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April 2001
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Kale, Collards And Spinach Beat Carrots For Protecting Aging Eyes
By Catherine Golub, M.S., R.D.
When you hit 40, you know reading glasses are not far behind. But as you pass 50 and 60, age-related eye diseases become a much bigger worry. Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the leading cause of blindness for people 65 and older, while cataracts contribute to nearly half of blindness worldwide. Researchers don’t know for sure what causes either of these sight saboteurs, but they do know that older age, light-colored eyes, smoking and exposure to sunlight increase a person’s
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Battling Brain Diseases: Diet Links To Alzheimers And Parkinsons
By Linda Antinoro, J.D., R.D.
(Part two of a two-part series on brain health.) Memory difficulties, trembling and impaired coordination can be natural effects of aging or the start of something more serious, such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s diseases. Public figures like former President Ronald Reagan, boxer Muhammad Ali and actor Michael J. Fox have put these disorders in the headlines and triggered calls for more research.
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EN Celebrates Earth Day: 10 Steps to a Greener Planet
By Julie Walsh, M.S., R.D.
In celebration of Earth Day, April 22, we offer 10 commitments for a healthier planet and a healthier you. 1. Eat Low on the Food Chain Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and grains and low in animal-based protein. (See Resource Corner) Plants require fewer resources and are healthier for the soil than raising livestock or seafood. Eat whole, minimally processed foods instead of overly processed, overly packaged foods. 2. Choose Organic Foods Manufacturers of organic foods must meet new U.S. Department
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Muscle Fights Weight Gain
Women shouldn’t blame waning hormones for the weight gain that often occurs with age. It may be due to fewer energy-consuming muscle cells. Because they burn more calories than fat cells, fewer muscle cells means a lower metabolism. While a decline in resting metabolism is a hallmark of aging, the cause has been long debated. A new study confirms that the metabolic slowdown is caused by a loss of cell mass, two-thirds of it attributable to muscle. As reported in the
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Web Finds
www.hungersite.com Want to make a difference in world hunger? Have we got a web site for you! Founded in 1999, it claims to be the first "click-and-donate" website. Simply by clicking, money gets donated—not from your pocket, but from sponsors of the site. If you register or shop online from the site, more gets donated. You’ll find links for preserving the rainforest, helping children with AIDS and eliminating landmines. Sobering statistics will motivate you to make a difference.
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The Origin Diet: How Eating Like Our Stone Age Ancestors Will Maximize Your Health
Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D. Henry Holt and Company 115 West 18th Street New York, New York 10011 2001, 318 pp., $23, hardcover In her latest book, Elizabeth Somer wants us to get back to our roots—way back. Eat like our Stone Age, hunter- gatherer ancestors, she suggests. The payoff? Reduced risk of chronic diseases, improved mental clarity, more energy, a leaner, stronger physique and, oh, yes, longer life, Somers argues. Early humans foraged for roots, nuts, fruits, seeds and grains plus hunted lean, wild
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Research Roundup
Drinking green tea may not protect against stomach cancer, according to Japanese researchers. In the study—considered the strongest to date—26,000 men and women age 40 and older were grouped by the amount of green tea they drank, from less than one cup a day up to five or more. After eight years, researchers found no link between stomach cancer and green tea intake. Green tea may well have other health benefits, but don’t expect it to reduce the risk
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Earth Friendly Disposables: Responsible, If Costly
The Buzz: Each year, Americans throw away 113 billion so-called disposable cups, 39 billion utensils and 29 billion plates. And that’s not counting 50 billion plastic bags used to dispose of kitchen trash and yard refuse. Such a volume of plastic and paper "disposables" takes years, if ever, to degrade in landfill. To the rescue: Biocorp, a manufacturer of biodegradable products with an aim to help ease the problem. The Basics: Biocorp bags—for household and yard—are made from a fully biodegradable
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"Do You Want Fries With That?" Just Say No to Fast-Food Sides
By Kitty Broihier, M.S., R.D.
When it comes to choosing a healthful fast-food meal, most of us concentrate on the main dish (grilled chicken instead of a burger) and don’t think enough about the extras. A major mistake. Side dishes can easily damage what might otherwise be a relatively healthful meal. The first problem? Many fast-food side dishes are fried. That means excessive fat. But that’s not all; portion size is another obstacle. Back when fast food was new to Americans, the typical meal
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High Vitamin C Levels Linked to Longer Life
Eating just one additional serving of a vitamin C-rich fruit or vegetable each day can raise blood levels of C enough to reduce the risk of dying by 20%, according to findings from the University of Cambridge in England. The study followed nearly 20,000 men and women between the ages of 45 and 79 for about four years. The volunteers were grouped according to the amount of vitamin C in their blood. Those with the highest vitamin C
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Open Sesame: Seeds Supply Treasure Trove of Nutrients
Good things come in small packages. Take seeds. They are a powerhouse of nutrients, including vitamin E, folate, magnesium, copper, manganese and fiber. Moreover, seeds are one of the best vegetarian sources of protein, iron and zinc. Sesame seeds are particularly high in calcium. Of course, seeds, like nuts, are full of fat—and, thus, calories. The key to healthful consumption is moderation. Eat several servings of seeds a week, up to 1 ounce a day. (One ounce is about
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Milk Thistle: Herbal Hero to the Liver
Commonly called milk thistle because its white veins yield a milky sap, Silybum marianum is known also as St. Mary’s thistle, Marian thistle and holy thistle, not to be confused with blessed thistle, an entirely different plant. Its fruits (not seeds) have been used for 2,000 years to treat liver ailments. What It Might Do: In Germany, milk thistle is approved to treat chronic liver diseases (e.g., hepatitis, cirrhosis) and for toxic damage arising from alcohol, acetaminophen, other drugs and environmental
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Antioxidant Dilemma: Feed or Starve a Tumor?
Q. Are antioxidants helpful or harmful during cancer treatment? A. That depends on whom you ask. Antioxidants may help prevent some cancers, but the effect they have in someone already diagnosed with cancer is hotly contested. It’s unknown, for example, whether vitamin C and other antioxidants can bolster or derail the effects of radiation and chemotherapy.
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Choosing Fish That Are Safe to Eat and Not Endangered
Q. I’ve heard many good things about the benefits of eating fish, so I’m trying to include more in my diet. But I’ve also heard dire warnings about contaminants. Should I be concerned? A. You have good reason to both include more fish in your diet and to be careful about the kind of fish you choose. Mercury contamination is of special concern. While all fish contain traces of mercury (0.01 to 0.5 parts per million), only a few species of
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