Category Archives: Diet And Food

California Bans Chlorpyrifos After Concerns for Childrens Health

The new ban will affect many farmers and agriculture workers in the state, as they will no longer be allowed to use the widely used insecticide based on its threat to human health.

After extensive research by the California Environmental Protection Agency, the state of California is ending the use of chlorpyrifosa pesticide associated with neurodevelopmental problems and impaired brain function in children.

One U.S. News article breaks down the conversation: what the pesticide is, why its harmful, why it took so long to reach this conclusion, whats special about California and how the U.S. EPA is involved.

What is Chlorpyrifos and How is it Used?The article describes chlorpyrifos as an inexpensive and effective pesticide that has been on the market for decadessince 1965. Farmers across the country use millions of pounds of it to grow crops including many vegetables, corn, soybeans, cotton and fruit and nut trees.

It is an organophosphate insecticide, which means it is designed to kill insects by blocking an enzyme called acetylcholinesterase. This enzyme has another function, however: it normally breaks down acetylcholine, a chemical that the human body uses to transmit nerve impulses. Organophosphate insecticides are effective for killing insects, but they are also toxic and potentially lethal to humans.

Chlorpyrifos was used in homes for pest control until 2000, after a 1996 Food Quality Protection Act banned its indoor use and required additional protection of childrens health. However, residues left after indoor use were very high, and toddlers who crawled on the floor and put their hands in their mouth were at risk of poisoning.

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California Bans Chlorpyrifos After Concerns for Children's Health - Occupational Health and Safety

Whole grains and pulses are useful non-perishable foods for stocking a pantry.

Olga Kochina/iStockPhoto / Getty Images

Q: Im worried about the coronavirus outbreak and I want to stock up on healthy foods just in case I am asked to self-isolate for two weeks. What should I have on hand?

Canadians who have travelled to countries with an outbreak of the novel coronavirus (e.g., China, Iran, Italy, Japan, South Korea) and have potentially been exposed are being advised by health authorities or their employers to self-isolate for 14 days and monitor for any symptoms.

People who have been exposed to someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 are also advised to stay home and not interact with others to prevent spreading the virus.

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What can I do about COVID-19? A guide for Canadians of whats helpful, and whats not

Coronavirus guide: The latest news on COVID-19 and the toll its taking around the world

If youre concerned about a possible self-isolation, be prepared by stocking your pantry with a supply of nutrient-dense foods that will last for two weeks. (This advice is not intended to cause panic; the health risk linked to COVID-19 is low in Canada.)

Use the following tips to help you eat healthy, balanced meals whether self-isolated or not:

Sort through your non-perishable foods. Check best-before dates on canned goods, ready-to-eat breakfast cereals, packaged grains, crackers, peanut butter and condiments.

Do the same in your fridge and freezer. Throw out whats past its prime.

Best-before dates refer to quality, not safety; they tell you how long a product will maintain its peak freshness. Eggs, milk and yogurt can be eaten safely soon after their best-before dates have passed, provided theyve been stored properly.

Make a grocery list of foods youll need for breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks. Shop for proteins (include fatty fish and plant proteins), whole grains, fruits and vegetables (include dark green and bright orange produce) and healthy fats.

Consider adding the following non-perishable and longer-lasting perishable foods to your shopping cart:

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Protein foods. Tinned tuna, salmon and sardines, sources of anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, can be used for sandwiches, salads and main dishes. Consider tinned clams, which add protein and lots of iron (8 mg per one-quarter cup) to spaghetti sauce.

Canned lentils and beans (e.g., black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans) are excellent sources of plant protein (and fibre) and can be added to soups, salads, whole grain bowls, tacos and chili.

Keep a couple of bags of frozen edamame (in pods and also shelled) on hand for protein-rich snacks and meals. Unopened, firm tofu and tempeh will stay fresh for weeks in the fridge. Add frozen shrimp to your grocery list, too.

Include eggs, yogurt, cheese, milk and/or plant-based milks. Consider stocking your pantry with shelf-stable dairy and non-dairy milks, which can be stored for months before opening.

Whole grains. Dry goods such as quinoa, brown rice, barley, bulgur, farro, rolled oats and unflavoured instant oatmeal can be used for porridge, pilafs, grain bowls and salads. Include whole wheat pasta for a quick, fibre-rich meal.

If you eat cold cereal, restock those, too. Look for whole grain cereals that have no more than 6 g of sugar per serving or, even better, no added sugar.

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Store whole-grain sliced bread in the freezer and take out only what you need to use at one time.

Vegetables. Canned peas, corn, green beans, carrots, beets and pure pumpkin pure (add to smoothies) are convenient to have on hand. Look for reduced-sodium varieties where possible.

Stock up on frozen vegetables, including leafy greens such as kale and spinach, as well as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower rice and spiralized vegetables. Include frozen vegetable medleys to stir-fry and add to soups.

Longer-lasting fresh vegetables include potatoes, sweet potatoes, winter squash, beets, carrots, cabbage and onions.

Fruits. For snacks and desserts, choose fruit canned in its own juice and unsweetened applesauce. Buy unsweetened dried fruit such as raisins, dried apricots, dried apples and dried cherries to add to trail mix, hot cereal, pilafs and salads.

Dont forget frozen fruit, including berries, pomegranate seeds and mango, to blend into smoothies and add to yogurt.

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Longer-lasting fresh fruits include oranges (last three to four weeks in fridge), grapefruit (six weeks) and apples (four to six weeks). Unripe green bananas will take two to five days to ripen.

Healthy fats. Nuts, nut butters and seeds also add protein, fibre, vitamin E and minerals to snacks and meals. Buy frozen avocado chunks to add to smoothies and salads.

Make sure your supply of cooking oil will last you for two weeks.

Snacks. Include granola bars (compare brands for added sugar), whole grain crackers, hummus, roasted chickpeas and whole-food energy bars.

Leslie Beck, a Toronto-based private practice dietitian, is director of food and nutrition at Medcan.

University Canada West in downtown Vancouver says the school was informed of a presumptive case of COVID-19 late Wednesday and it is taking precautionary steps by keeping the campus closed until Saturday. The Visual College of Art and Design, which shares the building, is also closed. The Canadian Press

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How to stock your pantry if you're worried about a coronavirus quarantine - The Globe and Mail

World Kidney Day 2020 (Photo Credits: File Image)

World Kidney Day 2020 is observed annually on March 12. This day is observed to create awareness and promote healthy eating for the good health of kidneys. Sadly, one in every ten adults suffers from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), as it has impacted around 850 million people around the world. On the occasion of World Kidney Day 2020, we will share you brief details about Renal Diet which can prevent you from chronic kidney disease. We will also help you with the top five foods as per Renal diet which promote good kidney health.World Kidney Day 2020: Date, Theme & Significance Of The Day That Highlights The Importance of Kidneys.

