Category Archives: Diet And Food

Specific lifestyle behaviors such as sticking to a Mediterranean-like diet and not smoking may dictate a persons ability to live without a caregiver into their late 80s. Photo by Sondem/via Adobe

Want to stay out of a nursing home in your twilight years? Put down that hot dog.

A new study outlines which aspects of a healthy lifestyle predict independent living late in life. While physical activity and living with someone else can factor into reachingold age, specific behaviors such as sticking to a Mediterranean-like diet and not smoking may dictate a persons ability to live without a caregiver into their late 80s, according to research published Friday in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Experts told NewsHour such guidelines for keeping the elderly mobile are invaluable as the geriatric population continues to grow.

Preserved independence is highly valued by very old individuals, Kristin Franzon, a geriatrician and the studys lead author, told NewsHour via email. In the beginning, her team wanted to know if there was anything people could do to maintain independence as they age, or if dependence is an unavoidable part of getting old.

Her 16-year study at Uppsala University followed a cohort of Swedish men as they became octogenarians. Franzon started her investigation in 2011, but relied on data from the the Uppsala Longitudinal Study of Adult Men (ULSAM) an ongoing project begun in 1970, when its participants were 50 years old.

Approximately 1,100 participants from ULSAM fit the bill for Franzons study, though some chose not to participate or didnt meet the benchmark for independent living at the start. Over the next 16 years, a portion of the men also passed away or dropped out due to severe illness. To qualify as independent, the men had to meet rigorous standards. The men had to be able to bathe, toilet and dress themselves, and walk alone outdoors until the age of 87. They also had to pass a mental state examination, could not be institutionalized or have dementia.

In the end, 369 men completed the final study 276 counted as independent agers, while 93 lived co-dependent lifestyles.

This cohort underwent a series of tests during medical checkups. The men were queried on their physical activity, education level, smoking habits and whether or not they lived alone. When they could make it to the clinic, nurses gave them a full physical, looking at health indicators like height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin and cholesterol.

Participants also kept food diaries. Those records were scored based on how well their diets conformed to a modified Mediterranean diet meaning it was adapted for a typical Swede. Typically, a Mediterranean diet emphasizes fish, cereals, polyunsaturated fatty acids, fruits and vegetables. For the Swedes in the study, their diets did not contain a lot of olive oil or nuts, while potatoes counted as a grain.

Out of all this information came three traits associated with independent aging: never having smoked, a waistline under 40 inches and a high adherence to the Mediterranean-like diet.

As far as we know, this is the first study to show an association between high adherence to a Mediterranean-like diet and preserved independence at a very old age, Franzon said. Other traits, including physical activity and cohabitation, are only associated with longevity.

But these lifestyle recommendations may not translate for everyone. Given that the men are of similar age and ethnicity provides consistency, but at the same time, limits how applicable the findings are to a broader population.

The study is also only in men. Women have more difficulty than men with everyday tasks as they get older, said Anne Newman, an epidemiologist at the University of Pittsburgh and former geriatrician who was not involved in the study.

Newman also noted that some participants didnt complete every part of the survey some became too infirm to visit the clinics, for instance so its likely the results are slightly reflective of healthier individuals. Franzon acknowledges this limitation, too. Her teams report notes that its possible the trends they see would be stronger if there had been less bias toward a healthier population.

Even though the study is small, its unique in that it looks at how well seniors are living and not just how long, Newman said. Its also rare and remarkable, she added, for a study to start at a young age and then follow participants over such a long period of time.

As the geriatric population continues to grow,Newman stressed that more work is needed to understandwhat will keep peopleactive.

People are living longer, but not everyone has a family capable of the emotional and economic burdens of caregiving. For some of the elderly, nursing homes mean boredom and neglect, while other seniors view successful aging as maintaining independence.

Frazons research pinpoints the behaviors that might help. So, are you swapping that hot dog for veggies yet?

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How to stay out of a nursing home and age independently - PBS NewsHour

Research led by Brad Ferguson, PhD, has found that diet doesn't appear to be a factor in gastrointestinal issues in children with autism. Credit: Justin Kelley/MU Health

Many children with autism spectrum disorder experience significant gastrointestinal issues, but the cause of these symptoms is unknown. Professionals in the medical community have suggested a potential link between diet and gastrointestinal issues related to autism. Now, researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine have found that diet is not a contributing factor in these individuals. The researchers hope the findings could help lead to improved treatment options.

