As spring reveals its vibrant blooms, reflecting these bright colors on our plates is a powerful step towards improved health. The compound that pigments fruits and vegetables are called flavonoids. While these are essential to plants for pollination and protection against diseases, these same chemicals have been found to have many health benefits. In particular,...Continue reading
Tag: nutrition
The Sunny Side Up on Breakfast
While in surgical training, I probably missed breakfast ten times more than I had it. An early morning (and I mean early) cup of Joe was standard fare for the most part. But now that I lead a more human life, I eat breakfast daily and rather enjoy it. Maybe it’s because my mother constantly...Continue reading
Wise up, Man
When was the last time you saw a doctor? Well, if you’re a guy 50 or over, it’s probably been a while. And do you know the signs of cancer? There’s a pretty good chance you don’t. According to a recent survey of 12,000 men, nearly half wouldn’t recognize the red flags. There’s little doubt...Continue reading
News from Below the Belt: It’s All about Sperm
Sperm is making headlines again. Some of the news is good, some not so much. On the good side, recent studies have found that drinking coffee and alcohol (within reason, of course) doesn’t hurt a man’s fertility. Also on the good side is that exercise may boost your sperm count, as will a diet that...Continue reading
6 Steps to Get Your Family Cooking Every Monday
With work, school and activity schedules, cooking and eating together as a family can be a challenge. To get the whole family into the kitchen on a Monday night, make it a Kids Cook Monday! When you make time for healthy, home cooked meals, it sets a good example and provides valuable cooking and kitchen...Continue reading
What Makes the Mediterranean Diet So Great?
The problem with so many diets—especially the ones with catch names—is that the guidelines are so vague that it’s almost impossible to actually follow them. Saying “eat more fish” or “cut back on carbs” sounds nice, but what does it mean? How much fish? How much carbs? A team of researchers has just come up...Continue reading
Pass the Salt: The Spice of Life Might Kill You
When you think of the top causes of death in this country, things like cancer, heart attacks, and diabetes come to mind. But what about salt? Yep, that seemingly harmless stuff that’s in practically everything we eat may be responsible for as many as 1 in 10 deaths in the US. And worldwide, excessive salt...Continue reading
How to Battle Belly Fat
Belly fat is a growing health concern, especially as one enters middle age. Muscle mass is lost as one ages and estrogen loss in menopausal women increases the risk of belly fat. Excess stomach fat is tied to a higher risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer. As we age, belly fat causes more health...Continue reading
Heart Disease and Stroke Risk May Be Eggs-aggerated
Everyone knows that eating lots of eggs increases your risk for heart disease and stroke. Well, it turns out that everyone may be wrong. A recent study set out to investigate whether eggs are as bad as popular mythology holds they are, and if they are, to see exactly how eggs affect stroke- and heart-attack...Continue reading
Could You Be Twice the Man You Think You Are?
I recently did a post on how parents of overweight and obese children routinely underestimate just how overweight their kids are. A recent study from Ireland has found that overweight adults are at least as clueless (or in denial) about their own weight. And they get less and less accurate over time. Over the course...Continue reading