A renal diet insists on eating foods low in sodium, phosphorous, and protein. It also focuses on the importance of consuming high-quality protein and usually limiting fluids. In some cases, patients might also need to limit potassium and calcium. The complication of CKD is different for every individual who is suffering from it, therefore, it is recommended to consult with a proper renal dietitian for a perfect tailored diet. Renal diet effectively helps in improving kidney functions to filter waste from the blood and thereby helps in the maintenance of perfect electrolyte level.World Kidney Day 2020: Why Do You Need a Kidney Detox? Here's How to Cleanse the Organ Safely and Effectively!

Top Five Foods For Healthy Kidneys

1. Red Bell Peppers

Red Bell Pepper (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Red bell peppers are low in potassium and good in taste, also a half-cup serving contains only 1 mg sodium and 10 mg phosphorous. These tasty vegetables are also an excellent source of vitamin C, vitamin A, as well as vitamin B6, folic acid and fibre.

2. Salmon

Salmon (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Fatty fish like salmon are high in omega 3 fatty acids and simultaneously provide high-quality protein to the body.The American Heart Association and American Diabetes Association recommend eating fish high in omega 3 fatty acids at least two times a week.

3.Pineapple

Health Benefits of Pineapple (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Pineapple makes a sweet, low potassium alternative for fruits like banana, oranges. Fruits like banana, oranges and kiwis are high in potassium.In addition to that, pineapple is rich in fibre, manganese, vitamin C, and bromelain, an enzyme that helps reduce inflammation.

4. Cabbage

Purple Cabbage (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Cabbages are high in vitamin K, vitamin C and fibreand also a good source of vitamin B6 and folic acid. Low in potassium and low in cost, it's an affordable addition to the kidney diet.

5. Apple

Apple (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

A medium-sized apple with skin contains no sodium, 10 mg phosphorus and only 158 mg potassium. Hence, it is definitely a good food to be included for a healthy kidney diet.

Now that you are aware of top foods which are good for kidneys, you should indeed be looking forward to buying these stuff next time when you visit a supermarket or local fruits/ vegetables market. It is also necessary to lead a healthy lifestyle which includes clean eating and regular exercise to avoid kidney diseases. However, the one who is already suffering from CKD should work with a renal dietician and strictly do away with foods high in potassium and phosphorus.

(This article is written for an informative purpose and should not be substituted for medical advice. Kindly consult your doctor before trying any tips.)

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World Kidney Day 2020: From Red Bell Peppers to Pineapple, Here Are Top Five Foods As per Renal Diet for - LatestLY

As to the exercise in cold weather benefits, these are quite numerous, and you will be able to notice them quite quickly. You will see significant improvements, both in terms of sleep quality and mental state.

No matter how you put it, practicing sports will mostly benefit your body and health. However, exercising outdoors, these benefits substantially increase. Not only physically and mentally, but also socially and intellectually! Numerous experts in the field and highly acclaimed health and training platforms like Gym Expert agree that outdoor sports are much healthier, thanks to the quality of the air outside. Unlike the air in your regular gym room, which is far more polluted, outdoors you will be inhaling much cleaner air. This is also one of the many exercise in cold weather benefits.

Outdoor training can, however, also be conditioned by the weather. Take for example people suffering from asthma it will be a lot more difficult for them to withstand the low temperatures outside. Even for those who just have minor sensitivity to low temperatures, there are quite a couple of exercising in the cold dangers. But this is not to say that you should completely give up on outdoor sports the moment the temperature starts to drop. On the contrary, there are proven exercise in the cold weather benefits, not just for your body, but also for your mind. All you need to do is make sure to follow a few safety measures and the following basic winter exercise tips:

Pay Attention to Your Diet!One of the first safety measures, when preparing for outdoor training in cold weather, is to ensure a higher intake of carbohydrates in your diet. This goes for both before training, and in the first half-hour after youve finished the workout, as it will help your muscles recover faster. You can provide the necessary level of protein with the best protein cookies.

Hydration is another key factor in our list of winter exercise tips. Make sure that the water you carry with you during your workout is at room temperature, so that it doesnt get much colder from the low temperature outside.

Another significant exercising in the cold danger is the cooling down part. As you approach the finish line, your body will be sweating regardless of the temperature outside. Thus, its advisable to make your route so that the finish line will coincide with getting close to your house, or at least your car. If youre trying to figure out how to exercise in winter safely, warming up before is also crucial. It is extremely important for you to conduct a thorough warm-up session before you start your training! When its cold outside, the peripheral circulation of your blood has a lower flow than normal, and this could lead to muscle pains or injuries.

Dress Accordingly!

The next important entry in our winter exercise tips list is clothing. When exercising outdoors in the cold, dressing accordingly is mandatory! Just because the temperature outside is low, this doesnt mean that you have to wear thick clothes that will keep you warm right from the start. It might not seem so in the beginning, but one of the many exercising in the cold benefits is getting all pumped up and warm faster than you normally would. Thus, its advisable to wear many layers of thin clothing that will allow the sweat to evaporate gradually. You must choose synthetic materials, preferably those that are specially designed for athletes. One of the things you should avoid is cotton fabric, as it retains moisture. Knowing when to start shedding off layers of clothing is another one of the safe winter exercise tips. Generally, when you start feeling comfortable with your winter equipment on, thats when you can give up the first layer. The longer your training session, the fewer layers of clothing you should be wearing in the end.

Always Put Safety First!Regardless of the many exercise in cold weather benefits, youre still going to put in a lot of effort, so safety should always come first! Before anything, a medical checkup is mandatory, in case there are health problems or certain conditions that you might not be aware of. The physical effort could aggravate them, so you should first get your doctors approval. You can also check with a personal trainer for added safety. In addition to this, most of them can also provide more personalized winter exercise tips. Aside from this, you should always pay attention to the limits of your body, and react to all the signals it gives you. If you get tired, it is recommended you stop and rest a bit.

