As we mature, our physiological processes slow down and therefore extra attention must be placed on them in order to avoid the problems associated with aging. Simply put, as we age our bodies are in need of greater upkeep. This is especially true with active adults who frequently exercise or participate in sports. It is even more significant for those who are on a weight loss or doctor prescribed diet. According to Drummond, “Over 50, there is usually a change in diet and a loss of muscle mass accordingly. Energy needs are usually lower but the proportionate amount of dietary protein has to change to insure the body is getting what it requires. Protein intake from meals may not be sufficient either and there are other issues such as the fats and additives in meats that aren’t good for you. As a dietician my approach is to encourage patients to get the protein needed from whole food sources but that’s not always possible. If you can’t you need a good, all-natural protein supplement.”

In addition, many people only get their adequate share of protein intake at one meal during the day. Studies now show that distributing protein intake more evenly through the day is more likely to provide a greater 24 hour protein anabolic response, meaning that fuel burning and recovery will be enhanced. According to a study cited at www.NutritionandMetabolism.com, dietary patterns that provide adequate protein at only one meal produce an anabolic response only after that meal. This is a critical factor for protection of lean tissues during weight loss or to prevent age-related sarcopenia and osteoporosis. In other words, if you consume proper protein levels only at one meal you’re only getting the benefit of these natural proteins in the short time frame after the meal, but your body is burning and craving more protein during the rest of the day and night. Eating large quantities of protein based foods like chicken and eggs may not be convenient or desirable and this is where a tasty protein shake can act as a responsible meal substitute.

Protein deficiencies can be overcome with supplementation but here’s where it gets tricky, as almost all protein supplements come from synthetic sources or use sugars and additives that can cause severe and unpleasant side effects. Ingredients such as sucrose, high fructose corn syrup, dextrose or maltodextrin are widely used in protein drinks to ill effect. Also, these supplemental formulas use mostly protein from whey, which can have an adverse allergic reaction from those with even the slightest lactose intolerance. These unwanted side effects can include bloating, indigestion, constipation and cramping.

Read the labels of any protein supplements before you buy. Make sure they are all natural and contain no unnatural sugars or additives like maltodextrin or sucrose. A microprocessed blend without these additives will not only replenish protein in the body but will work without those associated side effects.

Visit www.ProteinPowerMix.com to learn more about our all natural proteins.

“I am very conscious of what I put into my body,” says Waples, who hails from Ottawa. “I talk to groups all the time and it’s amazing how many kids 12 and 14 years old are using energy drinks and supplements. And people ask about steroids too. I just tell them that I would never put any of that in my body and that they have to discover all natural solutions. That’s why I am excited about Protein Power Mix.”

True Healthy Products used the Europa Show of Champions Sports and Supplement Expo in Orlando, Florida as a venue to launch its newest entry into the protein wars and the response was overwhelmingly positive. In addition to having Waples at the booth, the team also consisted of former Mister Florida, Corey Simpson and college and pro football legend Roger Craig.

CEO Jan Hrkach was overjoyed with the show of star power. “To have these three people, all at the top of their game, at our booth to introduce our new product was a dream come true. When everyone saw those three, they began to gravitate to our booth and try our product. We got rave reviews all over the place. While Natalie was impressing the judges from the stage, she was also impressing attendees and her fellow fitness models that all-natural is the way to go. Said Waples, “I love what True Healthy Products stands for and I feel strongly that using all natural foods and supplements should be a priority for all athletes, and really for everyone!”

Whether bodybuilders, power lifters, strongman competitors or fitness models, it was practically unanimous that a quality protein drink was a major part of their routines and that the smooth tasting, naturally sweet, all natural Protein Power Mix was an exciting newcomer. Several walked away impressed with the benefits of going natural. Even veteran bodybuilder Andy Haman was impressed by the taste. “I’ve been using protein my whole career and this is one I feel like I can recommend to everyone.”

