Category Archives: Diet And Food

There are several risks associated with a high-salt diet, including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke but a new study reveals that a compromised immune system should be added to that list.

To mitigate the well-documented health risks associated with a high-salt diet, the World Health Organization recommends adults cap their salt intake to about one teaspoon, or 5 grams, per day an amount equivalent to about two Big Macs.

Unfortunately, as the Food and Drug Administration points out, Americans consume on average some 8.5g of salt each day almost double the WHOs recommendation which partially explains why the US suffers such high rates of hypertension, a major contributing factor to cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Now, German researchers at the University of Bonn believe that too much salt could also weaken our immune system particularly our defenses against bacterial infections.

We examined volunteers who consumed 6 grams of salt in addition to their daily intake, says Prof. Dr. Christian Kurts, whose study was published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine. This is roughly the amount contained in two fast food meals, i.e. two burgers and two portions of french fries.

Kurts says their research prove[s] for the first time that excessive salt intake also significantly weakens an important arm of the immune system. Yet, these findings contradict prior studies which have shown that a high-salt diet was effective in healing infections caused by certain skin parasites in laboratory animals. Thus, many scientists had previously concluded that sodium chloride could have immune-boosting qualities.

Our results show that this generalization is not accurate, says Dr. Katarzyna Jobin, lead author of the current study. They explain that the skin functions as a salt reservoir for the body, which lends a hand in the elimination of certain skin diseases. But inside the body, salt concentration is meant to remain constant save the kidneys, which bear the brunt of high salt intake. This latest study discovered that, as the kidneys filter blood, the presence of salt prompts glucocorticoids, a type of hormone, to build up in the body, which impairs a common type of bacteria-busting immune cell called granulocytes.

We were able to show this in mice with a listeria infection, explains Dr. Jobin. We had previously put some of them on a high-salt diet. In the spleen and liver of these animals we counted 100 to 1,000 times the number of disease-causing pathogens. Urinary tract infections, the study finds, also healed much more slowly.

After just one week on the high-salt regimen, blood samples from test subjects showed that human granulocytes were already failing to cope with bacterial intruders. They also showed increased glucocorticoid levels which scientists anticipated would have an impact on the immune system, as glucocorticoid cortisones are already used to suppress inflammation (caused by an immune response) in medical settings.

Knowing how much salt is in your diet can be difficult, as most store-bought foods dont include salt content on the nutritional label. Rather, they list sodium, otherwise known as sodium chloride, which is a component of dietary salt. For a better understanding of how much salt youre getting per serving, simply multiply the sodium content in grams by a factor of about 2.5. Thus 5 grams of salt is equivalent to 2 grams (2000 milligrams) of sodium.

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A salty diet could make it hard for your body to fight off infection: study - New York Post

Yesterday, we focused on mental health. Today, we're talking about what should go on your plate.

Reporter Grant Pepper spoke with Natalie Brenneman, a registered dietitian and certified Diabetes educator with Knox Community Hospital, about how to maintain a healthy diet during the COVID-19 outbreak. Brenneman answered questions she's frequently being asked right now, including:

She also touched on the importance of maintaining a healthy diet during this time, and the mindset we should take from a dietary perspective.

Tomorrow, we will talk about how to stay physically fit during the outbreak. For more local coronavirus coverage: https://www.knoxpages.com/news/covid19/

Our stories will always be free to read, but they aren't free to produce. We need your support. To help our news organization tell Knox County's story every day, join our team. Become a member today.

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How to maintain a healthy diet during the coronavirus outbreak - knoxpages.com

Singer Park Bo Ram revealed the extremediet method she used to lose a whopping 32 kilograms (~70 pounds).

She appeared on the March 26th broadcast of SBS Power FM's 'Cultwo Show' where she talked about her 2014 hit single featuring Zico "Beautiful (I Became Pretty)". She stated that she wrote the song because she too wanted to "hear that I hadbecome prettier". She also talked about how shed so much weight.