ConclusionAs long as you make sure to follow these simple safety guidelines and winter exercise tips, you should be good to go. As to the exercise in cold weather benefits, these are quite numerous, and you will be able to notice them quite quickly. You will see significant improvements, both in terms of sleep quality and mental state. Not only will you sleep better, but you will also reduce your stress level, prevent chronic diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and lower your cholesterol.

Read the original here:
Safety First: Cold Weather Benefits of Exercising Outdoors - Legal Reader

I have decided to republish this important article that was forwarded to me by my mentor in Holistic Medicine-Dr. Geo Espinoza in my column today. This column post is his opinion and interpretation of the scientific articles he read on the Coronavirus and how to strengthen the immune system. This post is not meant to replace medical advice.

Listen to Dr. Espinoza now:Coronavirus has been a major pain in the butt. Coronavirus what is it? Is it really that much of a big deal? what can I do to protect myself and my family?

This is what I found.The statistics on the Coronavirus (March 8, 2020) are:

Before I share my thoughts on the Coronavirus, whether or not you should freak out over it and what to do to keep yourself and your family protected, allow me to give you an overview on it all.

What is the Coronavirus (COVID 19)?Technically speaking, COVID-19(Coronavirus Disease 2019) is not the name of the virus, but the name of the disease caused by SARS-CoV2, the real name of the virus everyone is concerned about.

The common name, Coronavirus, stems from the fact that the SARS-CoV2 virus has spikes around it in a circular shape, which looks like a corona, Latin for crown.

How do Viruses work?A virus is an infectious agent, about one hundred times smaller than a bacteria, and, unlike a bacteria, it needs a host to survive. In other words, for viruses to cause health problems, it needs to get into your cells.

Once in your cells, viruses infect you and begin infecting other nearby cells unless your body does something to stop it.

The something your body needs to stop the virus from going haywire in your body is a robust immune system (more on that later).

That said, some viruses are more severe than others. Still, a robust immune system is the name of the game to avoid getting ill from the Coronavirus, or any virus for that matter.

What are the Symptoms Associated with the Coronavirus?

The main symptoms of the Coronavirus are similar to the flu and the common cold (rhinovirus, mostly).

The most common symptom is fever in about 80% of the cases followed by a cough.

Other symptoms include shortness of breath, body aches, headaches, and upper respiratory symptoms.

Severe symptoms include pneumonia, bronchitis, and death can occur mostly in the feeble, the weak, or the elderly who often, not always, have a weak immune system.

You can be older (above 65 years) and still have a strong immune system, but the older one is, on average, the more work it requires for robust immunity you know, sleep, nutrition, exercise, etc. (more on that too, stay with me)

How can the Coronavirus be Deadly?Death is caused by pneumonia or swelling in the lungs, which can cause the lungs to stop working effectively.

The less optimal the lungs function, the less it can send oxygen to critical organs in your body like the heart and brain.

How Can the Coronavirus Spread?The Coronavirus, like most viruses, is passed on from person to person, either from:

Can someone have the Coronavirus and not know they have it?

Yes.The incubation period is about two weeks, meaning someone can have the virus without symptoms for up to two weeks and still spread it.

The average incubation period seems to be about four days , however.

What are the Medical Treatments to treat the Coronavirus?

None. At this time, there are no vaccines or medical treatments available to treat the Coronavirus.

What Countries Have the most cases of the Coronavirus?

The Coronavirus is affecting close to 110 countries . (March 8, 2020)

Countries most affected to date with the coronavirus are China, Japan, South Korea, Iran, and Italy.

How can You Protect Yourself from the Coronavirus Naturally?

The following suggestions are based on my experience (both personal and clinical), the available scientific data, and common sense. None of my advice is meant to replace a consult with your physician or a nutritionally oriented doctor. **

Behavioral methods to protect yourself from the Coronavirus.

Wash your hands often for 10 to 20 seconds. I mean, be compulsive about it. Aside from after using the restroom and going from room to room at the clinic, I am not obsessed about washing hands. Some exposure to microbes is healthy.

Well, at least for now, I am obsessed with washing my hands.

You can get infected from touching any object that has the virus; doorknobs, hand-to-hand contact, faucets, even money from a contaminated person.

Sneeze or cough on the opposite side of your elbow (called the crotch of the elbow), not your hands.

Sleep well. This is not the time to skimp on good sleep. Get at least 6 to 7 hours a night. Sleep resets your immune system.

Exercise daily, but no marathons or extreme physical activities. Exercise strengthens your immune system, but excessive activities like marathons or triathlons weaken it.

It is common for runners to get colds after running the New York City marathon, for example.

No Handshaking. This one is hard as I am used to shaking hands all day. It feels disrespectful to no extend my hand to greet someone. Because of this, I have been about 50% compliant with greeting people with anything other than my hands. (Thats why handwashing is so important)

Use fist bump or elbows to greet. Forget about using feet to greet, please. Thank you.

Foods to Avoid and Foods to Eat to Protect from the Coronavirus

Sugar and processed foods weaken your immune system. Avoid them. This includes white table sugar, candies, candy bars, cookies, and baked goods. Sorry. I like them too, but

Eat immune-boosting foods: soups with garlic, onions, ginger, mushrooms. A great book on soups is Clean Soups by Rebecca Katz.

Practice some fasting. Notice when you are sick that you dont want to eat much. Thats because your body is trying to heal, and digesting food can be taxing to the body trying to fight disease. Stay hydrated.

Time-restricted eating, 14 hours a day or so away from food works well.

Hydration, hydration, hydration.( I feel like a realtor here, location, location, location :)). 8 to 12 glasses of filtered water a day. Soups, fruits, and vegetables contain mostly water too, so, when consumed, you may need less drinking water.

Get an N95 mask, but you may not need it. Keep it stored just in case. If you have a compromised immune system, stay home, but if you have to come out, use a mask.

Load up on the right dietary supplements.When it comes to using dietary supplements, it comes down to using the right type along with the best amount.

Dietary practices do not replace a physicians advice and proper behavioral practices. In general, the better your diet and behavioral practices, the less dietary supplements you need.

VITAMIN CVitamin C is one of my favorite nutrients as it does a lot of good things to the body beyond treating scurvy. One of them is an excellent immune booster, but if taking vitamin C in supplement form, one pill a day will not cut it.

Vitamin C increases iron absorption, which is OK in most, especially menstruating women (not a problem in men too, just get ferritin, transferrin and liver panel levels checked), UNLESS the person has Iron overload in the body, a conditioned called hemochromatosis. If iron overload is suspected, stay away from vitamin C.