Natalie will also be with the THP team when they introduce Protein Power Mix, as well as several of the other stellar products in their health and fitness lineup, at the Europa Show in Dallas, Texas this August 14 and 15.

According to Hrkach, “We first met Natalie while we were promoting Stemulite. She was using it with tremendous results and I was so impressed by her that I asked if she would try some of our other products. As we began to develop Protein Power Mix, Natalie was one of the first people we asked to sample it. Her feedback was invaluable and her hearty, unsolicited endorsement convinced us that we had to get her on our team. It’s an honor to have someone of that stature as one of our first celebrity endorsers.” Hrkach went on to say: “The fact that Natalie teaches and works with others, and is an all-natural athlete, means so much to a company like True Healthy products because that’s what we are all about. I won’t market anything that isn’t 100 percent natural and good for people.”

In only two short years Natalie has gone from amateur enthusiast to Champion, all while going the all natural route. That’s just one reason she is fast becoming a role model for other women interested in fitness modeling and weight training. And that’s also why teaming up with Protein Power Mix was a natural fit. “This is a ‘state-of-the-art all natural formula’ developed by nutrition expert Andrew Wood. Wood, himself a power lifter and former college baseball player has created something I can be proud to put my name on.”

According to Waples, another thing that distinguishes this blend from other proteins on the market is a dual formula approach. There’s a daytime and “slow-burn” nighttime formula that works well individually or in combination as a meal replacement or protein energy boost. There is nothing artificial – no sucrose or maltodextrin – and they added an all natural stem cell recruiter for maximum muscle gain. “It is also extremely friendly to the digestive system, and it tastes great – and that’s no small matter when you’re drinking a supplemental protein every day.”

Waples is looking to expand her schedule and will be working with Hrkach to promote several of the other all natural products in the THP line.

Protein Power Mix is available exclusively at www.truehealthyproducts.com.

Last year, while searching for an all natural supplement that would increase endurance, muscle tone and aid in recovery, Craig ran across an ad for Stemulite Fitness Formula and decided to try it. He was so pleased with the results that he began to recommend it to others then contacted True Healthy Products CEO, Jan Hrkach, personally to rave about the results. That call eventually led to Craig endorsing Stemulite and making TV commercials for True Healthy Products. The relationship has blossomed ever since.

According to Hrkach, “Roger was one of the first people that were consulted as we began to develop Protein Power Mix. His ringing endorsement of our all natural formula gave our entire team a lift, and we were delighted to have him join us as a marketing partner.” Hrkach continued his praise of Craig and the influence he has had on other athletes as well as consumers. “To a small but growing business like True Healthy Products, having an athlete with the high regard and creditability of Roger Craig means a lot. He’s so involved with so many worthwhile projects, that we are thrilled he has chosen to work with us.”

Craig has been so impressed by this all natural formula that he has encouraged his son and daughter to take it as well. “The flavor is awesome. It gives me the energy to get through my workout every day and sits well in my stomach with no bloating like other proteins I have used. Yesterday I ran 12 miles, and I felt so good! Sometimes after an intense run, I feel really hungry but I felt fine – I felt energized!” said Craig. When asked about the taste of Protein Power Mix , he stated enthusiastically, “It is simply awesome! It has a creamy vanilla taste I like. It’s great combined with fruit like bananas, and it’s smooth . . . goes down easily.” As a regular user of 9 a Day Plus, Craig says, “I mix both powder products in the blender with juice. That way I get all I need in one shot with a real good flavor.”

18 year old Alex Craig is following in his dad’s footsteps as a world class athlete. He runs the 400 and 200 in college and has been using Protein Power Mix as part of his training regimen. He says, “I was skeptical at first, you know… here’s another protein drink, but it goes down easy and tastes real good with OJ. It gives me great energy.” Craig’s daughter, Rometra is a former USC basketball star and California Female Athlete of the Year. She too enjoys the taste and energy boost she gets from Protein Power Mix. She combines it with 9 a Day Plus vitamin and mineral supplement for a complete meal replacement that doesn’t add unwanted fat but delivers a powerful energy lift.

