Healthy Nutrition
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Foods For Your Stomach
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 Healthy Diets 23 Mar 2012 | Comments (0) |
Organic Baby Food Contains Genetically Modified Organisms
Major corporations have realized that organic products are a fairly good cash-cow for their company coffers. As the general public adds certified organic products to their weekly food list, the FDA’s division for certified organic has become quite the busy location. But, as in all corporate situations, politics and illusion have entered the world of organic products. It seems that the approval has been given to add genetically modified organisms (GMO) as well as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) to baby foods labeled as certified organic. There is a call to outrage as this prompts a war between consumers and the National Organics Standards Board, aligned with the FDA. These ‘frankenfoods’ are in direct conflict with the term ‘certified organic’.
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| Healthy Nutrition, Nutritious Food5 Mar 2012 | Comments (0) |
Thought MSG was Finally Gone? Wrong – Yeast Extract is a Type of MSG and is in Your Foods
MSG (monosodium glutamate) was a preservative used for years. Many of us had allergic reactions to this chemical and eventually, due to public outcry and health problems, MSG became the unpopular chemical additive. But while we may feel better about buying products that state “MSG-free”, there is a word of caution, manufacturers have found their own ways to put a new spin on this term and still add the active forms of MSG in our foods.
The active ingredient in MSG is free glutamate. The legislation that governs correct label information has defined that if there is less than 78% of glutamic acid or free glutamate the label doesn’t have to have the MSG identification. Another sly marketing move on the part of the food industry is to indicate that free glutamate is a naturally occurring chemical. What they don’t tell you is that while it does occur in a natural form, it is in sparing quantities and is called a bound glutamate. The properties of bound glutamates create a benign situation and therefore remove the health and allergic effects.
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| Healthy Nutrition, Nutritious Food10 Feb 2012 | Comments (0) |
Diabetic risk: beans good, white rice bad
Beans and rice are a favorite combination in a number of countries and areas. In New Orleans, Louisiana, a good beans and rice recipe is considered a family tradition. It is a staple food that is good for you. But recent research indicates that if you are at diabetic risk, it’s the beans you should be focusing on and reducing the white rice from your diet.
A Costa Rican study of nearly two thousand men and women included one key note factor. None of the individuals that participated in the study had diabetes when the research began. Spanning from 1994 to 2004, the study was to collect research on heart disease risk factors. As the Costa Rican culture has flourished the consumption of a mainstay of beans has declined while there has been a dramatic increase in white rice consumption. This led to a question as to if there was also a link with the drastic increase in diabetics. There were other alarming medical factors that were to be noted: an increase in elevated sugar levels, higher levels of the bad body fats in the blood and elevated blood pressure.
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| Nutritious Food9 Nov 2011 | Comments (0) |
Methol Iodide: Poison in our strawberries
It may seem like a no-brainer to all of us that, in this day and age, pesticides are to be considered as bad and wrong. But, the war is still being waged between the farmers that want to get that produce to us in a fresh and appealing way and the actual pesticides that they are using to promote our fruit and vegetables. It seems that our strawberries are the next fodder for the battle. The State of California, working with the Environmental Protection Agency has approved methol iodide as a pesticide. There are questions arising as to whether the data supplied for the approval was falsely represented and we are now eating strawberries with a toxic chemical.
There is a plethora of scientific data on methol iodide, including a 2007 letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency from a scientific group making the request that methol iodide not be considered for approval. The letter specifically states that methol iodide is very toxic and would have a negative effect on public health. Apparently Arysta LifeScience, the company that produces methol iodide didn’t read the many reports. Instead, their own study dictates that methol iodide is mostly safe with only transient neurotoxin damage. It may be noted that methol iodide is the chemical that is used in experiments to actually create cancer cells.
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| Nutritious Food2 Nov 2011 | Comments (0) |
Are you part of the 50% of Americans hooked on beverages filled with sugar?
We are surrounded by sugary beverages and seem to have a love-hate relationship with them. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) has reported that Americans, from two years and older, have a fifty percentile figure when it comes to the consumption of these drinks. With the increase of childhood obesity, could there also be other factors involved in our daily glass of cola?
