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Healthy Living

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Alfrescian (InfP)
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20,000 Pounds On The Sea



I took my oldest son, my two nephews and my neighbor's son on a
cruise. They are 16 and 17 years old.

When I boarded the ship, I went to one of the many dining areas
to eat as we waited for the time when we could enter our rooms.

That's when I saw the platters!

At most buffet style restaurants, they give you a medium sized
plate. Some even give you a rather small plate.

The principle is simply this, the bigger the plate, the more you
will eat. "All You Can Eat" buffets prefer that you eat as
little as possible. They are not concerned about your health;
they want you to eat less because the less you eat; the more
profit they make. Smaller plates equal less consumption, which
equals more profit.

The platters obviously weren't following that rule. Carnival
Cruise Lines platters are HUGE. They were the size of two normal
sized dinner plates.

There was an unlimited supply of food available and huge
platters to put the unlimited food on.

While people lounged around, there was very little use of the
ship's gymnasium. The dining areas were full while the gym had
plenty of unused space.

The average person on a cruise gains ten pounds. Yes, ten
pounds. I gained ten pounds on the last cruise I went on. I was
determined not to do that this time but those platters sure
didn't help.

The average cruise ship has 2,000 passengers. At ten pounds per
passenger means that the average cruise ship puts 20,000 pounds
or TEN TONS of weight on its passengers per cruise.

A cruise ship is the ultimate in luxury, leisure and food.
It is one of the greatest challenges to discipline.
I would write more about this but I have a lot on my plate.
 

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Alfrescian (InfP)
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The Definitive Answer To 20 Of Your Biggest Health Questions

Does olive oil prevent heart disease?


Short answer: Yes
The health benefits of olive oil come from the presence of polyphenols, antioxidants
that reduce the risk of heart diseases and cancers.
But to get these healthy compounds, consumers should buy good-quality, fresh "extra-virgin" olive oil, which has the highest polyphenol content.
Most commercially available olive oils have low levels of polyphenols associated with poor harvesting methods, improper storage, and heavy processing.

Do cough syrups work?


Short answer: No
In 2006, the nation's chest physicians agreed that the majority of over-the-counter cough medicines don't actually work.
These colorful syrups typically contain doses of codeine and dextromethorphan that are too small to be effective.
Only cough suppressants that contain older antihistamines seem to relieve coughs.
That includes brompheniramine, an active ingredient in Dimetapp.
Does sugar cause hyperactivity?


Short answer: No
Following a review of 23 studies, a 1996 report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association
concluded that sugar "does not affect the behavior or cognitive performance of children."
The age-old myth that kids misbehave when they eat large amounts of candy, cookies, and other junk food,
could be related to the type of events where these foods are typically served.
For example, kids are more wound-up at birthday parties and during Halloween when sweet treats tend to flow freely.

Do sugary soft drinks lead to diabetes?


Short answer: Yes
The majority of health research is stacked against sugar-sweetened soda.
A large 2004 study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women
who drank one or more sugary drinks per day increased their risk of developing type 2 diabetes
by 83% compared to those who consumed less than one of these beverages per month.

Do I need sunscreen with more than 30 SPF?


Short answer: No
Sunscreens with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 block about 97% of ultraviolet rays,
while sunscreens with an SPF of higher than 30 block 97%-98%.
It's more important that you choose "broad-spectrum" sunscreen, meaning it protects against both UVB and UVA rays.
Sunbathers also need to apply a generous amount of sunscreen in order to get the full benefit of the SPF.

Is the MSG in Chinese likely to give you a headache?


Short answer: No
A review of 40 years of clinical trials, published in the journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners in 2006,
found that all previous research "failed to identify a consistent relationship between the consumption of MSG
and the constellation of symptoms that comprise the syndrome," including headaches and asthma attacks.
The misconception spawned from several poorly-done small studies in the 1960s
that seemed to connect MSG with a variety of maladies that people experienced after eating at Chinese restaurants.

Learn more about the MSG myth here »

Do nuts make you fat?


Short answer: No
As much as 75% of a nut is fat. But eating fat doesn't necessarily make you fat.
The bigger factor leading to weight gain is portion-size.
Luckily, nuts are loaded with healthy fats that keep you full. They're also a good source of protein and fiber.
One study even found that whole almonds have 20% less calories than previously thought because
a lot of the fat is excreted from the body.

Is walking as effective as running?


Short answer: Yes
Studies have shown that how long you exercise — and thus how many calories you burn — is more important
than how hard you exercise. Running is a more efficient form of exercise, but not necessarily better for you.
A six-year study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
in April found that walking at a moderate pace and running produced similar health benefits, so long as the same amount of energy was expended.

Is drinking fruit juice as good for you as eating fruit?


Short answer: No
Calorie for calorie, whole fruit provides more nutritional benefits than drinking the pure juice of that fruit.
That's because when you liquefy fruit, stripping away the peel and dumping the pulp, many ingredients like
fiber, calcium, vitamin C, and other antioxidants are lost.
For comparison, a five-ounce glass of orange juice that contains 69 calories has .3 grams of dietary fiber
and 16 milligrams of calcium, whereas an orange with the same number of calories packs 3.1 grams of fiber and 60 milligrams of calcium.