Protein Power Mix is a ‘state-of-the-art formula’ developed by nutrition expert, Andrew Wood. Wood, a power lifter and former baseball player, says that his formula distinguishes itself from other products on the market with a daytime and ‘slow-burn’ nighttime formula that work well individually or in combination as a meal replacement or protein energy boost. It’s all natural formula contains no sucrose or maltodextrin and has a all natural stem cell recruiter for maximum muscle gain. It is also extremely friendly to the digestive system, and as noted by Mr. Craig, “It tastes great, and that’s no small matter when you’re drinking a supplemental protein every day.” Indeed, Wood’s inspiration for developing Protein Power Mix was his aversion to the many protein drinks on the market. He states, “Either they didn’t taste so hot, or they were loaded with sugars or artificial sweeteners that didn’t sit well in my stomach. I had to find a better way, so I decided to create one myself.”

Protein Power Mix is available exclusively at www.truehealthyproducts.com April 9, 2009

Experts recommend limiting saturated fat to less than 10 percent of your daily calories, no more than 300 milligrams of cholesterol each day. Lowering your consumption of saturated fats has been proven to lower “LDL cholesterol.”

So what is cholesterol and what is meant by the terms “good cholesterol” and “bad cholesterol?” According to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, “Cholesterol is a lipidic, waxy alcohol found in the cell membranes and transported in the blood plasma. Although cholesterol is essential for life, high levels in circulation are associated with atherosclerosis.” Among other functions, “cholesterol is required to build and maintain cell membranes; it regulates membrane fluidity over a wide range of temperatures.” In layman’s terms cholesterol is a fatty goop found in the blood and tissues of your body which are an essential part of body functionality. But a high level of cholesterol in the blood — a condition known as hypercholesterolemia — is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack or stroke.

Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood. It must be transported to and from the cells by special carriers called lipoproteins. There are several kinds, but the ones to focus on are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). A definition of LDL and HDL cholesterol on the American Heart Association’s website defines these as follows:

• Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is the major cholesterol carrier in the blood. If too much LDL cholesterol circulates in the blood, it can slowly build up in the walls of the arteries feeding the heart and brain. Together with other substances it can form plaque, a thick, hard deposit that can clog those arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis. A clot (thrombus) that forms near this plaque can block the blood flow to part of the heart muscle and cause a heart attack. If a clot blocks the blood flows to part of the brain, a stroke results. A high level of LDL cholesterol (160 mg/dL and above) reflects an increased risk of heart disease. If you have heart disease, your LDL cholesterol should be less than 100 mg/dL and your doctor may even set your goal to be less than 70 mg/dL. That’s why LDL cholesterol is called “bad” cholesterol. Lower levels of LDL cholesterol reflect a lower risk of heart disease.
• About one-third to one-fourth of blood cholesterol is carried by HDL. Medical experts think HDL tends to carry cholesterol away from the arteries and back to the liver, where it’s passed from the body. Some experts believe HDL removes excess cholesterol from plaques and thus slows their growth. HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol because a high HDL level seems to protect against heart attack. The opposite is also true: a low HDL level (less than 40 mg/dL in men; less than 50 mg/dL in women) indicates a greater risk. A low HDL cholesterol level also may raise stroke risk.

Poor diet, smoking and lack of exercise can increase cholesterol levels in the body and put you at risk of heart failure. Conversely, non-smokers who adhere to a solid aerobic exercise program and heart healthy diet can help avoid these adverse health conditions. Tobacco lowers HDL and exercise raises HDL levels. It’s that simple. If you are a smoker, especially those of you who are in high stress lifestyles, your chances of having a heart attack are hugely increased – so quit toady! NOW! Do whatever it takes to kick the habit and detoxify your body. It could save your life.

