With delectable flavours and fragrant spices, Indian cuisine is certainly popular around the world. In addition to its wide variety of rich flavours, a traditional Indian diet also boasts of a wide variety of nutrients in a balanced quantity. However, on the flip side, obesity and diabetes still continue to be a significant public health concern for India. According to the medical journal Lancet, the burden of diabetes is rapidly increasing in India and there is an estimated 72.96 million cases of diabetes in the adult population of the country as of now. Infact, India has been deemed as the worlds capital of diabetes. So, for a nation that boasts of lentils, fresh and fruits and vegetables as an integral part of its diet, where exactly did we go wrong? Is our growing inclination towards western food (pizza, burger, fries etc.) to be blamed or is there more to the Indian diet? We connected with a renowned cardiologist and famous author Dr Aseem Malhotra and asked him to shed light on the same. In this riveting conversation, Dr Aseem touched upon several eye-opening facts and misconceptions about the Indian diet that continue to plague our minds even today. Here is an excerpt from the conversation:

The role of comorbidity and death from COVID-19 Dr Aseem emphasized on the fact that even as the novel coronavirus continues to wreak havoc across the globe, it is the people with underlying chronic metabolic diseases including high blood pressure, obesity and type 2 diabetes which are affected the most. India has the highest prevalence of type 2 diabetes in the world, which on an average reduced the life expectancy by up to 10 years.

The relationship between Indians and chronic metabolic syndrome In India, 43 per cent of people with normal BMI (Body Mass Index) are metabolically unhealthy. This means that a huge proportion of people are living in this illusion of protection thinking that they are not overweight or unhealthy.

Dr Aseem spoke at length about metabolic syndrome and how 1 in 3 adults in India are suffering from this syndrome. He defined metabolic health using these 5 parameters:

Your blood pressure should be ideally less than 120 over 80 mm Hg

You should not have pre-diabetes or type 2 diabetes

Your triglyceride levels should be less than 1.7 millimoles per litre

Your good cholesterol (HDL) should be greater than 1 millimoles per litre.

If you are a man your waist circumference should be less than 90 cms and for a woman, it should be less than 85 cms.

This essentially means that even if your BMI is ideal, if you have excess fat around your body or any of the above-mentioned parameters, you are probably not as healthy as you may think.

Extra sugar, fried snacks and refined carbohydrates: Everything wrong with the Indian dietQuite appropriately, when talking about the word ''diet", Dr Aseem linked it to its greek origin 'diaita', which essentially means 'lifestyle'. Surprisingly, 70 per cent of Indian diet calories come from consuming carbohydrates and most of them are not necessarily from the best quality of carbohydrates. These poor quality carbohydrates include a lot of sugar, flour-based products, snacks loaded with starch, loaves of bread, and white rice. Another shocking finding shared by Dr Aseem is that an average Indian consumes at least 15 teaspoons sugar in the form fruit juices, sweets, sugar-laden drinks and snacks. He underlined the fact that while one does not need any amount of sugar to stay healthy, the World Health Organization has drawn the upper limit on five teaspoons of sugar per day. This essentially means, Indians are probably consuming 3-4 times of sugar then they should.

Your diet can reverse type-2 diabetesContrary to popular beliefs, Dr Aseem explained that it is never too late to change your dietary habits as it can help you reverse type 2 habits within weeks. This can be done by carefully monitoring your diet and changing the needful. For the uninitiated, Dr Aseem has been working with type 2 diabetes patients and empowering them to reverse the same with the help of lifestyle and dietary changes.

While he did not advise the patients to instantly stop taking the medications, he did recommend dietary changes for type-2 diabetes patients. He stated that medications and insulin for type-2 diabetes do not work on increasing the lifespan or reducing the chances of a heart attack and they also come with their side-effects.

When you work on reversing type-2 diabetes, you not only take away the immeasurable suffering of the patients and the impact this disease has on their nerves, eyes, kidneys etc but it also adds years to their lives, he added. Since the patients of type 2 diabetes tend to have a particular sensitivity to the sugars and refined carbohydrates, when they begin to cut down the sugar, rice, bread, potatoes etc, their blood glucose level may start to go down in a span of few weeks.

As a result, they may end up reducing the medication dosage when advised by their doctor. He pointed out that type 2 diabetes is a condition of carbohydrates intolerance, so shunning the glucose and carbohydrate-laden products like rice, breads, pasta, sugar etc can do wonders for the patient. Additionally, junk and processed food items should be replaced with whole foods including fresh fruits and vegetables. He also said that fruit juices should be avoided as they are full of sugar and whole fruits should be added to the diet instead.

The relationship between the Keto diet and managing type-2 diabetesThe cardiologist underlined that whole food-based Keto diet can be very beneficial for those battling type-2 diabetes. On the other hand low-sugar, low refined carbohydrate, a Mediterranean inspired diet with lots of vegetables or unprocessed meat like lamb, chicken and fish can also be a part of a healthy diet.

He also busted the prevalent myth of eating as frequently as every two hours and said that there is no legitimate need for the majority of the people to eat every two hours, no matter what is being propagated on the internet.

