![]() What’s informing your choices at the Thanksgiving dinner table and how separate facts from fiction! 1. True or False? Eating turkey makes you sleepy True. Turkey – along with cheese, eggs and other kinds of meat – contains the amino acid L-tryptophan, which research shows helps people go to sleep. The theory is that tryptophan is converted in the body to serotonin and melatonin, a key hormone that — along with Vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid — helps promote sleep. But that late-afternoon urge to doze is probably also heavily influenced by overeating, alcohol consumption, socializing and the flurry of holiday preparations. 2. True or False? Pop-up timers are a reliable way to know when the turkey is done. False. The best way to tell if your turkey is ready to eat is with a meat thermometer. Check the internal temperature by inserting the thermometer at the center of the stuffing, the thickest part of the breast and in the innermost part of the thigh and wing. You should only roast a bird that has been completely thawed and be sure your oven is set at a minimum of 325 degrees. 3. True or False? A multigrain roll or bread is the healthiest choice False. Be wary of food with of labels that use words like “wheat” or “multigrain” if the label doesn’t specify percentages. These breads might sound healthy, but they’re probably made with partially or mostly refined white flour. For example, “wheat flour” is 75 percent white flour and only 25 percent whole wheat. Instead, when shopping for your Thanksgiving day breads, look for the term “100 percent whole grain” or “100 percent whole wheat” – and it should be the first ingredient listed. 4. True or False? Sweet potatoes are a healthier choice than white potatoes True. Sweet potatoes have a slight nutritional edge over white potatoes if you simply consider the raw vegetable. But if you add a cup of brown sugar to your sweet potatoes to make a sweet syrup or bake them with butter and marshmallows, they are not going to be a healthier choice than a plain, baked white potato. Bottom line: How you prepare the spud is the most important factor in whether it’s a healthy choice. 5. True or False? Cranberry sauce can cure your urinary tract infection False. Cranberries have a reputation for curing urinary tract infections (UTIs). But in reality, cranberries have only been proven to be an effective treatment for preventing – not curing – UTIs in people who are at risk for developing them. And you have to eat them all the time, not just at Thanksgiving dinner. Cranberries have an active ingredient that can prevent adherence of bacteria to the bladder wall, particularly E. coli. 6. True or False? Canned pumpkin isn’t as healthy as fresh pumpkin False. Canned pumpkin and fresh pumpkin are equally healthy. But beware: not all pumpkin products are created equal. Regular canned pumpkin has one single ingredient: pumpkin, while pumpkin pie mix has sugar and salt added by the manufacturer. Stick with the real thing – regular canned pumpkin – and add your own ingredients. That way, you’ll have more control over the diet-busting sugars and fat. 7. True or False? Chowing down for one day is no big deal. False. Overeating turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie has become a national pastime. But these foods that we love so much are extremely high in fat and calories. Worse, Thanksgiving often is the kickoff to an entire six weeks of overeating that ends on New Year’s Day. So if you want to be heart-healthy this Thanksgiving – and beyond — consider preparing lighter versions for a few of your favorite dishes. By doing that, watching your portion size, and burning a few calories with a long walk after dinner, you may start a healthy new Thanksgiving day tradition for your family. #Thanksgiving #eat #food #workout #disease #fitness #blog #hospitality #lifestyle #health #holiday Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the updates and news
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![]() Most of the health and weight loss advice out there is misguided, outdated and scientifically inaccurate. Don’t let these myths, debated endlessly in the media, create road blocks for your weight loss and overall health. Myth 1: All calories are created equal A calorie is a calorie is a calorie, right? Wrong. This myth just refuses to die. The current thinking is that you’ll lose weight by burning more calories than you consume. This calories in-calories out theory vastly oversimplifies the truth. Your body is much more complex than a simple math problem. When you eat, your food interacts with your biology, a complex system that transforms each bite and tells your cells what to do. This affects your hormones, brain chemistry and metabolism. Sugar calories cause fat storage and spike hunger. Calories