"Unfortunately, it's not uncommon for those with autism to experience constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, abdominal pain and other gastrointestinal issues," said Brad Ferguson, Ph.D., postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Radiology at the MU School of Medicine and the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. "We sought to find out whether nutritional intake in their individual diets was associated with gastrointestinal issues. Based on our findings, dietary intake does not appear to be the culprit for these issues, and other factors are likely at play."

A previous study conducted by the research team identified a relationship between increased cortisol response to stress and gastrointestinal symptoms in people with autism spectrum disorder. Cortisol is a hormone released by the body in times of stress, and one of its functions is to prevent the release of substances in the body that cause inflammation. In this study, the researchers sought to confirm or rule out dietary intake as a source of gastrointestinal problems.

The team studied 75 individuals between the ages of 5 and 18 who are part of the Autism Speaks Autism Treatment Network who were treated at the MU Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders. The individuals' caregivers completed a questionnaire to assess the children's gastrointestinal symptoms, as well as a questionnaire on food intake over the past month. The individuals also underwent two stress tests to measure cortisol levels.

"We looked at the reported instances of gastrointestinal issues and compared them with 32 different nutrients found in a standard diet," Ferguson said. "Contrary to what you may initially think, dietary composition does not appear to be a driving factor between stress response and gastrointestinal function in this sample. More research is needed to better understand the causes of these issues, but an increased reaction to stress does appear to be a contributing factor."

Explore further: Increased reaction to stress linked to gastrointestinal issues in children with autism

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Study: Diet not connected to GI problems in children with autism - Medical Xpress

It sounds like Aaron Rodgers is looking for the kind of career longevity enjoyed by his friend and fellow NFL quarterback Tom Brady.

In an interview with People, Rodgers talked about how clean living was a factor in his 13-year career as a star Green Bay Packers quarterback. The interview took place in advance of Wednesday nights ESPY Awards when the former Cal Golden Bears star competes against the San Mateo-born Brady as the best NFL player of 2017.

Rodgers, 33, opened the interview by dishing just a tiny bit about how hes worked to overcome regrets. He may be referring to his breakup this spring from his high-profile, three-year relationship with actress Olivia Munn, or his longtime estrangement from his Chico-based family, including his younger brother Jordan Rodgers, last years winner of The Bachelorette.

You figure it out as you go, you make mistakes, but being open to those older voices in your life, and those mentors, can help you avoid some of the mistakes that we all [likely] made at a young age, he said.

Thats about as specific as Rodgers would get on that score. He was more specific when he talked about the importance of mentorship and friendship in the sport. Thats where Brady comes in.

The New England Patriots quarterback has become the subject of lengthy profiles in recent years and not just because of his on-field accomplishments: as a four-time Super Bowl MVP who has won five Super Bowls as quarterback. Brady is also said to be playing better than ever, even though hes 39 years old in a rough sport that is notoriously hard on players bodies and brains.

As he enters his 19th season, Bradys fierce attention to his own version of clean living has come under scrutiny.

Brady is known to follow an extremely meticulous diet, fitness and overall life-style regimen that covers everything: what he eats, how he works out or spends his vacation days and even how he sleeps, according to a 2014 profile Sports Illustrated. He is known to follow a strict, mostly vegan diet in which he shuns sugar and alcohol most of the time and in a more extreme way eliminates nightshade veggies like potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant that are said to cause inflammation.

Brady also eats seasonally,meaning he eats certain foods in the winter including red meat and mostly raw food in the summer. Earlier this year Brady launched a plant-based meal kit plan,based on his program, with Purple Carrot.

Rodgers said hes taking some of his nutrition cues from Brady, especially as he contemplates how hell continue to play as he approaches his mid-30s, a time when many quarterbacks begin to contemplate retirement.

I dont have a cookbook out yet, Rodgers joked. And I still have to improve in some areas!

One thing he said he hasnt been able to give up are the nightshade veggies. But he says hes working to improve, mainly because he holds Brady in such high esteem.

I think Tom sets a good example, and we have been friends for a long time and talk about a number of things, Rodgers said. He has kind of set the standard for taking care of your body.

The interview didnt go into whether Rodgers is following some of Bradys other life-style choices, such as doing cognitive exercises before bedtime to destimulate his brain and to fall asleep by 9 p.m., as Sports Illustrated explained. Brady also rarely lifts weights and works out instead using resistance bands. Meanwhile, on vacation, his daily routine is still carefully scripted. He works out twice naps according to a schedule, surfs, avoids alcohol and still goes to bed early.