The goodness of Intermittent diet When you cut down the sugar and starch in the form of junk food, snacks and packaged food items, you actually eat to fullness and don't feel as hungry as before. Speaking about Intermittent diet, Dr Aseem agreed that there are emerging pieces of evidence which back the claim that it can be good for your metabolic health. He also underlined different methods of doing the intermittent diet and explained that for two or three times a week, he fasts for 16 hours a day and eats in a window between 12 to 8 pm.

The lack of protein in the average Indian diet As per a statement by the Indian Dietetic Association, a whopping 84 per cent of Indians are protein deficient! This is not surprising considering the fact that meat inadvertently remains one of the best sources of protein, which doesn't find its place in an average Indian thali. He pointed out that protein deficiency poses a big threat to the elderlies as they lose muscle mass and strength with age.

He listed down some of the best sources of protein which included eggs, paneer (cottage cheese), lentils etc and pointed out that Indians need to consume more of these protein-rich products in their diet instead of flour-based products and rice. Eggs remain one of the best sources of protein, including the yolk. The cardiologist reiterated the fact that the cholesterol present in egg yolks does not raise our cholesterol and will not give you a heart attack.

Move over vegetable oils, it is time to bring back desi gheeThe vegetable seed oils used for cooking in the Indian households including the sunflower oil, canola and soybean oil are not exactly healthy. Dr Aseem suggests swapping them with desi ghee, coconut oil and extra virgin oil. Since these oils remain quite stable even after they are heated up, they make for a healthier alternative to the vegetable oils that become toxic after heating.

He also reiterated that the adoption of the modern western diet through these fast food joints is actually increasing the consumption of toxic food items and should be avoided as much as possible.

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What is wrong with the Indian diet? Apparently a lot, claims UK-based cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra - Times of India

Maggie Guterl doesnt quit. Last October, she became the first female to win the Bigs Backyard Ultra, a last-man-standing race hosted by Gary Lazarus Lake Cantrell in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, where runners have to finish a 4.17-mile loop every hour on the hour for as long as they can. Guterl, 39, outlasted the field by running for 60 hours straightcovering 250 miles in the process.

When I finished, a woman came up to me and said, I didnt want to tell you this, but you were running for all of the women and an entire gender, Guterl told Runners World after the race. That was in my head the whole race, and it was so surreal when I was the last one standing.

After her historic win, the Durango, Colorado-based ultrarunner took a few weeks off from running, then began building her mileage back up to prepare for Cantrells best-known ultra, the Barkley Marathons. But when that race was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic in March, Guterl laced up her running shoes for the next best thing: the Quarantine Backyard Ultra, a virtual race similar to Bigs, hosted by Cantrell on April 4.

Unfortunately, nine hours into the Quarantine Backyard Ultra, Guterl had to stop because of an intense pain in her low back. I couldnt walk without pain, she said. She believes the issue was caused by an inflamed sacroiliac (SI) joint, which is the joint that connects the base of the spine to the hips. Since the race, she has taken time off running to rest the joint. Luckily, she found another way to enjoy the trails near her home.

I have a fat bike, a gravel bike, and a hardtail mountain bike, and Ive been using them as much as I can, Guterl said. For me, its so important to get outside and move.

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Under normal (pre-coronavirus) circumstances, Guterl has to fit training around time in the office at Tailwind Nutrition, where she works as athlete and events manager. Even before joining the Tailwind team, she was a huge fan of their products, which aced the rigorous test of not upsetting her stomach during ultra training and racing.

When shes training for an ultra, Guterl typically runs between 70 and 90 miles per week, plus additional strength training. All of that work requires a serious amount of fueling, which sometimes means a sit-down meal or a quick Eggo waffle midrun. Here, Guterl shares how she typically fuels for a day of training.

I like to run first thing in the morning before work, so Ill set my alarm for 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. Ill make some coffee, then head out the door with a 24-ounce bottle of a caffeinated Tailwind drink mix. Basically, Im all caffeine in the morning. I park at my office, then leave from there to do my workout, which usually takes about an hour and a half. Afterward, Ill have a Tailwind recovery drink and head into work.

For breakfast, my go-to meal is a breakfast burrito from the food truck that parks outside of our office. I order mine loaded with spinach, potatoes, and eggs, and it is so massive that I usually eat half for breakfast and half for lunch. If I dont get a burrito, Ill bring something from home, like scrambled eggs or oatmeal with peanut butter, banana slices, honey, and walnuts.

My lunch is usually a big salad with all of the veggies my husband and I keep in our fridge. Ill do a mix of greens, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, avocado, pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, and smoked salmon. I am obsessed with the salmon from Honey Smoked Fish Co., which is based in Denver. I would eat it all day if I could.

My coworker and I usually do weight training after work, and I always have an afternoon snack so that Im not starving at the gym. Ill munch on a bag of nuts or tortilla chips, or Ill have hummus with cut up veggies. My office is also crazy about candy, so if theres a bowl of Reeses Cups or M&Ms, Ill grab some of those.