from fat and protein promote fat burning. You’ll find the highest-quality calories in whole foods, which are lower in calories than processed foods: Quality proteins: Grass-fed animal products, organic eggs, chicken, small wild fish, nuts and seeds. Good fats: Avocado, extra-virgin olive oil, coconut butter and omega-3 fats from fish. Good carbs: Brightly colored vegetables, fruit like wild berries, apples, kiwis Super foods: Chia, hemp seeds and more Myth 2: Your genetics define you Conventional wisdom says you’re predisposed to weight gain because of your family history. In other words, you’re heavy because your mom and grandma are heavy. That was the card you drew in the genetic lottery. But in functional medicine, we do not believe your genetics dictate your future health. We believe food is medicine and information for your cells. Consider this: Today, about 35 percent of Americans are obese. Yet by 2050, that number will exceed 50 percent. What accounts for this drastic change? It’s not our genes, which evolve at a snail’s over very long periods of time. It’s that we went from eating about 10 pounds of sugar, per person, per year in 1800 to eating 152 pounds of sugar (plus 146 pounds of flour) per person, per year today. That amount of sugar and flour will hijack your metabolism, make your weight skyrocket and invite chronic disease. A number of factors contribute to obesity, but genetics is the least of them. You’ve got more power than you think. Myth 3: You can out-exercise a bad diet The belief that you can eat whatever you want and burn calories off with exercise is completely false. When you treat yourself to a sugar-laden smoothie or a “healthy” muffin, or suck back Gatorade® after 30 minutes on the treadmill, you’ve set yourself up for failure. That’s not how the human body works. If you change your diet, you can lose weight. If you exercise and keep your diet the same, you may gain in muscle, endurance and overall health. But you won’t lose many pounds. Put it into perspective: To burn off one 20-ounce soda, you’d have to walk four and a half miles. To burn off one super-sized fast food meal, you’d have to run four miles a day for a whole week. If you at one every day, you’d have to run a marathon every day to burn it off. Yes, exercise is extremely important. But to lose weight and keep it off, you need to couple exercise with a healthy diet, filled with plenty of plant foods, good fats and protein. Myth 4: Fat makes you fat This is a major pet peeve: Fat is not a four-letter word. Eating fat not only doesn’t make you fat, it is critical for health and weight loss. Dietary fat actually speeds up your metabolism, while sugar slows it down. The right kinds of fat cool down inflammation, while sugar fuels it. Studies comparing high-fat to high-sugar diets — with the same number of calories — had totally different effects on metabolism. The higher fat diet caused people to burn an extra 300 calories a day. That’s the equivalent of running for an hour (without doing any exercise)! In studies of animals fed diets with the exact same number of calories, the diets higher in fat and protein led to fat loss and more muscle mass. But the diets low in fat and high in sugar led to more fat deposition and muscle loss. Yes, stay away from trans fats. But the right fats are the preferred fuel for your cells: extra-virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, nut butters, and coconut oil and butter (both of which contain nutritious medium-chain triglycerides). These fats will keep you full and lubricate the wheels of your metabolism. Don’t let the poor advice found in these myths keep you from successful weight loss and vibrant health. #bodybuilding #eat #food #workout #disease #fitness #blog #hospitality #lifestyle #health #protein #diet #Weightloss Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the updates and news ![]() You know whole grain has more nutritional heft than white, fluffy, overly milled breads, but it’s not always easy to pick a good loaf when you’re at the grocery store. Because labeling laws are somewhat loose, a refined loaf of bread can masquerade as something more nutritious. Patrol the bread aisle and you’ll see terms like whole wheat, multigrain, seven-grain, 12-grain, all natural, organic and enriched, to name a few. Who wouldn’t throw up their hands trying to decide what to buy? Look for ‘100 percent’ on labels Here’s how you can easily decipher what to buy. Look for the term “100 percent whole grain” or “100 percent whole wheat” on the package. Which is better? Either. Whole wheat is a whole grain. Although different grains offer different benefits, many whole grain breads are primarily made with wheat. If you’re looking for a nice mix of grains, check your ingredient label. Primary ingredients should be listed first in order