Growing up, I couldn’t help but internalize the importance of a “balanced breakfast.” Cold cereal commercials were always advertising the fact that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Still, I went to school on an empty stomach because I just couldn’t muster up an appetite before noon. My studies suffered considerably, and the trend continued until I finally took action.
I read about the importance of getting one’s metabolism going early in the day, and that the best way to do it was to eat a small breakfast. Protein bars were simple and convenient enough to eat on the go, and I suddenly found myself more energized and alert in the mornings. I know you can’t believe everything you see on TV, but I wish I would have paid more attention to those commercials as a kid.
New research from China adds to a small but growing body of evidence suggesting that getting more omega-3 fats and less omega-6s may reduce your cancer risk. Vanderbilt researchers analyzed data on 73,242 Chinese women in the Shanghai Women’s Health Study. They found that women with the highest ratio of omega-6s to omega-3s were nearly twice as likely to develop colorectal cancer as those with the lowest ratio.
What is the answer? Reduce dietary intake of omega 6 which is found in greatest amounts in foods such as poultry dark meat and organ meats, and also comes from eggs. Research suggests that Omega 6 an essential fatty acid, more specifically arachidonic acid may promote inflammation that’s associated with cancer.
Getting more Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, halibut and other marine life such as algae and krill, also certain plants and nut oils has been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers. In addition omega-3 fatty acids also known as polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis. There is a wide variety of Omega 3 supplements available that can be taken as a convenient and great alternative to assure you are getting enough Omega 3 in your daily diet. This also reduces the risk of consuming mercury and other heavy metals associated with eating to much of fish. So make sure you purchase supplements that are certified mercury free.
Great news for all you Snacker’s out there and Veggie Naysayers, according to a new University of Scranton research study: Whole-grain cereals and Whole-grain snacks also contain surprisingly high levels of antioxidants called polyphenols, rivaling such well-known antioxidant sources as fruits and vegetables.
Now I am not implying that this is a cue not to eat healthy just an opportunity to be OK with a good healthy whole-grain snack such as a whole-grain protein bar to get you through to the next wholesome meal. They are convenient, affordable and can help you avoid the pit falls of the fast food restaurant fix when on the go. Whole-grain protein bars are the fast food that won’t slow you down. Look for naturally sweetened snack bar choices with no hydrogenated oil or artificial ingredients, they are not only better for you, dollar for dollar they are a better bargain. So munch away guilt free.
In the most comprehensive study released to date on mercury contamination in the nation’s streams, underscored how widespread mercury pollution has become. The U.S. Geological study released on Wednesday found toxic substance in every fish tested at nearly 300 streams across the country. The alarming findings not only effect wildlife but the levels of mercury in the water and sediments can also show up in our drinking water system as well.
Although we reside in a country with one of the finest water treatment processes in the world it is still not perfect, and in some regions less than optimal. Even though are water is treated for contaminates with chlorine which is said to be safe in low exposure it is still a very toxic chemical. Also once the water leaves the plant it is destine to pickup a variety of contaminates before it arrives for use in drinking and bathing.
Fear not a simple remedy is to pick up a high quality water purifying filter for your home. Affordable and easy to install it is a safe bet to offset the increasing levels of contaminates being found in our water system. And if you are away from home you can now get a water bottle that will filter the water as you drink it from the bottle. I think that is pretty cool and convenient, not to mention minimizing the continuing impact on the environment from disposable plastic water bottles.
For someone who’s accustomed to training with free weights, the transition to resistance training can be slightly confusing. The key is to forget about weight altogether. Rather than dwelling on measurements such as pounds and kilograms in terms of weight, you’ll need to select bands based on the level of tension. Select just enough tension to ensure a challenging workout, and upgrade your routine as needed.
Resistance bands are especially convenient for workouts on the go. Whereas free weights are a pain to lug from place to place, resistance bands can fit easily inside a travel bag. They can be used solo, unlike dumbbells which require a spotter to be used safely. If you have further questions about the proper form and technique to implement during resistance training, consult a gym professional or a relevant workout video.
Over the past few weeks as I open the internet health news pages the redundant articles on the swine Flu is about all you see. Get a Flu shot is the solution to this alleged pandemic. The Alarmist’s out cries with predictions of unprecedented absences at schools this fall would give anyone the blues, and drive people to get a Flu shot. Has anyone noticed in the past years before this “Scary Pig Flu” arrived on the scene that people that get a Flu vaccination still get sick anyway? If not from a reaction to the shot, they contract a different strain of the Flu. There is no one size fits all Flu Shot and it does not guarantee that you will not get the Flu. And the statistics of illness and morbidity rate from the Flu are not accurate as they are bundled with other illnesses such as pneumonia and pre-existing conditions.
Now I am not saying that this vaccination does not have a place and a use for the elderly and immune compromised it may be appropriate. What has me all annoyed with all this hoop-la is the only option the media gives you is a profit driven vaccination.
No one is talking or writing about prevention through healthy lifestyle choices, especial during the Flu season. Wow what a novel Idea.
How about taking this opportunity to educate people on healthier food choices that boost the immune system. Fortifying the immune system with a good multivitamin for added nutritional insurance. Letting people know about the benefits of taking an extra serving of daily Super Green Food. Getting a little more rest and stay hydrated. All of these suggestions are backed by decades of scientific validation for their health benefits along with keeping you healthy. Even being isolated on an island can’t guarantee you won’t contract the Flu but proper prevention through dietary solutions will give you better odds. And if you do become ill it will help fight off the virus and speed recovery. Besides, good healthy foods taste better and is lot more enjoyable than vaccine shots.
