Your health matters!
FL CH 9873
|
Are you planning a BBQ this Labor Day Weekend? That may be bad for your health. Here is what you can do reduce your risk: The bad news is that charred meat or fish causes increased cancer compounds. The compounds called heterocyclic amines (HCAs) have been linked to tumors in animals and are shown to cause breast, colon, stomach, and prostate cancer. To make matters worse, when fat drips into the fire and the fire flares up touching the meat, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons or PHAs are deposited onto the food. These are also cancer-causing compounds. 1) In order to reduce your risk you can trim excess fat off the meat to avoid fat drippings/flare-ups. And the low fat meats have added benefits to your waistline. 2) To reduce your risk you can marinade the meat, this has been shown to reduce carcinogens up to 90%. It is not clear why this works, but scientists have some evidence that the acidic nature of marinades may form a barrier to the carcinogens. 3) If you do manage to char some of the meat, it can be removed before eating and this will reduce your exposure. You also want to remove the old charring from the grill by burning if off in high heat before reducing the heat for cooking. 4) Cooking meat at lower temperatures for a longer period of time or cooking thinner cuts seems to reduce the production of HCAs and PHAs. Use a meat thermometer and follow these guidelines: beef should be cooked to 145F for medium rare and 160F for medium, while poultry should reach 180F and hamburgers should be 160F. |
Take small steps
Sierra Club Florida - http://www.sierraclub.org/fl/
Sierra Club Energy Info - http://www.sierraclub.org/energy/
Solar lighting options - http://www.solarhome.org/indoorsolarlighting.html
Recycled Paper - http://www.thepapermillstore.com/pages.php?pageid=688
Take large steps
How to go Green Comprehensive - http://www.treehugger.com/gogreen.php
Take huge steps
Residential Solar Panels - http://www.solarhome.org/residentialsolarpanels.html
These systems run from $8000 up, check out the next site for Florida Rebate up to $20,000.
Rebate Incentives for Solar Panel Systems - http://www.solarhome.org/solartaxincentivesbystate.html
Efficient Cars - http://www.thedailygreen.com/environmental-news/latest/fuel-efficient-vehicles-47021501
Positively Green - Tea that is!
We have heard about the benefits of Green Tea, but now there is evidence that it may protect against Alzheimer's as well. Alzheimer's is a disease that affects 13 million people throughout the world. It is characterized by plaques forming in the brain that disrupt the signal between nerve cells so they can no longer function together or communicate well. These plaques are made up of amyloid fibrils, a toxic protein found in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. “Now, a German team says the tea antioxidant, called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), has potent anti-plaque ability.”
EGCG seems to attack misfolded proteins and convert them into a molecule that is less toxic, then the immune system can destroy these proteins and reduce the plaque. It is not known if there are any side effects to the EGCG and one challenge encountered by the research was poor absorption of the EGCG. Another challenge is that EGCG is not available for patenting so the pharmaceutical companies may not want to spend the money necessary to begin clinical trials.
The benefits of Green Tea do seem to be the antioxidants (polyphenols) and these compounds are also found in red wine and yellow curry. Research isn’t far enough along to determine a recommended amount and doctors believe it may be between 2 and 10 cups daily. Unfortunately, at the higher end, the quantity of other flavinoids present in Green Tea would counteract the effects of the EGCG. Researchers suggest that purifying the EGCG and providing it in supplement form should be tested clinically.
Until the research is completed, it is unknown what doseage is needed daily, but there is enough evidence that Green Tea is good for many ailments, and it makes a great addition to curry chicken.
(http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/09/050928234820.htm)
For more information on the research about Alzheimer’s and Green Tea check out these websites:
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Green-tea-s-Alzheimer-protection-gets-more-support
http://www.truehealth.org/ahealt15.html
http://www.cupofgreentea.com/green-tea-alzheimers.htm
10 Superfoods: Beans; they are high in protein, supply nutrients such as magnesium and potassium and are low in fat. Dark
Green Leafy Vegetables such as kale, spinach and collard; they are high
in Vitamins A and C and so low in carbohydrates and fat that you can
eat as much as you want. Citrus; Oranges, Grapefruit and Lemons are high in fiber and Vitamin C, they are great for your health. Sweet Potatoes; they are high in fiber, Vitamins A and C and a great substitute for white potatoes Berries; Strawberries, blueberries and blackberries are great sources of antioxidants and vitamins, and loaded with fiber Tomatoes;
they are linked with anti-cancer properties, packed with Vitamins C and
E and the mineral Iron. Eat them raw or cooked into sauce. Fish; particularly the species high in Omega-3 such as Halibut, Salmon, Herring, Mackerel and Tuna Whole
grains; especially oatmeal and barley; they are full of folate,
magnesium and potassium and chromium; plus abundant in fiber Nuts; they are high in fiber and magnesium and can supply Omega-3 if you eat walnuts, macademias and flax seeds. Fat
free milk and yogurt; high in calcium, these also provide Vitamin D
which is being researched currently for its anti-cancer properties. http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ten-diabetes-superfoods.html For
those of you with more interest in alternative wellness, check out this
blog for even more diabetic superfoods and raw food recipes: http://rawvolutionaryhealing.blogspot.com/
In
April, the American Diabetes Association released it's lists of
superfoods for patients with Diabetes. These suggestions will also
help pateints with high cholesterol, high blood pressure and other
chronic conditions. The following list of foods is nutrient rich,
especially vitamins, minerals and protein; low glycemic index, and low
fat.
Heart Health for the Month of Hearts and Love
For the holiday all about hearts and love, let's talk about keeping that heart healthy.
The best indicators for heart health is Blood Pressure, Cholesterol Levels (including HDL, LDL and triglycerides). homocysteine levels, and C-reactive protein levels.
The best way to keep Blood pressure normal is through exercise and healthy eating. If you have high blood pressure you may be able to reduce it to normal through diet and exercise, or you may need to check with your doctor for prescription medication.
The best way to control cholesterol is through healthy eating. The most important part of the equation is arguably the HDL. If your high density lipids are high enough, they will scavenge cholesterol from your blood stream and help keep it under control.
The best way to reduce homocysteine levels is increasing folic acid supplementation.
Reducing the C reactive protein levels is unclear in research currently. Studies show that Vitamin C, exercise and Omega 3's may all be helpful in reducing C reactive protein.
Does anyone else see a pattern here? A healthy heart begins and ends with diet and exercise.
The best foods to reduce cholesterol are: apples, barley, beans (such as pinto or navy), carrots, chili pepper, eggplant, garlic, grapefruit, lecithin (a soybean derived emulsifier), oat bran, olive oil, onions, plantains, seaweed, soybeans, spinach, yams, yogurt, and Vitamin C (found in dark greens, citrus fruit, cherries, guavas).
Omega 3 can be found most abundantly in caviar, fish, walnuts, olive oil, flaxseed and winter squash.
The best foods to reduce high blood pressure are: Potassium rich foods such as beans, parsley, pistachios, almonds and sesame seeds; Calcium rich foods such as sesame seeds, kelp, cheese, sardines, salmon, and chickpeas; and decrease foods with sugar.
Have a Happy and Heart Healthy Valentine's Day!
 |
Do you like gum but worry about the sugar?
If
you have any gum bleeding when you floss or visit the dentist, there is
good news. You can chew your way to healthier gums. Just make sure the
gum you choose is sugarless and has Vitamin C. |
Open daily from 9AM to 6PM except Saturdays
250 S. Ronald Reagan Blvd. Suite 104 Longwood, FL 32750
(407) 716-6553
