Harvard Medical School Commentaries: Food for Thought
May42012
Can Your Diet Affect Fertility?
About one in six couples in the United States experience infertility. Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are methods couples use to help couples have children. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Apr62012
Choosing a Healthy Breakfast Cereal
We've heard time and time again that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast can help you:
- Concentrate during the day
- Keep your weight under control
- Get the... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Mar62012
Whole Foods: Not Just a Grocery Store
"Whole Foods" may be the name of the market in your town, but it also describes foods left in their natural forms: They're unprocessed and have no artificial ingredients. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb62012
Navigating the Supermarket: No GPS Needed
Do you feel overwhelmed when you step into a grocery store? Bombarded by advertising and confused about what to buy? Need help finding the most nutritious bang for your buck? You came to the right... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jan52012
Carbohydrates -- Good or Bad for You?
Over the years, carbohydrates have gotten a bad reputation. Diets such as Atkins and South Beach promote easy, rapid weight loss that can be very attractive to someone trying to lose weight. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec52011
Meat Labels -- What Do They Really Mean?
"Organic." "Hormone-free." "Free-range." These are just some of the labels meat manufacturers use on their products. But what do they really mean? Are they just a way to get consumers to buy ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Nov42011
Good Nutrition in Bad Weather
On a late summer evening, fine bands of grey clouds begin to spiral out of the northwest sky. According to weather reports, a hurricane is coming. Its outer edge is already overhead. Bands of rain ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct32011
Understanding Organic Foods
Over the past few years, the number of organic foods available at the grocery store has increased significantly. You'll find everything from produce to meat to packaged snack foods. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Sep22011
How to Manage Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a gastrointestinal syndrome that causes abdominal pain, gas and bloating. It affects 10% to 15% of people in North America. This makes it the most commonly ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42011
Does Breastfeeding Reduce the Risk of Allergies?
An allergy is an overreaction by your immune system to a substance (allergen) that is normally harmless. Common allergens are dust mite, pet dander, pollen and certain foods, such as eggs, milk, nuts... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jul52011
Behavior Modification – Could it Help You Reach Your Weight-Management Goals?
Behavior modification is an approach that can help people decrease undesirable behaviors and increase positive behaviors by making small changes. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jun32011
Super Charge Your Summer Meals
Summer is here and fresh produce is abundant! The benefits of eating more plant-based foods are impressive:
- A reduced risk of certain cancers, heart disease and diabetes
- An aid to weight management
- Fewer aches and pains... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May52011
Folic Acid -- Not Just for Pregnant Women
Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in food. Folic acid is the form of folate that used in supplements and added to some foods. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Apr42011
Foods That Fight Inflammation
Inflammation is the body's way of protecting itself against disease or injury. This response is vital to our survival and usually goes away once the body has healed. However, sometimes this... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Mar42011
How To Eat for Endurance Exercise
The Boston Marathon, one of the world's oldest and most famous 26.2-mile races, celebrates its 115th year this April. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb42011
Raw Food Diet -- Good for Your Health?
It's no secret: A diet rich in fruits and vegetables can play a key role in preventing chronic diseases and improving health. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jan52011
Who Needs a Gluten-Free Diet?
Gluten has become a culprit for a growing list of conditions from osteoporosis to infertility. Some celebrities have endorsed gluten-free diets as a way to increase energy levels and lose weight. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec32010
Holiday Food Safety for Your Kitchen
Holidays are a wonderful time of celebration that includes food, family and friends. Holidays may also bring more cooks into the kitchen — and maybe a greater chance for unsafe handling of food to... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Nov52010
Resveratrol -- A Fountain of Youth?
