Dieting Will Never Be the Same! A Review of "How to Make Your Diet Work"

Posted by luputtenan2 on Friday, August 5, 2005

According to the American Obesity Association, an astounding 64.5 percent of adult Americans (about 127 million) are categorized as obese or overweight. According to the website's statistics, obesity causes at least 300,000 excess deaths and is responsible for 100 million dollars in healthcare costs each year for obese and overweight Americans. A very real and often devastating problem for so many, obesity should be considered a healthcare crisis and given the utmost attention.
And one would think that with all the fad diets and personal weight loss programs promoting quick and easy weight loss that those numbers would be much lower or at least in decline. The problem is that Americans are fat. And we are getting fatter. Diet after diet comes along and yet we can't seem to lose the weight and keep it off. Is there a solution, finally , to the crisis?
According to Dr. Michael Smith there is, and it has to do with focus. Perhaps everyone has been attacking the wrong problem.
In his ebook entitled, How to Make Your Diet Work, Dr. Smith, a graduate of UT Southwestern Medical School in Dallas, Texas, believes that the challenge facing the overweight person is not losing weight. Rather, the problem is in gaining weight. He states adamantly that for too long we have focused research and product development on the "how to lose weight problem" when we should have been focusing on the factors that make people gain weight in the first place.
According to Dr. Smith, the typical overweight person tries the latest fad diet. Most fad dietsl promote quick weight loss through an initial, drastic reduction in calories, carbohydrates, or fat. There is some initial success, but the drastic change in food intake causes the body to go into a state that Smith calls Diet Shock.
Diet Shock is when the body has suddenly been deprived of it's usual intake of food (calories, carbohydrates, etc.) and then begins to store energy as fat at a higher rate to compensate for the loss. In other words, the body thinks it is starving, so it goes to work to turn what is left as well as future intake into fat so the body won't be lacking.
This is what Smith believes to be the crucial problem. For example, in a typical fad diet a dieter drastically reduces her intake of carbohydrates for two weeks or some period of time . They see initial success by losing a few pounds, but then usually hit a weight loss barrier. They then give up and go back to their old ways. They then cycle back to their former weight. Then at some point in the future, they try another diet and repeat the process over and over again.
This cycle, often called yo-yo dieting, is not only an ineffective way to lose weight and keep it off, but it is also hazardous to the health of those who are on and off the diets. Unfortunately, the fad diets are responsible, albeit unintentionally, for the yo-yo dieting which leads to frustration, a sense of failure, and continued obesity.
Dr. Smith has been working in the field of diet and nutrition for several years. He wrote Make Your Diet Work to reveal a revolutionary way of thinking based on his years of interaction with his patients and his research. The main idea of his work is that anyone can lose weight and actually keep it off no matter which diet program you use.
In other words, whether you use a low carb, or low cal, or low fat approach, Make Your Diet Work will show you how to make that diet work for you by maximizing the diet's strengths and minimizing its weaknesses. He will help you lose weight using the diet you choose, and the principles illustrated in Make Your Diet Work will also help you keep weight off... for good.
Make Your Diet Work accomplishes this through what Dr. Smith calls Five Simple Science Solutions. Implement these solutions and use them with the diet of your choice, and you will be successful he says. And each solution helps prevent weight regain. What are they?
First, to make your diet work and prevent weight regain, you must stabilize an active metabolic rate. Simply put, Dr. Smith shows the dieter how to increase your metabolic rate and as a result increase the rate your body burns fat.
Second, the dieter must sustain a negative energy balance. This solution gives the dieter ways to create and sustain a negative energy balance. Weight regain will occur as long as you have a positive energy balance (when you aren't burning more calories than you are taking in).
The third solution attacks the problem of false or faux weight loss. Most diets today lead to your body burning more protein (muscle) than fat. So those initial pounds that come off do not constitute healthy weight loss. You are losing muscle and not fat (or perhaps volume depletion is occurring). In any event losing muscle is unhealthy. This solution will help you sustain and even increase your muscle mass while burning fat.
Fourth, Dr. Smith effectively and succinctly attacks the problem of food cravings. He asserts that people do not fail diets because they do not lose weight. They fail diets because they regain the weight they lost. By curbing cravings, especially those that occur in the middle of the day, a major contributing factor in weight regain has it's legs cut out from underneath it and is rendered ineffective.
Lastly, the fifth solution gives the dieter the know how to implement a weight maintenance program. Without a weight maintenance plan, which is where most diets fail according to Dr. Smith, the dieter will not keep the weight off. Solution five leads the dieter to an ongoing diet of 40% protein, 30% carbohydrates, and 30% fat.
One thing that permeates Make Your Diet Work is Dr. Smith's firm belief that all weight loss should be healthy weight loss and should occur without inducing Diet Shock. There is NOTHING drastic, unhealthy, or expensive in Make Your Diet Work. It should give the dieter a sense of comfort and confidence in knowing that a medical doctor, trained at one of the most highly respected medical schools in the world, designed this plan with the reader's overall health in mind, not just producing fast weight loss results.
When you purchase Make Your Diet Work, you will notice quickly that this is not just another fad diet program. Far from it. The Five Simple Science Solutions can be used with the diet of your choice. So Smith is not trying to decry any diet on the market. Instead, he gives very clear action steps that enable you to modify easily your diet of choice, making it safer and far more successful in the long run.
And don't think you're going to have to do lots of study and conversions and extrapolations to figure out how to do this. Nor will you need to purchase memberships, special foods, nor additional books. Dr. Smith has included easy-to-read charts which tell you exactly what you need to do to make your diet work.
In addition, Dr. Smith has included a Diet Mentor, a sort of interactive diet coach. The Diet Mentor summarizes key principles, reduces some of the more difficult ideas to easy-to-understand action steps, easily links back to the main volume by simply pointing and clicking on topic you want to review, and provides some encouragement along the way. The Mentor can be used as a sort of quick reference help as well.
There is another powerful and user friendly tool Dr. Smith has developed for you that comes with Make Your Diet Work. Suppose you haven't chosen one of the popular diets or you don't even know where to begin. Then you can use the step-by-step, point and click guide that so easily assists you in setting up your own diet plan instead of using one of the fad diets on the market today. Again, Dr. Smith has provided you with the tool you need.
Just click on whether you want a Three Week or Five Week initial startup plan. Then you will be guided to click on either a low carb, low cal, or low fat plan. Then choose the method of how you will work on establishing a higher metabolic rate. Do you want to use resistance training or a walking program? You continue to point and click along these lines until you have set up your own customized diet plan.
And you can rest assured that it is a plan that is designed to help you lose weight, avoid Diet Shock, prevent Weight Regain, and do it all in a manner that is safe and effective.
Now, when you purchase and download Make Your Diet Work, you will have to wade through a minimal amount of scientific jargon. But no more that you would normally expect from a physician. After all, they aren't always known for their bedside manner. But in my opinion, working through these sections that attempt to illustrate the scientific underpinnings of what Smith is trying to say is more than worth the effort. You don't have to understand the jargon. All you have to do is follow the Five Simple Solutions!
The only other thing Dr. Smith could have added to Make Your Diet Work is an expanded list of resources for the dieter. Specifically, obese and overweight people who have tried diet after diet could use a guide that leads them to different forums and support groups which are often crucial to long term weight loss success.
But those are minor deficiencies in a work that, in my opinion, constitutes a welcome paradigm shift in the way we should think about and approach dieting and the obesity problem. It's not about losing weight. It's about a healthy diet and lifestyle that keeps the weight off!
Make Your Diet Work is listed at www.weight-loss-professional.com/make-your-diet-work.html for $24.99 with a 30-day, money-back-guarantee. Keep in mind that what the dieter gets includes the main volume (which includes sound recordings throughout by Dr. Smith himself), the Diet Mentor, the Diet Planner (which helps you set up your own customized low cal, low carb, or low fat plan), and two other ebooks which are definitely must reads.
One, entitled Diet Deception, deals with deceptive internet marketing in the health, diet, fitness, and nutrition world. The other ebook, entitled Double Down, gives the reader concrete and specific ways to develop better and more consistent sleep patterns which will exponentially improve your chances of losing weight and keeping it off.
In addition the buyer will get the benefit of future upgrades and additions, as well as a year's worth of Medical Alerts and Cooking and Recipe tips sent directly to his or her email inbox each week.
As always, consult your physician before beginning any diet program. If you or someone you know needs to get serious about losing weight, I unreservedly recommend Make Your Diet Work. Dieting will never be the same again, and I am glad!
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By Mark A. Fuqua
With 3 earned degrees and more than 16 years of experience as spiritual leader, pastor, director of marketing and investment banker, Mark Fuqua brings to the discussion table a breadth and depth of unique experience coupled with academic acumen. He is Consultant and Chief Editor of Diet Basics, a website dedicated to healthy weight loss success.
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Weight Loss the Easy Way!

