Category Archives: Diet And Food

A new study estimates that the so-called planetary health diet, which is meant to improve both human and planetary health, would be unaffordable for at least 1.58 billion people, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.

Earlier this year, theEAT-Lancet Commission on Food, Planet, Healthpublished recommendations for a universal diet that addresses both human and planetary health. The Commission suggested that adherence to this diet could ensure that our future food systems can sustainably and nutritiously feed the estimated population of 10 billion people in 2050.

The study published today inThe Lancet Global Health from researchers at theFriedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts Universityand theInternational Food Policy Research Institute sought to address what many felt was one of the main components lacking in the creation of the recommended diet, namely affordability.

When formulating this pioneering benchmark diet addressing individual health outcomes as well as the health of the planet the Commission deliberately did not take its cost into account, said senior and corresponding authorWill Masters, an economist at the Friedman School of Nutrition at Tufts.

The research team also found that the EAT-Lancet diet was 64 percent more costly than the lowest-cost combination of foods that would provide a balanced mix of 20 essential nutrients. The EAT-Lancet diet has higher quantities of animal-source foods and fruits and vegetables than the minimum required for nutrient adequacy, and much higher quantities than are now consumed in low-income countries.

We found that the global median of the proposed diet would cost $2.84 per day as of 2011. In low-income countries, that amounts to 89.1 percent of a households daily per capita income, which is more than people can actually spend on food. In high-income countries, we found that the EAT-Lancet reference diet would cost 6.1 percent of per-capita income, which is often less than what people now spend on food, saidKalle Hirvonen, the lead author and development economist in Ethiopia at the International Food Policy Research Institute.

The EAT-Lancet Commission diet consists of a large amount of vegetables, fruits, whole grain, legumes, nuts and unsaturated oils, some seafood and poultry, and little to no red meat, processed meat, added sugar, refined grains, and starchy vegetables.

Fruits, vegetables, and animal-source foods are often the most expensive components of a healthy diet, but prices vary widely around the world, say the researchers.

To compute the affordability of an EAT-Lancet diet in each country, the researchers drew on retail prices for standardised items obtained through the International Comparison Program, a collaboration between the World Bank and country statistical agencies. They used prices for 744 food items in 159 countries, from which they could identify the lowest-cost combination of items in each country to meet EAT-Lancet criteria. They then did the same for nutrient requirements, and compared the cost of food in each country to survey data on household expenditure and income per capita from the World Banks PovcalNet system.

Although 1.58 billion is a lot of people, it is actually a conservative lower limit on the total number who cannot afford the diet recommended by the EAT-Lancet Commission. The cost of food preparation and of non-food necessities ensure that an even larger number of people cannot afford that kind of healthy diet, said Masters.

Even if many poor consumers were to aspire to consume healthier and more environmentally sustainable foods, income and price constraints frequently render this diet unaffordable. Increased earnings and safety-net transfers, as well as systemic changes to lower food prices, are needed to bring healthy and sustainable diets within reach of the worlds poor, concluded Hirvonen.

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Planetary health diet 'unaffordable' for quarter of the population - Spectator.co.uk

Sugar and jaggery are both delicious sweeteners. How are these sweeteners different from each other, and which one should you choose?

Those of us who have a sweet tooth are well versed with the distinct tastes of both sugar and jaggery. Whenever we talk about sweeteners, the crystal-like refined sugar comes to mind. But there is another kind of sweetener popularly available in the market - thats jaggery or gudh. In fact, sugar and jaggery are the two most commonly used sweeteners across the country! Even though both are obtained from the same sources, they have huge differences in terms of their properties and benefits. Sugar and jaggery are both produced by using sugarcane juice, but are treated and processed differently.

They have different flavours and textures yet are often substituted for each other in desserts and drinks. Thus, there is always a sugar versus jaggery war going on which tends to confuse most of us. Keep reading to explore the differences between sugar and jaggery, and find out which one is healthier and better for you!

ALSO READ: Granola VS Muesli: Here's how THESE two breakfast options are different from each other

1. The most common difference between these two are their appearance. Sugar is typically seen in the form of white, translucent crystals. Whereas jaggery is usually golden brown or dark brown in colour, depending on the extent to which it is cooked.

2. The texture of sugar crystal and is hard and difficult to break by hand. Jaggery, on the other hand, is soft, semi-solid and can be reshaped by hand.