Talk to your physician about this or a nutritionally oriented doctor. **

Wait, I heard most vitamin C is urinated out of the body, so its not worth taking, you are thinking, isnt vitamin C just expensive urine?

Yes, the kidneys control how much vitamin C stays in your body and how much is urinated out. When there are high amounts of vitamin C going through the kidneys, the body, in its great wisdom, gets rid of what you dont need.

Thats why vitamin C consumption should be spaced out to no more than 500mg at a time. At that amount, most vitamin C stays in the body to do the work it does.

So, while, yes, some vitamin C comes out in your urine, you should take enough to saturate your cell with this essential nutrient.

Keep in mind you also pee out most of the water you drink. Should you stop drinking water?

For prevention, take 500mg of vitamin C two times a day.

If fighting an infection take 500mg of vitamin C EVERY two to three waking hours. That sums up to about 4000 to 5000mg a day.

Your stools may soften a little when taking high amounts of vitamin C. Thats not a big deal it will normalize when you scale back.

ZINCZinc is essential from a strong immune system . Foods high in zinc include grass-fed meats, oysters (the highest), pumpkin seeds and chicken.

Take 15 to 30mg of zinc, once to two times daily. Taking 60 mg of zinc a day for a long time may require at least one to two mg of Copper with it to avoid copper deficiency.

Zinc lozenges are also excellent.VITAMIN D3Vitamin D is vital for a healthy immune system, but it is better to get it from dietary supplements in the winter since we dont have much sun exposure around this time of the year.

4000 to 5000 units a day is good before or after a viral infection.

SELENIUMSelenium, like zinc, is one of the most important minerals to boost the immune system and anti-viral activity. For prevention or treatment, take 200 micrograms of selenium a day.

Medicinal Botanical & Herbs that Strengthen the Immune System & Anti-viral Qualities

Medicinal herbs that have anti-viral properties and essential for immunity include elderberry, Andrographis, goldenseal, Echinacea, Astragalus, and Arabinogalactan (Larch tree).

ACTIVE HEXOSE CORRELATED COMPOUND (AHCC)AHCC *- known to help with viral infections and boost immunity. (also the main cancer nutrient used in Japan).

For prevention, take 1 pill (750mg) two times a day

For treatment, take 2 pills (1500mg) two times a day

Herbal & Nutritional Formulas to ConsiderHerbal throat spray like Gaias Echinacea, Goldenseal Propolis is a good one. Throat mist from Wise women is good too. I carry either one in my pocket and spray numerous times a day throughout the day.

My Final Thoughts on the CoronavirusWhat comes next is my rapid-fire views on the Coronavirus. This is my opinion, based on my research on the topic and being a healthcare practitioner for over fifteen years.

Lets goYes, the media is overdoing it in creating unnecessary fear.

Lets put things in perspective.While the coronavirus is indeed deadly, the flu killed 18,000 people this past flu season, compared to 3800 people, so far from the Coronavirus.

And 18 million who died from heart attack s globally.

And 10 million died from Cancer.That said, this is not to undermine the deadly potential of the Coronavirus pandemic, but just we should not go crazy over it.

You will likely die from something other that the Coronavirus and should do everything in your power to avoid it. Keeping a strong immune system is one very important component to accomplish reaching those older year successfully.

Most articles you are reading say that the elderly (those above 65) and very young children are most vulnerable to the Coronavirus because its assumed that those in this age group may have a compromised immune system.

This may be true, but anyone can have a compromised immune system, not just small kids and older people.

People on medical treatments that weaken the immune system like chemo or anti-autoimmune drugs should be particularly careful, despite age.

Masks are unnecessary and an overkill for almost everyone. However, a mask might be helpful if you have a weak immune system medically induced or for any other health reason.

Relatively Young People are Getting sick from the Coronavirus or dying from the similar infections

The lawyer gentleman from New York who is quarantined in a nearby hospital with the Coronavirus is only 50 years old.

The average age in China of those with this is 47.And a recent news article reported the unfortunate case of a physician who died from flu complications at 62.

How can this be? How can young people, whom, presumably get the virus, or worse yet, die from it?

Well, regarding those in China almost everyone smokes there, which weakens the lungs, the primary target of the Coronavirus.

The lawyer in New York, who is still severely ill in a nearby hospital burns the candle on both ends as the saying goes, like most New Yorkers. His wife was quoted in saying

He is a very caring hardworking person who constantly cares for his clients and those around him over himself. I think it is from this that he was run down and susceptible to the illness he acquired.

Lastly, what about the cardiologist who recently died from the flu .

Most, not all physicians in my observation, are extremely unhealthy with poor lifestyle practices. They (we, I guess) work long hours, sleep little, eat poorly and take no supplements.

Id like to think I am in good shape, and, so far, it seems like I am, but I exercise every day and take about twenty-three supplement pill twice a day many of those mentioned above. My sleep is good, not great (like you, I have so much to do), and I eat moderately well.

What makes the Coronavirus a big deal is that it is new; we dont know much about it, and it is killing about 1.4% of people infected, but experts think it is likely lower. For comparison, the seasonal flu kills about 1.3% of people infected on average.

The president of the US has said that the Coronavirus will go away after the Winter season, but we dont know that to be true yet.

With the nutrients recommended above, you can take all the recommendations listed above safely, but you should consider seeing a nutritionally oriented physician if worried you are taking too much.

If on a budget, make sure to do the things that are free, wash hands, sleep well, etc. Also, eat well, no junk food, lots of spices like garlic in your food.

Vitamin D, zinc, selenium and Vitamin C are relatively inexpensive, start with those.

DISCLAIMER : This post is for enlightenment purposes only and should not be used as a replacement for professional diagnosis and treatments. Remember to always consult your healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions or for counselling, guidance and treatment about a specific medical condition

Dr. Raphael Nyarkotey Obu, PhD, Is an honorary Professor of Naturopathic Medicine with a research interest in Naturopathic & Holistic Urology, Vinnytsia State Pedagogical University, Ukraine. President of Nyarkotey College of Holistic Medicine- Formulator of FDA approved Mens Formula for Prostate Health, Womens Formula for wellness & Nyarkotey Tea for cardiovascular Health. 0241083423 or 0541234556. The author also is currently pursuing LLB Law/MBA concurrently

Excerpt from:
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Well, regarding those in China almost everyone smokes there, which weakens the lungs - Modern Ghana

Spencer Platt / Getty Images

John F. Kennedy International Airport on March 7.