Are all wheat breads better for you than white bread?


Short answer: No
Not all wheat breads are created equal. Wheat breads that contain all parts of the grain kernel,
including the nutrient-rich germ and fiber-dense bran, must be labeled "whole grain" or "whole wheat."
Some wheat breads are just white bread with a little bit of caramel coloring to make the bread appear healthier,
according to Reader's Digest.

Can a hot tub make me sick?


Short answer: Yes
Hot tubs — especially ones in spas, hotels, and gyms — are perfect breeding grounds for germs.
The water is not hot enough to kill bacteria, but is just the right temperature to make microbes grow even faster.
Even though hot tubs are treated with chlorine, the heat causes the disinfectant to break down faster
than it would in regular pools.
The most common hot tub infection is pseudomonas folliculitis, which causes red, itchy bumps.
A more dangerous side-effect of soaking in a dirty Jacuzzi is a form of pneumonia known as Legionnaire's disease.
This is what reportedly sickened more than 100 people at the Playboy Mansion back in 2011.

Does coffee cause cancer?


Short answer: No
Coffee got a bad rap in the 1980s when a study linked drinking coffee to pancreatic cancer.
The preliminary report was later debunked.
More recently, health studies have swung in favor of the caffeinated beverage.
Coffee has been linked to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease, liver cancer, and even suicide.

Do eggs raise cholesterol levels?


Short answer: No
Although egg yolks are a major source of cholesterol — a waxy substance that resembles fat — researchers
have learned that saturated fat has more of an impact on cholesterol in your blood than eating foods that contain cholesterol.
"Healthy individuals with normal blood cholesterol levels should now feel free to enjoy foods
like eggs in their diet every day," the lead researcher from a 25-year University of Arizona study on cholesterol concluded.

Can you drink too much water?


Short answer: Yes
It is very rare for someone to die from drinking too much water, but it can happen.
Overhydrating is most common among elite athletes.
Drinking an excess of water, called water intoxication, dilutes the concentration of sodium in the blood leading to a condition known as hyponatremia.
The symptoms of hyponatremia can range from nausea and confusion to seizures and even death in severe cases.
To avoid this, drink fluids with electrolytes during extreme exercise events.

Can yogurt ease digestive problems?


Short answer: Yes
Our digestive tract is filled with microorganisms — some good and some bad. Yogurt contains beneficial bacteria, generically called probiotics, that helps maintain a healthy balance.
Probiotics can relieve several gastrointestinal problems, including constipation and diarrhea.
Certain brands of yogurts, like Activia by Dannon, are marketed exclusively to treat tummy issues.

Do whitening toothpastes whiten teeth more than regular toothpastes?


Short answer: No
Whitening toothpastes usually contain peroxides and other strong abrasives that might make
your teeth appear whiter by removing stains. Unlike at-home whitening strips and gels that contain bleach,
these toothpastes do not actually change the color of your teeth.

Is it safe to microwave food in plastic containers?


Short answer: Yes
But the plastic container should display the words "microwave safe."
This means that the Food and Drug Administration has tested the container to make sure no chemicals used to make the plastic leech into foods during microwaving.
If chemicals do seep out into food, the amounts are tiny and not dangerous to our health.
As a general guideline, plastic grocery bags as well as most plastic tubs that hold margarine, yogurt, cream cheese,
and condiments are not microwave safe.

Can watching TV ruin your eyesight?


Short answer: No
Watching TV will not destroy your rods and cones as the outdated myth suggests. Before the 1950s,
TVs emitted radiation that could increase an individual's risk of eye problems after excessive TV viewing.
Modern TVs have special shielding that blocks these harmful emissions.

Is red wine better for you than white wine?


Short answer: Yes
Red wine contains much more resveratrol than white wine, an antioxidant found in the skin of grapes
that has been shown to fight off diseases associated with aging.

Is bottled water better for you than tap water?


Short answer: No
Bottled water is no safer or purer than tap water, although it is substantially more expensive.
A recent study by Glasgow University in the U.K. found that bottled water is actually
more likely to be contaminated than water from your faucet because it is less well-regulated.
Bottled water and tap water typically come from the same sources — natural springs, lakes, and aquifers.
While public water supplies are tested for contaminants every day, makers of bottled water are only required
to test for specific contaminants every week, month, or year.
 

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Alfrescian (InfP)
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GOOD INFO for people WHO USE IPHONE AND IPAD IN THE DARK

To PEOPLE who always slip the cell phone user on before sleeping, they would have eyes problem. Recently, age 30-40 years old patients came for eyes treatment, causing [ macular ] lesions, leading to the rapid deterioration of vision , especially irreversible macular disease.


30% of patients, most of them are heavy users of smart phones, one of the reason is the patients are reading mobile during bedtime without light, as well as using iPad. Watching the mobile screen with bright lights in the dark. Too close-up, it's directly harm the macula of the eye, not only related macular degeneration, also initial lead to dry eyes.


