Never Brew Tea from a Bag

Don't miss any Bottom Line Secrets. Add our address, bottomlinesecrets@ebls.bottomlinesecrets.com, to your Address Book or Safe List. Learn how here. February 9, 2011 Blood Pressure 'Switch' Found on Human Body... The Healthy Connoisseur's Guide to Green Tea Erase Tumors in 2 Months Red Flags When Buying a Home Prescription Drugs to Avoid Like the Plague Dear healthwellness82@gmail.com, Are you a big believer in the health properties of green tea? If so, you’ll want to check out these teatime tips from Lester A. Mitscher, PhD, professor of medicinal chemistry at the University of Kansas and coauthor of The Green Tea Book. Dr. Green tells how to get the greatest benefit from green tea -- he explains why tea bags aren’t such a good choice (especially if you keep them in the box they came in) and tells what you should add to your cup to make it even healthier. Househunter’s alert: You may be surprised to hear that seemingly minor imperfections such as low water pressure, a droopy driveway or doors that don’t close easily should raise red flags. Kathleen Kuhn, president of the HouseMaster home inspection company in Bound Brook, New Jersey, explains why and what you really need to know before you buy. All the best, Jessica Kent Editor BottomLineSecrets.com PS: Don’t forget to check out Bottom Line President Marjory Abrams’ latest blog posting: Rethinking My Smart Phone. And don’t forget to share your thoughts on the blog with Margie. Blood Pressure 'Switch' Found on Human Body... Chicago, IL: A recent study conducted by the Hypertension Center at the University of Chicago identified a small spot (the "Atlas area") on the body that appears to control blood pressure. In minutes, a single touch lowers blood pressure back to healthy levels. Top number drops 14 points, bottom number drops 8 points. No drug on Earth can match this instant miracle. Who knew it was this simple? It’s almost like a switch that allows doctors to dial down your blood pressure in minutes. Learn more... The Healthy Connoisseur's Guide to Green Tea Lester A. Mitscher, PhD University of Kansas The world’s most healthful beverage may be green tea. Reason: It is rich in catechins, potent antioxidant plant chemicals that neutralize cell-damaging free radicals, fight bacteria and ease inflammation. The most beneficial catechin in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Studies suggest that green tea protects against heart disease by reducing blood pressure, cholesterol and blood clotting... cancer by blocking tumors’ blood supply... diabetes by improving the cells’ response to insulin... Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease by reducing brain-damaging proteins... arthritis and osteoporosis by slowing breakdown of cartilage and bone... gastrointestinal disorders by improving liver function... obesity by increasing metabolism... and cavities, gum disease and bad breath by destroying bacteria in the mouth. All tea (except herbal) comes from the Camellia sinensis plant. Variations in taste are due to where the tea is grown and how it is processed (just as with wine). Once picked, tea leaves start to oxidize, darkening like a sliced apple. Then leaves are heated to halt oxidation. Black tea is the most oxidized... oolong less so... green tea only slightly. Because oxidation destroys catechins, black tea typically has less than half the antioxidant power of green tea. (Unoxidized white tea has slightly more antioxidants than green tea, but it costs more and is less readily available.) To maximize green tea’s health benefits and flavor... Drink three to six eight-ounce cups daily. Check with your doctor first if you take blood-thinning medication, such as warfarin (Coumadin) -- tea may alter the drug’s effects. The larger the leaf fragments, the higher the antioxidant content -- so choose loose tea with recognizable leaf tips, such as the Sencha variety from Japan. Tea bags are convenient but contain smaller fragments. If you like bottled tea, compare labels and pick one high in EGCG. To avoid possible contamination with lead, pesticides or other toxins, opt for organic teas. Antioxidants degrade over time, so buy only as much green tea as you can use within six months. Choose light-colored loose leaves with no moldy scent. With tea bags and bottles, check for a "use by" date on labels. Store tea leaves and bags in an airtight, opaque container along with a desiccant packet ($3.99 at www.containerstore.com). Place in a cool, dry place or refrigerate. Brew