|
From CARE2 A new resource in good health for you.
Where Do Chemicals in Our Food Come From?
by Dr. Frank Lipton Jun 20, 2010
"To me, healthy eating simply means removing, or limiting, the foods in your diet that could
be harming you; and eating enough of the foods that contain the nutrients essential to your health. So, what foods could be
harming you? Ones filled with chemicals. Here are some of the main sources of unhealthy chemicals in our food:"
"Chemicals and drugs used in raising livestock
Researchers feel that
this is probably the biggest problem and none of these are required to appear on the label. Over 70 percent of all antibiotics
used in the USA are used in raising livestock to prevent infection because the animals are kept in cramped inhumane conditions."
"Steroids are also given to increase milk production and speed growth. The feed given to these
animals is full of chemicals as well and pesticides and chemicals accumulate in the fat of these animals that we then eat.
So if you do eat dairy or animal protein, eating organic is important to decrease your chemical burden."
"Chemicals used in pesticides and fertilizers
Although the use of
pesticides has made our food production more efficient, it has placed a huge/large toxic burden on us and the earth. In 1995,
more than 5 billion pounds of pesticides were sold worldwide, more than 1 billion pounds in the USA. FDA inspections have
found legal residues on two thirds of food sampled, therefore these pesticides remain on our food.
According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), you can lower your pesticide consumption
by nearly four-fifths by avoiding the 12 most contaminated fruits and vegetables and instead eating the least contaminated produce."
" How would you like a dose of 67 pesticides with your celery? If you’re
eating non-organic celery, that’s the number of pesticides you may very well be ingesting. According to the 2010 edition
of Environmental Working Group’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides, the top 12 pesticide-contaminated fruits and vegetables
contain 47 to 67 different pesticides per serving. This year celery is starring in the number 1 spot (up from number
4 last year), peaches moved down, and there are a few new contenders on the list. " www.care2.com/greenliving
Now Let's Change Seasons...but not too fast! We want to begin eating more cooling
foods, like that Romaine Lettuce, but do it gradually, that way you will still keep your body temperature normal. Dr. Annie
always said that having a cold was from getting too cold, lowering our body heat....so go slow and eat well.
SPRING IS HERE!
I want to thank OPRAH WINFREY for all that she is and all that she does for all of us. I have to thank
OPRAH for being a significant other for this ezine. OPRAH sends me an email every day to let me know what's happening
in her world. She has been a link through this website plenty as well as Dr. Oz's Real Age website. Can you believe
that no one except Dr. Oz's patients knew him before OPRAH and now he has his own TV show! OPRAH is all about good!
I love her so much. She helps me everyday "live a better life". She is a great example and uses her talents to bless
and prosper others. I hope you are able to receive some of OPRAH blessings even from this little website. OPRAH
is a GODDESS!
Try This Buttery Treat for Your Pancreas
By RealAge
Creamy, luscious, buttery-smooth -- and it may be good for your pancreas, too. We're talking about the avocado.
Why? Because it's got plant fats. And recent research shows that getting more of your dietary fat from plants instead of
animals could offer a protective edge against pancreatic cancer.
Don't Give Up the Fat
In a 6-year study of more than half a million people, those with the highest
intake of saturated fat -- particularly if it was from red meat and dairy sources -- had the greatest risk of pancreatic cancer.
But here's the good news: People who got most of their fats from plant sources had no increased risk. Start your meal off right with the plant fats in these appealing appetizers.
Fabulous Fat Substitutes
So how can avocados help you cut back on animal fat? Try a few slices on your
bagel -- instead of cream cheese -- when you crave something fatty. Or make guacamole instead of ranch dip for your baked
chips. Or, instead of cubes of cheese, fold chunks of avocado into pasta salad. Don't like avocado? You can still get off
the cow with one of these tasty meatless meals from EatingWell:
Even if you focus on plant fats, you will still need to exercise portion control, because all fats are high in calories.
And you don't want your pants size to skyrocket. So use the tips in this video to pick the perfect portion size.
This Week's Tips
Thanks again to Oprah.com for lots of new information!
March 25, 2010If super chef Jamie Oliver can help an entire West Virginia town addicted to fast food, think what he can do for your
family.
Get the complete list
There's nothing as delicious as a home-cooked meal shared by the whole
family. Cooking together won't only bring your family together—it can also drastically improve your family's health. Keep these 62 ingredients stocked in your pantry and you'll be able to whip up a family meal in a snap!
As soon as you get the cooking bug, you're going to want to become as good at it as you can
get and to eat food that tastes as good as you can make it, as quickly as possible.
To do that, you'll need the right
kitchen equipment, plenty of practice and cupboards full of good, basic ingredients. All that nonperishable stuff that sits
in your cupboard, waiting for you to come home and cook, is really important because that's what's going to help make your
food taste great. If you buy yourself a nice piece of cod, beef or chicken, you can take it to Spain, Italy, Morocco or China
just by using certain herbs or spices from your cupboards. That's what's so exciting about cooking.
ONIONS
In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this Doctor that visited the many farmers to see
if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died..
The doctor
came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the
farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of
the home, (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn't believe it and asked if he could have one of
the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus
in the onion. It obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy.
Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser in AZ. She said that several
years ago many of her employees were coming down with the flu and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed
several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work..
