Foods to Help You Stay Young

You are what you eat, so why not eat foods that help you stay young. Here are some of my favorites:

Almonds -- An ounce of almonds (about 23) contains about 9 grams of heart-healthy oleic acid. A quarter of almond's calaories come from fiber and protein and so an almond snack will keep your tummy happy a lot longer than a rice cake. Best of all, almonds have been shown in laboratory studies to improve memory.

Eggs -- That's right. Eggs are healthy foods. A large egg contains 6.3 grams of high-quality protein and only 72 calories. An article in the International Journal of Obesity found that people who replace high carb breakfasts with eggs lost weight 65 percent faster. Egg eaters are half as likely as those who don't eat eggs to be deficient in vitamin B12, 24 percent less likely to be deficient in vitamin A and 36 percent less likely to be deficient in vitamin E. Worried about cholesterol? A study indicates that people who eat at least four eggs a week had significantly lower cholesterol levels than those who ate fewer than one egg.

Garlic -- Garlic should be considered a wonder drug. Allicin, found in high quantities in garlic, is a potent antibacterial and antifungal. This smelly but tasty herb fights cancer, strengthens your cardiovascular system, decreases fat storage and even fights acne inflammation. Don't over cook it, however, that will kills its nutritional value.

Green tea -- Green tea, like garlic, is a wonder food. Green tea is high in catechins, an antioxident concentrated in tea leaves. A 2006 AMA decade-long study of Japanese adults with a seven-year follow-up study found that those who drank five or more cups of green tea a day were 26 percent less likely to have died from any cause. A short term, 12 week study, found that green tea drinkers lost more weight than non-green-tea drinkers. This was believed to have been caused by the metabolic boost caused by green tea.

Grapefruit -- Want to lose weight? Try grapefruit. In a study of 100 obese people conducted by the Scripps Clinic in California those who ate half a grapefruit with each meal (yup, three serveings a day) lost an average of 3.6 pounds over 12 weeks and some lost as much as 10 pounds. The control group, those who didn't get to dine of the tangy fruit, only lost 1/2 pound. Ouch.

Bell Peppers -- I know that they cost a little more, but when you by Bell Peppers opt for the brightly colored ones, the yellow, orange and red ones. These peppers are highest in antioxidents (carotenoids) that will improve your immune function. Carotenoids also improve intercelluar communication, protect the body against sun damage and reduce the risk of some cancers. If you like it hot, cook with some chili peppers. In addition to carotenoids hot peppers contian capsaicins that have been shown to fight headaches, reduce arthritis pain, and boost metabolism.

Avocado -- Don't you just love slices of avocado on you salad? Keep enjoying them and every time you eat one remember that you are reducing your risk of heart disease at the same time. Some fat is good for you and more than half the calories in an avocado come from monounsaturated fat (also found in olive, canola, and peanut oils). Monounsaturated fats have been shown to improve cholesterol profiles and reduce triglyceride levels. Even better news . . . studies have shown that there is no link between monounsaturated fats and body fat.

More Concerns About Flu Vaccine

The following is a quote out of a recent news article published in Germany. The link to the full article is given below.

"The swine flu vaccine has been hit by new cancer fears after a German health expert gave a shock warning about its safety.

"Lung specialist Wolfgang Wodarg has said that there are many risks associated with the vaccine for the H1N1 virus.

"He has grave reservations about the firm Novartis who are developing the vaccine and testing it in Germany. The vaccination is injected “with a very hot needle”, Wodarg said.

"The nutrient solution for the vaccine consists of cancerous cells from animals and "we do not know if there could be an allergic reaction".

"But more importantly, some people fear that the risk of cancer could be increased by injecting the cells.

"The vaccine - as Johannes Löwer, president of the Paul Ehrlich Institute, has pointed out - can also cause worse side effects than the actual swine flu virus."

Read the rest of the article at: http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/world-news/2009/08/07/swine-flu-health-expert-warning/does-virus-vaccine-increase-risk-of-cancer.html

You suggest that you also read the report, "Flu drugs inappropriate for healthy adults: study" published in Rueters last month: http://www.reuters.com/article/healthNews/idUSTRE57K54B20090822?feedType=RSS&feedName=healthNews.

Stay healthy!

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Every wonder why it is so hard to lose weight?

Just In . . . Tea and Diabetes

Black tea has long been known for its antioxidants, immune boosting and antihypertensive properties. Now it turns out that it could have another health benefit.

Researchers studied the polysaccharide levels of green, oolong and black teas to determine whether they could be used to treat diabetes. Polysaccharides, a type of carbohydrate that includes starch and cellulose, may benefit people with diabetes because they help retard absorption of glucose. This latest study concentrated on a natural polysaccharide compound that mimics type 2 diabetes drugs Precose and Glyset. The tea polysaccharides reduce blood sugar by inhibiting alpha-glucosidase, an enzyme that turns starch into glucose. Precose and Glyset work inhibiting this enzyme as well.

The researchers found that of the three teas, the polysaccharides in black tea had the most glucose-inhibiting properties. The black tea polysaccharides also showed the highest scavenging effect on free radicals that are involved in the onset of diseases such as cancer and rheumatoid arthritis.

Reference: "Black Tea May Fight Diabetes" found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/07/090728172604.htm and http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1002096

My Favorites

I'm often asked what my favorite supplements are and my answer is always the same, "It depends." However, here are some supplements that I think are very important. Don't take them becuase I like them. Do your own research and find out what your body needs.

Conenzyme Q10 (Co-Q10) for heart health -- Co-Q10 is a compound made by the body that fuels energy production in muscles, including the heart and that scavenges free radicals. The production of Co-Q10 is affected by both age and the use of statin drugs. Studies have shown that daily Co-Q10 use afer a heart attack can significantly reduce the risk of another heart attack. It can also reduce the side effects of statin drugs like muscle aches. It helps the heart pump more effectively in cases of congestive heart failure and has also been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesteral levels.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) for heart health -- A 2006 study of heart disease patients demonstrated that daily use of extended release niacin over a period of 12 to 24 months caused a significant reduction of plaque. It also raises good cholesterol levels.

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) for weight loss -- CLA is believed to reduce fat storage and to lower the number and size of fat cells. It may also promote lean muscle mass. See my previous blog on weight loss for more information about CLA.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) for Diabetes -- ALA is believed to lower blood sugar levels by metabolizing sugar (glucose) and by transporting it to the muscles where it is used in the energy production cycle. ALA is used in Europe as a prescription remedy for diabetic neuropathy. A 2006 study indicated that patients who took 600 to 1,000 mg of ALA per day over a five week period had a significant reduction in diabetic neuropathy.

Tumeric (Curcumin) 'cause it good for you --Curcumin reduces the activity of enzymes that lead to excessive inflamation. A 2008 study demonstrated that curcumin significantly inhibited the growth of human colon cancer cells. I eat at least one plate a day of vegetables sauted with olive oil and tumeric.

This is just a short list . . . check back in a week or so for more of my favorites.