But Rodgers might have other ways of taking care of his most prized asset his body. In early April, shortly after he broke up with Munn, it was reported that he spends a lot time in Los Angeles, getting weekly facials. He had also been working out at the Unbreakable Performance Center, a gym known in West Hollywood for its celebrity clientele.

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Aaron Rodgers is getting diet tips from his good friend Tom Brady - The Mercury News

With more than one-third of U.S. adults suffering from obesity, it's no surprise that many Americans would benefit from healthier eatinghabits. Fad diets capitalize on our desire for quick results but usually fail in the long run.

Now new research adds to the evidence that a more moderate approach can make a lasting difference.

A study from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health finds that improving the quality of diet over time, even with modest changes, may significantly reduce the risk of premature death.

Improvements to diet included consuming more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and fish and eating less red and processed meats and sugary beverages.

"Overall, our findings underscore the benefits of healthy eating patterns including the Mediterranean diet and the DASH diet. Our study indicates that even modest improvements in diet quality could meaningfully influence mortality risk and conversely, worsening diet quality may increase the risk," lead author Mercedes Sotos-Prieto, who worked on the study while a postdoctoral fellow in the Harvard Chan School department of nutrition and who is currently an assistant professor of nutrition at Ohio University, said in a statement.

For the study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, Sotos-Prieto and her team analyzed data on nearly 74,000 adults over a 12-year period. The researchers assessed the participants' diet using three different scoring methods: the 2010 Alternate Healthy Eating Index, the Alternate Mediterranean Diet score, and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet score. Each model assigns scores to various types of food, with healthier foods receiving higher scores and less healthy foods receiving lower scores.

The results showed that better diet quality over a 12-year period was linked to a reduced risk of death in the subsequent 12 years, no matter which method of scoring was used. Whole grains, fruits, vegetables and fish or n-3 fatty acids appeared to contribute most to an improvement in diet quality.

Specifically, the study showed that a 20-percentile increase in diet-quality scores was associated with an 8 to 17 percent reduction in the risk of death.

That can be achieved, for example, by swapping out just one serving of red or processed meat and replacing it with onedaily serving of nuts or legumes.

In contrast, worsening diet quality was linked to a 6 to 12 percent increase in the risk of death.

Nancy Z. Farrell, a registered dietitian nutritionist and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, said the findings reinforce the work she does every day with her patients.

"Registered dietitian nutritionists practice evidence-based science every day in encouraging and educating the public on disease prevention and treatment, and we know that chronic disease increases the cost of health care and drives up insurance premiums," she told CBS News.

Farrell says everyone can benefit from making smart diet swaps as often as possible.

"Have a 'meatless Monday' dinner where you incorporate beans or legumes, such as red beans and quinoa. Or have a veggie pizza night," she suggests.

When it comes to snacking, avoid high-calorie junk foods like potato chips and opt for a handful of nuts, or make your own trail mix with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit.

And if you're looking for a sweet treat, skip the ice cream and try freezing some fruit instead.

"Blueberries or blackberries offer a refreshing summer snack with a burst of coolness," Farrell said.

Importantly, experts say it's crucial to not only incorporate such changes into your diet, but to stick with them over time.

"Our results highlight the long-term health benefits of improving diet quality with an emphasis on overall dietary patterns rather than on individual foods or nutrients," said Frank Hu, professor and chair of the Harvard Chan School department of nutrition and senior author of the study. "A healthy eating pattern can be adopted according to individuals' food and cultural preferences and health conditions. There is no one-size-fits-all diet."

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Even modest changes to diet could reduce risk of death, study finds - CBS News

TUESDAY, July 11, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- Lifestyle counseling could help protect the long-term heart health of adults who aren't yet at high risk for heart attack and stroke, a panel of medical experts says.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) on Tuesday reaffirmed its 2012 recommendation that doctors consider extra counseling on diet and exercise even among their low-risk patients.

"The Task Force encourages primary care clinicians to talk to their patients about eating healthy and physical activity," said task force vice chair Susan Curry. If patients are interested and motivated to make lifestyle changes, doctors should offer to refer them to counseling, she said.