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My husband and I are pretty laid-back when it comes to dinnera lot of times, well do pasta or a frozen pizza. But if were in the mood to cook, one of my favorite things to make is a big stir-fry with whatever vegetables we have on hand. In a big pan, Ill throw in yellow squash, zucchini, portobello mushrooms, onion, peppers, lime juice, and soy sauce, then serve that over rice noodles.

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The night before an ultra, I dont eat a ton of veggies, to limit the amount of fiber in my system. I usually eat Pad Thai thats not very spicy with eggs as my prerace meal. Then the morning of the race, Ill have oatmeal with peanut butter and honey. For the first few hours of the race, Ill just have Tailwind sports drink mix. Once I start craving real food, Ill rotate through Uncrustables sandwiches, chips, mashed potatoes, noodles, pierogies, and Eggo waffles. At Bigs, Lazs [Cantrells] wife made potato soup, which was awesome midrace.

I love a big bowl of cereal for dessert. After Bigs Backyard Ultra, I indulged with Lucky Charms. Now, I usually have Honey Nut Cheerios or Honey Nut Chex in the cupboard.

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Breakfast Burritos Are the Ultimate Recovery Fuel for Ultrarunner Maggie Guterl - runnersworld.com

The combination, according to the scientists help delayed tumour progression in mice

Previous studies have hinted at the link between diet and cancer treatment, according to the latest one published in the journal Nature Communications, afasting-mimicking diet could be more effective at treating some types of cancer when combined with vitamin C. The study was conducted by the scientists from USC and the IFOM Cancer Institute in Milan.

The combination, according to the scientists help delayed tumour progression in multiple mouse models of colorectal cancer; whereas in some mice, it caused disease regression.

"For the first time, we have demonstrated how a completely non-toxic intervention can effectively treat an aggressive cancer," said Valter Longo, the study senior author and the director of the USC Longevity Institute at the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology and professor of biological sciences at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

"We have taken two treatments that are studied extensively as interventions to delay ageing-- a fasting-mimicking diet and vitamin C -- and combined them as a powerful treatment for cancer," added Longo.

While it is a challenge for many cancer patients to fast, a much safer option would be a low-calorie, plant-based diet that causes cells to respond as if the body were fasting, according to the researchers.

A low-toxicity treatment of fasting-mimicking diet plus vitamin C may have the potential to replace more toxic treatments, the findings suggested.

Recent studies have pointed at the efficacy of vitamin C in battling cancer, especially if it is combined with a potent treatment.

Through this new study, the research team tried to investigate whether a fasting-mimicking diet could enhance the high-dose vitamin C tumour-fighting action by creating an environment that would be unsustainable for cancer cells but still safe for normal cells.

"Our first in vitro experiment showed remarkable effects. When used alone, fasting-mimicking diet or vitamin C alone reduced cancer cell growth and caused a minor increase in cancer cell death. But when used together, they had a dramatic effect, killing almost all cancerous cells," said Longo.

The study also provided clues about why previous studies of vitamin C as a potential anticancer therapy showed limited efficacy. By itself, a vitamin C treatment appears to trigger the KRAS-mutated cells to protect cancer cells by increasing levels of ferritin, a protein that binds iron.

During their investigation, scientists reduced levels of ferritin, which helped them increase vitamin C's toxicity for the cancer cells. And with this finding, they were also able discover that colorectal cancer patients with high levels of the iron-binding protein have a lower chance of survival.

"In this study, we observed how fasting-mimicking diet cycles are able to increase the effect of pharmacological doses of vitamin C against KRAS-mutated cancers," said Maira Di Tano, a study co-author at the IFOM, FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology in Milan, Italy.

"This occurs through the regulation of the levels of iron and of the molecular mechanisms involved in oxidative stress. The results particularly pointed to a gene that regulates iron levels: heme-oxygenase-1," added Tano.

The research team's prior studies have shown slow progression rate due to fast mimicking diet, making chemotherapy more effective in tumour cells while protecting normal cells from chemotherapy-associated side effects.

However, they stressed upon the fact that the combination of the diet with vitamin C enhances the immune system's anti-tumour response in breast cancer and melanoma mouse models.

The team's goal was to study if the non-toxic combination interventions would work in mice, and that it would look promising for human clinical trials.The team is now investigating the effects of the fasting-mimicking diets in combination with different cancer-fighting drugs.

(This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.)

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Combination Of Fasting Diet And Vitamin C Could Help Tough Cancer Treatment: Study - NDTV Food

Vegetarian and vegan diets are nothing new, but now that were facing meat shortages and COVID-19 is shining a bright light on the flaws and troubles of our nations commercial meat supply chain, more and more people are eating less meat these days, or at least thinking about it.

Many are ditching meat with other ethical, environmental and health reasons in mind, too. Meatless diets have been associated with increased nutrient intake and lower risk of some chronic diseases. And meat production particularly beef production isnt doing any favors for the health of our planet. Greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based agriculture are actually so sizable that a report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change last year recommended reducing meat consumption in order to adapt to climate change.

But how exactly does a meat-free diet affect your body? We reached out to some experts to find out what happens when you adopt a plant-based diet so you can decide if its the right choice for you.