Dietary concerns are also tied to high LDL cholesterol levels. The average American diet, filled with red meat, highly processed foods, fried foods and processed wheat products is a recipe for disaster. However, the alternatives to a poor diet are abundant. There is a universe of foods that are readily available and can help lower your cholesterol.
According to the website WebMD: researchers have found that some foods – such as fatty fish, walnuts, oatmeal, and oat bran, and foods fortified with plant sterols or stanols – can help control your cholesterol. Some studies have shown that a diet combining these “superfoods” may work as well as some cholesterol-lowering medicines to reduce your “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.

Fiber-rich fruits, vegetables, beans and oats all have cholesterol fighting benefits. Studies have demonstrated that fiber lowers cholesterol. It also makes you feel full, which can help control weight.

As stated above, fish are low in saturated fat and high in heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids that can help lower cholesterol. Experts advise eating at least two servings of baked or grilled fish each week. Wild salmon is a top choice because it is so healthful, but other good fresh fish to consider are flounder, trout, tuna and halibut.

Soy products such as soy milk, soy burgers, tofu and edamame (whole soybeans often served as an appetizer in Japanese restaurants but available in most grocery stores) may lower your risk of heart disease when eaten as part of a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. The advice is to eat 25 grams of soy protein each day, which is the equivalent of a little over three cups of soy milk.

Nuts, including almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, macadamias and pistachios, help lower cholesterol. Experts believe this is due to the combination of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats they contain. Walnuts and flax seeds are some non-fish sources of omega-3 fatty acids.

Experts believe that polyunsaturated fats (including oil from nuts, seeds and safflower, sesame and corn) and monounsaturated fats (including avocados and canola, olive and peanut oils) may help lower your cholesterol.

The last piece of the healthy puzzle is regular aerobic exercise. Working out on a regular basis lowers LDL cholesterol and raises HDL cholesterol levels. It also helps you achieve and maintain a healthy weight, which is beneficial not only for your heart health but for your overall health. Experts say to aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.

Some people have high cholesterol because it runs in their family. If you have a family history of high cholesterol or heard disease, it is more important than ever to eat right, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.

Losing a few pounds is always a positive in better function, visit: www.FatReleaseSystem.com and discover how you can shed some pounds easily in some cases up to two pounds a day.

As simple as it may seem, you’d be surprised how many people don’t really know the answer to that question. It’s the first step in examining the role of minerals in nutrition. The dictionary describes minerals as solid, crystalline substances (diamond, copper, quartz, etc.) not of animal or vegetable origin. The key words are “not of animal or vegetable origin.” Because minerals intended for nutritional purposes cannot be synthesized by the body, they must be utilized as natural elements – they must be eaten as foods and successfully absorbed.

Each of the following systems in the body utilizes minerals. Research shows that imbalances or deficiencies in mineral nutrition can affect these systems.

Immune System: Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), Iron (Fe) and Selenium (Se)

Energy Production: Magnesium (Mg), Phosphorus (P) and Manganese (Mn)

Hormone System: Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Magnesium (Mg) and Potassium (K)

Vitamin Production: Cobalt (Co)

Blood Production: Copper (Cu) and Iron (Fe)

Enzyme Systems: Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), Manganese (Mn), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca) and Molybdenum (Mo)

Skeletal System: Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), Zinc (Zn), Manganese (Mn), Boron (B) and Phosphorus (P

What is “bioavailability” and why is it important?

Bioavailability is the measure of the amount of an ingested nutrient that is absorbed and made available to the body for metabolic use. Bioavailability is important because nutritional intake must be available to various body systems for growth, maintenance of body tissues, reproduction and, other performance factors. No matter how high the nutrient levels or how well formulated the product, if the nutrient is not bioavailable for use by body tissue, then money and effort have been wasted.

What are amino acid chelated minerals?

Chelated basically means ‘firmly attached’, usually to an amino acid or other organic component so that the two do not seperate in the digestive system. When minerals such as zinc, manganese, magnesium, copper, iron, calcium, and others are chemically bonded to amino acids, rings of atoms attached to the minerals result and chelation has occurred. Chelated minerals generally absorb better in the body.