Obese people and those who have high blood pressure or cholesterol levels, diabetes, or problems maintaining normal blood sugar levels are at higher risk for heart disease. The USPSTF already advised doctors to offer their high-risk patients intensive behavioral counseling to help prevent heart attack, stroke and other heart-related problems.

This type of counseling involves more than a single conversation during a doctor's visit. In many cases, patients attend multiple counseling sessions with another health care professional.

In its final recommendation published July 11, the panel concluded that primary care doctors should also consider offering healthy lifestyle behavioral counseling to patients who are at moderate or low risk for heart disease, including those who exercise and have a generally healthy diet.

"This recommendation complements separate task force recommendations for people at increased risk, which recommend behavioral counseling for all high-risk patients," said Dr. Carol Mangione, a task force member.

The recommendation was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. It also appears on the USPSTF website.

Cardiovascular disease, which includes heart attacks and strokes, is the leading cause of death in the United States, the panel noted.

See the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more on healthy living.

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Docs Should Counsel Even Healthy People on Diet, Exercise, Experts Say - Bismarck Tribune

Q: Is it possible to have a healthy vegetarian or vegan pregnancy?

A: The short answer is yes, absolutely, said Dr. Shannon M. Clark, a spokeswoman for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can still get all the nutrients you need, but you cant be cavalier.

A 2015 review of 22 observational studies on vegan and vegetarian pregnancies discovered no increase in major birth defects or other serious problems in offspring or mothers. The review, in BJOG, included only healthy women. The authors said more research is needed to determine whether expecting women who have certain health conditions can safely continue a plant-based diet.

In its position paper on vegetarian diets, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics said a plant-based diet is healthful and nutritionally adequate for pregnant women, as long as theres appropriate planning, since pregnant women who dont eat meat may be at risk for deficiencies in certain nutrients.

Iron is crucial because women build up blood volume during pregnancy, and deficiencies can lead to anemia, which increases the risk of having a low birthweight baby, and increases the risk of preterm labor and delivery, explained Clark.

So during pregnancy, vegetarians and vegans should take special care to eat plenty of iron-rich foods, like dried beans and peas and fortified cereals. Prune juice is also high in iron.

B vitamins, including vitamin B12 and folic acid, are also critical in pregnancy.

Catherine Saint Louis, The New York Times

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A plant-based pregnancy diet takes planning - Daily Commercial

Fresh off her adventure with healing stickers, Gwyneth Paltrow has recently announced her investment in the frozen meal delivery service, Daily Harvest. No, this is not some pallid frozen green bean venture we can safely assume she had a conscious uncoupling from such an ingredient years ago.

Founded by a busy New Yorker (why is that term New Yorkers favorite word to describe themselves?), the company has tapped into a new kind of frozen technology that enables it to deliver breakfast bowls and smoothies saving foodies time, stress and money. Tennis star Serena Williams is also apparently investing in Daily Harvest, adding to the meal services A-List street cred.

Gwyneth Paltrow is an authority on health and wellness, the companys founder and CEO, Rachel Drori, told Fortune magazine. Drori apparently overlooked Paltrows past health advice, which includes the assertion that underwire bras could cause cancer, the [unproven] benefits ofdetoxing, and her preference for smoking crack over eat[ing] cheese from a tin.

In an exclusive statement to People magazine, Paltrow revealed that most people dont have access to farm fresh produce year-round.

On that point, Paltrow is correct, which is why many Americans have a supply of frozen produce on hand, as in her words, farm-frozen produce is picked at its nutritional peak, retains more nutrients and its more readily available to everyone.

When it comes to saving money, Daily Harvests pledge of frugality must be left in the eye of the beholder. The frozen meals, intended for breakfast, start at $6.49; in fairness, the more you buy, the more you save. For example, if a family of four wanted to subsist on a weekly diet of these various smoothies (which generally cost $6.99 each), a weekly supply of 24 of these frozen cups would cost $167.76, or $6.99 a breakfast. That weekly subscription fee is several dollars higher than what the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) describes as the weekly cost of a low-cost weekly grocery bill for a family of four.

TriplePundits staff went through their freezers and receipts and compared the cost of making a quick, healthful breakfast at home. A family who had the means to afford Whole Foods on a regular basis could prepare a breakfast that included one slice of whole wheat bread with vegan spread; one hard-boiled free-range egg; a cup of fair trade coffee with coconut milk-based creamer; one ounce of almonds; and two ounces of fresh or frozen blueberries. That meal cost on average $2.30, or one-third the cost of Daily Harvests smoothies.