Before we get into that, an important note: When we say a vegetarian diet, were referring to a diet thats free of any meat and fish. But vegetarianism has many variations some people still eat dairy and eggs (lacto-ovo vegetarians), some allow eggs but no dairy (ovo-vegetarians), and some allow fish and sometimes dairy and eggs (pescatarian). Vegan diets dont include any of those items.

Heres what you can expect when you go on a plant-based diet:

Your bowel habits will probably change.

Eating more plant-based foods like vegetables, beans and whole grains increases your fiber intake. This will help prevent constipation, improve bowel function and probably result in more regular bowel habits.

Bowel regularity is beneficial for overall health and well-being, said Colleen Chiariello, a registered dietitian and chief clinical dietitian at Northwell Healths Syosset Hospital.

At the same time, you may become more bloated than usual, especially if youve recently upped your intake of vegetables or if youre consistently filling up on brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and other vegetables that are known to produce excess gas.

When switching to a vegetarian diet, Chiariello advised incorporating a range of fruits and vegetables, not just the same ones. Staying hydrated is important too, as drinking more fluids can minimize gas from certain fruits and vegetables.

Keep in mind that if the gas is minimal, you probably dont need to worry too much. A little bit of gas is worth the benefit of colon health, Chiariello said.

Youll probably be consuming more nutrients.

When you stop eating meat and switch to a vegan or vegetarian diet, you may be eating a lot more nutrient-rich foods.

This increases the intake of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber in the diet, said Kim Rose, a registered dietitian based in Florida. Fiber is not only an important part of a healthy digestive system; it has the potential to improve cholesterol, make you feel full for a longer period of time, give the body energy, and assist in the prevention of constipation and diarrhea.

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Unhealthy eating behaviors can develop if youre not mindful of them.

A plant-focused diet has many potential benefits, but its not necessarily healthier than a non-vegetarian or non-vegan diet especially if youre eating a ton of processed foods.

It really all depends on the foods chosen and the individual nutrition needs of the person who is going vegetarian, said Emily Hamm, a registered dietitian at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. Research shows that there are multiple health benefits to going vegetarian if the vegetarian diet is rich in plant-based whole foods rather than just the reduction or absence of animal-based foods.

Tim Radak, a registered dietitian in North Carolina, recommended carefully planning any dietary change in order to avoid nutritional deficiencies and other negative effects.

For example, a soda and cheese pizza are vegetarian, but certainly do not promote health, he said.

For some people, a diet thats restrictive in any way can be hard to maintain and can even be associated with disordered eating patterns.

Consider the reason is it for ethical reasons like animal rights? Or is it because you feel it will be a healthier lifestyle? said Rachel Fine, a registered dietitian in New York.

Instead of fully avoiding any one type of food, she recommended making decisions and choices based on how certain foods make you feel physically, emotionally and ethically.

You probably wont have any trouble getting enough protein.

Many people fear plant-based diets, thinking they wont be able to get enough protein without meat. But the truth is, lots of these foods are high in protein. Its good to be mindful of protein intake, but you probably wont struggle to consume enough protein if youre being mindful.

A variety of nuts and seeds such as pistachios and quinoa, beans and peas, and soy-based products such as tofu and tempeh, are good sources of protein that also contain an array of vitamins and minerals that will properly nourish, Rose said.

But there is a caveat here: Youll want to pay attention to the source of the protein you reach for since many of the meat-replacement products some vegetarians rely on are heavily processed and can be high in sodium.

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You may need to take dietary supplements.

While you might consume a lot more nutrients than usual after transitioning to a vegetarian diet, you still may need to take dietary supplements to avoid certain nutrient deficiencies.

Many vegetarians or vegans take supplements for vitamin B12, which is available mostly in animal products and only in a small number of plant-based foods. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause fatigue, weakness, neurological disorders and other problems. Other supplements common among vegetarians or vegans are iron, vitamin D and calcium. But this all depends on your individual body and diet.

Check with your dietitian and health care provider if you are concerned about your vitamin or mineral status and tell your health care providers if you follow any dietary restrictions, Hamm said. Lab work and a nutrition-focused physical assessment will reveal if there are deficiencies.

Your heart health may improve.

Much of the fiber found in produce is soluble, which has been shown to improve cholesterol, Fine said. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and binds with cholesterol in the small intestine so that the cholesterol leaves the body through your feces rather than being absorbed into your bloodstream, where it can contribute to plaque build-up in the arteries.

A lot of foods consumed in a plant-focused diet are beneficial to heart health, too. Fine pointed out that flax seeds and canola oil are good sources of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which have anti-inflammatory properties. And olive oil, avocado, almonds, peanuts and other nuts are good sources of healthy fats that protect your heart.

You may have a reduced risk of cancer.

Plant-based foods contain phytochemicals naturally occurring chemical compounds that not only contribute to the color, taste and smell of plants but also protect human health and help our bodies fight off disease. Some research shows that these phytochemicals may protect against certain types of cancer.

The bottom line: A vegetarian diet can have a lot of positive benefits to your overall health, especially if youre loading up on nutrient-dense, plant-based, whole foods. But it all depends on what youre eating swapping meat with highly processed food isnt the best option. Take some time to examine if its best for you, and if youre ever unsure, you should always chat with your doctor.

