Archive - Nutrition
How Much Protein Do You Really Need?
Almost everyone trying to build muscle has heard that they need to eat a lot of protein, so they pack on the meat and eggs hoping for the best. There is truth to this, but experts say you need to be careful with this.
A study conducted at the University of Texas was conducted to see how much protein our body really uses to make muscle. The researchers studied how fast muscles were produced by different people eating different amounts of lean beef.
Mercury Found in Foods with High Fructose Corn Syrup
A study conducted in January of 2009 showed that some foods and drinks rich in high-fructose corn syrup may contain detectable levels of mercury. The report was published on the web site of the Minneapolis-based Institute for Agriculture and Trade Police (IATP). It showed that mercury was found in 17 of the 55 products tested.
Here are those 17 foods,
- Quaker Oatmeal to Go Bars
- Jack Daniel’s Barbecue Sauce
- Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup
- Kraft Original Barbecue Sauce
- Nutri-Grain Strawberry Cereal Bars
The Business Side of Anti-Oxidants
Dr. Morgan’s comments:
The following article is compiled from several scientific writers/reporters that work for Nutraingredients (this is a news agency that reports on global activity in the nutraceutical market). They focus on the science and the business of nutraceudicals. There is a good overview of the state of the science about anti-oxidants. Pay attention to the information about the anti-oxidant properties of coffee and tea. Do you add milk or cream to your tea or coffee or, heaven-forbid, some synthetic “non-dairy creamer”?
This is not only big business but an important health topic that we need to pay attention to.
Article:
Despite scientific backing that is still emerging in the realm of free radical scavenging, heart, skin health, eye health and more, the antioxidant family of polyphenols, carotenoids, phytonutrients and selected vitamins and minerals remains a functional nutrient star.
How big is the antioxidants market? It’s almost impossible to tell given the broadness of the area and non-explicit marketing for the likes of dark chocolate and green tea but it’s big, one of the biggest in the functional foods and supplements area.
Kale: The Nutrient Power House
Although kale is one of the lesser known greens, it’s at the top of the list as far as nutrition goes. To give you an example, kale has 7 times the beta-carotene (vitamin A) of broccoli, and broccoli is considered to be a good source of beta-carotene. Just one cup of steamed kale contains,
- 1,328% Recommended Daily Intake of Vitamin K
- 354% Recommended Daily Intake of vitamin A
- 89% Recommended Daily Intake of vitamin C
It’s time that kale gets some of its well-deserved attention.
Kale descends from the wild cabbage family, which originated in Asia. Historians think that it was brought to Europe by the Celtics, then later to America by the English Settlers. However, people in asian countries still seem to use it the most in their cooking, and for good reason.
The Super Berry
The native indians were the first to discover blueberries. Native to North America, blueberries grow wild throughout the forests and mountains of the U.S. and Canada. But it wasn’t until the early 20th century that we started appreciating the super berry. Now we’re realizing more than ever how valuable the blueberry is nutritionally.
As far as fruits go, blueberries are superstars. In a recent Tufts University study analyzing 60 fruits and vegetables, blueberries came out on top for their antioxidant capabilities. Loaded with antioxidant nutrients called anthocyanidins, blueberries prevent damaging free radicals in your body. Preventing things like, cataracts, glaucoma, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, heart disease, and even cancer.
Is Fruit Juice More Healthy Than a Soft Drink?
We’ve all heard about how bad soft drinks are for our health. They’re loaded with high fructose corn syrup and calories. So what a lot of parents and schools have done is trade these soft drinks for juices, but is this really helping anyone health-wise?
Kimber Stanhope, a scientist from UC Davis, says that her studies suggest that the sugar (fructose) in 100% fruit juice has the same effect as the sugar in soft drinks. Both fruit juice and soft drinks were proven to increase risk factors for cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes. She continued that fruit juice can also promote weight gain the same way soft drinks do. That said, she also believes that it is possible - though unproven - that other components of juice may protect against those side effects.
Are You Getting Enough of the Energy Vitamin?
Everyone has days where they lack energy because of stress or exercise. But some of us find ourselves feeling tired and fatigued regularly without cause. It turns out, one of the causes may be vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 is known as the “energy vitamin,” that’s because it’s necessary for energy production. Studies have shown that more people are deficient of B12 than was before thought.
According to a study conducted on 3,000 men and women at Tufts University in Boston, almost 40% of the US population is deficient in vitamin B12, and most of them are completely unaware.
Your Heart Needs Some Sunshine This Winter
Vitamin D deficiency in the winter months results from reduced exposure to sunlight. Less time is spent outdoors which means less time is spent in the sun. This can mean bad things for your heart. According to Sue Penckofer, PhD, RN, study author at Loyola University in Chicago, “Chronic vitamin D deficiency may be a culprit in heart disease, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome”. The studies she conducted found that death and severe heart heart disease is linked to Vitamin D deficiency. Heart disease was 30-50% higher in sun-deprived patients. “Most physicians do not routinely test for vitamin D deficiency,” said Penckofer. “However, most experts would agree that adults at risk for heart disease and others who experience fatigue joint pain or depression should have their vitamin D levels measured.”
The Swine Flu - Should We Panic?
The swine flu has received a lot of attention lately in the news. It seems to be spreading quickly over the globe the World Health Organization labeling H1N1 a global pandemic on June 11th. But what’s the difference between the H1N1 virus and the normal season flu’s?
-The swine flu H1N1 virus is globally widespread at the community level.
-The chain of person-to-person transmission is no longer clear in some areas, so testing all suspected cases is not feasible.
-The groups most severely affected differ from those who typically develop seasonal flu complications.
-Rates of severe illness and death from novel H1N1 influenza may be unusually high in the developing world.
Prebiotics - Food for a Healthy Gut
Awareness of the link between diet and health has led to an increase in foods that promote wellbeing. Prebiotics are components present in food which give health by supporting the gastrointestinal tract (GI), and by giving the body what it needs to defend itself and promote health and wellbeing.
Prebiotics are a type of fiber which can help protect the body against food poisoning and intestinal and colon problems. Most importantly, pre-biotics are food for our “good” gut bacteria. As a result they promote the growth of these healthy bacteria and help inhibit overgrowth of pathogenic ones.