"Ads for this juice say it contains resveratrol to keep me young forever no matter what I eat! But, my dietitian advised drinking only small portions of fruit juice because more may make me gain... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Nov32010
Holiday Safety Tips
The holidays are an exciting time of year for kids. Here are some tips, adapted from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Academy of Pediatrics, to help make sure the holidays are... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Phosphorus -- Backbone to Healthy Bones
What Is Phosphorus? ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
How To Get More Nutritional Bang for Your Buck
Is it really possible to eat healthfully on a tight budget? The rising cost of food is a concern for many consumers lately. Many people are making food choices based on their pocketbooks, sometimes at... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Stonewall Kidney Stone Formation
Kidney stones are hard, crystal-like concentrations of minerals in the urine. Stones that form in the kidney are called nephrolithiasis; stones that form in the urinary tract are called urolithiasis.... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Safe Summer Grilling Tips
Firing up the barbecue for a festive summer meal? Wondering if grilling foods increases cancer risk? ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
The Mediterranean Menu -- A Diet You Can Enjoy
Diets consumed by people living in Mediterranean countries have been a subject of interest since antiquity, with more recent investigations focused on their health benefits. Greece and southern Italy... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Should You Weigh Every Day?
You have decided to lose weight and want to make sure that you keep it off. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Halting Hypertension With a Healthy Diet
Hypertension (high blood pressure) is often dubbed the "silent killer" because you can have no symptoms while your risks of stroke, heart attack and kidney failure escalate. To help prevent... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
It's White Bread, and Whole Grain Too
Last reviewed by Faculty of Harvard Medical School on August 5, 2010
<font face="arial">By Heather Hawkes, R.D., L.D.N.</font>
<font face="arial" size="-1">Brigham and Women's Hospital </font>
... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Phytonutrients: Revisiting These Nutritional Giants
For generations our parents have said, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away." Compelling scientific research during the last several decades suggests that they may be right. The simple message, "Eat... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Diet and Age-Related Macular Degeneration
Not only are fruits, vegetables, and nuts good for your heart, these foods may reduce your risk for progressive age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of vision loss in people over... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Defensive Drinking: Alcohol and Your Health
Is that frosty mug of your favorite brew helping or harming you? Could your daily glass of wine at dinner actually be protective? It depends.
If you take a look at the scientific studies about the... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
It's a Good Thing -- Omega-3 Fats
Americans have been working hard to go "fat-free" during the last few decades, believing it would lead to better health, but we are slowly learning that fat is not our enemy. In fact, after two... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Makeover for a New Mother
As much as you want to see it happen, losing weight after having a baby can seem impossible. Research from the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology demonstrated that women retain an average... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Allergies: When Nuts Are Not Healthy
We've been told that nuts are a "super food" of the decade. These little nuggets are rich in protein, fiber, folic acid and vitamin E. However, for some people they bring disaster. In the United... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Combating Polycystic Ovary Disease Through Diet
Are you having trouble losing weight? Have you been plagued by menstrual irregularities, acne or excess facial hair? If you answer yes to one or some of these questions, you may have a condition... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Healthy Eating in Wintertime
Winter ushers in a time of the year when we choose heavier foods and are typically less active. Does this winter shift sound familiar to you? While the temperatures drop outside, it is easy for us to... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42010
Low-Carb, High-Protein Diets
One of the most popular question patients ask us in our clinical practice is, "What do you think about the Atkins Diet?" We would like to restate the question and give a response that, hopefully,... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jul52010
Yoga -- Benefits Beyond the Mat
Yoga, an ancient practice and meditation, has become increasingly popular in today's busy society. For many people, yoga provides a retreat from their chaotic and busy lives. This is true whether... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jun32010
Hypoglycemia
Have you ever skipped a meal and felt shaky, dizzy, confused and, more importantly, hungry? If you have, you are not alone. These are symptoms of hypoglycemia, also called low blood sugar. It is... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May32010
10 Ways To Make Your Recipes Healthier
You can make many of your favorite recipes lower in fat and calories, and higher in fiber by simply swapping out some of the ingredients. When you cook for yourself and your family, you control what... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Apr42010
Genetically Modified Foods -- What's On Your Plate?