A HuffPost Guide To Coronavirus

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What Happens To Your Body And Brain When You Go Vegan Or Vegetarian - HuffPost

A microscopic algae (microalgae) could provide a complete and sustainably sourced supplemental diet to boost the robustness of managed honey bees, according to research just published by Agricultural Research Service scientists in the journal Apidologie.

Poor nutrition in honey bees is often an underlying factor in colony losses because malnutrition amplifies the detrimental effects of parasites, pathogens, and pesticides. Habitat loss, decreases in flowering plant diversity and large tracts of crop monoculture (cultivation of a single crop over a large area) all can potentially contribute to lessening natural pollen sources, which provide bees essential nutrition.

Now, research by ARS entomologists Vincent Ricigliano and Michael Simone-Finstrom has shown that the microalgae Arthrospira platensis (commonly called spirulina) has a nutritional profile that closely resembles pollen. Spirulina is a part of family of blue-green algae, which are single-celled organisms that exist individually or in chains or groups.

Ricigliano and Simone-Finstrom found that spirulina is rich in essential amino acids and lipids required by bees, with levels matching those found in tested pollen samples.

The two scientists are both with the ARS Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research Laboratory in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Our work is a pioneering first look into the nutritional and functional properties of a single microalga and how well it corresponds to what is needed in a complete pollen substitute for the honey bee, explained Ricigliano.

In addition to being rich in essential amino acids necessary for protein synthesis, immune function and colony growth in honey bees, spirulina also contains prebiotics that support the growth of healthy gut bacteria.

Commercial beekeepers have become increasingly reliant on artificial pollen substitute diets to nourish colonies during periods of pollen scarcity as well as to bolster colony size before they fulfill pollination service contracts.

Currently available commercial diets for bees usually incorporate a variety of ingredients such as soy, yeast, wheat, lentils and milk proteins in an effort to supply balanced nutrition. These artificial diets are sometimes deficient in essential macronutrients (proteins, lipids, prebiotic fibers), micronutrients (vitamins, minerals), or antioxidants.

So the need to scientifically improve the efficacy of pollen substitutes can be considered vital to modern beekeeping and we need to think about how we can do it in a sustainable way, Ricigliano said.

Microalgae can be sustainably grown on a large scale with a minimal amount of water and few chemical inputs. It can even be grown in places where soybeans and other crops cannot be grown.

All it takes are shallow ponds, nutrient salts and sunlight to produce highly nutritious microalgae, said Ricigliano.

Now, the researchers are testing the microalgae diet in a field setting to make sure the diet is attractive to bees and supports colony growth. The excellent nutrition profile of spirulina suggests that there are likely other microalgae that could serve honey bees well, Simone-Finstrom pointed out.

We have also begun development of new microalgae strains to address other aspects of bee health, including targeted nutrition strategies, Ricigliano added.

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Microscopic algae diet could help honeybees fight off deadly pathogens and other threats - Genetic Literacy Project

We have a 9-year-old Bernese Mountain Dog. That puts him one year past his warranty date. So kinda like Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, what Truman wants, Truman gets.

The trouble is that in our current lockdown, Truman has become over-indulged, if thats even possible. Being so cossetted and adored during these long days has turned our sweet, easy-going porch dog into a tyrannical beast. So much so that when I discover his favorite treats have disappeared from the shelves of Walmart, panic swoops in. Im stuck with the dreaded Ol Roy tri-flavored kabobs.

As soon as I walk in the door, he senses my anxiety. A worried look crosses his regal face as I unpack the white-trash version of dog chews. I place one before him. He doesnt even look at it.

Come on, Tru-Tru, theyre really just the same as the Good n Funs. Look it says right here made with real chicken, chicken liver and duck. All your favorites!

Several pandemic puppies have arrived in the neighborhood over the recent months. As a result, Trumans developed a howl. And its LOUD. He rolls his head back and lets it rip fully sustained. Doleful.

One in five CHILDREN are going hungry every day, I tell him. Times have changed, Truman. Youre being selfish! I shouldnt even be buying you this shit.

He gives me a go-to-hell look and disappears into the back bedroom, where of course, he sleeps with me. Were as close as well, a couple. He generally gets more attention than my dear husband. And thats not good. Not good at all.

How did I become so devoted to a big, overbred dog, when technically Im a cat person? How did his every little wish become my sweaty command? I suppose it has something to do with his complete and unconditional love.

Mitochondrial DNA research suggests most domesticated dogs have been genetically separate from wolves for at least 100,000 years. And in that time, canines have always shared a special bond with humans. Theyve acted as human alarm systems, trackers, hunting aids, garbage disposals, hot water bottles, childrens guardians and playmates. We give them food and security, and in return, dogs give us tons of affection, which made us feel less alone. Its been a long-lasting symbiosis. In fact, some say that the success of our species is partly due to help from dogs.

And it must be why I feel such guilt for getting Truman addicted to those trashy treats. Despite their size, Berners can be as finicky as a feline. The expensive kabobs are one of the few things he actually eats. Of course, this is all my fault. Maybe I can find a solution, or at least solace, in the history books, i.e., the internet.