(And no, she is not in the onion business..)
The moral of the story is, buy some onions and place them in bowls around your home.
If you work at a desk, place one or two in your office or under your desk or even on top somewhere. Try
it and see what happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu.
If this helps you and your loved
ones from getting sick, all the better. If you do get the flu, it just might be a mild case..
Whatever, what have you to
lose? Just a few bucks on onions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Now
there is a P. S. To this for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues.
She replied with this most interesting experience about onions:
Weldon,thanks for the reminder. I don't know about the farmers story...but, I do know that I contacted
pneumonia and needless to say I was very ill...I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put one end
on a fork and then place the forked end into an empty jar...placing the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the
onion would be black in the
Morning from the germs...sure enough it happened just like that...the onion was a
mess and I began to feel better.
Another thing I read
in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful
antibacterial, antiseptic properties.
This is the other note.
LEFT OVER ONIONS
ARE POISONOUS
I have used an onion which has been left in the fridge, and sometimes I
Don't
use a whole one at one time, so save the other half for later.
Now
with this info, I have changed my mind....will buy smaller onions in
The future.
I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins
Food Products, Makers of
Mayonnaise. Mullins is huge, and is owned by 11 brothers and sisters in
The Mullins family.
My friend, Jeanne, is the CEO.
Questions about
food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I
Learned from a chemist.
The guy who gave us our tour is named Ed. He's one of the brothers Ed is a chemistry expert and
is involved in developing most of the sauce formula. He's even developed sauce formula for McDonald's.
Keep in mind that Ed is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone
Asked
if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always
Worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed's answer will surprise you.
Ed said
That all commercially- made Mayo is completely safe.
"It
doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but
it's not really necessary." He explained that the pH in mayonnaise
is set
At a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then
Talked about the quaint essential picnic,
with the bowl of potato salad
Sitting on the table and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick.
Ed says that when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the
officials
Look for is when the 'victim' last ate ONIONS and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it's
not the mayonnaise (as long as it's not homemade Mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It's probably the
Onions, and if not the onions,
it's the POTATOES.
He explained, onions are a huge
magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked
Onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion.. He says it's not
even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your
refrigerator.
It's
already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit,
that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those
onions you
put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!)
Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you'll
probably
be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your
sandwich, you're asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist
potato
in a potato salad, will attract and grow bacteria faster than any
commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down.
So, how's that for news? Take it for what you will. I (the author) am going to be
very careful about my onions from now on. For some reason, I see a lot of credibility coming from a chemist and a company
that produces millions of pounds of mayonnaise every year.'
Also,
dogs should never eat onions . Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions .Please remember it is dangerous to cut
onions and try to use it to cook the next day ,it becomes highly poisonous for even a single night and creates Toxic bacteria
which may cause Adverse Stomach infections because of excess Bile secretions and even Food poisoning.
LOWER BLOOD PRESSURE
When your blood pressure (BP) creeps up, help knock it down with this simple change in diet.
Get 20 percent of your daily calories from whole-grain, high-fiber foods instead of refined "white" carbs.
It could drop your systolic BP 4 to 8 points and your diastolic BP another 6 to 8 points.
Double Trouble
High blood pressure and high cholesterol are double trouble. Both put you
at risk for cardiovascular disease, and they frequently occur together. If you have borderline high cholesterol
(200-239 mg/dL) and prehypertension (120-139/80-89 mm Hg), it's time to take action.
Here's How Fiber Helps
Both soluble and insoluble fiber (what are those, you say?) were shown to lower blood pressure in middle-aged people with the unfortunate combo of borderline high cholesterol
and prehypertension. Soluble fiber does double duty by lowering cholesterol, too.
Eat These Foods to Get Happy
By RealAge
From the land of olives and gyros comes the key to sidestepping a low mood.
Eating a Mediterranean-style diet appears to help lower the risk of depression by about 30 percent, thanks
to a high concentration of good-for-you-fats and B vitamins.
Opa!
Olives, fresh seafood, hummus served with crisp veggies -- items like these are staples
of Mediterranean fare. Fortunately, they not only are good for you but taste good, too. And the beneficial fats, B vitamins,
and powerful antioxidants found in traditional Mediterranean cuisine supply your brain with the nutrients it needs to stay
in good working order. Perfecto. Because when your brain works the way it should, you're less likely to get depressed! (Here's a detailed breakdown of the foods you should eat when you go Mediterranean.)
Food Fights Depression
A Mediterranean menu helps your brain in several ways. It's rich
in inflammation-fighting phytochemicals, nerve-cell nurturing "healthy" fats, and neurotransmitter-assisting B vitamins. The
healthy fats -- like those found in olive oil -- also help feel-good serotonin bind to brain receptors.
HAPPY HEARTS
Your heart and arteries will be pretty thrilled if breakfast always has you craving a bowl full of oats.
Regularly eating oatmeal appears to boost people's endothelial function. That's a fancy way of describing
their arteries' all-important ability to dilate and keep blood flowing freely to the heart and other body parts.
Relax Those Arteries
Unfortunately, endothelial function often deteriorates in folks who
are overweight or obese or who have glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. But in a 6-week study of overweight adults,
a daily bowl of oats helped improve the way endothelium -- that thin layer of cells lining the inside of blood vessels --
functioned. Researchers speculate that the phytoestrogens and beta glucan in oats had something to do with the effect.
