Olive oil fights inflammation
2007-06-06 19:08:43
Research conducted at the Monell Chemical Sciences Center in Philadelphia has found just that. In fact, their work showed that the active ingredient in olive oil, oleocanthal, was more effective at blocking enzymes that cause inflammation than ibuprofen was.Interesting indeed.These scientists go on to speculate that this may be another reason why the Mediterranean diet (high in olive oil) is such a healthy way to eat.An article in today's NY Times has further details. Click here to find out more.
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New potential supplements for cancer, flaxseed and ginseng
2007-06-04 21:21:18
The National Center for Health Statistics says that Americans spend between $36 billion and $47 billion dollars each year on supplements
and other alternative therapies.Unfortunately, the action of many of these complementary medicine products just doesn't stand up to the claims made about them. In many instances uses for a particular herbal or dietary supplement are based on anecdotal evidence, evidence which hasn't been substantiated by well designed clinical studies.Two new studies on the benefits of both flaxseed and ginseng in cancer treatment were recently reported on.Click here to read the details.
Got the blues? Serve up some salmon!
2007-06-02 15:44:57
Eat salmon
to feel better? Sounds fishy doesn't it? (no pun intended)Well, its true. At least that is what researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found.It appears that people who have less omega-3 fatty acids in their blood tend to be more pessimistic and impulsive than their counterparts who have higher blood levels.What's the connection between omega-3 fatty acids and salmon?Salmon, and other fatty fish such as mackerel, are rich sources of omega-3's.A follow up study to this work was recently reported on at a meeting of the American Psychosomatic Society. These same U of Pittsburgh researchers found that in a group of 55 healthy individuals, those who consumed the most omega-3's actually had a larger volume of gray matter in their brains! This is the area of the brain from which mood and behavior stem.Interesting, but does this mean you should run out and stock your fridge with salmon?Its probably a little premature to go overboard with this, becau
Foodnetwork.com adds interactive cookbook
2007-05-31 16:59:29
Check out the newest addition to Foodnetwork.com...an interactive cookbook featuring mouth-watering, nutritious foods prepared by Ellie Kreiger, RD.Here's the link: http://www.foodnetwork.com/healthyrecipes Just think, now you don't have to wait for the "Healthy Appetite" TV show to come on, its on 24/7!I think this is a great new idea for those of you who love cooking and cooking shows. What do you think? Check it out and post your comments.
Lycopene and Prostate Cancer Study
2007-05-31 16:49:46
If you know a male, over 18 years old who lives near the University of Illinois, the National Cancer
Institute needs them! Participants are currently being recruited for a study designed to investigate a possible link between lycopene and prostate cancer.Click here to find out more information if you, or someone you know, is interested.
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, Study
A sweet, good-for-you, easy-to-take-with-you snack
2007-05-23 13:41:01
If you are reading this post, wondering what in the world a good-for-you, easy-to-take-with-you, sweet snack could be, the answer will definitely surprise you.Its prunes.Prunes?? Sunsweet is now selling individually wrapped packages of prunes, which can easily be put in a lunch box, purse or desk drawer at work for those between meal munchies.Prunes can no longer be thought of as just a constipation-cure.In fact, prunes just may be the least well known "health" food around! That's right...4 prunes contain just 100 calories, and are packed full of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Researchers at Tufts University claim prunes contain the most antioxidants of any fruit, even blueberries! Prunes are also a good source of potassium.And there's more! Research is currently underway investigating a possible link between prunes and osteoporosis treatment. A USDA-funded study conducted at Florida State University College of Human Sciences found that bone loss in
What to believe? 5 signs of nutritional truth
2007-05-19 18:32:28
Nutrition and weight loss are big, big industries these days. From programs to diet pills to exercise equipment, advertisers are trying to lure you into buying from them. Sadly, many of these are not only a waste of money, some can be downright dangerous (remember ephedra?)The 5 W's are certainly not anything new, but using them to more closely examine the reliability of nutrition information you hear can help you separate the wheat from the chaff.1. Who? Examine carefully the credentials of the person giving you nutrition information. Some believe
the best sources are doctors. While doctors may know some, nutrition is not typically a subject that receives much attention in medical school. Look for the RD, meaning Registered Dietitian. A person who has earned this credential has at minimum a college degree with course work concentrated in nutrition; 50% of all RD's have Master's degrees. Additionally, he or she must pass a rigorous exam, much the same as lawyers do wit
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, nutritional
Analyzing your beef
2007-05-16 16:04:48
Have you ever wondered how the nutritional quality of beef changes as the cooking method or percentage of fat changes? Wonder no more. The USDA has recently posted an online calculator that totals the protein, vitamin and mineral amounts in ground beef that contains between 5% and 30% fat.The calculator also contains information on a variety of beef cooking techniques, from baking to broiling, and how method of preparation affects the nutritional quality.Interested? Check it out before your next BBQ... http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/c ... E_NO=23999
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Are you thin...but really fat?