Last week I got back from a vacation in Vietnam. It was a lovely trip! I ate so much pho, rode a motorbike, and went to beaches and museums. I was also offline and not really following the news for about two weeks. Did I miss anything?

The coronavirus outbreak had been on the rise in China shortly before I left, but with no travel advisories in place for Vietnam (cases of the virus have been minimal there compared to surrounding countries), I went ahead with my travel plans. Imagine my surprise and confusion when I got back to New York and found everyone in full-on prepper mode.

Things got even more disorienting when I got an email from BuzzFeed HR the day I got back, saying that anyone who had been somewhere with a COVID-19 travel advisory was mandated to work from home for two weeks. That included me, as I had had a brief layover in Japan.

Id originally thought it overly cautious to stockpile food and supplies, but then my doctor suggested I stay indoors as much as possible. I wasnt totally clear how concerned I should be I was only in Japan for one hour! but just to be safe, I bought heaps of groceries, prepped a bunch of freezer meals, and readied myself for self-quarantine.

Then this week, all my colleagues at the New York office were told to work remotely out of an abundance of caution just as many other offices have been doing.

Outbreak Today

As coronavirus upends life for more and more people, you might be feeling uncertain or fearful about whats to come. When that anxiety is coupled with a sudden drop in social contact whether because youre quarantined or just working from home for who knows how long those feelings can feel even more heightened, said Laura Hawryluck, a critical care physician and associate professor at the University of Toronto.

We dont realize just how social beings we are until that contact is reduced or diminished because we can't leave our homes, Hawryluck told BuzzFeed News.

We dont realize just how social beings we are until that contact is reduced or diminished because we can't leave our homes.

Shortly after the SARS epidemic in China in the early 2000s, Hawryluck authored a study on the psychological effects of people quarantined for SARS. It showed there was a high prevalence of psychological distress for people who had been quarantined.

With SARS, there was that sense of isolation, Hawryluck said. People also didnt feel that they got consistent or accurate information, and that led to a lot of fear, a lot of anger, frustration, and stress. A lot of people felt very depressed by all of it, and a lot of people had nightmares.

Those symptoms can be worsened for people who have been exposed to the disease and live with other people, as they may worry about spreading the coronavirus to people they care about. Most people arent worried for themselves, because they think theyll get through it, which in and of itself is a coping skill, said Hawryluck. But worry about someone they love, that makes all those psychological symptoms more prominent.

Adilisha Patrom checks her stock of face masks in her coronavirus pop-up store in Washington, DC, on March 6.

There are a whole bunch of reasons you may be staying home for a while due to coronavirus. At the least restrictive end of the spectrum are the many workers, like me, who are doing their jobs from home for the foreseeable future because their employer mandated it. More serious are those (like Sen. Ted Cruz) who are self-quarantining after coming in contact with someone infected with the virus, as well as those people self-quarantining after exhibiting flu-like symptoms. At the most severe end are people who are medically quarantined because they have been diagnosed with the coronavirus. You might also live in a country, like Italy, or a US county that's under lockdown, where travel is being restricted and people are being urged to stay home as much as possible.

If youre self-quarantining for any reason, working remotely, or just feeling anxious about having to do either of those things for a while, there are tons of little ways to prepare yourself that arent just buying up your grocery stores entire stock of beans (though heres a guide to making a coronavirus preparedness kit, in case you need that too).

We asked experts, consulted guides, and crowd-sourced tips online. Here's some of our advice:

Just because youre stocking up doesnt mean you have to live on nonperishable foods and canned vegetables. Thats going to get tiresome real quick, and there are plenty of ways to eat the things you normally would.

Fill your freezer with fresh, flavorful soups. Keep pasta in your pantry and tomato sauce in your freezer. Think about the foods you would want to eat on a typical day; usually theres a way to keep those around. Personally, I froze a big batch of taco soup and a bunch of marinated salmon, and made a crunchy quinoa salad that lasts well in the fridge for the week. I also bought eggs, sweet potatoes, peanut butter, hummus, carrots, and a bunch of other things normal staples for my diet that will keep for a decent length of time.

You dont just need well-balanced meals! You need Cheez-Its, peanut butter cups, popcorn, gummy bears...really whatever snacks youll be craving if youre stuck inside for a while. There has never been a better time to have ingredients around to bake cookies. And if youre out here thinking meal prep time would be a good time to get super healthy and only eat lentils, get real. These are trying times. Buy the damn candy.

On that note, dont forget coffee and tea, if you drink them, and some booze if thats up your alley. You probably dont need to stockpile water, but I bought enough seltzer to tide me over for a while. Priorities.

A passenger wearing a protective mask walks at Sheremetyevo airport, outside Moscow, March 6.

Being forced to stay inside might sound like an introverts dream come true, but when its in the midst of a worldwide epidemic and everyone is panicking, its not such a fun and chill time. It took me one day stuck at home to get lonely and stir-crazy.

Check in with your people. Get on the phone or FaceTime and call your family and friends with some regularity youll probably need it, and so will they.

And if someone you know actually gets quarantined, or gets infected with the virus, be there for them as much as you (safely) can. Call them, or just send a playlist, some memes, or links. And even if you cant go hang out with them IRL, consider cooking them a meal and leaving it outside their door, which is safe to do.

People [need to] know who to call if they do start getting symptoms, [and] know there is somebody who is going to check in on them, that theyre not just going to be isolated and forgotten about, said Hawryluck. If youre afraid youre going to get sick, what you really need and want is to know that somebody is going to care for you.

There are plenty of workouts you can do from the comfort of your own home, and doing so can seriously help your mental health.

Here are a bunch of exercises you can do without any equipment, and YouTube has tons of channels that offer instruction in everything from yoga to Pilates to strength training.

And if you can still go outside, nothing beats a walk. Just avoid big groups of people.

Not only does it protect against the spread of illness, it also makes being cooped up in your home a lot more pleasant. Heres a big list of spring cleaning chores you may have been putting off.

When the SARS epidemic broke out in 2002, Facebook, Twitter, and even Myspace did not yet exist. Now, people are far more digitally connected, and the ability to keep in touch over social media and video chat can have major benefits on mental health during isolation. It shortens distances between people, Hawryluck said.

But the internet also creates issues that didnt exist during SARS namely, the spread of misinformation.

People are afraid, and thats okay we are human, there are things in our lives that are going to scare us, and this is one of them, said Hawryluck. But how we handle that fear, I think fear can be lessened if we have accurate information.

