Most nutritionists agree there is no one dietary pattern that’s ideal for everyone. In addition to your unique combination of genes, medical history, cultural and family background, taste preferences and daily living patterns, you apply your own set of values to your eating approach. Some people may focus on preventing or managing disease, others on protecting the environment, some on managing weight, others on enjoying what they eat and so on. Prioritizing what matters to you can help determine your eating style. The six dietary patterns discussed here have dominated headlines over the past few years. We’ve tapped nutrition experts […]
As cold and flu season comes to an end, you may breathe a sigh of relief but keep in mind that a strong immune system is key any time of year. Every day our immune systems protect us against viruses, bacteria and rogue abnormal cells that could even lead to cancer. Antioxidants and vitamins like vitamins A, C, D, E, selenium, and zinc are one crucial piece of the immune picture as are foods with fiber that support a healthy gut microbiome. Here is the ultimate FoodTrients® list of the top 50 foods that boost the immune system to keep […]
The term amino acid might sound a bit strange, but the definition is straightforward: Strands of these molecules form the building blocks of protein. When you digest protein, your body breaks it down into individual amino acids and then reconstitutes them as needed. Amino acid supplements are most often associated with bodybuilders. After all, muscle consists of protein, and amino acids do help build muscle, and not just in young men. But individual amino acids also serve a variety of health-promoting roles in the body. For example, they can influence mood, reduce stress and boost immunity. As a consequence, shoppers […]
Who doesn’t love pesto, the uncooked sauce most associated with the city of Genoa in Northern Italy? The pesto most of us have tried is made with fresh basil that’s been pounded and mixed with super-diced garlic, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, then blended with extra virgin olive oil. Basil pesto imparts a beautiful green color on pasta and is a great spread on Italian bread. The dark green basil leaves are nutritional stars, because they are full of compounds that stabilize blood sugar levels and antioxidants that help protect cells from free radical damage. The garlic in pesto contains allicin, […]
Let’s say you twisted your ankle and it’s causing unbearable pain. You’ll likely go to a doctor, who will examine you and probably order an X-ray. If it’s just a sprain, you’ll be advised to apply ice, elevate and stay off it, and you’ll need crutches to get around for a while. If it’s a break, you might get a cast or a brace, or possibly an appointment with a surgeon, and some time off to heal. But what happens when your unbearable pain isn’t visible, can’t easily be explained or diagnosed, and doesn’t have a commonly accepted medical treatment? […]
These ribs get their boost of flavor from a sauce made with baobab—an African fruit with a rather dry but antioxidant-rich pulp. I think baobab may be the next most exciting superfood. The dry, powdery fruit pulp has a tangy, lemon-like flavor that goes very well with barbecued ribs. You can use lemon juice or lemon zest (1 Tbs.) in place of the baobab powder, but it won’t have the same health benefits. Serves 4–6 Ingredients 2 lbs. pork baby back ribs 1 cup barbecue sauce 1 Tbs. baobab powder 2 Tbs. olive oil 1 Tbs. minced garlic ¼ tsp. […]
Age–the older we get the stronger the messages become: you’re no longer attractive, you’re invisible, your health is failing, you are out of style and over the hill. But wait . . . here comes Barbara Hannah Grufferman with a book that will blast those demeaning and degrading messages to smithereens and even make you love your age! The book is called LOVE YOUR AGE: The Small-step Solution To a Better, Longer, Happier Life and it belongs on the nightstand of every woman who has kissed her half-century birthday goodbye. Warm, engaging, and user-friendly, this powerful, practical guide to aging […]
The May 2018 issue of The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness published the finding of
When I first saw pictures of the baobab tree, I thought I was looking at an extraterrestrial landscape. About 60 feet tall with fat trunks and at the very top, branches that are bare for nine months of the year, the baobab looks like a regular tree that has been jammed into the ground upside-down with the roots sticking up in the air.
Not just for Thanksgiving anymore, cranberries are tart nutrition powerhouses that have been used since ancient times as medicine. Because of their intensely