Park Bo Ram revealed that in the past, she had lost 32 kilograms (70 pounds) while eating five meals a day, with each meal consisting of half a banana and one egg. She said it was difficult but she endured it.Park Bo Ram added adisclaimer, saying that this method wasn't healthy and "It's not ok to eat like this. You're not going to have any energy."

What do you think of this extreme diet routine?

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Singer Park Bo Ram reveals the extreme diet method she used to lose 32 kilograms (~70 pounds) - allkpop

Beyoncthe well-known singer and songwriter, American always free of spyware and advertising for his musical talent and her beauty, but this time we are cracking dej hung from this revelation.

As we know, the successful star is 38 years old transit your second pregnancy in the year 2017, in the greatest agony suffered toxemia up to the birth of their twins, Rumi, and Sir.

After that episode Sasha Fierce remained overweight that you could not handle, in addition to her professional career. In that time, I weighed almost 80 kg, what is the company relating to diets, treatments and exercise, gave good results.

But then the love Queen Bey weight again, and this time, acudi a method that does not try very bold and dangerous, (they are at home and less in the quarantine, organised by her friend and trainer Single Ladies Marco Borges, the without the support and diet, without it gradually.

The dangerous diet B-Yonc that you have 20 pounds to lose in 22 days. The plan the task list is wrong, because where you look, because it controls Newspapers and.delete from one day to the other the lcteos (s: nothing of cheese), meat of all kinds and all types of flour

It is to say that the First Lady of Music food: vegetables, PUR, seeds and fruits and everything to be in order, as it considers necessary, to be in the longed-for actuacin of the clebre festival Coachella last year, and, of course, logr, but at the cost of a large hour.

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Try: Beyonc revealed the famous diet that you caus some trauma. Never ms! - Matzav Review

The coronavirus which has claimed more than 10,000 lives worldwide has led to a lockdown across the globe, with our Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting citizens to voluntarily stay at home for three weeks to ensure the virus does not spread. The heavily congested roads of Delhi, where I stay, are now empty, and people across India are scrambling to cope with this sudden dilemma. Work from home, washing our hands regularly and social distancing have become the order of the day.

I personally believe this enforced break from our daily routine is actually a blessing in disguise, because it gives us an opportunity to build up our natural immunity by eating healthy at home.Although some restaurants and eateries are still delivering food, relying on home complete home cooked food is the safest option. Foods rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, along with some regularexercise, are the best way to build your immunity.

While I never really ate fruits on an everyday basis, the pandemic has pushed me to consume fruits everyday. I usually prefer oranges, which is a good source of vitamin C, known for its ability to guard against various kinds of flu, including cough and cold which is increasingly common during the change of season we are going through now. As we know, the coronavirus is associated with symptoms of cough and cold, including severe respiratory infection, eating citrus fruits such as oranges, lemons, and berries help build immunity against such infections. Amla or the Indian gooseberry is another fruit which boosts immunity and improves metabolism, and nutritionists recommend having one three of four times a day for best results. I also have a glass of lemon juice every morning, usually on an empty stomach.

Most Indians are familiar with the incredible benefits of turmeric. Consuming milk mixed with turmeric is traditional practice across India, particularly in rural areas. Loaded with antibacterial and antifungal properties, turmeric helps in fighting several infections and helps boosts immunity. As news of the widespread death due to the pandemic started to surface, I made it a point to consume turmeric every day.

Another item found in most Indian households is honey. Rich in antioxidants, it helps fight several diseases and helps maintain cardiovascular health. Honey and ginger is the first thing most of us reach for when we have a cough and cold, or even a sore throat. As news of this pandemic spread, I started having honey with a couple of almonds on an empty stomach every day. Almonds are known to check cholesterol, control blood pressure and other ailments. Together with honey, it is a powerful combination which ensures protection against all viruses and infections. In fact, a handful of nuts of any kind are a fantastic source of health.