Artery Benefits for All
Maintaining good endothelial function helps reduce the risk of
heart and coronary artery disease down the road. And overweight adults aren't the only ones who need to be concerned about
it. Normal-weight people can have impaired endothelium, too. So whether you're big or little, oatmeal is a smart breakfast
choice.
A Good Reason to Add Berries to Your Oatmeal
A side of sliced strawberries with your steel-cut oatmeal may make for one heck of a smart breakfast combo.
That's because oats are rich in heart-healthy compounds called phenols. And it seems that adding some vitamin
C (from the berries) is like adding water to a Chia Pet: It causes the heart-helping powers of the oats to grow.
Working in Synergy
When oat phenols and vitamin C were combined in a study, they worked
synergistically to reinforce LDL cholesterol and make it more stable -- even better than the oat phenols alone could do. (How
low should your LDL be? Check here.) And you want your LDL to be stable, because that means it's less likely to break down and stick to the walls of
your arteries. You know, that process that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other nasty business.
Why Steel-Cut Oats?
They take a little longer to make, but they're worth it. Steel-cut
oats -- also called coarse-cut oats -- are lightly processed. And that means they probably still have most of their good stuff
intact (fiber, nutrients, etc.). Quiz yourself on your knowledge of whole grains.
Not sure how to cook steel-cut oats? Try this slow-cooker recipe from EatingWell and you'll wake up to a warm, fruity bowl of steel-cut oatmeal. Find more recipes at
EatingWell.com.
Good nutrition generates more usable energy—energy to keep pace with the kids,
tackle that home improvement project or have better sex more often, Michael F. Roizen, MD, says in The RealAge Diet.
Too much fat in your bloodstream means that arteries won’t open properly and that your muscles won’t get enough
oxygen. The result? You feel zapped. Balanced vegetarian diets are naturally free of cholesterol-laden, artery-clogging animal
products that physically slow us down and keep us hitting the snooze button morning after morning. And because whole grains,
legumes, fruits and vegetables are so high in complex carbohydrates, they supply the body with plenty of energizing fuel.
Health and Wellness
You might seriously slash your risk of catching a cold this season if you adopt this immune-enhancing
trio: salmon, sunshine, and a vitamin D supplement.
That's right. Prioritizing all three this winter will dramatically boost your vitamin D levels,
and that in turn may curtail your risk for upper respiratory tract infections (like the common cold).
Maintaining your health and wellness is pretty simple, really. Just replace that bag of chips
with a piece of fruit and you’re home free, right? Well, not quite. If it were that simple, we’d all be slim and
live to be 100!
There are many theories about what constitutes a "perfect" diet. We think a good
foundation for any diet consists of a mix of fresh, minimally processed foods from all food groups, including lean proteins;
carbohydrates from fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grain-based breads, cereals, and pastas; and heart-healthy fats such
as olive oil, nuts, and avocado. And, just as important, a good diet contains delicious foods you enjoy.
Alcohol and Your Health
By RealAge
"Here's to your health!" You may hear this toast often, but many of alcohol's effects on the body may actually be harmful
to your health. It all depends on how you approach it.
The health hazards associated with heavy alcohol consumption are well documented and range from liver damage to heart disease.
Just one night of heavy drinking can cause short-term maladies including headache, body aches, fatigue, nausea, and dehydration.
And when heavy drinking becomes a pattern, it puts immense strain on vital organs, jeopardizing a person's health and making
his or her RealAge much older.
But alcohol, in moderation, can be good for your health. A growing body of research shows moderate drinkers enjoy lower
risks of heart attack and stroke and may live longer than nondrinkers or heavy drinkers. After years of demonizing the drink,
some health experts now recommend a moderate serving of red wine, a nip of scotch, or a bit of beer each day. This is generally
considered good news, but it has also caused some confusion.
Health experts disagree about alcohol's role in a healthy lifestyle. Although some doctors advocate a daily drink, other
doctors question the value of alcohol consumption of any kind. Also, people are sometimes unsure of the definition of "moderate"
-- a critical distinction.
"Moderate" can mean different things to different people. For some people it means having a glass or two of wine every
night with dinner. For others it means drinking only on the weekends. Still others believe that partaking only at special
events and celebrations is the definition of a moderate drinker. This makes it hard for people to know whether their particular
drinking habits fit the "healthful" mold or whether they are putting their health on the rocks.
So what about your habits? Are you drinking too much?Just enough? Are you hurting your health if you don't
drink at all? And how does your age and gender affect the equation?
Pouring Over Serving Sizes
For people who choose to drink, striking a moderate balance can take careful research as well as practice and experience.
The maximum amount recommended by RealAge for Age Reduction benefits, is no more than one drink of wine, beer, or liquor
per day for most women, and two drinks per day for most men. This also is the general recommendation given by the U.S. Department
of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Although these guidelines may seem straightforward, studies and surveys reveal a strong possibility this recommendation
could be misinterpreted. Many people tend to wing it when it comes to estimating the size of their drink or its alcohol content,
and this can lead to unintentional overimbibing.