Heres a running list of misinformation about the coronavirus to keep on hand as you peruse social media. Also, be wary of those hawking fake cures online or trying to infect your computer with malware by sending you suspicious coronavirus-themed emails.

Watch the news, for sure, but dont just stay glued to cable news. The worst thing people can do is sit around and watch TV or watch their screens and look for the hourly update of numbers, Hawryluck said. I think that just exaggerates the symptoms of fear and its effects.

You know all those shows and movies youve been meaning to watch but never get around to? Make a list yes, an actual list of the titles, and youll never run out of things to watch.

But if spending too much time looking at screens is driving you nuts, shut it down.

Get out a bunch of books from your library. Pull out the board games and puzzles. Have some craft supplies on hand, if thats your thing.

Whether youve been to a therapist before or are just realizing you might need to see one, seeking help with your mental health doesnt need to wait till you can go outside again. Lots of therapists offer sessions over the phone or video chat. Here are a bunch of tips for how to find a therapist. There are also apps to help you with your mental health.

A self-quarantined resident who claims to have tested positive for COVID-19 listens beside his window as volunteers perform a Purim reading March 9, in New Rochelle, New York.

Working from home sounds like the dream pajamas all day, slacking off, working from the couch! but it can get bleak and unproductive pretty quick if its not approached the right way.

Matt Greenwell, BuzzFeeds director of engineering, has worked from his home in Austin for six years. He advised people new to the WFH life to try to keep a regular routine as much as possible, including getting dressed and grooming yourself like you usually would, eating breakfast, and having a ritual to signal a transition into the work day, like taking a walk.

The getting dressed bit is a bit of a trope, [but] if you dont put effort into yourself, you wont put effort into anything else, Greenwell told BuzzFeed News.

And actually seeing and speaking to people matters too, he said. He suggested holding meetings over video chat and actually turning the camera on for them.

Luckily my wife is at home with me as well so we can chat with each other and have lunch together, but if she wasnt, Id be desperate for human interaction when she got home from work, he said.

Information is power, and having the right info can be helpful in stopping yourself from freaking out. You dont need to go overboard on research, but its a good idea to be aware of what you should do if you do think youve contracted the coronavirus.

And perhaps the easiest way to stay healthy is to maintain proper hygiene. You dont need a face mask (unless youre sick), but you should be washing your hands regularly (and remember, soap and water is just as effective as hand sanitizer).

Once thats done, just try to take it easy (and maybe order some dumplings to support your favorite Chinese restaurant). These are tough, uncertain times, and the best thing we all can do is be kind to ourselves and our neighbors as we all go through it.

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10 Tips For Preparing To Stay At Home Due To The Coronavirus - BuzzFeed News

The foods you eat are meant to keep you healthy and energized for your workouts and day-to-day activities. But for some people, certain foods trigger inflammation, allergies or sensitivities. If youre not feeling your best, trying an elimination diet is one of the way to uncover which foods are causing you trouble.

Food sensitivities are becoming more common. More than 10% of U.S. adults report having a food allergy, and about 20% believe they have food allergies, according to a report published in JAMA Network Open last year.

Elimination diets may be better than many allergy tests at revealing how your body reacts to specific foods, says family physician and functional medicine practitioner Scott Noorda, who owns Resolve Medical in St. George, Utah.

Weve had patients overcome issues that theyve been trying to resolve for years simply by cutting out the food that was triggering their chronic symptoms and conditions, he says. The food we put in our bodies is one of the largest factors in how we feel.

Parade.com has tackled this topic in the latest episode of The TMI Show. Check out the video and then read on to learn more about elimination diets and what they can and cant do.

Despite being referred to as a diet, the elimination diet is not a weight loss toolinstead, it identifies food triggers, says Kristen Carli, registered dietitian nutritionist and owner of Camelback Nutrition and Wellness in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Some people may lose weight while on an elimination diet, Noorda explains, but whats more important is understanding the bodys reaction to certain foods.

Elimination diets require cutting out certain foods that commonly trigger allergies, sensitivities or intolerances for a period of time until they are cleared from the body, usually three to four weeks, Noorda explains. Then, you systematically reintroduce the foods and track any symptoms you experience.

This gives us a map going forward for how to heal intolerances and improve function, symptoms and general well-being, he says.

Elimination diets also reduce inflammation in the body, especially the gut. Removing foods causing inflammation helps heal the intestinal lining, also known as leaky gut.

Related: What Is GOLO Diet? Everything You Need to Know About GOLO for Beginners

A true elimination diet starts with eliminating all the foods that commonly cause issuesgluten, corn, dairy, chemical additives and preservatives, refined sugar, peanuts and soyfor a few weeks, says New York-based chiropractor and functional health practitioner Kelly Bay.

This is to give the body time to calm down inflammation and immune responses that may be causing symptoms and gives the patient a clean slate to assess foods and symptoms upon reintroduction, she says.

After a few weeks, reintroduce foods one at a time. Bay suggests consuming reintroduced foods two to three times in one day, and then waiting 24 hours before testing a new food.

An example of this is eating wheat berries (gluten) three times on Monday, eating no wheat berries on Tuesday and then start testing dairy on Wednesday, she says.

If you have a reaction to a food, Noorda says to wait until symptoms clear up before reintroducing the next food. The foods causing a reaction could possibly be reintroduced after three additional months of elimination.

Related: What Is the Best Diet for PCOS?

Problematic foods may trigger health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, migraines or autoimmune disorders, Bay says, and symptoms such as gas, bloating, heartburn, abdominal pain, bowel changes, cough, congestion, fatigue, joint pain, feeling swollen, acne, rashes, eczema, sleep disturbances and headaches.

Ive seen the use of an elimination diet be incredibly helpful when it comes to improving acid reflux, arthritis, various skin issues and autoimmune problems, such as Hashimotos (disease), psoriasis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, Bay explains.

Look for meats with an American Grassfed Association label. Beef from cows raised in open-grass pastures is less likely to be contaminated with antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

After an elimination diet, Noorda says patients report more clarity and energy, less brain fog and fatigue, and better digestion. Others see improved skin, less sinus congestion, better sleep and reduced muscle and joint pain.

I have had multiple patients who have decided that they dont want to reintroduce the restricted foods at allbecause they feel so much better, he says. Of course, there are important benefits with many of the foods that have been restricted so we are careful about making sure that each patient is getting appropriate nutrition whatever their preferred nutritional plan is.

