Blog: Nutrition and Exercise for Health and Weight Control

My family never bought soda pop as my mother said it was bad for us and a waste of money. My father used to call it “belly wash” and we were only allowed some when on summer vacation, riding in the hot, un-airconditioned car to visit relatives scattered around the state of Florida.

It always tasted horribly sweet in those gas stations, I guess since I wasn’t used to it. Now I’m glad we were so “deprived” as the data keeps coming in on how bad that stuff is for us - the high fructose corn syrup, oxidative damage to the blood vessels, and the weight gain all those liquid calories promote.

Science

This week, the American Heart Association stated,”a worldwide pandemic of obesity and cardiovascular disease have heightened concerns about the adverse effects of excessive consumption of sugars.” A diet high in sugar is known to greatly accelerate hardening of the arteries. And if you smoke, the effect is hugely magnified. (more…)

Over the past year, half a dozen studies published by Rui Hai Liu, associate professor of food science at Cornell University reveal the power of the phytochemicals in apples, especially the powerful triterpenoid antioxidant compounds in the peels, to inhibit the growth of breast cancers.

Apples were used because they are high in phenols and flavonoids, phytonutrients that help to protect cells from mutating. Apples contain more of these nutrients than any other popular American fruit.

Breakthrough Research

In a study just published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, Dr. Liu found fresh apple extracts significantly inhibited the size of mammary tumors in rats. In fact, the more extracts they gave the animals, the more breast tumors were inhibited.

In the study, a highly malignant type of breast cancer developed in 81 percent of the control animals. In the supplemented rats, there was seen a greatly reduced incidence of cancers. (more…)

We all know home-grown tastes so much better, but did you know it’s also far more nutritious? I decided to write this article in an effort to inspire people to get out in their yards and prepare at least a few square feet for a garden. A fall garden in Florida is easier and often more rewarding than one planted in spring as you don’t have the heat and insects to contend with while the plants are reaching maturity.

There are so many vegetables that grow well throughout the winter - most of the root vegetables, cabbage family, and all the leafy greens. Additionally, you can harvest a lot of beans if you get the seed planted early. (more…)

It’s often difficult to find quick, healthy food that’s reasonably priced. Fast food is chosen by most, but a habit of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor dining has been conclusively shown to promote weight gain and many forms of chronic disease.

People who plan healthy meals and snacks have more energy, don’t get sick as much, weigh less, look more attractive, and have more fun than those who don’t. Are those enough reasons to pack your lunch? (more…)