For example, you may think you're having only one drink when, because of the amount of alcohol in your drink, you're really
having two; a small serving of the stronger beers, lagers, and spirits may contain many times the recommended daily amount
of alcohol. Or the size of your glass may trick your eyes and lead to larger serving sizes than would be appropriate for maximum
RealAge benefits.
A Look at Labels
The amount of alcohol a drink contains depends on many factors. Usually, the alcohol content is determined by fermentation,
but different brewing styles and fermentation durations also mean there is little uniformity.
RealAge considers a standard drink to be about half an ounce of alcohol. This corresponds roughly to:
- 12 fluid ounces of regular beer
- 5 fluid ounces of wine
- 1.5 fluid ounces of 80-proof liquor/distilled spirits (standard shot glass)
- 1 ounce of 100-proof spirits
However, some drinks contain more than the typical amount of alcohol. The alcohol content can range from about 4% to as
high as 18% or more for some beers and wines. Standard shot measurements of alcohol used by bartenders make it easier to gauge
how much booze is in your mixed drink, but different glass sizes and heavy pours could result in too big of a drink. Even
when mixing a drink yourself, you could make it too strong if you just eyeball it.
An occasional heavy pour or stiff drink is generally not cause for too much alarm, although if
you consume alcohol regularly, your best bet is to stick to modest serving containers -- standard size glasses, tumblers,
or shot glasses -- and to consult the label for information on alcohol by volume (ABV) or proof.
You want your single serving of alcohol to contain about half a fluid ounce of alcohol, or about 12 grams.
Access the University of Prince Edward Island's chart of the alcohol content of common beverages.
What's in a Day?
Another area of confusion regarding the definition of moderate drinking lies in the distribution of drinks throughout the
week. Having several drinks on Saturday night is not equivalent to having one drink each evening, as some might believe. These
two patterns have very different health implications.
A recent study comparing two groups of drinkers -- one that drank one serving of alcohol every
day and another that had several drinks one day per week -- revealed that once-a-week drinkers had more abdominal fat than
daily drinkers. Known as binge drinking, this type
of drinking behavior makes your RealAge older because excess abdominal fat is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.
Binge drinking may also contribute to atrial fibrillation, a heart-rhythm disturbance that causes the upper chambers of
the heart to quiver. This decreases the heart's ability to pump blood and increases a person's risk of developing blood clots
and having a stroke.
Calculate your alcohol consumption over the last week with this tool from the British United Provident Association.
The Benefits Breakdown
Most of the epidemiological studies about moderate alcohol consumption suggest the biggest benefits of moderate drinking
are to the cardiovascular system. Dozens of studies connect moderate drinking with a reduced risk of heart attack, ischemic stroke, peripheral vascular disease, sudden cardiac death, and death from all cardiovascular causes.
There are many possible explanations for these protective effects. Randomized trials consistently demonstrate that moderate
daily alcohol intake appears to significantly increase HDL-cholesterol levels. Higher levels of this “good” cholesterol
are associated with reductions in coronary heart disease risk. Studies also suggest moderate alcohol consumption may help
prevent stroke by decreasing blood levels of a protein that promotes clot formation and increasing levels of an enzyme that
helps dissolve clots.
But any benefits are negligible for people under 40. Men over 40 years of age who regularly drink between one and two drinks
per day are generally found to have the lowest all-cause mortality. For women, it appears the protective benefits of moderate
alcohol consumption may be irrelevant until after menopause. No evidence suggests that drinking in your 30s protects you from
having a heart attack in your 50s.
The potential benefits of moderate drinking aren't limited to the heart, however. A long-term study reveals that type 2
diabetes is less likely to occur in moderate drinkers than in nondrinkers. Also, some evidence shows that moderate alcohol
consumption inhibits the formation of cholesterol-type gallstones. Some research suggests that consuming alcohol in moderate
amounts may help ward off Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia as well.
Read this Article from Drug and Alcohol Dependence on the psychological benefits associated with moderate alcohol use.
Is Wine Better?
There is no conclusive evidence that any one type of alcoholic drink offers more protection against heart disease than
another. Some studies suggest that wine's health benefits are superior to beer and liquor because of certain compounds in
red wine, such as resveratrol and flavonoids. But other studies document the same cardiovascular benefits with all three major forms of alcohol.
System Overload
If you do have an occasional drink, it can be easy to overdo it, even if you don't intend to. After one drink, inhibitions
become lowered and judgment can be impaired, making it difficult to adhere to your limits.
Over time, anything beyond moderate drinking can lead to a chronic increase in blood pressure. High blood pressure associated
with heavy drinking makes the heart work harder than it needs to and can be a key risk factor for coronary heart disease,
leading to heart attacks and strokes. In addition, with increased intake of alcohol, levels of triglycerides in the blood
can become elevated, which could contribute to heart problems.
Following alcohol's path through your body helps demonstrate how easy it is to overload your system and accelerate your
body's aging.
After alcohol passes your lips, it travels into your stomach and small intestine, where it is absorbed into the bloodstream.
Your blood alcohol content depends on how quickly you drink it, as well as on:
- Carbonation -- this may increase absorption speed.
- Stomach contents -- solid food impedes alcohol absorption.
- Gender -- women have less alcohol-metabolizing enzyme and tend to feel alcohol's effects more quickly than men.