Posted by luputtenan2 on Thursday, August 4, 2005

With weight loss comes a lot of dedication and change of lifestyle. We can start with exercise, which is vital to all weight loss programs. A healthy body is the result of proper nutrition combined with a regular pattern of physical exercise. You weight loss will depend on how you intend to make it happen. It does not have to be difficult and you do not have to take weight loss supplements or pills.
Exercise
Exercise improves the tone and quality of muscle tissue and stimulates the processes of digestions, absorption, metabolism, and elimination. It strengthens blood vessels, lungs, and heart, resulting in improved transfer of oxygen to the cells and increased circulation.
The key to any type of exercise is a strong will and a sincere desire to improve one's physical condition by weight loss. The best way to lose weight is doing activities or exercises that you enjoy and can have fun with.
An ideal weight loss program may include many different forms of the following exercises. Calisthenics consist of light exercises including sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks, which promote emphasis of building skeletal muscles. Dancing or rhythmic exercise is often an enjoyable way to exercise and lose weight, by toning the body. Isometrics involves the pressure of a muscle or group of muscles against each other or an immoveable object. It is good for spot reducing because it can be applied to a target area. Stretching is a natural exercise that should be practiced on a regular basis, and is a good habit to develop. It can improve energy and endurance, stimulate circulation, and alleviate stiffness. Walking is one of the best overall weight loss exercises, which help the entire system function better. Weight Lifting and exercise strengthen muscle tone, which is recommended with any weight loss management plan.
Above all, do not forget the recreational exercises as well; this will help to keep you on task with your weight loss goals.
Nutrition
The next step in that can help you is to add proper nutrition to your weight loss management plan. You need to understand what your body needs and how to consume the proper amounts of Carbohydrates, Fats and Proteins, which are the primary sources of energy to the body. They supply the fuel necessary for body heat and work. This is essential to fast weight loss. Therefore, foods that are high in energy value are high in calories, while foods that are low in energy value are low calories. Fats yield about 9 calories per gram; carbohydrates and protein yield about 4 calories per gram.
By following the current food pyramid guide, you can reduce calories and with combined exercise (minimal), you take lose weight fast and easy. Remember to keep your body hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoid soda, fattening foods such as chips, and cookies, etc.
Tips
1- Eat six mini meals a day- this will allow your body to eat more frequently curbing your appetite for snacking.
2- Drink at lease 64 oz of water a day, but the amount you drink should be based on your weight and size.
3- Choose healthy foods from each food group.
4- Include some weight lifting in your weight loss management plan, this will allow you to remain proper muscle tone while losing weight.
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For more information, go to: http://www.weightlossinfo.com
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Food Health Values

