Celebrity trainer and nutritionist Harley Pasternak traveled to the healthiest countries around the world to learn more about what made their meals extra nourishing. To start, in the United States, we eat much bigger portions than people in other countries. While there are many different factors that come into play, the overlapping feature found in healthiest countries around the world is that they walk much more than the average American. Food for thought?
Introduced commercially by Monsanto in 1974, glyphosate is a potent herbicide that is most commonly sold under the brand name Roundup, but is present in over 750 products sold in the United States. Recently, a paper was written discussing the several ways glyphosate may be contributing to the increased frequency of chronic disease that we see in our offices.
Recently, research has shown that a molecule in pomegranates which is generated by gut microflora enables muscle cells to protect themselves against one of the major causes of aging. The fruit contains a precursor molecule that is converted into urolithin A by microbes that are in the intestine, which leads to a lot of urolithin A produced, depending on a few factors that researchers are testing.
Scientists recently working to find new ways to treat antibiotic-resistant superbugs have discovered a possibility in the stems and roots of pineapples. It is crucial to find an alternative treatment for superbugs, because they’re predicted to kill about 10 million people a year by the year 2050. They hope the enzymes found in pineapple can be used as another weapon to fight bacteria, as many antibiotics do not work the way they used to.
Some studies suggest a link between fat and sugar on cognitive function and behavior, and are suggesting that such problems may be linked to alteration of the microbiome. A study was done and team observed that both a high-fat and high-sugar diet, compared to a normal diet caused changes in gut bacteria that appear related to a significant loss of “cognitive flexibility” or the power to adapt and adjust to changing situations.
While it is well known that a diet with adequate fiber assists in keeping people “regular,” eating the right amount of fiber also helps to avoid disease and disability into old age. Increased dietary fiber may also reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes and has been shown to lower blood pressure. Researchers explored the relationship between carbohydrate nutrition and healthy aging, examining total carbohydrate intake, total fiber intake, glycemic index and sugar intake. Fiber made the greatest difference in “successful aging.”
Taking vitamin D supplements can help to increase muscle strength and reduce the loss of muscle mass in women long after menopause. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted over a nine-month period. Research showed that women receiving supplements exhibited a significant increase in muscle strength compared to those not receiving supplements.
According to new research, regularly drinking chamomile tea may help to keep the thyroid gland healthy and reduce the risk of thyroid cancer. It was found that participants in the study who drank chamomile tea 2 to 6 times a week were 70% less likely to develop thyroid abnormalities, while 30 years of regular consumption reduced the risk by about 80%. This adds to the growing body of evidence pointing to the potential health benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
Coffee contains many compounds that studies suggest exert beneficial effects for metabolic and cardiovascular disorders. When enjoyed after a meal, it may increase levels of an appetite-regulating hormone, improve blood sugar levels, and boost endothelial function. Researchers enrolled 19 healthy men in a study where each subject was given a test meal with a polyphenol-rich coffee drink, or placebo drink. Testing 3 hours after the mark revealed that the coffee beverage lowered glucose significantly, and increased flow-mediated dilation (FMD) – a marker of blood flow and vascular health.
Metabolic Syndrome is a condition involving a large waistline, a risk factor for diabetes and heart disease. It seems smoothies made with blueberry powder may improve endothelial function among men and women with Metabolic Syndrome. In a recent study, 44 adults with Metabolic Syndrome were randomly assigned to receive either two blueberry smoothies per day, or a smoothie without blueberry powder (placebo) over a six-week period. Among the subjects consuming the blueberry smoothies, researchers observed a significant improvement in endothelial function.