2007-05-11 14:54:14
Sounds weird, doesn't it? How can one be thin and fat at the same time?Medical researchers have found that inside some thin individuals may lie hazardous fat layers surrounding internal organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys. This was found even in professional models! What does this mean health-wise? It is theorized that the presence of this fat may be an indicator of increased heart disease and diabetes risk.Does our definition of "fat" need to be changed?To read more, click here for the USA Today article.Post your comments...what are your thoughts on this?
Fiber, fiber, who's got the fiber?
2007-05-11 13:56:28
Fiber...we're all familiar with the term, but what is it exactly, and why is it so important to good health?Fiber comes from plants. Its really the structural backbone, if you will, that gives rigidity and strength to plants. Once you've eaten a fiber-containing food, it adds bulk to your digestive tract, easing the elimination of wastes and helping to avoid constipation.Its able to do this because fiber is virtually indigestible--your body can't break down the bonds that hold it together.There are two types of fiber, insoluble and soluble. As the names imply, soluble fiber dissolves in water, whereas the insoluble doesn't. Altogether the foods you eat contain mostly soluble fiber.Once dissolved, soluble fibers become quite gummy, and in your intestines they can bind with fatty substances which may actually help reduce cholesterol levels. There is also some evidence that soluble fiber can help with blood sugar control.For optimal health, aim to have between 25 an
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Test Your Calorie Smarts
2007-05-08 15:09:24
Who doesn't love to eat out? I know I sure do! Americans are eating more and more of their meals in restaurants... there just isn't time to cook much anymore. Of course for those of us watching our diet, it can be hard to gauge the calories we eat from all that restaurant fare.Think you are an expert calorie sleuth? Its often tough! So, just for fun, I put together a little quiz to test your calorie smarts. Let me know how you do!Which one of the following pairs of foods has more calories...1. a) a Cinnamon and Raisin Whole Grain Bagel from Starbuck's, or b) a Krispy Kreme Glazed Whole Wheat DoughnutOK, you probably figured I throw a tricky one in here. The doughnut of course, right? Wrong. The bagel has 310 kcal, almost twice as many as the doughnut at 180 kcal. (The doughnut has more fat, though.)2. a) a Starbuck's Carrot Cake Muffin, or b) a regular size Dairy Queen Mocha MoolatteThink this one is a no-brainer? Just because its a muffin doesn
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Is Yerba Matte a Safe and Effective Weight Loss Supplement?
2007-05-04 16:34:42
You may also see this supplement referred to by other names such as Chimarrao, Hervia, St. Jesuits tea, or even by its scientific name, ilex paraguariensis (now arent you impressed?)Its very commonly drunk as tea in Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay. In foods, mate is consumed as a tea, and it is known to have stimulant as well as diuretic properties. Its use as a weight loss aid is questionable.Yerba mate contains caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, chemicals commonly found in coffee, tea and chocolate. This causes yerba mate to possess both stimulant and diuretic properties. Its concentration of caffeine is less than coffee, 0.5-0.8% as opposed to 1-2% in the latter.Minerals such as iron, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, thiamin and riboflavin, vitamins C and E and the known carcinogens, tannins and N-nitrosamines, are also found.As with other herbs and plants, the concentration of these compounds is dependent on the growing conditions of the plant, harvesting procedures and man
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, Weight
New OTC diet drug on its way soon
2007-05-01 20:53:34
Its true! In June the first FDA-approved over-the-counter (OTC) diet aid will hit the drugstore shelves. You actually may be familiar with this drug without even realizing it, because it has been available for years as a prescription drug called Xenical. The OTC version will be re-named Alli.What makes this drug unique is the fact that it is quite safe. Not without side effects, though! Alli works in the gut by blocking 25% of the dietary fat consumed. It has no appetite suppression effects.Glaxo-Smith-Kline, the manufacturer, claims that dieters who use Alli will be able to lose 50% more weight than they would have with dieting alone.Sounds impressive, doesn't it?Don't rush out to the drugstore just yet, there's a small catch.Individuals who take the drug need to consume a low calorie, low fat diet along with it. Why? Alli works by blocking fat absorption, but it is not without limits. Eat too much fat and you are in for some uncomfortable side effects... oily s
What makes diet soda taste so bad
2007-04-30 15:19:08
There are many among us who avoid diet sodas because the taste
is so bad. Up to this point it has been assumed that this objectionable taste was due to the artificial sweeteners used, whether it be aspartame or Splenda.Recently reported research from the University of Illinois indicates that this may not be so. The culprit could be mouth-feel.What is mouth-feel?Mouth-feel is a sensory characteristic that refers to the fullness and thickness of a food or beverage. This new study suggests the bad taste may stem from the absence of high fructose corn syrup which is used in regular sodas but not in diet ones.You can read more about the details of the study here .