The companys announcement of this new partnership on Facebook elicited many comments, from the verbal eye-roll to absolutely incredulous.

Awesome does that mean they will help make this organic, fresh food available at lower prices so its not a luxury item?

Definitely interested in your product. Ive filled out an order but decided to wait a bit. Not impressed that Gwyneth Paltrow is getting involved at all! Hope it doesnt change the quality of your product and vision.

Wouldnt it be awesome if that meant fresh, organic food was more available to all budgets

Are we talking Whole Foods freezers or the freezers of communities with food deserts (where often the only point for shopping is bodegas)? If the former, it seems like a mere gesture to me.

Nothing like Gwyneth Paltrow to turn everyone off your product! Im sure shell make a really pretentious video about herself to sell it too! Joy.

The convenience of take away single use materials is trashing our planet.

On that final comment, the company replied that while the cups are mostly recyclable, the lids definitely can be placed in the blue bin. Daily Harvest also assured customers that the cups are also vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free.

Criticism aside, the company is charging ahead with its product line of overnight oats, chia puddings and smoothies, promising to transform eating habits nationwide. Daily Harvest is a business born from personal need. Drori felt the way she aspired to eat and the way she had time to eat were always in conflict. This problem, and Droris solution to it, rang true with Paltrow and Williams, as it has with tens of thousands of Americans, said a press statement announcing the latest Series A financing round.

Image credit: Daily Harvest

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Gwyneth Paltrow Invests in Natural Frozen Food, Elicits Eye Rolls - Triple Pundit (registration) (blog)

Studies show that 75 percent of Americans drink less water than is recommended daily. Paired with long periods of time in the heat, dehydration can escalate into serious health issues including muscle cramps, severe exhaustion or heat stroke. To enjoy warm weather safely, keep in mind the dangers of dehydration.

It can be easy to overlook early stages of dehydration, especially if youre busy. Some common signs of dehydration include:

Confusion

Dark or decreased urine

Diarrhea

Dizziness

Dry mouth

Advertisement

Fainting

Headache

Low blood pressure

Rapid heart rate

Tired or sleepy

Vomiting

Weakness

Although dehydration is a leading cause of hospital visits for seniors, it affects all ages. The recommendation for water intake depends on a variety of factors including diet, lifestyle, activity level, health conditions and environment. For 5- to 8-year-olds, the recommendation is one liter of water daily; 9- to 12-year-olds should get 1.5 liters and children ages 13 and older should consume up to two liters each day. A general rule for adults is to drink half ones body weight in ounces of water daily.

There are a variety of convenient ways children, adults and seniors can stay hydrated.

Hydrating Foods: Approximately 80 percent of hydration comes from liquids, while 20 percent comes from foods. Water-dense foods include celery, cucumbers, strawberries and watermelon. Its also important to consume foods that increase the bodys electrolyte-count, such as cheese, milk, pickles and yogurt.

Get Creative: For some, drinking water is tedious. Consider infusing fruits and herbs or freezing fusions into healthy popsicles. Keep in mind that coffee, tea, pop and other caffeinated drinks are diuretics that decrease fluid in the body.

Friendly Reminders: If staying hydrated throughout the day isnt a habit, consider setting an alarm as a reminder to drink two or three times an hour. Another way to track water intake is to mark times on a bottle to see how much to drink at given times of day.

Dress in Light Colors: While dark-colored clothing is great for UV-protection, it absorbs heat and can raise your body temperature. Because sweating contributes to dehydration, its best to wear lightweight, light-colored clothing with sunblock outdoors.

Cool Off: Whether at a park, beach or the back yard, take breaks from the heat. For every hour of physical activity, drink 16-31 ounces of water.

Dr. S. George Kipa, M.D., is a deputy chief medical officer and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan provider. For more health tips, visit AHealthierMichigan.org.

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How to avoid summertime dehydration - The Oakland Press

The Bible serves as a cornerstone of faith for millions of people around the world. However, along with the teachings and parables, did you know that some of the foods mentioned in this ancient holy book can safely be called modern-day superfoods?

Its true! Many of the foods that are described or mentioned in the Bible have amazing healing properties. These properties are just as potent today as they were thousands of years ago. It turns out that taking some nutritional advice from the Bible may not be a bad idea!

While there are many wonderful foods to be found in Bible verses, lets take a look at six particularly healthy ones. Try adding these to your favorite recipes.