Once had macular disease, it's equivalent to have eye cancer. The sickness is only waiting for the blind because modern medicine cannot treat full recovery. It cataracts earlier report serious, and even loss of vision, become blind. Early lesions, may accept a laser or injectable steroids, have a chance to heal .


Doctors suggest that in addition to add more lutein, the most important thing is to get rid of the bad habit of using the phone in darkness. may probably be caused by a lifetime of eyes damage.

習慣睡覺前,手機滑一下,就會滑出大問題,最近有越來越多30到40歲患者上門求診,因為在就寢關燈後,還使用智能型手穖。手機强光直射眼睛30分鐘以上,造成 眼睛[黄斑部]病變,導致視力急速惡化,特别不可逆的黄斑病。一旦得了黄斑病,就等於眼睛癌症,只有等着失明,因為現代醫學無法治療,更談不上治愈。

關燈後看手機屏幕在黑暗中特别明亮,近距離觀看,高能量直射眼睛,直接傷害眼睛的黄斑部。醫師表示,黄斑部病變多半是老年人出現的症状,但最近患者却有年輕化趨勢。其中30到40歲患者增加3成,大多都是智能型手機重度使用者。

然而熄燈後,不管是看手機,還是滑平板,不只黄斑部病變,初期會引發乾眼症,眼珠泛黄,嚴重則讓白内障提早報到,甚至讓視力喪失,變成失明。病變初期,得接受雷射或注射類固醇,才有機會治愈。醫師建議,除了多補充葉黄素,最重要的是戒除使用手機的不良習慣。因為睡前忍不住滑一下,造成的恐怕是一辈子的傷害。


朋友們:為了自己和家人以後切記關燈後不看手機。
 

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Twenty-five years ago minister Edwina Currie sparked a scare over salmonella in eggs and had to resign amid outrage from farmers and plummeting sales. The panic has shaped the way we think about food safety.

There are foods that people instinctively associate with the risk of poisoning - raw chicken, raw egg, shellfish.

At the time of Edwina Currie's remarks - which were perceived to have dramatically exaggerated the prevalence of the disease in eggs in the UK - there were 12,302 cases of the salmonella PT4 strand most commonly found in poultry.

It dropped by 54% in the three years following the introduction of the British Lion scheme in 1998, which saw hens vaccinated against salmonella, and last year there were just 229 reported cases.

But people are still mistrustful.

Pregnant women, the elderly and young children are warned against eating a runny yolk, and forums on parenting websites contain discussion threads on the perils of raw cake mix.

"The saying was that salmonella and eggs go together like a horse and carriage," says Sarah O'Brien, professor of Infection Epidemiology and Zoonoses at the University of Liverpool. "But that's not the case. Improved testing methods and improved treatment mean foods that used to be unusual causes of outbreaks have become the usual suspects."

It's impossible to precisely tally the number of cases caused by each type of food, but from what is known there are some less-expected culprits.

Watercress, beansprouts and curry leaves are believed to have been behind some of the most high profile outbreaks of food poisoning recently. People have died after eating contaminated celery, peanut butter and cantaloupe melon.

One of the more unusual outbreaks of food poisoning happened in 1951 in the French town of Pont-Saint-Esprit. Five people died and many suffered hallucinations after eating rye bread contaminated by ergot, a poisonous fungus. Ergot poisoning is, thankfully, easily avoided.

"Any food can be poisonous if it is not prepared or stored correctly," says Dr Haruna Musa Moda of the Food Research Centre at Manchester Metropolitan University.

"Chicken, eggs and shellfish are classed as high risk, but so are rice, pasta, couscous - starchy foods that have high moisture content. Ready meals and cooked meats are also on the high risk list, but people don't tend to think about them so much."

Many people are completely unaware of the dangers of eating reheated rice or pasta. Our perception of the risks is shaped by high-profile incidents.

Currie's remark that "most of the egg production in this country, sadly, is now affected with salmonella", caused a 60% drop in egg sales and she was forced to resign. The loss of revenue meant four million hens were slaughtered.



But while the industry recovered, the egg's reputation for potential menace was longer lasting.

Salmonella in UK eggs is now very rare, but the official line that raw egg should be avoided will remain. "It is about knowing that the risk exists, even if it is small," says Bob Martin, of the Food Standards Agency.

Despite episodes like the Sainsbury's watercress recall it is hard for people to understand that non-animal products can be a risk. Beansprouts - including aduki, alfalfa, lentils and mung beans - have been associated with a number of health scares including an outbreak of salmonella in the UK in 2010.

"Salad leaves and green leafy vegetables can become contaminated with bugs, like salmonella and E.coli O157, from the soil," adds O'Brien. "Bagged salad, in particular, can have bugs that stick to the cut edge of the leaf - that is where the nutrients are and the bugs can be quite hard to get rid of by washing."