Sugar, dairy and gluten commonly trigger adverse food reactions. Other common offenders include corn, peanuts, soy and certain additives and preservatives. But, your health care practitioner could add more foods to the list, like shellfish, nightshades or meats, depending on your symptoms, Bay says.

To treat irritable bowel syndrome, a low-FODMAP diet can ease gastrointestinal symptoms, Carli says. FODMAP stands for fermentable, oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, forms of short-chain carbohydrates, found in dairy, fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

An elimination diet is meant to be a short-term treatment. Even if foods cause problems, you may not necessarily have to give them up forever, Noorda explains.

Eliminating foods can heal the intestinal lining. You may regain the ability to eat the right types of dairy or gluten at the right timesfor example, consuming only raw milk dairy or restricting consumption in the eveningwith no effects.

Food journaling in some form is the best way to log foods your eliminating and reintroducing, and symptoms while on an elimination diet, Carli suggests.

This is very important in order to determine patterns, she says.

Elimination diets aim to get to the heart of the symptoms, unlike medications designed to treat symptoms alone, Bay says.

By finding the root cause of your problem, you can prevent the symptoms from occurring by avoiding the food, rather than putting a Band-Aid on the symptom, she says.

You may realize, for example, that eating gluten triggers acid reflux and other gastrointestinal problems, which could be eliminated by going gluten-free, preventing the need for long-term medications and the financial burden of continued medical care, Bay says.

Sometimes, people feel worse for the first few days of an elimination diet because the body is detoxing, Noorda says. For example, you may get headaches from caffeine withdrawal.

After the detox, he says an elimination diet is one of the most effective ways to improve and resolve many chronic conditions.

It allows us to determine a personalized nutrition plan going forward that will maintain good health, free of the symptoms caused by poor food choices, Noorda says.

Elimination diets can be tedious and time consuming, Bay says, but it works and is really a small amount of time to commit to in the long run.

Not strictly adhering to the process and timeframes will deliver skewed results, she explains.

And, just because youre cutting out foods doesnt mean meals will be less enjoyable, Noorda says. Youll likely be replacing foods full of preservatives and artificial sweeteners, colors and flavoring with fresh, whole foods with herbs, healthy fats and high-mineral salt content.

When you upgrade your meals to using the same ingredients a five-star restaurant would, its going to taste a lot better than the microwave dinner you grabbed out of the freezer section, he says.

Learn more about a popular elimination diet, Whole30.

Original post:
Elimination Diet: What It Is, How to Do It and Why It Can Be Good for Your Gut - Parade

Between winning American Idol and now, Carrie Underwood has learned plenty about eating healthy. Underwood, who just launched her Find Your Path book and fit52 app, previously opened up about how painful people's comments were about her weight, while she was on Idol. Although painful, and untrue, the remarks started Underwood on a path to finding true health, which she is now sharing with others.

"I've seen crazy diet suggestions, and I've tried some that are entirely unsustainable," Underwood told PARADE. "No, I'm not going to puree my own peas or make my own hummus. They have it at the store. You know what I do? I eat microwave burritos multiple times a week because they're easy. It's about finding those solutions and doing your best."

Underwood also admits she still struggles in one area: allowing her body to rest. While she promotes taking time for yourself in Find Your Path, it's an area she acknowledges she still needs to work on in her own life.

"Sometimes moments do need to be wasted," Underwood conceded. "You need to take a breath and stop. That is an area of self-care that I am awful at."

The 37-year-old is very task-oriented, which is why she has a difficult time allowing herself to unwind.

"Relaxing is so hard for me. If there's one thing I do not do, it is waste a moment," Underwood said. "Nobody else notices, but I feel personal satisfaction setting and meeting goals."

Underwood may not allow much time for herself, but she does make time with her family, including 5-year-old Isaiah and 1-year-old Jacob, a priority.

"We have dinner together six nights a week," Underwood revealed to PEOPLE. "I feel like that's something really important. What my husband and I talk about more than anything is how to make sure our children have a 'normal' childhood. That's hard with this particular life."

She also prioritizes time with Fisher, while her children are sleeping, starting the day by themselves, and ending the day with a few mindless shows.

"Mike and I sit on the couch and catch up and watch The Bachelor or The Walking Dead," Underwood shared. "That's my balance, work hard and then veg."

Photo Credit: Getty / Barcroft Media

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Carrie Underwood Admits to Trying a Few Crazy Diets in Her Quest to Be Healthy - PopCulture.com

Preservatives, artificial food colorings, gluten, and more the grocery store aisle can be a scary place these days. It seems like there are new stories from social media influencers every day about potent food additives or ingredients that will either kill you or make you live forever. Despite what we hear in the media and find in our Facebook feed about the dangers that lurk behind the label, the fact is that our food has never been safer than it is today. Why is it then that consumers have never been more worried about the foods they eat? And heres another paradox: At a time when consumers have never known more about nutrition, why is it that obesity is at an all-time high? In November 2018, I took to the TEDx stage in Tysons Corner, Virginia to explore these important topics in my talk, Why we fear the food we eat.

The rise of clean eating and the marketing of natural foods has not made us feel safer. Instead, these trends leave us less certain and less confident in the food choices we make. The proliferation of new diets isnt making us healthier; its just making us more confused.

According to a survey by the International Food Information Council (IFIC), consumers consider making healthy food choices harder than doing their taxes. In an environment like this, what is a consumer to do? How can we sort through all this alarming noise, reduce food anxiety, and make good diet choices that will give us the healthy lifestyle we all want to enjoy?

Information Overload in the Grocery Aisles

It turns out that there are clear psychological principles behind the confusion and fear so many of us are feeling about our food. The way our brains process information has a lot to do with how we respond to food marketing, from the labels on the packages and products on the shelves to the recommendations of social media influencers. We are bombarded with messages and information as we walk the aisles of the local grocery store. Gluten-free, GMO-free, cage-free, pesticide-free it seems the less a product contains, the more a company can charge for it. Today the average grocery store carries about 40,000 items, presenting a daunting list of choices for every shopper. There are thousands more new products coming to the shelves soon, and a similar number of failed products departing each year.

The dizzying array of food information in the modern world is too much for one person to handle. We already have overly complex lives just keeping up with installing the latest new operating systems. Having to sort out complicated choices about food can easily feel like too much to manage, and our overworked brains want a way out. Just as students look for shortcuts between classes, our minds look for shortcuts in making decisions. Psychologists refer to the mental shortcuts our brains use asheuristicsandcognitivebiases, and these are important concepts in understanding how we make decisions or form opinions.

