Healthy Eating

Jun 28, 2008

Men Need Special Food

Men’s Healthy Foods
Some food is special to the problems men face. Recent issues addressing great foods for men suggest the following:
Sardines For Heart Health: Ounce for ounce, sardines are one of the best sources for heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids and are extremely low in contaminates such as mercury and PCBs. They’re also eco-friendly, packed with protein, and low in saturated fat.
My father, born in Warsaw, Poland, loved sardines and never had a heart problem. One of his greatest loves was fishing and he could mix the concrete, build the form and fill and finish a 12' x 16' patio all by himself. He was tireless and strong and weighed in at 157 pounds of solid muscle on a 5'7" frame and now I know why. Canned versions are inexpensive, portable, and don’t require refrigeration. Choose no-salt added brands, and keep the bones in for a third of your recommended daily calcium. Sardines are great on salads or mashed with onions, garlic, oregano, minced carrots, celery and some horseradish mustard with a touch of Italian dressing - you are loaded for bear. You taste buds will be tingling with joy and you will hunger for nothing more. Pateʹ on top of whole grain crackers is a great party snack.
Brazil Nuts For Prostate Health are one of the richest food sources of selenium, a mineral that may reduce a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer. Selenium may be toxic if taken in daily doses of more than 400 micrograms (mcg). But one Brazil nut has about 100 mcg. One or two mixed with other nuts will give you just the right amount.
Edamame For Mood - Mood is affected by a combination of factors, including brain chemistry, life events, and the foods you eat. Of these, only diet is under control. Fiber rich carbohydrates such as oats and edamame (green soybeans in the pod) help prevent mood fluctuations by keeping your blood-sugar levels steady. Edamame also contain protein, which further helps stabilize blood sugar and omega-3 fatty acids, which have been shown to help combat depression. You can find them in just about any Japanese restaurant. They often come heavily salted, so request them "nude" or lightly coated. You also can buy frozen edamame pods at health-food stores and many supermarkets. Take them home, boil, drain, and enjoy!
Sesame Seeds For Sex Drive - They’re inexpensive, safe, and don’t require a prescription. They’re also very rich in the amino acid arginine, which is involved in synthesizing nitric oxide, a compound that enhances blood flow through the arteries and to various other male body parts. Toasted sesame seeds add a nice nutty taste to salads, cooked grains, or cereal. You also can enjoy them in hummus, which is made with ground chick peas and sesame seed paste (called tahini)
Blueberries for Memory - These days it seems you can’t say enough about the health benefits of blueberries. But did you know that much of their power lies in their color? That deep blue hue is caused by flavonoids—natural compounds that protect the brain’s memory-carrying cells (neurons) from the negative effects of oxidation and inflammation. Buy firm-fleshed berries or, off-season, try frozen, unsweetened varieties. Eat with plain yogurt as a topping for cereal, or right out of the bowl. Wild blueberries are the best and you can obtain 100% wild blueberry juice with the serving of one ounce with a meal - three times a day.
Lentils For Energy - Rich in fiber and protein — both of which are digested slowly—lentils provide a steady source of energy. They’re also a good source of several B vitamins essential to energy production, as well as iron, which helps red blood cells carry oxygen. Try whipping up a big batch of lentil soup, and you’ll have a hearty lunch for days.
Much of the information in this article was obtained from an article in PARADE by Joy Bauer, a registered dietitian and author of the book "Joy Bauer’s Food Cures" (Rodale, 2007) and published June 15, 2008.
Eat Fish and Smile - Want to be in a good mood? A University of Pittsburgh study suggests that eating omega-3 fatty acids, found in fatty fish such as salmon or herring, is associated with increased gray matter volume in areas of the human brain linked to mood and behavior. As immigrants to North America, many of us left the Omega-3 environment about 100 years ago and we haven’t been the same since!
You can reduce health risks, save money on doctor visits and expensive pharmaceuticals if you go to God’s pharmacy. He understands the workings of His own creation - better than any man or woman choosing pills over whole food.

Jun 26, 2008

Pills Contaminated?

So you think that a prescription is all you need to feel better? Do you trust your doctor enough to throw caution to the wind? Welcome to globalization and quality control you can count on to kill you - while the pharmaceutical companies are making profits in the billions.
The economy in China is improving but at whose expense? Their latest export was lollipops that contained pieces of metal. Lead paint on toys was never suspected because a major U.S. manufacturer was putting their name on the toys. However, our biggest concern must be tainted drugs that have also come from China. Then, in February, Puerto Rico, which produces 13 of the 20 best-selling drugs in the U.S. was the latest culprit with pills that contained paint chips. Puerto Rico produces $35 billion worth of drugs, and in the past 4 years, there have been dozens of lapses in quality control from the island nation.
Even worse than that, the FDA reports that modern drug plants in the U.S. have exported tainted pills and have failed to keep their labs sterile.
Obviously, the FDA is unable to properly supervise these manufacturers, and they can revert to sloppy standards after having been censured for this problem. What kinds of punishment or fines are imposed on these companies? I have not read about any drastic measures that the FDA and the government take to keep these companies in line.
It was revealed on 60 minutes that Bayer has produced a drug for use by transplant patients, which was tested in their laboratories, and known to be harmful to kidneys. Bayer did not reveal their findings and some patients have died due to kidney failure after taking this drug. Greed trumps every other concern in the pharmaceutical industry.
In a perfect world, no one would need medications. Since this is not possible for most people, we must be aware of the reactions some medications or a combination of them have on us and report them to the doctor or, better yet, to "MedWatch." A pharmacist can analyze the combination of pills prescribed to check for adverse interactions.
It is problematic that many people are still placing complete and unquestioning trust in their doctors and the pharmaceutical industry. They are hoping that the FDA is doing their job and worst of all - they believe that the more they pay for the medication - the better chance they have of getting better. Doctors do not go to the funerals of their patients. It’s all about the money and the perks that go with the act of pushing the pills brought in by the man or woman with the black satchel.
Food can be contaminated, but in most cases the problem is identified quickly. The brain recognizes food and knows the "pharmacist"– God! In this Global Corporate Government - you are going to do what millions of people are doing - buy locally produced fruits and vegetables or do as my parents and grandparents did - grow your own victory garden.
Much of the information in this article was reported by Harriet Beers, in the 2008 spring issue of York State, the publication by the New York State Retired Teachers’ Association.