November 18, 2018

Whole Grains May Extend Life

For obvious reasons many people have opted to go grain free — celiac disease being the most common reason. But for others who don’t have gluten intolerance or other issues related to grains, the omission may be a costly one. At least that is what the results of a recent study imply. The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that a diet rich in whole grains may lower the risk of death. The results were published in the January 2015 issue. Whole Grains Lowered Mortality Risk by 9% Researchers analyzed the results of two studies including over 110,000 participants. Dietary habits were […]
November 6, 2018

Healthy Aging Rises With Longer Lifespan

The Fountain of Youth may still be a myth, but a longer life expectancy is now a reality. In fact, life expectancy at birth in the U.S. has risen by more than 30 years in barely more than a century to a current 78.6 years. But with the increased life expectancy, a question arises: How do people stay healthy as they age? A new concept of healthy aging has emerged. In fact, some are using a new word for aging baby boomers ? “perennnials” ? to describe people who want to live an active, blossoming life into old age. What is healthy […]
October 30, 2018

Get In the Mood with Maca

Maca—you’ve probably seen it in foods like chocolate, energy bars, by itself, and in supplements. But what is it and what’s it for? Maca is a plant native to the Andes Mountains. It’s available in red, yellow and black varieties. While maca root has several uses, its most popular ones are for enhancing fertility and sexual function. The Sperm-Enhancing Effects of Maca Maca appears to enhance sperm-producing ability. In men, maca has been shown to increase sperm count and motility. A study of men ages 20 to 40 years found increases in sperm concentration and motility in comparison with non-supplemented group […]
October 23, 2018

Are Vegetarian Diets Healthy?

Today, many people have adopted a vegetarian diet or are considering a switch. Reasons range from disease prevention to concern for the environment. A typical vegetarian diet not only has less saturated fat and cholesterol than a meat-based one, but it also provides a number of beneficial plant polyphenols, many of which have only been recently identified. However, there are some potential deficiencies to consider as well. Below, we’ll explore the possible pitfalls and how to avert them if going “meatless” is your thing. First, Let’s Define Vegetarian A vegetarian diet technically contains no animal products, but a number of people who […]
October 9, 2018

It’s National Cholesterol Education Month

Before biting into that juicy steak, take a moment to think about your cholesterol level. Is it high? High cholesterol usually has no symptoms but can increase the risk of heart disease. The month of September has been designated as National Cholesterol Education Month. It’s the ideal time to have your levels checked and then take steps to bring your levels down if necessary. What is cholesterol, anyway? Cholesterol is a waxy substance that circulates in the blood. It is found in animal foods including butter, meat, cheese and eggs. In addition to the amount absorbed from food, bloods levels […]