There are around one million cases of food poisoning each year, according to the Food Standards Agency. The majority are caused by the bug Campylobacter - commonly found in uncooked poultry, it is thought to be present in the vast majority of chickens.

But rice is also a common cause. It can contain Bacillus cereus, which is resistant to heat.

"It's one that a lot of people don't know about, but you do have to be very careful with rice," says Martin. "It's not that rice itself is dangerous but after it's been cooked there are spores of bacteria that can germinate."

The advice is to cool it quickly if it is likely to be eaten later. "Take the worst of the heat out but then put it in the fridge, it doesn't need to be room temperature any more - fridges have improved," adds Martin.

He also advises spreading it in shallow dishes to speed up cooling, or more simply, just cook the amount you want to eat. It's a very bad idea to eat rice that's been sitting in a buffet at room temperature after being cooked. Any reheating at home should be thorough but is only safe if the advice above has been followed.

There is also official advice on the preparation on greens and salad. Wash vegetables under water rather than under a tap so germs are not sprayed around the kitchen. Vegetables should also be washed before they are peeled.

"Bear in mind that vegetables come from the soil which is a living thing. In some farms they are grown in soil with animal manure," adds Martin.

"The basic message is that all food should be treated with respect, don't abuse it, don't expect too much from it."
 
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Looking for a natural way to relieve knee pain? You may want to tweak your diet. A growing body of research suggests that small dietary changes can add up to big benefits for knee health. “A number of foods have powerful anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties that may be as effective as some prescription medicines for arthritis and other types of knee pain,” says Beth Reardon, RD, MS, an integrative nutritionist and medicinal foods expert at Duke Integrative Medicine Center in Durham, N.C. Read on to learn how mealtime may be affecting the health of your knees.

Diet and Knee Pain: Go Fish
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish are natural anti-inflammatories. Calming joint inflammation can often help ease knee soreness, according to Steven Stuchin, MD, director of orthopedic surgery at NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases in New York City. In randomized clinical studies, omega-3 fatty acids were found to ease pain and reduce the duration of morning stiffness in people with rheumatoid arthritis. The best sources of omega-3s are salmon, tuna, sardines, herring, cod, and mackerel, as well as fish oil supplements. An! other benefit of adding fish to your diet: “Fish is safer than anti-inflammatory medication, which may have side effects,” says Reardon.

Diet and Knee Pain: Drink Orange Juice
Orange juice is a top-notch source of vitamin C, a nutrient that may guard against knee osteoarthritis. A 10-year Australian study of almost 300 middle-aged adults found that those getting high amounts of vitamin C were less likely to suffer the kind of bone degeneration associated with knee osteoarthritis. “Drinking a glass of orange juice provides about 25 percent more vitamin C than eating an orange,” says Reardon. Other good sources of vitamin C to prevent knee pain are green peppers, grapefruit, and strawberries.

Diet and Knee Pain: Eat Spinach and Onions
Follow Popeye's lead and add spinach to your regime. Australian researchers found that getting high amounts of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin (found in green veggies like spinach) can help relieve knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Several studies have found an additional benefit of lutein and zeaxanthin, as they can help prevent vision-related diseases.
Don't forget to add some! onions to your spinach salad as well. Adding onions to salads, sandwiches, stews, and casseroles may help put the brakes on knee pain. Onions are a rich source of quercetin, a flavonoid with strong anti-inflammatory properties, says Reardon. In studies of arthritic mice, quercetin resulted in significant decreases in arthritis symptoms. Apples, red grapes, and tea are also good sources of quercetin.

Diet and Knee Pain: Order Indian Food
A helping of curry could do wonders for your knee pain. That’s because turmeric, a spice used in curry and other Indian dishes, contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory. “Curcumin works similarly to COX-2 inhibitors — drugs that reduce the COX-2 enzyme that causes the pain and swelling of arthritis,” says Reardon. A 2006 Canadian study of the effects of both curcumin and quercetin found that curcumin reduced the inflammation of arthritis in animals. Quercetin (the flavonoid in onions) worked too, but not to the extent of the curcumin.

Diet and Knee Pain: Use Ginger Generously
The herb ginger traditionally has been used to relieve upset stomach, but researchers recently discovered that it also reduces knee pain by decreasing inflammation. In a study of 261 patients with moderate to severe knee pain due to osteoarthritis, ginger extract significantly reduced knee pain during standing and walking. Cooking with this spice can increase the flavor of! meals while decreasing knee pain.

Diet and Knee Pain: Avoid Refined Carbohydrates
Some research suggests that diets high in refined carbohydrates can increase inflammation, says Reardon. She recommends steering clear of white bread, pasta, and baked goods — taking these foods out of your diet can have an added bonus of helping you drop excess pounds.

Because changing your diet is a relatively easy step, it makes sense to try some — or all — of the foods listed above. You may find some relief from knee pain and get some added health benefits to boot.
 