Green leafy vegetables are another must in our daily diet. While at home, I always have made it a point to consume spinach in my diet. Rich in vitamin A and C, it helps our mucous membranes to repel several bacteria and viruses. Spinach and other leafy vegetables also promote good eyesight and help buttress our bodys natural immunity. Regular consumption pulses is another must, since they counter several health problems and ensure that we get our daily dose of protein.

So the next time you step out to buy your daily rations, remember to stock up on these easily available items, and ensure that your daily regimen also includes at least half an hour of exercise. And instead of cursing the virus and the lockdown, use this opportunity to build up your bodys natural resistance, and to inculcate habits which will stand in you good stead for the rest of your life. So stay safe, and stay healthy.

(The author is a part of Team Poshan)

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My Diet To Beat The Lockdown Blues - Outlook India

Not another urinary tract infection! Anyone whos ever gotten a urinary tract infection (UTI) and thats most women know how irritating and perilous it can be. Some of us are also prone to recurrent UTIs, where infections keep coming.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to keep UTIs at bay.

One of them is aromatherapy, or using high-quality essential oils to aid your body and mind. If youre prone to UTIs or are actively battling an infection, it can be helpful to use oils in a supportive way, says Heidi Chesla, a medical aromatherapy specialist in and around Baltimore and an instructor to physicians at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

The all-too-common condition of a UTI happens when bacteria typically found around the anus migrates into the sterile urethra (the tube where pee flows out) or bladder and starts to multiply.

Symptoms include a burning sensation (especially while urinating), the need to pee frequently, the urge to go even if youve just emptied your bladder, cloudy or bloody urine, and pain or pressure in your lower abdomen.

RELATED: Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) Symptoms

UTIs are potentially dangerous, because if the bacteria migrate further upwards, they can enter your kidneys and cause a serious infection there. For this reason, Chesla recommends that when you have a UTI you see your physician to get it treated.

Treatment for UTIs typically involve a short course of oral antibiotics, such as trimethoprimand sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra).

Your doctor can also instruct you how to best prevent recurrent UTIs. For example, people should stay well hydrated, urinate before and after sex, and women should always wipe from front to back (and even use different sheets of toilet paper for each side).

RELATED: Herbal Remedies for Natural Pain Relief

Essential oils can be used to both support healing and make you feel better when you have a UTI. You dont want to use them in place of a drug, Chesla says. But essential oils are uniquely helpful because chemical constituents within the aromatic oils create physiological responses in the body, and because theres a direct connection with the sense of smell and the limbic system in the brain, where your emotions arise, she says.

Essential oils have not been scientifically studied for UTIs. However, some small studies have shown they can help battle other types of bacterial infections. For example, a review published in December 2019 in Complementary Therapies in Medicineon topical aromatherapy for the skin infection MRSA found significantly lower level of new MRSA emergence compared to routine care.

RELATED:All You Need to Know About Essential Oils and Cancer

Aromatherapy uses quality essential oils that are cold-pressed or steam-distilled from plants to support your mind and your body, according to the National Cancer Institute. The oils can come from a plants leaves, bark, or peel. Different plants have different oils that have varying effects on the mind and the body.

Essential oils can be inhaled, massaged into the body, rubbed onto the skin, or put in a bath. If you do rub them directly onto your skin, youll want to dilute them in a carrier oil, such as fractionated coconut oil (Cheslas favorite), almond oil, or avocado oil.

Using essential oils if you are prone to UTIs can support your body and help you feel better, Chesla says.

Using essential oils, ideally in conjunction with your physician, is very safe, Chesla says. Sometimes, an allergic reaction or skin irritation or rash can occur, especially if you put the oil directly on your skin. This is why experts advise that you dilute the oils with a carrier oil before massaging them into your skin.

You also don't want to swallow essential oils, because this increases the chances of an allergic or other negative reaction.