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Taking zinc reduces infections...really?
2007-04-28 16:59:10
Its yet to be proven, but a recent study reported in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicated that it just might be so, at least in older people.Michigan researchers gave 24 middle-aged and older adults (men and women, 55 - 87 years old) 45mg zinc daily for one year. A control group of 25 received a placebo.During the study period, study subjects were examined to see how often they got sick. Blood levels of zinc and other immune system markers were also evaluated.Results showed that those people who received zinc supplementation had significantly fewer infections than those who received the placebo.The blood tests taken halfway through the study period showed lower levels of inflammation and oxidative stress, leading researchers to the conclusion that the zinc provided anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that ultimately may help decrease infection as people age.Interesting. Do any of you take supplemental zinc? What do you think about these findings?
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Fast food calorie confusion
2007-04-25 12:32:26
For those of us trying to eat healthy and cut down on our calorie
intakes, eating at a fast food restaurant is not easy! The lean, low calorie choices offered are few and far between.A recent poll conducted by public health advocates in California showed that it may even be more difficult than you had thought.In the poll, 523 people were given sample menu items from Denny's, Chili's, McDonald's and Romano's Macaroni Grill. They were asked to identify the foods which contained the most calories, the fewest calories, and the lowest salt and fat content.There were four questions, each identified the name of the food only.Guess what? NO ONE, and I emphasize NO ONE, got all four of the answers correct. In fact, 2/3's answered all four questions wrong!The executive director of the California Center for Public Health Advocacy, Harold Goldstein, who holds a doctorate in public health, missed every single answer in the quiz!Now if the professionals are confused, its
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Painless ways to lose 10 pounds
2007-04-24 16:06:35
Did you realize that you could drop 10 pounds by just eliminating 100 calories per day from your diet? Or...you could keep eating the same and add another 100 calories worth of activity to your daily routine.Doesn't sound too hard, does it?Check out these 100-calorie suggestions from the American Dietetic Association (ADA)*: * Put mustard instead of mayo on a sandwich. * Try a light or fat-free salad dressing instead of regular. * Substitute Canadian bacon for regular bacon. * Eat fresh fruit instead of juice or dried fruit. * Order thin crust pizza instead of pan pizza. * Order your coffee skinny with skim milk instead of cream. * Use a smaller bowl for your morning cereal. * Drink club soda with lime instead of regular soda.Burn 100 more calories with these ideas: * Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier and go out for a morning walk. * Stand up and walk around while on the phone at work. * Take your kids out for a bike ride after dinner.
If you want to lose weight...stop dieting!
2007-04-19 15:15:34
Does this seem like a contradiction? Lose weight without dieting...how is that possible?If you have tried unsuccessfully to lose weight
in the past, chances are you tried a special diet. And you probably lost weight. The important question of course being, did you keep it off permanently?For many the answer is no. In fact a recent study conducted at UCLA showed that short term dieting (up to about 6 months) can be achieved, but 2/3's of all dieters regain the weight within 4 - 5 years.If you are interested in reading more about the study, click here . (This link will only be active until 5/2, so if you want a summary of the study results after this date, send me an email and I'll forward one to you.)The reason that these diets ultimately fail is that the underlying causes of overeating aren't usually addressed. The focus is all on counting calories, restricting fats, cutting out carbs, not eating after 7pm, or other such tactics.What do I mean by this? Taking a loo
Oh no, now its olives!
