WARNING: For those with nut allergies this advice is not for you.
Dr. A. Marc Gillinow, cardiac surgeon and surgical director at the Cleveland Clinic says many of us need to change our oil! He is talking about cooking oils. Dr. Gillinow suggests swapping other types of cooking oil for extra-virgin olive oil or canola oil. He went on to say, "They are low in saturated fats and a source of heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids."
I have to say that with all my nutritional/medical research I had never heard of the nutrient apigenin. That is until a read about a lab study done at Ohio State University in 2012 or 13, I believe. The study found that this nutrient which is found in peppermint, parsley, oranges, etc may have cancer-fighting superpowers. The study found that apigenin triggered cancer cells to kill themselves off. Interesting and might make it worth your while to add more oranges, peppermint, or parsley to your diet.
We are often told to eat 5 servings per day of fruits and vegetables but a British study a few years ago found that by increasing our daily servings to 7+ we can live longer. By adding the extra servings the researchers found that one can reduce the risk of early death by 42%. Love life and want to hang around as long as possible? Increase the fruits and veggies in your diet.
According to a study reported in the British Medical Journal a couple years ago the more black tea a nation consumes per capita, the fewer cases of Type 2 diabetes they report. Another reason to add black tea to your diet!
Research has shown that teenagers who stay away from junk food are less likely to suffer from depression and anxiety. Studies have shown that teens who ate at least two fruit and four veggie servings per day and stayed away from fast foods, sweets, and soda were less likely to show symptoms of mental health problems. Do the teens in your life a favor and help them to make healthy food choices.
Studies have shown there may be relief for persons who battle body odor. If you feel like your deodorant isn't doing its job, try taking a 30 mg zinc supplement daily. This may help stop the growth of odor-causing bacteria under the arms and on feet!
The difference in Omega-3s and Omega-6s is their chemical structures. They are the two major types of polyunsaturated fats we get from foods. Both are important for the body and especially the heart. The typical American diet is more prevalent in Omega-6s which are found in nuts, cooking and salad oils. Omega-3s are found in fatty fish, walnuts, soybeans, chia seeds, hemp seeds, tofu, ground flaxseeds, canola oil and soybean oil.
Are you one of those people who love crackers and can't imagine giving them up but you are a diabetic or one who is trying to watch your weight, cut carbs, etc? Following are some crackers you can enjoy as a snack. That's right, a snack not a meal. Always remember quantity is key so follow the recommended quantity listed for each cracker.
Need to get rid of belly fat? Try choosing apples for snacks. Studies have shown that pectin, a fiber in apples, helps blast away belly fat. Not only is belly fat unattractive, it can lead to a whole series of health problems. Keep apples handy and grab one the next time you need a snack, especially if you are fighting belly fat.
Disclaimer: This isn't exactly kitchen medicine but I thought it interesting enough to share here.
By substituting 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil for other cooking oils one might reduce knee pain by as much as 20%. Research has shown that olive oil contains a natural anti-inflammatory that stops immune cells from attacking knee cartilage.