For our primordial pets, hunting, killing and consuming live prey was an option for the able-bodied. Those less proficient (read lazy), scavenged the plains for carcasses, vegetation and eggs. Unlike cats, dogs are omnivorous, meaning that they can literally survive off any kind of garbage they scratch up.

If a hungry canine found an ordinary household to work and dwell in during the Middle Ages (and up until the mid-19th century), little consideration was given to feeding it. A dogs diet was the same as its owner, eatingwhatever it could scrounge up, like bare knuckle bones, limp cabbage shreds, rotten potatoes, onions and crusts of bread. The lucky farm dogs in the early 1800s were fed lard and grains to keep them healthy enough to perform their jobs like a professional.

Conversely, the wealthy have always plied their pets with special foods, better than most human diets. Empress Tzu His, of China, fed her Pekingese antelope milk, quail breasts and shark fins. Dogs of European nobility were fed candy, liquor, roast duck, cake and always a raw chunk of the hunt.

It was the Victorians, however, who saw their own cultural values reflected in the dog: both were steadfast, loyal, plucky and courageous. Attitudes changed toward domesticated animals, from the hard school of earn-your-keep-or-youll-be-eaten, to a deeply emotional investment. Queen Victoria herself had a mutt named Sharp.

Moving on to the modern ages, middle class folks with disposable incomes chose dogs and cats as cuddly companions. They viewed their pets not only as prime members of the family but luxury items, status symbols.

Because pets were viewed as investments, a trend for more scrutiny of their food hastened experts borne out of nowhere, who gave worldly advice on dog diets. The common thinking of the day was that dogs needed to become more civilized. A strong preference for cooked meat, as opposed to the sloppy raw stuff, became the norm.

Enter Spratts Dog Cakes. Similar to dry tack or ship biscuits, they were made of vegetables, beet root and wheat mixed with beef blood. Sold to English country gentlemen for their sporting dogs, the convenient biscuit was also successfully marketed to urban dog owners in New York. Other companies began to develop their own recipes for biscuits and dry kibble using the nutritional knowledge of the time, thus giving rise to the American pet food industry.

Ken-L-Ration, the first canned dog food on the market, was introduced in 1922. It was made of horse meat, of course, and dogs devoured it. The inventors went to great extent to advertise their product on popular radio shows such as The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin. It became so popular that the company started breeding horses just so they could meet consumers growing demand. The practice was acceptable until after WWII, when horses became pets, too.

In the 1950s, pet food makers tried to convince dog owners to only feed their pets packaged dog food. Sponsored reports in magazines and newspapers talked about the dangers of feeding dogs table scraps and raw meat. Their aggressive marketing and advertising changed the course of history.

It wasnt until 2006 that dog food had to be complete and balanced. Which didnt deter dog food manufacturers from glopping chemical preservatives, artificial color, meat meal, gluten, corn syrup, propylene glycol, etc., into their product. The new malady for pet owners today is the quest for the perfect list of ingredients while paying through the nose for them.

Enter Australian vet and author Ian Billinghurst. In his 1993 book, Give Your Dog a Bone, he coined the acronym BARF (bones and raw food, or biologically appropriate raw food). The term was predicated on the belief that adult dogs thrive on an evolutionary diet based on what canines ate before they became domesticated.

This diet typically consists of muscle meat, often still on the bone; organ meats such as liver and kidney; (cooked) vegetables like broccoli, spinach and celery; fruit; and yogurt.

The results? Supposedly smaller stools, more energy, shinier coats and better breath. The risks? If you dont clean up the raw food remains properly (duh) bacteria could spread. And the diet may not provide enough vitamins and minerals.

At this time of the Holocene, when dogs wear undies and go for stroller walks, a raw food diet can actually be thought of as controversial, or better yet, the ultimate in pet pampering. Its a diet that conveniently matches our own Keto lifestyle. (If you dont have the stomach to butcher meat yourself, you can, of course, buy it on Amazon.)

I decide to try it on Truman. On impulse, I mix a few spoonfuls of raw hamburger into his kibble and carefully place the dish before him. He stares up at the me with repulsion. A full-blown COVID-19 induced doggy depression has settled in. His eyes cry: Why are you guys here all the effing time, and I still dont get what I want?

I wring my poor, over-sanitized hands. What to do? As always, and as convenient of softened butter, I scrap the raw idea and Google homemade pet food. Making homemade pet food doesnt fit everyones lifestyle, but these days it could. I give it a go: ground turkey, eggs, cooked rice, plus a carrot and one apple (diced), hand blended, put in a greased muffin tin and baked 30 minutes. I leave the doggie muffins to cool on the stove. The good smell brings Truman trotting out of hiding. His tail is wagging! He gobbles one down, then three more. Good boy!

As we happily prepare for a walk, I notice my husband in the kitchen polishing off one of the dog cakes.

Youre eating dog food, I holler at him.

He calmly wipes his lips on a valued paper towel.

That I cooked for Truman, I continue.

Oh. That explains why these taste like they camefrom a three-star establishment. Whats for my dinner? I wring my hands.

