Probiotics, which are typically known for their effects on the digestive tract, are becoming a hot topic in the field of psychology. Previous research shows a potential role in alleviating anxiety. And now, a recent study suggests that probiotics may even help to alleviate depression. The results were published in the journal, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity. Probiotics Reduce Sad Thoughts Rumination, which is the repetition of negative thoughts, is a risk factor for depression. Scientists from the Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition wanted to investigate if probiotics could play a role in the treatment of the disease. For the […]
Darryle Pollack, author, artist, cancer survivor and writer for the Huffington Post, recently praised the positive effects of moringa that she learned about after meeting Grace O and reading up on the miracle plant on FoodTrients.com in The Age GRACEfully Cookbook. Almost unknown in the United States, its popularity is growing worldwide thanks to what many believe are its health benefits — ranging from boosting immunity, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, increasing breast milk, even headache relief. “With a boost from Grace O’s culinary creativity, moringa could soon become a household word,” says Darryle in her […]
Recently, Grace Mercado Ouano (Grace O), owner and CEO of three skilled nursing facilities in California and noted wellness and anti-aging cookbook author, hosted over 100 physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals at the third annual New Roads to Health events. The seminars, conducted over three days and culminating at the Education Center at the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Valencia, CA, featured Dr. Keith Block, Medical & Scientific Director at the Block Center for Integrative Cancer Treatment in Skokie, IL. Dr. Block is a medical doctor who during his 30+ year career has treated over 15,000 people with cancer. Dr. […]
A tropical American fruit, cherimoyas are popular in the Southern hemisphere and Spain. In Britain they’re called custard apples which aptly describes their texture and flavor. Cherimoyas can be purchased online from Amazon.com or melissas.com and need to be allowed to ripen until soft before using. The black seeds are poisonous when crushed, so be sure to discard them. Cherimoyas offer vitamin B6—an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory, vitamin C, iron, and riboflavin for cell energy. These small, candy-like balls have a custardy flavor. Since many people have never tried cherimoyas, I like to serve them this way at parties as […]
The Chinese have been growing and eating jujubes for over 4,000 years. Jujube, or Chinese date, trees are shrub-like with thorny branches. The fruits are shaped like small apples that are green when unripe and turn brownish red. As they ripen and age they wrinkle and shrink to the size of a large date. The flesh of the fruit is most like an apple when it’s unripe. As it ripens it becomes soft and spongy. Asians generally steep slices of jujubes in hot water and make a jujube tea. Sometimes they reduce the tea on the stove and add sugar, […]
Like many big projects, writing a cookbook requires years of preparation, hard work and worry, culminating with that moment when you present your ‘baby’ to the world. I was excited to officially introduce my cookbook, The Age GRACEfully Cookbook to members of the press and culinary, health and wellness experts on a recent evening at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills. My book is a collection of illustrated recipes that incorporate ingredients, which I call FoodTrients, that help you look and feel younger not only on the inside, but also on the outside. All of my recipes are the […]
Working night shifts can be strenuous under even the most standard conditions. So, when you flip the switch on daily life to battle through a night shift, things can really get tricky.
I was sitting in my friend’s lush, tropical-style garden recently, admiring her beautiful collection of flowering bromeliads. These are very exotic looking plants with spiky leaves and red, pink or golden elongated flowers reaching out from the middle. They are native to the tropics of Central and South America and West Africa. In a colorfully glazed pot there was a miniature ornamental pineapple. I remembered that pineapples are also bromeliads and this got me thinking about how much I enjoy pineapple and the wonderful things pineapples do for your health. Pineapples are second only to bananas as Americans’ favorite tropical […]
In the last year alone, scientists from three different laboratories have published studies that demonstrate how polyphenol molecules derived from apples extend life span in various species by as much as 12%. These researchers are unraveling the various mechanisms of action that give apple polyphenols such promise as anti-aging nutrients. Initial findings show that apple polyphenols modulate multiple signaling molecules to delay the onset of age-related disorders. They may also mimic the actions of calorie restriction, a known antiaging technique. One polyphenol, phloridzin, which is heavily concentrated in the skin of the apple, also potently suppresses several processes leading to glycation, […]
Probiotics have formed a vital part of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern diets for thousands of years, in the form of fermented milk and vegetable products such as yogurt and pickles. They are credited, in part, for the relatively low rates of