of the amount within the loaf (wheat, oats, flax seeds, barley, buckwheat, etc). Be cautious of terms like “Wheat” or “Multigrain” that don’t mention a percentage. They sound healthy, but they’re probably made with partially or mostly refined white flour. Wheat flour is 75 percent white flour and only 25 percent whole wheat. Avoid bread that is ‘enriched’ “Enriched” is another clever term, which means the maker of the bread has added nutrients to an otherwise nutrient-free white bread. Unless you find that 100 percent on the package and whole wheat listed as the first ingredient on the label, the bread is simply a refined loaf of bread with synthetic nutrients added to replenish those natural nutrients lost in the milling process. Good bread makes your body happy You know it’s healthier, but do you know all the benefits of 100 percent whole wheat or whole grain? A number of studies have shown that eating whole grain foods within an overall healthy diet helps to lower your risk for many diseases, including: · Stroke · Diabetes · Heart disease · Asthma · Colorectal cancer Whole grains are also rich in protein, fiber, B vitamins and many other nutrients that help to lower blood pressure, reduce gum disease, strengthen the immune system and control weight. Say ‘no’ to substandard breads Most other breads are made with grains that have been finely milled. The resulting flour is whiter and lighter — in more ways then one! Not only does this refined flour look whiter and bake fluffier, it also falls short of many of the nutrients essential to optimum health. Whole grains begin as a whole grain kernel: bran, germ, endosperm. The milling process mechanically removes the bran, which is the fiber-rich outer layer of the grain. It contains B vitamins and other minerals. Milling also removes the second germ layer, which is rich in Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. In the end, what’s left is the starchy center, which is ground into flour for various baking purposes. Not only does refined flour lack all of those wonderful nutrients, high-starch foods like white bread can quickly raise your blood sugar levels, putting you at risk for diseases like diabetes. That’s why you should consider nothing but the best: 100 percent whole wheat or whole grain bread. #eat #food #workout #fitness #blog #hospitality #lifestyle #health #protein #addictive #bread #grain #wheat Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the updates and news ![]() You no longer need a map to find her pleasure zone Your long hunt for the G-spot just got a little easier: There’s not one specific spot that functions as a magic button for women’s pleasure. It’s actually a larger erogenous zone that encompasses several different organs, finds an Italian study. Researchers call this the “clitourethrovaginal complex” (CUV), a mouthful of a term that includes the front of the vaginal wall (the side toward the belly), the urethra, the paraurethral glands, and the inner “roots” of the clitoris. Stimulating this region doesn’t just give her serious pleasure—it may also help trigger vaginal orgasms, which researchers describe as longer-lasting experiences that radiate through the whole body. “We found by ultrasound that external masturbation of the outer clitoris activates blood circulation only in the clitoris, But inner stimulation during penetration may activate blood circulation in all the CUV structures.” Instead of focusing all your attention on one tiny spot, just make sure to target the front of her vaginal wall. Rear entry and woman-on-top are two of the best positions to help you reach the area, though it varies for each woman. And you can use your hands, too. Inserting one or two fingers, palm up, and making a “come here” motion may stimulate the CUV region. Vibrators designed to hit the G-spot could also work for some women. #clitoris #gspot #sex #orgasm #addictive #blog #hospitality #lifestyle #health Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the updates and news ![]() Tokyo's Most Stylish Siblings Ikué and Miyuki Uramuné share their favorite spots to pick up fresh baguettes, offbeat sake cocktails, and the best design books. “For most young women in Tokyo, kimonos are reserved for tea ceremonies or watching Kabuki theater,” says Ikué Uramuné, who, along with her twin sister, Miyuki, launched a limited collection of kimono-inspired dresses and jumpsuits. The pieces, cut from chirimen silk and hand-embroidered, nod to the traditional robes but look modern and spot-on for a night out. When the sisters aren’t hard at work (their online shop debuts this month), you’ll likely find the pair in the city’s most globally influenced neighborhoods—eating and shopping in artsy Daikanyama or kicking off the night sipping sake cocktails in cobblestone-lined Azabu-Juban. Here, their hit list.
