HealthYour Gut Loves Variety—Why Whole Grains Belong on Your Plate
Last week, we explored the simple challenge of eating 30 different plant foods each week to support a healthy gut microbiome. The wonderful thing about this challenge is that it doesn’t have to be complicated—every fruit, vegetable, herb, spice, bean, nut, seed, and whole grain counts. This week, I’d like to shine a spotlight on one of my favorite food groups for gut health: whole grains. When I visit my local farmers market during the summer, I’m always inspired by the colorful produce that fills every stand. Fresh kale, sweet peppers, mushrooms, herbs, and crisp vegetables remind me that the […]READ MORE
June 7, 2023
Published by Life Extension
Heart attack rates peaked in the United States in 1968. In this era, it was not unusual for a man under age 60 to die from sudden cardiac arrest. A debate raged in the 1960s as to which dietary factors were responsible for the epidemic of coronary artery blockage. One side claimed saturated fat to be a factor because it raised blood cholesterol. They pointed to studies showing that vegetable fat sources such as corn would therefore reduce heart attack risk. These vegetable sources of oil contain high amounts of omega-6 fats. Excessive consumption of omega-6s can create chronic inflammatory reactions. […]
June 6, 2023
Published by Michelle Clark
All of us have experienced at least one night of bad sleep. Conservative estimates reveal that 10 to 30 percent of adults live with chronic insomnia. Newborns require up to 18 hours of sleep throughout a 24-hour day. By the age of 5, a child’s sleep architecture begins to mirror an adult’s. But how much sleep do we really need? The average amount of sleep most adults need for optimal functioning is approximately 8 hours, with a range of 7 to 9 hours. However, these are just averages and the perfect amount of sleep varies for everyone. Insomnia looks different […]
May 23, 2023
Published by Life Extension
Beyond the nutritional value of meals, scientists are working to uncover how certain foods should be eaten, what they should be combined with and how they are best absorbed. Discover these eight amazing tweaks to make good-for-you foods even better. 1. Making curry? Add black pepper Turmeric, the spice that gives curry powder its distinctive yellow color, is being studied for its ability to halt the production of cancer cells. Turmeric contains the potent antioxidant curcumin, the active ingredient with anti-cancer potential. Curcumin is not well absorbed by the body, but a sprinkle of black pepper can enhance curcumin […]
May 22, 2023
Published by FoodTrients
Smart new technologies. Longer, healthier lives. Human progress has risen to great heights, but at the same time it has prompted anxiety about where we’re heading. Are our jobs under threat? If we live to 100, will we ever really stop working? And how will this change the way we love, manage and learn from others? One thing is clear: advances in technology have not been matched by the necessary innovation to our social structures. In our era of unprecedented change, we haven’t yet discovered new ways of living. Drawing from the fields of economics and psychology, authors Andrew J. Scott […]
May 11, 2023
Published by Life Extension
Preclinical data show that black tea theaflavins block cancer development and progression. Human studies are urgently needed to evaluate these findings in the clinical setting. It has been observed that people with higher intake of black tea have reduced rates of cancers.1 That may be due to a compound found in black tea called theaflavins. In cell culture and animal models, theaflavins have demonstrated anti-cancer effects, working in multiple ways to slow the spread and progression of many types of cancer.1-5 One group of scientists has dubbed black tea “the future panacea for cancer.”2 Systemic Effects of Theaflavins When green tea leaves are fermented to make black tea, compounds called theaflavins are formed.6 These black […]
May 10, 2023
Published by Grace O
We’re well into spring, so presumably your mood has already lifted from a couple of months ago. But it certainly makes sense that what you eat has lots to do with how you’re feeling about yourself and the world. With longer hours of sunshine (which helps your body use vitamin D for bone health) and the bounty of spring fruits and vegetables available, it’s easy to avoid nutritional deficiencies that increase inflammation within the body, which can contribute to a number of maladies and diseases. For example, there is evidence that depression can be caused by a low-level inflammatory disorder […]
May 10, 2023