Consumers may not be aware that genetically modified foods are part of the U.S. food supply. Many experts predict this will change as people become more aware of the economic, environmental and... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Mar42010
Eggs -- All They?re Cracked Up To Be
Eggs have gotten a bad rap for their relatively high fat and cholesterol contents. The average large egg has 212 milligrams of cholesterol. As foods go, that's quite a bit. However, only a small... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
The French Paradox -- Should We Be More Like the French?
As the sun rises over Paris, the irresistible scent of buttery croissants drifts out of all the little pastry shops and fills the narrow streets. In the afternoon, tiny cheese shops, bustling with... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Don't Let Your Exercise Routine Suffer the Bad Weather Blues!
Let this be the year that your winter workouts don't wither with the weather! Being active during beach season is wonderful, but why do we let our daily walks and exercise routines fade out with the... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Preventing Cancer Is More Possible Than You Think
A recent survey by the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) found nearly half of Americans think that preventing cancer is either impossible or highly unlikely. This is despite the belief... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Produce Safety
Food safety has been making news again with five multi-state outbreaks of produce-related illnesses in the past 5 months. Over the last 10 years, foodborne diseases from meat and poultry, including E. coli... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Don't Overlook Vitamin K
Four Ways Vitamin K May Protect Health
Unless you are taking the blood thinner warfarin (Coumadin), you probably have not paid too much attention to your intake of vitamin K. That's because this... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Cancer Update: Two Studies Worth Heeding
The amount of conflicting nutrition information targeted to cancer patients and survivors can be overwhelming. Many of the supplements, vitamins and foods — such as concentrated juices and powders —... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Retrain Your Brain To Love Exercise!
The best diet for weight loss may still be under debate, but there's no doubt that the dynamic duo of diet and exercise continues to be the gold standard for weight loss and, more importantly,... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Three Great Reasons To Snack
Many people have been taught to eat three meals a day and to avoid between-meal snacks. But today's busy lifestyles can mean skipped meals and extreme hunger. By following some simple tips, snacking... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Who Really Benefits From Sports Drinks?
There are many sports drinks on the market today, but are they better for you than plain water to keep you well-hydrated when you exercise?
What Are Sports Drinks?
Sports drinks provide small amounts... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
The Benefits of Probiotics
In a society of anti-bacterial warfare, who would have thought that anyone would tout the benefits of bacteria? Living microorganisms found in yogurt and other cultured foods may help improve your... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Does Diet Affect Cancer Recurrence?
This past July, the latest results of The Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) trial were published in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). The study of 3,088 women concluded... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
The Cancer, Sunshine and Vitamin D Connection
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, well-known for helping the body absorb calcium and promote bone health. It's now well-established that getting enough vitamin D decreases your risk of getting many... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb232010
Beat the Heat -- Stay Hydrated!
Hot weather will be here soon. Along with trying to stay cool, you need to be sure you drink enough fluids. People often blame the heat when they start to get headaches, light-headedness and fatigue.... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb42010
Soy: Friend or Foe?
Soy foods have flooded U.S. markets in the last decade. You've probably heard about their potential health benefits. But are you cautious about eating soy foods because of the conflicting health... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jan32010
Fending Off Flu With Food
The month of January is typically the peak of flu season. And this year with the H1N1 added to the mix, many of us are searching for strategies to stay well. While getting vaccinations and practicing... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec82009
Defending Against Disease With an Anti-Inflammation Lifestyle
Inflammation, once merely considered the body’s healing response, is now the subject of close scrutiny as a key component of many diseases. Arthritis and inflammation have been linked for decades,... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec82009
Recommit to Your New Year's Resolutions
Did you set a New Year’s Resolution last month to improve your health in some way? If so, are you having trouble sticking with it? Weight loss was the No. 1 resolution, made by 38% of people surveyed... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec82009
Get a Taste for Nutrition!