using water that is not quite boiling. Steep for no more than three minutes to avoid bitterness, using a covered china, glass or stainless steel pot or cup. Strain loose leaves before drinking to avoid grittiness. Do not reuse leaves or bags -- reused tea is more bitter and lower in antioxidants. Citrus juice may increase catechins’ absorption from the digestive tract, so add lemon if you like. Do not add milk -- its proteins may decrease catechin absorption. Herbal or fruit flavoring does not affect antioxidant levels. If you prefer decaffeinated tea, check labels and choose a brand that uses the catechin-sparing carbon dioxide method of decaffeination, not the ethyl acetate method. If you don’t care for the taste of green tea, try an extract with a catechin content of 65% or more. Do not exceed the manufacturer’s dosage guidelines -- a laboratory study suggests that daily megadoses of EGCG may promote tumor growth. Bottom Line/Women’s Health interviewed Lester A. Mitscher, PhD, professor and former chair of medicinal chemistry, University of Kansas, Lawrence, and coauthor of The Green Tea Book (Avery). Erase Tumors in 2 Months "Within two months, every tumor had shrunk, dried up and fallen off," said Tom to Dr. Gary Null about the miraculous disappearance of his rapidly spreading cancer. Tom had already gone through surgery once for skin cancer on his forehead. Unfortunately, his skin cancer was melanoma. Just 10 days after the operation, the cancer was back with a vengeance. It reappeared on his forehead, and quickly spread to his arm, upper body and chest. Four doctors all agreed: There was nothing they could do to cure this cancer. They all still wanted to operate. But Tom wanted to live -- not just get sliced up. Read on to learn what Tom did to save his life... Red Flags When Buying a Home Kathleen Kuhn HouseMaster Poor water pressure could indicate plumbing problems... doors that are hard to close, swing open by themselves or don’t open fully could point to structural problems... multiple extension cords could mean that the electrical system is inadequate... a porch, patio or driveway that slopes toward the house could lead to water in the basement. What to do: When having a home professionally inspected before you buy it, go with the inspector to make observations and ask questions. Bottom Line/Personal interviewed Kathleen Kuhn, president, HouseMaster, home-inspection company, Bound Brook, New Jersey. www.HouseMaster.com Prescription Drugs to Avoid Like the Plague Some drugs are just so bad that you should avoid them at all costs. If your physician won't prescribe a safer alternative -- or let you use a natural remedy -- then run (do not walk) to one who will. What kinds of drugs? Widely used antibiotic so dangerous to your kidneys that up to 28% of people who use it develop some impairment. This former rat poison is now touted as a cure-all for everything from dental problems to bone loss. Banned in Japan and Europe, it's unavoidable here in the US -- unless the proper precautions are taken. Widely prescribed drug for high blood pressure that is so dangerous, it should be used only as a last-ditch effort if nothing else works for you. Popular osteoporosis drug is just a rehashed version of an older one that built bone of such poor quality, the number of breaks actually increased, not to mention side effects, such as permanent damage to the esophagus and kidneys, stress, diarrhea, constipation, fever, calcium and vitamin D deficiencies, rashes, headaches and muscle pain. Read on... Important: Help your friends get much more out of life -- forward this E-letter to them. Better: Send it to many friends and your whole family. This is a free weekly e-mail service of BottomLineSecrets.com and Boardroom Inc. Boardroom Inc. 281 Tresser Boulevard Stamford, CT 06901-3229 ATTN: Web Team You received this e-mail because you have requested it. You are on the mailing list as healthwellness82@gmail.com. Or... a friend forwarded it to you. Disclaimer: Bottom Line Secrets publishes the opinions of expert authorities in many fields. But the use of these opinions is no substitute for legal, accounting, investment, medical and other professional services to suit your specific personal needs. Always consult a competent professional for answers to your specific questions. Bottom Line Secrets is a registered trademark of Boardroom Inc. Subscribe |  Unsubscribe | Update My E-mail Preferences Change My E-mail Address | Contact Us | Privacy Policy Copyright (c) 2011 by Boardroom Inc.