Published by Grace O
Most of the people I know have very strong feelings about mushrooms—they either love them or hate them. One of the beauties of mushrooms is that they usually take on the flavor of whatever they are cooked with. If it’s garlic and olive oil, that’s what they taste like. If they’re in a spicy Asian stir fry, they take on those flavors. One thing is certain — mushrooms are healthy little powerhouses of immunity boosters, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Rich in B vitamins such as riboflavin, folate, thiamine, pantothenic acid, and niacin, they are also the only vegan, non-fortified dietary […]
April 25, 2023
Published by Life Extension
Could working out five minutes a day, without lifting a single weight or jogging a single step, reduce your heart attack risk, help you think more clearly and boost your sports performance? Preliminary evidence suggests yes. Now, a Rael-Science post says with a new grant from the National Institute on Aging, CU Boulder researchers have launched a clinical trial to learn more about the ultra-time-efficient exercise known as Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST). “It’s basically strength-training for the muscles you breathe in with,” explains Daniel Craighead, a postdoctoral researcher in the Integrative Physiology department. “It’s something you can do quickly in your […]
April 25, 2023
Published by CeliAct
We’ve all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. A balanced gluten-free breakfast can provide the fuel and nutrients you need to carry you through the day. Unfortunately, it’s also the meal that you’re most likely to skip. For people with celiac disease and for those on a gluten-free diet, it becomes even trickier. Not only does nutrition play a greater role for people with celiac disease, but it can seem like there aren’t any convenient options for a healthy gluten-free breakfast either. After all, it’s not like you can pick up a muffin at a […]
April 24, 2023
Published by Ginger Hultin, MS RDN CSO
Antioxidants have multiple roles in the body and one of the most studied is the ability to reduce oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a natural process and a result of cells doing their jobs, whether that is creating energy, detoxifying the body, digesting food, breathing, thinking, or exercising. If the balance of oxidative stress gets too high it can cause damage to cells. This is where antioxidants come in; they protect your cells, preventing and repairing damage caused by oxidative stress. This balance is what keeps cells healthy and prevents damage that comes along naturally with living and aging. The […]
April 24, 2023
Published by Grace O
When pollen is flying through the air on a spring or summer breeze, foods that reduce allergy symptoms can be a lifesaver. Eating specific compounds—such as the FoodTrients omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, gingerol, oleuropein, and quercitin, as well as probiotics—go a long way toward reducing the swelling of nasal passages and the production of antihistamines. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in large, deep-water fish, whole grains, and nuts. You can also take omega-3 supplements daily to help fight inflammation. Curcumin is an ingredient of the spice turmeric. I have a few recipes using turmeric if you need some ideas for […]
April 11, 2023
Published by Roberto Tostado
How can you improve your own well-being? Here are five non-intuitive lifestyle tweaks that can dramatically improve your life –Laugh more, meditate, learn to forgive and let go, connect with nature, and get your hormones checked for goodness sake! Let me explain: 1. Laugh, no joke! I’ve met people that simply don’t laugh, smile or have a sense of humor. That is stressful to the mind and body since laughter and smiling have been researched and correlated with stronger immunity and better mental health. This is why I have prescribed comedies to patients over the years or have them practice […]
April 11, 2023
Published by Dr. Mark Rosenberg
These days, there’s a lot of controversy about including dairy in your diet. Some popular diets, and health researcher’s, out there claim that dairy is bad and you should omit it. As an orthopedic doctor that sees a lot of broken bones and atrophied muscles, particularly in older people, I don’t happen to agree with that because… Getting Older and Staying Strong Requires Dairy’s 4 Super Nutrients You probably already know that there’s a lot of controversy about whether you should or shouldn’t consume dairy. Other than perhaps a little higher sugar content in cow’s milk than I would like […]