Why are minerals bound to amino acids to form a chelate?

Amino acids are ideal chelators from both chemical and nutritional points of view. Amino acids meet all the chemical requirements to form heterocyclic rings of atoms which are the defining feature of the chelate. Amino acids are also ideal from a nutritional aspect. The body is very efficient at absorbing individual amino acids and dipeptides (two amino acids linked together through a peptide bond). Metal amino acid chelates resemble these compounds which allow the minerals to be carried in with the amino acids during absorption. The amino acids, once released from the metal, can be used to build proteins or provide energy.

Why is it important for the mineral to have a stable bond to the amino acid?

Simply mixing inorganic minerals with amino acids in a liquid or dry mixture does not allow chelation to occur. Minerals and amino acids must be processed according to a specific formula in order to create a stable bond, which is important for greater bioavailability. Many products on the market are reported to be chelates. Some of these products however, are only “complexed” mixtures of minerals and proteins and cannot be identified as true amino acid chelates. These complexed mixtures lose stability during digestion, compromising the availability of the mineral nutrient during absorption.

When selecting vitamin and mineral complexes it is important to know what you are buying. Simply ask the following questions:

• Are the minerals truly chelated to amino acids or just complexed or are they simply trace minerals mixed with protein?

• Does the product have test data to show that it really works?
• Compare pricing. You may pay less for some reported chelates, but are they really cheaper? If the product is not truly a chelate then you are essentially buying inorganic minerals at a premium price.

Having the right minerals (and in the correct amounts) is an essential part of healthy living and optimal performance. To learn more about how to ensure you are getting the proper dosages in your diet, visit: www.TrueHealthyProducts.com

Nowadays, you can find bars with all types of claims and benefits. Many of the new products on the market are high fiber or high protein. Surprisingly, many bars are high in calories, which seem to go against the idea of why we eat them in the first place.

Still, a nutrition bar is easy to keep in a pocket or pocketbook, in a kids book bag or an attaché case making it the perfect substitute meal or afternoon pick me up for many on the go Americans. So, how can you be sure to find the right nutrition bar to help meet your specific nutrition needs? This is where some label reading and a little nutritional education can really help. There are a number of fruit based nutritional and energy bars out there that are high in fiber, vitamin rich and actually taste like real food.

Remember, today’s nutrition bars are:

• Designed to meet just about any nutrition program
• A convenient way to stick to your nutrition program when on the go
• An inexpensive and easy way to eat on the run
• A great substitute for junk food like candy, French fries or ice cream
• An easy healthful alternative for kids at school and play

Learn more by visiting www.TrueHealthyProducts.com.

In fact, the term probiotic, which means “for life”, was first coined in 1953 as a way of contrasting these life benefiting microbes from antibiotics which kill off the healthy ones in the body.

“Short term illnesses, usually caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases are disruptive to productivity and there is relatively little focus on preventative measures,” writes Py Tubelius, MD, from the Tetra Pak Occupational Health and Safety AB in Lund, Sweden, and colleagues. “This study examined the effect of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri protectis (ATCC55730) on its ability to improve work-place healthiness by reducing short term sick-leave caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal infections.”

In this study, 262 healthy employees (day-workers and shift-workers) were randomized to receive a daily dose of either 108 colony-forming units of L. reuteri or placebo, administered with a drinking straw, for 80 days. Of 181 subjects who complied with the study protocol, 94 received L. reuteri, and 87 received placebo.

During the study, sick leave for defined causes occurred in 26.4% of the placebo group and in 10.6% of the L. reuteri group (P < .01). Overall frequency of sick-days was 0.9% with placebo and 0.4% with L. reuteri (P < .01). In the subgroup of 53 shift-workers, 33% in the placebo group but none in the L. reuteri group reported being sick during the study period (P < .005).