As a parent, we have the message pounded into us that natural fruit juice and water is better for our children than sugary drinks. When raising our son I made sure that we had very little sodas in the house and only 100% pure fruit juice. The problem? My son would come home and ask why we weren’t ‘normal’. Other parents had lots of sugary drinks in their house and we only had fruit juice.
According to the studies, many parents seem to view these drinks outside of what is considered part of food. Tolerance levels are loosened due to the fact that kids will buy these drinks whether at home, school or out and about. When you combine the more recent effects of lowered physical activity with the higher level of sugar intake, it becomes a recipe for diabetic disaster. Research results are being released that are showing that some of the children and young adults are exhibiting the same comparable artery wall thickness as those of a forty five year old man.
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| Nutritious Food26 Oct 2011 | Comments (0) |
Cherries may be the incredible pain remedy discovery of the century
Mankind (and womankind) has been plagued with pain throughout history. Pain can ruin lives, affect a business and cause mental as well as physical distress. Seeking remedies and relief from pain is a major focus in the medical industry. Pharmaceutical companies tout medicines whose side effects almost outweigh the relief they are supposed to bring and about one third of our population end up on the doorsteps of our physician each year, looking for any way to eliminate chronic pain. Out of the haze of confusion the meek yet powerful cherry is becoming better known as possible natural method to those who experience pain in their lives.
Cherries have been well known to contain anthocyanins which are antioxidants. Repetitive studies and research is now showing that these same anthocyanins may be a major player when talking about the topic of inflammation that causes pain. An original study in 2001 done at Michigan State University, the anthocyanins that are found in cherries were shown to be equal to two of the most common OTC (over the counter) pain medications (also, by the way, listed as NSAIDs). The anthocyanins inhibited the two enzymes that are associated with general inflammation: COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes.
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| Nutritious Food12 Oct 2011 | Comments (0) |
Natto: Superfood that addresses many disorders
It has long been an accepted understanding that the health factor of the Japanese vs. the Western Culture demonstrates a major difference and this equates to problematic health conditions for those of us in the West. Many studies have been conducted regarding the Japanese diet. The average Western diet is high in fat and sugars which leads to high cholesterol, heart disease, stroke and variety of ailments. While we are now more familiar with soy as common Japanese dietary element, there is one more that has entered the foray that is raising eyebrows of the nutritional and medical community alike: Nattokinase (commonly known as Natto).
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| Nutritious Food5 Oct 2011 | Comments (0) |
Superfoods: Fact, fiction and important information
The topic of superfoods has been all over the news. From Oprah to the local health food store, everyone is proclaiming the benefits of superfoods. But, which foods are they and what are the true facts about superfoods?
Superfoods are actually a media coined term and without any confirmation by either the medical, nutritional or dietician community. These are supposed to be foods that naturally contain high quantities of dietary fiber, Vitamin C, antioxidants, manganese and anthocyanins; and yet are low in fat content. These superfoods can help lower cholesterol, Type II diabetes and blood pressure as well as reduce the potential risk of heart disease. They have also been proclaimed to assist the body in fighting off the effects of exposure to radiation.
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| Nutritious Food14 Sep 2011 | Comments (0) |
Copper Deficiency – The Who, Why and What to Do.
It is rarely talked about, but about 10 percent of the population suffers from copper deficiency. Copper is a trace mineral, and it is essential to have proper copper levels in body in order to be considered healthy. There is a variety of health disorders that are caused by copper deficiency. They include:
•Cardiovascular disease
•Osteoporosis
•Colon cancer
•Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis
•Various chronic conditions that involve the heart, blood vessels, connective tissue, and bones
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| Healthy Diets7 Jul 2011 | Comments (0) |
Omega 3 fatty acids – The What, Why and How
Omega 3 fatty acid is an example of an essential health nutrient, and is also referred to as polyunsaturated fat. The Omega 3 fatty acids diet is beneficial for a variety of bodily functions, like building brain cell membranes, controlling the clotting of our blood, preventing the possibility of strokes, and protection from heart disease. In addition, some new studies are revealing other advantages of the Omega 3 fatty acids diet, such as the prevention and aid of conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, some types of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases.