The American Dietetic Association sponsors National Nutrition Month in March. In the past, several nutrition-related topics were highlighted to broaden the public’s knowledge regarding this evolving... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec82009
Mastering the Mindful Meal
Eating while multitasking, whether working through lunch or watching TV while eating dinner, often leads us to eat more. On the other hand, eating "mindfully," savoring every mouthful, enhances the... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec82009
Airports ? Avoid the High-Fat Food Trap
As the food on flights has gotten skimpier — or even nonexistent — many airport restaurants and cafés are filling the gap so time-crunched, weary, and frazzled travelers don't go hungry. Many now... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec82009
Celiac Disease -- An Overlooked Disorder
Celiac disease is a digestive disorder in which the body can't tolerate gluten, a protein found in wheat, rye, barley and sometimes oats. The gluten triggers an immune reaction and causes inflammation... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec32009
Dissolving the Mysteries of Salt
Salt is a mineral that contains sodium. The body needs a small amount of sodium to work properly. But too much sodium can lead to high blood pressure, which is bad for the heart, brain and kidneys.
... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec22009
Gastric Surgery -- The Cure For Obesity?
Al Roker is slowly shrinking, Carnie Wilson has lost the equivalent of another person, and you are still battling the same 10 pounds with the same old diet. With one-third of Americans overweight,... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec22009
The Coffee Bean -- Not a Fiend
As that little shiver in the air reminds you that fall is turning into winter, you wrap your fingers around a warm ceramic mug filled with your cold-weather friend: coffee. Even the aroma — rich and... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec22009
Oh (Nutritious) Nuts!
You may often hear disparaging comments about nuts, because they contain fat, but this idea stems from the misleading concept that all fats are bad. Despite what you’ve heard, not all fats are... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec22009
Disease-Fighting Phytonutrients
Phytonutrients are powerful and healthy substances to include in your diet. While technically not "nutrients" (which include carbohydrates, protein, fat, vitamins and minerals, and which are deemed... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec22009
Balancing A Vegetarian Meal
Balancing meals correctly is important for anyone who wants to be healthy, even if the meal is vegetarian. A healthy, balanced meal is made up of a half plate of low-calorie vegetables, a quarter... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec22009
Heard Any Good Fish Stories Lately?
Heard any good fish stories lately? Here's one: Certain fats in fish and seafood may be fantastic for your health — they may even prevent heart disease.
Now here's a bad fish story: Some fish may... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Nov52009
Best Bargain Bites
Have you ever considered food shopping as a place to trim spending? With a few small changes, you may find savings that brighten your day instead of lighten your wallet. Here's a look at some of the... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct42009
Savor the Flavor of Locally Grown Food
It seems that everyone is trying to become more environmentally friendly by recycling, taking public transportation, or even trying to "green" their grocery shopping and dinner plates.
In 2007, the... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Sep32009
The Fusion of Good Taste and Good Nutrition
Every spring, while the gorgeous vineyards of Napa Valley, California are budding with grapes, Harvard Medical School Department of Continuing Education, The Osher Institute at Harvard Medical... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Aug42009
Food Preservatives: Reading the 'Not-So-Fine' Print
The earliest forms of preserving foods were salting and drying. Preserving meant that foods caught or picked in times of plenty could be safely eaten during lean months. Food is still preserved... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jul52009
Stevia ? The Zero-Calorie, All-Natural Sweetener
Rather than asking people how many sugars they would like with their coffee or tea, we should be asking what color they want: pink, yellow, blue or green.
People who are watching their calorie or... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jun42009
Metabolic Syndrome -- Lifestyle Changes Are Key
Metabolic syndrome is the name for a group of five closely-related conditions that can increase a person's risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes. The more you have at one time, the greater your... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
Carbohydrate Confusion
The fat vs. carbohydrate debate remains a hot topic. You may have heard the terms "net carbs," "effective carbohydrate count" and "impact carbohydrates" as carbs replaced fat as the "bad"... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
Fabulous Fiber
Fiber is the part of plant foods that the body cannot digest. It moves through the digestive system, absorbing water. This helps eliminate food waste from the body more quickly. Since fiber is not... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
Avoiding Pesky Produce Pesticides
Every day we're bombarded with news about bacteria-tainted meat and pesticide-laden produce. In the United States we expect our produce to be free of such contaminants, but there is a growing concern... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
Organize Yourself For A Healthy Lifestyle
Knowing how to make great choices is essential for lasting lifestyle change. Putting those choices into practice day in and out is really the backbone of health. Sometimes the hard part seems to be... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
All About Calcium Supplements
Calcium is well known for its role in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth. It also functions in blood clotting, nerve conduction and muscle contraction. There is preliminary evidence that... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
Fruits And Veggies: Are Five Daily Servings Enough?