Posted by luputtenan2 on Wednesday, August 3, 2005

Now let’s take a look a the basic food elements in your perfect dietary plan; fruits and vegetables group, bread, cereals, rice and past groups, meats and beans group and dairy group. Each has different characteristics or helpful nutritional value for your dietary needs.
Fruits and Vegetables – Fruits have very little if any protein and fat. Instead, they have carbohydrates, generally fruit sugar or fructose and glucose. As Florida commercials tend to announce, fruits offer us vitamins, C and B to be exact, as well as potassium, fiber and other nutrients. While the sugar helps with maintaining blood sugar levels, vitamins and other nutrients help ward off sickness and disease, and fiber is important for waste disposal from the body.
Here is a peek at some fruits and their relationship to the perfect diet.
Apples – These help cleanse the system and aid lungs, and have been used as laxatives, for fainting, melancholy and palpitations. Apples have been known to help people with diabetes, heart disease, cancer and high cholesterol trouble.
Apricots – These offer beta carotene and potassium. They aid in adding moisture to the body, especially the breathing and throat areas. Apricots have been known to help fight cancer and high blood pressure, prevent night blindness, aid those with stomach and lung cancers, low energy and elderly with mental depression.
Bananas – These have been noted to help with intestinal and lung problems, ulcers and constipation, mental alertness, and increasing energy. They also help people with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease risk, blood sugar level maintenance, and the elderly with confusion.
Berries – A variety of berries has been noted to help with varicose veins, menstrual problems, premature graying, joint ailments, insomnia, liver, spleen and pancreas problems. They also help reduce cancer risk and aid with rheumatoid arthritic solutions, weight loss issues, stomach and colon cancers.
Citrus Fruits – Oranges, tangerines, kumquats, lemons, limes - -help with stomach and colon trouble and with anemia and infections (like scurvy) and colds. They are also help people with cataracts and the prevention of colon and stomach cancers.
Figs – These work as laxatives and have been known to help with the treatment of boils and anemia reduction, and the prevention of osteoporosis.
Grapes – Grapes are associated with cleansing the body and to help with water retention, urinary issues, jaundice and hepatitis. They are also associated with the healing of rheumatoid arthritis and aid with mental confusion / depression, especially among the elderly.
Mangos – Mangos are noted to aid in the prevention of anemia and the strengthening of the immune system. They also have been used to help with fighting off infections and tumors and the prevention of cervical cancer. And they help with the heal of diarrhea, sweating and mental alertness.
Papayas – This is a great source for vitamin C and is also noted for helping with male fertility, with aiding white blood cells among the elderly, with intestinal treatments and with cancer prevention.
Pears – Pears have similar characteristics as apples. They provide moisture for the body, are slow to digest and have fairly little allergic responses reported. They have also been used to help with coughing, diabetes, cholesterol levels, dryness in the chest cavity, skin injuries, introducing babies to food, staving off hunger and boosting brain power.
Pineapples – Their juice helps with digestion, dissolving blood clots (related to thrombosis) and healing wounds. They have been known to help with cancer prevention.
Prunes – Help with iron deficiency and constipation. Prune puree can act as a substitute in dietary cooking to lighten the fat low, working in place of butter and margarine.
Now let’s look at some veggies. Again low in calories, vegetables are also high in fiber content, vitamins and minerals, with little to zero protein and fats. Check and see how some veggies affect your perfect diet.
Artichoke – Artichokes have been known to aid liver disease, kidneys and gallbladders. They also help with large intestinal problems, skin and bowel cancer prevention, high cholesterol and hepatitis.
Asparagus – Great source of some vitamin B, this veggie helps with water retention with regards to kidneys and menstrual issues, cataracts and lung problems (some bronchitis, tuberculosis).
Avocado – Great source for vitamins E and some Bs and oil, avocados help with the immune systems in elderly people. They also aid the liver, lungs and intestines (ulcer treatments), infertility in men and Parkinson’s Disease.
Broccoli – This has been noted to help with anemia, eye disorders like near-sightedness, and infections, especially childhood ones like measles. Broccoli has also been known to help counteract the effects of cigarette smoke and aid in many types of cancer prevention.
Cabbage – Cabbage has been used to help with lung and digestive disorders, ulcers, wounds, joints, mastitis and acne. Is has been reported to help with breast and prostate cancers, bacterial infections and heart disease prevention.
Celery – This is helpful for those with high blood pressure, for those with rheumatoid arthritis and for calming, not only with the liver but with stress and anxiety as well. Celery is also used to help with stomach, pancreas and spleen troubles, acne and canker sores, burning urine and eye inflammation.
Legumes – These seed pod products help with the reduction of heart disease risk and help with the healing of some cancers, blood sugar level maintenance and iron / calcium maintenance in the body. They also aid people with anemia and diabetes.
Mushrooms – These help white blood cells in the immune system, help fight some cancers and heart disease and may help in the prevention of clotting, by blood thinning.
Onions – They have helped with heart disease prevention, bladder (and other) cancer, and circulatory problems. They have also helped in healing swelling from bug bites and bronchial inflammations. And onion tea is said to have sedative qualities.
Potatoes / Other Roots – These root veggies are associated with the prevention of different cancers, the prevention of blood clotting related with heart disease, and with protection against inhaled nicotine (via smokers). Carrots further aid in stomach and lung cancer care, food poisoning healing, iron deficiency, sexual problems and night blindness. While beets help reduce heart disease risk and spina bifida (with pregnant women). And they help with high blood pressure care and muscle replenishing.
Pumpkins / Squash – These have been known to help with the prevention of prostate cancer and the reduction of heart disease risk. They also aid in healing cataracts / retinal and lens damage in the eye and with the flu and colds.
Soybeans – These help with osteoporosis risk reduction, lowering blood cholesterol levels, and prostate and breast cancer reduction and prevention. Soybeans have also been known for helping the spleen, blood and pancreas, and increasing milk production in breast-feeding women.
Tomatoes – These help in the reduction of heart disease, the healing of prostate and other cancers, and with the aging (both mentally and physically) process.
Bread, Cereals, Rice and Pasta – Cereals are considered staple foods. Depending upon the country, weather, region, etc., popular varieties vary; corn, barley, oats, wheat, rice, millet. Grains mainly give the body carbohydrates (mostly starches), some fiber, protein, vitamins (mainly Bs and E) and minerals. Here is a peek at some foods in this category.
Bread – This major energy source offers the body lots of nutrition, protein, calcium, iron and B vitamins. Breads help reduce risk of infertility in men, anemia, heart and spine problems, osteoporosis and colon cancer risk. Historically, bread was prescribed as nature’s way to aid in colonic irrigation.
Corn – Corn may be able to help with spina bifida risk in babies. It helps with heart disease and colon cancer prevention. Popped corn can be a great diet food, depending upon the oil and additives (like butter) used. Corn silks have been used in diuretic teas to help with high blood pressure, gallstones, kidney stones, water retention, and urinary problems.
Oats – Oats are known to help with skin problems and in the treatment of depression, anxiety and insomnia. The saponins, B vitamins and alkaloids in oats aid with mood-lifting. Some forms of oats also work as antiseptic and heart disease treatments, help lower blood pressure and with weight reduction (cause full feeling and digest slowly) and are popular on diabetic menus.
Rice – Rice has been used for the healing of depression, for reducing colon cancer risk, for reducing cholesterol levels and blood pressure. It offers quick energy for the body, helps calm the stomach, is good for poor digestion and diarrhea, and helps fight celiac disease. Rice cakes are great substitutions for dieters, replacing breads.
Wheat - This traditional kidney toner help with the reduction and prevention of colon and breast cancer, blocking of the arteries and heart disease. Wheat also aids in mental functions including focus and calmness. Many pastas are made from wheat and in this category. They offer carbohydrates, fiber and B vitamins to the body.
Meats and Fish - Meats are a source of protein and iron. Mainly fat content needs to be of concer with regards to perfect dietary planning. And leaner meats are becoming more readily available; lean hamburger, buffalo, emu and ostrich. Fish, also good protein sources, help reduce heart disease risk, inflammation and blood clotting.
Fish – Oily fish have been known to help with bone density, to relieve psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritic pain, and help prevent heart disease and anemia. Shellfish helps with male fertility, brittle bones, weak muscles, weight loss and the prevention of cancer.
Meats – Aid male fertility, build body tissue, nervous system damage and maintenance and help with the prevention of anemia and osteoporosis.
Gamebirds / Poultry – These foods help enhance concentration and mood. They also aid in the prevention of anemia and depression. And for those with allergies, turkey and chicken are noted at rarely causing allergic reactions.
Dairy – Dairy products help in the prevention of tooth decay, protein deficiency, loss of energy, high blood pressure, bone fractures, osteoporosis, rickets and some cancers including colon.
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Weight Control Services, a site dedicated to providing current health and fitness information. The article you have read is available for your use in its entirety as part of a collection of ebooks offering valuable information on a variety of Health and Fitness topics.
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Burmese Shrimp Cake Recipe