- Age -- alcohol concentration will reach a higher level in the blood of people over 65 and will circulate in the body longer.
- Weight -- the less a person weighs, the higher that person's blood alcohol content from drinking a given amount of alcohol.
Once in your bloodstream, alcohol quickly travels through the blood via a network of arteries to your heart, brain, lungs,
and organs until it can be broken down. A small amount of the alcohol taken into the body leaves through the lungs, kidneys,
and skin, but it is your liver's job to break down the majority of the alcohol with enzymes, purging the blood and body of
alcohol's toxic by-products.
However, this is a slow process. The liver can generally only process 1 ounce of liquor an hour. Consuming more than this
saturates your system, causing the additional alcohol to accumulate in the blood and body tissues until it can be metabolized.
The more alcohol in your blood, the greater the effect on your vital organs.
Repairing Past Damage
Can you make up for any of the aging you may have caused your body from past overindulgences? Fortunately, if harmful drinking
habits are addressed at an early stage, many of the damaging effects can be reversed either by cutting back on, or abstaining
from, alcohol consumption.
Find out more about moderate drinking from Moderation Management, a national support group network for cutting back or quitting.
Identify risky drinking with this Boston University self-assessment tool, "How much is too much?"
Exercising Discretion
Abstaining from alcohol does not make your RealAge older. Most health experts agree that if you don't already drink, the
new research on the health benefits of alcohol is not a reason to start.
Whether you choose to drink should also depend on your health interests and health concerns. Certain health conditions
require avoiding alcohol completely. Individuals who have liver or pancreatic disease or who have had a hemorrhagic stroke
should not consume alcohol because even small amounts could cause serious health complications. And you should refrain from
drinking alcohol if your doctor has identified any precancerous signs of cancer of the esophagus, larynx, pharynx, or mouth;
some studies suggest having two drinks a day greatly increases your risk for oral and esophageal cancers.
It's also important to consider family history and personal concerns when it comes to drinking. For instance, those with
a family history of alcoholism have an increased risk of alcoholism themselves.
Women with a strong family history of breast cancer might decide to forgo alcohol altogether because even small amounts
of alcohol may increase breast cancer risk by 30%. However, several recent studies suggest sufficient folate intake may modify
the association between alcohol intake and breast cancer risk.
Individuals with conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood triglycerides, ulcers, severe acid reflux, and sleep
apnea should seek advice from their healthcare provider about alcohol consumption.
Because alcohol is a depressant at elevated doses, long-term misuse or abuse can ultimately increase anxiety and cause
depression. It is also related to problems with sleeping and mood. Alcohol prevents deep sleep and interferes with REM-stage
sleep, the dreaming stage of sleep that stimulates the learning centers of the brain. When your blood-alcohol level drops,
you begin dreaming much later in the night. This change in sleep pattern may explain why people often feel irritable and somewhat
disoriented after a night of heavy drinking.
What's Right for You?
Alcohol is not an essential part of RealAge living. It is not a health food or wonder drug. But for some people it can
be an enjoyable complement to a healthy RealAge lifestyle. Your approach to drinking must be reasonable and responsible. If
you practice moderation, alcohol can offer some valuable health benefits, particularly for people over 40.
Foods That Help Control Cholesterol
Making smart food choices can help move
your LDL, HDL, and total cholesterol levels into healthy ranges. Your goal is to limit your intake of foods that can wreak
havoc with your cholesterol levels and eat more of the foods that help reduce bad cholesterol or increase good cholesterol.
Start making smart choices today with these heart-friendly foods that help balance cholesterol. To learn more about how your diet can make you younger, take the RealAge Nutrition Assessment. 1. Oatmeal is high in soluble fiber. Studies have shown that fiber-rich foods may help
lower your levels of total and LDL cholesterol in a small way. Choose unprocessed oats instead of instant oatmeal; unprocessed
oats have a lower glycemic index, which means they take longer to digest, help you feel fuller longer, and help keep your
blood sugar levels steady -- all good things for your health and heart. Not a fan of oatmeal? Bake up these easy-to-like Date-Oat Muffins.2. Strawberries, like oatmeal, are high in soluble fiber. And a high daily intake of fruit
fiber may help lower LDL cholesterol in a small but significant way, which is exactly what you want for your heart. Other
high-fiber fruits include raspberries, mangoes, and blueberries. Get in your fruit quota by whipping up this delicious Triple Berry Blender Blaster for breakfast.3. Olive oil is high in heart-friendly monounsaturated fat. It's also rich in artery-friendly
phenols (good-for-the-body plant compounds) and antioxidants. The best news about olive oil is that, as part of a heart-healthy
diet, it can not only reduce LDL cholesterol but also raise HDL cholesterol levels. Other foods high in monounsaturated fat
include almonds, peanut butter, avocados, fish, and certain vegetable oils, such as canola oil. Find out how olive oil can make your belly flat, too. 4. Almonds. Snack on a handful of nuts and you may lower your cholesterol even further.
In a study, people who ate a handful of almonds (about 2 ounces) every day for 1 month experienced nearly a 10% reduction
in their LDL cholesterol levels. Here's what's so great about almonds and how to eat them.