3. Both are made from sugarcane juice but are processed differently. After the initial boiling, for sugar, the syrup is treated with charcoal to absorb unwanted particles - which gives the crystals a clear and transparent look. On the other hand, there is no treatment for jaggery except that the sugarcane syrup is boiled for several hours. Then the juice cools down to produce a thick paste.

4. Since sugar goes to a rigorous industrial process while being prepared it loses all its nutritional value and in the end is plain sucrose. Whereas jaggery manages to retain traces of iron, fiber and various mineral salts.

ALSO READ:Biryani VS Pulao: THESE things make them so different from each other

Jaggery can treat breathing disorders, has anti-allergic properties and relaxes the respiratory muscles. It also cures constipation and clears the body of any excess mucus. Jaggery also boosts your digestion. A small piece taken after a meal can be very healthy.

Meanwhile, sugar is chastised as a source of empty calories with no nutritional value. It leads to sudden blood sugar spikes, weight gain and other ailments. So, when it comes to sugar versus jaggery, jaggery is definitely a healthier option. But, jaggery is rich in calories and must be consumed in moderation!

ALSO READ: Caffeine in Tea vs Caffeine in Coffee: Do you know the difference

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Sugar Vs Jaggery: Which one is a MUST HAVE in your diet? Find out - PINKVILLA

Body fat is not created equal in terms of its health risks, and visceral fat is regarded as the most dangerous as it wraps around internal organs.

In contrast to subcutaneous fat, which sits just below the surface of the skin, the proximity of visceral fat to internal organs can lead to metabolic disease, insulin resistance, and an increased risk of death.

Numerous studies have touted the health benefits of following low-carb diet, which generally consists of the following:

It has been shown to ward off a wide-range of health complications, and is increasingly recommended for people with type 2 diabetes to help them manage their blood sugar levels.

In addition a low-carb diet has been shown to aid weight loss, and the ketogenic diet, which is a very low-carb diet that involves cutting back on carbs and replacing them with fat, has been shown to combat harmful visceral fat.

A study including 28 overweight and obese adults found that those who followed a ketogenic diet lost more fat, especially visceral fat, than people following a low-fat diet.

Key components of a keto diet include:

Notably, avocados and keto-friendly vegetables such as Brussels sprouts are high in soluble - a type of fibre that easily dissolves in water and is broken down into a gel-like substance in the gut.

How to get rid of visceral fat: Best diet proven to reduce the dangerous belly fat

And soluble fibres have been shown to deal an effective blow to visceral fat, with one study in particular demonstrating weight-loss benefits of upping insoluble fibre-intake.

The study, published journal Obesity, suggested the best defence against visceral fat is to eat more soluble fibre from vegetables, fruit and beans, and engage in moderate activity.

The study found that for every 10-gram increase in soluble fibre eaten per day, visceral fat was reduced by 3.7 percent over five years. In addition, increased moderate activity resulted in a 7.4 percent decrease in the rate of visceral fat accumulation over the same time period.

We know that a higher rate of visceral fat is associated with high blood pressure, diabetes and fatty liver disease," said Kristen Hairston, M.D., assistant professor of internal medicine at Wake Forest Baptist and lead researcher on the study.

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They added: "Our study found that making a few simple changes can have a big health impact."

Ten grams of soluble fibre can be achieved by eating two small apples, one cup of green peas and one-half cup of pinto beans; moderate activity means exercising vigorously for 30 minutes, two to four times a week, Hairston added.

In the longitudinal study, published in the June 16 online issue of the journal Obesity, researchers examined whether lifestyle factors, such as diet and frequency of exercise, were associated with a five-year change in abdominal fat of African Americans and Hispanic Americans - populations at a disproportionately higher risk for developing high blood pressure and diabetes and accumulating visceral fat.

At the beginning of the study, which involved 1,114 people, the participants were given a physical exam, an extensive questionnaire on lifestyle issues, and a CT scan, the only accurate way to measure how much subcutaneous and visceral fat the participants had. Five years later, the exact same process was repeated.

Researchers found that increased soluble fibre intake was associated with a decreased rate of accumulated visceral fat, but not subcutaneous fat.

There is mounting evidence that eating more soluble fiber and increasing exercise reduces visceral or belly fat, although we still don't know how it works," Hairston said.

Adding: Although the fibre-obesity relationship has been extensively studied, the relationship between fibre and specific fat deposits has not. Our study is valuable because it provides specific information on how dietary fibre, especially soluble fibre, may affect weight accumulation through abdominal fat deposits."