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Vegetarian and Vegan Diets Win for Weight Loss
Last month at Obesity Week in Atlanta, Brie Turner-McGrievy, PhD, MS, RD, of the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina, and colleagues reported that following a vegetarian or vegan diet may help obese patients lose more weight than diets that allow limited amounts of meat. And even better news? The study didn't count calories. In a randomized trial, 63 adults with a mean age of 49 were randomly assigned to one of five diets. Those who followed a vegan or vegetarian diet lost significantly more pounds over two months than those who followed a typical omnivorous diet - about a 5% reduction in body weight compared with a 2% loss from other groups. Their study showed that when, after two months, patients were permitted to add any foods they wanted back into their diets, the vegan and vegetarian groups continued to drop more weight than the omnivores (about 8% and 6%, respectively, compared with 3%).

Turner-McGrievy said the findings "point to a potential use of plant-based eating styles in the prevention and treatment of obesity and related chronic diseases." (Clinical Endocrinology News, November 2013.)
 

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Peanuts for Good Health
Are you eating your daily peanuts? The Peanut Institute shares results of a recent major study showing that eating a handful of peanuts daily can reduce the risk of death from multiple causes by up to 20%. It is the largest and strongest study ever done looking at all-cause mortality and nut consumption.
Results were strongest when peanuts were eaten in small amounts daily, but results were also seen with any peanut consumption. Researcher Dr. Ying explains, "In all these analyses, the more nuts people ate, the less likely they were to die over the 30-year follow-up period." Compared to non-nut eaters, those who ate peanuts less than one time a week reduced risk of death by 7%; weekly eaters reduced risk by 11%; eating peanuts two to four times a week cut risk by 13%; and eating peanuts seven or more times a week cut risk by about 20%.

When peanuts were separated from other nuts and looked at individually, strong results were seen. The study showed eating peanuts at least twice a week increased longevity and reduced death from heart disease, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, stroke, infection, kidney disease, and respiratory diseases. The study also showed that frequent peanut consumption did not cause weight gain. In fact, those who ate more peanuts had lower BMIs and were less likely to gain weight.

Researchers explain the nutrients in peanuts and nuts, including plant-protein, healthy oils, phytochemicals, and many vitamins and minerals, may offer cardio-protective, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. Peanuts have more protein than any other nut, are a good source of fiber, vitamin E, folate, phosphorus, thiamin, copper, and magnesium, and an excellent source of niacin and manganese.
 

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Roots


Potatoes

Potatoes. The humble potato is healthy comfort food! One medium potato with the skin contains 45% of the daily value (DV) for vitamin C, 18% DV for potassium, and 2 grams of fiber.
Buying: Look for firm potatoes without cuts, bruises, or discoloration.
Storing: Keep dry potatoes in a cool, dark, well ventilated place (avoid the fridge).
Cooking: Gently scrub potatoes under running water. Cut away any green spots or sprouts. Boiling leaches away nutrients, so steaming, baking, or microwaving are the best choices.

Turnips

Turnips. Turnips lend a beautiful mild bitterness to all kinds of dishes. Let one medium turnip's 2 grams of fiber and 43% DV of vitamin C be your excuse for adding them to your menus.
Buying: Select small turnips that are hard and heavy for their size.
Storing: If the greens are attached, remove them. Store dry turnips in a plastic bag in the drawer of the refrigerator.
Cooking: Wash and peel turnips before cooking. Choose non-reactive cookware like enamel, stainless steel, or glass to prevent turnips from discoloring during cooking.

Parsnips

Parsnips. Parsnips' sweet and earthy flavor makes them easy to introduce to picky eaters. One 9"-long parsnip contains 6 grams of fiber and about 30% DV of vitamin C.
Buying: Choose parsnips that are firm and dry. Smaller parsnips tend to be more flavorful and tender.
Storing: Store dry, unwashed parsnips in an unsealed plastic bag in the refrigerator.
Cooking: Peel parsnips and trim the ends before cooking. Experiment with parsnips' versatility: try incorporating them into mashed potatoes or adding them to vegetable soup.

Ginger

Ginger. Ginger is actually an underground stem, known as a rhizome (other rhizomes include turmeric and galangal). Its delicate spiciness allows ginger to complement both savory and sweet dishes.
Buying: Choose hard ginger with smooth skin. If you can't find fresh ginger at your store, look in the spice section for dried ginger.
Storing: Keep unpeeled ginger in a zip-top bag in the refrigerator.
Cooking: Use the side of a small spoon to scrape the peel off the ginger. One teaspoon of dried ginger powder equals one tablespoon of fresh ginger if you need to to make a substitution in a recipe.

Horseradish

Horseradish. Most horseradish available in grocery stores comes prepared--grated and mixed with vinegar, and sometimes other ingredients--as opposed to raw, due to its immense potency.
Buying: Look for prepared horseradish that contains only horseradish root and vinegar to avoid artificial and/or highly processed ingredients, including added sugars and fats.
Storing: Store the tightly sealed jar in the refrigerator after opening.
Cooking: Just a little bit of this highly flavorful ingredient goes a long way! Try stirring a small spoonful of prepared horseradish into a coleslaw, or mix a bit into egg yolks for spicy deviled eggs. Or use it as a condiment for your favorite seafood dishes.
 