Do you mind the pepperoni pizza tots again?

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Sniffing out the truth - Durango Telegraph

SINGER Adele is keeping up with her intense exercise regime during lockdown as she was seen driving herself to the gym in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old shocked fans as she unveiled her incredible new look on Instagram last week.

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Dressed in black for the sweat sesh, Adele went make-up free and wore her hair up in a bun as she sat behind the wheel of her Range Rover.

Her new figure is reportedly down to overhauling her diet and dropping to just 1,000 calorie a day.

Speaking to The Sunday Mirror, a source close to the star revealed how she also got help from specialists, including Los Angeles-based trainer Harley Pasternak whose A-list clients have included Ariana Grande, Megan Fox and Lady Gaga.

However, despite her hard work and being in tip top health, Adele is still said to be "self-conscious about her weight" after losing an impressive seven stone.

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A source told Heat magazine: "Adele is finding the attention very embarrassing. She admits that although she may now look the best she ever has, she still gets incredibly self-conscious about her appearance.

"She sometimes finds it hard to believe that she looks as good as people say she does.

"She says shes shocked when she looks in the mirror, but shes really enjoying buying so many new clothes."

A source close to the star said: Adele is feeling incredible at the moment and her weight loss is due to a lot of things but she is also getting tips from Harley.

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Lady Gaga told her how brilliant Harley was. And that convinced Adele to get in touch.

It was previously reported that Adele followed the Sirtfood diet, which would include three green juices and one meal a day for three days a week and then 1,200 calories a day for four days a week.

Adele - who now lives in Los Angeles - split from her husband Simon Konecki in April 2019.

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Adele seen driving to the gym as she keeps up her gruelling exercise regime after seven stone weight loss - The Sun

What you put into your body is what you get out of your body.

For student-athletes performing at a high level of their sport, this sentiment may ring particularly true. With sports nutrition as a burgeoning field of study, athletes are increasingly encouraged to monitor the food they eat in order to have an optimal performance during competition day.

Due to the season being cut short from the coronavirus outbreak, UCLA track and field athletes used to eating food prepared at school are tasked with the challenge of keeping their bodies in top shape at home.

Its definitely been a bit of a challenge (to keep in physical shape), especially with all the restrictions around going outside, said senior distance runner George Gleason. Back at UCLA, we had all those amenities available to us, where you know youre getting the proper fuel and that youre getting taken care of. We also lose the cultural aspect as well, not being able to finish a hard run and then go in and eat with all my teammates.

With stay-at-home orders in place across the nation, Gleason said that diet has taken on an even larger role in ensuring that athletes dont fall out of shape during these trying times to keep the immune system running well.

However, Gleason said the time at home has afforded some student-athletes the opportunity to spend more time with their families, which can help with healthy eating and sparks cooking adventures with the family.

Im definitely lucky because my family is pretty active, so my parents have been taking really good care of us, making sure that we have everything we need to be eating healthy and staying healthy, Gleason said. Weve also been taking advantage of the time together and making some brownies, definitely getting into the sweets as well.

Eating well during the season can also play a role in keeping athletes in competition-shape. Throughout the course of the 2019-2020 season, several members of UCLA track and field shared what their go-to pre-meet meals are, and the results showed a wide range of preferences.

Protein, a building block of the bodys muscles, appeared to be a popular choice among Bruins.

The night before a meet, Ill usually go for a salad with grilled chicken, said junior thrower Alyssa Wilson. I like to get a lot of protein in so Im fueled and ready to go the next morning. Nothing too heavy, usually just super light.

While Wilson favors a light, protein-heavy meal, other athletes identified carbohydrates as the most essential nutrient for them on race day. Both senior distance runner Riley Kelly and junior distance runner Christina Rice said pasta is their go-to meal before a meet.

Pre-race pasta meals can build up the bodys energy reserves through the conversion of carbohydrates to glucose, which in excess is converted to and stored as glycogen within the body that can be used as an energy source during a race.

Gleason echoed the carb-loading sentiment.

If I can, I go for some Thai food, a chicken pad thai. And then oatmeal and coffee, Gleason said. You just want to go real big on the carbs. No holding back, just full carbs. I eat like three pad thais. Probably 5000 calories.

Not all athletes said they had a real preference for a particular food before competing. Senior distance runner Arturo Sotomayor said he prefers to switch things up.

Sometimes its pasta, sometimes its pizza, sometimes Ive had a steak, Sotomayor said.

Although athletes may have to adapt to quarantine conditions, they said maintaining their diets is important for staying in shape through these times.

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Track and field athletes cook up ways to stay in shape at home through nutrition - Daily Bruin

Immune health is a hot topic. But the truth is that there is no one food or supplement that can boost the immune system, says Rye, New Yorkbased Malina Malkani, RDN, the creator of Solve Picky Eatingand a media spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Instead, its important to eat a well-balanced diet that includes a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and legumes, and nuts and seeds. This way, you can be sure youre getting all the essential nutrients that support overall health and normal immune function, such as protein, zinc, and vitamins A, C, and D, Malkani says.