The Bible mentions honey often, which contains a wealth of nutrients.

Theres a reason that raw honey is often referred to as liquid gold. It is arguably the healthiest sweetener out there. Honey contains a wealth of nutrients, including several B-vitamins, calcium, copper, phosphate, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium and amino acids.

Eating raw honey can help with a number of ailments, including coughs and other respiratory symptoms, seasonal allergies (when the honey is local to your area), dry skin, burns and wounds. It can also help to support healthy gut bacteria, freshen your breath and even relieve hangover symptoms. Try drizzling some honey over fresh fruit, or add it to teas, smoothies and yogurt.

Lentils are rife with nutrients, including a range of B-vitamins, fiber, copper, zinc, potassium, protein and phosphorus. They also contain a hefty concentration of molybdenum, a lesser-known nutrient required for the optimal function of a number of enzymes in the body. These enzymes are instrumental in the health of many of the bodys systems. Molybdenum is also linked to providing antioxidant support, which is important for combating free radicals and inflammation.

Due to their high fiber content, lentils are a great meal choice for both improving digestion and protecting your cardiovascular health. Eating lentils can also provide a healthy source of energy and stabilize blood sugar. Try a lentil stew with curry spices next time youre in the mood for a hearty, flavorful dinner.

The Bible mentions millet, an ancient grain thats naturally gluten-free.

Millet is an ancient grain that has been around since the times of prehistory, so its no surprise that people were enjoying it in biblical times. It is naturally gluten-free, so its a great choice for individuals who are sensitive to gluten, or who just want to add a new, nutritious, whole grain to their meals. Millet contains an abundance of minerals, including copper, phosphorus, magnesium and manganese, along with heart-healthy plant lignans.

The magnesium content of this ancient grain has been linked to a number of health boons, including reducing the risk of cardiac incidents, lowering blood pressure and reducing frequency of migraines. Eating millet may also protect against certain cancers, and lower risk of gallstones and type 2 diabetes. Try it instead of rice for your next stew or stir fry.

Pomegranates are a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, all of which are antioxidant vitamins that help combat inflammation, improve immunity, support skin health and more. These prized fruits are also a good source of folic acid. On top of that, pomegranates contain caffeic acid, ellagic acid and punicic acid, polyphenols that may help to protect your heart and prevent certain cancers.

Eating pomegranates may also help to slow the aging process, reduce chronic pain such as arthritis pain, lower cholesterol and boost your mood. Try pomegranate over yogurt, in smoothies or as a topper to salads.

The Bible often talks about olive oil, which is great for stabilizing blood sugar.

Olive oil is a staple of the Mediterranean diet, and a big part of the health benefits associated with following this particular diet. It is rich in oleic acid, which has been linked to improving immunity, reducing inflammation and potentially providing aid with cancers and autoimmune illnesses. It has also been linked to better wound healing. On top of that, olive oil is rich in vitamin E, which is crucial to keeping your skin healthy.

Getting more olive oil in your diet is great for getting antioxidants. It may also help to stabilize blood sugar, decrease LDL (bad) cholesterol and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease. Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil in all of your homemade vinaigrettes and to top fish dishes, salads and more.

Wine has many appearances in the Bible, with a place in both ceremonies and miracles. Red wine, in particular, has many health benefits. These include lowering cholesterol levels, promoting longevity, protecting the heart, stabilizing blood sugar, improving memory, aiding in weight loss, reducing inflammation and combating infections. Some of these benefits are attributed to resveratrol, an antioxidant compound found in red grapes.

When choosing a wine, your best bet is organic red wine. Just remember that moderation is key; a large amount of alcohol of any kind does not do your body (or mind) any favors. A glass per day for women and two per day for men is the recommended limit.

Whats your favorite biblical food? How do you prepare it?

Tanya Mead

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6 Healing Foods Mentioned In The Bible - The Alternative Daily (blog)

Diet and exercise counseling provides a positive but small effect in preventing cardiovascular disease for otherwise healthy adults, according to a new recommendation from one of the nations most influential health care organizations.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, whose guidelines are often followed by clinicians and insurance companies alike, released an updated guideline Tuesday on one of the nations most pressing problems: How to reverse an ongoing obesity epidemic thats estimated to affect one in three adults. Rather than simply treating obesity, medicine is increasingly taking a preventive approach which attempts to instill healthier habits early and stop weight gain from occurring.After reviewing the results of 88 clinical trials, a panel maintained a middle-of-the-road C grade for diet and exercise counseling for people classified as normal weight or overweight who have no known risk factors for heart disease such as hypertension, high blood sugar levels, elevated blood cholesterol or diabetes.