The safety of essential oils, not to mention their effectiveness, holds only when you use high-quality, pure and natural products, she says. Most of whats on the market as essential oil actually have synthetic ingredients, some of which can be irritating. People need to be aware of that and stay away from these, Chesla cautions.

Since essential oils are not considered to be drugs by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the products are not regulated by the FDA. Therefore, it is crucial that you buy oils from a manufacturer who is concerned about quality.

Its up to each person to take care about where they get their oils from. This might mean paying a little more, since cheap oils are unlikely to be of high enough quality to give you the results you want, Chesla says.

Related:Vegetarian Diet Linked to Lowered Risk of Urinary Tract Infection

The best companies hire an independent third party to test each batch of oil as it is made. The tests they perform are called gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS) reports. They show how much of each bioactive compound is present in the oil.

Also, because oils can degrade over time, good manufacturers also print an expiration date on the label, Chesla says.

The results of these tests should be made available to you, either on the companys website or sent to you if you phone and ask. Chesla recommends that you take the report to your doctor, who should recognize the chemical components. That way if there are any concerns with interactions with other medicines you might be taking, your doctor will be informed.

If youre wondering how to use essential oils for UTIs, the best approach is to apply them to the areas of your body most affected, Chesla says.

People prone to recurrent UTIs can try to stave them off by applying a blend of oils to the skin of their lower abdomen and lower back, she says. Youll want to mix the oils into a carrier oil before you do this.

The blend Chesla recommends are a few drops, in equal parts, of the essential oils cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), juniper berry (Juniperus communis), and cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana). The cypress and juniper berry help to move fluid through your system, while the cedarwood helps kill germs. Rub a small amount of the blend onto your lower abdomen and lower back twice each day, in the morning when you wake up and two hours before bed. (You dont want fluid moving through you making you need to pee too close to bedtime.)

If you have an active infection and are working with your physician to combat it, aromatherapy can assist these medical efforts, Chesla says.

You can continue using the same blend as you use for prevention, but add a few extra drops of cedarwood. Tea tree oil (Melaleuca) can also battle bacteria, so you can substitute this for the cedarwood if you desire. Youll need to source this oil extremely carefully, though, because so much of what is sold as tea tree oil is actually synthetic, Chesla says.

Chesla also recommends supporting your painful abdomen by massing it with a blend of equal parts clary sage (Salvia sclarea), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), and lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), again mixed into a carrier oil. Clary sage can have anti-spasmodic effects, while the others are said to induce calm.

Stress plays a role in so many of our bodily conditions, so its not surprising it may be involved with recurrent UTIs. Areview published in February 2017 in Current Opinion in Urology points to this potential link between emotional stress and bladder symptom.

Here, too, aromatherapy may help, because soothing scents can calm the stress response down, Clesla says. Good oils for de-stressing include lavender, sandalwood, and vetiver, alone or in combination.

You can locate a certified aromatherapist near you on the websites of two national organizations, the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapyand the Alliance of International Aromatherapists.

Or you can buy oils directly from an online company or from a store that sells quality brands. Be sure to buy only from companies that carefully source and test their products.

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Can Essential Oils Help To Safely Get Rid of UTIs? - Everyday Health

Sharing during a pandemic? Sharing probably isnt the first idea that comes to mind as it implies physical contact.

But there are innumerable ways to share that dont require physical contact. And heres why we should pursue them with extraordinary gusto during the pandemic.

In short, world leaders have failed to protect us from the coronavirus. They had a chance to contain it. But through delay, misinformation, denial, and unpreparedness, they have unleashed it on the world.

Now a growing number of us have been asked to cease our normal lives, shelter in place, and practice social distancing for who knows how long. And while its absolutely critical we do so to limit the spread of the coronavirus, weve been asked to bear the terrible costs of their incompetence in lost lives and livelihoods.

Leaders have also left us to figure out what stance to take in the crisis. From the official messages about social distancing and the like, its easy to assume that the only thing we should do is hunker down and wait the pandemic out.