That said, eating a well-balanced diet is often easier said than done. In fact, only 1 in 10 adults get the 1 to 2 cups of fruit and 2 to 3 cups of veggies that are recommended per day, according to November 2017 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

If you struggle to get enough fruits and vegetables in your diet, smoothies are a tasty, convenient way to boost intake, Malkani says. Plus, if you dont enjoy the bitter flavor of certain vegetables (like spinach or kale), blending them with fruits, spices, and different types of milk (regular, almond, orcoconut) can help make them more enjoyable to consume. And if access to fresh fruits and veggies is limited, frozen versions are just as nutritious and give smoothies a great texture, Malkani adds.

RELATED: 7 Ways to Keep Your Immune System Healthy

To incorporate more immune-supporting nutrients into your diet, try one of these tasty smoothie recipes.

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10 Immune-Boosting Smoothie Recipes - Everyday Health

Vitamin A is an essential nutrient that plays a role in cell growth. It may also have some specific benefits for the skin, including treating acne.

There are two different types of vitamin A: carotenoid compounds from plant products and retinoids from animals.

Retinoids may be useful as an acne treatment as they have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that could promote better skin health.

In this article, we discuss how people can use vitamin A for acne and how it might help.

Vitamin A plays an important role in helping cells grow and stay healthy. Most cells in the body need it to function properly.

Vitamin A acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage due to free radicals. In skin cells, this could help slow cell aging and keep the skin looking younger.

The same process may also reduce the speed at which the skin cells fall off, potentially reducing the clogging of pores and acne.

Research in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology suggests that isotretinoin which is available under the brand name Accutane, among others can treat severe acne.

Isotretinoin is a type of retinoid. It also helps people with moderate acne that is resistant to other forms of treatment.

However, anyone undergoing retinoid treatment will require regular testing to reduce the risk of problems developing in the liver. Vitamin A easily binds to fat cells, and it can build up in the body and become toxic.

Vitamin A may also help skin cells directly through topical application. Topical retinoids can reduce bacteria on the skin and help with inflammation.

These drugs can also make the skin more sensitive to UV rays, though. This sensitivity can increase the risk of sunburn, so people should take extra care to avoid exposing their skin to strong sunlight.

Retinoids can also help with scarring from acne.

There is some evidence that retinoids reduce the appearance of acne scars. A study in Dermatology and Therapy found that retinoid treatment improved the look of acne scars after 24 weeks.

Vitamin A is not a quick fix for scarring, but it may help repair the damaged cells that cause scarring over time.

People can try different forms of vitamin A to improve acne:

Topical retinoids are available over the counter (OTC). Many different skin products, including anti-aging and acne treatment creams, contain retinoids.

More concentrated OTC retinoid creams are also available. They usually contain retinoids and a carrier, such as glycerin.

People who are using retinoid products for the first time should stick to less concentrated products, where possible. Doing this will allow them to identify any possible side effects from the retinoids before trying a more concentrated product, if necessary.

A doctor can prescribe stronger topical retinoids, such as:

Oral vitamin A supplements allow the body to deliver vitamin A to the cells most in need.

Many multivitamins contain vitamin A, but vitamin A-only supplements are also available. These are usually in the form of retinyl palmitate or retinyl acetate.

Other forms of vitamin A may require a prescription. Prescription-strength retinoids include acitretin (Soriatane) and bexarotene (Targretin), as well as isotretinoin.

The diet can also provide vitamin A, with plant-based and animal-based foods supplying different types. Foods rich in vitamin A include:

Many cereal manufacturers fortify their cereals with vitamins, including vitamin A.

Anyone considering using vitamin A for acne should first talk to their doctor. Adding vitamin A-rich foods to the diet is generally safe, but oral and topical vitamin A treatments carry their own risks.

Side effects can occur with both oral and topical vitamin A. In some cases, taking too much vitamin A causes a toxic buildup in the liver.

Vitamin A deficiencies are rare in developed nations, such as the United States. People who eat a balanced and varied diet should not generally need to focus on specific vitamins and minerals.

However, those keen to boost their levels of vitamin A can include foods rich in this nutrient, such as liver, oily fish, and leafy green vegetables.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) state that the recommended daily intakes of vitamin A are:

People should only take an oral retinoid for acne under the guidance of a medical doctor. Oral retinoids are usually for severe cases of acne or those that are difficult to treat.

In these cases, doctors will provide specific instructions on how to use the medication. They will also follow up with regular testing to help monitor side effects and avoid any complications.

Anyone considering topical retinoid treatment for their acne should talk to a doctor or dermatologist first. They may provide other treatment options or recommend specific products.

OTC options will have lower retinoid concentrations, making them less likely to cause severe side effects.

After applying retinoids to the face, it is important to avoid sunlight where possible. People can stay in the shade and wear protective clothing to reduce exposure to sunlight.

Vitamin A can help with acne by reducing inflammation, cell damage, and redness. Topical or oral retinoids can be useful, depending on the severity of the symptoms and how long they have persisted.

Anyone looking to use retinoid products for acne should talk to a doctor or dermatologist first. These healthcare professionals can help the person avoid severe side effects and further skin problems.

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Vitamin A for acne: Benefits, types, and uses - Medical News Today