Small changes can make a big difference
in your cholesterol profile. Read on for three easy, cholesterol-friendly tips that you can use today! 1. Use Olive OilMake olive oil a regular part of your diet and your heart may be healthier after only
1 week. In a study, consuming 2 tablespoons of olive oil per day for 1 week caused noticeable changes in the cholesterol profiles
of male participants. Their bad cholesterol particles became more stable, making the particles less likely to oxidize and
cause blockages. Monounsaturated fats like those found in olive oil are also known to help boost HDL levels. It's
easy to include olive oil in your diet. Drizzle a little over steamed vegetables, toss a tablespoon or 2 with your whole-wheat
pasta, or mix a bit with dried herbs and dip whole-grain bread into it. As long as you aren't going overboard and are reducing
your intake of saturated fat at the same time, increasing your intake of unsaturated fat can improve your cholesterol profile.
Here's a recipe for a tasty, tangy salad dressing made with olive oil and seasoned with cilantro and lime. Other liquid vegetable oils, such as canola, safflower, sunflower, and soybean, can often be used instead
of solid fats, such as butter, lard, or shortening, to saute vegetables, pan-fry fish, and make pancakes or waffles. 2. Give Omelets a MakeoverRecommendations have also included limits on the intake of eggs
because of their high cholesterol content. However, recent studies suggest that a moderate intake of eggs does not affect
heart health, and that eggs contribute a relatively small amount of cholesterol, given their other nutritional benefits. In
one study, participants who ate two eggs for breakfast over 6 weeks did not show a significant change in cholesterol levels.
Here's how eggs can help your waistline.Still, the cholesterol in eggs is all in the yolks. Without the yolk, egg whites are a heart-healthy source
of protein and can be a great substitute. For example, if you're planning to make a multiple-egg omelet, you can reduce the
saturated fat and cholesterol found in egg yolks by using 4 egg whites or 1/2 cup of egg substitute for 2 whole eggs. Add
some vegetables, low-fat cheese, and a slice of whole-wheat toast on the side for a well-balanced meal that works for breakfast
or dinner. Try something different: Whip up this Gets-My-Goat Omelet recipe. 3. Get a Barley BoostAdd 1 cup of cooked barley to pasta, burritos,
or soup to improve the fiber content and your cholesterol levels. Barley is an excellent source of both soluble and
insoluble fiber. A high-fiber diet can help lower cholesterol. Brush up on your fiber facts.For your own cholesterol-lowering cooking cheat sheet, print this chart and post it on your refrigerator. More: Learn more cholesterol-control food tips from RealAge . . .
The Economy Is Down, and So Are You: What to Do
When profits, the market, and your own bank account dips, it’s no surprise if your mood
mirrors them. Depression is actually one of the ways your body sends a signal that something isn’t working quite right
and that you should be thinking of coping strategies to get your body and mind on the right track. If you’re too busy
to think of them while you’re trying to do three jobs -- or trying to get a job at all -- use these steps to keep your
mind under control.
• Talk it out. We’re living in a world where there’s
too much talk. We’ve got talk shows, talking heads, and people who talk the talk but can’t walk the walk. Funny,
though, in a hypercommunicative society, many of us can’t talk about anything other than sports, soaps, or why the media
focuses so much attention on (fill in celebrity scandal of the day). The fact is that when it comes to reducing the effects
of depression, the biggest cure may not be in a pill bottle, but in making sure you don’t stay bottled up yourself.
In treating minor depression, talk therapy for 6 weeks is 60% to 70% successful, and it’s 90% successful when used in
conjunction with drugs. How does it work? Probably by releasing feel-good chemicals and by helping you learn new coping strategies.
Think shelling out for a therapist will stress you out even more right now? Just talking about your problems with your spouse,
your friends, or a taxi driver can help.
• Go bananas. Eating a banana every day facilitates
both the cross talk among your brain cells and the effect of certain neurotransmitters (such as serotonin and its precursors)
that can make you feel better. These two effects may mean that eating a banana a day helps keep the therapist away by preventing
recurring minor depression.
• Sweat it out. If you haven’t exercised in a
while, the thought of slipping into a pair of tight pants and a sports bra might seem depressing in itself. Exercise, however,
has been shown to be more effective than many antidepressants in reducing major depression. Part of it may be because exercise
boosts feel-good chemicals, and another part likely comes from the sense of purpose and accomplishment that regular exercise
brings. Don’t feel like it? Sometimes action has to come before motivation, and if you’re depressed, you may need
to act first in order to prime your motivational engine.
• Try yoga. This form of exercise is specifically associated
with decreased symptoms of depression and increased mood, perhaps partly because of the deep breathing (which has relaxation
and brain function benefits) that’s done during the practice.
• Use guided imagery. Guided imagery isn’t the
screen of your car’s GPS; it’s actually a way of making you feel better. It’s been shown to improve the
ability to cope with depression, improve mood, and decrease stress. All you need to do is go to a quiet place. Start by relaxing
and breathing deeply, then visualize yourself in different good scenarios: spending time at a favorite place, such as the
beach; or practicing for a big performance at work and then doing well.
• Write at bedtime. Approach every day with an attitude
of thankfulness. Impossible expectations lead to sadness. Try to write in a gratitude journal daily; writing three thank-you
notes a day really does make it less likely that you will suffer depression. While you’re at it, put some music on in
the background. Music can improve moderately depressed moods; one study also showed that it improved heart rate and blood
pressure.