The rating leaves it up to individual doctors to decide whether each patient could benefit from more intensive weight-loss programs often led by nutritionists, who offer a combination of sound advice and regular check-ups in a one-on-one or group setting.

Such efforts, often delivered through six-month comprehensive lifestyle programs, are already strongly recommended for anyone with cardiovascular risk factors and for those whose body mass index classifies them as obese. In some cases, for example, diabetic patients are able to stop taking medications after moving toward healthier food choices and becoming more active.

But after looking at the current body of evidence, experts were not able to authoritatively determine that among overweight or normal-weight people,, behavioral counseling made a huge difference in preventing heart disease.

The C grade is important for another big reason: The Affordable Care Act requires all health insurance companies to cover preventive services receiving an A or B rating from the task force. So, while insurance companies are currently required to cover weight loss counseling for those who are already obese, that will not be the case for those who are merely overweight. This is despite the fact that the American Heart Association recommends such counseling for both weight categories.

Dr. Carol Mangione, a task force member and practicing internal medicine specialist who teaches at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, said the letter grade should not be taken as evidence that diet and exercise changes are not beneficial or critical in fighting the nations obesity epidemic. Its just that, when looking only at the evidence, other choices, such as quitting smoking, deliver a larger benefit and thus get a higher grade.

As to the fact that a C grade is one shy of insurance coverage requirements? Though the task force is seen as the arbiter of what gets covered and what does not, thats not part of the evaluation process.

We look at the clinical evidence but we dont consider insurance coverage at all, Mangione said.

Because it looks at weight through the lens of cardiovascular disease, the recommendation, noted Dr. James Sallis, a well-known behavioral medicine researcher at UC San Diego, is far from the last word on who should be told to enroll in a comprehensive lifestyle program and who shouldnt.

The problem is, diet and exercise specifically are related to many different diseases. Cardiologists dont pay much attention to cancer and osteoporosis and depression, but they are all affected by obesity. Recently, as an example, there was a very large study that linked physical activity levels to 13 different cancers, Sallis said.

The bigger problem, he added, is that many doctors dont know what to do, beyond advocating for a plant-based diet more regular exercise, when they encounter a patient who is overweight and at risk of eventually becoming obese. Often, he said, they send patients to gyms and other self-directed resources even though evidence shows that the best results are obtained from the kinds of programs which help people set specific goals, have accurate ways to track progress toward those goals and have some sort of mechanism, such as group meetings where results are shared, to provide accountability.

Creating a link between doctors and these more-proven options, he said, is whats needed in order to reverse the obesity epidemic, and thats why the C grade was a little disappointing.

A C recommendation is not going to stimulate much change. The way our system works, if they dont have a diagnosis that would lead to coverage, then they are going to have to pay out of pocket. When patients have to pay out of pocket, theyre less likely to follow a doctors recommendations, Sallis said.

But Dr. Kristin Hampshire, a family medicine practitioner at Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, said breaking patients down by body mass index, which is the main way that medicine decides who is obese and who isnt, is not 100 percent-accurate.

There are some patients who are in fact doing everything right, and that number of the scale refuses to budge.Its important to emphasize that the health benefits of healthy lifestyle choices are tangible no matter what your weight is, Hampshire said.

There is also huge variation from doctor to doctor when it comes to prevention. Some may make sure to mention that as-yet-unscheduled colonoscopy every time they come in for a checkup while others may let it ride. So, publishing guidelines for doctors, as the task force does regularly, may or may not be universally embraced.

Hampshire said her medical group has tried to standardize its clinical practices across its 500 doctors and 2,800 employees working in 22 medical offices, but, in the end, the amount of attention paid to helping patients change their healthy living patterns can come down to whether a physician has taken this kind of action in his or her own life.

Most of the problems that were seeing our patients for relate in some way to lifestyle choices. I think it depends so much on the doctor and their personal interest, in the continuing education theyve taken throughout their careers, and their own lifestyles, Hampshire said.

paul.sisson@sduniontribune.com

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Should doctors prescribe exercise and diet changes to patients who aren't obese? - The San Diego Union-Tribune