OrganizedWisdom Health - Diet and Nutrition

Nitrates Trigger Diabetes, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's

AmyS — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 04:19:20 GMT

A link between increased nitrate levels and a higher number of deaths from Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and diabetes has been found. Nitrates are found in the environment and in processed or preserved foods. Over 90% of the class of compounds that nitrates belong to have been found to be carcinogenic in the human body.

Fast Facts:

Researchers tracked mortality trends from 1968 to 2005.
Sales of foods that contain nitrates have increased eight-fold since 1970.
This study appeared in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease in July 2009.

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Saturated Fat

CatherIN — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:59:48 GMT

Saturated fat is the main dietary factor that can cause high cholesterol. It is found in foods that come from animals and some plants. Total calories from saturated fat should be kept between seven and ten percent.

Fast Facts:

Coconut, coconut oil, cocoa butter, palm oil, and palm kernel oil are examples of plant sources of saturated fat.
Animal sources of saturated fat include beef, veal, lamb, pork, lard, poultry fat, butter, cream, milk, cheeses, and other dairy products made from whole and two percent milk.
Typically, saturated fat is solid when at room temperature.

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Celery and High Blood Pressure

Crdelucas — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:43:57 GMT

Celery has been used in Eastern medicine for centuries in the treatment of high blood pressure. Results of studies showed lowered blood pressure in animals injected with celery extract. Currently, there are limited human clinical studies on the effectiveness of celery for reducing high blood pressure. Celery contains phthalides, which aids in relaxing the muscles around the arteries and allowing vessels to dilate.

Fast Facts:

Blood pressure levels decreased in fourteen out of sixteen patients during a study performed in China.
Celery contains a high level of sodium and is often discouraged in diets of patients with high blood pressure.
Celery has also been used to treat congestive heart failure, fluid retention, anxiety, insomnia, gout, and diabetes.
A cardiologist suggests eating four celery stalks per day, eight teaspoons of celery juice three times daily, 1000 mg celery seed extract twice daily, or one-half to one teaspoon of celery oil three times daily.

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High Triglyceride Diet

Crdelucas — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 18:55:23 GMT

A diet to help with high triglycerides includes reducing fats, carbohydrates, substituting complex carbohydrates, and avoiding alcohol. Triglycerides are the building blocks of cells and provide energy to the body. Increased triglyceride levels, however, increase the risk of heart disease.

Fast Facts:

A triglyceride level less than 150 mg/dL is considered normal.
A diagnosis of high triglycerides affects approximately ten percent of the population.
Consumption of more than seven to ten percent of total calories coming from saturated fat is not recommended.
The addition of fruits, vegetables, omega-3 fatty acids, and fish oil is recommended.
Exercise, weight loss, and eating smaller meals are all recommended in combination with diet.

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High Cholesterol and Fish Oil

Crdelucas — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:11:03 GMT

Fish oil supplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have shown positive results in reducing high cholesterol in clinical studies. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acid and has been effective in lowering triglyceride levels and increasing high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. It is available as a food supplement and by prescription; consult a health care professional prior to administration of fish oil.

Fast Facts:

Statins are the primary treatment option for patients with high cholesterol.
A clinical study resulted in the same effectiveness of reducing cholesterol levels with statin use and an alternative combination approach of fish oil, red yeast rice, and lifestyle changes of diet and exercise.
Although fish oil lowers triglycerides, it may raise low-density lipoprotein (LDL) - the "bad" cholesterol.
Nausea, bloating, flatulence, diarrhea, and aftertaste are common side effects while taking fish oil.

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Lactose Free Milk Options

Amymarlatt — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 15:03:16 GMT

There are many options now for lactose free milk. When you are lactose intolerant, it may be hard to follow a lactose free diet. However, you can purchase cow's milk that is lactose free. This milk has been heated to to release the lactose and then cooled. Other options include almond, rice, goat, and soy milk.

Fast Facts:

Many foods contain lactose. Read your labels!
Lactose intolerance increases by age.
Even if you are lactose intolerant, you can usually drink very small amounts of milk at a time.

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Coffee Lowers Alzheimer's Risk

AmyS — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:37:17 GMT

Two recent studies have revealed that caffeine consumption may treat or prevent Alzheimer's disease. Each study was completed on mice. The effects of the caffeine were detected within a two month span.

Fast Facts:

The amount of caffeine studied was approximately five cups of coffee a day.
These studies were funded by the National Institute of Health and the state of Florida, not coffee companies.
The studies are published in the July 6 edition of the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease.

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Best Foods for Fibromyalgia

Amymarlatt — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:39:33 GMT

There are foods that may help fibromyalgia. Organic foods are important in your diet; they can contain more nutrients which help boost your immune system. Your diet should also be well balanced. You should make sure you eat grains, fruits, vegetables, protein, and dairy. Protein is essential for growth and maintenance. Muscle pain and stiffness can be relieved by eating protein. Drinking eight glasses of water a day is also recommended. Another food to eat are those high in vitamin C.

Fast Facts:

Foods to avoid include caffeine, alcohol, carbonated beverages, and chocolate.
A vegetarian diet may be helpful to fibromyalgia patients.
Research is being done to see if more soy in your diet can be beneficial.

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Sitostanol

Jacobawolf — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 03:33:08 GMT

Sitostanol is a pine tree pulp based food additive used to help decrease cholesterol by decreasing cholesterol absorption in the intestine and increase excretion levels of LDL precursors. Sitostanols and the related molecule, sitosterols, are found most commonly in the margarines Benecol (sitostanol) and Promise Active (sitosterol) as well as Minute Maid Heart Wise orange juice. There are generally no major side effects from consuming products with sitostanol. Some people may experience some stomach upset or excess fat in their stool (steatorrhea).

Fast Facts:

Studies showed that 30 grams per day of margarine and 2 to 3 grams per day of orange juice (2 glasses) are effective at lowering cholesterol.
Sitostanol should not effect HDL, triglycerides, vitamin A, vitamin D, or vitamin E levels, but may decrease beta-carotene levels.
Studies are still being performed on the long term effects of sitostanol and other plant sterols looking specifically at the increased risk for premature coronary artery disease.

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Blueberries vs. Statin Drugs

Tbingel — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:27:04 GMT

Research shows blueberries may be an effective way to lower cholesterol without the dangers and side effects of statin drugs. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that blueberries contain a powerful cholesterol fighting compound called pterostilbene. Studies in pigs showed flavonoids give blueberries their anti-cholesterol effect, acting as an antioxidant and protecting the blood vessels from inflammation.

Fast Facts:

Research shows that blueberries may work better than the drug ciprofibrate to lower blood fats and cholesterol.
The dark pigmented skin of blueberries is rich in antioxidants to help lower cholesterol.
Until studies are done in humans, it is not known how many blueberries one needs to eat to lower cholesterol.
One study showed that blueberries reduced LDL and HDL by 8-15 % in rats.
The American Chemical Society is researching extracting pterostilbene compounds from blueberries for patients who do not respond well to statin drugs.

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