Posted by luputtenan2

Little pounded shrimp balls seasoned and fried till lightly brown. This dish is quite popular as a finger food and is also a good accompaniment to a variety of dished, like the famous Mohinga - A spicy noodle soup with fish sauce.
250 grams of raw shrimps,
2 stalks of spring onions,
2 portions of egg whites,
1 tea spoon of salt,
1 tea spoon of sesame oil,
Some corn flour,
Sufficient oil for frying.

First chop the shrimps, then pound to a smooth paste.
Then season the paste with salt, a little sesame oil and finely chopped spring onions and then knead well to mix.
Bind the paste with some egg whites and a little corn flour and then mash for approximately one to two minutes.
Shape the paste into walnut-sized balls with the palm of your hand and coat with corn flour.
Heat ten to twenty table spoons of oil for deep frying and put in the walnut-sized balls of the mixture which have been lightly coated with corn flour.
Deep fry the coated balls of pounded shrimps over moderate heat until lightly browned then remove and draine well on a kitchen paper.
Lastly place the deep fried balls on a shallow serving platter and provide chili or some spicy sauce for accompaniment.
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Gerry O is a chef and publisher of Asian recipes. His site can be found at http://www.asianrecipesonline.com
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Diabetes

Posted by luputtenan2 on Tuesday, August 2, 2005

The following information is for educational purposes only and is meant to complement any medical treatment, not to prescribe or diagnose any condition. Please consult with your doctor before starting any medical or nutritional program.
With the invention of all our modern and refined processing for foods we have seen an increase in diabetes in our world. Some of the races that have diabetes in large numbers are the Hawaiians and the Native American Indians. Their bodies have a hard time adapting to the modern foods. More than any other disease, diabetes can be managed quite well with nutrition.
There are two types of diabetes: the first, diabetes insipidus, is more rare and has to do with a deficiency in the pituitary hormone called vasopressin. The other possibility is that the kidneys have an inability to respond properly to that hormone. People with this form of diabetes have several symptoms that make it stand out: they have tremendous thirst and they urinate large amounts regardless of how much they drink, and this shows us the weakness in the kidneys.
Diabetes Mellitus Type I is often called insulin-dependent diabetes It occurs at a young age and is sometimes called “Juvenile Diabetes.” It is often caused by a viral attack on the system, but most experts are of the opinion that the body’s immune system is weak when this occurs. With the destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas which manufactures the insulin, the body is unable to utilize glucose, the main food for the body. Consequently, the level of glucose is high in the blood since the body can’t absorb it. This is often called "insulin resistance." The diabetic's blood becomes "too thick" or "sticky" and this causes blood clots or thromboses that damage blood vessels.
This can lead to the creation of excessive levels of free radicals (oxidants which break down the body faster) and makes the person more susceptible to the following problems: Diabetics have a larger risk of kidney disease, arteriosclerosis, blindness, heart disease or nerve diseases, as well as being more prone to infections. This is because of their body’s resistance to insulin, which is the hormone that actually drives the glucose into the tissue and cells as a nutrient. When this does not happen the body becomes metabolically weak. The glucose molecules engage in an abnormal coupling with body proteins, a step called “glycosylation.” Consequently, this disrupts the protein’s ability to function biochemically and further weakens the immune system.
Some of the more common symptoms are abnormal thirst, again; irritability; weakness; fatigue; excessive urination; extreme loss of appetite or excessive hunger, and in the worst cases, vomiting and nausea. Some of these diabetics can have hyperglycemia type symptoms, which is too much glucose in their blood or at other times hypoglycemia when there is too low blood sugar. Both conditions can be serious. The worst of all these conditions is hypoglycemia, which can come from just missing a meal, or too much exertion or an insulin overdose. The symptoms could be dizziness, confusion, excessive sweating, and if not treated may lead to a coma. With hyperglycemia it could look the same as far as the symptoms, with not being able to keep down fluids as one of the danger signs. This means there is too much blood sugar in the system. It is more common during an illness and could also result in a coma. These two can be serious medical emergencies with life and death consequences.
A poor diet may be one of the biggest factors leading to diabetes. It often occurs with people who are overweight or who eat a diet high in refined sugar, highly processed foods, low in fiber, with too many complex carbohydrates and with too much meat, and who don’t exercise.
The second category is Type II or non-insulin dependent diabetes, and more often occurs when people are older, and usually with people whose family may have a history of diabetes. This disorder is a little different in that the pancreas does produce insulin, but for some reason the insulin is not effective. Some of the common symptoms are poor vision; fatigue; frequent urination; skin infections, and slow healing of wounds as well as unusual thirst, drowsiness, and tingling or numbness in the feet. This disease is also linked to a poor diet. The National Institute of Health says that there are twenty to twenty-five million people with diabetes type problems, many have undetected Type II (some five million). Diabetes is the third leading cause of death in America. It can be detected with a simple urine test.
Nutrition
There is lots of controversy about nutrition but most experts agree that if there is excessive weight, a weight loss program is essential. Consult with a doctor who specializes in nutrition. As with other health challenges, each individual is different and I believe we need to treat the whole person. Many will recommend a high complex carbohydrate, low fat and high-fiber diet with lots of fresh vegetables, moderate fruits and green vegetable juices.
Excess fat cells create chemical messengers that block the body's ability to actually respond to the insulin. As the fat comes off the diabetic's own insulin works better and the blood sugar level can improve. Garlic and onion are always great for healing the body. Add some capsaicin, a natural derivative of hot peppers to spice it up and it is also very healthy.