source http://www.cntraveler.com/ #tokyo #style #shopping #tourist #asia #holiday #vacation #blog #hospitality #lifestyle #health Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the updates and news ![]() 3 Reasons You Crave Sweet or Salty Foods Why it's important to listen to your body Does chocolate start calling your name around 2 p.m.? Does that bag of potato chips start talking to you an hour after dinner? The reasons we crave sugar and salt are partly physiological, partly psychological and partly because of the environment in which we live. “The human body functions a bit like a car – you put fuel in the tank, and then you drive. If the body doesn’t get the fuel it needs, then strong physical cravings can manifest,” What kind of fuel does your body need? A balanced intake throughout the day of high-fiber carbohydrates, lean protein and heart-healthy fats, Consider three factors that can contribute to cravings: 1. You’re starving yourself Think you’re being “good” by having coffee for breakfast and a garden salad for lunch? “Truly, you’re setting yourself up for failure in the afternoon and evening,”. “If you go too long without eating, your body will crave the fastest fuel it can think of — refined grains and simple sugars.” Cramming them into your body late in the day means the calories will get stored as fat. Another popular trap: Skipping meals or waiting too long between meals. “This leads to significant hunger, which makes you crave anything sweet or salty you can get your hands on,” An all-or-nothing mentality — forbidding all foods with sugar or salt —can backfire too. “Some research suggests that eliminating sweet and salty foods makes you crave them less,”. “But eventually, most people tend to give in and resume eating the foods they’ve restricted. That often leads to binging.” 2. You don’t realize how addictive sugar and salt can be Why do we crave sugar and salt, in particular? For one thing, they taste good. Manufacturers conduct research to determine which food components will tempt consumers’ taste buds the most. “Our brains are wired to enjoy things which make us happy “Sugar, in particular, releases brain chemicals that make us feel good.” This leaves us wanting to experience that good feeling over and over again, day after day. “Many of my patients say they are ‘sugar addicts,’ consuming real sugar and artificial sweeteners in various forms,” “sweet and salty foods and beverages are incredibly addictive. That’s why many processed foods are loaded with them. They trigger the release of dopamine, a brain chemical that motivates us to engage in rewarding behaviors.” Having fewer receptors for dopamine can trigger overeating. One study found fewer receptors for dopamine in the brains of obese individuals. Over time, our tolerance for sweet and salty foods builds up, and we need more to reward ourselves. “We’re basically feeding our taste buds,”. “This creates a vicious cycle, because our taste buds typically crave what we feed them.” It doesn’t help that sugary and salty foods — especially processed foods — are highly accessible. “It’s extremely challenging for kids, in particular, to ignore the natural temptation of these addicting foods and to fight cravings in the school environment and at home,”. Ever drink a diet soda or try sugar-free candy to satisfy your sweet tooth without adding calories? “Many people do, but that only compounds the problem. Study after study shows that switching to diet beverages does not affect weight loss. 3. You’re not listening to your body Jonesing for a sweet or salty treat? Before you indulge, check your fatigue level. “Research shows that when you’re tired, you’re more likely to turn to whatever you crave to get more energy or to wake up. Perhaps you find yourself bingeing on salty snacks. The next time it happens, pay attention to your stress level. “Stress may impair your adrenal glands’ ability to regulate sodium, which may lead to salt cravings,”. Take thirst into account, too. Some research suggests that mistaking dehydration for hunger may trigger cravings as well. Finally, if you have diabetes, you probably know you get hungrier than other people. But excessive hunger can mean your blood sugar is too high or too low. “If you find yourself craving sweets, check your blood sugar first. “If it’s over 200, try exercising, drinking lots of water or, if your doctor prescribes it, take insulin. “If your blood sugar is less than 70, eat 15 grams of carbohydrate to bring it up.” Understanding that starving yourself can boomerang, that sugar and salt can be addictive, and that your body may be trying to tell you something can help you reduce cravings and embrace a more balanced diet. #sugar #health #eating #medical #Disease #addictive Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the updates and news ![]()
Food choices can have a profound impact on your health
Most of us are aware that what we eat affects our health. Almost half of deaths in one year caused by heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes in a large group of Americans were linked with a poor diet. Researchers from Tufts University in Boston, the University of Cambridge in England and Montifiore Medical Center in New York analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. They looked at the deaths of more than 700,000 people in 2012 from heart disease, stroke and type two diabetes, and examined 10 dietary factors among the population such as consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks, processed meats and sodium intake. Their analysis showed that about 45 percent of the deaths were linked to unhealthy eating habits heavy on foods and nutrients that have long been associated with influencing cardiovascular and metabolic health. The foods studied The researchers looked at these 10 foods:
The largest number of heart disease deaths was associated with high intake of processed meats and sugar-sweetened beverages and low intake of nuts. High stroke risk was associated with a diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in salt. Increased risk of death from diabetes was associated with consuming more processed meats and sugar-sweetened drinks, and not enough whole grains. The food linked to the most deaths overall was salt. Make good choices The study illustrates the fact that your food choices can have a profound impact on your health. Based on this study, Americans need to increase their intake of fruits and vegetables, continue to avoid processed meats, as well as avoid sugar-sweetened beverages. Those are some of the big things. The other take-home message is to increase your consumption of nuts and fish, especially the omega-3 rich fish like salmon and tuna. It’s important to remember the quality of food you consume has a direct impact on the quality of your health. A way of looking at it is thinking about food as medicine and food can really improve your health and decrease your risk of developing these chronic diseases. #food #health #eating #medical #Disease #stroke #diabetes #death Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the updates and news ![]()
There May Be a Medical Cause?
