Eating healthfully doesn’t always mean higher prices at the grocery store. In fact, some of the most nutritious foods can be found for pennies at local markets. “Super foods,” as they’re sometimes called, is the catch phrase used for nutrient-dense foods that sometimes have disease-fighting properties, such as antioxidants, said Jonathan Allen, coordinator of the interdepartmental nutrition program at N.C. State University’s Department of Food Bio-processing & Nutrition Sciences. And while these super foods aren’t the only foods you should eat as part of a well-balanced diet, their prices make them a bargain — especially when you consider the costs […]
The rich aroma, the robust flavor tingling on every taste bud, the tantalizing, satisfying feeling you get afterward. Nothing beats a high quality piece of chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Whether you’re enjoying it as a quick snack or diving into a decadent dessert, you know how important the right chocolate is. If you’re in pursuit of the finest dark chocolates, you have no further to go. Picking the finest in dark chocolate is like picking a fine wine, you need to research, study and know what separates quality from mediocrity. Let’s take a journey […]
Many of my readers are peanut butter lovers and you may be too. That’s why I wanted you to know about the current salmonella tainted peanut products outbreak that, as of October 16, has sickened 35 people in 19 states. If you typically buy peanut butter from Trader Joe’s or consume other peanut-containing products bought anywhere, you’ll want to check the list of products cited for recall at the manufacturer’s website (see link below). Here’s what happened. Salmonella Peanut Butter Outbreak 2012 At the end of September 2012, the CDC confirmed salmonella Bredeney bacteria outbreak in peanut products that came out of […]
Your body will never waste a calorie. Each calorie is either burned for energy or stored for later use. Calories come in three forms, which are the macromolecules of human nutrition: fat, protein and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are interesting. The basic building block of all carbohydrates, whether simple or complex, is a single sugar molecule called glucose. This means that all carbohydrates, from whole grains to table sugar, will eventually break down into a single glucose molecule. Glucose is the main energy source for all cells, including your heart, brain and muscles. But here’s where it gets interesting: Sugar, if it’s not burned […]
Pomegranates are the epitome of a super food — for no small reason. In fact, these bright red fruits are one of the richest sources of antioxidants known. They’ve been shown to protect against a variety of diseases including heart disease, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. But the benefits of pomegranate don’t stop there. In fact, pomegranate juice may slow prostate cancer growth, according to research from UCLA. Let’s take a look at the research. Study Finds Pomegranate Slows Rising PSA Levels In the study, investigators from UCLA recruited men with a prior history of prostate cancer. They had undergone cancer surgery or radiation, but their […]
Pumpkins are chock full of the FoodTrient carotenoids, which our bodies turn into vitamin A. These nutrients are really good for your skin, hair, eyes, and heart. They also help prevent cancer and support the immune system. Winter squash is also a good source of the FoodTrient fiber, which helps to control the appetite and is good for the digestive tract. So I’m exploring delicious ways to enjoy many interesting fall fruits of the vine: pumpkins, kabocha squash, butternut squash, acorn squash, hubbard squash, and turban squash. At this time of the year, pumpkin pie is very popular. Since I […]
Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a carb-loaded, over-eating frenzy. You can make satisfying, healthy, anti-aging food choices for this holiday that will leave you feeling thankful for indulging. Take turkey, for example. I cook at least four turkeys each Thanksgiving because I usually have about 30 people over for dinner. Turkey contains tryptophan, which produces niacin, giving us energy. Tryptophan also builds the hormone serotonin, which helps ensure healthy neurotransmitters in our brain. Turkey also contains the FoodTrient selenium, a detoxifying antioxidant. You don’t have to drown your turkey in fatty gravy. It can be deliciously sauced using healthier ingredients. […]
This year, give thanks with less–fewer pesticides, greenhouse gases and maybe less money. Small turkeys can be tastier. And when you cook just what you need, you don’t waste. Try an organic, local or heritage turkey or one raised without antibiotics. Or embrace a seasonal, climate-smart, stuffed winter squash centerpiece instead. Cranberry sauce is super easy, delicious and even more nutritious to make from scratch. Opt for organic cranberries if you can, because conventional berries are heavily treated. Pumpkin pie is a Thanksgiving tradition, with good reason. Pumpkin is packed with nutrition, widely available locally and generally low in pesticides. Baked pears are simple and delightful. White potatoes […]
Many of my patients are on the lookout for anti-aging news and products that will help them stay younger-looking, stronger and healthier as they age. Perhaps you, too, are looking for the best anti-aging products and information you can find. Well, you’ve come to the right place, as anti-aging medicine is my specialty. I’d like to tell you about one of the best anti-aging substances out there – literally a “star” amongst antioxidants. Astaxanthin – An Amazing Carotenoid The Greek word “asta” means “star-like” and even has been translated as “love” itself. Xanthin means yellow in Greek and is a […]
If you’ve been taking calcium supplements as prevention against osteoporosis and then quit because of the concerning findings of previous studies – you may not have needed to, says a new Harvard study. In an earlier Healthy Answers newsletter article [Why You May Want to Stop taking Calcium Supplements, September 2012], I alerted my readers to research findings from both German and New Zealand studies that suggested the possible dangers of taking calcium supplements. Yet, this new study, out of a Harvard Medical School division, the Institute for Aging Research (IFAR) at Hebrew SeniorLife, had quite different findings from these previous studies. […]