Some messages offer no help. One world leader, when asked what he had to say to people who were scared, insulted the reporter. He had not a single comforting word or practical suggestion to offer.

In short, our supposed leaders have driven us to the edge of a public health and global economic abyss and left us there. Even worse, some are taking advantage of the crisis to grab more profit and power. We cant count on them to protect us.

So, we must protect ourselves.

We must do so by sharing, cooperating, and taking decisive action when leaders have failed to.

We must fill the leadership and systemic voids that the crisis has exposed. The stakes couldnt be higher every human on spaceship earth is at risk. This is a moment of decision for all of us.

Will we hunker down, hoard, heap blame on the blameless, stay mesmerized by the media, spread fear, devolve in our isolation, and turn away from others?

Or will we rise to the occasion, fill the leadership void, share solutions, develop as people, and find our purpose in helping each other?

While this choice may not have occurred to you, this really isnt a choice. Theres no one at the wheel of our collective bus. We must take the wheel or the immediate toll will be more horrific. The long-term damage to the social fabric might even be worse.

While you may not see it, countless thousands are rising to the occasion. A large and rapidly growing wave of prosocial behavior, resource sharing, and mutual aid is sweeping the globe. A growing number of people are defining this moment through their warmth, bravery, diligence, generosity, and creativity.

Need I mention front line medical workers who are risking their lives to stem the toll? Their sacrifice is a testament to the beauty, boldness, and boundlessness of the human spirit.

We need to follow them safely into the breach. If you havent already, its time to join this wave of grassroots action. If you already have, its time to ask your friends and family to join it with you.

Working together (and at a safe distance), we can flatten the curve in a humane way and come out more human for it.

Here are 10 ways to get started:

Follow the shelter in place, physical distancing, handwashing, and other safety measures that reputable health authorities recommend. Encourage everyone around you to do the same. Following these with discipline may be the single most important act of solidarity you can undertake. This is a shared responsibility. Youll protect yourself and many, many others. If in doubt, err on the side of caution.

Provide comfort, health guidelines, and whatever aid is needed to those closest to you. Stay in it with them. Depending on your situation, you might have your hands full with just this. If everybody does this, then everyone has access to at least a basic level of care and emotional support.

Theyre the dam keeping back the floodwaters of infection. We cant afford for this dam to break. Check in with your local hospitals to see what they need. People and organizations are already donating protective medical gear, medical equipment, meals, and more. You can even volunteer remotely or join an open source team designing medical gear. Start here to see where to jump in.

Grassroots, volunteer-run mutual aid networks provide community-scale aid, often with a focus on mutual support for the most vulnerable. If you want to increase your impact locally, this is a great way to go. These have gone virtual during the pandemic using spreadsheets to match needs with resources. Heres an inside look at one of the thousands of COVID-19 mutual aid networks started recently. Directories of them have popped up in the U.S., UK, and elsewhere. Search the web for one in your area. If there are none, start one. Sometimes all it takes are two friends and a spreadsheet.

This can include the elderly, those most vulnerable to the coronavirus healthwise, those previously or newly on the economic margins, those facing eviction, those experiencing racism or discrimination, people who are undocumented, victims of domestic abuse, people experiencing houselessness, people with disabilities, those with mental health conditions, and more. The pandemic poses unique challenges for people in these groups. Support can be direct, mutual, or through the many local service organizations. Search your area for your preferred channel.

As Shareable has reported, loneliness was a huge health challenge before the pandemic. Social distancing could make it worse. We already have an economic recession on our hands due to the pandemic, we dont need a social recession to compound the misery. A more constructive approach is physical distancing with social solidarity, not social distancing. This is a time to be warm, friendly, and kind to those you know and strangers alike virtually and when youre six feet apart IRL. This is also a time to exercise your social creativity. People are holding virtual happy hours, dance parties, birthday parties, book clubs, religious services, and more. Use this moment to reweave the social fabric.

