The American Heart Association science advisory urges doctors screen patients with a family history of heart disease for elevated homocysteine levels.
The advisory comes after many studies, including a 14-year study at the Harvard School of Public Health involving 80,000 women, which concluded that high homocysteine levels play a central role in cardiovascular disease.
 Given that more […]

Popularity: 5% [?]

Antioxidants Any substance that reduces oxidative damage (damage due to oxygen) such as that caused by free radicals. Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that attack molecules by capturing electrons and thus modifying chemical structures. Antioxidants may possibly reduce the risks of cancer and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Antioxidants clearly slow the progression of AMD. Antioxidants are […]

Popularity: 12% [?]

As you begin harvesting your garden and wonder what in the world to do with the abundance of the fruits (and veggies) of your labor, keep in mind one of my favorite ways to use garden veggies – grill them!
 
No matter what favorite summer veggie comes out of your garden, grill it.
 
There’s no wrong way […]

Popularity: 24% [?]

This is one of my favorite breakfasts, especially during the summer.  During winter months, I use frozen berries.  Enjoy!
½ c. blueberries
5 Strawberries
½ banana sliced
1 ½ T protein powder
1 T Flax seed meal
1 T sliced almonds
2 T uncooked oatmeal
1 T granola (optional)
 
Mash blueberries, strawberries, and bananas in a bowl using a potato masher.  Add protein powder, […]

Popularity: 46% [?]

Before you reach for the afternoon jelly bean, learn what is happening with sugar enters the body.

Energy Highs and Lows
When we consume foods high in sugar (glucose), the glucose enters the bloodstream, quickly causing blood sugars to rise.

The pancreas responds by secreting insulin which then causes a surge of sugars to enter the cells […]

Popularity: 61% [?]

Whether or not sugar can be link to hyperactivity in children is still debatable (however, I get the feeling that some parents don’t need the research to support that claim).  However, we do know a couple things about sugar:

it has no nutritional value (no vitamins, no minerals)
sugar often keeps bad company (unhealthy ingredients, such as […]

Popularity: 58% [?]

To minimize sugar in your diet, here is a list of the name of sugar listed in the ingredient list on food labels: 

Brown sugar
raw sugar
turbinado sugar
fructose
glucose
honey
maple syrup
corn syrup
corn syrup solids
high-fructose corn syrup
corn sweeteners
dextros
sucrose

 It is also most found in these foods: maple syrup, candies, pop, jams, ketchup, baked goods, juice, several packaged foods and many low-fat […]

Popularity: 58% [?]

Check out this startling statistic from the Bolgalusa Heart Study:

 By the age of 12, an estimated 70% of American children have developed the beginning stages of hardening of the arteries.  

Conducted over 25 years, starting in 1973, this study is one of the largest conducted on children with 14,000 black and white children participating. Researchers found children […]

Popularity: 53% [?]

Ingestion of a high-fat meal constricts (narrows) arteries for at least 4 hours.  Not a good thing, especially if the arteries are already smaller due to plaque build up.
Researchers at the University of Maryland set out to determine if this narrowing of the arteries after a high fat meal could be decreased with whole food […]

Popularity: 84% [?]

Staying healthy while traveling is not impossible, however, it does take some planning.
 
Here are few tips and a sample meal plan to stay focused on your health and fitness goals while you are traveling.
 
All of these foods require no refrigeration and can get through airport security (at least I was able to get them through). 
The […]

Popularity: 100% [?]