Mental Shortcuts: Heuristics and Biases

Heuristics are rules of thumb that help us efficiently solve complex problems by ignoring some of the information. Heuristics keep us from going crazy by reducing the load on our mental processors, but they also have their limitations. Mental shortcuts can leave us susceptible to influences that we may not recognize.And sometimes these simplistic rules lead us to bad decisions.Aheuristicthat results in consistently incorrect decisions (systematic errors) is called acognitivebias.

Our beliefs and behavior are shaped by these invisible influences. When we are making judgments and decisions about the world around us, we like to think that we are being objective and logical. Unfortunately, biases can trip us up, leading to poor decisions and bad judgments. These powerful forces can even lead us to choices that are at odds with our actual goals, such as nutritional health. We can become our own adversaries when we are guided by influences we dont understand.

Confirmation Bias as An Example

Lets take the example ofconfirmation bias, which is familiar to many people. Confirmation bias is the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of our existing beliefs. We seek out information that confirms our beliefs, and we ignore or discount information inconsistent with our beliefs, because its easier to entrench more deeply than it is to change our minds. Its easy to see this bias in others, but nearly impossible to convince them of it. It is also remarkably difficult to recognize it in ourselves. Thats the nature of heuristics and biases, but by learning about them and facing them head-on, we can learn to perceive them and their effects, escape their control, and make our choices rationally and logically like we wanted to in the first place.

Confirmation bias influences many of our food decisions. From the products we buy to the brands we follow, our perceptions, likes, and dislikes are shaped by our existing biases. This make it difficult for new facts to filter through to our conscious mind and inform our decisions.

With each new fad diet, confirmation bias keeps us believing in the potential of the diet long after the evidence is in that it doesnt work. With every pound we lose, we credit the diet. With each two pounds we gain, we blame ourselves for a lack of willpower. We forget that in order for a diet to work, people need to be able stick to it. We make excuses for the failures of the products or companies we like, but we question the successes of those we dont like.

A Path Back to Rational ControlFrom Fear to Enjoyment

In a series of articles over the next few weeks I am going to explore how our brains try to make sense of the complex world around us and how it sometimes leads us astray. Confirmation bias is just one example of a misleading heuristic; there are many more. Predispositions can influence the way we perceive brands (such as thehalo effect), the way we make choices (decision fatigue), and the characteristics of a product we choose to pay attention to (availability bias). Biases like these prevent us from thinking clearly and making accurate decisions, whether the matter at hand is our finances, our health, or the food we choose to eat.

Theres no way to avoid all of these potential biasestaking automatic shortcuts is just the way our minds work, after all. But being aware of the biases and shortcomings that are typical of human mental functioning can make a big difference in giving us more rational control over our decision-making processes. My goal is that you will fear less, and enjoy more, the food you eat. And this is an achievable goal. We will get there by learning some curious facts about how our minds work, and Ill illustrate them with some interesting stories along the way.

About the Author:Jack Bobo is the CEO of Futurity, a food foresight company that helps brands get ahead of trends. Among other roles, he previously served as the Senior Adviser for Global Food Policy at the U.S. State Dept. This article is the first in a 10-part series on consumer behavior by Jack bobo. Followthis link to the Futuritysite to find out more.

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Opinion: Why we fear the food we eat | 2020-03-10 - Agri-Pulse

Theres a lot that scientists know about the benefits of zinc. The essential nutrient boosts the immune system, heals wounds and supports brain development in children. We even need zinc to smell and taste. Dive a little deeper, however, and the real mysteries of zinc emerge.

One of them how zinc is distributed to tissues and cells is the root of Prof. Shannon Kellehers research, which aims to reveal the role that zinc plays in the development of inflammatory bowel disease and food allergies.

Zinc is critical for intestinal health, but we have little information on what it actually does in the intestine, says Kelleher, who is based in UMass Lowells Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences Departmentin the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences. Our goal is to understand how zinc affects intestinal function, the gut microbiome and the risk for intestinal disease.

We asked her to explain.

Q. What do we know about zinc and its effect on intestinal health?

A. We know that the right amount of zinc is critical to intestinal health. If we consume too much or too little zinc, the intestinal barrier falls apart. An over- or underabundance of zinc can cause shifts in the gut microbiome, and cause diarrhea and inflammation.

The only way that people can consume too much zinc is through supplements. If you get zinc only through foods in your diet, then you really cant consume toxic amounts. However, if you only rely on your diet, then you may not be consuming enough. So finding the right balance is important.

Q. Is zinc deficiency a big problem?

A. One study from the National Institutes of Health shows that 35 to 45 percent of adults over 60 years old had lower-than-average zinc intakes. Scientists believe that about 7 to 10 percent of the U.S. population is severely lacking in the nutrient. Women of reproductive age are most likely moderately zinc-deficient due to menstruation and not eating the right foods. Symptoms of too little zinc include dry and itchy skin, loss of hair, reduced ability to taste food and a compromised immune system that leads to more colds.

Q. How much zinc should we be consuming?

A. The recommended daily allowances for zinc are 11 mg for men and 9 mg for women. Foods high in zinc include red meat, oysters, poultry, fish and some fortified breakfast cereals. But since excess zinc is also not healthy, dont overdo it with supplements.

Q. Why is it important to find out how zinc travels through our bodies and cells?

A. If we knew how zinc gets into our cells, where it goes in our cells and what it does, then we could use this information to develop new therapies to fight a variety of diseases. These could include new drugs, delivery systems or personalized dietary recommendations.

Q. What else could your research results be used for?

A. Our research could also inform personalized nutrition. I teach an undergraduate course about an emerging field called nutrigenetics. We are now able to sequence your DNA and, based on your genetic blueprint, assess your risk for nutritional disorders and develop personalized diets that match your genetics. It helps to understand why individuals who eat similar diets can have different health outcomes. Your genetics play a crucial role in how you respond to what you eat.

Q. How does your work differ from nutritional science?

A. Nutritional science is often thought of as studies that look at how diet and foods affect human health and the risk for disease. The type of research we do is referred to as molecular nutrition. My research dives a little deeper to understand how specific nutrients in this case, zinc affect cellular and molecular processes that then cause the positive or negative effects we see in the body.

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The Role of Zinc: It's More Important than You Think - UMass Lowell