The Latest Health & Nutrition Hints

What is the secret of the French to their low cholesterol levels and low levels of heart disease? Research shows that the French eat diets high in fat and cholesterol - duck fat, pates, sauces, butter, and organ meats, but get heart disease much less often than Americans. Researchers attribute this phenomenon to their high red wine consumption.

A diet low in saturated fats reduces the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol. The key here for good health is moderation. Alcohol consumed in moderation will (1) raise HDL (good) cholesterol levels and (2) reduce clotting by reducing fibrinogen, involved in blood clotting.

HELPFUL HINT: Make sure that alcohol is allowed with any medications you may be taking.

Remember that moderation is the key. How do the French do it?

Red wine consumed in moderation (no more than two glasses a day) contains (1) bioflavonoids that inhibit clotting, and (2) resveratrol, a strong antioxidant that guards cholesterol from oxidation.

LDL (bad) cholesterol when oxidized attaches to the walls of the coronary arteries as obstructions called plaque, reducing blood flow. Red wine helps to prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol.

"In general, mankind, since the improvement of cookery, eats twice as much as nature requires." ...Ben Franklin

And consider this as another trait of French eating habits: The food portions in France are about one-half the size of our food portions in America. And, the plates in France are typically 9", while American plates are about 11"-13".

HELPFUL HINT: Start eating half portions on 9" plates to help control those calories and excess food intake.

France is rated #1 in healthcare in the world
and has the lowest rate of heart disease.
Click Here to See "Cholesterol & the French Paradox"

"Give at least two hours every day to exercise, for health must not be sacrificed to learning. A strong body makes the mind strong." ...Thomas Jefferson

Research has shown that antioxidants help prevent heart disease, stroke, cataracks, senility, and breast, lung and colon cancers while helping to slow down the aging process by protecting body cells from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that "steal" electrons from our cells and tissues, and antiodidants can counteract what they are doing. Oxidants, or free radicals, can damage DNA and cell structure.

Antioxidants are vitamins, nutrients and chemicals that help stop the breakdown and oxidation of cells inside the body by free radicals produced in the body by normal metabolic processes and environment, slowing the aging process and reversing disease processes.

Antioxidants also protect and boost our immune systems and destroy free radicals. While exercise and stress reduction help, research has shown that what we eat is the most important factor in immune function.

VITAMINS C and E help to prevent the breakdown of collagen, the protein that keeps skin strong and elastic, and can help the body build more collagen. And they can delay the breakdown of muscle and many other cells. Antiaging antioxidants can delay aging by slowing down the normal rate at which skin, organs, and the cardiovascular system breaks down. VITAMIN C prevents damage in the watery part of cells and helps to prevent cataracts of the eyes. VITAMINS A & E help protect the cell membranes.

Beta-carotene is converted in the body to VITAMIN A,
which is essential to our immune system and eye health.

You can get more VITAMIN E from almonds, egg yolks, green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils.

LUTEIN is related to beta-carotene and is found in spinach and kale. Research shows that it can reduce macular degeneration as much as 86%. One cup of spinach eaten three times weekly is recommended. Eating three fruits a day can contribute to decreasing the risk of age-related macular degeneration by more than one-third.

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, brussel sprouts, or kale can help to prevent cancer.

The red pigment LYCOPENE that gives tomatoes their red color is an antioxidant that can slow down the growth of cancer cells. Processing tomatoes into tomato sauce, tomato paste or ketchup concentrates the lycopene content. Do you see why the pizza girl at the top is so happy with her antioxidant-rich pizza? Other good sources are watermelon, red grapefruit, and guava.

SELENIUM is a trace mineral that is a powerful antioxidant that helps the immune system destroy cancer cells. Find selenium in seafood, brazil nuts, and grains.

SOY products contain vitamins and minerals and estrogen-like plant compounds that can inhibit the growth of tumors. Put soy foods into your diet wherever you can. I have even made a tofu-mango cheesecake (tofucake) that was delicious! And miso soups with dumplings can make a very nice lunch or dinner. Get a tofu cookbook and use your imagination here!

Berries contain FLAVONOIDS that help to neutralize carcinogens, inhibiting tumor growth and protecting cells from damage from free radicals.

HELPFUL HINT: Include foods that are high in antioxidants in your diet every day!

EXCELLENT SOURCES: Mangoes; Cantaloupes; Sweet Potatoes; Leafy Green Plants; Papaya; Red, Green and Yellow Peppers; Broccoli; Carrots; Kale; Tomatoes; Strawberries; Blackberries; Blueberries; Apples; Grapes; Plums; Orange Juice; Vegetable Oils; Nuts; Sunflower Seeds; Wheat Germ; Peanut Butter; Leafy Vegetables; and Soy Products.

"Taking care of yourself physically really helps emotionally. People who get a lot of sleep, who do the things that relieve stress, can withstand a lot of stress."...Laura Bush

Helpful Hint: Take VITAMIN C and VITAMIN E together!

VITAMIN C and VITAMIN E are more powerful taken together, since Vitamin C protects the watery part of the cell and Vitamin E protects the fatty parts. Both prevent cell damage from free radicals and help the arteries remain elastic.

FLAVONOIDS are plant chemicals that also protect the body from free radical damage to the arteries, brain and immune system. GREEN TEA is rich in flavonoids and can reduce the rate of breast and prostate cancer and reduce the risk of heart disease. BROCCOLI and STRAWBERRIES are also good sources of flavonoids.

There is research that indicates that from even two to four drinks a day can increase the risk of cancer. But the good news is that the B VITAMINS: B-6, B-12 and the ever important FOLIC ACID or folate help to neutralize this extra danger. These B vitamins also reduce the levels of homocysteine, a clot-promoting amino acid linked to heart disease.

In 1998 the US Food & Drug Administration required that FOLIC ACID be added to cereals, grains and flours to help prevent birth defects. It also helps to prevent cancer by preventing errors in DNA replication when cells divide.

HELPFUL HINT: Eat General Foods "TOTAL" CEREAL, LENTILS, and SPINACH to increase folic acid levels.

Some foods that help to protect the heart are:

*OLIVE OIL - a monounsaturated fat that reduces the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol while raising the level of HDL (good) cholesterol.
*NUTS - contain health promoting oils
*GARLIC - Reduces the LDL, raises HDL, and helps prevent blood clotting.
*FATTY FISH - Omega-3 oils inhibit blood clotting and lower heart attack risk.
*SOY FOODS - lower the levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol
*RED WINE - inhibits clotting and guards cholesterol from oxidation

Click Here to "Maximize Your Metabolism"

Our pets are also part of our households, and their health is determined by the quality of foods we feed them. The following expose is very informative about the ingredients of dog and cat foods and what our pets are eating. A Must See.

Click Here to read about "Dog Food Secrets," Commercial Dog Food Exposed