“In the studied population sick-days caused by respiratory or gastrointestinal diseases could be reduced by 55% by the use of L. reuteri … as compared with … placebo,” the authors write. “Translated to the total Swedish work-force, this translates to a total of 4.3 million working days of improved productivity per year (3.9 million employed, 220 working days per year and 0.5% “saved” days). Our results indicate that the effect on shift-work productivity could probably be even more profound but this issue should be addressed in further studies.”

The facts are clear on Probiotics and their immense health benefits. The question is how to get all the proper benefits available? Eating yogurt, though generally very healthy, can have some negative effects, especially when commercial brands are loaded with sugars and often contain high fructose corn syrup.

To learn more about how you can safely and naturally add the healthy-benefits of Probiotics into your diet visit: http://www.truehealthyproducts.com/index.php/9-a-Day-Plus.html

Although our bodies are designed to produce the enzymes necessary for digestive function, aging and poor lifestyle choices greatly reduce our body’s capacity to ‘assimilate’ our foods. On top of our culture’s poor dietary choices – highly processed foods, excessive alcohol intake, and rushed meals – approximately 58% of the population suffers from some type of digestive disorder, thus resulting in nutrient deficiencies and uncomfortable side effects (diarrhea, indigestion, IBS, etc.). As we age, our body’s production of enzymes slowly declines, making optimal digestion impossible.

How do we address this problem? First, raw fruits and vegetables are a rich source of enzymes. Unfortunately, along with decreasing their nutrient content, heating and processing foods destroys their naturally occurring enzymes. Although it may be unreasonable to suggest that we eat only raw foods, it is practical to recommend that raw fruits and vegetables be included with most meals.

The addition of Plant Enzymes to our meals would also be a natural and effective way to ensure optimal digestive function. Many studies have shown that plant enzymes work synergistically with the body’s own enzyme supply, effectively supporting the digestive process. Plant enzymes are also free of the limitations associated with animal enzyme products.

Plant enzymes have been found to help far more than digestion. Plant enzymes have been successfully utilized to treat food allergies, celiac disease, pancreatic disorders, inflammation, constipation, diarrhea, leaky gut, bacterial overgrowth, liver dysfunction, and many other conditions.

By Michele L. Bacarella, MS RD

To learn more about a safe and natural way to add more beneficial plant-enzymes into your diet, visit: http://www.truehealthyproducts.com/index.php/9-a-Day-Plus.html

USDA Releases New Dietary Guidelines For Children

Good news for parents and kids alike from our United States Department of Agriculture! Strawberries are the red hot food that kids love, adults love and are now certified as really, really, really good for you!

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that is important for growth and repair of all body tissues, helps heal cuts and wounds, and keeps teeth and gums healthy. Though sweet, strawberries are actually low in sugar. A serving of strawberries (8 berries) is also a good source of potassium and fiber. These dietary components are among seven nutrients highlighted as lacking in American diets by the Advisory Committee for the new Dietary Guidelines.

Eating more strawberries may also help families combat a nationwide epidemic: obesity. With only 45 calories and no fat per serving, parents can replace junk food with a naturally sweet alternative. Schools that participated in the USDA’s Fruit and Vegetable Pilot program in 2002 and 2003 concluded that including fresh fruits and vegetables in a child’s diet reduces consumption of unhealthy foods. In addition, the healthier diet may improve school test scores and reduce disciplinary problems by providing energizing, long-lasting nutrition. You know that old saying from the 60’s – “You are what you eat?” Well, it might be said that what you eat makes you what you become.

The USDA suggests easy ways to include fruit into a daily diet. As an example they cite Strawberry Sandwiches as an easy, satisfying, low-calorie snack or breakfast. Strawberry sandwiches may not be typical in most households but there are so many ways to enjoy strawberries that you never run out of taste pleasing solutions. Strawberry Shakes are always a special treat and can make a great wholesome breakfast when blended with yogurt, fruit juice, and other complimentary fruits like bananas. A great suggestion is to buy fresh strawberries and other fruits and then put them in the freezer the night before so that your morning shake is icy cold without having to add ice cubes to the mix.