Eat more steamed and raw vegetables, complex carbohydrates moderately, low fat foods (cut down on animal fats), and increase grains and whole foods. Avoid white flour, salt and white sugar as they elevate blood sugar levels. Eat more legumes, root vegetables, brown rice, and nut butters. Vegetable sources from protein are much better because high fiber helps reduce blood sugar urges. Eat proteins such as beans and tofu, salmon, and tuna two or three times a week. These fish have the Omega 3, great for the immune system. Eat lots of raw olive oil for your dressings or spread it on breads instead of butter; never use margarine.
Treat Cholesterol: High cholesterol increases the diabetic's risk for heart disease and stroke. Treat High Blood Pressure: Even modest blood pressure elevations greatly increase the risk of diabetes complications. Most diabetics should be compulsive about maintaining blood pressure control.
Plant fiber concentrates like psyllium (Metamucil, etc.) do more than just help with constipation problems. They can also help with absorption of sugar and starches. Some of these more common fibers have modest blood sugar lowering effects: glucomannan, guar gum, legume fiber, oat gum, pea fiber, apple pectin, and psyllium. Of course, the best way to get fiber is from increasing the fresh fruit and vegetables and legumes you eat so you get the fiber directly.
Avoid tobacco since it constricts your blood vessels and can be much more harmful to your condition. Eat more carbohydrates or reduce your insulin before exercise as it produces more insulin-like effect on the body. Exercise can cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) requiring a reduction in dose of insulin or diabetes pills. Diabetics with unrecognized heart disease are less likely than non-diabetics to feel chest pain (angina) as a warning sign that they are exercising too vigorously. (Consult with your doctor).
Most diabetics could cut down and eventually cut out their insulin or diabetes pills through a holistic program centered on nutrition. They could probably all benefit, reducing their risk of long term complications; however, you need to work with a medical doctor that uses nutrition in his or her practice.
Caution:
Many carbohydrates that people think of as being good for a diabetic can actually raise the glucose level of blood dramatically, e.g., whole wheat bread, many breakfast cereals, a baked potato, raisins, prunes or most dried fruit and carrot juice. Carrot juice is far too sweet. Better to juice a few little carrots and put in more greens such as kale, spinach, celery or wheat grass. Find a good green drink with many of the greens, which is also a great source of chlorophyll. Think: alkaline balance. Other carbohydrates such as pasta, pita bread, unleavened bread or bible bread, boiled potatoes, grapes, oranges, lemons or honeydew raise blood sugar only modestly.
Reduce the use of honey, molasses, etc. They do raise blood sugar, but most diabetics can tolerate them in small amounts, e.g., 1-2 tsp. a day if they are careful; however, it is better to try and do without. Replace those with fructose (fruit sugar) and lactose (milk sugar) as they do not raise blood sugar much and can be used in moderate amounts. A small percent of diabetics do not do well on a high carbohydrate diet, even one that is low in simple sugars and high in complex carbohydrates. Their blood sugar rises as do their triglycerides and cholesterol, so just increase the greens and legumes along with proteins.
Avoid fish oil capsules containing large amounts of para-amiobenzoic acid (PABA) as well as salt and white flour as they tend to raise blood sugar levels. Also, avoid taking large amounts of the amino acid cysteine because it can break down the bonds of the insulin hormone.
Mental Training
Mental calmness is critical for all health. Stress increases the adrenal glands' output of adrenaline and cortisone, two hormones which act to increase blood sugar. Relaxation training and stress management techniques help improve blood sugar control. Sometimes bio-feedback training could be very valuable -- see a professional.
Vitamins and Minerals
I recommend close medical supervision, for any treatment using vitamins or nutrition.
Chromium Picolinate, 400-600 mcg daily (Combination of chromium picolinate, vanadyl sulfate, and other vitamins and minerals that work together to regulate blood sugar levels), or
Diabetic Nutrition RX from Progressive Research Labs
Brewers yeast with added chromium can work too.
Biotin, 3-16 mg doses, but over 3 mg requires close medical supervision
Vitamin B-6, 50 mg. Take the B’s together
Vitamin B1, 50-100 mg, Inositol, 50 mg daily
B-12 injection or lozenges- or sublingual for best results
Vitamin C, 1000-6000 mg
Calcium, 1000-1500 mg daily
Coenzyme Q10, 60-120 mg
L-Carnitine, L-Glutamine and Taurine, 500 mg of each (twice daily on empty stomach). Take with some Vitamin C for absorption, which mobilizes fat, reduces
the craving for sugar, and aids in the release of insulin.
Manganese, 5-10 mg daily, do not take with calcium.
Magnesium, 600-700 mg
Quercetin, 100 mg 3 times per day
Vitamin E, 400-900 units
Zinc, 50-80 mg
In conclusion, regarding the emotions or how diabetics are living their lives from The Wisdom of the Body:
Diabetes people are living their life in an attitude of UNACCEPTABILITY of life at the most basic level (Sugars). They are never SATISFIED, never FULFILLED, and never CONTENT, they are always a work in progress.
Sources: Dr. James F. Balch, M.D., Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C., and Dr. Richard Podell, M.D.
The last sentence taken from Wisdom of the Body by Roger Cotting, Dr. Diane Mistler (Misty), and Connie Smith, RN, about their work and teachings.
see http://www.molinamassage.com for more information and other articles.
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Othon Molina Ph.d. c LMT has been involved in the health field as a manual therapist and personal trainer for over thirty five years. He has studied with some of the top doctors and healers of our times. His specialty is treating sports injuries, back problems, and teaching others about how to improve their health using nutrition and training. He has just published his first book “Your beautiful body”
Some of his clients include: Bob Hope, Jane Seymor, Essam Kashoggy, Jim Nabors, Tony Robbins, Mark Victor Hansen, Carol Burnett, San Francisco Ballet, Allvin Alley Dance troup, some of the top olympic and international elite athletes, team doc and trainer for the German professional triathletes. He also trains massage therapy teams all over the world. He has worked in the medical tent for the Kona Ironman for over 9 years and continues to this day. see http://www.molinamassage.com for more information and other articles.
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Healthy Diet Healthy Women