According to Harvard Health, engaging in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per day could help to target the harmful fat.

Studies single out aerobic exercise as the best type to beat the fat, for example, an analysis of 15 studies in 852 people compared how well different types of exercise reduced visceral fat without dieting.

For example, an analysis of 15 studies in 852 people compared how well different types of exercise reduced visceral fat without dieting.

The analysis suggested that combining regular aerobic exercise with a healthy diet is more effective at targeting visceral fat than doing either one alone.

Examples of aerobic exercises include:

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How to lose visceral fat: The diet proven to reduce the harmful belly fat - Express

Sometimes all I can think about is food. My brain is either wondering whats for dinner, or trying to remember whether I have enough chocolate to bake cookies. Its no surprise that one of the first columns I wrote revolved around food. A year later, I wrote about my love affair with bread.

But I have come a long way. I can think about things other than food. Some dietary changes have stuck; others, not so much. I still love bread, and I still cannot stomach it. Along the way, there have been a few life lessons.

Two years ago, I wrote that endometriosis will make youconsider everyingredient of every meal. I now realize that might not be the healthiest approach. While traveling alone last year, I couldnt find consistent food options to suit my endometriosis diet.I stressed about it so much that I lost my appetite and an unhealthy amount of weight.

Once I began training to run a marathon, I realized Id have to eat a lot more to keep up my energy level. Thats when I decided it was OK to let things slide a bit. Hello, veggie paninis!

Following an endo dietthat avoids inflammatory foods such as dairy, gluten, meat, and sugar has worked for me. I experience less of the dreaded endo belly, and my pain levels have diminished significantly during flare-ups.

There was a clear connection between the amount of sugary foods Id ingest and the pain the next day. I had to learn the hard way that sugar doesnt just mean cakes and desserts. I now watch out for foods high in carbs, such as pasta and rice. Cocktails are reserved for special occasions, because if anything screams sugar high for adults, its a strawberry daiquiri.

Quitting coffee was one change that didnt work. I kept it up for more than six months, but I didnt notice a change in my bloating or pain. Nor did it make a difference in my digestive issues. I went back to coffee when I realized it helped with my chronic fatigue. I drink one cup a day. Some days I opt for caffeine-free tea instead.

Unless you live in a country with limited food options, finding alternatives to suit an endometriosis diet shouldnt be impossible. It certainly shouldnt be something to stress about. I dont expect others to cater to my preferences. Even when they try, they wont get it completely right because of my complicated dietary restrictions. And thats OK.

You cant expect immediate results, and its easy to feel frustrated when all you want are comforting foods. Reducing the impulse to down silly amounts of gluten, sugar, and dairy takes time and practice. Inflammatory foods are plenty, and its OK to reduce their intake one at a time.

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to an endo diet. It is a complicated, personal journey. And if youre lucky, it might include pizza on special occasions.

***

Note: Endometriosis News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Endometriosis News or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to endometriosis.

My name is Jessie. I am a writer and part-time Yoga instructor living in the south of England. Since being diagnosed with endometriosis, Im determined to be the boss of my chronic illness. Youll find me with two sausage dogs curled up on my belly and my duvet nearby, writing about life and whatever my mind thinks up. This is my journey.

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What I Learned After Two Years Of Dietary Changes - Endometriosis News Today

DEAR ABBY: My companion of many years and I are retired and live a few hours away from some of his family. When one of them plans a visit, she always insists on taking us out for a meal. She doesnt ask if we would like to eat out but rather commands it. Then she insists on paying for the meal.

I enjoy cooking and visiting with family during and after meals. I know what our dietary restrictions are, and most restaurant meals do not meet those requirements, which include low sodium, fat and sugar and no gluten. According to my companion, Im a good cook, and he enjoys everything I make.

I know I should say something, but what? I need a suggestion on how to deal with the situation without hurting anyones feelings. THANKS, BUT NO THANKS

DEAR T.B.N.T.: This relative may not mean to seem overbearing and may only be trying to be nice. Thank her warmly for wanting to take you to dinner, but tell her no. Explain that because of medical reasons, both of you must strictly limit the sodium, fat, sugar and gluten in your diet, which is why the two of you have decided it is safer to eat at home, where you can control what goes into your food. Then invite her to join you because you would love to see her and spend time with her while shes in town.

