Health 08 (Oct 14 - Jun 15)

[winston]

Are Your Leftovers Killing You

Go through your collection of food-storage containers and toss anything made of clear, rigid plastic, and stamped with a 7 or “pc” (stands for polycarbonate).

“These are the types of containers that may contain BPA,” says Sonya Lunder, MPH, a senior analyst at the Environmental Working Group, who also advises tossing warped or cracked containers.

While manufacturers have taken BPA out of many of the newer polycarbonate containers, old ones still probably have it.

And multiple trips through the dishwasher can up leeching of the chemical.

Lunder also cautions against heating any type of plastic in the microwave because of chemical-leeching concerns.

“Glass is safer in general".

Source: MSN.com

[winston]

When Hungry, Think This

"We know it's important to eat the right amount of protein every day, but many of us don't understand why," says Ansel. "Knowing that can help make it a priority.

Research shows that eating 20 to 30 grams of protein at each meal can help you build more lean muscle."

Since our muscles don't store protein, steady consumption of it is required for optimal muscle synthesis.

When you're hungry, think protein first.

You can build more of it and burn more calories, even at rest so when you're having a snack, try to include protein, such as easy-to-eat-on-the-go hard-boiled eggs or a turkey roll-up.

Source: MSN.com

[winston]

Nutrition - Get your Omega 3's!

For people who do not like to eat fish, you can use Flaxseeds to get your essential weekly Omega 3 fats.

Flaxseeds can be bought at any local nutrition store.

Many companies offer the seeds already grinded, but can be expensive.

You can purchase Falxseed in bulk for much less money and you can grind them in your coffee grinder.

One tablespoon in any meal per day will increase your health.

You may also consume the whole flaxseed without grinding them, however, your body does not absorb it as quickly and easily.

Source: www.iwisdomtips.com

[winston]

Organic Coffee

By now you've no doubt heard the news that has gladdened the hearts of coffee lovers everywhere.

A new study out of South Korea has found that people who drink three to five cups of Joe a day are[b] least likely to have coronary calcium deposits[/b] in their arteries -- or what's more commonly known as "hardening of the arteries."

That means that moderate coffee consumption can significantly lower your risk of heart disease.

And this isn't the first time that coffee has been found to have health benefits.

A couple years ago, the National Institutes of Health concluded a 14-year survey of more than 400,000 AARP members. That study found that drinking from two to six or more cups daily, whether regular or decaf, makes you less likely to die prematurely from all sorts of causes -- including diabetes, heart and lung disease, stroke and infection.

Drinking coffee even lessened the risk of fatal accidents (perhaps because coffee makes people more alert).

But there was one small exception to that earlier report.

The study found that male coffee drinkers had a slightly higher chance of dying from cancer. And while the cancer death rate in women did not seem to be affected, more research is planned to see if there's any link between coffee and various types of cancer.

So might coffee have a dark side?

Well, that could depend on the kind you drink.

There are things in coffee that could conceivably cause cancer: residues of toxic chemicals. In fact, it's one of the most heavily sprayed crops in the world.

And because coffee is imported, there's no U.S. oversight of the type and amount of pesticides used.

Fortunately, there is a way to eliminate that risk. By switching to an organic brew, you can be assured that the healthy compounds your coffee contains don't include these poisons.

And you don't have to be Donald Trump to be able to afford organic coffee, either.

There are numerous brands out there that you can get at a relatively modest price. And you can find organic coffee these days in Walmart and Target, as well as at most supermarkets.

Source: HSI

[winston]

Your breakfast could be destroying your gut by Dr. David Eifrig

Your morning muffin might be destroying your gut… In a new study published in the journal Nature, researchers have seen clear signs that food additives called “emulsifier" disrupt the protective mucus layer in the gut, allowing bacteria to damage the intestinal lining.

Emulsifiers are oils, fats, and food acids found in almost all processed food. They keep liquid products well mixed. In solid foods, especially baked goods, emulsifiers interact with proteins and carbohydrates to create certain textures… like making chewing gum chewy and bread soft instead of crumbly.

In the study, researchers fed emulsifiers to two groups of mice. The first group was bred to lack gut microbes. These mice had no reaction to the emulsifiers. The second group had regular gut microbes. The second group experienced inflammation in their intestines, similar to colitis and metabolic syndrome – a condition that involves symptoms like elevated blood pressure, high blood sugar and cholesterol, and excess belly fat.

It can lead to diabetes, cardiac disease, and stroke. Most important, the mice had thinned-out mucus lining. The usually helpful bacteria in their guts had passed through it and damaged the intestinal walls. Researchers believe this wall damage is a contributing cause leading to even more inflammation.

Avoiding emulsifiers is simple… avoid packaged and processed foods and look for whole and fresh foods. You can also improve the health of your gut… I’ve talked before about the importance of healthy gut microbes and how certain foods – like diet soda – can damage them. Do what I do and eat foods like yogurt and kimchi that are packed full of good, healthy bacteria.

Source: Retirement Millionaire

[behappyalways]

Here’s How Much Sugar Consumption Is Hurting the Global Economy
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/ ... al-economy

[winston]

Sitting in front of a computer for hours on end can contribute to repetitive stress injuries, back and neck pain, and weight gain.

Using your computer’s calendar, program hourly reminders that prompt you to get up, stretch, and walk around.


Source: www.wisdomtips.com

[winston]

Bleached Flour

We all know how bad white bread is for us. Several years ago a study even found that it "was the food most strongly related to diabetes."

But not for the reason you think...

No, it actually has to do with how researchers give lab rats diabetes.

They give them something called alloxan.

Alloxan is an amazing chemical. It can actually destroy the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. So it's the go-to compound if you need to get yourself a diabetic rat to study.

Of course there's another group of lab rats out there -- you and me -- and everyone else who eats.

We all get our regular doses of alloxan as well. It comes in white bread, pizza dough, cookies and cakes, or anything made with bleached flour.

The chemical isn't deliberately added to flour, but comes about due to a chemical reaction in the bleaching process. It forms when chlorine, added to make the flour super-white and pure looking, reacts with protein in the flour.

Okay, white bread and other products made with bleached flour are certainly not health foods by any stretch of the imagination. But the fact that they contain a chemical known to cause diabetes -- even if it's just a tiny amount -- really pushes them over the edge.

And that gives you another very good reason to stick with whole-wheat and whole-grain foods, and to take any item containing bleached flour off your shopping list once and for all.

Source: HSI

[behappyalways]

Asia's deadly secret: The scourge of the betel nut
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-31921207

[winston]

You Say "Tomato," We Say...

You say "tomato," we say "waist-shrinking superfood." A new study from the China Medical University in Taiwan found that women who drank a daily nine-ounce glass of tomato juice for two months saw a significant decrease in body fat and body weight. The best part: The women didn't change anything else in their diet or exercise routines.

Even those who didn't lose body fat still saw some benefits: an average reduction in waist circumference of 1.6 cm, lower cholesterol levels, and increased lycopene levels.

Lycopene, the antioxidant that gives tomatoes—among other red and pink fruits and vegetables—their bright color, has been credited for tons of healthy bonuses.

It's been shown to build a better immune system, lower cholesterol, reduce your risk of developing prostate cancer, and protect against heart disease.

In fact, a 2013 study by Tufts and Boston University researchers found the highest average intakes of lycopene to be linked with a 26 percent reduction in the occurrence of cardiovascular disease.

Source: MSN.com