Its important to keep your friends, family, and community informed. However, the web is awash in misleading and even panic-inducing information about the coronavirus. Make sure what you share is from reputable sources. Cross-reference news reports with reports from other reputable sources. Equally important, make sure what and how you share doesnt unintentionally induce panic. Balance sharing truthful, alarming news with relevant how-to, safety, and solutions information. To help you stay sane, consider a media diet that responsibly limits your news intake. Its easy to get overwhelmed in the 24/7 coronavirus news cycle. Panic kills, lets stay calm.

Governments around the world are deciding how to respond to the immediate threat of the coronavirus and the second-order impacts. These decisions could reshape life in a dramatically different and potentially worse way unless the publics voice is heard. As always, the rich and powerful are at the bargaining table. Make sure you are too. Check-in with your local and national representation about their coronavirus plans and make your voice heard. Only together can we beat coronavirus capitalism and rebuild on a more just and sustainable basis.

Schedule time each day for checking in, supporting front line medical workers, mutual aid, or preventing a social recession whatever mix of activities make sense to you. Make it part of your daily pandemic routine. Share your contributions with others. Invite them to join in. Its natural to feel a tad powerless in this situation, this is a way to take back some control.

Last but definitely not least, take care of yourself. You cant do the above if youre not healthy yourself. As airlines advise in emergencies, put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. Depending on your situation, this might even be an opportunity to spend more time exercising, eating right, and finding ways to stay calm like yoga, meditation, and long walks.

There are many more ways to help. The number and variety of grassroots efforts is truly stunning. And now that youre in charge, Im betting you have your own ideas for mutual aid. Please share the actions youve taken or witnessed with us by email info@shareable.net or on Facebook.

And just as important spread the word that its time to help each other, share resources, and share leadership.

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10 ways to share during the coronavirus pandemic - Shareable

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The COVID-19 pandemic, and our efforts to flatten the curve, present major challenges to people living in Nevada, and the world. Food and nutrition are key issues, as many people are looking for ways to boost their immune system to fend off and fight the virus. David St-Jules is an assistant professor at the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology & Natural Resources who conducts research on how nutrition affects various diseases and medical conditions. He offers the following advice to the public on how diet can, and cannot, help combat COVID-19.

Our current attitudes and beliefs toward healthy eating are largely shaped by nutrition research and marketing designed to address the long-standing epidemics of obesity, and obesity-related chronic diseases in the U.S., not deal with infectious diseases such as COVID-19. When faced with the threat of a currently untreatable, potentially fatal disease, it is common for us to look to diet for a potential cure. However, we must realize that foods and supplements are not drugs, and diet is necessarily limited in what it can achieve. Arguably the best thing that people can do to help combat coronavirus is to follow the evidence-based guidelines for healthy eating designed to provide adequate nutrition, including adequate nutrition to help ensure our immune systems are properly functioning. Here are some clarifications surrounding our efforts to fend off COVID-19 with our food and nutrition choices.

What we know is that diet is one of the most important factors we can control to improve our health, including our immune systems. Nutrients in food are like fuel for our immune engines, necessary to make them run properly. Putting in excess fuel doesnt make the engine run better.

But, it is equally important to recognize: while it is possible that nutritional science will one day identify specific dietary patterns that will reduce the risk of infection in otherwise healthy, well-nourished adults, the field is relatively young, and we simply arent there yet. Just because there is a gap in our understanding does not mean that we should fill it with foods or supplements that have undemonstrated benefits, and uncertain consequences.

For now, we need to focus on what we do know, which is that a balanced, varied diet is the best way to supply the nutritional fuel that our immune engines need. No diet will guarantee protection. Plenty of apparently well-nourished people have already been infected. But, nutrient deficiencies can certainly impair our immunity and increase our risk of infection.

Finally, more recommendations on food- and nutrition-related practices during the coronavirus outbreak are provided by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics on their website. These recommendations are in line with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contact St-Jules with questions.