People who feel they sleep perfectly well may still be troubled by excessive daytime sleepiness because of a variety of underlying medical illnesses. A sleep disturbance may be a symptom of a health issue or an adverse effect of therapy to treat the problem. The stress of chronic illness can also cause insomnia and daytime drowsiness. Common conditions often associated with sleep problems include heartburn, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, kidney disease, mental health problems, neurological disorders, respiratory problems, and thyroid disease. In addition, a number of prescription and over-the-counter medications used to treat these and other health problems can impair sleep quality and quantity. ![]()
Yes, wine may protect our hearts when consumed in moderation -- defined as up to one drink per day for women, and up to two drinks per day for men, according to US dietary guidelines. Five ounces of wine is considered one drink.
Benefits of moderate alcohol consumption such as wine include a 30% reduction in the risk of heart attack compared to non-drinkers, a finding that has been repeated over 30 years and in various countries. Additionally, alcohol consumption has been associated with a 30% to 40% reduction in the risk of Type 2 diabetes, compared to those who don't drink. But more is not better. .. READ MORE ![]()
If you’re a man or if you’ve spent any time close to one, you’ve probably noticed the phenomenon of nocturnal penile tumescence — aka morning erections or, in slang, morning “wood.”
Q: Why exactly do morning erections occur? A: The sacral nerve, part of your parasympathetic nervous system, controls erections. The sympathetic nervous system is what prepares you for action — the fight or flight response. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is what’s active while your body rests and repairs itself. It’s responsible for things like digestion, getting rid of waste, and sexual arousal. The parasympathetic nervous system is active when you’re asleep, so erections sometimes happen in your sleep. The term “morning wood” is actually a misnomer; penises can become erect and then flaccid again several times in the course of one night. You’re just more likely to notice it when you wake up. Q: There are a lot of explanations out there: dreams, a full bladder, REM sleep. Do any of these play a role? A: Yes, but these really still link to the parasympathetic nervous system. During REM sleep your parasympathetic nervous system is more active, and this is when you’re most likely to dream — and sometimes have an erotic dream, which can certainly result in an erection and maybe ejaculation. A full bladder could press against and stimulate the sacral nerve. Q: At what age is it normal for morning erections occur? A: They can occur at any age — even male fetuses have erections in utero! It’s very common for friends of mine who are parents to call me up to ask if it’s a problem that their 3-year-old has an erection. The answer I always give them is that it’s totally normal. Q: Can morning erections tell us anything about erectile dysfunction? A: We know than erectile dysfunction is multifactorial — there are a lot of things that have an impact. Diminished neurological function, vascular issues, and anatomical or structural issues all sometimes cause erectile dysfunction. On top of all these physical causes, there are sometimes psychological causes, too. It’s sometimes hard to determine what’s causing it. What morning erections can tell us is whether the issue is physical or psychological. I saw a patient today who told me that he developed erectile dysfunction recently, but he’s been under a tremendous amount of stress at work. In a case like this, morning erections would show that there’s probably nothing physically wrong and that the issue is psychological. Issues in a relationship, trouble at work, or even sexual trauma can hamper erections. In those cases, eliminating the stress or conflict can solve the problem. Counseling with a therapist trained to treat erectile dysfunction can help. Q: Should you ever worry about morning erections? A: Priapism is a condition in which an erection lasts more than four hours. That can result in permanent dysfunction of the penis. Morning erections typically subside soon after you wake up. If you’re having erections that last significantly longer than that, it would be a good idea to speak to your doctor. #morning #erection #hard #penis #health #fun #dick Please like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter for all the updates and news |
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