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Studies: Whole Grains take on NAFLD

When we see good news about grains we love to share it with you, and a recent study in the European Journal of Nutrition is a perfect example. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has become a growing problem for those eating a typical American diet. According to the American Liver Foundation, "NAFLD tends to develop in people who are overweight or obese or have diabetes, high cholesterol or high triglycerides. Rapid weight loss and poor eating habits also may lead to NAFLD."

The liver acts as a "transformer" by turning everything we eat and drink into usable energy and nutrients. While some amount of fat in the liver is expected (about 5-10%) anything extra can be big trouble as it slows down the processing and can lead to much bigger problems. While there is currently no medical treatment for NAFLD, the American Liver Foundation states "Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly may help prevent liver damage from starting or reverse it in the early stages."

Great news for grains, as this study shows that while refined grain consumption led to higher incidence of NAFLD, eating whole grains had a favorable effect on patients and was often associated with less severe disease.
 

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Balsamic Vinegar

Production of two types of balsamic vinegar, traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena PDO and balsamic vinegar of Modena PGI, is a time-honored tradition in Modena, Italy. Traditional balsamic vinegar is made of a single ingredient: grape juice. The juice is cooked, resulting in a thick reduction called grape must. The must is aged in a series of wooden barrels of varying sizes.

Each year the vinegar reduces by 10 to 15% due to evaporation, absorption into the wood, and absorption into the "mother," the sediment containing healthy bacteria that create the vinegar. Each year some vinegar from each barrel is poured into the next smallest in a process called "topping up." After a minimum of 12 years, the regional Consortium of Producers evaluates the vinegar, and bottles and labels it. The thick, sweet traditional balsamic vinegar is so refined and rich, that it is considered a condiment. Luca's grandfather used to enjoy a sip of traditional balsamic vinegar after his meals as a digestif!

Traditional balsamic vinegar is expensive and scarce because of the painstaking process for making it. In the early 20th century a couple of enterprising retailers in Modena diluted the traditional balsamic with wine vinegar to create a less expensive and easier-to-use product that still retained balsamic flavor. Today vinegar sold as "balsamic vinegar of Modena PGI" is a combination of cooked grape must and wine vinegar.

Buying and Storing Balsamic Vinegar

Luca recommends looking for two things when buying balsamic vinegar:
The PDO or PGI designation as a guarantee of authenticity.

A symbol of a chef hat with 1 to 4 vine leaves. Vinegars graded with one leaf are good for salad dressings and basic recipes. Vinegars with 2-3 leaves are better for reductions and marinades. Those with 4 leaves are best used as a condiment or cordial. Compare your intended use with the grade and price to find the right vinegar for your needs.
Store vinegar in a cool, dark location with a tightly closed cap.
 

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Whole Grains 101


Whole grains have many health benefits.
Health experts advise everyone – men and women, young and old – that grains are a healthy necessity in every diet, and that it's important to eat at least half our grains as "whole grains."

But what IS a whole grain? And why does it matter?

WHOLE GRAINS
Whole grains include grains like wheat, corn, rice, oats, barley, quinoa, sorghum, spelt, rye – when these foods are eaten in their "whole" form (more on that later). Whole grains even include popcorn!

You may already be eating whole grains. When you munch popcorn in the theater, or give Toasty-O's to your toddler, or enjoy a bowl of hot oatmeal, you're probably focusing more on the delicious taste than on the fact that these foods are whole grains.

ANTIOXIDANTS, VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Consumers are increasingly aware that fruits and vegetables contain disease-fighting phytochemicals and antioxidants, but they do not realize whole grains are often an even better source of these key nutrients.

Moreover, whole grains have some valuable antioxidants not found in fruits and vegetables, as well as B vitamins, vitamin E, magnesium, iron and fiber.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF WHOLE GRAINS
The medical evidence is clear that whole grains reduce risks of heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and obesity. Few foods can offer such diverse benefits.

People who eat whole grains regularly have a lower risk of obesity, as measured by their body mass index and waist-to-hip ratios. They also have lower cholesterol levels.

Because of the phytochemicals and antioxidants, people who eat three daily servings of whole grains have been shown to reduce their risk of heart disease by 25-36%, stroke by 37%, Type II diabetes by 21-27%, digestive system cancers by 21-43%, and hormone-related cancers by 10-40%.
 

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Alfrescian (InfP)
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Vegetarian diets may lower blood pressure

People who eat a vegetarian diet tend to have lower blood pressure than non-vegetarians, according to a new review of past studies.

Researchers said for some people, eating a vegetarian diet could be a good way to treat high blood pressure without medication.

Vegetarian diets exclude meat, but may include dairy products, eggs and fish in some cases. They emphasize foods of plant origin, particularly vegetables, grains, legumes and fruits.

High blood pressure contributes to a person's risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disorders and other health problems. For many people, the only treatment has been medication, but that means costs and possible side effects, lead author Yoko Yokoyama told Reuters Health in an email.