DEAR ABBY: I am in a difficult situation. My dear friends and bosses, Rebecca and Caesar, are selling their home. They had offered to sell it to me and, at the time, I was interested in buying it. Then I did the one thing I never thought I would do. I found love. Because its no longer just me, their house wont work for us. I was honest with my friends. They have been giving me the silent treatment ever since, and its causing problems at work. What is a girl to do? IN LOVE IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR IN LOVE: Recognize that Rebecca and Caesar are understandably upset that what they thought would be a quick and easy sale has now become more complicated. Explain to them again that you didnt mean to cause them a problem, but your circumstances changed. And if they continue to take out their disappointment by punishing you at work, look for another job.

DEAR ABBY: I agreed to pay for a cellphone for a friends daughter while she went to school in the U.S. She was supposed to be here for three years. WELL, it is now year four, and shes planning to stay here after graduation. How do I tell her that I am not willing to continue paying for her phone after graduation? TRIED TO HELP IN TEXAS

DEAR TRIED TO HELP: You have several choices. You can tell her parents, write to her or call her on the cellphone you have so generously underwritten. And after you deliver the message, you should be thanked for your generosity not only by her but also her parents.

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Dear Abby: Dinner out is unwelcome gift for couple on restricted diets - TwinCities.com-Pioneer Press

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Researchers are working on an exercise pill, but will it be the best way to lose weight? - KMOV.com

Plenty of people are skeptical of "miraculous" cures and belly-blasting products sold on infomercials and in airplane catalogs. But the seemingly healthy drinks sold at Whole Foods and the supplements lining your local drugstore are so ubiquitous, even skeptics may assume they work, or at least don't hurt.

Several products in particular have no place in people's kitchens or medicine cabinets, according to nutrition experts.

Insider asked nine dietitians who attended the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' annual Food and Nutrition Conference and Expo to name a product people buy in an effort to improve their health that just isn't worth it, and three themes emerged.

Probiotic supplements, alkaline water, and "detox" products like juice cleanses don't have the evidence to justify their use, they said.

Probiotics are live bacteria found in foods like yogurt and kombucha that have health benefits, particularly for the gut. But when packaged in supplement form, their benefits are more murky, New York City-based registered dietitian Tamara Duker Freuman, who works in a gastrointestinal practice and wrote the book, "The Bloated Belly Whisperer," told Insider.

"There is such paltry evidence of benefit for most commercially available products," she said.

While the supplements may help treat infectious bacteria, there's not enough evidence to show they work at healing any of the other ailments they're marketed for, from the common cold to preterm labor.

The term "probiotic" also applies to many different types of bacteria. It's not always clear what a given product contains or whether the strain any one person buys is linked to the health benefit they're seeking.

Even the concept of using probiotics to help counter the potentially disruptive effects of antibiotics on the balance of gut bacteria isn't well-founded, registered dietitian Malina Malkani, a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and creator of the Wholitarian Lifestyle, told Insider.

"Probiotics offer many potential health benefits, but there is evidence that probiotic supplements may actually prolong the gut microbiome's process of resuming its normal state after antibiotic use," she said. While people take probiotics in an effort to populate their guts with the "good" bacteria antibiotics can kill, the supplements may just make the process of getting the gut back to normal take even longer. Water is good for your health, whether or not it's in an expensive bottle with a fancy name. Cate Gillon/Getty Images

Ginger Hultin, a Seattle-based registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, named alkaline water as the one product people buy for health that just isn't worth it.

The beverage, which has a higher pH level and is therefore less acidic that plain water, is marketed as providing better hydration, detoxifying the body, balancing pH levels, boosting energy, and even supporting weight loss. Some varieties go for as much as $15 for a 1.5 liter container, Insider previously reported.

Nutrition experts say it's probably not superior to plain old water. Plus, research on diets and cancer risk found that alkaline water had no proven health benefits for cancer prevention or anything else.

"Basically, the type of water you choose to drink won't have a considerable impact on your health, provided that it's plain, calorie-free water," Ali Webster, a registered dietitian and associate director of nutrition communications for the International Food Information Council Foundation, previously told Insider.

You and your wallet are better off just eating an apple. Cindy Ord/Getty Images

While springing for a fancy cold-pressed juice isn't necessarily unhealthy, there are better and more cost-effective ways to get nutrients, experts say.

"I want people to eat and chew their food and get all the benefits," registered dietitian Amy Kimberlain, a certified diabetes educator at Baptist Health South Florida and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, told Insider.