Eating more fruits and veggies can boost your energy, super-size your stamina, reduce your risk of disease, and slim your body.
While it may sound like a pitch from your local supermarket, diets... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
Enjoy Guilt-Free Holiday Eating
Life during the holiday season can be filled with endless temptations: dazzling buffets, rich hot cocoa, Christmas cookies...and seemingly endless leftovers. Not everyone finds the feasting easy to... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
For Health, Pair Fitness With Food
Exercise and a healthy diet are essential for losing weight and helping to reduce your risk of diabetes, heart disease and certain cancers. If you are overweight, losing just 10 percent of your body... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
Back To The Stone Age
New research suggests we may be ignoring the most important organ of all when it comes to food and nutrition: that 3-pound thinker, the brain. Neuroscientists have recently modified their old belief... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
Three Threes For A Healthy New Year
How about some nutrition science to go along with your New Year's Resolution? The Department of Nutrition at Brigham and Women's has compiled compelling evidence that shows how diet and lifestyle... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May172009
End Your Weight Loss Struggles
We usually have the best of intentions when it comes to losing weight. But many of us find our efforts sabotaged by people, places or things. Do any of these scenarios sound familiar?
Plan: Eat a... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May42009
Nutrition and Aging
Numerous products from lotions and creams to dietary supplements are promoted as ways to prevent or slow down the aging process. Yet there is no hard scientific evidence that any of these items are... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Apr22009
Decoding Food Labels
The food label is the one piece of information on the food package that doesn't lie to you. It's much more reliable than advertising claims. All the information that you need to make healthy and... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Mar42009
The 3, 6 and 9s of Healthy Fats
You may have noticed that new products — from yogurts and cheeses to bread and eggs — touting their omega-3 content are popping up on grocery shelves. Omega-3 fatty acids are in the spotlight recently... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb52009
Keeping Up With Your New Year's Resolutions
"Start running," "Lose 10 pounds," "Go to the gym more," "Stop eating out during the week." We've all made New Year's resolutions with such good intentions and high hopes. But we've all broken them,... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb12009
Eating For Two
Congratulations! Your doctor has just confirmed that you are pregnant! You're happy, nervous, excited and feeling responsible for your baby's future. Instead of being worried about eating perfectly,... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jan42009
Mediterranean Eating: A Myriad of Benefits
The Mediterranean Diet refers to the traditional eating habits of individuals who live in countries around the Mediterranean Sea — Italy, Greece and Spain to name a few. This eating style emphasizes... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jan42009
Surviving Our Supersized Society
Losing weight or maintaining a healthy weight sounds simple, right? All you need to do is make a commitment to eat less and exercise more. Today’s environment, however, can creep in as a barrier to... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jan32009
Healthy Eating, Healthy Kids
Think of your child's favorite food. Now ask yourself: Does this food contribute positively to your child's health or weight? While any food can fit into a healthy lifestyle, not all foods contribute... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Dec42008
Iron -- There's Nothing Small About This Micronutrient
Vitamins and minerals from A to Zinc are vital to a healthy body. Thanks to public health initiatives, such as fortification of breads and cereals, deficiencies are not as common as they once were.... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Nov302008
Eat Less to Live Longer?
Is it possible to live a good deal longer by eating a good deal less? Proponents of a strict dietary regimen called calorie restriction (CR) claim that it can extend your life and prevent diseases... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Nov302008
Tap Water Or Bottled: Which Is Better?