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| Healthy Diets27 Jun 2011 | Comments (0) |
3 More Reasons Eggs are the Best Source of Protein
4) Extra Health Benefits
Eggs may be the only protein that has as many health benefits. Not only are eggs a perfect source of protein, they have nutrients that improve ocular health and your nervous system. Eggs contain lutein and zeaxanthin which both prevent macular degeneration and lower the risk of cataracts. They also contain choline which regulates both the brain and the nervous system. Eggs are also full of other vitamins and minerals such as vitamins B6, B12, E, Iron and Zinc. Eggs are also one of the only foods with naturally occurring vitamin D.
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| Healthy Diets17 Jun 2011 | Comments (0) |
Why Eggs are the Best Source of Protein
Eggs are not only a staple of the bodybuilder’s diet; they are a centerpiece of the American diet. While nutritionists may debate whether eggs have negative effects on cholesterol, there is no disputing that it is an amazing source of protein. Below are a few reasons I believe eggs are the best source of protein.
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| Healthy Diets17 Jun 2011 | Comments (0) |
3 More Beverages That Can Save Your Life
4) Red Wine
In moderation that is. Red wine can raise your good cholesterol (HDL) and acts as a potent blood thinner. Red wine also contains resveratrol which is a powerful antioxidant that lowers your risk of blood clotting and can improve your overall cardiovascular health. It has also been shown to reduce the amount of smooth muscle cells in your arteries which is directly correlated to strokes and heart attacks.
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| Healthy Diets16 Jun 2011 | Comments (0) |
Beverages That Can Save Your Life
We are often told in society what drinks are unhealthy and should be avoided but we spend little time highlighting the drinks that have nutritional value. Of course we all know the amazing health benefits of water, but there are many other beverages that are great choices for your health and wellbeing. Below are a few drinks you should include in your diet.
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| Healthy Diets16 Jun 2011 | Comments (0) |
3 More Foods That Will Save Your Life
4) Flaxseed
Flaxseeds are the richest plant source of Omega-3 fatty acids and contain fiber. They protect your bones, have anti-inflammatory benefits and help to lower cholesterol and control blood pressure. They have also been shown to be especially beneficial to women. They reduce hot flashes in postmenopausal women. Like walnuts, they are small and convenient and pack a powerful health punch.
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| Nutritious Food27 May 2011 | Comments (0) |
3 Foods That Will Save Your Life
There are specific foods that have the capacity to drastically improve your health and even save your life. These foods are loaded with nutrients that strengthen your body and defend against illness. While there are many foods that can be classified as superfoods, below are the three of the most potent.
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| Nutritious Food27 May 2011 | Comments (0) |
3 More Reasons Your Fad Diet Will Fail
4) Fad Diets Make You Feel Unhealthy
Most fad diets are completely counterproductive. They limit your caloric intake and substitute sugar with artificial ingredients so you can “enjoy” the treats you love without gaining weight. Starving yourself will make you feel tired and exhausted and some point you will crack and binge. A healthy long-term approach will help you achieve your goals and develop a healthy lifestyle.
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| Nutritious Food26 May 2011 | Comments (0) |
3 Reasons Your Fad Diet Will Fail
It seems like every day there a new fad diet enters the marketplace. Whether in magazines or on infomercials, we are constantly bombarded with new exciting ways to lose weight. Unfortunately few of these diets work. Most people start them in January as a New Year’s resolution only to forget about them by spring. Below are three reasons your fad diet will fail.
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| Healthy Diets26 May 2011 | Comments (0) |
3 More Ways Carbs Make You Fat
1) Addiction
We all love the feeling we get after eating a sweet and savory treat. Some of us, however, become addicted to simple carbs, especially the sweet kind. You would be surprised how easy it is to walk away from your carb addiction. At first it can tough, but once you find a healthier alternative to treat yourself, whether a hobby or a healthier food, you won’t miss the sweets. You will soon learn that eating healthy makes you feel better. You no longer experience the highs and lows of sugar addiction.
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| Healthy Diets25 May 2011 | Comments (0) |