Blending fruits and vegetables causes them to lose a lot of the fiber you'd get if you simply ate them, Kimberlain added. "We don't talk about fiber and all it's health benefits enough," she said. A lower risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and other chronic diseases are among those benefits, according to a study commissioned by the World Health Organization.

What's more, slinging back juices in the name of detoxifying or cleansing the body misunderstands how the body actually works and can even be risky, New York City registered dietitian Bonnie Taub Dix, author of "Read It Before You Eat It: Taking You from Label to Table," told Insider.

"We each have a liver and kidneys to do that job without needing a detox diet that is, in most cases, inadequately balanced and lacking in so many important nutrients," she said. As a result, dieters can wind up tired, irritable, lightheaded, and weak.

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3 'health' products that are a waste of money, according to dietitians - INSIDER

Dwight Howards career trajectory took a sharp decline after his first stint with the Lakers. Hes played with five teams in the past five seasons, and each stop had its share of Dwight Howard Is Rejuvenated headlines that didnt exactly pan out.

This second stop with the Lakers, though, feels different. Not because Howard has been lighting up the stat sheet he hasnt been but hes finally acting like a player who knows his role on a team and knows how to take care of himself as a 34-year-old.

Hes no longer the player who needed medical intervention because he was eating 24 candy bars a day. Speaking after the Lakers 118-112 win against the Bulls on Tuesday, Howard was asked about being one of the last remaining prep-to-pro players in the league. He answered that question by discussing a newfound focus on health.

He said via The Athletics Bill Oram:

Back then I thought Id be able to play forever, thought I could eat McDonalds, chicken wings and honey buns every single day, but I realized as you get older, youve got to really take care of your body, youve got to listen to your body.

So, my advice for anybody is try to eat as healthy as you can. Health is wealth. A lot of people try to get rich with money, but try to get rich with your body.

Howard even followed up those comments by going through a quick workout after the game.

Even if the workout was strictly for an Instagram clip, its something. His diet and health habits used to be *that* bad. Hes clearly made a change in those habits, and the Lakers are benefiting from an efficient Dwight Howard who has accepted his role as a bench player.

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Dwight Howard is working out after games and no longer eating 24 candy bars a day - For The Win

Neuropathy is nerve damage that often occurs in people with diabetes and as a side effect of chemotherapy. Although lifestyle changes and conventional treatments may ease symptoms of neuropathy, supplements may also help.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy include:

Although any of the body's peripheral nerves can develop neuropathy, most people experience symptoms in the feet or hands.

Treatment for neuropathy usually involves managing the condition that has caused it and relieving symptoms. Research into using supplements and natural remedies for neuropathy is ongoing. Supplements may have fewer side effects than conventional treatments and have other health benefits.

As with any medication, anyone wanting to try supplements should discuss the risks and benefits with a doctor first. Anyone experiencing severe side effects should seek medical advice as soon as possible.

In this article, we examine vitamin and supplements that may help reduce symptoms of neuropathy, prevent it from occurring, or even reverse nerve damage. We also discuss dietary and lifestyle tips for neuropathy and look at when to seek advice from a doctor.

Acetyl-l-carnitine (ALC) is a popular supplement for treating a wide variety of symptoms. The liver and kidneys naturally produce it.

People undergoing chemotherapy may find relief from neuropathy with ALC. However, the data supporting its use are mixed.

While some small early studies produced promising results with the supplement, other data suggest that ALC does not work.

Other studies show that ALC helps control pain and may improve nerve function in people with neuropathy due to diabetes.

B-12, B-6, other B-complex vitamins may also ease symptoms of neuropathy.

B-complex vitamins play an essential role in nerve health, metabolism, and sensory perception. B-complex deficiencies are relatively common, and a person can develop a deficiency after just a few weeks of inadequate intake.

A person needs to consult a doctor before supplementing with B vitamins.

Some B-complex supplements that may help neuropathy include:

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) may help reverse free radical damage and intensify the effects of antioxidants, which may slow or stop nerve damage.

A handful of studies suggest that ALA may offer relief from some neuropathy symptoms, especially burning and stabbing pains, within a few weeks.

A 2006 study evaluated symptoms of neuropathy after 5 weeks of taking oral doses of ALA once a day. The researchers divided participants into three groups according to ALA dosages of 600 milligrams (mg), 1,200 mg, and 1,800 mg.

Participants received a single oral dose of ALA each day, and researchers compared them with a placebo group. At all three dosages, participants reported fewer symptoms. However, people who took higher doses experienced more side effects.