2007-04-17 15:10:48
In what seems like an uncharacteristically long line of recent food recalls, olives are the latest to garner the spotlight.The olives in question are manufactured by Charlie Brown di Rutigliano & Figli S.r.l, of Bari, Italy. These may be contaminated with Closteridum botulinum, the organism which causes botulism. The following brands are affected: Bonta di Puglia, Cento, Corrado's, Dal Raccolto, Flora, Roland and Vantia. A recall is in effect for all Cerignola, Nocerella and Castelvetrano type olives. Manufacturing codes for all of these start with the letter "G", followed by 3 or 4 digits. Developing botulism can be fatal. If you or someone you know has eaten the suspected olives, watch for physical signs that include general weakness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, stomach distention, constipation and swallowing difficulties.Anyone with questions or concerns is advised to contact the Charlie Brown Company at 011-039-080-7839073 or charliebrownbari@yahoo.com.
Did you know?
2007-04-16 14:20:44
Here is some fun food trivia...*The Himalayan gogi berry contains, weight for weight, more iron than steak, more beta carotene than carrots, more vitamin C than oranges. *Honey is the only food that does not spoil. Honey found in the tombs of Egyptian pharaohs has been tasted by archaeologists and found edible.*The largest pumpkin weighed 377 pounds.*Cranberry Jell-0 is the only kind that contains real fruit.*The green stuff on the occasional freak potato chip is chlorophyll.*America's best selling ice cream flavor is vanilla.*The first Lifesaver flavor was peppermint.*The avocado has the most calories of any fruit.*The typical American eats 263 eggs a year.*Nondairy creamer is flammable. (Anyone want to test this one?)*The average American consumes enough caffeine in one year to kill a horse.*Enough beer is poured every Saturday across America to fill the Orange Bowl.*Iceland consumes more Coca-Cola per capita than any other nation.*The citrus soda 7-UP was created in 1929; '
When to see a Nutritionist?
2007-04-11 14:37:16
Have you thought about scheduling an appointment with a nutritionist, yet aren't really sure if he/she can help you?Check out the May 2007 issue of Consumer Reports for an article entitled 'Diet Plans: When to See a Nutritionist'. Click here to read it.The article is fairly general, so contact me if you have questions or if I can help.By the way, if you are looking for a nutritionist, an online nutritionist is a great way to go! Convenient, flexible and totally confidential. You can see a list of the services I offer here .Perhaps you don't want to see a nutritionist yet, but are looking for more information about nutrition and optimizing your diet. Sign up for my free monthly ezine, Online Nourishment , and receive a free ebook, 'Losing Weight with Supplements: Fact or Fiction?' Both are packed with practical tips on how to eat healthy.PS. Your contact information will never be sold, rented or given away to anyone...you have my word!
Dietary supplements to fight aging: what you need to know
2007-04-10 10:58:58
Do you take a dietary supplement in hopes of delaying staying young longer? If you are, your monies are contributing to the whopping $5.8 million that are spent each year on dietary supplements
.$5.8 million! Incredible.What's probably more incredible (if that's possible) is that there really is no scientific evidence which proves that these supplements are effective.What's worse is that there is very little regulation of these supplements, thus you may unknowingly take a pill that doesn't even contain what the label says it does! It could contain ingredients not even listed.Now that's scary.CNN.com has a great article today on this. Click here to read it.
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A new one to try
2007-04-09 16:15:12
Crackers...definitely not the food of choice if you are looking for fiber! Even the ones advertised as whole wheat usually don't contain more than 1g of fiber.Enter All Bran crackers. These really taste great, and 18 crackers pack a powerful 5g fiber. The first ingredient is "whole wheat flour" followed by the whole grains rye meal, wheat bran, barley flakes, steel cut oats, corn meal, millet and rice flour.These snacks need to be eaten in moderation, though, as they do contain 6g fat (0% trans) and approximately 300mg sodium.Look for 2 flavors...multi-grain and garlic herb. Yummy!
Sugar Alcohols...not what you think
2007-04-06 17:56:11
No, sugar alcohols are not served at a cocktail party!What are they? Read this tip from the ADA* to find out...Youre looking at the label on a favorite food and you see ingredients like sorbitol, mannitol or maltitol. What are these ingredients, you might ask, and what are they doing in my food?Sorbitol, mannitol and maltitol are sugar alcohols compounds used to add sweet flavors to foods, but with fewer calories than sugar.Sugar
alcohols are used in foods as sugar replacers and can be a good option for those who want to watch calories, or for people with diabetes. In addition to providing sweetness, sugar alcohols add texture and bulk to foods, helping foods stay moist but not allowing baked goods to develop a crisp, brown crust.You can tell a food has a sugar alcohol in it by checking the list of ingredients for words that end in O-L. Sugar alcohols provide calories about four per gram. The front of a food package may say sugar-free, but always check the ingredie
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Fiber...how much is enough?
