Health researchers (as well as your mom) have been telling you for years that you need to eat more fruits and vegetables for good health. Seems we’re always hearing something new about their many health benefits. And, now, I’ve got yet another reason for you to eat more fruits and vegetables, especially if you’re over age 50 and want to protect your bones. Potassium: The Cell Salt That Keeps Your Bones Strong If you’re over 50, you might not be getting enough of the cell salt mineral potassium. Especially if your intake of fruits and vegetables is not quite what […]
Protein is very important for strong muscles and bones. Lean protein helps achieve weight loss. I love meat—it has riboflavin, vitamin B12, tyrosine, and the FoodTrient zinc—but I enjoy it in moderation, which protects against cardiovascular disease. I also am careful about eating cured meats, which can aggravate joints and promote gout. Whenever possible, I use grass-fed beef over corn-fed beef because cows were created to eat grass, not corn. The meat from animals that graze grass—cows, lambs, or even buffalo—contains more of the good-for-you omega-3 fatty acids and less of the bad-for-you omega-6s. And I make sure I buy […]
Health researchers may have finally put the nail in the coffin of our national addiction to cola consumption. As a cardiologist, I couldn’t be happier. My colleagues and I have known for sometime that colas (and other soft drinks) are a significant detriment to your heart and overall health. And it’s not just about sugar or artificial sweeteners…here’s why. Your Favorite Cola Ups Your Risk for Heart Disease and Cancer The National Soft Drink Association (NSDA) reports that Americans drink about 600, 12-ounce cans of soda per year, or 13.15 billion gallons. The 2 most popular soft drinks in the […]
Today’s complex techno-world is full of man-made processed foods, synthetic medicines, and artificial replicas of just about everything. Yet, there are 4 of Nature’s superpower foods that you can still turn to for good health, especially as you get older. Here’s what they are… Super Seeds: 4 of Nature’s Best Anti-Aging, Health Boosting Foods It’s hard to find one man-made super food, let alone 4, that offers protection for your heart, brain, bones, joints, and keeps your skin looking ageless to boot. Yet, that’s exactly what these 4 super seeds do. If you haven’t added at least 1 of them […]
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 […]
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 […]
Despite it being known as the “blood-clotting” vitamin, research shows vitamin K has anti-aging, anti-cancer, and even bone-building effects. Within the last couple of years, it has garnered even more attention for its potential role in preventing heart disease. Impressively, a recent study found that one of its sub-fractions, vitamin MK-7, improved arterial health. The results were published in the journal,Thromobosis and Haemostasis. Vitamin K2 Reduces Arterial Stiffness and Improves Elasticity A fundamental role of vitamin K is to keep calcium out of arteries and into bones. With aging, the reverse is frequently seen, which could explain why older people are stricken with […]
Like many people, you may get acid indigestion at times. The first thing you do is reach for your favorite over-the-counter antacid to get relief. But, what if I told you that every time you use that antacid, you increase your risk of a life-threatening fracture? It’s true. Here’s why. Your Favorite Antacid Is Damaging Your Bones If you’re over 50, your risk for osteoporosis and a debilitating, life-changing fracture is much greater. Hormonal decreases in both older men and women can create mineral insufficiencies and weaken your bones. It can put you at higher risk for debilitating fractures of […]
I see many fractured bones every week, most often in people over 50. That’s why I want to tell you about a powerful exercise training system that actually targets fracture-prone areas of your bones. With just a little effort each week, you can build new, stronger bones and lower your risk for fracture. Beat Osteoporosis with Epidensity Training Women are more prone to developing osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones, especially after menopause. Decreasing estrogen levels makes bones thinner and more vulnerable to fracture. And, if you’re a woman whose mother, aunt, or grandmother had osteoporosis, your chances of developing […]
It’s summer and avocados are at their best. Who doesn’t love this buttery-rich fruit that’s full of nutrients and good fats? I’m just happy to take a ripe avocado and spread it on whole grain toast, but the chef in me can’t resist coming up with new ideas for avocados, too. Here are some facts about avocados that make them one of the healthiest foods you can eat: They’re high in monounsaturated fat, specifically oleic acid, an omega-9 fat that can help lower cholesterol. The monounsaturated fat in avocados is also associated with reduced risk of cancer and diabetes. Avocados […]