Another study found that people taking 300 mg of alpha-lipoic acid along with 150 mg irbesartan showed increased blood flow in the brachial artery, which is in the upper arm. They also experienced lower levels of inflammation, suggesting the supplement may help with both blood flow and inflammatory processes.

The Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy also suggest that calcium could help with chemotherapy-related neuropathy, but again, research is limited.

However, the study published in Nutrients found that high dietary calcium had no effect on chemotherapy-induced neuropathy in some people.

Rich dietary sources of calcium include dairy foods, such as milk and cheese.

Glutamine is the body's most abundant amino acid. It may improve many side effects of chemotherapy, including inflammation, muscle pain, and neuropathy.

Food sources of glutamine include:

Glutamine is also available as a pill or an injection.

Several small studies have found that glutamine may eliminate or reduce the severity of neuropathy in people having chemotherapy. However, researchers need to carry out further research to confirm these findings.

Glutathione is an antioxidant that the body produces naturally. It is an increasingly popular supplement, and some foods, such as okra, asparagus, and avocados, contain high levels of it. However, digestion breaks up glutathione, and the body does not absorb it, so people may need to use other methods. Talk to a doctor about the best ways to take in glutathione.

Preliminary research has found that glutathione may help with chemotherapy-related neuropathy, diabetic neuropathy, and neuropathy of unknown origin.

Not all studies have found that glutathione works, so more research must assess its role in nerve health.

N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is present in foods such as lentils, beans, and bananas. NAC may protect the neurological system from inflammation and damage, which may help prevent or treat neuropathy.

A 2018 review highlights several small studies linking NAC to improvements in several neurological disorders, including neuropathy.

NAC may also help with Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease, though the research is still in its infancy.

Some people develop neuropathy because they have a deficiency in particular vitamins and nutrients. Supplements can help reverse or reduce symptoms.

Some vitamin and mineral deficiencies that may cause neuropathy include:

Taking too much of any supplement can cause serious health problems, including worsening neuropathy. People who suspect they have a nutrient deficiency should ask a doctor to check their levels and then consult with a nutrition expert about which supplement to use and at what dosage.

Neuropathy is a complex symptom, and the right treatment varies from person to person.

Diet and lifestyle strategies that may help a person to reduce their symptoms or even prevent neuropathy include:

People with conditions that may cause neuropathy should discuss prevention strategies with a healthcare professional.

It is also important to see a doctor if:

Neuropathy can be unpredictable and may suddenly get better or worse.

Many people with neuropathy find that they have to try several treatments to see improvements. Neuropathy is a treatable symptom, especially with the right combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and treatment for the underlying condition.

A person should talk to a healthcare professional about strategies for managing neuropathy.

Some people find that tracking their symptoms over time helps them understand which interventions or medications have worked and allows them to establish links between their lifestyle and neuropathy symptoms.

Read more:
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Of all the culinary staples to be found at a luau, poi a nutrient-rich paste made from mashed taro root is the most divisive. As purple as a fading bruise, with the texture of baby food, the sweet and sometimes sour starch, once a pillar of the Native Hawaiian diet, offends the average American palate which is exactly what prompted chef Lee Anne Wong to get creative with it. At Koko Head Cafe, her popular all-day brunch restaurant in Honolulu, she ferments poi into yogurt, sours it into hollandaise sauce, and bakes the koena, or the outer scrapings off the taros corm, the plants fuzzy underground stem, into dense but flaky biscuits.

Wong, who competed in the first season of Top Chef, is one of a handful of local chefs reinterpreting taro (known in Hawaii as kalo) for modern diners. By doing so she hopes to invigorate a Native Hawaiian culinary tradition, which for centuries relied heavily on the crop for both physical and spiritual sustenance (the vegetable features in the origin stories of Polynesian deities like Kane, the god of sunshine and fresh water). She also sees the plant as an exciting gateway to flavor. Once you understand how to work with poi it becomes this incredible ingredient thats really diverse and flexible, she says, noting that the poi typically served at luaus geared toward tourists is factory produced. Compared to hand-pounded poi, its the difference between having Whole Foods sushi and actually sitting down for an omakase from a real sushi chef, she says. For this she pays a hefty price: between $12 and $16 a pound for paiai, the hand-pounded slab of pre-processed taro corm that becomes poi when mixed with water. When you taste the stuff thats been hand-processed and made with love, get that, she says. I think the mana a Polynesian concept that loosely translates to power is actually in the food.