With all the hoop-la about protein these days from the Atkins diet and the South Beach diet to the high protein hype for building muscle and losing weight Amino Acids ARE the real hero that seems to have been forgotten, lost in the fanfare of protein. Amino acids, are the forgotten hero because protein is not protein without them and without a complete protein profile it is just that, incomplete. It is like walking around with just one shoe on, one is good but not great it is incomplete and half functional.
Amino acids play central roles both as building blocks of proteins and as intermediates in metabolism. The 20 amino acids that are found within proteins convey a vast array of chemical versatility and combine to making a complete protein. The precise amino acid content, and the sequence of those amino acids, of a specific protein, is determined by the sequence of the bases in the gene that encodes that protein. The chemical properties of the amino acids of proteins determine the biological activity of the protein. Proteins not only catalyze all (or most) of the reactions in living cells, they control virtually all cellular process. In addition, proteins contain within their amino acid sequences the necessary information to determine how that protein will fold into a three dimensional structure, and the stability of the resulting structure.
In brief Amino Acids are the chemical units or “building blocks” of proteins that make up the components of the body . Amino Acids the real Hero of healthy tissue that combine to make protein and protein substances make up the muscles, tendons, organs, glands, nails, and hair. Growth, repair and maintenance of all cells are dependent upon them. Next to water, protein (amino acids) makes up the greatest portion of our body weight.
So the next time you have that chicken salad or your favorite protein shake give a little nod and smile for the 20 amino acids that have created such a tasty and healthy body moment.
Watch for more on the Amino Hero’s in the Future.
Exercise a word that can strike fear into even the bravest of couch potatoes. Not to worry its time to get over the intimidation of the hot hard bodies of the infomercial world and turn off that TV.
Although joining a fitness club is a popular choice to get in shape it is definitely not for everyone. And it doesn’t need to be. Exercise is just another word for getting your body in motion and let’s face it, not everyone likes pumping iron or pretending there a hamster running on a treadmill. So they often choose to stay in the security of their couch not knowing where to start.
First of all it’s easier and more fun than you may think. How much exercise do you need? Adults need a minimum 2 hours and 30 minutes (150 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as a brisk walk, swimming or water aerobics, riding a bike on level ground with a few hills, playing tennis or even giving your gardener the day off and mowing your own lawn. You also need muscle-strengthening activities on a minimum of 2 or more days a week that work all major muscle groups (legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms). There are many ways you can strengthen your muscles, whether it’s at home or the gym. You may want to try the following: using resistance bands, heavy gardening, use your body weight for resistance such as Push-ups park in the back of the parking lot and take your own groceries out to the car.
If even this still has you clinging to your couch with white knuckles, start even slower go to the mall and walk, (you may want to leave your credit cards at home). Find a park that has stairs or beach and walk, and best of all invite a friend to join you and enjoy sharing some long over do conversation without texting, while getting some fresh air and you know “exercising”.
When it comes to sugar Americans consume more sugar per day than any other country in the world.
At an average of 22.2 teaspoons per day caring about 355 extra calories it is nearly three times the recommended dietary amount based on the American Heart Assoc. guidelines. But wait it may not be the fault of the average consumer. Much of the sugar that shows up in our average daily food consumption comes from surprisingly unexpected places.
Take for example the health conscious buyer that shops for low fat products and buys “Reduced” fat salad dressings. Trying to cut down on saturated fats, one would think that this would be a good choice. However on a closer look we find that a one-cup serving of reduced-calorie French dressing heaps on 58 grams of added sugar, reduced-fat coleslaw dressing hits a home run with 103 grams of added sugar. Now we know that the average person does not use a whole cup of dressing on their salad but on average a quarter of a cup say 4 ounces. That will pour on 14 to 25 grams of sugar or 4 to 7 teaspoons. Over the course of a day these hidden sugars really add up. Hey how about some “healthy” dried cranberries? Commercial products are usually sweetened with sugar and on average a whopping 25 grams of sugar per cup of fruit another 7 teaspoons.
What’s the answer?
Along with good uncommon sense shopping such as buying fresh unprocessed foods READ THE INGREDIENT LABEL. Avoid being ripped off by miss leading labels, don’t rely on the sound bite on the front of the label. That’s why knowing what is really in the product and staying informed to understand what these ingredients are is so important. After all your health depends on it and it is not the marketing company’s priority. Look for healthy snacks and products that are sweetened with fruit juice or nothing at all including artificial sweeteners.
When it comes to weight management and the health risks of excessive body fat and obesity you would think in this day and age it would be a no Brainer. It is important to maintain proper lean mass to body fat ratio for optimal health. In a recent article in U.S. News & World Report new studies on obesity from UCLA have given a whole new meaning to the term No Brainer.
According to a study conducted by senior author Paul Thompson a UCLA neuroscientist, published online in Human Brain Mapping “The brains of obese people looked 16 years older than their healthier counterparts while [those of] overweight people looked 8 years older,” The Article goes on to say Clinically obese people had 8 percent less brain tissue, while the overweight had 4 percent less brain tissue compared to normal-weight individuals. “This is the first study to show physical evidence in the brain that connects overweight and obesity and cognitive decline,” said Thompson, who is professor of neurology at UCLA and a member of the UCLA Laboratory of Neuro Imaging. This study reaffirms the importance of healthy weight management.
“Obesity affects every system in your body. The body can’t be splintered. It’s completely linked. We are what we eat and we eat too much,” he said. “The bottom line is that an obese, sedentary person is going to have a breakdown of every organ system, and that includes a greater chance of impotence and infertility and other things that people don’t generally think are directly related to obesity.”
Just another reason to eat right, get you body off the sofa and get moving. Staying physically and mentally fit is so important to being able to live your life fully alive.