2007-04-05 13:22:51
Eat more fiber. We've all heard it. But exactly what is fiber? What does it do for you and why is that important? How much fiber do you really need?Fiber
...did you know fiber is a carbohydrate? It is! Its known as a complex carbohydrate (as opposed to a simple carbohydrate, like sugar). Fiber comes from plants, it is the structural component of many fruits and veggies. Fiber is what gives broccoli is strong, stiff stalks.Even though fiber is a carbohydrate, it really doesn't contribute much to your caloric intake because its non-digestible. It adds bulk to waste in the intestines, aiding in the swift passage of stools through the intestinal tract. Function #1...helps keep you regular, making constipation less likely!Fiber is found in whole grains, and fruits and veggies, rich sources of various phytonutrients which are loaded with disease-preventing health benefits.How much fiber do you need? Well, that depends on what your calorie requirements are. Generally spea
Is your morning jump-starter hazardous to your health?
2007-04-02 15:24:36
A tip of the day from the ADA*...Coffee...its the most popular food consumed at breakfast in the United States. With millions of us jump-starting our day with coffee, are there any health risks to drinking caffeinated beverages? While many studies have explored connections between caffeine and health issues like cancer, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, no evidence has been found to link moderate caffeine intake to these or other health risks. Caffeine does act as a diuretic, but the water in a cup of coffee tends to balance out the diuretic effects.Caffeine acts as a mild stimulant to the central nervous system and both regular and decaf coffee can irritate the stomach. Caffeine can also act as an analgesic and may help protect against gallstones, cavities, type 2 diabetes and Parkinsons disease, but more research is needed before caffeine can be proclaimed a disease preventer.How much coffee is too much? Your caffeine sensitivity depends on the amount you drink, the freq
Frequent weighing problematic for teens
2007-03-30 11:12:44
There are some common traits among adults who have lost weight and kept it off permanently. One of those is frequent weighing
.Where this may be helpful for adults, the practice may have the opposite effect in teenage girls.A study conducted by Univ. of Minnesota researchers and recently published in the Journal of Adolescent Health found that teen girls who weigh themselves often are likely to binge eat and develop other unhealthy eating behaviors. For the 2,500 teens who were followed for 5 years, those that weighed themselves frequently tended to gain weight over time.The take-home advice from this study is that focusing on weight and the number on the scale for teens should be discouraged. It may end up making the weight problem larger!
How to lose 7 pounds
2007-03-29 15:52:34
We've all heard the dieting wisdom that cutting back just a hundred or so calories each day can add up to pounds lost over the long haul.I definitely believe this approach has lots of merit. Sure, its not real quick, but its relatively easy, doesn't involve a great deal of effort, plus once the weight is lost, it tends to stay lost because habits have been changed in the process.Take a look at this example I recently ran across in Health magazine...If you ate 1 oz. of potato chips every day for a year, at the end of that time you would have consumed 3.8 quarts of oil!If you would have chosen to eat 1 oz. of multi-grain pretzels per day instead of the chips, you would have consumed only 0.8 quarts of oil by year's end.That's a saving of 3 quarts of oil!!How does that translate to calories saved?Well...one tablespoon of oil weighs approximately 14 grams.3 quarts of oil is equivalent to 12 cups.There are 16 tablespoons in a cup, so 16 x 12 = 192 tablespoons.192 tables
Should you pay more for organic foods?
2007-03-27 15:00:28
Organic foods cost more than conventionally-grown foods. Many people are willing to pay the extra it seems, as over $20 billion was spent on organics in 2004. This is somewhere between 1 - 10% of total food sales in the US.Remarkable!Even more remarkable is that predictions call for this figure to rise over the $30 billion mark this year.If you are considering adding your food dollars to that total, here are a few things you should know. First, check and make sure the label contains the Certified Organic Seal along with the words "100% Organic".This is your guarantee that the food in question has been grown according to the standards set by the USDA for organic foods and that the grower has passed the scrutiny of a USDA-accredited inspector.Organic foods are grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers and genetically-modified seeds. They are not treated with irradiation.Notice that this does not address the nutritional content. Many consumers er
A Fat Rant
2007-03-22 14:53:20
No, this isn't about fat in foods. Its a YouTube video commentary on being fat. Its only about 7 or eight minutes long. Watch it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUTJQIBI1oA A Fat Rant...let me know what you think!
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