentration of water relative to their calorie content. This allows you to have a greater sense of fullness while taking in fewer calories. A study confirms that women who ate three apples per day lost more weight while dieting than women who did not eat fruit while dieting. Apple polyphenols have also demonstrated the ability to regulate fat metabolism.

· Reduces Alzheimer’s risk: A new study on mice conducted at Cornell University found that drinking apple juice could keep Alzheimer’s away and fight the effects of aging on the brain. According to the researchers, quercetin in apples may protect brain cells from the kind of free radical damage that may lead to Alzheimer’s disease.

To fully benefit from the health-enhancing properties of apples, one must consume apples with the skin – the skin is the most nutritive part of the apple. The health benefits of apples are truly amazing and remember, “An apple a day really does keep the doctor away.”

Your Health Detective:

Uncovering Clues to Add LIFE to Your Years…NOT Merely Years to Your Life, Naturally

Dr. Gloria Gilbère (aka Dr. G), N.D., D.A.Hom., Ph.D., D.S.C.,

EcoErgonomist, Wholistic Rejuvenist

Dr. Gilbère is renowned worldwide for her work in identifying and finding natural solutions to chemically-induced and inflammatory disorders, multiple chemical sensitivities, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, Gulf War Syndrome, and digestive disorders that defy conventional diagnosis and treatment. She consults worldwide via telephone and at her Institute in north Idaho. Visit her website at www.gloriagilbere.com for details about consulting with her.

Creator of certificated courses to become a Wholistic Rejuvenist™ (CWR) and for post-graduate education for health and spa professionals. Go to www.gloriagilbere.com and click on Wholistic Skin & Body Rejuvenation (WSBR™) for course outline. Available on-site at worldwide locations, and via distance-learning at your convenience globally.

Information in this newsletter is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by medical professionals, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent a disease or disorder. The FDA has not reviewed or endorsed the contents of this educational publication.

Copyright is held by Gloria E. Gilbère, to which all rights are reserved. Other than personal, non-commercial use or forwarding, no material in this newsletter may be copied, distributed, or published without the expressed written permission of its author and copyright holder.