May 20, 2014

Eating Red Pepper Helps Curb Appetite

A study has found that eating a moderate quantity of red pepper can help curb appetite. According to research from Purdue University, the peppers especially work for those who don’t normally eat the popular spice. “We found that consuming red pepper can help manage appetite and burn more calories after a meal, especially for individuals who do not consume the spice regularly,” Richard Mattes, distinguished professor of foods and nutrition who collaborated with doctoral student Mary-Jon Ludy, said. “This finding should be considered a piece of the puzzle because the idea that one small change will reverse the obesity epidemic is simply not […]
May 13, 2014

9 Things Everyone Should Know About Coffee

Coffee. Joe, java, go-go juice, nectar of the gods. Whatever you call it, coffee can be your best friend. These days it seems like there’s a coffee shop on every corner, just waiting to deliver the delicious, caffeinated beverage ready to get you going (and keep you going during long shifts!). As much as we know (and love) about the beverage, we found nine facts about coffee you may not have heard before. Which are news to you? 1. Creamer can keep your coffee warmer longer Whaaaa? Doesn’t this go against the laws of physics? Shouldn’t pouring cold cream into […]
May 13, 2014

SuperFoods: Basil

Derived from the Greek word meaning royal, basil is a versatile herb that has lived up to its pedigree. With its wealth of nutrients, from hefty amounts of vitamin K and calcium, to its high antioxidant oils, basil offers an array of health-enhancing benefits ranging from protection against DNA damage to combating stress. In addition, the peppermint-like leaves of basil are loaded with beta-caryophyllene, an anti-inflammatory compound that may treat conditions such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. An abundance of evidence is emerging to support basil’s reputation as an herbal remedy for thousands of years, making this undervalued herb a formidable opponent against some […]
May 6, 2014

The 7 Best Gluten-Free Pizza Delivery Places

There’s nothing like a good pizza. The combination of melted mozzarella, spicy sauce and warm crust is enough to make me drool as I write this. Since cutting gluten out of my diet I have experimented quite a lot (and in my humble opinion, perfected) making gluten-free pizza crust. But to be honest, what I miss the most is coming home after a long day of work and being able to pick up the phone and order a pie when I don’t have the energy to cook. When first starting out on a gluten-free diet, a lot of people think […]
May 6, 2014

Anti-appetite Pill Could Trounce Obesity

Scientists have successfully tracked the molecule that conveys the fullness signal to the brain, saying it could be used to make a revolutionary anti-appetite pill. The molecule, known as acetate, is released into the bowels upon digestion of fiber, which abounds in plants and vegetables, Press TV reported. The molecule then travels to the hypothalamus region of the brain, which controls hunger. Such pill would also dispose of cravings. Unfortunately, processed food-rife in the modern-day diet – does not produce acetate when digested. Prof Jimmy Bell, of the Medical Research Council, Cambridge, who collaborated in the research, said, ”It is exciting we […]
April 29, 2014

Resveratrol Improves Glucose Control In Diabetics

The results of a meta-analysis scheduled for publication in the June 2014 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition indicate that supplementing with resveratrol, a compound that occurs in red grapes and wine, could help improve glucose control and insulin sensitivity in men and women with diabetes without affecting glycemic measures in those without the disease. Researchers from Chongqing, China selected eleven randomized, controlled trials of resveratrol supplementation that included a total of 388 participants for their analysis.  Resveratrol dose ranged from 8 to 1500 milligrams per day for periods of two weeks to six months. Three of the trials involved diabetic subjects. […]
April 29, 2014

Go Ahead…Have That Second Cup

The journal Diabetologia recently published the finding of Harvard researchers of a reduction in the risk of developing type 2 diabetes among men and women who increased their daily intake of coffee. For the current study, Drs Frank Hu and Shilpa Bhupathiraju of Harvard School of Public Health’s Department of Nutrition and their associates utilized data from 48,464 participants in the Nurses’ Health Study, 47,510 women enrolled in the Nurses’ Health Study II, and 27,759 men who took part in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. Dietary questionnaire responses provided by the subjects every four years for two decades or more were analyzed for the […]
April 23, 2014

Melatonin Preserves Bone Mass

Age-related bone loss is a serious condition. It not only increases the risk for fractures, but also increases the risk for death from heart and lung disease and all-cause death, especially if bone loss occurs quickly. This is why it’s so important to stay active as we age, as this can preserve bone mass and strength. We also need to obtain adequate amounts of calcium, magnesium, and vitamins D and K2 through diet and supplementation. For many aging people, however, this still isn’t enough. Bone loss continues despite all their efforts. This means that a lot of people end up taking prescription […]
April 21, 2014

Are Your Fruits and Veggies Causing Food Posioning?

With the recent Listeria bacteria scare that’s still ongoing, many of my patients have asked me how they can really protect themselves against a foodborne illness.  It’s true; people bought and ate infected cantaloupes that, by all intents and purposes, didn’t look to be tainted. How can you be sure that any raw fruit and vegetables you eat are really safe to eat even if they look perfectly fine? The answer is you can’t. Let me share with you, however, the things you can do to lower your risk of getting sick from fruits and vegetables. Stay Healthy, Use Safe Practices […]