KALE FOR YOUR HEART

According to Joel Fuhrman. MD, "Kale has everything you would want in a superfood."  Dr. Fuhrman, author of the bestseller 'Eat to Live', uses diet and exercise to help patients reverse their cardiovascular disease.  Notice that says reverse, not treat!  He had the following to say about kale.

• Boasts a bumper crop of heart healthy antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, folate, potassium, and vitamin E.
• Rich in lutein which protects against early atherosclerosis.
• Contains an unusual compound - glucorophanin - that activates a special protein called Nrf2.
• Creates a Teflon-like coating in arteries to keep plaque from adhering.

 

 File Photo

SAUERKRAUT IS A SUPER FOOD!

Today I am copying a post from my diabetic blog.  This is the post from that blog today.  I have never done this before, but I feel this is important to share with both audiences.  If you are interested in the recipe mentioned, the link to that blog is listed in the right-hand column of this page.

SAUERKRAUT IS A SUPER FOOD!

Yesterday I posted a recipe for a Chicken Sauerkraut Panini. Well, lo and behold when I turned on my computer what should be there but the following statement about sauerkraut as an overlooked food we should be eating. I am passing this information on to you:
Sauerkraut
Considering cabbage is low-carb, high-fiber, and contains cancer-fighting 3-indole carbinol and d-glucarate, a compound that works to clear excess estrogen, the veggie is already a superfood. Fermenting it into sauerkraut, however, puts it on nutritional steroids. The probiotics that drive fermentation also help repopulate your digestive system with healthy, hardworking good bacteria that lower inflammation, improve digestion, and maybe even aid in weight loss. Plus, fermentation increases the bioavailablity of the antioxidants found in cabbage, and the longer cabbage ferments, the higher the levels of antioxidants become, meaning your body can better absorb and use them.

photo from eating well

PARKISON'S DISEASE AND VITAMIN-E

Some studies have shown that patients who suffer from Parkinson's disease, when compared to their similar-aged siblings, ate a diet with less nuts and seeds.  Nuts and seeds are high in vitamin E and an actual study of Parkinson's patients at Columbia University found that those taking megadoses of vitamin E did have fewer symptoms than those who did not take the extra vitamin E.  Probably worth your while to add some walnuts, sunflower seeds, etc (see E photo below) to your diet if you aren't already doing so.  They have many health benefits and this seems to suggest another one.

PISTACHIOS AND HEART DISEASE

Research shows that pistachios help to lower ones risk of heart disease.  Researchers at Penn State University found that adults who got 20% of their calories from pistachios reduced their LDL cholesterol by 12%.   For an 1800 calories a day diet, that would mean eating about 1/2 cup of pistachios.  You may not want to eat that many pistachios a day, but including them in your diet on a routine basis would probably be a good idea.

DIABETES QUOTE FROM COUNTRY MUSICIAN BEN RUE

Country music artist Ben Rue is a type 1 diabetic. He was diagnosed at the age of 14. Even though he is often on the road, he keeps check on his blood sugar readings and takes his medication. He is also a spokesman for Accu-Chek. He happily states, "There is life after diabetes. It's not something that should set you back. You can accomplish anything you want to." Let that be an encouragement to go after your dreams.

Accu-Chek Photo

DR. OZ COMMENTS ON MEAT

In an interview a few years ago, Dr. Oz was asked if he thinks meat is demonized in this country.  His answer:  "I do.  I don't think how we grow meat is ideal.  But grass-fed, organic beef has a fair amount of omega-3 fats.  It has iron.  It has lots of B vitamins.  It has nutrients that our bodies need desperately."    He also said that when he eats meat, probably around once a week, he eats a high-quality steak.

 

Note: File Photo

MRSA

MRSA is a deadly, antibiotic-resistant strain of bacteria that can be very dangerous and is becoming more and more prevalent.  I found this study about coffee and MRSA to be interesting:  2.5 million Americans apparently carry MRSA in their nasal passages without showing symptoms of the bacteria.  People who drink hot coffee and/or tea were found to be 50% less vulnerable to the bacteria.  It is assumed that the protection probably stems from the antimicrobial properties in the coffee and tea.  But beware, I said people who drink HOT coffee and/or tea.  The same protection was not found when drinking the beverages cold or iced.

Note: This study was published in the Annals of Family Medicine.

This is a mild, early picture of MRSA. It can quickly become much worse and can actually be deadly in some cases.

WISHING YOU A VERY HEALTHY 2022

 

FAMILY MEALS

A 2010 survey found that 70% of children agreed they appreciated their parents more when the family took time to eat together.  Folks, that is a large number!  A 2014 study found that children who eat at the table with their family several times a week are less likely to be obese and much less likely to be truant from school.The 2010 survey also showed that 65% of parents said they felt less stressed when their family made a habit of eating their dinner/supper meals together.  Do not let today's busy lifestyles cause you to neglect this important family ritual.  Even if it can't be done on a regular basis, just twice a week is a good start.

However, the pleasure and peace from such occasions will be null and void if the process creates more stress.  Try these simple ways to get family meals going in your home:

• Be realistic.  You cannot expect to put a gourmet caliber meal on the table in a matter of minutes.  It is the togetherness that counts, not the quality of the meal.
• Order in food, if necessary.  Conversation and togetherness can be accomplished over a delivered pizza or Chinese takeout.
• Make soups, lasagna, casseroles, etc when you can and refrigerate or freeze for warming up later.
• Get a slow cooker or crockpot.  You can have some really good foods ready when you come home after a hectic day.
• While home cooking is usually best for one's health, get together at a relaxing restaurant for a family meal from time to time.

Remember less stress and more relaxation is good for the health of mom, dad, and the children.  Make family meals a habit even if it is only a couple of times a week!  Health and happiness go hand-in-hand!

file photo

QUOTES FROM DR KENNETH COOPER

Kenneth Cooper, MD, founder of the world renowned Cooper Clinic in Dallas Texas, stated, "In 1968 when my first book Aerobics was published, and in 1970, when I founded The Cooper Aerobics Center in Dallas, preventive medicine was still a new concept.  I wanted to help move medicine away from a strict emphasis on disease treatment toward disease prevention through exercise, diet, and stress control." 

We owe thanks to Dr. Cooper for awakening awareness in all of us to not only exercise but how our diet can help or hinder our overall health.  He continued on to say, "From the beginning, we emphasized aerobics and nutrition.  The two go hand in hand.  Not that it's always easy to eat right or to change ingrained habits  - our busy lives put our nutrition at risk.  We grab food on the run without thinking about what we are putting into our bodies.  When we do try to eat better, we are often confused about what we should eat."  Dr. Cooper's last statement there is why I started this blog.  My goal is to help us all, yes - me as well as you, - learn to use food to help our bodies be healthy working machines.

 "A sensible and well-informed approach to eating is essential to good health."  by Kenneth Cooper, MD

The late Dr Cooper