"If a diet change can prevent blood pressure problems or can reduce blood pressure, it would give hope to many people," Yokoyama said. She is a researcher at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center in Osaka, Japan.

"However, in order to make healthful food choices, people need guidance from scientific studies," she said. "Our analysis found that vegetarian diets lower blood pressure very effectively, and the evidence for this is now quite conclusive."

According to the American Heart Association, blood pressure readings under 120 mm Hg systolic and 80 mm Hg diastolic (120/80) are considered normal. High blood pressure starts at 140/90.

The new review, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, combined results from 39 previous studies, including 32 observational studies and seven controlled trials.

"Observational studies show what happens when people have chosen their own diets and stuck with them, often for years," Yokoyama said. "Controlled trials are different - a diet is given to people who had not tried it before, and that will show the effect of beginning a new way of eating."

Together the studies included close to 22,000 people.

The researchers found that in the observational studies, people who had been eating a vegetarian diet had an average systolic blood pressure that was about 7 mm Hg lower than among meat-eaters and a diastolic blood pressure that was 5 mm Hg lower.

Participants in the clinical trials who were given vegetarian diets to follow had, on average, a systolic blood pressure that was 5 mm Hg lower and a diastolic blood pressure that was 2 mm Hg lower than participants in control groups who were not on vegetarian diets.

"Unlike drugs, there is no cost to a diet adjustment of this type, and all the ‘side effects' of a plant-based diet are desirable: weight loss, lower cholesterol, and better blood sugar control, among others," Yokoyama said.

She said a plant-based diet is typically low in fat and high in fiber, so it helps people lose weight, which, in turn, causes a healthy drop in blood pressure.

"But there is more," Yokoyama said. "Plant-based foods are often low in sodium and are rich in potassium, and potassium lowers blood pressure."

The same foods are also very low in saturated fat - the type of fat in meat and cheese - and eating less saturated fat means blood can circulate more easily, she explained.

"I would encourage physicians to prescribe plant-based diets as a matter of routine, and to rely on medications only when diet changes do not do the job," Yokoyama said. "And I would encourage everyone to try a plant-based diet, and especially to introduce plant-based diets to their children - they could prevent many health problems."

Alice Lichtenstein, director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory at Tufts University in Boston, said the results of the review are encouraging, but added that it didn't take sodium in the diet and lifestyle factors into account.

"Individuals who adhere to vegetarian diets are likely to use fewer processed foods, the major source of dietary sodium, and adhere to healthy lifestyles behaviors such as maintaining a body weight in the optimal range and engaging in regular physical activity," Lichtenstein told Reuters Health in an email. She was not involved in the new research.

"Until we understand the contribution of these factors we can't attribute the effect observed solely to adhering to a vegetarian diet," Lichtenstein explained.

"We certainly would not encourage substituting a slice of quiche for a grilled chicken breast for dinner, due to the sodium, calories and saturated fat," she said.

What's more, the findings do not mean that people taking blood pressure medication should go off their drugs in favor of diet changes without talking to a doctor.

Yokoyama said doctors who would like to prescribe diet changes need tools.

"We have developed a free program, called the 21-Day Kickstart program, which introduces a plant-based diet through daily emails that provide menus, recipes, cooking videos, and a discussion board for questions. It is available at no charge in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and Japanese, along with a special English-language program for India," Yokoyama said.
 

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Alfrescian (InfP)
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This Delicious Fruit Cures ED in Men (found in all supermarkets)


ED is no fun. Literally.
But maybe there is a simple way to take charge of your manhood again.
A way that doesn’t rely on medication, but instead on a pretty tasty fruit.

In a recently published article in Urology, researchers from University of Foggia in Italy have identified the benefit of watermelon in treating erectile dysfunction. More specifically, the active ingredient in watermelon, L-citrulline, is thought to be responsible for the benefits.

For the study, 24 men were chosen as volunteers with a mean age of 57. In a score range of 0 to 4, where 0 stands for no enlargement of penis and 4 stands for complete and rigid penis, the volunteers had an erection hardness score (EHS) of 3.

For the first month, the volunteers were given a placebo and in the second month they were given L-Citrulline at a dosage of 1.5 grams per deciliter.
The participants were analyzed for data on frequency of intercourses, treatment satisfaction and adverse effects if any. The results were very significant with 50 percent of the men achieving an EHS score of 4 after taking the supplement. 12 of the 24 volunteers reported satisfaction after treatment as well as an increase in the frequency of intercourse.

L-citrulline which is found abundantly in watermelon is known to increase blood flow to the penis similar to Viagra or L-arginine but without the side effects like headaches, nausea, and diarrhea.
Relish a slice of cold watermelon or drink the juice to improve your sexual life and drive away erectile dysfunction. Just like that.
 