While some signs of depression are easy to spot, many of us hesitate to call ourselves depressed.
We’ll write it off as being too tired or too stressed or justifiably sad. But if you chronically experience depression,
and it’s getting in the way of your life, it’s worth mentioning to your doc. It’s far better for potential
employers, your family, everyone around you -- and for your own health -- if you don’t think you have to be down just
because the economic indicators are.
Love Your Life: 5 Simple Steps
Being happy takes practice, but the results are well worth the effort!
By RealAge
Page 1 of 1
What really makes you happy?
Mounting obligations and hectic schedules can make it all too easy to lose track. But whether it's
the little things in life that make you smile, or the joy of working toward a larger goal, focusing on your happiness each
day can help protect your emotional well-being and your physical health.
Follow these simple steps to rediscover your passion for life.
1. Value Your Daily Diversions
When you're adding items to your to-do list, don't forget the good stuff. If you look forward to reading
in bed, going out to breakfast, taking long walks, listening to music, or just sitting quietly outside, make time for at least
one of your favorite diversions every day.
Consider crossing out pesky items on your list that you keep saying you're going to do but haven't
gotten to in over a year, like alphabetizing your bills or organizing your sock drawer. Or get rid of a time-consuming chore
that isn't enhancing your life one bit.
Use the daily life calculator in this article to check your balance of satisfiers and stressors.
2. Build Your Strength and Independence
We all have low-energy days, but if you can resist the urge to skip your daily workout when you’re
feeling low, you'll be rewarded both now and later. Try this trick: Tell yourself that you need to do only 10 minutes of exercise.
Once you're up and moving (and feeling better) you'll most likely want to finish your workout. Even if you can't push past
the 10-minute mark on the occasional bad day, you’ll feel good about doing at least a little something. Sticking
with an exercise plan helps you feel good about yourself, strengthens your immune system, and enhances production of mood-boosting
hormones.
Use this video to get moving without even leaving home!
3. Squash Your Stressors
Defuse daily hassles by practicing stress-reduction strategies. Try taking deep-breathing breaks throughout the day, inhaling through your nose and then exhaling slowly through your mouth. Repeating
this action three or four times allows more oxygen to get into your bloodstream, creating a feeling of calm. Progressive
muscle relaxation, yoga, and meditation also are effective ways of reducing tension, stress, depression, and anxiety.
And a brisk 10-minute walk will do far more to dissipate your stress and lift your spirits than eating the bad-for-you snacks
you might crave when feeling frantic.
Try this six-step stress-busting plan.
4. Celebrate and Share Your Skills
Volunteer at a local school, club, or community organization. Not only will sharing your unique talents
and expertise benefit others, but research shows that volunteering can make you happier and improve your well-being, too.
Feeling engaged and involved in your local community is good for your emotional health. It's also an opportunity to learn
new skills and meet new people. Win-win.
5. Appreciate the People Around You
Unwind and share a few laughs with your family or friends at least once or twice each month. The openness
and trust you share with the important people in your life can help give you the perspective you need to cope with everyday
challenges. These regular connections will also have a positive impact on your health, especially when you share a good
laugh. Laughing lowers blood pressure, reduces stress hormones, and releases endorphins that can ease pain.
Also, don't neglect relationships at work. Colleagues and coworkers can provide valuable support and
keep your blood pressure under control during stressful situations. .
Feeling satisfied and fulfilled with your life is an essential part of your emotional and physical
well-being. As you grow to appreciate your time, independence, self-assurance, skills, and relationships, you will be amazed
at just how good you feel, both in body and in spirit.
Taking care of your emotional health and well-being can make your RealAge up to 16
years younger.
Summer Fruit That Refreshes Skin
This Week's Tips:
Next time you hit the produce aisle or farmers market, grab three cucumbers for your salads and three
for your skin. This low-cal veggie is chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that nourish your face from
the inside out. The Cool CucumberAccording to RealAge skin expert Amy Wechsler, MD, author of The Mind-Beauty Connection, cucumbers have a little extra something going for them. They contain both vitamin C and caffeic acid, two antioxidants that,
when applied to the skin, help fend off wrinkles, sun damage, and more. Vitamin C boosts collagen and elastin, which keeps
skin looking young, and caffeic acid protects cells from UV radiation. Find out why carrots are good for your skin, too.
No. 1: AçaíNature's Energy
Fruit
It may seem odd to start this list of superfoods with one you’ve likely never even
heard of. But studies have shown that this little berry is one of the most nutritious and powerful foods in the world! Açaí
(ah-sigh-ee) is the high-energy berry of a special Amazon palm tree. Harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, açaí tastes
like a vibrant blend of berries and chocolate. Hidden within its royal purple pigment is the magic that makes it nature's
perfect energy fruit. Açaí is packed full of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids. Although açaí may not be
available in your local supermarket, you can find it in several health food and gourmet stores (often in juice form). A new
product featuring the unsweetened pulp is now also available, and I highly recommend that you choose this form of açaí. Açaí
pulp contains:
- A remarkable concentration of antioxidants that help combat premature aging, with 10 times more antioxidants than red
grapes and 10 to 30 times the anthocyanins of red wine.
