Long-Term Effects of Obesity

Recent studies in Europe found that after the age of 50, excess body fat results in hardening of the arteries, and may increase the risk of dying from a cardiovascular disease. Obesity can cause the blood vessels in young people to adapt, but this ability to adapt is lost after middle age. Blood will travel faster in stiff blood vessels than healthy vessels. Certain metabolic products in the blood may lead to the damage of the elastic fibers in our blood vessels. Many years of obesity may cause permanent damage to the arteries by middle age.

Bug Eating World

Recently, the United Nations has spoken about the issue of World Hunger. Their solution is to increase bug consumption. Nearly 900 million people are malnourished, and there are plenty of bugs and are considered nutritious with their high fiber, high protein, and low fat content. Some of the most delicious bugs have been noted to be scorpions, water bugs and honeybees. Although the idea is not very appealing, there may be a turn towards this solution with some outside of the box thinking.

Breastfeeding and ADHD

There has been a long debate about breastfeeding versus bottle feeding babies and how it will affect their health. The debate continues. A simple study was done to see if breastfeeding influenced the development of ADHD. Three groups were studied. The first group of children had already been diagnosed with ADHD. The second group of children had siblings with ADHD and the third group had no one with ADHD. A questionnaire was given to the mothers of these children to find out how the children had been fed as infants. It was found that children were more likely to develop ADHD if they were not breastfed from 3 to 6 months of age. While this study was simple it does show a possible link between breastfeeding and ADHD. This is just another piece to the puzzle of which method is better for infants.

How to Help Your HDL Levels

A recent study found that higher levels of HDL, also known as the “good” cholesterol, are associated with fewer aortic (heart) aneurysms and may help protect women from this condition, which results in the death of 13,000 Americans a year. Increasing HDL levels can improve your life in more ways than one. Exercise, stopping smoking, getting your body mass index (BMI) below 25, and eating monounsaturated fats, which are found in foods like salmon, walnuts, avocados, sardines, olives and olive oil are all ways to raise your HDL cholesterol. 

Walnuts and Heart Health

We’ve all heard that walnuts can help our heart. They lower blood cholesterol and help prevent cardiovascular disease, but how do walnuts do this? Scientists knew that walnuts were an important part of a heart healthy diet but were not sure exactly what part of the walnut was beneficial. In a study results found that consuming walnut oil just once, increased the functioning of blood vessels.  Eating whole walnuts was also beneficial in increasing good cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E are the beneficial nutrients in walnuts according to this study. While more research needs to be done on these findings, they do show an important step in nutrition research.

Diet and Blood Vessel Health

A recent study presented at the American Heart Association’s Conference has found that a diet low in grains, certain greens, and beans improved the health of the blood vessels in participants. This blood vessel functioning abnormality is serious and one of the first signs of heart disease. The participants all had a risk for heart disease and three-quarters already suffered from the blood vessel abnormality. The diet restricted grains, beans, fruits, poultry, and some plants. Instead of these foods the participants ate a diet of leafy greens, fish, olive oil, and grass-fed proteins. They also took a supplement with many antioxidants. It is predicted that this diet worked because it slows the aging of the blood vessel cells. This study is not suggesting taking grains and vegetables out of your diet. For many of us, these foods are also vital to our health. It does however show the importance that diet has on our health and well-being.  

The Role of a Maternal Diet- How to Plan your Child's Health

Studies have found that what a woman eats just before, during and after pregnancy will impact the health of her child for the rest of his or her life. This area of research is known as fetal programming, which says that during fetal development, an inefficient intake in one or more essential vitamins and nutrients can potentially alter the structure, size or function of the developing organs for the rest of the child’s life. Not only will the baby be affected during pregnancy, but also later in life. 99 out of 100 Americans do not even meet the minimum standards of a balanced diet.

Here are some tips that can help support your child’s future health:

1: A diet rich in vitamin B12 has been linked to a lower risk for insulin resistance in her child later in life. This vitamin is needed to form blood cells, nerve sheaths, proteins and for growth. Sources of B12: meat, eggs, fish, milk products.

2: Vitamin C status has been shown to lower oxidative damage to fetal tissues and lower the risk for heart problems later in life.

Sources of vitamin C: citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwi, broccoli, spinach and tomatoes.

3: Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for many chronic diseases, including rickets, multiple sclerosis, heart disease, type 1 diabetes and cancer. You can find a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement that includes vitamin D and is formulated for the needs of women who are pregnant.

4: DHA omega-3 is an important building block of a baby’s brain. 97% of the omega-3s found in the brain is DHA.

Sources of DHA:  fatty fish (tuna, mackerel, salmon) and a vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA from algae can be found in foods, beverages and supplements on store shelves.

5: Children born of mothers with low folate levels during pregnancy were 57 percent more likely to have emotional problems later in life.

Sources of folate or folic acid: dark leafy greens or supplementing with 600 to 800 micrograms of folic acid daily.

Be sure to speak with your doctor about your current diet and before starting any supplemental program.

http://www.palatkadailynews.com/ara/health_and_wellness/8774a9ef-ee8f-545d-9703-fb205cc20e21.txt