Posted by luputtenan2

Women’s health (physical and mental) is closely related (and somewhat “mimics”) hormonal status and “balance” in the body. Hormonal status here refers to the interplay between female sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone), stress hormones (specifically cortisol), and thyroid hormones (TSH, T4, T3). Sex hormone production and balance is particularly sensitive to levels of stress hormones. Stress has a profound effect on oestrogen/progesterone balance, as well as creating unnecessary inflammation in the body.
A hormonal cycle in perfect balance helps a woman to feel confident, empowered, healthy and happy. A woman who feels “out of sorts”, is depressed for no apparent reason, or shows other common signs and symptoms of hormonal imbalance (of which there are many), is either under too much stress, not taking enough exercise, and or, is eating a poor diet. She herself is out of balance! Eating poorly results in the body not getting sufficient nutrients necessary to produce enough of the correct hormones in the correct balance. Nutrients often lacking include essential fatty acids (especially GLA, EPA and DHA), B vitamins (especially B6), calcium and magnesium.
A “healthy diet for a healthy woman” should be “designed” to encourage normal healthy production, balance, detoxification and excretion of oestrogen and other hormones. The organs involved are the ovaries and adrenals (for production), the liver (for detoxification), and the kidneys and bowel (for excretion via faeces and urine). Naturally, these organs need to be in good working order, and nourished correctly! The diet should contain a vast array of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents to dampen any internal inflammation. It should aim to lower insulin levels (minimising fat storage), and improve insulin sensitivity, i.e. the way in which the body handles sugars. This helps to burn fat, as well as minimising excess fat being converted to oestrogen.
(N.B. Fat cells can convert fat to a “bad” oestrogen via a biochemical process called aromatisation).
Soya protein seems to encourage fat loss in the body together with an improvement in the amount of lean muscle tissue. Soya (especially soy concentrates) contains high levels of beneficial plant oestrogens… known as isoflavones. Isoflavones help to re-balance levels of good and bad oestrogens, and promote a healthier oestrogen/progesterone balance. Non-soya food sources of isoflavones include fennel, flaxseeds (ground or milled otherwise they are largely indigestible), fenugreek, cumin and other spices, blueberries, and the herbs red clover, black cohosh and kudzu. Ground flaxseeds incidentally are a great “soluble” fibre source that promotes the excretion of oestrogen via faeces, and also minimises oestrogens being re-absorbed back into the body.
Green tea “catechins” also contribute to healthy oestrogen detoxification and excretion. A diet that is rich in cruciferous vegetables and wholegrains supports healthy liver function…. specifically in the healthy detoxification of oestrogen and other hormones through the liver.
DietThe diet should be as clean as possible. This means eating food that contains NO unnecessary additives, preservatives, hormones or hormone-mimicking chemicals, sugars, or trans fats/hydrogenated fats. Eating only natural, unprocessed foods (in itself) will ensure that all these biochemically and hormonally disruptive substances are kept to an absolute minimum.
Highly beneficial foods…Nutritional science has come a long way, and we now know that the following foods are highly beneficial for proper hormone production and healthy oestrogen metabolism.
Soya foods and soy concentrates – tofu, miso, Tamari, tempeh, soya beans, soya milk and plain soya yogurtChickpeas and beans in general – mung beans are easy to soak and cook in 45 mins, or sproutedWhole and ground Indian spices and herbs – fenugreek seeds (wonderful when sprouted), cumin, cinnamon, turmeric etcUnpolluted oily fish (and other quality fish) and fish oil – choose high-grade unpolluted fish oil capsulesWHOLE grains – brown rice, wheat berries and rye berries (these are the whole wheat and rye grains that when soaked and cooked have a lovely chewy texture), barley, millet, whole oatsCruciferous vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sproutsGround/milled flaxseeds – 2 tablespoons per daySunflower and pumpkin seeds –preferably groundAlmonds and walnuts – preferably groundBerry fruits (especially blueberries, raspberries, blackberries etc.), a little melon and citrus fruits such as lemons. Warm/hot water with the juice of a fresh lemon is the best way to start the day.
Highly beneficial drinks…Organic Green tea – steep for 5-10 minutesMiso soup – you can buy sachets or just add hot water to a tsp of miso pasteSoya shakes – blend soya milk, yogurt, berries and ground seedsFiltered water with a little lime or lemon juice – remember that urine colour is an excellent indication of hydration status. It should be pale yellow/straw colour the majority of the time… so drink enough water and other fluid to achieve this. Drinking sufficient water is vital for normal kidney function and excretion of oestrogen via urine.
Meal ideas…The majority of the meals and foods I have chosen contain slow-releasing carbohydrates. Slow-releasing carbohydrates (often call “complex” or low-glycaemic foods) are digested and broken down in the gut relatively slowly, releasing their sugars steadily into the bloodstream. This results in a steady rise in blood sugar, sustained energy, as well as efficient fat breakdown and hormone control. Eating complex carbohydrates help increase and control energy levels; aids weight loss, and controls and encourage a natural appetite.
N.B. Re: Women’s health and hormone balance…Eating natural whole foods keeps insulin levels low – high insulin increases testosterone and oestrogen production leading to potential oestrogen and/or testosterone dominance in relation to progesterone
Breakfast
* Berries with yogurt and cinnamon – Combine ½ a punnet of blueberries and ½ a punnet of raspberries with 100g of goat’s yogurt. Mix in 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds and sprinkle on top ½ tsp of ground cinnamon.
* A small bowl of oat porridge or cooked oatmeal made with soya or almond milk (Ecomil/Evernat). Add grated apple, a handful of whole almonds, or sunflower seeds and 2 or 3 tablespoons of natural “bio” yogurt.
* Fruit bowl with yogurt and flaxseed – chop 2 pieces of fruit, top with plain soya yogurt and stir in 2 tablespoons of ground or ready-milled linseeds (flaxseeds), with a soya milk or almond milk and hot water. Add ¼ tsp of cinnamon too.
* Smoothies in a glass – A blend of raspberries and strawberries, yogurt, soya milk or almond milk, and 2 tablespoons of milled/ground flaxseeds (available from some Sainsbury’s stores or health food shops), or wheatgerm. This meal provides essential fats, protein and fibre and flaxseeds (or other seeds) add a nutty taste to the mixture. A great start to the day!
LunchChickpea dahl with dark green leafy and baby vegetable salad – gently fry off ½ tsp each of fenugreek seeds, coriander seeds and ground cumin. Add ½ can of chickpeas and 100g of cherry tomatoes. Cook gently for 10-15 mins. Make a salad of green leaves, chopped coriander, and add mange tout peas, sliced beetroot, cucumber, and sliced raw fennel. Drizzle with a little olive oil, balsamic or cider vinegar, and a little lemon juice. Serve with a slice of rye bread.
DinnerTofu and cruciferous veg stir-fry. Use a variety of cruciferous vegetables - broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and stir-fry with onion, garlic and ginger. Use Tamari or a spoon of miso (try brown rice miso) mixed in a little water as a base or marinade. Stir in 100-150g of cubed tofu, tossing the mix until the vegetables are “al dente”… cooked but with a slight crunch!
Snacks if you need them…A small handful of whole almondsHummus and vegetable cruditésA small bowl of sliced melon, blueberries and raspberries
Do supplements help?Coupled with a good hormone-friendly diet, supplements can further naturally balance and control hormone levels.
The following are examples of beneficial supplements for hormonal balance…
Fish Oil (containing EPA and DHA) – vital for production of healthy prostaglandins and anti-inflammatory substances in the body.B Vitamins, taken as a “complex” – B vitamins together with EPA and DHA are paramount for healthy oestrogen/progesterone balance, AND liver function.Antioxidants such as green tea extract, d-limonene, turmeric or other quality antioxidants to support healthy cellular ageing.Other oestrogen-supporting agents – isoflavones, non-soy isoflavones, phytonutrients, active folates (supporting methylation), support female health at all stages as well as benefiting breast health, bone health and cardiovascular health.Calcium together with other essential nutrients to support bone health – calcium must be in an absorbable form, and taken with other nutrients, such as magnesium, vitamin D and boron. Microcrystalline “hydroxyapatite” (MCHC) is the ultimate form of calcium for proper absorption into bone, and studies show this to be effective in improving bone density in postmenopausal women.
N.B. Always seek advice from a registered Nutritionist before embarking on a specific supplement programme.
Balancing herbs can be very helpful for many women in dealing with stress or sex hormone imbalance (particularly during the pre-menstrual phase and during and after menopause). Examples include chaste berry (agnus castus), dong quai, black cohosh, red clover, ginger, evening primrose, peony root, red raspberry leaf, and St. John’s Wort. Many can be taken in isolation, or in combination with each other. Always get professional advise before taking herbs, especially if you are on ANY medication, or hormonal treatment.
ExerciseYoga and Pilates are two of the best forms of exercise for women to do regularly.
Stress management – meditation, deep breathing, cognitive behavioural therapy, transactional analysis (TA), are all useful and effective therapies and practises that can benefit women in a thousand ways!
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Lucy-Ann Prideaux MSc BSc RNutr Registered Nutritionist Simply Nutrition
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Top 10 Foods for Women