- A synergy of monounsaturated (healthy) fats, dietary fiber and phytosterols to help promote cardiovascular and digestive
health.
- An almost perfect essential amino acid complex in conjunction with valuable trace minerals, vital to proper muscle contraction
and regeneration.
The fatty acid content in açaí resembles that of olive oil, and is rich in monounsaturated oleic
acid. Oleic acid is important for a number of reasons. It helps omega-3 fish oils penetrate the cell membrane; together they
help make cell membranes more supple. By keeping the cell membrane supple, all hormones, neurotransmitter and insulin receptors
function more efficiently. This is particularly important because high insulin levels create an inflammatory state, and we
know, inflammation causes aging.
A day in the park with a group of friends;your health will appreciate it if you
do these things, too:
1. Cooked salsa -- The tomatoes in this condiment contain lycopene, a
nutrient that may reduce your risk of heart disease. It’s found in tomatoes, but lycopene doesn’t really come
out of tomatoes in full, healthy force until it’s cooked. Help your body absorb lycopene better by eating it with a
little -- we repeat, a little -- healthy fat. How we love to get it: Mix some spicy salsa or pasta sauce (no sugar added varieties
for either, please) into a mashed avocado, and add some chopped onions and garlic. This makes an easy guacamole dip for your
celery to mate with.
2. Vinegar-based dressings -- Dress your potato salad with a tangy vinaigrette
to blunt potatoes’ usual blood-sugar-spiking effect. Or if you want to be less tempted by dessert, splash some fresh
greens with walnut or canola oil and vinegar; both components of this dressing will help you feel full longer.
3. Dark
chocolate–dipped strawberries -- The perfect meal-ender, strawberries, may also reduce your risk of cardiovascular
disease. Their flavonoids are known to thwart lousy LDL cholesterol and quell inflammatory processes that might lead to heart
disease. The chocolate? It’s not just good; it may also help reduce blood pressure and inflammation in your blood vessels
and immune system. Snuggle up with your honey and savor everything.
Curb the Munchies with This Water-Filled
Food
There’s a way to avoid plowing through the whole table of chips and dips at
the barbecue this weekend.
Choose water-filled fruit for your first nibbles -- like slices of juicy ripe cantaloupe.
According to Jonny Bowden, PhD, author of The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth, eating foods with high water content tends to be even more filling than chugging water with your meal.
An Orange Oasis
Cantaloupe flesh is 90 percent water -- which means it’s a wonderful paradox for the
calorie conscious. It makes you feel really full when it’s in your stomach, but it’s really low in calories: An
entire large cantaloupe has only 277 calories. What’s in that other 10 percent, you ask? Loads of good stuff, like blood-pressure-friendly
potassium (427 milligrams per cup of cubed cantaloupe) and cancer-fighting beta carotene (3,000 micrograms).
IT'S ABOUT THE GARDEN, EATING CLEAN HEALTHY ORGANIC FOODS, growing your own for a change.
Supporting your local organic farms. It's about getting outside your comfort zones and sharing yourself more with others.
Fertility, and working in the Garden of Life. This season of Summer is fast approaching and the foods we eat can be
as fresh picked as we like, the local Farmer's Market is filling up with fresh local produce. The Sun is shinning and
getting outside in the morning fresh air and sunshine will bring light into your bones and skin. HAVE A GREAT SUMMER.
Welcome to our EZINE. We added a new book to our book list. A new website too. RealAge.
It's an exciting site with lots that you can do to make you feel younger. Take the RealAge test to divine your real
age.
Everything here is devoted for happy living, healthy eating. The goal, staying
WELL. Sometimes we need to change what we eat, for better health, clearner blood and organ systems. Sometimes
the Angels will let us know that by eating different foods we become more receptive to Their guidance. Try some of our
recipes and add newness to your diet with delight and gusto.
| Goddess Lori in her organic garden |
|
| photo by: Vimala |
JENNY BRANCH ORGANICS
Wayne and Lori Jenkins
Talking Rock, Georgia
1.706.276.7913
| Wayne Jenkins in his garden |
|
| Jenny Branch Organics photo by: Vimala |
I have always loved to visit Lori and Wayne and spend time learning about growing organic foods in their
beautiful gardens. Every spring and summer I get the inner call to drive up to Talking Rock, GA. to visit with them
. Early mornings I'll drive up through the mountains and arrive just in time for a cup of coffee and the cool fresh
morning air in the garden. It's great for harvesting or planting or watering or mulching or turning the compost.
Wayne and Lori have taught me so much about what goes into a strong pure organic garden. I met them almost thirty years
ago, they were pregnant with their first baby and called me to be their midwife. We have had this beautiful relationship
ever since and they had one more baby too. Now they are grandparents, me too.
SUPER SMOOTHIES
GREAT FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS!
Organic Strawberries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, Cherries.......
SILK
Organic Soy Milk
Honey
Plain organic yogurt
Organic fruit juices
Bananas
Smoothies are easy to make, all you need is your blender and the above ingredients. I like to add some
soy protein powder to my smoothies too. Tripp is building muscles and needs that extra protein bump at fourteen going
on fifteen.
Enjoy and stay healthy this summer.
Eat Healthy
|