Nutritionists are often asked, "Which is better: tap water or bottled water?" Surprisingly, very little objective, credible research exists to answer this question. This means that deciding which... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Nov42008
Phytonutrients for Fall
People eat more fresh fruits and vegetables during the summer months, when so many delicious varieties are in season. As fall approaches and the cold weather begins, however, people tend to eat fewer... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct132008
Gas: Beat The Bloat
We all have gas. Yet, we’re embarrassed to mention it to health-care providers and friends in social conversation. Ten percent to 20 percent of adults have the digestive complaints of belching or... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct72008
Managing Emotional Eating
Have you ever asked yourself "Why do I want to eat right now?" Much too often people eat for reasons other than satisfying hunger — they eat when they are depressed, bored, angry, anxious, lonesome,... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct72008
Breakfast -- Don't Leave Home Without It
Eating a nutritious breakfast is a great way to jump-start the day, yet a tasty breakfast might not be finding its way onto your kitchen table. Rushed morning routines, trying to lose weight, and... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct52008
Sunshine, Tea and Tomatoes: Can They Prevent Cancer?
News media often report on research studies about aspects of foods that may help keep cancer at bay. The dietary supplement industry is also quick to promote new products with promising research in... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct52008
Fat -- Friend Or Foe?
For over three decades we have been bombarded with messages telling us dietary fat causes obesity, heart disease and high cholesterol. Yet more recently, we have been told that fat is absolutely... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct42008
Obesity: How Can We Help Our Kids?
Our kids need help! These frightening statistics come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
- The number of overweight children ages 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct22008
Alkaline Diets and Cancer: Fact or Fiction?
Advocates of alkaline diets claim that they help you lose weight, increase your energy, and even reduce your risk of heart disease and cancer. While their arguments sound persuasive, they ignore all... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Sep42008
Four Food Myths -- Busted
Oh no. I just found out I have high cholesterol and diabetes. Worse yet, my spouse just told my relatives.
At family dinner the advice starts flowing: "Put down that shrimp!" "Don't eat carrots.... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Jun52008
Eat Your Way to a Healthy Smile
What you put in your mouth is just as important for your oral health as for overall health.
Cavities, Gum Disease and Their Impact on Health
Plaque is the sticky, bacteria-filled substance that is always building on your teeth. After eating, bacteria in your mouth feed on particles of food and beverage that contain carbohydrates (sugars or starches). This makes the plaque more acidic. These acids dissolve minerals in your teeth's enamel — a process called demineralization — and can lead to cavities. ... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May272008
Can Diet Oil Those Creaky Joints?
Through the centuries, many claims have been made about the influence of dietary habits and nutritional supplements on arthritis. Some of these claims are supported by medical evidence and some are... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May42008
How Sweet It Is! An Update on Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners, also known as non-nutritive sweeteners, are food additives that sweeten food without adding calories. They have no calories because the body doesn't absorb them, or absorbs... read more
Category: Food for Thought
May22008
Chocolate: Temptation or Health Food?
As you walk down the street, a warm, amber smell drifts out from a small shop and circles under your nose. A soothing, velvety voice calls to you from inside a glittering foil wrapper. It's... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Apr32008
Losing Weight Helps Promote Cancer Survivorship
If you're one of over 10 million cancer survivors living in the United States, maintaining a healthy weight is vitally important.
The Obesity-Cancer Connection
According to the Centers for Disease... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Feb252008
Don't Forget Your Vitamin D!
The Sunshine Vitamin
When you step out into sunlight, you’re getting more than just a tan. When the ultraviolet B rays from the sun come in contact with your skin, they activate a series of reactions... read more
Category: Food for Thought
Oct42006
A Disease-Prevention Plan for Men
Men, do you know which diseases pose the biggest threats to your health? Heart disease and cancer — specifically lung, colon and prostate — are the top killers of men in the United States. Reducing... read more
Category: Food for Thought
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