Strawberries are also great with pineapple, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries in a fresh fruit salad. Exotic fruits such as Kiwi and Star fruit can really make your breakfast or desert more interesting. Of course you can find strawberries blended in with other healthy foods like all natural fruit bars or fruit and nut trail mixes.

No matter how you eat them, strawberries are great tasting and great for you. And that’s a fact.

To learn more about how you can easily add the healthy and holistic-benefits of fruits and vegetables into your diet visit: www.TrueHealthyProducts.com

There is so much information out there (and more comes out every day) that it’s hard to know what is good for you and what is bad for you. Of course, anything ingested in excess is probably not a good idea but there is a lot of evidence that coffee can actually be a beneficial drink and not the evil, addictive beverage choice of the average American workaholic as depicted in so many trendy magazine exposes.

According to an article by Jane Brody, published in the New York Times and widely reprinted on the Internet and in several other print sources, coffee might be a smart drink of choice.

According to studies cited by Brody, one of the big coffee myths is that it acts as a diuretic. Not so according to a study that found that people who consumed up to 550 milligrams of caffeine produced no more urine than when drinking caffeine free beverages. A large coffee from your local coffee shop contains only about 330 milligrams so there is no reason to think that a large cup of Joe is going to send you running to the latrine. In fact, drinking coffee is as hydrating as drinking other beverages and only adds to your daily water requirements.

People with hypertension and other heart ailments are always told to avoid caffeine. But, according to Brody, an analysis of several studies of over 400,000 people found NO INCREASE in heart disease among daily java drinkers. Apparently, there is no substantial evidence that normal doses coffee puts people at risk of heart attack or abnormal heart rhythm.

In fact, according to the Iowa Women’s Health Study, those who drink one to three cups a day reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease by 24%. Go figure? And Ms. Brody informs us that here is a higher risk of developing hypertension from drinking colas than from coffee.

A Harvard study linking coffee consumption to pancreatic cancer has apparently been debunked and it seems that drinking coffee can actually be a deterrent to liver cancer. A Swedish study found no connection between coffee and breast cancer. The news just keeps on getting better.

Women concerned about coffee’s effects on calcium in the body should take heart in knowing that the effect on calcium absorption is only slight and can easily be balanced by supplementation or by just adding whole milk to your coffee. Any loss of calcium might be attributed more to the lack of milk based beverages than to coffee intake.

Perhaps the only downside is that caffeine consumption can lead to weight gain because it speeds up your metabolism. For those who want to shed pounds, excessive coffee drinking might prove to be a detriment. For those who wouldn’t mind adding a few pounds, well, enjoy yourself with a nice tasty brew of rich fresh roasted coffee any time you feel the urge strike.

Of course, we all know that caffeine is a mood enhancer and can have a positive effect on mental and physical performance. According to the Times article, consumption of up to 200 milligrams of coffee, the amount in an ordinary 16 ounce cup (just a tad more than I can hold in my oversized thermos cup) can create a sense of happiness, sociability, energy and alertness. But did you also know that it improves memory and the ability to perform complex tasks? WOW! How about that!

Caffeine also aids in the burning of fat cells so make sure you have an espresso on the way to the gym.

A review of 13 studies showed that people who drink coffee have a 30 percent lower risk of Parkinson’s disease and another review shows that there is a 28% lower risk for Type 2 diabetes. This probably can be attributed to the high level of antioxidants in coffee.

So maybe we can look at coffee a little differently now? If you’re drinking organic, fair Trade coffee, grown without the use of pesticides and roasted in small, careful batches, you might actually be imbibing a health drink. So the next time you buy your favorite coffee keep in mind that the world’s best coffees are:

• Shade grown Arabica coffee beans
• Roasted in small batches for quality control
• Grown organically without harmful pesticides
• Sold by Fair Trade growers and distributors for a better world