Posted by luputtenan2 on Monday, August 1, 2005

Beans and Pulses
Beans and pulses should be included in everyone's diet, but for women they are especially important. They are highly nutritious, low in fat, and an excellent source of vegetable protein. A fibre-rich diet is one of the first components to colon cancer prevention, and with more women dying of colon cancer than breast cancer every year; it makes sense to eat plenty of beans. This group of foods also contain phytoestrogens, the natural plant hormones, which are also protective against cancer, as well as being important for bone health.
Kale
Kale is an often-overlooked vegetable that happens to be loaded with folate (folic acid), an important B vitamin for women. Having a deficiency in folic acid during pregnancy may cause neural-tube defects in babies. In the UK, all women of childbearing age are now thought to need 400 micrograms of folate daily. Kale is also an excellent source of vitamin C and calcium, too.
Orange vegetables
Orange squashes (and tubers) like pumpkin, butternut squash and sweet potatoes are a girl’s best friend when it comes to nutritious, comforting food. All these foods are filling, low in calories, and rich in beta-carotene, a precursor to vitamin A, which will work plenty of it’s antioxidant magic in your body. Antioxidants are important in the anti-ageing process, helping to repair and regenerate skin and other tissues. Beta-carotene is also thought to help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Linseeds (flaxseeds)
Flax seeds (or linseeds) and flax seed oil have so much to offer women. For starters, flax is full of “essential” Omega 3 fatty acids (EFA's), which help to balance a women’s hormones, protect a woman from heart disease (the leading cause of premature death among women) and the pain of arthritis. The dietary fibres in flax are called lignans, which contain phytoestrogens, currently being researched and showing promise in cancer prevention. Lignans are also thought to have antioxidant properties. The best way to get the benefit of the flaxseeds fibre and oils is to grind them in a clean coffee mill, used just for this purpose. Alternatively use a pestle and mortar, and sprinkle them onto cereal in the morning or add them to a bowl of natural yogurt and fruit. The essential fatty acids are very fragile, unstable, and liable to oxidation if exposed to light and air. Within the whole seeds, the oil is protected. So buy fresh, organic seeds if at all possible. You can eat them whole; just chew them thoroughly!
Iron-rich foods
Women need to eat more iron-rich foods. Getting iron from food (as opposed to a supplement) is by far the best way to get the correct amount of iron the body needs and can absorb. Lean red meats and dark poultry are the ideal food sources of iron. Unfortunately that doesn’t help much if you are vegetarian or one of the many women who avoid red meats. In this case, think about eating more of the following iron-rich foods… lentils, dried apricots, beans, spinach, enriched wholegrain cereals, pumpkin seeds, and oysters! If you do need to take a supplement, the best choices are Easy Iron (Higher Nature Ltd), which is an organic, food-form of iron, and Floradix, an herbal-based iron-rich tonic. Increase your intake of vitamin C too, which helps to absorb non-haem sources of iron.
Soya
Soya foods (including beans, tofu, soya milk & yogurt, soy sauce, Tamari and Miso) are the richest food sources of phytoestrogens (and of course soy protein). The natural plant substances – phytoestrogens - are now thought to be beneficial in maintaining bone density, as well as being the best “alternative” to HRT when many women need hormonal support as they enter menopausal years. Tofu, milk, and yogurt are also great calcium sources. All these foods can help a woman significantly lower her bad cholesterol (LDL) and raise the good (HDL) cholesterol. Tofu is a great source of low-fat, vegetable protein, best used in a vegetable stir-fry with soy sauce, and brown rice. Try Cauldron Foods, firm tofu.
Brocolli
Broccoli is not only a good source of calcium and B vitamins; it contains plant substances called sulphurophanes. These plant chemicals are cancer-protective and help the liver process and clear any excess oestrogen. Nowadays we don’t just produce oestrogen internally, but we are exposed to it in the environment in the form of oestrogen-like chemicals found in plastics, tap water and other insidious places. Excess oestrogen causes weight gain, hormonal imbalances, night sweating, and presents an increased risk of fibroids, breast cysts, breast cancer and endometriosis.
Calcium and magnesium - rich foods
Women of all ages need enough calcium in their diets to build and maintain strong bones. Calcium-rich foods that are also good sources of magnesium (and other nutrients) go a long way to supporting bone, and heart health. Magnesium is the nutrient that plays an important role in the creation of new bone; so think about seeds and nuts as healthy additions to a wholegrain cereal. Calcium, magnesium and potassium are alkalising minerals. Bones serve as a reservoir of these highly important alkaline minerals, which are released to help neutralise the acids in your body. If your body is overly acidic (this happens if you eat a lot animal protein, smoke or drink too much alcohol, or become highly stressed), your bones must donate their minerals to restore your pH balance. This can deplete the bones, leaving them brittle and weak.
The UK RNI for calcium is 700 milligrams a day, but many experts feel it should be more like 1200 to 1500 milligrams a day. When you take into consideration the epidemic of osteoporosis and heart disease among women, it is wise to include or increase your intake of the following foods… plain natural yogurt, which is not only a source of beneficial bacteria for good colon health, it is also much easier to digest than other dairy products), parmesan cheese (again, easy to digest), ricotta cheese & goat’s cheese, tinned bony salmon, freshly grilled sardines, kale, almonds and sunflower seeds, tofu, fortified “SoGood” soya milk (20% more calcium than cow’s milk) and “Provamel” soya yogurts. Replacing dairy with soya milk and yogurts in the diet provides all the benefits of soya protein while reducing the amounts of animal fats in the diet. A 100g serving of tofu or 125g pot of plain yogurt both provide 200mg of calcium. An ounce of Parmesan provides a whopping 390mg of calcium, and 100g canned pink salmon 300mg. Don’t forget your fruit and vegetables… latest research in bone health shows that women who have more fruit and vegetables in their diets, tend to have higher bone density. Fruit and vegetables contain an array of micronutrients such as magnesium, vitamin C, and boron. We now know that these play an equally important role in bone metabolism.