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What should we be eating to help us resist the coronavirus? - Nevada Today

The University of Saskatchewan and the Prairie Swine Centre in partnership with Swine Innovation Porc are evaluating the inclusion of elevated levels of amino acids in the diets of weaned pigs to improve their ability to cope with disease.

In an interview with Farmscape, Lucas Rodrigues, A PhD student with the University of Saskatchewan and the Prairie Swine Centre, says this work looks at Methionine, Threonine and Tryptophan, three commercially available amino acids that have been used in the swine industry for years.

"Our particular study is investigating the effects of protein and functional amino acid levels supplemented to pigs inoculated with salmonella," says Rodrigues.

"Basically our main objective is to check if these amino acids supplemented above the current requirements for growth, if they will increase the ability of these pigs to cope with these enteric pathogens being salmonella.

"For many years nutritionists only discussed amino acids as building blocks for protein deposition, so if you asked this question years ago probably one would say that we feed amino acids to increase muscle deposition and therefore produce more meat.

"However, especially during recent years, different amino acids have been regarded as functional.

"Research has clearly shown their known proteinogenic lactate effects including helping metabolism regulation, immunity and reproduction.

"So basically, we don't include amino acids in diets only to build muscle but to help the organism to function properly."

Rodrigues says scientists are looking at the influence of these amino acids on gut health, growth potential and other indicators of the health status of the pig.

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New research investigates benefits of functional amino acids in pig diets - The Pig Site

HANAPEPE Physician, nutritionist and author Steven Masley was planning to be at Talkstory Bookstore in Hanapepe on Friday, signing copies of his latest book The Mediterranean Method.

With recent COVID-19 stay-at-home rules and travel quarantines, however, the Pacific Northwest resident is postponing his book signing.

A trained chef, European sailboat captain and the creator of a health program for public television, 30 Days to a Younger Heart, Masleys newest book promotes an eating style that some studies show leads to a healthier life.

He is a fellow with the American Heart Association, the American College of Nutrition, and a former fellow with the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is also an affiliate clinical associate professor at the University of South Florida.

He has appeared on over 700 media interviews, including public television, The Today Show and the Discovery Channel.

His newest book looks at the advantages to the philosophies of The Mediterranean Diet, and provides recipes and practical ways to make the diet work for the average person.

The Mediterranean Diet has been rated as the overall No. 1 diet on the planet three years in a row by US News and World Report. Masley says these honors should not be too surprising, as Mediterranean countries have some of the longest life spans on the planet and they have lower rates of heart disease, diabetes, memory loss, cancer and obesity than nearly all other western countries.

The meals are simple to prepare, Masley says. It has also been ranked as the easiest diet to follow long-term.

The diet itself is based upon the eating habits of people living around the Mediterranean Sea: Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Turkey, as well as Middle Eastern and northern African countries.

Masley says what these cuisines have in common is the consumption of fresh, seasonal, whole foods featuring vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts, herbs and spices; the predominate use of extra-virgin olive oil; moderate amounts of seafood and poultry; and the moderate consumption of red wine.

What the Mediterranean diet specifically has avoided is processed foods, sugar, sweeteners and artificial flavors. Red meats are rarely on the menu or are used sparingly to flavor a dish.

Considering all these benefits, Masley said he felt compelled to write a book, The Mediterranean Method, to help promote this eating plan and to make it simple to follow.

To do background research for this book, I read nearly 1,000 scientific journal articles, plus, my wife Nicole and I bought a sailboat and sailed from Spain to Turkey during 2018 and 2019. We visited small ports, food markets, family-run restaurants, and searched for regional recipes that were easy to prepare, delicious and healthy.

Let me share my version of the food and lifestyle pyramid of a low-glycemic Mediterranean diet, adapted from my book, The Mediterranean Method, Masley said.

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Fresh foods, healthy living - Thegardenisland.com