Here, six restaurants in Hawaii that are spotlighting taro in ways both new and old, from a six-course tasting menu in the Maui resort community of Wailea to a take-out-only shack off the Kamehameha Highway on Oahu.

Like his other Honolulu establishments Town and Kaimuki Superette, chef Ed Kenneys buzzy cocktail bar Mud Hen Water focuses on seasonal ingredients from local farmers, with an eye toward invention. The local-born chef interprets island classics with a contemporary twist, dicing bits of Portuguese sausage, an island breakfast favorite, into soupy bowls of pocho mussels and flecking beet poke with smoked macadamia nuts. He also has a revelatory approach to taro, which he blends into hummus and serves with a kukui nut lavash. For the dish Yaki o Paiai, a small slab of pre-processed taro is pounded behind the restaurant then drizzled in shoyu and grilled yakitori style. Wrapped in nori, its reminiscent of mochi, but with a sweet-sour tang.

This shack on the east side of Oahu was originally a poi factory, founded in 1905 when poi was still an affordable staple of the local diet. In the 70s, after demand for poi declined because of westernization and rising costs, the building was converted into an art gallery; it reopened as a Hawaiian food counter in 2009. Poi is now hand-pounded on site, next to picnic tables where locals enjoy savory plates of beef luau stew, composed of slow-cooked taro leaves, dripping shreds of kalua pig (a salty butt roast served at a luau), and lomi lomi salmon, a ceviche-like side dish made with chopped tomato and cucumber. But as its name suggests, poi is the main attraction here, and that focus extends beyond the menu; owner Liko Hoe offers monthly workshops that examine the historical significance of poi in Native Hawaiian culture.

After moving to Oahu from New York in 2013, chef Lee Anne Wong noticed a dearth of casual breakfast cafes catering to local diners. Cue her all-day island-style brunch house, which balances breakfast staples like a goat cheese frittata with her poke omelet (the cubes of tuna are fried and wrapped in egg). On occasion, Wong is also known to serve a poke featuring steamed chunks of taro, which she tops with seared skipjack tuna. But the dish shes most proud of is her local-style eggs Benedict, supported by a poi biscuit and a drizzle of sour poi hollandaise. Its called the Eggs Haloa, after the mythological Hawaiian figure who, as legend has it, reincarnated into the very first taro plant.

Each morning, the cooks at this mom-and-pop lunch deli in Kapaa begin steaming their laulau (salted slabs of fatty pork) by 3 a.m., giving the taro leaves encasing the meat enough time to cook. (Otherwise, enzymes in the leaves can cause an itchy throat.) The process takes six hours, which makes fresh laulau hard to come by one reason the 100 bundles the cooks make each day are typically sold out by noon. For customers with a sweet tooth, kulolo, a traditional Hawaiian delicacy made from baked taro corms, is available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and comes straight from two nearby companies: Kapaa Poi Factory and Hanalei Taro and Juice Co. The dessert has a sticky-smooth consistency akin to Jell-O crossed with pudding.

At his restaurant within the Andaz Maui at Wailea Resort, a five-star beachside hotel, chef Isaac Bancaco works closely with local farmers to shape his seasonally evolving tasting menu. Recently, local Asian influences have punctuated the menu, seen in dishes such as breadfruit hush puppies, a watermelon salad dusted with li hing mui (salted dried plums), or fried chicken served with a side of buttery cake and mochi. And Bancaco isnt shy about taking risks: One recent dinner featured a deconstructed Peking duck served whole, its heart topped with orange peel and shavings of aged paiai.

When this neighborhood diner won a James Beard Award in 2000, it was only the third restaurant from Hawaii to be recognized by the foundation after the upscale bastions of local cuisine, Alan Wongs and Roys. The award simply confirmed what locals already knew: that this cash-only no-frills institution in the heart of Honolulu had been a reliable source of local food, colloquially referred to by Hawaiians as grinds, since 1946, when its founder Helen Chock first opened her doors. Her grandson runs the place now, sticking to time-tested favorites like kalua pig and pipikaula short ribs, the bony strips of dried beef favored by paniolos, or Hawaiian cowboys. Less hyped but just as memorable is the creamy squid luau, a native Hawaiian stew made semisweet with taro leaves and coconut milk.

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Where to Eat Hawaiis Most Sacred Ingredient - The New York Times