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Alfrescian (InfP)
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Vegetarian Diets Produce Fewer Greenhouse Gases and Increase Longevity

A study and an article, produced by researchers at Loma Linda University School of Public Health and published in full in the July issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, shows that consuming a plant-based diet results in a more sustainable environment and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, while improving longevity. Based on findings that identified food systems as a significant contributor to global warming, the study focuses on the dietary patterns of vegetarians, semi-vegetarians and non-vegetarians to quantify and compare greenhouse gas emissions, as well as assess total mortality.

The mortality rate for non-vegetarians was almost 20 percent higher than that for vegetarians and semi-vegetarians. On top of lower mortality rates, switching from non-vegetarian diets to vegetarian diets or even semi-vegetarian diets also helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The vegetarian diets resulted in almost a third less emissions compared to the non-vegetarian diets. Modifying the consumption of animal-based foods can therefore be a feasible and effective tool for climate change mitigation and public health improvements, the study concluded.

The study drew data from the Adventist Health Study, which is a large-scale study of the nutritional habits and practices of more than 96,000 Seventh-day Adventists throughout the United States and Canada. The study population is multi-ethnic and geographically diverse. The analysis is the first of its kind to use a large, living population, since previous studies relating dietary patterns to greenhouse gas emissions and health effects relied on simulated data or relatively small populations to find similar conclusions.

The accompanying article makes the case for returning to a large-scale practice of plant-based diets, in light of the substantial and detrimental environmental impacts caused by the current trend of eating diets rich in animal products. Making a switch to plant-based foods will increase food security and sustainability, thereby avoiding otherwise disastrous consequences.

Both papers demonstrate that the production of food for human consumption causes significant emissions of greenhouse gases and compare the environmental impacts of producing foods consumed by vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

The publications may be viewed by clicking on these links:
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2014/06/04/ajcn.113.071589.short
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2014/06/04/ajcn.113.071522.short
 

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Alfrescian (InfP)
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Health: Brown Rice Lowers Inflammation, Heart Disease Markers, Diabetes Risk

According to the latest research, there are plenty of reasons to reach for this versatile grain.

This April, the International Journal of Preventive Medicine published a randomized crossover study of 40 overweight or obese women. For six weeks, the women consumed 150g (about 3/4 cup cooked) of either brown rice or white rice daily, as part of a prescribed weight-loss diet including 50-60% carbohydrates, 15-20% protein and ≤30% fat, then switched to the other kind of rice for another six weeks.

At the end of the study, scientists found that brown rice had a beneficial impact on both inflammation and cardiovascular risk markers, including decreases in weight, waist and hip circumference, BMI, diastolic blood pressure and hs-CRP (an inflammation marker).
 

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Alfrescian (InfP)
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EBOLA VIRUS

There is currently an Ebola outbreak putting all of us at risk.

What is EBOLA?
It's a virus that attacks a person blood system:


Ebola is what scientists call a hemorrhagic fever - it operates by making
its victims bleed from almost
anywhere on their body.
Usually victims bleed to
death.


Ebola is highly contagious;
Being transmitted via
contact with body fluids
such as blood, sweat, saliva,
semen or other body discharges.


Ebola is however NOT AN AIRBORNE VIRUS!


EXTREMELY deadly:
About 90% of people that
catch Ebola will die from it.
It's one of the deadliest
diseases in the world,
killing in just a few weeks.


Untreatable(no cure):
Ebola has no known treatment or cure.
Victims are usually treated for symptoms with the faint hope that they
recover.


How Do I Know Someone has Ebola?


•Fever
•Headache
•Diarrhea
•Vomiting
•Weakness
•Joint Muscle pains
•Stomach Pain
•Lack of Appetite


Protect Yourself:
•Wash Your Hands
with Soap
Do this a lot. You can
also use a good hand
sanitizer. Avoid
unnecessary physical contact with people.


■Restrict yourself to food you prepare yourself.


■Disinfect Your Surroundings
The virus cannot
survive disinfectants, heat, direct sunlight,detergents and soaps.


Clean up!:
•Fumigate if you have Pests.
•Rodents can be carriers of Ebola.
•Fumigate your environment dispose off the carcasses properly!
•Dead bodies CAN still
transmit Ebola.
•Don't touch them without
protective gear or better yet avoid them altogether.


Protect Yourself:
•Use protective gear if you
must care or go near
someone you suspect has
Ebola.


Report:
•Report any suspicious
symptoms in yourself or
anyone else IMMEDIATELY.


Do not delay!


Educate Everyone:
•Tell your neighbours,
colleagues and domestic
staff (anyone really). Basically you're safer when
everyone is educated.
 

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Alfrescian (InfP)
Generous Asset
Wash That Cantaloupe Before Cutting it!

It's easy to think that if you follow a plant-based diet you don't need to worry about food safety. But fruits and vegetables are perishable and can also carry the risk of foodborne illness. The latest campaign from the Partnership for Food Safety Education, Fight BAC against Foodborne Illnesses, offers six smart practices. Among the helpful tips: Running water is just as effective as veggie washes and vinegar solutions in getting rid of bacteria, and if a product is labeled "ready-to-eat" or "washed" or "triple washed" there's no need to wash it again.
 
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