If you feel you need to supplement with calcium, remember that calcium should be taken with magnesium in a 2:1 ratio. This is because calcium and magnesium require each other for proper absorption, and utilisation in the body. So, if you supplement with 500 mg of calcium, you need to take 250 mg of magnesium at the same time. Most reputable companies now formulate supplements that take this into account, as well as the synergistic “need” for the other nutrients involved in the entire process of bone metabolism. Choose carefully.
Water!
Water is a nutrient and the fact is, we need it... and plenty of it. Certainly, water may be one of the best tools in the weight loss game. It not only suppresses the appetite, but helps the body metabolise stored fat. Water keeps the body’s tissues well hydrated, so if you want smooth, line-free skin for as long as is naturally possible… drink!
Salmon and other oily fish (in moderation)
Salmon was at one time avoided in favour of white fish or sole, due it’s higher fat content. However, once we understood the value and benefit of the essential “Omega 3 fatty acids” present in salmon and other oily fish, it was back on the plate. The time has arrived however, that food-conscious individuals are steering away from oily fish again (or at least cutting down), not because of the fat content, but because of the presence of harmful chemicals and metals. Fish such as mackerel, salmon and swordfish are known to contain high levels of potentially carcinogenic chemicals, and others, including shark, marlin, swordfish and red snapper contain the highest levels of mercury. These larger, long-lived predatory fish and mammals tend to accumulate more mercury from the environment than shorter-lived fish. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommends that we eat 2-4 portions of fish a week, and 1-2 at least should be of an oily variety. Pregnant mothers are the only group that need to limit oily fish intake to 2 portions a week, but not to avoid fish altogether. Omega-3 fats are vital for the baby’s brain development. Many people often prefer to take an uncontaminated fish oil supplement, or stick to flax seeds as a source of Omega-3’s. Nutri’s Eskimo oil is one of the best un-contaminated fish oils on the market, and contains the fat-soluble antioxidant vitamin E to ensure the fish oils do not oxidise in the body. Remember Omega-3s ARE essential to good health, and freedom from diseases such as Alzheimer’s, cancer, depression, diabetes, heart disease, and rheumatoid arthritis… so as I say, don’t avoid fish altogether, as fish oil is clearly the richest source of Omega 3’s we know. Important omega-3s are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) - from fish oil and algae - and alpha linolenic acid, usually from vegetable sources such as flax seed oil. In a healthy person, linolenic acid can be converted to DHA, and EPA, provided the correct enzymes are present. However, only 2% of the alpha-linolenic acid found in flax oil is actually converted to EPA… far less than we find in fish oil. EPA and DHA substantially lower your risk of heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, prevent blood platelets from becoming sticky, and can lower blood pressure. They also promote good bone health, heart health, and breast health. DHA is particularly important during brain development, so is a popular and useful supplement during pregnancy.
Re: CANNED FISH - During the canning process of tuna, all the fat is lost, so tinned tuna does not count as an oily fish. The canning process of other fish (salmon, sardines, pilchards etc.) is different to that of tuna, and does not affect the oil content of the fish. How the canning process affects the stability and integrity of the delicate fish oils has not been fully elucidated. The possible presence of mercury and toxic chemicals I would imagine is no different in canned vs. fresh fish.
Eating fruit to offset mercury absorption?
To enjoy fish while minimising your mercury exposure, eat some tropical fruit for dessert… eating antioxidant-rich tropical fruits, such as mango, pineapple, banana, and papaya, may help reduce the amount of mercury that your body absorbs, according to research published recently in Environmental Research (2003). This particular study was a 12-month prospective dietary survey, carried out with 26 adult women from a fish-eating community in the Brazilian Amazon. They found a strong relationship between fish consumption and mercury (Hg) levels in hair. Not surprising you may think…. What was surprising and very interesting was the finding that this strong relationship was significantly modified by fruit consumption: for the same number of fish meals, those who ate more tropical fruits had lower hair mercury levels. The findings of this study indicate different ways of maintaining fish consumption while reducing Hg exposure in the Amazon. A number of phytochemicals and nutritional fibres present in fruits might be interacting with Hg in several ways: absorption and excretion transport, binding to target proteins, metabolism, and sequestration. More research on larger worldwide populations would further elucidate the extent, and public health implications of the use of fruits to counteract the toxic action of methylmercury.
Try this tasty fish dish… with minimal mercury exposure!
Fresh Tuna Steak with Mango Salsa (Serves 2)
Ingredients: 2 fresh Tuna steaks, marinated in olive oil and chopped garlic
For the salsa: 1 whole mango, peeled, sliced off the stone and chopped A small piece of finely chopped fresh ginger root Handful of chopped fresh coriander 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar and 1 tablespoon of olive oil, mixed Juice of half a lemon or lime Ground black pepper to taste
Method: Place the steaks into a frying pan. Pan-fry on a medium heat until opaque on the outside and a little pink in the middle. While the fish is cooking, combine all the salsa ingredients in a bowl and mix thoroughly. Serve the fish alongside the mango salsa and a large mixed green salad.
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Lucy-Ann Prideaux MSc BSc RNutr Registered Nutritionist http://www.simply-nutrition.co.uk
More aboutTop 10 Foods for Women